Document Document Title
US07976060B2 Seat load or displacement measuring system for occupant restraint system control
Seat assembly attachable to a substrate of a vehicle includes a seat having a bottom portion and a back portion coupled at an angle to a rear portion of the bottom portion, a support structure arranged at least partially under the seat and to support the seat on the substrate at a plurality of locations including two rearward locations on opposite lateral sides of the seat and at least one forward location, and a weight measuring system arranged in connection with the support structure for determining an approximate weight of an occupying item of the seat. The weight measuring system includes at least one strain or force measuring sensor mounted to measure at least a portion of the load applied to the seat. The approximate weight of the occupying item may be used to control deployment of one or more occupant restraint systems for the occupying item.
US07976057B2 Automotive milled PSIR scoring with interlaced interfaces
An automotive Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) hidden door system contained in an automotive instrument panel and a method of scoring the PSIR door system. The system includes forward and rearward doors hingedly connected at first and second hinges, respectively, to a PSIR airbag chute. The system further includes a common tear line of reduced material thickness integrally joining the forward and rearward doors. The common tear line has a substantially non-linear shape with first and second linear ends.
US07976055B2 Curtain airbag module
A curtain airbag module may include an inflator provided above an upper end portion of a B-pillar, a mounting bracket for mounting the inflator, an airbag disposed along a roof side rail under the inflator and connected at a central portion thereof to the inflator, a guide ramp disposed around an upper end portion of a B-pillar trim and holding the airbag therein, thus allowing the airbag to be deployed without being interfered with by the B-pillar trim, and a mounting flap connecting the mounting bracket and the guide ramp.
US07976046B2 Lean to steer recumbent vehicle
Two versions of recumbent human powered three wheeled vehicles are disclosed. Both are of the tadpole type with two front wheels and one rear drive wheel. Both versions lean into turns causing weight transfer toward the inside of turns to prevent rollover during turns at speed.
US07976034B1 Foldable skateboard
A foldable skateboard comprising a center deck, a front deck, and a rear deck, is provided. The foldable skateboard also comprises a pair of articulated pivot devices fixed between the center deck and each of the front and rear decks. The side edges of the front deck, center deck, and rear deck being mutually substantially co-aligned when each articulated pivot device is in a first extended position. The top surfaces of the front deck, center deck, and rear deck being mutually substantially coplanar when each articulated pivot device is in the first extended position. The top surfaces of the front and rear decks inverted with respect to the center deck when each articulated pivot device is in a collapsed position.
US07976033B2 Shopping cart having a support for stacked baskets
The trolley or shopping cart can be used to transport goods. This trolley includes a support on which two baskets can be stacked on top of one another, a first lower basket and a second upper basket. The support has at least two lateral posts or stanchions which can be engaged directly or indirectly to the baskets on two opposing sides to create a clearance providing direct access to the opening in the lower and upper baskets from the side used to drive the trolley. The position of the lower basket is offset substantially in relation to the upper basket, such that the lower basket extends out further on the side used to drive the trolley.
US07976032B1 Pallet jack apparatus
The pallet jack apparatus provides lateral fork adjustment between the two forks, each having a forwardly disposed pivoted wheel for added fork support. The lateral fork adjustment is controlled by the horizontal control lever on the stem. The lateral fork adjustment is via a motor with pinion gear which directly drives the first and second fork gears. The apparatus further provides height adjustment for the forks via the vertical control lever on the stem. The control levers are positioned within the handle interior of the oblong circular handle which guards against inadvertent control movements while providing superior leverage for positioning the apparatus.
US07976025B2 Domino roulette
Domino wagering games are disclosed in which a player or players place a wager on which domino will be selected, the domino being selected with a domino roulette style wheel or by being revealed after selection from a boneyard. The wagers are based on a bet type as provided in a bet table that comprises a matrix of dominos arranged in columns and rows with paylines corresponding to particular bet types. The paylines are based on the odds that a first domino will be in a particular group as shown on the bet table.
US07976022B1 Video wheel indicator
A game system, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to, for example, increase a progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an game with a video rotating wheel. The position of the video wheel when it stops rotating indicates a predetermined result.
US07976021B2 Sheet discharge device and image forming apparatus
A sheet discharge device includes: a sheet discharge path for discharging a sheet to be discharged; a plurality of sheet discharge trays disposed along the sheet discharge path; a plurality of switching guides disposed in the sheet discharge path corresponding to the sheet discharge trays, and being changed a position between a retracting position for being retracted so that the sheet being conveyed can pass through, and a distributing position for distributing a sheet being conveyed to the sheet discharge tray; and a switching mechanism which changes the position of the switching guide between the retracting position and the distributing position. This switching mechanism includes: a switching piece which interferes with the switching guide to switch the position of the switching guide, one transporting member which moves the switching piece among the plurality of switching guides, and a drive member driving the transporting member.
US07976019B2 High throughput sheet accumulator
An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.
US07976014B2 Feeding device and recording device with downstream separating member from delivering member
A feeding device includes a mounting portion capable of having mounting a plurality of recording media mounted in a stacked state thereon, a delivering member which performs a feeding operation in a state in which its contact surface is in contact with a top recording medium of the recording media mounted on the mounting portion to perform delivery of the recording media by using the frictional force generated between the delivering member and the top recording medium as the transporting force, a separating member having an inclined surface against which the leading end of the recording medium delivered by the delivering member can hit up against, the separating member being fixed in place at a downstream side of the mounding portion in a feeding direction of the recording media, a gate member, and a gate urging member.
US07976011B2 Image-forming apparatus and control method thereof
When a first feeding unit is not ready to perform air feeding at the beginning of a print job, roll feeding using a second feeding unit is performed; when it is determined that the first feeding unit is ready to preform air feeding, air feeding using the first feeding unit is preformed. Upon execution of a print job by roll feeding, a preparation is started to make the first feeding unit ready to air feeding. When the first feeding unit is ready to execute the print job by air feeding, the print job is executed by exchanging roll feeding to air feeding using the first feeding unit.
US07976007B2 Multiple sheet feed performance enhancing system
A multiple media feed system includes an adjustable media singulator feeder that is adjustable to feed from a stack of media items a selectable number of media items to form a group of overlapped media items. A thickness sensor is positioned to measure the thickness of media items fed from the stack of media items. A controllable media feeder is positioned to engage and feed media items fed from said stack of media items by the adjustable media singulator feeder. The controllable media feeder is controlled to feed media items when the thickness sensor has determined that the thickness of the selected number of media items is at the controllable media feeder.
US07976006B2 Continuous feed remote control for slow speed paper motion
Systems and methods are described that facilitate remotely controlling paper feed-forward mechanisms on multiple printers in a continuous feed print line, to reduce operator movement during simplex and/or duplex printing and increase print line throughput. The remote control detects a print line (e.g., by user input, a beacon signal provided by the print line, or by some other means), and retrieves IP addresses for printers in the detected print line. A display is provided by which the user selects an identified printer to control, and by which the user then activates and/or deactivates the feed-forward mechanism on the selected printer. Optionally, the remote control functionality is provided as a software package installed on a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smartphone.
US07976003B2 Bookbinding apparatus and bookbinding system
To form a consistent non-application area at an end of a spine of a sheet bundle by adjusting either an application start timing or application termination timing of adhesive through an application device.
US07976002B2 Gatherer-stitcher having a folded-sheet feeder
A gatherer-stitcher has a folded-sheet feeder and an apparatus for transferring folded sheets from the feeder to a transporting configuration of the gatherer-stitcher. The apparatus has a plurality of shafts or drums with grippers for gripping the folded sheets. The apparatus opens the folded sheets and places them astride the transporting configuration. The apparatus also has a blowing configuration which, as a folded sheet is transferred from one shaft or drum to another, subjects the folded sheet to a surge of air in time with a folded-sheet transportation.
US07975995B2 Engine mount of vehicle
An engine mount of a vehicle may include a main rubber body defining a main liquid chamber, wherein a fastening bolt for assembling a vehicle engine is coupled to the main rubber body, an inner case supporting the main rubber body, and a housing enclosing the main rubber and the inner case, wherein at least a protrusion is formed on an outer circumference of the inner case, and wherein at least a groove is formed in the housing and the at least a protrusion of the inner case is coupled to the corresponding at least a groove of the housing.
US07975989B2 Multiple brand ice beverage dispenser
A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill.
US07975985B2 Rod activated valve for saving water
A rod activated water valve includes a valve base that mates with a standard water faucet. A valve housing attaches to the second end of the valve base, and has an inward protruding lip at a bottom end. The valve includes a water flow chamber with a solid cylindrical outer surface and a substantially flat foraminous surface at one end. An aperture is located central to the flat foraminous surface and a top edge of the water flow chamber has a lip for holding an upper plate o-ring. A rod having a rod head at one end passes through the aperture and is held in place by the rod head. A valve stem for selectively blocking the flow of water from the water faucet to the water flow chamber, activated by the rod head and providing a gradual stopping of the flow of water, thereby reducing water hammer.
US07975981B2 Actuator for controlling material flow and related system and method
An apparatus (such as a valve assembly or other actuator) includes a pressure plate having a first hole and a second hole. The apparatus also includes a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a coil configured to move the plunger away from the pressure plate to uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus. The coil is also configured to move the plunger towards the pressure plate to cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. Pressure may equalize on a first side and a second side of the pressure plate after the plunger covers the second hole of the pressure plate.
US07975980B2 Adjustable water valve of time-controlled type
An adjustable water valve of time-controlled type consists of an inner shell and a time-controlled apparatus. The time-controlled apparatus is disposed inside the inner shell and includes an elastomer and a push rod. The elastomer is disposed between a support lid and the push rod. When the push rod is pushed into the inner shell, the water valve is opened, so the user can wash with the water ejected. After certain time, the water pressures are balanced and the elastomer which has been compressed will push the push rod back to its initial position to close the valve.
US07975972B1 Convertible apparatus for attaching an article to a wall
An attachment device for attaching an article to a wall surface includes a bracket with an outwardly extending plate having a hole through which an elongated portion of the article can be placed and an attachment plate, perpendicular to the outwardly extending plate, having at least one hole through which the bracket may be attached directly to the wall by a screw. The attachment device additionally includes a housing having a suction cup for attachment to the wall, a coupling for removably receiving the bracket, and an actuator for causing the suction cup to engage and release the wall surface.
US07975969B2 Rotatable positioning structure
An exemplary rotatable positioning structure includes a first element and a second element. The first element includes a positioning track portion and defining a hole therein. The second element includes a pivot shaft engaging in the hole. The pivot shaft includes a through hole defined therethrough, a restriction portion and a positioning portion. The first element is restricted by the restriction portion of the pivot shaft. The positioning portion and the positioning track portion are capable of making the first element and the second element maintain a fixed position after relatively rotation therebetween.
US07975968B2 Method and apparatus for detection of the occupied or free state of a track section
A method and a device for detecting the occupied or free status of a section of track by way of a track current circuit, into which a transmitted signal is introduced and from which at least one detection signal is extracted. A longer maximum possible track length is achieved in that the track current circuit is divided into part sections overlapping over half the length thereof. The transmitted signal is introduced in the middle of each part section into which a rail vehicle enters, detection signals being extracted at both ends of the part section or further transmitted over adjacent part sections to the track circuit ends and extracted there. Each part section is provided in the center and the ends thereof with transceiver devices. The central transceiver device functions as a transmitter and the end transceiver devices function as receivers.
US07975967B2 Automatic activation device for a parachute and a method for activating an opening of a parachute
An automatic activation device for a parachute has a pressure input for inputting a pressure value and is provided for operating in selectable working configurations according to which a reference pressure is determined either on the basis of the input pressure value or on the basis of a QNH value. Preferably the device can also operate in another selectable working configuration, where a preset time and a reference fall down speed are used.
US07975958B2 Modular articulated-wing aircraft
Systems and/or methods for forming a multiple-articulated flying system (skybase) having a high aspect ratio wing platform, operable to loiter over an area of interest at a high altitude are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, autonomous modular flyers join together in a wingtip-to-wingtip manner. Such modular flyers may derive their power from insolation. The autonomous flyers may include sensors which operate individually, or collectively after a skybase is formed. The skybase preferably may be aggregated, disaggregated, and/or re-aggregated as called for by the prevailing conditions. Thus, it may be possible to provide a “forever-on-station” aircraft.
US07975957B2 End plug for a roll of material, roll of material and retention mechanism in a dispenser
An end plug for a roll of material to be inserted into a retention mechanism, includes: a receiving portion for insertion in the roll, an end face for contacting the mechanism and a bearing member for insertion into the mechanism. The bearing member includes a bearing pin having a counter surface facing the end face and at least one portion for locking the end plug in an end position in the mechanism, the locking portion being positioned within a zone defined by a first surface extending towards the end face from an intersection position with the bearing pin, the first surface being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bearing pin by an angle of 117 and a second surface extending towards the end face from the intersection position, the second surface being inclined with respect to the axis of the bearing pin by an angle of 141.
US07975956B2 Expansion reel mandrel
The invention relates to a reel mandrel (1) comprising radially mobile expansion segments (2) and/or closing strips (4, 13) arranged on the periphery thereof. According to the invention, the reel mandrel (1) is provided with axially arranged guiding grooves (12) on the periphery thereof, and the expansion segments (2) are provided with ribs (6). The invention further relates to a method for fixing and/or maintaining an expansion segment (2) and/or a closing strip (3, 13) on a reel mandrel (1).
US07975955B2 Continuous sheet processing apparatus and method of setting a roll body in the continuous sheet processing apparatus
A continuous sheet processing apparatus has a frame, a roll body accommodating portion disposed inside of the frame for accommodating a roll body formed of a wound continuous sheet, and a cover mounted for undergoing pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to the frame so as to allow the insertion of the wound continuous sheet into the roll body accommodating portion in the open position of the cover. A processing portion has a processing head and a platen roller confronting the processing head. The processing head performs a processing operation with respect to the continuous sheet drawn out from the roll body accommodating portion in a state in which the cover is in the closed position. The platen roller transports the continuous sheet in a state in which the cover is in the closed position.
US07975954B2 Recording tape attaching method and recording tape attaching apparatus
The invention provides a recording tape attaching method and a recording tape attaching apparatus for accurately attaching a recording tape to a reel hub. In the method and the apparatus for winding a recording tape around a hub of a reel, a hub is contacted with a recording tape retained by suction by a retaining member and rotated, thereby generating static electricity, and the recording tape is attached to the hub by attracting the recording tape to the hub by the generated static electricity.
US07975953B2 Storage system for waste monofilament fishing line
A device for collection and storage of waste monofilament line or similar materials. The device has a rotating spool mechanism in the form of an inner spool with an outer surface to which line adheres rotated by a rotation operator coupled to the spool. An outer cylinder encloses the spool mechanism. Monofilament line is passed through a window in the outer cylinder and adheres to the outer surface of the spool. The rotation operator is rotated, drawing the line into the device for storage and later disposal.
US07975946B2 Combined salt and pepper mill
A spice mill for cutting up two different spices, in particular salt and pepper, is disclosed. Two spice containers (17, 18) and two grinding mechanisms (50, 50′) are arranged in a base part (10). A cover part (20) can be removed from the base part (10) and serves as a rotary handle. When the cover part (20) is removed, filling openings (15, 16) for the spice containers (17, 18) are opened up. An encapsulated gear mechanism (30) is arranged in the base part (10) between the cover part and the grinding mechanisms. When the cover part (20) is rotated in a first direction of rotation, the gear mechanism (30) drives the first grinding mechanism (50). By contrast, upon rotation in the opposite direction, the second grinding mechanism (50′) is driven. In a preferred embodiment, the gear mechanism is arranged in an upper region of the base part and, together with the base part, bounds the filling openings.
US07975945B1 Anti-jam cutting knife for a paper shredder
An anti-jam knife device for a paper shredder is characterized in that a circular parting wheel is provided on a blade shaft and is closely adjacent to a guide-parting plate, with an outer diameter of the parting wheel being higher than a parting knife-edge at a bottom of a notch of the guide-parting plate. Therefore, when shredding plural pieces of paper, the paper is cut first by the guide-parting plate associated with the parting wheel, and is then shredded by plural original sets of blades to prevent from paper jam.
US07975944B2 Modular system for connecting attachments to a construction machine
A modular system for connecting attachments to the extension arm of a construction machine, wherein each module has a standardized coupling arrangement. As a result, each module is compatible with another module to provide great versatility in configuring the machine. Additionally, the system includes a variety of different modules and a mechanism for remotely activating the coupling between modules.
US07975933B2 Method and arrangement to insulate rail ends
A rail joint arrangement comprises two rails. The rails have adjacent rail ends separated and thereby forming a gap. The rails have a top end containing a rail head and a bottom end. The gap is defined between the top end and the bottom end of the rails, and the width of the gap is non-uniform throughout its entire length. In addition, the rail joint arrangement comprises at least one electric insulator positioned within the gap. The rail joint arrangement is fastened together by a rail joint bar attaching the two rails together.
US07975932B2 Track structure for railborne vehicles, particularly trains
A track structure for railborne vehicles comprising a bed on which rails fastened to sleepers are seated. The structure comprises a concrete trough seated on a substructure and having walls extending in the longitudinal direction. The side walls are spaced apart parallel to one another at least by a sleeper length. A method of manufacturing of the structure is also provided.
US07975928B2 Systems and apparatus for expressing multimedia presentations corresponding to print media
The present invention provides an educational or entertainment system capable of activating audio, web-based streaming or flash video presentations from designated portions of a printed surface containing visual images, comprising a surface containing a plurality of discrete, visually colored zones which code for particular presentations, each of said colored zones being overlaid by or surrounded by a zone of invisible fluorescent substance which can be detected by the use of light outside the visible spectrum and means for detecting the same. The system further includes a portable reader comprising: (i) a sensor pipe, (ii) a means for directing a first beam of light within the visible spectrum, located within the sensor pipe and a means for directing a second beam of light, also within the visible spectrum, located within the sensor pipe, (iii) a detector for detecting light emanating from said invisible fluoprescent substance when light outside the visible spectrum impinges upon it and for detecting light reflected from the visually colored zones, (iv) a means activated by the detector when light emanating from said invisible substance is detected which causes the reader to emit said second beam of light, and (v) means for playing audio, web-based or flash video presentations coded by the visually colored zones when light of a particular wavelength within the visible spectrum is reflected from a visually colored zone and detected.
US07975924B2 Computer generated bookmarks for scanning and transmission to platform aggregator or search engine to add additional information to printed material
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of conveying information related to a printed publication. A label having a readable code for attachment to or insertion into a printed publication is used. A reader adapted to read the code on the label or insert and to communicate the code to a computer or device including a microcomputer may be incorporated. An internet site or platform is adapted to receive the code from the computer or a device including a microcomputer and correlate the code to the information. The information related to the code can be displayed at the computer or device including a microcomputer.
US07975910B2 Banking system controlled by data bearing records
A banking system is controlled responsive to data included on data bearing records. The system includes a deposit accepting machine for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The machine includes a card reader that can read card data corresponding to financial accounts, and a biometric reader that can read user identification data. The machine also includes an RFID reader that can read signals from RFID tags to obtain deposit information therefrom. The deposit information can include deposit data such as an account number and the deposit amount. The machine also includes a computer that causes a financial account to be credited for the value of deposited items, responsive to data read by the various reader devices.
US07975908B1 Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.
US07975905B2 Thermal container
A thermal insulating liner for a container lid has a top sheet and a bottom sheet spaced by a core. The bottom sheet has an exterior metal foil layer. A side edge-to-side edge transverse cut line extends through the bottom sheet proximate each of two opposed ends of the liner. The liner has reduced thickness end margins extending between each said side edge-to-side edge transverse cut line and each of the opposed ends. A die to make the lid liner has a central well and, proximate each end of the die, an upward step to a land with an inside edge of the step having a ramp surface. A first cutting blade protrudes upwardly from the land and a second cutting blade protrudes upwardly above the land at each end of the die and above the level of the first cutting blade.
US07975904B2 Intermediate for Z-fold business mailer
The invention provides an intermediate form for use in forming a business type mailer, such as a Z-fold or an eccentric Z-fold mailer. The intermediate form is configured as an individual intermediate that is supplied as a single sheet where a multiple of intermediates is provided in stacked form. Alternatively, the intermediate form is configured such that a multiple of intermediates can be provided as a continuous web or sheet and can be supplied in a roll form. The single sheet intermediate and the web or roll form intermediate are defined with pluralities of patterns of cohesive disposed at certain locations along first and second, or front and back, surfaces of the intermediates such that when provided in a stacked form or a roll form the cohesive patterns do not touch or overlap one another.
US07975891B2 Stapler
To provide a staple using insertion-cutting blades that are manufacturable inexpensively, by which the strength of the insertion-cutting blades that are necessary when penetrating binding sheets is secured and the penetration of a staple through the binding sheets is executed reliably. The stapler is constituted by including a handle, a frame and a base. The frame is provided, in the vicinity of the front edge portion of a feeding path through which the interlinked staples are fed, with a driver executing the penetration of the staple with respect to the binding sheets. Punching blades are mounted respectively on the right and the left of a staple push down unit at the lower edge portion of the driver main body portion. Each punching blade has a predetermined length and is provided with a blade edge at one edge portion. Also, each punching blade is provided, in the vicinity of the edge portion including the blade edge, with a protrusion portion which has a slope surface at least on a side of the blade edge and which is protruded by a predetermined amount thereof. Here, the protrusion portion is not formed with the full width of the cutting blade, and each cutting blade has a linear portion that is continuous from one edge portion to the other edge portion in the longitudinal direction.
US07975890B2 Switching mechanism for stapling modes of a stapler
The purpose of this invention is to provide a switching mechanism for switching stapling modes of a stapler, which mainly comprises a trigger, a supporting member, a slide member, a spring, a hooking member and a torsion spring. When the safety device of the stapler is pushed, the slide member is pushed to open the air valve, and if the trigger is further pressed at this particular moment, the stapling counterforce will make the slide member escape the pressure from the safety device so as to finish a single stapling process. When the trigger is pressed first and then the safety device is pushed, the slide member is pushed to open the air valve, which makes the stapling process to continuous until the trigger is released. In other words, the above process makes a continuous stapling process.
US07975879B2 Temperature controlled liquid dispenser, containers therefore, and bag-in-box container construction
A dispenser for relative rapid cooling or heating of the contents of a liquid storage container provides a receptacle for receiving the liquid storage container therein and positioning a thermal transfer portion of the liquid storage container in thermal conductive relationship with a thermal conduction pad associated with the receptacle. Thermal energy is effectively and efficiently transferred from the thermal conduction pad to the liquid in the liquid storage container. The thermal conduction pad is controlled to provide and maintain the desired temperature to the liquid. The liquid is dispensed directly from the container. Various types of containers can be used in the dispenser, with a special bag-in-box container having a inner container and outer box with thermal conduction windows in the box to provide good heat transfer between the thermal conduction pads and the inner container constituting an aspect of the invention. A special rigid container can also be used.
US07975877B2 Bead feeder
A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel which rotates about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially arranged channels below the bowl connected to rotate with the bowl. Discharge openings in the bowl are in alignment with the radially arranged channels to delivery beads to those channels, and a bead receiving pocket is positioned at the outer end of each channel. A transfer wheel picks up beads from the bead receiving pockets and transfers those beads to a delivery wheel by vacuum transfer and release. The delivery wheel serially delivers the beads to the downstream location.
US07975873B2 Bracket type biogas gas-storage cover
A bracket type biogas storage cover includes a cover with an exhaust vent, characterized in that there are at least two brackets which are used to fix the cover to a biogas digester's opening on the lower edge of the cover.
US07975872B2 Aerating wine glass
The aerating wine glass is a beverage glass having a fluid dynamic structure formed on an inner surface thereof for generating bubbles in the beverage when the beverage is swirled therein. The aerating wine glass is preferably formed as a conventional wine glass, having a receptacle portion, a stem, and a base, with the receptacle portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. A plurality of protruding members are formed on an inner surface of the receptacle portion so that swirling the beverage received within the receptacle portion causes the beverage to pass over the plurality of protruding members in order to aerate the beverage through the production of air bubbles. Each protruding member may be formed as a hollow tube, allowing the wine to travel both over and through the protruding member in order to generate air bubbles as the wine is swirled.
US07975866B2 Stackable container systems
Systems and methods for providing a stackable container are provided herein.
US07975863B2 Beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle closing machine for applying a screw-top bottle closure to a beverage bottle
Beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle closing machine for applying a screw-top bottle closure to a beverage bottle. The ring portion of the screw-top bottle closure has engaging surfaces which engage with engaging surfaces of the bottle to essentially prevent or minimize the rotation of the ring portion upon unscrewing of the screw-top bottle closure.
US07975862B2 Child-resistant dispensing package
A child-resistant package includes a housing having an internal volume for holding items to be dispensed, a cylindrical neck, an end wall on the neck and a dispensing opening in the end wall. A closure has an end wall with a dispensing opening and a skirt. One of the skirt and the neck, preferably the neck, has a channel and the other of the skirt and the neck, preferably the skirt, has a bead for receipt in the channel such that the closure is rotatable on the neck for selectively aligning the dispensing openings to dispense items from within the housing. A child resistance mechanism between the closure and the neck resists rotation of the closure on the neck. The end wall of the closure preferably includes a dosage window, and a disk preferably is disposed between the closure and the end wall of the neck having dosage indicia viewable through the dosage window. A ratchet drive preferably is disposed among the closure, the housing and the disk for indexing the disk upon each rotation of the closure on the neck to align the dispensing openings, but to resist rotation of the disk upon rotation of the closure in the opposite direction.
US07975861B2 Baby feeding bottle with enhanced flow characteristics
A feeding assembly for a baby bottle includes a bottom nipple secured at the top of a bottle base, and having an outlet for providing a maximum flow rate of a feeding liquid. A middle nipple may be provided over the bottom nipple including a plurality of selectable setting outlets, each of which corresponds to a different flow rate setting. The bottle is adjustable, and may be adjusted in use, so that a setting outlet corresponding to a single flow rate setting at a time may receive liquid from the first nipple. In this manner, the maximum flow from the first nipple may be reduced by a setting outlet corresponding to one of the flow rate settings. A top nipple may be provided over the second nipple from which an infant may feed.
US07975860B2 Toolless rail mounting for a computer system rack
A rack for supporting electronic devices and modules with adjustable rails. The rack has a vertical wall with a set of holes at various elevations, each set of holes including at least a proximal hole evenly spaced apart from a distal hole. A longitudinally-extending rail has a set of clips for selectively securing the rail to the vertical wall, wherein the set of clips includes at least a proximal clip selectively receivable in the proximal hole at a selected elevation for supporting a proximal end of the rail and a distal clip selectively receivable in the distal hole at the selected elevation for supporting a distal end of the rail. The system may include a second rail for securing to an opposing vertical wall of the rack to form a shelf or bay for an electronic device. Each rail may be latched in place and can be selectively installed and removed without use of tools.
US07975859B2 Interactive white board track system
A track system for slidably mounting a frame. The track system includes an upper track parallel to a lower track, and the tracks may be mounted to a wall. A left carriage upright and a right carriage upright are aligned orthogonally to the tracks, and the carriage uprights are slidably connected to the tracks on each end through a roller assembly, each roller assembly having a wheel that is slidably mounted to the corresponding track. The wheel is kept on the track by a stop at either end of the track. A stabilizing support structure fixes the left carriage upright parallel to the right carriage upright. Finally, the carriage uprights each have a bracket at each end, the brackets adapted to hold a frame and projector screen in front of the carriage uprights. The projector screen, frame, carriage uprights, and stabilizing support structure may then slide laterally as a whole.
US07975857B2 Cooking utensil support apparatus
A cooking utensil support apparatus for catching and containing runoff from supported cooking utensils has a support body with an integral depressed catch well or basin. The support body further has a pair of spaced-apart and mutually parallel walls, each terminating upwardly in a top edge. The top edge of each wall has a plurality of slots for resting cooking utensils therein. The slots extend downwardly from the top edges in mutually aligned pairs between the walls. A tray is positioned below where the working ends of utensils are positioned when resting in the slots so that runoff drips into the tray for easy disposal.
US07975851B2 Soil remediation apparatus
A soil remediation apparatus comprises: a trommel screen having an inlet and an outlet; a trommel screen housing, and air extraction means operable to extract contaminant vapors volatilized by the trommel screen during soil aeration from the housing and to contaminant remediation means, such as a biofilter. The trommel screen housing comprises: a trough in which the trommel screen is mounted with its inlet inclined upwards; a front cover mounted at the front of the trough and having an impacted soil inlet in communication with the trommel screen inlet; a rear cover mounted at the rear of the trough and having a vapor discharge outlet above the trommel screen and a treated soil outlet in communication with the trommel screen outlet, and a vapor cover frame at least partially removably mounted to the trough and a flexible vapor cover removably mounted over the frame.
US07975847B2 Insert for container packaging
A container insert for taking up extra space may be placed in a container intended for storage and/or shipment of material to an end user. The insert may be generally longitudinal having a helical configuration that may be expanded and constricted for taking up different volumes of space within the container respective of the amount of material stored therein. The insert may also be elastically deformable or generally pliable and may absorb impact forces for preventing or minimizing damage to the material.
US07975844B2 Optical media disc case
A one-piece, injection-molded case (10) for containing an optical media disc (85), the case (10) comprising: a front cover (20): a back cover (40); a spine (30) to pivotally connect the front and back covers (20, 40); a flexible, polymeric sleeve (70) to wrap around an external surface of the front and back covers (20, 40) and spine (30); wherein the front and back covers (20, 40) have voids defining cut-out portions (50, 60) to reduce the weight of the case (10).
US07975820B2 Radial flow chamber for clutches in a clutch assembly
The present invention broadly comprises a clutch assembly with a radial flow chamber including a first hub and a carrier. The first hub and carrier form at least one first opening and a first portion of at least one radial chamber or passageway in the clutch assembly. First and second radially disposed segments of the first hub and carrier, respectively, partially define the first portion. A second portion of the chamber is formed between the first segment and a third radially disposed segment connected to a second hub. Openings in the first segment connect the first and second portions. A third portion of the passageway is formed between the second segment and a fourth radially disposed segment. A plate forms at least a portion of an axial barrier with respect to a second clutch in the clutch assembly.
US07975806B2 Lubrication system for a part in an internal combustion system
A lubrication system comprising a bore including an inlet for receiving lubrication, an outlet for distributing lubrication, and a inner passageway extending between the inlet and outlet is provided. The outlet may be provided with a wider opening than the passageway. The outlet may further include a groove having a radius of curvature, and defined by a pair of flat or curved sidewalls, and a pair of curved end walls each extending toward the inner passageway.
US07975801B2 Apparatus for controlling vehicle
Tire-uniformity components may generate a lateral force on a vehicle body, when the vehicle is in a turning movement. The lateral force may cause vibrations on the vehicle body. The controller controls a motor of an electric power steering system to modulate an assist torque acting on steerable wheels in accordance with the tire-uniformity components. The assist torque is modulated in the same direction as the lateral force. As a result, it is possible to reduce vibrations on the vehicle body, since the modulated assist torque avoids conflict with the lateral force and release the lateral force.
US07975798B2 Method and device for controlling automatic emergency braking
A method and a device for controlling automatic emergency braking of a motor vehicle to reduce the severity of a collision of a vehicle with an object, the position and/or speed of the object with respect to the host vehicle being determined via an object detection device, and this information being sent to a collision detection device which ascertains whether a collision with an object is imminent and, on detecting a collision, triggers emergency braking and ascertains a collision instant, emergency braking being terminated after the period of time until the determined collision instant has elapsed.
US07975797B2 Vehicle pop up hood apparatus
In a configuration in which a rod is extended by an actuator and raises a hood at a time of a collision with a collision body, when a collision load greater than a predetermined value is input to near a hood pushed up area, the collision energy is efficiently absorbed.In a state in which a hood (12) is maintained in a pushed up position, when a collision load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input from a hood upper side, a distal end portion (54) of a rod (20) slides towards a vehicle rear side along a pushed up surface (38) of a hood rear portion, while deforming the rod (20) by bending, thereby absorbing collision energy. At this time, before a base of a hinge arm (30) contacts a cowl top side (22), distal end portion (54) of rod (20) catches against a bending portion (60) such that rod (20) is bent further. As a result, when distal end portion (54) catches against bending portion (60), an intermediate reactive force is generated and a base contact load at a final stage of energy absorption can be decreased.
US07975796B2 Reduced friction differential disconnect for a motor vehicle
An axle disconnect system for selectively connecting or disconnecting a wheel-side shaft and a differential-side shaft having a common axis of rotation in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In the axle disconnect an output gear is splined to the wheel-side shaft on an outside diameter of the wheel-side shaft, and a translatable collar is splined to the output gear on an outside diameter of the output gear. The collar is arranged to be translated along the common axis of rotation for splined connection with the differential-side shaft while retaining the splined connection with the output gear.
US07975789B2 Wheel assembly with in-wheel motor
A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor includes a motor for driving a wheel, which is arranged in the wheel; a reduction mechanism that reduces the rate of rotational output of the motor and transmits the resultant rotational output to the wheel; an oil tank in which oil collects; an oil pump that is driven by rotational output of the motor; and an oil flow path that leads oil from the oil pump to at least one of the motor and the reduction mechanism. The oil tank is arranged below the reduction mechanism, farther toward a vehicle inside in a vehicle width direction than a brake dust cover, and farther toward the vehicle outside in the vehicle width direction than a lower ball joint.
US07975786B2 Electric ground working vehicle
There is provided an electric ground working vehicle including a left wheel and a right wheel, at least one caster, a working apparatus, an acceleration operating element for performing acceleration instructions, a turn operating element for performing turn instructions, and a control unit. The left wheel and the right wheel are independently driven by left and right electric motors respectively. The control unit controls a regenerative brake driving unit so that electric power is regenerated from the left and right electric motors to an electric power source unit when the acceleration operating element is not operated during traveling to regeneratively brake the left and right wheels. The control unit controls the brake force of the wheels so that the brake force of the wheel at the inside of a turn, among the left wheel and the right wheel, can be made greater than the brake force of the wheel at the outside of a turn when the acceleration operating element is not operated during traveling and turn instructions are inputted from the turn operating element.
US07975778B2 Borehole drilling control system, method and apparatus
One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a steerable well bore drilling tool having a main tool body. The steerable well bore drilling tool includes an inertial measurement unit to output a measurement used to determine an azimuthal deviation and inclination of the steerable well bore drilling tool during a drilling operation.
US07975764B2 Emulsion system for sand consolidation
A sand consolidation system and a method for use of the system is provided. The consolidation system includes an emulsion having an oil phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the emulsion contains a source of insoluble silica particles and a source of calcium hydroxide, wherein the calcium hydroxide particles are present in the oil phase, and the insoluble silica particles are contained in the aqueous phase. Both types of particles must have average particle sizes which will fit into the pores of the formations.
US07975762B2 Biogenic fuel gas generation in geologic hydrocarbon deposits
A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.
US07975760B2 Tool wrench assembly
A tool wrench assembly for a blasthole drill includes a fork pivotally fixed relative to at least one actuator that moves the fork between an engaged and a disengaged position.
US07975756B2 Long wear side dams
The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder, to hold the side dam in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holder extending substantially beyond the opposite outer surface toward the outer surface for contacting molten metal.
US07975754B2 Thin cast steel strip with reduced microcracking
A thin cast steel strip and method of making thereof with improved resistance to microcracking, where the steel strip is produced by continuous casting and contains a carbon content between about 0.010% and about 0.065% by weight, less than 5.0% by weight chromium, at least 70 ppm of total oxygen and between 20 and 70 ppm of free oxygen, and manganese to sulfur ratio greater than about 250. The carbon content in the cast strip may be below about 0.035%, less than 0.005% by weight titanium, and the average manganese to silicon ratio in the strip produced may be greater than 3.5. The carbon content may be less than 0.035%, the casting speed less than 76.68 meters per minute, and the tundish temperature of the molten metal is maintained below 1612° C. (2933.7° F.).
US07975752B2 Co-casting of metals by direct chill casting
Apparatus and method of co-casting metal ingots in direct-chill casting apparatus. The apparatus and method employs at least one divider (divider member or divider wall) that separates a casting mold into two or more chambers for receiving molten metal that is combined into a single ingot. The divider may be moved, angled and/or flexed during casting to produce ingots that are designed primarily for rolling into thin plate or sheet. The ingot has at least one outer layer that is thicker adjacent to the side (width) edges than in the center, and/or thicker adjacent to the butt or head regions. This compensates for wiping of the outer layer from the ingot core during rolling. Also, the divider may be outwardly bowed outwardly towards one of the mold walls during the casting run.
US07975751B2 Permanent casting mould and casting mould insert
A permanent casting mould for casting cast parts, in particular cylinder heads, from a molten metal, in particular a molten light metal, includes at least one mould body, which at least partially surrounds a mould cavity reproducing the cast part to be cast and, in the wall of which limiting the mould cavity, a receiver is formed having a shoulder passing into the mould cavity and including a casting mould insert seated in the receiver, which has an upper side associated with the mould cavity surrounded by the respective permanent casting mould, a base body seated in the receiver with play when the casting mould is cold and a support collar which extends over a fraction of the height of the base body of the casting mould insert and is seated with positive fit in the shoulder of the receiver.
US07975750B2 Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotors
A Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor, wherein damping is provided Coulomb friction in generally coextensive relation with the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. The Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor has at least one interfacial boundary formed in at least one rotor cheek disposed in generally coextensive relation to the braking surface thereof. The interfacial boundary provides a mechanically distinguishable surface boundary between two surfaces which are in mutual contact such that a state of Coulomb friction exists therebetween.
US07975745B2 Transfer tool
In order to provide a good transferable and extremely usable transfer tool in which consumable supplies can be easily replaced while increasing rigidity in use and case assembling procedure is also simple, the transfer tool (A) includes a case body (1) which incorporates a transfer material (T), the case body (1) having a first case (2) for holding replacement parts including at least the transfer material (T); and a second case (3) engageable with and disengageable from the first case (2), for holding unchangeable parts constituting at least a part of feeding mechanism parts which feeds out the transfer material (T) to a transferred object, wherein a holding portion (K) for holding the case body (1) to a base (4) in a state where the first case (2) and the second case (3) are engaged, and a pivoting support portion (L) for pivotably supporting the second case (3) to the base (4) between a use position (P) in which the case body (1) is held to the base (4) by the holding portion (K) and a releasing retention position (Q) in which a holding state held by the holding portion (K) is released to enable the first case (2) and the second case (3) to be engageable/disengageable are formed.
US07975744B2 High-throughput bond tool
A substrate bonding apparatus comprises a platen and a press. The press is movable relative to the platen for pressing at least one substrate stack between the press and platen. In one embodiment, a consumable compliant member is disposed between the press and the platen. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a substrate carrier adapted for holding and carrying more than one substrate stack in and out of the apparatus. A method for bonding substrates is also described.
US07975739B1 Rotary union assembly for use in air pressure inflation systems for tractor trailer tires
Preferably, a tire inflation system includes a hub cap secured to a wheel attached to an axle of a vehicle, which provides a source of pressurized air. The tire inflation system preferably includes a rotary union assembly with a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion attachable to the exterior of the hub cap for rotation with the hub cap. The non-rotating portion preferably includes a stationary shaft in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, the stationary shaft defining an air passage therethrough which participates in conducting pressurized air to the tire. An end of the stationary shaft preferably provides a first bearing surface and a housing is rotatably mounted thereon for rotation with the hub cap. The rotating portion preferably includes a rotary member rotating with the housing, the rotary member defining a second bearing surface disposed in abutment with the first bearing surface.
US07975733B2 Fluid transfer device
A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid from a first fluid container to a second fluid container such as a piercing member protection device is provided. The fluid transfer device can include a longitudinal axis and a first connection part having a connection means for connecting to a first fluid container. The fluid transfer device can further include a second connection part rotatably mounted to the first connection part by mounting means, and the second connection part can further include connection means for connecting a second fluid container. The mounting means can enable turning of the second connection part with respect to the first connection part. Such a device can allow a user to safely turn e.g., a syringe after assembly to read a volume indication or similar.
US07975730B2 Colouring apparatus
Coloring apparatus comprises a first marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a first color, and a second marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a second color. The housings of the marker pens are dimensioned and shaped to engage opposing end portions of a tubular docking member with their absorbent nibs spaced one from the other. Means are provided to enable relative movement to take place between the pens while in position within the docking member thereby causing the absorbent nibs selectively to make contact with one another within the docking member and to be released from such contact.
US07975727B2 Line for guiding a medium
An arrangement for guiding a medium, preferably compressed, gaseous hydrogen, is described. The arrangement encompasses a medium line, a cooling medium return line which surrounds the medium line, and a cooling medium feed line. The cooling medium return line and the cooling medium feed line are hereby preferably arranged in direct heat contact. The arrangement can furthermore be surrounded by a jacket tube.
US07975725B2 Spring-loaded piston accumulator with locking function
A piston accumulator (10) comprises a pressure chamber (40) which is closed on one side by an axially shiftable piston (50) in order to change its volume depending on the axial position of the piston (50). A locking mechanism is provided for retaining the piston (50) in a second position different from a first position against a spring preload (190). The piston accumulator (10) further comprises an electromagnetic apparatus (80) having an armature (150) which is shifted upon axial shifting of the piston (50) from the first into the second position in its turn into an axial position in which a blocking element (175) of the locking mechanism is held by the armature (150) in a radial position so as to block a shift of the piston (50) back in the direction of its first position. For holding the blocking element (175) there is provided a separate interlocking member (170) which is fastened to the armature (150) and is made of a harder material than the armature (150).
US07975723B2 Controlling fluid through an array of fluid flow paths
A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.
US07975714B2 Burst disk assembly
A low-profile burst disk assembly for safely venting excess pressure from a pressurized fluid system by way of a tortuous fluid flow path. A burst disk plug includes a male thread and is thereby adapted to thread into the body of a pressurizable chamber. The burst disk plug further includes a fluid receiving port placed in fluid communication between the burst disk and one or more bleed channels open to ambient pressure. The one or more bleed channels generally run axially through the burst disk plug, either intersecting or bypassing the male thread. Embodiments with a plurality of bleed channels generally include a distribution manifold positioned in fluid communication between the fluid receiving port and the one or more bleed channels to ensure an even distribution of venting pressure among the bleed channels. A flange surface further deflects pressurized fluid as it escapes from the bleed channels toward the ambient environment, thereby dispersing the resulting thrust in multiple directions and minimizing the effective force exerted on the body of the pressurized fluid system.
US07975709B2 Reactor cleaning apparatus
In a reactor cleaning apparatus 1 which cleans an inner wall surface 72 of a reactor 70 which generates polycrystalline silicon, a bell jar of the reactor 70 has a dual structure, a through hole 11 is formed along a vertical direction at a central portion of a substantially disc-like tray 10 placed in a horizontal state, a flange portion 13 in which an opening edge of the reactor 70 is placed is formed at an outer peripheral portion of the tray 10, a shaft 20 is provided through the through hole 11 of the tray 10 so as to be rotatable and movable in the vertical direction, a nozzle device 50 which sprays a cleaning water at high pressure in three-dimensional directions is provided at an upper end of the shaft 20, a drive mechanism 30 which rotates the shaft 20 and moves the shaft in the vertical direction is provided at a base end of the shaft 20, and steam piping 62 capable of supplying the steam within the bell jar of the reactor 70 is provided.
US07975706B2 Make-up compact
A make-up compact has a hollow base, a lateral tray, a front cover and a slider. The base has a front surface and an oblique slot. The oblique slot is formed on the front surface and communicates with a chamber of the base. The lateral tray for containing cosmetics is slidably mounted in the base and has an edge and a longitudinal slot formed in the edge. The front cover is movably mounted on the base and has a rear surface and a transverse slot formed on the rear surface. The slider is slidably mounted in the longitudinal slot and protrudes through the oblique slot into the transverse slot. As the front cover moves, the front cover induces the slider to move the lateral tray for improved convenience.
US07975702B2 System and method for laser lipolysis
A device and related method for the removal of subcutaneous adipose layers comprises a laser source; an optical fiber for conveying a laser beam emitted by the laser source; and a hollow cannula for guiding the fiber to the subcutaneous treatment area. The cannula has a curved portion at its distal end, where the curved portion can be shaped to roughly conform to the contour of the patient's body structure. In this way, laser energy from the fiber, applied to the adipose layers, is generally directed away from the lower dermis of the patient, minimizing the risk of non-reversible damage to the dermis, including skin necrosis. In another embodiment, the optical fiber is a side-firing fiber that directs the laser energy away from the dermis. In other embodiments, a radiation detector, such as a thermal or optical sensor, monitors the temperature at the surface of the skin above the treatment area to warn the operator of harmful temperatures in the lower dermis. In another embodiment, a temperature sensitive material is applied to the surface of the skin above the treatment area to warn of harmful dermal temperatures. In another embodiment, a cooling mechanism cools the surface of the skin above the treatment area to prevent damage to the dermis.
US07975698B2 Implant for treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse
An implant suitable for treatment of treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction. The implant comprises a vaginal support member substantially sized or shaped to the portion of the vaginal wall to be supported and at least two extension portions projecting from the support member, wherein at least one extension portion has fixation means for anchoring the extension portion into pelvic paravaginal fibro-fatty issue without being faxed into defined structural tissues. A method of treating treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction using the implant is also provided.
US07975694B2 Non-intrusive mask interface with nasal support
A patient interface includes a body member, a partition, a nasal seal portion, and a port. The partition is integral with the body member, and separates an interior of the member into a first chamber configured to receive a nose of a patient and a second chamber. The nasal seal portion is integral with the partition, and projects therefrom into the first chamber. The nasal seal portion includes a seal surface and a gas passage therethrough. The seal surface is configured to conform with a lower portion of the nose that is surrounding nasal passages of the patient, without entering the nasal passages of the patient, when the patient interface is mounted operatively on the face of the patient. The port integral with the member is in fluid communication with the second chamber for delivery of gas to the patient via the gas passage in the nasal seal portion.
US07975691B2 Continuous positive airway pressure device by controlling the pressure in the face mask
A CPAP device includes an air stream generator for generating positive pressure, a face mask connected to the air stream generator through a flow supply catheter, a pressure sensor measuring pressure in the face mask, a control circuit controlling the air stream generator, and a pressure detection pipe having a first side and a second side. The pressure sensor is connected to the second side of the pressure detection pipe to measure pressure of the detection hole formed at the first side of the pressure detection pipe and outputs the measured pressure value to the control circuit. The control circuit distinguishes average positive pressure from pressure caused by spontaneous breathing of patient according to values of the pressure in the face mask, which are input from the pressure sensor, and controls a speed of the air stream generator such that preset positive pressure is supplied to the patient.
US07975690B2 Nasal devices
The present invention relates to a nasal delivery device for and a method of delivering a substance, in particular one of a liquid, as a suspension or solution, or a powder containing a medicament, especially systemic or topical pharmaceuticals, or a vaccine to the nasal airway of a subject.
US07975686B2 High leverage trough solar collector
This invention is a trough solar collector that uses the principles of high leverage in order to produce a lightweight, inexpensive thermal solar collector. The parabolic reflectors are held in proper shape by rigid ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the collector. The structure of the trough is held rigid by a unique sun-tracking system that not only guides a long trough row to point it toward the sun, but also maintains the whole length of the row in rigid configuration. Small-diameter cables are wrapped around a rotatable pipe that extends along the row. The cables extend around circular arches attached to the parabolic ribs that provide high leverage for rotating the troughs. Since the arches rotate in unison, the long trough row is maintained in rotational rigidity. Rather than having heavy concrete foundations and heavy structures to support the troughs, lightweight support posts are placed into the ground, and guy wires maintain the position of the posts.
US07975680B1 Arrow rest
An arrow rest for a bow. An illustrative embodiment of the arrow rest includes a generally C-shaped arrow rest frame having a frame attachment segment, a guard segment extending from a first end of the frame attachment segment, an arrow support segment extending from a second end of the frame attachment segment, a pin support segment extending from the arrow rest segment and a frame opening defined by the arrow rest frame; a flexible arrow retainer pin extending from the pin support segment into the frame opening; and an attachment mechanism provided on the frame attachment segment of the arrow rest frame.
US07975677B2 Gas introducing structure of intake path
A gas introducing structure of an intake path includes a gas introducing path introducing a gas into an intake airflow in the intake path of an internal combustion engine, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the gas introducing path is made of a bottom surface appearing as a straight line at a lower side of a perpendicular cross section of the inner peripheral surface and a curved wall surface appearing as a convex curved line, connecting with each end of the straight line at an angle, at an upper side of the perpendicular cross section of the inner peripheral surface.
US07975676B2 Cooling arrangement
A cooler arrangement of a vehicle includes a charge air cooler which itself includes at least one pipeline for guiding compressed air during cooling and a first tank for receiving the cooled compressed air from the first pipeline, and an EGR cooler which includes at least one second pipeline for guiding exhaust gases during cooling, and a second tank operable to receive the cooled exhaust gases from the second pipeline. A mechanical connection connects an end of the first tank of the charge air cooler to an end of the second tank of the EGR cooler so that the tanks constitute a composite tank unit in a fitted state in the vehicle.
US07975674B2 Fuel pump and a method for controlling a fuel pump
A fuel pump and a method for controlling a fuel pump. At least two pumps run at a mutual phase displacement such that they are able to receive fuel during different periods of time. A control unit causes a valve, which is only settable in an open position and a closed position, to lead a desired amount of fuel to the respective pump. The control unit places the valve in the open position for a variable portion of the periods so that an individually controlled amount of fuel is led to the respective pump during those periods. Maintenance of good efficiency of the fuel pump and low noise emissions is thus made possible in operating situations where the fuel pump delivers a reduced amount of fuel.
US07975666B2 Quick engine startup system and method
A technique is provided for improved response of internal combustion engines to increased load demands. The engine is equipped with an air storage tank that stores compressed air. The air may be stored at an elevated pressure (e.g., manifold air pressure) during normal full load operation of the engine. Valving maintains the compressed air isolated during normal operation. During transitory periods of higher power output demand, the compressed air is directed to the engine, and output of a turbo-driven compressor can be vented to avoid surge. The technique allows for quicker reaction to load demands, and improved combustion during transitory periods, and reduced particulate and smoke emissions.
US07975663B2 Dual-equal cam phasing with variable overlap
A cam phaser assembly may include a drive plate assembly, a cavity plate, and a driven plate assembly. The drive plate assembly may include a drive plate and a first vane fixed for rotation with the drive plate. The cavity plate may be rotationally driven by the drive plate and may define first and second chambers. The first vane may extend into the first chamber. The driven plate assembly may be rotationally driven by the drive plate assembly and may include a driven plate and a second vane fixed for rotation with the driven plate that extends into the second chamber.
US07975647B2 Flow restrictor for milking apparatus
A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.
US07975645B2 Paint coating system
A common body (15) of a coater unit (14) is mounted on a robot device (13). A common body gripper (33) is fixedly mounted on a fixed plate (32) of an atomizing head changing and washing device (31). At the time of replacing a used atomizing head (19′) and a used paint cartridge (24′) by a washed atomizing head (19) and a replenished paint cartridge (24), respectively, the common body (15) is gripped and located in a predetermined position by the common body gripper (33). When the common body (15) is gripped by the common body gripper (33), the robot device (13) is put in a reduced power mode attenuating driving forces to leave said common body (15) in a freely movable state by application of an external force.
US07975644B2 Batter applicator with adjustable tilt control for submerger or coating mechanism
A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for tilting the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface.
US07975637B1 Temperature control system for a hybrid vehicle
A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of batteries in a hybrid marine vessel utilize a compartment to store the batteries and various conduits to conduct air to and from that compartment. A heat exchanger can draw air from the compartment and cool the air for use in the cabin of the marine vessel. The air from the cabin can be directed into the compartment to provide a flow of air that carries heat away from the batteries in the compartment and toward the heat exchanger.
US07975635B2 Furling and unfurling device for asymmetric sails
An asymmetric sail furling and unfurling device comprises a tubular outer foil and an inner stay foil, the inner and outer foils providing a foil assembly adapted to transmit a torque for furling an unhoisted sail, which is furled on a sheath foil fitted on the outer foil, with the assembly of the foils and sheath being flexible.
US07975618B2 Hybrid wheel and hybrid roadway
The invention is a hybrid wheel apparatus with a hybrid roadway apparatus that greatly reduces the energy lost due to rolling resistance where operation is on the hybrid roadway, but the system is configured to allow operation on conventional roads as needed.The hybrid wheel system is a steel wheel used in combination with a rubber tired wheel. The hybrid roadway is a low profile steel rail fixed to the otherwise conventional road surface, which is preferably concrete but could also be the very common asphalt composition.Where roadways are appropriately equipped with rails, the rail top surface is elevated over the roadway surface, and dimensions are set so that most of load force is carried on the steel wheel for general forward travel. Where the rail is absent the load is carried on the rubber tire, and the steel wheel is elevated above the roadway surface such that contact between the steel wheel and the roadway is prevented.
US07975616B2 Bullet for black powder firearms
A projectile for cap and ball revolvers and black powder rifles including but not limited to muzzleloaders, black powder cartridges etc. A soft lead body, cylindrical in form and having a front band designed to hold the projectile firmly in place prior to firing. During it's travel in the rifled bore, it then imparts spin to the projectile improving accuracy, range, and making the projectile stable during impact with intended target. Outside diameter of band is not drastic enough to negatively affect trajectory.
US07975615B1 Aerosol smoke grenade
The invention is an aerosol search and rescue (SAR) grenade. A smoke signal is produced that is comparable to the smoke signal produced by a pyrotechnic grenade. An aspirating provides a propellant gas/air mixture to a reservoir of smoke material. A container configuration and gravity operated valve provide for a smoke plume only in the upward direction. The smoke grenade is useful in life rafts. It is also useful in inland areas posing a risk of fire.
US07975598B2 Hydraulic valve arrangement
The invention concerns a hydraulic valve arrangement (1) with a supply connection arrangement comprising a high-pressure connection (P) and a low-pressure connection (T), a working connection arrangement comprising two working connections (A, B), which can be connected to a motor (4), a directional valve arrangement (5) located between the supply connection arrangement (P, T) and the working connection arrangement (A, B), and a compensation valve (15) acted upon in a first activation direction by a pressure in a first pressure chamber (33), which is connected to a load-sensing pipe (LS), and, if required, by a spring (32), and in a second activation direction opposite to the first activation direction by a pressure downstream of the directional valve arrangement (5), said pressure acting in a second pressure chamber (34), the compensation valve (15) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (19). In connection with a post-compensated valve, it is endeavored to adjust the load pressures at the working connections (A, B) in dependence of the direction. For this purpose, each working connection (A, B) is connected to a control system, which amplifies the effect of the pressure in the first pressure chamber (33) on the compensation valve (15) in dependence of a pressure ruling at the working connection (A, B).
US07975597B2 Hydraulic machine, in particular hydraulic motor, with a reciprocating movement
Hydraulic machine includes: a casing; a piston slidable therein and separating two chambers; hydraulic switching elements for supplying liquid to and for evacuating the chambers, including at least one connecting rod acting on a distribution member which can adopt two stable positions; and initiating elements having a pusher which, at the end of the piston stroke, can cause a sudden change in the position of the switching elements, under the action of an elastic member to reverse the stroke. Each end of the elastic member is secured to an articulation member respectively accommodated in a housing provided on the connecting rod and on another moving part, each housing being open in a direction substantially opposed to the direction of the force exerted by the elastic member, such that each articulation member can be removed from its open housing against the action of the force, thereby simplifying assembly and disassembly.
US07975595B2 Firearm
A firearm having a bolt carrier comprising an operating rod slot that is open at an end of the bolt carrier. The bolt carrier also includes a cam slot extending from the operating rod slot. The firearm includes a bolt having a protrusion extending from the bolt which enters and is movable within the cam slot. The firearm further includes an operating rod comprising a piston and a foot. The foot is disposed within the operating rod slot to prevent the separation of the bolt from the bolt carrier and to connect the operating rod to the bolt carrier.
US07975594B2 Device for defense from projectiles, particularly shaped charge projectiles
A device for defense and protection from projectiles, especially shaped charge projectiles, is provided with at least one grille-type protective barrier for the protection of an object by deflection, partial release, release and/or damage to the shell projectile. The protective barrier includes a netting forming meshes that are rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, polygonal and/or rhomboid. Such a device is lighter and easier to install in comparison to conventional protective grilles.
US07975579B1 System and method for cutting tires
A system and method are provided for cutting scrap tires along a cut line that is generally parallel with sidewalls of the scrap tires. A base frame supports a cutting blade that is positioned to cut through the tread of a scrap tire lying on its sidewall. A blade engagement arm may be provided to at least partially receive the cutting blade from a back side of the tread portion. A motive system is provided for incrementally moving the cutting apparatus about a circumferential portion of the scrap tire as it is being cut.
US07975578B2 Tool for installing and removing male F-type coaxial cable connector
A tool includes a first and a second socket wrench pivotally turnably connected to two ends of a link. Each of the first and second socket wrenches includes a wrench portion and a circular end portion having an axial slot extended through them. The wrench portion of the first socket wrench is internally formed of a hexagonally shaped portion for fitting around a hexagonally-shaped outer surface of a connecting ring of a male F connector to tighten or loosen the connecting ring to or from a female F connector, and the wrench portion of the second socket wrench is internally formed of a constant-torque shaped portion for fitting around the hexagonally-shaped outer surface of the connecting ring to prevent the tool from applying an excessive torque on the connecting ring when turning the same. The tool can be used without being hindered by bent or closely arranged cables.
US07975576B2 Low clearance socket and drive system
A low clearance drive system includes a low clearance socket and/or a low clearance male driver (50). The socket has a reduced depth drive receptacle and a reduced-depth output fastener receiving receptacle. Each of the male driver and the socket drive receptacle has an axial length (L3) or depth which is less than its nominal transverse width (w). The male driver may have a detent ball (55) adapted to be engaged in a detent recess in the female drive receptacle, such that the ball diameter is less than half the nominal transverse drive width and may be either equal to or less than the diameter of the detent recess.
US07975573B2 Hand tool with stepless locking mechanism
A ratchet mechanism contains a chamber defined by at least one gear surface, a rotating member positioned at least partially within the chamber, a gear member rotatably attached to the rotating member and positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a stop member engaging the rotating member, such that the rotating member and the stop member rotate in unison. The center of rotation of the gear member is offset from the center of rotation of the rotating member. The gear member includes a gear body having a plurality of gear teeth around an outer periphery thereof. At least a portion of the gear teeth engage the gear surface. The gear member can rotate freely in a first rotational direction, and a portion of the stop member abuts a portion of the gear member to prevent rotation of the gear member in a second, opposed rotational direction.
US07975555B2 Apparatus for simultaneously measuring longitudinal and shear wave speeds in materials under compression load via an ultrasonic transducer
An apparatus for simultaneously measuring longitudinal and shear wave speeds in materials under load via echo or transmission is described. The apparatus comprises a housing with an open end, a closed end opposite the open end with a hole in the closed end, and a housing exit port. A spacer resides inside the housing, the spacer having a spacer specimen side and a spacer transducer side. A load transferring body having a transducer hole fits inside the housing and contacts an interior surface of the housing. An ultrasonic transducer fits inside the transducer hole of the load transferring body. A transducer depressing mechanism secures the ultrasonic transducer against the spacer transducer side, whereby users can simultaneously measure longitudinal and shear wave speeds of specimens inserted into the hole in the closed end of the housing and contacting the spacer.
US07975549B2 Method, apparatus and system for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface
A non-destructive inspection method, apparatus and system are provided for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature. The apparatus, such as an inspection probe, includes a plurality of transducer elements positioned in an arcuate configuration having a predefined radius of curvature and a curved delay line. The curved delay line has an outer arcuate surface having a predefined radius of curvature that matches the predefined radius of curvature of the transducer elements. The curved delay line also has an inner arcuate surface that has at least one predefined radius of curvature that matches the at least one predefined radius of curvature of the curved surface of the workpiece. In addition to the inspection probe, the system includes an excitative source for triggering the transducer elements to emit signals into the workpiece and a computing device to receive the return signals.
US07975548B2 Acoustic thickness measurements using gas as a coupling medium
An acoustic apparatus adapted to operate in a gas filled space from a first side of an object to be measured for making a non-contact thickness measurement thereof includes an electro acoustic transducer, a transceiver coupled with the electro acoustic transducer and adapted to excite electro acoustic transducer to output an acoustic signal towards the object to be measured and receive an acoustic response signal therefrom, and a signal processor adapted to process the response signal and determine a thickness of the object. The electroacoustic transducer has a transducer-to-gas acoustic interface, and the transceiver is adapted to operate the electroacoustic transducer so as to emit into a gas filled gap an acoustic broad band pulse towards the object and to receive an acoustic resonance response signal in the acoustic response signal at a level that allows acquisition of the resonance response signal above a predetermined signal to noise level.
US07975546B2 Angular velocity sensor and angular velocity sensing device
An angular velocity sensor of a horizontally located type, which can easily remove the translational acceleration influence thereto from the lateral direction, is provided. It includes a fixed portion fixed to the surface of a sensor element supporting portion of a casing, an upper detection arm and a lower detection arm, each of them being connected to the fixed portion on sides opposite to each other and extending along a plane parallel to the surface place of the sensor element supporting portion, and a pair of upper vibration arms connected to the fixed portion in such a manner as to form a pair of arms with the upper detection arm in between and extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the upper detection arm.
US07975545B2 Angular velocity sensor and angular velocity sensor device
Proposed is a horizontally located angular velocity sensor hardly affected by a translational acceleration in a lateral direction, and in which a fixed section is easily fixed. The angular velocity sensor includes a fixed section fixed on a support surface. On both sides of the fixed section, an arm section of an upper detection arm and a pair of upper drive arms extending along a plane parallel to the support surface, and an arm section of a lower detection arm and a pair of lower drive arms extending along the plane parallel to the support surface are coupled, respectively. The upper detection arm and the pair of upper drive arms are coupled without the fixed section in between, and the lower detection arm and the pair of lower drive arms are coupled without the fixed section in between.
US07975542B2 Systems and methods for protecting a site from lightning strikes
Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharges processes in the vicinity of the site.
US07975537B2 Systems and methods for sensing an ammonia concentration in exhaust gases
Systems and methods for determining an NH3 concentration in exhaust gases from an engine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes generating a first signal from an NH3 sensor fluidly communicating with the exhaust gases. The method further includes generating a second signal from an air humidity sensor disposed proximate to an air intake manifold of the engine indicating a humidity level. The method further includes determining an air/fuel ratio associated with the engine. The method further includes determining an NH3 deviation value in a calibration table based on the second signal and the air/fuel ratio, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining an NH3 concentration value based on the first signal and the NH3 deviation value, utilizing the controller. The NH3 concentration value is indicative of the NH3 concentration in the exhaust gases. The method further includes storing the NH3 concentration value in a memory device, utilizing the controller.
US07975528B2 Fueling system vapor recovery and containment performance monitor and method of operation thereof
A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity, and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.
US07975526B2 Calibration weight arrangement for an electronic balance
A calibration weight arrangement (4, 104) for an electronic balance with a force-transmitting mechanism (1) has a calibration weight (3, 103) adapted to be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism. The arrangement also has a transfer mechanism and a drive source to manipulate the calibration weight in a guided movement. The drive source includes an actuator (18) cooperating with the transfer mechanism and at least one piezoelectric element (19) which drives the movement of the actuator. The piezoelectric element interacts with a drive wheel (17, 117) that is centrally positioned relative to the calibration weight arrangement and drives a likewise centrally positioned shaft (16, 126). The interaction between the piezoelectric element and the drive wheel occurs during the advance movement in one direction through the repeated engagement and release of a frictional contact force.
US07975524B2 Oxygen sensor inspection method and apparatus and oxygen sensor production method
There is provided an inspection method of an oxygen sensor, which includes a sensing portion having a reference electrode, a sensing electrode and an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer arranged between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode. The inspection method contains the steps of reading a first output value of the oxygen sensor under a condition that the sensing portion of the oxygen sensor is subjected to a first inspection gas and then a second output value of the oxygen sensor under a condition that the sensing portion of the oxygen sensor is subjected to a second inspection gas different in oxygen concentration from the first inspection gas and judging the oxygen sensor to be defective or nondefective based on the first and second output values.
US07975510B2 I.S. machine
An I. S. Machine is provided wherein the blow molds are closed to a slightly cracked location whereby applied cooling air can not leak into and pressurize the blow mold thereby damaging the parison during reheat. When reheat is completed, the blow molds are fully closed and the parison is transformed into a bottle by applying compressed air and/or vacuum.
US07975508B2 Method for producing high silicate glass and high silicate glass
The present invention provides: a method for producing high silicate glass which has a low Fe concentration and can achieve a high UV transmittance while retaining advantages of Vycor glass that mass-production at low cost is feasible and that complex formation with various photofunctional ions can be effected; and high silicate glass of a high UV transmittance. For obtaining the above high silicate glass, the method is characterized by comprising the steps of: heating borosilicate glass including a heavy metal or rare-earth element (preferably a high-valence heavy metal or rare-earth element) so as to phase-separate the borosilicate glass; subjecting the phase-separated borosilicate glass to acid treatment so as to elute a metal; and sintering the acid-treated borosilicate glass.
US07975504B2 Temperature regulation apparatus and method
A temperature regulation apparatus includes a dry ice module that encloses dry ice so that the module's outside surface is not hazardous to touch. Insulation, breathable material, or a combination of insulating and breathable materials, allows dry ice sublimation at a sufficiently slow rate within the attached dry ice module to control the ambient temperature in the area to be cooled. The dry ice module can be attached in a location that maximizes the dry ice cooling properties, typically at or near the top of the area to be cooled. Since sublimated carbon dioxide is heavier than normal air, it falls to the bottom of the area to be cooled and builds up. The venting placement in the dry ice module is based upon the make up of the dry ice module and the breathable materials inside of it.
US07975500B2 Refrigerant accumulation and oil recovery device for refrigerant fluid recovery/regeneration/recharging systems
A refrigerant accumulation and oil recovery device for recovery/regeneration/recharging units for a refrigerant fluid withdrawn from refrigeration or air conditioning plants or heat pumps, characterized by comprising a refrigerant fluid accumulation/evaporation vessel and an oil recovery vessel, said vessels being closed at their top by at least one plate which supports them both, the plate presenting a plurality of passages defining, with said vessels, a part of the charging/recycling circuit of said recovery/regeneration unit, in which said accumulation/evaporation vessel and said oil recovery vessel present at least one wall in common, such that any refrigerant fluid leakage from one of said vessels at the connection interface between said common wall and said plate is recovered into the other.
US07975492B2 Thermoelectric cooling for a refrigerated display case
A refrigerated display case (10) is provided with an open face (25) and an air flow (30) across the open face (25), which is cooled by a primary refrigeration system (20) and a thermoelectric heat pump (60).
US07975490B2 Method and systems for operating a combined cycle power plant
A method and system for operating a gas turbine engine power system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine system that includes a gas turbine engine coupled to an electrical generator through a first shaft wherein the gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine drivingly coupled to the compressor and the electrical generator. The system also includes a variable speed electrical motor coupled to a load through a second shaft and a variable speed drive selectably couplable to the electrical generator during a starting sequence of the gas turbine engine system in a first configuration of the gas turbine engine power system and to the variable speed motor in a second configuration of the gas turbine engine power system.
US07975483B2 Steam power plant and also method for retrofitting a steam power plant
The invention relates to a steam power plant comprising at least one steam heater for preparing compressed steam, a main turbine, which is connected downstream of the steam heater, is arranged on a main drive shaft and is a high-pressure or medium-pressure turbine, and a secondary turbine, which is interposed between the steam heater and the main turbine and is arranged on a secondary drive shaft, characterized in that the secondary turbine has an at least 50% higher operating speed when compared with a nominal speed of the main turbine.
US07975480B2 Apparatus, system, and method for preventing overspeed of a turbocharger
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing overspeed of a turbocharger. The apparatus includes a two-stage turbocharger system with a high pressure and a low pressure turbocharger. A bypass valve that divides an exhaust flow into a primary exhaust flow and a bypass flow. A relief valve vents a portion of the primary exhaust flow around the high pressure turbocharger. The low pressure turbocharger receives the bypass flow, the primary exhaust flow, and the vented portion of the primary exhaust flow. The apparatus includes a controller having a protection condition module that determines a protection indicator, and a relief valve control module that controls the relief valve according to the protection indicator.
US07975478B2 Internal combustion engine having compressor with first and second tributary inlets
An internal combustion engine (100) includes an intake manifold (106) and at least one exhaust manifold (108). A first compressor (120) that is operably associated with a first turbine (128) has a first air inlet (126) and a first air outlet (118). The first air inlet (126) is adapted to admit air into the first compressor (120), and the first air outlet (118) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold (106). The first turbine (128) fluidly communicates with a tailpipe (138). A second compressor (124) is operably associated with a second turbine (160) and has a first tributary fluid inlet (152), a second tributary fluid inlet (154), and a second fluid outlet (122). The first tributary fluid inlet (152) is fluidly connected to the tailpipe (138) at a junction (147), the second tributary fluid inlet (154) is adapted to admit air into the second compressor (124), and the second fluid outlet (122) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold (106). The second turbine (160) is fluidly connected to the tailpipe (138).
US07975477B2 Driving device and method of manufacturing the same
A driving device and driving device manufacturing method that ensure stable fixing of an SMA, without causing difficulties in downsizing the device, and without adversely affecting the performance of the SMA. A driving device equipped with a string-shaped shape memory alloy as a drive source includes a base member constituting a basis of the driving device, and a rod-like member which penetrates the base member and is made of the metal fixed onto this base member. The rod-like member is caulked on one end of this rod-like member so that the aforementioned shape memory alloy is pinch-held in-between, whereas power-feeding members to apply current to the shape memory alloy are arranged on the other end of the rod-like member.
US07975473B2 Exhaust manifold assembly
An exhaust manifold may include a manifold body and a flange. The manifold body may include a first tube that forms an exhaust gas inlet. The flange may be coupled to the manifold body and may fix the manifold body to an engine. The flange may include a first aperture having first and second portions located along an axial extent of the first aperture. The first portion may extend to a first end surface of the flange and the second portion may extend to a second end surface of the flange. The first portion may have a first radial width that is less than a second radial width of the second portion. The second portion may receive an end of the first tube therein. The first tube may be fixed to the flange at a location within the first aperture between the first portion and the second end surface.
US07975471B2 Exhaust purification apparatus of internal combustion engine and control method thereof
An engine has a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. The first cylinder group and the second cylinder group are connected to a common NOx storage reduction catalyst via their corresponding exhaust passageways and their corresponding three-way catalysts, respectively. When the temperature of the NOx storage reduction catalyst is to be raised, the average air-fuel ratio of the first cylinder group is made rich, and the average air-fuel ration of the second cylinder group is made lean. At this time, in the first cylinder group, the air-fuel of two cylinders is made rich and the air-fuel ration of one cylinder is made lean, and in the second cylinder group, the air-fuel ratio of two cylinders is made lean and the air-fuel ratio of one cylinder is made rich, in accordance with an embodiment.
US07975468B1 Actuators for gun-fired projectiles and mortars
An actuator stack is provided and having two or more individual actuators stacked in a longitudinal direction. Each of the two or more actuators having a solid detonation charge; a primer for igniting the detonation charge; and detonation wiring for powering the primer; and wherein at least one of the two or more individual actuators comprise an accelerating nozzle having at least a convergent section terminating at a throat.
US07975467B2 Apparatus for driving body with three-degree of freedom angular motion
An apparatus for driving a body with 3-degree of freedom angular motion, comprises: a body connected to a fixing part so as to be rotatable centering around a pitch axis, a yaw axis, and a roll axis; a pitch axis driving unit for rotating the body centering around the pitch axis; and a yaw axis driving unit for rotating the body centering around the yaw axis. Since one of the pitch axis driving unit and the yaw axis driving unit restricts the body from rotating centering around the roll axis fixed to the body, the conventional roll-rotation restricting link is not needed between the body and the fixing part. Accordingly, a size of the apparatus is reduced.
US07975463B2 Metal cord and process for manufacturing a metal cord
A metal cord includes at least one preformed elementary metal wire. The metal cord has an elongation at break, measured on the bare cord, higher than or equal to 3%, preferably 4% to 6%; an elongation at break, measured on the rubberized and vulcanized cord, which differs in an amount not higher than or equal to 15%, preferably 2% to 10% with respect to the elongation at break measured on the bare cord; a part load elongation, measured on the bare cord, higher than or equal to 0.4%, preferably 0.5% to 1.5%; a part load elongation, measured on the rubberized and vulcanized cord, which differs in an amount not higher than or equal to 15%, preferably 0.5% to 10%, with respect to the part load elongation measured on the bare cord.
US07975462B1 Modular floor assembly for a combine header
An exemplary floor module suitable for inclusion in the modular floor assembly comprises a support and an overlaying floor sheet. The support includes a support leading edge portion, a support trailing edge portion, and a floor support portion disposed therebetween. The support leading edge portion attaches to the cutter bar of a header. The support trailing edge portion includes a first resilient projection, and the floor support portion includes a second resilient projection. The floor sheet includes a floor sheet leading edge portion, a floor sheet trailing edge portion, and a substantially planar floor portion disposed therebetween. The first resilient projection and the floor sheet trailing edge portion define a trailing slot configured to receive a header frame projection. The second resilient projection and the substantially planar floor portion define a side slot configured to receive a side edge portion of an adjacent floor module.
US07975460B1 Stabilization system for a crop harvesting header
A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.
US07975450B2 Tile and tile assembly for a roof
A tile assembly having a plurality of tiles adapted to join in an interlocking and repeating fashion. A plurality of tile assemblies can be joined to each other to form a roof. Each tile assembly includes left and right center tiles positioned side-by-side. Each tile has a generally diamond shaped main surface with vertically spaced upper and lower apices and laterally spaced lateral apices. Two upper flanges extend upwardly and outwardly from the main surface along upper edges and are joined in an upper flange apex. Each center tile includes two lower flanges that extend downwardly and outwardly from the main surface along the lower edges. The tile assembly includes upper and lower tiles of the same configuration. The upper tile fits over the adjacent upper flanges of the two center tiles, and the lower tile fits beneath the adjacent lower flange of the two center tiles.
US07975445B2 Office partition system
A partition with a frame having two vertical end post members spanned by beam members with each end post member having an internally directed longitudinal slotway open towards the other end post member and within which the ends of the beam members are received and, preferably, with the end post members having a front to back width greater than the front to back width of the beam members such that vertical raceways are defined between the post members outward of the beam members and inward of removable cladding panels coupled to each front and back of the frame outward of the post members. Preferably, channelways through each post member, preferably at the upper and/or lower ends of each post member, provide for access to the vertical raceways via horizontal raceways extending between the posts above and below each beam.
US07975444B2 Coupler system for adjacent precast concrete members and method of connecting
Adjacent precast reinforced concrete modules or members are secured together by a plurality of coupler systems each including a cast metal coupler body embedded in an edge portion of the first concrete member and connected by a coupling member to a reinforcing bar within the first concrete member. The coupler body has an internal cavity with a side opening and an end opening extending to the cavity, and reinforcing wings border the side opening. The second concrete member has another coupling member rigidly connected to an axially aligned reinforcing bar and includes an end portion with a threaded bore. A bolt is inserted into the cavity through the side opening, aligned with the end opening and then threaded into the bore where the bolt is tightened with a wrench extending into the cavity through the side opening. A reusable locating pin may be used to align the concrete members.
US07975440B2 End cap for a corrugated hurricane shutter within an H-header
An end cap for an H-shaped header bar used to secure a corrugated hurricane shutter attachable to a window frame and having a generally inverted U-shaped pocket adapted in size to receive an upper margin of the hurricane shutter and the end cap at each end of the header bar. The header bar cooperates with a lower support channel also attached to the window frame to support and secure the hurricane shutter over the window. An end cap is positionable and attachable within an inner upright side of the pocket to engage with the upper corner of the hurricane shutter preventing substantial lateral expansion movement or corrugation deformation from being struck by flying objects during heavy hurricane wind.
US07975436B2 Utility trench cover and manufacturing method
A cover for a utility trench includes upper and lower surfaces enclosing a hollow cavity, which is subdivided by multiple, transverse channels recessed into an extending transversely across the lower surface. The channels form fused engagements or “kiss offs” with the upper surface, which increase the transverse rigidity of the cover for enhanced load-bearing capacity spanning across the opening formed by the trench. The hollow construction of the cover, which can comprise a suitable plastic, tends to minimize its weight A pair of flanges extend along respective sides of the cover and are bolted to the trench sidewall top edges in overlying relation. A pair of shoulders are formed inside the flanges and are adapted to extend into the trench with the cover positioned thereover. A method of manufacturing a utility trench cover includes rotary molding a hollow cover with kiss offs.
US07975435B2 Rain gutter debris preclusion device
A barrier is provided to preclude debris from passing into a rain gutter. The barrier includes a screen supported upon a channel. The channel includes a tab positionable between a roof and shingles upon the roof, and with a lip opposite the tab resting upon a portion of a gutter opposite the roof. The channel includes a recess between the tab and the lip. The recess includes a floor defining a lower plane of the channel. Ribs extend from the floor up to an upper plane of the channel in which the screen is supported. The ribs have sufficient height to remain in contact with the screen. Water is drawn through the screen and along the ribs down to the floor of the recess. Apertures in the floor allow the water to fall down through the channel and into the gutter, while debris is precluded from passing through the screen.
US07975433B2 Door mount for a safe
A security door construction has a pair of door hinges fixed to the door, a pair of frame hinges fixed to the frame and a pair of intermediate hinges by combined links which allow the door hinge to swing outside the plane of the door opening when the door is opened through 180°. Slide motion of the door is imparted by a door handle and a reaction rod which acts against a link.
US07975429B2 Apparatus for producing seedlings and method of producing seedlings
An apparatus for producing seedlings, wherein rootstocks and scions are nursed on multi-staged seedling culture shelves installed in a closed-type structure surrounded by light-interceptive walls, and wherein the rootstocks and scions are joined to each other to produce grafted seedlings. The grafted seedlings are placed on shelf boards of the seedling culture shelves and covered with a light-transmitting shield including vent holes, and light is projected onto the grafted seedlings through the light-transmitting shield to weld the seedlings. The relative humidity in the light-transmitting shield immediately after the grafting is raised by the evaporation of moisture from the rootstocks and the scions. When photosynthesis is stimulated, gas exchange between the carbon dioxide gas-containing atmosphere within the closed type structure and the atmosphere within the light-transmitting shield are accomplished to replenish an inner space of the light-transmitting shield with carbon dioxide gas.
US07975422B2 Waterfowl decoy motion system
A waterfowl decoy motion system comprised of a multiplicity of movable decoys, a first elastic drive belt, means for connecting said first elastic drive belt to said movable decoys, a a primary drive pulley, a secondary drive pulley, an electric motor connected to said secondary drive pulley, and a multiplicity of idler puller assemblies.
US07975412B2 Decorative signpost
A system and method for installing a decorative exterior on a standard signpost is disclosed. A first exterior shell is mounted on one side of the post, and a second exterior shell is mounted on the other. Discs halves are also provided which, when installed between the post and the shells, cause the shells to be securely fastened to the post. In another alternative system, a midsection of the post cover is installed as a tube that slides over two solid discs that are slid onto the post and supported by grommets.
US07975393B2 Spirit level
A spirit level (1) comprises a planar base (14) for resting, in use, on a surface whose level is to be determined, and levelling means (27) comprising a vial (41) filled with sufficient liquid that an air bubble (47) is formed within the vial (41). The spirit level (1) comprises indicia (43, 45) relative to which the bubble (47) moves as the orientation of the spirit level (1) is altered so as to indicate the orientation of the spirit level. Optical means (29) is provided on the spirit level (1) to provide an image indicative of the position of the bubble (47) relative to the indicia (43, 45).
US07975388B2 Hand-held circular saw
A circular power saw (10), composed of a saw assembly (12) with a housing (14, 16) that encloses a motor and a saw blade (18) capable of being driven by the motor, and that includes a handle, whereby the saw assembly (12) is pivotably supported relative to a footplate (22) such that it can be adjusted between a minimum and maximum cutting depth, is protected against kickback by the fact that, during sawing, the saw assembly (12) is decoupled from handling forces acting on the saw blade (18), in particular from the handle (24).
US07975378B1 Method of manufacturing high speed printed circuit board interconnects
Described are methods for fabricating high speed metallic electrical interconnects for printed wiring board for high speed transmission of a data signal across an interconnect in a systems. The trench under electrical signal line is made using the separate dielectric layer having through holes opened through that said dielectric layer and aligned with electrical signal line. The layer with through holes aligned with electrical signal line sandwiched in between layer carrying the electrical signal line and a layer carrying ground conducting line for the case of microstrip-type transmission line. The two separate layers with the through-holes opened and aligned with the electrical signal line are needed for the stripline-type transmission line. Multi-layers board having high speed electrical signal lines can be made utilizing the configuration described.
US07975361B2 After-treatment method and facility for a coarse aluminum casting
A robot holds an untreated coarse aluminum casting that is located at a predetermined carrying-in corner with the holding means and carries it to the first machining unit. At the first unit it holds a treated casting treated by the first unit with the holding device as well as transferring the untreated casting from the holding device to the first unit. Then it carries the treated casting that has been treated by the first unit to a second machining unit. At the second unit it holds a second treated casting that has been treated by the second unit with the holding device as well as transferring the treated casting treated by the first unit from the holding device to the second unit. Then it carries the second treated casting treated by the second unit to a predetermined carrying-out corner.
US07975358B2 Apparatus and method for attaching a drive system and a stand to a ring in a medicine gantry
A mounting assembly for attaching the drive system and stand to a ring in a medicine gantry is disclosed. The mounting assembly includes at least one mounting bar (e.g., two mounting bars), at least one mounting plate and at least one adjuster (e.g., a screw). The mounting bar is securable to a portion of the ring. The mounting bar includes a base and at least one transverse face. At least a portion of the base is substantially parallel to a surface of a portion of the ring and at least a portion of the transverse face is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the ring. The mounting plate is secured to the drive system and is securable to the transverse face of the mounting bar. Movement of the adjuster moves the drive assembly relative to the mounting bar when the mounting plate is adjacent the transverse face of the mounting bar.
US07975341B2 Bio-activated oral care instrument
An oral care instrument, such as a motorized toothbrush, which activates upon exposure to the oral environment of the user, is described. The electrical conductivity of saliva, optionally mixed with toothpaste and water, may be utilized to complete an electrical circuit that powers a motorized device within the instrument.
US07975339B2 Aquatic scrubber
A device with a squeegee configuration configured to clean or treat surfaces submersed in liquid is described. The squeegee configuration is preferably contoured to wipe contoured surfaces or flexible such as to conform to a variety of contoured surfaces. The squeegee configuration can be configured with bristles, a sponge or scouring elements. In further embodiments of the invention, the squeegee configuration is configured to draw a vacuum while wiping the surfaces.
US07975333B2 Bed with interconnectable barrier elements
A bed has two safety barrier elements arranged along a common side. Each barrier element (19, 21) is linked to the bed frame (11) by two hinged arms (25, 26; 35, 36) forming a deformable parallelogram mechanism, but only one (19) comprises means of locking in the up position (49), whereas attachment means (45, 46) are installed between the adjacent ends of the two barrier elements for selectively constituting a barrier consisting of a single piece.
US07975331B2 Device and method for controlling humidity at the surface of a supporting item of the mattress type
The present disclosure concerns a device for controlling humidity at the surface of a supporting item (3) of the mattress or cushion type and in the vicinity of the body (13) of an individual resting thereon, comprising an envelope (1) formed by at least two parts (11, 12) connected with each other at their peripheral edges (1a, 1b), such as being sealed by welding (1c), defining an inner chamber (13), the two parts having a first part (11) intended to be positioned on the side of said body of the individual, and a second part (12) intended to be positioned on the side of said supporting item (3) of the mattress or cushion type, the first part including a material forming a barrier impervious to air and liquid water and pervious to water vapor, the second part including a material pervious to water vapor, the second part comprising at least one air injection port (4) and means for discharging air comprising perforated or porous areas pervious to air, such as perforations (5).
US07975329B2 Patient lift and transfer device
A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home position and an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to the carriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downward position in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position having no contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extended position with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneath the object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates are separated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains resting upon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position while supporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tables separated. The device may operate in a bidirectional manner.
US07975321B1 Combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector
A combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector which is formed as an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and the body of a user, including the concept of a foam rubber protector which surrounds the neck region of the body and is incorporated into and made a part of a plastic or fiberglass protective shield which has a body portion that extends around the entire torso of the body so that the neck protector portion is incorporated into the torso protector portion to perform a full integrated unit. The neck protector portion has a rotatable hinge member than enables a neck protector portion to be moved forwardly so that the head can be inserted through the neck protector section and thereafter return to its original position to tightly envelope the neck and provide the protective shield to the neck and head area.
US07975320B2 Helmet including vent and actuator assembly for moving vent shutter and methods of using same
The invention is directed to protective helmets having vents with a manually operable vent shutter and methods of using same. In one embodiment, a helmet includes an outer shell, an upper liner, a lower liner, and a vent shutter positioned within a space defined by the upper and lower liners. The helmet includes at least one vent formed through the outer shell, upper liner, and lower liner. The helmet further includes an actuator assembly operable to move the vent shutter to open and close the at least one vent. The actuator assembly includes an engagement member, such as a gear. The engagement member engages the vent shutter and effects movement of the vent shutter when rotated relative to the vent shutter about the rotation axis. In another embodiment, the upper liner may be omitted and the vent shutter may be disposed between the interior of the outer shell and the lower liner.
US07975317B2 Protective helmet cap with improved ventilation
A protective helmet cap having improved ventilation. The helmet cap includes a cap piece, a cap bill, and a plurality of apertures designed to increase ventilation of the wearer's head under the cap piece. The helmet cap offers impact protection to the wearer's head while also being more comfortable to wear due to the increased ventilation. The helmet cap may also includes structure that helps secure the helmet cap to the wearer's head. The helmet cap may be constructed from a variety of different materials, and may also include additional additives designed to enhance selected characteristics of the helmet cap.
US07979915B2 Recording device, replay device, integrated circuit, and control program
A recording device performs recording on a recording medium such as a DVD, and playback compatibility of the recording medium is increased. In circumstances such as when a standard is established after the manufacture of a playback apparatus, there are playback devices that physically cannot read information for decrypting encrypted data from a predetermined area of the recording medium due to the specifications of the playback apparatus, and therefore the playback apparatus cannot use the recording medium. In order for the recording medium to be able to be used in such a playback apparatus, the recording device reads data recorded in the predetermined area of the recording medium, and records the read data in another area that is readable by the playback apparatus.
US07979913B2 Home network system and method therefor
A home network system allowing a user to directly control joining or removing of member devices in a domain using a user interface and to effectively control a status change of the member devices of the domain and a management method therefor. The home network system includes: a master device, which forms a domain with more than one controlled device, transmits a predetermined domain key to the controlled devices included in the domain, generates a new domain key whenever a configuration of the domain is changed, and transmits the new domain key to the controlled devices remaining in the domain; and a control point, which provides a user interface allowing a user to directly change the configuration of the domain.
US07979891B2 Method and system for securing execution of untrusted applications
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for securing execution of untrusted applications. These mechanisms and methods for securing execution of untrusted applications can enable embodiments to provide a “sandbox” environment in which applications that are less than trusted may execute. The ability of embodiments to provide such a protected environment for executing these untrusted applications can enable systems designers and system programmers to provide additional applications from third parties to users without being overly concerned about system security issues.
US07979888B2 Privacy markup on entity models
A method of identifying an entry in an entity model as being at least one of potentially private and potentially sensitive is disclosed. The method may include creating an indication related to a specific entry that indicates whether the specific entry is one of potentially personally identifiable and potentially sensitive or both and allowing the indication to be modified to indicate whether the specific entry is one of potentially personally identifiable and potentially sensitive or both.
US07979886B2 Container format for multimedia presentations
In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.
US07979880B2 Method and system for profiling iTV users and for providing selective content delivery
A method for profiling an iTV user. The method comprises gathering user-requested content information from iTV interactions, correlating content-associated profile information from a rating service with the user-requested content information, and developing a profile of the user based on the content-associated profile information correlated with the user-requested content information.
US07979878B2 Program guide system with browsing display
An inter pap active television program guide system is provided in which a user may direct the program guide to display a browsing display screen. The browsing display screen includes a list of current programs including a movable highlight region, a video window containing a television program to which the system is currently tuned, and a detailed description of the highlighted program listing. The user may position the highlight region using remote control cursor keys. The user may then synchronize the content of the video window with the highlighted program listing by pressing a select key or a channel up or down key. If the user changes channels repeatedly using the channel up and down keys, the contents of the video window and the highlighted program listings remain in synchronization.
US07979873B2 Chucking device for removably holding a disk with a central opening, brushless motor with the chucking device and disk drive apparatus with the brushless motor
A chucking device for removably holding a disk with a central opening, includes a shaft coaxially arranged with a specified center axis; a turntable fixed to the shaft, the turntable having a disk support surface for supporting the disk; and a resin-made cone arranged axially above the turntable, the cone including a shaft-fixed portion fixed to the shaft, a disk holding portion having an annular disk holding surface inclined radially outwardly and axially downwardly, and an arm portion for radially interconnecting the shaft-fixed portion and the disk holding portion. Herein, the arm portion includes a support portion extending radially outwardly from the shaft-fixed portion and an elastically deformable portion joined to the support portion for being elastically deformed to axially downwardly move the disk holding portion as the disk comes into contact with the disk holding portion.
US07979872B2 Lens actuator, optical pickup device, and optical recording and reproducing apparatus
A disclosed lens actuator includes: an objective lens condensing a light beam on an optical storage medium; a diffractive element providing compatibility with plural types of optical storage media relative to light sources of plural different wavelengths; and a lens holder including the objective lens and diffractive element in an opposing manner. The objective lens is driven with the lens holder in at least a focusing direction and tracking direction relative to the optical storage medium. At least three protrusions are set on the lens holder in directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective lens. Another disclosed lens actuator includes: an objective lens and a drive coil disposed on a lens holder, wherein a diffractive element is disposed on the lens holder via an inertia weight including a metallic material and disposed so as to face the objective lens.
US07979860B2 Method for estimating cost when placing operations within a modulo scheduler when scheduling for processors with a large number of function units or reconfigurable data paths
A process for scheduling operations using a cost function is provided. A number of scheduling options are determined for an operation and a cost is computed for each scheduling option. The process then schedules the operation based on a computed cost.
US07979858B2 Systems and methods for executing a computer program that executes multiple processes in a multi-processor environment
Systems and methods are provided for executing a computer program that performs multiple processes in a multi-processor environment. A client computer may be used to execute a process manager software application for generating computer instructions that identify a plurality of the processes that may be run in parallel on separate processors. A metadata server may be used to store metadata that identifies whether the multi-processor environment is available to execute the plurality of processes. The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable medium and may be configured to execute on the client computer, and when executed by the client computer may cause the client computer to query the metadata server to determine if the multi-processor environment is available to execute the plurality of processes. The computer program may be further configured to use the computer instructions to cause the plurality of processes to be executed in the multi-processor environment. The computer instructions may enable the computer program to execute the plurality of processes in parallel.
US07979857B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic memory resource management
A method and an apparatus for dynamic memory resource management are provided. Memory activity information is collected for a virtual machine. Additional memory shares are dynamically allocated to the virtual machine, as needed, based on the memory activity information for the virtual machine and based on a specified priority of the virtual machine in order to properly adjust the total physical memory used by the virtual machine.
US07979855B2 Image processing apparatus, management system, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus, a management system and a computer program product are disclosed that enable firmware that controls operations of the image processing apparatus to be updated appropriately, even when, for example, an initial setting in the image processing apparatus has been changed. Firmware in the image processing apparatus is stored in a rewritable storage device such as a flash ROM, and is updated by transmitting a new firmware to the image processing apparatus and rewriting the contents of the storage device. The new firmware is transmitted together with a control program (including script) that describes processing to be executed in the image processing apparatus before and/or after updating the firmware.
US07979852B2 System for automatically generating optimized codes
The inventive system for automatically generating optimizes codes (19) which are operational on a predefined hardware platform (90) comprises at least one processor which is (91) based on code sources (17) provided by users and comprises means (51, 52) for receiving symbolic code sequences or standard sequences (1) representative for the processor (91) behavior in terms of performance for a predetermined application area, means (53), for receiving static parameters (2), means (55) for receiving dynamic parameters (7), an analysing device (10) for defining optimization rules (9) on the basis of performance tests and measures determined on the basis of the standard sequences (1) and the static (2) and dynamic (7) parameters, a device (80) for optimizing and generating the code receiving the standard sequences (1) and the optimization rules (9) for examining the code sources (17) of the users, detecting optimizable loops, decomposing into cores and for assembling and injecting the codes in such a way that the optimized codes (19) are delivered and means (74) for reinjecting information which is received from the code optimizing and generating device (80) and related to the cores into the standard sequences (1).
US07979838B2 Method of automating creation of a clock control distribution network in an integrated circuit floorplan
The process of laying out a floorplan for a clock control distribution network in an integrated chip design is simplified and the efficiency of a staging network created is improved. Rather than manually create the staging network in HDL or as a network description table while looking at a picture of the chip floorplan in a Cadence Viewer, an automated method which runs in the Cadence environment uses an algorithmic approach to the problem of maximizing the utilization of staging latches, eliminating unnecessary power and area usage. Efficiency is maximized by updating the Physical Layout directly with the staging solution arrived at by the algorithm.
US07979832B2 Process variation tolerant memory design
Methods and systems for designing process variation tolerant memory are disclosed. A memory circuit is divided into functional blocks. A statistical distribution is calculated for each of the functional blocks. Then, the distributions of each block are combined to verify a credibility of the circuit. The credibility is verified if the circuit meets a predetermined yield.
US07979827B1 Device having programmable resources and a method of configuring a device having programmable resources
A method of configuring a device having programmable logic is disclosed. The method comprises generating a netlist associated with a circuit design; coupling the netlist to the device having programmable logic; performing a re-targeting function using a circuit on the device having programmable logic; generating configuration bits for configuring the programmable logic; and configuring the programmable logic to implement the circuit design according to the configuration bits based upon the netlist and results of the re-targeting function.
US07979822B2 Apparatus and method for performing a sequence of verification tests to verify a design of a data processing system
An apparatus and method are provided for performing a sequence of verification tests to verify the design of a data processing system. The apparatus comprises a system under verification representing the design of the data processing system, the system under verification including a component model representing at least one hardware component of the data processing system. The component model includes an interface module through which the component model interacts with other portions of the system under verification during performance of the verification tests. An alternative model is provided for representing the hardware component for selected verification tests, and the interface module comprises a verification interface module which is responsive to switch criteria specified by the alternative model to switch in the alternative model in place of the component model. Accordingly, by such an approach, the alternative model can take the place of the component model during performance of the selected verification tests. This maintains system integrity of the system under verification, whilst providing a simple and effective mechanism for enabling the alternative model to take the place of the component model for certain specific verification tests, for example when testing corner cases in the design.
US07979820B1 Temporal replicant simulation
In one embodiment, a method comprises retaining at least a portion of simulation results corresponding to a first simulateable partition from a previous simulation time; and using the simulation results for a second simulateable partition (or the first simulateable partition) at a current simulation time if the second simulateable partition is equivalent to the first simulateable partition and one or more input stimuli to the second simulateable partition at the current simulation time are approximately the same as the input stimuli to the first simulateable partition at the previous simulation time. Computer accessible media storing instructions that implement the method are also contemplated.
US07979816B1 Method and apparatus for implementing a circuit design for an integrated circuit
Method and apparatus for implementing a circuit design for an integrated circuit is described. In one example, a first version of the circuit design is processed (408) with at least one design tool. Statistical data is captured (410) for the at least one design tool and operational attributes thereof are automatically adjusted (420) in response to the statistical data. A second version of the circuit design is processed (422) with the at least one design tool having the adjusted operational attributes. In another example, the circuit design is processed (506) with at least one design tool in a first iteration. Statistical data is captured (508) for the at least one design tool and operational attributes thereof are automatically adjusted (514) for a second iteration in response to the statistical data of the first iteration. The circuit design is re-processed (516) with the at least one design tool having the adjusted operational attributes in the second iteration.
US07979813B2 Chip-scale package conversion technique for dies
A method is described for converting an existing die, originally designed for a non-chip-scale package, to a chip-scale package die, where the die's bonding pads are located in positions within a defined grid of candidate positions. In the first step, the die's layout, comprising its outer boundaries and areas needed to be electrically connected to bonding pads, are shifted relative to a grid of candidate positions for the bonding pads until an optimal alignment is identified. Bonding pads positions on the die are then selected corresponding to optimum grid positions within the outer boundaries of the die. The die is then fabricated using the original masks to form at least the semiconductor regions and using a new set of masks for defining the new locations of the bonding pads for the chip-scale package. The chip-scale package is then bonded to a PCB using chip-scale package technology.
US07979800B2 Contents information display device
Desired contents information can be easily extracted in a contents information display device. The contents information display device includes: an information receiving part that receives contents information; a recording part that records received contents information; a display part that displays the contents information; an input part that inputs an operation signal; and a control part that totally controls these parts. The control part performs control to display the contents information around a selected time on the display part in a way that it can be selected as contents images arranged in a time sequence at a predetermined time interval.
US07979798B2 System and method for providing user help tips
In a system and method for providing user help tips, the system may determine a relevance to a user of a plurality of tips, may assign priority categories to the tips based on the relevance and may determine which tip to output based on the priority categories of the tips.
US07979795B2 System and method for inputting syllables of a phonetic script into a computer
A practical and natural way of inputting syllables of scripts into a computer. In one example embodiment, This is achieved by selecting a base character from a set of characters using a digitizing tablet [1216]. The selected base character is then modified by drawing one or more natural handwritten modifying gestures to form a current desired syllable. An associated data of the formed current desired syllable is then inputted into a gesture-keypad-engine [1230] via the digitizing tablet [1216] upon completion of the drawing of the one or more natural handwritten modifying gestures. The gesture-keypad-engine [1230] then produces a current candidate syllable as a function of the inputted associated data of the formed current desired syllable. The produced current candidate syllable is then displayed on a display device [540].
US07979792B2 Method and computer-readable medium for providing page and table formatting services
A computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium are provided for providing page and table layout services. According to the method, a layout manager program provides layout services to client application programs. The layout manager receives requests from client application programs to format document content. In response to such requests, the layout manager performs one or more callback operations to the client application to retrieve portions of the document to be laid out. Once the portions of the page to be laid out have been retrieved through the callback operations, the layout manager lays out the portions of the document and notifies the client application that the layout is completed. The client application can then query the layout manager for the formatting result.
US07979790B2 Combining and displaying multimedia content
A method and system to manage rendering of multimedia content are provided. A theme specifies a collection of layouts defining multimedia content placement. The multimedia content is processed to extract one or more characteristics. The layouts are selected and populated with multimedia content based on the one or more characteristics associated with the multimedia content. The multimedia content is rendered by transitioning through the selected layouts.
US07979783B2 Error detection device and method for error detection for a command decoder
An error detection device for a command decoder is described, the command decoder reading out an associated sequence of control signal words from a command memory based on an input word, wherein the sequence of control signal words has at least one control signal word, having: a controller designed to provide the input word at a first time and the input word at a second time for reading out the command memory, wherein the second time is delayed with respect to the first time, to effect a readout of the sequence of control signal words at a first time and a readout of the sequence of control signal words at a second time; and a comparator designed to receive and compare the associated sequences of control signal words read out at the first and second times, and to output a signal indicating an error if the associated sequences of control signal words read out at the first and second times are different.
US07979779B1 System and method for symmetric triple parity for failing storage devices
A symmetric triple parity (TP) technique in an array comprising a number p of storage devices, such as disks, with p being a prime number is provided. The p disks are organized as one row parity disk, two symmetric parity disks and p-3 data disks. Phantom diagonal and anti-diagonal parity disks assumed to be present are further assumed to contain a predetermined value, thereby enabling parity encoding/decoding utilizing the phantom (anti-) diagonal disks. Row parity and symmetric parity values are included within the computation of the diagonal and anti-diagonal parities; accordingly, the two symmetric parity and the row parity values may be computed using the same technique as used for a triple parity erasure, i.e., in a symmetric fashion.
US07979775B2 Turbo interference suppression in communication systems
Disclosed is a method and communication device for suppressing interference. The method comprises performing, with a turbo decoder (314), at least one turbo decoding attempt (1106) on a received signal (1104). The turbo decoding attempt generates at least one whole word code bit therefrom (1108). The whole word code bit (1108) corresponds to a group of bits comprising a transmitted symbol. The method determines if the whole word code bit (1108) has a confidence level exceeding a given threshold (1110). If the whole word code bit (1108) does have a confidence level exceeding the given threshold, the whole code word bit is selected for use in data symbol recovery (1114).
US07979774B1 Error correction coding for varying quality channels
An error rate sensitive error correction (ERSEC) system that applies a level of error correction that is inversely related to susceptibility to error as indicated by a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) profile of a channel. The SNR profile is estimated, detected or retrieved from an external source. The ERSEC system is used with a channel for which the SNRs vary spatially, temporally or both.
US07979758B2 Semiconductor memory device
Semiconductor memory device includes a cell array including a plurality of unit cells; and a test circuit configured to perform a built-in self-stress (BISS) test for detecting a defect by performing a plurality of internal operations including a write operation through an access to the unit cells using a plurality of patterns during a test procedure carried out at a wafer-level.
US07979752B1 Data loss protection switch system and method
Systems and methods for data loss protection are presented. In one embodiment, a data loss protection switch includes a first port, a second port, an error threshold management component and a multiplexer. Components of the data loss protection switch cooperatively operate to efficiently protect data. The first port receives information from a first data stream. The second port receives data from a second data stream. The error threshold management component analyzes errors in the first data stream and the second data stream. The multiplexer is controlled by the error threshold management component and selects among the first and second data streams based on the analysis.
US07979747B2 Interactive problem resolution presented within the context of major observable application behaviors
A system, method, and article of manufacture are disclosed for monitoring and resolving problems detected in the application stack. The application stack may include multiple, interpedently application components which collectively provide a unified service. An interactive problem resolution program may monitor and assist users in troubleshooting an application stack installed on a separate computer system. Generally, when a problem in the application stack is detected, the IPR Program may alert users to the problem and provide information about the problem to guide users in taking steps to correct the problem.
US07979746B2 Dual-dual lockstep processor assemblies and modules
Processor assemblies and modules are provided. One processor assembly includes first and second processors, and first and second input/output (I/O) interfaces coupled to the first and second processors. The first and/or second I/O interfaces are configured to compare outputs of the first and second processors, and render the first and second processors inactive if the outputs are different. One processor module includes first and second buses coupled to first and second processor assemblies. The first processor assembly includes first and second processors coupled to first and second I/O interfaces, wherein the first I/O interface is coupled to the first bus and the second I/O interface is coupled to the second bus. The second processor assembly includes third and fourth processors coupled to third and fourth I/O interfaces, wherein the third I/O interface is coupled to the first bus and the fourth I/O interface is coupled to the second bus.
US07979745B2 On-chip debug emulator, debugging method, and microcomputer
An on-chip debug emulator is capable of connecting to the target device and the host device for remotely debugging the program in the target device. The on-chip debug emulator contains a debug communication control unit. This debug communication control unit contains a plurality of serial communication circuits, the plurality of serial communication circuits are commonly provided with a clock signal. The debug communication control unit controls communications with the target device based on commands output from the host device. Each of The plurality of serial communication circuits contains a data buffer and serially transmits data stored in the data buffer to and from the target device while synchronized with the clock signal. Namely, the plurality of serial communication circuits communicate in parallel while operating synchronized with the same clock. The on-chip debug emulator can in this way be made utilizing a low-cost microcomputer not containing any parallel communication circuits.
US07979742B2 Recoverability of a dataset associated with a multi-tier storage system
A method and a system of improving recoverability of a dataset associated with a multi-tier storage system are provided. Updates to a dataset are stored in first storage. The dataset and a point-in-time copy of the dataset reside on second storage, and the first storage provides higher reliability than the second storage. The dataset is restored using at least a subset of the stored updates in combination with the point-in-time copy in the event that the dataset is lost.
US07979739B2 Systems and methods for managing a redundant management module
Systems and methods for managing a redundant management module are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes first and second management modules that are configured to manage a computing device; and a programmable logic device that is configured to: instruct the first management module to manage the computing device responsive to detecting that the first management module is ready to manage the computing device, and instruct the second management module to manage the computing device responsive to detecting that the first management module failed to manage the computing device.
US07979735B2 Data storage with snapshot-to-snapshot recovery
A method for data storage includes creating first and second copies of a logical volume, such that the first and second copies are represented by respective first and second sets of pointers to physical storage locations in which data used by the copies is stored. Responsively to a corruption of at least part of the data that is used by the first copy, the first copy is restored from the second copy by replacing the first set with the pointers in the second set.
US07979732B2 Efficient utilization of a multi-source network of control logic to achieve timing closure in a clocked logic circuit
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for achieving timing closure in a clocked logic circuit. For each local clock buffer in a set of local clock buffers, a logic synthesis tool determines a clock control signal input from a set of clock control signal inputs that will drive a clock control signal to the local clock buffer at a target frequency such that a first timing constraint may be met. The operation performed by the logic synthesis tool forms a determined clock control signal input. Responsive to the logic synthesis tool determining the determined clock control signal input, the logic synthesis tool couples the local clock buffer to the determined clock control signal input that drives the clock control signal to the local clock buffer at the target frequency to achieve timing closure in the clocked logic circuit.
US07979730B2 Method and device for synchronizing cycle time of a plurality of TTCAN buses based on determined global time deviations and a corresponding bus system
A method, a device, and a bus system for synchronizing at least two TTCAN buses having at least one bus user, there being cycle times of the basic cycles in the TTCAN buses, a global time being determined in each TTCAN bus and the deviations of the global times of the TTCAN buses which are linked together by at least one user being determined from the global times, and the deviations of the individual global times being transmitted to at least one bus user, the cycle times of the TTCAN buses, which are connected by at least one user, being mutually adjusted as a function of the deviations in the global times in such a way that the buses are synchronized with respect to the cycle times.
US07979704B2 Authentication system
An authentication system determines if a counterfeit ineligible unit is installed in a main device. When connected with a battery pack, a notebook PC generates and combines a random number and a function determination signal using a signal combining unit and transmits same to the battery pack. A first function calculation unit calculates the function of the random number. The battery pack has a signal separation unit to separate the combined signal into the random number and function determination signal, and a second function calculation unit to calculate the function of the random number for transmitting back to the notebook PC. A comparison unit compares the calculation results by the first and second function calculation units to determine whether the connected battery pack is an authorized one and denies connection if the pack is an unauthorized one.
US07979698B2 Apparatus and method for proving authenticity with personal characteristics
The present invention encrypts authentication information into an image, document or recording. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment is a method comprising generating the original work; generating authentication data when the original work is generated, the authentication data comprising at least location information identifying the location where the original work is generated, the location information provided by a received signal from a remote device, date and time information identifying when the original work is generated, the date and time information provided by a received signal from a remote device, and biometric information identifying an originator of the original work; and encrypting the original work with the authentication data using a secret private key when original work is generated.
US07979696B2 System and method of providing security
A method and system for providing security between a service providing server and a user device, the system including: a user device to request a service and to transmit a packet including a first public key; an authentication server to receive the packet, to authenticate the user device based on the first public key, to generate a secret key if the user device is authenticated, and to transmit the secret key to the user device; and a service providing server to check an integrity of the user device by using information for an integrity attestation having the secret key, and to provide the service to the user device according to the integrity of the user device. When the remote integrity attestation of the user device is implemented by the service providing server, the anonymity of the user device is guaranteed and the integrity of the user device is authenticated.
US07979685B1 Multiple instruction execution mode resource-constrained device
A resource-constrained device comprises a processor configured to execute multiple instruction streams comprising multiple instructions having an opcode and zero or more operands. Each of the multiple instruction streams is associated with one of multiple instruction execution modes having an instruction set comprising multiple instruction implementations. At least one of the multiple instruction implementations is configured to change the processor from a first instruction execution mode to a second instruction execution mode. The processor comprises an instruction fetcher configured to fetch an instruction from one of the multiple instruction streams based at least in part upon a current instruction execution mode.
US07979684B2 Method and context switch device for implementing design-for-testability functionality of latch-based register files
A method of changing execution contexts is provided that includes receiving a context selection input. In a first clock phase, the method includes shifting data from a first latch element of a normal execution context to a second latch element of the normal execution context and shifting shadow data from a third latch element of a shadow execution context to a fourth latch element of the shadow execution context. In a second clock phase, the method includes shifting the shadow data of the fourth latch element of the shadow execution context into the first latch element of the normal execution context and shifting the data of the second latch element of the normal execution context into the third latch element of the shadow execution context. In a particular embodiment, the method may include receiving a test mode selection and shifting test data, such as scan test or automatic test pattern generated data, to a test output.
US07979679B2 System and method for selectively controlling operations in lanes in an execution unit of a computer
A computer system is disclosed capable of conditionally carrying out an operation defined in a computer instruction. The computer instruction is implemented on so-called packed operands, that is operands containing a plurality of packed objects in respective lanes. An operation defined in the computer instruction is conditionally carried out in dependence on stored condition values which determine for each lane whether or not the operation is to be executed on objects in that lane.An execution unit for a computer system, a computer system and a method of executing instructions are defined.
US07979677B2 Adaptive allocation of reservation station entries to an instruction set with variable operands in a microprocessor
A method and device for adaptively allocating reservation station entries to an instruction set with variable operands in a microprocessor. The device includes logic for determining free reservation station queue positions in a reservation station. The device allocates an issue queue to an instruction and writes the instruction into the issue queue as an issue queue entry. The device reads an operand corresponding to the instruction from a general purpose register and writes the operand into a reservation station using one of the free reservations station positions as a write address. The device writes each reservation station queue position corresponding to said instruction into said issue queue entry. When the instruction is ready for issue to an execution unit, the device reads out the instruction from the issue queue entry the reservation station queue positions to the execution unit.
US07979675B2 Pipelined microprocessor with fast non-selective correct conditional branch instruction resolution
A microprocessor includes a register that stores a state and a fetch unit that fetches instructions of a program. The program includes a first instruction followed non-immediately by a second instruction. The first instruction instructs the microprocessor to update the state in the register. The second instruction is a conditional branch instruction that specifies a branch condition based on the register state. The fetch unit dispatches the first instruction for execution but refrains from dispatching the second instruction for execution. Execution units receive the first instruction from the fetch unit and responsively update the register state. The fetch unit non-selectively correctly resolves the conditional branch instruction based on the register state when the execution units have updated the register state. The fetch unit also non-selectively refrains from sending the conditional branch instruction to the execution units to be resolved regardless of whether the execution units have updated the register state.
US07979672B2 Multi-core processors for 3D array transposition by logically retrieving in-place physically transposed sub-array data
A method and system for transposing a multi-dimensional array for a multi-processor system having a main memory for storing the multi-dimensional array and a local memory is provided. One implementation involves partitioning the multi-dimensional array into a number of equally sized portions in the local memory, in each processor performing a transpose function including a logical transpose on one of said portions and then a physical transpose of said portion, and combining the transposed portions and storing back in their original place in the main memory.
US07979640B2 Cache line duplication in response to a way prediction conflict
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that handles way mispredictions in a multi-way cache. The system starts by receiving requests to access cache lines in the multi-way cache. For each request, the system makes a prediction of a way in which the cache line resides based on a corresponding entry in the way prediction table. The system then checks for the presence of the cache line in the predicted way. Upon determining that the cache line is not present in the predicted way, but is present in a different way, and hence the way was mispredicted, the system increments a corresponding record in a conflict detection table. Upon detecting that a record in the conflict detection table indicates that a number of mispredictions equals a predetermined value, the system copies the corresponding cache line from the way where the cache line actually resides into the predicted way.
US07979635B2 Apparatus and method to allocate resources in a data storage library
A method to allocate resources in a data storage library comprising a plurality of data storage devices configured as a RAID array, by establishing a normal operation resource allocation, a RAID failure resource allocation, and a multiple storage device failure resource allocation. The method receives host I/O requests, and enqueues those host I/O requests. If the system is operating without any storage device failures, then the method processes host I/O requests using the normal operation resource allocation. If the system is operating with a storage device failure, then the method processes host I/O requests using the RAID failure resource allocation. If the system is operating with multiple storage device failures, then the method processes host I/O requests using the multiple storage device failure resource allocation.
US07979633B2 Method for writing contiguous arrays of stripes in a RAID storage system
The invention features a method for controlling storage of data in a plurality of storage devices each including storage blocks, for example, in a RAID array. The method includes receiving a plurality of write requests associated with data, and buffering the write requests. A file system defines a group of storage blocks, responsive to disk topology information. The group includes a plurality of storage blocks in each of the plurality of storage devices. Each data block of the data to be written is associated with a respective one of the storage blocks, for transmitting the association to the plurality of storage devices.
US07979632B2 Storage system including a fast storage device for storing redundant data
A computer storage system includes a controller, a first storage device and a second storage device including at least one fast storage device. The controller is configured to perform data operations. The first storage device stores data, and the second storage device stores data redundant to the data stored in the first storage device.
US07979624B2 Techniques to truncate data files in nonvolatile memory
Various embodiments for performing truncate operations in nonvolatile memory are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a nonvolatile memory to perform one or more truncate operations on a data file written to the nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory to track a truncate operation performed in the nonvolatile memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07979623B2 Multi-channel integrated circuit card and method of controlling the same
A system and method for controlling a memory card are provided. The system may include a memory card and a host. The memory card may have a plurality of data transceiving channels, and the host may selectively activate the data transceiving channels in the memory card and transmit a plurality of commands to the activated data transceiving channels.
US07979604B2 Methods and apparatus for assigning performance to data volumes on data storage systems
A computerized data storage system and a method for portioning performance among data areas on a hard disk drive. The system includes a management computer coupled to one or more host computers and a storage apparatus. The storage apparatus includes hard disk drives and a storage controller for partitioning the hard disk drives among data volumes in the storage apparatus and for assigning the data volumes to the host computer. A performance partitioning module utilizes a queue management table for forming a number of queues on memory of the hard disk drive. The queues receive READ and WRITE requests and convey these requests to data areas assigned on recording media of the hard disk drive. After a request from a queue is executed, a gate between the queue and the data areas may be closed to allow requests from other queues an opportunity to access the data areas.
US07979603B2 Storage system and method for controlling activation of command
A storage system including a queue corresponding to each priority level of command and an activation order control part. A command received from a host is accumulated in the queue corresponding to the specified priority. The activation order control part decides the number of activation object commands to be activated among accumulated commands, based on the priority corresponding to the queue. The activation order control part decides the activation order of the activation object commands, based on a activation object command number decided for each queue, so that the average value of logical response time of the activation object command may be shorter at the higher priority. The activation object command is activated in accordance with the decided activation order.
US07979600B2 Multifunction peripheral and device control system
A multifunction device has a plurality of functions, including at least a data storage function and a function different from the data storage function, and capable of being connected to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, the multifunction device including: a device data outputting unit that outputs information forcing an OS (operating system) in the computer to recognize the multifunction device as a USB storage class device according to the USB standard when establishing a connection with the computer; and a controlling unit that, when output data including a command in a SCSI-compliant data format is transferred from the computer, determines which one of the plurality of functions the output data is for controlling, based on a value stored in a logic unit number (LUN) field provided in the command.
US07979599B2 Method for the allocation of memory in a buffer memory
A method for allocation of a buffer memory with three buffers of a module having a processing unit and a bus connection is provided. The module sends or receives data via the bus connection and uses the processing unit to generate data for transmission via the bus connection and process data received via the bus connection. The bus connection and the processing unit function as a producer or consumer in a communication relationship established via the buffer memory. Each buffer assumes one of four statuses—“input area local”, “local”, “input area external” and “external”. Either the bus connection or the processing unit attempt to reserve one of the three buffers by a strategy: when one of the three buffers is already allocated, this buffer is used. Otherwise a buffer with the status “input area external” or “input area local” is used and the status “external” or “local” is assigned.
US07979596B2 Mouse with expandable memory capacity and an operating method thereof
A mouse with expandable memory capacity includes a button set with a plurality of buttons, a build-in memory, a card connector, and a controller. Therein, the card connector is for connecting with a memory card. The controller is connected to the button set, the build-in memory, and the card connector, wherein the controller is for controlling the operation of the build-in memory and for controlling the operation of the memory card so as to store a button instruction set. The controller further controls and uses the memory card to form an expansion memory for the build-in memory. The button instruction set records an operation instruction that is represented by combinations formed from one or more of the buttons. Therefore, the goal of expanding memory capacity of the mouse is achieved.
US07979594B2 Serial communications device with dynamic allocation of acceptance masks using serial implementation
A CAN module or a microcontroller comprises a CAN module which receives a serial bit stream. The CAN module comprises a filter register with a bit select input and a single bit output, a bit select unit for selecting a bit of the filter register in accordance with the serial bit stream, a comparator coupled with the single bit output and with the serial bit stream for generating a comparison signal, and a register receiving the comparison signal for accumulating a plurality of comparison results and for generating an acceptance signal.
US07979585B2 System and method to associate a private user identity with a public user identity
The inventive system includes a host, a network including a security gateway, and a public application. Established are an access session between the network and the host and an application session between the public application and the network. An application session record is created for the application session, and includes the user's public user identity used to access the public application, the user's private user identity used to access the network, a host identity, and an application session time. To determine the private user identity for the application session, the security gateway sends a query with the host identity and the application session time. These are compared with the host identity and access session time in an access session record. If they match, then the private user identity in the access session record is returned, and it is stored as the private user identity in the application session record.
US07979579B2 Apparatus and methods for the communication and fault management of data in a multipath data network
An apparatus and methods are provided for the communication of a data stream and management of faults in a multipath data network having a protected ring-in-ring network architecture. The data stream is communicated over redundant paths between various nodes located throughout the network. Each node is capable of dropping and inserting data from the data stream before passing it on to the next node. A single transmitter in communication with an intelligent splitter at each node is utilized to simultaneously transmit the data stream over the redundant paths. In the event of a fault over one of the paths in the network, the intelligent splitter manages the operation of the single transmitter so that the data stream is communicated over an alternate path to circumvent the fault.
US07979570B2 Live media delivery over a packet-based computer network
In general, this disclosure describes techniques of determining a backset for client devices attempting to download data of a live transmission. A backset is an amount of temporal delay that the client devices are delayed by when viewing the live transmission. As described herein, a media content provider may determine a recommended backset for each client devices based characteristics of the client device. Each client device may then be backset by the determined value, or may calculate its own backset based on the recommended backset. Establishing a backset for each client device may avoid rebuffering of live transmission data.
US07979565B2 System and method to provide a network service
A method of providing a network service includes accepting an incoming transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection from a user device at a point of presence (POP) proxy server. The TCP/IP connection corresponds to a particular application that is not stored at the POP proxy server. The method also includes relaying the TCP/IP connection from the POP proxy server to a remote application server that stores the particular application via an accelerated network link. Further, the method includes streaming data between the user device and the remote application server after relaying the TCP/IP connection to the remote application server.
US07979564B2 Traffic differentiated network services
A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for efficiently providing network services to client devices based on the network traffic to be communicated between the device and the network. A system is provided that includes a number of home agents configured to provide network services to mobile nodes. The system is configured in such a way that at least one of the mobile nodes may be served by more than one of the home agents. Thereby, for example, a certain mobile node may be provided voice service via one home agent and email messages via another.
US07979562B2 Service level agreements and management thereof
Method and apparatus for service level agreement formation and management is described. More particularly, a service level agreement (SLA) manager is described. This SLA manager comprises an admission controller, a specification module and a performance measurement module. Such SLA manager is interposed between one or more client computer systems and a service provider computer system.
US07979558B2 Remote session control
A method and system for remote session control of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) sessions, wherein media is established using one or more devices, and multi-media session/session control for multi-media session is provided by a device which may or may not be the same as the device on which the media is established. A method and system is also provided to transfer media from one device to one or more devices retaining multi-media session/session control on a transferring device.
US07979552B1 Programmatic instantiation, provisioning, and management of fabric-backplane enterprise servers
A system is taught in which a module having processing elements can access network and storage interfaces that are external to the module of the processing elements as though those interfaces were located internal to the module of the processing elements. The system may be operated as one or more provisioned servers, each of the provisioned servers including capabilities as identified by a corresponding set of specifications and attributes, according to various embodiments. Typically the specifications (or constraints) and attributes are specified with a Server Configuration File. An Enterprise Server system may be provisioned into any combination and number of servers according to needed processing and I/O capabilities. Each of these servers may include distinct compute, storage, and networking performance. Provisioned servers may be managed similar to conventional servers, including operations such as boot and shutting down.
US07979551B2 Enhancing availability of remote applications
Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for performing a method of allocating services (functionalities of software applications) across several computing devices that make up various domains of a data center so that the functional aspects will continue to be available to remote users even when, from time to time, different sets of computing devices are unavailable.
US07979545B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing electronic subscriptions
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing electronic subscriptions are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes monitoring, at an electronic subscription client, receipt of one or more subscription messages associated with an electronic subscription. Interaction with the electronic subscription client by a client may be monitored to determine a viewing frequency of the one or more received subscription messages. Further, a prompt with a control configured for unsubscribing the user from receiving a future subscription message associated with the electronic subscription may be presented based on the determined viewing frequency.
US07979540B2 Configurable recovery of aborted session data
A method and system for recovering data from an aborted session via a rule application. A first session having a first document ID is initiated. After an interruption of the first session, a second session having a second document ID is initiated. The first and second document IDs are determined to be identical. The first session is determined to be open in a callee application after the interruption. A rule that associates a recovery action with a data item of the first document is applied by detecting the data item of the first document and selecting the recovery action from multiple predefined recovery actions. The data item of the first document is an identification of a calling application that provides the first and second documents or a value entered by a user of the calling application. The callee application performs the selected recovery action.
US07979539B2 System, method and computer program product for analyzing data from network-based structured message stream
A system, method and computer program product for analyzing data from a message stream, are disclosed. Data in a structured format is captured from a message stream. The captured data is processed to conform to a data model format so that one or more events can be identified from an analysis of the processed data. Once an event has been identified, the message stream is monitored to detect the identified event. When detected, the event is exported via a network.
US07979538B2 Redirecting web downloads
One or more downloads of web content from one or more web content servers are monitored. A swarm is defined including one or more previous downloaders of the web content from the one or more web content servers. The one or more previous downloaders of the web content include one or more web content caches including at least a portion of the web content. Stored web content within the one or more web content caches of the swarm is tracked. A new downloader of the one or more web content servers is redirected to the one or more web content caches of the swarm.
US07979532B2 Systems and methods for using an access point for testing multiple devices and using several consoles
A system and method for testing computing devices is provided. A method for testing computing devices includes providing a suite of test programs on a server for execution by a computing device that is coupled to the server. A test console coupled to the server is used to initiate execution of the tests on the computing device. The server facilitates and coordinates testing between the test console and the computing device. The server provides the test console with results of the tests.
US07979520B2 Prescriptive architecture recommendations
A prescribed system architecture is recommended to an entity that desires to implement a system supporting distributed applications. A performance scenario is created based on anticipated usage, devices employed by servers running the distributed applications, and topology of locations using the servers. An optimized scenario may be provided by determining device optimization, different use load, and if possible consolidation of distributed applications on servers.
US07979518B2 Intelligent call platform for an intelligent distributed network
A network management system communicates with a plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. The network management system dynamically distributes managed objects across the plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. Examples of managed objects distributed by the network management system include a service control managed object, a call control managed object, a bearer control managed object, and a resource proxy managed object.
US07979511B2 Network system
A network system in which a client device is connected to a server via a LAN. A CPU in the client device obtains date data of respective still picture files from the respective servers and generates representative thumbnail picture. Subsequently, the CPU in the client device generates a directory of a still picture taken on each photographing date, associates the directory with the thumbnail picture of the representative picture of each photographing date, and then displays a list of the representative thumbnail pictures. When a user selects the representative thumbnail picture which is taken on a date identical with a desired still picture from the respective thumbnail pictures, the CPU in the client device obtains all still pictures which are to be stored in the directory associated with the selected representative thumbnail picture from a storage medium in the server, and then generates thumbnail pictures of the still pictures.
US07979499B2 Composing, browsing, replying, forwarding e-mail
Method for composing, browsing, replying, forwarding e-mail's in an e-mail system and an e-mail client that can reduce e-mail traffic by not sending the original e-mail content in replying or forwarding e-mail's. In accordance with this invention, each e-mail has a Global-ID and each reply e-mail has a Reply-to-ID which corresponds to the Global-ID of the original e-mail, thereby the content of the original e-mail is not contained in the reply e-mail. During browsing e-mail's, the original e-mail is retrieved from repositories which stores sent and received e-mail's, and is incorporated into the browsed e-mail.
US07979490B2 Method for combatting the illicit distribution of protected material and computer system for carrying out said method
The invention relates to a method for hindering or preventing the illegal distribution of protected data in a peer-to-peer network comprising at least one peer operating an exchange program designed for distribution of data to at least one client according to a selective exchange protocol permitting the peer to operate a selection of clients to which the data is transferred, said selection being carried out as a function of one or more characteristics of the clients. In said method bogus data is sent to the peer such as to influence the selection of clients served by the peer, such that the peer is made to favor the transfer to authorized clients.
US07979484B2 Method and system for accelerating the computation of adaptive weights using matrix inverse calculations
A system and method is provided for performing matrix inverse functions, for example, for use within Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP). The methods use parallelism of a Forward/Backward substitution algorithm in two dimensions to increase a speed of execution of the matrix inverse function. Sampled data is combined with steering vector values, which direct antennas in a desired direction in the absence interference, in order to determine adaptive weights used within filters to remove unwanted energy in the sampled data due to jammers, clutter or other interference. The adaptive weights are recursively computed, using stored values of previously calculated adaptive weights and other factor coefficients derived from the sampled data.
US07979482B2 Random number generator configured to combine states of memory cells
A random number generator includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a series, a feedback processor for generating a feedback signal and for feeding the feedback signal into one of the memory cells, and a random number outputter formed to combine states of a group of at least two memory cells to obtain an output sequence. Sequences strongly differing from one another, the number of which is greater than the number of memory cells, can be generated by generating several output sequences AF0, AF1, AF2, . . . , AFk by combining states of different memory cells such that a safe and efficient bus encryption is achievable.
US07979476B2 Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, program, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to insert data into any form template that is specified. A data input/output control system 104 as the information processing apparatus processes a form template including at least one field into which database data is inserted. An identifier management section 108 extracts identifiable identifiers from identifiers of fields on a plurality of different form templates.
US07979469B2 Handheld electronic device and associated method employing a multiple-axis input device and arranging words of an existing message thread in various linguistic categories for selection during text entry
A method of facilitating the entry of text into a new message generated by a messaging application of a handheld electronic device is provided that includes receiving a command to reply to or forward a received message that is included within a message thread, scanning the message thread, identifying a plurality of words in the message thread, generating one or more word lists that include the identified words, and displaying the one or more word lists. The method further includes receiving a selection of a selected one of the words from the one or more word lists, and entering the selected one of the words into the new message. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device that implements the described method.
US07979468B2 Database data dictionary
Systems and methods are provided for manipulating data sets. In accordance with one implementation, a computerized system is provided for storing, managing, indexing, interrelating, and/or retrieving data sets in a manner independent of the data model. The system includes an element module configured to store and uniquely identify elements and an element relation module configured to store relationships between the elements in the element module. The computerized system may also comprise a class module configured to store attributes of elements in a class and a type definition module configured to define the class and the attributes related to the class. The computerized system may further comprise a state machine module, the state machine module including a state machine transition module and a status module.
US07979463B2 Database system and method for access control and workflow routing
A method for use with a database management system to produce a data structure encoded in computer readable memory that indicates a role associated with a transaction comprising: obtaining page context information that includes userid, subjectid, page name and a transaction identifier; providing a plurality of role views that associate userids and subjectids with role names; using the page name from the page context information to access a page definition relation that provides an association between the page name and at least one subject name; using the at least one subject name from the page definition relation to access a access a role view list that lists one or more of the role views; using the userid and the subjectid from the page context and at least one role view name from the role view list to access at least one role view that includes a matching userid and a matching subjectid; and producing a log roles structure that associates a role name from the at least one accessed role view and a transaction identifier from the page context.
US07979462B2 Head-to-head comparisons
Providing a comparison of a set of similar items is disclosed. In some embodiments, a selection of a set of similar items to be included in a comparison is received from a first member of an online community, and the comparison is stored so that the comparison can be presented to a second member of the online community when an indication is received that the comparison is of interest to the second member.
US07979461B2 Extended index searching
Processing a query involves directing the query to an extended index database, the extended index database comprising a core database and one or more supplemental indexes, wherein the query seeks an item. Directing the query for processing includes determining if the sought item is located within the core database and, if the item is not determined to be located in the core database, then determining if the item is located in one or more of the supplemental indexes, and returns a query result. The returned result may comprise any one of three responses, including a response that indicates the item is located in the core database, or a response that indicates that the item was not located in the core database but was located in one or more of the supplemental indexes, or a response that indicates that the item was not located at all.
US07979446B2 Computer-implemented biological sequence identifier system and method
A method of: submitting reference sequences to a taxonomic database to produce taxonomic results; and reporting a taxonomic identification based on the taxonomic results. The reference sequences are the output of genetic database queries that return a score for each reference sequence. A method for processing a biological sequence obtained from an assay by: converting base calls located in a predetermined list of positions within the biological sequence to N; and determining the ratio of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the biological sequence relative to a reference sequence. Each entry in the predetermined list of positions represents the capability of a substance hybridizing to a microarray used to generate the biological sequence. The substance is not the nucleic acid of a target pathogen.
US07979445B2 Processes for assessing user affinities for particular item categories of a hierarchical browse structure
A computer-implemented system provides a browse tree in which items represented within a database are arranged within a hierarchy of item categories. Each time a user selects an item, an amount of credit is cumulatively assigned to the ancestor nodes (categories) of the selected item. The amount of credit assigned to a particular category of the browse tree over time for a given user represents the user's predicted affinity for that category. The user's relative preferences for some or all of the categories are predicted by calculating differences between the user's predicted affinities for such categories and the predicted affinities of a population of users for such categories. Scores reflective of these relative category preferences are used to provide personalized recommendations or other personalized content to the user.
US07979444B2 Path-based ranking of unvisited web pages
Path-based ranking of unvisited Web pages for WWW crawling is provided, via identifying all the paths beginning with a “seed” URL and leading to visited relevant web pages as “good-path set”, and for each unvisited web page, identifying the paths beginning from the “seed” URL leading to it as “partial-path set”; classifying all the visited web pages and labeling each web Page with the labels of a class or classes it belongs to; training a statistic model for generalizing the common patterns among all ones of “good-path set”; and evaluating the “partial-path set” with the statistic model and ranking the unvisited web pages with the evaluation results.
US07979439B1 Method and system for collecting and analyzing time-series data
A computer-implemented data processing method comprises receiving an index specification, storing data in a data repository, and indexing the data to create an index of the date stored in the data repository. The index specification comprises a user-specific index parameter. The data is indexed along a dimension of the data specified by the user-specified index parameter. The is received from data source computers and may be indexed as the data is received from the source computers.
US07979437B2 Method of searching an index structure for TV-anytime forum metadata having location information expressed as a code for defining a key
An index structure of metadata provided for searching for information on contents, a method for providing indices of the metadata, and a method and an apparatus for searching for the metadata using the index structure of the metadata are provided. The index structure of the metadata includes a list of keys corresponding to fields of the metadata, and location information for defining a key, wherein at least a part of the location information is expressed as a predetermined code.
US07979430B2 Method and apparatus for information exchange
A method and apparatus includes a portable electronic memory storage device and a plurality of exhibitor computers, each having at least one specifically identified electronic uploadable file and a port adapted to selectively interface with the portable device. When a portable device engages a port, electronic content corresponding to the port is uploaded from the computer to the portable device. In another embodiment, data from the portable device, such as demographic data, is also downloaded to the exhibitor computer.
US07979425B2 Server-side match
Systems and techniques for converting numeric queries into substantially equivalent textual queries are described. In general, the systems and techniques discussed use search query logs to accurately select a most probably mapping for a numeric-to-text conversion. This mapping can occur when a system (e.g., a server-side search system) receives a series of numeric inputs (e.g., from a cell phone keypad) that may correspond to more than one word. For example, a search server may receive input 22737, which corresponds to both the words ACRES and CASES, as part of a query. The server uses current entries in query logs to create mappings for words from the numeric input. If recent queries indicate that the term ACRES is currently more popular than the term CASES, the mapping may match the entry 22737 to the text ACRES.
US07979420B2 Handling silent relations in a data stream management system
A new continuous query to a data stream management system (DSMS) may use a silent relation whose source does not provide any heartbeats. During execution of any given operator, the DSMS processes data from one input (“active input”) using its time stamp as if the same time stamp is received from another input whose relation has fallen silent (“empty input”), if one or more predetermined conditions are met. One predetermined condition is that the empty input's operator has all its own inputs silent. And another predetermined condition is that a maximum time stamp that is currently present among all the inputs of the empty input's operator is equal to a time stamp that was last received from these same inputs. When both conditions are met, previously received data from the empty input is time stamped with the same time stamp as the most recently received data from the active input.
US07979419B2 Distributed search methods for time-shifted and live peer-to-peer video streaming
Systems, devices and methods for supporting live and time-shifted video streaming via distributed search methods for registering and locating cached portions of video streams shared in peer-to-peer systems.
US07979417B1 Embedded communication of link information
A method of processing documents is described. The method includes the operation of receiving a document in a search engine crawler. The document includes an embedded first link tag. The first link tag includes one or more information pairs. A respective information pair includes a respective parameter and a corresponding value. The parameters in the one or more information pairs may correspond to content at one or more content locations or one or more document locations. The method also includes selecting a method of processing content associated with the first link tag in accordance with one or more of the information pairs.
US07979404B2 Extracting data changes and storing data history to allow for instantaneous access to and reconstruction of any point-in-time data
A “forward” delta data management technique uses a “sparse” index associated with a delta file to achieve both delta management efficiency and to eliminate read latency while accessing history data. The invention may be implemented advantageously in a data management system that provides real-time data services to data sources associated with a set of application host servers. To facilitate a given data service, a host driver embedded in an application server connects an application and its data to a cluster. The host driver captures real-time data transactions, preferably in the form of an event journal that is provided to the data management system. In particular, the driver functions to translate traditional file/database/block I/O into a continuous, application-aware, output data stream. In an illustrative embodiment, a given application aware data stream is processed through a multi-stage data reduction process to produce a compact data representation from which an “any point-in-time” reconstruction of the original data can be made.
US07979400B2 Database journaling in a multi-node environment
A database spread over multiple nodes allows each node to store a journal recording changes made to the database and also allows a journaling component to manage the memory space available for journaling. Two threshold size values may be specified for the journal. The first threshold value specifies a journal size at which to being pruning the journal on a given node. A journal pruning algorithm may be used to identify journal entries that may be removed. For example, once a given transaction completes (i.e., commits) the journal entries related to that transaction may be pruned from the journal. The second threshold value specifies the maximum size of the journal. After reaching this size, journal entries may be written to disk instead of the in-memory journal.
US07979392B2 Method and apparatus for preventing duplicate saving of resource between universal plug and play devices providing content directory service
A method and apparatus for preventing duplicate saving of a resource between universal plug and play (UPnP) devices, which provide content directory service during content synchronization, are provided. The method includes receiving a change log including metadata about a changed resource from a UPnP device of a transmitter, determining whether the changed resource is a duplicate based on the received change log, and receiving and saving the changed resource according to a designated saving path based on a result of the determination.
US07979380B2 Dynamically updated predictive model
Data of at least one of past values and present values of a system is consolidated from a plurality of sources. Virtual data of future values of the system is generated by applying the acquired data to a predictive model. Additional acquired data is received. The virtual data is dynamically updated by applying the additional acquired data to the predictive model.
US07979369B2 Classification of digital content by using aggregate scoring
Aggregate scoring is used to help classify digital content such as content uploaded to multi-user websites (e.g., social networking websites). In one embodiment, specific categories are used that relate to a social implication of content. For example, text, images, audio or other data formats can provide communication perceived to fall into categories such as violent, abusive, rights management, pornographic or other types of communication. The categories are used to provide a raw score to items in various groupings of a site's content. Where items are related to other items such as by organizational, social, legal, data-driven, design methods, or by other principles or definitions, the related items' raw scores are aggregated to achieve a score for a particular grouping of items that reflects, at least in part, scores from two or more of the related items.
US07979368B2 Systems and methods for processing data flows
A flow processing facility, which uses a set of artificial neurons for pattern recognition, such as a self-organizing map, in order to provide security and protection to a computer or computer system supports unified threat management based at least in part on patterns relevant to a variety of types of threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. Flow processing for switching, security, and other network applications, including a facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of conditions are directed at internal network security, virtualization, and web connection security. A flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps. Exposing threats and intrusions within packet payload at or near real-time rates enhances network security from both external and internal sources while ensuring security policy is rigorously applied to data and system resources. Intrusion Detection and Protection (IDP) is provided by a flow processing facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of types of network and data integrity threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks.
US07979366B2 System and method for coarse-classing variables in a propensity model
A technique is provided to coarse-class one or more customer characteristics used in a predictive model. A set of functions are used to represent partition points of the customer characteristic into smaller classes. Each of the final classes of the customer characteristic is represented separately in the predictive model. An initial set of functions may be established to provide an initial set of partitions points of the customer characteristic. The set of functions is then processed using a genetic algorithm to evolve the partition points to new values. Processing the set of partitions using the genetic algorithm may continue until a stopping criterion is reached.
US07979362B2 Interactive data mining system
An interactive data mining system (100, 3000) that is suitable for data mining large high dimensional (e.g., 200 dimension) data sets is provided. The system graphically presents rules in a context allowing users to readily gain an intuitive appreciation of the significance of important attributes (data fields) in the data. The system (100, 3000) uses metrics to quantify the importance of the various data attributes, data values, attribute/value pairs, ranks them according to the metrics and displays histograms and lists of attributes and values in order according to the metric, thereby allowing the user to rapidly find the most interesting aspects of the data. The system explores the impact of user defined constraints and presents histograms and rule cubes including superposed and interleaved rule cubes showing the effect of the constraints.
US07979352B2 Centralized check image storage system
Centralized check image storage system. The present invention provides for sharing check images stored in a substantially centralized storage system between and/or among banks in support of the check collection process. In some embodiments, check images are received from the capture bank via a landing zone at the centralized storage facility. These images and information supporting the check collection process can be in the form of load file. A cross-reference file including information supporting the check clearing process such as unique handles identifying the check images is received from a paying bank, possibly also via a landing zone. Check images can be identified based on these unique handles, so that the check images can be made accessible to both the capture bank and the paying bank from the substantially centralized storage system.
US07979349B2 Systems and methods for adjusting crediting limits to facilitate transactions
A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also includes the options of interest payments, the use of different account issuers, different financial accounts, budget transfers, spend compartmentalization, cost-splitting, adjusting credit limits, loans, gifting, intermediary facilitating the transaction, transaction tracking, rapid funds availability, confidential transfer of funds, immediate initiation of shipment by a seller, releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods, services, or other value, demonstrating proof of payment, and recourse against a remote seller.
US07979346B2 System and method for pricing loans in the secondary mortgage market
A system is provided for generating pricing information regarding loans where each loan has loan level data and is associated with a borrower. The system includes a pricing engine for generating a price for each loan including an interest rate component and a credit risk component. The credit risk component is generated based on loan level data for the particular loan.
US07979345B2 Method and interface for presenting last traded quantity information
Trading software may receive trading information from an exchange. The trading software may use the trading information to compute an estimate of last traded total sweep quantity. The trading software may also display the last traded total sweep quantity on a trading screen.
US07979344B2 Systems, methods, and media for automatically controlling trade executions based on percentage of volume trading rates
Systems, methods, and media for automatically controlling trade executions based on percentage of volume trading rates are provided. In some embodiments, systems for automatically controlling trade executions based on percentage of volume trading rates, are provided, the systems comprising at least one processor that: determines a market impact relationship for each of a plurality of positions included in a portfolio; determines a risk model associated with the portfolio; solves for a percentage of volume trading rate for each of the plurality of positions included in the portfolio based on the market impact relationship and the risk model; and causes trades to be executed in at least one of the plurality of positions included in the portfolio at the percentage of volume trading rate corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of positions.
US07979341B2 Dealer to dealer sales lead system and method
A system and method of creating a market for sales leads and financing amongst merchants of like wares that includes a central registry for receiving information about prospective buyers and their finances for compiling and communicating an anonymous sales lead including the prospective buyer's finances to merchants in the same line of business. The leads are auctioned or sold anonymously to interested merchants that receive the contact information for the prospective buyer but not the identity of the initial merchant.
US07979337B2 System and method for managing and administering a lifetime income share plan
The present invention provides a system and method for administering an investment option known as a lifetime income share. Lifetime income shares mitigate survival risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of a plurality of lifetime income shares certifies that an individual is entitled to receive a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. Additionally, the lifetime income shares of the present invention may be purchased and distributed to participants by a third party (e.g. commingled fund). The third party wishing to provide the lifetime income shares of the present invention to participants may purchase a predetermined amount of shares of an annuity from the underwriting organization and distribute it to the participants. This plan has an investment phase, a distribution phase, and a payout phase. Once the payout phase begins, the stream of monthly income commences at a specified age or date.
US07979332B2 Method of business valuation and data processing system
A method for valuing a business based on the business generating an acceptable return to an owner during a defined investment period, the method including the steps of assessing the business background for the business to be valued, establishing value optimization factors that determine business value in the light of the business background and the relevant industry of the business to be valued, establishing a business capitalization rate (BCR) appropriate for the business and industry of the business to be valued, calculating a weighted average notional earning before interest and tax (WANEBIT) based on historical financial records of the business to be valued, and calculating the net business value using the WANEBIT and the BCF.
US07979320B2 Automated acquisition and configuration of goods and services via a network
A computer performs a method of communicating with a referral server to identify configurables available to the computer based on the computer's location and at least one other factor. The computer receives a list of provider servers selected by the referral server for referring to the computer because the provider servers on the list auto-configure configurables in the computer's location and according to the at least one other factor. The method communicates with a provider server selected from the list to purchase a selected configurable and to auto-configure the computer's computing environment to operate the selected configurable. The method communicates with the referral server to provide a metric about the provider server's performance during purchase and auto-configure.
US07979313B1 Parts usage comparison system and methods
A parts usage comparison system and methods to directly network buyers and sellers in the mining, construction and agriculture industries in order for buyers to easily and efficiently procure parts and for sellers to easily and efficiently liquidate surplus assets specific to the aforementioned particular industries. The present invention provides methods of searching, buying and selling new, used and reman or rebuilt products. The parts usage and comparison system includes a parts database, a processor coupled to the parts database and a software interface. Third party buyers and third party sellers are connected to the parts database through the software interface. This connection allows searching and maintaining of information on the database.
US07979294B2 System and method for providing decision support to appointment schedulers in a healthcare setting
A method of providing a healthcare provider the ability to schedule an appointment including receiving a patient's requested appointment from an appointment scheduler; receiving an initial visit type from the appointment scheduler corresponding to the requested appointment; scheduling the requested appointment when it is determined that the requested appointment corresponds to a basic appointment; and providing the appointment scheduler with a set of decision support tools and responding to the requested appointment, when it is determined that the requested appointment corresponds to a complex appointment.
US07979292B2 Travel fee rate setting based upon travel mode and convenience
Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for charging a travel fee as a function of an ease of access to a travel option. A plurality of travel options is provided and ranked as a function of different environmental-friendliness values. Each of a plurality of different rates are set for each of the travel options, the rates set progressively lower as a function of a ranking of the travel option environmental-friendliness values. In response to a traveler selecting and using one of the travel options, an ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option is determined and a travel fee charged as a function of the rate set for the selected travel option and the determined ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option.
US07979288B2 Automated interpretation of medical prescription text
The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method of automated interpretation of medical prescription text. Prescription text may be entered into a user interface that may be analogous to a paper prescription entry such as manually written text. The system may then provide parsing, prompts and/or hints along with validity feedback as the prescription information is entered by the user.
US07979275B1 Distortion measurement for noise suppression system
The present technology measures distortion introduced by a noise suppression system. The distortion may be measured as the difference between a noise-reduced speech signal and an estimated idealized noise reduced reference (EINRR). The EINRR may be determined from a speech component and noise component that are pre-processed, and the EINRR may be used with masks associated with energies lost and added in the speech component and noise component. The EINRR may be calculated on a time varying basis.
US07979273B2 Method and apparatus for the digitization of and for the data compression of analog signals
The invention is based on the idea of providing a method for high-resolution, waveform-preserving digitization of analog signals, wherein conventional scalar logarithmic quantization is transferred to multi-dimensional spherical coordinates, and the advantages resulting from this, e.g., a constant signal/noise ratio over an extremely high dynamic range with very low loss with respect to the rate-distortion theory. In order to make use of the statistical dependencies present in the source signal for an additional gain in the signal/noise ratio, the differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) is combined with spherical logarithmic quantization. The resulting method achieves an effective data reduction with a high long-term and short-term signal/noise ratio with an extremely small signal delay.
US07979263B2 Method, system and program for developing and scheduling adaptive integrated circuitry and corresponding control or configuration information
A method, system and program are provided for development of an adaptive computing integrated circuit and corresponding configuration information, in which the configuration information provides an operating mode to the adaptive computing integrated circuit. The exemplary system includes a scheduler, a memory, and a compiler. The scheduler is capable of scheduling a selected algorithm with a plurality of adaptive computing descriptive objects to produce a scheduled algorithm and a selected adaptive computing circuit version. The memory is utilized to store the plurality of adaptive computing descriptive objects and a plurality of adaptive computing circuit versions generated during the scheduling process. The selected adaptive computing circuit version is converted into a hardware description language, for fabrication into the adaptive computing integrated circuit. The compiler generates the configuration information, from the scheduled algorithm and the selected adaptive computing circuit version, for the performance of the algorithm by the adaptive computing integrated circuit. In the exemplary embodiments, multiple versions of configuration information may be generated, for different circuit versions, different feature sets, different operating conditions, and different operating modes.
US07979262B1 Method for verifying connectivity of electrical circuit components
Connections between digital blocks and other circuit components, such as power supplies and clocks, are verified using a discrete property or object, such as a discrete discipline. A discrete discipline is defined for each value of an operating parameter, such as voltage or clock speed, that is used in a circuit design. Each discrete discipline is propagated throughout respective nets using bottom-up and/or top-down propagation. As a result, each digital net is associated with a power supply value through its corresponding discrete discipline. A determination is made whether two digital nets are connected to each other within the same digital island. If so, a determination is made whether the digital nets are compatible. If they have conflicting discrete disciplines, then they are not compatible and an error report or signal can be generated to identify the incompatibility and its location. Compatibility checks can disregard grounded digital nets. Verifications can be performed for both digital and mixed signal digital/analog designs without running simulations.
US07979256B2 Determining absorbent article effectiveness
A method for determining absorbent article effectiveness of a virtual absorbent article. The steps of the method include providing a virtual body model, providing a virtual absorbent article model, providing virtual simulation software, running a virtual simulation of deformation of the virtual absorbent article model in proximity with the virtual body model, running a virtual simulation of the fluid balance of the virtual absorbent article model in proximity with the virtual body model, coupling the virtual simulation of deformation of the virtual absorbent article model and the virtual simulation of the fluid balance of the virtual absorbent article model, and determining absorbent article effectiveness of the virtual absorbent article model in proximity with the virtual body model.
US07979255B2 Method, system and computer program product for the optimization of power system architectures at the aircraft level during pre-design
In an aircraft power system architecture, power requirements stem from functional top-level aircraft requirements and from the interrelationship among many systems. Thus, to balance power in the overall aircraft power system architecture or at least a portion of the power system architecture at the aircraft level, these interrelationships are considered. A method, system and computer program product are provided for the management of power system architectures at the aircraft level during pre-design. The designer can specify top-level aircraft parameters, and power values in all the systems of the aircraft at varying levels of complexity can be displayed.
US07979247B2 System, method and computer program product for developing a system-of-systems architecture model
A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1, and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.
US07979245B1 Model-based systems and methods for monitoring computing resource performance
Modeling systems and methods for constructing one or more models of a computing system using collected data. Certain model-based systems build topology models and/or model instances by transforming collected performance data into a collection-location independent form. In certain examples, systems include at least one agent for collecting performance data from monitored resource(s), canonical data transform (CDT) configurations, and a data transformation module for performing data transform operation(s) on the performance data based on at least one CDT configuration. The data transform operation may include generating and/or updating a topology model, assigning metrics to model object(s), updating properties of model object(s), creating associations between existing model objects, or the like. Certain systems and methods also allow for a single piece of data to be processed by multiple models or for pieces of data collected from different locations to be matched and/or associated with the same model object.
US07979241B2 Optimized method for LID biosensor resonance detection
An optical interrogation system is described herein that can interrogate a label-independent-detection (LID) biosensor and monitor a biological event on top of the biosensor without suffering from problematical parasitic reflections and/or problematical pixelation effects. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system is capable of interrogating a biosensor and using a low pass filter algorithm to digitally remove problematic parasitic reflections contained in the spectrum of an optical resonance which makes it easier to determine whether or not a biological event occurred on the biosensor. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system is capable of interrogating a biosensor and using an oversampling/smoothing algorithm to reduce oscillations in the estimated location of an optical resonance caused by the problematical pixelation effect which makes it easier to determine whether or not a biological event occurred on the biosensor.
US07979229B2 Displacement control signal correction method, displacement control device, construction machine and displacement control signal correction program
The present invention includes: a displacement altering unit for generating a displacement control pressure corresponding to a displacement control signal; an input unit for inputting a target displacement; a pressure calculating unit for calculating a displacement control pressure corresponding to the target displacement based upon predetermined reference characteristics of the displacement altering unit; a pressure detecting unit for detecting a pressure corresponding to the displacement control pressure; a signal calculating unit for calculating a displacement control signal corresponding to the input target displacement; and a correcting unit for correcting the displacement control signal calculated by the signal calculating unit based upon the displacement control pressure having been calculated by the pressure calculating unit and the measured pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit.
US07979228B2 High resolution time measurement in a FPGA
Various techniques are described for high resolution time measurement using a programmable device, such as an FPGA. The timing may be triggered by any event, depending on the applications of use. Once triggering has occurred, a START pulse begins propagating through the FPGA. The pulse is able to propagate through the FPGA in a staggered manner traversing multiple FPGA columns to maximize the amount of time delay that may be achieved while minimizing the overall array size, and thus minimizing the resource utilization, of the FPGA. The FPGA timing delay is calibrated by measuring for the linear and non-linear differences in delay time of each unit circuit forming the staggered delay line path for the timing circuit. The FPGA achieves nanosecond and sub-nanosecond time resolutions and is used in applications such as various time of flight systems.
US07979226B2 Production of color coatings gradients, application methods and uses therefor
This invention pertains to a system and methods for the production of color coatings gradients on a surface using a blender and applicator, sensors and to computer memory containing stored color gradient representation information to be used for color composition customization and for visually displaying alphanumeric data/information on 2D and 3D surfaces. This invention integrates gradient specific programmable computer digital processes to function as internal editors, manipulate information and present an operator with multiple options and production overrides. This invention will make data analysis more interactive by utilizing existing external software applications as editors and expanding the process of visual communications for multiple purposes.
US07979217B2 Method and system for spectroscopic data analysis
A method of analyzing spectroscopic data, the method comprising collecting spatially resolved measurement spectroscopic data of a sample for a series of measurements spots, assigning the measurement spots into a predefined set of spectral categories, based on characteristics of the spectroscopic data of the respective measurement spots, identifying groupings of the measurement spots based on their respective spectral categories and their spatial relationships, and assigning each grouping of measurement spots to a fundamental sample unit data object.
US07979216B2 Method for determining a gas compositional origin from carbon material thermal degradation
At least one type of carbon material susceptible to generate a gas G is selected. Then, a model is built from the carbon isotopic composition of a gas P generated by thermal degradation of this type of carbon material. The model is calibrated by calibrating the kinetic effect independently of the precursor effect. In order to achieve that, pyrolyses are performed on compounds modeling the type of carbon material, said compounds being synthesized and labeled with 13C. Using said model, a carbon isotopic composition of gas P generated is estimated. Finally, it is determined whether gas G has been generated from the selected type of carbon material, by comparing a measured isotopic composition of gas G to the estimated isotopic composition.
US07979193B2 Even fire 90°V12 IC engines, fueling and firing sequence controllers, and methods of operation by PS/P technology and IFR compensation by fuel feed control
90°V12 reciprocating, EFI/DIS fueled/fired, IC engines having a PCM controller operating the engine in an Even Fire ignition mode, in a novel fueling and firing sequence called Progressive Single/Pair (PS/P) firing, wherein the cylinders of each of a set of four pairs of internal cylinders are simultaneously fueled and fired in parallel to produce a pump-gas fueled power curve greatly improved over V6 and V8 engines. The inherent imbalance-induced transitory vibration in IFR RPM is compensated-for by fuel feed control, namely, leaning one cylinder of each pair-fired cylinder pair. The inventive 90°V12 retro-fits into the engine compartment of conventional vehicles and can use any liquid or gaseous fuel. The inventive 90°V12 has use in the exemplary fields of: automotive engines; heavy military and industrial equipment and vehicle engines; marine engines; aircraft engines; and stationary power sources; in both 2-cycle and 4-cycle modes, and in normally aspirated, super-charged and turbo-charged configurations.
US07979191B2 Method for monitoring a starting process of a motor vehicle
A method for monitoring a starting process of a motor vehicle, having a drive train including a driving motor, a torque transfer system and a transmission, a controller and an actuator, which is controlled by the controller for actuating the torque transfer system. Upon initiation of the starting process, if it is observed that the motor vehicle does not start, despite a clear starting request, appropriate measures for starting the motor vehicle are initiated.
US07979190B2 Control system
There is provided a control unit including a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, a vehicle stop determination module for determining whether or not a vehicle is stopping based on a detection result of the vehicle sensor and a controller, wherein the controller operates an inclination component of gravity acceleration in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle on a road surface on which the vehicle is running based on an output of the power source detected by a power source output sensor and a brake torque detected by a brake torque sensors when the stop determination unit is determining that the vehicle is in a stopped state and controls either of the output of the power source and the brake force based on the result of the calculation when the vehicle starts.
US07979187B2 Method for engaging a clutch
A method for coupling a load to a power source by means of a clutch, the method having the steps of initially increasing the pressure of the actuator to bring the pressure plates of the clutch into contact with the clutch plates gradually increasing the pressure of the actuator even further to allow the clutch plates to be engaged with the pressure plates while decreasing at least ones the pressure during a short time to create pressure dips such that the torque generated over the load is at least temporarily decreased, and levelling the pressure of the actuator to maintain the engagement of the pressure plates with the clutch plates to allow the load to be driven by the power source.
US07979186B2 Torque converter clutch apply adapt and quality apply detection converter slip acceleration
A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring system includes a slip rate calculation module that receives a raw slip speed of a torque converter clutch and that calculates torque converter clutch slip acceleration based on the raw slip speed. A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring module detects deviation of the slip acceleration from a predetermined range during a pulldown of the torque converter clutch.
US07979182B2 Swing drive system for construction machine
A swing drive system for a construction machine enhances safety for an operator. A swing control means 55A has a lever input amount-torque table 11 and an actual rotating speed-torque table 13. Based on a lever input amount and an actual rotating speed of an electric motor, the tables are used to derive torque values. A minimum value of the torque values is taken as the acceleration torque. The swing control means 55A further has a lever input amount-meter-out restriction area table 15 and an actual rotating speed-relief torque table 119. Based on the lever input amount and the actual rotating speed of the electric motor, a meter-out restriction area is derived from the lever input amount-meter-out restriction area table and the actual rotating speed to calculate a meter-out torque. A minimum value of the meter-out torque and relief torque is taken as the braking torque.
US07979172B2 Autonomous vehicle travel control systems and methods
Method and system for enabling semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle travel includes creating dedicated travel lanes for vehicle travel, determining the location of vehicles in the dedicated travel lanes, and providing instructions to the vehicles in the dedicated travel lanes to enable them to travel in a manner which maximizes speed. To determine the location of the vehicles, a vehicle travel management system may be arranged in each vehicle to determine the location of that vehicle, e.g., using a GPS-based positioning system or similar system, and which also optionally receives travel instructions which can be implemented by a vehicle control system to control the direction and speed of the vehicle. The vehicle control system can be designed to assume control of vehicle travel without requiring driving by an occupant of the vehicle and control vehicle travel based on the provided instructions.
US07979170B2 Railroad snow removal system
A snow removal system wherein snow removers located in remote locations can be monitored and controlled at a computing device. Data collected by sensors on the snow removal unit or data collected from a secondary source can be used to control the operation of the snow removers. In one embodiment, data regarding whether it is snowing at a particular location can be collected by moister sensors on the snow removal device and verified by on-line contemporaneous weather reports corresponding to the same location.
US07979169B2 Methods and systems of an adjustable bed
Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like.
US07979159B2 Method and system for determining the relation between a robot coordinate system and a local coordinate system located in the working range of the robot
The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining the relation between a local coordinate system located in the working range of an industrial robot (1) and a robot coordinate system. The method includes attaching a first calibration object (10) in a fixed relation to the robot and determining the position of the first calibration object in relation to the robot. Then, locating at least three second calibration objects (14,15,16) in the working range of the robot, a reference position for each of the second calibration objects in the local coordinate system can be determined by moving the robot until the first calibration object is in mechanical contact with each second calibration object. By reading the position of the robot when the calibration objects are in mechanical contact the relation between the local coordinate system and the robot coordinate system can be calculated.
US07979154B2 Method and system for managing semiconductor manufacturing device
A management system includes a variable-period setting unit that sets a variable period in which quality-control values vary. Then, a retrieving unit retrieves events sandwiching the variable period. The events can be a maintenance of the semiconductor manufacturing device and/or a change of a correction value. An analysis-period setting unit sets an analysis period for analyzing a cause of variation of the quality-control values between the events retrieved by the retrieving unit.
US07979153B2 Exposure data generating apparatus
An exposure-data generating apparatus comprises a first memory, a second memory, and an exposure data memory. The first memory stores drawing data in bitmap format as first data that is used for an exposure. The second memory stores second data whose data unit in a column direction is converted to a resolution unit of information of each cell based on the first data. The exposure data memory stores exposure data that is raster data obtained by a burst transfer of third data at every column unit. The second data is rearranged and converted to the third data, where an arrangement of data of each cell of the second data in the column direction is changed to a row direction. The cell constitutes a display element of a Digital Micro-mirror Device that performs the exposure based on said exposure data.
US07979152B2 Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-D printer
A build chamber for use in a three-dimensional printer and adapted for receiving powder for producing three-dimensional objects. The build chamber includes a build surface for receiving the powder, with the build surface including a first plate defining holes and a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate. The second plate is disposed below and spaced from the first plate.
US07979126B2 Orientation-independent implantable pulse generator
An improved structure for an implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator, is disclosed. The improved device includes a charging coil for wirelessly receiving energy via induction from an external charger. The charging coil in the device is located substantially equidistantly from the two planar sides of the device case. Because the coil is substantially equidistant within the thickness of the case of the device, the device's orientation within the patient is irrelevant, at least from the standpoint of the efficiency of charging the device using the external charger. Accordingly, charging is not adversely affected if the device is implanted in the patient with the wrong orientation, or if the device flips within the patient after implantation. Moreover, because the central portion of the device naturally corresponds to the largest lateral extent within the case due to the case's curved edges, the charging coil can be made larger in area, which improves its gain vis-à-vis the external charger.
US07979123B2 Intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effect
A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.
US07979116B2 Body composition measuring instrument for recognizing changes in body composition
A body composition measuring instrument includes a body composition calculating unit for calculating the body composition of a user by using a plurality of electrodes, a reference value storage region for storing information of a reference value related to the past body composition of the user, a display control unit for performing a control to display a position of the body composition during the time calculated by the body composition calculating unit in reference to a line showing the reference value on a predetermined graph, and a display section for providing a display corresponding to the output from the display control unit.
US07979115B2 Detection of pleural effusion using transthoracic impedance
This patent document discusses systems, devices, and methods for increasing a sensitivity or specificity of thoracic fluid detection in a subject and differentiating between pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. In one example, a thoracic impedance measurement circuit senses a thoracic impedance signal. In another example, a processor receives the thoracic impedance signal and determines whether such thoracic impedance signal is “significant.” A significant thoracic impedance signal indicates the presence of thoracic fluid and may be recognized by comparing the thoracic impedance signal (or variation thereof) to a thoracic impedance threshold. When a significant thoracic impedance signal is recognized, the processor is adapted to detect one or both of: a pleural effusion indication and a pulmonary edema indication using one or a combination of: physiologic information, patient symptom information, and posture information. In another example, the thoracic impedance threshold is adjusted using such physiologic, patient symptom, or posture information.
US07979097B2 Power management for multimode wireless communication device
A multimode wireless communication device comprising a Wi-Fi module, a cellular communication module, and an integrated power management module is described. The integrated power management module or power management means is configured to manage power for the Wi-Fi module and the cellular communications module. The integrated power management module comprises a Wi-Fi power save mode, a Wi-Fi sleep mode, a Wi-Fi power down mode, a cellular power save mode, and a cellular low power mode. In the Wi-Fi power save mode a timer switches the Wi-Fi module between a Wi-Fi power save awake state and a Wi-Fi power save sleep state.
US07979088B2 Water friend or foe system for global vessel identification and tracking
Disclosed are a method, system, and computer program product for a Water Friend or Foe System (WFSS) including a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in a SIM reader on a marine vessel. The WFFS system on the marine vessel transmits secure identity information and location information to a WFFS tracking station. The WFFS system on the marine vessel detects anomalies on the marine vessel and in response transmits an alarm signal to a WFFS tracking station and/or shuts down a propulsion system of the marine vessel. The WFFS system on the marine vessel can also receive a one-time “override” encrypted code to re-enable ship control of the propulsion system. The secure identity information and real-time vessel location are transmitted in one of: an Automatic Identifier System (AIS) message type or a Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) message type.
US07979085B2 Method of measuring receive power of CDMA mobile communication system, and CDMA mobile communication system
The receive power of uplink signals in a CDMA mobile communication system is measured by prohibiting a mobile station from transmitting an uplink signal including a frame over a first channel during a predetermined transmission prohibition period, and measuring a receive power of uplink signals at a base station transmitted from each of the mobile stations located in a cell during the prohibition period. Another method of measuring the receive power includes measuring a first receive power of uplink signals at a base station from each mobile station located in a cell, and measuring each second receive power of uplink signal including a frame only over a first channel transmitted from each mobile station, and then calculating a total receive power of uplink signals excluding frames over the first channel by subtracting respective second receive powers from the first receive power.
US07979080B2 Handover-based method for anonymous observation of a moving subscriber
A location of a subscriber can be observed by means of a mobile network in a completely anonymous way, without a subscriber identifier or a temporary subscriber identifier. At first, a method extracts from a first time slot of a radio channel a message which includes information about a second time slot of a radio channel. The first time slot of a radio channel discloses the current cell of the subscriber and the second time slot of a radio channel discloses a new cell of the subscriber. A location of the subscriber is determined on the basis of the current and the new cell. This location is approximately situated in a geographical intersection area of the current and the new cell. Different kinds of statistics can be deduced from the observations concerning activities of subscribers.
US07979073B2 Apparatus and method for solving congestion in wideband code division multiple access system
Provided is an apparatus and method for solving congestion in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system. A WCDMA node B broadcasts a congestion occurrence information message over a cell area when congestion is sensed. A mobile communication terminal then checks the type of service to receive in the WCDMA node B and, when the mobile communication terminal receives a circuit service and there is a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)/General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) cell available with which the mobile communication terminal can communicate, it switches its service cell mode from a WCDMA cell into the GSM/GPRS cell.
US07979070B2 Mobile equipment for sending an attach request to a network
The invention provides a method and device which may perform a combined attach and communication connection establishment procedure when attaching an equipment such as a mobile station to a mobile communication network. An attach request sent form the equipment may initiate this combined attach and communication connection establishment process. In the Home Location Register, communication connection parameters are set as default values which may be automatically selected, for instance when receiving a combined attach and communication connection establishment request. The combined attach and communication connection establishment process reduces the signaling load in the network and speeds up communication connection establishment.
US07979069B2 Mobile device and base station for a communication protocol with normal login and temporary login
A mobile device communicates with a base station according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol having a first message for signaling a readiness of the base station for a normal login operation of the mobile device with the base station and a second message for signaling a readiness of the base station for an ad-hoc login operation of the mobile device with the base station, so that the ad-hoc login information of the ad-hoc login operation can be distinguished from the normal login information of the normal login operation. To this end, the mobile device has a receiver, an interpreter and a processor, which is formed so as to perform the ad-hoc login operation when the readiness of the base station for an ad-hoc login operation is signaled.
US07979067B2 Context avatar
Methods and systems for generating information about a physical context of a user are provided. These methods and systems provide the capability to render a context avatar associated with the user as a composite image that can be broadcast in virtual environments to provide information about the physical context of the user. The composite image can be automatically updated without user intervention to include, among other things, a virtual person image of the user and a background image defined by encoded image data associated with the current geographic location of the user.
US07979066B2 Multiple IMSI connections
A system is disclosed that includes a first multiple International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) location register (MILR) module. The first MILR module includes user information associated with a plurality of mobile subscribers. For each of the mobile subscribers, the user information includes a first IMSI number and a first Mobile Directory Number (MDN). The first IMSI number and the first MDN are associated with a first country. The user information includes a second IMSI number and a second MDN. The second IMSI number and the second MDN are associated with a second country. The user information also includes active location information for each of the mobile subscribers.
US07979065B1 System and method for facilitating multi-media communication
A system and method are provided with a computing system, capable of binding SMS, voice and other media transactions into a continuous, stateful messaging process that maintains awareness of the communications event over time delays and media transitions. Communications events between two or more communicators over one communications medium are bridged by the system to a second communications medium, according to the needs of the communicators. Various applications of the system permit selective or automated bridging of the communications event based on predetermined events and timeline formulae.
US07979060B2 Privacy-enabled telephone directory
A privacy-enabled telephone directory is disclosed that is implemented through a contact facilitator. The contact facilitator receives a contact request from a caller which includes the name of the party to be called and disambiguation information to distinguish the called party. The contact facilitator applies the disambiguation information to entries in a disambiguation database to select the mobile telephone user corresponding to the contact request information. The contact facilitator then accesses a profile database to retrieve the called party's profile which contains directions for processing the request. Possible directions include immediately connecting the caller with the called party, batching the call, or following other specific instructions regarding the contact request. Profile instructions may be changed by the mobile telephone user at any time.
US07979053B2 Security system and method for a mobile phone
A security system for a mobile phone is disclosed for securing private information of the mobile phone. The system may set at least two PIN numbers for a super user and a general user, encrypt a phone book system of the mobile phone by setting a security status for each contact in a phone book system of the mobile phone. The system also may start a secure work mode if a user of the mobile phone is a super user and starting a non-secure work mode if the user is a general user of the mobile phone. A security method for a mobile phone is also disclosed.
US07979050B2 Portable electronic apparatus, program, and communication system
A portable electronic apparatus is enabled to notify its position depending on whether user authentication by its authenticating function is unsuccessful or not, when an instruction for controlling the power of the apparatus is given.A controlling unit determines by a condition determining function whether or not the user authentication by the authenticating function when the user gives a long pressing operation on a power key is unsuccessful or not. In a case where the authentication result coincides with a predetermined function, the controlling unit continues power supply to each element that constitutes a position notifying function. Even after the power is switched off, the position notifying function, which is kept operating, sends position information.
US07979042B2 Generating phase shift based on adding two vectors with variable gains
A radio frequency (RF) phase shifter having an RC-CR circuit that includes a first capacitor having a first capacitor node and a second capacitor node and a first resistor coupled between the first capacitor node and a ground. The RC-CR circuit also includes a second resistor having a first resistor node and a second resistor node and a second capacitor coupled between the first resistor node and the ground. The RF phase shifter generates arbitrary phase shift by using a scheme of adding two perpendicular vectors with variable gains (or amplitudes).
US07979041B1 Out-of-channel received signal strength indication (RSSI) for RF front end
The signal strength of an out-of-channel interferer is estimated by measuring the transition density of the sign of the down-converted signal. RF interferers at a higher or lower frequency than the desired RF signal appear as high frequency content in the down-converted signal, thus increasing the likelihood of zero-crossings.
US07979038B2 PLL modulation circuit, radio transmission device, and radio communication device
Provided are a PLL modulation circuit, a radio transmission device, and a radio communication device capable of maintaining a modulation accuracy for modulation of a wide band. The PLL modulation circuit (100) includes: a PLL unit (110), first modulation signal input means for inputting a first modulation signal to a divider (112) or a phase comparator (113) of the PLL unit (110); second modulation signal input means for DA converting the digital modulation signal in a DA converter (116) to generate an analog second modulation signal and inputting it to a voltage control oscillator (111) of the PLL unit (110); a second divider for dividing the output signal of the voltage control oscillator (111); and control means for generating a center frequency control signal, a gain control signal, and a second division ration control signal according to the channel selection signal and the control voltage inputted to the voltage control oscillator (111) and supplying them to the divider (112), the DA converter (116), and the second divider (114), respectively.
US07979034B2 Architecture for RFID tag reader/writer
An RFID transceiver (200) includes a common frequency source (250), a receiving channel (230) and a transmitting channel (240). The common frequency source (250) is configured to provide a predefined intermediate frequency signal fIF, and a predefined carrier frequency signal fc. The RFID receiving channel (230) includes an upconverting mixer (232) having a first input coupled to receive the predefined intermediate frequency signal fIF, a second input coupled to receive the predefined carrier frequency signal fc, and an output, the upconverting mixer (232) operable to produce an upconverted signal at a frequency defined by fc±fIF. The RFID receiving channel (230) further includes an image rejection downconverting mixer (234) having a first input coupled to receive an RFID signal having a carrier frequency substantially at the predefined carrier frequency fc, a second input coupled to receive the upconverted signal, and an output, the image rejection downconverting mixer (234) operable to produce an output a downconverted signal at substantially the predefined intermediate frequency fIF. The RFID transmitting channel (240) includes a modulator (244) operable to modulate modulation data onto the predefined carrier frequency signal fc.
US07979031B2 System and method for making measurements in customer devices across different network technologies
In a communication network architecture having multiple technology coverage areas that support different network technologies, a service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer roams between technology coverage areas. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the network technology, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.
US07979019B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, control program, and computer-readable program
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of restricting copying using, as a master copy, a copy of a produced work such as a book. An MFP is provided with a printing permission/prohibition judging section and an output paper sheet selection section. The printing permission/prohibition judging section judges whether or not restriction information for restricting image formation is contained in either (i) an information tag provided in a document, or (ii) image data acquired by an image scanning section. The output paper sheet selection section selects a regulatory-information-containing recording paper sheet (i.e., a recording paper sheet on which a copy restriction code/pattern has been formed in advance, or a recording paper sheet having a wireless tag in which regulatory information has been stored in advance) as a recording paper sheet to be subjected to the image formation, which regulatory-information-containing recording paper sheet contains the regulatory information for prohibiting or restricting an image forming process based on the recording paper sheet on which an image has been formed.
US07979010B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
Provided is an image forming apparatus including at least a latent image bearing member, a latent electrostatic image forming unit, a developing unit which includes at least a developing roller and a supply roller, and a transfer unit, wherein both of a diameter R (mm) of the developing roller and a diameter R′ (mm) of the supply roller are 12 mm or less; the toner contains at least a binder resin, a wax, and a colorant with the wax having a melting point of 75° C. or less; an amount of the wax exposed on a surface of the toner is 10 mg/g to 30 mg/g; and when a diameter (mm) of the developing roller is represented by R the toner has a torque T (mNm) satisfying the inequation, 20/R
US07979009B2 Developer supplying cartridge including a developer supplying port shutter portion and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the cartridge
A developer supplying cartridge including a supply developer containing portion, a developer supplying port for supplying a developer in the supply developer containing portion to a developing device via a supplied port of the developing device, and a supplying port shutter unit that opens and closes the developer supplying port and that includes a housing member covering the developer supplying port, a cylindrical member which is rotatably disposed in the housing member, and provided with a through-hole corresponding to the developer supplying port, and which assumes, by its rotation, a developer supply allowing position where the developer supplying port and the through-hole communicate with each other and a developer supply stopping position where the developer supplying port is closed, and a scraping member which is abutted on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member to scrape off developer adhering to the outer circumferential surface.
US07978998B2 Image forming apparatus for transferring transfer residual toner onto image bearing member
There is a charge member which charges secondary transfer remaining toner on an intermediate transfer member to a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity. The transfer remaining toner charged by the charge member is moved in the direction opposite to that of normal toner by a transfer bias and moved from the intermediate transfer member onto an image bearing member. A BK station is arranged on the downstream of other stations. In a continuous BK monochromatic mode, by applying a reverse bias to transfer portions of the other stations and applying the transfer bias only to the BK station, waste toner can be collected into the BK station (simultaneously with the transfer). In a full-color mode, since each transfer bias is applied to all stations, the waste toner is collected into the station on the uppermost stream. Thus, the image bearing member for collecting the transfer remaining toner on the intermediate transfer member is made different according to the mode, thereby suppressing that the collection of the waste toner is concentrated on one image bearing member.
US07978991B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a high voltage generating circuit 91 that applies an oscillating voltage in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed on each other, to a charging member 42 disposed in contact with an image carrier 41; a voltage control portion 96 that controls a peak-to-peak voltage of the AC voltage to a target voltage value; and an initial voltage adjusting portion 95 that sets a target voltage value based on a DC current value between the image carrier 41 and the charging member 42 which is detected by a current detecting portion 92. When an environmental condition which is used when the target voltage value is set changes, the initial voltage adjusting portion 95 performs an interrupt operation during an image forming process.
US07978987B2 Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, an image forming portion forms an image on a rotator. A storage portion stores change characteristics information relevant to correction parameters corresponding to phase points of the rotator. A designating portion sequentially designates the correction parameters based on the change characteristics information. A correcting portion corrects an image forming position on the rotator based on the correction parameter designated by the designating portion. When it is determined, based on a detecting phase point of the rotator detected by a detecting portion, that the current phase of the rotator corresponds to a gradual phase point at which the correction parameter changes at a rate equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the designation by said designating portion is shifted to the correction parameter corresponding to the gradual phase point.
US07978979B2 Methods and systems for implementing a universal set top box
A system is disclosed. The system has a first receiver, a second receiver, and an input device configured to transmit a command signal in response to user input. The system also has an input waveguide having a first end in communication with the input device and terminating at the first receiver, and a second end in communication with the second receiver. The input waveguide is arranged to receive and route the command signal to the second receiver. The system also has an output waveguide having a first end in communication with the first receiver, and a second end in communication with the second receive. The second receiver is configured to determine whether the command signal is directed to the first receiver and/or the second receiver based a code contained in the command signal. The second receiver is further configured to execute the command signal when it is determined that the command signal is directed to the second receiver, and relay the command signal through the output waveguide to the first receiver for execution when it is determined that the command signal is directed to the first receiver.
US07978976B2 Optical data transmission system
An optical data transmission system having a hub, an optical router, and a plurality of optically pumped sources at a curb location, and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs). The ONUs generate and transmit respective data modulated pumping light to the curb location where it is received by the optically pumped sources, which convert it into the wavelength channels having predefined wavelength ranges assigned to respective ONUs. The optical router routes the wavelength channels for transmission to the hub.
US07978973B2 Transmission system
A wavelength division multiplexing transmission system, the system comprising: a plurality of channels at different wavelengths, each channel comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more amplifiers, the system further comprising an encoder for encoding data with a coding, and; a decoder for decoding transmitted data; prioritizing means for prioritizing the data on each channel; monitoring means for monitoring directly or indirectly, raw (uncorrected) bit errors on each channel; power adjusting means for, varying the power on a channel in response to the bit error rate.
US07978970B2 Systems and/or devices for providing diffuse light
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
US07978968B2 Auto focus device
Disclosed is an auto focus device that automatically and easily sets an AF frame to a focus range desired by a cameraman in an AF system.An auto focus device includes: a focusing unit that performs focusing on an imaging screen of a camera; a best focus range detecting unit that detects a best focus range from the imaging screen showing the focus result of the focusing unit; and an AF frame automatic setting unit that automatically sets the position of an AF frame indicating the range of an AF area, which is a target range focused by auto focus in the imaging screen, in the detected best focus range.
US07978966B2 Image capturing device
An image capturing device includes an imaging element that captures an image of a photographic subject, an optical member that is disposed over an imaging surface of the imaging element, a vibration application member that applies vibration to the optical member, and a support assembly including a non-metallic first support member and a non-metallic second support member for supporting the optical member. The first support member and the second support member are configured to follow the deformation of the vibrating optical member with individual speeds different from each other.
US07978959B2 Memory addressing method suitable for systems having a variable speed data reproduction capability
A memory addressing method is suitable for systems performing data compression and/or expansion such as audio and/or video systems having a variable speed data reproduction capability. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for processing a signal such as an audio or video signal in a signal reproduction device begins by receiving the signal. The received signal is processed in dependence upon a mode of operation of the signal reproduction device representing a speed at which the received signal is to be reproduced by the signal reproduction device. The received signal is speed converted and then stored in a memory of the signal reproduction device when the signal reproduction device is in a first mode of operation. The received signal is stored in the memory of the signal reproduction device without being speed converted when the signal reproduction device is in a second mode of operation. According to an embodiment, the first mode of operation represents that the received signal will be reproduced by the signal reproduction device at a speed greater than an input speed corresponding to the received signal. The second mode of operation represents that the received signal will be reproduced by the signal reproduction device at a speed less than or equal to an input speed corresponding to the received signal.
US07978956B2 Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US07978954B2 Rotation speed control apparatus for disk recorder and method thereof
A rotation speed control apparatus for a disk recorder is provided, which includes a buffer monitor and a rotation speed decision maker. According to the amount of data in the buffer, the buffer monitor outputs a buffer data. According to the buffer data, the rotation speed decision maker outputs a disk-rotation-speed signal. According to the disk-rotation-speed signal, the disk recording speed of an optical storage system is adjusted by the rotation speed control apparatus to avoid disk recording interruption due to lack of buffer data.
US07978949B2 Optical fibers and optical transmission systems
Optical fibers and optical transmission systems, which are capable of broadband and large capacity single-mode optical transmission, and have low macrobends are provided.The optical fiber made from pure silica comprising a core region, a cladding region at the circumference of the core region a coating layer made from a resin at the circumference of the cladding region, and having a cutoff wavelength of shorter than 1530 nm, and positive dispersion at 1550 nm, bending loss of less than 10 dB/m at a bending diameter of 20 mm, and an effective core area of 120 μm2.
US07978940B2 Self-aligned carrier assembly for optical device supporting wafer scale methods
Broadly speaking, disclosed is a carrier assembly for an optical device, the carrier assembly comprising in combination: a glass substrate with an optical die thereon; and a silicon carrier attached to the glass carrier. During manufacture, a number of optical dies can be attached on the glass substrate using self-alignment of AuSn solder bumps using gaseous flux at about 300 deg C. The glass carrier can be mounted to the silicon carrier to form an optical device carrier assembly comprising micromechanical guide holes to facilitate a optical fiber connection, using self-alignment of SnAg solder bumps using gaseous flux at about 250 deg C. Each individual optical device can be tested at a wafer scale. The resulting optical device assembly can be diced to form individual optical devices having a carrier assembly that exhibits the traits of both a silicon carrier and a glass carrier.
US07978939B2 Optical module
An optical module comprises: an optical element array comprising plural optical elements that emits or receives light; and an optical waveguide comprising a clad and plural cores respectively with optical path changing portions, the cores being disposed in the clad with an interval. The optical path changing portions are optically connected to the optical elements. The optical path changing portions are arranged in a first direction having an angle with respect to a formation direction of the cores, the first direction being corresponding to an arrangement direction of said plurality of optical elements.
US07978934B2 Method and device for selecting optimal transform matrices for down-sampling DCT image
Down-sampling of an image may be performed in the DCT domain. Transform matrices are obtained for down-sampling a DCT image of size M×N to a down-sampled DCT image of size I×J. The transform matrices may be used to down-sample the DCT image directly in the DCT domain. A spatial domain down-sampling method is selected and applied to the DCT image to produce a down-sampled DCT reference image. The transform matrices are selected by solving an optimization problem, leading to transform matrices which achieve a desired trade-off between the visual quality of images obtained using the transform matrices and the computational complexity associated with using the transform matrices. The visual quality is a measure of the difference between the down-sampled DCT image obtained using the transform matrices and the visual quality of the DCT reference image obtained using a spatial domain down-sampling method.
US07978933B2 Systems and methods for robust video temporal registration
A robust video temporal method for registration between test and reference video sequences without a priori knowledge of the respective signal parameters initially produces frame and subimage distillation measurements from the test and reference video sequences. The frame distillation measurements are linearly aligned using a local Pearson's cross-correlation coefficient (LPCCC) image to obtain a best alignment line, each pixel of which represents an LPCCC cross-correlation coefficient between frames of the test and reference video sequences. For each pixel of the best alignment line that is below a threshold, a vertical search is performed in the LPCCC image for a higher cross-correlation coefficient as the best cross-correlation coefficient to achieve temporal mapping between frames of the test and reference video sequences.
US07978932B2 Robust mosaicing method, notably with correction of motion distortions and tissue deformations for in vivo fibered microscopy
A mosaicing method taking into account motion distortions, irregularly sampled frames and non-rigid deformations of the imaged tissue. The method for mosaicing frames from a video sequence acquired from a scanning device such as a scanning microscope, includes the steps of: a) compensating for motion and motion distortion due to the scanning microscope, b) applying a global optimization of inter-frame registration to align consistently the frames c) applying a construction algorithm on the registered frames to construct a mosaic, and d) applying a fine frame-to-mosaic non rigid registration. The method is based on a hierarchical framework that is able to recover a globally consistent alignment of the input frames, to compensate for the motion distortions and to capture the non-rigid deformations.
US07978928B2 View projection for dynamic configurations
A method and system for compensating for a moving object placed between a projector and a projection scene is shown. The method/system dividing a movement pattern of the moving object into N discrete position states, and for each of said N position states determining a corresponding view projection matrix. While projecting an image within any of the N position states, multiplying a desired projection image by the corresponding view projection matrix.
US07978924B2 Systems and methods for optimizing bit utilization in data encoding
In one of many possible embodiments, a system for optimizing bit utilization in data encoding is provided. The exemplary system includes a data processing subsystem configured to identify a total number of unique characters within a set of data, which number represents an original base of representation of the set of data. The data processing subsystem is further configured to convert the set of data to a base of representation that is higher than the original base of representation and then encode the base-converted data with a fixed-length encoding scheme.
US07978921B1 Low dynamic range 3-channel color decompression
Systems and methods for representing low dynamic range data in compressed formats with a fixed size block allow low dynamic range data to be stored in less memory. The compressed formats use 8 bits per pixel to represent 24 bits of low dynamic range data for each pixel. The compressed format includes four or six endpoint values, a partition index that specifies a mask for each pair of the endpoint values, and an index for each pixel in the block. The indices are compressed to allow more bits for the endpoint values. Mode bits are included to distinguish between the different encodings and various blocks within a single compressed image may be encoded differently. Compressed low dynamic range values may be efficiently decompressed in hardware.
US07978912B2 Image sensing apparatus and image sensing method
An image sensing apparatus is configured such that the level of each of first and second output signals obtained by exposing a color image sensor by using mutually differing first and second photoelectric conversion properties is compared with one of threshold values to thereby select output signals to be used as signals for constituting an image from among the first and second output signals for individual color components thereof. The threshold values are set for the individual color components based on the first and second output signals.
US07978903B2 Defect detecting method and defect detecting device
A defect detecting method includes: an image acquiring process for capturing an image of an inspection object having an identical sequence of pattern and acquiring the image; and a defect emphasizing process for emphasizing a defect of the captured image. The defect emphasizing process includes: an inspected-point selecting process for sequentially selecting an inspection point on the captured image; and a defect emphasizing value calculating process for obtaining differences by subtracting from a luminance value of the selected inspection point each luminance value of a plurality of comparison points disposed around the inspection point and selecting one difference of the smallest value of the obtained differences in luminance to determine a defect emphasizing value of the inspection point.
US07978899B2 Currency processing system with fitness detection
In one aspect, a method of processing currency in a currency processing machine includes the act of retrieving, from a plurality of input currency bills, characteristic information from each of the bills, the characteristic information itself including at least a first characteristic information relating to fitness. The method also includes the act of assigning to each currency bill one of a plurality of fitness types and fitness levels relating to the first characteristic information of the bill, at least one of the fitness types and the fitness levels being defined by a user. The method also includes the act of outputting each currency bill along one of a plurality of output paths designated by the user to receive currency bills, the output path having a fitness type and/or fitness level assigned to the currency bill.
US07978898B2 Image acquiring apparatus, image acquiring method, and image acquiring program
In acquisition of a micro image of a sample by a micro image acquiring unit, when a plurality of image acquiring ranges are set for the sample as an object of image acquisition, a plurality of corresponding focus information are set, and furthermore, when a plurality of partial images acquired by scanning the sample by the micro image acquiring unit include a partial image including mixing of a plurality of image acquiring ranges, the focus information is switched in the middle of scanning of the partial image. With such a structure, even when a plurality of objects are contained in the sample, images of the respective objects can be preferably acquired. Thereby, an image acquiring apparatus, an image acquiring method, and an image acquiring program which are capable of preferably acquiring images of a plurality of objects are realized even when the plurality of objects are contained in a sample.
US07978894B2 Fully automatic rapid microscope slide scanner
Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The invention also provides a method for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The invention further provides a method for dynamically displaying, with or without operator interaction, portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, all elements of the scanner are part of a single-enclosure that has a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet. In this embodiment, the preferred sample type is a microscope slide and the illumination and imaging optics are consistent with transmission mode optics optimized for diffraction-limited digital imaging.
US07978892B2 3D photogrammetry using projected patterns
A structured light pattern digitizing method is combined with photogrammetry to determine a 3D model of an object. The structured light digitizing operation generates a 3D model of the object being scanned, and this model is then used to compute a higher accuracy model using photogrammetry.
US07978885B2 Analysing biological entities
A method of analysing a plurality of biological entities using an imaging apparatus. The method comprises: providing a marker for said plurality of biological entities, said marker being capable of identifying objects within said plurality of biological entities when detected using the imaging apparatus, the method of provision being arranged such that said marker is capable of identifying said objects during a first time period, and said marker is less capable of identifying said objects during a second time period; during the first time period, recording a marked-up image in which spatial definitions of said objects are identifiable from said marker; during the second time period, recording a first image of said plurality of biological entities; and generating a spatial definition for an object in said first image using data derived from said marked-up image.
US07978876B2 Hiding codes in input data
The present invention relates to hiding codes in input data, e.g., such as still imagery and motion pictures. One claim recites: embedding an N-bit code with a source signal, N being at least one. The embedding proceeds, for each bit of the N-bit code, according to the following: mapping the bit to a portion of the source signal; changing values of at least two data values associated with the portion in accordance with the bit. The act of changing embeds the N-bit code in a manner that is generally imperceptible to a human observer of the source signal. A related claim recites that the portion includes a data value, and the above method further includes changing the value of the data value in accordance with said bit of the code, an amount of the changing being adjusted based on the value. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US07978870B2 Attachment apparatus
A headset apparatus having a headwear member (9) e.g. an ear shell, possessing a surface formation to which a separate attachment device (1) is reciprocally shaped to attach by a push-fit (e.g. by sliding, slotting or clipping) into engagement with the surface formation. In this way the attachment means may be fitted to the surface formation on the headwear member without requiring the use of through-holes passing through the body of the headwear member.
US07978852B2 Method of partially scrambling a data stream
A method of partially scrambling a data stream (6) including transport stream packets (7), each transport stream packet (7) having a header (8) and a payload (9), wherein a sequence of transport stream packets (7) has payloads carrying encoded data elements, arranged in units (15), includes: selecting transport stream packets (7) forming a subsequence of the sequence, and scrambling at least part of the payloads (9) of each transport stream packet (7) in the subsequence. The method further includes monitoring the payloads (9) of at least some of the transport stream packets (7) in the sequence for the presence of data (22) indicating a boundary between two subsequent units (15), and, for selected units (15), including at least one of the transport stream packets (7) carrying data forming part of the selected unit (15) in the sub-sequence.
US07978849B2 Image forming apparatus, and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus of the invention includes a key generating unit to change an encryption key and to generate an encryption key different from the previous encryption key at each time of change, an encryption unit to encrypt image data using the encryption key generated by the key generating unit, a first storage unit to store the encrypted image data, a second storage unit to store the encryption key and a table to correlate the image data encrypted by the encryption key with the encryption key, and a decryption unit to decrypt the data stored in the first storage unit by using the encryption key correlated in the table. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, the read data can be stored with high security into a storage apparatus such as an HDD, while an operation burden is not imposed on a user.
US07978841B2 System and method for gathering information related to a geographical location of a caller in a public switched telephone network
In a telecommunication system having at least two communicants (i.e., a caller and a callee), a system and method are presented for collecting information associated with the geographical location of either of the communicants. In one embodiment, the approach entails receiving a geographical location corresponding to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone number, and collecting geographical location information associated with the received geographical location.
US07978838B2 Conference endpoint instructing conference bridge to mute participants
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
US07978833B2 Private caller ID messaging
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.
US07978830B2 Broadcasting voicemail replies
A messaging device may include a memory configured to store a first message from a first caller and intended for a called party and to store information identifying a group that includes a number of broadcast parties that include the first caller. The messaging device may include a processor configured to receive a reply message from the called party and to broadcast the reply message to at least a subset of the group.
US07978824B2 X-ray tube having transmission anode
An x-ray tube assembly includes an x-ray tube envelope, a cathode assembly and a transmission anode assembly. The transmission anode assembly includes an x-ray generation layer and an anode substrate. The x-ray generation layer may be annular and mounted on a rotating disc-shaped anode substrate or cylindrical and mounted on a rotating and/or oscillating cylindrical anode substrate.
US07978821B1 Laue crystallographic orientation mapping system
A device for measuring crystal orientation with an x-ray source using the Laue method and includes an apparatus for mapping a polycrystalline surface having a grain orientation. The apparatus including an x-ray source creating an x-ray beam, the beam having polychromatic photons, the beam collimated to a point on the polycrystalline surface. A two-dimensional x-ray detector with an aperture, the x-ray beam passing through the aperture, the detector detecting and collecting polychromatic photons diffracted from the polycrystalline surface and onto the detector. A means for moving the polycrystalline surface with respect to the x-ray source to collect a plurality of diffracted x-rays which define a Laue pattern. A data processing means to collect Laue patterns of the polycrystalline surface based upon the plurality of diffracted x-rays, the Laue patterns identifying a plurality of crystallographic orientations and a plurality of grain surface areas on the polycrystalline surface.
US07978820B2 X-ray diffraction and fluorescence
An instrument capable of both X-ray diffraction, XRD, and X-ray fluorescence measurements, XRF, arranges an X-ray source 10 creating an incident X-ray beam directed to a sample on a sample stage. An X-ray detection system is mounted at a fixed angle 2θ for high energy energy dispersive XRD For XRF, an X-ray detection system is used.
US07978818B2 Orthovoltage radiotherapy
A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, other disorders or tissues of a body are treated with the dose of radiation. In some embodiments, the target tissues are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the target tissues inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the target tissues within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilised in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial marker is used to identify the location of the target tissues. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.
US07978805B1 Liquid gallium cooled high power neutron source target
A neutron source includes a low atomic number element target that is bombarded by incident energetic particles to provide a neutron flux. The source receives a controlled flow of liquid gallium that cools the target. The energetic particles may be for example protons or deuterons and the target is housed in a moderator/reflector assembly. Advantageously, the liquid gallium provides improved heat transfer, smaller flow rates and reduced stress on the target in comparison to prior art liquid coolants.
US07978788B2 Method and arrangement for estimating DC offset
A method and arrangement for estimating a DC offset for a signal received in a radio receiver. The received signal includes a digitally modulated signal component, a DC offset component, and a noise component. When the signal is of a known type, such as a Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)-modulated signal with constant amplitude in a GSM/EDGE cellular radio system, the method exploits the known characteristics of the statistical distribution for the known type of signal to obtain a better estimate of the DC offset. The statistical distribution of the received digitally modulated signal component is first analyzed. That statistical distribution is then compared to the known statistical distribution for the known type of signal to identify differences. The differences are then used to estimate the DC offset. Additional iterations may be performed to further improve the DC estimate.
US07978783B2 RF polar transmitter with controlled amplitude modulation and methods for use therewith
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter includes a transmitter processing module that generates a phase signal that is phase modulated based on outbound data and that generates a amplitude signal that is amplitude modulated based on the outbound data, wherein the amplitude signal is generated in accordance with an amplitude transition rule that restricts an amplitude transition between consecutive amplitudes of the amplitude signal. An up-conversion module phase modulates an oscillation based on the phase signal to generate an up-converted signal. A radio transmitter front-end includes a polar amplifier that amplifies and amplitude modulates the up-converted signal based on the amplitude signal to generate a transmit signal.
US07978780B2 Adaptive cyclic delay diversity for mobile devices
Embodiments of the present invention provide for adaptive cyclic delay diversity to be used in wireless transmissions to mobile devices. The cyclic delay diversity may be adapted through cyclic delay parameters determined based at least in part on a determined speed of the mobile device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07978775B2 Frequency offset detector
A frequency offset detector is provided which is adaptable to a great frequency offset of one or more carrier waves in an OFDM signal. The frequency offset detector comprises a multiplication circuit which multiplies, by a pseudorandom number bit sequence, a reception signal generated by Fourier transformation of an OFDM modulated signal wherein pilot symbols are dispersed and arranged in accordance with four kinds of patterns and periodically transmitted. Four arithmetic circuits extract the pilot symbols corresponding to the respective patterns from a result of the multiplication by the multiplication circuit for each of the four kinds of patterns and calculate the sum of phase differences among the extracted pilot symbols to output an absolute value. A detection circuit detects a frequency offset on the basis of a maximum value of the absolute values calculated by the four arithmetic circuits. A complex sinusoidal wave is generated on the basis of the detected frequency offset, and the frequency of an input signal is converted thereby, such that the offset of the reception signal can be corrected.
US07978764B2 Method of video encoding for handheld apparatuses selecting best prediction function according to optimal rate-distortion value
The present invention relates to a method of encoding a sequence of pictures, a picture being divided into blocks of data, said encoding method comprising the steps of:—computing a residual error block from a difference between a current block contained in a current picture and a candidate area using of a prediction function,—computing an entropy of the residual error block,—computing an overall error between said current block and said candidate area,—estimating a power consumption of a video processing device adapted to implement said prediction function,—computing a rate-distortion value on the basis of the entropy, the overall error and the estimated power consumption of the video processing device,—applying the preceding steps to a set of candidate areas using a set of prediction functions in order to select a prediction function according to the rate-distortion value.
US07978756B2 Systems and methods for monitoring impulse noise
Systems and methods for monitoring impulse noise are described. At least one embodiment is a method, which comprises detecting whether impulse noise is present and in response to detecting the presence of impulse noise, performing time domain analysis to determine whether one or more impulse noise sources are present based on minimum interarrival time and maximum impulse length. The method further includes performing frequency domain analysis to estimate frequencies associated with the one or more impulse noise sources and based on the time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis, providing a total number of impulse noise sources and frequencies associated with the impulse noise sources. In this regard, the embodiments described herein provide dual-speed monitoring of impulse noise in the form of short-term and long-term monitoring. The use of dual-speed monitoring ensures that dynamic changes in the impulse noise environment are quickly addressed and also ensures better characterization of multiple impulse noise sources in order to provide better impulse noise protection.
US07978755B2 Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers
Methods and systems for detecting defects in serial link transceivers. Defect detection includes detecting open circuits in one or more of the transmission lines, detecting short circuits between one or more of the transmission lines and a power supply, detecting short circuits between the transmission lines, or detecting short circuits across optional AC-couplings in the transmission lines. The detection can include direct or indirect detection of voltage or current.
US07978751B2 Interpolating GRAKE with two step delay hypothesis testing
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting a current path delay estimate for path delay tracking. In order to determine the path delay an operating mode is selected and a set of hypothesized path delays are determined based on said operating mode. A metric for each hypothesized path delay is determined, and a current path delay estimate is adapted based on the computed metrics for the hypothesized path delays.
US07978750B2 Microcontroller
A microcontroller is disposed on a receiving part of a wireless system in order to process a demodulation signal generated by a receiver circuit, and includes a memory and a CPU. The memory stores a control program of the microcontroller. The control program thereof includes a dual loop routine for an operation in reception standby mode. The dual loop routine has a first loop and a second loop included in the first loop. The CPU has an instruction set consisting of a plurality of instructions, and executes the instructions according to the program stored in the memory. The CPU executes an instruction irrelevant to an operation when the microcontroller is in reception mode during the second loop a number of times. The number of times is at least such that noise caused by the repetition of the second loop is lowered below a desired level.
US07978748B2 Synchronization band selection of a frequency hopping wireless receiver
Methods and systems of a receiver selecting a subset of plurality of frequency hopping bands for synchronization of the receiver are disclosed. One method includes the receiver determining a receive signal quality metric for each band of the plurality of frequency hopping bands, and selecting at least one synchronization band as a subset of the plurality of frequency hopping bands for synchronization based on the receive signal quality metric of each of the plurality of frequency hopping bands.
US07978745B2 Two-dimensional photonic crystal surface-emitting laser
Two-dimensional photonic crystal surface-emitting laser comprising a two-dimensional photonic crystal, having media different in refractive index arrayed in a two-dimensional cycle, disposed in the vicinity of an active layer that emits light by the injection of carriers, wherein the two-dimensional photonic crystal consists of square lattices having equal lattice constants in perpendicular directions, and a basic lattice consisting of a square with one medium as a vertex has an asymmetric refractive index distribution with respect to either one of the two diagonals of the basic lattice to thereby emit light in a constant polarizing direction.
US07978742B1 Methods for operating diode lasers
Methods for operating diode lasers are provided. According to one method, the diode laser comprises a wavelength selection section, a gain section and a saturable absorber. The method comprises applying a hybrid-control signal comprising a hybrid-control DC bias to the saturable absorber, and applying a hybrid-driving signal comprising a hybrid-driving DC bias and a hybrid-driving AC bias to the gain section. The hybrid signals are selected and the diode laser is configured such that a relatively high hybrid-control DC bias corresponds to a relatively low average of the output power of the diode laser, and a relatively low hybrid-control DC bias corresponds to a relatively high average of the output power of the diode laser. The hybrid-driving DC bias is between a switch-on threshold of the diode laser and a switch-off threshold of the diode laser, and the hybrid-driving AC bias is periodic. The hybrid-driving AC bias has a peak-to-peak amplitude greater than the difference between the switch-on threshold and the switch-off threshold.
US07978738B2 OPO laser mid-IR wavelength converter
A wavelength converter comprising an arsenic sulfide (As—S) chalcogenide glass fiber coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal and a laser system using an OPO crystal coupled to an As—S fiber are provided. The OPO receives pump laser radiation from a pump laser and emits laser radiation at a wavelength that is longer than the pump laser radiation. The laser radiation that is emitted from the OPO is input into the As—S fiber, which in turn converts the input wavelength from the OPO to a desired wavelength, for example, a wavelength beyond about 4.4 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, the OPO comprises a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal. The As—S fiber can include any suitable type of optical fiber, such as a conventional core clad fiber, a photonic crystal fiber, or a microstructured fiber.
US07978728B2 Network clustering for improving connection management and re-routing capabilities
Embodiments of the present invention relate to re-routing data packets in a communication network according to at least a first version and a second version of a protocol.
US07978718B2 Small group multicast in a computer network
A data structure is stored in a memory of a router, the router located along a path between a source end station and a plurality of destination end stations in a multicast distribution tree. In response to receipt of trace packets containing a listing of network devices in the multicast distribution tree, the data structure is updated. When the source end station desires to send a multicast packet, it transmits a packet to the router. The router then writes the path information stored in the data structure into the packet. Such path information may include a tree list that specifies the arrangement of network devices along the multicast distribution tree and an address list that specifies the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of these network devices along the multicast distribution tree. By storing the complete description of the network devices of the multicast distribution tree in the packet, routing demands on the devices along the multicast path are minimized.
US07978717B2 Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a leader node in communication with a plurality of follower nodes. The leader node causes the leader and follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode where they consume less power. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of configuring nodes in a communication network as follower nodes and configuring a node in the communication network as a leader node. The leader node is configured to cause the leader and follower nodes to alternate between an awake mode and a sleep mode. The leader and follower nodes consume less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode.
US07978716B2 Systems and methods for providing a VPN solution
A system, apparatus and a method for implementing a secured communications link at a layer other than that at which packets are filtered are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer system is configured to form a virtual private network (“VPN”) and comprises an address inspection driver to identify initial target packet traffic addressed to a target server. Also, the computer system includes a pseudo server module to receive rerouted initial target packet traffic from the address inspection driver. The pseudo server module is configured to convey packet regeneration instructions to a VPN gateway. The address inspection driver functions to identify additional target packet traffic addressed to the target server and routes the additional target packet traffic to the pseudo server. In one embodiment, the pseudo server is configured to strip header information from the additional target packet traffic to form a payload, and thereafter, to route the payload to the target.
US07978715B2 Network connection device and collection/distribution device
A network connection device for connecting an asynchronous network having a link aggregation function to a synchronous network comprises: a first mapping/demapping unit which maps asynchronous network frames, flowing from the asynchronous network to the synchronous network on a plurality of links redundantly configured using the link aggregation function, into synchronous network frames, and which demaps asynchronous network frames mapped into synchronous network frames flowing from the synchronous network to the asynchronous network on the plurality of links into synchronous network frames; and a collection/distribution unit which collects the asynchronous network frames, mapped into the synchronous network frames on the plurality of links, into an asynchronous network frame mapped into a synchronous network frame on a single link, and which, in accordance with a prescribed rule, distributes an asynchronous network frame, mapped into a synchronous network frame on the single link and flowing from the synchronous network to the asynchronous network, among the asynchronous network frames mapped into the synchronous network frames on the plurality of links, and supplies the thus mapped asynchronous network frames to the first mapping/demapping unit.
US07978711B2 Systems and methods for broadcasting content using surplus network capacity
A system and method are described for broadcasting/multicasting content using surplus network capacity. The systems and methods are directed to solving the problem of how to simultaneously broadcast/multicast large content files to a plurality of users for later retrieval by using existing network capacity as opposed to being forced to add new capacity to handle peak demand. Generally, the methods comprise receiving data to be distributed, determining surplus network capacity, and distributing the data within the surplus network capacity to a plurality of subscriber devices.
US07978693B2 Integrated circuit and method for packet switching control
An integrated circuit having a plurality of processing modules (M, S) and an interconnect means (N) for coupling said plurality of processing modules (M, S) and for enabling a packet based communication based on transactions between said plurality of processing modules (M, S) is provided. Each packet comprises a first predetermined number of subsequent words each having a second predetermined number of bits. A first of said plurality of processing modules (M) issues a transaction by sending at least one packet over said interconnect means (N) to a second of said plurality of processing modules (S). The integrated circuit further comprises at least one packet inspecting unit (PIU) for inspecting bits of said at least one packet to determine bits not required for said issued transaction and for matching said not required bits of said at least one inspected packet with other bits of the same packet.
US07978685B1 System and method for packet-based voice telephony for use in receiving calls during dial-up internet sessions
The present invention provides a system and method for receiving incoming voice telephone calls during a dial up internet session. An incoming telephone call to a telephone line in use for a dial-up internet session may be forwarded to a predetermined telephone number. When the incoming voice telephone call is received at the predetermined telephone number, the internet user may be notified of the incoming telephone call and may be given the option of receiving the incoming call or taking other actions with the incoming call. If the internet user elects to receive the incoming voice telephone call, the incoming voice telephone call is forwarded to the internet user's computer using a protocol for establishing voice telephony over a packet-based network, such as voice over internet protocol.
US07978683B2 Method of transferring call transition messages between network controllers of different radio technologies
The method provides for a first network controller, operating according to a first radio technology, to form and send a relay message to a second network controller, operating according to a different, second radio technology. The relay message includes an embedded message for the second network controller. The embedded message may be a transition message requesting transition of a packet switched call for a mobile station handled by the first network controller to a call for the mobile station handled by the second network controller. The method further provides selection of another wireless element for service at a wireless unit, using a current wireless element. A wireless unit receives a message identifying at least one other wireless element, available to the wireless unit and to which a wireless element currently in communication with the wireless unit is also in communication with and the wireless unit selects another wireless element for possible future service based on the message.
US07978677B2 Methods and apparatus for using control values to control communications processing
Methods and apparatus for tunneling packets between remote and serving Access points for delivery to an access terminal (AT) are described. Methods and apparatus for communicating control values and/or information in addition to information to be delivered to an AT over an airlink are also described. An AT uses the received control information to recover communicated packets. Some features support the use of various headers and/or indicators in the headers, e.g., RLP and/or Packet Correlation Protocol (PCP) headers, which may be used to control routing of communicated payloads to an RLP processing module corresponding to an AP which was the source of the communicated payload.
US07978676B2 Radio relay apparatus, radio terminal apparatus, method, and recording medium for performing radio communication based on beacon
A radio relay apparatus to periodically transmit a beacon to a radio terminal apparatus, comprises: a control section for generating a beacon including group identification information indicating a group to which a radio terminal apparatus of a reception object of the beacon belongs; and a transmission section for transmitting the generated beacon to the radio terminal apparatus.
US07978675B1 Extension mode for wireless LANs complying with short interframe space requirement
A wireless device includes a transmitter that transmits packets including a header field and a data field and a coding module that selectively encodes data of the packets based on one of first and second signal processing modes. The header field of each of the packets comprises a first field that identifies one of the first signal processing mode and the second signal processing mode and a second field that identifies one of a first data length that corresponds to a transmit time period for data corresponding to the first signal processing mode and a second data length that corresponds to the transmit time period plus an extension time period for transmission of dummy data. Data fields of packets that correspond with the first signal processing mode comprise data and data fields of packets that correspond with the second signal processing mode comprise data and the dummy data.
US07978668B2 Apparatus, method, and computer readable medium thereof for simultaneously establishing links with a plurality of nodes
An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium thereof for simultaneously establishing links with a plurality of nodes in a wireless network are provided. A processing module determines whether a mesh network configuration message of the apparatus has space to packet an information element and determines whether to transmit a Neighbor Link Establishment information element to one of the nodes. If the mesh network configuration message has space to packet an information element and the Neighbor Link Establishment information element needs to be transmitted to one of the nodes, the Neighbor Link Establishment information element will be packeted into the mesh network configuration message. Finally, a transmission module transmits the mesh network configuration message to the nodes in order to solve the problem of increasing time during link establishment and avoid deadlock among the nodes when the apparatus of the prior art establishes links with the nodes simultaneously.
US07978666B2 Node control in wireless sensor networks
Network node control is described that includes node wakeup scheduling that reduces the energy consumption of levels of nodes and reduces the delay of information transfer through the network. The node wakeup scheduling includes a crossed ladder pattern that combines two wakeups in one level. The node wakeup scheduling also includes an adaptive version of the crossed ladder pattern that changes the wakeup patterns of the crossed ladder over time to provide uniform energy savings. The network node control also includes the use of multiple trees to transfer information through a network. This multi-parent node assignment assigns multiple parents with different wakeup schedules to each node in the network. This multi-parent assignment reduces the delay in transmission of information through the network and also increases energy efficiency in the nodes.
US07978663B2 Wireless resource management method, wireless base station, and wireless line control station
The present invention relates to a radio resource control method for controlling a radio resource for transmitting user data via an uplink by a mobile station. A radio base station reports, to a radio network controller, at a predetermined timing, a maximum allowable transmission rate of the user data, which is signaled to the mobile station connected to the radio base station. The radio network controller controls the radio resource based on the reported maximum allowable transmission rate.
US07978643B2 Dynamic adjustment of multiple reception paths
A user terminal of a radio system arranged to operate a frequency band subdivided into one or more carrier bands, each of which carries a cyclic set of consecutive time slot. The user terminal comprises a first receiver part adjustable to a defined carrier band, and a second receiver part adjustable to a defined carrier band; wherein the first and the second receiver parts are separately operable. The user terminal comprises also allocation means for allocating to a radio channel at least a first timeslot and a second timeslot, wherein the first timeslot and the second timeslot may belong to different carrier bands. The first receiver part and the second receiver part are adjusted to the carrier bands of the first timeslot and of the second timeslot according to a predetermined scheme. The invented structure improved data throughput of the transmission by providing improved quality of transmission through diversity and added capacity through the multicarrier operation.
US07978641B2 Hybrid TDM/FDM uplink for spot-beam communication system
A method, apparatus for uplinking data is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of receive antennae, independently directable to a plurality of ground stations, each disposed in one of a plurality of cells; a time domain concentrator, communicatively coupled to the plurality of receive antennae, the time domain concentrator for selectably directing each of the plurality of receive antennae to one or more of the plurality of cells, and for concatenating each of the uplink transmissions in a time domain; and a frequency domain concentrator, communicatively coupled to the time domain concentrator, for concatenating the uplink transmissions in a frequency domain.
US07978621B2 Power consumption management in a MIMO transceiver and method for use therewith
A mobile communication device includes a first wireless transceiver that receives a first inbound RF signal and that transmits a first outbound RF signal based on a first power supply signal. A second wireless transceiver receives a second inbound RF signal and that transmits a second outbound RF signal based on a second power supply signal. A processing module generates at least one power mode signal based on first transmit power control data received via the first inbound RF signal. A power management circuit adjusts a first power consumption parameter of the first power supply signal and a second power consumption parameter of the second power supply signal based on the at least one power mode signal.
US07978620B2 Dynamically troubleshooting voice quality
In an example embodiment, a method for dynamically troubleshooting voice quality. The method comprises generating a request to intercept a predetermined data stream on a network, acquiring a replicated copy of the intercepted data stream responsive to the request and analyzing the replicated copy of the intercepted data stream.
US07978618B2 Methods and systems for user interface customization
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for user interface customization.
US07978615B2 Method of operating a network
Techniques are provided for operating a network where router devices forward received data packets towards a destination node. Each router maintains a routing table, indicating the next hop to choose in respect of different ultimate destinations m accordance with a routing protocol. Periodic communications between neighboring routers are used as confirmation that they are still able to communicate with one another. Each router compares the time since it last communicated in this way with each of its neighbors with a router dead interval and determines that the respective neighboring router, or the currently designated route thereto, has gone down if the comparison indicates that the router dead interval has elapsed without such a communication having been received. Each router performs an adaptive algorithm to modify the or each corresponding router dead interval dynamically in accordance with one or more properties of the network as measured by the router.
US07978613B2 Test signalling
The degree of degradation imposed on signals transmitted over a communications link from a transmitter to a receiver is tested. A predetermined test signal is transmitted using spare capacity detected by a voice activity detector when no speech is to be transmitted over the communications link. The test signal received by the receiver is compared with the reference signal, and a measure of the degradation of signals caused by the communications link is generated therefrom.
US07978608B2 System and method for avoiding stall using timer for high-speed downlink packet access system
At least one timer is used to prevent a stall condition. If a timer is not active, the timer is started for a data block that is correctly received. The data block has a sequence number higher than a sequence number of another data block that was first expected to be received. When the timer is stopped or expires, all correctly received data blocks among data blocks up to and including a data block having a sequence number that is immediately before the sequence number of the data block for which the timer was started is delivered to a higher layer. Further, all correctly received data blocks up to a first missing data block, including the data block for which the timer was started, is delivered to the higher layer.
US07978602B2 Dynamic construction of label switching protocol interfaces
Techniques are described for dynamically constructing a label switching protocol interface in a network device. For example, the techniques allow dynamic construction of a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) interface. According to some embodiments, upon receiving a network communication from a subscriber, a network device determines whether the subscriber requires support for the label switching protocol. If the subscriber requires such support, the network device creates an interface stack for the subscriber that includes an interface for the label switching protocol. In this way, the network device may route packets from the subscriber across a network of computing devices that use the label switching protocol, and forward packets from such a network to the subscriber. The subscriber and the network device need not communicate according to the label switching protocol and, in example embodiments, instead communicate according to a layer 2 communication protocol.
US07978601B1 Method and apparatus for network performance analysis
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for analyzing a network. Specifically, the method comprises receiving information associated with the network, automatically constructing a network representation using the information, and performing at least one network performance test, wherein the at least one network performance test is performed using at least a portion of the network representation.
US07978579B1 HD DVD wobble detection circuit
In a circuit, a wobble detector detects a wobble signal from an optical recording medium and a synchronization signal based on the wobble signal and provides a wobble clock signal. A wobble signal phase imperfection detector responds to the wobble signal and detects and corrects a phase transition imperfection in the wobble signal. The imperfection detector integrates a first scaled wobble signal sample over a half period portion of the wobble clock signal; compares the first scaled wobble signal sample integrated over one period of the wobble clock signal to a variable threshold value; and based on the comparison, outputs either the half period integrated and scaled wobble sample or the first scaled wobble sample integrated over one period of the wobble clock signal. The imperfection detector further decodes the output to obtain wobble address period data. In one embodiment, the imperfection detector may include a half period integrator, a comparator, a selector, and a decoder to perform the indicated functions.
US07978576B2 Adjustment method of optimum write power and optical write/retrieval device
A power adjustment method in which a modulation index is calculated from reproduced signals of patterns recorded by irradiating light onto an optical information recording medium with a recording power varied and an optimum power of irradiation light is set up using the modulation index. The power adjustment method includes calculating an optimum value PcO of a predetermined correction term Pc using a relation of a value obtained by subtracting the predetermined correction term Pc from the recording power and the modulation index, finding a value Pth of the recording power at which the modulation index becomes substantially zero in the relation of the value obtained by subtracting the optimum value PcO from the recording power and the modulation index, and setting up a value obtained by multiplying the value of Pth by a predetermined constant as a recording power of each of the recording patterns.
US07978571B2 Recording device and method, computer program, and recording medium
A recording apparatus (1) is provided with: a recording device (11) for recording a data pattern onto a recording medium (100); a first controlling device (22) for stopping the recording; a reading device (11) for reading the data pattern which is recorded immediately before the recording is stopped, thereby obtaining a read signal; a measuring device (19) for measuring jitter of the read signal; an adjusting device (21) for adjusting a recording condition such that the jitter satisfies a desired condition, and a second controlling device (22) for restarting the recording of the data pattern by using the adjusted recording condition.
US07978567B2 Optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus
The present invention provides an optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus having a function of communicating with a noncontact IC. The apparatus includes a chassis, an external antenna arranged for communication with a noncontact IC outside the chassis, an internal antenna arranged for communication with a noncontact IC included in an optical disc loaded in the chassis, a control section performing a search operation of searching for the noncontact IC outside the chassis and the noncontact IC in the optical disc, and a switching section changing conduction state between the external antenna and the control section and that between the internal antenna and the control section under the control of the control section.
US07978559B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of pairs of bit lines and complementary bit lines that cross the word lines, and a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell being disposed at a region where a respective word line and a pair of a bit line and a complementary bit line cross each other. A voltage control unit includes a plurality of elements connected in series between a power voltage source and the memory cells and are switched on/off in response to a control signal that controls an operation of the plurality of memory cells. The voltage control unit controls the voltage of the power voltage source to a predetermined level, thereby obtaining a controlled voltage to be supplied to the memory cells.
US07978554B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of pairs of bit lines and complementary bit lines, and a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell being disposed at a region where a respective word line and a pair of a bit line and a complementary bit line cross each other. A voltage control unit controls a power voltage to obtain a controlled voltage appliable to the memory cells in response to a control signal that controls an operation of the memory cells. At least one dummy cell is disposed between the voltage control unit and the memory cells and is configured to reduce the controlled voltage to a predetermined level.
US07978544B2 Methods for providing a unified view of a domain model to a user
Techniques for providing a unified view of a domain model to a user are described herein. In one embodiment, in response to a first search query received from a client via a first search mechanism (e.g., outside of the relational DB) for a list of persistent objects representing data entries of a relational database, it is determined whether the persistent objects have been accessed via a second search query via a second search mechanism based on an object identifier of the persistent object. If the requested persistent object has been accessed via a second search query, an identical instance of the persistent object is returned to the client as a result of the first search query. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US07978541B2 High speed interface for multi-level memory
A solid state memory system includes a first memory chip that includes a plurality of storage elements, and a controller. Each of the plurality of storage elements have a measurable parameter that varies between a lower limit and an upper limit. The controller receives write data, converts the write data to N target values, and transmits the N target values to the first memory chip. The first memory chip adjusts corresponding measurable parameters of N storage elements of the plurality of storage elements to the N target values, where N is an integer greater than zero.
US07978539B2 Semiconductor device having resistance based memory array, method of reading, and systems associated therewith
In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory cell array. Memory cells of the non-volatile memory cell array are resistance based, and each memory cell has a resistance that changes over time after data is written into the memory cell. A write address buffer is configured to store write addresses associated with data being written into the non-volatile memory cell array, and a read unit is configured to perform a read operation to read data from the non-volatile memory cell array. The read unit is configured to control a read current applied to the non-volatile memory cell array during the read operation based on whether a read address matches one of the stored write addresses and at least one indication of settling time of the data being written into the non-volatile memory cell array.
US07978538B2 Setting memory device termination in a memory device and memory controller interface in a communication bus
A memory device and memory controller are coupled during driver training to reduce mismatches. The impedances of the system are controlled through a termination at the memory device to yield improvements in timing margins. The coupling of the components on a shared electrical bus through adjustment of the termination values during training removes known offset issues.
US07978530B2 Correcting for over programming non-volatile storage
A non-volatile storage system corrects over programmed memory cells by selectively performing one or more erase operations on a subset of non-volatile storage elements that are connected to a common word line (or other type of control line).
US07978524B2 Semiconductor device
A dummy cell includes a plurality of first memory cells MC for storing “1” or “0”, arranged at points of intersection between a plurality of word lines WR0 to WR7 and a plurality of first data lines D0 to D7, a plurality of first dummy cells MCH for storing “1” or “0”, arranged at points of intersection between the word lines WR0 to WR7 and a first dummy data line, and a plurality of second dummy cells MCL for storing “0”, arranged at points of intersection between the word lines WR0 to WR7 and a second dummy data line DD1.
US07978523B2 Semiconductor device and control method of the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory and a control method therefore, the semiconductor device including a first current-voltage conversion circuit (16) connected to a core cell (12) provided in a nonvolatile memory cell array (10), a second current-voltage conversion circuit (26) connected to a reference cell (22) through a reference cell data line (24), a sense amplifier (18) sensing an output from the first current-voltage conversion circuit and an output from the second current-voltage conversion circuit, a compare circuit (28) comparing a voltage level at the reference cell data line with a predefined voltage level, and a charging circuit (30) charging the reference cell data line, if the voltage level at the reference cell data line is lower than the predefined voltage level during pre-charging the reference cell data line. According to the present invention, the pre-charging period of the reference cell data line can be shortened, and the data read time can be shortened.
US07978522B2 Flash memory device including a dummy cell
A non-volatile memory device includes a selection transistor coupled to a bit line. The device also includes a plurality of memory cells serially coupled to the selection transistor and at least one dummy cell located between the plurality of memory cells. The dummy cell is turned off during a programming operation of a memory cell located between the dummy cell and the selection transistor.
US07978519B2 Method of reading an NVM cell that utilizes a gated diode
A method of reading an NVM cell structure formed on a deep well of N-type semiconductor material, wherein the NVM cell structure includes a PMOS transistor formed in an N-type well, the PMOS transistor including spaced-apart p-type source and drain region defining an n-type cannel region therebetween, an NMOS transistor formed in a P-type well that is adjacent to the N-type well, the NMOS transistor including spaced-apart n-type source and drain regions defining a p-type channel region therebetween, a conductive floating gate that includes a first section that extends over the n-type channel region of the PMOS transistor and is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material and a second section that extends over the p-type channel region and is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material, and a conductive control gate formed over at least a portion of the second section of the floating gate and is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material, the method comprising: biasing the deep N-type well at a preselected read voltage; holding the source region of the PMOS transistor at the read voltage; holding the drain of the PMOS transistor at ground; and holding the control gate at ground for a preselected read time.
US07978514B2 Semiconductor memory device for storing multivalued data
Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
US07978507B2 Pulse reset for non-volatile storage
A non-volatile storage system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of memory cells with reversible resistance-switching elements, and circuits to SET and RESET the resistance-switching elements. The circuits that RESET the resistance-switching elements provide a pulse to the memory cells that is large enough in magnitude to SET and RESET the memory cells, and long enough to potentially RESET the memory cell but not long enough to SET the memory cells.
US07978503B2 Static semiconductor memory with a dummy call and a write assist operation
A dummy memory cell for detection of write completion timing is provided as a replica of a memory cell. When assisting a write operation by power supply control and substrate potential control of the memory cell, the timing of ending the write assist operation is determined by a voltage control circuit based on information about the dummy memory cell. For example, the voltage control circuit performs, in a data write operation in the memory cell, the write assist operation of decreasing the voltage of a source power supply allocated to P-channel MOS load transistors using a pull-down transistor. Thereafter, at the time when completion of the data write operation in the dummy memory cell is detected, the voltage control circuit ends the write assist operation and restores the voltage of the source power supply to the original level using a pull-up transistor.
US07978498B2 Programming non-volatile storage element using current from other element
A non-volatile storage apparatus includes Y lines, a common X line, multiple storage elements, a dummy element and control circuitry in communication with the common X line and the Y lines. Each element is connected to the common X line and the dummy element is also connected to a particular Y line. The control circuitry provides control signals to the common X line and the Y lines to change a first storage element from a first to a second state by passing a current into the first storage element from the particular Y line through the dummy element. The control circuitry controls the common X line and Y lines to sequentially change additional storage elements from the first to the second state by passing currents into the additional storage elements previously changed to the second state and their associated different Y lines.
US07978494B2 Radio frequency identification device initializing a memory using an offset voltage
An RFID device sets initial data stored in a memory using an offset voltage and includes an analog block, a digital block, and a memory block. The memory blocks is configured to read/write data in a cell array unit. The memory block includes an offset controller that is configured to set an offset voltage value of a bit line connected to the cell array unit.
US07978492B2 Integrated circuit incorporating decoders disposed beneath memory arrays
A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
US07978486B2 Rectifier circuit and radio communication device using the same
A rectifier circuit includes an input terminal that receives an alternating-current signal, a first rectifier circuit that generates a first direct-current voltage from the alternating-current signal, a bias-voltage generating circuit that generates a bias voltage from the first direct-current voltage, and a second rectifier circuit that generates a second direct-current voltage from the alternating-current signal biased with the bias voltage.
US07978467B2 Key sheet, press switch and electronic device provided with the press switch
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key sheet and the like which can suppress local elevation of temperature, and effectively diffuse heat loss from electronic circuits. The key sheet includes: a viscoelastic sheet 16b having a viscoelastic property, and having a first surface and a second surface; a button section 16a located on the side of the first surface of the viscoelastic sheet 16b; a thermally-conductive sheet 14 located along the first surface or the second surface of the viscoelastic sheet 16b, the thermally-conductive sheet 14 having a thermal conductivity equal to a specific value; and a contact section 16d projected from the second surface of the viscoelastic sheet 16b, the contact section occupies a position corresponding to the button section 16a.
US07978464B2 Bag computer two panel computer with hinge extension
Disclosed are improvements to a two panel computer meant to be mounted to a bag front of a matching bag. The computer has a display panel and body panel pivotally attached with the display fixed to the side of the display panel facing away from the body panel. The hinge is adapted to create a gap between the panels to allow the bag's computer holder to fit between the panels. This gap may be formed by; 1) providing a extension between the body and hinge, 2) using a large diameter hinge with a portion of the diameter creating the extension, 3) providing a extension between the hinge and the display panel.
US07978459B2 Electrical junction box
To provide an electrical junction box that has a simple construction and an improved waterproof capability. An electrical junction box 10 comprises a circuit casing 30 and a circuit board 20 contained in the circuit casing. The circuit casing includes two cover bodies 31 and 51, which are opposite each other and include base plate sections 32 and 52 and peripheral walls 41 and 61 provided on the base plate sections. Portions of the peripheral walls 41 and 61 are cut off to define drainage apertures 45 and 65, which is oriented downwards. Bus bars B to be electrically connected to electrical conductive paths on the circuit board 20 are insert-molded in connectors 110 to 160 and arranged downward. Contacting portion K between the peripheral walls 41 and 61 is sealed through the entire periphery with the exception of the drainage aperture 45.
US07978456B2 Scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors
The present invention provides several scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors and their layout techniques. The capacitors are scaled, for example, by varying the number of metal layers and/or the area of the metal layers used to from the capacitors. The capacitors use different metallization patterns to form the metal layers, and different via patterns to couple adjacent metal layers. In embodiments, optional shields are included as the top-most and/or bottom-most layers of the capacitors, and/or as side shields, to reduce unwanted parasitic capacitance.
US07978454B1 ESD structure that protects against power-on and power-off ESD event
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit (ESD protection circuit) provides ESD protection to all NMOS/PMOS transistors that are connected to the pins of a CMOS integrated circuit (IC). The ESD protection circuit will protect the CMOS IC against an ESD event, regardless of whether the CMOS IC is powered up, or powered down.
US07978449B2 Integrated electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry for signal electrode
An integrated electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry for a signal electrode. Coupled in shunt between the signal electrode and the positive and negative power supply electrodes are opposing sets of multiple diodes coupled in series. Each set includes a diode across which is applied a nominal reverse bias voltage. These opposing reverse bias voltages are maintained at substantially constant predetermined nominal magnitudes in relation to the voltage at the signal electrode, thereby ensuring minimal leakage current via the signal electrode over the full dynamic range of the signal.
US07978438B2 Thin-film magnetic head with shield layer profile having obtuse or rounded corners, magnetic head assembly, magnetic disk drive apparatus and manufacturing method of thin-film magnetic head
A thin-film magnetic head provided with at least one MR read head element includes a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer, and an MR layer formed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. A profile of the upper shield layer, appeared at an ABS, has obtuse or rounded upper corners at end edges of the upper shield layer along a track-width direction.
US07978437B2 Tolerance ring for data storage with cut-out feature for mass control
A tolerance ring configured to improve mass eccentricity of an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a predetermined length between two ends, with a gap along the predetermined length of the cylinder, the gap having a first and a second edge, the cylinder having an aperture in the surface of the cylinder at the second edge.
US07978422B2 Incident-light controlling apparatus
An incident-light controlling apparatus has a first aperture in a substrate, a diaphragm blade which rotates around an axis, and controls light passing through the first aperture, by the diaphragm blade rotating alternately between a first stationary position coinciding with the first aperture, and a second stationary position retracted from the first aperture, a permanent magnet joined directly to the diaphragm blade, at a position of the axis of rotation of the diaphragm blade, and magnetized in a direction of a plane of rotation of the diaphragm blade, and a pair of coils having a winding around cores disposed such that an end portion of each coil faces the magnet. The diaphragm blade rotated alternately between the first and second stationary positions due to an interaction between a generated magnetic field upon passing an electric power, and a magnetic field generated due to the magnet.
US07978421B2 Camera module
Disclosed is a camera module with a hinge spring which can stably support a lens barrel which is driven in a vertical direction for automatic focusing and which is made of lightweight resin, the camera module including a cylindrical lens barrel with lenses disposed therein for collecting images of external objects, a housing encasing the lens barrel in a manner such that the lens barrel vertically moves in an optical axis direction of the lenses, an automatic focusing actuator installed in the housing to cause linear motion of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction, and a ring-shaped hinge spring extrusion-molded using resin having elasticity to support an upper portion of the lens barrel and guide the linear motion of the lens barrel.
US07978415B2 Observation device
An observation device includes at least one day vision channel, an information channel with a graphic electronic display for producing a display image and a combination optical system for combining the day vision channel and the information channel, so that a combined overall image forms.
US07978405B2 Optical system for cell imaging
A microscope system (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″) includes a laser (18) or light emitting diode (18′″) that generates source light having a non-uniform spatial distribution. An optical system includes an objective (40) defining a field of view, and an optical train (22, 22′, 22″, 22′″) configured to convert the source light into an enlarged-diameter collimated light, to spatially homogenize the enlarged-diameter collimated light, and to couple the homogenized enlarged-diameter collimated light into the objective to provide substantially uniform static illumination of the field of view. A camera system (56) is statically optically coupled by the objective with at least most of the field of view.
US07978400B2 Electro-wetting apparatus and method of driving electro-wetting apparatus
An electro-wetting apparatus includes a liquid having conductivity or polarity and a first electrode and a second electrode that apply voltage to the liquid. The electro-wetting apparatus also includes a dielectric layer provided between the liquid and the first electrode. The electro-wetting apparatus further includes a voltage-applying unit that applies a voltage signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the voltage signal is periodically changed between a first voltage of zero (0) volt or more and a second voltage of larger than the first voltage.
US07978399B2 Display device and method of fabricating the same
A constitution of the display device of the invention is shown in the following. The display device includes a pixel unit including TFTs of which the active layer contains an organic semiconductor material for forming channel portions in the opening portions in an insulating layer arranged to meet the gale electrodes. The pixel unit further includes a contrast media foamed on the electrodes connected to the TFTs for changing the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field, or microcapsules containing electrically charged particles that change the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field. The pixel unit is sandwiched by plastic substrates, and barrier layers including an inorganic insulating material are provided between the plastic substrates and the pixel unit. The purpose of the present invention is to supply display devices which are excellent in productivity, light in weight and flexible.
US07978397B2 Information display panel and method for manufacturing the same
In an information display panel, in which display media are sealed between a transparent front substrate and a rear substrate, and, in which the display media, to which an electrostatic field is applied from electrodes arranged respectively to the front substrate and the rear substrate, are made to move so as to display information such as an image, the rear substrate is constituted by a flexible material, and a metal electrode is formed on the rear substrate by a patterning process using a vapor deposition and a sputtering or a metal electrode is formed on the rear substrate by effecting a patterning process to a metal film formed by a vapor deposition or a sputtering. In this manner, it is possible to obtain an information display panel, which can improve a flexibility of the rear substrate with the electrode by an inexpensive cost, achieve an easy handling of the substrate and decrease a panel breakage due to a detachment of two substrates.
US07978391B2 Polarizing, photochromic devices and methods of making the same
A liquid crystal cell including a first substrate having a first surface; a second substrate having a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is opposite and spaced apart from the first surface of the first substrate so as to define a region; and within the region defined by the first surface and the second surface, a liquid crystal material adapted to be at least partially ordered and at least one thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound adapted to be at least partially aligned and having an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in an activated state.
US07978384B2 Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium thereof
A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.
US07978373B2 Image processing apparatus and method for printing and plate making, and recording medium having image processing program recorded therein for printing and plate making
A neighboring vector, which is a boundary portion between two overlapping objects, is extracted. To calculate luminance levels of the objects on both sides of the neighboring vector, a predetermined number of coordinate points (sample points) in the vicinity of the neighboring vector are extracted at least from the image side. A rendering process is performed on an area including all the extracted sample points to acquire color values at the sample points. The luminance level of the image is calculated based on the acquired color values, and the luminance levels of the objects on both sides of the neighboring vector are compared to each other to determine the position (direction) in which to generate a trap graphic.
US07978365B2 Document type discriminating apparatus
A document type discriminating apparatus is provided in which discrimination as to whether or not a document is a duplicate is made with high degree of accuracy. The document type discriminating apparatus includes means for discriminating whether a type of a screen pattern used in an image captured by reading a document is a line screen, means for detecting whether a value indicating a change in a period of the screen used in the image exceeds a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating sharpness of an edge seen in the image is lower than a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating a blur in an edge color seen in the image exceeds a predetermined value, and means for discriminating that the document is a duplicate when at least two out of the four detection results mentioned above are true.
US07978363B2 Printing apparatus and printing method
There is provided a printing apparatus including: an image creating device which creates a plurality of two-dimensional code images; an interval setting device which sets an interval between the plurality of two-dimensional code images; and a printing device which prints the plurality of two-dimensional code images having the interval set therebetween by the interval setting device.
US07978361B2 Automatic and transparent document archiving
An automatic archiving system that makes document archiving largely transparent to the user. In one embodiment, documents scanned in or printed during the course of office equipment operation are automatically archived. For example, an office local area network (LAN) may interconnect a copier, a printer, a fax machine, and a document management workstation. Whenever, a document is copied, printed, or faxed, a document image is archived by the document management workstation without further user intervention. A single user command results in the document being copied and archived, printed and archived, Of faxed and archived.
US07978359B2 Control device, image processing device control system, method of controlling control device, program, and computer-readable recording medium
In an image processing device control system, a function that a predetermined image processing device operated by the user cannot execute is executable by a substitute device, the user can input to the predetermined image processing device setting information regarding the function; and a control device includes: a multifunction device specifying section specifying a multifunction device having the function to the user-operated multifunction device; a UI control section sending to the user-operated multifunction device, data of the setting screen of the function; and a device control section which receives from the user-operated multifunction device the setting information of the function, and sends, to the multifunction device specified by the multifunction device specifying section, the setting information and a control instruction which instructs the execution of the function.
US07978357B2 Printing system and method that uses a universal serial bus (USB) high-speed interrupt out pipe to transfer print data from the host computer to the printer
In accordance with the invention, it has been determined that the bandwidth, guaranteed periodic delivery and error correction characteristics of a USB High-Speed Interrupt OUT pipe of the USB 2.0 standard enable the Interrupt OUT pipe to be used to transfer print data from the host computer to the printer. By using the Interrupt OUT pipe for this purpose, it is no longer necessary to store an entire rasterized page in the formatter memory of the printer before commencing printing of the page. Consequently, the size of the formatter memory device can be relatively small compared to the size of the formatter memory device that is currently used to store an entire rasterized page. Alternatively, the same size memory device as that currently used to store an entire rasterized page may be used to enable higher resolution pages to be printed.
US07978356B2 Printing management system
A remote proofing system (10) on an information network (400) includes a networked controller (20) configured to be a master proofing controller and at least one remote proof printer (30, 90, 300, 310, 320, 330). The master proofing controller monitors at least one monitored information folder (13) maintained on the information network, associating a set of associated printer instructions (15) with the at least one monitored information folder, and instructing the at least one remote proof printer to print according to the set of associated printer instructions the contents of a proof printing file set when the proof printing file set is deposited in the at least one monitored information folder. Further embodiments of the remote proofing system allow for performing print proofing through an information firewall (800) via layered authorization from the operator of the remote proof printer; and multiple and partially overlapping remote proofing systems on the same information network.
US07978352B2 Image outputting apparatus, and archive system including that image outputting apparatus and its control method
When data is output from an archive-function incompatible driver to an archive-function incompatible device, that data is omitted from those to be archived. To this end, an image outputting apparatus of this invention determines whether or not received data has already been archived. When it is determined that the received data has already been archived, an image is outputted based on that received data. When it is determined that the received data has not been archived yet, image outputting of the received data is inhibited. Furthermore, the image outputting apparatus instructs a PC that transmitted the data to install an archive-function compatible driver.
US07978350B2 Copyright compliance
A method for use in reproducing pages from at least one document. The method includes, in a document processing device, determining an identity of the at least one document, and scanning at least some of the pages of the at least one document. The document processing device then displays a representation of a number of the scanned pages to allow selection of at least some of the scanned pages for reproduction and controls the selection of pages for reproduction at least in part using a rule indicative of copyright that is determined based on the identity.
US07978342B2 Method and apparatus for measuring expansion of materials
Methods for measuring expansion of a test sample. One method includes establishing a diffraction slit between two blades, with the position of at least one of the blades being dependent upon the length of a test sample of material. As the temperature of the sample changes, the width of the slit changes. Light is projected through the slit onto a target and an diffraction pattern is measured. Changes in the light diffraction pattern correspond to the thermal expansion of the sample. Another method includes establishing a diffraction slit between two blades, with the position of at least one of the blades being dependent upon a length along a test sample of material. As a load is applied to the test sample, the width of the slit changes. Changes in the light diffraction pattern correspond to Young's Modulus for the sample.
US07978341B2 Multi-channel laser interferometric method and apparatus for detection of ultrasonic motion from a surface
A multi-channel laser interferometric method and apparatus are provided for optically measuring transient motion from a surface (17). A laser beam (11) is generated and then divided into first and second beams having respective intensities representing minor and major fraction of the predetermined laser intensity. The reference beam (18) illuminates the surface (17) at which deformation is expected. The light back-scattered by the surface is collected by a single aperture lens (15) and then made to interfere with the probe beam (67) which has been expanded (32), onto a two-dimensional array of detectors (71). Each signal (83) corresponding to each detector of the array is converted individually to an electrical signal, each electrical signal is amplified and processed (84), and the plurality of processed signals (85) is then averaged in an electrical summing means (45).
US07978335B2 System for producing tomographic image by optical tomography
In optical tomography measurement using light, the wavelength of which is periodically swept, interference light between reflection light and reference light is split into first interference light and second interference light by a light splitting means. The optical path length of the first interference light and that of the second interference light are adjusted by an interference-light optical path length adjustment means so that they become the same. Further, balanced detection is performed on the first interference light and the second interference light by an interference light detection means.
US07978333B2 Holographic sensor having heterogeneous properties
A sensor which comprises a support medium and a hologram disposed therein, wherein an optical characteristic of the medium varies as a result of a change of a property of the medium, and wherein the medium is heterogeneous such that the change of property is heterogeneous.
US07978325B2 Biochemical analyzer
A light amount is increased and an analyzing accuracy can be kept in accordance with an enlargement of a load angle, however, a scattered light tends to be loaded in an analysis accompanying the scattered light and a dynamic range of a concentration which can be measured becomes narrow. A light is dispersed by a light dispersing portion, a load angle of the received light is changed per wavelength, the load angle is made larger in the light of a wavelength having a small light amount, and the load angle is made smaller in the light a wavelength having a large light amount and used for an analysis accompanying a scattered light. Accordingly, it is possible to gain a dynamic range of a concentration which can be measured in the analysis accompanying the scattered light, while increasing the light amount and maintaining the analyzing accuracy.
US07978323B2 Surface inspection system with improved capabilities
Pixel intensities indicative of scattered radiation from portions of the inspected surface surrounding a location of a potential anomaly are also stored so that such data is available for quick review of the pixel intensities within a patch on the surface containing the location of the potential anomaly. Where rotational motion is caused between the illumination beam and the inspected surface, signal-to-noise ratio may be improved by comparing the pixel intensities of pixels at corresponding positions on two different surfaces that are inspected, where corresponding pixels at the same relative locations on the two different surfaces are illuminated and scattered radiation therefrom collected and detected under the same optical conditions.
US07978321B2 Angle measurements
Methods and devices for angle determination, and retroreflecting foils are presented. A retroreflecting foil (1) is arranged at a surface, an angle of which is going to be determined. The retroreflecting foil has a lens surface with a plurality of spherical microlenses (4) and a reflecting surface with a plurality of spherical mirrors (5) of a second main radius of curvature. The lens surface of the retroreflecting foil is illuminated, and transitions between darkness and light in radiation reflected from the retroreflecting foil, either upon changing a relative angle between the retroreflecting foil and the illuminating light or spatial transitions over the surface of the retroreflecting foil, are observed. An angle measure associated with the transitions is determined. The spherical mirrors present preferably at least one inner point (22) of a spherical mirror surface at which reflection according to the second main radius of curvature is prohibited.
US07978309B2 Clamping apparatus capable of fixing a film and image processing apparatus utilizing the same
A clamping apparatus capable of fixing a roll film is disclosed. The clamping apparatus includes: a carrier comprising a slot; a cover positioned in the slot; and a cannelure formed between the cover and the carrier, for guiding the film inserted from the first film door to a predetermined position. The cover includes: an upper ramp, positioned on one side of the cannelure opening, for guiding the film from the first film door to the cannelure opening, wherein a first edge of the upper ramp is near the cannelure opening, and a second edge of the upper ramp is away from the slot opening and inclines to the first edge of the upper ramp.
US07978308B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus arranged to transfer a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate is disclosed, the apparatus including a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, a first clamping system configured to clamp the substrate table to a substrate table support structure, and a second clamping system configured to clamp a substrate to the substrate table after the substrate table has been clamped to the substrate table support structure.
US07978297B2 Electro-optical device having resistor with adjustable resistance value connected to IC and wiring lines
An electro-optical device includes: a substrate; a plurality of wiring lines which is formed on the substrate; and an IC which is mounted on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the plurality of wiring lines. At least a pair of wiring lines among the plurality of wiring lines include a first conductive layer formed on the substrate and a second conductive layer formed on at least the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer have different resistance values. The first conductive layer of one of the pair of wiring lines has a plurality of first resistors each extending toward the other wiring line, and the second conductive layer of the other wiring line has a second resistor extending toward the one wiring line. The plurality of first resistors is connected to the second resistor.
US07978288B2 Display device, method of the same and electronic device including the same
A display device including a substrate, a driving element, a reflective layer and a first auxiliary layer is provided. The substrate has a first area and a second area. The driving element is placed within the first area. The reflective layer is placed above the first area and at least a portion of the second area and coupled to the driving element. The first auxiliary layer is placed on the reflective layer above the first area. The first auxiliary layer improves the electrical characteristic of the reflective layer. A reflectance of the first auxiliary layer is not larger than a reflectance of the reflective layer.
US07978283B2 Shielding structure of thin type monitor device
A shielding structure of thin type monitor device, includes: a monitor body; a first shielding box which is arranged in the monitor body, which is formed by cutting and bending a metal plate, which includes a flat plate portion having rectangular shape, and a terminal supporting portion which is formed by bending one end portion of the flat plate portion, into which a terminal is passed through, and which is fixed on a metal plate in the monitor body that is grounded; a terminal holder which includes a terminal hole which contacts with an opposite side of the terminal supporting portion with respect to the flat plate portion, through which the terminal is passed, and which forms a part of case of the monitor body; and a second shielding box which is formed by cutting and bending a metal plate, which includes a protecting portion that has a rectangular shape, that is arranged such that it contacts with the terminal supporting portion and that is made be parallel with the flat plate portion, and a standing portion which is formed by bending three sides in the protecting portion that do not contact with the terminal supporting portion and which is made contact with the flat plate portion.
US07978274B2 Display device and electronic device
An object of the invention is to provide a circuit technique which enables reduction in power consumption and high definition of a display device. A switch controlled by a start signal is provided to a gate electrode of a transistor, which is connected to a gate electrode of a bootstrap transistor. When the start signal is input, a potential is supplied to the gate electrode of the transistor through the switch, and the transistor is turned off. The transistor is turned off, so that leakage of a charge from the gate electrode of the bootstrap transistor can be prevented. Accordingly, time for storing a charge in the gate electrode of the bootstrap transistor can be shortened, and high-speed operation can be performed.
US07978270B2 Liquid crystal display panel and related device for receiving a touch command
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, an isolating layer, and a conductor. The first electrode is disposed between the first substrate and the isolating layer, on which the conductor is disposed. Each of the second and third electrodes is disposed on the second substrate and includes a contact surface. The second and third electrodes are not in contact with each other and are separated by a gap. The conductor is disposed in accordance with the location of the gap.
US07978269B2 Portable television-broadcast reception unit, television-broadcast reception method, television-broadcast reception program, and computer-readable record medium with television-broadcast reception program
A portable television-broadcast reception unit is provided which is capable of changing the direction of a directional antenna easily to a direction where an enough quality to watch television can be obtained. In this unit: a television-broadcast reception section 20 receives a broadcast wave using a directional antenna 10; a direction measurement section 60 measures the direction of the directional antenna 10; an electric-field strength measurement section 70 measures the electric-field strength value of the received broadcast wave; a storage section 30 stores an electric-field strength management table which includes the direction measured by the direction measurement section 60 and the electric-field strength value measured by the electric-field strength measurement section 70; a control section 40 controls the measurement of the direction and the measurement of the electric-field strength, updates the electric-field strength management table and selects the direction where the maximum electric-field strength value can be obtained; an image-turn processing section 80 turns the received image so that the upper part of the image is oriented to the direction where the maximum electric-field strength value can be obtained; and a display section 50 displays the turned image.
US07978267B2 Broadcasting receiver, broadcasting transmitter, broadcasting system and control method thereof
A broadcasting receiver, broadcasting transmitter, broadcasting system and a control method are provided. The broadcasting receiver includes a broadcasting reception unit which receives caption data including information on an edge shape of a caption window and caption text to be displayed in the caption window, and a caption processor which processes the received caption data, determines the edge shape of the caption window corresponding to the caption data, and generates the caption window and the caption text according to the edge shape and the caption text. Accordingly, the edge shapes of the caption windows in which the caption text is displayed can be expressed in various forms.
US07978258B2 Automatic exposure time selection for imaging tissue
The invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting an exposure time to improve or otherwise optimize a dynamic range of a digital image. The system includes a camera configured to capture an image of a subject within the field of view at a first exposure time. The captured image is composed of multiple pixels, with each pixel having a respective intensity value. The system further includes a shutter or suitable control configured to control an exposure time of the camera. A controller configured to carryout the following steps including: (a) querying a frequency distribution of pixel intensity values; (b) determining an effective “center of mass” of such a distribution, or histogram, to determine an adjusted exposure time; and (c) capturing a second image of the subject at the adjusted exposure time thereby obtaining an image with an improved or optimal dynamic range.
US07978244B2 Image sensor and an electronic information device
An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix which detects a pixel signal of each pixel based on a voltage difference between a reset voltage which is a reference voltage of each pixel and a signal voltage generated by a photoelectric conversion at each pixel, and includes a plurality of read lines located for each pixel column, wherein the reset voltage and the signal voltage are read from the pixel of the corresponding pixel column; and a reset current supply section provided for each read line, wherein at the same time a first reset current is supplied from a pixel to the read line when reading the reset voltage from the pixel, the section supplies a second reset current to the read line such that a sum of the first reset current and the second reset current is constant.
US07978236B2 Image-capturing device that displays a shifted enlargement area
An image-capturing device includes: an image-capturing unit that captures a subject image formed via a photographic optical system; a display unit that displays a through image of the subject image captured by the image-capturing unit; an enlargement area setting unit that sets a position of an enlargement area in the through image of the subject image to be displayed in an enlargement at the display unit; and a display control unit that enlarges the subject image corresponding to the enlargement area set by the enlargement area setting unit and brings up the enlarged subject image on display at the display unit, and in response to a change instruction for changing the position of the enlargement area issued by the enlargement area setting unit while the enlarged subject image is on display, the display control unit shifts the enlargement area by sustaining a state of enlarged display of the subject image and displays the subject image corresponding to the shifted enlargement area at the display unit.
US07978232B1 Photograph location stamp
A camera includes a feature that associates meaningful information with a photograph to indicate where the photograph was taken. The camera includes equipment that determines a physical position associated with an image. An application uses geographic data to determine a municipality, or other administrative or governmental area, in which the physical position is located and associates data indicating the municipality, or other administrative or governmental area, with the image.
US07978224B2 Multicast control of motion capture sequences
Capturing motion including: a clock configured to generate a time reference; a plurality of motion capture cameras substantially synchronized to the time reference; at least one device used in motion capture; a multicast module configured to receive the time reference, and to transmit a multicast signal, wherein the multicast signal includes information derived from the time reference to configure the at least one device to operate synchronously with the plurality of motion capture cameras; and an integration module configured to integrate device data generated by the at least one device with camera data generated by the plurality of motion capture cameras.
US07978223B2 Image capturing apparatus with suppression of image blur and method thereof for suppressing image blur
A method for suppression of image blur is applied to an image capturing apparatus in a photography mode whose exposure time is set to be greater than a safe exposure time. The method comprising the following steps: capturing a long exposure image with the present exposure time, and a short exposure image with an exposure time smaller than or equal to the safe exposure time in the same landscape. Besides, obtain a locus signal in the process of long exposure image capture. Afterwards, execute an arithmetic procedure to smooth the short exposure image, and then produce a point scale image using the auxiliary arithmetic of locus signal. Finally, process the long exposure image and the point scale image with multiplication arithmetic to restore the long exposure image, thus forming an output image.
US07978222B2 Systems and methods for image stabilization
An image capture device includes a frame buffer, a processor, a shutter, an actuator, a three-axis optical motion sensor and an image sensor. The image sensor defines an optical axis. The three-axis optical motion sensor provides information concerning rotational movement of the camera about each of a roll axis, a yaw axis and a pitch axis. The roll axis is parallel to the optical axis. The yaw axis and the pitch axis are orthogonal to one another and orthogonal to the roll axis. The actuator rotates the image sensor in response to the rotational movement of the device about the optical axis. The processor generates first and second offsets responsive to the rotational motion about the yaw axis and the pitch axis. The processor shifts each line of image information in a frame in accordance with the first and second offsets.
US07978218B2 Single instrument/card for video applications
Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.
US07978211B2 Liquid crystal display device and related operating method
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a plurality of pixels is driven to display a first frame and a second frame in sequence. A gray-scale difference between the first frame and the second frame is detected to determine a driving mode variation between the first frame and the second frame. The number of pixels driven by a dynamic mode and a static mode in the second frame is adjusted according to the driving mode variation. Gray-scale data corresponding to the pixels in the second frame is output.
US07978210B2 Detail-in-context lenses for digital image cropping and measurement
In one or more implementations, a cropped image is defined within a boundary on an original image displayed on a display. The original image is distorted to give an appearance of a lens being applied to the original image displayed on the display, the appearance of the lens including a focal region and a base region. A graphical user interface (“GUI”) is displayed on the display for adjusting the appearance of the lens.
US07978201B2 Method for compensating an image
A method for compensating an image produced by image means for implementing image information takes account of ambient illumination. Luminance of external background illumination around the image means is measured. The measured luminance of the background illumination is compared with preset tristimulus values and a reflectance factor of the image means, a comparison result is computed, and a control signal is generated to compensate luminance and chroma of an image. Luminance and chroma of the image means are compensated in response to the control signal.
US07978200B1 Raster-order pixel dithering
Stochastic dithering may be used to reduce the size of the frame buffer and the complexity of the D/A Converters (DACs) in the drive circuitry that are used in a video display system. Hardware for stochastic dithering can be simplified when pixel data is presented in raster order. The hardware adds algebraic noise to the image to be dithered, and thresholds the result.
US07978199B2 Parameter compaction in tile based rendering device
A method and apparatus for managing memory usage for three-dimensional computer graphics systems are provided. A scene which is textured and shaded in the system is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas, each including a plurality of picture elements in the scene. For each rectangular area a list of objects which may be visible in the scene is derived. Objects which do not contribute to the final textured and shaded scene are then removed from each list and the rectangular area is then textured and shaded using reduced lists of objects.
US07978197B2 Systems and methods for downloading algorithmic elements to a coprocessor and corresponding techniques
Systems and methods for downloading algorithmic elements to a coprocessor and corresponding processing and communication techniques are provided. For an improved graphics pipeline, the invention provides a class of co-processing device, such as a graphics processor unit (GPU), providing improved capabilities for an abstract or virtual machine for performing graphics calculations and rendering. The invention allows for runtime-predicated flow control of programs downloaded to coprocessors, enables coprocessors to include indexable arrays of on-chip storage elements that are readable and writable during execution of programs, provides native support for textures and texture maps and corresponding operations in a vertex shader, provides frequency division of vertex streams input to a vertex shader with optional support for a stream modulo value, provides a register storage element on a pixel shader and associated interfaces for storage associated with representing the “face” of a pixel, provides vertex shaders and pixel shaders with more on-chip register storage and the ability to receive larger programs than any existing vertex or pixel shaders and provides 32 bit float number support in both vertex and pixel shaders.
US07978195B2 Method for superimposing statistical information on tabular data
A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.
US07978192B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating sight distance
A method of sight distance analysis comprising: acquiring a scene-graph representation comprising three dimensional entities; acquiring at least one three dimensional object representation within the scene graph environment; acquiring a target object representation; selecting at least one camera position; positioning the acquired target object representation in the scene graph representation at a distance from the selected at least one camera position; and determining a visibility factor for the positioned target object representation.
US07978188B2 Data driver and organic light emitting display using the same
A data driving circuit including n channels, where n is an integer, the data driving circuit including a shift register unit receiving data during a first input period and a second input period, the shift register unit shifting and outputting the received data, a first latch unit receiving the data input during the first input period from the shift register unit, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously outputting the data corresponding to the first input period, and a second latch unit receiving the data input during the second input period from the shift register unit, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously outputting the data corresponding to the second input period.
US07978186B2 Mechanisms for control knobs and other interface devices
Mechanisms for a control knob or other interface device providing additional degrees of freedom for the knob. One embodiment provides a rotatable knob moveable also in lateral plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A mechanism providing the lateral motion can include agate member and a plunger member that engages grooves in the gate member. A rotational sensor detects a rotational position and a lateral sensor can detect a lateral position of the knob. Another embodiment provides an actuator that includes a shaft that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and which can be moved linearly along the axis of rotation with respect to actuator housing to accommodate linear motion of the knob. In another embodiment, a gear assembly including two interlocked gears is provided to transmit rotational motion from the knob to the sensor, and the interlocked gears translate with respect to each other when the knob is translate along the rotational axis.
US07978185B2 Creating virtual replicas of physical objects
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating virtual replicas of physical objects. A computer system detects that a portion of a physical object has come into the physical vicinity of a portion of a multi-touch input display surface. The computer system accesses object identifying data corresponding to the object. The computer system uses the object identifying data to access image data for the object from a repository of stored image data. The computer system uses the at least the accessed image data to generate a virtual replica of the object. The computer system presents the virtual replica of the object at a location on the multi-touch input display surface where the portion of the object was detected.
US07978183B2 Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
US07978180B2 Apparatus and method for providing haptics of image
An apparatus for and method of providing haptics of an image displayed through an image unit. The apparatus includes: a touch unit checking whether a user has touched a portion of the displayed image, and searching for a position of the portion when the user touches the portion; and a magnetic force changing unit changing magnetic forces in response to haptic information corresponding to the position and expressing the changed magnetic forces through the image unit. The haptics of the portion are provided through the change of the expressed magnetic forces.