Document Document Title
US08008000B2 Viral variants detection and application
The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimens and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular HBV variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for and/or develop or design agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.
US08007998B2 Polymerized conjugates for biological applications
Polymerized conjugates of at least two proteins that have increased sensitivity for detecting proteins in biological assays such as gels and blots, and methods of preparing the conjugates, and a protein assay detection kit using the conjugates. In one embodiment, proteins are polymerized by reacting a carbohydrate group on the protein that has been oxidized with an amine group.
US08007996B2 Methods to identify protein arginine deiminase 4 inhibitors
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to identify a protein arginine deiminase 4 inhibitor is disclosed. The method includes performing a competitive assay in which a potential inhibitor compound competes with rhodamine-conjugated fluoroamidine to bind to protein arginine deiminase 4. Fluorescence is measured to determine an estimate of the amount of fluorescent protein arginine deiminase 4 that is present in the assay.
US08007993B2 Method for storage and perfusion of organs using a solution comprising L-carnitine and isovaleryl L-carnitine
A storage solution to maintain and perfuse organs awaiting transplantation comprising (a) an isotonic balanced solution comprising a physiologically acceptable amount of potassium, mono acidic phosphate, biacidic phosphate, chloride, sodium and bicarbonate ions; (b) 50-250 mM glucose; (c) 0.2-20 mM of an alkanoyl L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (d) 1-100 mM of L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (e) water is described. The storage solution can also include other components such as anti-oxidants and/or chelating agents.
US08007991B2 Three-dimensional physiological matrices for oncological testing, and methods for their production and use
Three-dimensional physiological matrices, methods, apparatus and kits for the expedited design, testing and evaluation of oncological remedies are provided. Key aspects of the inventions include matrices, and especially gel matrices, comprising one or more physiological fibers, which are adapted and arranged to provide conditions which permit behaviors, such as the movement of cells away from the margins of samples of target tissue through the matrix, to be evaluated in a manner that produces data useful for evaluating the oncological status and characteristics of the cells. In a further key aspect, the invention permits the in vitro testing and analysis of one or more conventional, experimental or theoretical therapies with respect to specific target tissues or cells. Among such therapies are therapeutic compounds and combinations thereof, radiation therapies, combinations of therapeutic compounds and radiation and numerous other possible therapies.
US08007985B2 Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. A plurality of features is formed on a workpiece, the plurality of features being located in a first region and a second region of the workpiece. Features in the first region have a first lateral dimension, and features in the second region have a second lateral dimension, wherein the second lateral dimension is greater than the first lateral dimension. The first region is masked, and the second lateral dimension of features in the second region is reduced.
US08007965B2 Optical wavelength division multiplexed multiplexer/demultiplexer for an optical printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same
The invention provides an optical mux/demux for an optical printed circuit board. The mux/demux comprises: a first waveguide formed on a support layer for carrying a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal; a separator/combiner for separating the wavelength division multiplexed signal into component signals of corresponding wavelengths or for combining component signals into the said wavelength division multiplexed signal; and plural second waveguides, each for receiving or providing one or more of the said component signals, wherein the separator/combiner is at a predetermined location relative to the waveguides.
US08007962B2 Photomask
A photomask includes a base, a plurality of chip pattern regions over which a light shielding pattern of a metal material is defined, the plurality of chip pattern regions being defined on the base, scribe regions defined between the chip pattern regions, the scribe regions being defined by using the light shielding pattern, and slits in which the light shielding pattern is not defined, the slits being defined so as to surround the chip pattern regions.
US08007956B2 Separator for flat-type polyelectrolyte fuel cell and polyelectrolyte fuel cell employing that separator
A separator having a separator member coupled body having a metal plate as a base body, and formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and frame coupled bodies each made of an insulating material, each having openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and each formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame portions that give insulation between the unit cells, wherein said frame coupled bodies, making a pair, sandwich said separator member coupled body from its both sides, and each frame portion of one of said frame coupled bodies is capable of fitting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell into the opening.
US08007952B2 Fuel cell
A DMFC is provided in which the structure is simplified and the thickness is reduced without impairing diffusibility of fuel, air and generated products. An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer sandwich an electrolyte membrane. Liquid fuel stored in a fuel chamber is directly supplied to the anode catalyst layer. Current collectors are respectively provided adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. Each of the current collectors is formed of a flat conductive sheet in which a plurality of fine pores are provided to extend through the current collector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction.
US08007947B2 Method of selecting non-humidification operation condition of proton exchange membrane fuel cell
The invention relates to fuel cell non-humidification operation, specifically to—a method on dry operation condition selection, wherein under condition of inputting dry gas, applying predetermined temperature, pressure and the input flow of the dry gas and detecting the temporary current-voltage curve of the cell. The selection method of this invention can realize steady operation of the cell under non-humidification condition and avoid the dehydration problem of the membrane under the dry gas as well as the “flood” phenomena. The present invention can be applied to not only normal temperature work condition, but also the start and run of the fuel cell under zero degree temperature condition especially. It can simplify the system of the fuel cell and therefore improve the development of the fuel cell.
US08007945B2 Fuel-cell system and method for scavenging fuel cell
A fuel-cell system 1 includes: a fuel cell 13 configured to generate electricity through reaction between hydrogen gas and air; a compressor 12 configured to supply air as a scavenging gas to a reactant gas path 13a of the fuel cell 13; a control part 18 configured to control an amount of air supplied from the compressor 12 to the fuel cell 13 to perform scavenging of the fuel cell 13; and pressure sensors P1 and P2 configured to monitor a pressure drop in the reactant gas path 13a of the fuel cell 13. The control part 18 controls an amount of supplied air so as to keep the pressure drop in the reactant gas path 13a substantially constant when the fuel cell 13 is scavenged. With this configuration, residual water can be suitably purged from the fuel cell while energy consumption is suppressed.
US08007942B2 Ion-dissociative functional compound, method for production thereof, ionic conductor, and electrochemical device
Disclosed herein are an ion-dissociative functional compound, a method for production thereof, an ionic conductor, and an electrochemical device, the ion-dissociative functional compound being thermally and chemically stable under the condition required of fuel cells and being suitable for use as a material such as protonic conductor in fuel cells.The proton-dissociative functional compound shown in FIG. 1A is composed of a fullerene C60 molecule and about 10 sulfonic acid groups —SO3H as proton-dissociative groups each attached to the fullerene through a difluoromethane group —CF2—. The proton-dissociative functional compound shown in FIG. 1B is composed of fullerene molecules three-dimensionally connected to each other through a linking group —CF2SO2NHSO2CF2—. It contains, as the proton-dissociative group, sulfoneimide groups —SO2NHSO2— and sulfoneamide groups —SO2H2 in addition to sulfonic acid groups. These compounds are prepared by introduction of difluoro(fluorosulfonyl)methyl groups into fullerene molecules, and ensuing imidization and hydrolysis.
US08007936B2 Electric storage device
An electric storage device 10 has a first electric storage component 29 and a second electric storage component 30. The first component 29 and the second component 30 are connected in parallel. A positive-electrode mixture layer 22 contains a lithium cobaltate to increase a capacity. A positive-electrode mixture layer 27 contains an activated carbon to increase an output. A current collector 16 having through holes 16a is provided between the layers 22 and 27. A positive electrode terminal 25 is connected to a positive-electrode current collector 21 of the first component 29 through an electricity supply path 24 provided with a resistor 23. By this configuration, the electric current flowing through the first electric storage component 29 can be restricted when the device is charged or discharged with high current.
US08007928B2 Coated article with black color
An article is coated with a coating having a black color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a first color layer comprised of oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides, a second color layer comprising oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides and a top layer of refractory metal oxides.
US08007922B2 Articles having improved resistance to thermal cracking
An article includes a working portion including cemented carbide, and a heat sink portion in thermal communication with the working portion. The heat sink portion includes a heat sink material having a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the cemented carbide. Also disclosed are methods of making an article including a working portion comprising cemented carbide, and a heat sink portion in thermal communication with the working portion and including a heat sink material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than a thermal conductivity of the cemented carbide. The heat sink portion conducts heat from the working portion.
US08007911B2 Material for room temperature curable solvent-borne overcoating material,coating material using same and coating film
To provide a coating material for a room temperature curable solvent-borne overcoating material having chipping resistance and not allowing occurrence of cracks, and a room temperature curable solvent-borne overcoating material using the same, the room temperature curable solvent-borne overcoating material being excellent in abrasion resistance and in performance such as weather resistance, contamination resistance and adhesion.A coating material is formed of a lipophilic polyrotaxane including a cyclic molecule, a linear molecule piercing through the cyclic molecule to include it, and blocking groups disposed at both end terminals of the linear molecule to prevent departure of the cyclic molecule. In the lipophilic polyrotaxane, at least one of the linear molecule and the cyclic molecule has a hydrophobic modification group. A room temperature curable solvent-borne overcoating material is formed to contain the coating material preferably within a range of from 60 to 100% by mass relative to a film-forming component.
US08007908B2 Single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material and method for production thereof
A single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which comprises a single walled carbon nanohorn and a lanthanide metal deposited thereon and has methane absorptivity is produced, whereby a single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which can adsorb much methane and is effective as a methane adsorbing material is provided.
US08007907B2 Glass-containing molding composition and process for production of the same
A glass-containing molding composition is prepared by incorporating glass powder into a thermoplastic resin at a glass load ratio of 40 to 70 percent by weight, in which the glass powder is composed of solid spherical glass particles which have an average particle size of 10 to 40 μm and whose surfaces are totally covered with a silane compound and which exhibits reduction ratios of melt flow rate on a parabolic curve with the increase of glass load ratios and has a reduction ratio of melt flow rate of 3/4 to 1/4 within a glass load ratio in a range of 40 to 64 percent by weight.
US08007902B2 Multilayer clear over color polyolefin sheets and layered backing structure
A multilayer structure includes a clear polyolefin layer, a colored polyolefin layer, and a random polyolefin backing layer. The colored and backing layers are coextruded and are permanently bonded at a layer interface, which is exclusive of an adhesive. The structure has a DOI of 70 or greater and passes a gravelometer impact test per the GM9508P standard, with a 10 pint load, at a −30° C. temperature, and at an impact angle of 30 degrees. Among other uses, the structures are appropriate for use as body panels in the motor vehicle industry. The structures display a “class A” finish and meet a variety of requirements for durability and weatherability. An ABA structured backing layer and a method of making it are also described herein.
US08007887B2 Optical information recording medium and method for manufacturing the same
An optical information recording medium that can simultaneously achieve both a high transmittance and high signal quality of an information layer, improve the reliability of long-term conservation, and reduce the manufacturing cost, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In an optical information recording medium including at least one information layer on a substrate, at least one of the information layers has a recording layer and a dielectric layer, the recording layer contains Te, O, and M (M is one or a plurality of elements selected from Au, Pd, and Pt) as major components, the dielectric layer has a thermal conductivity of 0.01 W/K·cm or more, and the dielectric layer has an extinction coefficient of 0 through 1.0 inclusive.
US08007880B2 Insert for a pressurized container of liquid
The invention relates to an insert that is to be added to a gas-pressurized liquid in a container. Said insert comprises a pressure-activated body with at least one cavity, said body being connected to a positioning device. According to the invention, (a) the pressure-activated body (4) comprises at least one opening (10) with a reduced diameter, which connects the cavity to the environment of the insert and is situated in a location that lies above the level of liquid when the insert is floating on said liquid and (b) the positioning device comprises a floating body (1, 2; 1, 2, 6) with a small opening (3), which is submerged in the liquid when the insert is placed on the latter, a ventilation opening (5), which communicates directly with the external environment (14) of the insert and a minimum volume (11), which when filled with liquid enables the insert to sink into the liquid. The inventive insert can be added to liquids that are sealed under pressure. It floats to the surface of said liquid, but sinks after a period of time. Its pressure-activated body is charged with the internal pressure of the sealed container and when the container of liquid is opened, said pressure is used in a known manner to achieve effects such as an improved foaming of beer or to mix a substance, which up to the point of opening has been stored separately in the container, with the liquid.
US08007878B2 Antireflection film, polarizing plate, and image display device
An antireflection film comprising a support and a low refractive index layer prepared by coating a coating composition containing the following components: (A) a fluorine-containing polymer, a principal chain of which is made of only carbon atoms and which contains at least one fluorine-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit and at least one hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit, wherein a content of the hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit exceeds 20% by mole, provided that the polymer does not have a polysiloxane structure in the principal chain; (B) a crosslinking agent capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group; and (C) a compound containing two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule thereof.
US08007875B2 Method of forming a carbon nano-tube
In a method of forming carbon nano-tubes, a catalytic film is formed on a substrate. The catalytic film is then transformed into preliminary catalytic particles. Thereafter, the preliminary catalytic particles are transformed into catalytic particles. Carbon nano-tubes then grow from the catalytic particles. The carbon nano-tubes have relatively high conductivity and high number density.
US08007870B2 Plasma-sprayed layers of aluminum oxide
Plasma-sprayed layers of aluminium oxide on a substrate are produced by using a pyrogenically produced aluminium oxide, for example selected from the group consisting of borosilicate and steel, as starting powder.
US08007869B2 Reinforced silicone resin film and method of preparing same
A method of preparing a reinforced silicone resin film, the method comprising the steps of impregnating a fiber reinforcement in a condensation-curable silicone composition comprising a silicone resin, and curing the silicone resin in the condensation-curable silicone composition of the impregnated fiber reinforcement; wherein the reinforced silicone resin film comprises from 10 to 99% (w/w) of the cured silicone resin and the film has a thickness of from 15 to 500 μm; and a reinforced silicone resin film prepared according to the method.
US08007865B2 Atomic layer deposition (ALD) method and reactor for producing a high quality layer
One inventive aspect is related to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate in a reactor, b) providing a pulse of a first precursor gas into the reactor at a first temperature, c) providing a first pulse of a second precursor gas into the reactor at a second temperature, and d) providing a second pulse of the second precursor gas at a third temperature lower than the second temperature. Another inventive aspect relates to a reactor suitable to apply the method.
US08007861B2 Ink jet applicator
An ink jet applicator includes an ink jet head having nozzle via which liquid droplets are jetted, a seal mechanism sealing the nozzle using a pressure vessel; a solution supply mechanism supplying a solution to the nozzle at a predetermined pressure.
US08007860B2 Method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
There is provided a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium which can easily produce a magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium having a plurality of magnetically separated recording layers suitable as the recording layers in a discrete track medium or patterned medium, and also having excellent surface flatness, in which spaces between the adjacent recording layers are filled in with a non-magnetic material.Such a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium is a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium (10) including: a step for forming a magnetic layer on top of a non-magnetic substrate (1), and then forming a resist pattern constituted of a non-magnetic material on top of the magnetic layer; a step for forming a concave section (4a), which is to become a separation layer (5), and a plurality of recording layers (4) that are magnetically separated in plan view by the concave section (4a) by removing the magnetic layer that is exposed from the resist pattern; and a step for forming the separation layer (5) by melting the resist pattern to prepare a melted resist and filling in the concave section (4a) with the melted resist, followed by curing of the melted resist.
US08007854B2 Ceramic coating and method of preparation thereof
A ceramic coating with gradient density/porosity and/or incorporated biologically active agents can be fabricated on the surface of substrates, including the surface of implantable medical devices.
US08007853B2 Vitamin/mineral composition with DHA
Compositions containing the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in combination with at least one vitamin and mineral are provided to supplement nutrition in a mammalian diet. DHA is present in the composition in concentrated amounts, advantageously in a carrier such as marinol oil, to allow for quantities of DHA sufficient to supply expectant and new mothers and their children as recommended on a daily basis. This DHA may also be used to treat a variety of disorders in children and adults. The compositions advantageously include vitamins, minerals, and optionally other nutrients to provide a nutritional supplement which may be convenient to swallow and taken once a day.
US08007851B2 Buffered tea-milk compositions and associated beverages and methods for preparing same
A beverage composition includes water, milk solids, a tea material, and a pH buffer that itself includes a lactate salt and a carbonate salt. The pH buffer reduces or eliminates precipitation of milk protein when dissolved milk solids are mixed with acidic tea components. Methods of preparing the composition, and packaged beverages are also described.
US08007850B2 Method for making a powder containing crystalline particles of glucopyranosyl-alditols
The invention relates to a method for making a powder containing crystalline particles of glucopyranosyl-alditols, including the continuous mixing of a glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup with a dry matter content of at least 80% by weight and a glucopyranosyl-alditol content of at least 95% by weight, preferably of at least 98% by weight based on dry matter, the mixing being carried out by simultaneously dispersing the glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup and germs containing glucopyranosyl-alditols in an open rotary container containing (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules, whereby the glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup and the germs containing glucopyranosyl-alditols are mixed at the surface of the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules contained in the container, recovering the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules from the container and crystallizing the glucopyranosyl-alditols contained in the granules, the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules in the container being kept in motion by rotating the container.
US08007837B2 Herbal composition for maintaining/caring the skin around the eye, methods of preparing the same and uses thereof
Disclosed is a novel herbal composition for maintaining/caring the skin around the eye, the composition comprising extracts of Saxifraga ligulata syn. Bergenia ligulata, Cipadessa baccifera and Emblica officinalis and cosmeceutical excipients thereof. Also disclosed is a method of extraction, delivery system comprising the same and use thereof.
US08007835B2 Hibiscusanthocyanins for inhibiting cancers
This invention provides a composition for inhibiting cancer cell growth comprising Hibiscus anthocyanins extracted from Hibiscus sabdariffa. This invention also provides a method for treating cancer comprising administering a patient with an effective amount of Hibiscus anthocyanins.
US08007827B2 Pharmaceutical dosage forms having immediate release and/or controlled release properties
The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising: an absorption window active agent; a controlled release component comprising enteric-coated controlled release beads, wherein the enteric-coated release beads comprise at least two pH-sensitive polymer layers. The controlled-release dosage forms provide good bioavailability of absorption window active agents.
US08007819B2 Methods for deactivating allergens and preventing disease
This invention relates to articles of manufacture containing liquid compositions of hypohalous acid or hypohalous acid salt for deactivating allergens and preventing diseases on hard surfaces, soft surfaces and in the air. The articles of manufacture contain usage instructions with health claims. This invention also includes methods of instructing the public and promoting the use of these compositions.
US08007818B2 Polyanionic polymer adjuvants for haemophilus influenzae B saccharide vaccines
The present invention relates to the field of vaccines, and in particular vaccines comprising antigens of low isoelectric point at pH 7.0, in particular the capsular polysaccharide or oligosaccharide of H. influenzae B (PRP). Immunogenic compositions and methods of making such compositions are presented in which the PRP is surprisingly protected from immune interference by adding a polyanionic polymer (such as PLG-poly-L-glutamic acid) to the composition.
US08007815B1 Combination meningitidis B/C vaccines
Combination vaccines for treating or preventing Neisseria meningitidis infection are described. The vaccines include Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B proteoliposomic vesicles and Neissera meningitidis serogroup C conjugated oligosaccharides.
US08007808B2 Composition and method for facilitating the internalization of a therapeutic agent into a cell
The present invention is a composition and method for facilitating the internalization of a therapeutic agent into a cell. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of the extracellular domain of basigin-2, cyclophilin, or anti-basigin-2 antibody or antibody fragment as a delivery moiety for internalization of a therape.
US08007805B2 Chimeric antigens for breaking host tolerance to foreign antigens
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for eliciting immune responses against antigens. In particular, the compounds and methods elicit immune responses against foreign antigens that are otherwise recognized by the host as “self” antigens, thus breaking host tolerance to those antigens. Presenting the host immune system with a chimeric antigen comprising an immune response domain and a target binding domain, wherein the target binding domain comprises an antibody fragment, enhances the immune response against the foreign or tolerated antigen. Antigen presenting cells take up, process, and present the chimeric antigen, eliciting both a humoral and cellular immune response against the desired antigen.
US08007798B2 Treatment of complement-associated disorders
The present invention concerns a recently discovered macrophage specific receptor, CRIg, and its use in the prevention and treatment of complement-associated disorders, including complement-associated eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
US08007795B2 Anti-tissue factor antibodies and methods of use thereof
The invention includes antibodies that provide superior anti-coagulant activity by binding native human TF with high affinity and specificity. Antibodies of the invention can effectively inhibit blood coagulation in vivo. Antibodies of the invention can bind native human TF, either alone or present in a TF:FVIIa complex, effectively preventing factor X or FIX binding to TF or that complex, and thereby reducing blood coagulation. Preferred antibodies of the invention specifically bind a conformational epitope predominant to native human TF, which epitope provides an unexpectedly strong antibody binding site. Also provided are humanized antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to the TF.
US08007792B2 Antibodies directed against hepatitis C virus E1E2 complex, compositions of HCV particles, and pharmaceutical compositions
New conformational antibodies are directed against HCV and more particularly to monoclonal antibodies. Described compositions of particles are liable to be recognized by the antibodies, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Also described are HCV enveloped subviral particles or purified HCV enveloped complete viral particles, and the processes for preparing them.
US08007791B2 Prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions
The invention concerns the prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by administration of Factor D antagonists.
US08007790B2 Methods for treating polycystic kidney disease (PKD) or other cyst forming diseases
The present invention is directed to methods of treating or ameliorating an effect of a polycystic disease. More particularly, the methods include administering to a patient in need thereof an amount of a modulator of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway, which is sufficient to treat or ameliorate an effect of a polycystic disease. Methods of treating or ameliorating an effect of a polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are also provided. Methods are also provided for identifying a candidate compound that may be effective to treat or ameliorate an effect of a polycystic disease or to increase polycystin-2 (PC2) function or decrease Rab11-Family of Interacting Protein2 (FIP2) function. Further provided are methods for identifying a patient having, or who is at risk for developing, a polycystic disease or who would benefit from treatment with a TNF-alpha inhibitor.
US08007789B2 Antibiotics GE 81112 factors A, B, B1, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions, and use thereof
The invention relates to antibiotic substances of microbial origin, arbitrarily denominated antibiotic GE 811112 factor A, factor B1 and factor B, which are produced by fermentation of Streptomyces sp. DSMZ 14386, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and composition thereof, and their use as an antibacterial agent having activity versus susceptible microbes.
US08007787B2 Human cystathionine β-synthase variants and methods of production thereof
Human cystathionine β-synthase variants are disclosed, as well as a method to produce recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase and variants thereof. More particularly, the role of both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of human CBS has been studied, and a variety of truncation mutants and modified CBS homologues are described. In addition, a method to express and purify recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and variants thereof which have only one or two additional amino acid residues at the N-terminus are described.
US08007785B2 Method for treating colon cancer with tumour-reactive T-lymphocytes
The present invention discloses an immunotherapeutic method for treating patients suffering from colon cancer, by administering expanded tumour-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes obtainable from one or more sentinel or metinel lymph nodes draining a tumour in the colon or a metastasis arising from a tumour in the colon. The present invention provides a new effective method for treating colon cancer and metastatic colon cancer, without adverse side effects associated with the known treatments. The method comprises identification of in a patient one or more sentinel and/or metinel lymph nodes draining a tumour in the colon or a metastasis from a tumour in the colon, resection of the one or more nodes and, optionally all or part of the tumour or metastasis, isolation of tumour-reactive T-lymphocytes from said lymph nodes, in vitro expansion of said tumour-reactive T-lymphocytes, and administration of the thus obtained tumour-reactive T-lymphocytes to the patient, wherein the T-lymphocytes are CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes.
US08007781B2 Molecular vaccine linking an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone polypeptide to an antigen
This invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing immune responses, such as antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, using chimeric molecules comprising endoplasmic reticulum chaperone polypeptides and antigenic peptides. In particular, the invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing immune responses induced by polypeptides made in vivo by administered nucleic acid, such as naked DNA or expression vectors, encoding the chimeric molecules. The invention provides a method of inhibiting the growth of a tumor in an individual. The invention also provides novel self-replicating RNA virus constructs for enhancing immune responses induced by chimeric polypeptides made in vivo.
US08007767B2 Amino methyl imidazoles and related compounds as C5a receptor modulators
Amino methyl imidazoles of Formula I are provided: wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are defined herein. Such compounds are ligands of C5a receptors. Preferred compounds of Formula I bind to C5a receptors with high affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist or inverse agonist activity at C5a receptors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. It further relates to the use of such compounds in treating a variety of inflammatory, cardiovascular, and immune system disorders. Additionally, this invention provides labeled amino methyl imidazoles compounds, which are useful as probes for the localization of C5a receptors.
US08007759B2 Process for preparing aluminium species
A static ion-exchange process for the preparation of a polynuclear Al species comprising the treatment of an aqueous aluminum chloride solution with a hydroxide-form ion-exchange resin at a temperature of from 5° C. to 60° C. for a period of at least 30 minutes.
US08007756B2 Process for the synthesis of nanotubes and fullerene-like nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, quasi one-dimensional structures of transition metals and oxides of transition metals
The object of the invention is a process for the synthesis of nanotubes of transition metal dichalcogenides, of fullerene-like nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, of nanotubes of transition metal dichalcogenides, filled with fullerene-like nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, of quasi one-dimensional structures (nanowires, microwires and ribbons) of transition metal oxides and of quasi one-dimensional structures of transition metal dichalcogenides, consisting of fine crystallites of transition metal dichalcogenides. The process is characterized in that the synthesis occurs by the chemical transformation of quasi one-dimensional compounds with a sub-micron diameter, described by the formula M6CyHz, 8.2
US08007741B1 Pipetting head with plate gripper
A pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, and a gripper system, and which includes a floating gripper carriage, which is configured to move independently from said pipetting system. The pipetting system and said gripper system are configured to utilize a common motor. In alternative embodiment, a pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, and a stripper assembly. The pipetting system and the stripper assembly are configured to utilize a common motor. In another alternative embodiment, a pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, which includes a stripper assembly, a main carriage assembly, and a gripper assembly, where the stripper assembly and gripper assembly are both configured to move independently from the main carriage assembly. Also a method is disclosed for distributing material samples for laboratory processing.
US08007720B2 In situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method
An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.
US08007717B2 Method and apparatus for decontaminating a region without dehumidification
A method and apparatus for decontaminating a region with a gaseous or vaporous decontaminant (e.g., vaporized hydrogen peroxide) without dehumidification (e.g., without the use of a dryer). The saturation concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is monitored, and the concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is regulated to prevent condensation of the decontaminant. The bioburden reduction is continuously monitored during a decontamination phase to ascertain successful completion of a decontamination process in accordance with a target bioburden reduction.
US08007714B2 Earth-boring bits
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, oxide, and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles.
US08007713B2 Sintered composite machine part and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are a sintered composite machine part as a cylinder block for piston pumps or piston motors, and a manufacturing method thereof. The machine part has an air-tight main body of sintered porous iron alloy and having an iron oxide layer on the surface; and a sliding part of sintered porous copper alloy being bonded direct to the main body. The sliding part is to be slid in tight contact with a fluid supply/return device. The manufacturing is made by preparing a main body of sintered porous iron alloy and a green compact for sliding part from a raw material metal powder having a composition corresponding to the copper alloy; sintering the green compact for sliding part in contact with the main body to bond the sliding part to the main body by diffused junction; and subjecting the main body to steam treatment to provide an iron oxide layer.
US08007711B2 Method for operating a converter
In a method for operating a converter (1), in which the converter (1) is mounted in a carrying ring (3) by means of carrying journals (2), a gear mechanism (4) is mounted in a floating manner on the carrying journals (2), the converter (1) is configured, as a result, such that it can tilt about its horizontal axis and the gear mechanism (4) is connected rigidly to a pedestal (6) by a torque support (5), the torque support (5) connects the gear mechanism (4) to the pedestal (6) during the tilting operation of the converter (1), and the torque support (5) is released from the pedestal (6) or from the gear mechanism (4) or from both during operation of the converter (1).
US08007706B2 Method for the production of a molded part
The invention relates to a method for the production of a molded part which comprises a base part consisting of a plurality of layers and a thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material bonded therewith, the bond of the base part with the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material being formed such that the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material is deformed under a pressure to become flowable, or that it is introduced already liquefied under pressure and forms a bond with the base part. According to the invention, the production of the base part and the production of the bond of the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material with the base part is carried out in the same die.
US08007702B2 Methods of manufacturing linearly expandable ureteral stents
A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.
US08007698B2 Wood composites bonded with phenol-formaldehyde by steam injection pressing
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a wood composite, and the related wood composite itself formed by steam injection pressing using a phenol-formaldehyde resin binder composition capable of rapidly curing in a saturated or superheated steam atmosphere.
US08007694B2 P-type metal oxide semiconductor material and fabrication method thereof
A fabrication method for a p-type metal oxide semiconductor material is disclosed, including providing a lithium salt and a zinc salt to be mixed in a solution, wherein to the solution is added a chelating agent to form a metal complex compound comprising lithium and zinc. A heating process for the metal complex compound to form a p-type metal oxide semiconductor material powder is performed, having a formula LixZnx-1 O.
US08007689B2 Liquid composition suitable for use as a corrosion inhibitor and a method for its preparation
A liquid composition comprising a high-capacity aqueous carrier in which (i) a metalloid compound selected from the group consisting of antimony and germanium compounds and (ii) morpholine or derivative thereof are dissolved in the presence of (iii) unsaturated alcohol and (iv) water-soluble organic acid having reducing capacity, wherein the total concentration of said four components is preferably not less than 5% relative to the total weight of the composition. The composition is useful as a corrosion inhibitor. Also provided is a process for preparing the composition.
US08007681B2 Methods, compositions, and burner systems for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere
A method of preparing an oxidant stream comprising: burning a combustion mixture comprising (a) one or more fuel composition and (b) oxidant comprising a first oxygen content of about 10 mole % or more and a first carbon dioxide (CO2) gas content of about 68 mole % or more on a dry basis, the burning producing a flue gas comprising CO2 gas, water vapor, and unreacted oxygen; separating from the flue gas a recycle stream; mixing at least a portion of the recycle stream having a first pressure with a sufficient amount of an oxygen stream having a second pressure which is sufficiently higher than the first pressure to entrain at least a portion of the recycle stream in the oxidant stream and to produce the oxidant stream having a second oxygen content of 10 mole % or more and a second CO2 gas content of about 68 mole % or more on a dry basis.
US08007675B1 System and method for controlling an etch process for a single crystal having a buried layer
A system and method is disclosed that terminates an etch process of a semiconductor crystal material at a precisely located depth. The semiconductor crystal is made of a first material and has a buried layer of a second material that is stoichiometrically different than the first material. The buried layer is located at a depth in the first material at which it is desired to terminate the etch process. During the etch process an optical emission spectrum of the first material is monitored. The intensity of the spectrum decreases when the etch process reaches the second material of the buried layer. The etch process is terminated when the decrease in spectrum intensity is detected.
US08007670B2 Laminated cassette device and methods for making same
A filtration cassette is described. The filtration cassette can include one or more filtrate channel spacers and one or more feed channel spacers. Each of the feed channel spacers and each of the filtrate channel spacers define an open interior volume bounded by an inner perimeter and include at least one feed port and at least one filtrate port. The filtrate channel spacers and the feed channel spacers are arranged such that the feed ports and the filtrate ports are positioned in respective alignment. The filtration cassette further includes one or more membranes disposed between the filtrate channel spacers and the feed channel spacers, and one or more retaining members at either end of the filtration cassette. A thin film of adhesive binds together the filtrate channel spacers, the feed channel spacers, and the membranes.
US08007667B2 Filtration device with releasable additive
A filtration device is provided that includes a filter component and an additive component. The filter component includes concentrically arranged filtering elements disposed in a filter-in-filter configuration. The additive component includes at least one additive material that is introduced into a working fluid to be filtered. The filter component and additive component provide an assembly for a filtration system that would filter a variety of working fluids. The filter component and additive component provides an assembly that can filter fluids more efficiently. As a result, fluids may enjoy, for example, extended drainage intervals and thereby reduce component wear.
US08007657B2 Preparation and treating of bituminous compositions
Described is the use, for preparing or treating bituminous compositions, of at least one compound selected among: esters of glycolic, lactic and gluconic acids, methylic, ethylic and isobutylic esters of glutaric, succinic and adipic acids, and ethers or esters of a product resulting from internal dehydration of a sugar, preferably a hydrogenated sugar. Also described is a method for preparing or treating such compositions and the resulting compositions.
US08007653B2 Method and appartus for operation of pool cleaner with integral chlorine generator
An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing, drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of the salt water pool to be cleaned, and an integral electrochemical chlorine generator mounted in the housing, includes a processor/controller that is programmed to activate the chlorine generator, the pump and drive means in predetermined operational sequences that minimize wear and tear on the water pump and drive means, while at the same time distribute and maintain a safe level of sanitizing chlorine in the pool, to thereby obviate the need for an in-line chlorinator or other chemical additive treatments; an optional automated sensor device can be provided to activate a secondary maintenance program which enables the pool cleaner to operate over prolonged periods of time as the sole means for filtering and sanitizing the pool water. An electrochemical cell manual mounting system permits the cell to be secured in place for operation and manually removed for maintenance, repair or replacement by the user without special tools or training.
US08007651B2 Method for preparing thermally transmissive anodized surface and products therefrom
A process for substantially improving the heat transmission and reflection properties of anodized metals is presented along with a method of improving such properties while allowing for such processed anodized metals to be used for food contact.
US08007650B2 Apparatus for manufacturing metal nanotube and process for manufacturing metal nanotube
Disclosed is a low-cost, high quality metal nanotube comprising Ni, Fe, Co or the like. A metal thin film having a thickness of 10 to 80 nm is formed as a cathode on one surface of a film having penetrated holes, and an electrolyte solution is filled between an anode and the cathode to which a voltage is applied. Metal ions in the electrolyte solution are electrochemically deposited on the walls of the penetrated holes, thereby forming metal nanotubes. A thermoplastic resin porous film such as a polycarbonate film, an alumina porous film or aluminum anodic oxide film may be used as the film, and the diameters of the penetrated holes are preferably 15 to 500 nm. The metal thin film can be formed by sputtering, and preferably comprises a platinum-palladium alloy. The electrochemical processing of nanostructured tailored materials is a unique technique.
US08007646B2 Fluorescent detection of proteins in polyacrylamide gels
The mechanism of the UV light-induced reaction between the indole moiety of tryptophan and chloroform, and the structure of the modified tryptophan and polypeptides including such modified tryptophan residues. The excited indole moiety, which is formed upon UV light irradiation, emits a solvated electron which initiates a series of events that yield fluorescent derivatives that have CHO group covalently bound to the indole moiety. These derivatives are herein referred to as formyltryptophan, and are relatively stable. Similar reactions are observed when 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-fluorotryptophan, or N-methylindolacetate are used in place of tryptophan, or when other haloalkanes, such as trichloracetic acid, trichlorethanol, trichlorethane, bromoform, and iodoactetate are used in place of chloroform. The derivatives can be used in a variety of applications in fluorescence spectroscopy, and for nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, infra-red spectroscopy, circular dicroism and mass spectroscopy. Additionally, the UV light-induced reaction between the indole moiety of tryptophan and haloalkanes can be used to prepare derivatives of tryptophan for chemical cross-linking studies of proteins and peptides.
US08007644B2 Inclined carrier transferring apparatus
An inclined carrier transferring apparatus for use inline sputtering equipment. The inclined carrier transferring apparatus includes rollers and a guiding portion. The rollers transfer and support the bottom of a carrier. The guiding portion is installed diagonally with respect to the rollers, to support the top of the carrier in a non-contact manner.
US08007643B2 Anode for electrolysis
The invention relates to an anode comprising a titanium alloy substrate coated with noble metals by thermal decomposition of precursors thereof. The alloy of the substrate includes elements which can be oxidised during the thermal decomposition step, allowing electrical energy savings and a prolonged duration in industrial electrolytic processes. The anode of the invention is suitable for chlor-alkali electrolysis, allowing to produce chlorine with a lower oxygen content and a lower energy consumption than the anodes of the prior art.
US08007639B2 System for producing an article made of tissue paper or the like comprising a superabsorbent material
A method for producing an article made of a web material, comprising at least one ply, wherein a superabsorbent material in powder form is associated with said ply.
US08007636B2 Method of treating cellulose fibres with chlorine dioxide and an alkyl cellulose derivative
The present invention relates to methods of modifying cellulose fibers and of producing paper which methods include providing a pulp suspension of cellulose fibers and adding a cellulose derivative during the bleaching of the cellulose fibers in an acidic bleaching stage.
US08007630B1 Method of multilayer film dry lamination of airbag fabrics
An inflatable automotive protective cushion and method of formation. The protective cushion includes a multilayer film coating with an adhesive layer and an overlying barrier layer. The adhesive layer is adapted to bond to a textile substrate and the barrier layer is adapted to block air permeability.
US08007618B2 Image displaying medium with metallic image and thermal transfer sheet
The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C., and the 60°, 45°, 20° specular reflection of the image surface on which the metallic image is formed is 100% or greater, and a brightness (L*value) is 20 or greater.
US08007615B2 Method of manufacturing versatile flexible cover
A flexible cover is formed from a rectangular sheet of plastic film material and a continuous elastic or rubber band. The sheet has a predetermined amount of material cut from each corner. The sheet is placed onto a table between four posts that extend from the table. The sheet is positioned so that a post lines up with each corner of the sheet. A rubber band is stretched across the four posts into a similar shaped rectangle and rests just above side edges of the sheet. The side edges of the sheet are folded inward and over the stretched band and heat sealed directly to the sheet. The band is now sealed within a pocket formed along the sides of the sheet. Each corner of the stretched band is released from its post, allowing the band to relax and pull the formed pockets toward the center.
US08007614B2 Elastomeric nonwoven laminates and process for producing same
An elastomeric laminate for use in an absorbent article can have a first plurality of elastomeric strands and a second plurality of elastomeric strands bonded to a first substrate. The first plurality of elastomeric strands can be bonded to the first substrate in a first orientation while the second plurality of elastomeric strands is joined to the first substrate in a second orientation. The first and second orientations can be different such that the elastomeric laminate can accommodate tension forces which act on the laminate from different axes. Optionally, a second substrate or a third plurality of elastomeric strands may be added to the elastomeric laminate.
US08007612B2 Method and device for position-compensated and angle-compensated welding
The invention relates to a method for the position- and angle-compensated welding of a component (6) to a base body (5), in particular to a blow molding, comprising the working steps of three-dimensionally recording the geometrical and positional data of the joining face (51) of the base body (5), positioning at least one heating element (221) on the basis of the recorded geometrical and positional data in such a way that a constant distance between the heating element (221) and the joining face (51) of the base body (5) is achieved over the entire joining face (51), plastifying the joining faces (51, 61) of the base element (5) and the component (6) and bringing the plastified joining faces (51, 61) of the component (6) and the base body (5) together. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method for the position- and angle-compensated welding of a component (6) to a base body (5), comprising at least one heating element (221) and means for positioning (2) the at least one heating element (221), means (3) for positioning the base body (5), means for positioning the component, means (23) for recording geometrical and positional data of a body (5) and also a control unit (4), wherein the means (2) for positioning the at least one heating element (221), the means (3) for positioning the base body (3) and the means (2) for positioning the component (6) act together under the control of the control unit (4) in such a way that a uniform distance between the at least one heating element (221) and the joining face (51) of the base body (5) can be achieved over the entire joining face (51) on the basis of the geometrical and positional data.
US08007600B2 Soft magnetic thin strip, process for production of the same, magnetic parts, and amorphous thin strip
The invention provides a soft magnetic thin strip which contains nanoscale fine grains and exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density and excellent soft magnetic characteristics; a process for production of the same; magnetic parts; and an amorphous thin strip to be used in the production. In the invention, an amorphous thin strip is used, which is represented by the composition formula: Fe100-x-y-zAxMyXz-aPa (wherein A is at least one element selected from between Cu and Au; M is at least one element selected from among Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W and Mn; X is at least one element selected from between B and Si; and x, y, z and a (in terms of atomic percentage) satisfy the relationships: 0.5≦x≦1.5, 0≦y≦2.5, 10≦z≦23, and 0.35≦a≦10 respectively) and permits 180° bending. The amorphous thin strip can give through anneal a soft magnetic thin strip having a structure wherein grains of body-centered cubic structure having an average grain size of 60 nm or below are distributed in an amorphous phase with a grain volume fraction of 30% or above.
US08007588B2 Vapor-phase epitaxial growth method and vapor-phase epitaxy apparatus
A vapor phase epitaxial growth method using a vapor phase epitaxy apparatus having a chamber, a support structure holding thereon a substrate in the chamber, a first flow path supplying a reactant gas for film formation on the substrate and a second flow path for exhaust of the gas, said method includes rotating the substrate, supplying the reactant gas and a carrier gas to thereby perform vapor-phase epitaxial growth of a semiconductor film on the substrate, and during the vapor-phase epitaxial growth of the semiconductor film on the substrate, controlling process parameters to make said semiconductor film uniform in thickness, said process parameters including flow rates and concentrations of the reactant gas and the carrier gas, a degree of vacuum within said chamber, a temperature of the substrate, and a rotation speed of said substrate.
US08007585B2 Syrup composition, resin mortar composition and method of coating
A syrup composition of the present invention comprises a mixture of monomers (A), each having a molecular mass of 130 to 300 and one (meth)acryloyl group; a resin (C) which is soluble in the monomers (A) and has a glass transition temperature of 20 to 155° C.; a wax (D); and a tertiary amine (E), wherein the monomers (A) contain a heterocyclic ring-containing (meth)acrylate (a1), an oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (meth)acrylate (a2), and a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate (a3) having a hydroxyalkyl group with 2 or 3 carbon atoms. The syrup composition does not substantially contain a polyvalent metal soap.
US08007583B2 Multi-layer effect pigment
A multilayer effect pigment includes a transparent substrate, a layer of high refractive index material on the substrate, and alternating layers of low refractive index and high refractive index materials on the first layer, the total number of layers being an odd number of at least three, all adjacent layers differing in refractive index by at least about 0.2 and at least one of the layers having an optical thickness which is different from all of the other layers. The resulting multilayer effect pigment is not a quarter-wave stack. The present effect pigments may be used in cosmetic and industrial applications.
US08007582B2 UV curable coating composition and method of making
The present invention relates to solid, particulate free film-forming compositions, multi-layer composite coatings comprising such film-forming compositions and methods of applying such multi-component composite coatings to a substrate. The solvent free film-forming compositions include UV-curable powder coating compositions comprising an amorphous (meth)acrylate terminated poly(ester-urethane) and optionally a second (meth)acrylate terminated polyurethane.
US08007579B2 Polyether-based preparations and use thereof
The invention relates to preparations based on polymerizable polyether materials and a fluidity improver and to the use thereof in producing dental materials, especially impression materials.
US08007578B2 Pigmented ink having infrared absorption and low visible color
An ink having infrared (IR) absorptivity includes an ink vehicle and an IR absorptive pigment having low visible color. According to one exemplary embodiment, the IR absorptive pigment includes an antimony-containing tin oxide.
US08007574B2 Air conditioner
An air conditioner having an interior casing in which an air filter is provided along an inner face of an air suction inlet, includes a filter cleaning part, a cleaning time drive member for moving the air filter and the filter cleaning part with respect to each other, and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit which irradiates the air filter with ultraviolet rays. The air filter and the filter cleaning part are relatively moved by the cleaning time drive member to remove dust adhered to the air filter, and the ultraviolet light irradiation unit irradiates an uncleaned face of the air filter with the ultraviolet rays.
US08007564B2 Manufacture method of briquette for use as metal stock and manufacturing apparatus thereof
A manufacture method of briquette for use as metal stock is provided which increases the efficiency of drying porous masses so as to shorten a drying time, and which provides a simplified constitution for reducing an installation area of a system and for reducing the running cost and initial cost of the system. The porous masses are formed by compression molding a recyclable material containing metallic powder. The compression molded porous masses are fed into a tubular member, into which hot air is blown for drying the porous masses.
US08007563B1 Waterjet removal of coverings from cables
A method of impacting a flow of fluid, preferably water, onto a cable which comprises an outer jacket and a plurality of coverings on metal wires therewithin, to simultaneously remove a substantial majority of the outer jacket, and at least some of at least one of the coverings, on the metal wires.
US08007560B2 Use of the flue gas desulfurization byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities and a method for alkali soil amelioration
The present invention discloses a novel use of the FGD byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities and the specific method for alkali soil amelioration. In this method, after sampling, amount of Na2CO3, NaHCO3, Mg(HCO3)2,±)Na and ±)Mg can be calculated by analysis. According to the component in FGD byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities, the amount for FGD byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities needed in the alkali soil to be ameliorated can be determined. The FGD byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities are scattered on the surface according to the alkalization degree. After irrigating, the soil is operated just like common land. This invention allows the FGD byproduct from thermal power plants and facilities to be utilized effectively and economically, changing from it from waste to a useful substance. Moreover, it provides a method for alkali soil amelioration, which is fast, efficient, consumes less water, is cost effective, and promising.
US08007554B2 Apparatus and method for the purification of air entering animal transport vehicles
An air purifier (10) for an animal transport vehicle, such as a horse float (12), has a first air flow passageway (22) for receiving air and directing it in a first direction, and a second air flow passageway (40) continuous with the first air flow passageway and adapted to direct air received from the first air flow passageway in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. There is a bend region (42) joining the first and second air flow passageways where the change in the direction of air occurs. An air egress passageway (34) has an opening (36) adjacent the bend region so as to divert some of the air therethrough. The passageway (34) is so configured as to create a venturi effect on the diverted air. A filter (43) is located downstream of the second air flow passageway (40) and is mounted across an opening of the transport vehicle so that air flowing through the second air flow passageway is filtered before entering the transport vehicle.
US08007548B2 Pretreatment fluid and method of making and using the same
A pretreatment fluid includes an effective amount of a fluorinated surfactant and a vehicle. The fluorinated surfactant is selected from at least one non-ionic fluorinated surfactant, at least one ionic fluorinated surfactant, and combinations thereof. The effective amount is selected based upon: a system in which the pretreatment fluid is used, an ink composition used in the system, system pretreatment time, pretreatment vehicle components, or combinations thereof.
US08007544B2 Low profile prosthetic foot
A low profile prosthetic foot comprises a foot member extending at an incline from an anterior portion to a posterior portion thereof and configured to flex during motion, and an adapter mounted solely at a posterior section thereof to the posterior portion of the foot member so that the adapter's anterior section can move relative to the foot member and “roll-up” onto the foot member during motion.
US08007537B2 Interspinous process implants and methods of use
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the implant can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
US08007530B2 Tool and method for implanting an annuloplasty prosthesis
A simplified and more easily employed tool for holding an implantable annuloplasty prosthesis during passage of sutures through the prosthesis and for conveniently and efficiently releasing the prosthesis from the tool. Separation of the implantable prosthesis and the tool may be conveniently accomplished without requiring the use of a sharp instrument. Attachment between the prosthesis and its surgical carrying tool can be accomplished in a suture-less fashion. The tool includes a suture management device in some embodiments for selectively receiving and maintaining sutures otherwise securing the prosthesis to tissue.
US08007527B2 Stent with dual support structure
A intraluminal stent comprises a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter. The tube includes a structural beam extending between first and second ends. The structural beam changes from a first geometry to a second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter. The structural beam includes first and second longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between the first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and second elements. Each of said first and second elements changes from the first geometry to the second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter for the spacing to remain substantially unchanged as the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter.
US08007526B2 Difunctionalized aromatic compounds and polymers therefrom
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I, which are difunctionalized aromatic compounds, and polymers formed from the same. Polymers formed from the di-functionalized aromatics are expected to have controllable degradation profiles, enabling them to release an active component over a desired time range. The polymers are also expected to be useful in a variety of medical applications.
US08007522B2 Methods for correction of spinal deformities
A method of treating a spinal column shape deformation includes fixing at least two fixation screw assemblies to respective vertebrae, sliding a rod between the arm extensions on each of the fixation screw assemblies, swinging the channels of the screw assemblies relative to the fixation screws so that the channels become less inclined to the axes of the fixation screws, and so that the rod is located generally posteriorly of the spinal column, locking the channel against swinging relative to the screw, rotating the rod about its axis relative to at least one of the channels, and locking the rod against movement relative to the channel.
US08007518B2 Load-sharing component having a deflectable post and method for dynamic stabilization of the spine
A dynamic spinal stabilization component suitable for use in stabilizing of the spine. The component is selectably attachable to a bone anchor for implantation in a bone of the spine. The dynamic spinal stabilization component includes a deflectable post connectable by a joint to bone anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant member. The force/deflection properties of the deflectable post may be adapted to the functional requirements and anatomy of the patient. The dynamic spinal stabilization component, when secured to a bone anchor, provide load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy.
US08007517B2 Interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a plurality of novel interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion. The interspinous distraction devices of the present invention are designed and configured to effectively treat such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Advantageously, the interspinous distraction devices of the present invention may be inserted through conventional open procedures, typically requiring a relatively large incision and a general anesthetic, or through novel minimally-invasive procedures, typically requiring only a local anesthetic. These novel minimally-invasive procedures and related enabling devices are also disclosed and described herein.
US08007516B2 Instruments and methods for manipulating vertebra
A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.
US08007484B2 Pants type product and method of making the same
A pants type disposable undergarment is provided which is equipped with an elasticized side panel. The side panel is elasticized with elastic film. The elastic film is attached to a nonwoven layer. The elasticized nonwoven layer is then split into two sections. A portion of the elasticized nonwoven layer is then ultrasonically cut to the desired configuration. The elastic film does not traverse the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such disposable undergarments.
US08007483B2 Ostomy bag filter with interactive surfaces
An ostomy bag with a filter assembly having a gas filter and a pre-filter for preventing or delaying solid/semisolid matter and liquid from reaching the gas filter. The pre-filter is at least substantially flat and comprises a number of constrictions, such as ribs extending along and between two inner surface parts of the channel. These constrictions/ribs form narrower and wider passages where the gas may more quickly pass a narrow passage and where the wider passages tend to receive and hold the liquid, solid matter and semisolid matter. At least a part of one of the surfaces may comprise an interactive agent adapted to interact with the fluid passing through the gas channel.
US08007481B2 Subatmospheric pressure mechanism for wound therapy system
A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound is provided. The system includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject, and a collection canister in fluid communication with the wound dressing. The canister includes a base defining a fluid receiving cavity and having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port. The fluid inlet port is configured for fluid communication with a wound dressing. The system further includes a cover selectively engageable to the base, e.g., in a snap-fit manner. The cover is configured to receive a control unit and has a vent assembly for exhausting the control unit. A seal member is interposed relative to the base and the cover to establish and maintain a substantial sealed relationship between the two components when assembled.
US08007478B2 Portable type hygiene washer
A portable type hygiene washer comprises bottle body, fixing cover, adjusting cap, dispense lever and valve device, wherein fixing cover being lockingly combined with bottle opening of bottle body is protrudingly made with a liquid dispense ring and a vent hole; the adjusting cap is centrally made with a liquid dispense hole thereon and is made with a positioning ring flange to be sleevedly combined with liquid dispense ring of the fixing cover; the dispense lever having several nozzle holes at front end thereof is lockingly engaged with the top section of adjusting cap; the valve device comprising a tube piece, a ball and a ball retainer with a ball being contained inside thereof is sleevedly affixed to bottom end of tube piece; as such to allow woman in menstruation to thoroughly cleanse vagina or to wash anal area after toilet use thereby achieving multiple useful results.
US08007472B2 Universal seal for use with endoscopic cannula
A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
US08007468B2 Method to secure an elastic component in a valve
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow through medical devices, specifically for sealing devices which remain in place in the body to provide long term access to the vascular system. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometrical feature for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component.
US08007466B2 System and method for delivering fluid into flexible biological barrier
A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier. Typically concurrently with this motion, the microneedles (12) penetrate into the flexible biological barrier such that, at the end of the motion, the microneedles extend into the flexible biological barrier from the boundary region (20) in a direction towards the non-stretched portion (24). Fluid is then injected through the bores of the hollow microneedles towards non-stretched portion.
US08007448B2 System and method for performing arthroplasty of a joint and tracking a plumb line plane
A method of performing an arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint with a surgical navigation system includes the step of digitizing landmarks to provide geometrical parameters of the joint and a limb depending there from, including digitizing aspects of a socket region of the ball and socket joint. A range of motion parameter is determined. A soft tissue tension parameter is determined. A functional goal is computed based on landmark data, the range of motion parameter, the soft tissue tension parameter, and a database of potential implants. An optimal socket position is solved for to minimize impingement of potential implants. An implant is chosen based on the optimal socket position and the functional goal. The joint is prepared to receive the chosen implant. The chosen implant is installed into the joint.
US08007446B2 Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site has a housing and a penetrating member driver at least partially within the housing. At least one cartridge is in the housing. The cartridge includes an analyte sensor in a sample chamber configured to receive body fluid from a wound in tissue created by a penetrating member. A penetrating member is associated with the sample chamber. Each penetrating member, and its associated sample chamber, has a combined occupied volume of no more than about 5.0 cm3. The penetrating member is at least partially co-located with the analyte sensor in the sample chamber. The sample chamber receives body fluid from a wound in tissue created by a penetrating member, and the analyte sensor determines analyte levels using a body fluid sample of less than about 1 microliter. A transport mechanism engages the cartridge. The penetrating member is operatively engaged with the penetrating member driver when moved into position by the transport mechanism. The driver provides the force to advance the penetrating member. A user interface on the housing displays information to a user.
US08007445B2 Analytical aid
The present invention relates to an analytical aid comprising a base body, a lancet and a test element. The base body comprises two subsidiary bodies hingedly connected to one another, the first subsidiary body carrying the lancet with lancet tip, and the second subsidiary body carrying the test element with test field and a sample application site. In an unused position of the analytical aid, the subsidiary bodies are arranged substantially in a common plane and the lancet is protected by a seal connected to the first subsidiary body and is separated from the test field of the test element. The two subsidiary bodies are pivotable relative to one another out of the common plane and the seal is openable so that the lancet tip is released for use.
US08007442B2 Sensing rate of change of pressure in the left ventricle with an implanted device
An implantable device and method for monitoring S1 heart sounds with a remotely located accelerometer. The device includes a transducer that converts heart sounds into an electrical signal. A control circuit is coupled to the transducer. The control circuit is configured to receive the electrical signal, identify an S1 heart sound, and to convert the S1 heart sound into electrical information. The control circuit also generates morphological data from the electrical information. The morphological data relates to a hemodynamic metric, such as left ventricular contractility. A housing may enclose the control circuit. The housing defines a volume coextensive with an outer surface of the housing. The transducer is in or on the volume defined by the housing.
US08007439B2 Method and apparatus to produce ultrasonic images using multiple apertures
A combination of an ultrasonic scanner and an omnidirectional receive transducer for producing a two-dimensional image from the echoes received by the single omnidirectional transducer is described. Two-dimensional images with different noise components can be constructed from the echoes received by additional transducers. These can be combined to produce images with better signal to noise ratios and lateral resolution. Also disclosed is a method based on information content to compensate for the different delays for different paths through intervening tissue is described. Specular reflections are attenuated by using even a single omnidirectional receiver displaced from the insonifying probe. The disclosed techniques have broad application in medical imaging but are ideally suited to multi-aperture cardiac imaging using two or more intercostal spaces. Since lateral resolution is determined primarily by the aperture defined by the end elements, it is not necessary to fill the entire aperture with equally spaced elements. In fact, gaps can be left to accommodate spanning a patient's ribs, or simply to reduce the cost of the large aperture array. Multiple slices using these methods can be combined to form three-dimensional images.
US08007437B2 Method and apparatus for interactive 4-dimensional (4D) virtual endoscopy
A method of performing 4-dimensional virtual endoscopy includes acquiring a sequence of cardiac images of a patient's heart from an imaging device; acquiring an electrocardiographic signal exhibiting cardiac cycles of the heart; and utilizing the electrocardiographic signal to gate the images for deriving respective 3-dimensional views in succession at corresponding cardiac cycles, from respective cardiac images at a selected phase point common to each of the corresponding cardiac cycles.
US08007431B2 Male chastity apparatus, method, and system
A male chastity system comprises a housing and a partial ring configured for placement behind the scrotum of the user. The partial ring contains a gap. A bridge bridges the gap by attaching to the partial ring at first and second attachment points. The bridge comprises a rear portion and a front portion, and the partial ring and the bridge collectively form a ring. Guide pins extend at least partially through the rear bridge portion, attachment points, front bridge portion, and housing. A locking pin extends through the bridge and housing, a spacer on the locking pin spacing the housing from the ring, and a lock is applied to the locking pin.
US08007429B2 Vessel occlusive device and method of occluding a vessel
An implantable vessel occlusive device and method for occluding a vessel are described, for example to occlude the urethra or bladder neck. The devices and methods described utilize an occlusive member connected to a control mechanism. The occlusive member is reversibly changed from a non-occlusive condition to an occlusive condition, for example by depressing an activation button contained within a resilient, elastomeric cover surrounding the control mechanism. In the occlusive position, an initial tension is applied to the occlusive member through a tensioning suture. The tension is translated into an occlusive pressure applied to the urethra or bladder neck that is sufficient to prevent urinary leakage. The non-occlusive position can be obtained by depressing the de-activation button. The occlusive member is constructed to allow elution of drugs, such as may be required to combat infection or tissue encapsulation from its surface.
US08007426B2 Developing roller
A developing roller that can form a toner image with high quality includes: a supporting shaft, and at least one resin layer formed on a peripheral face of the supporting shaft, the resin layer containing carbon black in which a number average Feret's diameter is in a range from 5 to 300 nm and primary particles account for 5% or more on a number basis, and the carbon black being dispersed in a base resin material thereof.
US08007423B2 Collapsible exercise chair
An exercise chair of the type wherein a user can sit on a seating platform and extend and retract his legs while his feet are resting on a spring-resisted foot rod includes a structure which permits the chairs to be stacked in nested relationship or a structure using foldable support legs for a seating platform allowing the seating platform to be folded into close relationship with a base frame for storage purposes.
US08007410B2 Removable device allowing stationary swimming in an above-ground swimming pool or self-supporting swimming pool
A device for stationary swimming in an above-ground or self-supporting swimming pool includes an item of equipment intended to surround the body of a swimmer, a flexible tether fastened at one end to the item of equipment, and at least one attachment pole with at least one hitching point for fastening to the other end of the tether. The base of the attachment pole is removable manner and has at least one anchoring plate extending laterally with respect to the base of the pole. The plate has an elongate shape and a size such that a large portion of its length can be slipped beneath one of the ends of a water basin lying on the ground. The mass of water contained in the basin firmly blocks the pole, thereby immobilizing and stabilizing the attachment pole.
US08007409B2 Exercise treadmill for simulating a pushing action and exercise method therefor
An exercise treadmill having an endless exercise surface for walking or running while exercising, a resistance mechanism for providing a resistance for simulating the pushing of a load, wherein the resistance can be adjusted and set to a specific resistance setting. A movable pushing handle or handles is or are operatively attached to the resistance mechanism to transfer the load to the user. The resistance mechanism applies a constant and static force to the pushing handle(s) only in the same direction the endless movable surface moves and opposite a pushing direction such that operating the treadmill simulates the pushing of a load by a combination of gripping and pushing the pushing handle(s) forward while walking or running forward.
US08007408B1 Treadmill speed control system
A treadmill apparatus having a non-motorized tread, a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of the tread speed, and a controller operatively connected to an angle adjustment mechanism to increase and decrease the angle of the tread. During operation of the treadmill, the controller compares the speed of the tread to a target speed, and based on the comparison, adjust the angle of the tread so that the operator's weight will adjust the speed of the tread.
US08007404B2 Transmission shift signal for aftertreatment device control
Discontinuous torque ratio shifts by a transmission can result in complex transient exhaust conditions that can adversely affect exhaust air-fuel ratio control, which can result in ineffective regeneration. In extreme cases, the result can be irreversible damage to exhaust system components. The inventors' concept is to alter either regeneration scheduling or shift scheduling to avoid shifting while regenerating.
US08007401B2 Hybrid vehicle drive control apparatus and method
A hybrid vehicle drive control apparatus and method for a vehicle including an engine and a motor-generator are taught herein. When a drive mode requested by a driver is a power mode that attaches greater importance to an acceleration performance than to fuel consumption efficiency, a power mode engine torque that is larger than an optimum fuel consumption efficiency engine torque is used as a target engine torque of the engine.
US08007396B2 Planetary transmission having common carrier for generating six forward and two reverse drive ratios
An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gearset having a first planet pinion set rotatably supported on a common carrier and drivingly engaged with a first sun gear and a first composite gear that acts both as a first ring gear and a second sun gear. A second planetary gearset includes a second planetary pinion set rotatably supported on the common carrier and drivingly engaged with a third sun gear, the first composite gear and a second composite gear that acts both as a second ring gear and a third ring gear. A third planetary gearset has a third planet pinion set rotatably supported on the common carrier and drivingly engaged with a third sun gear and the second composite gear. A series of nested clutches and multiple bakes are employed to establish six forward speed ratios and one reverse ratio using a single carrier.
US08007390B2 Vehicle power transmitting device
In a planetary gear unit 12 of a power transmitting device 10, a sun gear S1 is connected to an electric motor 20, a carrier CA1 is non-rotatably fixed to a case 40, and a ring gear R1 is connected to an output gear 13 and an oil pump 30. As a result, a structure of carrier being fixed/output power being taken out via ring gear is obtained. Therefore, for example, a structure can be employed in which the ring gear and the output gear are integrated. Accordingly, as compared with a structure in which a ring gear is fixed/output power is taken out via carrier and the output gear has to be axially offset and connected to a carrier, an axial space can be omitted, to allow the power transmitting device to be downsized.
US08007388B2 Plate-link chain
A plate-link chain for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio and having a large number of link plates pivotally connected with each other via pairs of rocker members that each includes two rocker members. The rocker members extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and are positioned in openings in the link plates. Curved contact surfaces are provided on the rocker members and on the link plate openings, along which curved surfaces of the rocker members and link plates bear against each other to transmit force. Curved rolling surfaces are provided on the rocker members, along which contacting rocker members of a rocker member pair roll against each other and/or slide on each other on pitch lines to transmit force. The link plate openings have at least three inwardly extending, convexly curved regions.
US08007385B2 Sliding contact guide for transmission device
In a sliding contact chain guide of the kind used in the timing transmission of an internal combustion engine, the back of the guide shoe, which engages a metal guide base, is formed with two, spaced longitudinal ribs, having between them a set of ribs formed in a lattice. The longitudinal ribs are wider than the ribs of the lattice.
US08007384B2 Hydraulic tensioner
In a hydraulic tensioner having a coiled plunger-biasing spring, the volume of the high pressure oil chamber is reduced by incorporating a bar inside the spring. One of both ends of the spring are formed to block passage of the bar, so that the bar and spring can be installed as a pre-assembled unit, and dropping of the bar out of the spring can be avoided.
US08007379B1 Tennis racket with adjustable balance and method for using the same
This invention provides a racket that allows for the adjustability of balance within the structure of the racket. The racket's adjustment mechanism and its function are easy to use and optimize any player's game. The adjustment mechanism resides in the handle in a manner that does not substantially (or in any way) alter the aerodynamic profile of the racket or affect its usability by providing unwanted external structures. Rather a movable mass/weight is contained within a hollow space of the handle and can be moved upwardly and downwardly along the handle using a guide mechanism and fixing or locking structure that can be illustratively activated by rotating a knob at the lower end of the racket handle (or by another low-profile external trigger). This can comprise a shaft with a thread or key that engages a corresponding thread or key slot on the mass/weight. The knob can include an indexing mechanism that facilitates rotatable restraint and/or alignment of the knob when not in use.
US08007371B2 Golf club head with concave insert
A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light-weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club. The metallic portion of the club head may take on the appearance of a frame, into which several light-weight inserts are positioned. These light-weight inserts may be positioned in the crown, skirt, and sole of the club head. The club head is thus contoured such that its surface area is substantially large. The club head may also be formed of a single, relatively light-weight material.
US08007366B2 Wheel bearing device
A wheel bearing device includes a hub ring, a double-row bearing and a constant velocity universal joint which are unitized together. At least one of double-row inner raceways of the bearing and a wheel mounting flange are formed on a hub ring. The hub ring and a stem portion of a joint outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint are fitted through a torque transmission assembly, wherein a pilot member as a separate element having a wheel guide portion and a brake guide portion is fitted to a side-end portion of the wheel mounting flange of the hub ring, and the hub ring and the pilot member are fixed to the joint outer ring by swaging.
US08007364B2 Method of developing the activity of an on-line game site
An on-line game site involves a question engine coupled with a plurality of terminals controlled by respective players, for (i) sending predefined questions to the players, receiving answers to the questions from the players, and awarding prizes to the players over a given period of time as a function of the answers received, an activity measured by a traffic index representative of the number of players that have played the game over a given time interval, (ii) displaying, together with the questions sent to the players, paid-for advertising insertions, established on the base of a given rate, (iii) evaluating the receipts associated with the paid-for advertising insertions, (iv) establishing an endowment for the prizes to be awarded players over a given period of time, the endowment being a function of the level of the receipts, and (v) repeatedly increasing the endowment corresponding to an increase in the receipts resulting from an increase in the traffic index.
US08007355B2 Electronic roulette-type betting device having different odds at different points in time
An electronic roulette-type betting device and method is disclosed. The device comprises a display unit and an associated display control unit for the graphic reproduction of a roulette bowl device together with a rotating ball, at least one input unit for inputting symbols on which to bet, a time control unit for setting time limits for the betting process, said limits being reproducible on the display unit as ball rotating limits by means of the display control unit, an odds determining module that determines different winning odds for the individual symbols according to the pre-defined time limits supplied by the time control unit, a random generator for producing and transmitting random variables as winning symbols, and a comparison and evaluation unit for comparing the symbols bet on with winning symbols, and for determining and displaying wins in the event of a correlation of the symbols.
US08007345B2 Portable belt sander
A portable belt sander having a drive pulley capable of being produced at a limited period. The sander includes a main body accommodating therein a motor, a drive shaft rotationally driven by the motor, a drive pulley coupled to the drive shaft, a driven shaft, and an endless polishing belt mounted between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The drive pulley includes a base section coupling the drive shaft and made from a rigid material, and an outer low hardness section made from an elastomer material and disposed over an outer peripheral surface of the base section and integrally therewith by injection molding. Mating surfaces between the base section and the outer section are irregularly formed.
US08007335B2 Manufacturing method for electronic device
A manufacturing method for an electronic device, the method including forming a transparent conductive film, including conductive polymers, on a base material, and irradiating ultraviolet light onto a part of the transparent conductive film such that first regions of the transparent conductive film are not irradiated and second regions, adjacent to the first regions, are irradiated, thus forming irradiated portions and non-irradiated portions. The irradiated portions having an electrical resistance value higher than that of the non-irradiated portions. The ultraviolet light includes a wavelength that exhibits an absorbance in an absorption spectrum of the conductive polymers, of the transparent conductive film, two or more times higher than that of a background.
US08007332B2 Fabrication of a semiconductor nanoparticle embedded insulating film electroluminescence device
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor nanoparticle embedded Si insulating film for electroluminescence (EL) applications. The method provides a bottom electrode, and deposits a semiconductor nanoparticle embedded Si insulating film, including an element selected from a group consisting of N and C, overlying the bottom electrode. After annealing, a semiconductor nanoparticle embedded Si insulating film is formed having an extinction coefficient (k) in a range of 0.01-1.0, as measured at about 632 nanometers (nm), and a current density (J) of greater than 1 Ampere per square centimeter (A/cm2) at an applied electric field lower than 3 MV/cm. In another aspect, the annealed semiconductor nanoparticle embedded Si insulating film has an index of refraction (n) in a range of 1.8-3.0, as measured at 632 nm, with a current density of greater than 1 A/cm2 at an applied electric field lower than 3 MV/cm.
US08007331B2 Float and a floatable structure
A float (1) comprising a hollow pneumatically pressurisable ovoid shell (5) is provided with a damping plate (12) extending laterally outwardly around the shell (5) for damping vertical upward and downward movement of the float in water during stormy conditions, thereby minimizing the effect of the buoyant upward propulsion force acting on the float when the float is submerged in stormy conditions. A keel (18) extends downwardly from the float (5) for minimizing rolling movement of the float (1). A pair of coupling plates (22) extending from front and rear ends (19,20) of the shell (5) facilitate coupling of the float (1) between a pair of spaced apart tethering ropes used in mussel growing. A plurality of the floats (1) may be secured between a pair of spaced apart tethering ropes at spaced apart intervals along the tethering ropes for supporting the tethering ropes so that crop ropes impregnated with mussel spawn may be suspended from the tethering ropes for growing mussels. A navigational buoy (60) is also disclosed, which comprises a lower float (61) and a pillar (62) extending upwardly therefrom for carrying navigational and other instrumentation.
US08007321B1 Earphone adapter
An earphone adapter for being fastened to a cable includes a plug part, a socket part connecting with the plug part and a shell enclosing inner ends of the plug part and the socket part. Several portions of an outer surface of the shell protrude outward to form two first fastening blocks spaced from each other, and a second fastening block located between the two first fastening blocks. A bottom of each first fastening block is concaved inward to form a first fastening groove passing through a side thereof adjacent to the second fastening block. A top of the second fastening block is concaved inward to form a second fastening groove. A substantial middle portion of the cable is placed in the second fastening groove with two ends thereof being clipped in the first fastening grooves along two ends of the second fastening groove, respectively.
US08007314B2 Compression connector for coaxial cable
A compression connector for smooth walled, corrugated, and spiral corrugated coaxial cable includes an insulator disposed within the body, wherein the insulator contains a central opening therein which is dimensioned smaller than a collet portion which seizes a center conductor of the coaxial cable. The connector also includes a clamp disposed inside the body as well as a compression sleeve assembly. An intermediate connector element includes a transitional surface which interacts with the clamp. When an axial force is applied to the compression sleeve, the clamp is forced by the transitional surface into the body, causing the clamp to squeeze onto an outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable. At approximately the same time, the collet portion is forced through the central opening of the insulator, causing the collet portion to squeeze onto the center conductor.
US08007312B2 Modular test plug
A modular test plug assembly is disclosed having a design which may be arranged in a plurality of different configurations. The test plug assembly includes a plurality of modules, having blades for insertion into a test switch assembly. The modules are positioned in a stacked arrangement and are secured together by end plates and a rod extending therebetween.
US08007309B2 Swayable electronic connector with aligning structure and electronic apparatus employing the same
An electronic connector includes a cover, a connector body, and an aligning body. The cover defines an opening therein. The connector body partially extends through the opening, and defines an interspace between the cover and the connector body so the connector body is capable of swaying in the opening. The aligning body includes a top portion secured to the connector body, and two supporting legs arranged at two opposite sides of the top portion to support the connector body. The aligning body is swayable to vary the distance of the two opposite sides of the top portion from the cover along the sway directions that are inclined towards the two opposite sides of the top portion.
US08007307B2 Connector with fastening and extension plates for fastening cover thereof to body thereof
A connector is provided. The connector includes a connector body, a signal transmitting unit, a cover, a fastening plate, and an extension plate. The connector body has side walls to enclose an assembly hole. The signal transmitting unit is disposed in the assembly hole. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a first pivot and is disposed outside the assembly hole. The first end and the first pivot are disposed on two ends of a side case of the cover. The second end is opposite to the first end while the first pivot is axially connected to one side of the assembly hole. The fastening plate has a second pivot opposite and parallel to the first pivot. The second pivot axially connected to the side wall around the assembly hole. One end of the extension plate has a third pivot parallel to the first pivot and is rotatably connected to the fastening plate. The other end of the extension plate has a pressing portion to press the second end of the cover from outside to make the cover rotates toward the connector body and press the signal transmitting unit.
US08007303B2 Card edge connector with an improved retainer
A card edge connector for mating with an electronic card includes an elongated housing, a number of contacts and a retainer retained to the housing. The housing has a pair of side walls, a central slot between the side walls and a first tower upwardly extending at one end thereof. The first tower defines a first U-shaped cavity downwardly extending from a top end thereof and a mounting slot upwardly extending from a lower end thereof and located at outside of the first cavity. The first cavity communicates with the central slot along a length direction of the housing to receive the electronic card. The retainer has a non-flexible fastening portion retained in the mounting slot and a flexible locking barb obliquely protruding into the first cavity from a top end of the fastening portion to lock with the electronic card.
US08007302B2 Plug type connector
The invention relates to a plug-type connector with a cable, which has at least one line, a contact carrier, which has at least one contact element, which is connected to the at least one line of the cable, and an encapsulation, which is injected around the cable and the contact carrier, wherein a sealing element for sealing the encapsulation off from the outer sheath of the cable is provided.
US08007298B2 Electrical connector
There is provided an electrical connector in which the retaining force of retaining a front cover is improved. Electrical connectors 1, and 1′ each have a housing 10 having contact accommodating cavities 13; a front cover 20 that is attached to the front side of the housing 10 and that has mating connector inserting openings 24 at positions that correspond to the contact accommodating cavities 13; and a retainer 30 that is attached form the lower side of the housing 10 and that locks contacts accommodated in the contact accommodating cavities 13. Retaining means 27, 28, 32, and 33 is arranged at the front cover 20 and the retainer 30 to cause the retainer 30 to retain the front cover 20.
US08007292B2 Component having a mechanical contact and method for producing the component
A component having a mechanical contact for connecting the component to a carrier, particularly a printed-circuit board, a coating made of an adhesive material being formed on the contact; the adhesive material containing an encapsulated adhesive substance. A method for producing a component to be mounted on a carrier, particularly on a printed-circuit board; the component being provided with a mechanical contact for connecting the component to the carrier; a coating made of an adhesive material being applied to the contact; the adhesive material having an encapsulated adhesive substance.
US08007286B1 Circuit boards interconnected by overlapping plated through holes portions
In some embodiments, an interconnectable circuit board may include one or more of the following features: (a) a first electrically conductive pad located on a top of the circuit board, (b) a plated through hole on the conductive pad which passes through the circuit board, (c) a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the plated through hole; the second conductive pad capable of being electrically connected to a third electrically conductive pad attached to a top of a second interconnectable circuit board, (d) cut marks indicating safe locations for separating the circuit board, and (e) a second cut mark adjacent to the first cut mark where the area between the first and second cut mark can be utilized to make a safe cut through the circuit board.
US08007272B2 Shooting pot for feeding multiple nozzles
A hot runner system including a shoot pot system for transferring melt from a single shooting pot to multiple nozzles. Melt is fed from a source of melt into the cavity through the multiple nozzles, and a valve isolates melt in the cavity from melt in the source. A plunger within the cavity is driven forward to inject melt in the cavity into a mold cavity at high pressure without significantly increasing the pressure of melt in the source. The plunger optionally functions as both the plunger and the valve by opening and closing communication between the cavity and the manifold as it is rotated.
US08007265B2 Positioning mechanism for use in mold structure
A positioning mechanism (24) for use in a mold structure (100) to position a film (30) within the mold structure is provided. The mold structure includes a core mold portion (10) and a cavity mold portion (20) mating with the core mold portion. The core mold portion includes a core plate (12) and a core insert (14) formed on the plate. The cavity mold portion includes a positioning mechanism having a moveable cavity insert (242) and an elastic member (244) for outwardly biasing the cavity insert.
US08007259B2 Stator system
The invention relates to an eccentric screw pump and a method for its operation. Unlike the previously known prior art, where changes to the internal geometry of the pump stator caused by wear were always remedied with radially acting clamping measures, the invention is based on bringing this about by a change in the length of the lining.
US08007252B2 Wave powered pumping apparatus
An apparatus is disclosed for an improved float type wave powered pump that uses the continuous rising and falling wave action in a body of water to pump a fluid. The pump includes piston and cylinder assemblies that are configured for relative reciprocal movement therebetween. One of the assemblies is anchored to the floor of the body of water and the other is vertically moveable in response to a drive float riding on a wave. The pump selectively includes a tide compensating device to reduce the ratio of vertical travel of the drive float to vertical travel of the moveable assembly. The pump also selectively includes a fluid inlet check valve incorporating a support plate of the piston assembly with openings therein and a cover for the same. The pump further selectively includes a directional pressure-activated seal at the point of sliding connection between the piston rod and the cylinder.
US08007250B2 Compressor
The present invention relates to a compressor, which includes a main refrigerant supply channel for supplying refrigerant by passing through the inside of a driving shaft and an auxiliary refrigerant supply channel for supplying refrigerant by passing through a suction chamber of front and rear housings and a slot of the driving shaft after passing through cylinder blocks in order to supply the refrigerant inhaled into a swash plate chamber to cylinder bores, thereby enhancing performance and lubricating ability of a driving shaft seal area since the refrigerant of the swash plate chamber can be used effectively.
US08007246B2 Methods and apparatus for coating gas turbine engines
A method of fabricating a component for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes applying a bond coat to at least a portion of the component, applying a dense vertically cracked (DVC) thermal barrier coating to at least a portion of the bond coat using a spray mechanism positioned a first distance from the component, and overlying at least a portion of the DVC thermal barrier coating with a soft coat thermal barrier coating using a spray mechanism that is positioned a second distance away from the component, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance to facilitate adherence of the soft coating thermal barrier coating to the DVC thermal barrier coating.
US08007241B2 Bi-directional cooling fan
A radial fan comprises a base with a plurality of straight primary blades radially oriented and substantially uniformly spaced around the circumference of the base. A like plurality of splitter vanes are interspersed between successive primary blades. The splitter vanes have a length that is about 50-70% of the length of the primary blades. The inner edges of the splitter vanes are angled to improve airflow through the inlet area between primary blades while reducing the occurrence of vortices and recirculation. The addition of splitter vanes increases the airflow capacity of the fan without any significant increase in operating noise.
US08007240B2 Impeller of centrifugal fan and centrifugal fan disposed with the impeller
An impeller of a centrifugal fan includes an end plate, a plurality of blades and an end ring. The blades include blade bodies that are annularly disposed around a shaft and fixed to the end plate. The blades further include blade covers that are attached to the blade bodies. The blade covers and the blade bodies form a hollow space. The end ring is disposed such that it sandwiches the plural blades between itself and the end plate in a shaft direction. The blade covers form at least part of negative-pressure surfaces.
US08007238B2 Hanging fan with a ceiling mount structure
A hanging fan with a ceiling mount structure includes a ceiling mount disc mounted to a ceiling, an external disc portion having a plurality of arc slots, a cover having a transversal extending portion, and a fixing portion disposed at the extending portion, such that the fixing portion of the cover is passed through the arc slot and fixed with the ceiling mount disc to form the hanging fan structure of the invention.
US08007236B2 Supporting system for suspended wind turbines
In a preferred embodiment, a supporting system for suspended wind turbines placed in mountainous areas and cliff seashores. The system includes: substantially vertical support the turbine is attached to and a turbine coupled using a mechanism allowing a full-circle rotation of the turbine around the support. A carrying cable stretched over the ground carries downward vertical loads applied to the system, and a number of guy ropes, placed angularly to each other, carry applied wind loads. In the second and the third versions of the invention it is disclosed modifications of the main structural system for supporting vertical-axis wind turbines and the turbines placed in cliff seashore.
US08007234B2 Axial fan unit having coaxially arranged axial fans
First and second axial fans are coaxially connected to each other. Each axial fan includes an impeller rotatable about a center axis; a motor rotating the impeller about the center axis, a housing member surrounding the impeller and having a hollow body and approximately square flanges at axial ends of the body, and a group of wires electrically connected to the motor. The axial fans are joined together with their flanges coincident with each other as seen along the center axis. The housing member is provided with first and second receiving portions at least one flange on a center-axis side of an outer periphery of the flange. The groups of wires of the axial fans are pulled out therefrom and extend axially toward a side of the first axial fan opposite to the second axial fan, with passing through the first and second receiving portions, respectively.
US08007233B2 Fan frame
A fan frame includes a housing (10), a supporting base (20) and a plurality of ribs (30) connecting the housing with the supporting base. One of the ribs includes a bottom wall (33), and first and second lateral walls (31, 32) extending from two opposite sides of the bottom wall, respectively. A receiving groove (35) is defined between the bottom wall and the lateral walls. A securing tab (40) extends from an outer end of the first lateral wall towards the second lateral wall. A securing finger (42) extends aslant from a free end of the tab towards the second lateral wall. A slot (50) is defined between the finger and the second lateral wall with a width thereof gradually decreased inwardly. The tab, the finger, the bottom wall and the first lateral wall cooperatively define a gap (45) therebetween for extension of power wires (60) of the fan.
US08007230B2 Turbine seal plate assembly
A seal plate assembly for use with a rotor wheel assembly of a turbine engine. The seal plate assembly may include a seal plate positioned about a rim of a rotor wheel. The seal plate may include a number of seal plate segments and a number of locking pins extending through the seal plate segments and into the rim of the rotor wheel.
US08007204B2 Floating structure for support of mixed use facilities
A method for providing a sustainable offshore community that includes a floatable, low cost platform structure which covers a large amount of real estate and is supported above the surface of the ocean from columns which pass through the structure such that the extremities of the structure are supported with stays that run from the top of the columns to the extremities of the platform. This type of staying structure permits the formation of the large floatable platform for supporting self sustaining communities by providing sizeable living and recreational areas, thus to permit an offshore community to exist at sea for a number of years.
US08007202B2 Protective marine barrier system
A system to protect structures in a marine environment from the effects of an impact force. The system includes a plurality of floatable devices (panels) and a plurality of fibrous networks. The fibrous networks include high tenacity fibers which extend at least in a generally horizontal direction and are in communication with the plurality of floatable panels. The plurality of fibrous networks are disposed in a generally parallel arrangement with respect to each other and are vertically spaced apart by a distance not exceeding about 12 inches (30.5 cm). The system is designed to be spaced from the structure to be protected.
US08007198B1 Arresting systems and methods
Systems and methods for arresting vehicles or other moving objects are detailed. The systems may be bi-directional, so as to arrest vehicles on either side of a barrier. They additionally may be reset for reuse relatively rapidly following deployment and comprise mechanical controllers for facilitating suitable deformation of the barriers. Modular slotted beams also may be employed to accommodating differing widths and crowns of roadways.
US08007196B2 Small handling pole locking assembly
In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
US08007195B2 Writing implement with pivoting roller
A writing implement that includes a body which extends longitudinally along a central axis Z; an ink reservoir, and a roller having a radial outer writing surface being located at one of the ends of the body, which is connected to the ink reservoir and is mounted so that it is able to rotate around the primary axis Y. The ink roller is also mounted so that it is able to pivot around a second axis X, which is perpendicular to the primary axis Y and the secondary axis X being secant to the primary axis Y.
US08007194B2 Car washing appliance
A car washing appliance has first and second cotton sheets which are joined together about their respective edges to cooperate to define a cavity therewithin. An opening in one of the sheets enables access to the cavity in which is deposited a quantity of detergent. Preferably, the detergent is a dishwashing detergent. The present invention further contemplates disposing a grid-like member or screen within the cavity onto which the detergent is deposited which, in turn, acts as a time release for the detergent. Preferably, the detergent is a dishwashing detergent or gel.
US08007193B2 Laterally-actuated dispenser with one-way valve for storing and dispensing substances
A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a pharmaceutical, ophthalmic, dermatological, cosmeceutical, cosmetic or other product, has a body with a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion of the dispenser is connected with the body and has a compression chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber. A one-way valve of the dispenser includes an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser.
US08007192B2 Makeup applicator
A makeup applicator is provided. The applicator includes a main body, a holding portion, a cushion sleeve, a shaft, a covering ring, an applying element and a rotating rod. The main body includes a vibration motor assembly and a case, the holding portion covers the vibration motor assembly, and the cushion sleeve is sandwiched between the main body and the holding portion. Therefore, the applying element can be driven to vibrate and rotate steadily by the vibration motor assembly no matter where the user holds the holding portion, which facilitates the users makeup.
US08007189B2 Rapid deployment surveillance system
A portable surveillance system for rapid deployment, comprising a hardware case containing a battery, a processor, a hard disk drive, and a means for communications; at least one surveillance camera; and a tripod. The tripod is used to support both the camera and the hardware case. The hardware case is weatherproof, having intake and exhaust fans and optional electric heating and/or cooling units. The present invention is capable of being transported and positioned quickly by a single operator in a desired location.
US08007188B2 Stabilized mount for, and method of, steadily supporting a motion-sensitive, image capture device
A stabilized mount stably supports a motion-sensitive, image capture device, such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant, on a support surface, such as a tripod or analogous camera equipment. The device is operative for capturing an image over a field of view along an optical axis perpendicular to an image plane. The mount includes a holder for holding the device during image capture, and a fixed base integral with the holder and lying in a base plane perpendicular to the image plane when the base is supported by the support surface in a supported orientation. The base is operative for steadily positioning the holder and the device on the support surface in the supported orientation during the image capture.
US08007176B2 Dynamic pressure bearing and rotation machine employing same
A magnetic fluid is held by a magnetic field in a stationary state and by a centrifugal force during rotation, leaking and splashing of the magnetic fluid caused by the instability of the pumping of a dynamic pressure bearing are prevented without using a magnetic fluid with a high saturation magnetization value, and the service life of the dynamic pressure bearing is extended. For this purpose, a sleeve 3 having a protruding tubular section is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft 1 having a thrust plate 2 formed in an axial vicinity so as to be rotatable relatively to the shaft, an annular cover 4 is formed outwardly from the thrust plate 2 in an axial direction, the radially inward end of the annular cover 4 serves as an opening, at least two clearance sections serve as a reservoir 10 for reserving the magnetic fluid, and a magnetomotive force member 15 is provided for concentrating the magnetic flux lines on the radially outer side of the end portion 13 of the magnetic fluid 12.
US08007168B2 Method for standardizing the derivation of the temperature in the mesopause region from hydroxyl (OH*) airglow
In order to derive the temperature in the mesopause region from hydroxyl (OH*) airglow, in which intensities of three lines of OH* emission and a basic position are measured during the night using ground-based IR spectrometers, a noisy OH* spectrum is smoothed by filtering out white noise superimposed on the measured OH* intensities, by means of a spectral analysis method in the form of a harmonic analysis and by means of adaptation using the Voigt function which is carried out in the form of a combination of a Lorentz distribution and a Doppler distribution. A decision is made on the quality of the adaptation of the smoothed spectrum obtained to the original spectrum using statistical characteristic variables and by selecting one of the two methods, harmonic analysis function or Voigt function, and the temperature is thus accurately determined.
US08007167B2 Integrated electronic sensor
A single chip wireless sensor (1) comprises a microcontroller (2) connected to a transmit/receive interface (3), which is coupled to a wireless antenna (4) by an L-C matching circuit. The sensor (1) senses gas or humidity and temperature. The device (1) is an integrated chip manufactured in a single process in which both the electronics and sensor components are manufactured using standard CMOS processing techniques, applied to achieve both electronic and sensing components in an integrated process. A Low-K material (57) with an organic polymer component is spun onto the wafer to form a top layer incorporating also sensing electrodes (60). This material is cured at 300° C., which is much lower than CVD temperatures. The polyimide when cured becomes thermoset, and the lower mass-to-volume ratio resulting in K, its dielectric constant, reducing to 2.9. The thermoset dielectric, while not regarded as porous in the conventional sense, has sufficient free space volume to admit enough gas or humidity for sensing.
US08007165B1 Coupling assembly for a wristwatch
A releasable coupling assembly for securing a wristband to a watchcase. A pair of lug members extending from a top and a bottom sidewall of the watchcase provides respective alignment slots. The respective ends of a flexible wristband include a rigid connector member and guide pins registrable with the alignment slots. The sidewall has a notched surface adapted for engaging a complementary raised surface of the connector member to securely position the wristband with respect to the watchcase. A locking pin is selectively insertable through an aperture in one of said lug members and threadably connected to the other of said lug members to form an integral connection with the watchcase.
US08007161B2 Backlight module
A backlight module is provided. The backlight module includes a backplate, at least one supporter, and a plurality of light emitting devices. The supporter is disposed on the backplate, and includes a supporting portion and a buffering portion. The supporting portion is disposed between the buffering portion and the backplate. The elastic coefficient of the buffering portion is smaller than the elastic coefficient of the supporting portion. The light emitting devices are also disposed on the backplate. The supporter is disposed between the light emitting devices. The buffering portion of the supporter of the backlight module is adapted for buffering an external force applied upon the supporting porter or the element disposed thereupon.
US08007152B2 Lighting device for vehicle
A lighting device for a vehicle is provided. The lighting device includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis and having a focal line, a first light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the focal line, a reflector which reflects light toward the focal line; a shade which shields a part of the light; a second light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the first light emitting device; and a light guide. The light guide includes an incident portion into which light emitted from the second light emitting device is introduced, a light guiding portion which guides the light, a shielding portion which forms a part of the shade, and an emitting portion coupled to the shielding portion and disposed on the focal line or in a vicinity of the focal line. The emitting portion emits the light guided by the light guiding portion.
US08007146B2 Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp is arranged to switch between a low beam and a high beam. The high beam illuminates a first illumination area, which lies ahead of and square to a center of a vehicle, and a second illumination area, which includes portions lying horizontally further leftwards and right wards and vertically further upwards than the first illumination area. When switching from the low beam to the high beam, the luminous intensity of the second illumination area is increased and thereafter the luminous intensity of the first illumination area is increased. When switching from the high beam to the low beam, the luminance intensity of the first illumination area is decreased and thereafter the luminance intensity of the second illumination area is decreased.
US08007144B2 Customization system for an electronic candle
A kit for the customization of an electronic candle, which kit includes an electronic candle assembly comprising an illumination element and means for illuminating the illumination element for providing a simulated illuminated wax candle effect, a first sleeve having a translucent portion and first customizing indicia, a second sleeve having a translucent portion and second customizing indicia, a second indicia being visually distinguishable from the first indicia, the assembly and each sleeve has cooperable constructions for selective assembly of each sleeve to the electronic candle assembly for customizing the alternative electronic candle.
US08007133B2 Light source device and projector
A light source device adapted to generate an illumination light beam for illuminating an illuminated surface includes a light source adapted to emit a light beam, a light path conversion member adapted to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a center axis of the light beam emitted from the light source to convert a light path of the light beam emitted from the light source, an overlapping illumination element adapted to overlap a light beam emitted from the light path conversion member on the illuminated surface, the overlapping illumination element having an entrance position of the light bream input to the overlapping illumination element varies with time, and a rotating section adapted to rotate the light path conversion member.
US08007122B2 Lighting device for display device and display device using the same
A backlight device includes a light guide plate opposed to fluorescent tubes, a diffusion sheet stacked on the light guide plate, and lens sheets further stacked on the diffusion sheet. A tip end of a corner portion of the diffusion sheet has a shape defined by removing a portion of the sheet along a straight line spanning between two sides constituting the corner portion. In first of the lens sheets, a tip end portion of a corner portion formed by two sides has a shape defined by removing a portion of the sheet in a larger amount than in the diffusion sheet by a circular arc which projects outward. In a second of the lens sheets, a tip end of a corner portion formed by two sides has a shape defined by removing a larger amount than in the first of the lens sheets along a straight line.
US08007115B2 Lamp driving apparatus and control method thereof
A lamp driving apparatus configured to drive a plurality of types of lamps, each of the plurality of lamps is attached with lamp identification information for uniquely identifying the lamp. The lamp driving apparatus includes: a lamp power supply configured to drive the lamp; a read circuit configured to read the lamp identification information from the lamp; and a control circuit configured to control the lamp power supply on the basis of a result of identification obtained by use of the read lamp identification information. The control circuit, if the lamp is found to be authorized, makes the lamp power supply drive the lamp.
US08007114B2 Small-sized projector with high heat dissipating efficiency
A projector includes a housing, a projection lens, a receiving member, an optical engine, a light source module, a heat sink, and a fan. The housing includes a bottom wall and four sidewalls, the bottom wall and the four sidewalls together define a receiving space. One of the sidewalls a number of first vents, the other three sidewalls define a number of second vents. The projection lens is located at an intersecting corner of the sidewalls. The receiving member includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion. The optical engine is received in the second receiving portion. The light source module is received in the first receiving portion. The heat sink is located at an intersecting corner of the sidewalls. The fan is located at an intersecting corner of the sidewalls.
US08007104B2 Fundus camera
A fundus camera includes an observation photographing unit having a focusing lens to perform focusing of an imaging unit on a fundus of a subject's eye, a lens driving unit configured to drive the focusing lens in an optical axis direction, and a focusing control unit configured to calculate a focusing evaluation value based on image information of a predetermined area of a fundus image captured by the observation photographing unit, and drive the focusing lens based on the focusing evaluation value, thereby performing focusing, wherein the focusing control unit moves the focusing lens from a previous photographing position of the focusing lens by a predetermined moving amount, and then performs the focusing.
US08007102B2 Method for determining an ophthalmic lens
A method for determining an ophthalmic lens includes choosing an initial lens with a first face and a second face and defining an initial surface for the second face of the lens with a central zone of diameter Dini and a peripheral zone of inner diameter Drac greater than the diameter Dini of the central zone, each point of the central zone and the peripheral zone having an altitude defined with respect to an axis (Z) normal to the second face of the lens and having the centre of the central zone as its origin, the altitude of the peripheral zone being defined as the minimum of the points situated on the diameter Drac; the peripheral zone having a maximum radius of curvature comprised between the maximum radius of curvature of the first face and the maximum radius of curvature of the central zone.
US08007101B1 Eyeglasses equipped with lighting devices
Eyeglasses with lighting devices have a front end of each temple including a mount on the inner side and an attachment on the outer side. Each mount is fitted with a battery cover having a first electrode plate. Each attachment has battery compartments for receiving batteries. A second electrode plate is provided in the battery compartments of each attachment and in contact with each battery contained therein. Each attachment has one end formed with a second receiving cavity for receiving a switch and a front end having a curved third receiving cavity for receiving a light-emitting body whose received end is spherical. Each attachment is coupled to the corresponding mount such that a curved concave portion at the front end of each mount and the third receiving cavity of the corresponding attachment jointly form a spherical socket that allows the corresponding light-emitting body to rotate and provide multidirectional lighting.
US08007100B2 Recording apparatus
There is provided a recording apparatus in which a pressure contact position of a pinch roller to a conveying roller and a distance between the pressure contact position of the pinch roller and a platen can be properly set corresponding to different recording conditions so that a high quality image can be recorded even under the different recording conditions. A movement of the pressure contact position in which the pressure contact position of the pinch roller 37 to the conveying roller is moved by moving a pinch roller holder and a movement of the platen in which a position of the platen which faces a recording head 7 is moved for the pressure contact position of the pinch roller are executed in an interlocking relational manner.
US08007094B2 Ink jet cartridge
The present invention provides an ink jet cartridge configured such that an absorber is housed in one space while ink is accommodated in the other space, the ink jet cartridge keeping the ink sealed during distribution. The ink jet cartridge has an ink tank portion that accommodates ink, a print head portion that ejects the accommodated ink, and an ink supply path connected between the ink tank portion and the print head portion. A seal member that seals the ink supply path is located on an ink tank portion side of the ink supply path.
US08007092B2 Air tight ink cartridge with unobstructed ink outlet
An ink cartridge that has a rigid housing. The housing has a docking face for abutting a printer such that, when installed, the docking face faces downwards. The cartridge also has an ink storage volume and an ink outlet valve for fluid communication with the printhead. The ink outlet valve and an air inlet are both being positioned in the docking face. A variable volume structure within the ink storage volume inflates with air as ink is drawn from the outlet. The variable volume structure has a section that displaces upwardly within the ink storage volume as it inflates with air. An air inlet spaced from the outlet valve is in fluid communication with the variable volume structure to lets air into the ink storage volume as ink is drawn out through the outlet valve. A conduit in the ink storage volume is connected to the ink outlet valve at one end, with the other end being open to ink within the ink storage volume. The other end is positioned remote from the docking face such that it does not get obstructed by the variable volume structure as the variable volume structure inflates.
US08007088B2 Ink-jet recording device and ink supply unit suitable for it
Ink maintained at a negative pressure state is supplied to an ink-jet recording head via an ink supply mechanism constructed as a differential pressure valve having a coil spring and a movable membrane normally contacted elastically with a valve seat by the coil spring.
US08007081B2 Device and method for delivering a fluid in form of a high-speed micro-jet
A device and method for delivering a fluid in the form of a high-speed micro-jet includes a container for accommodating a fluid which is to be delivered through an orifice of the container, and an actuator cooperating with the container. The actuator includes a thin-film transducer membrane, where the transducer membrane is divided into at least two transducer elements. The transducer elements form a transducer array in which each transducer element corresponds to a certain portion of the transducer membrane.
US08007077B2 Inkjet head
An inkjet head includes a recording element substrate, on which sets of energy generating elements generating energy to discharge ink and a supply port supplying ink to discharge ports are arranged, and an orifice plate including the discharge ports. The sets include a set having a first supply port disposed at a first edge of the substrate and a set having a second supply port disposed at a second edge of the substrate opposite the first edge. The distance between the second edge and the second supply port is shorter than the distance between the first edge and the first supply port. A contact area between the substrate and second channel walls that form second ink channels communicating with the second supply port is larger than the contact area between the substrate and first channel walls that form first ink channels communicating with the first supply port.
US08007075B2 Printhead having nozzle plate formed on fluid distributors
A printhead is provided having a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles defined therethrough and a plurality of adjacently arranged structures on which the nozzle plate is formed. The structures have a plurality of passages for distributing fluid to the nozzles and each structure has elongate apertures to the passages. The long dimension of the elongate apertures in the abutting sides of adjacent structures are angled relative to each other.
US08007072B2 Cleaning blade, method of fabricating cleaning blade, and cleaning apparatus for liquid discharge head
A cleaning blade which wipes a liquid discharge area by being moved relatively with respect to the liquid discharge area of a liquid discharge head having the liquid discharge area in which liquid discharge nozzles are arranged to discharge a liquid is disclosed. The cleaning blade includes: a supporting plate which has an adhesive agent layer on its front surface; and a wipe part which is slid and contacted with the liquid discharge area, the wipe part formed in which an elastic part formed of a synthetic resin is formed in one piece on the adhesive agent layer, and a tip end thereof is cut in a predetermined shape.
US08007065B2 Printer control circuitry for reading ink information from a refill unit
A refill unit for refilling an ink cartridge that forms part of an inkjet printer. The printer also having a printhead, control circuitry and an interface for releasably engaging the refill unit. The refill unit has a body containing a quantity of ink, an ink outlet, and a memory circuit for storing information relating to at least one characteristic of the ink. During use the memory circuit allows to the control circuit to interrogate it to verify that the ink in the refill unit is suitable for the printer.
US08007064B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and recording medium storing program that causes the apparatus to execute the method
An image forming apparatus includes ink cartridges, image forming units, an ink-remaining-amount manager, a maintenance determiner, an information writer, an ink-amount estimator, and a maintenance-executability determiner. If an ink near-empty or empty state occurs in one of the ink cartridges due to image formation, the ink-amount estimator estimates an amount of ink required to execute the maintenance on the other ink cartridges based on the at least one of the need for and the type of maintenance determined by the maintenance determiner. If the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the maintenance is unexecutable on at least one of the other ink cartridges based on the required ink amount and a remaining ink amount, the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the unexecutable ink cartridge is at an ink near-empty or empty state and stops writing or updating information indicative of a spent state on the memory of the unexecutable ink cartridge.
US08007063B2 Printer having printhead with multiple controllers
A printer is provided having a printhead having ejection nozzles and a plurality of controllers configured to process print data for printing and to output the processed data to the printhead. The plurality of controllers are connected to a common input of the printhead.
US08007061B2 Storage panel guiding device with a magnetic damper
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a storage panel guiding device, which is configured to dampen movement of a storage panel movement using magnetic attractive force to thereby reduce damper friction. The storage panel guiding device of the present invention comprises the following: a magnetic damper including a first magnetic body, a second magnetic body and a thin plate interposed therebetween; a storage panel to which the first magnetic body is attached; a guide panel to which the second magnetic body is attached; a slide rail having a slot in which the guide panel can move; and a storage case accommodating the magnetic damper, the storage panel and the guide panel.
US08007059B2 Intensive use furniture
A contraband barrier on a mounting surface for use on an intensive use furniture component providing a sealing connection between the mounting surface and a floor or wall to prevent liquid from seeping under or behind the furniture component and discourage hiding contraband between the floor or wall and the mounting surface. The furniture component is formed by an outer shell having a side wall extending generally perpendicular to the mounting surface. A mounting flange is disposed adjacent the sidewall. A bolt hole is formed in the mounting flange. The sealing connection comprises a caulk channel formed as a channel in the mounting surface for receiving a bead of caulk to fill the seam between the mounting surface and the wall or floor to prevent fluid from seeping past the caulk channel to a space adjacent the interior mounting surface.
US08007056B2 Brake control apparatus and control method thereof
A brake control apparatus has first and second wheel cylinders; a master cylinder unit; first and second systems; a separation valve; a pressure control mechanism that controls the working fluid pressure transferred to at least one of the first and second wheel cylinders independently of the brake operation, and a brake ECU. The brake ECU generates a differential pressure across the separation valve by operating the pressure control mechanism when there is no brake operation while a running drive source of a vehicle is stopped to determine whether the separation valve has a leakage abnormality.
US08007045B2 Headrest for a vehicle seat
The invention relates to a headrest (10) for a vehicle seat, comprising a central part (11) containing a cushion support and a cushion that is held on top of a seat back by means of at least one support rod, the front region of said headrest having a head support region (17). The cushion support is optionally pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivoting axis (x). A respective lateral part (12) is pivotally mounted on each side of the head support region (17), about a displacement axis (y), which extends respectively in a lateral direction in relation to the central part (11) and which is located in the upper region of the central part (11). The displacement axis (y) extends obliquely at a first angle (a) to the pivoting axis (x) and to a horizontal projection plane that is common to the pivoting axis (x) and backwards (h) in relation to the head support region (17), the displacement axis (y) being situated on a horizontal plane that runs parallel to the pivoting axis (x).
US08007036B2 Inner panel for vehicle
According to an inner panel for vehicles of the present invention, a bead forming surface is so provided as to extend continuously with an upper edge part of a wall rising from a bottom surface of the inner panel. Upper beads and lower beads are formed on the bead forming surface. The upper and lower beads extend in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and are arranged alternately in a width direction of the vehicle. The bead forming surface is positioned above a middle position between an upper surface of the upper bead and a lower surface of the lower bead. Further, the bead forming surface is positioned lower than the upper surface of the upper bead by 3 mm or more. With this structure, a sufficient first acceleration wave can be secured by expanding a stress propagation range in a direction perpendicular to the length of the beads with respect to the first acceleration wave and, also, by reducing a local deformation to be caused by a deformation load from the above of the vehicle during a head impact. Further, with respect to a load from below of the vehicle when contacting built-in components, the inner panel is easily crushed, which can lower a second acceleration wave.
US08007031B2 Rear structure of vehicle body
A rear structure of a vehicle body, where a spare tire pan is supported by rear frames extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, includes a plurality of arc-shaped beads that is continued in a circular arc shape and formed on the spare tire pan. The plurality of arc-shaped beads is disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other, and formed in a concave shape at substantially the same pitch toward the rear side of the vehicle body.
US08007026B2 Lockout feature for full open hinge
A hinge mechanism having a vehicle bracket that includes a pawl engagement member extending therefrom. A horizontally-rotating swing arm is rotatably coupled with the vehicle bracket. The hinge mechanism includes a pawl with an engagement portion and an abutment portion. The pawl is connected with the swing arm and operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A door bracket is rotatably coupled with the swing arm. A lever actuation member extends from the door bracket and is aligned to engage the abutment portion of the pawl.
US08007017B2 Striker plate, a door jamb assembly and a method of securing a striker plate to a door surround structure
A striker plate having projections such that when the striker plate is inserted into a door surround structure the projections provide sufficient biasing to retain the striker plate in a desired lateral and vertical location whilst it is secured to the door surround structure. The projections are preferably integrally formed resilient elements adapted to engage with grooves in walls of a door surround structure. An adjustment mechanism may also be provided to adjust the spacing of the striker plate from a door surround structure.
US08007016B2 Grease interceptor latching and riser system and method of use thereof
A riser kit for a grease interceptor having upwardly extending walls, an open top and a cover to close the open top. The riser kit comprises at least one collar extension having, a lower edge for engaging an upper edge of the upwardly extending walls of the grease interceptor, a middle portion forming an upward wall extension for the grease interceptor, and, a top edge sized and shaped to engage the cover to permit the cover to be secured to the extended grease interceptor. The riser kit also has a means to secure the collar extension to the grease interceptor. Also disclosed is a latch assembly for securing a cover onto a container, the latch assembly comprising a catch member secured to the container transverse to a container wall at an upper end thereof, a latch member pivotally mounted to the cover adjacent an edge thereof and positioned to register with the catch member. The latch member has a hook portion and a lever portion wherein pivoting the lever portion when the cover is positioned on the container causes the hook portion to engage and disengage with the catch member. A method of installing a wastewater grease interceptor is also disclosed.
US08007015B2 Safety hook
The present invention broadly comprises a hook including a hook body having first and second ends, the first end includes a bent portion having inner and outer surfaces and a nose, and the second end includes an opening, a release lever having a first locking means and spaced apart parallel side walls, the first locking means arranged proximate to the inner surface of the hook body and a gate having spaced apart parallel side walls, the side walls including a second locking means and, the gate arranged to engage the nose, the second locking means arranged to complimentarily engage the first locking means, wherein pivoting of the release lever about a first rotational axis disengages the first and second locking means and permits pivoting of the gate about a second rotational axis. The present invention also broadly comprises a hook including a hook body having first and second ends, the first end includes a bent portion having a nose, and the second end includes an opening, a release lever having spaced apart parallel side walls and a first locking means and a gate having spaced apart parallel side walls, each of the side walls includes a second locking means having an arcuate wall portion arranged to complimentarily engage the first locking means, the gate arranged to engage the nose, the arcuate wall portions arranged opposite and parallel each other, wherein pivoting of the release lever about a first rotational axis disengages the first and second locking means and permits pivoting of the gate about a second rotational axis.
US08007007B1 Multileaf back loading and back unloading binder for menus, photos, cards and the like
A multileaf back loading and back unloading binder for menus, photos, cards and the like which includes front and back covers and a series of transparent interconnected pockets between the front and back covers and a removable and replaceable binder backing for providing ready access from the rear to the pockets.
US08006987B2 Cast trailing arm assembly for trailer suspension
A trailing arm assembly for a suspension includes at least first and second cast components. The first and second cast components are welded to each other to substantially surround an outer perimeter of an axle member. The first cast component is then welded to one side of the axle member at a first weld and the second cast component is welded to an opposite side of the axle member at a second weld. One of the first and second cast components includes an integrally formed air spring seat and the other of the first and second cast components includes an integrally formed bushing housing for connection to a frame.
US08006983B2 Sealing assembly for use with a pressurized vessel and methods of assembling the same
A method for assembling a seal assembly is provided. The method includes coupling a first ring within a vessel, coupling a second ring within the vessel, and coupling a first seal layer between the first ring and the second ring such that the first seal layer contacts at least the first ring.
US08006980B1 Beer pong table with cooling system
A beer pong table is provided herein which, includes an elongated, planar member having a top surface. A hole extends through the top surface and at least partially through the planar member so as to define a first recess in the planar member, with a cooling arrangement being disposed in the first recess. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a beer pong table may be provided with a recessed cooling arrangement. The recessed arrangement provides flexibility in cup arrangement during play and facilitates cleaning.
US08006968B2 Reconfigurable workpiece support fixture
An exemplary reconfigurable workpiece support fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base, and a plurality of spaced-apart plates are removably attachable to the base. Each plate defines a plurality of notches along an angular profile. A plurality of spaced-apart manifolds are receivable in the plurality of notches, and each manifold spans across the plurality of plates. A plurality of attachment devices are removably attachable to the plurality of manifolds.
US08006967B2 Cradle assembly for a pressure decay leak tester
A cradle assembly for a pressure decay leak tester is provided. The assembly operatively receives a printhead integrated circuit carrier having a plurality of printing fluid paths defined therein, respective fluid inlets in fluid communication with respective fluid paths and a locating formation to facilitate correct location of the carrier on the tester. The assembly includes at least one complementary locating formation for engaging the locating formation of the carrier, and at least one fluid outlet for charging the carrier with fluid via a respective fluid inlet of the carrier. Also included is a clamping device for clamping the carrier to the fluid outlet, so that the integrity of the fluid paths is observable via pressure decay testing, and a control system operatively connected to the clamping device for controlling operation of the clamping device.
US08006963B2 Wheel-guiding pneumatic spring damper unit
A pneumatic spring and damper unit (1) has working chambers (2,3) which are filled with compressed air and are partially defined by rolled bellows or corrugated bellows. The working chambers are superimposed and connected through throttle valves, arranged inside a common pot-shaped cylindrical housing (4), and separated by a cylindrical piston (7), in such a way that one working chamber (2) is arranged on the front side of the piston and the other working chamber (3) is arranged on the rear side of the piston. The piston and the piston rod (5) are respectively sealed by roller bellows inside the cylindrical housing and guided therein, and the piston rod and the piston are interconnected by an articulation (6).
US08006957B2 Spool shaft support structure for dual-bearing reel
The spool shaft comprises a shaft portion, two annular first annular portions arranged on opposite ends of the shaft portion, and an annular second larger diameter portion arranged on the end of the shaft portion positioned remote from a center of the spool. Each of the first annular portions and the second larger diameter portion have an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion. The second larger diameter portion is arranged on an outward side of the first annular portion in the axial direction so as to create a space therein between the first annular portion and second larger diameter portion.
US08006950B2 Apparatus support
An apparatus support (11) with a damping characteristic comprises a rigid reinforcing component, in particular a steel plate (19), encapsulated by a body (16) of compliant material, particularly a composite of particulate mineral material and synthetic binder. The plate (19) defines an opening (19a) at spacing from the upper side of the body (16) and a mounting ring (21) is embedded in the body so as to be disposed at least partly above the opening. The ring (21) has a peripheral flange (21a) which is spaced from the plate (19) and from the upper side of the body and overlaps the plate in vertical projection. Material of the body is thus disposed above the flange (21a) and also sandwiched between the flange and the plate so that a damping zone is present around the ring both above and below the flange.
US08006939B2 Over-wing traveling-wave axial flow plasma accelerator
A method to manipulate a fluid flow over a surface is provided. This method may be used to reduce drag, improve the lift to drag (L/D) ratio, attach fluid flow, or reduce flow noise at the surface. This involves flowing a fluid over the surface wherein the fluid contains positively charged ions and electrons. An electric field accelerates ions and electrons in directions parallel to the electric field. A magnetic field at the surface redirects ions and electrons based on their velocity and charge. The magnetic field imparts little force on the relatively heavy and slow moving positive ions but has a significant impact on the relatively fast moving, light weight electrons. This results in a non-zero net change in the total momentum of the positive ions and electrons allowing thrust to be realized. This thrust may be sufficient for vehicle propulsion or manipulation of the fluid flow around the vehicle. Pulsed and traveling wave implementations of this body force enable exploitation of frequencies to which the flow is sensitive, improving effectiveness of this method.
US08006936B1 Parachute deployment control
In one form of the invention, a deployment control for releasing a rocket recovery device such as a parachute includes an electrical heating element extensible along a heat-severable reach of an elongate retainer capable of being wrapped closely about the recovery device to retain the recovery device in a compact form until the reach is severed as the result of electricity being supplied to the heating element to thereby release and deploy the recovery device. In other forms, an apparatus for cutting a heat meltable retainer to release and deploy a rocket recovery device includes a heating element extending along at least a short reach of the retainer, and a control device for supplying electricity to the heating element for heat severing the retainer reach.
US08006929B2 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 to fit into a hollow core of the roll of material; and a bearing member to fit into the retention mechanism. The bearing member includes a bearing pin having a counter surface facing the receiving portion; and a locking surface for locking the end plug in an end position in the retention mechanism, the locking surface being arranged between the receiving portion and the bearing pin, the locking surface having at least one portion inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bearing pin by an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bearing pin in the range of 117° to 141°. A retention mechanism in a dispenser for retaining the end plug of an exchangeable roll of material is also disclosed.
US08006924B2 Refiner plate assembly and method with evacuation of refining zone
A refiner plate assembly and method includes an annular arrangement of adapter subplates that mount to a refiner disk of a disk refiner using a conventional mounting technique, such as bolted in a standard pattern associated with the particular disk refiner. The adapter subplate arrangement remains mounted to the disk and provides a universal mounting surface for an annular arrangement of individual removable refiner segments. A steam and/or accept evacuation channel is provided in this assembly via filter passages at a radially intermediate location in one or more refiner segments which communicate with a recess or channel in one or more associated adapter subplates that direct the steam and/or accepts through outlet ports in the outer rim of the adapter subplate(s). Refining efficiency is provided in a universal refiner plate assembly by eliminating steam volume and already refined pulp from outer portions of the refining zone. The filter section(s) can be placed at an optimal location of high volume fraction of pulp fibers where mounting hardware is typically located in conventional refiner segments.
US08006920B2 Self regulating fluid bearing high pressure rotary nozzle with balanced thrust force
A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the liquid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized liquid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the liquid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the liquid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a liquid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
US08006912B2 Coding pattern with flags for determining tag data or block data
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous tags. Each tag comprises: a plurality of data symbols, including a plurality of first data symbols; a plurality of data elements; and one or more flags. The flags indicated either that: the first data symbols define first data contained in the tag; or the first data symbols define a fragment of second data. The second data is embedded in a block of said tags and is typically a public-key digital signature. The first data is typically a secret-key digital signature.
US08006901B2 Mobile terminal, register device, and commodity sale processing system
A mobile terminal is provided. A scanner unit reads code information attached to a commodity. A RAM stores the code information read by the scanner unit as commodity-for-purchase information. The scanner unit, to confirm whether the commodity-for-purchase information stored in the RAM is correct, the scanner unit reads the code information of one part of the commodity-for-purchase. A CPU switches from reading for storage to reading for confirmation. It is determined whether information contained in the code information read by the scanner unit is stored in the RAM. A display displays a result of the determination.
US08006892B2 Method for forming a tight-fitting silver surface on an aluminium piece
The invention relates to a method for forming a highly electroconductive surface on an aluminum piece. A highly conductive layer of silver is formed on the piece by means of a eutectic join. The temperature of the aluminum piece is raised gradually and the oxide layer formed on the surface of the piece is removed. After the first heating stage, the silver piece that is to be attached is transferred to the cleaned surface. The contact point is heated to a temperature where a eutectic bond is generated between the aluminum and silver. During the second heating stage a slight momentary loading is applied to the contact point.
US08006889B2 Method and device for full thickness resectioning of an organ
A full-thickness resection system comprises a flexible endoscope and a stapling mechanism, wherein the endoscope is slidably received through at least a portion of the stapling mechanism. The stapling mechanism comprises an anvil and a stapling head mounted to the anvil so that the anvil and the stapling head are moveable with respect to one another between a tissue receiving position and a stapling position and wherein a gap formed between the stapling head and the anvil is larger in the tissue receiving position than it is in the stapling position. A position adjusting mechanism is provided for moving the anvil and the stapling head between the tissue receiving and stapling positions and a staple firing mechanism sequentially fires a plurality of staples from the stapling head across the gap against the anvil and through any tissue received in the gap and a knife cuts a portion of tissue received within the gap. A control unit which remains outside the body is coupled to the stapling mechanism for controlling operation of the position adjusting mechanism and the staple firing mechanism.
US08006888B2 Multiple coil staple and staple applier
A multiple coil staple is provided which includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The backspan includes one or more pockets configured to induce coiling of the legs of the staple. A multiple coil staple applier is also provided which includes a pusher having a distal face defining a staple engagement surface and one or more staple deforming pockets. Each staple deforming pocket is configured to induce coiling of the legs of a staple. The multiple coil staple and staple applier facilitate joining of tissues having wider ranges of thicknesses using a single size staple.
US08006882B2 Staple cartridge in stapler
A staple cartridge is detachably arranged in a body of a stapler. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body for accommodating a staple belt in which a plurality of rod-shaped staples are connected to each other and rolled into a roller-shape and a guide member for guiding the staples at a time of forming leg portions of the staples or after forming the leg portions.
US08006881B2 Magazines in fastener driving tools
A magazine in a fastener driving tool includes a magazine body, a pusher, a biasing device and a pusher holding device. The magazine body defines a fastener receiving space for storing a plurality of fasteners therein. The pusher is mounted to the magazine body and is movable in a fastener feeding direction toward a fastener driving channel defined in a tool body of the fastener driving tool. The biasing device biases the pusher in the fastener feeding direction. The pusher holding device can hold the pusher at a midway position within a movable range of the pusher in the fastener feeding direction. The pusher holding device may include no insertion hole or only one insertion hole formed in the magazine body.
US08006866B2 Ratio control in postmix dispenser
A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system (82), diluent delivery system (78), concentrate delivery system (74), mixing and dispensing system (76), and control system. The refrigeration system (82) employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle (80) that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.
US08006865B2 Disc feeding apparatus
A disc feeding apparatus comprises a supporting base, a pusher and an electric driving device. The pusher is driven by the electric driving device to back and forth, such that one edge of the disc is protruded out of the first protruding portion of the supporting base, and the other edge of the disc is limited by the avoiding groove of the second protruding portion and will be pushed by the pusher. Thereby, the disc will fall out of the disc feeding apparatus, thus finishing the feeding of the disc. The present invention can use the precise control electric driving device to cooperate with other structures. With the simplified structure design, the present invention can perform the disk feeding operation efficiently and precisely for a long tome.
US08006857B2 Cover assembly for trash bin
A cover assembly for a trash bin includes a cover, a support ring, a pivoting device coupling to the cover and the support ring and a buffer device connecting to the pivoting device. The pivoting device provides an upward force to the cover, and the buffer device cushions the upward force from the pivoting device. The buffer device and the pivoting device allow the cover assembly to be lifted slowly and prevent a loud noise while lifting the cover quickly and while the cover bumps the trash bin.
US08006852B1 One piece convertible closure and a one piece convertible closure and container system
A pharmaceutical storing and dispensing device having a closure and container. The container includes a container axis and a neck having a container stop device, a container opening edge defining a container opening, and a container engaging device positioned to engage the closure. The closure is a one piece convertible child resistant closure comprising an outer section, an inner section, and at least one armature integrally formed between the inner section and the outer section and attaching the inner section to the outer section. The inner section is axially moveable relative to the outer section between a child resistant position and a non child resistant position to convert the closure from a child resistant mode to a non child resistant mode.
US08006849B2 Processing apparatus and method of operation thereof
A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles The guided vehicle may be electronically controlled to prick up and deliver workpieces from one location to another, and may include self-navigating software, and interactive communication with other guided vehicle to permit suitable routes to be chosen, or to permit obstacles to be avoided. The facility may include a vertical degree of freedom, or workpiece retrieval apparatus used for transferring workpieces between the storage accommodations and the automated guided vehicles, or to other locations. The workpiece retrieval apparatus may be mounted on a bridge, and may include a multi-element raising any lowering array that is biased to oppose torsional deflection of the lifting member.
US08006848B2 Filter and manufacturing method therefor
A filter includes a first case member and a second case member that are made of synthetic resin and are mutually joined to form a filter chamber, and a filter element including a filtering medium and a holding frame that is made of synthetic resin, which holds a peripheral portion of the filtering medium and is held between joining ends of the case members. Weld portions formed by laser light are provided at a contact area extending in a joining direction between the holding frame of the filter element and at least one joining end of the joining ends of the case members.
US08006845B2 Lockable pill container and methods
A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end. The second locking member is moveable from the release position to the locking position by application of a force against the first end. A visual indicator, such as color, can be used to help the user know when the container is locked or not locked. A tactile indicator can be used to help the user know when the container is locked or not locked.
US08006840B2 Adapter for wire dispensing carton
An adapter for inserting into a carton containing a non-reel coil of filamentary material or wire has a shaft-receiving sleeve supported by a box structure. The adapter's box structure has top and back walls joined at right angles and reinforced by side walls. Knobs extend outwardly from the side walls and have openings therethrough. Ribs on the underside of the top wall define a channel which is aligned with the openings in the knobs. The ribs, top wall and knobs define a sleeve which is oriented such that it may receive a shaft or rod of a wire pulling rack. Alternatively, said adapter having a box structure with walls only in two perpendicular planes. At least two of said walls forming a channel extending outwardly that may receive a shaft or rod.
US08006839B2 Method and apparatus for packaging medical devices
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a container system having an outer shell defining a cavity that is configured to receive a first medical device component therein. A support tray is sized for receipt within the outer shell of the container system and is supported above the first medical device component. In one exemplary embodiment, the support tray defines a second cavity that may receive a second medical device component. In addition, a retention tray may be positioned within the cavity of the support tray and supported above the second medical device component. The retention tray facilitates the retention of the support tray within the outer shell and also facilitates the retention of the first and second medical device components in their desired positions within the container system. Additionally, positioned to extend across an opening in the outer shell is a cover.
US08006837B2 Long box packaging design for prerecorded media
An improved long box package for prerecorded media includes an elongated substantially rectangular box enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of first and second side walls. The box enclosure further includes an open top end, a bottom end adapted to be closed, and an interior shelf disposed between the top end and the bottom end for supporting the bottom end of a media case to be carried by the package. An opening is formed in the front wall that is contiguous with the open top end and which extends toward the shelf. In combination, the open top end and the contiguous front wall opening define an open channel for receiving the media case. The open channel facilitates rapid placement of the media case in the package by virtue of the media case not being restricted to insertion through the top end only.
US08006836B2 Uncontaminated garment
A packaged garment includes a garment and a sealed bag. The garment has a torso portion, a sleeve portion connected to the torso portion, and a leg portion connected to the torso portion. The garment has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The sealed bag contains the garment with the sleeve portion folded onto the torso portion and the leg portion folded onto the torso portion. The garment is manipulated so that the inner surface of the torso portion faces outward and the torso portion forms an inner space containing the sleeve portion and the leg portion.
US08006833B2 Flexible package with opening feature
A flexible package has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side wall together defining an interior volume of the package. An opening device is attached to the top surface and is at least in part detachable from the top surface to provide access to the interior volume. An article is secured to the opening device for conjoint movement with the opening device upon detachment of the opening device from the top surface of the package. In another embodiment, a portion of the side wall extends outward beyond the top surface to a free edge. A closure system is operable on the extended portion of the side wall to permit selective closing and opening of the package.
US08006825B2 Transferring device for repositioning articles
A transfer arrangement (10) for gripping articles (at 60) comprises a central wheel body with a multiplicity of arms (20), which can be pivoted about a first axis (23) in each case, articulated along its periphery. The arms (20) have a gripper (60) for receiving in each case one or more articles (15). Each gripper (60) can be rotated about a second axis (33) for predetermined positioning of the articles, while the connecting body (30) can be rotated about the first axis (23). The rotary movement of the gripper (60), then, can be transferred to the gripper (60), rotating about the second axis (33), via a shaft (28) arranged along the first axis (23), with the aid of a transfer element (25, 26, 27). Finally, a third axis (43) is arranged on the connecting body (30), between the first and second axes (23, 33). This allows rotation of the connecting body (30) to be transferred in a controlled manner to the connecting body (30), at the location of the first axis (33), via a shaft (49) arranged along the third axis (43), with the aid of a transfer element (45, 46, 47). This means that articles (15) can be tracked.
US08006822B2 Conveying installation and method of placing a conveying installation in operation
A method for placing a conveying installation in operation, the conveying installation including several components, wherein at least one conveying mechanism, an installation control and a drive are included. A control program suitable for different installation controls contains different control functions. The control program is executed in the installation control for operation of the conveying installation. The method including the steps of: activating the conveying installation; recognizing identification numbers of components of the conveying installation; checking whether the recognized identification numbers belong to permitted component combinations; recognizing the installation control type; activating the different control functions in the control program in dependence on the recognized installation control type; and releasing the conveying installation for operation.
US08006819B2 Overrunning decoupler with locking mechanism
An overrunning accessory decoupler with a locking mechanism provides the desired overrunning accessory decoupler functionality and also permits torque to be transferred from the accessory to which the decoupler is installed to the drive of the engine when desired. In one embodiment, the decoupler includes a locking mechanism that is controlled by centrifugal forces developed in the decoupler to lock the decoupler to permit the accessory to transfer torque to the drive to start or boost the engine. In another embodiment, the decoupler locking mechanism includes an electromagnet that can be energized to lock and/or unlock the decoupler.
US08006816B2 Combination cylinder with pawl-actuated emergency release device for the parking brake
The invention relates to a combination cylinder including a service brake cylinder as an active service brake with at least one pressure-medium-actuated service brake piston which actuates a brake mechanism via a service brake piston rod, and a spring store brake cylinder as a passive parking brake with a spring store brake piston which is actuated by pressure medium counter to the action of at least one store spring, with the spring store brake piston transmitting the force of the at least one store spring to the service brake piston rod by a force-transmitting gearing in the parking braking situation. The invention provides for the gearing to be designed such that the movements of the spring store brake piston and of the service brake piston rod are coaxial and the force transmission ratio becomes greater with progressive stroke of the spring store brake piston.
US08006809B2 Mechanism for quickly adjusting tightness of brake cable in caliper brake of bicycle
A caliper brake of bicycle includes a yoke at one end of a second arm, the yoke comprising two yoke arms having a hole, and a spring depressible detent at one end; and a mechanism comprising a manipulation member disposed between the yoke arms and comprising a C-shaped element including outer teeth and an inner protrusion, and a handle; a brake cable retaining member; a cylinder secured to the brake cable retaining member and comprising outer recesses and an eccentric tunnel. The protrusion is engaged with one recess. The cylindrical member is fitted in the tunnel. The detent is urged against one tooth. A brake cable is held tight. In response to counterclockwise rotating the handle the tunnel moves upward and both the detent moves to another tooth and the protrusion moves to another recess so as to loosen the brake cable.
US08006807B2 Elevator group control apparatus
An elevator group control apparatus includes a parameter calculating unit for determining a weighting factor for an item to be evaluated, which is calculated from a running distance estimated by an estimation arithmetic operation unit by taking into consideration a relation between a running distance of an elevator and a passenger average waiting time, and an evaluation arithmetic operation unit for calculating a total evaluated value from an item to be evaluated of a passenger waiting time, an item to be evaluated of the running distance, and the weighting factor determined by the parameter calculating unit. The elevator group control apparatus selects an elevator whose total evaluated value is the best from among the plurality of elevators, and assigns a hall call to the selected elevator.
US08006803B2 Ladder system, especially for vehicles
The invention relates to a ladder comprising a single post (1) provided with a fixing means (4) on the upper end (1S) thereof, said ladder comprising an anchoring means (9, 10) which is especially adapted to said fixing means (4) and is attached to the wall (7), and foldable supporting arms (3) which are connected to either side of the single post (1) in an articulated manner.
US08006800B2 Storage box for electronic apparatus
A box-shaped enclosure of a storage box includes a deadening wall or walls defining a storage space between first and second planes. The storage space is open at the first and second planes. A deadening wall member extends along the first plane. An auxiliary box-shaped enclosure is connected to the box-shaped enclosure so as to close the first plane of the box-shaped enclosure. The auxiliary box-shaped enclosure defines an auxiliary space isolated from the storage space with a deadening wall member. The storage space is connected to the fresh air through the ventilation opening and the auxiliary space. The deadening wall or walls of the box-shaped enclosure and the deadening wall member serve to prevent the leakage of the operating sound.
US08006799B2 Vehicle steering system
A configuration is provided which includes a differential gear-type transfer ratio varying mechanism interposed between an input shaft which rotates as a steering wheel is operated and an output shaft which rotates in conjunction with operation of a steering mechanism for permitting a differential operation between both the shafts, the configuration including a transfer ratio control motor for applying a rotational force to the output shaft, a reaction force control motor for applying a rotational force to the input shaft, and a steering control unit for controlling and driving the transfer ratio control motor to obtain a rotation transfer ratio that is predetermined according to operation of the steering wheel and controlling and driving the reaction force control motor to apply a predetermined reaction force to the steering wheel.
US08006796B1 Personal vehicle
A personal vehicle has a fore section and an aft section. The fore and aft sections each have a frame, a transaxle mounted to the frame, and a wheels attached to the transaxle. The wheels of the aft section are vertically articulated relative to the frame of the aft section. A seat is disposed on the frame of the fore section. A joystick and interface are mounted to the fore section. A motor is mounted to the frame of the aft section. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the motor. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. A fender assembly is mounted to the fore and aft sections. A rollover structure is mounted to the fore and aft sections. The hydraulic systems controls the directional movement of the personal vehicle and includes a hydraulic pump, rotovalves, a null valve, a drive cylinder, and a steering cylinder.
US08006790B2 Vehicle and control method thereof, power output apparatus and control method thereof, and driving system and control method thereof
In response to a driver's braking request operation, for example, the driver's depression of a brake pedal 85, a hybrid vehicle 20 sets a fraction of a regenerative braking torque by a motor MG2 and a fraction of a braking torque by a brake unit 90 relative to a preset braking torque demand Tr* according to the setting of a speed change ratio in a transmission 60 (steps S280, S290, S310, S320, S390, and S400). The hybrid vehicle 20 controls the motor MG2 to output the regenerative braking torque based on the preset braking torque demand Tr* and the set fraction of the regenerative braking torque, while controlling the brake unit 90 to enable the braking torque based on the preset braking force demand Tr* and the regenerative braking torque by the motor MG2 to be applied in a distributive manner at a preset front-rear braking torque distribution ratio ‘d’ to front wheels 39a and 39b and to rear wheels 39c and 39d.
US08006787B2 Hybrid vehicle
In a hybrid vehicle having at least one electric motor which is usable as a generator and charges a vehicle battery during a recuperation phase, there is provided an additional actuating element independent of a brake system which is used to transfer the electric motor into its recuperation state without activating the brake system. Alternatively, the additional actuating element may operate in conjunction with the brake system, such that the brake pedal may also be used to transfer the electric motor into its recuperation state.
US08006769B2 Shearing tool and methods of use
A shearing tool for shearing, trimming, or reducing objects being pulled through a drill string and methods for retrieving retrievable tools with fins from the drill string, where the retrievable tools must pass through restrictions in the drill string having interior diameters less than the outer diameters of the fins. The fins, affixed to the retrievable tools, provide stability to the tools, while within the drill string, and can be made of rubber, plastic, other shearable materials, or combinations thereof. The apparatuses and methods include inserting a shearing tool with a flange into a box end of a section of drill string, where the flange keeps the shearing tool in place. The shearing tool further comprising a cutting surface for cutting materials pulled through the shearing tool.
US08006766B2 Method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a pump in a well
A method and apparatus for controlling a speed of a pump operating in a well. A first step involves monitoring a production flow rate of fluids produced from the well. A second step involves controlling the speed of the pump with reference to the production flow rate by increasing the speed of the pump when the production flow rate is rising and decreasing the speed of the pump when the production flow rate is declining.
US08006760B2 Clean fluid systems for partial monolayer fracturing
Provided are methods that include a method comprising: placing a clean fluid comprising proppant particulates into a portion of a fracture in a subterranean formation, and depositing one or more of the proppant particulates into the fracture to form a partial monolayer. In another aspect, the invention provides methods that include placing a degradable fluid loss additive comprising collagen into a subterranean formation.
US08006759B1 Manufacture of strong, lightweight, hollow proppants
An ultra strong, hollow sintered, impervious, metallic shell for use in structural applications including proppants for hydraulic fracturing. The shell is made of a maraging steel, low alloy steel, or stainless steel with a crush strength of about 3,000 psi or greater and a density of about 0.6 g/cm3 to about 2.5 g/cm3.
US08006757B2 Flow control system and method for downhole oil-water processing
A technique is provided for processing well fluid downhole. The technique utilizes equipment for separating a well fluid downhole into a water component and an oil component. The separation of water and oil can be controlled by selecting an appropriately sized flow restrictor for use in limiting the flow of one or both of the water and the oil. Additionally, a sensor system is used to monitor a well characteristic that enables adjustment of the downhole fluid processing based on well characteristic data from the sensor system.
US08006745B2 Molding material mixture, molded part for foundry purposes and process of producing a molded part
A molding material mixture for foundry purposes, comprising a mold sand, a sodium hydroxide solution, an alkali-silicate binding agent, and an additive suspension. The molding material mixture contains 0.1 to 10% by weight of sodium hydroxide solution with reference to the weight of the sand, 0.1 to 5% of binding agent with a solid matter percentage of 20 to 70%, and 0.1 to 3% by weight of the additive suspension. The additive suspension comprises 30 to 70% by volume of an amorphous, spherical SiO2 particles, which have a first grain size in the range of 1 to 5 micrometers, and a second grain size in the range of 0.01 to 0.05 micrometers.
US08006742B2 Casting roll
A casting roll having an outer periphery capable of being efficiently cooled is disclosed. The casting roll has a roll body on which side weirs abut, short tube-shaped supports each coaxially with and protruding from the roll body, a stub axle fitted into the support, a sleeve fitted over the support and a flange contiguous with the stub axle and abutting on the sleeve on a side away from the roll body. The roll body is formed with longitudinal cooling passages passing through the roll from one end to the other end of the roll as well as radial cooling passages each adjacent to a corresponding end of the roll and extending from an inner periphery of the roll to a corresponding longitudinal cooling passage. A plug is fitted into each end of the longitudinal cooling passages and abuts on the sleeve. With a distance between the longitudinal cooling passages and the outer periphery of the roll body being reduced as much as possible, cooling water is passed through a portion of the roll body.
US08006736B2 Skew adjustment device for coverings for architectural openings
A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.
US08006723B2 Conductor loop-forming tool
A loop-forming tool for forming a loop in a conductor has a grip with a first end section having a central post and an off-axis post mounted therein. The two posts are spaced to allow a conductor to pass therebetween and to grip the conductor when the tool is rotated, bending the conductor around the central post to form a U-shape. Rotating the tool in the opposite direction changes the U-shaped hook to a “?”-shaped hook for attaching to a tie-down bolt. Index marks can be provided on a terminal surface of the first end section to facilitate making consistent loops. The relative sizes of the posts can be configured to allow the tool to also serve to wrap the loop around the tie-down bolt, and to provide a screwdriver for subsequently tightening the tie-down bolt to secure the looped conductor thereto.
US08006722B2 Pipeline for conducting air for air conditioning in aircrafts
A pipeline for conducting air for air conditioning in aircrafts includes a body portion formed with foamed plastics material or with a dense plastics material. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and includes an outer surface carrying a wrapping for reinforcing the pipeline. The wrapping includes a plurality of adjacent contacting layers formed by at least one linear reinforcing element wound into a plurality of windings, with adjacent layers having windings angled in opposite directions to form a net-like structure of the wrapping. At least one of the spacing between the windings along the longitudinal axis or the angle of slope between the windings and the longitudinal axis varies in certain sections to change the winding density as a function of local mechanical load requirements on the pipeline.
US08006721B2 Anti-kink device for hoses, in particular vacuum cleaner hoses
An anti-kink device for hoses with an external corrugated structure, in particular for vacuum cleaner hoses, such hoses comprising at least one external groove-like channel which runs in a helical manner. The anti-kink device is formed by a wire coil made from spring steel which is screwed into the groove-like channel from one hose end and is fixed to the hose end. This anti-kink device is applied over the entire hose length or only partially at points of the hose which are at risk of kinking.
US08006714B1 Automatic flow shut-off system
An automatic flow shut-off unit for shutting off water to an appliance (e.g. commode) when a leak or overflow occurs. The unit includes an outer housing having a ball valve mounted thereon wherein the valve is connected between the water supply and the appliance. A tripper unit is mounted in the outer housing and has a plunger therein. The valve is connected to the plunger by a length of actuation material (e.g. flexible cable). A compression spring is positioned in the tripper unit to normally bias the plunger downwards. A cartridge having a water reactive material (e.g. commercially-available toilet paper) thereon is removably mounted in the outer housing wherein the water reactive material when dry supports the plunger in a cocked position but which will quickly weaken and disintegrate upon contact with water.
US08006712B2 Faucet control system and method
A faucet control system comprises a valve apparatus, sensors or a motion detector to be activated by a user, and a controller that controls the valve apparatus. A first sensor may start fluid flow and a second sensor may alter the proportion of fluids delivered from two fluid sources. The sensors may be activated without being touched and may include infrared and/or photodiode sensing elements. In a sink embodiment, when a user approaches the sink to wash hands, water flow is activated. Optionally, the initial water flow may be cold water, to prevent energy wastage. A second sensor may be placed elsewhere on the sink, such as on the left hand side of the faucet spout. Consequently, when the right hand, for example, is placed below the faucet spout, the water flow is activated with the first sensor. The left hand may be placed above a second sensor and, by waiving the left hand, the hand sensor will cause the hot valve to allow hot water to mix with cold water from the cold valve, should the user wish a warm temperature water flow. If the user wishes hot water, the user will then waive his or her hands over the second sensor, which will close the cold valve and open only the hot valve, thus allowing only hot water to flow from the spout.
US08006708B1 Multi-colored dental floss and associated method
A multi-colored dental floss includes a unitary and flexible core member with an elongated shape provided with opposed first and second ends. The second end is covered by a multi-colored outer coating surrounding an entire circumference thereof, and the first end is an exposed outer surface spaced from the multi-colored outer coating such that the beginning segment remains uncolored. An housing is provided with a bottom cavity, a planar top surface spanning across an entire top side of the cavity, a cutting implement directly attached to the top surface and nested within a first one of the apertures, and a lid pivotally attached to the top surface. The multi-colored dental floss further includes a spool statically seated within the housing, and the core member is concentrically wound about the spool and channeled upwardly therefrom.
US08006684B2 Superheated steam grill
A superheated stream grill includes a heating tray to serve as a heat source for heating and cooking the food materials. In addition, it also provides a function of heating food materials by using a superheated stream. The grill has a heating system for generating the superheated stream. The heating system atomizes the water molecules to form mist by means of the supersonic vibration, and then the mist is heated and converted into the superheated stream. The superheated stream is injected and sprayed onto the food materials. In this way, the mouth feeling of the food materials after cooking is much better and the time for cooking is also reduced.
US08006681B2 Firing structure of paintball marker
A firing structure of a paintball marker includes a marker body and a firing cylinder. The marker body includes a barrel with mutually communicating first and second gas chambers. A stop edge is formed in the barrel at a junction between the first and second gas chambers. An O-ring is embedded in an inner wall of the barrel at a position inside the second gas chamber. The firing cylinder and a rear guide rod are put sequentially into the gas chambers. The firing cylinder has an outer periphery formed with a stop portion in the first gas chamber. The stop portion has a front edge mounted with a buffer washer corresponding in position to the stop edge of the barrel and having a planar surface. Thus, the process yield of the marker body can be increased, and the firing cylinder remains stable in high-speed action regardless of its position.
US08006677B2 Fuel control system and associated method
A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.
US08006675B2 Diesel fuel cooling system and control strategy
A method is described for cooling fuel for a diesel engine system with a common rail fuel injection system having a coolant pump and a fan. The method comprises passing a returning fuel from the engine through a fuel to coolant heat exchange system to cool the fuel, and adjusting the cooling of the fuel by controlling the coolant pump and/or the engine cooling fan.
US08006671B2 Start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which takes an amount of a fuel vaporized from a heated fuel into consideration to prevent deterioration of startability due to an overrich or overlean condition caused by an excessive or insufficient amount of the vaporized fuel and to realize improvement of cold startability. The start control apparatus includes: a heater (14) for heating a fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine; fuel heating control unit (22) for energizing the heater when a cooling water temperature is less than an internal combustion engine start possible water temperature value to heat the fuel; and start time fuel setting unit (26) for setting a start time fuel injection amount of the internal combustion engine according to a fuel temperature after the fuel is heated by the fuel heating control unit (22), an alcohol concentration, and the cooling water temperature.
US08006670B2 Engine control with valve deactivation monitoring using exhaust pressure
A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include controlling the engine in response to detecting opening of an exhaust valve after deactivation based measured or inferred exhaust pressure changes after deactivation. In one embodiment, controlling the engine includes reactivating one or more deactivated cylinders/valves, inhibiting subsequent deactivation, and/or storing a diagnostic code in a computer readable storage medium in response to detecting valve opening after deactivation.
US08006669B2 Sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine
A sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator (12) for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine, has connecting pins (14) projecting out of the piezoactuator (12) and a head arrangement (16, 18) placed on to the piezoactuator (12), which is provided with openings (20) for the penetration of the connecting pins (14), wherein a liquid-tight sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) on one side and also against the head arrangement (16, 18) on the other. In order to ensure a reliable seal with this arrangement, in particular also over extended periods of time, the sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) located inside the openings (20), and sealing element sections (32) located inside the openings (20) are radially compressed in the openings.
US08006662B2 Inner lever for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine
An inner lever (1) for a switchable finger lever (2) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, having a box-like main part (5) with two lateral walls (6), which are connected at a first end (7) by a transverse bar (8), which intrinsically includes a driver surface (9) for a coupling slide that can be guided longitudinally by the outer lever (3), and opposite from the first end (7), the lateral walls (6) have two strongly crimped together, thin-walled arms (10), which each extend in the direction toward the second end (11) of the inner lever (1) to form a longitudinal bar (12). The arms contact each other with their inner sides (15), and between the lateral walls (6), a cam contact surface (16) can be provided. The inner lever (1) made from thin-walled steel sheet metal at least to a large extent using punch-bending techniques.
US08006656B2 Split-cycle four-stroke engine
An engine has a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A ratio of cylinder volumes from BDC to TDC for either one of the expansion cylinder and compression cylinder is fixed at substantially 26 to 1 or greater.
US08006650B2 Bicycle tethering device for pets
A tethering system is used with a bicycle and a pet. The system has: a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the flexible tube having a plate connector having a bike attachment system and a removable connection with the flexible tube, the connector configured to attach to a position on a two-wheel bicycle within 15 cm of a rear axle on the two-wheel bicycle; and the distal end of the flexible tube having a connection system for a leash.
US08006636B2 Substrate treatment apparatus
A substrate treatment apparatus of the present invention includes: a holding means for rotatably holding a substrate to be treated; a coating solution supply nozzle for supplying a coating solution onto the front surface of the substrate to be treated held on the holding means; a treatment container with an upper surface open for housing them; an exhaust means for exhausting an atmosphere in the treatment container from the bottom; a multiblade centrifugal fan provided on the inner periphery of the treatment container for flowing airflow on a front surface side of the substrate to the exhaust means; and a controller for controlling the number of rotations of the multiblade centrifugal fan corresponding to the number of rotations of the substrate, wherein the number of rotations of the multiblade centrifugal fan is controlled so that turbulent airflow flowing in a circumferential direction on the front surface of the substrate generated due to the rotation of the substrate is corrected to laminar airflow flowing in a radial direction.
US08006632B2 Temporary pants hemming/cuffing devices
A device for temporary hemming/cuffing children's pants legs is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention is a device having an outer body portion and an inner tongue portion connected by a hinge. The hinge creates an offset distance between the outer body and the inner tongue, and is biased to angle the inner tongue through the outer body. The inner tongue may be deflected from its neutral position to form a recess to accommodate material, such as a cuff made by turning the bottom edge of a pants leg over the pants leg. Another embodiment of the present invention is a clip having a pair of arms extending from a tongue portion. The arms are adapted to engage the bottom of a turned up edge of the pants leg thereby preventing the clip from sliding down the cuff.
US08006621B1 Linear explosive breaching apparatus and method
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for explosive breaching.
US08006616B2 Ink applicator for printing roller
A printing roller has an outer surface and is rotatable in a rotational sense about a roller axis. A liquid applicator has an upstream blade having an edge engageable with the roller surface and a downstream blade having an edge engageable with the roller surface downstream in the sense from the upstream-blade edge. The blades form a compartment fillable with a liquid to be applied to the roller outer surface. The upstream blade is shifted on rotation of the roller between an engaged position with the respective edge engaging the surface and a disengaged position with the respective edge spaced radially from the surface.
US08006611B2 Water feeding device of hot drink maker
A water feeding device of a hot drink maker, particularly of a coffeemaker, is provided wherein a water feeding operation and a water heating time are controlled by a water temperature sensor, a computer circuit board, and a motor, all of which are installed in the hot drink maker. The motor is driven according to a sensing result obtained by sensing water temperature at a predetermined position, so as to push heated water smoothly and completely into an inlet of a brewing chamber. Thus, ground coffee in the brewing chamber is infused by the liquid-state heated water of a predetermined temperature to make a hot drink with a desirable taste.
US08006608B2 Method of providing a defense against a shaped charge
A method of providing a defense against a shaped charge. An outer and an inner armor layer are provided with a medial space between these outer and inner armor layers. One or more defensive shaped charges are positioned in the medial space. If the outer armor layer is attacked by ordnance having an offensive shaped charge, one or more of the defensive shaped charges positioned in the medial space is detonated so as to degrade the effectiveness of the offensive shaped charge and prevent penetration of the inner armor layer.
US08006603B2 Access door for feeder/delinker of a gatling gun
The feeder/delinker of a Gatling gun is provided with an access system which includes a unitary access door and a plunger mounted in the access door. When the access door is partially opened, the plunger is deployed and contacts and secures a cartridge in the feeder/delinker so that a user can remove his hand from the feeder/delinker prior to completely closing the access door. When the access door is closed, the plunger retracts into and is stored in the access door.
US08006599B2 Scribe line forming mechanism, scribe head, and scribe device
A scribing line forming mechanism according to the present invention includes: a scribing line forming means (207) being structured so as to form a scribing line on a substrate by contacting the substrate; and a supporting means for supporting the scribing line forming means such that the scribing line forming means is turnable about a first turning axis (204), the supporting means being structured so as to be turnable about a second turning axis (202), the second turning axis being different from the first turning axis, wherein the axial center of the first turning axis and the axial center of the second turning axis are approximately in parallel, and the axial center of the second turning axis is distant by a predetermined interval from a portion where the substrate and the scribing line forming means contact each other.
US08006594B2 Catheter cutting tool
Systems and methods for cutting, or trimming, a catheter at a specified location along the length of the catheter. The catheter preferably includes a stop feature comprising a difference in a physical characteristic between a first portion of the catheter and a second portion of the catheter which interacts with an elongate member of the cutting system to determine the catheter is in a proper position to be cut.
US08006590B2 Open-faced rod spinner
An open-faced rod-spinning device configured for making and/or breaking joints between threaded drill rods. The rod-spinning device may include a drive gear with an open face. The drive gear may also be coupled to a plurality of drive pins. The rod-spinning device may include a carriage assembly including an open face for receiving and rotating about a drill rod. The carriage assembly may include a plurality of gripping lobes configured to be engaged and rotated by the drive pins about pivot pins. The drive gear may be configured to rotate relative to the carriage assembly to cause the drive pins to engage and rotate the gripping lobes.
US08006588B2 Multi-link parking brake actuation system
Systems and apparatus are provided for a parking brake assembly for actuating a parking brake in a vehicle. The parking brake assembly comprises a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a mounting location of the vehicle, a first linkage element having a first end coupled to the mounting bracket at a first pivot, and a second linkage element having a first end pivotally attached to the mounting bracket. A brake cam is coupled to the first end of the first linkage element at the first pivot. A handle mechanism is pivotally attached to a second end of the first linkage element and to the second end of the second linkage element. The handle mechanism is configured such that movement of the handle mechanism actuates the brake cam.
US08006586B2 Articulated robot wrist
An articulated robot includes a wrist carrying a flange for attachment of an apparatus to be carried by the robot. The wrist comprises a first support mounted on a robot component that is rotatable about a first axis, a second support rotatably mounted on the first support about a second axis inclined with respect to the first axis, and a third support rotatably mounted on the second support about a third axis, inclined with respect to the second axis. A first motor carried by the first support drives the rotation of the second support, and a second motor carried by the second support drives the rotation of the third support, which ends with the flange for attachment of the apparatus to be carried by the robot.
US08006585B2 Actuating cylinder for vehicle gearboxes
A vehicle transmission having a housing (5) with a region in which a connection plate (7) can be firmly attached. The connection plate includes areas for receiving at least parts of the actuating elements, which actuate the torque-transmitting components, and/or parts of the actuating elements, which actuate a transmission shifting device. At least one required actuating cylinder (3) is formed by a first cylinder part, that is located within the connection plate, and a second cylinder part, that is located within the transmission housing. A stop ring (10), provided in the cylinder (3), is configured in such a way that the sealing contact surfaces of a piston (2), in the transmission housing and/or the connection plate, are formed by a bushing-shaped expansion (10′, 10″) of the stop ring (10).
US08006573B1 Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut
An apparatus for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a setting gage configured to be received on a shaft and configured to engage a nut on the shaft. The gage includes an inner portion and an outer portion rotatable relative to each other. The inner portion includes an outer perimeter contacting an inner perimeter of the outer portion. The inner portion has an inner opening having an inner circumference mirroring a shape of the shaft and shaped to inhibit movement between the inner portion and the shaft when the shaft is received in the inner opening. The outer portion has an outer circumference comprising at least one radially projecting member configured to engage the nut to inhibit movement between the outer portion and the nut when the gage engages the nut. The inner portion includes a start position indicator on the outer perimeter and a stop position indicator on the outer perimeter. The start position indicator includes a start position for a marker of the outer portion. The stop position includes a stop position for the marker when the outer portion is rotated from the start position toward the stop position such that the marker is aligned with the stop position to achieve a desired amount of endplay of a bearing mounted to the shaft.
US08006572B2 Differential-pressure flow meter and flow-rate controller
A differential-pressure flow meter is capable of easily eliminating adhesion to an orifice of an extraneous material. The differential-pressure flow meter includes: a pair of pressure sensors provided on a straight pipe part of a main fluid channel; an orifice unit interposed between the pair of pressure sensors; a columnar orifice body provided on the main fluid channel to be detachable in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of a fluid in the main fluid channel; and an orifice hole penetrating the orifice body in the flow direction of the fluid, wherein the orifice body is rotatable at a prescribed installation position to reverse an upstream side and a downstream side with respect to the orifice hole, and flow rate measurement is performed by converting into a flow rate a difference in pressure that is obtained from two pressure values sensed respectively by the pair of pressure sensors.
US08006569B2 Magnetic flow meter
A magnetic flow meter includes a first spud end, a second spud end, and a sensing area positioned between the first spud end and the second spud end. The sensing area has a wall thickness that is thinner than a thickness of the first spud end and the second spud end. The flow meter can be manufactured via molding while a plug is positioned in at least two holes of the magnetic flow meter. The flow meter can also be manufactured to have a near hermetic seal formed by inserting a flexible printed circuit board in a slit of a gasket and then either compressing a register cup surrounding the tube gasket or driving a pin into a center pin around which the tube gasket is positioned.
US08006568B2 Fixture for mechanical analysis of a hollow tube
A test fixture for use with a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) restrains a hollow cylindrical tube for purposes of performing either a tensile or transverse/bending load test. The fixture includes a clamp that is configured to restrain the tube without imparting a preload or changing a mechanical property of the tube.
US08006561B2 Detection sensor
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can realize improvement of sensitivity of a vibrator. A platform 50 to which a substance adheres or sticks is provided to be mechanically coupled to a vibrator 20 of a sensor via bridges 51. Sensitivity of the sensor is improved by causing the mass of a substance adhering or sticking onto the platform 50 as if the substance concentratedly adheres or sticks to places where the platform 50 is connected to the vibrator 20. It is preferable to connect, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to places where the platform 50 vibrates integrally with the vibrator 20. For this purpose, it is preferable to mechanically couple, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to regions where vibration occurs only in one of an r direction or a θ direction in the vibrator 20.
US08006556B2 Sensor-based orientation system
A method for measuring positional changes of an object, including rotation about any or all of three axes, using linear accelerometers. There is disclosed a method of using a linear accelerometer to integrate two other 3D linear accelerometers in order to measure and supply for further use six-dimensional information, that is, translation in three dimensions and rotation about three axes. Two linear accelerometer sensors are used to determine all but one of the variables in the six degrees of freedom. Output from a third accelerometer generates the data need to determine a sixth, rotational, degree of freedom. The need for a gyroscope for detecting changes in heading (i.e., yaw or azimuth) may therefore be avoided.
US08006551B2 Methods and compositions for removing residues and substances from substrates using environmentally friendly solvents
Environmentally friendly solvents used to dissolve or remove residues and/or substances from substrates wherein the residue and/or substance is contacted with a Generally Recognized As Safe solvent to dissolve the residue and/or substance in the solvent followed by the extraction of the residue and/or substance from the solvent such as by contact with carbon dioxide.
US08006549B2 Device comprising a sensor and a connector
A device which comprises a sensor and/or actuator and a connector for electrically and mechanically coupling the sensor and/or actuator. The connector comprises an individual electrical conductor having a core made from a first material and having a jacket made from a second material. The first material can have a lower thermal conductivity than the second material.
US08006547B2 Sensor for a transmission-shift control, in particular of a motor vehicle
A sensor for a transmission-shift control of a motor vehicle is described. The sensor is connectable to a supply voltage (Vs) and to ground (GND). The sensor generates a signal voltage (Vout). The signal voltage (Vout) may assume two signals (high, low), both signals (high, low) being different from the supply voltage (Vs) and from ground (GND).
US08006545B2 Thermocouple data acquisition system
A method of real-time analysis of an engine, comprising sensing a temperature within a chamber of the engine with a thermocouple sensor disposed on a spark plug operating within the chamber, the thermocouple sensor generating a first signal based upon the temperature within the chamber; detecting current on a wire coupled to the sparkplug with a sensor, the sensor generating a second signal based upon current detected on the wire; converting the first and second signal into a first and second optical signal respectively utilizing one or more signal conditioners; generating a first and second digital signal based upon the first and second optical signal respectively with a receiver; and transmitting the first and second digital signal to an analysis device to generate a display of the temperature as it relates to engine speed at a first time in response to the receipt of the first and second digital signal.
US08006534B1 Wire or rod bender
A wire bender or a rod bender and more particularly a wire bender or a rod bender, adaptable to bend a variety of sizes of rod or wire to at least one desirable angle, provides a bent wire or a bent rod may be formed to use with a model, especially a model of vehicle.
US08006511B2 Water vapor distillation apparatus, method and system
A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
US08006508B2 Air conditioner for vehicles
An air conditioner for vehicles in which the probability of executing pre-air conditioning is increased so that it may be prevented that the inside of the vehicle cannot be often in a comfortable state before the driver gets into the vehicle. The air conditioner performs air conditioning of a vehicle having a traveling motor and an engine as drive sources and comprises a pre-air conditioning main switch. The crew permits operation of pre-air conditioning by turning the switch on. When the pre-air conditioning main switch is set on, an engine control section performs charge preference control where battery charge takes precedence of engine fuel consumption and performs normal control where engine fuel consumption takes precedence when the pre-air conditioning main switch is set off.
US08006507B2 System and method for secondary coolant pump control for a refrigeration system
A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of secondary coolant pump(s) in a refrigeration system having a secondary coolant system that circulates the coolant to applicable cooling loads, and a primary refrigeration system that chills the coolant in the secondary coolant system. The system and method for controlling the pumps measures the pressure of the plurality of secondary coolant fluid loops, sorts the measurements to identify a secondary coolant fluid loop with a pressure farthest from a setpoint, and adjusts pump speed to compensate for the critical loop (i.e., the secondary coolant fluid loop with a pressure furthest from the setpoint).
US08006503B2 Energy recovery system and method for a refrigerated dehumidification process
A gas compression system includes a flow of compressed gas, a separator positioned to receive the flow of compressed gas and discharge a second flow of compressed gas and a flow of condensate, and a flow of compressed refrigerant. A heat exchanger is positioned to receive the flow of condensate and the flow of compressed refrigerant. The heat exchanger is arranged such that the flow of condensate cools the flow of refrigerant.
US08006496B2 Closed loop scroll expander engine
Apparatuses and methods related to an engine for converting heat into mechanical output using a working fluid in a closed circulating system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the engine includes a pump to pressurize the working fluid, a regenerative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a first portion of the working fluid to a second portion, a heating device to heat the working fluid, and first and second scroll expanders to expand the working fluid and generate the mechanical output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08006492B2 Hydraulic steering system and method
A hydraulic steering system has a steering linkage and an actuator actuating the steering linkage. Pressurized hydraulic fluid can be fed to the actuator and removed from the actuator through a return pipe. A device installed into the return pipe counteracts volume flow pulsations by damming up the hydraulic fluid return flow. The device dams up the hydraulic fluid only in the event of an occurrence of a volume flow pulsation.
US08006491B2 Pump control apparatus for construction machine
On the basis of reference torque and torque correction amount output units (T1 and T2), a torque control command pressure is calculated so that the input torques of first and second pumps are increased. The calculated torque command instruction pressure is then supplied as external command pressure to the varying mechanism of a regulator used for the first and second pumps so as to prevent the input torques of the first and second pumps from being decreased more than necessary. As a result, even when three variable displacement hydraulic pumps are used with the discharge pressure of one of the hydraulic pumps reduced by a pressure reducing valve and further the input torques of the other two hydraulic pumps are decreased by that pressure, the engine output can be efficiently utilized, and the work rate does not decrease.
US08006472B1 Cotton picker unit drive with controllable spindle speed to drum speed ratio and belt drive
A cotton harvester row unit includes belt drive and a variable transmission to reduce noise and optimize spindle and doffer speeds of rotation while permitting spindle drum structure rotational speed to change with changes in harvester speed. In one embodiment, a variable speed motor drives the ring gear of a planetary gear set to vary the ratio of spindle and doffer speed to drum speed. The planetary gear set may be enclosed to also help reduce noise and to decrease grease consumption. Nearly constant spindle and doffer speeds may be maintained over a wide range drum rotational speeds, and the upper speeds may be limited to avoid operation above critical speeds of components. The transmission may be configured to reduce or completely eliminates gear meshing off of the drum centerline to thereby reduce row unit manufacture precision, and a relatively low power motor may be used to adjust the ratio of spindle and doffer speed to drum speed.
US08006468B2 Container filling machine having vibration trays
A container-filling machine for placing discrete articles within at least one container. The container filling machine comprises at least one vibration tray comprising a discrete article receiving end, a discrete article drop-off end and a plurality of channels extending from the discrete article receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end. Each channel includes two discrete article receiving paths at the discrete article receiving end. The two discrete article receiving paths combine into a single discrete article-depositing path in proximity to the discrete article drop-off end. The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels. The container filling machine further comprises a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray. The plurality of sloped paths leading the discrete articles towards the at least one container.
US08006458B1 Flooring material comprising board shaped floor elements which are joined vertically by means of separate assembly profiles
Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor boards (1), which floor boards (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with a groove (2′), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The floor boards (1) are intended to be joined by means of separate joining profiles (10). All edges (2) are provided with one groove (4) each, which grooves (4) are arranged parallel to its respective edge (2). The joining profiles (10) are provided with lips (11) arranged in pairs, which lips (11) each are intended to be received by the groove (4) of a floor board (1) guiding and fixing adjacent floor boards (1) horizontally. The joining profile (10) is provided with a central cheek section (13) which is comprised by a first and a second independently resilient cheek (13′ and 13″ respectively). The cheek (13′ and 13″ respectively) are provided with one tongue (14′ and 14″ respectively) each whereby the tongues (14′ and 14″ respectively) are intended to be received by one groove (2′) each so that adjacent floor boards (1) are guided in a vertical direction.
US08006449B2 Drain support plate/under-deck clamp
A drain support plate for mounting and securing a drain assembly to a deck in a building structure.
US08006447B2 Fire-resistant foam, construction elements therefrom, system for fire-tight sealing of an opening, and method for sealing an opening in a wall
The invention relates to a fire resistant material based on an elastomeric foam. The invention further comprises a system for sealing off, at least during a fire taking place adjacent the wall, in an at least virtually entirely fire-tight manner, an open extending through that wall through which a transporting device comprising for instance a cable, duct or pipe has been fed, the system being provided with elements manufactured from a fire resistant material which expands under the influence of temperature increase. In addition, the invention extends to a wall in which such a system has been incorporated and a method for scaling off an opening extending through a wall through which at least one transporting device such as a cable, duct or pipe has been fed.
US08006446B2 CO2-sequestering formed building materials
CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.
US08006443B2 Interlocking modular floor tile
An interlocking, modular floor tile that comprises a planar member defined by a perimeter having four sides and a top surface, a plurality of downwardly projecting support legs of common length dispersed pattern-wise inside the perimeter of the planar member and coupled with the top surface, and at least one female interlocking connector element that extends outside the perimeter of the planar member for receiving a support leg of a like tile and thereby forming an interlock with the like tile.
US08006438B2 Non clogging screen
A filter assembly includes a filtering screen having a top surface and a bottom surface. A skeletal structure is attached to the filtering screen and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the filtering screen contacts the top surface of the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure forms a plurality of downward extending channels.
US08006436B2 Sliding door interlocking system
A pair of interlocking bi-parting sliding doors includes a first sliding door and a second sliding door, wherein the first sliding door has a first meeting stile that includes a first side portion for maintaining a door glass panel and a first mating side portion for engaging the second sliding door, wherein the first mating side portion includes a plurality of recessed zones, and wherein the second sliding door has a second meeting stile that includes a second side portion for maintaining a door glass panel and a second mating side portion for engaging the first mating side portion of the first sliding door, wherein the second mating side portion includes a plurality of extensions, wherein when the first sliding door and the second sliding door are in a closed position, the plurality of extensions interlock with the plurality of recessed zones.
US08006417B2 Tube-like advertising device that is fixed between two structural members and includes a clear outer member
An advertising device, where one exemplary use is as a “stripper pole” having associated ad material. The ad material can be placed inside a portion of the pole and be visible through a protective cover, and be dynamic. Additionally, the stripper pole may be in a variety of sizes and shapes and may include lighting, rotating mechanisms, engraving and suspended objects. The advertising device includes a connecting element that attaches to at least one end, and optionally between two ends, with a gap between an inner element and an outer element where advertising material can be placed in the gap.
US08006410B2 Shoe, particularly sport or leisure shoe
The invention relates to a shoe, especially for sport or leisure, comprising an upper, a sole and a lacing device having at least one clamping strip passing through a space arranged at the level of the sole and a clamping element. The clamping element is attached, on the one hand, to a first end of the clamping strip and, on the other hand, to a holding zone placed at the rear of the shoe. The second end of the clamping strip, passing through the clamping element comprises an attachment device on the upper, allowing the fixing of the strip. Cooperation exists between the clamping strip, the clamping element and the holding zone causing tensing of the upper at the level of the instep and the articulation above the heel.
US08006403B2 Edge detect system
An edge detect system, using a torch height control system based on the use of a free floating probe in contact with the workpiece, uses a drop in pressurized air supplied to the probe tip in contact with the workpiece when the probe moves off the plate edge to generate a signal that prevents the torch from following the free floating probe downwardly and thereby prevents the cutting tool from crashing into the workpiece.
US08006402B2 Shape measuring apparatus and shape measuring method
A moving vector calculation unit calculates a moving vector M representing a quantity and a direction of movement of a probe on basis of a stylus displacement vector, a stylus displacement vector D, and a direction change angle θ of the stylus displacement vector D that is caused by a frictional force between a stylus 32 and the measuring surface 5a during scanning of the measuring surface 5a by the stylus 32. The stylus displacement vector D is a vector including a quantity and a direction of position displacement of the stylus 32 relative to the probe 5. Movement of an XY-stage 7 is controlled so that the probe 6 moves in accordance with the moving vector M.
US08006397B2 Remote leveling and positioning system and method
Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for remote leveling and positioning. An embodiment includes a leveling device assembly. Another embodiment provides a system including a leveling device assembly and a plurality of audio devices. Further embodiments provide for systems having a plurality of leveling device assemblies.
US08006395B2 Multi-spot adjustable reflex bow and subsonic weapon sight
A bow sight that utilizes fiber optic wave guides as a basis for collecting ambient light and providing multiple sighting spots within the archer's field of view. The terminal ends of the fiber optic wave guides are positioned so as to have images thereof reflected on a moveable reflective plane (objective optic) within the bow sight. The multiple aiming spots thus reflected in the bow sight provide the archer with sighting spots for targets over a range of distances. A fixed angular reference indicator facilitates side to side (rotational) alignment. Each of the individual fiber optic wave guides collects ambient light and terminates in a terminal block that may be varied in its position so as to individually adjust the reflected image of the aiming spot. Various mechanisms within the fiber optic terminal block for adjusting the position of the ambient light wave guide are also described. The bow sight provides the advantages of multispot ambient light fiber optic systems with the advantages of reflective (reflex) sighting systems.
US08006380B2 Method of replacing damaged aerofoil
A method of replacing a damaged blade (12A) of an integrally bladed rotor assembly (10) including a disc (14) and a plurality of blades (12) extending outwardly from the disc (14) includes the steps of; removing the damaged blade (12A) to leave a blade stub (16) projecting from the disc (14); depositing a collar (22) of metal around the blade stub (16) at a position physically separated from the disc (14); attaching a replacement blade (12B) to the stub (16) by linear friction welding; and removing the collar (22). A body (20) of a material may be deposited between the disc (14) and the collar (22) to protect the disc (14) from damage.
US08006375B2 Apparatus for equalizing voltage across an electrical lighting system
An apparatus for equalizing voltage across an electrical lighting system, particularly in low voltage landscape lighting systems. The apparatus consists of a plastic cylinder having open ends and containing two or more connectors for connecting a homerun wire from a transformer to wire leads from the various light fixtures in the lighting system. The wire leads are of uniform length to ensure that each light fixture is ecu distant from the transformer.
US08006362B2 Method and apparatus for installing fasteners
Apparatus for installing fasteners in a workpiece is mounted for computer controlled movement over the workpiece surface. The apparatus includes all of the tools, fasteners, drives and controls on-board that are needed to operate autonomously, without external connections. The apparatus may also include an on-board power supply for powering the tools, drives and controls. A supply of fasteners is held in an on-board replaceable cassette. An on-board fastener transferring device transfers individual fasteners from the cassette to the tools.
US08006360B2 Method for manufacturing enhanced foam thermoplastic products
By providing a unique product enhancing step which enables any desired section, portion, or element of a product being produced to be treated in a manner to provide desired enhanced physical, structural, and/or aesthetics characteristics, a new, fully integrated enhanced foam manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product, with each product incorporating any desired area or zone being formed with a particular physical, structural, and/or aesthetic property, characteristic, or enhancement. In addition, in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity, with a specific physical, structural, or aesthetic property incorporated therein.
US08006347B2 Hinge
A hinge includes a shaft, a bracket, two washers, a resilient member assembly mating with the pole, and a fastener. The shaft includes a pole. The bracket includes a knuckle portion. The washers are mounted on the pole. The fastener is engaging with the pole and exerting force against the washers, and the resilient member assembly.
US08006346B2 Automatically opening hinge assembly for portable electronic devices
A hinge assembly includes a cam (13), a follower (14), a first spring (12), a control member (17) and a second spring (16). The cam has a first cam surface (135) and a second cam surface (136). The follower has a third cam surface (141) engaging with the first cam surface. The first spring provides an elastic force causing the cam surface of the cam and the third cam surface of the follower to resist each other. The control member has a fourth cam surface engaging with the second cam surface of the cam. The second spring is positioned between the control member and the follower. The control member is movable to push the cam to rotate to realize the first cam surface of the cam to rotate relative to the third cam surface of the follower.
US08006345B1 Hinge for adjoining rods
Rod segments can be adjoined with a simple hinge. Various embodiments of hinges include locking, non-locking, spring biased open or closed, and aligned rod segments or non-aligned rod segments.
US08006335B1 Post retinal operation pillow
The post-retinal operation pillow is comprised of a cylindrical top and a slightly angled base of which a plurality of vents extend therefrom. The slightly angled base has an opening that aligns with the open inner circle of the cylindrical top. The post retinal operation pillow may be of single construction or a plurality of pieces. The post retinal operation pillow provides enhanced comfort to those individuals that are required to maintain a horizontal position of their head after an operation involving the retina or eye.
US08006331B1 Active mattress spinner
A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. A levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly.
US08006321B2 Disposable women's panty
A disposable, substantially non-absorbent undergarment has a crotch region in combination with, and onto which a sanitary napkin or panty liner member is attached. Upraised side ridges bounding the crotch region of the panty both eliminate leakage, without adding to bulk of the undergarment, and present a defined area where at least one panty liner unit of the panty liner member is attached.
US08006318B2 Neck warmer
The neck warmer includes a collar fabricated from warm, soft material and having free ends provided with hook and loop fasteners to allow the collar to be fastened closely around a wearer's neck. The collar has a slight V-shape at its front. Ornamental pieces can be optionally attached to the front of the collar to create a desired fashionable effect.
US08011011B2 Method and apparatus for processing data
A data processing apparatus for processing and protecting data stored in a removable storage medium, including a medium monitoring unit configured to monitor the state of the removable storage medium, an information storage unit configured to store information, and a controller configured to move the data from the removable storage medium to the information storage unit in accordance with the monitoring result of the medium monitoring unit.
US08011010B2 Using antimalware technologies to perform offline scanning of virtual machine images
Methods and systems for scanning a virtual machine image. The virtual machine image may be stored as a collection of one or more virtual hard disk files. The virtual machine image may be stored by taking the virtual machine off-line or may be stored by taking a checkpoint of the virtual machine while the virtual machine is on-line. The virtual machine image is rendered to file-system data. Rendering the virtual machine image to file-system data may comprise mounting the virtual machine image's virtual hard disk drives. An anti-malware engine is invoked to scan the exposed file-system data, and data indicative of the scanning may be stored.
US08011006B2 Access controller and access control method
An access controller controls access to control target resources by a program. The access controller includes a function access detection unit and a resource access control unit. The function access detection unit detects loading of a control target function from the program and generates identification information to specify an access request issued from the detected control target function. The resource access control unit obtains a request of accessing the control target resources from the program and determines permission of the access request based on the identification information.
US08011001B2 Method for managing security in a mobile communication system using proxy mobile internet protocol and system thereof
A security management method in a mobile communication system supporting Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol (IP). In the security management method, a Mobile Node (MN), a Serving Packet Data Service Node (S-PDSN), and an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server generate a security key of the Proxy Mobile IP. Upon receipt of information for authentication of a security key from the MN, the S-PDSN sends an access request message to the AAA server and receives information for verification of the security key. The S-PDSN sends a first message for requesting verification of the security-related key to a Home Agent (HA). The HA verifies the security-related key through the AAA server and sends a second message to the S-PDSN when the security-related key is verified. The S-PDSN sends a message indicating initiation of the Proxy Mobile IP, to the MN.
US08010994B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for providing communication access to a communication device at a network access port
Apparatus, and an associated method, for selectably providing access to a communication device connected to a network access port in a communication network. When a communication device is connected at the access port, its connection is detected by a detector. A determiner determines whether the communication device is 802.1x capable. If the device is non-802.1x capable, the device is assigned to a selected, non-secure VLAN by way of which to communicate.
US08010990B2 Acceleration of packet flow classification in a virtualized system
A computer system having a plurality of virtual machines is provided. Each virtual machine in the computer system has an associated policy (rules) database and database (policy table) for storing rules and a database lookup associated with the policy database. One policy database/database lookup pair per virtual machine allows each virtual machine to have a different set of packet processing rules and security policies for handling the same key. In addition, the policy database associated with one virtual machine may be updated and the database lookup associated with the policy database re-generated independently without requiring any update of the policy database lookups associated with any of the other policy databases in the computer system.
US08010989B2 System and method for configuring devices for secure operations
Systems and methods for establishing a security-related mode of operation for computing devices. A security-related mode of operation is established through security mode configuration data. The security mode configuration data specifies the proper security mode or modes for operation of the computing devices.
US08010979B2 Electronic program guide using markup language
An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility.
US08010978B2 Method and apparatus for providing personalized advertisements in internet protocol TV (IPTV) system
Provided are an apparatus and method for providing an advertisement service personalized for each user or for each group. The personalized advertisement providing method includes: a personalized advertisement providing method which is used in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) System, including: receiving at least one broadcasting program of a plurality of broadcasting programs classified according to a plurality of channels; and determining whether a present time is an advertisement broadcasting time, transmitting a received broadcasting program to a plurality of user terminals which selects a channel on which the broadcasting program is provided if the present time is not an advertisement broadcasting time, dividing the plurality of user terminals into a plurality of groups and transmitting an advertisement classified for each group to one or more user terminals belonging to the group if the present time is an advertisement broadcasting time. Therefore, it is possible to enhance use efficiency of bandwidths, to reduce restrictions related to installation, etc. of an apparatus for providing advertisement services, and to reduce the number of apparatuses that have to be installed, resulting in reduction of costs.
US08010975B2 Disc cartridge and photon mode optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
A disc cartridge accommodating a photon mode optical information recording medium is provided with a disc case having an opening section, and a shutter movably disposed between a closing position to close the opening section and an opening position to open the opening section. The disc case includes a light path bending portion for bending a clearance between the shutter at the closing position and the disc case at least at two points. Stray light propagating in the clearance between the disc case and the shutter is bent at least at two points.
US08010969B2 Mechanism for monitoring instruction set based thread execution on a plurality of instruction sequencers
A technique to monitor software thread performance and update software that issues or uses the thread(s) to reduce performance-inhibiting events. At least one embodiment of the invention uses hardware and/or software timers or counters to monitor various events associated with executing user-level threads and report these events back to a user-level software program, which can use the information to avoid or at least reduce performance-inhibiting events associated with the user-level threads.
US08010968B2 Method and system for dynamic configuration of interceptors in a client-server environment
A computer implemented method/system of creating and managing one or more interceptors. The method comprises the steps of intrinsically chaining the interceptors, and storing state information, in at least one of the chained interceptors, directed to a reference to the next interceptor. A server computer in a client-sever environment that includes a processor configured to generate one or more interceptors and to intrinsically chain the interceptors, and a memory associated with at least one of the chained interceptors and configured to store state information directed to a reference to the next interceptor thereof. The method/system, in various embodiments, includes dissimilar interceptors, callbacks, and flyweight pattern weighting.
US08010967B2 Method and system for dynamic configuration of interceptors in a client-server environment
A computer implemented method/system of creating and managing one or more interceptors. The method comprises the steps of intrinsically chaining the interceptors, and storing state information, in at least one of the chained interceptors, directed to a reference to the next interceptor. A server computer in a client-sever environment that includes a processor configured to generate one or more interceptors and to intrinsically chain the interceptors, and a memory associated with at least one of the chained interceptors and configured to store state information directed to a reference to the next interceptor thereof. The method/system, in various embodiments, includes dissimilar interceptors, callbacks, and flyweight pattern weighting.
US08010961B1 Data layer prioritization in an application layered system
The inventions relate generally to layered computing systems that provide public access to the content of the layers. Also disclosed herein are prioritization schemes usable in a layered computing system, including prioritization by layer type, by assigned priority weights, by access type, by sub-layers and by read-write indicators. Processes may further be associated to layers from which they originate, and priority given to associated layers thereby. Association may also be provided for installer services, thereby depositing an applications updates into its layer. Layers may also contain file reference information including exclusion or inclusion entries indicating what files may be written thereto. Paths recorded in layers may also embed variables to true paths on a layered system. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US08010960B2 System and method for providing a software installation or removal status display
A method includes initiating an installation of software on a device or a removal of software from the device. The installation or removal of the software involves a plurality of installers capable of installing software components on or removing the software components from the device. The method also includes presenting a status panel associated with the installation or removal of the software to a user. The status panel identifies a plurality of operations associated with the installation or removal of the software and a status of each of the operations. The plurality of operations is associated with at least two different installers. The status panel includes at least one indicator that repeatedly changes to indicate that the installation or removal of the software is progressing.
US08010958B2 Data processing apparatus, program managing apparatus, control program updating method, program managing method, program managing system, updating program, and recording medium
The object is to provide a data processing apparatus, a program managing apparatus, a program managing system, etc., capable of securely and efficiently updating and managing a control program in the data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus analyzes received data and when program updating data sent from a superior rank apparatus is acquired, temporarily stores program data for updating out of such data in a storage device. Upon occurrence of an event of a program updating request, the data processing apparatus executes updating processing based on the updating program data stored in the storage device and, after completion of the program updating, gives a notice of updating completion to the superior rank apparatus and again waits for the event. Timing of the program updating request is set later than that of the program updating data being sent from the superior rank apparatus.
US08010956B1 Control transfer table structuring
It has been discovered that a control transfer table can be structured to reduce the overhead resulting from its use (e.g., misses from accessing the control transfer table). Entries of a control transfer table (e.g., a jump table or a procedure linkage table) can be organized in accordance with their respective use frequencies, as well as other parameters. For example, entries can be organized in a manner that would group the most frequently used entries, thus facilitating their contemporaneous availability in a memory (e.g., cache). The use frequencies may be determined from profile information for a code that references the control transfer table.
US08010954B2 Parallel programming interface to dynamically allocate program portions
A computing device-implemented method includes receiving a program created by a technical computing environment, analyzing the program, generating multiple program portions based on the analysis of the program, dynamically allocating the multiple program portions to multiple software units of execution for parallel programming, receiving multiple results associated with the multiple program portions from the multiple software units of execution, and providing the multiple results or a single result to the program.
US08010952B2 Method and apparatus for configuration syntax and semantic validation
Syntax and semantic validation of network commands use a command database that has been learned automatically for validation of the syntax and the semantics of command line interface commands by interpreting the network commands as the network commands are entered to identify syntax errors or semantic errors before applying the same commands on a device of interest.
US08010945B1 Vector data types with swizzling and write masking for C++
One embodiment of the invention includes a method for extending an object-oriented programming language to include support for a shading language vector data type. The method generally includes defining a template class for a shading language vector, defining a template class for a swizzled vector, and partially specializing the vector template class for vectors of one, two, three, and four elements. The partial specialization includes a union of instances of the vector swizzle template, where each instance represents a desired vector swizzle. In addition to defining the vector and vector swizzle data types, the templates classes may overload operators provided by the object-oriented programming language to perform operations corresponding to operations of the operators in the shading language.
US08010938B2 Computer method and system for pattern specification using meta-model of a target domain
Computer method and apparatus for providing pattern specification especially in computer software program modeling is disclosed. The invention method and apparatus defines patterns as a meta-class in a target domain. Each pattern has one or more pattern roles. The method and apparatus defines pattern roles as meta-properties and specifies one or more constraints between pattern roles in the context of the pattern meta-class. One or more connectors are used between meta-properties to represent relationships between pattern roles. One or more associations are used for representing high level relationships between pattern roles in a manner simplifying pattern specification.
US08010931B1 Tool for a configurable integrated circuit that uses determination of dynamic power consumption
A configurable logic tool that allows minimization of dynamic power within an FPGA design without changing user-entered specifications. The minimization of power may use minimized clock nets as a first order operation, and a second order operation that minimizes other factors, such as area of placement, area of clocks and/or slack.
US08010928B1 Automatically routing nets according to parasitic constraint rules
A system of automatically routing interconnect of a integrated circuit design while taking into consideration the parasitic issues of the wiring as it is created. The system will be able to select an appropriate wiring pattern so that signals meet their performance requirements.
US08010926B2 Clock power minimization with regular physical placement of clock repeater components
Power, routability and electromigration have become crucial issues in modern microprocessor designs. In high performance designs, clocks are the highest consumer of power. Arranging clocking components with regularity so as to minimize the capacitance on the clock nets can help reduce clock power, however, it may hurt performance due to some loss of flexibility in physically placing those components. The present invention provides techniques to optimally place clock components in a regular fashion so as to minimize clock power within a performance constraint. A rectangular grid is created and clock distribution structures are assigned to the grid intersection points. Latches are then located around the clock distribution structures to minimize an overall distance for connections between the latches and respective clock distribution structures. The horizontal and vertical pitches of the grid may be independently adjusted to achieve a more uniform spread of the clock distribution structures.
US08010923B1 Latch based optimization during implementation of circuit designs for programmable logic devices
A computer-implemented method of implementing a circuit design within a programmable logic device can include selecting at least one circuit element of the circuit design. The selected circuit element can be converted to a latch. A timing analysis can be performed upon the circuit design after conversion of the selected circuit element to a latch. A determination can be made as to whether the timing of the circuit design improves and the conversion of the selected circuit element to a latch can be accepted when the timing of the circuit design improves. The circuit design can be output.
US08010909B1 Derived hierarchy methods and system for definition, visualization and editing of data
A method, system, and program product for creating a logical hierarchy for visualization and editing of data stored in a relational database. A plurality of data entities and relationships are first determined. A plurality of information on the structure of the relational database is maintained within a schema of control tables. A hierarchy path to impose on the relational database is defined interactively. A hierarchical visualization of data in the relational database is then presented on a user interface using the defined hierarchy path. Editing of the logical hierarchy presented on the user interface automatically edits data stored in the relational database.
US08010902B2 Method and system for tracking social capital
In general, the invention relates to a method for tracking social capital. The method includes monitoring interactions with a first shared content provider based on a first number of equity changing activities, where the interactions with the first shared content provider are associated with a user. The method further includes monitoring interactions with a second shared content provider based a second number of equity changing activities, where the interactions with the second shared content provider are associated with the user. The method further includes determining a personal equity for the user based on the interactions with the first shared content provider and the interactions with the second shared content provider and publishing the personal equity to the first shared content provider, where content contributed by the user to the first shared content provider is rated based on the personal equity.
US08010895B2 Method for correcting typing errors according to character layout positions on a keyboard
A method for correcting typing errors according to character layout positions on a keyboard which consists of depressing responsive touch panels to do character entry to correct typing errors caused by mistakenly hitting a neighboring key of a targeted character due to a swerved typing position includes at least the steps of: (1) corresponding a character; (2) calculating a swerved amount; (3) selecting a prepared character; (4) determining whether input is finished; (5) judging rules; (6) getting the prepared character; and (7) switching the character. Through this method input accuracy can be improved and input characters can be automatically amended as desired.
US08010894B2 Memory optimizing for re-ordering user edits
The subject invention can track and apply user edits to a source document as a sequence of changes. The changes can be applied in a document or spatial order irrespective of temporal factors. The invention can maintain intervals that represent user operations (e.g., insertions, deletions, zero-net-length changes). As well, the invention can infer a location in the original document that corresponds to a particular operation. In accordance therewith, the invention can arrange temporally sequenced user document modifications into an order consistent with the layout of the document file encoding. This functionality of mapping re-sequenced changes into the original document data representation is one novel feature of the invention. The invention can enable portions of the source document loaded into memory on an as-needed basis whereby changes relevant to the instant portion can be made.
US08010888B2 Producing input to a transformation engine
Input to a transformation engine is produced, responsive to a client computer providing a data access service (DAS) computer with XML data for transformation, by creating a graph shell and XML store for the XML data, determining if the graph has a store; and, if so, requesting an empty TrAX result; requesting to fill the empty TrAX result using TrAX source, and requesting a store parser for events related to the XML store; while avoiding wrapping by the TrAX DAS of a graph shell with TrAX source, requesting by a TrAX source of a graph for one or more nodes, requesting by a graph from a store for one or more nodes, parsing of a buffer by a store, returning events from a store to a graph, building of a graph by the same graph, returning nodes from a graph to a TrAX source; and building events by a TrAX source.
US08010886B2 Intelligently representing files in a view
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and media for intelligently presenting representations of files. The method can include determining a set of files for which information about them is to be rendered in a window of a graphical user interface even when not all of the files are the same type, conditioning a format of each representation based on a type of each file, selecting for each representation a set of file properties to be presented (the selection being based on the type of each file), and presenting the set of representations consistent with the formats and with appropriate file properties.
US08010885B2 Differential dynamic content delivery with a presenter-alterable session copy of a user profile
Differential dynamic content delivery with a presenter alterable session copy of a user profile. Typical embodiments include providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; providing a session copy of a user profile including a user classification; receiving, from a presenter, a user classification instruction to change a user classification in the session copy of a user profile; changing the user classification in the session copy of a user profile in dependence upon the presenter's instruction; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon a user classification in the session copy of a user profile of a user in the presentation; and presenting the selected structural element to the user.
US08010883B1 Read channel detector for noise cancellation
A detector includes a Viterbi module that generates a first preliminary data estimate signal and a second preliminary data estimate signal based on a received data signal. A first loop generates a first error signal based on said first preliminary data estimate signal. A second loop generates a second error signal based on the second preliminary data estimate signal.
US08010873B2 Systems and methods for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory
A system and method for efficient uncorrectable error detection in flash memory is described. A microcontroller including a non-volatile flash memory utilizes an Error Correction Code (ECC) having a certain error detection and correction bit strength. The user data is first processed by a hash function and hash data is stored with the user data. Then, the user data and hash data are processed by the ECC system. In detection, the hash ensures that a relatively low bit-strength ECC system did not incorrectly manipulate the user data. Such a hash integrity check provides an efficient, robust detection of incorrectly corrected user data resulting from errors beyond the correction but strength of the ECC system utilized.
US08010859B2 Data transmitting and receiving system
A system having a transmission unit transmitting an output data signal formed from output data and related error detection code and a corresponding receiving unit. The output data signal is pre-emphasized by a pre-emphasis driver in the transmission unit. The receiving unit includes an equalizer equalizing the received output data signal and an error detector analyzing the error detection code to determine whether a bit error is present in the received data. Upon successive data transmission failures either an equalization coefficient in the equalizer or a pre-emphasis coefficient in the pre-emphasis driver are changed.
US08010857B2 Input/output boundary cells and output data summing scan cell
Scan testing of plural target electrical circuits, such as circuits 1 through N, becomes accelerated by using the scan test response data output from one circuit, such as circuit 1, as the scan test stimulus data for another circuit, such as circuit 2. After reset, a scan path captures the output response data from the reset stimulus from all circuits. A tester then shifts the captured data only the length of the first circuit's scan path while loading the first circuit's scan path with new test stimulus data. The new response data from all the circuits then is captured in the scan path. This shift and capture cycle is repeated until the first circuit is tested. The first circuit is then disabled and any remaining stimulus data is applied to the second circuit. This process is repeated until all the circuits are tested. A data retaining boundary scan cell used in the scan testing connects the output of an additional multiplexer as the input to a boundary cell. The inputs of the additional multiplexer connect to the data input and data output of the boundary cell.
US08010856B2 Methods for analyzing scan chains, and for determining numbers or locations of hold time faults in scan chains
In a method for determining a number of possible hold time faults in a scan chain of a DUT, an environmental variable of the scan chain is set to a value believed to cause a hold time fault in the scan chain, and then a pattern is shifted through the scan chain. The pattern has a background pattern of at least n contiguous bits of a first logic state, followed by at least one bit of a second logic state, where n is a length of the scan chain. The number of possible hold time faults in the scan chain can be determined as a difference between i) a clock cycle when the at least one bit is expected to cause a transition at an output of the scan chain, and ii) a clock cycle when the at least one bit actually causes a transition at the output of the scan chain. If a value of the environmental variable at which the scan chain operates correctly can be determined, the location of one or more hold time faults can also be determined.
US08010843B2 System and method for debugging a target computer using SMBus
Methods and systems for debugging a software program, such as BIOS is provided. The methods and systems make use of a debugger application executing on a host computer and configured to communicate with a debugger module executing on a target computer via serial/parallel/USB port of host computer, an adapter and the SMBus of the target computer.
US08010838B2 Hardware recovery responsive to concurrent maintenance
Disclosed is a computer implemented method, data processing system, and apparatus to respond to detection of a hardware interface error on a system bus, for example, during a concurrent maintenance operation. The service processor may receive an error on the system bus. The error identifies at least one field replaceable unit and may inhibit the suppression of clock signal to the field replaceable unit. The service processor adds an identifier of the field replaceable unit to an eligible Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) list. The service processor recursively adds at least one field replaceable unit that the field replaceable unit depends upon. The service processor suppresses the clock signal to the field replaceable unit. The service processor inhibits tagging the field replaceable unit as unusable for next initial program load.
US08010837B2 Storage sub system and data restoration method thereof
This storage system includes a first storage sub system having a first logical volume where a first data area is dynamically allocated to each prescribed area, and which stores data transmitted from a host computer in the first data area, and a second storage sub system having a second data area for backing up the first logical volume; wherein the first storage sub system includes: a first management unit for managing the status of the first data area allocated to each of the areas of the first logical volume; a transfer unit for transferring the data stored in the first data area allocated to each of the areas of the first logical volume to the second storage sub system; and a restoration unit for restoring the first logical volume based on the status of the first data area managed by the first management unit and/or the data transferred from the second storage sub system.
US08010836B2 Storage configuration recovery method and storage management system
When failure occurs in a virtualization apparatus in storage network circumstances in which the virtualization apparatus is operated, a storage management server judges volume position information, cache configuration information and pair configuration information which are configuration information of the virtualization apparatus and external storage collectively to decide candidates of recovery methods of volume and candidates of recovery methods of data in the volume, so that construction of a physical volume and a pair and recovery of data are performed and an access path is then changed to the recovered physical primary volume. Consequently, change to the system configuration in which operation is performed without passing through the virtualization apparatus can be made in a short time and continuous operation can be attained.
US08010834B2 Failure information monitoring apparatus and failure information monitoring method
According to an aspect of the embodiment, an area control unit refers to usage information of an area management table based on a determined type of an extracted failure information, determines whether the extracted failure information can be stored in a identified lower storage areas, determines a storage location for the extracted failure information in the identified lower storage areas when the extracted failure information can be stored in the identified lower storage areas, and determines a storage location for the extracted failure information in the upper storage areas other than an upper storage area including the identified lower storage areas based on the area management table when the extracted failure information cannot be stored in the identified lower storage areas.
US08010826B2 Reconfigurable circuit with redundant reconfigurable cluster(s)
Reconfigurable circuits, methods, and systems with reconfigurable interconnect devices, clusters of reconfigurable logic devices, and a programming interface configured to receive configuration data to configure a first combination of the reconfigurable interconnect and logic devices to implement a circuit, and to remap a portion of the received configuration data, corresponding to a defective cluster, from the defective cluster to another non-defective cluster of the plurality of clusters to configure a second combination of the reconfigurable interconnect and logic devices to implement the circuit.
US08010825B2 Jitter reduction circuit
A jitter reduction circuit includes a signal line transmitting a first signal and having a plurality of sections, and a plurality of delay lines transmitting a second signal and provided in one-to-one correspondence to the sections of the signal line, wherein the plurality of delay lines is configured such that a delay of the second signal on a given one of the delay lines is set to a first delay in response to a first level of the first signal in a corresponding one of the sections, and is set to a second delay in response to a second level of the first signal in the corresponding one of the sections.
US08010820B1 Controlling multiple-radio wireless communication access points when using power over Ethernet
An access point coupled to an Ethernet port detects whether it is using power over Ethernet, and if so, adjusts its operation to maintain its power requirements within those capable of being supplied by power over Ethernet. The access point might include a detector capable of determining if external power is available, or if that access point is operating using power over Ethernet. If the access point is operating using power over Ethernet, it adjusts the operation of its radios, gracefully degrading those radios from (first) both radios operating in 3x3 mode, to (second) a first radio operating in 3x3 mode and a second radio operating in 2x2 mode, to (third) both radios operating in 2x2 mode. The power adaptation circuit may also throttle clock speeds in the system (processor or peripherals), or shut down or idle various peripherals to lower power consumption for the duration consumption is high.
US08010807B2 Random bit mask generation for obscuring data on nonvolatile memory device
A method and apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to information temporarily stored in memory, such as a hard disk drive, associated with a digital document processor, such as a digital copier, printer, or facsimile machine. This invention includes storing information to memory, conducting an operation on the information, and automatically overwriting the information one or more times with a bit mask. Bit masks may be non-random or random sequences of binary values.
US08010803B2 Methods and apparatus for automated export compliance
A system and method for determining export requirements for a content file may include examining a content file to identify content used by or included in the content file that is subject to export control, determining, in response to the identified content, export requirements that are applicable to the content file, and providing an indication of the determined export requirements.
US08010793B2 Data communication method and system
A data communication method for forwarding a session control message designating a destination server with an IP address to the destination server via a session management server, wherein, when an application program or encrypted communication software on a client issues a connection request designating a destination server with an IP address, the client or the session management server automatically converts the IP address into a desired resource identifier identifiable a domain, thereby to determine the domain to which the received connection request message should be forwarded.
US08010791B2 Database system and method for encryption and protection of confidential information
A database system for encryption and protection of confidential data is provided. The database system includes a data source system receiving confidential data and first associated data. A secure data network interface system is connected to the data source system over an open network, the data network interface system receives the confidential data and the first associated data from the data source system and further comprises a secure data storage system coupled to the data network interface system and isolated from the open network, a data encryption system generating a unique encrypted identifier for the confidential data, and a data association system associating the confidential data with the unique encrypted identifier and storing the confidential data, the first associated data and the unique encrypted identifier in the secure data storage system.
US08010786B1 Systems and methods for managing digital certificate based communications
A system for providing interoperability between PKI networks is provided in which a identity management server converts PKI requests received in a client-specific format into a generic format, identifies an appropriate certificate authority for handling the request, converts the request into a format specific to the format used by the identified certificate authority, and forwards the request to the identified certificate authority for processing.
US08010778B2 Apparatus and methods for negotiating a capability in establishing a peer-to-peer communication link
Apparatus and method to negotiate parameters of a policy in establishment of a peer-to-peer link are described herein. In an embodiment, a security policy is negotiated in establishment of a peer-to-peer link in a wireless mesh network.
US08010764B2 Method and system for decreasing power consumption in memory arrays having usage-driven power management
A method and system for decreasing power consumption in memory arrays having usage-driven power management provides decreased power consumption in the memory array of a processing system. Per-page usage information is gathered on memory by a memory controller and periodically evaluated by software. The software distinguishes between more frequently accessed pages and less frequently accessed pages by analyzing the gathered usage information and periodically migrates physical memory pages in order to group less frequently accessed pages and more frequently access pages in separately power-managed memory ranks. When used in conjunction with a usage-driven power management mechanism, the ranks containing the less frequently accessed pages can enter deeper power-saving states and/or any power-saving state for longer periods. Operation may be further enhanced by using packed allocation in the memory ranks containing the less-frequently accessed pages and scattered allocation in the memory ranks having more frequently accessed pages.
US08010762B2 System and method for controlling access to a memory device of an electronic device
The invention relates to a system and method for controlling implementation of a command to a NAND memory device. The method comprises: monitoring an input/output (I/O) bus connected to the NAND memory device for an assertion of a write command for the NAND memory device. Upon detection of the write command, the method evaluates a destination address associated with the write command. If the destination address is not a restricted address for the NAND memory device, then the method allows the write command to modify the contents; and if the destination address is a restricted address for the NAND memory device, then the method prevents assertion of the write command on the contents.
US08010758B1 System and method for performing secondary site synchronization based on a single change map
Various methods and systems for synchronizing replicas using a single change map are disclosed. One method involves detecting a write to a first region of a volume, while synchronization of the volume with a replica volume is ongoing. If the first region is unsynchronized with respect to a corresponding region of the replica volume, replication of the write is inhibited. Otherwise, the write is replicated. Writes for which replication is inhibited will be applied to the replica volume at a later time as part of the ongoing synchronization.
US08010750B2 Network on chip that maintains cache coherency with invalidate commands
A network on chip (‘NOC’) including integrated processor (‘IP’) blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controller, wherein the memory communications controller configured to execute a memory access instruction and configured to determine a state of a cache line addressed by the memory access instruction, the state of the cache line being one of shared, exclusive, or invalid; the memory communications controller configured to broadcast an invalidate command to a plurality of IP blocks of the NOC if the state of the cache line is shared; and the memory communications controller configured to transmit an invalidate command only to an IP block that controls a cache where the cache line is stored if the state of the cache line is exclusive.
US08010747B2 Method for tracking of non-resident pages
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for efficiently tracking evicted or non-resident pages. For each non-resident page, a first hash value is generated from the page's metadata, such as the page's mapping and offset parameters. This first hash value is then used as an index to point one of a plurality of circular buffers. Each circular buffer comprises an entry for a clock pointer and entries that uniquely represent non-resident pages. The clock pointer points to the next page that is suitable for replacement and moves through the circular buffer as pages are evicted. In some embodiments, the entries that uniquely represent non-resident pages are a hash value that is generated from the page's inode data.
US08010743B2 Automatic raid volume generation and migration based on application type
A method and system of automatic redundant array of independent disks (RAID) volume generation based on an application type is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for selecting a RAID level includes receiving setup data of an application type and a number of volumes for generating the RAID, assigning a level of the RAID in response to the application type and generating the number of volumes for the level of the RAID. The method may also include mapping the number of volumes to a host of the RAID, scanning the volumes for data written to the volumes and read from the volumes and evaluating the data to determine an appropriateness of the level of the RAID for the application type. Further, the method may include automatically migrating to another RAID level for the application if the level of the RAID is inappropriate.
US08010742B2 Using idle mode prediction to improve storage system performance
Techniques for optimizing hard disk drive performance. According to one embodiment, a storage system includes a storage unit that stores data and a controller. The controller receives an idle mode indication and performs at least one operation based on the idle mode indication. According to another embodiment, a host system includes a processor and a scheduler that is operative to issues commands. The processor computes the idle mode indication, and the processor sends the idle mode indication to the storage system.
US08010731B2 Integrating non-peripheral component interconnect (PCI) resource into a personal computer system
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having an adapter to communicate according to a personal computer (PC) protocol and a second protocol. A first interface coupled to the adapter is to perform address translation and ordering of transactions received from upstream of the adapter. The first interface is coupled in turn to heterogeneous resources, each of which includes an intellectual property (IP) core and a shim, where the shim is to implement a header of the PC protocol for the IP core to enable its incorporation into the apparatus without modification. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08010703B2 Data conversion services and associated distributed processing system
A method for providing data conversion services is disclosed for a distributed processing system. The distributed processing system identifies and utilizes the capabilities of distributed devices connected together through a wide variety of communication systems and networks and utilize those capabilities to organize, manage and distribute project workloads to the distributed devices.
US08010701B2 Method and system for providing virtualized application workspaces
Methods and systems for automatically customizing applications for a particular user within virtual workspaces are provided. An Application Workspace System “AWS” is provided which enables users to access remote server-based applications (e.g., thin client applications, terminal server applications, applications on hosted operating systems, etc.) using the same interface that they use to access local applications, without needing to know where the application is being accessed. The AWS automatically determines which applications the user is entitled to use, and then figures out automatically, based upon a variety of parameters, which applications are to be made available to the user (resolved to version, particular package etc.), and whether they are to be installed locally, or accessed remotely. Script objects are retrieved and executed to automatically customize installed applications for a particular user in response to events associated, for example, with a state of the local computing device.
US08010699B2 Accelerating network communications
There is disclosed a method for accelerating network communications. The method may be implemented on a server computer or other computing device. The method may exist as a software program and may be stored on a storage medium. The method may include receiving a request, forwarding the request to a server, receiving a response from the server, and reviewing the response to determine whether the response includes a native expiration. When the response does not include the native expiration, a calculated expiration for the response may be computed. The calculated expiration may be inserted into the response creating an amended response. The amended response may be forwarded to the client. When the response includes the native expiration, the response may be forwarded to the client. The amended response may be stored and provided to other requesters.
US08010697B2 Ordered writes for SRDF assist
Transmitting data from a source to a destination, includes receiving the data from the source and providing the data to the destination using a network, where the data is acknowledged to the source as being successfully received at the destination prior to all of the data being provided to the network. The source may be a primary storage device. The destination may be a secondary storage device. The data may be provided from the source in a first format and may be provided to the network in a second format that is different from the first format where the first format may be RDF and the second format may be TCP/IP or UDP. The destination may receive the data in a first format different from a second format used to transmit the data over the network. The first format may be RDF and the second format may be TCP/IP or UDP.
US08010689B2 Locational tagging in a capture system
A system and method for locational tagging in a capture system are described. Metadata associated with a captured object includes: information about a location in storage of an object and that objects association to a particular user; and/or tiered location information.
US08010672B2 Methods and systems for controlling utilization of resources of contention
Methods and systems for controlling utilization of resources(s) of contention by a plurality of devices of a single or multiple priority classes. A utilization scaling factor is determined for each class for the resource(s) and compared with a threshold value. An apersistence property pattern is then created for each class that includes apersistence property entries corresponding to apersistence update cycles of an apersistence pattern window. Where the scaling factor is in a first range corresponding to low resource loading, the class pattern includes unimpeded entries allowing the devices in a class to attempt to utilize the resource. Otherwise, the class pattern is created with at least one blocking entry that prevents all devices in a class from attempting utilization of the resource during the corresponding apersistence update cycle. An apersistence property pattern entry is then provided from the pattern to the devices in each apersistence update cycle of the apersistence pattern window.
US08010663B2 Correlating data indicating subjective user states associated with multiple users with data indicating objective occurrences
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to acquiring subjective user state data including data indicating incidence of at least a first subjective user state associated with a first user and data indicating incidence of at least a second subjective user state associated with a second user; acquiring objective occurrence data including data indicating incidence of at least a first objective occurrence and data indicating incidence of at least a second objective occurrence; and correlating the subjective user state data with the objective occurrence data. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08010662B2 Soliciting data indicating at least one subjective user state in response to acquisition of data indicating at least one objective occurrence
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring objective occurrence data including data indicating occurrence of at least one objective occurrence; soliciting, in response to the acquisition of the objective occurrence data, subjective user state data including data indicating occurrence of at least one subjective user state associated with a user; acquiring the subjective user state data and correlating the subjective user state data with the objective occurrence data. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08010657B2 System and method for tracking the network viral spread of a digital media content item
Systems and methods are provided to track viral marketing. The resulting user interfaces can include a map that tracks propagation via a node tree or a geographic map that shows where media was viewed. The information may also be displayed as a cumulative or absolute tracking graph, which is based on various parameters, such as number of views, number of transmissions, rewards earned, etc. The systems and methods can track viral propagation through, e.g., email, social networking service or site messages or postings, and instant messages. Data used by the invention include URLs as received from a media transmission page form, the URLs pertaining to both the propagator and the recipient, time stamps at which the media was propagated and viewed, and so on.
US08010653B2 Method and apparatus for testing ubiquitous service or device using uniform object model
An apparatus and method for testing a ubiquitous service or a ubiquitous device using a uniform object model are provided. Because a virtual ubiquitous environment is constructed with devices, services, users, layouts, and the like, physical construction of the ubiquitous environment to test services or devices is not needed. Therefore, the effectiveness of the ubiquitous device or service can be confirmed without requiring a ubiquitous environment to be physically constructed. Additionally, time or cost of constructing a ubiquitous environment can be reduced. Because a variety of environments can be easily constructed through the test of devices or services, the performances of the devices or services can also be improved.
US08010651B2 Executing programs based on user-specified constraints
Techniques are described for managing execution of programs on multiple computing systems, such as based at least in part of user-specified constraints. For example, constraints related to execution of a program may be based on a desired relative location of a host computing system to execute a copy of the program with respect to an indicated target (e.g., computing systems executing other copies of the program or copies of another indicated program), on particular geographic locations, and/or on factors not based on location (e.g., cost of use of a particular computing system, capabilities available from a particular computing system, etc.). Some or all of the multiple computing systems may be part of a program execution service for executing multiple programs on behalf of multiple users, and each may provide multiple virtual machines that are each capable of executing one or more programs for one or more users.
US08010649B2 Methods and systems for processing multi-media editing projects
In one embodiment, a network-bound request for a multi-media file is intercepted to determine whether the file is located locally on a user computer. If the file is located on the user computer, it is retrieved. If the file is unavailable locally, the file is retrieved from a network-accessible location. In another embodiment, a file locator is configured to intercept network-bound requests for multi-media files and determine whether the files are available locally using a list that includes local file directories where files may be stored. When a user retrieves a file from a network and saves it in a directory, if the list does not include the directory, the list is updated to include the directory. If the file locator cannot find the file locally, the user is prompted to select a directory where the file is stored, and the list updated to include the directory.
US08010648B2 Replica placement in a distributed storage system
Replica placement in a network of nodes is provided. Nodes are selected for replica placement to satisfy location-based preferences. Additionally, nodes are selected for replica placement to spread replicas of the same data over different fault domains and upgrade domains. In some instances, nodes may be selected for replica placement based on load-based information for the nodes.
US08010641B2 Method for coupling online and internet services
A method couples online and Internet services. Previously, personalized services in particular (e-mail etc.) are only available from Internet service providers via the telecommunications network and RAS/RADIUS access and not via the public Internet. Now the ISP is equipped with an open Internet application platform (OIA) coupled so that the ISP customer can take advantage of an extended range of services compared to usual Internet customers, even during access via the Internet. The method permits e-mails to be re-directed from the ISP server with a known address to the OIA platform, in such a way that the customer can use these services world-wide via the public Internet using any terminal via any network. One example is the use of a T-Online e-mail account from the fixed network and mobile telecommunications network, from home, at work and while travelling via foreign telephone networks and local and foreign company networks/LAN access.
US08010638B2 Method and apparatus for updating firmware for interface unit connecting portable audio/video player with another audio/video player
A method and apparatus updates software data for an interface unit that interfaces a portable audio/video player with another audio/video system. When the portable audio/video players are updated by adding new features, etc., the method and apparatus enables the users to obtain the corresponding update file for the interface unit in the same manner that the user obtains the music file. Thus, the user can easily and quickly obtain the update file for updating the interface unit and store it in the portable audio/video player in the same manner as the music files. For executing the update operation, the user selects the update file from the play list and starts playing the update file on the portable audio/video player while connecting it to the interface unit.
US08010635B2 Method and system for thin client configuration
A method for configuring a thin client connected to a communications network includes the thin client sending a request for a network address to an address server. The address server sends an assigned network address back to the thin client together with a location of a configuration server. The thin client sends a request for configuration information to the configuration server. The request for configuration information includes information on the thin client. The configuration server generates a configuration file containing configuration information based on the received thin client information. The configuration file is then sent by the configuration server to the thin client, which uses the configuration file for configuration.
US08010629B2 Systems and methods for unification of local and remote resources over a network
The system and methods disclosed herein, according to one or more embodiments, utilize locally stored resources in a secure manner within a network-based application, while allowing locally stored resources to be shared over a network. In one embodiment, a system and method for facilitating information transactions over a network include communicating with a user device and one or more distribution channels via the network, installing a local network server on the user device, monitoring user drop events, generating resource mapping of media resources based on the user drop events, and uploading media resources.
US08010621B2 Offline webpage activated by reading a tag
A system for enabling a user to wirelessly download desired information in the form of a offline website without having to maintain a live Internet connection. Information is delivered from an active or passive source to a device via short-range wireless communication. This information is automatically interpreted by the device to form an offline version of a full-scale Internet website. The user may view the offline version of the website, and if additional information is desired, download or upload additional information at a time more convenient to maintain a live Internet connection.
US08010613B2 System and method for end-user management of E-mail threads using a single click
The present invention provides various simple and easy ways for each end user to manage the thread in a way that suits them. In some cases, the user experience requires only a single click. Additional embodiments allow user to manage inbox space, recover suppressed threads, be alerted on contextual changes of such threads, and so forth. The system allows the user to specifically configure his/her own email thread management scheme by selecting an email and choosing “Suppress Thread” on his/her user interface. The system then performs a number of steps such as examining the and headers of the selected email to configure the suppress filter. Once configured, the system will examine each email as it is received and examine its and headers per RFC 822. If the headers match the configured and headers, the emails will be suppressed in the manner chosen by the user such as deletion or move to folder.
US08010608B2 Locked receive locations
The subject invention provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing an adapter utilizing a locking mechanism between a receive location and a process. An interface component can receive a message related to a receive location that is an endpoint. A lock component binds the receive location to the process such that the process exclusively receives the messages from the endpoint at a single instance in real time. Moreover, the lock component can provide a replacement/switching technique, wherein a process that participates in a locking relationship can be switched with another process based at least in part upon the health of the process.
US08010604B2 Method of enabling conferencing using encoded forms
A method of enabling conferencing using encoded forms is provided in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device used to interact with a first form, determines conference information, and outputs a second form. The first form has first tags and an identity associated with a form description in the computer system. Each first tag encodes data on the identity and the location of that tag on the first form, which is included in the indicating data. The computer system determines the conference information from the indicating data and form description. The second form is output with second tags, the conference information and a hierarchical tree of form versions. The computer system produces the hierarchical tree by associating the second form identity with the form description. Each second tag encodes data on the second form identity and the location of that tag on the second form.
US08010599B2 Method, system, and graphical user interface for dynamically updating transmission characteristics in a web mail reply
A method, system and graphical user interface for dynamically updating transmission characteristics in a web mail reply are described. In one embodiment of the invention, a graphical user interface includes a web mail reply form that includes: one or more address fields; an input area for inputting a reply message; and a plurality of response options selectable by a user. In response to selection of a response option by a user, one or more of the address fields in the reply form are changed while maintaining the reply message in the input area.
US08010598B2 Relay server and client terminal
A relay server is connected to a LAN and communicable with a relay server of another LAN. The relay server includes an account information registering unit arranged to store account information including information of a client terminal connected to the same LAN; a relay group information registering unit arranged to store relay group information including information of a group of relay servers permitting connection with one another; a shared resource information registering unit arranged to store shared resource information including information of a resource and information of the client terminals sharing the resource; a relay processing unit arranged to, when accepting from the client terminal stored in the account information registering unit operation instruction on a resource operable by a client terminal connected to another LAN based on the shared resource information, relay the operation of the resource based on the relay group information; and a resource information providing unit arranged to, when accepting an access based on a predetermined protocol from an external client terminal, convert the shared resource information to a format of the predetermined protocol and providing the information to the external client terminal, the external client terminal other than the client terminal stored in the account information registering unit being registerable in the shared resource information registering unit.
US08010593B2 Adaptive integrated circuitry with heterogeneous and reconfigurable matrices of diverse and adaptive computational units having fixed, application specific computational elements
The present invention provides an adaptive integrated circuit. The various embodiments include a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative in real time to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations.
US08010579B2 Bookmarking and annotating in a media diary application
A media diary or media management application implemented in a digital device that incorporates a bookmarking and/or annotating mechanism for providing graphical enhancement to media files, calendar events and time periods displayed in the media management application. In addition, the bookmarking and annotation mechanism provides for text notes to be associated with the media files, calendar event or time period and for the text note to be accessible through the bookmark or annotation.
US08010571B2 Method, system and program product that utilize a hierarchical conceptual framework to model an environment containing a collection of items
A method, system and program product are disclosed for enabling a user to construct a conceptual hierarchical framework representing a virtual or physical environment. The framework may then be populated with a collection of items. Users may graphically and intuitively view and manipulate various subsets of the environment's space as well as items placed within the modeled environment.
US08010567B2 Federated ontology index to enterprise knowledge
A method, system, and computer program product for using a federated ontology as an index to enterprise knowledge are provided. The method includes receiving a request for the enterprise knowledge, mapping the request to a concept within the federated ontology, and searching the federated ontology for the concept to identify one or more data sources holding the enterprise knowledge. The method further includes retrieving the enterprise knowledge from the identified one or more data sources as search result data, and returning the search result data.
US08010563B2 Computer program product and computing system for information organization using markup languages
The presentation of information in HTML files is desirably enhanced by the use of one or more separate scripting Javascript™ files, referenced from the HTML file, which uses information presented as variables in the HTML file. In this manner, a high degree of formatting flexibility can be achieved, while reducing the likelihood of errors in the HTML pages, improving ease of site maintenance, and standardizing the “look and feel” of the site. Improvements in the network bandwidth required to browse sites organized in this manner can also be achieved in favorable instances.
US08010560B2 Abducing assertion to support access query
Logical abduction is used to derive the premises that support an access query. In a logic-based access-control system, a query, as to one or more principals' right to access one or more resources, is a statement that can be either true or false. The statement evaluates to true if the principal is allowed to access the resource under the existing set of assertions. Assertions that, if made, would cause the statement to be true can be abduced from the query and from the policy against which the truth of the query is to be judged. The abduced assertions can be used to assist in making the appropriate assertions to cause the query to evaluate to true so that access to the resource can be granted.
US08010559B2 Transactional file system
A transactional file system wherein multiple file system operations may be performed as a transaction. An application specifies that file system-related operations are to be handled as a transaction, and the application is given a file handle associated with a transaction context. For file system requests associated with a transaction context, a file system component manages operations consistent with transactional behavior. Transactions over a network are facilitated. Remote files may be accessed within a transaction via a redirector protocol. A redirector on a client computer system communicates with an agent on a server computer system to relay and maintain transactional information on both systems.
US08010553B2 Knowledge archival and recollection systems and methods
A method of extracting knowledge from a knowledge archival and recollection system, comprising the steps of: recognizing a user actuation; initiating a search application; displaying a user search interface; receiving input parameters via the search interface; identifying a query type based on the received input parameters; formulating a database query based on the received input parameters; transmitting the database query to a database; obtaining database query results from the database; providing the database query results to a result analyzer module; and displaying search result analyzer module results to a user.
US08010541B2 Systems and methods for condensation-based privacy in strings
Novel methods and systems for the privacy preserving mining of string data with the use of simple template based models. Such template based models are effective in practice, and preserve important statistical characteristics of the strings such as intra-record distances. Discussed herein is the condensation model for anonymization of string data. Summary statistics are created for groups of strings, and use these statistics are used to generate pseudo-strings. It will be seen that the aggregate behavior of a new set of strings maintains key characteristics such as composition, the order of the intra-string distances, and the accuracy of data mining algorithms such as classification. The preservation of intra-string distances is a key goal in many string and biological applications which are deeply dependent upon the computation of such distances, while it can be shown that the accuracy of applications such as classification are not affected by the anonymization process.
US08010540B2 Algorithm for sorting bit sequences in linear complexity
A computer program product and computer system for in-place sorting sequences of binary bits stored contiguously in an array within a memory device of the computer system prior to sorting. Each sequence includes contiguous fields of bits. The algorithm is executed by a processor of the computer system. The in-place sorting executes program code at each node of a linked execution structure. Each node includes a segment of the array. The program code is executed in a hierarchical sequence with respect to the nodes. Executing program code at each node includes: dividing the segment of the node into groups of sequences based on a mask field having a mask width, wherein each group has a unique mask value of the mask field; and in-place rearranging the sequences in the segment, wherein the rearranging results in each group including only those sequences having the unique mask value of the group.
US08010534B2 Identifying related objects using quantum clustering
Techniques for grouping related objects such as documents and files using quantum clustering are disclosed. A method may include constructing a feature-object database of multiple objects. The feature-object database may have quantized selected features as keys. A connected objects database maybe built. Clusters of connected objects may be identified in the connected objects database. The clusters of identified objects may be evaluated to determine groups of related objects. The method may be implemented on a computing device.
US08010530B2 Presentation of multilingual metadata
Mechanisms for representing multiple locales in metadata models are provided. The mechanisms comprise a locale repository for storing locale information used to display multilingual metadata, and a display module for displaying the metadata model. The locale repository has locale references for representing locales, and multiple values of locale sensitive objects in a metadata model for representing locale values of the objects.
US08010525B1 Unified search interface
Methods, systems, and computer program products feature determining a plurality of search result items responsive to a search query. A plurality of search modes are identified based on the query or the plurality of search result items or both. Each search mode is associated with a respective collection of records. The plurality of search result items are provided to a user with an indication of each search mode in the plurality of search modes. User input selecting a first search mode is received, where the first search mode is one of the plurality of search modes. One or more mode-specific search result items are determined based on the search query, where each mode-specific search result item is from the collection of records that is associated with the first search mode. The one or more mode-specific search result items are provided to the user.
US08010524B2 Method of monitoring electronic media
Consumer-generated media (CGM) and/or other media are monitored to allow an organization to become aware of, and respond to, issues that may affect how it is perceived by the public. An extract, transform, load (ETL) engine is used to process CGM and other media content, and an analytical engine utilizes a multi-step progressive filtering approach to identify those documents that are most relevant. The filtering approach includes executing broad queries to extract relevant content from different CGM and other sources, extracting text snippets from the relevant content and performing de-duplication, defining organizational identity (e.g., brand name, trade name, or company name) and hot-topic models using a rule-based and statistical-based approach, and using the models together in an orthogonal filtering approach to effectively generate alerts and reports. The methodology is found to be substantially more effective compared to a conventional keyword based approach.
US08010515B2 Query to an electronic form
Systems and/or methods that enable an electronic form to provide data external to the electronic form in response to a query while offline with respect to a data source from which the data originated are described. These systems and methods may also, in one embodiment, receive data from a data source that is capable of being inaccessible and associate that data with an electronic form, a user, and a query. These systems and methods may, in another embodiment, provide data in response to a query made by a user to an electronic form that was previously associated with the electronic form, the user, and the query.
US08010507B2 Method and system for harmonization of variants of a sequential file
A set of versions of a file, with one chosen as baseline version, is displayed as a single flow of material where all agree with the baseline and in separate difference columns where they do not. A current version may be edited either directly or by adoption of material from different versions, which may be toggled in and out of visibility. Sequential undo (step-wise or by a slider) can be localized to chosen subsets of the current version, and any chosen subset can be restored as a unit to an earlier state.
US08010502B2 Methods and systems for data recovery
To recover deleted files in a data store, candidate blocks of the data store may be identified and, for each of the candidate blocks, a probability that the candidate block contains a directory entry may be determined. Directory entry metadata for candidate blocks that have a determined probability that is greater than a predetermined probability threshold may then be extracted.
US08010500B2 Method and system for capturing image of web site, managing information of web site, and providing image of web site
A website image capturing method includes the steps of: receiving at least one network address from a predetermined website information management system; accessing a website corresponding to the received at least one network address and determining whether a predetermined webpage error occurs in the website; generating image information through a capturing operation with respect to the website, when the webpage error does not occur in the website; generating predetermined access result information in association with the generation of the image information; and transmitting the access result information to the website information management system.
US08010499B2 Database staging area read-through or forced flush with dirty notification
Embodiments of the present invention allow the results of a query to an operational datastore to be augmented with relevant data that may be stored in a staging area datastore. Upon receiving a query to the operational datastore, it is determined whether data relevant to the query is present in the staging area datastore. If relevant data is present, such data may be transformed, transferred and combined with data in the operational datastore. The query is then run against the combined data and the results displayed to the user.
US08010494B2 Methods to defend against tampering of audit records
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for maintaining audit records for a database or other resource. According to one embodiment, a method for maintaining audit records for a database can comprise detecting an operation involving at least one record of the database. An audit record can be generated for the operation and the audit record can be stored in an audit table in the database. Insert operations and select operations for the audit table can be supported but other operations for the audit table can be prohibited. Additionally or alternatively, creation of more than one audit table having a same name and schema can be prevented.
US08010488B2 Information distribution system, information processing device and memory medium
An information distribution system is provided with a plurality of information processing devices that are capable of communication with each other via a network, and that store shared information so that the information can be shared by the plurality of information processing devices. The shared information is shared information that has a public release time that is before the current time.
US08010476B2 System and method for medical predictive models using likelihood gamble pricing
A method for predicting survival rates of medical patients includes providing a set D of survival data for a plurality of medical patients, providing a regression model having an associated parameter vector β, providing an example x0 of a medical patient whose survival probability is to be classified, calculating a parameter vector {circumflex over (β)} that maximizes a log-likelihood function of β over the set of survival data, l(β|D), wherein the log likelihood l(β|D) is a strictly concave function of β and is a function of the scalar xβ, calculating a weight w0 for example x0, calculating an updated parameter vector β* that maximizes a function l(β|D∪{(y0,x0,w0)}), wherein data points (y0,x0,w0) augment set D, calculating a fair log likelihood ratio λf from {circumflex over (β)} and β* using λf=λ(β*|x0)+sign(λ({circumflex over (β)}|x0)){l({circumflex over (β)}|D)−l(β*|D)}, and mapping the fair log likelihood ratio λf to a fair price y0f, wherein said fair price is a probability that class label y0 for example x0 has a value of 1.
US08010471B2 Multiple-instance pruning for learning efficient cascade detectors
A “Classifier Trainer” trains a combination classifier for detecting specific objects in signals (e.g., faces in images, words in speech, patterns in signals, etc.). In one embodiment “multiple instance pruning” (MIP) is introduced for training weak classifiers or “features” of the combination classifier. Specifically, a trained combination classifier and associated final threshold for setting false positive/negative operating points are combined with learned intermediate rejection thresholds to construct the combination classifier. Rejection thresholds are learned using a pruning process which ensures that objects detected by the original combination classifier are also detected by the combination classifier, thereby guaranteeing the same detection rate on the training set after pruning. The only parameter required throughout training is a target detection rate for the final cascade system. In additional embodiments, combination classifiers are trained using various combinations of weight trimming, bootstrapping, and a weak classifier termed a “fat stump” classifier.
US08010467B2 Active element machine computation
An active element machine is a new kind of computing machine. When implemented in hardware, the Active element machine can execute multiple instructions simultaneously, because every one of its computing elements is active. This greatly enhances the computing speed. By executing a meta program whose instructions change the connections in a dynamic Active element machine, the Active element machine can perform tasks that digital computers are unable to compute.
US08010462B2 System for delivery and receipt of dispatches especially useful for e-commerce
A last mile delivery system (LAMIS system) for delivery of parcels to recipients includes Automatic Delivery Machines (ADMs) that are located in public places. Each ADM has a local computer and data and communication network connection, and a set of cells for storing parcels, and a single access mechanism for each such set adapted to provide a recipient with access to a parcel stored in a cell while preventing access to parcels in other cells. Control centers use an ADM database with locations of the ADMs, a LAMIS server computer program for handling the data associated with the operation of the system. The control center has data and communication network connecting the LAMIS server with the local computers of the ADMs. The local computers are adapted to identify the recipient and to provide access to the parcel in the cell of the chosen ADM.
US08010453B2 Method and system for facilitating payment transactions using access devices
A payment system for facilitating a payment transaction between a payer and a payee includes a payer access device, a payee access device, and a services hub. The services hub is configured to communicate with the payer device and the payee device; maintain information relating to a payer account and access device information associated with the payer account, the payer account being linked to the access device; generate a tracer ticket in response to a request issued by the payer using either the payer device or the payee device, the tracer ticket containing information relating to the payment transaction; validate the access devices; and authorize the payment transaction against the payer account. Upon receiving the request from the payee device for the tracer ticket, the services hub generates the tracer ticket and forwards a copy thereof to the payer via the payee device. Upon receiving the copy of the tracer ticket, the payer uses the payer device to communicate with the services hub and forward the received copy of the tracer ticket to the services hub. The services hub then validates the payer device based on the access device information.
US08010446B2 Method, system and apparatus for providing a variable credit account to a consumer
A method of providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is provided. The method includes the steps of: offering, by a credit issuer (14), a variable credit account to a consumer (12) by telephone, electronically, mail or at an in-store location; accepting, by the consumer (12), the offer; opening, by the credit issuer, the variable credit account (18) for the consumer (12), where the account includes an open-ended loan portion (22) and a close-ended loan portion (20). The method may further include the steps of initially activating the open-ended loan portion (22) when the initial offer is made electronically, by mail or at an in-store location; and initially activating a close-ended loan portion (20) of the account when the initial offer is made at any point-of-sale. A system and apparatus for providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is also discussed.
US08010445B1 Consolidated commercial paper system and method
One system for forming a consolidated commercial paper issue includes: a plurality of borrowers, with each borrower having a short-term borrowing need; a credit rating agency operable to determine a credit rating for each borrower; a consolidator operable to aggregate the short-term borrowing needs of at least two borrowers into a consolidated commercial paper issue; and a communication network operable to transmit communications between one or more of the credit rating agency, the consolidator, and at least one of the borrowers. One method of forming a consolidated commercial paper issue includes: identifying a plurality of borrowers, with each borrower having a short-term borrowing need; determining a credit rating for each borrower; and aggregating the short-term borrowing needs of at least two borrowers into a consolidated commercial paper issue.
US08010444B2 Settling over-the-counter derivatives using synthetic spot benchmark rates
Techniques and systems for settling over-the-counter financial instruments includes sampling over a periodic interval are disclosed. A volume weighted average price of the sampled process may be calculated and forward points may be applied to the volume weighted average priced to determine an associated spot exchange rate. Such a synthetic spot FX exchange rate may be published to subscribers. Over-the-counter financial instruments may establish delivery obligations according to the spot exchange rate. In the event where a number of transactions during the sampling period is less than a threshold, a midpoint of bids and asks associated with orders for the exchange traded financial instrument may be used to determine an average of the midpoint, to which the forward points may be applied to determine the spot exchange rate. Alternatively, the time-weighted average of the bid and ask orders during a periodic interval may be used in computing the volume-weighted average price.
US08010441B2 System and method of implementing massive early terminations of long term financial contracts
A method of and system for terminating or assigning outstanding OTC derivative transactions between a plurality of financial institutions (banks). The system comprises: a processing station arranged to receive transaction data describing a plurality of transactions from a plurality of banks via the Internet. The processing station comprises: a linking module for linking different versions of the same transaction received from different parties to that transaction; an analysis module for determining a set of linked transactions between a plurality of different banks, wherein each bank has debts and claims towards other banks in the set; a calculation module arranged to calculate an aggregated value of each set of linked transactions and select the set of linked transactions which has an aggregated value within bank-specified tolerance limits acceptable for executing a termination; and an execution module for executing a termination or assignment of the selected set of linked transactions.
US08010439B1 Systems and methods for issuing securities on tax-exempt bonds based on a single trust
Disclosed are systems and methods for processing financial information such that securities backed by tax-exempt bonds may be issued. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a senior class of securities, such that the senior class of securities includes a guarantee feature; establishing a junior class of securities, such that the junior class of securities serves as collateral for the senior class of securities; and issuing the senior and junior classes of securities, such that the junior and senior classes of securities are backed by assets of a single trust.
US08010434B2 Multiple client/user and capital market funded participating interest in qualifying trust
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for multiple client/user and capital market funded participating interest in qualifying trust. Methods include establishing a legal trust that holds assets and issues obligations that grant participation rights in its assets. The legal trust can be a legal qualifying trust. The legal qualifying trust can grant participation rights to multiple beneficiaries or participants.
US08010423B2 Anticipatory mobile system service brokering and resource planning from multiple providers
An opportunity server searches for potential vehicle repair transaction providers by receiving a signal from a mobile system indicating a need for a transaction with a business entity responsive to an on-board diagnostic detection of a real-time fault condition resulting in recording of a Diagnostic Trouble Code; automatically issuing requests for bids for the transaction to provider parties located in a first potential geographic point for repair service indicating estimated times of arrival at each geographic point; receiving offers from the provider parties; automatically coalescing the offers by screening to meet user preferences, and modifying and organizing into a format for uniform presentation to a user; presenting the coalesced offers to an operator of the mobile system; and automatically performing enterprise resource planning for a user-selected business transaction.
US08010420B2 Automated receiving system
A package processing system is disclosed for a distribution facility. The package processing system includes a reader and a controller. The reader is configured to automatically identify vendor labels on each package of a shipment of packages, each such vendor label being one of a plurality of label types and including a package identifier code representative of the corresponding package. The reader is configured to select a vendor label for each package from identified vendor labels based on label type. The controller is configured to receive distribution instructions based on electronic shipment data representative of the shipment and each package of the shipment and on inventory and to assign a routing code for each package based on a comparison of the package identifier code of the corresponding selected label with electronic shipment data and distribution instructions. Each package is distributed within the distribution facility based on the corresponding routing code.
US08010418B1 System and method for identifying and managing social circles
A system for identifying and managing social circles is provided that includes a data store and instructions. The data store stores a social circle that lists individuals. The social circle members are identified by monitoring individuals that a customer communicates with via the customer's mobile device. The data store further maintains recommendations and purchase histories associated with the individuals of the social circle. When instructions are executed by a processor, the processor promotes managing the individuals of the social circle, searching for businesses and products, and retrieving recommendations and purchase histories from the data store that are associated with the searched businesses and products.
US08010414B2 Method for online purchasing using printed form
A method of effecting a purchasing transaction includes providing a printed form having printed thereon coded data distributed over an area; capturing an image of the form using a sensing device, the captured image showing a portion of the coded data; decoding at least some of the coded data within the captured image; determining from the coded data an identity of the form, a position of the coded data on the form, and a parameter of the purchasing transaction; determining a position of the sensing device relative to the form from a distortion of the captured image and the determined position of the coded data; compiling the identify of the form, the position of the sensing device, and the parameter of the purchasing transaction as indicating data; receiving in a computer system the indicating data; and identifying, in the computer system and from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to a purchasing transaction.
US08010413B2 Method, system, and medium for calculating an emissions allowance
The invention describes a novel integrated data-system, a personal device for the system, and methods for operating the system. The invention produces means and technology for providing quantitative information about products. A key function of the system is to provide information about product-based emissions, such as carbon dioxide emissions.
US08010412B2 Electronic commerce infrastructure system
A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.
US08010408B2 Packetized advertising utilizing information indicia
A method and system for packetized advertising carried out with machine readable and decodable information indicia, where the packetized advertisements are formed by associating any combination of a plurality of products and services with the information indicia. In response to a device capturing an image of the information indicia a universal resource locator (URL) is generated. The URL generates a webpage with a series of URL that correspond to the plurality of products and services that are associated with the captured information indicia.
US08010406B2 System to monitor irregular activity
A computer-implemented method includes receiving item data at a network-based computer system, the item data related to an item categorized in at least a first category of a plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system and including an item price-based value associated with the item. A category-specific threshold price-based value, for the first category of the plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system, is automatically determined. The item data is automatically determined to the irregular, based on the item price-based value associated with the item and the category-specific threshold price-based value for the first category of the plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system. Responsive to the determination that the item data is irregular, an entity associated with the item is restricted from using the network-based computer system.
US08010401B1 Method and system for market research
A method of gathering research associated with a product that includes distributing the product in a market resulting in a distributed product, wherein the distributed product that includes a first test group identified based on a selection key, enabling a first test feature in the first test group, gathering usage data associated with the first test feature from the first test group, and evaluating the first test feature based on the usage data to obtain a test result.
US08010382B2 Systems and methods for self-updating intelligent procedure duration estimation for patient scheduling
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for self-updating procedure duration estimation for patient scheduling. A scheduling system for scheduling procedures in a clinical environment includes historical procedure data including stored duration values for a procedure. The scheduling system also includes a user interface providing scheduling and procedure duration information to a user for scheduling the procedure for a patient. The scheduling system further includes a scheduling engine estimating one or more duration values for the procedure for scheduling the procedure for a patient. The scheduling engine establishes a default duration value for a procedure and updating the default duration value based on the historical procedure duration data. The scheduling engine provides a plurality of procedure durations including the updated default duration value to the user for selection via the user interface. The scheduling engine schedules a procedure using a user selected value for procedure duration.
US08010380B2 System and method for healthcare advisory system
A system includes a Healthcare Advisory System (HAS) module and a server. The HAS module may send user location information to the server. Based on user information and environment information stored on the server, an alert may be generated and sent to a user via the HAS module.
US08010371B2 Method and system for reduction of quantization-induced block-discontinuities and general purpose audio codec
Systems and methods are provided for ultra-low latency compression. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes formatting, by a processor, an input audio signal into a plurality of overlapping time-domain blocks, transforming, by a processor, each time-domain block to a transform domain block comprising a plurality of coefficients, and partitioning the coefficients of each transform domain block into signal coefficients and residue coefficients. The method also includes quantizing the signal coefficients for each transform domain block and generating signal quantization indices indicative of such quantization, modeling the residue coefficients for each transform domain block as stochastic noise and generating residue quantization indices indicative of such quantization, and formatting the signal quantization indices and the residue quantization indices for each transform domain block as an output bit stream.
US08010369B2 System and method for controlling devices that are connected to a network
A system, method and computer-readable medium for controlling devices connected to a network. The method includes receiving an utterance from a user for remotely controlling a device in a network; converting the received utterance to text using an automatic speech recognition module; accessing a user profile in the network that governs access to a plurality of devices on the network and identifiers which control a conversion of the text to a device specific control language; identifying based on the text a device to be controlled; converting at least a portion of the text to the device control language; and transmitting the device control language to the identified device, wherein the identified device implements a function based on the transmitted device control language.
US08010360B2 System and method for latency reduction for automatic speech recognition using partial multi-pass results
A system and method is provided for reducing latency for automatic speech recognition. In one embodiment, intermediate results produced by multiple search passes are used to update a display of transcribed text.
US08010358B2 Voice recognition with parallel gender and age normalization
Methods and apparatus for voice recognition are disclosed. A voice signal is obtained and two or more voice recognition analyses are performed on the voice signal. Each voice recognition analysis uses a filter bank defined by a different maximum frequency and a different minimum frequency and wherein each voice recognition analysis produces a recognition probability ri of recognition of one or more speech units, whereby there are two or more recognition probabilities ri. The maximum frequency and the minimum frequency may be adjusted every time speech is windowed and analyzed. A final recognition probability Pf is determined based on the two or more recognition probabilities ri.
US08010354B2 Noise cancellation system, speech recognition system, and car navigation system
A noise cancellation system with improved performance for canceling from an input signal of a microphone a noise component relating to reproduced sound of an audio system reproducing multiple channels of sound, provided with an audio canceller for acquiring audio signals of two channels and processing them by filter coefficients by convolutional processing so as to produce noise cancellation signals at adaptive filters, an adder for adding the input signal of the microphone and the noise cancellation signals, canceling the noise component from the input signal, and outputting the signal after noise cancellation, nonlinear converters for nonlinear conversion of the signal after noise cancellation, and filter learning units for calculating the filter coefficients to be set next based on the nonlinear converted signal.
US08010351B2 Speech coding system to improve packet loss concealment
A speech coding method of significantly reducing error propagation due to voice packet loss, while still greatly profiting from a pitch prediction or Long-Term Prediction (LTP), is achieved by limiting or reducing a pitch gain only for the first subframe or the first two subframes within a speech frame. The method is used for a speech class decided by a classification algorithm; the classification algorithm is designed, depending on at least one pitch cycle length compared to one subframe size. Speech coding quality loss due to the pitch gain reduction is compensated by increasing a coded excitation codebook size or adding one more stage of excitation only for the first subframe or the first two subframes within the speech frame.
US08010343B2 Disambiguation systems and methods for use in generating grammars
A method and system for addressing disambiguation issues in interactive applications by creating a disambiguation system for generating complex grammars that includes homonym detection and grouping, and provides optimization feedback that eliminates time-consuming and repetitive iterative steps during the grammar generation portion of the interactive application configuration.
US08010340B2 Method, system and computer program product for national language support using a multi-language property file
A method, system, and computer program product for national language support. National language support for an application is provided by recording translations of a text string in corresponding different languages in a single property file so as to allow display of the translations in the property file. One of the translations of the text string recorded in the property file is selected for use by an application based on a locale associated with the execution of the application and the selected one of the translations is used in the execution of the application.
US08010327B2 Composite assets for use in multiple simulation environments
One of a plurality of description elements for a scenario is attached to a composite asset. The composite asset comprises one or more data sets. Each data set is associated with a simulation. And, a simulation asset is generated for a scenario based at least in part on the composite asset.
US08010315B2 Multi-modality inspection method with data validation and data fusion
An inspection method is provided and includes acquiring at least one inspection data set. Each inspection data set comprises inspection data for a component. The inspection method further includes mapping the inspection data set onto a three-dimensional (3D) model of the component, to generate a 3D inspection model for the component, and validating the inspection data against the 3D model of the component using at least one validation criterion. A multi-modality inspection method is also provided and includes acquiring multiple inspection data sets corresponding to multiple inspection modalities for a component and fusing the inspection data sets to form a fused data set. The multi-modality inspection method further includes mapping the fused data set onto a 3D model of the component to generate a 3D multi-modality inspection model for the component.
US08010308B1 Inertial measurement system with self correction
A method of navigation includes providing an angular rate sensor and a direction-of-gravity reference. The method also includes determining bias error of the angular rate sensor about a vertical axis based on data substantially from the angular rate sensor and from the direction-of-gravity reference. In one embodiment, the first angular rate sensor is moved from a first position around a substantially horizontal axis to a second position around the substantially horizontal axis. The first angular rate sensor provides angular rate data for attitude at the first position and for compass heading at the second position. Data from the first angular rate sensor and from the direction-of-gravity reference is processed with a program for determining a bias error correction for the first angular rate sensor while the first angular rate sensor is in the first position. Bias error correction determined while the first angular rate sensor is in the first position is used to correct angular rate of the first angular rate sensor while the first angular rate sensor is in the second position.
US08010307B2 In-line overlay measurement using charged particle beam system
A method and system for controlling an overlay shift on an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method and system comprises utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to measure the overlay shift between a first mask and a second mask of the circuit after a second mask and comparing the overlay shift to information about the integrated circuit in a database. The method and system includes providing a control mechanism to analyze the overlay shift and feed forward to the fabrication process before a third mask for error correction. A system and method in accordance with the present invention advantageously utilizes a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image overlay measurement after the fabrication process such as etching and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).
US08010296B2 Apparatus and method for removing non-discriminatory indices of an indexed dataset
The present invention provides a device and method for removing non-discriminatory indices of an indexed dataset using ensemble statistics analysis. The device may include a data removal module (320) for removing non-discriminatory indices. For example, the data removal module (320) may comprise a common characteristic removal module and/or a noise removal module. In addition, the data analyzer (300) may comprise a normalization means (310) for normalizing the indexed data. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of identifying and removing portions of the set of data having insufficient discriminatory power based on ensemble statistics of the set of indexed data. For example, the method may include the steps of identifying and removing common characteristics and/or noise portions of the set of indexed data. In addition, the method may comprise the step of normalizing the indexed data either prior to or after the step of removing portions of the set of data.
US08010284B2 Geographic database including data indicating wireless coverage and method and system for use thereof
Wireless coverage data are associated with a geographic database that contains data that represent a road network in a geographic region. The wireless coverage data indicate areas within the geographic region in which navigation-related services or data from a navigation services provider are available wirelessly, or conversely, areas within the geographic region in which navigation-related services or data from a navigation services provider are not available wirelessly. An end user obtains the wireless coverage data. The wireless coverage data are used to indicate to the end user areas in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly or areas in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are not available wirelessly. The wireless coverage data may also be used to warn the end user when he/she is leaving an area in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly. Data for uncovered areas can be downloaded to an end user's computing platform while the end user is still within an area in which navigation-related data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly.
US08010282B2 System and method to display operational and revenue data for an airport facility
A system, comprising a first computing device receiving data from an input feed, the data corresponding to one of operations data and revenue data of an airport facility, the first computing device organizing the data into files which are viewable by users of the system and an additional computing device connected via a communication network to the first computing device, receiving the files organized by the first computing device and displaying the files to a user.
US08010277B2 Fuel injection controller and diagnosis method of fuel supply system
A fuel injection controller (incorporated in an engine control ECU) for controlling an injection operation of an injector has a program for executing injections in plural injection patterns including an injection pattern of a multiple injection in a certain order into a certain cylinder of the engine during non-injection operation and a program for obtaining sums of fluctuation degrees of an engine operating condition due to all the injections in a first injection unit composed of one (single stage injection) of the plural patterns and all the injections in a second injection unit composed of a different one (multiple injection of two stages) of the plural patterns which are executed by the former program, with an injection condition (cylinder number and data number N).
US08010271B2 Brake control device for electric vehicle
A brake control device for an electric vehicle includes an instruction controller, a pattern generator, and comparators. The instruction controller generates an instruction signal for instructing a motor about electric brake force. The pattern generator generates a first pattern signal for changing over electric brake force to machine brake force and a second pattern signal obtained by shifting the first pattern signal by a predetermined frequency. One of the comparators outputs, as an electric-brake force pattern, smaller one of the instruction signal and the first pattern signal. The other of the comparators outputs, as a notification signal, a signal output when the second pattern signal becomes equal to or smaller than the instruction signal.
US08010253B2 Method for stabilizing a vehicle combination
A method of stabilizing a vehicle combination including a towing vehicle and a trailer, includes determining at least one vehicle state variable describing the state of the vehicle from a comparison with an assigned nominal value. A correcting variable is produced, which is supplied to an actuator in the vehicle. The correcting variable acts upon a steering actuator in order to adjust the wheel steering angle.
US08010247B2 Method for operating an engine in a hybrid powertrain system
An engine and an electric machine are operative to communicate tractive power with a transmission device to control output power to an output member. The electric machine is electrically coupled to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the engine and electric machine includes monitoring an operator request for power, monitoring a state of charge of the energy storage device, determining an operating cost for each of a plurality of candidate engine operating points based on the operator request for power and the state of charge of the energy storage device; and operating the engine at the candidate engine operating point having a preferred operating cost.
US08010240B2 Method and system for electricity consumption profile management for consumer devices
A method and system for electricity consumption profile management for electrical devices, is provided. One implementation involves receiving an energy consumption control command at a consumer site including on or more electrical devices connected to an energy distribution network; determining energy consumption adjustment including determining an energy consumption adjustment for at least one of the electrical devices based on the energy consumption control command; and transmitting an energy consumption adjustment message to said at least one of the electrical devices, commanding the electrical device to adjust its electrical energy consumption accordingly.
US08010239B2 Partial discharge counter for diagnosis of gas insulated switchgear
The present invention relates generally to a partial discharge counter for the diagnosis of a GIS. The partial discharge counter includes a partial discharge detection sensor for detecting a partial discharge. A first surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the partial discharge detection sensor. A channel 1 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. A noise detection sensor detects noise. A second surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the noise detection sensor. A channel 2 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. An ADC circuit generates partial discharge data and noise data. A synchronization device enables the partial discharge data and the noise data to be output in synchronization with frequency of the phase voltage. A digital signal processing unit counts a number of times the partial discharge occurs. Counting units display a count value.
US08010234B2 Control system and teach pendant for an industrial robot
A live handle switch in the form of a hand operated safety switch for an industrial robot or a machine is described. The live handle comprises a safety certified switch for operating a robot or other machine safely while under manual control. The live handle switch may be comprised in a portable robot controller of the TPU Teach Pendant Unit type. Such a TPU may comprise control means for moving a robot in three or more degrees of freedom. In other aspects of the invention a system comprising a robot and a control unit and the live handle switch are described.
US08010232B2 Movable robot
A technique to wholly recognize the surrounding environment may be provided by excluding unknown environment which arises due to parts of a body of a robot hindering the sight of the robot during operations.The robot of the present invention is provided with a body trunk including head and torso, at least one connected member that is connected to the body trunk by a joint in which a driving mechanism is provided, a body trunk side camera that is arranged on the body trunk, and a connected member side camera that is arranged on the connected member. Further, the robot is provided with a composite image creation unit that creates composite image of a body trunk side image taken by the body trunk side camera and a connected member side image taken by the connected member side camera, such that a part of the body trunk side image is replaced with a part of the connected member side image so as to exclude the connected member from the body trunk side image.
US08010227B2 Navigation system with downloadable map data
A system and method are disclosed for providing geographic data to end users' mobile units from a remotely located navigation services provider so that navigation functions can be provided locally on the mobile units. The navigation services provider determines one or more map tile exit points along the route and sends the tile exit points and a set of map tiles to the mobile unit. The mobile unit calculates a route from its current position to the farthest map tile exit point for which map tile data has been received from the navigations services provider.
US08010226B2 Apparatus and method for measuring and modifying components using reverse engineering
A method for conforming components may include a measuring operation and a modifying operation. The method may comprise measuring a first component using a conforming tool that includes a measuring member, and recording position data for the first component based on the measuring. A path for the conforming tool may be provided using the position data, and a second component may be modified with a modifying member by moving the same conforming tool based on the provided path. The measuring member may include a sleeve configured so as to surround the modifying member when measuring, and to be removed from the modifying member so as to allow the modifying operation.
US08010224B2 Automatic cutting device and production method for beveled product
A plasma cutting device performs cutting in a plurality of stages. In a first cutting sub-process, a manufactured product is cut out from a base material upon a stage according to an NC program. Next, images of respective regions in the vicinities of proper positions at two corner points of the manufactured product which has been cut out are photographed by an image sensor, the actual positions of these two corner points of the manufactured product are detected from these images which have been photographed, and the translation distances and the rotational angle between the actual positions which have been detected and the proper positions are calculated. The NC program is corrected. And, in a subsequent cutting sub-process, additional cutting for beveling is carried out upon cutting surfaces at the outer circumference of the manufactured product, according to the corrected NC program.
US08010221B2 Cleaning apparatus and method for immersion light exposure
A cleaning apparatus for immersion light exposure includes a cleaning apparatus main body including a mechanism configured to perform a cleaning process on the substrate, and a control section configured to control respective components of the cleaning apparatus main body. The control section is arranged to fabricate a new process recipe in response to input of a surface state of a film formed on a substrate, such that the new process recipe contains hardware conditions and/or process conditions corresponding to the surface state, with reference to relationships stored therein between parameter values representing a surface state of a film formed on a substrate and hardware conditions and/or process conditions for performing suitable cleaning for the parameter values; and to control the cleaning apparatus main body to perform a cleaning process in accordance with the new process recipe.
US08010213B2 Safety device for the safe activation of connected actuators
A safety device is set forth having at least one safety control and having a plurality of outputs for the safe activation of connected actuators and having inputs for the reception of signals of connected sensors as well as having a serial communications device, in particular a bus which connects the safety control to the outputs and to the inputs, to receive and/or to transmit data packets. In this respect, in addition to the serial communication at least one bypass line is provided which connects the safety control or an input to at least one output to be able to transmit a deactivation signal independently of the serial communication to an actuator connected to the output.
US08010205B2 Multiple telemetry and/or charging coil configurations for an implantable medical device system
Embodiments of an improved implantable medical device system for orientation-independent telemetry to and from the device are disclosed. The system includes an external controller which produces an electromagnetic field to induce a current in a coil in the implantable medical device and vise versa. In a preferred embodiment, the external controller comprises three orthogonal coils, each of which is potentially activated to generate or receive the electromagnetic field. Algorithms are disclosed to allow for the choice of one or more of the coils best suited for telemetry based on the chosen coil's orientation with respect to the telemetry coil in the implantable medical device. Because all three of the orthogonal coils are potentially activated if necessary, the result is that at least one of the coils will be in a proper orientation with respect to the coil in the implantable medical device, thereby improving telemetry efficiency. The disclosed techniques may be used to improve induction-based powering or charging of the device as well.
US08010204B2 Nerve blocking for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
A system comprising: at least one electrode adapted to be placed on a vagus nerve below a vagal innervation of the heart; an implantable controller comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to the at least one electrode, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory; and an external programmer configured to: communicate at least one parameter for the neural conduction blocking signal to the implantable controller, wherein the parameter is selected for the neural conduction blocking signal to i) at least partially downregulate the vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of the nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output; and an external coil adapted to be worn by the patient, wherein the external coil is connected to the external programmer, and is adapted to inductively couple to the induction coil of the implantable controller.
US08010203B2 Guided programming with feedback
Techniques that involve generating test stimulation programs based upon specific patient feedback to guide the programming process for stimulation therapy are described. The patient describes positive effects and adverse effects of the test stimulation by listing and/or rating specific types of effects, both positive and adverse, and the location of each effect. In this manner, a programming device, i.e. a programmer, uses the feedback to generate subsequent test stimulation programs. Initially, programs with unipolar electrode configurations are tested, but the programmer may generate bipolar electrode configurations to test if the patient rates the unipolar electrode combinations poorly. After the stimulation programs are tested and rated, the programmer sorts the tested programs based upon the feedback and presents the tested programs to the user. The user selects the best tested program to use for chronic stimulation therapy. Additionally, the patient may utilize the guided programming technique for continued therapy optimization.
US08010194B2 Determining site-to-site pacing delay for multi-site anti-tachycardia pacing
An exemplary method includes delivering a pace using an electrode positioned on the lateral wall of the left ventricle of a heart, sensing the pace using an electrode positioned in the right ventricle of the heart, determining a left to right directional conduction time (TLR), delivering a pace using an electrode positioned in the right ventricle of the heart, sensing the pace using an electrode positioned on the lateral wall of the left ventricle of the heart, determining a right to left directional conduction time (TRL), calculating a site-to-site offset (VVATP) for multi-site anti-tachycardia pacing based on the left to right directional conduction time and the right to left directional conduction time and instructing an implantable device to deliver multi-site anti-tachycardia pacing using the site-to-site offset (VVATP). Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08010189B2 SPG stimulation for treating complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage
A method is provided including identifying that a subject has suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and treating a complication of the SAH by stimulating at least one site of the subject in conjunction with treating the SAH, the site selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve.
US08010186B1 System and related methods for identifying a fibrillation driver
A system and related methods for assisting a user approximate the location of a fibrillation driver within a heart. The system includes an electrode and a computer, which is coupled to the electrode. The electrode is configured to sense a signal emitted from a location in the heart. The computer is configured to calculate a standard deviation of cycle length value for the signal. The user can approximate the location of the fibrillation driver based on a comparison of the standard deviation of cycle length value to other standard deviation of cycle length values that previously have been calculated by the computer for signals emitted from other locations in the heart.
US08010185B2 Method of diagnosing a lower urinary tract disorder
A method for sensitively diagnosing lower urinary tract disorders, particularly interstitial cystitis, is provided. The method can visually, simply, and clearly diagnose bladder ulcer without requirement of bladder hydrodistention under anesthesia. In the method, lower urinary tract disorders are diagnosed by observing an abnormality of a blood vessel and/or a newly formed blood vessel in a surface of bladder mucous membrane among abnormalities in blood vessels and/or newly formed blood vessels by visually comparing an image of the surface of the bladder mucous membrane and an image of a deep portion of the bladder mucous membrane obtained using a bladder endoscope system having a narrow band imaging device.
US08010183B2 Detecting system of position and posture of capsule medical device
A detecting system of the position and the posture of a capsule medical device includes a main body of the capsule medical device that is inserted in a living body, a coil in a capsule that is arranged to the main body of the capsule medical device and forms a resonant circuit, a magnetic field generating device that is arranged around the living body and generates the Alternating magnetic field for generating an induced magnetic field in the coil in the capsule, and a plurality of magnetic field detecting devices that detect the strength of the induced magnetic field generated by the coil in the capsule by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device.
US08010178B2 Biomagnetic field measurement apparatus having a plurality of magnetic pick-up coils
A biomagnetic field measurement apparatus capable of easily bringing the sensor planes close to the head surface of the subject and capable of detecting cerebral magnetic fields of the left brain and the right brain simultaneously with a higher sensitivity is provided by disposing two independent cryostats holding SQUID fluxmeters in the mirror image relation to each other. The two cryostats move vertically and horizontally and rotate while interlocking with each other and maintaining the mirror image relation to each other. A gantry holding the cryostats has a function of suppressing vibration of the cryostats and has a gate shape.
US08010165B2 Mobile communication device and an incoming caller number prompt method thereof
A mobile communication device comprising a transceiver module used for receiving an incoming caller number; a switch module; a power source; a keypad including a plurality of keys electronically connected to the switch module; a control module electronically connected to the transceiver module, the switch module and the keypad, the control module controlling the switch module to make the keys corresponding to the incoming caller number vibrate to prompt the incoming caller number. An incoming caller number prompt method of the mobile communication device is also provided.
US08010156B2 Eyeglasses with electronic components
A microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, all mounted to an eyeglasses frame, for sending and receiving signals wirelessly to and from a remote cell phone or other electronic device. The microphone and the transmitter can be mounted to extension arms that can be extended, pivoted, or otherwise moved to a position for use, and then moved to a stored position when not in use. Alternatively, the microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, can be mounted onto a clip-on or other attachment member that mounts onto a conventional eyeglasses frame, or to a hat or other article worn on the head.
US08010145B2 Mobile communication terminal, mobile communication system, and storage medium
When moving from a public wireless area to a local wireless area, a mobile communication terminal transmits its telephone number to a local wireless service authentication server to inquire whether the mobile communication terminal can receive a local wireless service. The local wireless service authentication server, in response to the inquiry, determines whether the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal itself is registered in a local telephone number storage unit. When the number is registered therein, a transmission power level reduction instruction signal is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal, in response to the reception of the signal, controls the wireless unit to reduce output level of the transmission power in a wireless unit to a level that it can be received by a local base station while it cannot be received by a public base station. This enables restricting communication that uses public wireless network.