Document Document Title
US07731510B2 Connector device for interconnecting circuit substrates
A connector device for interconnecting circuit substrates is provided, in which no electric element for protection needs to be mounted separately on circuit substrates. A rectangular parallelepiped connecting element having an electrical component (9) is received in a connector housing (11). The rectangular parallelepiped connecting element having an electrical component (9) includes a plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) and a plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b) disposed on a rectangular parallelepiped insulating base (13), and a plurality of electric elements (19) that are electrically connected in series with the plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) and the plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b). The connector housing (11) is configured to allow the plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) to be electrically connected to a plurality of first connecting electrodes (3) of a first circuit substrate (1), and bring a plurality of second connecting electrodes (7) on a second circuit substrate (5) into contact with the plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b).
US07731509B1 Battery connector
A battery connector includes an insulating housing defining a receiving cavity cutting through a top surface and a bottom surface thereof and a conductor accommodated in the corresponding receiving cavity of the insulating housing. The conductor includes a substantial inverted U-shaped contacting portion exposed beyond the top surface of the insulating housing. A pair of substantially symmetrical elastic portions which extends downward from two lower free ends of the contacting portion respectively is restricted in the receiving cavity. A pair of soldering portions extends from two lower ends of the elastic portions. Because the conductor has a substantially symmetrical structure, the force acted on the conductor is shared out equally between the pair of elastic portions. Therefore, the conductor is prevented from offsetting when the battery connector is in use. It ensures the stable contact between the battery and battery connector.
US07731490B2 Self-cleaning burner system for heaters and burners
A self-cleaning burner system incorporates an automatic clean cycle when the burner is started up. Cycles may be programmed for once-a-day cleaning cycle or for other desired interval. On start-up, the cycle routes a small amount of fuel to the burner for ignition inside the burner to clean the burner surfaces. The system incorporates an igniter for fast, routine, and safe ignition of the fuel. Thus, small amounts of debris that accumulate on a surface burner are automatically ignited when the burner is started, keeping the burner clean and operating at a high state of efficiency at all times. The self-cleaning burner system may be incorporated into a fryer or other heating appliance for reliable, efficient operation.
US07731488B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing a cutting insert
A method for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes providing a die cavity formed in closed top and bottom dies; closing a bottom of the die cavity by a bottom punch accommodated in a punch tunnel formed in the bottom die; filling the die cavity with a pre-determined amount of sinterable powder; moving a top punch towards the die cavity through a punch tunnel formed in the top die; compacting the powder by urging the top and bottom punches towards each other, thereby forming the green body; and moving the top die and punch away from the bottom die and punch, thereby enabling removal of the formed green body. An apparatus for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes top and bottom dies which abut each other and top and bottom punches which slide in their respective dies.
US07731487B2 Mold for forming a hearing protective device
A mold for forming a foam earplug including a lower mold portion including a lower cavity; and an upper mold portion including an upper cavity and a means for venting a gas during a rising of the foam, wherein the lower and upper mold portions are engageable so as to communicably engage the lower and upper cavities.
US07731479B2 Fan and fan housing with airflow-guiding stationary blades
A fan includes a fan housing and an impeller. The fan housing includes a frame, a base disposed in the frame, a plurality of stationary blades disposed between the frame and the base, and a plurality of airflow-guiding elements extending inward from the frame and toward the base. The airflow-guiding elements and the stationary blades are alternately arranged. The impeller is disposed in the fan housing.
US07731476B2 Method and device for reducing axial thrust and radial oscillations and rotary machines using same
A method and apparatus to reduce the axial thrust in rotary machines such as compressors, centrifugal pumps, turbines, etc. includes providing additional peripheral restrictive means (7) attached at the peripheral portion of the disk forming the subdividing means (4) on the side facing the rotating rotor (2). An additional ring element at the periphery of the subdividing means forms additional radial (11) and axial restrictive means (15). Such peripheral restrictive means (7, 11 and 15) function as sealing dams, which combined with the outward flow induced by the rotating impeller, form self-pressurizing hydrodynamic bearings in the axial and radial planes, improving rotordynamic stability. Additionally, a stationary ring element in the center of the cavity forms a seal with the rotor, reducing leakage to suction.
US07731465B2 Release pin
A releasable locking device has a housing and an elongated member extending from the housing. The elongated member has an opening extending therethrough. A shaft extends through the opening of the elongated member. An actuator member extends from an end of the shaft and is positioned within an opening of the housing. A biasing member is positioned between the actuator member and a wall of the housing and is completely within an opening of the housing and not in the elongated member.
US07731462B2 Bulkhead for dividing a cargo container into two compartments
A bulkhead for dividing a cargo container into separate compartments. The bulkhead has a first side facing a first compartment and a second side facing the second compartment. One or more bars are attached to the first side of the bulkhead. In one aspect, mounting brackets having a vertically aligned elliptical opening permits the fastening bar to have some play to better operate during instances of rough transportation.
US07731461B2 Load-bearing rail
A load-bearing rail is provided for the cargo space of a motor vehicle, which is used for accommodating a load-bearing eyelet that can be guided therein in a movable and lockable manner. To provide a load-bearing rail for the cargo space of a motor vehicle, which may assume additional functions in order to both keep the weight low and to reduce the number of parts and thus to lower the cost of production, the load-bearing rail is provided with a bracket, which sticks out laterally and which serves as a support for a floor of the cargo space.
US07731459B2 Container for oversized cargo
A transportation container includes an upper section having a plurality of sidewalls defining a space dimensioned to receive oversized cargo for transport and a base section adapted to mate with a standardized interface of a transportation vehicle for supporting the upper section.
US07731458B2 Clamping element for tool holders
The invention concerns a clamping element of a coupling device for releasably but axially and rotationally fixing tool components for dry machining (MMS technology) and for wet machining. The element provides a friction-type connection between the components to be coupled. A cooling tube is arranged at the center of the coupling device. The spindle is provided with an elongated hole run through which cooling tube passes. A variable contour between the base body and the clamping segment enables an increase in distribution of forces for the support of the clamping segments. The novel geometry of the clamping segments results in novel contours in the base body with smoother transitions, hence a better force distribution, thereby reducing material breakage and a more reliable and robust clamping. By virtue of their novel geometry, the clamping segments have an increased surface enabling larger clamping screws to be used.
US07731457B2 Machine tool with a plate with elastic properties for holding the cutter
A machine tool designed to be fitted with a cutter which is retained by a central screw includes a plate which is removable in relation to the body of the tool. The plate possesses a cut-out for the positioning of a machining cutter with a central hole, this cut-out having two lateral faces and a third face which bears elastically against the machining cutter.
US07731456B2 Dense phase pump with open loop control
A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.
US07731455B2 Segmental retaining wall system incorporating the extruded polymer strip as a reinforcement
A segmental retaining wall system utilizing extruded strips for soil reinforcement. The retaining wall is composed of a plurality of wall blocks that are stacked securely using interlocking pins and an extruded strip. The wall can be built such that it has vertical or battered angle dependant on the orientation of the interlocking pins.
US07731452B2 Floating barrier units
A number of individual barrier units form a floating barrier wall each comprising a housing formed in the general shape of a highway barrier having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls, and, opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which is preferably partially or completely filled with a foam material. A ballast weight is secured to each barrier unit, either inside or outside of the hollow interior, to maintain them in an upright position in the water. Cables, couplers and/or other connectors are employed to mount adjacent barrier units end-to-end to form a barrier wall which can encircle a vessel or otherwise isolate an area within a seaport or other body of water to provide security.
US07731451B2 Magnetic cover remover
A cover removal apparatus includes a frame, an electromagnet and a power source, which is electrically coupled to the electromagnet for selectively energizing the electromagnet. The removal apparatus may further include means for positioning the electromagnet relative to a cover and/or means for loosening the cover.
US07731447B1 Racing facility pit system
A racing facility with a racing surface and a pit road. The pit road includes an pit road entrance connected to the racing surface, a plurality of pit walls defining a plurality of elongate pit boxes/stops each connected at a first end thereof to the pit road entrance, wherein the pit boxes are arranged in a side by side configuration and are arranged at an angle with respect to the pit road entrance and wherein the pit walls are movable such that a given pit box can be defined on a left side or a right side of a respective pit wall. The pit road also includes a pit road exit connected to the pit boxes at opposite second ends thereof wherein at least a portion of the pit road exit is arranged substantially parallel to at least a portion of the pit road entrance. The pit road entrance and/or pit road exit can intersect the racing surfaces at acute angles. The pit boxes can intersect one or both of the entrance and pit road exits at acute angles. Pit wall supports can be permanent or portable and can include resilient impact absorbing surfaces. Fixed designators indicate assigned pit boxes.
US07731439B2 Advancing pen having individually capped cartridges
A cartridge for use with an advancing pen, comprising: a cartridge body, the cartridge body containing contents, the cartridge; a seal, the seal retaining the contents within the cartridge body; a cartridge tip, the cartridge tip located substantially within the cartridge body and in contact with the contents and penetrating the seal, the cartridge tip withdrawing the contents to apply the contents to a desired surface; a retaining cap, the retaining cap sealing the cartridge tip and the seal, such that the retaining cap must be removed before the cartridge tip can deliver the contents to the desired surface.
US07731438B2 Sheet bundle printer and sheet bundle printing system
A sheet bundle printer peeling off and performing printing on an uppermost sheet of a peelably adhered sheet bundle includes a print head performing printing on the sheet, a platen roller, at a print position, cooperating with the print head to feed both the sheet and an ink ribbon, pinched therebetween, and a platen moving mechanism moving the platen roller between the print position and a non-print position. The platen moving mechanism includes a manual operation device manually moving the platen roller from the print to non-print positions and a press roller that made to contact or moved away from the platen roller by the manual operation device to move the platen roller from the print to non-print positions while pressing it when the press roller contacts it. At the non-print position, the sheet is allowed to pass between the press roller and the platen roller.
US07731437B2 Paper cutting device and printer
A paper cutting device comprising a fixed blade, a movable blade, a movable blade drive mechanism for moving the movable blade, wherein the movable blade and the fixed blade are disposed in substantially perpendicular positions.
US07731420B2 Measuring device and method for determining temperature and/or pressure using measuring device
At least one transceiver sends ultrasonic pulses through an object, which at least partially transmits ultrasonic pulses, into an element which reflects the ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic pulse(s) can be reflected in a temperature-correlated manner from the reflective element to the transceiver.
US07731415B2 High-performance lever escapement
The invention concerns an escapement (1) for a timepiece comprising an anchor (2) articulated on a stem (3) and co-operating with an escapement mobile (4) articulated on an axis (5), said mobile comprising a plurality of teeth (8; 15, 16) uniformly spaced around said mobile, said anchor including an entry pallet (6) and an exit pallet (7) arranged to receive alternately an impulse from one of the teeth borne by the mobile and for acting as rest plane for said tooth. The invention is characterized in that the escapement mobile (4) comprises first and second integral and coaxial wheels (13, 14) including each the same number of teeth (15, 16), in that the entry and exit pallets (6, 7) co-operate respectively with the first and second wheels (13, 14) and in that the peripheral radius (R1) of the first wheel (13) is greater than the peripheral radius (R2) of the second wheel (14).
US07731411B2 Circulating fluid system for powder fluidization and method of performing same
An aeration system for circulating an aerating fluid through a chemical composition within a container. The aeration system is closed-loop such that the aeration fluid is supplied by a fluid supply system to the interior of a container to aerate the chemical composition therein. The aeration fluid is returned to the fluid supply system for subsequent redelivery to the container. A filtering mechanism may be employed to remove large particulate matter from the aeration fluid prior to flowing back to the fluid supply system. The aeration process improves the flowability of the chemical composition thus facilitating the transferring and/or discharging of the chemical composition from the container. The aeration process may occur during transport, prior to discharging, and/or during a discharging or transferring operation.
US07731410B2 Light-emitting module, method of manufacturing the same and display device having the same
A light-emitting module includes a light guiding body, a light-emitting unit and a fluorescent unit. The light-guiding unit has a groove. The light-emitting unit is disposed in a portion of the groove and emits a first light. The fluorescent unit is disposed in a remaining portion of the groove, receives the first light and emits a second light having a different wavelength range than the first light. The fluorescent unit emits the second light to an inner side surface of the groove. Therefore, loss of the first and second light is reduced and light-using efficiency of the light-emitting module is increased. Furthermore, a power consumption of a display device is significantly reduced.
US07731402B2 LED headlamp system
A vehicle headlamp includes a first planar array of low and high beam LED light sources; a first primary optical light guide receiving low and high beam light from the LEDs; a first secondary optical light guide receiving and focusing collimated low and high beam light from the first primary light guide as a combination of low and high beam hot spots; a second planar array of LED light sources having a low and high beam LEDs; a second primary optical light guide receiving and collimating low and high beam light from second LED light sources; a second secondary optical light guide receiving said collimated low and high beam light and spreading the light as a combination of low and high beam spread pattern; a housing to mechanically support the LED arrays, the first primary optic, the first secondary optic, the second primary light guide and the second secondary optic.
US07731401B2 High efficiency automotive LED optical system
An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.
US07731396B2 LED socket string
An LED socket string with multiple LED sockets and corresponding LED lamps that are spaced on the string unevenly or according to a user specification. Each of the LED sockets includes a socket base with grooves for coupling wires, and a socket cover for mating with the socket base. A lamp holder is integrally mounted onto the socket base for detachably retaining the LED lamp. A lamp spacer can be added to the lamp holder to accommodate the LED lamp.
US07731395B2 Linear lenses for LEDs
Various embodiments described herein comprise array of light emitting diodes and a cylindrical lens having front and rear curved surfaces. The cylindrical lens is disposed to receive light from the light emitting diodes and to redistribute the light. The cylindrical lens is located no more than about 8 inches distance from the front an illumination target, which may for example, comprise products on shelves in a refrigerator. The front and rear surfaces of the cylindrical lens are shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination across the target.
US07731393B2 Light fixture for producing an oblong luminous surface
The invention relates to a light fixture for producing an oblong luminous surface with a horizontal illuminant and a box reflector which has a curved reflector surface and planar reflector surfaces to the side enclosing the curved reflector surface, the horizontal illuminant being disposed at right angles to the planar reflector surfaces to the side, which is characterized in that the curved reflector surface is designed to produce the oblong luminous surface at right angles to the horizontal illuminant, and the planar reflector surfaces to the side are designed to sharply define the longitudinal sides of the oblong luminous surface.
US07731389B2 Light source comprising light-emitting clusters
The present invention provides a light source for producing a substantially balanced output at a substantially optimised output intensity. In one embodiment, the light source comprises one or more light-emitting clusters of a first type and one or more light-emitting clusters of one or more other types, each one of which comprising one or more light-emitting elements, such that, when all light-emitting elements are driven to provide a substantially optimised output intensity, the spectral output of the one or more light-emitting clusters of the first type is substantially balanced by the spectral output of the one or more other light-emitting clusters.
US07731388B2 High efficiency LED light source arrangement
A light source (100) comprises a number of optical components aligned concentrically along an optical axis (115). The optical components include an array of light emitting diodes (101), a dielectric collimator (109) having surfaces configured to provide total internal reflection of light emitted from the array of diodes, and a second stage reflector (113) to further collimate the beam and which also may be based on total internal reflection by a prism structure on the outside.
US07731383B2 Solar-powered light pole and LED light fixture
A solar-powered lighting system includes a flexible, wrap-around, preferably self-stick panel of photovoltaic laminate on the outside surface of a light pole. An LED light fixture is connected at or near the top of the pole and has the same or similar diameter as the pole. The LED light fixture has multiple columns and rows of LEDs and an interior axial space for air flow to cool the LEDs. The pole has vents and axial passage(s) for creating a natural updraft through at least a portion of the pole and the light fixture, for cooling of the photovoltaic panel interior surface, the LEDs, and/or other equipment inside the fixture or pole, and batteries provided inside the pole or pole base. A decorative additional fixture, which emulates conventional outdoor light fixtures, may be provided on the lighting system, wherein the decorative additional fixture includes no, or only a minimal, light source.
US07731371B2 Light emitting diode (LED) illumination control system and method
An LED illumination system includes control circuitry and first, second and third colored LEDs. The control circuitry sequentially drives the first, second and third colored LEDs in a color cycle frame with relative duty cycles having a known relationship that achieves a color balance. The control circuitry also operates to introduce at least one spoke period in the color cycle frame, during which the first, second and third LEDs are driven in a manner that is controlled to provide brightness adjusting light that matches the color balance achieved by the relative duty cycles of the first, second and third LEDs during sequential driving thereof.
US07731364B2 Ocular centration of visual axis and evaluation of retinal function
A method and device to assess centration of a visual axis, evaluate retinal function, foveal function, and/or visual field.
US07731358B2 System, apparatus, and method for correcting vision using an electro-active lens
A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.
US07731353B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit configured to form an image on a recording medium, and a guide device configured to guide the printing unit to be drawn in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveying direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. Thus, because the printing unit can be drawn out from the main body of the apparatus, maintenance work to the printing unit can be easily performed in a state that the printing unit has been drawn out from the apparatus.
US07731345B2 Solid ink jet image forming apparatus
A solid ink jet image forming apparatus includes a printing unit which fires melted solid ink onto an image on a printing medium for printing, and an ink supplying unit which contains solid ink in a lateral direction of the printing unit. In the case where the solid ink jet image forming apparatus includes a scanning unit reading an image from a document, a user can simply and easily load the solid ink without moving the scanning unit, so that the solid ink jet image forming apparatus has improved installation stability and a compact size.
US07731343B2 Negative pressure ink supply system
A negative pressure ink supply system includes (1) a primary ink cartridges, (2) a secondary ink cartridges, which are connected by means of an ink tubes with the negative pressure ink cartridge assemblies provided between the secondary ink cartridges and the jet head. The ink, pumped from the primary ink cartridge, is put into the secondary ink cartridge, wherein it is supplied to the negative pressure ink cartridge and then in turn from the negative pressure ink cartridge to the jet head. The liquid level in the secondary cartridge is lower than the jet head surface and adjustable. The negative pressure ink supply system is suitable for image-printing equipment by supplying liquid ink, such as large format machines, portrait machines, plotters, etc.
US07731339B2 Piezoelectric element, actuator device, liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A piezoelectric element includes a lower electrode film disposed on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer 70 disposed on the lower electrode film, a upper electrode film 80 disposed on the piezoelectric layer 70, wherein the piezoelectric layer 70 is formed of a plurality of columnar grains 70a, and the upper electrode film 80 conforms to the surface shape of each of the grains 70a of the piezoelectric layer 70.
US07731337B2 High efficiency heating resistor comprising an oxide, liquid ejecting head and apparatus using the same
The present invention is directed to a heating resistor including a conducting oxide having an electric conductivity and a nonconducting oxide having insulation or nonconductivity, liquid ejecting heads and apparatus comprising the heating resistors.
US07731325B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus
The invention relates to an ink-jet recording apparatus having a nozzle provided on a nozzle face of an ink-jet head and a cleaning device for cleaning the nozzle face. The cleaning device contains a gas with a solubility in water lower than that of air in water.
US07731316B2 Universal shelf module for a refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a universal shelf assembly that can be mounted in either a stationary configuration or a sliding configuration. The shelf assembly includes a shelf unit having a base portion surrounded by a peripheral frame. The peripheral frame includes front, rear and opposing side frame members that include a mounting boss and a locating tab. When mounted in the stationary configuration, the shelf unit is mounted directly to a support unit through the mounting boss and locating tab. Conversely, when mounted in the sliding configuration, the shelf unit is mounted indirectly to a support unit. Arranged between the support unit and the shelf unit are glide members. The glide members include structure that cooperates with the mounting boss and locating tab that both secure the shelf unit and enable the shelf unit to shift relative to the support unit.
US07731314B2 Door assembly and refrigerator using the same
A refrigerator includes a body, a compartment within the body, a container within the compartment, a door movable along a first direction with respect to the body and rotatable along a second direction, and a lifting mechanism supporting and elevating the container when the door rotates along the second direction. The lifting mechanism includes a hinge connecting the door with a frame connected with the rail assembly and allowing the door to rotate in the second direction, and at least one lifting bars coupled to the door and supporting and elevating the container when the door rotates about the hinge in the second direction.
US07731306B2 Replaceable wear pad, as well as method for manufacturing wear pads for a crawler track
A replaceable wear pad for a crawler track of a tracked vehicle includes base plates for fastening thereto wear pads in a detachable manner, the wear pad includes a tread and a bottom side lying opposite to the tread and facing the base plate, the wear pad containing at least one reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element being molded-in by the wear pad material, the reinforcing element includes at least two holes and the wear pad includes cavities that run coaxially to the holes of the reinforcing element and, coming from the bottom side, end above the reinforcing element and at a distance to the same with the cavities serving the purpose of accommodating fastening devices which are fastened to the reinforcing element of the wear pad.
US07731303B1 Push button two side operation hand brake release
An apparatus to enable the automatic release of a railway vehicle hand brake system from either side of the vehicle comprises a source of fluid pressure engageable with the vehicle. A release cylinder, operable by fluid pressure, is connected to a hand brake mechanism. A valve is connected intermediate the source of fluid pressure and the release cylinder causing the release cylinder to release the hand brake system. A first valve actuator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. A second valve actuator is disposed on an opposed second side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. Both the first and second valve actuators cause the valve to initiate communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure to the release cylinder.
US07731299B2 Spare tire assembly
A wheel on a vehicle having a flat tire may be protected by attaching a first semi-cylindrical shell having a first planar end to the wheel, and attaching a second semi-cylindrical shell to the first semi-cylindrical shell. The first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell are secured together so as to form a cylindrical shell of diameter having a cylindrical wall which covers a tread surface of the flat tire. The first semi-cylindrical shell is attached to the wheel to cover a first portion of a tread surface of the flat tire; and, after attaching the first semi-cylindrical shell, the wheel is rotated. The first portion of the tread surface does not contact a ground surface prior to the rotation step, but does contact a ground surface through the first semi-cylindrical shell after the rotation step. A connector for connecting the semi-cylindrical shells to the wheel is also disclosed.
US07731296B2 Vehicle seat having buckle holding structure
A buckle holding structure for holding a buckle unit on a seat cushion, the buckle unit having: a belt of which one end is fixed to a vehicle body; and a buckle fixed to the other end of the belt, the buckle holding structure including: a band that has elasticity, has a predetermined width, and is folded in a U shape to form a folded portion, wherein both ends of the band are fixed to a rear end of the seat cushion so as to be disposed on the same plane in a width direction of the band; the belt of the buckle unit is inserted into a gap formed between both ends of the band, which is fixed to the rear end of the seat cushion, and the folded portion; and the buckle is caught by the folded portion.
US07731294B2 Seat
At a vehicle seat 10, a cushion material 18 is provided at a frame 14 for a sitting portion of a seat frame 12, such that a seat cushion 20 is formed. An upper cushion member (three-dimensional solid knit fabric) 86, which is a surface layer portion of the cushion material 18, is stretched at the frame 14 for the sitting portion, and is layered on a cloth spring material 18 which is a lower layer portion of the cushion material 18. When the cloth spring material 68 is pressed and flexes downward due to pushing-against force which is based on body weight of a seated person at a time of sitting on the seat cushion 20, at regions of the cloth spring material 68 which are pushed by ischial tuberosities of the seated person, tensile forces of extension coil springs 80, which are forces in the pushing direction, act, and directions of tension of the cushion material 18 are in three dimensions.
US07731292B2 Seat back frame for a vehicle
At a side portion 22 of a seat back frame, not only does a rear first extending portion 52 bend and extend from a frame side plate portion 30 toward a seat back inner side at an obtuse angle, but also, in a vicinity of a central portion of a rear flange portion 50, a rear second extending portion 54 bends and extends from the rear first extending portion 52 further toward the seat back inner side. Therefore, even if a relatively large load toward a rear of a vehicle acts on the seat back frame and compressive stress is generated at an intermediate portion of the rear flange portion 50 in a heightwise direction of a seat back, it is difficult for cross-sectional collapsing to arise, and the load can be effectively supported at the frame side plate portion 30. There can be provided a seat back frame for a vehicle which can suppress an amount of bending deformation at the time of a rear collision, without leading to an increase in weight.
US07731286B2 Backrest assembly
A backrest assembly has a backrest board pivotally attached in front of a backrest frame and a buffering resilient device connected between the backrest board and the backrest frame. The buffering resilient device has two resilient brackets with through holes penetrated by a transversal adjusting rod and has a rotating tube sleeving the transversal adjusting rod to be operationally stopped by a stop bar protruded from the backrest frame. Therefore, the backrest board has a resilient and buffering efficiency relative to the backrest frame by setting the buffering resilient devices. By rotating the transversal adjusting rod to different positions, the brackets of the buffering resilient device is extended in length, and resilience of the backrest assembly is changed.
US07731282B2 Seating accessory
A seating pad assembly is provided for use by travelers to increase the comfort for a seat on a public transportation vehicle or at a public transit terminal. The seating pad assembly includes a cushion formed from a viscoelastic foam and having dimensions substantially conforming to the dimensions of at least the hip/thigh support and the back support of the seat. Thus, the viscoelastic foam will bridge hard points and pinch points of the seat and will efficiently support the traveler across the gap. The seating pad assembly further includes a removable cover, straps for holding the pad in a coiled condition and a carrying bag for transporting the pad assembly.
US07731278B1 Shooting support bench
A shooting support bench is disclosed for supporting a firearm, and which comprises a riser assembly for positioning on a support surface. The riser assembly comprises a standard having an upper end and a lower end; and a plurality of leg assemblies pivotally mounted on the standard toward the lower end. The bench further comprises a support assembly rotatably mounted on the upper end of the standard, and a seat assembly removably mounted on the seat support assembly for rotation with the support assembly with respect to the riser assembly. The bench also comprises a platform assembly mounted on the support assembly and the riser assembly, the platform assembly being positioned above the upper end of the standard and being rotatable with respect to the riser assembly.
US07731274B2 Body support structure of a vehicle
A pair of left and right rockers are arranged along a vehicle longitudinal direction at lower portions of two vehicle lateral direction ends of a body. A floor cross-member is provided at each of two vehicle lateral direction end portions of a cross member, which is arranged along the vehicle lateral direction at a lower portion of the body. A lower side joining flange of each rocker and a vehicle lateral direction outer side end portion of a bottom wall portion of each floor cross-member are joined together by a mount bracket. With the rocker and/or the floor cross-member, the mount bracket forms a closed cavity, of which a vehicle lateral direction outer side portion extends beneath a rocker inner. A nut is provided in the closed cavity for joining the body with a body mount, which is fixed to a chassis frame.
US07731271B2 Vehicle bed edge construction and manufacturing process therefor
A roll-formed one-piece vehicle bed member has a plurality of ribs and valleys extending longitudinally along the bed member in sidewardly adjacent, parallel relation. The bed member terminates at front and rear edges wherein preferably along the rear edge of the bed member, rib channels are formed centrally along the end portion of each rib for direct contacting engagement with a rear sill to provide an improved connection therebetween.
US07731260B2 Vehicle load-carrying bed system having bed divider
A load-carrying bed system for a vehicle having a cargo bed includes a bed floor defining a cargo receiving area and first and second sidewalls disposed along lateral sides of the bed floor. A forward wall is disposed along a forward side of the bed floor and laterally between the first and second sidewall. A tailgate is disposed along the rearward side of the bed floor and laterally between the first and second sidewalls. A cargo bed divider is movable between a stowed state wherein the cargo bed divider is stowed in a cargo bed divider cavity defined in the tailgate and a dividing state wherein the cargo bed divider has a first end removably secured to the first sidewall and a second end removably secured to second sidewall to divide the bed floor into distinct storage areas.
US07731240B2 Pipe coupling
A pipe coupling for joining together the ends of two adjacent pipes includes a housing for receiving the ends of the two adjacent pipes, and a locking arrangement which includes an annular chamber, and a plurality of grippers radially moveable towards the central axis of the housing from an inoperative condition to an operative condition. Each gripper includes a gripping formation for operatively gripping a pipe inserted into a bore of the housing, and a locking formation for operatively engaging a corresponding locking formation on the housing so as to axially lock the gripper to the housing. Each locking arrangement also includes a locking ring for locking the grippers to the housing so that axial displacement of the locking ring under fluid pressure within the annular chamber causes radial displacement of the grippers into the operative condition.
US07731237B2 Safety restraint device for police vehicle
The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright restraint system in a police vehicle. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an ALR/ELR retractor. The ALR/ELR retractor comprises a shoulder harness having a pair of seat belt buckles, which significantly reduces the possibilities of injuries to police officers.
US07731235B2 Steering column for a motor vehicle
Steering column for a motor vehicle with a rotatably supported steering spindle (1), a supporting unit (4) supporting the steering spindle (1) and a mounting unit (5) for securing the steering spindle (1) on the chassis of the motor vehicle, the supporting unit (4) in the event of a crash being displaceable with respect to the mounting unit (5), and an energy absorption device (18) acting between the supporting unit (4) and mounting unit (5) for the energy absorption in the displacement of the supporting unit (4) with respect to the mounting unit (5) in the event of a crash being provided, characterized in that at least one energy absorption part (34) of the energy absorption device (18) deformable in the displacement of the supporting unit (4) with respect to the mounting unit (5) is composed of a magnetorheological elastomer and that the energy absorption device (18) includes a means for the generation of a magnetic field, by means of which the energy absorption part (34) composed of the magnetorheological elastomer can be acted upon at least regionally with a variable magnetic field.
US07731221B2 Collapsible and portable wheeled dolly particularly suitable for use by students or others in the transport of items
A collapsible and transportable dolly including first and second rigid base portions hingedly secured together at a central location. First and second pairs of wheels secure to underside locations associated with the base portions. First and second substantially rectangular and frame shaped end supports secure in upwardly extending fashion to opposite end locations of the hingedly connected base portions and first and second pairs of top brackets secure in interconnecting and hinged fashion between the end supports, and such that associated angled bracket portions extend from end locations of each of the top brackets and telescopically engaging the end supports. In this fashion, the dolly is converted from a use to a folded storage/transport position by folding the base portions upwardly about the central hinged connection, concurrent with inwardly and downwardly folding the top brackets concurrent with telescoping the angled brackets along end support channels.
US07731218B2 Retracting tow system
A retracting tow system is disclosed which provides a spring loaded tow rope which automatically winds the tow rope around an included spool when not in use. The tow rope is affixed to a supplied shaft in a manner which prevents damage to the retracting mechanism while in use. An offset fairlead is also supplied which reduces the force on the shaft during a tow.
US07731215B2 Method for the transmission of electrical pneumatic or hydraulic energy and an energy transmission system
A method for the transmission of electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic energy between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, coupled thereto, for example a tractor vehicle and a trailer and an energy transmission system. The aim of the invention is development of a method and an energy transmission system permitting an operationally-secure driving condition over a long period even with a partly or completely damaged plug coupling system. Said aim is achieved by means of, amongst other things, a method whereby the energy in the energy distribution line is introduced from the energy supply line in a controlled manner.
US07731203B2 Method for load-dependent air quality control in a pneumatic spring system
According to a method for controlling the air volume in a closed pneumatic spring system of a vehicle, an air-powered pump supplies at least two pneumatic springs and/or a compressed air reservoir with a specific air volume as needed such that the air pressure prevailing in the respective pneumatic spring and/or the compressed air reservoir is at a level which causes a vehicle body resting on the pneumatic spring to be positioned at a desired distance from the roadway or the vehicle axle. In order to obtain largely constant control velocities at different load conditions of the vehicle while using a smaller compressed air reservoir than in previously known systems, the pneumatic spring pressure (P) is measured in at least two of the pneumatic springs, the distance (HN, NN, TN) of the vehicle body to the roadway or the vehicle axle is determined, the axle load (AL) of at least one vehicle axle is determined from the pneumatic spring pressure (P) and the distance (HN, NN, TN) of the vehicle body to the roadway or the vehicle axle, a target system air volume (PV_SOLL) is determined in accordance with the respective axle load (AL), and the actual system air volume is adjusted to said target system air volume by actuating the air-powered pump or a relief valve.
US07731197B2 Automatic reset target plate rack
An automatic reset target plate rack has a plurality of target plates and latches, a reset plate, and a reset mechanism. In operation, the user strikes one or more of the target plates, which travel rearward and are captured by the latches, and the user next strikes the reset plate to activate the reset mechanism and free the captured target plates, returning them to their upright position. In one aspect, a target plate rack consistent with the invention includes a target plate pivoting on a first axis; and a latch pivoting on a second axis. The latch is positioned to contact and capture the target plate when the target plate is pivoted to a predetermined rotational position. In another aspect, a target plate rack consistent with the invention includes a target plate pivotally disposed on a pivot rod and biased toward a first predetermined rotational position.
US07731193B2 Double dead man guts
In a guts game variation, one or more players play against one another and a sole participant must beat two “dead man” hands to win. For example, each player bets the ante and is dealt a hand of two cards. Each player is then given the option to participate in the hand or withdraw. All participating hands are revealed by turning the cards face-up. The player with the highest hand collects the pot, and all other participating players must put into the pot an amount equal to the value of winner's pot. When only one participant has elected to remain in the hand, the participant must beat both “dead man” hands in order to win the pot. The game ends when a sole participant beats both “dead man” hands, whereupon the cards are reshuffled and re-dealt to commence a new round of play.
US07731186B2 sheet transport apparatus and method for transporting a sheet in a printing machine
A sheet transport method and apparatus are provided for improving the handling of sheets control in printing systems. This automatic sheet transport system and method includes transporting a sheet in the printing machine via a transport belt circulating in a direction of transport, wherein a sheet contact surface of the circulating transport belt is made of an electrically non-conducting material. The method includes placing a sheet on an area of the transport belt and sucking or holding the sheet to the circulating transport belt by a negative pressure applied through the belt and also applying electrical charges to generate electro-static holding forces between the circulating transport belt and the sheet.
US07731185B2 Device for placing sheets for a printer
At least two coaxially rotatable sheet conveyors, operating together with one another, are provided, of which the first sheet conveyor, with a jacket surface serving as placement for the sheet, specifies essentially a curvature path for the sheet to be conveyed, and the second sheet conveyor has at least one gripping element to grip the accepted front edge of the sheet, in such a way that the front edge of the sheet can be gripped and conveyed between the gripping element and the jacket sheet.
US07731184B2 Duplexer
Various embodiments of a duplexer are disclosed in which a guide directs a sheet to a first transport which continues to move the sheet in a first direction or moves the sheet in an opposite direction to subsequently overturn the sheet.
US07731183B2 Paper feeding apparatus with paper size detectors
A paper feeding apparatus includes a cassette main body that stacks a paper therein, a sidewall that moves in a width direction of the cassette main body, an end wall that moves in a longitudinal direction of the cassette main body, a first movable member that is connected at one end to the sidewall and rotates around a shaft axially fixed to the cassette main body in connection with the sidewall, a second movable member that is connected at one end to the end wall and rotates around a shaft axially fixed to the cassette main body in connection with the end wall, a first detection unit that has a plurality of detection members and detects the size of the paper in the width direction, and a second detection unit that has a plurality of detection members and detects the size of the paper in the longitudinal direction.
US07731181B2 Paper feeding apparatus with paper size determining means
A paper feeding apparatus with a paper size determining means includes a paper tray, paper guide, a belt, a roller set, a sensing mechanism and a control unit. The paper tray has a front surface for supporting paper and a rear surface. The paper guide is movably disposed on the paper tray and for abutting against an edge of the paper in the paper tray. The roller set is rotatably disposed on the rear surface. The belt, connected to the paper guide and wound around the roller set, synchronously moves the paper guide and rotates the roller set. The sensing mechanism disposed on the rear surface senses a to-be-sensed component disposed on the belt or the roller set and thus outputs a sensing signal. The control unit receives the sensing signal and thus determines size of the paper.
US07731178B2 Feeding device
A feeding device includes: a hopper, adapted to support a medium; a feeder, operable to feed the medium in a first direction; a separator, operable to nip the medium with the feeder at a nip point; and a guide, having a guide surface which guides the medium in the first direction and is provided with a recessed portion at a downstream side of the nip point in the first direction.
US07731177B2 Sheet supplying device
A sheet supplying device for an imaging apparatus is provided with a sheet tray configured to mount a plurality of sheets in a stacked state. The sheet tray is inclined such that leading ends of the plurality of sheets are lower than trailing ends thereof. Further provided is a feed roller that faces an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets mounted on the sheet tray to be press-contacted thereto. The feed roller is driven to rotate to feed the uppermost sheet. Further provided is a sheet guide mechanism having at least one guiding section provided in front of the feed roller. The guiding section is inclined such that the leading ends of the plurality of sheets are moved toward the feed roller by their own weight. The guiding section is configured such that the degree of inclination of the guiding section varies depending on the amount of the plurality of sheets.
US07731172B2 Transport device and image-formation device
A system that prevents the engagement of an intermediate gear and a driven gear from releasing due to a force from the driven gear without increasing an arrangement angle is described. A surface receiving a load acting on a rotation axis of a second groove that is used as an axle bearing formed on the side of a second gear part that engages with a driven gear is made to be an inclined receiving part. The second receiving surface touches the rotation axis of the second groove part. The surfaces are arranged such that the distance from the center of rotation of the driving gear increases as it moves away from the driven gear. By this arrangement, the inclined receiving part creates a force in the opposite direction of the direction to release the intermediate gear from the driven gear that acts upon the rotation axis as the counteraction of the force that acts on the rotation axis, so the intermediate gear does not separate from the driven gear.
US07731163B2 Mixing eductor
An eductor including an inlet channel, a mixing channel, and a flowpath, designed for the improved mixing of a relatively large volume of water with gas while utilizing a relatively small amount of power.
US07731148B2 High optical quality molds for use in contact lens production
The invention provides molds and mold inserts useful in the production of contact lenses. In particular, the invention provides high optical quality molds and inserts useful for manufacturing silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US07731146B2 Dual swivel in-line load node lock mechanism
An in-line node locking mechanism for supporting and locking a node within a rack system such forces applied on a node by the node locking mechanism generate consistent output forces. The in-line node locking mechanism utilizes dual swivel nuts and an in-line loading arrangement that evenly distributes forces along the length of a rail system to create evenly distributed forces and avoid the creation of stress points. An actuating screw causes the node locking mechanism to adjust between unlocked and locked positions. In the unlocked position, the mechanism causes the node to be lowered and move freely along the in-line rail system. In the locked position the mechanism causes the node to securely abut the rack system thereby locking the node within the rack system.
US07731143B2 Mounting system for flat panel displays
A mounting system for adjustably mounting a flat panel display to a support medium. The system consists of a frame assembly that can be attached to a support medium. One or more adjustable mounts are attached to the frame assembly, and a flat panel display is attached to the adjustable mounts. Each adjustable mount can extend from a retracted position to an extended position in order to tilt the flat panel display and provide an optimum viewing angle to a viewer. As the adjustable mount extends, the center of gravity of the attached flat panel display moves in approximately a horizontal plane, enabling the display to be tilted by a user with a minimum amount of applied force. In some embodiments, a friction assembly is provided to maintain the selected position of each adjustable mount.
US07731139B2 Suction device and supporting device having the same
A suction device includes a sucking member having a connecting body connected integrally to a flexible disc body that is disposed under an upright sleeve, a connecting member disposed in the sleeve and connected to the connecting body, and an operating rod connected pivotally to a pivot block unit on the sleeve and to the connecting member. The operating rod is operable so that an assembly of the connecting member and the connecting body is pulled upwardly, thereby forming a vacant space between a central portion of the disc body and a supporting surface to which a peripheral portion of the disc body is attached sealingly.
US07731137B2 Vertically adjustable supporting structure
A vertically adjustable supporting structure that comprises a link member whose bottom and top portions disposed with a lower end and a top end; a lower hinge having at least one shaft pivoted on the lower end of the link member so as to render the link member rotatably pivoted between the two lower frames of the lower hinge; an upper hinge having at least one shaft pivotally connected on the upper end of the link member so as to render the link member rotatably pivoted between the two upper frames of the upper hinge; at least a coupling assembly having one lower axle wheel and one upper axle wheel disposed between the lower end and the upper end of one side of the link member and between the lower frame and upper frame, respectively, and pivoted on the lower hinge and upper hinge, respectively, with a flexible cord engagingly secured between the lower and upper axle wheels; and at least an idle wheel pivoted on one side of the link member and between the lower and upper axle wheels to be interlacing engaged with the flexible cord and to form a coupling movement, such that the coupling assembly transforms the circular movement of the link member into a rotation for compensating displacement difference of two upper frames without affecting their original angle.
US07731133B2 Hold down device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a hold down device for holding down a discharge hose during draining consists of a container filled with a filling material, a handle, a filling hole, a plug, feet, and a hose recess. The use of a hold down device of the present invention prevents the dislodging of a discharge hose while draining a septic holding tank from a recreational vehicle thus preventing spillage of waste material by covering the discharge hose and a sewer fitting and holding the sewer fitting within a refuse hole of a dump receptacle. Additionally, a hold down device embodiment of the present invention is easy and convenient to use while maintaining the proper functionality of holding a discharge hose and sewer fitting down during draining of the holding tank.
US07731126B2 Autonomous passenger seat
A passenger seat has autonomous electric power generated by a fuel cell system and humidification provided by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system may include replaceable fuel cartridges and may power electronics such as in flight entertainment, lighting, comfort features, seat adjustments, communications and other features autonomously or under control of the seat occupant.
US07731121B2 Propulsive anti-torque system for rotorcraft
A rotorcraft having an enhanced configuration in which a simple wing and a propulsive anti-torque system are combined is disclosed. The propulsive anti-torque system includes an anti-torque thruster system in which a variable pitch fan is installed internal to the tail boom of the rotorcraft and an anti-torque thruster nozzle is mounted at the extremity of the tail boom. The fan is driven directly from the main rotor drive. The configuration and location of the fan allows the primary exhaust from the engine to be mixed with the compressed air flow from the fan. The mixed air flow from the fan and the engine passes through the tail boom and out the thruster nozzle.
US07731120B1 Mandrel for wound materials
A mandrel and the blank from which the mandrel is formed is constructed so as to enable shipment in flat form to a manufacturer of material, e.g., fabric, who, in turn, assembles the mandrel and uses such to wind material thereon to form a fabric bolt. The blank is easily and entirely set up by simple folding procedures.
US07731107B2 Component incorporated in a plumbing system
The invention concerns a sanitary component (1) that has a jet regulating device (4) in the interior of a mounting housing (6). The jet regulating device (4) includes at least one directly-mounted element (5) housed in the mounting housing (6), this element being provided with ridges (11) transverse to the flow direction and defining between them passageways (12). The invention is characterized in that the ridges (11) of at least one directly mounted element (5) are arranged in the form of a grid or network and intersect at junction points. The component (1) according to the invention, which can be manufactured inexpensively, exhibits the best possible jet regulating characteristics, even if the transverse surface is relatively small; moreover, the component (1) according to the invention requires little maintenance, without any risk of malfunction resulting from dirt carried by the liquid flow.
US07731102B2 Neutral displacement wick
Aspects of the invention include an air freshener device that emits fragrance through the evaporation of a fragrance-containing fluid comprising: a container, comprising a particular volume of the fragrance-containing fluid; a wick disposed partially in, and partially out of the fragrance-containing fluid, the wick having an immersion section immersed in the fluid so as to displace a displacement volume of fluid and a non-immersion section extending outward from a surface of the fluid, the immersion and non-immersion section being disposed on opposite lateral ends of the wick; the wick further comprising a displacement portion and a wicking portion, the displacement portion being configured to displace a desired first volume of fluid, the wicking portion being configured to wick a second volume of fluid; the displacement portion and the wicking portion designed to achieve a desired ratio between the displaced first volume of fluid and the wicked second volume of fluid.
US07731091B2 Digital image capturing and processing system employing automatic object detection and spectral-mixing based illumination techniques
A digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging module for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging module includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs, wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite illumination field that is at least substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array. An automatic object detection subsystem automatically detects an object moving through the 3D imaging volume, while an illumination control subsystem controls the relative power ratio (VIS/IR) of visible illumination and invisible illumination during system operations so as to achieve sufficient image contrast in captured digital images to ensure satisfactory image processing.
US07731084B2 Devices and methods for monitoring transaction data from point-of-sale devices
Systems and methods for monitoring transaction data in a point-of-sale (POS) system. An inline component is connected between a POS terminal and a printer. The inline component monitors communications between the POS terminal and the printer as well as communications sent to or from other devices connected with the POS terminal. As the data in the communications are monitored, portions of the data are extracted and sent to a remote processing server. The remote processing returns information which could comprise a variety of information, such as: fraud deterrent data, store promotions, customer messages, and the like to the inline component. The inline component sends this information to the printer for presentation to the user. The information is typically sent to the printer without interfering with the transaction being performed by the POS terminal. Commands included in the information can be implemented by the inline component.
US07731083B2 Information collection system, information collection device, terminal device management program, information collection management program, information collection management method, and terminal device management method
A terminal device, in an information collection system in which the terminal device and an information collection device are connected, which reads question information from a question information storage section storing question information, as questions the responses to which are to be provided to the information collection device, and after power to the terminal device has been turned on, or based on a state of usage, receives the input of response information, as responses corresponding to output question information, and transmits the input response information to the information collection device.
US07731078B2 Semiconductor system with fine pitch lead fingers
A semiconductor package system includes providing a die having a plurality of contact pads. A leadframe is formed having a plurality of lead fingers with the plurality of lead fingers having a fine pitch and each having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. A plurality of bumps is formed on the plurality of lead fingers, the plurality of bumps are on the tops and extend down the sides of the plurality of lead fingers. A plurality of bond wires is attached to the plurality of contact pads and to the plurality of bumps. An encapsulant is formed over the plurality of lead fingers, the die, and the plurality of bond wires, the encapsulant leaving lower surfaces of the plurality of lead fingers exposed.
US07731077B2 Structure and method to gain substantial reliability improvements in lead-free BGAs assembled with lead-bearing solders
Methods of forming and assemblies having hybrid interconnection grid arrays composed of a homogenous mixture of Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solder paste on corresponding sites of a printed board. The aligned Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solders are heated to a temperature above a melting point of the Pb-free solder joint for a sufficient time to allow complete melting of both the Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solder paste and the homogenous mixing thereof during assembly. These molten materials mix together such that the Pb from the Pb-containing solder disperses throughout substantially the entire Pb-free solder joint for complete homogenization of the molten materials to form the homogenous hybrid interconnect structures of the invention.
US07731072B2 Surgical stapling and cutting instrument with improved anvil opening features
A surgical instrument that has an elongate channel assembly configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein. An anvil assembly may be movably and detachably coupled to the elongate channel assembly. In various embodiments, the anvil assembly may have a pair of trunnions pivotally received in open-ended slots in the elongate channel assembly. The trunnions may be retained in the opened ended slots by a selectively movable trunnion retention bar or by a closure member configured to apply a closing motion to the anvil. In other embodiments, a knife assembly may be supported within the elongate channel assembly for axial travel therein. The knife assembly may be provided with a detachable pin that is configured to ride in a slot in the anvil as the knife assembly is driven in the elongate channel assembly to draw the anvil assembly toward the elongate channel assembly. The pin is configured to be detached from the knife assembly to enable the anvil assembly to be detached therefrom.
US07731071B2 Staple leg guide
A staple leg guide for use with desktop staplers having a channel shape, with two downward extending fingers that support the underside of the staple legs as the staple is driven into a stack of sheet media to reduce kinking and improper penetration of the stack by the staple leg.
US07731066B2 Closure
There is disclosed a closure comprised of a valve, a base unit and an upper unit. The base unit has a base surface with a peripheral skirt. The base surface has an aperture with a cylindrical section extending above and below the base surface. The cylindrical section has an aperture therethrough. The upper unit has an upper surface and an aperture adapted to align with the aperture of the cylindrical section of said base unit. The upper unit has a lid to cover the apertures in the base unit cylindrical section and the upper unit. A lid inner top surface has two projecting seals, one to maintain the valve closed when the lid is closed and the other to provide a seal when the lid is closed. and a latch mechanism attaches the base unit to the upper unit. A preferred latch mechanism comprises a projection and an interfitting recess, one being on the base section and the other on the upper section. The lid top surface preferably has an essential horizontal top surface. In a preferred embodiment the valve is a polymeric valve located in the aperture between the base unit and the upper unit and held in place by contact with both the base unit and the upper unit. The rheology of the product in the container and the characteristics of the valve are coordinated so that the product will be fully contained by the valve regardless of the orientation of the container, including being inverted.
US07731063B2 Dry product dispenser with portion control
A dispenser for use in dispensing a selected volume of a granulated, dry product. The dispenser includes a main body having an open interior that receives the supply of granulated products to be dispensed. A loading and dispensing member is positioned to receive the granulated product within a receiving cavity formed as part of the loading and dispensing member. A portion control member is selectively positioned within the receiving cavity. The position of the portion control member can be adjusted to vary the portion volume received within the receiving cavity between the portion control member and an open end of the receiving cavity. Once the portion volume has been received within the receiving cavity, the loading and dispensing member is moved to the dispensing position to dispense the portion volume. In this manner, a known, selected portion volume can be dispensed from the dispenser.
US07731060B2 Outlet tap assembly for a liquid filled flexible packaging bag
An outlet tap assembly (1) for dispensing liquid packaged in flexible packaging bags is provided. The tap assembly comprises a tubular outlet member (2, 32) having a bore (8) therein, a tap (5, 6) at one end for controlling the flow of liquid through the bore, and a spike (3) at the opposite end for penetrating a plastic packaging bag. At least one aperture (4) communicates with the bore towards the inner end to allow liquid to enter from a bag into the bore. An endless clamping surface (11, 31) encircles the outlet member between the aperture and tap and a clamping element (12, 30, 35) having an endless clamping edge or surface (13) is movable axially on the outlet member so as to cooperate with the clamping surface on the outlet member to operatively clamp material of a flexible packaging bag therebetween. The outlet tap assembly has resilient means (16, 21, 26, 29, 33, 36) for urging the clamping element axially into engagement with the clamping surface on the outlet member automatically.
US07731052B2 Camouflaging and insulating cover for compressed gas tanks
A flexible configurationally conformable camouflaging and insulating cover for an exposed compressed gas tank having a colored semi-opaque camouflaging exterior covering and an inner insulating layer supported spacedly adjacent the tank by plural spacers. Air passage spaces between the tank and the inner insulating layer formed by the spacers allows circulation of air therethrough to cool the tank and dissipate any heat absorbed by the cover and the tank.
US07731049B2 Container with a cover indicating previous opening
The invention relates to a container (1), especially a bucket or similar, comprising an opening, which is orientated upwards and which can be closed by a cover (3), and a peripheral container edge (2), which is drawn outwards in a downward direction on the container wall (5), where the cover (3) is detachably connected thereto and whereon at least one tongue-like element (8) is connected in such a way that at least one part of the cover (3) is raised due to a pivoting movement away from a starting position on the container wall (5). According to the invention, the tongue-like element (8) engages with the container edge (2) from behind with part of said tongue-like element which can be guided outwards by the pivoting movement to a position in front of the container wall (2) and the part of said tongue-like element is prevented from being guided behind the container edge (2) when the tongue-like element (8) pivots back in the direction of the initial position.
US07731047B2 Reclosable container lid with sliding element
A reclosable lid (10) for a container holding a flowable substance has a cover (12) having an opening (28) and a moveable element (850) connected to the cover (12). The moveable element (850) is moveable between at least one open position, wherein the flowable substance may flow through the opening, and at least one closed position, wherein the opening is obstructed. In some embodiments, the lid (10) may include an overlay (250) moveable between at least one open position and at least one closed position.
US07731043B2 Bottle stopper for sealing bottle mouth tightly
A bottle stopper includes a cover body, a shaft rod and a rotatable member. The shaft rod is fixed inside the cover body and the rotatable member is secured on the cover body by means of an insert pin, which leans on two opposite oblique faces of the projecting base of the cover body. When the rotatable member is turned clockwise, the insert pin will be actuated to slide upward along the oblique faces of the projecting base and drive the shaft rod to move upward and squeeze a soft clogging member to expand outward and clog the bottle mouth of a bottle. The bottle stopper of this invention can be closely clogged in the bottle mouth, and its shaft rod and soft clogging member are hidden in the cover body, meeting sanitation, convenient in use and able to be placed horizontally for facilitating storing.
US07731040B2 Crawler crane
In a crawler crane of the present invention, a plurality of winches 11-14 for winding wire ropes are disposed on a rotating frame 6 of an upper rotating body 3 in a row in a plane view. A cabin 17 and a power unit 18 are disposed on the front and rear portions of either a right side or a left side of the rotating frame 6 of the upper rotating body 3. A working oil tank 36 of the power unit 18 is disposed between the cabin 17 and a driving section 31-34 of the power unit and in close proximity to a rear surface of the cabin 17. The working oil tank 36 is formed in a size which covers the substantially whole area of the rear surface of the cabin 17. In the crawler crane of the present invention, it is possible to take an anti-sound measure for the cabin to a satisfactory extent without causing cost increase. In the crawler crane of the present invention, moreover, it is possible to improve the transportability because the width of the upper rotating body can be shortened.
US07731034B2 Electronic part supplying tape and electronic part supplying tape connecting method
In a carrier tape for supplying an electronic part to an electronic part mounting apparatus for taking out the electronic part from a tape feeder to mount to a board, a tail side connecting portion having a cutout portion is provided to a tail side of the carrier tape mounted to the tape feeder, a front side connecting portion having a chipped portion is provided to a head side of the carrier tape to be used newly, respectively, and in tape splicing operation when a reel is interchanged, the cutout portion is fitted to the chipped portion and adhesive tapes are pasted thereon from two upper and lower faces thereof. Thereby, the tail side connecting portion and the head side connecting portion can be positioned in a longitudinal direction, a width direction and a thickness direction of the tape and held to each other and can efficiently be connected without using an exclusive connecting jig.
US07731026B2 Insert for truck box
An insert is provided for the hollow interior of a trick tool box including one or more rails having mounting structure for supporting bins, trays, tool racks, tool holders, hooks, pegs and other means for storing items within the box interior.
US07731017B2 Device for driving load conveyors or transporters
A device for driving load conveyors or transporters in the form of a driving and guiding means (4), integrated in a line of conveyors or transporters (1 and 2) and extending along the longitudinal axis of said conveyors or transporters (1 and 2), perpendicularly to their plane and essentially formed by the combination of a driving belt (5), arranged along at least one longitudinal edge or in the extension of longitudinal edges of at least one conveyor or transporter (1 and 2) or two successive conveyors or transporters (1 and 2), and of a guide applying (6) the loads against the driving belt (5), arranged along the longitudinally opposite edges. Particular applicability is in the field of conveying by means of pallet conveyors or transporters, in particular with change of rate of transport and/or of level between conveyors.
US07731014B2 Device for conveying a stack of flat objects
Disclosed is a device for conveying a stack of flat objects, in particular a stack of mail items, in a conveyance direction. The conveyor device comprises a base face, a side wall, which is perpendicular to the base face, a base face conveyor facility let into the base face and a side wall conveyor facility let into the side wall. The side wall is divided into two partial side walls. The rear partial side wall—viewed in the conveyance direction—is offset outward in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in relation to the front partial side wall. The side wall conveyor facility is let into the rear partial side wall. The base face conveyor facility is embodied to exert a force on the objects, which moves the objects toward the side wall conveyor facility.
US07731011B2 Method and apparatus for turning paper rolls
Method and arrangement for changing the direction of travel of a reel being moved by a incoming conveyor (12), for transfer to the following conveyor, in which method the reel is first brought to a turntable and the direction of travel of the reel is changed by turning the turntable. After turning, the reel is removed to a receiving conveyor. In order for the turntable to be able to turn reels, the width of which is greater than the diameter of the turntable, the reel is lifted on the turntable from the level of the incoming and receiving conveyors, for the duration of the turning.
US07731007B2 Parking lock mechanism of automatic transmission
A parking lock mechanism of an automatic transmission includes a casing, a parking gear provided in the casing, a parking pawl engaged with the parking gear to achieve a parking lock state, and a “parking pawl holding portion” suppressing inclination of the parking pawl in an out-of-plane direction (a direction shown with an arrow DR40). A groove portion is formed in the casing. A protruding portion is provided in a sleeve fixed to the casing. A side surface of the groove portion implements a “first portion” of the “parking pawl holding portion.” A base and protruding portion are formed from a member separate from the casing, and implement a “second portion” of the “parking pawl holding portion.”
US07731003B2 Axially actuating device having elastic joining portion
An axially actuating device having an elastic joining portion is provided, which is used for carrying an object and actuating the object to move axially, and comprises a fixed portion, a moving portion, and a joining member. The joining member is used to combine the fixed portion with the moving portion, such that the fixed portion and the moving portion are axially coupled with each other. Moreover, the fixed portion and the moving portion are respectively a fixed magnet and a coil, such that when a current is applied to the moving portion, the moving portion generates a relative displacement with respect to the fixed portion according to the current, so as to provide an axial displacement. Meanwhile, the moving energy is generated due to the repulsive interaction of the magnetic field, and thus a shock proofing efficacy is also provided.
US07731001B1 Disc brake
A retraction arrangement for moving a piston in a bore of a caliper to a position of rest after each brake application. The retraction arrangement includes a cylindrical body with a plurality of inward projecting fingers that engage and apply a radial spring force on the piston. Each finger is defined by a cylindrical section that transitions into a first arcuate section that transitions into a radial section that transition into a second arcuate section that engages the piston. The second arcuate section moves with the piston during a brake application causing the fingers to pivots with respect to the cylindrical body resulting in a decrease in the radial spring force while creating an increasing axial spring force in each finger. On termination of the brake application, the axial spring force returns the piston to the position of rest to establish a running clearance between a friction member and the rotor.
US07731000B2 Roll-calling mechanism based vision system for elevator positioning
A positioning system having a plurality of transponder modules each located at a known location for receiving an electromagnetic signal and emitting a light signal, at least one transceiver module for emitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving the light signal, and apparatus processing the received light signal to determine a position of the at least one transceiver module.
US07730997B2 Air intake noise reducing device, internal combustion engine fitted with the same and structure for fitting the same to the internal combustion engine
The present invention provides an air intake noise reducing device, an internal combustion engine fitted with the air intake noise reducing device and a structure for fitting the air intake noise reducing device to the internal combustion engine. The air intake noise reducing device comprises a gasket (2) comprising a ring member (2a) held by connecting surfaces of an air intake passage (100) and protrusion holding portions (2b) extending from the ring member (2a) toward a center of the air intake passage (100); and a net member (3) comprising a net (3a) for rectifying intake air and connecting protrusions (3b) extending outward from the net (3). The connecting protrusions (3b) are held in the protruding holding portions (2b) such that the ring member (3) is firmly secured to the gasket (3). The air intake noise reducing device constituted by in the above-mentioned manner can reduce assembly man-hours without deteriorating a sealing property of the air passage.
US07730995B2 Acoustic apparatus
Acoustic noise from relatively high pressure gas flows as a result of opening for example a bypass valve in a gas turbine engine can cause problems. By provision of an acoustic apparatus incorporating an inner chamber where there is a pressure reduction and then a chamber divider surface incorporating small apertures with a wide spacing distribution an upward shift in acoustic frequency of the gas flow is achieved beyond normal human comprehension. An outer chamber is provided to receive the fine gas flow jets from the apertures in the chamber divider surface for further pressure reduction and low pressure release through wider apertures in an exit surface.
US07730991B2 Locking assembly and vehicle having same
A locking assembly is provided for installation on a saddle-type vehicle such as an ATV. The locking assembly has a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration and comprises a removable portion and a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to engage the removable portion. The locking assembly is configured to unlock and allow powering of the vehicle when the removable portion is engaged in the receptacle and to lock and prevent powering the vehicle when the removable portion is not engaged in the receptacle. The removable portion includes an actuator configured to select from a first operable engine condition and a second inoperable engine condition.
US07730990B2 Restraint system for a hood lift device
A hood lift device with a restraint system is disclosed. The system can include a catching hole configured to constrain an actuator tip within a hood after the hood lift device is deployed. By engaging the hood lift device with a hood, the hood may be restrained from contacting a windshield.
US07730988B2 Rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle and swing arm attachment structure for a motorcycle
A rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle can sufficiently ensure the stroke of a rear cushion and can enhance traveling performance of a vehicle by lowering the gravity center of the vehicle. A swing arm includes an upper arm swingably connecting a body frame with the upper portion of a power transmission portion. A lower arm swingably connects the body frame with the lower portion of the power transmission portion. The axial center of the upper end support portion of a rear cushion is swingably supported by the upper arm at a position forward of the axial center of the support portion. The axial center of the lower support portion of the rear cushion can swingably be supported by the lower arm at a position rearward of the axial center of the support portion swingably supporting the lower arm and the body frame with respect to the vehicle.
US07730987B2 Motorcycle
A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel and functional components, e.g., a first radiator, a fuel pump, a rear shock absorber, etc., are arranged, as viewed from the side, on a circumference of a circle with a radius R corresponding to a distance from a crankshaft, serving as a center, to a corner of an oil pan, serving as a part of the engine most distant from the crankshaft, to concentrate the functional components of the motorcycle at positions substantially equidistant from the crankshaft of the engine whereby a mass concentration toward the vehicle body center of a motorcycle is achieved.
US07730984B2 Method and apparatus for control of a hybrid electric vehicle to achieve a target life objective for an energy storage device
A method for determining a preferred operating gradient for use in attaining a life objective for an electrical energy storage device in a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. A present state-of-life of the electrical energy storage device is provided and a life target for the electrical energy storage device is established as a predetermined limit in a predetermined metric at a predetermined state-of-life of the electrical energy storage device. A state-of-life gradient is then determined with respect to the predetermined metric which converges the state-of-life of the electrical energy storage device to the life target.
US07730983B2 Power control for hybrid motorcycle
An automatic centrifugal clutch is interposed in a power transmission system between an engine and a driving wheel. A motor, which is capable of generating electricity, is supplied with electricity from a battery to generate auxiliary power. The motor is connected to a crankshaft of the engine. An acceleration data acquisition component acquires the accelerator operation amount and the accelerator operation speed. A delay time setting component sets a delay time according to the acceleration data. A motor controller supplies the motor 13 with a magnitude of electricity in accordance with the acceleration operation amount after the delay time has elapsed from the moment when an accelerator grip was moved from an idle position.
US07730975B2 Drill bit porting system
In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit has a jack element with a distal end extending beyond a working face. A porting mechanism within the bore comprises first and second discs contacting along a flat interface. The first disc is attached to a turbine which is adapted to rotate the first disc with respect to the second disc. The discs comprise a first set of ports adapted to align and misalign with each other as the first disc rotates. The first set of ports is adapted to route a drilling fluid to extend the jack element.
US07730968B2 Apparatus for wellbore communication
Methods and apparatus for communicating between surface equipment and downhole equipment. One embodiment of the invention provides a wellhead assembly that allows electrical power and signals to pass into and out of the well during drilling operations, without removing the valve structure above the wellhead. Another embodiment of the invention provides an electromagnetic casing antenna system for two-way communication with downhole tools. Another embodiment of the invention provides an antenna module for a resistivity sub that effectively controls and seals the primary/secondary interface gap.
US07730961B2 Soil conditioning device
A soil conditioning device having a series of peripheral ridge members having a leading and trailing prow shaped surface circumscribing a disc, wheel or drum. Optionally the prow shaped peripheral ridge members are joined by sub-ridge members forming a single ridge of varying heights circumscribing the disc, wheel or drum. The invention is also of a method for creating a permeable soil surface using the apparatus herein.
US07730959B2 Early suppression fast response fire protection sprinkler
An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.
US07730957B2 Well tool with line and installation method
Installation of lines in well tools. A well tool for use in conjunction with a subterranean well includes connectors at opposite ends of the well tool, a line extending between the connectors; at least one threaded connection at a position between the connectors; and an anti-rotation device which permits make-up of the threaded connection without relative rotation between ends of the line. A method of installing a line in a well tool includes the steps of: making-up a threaded connection at a position between end connectors of the well tool; and preventing relative rotation between ends of the line during the threaded connection making-up step, the line extending between the connectors.
US07730948B2 Use of coated proppant to minimize abrasive erosion in high rate fracturing operations
Methods for reducing wear in pumping components during fracturing operations. A coated proppant is used that causes less wear on the pumping components as the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The proppant coating consists of a substrate having a coating thereupon which eliminates sharp edges on the substrate and functions as a lubricant to materially reduce mechanical erosion of the pumping components. The proppant substrate may consist of any of a number of materials, including sand, ceramic, resin coated sand, or resin coated ceramic particle. The coating preferably comprises one or more layers of one or more of the following materials (or the coating having low friction coefficients is part of a mixture of the coating): antimony trioxide, bismuth, boric acid, calcium barium fluoride, copper, graphite, indium, fluoropolymers (FTFE), lead oxide, lead sulfide, molybdenum disulfide, niobium dielenide, polytetrafluoroethylene, silver, tin, or tungsten disulfideor zinc oxide. The coating material may be applied to the substrate in a number of ways known in the art.
US07730947B2 Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
US07730943B2 Determination of azimuthal offset and radius of curvature in a deviated borehole using periodic drill string torque measurements
Methods and apparatus for determining the direction of borehole azimuthal offset and the borehole radius of curvature. Rotation rate of a borehole assembly is measured and mathematically converted into azimuthal torque imparted to the borehole assembly. Relative azimuthal offset is determined from variations in azimuthal torque over a rotation cycle of the borehole assembly. Relative radius of curvature is obtained from the magnitude of azimuthal torque over a rotation cycle. Relative azimuthal offset is converted to true azimuthal offset using an independent reference angle measurement. Relative borehole curvature is converted to true radius of curvature using a calibration constant determined in known borehole conditions.
US07730942B2 Method and equipment for the reduction of multiple dispersions
A method and equipment for reducing or avoiding multiple dispersions in fluid flows each having two or more non-mixable fluid components with different specific gravities and viscosities, in particular fluid flows of oil, gas and water from different oil/gas production wells (B1-B8) in formations beneath the surface of the earth or sea. The fluid flow from each well (B1-B8), depending on whether it is oil-continuous (o/w) or water-continuous (w/o), is fed to a transport pipeline (T) so that the oil-continuous fluid flows (o/w) are supplied to the transport line (T) first and the water-continuous fluid flows (w/o) second, or the two fluid flows (o/w, w/o) are fed to two separate transport lines (T1, T2). In a preferred embodiment, the two separate transport lines (T1, T2) may be connected to a common transport line (T); the two fluid flows (o/w, w/o) are mixed before further transport and any subsequent separation in a separator. In another preferred embodiment, each of the fluid flows in the respective transport lines (T1, T2) may be fed to a common separator (H) or its own independent separator.
US07730937B2 Electric submersible pump and motor assembly
An assembly for downhole applications comprises has an electric motor, a pump driven by the electric motor and having a lower pump inlet and an upper pump outlet, and a deployment tube from which the assembly is suspended from and by means of which the assembly can be lowered through the well. A nonrotating hollow shaft forms a bore extending from the tube through the motor and the pump to an assembly opening at the bottom of the assembly such that a device suspended on a wireline or coiled tube may be lowered through the deployment tube and pass through the electric motor and pump to a part of the well below the pump inlet. The motor is linked outside the bore to the pump for driving the pump.
US07730934B2 Thixo-molding shot located downstream of blockage
Disclosed is a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway. Also disclosed is a molded article having a body made by a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway.
US07730933B2 Ceramics particle
A ceramics particle produced by a flame fusion method, containing MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, and an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm; a spherical molding sand containing MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, and an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm, produced by a flame fusion method; a spherical molding sand, comprising MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm, and a spherical degree of 0.95 or more; a process for producing the above spherical molding sand; a casting mold containing the spherical molding sand as defined above; and a casting produced by casting with the mold as defined above.
US07730918B2 Vehicle rim intended for mounting a tire and a bearing support and mounting process for a tire/wheel assembly provided with such a rim
A vehicle rim, of revolution, intended for mounting a tire and an annular bearing support capable of supporting a tread of the tire in the event of a loss of inflation pressure from the tire. This rim includes a first and a second rim seat, each intended to receive a bead of the tire. Each of the rim seats has a generatrix the axially inner end of which is on a circle of diameter DI greater than the diameter DE of the circle on which the axially outer end is located. The first rim seat is delimited axially to the inside by a protrusion, the external diameter DS of which is greater than the mean diameter DP of a supporting bearing surface of the rim. The supporting bearing surface is formed of at least one substantially cylindrical surface of revolution of mean diameter DP extending axially between the two seats and intended to be in close contact with the bearing support. A circumferential groove is located axially between the supporting bearing surface and the first rim seat, the axial width LG of the groove being adapted to permit the support to pass over the protrusion.
US07730915B2 Elevating device for the worktable of a manual planer
An elevating device for the worktable of a manual planer includes at least one base, one movable worktable and one elevating device. The elevating device comprises of a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a rotary base, a connecting rod base, a combining shaft and a spindle. When an operating member of the driving shaft is rotated, a driving gear of the driving shaft drives a first driven gear of the driven shaft to rotate, and a second driven gear of the driven shaft drives a third driven gear of the rotary base to rotate at the same time. Simultaneously, the rotary base is rotated to actuate the connecting rod base to operate, and the movable worktable positioned on the connecting rod base is moved upward or downward and is adjusted in its position.
US07730906B2 Solenoid with path converter
A solenoid including an armature movable in an armature room and a coil which can be flowed through by current. When it is flowed through by current the armature moves. The armature interacts with an armature bar. A path converter is provided between the armature and the armature bar.
US07730895B2 Rotary lock member for a hair styling appliance
A hair styling appliance includes a first arm and a second arm pivotable with respect to the first arm, wherein the second arm is movable between an open position and a closed position. A gap is positioned between the first arm and the second arm, and a lock member is movable into and out of the gap between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock member holds the second arm in the closed position.
US07730894B2 Photodynamic therapy apparatus and method for vascular tissue treatment
Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided to interrupt blood flow that can block the transmission of light, and to center the apparatus in a blood vessel. Optical fibers optionally direct light from the light source to the diffusing element. The light source array can have a radial or linear configuration and can produce more than one wavelength of light for activating different photoreactive agents. Linear light source elements are particularly useful to treat elongate portions of tissue in a vessel. One embodiment intended for use with a conventional balloon catheter integrates light sources into a guidewire.
US07730887B2 Portable gas fractionalization system
A portable gas fractionalization apparatus that provides oxygen rich air to patients is provided. The apparatus is compact, lightweight, and low-noise. The components are assembled in a housing that is divided into two compartments. One compartment is maintained at a lower temperature than the other compartment. The lower temperature compartment is configured for mounting components that can be damaged by heat. The higher temperature compartment is configured for mounting heat generating components. An air stream is directed to flow from an ambient air inlet to an air outlet constantly so that there is always a fresh source of cooling air. The apparatus utilizes a PSA unit to produce an oxygen enriched product. The PSA unit incorporates a novel single ended column design in which all flow paths and valves can be co-located on a single integrated manifold. The apparatus also can be used in conjunction with a satellite conserver and a mobility cart.
US07730883B2 Bow cam protector
An article for protecting the cam of a compound bow that includes a member extending from a limb of the compound bow and disposed in overlapping arrangement with the cam. The member extends beyond the cam such that the cam is elevated from a surface upon which the compound bow is placed. The member is positioned at an angle of greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees relative to the bow limb such that the member may be used as a stand and to provide vibration dampening functions.
US07730882B2 Cartridge retaining device for hand gun
A gun having a gas cartridge retaining device comprises a gun device having a hand grip, and a gas cartridge retaining device disposed at the bottom of the hand grip. The hand grip has a cartridge holding chamber for receiving a gas cartridge. Pull up a camshaft lever of a gas cartridge retaining device to push the upper piston element upwardly, such that the gas cartridge is retained in a gun. Pull open the camshaft lever to release the upper piston element, such that the gas cartridge can be taken off. In this way, the gas cartridge can be installed or detached from the gun quickly.
US07730877B2 Fuel tank structure
A main suction, that is a portion of a fuel feed-out pipe, and a bent portion, that is a lowermost portion formed at a return pipe, are both disposed within a fuel tank, positioned lower than a lowest liquid surface within a reserve cup, and can always be maintained in a state of existing within fuel. A fuel expelling port of a jet pump is positioned higher than a highest liquid surface at the reserve cup, and is always positioned higher than fuel within the reserve cup. As a result, a fuel tank structure in which suppression of flowing-out of fuel from the return pipe and the like, an improvement in the fuel transferring performance of the jet pump, and suppression of backward flowing of fuel through a transfer pipe, can all be realized is obtained.
US07730876B2 Fuel injection system
A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes an engine management system, a return conduit connected to a low-pressure fuel system, and a common rail for storing and supplying a relatively high-pressure fuel to injectors. Each injector has a nozzle for injecting fuel into the engine, a valve installed between the common rail and the nozzle, and a spill valve connected by its inlet to the outlet of the valve and by its outlet to the return conduit. A first automatic isolating valve is installed between the common rail and the injector and a second automatic isolating valve is installed between the return conduit and the low-pressure fuel system.
US07730874B2 Method for controlling a supercharged engine, particularly an indirect injection engine, and engine using such a method
A method for controlling a supercharged engine, that includes determining an overlap of valves by opening a supercharged non-fuel-containing air inlet valve and closing an exhaust valve before the exhaust phase of an engine cylinder and in the vicinity of the top dead center (TDC), actuating a blocking means for blocking a supercharged non-fuel-containing air intake means to admit supercharged air flowing in the supercharged non-fuel-containing air intake means into a chamber to scavenge residual burned gases when a pressure of the supercharged non-fuel-containing air is greater than a pressure of the exhaust gases, and actuating the blocking means to shut off the supercharged air flowing from the supercharged non-fuel-containing intake means into the chamber when pressure of the supercharged non-fuel-containing air is less than pressure of the exhaust gases.
US07730863B2 Warm-up apparatus for internal combustion engine
An inexpensive warm-up apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a simple structure and eliminating the need of forming a hole in a heat storage material retainer or the need for a seal around the hole or an electrical circuit. A heat storage material retainer (14) accommodating a latent heat type heat storage material (X) is arranged in a water jacket (13). The heat storage material retainer (14) has a nucleation device (2) that accelerates phase transition of the heat storage material in a supercooled state. The nucleation device includes a nucleation portion (24) for nucleating the heat storage material (X) in the supercooled state for phase transition, a hammer (25) supported in a movable manner, a target member (23) for applying impact to the nucleation portion by abutting against the nucleation portion when the hammer moves forward, and a lock mechanism (26) for restraining the hammer in the standby position by making use of the volume increase that occurs as the heat storage material undergoes phase transition to the liquid phase when receiving heat. The lock mechanism is released by vibrations generated when the internal combustion engine is started. The lock mechanism causes the hammer to abut against the target member to activate the nucleation device and nucleate the heat storage material.
US07730855B2 Coolant controller and method for its manufacture
A coolant controller for a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine has a housing and a thermostat valve arranged therein. The thermostat valve has at least one valve closing member loadable by a working element as a function of a temperature value, a temperature sensor as well as a heating element for the working element. The housing is provided with at least one plug from which connecting lines extend to the temperature sensor. A current supply for the heating element is present. The plug, the temperature sensor, the connecting lines and the current supply for the heating element are provided as a pre-manufactured assembly and this assembly is integrated into the housing.
US07730853B2 Chew toy with fabric or fabric layering
The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.
US07730852B2 Portable animal restraint and feeding station
A portable and inexpensive device for restraining a dog, cat or other animal within a defined area. The device has a main body providing an endless circular groove that confines a wire or ring to rotating movement about the main body. The ring is attached to the animal's leash and allows the animal free movement within a circular area defined by the length of the leash. A plurality of removable pins anchor the device to the ground, with the pins being stored in storage grooves in the main body when not in use. The main body has a central recess that accommodates a bowl for food or water.
US07730847B1 Personal, wearable, disposable breathing-gas flow indicator
A personal gas flow indicator is disclosed in which a flow indicator is interposed between the proximal end of a gas delivery cannula that conducts breathing-gas from a breathing-gas source to an airway interface device (AID) for introducing the breathing-gas into the airway of an patient. By having the gas flow indicator positioned at the proximal end of the gas delivery cannula, the patient or some other person in visual contact with the patient can easily determine whether or not breathing-gas is flowing through the gas delivery cannula. The flow indicator is sufficiently lightweight that it can be worn by the patient. It is both disposable and portable and can be easily retrofit into existing-gas delivery systems. The flow indicator can be incorporated into an AID, into a gas delivery cannula, or it can be easily retrofit into one-piece gas delivery cannulas.
US07730846B2 Strain-responsive visual indicator
A strain-responsive visual indicator comprises a pair of overlapping shutter strips (1, 2) adapted to be mounted to a substrate such that strain in the substrate causes relative movement M between them. Each shutter strip comprises an alternating set of windows (5) or (6) and bars (7) or (8) and the distal strip (2) is backed by a strip (3) of a different color exposed through its windows (6), or the distal strip can instead be printed with a set of alternating colors in place of its windows and bars. The effect is that under different strain conditions different color indications from the distal strip (2) will be visible through the windows (5) of the proximal strip (1), in accordance with the relative positions of the two strips. The indicator can be incorporated e.g. in the shaft of a toothbrush to give a visual warning in response to flexure of the shaft if excessive brushing pressure is applied. Numerous other applications and the use of different types of indicia are indicated in the specification.
US07730845B1 Vertical panel traffic channelizer
A vertical panel delineator system is capable of withstanding high winds without rotating from a preferred orientation wherein the full width of the device is perpendicular to the direction of oncoming traffic, is stackable without sticking or jamming, and is capable of accommodating multiple reflective sheeting configurations fully within recessed receiving panels on the delineator device. The vertical panel delineator further accommodates, in a secure manner, warning barricade lights of any known construction, and is uniquely capable of retaining secure engagement of the panel body with its ballasting base when being transported or during ordinary deployment, yet readily disengaging body and base upon impact by a vehicle.
US07730830B2 Steam cooking apparatus
Water draining means (a water drain pipe and a water drain valve (54)) is provided that drains water out of a pot. A control device (80) makes the water draining means drain the water inside the pot when one of the following conditions is fulfilled: [1] the retention time counted by a first time counter (101a) has reached a predetermined time; [2] the total time, as counted by a second time counter (101b), that has elapsed after the water started to be fed has reached a predetermined time; [3] the total amount of water, as detected by a fed water amount detector (102), that has been fed into the pot has reached a predetermined amount; [4] the total water feed time, as counted by a third time counter (101c), for which the water has been fed into the pot has reached a predetermined time; and [5] an instruction to drain the water is entered via an operation panel (13). Thus, while the amount of water consumed and the work burden on the user associated with water replenishment are reduced, the water retained inside the steam generating device (pot) is prevented from getting spoilt, and the interior of the steam generating means can be kept sanitary.
US07730829B2 Beverage brewer
A beverage brewer and method of using the same is provided. The beverage brewer has the capacity to brew a beverage from variable amounts of prepackaged pods or from free-form brewing material captured between upper and lower filter membrane surfaces.
US07730828B2 Rotor recess with scupper slots and free casting
A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston head provided with an annular field, and a piston shaft arranged beneath the annular field. The piston shaft has shaft surfaces and a recess surface which is arranged around a bolt borehole and set back in relation to an outer diameter of the piston. At least one cavity is provided in the region of the lowest annular groove for oil flow in the direction of the recess surface during the movement of the piston and the at least one cavity is arranged outside an especially stressed region above the bolt borehole.
US07730823B1 Magnetic damping field armor system and method
A resource is protected by an armor structure comprising a magnetic field such that the magnetic field will interfere with a warhead blast to weaken the blast. In particular, magnetic field will interfere with a molten metal jet from a shaped charge to disperse the jet, allowing subsequent layers of armor to absorb the jet energy without penetration. In one embodiment, the magnetic field is produced by a layer of magnetic material magnetized with the field lines perpendicular to the primary threat direction and typically parallel to the surface of the area to be protected. The magnetic material layer may include ferromagnetic (iron or steel, or other) layers to strengthen and contain the magnetic field, protect the magnetic material and act as additional armor layers. The magnetic layer is typically used in conjunction with an inner shield armor layer to absorb the diffused jet after passing through the magnetic layer.
US07730809B2 Tools for removing shingles
The present invention relates to tools for removing shingles, nails and other materials from a roof or other surface. A tool of the invention, in certain embodiments, comprises blades that move in preferably a reciprocating manner to pry up shingles, nails and other materials. A tool of the invention, in certain embodiments, can be powered through a remote power source to move the blades. In certain other embodiments, a tool of the invention comprises a drive-wheel which is rotated through force form a remote power source.
US07730806B1 Vehicle pedal booster and associated method
A vehicle pedal booster includes a rigid support panel with a rectilinear central region provided with a predetermined thickness and a plurality of anchoring brackets spaced from the support panel and positioned posterior thereof in such a manner that the existing vehicle pedal is intercalated between the anchoring brackets and the support panel. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for maintaining the anchoring brackets and the support panels directly and statically abutted against the existing pedal such that the vehicle pedal booster is prohibited from disengaging the existing vehicle pedal during driving conditions. Such a maintaining mechanism includes a plurality of rectilinear threaded fasteners penetrating through the orifices and engaging the anchoring brackets respectively.
US07730805B2 Motor vehicle park brake cable and eyelet
Bevel-cornered cable eyelets suitable to be operatively fitted onto a moveable brake arm of a motor vehicle park brake mechanism have an eyelet portion forming a bevel-cornered opening and a cable connection portion integral with the eyelet portion. In typical motor vehicle park brake applications, good performance can be achieved with the front corners beveled at an angle of 35-55 degrees to the front surface. The opening of the cable eyelet to receive the brake arm has a fore-and-aft inside dimension smaller than the lateral inside dimension of the opening. The bevel surfaces resist turning of the eyelet relative to the brake arm during normal use. A motor vehicle park brake cable comprises an elongate brake cable having a first end suitable to be connected to a park brake actuator and a second end attached to a bevel-cornered cable eyelet. The eyelet is readily disengaged from the brake arm, e.g., for repairs, service, etc. notwithstanding the beveled corners, by turning the eyelet 90° from its normal fore-and-aft orientation on the brake arm, e.g., manually or by other suitable technique.
US07730803B2 Switch designation apparatus for a bicycle control unit
A switch designation apparatus for a bicycle control unit comprises a first switch structured to be mounted to a bicycle for providing signals to move a moving bicycle control device, a second switch structured to be mounted to the bicycle for providing signals to move the moving bicycle control device, and a switch designation unit that allows a user to selectively designate movements of the bicycle control device signaled by at least one of the first switch and the second switch.
US07730795B2 Drill cutting sampler
A device for sampling drill cuttings includes a frame, an inclined perforated member mounted on the frame, a sprayer for washing cuttings down over the perforations, and a removable open-topped cuttings collector mounted under the perforated member, the perforated member cooperating with the downstream end of a vibratory screen over which the cuttings pass before translating onto the perforated screen.
US07730785B2 Ultrasonic sensor and manufacture method of the same
An ultrasonic sensor is provided with a substrate unit where a thin-walled portion is arranged and a piezoelectric oscillator which is formed at the substrate unit. The piezoelectric oscillator includes two electrodes and a piezoelectric film positioned between the two electrodes. The thin-walled portion and the piezoelectric oscillator construct a membrane structure which will resonate at a predetermined frequency.
US07730763B2 Balance corrector
An apparatus that corrects a weight imbalance around an axis of a spindle motor that rotates a disc in a disc drive includes an impact applicator that applies an impact to a housing that houses the spindle motor and the disc, a plate that supports the housing and impact applicator, a spring member that supports the plate, and enables the plate and the housing to vibrate together when the spindle motor rotates, and a detector that detects a vibration of the housing when the spindle motor rotates.
US07730761B2 Producing stress on surfaces
An apparatus for producing stress on a surface, comprising one or more service assembly and one or more cleaning assembly. The service assembly comprises one or more means for applying dirt to said surface, or one or more means for scuffing said surface, or one or more means for dragging a test material across said surface, or a combination thereof. The cleaning assembly comprises one or more scrubber, or one or more burnisher, or a combination thereof.Also provided is a method of testing a surface with such an apparatus.
US07730757B2 Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies
A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.
US07730754B2 Apparatus and method for manufacturing spiral duct
Provided are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a spiral duct in which straight connection parts are integrally formed with both ends of a curved duct. Further provided are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a spiral duct capable of improving cutting quality of a metal band and precisely and securely coupling bent parts of edges of the metal band. The apparatus comprises a cutting roll to cut a metal band into two parts, the cutting roll having a horizontal rotation angle that can be varied to cut along a straight or a waved line in order to form a duct having straight and curved parts, and in order to adjust a diameter of the duct. In addition, the apparatus includes rolls for forming bent parts at edges of the cut metal bands, and for winding and seaming edges of the metal bands to form ducts.
US07730750B2 Securing system and method
A securing system and method including an article holder portion having at least two separable portions; a mount portion adapted for carrying at least one of the separable portions of the holder portion; and optionally at least one sensor for monitoring the article and providing an output signal indicative of article tampering.
US07730749B2 Door on drum type washing machine or laundry dryer
Door on a laundry dryer/drum type washing machine including a door frame having a central opening, for opening/closing an opening in a front part of a cabinet for introduction/taking out of laundry, an outer window fixed to a front surface of the door frame, and an inner window fixed to a rear surface of the door frame, wherein the door frame has a front surface curved in left/right directions, and the outer window is curved the same with the door frame, thereby providing a good design of a door and improving washing and drying performance.
US07730742B2 Accelerated heat exchanger
A heat transfer device includes a tube with a first fluid inlet and outlet and is arranged to form a plurality of parallel elongated segments. An enclosure defines a second fluid flow path over an exterior surface of the tube from a second fluid inlet to a second fluid outlet. A wall in the enclosure defines a first section of the second fluid flow path, which first section leads from the second fluid inlet and extends across a first portion of a length of all of the elongated segments of the tube. The wall further defines a second section of the second fluid flow path in the enclosure, which second section extends across a second portion of the length of all of the elongated segments of the tube and leads to the second fluid outlet. The interior wall is shaped and arranged such that a cross sectional area of the second fluid flow path in the enclosure changes along its length from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet.
US07730734B2 Cooling apparatus of a fuel cell vehicle
A cooling apparatus of a fuel cell vehicle in which a cooling efficiency of a fuel cell cooling heat exchanger located downstream of an air conditioner external heat exchanger does not decrease. (1) In the cooling apparatus, the air conditioner external heat exchanger and the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger are partially offset from each other so that a high-temperature portion of the air conditioner external heat exchanger is not overlapped with the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger in a front view taken from a front side of the vehicle. (2) A portion of the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger extending beyond an end of the air conditioner exterior heat exchanger opposite the high-temperature portion is disposed outside a fan shroud so as to be cooled by a vehicle-running wind only.
US07730722B2 Low power HMT with by-pass valve
A method of operating a vehicle with a hydrostatic circuit. The method includes providing a hydrostatic circuit having first and second hydraulic kits that are fluidly connected to one another by first and second fluid lines. A by-pass valve is placed between the first and second hydraulic lines and is controlled in order to actuate the by-pass valve when certain predetermined conditions are present in order to relieve pressure within the hydrostatic circuit.
US07730708B2 Mower blade assembly
A mower blade assembly (10) includes an elongated blade bar (11) having two oppositely disposed cutting ends (13). A pair of removable bottom blades (22) and a pair of removable top blades (23) are removably mounted to the blade bar. The bottom blade has two oppositely disposed serrated cutting edges (27) so that either of the two cutting edges may be utilized for cutting purposes. Each top blade has a forward portion (31) which includes a series of blade segments (32) with serrated cutting edges (33) and a series of mulching blades (34) with serrated cutting edges (35). The top blade also has an elongated rear portion (37) that is oriented at an angle with respect to the cutting blades and blade bar. The angle of the rear portion creates or defines an airfoil deflector which increases the vacuum effect of the rotating blades.
US07730707B2 Extendable header for harvesting machine
A header for a harvesting machine having a frame, a cutterbar mounted on the frame operable to cut standing crop, the cutterbar being adjustable relative to the frame in a fore-and-aft direction, and a reel rotatably supported between a pair of reel arms pivotally mounted on the frame and operable to sweep crop material towards and over the cutterbar, a hydraulic cylinder extending between each reel arm and a corresponding side wall of the header frame to effect a generally vertical movement of the reel, comprising an interlock mechanism operably interconnecting the cutterbar and the hydraulic cylinder at each side of the header for adjusting the vertical position of the reel in response to a fore-and-aft movement of the cutterbar to maintain substantially constant the spacing and avoiding interference between the reel and the cutterbar.
US07730698B1 Split crimper for heat sealing packaging material
A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.
US07730697B2 Automatic machine for making filter bags for infusion products
A machine (100) for making filter bags (1) for infusion products, the machine (100) being of the type comprising, one after the other along a production line (P), a plurality of operating stations designed to form the filter bags (1) and at least one operating outfeed station (7) for handling the filter bags (1) made; the operating outfeed and handling station (7) comprises conveying means (8) designed to successively pick up and withhold the filter bags (1) along a certain section (T1) of the line (P); supporting guide means (9) along which an ordered and continuous succession of filter bags (1) is formed and fed along another section (T2) of the line (P); and means (11) for picking up and transferring the filter bags from the conveying means (8) to the supporting guide means (9).
US07730695B2 Clip framing system
A framing system for adjustably connecting building components comprising an outer stud, an interior support member, and a connecting clip.
US07730689B2 Window arrangement to aid in the reduction of unwanted air movement in or out of windows
A building having windows and a window arrangement to aid in the reduction of unwanted air movement in or out of windows or even doors. The window arrangement is configured to be combined with louvered or jalousie windows to minimize the flow of air from one side of the louvered or jalousie windows to the other side.
US07730686B2 Reverse molded panel
A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.
US07730682B2 Partition mounting system and clamp assembly for mounting partition
A system for mounting a partition, the system including a shoe with a slot for receiving an edge of the partition and an isolator that fits within the slot between the partition and a portion of the slot. A clamp assembly fits within the slot opposite the first isolator. The clamp assembly includes upper and lower blocks and, optionally, a center block. Surfaces of the blocks are angled with respect to each other so that drawing the upper and lower blocks toward each other will urge one of the blocks in one direction and the other block or blocks in the opposite direction. The blocks include engagement surfaces which engage a side wall of the slot and a side of the partition to selectively and releasably hold the partition within the slot.
US07730677B2 Barrier system
The present invention provides for a glass barrier system including at least one post adapted to support at least one piece of glass above a base structure, such as a concrete slab or a masonry wall. The post is connected with a support member extending from the base structure. In one embodiment, aluminum posts are supported by steel members embedded into and extending from concrete so as to suspend the aluminum posts above the concrete. Some embodiments of the present invention also utilize a glazing bead to help hold the glass in place with respect to the posts. The glass barrier system can also include a rail connected with the glass.
US07730676B2 Solar panel supporting system
A solar panel supporting system includes a main frame, a solar panel, and a spring mechanism. The main frame has two opposite lateral sides. The solar panel is pivotally mounted on the main frame along a first pivot axis defined by a first rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame. The spring mechanism is operatively coupled to the solar panel for resiliently holding the solar panel at a predetermined position. The solar panel is adapted to pivot in response to wind strong enough to stretch or compress the spring mechanism.
US07730675B2 Post anchor with post holding impressions
A post anchor includes a ground engaging portion in the form of fins and a post receiving portion that has an oversized top and angled, linear segment or circular impressions below. The impressions form a clamp when downward force is applied to seat the post that is inserted into the post receiving portion. Adjustment in plumb can be made by moving the top of the post to the desired location and inserting hardware at the top edge of the receiving portion. A damaged post can be replaced by removing the hardware, replacing the post and reinserting the connection hardware.
US07730672B2 Integrated debris-shielding cover, flashing & mounting system for rain gutter
A rain gutter system includes a back flashing, fastening clips, fasteners, a rain gutter and a reverse-curve shield. The back flashing overlaps existing flashing and has a crease at the bottom and the fastening clips have a groove that locates the fastening clips relative to the back flashing. The back wall of the rain gutter extends above and behind the bottom of the back flashing. The rain gutter and shield are anchored to the back flashing and fastening clips vertically and in the fore/aft direction, and can slide laterally. The front upper end of the rain gutter slopes up and back to improve debris shedding.
US07730664B2 Plant container
A plant container assembly (1) comprising two detachably connectable enclosure sections (3, 4), the assembly comprising attachment means (39) which is adapted to secure the sections in the direction of the height of the container, wherein, in an assembled condition, the attachment means is located internally of the assembly.
US07730663B2 Rotary plant growing apparatus
A rotary plant growing apparatus has a cylindrical structure rotatably mounted on a support base. The cylindrical structure consists of a plurality of baskets in which plants may be grown and rotates around a rotational axis such that the baskets are at least partially immersed in nutrient reservoir containing a liquid nutrient for nourishing the plants. A light source extending at least partially through the cylindrical structure provides light for growth of plants. The baskets are securely and removably attached to rims of the cylindrical structures by pins extending therefrom and which have heads which retaining the pins in apertures therefore on the rims. A motor and gear arrangement provides rotation of the cylindrical structure.
US07730657B1 Money retrieval apparatus
A retrieval apparatus. An illustrative embodiment of the retrieval apparatus includes a main shaft having a trigger compartment; a pair of net support arms pivotally carried by the main shaft; a collection net carried by the pair of net support arms; a pair of arm flanges pivotally attached to the pair of net support arms, respectively, and each other; a trigger block slidably mounted in the trigger compartment; a trigger extending from the trigger block; and a flange attachment cable connecting the trigger block and the pair of arm flanges.
US07730656B2 Bird decoy
A collapsible decoy 10, including two generally planar side body panels 11, 12 allowing the decoy 10 to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration and which are splayed when in the erected position, a head and neck portion 14 connected to at least one of the side body panels 11, 12, and a means for retaining the side body panels 11, 12, when in use, in the erected position.
US07730651B2 Wear assembly
A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.
US07730648B2 Construction vehicle
A construction vehicle of an all-round traverse type is configured such that when working by using one working machine of an excavating machine and a loading machine mounted on front and rear sides of a cabin, the working machine in use can perform operation without influence from the other working machine in an unused state, as the excavating machine and the loading machine are configured to be folded and retracted under an unused state into an orientation of substantially fitting along respective surfaces of the front side and the rear side of the cabin. A cabin 3 is mounted on a turn frame 2 that makes an all-round traverse and is mounted on a vehicle body 1, and a mounting bracket 40 is provided on one end of the front end and the rear end of the turn frame 2. An excavator 4 is mounted in front of the cabin 3 by mounting and connecting the excavator 4 to the mounting bracket 40. Boom stands 50 on which a loading machine is to be mounted is provided on both right and left sides of the turn frame 2, and root ends of right and left booms 5a and 5a of a bucket loader 5 are mounted and connected to the boom stands 50. Accordingly, the bucket loader 5 is mounted on the vehicle body 1 such that a bucket 5b supported on tip ends of the booms 5a rises and falls along the rear surface of the cabin 3.
US07730647B2 Construction machine
An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine which precipitates the removal of earth that is churned up onto a vehicle body from the vehicle body, which reduces transfer loads on a blade bracket, which improves the attachability of the blade bracket, and which achieves standardization of the blade bracket. The construction machine according to the present invention is constituted such that a frame of a crawler belt-type traveling body comprises a center frame, a pair of truck frames disposed on the outside of two side portions of the center frame, a connecting member which connects the center frame to the truck frames, and a blade bracket which is joined to the center frame and the connecting member.
US07730630B1 Layered beam measurement apparatus
A new and improved tape rule that increases stiffness and standout length over standard tape rules is disclosed. The tape rule includes a primary rule and a secondary rule, the secondary rule providing increased strength. This invention can provide a variety of benefits, including increased blade flexibility while performing short extension related tasks, increased standout and reduced sag while performing tasks requiring longer extensions, reduced size and weight for tasks requiring the longest extensions and adds the ability to utilize alternate measurement methods or units and built in computational references.
US07730626B2 Masonry guiding tool
A masonry guiding tool for attachment to a backing wall, comprising a base member for attachment to the backing wall and an elbowed plumb line holder. The plumb line holder comprises an elongated mounting portion defining a first axis therealong, the mounting portion being movably carried by the base member and axially movable relative thereto along the first axis which is destined to be parallel to the backing wall. The plumb line holder also comprises an elongated plumb line support portion transversally connected to the mounting portion, the elongated plumb line support portion defining and extending along a second axis transversal to the first axis, the plumb line support portion for movably holding a plumb line. The guiding tool allows the plumb line to be movable along the first axis by axially moving the mounting portion relative to the base member, and along the second axis of the plumb line support portion by moving the plumb line along the plumb line support portion.
US07730625B2 Gyroscopically-oriented survey tool
A gyroscopically-oriented survey tool, includes a housing having an axis. Three accelerometers are mounted in the housing with their axis set orthogonally. A first of the axis is aligned to the axis of the housing. A second of the axis is perpendicular to the first. A third of the axis is perpendicular to both of the first and the second. Three gyroscopes are mounted pseudo-orthogonally in the housing with their axis set at relative angles of other than 90 degrees. None of the axis of the gyroscopes are mounted parallel to the axis of the accelerometers. This configuration permits data from the accelerometers to be used to check the quality of data from the gyroscopes.
US07730622B2 Structural surface measuring and aligning apparatus and method
An apparatus and method provide for measurement at various positions over an extent of an uneven structural surface, and preparation of spacers, cut to appropriate thicknesses based upon such measurements, such that when affixed to the respective measurement locations, outer facing surfaces of the spacers are collectively coplanar. A method of aligning a surface includes defining a reference plane in a fixed condition relative to the structural surface, and determining a differential distance between the structural surface and the reference plane at various locations along an extend of the particular structural surface. Using these measurements, indexed according to location, spacers are cut to a thickness based upon the respective differential distances at corresponding locations, which, when mounted to the structural surface at these recorded locations, results in alignment of outwardly facing surfaces with a common plane. Advantageously, at least a portion of the processes is automated.
US07730621B2 Shaving foil for a dry shaver
A shaving foil for a dry shaver has a plurality of perforation arranged in an array. The shaving foil is formed in its skin contact surface with a plurality of recesses which define a thin section of reduced thickness at the recesses, while leaving thick sections at the remainder of the foil. Each perforation is configured to have its circumference defined partly by the thin section and partly by the thick section. Both of the thin and thick sections can come into contact with a user's skin for smoothly guiding hairs into the perforations to make close shaving without irritating the skin, while the shaving foil is moved across the skin. Especially, the thin sections act to cut the hairs shorter than the thick section, as wall as to raise flattened hairs into the perforations for successfully cutting the flattened hairs.
US07730619B2 Ergonomically arcuate multi-blade razor
A shaving device assembled with multiple blades having a generally planar portion and arcuate end portions in a generally parallel spaced relationship adapted for shaving curvilinear areas of a body.
US07730612B2 Method of manufacturing component-embedded printed circuit board
A method of manufacturing a component-embedded printed circuit board is disclosed. The method includes: forming a blind hole in the first metal layer such that the first insulation layer is exposed, for a metal-clad laminate that includes a first metal layer stacked over a first insulation layer, securing a component to the first insulation layer by embedding the component in the blind hole, stacking a second insulation layer and a second metal layer on either side of the metal-clad laminate, and forming circuit patterns by removing portions of the metal layers.
US07730597B2 Method for processing metal molding member having fine configuration, method for manufacturing metal molding member, extrusion die, method for manufacturing extruded member, and extruded member
A molten residual layer formed on a surface 26 of an electric-discharge machined portion 12 of a metal molding member 1 is eliminated by using a tool 70 made by a wire discharge grinding method. According to the wire discharge grinding method, a minute tool which high in processing accuracy and high in hardness can be obtained. Since the molten residual layer formed on a surface 26 of the portion 12 due to the electric-discharge machining is eliminated by using the tool, the molten residual layer can be eliminated uniformly with high accuracy.
US07730587B2 Hinge apparatus
A hinge apparatus used to connect a base and a display unit comprises a connecting member a first fastening member a second fastening members a first pivoting member and a second pivoting member, wherein the connecting member includes a first hole and a second hole. One end of the first pivoting member is fixed with a display unit and the other end crosses through the first hole and is then fastened with the first fastening member. One end of the second pivoting member is fixed with a base and the other end crosses through the second hole and is then fastened with the second fastening member. With the connectivity between the connecting member the first pivoting member and the second pivoting member, the motion of the hinge apparatus is capable of rotating 360 degrees.
US07730578B1 Removable eraser for a pencil
An eraser to cap a pencil includes a top and a base, with a projection extending between them. The projection helps to secure the top and base together by fitting into and filling a mating cavity within either or both of the top and base. The base has a cavity open at the bottom of the base, sized and shaped to receive the used or unused portion of an original pencil eraser, if any, and the ferrule on the pencil.
US07730568B2 Removal of scale and sludge in a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance
A method of operating a fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generation step and a steam generator cleaning step. In the steam generator cleaning step, a chamber of the steam generator can be flushed by introducing a volume of liquid into the chamber greater than the internal volume. The steam generator cleaning step can also involve thermally shocking scale formed within the chamber.
US07730561B2 Used water removal system for a portable, hand-wash sink station
A used water removal system for a stand-alone hand-wash sink station having a vertically elongated used water storage tank and within which a vertically elongated, fresh water tank is positioned. A sink basin disposed above the used water storage tank drains used water into the used water storage tank. A water line conveys water from the fresh water tank to a faucet located above the sink basin. An inverted, vertically elongated, U-shaped tube is arranged within the station alongside the fresh water tank. One end of the tube opens into the used water storage tank near its lower end. The second end of the tube opens to the outside of the station. The curved bight of the tube is located at a height that is above the maximum height of the used water within the used water storage tank. Water may be rapidly removed from the tank by temporarily applying suction to the second end of the tube to siphon used water through the tube and out of the used water storage tank.
US07730560B2 Odorless toilet
The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
US07730558B2 Treatment apparatus for excrement of rest room
Disclosed herein is a treatment apparatus for excrement of a rest room wherein sludge is able to be separated and incinerated via a simplified process without a vacuum drying of excrement that is transferred from a storage tank, whereby continuous treatment of excrement is possible, resulting in an increase in excrement treatment efficiency and capacity while achieving a reduction in maintenance costs. Also, in the present invention, water contained in excrement is able to be purified with a high efficiency, whereby the purified water can be reused as wash water of a toilet or directly drained without a separate post-treatment.
US07735143B2 System and method for secure document processing
This invention is directed to a system and method for secure document processing. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for secure document processing wherein a user has the ability to confidentially generate or print a document without generating a log entry or other information related to the document.
US07735138B2 Method and apparatus for performing antivirus tasks in a mobile wireless device
Disclosed are techniques for performing an antivirus task in a mobile wireless device running an embedded operating system. In one embodiment, calls intended for an application programming interface (API) function code is redirected to an antivirus function code. The redirection to the antivirus function code may be performed by modifying a kernel structure to point to a modified entry list instead of an API entry list. The redirection to the antivirus function code may also be performed by modifying the API function code to allow the antivirus function code to execute before the API function code. The kernel structure or the API function code may be properly restored back to its original form. Software implementations of these techniques may be readily loaded and unloaded, and may not require re-installation of the embedded operating system.
US07735136B2 0-touch and 1-touch techniques for improving the availability of computer programs under protection without compromising security
Protected software, such as an application and/or DLL, is monitored by protective software to guard against attacks, while distinguishing spurious, benign events from attacks. In a 1-touch approach, the protected software is monitored in a testing environment to detect spurious, benign events caused by, e.g., incompatibility or interoperability problems. The spurious events can be remediated in different ways, such as by applying a relaxed security policy. In a production mode, or 0-touch mode, when the protected software is subject to attacks, the corresponding remediation can be applied when the spurious events are again detected. Security events which occur in production mode can also be treated as benign when they occur within a specified time window. The applications and/or DLLs can further be classified according to whether they are known to have bad properties, known to be well-behaved, or unknown. Appropriate treatment is provided based on the classification.
US07735135B1 Hardware-based intrusion detection accelerator
A system and method for intrusion detection and prevention processing are described. Spin state information associated with a signature may be prefetched by a network device having one or more buffers. The spin state information may be stored by the buffer. Context data may be searched using the spin state information stored by the buffer.
US07735131B2 Endoscope device for measuring an object using an image, by setting login qualifiers according to examination environment
A CPU of a control unit has an authentication verification function which is an authentication verification unit which verifies a user name and password input from a remote control and a user name and password stored in SRAM, and a registration user setting function which is a login qualifier authorization unit for controlling editing of registration users as well as specifying a user for which login is authorized by a user setting function flag stored in the SRAM.
US07735127B1 Method and system for communicating with a managed system located behind a firewall
A method and system for communicating with at least one managed system located behind a firewall are provided. The system includes an agent computer, located behind a firewall, to communicate with the at least one managed system and a management system. The management system communicates with the agent computer to provide computer related services. The management system is located on an opposed side of the firewall and communicates an envelope including at least one executable task to the agent computer for communication to the managed system. The executable task may be included in a script and the agent computer may poll the management system to determine if there is an envelope for it to receive.
US07735126B2 Certificate based authentication authorization accounting scheme for loose coupling interworking
A method of Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) in an interworking between first and second networks that do not belong in the same administrative domain, using certificate based transactions. In the method according to the invention, the second network sends a public key to the first network, and a certificate to a mobile device. The certificate includes information regarding the subscription level of the mobile device and is signed with a private key of the second network. Upon detection of the first network the mobile device transmits the certificate and the first network authenticates the certificate using the public and private keys of the second network, and authorizes access to the network in response. The first network then sends a session key encrypted with a public key of the mobile device. The mobile device decrypts the session key with a private key and access the first network using the session key. In this manner, interworking is implemented without requiring the deployment of a special interworking function to bridge between the two different types of networks.
US07735124B2 Password input and verification method
A password input and verification method is provided to prevent the disclosing of the password from peeping. The method is easy to learn, transparent to the users, and requires no hardware change and only minor software modification. The method allows a user to enter a much longer string of characters when he or she is asked for the password. The user is then authenticated if the actual password is embedded as a whole anywhere within the input string. The method also provides a mechanism called prohibition key. A prohibition key is a predetermined character that, when present in the user input string, the user is not authenticated regardless of whether the actual password is contained in the input string or not.
US07735122B1 Credential mapping
Methods, systems, and data structures map credentials. A master credential is established for a user or an application. The master credential is mapped to one or more service credentials associated with one or more services. When a request for a service is received from a requestor, the request is authenticated using the master credential. If the master credential is authenticated, then an appropriate service credential associated with the appropriate requested service is acquired and sent directly (via proxy) to the service on behalf of the requestor.
US07735121B2 Virtual pad
A system and method for communicating information over an insecure communications network include one or more computing devices that may access a first server via the communication network. In operation the first server displays an authentication Web page having a virtual pad with a plurality of characters that may be selected directly from a display of the computing device.
US07735106B2 Method for providing subscription-on-demand services
A method for providing subscription-on-demand services for video-on-demand programs within an interactive information distribution system. The method includes associating a plurality of video-on-demand programming packages as a programming bundle and identifying a number of video-on-demand programming packages within the programming bundle that a subscriber has subscribed. When the number of video-on-demand programming packages exceeds a pre-specified number of programming packages, the subscriber is automatically subscribed to all the video-on-demand programming packages in the programming bundle.
US07735102B1 System and method for focused navigation within a user interface
A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In addition, supplemental information related to at least one card may be obtained. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. When a card having supplemental information is displayed, the supplemental information is also displayed, either on or near the card. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.
US07735100B1 Regulating remote registry access over a computer network
Within the context of a system of networked computers, a remote registry access manager regulates remote registry access. In some embodiments, the remote registry access manager runs on a first computer and detects attempts by processes on the first computer to remotely access a second computer's registry. The remote registry access manager determines whether attempts to remotely access the second computer's registry are legitimate. Legitimacy of a given remote access attempt may be determined based on a number of different criteria, such as whether the first computer and the second computer have an established trust relationship. If a given attempt is indeed determined to be legitimate, the remote registry access manager allows the attempt to proceed. If it is not, then the remote registry access manager blocks the attempt.
US07735082B2 Task management system
A task management system in an operating system executes a plurality of tasks in parallel. The task management system includes an execution standby state changer configured to generate a verifier of a task from data stored in a task address space and to store the generated verifier in a verifier storage area, when the task is changed from an executed state to an execution standby state; and an executed state changer configured to generate a verifier of the task from the data stored in the task address space and to verify matching of the generated verifier with the verifier of the task stored in the verifier storage area, when the task is changed from the execution standby state to the executed state.
US07735078B1 System and method for software patching for cross-platform products
A system and method for cross-platform patching of applications. The method may include deploying a patch package on a first computer running a first type of operating system, and executing the patching mechanism on the first computer. The patch package may include a patching mechanism operable to execute on a second computer running a second type of operating system. The patch package may also include a first set of one or more new code components, which may replace a first set of one or more old code components in a first application. The patch package may also be deployed on the second computer. The method may also include replacing a second set of one or more old code components in a second application on the second computer with a second set of one or more new code components included in the patch package.
US07735076B2 Faster loading of extension-based applications using caching
Disclosed herein are methods for efficient loading of extensions or “plug ins” into a host software program. In a preferred embodiment, extensions registered with the host software program are loaded when the host program is first initialized. During their loading, changes that the various extensions make to the host program are recorded in a cache file, including graphical changes to the user interface and non-graphical changes. Later, when the host program is again initialized, the cache file is read in lieu of loading the extensions, with the affect that it appears to the user that the extensions' functionality are fully present in the host application, although in reality the extensions are not yet loaded. Instead, the extensions are loaded when and if they are called, either by the user or automatically by the computer. This saves time upon host program initialization as the extensions, once cached, need not be loaded until they are called.
US07735075B2 System and method for a pseudo dynamic link library (DLL) linker for a monolithic image in a wireless device
The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for a pseudo DLL linker. In one example, the method includes identifying a plurality of components forming an image and identifying all symbols exportable from each component and all symbols imported by each component from another component. A redirection mechanism is built containing an address of each symbol exported by a component that is imported by another component, and each component is modified to alter each direct reference to a symbol associated with another component to a reference to the redirection mechanism. A linker is called to link a final image based on the modified components.
US07735073B1 Method and apparatus for data object profiling
Including source-level data object information in code profiling data enhances code optimization because it provides new perspectives to view code behavior. A method provides for identifying an operation instance of code that corresponds to a runtime event, which is detected in execution of the code. The detected event is attributed to a source-level data object that corresponds to a source-level representation of a language construct. The attribution is based on a predefined association between the identified operation instance and the language construct of the source-level representation that corresponds to the source-level data object.
US07735072B1 Method and apparatus for profiling computer program execution
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for profiling computer program executions in a computer processing system having a processor and a memory hierarchy. The method includes the step of executing a computer program. Profile counts are stored in a memory array for events associated with the execution of the computer program. The memory array is separate and distinct from the memory hierarchy so as to not perturb normal operations of the memory hierarchy.
US07735063B2 Providing customizable configuration data in computer systems
A configuration server includes a configuration repository that stores a wide range of configuration information for possible use by application programs. The configuration repository may include configuration parameters, settings for the parameters, and meta-data of definitions and descriptions of the parameters. Configuration information is selected from the configuration repository and stored in a configuration directory for later use by application programs at runtime. The configuration information is accessed from the configuration directory when needed by an application program or a component thereof.
US07735060B2 Method and system for rapidly developing and deploying sensor-enabled software applications
A system for deploying component-based software systems for the implementation of desired sensor data process flows makes use of a toolset of software components specially tailored for building sensor data process flows. In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a front-end application operative to generate system specifications from user input, each system specification defining a desired component-based software system of one or more sensor components and their corresponding configurations in accordance with sensor component class definitions (e.g., the toolset) for a predefined set of sensor components tailored for building desired sensor data process flows. The system further includes a back-end application operative to store the sensor component class definitions for use in instantiating sensor components as needed, receive system specifications, and dynamically build and run the corresponding desired component-based software systems within a run-time environment provided by the back-end application.
US07735057B2 Method and apparatus for packaging and streaming installation software
A software application streamed from a host system to a target system comprises the installation or configuration logic for another software application. In certain embodiments, the installation logic conforms to a well-known installation standard. The described technique allows the use and/or execution of installation logic or other related objects when these objects do not exist in their entirety on the target system. The application installation that results from this process may configure the subsequent application to be delivered only in part (in streamed mode) or in its entirety.
US07735049B2 Mask network design for scan-based integrated circuits
A method and apparatus for selectively masking off unknown (‘x’) captured scan data in first selected scan cells 220 from propagating through the scan chains 221 for test, debug, diagnosis, and yield improvement of a scan-based integrated circuit 207 in a selected scan-test mode 232 or selected self-test mode. The scan-based integrated circuit 207 contains a plurality of scan chains 221, a plurality of pattern generators 208, a plurality of pattern compactors 213, with each scan chain 221 comprising multiple scan cells 220, 222 coupled in series. The method and apparatus further includes an output-mask controller 211 and an output-mask network 212 embedded on the scan data input path of second selected scan cells 222, or a set/reset controller controlling selected set/reset inputs of second selected scan cells. A synthesis method is also proposed for synthesizing the output-mask controller 211 and the set/reset controller.
US07735045B1 Method and apparatus for mapping flip-flop logic onto shift register logic
Method and apparatus for mapping flip-flop logic onto shift register logic is described. In one example, a method of processing flip-flop logic in a circuit design for implementation in an integrated circuit is provided. A chain of flip-flops in the circuit design is identified. The chain of flip-flops includes first and second control signals. A shift register is instantiated in a logical description of the circuit design for the chain of flip-flops. A shift register is instantiated in the logical description for the chain of flip-flops. First and second control chains of flip-flops are instantiated in the logical description for the first and second control signals, respectively. A multiplexer is instantiated in the logical description and is configured to select among an output of the shift register, an asserted logic state, and a de-asserted logic state based on outputs of the first and second control chains.
US07735038B2 Design structure to reduce power consumption within a clock gated synchronous circuit and clock gated synchronous circuit
A design structure to reduce power consumption within a clock gated synchronous circuit, said synchronous circuit comprising at least two successive stages, wherein each stage if activated propagates a data signal cycle by cycle to a succeeding stage the two successive stages comprising at least a control register, a data register and a local clock buffer (LCB) each, wherein each stage if activated propagates a data signal stored within the data register cycle by cycle to a data register of a succeeding stage.
US07735027B2 Alignment of product representations
A system, method, and computer program for identifying a plurality of product representations; formulating a plurality of logical expressions from said plurality of product representations; and aligning each of said plurality of logical expressions with a variance completeness and a consistency and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.
US07734999B2 System and method for providing forms on a user interface
A system and method for configuring a user formset for display on a user interface of a client computer, the client computer coupled by a network to a formset server, the user formset for providing interaction with a network transaction, the user formset described in a structured definition language. The system and method comprise: requesting the user formset from the server according to at least one formset generation criterion; selecting a first overlay for application to a master formset, the first overlay including first components based on a role of the user; applying the first overlay to the content of the master formset for generating a role based version of the master formset; selecting a second overlay for application to the role based version, the second overlay including second components based on settings particular for the user functioning in the role; and applying the second overlay to the content of the role based version for generating the user formset; wherein the user formset is subsequently rendered on the user interface of the client computer.
US07734991B1 Method of encoding signals with binary codes
A method of encoding a communication signal by selecting a cyclic code, establishing a generator polynomial, generating a polynomial using the generator polynomial, forming a matrix from the generated polynomial, receiving data to be encoded, appending zeros to the received data, calculating a syndrome of the matrix, calculating check values from the syndrome, appending the check values to the received data, and encoding the received data with appended check values using the generator polynomial.
US07734988B2 Method for puncturing a low density parity check code
A method for puncturing a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC). The method includes a) setting a codeword length and the total number of bit nodes to be punctured; b) selecting a check node (or check nodes) with highest priority excluding check nodes completely checked in a current round; c) selecting a bit node (or bit nodes) with a highest priority excluding bit nodes completely checked among bit nodes connected to the selected check node (or check nodes); d) determining whether the selected bit node is a bit node to be punctured, that is, it is not systematic, not set by a puncturing prohibition flag; e) puncturing an associated bit node if the selected bit node is the bit node to be punctured, setting unpunctured bit nodes connected to the selected check node by a puncturing prohibition flag, decreasing the number of remained bit nodes to be punctured by 1 and increasing the number of connected punctured node of associated check node by 1; f) determining whether the number of remaining bits to be punctured is greater than 0; and g) returning to step b) if the number of remaining bits to be punctured is greater than 0, and ending a puncturing process if the number of remaining bits to be punctured is not greater than 0.
US07734982B2 Method and apparatus for indicating uncorrectable errors to a target
A first device receives first data that includes a plurality of input vectors, which includes a primary input vector and a set of secondary input vectors and detects uncorrectable errors in the first data based on a quality metric indication. Based on detecting the uncorrectable errors in the first data, the first device substitutes a predetermined codeword for the primary input vector encoded using a non-perfect code, and substitutes a predetermined input vector for the primary input vector. The first device modulates a set of encoded secondary input vectors using the predetermined input vector to generate a modulated set of encoded secondary input vectors and transmits as second data the predetermined codeword and the modulated set of encoded secondary input vectors to a target device, wherein the substituting step creates a first number of errors that is detected by the target device as uncorrectable errors in the transmitted second data.
US07734968B2 Mechanism to provide test access to third-party macro circuits embedded in an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)
Novel structures and testing methods for the FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) embedded in an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). Basically, a shift/interface system is coupled between the FPGAs and the ASIC. During normal operation, the shift/interface system electrically couples the FPGAs to the ASIC. During the testing of the FPGAs, the shift/interface system scans in FPGA test data in series, then feeds the FPGA test data to the FPGAs, then receives FPGA response data from the FPGAs, and then scans out the FPGA response data in series. During the testing of the ASIC, the shift/interface system scans in ASIC test data in series, then feeds the ASIC test data to the ASIC, then receives ASIC response data from the ASIC, and then scans out the ASIC response data in series.
US07734961B2 Distributed logging apparatus system and method
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for distributed logging. Operating entities and associations between operating entities are registered in a registry by a logging entity registrar. An event notification monitor recognizes operating errors in operating entities. An aggregation module aggregates operating logs from sets of associated entities, which are then stored by a log set recorder.
US07734956B2 Process management system
There is provided a process management system which, when a crash occurs in execution of a processing process, can immediately restart a processing process while holding data used in occurrence of the crash as much as possible. When a determination unit determines that a detected crash is not a crash caused by data used in a processing process, a processing unit reexecutes the processing process in which the crash occurs. When the determination unit determines that the detected crash is a crash caused by the data used in the processing process, an initialization unit initializes the data used in the processing process.
US07734955B2 Monitoring VRM-induced memory errors
A method and system for improving Field Replacement Unit (FRU) isolation in memory sub-systems by monitoring Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) induced memory errors. A comparator compares the output voltage coming from the VRM to memory. If the comparator detects a VRM output voltage transient that is outside a rated threshold, then a counter is increased by one. If the counter exceeds a count threshold, a VRM error is posted. If a memory failure occurs within a predetermined period of time, then the VRM error pinpoints the VRM output voltage transient as being the likely cause of the memory failure.
US07734953B1 Redundant power solution for computer system expansion cards
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media for providing a redundant power solution for an expansion card installed within a host computer. The expansion card has a hardware device and a power control mechanism. The power control mechanism provides power to the hardware device from a conditional power source when available, and from computer system standby power when the conditional power source is unavailable. The power control mechanism may comprise a power sensing mechanism to determine when conditional power source output decreases below a threshold level and a switching mechanism to switch from the conditional power source to computer system standby power when this happens. The hardware device may enter a low power mode upon receiving computer system standby power.
US07734946B2 Transmission/reception system, transmission apparatus and method, reception apparatus and method, transmission/reception apparatus and method, and computer-readable storage medium
A method and apparatus is disclosed by which communication with a higher degree of accuracy can be achieved with increased easiness. A transmission apparatus transmits base data formed by dividing transmission data and redundant data produced by exclusive OR operation using a coefficient matrix prepared in advance to a reception apparatus. The base data and the redundant data have restoration relating information relating to a restoration process added thereto. The reception apparatus specifies lost base data based on the information added to the received base data and redundant data and aligns the acquired redundant data. The reception apparatus utilizes a coefficient matrix prepared in advance to perform exclusive OR operation to restore the lost base data and produces reception data corresponding to the original transmission data. The apparatus and method can be applied to a communication system.
US07734936B2 Method and apparatus for a computing system having an active sleep mode CPU that uses the cache of a normal active mode CPU
A method is described that involves storing active sleep mode software instructions to be executed by a low end central processing unit into an on chip cache of a high end central processing unit that caches normal active mode software instructions executed by the high end central processing unit. The active sleep mode software instructions are to be executed by the low end central processing unit during an active sleep mode. The normal active mode software instructions are executed by the high end central processing unit during a normal active mode. The active sleep mode consumes less power than the normal active mode.
US07734925B2 System and method for the electronic management and execution of transaction documents
One aspect of the invention is a method for generating a certified electronic document that includes receiving identification information associated with a signatory user from a computer. From the same computer, identification information associated with a notary user is also received. At least one electronic document that requires certification is identified on a display. A first user command is received from the computer identifying the assent of the signatory user to the execution of the at least one electronic document. A second user command is received from the computer identifying the assent of the notary user to the certification of the at least one electronic document. Official indicia associated with the notary user is applied to the at least one electronic document to create at least one certified document.
US07734922B2 Method, system and terminal apparatus for enabling content to be reproduced in multiple terminals
Disclosed are a method, a system and a terminal apparatus for reproducing content purchased by a user in a plurality of terminals. To this end, a Right Object (RO) is received through an authentication process for content and a service registration process, and is stored in a User Identity Module (UIM). If the UIM is used, a user can use corresponding content in a plurality of terminals through one-time registration. Accordingly, the user having completed the registration can reproduce content in multiple terminals owned by the user based on user identification by means of a license acquired through the registration regardless of a specific terminal, instead of reproducing the content only in a single terminal to which a license has been bound.
US07734912B2 Secure login using single factor split key asymmetric cryptography and an augmenting factor
A user network station transmits a cookie including a user identifier and an augmenting factor transformed with one key of a first asymmetric crypto-key or with a symmetric crypto-key. A authenticating entity network station recovers the augmenting factor from the transformed augmenting factor with the other key of the first asymmetric crypto-key or with the symmetric crypto-key, and transmits a customized login page corresponding to the user identifier included in the received cookie. The user network station transmits a factor responsive to the transmitted customized login page. The authenticating entity network station generates a first key portion based on the transmitted factor, and validates the generated first key portion based on a second key portion of one key of a second asymmetric crypto-key associated with the user and on the other key of the second asymmetric crypto-key, and the recovered augmenting factor, to thereby authenticate the user.
US07734910B2 Managed device, management system, method for controlling a managed device and medium
A managed device obtains an individual certificate with an ID of the managed device when the managed device is in a direct-managed state and determines that the certificate set as the certifying information for communicating with a managing device is a common certificate without an ID of the managed device.
US07734909B1 Using voice over IP or instant messaging to connect to customer products
A system for remotely servicing a computational component is provided that includes: (a) a firewall 112; (b) a computational component 104 requiring servicing, the firewall 112 analyzing communications to the computational component 104; (c) a data collection agent 116 operable to (i) establish a session with a servicing computational component 100, packets of the session being analyzed by the firewall 112 and the session being of a type permitted by the firewall 112, (ii) receive a packet associated with the session, the packet comprising a machine executable servicing command for the computational component 104, and (iii) forward the servicing command to the computational component 104.
US07734906B2 System and method for panel linking in a security system
A security system comprising a plurality of security subsystems each of the security subsystems being discretely located, typically in separate buildings. The security subsystems are interconnected by a system communications bus to enable bi-directional communication between the security subsystems. Each of the security subsystems comprises a user interface, a control panel, a plurality of security devices, a local communications bus, and a panel linking gateway. The panel linking gateway allows data on the local communications bus of each security subsystem to be transmitted to and received from the system communications bus. The security system allows a keypad or other user interface from one security subsystem to access and control a second remote security subsystem.
US07734902B2 Addition of a hardware component to a running system
According to a method of data processing in a data processing system, a hardware management component receives from a software component of the data processing system a request for management access to a hardware component of the data processing system. In response to receipt of the request for management access, the hardware management component determines whether or not the request contains a parameter indicative of the intended scope of hardware components to be accessed in response to the request. In response to the request, the hardware management component selects a scope in accordance with the determination and issues one or more hardware management commands to one or more target hardware components of the data processing system within the selected scope, such that an operating state of the one or more target hardware components is modified.
US07734900B2 Computer configuration virtual topology discovery and instruction therefore
In a logically partitioned host computer system comprising host processors (host CPUs), a facility and instruction for discovering topology of one or more guest processors (guest CPUs) of a guest configuration comprises a guest processor of the guest configuration fetching and executing a STORE SYSTEM INFORMATION instruction that obtains topology information of the computer configuration. The topology information comprising nesting information of processors of the configuration and the degree of dedication a host processor provides to a corresponding guest processor. The information is preferably stored in a single table in memory.
US07734873B2 Caching of microcode emulation memory
A processor includes a cache hierarchy including a level-1 cache and a higher-level cache. The processor maps a portion of physical memory space to a portion of the higher-level cache, executes instructions, at least some of which comprise microcode, allows microcode to access the portion of the higher-level cache, and prevents instructions that do not comprise microcode from accessing the portion of the higher-level cache. The first portion of the physical memory space can be permanently allocated for use by microcode. The processor can move one or more cache lines of the first portion of the higher-level cache from the higher-level cache to a first portion of the level-1 cache, allow microcode to access the first portion of the first level-1 cache, and prevent instructions that do not comprise microcode from accessing the first portion of the first level-1 cache.
US07734863B2 Method for guarantying data storing space using dual journaling
Since JFFS, which is used as an existing method of storing data in a flash memory, stores all data sequentially according to a generated order, pure data of a file system and metadata for managing the pure data must be sequentially stored. Thus, when a PC is turned on and mounts the file system, since all metadata must be read to RAM, the entire space of the flash memory must be read, and thus a long time is taken to mount the file system. An increase in the capacity of the flash memory causes an increase in the mounting time. Thus, a booting time taken to turn on and use an embedded system significantly increases. Accordingly, JFFS is not suitable for embedded systems requiring quick access. A data storage space is secured by dividing a free list of segments that are used as a data storage space of a flash memory into a front journaling free list and a rear journaling free list by setting a central point of the segment free list, determining whether enough free segments are secured in the front journaling free list, and if it is determined that not enough free segments are guarantied, collecting garbage data from among stored data with reference to a wear-leveling threshold and a valid data threshold which are set in segments in which data is stored.
US07734849B2 Wireless mouse system containing a flash memory
The present invention relates to a wireless mouse system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless mouse system in which includes a controller, which controls a receiver and a flash memory device integrated into an interfacing device, can be performed function of the receiver and the flash memory device smoothly. A wireless mouse system comprises a wireless mouse and an interfacing device with a USB terminal, electrically communicated with a USB port of a information-displaying device. The interfacing device comprises a receiver receiving a signal data transferred wirelessly from the wireless mouse, and transferring the signal data to the information-displaying device, a flash memory device exchanging data with the information-displaying device through the USB terminal and a controller controlling the receiver and the flash memory device, and transferring optionally the signal of the receiver and the flash memory device to the information-displaying device.
US07734842B2 Computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing DMA write page faults using a pool of substitute pages
A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for managing direct memory access (DMA) write page faults using a pool of substitute pages. A computer system platform resolves a DMA write page fault for a page that is dedicated to an Input/Output (I/O) adapter. The I/O adapter attempts to write DMA data to the page. A determination is made that the page is unavailable for writing. The DMA data is then written to data locations in a substitute page that was selected from the pool of substitute pages. A flag is then set in a flag location for each one of the data locations. The flag locations correspond to the data locations. When a flag is set, the flag indicates that DMA write data is present in the data location that corresponds to that flag's flag location.
US07734836B2 Method and apparatus for dynamically qualifying mass storage devices
A field-upgradeable database that is separable from system software contains information about mass storage devices that may be present in a storage array. When an uninitialized device is detected in the array, the field-upgradeable database is consulted to discover which non-standard functions the device supports, and one of the non-standard functions is activated. Software and systems using the field-upgradeable database in a storage server configuration are also described and claimed.
US07734833B2 Method for scheduling operations called by a task on a real-time or non-real time processor
Provided is a method for scheduling operations called by a task on a real-time or non-real-time processor. Execution durations are provided for operations. A call is received from a task for an operation. A determination is made of a latency requirement for a first processor and of the execution duration of the called operation. The called operation is executed on the first processor in response to determining that the determined execution duration is less than the latency requirement. The called operation is executed on a second processor in response to determining that the determined execution duration is greater than the latency requirement.
US07734832B2 Method and system for structured programmed input/output transactions
Disclosed is a structured model for developing PIO code and for performing PIO transactions. This model of structured PIO transactions provides a framework with default behaviors. Developers need only provide a minimal amount of configuration information and can then characterize subsequent PIO transactions in terms of a profile, thus reducing the amount of detailed and often redundant information that developers need to provide for each PIO transaction. In some embodiments, the PIO transaction model is expressed in terms of object-oriented programming constructs. In one example, a PIO enabler object captures general PIO operational parameters and manages underlying operating system objects and behavior. When device manager software receives an input/output request that involves a PIO data transfer, the device manager constructs a PIO transaction object that represents the PIO work request. During the processing of the PIO transaction, the PIO transaction object maintains state and status information.
US07734826B2 Client-server model for synchronization of files
A server stores files. Distributed clients access the server, to learn about changes made to the files on the server, and to push local changes of the files onto the server. A synchronization application is used to synchronize the clients and server, synchronizing metadata and selected files.
US07734819B1 Apparatus and methods for forwarding data between public networks via a private network
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for handling data sent from a first public network to a second or same public network via a private network. In general terms, network translation address mechanisms are provided within the edge routers of the private network. When a first processing node sends a request to an edge router to access another processing node which resides in a public network, the edge router forms a binding based on two addresses associated with the first processing node. A first private address is initially associated with the first processing node, and the first processing node uses this private address to communicate with the private network. A second public address is also allocated to the first processing node based on the first processing node's request to communicate with a public node. The first processing node uses the allocated second public address to communicate with the requested public node.
US07734816B2 Method and apparatus for redirecting network traffic
Methods and apparatus are described for intelligently redirecting and/or processing traffic. In one embodiment, a method of facilitating redirection of traffic sent from a first processing device (e.g., a client) to a second processing device (e.g., a server) is disclosed. At a third processing device (e.g., a router) associated with a plurality of traffic handling systems (e.g., cache systems), traffic information is received from at least a portion of the associated traffic handling systems. The traffic information specifies which data should be redirected to the portion of associated traffic handling systems. It is determined how to redirect data received by the third processing device to a selected traffic handling system based on the received traffic information received from at least one of the associated traffic handling systems.
US07734814B2 Decrypting load balancing array system
A decrypting load balancing array system uses a Pentaflow approach to network traffic management that extends across an array of Decrypting Load Balancing Array (DLBA) servers sitting in front of back end Web servers. One of the DLBA servers acts as a scheduler for the array through which all incoming requests are routed. The scheduler routes and load balances the traffic to the other DLBA servers (including itself) in the array. Each DLBA server routes and load balances the incoming request packets to the appropriate back end Web servers. Responses to the requests from the back end Web servers are sent back to the DLBA server which forwards the response directly to the requesting client.
US07734812B2 Method and apparatus for processing outgoing internet protocol packets
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for processing packets in a network layer. A packet is received for transmission in which the packet includes a destination address. A routing entry for the destination address is identified. A determination is made as to whether a flag indicating the packet is to be broadcast has been set in the routing entry. Header information is placed in the packet in which the header information indicates that the packet is a broadcast packet in response to the flag being set.
US07734802B1 Dynamically adaptable collaborative electronic meeting space
A collaborative electronic presentation application is disclosed allowing real-time editing of an electronic presentation. The electronic presentation is made up of a plurality of scenes, each having one or more meeting objects or pods that display various information to participating users. Some of the participating users may have presentation rights while other users may have only viewing rights. Presenters may request to edit or prepare one of the scenes that is not currently active within the electronic presentation. When requested, the preparing presenter is shown the requested scene while each of the other meeting participants remain viewing the currently active scene. The preparing presenter may then edit the selected scene or even create a new scene to add to the presentation while the electronic presentation is in progress.
US07734799B1 Method and system for performing a server-assisted file transfer
A file transfer application maintains a secure connection over the Internet with a file transfer gateway. A user selects a file and the file transfer application requests a unique ticket from the gateway. The ticket is stored in both the gateway and the file transfer application. Next, the ticket is then encoded in a URL that can be sent to potential recipients of the file via conventional methods. Upon entering the URL into a web browser, the recipient will navigate to the file transfer gateway. The gateway decodes the URL to recover the ticket and looks up the ticket in the database to determine the associated application instance and file description. The gateway will then request the application instance to start encrypting and streaming the contents of the file identified by the ticket to the gateway, which then retransmits the encrypted stream to the recipient's web browser.
US07734798B2 Data conversion rule switching device
In a data conversion rule switching device, a data conversion rule suitable for control of a target device assigned to a data communication port is set for each of a plurality of data communication ports. When a data communication port to be used is selected, operation data corresponding to operation of a plurality of controls provided outside or inside the data conversion rule switching device and generated in response to the operation is converted into an operation data suitable for control of the target device in accordance with the data conversion rule set for the selected data communication port, and the converted operation data is sent to the selected data communication port.
US07734795B2 Translating switch and method
Payload information in a data unit may be translated into the attribute portion of a data unit by receiving a first data unit from a terminal with payload information, identifying attribute information from within the payload information, and translating the first data unit into a translated data unit having an attribute portion corresponding to the attribute information from within the payload information of the first data unit.
US07734792B2 Secure tunnel domain name management
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a server in a private network and a client in a public network. Additional activities include intercepting a socket call from the client requesting resolution of a network address associated with a domain name in the private network, searching a local linked list for the network address, returning the network address to the client if the network address is found in the local linked list, and, if the network address is not found in the local linked list, sending a request to resolve the network address to a domain name system (DNS) server in the private network. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US07734788B2 Personal access and control of media peripherals on a media exchange network
Methods are disclosed for indirectly monitoring and controlling at least one media peripheral device in a media exchange network by accessing a media management system (MMS) via a first media peripheral (MP) device (e.g., a TV screen) using a user control device (e.g., a remote control). An operation corresponding to a second media peripheral (MP) device (e.g., a digital camera) may be selected via the MMS using the first MP device and the user control device. The operation is then carried out (i.e., performed) by the second MP device. A status of the second MP device may be selected via the MMS using the first MP device and the user control device. The selected status is then displayed on the first MP device.
US07734775B2 Method of semi-automatic data collection, data analysis, and model generation for the performance analysis of enterprise applications
A method of semi-automatic data collection, data analysis and model generation for performance analysis of computer networks and software is provided. The invention provides a graphical user interface which indicates the overall data flow in the performance analysis process and guides the user through the proper sequence of steps in that process. Underneath the graphical user interface, the invention provides software tools which include novel data pipeline for transformation of network traces, resource data and application data into organized hash tables, and further into spreadsheets for introduction into computer network simulation programs. The invention also provides novel algorithms for recognizing transaction and parentage between transactions from low level network trace data. The invention further provides novel methods of visualization of trace data and transaction and parentage associations.
US07734774B2 In-operation system check processing device, method, and program thereof
In an in-operation system check processing device, an automatic exploration unit automatically checks presence/absence of devices of the in-operation system and relationship between the devices according to the design data of the in-operation system. A check list storage unit contains information on check conditions concerning problems of the devices constituting a network system found afterward. A system check unit detects a problem existing in the actual in-operation system by collating the design data and the result of the automatic exploration with the check conditions stored in the check list storage unit. A caution information output unit outputs caution information relating to the problem. Thus, it is possible to prevent a failure which may be caused in the in-operation system with a high probability and improve the operation quality.
US07734770B2 System and method for monitoring information in a network environment
A method for monitoring information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user. The information associated with the communication flow is then selectively communicated to a plurality of client-aware network elements.
US07734769B2 Monitoring system of apparatuses connected in a network, monitoring apparatus, monitoring method and program
A system includes a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network, wherein each apparatus monitors the occurrence of trouble in a monitoring object apparatus which is one of the apparatuses in the system. Further, each apparatus is monitored for the occurrence of trouble in the apparatus by a monitor apparatus which is another one of the apparatuses in the system. The system enables adding and subtracting apparatuses to the system, as well as restoring apparatuses which were previously subtracted due to detected troubles which have been corrected.
US07734764B2 Automated remote monitoring and diagnostics service method and system
A technique is provided for detecting and responding to serviceable conditions in systems. Following detection of an indicator of a serviceable condition, a service request is generated and transmitted to a service provider. The requests results in consultation of a service knowledge base that contains information on the indicators, potential causes or conditions that could result in the indicators, and responses to the conditions. Responses may then be generated automatically for satisfying the service requests.
US07734763B2 Application for testing the availability of software components
An Information Systems (IS) monitoring approach is described that is capable of monitoring and displaying the availability of various software components, including “foundational” operation features of the IS infrastructure. A further capability is that the availability of the individual software components upon which a specific business logic process depends may each be individually and continuously checked, in a combined fashion that is referenced to the specific business logic process, so that the status of the business logic process itself (e.g., operable or non-operable) can be continuously determined. Moreover, operability or non-operability can be established over a wide range of different business logic processes on a process by process basis. In this manner, an IS administrator can keep abreast of the status of the IS infrastructure and its ability to execute business logic processes dependent on lower level software.
US07734744B1 System for communicating management information and method of operation
A system for communicating management information includes a first interface card, a second interface card, and a management card coupled to the first interface card and the second interface card. The management card establishes a communication link between a client and a particular one of the first interface card and the second interface card selected in response to a command communicated by the client. The management card further communicates management information using the communication link.
US07734740B2 Configuration management apparatus and related methods
An apparatus for managing configuration of an element. The apparatus includes a computer that connects with the element to receive data from the element, and a server in the computer that includes the data in one or more web pages.
US07734738B2 Automatic configuration of client and server networking
Described is a technology by which a server automatically configures itself for adding to an existing network. Upon connection to the network, the server obtains settings including existing subnet and gateway IP addresses from a DHCP assigned IP configuration (e.g., a router). The server uses the settings to automatically configure itself to dynamically provide addresses similar to the previous scope to clients. In one implementation, the server software sets its network card to a static IP address state while the server is configured, and thereafter sets the network card to a dynamic state. The router is disabled during server configuration, and re-enabled thereafter, whereby the server DHCP service instead of the router DHCP service assigns the addresses. The server may also attempt to automatically connect to the Internet.
US07734732B2 System, apparatus and methods for storing links to media files in network storage
When a user purchases digital rights to a media file, or otherwise obtains the right to have a copy of the media file downloaded to the user's wireless device, a link to the media file that is stored in the media database is stored in a user storage database. When the user desires to have the media file downloaded to the user's wireless device, the user sends a request to the network. The network performs a check to determine whether the user is authorized to receive the requested media file, and if so, causes the requested media file to be downloaded to the user's wireless device where the media file is stored in the local memory of the wireless device for playback by the user on the wireless device.
US07734728B2 Addressing a management object
The invention relates to a method of addressing a management object in a device management system, wherein at least one management object is added to a manageable client device. The method comprises retrieving a content of a predetermined data element from information in the management object. At least part of the content of said data element is coded using a predetermined coding algorithm. At least part of the content of said data element, in coded form, is assigned as an identifier for the management object. The identifier is used to address the management object.
US07734724B2 Automated upload of content based on captured event
Systems and methods for automatically capturing, uploading, and publishing content. The system may include one or more monitoring modules for providing captured content to a remote site.
US07734713B2 Method and system for arbitrating computer access to a shared storage medium using SCSI protocol
A method of arbitrating access to a storage medium that is shared by M first computers operating on a Windows™ operating comprising (1) determining if the SCSI PR-flag has been set; (2) if yes, preventing the N second computers from writing to the storage medium; and (3) setting the SCSI MC-flag for each of said M first computers after one of the second computers writes to the storage medium to notify the M first computers that the contents of the storage medium may have changed.
US07734703B2 Real-time detection and prevention of bulk messages
A method and system for detecting and preventing bulk messages in real-time is provided. A detection server detects and prevents bulk messages in real-time by analyzing the network traffic pattern of attributes of messages, such as email messages, that are passing through the network against an expected network traffic pattern. The expected network traffic pattern may be specified as a combination of a rate and one or more thresholds, where each threshold has a corresponding status. The rate specifies a quantity of an attribute measured with respect to a quantity of time. A status associated with a threshold is attained when the rate is exceeded the requisite threshold number of times. The status indicates an action that is to be taken in processing the email message containing the attribute. An email message can then be processed in accordance with a status assigned to an attribute of the email message.
US07734700B2 System and method for notification of digital images to be shared via a service provider
A method and system for organizing and sharing digital images over a communication network wherein an image server at a service provider stores digital images for a customer which may have more two more electronic addresses which may receive e-mail. The server automatically forwarding all electronic mail having an address from one of the registered two or more electronic addresses to the primary electronic address that is received over a communication network. The e-mail includes a link to the share images and/or images folder.
US07734699B2 Interview automation system for providing technical support
A system for providing highly automated technical support to the customer while simultaneously capturing the knowledge base associated with recurring customer questions.
US07734697B2 System and method for presence enabled electronic mail folders
A telecommunications system includes a plurality of network clients including electronic or multimedia messaging clients. The electronic messaging clients are adapted to provide presence information and to display such presence information in association with received messages. The display of messages may then be sorted according to the presence information.
US07734696B2 Hierarchical org-chart based email mailing list maintenance
The present invention is a system, method, and computer program product that provides the capability by which changes in an organization can be automatically reflected in the organization's mailing lists and access lists. The email messaging system comprises a mailing list generator operable to receive information relating to an organizational hierarchy and generate from the received information a plurality of mailing lists, at least some of the mailing lists relating to a member of the organizational hierarchy to whom at one other member of the organizational hierarchy reports and an archiver/forwarder operable to receive an email message including an address identifying at least one of the plurality of mailing lists, access the mailing list to obtain email addresses for members of the mailing list, and send the email message to the obtained email addresses.
US07734692B1 Network collaboration system with private voice chat
A network collaboration system facilitates collaborations between network clients having access to a digital network. The system uses audio mixes to provide different levels of voice conferences between the meeting participants. In a main collaboration, those participating in the main collaboration receive an audio output that includes audio inputs from the other participants. A subset group of clients may also have a voice chat, in which their audio inputs are removed from the outputs delivered to the clients not participating in the voice chat. Meanwhile, the participants in the voice chat hear each other at full volume, but hear the collaborators who are not part of the voice chat at a reduced volume.
US07734687B2 Environment service architectures for netcentric computing systems
An environment services architecture for a netcentric computing system is disclosed by the present invention. The environment services architecture includes runtime services for converting non-compiled computer languages into machine code during the execution of an application on the netcentric computing system. System services perform system-level functions in the netcentric computing system are also provided that may be selected from the group consisting of system security services, profile management services, task and memory management services and environment verification services. In addition, the environment services architecture also includes application services for performing common functions in the netcentric computing system. A component framework service provides components of the netcentric computing system with a standard infrastructure for allowing an application running on components to communicate within and across applications in the netcentric computing system. Further, operating system services are provided for providing the netcentric computing system with underlying basic computing services.
US07734681B2 Inter-process messaging using multiple client-server pairs
A plurality of virtual circuits, each including at least two network nodes, may be established over a single network connection for inter-process messaging. The network connection may be opened asynchronously via a non-blocking open. A virtual circuit including three or more nodes may be implemented in a star formation or a relay formation. Messages may be sent as unicast or broadcast messages. An additional virtual circuit may be opened for the purpose of transmitting status information regarding the network connection between the networked computer systems.
US07734679B2 Managing analysis of a degraded service in a grid environment
A method, system, and program managing analysis of a degraded service in a grid environment are provided. In a grid environment of multiple diverse systems, a service availability management agent is enabled to receive multiple types of error messages generated from the multiple diverse systems within the grid environment. Each error message is parsed to determine a general error indicator. Then, the service availability management agent attempts to resolve the general error indicator and return a solution to each parsed error message. Solutions may include an adjustment of resource usage by a particular service, an explanation of a particular error message, or a recommendation of alternate resources. The service availability management agent preferably specifies the transmission of the solution in a format specified for the requester system.
US07734678B2 Distributing data in a peer to peer network
A system and method for data distribution is disclosed. A bulletin board is employed to maintain a list of requests from nodes in the system. The requests indicate data requested and identify the node making the request. Nodes are able to post requests for data as long as they maintain a minimum performance level. Additionally, the nodes periodically check in with the bulletin board and receive the list of requests from the bulletin board. On determining to satisfy a particular request by a node, the node (serving node) contacts a requesting node (identified in the request) and transfers the requested data to the requesting node. After successful completion of the transfer, the requesting node reports to the bulletin board that the node has filled the request and the request is removed from the list of requests.
US07734674B2 Fast fourier transform (FFT) architecture in a multi-mode wireless processing system
A system and method Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method in a multi-mode wireless processing system. The method can include loading an input vector into an input buffer, initializing a second counter and a variable N, where N=log2 (input vector size), and s is the value of the second counter, performing an FFT stage, and comparing s to N and performing additional FFT stages until s=N. Performing the FFT stage can include performing vector operations on data in the input buffer and sending results to an output buffer, the data in the input buffer comprising a plurality of segments, advancing the value of the second counter; and switching roles of the input and output buffers. The vector operations can include performing Radix-4 FFT vector operations on the four input data at a time and multiplying the resulting output vectors with a Twiddle factor.
US07734668B2 Information management system, information processing device, and program
An information management system comprises: an external device a comprising interactive communication unit that interactively communicates with an interactive communication device through a public telephone line; an information processing device connected to the external device in a communication-practicable manner; and a third storage unit that stores utilization data, which is accessed by the external device and the information processing device. When a period specified by a start and end of a communication performed by the interactive communication unit of the external device and a period specified by the start and end of utilization of the utilization data overlap with each other, the utilization data are correlated with the communication of the interactive communication unit.
US07734666B2 Method and system for inspecting memory leaks and analyzing contents of garbage collection files
A system and method is provided to inspect memory leaks and analyze contents of garbage collection files. In one embodiment, a garbage collection file is selected from a plurality of garbage collection files at a file system. The garbage collection file includes histograms. Each histogram is compared with other histograms in the garbage collection file to identify objects associated with memory leaks The results of such comparison are provided.
US07734662B2 Extension of organizational chart dynamic group lists based on LDAP lookups
A level for a hierarchical organizational chart is associated with a virtual attribute and the values for the level are generated from values for the virtual attribute. The organizational chart is derived from distinguished name entries in a lightweight directory access protocol directory and the virtual attribute is not associated with an object in a schema for the directory. The virtual attribute may be a virtual recursive attribute or a virtual reverse attribute.
US07734660B2 Data processing device
A data processor that reads and writes data from/on a storage medium. The storage medium has stored thereon a first data stream being represented by a video signal that has been encoded by a first encoding process. The data processor includes: a controller, which acquires first playlist information to manage playback of the first data stream; a stream generating section for generating a second data stream by encoding the video signal by a second encoding process, which is different from the first encoding process; and a management section for producing second playlist information based on the second data stream and the first playlist information so as to manage an order in which the second data stream is played back.
US07734651B1 Communicating network information using universal resource locators
A method and apparatus are provided for communicating network information among network devices using protocols based on Universal Resource Locators. In one embodiment, an apparatus for retrieving RADIUS, SNMP or video information in a network, or carrying out remote network access, comprises a first URL interface executed by a client; a second URL interface executed by a server having a plurality of stored values; and means distributed among the first URL interface and the second URL interface for creating and storing a URL that includes an identifier of one or more of the stored values, retrieving that value from the server based on the identifier, and transporting the value from the server to the client. In another embodiment, a method comprises creating and storing a URL that includes a request for the value; communicating the URL to the server; extracting the request from the URL; and communicating a responsive URL, which includes the value of the attribute and an identifier of the attribute, from the server to the requesting client.
US07734649B2 Deriving and using data access control information to determine whether to permit derivations of data elements
Provided are a method, system, and program for deriving and using data access control information to determine whether to permit requested derivations of data elements. Data access control information is initialized for each of a plurality of data elements, wherein the data access control information for each associated data element includes a user access list indicating authorized users and a data access list indicating at least one data element that may be subject to a derivation operation with the associated data element. A request is received from one user to subject a first data element and a second data element to a derivation operation. The data access control information for one of the first and second data elements is processed to determine whether the user access list and data access list in the processed data access control information permits the user to perform the requested derivations of the first and second data elements.
US07734647B2 Personal remote firewall
The present invention relates to a method and a virtual private network (VPN) gateway server 10 providing rules for wireless access over a secure tunnel connection to a corporate network 20. The corporate network 20 is protected by firewall functionality, with different access configurations for different remote users. The VPN gateway server 10 includes a user database 15 which provides rules specific for each user for the access to the corporate network 20 using the secure tunnel. The rules include specific sets of TCP ports associated with respective specific users. The gateway server 10 limits an authenticated user's access to the corporate network 20, which access is performed by means of the tunnel connection provided by the gateway server 10, to the associated allowed TCP server ports.
US07734646B2 Data model simplification through field fallout
The present invention generally provides methods, articles of manufacture and systems for simplifying a query building process by limiting the number of fields presented to a user for building queries. The number of fields presented to the user may be limited by hiding one or more logical fields from the user based on usage characteristics. For example, a logical field that is rarely used or has not been used within a predetermined period of time may be hidden from the user. For some embodiments, a fallout manager may monitor the use of logical fields in building queries, update usage characteristics, and mark logical fields as hidden based on the usage characteristics. A graphical user interface may not present to a user logical fields that have been marked as hidden.
US07734644B2 System and method for hierarchical information retrieval from a coded collection of relational data
A system for information retrieval from a collection of hypermedia data over a distributed network is presented. The system includes a data storage system that is a collection of hypermedia data. The collection of hypermedia data also has a number of hyperlinks to items of hypermedia content, and the hyperlinks are each respectively associated with at least one code value generated based on the content of the respective hypermedia content. The system also includes an application that receives progressive user input and iteratively build a user search code value according to the user input. It matches the user search code value to at least a portion of the hypermedia content code value for the hyperlinks in the data storage to identify each such associated hyperlink to a particular information retrieval data set.
US07734632B2 System and method for targeted ad delivery
A method and system of generating a user profile for advertisement over a computer network is disclosed. A webpage identifier that identifies a webpage and a content category identifier that identifies a content category is generated. The webpage identifier is associated with the content category identifier if web content depicted in the webpage is relevant to the content category. A web server then receives a request for the webpage including the webpage identifier and a first user identifier from a client computer connected to the computer network. A user profile is located by determining whether the first user identifier matches a second user identifier corresponding to the user profile. The user profile includes at least one user content category identifier and a corresponding user interest score. The corresponding user interest score is increased by the predetermined amount if the content category identifier matches the user content category identifier.
US07734624B2 Serving advertisements based on content
Advertisers are permitted to put targeted ads on page on the web (or some other document of any media type). The present invention may do so by (i) obtaining content that includes available spots for ads, (ii) determining ads relevant to content, and/or (iii) combining content with ads determined to be relevant to the content.
US07734619B2 Method of presenting lineage diagrams representing query plans
A diagram manager has a diagram handler and a lineage handler.The diagram handler presents to a user a diagram representing relations between query subjects in a metadata model. The lineage handler changes presentation of a selected query subject to show one or more corresponding query subjects that are represented by the selected query subject.
US07734616B2 Storage system having means for acquiring execution information of database management system
A storage system for providing a preferable data access performance by performing controls considering database management system (DBMS) execution information or database process priorities, by acquiring static configurational information of a DBMS by means of a DBMS information acquisition and communication program, a DBMS information communication section, and a host information setting program; acquiring DBMS execution information by means of a query plan acquisition program, the DBMS information communication section, and a process performance management program; acquiring information on priorities of database processes given by the process performance management program; and storing them in disk I/O management information with process priorities, DBMS execution information, and DBMS data information, in which cache control section in a storage system control program controls a data cache by referring to the above information.
US07734614B2 Search apparatus, search program, and search method
The search apparatus of the present invention searches for a document corresponding to a specified search term from among a plurality of documents, and includes a search term pair generation unit for generating at least one search term pair including a first search string with a length equal to the number of index characters and a second search string with a length equal to the number of index characters located at a position shifted by a predetermined number of offset characters relative to the first search string, which are included in the search term, a search unit for searching, for each search term pair, an index database for a document which has both of the first search string and the second search string as indexing terms, a calculation unit for calculating a score of each document on the basis of a frequency of occurrence of the first search string and the second search string of each search term pair included in each document, and a selection unit for selecting a document to be outputted as a search result from among the plurality of documents, on the basis of the respective scores of the plurality of documents.
US07734605B2 Dynamic quota policy for queuing mechanism
Methods and systems for effecting cleanup and other policies for queues and similar data stores, which policies account for preferences of consumers of the data so stored. Queuing policies for local storage of one or more documents for transmission from the local storage to one or more end points for said documents are retrieved from a remote registry. Upon such retrieval, the documents are enqueued according to the queuing policies, unless, prior to such enqueuing the queues into which the documents are to be placed require creation or clean-up, for example according to one or more queue quota policies. In some cases, the documents are queued according to associated qualities of service to be accorded to delivery of said documents. Such qualities of service may be specified in the queuing policy.
US07734596B2 Automatic failover configuration with redundant abservers
Techniques used in an automatic failover configuration having a primary database system, a standby database system, and an observer for preventing divergence among the primary and standby database systems while increasing the availability of the primary database system. In the automatic failover configuration, the primary database system remains available even in the absence of both the standby and the observer as long as the standby and the observer become absent sequentially. The failover configuration further permits automatic failover only when the observer is present and the standby and the primary are synchronized and inhibits state changes during failover. The database systems and the observer have copies of failover configuration state and the techniques include techniques for propagating the most recent version of the state among the databases and the observer and techniques for using carefully-ordered writes to ensure that state changes are propagated in a fashion which prevents divergence.
US07734583B2 Transparent virtual machine for mobile applications
The inclusion of metadata within an application description file allows a virtual machine to create an application descriptor file that may be registered with the mobile device operating system so that an icon associated with the application description file may be displayed in the main ribbon. Execution of an application defined by the application definition file may then be initiated by the selection, by the user, of the icon that is associated with the application definition file. This improves over the situation wherein execution of the application defined by the application definition file would require a selection of the runtime environment for the application and then the selection of the application.
US07734574B2 Intelligent system health indicator
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for handling updates. A database is queried to determine an effect of the update on the data processing system in response to detecting an update for the data processing system. A configuration of the data processing system is used in querying the database. A health status of the data processing system is selectively modified using the response to form a modified health status in response to receiving a response from the database.
US07734569B2 Recommender system for identifying a new set of media items responsive to an input set of media items and knowledge base metrics
Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying a new set of media items in response to an input set (or “query set”) of media items and knowledge base metrics. The system uses a knowledge base consisting of a collection of mediasets. Various metrics among media items are considered by analyzing how the media items are grouped to form the mediasets in the knowledge base. Such association or “similarity” metrics are preferably stored in a matrix form that allows the system to efficiently identify a new set of media items that complements the input set of media items.
US07734565B2 Query string matching method and apparatus
In one implementation, a method is provided for increasing relevance of database search results. The method includes receiving a subject query string and determining a trained edit distance between the subject query string and a candidate string using trained cost factors derived from a training set of labeled query transformations. A trained cost factor includes a conditional probability for mutations in labeled non-relevant query transformations and a conditional probability for mutations in labeled relevant query transformations. The candidate string is evaluated for selection based on the trained edit distance. In some implementations, the cost factors may take into account the context of a mutation. As such, in some implementations multi-dimensional matrices are utilized which include the trained cost factors.
US07734563B2 Automatic invocation of computational resources without user intervention across a network
A system is described for automatically invoking computational resources without intervention or request from a user of the system. The computational resources may operate by searching across a network, or may themselves be located across a network. In the system a query-free information retrieval system is described in which the exact technical documentation contained in existing user or other technical manuals is provided to a user investigating apparatus having a fault. The user enters symptoms based upon the user's analysis of the apparatus, and in response the system provides information concerning likely faults with the apparatus. As the symptoms are entered, to relative value of individual faults is determined and related to the symptoms they cause. The user can then select technical information relating to probable faults in the system.
US07734558B2 Transition between manual management and autonomic management of autonomic systems
A method for the autonomic management of autonomic systems can include monitoring a managed system and recommending a course of action to be performed in the managed system. It can be determined whether the recommended course of action has been performed by an administrator. Responsive to the determination, it further can be determined whether an outcome from the course of action comports with a predicted outcome. If so, a point count can be changed responsive to a further determination that the outcome from the course of action comports with the predicted outcome. Conversely, the point count can be oppositely changed responsive to a further determination that the outcome from the course of action does not comports with the predicted outcome. In any case, when the point count crosses a threshold value, the management of the managed system can be transitioned to an adaptive component.
US07734557B2 Methods, software, and systems for knowledge base coordination
The present invention provides computer program products, systems, and related methods of coordinating a knowledge base.
US07734553B2 Systems and methods using cryptography to protect secure computing environments
Secure computation environments are protected from bogus or rogue load modules, executables and other data elements through use of digital signatures, seals and certificates issued by a verifying authority. A verifying authority—which may be a trusted independent third party—tests the load modules or other executables to verify that their corresponding specifications are accurate and complete, and then digitally signs the load module or other executable based on tamper resistance work factor classification. Secure computation environments with different tamper resistance work factors use different verification digital signature authentication techniques (e.g., different signature algorithms and/or signature verification keys)—allowing one tamper resistance work factor environment to protect itself against load modules from another, different tamper resistance work factor environment. Several dissimilar digital signature algorithms may be used to reduce vulnerability from algorithm compromise, and subsets of multiple digital signatures may be used to reduce the scope of any specific compromise.
US07734542B2 Methods and systems for verifying customer supplied financial account information verification using debit and credit transactions
Embodiment of the invention describe methods and systems for verifying customer supplied financial account information verification using debit and credit transactions. These methods include electronically transmitting an electronic debit and credit transaction to the customer financial account, based on the customer supplied financial account information. The method also includes electronically transmitting a first statement descriptor, as part of at least one of the electronic debit transaction and the electronic credit transaction, that includes a first verification code. The method also includes electronically receiving, from the customer, a second verification code, and comparing, by the computer system, the transmitted first verification code with the received second verification code with respect to each other. The method also includes verifying, by the computer system, the customer supplied financial account information based on the comparison of the verification codes.
US07734540B2 MLP financing system
The MLP Financing System extends the properties of shares in an publicly traded entity that does not generate UBITs to create a new asset class that permits the underlying assets to be specifically structured for financing. MLP Financing System requires a minimum of three markets entering into transactions involving a company, a publicly traded entity, and a third entity in the financial industry. Each market establishes an asset value, price, yield, and risk. Asset price differentials between markets identify arbitrage opportunities. The market asset value, price, yield, risk, and financial constraints of entities operating in those markets provide the initial transaction specifications between company-MLP, financier-MLP, and company-financier.
US07734537B2 Valuation methods, apparatus, media and signals, and methods relating to asset-secured loans
A computer-implemented method includes determining, in respect of a loan secured by an asset, a present value of a right of a borrower of the loan to choose during a term of the loan to require an entity to pay the loan in full on the borrower's behalf in exchange for the asset, in response to at least one prediction of whether the borrower will exercise the right. The asset may include realty and the loan may include a mortgage. A further method includes granting, to a borrower of a loan secured by an asset, a right to choose during a term of the loan to require an entity to: (i) pay the loan in full on behalf of the borrower, and (ii) receive the asset in full satisfaction therefor; and receiving valuable consideration from the borrower in exchange for the granting of the right.
US07734526B2 Investment classification and tracking system
The present invention is directed to an asset classification system based on investment strategy. The investment strategies include capitalization strategy, competitive position strategy, economic conditions strategy, future growth investment strategy, market condition strategy, opportunity strategy, profitability strategy, risk strategy, social considerations strategy, and valuation strategy.
US07734524B2 Customized financial instrument providing a stream of payments
According to one embodiment, a customized financial instrument, defined by at least a plurality of parameters received from a purchaser, includes an agreement by an issuer to make a stream of payments. The stream of payments is defined by the plurality of parameters received from the purchaser. The plurality of parameters includes a first date defining the date for the first payment; at least one of a second date defining the date for the last payment, a number of payments, and a duration for the stream of payments; and information defining payment amounts for each of the payments. The customized financial instrument is associated with an identification code, the identification code being issued by a third-party organization and the identification code being unique to the customized financial instrument defined by at least a plurality of parameters received from a purchaser.
US07734512B2 Method for creating a customer customizable lamp
A customer-customizable lamp includes a vertical support post mounted to a base plate. The customer selects from five different heights of decorative blocks to be mounted on the post. Each selected block may be provided in any one of five selectable colors or four selectable simulated wood grains. The selection of blocks and finishes are made on a web page with an interactive representation of the customizable lamp being displayed as the design is being created by the customer. The remaining height on the support post to be filled with decorative blocks is displayed. Once the post is filled and the customer has selected finishes for each selected block, the lamp design can be finalized for delivery to the customer. The customer selectable blocks and colors/finishes permit several million permutations so that the customer can create a highly individualized decorative lamp.
US07734510B2 Method and system for providing a trial of a referral service to a merchant based on a plan for expansion
Disclosure includes selecting a merchant from a plurality of merchants, enabling a trial mode for the merchant, during the trial mode, receiving an indication of a first order for the merchant, forwarding the indication of the first order to the merchant, allocating a first payment for the first order to the merchant, and requesting an acceptance of a membership status from the merchant.
US07734498B2 Method and system for minimizing risk in contact center management contracts
A method (and system) for contact center management contract evaluation including determining a potential profitability/risk for contact center management based upon a proposed contract term between one of a client and a service provider, and a service provider and a vendor.
US07734492B2 Validation and analysis of JDF workflows using colored petri nets
A method and system for translating a JDF workflow into a colored Petri net representation. Once the workflow has been converted, the colored Petri net is validated and analyzed. This provides the ability to identify potential deadlock conditions within a JDF workflow. In addition, the model network can be used to simulate throughput and turnaround time of a workflow and the effects of resources arriving at various times.
US07734482B1 System and method for pre-admission testing
A system and method for scheduling pre-admission testing (PAT) appointments and accessing PAT reports through an on-line interface. The system and method allows the input of patient demographic and medical information from a remote location. PAT physicians can access scheduling information and input patient information using an electronic medical record module.
US07734477B2 System and method for monitoring patient care
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating management of health care in medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, etc., for example by monitoring and assessing the quality of patient care. Data is collected and operated on relating to medical conditions, treatment, cost, care, events, outcomes and results of treatments, and data representing the collective experience of similar patients is mined to discover opportunities to improve the quality of health care. Statistical and comparative data and reports including such and other information indicate a quality of care and provide epidemiologically cogent information. Quality of care may be considered as achieving desired or expected norms of performance, including success, in a timely fashion, and can be judged not just by what functionally happens during a patient instigated encounter, but also by long term outcomes evidenced by the patient's passage through the health care delivery system.
US07734474B2 Display configuration
A display configuration associated with displaying information from at least one source is determined using a cost metric. The cost metric is associated with a cost of displaying information from the source.
US07734473B2 Method and apparatus for time scaling of a signal
A decoder receives (501) a bitstream comprising an encoded mono signal and stereo data. A time scale processor (503) generates a time scaled mono signal. A time-to frequency processor generates frequency sample blocks of the time scaled signal, the block length being fixed and independent of the time scaling. A parametric stereo decoder (509) generates a stereo signal for the frequency sample blocks and these are converted to the time domain by a frequency-to-time processor (511). A synchronization processor (515) synchronizes the stereo data with the time scaled signal by determining a time association between a parameter value and a frequency sample block. The parameter value and time association is used to determine synchronized stereo parameter values for that and other frequency sample blocks. The invention is particularly suitable for low complexity generation of time scaled stereo signals from MPEG-4 encoded signals.
US07734472B2 Speech recognition enhancer
The invention concerns a speech recognition enhancer (51) and a speech recognition system comprising such speech recognition enhancer (51), an audio input unit (41) and a speech recognizer (61, 3). The speech recognition enhancer (51) is arranged between the audio input unit (41) and the speech recognizer (61, 3). The speech recognition enhancer (51) has a parametrizable pre-filtering unit (511), a parametrizable dynamic voice level control unit (512), a parametrizable noise reduction unit (513) and a parametrizable voice level control unit (514). The parameters of these parametrizable units (511, 512, 513, 514) are adjusted to the characteristics of the specific audio input unit (41) and/or the characteristics of the specific speech recognizer (61, 3) for adapting the audio input unit (41) to the speech recognizer (61, 3).
US07734468B2 Method of and apparatus for managing dialog between user and agent
A method of rapidly and precisely managing a dialog turn between a user and an agent by using speech information, facial expression information, and delay time information includes generating first dialog turn information using dialog information analyzed from a speech uttered by the user, generating second dialog turn information using facial expression information analyzed from a face image of the user, and determining a final dialog turn using the first and second dialog turn information, information on a status of the spoken dialog system, information on whether the user speech is input, and information on a no-answer time of the user.
US07734464B2 RF autocorrelation signal trigger generator
An autocorrelation trigger comprising a correlator detector for producing a correlation coefficient by correlating a signal with a time-delayed version of the signal and generating a trigger in real-time when the correlation coefficient corresponds to a predetermined condition is provided. A method of producing trigger based upon an autocorrelation measurement is also provided. The autocorrelation trigger may be used to produce a trigger based upon the degree to which the autocorrelation relates to an autocorrelation model, such as, the degree of randomness in a signal.
US07734459B2 Automatic extraction of transfer mappings from bilingual corpora
A method of aligning nodes of dependency structures obtained from a bilingual corpus includes a two-phase approach wherein a first phase comprises associating nodes of the dependency structures to form tentative correspondences. The nodes of the dependency structures are then aligned as a function of the tentative correspondences and structural considerations. Mappings are obtained from the aligned dependency structures. The mappings can be expanded with varying types and amounts of local context in order that a more fluent translation can be obtained when translation is performed.
US07734454B2 Simulation at two different levels of complexity
A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.
US07734446B2 Physical object with memory tag and apparatus for use with such objects
A physical object includes a base medium, such as a paper sheet, and a memory tag embedded in it or attached to it. The memory tag stores at least one measure/location data pair including a measurement of a location-dependent characteristic of the base medium originally associated with the tag, and a location in or on the object where the measurement was made. Preferably the measure/location data pair is digitally signed and stored in encrypted form. By checking whether the measure included in the stored data pair matches a current measure of the base medium at the indicated location, it is possible to check whether the base medium is the original medium. Apparatus is provided for originally writing the data pair to the memory tag; apparatus is also provided for subsequendy using the data pair for carrying out the checking operation.
US07734445B2 Shape measuring device and method
A device measures a measurement object surface shape, and includes a base to which the measurement object is secured; a slide movable in at least three different directions and secured to the base; a probe holding unit mounted to the slide; and a contact probe resiliently supported by the holding unit so as to be movable with respect to the holding unit. Additional features include a unit measuring the position and posture of the probe with respect to the holding unit; a unit calculating a contact-force vector, which the probe receives from the measurement object, from a measurement result of the measuring unit; and a controlling unit moving the probe along the surface of the measurement object. The controlling unit also controls a position of the holding unit so that a magnitude of the contact-force vector comes closer to a control target value thereof in accordance with the magnitude of the contact-force vector.
US07734443B2 System and method for prediction of gas turbine trips due to thermocouple failures
Systems and methods for prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures such as thermocouple failures. Exemplary embodiments include prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures, including collecting raw gas turbine operational data and using the raw gas turbine operational data to generate a prognostic indicator for the prediction of a turbine trip due to the failed thermocouples.
US07734439B2 System and process for calibrating pyrometers in thermal processing chambers
A method and system for calibrating temperature measurement devices, such as pyrometers, in thermal processing chambers are disclosed. According to the present invention, the system includes a calibrating light source that emits light energy onto a substrate contained in the thermal processing chamber. A light detector then detects the amount of light that is being transmitted through the substrate. The amount of detected light energy is then used to calibrate a temperature measurement device that is used in the system.
US07734436B2 Comparative analysis of a sample relative to a database
The comparative analysis of a sample, derived from a product, with respect to a database comprises the step of determining the class membership of the different characteristics (variables) describing the samples: whether they are characteristics common to the sample under test and the database, they are characteristics particular to the sample under test, or they are characteristics particular to the database. The assignment of the variables to these classes enables parameters to be defined for global comparison of the sample under test and the database, based on: ratios summarizing the values taken by the variables of the different classes, or the distribution of the variables of the different classes. A machine implementation of the analysis is described.
US07734428B2 Method of producing thermoelectric material
A process for determining an optimum range of compositions for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system is provided. The process is performed for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system having a first component and a second component made from nanoparticles. The process includes selecting a plurality of material compositions for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system to be investigated and calculating a thermal conductivity value and calculating an electrical resistance value for each material composition selected. In addition, at least one Seebeck coefficient is determined for the material compositions selected. Then, a plurality of figure of merit values are calculated using the calculated plurality of thermal conductivity values, the calculated plurality of electrical resistivity values and the determined at least one Seebeck coefficient. After the plurality of figure of merit values are calculated, an optimum compositional range can be determined within which the largest ZT values may be exhibited.
US07734427B2 System, method and computer program for non-binary sequence comparison
A system and method for performing non-binary comparison of biological sequences includes a new measure ω0, which is a non-binary counting measure that is used in a stand alone module called VaSSA-1. This measure obtains substantially more information about sequences and comparisons between them than is gathered by conventional bioinformatics techniques.
US07734426B2 High throughput functional genomics
This invention focuses on the marriage of solid-state electronics and neuronal function to create a new high-throughput electrophysiological assay to determine a compound's acute and chronic effect on cellular function. Electronics, surface chemistry, biotechnology, and fundamental neuroscience are integrated to provide an assay where the reporter element is an array of electrically active cells. This innovative technology can be applied to neurotoxicity, and to screening compounds from combinatorial chemistry, gene function analysis, and basic neuroscience applications. The system of the invention analyzes how the action potential is interrupted by drugs or toxins. Differences in the action potentials are due to individual toxins acting on different biochemical pathways, which in turn affects different ion channels, thereby changing the peak shape of the action potential differently for each toxin. Algorithms to analyze the action potential peak shape differences are used to indicate the pathway(s) affected by the presence of a new drug or compound; from that, aspects of its function in that cell are deduced. This observation can be exploited to determine the functional category of biochemical action of an unknown compound. An important aspect of the invention is surface chemistry that permits establishment of a high impedance seal between cell and a metal microelectrode. This seal recreates the interface that enables functional patch-clamp electrophysiology with glass micropipettes, and allows extracellular electrophysiology on a microelectrode array. Thus, the invention teaches the feasibility of using living cells as diagnostics for high throughput real-time assays of cell function.
US07734425B2 Apparatus and method for searching protein active site
Provided are an apparatus and method of searching a protein active site. The apparatus includes a database which stores information on a plurality of reference active sites, a comparing unit which calculates 3D structural similarities according to the number of overlapping residues, with respect to an input active site and the stored reference active site, and a search unit which searches the reference active site with respect to the input active site according to the similarities. Accordingly, similar active sites can be searched with a low computational complexity, thereby be used for a correct new drug design.
US07734424B1 Ab initio generation of single copy genomic probes
Single copy sequences suitable for use as DNA probes can be defined by computational analysis of genomic sequences. The present invention provides an ab initio method for identification of single copy sequences for use as probes which obviates the need to compare genomic sequences with existing catalogs of repetitive sequences. By dividing a target reference sequence into a series of shorter contiguous sequence windows and comparing these sequences with the reference genome sequence, one can identify single copy sequences in a genome. Probes can then be designed and produced from these single copy intervals.
US07734423B2 Method, system, and apparatus for virtual modeling of biological tissue with adaptive emergent functionality
A method system, and apparatus for virtual modeling of biological tissue yields virtual multicellular individuals that exhibit adaptive emergent functionality in response to environmental stimuli. Virtual environmental parameters and cells with genomes are generated, and modified by genetic operations. Cells are developed into generations of multicellular individuals, which are evaluated and selected via evolutionary search according to fitness criteria, and individuals exhibiting adaptive emergent functionality, such as self-repair, are developed and identified.
US07734420B2 Methods and systems to identify operational reaction pathways
The present invention provides a method for identifying an operational reaction pathway of a biosystem. The method includes (a) providing a set of systemic reaction pathways through a reaction network representing said biosystem; (b) providing a set of phenomenological reaction pathways of said biosystem, and (c) comparing said set of systemic reaction pathways with said set of phenomenological reaction pathways, wherein a pathway common to said sets is an perational reaction pathway of said biosystem. Also described is a method of refining a biosystem reaction network; a method of reconciling biosystem data sets; a method of determining the effect of a genetic polymorphism on whole cell function; and a method of diagnosing a genetic polymorphism-mediated pathology.
US07734411B2 Predicted path selection system and method for hazard coding in selectively constrained aircraft control systems
A surveillance system detects potential hazards and alerts the pilot to them. The alerts can be modified to indicate proximity to the predicted path of the aircraft. An autopilot receives instructions from a flight management system (FMS) regarding a planned path and is subject to constraints preempting the planned path. The surveillance system selects which of the planned and a constrained path will be followed for alerting and hazard coding purposes. Means are disclosed to determine when the constrained path will be followed by evaluating the current position of an aircraft, the planned path, and the constraint data.
US07734406B1 Integrated control of brake and steer by wire system using optimal control allocation methods
A method, computer usable medium including a program, and a system for braking a vehicle during brake failure. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a brake force lost corresponding to a failed brake, and determining a brake force reserve corresponding to at least one non-failed brake. At least one commanded brake force is determined based on the brake force lost and the brake force reserve. Then at least one command brake force is applied to the at least one non-failed brake wherein at least one of an undesired yaw moment and a yaw moment rate of change are limited to predetermined values. The system includes a plurality of brake assemblies wherein a commanded brake force is applied to at least one non-failed brake.
US07734402B2 Driving-force distribution control device
A driving-force distribution control device includes a distributing mechanism, a distribution controller, an anti-skid brake system, an acceleration detector, a synthesized acceleration calculator and a control coefficient controller. The distributing mechanism is operable to variably distribute a driving force from an engine to individual drive wheels of a vehicle. The distribution controller is operable to control the distributing mechanism based on a running state of the vehicle. The acceleration detector is operable to detect a first acceleration in a front-rear direction and a second acceleration in a left-right direction of the vehicle. The synthesized acceleration calculator is operable to calculate a synthesized acceleration of the first acceleration and the second acceleration. The control coefficient controller is operable to indiscretely vary control coefficients for restricting the control of the distribution controller when the anti-skid brake system is activated, according to the calculated synthesized acceleration.
US07734400B2 Fault detection system and method using augmented data and fuzzy logic
A system and method that provides improved fault detection in turbine engines is disclosed. The fault detection system provides the ability to detect symptoms of engine faults based on a relatively limited number of engine parameters that are sampled relatively infrequently. The fault detection system includes a sensor data processor that receives engine sensor data during operation and augments the sensor data. The augmented data set is passed to a fuzzy logic inference system that determines the likelihood that a fault has occurred. The inference system output can then be passed to a diagnostic system where evaluation of the output may yield a detailed diagnostic result and a prediction horizon.
US07734395B2 Systems and methods for regulating electrical adjusting mechanisms in motor vehicles
Driver-related electrical adjusting components in motor vehicles are regulated. An operator signal is generated based on a user actuating operator elements, to affect a desired movement of a vehicle component. The operator signal is processed in a control unit. An effect of the operator signal on movement of the vehicle component is regulated as a function of vehicle operating state signals so as to prevent the vehicle component from moving into a safety-critical position.
US07734392B2 Vehicle information display
An information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in an interior cabin of a vehicle and a video display screen disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display screen is operable to display information including video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and the video display screen is further operable to display information including at least one instruction pertaining to an accessory of the vehicle. The display of the instruction includes at least one of (a) text pertaining to the accessory, (b) an icon pertaining to the accessory and (c) an image pertaining to the accessory.
US07734391B2 Hysteresis of switching from park to drive based on vehicle speed
A communication for a vehicle (10) has a first transmitter (34) for transmitting a first signal relating to a first vehicle system (22) and a second transmitter (42) for transmitting a second signal relating to a second vehicle system (38). (FIG. 1) A single receiver (46) has a first reception mode (50) and a second reception mode (54). The first reception mode (50) is receptive to the first signal while the second reception mode (54) is receptive to the second signal. A control unit (58) switches the receiver (46) between the first reception mode (50) and the second reception mode (54).
US07734390B2 Use of automotive diagnostics console to diagnose vehicle
A customer driven process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle. The process involves temporarily providing a customer with a diagnostic tool that can receive vehicle diagnostic signals from a vehicle on-board computer. The customer then uses the tool to upload diagnostic signals from the car, and returns the tool to the automotive parts/service facility. The vehicle diagnostic signals are communicated to a console, which then accesses a database(s). The database(s) includes information relating to the vehicle malfunction, the repairs needed, and the parts required to complete those repairs. The process also allows automatic scheduling of repairs and purchasing of parts from the automotive parts/service facility. Upon payment of any prescribed fees, the process outputs report information to the customer.
US07734389B2 Fault information management system and a method for implementing a fault information management system for a vehicle
The present invention relates to a fault information management system and method for implementing fault information management system for a vehicle. The present invention provides a fault information management system for a vehicle comprising: an interface for connecting a fault item; a first memory for storing a fault state; a memory for establishing a management reference for each fault item; a logic which manages fault information and fault history; and a second memory for storing a fault state.
US07734387B1 Motion planner for unmanned ground vehicles traversing at high speeds in partially known environments
A motion planner for unmanned ground vehicles capable of traversing at high speeds to reach remote locations in partially known environments. The motion planner comprises a global path planner and a local path planner in communication with the global path planner. The global path planner determines a path to reach a goal location. The local motion planner revises the path determined by the global path planner to generate a motion profile accounting for constraints on the maneuverability of the unmanned ground vehicle. The motion profile provides a revised path for being traversed by the unmanned ground vehicle to reach the goal location.
US07734386B2 System for intelligently controlling a team of vehicles
A system collaboratively and autonomously plans and controls a team of vehicles having subsystems within an environment. The system includes a mission management component, a communication component, a payload controller component, and an automatic target recognition component. The mission management component plans and executes a mission plan of the team and plans and executes tasks of the vehicles. The communication component plans communication and networking for the team. The communication component manages quality of service for the team. The communication component directs communication subsystems for the team and for the vehicles. The payload controller component directs and executes sensor subsystems for the team and for the vehicles. The automatic target recognition component processes and fuses information from the sensor subsystems and from the vehicles for use by the mission management component.
US07734372B2 Wall mounted medications cabinet and system
A wall-mounted medications cabinet has at least one, and preferably up to four locking drawers, each with a removable bin holding the medications for a given patient. The drawers are each independently openable electronically. This can be accomplished using an incorporated PC with a touch screen monitor, or authorized access can be obtained via a network. The cabinet may be connected using USB or ethernet interface. A key lock can provide access in the event of a power failure.
US07734370B2 Disposal processing system and disposal processing apparatus
A disposal processing system is provided and includes: a disposal section that disposes of a document; a reading section that reads identification information of the document, the identification information being attached to an image on the document; a judging section that makes a judgment whether disposal of the document is permitted on the basis of the identification information; and a controller that controls the disposal section so that the disposal section disposes of the document at least one of: when the judging section makes a judgment that the disposal of the document is permitted; and when the controller acquires information indicating that the disposal of the document is permitted while the judging section makes a judgment that the disposal of the document is prohibited, and so that the disposal section does not dispose of the document when the judging section makes the judgment that the disposal of the document is prohibited.
US07734356B2 Method and system for controlling a luminaire
Methods and corresponding systems for controlling a light fixture include a memory for storing data and software. A multi-tap capacitor has a plurality of tap capacitors integrated into a capacitor housing. A plurality of switches are each coupled to one of the plurality of tap capacitors for selectively coupling the tap capacitors together to produce a variable multi-tap capacitance. A processor is coupled to the memory and the switches to facilitate: detecting a trigger for changing a lumen level output by the light fixture; determining a new lumen level in response to the trigger; determining a capacitance value that corresponds to the new lumen level; and configuring the plurality of switches to produce the multi-tap capacitance that corresponds to the new lumen level. The processor can record data in the memory that represents times of lumen changes and switch settings, which data correlates to power consumption.
US07734353B2 Controlling temperature during recharge for treatment of infection or other conditions
Methods include determining whether an infection is in proximity to an implanted rechargeable medical device. If an infection is determined to be present, the recharge process is allowed to sufficiently heat the device to facilitate clearing of the infection. Additional methods include monitoring temperature in proximity to an implantable rechargeable device in connection with recharging the device. If the monitored temperature falls outside a desired range, one or more parameters associated with recharge energy are modified to cause the temperature to reside within the desired range. The desired temperature range, may be a range that can facilitate treatment of a condition in proximity to the implanted device without causing undesired damage to the patient's tissue surrounding the implanted device.
US07734348B2 System with left/right pulmonary artery electrodes
Various embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a lead. Various lead embodiments comprise a lead body including a first portion, a first branch and a second branch. The first portion has an end adapted to connect to an implantable medical device. The first branch and the second branch is connected to the first portion at a bifurcated region. The first branch includes a distal end adapted to be fed into a right pulmonary artery and to securely position at least one electrode within the right pulmonary artery. The second branch includes a distal end adapted to be fed into a left pulmonary artery and to securely position at least one electrode within the left pulmonary artery. Other embodiments are provided herein.
US07734340B2 Stimulation design for neuromodulation
The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a burst mode stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder. The burst stimulus comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses having a maximum inter-spike interval of 100 milliseconds. The burst stimulus is separated by a substantially quiescent period of time between the plurality of groups of spike pulses. This inter-group interval may comprise a minimum of 5 seconds.
US07734339B2 Iontophoresis apparatus
An iontophoresis device comprising (A) a working electrode assembly having a working electrode, a medicine-containing portion and an ion-exchange membrane, (B) a counter electrode assembly having an electrode which opposes the working electrode, and (C) a power source unit electrically connected to the working electrode assembly and to the counter electrode assembly, enabling an ionic medicine contained in the medicine containing portion to be permeated into a living body by the electrophoresis through the ion-exchange membrane, wherein the ion-exchange membrane has a structure in which voids of a porous film are filled with an ion-exchange resin. The iontophoresis device using the above ion-exchange membrane makes it possible to administer the medicine in amounts larger than those accomplished by using the conventional devices.
US07734334B2 Assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing based on cardiopulmonary coupling
An assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing is determined from cardiopulmonary coupling between two physiological data series. An R-R interval series is derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The normal beats from the R-R interval series are extracted to produce a normal-to-normal interval series. The amplitude variations in the QRS complex are used to extract a surrogate respiration signal (i.e., ECG-derived respiration) associated with the NN interval series. The two series are corrected to remove outliers, and resampled. The cross-spectral power and coherence of the two resampled signals are calculated over a plurality of coherence windows. For each coherence window, the product of the coherence and cross-spectral power is used to calculate coherent cross-power. Using the appropriate thresholds for the coherent cross-power, the proportion of sleep spent in CAP, non-CAP, and wake and/or REM are determined. Coherent cross-power can be applied to differentiate obstructive from non-obstructive disease, and admixtures of the same.
US07734333B2 Method and apparatus for detecting arrhythmias in a medical device
A method of detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing a cardiac signal from a plurality of electrodes, determining amplitudes of the sensed cardiac signal during a predetermined sensing window, determining a noise to signal ratio corresponding to the determined amplitudes, and determining the sensed cardiac signal during the predetermined sensing window is corrupted by noise in response to the determined noise to signal ratio being greater than a noise to signal ratio threshold.
US07734332B2 Atherectomy system with imaging guidewire
Systems and methods of increasing blood flow in a blood vessel with ultraluminal plaque. One disclosed method includes inserting an imaging guidewire into the blood vessel to the intraluminal plaque, propelling a catheter with a working head over the guidewire towards the distal end of the guidewire, scanning with the imaging guidewire to generate a cross-section image, radially positioning the catheter using a positioning element, monitoring the image to ascertain that the working head is properly positioned and operating the working head to remove the plaque. A computerized system designed, constructed and configured to perform the methods is further disclosed.
US07734330B2 Method and apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaques
The present technique utilizes microwave radiometry to detect the presence of vulnerable plaques engrained in the wall of a blood vessel. In accordance with the technique, an intravascular catheter containing at least one microwave antenna is moved along the suspect vessel. The antenna, in combination with an external microwave detection and display unit, is able to detect and display thermal anomalies due to the difference in the thermal emissivity (brightness) of vulnerable plaques as compared to normal tissue even though the two may have a common temperature.
US07734324B2 Combined apparatus for imaging the inner part of a body, and method thereof
A combined apparatus for diagnostic imaging an inner part of a body, the apparatus including at least a device for imaging and displaying images according to at least two types of beams, waves or signals transmitted toward a body or a part of the body to be examined, the device including a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging and displaying device and an ultrasound imaging and displaying device in an integrated configuration within the same apparatus.
US07734315B2 Wireless communication device management
A method and system that limits the use of a communication device present in an area controlled by an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller detects any present communication devices in the area and conducts an inventory providing information about each detected device. The intelligent controller compares that information to a standard of use data, which specifies the conditions need to be present for allowing the usage of a communication device. If such conditions are not met, the intelligent controller sends commands to the communication device to restrict its functionality. Else if, the intelligent controller is incapable of restricting the communication device, it can notify authorities of unauthorized usage of a communication device in the restricted area.
US07734311B2 Multimode communication apparatus
In a multimode communication apparatus that uses a plurality of wireless communication modes, interference between communications under different wireless communication modes is suppressed, a good transmission/reception state in each of the wireless communication modes is ensured. A multimode communication apparatus (100) includes transmitter sections (33), (43) and receiver sections (32), (42) and a plurality of communication units (70), (80) each being compatible with the wireless communication modes independently of one another. The communication unit (70) includes a variable channel band elimination filter (34) for suppressing, among transmission signals from its own transmitter section (33), a band corresponding to a frequency band of a reception channel that is being received by the receiver section (42) of the other communication unit (80). The variable channel band elimination filter (34) is capable of varying the band that is to be suppressed, in response to a change of the frequency band of the reception channel.
US07734305B2 Communication network terminal supporting a plurality of applications
A terminal for a communication network, the terminal being capable of supporting a plurality of applications and communicating user messages. The terminal is configured to receive user messages having data and a header relating to one of the applications and address the data to a respective application according to the header. In an embodiment the user messages are short messages and the data includes characters in the short message.
US07734302B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for supporting SMS messaging by way of an IP network
Apparatus, and an associated method, for communicating short message service content to a short message service center. The address of an IP-SM-GW (Internet Protocol-Short Message-Gateway) defined in the 3GPP TS 23.204 is provided to user equipment and used to address an SIP request that contains encapsulated SMS content. The address is stored at the mobile station at a storage element, such as at a SIM card, UICC, or management object. A SIP request generator accesses the storage element and uses the address as the address of the SIP request. The SIP request also includes SMS content, in encapsulation, therein.
US07734301B2 Communication system
A communication system has a main device capable of communicating with a destination station through a line and at least one subsidiary device connectable to the main device. The main device includes an operating state signal transmitting system that transmits an operating state signal representing that the main device is currently performing a predetermined operation when the main device receives, from the subsidiary device, a communication request signal requesting a communication from the subsidiary device through the line, while the subsidiary device includes a first notifying system that notifies that the main device is performing the predetermined operation when the subsidiary device receives the operating state signal from the main device.
US07734299B2 Facilitating use of a device based on short-range wireless technology
Various devices may include a short-range wireless transmitter and/or one or more short-range wireless readers. When a first device including the transmitter is placed near a second device including the one or more readers, a relative location of the first device may be determined. Information regarding the relative location of the first device, may be used to facilitate use of the first device with a processing device. In one embodiment, the processing device may automatically configure itself, such that the first device may be used with the processing device. In another embodiment, the processing device may provide feedback, such as, for example, step-by-step instructions to facilitate setup and use of the first device with the processing device. In some embodiments, an application program interface may provide information about the device to an application executing on the processing device.
US07734292B2 Terminal supporting peer-to-peer communication, and communication and billing methods based on the same
A terminal supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, wherein a transceiver of the terminal is implemented to support P2P communication with an adjacent terminal in the same cell. Thus, when short-range communication is possible, the terminal performs P2P communication directly with the adjacent terminal, not via a base station. Consequently, when terminals use different mobile telecommunication service providers or there is no base station network, the terminals can be used for short-range communication. More particularly, when a receiving channel state becomes satisfactory while communication with an adjacent terminal is being performed via a base station, the terminal directly switches to a P2P communication mode and performs communication with the adjacent terminal. On the contrary, when the receiving channel state deteriorates while communication with the adjacent terminal is being performed in the P2P communication mode, the terminal directly switches to a base station communication mode and performs communication with the adjacent terminal.
US07734275B2 Method of producing traffic signal information, method of providing traffic signal information, and navigation apparatus
Systems, methods, and programs of producing and using traffic signal information take, when a vehicle is closely approaching a traffic signal, an image of traffic signal lamps disposed on the traffic signal. The systems, methods, and programs produce image data of the traffic signal lamps, based on the taken image and analyze the image data. The systems, methods, and programs produce traffic signal state information, the traffic signal state information including a state of the traffic signal as of the time of taking the image of the traffic signal lamps. The systems, methods, and programs store traffic signal information, the traffic signal information including the produced traffic signal state information, traffic signal location information, and time information in a memory. The systems, methods, and programs perform a statistical analysis on a correlation in terms of the status of traffic signal lamps among a plurality of traffic signals based on plural pieces of traffic signal information of plural adjacent traffic signals.
US07734270B2 Method and apparatus for an enhanced RFID tag interrogator
An apparatus for an enhanced receiver for an RFID Tag Interrogator is described. The enhanced receiver has a zero crossing detector, a phase shifter, a pulse generator and a chopper. The zero crossing detector produces a sampling signal from the current transformer. The phase shifter modifies the sampling signal by producing a 90 degree phase shifted sampling signal. The pulse generator increases time duration of each pulse of the phase shifted sampling signal, which is then fed to the chopper. Thus, the chopper samples the backscattered carrier signal every 90 degree phase shift from the time when the backscattered carrier signal passes the zero crossing. This makes isolation of the backscattered signal from the carrier signal more effective.
US07734269B2 Control of receiver antenna diversity
Control of receiver antenna diversity is described in relation to apparatuses, user radio terminals, a method, and a computer program. The apparatus comprises an interface configured to obtain information on a power control procedure of a radio receiver and a processing unit configured to switch on/off a receiver antenna diversity branch of the radio receiver on the basis of a comparison between a predetermined condition and the information on the power control procedure.
US07734267B2 Amplifier assembly, receiver comprising said assembly and method for operating a programmable amplifier
An amplifier assembly and also a receiver including such an amplifier assembly is disclosed, wherein the amplifier includes a programming input for setting the gain thereof. The signal level at the output of the amplifier is compared with a reference level and a counter is incremented in a step-by-step fashion such that the gain in the amplifier is reduced for as long as the output level lies above the reference level. The amplifier assembly enables frequency-dependent received field strength fluctuations that occur in frequency hopping methods to be corrected in a manner dependent on the conditions in the current time slot. The assembly is also suitable for modulation methods that use a modulation with phase and amplitude variation.
US07734265B2 Audio muting circuit and audio muting method
In an audio muting circuit, after a short delay from a first time at which a first mute signal generation circuit causes a first mute signal to fall from “H” level to “L” level, a second mute signal generation circuit causes a second mute signal to fall from “H” level to “L” level at a second time. A third mute signal generated by combining the first and second mute signals is caused to fall from “H” level to a predetermined level at the first time, and caused to fall from the predetermined level to “L” level at the second time. Thus, at the start of muting, the level of an audio signal is increased in stepwise manner. In this way, noise generated at the start of muting can be reduced.
US07734263B2 Transmission circuit and communication device
A transmission circuit operates with high efficiency and low distortion. An amplitude and phase extraction section extracts amplitude data and phase data from input data. A phase modulation section phase-modulates the phase data to output a resultant signal as a phase-modulated signal. An amplifier section amplifies the phase-modulated signal to output a resultant signal as a transmission signal. An amplitude control section supplies, to the amplifier section, a voltage controlled in accordance with an AC component represented by a fluctuation component of the amplitude data and a DC component represented by an average value level of the fluctuation component of the amplitude data.
US07734253B2 Apparatus and methods for coexistence of collocated wireless local area network and bluetooth® based on dynamic fragmentation of WLAN packets
In some embodiments of the invention, an 802.11-enabled device may fragment an 802.11 packet into smaller packets and transmit the smaller packets instead of the 802.11 to lessen interference with Bluetooth synchronized connection-oriented communication of a collocated Bluetooth-enabled device.
US07734252B2 System and method for wireless transactions
A system and method for using a consumer wireless device in retail transactions utilizes a fixed communication device that functions as a base station for the consumer wireless device. The fixed communication device has a limited coverage zone. When a consumer wireless device comes within the coverage zone of the fixed communication device, the consumer wireless device selects the fixed communication device as the preferred base station and initiates a registration with that base station. The consumer wireless device is uniquely identified with ID data transmitted by the consumer wireless device to the fixed communication device. The unique identification is subsequently used in the process of completing a transaction.
US07734247B2 Configurable serial memory interface
A configurable serial interface for a mobile communications device is provided to access audio information (e.g., audio files) stored on a removable memory device. In normal operation, the mobile communications device accesses audio information stored on the removable memory source through a conventional serial interface located in the digital application processor and/or directly interfaced with the main processing device. The interface is configurable to change to a second interface (e.g., Serial Low-power Interconnect for Media or SLIMbus (SLIMbus)) after receiving a command to change the interface. The second interface generally utilizes significantly less power than the first interface because the main processing device is not utilized to convert the digital audio files stored on the removable memory device. Control of the first and/or second interface may be maintained by a control circuit used for controlling the main processing device.
US07734245B2 Statistical-deterministic approach to natural disaster prediction
A combined statistical-deterministic approach to methods and systems for assessing risk associated with natural disasters, in particular, hurricane wind risk. One example of a method of predicting wind speed distribution within a predetermined distance from a point of interest includes steps of statistically synthesizing a large plurality of wind storm tracks that pass within a predetermined radius of the point of interest, running a deterministic simulation of wind intensity along each one of the large plurality of wind storm tracks to produce an output representative of wind speed distribution along each track, and using the output to estimate an overall wind speed probability distribution from a combination of the wind speed distributions along each track within the predetermined distance from the point of interest.
US07734244B2 Apparatus for conditioning a substrate
An image development method implemented on a substrate conditioning unit for the drying and compression of a print substrate in an electrophotographic imaging process. The conditioning unit includes a heating mechanism for maintaining the heat of compression rollers, belts or nip rollers for compressing the substrate by a determined distance between the conditioning rollers, or by direct contact between a compression roller and a nip roller, and having an abhesive layer to prevent adhesion of the conditioning unit to the print substrate.
US07734243B2 Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, an idle roller once stops rotating when a front edge of a sheet conveyed reaches the idle roller. The idle roller restarts rotating at such a timing that a front edge of a toner image on a photoreceptor and a front edge of an image writing position on the sheet are aligned with each other. Then, even if a rear edge of the sheet is still in the idle roller, the idle roller stops rotating when the front edge of the sheet is sandwiched between a transfer roller and the photoreceptor. By carrying out such operations, it is possible to avoid by a very simple way an occurrence of a slip phenomenon that is a phenomenon of slipping of the sheet with respect to the photoreceptor while suppressing a reduction in image quality as much as possible. In addition, it is also possible to surely secure a blank space formed at a rear edge portion of the sheet.
US07734235B2 Image forming apparatus including a metallic driving roller
In an image forming apparatus, an intermediate transfer belt is made of a resin film and is supported by a plurality of rollers. A driving roller that is one of the plurality of rollers, drives the intermediate transfer belt, and also functions as an opposing unit with respect to a secondary transfer roller. The driving roller is made of metal, and applies a bias to at least secondary transfer units, at least at a time of performing primary transfer to a plurality of image bearing bodies.
US07734234B2 Positional-deviation correction apparatus, method of controlling positional deviation, and image forming apparatus
A first correction pattern and a second correction pattern are formed on an endless conveyor belt. The first correction pattern is located ahead of the second correction pattern on the conveyor belt with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. A sensor detects positional information of the correction patterns. A timing changing unit (controlling unit) changes a detection timing of the second correction pattern from a time point at which the sensor detects the second correction pattern.
US07734212B2 Image forming apparatus with a brush roller that rotates and reciprocates
An image forming apparatus is provided with a rotary image bearing member; a charging roller for charging the outer circumferential surface of the image bearing member by rotating in contact with the image bearing member; a brush roller for cleaning adhered matters on the outer circumferential surface of the charging roller by being held in contact with the charging roller due to its own weight and rotating; a driving mechanism for drivingly rotating the brush roller to have a linear velocity difference to the charging roller; and a moving mechanism for reciprocating the brush roller along the longitudinal direction thereof.
US07734209B2 Imaging device with click count fragmentation
An imaging device utilizes click count fragmentation to provide separate click counts for service and billing purposes. Click count fragmentation maintains uninterrupted service counts and derives from service counts billing counts that more accurately reflect the number of pages generated that are usable by a customer. Billing counts may be paused, resumed, reset and displayed by authorized personnel via a local or remote imaging device interface. Accesses of billing counts by authorized personnel may be recorded in an audit trail.
US07734203B2 Image formation apparatus, an image formation process control method, and a recording medium
An image formation apparatus including a toner cartridge for holding toner, an image supporting unit, on which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a toner image is formed, a toner development unit for developing the latent image into the toner image with the toner, a detecting unit for detecting toner concentration of the toner image, and a control unit for controlling an amount of toner adhering to the latent image by adjusting a development bias voltage based on an output of the detecting unit. If control by the control unit based on the detection output of the detecting unit is insufficient, and consumption of the toner is out of a predetermined normal range, the control is carried out by estimating one of toner consumption amount and toner recovery amount in a direction that departs from the predetermined normal range.
US07734201B2 Image forming apparatus and control method therefor
This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the user's print waiting time as much as possible when it is determined that image adjustment is necessary during the image forming operation, and a control method therefor. To accomplish this, in a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations which form toner images with a plurality of toners on the basis of a job, it is discriminated whether adjustment processing is necessary during a continuous image forming operation based on the job. If it is discriminated that adjustment processing is necessary, it is determined whether each of the image forming stations has a non-operating time enough to execute the discriminated adjustment processing during the image forming operation. The image forming station determined to have a non-operating time enough to execute adjustment processing executes the discriminated adjustment processing during the non-operating time.
US07734199B2 Checking and conditional processing of a print job printed with multiple transfer media
Provided are a method, system and program for checking and conditional processing of a print job printed with multiple transfer media. A print job indicates first print content to print using a first transfer medium and second print content to print using a second transfer medium. The first print content is printed onto a print medium with the first transfer medium. The printed first print content is read to determine whether the printed first print content satisfies a quality requirement. The second print content is printed onto the print medium with the second transfer medium in response to determining that the quality requirement is satisfied. Information is printed indicating an error on the print medium in response to determining that the print quality requirement is not satisfied.
US07734197B2 Toner cartridge having protrusion to show type of toner cartridge
A toner cartridge inserted in an image forming apparatus and supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge contains a toner container that contains toner, and a protrusion for showing a type of the toner cartridge, wherein the protrusion forms a ramp inclining toward a direction the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming apparatus.
US07734194B2 Optical transmission system, optical transmitter for optical transmission system, and optical receiver for optical transmission system
An optical transmission system is provided in which the optimum operating point of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, matched to the optical frequency of the light source on the transmitting side, can be set. The optical receiver (2) has an infinitesimal-modulated signal component detection circuit (222), which uses the signal train output from a balanced detection circuit (221) to detect the infinitesimal-modulated signal component applied to the phase adjustment terminal (201) of an MZI (200) by an infinitesimal-modulated signal oscillation circuit (224); a synchronous detection circuit (223), which synchronously detects the infinitesimal-modulated signals output from the infinitesimal-modulated signal component detection circuit (222) and infinitesimal-modulated signal oscillation circuit (224) and detects the error signal component arising from the shift between the optical signal carrier frequency and the optical frequency characteristic of the MZI (200); and a controller (207), which outputs a control signal to adjust the phase difference between two split optical signals output from the MZI (200) so as to correct the shift amount.
US07734186B2 Signal transmission in an optical system
A method of reducing Raman tilt in a transmission apparatus capable of transmitting a plurality of signals, occupying contiguous channels in a transmission band, through a length of optical transmission cable which exhibits the Raman effect of transferring energy from the shorter wavelength signals at one end of the transmission band towards the longer wavelength signals at the other end of the transmission band, including the transmission of half the maximum number of signals at twice the normal channel frequency spacing at a higher-than-normal level and the transmission signals in selected ones, fewer than all, of the available channels at the normal channel spacing at a normal power level. As new channels are added at the lower frequency channel spacing, the powers of both neighboring channels are reduced to the normal power level.
US07734169B2 Camera
There is disclosed a camera having a first imaging medium which acquires subject image data from a subject light flux transmitted through a photographing lens; an optical path branching member which is disposed in an image pickup optical path of the first imaging medium to branch an optical path of the subject light flux; a primary image forming surface on which the subject light flux branched by the optical path branching member forms an image; and a second imaging medium which picks up the subject image formed on the primary image forming surface. When the present camera satisfies at least one of a plurality of optical conditions, the amount of shading of the light flux guided to the second imaging medium is reduced.
US07734163B2 Sensor mounting structure and image capture apparatus
A sensor mounting structure for mounting sensors onto sensor mounting portions formed on a case body includes: an elastically deformable mounting flat spring mounted on the case body so as to cover outer surface part of the case body, allowing the sensors to be mounted on the sensor mounting portions by pressing the sensors from outside. The mounting flat spring includes sensor pressing portions for pressing the sensors, a pair of pressed portions being pressed in directions nearing each other from outer surface sides by predetermined members, and engaging portions for engaging with the case body in a direction orthogonal to the directions in which the pressed portions are pressed.
US07734161B2 Image stabilization with adaptive shutter control
An apparatus to facilitate image stabilization with adaptive shutter control is described. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an image sensor, a movement detector, and a shutter controller. The movement detector is coupled to the image sensor. The shutter controller is coupled to the movement detector. The image sensor is configured to obtain image data. The movement detector is configured to obtain movement measurement information during a shutter period having a predetermined duration. The shutter controller is configured to adjust the shutter period of a shutter based on the movement measurement information. The shutter controls the time the image sensor is responsive to light incident on the image sensor. Embodiments of the apparatus provide a smaller and less costly implementation for image stabilization.
US07734155B2 Multimedia home network computer
A home entertainment network has a computer with a multi-DVD changer which holds plural DVDs onto which content from an hard disk drive (HDD) can be transferred for storage. Also, DVD content can be ripped to the HDD, and multiple copies of home videos and photographs on the HDD can be made onto several disks simultaneously.
US07734151B2 Method for decoding image block
Disclosed is a method for decoding an image block. The method comprises a step of decoding an image block of a first layer based on a corresponding block of a second layer encoded with an intra mode, wherein a first area is formed with pixels, which are adjacent to a corner pixel positioned in the corresponding block in a diagonal direction and extend in vertical and horizontal directions away from the corresponding block, and data are padded in the first area based on the corner pixel and the pixels positioned in the first area and at least one of first and second blocks, which are simultaneously adjacent to the corresponding block and encoded with the intra mode. Accordingly, a reference block required when a macro block is encoded in an intra base mode or when a macro block encoded in the intra base mode is decoded has more precise values, thereby enabling improvement of a coding efficiency.
US07734150B2 Information recording device having dubbing function
An information recording device according to the present invention includes an HDD 5, a DVD 6 and a VCR 7. During transferring and recording information from DVD 6 onto VCR 7, a transfer control circuit 20 short-circuits between an input node and an output node. Accordingly, an image signal line L1 or L2 is electrically connected to an image signal line L3 through a switch SW and transfer control circuit 20. Namely, information is transmitted to the VCR without providing a direct information transmission path from DVD 6 to VCR 7. The configuration according to the present invention enables bidirectionally transferring information among HDD 5, DVD 6 and VCR 7 with a single switch, thereby enabling dubbing with a simple configuration.
US07734149B2 Apparatus and method for recording/reproducing moving picture and recording medium
A recording medium includes moving picture data including first audio or first audio and second audio, and basic unit information including first state information on the first audio and second state information on the second audio. The first state information represents an original audio state in which the first audio is original audio, or a secondary audio state in which the first audio is secondary audio recorded over part or all of the original audio. The second state information represents a state in which the second audio is original audio, a state in which the second audio is secondary audio recorded over part or all of the original audio, a state in which the second audio is dummy audio which is exactly the same as the first audio, or a state in which the second audio is secondary audio recorded over part or all of the dummy audio.
US07734141B2 Video recording apparatus and video printing apparatus
The present invention provides a video recording apparatus comprising a video inputting device for inputting a video, a video storing device for storing a video inputted by the video inputting device, a keyword inputting device for inputting a keyword, a key image generating device for generating a key image for a keyword inputted by the keyword inputting device, a key image detecting device for detecting a frame containing a key image generated by the key image generating device in a video inputted by the video inputting device, and a video deleting device for deleting a video stored in the video storing device when no frame containing a key image is detected by the key image detecting device.
US07734138B2 Fiber optic connector holders
There is provided a fiber optic connector holder adapted to selectively retain two or more fiber optic connectors that include a dust cap on the ferrule. The connector holder comprises a boot retainer to selectively retain a portion of the boot of the connector, and the connector holder comprises a dust cap retainer to selectively retain a portion of the dust cap of the connector. The connector holder is provided in a telecommunications enclosure to provide convenient parking for fiber optic connectors that are not optically connected within a distribution field or the like or that are generally not in service at the time. The connector holders may be selectively installed and/or removed from the telecommunications enclosure to assist in the installation of new fiber optic hardware, such as splitter modules.
US07734128B2 Optical component, fiber collimator array and wavelength selective switch
The invention provides a fiber collimator array including a fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers is arrayed and a microlens array in which microlenses are arrayed on positions corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers on a transparent substrate. Each microlens and the transparent substrate are oppositely arranged so that a plurality of projections formed on a bottom face of each microlens intersects with a plurality of projections formed on a surface of the transparent substrate, and each microlens and the transparent substrate are adhered to each other by the adhesive.
US07734126B2 Systems and methods for chirp control of a dual arm z-modulator to minimize dispersion effect of fiber plant
The present invention provides systems and methods for chirp control of a dual arm Z-modulator to minimize dispersion in the fiber plant. The chirp control is based upon a real-time control loop based upon performance monitoring data between a transmitter and a receiver. Advantageously, the present invention enables improved performance in high-speed optical systems, and in some cases can eliminate or minimize the need for external dispersion compensation fiber (DCF).
US07734125B2 Optoelectronic wiring board, optical communication device, and method of manufacturing the optical communication device
An optical communication device is provided that includes a flex-rigid substrate including a flexible substrate provided with an electric wiring, and a pair of rigid sections provided on both sides of the flexible substrate. The pair of rigid sections each includes a lamination formed of a conductive circuit and an insulating layer. The optical communication device also includes optical communication means made of a flexible material and having both end faces substantially perpendicular to its optical path of transmitting, and a pair of optical elements having their respective optical functional portions that are mounted on the rigid sections of the flex-rigid substrate. Both end portions of the optical communication means are disposed and fixed on the rigid sections, and at least one of the end faces is optically coupled with at least one of the optical functional portions of the optical elements through a coupling optical element.
US07734107B2 System and method for performing wavelet-based texture feature extraction and classification
A system and method are disclosed for performing wavelet-based local texture feature extraction and classification procedures. Image data is initially provided to include a query image and a series of test images. A feature detector calculates image parameters corresponding to the image data. The image parameters include mean absolute values, variance values, and texture angles. The feature detector utilizes the image parameters to calculate distance values that represent texture similarity characteristics between the query image and each of the test images. The feature detector then evaluates the distance values to determine one or more matching images from among the test images.
US07734102B2 Method and system for screening cargo containers
A system for screening cargo containers is provided including an image generation device, an apparatus for screening cargo containers and an output module. The image generation device generates an image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container. The apparatus receives the image signal and a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container. A processing unit processes the image signal in combination with the list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data. The mismatch information data conveys at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal. Information conveying the mismatch information data is released and conveyed to a user of the system by an output module.
US07734098B2 Face detecting apparatus and method
A process time is shortened while a face detection precision is maintained high. A face detection unit for extracting a face area of a photographic subject from an image taken with a digital camera or the like includes a unit for acquiring focussing area information in an image area from image data and accessory information of image data regarding photographic conditions and the like, a unit for determining a face detection area in the image area in accordance with the focussing area information, and a unit for executing a face detection process not for a whole image area but partially for a face.
US07734097B1 Detecting objects in images with covariance matrices
A method detects objects in an image. First, features are extracted from the image. A frequency transform is applied to the features to generate transformed features. A covariance matrix is constructed from the transformed features, and the covariance matrix is classified to determine whether the image includes the object, or not.
US07734092B2 Multiple image input for optical character recognition processing systems and methods
A method of processing an image includes receiving a digital version of the image, processing the digital version of the image through at least two binarization processes to thereby create a first binarization and a second binarization, and processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process to thereby create a first OCR output file. Processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process includes compiling first metrics associated with the first OCR output file. The method also includes processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process to thereby create a second OCR output file. Processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process includes compiling second metrics associated with the second OCR output file. The method also includes using the metrics, at least in part, to select a final OCR output file from among the OCR output files.
US07734082B2 Defect inspection method
The present invention relates to a defect detection or observation method that detects fine defects in the course of defect inspection and observation, does not detect locations not constituting defects, or classifies a defect candidate as a grain phenomenon or other phenomenon that does not affect a product. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting defects of a product having a plurality of product units formed repetitively at different locations comprises obtaining an image of the product units on the product having an appearance to be observed; detecting regions of the image each having an appearance which differs from an expected appearance by greater than a preset threshold; calculating feature amounts for the detected regions; classifying the detected regions into groups of defect candidates; forming an aggregate of the feature amounts of the detected regions in the different product units, for each of the groups of defect candidates; and determining for each product unit attributes for the detected regions by comparing the feature amounts of the detected regions belonging to each group of defect candidates with a distribution of the aggregate of the feature amounts for the group of defect candidates.
US07734080B2 Method and device for measuring pulmonary nodule volume using dual-energy substraction image
A method and a device for measuring a pulmonary nodule volume using a dual-energy subtraction image are provided. The method includes: (a) obtaining a dual-energy subtraction image of a chest; (b) setting a specific region including a pulmonary nodule region in the obtained dual-energy subtraction image; (c) interpolating a gray level trend of a region surrounding the pulmonary nodule region into the pulmonary nodule region using a fitting function; and (d) measuring the pulmonary nodule volume by subtracting the interpolation result from the gray level data of the pulmonary nodule region. Accordingly, when it is desired to measure the pulmonary nodule volume using the dual-energy subtraction image, information on the thickness of the pulmonary nodule is obtained from the characteristic of the dual-energy subtraction image, and the pulmonary nodule volume is accurately measured by correcting errors at the border of the pulmonary nodule region using the fitting function.
US07734077B2 Method of assessing localized shape and temperature of the human body
A method of objectively quantifying assessments of joints having arthritis for purposes of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The objective measurements utilize known imaging modalities including 3D scanning, thermal imaging, visible and near-infrared imaging and two-dimensional imaging to quantify swelling, heat distribution, erythema, and range or motion. The objective measurements can be combined in various ways to assess the extent of the disease and can be used to adjust treatment protocols.
US07734070B1 Method and system for immersing face images into a video sequence
The present invention is a system and method for immersing facial images of people captured automatically from an image or a sequence of images into a live video playback sequence. This method allows viewers to perceive a participation in the viewed “movie” segment. A format is defined for storing the video such that this live playback of the video sequence is possible. A plurality of Computer Vision algorithms in the invention processes a plurality of input image sequences from the means for capturing images, which is pointed at the users in the vicinity of the system and performs the head detection and tracking. The interaction in the invention can be performed either in real-time or off-line depending on the embodiment of the invention in an uncontrolled background.
US07734065B2 Method of text information recognition from a graphical file with use of dictionaries and other supplementary data
The present invention deals with text comprising image parsed to graphemes. A result of character recognition is creation of one or more versions of characters for each grapheme. All possible words versions are obtained using all characters versions, and all parsing versions are examined. A supplementary data of several types is applied successively in the preliminarily prescribed order to the examined words. The processing with the use of supplemental data may be represented as a three times repeated processing of the same text fragment with the use of supplementary information becoming available at each time. The examination comprises three steps. 1) A set of chains LPG is built using all obtained recognized grapheme-to-character versions. 2) All obtained versions are analyzed with the successive application of subsequent supplemental data types in connection with the preliminarily assigned order or with a joint application thereof. 3) A supplementary space recognition correction.
US07734060B2 Method and apparatus for estimating noise determination criteria in an image sensor
A method and an apparatus are provided for estimating noise determination criteria in an image sensor. The method includes calculating a color characteristic value for each of a plurality blocks constituting an input image, comparing the color characteristic value of a first block among the blocks with a initial noise criterion, sorting the color characteristic value of the first block as a first group of a color characteristic class and accumulating a result of the comparing into the first group, and modifying the initial noise criterion using a result of the accumulating and calculating a first group noise criterion to be applied to corresponding blocks belonging to the sorted first group of the color characteristic class.
US07734059B2 Method and its program for cell labeling of volume data
By external data acquisition means using a computer, external data comprised of boundary data for an object is obtained; by external data input means, the external data are inputted into the computer; by cell dividing means, the external data are divided to rectangular parallelepiped cells that boundary planes intersect perpendicularly; by cell sorting means, the individual cells are sorted into boundary cells that include boundary data and non-boundary cells that do not include boundary data; by space sorting means, respective spaces are assigned to different space numbers where the cells are partitioned according to the boundary data; and by space number compression means, adjacent cells are reassigned to the same space numbers for cells that are not partitioned according to the boundary data.
US07734055B2 User configurable headset for monaural and binaural modes
A headset is described that can be user-configured to be used in either monaural or binaural modes. The headset may include a first speaker for one ear, and a second speaker in an earpiece inserted in the headset body. The earpiece may be retractable, and upon removal from the headset, the headset may switch from monaural to binaural mode. The earpiece may communicate wirelessly with the headset, or may be coupled using a spring-loaded or manually retractable wire. The headset may wirelessly detect the addition of a second headset, and may switch to binaural mode based on this addition.
US07734049B2 Data transmission method, user equipment and GPRS/EDGE radio access network
The invention relates to a method for transmitting data between a GRPS/EDGE radio access network and user equipment of a mobile system, and to user equipment using the method, and to GERAN. In the method, the data to be transmitted is encrypted using an encryption algorithm at the transmitting end, the encrypted data is transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end, and the transmitted data is decrypted using an encryption algorithm at the receiving end. The used encryption algorithm is an encryption algorithm of the radio access network UTRAN employing the wideband code division multiple access method of the universal mobile telecommunications system, in which case the input parameters of agreed format required by the encryption algorithm are created on the basis of the operating parameters of the GPRS/EDGE radio access network GERAN.
US07734048B2 Cryptographic system using chaotic dynamics
The invention is a cryptographic system using chaotic dynamics. A chaotic system is used to generate a public key and an adjustable back door from a private key. The public key is distributed and can be used in a public key encryption system. The invention can also be used for authentication purposes. The adjustable back door of the invention can be used in conjunction with the public key to derive the private key. The degree of difficulty involved in deriving the private key is dependent on the adjustable back door. That is the value of the back door can be adjusted to vary the difficulty involved in deriving the private key.
US07734038B2 Electrical receptacle with open corner region
An electrical receptacle with an open corner region facilitates electrical connection between an electrical device positioned in the receptacle and a conduit, cable or like wiring that passes through the open corner region. The open corner region is defined by a side wall, top face and rear wall of the receptacle. The receptacle is particularly adapted for use with electrical devices that include a connector that aligns with the open corner region, e.g., an access point.
US07734037B1 Remote terminal unit connector
A plug is inserted into the connection between a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and one or more a station protection modules. A first plug end is connected to the RTU by at least one first wire. At least one station protection module is connected to a second plug end by at least one second wire. The first plug end and the second plug end are capable of being connected to each other. A first housing contains at least the RTU and a second housing contains the at least one station protection module, wherein the first housing and the second housing are capable of being attached to each other. Replacing the RTU requires disconnecting the first and second plug ends and then connecting a third plug end to the second plug end wherein the third plug end is connected to a second RTU by at least one third wire.
US07734028B2 Method and apparatus for delivering enhanced caller identification services to a called party
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for delivering enhanced caller information to a called party. A user document associated with a calling party is provided to the called party as part of signaling information associated with the call, such as a SIP invite message. The user document may be, for example, a vCard or vCalendar.
US07734024B1 Method and apparatus for providing user access via multiple partner carriers for international calls
A method and apparatus for providing subscribers of a VoIP service provider to take advantage of wholesale arrangements made by the VoIP service provider with one or more international partner carrier network providers to one or more international countries are disclosed. Specifically, the present method enables a VoIP service provider to display a web page to their subscribers, for each destination country, with one or more international partner network providers and their corresponding calling rates and/or call completion success rates to each particular destination country.
US07734021B1 Method and apparatus for supporting out of area phone number for emergency services
A method and apparatus for enabling a service provider to map a subscriber service address to a specific Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and then provides an association between the subscriber's out of area phone number and the correct PSAP are disclosed. When the subscriber places an emergency call, such as an E911 call, the network performs a database lookup obtaining the corresponding PSAP associated with the subscriber's service address and routes the call to that PSAP accordingly.
US07734020B2 Two-way voice and voice over IP receivers for alarm systems
Security systems typically communicate with alarm monitoring centers using a telephone connection. The present invention offers a system and technique for monitoring a security system connected using a Voice-over-IP connection, in real time, and alerting the owner of the security system, or the alarm-monitoring center, when the connection is broken. This alert can be used, for example, to issue a telephone call to the police, informing them of the breach of line integrity and possible compromise of the premise. In addition, the present invention allows for one-way or two-way voice communication between the alarm panel and an alarm operator and/or a 3rd party. Such voice communication helps the alarm operator and/or 3rd party to determine whether an alarm is a real alarm or a possible false alarm.
US07734005B2 Step-and-shoot cardiac CT imaging
The present invention is directed to a method and system of controlling rotation of a gantry to rotate at a rotational speed such that a desired relationship between center projection angles of neighboring partial scans is maintained.
US07734004B2 Gain correction for a CT system
A method for imaging unknown objects in a computed tomography (CT) system, comprising determining ray gain for a known object is provided. A CT reconstruction is performed with the known object to obtain reconstructed values. Ideal values are obtained for pixels of the known object. An error related to a difference between the reconstructed values and the ideal values is generated. A ray gain is estimated that reduces the error.
US07733999B2 System and method for an adaptable timing recovery architecture for critically-timed transport applications
The present invention provides a timing recovery architecture and circuit for recovering the clock timing from a received signal in critically-timed transport applications. The present invention further relates to a timing recovery architecture and circuit for removing network-induced clock jitter and wander that occurs in a transport network during asynchronous mapping techniques, bit and/or byte-stuffing techniques, or traditional pointer adjustment schemes associated with traditional PDH (pleisiosynchronous digital hierarchy), SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy), and packet-based networks. The timing recovery circuit may be implemented in a logic circuit such as programmable, digital FPGA (field programmable gate array) logic, or alternatively in standard cell or gate-array ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) technology, or like logic circuit design.
US07733993B2 Phase noise canceling OFDM receiver
A receiver includes, in series, at least one receive antenna, a buffer, and arithmetic logic block, a symbol detector, and a phase noise estimator. A further feedback loop couples an output of the phase noise estimator to an input of the arithmetic logic block for providing an estimate of phase noise. The buffer is for storing the received signal. The arithmetic logic block, such as a multiplier, is for removing the estimate of phase noise, received via the feedback loop, from the buffered signal. The symbol detector is for estimating a symbol from the output of the arithmetic logic block. The phase noise estimator estimates phase noise from two inputs received from the symbol detector: the estimated symbol and the remainder signal. Preferably, the phase noise estimator performs an IFFT on these two inputs and Kalman filters the result. Iteratively estimating the phase noise improves precision substantially.
US07733989B2 Method and system of channel estimation
Channel estimation is performed using side information. A signal transmitted over a radio channel includes side information corresponding to a first predetermined signal and a second predetermined signal. The first predetermined signal is different from the second predetermined signal. An estimate of the radio channel is determined using both the first predetermined signal and the second predetermined signal. Using multiple sources of side information improves the accuracy and the efficiency of the channel estimation. One example application is Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing based communications systems.
US07733987B2 Clock signal reproduction device and clock signal reproduction method
A phase comparator detects time lag or time lead of the phase of a data signal with respect to a reproduced clock signal from a first digital VCO. A random walk filter measures a difference between number of lags and number of leads, controls the first digital VCO to shift the phase of the reproduced clock signal in a direction to cancel the difference when the absolute value of the difference reaches a predetermined value, and resets the measurement result to restart the measurement. A phase comparator detects the phase difference between reproduced clock signals from the first digital VCO and a second digital VCO and notifies it to the random walk filter. While the amount of the notified phase difference is being a predetermined amount, the random walk filter neither resets the measurement result nor shifts the phase of the reproduced clock signal from the first digital VCO.
US07733985B2 Phase-locked loop circuit with a mixed mode loop filter
A phase-locked loop circuit includes a phase and frequency detector receiving a reference signal and an output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit for generating a detected signal representing a frequency or phase difference therebetween. A digital charge pump coupled to the phase and frequency detector generates a charge control signal in response to the detected signal. A mixed mode loop filter coupled to the digital charge pump filters the charge control signal and generates an oscillation control signal. A voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the mixed mode loop filter for generating the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit by adjusting its oscillation frequency in response to the oscillation control signal. The mixed mode loop filter has both digital and analog characteristics in carrying out filtering the charge control signal, thereby reducing a layout area for the same to be implemented on a semiconductor substrate.
US07733977B2 Radio transmission device and radio transmission method
Disclosed are a radio transmission device and a radio transmission method capable of containing a plenty of mobile stations for receiving low-rate data and avoiding lowering a system throughput. A group ID assigning unit (108) groups UE receiving low-rate data and assigns a frequency by using the group ID. An SCCH processing unit (109) generates an SCCH containing the group ID. A low-rate control information processing unit (113) generates low-rate control information indicating a timing slot to which a low-rate UE has been assigned. A multiplexing unit (117) multiplies low-rate control information on RB to which low-rate data is assigned when multiplexing a pilot channel, SCCH, and data.
US07733970B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic switching of space-time coding/decoding method
Systems and methods are described for dynamic switching techniques for space-time coding/decoding based on channel status information for a MIMO-OFDM system. The system and method for dynamic switching of space-time coding mode include a determining step for determining a space-time coding mode based on feedback information by a transmitter; a mapping step for mapping the determined coding mode to a corresponding coder so that a number of sets symbol streams corresponding to respective transmit antennas are generated after coding a modulated symbol sequence for desired coding; and a feedback step for periodically feeding used coding mode information back to a receiver via a forward control channel.
US07733968B2 Evaluation of transmitter performance
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate monitoring transmitter performance in a wireless communication environment. A signal analyzer can be used to sample the output of a transmitter and the sampled signal can be propagated to a processor. The processor can generate frequency domain channel estimates for the subcarriers. If the transmitted modulation symbols are unknown, the processor can determine the modulation symbols and use the determined modulation symbols to calculate the channel estimates. The channel estimates can be averaged and used to generate various metrics to evaluate the transmitter performance.
US07733954B2 Method of coding a video image stream with a view for subsequent recoding using the same type of code
The invention lies within the area of image compression coding, in particular of MPEG type, which uses recoding help data. The invention affords a solution for reusing the help data selectively. To this end, the invention adjoins an electronic signature representative of the constraints of the coder. Thus, it becomes possible to determine whether the help data are reusable or not for a subsequent coding using other constraints.
US07733950B2 Equalizers and methods for equalizing
Equalizers and methods of equalizing, wherein an equalizer may include includes n (where n is an integer ≧) biquad circuits each include an input node, a biquad band pass node and a biquad low pass node, a first summing circuit summing an output of the biquad band pass node of the nth biquad circuit and an output of the biquad low pass node of the nth biquad circuit, a second summing circuit subtracting the output of the biquad low pass node of the (n−1)th biquad circuit from the output of the first summing circuit and amplifying the summed result by a constant, and a third summing circuit summing an output of the second summing circuit and the output of the biquad low pass node of the nth biquad circuit, wherein the n biquad circuits are Gm-C biquad circuits each having transconductors connected in a self-feedback configuration to the biquad band pass node of the corresponding n biquad circuit. The equalizer may increase a filter bandwidth and/or maintain a specific boosting gain while reducing circuit size.
US07733948B2 Method for providing service and rate negotiation in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for negotiating service configuration in a digital communication system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the service negotiation system is implemented in a wireless spread spectrum communication system. The service configuration comprises data rates, frame formats and types of services. Types of service may include speech encoding, facsimile or digital data services. Further described herein is a digital transmitter and receiver using the service negotiation system to provide service configuration mutually acceptable at both ends of a communication link.
US07733938B2 Methods and apparatuses for channel assessment
An embodiment of an apparatus for channel assessment is provided, comprising a radio frequency (RF) unit, a baseband unit and a microprocessor control unit (MCU). The baseband unit coupling to the RF unit directs the RF unit to selectively hop into one of a plurality of available channels in a frequency band using a pseudorandom sequence to receive a plurality of packets via the hopped channel. The MCU coupling to the baseband unit accumulates a measure for the hopped channel according to reception results of the packets and marks the hopped channel as a bad channel when the accumulated measure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The measure represents the inaccuracy extent during packet reception via the hopped channel.
US07733933B2 Wavelength tunable laser apparatus and wavelength control method
Included are: a gain chip having a gain unit and a phase control region; a current supply for causing a positive current to flow to the phase control region; a voltage supply for applying a bias voltage to the phase control region; and a control unit for selectively driving the current supply or the voltage supply depending on a direction of the wavelength shift. The control unit drives the current supply when a laser wavelength is to be shifted to a shorter wavelength side from a wavelength with the current supply and the voltage supply being turned off, and drives the voltage supply when the laser wavelength is to be shifted to a longer wavelength side from a wavelength with the current supply and the voltage supply being turned off.
US07733926B2 Thulium laser pumped Mid-IR source with broadbanded output
A Thulium laser (15) is used to directly drive a ZnGeP2 optical parametric oscillator (30) with a nominal 2 μm output to generate the 3-5 micron wavelengths. In one embodiment, the ZGP OPO is configured as a linear resonator and in another embodiment the ZGP OPO is configured as a ring resonator. The ring resonator prevents optical feedback to the Thulium laser (15) and eliminates the need for an optical isolator (24). Moreover, the Thulium laser pump (15) is implemented as a Tm:YAlO3 laser in which YAlO is the host for the Thulium YAlO is particularly beneficial as it is a mechanically hard optical material allowing high thermal loading without fracture as well as natural birefringence that can minimize thermal birefringence losses. A longer wavelength transition at 1.99 microns is selected to minimize nonlinear crystal loss. More particularly, a high power, high efficiency Tm:YAlO3 laser repetitively Q-switched at 10 kHz is used to drive a ZnGeP2 OPO. The system is run with room temperature components and achieves over 3 W at 3-5 microns with an efficiency of 5% starting from the pump diode. A two crystal resonator (40, 42) design allows tuning over multiple spectral peaks or alternately as an ultra broad spectral source.
US07733920B1 Programmable pre-emphasis circuit for serial ATA
A high-speed serial ATA physical layer includes a serial ATA control circuit. A serial ATA multiplexer outputs one of a plurality of serial ATA signals that is selected by the serial ATA control circuit. A serial ATA analog front end provides a first gain and pre-emphasis to the selected one of the plurality of serial ATA signals. The pre-emphasis alters a transmission characteristic of the selected one of the plurality of serial ATA signals.
US07733905B2 Cross-bar switch having bandwidth allocation
A cross-bar switch includes a set of input ports for receiving data packets and a set of sink ports for transmitting the received packets to identified targets. A set of data rings couples the input ports to the sink ports. Each sink port utilizes the set of data rings to simultaneously accept multiple data packets targeted to the same destination—creating a non-blocking cross-bar switch. Sink ports are also each capable of supporting multiple targets—providing the cross-bar switch with implicit multicast capability.
US07733901B2 Multi-protocol wireless communication apparatus and method
A scalable, multi-protocol mobile switching center in a wireless communications network provides communications control for digital and analog wireless communications devices including devices that operate according to GSM and IS-41 standards. The hardware and software architecture of the switching center is designed so that processing that is unique to a particular protocol is performed at the lowest possible level, and remaining processing can use generic procedures. The switching center incorporates a home location register and visitor location register that are used in conjunction with software applications to determine the protocol of mobile communications devices using the wireless communications network. The mobile switching center can be used to provide a large scale distributed wireless network or a small scale wireless network. The switching center can also be used as an adjunct to a private branch exchange to provide in-building wireless services and call control. Graphical user interfaces make the wireless communications network easy to maintain.
US07733899B1 Methods, systems, and computer program products for rate-based distribution of layer 2 packets for in-line processing at a layer 2 packet forwarding device at a transmission rate less than a received transmission rate
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for rate-based distribution of layer 2 packets for in-line processing at a layer 2 packet forwarding device. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for distributing layer 2 packets for in-line processing at a transmission rate less than a received transmission rate. The method includes receiving an input stream of layer 2 packets at an input port of a layer 2 packet forwarding device. The input port has a first transmission capacity. The input stream of layer 2 packets is divided into at least two substreams of layer 2 packets of different transmission rates. The first substream of layer 2 packets is layer 2 redirected to a first set of output ports of a slower transmission capacity than the input port. The second substream of layer 2 packets is flooded to a second set of output ports, with a transmission capacity equal to the first set of output ports. The transmission rates of the first and second substreams of layer 2 packets are selected to optimize the load sharing among the first and second sets of output ports.
US07733898B2 Method and apparatus for preventing starvation in a slotted-ring network
A method and apparatus for preventing starvation in a slotted-ring network. Embodiments may include a ring interconnect to transmit bits, with one of the bits being a slot reservation bit, and nodes coupled to the ring interconnect, with each node comprising a starvation detection element and a slot reservation element to reserve a slot for future use. In further embodiments, each node may also comprise a slot tracking element to track the location of the slot reserved by that node.
US07733896B2 Dynamic access priority scheme
In the dynamic access priority method, priority classes with different backoff delays are used to prioritize random access over shared channels and to reduce collision in the presence of a surge of random access requests. Service class information for a plurality of service classes is stored at user equipment. The service class information for a service class includes at least one of a maximum and a minimum back off value; the maximum back off value being indicative of a maximum back off interval and the minimum back off value being indicative of a minimum back off interval. At least one of a maximum and a minimum back off value is determined based on a selected service class of the user equipment, and a back off interval is determined based on the determined back off value. The back off interval indicates a period of time the user equipment waits before the user equipment attempts a transmission.
US07733895B2 Non-preemptive scheduling in network elements
A graph based on a data traffic matrix represents the occupancy of a set of virtual output queues to an optical crosspoint packet data switch. Edges in the graph are assigned to a matching in order of decreasing weight, provided that the edges do not conflict with other edges previously placed in the matching. If a conflict is found for a particular edge, a new matching is created and the conflicting edge is placed in the new matching. The process iterates until all edges are covered, resulting in creating a collection of matchings. The collection of matchings is transformed into a schedule such that each matching defines a switch configuration and the weight of the heaviest edge determines its holding time. The length of the obtained schedule equals the total cost of the collection. The cost of the collection is the total weight of the matchings plus the product of the re-configuration delay and the number of matchings.
US07733888B2 Pointer allocation by prime numbers
A prime number based pointer allocation technique. A packet-forwarding system incorporating the technique stores cells of a packet in packet memory, according to allocated pointers that have a fixed correspondence to locations in the packet memory. Each packet input interface of an ingress module has a memory parameter counter that is incremented by a different prime number each time a memory pointer is allocated to that input interface. The memory parameter counter includes a memory interface portion and a memory bank portion that correspond to the memory interfaces and memory banks of a packet memory with which the memory pointers are associated.
US07733879B2 Memory management unit for a network switch
A network switch having at least one port data port interface, a first memory, a second memory, and a memory management unit in connection with the at least one data port interface, the first memory, and the second memory. The memory management unit operates to receive data from the at least one data port interface, determine if the data is to be stored in one of the first memory or the second memory, store the data in one of the first memory or the second memory as a linked list, retrieve the data from one of the first memory or the second memory, and forwards the data for egress.
US07733878B2 System and method for packet transmission from fragmented buffer
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for implementing a DMA scheduling mechanism and a DMA system for transmission from fragmented buffers. According to an aspect of the present invention, a processor controls several devices via a polled interface to interleave DMA data transfers on different Input/Output (I/O) ports in an efficient manner. According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for handling transmission of network packets which are assembled from multiple memory buffers with different octet alignments is provided. The hardware/software combination allows efficient joining of packet fragments with differing octet alignments when the underlying memory system is word based, and further allows insertion of other data fields generated by a processor.
US07733875B2 Transmit flow for network acceleration architecture
A method for receiving data in a network acceleration architecture for use with TCP (transport control protocol), iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) and/or RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) over TCP, including providing a hardware acceleration engine, called a streamer, adapted for communication with and processing data from a consumer application in a system that supports TCP, iSCSI and RDMA over TCP, providing a software protocol processor adapted for carrying out TCP implementation, the software control processor being called a TCE (TCP Control Engine), wherein the streamer and the TCE are adapted to operate asynchronously and independently of one another, and transmitting a TCP segment with the streamer.
US07733873B2 Coordination of calendar searches in a network scheduler
A system that indicates which frame should next be removed by a scheduler from flow queues within a network device, such as a router, network processor, and like devices, is disclosed. The system includes a search engine that searches a set of calendars under the control of a Finite State Machine (FSM), a current pointer and input signals from array and a clock line providing current time. The results of the search are loaded into a Winner Valid array and a Winner Location array. A final decision logic circuit parses information in the Winner Valid array and Winner Location array to generate a final Winner Valid Signal, the identity of the winning calendar and the winning location. Winning is used to define the status of the calendar in the calendar status array selected as a result of a search process being executed on a plurality of calendars in the calendar status array.
US07733864B2 Node apparatus
To satisfy a quality required for each traffic and perform switching for a packet segmented into cells without packet reassembly, there is provided a node apparatus including a header processing section (2) for determining an output destination of an incoming packet and a quality class from the header information of the packet, a route table (3), and a quality description table (4), and storing the packet in an output queue (6) determined by the determined output destination and quality class, an output control section (7) for reading out a packet from the output queue in accordance with the quality set for each output queue (6) and sending out the read packet through a VC determined by the determined output destination and quality class, and a quality description table (4) which has at least a virtual dedicated network number field, a destination address/mask length field, a source address/mask length field, a fourth-layer protocol/destination port number field, and a destination port number field and in which each field is made blank when any value can be set. In the node apparatus, a packet segmented into cells and arriving from each input VC is temporarily stored in a packet queue (26) corresponding to each input VC. When the final cell of the packet arrives, 1-packet cells are moved altogether to an output queue (27) corresponding to the destination IP address contained in the start cell and output to a corresponding output VC by an output section (28).
US07733855B1 Community separation enforcement
Embodiments of the present invention provide an Infiniband device having an input port for receiving a data packet. The input port is operable to extract a partition membership identifier from the packet; and to compare the extracted partition membership identifier to a partition membership table of the port to determine whether the packet breaches a partition group membership requirement. In some embodiments, the partition membership table is implemented as a content addressable memory storing a plurality of programmable bit masks.
US07733854B2 Forced bubble insertion scheme
A network device for processing packets. The network device includes a memory management unit for storing packets and performing resource checks on each packet and an egress module for performing packet modification and transmitting the packet to a destination port. The memory management unit includes a timer for indicating that a free space should be created on a bus slot between the memory management unit and the egress module, wherein the free space is used for transmitting CPU instructions from the memory management unit to the egress module.
US07733847B1 Method and apparatus for routing a call in a packet-switched network
Method and system for establishing a call to a communication device in a packet-switched communication network is described. In one example, the system receives a call from a calling device at a server in a packet-switched communication network, where the call is a request for assistance pertaining to a technical field. The system then identifies at least one specific user from a plurality of specific users based on whether the specific user(s) is an expertise in the technical field in question. The system subsequently identifies at least one activated endpoint device from a plurality of activated endpoint devices that are associated with the previously identified specific user(s). Lastly, the system routes the call to the identified endpoint device(s) belonging to the specified user(s).
US07733845B1 System and method for device registration replication in a communication network
A system for device registration replication in a packet-based network includes a first call manager and a second call manager that are coupled to the packet-based network. The first and second call managers each control one or more devices and store composite registration information associated with the devices. The first call manager communicates status information to the second call manager in response to a change in the control status of a device controlled by the first call manager. The second call manager updates the composite registration information stored by the second call manager in response to receiving status information from the first call manager.
US07733830B2 Enhancing streaming media reception for a mobile device during cell reselection
The invention relates to a method for streaming of media from a streaming server (111) to a mobile client device (101) over an air-interface, wherein, after a cell reselection, the method comprises requesting the streaming server (111) to resend streaming media which the mobile client device (101) was not able to receive due to the cell reselection.
US07733827B2 Monitoring control channel in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is disclosed. A starting location of a search space in a control region of a subframe k is acquired. The search space is defined by a set of PDCCHs at each aggregation level. The set of PDCCHs from the starting location in the search space at the each aggregation level is monitored. The starting location is defined by the multiple of the aggregation level in the control region.
US07733825B2 ROF link apparatus capable of stable TDD wireless service
A radio over fiber (ROF) link apparatus capable of a stable TDD wireless service for a time division duplexing (TDD) baseband signal includes a central access platform (CAP) for receiving various kinds of data including the TDD baseband signal from upper layers, multiplexing the data, electro-optically converting the multiplexed data, and transmitting the converted data as downstream data through an optical fiber, and opto-electrically converting upstream data received through the optical fiber, demultiplexing the converted upstream data, and transmitting the demultiplexed upstream data to the respective upper layers, and a remote access unit (RAU) for receiving the downstream data through the optical fiber, opto-electrically converting the received downstream data to the multiplexed data, demultiplexing the multiplexed data, performing a wireless access process of the demultiplexed data, and transmitting the wireless access processed data to a wireless local area network (WLAN) service terminal through an antenna.
US07733816B2 PS handover support indication
GERAN Cell Capability indicated in a bit of an Information Element is modified to indicate whether a neighbor GERAN cell belonging to a radio access technology (GSM) supports packet switched (PS) handover or not so that the serving radio network controller can be in possession of such information before deciding whether to attempt PS handover to the cell of the GSM network and thereby avoid unnecessary signaling in case such a handover is not possible and to thereby allow the serving radio network controller to consider some other target cell or some other solution than triggering PS handover toward that GSM cell.
US07733802B2 Method to dynamically create a virtual network
A method creates a virtual network dynamically, with automated configuration for the new virtual network to function. The virtual network creation is initiated by a network node sending a request for a virtual network to a network controller. The network controller services the request, creating the virtual network by automatically configuring at least one network switch in the physical network. The network controller automatically determines a configuration for the virtual network using virtual network information, and creates the virtual network by configuring network switches according to the configuration. The virtual network can be configured for particular applications. From a user's point of view, the user connects to a network node. The network node then initiates the creation of the virtual network transparently to the user. The resource-intensive manual configurations of the conventional approach in creating new virtual networks are thus avoided.
US07733800B2 Method and mechanism for identifying an unmanaged switch in a network
An exemplary method for managing a network includes accessing information associated with a managed switch in the network, querying an external data source, and identifying an unmanaged switch connected to the managed switch based on a reply to the query and the accessed information.
US07733799B2 Information gathering from traffic flow in a communication network
The invention relates to a method for gathering information from traffic flowing in communication networks. The method includes generating in a network element, which sees the traffic flowing in the network, events on the basis of the traffic flow and predefined instructions, an event being a piece of information indicating that a certain matter has occurred in the traffic flow, sending said events for analysis in a central processing element, analysing said events in said central processing element, and conveying on the basis of said analysis information to network operator systems.
US07733795B2 Virtual network testing and deployment using network stack instances and containers
A method for testing a network topology. The method includes obtaining the network topology, where the network topology includes a number of nodes connected by at least one link. The method further includes instantiating a number of containers corresponding to the nodes, instantiating a number of virtual network stacks, and instantiating at least one virtual switch corresponding to the at least one link. The containers are subsequently connected to the virtual network stacks using the at least one virtual switch. At least one of the virtual network stacks is then configured to send and receive packets. Finally, the network topology is tested by sending a packet through at least one of the plurality of virtual network stacks and the at least one virtual switch, wherein a result of the testing is used to validate the network topology.
US07733789B1 Remote monitoring of switch network
A technique for use in gathering network activity-related information from network switches is provided. Using this technique, the information can be gathered without substantially reducing performance of the switches. In one embodiment, a single remote monitoring probe is connected by a multiplexer via respective connections to each of the switches so as to receive the information from the switches. In another embodiment, only one of the switches is connected to the probe, and the other switches transmit their respective portions of the information to the switch connected to probe. The switch connected to the probe provides these portions of the information, as well as, any of its respective activity-related information to the probe. In this latter embodiment, the switches may be connected by dedicated connections and switch ports that are used solely for communicating the activity-related information.
US07733779B2 Stateless call admission and call preemption with a single metering and marking scheme
A method and system for call admission and preemption in a network having an ingress node and an egress node defining an ingress/egress node pair, and one or more core nodes located in a path between the ingress node and the egress node and configured to mark packets exceeding an admission threshold. The method includes calculating a sustainable preemption rate based on a rate of traffic received at the egress node from the ingress node that passed through the one or more core nodes without being marked, and a ratio between a preemption threshold and the admission threshold. If a traffic load to the egress node is greater than the sustainable preemption rate, at least some traffic is dropped so that the traffic load does not exceed the sustainable preemption rate for the ingress/egress node pair.
US07733774B1 Method and apparatus for detecting process failure
A method and apparatus for monitoring a process to determine when an abnormal process exit occurs comprising monitoring events related to the process and detecting a communication connection closing without receiving a notification of an exit event for the process. On detection of an abnormal exit of a process associated with the communication connection, the method and apparatus provide special failover processing including, for example, a TCP connection failover process.
US07733763B2 Memory-efficient ADSL transmission in the presence of TCM-ISDN interferers
A method of communicating data across a channel that experiences near-end cross talk (NEXT) interference and far-end cross talk (FEXT) interference in alternate intervals. In one embodiment, a first data rate is determined for a first carrier-number mode that is to utilize a first bit table, a second data rate is determined for a second carrier-number mode that is to utilize dual bit tables, a third data rate is determined for a third carrier-number mode that is to utilize a second bit table during a FEXT interval, and a modem is configured to transmit using the mode having a highest data rate.
US07733761B2 Ferroelectric recording medium comprising anisotropic conduction layer, recording apparatus comprising the same, and recording method of the same
Provided is a ferroelectric recording medium including a ferroelectric recording layer formed of a polarization reversal ferroelectric material and an anisotropic conduction layer that covers the ferroelectric recording layer and changes into a conductor or a non-conductor based on external energy.
US07733750B2 Information recording method for recording multi-value data in optimum recording condition
An information recording method that obtains optimum recording conditions for recording multi-value data m on a recording medium includes recording a test pattern in a trial writing area of the recording medium by changing a recording power Pw and an erasing power Pe consecutively while maintaining a constant ratio between the recording power Pw and the erasing power Pe, and selecting the recording power Pw and the erasing power Pe producing reproduced results in which a reproduced signal level is substantially linear with respect to the multi-value data m, as an optimum recording power and an optimum erasing power, respectively.
US07733749B2 Beam spot position control device and beam spot position control method, and optical disk recording and reproducing device
A beam spot position control device, for controlling multiple beam spot positions irradiated onto an optical recording medium so as to be disposed linearly, includes a light detecting unit for detecting the amount of return light for each of a plurality of beam spots disposed linearly, a tracking control unit for performing tracking control based on tracking error signals of at least one of the beam spots detected with the optical detecting unit, and a rotation control unit for rotating the plurality of beam spots which are disposed linearly, based on the DC offset amount of the tracking error signals of at least two of the beam spots detected with the optical detecting unit.
US07733746B2 Playback device
Disclosed is a playback device capable of audio playback with little or no interruption. Yet, there is no need of increasing the memory capacity of the playback device and sacrificing the usability of the playback device. The playback device stores, to its internal memory, identification information of audio data stored on a recording medium such as an optical disc, and specifying information specifying the storage location of the identification information. The playback device sequentially stores the audio data to a remaining area of the memory. The audio data stored in the memory is supplied for playback.
US07733725B2 Method of driving 1-transistor type DRAM having an NMOS overlain on top of an SOI layer
Driving a 1-transistor DRAM composed of an NMOS on top of a SOI layer such that the 1-transistor DRAM has a corresponding parasitic bipolar transistor component includes precharging, shifting, and deactivating steps. Implementing these steps can result in enhancing the performance of reading, writing and storing binary logic information within the 1-transistor DRAM memory device.
US07733719B2 Method and system of analyzing failure in semiconductor integrated circuit device
A method of analyzing a failure in a semiconductor integrated circuit device may including storing defects and analog characteristics correlated with the defects in a database, detecting a fail bit in a first wafer, measuring analog characteristics of the fail bit in the first wafer, and identifying which defect has caused the fail bit by comparing the measured analog characteristics with the stored analog characteristics.
US07733715B2 Memory system, memory device, and output data strobe signal generating method
An output data strobe signal generating method and a memory system that includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices, and a memory controller for controlling the semiconductor memory devices, wherein the memory controller provides a command signal and a chip selecting signal to the semiconductor memory devices. One or more of the semiconductor memory devices may detect a read command and a dummy read command in response to the command signal and the chip selecting signal and generate one or more preamble signals based on a calculated preamble cycle number.
US07733709B2 Semiconductor memory device with internal voltage generating circuit and method for operating the same
Semiconductor memory device with internal voltage generating circuit and method for operating the same includes a high voltage detecting circuit configured to detect a voltage level of a high voltage and activate a pumping determining signal when the voltage level of the high voltage is below a predetermined level; a pumping circuit configured to perform a pumping operation in response to the pumping determining signal and an active signal; and an auxiliary pumping circuit configured to perform the pumping operation in response to the pumping determining signal and a bank active pulse signal.
US07733708B2 Semiconductor memory device, memory system having the same, and swing width control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device that may include output drivers, each of which varies a data swing width in response to a correction code, and one or more data swing width control portions. Each of the data swing width control portions may correspond to an output driver, may vary the correction code according to a data swing width of the corresponding output driver to change the data swing width to a correction swing width, and then varies the correction code again to the extent that data of the corresponding output driver are normally transmitted, which may reduce the data swing width.
US07733701B2 Reading non-volatile storage with efficient setup
A process for reading data (including verifying during programming) from a selected non-volatile storage elements of a group (e.g., NAND string) of non-volatile storage elements includes maintaining an intermediate voltage as a control gate voltage for an unselected non-volatile storage element and subsequently changing the control gate voltage for the unselected non-volatile storage element from the intermediate voltage to a read enable voltage. The control gate voltage for the selected non-volatile storage element is raised from a standby voltage (which is different than the intermediate voltage) to a read compare voltage. While the control gate for the selected non-volatile storage element is at the read compare voltage and the control gate for the unselected non-volatile storage element is at the read enable voltage, the state of the selected non-volatile storage element is sensed to determine information about the data stored in the selected non-volatile storage element.
US07733698B2 Memory device, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method of forming a memory device
A memory device having an array portion including memory cells, and a peripheral portion including conductive lines is disclosed. In one embodiment, portions of the conductive lines adjoin a surface of a semiconductor carrier.
US07733696B2 Non-volatile memory devices including local control gates on multiple isolated well regions and related methods and systems
A non-volatile integrated circuit memory device may include a semiconductor substrate having first and second electrically isolated wells of a same conductivity type. A first plurality of non-volatile memory cell transistors may be provided on the first well, and a second plurality of non-volatile memory cell transistors may be provided on the second well. A local control gate line may be electrically coupled with the first and second pluralities of non-volatile memory cell transistors, and a group selection transistor may be electrically coupled between the local control gate line and a global control gate line. More particularly, the group selection transistor may be configured to electrically couple and decouple the local control gate line and the global control gate line responsive to a group selection gate signal applied to a gate of the group selection transistor. Related methods and systems are also discussed.
US07733694B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory having a floating gate electrode formed within a trench
According to an aspect of the invention, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film being formed on a wall surface of the trench; a floating gate electrode formed on the first insulating film inside the trench; a source region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a channel region formed between the source region and the drain region in the semiconductor substrate, a second insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a control gate electrode formed on the channel region and a surface of the second insulating film. The channel region is adjacent to the trench. A storage state of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is formed by injecting or drawing charge into or from the floating gate electrode when a tunnel current flows through the first insulating film.
US07733689B2 Methods of operating and designing memory circuits having single-ended memory cells with improved read stability
A memory cell for interconnection with READ and WRITE word lines and READ and WRITE bit lines includes a logical storage element such as a flip-flop formed by a first inverter and a second inverter cross-coupled to the first inverter. The storage element has first and second terminals and a storage element supply voltage terminal configured for interconnection with a first supply voltage. A WRITE access device is configured to selectively interconnect the first terminal to the WRITE bit line under control of the WRITE word line, and a pair of series READ access devices are configured to ground the READ bit line when the READ word line is active and the second terminal is at a high logical level. A logical “one” can be written to the storage element when a second supply voltage, greater than the first supply voltage, is applied to the WRITE word line, substantially without the use of a complementary WRITE bit line.
US07733677B2 Output power switching vector scaling system and method
A power converter control system and method is provided to maximize the power output of the converter where an overload condition is present. A controller calculates a command voltage and command power factor. The command voltage and command power factor are used to generate a switching vector. Where the voltage associated with a switching vector exceeds an output voltage limit of the converter, a power factor adjustment is generated.
US07733675B2 PWN modulator in multi-phase converter
A circuit for preventing inductor saturation during a step-up load transient in a multi-phase converter circuit where phases are turned ON sequentially by a shared clock signal with a fixed phase shift, each phase having high- and low-side switches series connected at a switching node, the circuit including at least one closed loop connected to at least one phase for providing ripple current cancellation in input and output sides of the multi-phase converter circuit; an oscillator circuit for providing a signal to turn ON and OFF the high- and low-side switches of each of the phases of the multi-phase converter circuit; and a detection circuit to detect the transient. The detect circuit includes an error amplifier circuit to receive input signals from an output of the multi-phase converter and to provide an error signal; and a clock oscillator frequency changing circuit receiving the error signal for increasing the clock oscillation frequency when said detection circuit detects a step-up load transient.
US07733664B2 Electronic component mounting structure
An electronic component mounting structure includes a board and an electronic component mounted on a surface of the board. The board includes lands. The electronic component includes a body and terminals extending from the body. Each terminal is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the lands of the board. The terminal has a first terminal portion extending along the surface of the board and a second terminal portion extending toward the surface of the board. Each land includes a land portion electrically soldered to the first terminal portion and a blind hole for receiving the second terminal portion. The first terminal portion is soldered to the land portion in a reflow process under the condition that the second terminal portion is inserted in the blind hole.
US07733662B2 Circuit board with embedded passive component and fabricating process thereof
A process for fabricating a circuit board with an embedded passive component is provided. First, an electrode-patterned layer having electrodes is formed on a surface of a conductive layer. Then, a passive component material is filled in the intervals between the electrodes. Then, the conductive layer and the electrode-patterned layer are laminated to a dielectric layer, wherein the electrode-patterned layer is embedded in the dielectric layer. Next, the conductive layer is patterned to form a circuit layer.
US07733658B1 Integrated power supply and platform for military radio
A power platform assembly is provided to convert available AC power into power suitable to power SINCGARS radio components. The platform includes a horizontal base for supporting up to two SINCGARS radios and a carriage assembly supported above the base to provide support for up to two radio frequency power amplifiers. Connectors, internal wiring, and electrical components inside the platform provide power and electrical connections between components within and connected to the platform. Ancillary electronics and connectors provide for remote audio monitoring of communications via an LS-671 external speaker, or equivalent external speaker arrangement. The platform allows various types of available AC power, as may vary across different regions of the world, to power the radios and radio frequency power amplifiers while allowing others in a secure vicinity of the platform to hear incoming and outgoing voice transmissions without draining the batteries powering the radios.
US07733657B2 Module base unit with strain relief means
In a module base unit (1) for a module (30) for a data carrier, two connection plates (2, 3) are provided, which comprise electrically conductive material and which each have a direction of extent (4, 5) and which are separated from each other by a gap (16) transverse to the two directions of extent (4, 5), and at least one strain relief member (34) is connected to the two connection plates (2, 3), which strain relief member (34) is constructed to absorb tensile forces occurring parallel to the directions of extent (4, 5) and acting on the connection plates (2, 3).
US07733655B2 Lid edge capping load
A method attaches a semiconductor chip to a substrate, applies a thermal interface material to a top of the semiconductor chip, and positions a lid over the semiconductor chip typically attached to the substrate with an adhesive. The method applies a force near the distal ends of the lid or substrate to cause a center portion of the lid or substrate to bow away from the semiconductor chip and increases the central thickness of the thermal interface material prior to curing. While the center portion of the lid or substrate is bowed away from the semiconductor chip, the thermal interface material method increases the temperature of the assembly, thus curing the thermal interface material and lid adhesive. After the thermal interface material has and adhesive have cured, the method removes the force from near the distal ends of the lid or substrate to cause the center portion of the lid to return to a position closer to the semiconductor chip, creating a residual compressive stress in the thermal interface material thus improving thermal performance and thermal reliability.
US07733654B2 Heat dissipation module
A heat dissipation module is used to cool a microprocessor. The heat dissipation module includes a base, a diversion pipeline, a plurality of heat conductive pieces and a fan. The base is assembled on the microprocessor. The diversion pipeline is connected to the base, provides a diversion direction, and has a heat insulated pipe-wall which partitions the diversion pipeline into an inside and an outside portions and reduces the heat conduction in the diversion direction of the diversion pipeline. The heat conductive pieces are fixed on the diversion pipeline, and have a heat dissipation direction from the inside portion to the outside portion of the diversion pipeline which crosses the diversion direction. Each two neighboring heat conductive pieces are separated with the heat insulated pipe-wall. The fan is assembled on the outside of the diversion pipeline and provides a cool air for the heat conductive pieces.
US07733652B2 Heat sink assembly for a pluggable module
A heat sink assembly includes a base frame and a heat sink having a module engagement surface configured to be in thermal communication with an engagement surface of a pluggable module. The heat sink assembly also includes transfer links extending between the heat sink and the base frame. The transfer links are movable to transfer the heat sink with respect to the base frame. The heat sink is movable between a recessed position and an elevated position, wherein the transfer links maintain the heat sink in a predetermined orientation with respect to the engagement surface of the pluggable module as the heat sink is transferred, between the recessed position and the elevated position.
US07733647B2 Waterproof casing for a power supply
A waterproof casing for a power supply has a lower casing, an upper casing, an inlet cover and an outlet cover. The lower cover contains electronic components. The upper casing is mounted on the opening of the lower casing and has an inlet cavity, at least one inlet, an outlet cavity and at least one outlet. The at least one inlet and outlet are formed through the upper casing and respectively communicate with the inlet cavity and outlet cavity. The inlet cover and outlet cover respectively seal the inlet cavity and the outlet cavity, communicate the inlet cavity and the outlet cavity with the lower casing to allow the air to flow inside the casing and to keep the water from flowing in the inlet cavity and the outlet cavity. Structure of the waterproof casing is simplified, so benefits manufacturing.
US07733646B2 Frontal structure of information processing apparatus
A frontal structure of an information processing apparatus, includes a plurality plate-like members, each member having a plurality of perforations opened at predetermined intervals therebetween, each perforation having a predetermined size and shape, and a light-emitting unit for emitting light toward the plate-like members. The plate-like members run in parallel and are arranged with one behind another and an entire or part of frontmost one of the plate-like members serves as an entire or part of front of a casing of the information processing apparatus.
US07733643B1 Digital player interface device with exchangeable adapter
A digital player interface device with exchangeable adapter is provided to comprise an adapter providing with a through hole for load-on/off of a digital player and a first and a second engaging parts on its both end; an adapter-fixing element having a guiding rib and a concavity with a fixing spring; and a chassis having a guiding groove, a restriction groove and a adapter snapper. When the adapter is sliding on the chassis, the adapter pushes the adapter-fixing element moving along the guiding groove, and the fixing spring is released from the restriction groove to engage the first engaging part of the adapter. When the adapter is removed from the chassis, the adapter-fixing element moves back to a home position.
US07733637B1 Keyboard sled with rotating screen
A keyboard sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system. In one embodiment, the keyboard sled is comprised of an integral receiving portion adapted to mechanically and electronically receive a portable computer system. An interface connector is disposed within the receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link between the keyboard sled and a portable computer system, when a portable computer system has been inserted in the receiving portion. The keyboard sled further has at least one mounting hook disposed within the receiving portion for providing positive retention of a portable computer system when coupled with the keyboard sled. A keyboard portion also present on the keyboard sled and also coupled with the interface connector provides input keys. The keyboard sled is also comprised of an integral data storage access slot which is adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of the portable computer system. The keyboard sled also adds input functionality to the portable computer system.
US07733636B2 Keyboard connection configuration and electronic device
An electronic device includes a device main frame portion, a display portion supported by the device main frame portion, a keyboard, and a casing on which the keyboard is disposed. The keyboard includes a plurality of operating keys, a placement base in which the plurality of operating keys are disposed, and a plurality of retaining portions disposed on at least portions of the placement base of the keyboard other than an outer circumferential portion. The keyboard is disposed on a casing. A plurality of connection retaining portions are provided on the casing, on which connection retaining portions the plurality of retaining portions of the placement base are retained, respectively.
US07733632B2 Vehicle-mounted electrical junction box
A casing includes a first casing member and a second casing member. The first casing member is provided on a side with a fuse module mounting section having a side opening. The second casing member is provided on the same side as the first casing member with a relay module mounting section having a side opening and extending downward. An ECU mounting frame extends from a bottom wall of the second casing member. An ECU is disposed on a second side of a bottom wall of the second casing member and in parallel with the relay module mounting section. A fuse module is attached to the fuse module mounting section to receive fuses. A relay module is attached to the relay module mounting section to receive relays. The fuse module and relay module that generate heat are disposed on a side of the casing in a vertical direction.
US07733616B2 Abnormality detecting device of electric power converting device and abnormality detecting method
Each of three-phase arm of an inverter has first and second switching elements connected in series together at a connection point to the corresponding phase coil of the three-phase motor. Control device turns on the first switching element of the i-th (i is a natural number smaller than four) for a predetermined time period, and determines that the second switching element of the i-th arm has a short fault, when an overcurrent exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected within the predetermined time period. The predetermined time period is shorter than a time period from a time point of turning on the first switching element of the i-th arm to a time point of attaining the predetermined threshold by a current flowing through a path extending from a power supply line through the second switching element of the remaining arm other than the i-th arm to a ground line.