Document	Document Title
US08021850B2	Universal tandem solid-phases based immunoassay Universal tandem solid-phases based immunoassay (UTSIA) is a sandwich-ELISA equivalent assay for low abundance antigen determination that overcomes limitations of sandwich-ELISA (antibody inactivation by solid phase and strict requirement of a pair of primary and secondary antibodies) by using an affinity binding solid phase to capture antigen specifically from a fluid sample, sequentially dissociating the antigen, transferring, and coating the antigen to a non-affinity binding solid phase for specific antigen determination. Cell-based UTSIA is a cell-based ELISA equivalent assay that overcomes limitations of image method for determining an antigen in the cells or tissue immobilized on a solid phase by dissociating and transferring the detection antibody bound on the antigen of the cells or tissue immobilized on the solid phase to a second solid phase and immobilizing the detection antibody there for specific detection of the antigen via the detection of the detection antibody.
US08021833B2	Method for reducing HIV viral budding by administering a VPS28-specfic antibody that disrupts Gag-TSG101-VPS28 binding interactions The importance of interaction between TSG101 and Vps28 in the release of HIV-1 and other viruses is disclosed. Suppressing or interfering in this interaction may inhibit HIV-1 virion release from infected cells. Agents that modulate this interaction include antibodies that bind to Vps28, polypeptides that bind to Vps28, and nucleic acids that may be used in gene therapy to interfere with the expression of wild type Vps28. Administration of such agents in vitro for screening and diagnostic purposes, and in vivo for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, is disclosed.
US08021830B2	Method for increasing plasma volume by administering a plasma expander comprising basic alpha keratose A liquid plasma expander or resuscitation fluid composition for use in a subject in need thereof, comprising, consisting of; or consisting essentially of: (a) a keratin derivative (preferably alpha keratose, gamma keratose, or combinations thereof, and with basic alpha keratose preferred over acidic alpha keratose); and (b) an electrolyte solution, with the keratin derivative solubilized in the electrolyte solution to form a homogeneous liquid composition. Blood substitutes formed therefrom and methods of making and using the same are also described.
US08021829B2	Method of forming photoresist pattern and method of manufacturing perpendicular magnetic recording head Provided is a method of forming a photoresist pattern enabling the three dimensional shape of a photoresist pattern to be controlled sufficiently. A photoresist pattern for forming a main magnetic pole layer can be formed by forming a preparatory photoresist pattern having a projected part at a position corresponding to a flare point by selectively exposing and developing a photoresist film, and then heating the preparatory photoresist pattern. In the heating process, the presence of the projected part in the preparatory photoresist pattern relaxes the influence of thermal contraction, and hence the photoresist film is hard to be rounded at the position. Moreover, in the heating process, the preparatory photoresist pattern can be thermally flown and thermally contracted, so that the internal wall in the opening part can be inclined and the projected part can be retreated. Thus, the three dimensional shape of the photoresist pattern approaches a desired three dimensional shape.
US08021818B2	Printing plate, method of manufacturing of printing plate and liquid crystal display device using the same A printing plate to form a precise pattern, a method for manufacturing the printing plate, and a method for fabricating an LCD device using the printing plate in which the printing plate includes a substrate having at least one trench and sidewall elements formed at an inner perimeter of the at least one trench.
US08021814B2	Toner, and oilless fixing method and process cartridge using the toner A toner useful for an oilless fixing method, includes a binder resin; a colorant; and 2.0 to 4.5% by weight of a wax which is soluble in n-hexane, based on a total weight of the toner, wherein the wax is dispersed in the toner, the wax forming wax domain particles (DA) comprising wax domain particles (DS) exposed at a surface of the toner and wax domain particles (DI) encapsulated in the toner and not exposed at the surface of the toner, wherein a weight of the DS is greater than a weight of the DI, wherein the toner from which the DS have been eluted with n-hexane comprises vestigial concavities having an area of 0.01 πμm2 or more on the surface of the toner in an amount of from 1 to 7 pcs/4 μm2, and wherein 60% or more by number of the DA having a particle diameter of 200 nm or more have a spindle or cylindrical shape having an aspect ratio of 4 or more.
US08021806B2	Photomask blank, photomask, and methods of manufacturing the same A photomask blank for manufacturing a phase shift mask having a light-transmitting substrate provided with a phase shift part adapted to give a predetermined phase difference to transmitted exposure light. An etching mask film serving as an etching mask when forming a phase shift part is provided on the front surface side, where the phase shift part is to be formed, of the substrate. A light-shielding film serving to shield exposure light is provided on the back surface side (opposite-side surface) of the substrate.
US08021800B2	Hologram recording material, process for producing the same and hologram recording medium The present invention provides a hologram recording material which is suitable for volume hologram record and attains high refractive index change, flexibility, high sensitivity, low scattering, environment resistance, durability, low shrinkage and high multiplicity in holographic memory record using not only a green laser but also a blue laser; a process for producing the same; and a hologram recording medium having the hologram recording material. A hologram recording material comprising: a metal oxide containing at least Si and Zr as metals, wherein an aromatic carboxylic acid compound is coordinated to Zr; and a photopolymerizable compound. The aromatic carboxylic acid compound is, for example, toluic acid. A hologram recording medium (11) comprising the hologram recording material layer (21).
US08021798B2	Fuel cell electrocatalyst of Pt-Zn-Ni/Fe A fuel cell catalyst containing platinum, zinc, and at least one of nickel and iron.
US08021793B2	Hydrogen producing apparatus and fuel cell system using the same A hydrogen producing apparatus according to the present invention includes a hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1 for containing a hydrogen generating material, a water containing vessel 2 for containing water, a water supply portion for supplying water from the water containing vessel 2 to the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a hydrogen outflow portion for leading out hydrogen from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a gas-liquid separating part 7 for separating water from a mixture of hydrogen and water discharged from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, and a water collecting portion for collecting water separated by the gas-liquid separating part 7 into the water containing vessel 2.
US08021789B2	Microporous membrane and manufacturing method A microporous membrane having a structure in which its pore size distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, which is produced by extruding a combination of a diluent or solvent and a polyolefin resin composition comprising (a) from about 74 to about 99% of a first polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 2.5×105 to about 5×105 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 5 to about 100, (b) from about 1 to about 5% of a second polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 5×105 to about 1×106 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 5 to about 100, and (c) from 0 to about 25% of a polypropylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 3×105 to about 1.5×106, a molecular weight distribution of from about 1 to about 100, and a heat of fusion of 80 J/g or higher, percentages based on the mass of the polyolefin composition; cooling the extrudate to form a high polyolefin content cooled extrudate; stretching the cooled extrudate in at least one direction at a high stretching temperature to form a stretched sheet; removing at least a portion of the diluent or solvent from the stretched sheet to form a membrane; stretching the membrane to a high magnification in at least one direction to form a stretched membrane; and heat-setting the stretched membrane to form the microporous membrane.
US08021784B2	Cureless battery paste and method for producing battery plates A battery paste composition incorporates and promotes the formation of tetra basic lead sulfate using a micronized TTBLS additive, and eliminates free lead using a special oxide, during paste mixing and drying. Battery plates utilizing the disclosed battery paste composition are produced without the need for curing, and instead can be used in the battery immediately following plate drying.
US08021782B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with an excellent packing property and remarkably improved high-temperature cycle characteristics and thermal stability. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 includes a positive electrode plate 11 having a positive electrode active material able to absorb and desorb lithium ions, a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material capable of absorption and desorption of lithium ions, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, and the positive electrode active material includes a mixture of material A: LiwNixCoyMnzO2 (where 1.00≦w≦1.30, x+y+z=1, 0.40≦x≦0.50, and 0.30≦y≦0.40) and material B: LiwNixCoyMnzO2 (where 1.00≦w≦1.30, x+y+z=1, 0.30≦x≦0.35, and 0.30≦y≦0.35).
US08021780B2	Electrical connection device for an output terminal of a storage battery A storage battery (1) includes a container (2) containing an electrochemical stack (9) comprising alternating positive and negative electrodes flanking electrolyte-impregnated separators. A current output terminal (7) passes through a lid (5) of the container. A connector (10), which electrically connects the electrodes of one polarity to the terminal (7) passing through the lid, includes a flat connection (15) welded to the electrodes and an elastic connection (20) which nests into the terminal (7) passing through the lid. Manufacture of a sealed storage battery is simplified by obviating a manual operation of inserting and bending an elongated connection tab inside the container.
US08021776B2	Holding and contact-making apparatus for a button cell, and method for its production The invention relates to a maintaining and contacting device for a round cell battery and to the use of said type of maintaining and contacting device in remote control devices in order to lock and unlock motor vehicles. According to said type of devices, the battery area must be separated as much as possible from other electronic components in order to prevent destructive contact. Spring clips, which are connected to the electronic system by means of a cable and soldered connections, are used in order to make contact with the upper and lower side of the round cell battery. Leaf-spring like contact elements, which are connected to the battery area forming a non-positive fit connection with an electronic module which is to be supplied, are used in order to prevent a complex construction and in order to enable the battery area to be accessed in an easy manner.
US08021774B2	Secondary battery and method of fabricating the same A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a can having an opening at one end of the can. The electrode assembly is housed in the can. A cap plate seals the opening. The cap plate includes an electrolyte injection hole. An electrode terminal is coupled to the cap plate electrical connecting the electrode terminal and the electrode assembly. A gasket is located between the electrode terminal and the cap plate to insulate the electrode terminal from the cap plate. A plug seals the electrolyte injection hole, the plug being coated with an elastic film.
US08021766B2	Benzo(GHI)fluoranthene derivative and organic light emitting device using the same To provide an organic light emitting device with high color purity, high efficiency, high luminance, and a long life, the organic light emitting device includes: a pair of electrodes having an anode and a cathode, and at least one layer containing an organic compound sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, at least one of the anode and the cathode being transparent or translucent, in which at least one layer containing an organic compound contains at least one kind of the benzo(ghi)fluoranthene derivative represented by the following General Formula (1) or (2).
US08021764B2	Phenylcarbazole-based compound and organic electroluminescent device employing the same A phenylcarbazole-based compound is represented by Formula 1, and has superior electric properties and charge transport abilities, and thus is useful as a hole injection material, a hole transport material, and/or an emitting material which is suitable for fluorescent and phosphorescent devices of all colors, including red, green, blue, and white colors. The phenylcarbazole-based compound is synthesized by reacting carbazole with diamine. The organic electroluminescent device manufactured using the phenylcarbazole-based compound has high efficiency, low voltage, high luminance, and a long lifespan.
US08021756B2	Microlens array The present invention provides a microlens array produced by molding a resin obtained by reacting a silicon compound with a boron compound or an aluminum compound, in which the silicon compound is represented by the following formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an aryl group, in which a plurality of R1's are the same or different and a plurality of R2's are the same or different; X represents a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an aryl group; and n is 4 to 250. This microlens array has excellent heat resistance and light resistance even when applied to LEDs having an increased power and to LEDs emitting blue light having a short wavelength.
US08021738B2	Liner component for use in mining and quarrying industries There is provided a wear and impact resistant liner component (1) for use in mining and quarrying industries comprising a rubber matrix rigidly supported on a steel plate (2), said rubber matrix having been provided with a plurality of steel strips (3) spaced apart from each other.
US08021732B2	Fishing lures and adhesive covers for same Customizable adhesive covers for fishing lures are provided. In one implementation, an adhesive cover includes a top laminate layer adhered to a base layer that is adhered to a bottom adhesive layer. The base layer is treated to facilitate acceptance of a personalized design applied to the middle layer. The adhesive cover is contoured to partially or completely cover one or more sides of a fishing lure.
US08021728B2	Polyamide resin composition having superior extensibility and flexing fatigue and pneumatic tire and hose using the same A polyamide resin composition, having an excellent extensibility and flexing fatigue, composed of a polyamide resin (A), as a matrix, and a modifying polymer (C), dispersed therein, having a functional group (B) reactive with the polyamide resin (A), wherein a tensile stress at break of the modifying polymer (C) is 30 to 70% of the tensile stress at break of the polyamide resin (A), and a tensile elongation at break of the modifying polymer (C) is 100 to 500% of the tensile elongation at break of the polyamide resin (A) as well as a pneumatic tire and hose using the same.
US08021727B2	In-mold molding label and molded product using the same The invention provides a label for in-mold forming which tenaciously adheres to molded articles regardless of the materials of the molded articles, is usable under a wide range of molded-article molding conditions, and has an excellent print finish. The invention relates to: a label for in-mold forming, which comprises a resin film comprising a heat-sealable layer and a printing layer, wherein the heat-sealable layer has a rate of surface aperture of 6-30%, the printing layer has a dot skipping of 5% or lower, and the printing layer has a Bekk's surface smoothness (JIS-P-8119) of 650-20,000 seconds; and a molded article using the label.
US08021726B2	Compositions and processes for preparing color filter elements using alkali metal fluorides The present invention provides compositions derived from a polycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy compound, a dye and a basic crosslinking agent. The compositions can be used to prepare cross-linked films that exhibit low solvent-swell characteristics. The cross-linked films can be used to prepare color filter elements via thermal transfer processes.
US08021725B2	Coated media for improved output stacking performance The present invention is drawn to a coated substrate for ink-jet ink printing. The substrate can have an ink-receiving coating on the imaging side. On the opposite, or back, surface, the substrate can have two coatings: a curl control coating and a photo feel coating designed to provide scratch resistance. The curl control coating can be nearest the substrate, with the photo feel coating coated over the curl control coating. The photo feel coating can have a contact angle greater than about 90 degrees and a water vapor transport rate of greater than about 5 g/m2/12 hour.
US08021724B2	Optical film, manufacturing method of the same, and polarizing plate and liquid crystal display using the optical film An optical film having an inner portion exhibiting an N value defined by the following equation smaller than an N value at a surface of the optical film: N=(nx+ny)/2−nz wherein nx represents an in-plane refractive index in a slow axis direction of the optical film, ny represents an in-plane refractive index in a fast axis direction of the optical film, and nz represent a refractive index in a thickness direction of the optical film.
US08021723B2	Method of plasma treatment using amplitude-modulated RF power A method for processing a substrate by plasma CVD includes: (i) forming a film on a substrate placed on a susceptor by applying RF power between the susceptor and a shower plate in the presence of a film-forming gas in a reactor; and (ii) upon completion of step (i), without unloading the substrate, applying amplitude-modulated RF power between the susceptor and the shower plate in the absence of a film-forming gas but in the presence of a non-film-forming gas to reduce a floating potential of the substrate.
US08021711B2	Organic EL display device and method for fabricating the same In one mode of the present invention, there is provided an organic EL display device, which includes an organic light emitting layer provided between sets of electrodes, comprising color filters 22 and an overcoat layer 23 provided on a substrate 21; an inorganic solid layer 24 provided on the overcoat layer 23; a first set of transparent electrodes 25 provided on the inorganic solid layer 24; a light emitting layer 27 provided on the first set of electrodes 25; and a second set of electrodes 28 formed on the light emitting layer 27; wherein the inorganic solid layer 24 has routes for moisture passage formed in regions between adjacent electrodes of the first set so as to be uniform over an entire active area.
US08021708B2	Method for simulating the functional attributes of human milk oligosaccharides The present invention is directed to a novel method for increasing the production of acetate, decreasing the production of butyrate, increasing the population and species of beneficial bacteria and slowing the rate of fermentation of prebiotics within the gut of a formula-fed infant. The method comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of PDX to the infant.
US08021695B2	Personal care composition containing leghemoglobin A personal care composition comprising leghemoglobin and at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycols, parabens, hydantoins, quaternary nitrogen-containing compounds, isothiazolinones, aldehyde-releasing agents, and halogenated compounds. Preferably, the leghemoglobin is a nitrogen fixation root nodule extract providing a leghemoglobin concentration in the composition of between 0.0001% and about 10% based upon the total weight of the composition. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the personal care composition.
US08021694B2	Acidified chlorite disinfectant compositions with olefin stabilizers A two-part disinfecting systems, as well as disinfecting compositions and methods for making and using the same. The two-part disinfecting system contains a first part and a second part adapted to be mixed to yield an aqueous disinfecting composition, wherein the first part comprises a chlorite and the second part comprises an acid, and wherein the first part, the second part, or both the first and second parts comprise an olefin compound.
US08021686B2	Lipid-encapsulated polyanionic nucleic acid Methods for the preparation of a lipid-nucleic acid composition are provided. According to the methods, a mixture of lipids containing a protonatable or deprotonatable lipid, for example an amino lipid and a lipid such as a PEG- or Polyamide oligomer-modified lipid is combined with a buffered aqueous solution of a charged therapeutic agent, for example polyanionic nucleic acids, to produce particles in which the therapeutic agent is encapsulated in a lipid vesicle. Surface charges on the lipid particles are at least partially neutralized to provide surface-neutralized lipid-encapsulated compositions of the therapeutic agents. The method permits the preparation of compositions with high ratios of therapeutic agent to lipid and with encapsulation efficiencies in excess of 50%.
US08021681B2	Therapeutic process for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and associated metabolic disorders The present invention is directed to a method of treating a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome and/or related disorders including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, pro-inflammatory state, and pro-coagulative state, and having the steps of (a) providing to the patient a dietary regimen that decreases overactive CNS noradrenergic tone; followed by (b) providing to the patient a dietary regimen that increases dopaminergic tone while maintaining the above decreased overactive CNS noradrenergic tone. The present invention is also directed to prepackaged meals and recipes useful in implementing the dietary regimens.
US08021679B2	Nitric oxide-releasing biodegradable polymers useful as medical devices and coatings therefore Nitric Oxide (NO)-releasing polymers useful as implantable medical devices and coatings therefore are provided. Specifically the implantable medical devices and/or coatings comprise NO-releasing biodegradable polymers derived from [1,4] oxazepan-7-one and its derivatives. The medical devices and coatings of the present invention can also be used for in situ controlled release delivery of additional bioactive agents and are useful for treating or preventing medical conditions such as restenosis, aneurysms and vulnerable plaque.
US08021677B2	Immobilized biologically active entities having a high degree of biological activity The present invention relates to immobilized biologically active entities having heparin cofactor II binding activity.
US08021668B2	Integrin alpha L I domain mutants with increased binding affinity The present invention provides an isolated polypeptide capable of binding to aCAM-1, comprising the integrin (XL I domain or biologically active portion thereof, wherein one or more residues is substituted, wherein the substituted polypeptide binds ICAM-I at a higher affinity than wild type integrin CCL protein. The invention provides a method for inhibiting ICAM-I and a pharmaceutical composition comprising an integrin (XL I domain polypeptide or biologically active portion of the polypeptides. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing an LFA-I mediated ICAM-1 associated disease such as inflammation, artherosclerosis, allograft rejection, diabetes, T-cell mediated sensitization reaction, psoriasis, HIV infection, or rheumatoid arthritis.
US08021663B2	Antibodies to Lawsonia intracellularis The present invention relates to the field of animal health and in particular to Lawsonia intracellularis. In particular, the invention relates to a method of diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infection and a diagnostic test kit using Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the method or test kit for diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infections.
US08021654B2	Methods of treating pigs with Bacillus strains Disclosed are methods of administering at least two Bacillus strains to a pig, such as female breeding stock, nursery pigs, or other pigs. The Bacillus strains inhibit Clostridium in litters borne to the pig. The Bacillus strains also are useful when administered to herds lacking symptoms of Clostridium infection. Administration of the Bacillus strains improves performance of female breeding stock and in piglets borne by the female breeding stock.
US08021653B2	Shuttle vector for Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli The present invention provides a shuttle vector for a microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium (BM) and Escherichia coli having a wide host range and a large copy number in BM and capable of highly expressing a desired protein when used as an expression vector; an expression vector capable of expressing a desired gene in BM by use of the shuttle vector; BM transformed with the expression vector; and an antitumor agent comprising the BM as an active ingredient. It comprises a pTB6-derived region portion comprising a replication origin (oriV)-repB region of pTB6 but not comprising MembB, MobA, OrfI, and oriT regions of pTB6 and an Escherichia coli-derived plasmid portion comprising a replication origin (Puc Ori) region of Escherichia coli but having deleted DNA encoding an N-terminal region of an ampicillin resistance gene (ampR) expression product β-lactamase.
US08021651B2	Pulverulent styling composition A pulverulent composition comprising 50 to 95% by weight of an aqueous solvent, hydrophobicized silicon dioxide powder and at least one film-forming and/or setting polymer for the temporary shaping of keratin fibers and a corresponding pulverulent styling composition. Upon mechanical stress, the powder releases the solvent and the film-forming and/or setting polymer so that the desired shaping or setting of, for example, a mechanically produced shape of the treated fibers is achieved.
US08021649B2	Continuous spray scalp therapy and dispensing systems for same A spray delivery system in combination with a scalp medication is provided which includes a portable container having a gas imperious container wall, a pressure source disposed within the container, and a selectively operable valve assembly affixed to the container. The scalp medication is in liquid form and is disposed within the container. The scalp medication comprises a hair growth stimulation or hair growth maintenance active ingredient in an amount sufficient to stimulate or maintain hair growth disposed within a pharmacologically acceptable carrier solution. The valve assembly of the system produces a 1 mL spray of said scalp medication within about 5 seconds following a single operation of said valve assembly. A method of treating alopecia using a continuous spray employing such a system is also provided. Both bag-on-valve (bag-in-can) and metered dose packages are disclosed.
US08021647B2	In vivo optical imaging Provided herein are methods for imaging an optically labeled target cell implanted in vivo using a reporter construct that encodes an enzyme that is not endogenous to the target cell. The disclosed methods include the steps of: (a) introducing target cell transformed with non-endogenous enzyme into a mammalian subject; (b) contacting the transformed target cell with a cell-permeable soluble fluorescent dye; and (c) observing a fluorescent signal generated by the target cell present in the mammalian subject. In some embodiments, the non-endogenous enzyme comprises a nitroreductase. In some embodiments, the methods may also include the step of tracking the fluorescent target cells in the mammalian subject over time.
US08021638B2	Carbon foam and high density carbon foam composite tooling Tools for the forming of composite parts from composite forming materials, having tool bodies that comprise, at least in part, carbon foam and high density carbon foam are described. In some embodiments, a surface of the carbon foam or high density carbon foam may comprise a tool face. In other embodiments, the carbon foam or high density carbon foam may support an other material, referred to as tool face material, wherein a surface of the tool face material may comprise a tool face. The tools of the present invention may be lighter, more durable, and less costly to produce and/or use than conventional tools used for the production of composite parts, particularly those tools used for the production of carbon composites. Additionally, such tools may be reusable, repairable, and more readily modifiable.
US08021637B2	Process for the preparation of magadiite or kenyaite from an organic structuring agent comprising two terminal alcohol functions Described is a process for the preparation of at least one crystallized lamellar solid formed by magadiite or kenyaite consisting of implementing in a step (i) mixing of at least one silica source, at least one organic structuring agent of the formula HO—(CH2)n—OH, with 2≦n≦5, at least one alkali and/or alkaline earth metal M and water and then implementing in a step (ii) hydrothermal treatment of said mixture until at least said crystallized lamellar solid is formed.
US08021635B2	Combustion furnace humidification devices, systems and methods An injection device for humidifying a reactor space and injecting and dispersing reagents into the humidified reactor space, including an exterior injection duct for high-velocity gas injection and at least one interior injector for reagent and humidifying agent injection as droplets with a droplet environment. The high-velocity gas ensuring the humidification of the liquid droplet environment and mixing and dispersion of the liquid reagent droplets into the reactor. A multiple injection device system and a method for operating the system are also described.
US08021634B2	Sulfate process A sulfate process for producing titania from a titaniferous material (such as an iron-containing titaniferous material such as ilmenite) is disclosed. The process includes digestion and/or leach steps that form a process solution that includes an acidic solution of titanyl sulfate (TiOSO4) and iron sulfate (FeSO4) from the solid titaniferous material. The process also includes hydrolysis and other steps that form titania from the titanyl sulfate in the process solution. The process is characterised by a ferric ion treatment step of treating the process solution and lowering the concentration of ferric ions from the process solution.
US08021632B2	Reactor having titanium silicate recycling The invention relates to a plant for carrying out chemical reactions, having a reactor (1), the reaction space of which contains hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and titanium silicalite (TS-1). The object of the invention is to improve such a plant such that continuous separation and recycling of the active catalyst to the reaction space is possible with a long filter service life. This is achieved in that the reaction space contains a solid silicon source, in that the plant comprises a water takeoff line (3) which is set up for drawing off water in addition to components which are dissolved and/or dispersed therein from the reaction space, in that the water takeoff line (3) leads to a filter (4) which separates off the components which are dissolved and/or dispersed in the water, and in that the plant has a return line (5) which is set up for recirculating to the reaction space components which are separated off by means of the filter (4).
US08021631B2	Body fluid testing device Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.
US08021615B2	Sensor that compensates for deterioration of a luminescable medium A sensor that generates an output signal in response to a stimulus, where the output signal is generated with a predetermined relationship to one or more properties of the stimulus such that the one or more properties of the stimulus can be determined as a function of the output signal. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a component, a sensor processor, and a transmitter. The component deteriorates, thereby causing predictable fluctuations in the predetermined relationship between the output signal and the one or more properties of the stimulus. The sensor processor provides information related to the deterioration of the component. The transmitter wirelessly transmits the information provided by the processor.
US08021607B2	Methods for inhibiting corrosion in aqueous media Methods are provided to inhibit corrosion of metals in contact with aqueous systems such as cooling water systems. In accordance with the methods, a hydroxyacid compound and orthophosphates are used to treat the system. Additionally, an adjuvant including poly(epoxysuccinic acids), an additional hydroxy acid, and a polycarboxylic acid, may be added to the system water.
US08021600B2	Method and plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide A plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide. The plant includes a reactor including a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes a gas supply system disposed in the reactor, a stationary annular fluidized bed which at least partly surrounds the gas supply system, and a mixing chamber. The gas supply system is configured so that gas flowing through the gas supply system entrains solids from the stationary annular fluidized bed into the mixing chamber.
US08021596B2	Method for injection stretch blow molding In the hot parison method of stretch blow molding, the temperature distribution of the body wall of the injection molded preform is changed to a gentle gradient slope shape from a mountain shape not by the external application of heat, but by the preform itself, to prepare a bottle with an improved top load value. After the injection-molded preform is released from the mold, cooling of the inner side of the preform is continued by the injection core. Inner side cooling is terminated by release from the injection core. The preform is left in a hollow state for a time, the temperature-averaging time, until the outer surface temperature drops to the stretch blow molding temperature, after passing a peak temperature. While in the molding temperature region, stretch blow molding of the thin-wall hollow molded article is conducted.
US08021594B2	Preserving filled features when vacuum wiping A method/process for curing imprint on a template prior to contact with a substrate. A curing process is used to adhere the imprint to a wafer or substrate. Monomer is deposited on a template and then partially cured using a UV exposure. The exposure is controlled so that the imprint is cured past the gel point, but still retains a thin liquid layer of uncured monomer at the surface that will bond with the wafer. Further, this partially cured layer enables the alignment adjustments between the template and the substrate to be performed after contact between the two without pulling any monomer out of the features.
US08021591B2	Method and apparatus for incrementally stretching a web A method and apparatus is provided which uses activation members for incrementally stretching a web at a low strain rate. The activation members include an activation belt and a single activation member wherein the activation belt and single activation member comprise a plurality of teeth and grooves that complement and engage one another at a depth of engagement in a deformation zone. The depth of engagement can be controlled to increase linearly over at least a portion of the deformation zone such that a web interposed between the activation belt and the single activation member in the deformation zone is incrementally stretched at a low rate of strain.
US08021579B2	Conductive composition and production method thereof, antistatic coating material, antistatic coating, antistatic film, optical filter, and optical information recording medium, and capacitors and production method thereof A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a polyanion, and a hydroxy group-containing aromatic compound containing two or more hydroxy groups. An antistatic coating material comprises the conductive composition and a solvent. An antistatic coating is produced by applying the antistatic coating material. A capacitor comprises an anode composed of a porous valve metal body; a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing a surface of the anode; and a cathode formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the cathode has a solid electrolyte layer comprising the conductive composition.
US08021574B2	Naphthalene derivative, material for organic electroluminescence device, and organic electroluminescence device using the same A naphthalene derivative represented by the following formula (1) is provided. In the formula, Ar1 to Ar4 each represent an aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms forming a ring. The aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic group has none of anthracene skeleton, pyrene skeleton, aceanthrylene skeleton and naphthacene skeleton. n, m and l each represent an integer in a range of 1 to 5. p represents an integer in a range of 0 to 5. When n, m, l and p each are 2 or more, a plurality of Ar1 to Ar4 may be mutually the same or different.
US08021573B2	Near-infrared-absorbing material and near-infrared-absorbing filter The present invention provides a near-infrared-absorbing material including: a luminescent agent, and a near-infrared-absorbing compound obtained by oxidizing a compound represented by the following formula (II): wherein R211, R212, R221, R222, R231, R232, R241 and R242 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group or an aromatic group; R203, R213, R223, R233 and R243 each independently represent a substituent group; and n203, n213, n223, n233 and n243 each independently represent an integer from 0 to 4.
US08021571B2	Chiral reactive mesogen mixture The invention relates to chiral reactive mesogen (RM) mixtures, polymer films obtained thereof, and the use of the mixtures and polymer films in optical, electrooptical or electronic components or devices, in decorative, security or cosmetic applications, especially for use in broadband reflective polarizers.
US08021570B2	β-peptide lyotropic liquid crystals and methods of manufacture and use thereof The present invention provides materials and methods that make liquid crystal phases accessible with relatively short β-peptides in aqueous solvents.
US08021565B2	Surface treatment method, etching method, and method for manufacturing electronic device A surface treatment method includes: removing a fluorocarbon-containing reaction product from a surface of a workpiece by oxygen gas plasma processing. The workpiece includes a plurality of layers. The fluorocarbon-containing reaction product is deposited by successively etching the layers of the workpiece. The method further includes after removing the reaction product, removing an oxide-containing reaction product from the surface of the workpiece using hydrogen fluoride gas.
US08021561B1	Optical component having features extending different depths into a light transmitting medium The optical device includes a plurality of waveguides and an optical grating. A first portion of the waveguides act as input waveguide configured to carry a light beam that includes multiple light signals to the optical grating. The optical grating is configured to demultiplex the light signals. A second portion of the waveguides act as output waveguides configured to carry the demultiplexed light signals away from the optical grating. A method of forming the optical device includes sequentially forming the waveguides and the optical grating while a single mask defines the location of the waveguides and the optical grating.
US08021556B2	Method of clarifying industrial wastewater for the reduction of organic waste content using cationic dispersion polymers combined with powdered activated carbon and anionic flocculent polymers A method is provided for clarifying wastewater containing contaminants including soluble organic compounds and insoluble organic compounds. The wastewater is treated with a paculant admixture including a cationic coagulant polymer and powdered activated carbon. The cationic coagulant polymer is polydiallydimethylammonium chloride, poly quaternary amine, and/or a starch-based organic polymer. After an at least 2 second delay, a flocculent is added to the wastewater to achieve (i) microcoagulation of the cationic coagulant polymer with the contaminants to form coagulated particles having an effective mass and cationic charge to react with an anionic flocculent to be added thereafter, and (ii) absorption of the soluble organic compounds on the powdered activated carbon. The anionic flocculent as added and reacted with the coagulated particles to form a sludge, containing agglomerated particles including the coagulated particles and powdered activated carbon, of sufficient size for mechanical removal. The sludge is removed to provide clarified wastewater.
US08021550B2	Central core element for a separator assembly The present invention provides a central core element for separator assemblies useful in the purification of fluids, for example separator assemblies useful for the desalination of seawater. The central core element provided by the present invention comprises at least two porous exhaust conduits wherein each porous exhaust conduit comprises an exhaust channel and one or more openings which allow fluid communication between an exterior surface of the porous exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel. The central core element defines a cavity into which may be disposed a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. In the preparation of a separator assembly comprising the central core element provided by the present invention, a second portion of the membrane stack assembly forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. Also provided are central core elements for salt separator assemblies and spiral flow reverse osmosis devices.
US08021544B2	Wastewater screening device A screening device for wastewater overflow weirs and the like includes a perforate screening member through which wastewater flows from a bottom to top sides thereof, with a frame and a plurality of screening rods arranged in a laterally spaced apart, mutually parallel relationship. The opposite ends of the screening rods are fixedly connected with the frame to capture solids in the wastewater. The screening rods are each configured with narrow portions at the opposite ends.
US08021539B2	System and process for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, or hydrofinishing A method for hydrodesulfurization by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than 1 micron dispersed in a liquid phase comprising sulfur-containing compounds. Desulfurizing a liquid stream comprising sulfur-containing compounds by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s−1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrodesulfurization reactor from which a reactor product is removed. Systems of apparatus for hydrodesulfurization are also presented.
US08021533B2	Preparation of hydrogen storage materials A candidate hydrogen storage material, M, capable of reaction with hydrogen to form a hydride, MHm (m=number of H atoms per formula unit), and to subsequently release hydrogen on demand, is processed electrochemically to enhance its absorption/desorption properties. For example, a magnesium hydride (MgH2) composition, arranged as a positive electrode, is reduced with lithium ions in a direct current electrolytic cell to form nanometer-size particles of magnesium (and lithium hydride). The cell operation may be reversed to oxidize magnesium to nanometer size particles of magnesium hydride. Thereafter, the nanometer-size particles of M/MHm adsorb and desorb hydrogen at higher yields and under more moderate storage processing conditions.
US08021532B2	Dielectrophoretic tweezers apparatus and methods Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Multiple electrodes (e.g., two or three) are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. Exemplary electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, coaxial and triaxial arrangements. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.
US08021531B2	Method for modifying the concentration of reactants in a microfluidic device A method of carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which a first reactant at a first concentration is delivered into a reaction channel; within the reaction channel the concentration of the first reactant is changed from the first concentration to a second concentration; and while at the second concentration the first reactant is exposed to a second reactant.
US08021522B2	Reverse piezoelectric method for production of silane The present invention relates to a method for production of silane where particulate quartz in a fluidized bed is treated with a gas containing hydrogen at a temperature below 0° C., with the quartz in the fluidized bed subjected to an alternating electric field having a frequency equal to the intrinsic resonant frequency of at least a part of the quartz particles to create vibrational energy in the particles, thereby causing a chemical reaction between quartz and hydrogen to produce silane. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
US08021519B2	Water distillation system A system for distilling sea or brackish water includes a feed water arrangement for supplying feed water from a feed water source to one or more flashing stages. Each flashing stage has a water flash evaporator for vaporizing at least part of the water therein, and a condenser for receiving the vapour and converting at least a part of the vapour into distilled water. A heat storage arrangement provided with a heat generating source for storing heat energy is used to heat a fluid medium flowing through it. A heat exchange arrangement receives the hot fluid medium and transfers heat to a stream of vapour flowing under pressure from each flashing stage. The vapour leaving the heat exchange arrangement being at a raised temperature is arranged to be condensed into water at the condenser and to transfer some of its latent heat to the evaporator.
US08021516B2	Use of water-soluble polymer complexes in aqueous systems A water-soluble interjacent complex that includes a first water-soluble polymer and one or more water-soluble monomers polymerized to form a second water-soluble polymer in the presence of the first water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble interjacent complex forms a solution in water that is free of insoluble polymer particles. The interjacent complexes may be used to treat a waste sludge by adding an effective amount thereof to the waste sludge. The interjacent complexes may also be used in making paper by adding an effective amount thereof to a pulp or a forming sheet at a suitable location on a paper making machine. The interjacent complexes may further be used as a rheology modifier in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount thereof to an aqueous medium to effect a desired viscosity, rheology, or flow curve property.
US08021515B2	Inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus (100) comprises a plasma chamber (12) with a dielectric window (400) forming a self-supporting wall element of the plasma chamber (12). The dielectric window (400) has an external and an internal side with respect to the chamber (12). An electromagnetic field source (140) is arranged in front of the external side of the dielectric window (400) for generating an electromagnetic field within the plasma chamber (12). The field source comprises at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303). The at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303) is attached to the external side of the dielectric window (400), such that the at least one magnetic core helps the dielectric window (400) to withstand collapsing forces caused by negative pressure inside said chamber during operation.
US08021512B2	Method of preventing premature drying An apparatus, system and method for preventing premature drying of a surface of a substrate between fabrication operations includes receiving a substrate for cleaning, performing wet cleaning operations to the surface of the substrate to remove contaminants and fabrication chemistries left behind during one or more fabrication operations from the surface of the substrate, identifying a saturated gas chemistry and applying the identified saturated gas chemistry in a transition region such that the surface of the substrate exposed to the saturated gas chemistry in the transition region retains the moisture thereby preventing the surface of the substrate from premature drying. The saturated gas chemistry is applied between two subsequent wet-cleaning operations.
US08021501B2	Single point incremental forming of metallic materials using applied direct current A method for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component is provided. The method can include providing a single point incremental forming, the machine operable to perform a plurality of single point incremental deformations on the sheet metal component and also apply an electric direct current to the sheet a metal component during at least part of the forming. The direct current can be applied before or after the forming has started and/or be terminated before or after the forming has stopped and can reduce the magnitude of force required to produce a given amount of deformation, increase the amount of deformation exhibited before failure and/or reduce any springback typically exhibited by the sheet metal component.
US08021497B2	Method for producing a hardened steel part The invention relates to a method for producing a hardened steel part having a cathodic corrosion protection, whereby a) a coating is applied to a sheet made of a hardenable steel alloy in a continuous coating process; b) the coating is essentially comprised of zinc; c) the coating additionally contains one or more oxygen-affine elements in a total amount of 0.1% by weight to 15% by weight with regard to the entire coating; d) the coated steel sheet is then, at least in partial areas and with the admission of atmospheric oxygen, brought to a temperature necessary for hardening and is heated until it undergoes a microstructural change necessary for hardening, whereby; e) a superficial skin is formed on the coating from an oxide of the oxygen-affine element(s), and; f) the sheet is shaped before or after heating, and; g) the sheet is cooled after sufficient heating, whereby the cooling rate is calculated in order to achieve a hardening of the sheet alloy. The invention also relates to a corrosion protection layer for the hardened steel part and to the steel part itself.
US08021485B2	Positioning apparatus In the present positioning apparatus, a positioning apparatus, comprising: a box body including a process chamber exposed to a decompression environment in the interior of the box body and an opening allowing said process chamber to communicate with an outside; a moving member for shielding said opening of said box body with a slight clearance between said box body and the moving member and movable with respect to said opening of said box body; and a differential pumping seal for sealing said slight clearance between said opening of said box body and said moving member, wherein a portion of said moving member to be moved into the interior of said process chamber, when said moving member moves, is formed as an adsorption preventive area.
US08021481B2	Process and apparatus for large-scale manufacturing of bulk monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride A method for large-scale manufacturing of gallium nitride includes a process for reducing and/or minimizing contamination in the crystals, for solvent addition to an autoclave, for improving or optimizing the solvent atmosphere composition, for removal of the solvent from the autoclave, and for recycling of the solvent. The method is scalable up to large volumes and is cost effective.
US08021479B2	Plant and method for the production of cement clinker from cement raw material The invention relates to a device and a method for producing clinker from raw cement material. The raw cement material is preheated in a preheater, is precalcined in a calcining apparatus, is completely burned in a sintering furnace, and is finally cooled in a cooler. Tertiary air of the cooler is fed to the calcining apparatus while eliminated dust is thermally treated in a dust burning reactor with the aid of combustion air and fuel. At least some of the tertiary air is fed to the dust burning reactor as combustion air while the dust that is to be treated and the combustion air penetrate the dust burning reactor in the same direction of flow.
US08021478B2	Process to produce portland cement clinker and obtained clinker A process for producing Portland cement clinker at low temperatures fixing the sulfur produced by burning high sulfur content coke fuel. The invention also describes a Portland cement clinker that includes new additional phases.
US08021476B2	Gypsum mortar with added expanded vermiculite and method for obtaining same The invention relates to gypsum mortar with expanded vermiculite added with citric acid and tartaric acid and to the method for obtaining same, containing the following elements in the following proportions: between 40% and 70% calcium sulphate; between 40% and 70% laminated expanded vermiculite; between 0.05% and 0.3% citric acid; between 0.05% and 1% tartaric acid; between 0.01% and 0.5% sodium or potassium citrate; and water q.s.p. 1000 ml, in which, for surface coating, the added vermiculite is obtained following treatment in a vertical furnace, which provides improved grain size and sheets of exfoliated vermiculite without water or air, and the mortar is provided with citric acid and tartaric acid, copper sulphate and sodium or potassium scitrate, with the water being added before the mixture is produced.
US08021469B2	Control methods for an air treatment system A control system and associated methods for an air treatment system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a control system and method for controlling blower speed as a function of separately determined smoke and dust concentrations. In one embodiment, the control system and method provides a variable delayed between changes in motor speed to address undesirable rapid changes between speeds. In another aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for calibrating a sensor to provide more uniform operation over time. In yet another aspect, the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating motor speed to provide more consistent and uniform motor speed over time. The present invention also provides a system and method for tracking filter life by as a function of time, motor speed and/or a sensed variable, such as particulate concentration in the environment.
US08021468B2	Room temperature chemical trap for the purification of gaseous methane A room temperature trap for the purification and concentration of gaseous methane. The trap utilizes the adsorption and desorption properties of microporous spherical carbon molecular sieves to purify and concentrate radiolabelled methane for application in an automated synthesis module without the need for cryogenic cooling.
US08021467B2	Cleaning process for cleaning filtration material of a gas filter and a device for carrying out the process A cleaning process for filtration material of a gas filter is disclosed. A first step hinders the gas flow from passing through the filtration material by closing the clean gas side of a single segment or a row of filter segments. A second step provides a slow gas flow to the closed filter segments to cause a reverse gas flow through the filtration material. A third step opens an impulse valve for an ultra short time to create a compressed gas impulse for disengaging the particles which did not fall off the filtration material during the second step of the cleaning process. A fourth step shuts off the reverse flow gas supply. A device for separating one or several filter segments from the clean gas side of the filter filtration material is also disclosed.
US08021466B2	Fluid flow filter and method of making and using A filter well suited for paint arrestor usage having a monolithic high loft manmade fiber body with a convoluted flow contact surface. The filter is preferably formed by a convoluter as in one with a roller set and blade cutter to form mirror image fiber filter sheets from a received fiber batt. Provided is a well mixed proper fiber blend, such as one having a set of fibers made of a majority of course fibers joined by way of thermal bonding fibers which facilitate, during convoluting, formation of a crisp cut and high integrity three dimensional surface, as in one of rows of peaks separated by valleys. The projection/recess arrangement over the flow contact surface as well as the thickness and relative projection-to-base dimensions are arranged to provide a high paint holding capacity without too fast a load up of, for example, paint particles and while avoiding too great of a pressure drop within that load up time.
US08021462B2	Variable flow rate dehumidification plant and process for granular materials A dehumidification plant for granular material, comprising hopper having loading mouth and discharge mouth for granular material, upper feeding mouth in the hopper and lower delivery mouth of a gaseous medium, humidity absorbent material designed to absorb the humidity conveyed by the gaseous medium; towers arranged to contain the absorbent material; supplying arrangement designed to feed the gaseous medium to the hopper and the towers; electronic control unit; detection structure arranged to detect process variables of the plant and electrically connected with the electronic control unit. The plant further comprises distribution structure designed to distribute gaseous medium from of the towers thereby feeding it to another tower from among the towers, the distribution structure being controllable by the electronic control unit between open position, portion of the gaseous medium contained in the of the towers is fed to the towers, and closed position.
US08021459B2	Method and apparatus for controlling metal separation The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a continuous metal removal in conjunction with a zinc preparation process, in which the metal removal is performed in one or more reactors (11a-c), in conjunction with the reactor, the redox potential (16a-c) and the acidity and/or basicity are measured, and based on the measurement results, the process variables (17a-c) of the metal removal are adjusted towards the desired direction. According to the invention, the redox potential measurements (16a-c) are performed from the sludge produced in the reactor in conjunction with the outlet pipe of the reactor outside the reactor, and the measuring instrument (16a-c) is purified at predetermined intervals.
US08021452B2	Vacuum cleaner with removable dust collector, and methods of operating the same A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.
US08021448B2	Method and system for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel using microwave assisted methane plasma decomposition on catalyst A method for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel includes the steps of providing a flow of methane gas at a selected flow rate, providing a catalyst, producing a methane plasma at a negative pressure using microwave irradiation at a selected microwave power, directing the methane plasma over the catalyst, and controlling the flow of methane gas and the microwave power to produce a product gas having a selected composition. A system for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel includes a methane gas source, a reactor having a reaction chamber containing a catalyst, a microwave power source configured to form a methane plasma, and a vacuum pump configured to maintain the reaction chamber at a negative pressure.
US08021447B2	Hydrogen-producing assemblies Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies for producing hydrogen gas. The assemblies include a catalyst chamber, a heat source adapted to heat the catalyst chamber, a hydrogen-producing region within the catalyst chamber adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a feed stream, and a conductive guide structure within the catalyst chamber adapted to conduct and distribute heat from the heat source within the hydrogen-producing region and to direct fluid through the hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the conductive guide structure includes a helical member. In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a vaporization region within the catalyst chamber. In some embodiments, the fuel processing assembly is adapted to produce hydrogen gas via a steam reforming or other endothermic reaction.
US08021446B2	Self-regulating feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-generating fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems incorporating the same Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.
US08021434B2	Ureteral stent A stent is designed to be placed within a patient's ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and defines a lumen extending therethrough. A first end portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and is adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney. A second end portion extends from another end of the elongated portion and flares outward when placed substantially within the bladder to maintain position. The second end portion allows fluids to flow through the lumen and into the bladder and is collapsible to prevent fluid from passing from the bladder to the kidney.
US08021432B2	Apparatus for use of porous implants An acetabular cup assembly implantable at an acetabular socket can include an acetabular cup defining a partially spherical bone engaging surface and having a uniform thickness. A spacer can include a body portion formed of porous metal and define a radial support surface. The porous metal can be adapted to receive bone ingrowth through interstitial space at pores defined therein. The spacer can further comprise a piercing portion adapted to be advanced into the acetabular socket. The spacer can bridge a gap defined between the acetabular socket and the acetabular cup. Filler can be disposed between the acetabular cup and the acetabular socket in areas adjacent to the spacer such that the spacer and the filler collectively define a continuous support surface adapted to support the acetabular cup at the bone engaging surface.
US08021428B2	Ceramic disc prosthesis A prosthetic is provided for replacing a vertebral disc. The prosthesis can comprise first and second endplates formed of a ceramic material, each including an articulating contact surface and a bone facing surface. The contact surface of the first endplate can have a shape complementary to the contact surface of the second endplate, thereby facilitating articulation of the first and second endplates while in contact with one another. The device can further include at least one non-ceramic bone attachment element mated with at least one of the bone facing surfaces, such that the bone attachment element covers less than a full area of the bone facing surface.
US08021425B2	Versatile method of repairing an intervertebral disc Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and, optionally, a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the nucleus augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed. Systems and methods for closing a defect in the anulus are also provided.
US08021421B2	Prosthesis heart valve fixturing device A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.
US08021420B2	Prosthetic valve delivery system A prosthetic valve delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a prosthetic valve within an existing valve is disclosed. The delivery system includes a stented prosthetic valve having a balloon-expandable stent portion with a prosthetic valve disposed therein and at least one self-expanding stent portion. The delivery system further includes a dual balloon catheter having a first balloon on which the stented prosthetic valve is disposed during delivery and a second balloon. Upon delivery within the existing valve, the self-expanding stent portion contacts the existing valve and the first balloon expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a first diameter such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a first stage deployment configuration. The second balloon then expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a second stage deployment configuration being fully deployed within the existing valve.
US08021406B2	Thermoregulatory device with absorbent material The present invention is directed to a thermoregulatory device. The device has a first layer, a second layer, an enclosure, an inlet and a liquid absorbing material. The first layer has a first interior surface, and a first exterior surface. The second layer has a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The enclosure is formed by sealing and/or attaching the first interior surface to the second interior surface. The inlet directs a liquid into the enclosure. The liquid absorbing material is positioned (a) at and/or near an aperture that allows a liquid to contact the liquid absorbing material; or (b) on the first exterior surface that is of a material that allows the liquid to contact the liquid absorbing material. In addition, the application is directed a method of using the thermoregulatory device to transfer the liquid's thermal energy from the enclosure to a patient's skin.
US08021403B2	Spinal staple system A spinal correction system for the correction or arrest of scoliosis or spinal deformity in immature spines includes a bridge member, a pair of spaced apart legs extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, and a fastener retaining portion extending substantially longitudinally from each end of the bridge member.
US08021399B2	Rod extension for extending fusion construct A rod extension for extending a fusion construct allows a surgeon to connect a stabilization rod implant to at least a portion of a patient's spine, and also to connect the stabilization rod implant to an existing implant that has been previously installed in the patient. The existing fusion implant typically includes at least one existing pedicle screw, at least one existing rod, and at least one existing connector interconnecting the existing pedicle screw to the existing rod. The extension implant comprises a rod, an offset beam connected to the rod, and a clamp interconnected to the offset beam, wherein the clamp can be secured to the existing rod, thereby extending the fusion construct.
US08021397B2	Multi-axial orthopedic device and system Embodiments of an orthopedic implant device and system, and methods for implanting them, are disclosed. The implant may include a receiver member having a channel for accommodating an elongated rod or other longitudinal member, a bone anchoring member such as a screw or hook, and a base member rotatable with respect to the receiver member for retaining the bone anchoring member in the receiver member. The base member is configured to allow at least two different degrees of maximum angulation of the bone anchoring member with respect to the receiver member. The number and relative direction of such angulations are independent of the orientation of the channel or other part of the receiving member.
US08021389B2	Surgical staple assembly A surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. Moreover, in the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.
US08021386B2	Controlled release mechanism for balloon catheters This invention relates to the field of balloon catheters and more particularly to catheter balloons having controlled failure mechanisms for the prevention of catastrophic failure of the balloon during overpressure conditions.
US08021374B2	Method and device for the controlled delivery and placement of securing elements in a body A device and method for delivering a plurality of securing elements or clips to a target region in a body. Further, the method and device deliver and place a plurality of clips to secure an implant to a target region. The device allows an operator to remotely control the delivery and placement of shape memory clips to effectively and precisely fasten the clips directly to the target region, or alternatively, to use the clips to secure the implant to the target region. Advantageously, the device allows for the application of the plurality of clips from within a lumen of a vessel.
US08021367B2	Toe deformity repair using bioabsorbable pin Methods and apparatus for repair of toe deformities using a bioabsorbable pin. The apparatus is a kit of part comprising a bioabsorbable pin, a predrill, a bone tamp, a cutter and a forceps. One surgical method of repairing toe deformities includes resecting a proximal interphalangeal joint, drilling a hole in a proximal phalanx using a proximal portion of a pin, removing the pin from the proximal phalanx, drilling a tip of a toe through middle and distal phalanxes, driving the pin retrograde and traversing the distal, middle and proximal phalanxes until the pin stops advancing due to resistance at a proximal cortex, holding the pin and powering a pin driver to separate a distal portion of the pin, and suturing the wound.
US08021365B2	Surgical device having interchangeable components and methods of use A surgical device, kit, and/or method for interchanging components of the surgical device can include a handle, a docking assembly, a shaft assembly, a coupler assembly, and a surgical implement. The handle can have a lever pivotably connected to the handle, and the docking assembly secured to the handle. The docking assembly can include a docking rod operably attached to the lever and axially slidable within the docking assembly. The shaft assembly can include a shaft rod axially slidable within a detachable shaft and removably attachable to the docking rod. The coupler assembly can be adapted to releasably secure the shaft assembly to the docking assembly. The surgical implement can be attached to a distal end of the shaft rod operable with the lever. The shaft assembly and surgical implement may be interchanged on the handle with other shaft assemblies and surgical implements.
US08021350B2	Hydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network and applications thereof A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, particularly to provide a synthetic macromolecular network for a wide variety of tissue types. In particular, artificial or synthetic cartilage, vocal cord material, vitreous material, soft tissue material and mitral valve material are described. In an embodiment, the network is composed of tyramine-substituted and cross-linked hyaluronan molecules, wherein cross-linking is achieved via peroxidase-mediated dityramine-linkages that can be performed in vivo. The dityramine bonds provide a stable, coherent hyaluronan-based hydrogel with desired physical properties.
US08021344B2	Medicament delivery device configured to produce an audible output Medicament delivery devices are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a medicament delivery device and an electronic circuit system. The medicament delivery device includes a housing, a medicament container, and a medicament delivery member. The electronic circuit system is coupled to the housing and includes an audible output device and a cover. The housing of the medicament delivery device and the cover of the electronic circuit system collectively define an acoustic enclosure. The audible output device is configured to be disposed within the acoustic enclosure.
US08021338B2	Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy access needle An access needle suitable for use in percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy procedures. In one embodiment, the access needle includes a stylet assembly, a safety sheath assembly and a cannula assembly. The stylet assembly includes a stylet and a stylet hub. The stylet has a proximal end and a sharpened distal end, the proximal end of the stylet being mounted within the stylet hub. The safety shield assembly includes a sheath and a shuttle. The sheath, which has a blunt distal end, coaxially surrounds the stylet. The proximal end of the sheath is fixed to the shuttle, the shuttle being movable between a first position in which the sharpened distal end of the stylet is exposed and a second position in which the sharpened distal end of the stylet is shielded by the blunt distal end of the sheath. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a cannula hub, the cannula hub being fixed to the proximal end of the cannula. The cannula hub is detachably engageable with the shuttle to move the shuttle between its first and second positions.
US08021330B2	Balloon catheter for crossing a chronic total occlusion A balloon catheter is disclosed including a “no-fold” balloon at a distal end thereof that surrounds a distal portion of a guidewire shaft having a compliant shaft or tubular section for selectively gripping a guidewire there within. Upon introduction of inflation fluid at low pressure values, the compliant shaft section of the guidewire shaft is radially compressed to “lock” onto the guidewire while an outer diameter of the no-fold balloon remains unchanged. The simultaneous compression of the compliant shaft section against a guidewire located within the guidewire lumen and the filling of the balloon with inflation fluid without expanding the balloon provides a clinician with a conjoined balloon catheter and guidewire ensemble that together may be pushed through a tight stenosis such as a chronic total occlusion (CTO).
US08021329B2	Catheter including a compliant balloon A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.
US08021318B2	Methods of blood-based therapies having a microfluidic membraneless exchange device The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.
US08021314B2	Device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and the applications thereof The present invention generally relates to a device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and applications thereof. The device may be used to increase the blood flow in a local region of the body, and in preferred embodiments provides a device for regulating the core body temperature of a patient.
US08021304B2	Ultrasonic probe A technique for reducing the looseness of a wire and reducing the positional error of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. According to the technique, inside a tip portion 3 of an insertion portion 2, middle pulleys 11a, 11b are placed between pulleys 6, 7. The middle pulley 11a is attached to a slider portion 14, and the slider portion (and the middle pulley 11a) is supported slidably in the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the pulley 6 along a slider guide portion 15 formed at the tip portion, and the position of a sliding direction is supported so as to be able to be fixed at the tip portion by a screw 13.
US08021302B2	Ultrasonic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic method An ultrasonic apparatus has a pulse transmission and reception unit, an envelope curve detection unit, a time difference detection unit, and an attenuation characteristic obtaining unit. The pulse transmission and reception unit transmits a first transmitted pulse that a frequency increases with time and a second transmitted pulse that the frequency decreases with time, further receives a first received pulse corresponding to the first transmitted pulse and a second received pulse corresponding to the second transmitted pulse. The envelope curve detection unit detects a first envelope curve based on the first received signal and a second envelope curve based on the second received signal, respectively. The time difference detection unit detects a time difference between the first envelope curve and the second envelope curve. The attenuation characteristic obtaining unit obtains a frequency dependent-attenuation characteristic of an ultrasonic base on the time difference.
US08021299B2	Correlating a non-polysomnographic physiological parameter set with sleep states Values of a non-polysomnographic (non-PSG) physiological parameter set may be correlated to polysomnographically (PSG) determined sleep states. The correlated values of the non-PSG parameter set and sleep states may be analyzed, and a relationship between the values and sleep states may be determined. The relationship may allow determination of sleep states for any given patient based on values of the non-PSG physiological parameter set for the patient. The non-PSG physiological parameter set does not include physiological parameters typically required for PSG, such as brain electrical activity (EEG), eye movement (EOG), and jaw or neck muscular activity or tone (EMG). Medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs) that would generally be unable to monitor such physiological parameters, may apply the relationship to values of the non-PSG physiological parameter set for a patient to identify sleep states of the patient.
US08021293B2	Medical treatment endoscope The medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention includes a sheath having a flexibility; at least one arm member having a bending part that projects out from a front end of the sheath and performs bending actions; an open/close mechanism which directs the arm member from a direction along a central axis of the sheath to a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath, and from a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath to a direction along the central axis of the sheath; and a viewing device and an illuminating member that are disposed to the front end side of the sheath.
US08021290B2	Oil centrifuge for extracting particulates from a fluid using centrifugal force A centrifuge is employed to continuously remove particulates from a fluid. In one embodiment, the centrifuge removes small particles of soot from lubricating oil of diesel engines. The fluid is introduced into the centrifuge through a distribution rotor so that vortexes are not propagated in the fluid. Laminar flow of the fluid down the sides of the outer rotor may contribute to the soot-removal effectiveness of the centrifuge.
US08021288B2	Device for moving people or objects in a flexible controllable manner The invention relates to a device for moving people or objects for the purposes of play, sport, pedagogy or therapy. Said device consists of a static base surface (2), a mobile surface (1) on which the person to be moved is located, and active, controllable, mechanical adjusting bodies which act between the static and mobile surfaces. Piston-free pneumatic actuators (3) are used for the mechanical adjusting bodies. In this way, the device is essentially more economical, smaller, lighter and more reliable than known comparable devices comprising different active mechanical adjusting bodies.
US08021280B1	Recreational/athletic training system and strike pod therefor A strike pod for use with an interactive recreational system includes a vibration conducting base, coupleable to a support frame of the interactive recreational system and being suitable to conduct vibration from one area of the pod to another. A strike receiving shell is disposed adjacent the vibration conducting base to receive a blow delivered by a participant. The strike receiving shell is formed of a material more pliable than the vibration conducting base. A vibrational transducer is in operable communication with the vibration conducting base to detect vibration in the vibration conducting base caused by the blow delivered by the participant to the strike receiving shell.
US08021279B2	Bicycle tire boot and method of use thereof on a trainer Embodiments comprise a tire boot for installation over a bicycle wheel, typically a rear wheel, and the wheel's associated tire. The tire boot is intended for use in conjunction with an indoor training device wherein the boot includes a wear surface that is relatively resistant to wear when spun in contact with a roller of the training device.
US08021277B2	Programmed exercise bicycle with computer aided guidance The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider's schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.
US08021272B2	Collapsible play structures A collapsible play structure has a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define an interior tunnel-like passageway. A number of features are disclosed for addition to the structure, including one or more openings provided in the covering, a basketball goal assembly attached to one end of the coiled wire and covering, tie members for varying the length of the passageway, a helical track provided about the covering, a plush toy attached to the covering, and electronic devices attached to the covering.
US08021270B2	Online sporting system According to at least some embodiments of the present invention: (i) a user's non-stationary exertion is detected; (ii) a virtual terrain is provided; and (iii) the detected non-stationary exertion is normalized for the virtual terrain. This is different than any stationary exercise machines that may normalize exertion for a virtual terrain because non-stationary exertion is used. This allows the user to exercise in a non-stationary way, such as by running cross-country. Non-stationary exercise is an advantage of at least some embodiments of the present invention because users often prefer non-stationary exercise to stationary exercise. At least some embodiments of the present invention make it possible to use mapping onto virtual terrains possible even in the non-stationary context. It is further noted that the present invention uses a virtual terrain (see DEFINITIONS section), rather than a virtual course (see DEFINITIONS section) without virtualized terrain factors (see DEFINITIONS section). By virtualizing terrain factors into a virtual terrain, at least some embodiments of the present invention provide a more realistic, realistically competitive and/or pleasing exercise experience for the user(s). By using both non-stationary exertion detection and a virtual terrain, in a single system in combination, exercise can be made more fun, competitive, pleasant and/or less unpleasant.
US08021269B2	System and method for manipulating portable equipment using foot motion Provided is a system and method for manipulating portable equipment using a foot motion. The system includes a foot motion sense module for sensing a user's foot motion, and collecting sensor data based on the user's foot motion, and the portable equipment for receiving the sensor data based on the user's foot motion, recognizing the foot motion, and performing a portable equipment function in response to the foot motion recognition result.
US08021268B2	Vehicular control apparatus and control method The invention provides a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle provided with an automatic transmission which has an automatic shift mode in which a gear is selected according to a running state and a manual shift mode in which a gear is selected according to a manual operation, and which transmits driving force generated by an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus and control method determine whether the vehicle is in a high load state; determine whether engine braking force from the internal combustion engine is required; calculate differential braking force which is the difference between engine braking force generated when running in a gear selected according to the manual operation and engine braking force generated when running in a gear selected according to the running state; and control the automatic transmission to execute an upshift and perform control to generate the calculated differential braking force when it is determined that i) the vehicle is in the high load state and ii) the engine braking force is required, while the automatic transmission is in the manual shift mode.
US08021264B2	Gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle A gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a first planetary gear set being a simple planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set that is formed of two combined simple planetary gear sets. The gear train combines four clutches and two brakes and realizes seven forward speeds. The gear train may enhance transmitting performance and reduce fuel consumption.
US08021261B2	Differential limiting apparatus A differential limiting apparatus includes a housing 2 rotated by driving force of a driving source, a differential mechanism 3 having a pair of output gears 3A, 3B to distribute the driving force to a pair of output shafts differentially, a clutch 4 disposed directly between the pair of output gears 3A, 3B and having the inner clutch plate 4A and an outer clutch plate 4B as an annular frictional plate to restrict a differential movement of the differential mechanism 3, and an output mechanism 5 driving the clutch 4. The output mechanism 5 includes a first cam 52C moved along an axial direction, and a pushing pin 35 as a transmitting member transmitting the axial movement of said first cam 52C to the clutch 4.
US08021259B2	Differential assembly with oil deflector shield An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, a lubricant and a differential assembly. The housing assembly defines a differential cavity with a lubricant sump into which the liquid lubricant is received. The differential assembly is mounted in the differential cavity for rotation about a rotational axis and includes a differential case, a ring gear, a gear set and an oil shield. The differential case has a body, which defines a gear cavity into which the gear set is received, and a flange that is coupled to the body and includes a flange face. The ring gear is coupled to the flange. The oil shield is coupled for rotation to the differential case and covers a least a radially outward portion of the circumferentially discontinuous features so that they do not directly contact the liquid lubricant in the lubricant sump when the differential assembly rotates about the rotational axis.
US08021256B2	Electrically-variable transmission with compounded output gearing An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear assemblies. At least one of the planetary gear assemblies is a planetary gear assembly having multiple planetary gear sets. As a result, the gears for the planetary gear assembly can be represented on multiple radial planes. Each of the planetary gear assemblies has continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear assemblies are connected to one another in such a manner as to allow shifting between one of the electrically-variable modes to occur at a point offset from a mechanical power flow of the transmission. This decreases the maximum power output required from the motor/generators.
US08021252B2	Sports ball with a woven fabric and method for manufacturing such a sports ball The invention relates to a sports ball (1) comprising a core (2) and a cover (3) formed from a plurality of panel segments (4). One or more of said panel segments have an outer face covered with a woven fabric (7), preferably denim. The panel segments are connected at joints (6) and said woven fabric is attached to said outer face at said joints. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a sports ball.
US08021245B2	Method for making a golf club face An improved face for a golf club head includes shallow and deep markings configured to provide a pleasing appearance when viewed head on, and to frame the central region of the impact surface of the face when viewed at address. Use of only shallow markings in the central region of the impact surface prevents existence of stress fractures resulting from use of deep markings in the central region. This allows for a face thinner than those incorporating conventional grooves in the central regions of their impact surfaces, resulting in both superior resistance to cracking and improved C.O.R. Specified methods of manufacture are particularly suited for making clubs incorporating these shallow and deep markings.
US08021244B2	Golf club shaft A shaft 6, which is a tubular body, includes a laminate of fiber reinforced resin layers. This fiber reinforced resin layer includes a matrix resin and a fiber. When a portion with a minimum thickness in the entire shaft is defined as a thinnest part, the entire thinnest part exists in a range of a first position to a second position. The first position is a position where an axial distance from a tip of the shaft is 50% of a full length of the shaft. The second position is a position where the axial distance from the tip of the shaft is 75% of the full length of the shaft. In this shaft 6, a flexural rigidity value EIc (N/m2) of the shaft at a point which is 175 mm away from a rear end of the shaft is two times or greater and three times or less of a flexural rigidity value EIm (N/m2) of the thinnest part.
US08021241B2	Golf training aid for chipping and pitching A golf training aid which incorporates a standard golf club, with a Nerf golf ball or a whiffle golf ball, and a target which is hung on the wall at adjustable heights, the target having a backboard removable secured to the wall, a face board positioned forward of the backboard, the face board having an aperture there through, the aperture in communication with a cavity positioned between said face board and said backboard for the collection of a Nerf golf ball or whiffle golf ball whose trajectory from the golf club has carried it through the aperture and into the cavity.
US08021232B2	Video game method and apparatus for state-based scrolling A game apparatus CPU turns on a scroll operating flag when it detects that a player object exists at a predetermined position, that is, within a scroll operating range while performing a predetermined action on a contact object. If the scroll operating flag is turned on, first scrolling is performed, and a screen display position is gradually moved so as to be close to a scroll target value. If the operating flag is not turned on, normal adjustment of a screen display position is performed as necessary. After disappearance of the contact object, the first scrolling is not performed, therefore preventing unnatural scroll display (e.g., displaying an item that it is no longer possible to reach due to change of state).
US08021226B2	Gaming system and method for providing designated symbol display areas that modify awards Gaming devices and methods of operating gaming devices are provided that include indicator or designator symbols. When an indicator or designator symbol is generated and displayed, the indicator or designator symbol indicates at least one symbol display area as a modification symbol display area. Upon at least one subsequent generation of symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, awards associated with symbols displayed in the modification symbol display areas are modified.
US08021219B2	Top cover for axial rotary combine having coned transition A threshing and separating mechanism for a combine includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis on the combine within a rotor housing. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor to form an annular space between the rotor and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. The housing includes a smooth transition section between the threshing section and the separating section of the housing.
US08021217B2	Self contained heating/cooling roof top unit with built in independent pressure relief A self-contained pre-manufactured roof top unit is used to circulate fresh air, heat or cool a building. The housing has a blower connected into a circulation system to circulate air into and out of the building. The unit has a pressure relief opening for connection into the building that is used to relieve air pressure buildup within the building. The pressure relief opening is part of a pressure relief passage that is independent of the blower and has an exhaust vent that opens and closes automatically in response to pressure differential between the building and ambient air.
US08021216B1	Field dressing knife A field dressing knife suitable for all aspects of field dressing small and large game is disclosed. Various novel aspects of the knife include: a large butt-end of the handle and a groove near the butt-end of the handle, both to spread the normal stress over a larger surface area when striking the butt-end of the handle with a free hand for splitting pelvis and brisket bones; and a configurable handle, permitting the double-edged field dressing knife to be used in knife mode or in a hatchet mode.
US08021213B2	Acrylic polisher An acrylic polisher includes: a base with two oppositely disposed sideboards with a notch on each of them and a disposition surface in between, a cutting blade set performing a cutting process along the edge of the disposition surface, a stopping board driven by a driving device to move up and downs with respect to the disposition surface. When the stopping board moves downward to the side of the disposition surface, a machining span is formed between the stopping board and the disposition surface. Therefore, as the stopping board lowers to the side of the base, the operator only needs to push an acrylic object toward the stopping board and can quickly obtain the required machining span. The notches on the sideboards of the base form an open space around the disposition surface. The length of the acrylic object is thus not restricted.
US08021202B2	Method of manufacturing an organic EL display panel One embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an organic EL display panel in which a substrate which has a pixel electrode, a partition wall, a sub pixel which has a short side and a long side sectioned by the partition wall and a pixel including a plurality of the sub pixels are prepared and a first organic layer is formed and printed so as to form a stripe shape in the short side direction of the sub pixel and a second organic layer as a luminescent layer is formed on the sub pixel.
US08021196B2	Matching connector A small matching connector which may prevent the occurrence of a positional deviation between male and female contacts when male and female connectors are fitted to each other and may remove foreign matter adhered to the female contacts is provided. The female contacts arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the female connector are inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male connector into the female connector and parallel with the longitudinal direction of the inner peripheral surface. The adjacent female contacts whose inclined surfaces are opposed to each other are paired and have the same inclination angle with respect to the inner peripheral surface.
US08021192B2	LED illumination apparatus Parts exchange or the like is not easy with an LED illumination apparatus that uses an LED attached to a socket of a conventional fluorescent light fixture. Or if there is no problem in parts exchange, other problems exist such as unfavorable operability and reliability, and necessitating additional parts. Provided herewith is an LED illumination apparatus including: a cap having a terminal electrically coupled to a socket of a fluorescent light fixture; and a main body having an end coupled with the cap, where the main body includes: an LED; and a coupler to electrically couple the terminal to the LED, the coupler being fitted in the cap, the cap includes a cap-side connecting section having flexibility or elasticity to electrically couple the terminal to the coupler, the coupler includes a main-body-side connecting section to electrically couple the LED to the cap-side connecting section, and by means of the flexibility or the elasticity, the cap-side connecting section removably couples the cap to the coupler.
US08021191B2	Connector with two-piece housing A connector includes a housing that is formed of a first and second section (the two sections which may be interlocking pieces) and has a hollow interior that is filled with a set of terminals. The housing pieces have a complementary engagement rail and channel that allows the two sections to be joined together in a structurally acceptable manner.
US08021185B1	Surge snap-on module assembly A surge snap-on module assembly includes a plug connector adapted to be received by an electrical device. A second housing is connected to a first housing. A surge protection device is disposed between the first and second housings. At least one first opening is formed in the second housing. A plurality of wires pass through the at least one first opening and are connected to the surge protection device. Accordingly, the surge protection device protects electrical apparatus connected to the electrical device from electrical surges.
US08021178B1	Card edge connector A card edge connector includes an insulation body, a first assembly part, a second assembly part, a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals. The first terminals and the second terminals are respectively mounted into the first assembly part and the second assembly part. The first assembly part is assembled to the rear side of the insulation body, while the second assembly part is assembled to the lower side of the insulation body.
US08021168B2	Contact spring A contact spring having a free contact end for producing an electrical contact between the free contact end and a contact surface, the contact spring formed from N contact spring metal sheets and N−1 spacer elements. The contact spring metal sheets are fixed in a clamping region with a spacer element between two adjacent contact spring metal sheets, are at a distance from each other in a spring region around the thickness of the spacer elements, extend parallel to each other up to the free contact end in a freely elastic manner, and end in a common plane on the free contact end. In the spring region, the contact spring metal sheets have at least one bend with a pre-determined angle between the longitudinal axis of the contact spring metal sheets before the bend and the longitudinal axis of the contact spring metal sheets after the bend.
US08021165B2	Arrangement for the secure connection of an electronic device An arrangement for electrically connecting a motor vehicle accessory to an electrical energy source and to at least one electronic device of the vehicle, including: at least one power connector capable of being mounted on the accessory in a connected position for connecting the accessory to the electrical energy source, and at least one signal connector capable of being mounted on the accessory in a connected position for connecting the accessory to the electric device of the vehicle. The electrical connection of the accessory is performed on a support arranged below the steering column close to the region of a driver's feet. A motor vehicle electric power-assisted steering column equipped with such an arrangement of connectors for the electrical connection thereof.
US08021158B2	Measurement instruction apparatus A multi-scaled instructional apparatus is provided in which a plurality of measurement scales are disposed on a base medium. Each of the measurements scales are longitudinally aligned such that equal units of measure are commonly aligned among all of the measurement scales. A first measurement scale is provided in which a plurality of uniquely color-coded base units of measurement are periodically disposed on the base medium. A second measurement scale, uniformly aligned and adjacent to the first measurement scale includes a plurality of color-coded subunits of measurement periodically disposed on the base medium. Each set of subunits equaling one half of each base unit and color-coded in a color shade corresponding to the color of the base unit. An elongated element is provided to receive the base medium.
US08021157B2	Intuitively ordered tactile characters readable by visually impaired persons A reduced number of selectable inputs that enable efficient communication. Simplified tactile and optically machine readable code of raised embossments, particularly for unsighted and visually impaired persons is provided, in which each character is represented by a cell of indicia of an intuitive systematic code. For the alphabet, the cells are configured in ordered positions, which correspond to the order of the alphabet, and thereby, assist in tactile perception so that a person may easily identify the character by touch. Also, optical machines are enabled to easily read the characters; and a keyboard is provided for producing the same.
US08021156B2	Method and system for arranging and displaying project management intelligence A method and system for arranging, displaying, conveying, learning, and communicating project management intelligence utilizes a device formed of a plurality of 3-dimensional geometric polytopes movably connected together and movable relative to one another. The polytopes represent the domain of project knowledge, the domain of project process groups, and the domain of project management competency, respectively and each polytope has surfaces or sections bearing indicia representing clusters of functional information and aspects of project management relative to the respective project management intelligence domain. The polytopes are manipulated individually to align selected surfaces or sections of each polytope relative to one another so as to collectively visually display selected combinations of interrelated and conjoined functional information and aspects of project management intelligence within the domains.
US08021153B2	Manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure Detail implant drill holes and the shape of a dental implant superstructure are shown by creating a computer model giving jawbone structural details, gum surface shape information and proposed teeth or dental prosthesis shape information. The computer model shows the bone structure, gum surface and teeth images properly referenced to one another so that implant drill hole positions can be selected taking into consideration proper positioning within the bone as well as proper positioning with respect to the dental prosthesis. Similarly, manufacture of the dental implant superstructure used for fixed dental prosthesis or overdentures can be designed based on knowledge of the actual implant positions referenced to an image of the gum surface and proposed dental prosthesis.
US08021151B2	Surgical device, in particular a dental device, comprising an instrument and a servo-control module A surgical device includes a manual instrument provided with a rotary motor for driving a tool and at least one sensor for determining at least one operating parameter of the motor (1). The device further includes an electronic servo-control module of the motor, and a flexible connection for electrically connecting the instrument to the electronic module. The instrument includes a digital electronic circuit for processing output signals of the sensor and transmitting them to the electronic module through the flexible connection.
US08021144B2	Catalytic combustor and method thereof A catalytic combustor (1) is provided for combustion of gaseous and liquid fuels, which combustor comprises a housing (2) having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) through which an airflow is directed, and a fuel injector (10) for injecting fuel in the airflow. The combustor also comprises at least one catalytic element (12, 14, 15) for combusting the mixture of air and fuel. A fuel-evaporating device (7) is arranged for evaporating a liquid fuel, which device is heated by the catalytic element (12), either through combustion therein or by means of an electrical heating element (13) arranged adjacent thereto.
US08021139B2	Three-dimensional object forming apparatus and method for forming three dimensional object A three-dimensional object forming apparatus forms a three-dimensional object by binding powder particles with a curable liquid. The apparatus includes a powder layer forming unit that spreads a powder to a uniform thickness to form a powder layer. A curable liquid ejection head ejects the curable liquid to the powder layer through an ejection nozzle. A sectional data producing device produces sectional data at each of a plurality of cross sections of a desired three-dimensional object according to shape data of the desired three-dimensional object. A cross-sectional member forming section is also included by which cross-sectional members are formed by ejecting the curable liquid to the powder layer from the curable liquid ejection head according to the sectional data and thus binding the powder layer. The cross-sectional member forming section includes a permeation rate controller controlling the permeation rate of the curable liquid to the powder layer.
US08021138B2	Rotating build plate 1. A powder bed additive layer manufacturing system including a linear traversing re-coater and a build plate characterised in that the build plate is mounted for rotation, relative to the re-coater or movement about an axis.
US08021137B2	Wire cooling water trough The present invention generally relates to a cooling process and system that can be utilized in the manufacture of flexible elongate extruded materials, such as tubing or jacketed electrical wire and cable. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooling trough for cooling flexible elongate extruded materials after extrusion. Cooling trough embodiments have a base, a wet cooling chamber above the base, and an air dry chamber above the wet cooling chamber. The base contains a reservoir for collecting and storing a cooling liquid. An extruded material, such as a cable, enters the wet cooling chamber, where the cooling liquid from the reservoir is sprayed onto the material, the material is then passed to the air dry chamber where it is dried.
US08021134B2	Compressor slide valve support A compressor (20) has an unloading slide valve (100). The valve has a valve element (102) having a range between a first condition and a second condition, the second condition being unloaded relative to the first condition. A first surface (200) of the valve element (102) is in sliding engagement with a second surface (202) of the housing (22) during movement between the first and second conditions. The valve element is coupled to an actuating piston (124). The compressor includes a linear bearing (132) guiding a piston shaft (122).
US08021123B2	Compressor unit with a damped pressure gauge A compressor unit is particularly suitable for compressing air in portable and/or transportable devices. The compressor unit includes a motor, a compressor, and a pressure gauge (manometer). The pressure gauge is connected to the compressor unit through a threaded connection and the supply of the pressure medium to the pressure gauge travels through the threads.
US08021120B2	Turbine blade with a cover plate and a protective layer applied to the cover plate The invention relates to a turbine blade with a cover plate shaped onto the pan of the blade. The aim of the invention is to provide a turbine blade of this type that, while having a high level of efficiency, is designed for a particularly reliable and safe operation in a turbine, particularly of a steam turbine. To this end, the invention provides that a protective layer made on an alternative material is applied to the surface of the cover plate facing away from the pan of the blade. The friction behavior with regard to a turbine component, particularly a sealing strip, which is opposite the protective layer, can be specifically influenced whereby enabling favorable emergency running properties to be provided in the event of rubbing.
US08021107B2	Variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger A variable-nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle ring and an array of vanes circumferentially spaced about the nozzle ring and rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are variable in setting angle, and an insert having a tubular portion and an annular nozzle portion extending generally radially out from one end of the tubular portion. A plurality of axially extending holes extend through a thickness of the nozzle portion. A plurality of spacers have first ends joined to the nozzle ring, opposite second ends of the spacers being engaged in the holes and secured to the nozzle portion by welds formed at the second surface. An annular groove is defined in the second surface of the nozzle portion radially inward of and proximate to the holes. Alternatively or additionally, discrete recesses are formed in the second surface adjacent the holes. The groove and/or recesses facilitate weld penetration.
US08021105B2	Hydrodynamic axial bearing A hydrodynamic axial bearing with a floating disk is disclosed wherein two lubricating gaps on the two sides of the floating disk are formed by supporting surfaces of different size. This makes it possible to provide identical lubricating gaps on both sides, despite different rotation speeds between the floating disk and the bearing housing, and between the floating disk and the bearing comb.
US08021101B2	Wind turbine and method of assembling the same A method of assembling a wind turbine is provided. The method includes coupling a support flange to an inner surface of a tower, and positioning a yaw bearing on the support flange. The yaw bearing includes a plurality of horizontally oriented rollers. A base of a nacelle assembly is positioned on the yaw bearing such that the base is rotatable with respect to the tower.
US08021099B1	Reversed venturi system for separating and feeding nested foam cups An apparatus for separating nested foam cups, includes a support for guiding a stack of nested foam cups in a first direction to a mandrel for printing thereon; a first annular opening in the support for supplying an annular supply of pressurized air to a position between a forwardmost foam cup and a next adjacent nested foam cup such that the pressurized air travels in a second direction having a component opposite to the first direction and such that the pressurized air travels in a cavity between the forwardmost cup and the nested adjacent cup to separate the forwardmost cup from the next adjacent cup; and second openings in the support downstream of the first annular opening for supplying pressurized air to the separated forwardmost cup in order to further advance the forwardmost cup toward the mandrel.
US08021094B2	Work handling mechanism and work inspection system In the present invention, through a provision of a relay stand including a first relaying point, a second relaying point and a plurality of work mounting bases, a discharge/feed process of works between the relay stand and the work feed container and the work accommodation container is performed at the first relaying point and a load/unload process of works between the relay stand and the plurality of work inspection machines is performed at the second relaying point.
US08021083B2	Grout pack assembly The invention provides a grout pack assembly having a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements.
US08021072B2	Mounting assembly A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50). The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band having a plurality of radially extending projections around its circumference. The projections include a set of axially spaced protuberances (12, 13) separated by an unformed region (11) circumferentially adjacent to an axially elongate protuberance (15), the axial extent of which spans the axial extent of the set of axially spaced protuberances. This arrangement of protuberances facilitates the transfer of retention force to a component that is composed of a plurality of independent parts, e.g. two or more bearings (54, 56) separated by a spacer (58).
US08021068B2	Cosmetics container structure A cosmetics container structure comprises an outer tube having an actuating chamber and a receiving chamber. A control assembly includes a coupling cylinder having a button opening at the center and multiple obliquely-cut pieces with sliding surfaces alternating with clearance grooves at the internal surface thereon. A button post has a first toothed-collar defining the opening edge with protrusive blocks disposed above. An actuation assembly includes a rotary tube, a spring element, and an insert seat. The rotary tube has a second toothed-collar equipped with high and low stop surfaces, and a conjoining cavity at the bottom. The insert seat has a screw-threaded bore disposed at the bottom. A push rod has a rod body defined by an external-threaded section and identically shaped like the conjoining cavity thereof. Thus, the button post can be simply pressed by single hand to squeeze out filling substance for easy and economical application thereby.
US08021062B2	Developing apparatus and developing method A developing apparatus has a substrate holder to hold a substrate, a heater which is provided in a substrate holder, and heats a substrate on a substrate holder for processing a resist film by PEB, a cooler to cool a substrate on a substrate holder, a developing solution nozzle to supply a developing solution to a substrate on a substrate holder, and a controller to control a heater, a cooler and a developing nozzle.
US08021061B2	Lens barrier device A lens barrier device 10 includes a pair of lens barrier members 12, 12 having a pair of toggle-lever engagement bosses 12e, 12e, a ring 14 having a pair of recesses 14d, 14d formed on its outer circumferential part, a pair of toggle levers 15, 15 having a pair of triangular cam part 15d, 15d and a base frame 17 supporting the toggle levers 15, 15, and a pair of torsion springs 16, 16 engaged with the toggle levers 15, 15 and the base frame 17. In assembling, the toggle-lever engagement bosses 12e, 12e are freely fitted into the recesses 14d, 14d, respectively. With forward-reverse rotating of the ring 14, by allowing the toggle-lever engagement bosses 12e, 12e to slide along the triangular cam part 15d, 15d while pressing the bosses 12e, 12e through respective ends of the recesses 14d, 14d, the pair of lens barrier members 12, 12 are held in their closed or opened condition by the toggle levers 15, 15 and the torsion springs 16, 16.
US08021059B2	Monopole platform system for a camera A support structure for supporting an image capture device generally comprises a base, a first vertically oriented, elongated support member supported by the base, and a mechanism that provides tilting and panning of the device relative to the first support member, and elevation of the device along the first support member. Preferred bases include bases that are foldable and/or rotatable, and ones that have a leveling device coupled to the base. Preferred support members can be rotatable relative to the base.
US08021052B2	Sensor-equipped bearing for wheel In a wheel support bearing assembly having rows of rolling elements interposed between an outer member and an inner member, spacers are interposed between vehicle body fitting holes in the outer member, which is a stationary member, and a knuckle. A sensor unit including a sensor mounting member and a strain sensor is fitted to the outer member. The sensor mounting member has at least two contact fixing portions fixed to the outer member and, also, has at least one recess between the neighboring contact fixing portions, the strain sensor being disposed in this recess.
US08021048B2	End-stomp and closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch A closure mechanism extends between side edges of a reclosable pouch and includes complementary interlocking closure elements each having an elongate profile extending between first and second ends thereof. Guide rails are disposed along exterior sides of the complementary interlocking closure elements. A slider is disposed in straddling relation over the guide rails and an end-stomp is defined by a fused-together portion of the interlocking closure elements proximate an end of the closure mechanism. The end-stomp may include a flattened region, a first raised ridge that is generally parallel to the interlocking closure elements, and a second raised ridge that is generally perpendicular to the first raised ridge. The second raised ridge extends away from a pouch interior and beyond opening side lateral edges of the complementary interlocking closure elements a distance that is sufficient to engage a top wall of the slider.
US08021038B2	Method for identifying a biomolecule A method for identifying a biomolecule using a biomolecule detector having a field effect transistor (FET) is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) heating a sample containing a biomolecule loaded in the detector to thereby elevate the temperature of the sample; (b) measuring electric current flowing through a channel formed between a source region and a drain region in the FET while raising the temperature in the step (a); (c) obtaining a transition temperature that is the temperature at maximum point of current variation from data measured in the step (b); and (d) identifying the biomolecule using the transition temperature obtained in the step (c).
US08021024B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a monolithic housing made of metal extrusion and comprising a heat sink and a receiving portion integrally extending from a bottom of the heat sink, a plurality of LED modules attached to the heat sink, a cover covering the LED modules and a supporting bracket mounted on the housing. The heat sink includes a planar base and a plurality of fins extending from a top face of the base. The receiving portion includes a frame defining a window at a center thereof and two sidewalls interconnecting the frame and the base. The frame, the sidewalls and the base cooperatively define a receiving chamber for accommodating the LED modules therein. The LED modules are attached to the base and located corresponding to the window of the frame. The cover is mounted on a bottom of the frame and correspondingly covers the window.
US08021021B2	Authoring, recording, and replication of lighting Systems and methods permit use of efficient solid state emitters for broad spectrum continuous spectrum lighting defined by illumination data. The illumination data, which can be sold as a commercial product, can be recorded or authored and include spectral, temporal, and spatial information. Intensities of individual emitters such as LEDs can be controlled through a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of drive currents. The combination of PWM and AM permits fine tuning of the spectrum of emissions and creation of free space optical data channels.
US08021020B2	Lighted architectural mesh A lighted architectural mesh includes a plurality of interconnected wires forming a plurality of transverse openings. At least one light carrier is slidably received within at least one of said transverse openings. The at least one light carrier includes light nodes emitting light through the interstices on the front and/or rear side of the architectural mesh. The at least one light carrier further comprises a plurality of connecting elements, wherein the light emitter nodes of the at least one light element are releasably interconnected in series by the connecting elements.
US08021018B2	LED display panel with openable front door A LED display unit comprises a housing; an openable door coupled to a front of the housing for movement between a closed position and an opened position; a LED module mounted on a front of the openable door; and a sliding assembly coupled to an inside surface of the housing and an inside surface of the front door comprising: a first connection member fixedly mounted to an inside surface of the housing, a second connection member fixedly mounted to an inside surface of the front door, a sliding member slidely mounted to the first connection member and rotatably connected with the second connection member, so that the sliding member can move forward from the housing and rotate relative to the openable door so as to open the openable door.
US08021005B2	Exterior mirror element with wide angle portion An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion.
US08020991B2	Two-eye adaptive optical visual perception training method and apparatus thereof The present invention proposes a two-eye adaptive optical visual perception training apparatus, comprising: left and right eye wave aberration measurement sub-systems for measuring eye wave aberrations of the left and right eyes of a person to be tested; left and right eye wave aberration correction sub-systems for driving and controlling the wavefront corrector to correct the wave aberrations of the left and right eyes of the person to be tested based on the measured wave aberrations of the left and right eyes of the tested person; and a two-eye visual perception training sub-system for processing and displaying sighting targets of different spatial frequencies and different contrasts and presenting the sighting targets to the tested person, to conduct a two-eye visual function measurement process and a visual perception training process. By means of the apparatus according to the present invention, finer visual stimulus is obtained by correcting aberrations of two eyes, and then eye acuity limit of the two eyes can be measured, and the visual perception training effect and visual function of the two eyes can be efficiently improved by performing visual perception training on the two eyes with such apparatus.
US08020989B2	Wireless interactive headset A wearable wireless audio device includes a support, an electronics circuit, and a speaker. The support includes a first ear stem and an orbital, and is configured to support at least one lens in a wearer's field of view. The electronics circuit is supported by the support and is configured to receive at least one digital audio file and generate an audio signal indicative of the at least one digital audio file. The speaker is supported by the support, and is directed toward at least one of the wearer's ears. The speaker is configured to convert the audio signal into sound. The speaker has a speaker face, and the speaker is configured to rotate from a first position in which the speaker face is substantially parallel to a yz-plane to a second position in which the speaker is inclined at an angle with respect to the yz-plane. The speaker is coupled to the support with a speaker pivot, and is configured to rotate about the speaker pivot while maintaining the speaker face substantially parallel to a yz-plane. The speaker is configured to move along an axis substantially parallel to a z-axis with respect to the support.
US08020986B2	Image recording apparatus The image recording apparatus includes: a recording head; a re-feeding roller configured to re-feed a one-side recorded medium toward the recording head; and a flap provided on an upstream side of the re-feeding roller in a conveying direction of the one-side recorded medium. The flap extends from an upstream end to a downstream end in the conveying direction. The downstream end of the flap is closer to the re-feeding roller than the upstream end in the conveying direction. The flap is configured to support and introduce the one-side recorded medium to the re-feeding roller. A downstream end portion of the flap has: a first region opposing the re-feeding roller; and a second region except the first region. The downstream end portion has a cutout portion provided in at least a part of the second region.
US08020985B2	Image-forming device An image forming device includes a recording head, a first pair of conveying rollers, a second pair of conveying rollers, and a conveyance controller. The conveyance controller controls the first and second pairs of conveying rollers to halt a conveying operation of the recording medium when a trailing edge of the recording medium has moved to or exceeded a position downstream from the nip position of the first pair of conveying rollers by a first prescribed distance during a first prescribed period of time running from a time instant when the trailing edge of the recording medium has passed through the nip position of the first pair of the conveying rollers.
US08020980B2	Printer with reservoir headspace pressure control An inkjet printer that has a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, and a reservoir for containing a quantity of ink, the reservoir having a lower portion for holding ink and an upper portion defining a headspace of air above the ink. A fluid connection extends between the printhead and the reservoir. A pump draws air from the headspace to lower its air pressure and thereby controls the hydrostatic pressure of the ink at the printhead.
US08020970B2	Printhead nozzle arrangements with magnetic paddle actuators A printhead has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining a nozzle chamber, said chamber having a roof wall with an ink ejection port defined therein and an ink supply channel defined through the substrate for supplying the chamber with ink; a magnetic coil arrangement positioned around the inlet of the nozzle chamber; bridge members spanning over the magnetic coil arrangement, the bridge members being supported on support posts protruding from the magnetic coil arrangement and having a resilient characteristic; and a magnetic paddle supported from the bridge members over the inlet, the magnetic paddle for ejecting ink from the chamber via the ejection port.
US08020967B2	Liquid discharge apparatus and method for producing liquid discharge apparatus There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a liquid channel which connects a discharge port and a pressure chamber; a piezoelectric layer one surface of which facing the pressure chamber; a power feeding electrode which applies a voltage to the piezoelectric layer; and a liquid electroconductive material which electrically connects the other surface of the piezoelectric layer and the power feeding electrode, and in an area on the other surface, of the piezoelectric layer, overlapping with the pressure chamber, a contact area which is an electrical contact between the piezoelectric layer and the liquid electroconductive material is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a liquid discharge apparatus which is capable of realizing a small size channel unit and an improvement in a resolution of an image which is formed by a discharging liquid, and to change appropriately a shape of the piezoelectric layer.
US08020963B2	Wiping unit and inkjet printer Provided is a wiping unit capable of reliably removing contamination of ink or the like adhering to a wiping blade after being wiped in spite of a simple configuration. Provided is a wiping unit having a wiping blade that performs wiping cleaning with respect to a recording head, including a first cleaning portion that cleans the wiping blade after performing the wiping cleaning, a second cleaning portion that performs secondary cleaning after passing through the first cleaning portion, and a blade transport portion that allows the wiping blade to move between the recording head, and the first cleaning portion and the second cleaning portion, in which the first cleaning portion and the second cleaning portion respectively include a cleaning tank which is filled with a detergent and in which the wiping blade is soaked in the detergent, and a blade wiping portion having a blade wiping member containing the detergent, which wipes a surface of the wiping blade having passed through the cleaning tank.
US08020956B2	Element substrate, printhead, head cartridge, printing apparatus, and method for confirming electrical connection status of printhead and printing apparatus An element substrate capable of independently confirming an electrical connection status with a logic power source without increasing costs due to increasing the number of terminals or the like. The element substrate includes a connection status output circuit that outputs a signal in response to a connection status of a logic power source input terminal, or a connection status of input terminals of each of a print signal, a clock signal, a drive signal, and a latch signal, and a connection status output terminal that outputs an output signal from the connection status output circuit.
US08020955B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of setting signal for micro vibration A liquid ejecting apparatus includes liquid chambers in which a liquid is filled, nozzles communicating with the liquid chambers, a signal generator generating a signal of potential change, and elements operating in accordance with the potential of the signal to be applied to cause a change in pressure in the liquid chambers. The signal generator generates a signal for micro vibration of a free surface of the liquid to be exposed from the nozzles such that the liquid is not ejected. The signal for micro vibration has a first potential change portion at which a potential changes from a first potential to a medium potential between the first potential and a second potential, a subsequent constant potential portion at which the potential is maintained constant at the medium potential, and a subsequent second potential change portion at which the potential changes from the medium potential to the second potential.
US08020951B2	Rotation and pull-out fitting for a corner cabinet Rotation and pull-out fitting for a shelf in a corner cabinet, includes a carrier supported in the corner cabinet to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and a pull-out guide on which the shelf is displaceable relative to the carrier, the pull-out guide being mounted on a intermediate carrier that is itself rotatable relative to the carrier about an axis that is parallel with the axis of rotation of the carrier but offset therefrom.
US08020948B2	Crawler traveling apparatus A crawler traveling apparatus includes a traveling vehicle body having a rear axle case, a track frame supported via a pivot shaft to the rear axle case, a pair of front and rear driven wheels mounted at front and rear end portions of the track frame, a pair of the rear driven wheels being provided on the right and left sides across a rear end portion of the track frame, a free wheel mounted at an intermediate portion of the track frame, a crawler entrained about a drive wheel, the front and rear driven wheels and the free wheel, a rearwardly downward inclined face formed at an upper portion of the rear end portion of the track frame, the inclined face being configured to cause an amount of earth/sand to drop off its surface; and a rear upper cover provided at an upper portion of the rear portion of the track frame in the vicinity of said inclined face, the rear upper cover forming a rear upper inclined face that is oriented downward in the right/left outward direction, the rear upper inclined face being configured to cause an amount of earth/sand to drop off its surface.
US08020938B2	Chair or stool comprising mobile, elastic legs, permitting a dynamic sitting position The disclosure relates to a chair comprising a seat part, at least one leg part, at least one foot part that consists of a predetermined plurality of foot elements and at least one spring assembly. According to the disclosure, at least one designated foot element and/or a sub-section of said element is configured to be mobile and is subject to a restoring moment under the action of a load.
US08020937B2	Layered technology for energy management of vehicle seating A vehicle seat assembly having a cushion composite attachable to a vehicle. The cushion composite has a structural layer of an expanded polymer and a cushion layer adjacent the structural layer. A trim material covers the cushion composite. The structural layer is proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. A surface of the structural layer defines a cavity extending into the structural layer. An opening of the cavity is disposed proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. The cavity is configured to facilitate flexure of the structural layer when a force is applied to the structural layer.
US08020932B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat is disclosed which comprises a seat cushion (1), first and second seat backs (2, 3) separated from each other in a vehicle width direction and pivotally supported to the seat cushion (1), a first recliner device (22) for allowing the first seat back (2) to be pivoted in a forward/rearward direction with respect to the seat cushion (1), and a second recliner device (34) for allowing the second seat back (3) to be pivoted in the forward/rearward direction with respect to the seat cushion (1).
US08020927B2	Composite reinforcement member for a body structure of a motor vehicle The reinforcement member of a body structure is composed of two member elements which are of u-shaped profile in cross section and which are arranged nested one inside the other. Turned-up limb portions of the outer member element have edge-side retaining lugs between which are arranged edge-side cutouts. The retaining lugs can be connected to turned-up limb portions of the inner member element, and connecting points to the bodywork outer shell are arranged in the interposed cutouts. The outer member element is composed of a high-strength steel material, with the inner member element being composed of a relatively low-strength steel material, and the terminating bodywork outer shell is formed from an aluminium material.
US08020925B2	Front structure of cab-over type vehicle A front structure of a cab-over type vehicle 1 includes a side member 10, a cab mount bracket 3, and a stiffener inner reinforcement 4. The cab mount bracket 3 is fixed to the side member 10, and includes a bracket base 31 mounted on a front end portion 15 of the side member 10 and a shaft supporting portion 30 supporting a cab 5. The stiffener inner reinforcement 4 is fixed to the side member 10, and includes a vertical wall portion 44. The vertical wall portion 44 is disposed in a direction that crosses a front-rear direction, between an upper plate 11 and a lower plate 12 of the side member 10 and below a rear end edge 36 of the bracket base 31. When a load F toward the rear is applied to the cab mount bracket 3, the vertical wall portion 44 suppresses upward bending deformation of the front end portion 15 of the side member 10.
US08020924B2	Integrated reinforcing crossmember Some embodiments comprise an integrated reinforcing crossmember having a carrier with an expansible material adhered to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the carrier. The carrier is comprised of a center section and two end sections, each section comprised of external lateral walls and internal ribs joined by cross walls and horizontal connecting walls. The crossmember is inserted into a cavity of a corresponding structural member, and the expansible material is activated and expands, securing the crossmember in place within the cavity.
US08020914B2	Visor support and method Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a visor support and a method of supporting a visor. In one embodiment, the support comprises a body and a flange with the visor is attached to the body such that the visor moves with respect to the body. A fastener attaches the body to the flange such that the body moves with respect to the flange. A first detent is disposed on the flange. A first ball is disposed on the body. The first ball is engageable with the first detent to control vertical movement of the visor. A second detent is disposed on the visor. A second ball is disposed on the body. The second ball is engageable with the second detent to control horizontal movement of the visor.
US08020905B2	Engaging and fixing structure and engaging and fixing method A bumper is provided with to-be-engaged projections, a radiator grille is provided with engaging projections. The radiator grille is allowed to move and approach bumper rearward of a vehicle. According to this configuration, the engaging projections engage the to-be-engaged projections and they are engaged with and fixed to each other. At this time, a bumper-side seizing unit of the bumper is fitted into a grille-side seizing unit of the radiator grille, thereby limiting the vertical direction. In an engaged state between the engaging projections and the to-be-engaged projections, an inclining surface of one of the engaging projections comes into contact with a rearward inclining surface of the one of the to-be-engaged projections, and an inclining surface of the other engaging projection is separated from a rearward inclining surface of the other to-be-engaged projection.
US08020897B2	Joint structure of steel pipe and light metal pipe A joint structure of a steel pipe and a metal pipe includes a socket; and a thermosetting resin, the steel pipe including a first joining end having a flat portion of the outer surface of the first joining end adjacent to the base, and an uneven portion of the outer surface of the first joining end adjacent to the front end, the socket covering the first joining end, the metal pipe including a second joining end, the second joining end being interposed between the socket and the first joining end, the first joining end being joined to the second joining end by crimping while the thermosetting resin is present in the gap between the inner surface of the socket and the outer surface of the second joining end and between the outer surface of the first joining end and the inner surface of the second joining end.
US08020890B2	Apparatus and method for controlling an inflatable cushion A control device for modifying the deployment characteristics of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module is disclosed herein, the control device having a releasable retention device releasably secured to an inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a first location and an actuator at a second location, the releasable retention device being configured to limit deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion and the actuator; and a venting system disposed within and comprising a portion of the inflatable cushion, the venting system providing at least one vent opening in the inflatable cushion when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion and the actuator and the inflatable cushion is inflated by an inflation gas.
US08020888B2	Vehicle curtain airbag A post-deployment, position-stabilized curtain airbag has a top edge from which an inflatable safety cushion is supported by a vehicle for deployment into a vehicle passenger compartment between occupant and occupant enclosure. A fill chamber is secured to the top edge of the safety cushion. An inflatable structural member is mechanically connected to the safety cushion. The fill chamber directs pressurized gas into the safety cushion and the structural member. The structural member deploys into the passenger compartment between the safety cushion and occupant enclosure limiting outboard displacement of the safety cushion. The structural member fully deploys after the safety cushion. Another structural member deploys along the top edge of the safety cushion limiting pivoting of the safety cushion there relative to the fill chamber. Pressurized gas enters each structural member through auxiliary passageways having oppositely directed entrances and outlets.
US08020882B2	Trailing arm for a motor-vehicle rear independent suspension A trailing arm for a rear independent suspension of a motor vehicle. The arm (10) includes a beam-like mounting structure (32) and a plurality of components including a first component (38, 40) for the mounting of a first bush (20) for articulated connection of the trailing arm (10) to the vehicle structure, a second component (42) for support of a wheel-carrying spindle; a third component (50, 56) for the mounting of a second bush (22) for articulated connection of the trailing arm (10) to a first rod (12), a fourth component (58) for the mounting of a third bush (24) for articulated connection of the trailing arm (10) to a second rod (12), a fifth component (28) for support of a spring, a sixth component (64) for connection of the trailing arm (10) to a shock absorber (16), and a seventh component (66) for connection of the trailing arm (10) to a torsion bar (18).
US08020868B1	Magnetic board game An insert has a bottom with sides and a contoured top. The container has semi-spherical concave valleys. The valleys are positioned in rows and columns. The insert is fabricated of a resilient non-magnetically-responsive material. A plurality of magnets is provided. Each magnet has faces defining a thickness and a periphery. The periphery of the magnets have various geometric shapes.
US08020866B2	Games of chance including an evaluation of a partial symbol combination A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.
US08020862B2	Sheet conveyance device, image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus A sheet conveyance device according to an aspect of the invention includes a guide member and a flexible guide assist member. The guide member constitutes a conveyance path for guiding a conveyed sheet. The guide assist member is provided in the guide member, the guide assist member is brought into contact with the conveyed sheet to apply a force to the sheet, and whereby the guide assist member assists the guidance of the sheet conveyance. The sheet conveyance device is characterized in that a sheet scanner is provided in the guide assist member. In the sheet scanner, photoelectric conversion devices formed by organic semiconductor devices are arranged.
US08020852B2	Device for the torque limitation in a machine for processing means of payment The present invention relates to a device for the torque limitation in a machine for processing means of payment. The invention has use as a device for limiting torque in a machine for processing means of payment, wherein the device for the torque limitation includes two elements transmitting a torque, the two elements having magnets which are disposed in the two elements with an angular distribution of the same kind, the magnets connecting the two elements to each other in a non-positive fashion, and the connection of the two elements being disrupted when a maximum transmittable torque is exceeded.
US08020850B1	Removable input tray assembly having a dual function roller for feeding media and separating media in an image forming device A removable input tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface defining a media storage location, a wall extending upward from the bottom surface and a housing having an opening therein to receive the tray. An inclined media dam having a media contact surface is formed in the wall. A channel extends the height of the wall and has a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom opening and a top opening. A separator roller is rotatably mounted below the media contact surface and has a first portion of its surface radially extending through a corresponding aperture in the media dam and a second portion radially extending through a corresponding aperture in the rear wall of the channel. A roller nip is formed in the channel within the media tray by the separator roller and an opposing backup roller.
US08020834B2	Method for obtaining a fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine, and an injector made according to said method A fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine comprises an injector body and an injection-control valve, which in turn comprises: an open/close element; an elastic thrust element for pushing the open/close element; and a solenoid actuator, which can be actuated for exerting an action countering the thrust exerted by the elastic element. The solenoid actuator is formed by a monolithic assembly obtained in a mould, in which there is injected, on a core and a coil coupled to one another, a plastic material, which defines, once it has solidified, a body for insulation of the core from the injector body and which forms, once it has solidified, a monolithic assembly with the core and the coil.
US08020833B2	Pressure gas release valve for fire suppression A two-step, self-regulating valve (16) controls gas flow from a gas cylinder (12) in a high pressure system. The valve (16) includes a valve body (24), a piston (26), a plug (28), a valve actuator (34), and a piston actuator (32). The piston (26) is movable within the valve body (24) along an axis between a first and a second position. The plug (28) is movable within the valve body (24) along the axis between a valve closed position, a partially open position, and a fully open position. The valve actuator (34) allows the plug (28) to move from the valve closed position to the partially open position. The piston actuator (32) causes the piston (26) to move from the first position to the second position when a gas pressure in the gas cylinder (12) is less than a setpoint. When the piston (26) moves to the second position, the piston (26) allows the plug (28) to move from the partially open position to the fully open position.
US08020832B2	Anti-skid sleeve for musical instrument stand An anti-skid sleeve for a musical instrument stand comprises a body, having a containing portion formed on the top end of the body for insertion of the musical instrument stand and concavely provided on one side face of the body with a receiving portion extending toward the bottom end of the body, and two side walls formed respectively at two opposite sides of the receiving portion; a non-slip stud, having one end pivotally disposed between the two side walls of the receiving portion by a pivot assembly such that the other end of the non-slip stud may be pivotally moved between a first position in the receiving portion and a second position outside the receiving portion, and the pivot assembly able to clamp the two side walls of the receiving portion for fixing the position of the non-slip stud.
US08020828B2	Wedge lock anchor mount An anchor mount formed of: a mounting device; a laterally expandable locking mechanism coupled to the base of the mounting device, the laterally expandable locking mechanism including first and second cooperating wedges, the first wedge being coupled to the base of the mounting device, and the second wedge being movable along an inclined plane of mutual contact with the first wedge and substantially laterally expandable relative thereto; a reaction surface fixed relative to the first wedge; an actuator having an actuation surface that is positioned adjacent to the reaction surface and movable relative thereto; and the second wedge being responsive to motion of the actuation surface of the actuator relative to the reaction surface for moving along the inclined plane of mutual contact with the first wedge and substantially laterally expanding relative thereto.
US08020826B2	Rotatable module and supporting mechanism using the same A rotatable module includes a pivotal shaft, a rotating washer, a stationary washer, a resilient member, and a fixing member. The rotating washer is rotatably sleeved on the pivotal shaft. The stationary washer is non-rotatably sleeved on the pivotal shaft. The fixing member prevents the above mentioned components from detaching from each other. The rotating washer and the stationary washer have an engaging surface and a resisting surface respectively. The engaging surface resists the resisting surface due to a force of the resilient member. The engaging surface forms a plurality of protrusions, and the resisting surface defines a plurality of grooves to engage with the protrusions. The resisting surface further defines at least one buffering portion adjacent to at least one of the grooves or in at least one of the grooves to receive material flowing from other portions adjacent to the at least one of groove.
US08020825B2	Utility clip Hospital equipment includes a member and a clip mounting to the member. The clip includes a first clip member and a second clip member pivotally interconnected with the first clip member about a pivot axis. Each of the first and second clip members has a receiving portion for receiving the member. A biasing member urges the first clip member and the second clip member toward each other wherein when the first clip member and the second clip member straddle the frame or rail member and the frame or rail member is positioned in the receiving portions, the biasing member urges the first and second clip members to engage the frame or rail member. An accessory mounting member is configured for mounting an accessory to the clip and is coupled to one of the clip members wherein the clip may be used for mounting an accessory to the member.
US08020814B2	Clamp for securing a tubular or hose-shaped object A clamp for securing a tubular or hose-shaped object on a support. The clamp includes a clamp jacket having first and second ends, wherein a first leg protrudes from the first end of the clamp jacket and a second leg projects from the second end of the clamp jacket. The first leg has a lug which in the open state protrudes in the direction of the second leg. The second leg includes a fastening section which can be inserted into a gap between the lug and a neighboring portion of the first leg located opposite the lug, wherein, in the closed state of the clamp, the lug is plastically deformed toward the outer side of the fastening section facing away from the first leg.
US08020811B2	Cable bracket and strap assembly A cable bracket and strap assembly includes a cable bracket and a strap secured to the cable bracket. The cable bracket has a plurality of retention elements defining a plurality of conductor openings. The cable bracket also has a mounting flange, which includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The strap is secured to the cable bracket within the first aperture.
US08020808B2	Aircraft subassembly and aircraft comprising such a subassembly An aircraft subassembly including a shelf combined with a longitudinal banquette for a passenger, a mechanism for moving the shelf along one of the two longitudinal sides of the banquette.
US08020803B2	Rotorcraft engine and rotor speed synchronization Systems and methods are provided in which an electrical control system independently effects acceleration of both driven and driving elements of a clutch to engage each other. In preferred embodiments the clutch is not a friction clutch, but a dog clutch, and forms part of a drive drain of a rotorcraft. A second clutch can be used, along with a mechanical interlock to prevent simultaneous engagement of the clutches. Speeds of the driven and driving elements can be sensed, and altered using at least one of a rotor, a brake, a generator, an electric motor, and a combustion motor. In rotorcraft embodiments, the gearbox can have a neutral condition in which no power is transmitted from the engine to the rotor.
US08020793B2	Shredder with biometric detection safety feature A shredder having a biometric information safety feature(s) that reduces potential safety hazards.
US08020785B2	Aromatic deodorant An aromatic deodorant includes a first cover, a second cover and a scent device. An interior of the first cover is extended outward with a fixing element, an interior of the second cover is extended outward with a fixing seat to pivot the fixing element, the scent device is transfixed at the fixing element and is fixed by the fixing seat, and a scent dissipated by the scent device is released outside by convection through air vents on the first cover. When stopping dissipating the scent, a user only needs to rotate the first cover and the second cover through pivoting of the fixing element and the fixing seat, and uses the isolation plate on the second cover to block the air vents. Thus, the deodorant can be put in any space where a bad smell needs to be removed and not only saves space but is used very conveniently.
US08020772B2	Noncontact data receiver/transmiter A non-contact type data reception and transmission body has an inlet having a base substrate, and an antenna and an integrated circuit chip which are provided on one side surface of the base substrate, and connected to each other, and a magnetic substrate layer disposed so that the magnetic substrate layer covers at least one of the antenna and the integrated circuit chip which constitute the inlet, wherein the magnetic substrate layer has a main component of a resin including a filler made of magnetic microparticles.
US08020767B2	Systems and methods for monitoring a quantity of waste in a waste transfer station environment Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a quantity of waste in a waste transfer station environment. Embodiments of the invention maintain a running total of waste deposited within the waste transfer station by automating the process of recording the weights of vehicles depositing and removing waste from the waste transfer station.
US08020759B1	Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine A card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine is provided which includes a safe and at least a portion of a cash dispenser positioned within the safe. The cash dispenser includes an input device which when manually operated from within the safe causes the cash dispenser to accept data usable to authenticate communicates received from a computer located outside the safe in the automated banking machine. The cash dispenser is operative responsive to authenticated communication to dispense cash.
US08020741B2	Endoscopic stapling devices and methods Described herein are endoscopic staplers used to apply one or more fasteners to body tissue. In one embodiment, a fastener-applying device, which is preferably a stapler, is passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications are formed, medical devices may optionally be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
US08020737B2	Ratcheting strap-down system A ratcheting strap-down system for use with a crossbar to securely transport any variety of objects. The ratcheting strap-down assembly includes a ratcheting receiver and a cam clamp receiver. The ratcheting receiver includes a ratcheting assembly and a locking mechanism and is adapted to engage a second end of a flexible strap. The flexible strap is preferably made from reinforced steel cog belt, making the system and the objects it's securing less susceptible to theft. The ratcheting strap-down system is particularly useful for securing one or more surfboards to the crossbars of an after-market roof rack assembly.
US08020736B2	Spare tire cover supporting structure A spare tire cover supporting structure includes: a transverse rear door, provided on a vehicle; a spare tire cover, including a first end and a second end, the first end supported on the transverse rear door, the spare tire cover operable to cover a spare tire held on the transverse rear door; a mounting member, detachably mounting the second end on the transverse rear door; and a supporting member, provided on one of the transverse rear door and the second end of the spare tire cover. When the second end of the spare tire cover is mounted on the transverse rear door by the mounting member or the second end of the spare tire cover is detached from the transverse rear door, the supporting member positions the spare tire cover relative to the transverse rear door and restricts an opening movement of the spare tire cover.
US08020735B2	Detachable threader The present invention provides a detachable threader, which permits an upper holder block to be connected separately with a brake and a base; and the brake is linked with a propeller; a threading sheet is fixed on the propeller; with the orientation pin and restoring spring on the base, the upper holder block can be controlled in a manner to make the threading sheet move freely in the threading groove of the needle stand; additionally, a V-shaped groove is arranged at the bottom of the adapting hole; after the needle is inserted into the adapting hole, it can align automatically the needle hole with the threading groove; moreover, the base is linked with the detachable pedestal, wherein the inner space with an oblique surface is used to accommodate the needle and stitch.
US08020730B2	Slosh controlled personal hydration system The present invention relates to a personal hydration system. In one exemplary embodiment, the personal hydration system may comprise a hydration reservoir for containing a supply of hydrating fluid, the hydration reservoir may comprise a plurality of compartments. The hydration reservoir may have a low profile and may comprise at least one baffle.
US08020729B2	Closable opening device produced with a semifinished product and method of fitting the same A pouring nozzle with a flange and an internal thread and an external thread, and also a cutting element having an upper rim and a lower rim formed with teeth. A screw cap with catches acts on catches of the cutting element. To make fitting easier, the cutting element and the pouring nozzle are produced as a one-piece semifinished product, wherein the cutting element is connected to the lower rim by weakened bridges so that the lower rim of the cutting element lies in a plane with the upper rim of the pouring nozzle and the teeth are protected in the pouring nozzle. This structural design allows an easy fitting which also reduces the reject rate.
US08020722B2	Seamless multi-section pressure vessel A lightweight, ergonomically beneficial, hydrodynamic, and volumetrically efficient hybrid pressure vessel having at least two longitudinally extending, semi-cylindrical sections with flattened rib portions at a common interface between the sections. Additional longitudinally extending sections may be employed to provide additional internal volume. One or more apertures extend through the ribs to provide communication between sections. The pressure vessel comprises a cast metal material, optionally including exterior reinforcing structure for containing internal pressure.
US08020720B2	Stopper member, a fluid dispenser comprising such a member, and a method of manufacturing such dispenser A stopper member (C) for mounting on an opening (31) of a fluid reservoir (P), said member being characterized in that it comprises: a base body (1) forming a fluid dispenser orifice (17); an assembly part (20) for mounting in stationary manner on the base body (1); and a closure lid (25) for closing the dispenser orifice (17), the lid (25) being connected to the assembly part via a hinge (26), characterized in that the lid (25) and the part (20) are made as a single piece, the lid (25) initially being connected to the assembly part (20), before the lid is opened for the first time, via at least one bridge (28) of material able to be broken at the first opening.
US08020713B2	Storage rack for pilates exercise equipment The present invention discloses a storage rack suitable for holding exercise springs and related equipment, having a support element with at least one bracket disposed on the support, the bracket being suitable for horizontally affixing the support to a wall or ceiling. The support having a plurality of eye hooks disposed thereon. The eye hooks keep the exercise rings at a sufficient distance from each other to prevent entanglement with other springs. The distance between the support and the point of affixation can be used as a separate rack to store other exercise components.
US08020705B2	Screen assemblies utilizing screen elements retained in perforated supports A screen retention mechanism for use with vibratory separators is disclosed. The screen retention mechanism includes a structural frame mounted to a vibratory separator into which a plurality of lightweight and flexible screen elements are inserted into multiple tows of perforated screen supports. The perforated screen supports are bonded to the structural frame and are aligned parallel to the direction in which solids are conveyed by a vibratory motion. The invention further features an improved retention mechanism whereby screen elements are conveniently and selectively restrained.
US08020694B2	Hyperpolarized gas transport and storage devices and associated transport and storage methods using permanent magnets A transport unit includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to provide a magnetic holding field for protecting hyperpolarized gas during storage and/or transport. The permanent magnets are configured in a relatively light weight manner to project a substantially cylindrical magnetic holding field or spherical holding field in space. The magnet arrangements can include primary magnets and field shaping secondary magnets which act to enlarge the region of homogeneity. The permanent magnet arrangement can also be provided with a cylindrical shaped flex sheet magnetically activated to provide the magnetic holding field. The permanent magnet arrangements do not require disassembly to insert or remove one or more containers of hyperpolarized gas in or out of the transport unit.
US08020680B2	Hydrodynamic torque converter device for an automotive drive train A hydrodynamic torque converter device for an automotive drive train, comprising a torsional vibration damper and a converter torus which is formed by an impeller, a turbine wheel and a stator. The torsional vibration damper has a first energy accumulating device with one or more first energy accumulators, and a second energy accumulating device with one or more second energy accumulators, which is connected in series to the first energy accumulating device.
US08020679B2	Rotatable foot-wheel used for luggage trunk Disclosed is a rotatable foot-wheel used for a luggage trunk, that is provided to a user with a simple & convenient mounting and detaching means, such that in detaching a foot-wheel from a luggage trunk, upon securing a lower half portion element, all the user has to do is to move the step-shaped housing of an upper half portion element outward, so that balls on a ball portion are separated from the step-shaped housing, then rotating the foot-wheel to make it separate, thus achieving the purpose of detaching a rotatable foot-wheel, such that a user may replace worn-out elements by himself. When installing a new element or reinstalling a repaired element, similarly, upon securing a lower half portion element, moving step-shaped housing of an upper half portion element outward, so that balls on the ball portion rejoin with the step-shaped housing, hereby achieving the objective of fixing and re-installing foot-wheels.
US08020674B2	Disk brake for vehicle A disk brake for a vehicle includes: a caliper bracket; a pair of caliper support arms; pad guide grooves that have outer side surfaces, inner side surfaces and opposed surfaces; and lug pieces that protrude on both side parts of back plates of friction pads supported by the pad guide grooves through a pad retainer, the pad retainer including a pair of retainer parts, a connecting piece and pad resilient parts, wherein: the retainer parts include inner side pieces arranged along the inner side surfaces of the pad guide grooves, outer side pieces arranged along the outer side surfaces of the pad guide grooves and interior pieces that connect the outer side pieces to the inner side pieces; and the outer side pieces include impact suppressing parts that restrain the lug pieces from colliding with the outer side surfaces through the outer side pieces.
US08020670B2	Arrangement for equalizing elevator rope force and elevator An arrangement for equalizing rope force of an elevator may include: a hoisting machine, set of hoisting ropes, traction sheave, elevator car, guide rails, and compensating device. The hoisting machine may engage the hoisting ropes via the traction sheave. The elevator car may be at least partially supported by the hoisting ropes to move the elevator car. The elevator car may move along the guide rails. The compensating device may include first and second tensioning devices. The first tensioning device may be spaced apart from the second tensioning device. The first and second tensioning devices may be interconnected via a transmission device that transmits rotary motion. A first end of the set of hoisting ropes may be secured to a point in conjunction with the first tensioning device. A second end of the set of hoisting ropes may be secured to a point in conjunction with the second tensioning device.
US08020669B2	Elevator and traction sheave of an elevator An elevator may include an elevator car, counterweight, set of hoisting ropes, and one or more rope pulleys. The elevator car and counterweight may be suspended on the set of hoisting ropes. The one or more rope pulleys may be provided with one or more rope grooves. Each rope groove may have a groove bottom and groove sides. At least one rope pulley may have a coating adhesively bonded to it. At the groove bottom, a thickness of the coating may be at most about 3 mm. At the groove bottom, the thickness of the coating may be substantially less than half a thickness of the at least one hoisting rope running in the one or more rope grooves. At the groove sides, the thickness of the coating may be at most about 3 mm. The coating may be thicker at the groove bottom than at the groove sides.
US08020665B2	Lubrication system with extended emergency operability A lubrication system, includes an auxiliary lubricant tank 48 and a supply conduit 58 extending from a source of lubricant 26 and through the auxiliary lubricant tank. A portion of the conduit resides within the tank and has an opening 136 for allowing lubricant transfer between the tank and the conduit.
US08020658B2	Easy ejector seat with skeletal crash safety beam An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also safety devices and arrangements for head-on collision protection that protect the passenger. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.
US08020652B2	Generator power-based cold start strategy The method of the invention controls engine speed during engine starting for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a battery, an engine and a generator, acting as a motor, whereby generator torque assists the engine to develop a stable running speed throughout an engine start event, particularly a cold engine start event, without violating battery power limits.
US08020651B2	Hybrid motor vehicle and method for controlling operation of a hybrid motor vehicle A method controls an operation of a motor vehicle equipped with a hybrid drive unit having a combustion engine and at least one electric machine that can be selectively operated as a motor or as a generator. The electric machine, when in generator mode, charges an energy store and/or supplies power to a vehicle electrical system of the motor vehicle. In generator mode, the electric machine is operated in alternating intervals, while maintaining predefined boundary conditions. In a first interval, the electric machine is operated with a first high electrical power output that is higher than an actual power consumption of the vehicle electrical system of the motor vehicle. The electric machine is switched off in a second interval. This largely prevents the electric machine from approaching operating points under light load which have a low efficiency and achieves a fuel advantage in comparison to a continuous operating mode.
US08020649B2	Legged robot A legged robot that ensures a large step length while keeping the height of the trunk low is realized. The legged robot is provided with a trunk, a pair of legs, and a pair of sliding joints. Each of the sliding joints links one end of each of the legs to the trunk so as to slide in a front and rear direction with respect to the trunk. For each step, one leg is caused to slide forward, and the other leg is caused to slide backward. It is possible to ensure a predetermined distance between the end portion of the one leg and the end portion of the other leg. The legged robot can make the step length large by an amount that is equivalent to this distance irrespective of the length of the legs.
US08020648B2	Windrower tractor with rear wheel suspension A tractor has front wheels mounted on the frame at fixed angles and a pair of rear wheels each mounted on a respective castor assembly. Each of the castor assemblies has a vertical pivot axis mounted in a swivel support of an axle of the frame and a bottom transverse tubular member connected to a pair of parallel forks carrying at a lower ends the transverse axle of the wheel. The mounting link includes a torsion spring defined by a rod attached to the forks which passes though a sleeve containing a resilient elastomeric spring of the tubular member allowing spring suspension pivotal movement of the upper ends of the forks relative to the bottom transverse member about an axis parallel to the wheel axis.
US08020641B2	Drill bit with continuously sharp edge cutting elements A method of optimizing drill bit design and an optimized drill bit for drilling a well into an earth formation comprising a bit body; a number of blades spaced around the bit body, each blade having a curved outer edge and a forward face; a first row of cutter pockets recessed into the face along the outer edge of each blade; a second group of cutter pockets recessed into the face of each blade offset from the first row; and a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element being brazed into a different one of the cutter pockets.
US08020638B2	Seal with dynamic sealing surface at the outside diameter A seal assembly for sealing between a journal shaft and a rotating cone cutter of a drill bit. In an embodiment, the seal assembly comprises a seal gland positioned between the journal shaft and the cone cutter. In addition, the seal assembly comprises an annular seal body disposed about the journal shaft within an annular recess. The seal body comprises a dynamic sealing surface at its outer diameter D1 that forms a dynamic seal with the sealing surface of the recess and a static sealing surface at its inner diameter D2 that forms a static seal with an outer bearing surface of the journal shaft.
US08020637B2	Downhole lubrication system What is claimed is a downhole lubrication system comprising a drill string component comprising an outer diameter and an inner bore. A reservoir may be disposed intermediate the outer diameter and inner bore. A piston may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir. At least one channel may extend from the reservoir to a bearing surface. As drilling fluid is passed through the inner bore, the piston may be pressurized, urging lubricant toward the bearing surface via the at least one channel.
US08020630B2	Swinging weight assembly for impact tool A swinging weight assembly for an impact tool includes an anvil having an impact jaw that is reinforced with a circumferential flange. A hammer includes a hammer lug and a cam lug for pivoting the hammer between an engaged position in which the hammer lug strikes the impact jaw and a disengaged position in which the hammer moves past the impact jaw. The cam lug is separated from the cam lug to define a space in which the reinforcing flange is received.
US08020625B2	Monobore construction with dual expanders A method and apparatus of expanding tubing. The method may include expanding a first portion of an expandable tubing into contact with a surrounding tubing using an upper expander; expanding a second portion of the expandable tubing that extends beyond the surrounding tubing using a lower expander; and further expanding the first portion of the expandable tubing using the lower expander, thereby expanding the surrounding tubing. The apparatus may include a fluted expander coupled to a first end of the expandable tubing; and a collapsible cone disposed inside the expandable tubing.
US08020618B2	Solid gas migration control additives based on latex powders for cementing applications Solid latex powders are employed as additives to control gas migration during the cementation of subterranean wells. Preferably, the latex additives are based on vinyl-acetate or styrene-butadiene based polymers. The additives are particularly useful in low-temperature applications. Methods to prepare cement slurries comprising the latex additives, and methods pertaining to the cementation of subterranean wells are also presented.
US08020608B2	Heat sink fin with stator blade Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments are associated with a heat sink with a fin configured with a stator blade. One example includes a heat sink apparatus configured to experience a fan-assisted air flow. The example heat sink apparatus may be configured to include a fan that is configured to produce an air flow in the heat sink apparatus and a heat sink that houses the fan. The example heat sink may include a base and fins that are configured with stator blades.
US08020600B2	Sheet sticking apparatus A sheet sticking apparatus includes a first feeding device for feeding out a first sheet having an adhesive layer on one surface thereof, a second feeding device for feeding out a second sheet, and a folding device for folding the second sheet. The sheet sticking apparatus further includes a pressing device for sticking the folded second sheet to the adhesive layer of the first sheet so as to overlap the folded second sheet and the adhesive layer of the first sheet together, and for pressing the first sheet in a state where the adhesive layer of the first sheet is partially exposed out of the second sheet.
US08020590B2	Nozzle for filling a container with at least two viscous materials Nozzle for filling a container with at least a first and a second viscous or paste-like material, of the type including an outer cylindrical body having a delivery mouth. The nozzle has at least two cylindrical chambers, placed inside an outer cylindrical body and fluidly separated, for the respective passage of the first and of the second viscous material, each of the at least two chambers having an outflow section of the relative viscous material substantially positioned in correspondence to a delivery mouth.
US08020583B2	Hydraulic valve arrangement The invention concerns a hydraulic valve arrangement (1) with at least two valve modules (2-6), each having a supply channel arrangement with a high-pressure channel (9) and a low-pressure channel (15), a working connection arrangement with at least one working connection (A, B), one directional valve arrangement (16) between the supply channel arrangement (9, 15) and the working connection arrangement (A, B) and a compensation arrangement (19), which is acted upon by a pressure in a load-sensing arrangement. It is endeavored to increase the number of control possibilities. For this purpose, the load-sensing arrangement of at least one valve module (2-6) has a pressure influencing arrangement (25-29) that differs from a pressure influencing arrangement (25-29) of a load sensing arrangement of another valve module (2-6).
US08020578B2	Solid product dispenser A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.
US08020577B1	Rupture disc assembly for pneumatic plugs A rupture disc assembly for pneumatic plugs constructed and arranged to cooperate with an aperture in an end casting or other plug component to expel excess air from the plug interior when a predetermined internal plug pressure is reached. The rupture disc holder assembly may have a two part body structure and be mounted to the inside or outside of the pneumatic plug. The rupture disc assembly utilizes a rupturable member in a flanged holder structure positioned in communication with the pneumatic plug.
US08020574B2	Method for closing fluid passage, and water hammerless valve device and water hammerless closing device used in the method A fluid passage is emergently-closed in a short time without causing a water hammer by an extremely simple device and operation. A water hammerless closing device includes an actuator operated valve provided in a fluid passage, an electro-pneumatic conversion device for supplying a 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa to an actuator operated-type valve, a vibration sensor removably secured to the pipe passage on the upstream side of the actuator operated-type valve, and a tuning box receiving a vibration detection signal Pr from the vibration sensor and delivering a control signal Sc to the electro-pneumatic conversion device for controlling the step operating pressure Ps′ of the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa so that, with the control signal Sc being regulated, the electro-pneumatic conversion device outputs the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa with the step operating pressure Ps′ capable of bringing the vibration detection signal Pr substantially to zero.
US08020564B2	System and method for analyzing medical treatment data A system and method for compiling and analyzing treatment parameters associated with medical treatments provided to a plurality of patients is provided. A report of the analysis may be provided to a technician or physician for determining medical treatment guidelines representing acceptable values for a selected treatment parameter in accordance with the analysis. The system may further automatically determine medical treatment guidelines and/or adjust preestablished medical treatment guidelines in accordance with the analysis.
US08020533B2	Fuel injection device, fuel injection control device, and control method of fuel injection device To provide a fuel injection device for controlling a fuel injection valve including a solenoid and a magnetostrictive element to generate a drive force for driving the fuel injection valve, the fuel injection device including: a solenoid power source (31) for driving the solenoid, a solenoid drive circuit (10) adapted to control the electrification to the solenoid by the solenoid power source (31), a plurality of magnetostrictive element driving power sources (32, 33) for driving the magnetostrictive element, and a magnetostrictive element drive circuit (20) adapted to control the electrification to a magnetostrictive coil of the magnetostrictive element by the magnetostrictive element driving power sources. Since the plurality of the magnetostrictive element driving power sources can be respectively used when performing a valve-opening operation and when performing a valve-closing operation of the fuel injection valve of the fuel injection device, the opening/closing operation of the fuel injection valve of the fuel injection device can be properly performed.
US08020524B2	Exhaust heat recovery apparatus An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator and the condenser form an operation medium circuit such that an operation medium circulates through the evaporator and the condenser. The evaporator has tubes and is disposed in a duct part through which an exhaust gas generated from an engine flows. The condenser is disposed in a heated fluid circuit through which a heated fluid flows for heating the heated fluid by condensation of the operation medium. The heated fluid circuit is separate from an engine coolant circuit through which an engine coolant for cooling the engine flows. The evaporator further has a fin between the tubes. The fin is provided with an operation force reducing portion that is capable of reducing an operation force applied to the fin due to a thermal expansion difference between the tubes, which are exposed to the exhaust gas.
US08020523B2	Absorbent article for animal An absorbent article for an animal has an interior surface for facing the animal and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The absorbent article includes an abdomen part for facing the abdomen of the animal and a back part for facing the back of the animal. Two engaging members, which are capable of being removably secured to the exterior surface of the back part, are provided on each side of the abdomen part and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction along which the abdomen and back parts are arranged.
US08020519B2	Chicken coop door module A chicken coop door module having a frame, a door, and a motor drive unit. The motor drive unit is configured to move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal so that the frame opening is unobstructed, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal so that the frame opening is obstructed, and prevent the door from moving when no signal is received. The door module receives an opening signal in the morning to let the chickens out of the chicken coop, and a closing signal in the evening to close the door to secure the chickens in the coop. When no signal is received, the door is prevented from moving by the motor drive unit so that when open, the chickens may freely enter and exit the coop; and when closed, predators cannot open the door and attack the chickens. The chicken coop door module may include a controller to provide the opening signal and the closing signal base on a signal from a timer or light detector.
US08020514B2	Batch-type remote plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber in which a plurality of substrates are stacked and accommodated; a pair of electrodes extending in the stacking direction of the plurality of substrates, which are disposed at one side of the plurality of substrates in said processing chamber, and to which high frequency electricity is applied; and a gas supply member which supplies processing gas into a space between the pair of electrodes.
US08020504B2	Structural component for producing ship hulls, ship hulls containing the same, and method of manufacturing the same A structural component for a ship hull has a metal element, an electro-conductive element, and a non-conductive element which disconnects the metal element from the electro-conductive element so as to prevent an electrical contact of the electro-conductive element with the metal element.
US08020499B2	Apparatus and method for pyrolysis of scrap tyres and the like A reactor (107) for pyrolysis of carbonizable plastic and rubber materials is disclosed including at least an earlier stage reaction chamber (401) and a later stage reaction chamber (105), in which the earlier stage reaction chamber receives the materials for pyrolysis, and the later stage reaction chamber receives treated materials from the earlier stage reaction chamber for subsequent pyrolysis, and the reactor (107) includes a three-way valve (407) for directing the gaseous pyrolysis products from the later stage reaction chamber to one of three pathways, each to a different destination.
US08020492B1	Low lethality impact payload delivery sub-munitions and methods of manufacture A low lethality impact sub-munition and method of making same, the sub-munition including a closed compartment containing a concentration of payload material in close proximity to the forward end of the compartment and a charge of ballast material rearward of the payload material. At least the forward end of the compartment is sufficiently porous that at least some of the payload material will disperse through the forward end but not the ballast material upon impact of the sub-munition with a target.
US08020488B1	Strapping machine A strapping machine includes a machine body, a strap chute, a strap supplying device, and a controlling device. The machine body has a working surface. The strap chute includes an access guiding portion and an exit guiding portion. The controlling device can control the access guiding portion and the exit guiding portion moving to suitable heights independently. So, an object to can be moved in for a strapping work and then be moved out. Hence, the vertical moving distances of the access guiding portion and the exit guiding portion can be adjusted independently. In addition, it can save the waiting time.
US08020480B2	Self-lubricating ropes useful in the isolation sections of ocean-bottom cables A rope having an outer jacket made of braided fibers surrounding a PTFE core and a method for making the rope. The rope is useful in high-tension, high-friction applications, such as serving as a stress member in an isolation section of an instrumented ocean-bottom cable. The PTFE core, which may consist of one or more strings of PTFE valve packing material, squeezes through the braided jacket as the rope is deformed in high-stress regions such as around a bollard. The PTFE material squeezed through the outer jacket lubricates the outside of the rope in the high-stress region to lower the friction.
US08020469B2	Base frame and parking brake device A base frame 1 is such as to be fixedly provided on a body so that a parking brake device 2 is provided thereon which causes a brake applying portion of a parking brake to apply the brake and release the brake so applied, a base frame main body 1a is molded into an integral unit, a parking device mounting portion 10A where the parking brake device 2 is mounted is formed on one side A of the base frame man body 1a, and a gearshift device mounting portion 10B where a gearshift device of a transmission is provided is formed on the other side B thereof.
US08020464B2	Gear pairs for power transmission in speed increaser or reducer and methods of forming the same This disclosure relates to a gear pair for power transmission in a speed increaser or reducer and its tooth profile forming method. The tooth profiles of driving gear and driven gear are separately designed from reference points. The upper tooth profiles are composed of conjugate curves, while the lower tooth profiles are composed of smooth convex analytic curves. The reference point of the driven gear is located adjacent the middle of the working depth. The reference point on the tooth profile of the driving gear and the reference point on the driven gear tooth flank are a pair of conjugate points.
US08020459B2	Sampling apparatus A sampling apparatus comprising: at least one distribution element for distributing a flow of material; one or more sampling ports for collecting a sample from the distributed flow of material; wherein at least one sampling port is adapted to move in the distributed flow in order to collect a sample; and wherein, in use, the at least one sampling port has a container associated therewith which moves with the sampling port and which receives and retains the sample collected by the said sampling port.
US08020457B2	Apparatus for use in sample monitoring An apparatus for use in a sample monitoring system is provided and includes a first enclosure configured to enclose a probe body into which the sample is drawn, a sensor coupled to the probe body and configured to sense a chemical composition of the sample and at least one first heater configured to heat an interior of the first enclosure, a second enclosure configured to enclose a pump coupled to the probe body and configured to draw the sample therein and a second heater configured to heat the pump, and a third enclosure configured to enclose a pump motor configured to control an operation of the pump and to support heating controlling units configured to control the at least one first heater and the second heater.
US08020455B2	Magnetostrictive sensing systems and methods for encoding A magnetostrictive measurement system having one or more encoded polarized magnetic regions disposed circumferentially about a shaft, wherein adjacent magnetic regions along a section of the shaft have opposing polarities. In one embodiment the shaft is hollow and the encodings are interiorly disposed while in another embodiment the encodings are on the exterior surface of the shaft. There are one or more sensors, such as contact sensors, disposed about the shaft wherein the sensors enable measurements of at least one of bending moments or torque sensing. The sensors can also include non-contact sensors measuring the magnetic flux densities caused by the alternating magnetic fields from the rotating shaft. A processing section is used to process the sensor measurements, wherein the sensor measurements are used to compute at least one of shaft power, torque, speed, and bending moments.
US08020454B2	Torque detection device and electric power steering apparatus using the same A torque detection device has a magnetic flux collecting ring, arranged outside an outer periphery of a magnetic circuit forming member which is provided in a rotating body applied with a torque, for collecting a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic circuit forming member; a detector for detecting the torque applied to the rotating body based on a density of the magnetic flux collected by the magnetic flux collecting ring; and a holding ring for holding the magnetic flux collecting ring and the detector and including an attachment part to be attached to a stationary object on an outer periphery on one side in a radial direction. An attachment-preventing convex part for preventing attachment to the stationary object by contacting the stationary object is formed on one end face in an axis line direction of the holding ring.
US08020446B2	Method and apparatus for detecting flaws in a railhead A method for detecting flaws in a railhead, which railhead (1) is provided with a top side (T), a bottom side (B) and longitudinal sides (S) extending between that top side (T) and bottom side (B), wherein at least one ultrasonic first signal (10) is transmitted into the railhead (1) via said head top side (T) and traverses such a transmission path (9) that: —the signal (10) is only once reflected by the railhead bottom side (B), and not by a railhead longitudinal side (S); —the signal (10) reaches at least one substantially central railhead part (C); and —the signal (10) can exit the railhead (1) via the head top side (T); wherein first ultrasonic signals exiting the head top side (T) are detected, wherein the transmission path (9) of the at least first signal (10) extends in a virtual transmission plane, which transmission plane extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the rail. In addition, the invention provides an apparatus for detecting flaws in a railhead. The invention further relates to a positioning method.
US08020445B2	Three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging device The object of the present invention is to provide a the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus for improving accuracy of internal inspection of an object to be inspected and enabling an automatic determination by means of ultrasonic waves. The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators; a driving element selecting portion for selecting a piezoelectric vibrator to emit an ultrasonic wave among a plurality of the piezoelectric vibrators; a signal detecting circuit for causing ultrasonic waves emitted by the selected piezoelectric vibrator to enter the object to be inspected, receiving echo reflected from the object to be inspected, and thereby detecting an electric signal corresponding to the reflected echo; a signal processing portion for generating three-dimensional imaging data by subjecting the electric signal corresponding to the detected reflected echo to parallel arithmetic processing; and a display processing device for receiving the three-dimensional imaging data from the signal processing portion, correcting image luminance of the three-dimensional imaging data so as to flatten imaging intensity distribution in the plane direction of the surface of the object to be inspected, and then displaying a corrected result.
US08020444B2	Functional actuator-sensor path optimization in structural health monitoring system A method for optimizing transducer performance in an array of transducers in a structural health monitoring system includes specifying a plurality of paths between pairs of the transducers on a monitored structure and evaluating the quality of signal transmissions along the paths so as to optimize the gain and frequency operating condition of the transducers.
US08020435B2	Method of investigating a coated surface of an object A method of visually investigating a coated surface of an object, the coating comprising a metal or an alloy, in order to determine whether or not the coating is tight. An increasing potential is applied to the object until a desired current level has been obtained or until a maximum potential has been reached. In case the coating is tight this results in a change in color of the coating. This may be due to a polarization of the coating material and/or due to an increase in thickness of a naturally occurring metal oxide layer. In case the coating is tight the desired current level can not be obtained, and the potential is increased to the maximum level resulting in a change in color. In case pinholes are present it is possible to obtain the desired current level, and the increase in potential is stopped before it is high enough to cause the change in color. Provides a dramatic visual effect allowing an immediate determination of whether or not pinholes are present. Need for additional equipment for determining the presence of pinholes is avoided. In case the coating material is or comprises tantalum or an alloy of tantalum, the color is changed into a distinct blue color.
US08020431B2	Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.
US08020424B2	Ring compression device and ring compression method A ring compression device including a non-rotatable substrate having a central axis. A plurality of longitudinal pressing members are arranged radially around the central axis in a plane. One end of each of the pressing members points toward the central axis. The pressing members can move toward or away from the central axis in the plane. A rotating body rotates around the central axis and parallel to the plane of the pressing members. A driving mechanism engages with the rotating body and the pressing members such that when the rotating body rotates all the pressing members move toward the central axis and apply force on a periphery of the ring.
US08020423B2	Electronic casing and method of manufacturing the same An electronic casing and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes the following steps. Step (a): a metal laminate and a die of a predetermined shape are provided. The metal laminate comprises a metal top layer and a metal bottom layer that are bonded by interface atom diffusion. Step (b): the metal laminate is processed to form a casing blank by using the die, and the casing blank has at least one turning portion. Step (c): a profiler of a predetermined shape and an electromagnetic forming device are provided. Step (d): the casing blank is attached to the profiler, and the electromagnetic forming device is disposed at a position corresponding to the turning portion. Step (e): the electromagnetic forming device is activated, so that the casing blank has a shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the profiler.
US08020413B2	Foreign materials filtering apparatus and washing machine having the same In a foreign materials filtering apparatus and a washing machine having the same, owing to a detachable mounting structure between a handle and a front filter and between a rear filter and the front filter, foreign materials collected in a foreign materials filtering space can be easily cleaned. Accordingly, can be solved the conventional problem that a net filter has to be kept inside out at the time of a cleaning process, resulting in causing a user's hands to become dirty. Also, can be solved the conventional problem that there is a difficulty in removing foreign materials from the net filter due to a fibrous characteristic of the net filter.
US08020412B2	Washing machine with odor removal function A washing machine with an odor removal function includes a cabinet, a tub received in the cabinet and including an intake port and an exhaust port so as to receive and discharge air, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the tub. Here, ambient air flows into the tub through the intake port by a suction force generated when the washing tub rotates and air inside the washing tub flows to the outside, such that odor of laundry is removed. Therefore, a washing machine with an odor removal function capable of easily and quickly removing laundry odor is provided.
US08020403B2	Refrigerator with ceiling mounted water system An improved bottom mount refrigerator is provided with water and lighting systems housed in a space adjacent the top of the fresh food compartment between a false ceiling and the top wall of the liner. The water system includes a filter manifold, filter cartridge, storage tank, and valve mounted to a bracket. The lighting system, including the fixtures and wiring harness, are also mounted in the bracket. The water and lighting systems are pre-assembled on the bracket, which is then secured to the liner. The false ceiling includes a tank cover, a pivotal filter cover, and a removable light cover. The false drop ceiling hides the water and light systems and the mounting bracket. A front façade closes the gap between the ceiling and the liner. The ceiling and façade provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the upper portion of the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.
US08020402B2	Flash tank design and control for heat pumps A heat pump system of the type which re-circulates refrigerant through a fluid circuit between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger includes a compressor coupled to the fluid circuit and a vapor injection system including a vessel fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and to a vapor injection port of the compressor. The vessel is operable as a receiver in a cooling mode of the heat pump system and is operable as a flash tank in a heating mode of the heat pump system.
US08020401B2	Configurable refrigerator A configurable refrigerator comprises a control box provided with a compressor and a fan, a plurality of cooling units that are mutually connected and are connected to the control box through fastening devices, gas tubes connected between the control box and the cooling units to allow a low-temperature gas generated by the control box to enter the cooling units and return to the control box after circulation in the cooling units, and a control panel of the control box, settled on the control box or any of the cooling units. Therein, the control box can be assembled with an adjustable number of the cooling unit. Thus, the number of the cooling units can be increased or decreased as needed, thereby achieving easy assembly, disassembly and reconfiguration of the configurable refrigerator and the control panel.
US08020400B2	Refrigeration device A refrigeration device comprising a refrigeration circuit that contains an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, in addition to electronic components for operating the refrigeration device. According to the invention, all the electronic components are combined in an electronic unit.
US08020397B2	Reduction of diluent nitrogen compressor power using vapor absorption chiller A diluent nitrogen compressor inlet cooling system comprises a bottoming cycle heat source; a vapor absorption chiller powered by the bottoming cycle heat source, the vapor absorption chiller being configured to cool diluent nitrogen; and a diluent nitrogen compressor that receives the cooled diluent nitrogen from the vapor absorption chiller. A method for cooling an inlet of a diluent nitrogen compressor comprises powering a vapor absorption chiller using a bottoming cycle heat source from the integrated gasification combined cycle system; indirectly cooling diluent nitrogen by the vapor absorption chiller; and sending the cooled diluent nitrogen to a diluent nitrogen compressor inlet.
US08020395B2	Air conditioning apparatus An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit and an operation control section. The operation control section is capable of performing a refrigeration cycle for causing an outdoor heat exchanger to function as a refrigerant condenser and an indoor heat exchanger to function as a refrigerant evaporator, while performing superheat degree control for controlling the aperture of an indoor expansion valve so that the degree of superheat of the refrigerant at the outlet from the indoor heat exchanger is constant. The operation control section means sets a lower aperture limit for the indoor expansion valve to perform the superheat degree control, and reduces the lower aperture limit when the refrigerant at the outlet from the indoor heat exchanger is detected to be wet.
US08020391B2	Refrigeration device control system A refrigeration device includes a control device and a multiple cooling elements. A supply header delivers refrigerant to the cooling elements and a return header returns refrigerant from the cooling elements. A single pressure sensor provides a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device, and a single temperature sensor provides a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device. The control device provides an output signal to control each of the cooling elements, in response to the signals from the single temperature sensor and the single pressure sensor.
US08020387B2	Method of operating a burner, including a combustion chamber with a low nitrous oxide emission There is described a method for operation of a burner, whereby a fuel is supplied to the burner, sprayed into the combustion air, mixed with the combustion air to give a fuel/air mixture and burnt in a combustion chamber. With regard to a combustion particularly low in pollutants and, in order to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions with relation to achieving a given nitrogen oxide emission level, a change in parameters characterizing the fuel is determined. Such a parameter may, for example, be the Wobbe index. There is further described a device for carrying out said method, comprising a fuel treatment device, with an analytical device for the analysis of the current fuel composition and a monitoring and control system.
US08020385B2	Centerbody cap for a turbomachine combustor and method A turbomachine includes a combustor assembly, a cap assembly attached to the combustor assembly, a centerbody within the cap assembly, a wall of the centerbody having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion, and an external turbulator member in operable communication with the cap assembly. The external turbulator member is spaced from the wall to form a passage defined by a gap between the wall of the centerbody and the external turbulator. The external turbulator member includes a step positioned at the second end of the centerbody. The step defines a radial distance about the second end of the centerbody. The external turbulator member is formed having a step-to-gap ratio relative to the centerbody in a range of about 0.8 to about 1.2.
US08020381B2	Method for determining necessity of multiple vane cleaning procedures A method of operating an internal combustion engine with a variable geometry turbocharger whereby the turbocharger is cleaned of accumulated soot on a time based periodic basis.
US08020376B2	Regeneration control method for a particle filter A regeneration control method for a particle filter of an internal combustion engine exhaust line determines operating data items of the particle filter, wherein the data items are at least one representative inside temperature T(t) of the filter at a time t, regenerates the filter by increasing the temperature thereof above a first combustion temperature threshold of a soot contained in the filter, and computes a time-varying parameter dinst(t) representative for the amount of energy produced at the time t by the regeneration process. The method further calculates a weighted parameter Dinst weight(t), which is at least partially defined by the function of dinst(t)*Gtemp (t) or Gtemp (t) and varying in time (t) according to the representative temperature T(t).
US08020375B2	Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine An object of the present invention is to recover the performance of an exhaust gas purification apparatus while suppressing slipping of fuel through the exhaust gas purification apparatus. When the performance of the exhaust gas purification apparatus is to be recovered at a time when the intake air quantity of the internal combustion engine is increasing (S101, S103), an upper limit value is set for the quantity of fuel added through a fuel addition valve provided in the exhaust passage (S104). If a target fuel supply quantity to be supplied to the exhaust gas purification apparatus is larger than the upper limit value (S105), a quantity of fuel quantity equal to the upper limit value is added through the fuel addition valve, and the shortfall of fuel supply is injected by sub fuel injection in the internal combustion engine (S110, S111, S112).
US08020374B2	Method for operating an internal combustion engine and device for implementing the method invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, in the exhaust gas section of which is arranged at least one SCR catalytic converter, which is hit with a reagent that contributes to NOx conversion in the SCR catalytic converter, and to a device for implementing the method. At least one measure is calculated for the NOx concentration downstream after the SCR catalytic converter. An NOx sensor, which is arranged downstream after the SCR catalytic converter, generates an exhaust gas sensor signal which corresponds to at least the NOx concentration and optionally, as a result of cross sensitivity, to a reagent slip. A reagent signal, which determines the dosage of reagent, is influenced by a correction signal as a function of the difference and as a function of a measure for the temperature of the SCR catalytic converter.
US08020366B2	Turbine engine combustor A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
US08020360B2	Device to produce a modified atmosphere for food preservation An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space. A method of modifying the atmosphere in a food storage space for food includes the steps of: providing a module capable of being removably engaged to an appliance and typically receiving power from the appliance and at least one removable gas canister; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module with the appliance; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module to a food storage area having an existing atmosphere; and removing at least a portion of the existing atmosphere from the food storage space and replacing it with a modified food storage atmosphere using at least one of the at least one removable gas canisters to supply the modified atmosphere to the food storage area.
US08020347B2	Modular enclosure A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include one or more roof panels. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The shed may also include one or more support beams that may be connected to the truss and may be connected to one or more panels. The shed may include one or more brackets used to connect a pair of panels that are positioned at an angle to form a corner of the shed. The shed may also include a cover, which may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the brackets. A plurality of roof panels may be positioned within a shipping container to form storage areas or cavities sized and configured to receive all or at least a portion of one or more floor panels.
US08020343B2	Enhanced shelf life and on seed stabilization of liquid bacterium inoculants The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacterium grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
US08020336B2	Trawl net layer-by-layer collecting device A trawl net layer-by-layer collecting device includes a rectangular cylindrical frame configured to draw a plurality of trawl nets that are arranged in an up and down direction. The frame includes an upper edge to which a net mouth edge of an upper net of the uppermost trawl net is anchored, and a lower edge to which a net mouth of a lower net of the lowermost trawl net is anchored. A pair of vertical bars are disposed on opposed sides of the frame. A slider having opposed ends slidably engaged with the vertical bars, the slider anchoring thereto the net mouth edge of the lower net of the upper trawl net and the net mouth edge of the upper net of the lower trawl net. A net-mouth opening and closing unit is configured to lock the sliders on upper ends of the vertical bars, and unlock the locked sliders one by one; and a controller.
US08020334B2	Modular mounting systems for rifle accessories, and associated equipment Accessory mounting structure for securing accessory mounting rails to the barrel or other forward structure of a weapon comprises cooperatively shaped mounting ring halves that are secured to another over the barrel of the weapon. Accessory mounting rails are then secured to the mounting rings. Where the weapon is a grenade launcher, a quick-reload mechanism may additionally be provided.
US08020332B2	Device and safeguard unit for the storage of a firearm Device for the storage of a gun with a base, a safety unit for the secure storage of the gun on the base and a controller, wherein the safety unit can be inserted at least partially into the barrel and/or a cartridge chamber of the gun and comprises a first safety section, which can be brought into a safety state, in which the safety unit is secured in the gun, and into a release state, in which the safety unit can be separated from the gun, and the controller brings the first safety section into its release state when a user authorization is received.
US08020331B2	Linear bolt mechanism for a gun A linear bolt mechanism for a gun is provided, wherein a bolt moves between a firing position and an open position through linear motion, without requiring rotation of the bolt. The bolt includes a seating socket which engages a locking pin to permit travel of the bolt upon disposing the locking pin in a traveling position. The seating socket also engages the locking pin when the locking pin engages the locking socket, thereby precluding movement of the bolt with the locking pin in the locking position.
US08020329B2	Versatile decorative object, named the Paired Image Print, having a unique visual effect and a method of making said versatile decorative object A versatile decorative object having a multidimensional visual effect with a first layer separated from a second layer. The first layer is opaque and has applied on it a decorative image having at least black and white and the second layer (s) is transparent and has applied on it the same decorative image with the white of the image being transparent on the second layer. A preferred embodiment includes the first layer and the second layer(s) to be digitally created to accomplish the removal of white space from the decorative image. During this digital creation, proportions, size, juxtaposition of layers and content of the image is critical in achieving the stated visual effect.
US08020326B2	Magneto-optical display elements Composite magneto-optical elements with unique shapes and architectures comprising a magnetic component and a colored component. These magneto-optical elements can also be manufactured by a small variety of low-cost processes resulting in their use in a variety of applications including low-cost, large-format, reflective display devices.
US08020323B2	Drilling tool The invention relates to a drilling tool comprising: two pairs of rotary drums in axial alignment on parallel axes; a motor mechanism for driving rotation of the drums; a support element; and a support structure on which the drums are mounted to rotate and serving to connect the drums to the support element; the tool being characterized in that the motor mechanism is mounted inside the drums and in that the support structure comprises a plate forming bearings at its bottom ends for the drums; and a mounting pad for fastening to the support element.
US08020318B2	Quick-Assembly Footwear Melded footwear and process for manufacture of footwear. This enhanced shoe can be formed and assembled with a limited number of steps and without the need for much stitching. The shoe has a durable polyurethane shell, which is an integrated upper and outsole. The shoe contains a textile upper portion which is attached by direct injection molded. Molding the textile to the outsole eliminates the need for the use of adhesives. A locking plug element is provided that serves the dual function of providing cushioning around the heel and locking certain elements together.
US08020312B1	Universal tape and drywall scoring apparatus A universal tape and drywall scoring apparatus for use with a tape measure that includes a tape measure encasement for encasing a portion of the tape measure housing, a clip assembly connected to the distal end of the measuring tape, the clip assembly comprising a hollow housing having a top wall provided with a slot and a pair of spaced apart side walls each having a cavity formed therein, and a cutting assembly connected to the clip assembly, the cutting assembly comprising a scoring blade receivable within the slot in the top wall of the hollow housing of the clip assembly and a pair of spaced apart connector clips having end portions receivable the cavities formed in the side walls of the clip assembly.
US08020308B2	Non-destructive inspection system having self-aligning probe assembly An inspection system comprises a sensor configured to acquire inspection data of the object, a motion control device, a joint assembly coupled to the motion control device, and a probe housing coupled to the joint assembly and configured to hold the sensor. The inspection system further comprises a compliant element coupled to the probe housing and configured to cooperate with the joint assembly and the motion control device to position the sensor relative to the object. A self-aligning probe assembly is also presented.
US08020305B2	Microscope slide marking apparatus and method A detachable microscope pen mount for marking a microscope slide includes an attachment collar configured to secure to an objective lens, a lever secured to the attachment collar, a pen holder secured to the lever, and a pen secured to the pen holder and having a pen tip, where activating the lever moves the pen tip into a field of view and lowers the pen tip onto the microscope slide. Also disclosed is a method of marking a microscope slide includes identifying an object of interest in a field of view, positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view, inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough into a center of the trough, lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide, and marking the microscope slide by tracing the inside of the center of the trough. Another method of marking a microscope slide includes identifying an object of interest in a field of view, positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view, inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough until it reaches an outside surface of a tube in the trough, lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide, and marking the microscope slide by tracing the outside of tube.
US08020303B1	Infant feeding device A infant feeding device includes a tube that has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. Each of the first and second ends is open. A conduit is fluidly coupled to the second end. A spoon head is attached to a distal end of the conduit with respect to the second end of the tube. The spoon head is positioned to receive food material transferred through the conduit from the tube. A container containing food material is couplable to the first end of the perimeter wall to supply the tube with the food material so that the food material can be fed to an infant with the spoon head.
US08020302B2	Folding knife having a poking element A folding knife includes a handle, a blade, a resilient element and a poking element. The blade can be turned into or out from the handle. The resilient element has an end fixed to the handle and another end extended to a position of connecting the handle and the blade. If the blade is stored in the handle, the resilient element produces a torque to turn the blade into the handle. When a force is applied to turn the blade out from the handle, the resilient element produces a torque to pop the blade out from the handle automatically. The poking element is provided for turning the blade. When the blade is in the handle, the poking element presses against the blade, such that if a user pokes an end of the poking element, another end of the poking element turns the blade out from the handle.
US08020299B2	Method of fastening gear and structure of the same In a fastening method of press-fitting and fixing an axial end section of a second-stage pinion (1) into a circular opening (21) of a first-stage planetary carrier (2), first press-fitting external teeth (13a), which have an addendum circle larger than an addendum circle of the other pinion part and has a sharp tooth top, are generated through manufacturing of tooth-cutting at an outer circumferential section of the axial end portion of the second-stage pinion (1). Then, a press-fit bore (22) that has a smaller diameter than the addendum circle of the press-fitting external teeth (13a), is formed at the circular opening (21) of the first-stage planetary carrier (2). The press-fitting external teeth (13a) are then press-fitted into the press-fit bore (22) so that tooth tops thereof cut into an inner circumference surface of the press-fit bore (22) to secure fastening strength between the second-stage pinion (1) and the first-stage planetary carrier (2).
US08020298B2	Method of fabricating a heat exchanger with angled secondary fins extending from primary fins A method of fabricating a heat exchanger which includes: obtaining multiple coolant-carrying conduit sections, each having a non-circular cross-section, and first and second main surfaces; providing multiple primary folded fins secured to the conduit sections. Each folded fin includes a solid fin surface with multiple bends defining alternating, U-shaped air-passage channels, and a base surface and a top surface. Each folded fin is secured at the base or top surface to a main surface of a conduit section, and the folded fins have leading and trailing edges relative to airflow direction. The method includes forming a plurality of sets of secondary fins, each set extending from the leading or trailing edge of a respective folded fin at an angle other than 0. At least one conduit section has a first folded fin secured to its first main surface, and a second folded fin secured to its second main surface thereof.
US08020292B1	Methods of manufacturing printed circuit boards Methods of manufacturing printed circuit boards using parallel processes to interconnect with subassemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board including providing a core subassembly including at least one metal layer, providing a plurality of one-metal layer carriers after parallel processing each of the plurality of one-metal layer carriers, and attaching at least two of the plurality of one-metal layer carriers with each other and with the core subassembly.
US08020285B2	Method of adjusting at least one optional setting of a process characteristic of a component placement device, as well as a component placement device and an electronic key A method and a component placement device are provided for adjusting at least one optional setting of a process characteristic of the component placement device, which component placement device has at least one standard setting. The optional setting may be activated by way of an electronic key supplied to the component placement device. The optional setting may be temporarily activated by feeding the electronic key to the component placement device. Further, the standard setting may be reactivated after the expiration of a predetermined period of operation of the electronic key.
US08020284B2	Production line A production line used to assemble and test some electronic elements includes a first assembly line used to assemble some electronic elements requiring a relatively high requirements of cleanliness factor, a second assembly line used to assemble some electronic elements requiring a relatively low requirements of cleanliness factor, a first testing line used to do some testing items with a relatively high requirements of lightness, a second testing line used to do some testing items with a relatively low requirements of lightness, and a third testing line do some testing items requiring a relatively high requirements of cleanliness factor, the first assembly line, the second assembly line, the first testing line, the second testing line, and the third testing line are located adjacent to each other and connected together in series.
US08020274B2	Method for marking a socket A method is disclosed for marking a socket. The method includes the steps of providing a socket, pressing the socket to make an indented mark, executing thermal treatment on the socket, coloring a portion of the socket near the indented mark to form a printed layer, vibrating and grinding the socket to remove the printed layer from the socket except the indented mark, and electroplating the socket to form a coating on an external side and an internal side of the socket.
US08020267B2	Precision roll turning lathe A roll turning lathe is provided herein which can not only machine with high precision circumferential transverse grooves in the peripheral surface of a roll but can also machine with high precision longitudinal grooves in the peripheral surface. The precision roll turning lathe includes a fly cutter spindle device and a tool post having a plurality of cutting tools that are mounted on a tool swivel. By selectively using the tool post and the fly cutter spindle device, high-precision machining of transverse grooves and longitudinal grooves on a roll-shaped workpiece.
US08020263B2	Automated system for cutting tissue retainers on a suture An automated system for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The system includes a cutting bed to which a suture is mounted. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired geometry. An indexing mechanism moves the suture relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and movement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue retainers having a desired geometry distributed along the length of the suture thread.
US08020235B2	Concrete bridge An improved prestressed concrete bridge having internal and external tensioning tendons which follow approximately similar pathways which are not straight.
US08020234B2	Counterbalance mechanism for fold out ramp A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly further includes a counterbalance that provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position. A shaft rotates in a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. A crank is fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled at a first end to the crank about a first axis and at a second end to a cylinder. The cylinder is coupled for rotational movement about a second axis.
US08020223B2	Bag dispensing receptacle for plunging apparatus The field of the invention relates generally to a plunging system including, inter alia, a plunger having a handle and a plunger member, the handle having first and second opposed ends with the plunger member being coupled to the second end of the handle; and a receptacle, having a top portion coupled to a body portion, the body portion including a recess defining support regions cincturing the recess, and a body portion coupled to a neck portion, the neck portion including a second recess defining a second supporting region cincturing the second recess, with a segment of the top portion in superimposition with the recess of the body portion defining a chamber, with the receptacle being coupled to the first end of the handle such that the handle is positioned within the recess of the neck portion, with the chamber comprising a plurality of bags positioned therein that may be dispensed from the receptacle.
US08020220B2	Customizable military helmet system A helmet system that enables a user of the helmet system to customize the helmet system according to personal taste, a task at hand, responsibilities within a tactical group (e.g., communications, command, etc.), and/or according to other parameters. The customization of the helmet system may include a customization of electronics modules carried on the helmet system that optionally provide communications, environment detection, health or biometrics monitoring, power, information transmission/reception, information processing, and/or other functionalities. The customization of the helmet system may include a customization of structural components that enable the user to balance the structural protection provided to the user against other considerations. The other considerations may include, for example, weight, form factor, comfort, and/or other considerations.
US08020218B2	Baseball cap with neck protection visor The head covering includes a skull portion, a visor and an expandable section for connecting the visor and the skull portion. The expandable section is moveable between an expanded position and a retracted position to move the visor between a generally horizontal position to shade the eyes and a generally vertical position to protect the back of the neck. The expandable section is interposed between and connects the skull portion and the visor. The expandable section is formed of flexible material that is easily folded.
US08024812B2	Apparatus and method for processing digital document and computer program A digital document processing apparatus stores a digital document, an application program used for editing the digital document, where the application program runs on an application platform, and a filter program used for restricting a function executed by the application program. The digital document processing apparatus includes a function determination unit configured to determine whether a function executed by the application program is restricted by the filter program, and a function restricting unit configured to restrict the function executed by the application program using the filter program if the function determination unit determines that the function executed by the application program is restricted by the filter program.
US08024792B2	Methods and systems for imaging device credential submission Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for imaging device credential submission wherein credentials are extracted by scanning graphical indicia on user documents using a primary document scanner.
US08024787B2	Packet firewalls of particular use in packet switching devices One or more firewalls are used to perform firewall functionality on packets based on the entry and exit accesses of each of the one or more firewalls being applied to a packet. For example, when firewalls are included in a router, the interfaces of the router are typically mapped to virtual firewalls and access thereof. Based on the determined routing of a particular packet, the firewalls to apply and their corresponding entry and exit accesses are identified. In order to decouple the application by the firewall itself of the security policies from the network topology and routing architecture (e.g., the network routing address information which is typically relied upon by current firewalls), the firewall functionality is defined based on the identified entry and exit accesses of a firewall, rather than based on network defined addresses, for example.
US08024786B2	System and methods for secure service oriented architectures Provided is a method for intercepting a message between a requesting web service and a source web service, validating the message, logging the result of the validations, and adding a security profile to the message. The method may also include examining the message to determine whether a security profile is embedded therein. If the message is valid, access to the message by the requesting web service is permitted. If the message is not valid, access to the message by the requesting web service is prevented.
US08024780B2	System and method for authenticating components in wireless home entertainment system Configuration information is exchanged between a home entertainment system server and various wireless components by pushing a button on the server and a random button on a remote control device as it is pointed at the devices sought to be authenticated.
US08024777B2	Domain based authentication scheme In one example, a system for authenticating domains operates by authenticating a first domain and the extensions that make up the URI of an initial or primary Internet network call. Thereafter, the system can enable the owner of the first domain to make assertions or statements about additional domains and URIs that make up the rest of the web page, session or application.
US08024771B2	Policy-based method for configuring an access control service A system and method for processing a request by a first control service using a first control specification language, and a second control service using a second control specification language includes steps of: receiving the request from a requestor; providing the request to the first and second control services; receiving a decision on the request from each of the first and second control services; and comparing the decisions. The first control specification language is an access control policy.
US08024770B2	Techniques for managing security contexts Techniques for managing security contexts may be described. An apparatus may comprise a processor and a security management module. The security management module may form a merged security context for multiple concurrent threads, with one of the threads depending on more than one preceding operation from other threads. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08024769B2	Identity-based encryption system for secure data distribution A system is provided that allows encrypted content to be distributed to users over a communications network. A policy enforcement service may use an identity-based encryption algorithm to generate public parameter information and private keys. Data content may be encrypted prior to distribution using an identity-based encryption engine. The encryption engine may use the public parameter information from the policy service and public key information to encrypt the data. The public key information may be based on policy information that specifies which types of users are allowed to access the data that is encrypted using that public key. A user may obtain a private key for unlocking particular encrypted data by providing a key request to the policy enforcement service that contains the public key. The policy enforcement service may enforce the policies given by the policy information and may provide private keys only to authorized users.
US08024766B2	System and method for distributing network-based personal video A personal video service manager can store one or more personal video assets on a server. A personal video asset can include a recording of a broadcast stream of a broadcast asset or an asset that has been pre-authored in a personal video asset format. Upon receiving a request from a subscriber to receive the personal video asset, the personal video service manager can facilitate a connection between the server and the subscriber for distributing the personal video asset from the server to the subscriber.
US08024764B2	Method and apparatus for processing multimedia signals A method and apparatus for processing multimedia signals is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an adjunct device coupled between a Set-Top Box (STB) and a media device. The adjunct device can have a controller element that receives a telephony signal from a communication system and an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) multimedia signal supplied by the STB, monitors call origination activities in the telephony signal, and presents at the media device in whole or in part the telephony and the IPTV multimedia signal according to the call origination activities monitored. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08024759B2	Backwards-compatible frequency translation module for satellite video delivery A frequency translation module for delivering satellite signals to Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRDs). The module comprises at least one input for receiving polarized satellite signals, wherein at least one input is coupled to at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), at least one legacy output, the legacy output coupled to the input through a multiswitch, wherein each legacy output selects a polarization of a satellite signal based on a Legacy IRD command directly to the multiswitch, and at least one combined output, the combined output coupled to the multiswitch through an interface, wherein at least one new IRD selectively commands the frequency translation module such that each new IRD receives a portion of a satellite signal based on commands received from each IRD.
US08024758B2	Method for providing a call service and a broadcast service, and digital multimedia broadcasting terminal therefor While a user uses one service in a digital multimedia broadcasting receiving terminal, there is implemented a function for suspending the service currently being used and enabling a different service to be used when the different service is provided. A function for enabling a call service to be used during a broadcast service is implemented. A call screen is displayed in a state in which a broadcast service connection is maintained, such that the user can use a new call service without stopping the broadcast service currently being used. In this concurrent service, switching between the call screen and a broadcast screen is possible. This display method can prevent images of the respective services from overlapping with each other and can provide one service without stopping another service.
US08024754B2	Content processing device, content processing method, control program, and storage medium To add new additional content to the reproduction schedule on the basis of reference content scheduled in a time slot in the reproduction schedule, a digital television in accordance with the present invention includes: an additional content extracting section for identifying, as the additional content, content associated with content information which meets conditions determined on the basis of content information of the reference content; and a placement position determining section for determining, based on time slot determining procedure information based on which a time slot is determined for the additional content related to the reference content, a time slot for the additional content identified by the additional content identifying means. The digital television therefore produces an optimal reproduction schedule to the user.
US08024751B2	Turntable having claws A turntable of a recording medium drive can include a coupler having an inner circumference to which a rotating shaft is fixed, and an outer circumference onto which a disk is inserted; a table extending outwardly from the outer circumference of the coupler and for mounting the disk thereon; and first and second claws elastically supporting the disk by making contact with a clamping region of the disk. In an embodiment, the distance from the center of the rotating shaft to an outer surface of the first claws making contact with the clamping region of the disk is longer than the distance from the center of the rotating shaft to an outer surface of the second claw making contact with the clamping region of the disk.
US08024738B2	Method and system for distributing unused processor cycles within a dispatch window A system for managing processor cycles. A set of uncapped partitions are identified that are ready-to-run in response to unused processor cycles being present in a dispatch window. A number of candidate partitions are identified from the identified set of uncapped partitions based on a history of usage where each identified partition used at least 100 percent of its entitlement in a predefined number of previous dispatch windows. Then, a partition is selected from the number of candidate partitions based on a lottery process of the candidate partitions.
US08024735B2	Method and apparatus for ensuring fairness and forward progress when executing multiple threads of execution A system and method for determine which threads to execute at a given time in a multi-threaded computer system. A thread prioritizer determines execution fairness between pairs of potentially executing threads. A switch enabler determines forward progress of each executing thread. The resulting indicators from the thread prioritizer and switch enabler may aid in the determination of whether or not to switch a particular potentially executing thread into execution resources.
US08024733B2	Component model for batch computing in a distributed object environment A batch component model is provided within a distributed object environment. The batch component is designed to capture the iterative logic of a batch program as it reads from one or more input streams, invokes operations on other business component functions, and generates output to one or more output streams. Deployment descriptors express declarative policies for the component that will influence how the component is managed including the streams it uses, business components it depends on, how processing costs are accounted, and the resource demands the job will put on the system. Input streams and output streams are encapsulated in objects that hide the actual source of input and output data so that the component can be redeployed in different execution environments to different physical data sources without requiring the program to be changed. A batch container enforces the deployment policies declared for the batch component.
US08024732B2	State separation for application changes Application states may be stored and retrieved using policies that define various contexts in which the application is used. The application states may define configurations or uses of the application, including connections to and interactions with other applications. Applications that are virtualized may have state that is defined within a usage context and multiple states or configurations may be stored and recalled based on the usage context. Policies may define the context and what parameters are to be saved, and may be applied when applications are operated in a virtualized manner.
US08024729B2	Drawing resources This disclosure relates to drawing within a computer environment using a drawing resource. The computer environment includes a managed code portion and a native code portion. The computer environment compares a draw parameter call value being passed from the managed code portion to the native code portion with a stored drawing resource value stored in the native code portion. If the draw parameter call value is the same as the stored drawing resource value, then the computer environment is configured to draw onto a native drawing surface using the stored drawing resource. If the draw parameter call value is not the same as the drawing resource value, then a new drawing resource is created in the managed code portion. In another aspect, a portion of the drawing resource feature portion that contains data that describes at least one or more parameter of the drawing resource is transmitted between the managed code portion and the native code portion.
US08024728B2	Virtual machine dispatching to maintain memory affinity A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for dispatching virtual processors. A determination is made as to whether a physical processor in a set of physical processors is idle, and, if so, a determination is made as to whether an affinity map for the idle physical processor exists. Responsive to an existence of the affinity map, a determination is made as to whether a virtual processor last mapped to the idle physical processor is ready to run using the affinity map and a dispatch algorithm. Responsive to identifying a ready-to-run virtual processor whose affinity map indicates that the idle physical processor is mapped to this virtual processor in its preceding dispatch, the ready-to-run virtual processor is dispatched to the idle physical processor. Thus, memory affinity is maintained between physical and virtual processors when the memory affinity is not expired.
US08024727B2	Enhancing or replacing host operating system functionality by leveraging guest operating system functionality Techniques for enhancing or replacing host operating system functionality by leveraging guest operating system functionality are disclosed. Incoming data is received from a computing resource of a host operating system, and, before the incoming data is transmitted to a higher-level module in the host operating system, the incoming data is intercepted by a set of one or more leveraged guest modules in a guest operating system. After intercepting the incoming data, the leveraged guest modules perform one or more operations on the incoming data. The leveraged guest modules may provide more advanced support and capabilities to perform these operations than any counterpart functionality in the host operating system. In addition to performing these operations, the leveraged guest modules also determine whether or not to return the incoming data to the host operating system.
US08024726B2	System for correct distribution of hypervisor work An apparatus, program product and method distributes work within a logically partitioned computer system by binding a virtual processor or other resource of a hypervisor partition to a partition or physical resource. The partition or physical resource to which the virtual resource is bound is the same partition or physical resource upon whose behalf the hypervisor resource does work. The partition requesting work of the hypervisor partition is thus penalized by virtue the virtual resource using a physical resource owned by the requesting partition.
US08024722B2	Method and system for automatic installation of a functional unit driver on a host A method for automatic loading to a host of a functional unit driver stored as part of an executable program on a memory of a first functional unit, the method comprising physically connecting the first functional unit to the host and the first functional unit reporting itself to the host as being a generic storage device to make use of a generic mass storage class driver in the host. An operating system of the host reads an autorun file forming part of the executable program to load and execute on the host a driver set up program forming a part of the executable program. The host uses the driver set up program as executed on the host to install and execute the functional unit driver on the host.
US08024718B2	System and method for optimizing source code One aspect of the invention includes a method of address expression optimization of source-level code. The source-level code describes the functionality of an application to be executed on a digital device. The method comprises first inputting first source-level code that describes the functionality of the application into optimization system. The optimization system then transforms the first source-level into a second source level that has fewer nonlinear operations than the first source-level code.
US08024706B1	Techniques for embedding testing or debugging features within a service Techniques are presented for embedding testing and debugging features within a service. A user service is modified to include record and playback features. When a record feature is activated, actions and state transitions, which occur within the user service, are monitored and recorded. These actions and transitions are represented within a script. During playback, the actions and state transitions are automatically replayed within the user service by accessing operations of the user service that are represented or mapped within the script.
US08024700B2	Method and system for understanding social organization in a design and development process A method and system constructs a socio-technical network representing design and development processes. In one aspect, a network of inter-personal interactions comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing actors in design and development process is established; an artifacts network comprising at least a plurality of nodes representing a plurality of heterogeneous artifact types is established; one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions are determined; one or more relationships between the nodes of the artifacts network are determined; and one or more relationships between the nodes in the network of inter-personal interactions and the nodes of the artifacts network are determined.
US08024699B2	Testing sub-systems of a system-on-a-chip using a configurable external system-on-a-chip Mechanisms are provided in which a previously verified SoC is coupled to a SoC under test via a communication bus or other type of communication interface. The previously verified SoC is provided with the same test stimuli as the SoC under test and thus, generates expected test results data. The test stimuli are sent to the SoC under test via a peripheral communication interface between the previously verified SoC and the SoC under test. The SoC under test generates actual test results data that is output to the previously verified SoC. The previously verified SoC may then compare the expected test results data with the actual test result data generated by the SoC under test to determine if they match. If the two sets of data do not match, then a mismatch notification may be generated and output.
US08024694B2	Systematic benchmarking system and method for standardized data creation, analysis and comparison of semiconductor technology node characteristics One aspect provides a method of standardized data creation and analysis of semiconductor technology node characteristics. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) designing at least one representative benchmark circuit, (2) establishing standard sensitization and measurement rules for delay and power for the at least one representative benchmark circuit and across corners in the technology nodes, (3) performing a simulation by sweeping through a range of values and at predetermined intervals across the corners, (4) extracting data from the simulation and (5) parsing and interpreting the data to produce at least one report.
US08024692B2	Modeling the skin effect using efficient conduction mode techniques Described herein are embodiments of methods for extracting various high frequency parameters for a circuit design. In one exemplary embodiment, circuit design information indicating at least a geometric layout of conductors in the circuit design and a desired frequency of operation for the circuit design is received. Conduction modes representing distribution functions for currents in the conductors at the desired frequency of operation are defined. A conduction mode matrix including matrix elements based on the defined conduction modes is generated. Values for one or more matrix elements are computed by decomposing integrands for calculating the matrix elements into simplified terms that are less computationally intensive than the integrands and computing the values of the simplified terms. The values for the one or more matrix elements can be stored (e.g., on one or more computer-readable media).
US08024687B2	Technology mapping for programmable logic devices using replicating logic and parallel computations The present invention relates to a system for reducing the delay during technology mapping in FPGA that comprises locating and replicating the critical fan-in nodes in the mapping logic. Parallel computation is performed on the replicated nodes followed by selection of the output. The delay reduction approach in the present invention gives a highly efficient logic implementation when delay is the prime concern and area can be afforded to be expanded. The technique relies on replicating logic and performing parallel computation on delay critical LUT's.
US08024685B2	Delay analysis support apparatus, delay analysis support method and computer product A delay analysis support apparatus that supports analysis of delay in a target circuit includes an acquiring unit that acquires error information concerning a cell-delay estimation error that is dependent on a characterizing tool; an error calculating unit that calculates, based on the error information and a first probability density distribution concerning the cell delay of each cell and obtained from the cell delay estimated by the characterizing tool, a second probability density distribution that concerns the cell-delay estimation error of each cell; and an linking unit that links the second probability density distribution and a cell library storing therein the first probability density distribution.
US08024684B2	Apparatus, method, and computer product for estimating power consumption of LSI Design data of a cell group is copied to obtain design data of an antecedent cell group and of a subsequent cell group. Design data of a combinational circuit is copied to generate the combinational circuits in plural corresponding to a given number of cycles n (n=2, 3, 4 . . . , where n=3 in FIG. 4). The design data of the combinational circuits are connected in series between the design data of the antecedent cell group and the design data of the subsequent cell group. As a result, design data of an input constraint circuit representing an input constraint(s) of the circuit can be generated.
US08024681B2	Hierarchical HDL processing method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium A Hardware Description Language (HDL) processing method is implemented in a computer and processes a HDL file which is written in HDL having a hierarchical structure including three or more hierarchical levels in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) which supports hardware design. The HDL processing method analyzes the hierarchical structure of the HDL and obtaining an analysis result, and processes the HDL one at a time for each hierarchical level based on the analysis result or, process the HDL one at a time by a parallel distributed processing for each hierarchical level based on the analysis result.
US08024678B1	Interfacing with a dynamically configurable arithmetic unit An interface to a dynamically configurable arithmetic unit can include data alignment modules, where each data alignment module receives input variables being associated with one or more arithmetic expressions. The interface can include multiplexers coupled to the data alignment modules, wherein a data alignment module has outputs coupled to a first multiplexer. The first multiplexer can have a selection line and an output coupled to an input port of the dynamically configurable arithmetic unit. The interface can include a second multiplexer having input instructions and the selection line, where each instruction is associated with one of the arithmetic expressions and has an operation to be performed by the dynamically configurable arithmetic unit. The second multiplexer is configurable to provide selected ones of the input instructions to the dynamically configurable arithmetic unit through an output of the second multiplexer responsive to the selection line.
US08024677B2	Methods and mechanisms for inserting metal fill data A method for implementing virtual metal fill includes obtaining a layout record for a circuit design, and inserting metal fill data into the layout record based on one or more rules, wherein the metal fill data represents a consolidation of actual metal fill. A method for implementing virtual metal fill includes obtaining a layout record for a circuit design, and inserting metal fill data into the layout record, the metal fill data representing a virtual metal fill having a configuration that is different from a configuration of actual metal fill.
US08024671B2	Three-dimensional graphic user interface, and apparatus and method of providing the same An apparatus and method for providing a three-dimensional graphic user interface includes a control module which creates a three-dimensional interface space having a predetermined plane and an axis perpendicular to the plane, and a plurality of objects presented in the space, and a user interface module which presents a plurality of object groups including the plurality of objects in the space, and moves an object group including a selected object among the plurality of presented object groups along the axis.
US08024661B2	Collaboration framework A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture enables users to collaborate on an actual stored drawing document across a network. A single document is stored on a server who establishes a collaboration session with multiple users that collaborate in real time and dynamically view modifications executed by the users. Users maintain simultaneous write access to the document. Asynchronous commands are received from users, that have a delay of a defined time period, include any modifications made in real time by the user transmitting the asynchronous command, and cause the server to transmit any modifications to all of the multiple users in the collaboration session. The server also maintains a history of all modifications to the actual stored drawing document. The history can be used by a user to undo any user's modifications.
US08024651B1	Data visualization using tables integrated with hierarchical pie charts Tools and techniques are provided to visualize and manage data. A hierarchical pie chart is placed in operational correspondence with a hierarchical table. Slices of a pie chart level correspond to nodes of a table level. When a user causes a change in a node/slice, the software automatically performs a matching change in the corresponding slice/node. This occurs for operational changes such as selection, creation, deletion, expanding (zoom in, drill down), contracting, updating data, and changing a label. The path taken through the table to reach the present data breakdown may also be displayed.
US08024650B2	Drilling on elements in arbitrary ad-hoc reports Mechanisms are provided for drilling on data elements in arbitrary ad-hoc reports. Data elements in one ad-hoc report can be examined and then drilled on, in order to obtain other related data elements in other ad-hoc reports. Thus, in one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, when a user selects a data element in an ad-hoc report, another ad-hoc report is generated containing data elements that are obtained as a result of taking into account 1) the original query associated with data element in the ad-hoc report; 2) the context of the selection in the ad-hoc report, and 3) the granularity of the resulting query associated with the resulting ad-hoc report.
US08024649B1	Information distributing system, information processing terminal device, information center, and information distributing method An information distributing system for distributing data to at least one information processing terminal device from an information center storing data. The information distributing system is structured such that character data, audio data, and both the character data and the audio data are selectively downloaded from the information center to the information processing terminal device on the basis of request information from the information processing terminal device, so that a user has multiple options for information selection and effective information collection becomes possible.
US08024646B2	Apparatus and method for receiving signal in a communication system A signal reception apparatus for a communication system is disclosed in which the signal reception apparatus receives a signal and decodes the received signal using a second decoding scheme approximated from a first decoding scheme. The second decoding scheme is a scheme of applying a correction value to a third decoding scheme approximated from the first decoding scheme, and the correction value is a value for correcting a difference between a first signal obtained by decoding the received signal using the first decoding scheme and a second signal obtained by decoding the received signal using the third decoding scheme.
US08024645B2	Method for error detection in a decoded digital signal stream The present invention relates to a method for analyzing a decoded digital signal stream. The method comprises decoding an encoded digital signal stream to obtain a decoded digital stream and terminating the decoding operation in an N dimension, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The method further comprises calculating one or more syndromes in a dimension not comprising the N dimension of the decoded digital signal stream. At least one invalid syndrome is then detected from the one or more calculated syndromes. In one embodiment, an error is reported in the decoded digital stream based upon detecting at least one invalid syndrome.
US08024636B2	Serially concatenated convolutional code decoder with a constrained permutation table A Serially Concatenated Convolutional Code (SCCC) decoding system includes an outer decoder module (208), permutation module (104), and data store (114). The outer decoder module is configured to generate a first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] for n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N−1. The permutation module is configured to permute the first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] to generate a second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n]. The first sequence of soft-decision bits x[n] is generated by the outer decoder module in accordance with a mapping v[n]. The second sequence of soft-decision bits y[n] is generated for communication to an inner decoder module (204). The data store contains a mapping v[n]. The mapping v[n] satisfies a mathematical equation v[k+m·(N/M)] modulo (N/M)=v[k] modulo (N/M) for m=0, . . . , M−1 and k=0, . . . , (N/M−1). (NM) is an integer.
US08024630B2	Debugging module for electronic device and method thereof A debugging module for connecting an IC to a JTAG debugger device includes a JTAG interface, an earphone circuit, a USB interface, a switching unit, and a reset circuit. The earphone circuit is electrically connected to the JTAG interface via the switching unit. The USB interface and the reset circuit are electrically connected to the JTAG interface. When a JTAG debugger device is connected to the earphone circuit and the USB interface, the earphone circuit and the USB interface, respectively, can establish a connection between the JTAG debugger device and the JTAG interface.
US08024629B2	Input/output compression and pin reduction in an integrated circuit An I/O compression apparatus, for testing a memory array and/or a logic circuit, is comprised of a selectable compression circuit that outputs compressed test data from the memory array/logic circuit. An I/O scan register is coupled to each I/O pad for converting serial data to parallel and parallel data to serial in response to a test mode select signal, a test data input, and a test clock.
US08024621B2	Method and device for writing a multi-layer optical disc A method is described for writing an optical disc (2) having a multi-layered storage space (30) comprising at least a first storage layer (31) and a second storage layer (32) below the first layer (31). The method comprises the step of preventing a write operation to a portion of the second storage layer (32) located below a maiden portion of said first storage layer (31).In one embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are incorporated in a defect list (DL) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once.In another embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are covered by a system file with a predetermined name (“DUMMY”) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once.
US08024616B2	Pseudo random process state register for fast random process test generation A method, system and computer program product are presented for providing pseudo-random input test data to a test program. A seed value is generated and stored in a seed register. Using the seed value as an input, a pseudo-random input test value is generated by a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR), and stored in a GPR within a processor core. Using the pseudo-random input test value from the GPR, a test program is executed within the processor core.
US08024612B2	Remote diagnosis system for medical appliances of modular design A method is disclosed for determining a configuration for a computer tomograph for the purpose of error diagnosis, a module, a computer tomograph and a system of appropriate design. The computer tomograph includes a multiplicity of detector modules. In at least one embodiment, a respective detector module is designed to have an identification device which is intended to provide a signature, the signature being uniquely associated with the respective module. The detector module transmits the measurement data it captures and its signature. The digital, electronic signature allows remote maintenance of the computer tomograph.
US08024596B2	Personal wireless network power-based task distribution Apparatus and method for dynamically reassigning between a plurality of personal portable devices in a wireless network one or more task portions of a task that have been distributed among the personal portable devices in response to at least one of the personal portable devices having diminishing access to electric power. A reassignment of a particular task routine among the personal portable devices may he forestalled as a result of it being impermissible to transmit a copy of a task routine associated with a task portion and/or a piece of data associated with that task routine from one of the personal portable devices to another. A task portion reassigned between two personal portable devices may be associated with communications between personal portable devices and its reassignment may result in a changing in topological positions of the two personal portable devices within the topology of the wireless network.
US08024586B2	Determining power requirements by requesting auxiliary powered memory for server's each onboard component's need By supplying auxiliary power to a blade's optional components, instead of polling the blade for the power requirements of a fully configured module, each installed component can be individually polled and the values summed to produce a more accurate value representing the actual power needs of a blade system prior to booting.
US08024584B2	Remote connection system capable of generating a wake-up command and method thereof A remote connection system capable of generating a wake-up command and method thereof include a remote connector with a power supply input receiver capable of being connected to a power source and further capable of receiving a power supply for the purpose of powering the remote connector. The remote connector further includes a plurality of input ports allowing the coupling of a connector thereto and providing for the transmission of information thereacross. The remote connector further includes a wireless receiver capable of wirelessly receiving a wireless command and a transmitter capable of generating the wake-up command in response to the wireless command. The remote connector further includes a remote device capable of receiving a user input command, generating the wireless command and thereupon wirelessly transmitting the command to the wireless receiver of the remote connector.
US08024581B2	Computer readable storage medium for generating a pseudonym, computer implemented method and computing device The invention relates to a method of generating a pseudonym, the method including accessing an input value and calculating a pseudonym by applying a cryptographic one-way function to the input value, where the cryptographic one-way function is an injective function. In alternative embodiments, the cryptographic one-way function is an embedding and/or randomizing function.
US08024578B2	Systems and methods for online identity verification A system controlling online access to a study course verifies the identity of an individual taking a study course over a global computer network from a first computer at a node of the network. The first computer has a biometric identification program and communicates over the network with a second computer that is at a network node other than a node of the first computer. The second computer includes study program material. The first computer operates a biometric reader, which obtains a first set of biometric data from the individual and a second set of biometric data from the individual while access is granted to course material. The biometric identification program compares the first set of data with the second set of data to make a verification of the identity of the individual and communicates the verification to the second computer.
US08024577B2	Password recovery system The present invention provides a password recovery system that re-supplies a password to only the legitimate user of the password. The password recovery system includes a memory card with CPU and a mobile phone. When a password needs to be recovered, a phone call is made, to the mobile phone, from a telephone connected to a phone line whose phone number is registered in advance into the memory card with CPU. The mobile phone then obtains the telephone number of the phone line via a caller's telephone number notifying service. It is judged whether the obtained telephone number and the registered phone number are the same, and when they are the same, the password stored in the memory card with CPU will be re-supplied so that the user can recover it.
US08024568B2	Method and system for verification of an endpoint security scan A method of granting access to resources includes the step of receiving a request from a node to access a resource. A scanning agent is generated to gather information about the node. A key is generated and embedded in the scanning agent. The scanning agent is transmitted to the node and gathers information regarding the node. The scanning agent encrypts the gathered information using the at least one generated key. The encrypted gathered information is received from the scanning agent and decrypted.
US08024555B2	Condition code flag emulation for program code conversion An emulator allows subject code written for a subject processor having subject processor registers and condition code flags to run in a non-compatible computing environment. The emulator identifies and records parameters of instructions in the subject code that affect status of the subject condition code flags. Then, when an instruction in the subject code is encountered, such as a branch or jump, that uses the flag status to make a decision, the flag status is resolved from the recorded instruction parameters. Advantageously, emulation overhead is substantially reduced.
US08024554B2	Modifying an instruction stream using one or more bits to replace an instruction or to replace an instruction and to subsequently execute the replaced instruction A processor comprising fetch logic adapted to fetch instructions from memory and decode logic coupled to the fetch logic and adapted to decode the fetched instructions. If a bit in the decode logic is in a first state, a particular fetched instruction is skipped and a group of one or more instructions is executed in lieu of the particular fetched instruction. If the bit is in a second state, both the group and the particular fetched instruction are executed.
US08024525B2	Storage control unit with memory cache protection via recorded log A “Logging” method and apparatus is provided to protect control unit cached data not yet written to backing storage disk drives. This recording mechanism copies “WRITE DATA” to a log at a target logically external or physically external to storage control units which are connected to a common storage pool and constitute a set. Upon failure of one of the set of control units, the “Log” information is available to insure that pending “write” data is written to the proper location on the disk drives of the storage pool upon a recovery action. One of surviving members of the set assumes control of the storage managed by the failing control unit by utilizing the recorded information to insure that data not written to backing storage (disks) up to the point of failure is then written to the disk backing storage. The surviving member of the set recovering the failing control unit storage (disk set) ownership effects a “flush” of (WRITE) the Journaled WRITE DATA to the backing storage disk drives before allowing normal operations to proceed.
US08024523B2	Opportunistic block transmission with time constraints A technique for determining a data window size allows a set of predicted blocks to be transmitted along with requested blocks. A stream enabled application executing in a virtual execution environment may use the blocks when needed.
US08024515B2	Non-volatile cache in disk drive emulation A method and apparatus for deferring media writes for emulation drives are provided. By deferring media writes using non-volatile storage, the performance penalty associated with RMW operations may be minimized. Deferring writes may allow the RMW operations to be done while the disk drive is idle. Further, deferring writes may also allow data blocks to be accumulated over time, allowing a full (4K) disk drive block size to be written with a simple write operation, thus making a RMW unnecessary.
US08024508B2	Computer storage control A flash memory-based storage grouped into memory regions is controlled by determining whether the flash memory is accessed or not. Power to a first of the memory regions is controlled according to the determination result. Power to a second of the memory regions is controlled according to the determination result. Controlling includes enabling provision of power to the first memory region while concurrently denying power to the second memory region.
US08024499B1	Systems and methods for automated sensor polling A device may include polling logic configured to store a table of received addresses, sequentially receive sensor data from each address in the table via a serial data bus, store the sensor data in a memory, receive an address from a processor via a high speed data bus, and provide stored sensor data from the memory to the processor via a parallel data bus.
US08024490B2	Method and system for generic data transfer interface According to one embodiment of the present invention, a data storage device comprises a generic host interface and a media controller. The host interface has a channel select bit encoder to assert one or more channel select bits to be decoded by the media controller to indicate one or more virtual channels through which the host interface will communicate with the media controller over a data bus. A virtual channel controller in the host interface establishes a peer-to-peer connection with a virtual channel controller in the media controller based on the virtual channel indicated by the one or more channel select bits. A communication controller in the host interface implements a communication protocol for communication with a host and transfers data to and from the media controller via the peer-to-peer connection based on the communication with the host.
US08024483B1	Selective compression for network connections A system, apparatus, and method selectively provides content compression to a client based, in part, on whether the network connection from the client is determined to be a high latency, low-bandwidth connection. The present invention gathers one or more network metrics associated with the connection from the client. In one embodiment, the metrics include estimated TCP metrics, including smoothed round trip time, maximum segment size (MSS), and bandwidth delay product (BWDP). These estimated network metrics are employed to make an application layer decision of whether the client connection is a high latency, low-bandwidth connection. If it is, then content may be selectively compressed virtually on the fly for transfer over the network connection. In one embodiment, the selective compression uses a content encoding compression feature of the HTTP protocol standard.
US08024477B2	System and method to establish a peer-to-peer IT backbone A peer-to-peer IT (Information Technology) backbone. The system includes at least one IT server and a plurality of client computers arranged in a peer-to-peer IT backbone. Each of the client computers includes an in-band processor, an out-of-band (OOB) microcontroller, and a storage device coupled to the in-band processor and OOB microcontroller. The storage device includes a reserved area for the OOB microcontroller to enable an IT-administration to push IT payloads from the at least one IT server onto the reserved area of at least one of the plurality of client computers. The IT payloads are disseminated throughout the peer-to-peer IT backbone by the OOB microcontroller of the client computers.
US08024475B2	Communication method A client terminal CT transmits an acquisition request for musical composition information. An associated information provision server KS continuously receives the acquisition request at a given time interval. The associated information provision server KS transmits timing specification information along with the musical composition information corresponding to the acquisition request to the client terminal CT. The timing specification information specifies timing for the client terminal CT to transmit the acquisition request next. The associated information provision server KS controls a polling interval for acquisition requests. In this manner, acquisition requests can be distributed to those transmitted at a given time interval and those received in accordance with the timing specification information. A simple method can be used to prevent acquisition requests from being concentrated on the associated information provision server KS.
US08024473B1	System, method, and computer program product to automate the flagging of obscure network flows as at least potentially unwanted A system, method, and computer program product are provided for flagging a network flow as at least potentially unwanted. In use, a network flow is identified as utilizing an unknown protocol. Further, the network flow is flagged as at least potentially unwanted.
US08024471B2	System, method and apparatus for use in monitoring or controlling internet access A system method and apparatus are provided for use in monitoring or controlling internet access at a client device 12. A request message 500 is generated to request categorization of a specified URL, and a reply message 600 is returned denoting a category of the specified URL amongst a predetermined set of categories. The request message 500 comprises a UDP package including a sequence number, a time stamp, and a data section carrying the specified URL. The reply message 600 comprises a UDP packet and includes the sequence number and the time stamp from the request message 500, and a data section identifying the category. The request message 500 and the reply message 600 are economical and provide efficient communication across a local area network or the Internet 20.
US08024467B2	Distributed session listing and content discovery The present invention enables a game server to provide hosting services by connecting the game server device to a peer group, notifying at least one member of the peer group of the availability of the server device, and enabling the server device to accept and respond directly to searches for the hosting services, which are directed at the peer group by one or more gaming client devices. Discovery of peer group gaming content as well as updating such content are also provided by the present invention. The present invention further enables both peer group protocol supported and non-supported devices to interact with and provide the services provided by a peer group.
US08024461B1	Communication assets survey and mapping tool A Communication Assets Survey and Mapping Tool. The method includes collecting and storing agency, communication asset and interoperability data in a database, receiving a request for a display of agency, communication asset and interoperability of a geographic area, retrieving data regarding agency, communication asset and interoperability information from the database, determining interoperability between agencies based on their communication assets data and displaying interoperability information. Features include prioritizing interoperability solutions (a need vs ability analysis), data entry graphical user interface, data export, and community forum.
US08024454B2	System and method for associating a geographic location with an internet protocol address The present application is directed to systems and methods for associating a geographic location with an IP address. Generally, an IP address from which each of a plurality of users accesses a network is recorded. A geo tag is associated with each of the plurality of users and a subset of the plurality of users is identified, the subset including users associated with a first IP address. The subset of the plurality of users is clustered into a spatial cluster including users associated with geo tags located with a defined distance of a geo tag of at least one other user of the cluster. A geographic location associated with a geographic center of the cluster is then associated with the first IP address.
US08024449B1	System and method for remote administration of computer network through local administration proxy Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for remote administration of a computer network. The system comprises an administration server for remotely managing a computer network. The server deploys administration agents on the computers in the network for performing various administrative tasks. In addition, the server selects a computer with the highest performance rating as a local administration proxy for the network. The server then transmits to the local administration proxy a control signal for performing one or more administrative tasks by administration agents deployed on the computers in the network. The server then establishes, through the local administration proxy, a connection with the administration agents for performing administrative tasks of the computers.
US08024435B2	Router and method for configuring IP addresses of the router A method for configuring IP addresses of a router broadcasts a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) discover packet over a network for receiving a DHCP offer packet sent from the modem. The DHCP offer packet comprises the private IP address of the modem. The method further obtains the private IP address of the modem from the DHCP offer packet, and configures IP addresses of a WAN port and a LAN port of the router according to the private IP address of the modem, so as to allow the private IP address of the modem to be in the same network segment with the IP address of the WAN port but in different network segments with the IP address of the LAN port.
US08024421B2	Device data sheets and data dictionaries for a dynamic medical object information base Methods and systems are provided for communicating between network devices. A data dictionary may be derived from a device data sheet. The data dictionary may include one or more data definitions specific to the network device and a global unique identifier for the network device. The data dictionary and data are received from the network device. Data definitions from the data dictionary are used to extract and process information from the data. The data dictionary may include a hierarchal classification scheme for data including a first level, a second level and a third level, wherein the first level defines a type of data, wherein the second level defines a type of action, and wherein the third level defines an object of the action.
US08024406B1	System and method for dispensing e-Care An e-Care dispenser is disclosed herein which configures a set of devices to cooperatively process care requests by utilizing functional aspects distributed throughout those devices. The devices can be end user devices with varying capabilities, some of which might not possess resources to process the care request independently. The functional aspects can be distributed throughout the devices in such a manner as to efficiently utilize the devices in providing care.
US08024399B2	Software distribution over a network Methods, systems, and computer program products for software distribution include providing and receiving application-specific information, services, and software component elements over a network.
US08024398B2	Output management system and method for enabling printing via wireless devices A system and method for managing output such as printing, faxing, and e-mail over various types of computer networks. In one aspect, the method provides for printing via a wireless device. The system provides renderable data to the wireless device by which a user-interface (UI) may be rendered. The UI enables users to select source data and an output device on which the source data are to be printed. The source data are then retrieved from a local or remote store and forwarded to a print service, which renders output image data corresponding to the source data and the output device that was selected. The output image data are then submitted to the output device to be physically rendered. The user-interfaces enable wired and wireless devices to access the system. The system enables documents to be printed by reference, and enables access to resources behind firewalls.
US08024393B2	Processor with improved accuracy for multiply-add operations Floating-point processors capable of performing multiply-add (Madd) operations and incorporating improved intermediate result handling capability. The floating-point processor includes a multiplier unit coupled to an adder unit. In a specific operating mode, the intermediate result from the multiplier unit is processed (i.e., rounded but not normalized or denormalized) into representations that are more accurate and easily managed in the adder unit. By processing the intermediate result in such manner, accuracy is improved, circuit complexity is reduced, operating speed may be increased.
US08024390B2	Automated data alignment based upon indirect device relationships A noisy data alignment algorithm for determining cycle count offsets for noisy pairs of n monitoring devices. A direct cycle count offset matrix is determined based upon the highest correlation coefficients produced by correlating frequency variation data from each device pair Dij. For each direct cycle count offset Mij, indirect cycle count offsets are calculated as a function of at least Mk, where k≠i≠j, to produce indirect cycle count offsets. The statistical mode of these indirect offsets is compared with the corresponding Mij in the matrix. When they differ, Mij in the direct matrix is adjusted to be equal to the statistical mode. All indirect cycle count offsets for all other unique device pairs, Mij, are calculated to iterate to a single solution in which all indirect cycle count offsets are equal to the corresponding direct cycle count offset. An optional verification algorithm is also provided.
US08024376B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program An information processing apparatus is provided, the apparatus being capable of automating an editing work or the like of captured moving image without providing a specific arrangement, for example, to a moving-image capturing apparatus. An information processing apparatus, comprises: a recording unit 102 for storing in advance attribute information indicative of specific attribute set in advance as attribute which image information inputted from the outside and having a change of specific mode set in advance should include, an image analysis unit 106 for analyzing a change of the image information inputted, and an evaluation unit 107 for, based on the analyzed change and the stored attribute information, in a case where the analyzed change is a change of the specific mode, linking the attribute information indicative of the specific attribute corresponding to a change of the specific mode, to the image information having a change of the specific mode.
US08024370B2	Method and system for defining a pseudo-world A method for creating a pseudo-world that includes identifying a first pseudo-world file system, wherein the first pseudo-world file system includes a plurality of folders and a plurality of attribute files in a file system hierarchy, wherein the file system hierarchy defines a plurality of parent child relationships between the plurality of folders and the plurality of attribute files, and processing each of the plurality of folders according to the file system hierarchy. Processing a folder of the plurality of folders includes identifying at least one child attribute file of the plurality of attribute files comprised in the folder, wherein the folder and the at least one child attribute file are in a parent child relationship of the plurality of parent child relationships based on the at least one child attribute file comprised in the folder, identifying a parent cell in the pseudo-world, wherein the parent cell is defined by a parent attribute file corresponding to the folder, and generating, in the pseudo-world, a child cell within the parent cell for each of the at least one child attribute files based on the parent child relationship. The method may further include displaying the pseudo-world.
US08024369B2	System and method for automating ETL application Novel tools for development and operation of ETL (Extract Transform Load) systems for populating databases. An embodiment uses metadata tables to describe relationships between jobs to run for processing data. These relationships can include parent-child job relation, and priority. These tools create a DataStage Service Architecture (DSA) that helps automate and control the ETL process. Other tools allow developers to easily view and update the ETL process.
US08024368B2	Generating XML instances from flat files In order to parse a flat file to create an XML instance, information about the data and its hierarchy is captured in an XML schema definition. Once the data structure is defined in the Schema, the parsing instructions for the flat file are introduced in the schema so that after producing an XML instance from a schema definition, the instance may be populated with live data from the flat file.
US08024366B2	System and method for the improved encoding/decoding of binary representations of structured, documents A schema definition, which is known to the encoder and to the decoder or transmitted from the encoder to the decoder, specifies information for calculating code concerning the elements or data types contained in the name subspace and enabling this information to be clearly assigned in this manner to each code in the name subspace. Only a portion of the entire name space including the number of the elements or data types lacking for the code calculation have to be transmitted for the configuration of a code which generally means a significantly smaller volume of data than the volume of data that would be required for the entire name space. In addition, the code tables are smaller than in entirely known name spaces which requires less storage space in the codec and enables a faster encoding and decoding.
US08024365B2	Dynamic status tree facility A dynamic status tree facility for providing status information about one or more systems. The facility includes a tree data structure and methods for manipulating the data structure. The facility is accessible to provider processes using a set of provider interface methods. The facility is accessible to consumer processes using a set of consumer interface methods. The tree data structure is defined by nodes stored in shared memory and attached to by way of a defined data structure made available to the provider and consumer interface methods. The nodes in the tree data structure are defined to have a control block and a variable set of export data. The export data for any one node is specified by a variable in the control block. Certain of the exported data in the tree is representable in a format selected to have one of four defined properties.
US08024364B2	Method and system to search objects in published literature for information discovery tasks The present invention relates to the identification, extraction, linking, storage and provisioning of data that constitute the captioned components of published or “print ready” literature for computerized information discovery activities including search, browse and data mining. These components, or objects, include the tabular presentation of data (“tables”) and graphics such as “figures”, “images” and “illustrations” typically used to supplement the textual narrative of the publication.
US08024363B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program and program recording medium An information processing apparatus adapted to be connected for use to a media drive apparatus for recording data on or reproduced data from a recording medium having a file system includes a real file system acquiring section that acquires the file system of the recording medium from the media drive apparatus and a virtual file system providing section that converts the file system acquired by the file system acquiring section into a virtual file system having a directory/file structure different from the directory/file structure on the recording medium and provides it to an application program.
US08024361B2	Method and system for allowing multiple users to access and unlock shared electronic documents in a computer system A system for allowing multiple users to access and unlock shared electronic documents in a computer system. A group of users are defined as potential “lock-breaker” users for a document, such that they are automatically contacted in the event that a user wishes to unlock the document after it has been locked by another user. The lock-breaker users defined for a document are given access rights to the document that allow them to break a current lock on the document, so that it can be opened for editing, and accordingly re-locked. The lock-breaker users for a document may be organized in a hierarchy, such as a hierarchy matching the relationships of employees of an organization. The lock-breaker hierarchy may define the order in which the lock-breaker users are automatically contacted when a user wishes to access a locked document (e.g. an LDAP directory tree or social network).
US08024351B2	Query result iteration Systems and methods for processing an index are described. A pulse in an inverted index refers to a group of items that do not occur in any other pulse in the index. When processing a query against an inverted index in which pulses are present, the query is processed against a single pulse. The end of the pulse is determined based on the characteristics of the pulse and the linked list nodes that comprise the postings lists from which the index was generated. In some embodiments, index updates are applied to the query result obtained from a single pulse to provide an efficient and up to date query result.
US08024348B2	Expanding attribute profiles A method and system for expanding attribute profiles are presented in which primary attributes from one or more attribute profiles are used to derive secondary attributes which are added to the respective attribute profiles to generate expanded attribute profiles. The expanded attribute profiles are generated to increase the strength of association of a query attribute with one or more attribute profiles associated with query-attribute-positive individuals.
US08024346B2	Method and apparatus for ranked join indices A method and apparatus for ranked join indices includes a solution providing performance guarantees for top-k join queries over two relations, when preprocessing to construct a ranked join index for a specific join condition is permitted. The concepts of ranking join indices presented herein are also applicable in the case of a single relation. In this case, the concepts herein provide a solution to the top-k selection problem with monotone linear functions, having guaranteed worst case search performance for the case of two ranked attributes and arbitrary preference vectors.
US08024336B2	System and method for development of search success metrics A system and method for development of search success metrics. A plurality of search engine result pages are collected and a target page success metric is determined for each page. A plurality of machine learned page success metrics are trained using a first subset of the search engine result pages and each result page's respective target page success metric, wherein each of the machine learned page success metrics is trained to predict the target page success metric for each of the first subset of search engine result pages. A predicted target page success metric is predicted for each of a second subset of the search engine result pages using each of the machine learned page success metrics. The accuracy of each of the machine learned page success metrics in predicting the target page success metric associated with each of the second subset of search engine result pages is then evaluated.
US08024332B2	Clustering question search results based on topic and focus A method and system for presenting questions that are relevant to a queried question based on clusters of topics and clusters of focuses of the questions is provided. A question search system provides a collection of questions. Each question of the collection has an associated topic and focus. Upon receiving a queried question, the question search system identifies questions of the collection that may be relevant to the queried question and generates a score or ranking indicating relevance of the identified questions. The question search system clusters the identified questions into topic clusters of questions with similar topics. The question search system may also cluster the questions within each topic cluster into focus clusters of questions with similar focuses.
US08024330B1	Collaborative incident alert system for mobile devices An incident alert system enables a plurality of users to participate in a collaborative process to report and be alerted of incidents such as emergencies or hazards. A user uses a networked mobile phone with geo-positioning capability to communicate with a server to report incidents and to inquire about potential incidents of interest based on the user's current geographic position. Reports of incidents are transmitted to the server accompanied by the current position of the user/mobile phone. A user's mobile phone is preferably configured to automatically submit periodic inquiries to the server based on the user's location. Upon receipt of an inquiry from a user, the system queries a database to identify reports of potential interest to the inquiring user. The system analyzes the reports to determine whether to alert the inquiring user of a potential incident of interest.
US08024328B2	Searching with metadata comprising degree of separation, chat room participation, and geography Searches can be performed by attaching social contact metadata to a query where the metadata may be related to a degree of separation, chat room participation and geographical information related to an owner's contacts. Searches can then be executed by generalized search engines based at least in part on the metadata. The metadata may include contact identifiers that are unique across one or more social networks, and may include contacts for individual people as well as groups or other affiliations.
US08024308B2	Electronic previous search results log A method for providing a viewable search results log to allow determination of the effectiveness of search strategies and sharing results of searches with others. The search results log reveals search strategies utilized by a human searcher with which the search results log is associated. The search results produced by at least one human searcher are stored in the search results log and presented according to a view format selected by a viewer. The search results log can be interrelated to other systems such as a blog or a search engine.
US08024307B2	Information processing apparatus and information processing method This invention has as its object to easily verify alterations etc. of files stored in a folder. To achieve this object, an information processing method of this invention is a method of applying hash processing to files stored in a folder, which includes a designation step of designating a folder; a first generation step (steps S601 and S602) of generating hash data for each of files included in the folder designated in the designation step; a second generation step (steps S603 to S609) of generating one multiplexed hash data by repeating multiplexing each of the hash data generated in the first generation step in turn according to a predetermined order; and a step (step S610) of storing the multiplexed hash data in association with the folder designated in the designation step.
US08024299B2	Client-driven functionally equivalent database replay A method and apparatus for capturing database system workload and replaying that workload in a database system is provided. According to one aspect, in order to subject a test database system to the same workload to which the production database system actually would be subjected, a database server in the production system captures and records workload that the database server receives from external entities. This captured workload is processed. Processes external to a database server in the test database system send the processed workload to that database server. As a result, the test database system is subjected to the same workload to which the production database system originally was subjected. The foregoing technique permits a database administrator to determine how the production database system will fare if the difference that is present in the test database system is introduced into the production database system.
US08024298B2	Backing-up and restoring files including files referenced with multiple file names Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for backing-up and restoring files including files referenced with multiple file names. Files to backup are determined. A determination is made from the files to backup files referenced with multiple names. An entry is created for each file to backup in a backup directory indicating file attributes and each name used to reference the file. The determined files and the backup directory are backed-up.
US08024290B2	Data synchronization and device handling In one example, a synchronization server includes logic operable to engage in a first synchronization session with a client device, wherein client modifications and server modifications may be exchanged based, at least in part, on synchronization data stored locally. The synchronization server further includes logic operable to initiate a query of a remote database (e.g., having data associated with the synchronization data) to determine differences between the synchronization data stored locally and associated data stored remotely. The synchronization server is further operable to initiate an exchange of further server modifications based on the differences between the synchronization data stored locally and the associated data stored remotely. In one example, the server may engage in a second synchronization session with the client device to update the client device with differences to the synchronization data stored locally and the remote database.
US08024284B2	Accurately inferring physical variable values associated with operation of a computer system One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that monitors a physical variable associated with an electronic component within a computer system. During operation, the system receives telemetry signals of the physical variable which are collected by one or more physical sensors associated with the electronic component. The system also collects electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals generated by the electronic component. Next, the system builds an inferential model for the physical variable by correlating the EMI signals with the telemetry signals. The system then uses the inferential model to infer values for the physical variable from the EMI signals.
US08024278B2	System for dynamic performance modeling of computer application services using a serial parallel queueing network (SPQN) modeler A generic queueing network model of a Web services environment is introduced. The behavior of a service is abstracted in three phases: serial, parallel and dormant, thus yielding a Serial Parallel Queueing Network (SPQN) model with a small number of parameters. A method is provided for estimated the parameters of the model that is based on stochastic approximation techniques for solving stochastic optimization problems. The parameter estimation method is shown to perform well in a noisy environment, where performance data is obtained through measurements or using approximate model simulations.
US08024250B2	Total return asset contracts and associated processing systems A novel vehicle investment that greatly simplifies ownership and implementation of futures so that the pricing, trading, and risk management characteristics of futures investment are more broadly accessible by investors. Trading and account processing is implemented on a data processing platform that facilitates expanded access and use of risk management via futures contracts.
US08024248B2	System and method for imbedding a defined benefit in a defined contribution plan A system and method for providing a user with a portable benefit based on a formula the result of which indicates the exact guaranteed minimum periodic income that the user will receive no matter how long the user lives and the potential for an increase in the periodic income. The system comprises a defined contribution module for periodically receiving at least one of a sponsor contribution and a participant contribution and for accumulating value over a period of time by investing at least one of the sponsor contribution and the participant contribution or any portion(s) thereof in any number of select investment options, the accumulated value being capable of being withdrawn at any time and reinvested in any other select investment options being paid out after a predetermined period of time The guaranteed minimum income payment may be based on a retirement income formula.
US08024243B2	Methods and systems for processing and communicating financial transaction data Methods and systems are provided for processing the financial information of a client of a financial institution. One method embodiment includes receiving data from an overdraft data source including at least one overdraft occurrence associated with a transaction performed in association with the client; analyzing the overdraft occurrence in an overdraft application to determine a cause and disposition of the overdraft occurrence in connection with the cause of the overdraft occurrence; and, communicating an overdraft report associated with the analyzing step to a manager associated with the client. Additional system and computer-readable medium embodiments of the present methods are also provided. In another aspect of the present methods and systems, historical overdraft issues are analyzed and reported to the management of a financial institution. System and computer-readable medium embodiments of these analysis and reporting methods are also provided.
US08024241B2	Computer-implemented systems and methods for cost flow analysis Computer-implemented systems and methods for analyzing costs associated with a cost flow model having components of relationships and entities. A system and method can be configured to receive data associated with the cost flow model that identifies the costs associated with the relationships among the entities. One or more matrices are created that are representative of the costs and the entity relationships. One or more sparse matrix operations are performed upon the created one or more matrices in order to determine cost contribution amounts from an entity to another entity.
US08024237B1	Method and apparatus for automated bill of materials refactoring A method and apparatus for automated bill of materials refactoring includes a computing system implemented process for automated bill of materials refactoring whereby historical bill of materials, inventory and sales data is scanned/searched to identify potential refactored sub-assemblies.
US08024235B2	Automatic search functionality within business applications Disclosed herein is an integration of automatic search functionality into a business application. The application is monitored for an instance wherein the user is initiating an activity that involves an expenditure. Upon detection of such an activity, a query is automatically generated based on information related to the expenditure. The query is communicated to a search component, from which corresponding search results are eventually received. Finally, at least some information related to the search results is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, assuming the user's express or implicit approval, auto-generation of data and/or modification of business process flow are facilitated based on the search results.
US08024229B2	Wide area network person-to-person payment According to the invention, transferring money using a computer network is disclosed. In one step, information is saved on credit received for a first user (110) in a stored value account on a server computer system (170). At the server computer system (170), a request from the first user (110) to send money to a second user (130) based on the stored value account is received. An electronic notification is sent from the server computer (170) to the second user (130) to notify the second user (130) of the request. A debit in the stored value account of the first user (110) is created. The requested money is sent to the second user (130) upon a receipt of a request at the server computer (170) from the second user (130).
US08024222B2	Computer processes for identifying related items and generating personalized item recommendations A computer-implemented service analyzes purchase histories and/or other types of behavioral data of users on an aggregated basis to detect and quantify associations between particular items represented in an electronic catalog. The detected associations are stored in a mapping structure that maps items to related items, and is used to recommend items to users of the electronic catalog.
US08024218B2	Method and apparatus for determining the product marketability utilizing a percent coverage Determining product marketability may be accomplished by electronically performing various calculations on related data. The marketability may be determined by a processing device receiving business characteristic terms, industry sub-segment terms and validation terms for each business characteristic term of each industry sub-segment. The processing device calculates one or more criteria terms based on the validation terms and thereupon prioritizes the business characteristic terms based on the criteria data to define at least a first cluster of business characteristic terms. The processing device thereupon calculates a coverage percentage term for each of the industry sub-segment terms based on a comparison of the validation terms for each of the business characteristic terms and the validation terms for each business characteristic term in the first cluster. The coverage percentage term usable for determining product marketability.
US08024207B2	Attribute modeler A system and process for modeling attributes of a set of observed data. The system and process may include an initialization process providing for a likelihood function, a first order prior function; a calibration data set; a flexible interface module in which the likelihood function, the first order first order prior function, and the second order prior function are written in a programming language; a parameter bounding process in which parameters determined to be too large are interpolated or sequentially locked down; an outlier flagging process which identifies outliers using the gradient of the likelihood function; and an output process which reports information that may include outlier forces, confidence intervals, and other factors that are unique to this modeler and useful in refining the model.
US08024205B2	System and method for calculating damage as a result of natural catastrophes To calculate expected damage as a result of natural catastrophe events (5) on a multiplicity of insured objects, a plurality of processor units (31, 31′, 31″), are respectively provided with different instruction data comprising details related to at least one portion of the insured objects and their association with a risk type and a geographical risk area for a risk group (L2). The processor units are controlled such that they respectively calculate elemental damage details for the expected damage as a result of one of the natural catastrophe events on the basis of the instruction data provided for them and a damage sensitivity function determined by virtue of the association of the insured objects with a risk type and a geographical risk area. The damage sensitivity functions can be determined and made available directly in the processor units, and the total computation time can be reduced.
US08024201B2	Method and apparatus for remote health monitoring and providing health related information A health monitoring system includes a plurality of remote user sites, each remote user site comprising at least one health monitoring device for collection of user health monitoring data, an interactive video device, and a user interface apparatus; at least one remote computing facility configured for signal communication with, and to receive health monitoring data-related signals from, the plurality of remote user sites; and at least one computer, configured for signal communication with the remote computing facility, wherein the interactive video device is interactively coupled with the remote computing facility. Associated methods are also described.
US08024198B2	System and method for providing optimized patient referrals In particular embodiments, method, apparatus and system for generating a doctor profile based on one or more parameters associated with the doctor treatment information, generating a patient dental profile based at least in part on a weighting of a plurality of orthodontic-related treatment parameters, and providing one or more doctor referrals based on the generated doctor profile and the generated orthodontic patient profile are provided.
US08024197B2	Sampling rate conversion apparatus and method thereof A sampling rate conversion apparatus and a method thereof are provided which increase the sampling rate of a discrete audio signal sampled at a predetermined sampling rate by using a fractal interpolation function (FIF). An audio signal portion formed by a predetermined number of sampling data items is divided into a plurality of interpolation intervals. On the audio signal portion, mapping points are determined. The number of the mapping points is in accordance with the degree of increase in the sampling rate. For the respective interpolation intervals, mapping parameters for performing mapping using the FIF on the mapping points are calculated. In all of the interpolation intervals, the mapping using the FIF is performed on the mapping points with the use of the mapping parameters according to the respective interpolation intervals. Thereby, new sampling data items are generated.
US08024196B1	Techniques for creating and translating voice applications Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for creating voice applications in different design environments and translating voice applications into any runtime environment. A set of rendering engines creates a translation layer that can convert a voice application into any runtime environment. Each rendering engine receives a voice application and converts the voice application into a runtime-specific voice description. The voice description performs the same or similar functions in the selected runtime environment as the original voice application. Voice applications from different design environments may be stored as metadata and translated through one or more steps into different runtime environments.
US08024194B2	Dynamic switching between local and remote speech rendering A multimodal browser for rendering a multimodal document on an end system defining a host can include a visual browser component for rendering visual content, if any, of the multimodal document, and a voice browser component for rendering voice-based content, if any, of the multimodal document. The voice browser component can determine which of a plurality of speech processing configuration is used by the host in rendering the voice-based content. The determination can be based upon the resources of the host running the application. The determination also can be based upon a processing instruction contained in the application.
US08024190B2	System and method for unsupervised and active learning for automatic speech recognition A system and method is provided for combining active and unsupervised learning for automatic speech recognition. This process enables a reduction in the amount of human supervision required for training acoustic and language models and an increase in the performance given the transcribed and un-transcribed data.
US08024188B2	Method and system of optimal selection strategy for statistical classifications An optimal selection or decision strategy is described through an example that includes use in dialog systems. The selection strategy or method includes receiving multiple predictions and multiple probabilities. The received predictions predict the content of a received input and each of the probabilities corresponds to one of the predictions. In an example dialog system, the received input includes an utterance. The selection method includes dynamically selecting a set of predictions from the received predictions by generating ranked predictions. The ranked predictions are generated by ordering the plurality of predictions according to descending probability.
US08024187B2	Pulse allocating method in voice coding A pulse allocating method capable of coding stereophonic voice signals efficiently. In the fixed code note retrievals of this pulse allocating method, for individual subframes, the stereophonic voice signals are compared to judge similarity between channels, and are judged on their characteristics. On the basis of the similarity between the channels and the characteristics of the stereophonic signals, the pulse numbers to be allocated to the individual channels are determined. Pulse retrievals are executed to determine the pulse positions for the individual channels, so that the pulses determined are coded.
US08024177B2	Method of transforming natural language expression into formal language representation This invention comprises a series of steps which transforms one or more natural language expressions into a single, well-formed formal language representation. Each natural language expression is partially parsed into simple fragments, each of which is then associated with one or more short formal expressions. Each formal expression is constructed in such a way as to contain one or more placeholder variables, each of which is associated with one or more attributes to constrain the types of entities that each variable can potentially represent. The resulting plurality of formal expressions is then filtered for relevance within a given context, and the surviving expressions manipulated based upon a plurality of rules, which are cognizant of the attributes associated with each variable contained therein. A user is then presented with the resulting plurality of formal expressions, whereupon the user optionally selects, rejects, adds to, logically connects and otherwise manipulates each member of said plurality. When the user is satisfied that the plurality represents an intended meaning, the formal expressions are combined into a single, formal representation.
US08024175B2	Computer program, apparatus, and method for searching translation memory and displaying search result A translation memory system enabling the user to not only narrow down the view range of search result, but also view a surrounding context of a retrieved text. Stored parallel texts include sentence-class and segment-class parallel texts. Parallel texts relevant to a given input text are retrieved and subjected to calculation of match rates with respect to the input text. A downward link is then added to each retrieved sentence-class parallel text, while an upward link is added to each retrieved segment-class parallel text. A search result screen shows a best matching parallel text with an expand button and/or a shrink button. The expand button causes the current parallel text to be replaced with an upper-class parallel text pointed at by a corresponding upward link. The shrink button causes the current parallel text to be replaced with a lower-class parallel text pointed at by a corresponding downward link.
US08024160B2	System and method for fuel procurement planning A procurement system may include a dual solution computation unit that creates a qualification problem limited to a delivery schedule and computes a dual solution for a qualification problem. The system includes a schedule search unit that creates a function that constrains a dual solution of constraint equations for a linear relaxation problem of the delivery schedules and searches for a delivery schedule exhibiting constraints that violate the dual solution of the qualification problem. The system further includes a schedule adding unit that creates a new qualification problem by adding and setting a delivery schedule and computes a dual solution to a new qualification problem using the dual solution computation. The system further includes an integer solution computation unit that outputs the number of delivery means and the amount of commodity to be purchased.
US08024157B2	Device for detecting voltage disturbance At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for detecting voltage disturbance. In at least one embodiment the method includes storing the digitized point values of a voltage reference waveform; detecting actual voltage values, and converting the actual voltage values by digitization into point values of the actual voltage which are in one-to-one correspondence with the point values of the reference waveform; comparing the point values of the actual voltage with the corresponding point values of the reference waveform; judging that a voltage disturbance occurs if, for N successive points, the differences between the point values of the actual voltage and the corresponding point values of the reference waveform are all greater than a predetermined disturbance threshold, wherein N is an integer greater than 0. A technical solution of the present invention improves the response speed of the detection, and shortens the response time.
US08024152B2	Tensor linear laplacian discrimination for feature extraction Tensor linear Laplacian discrimination for feature extraction is disclosed. One embodiment comprises generating a contextual distance based sample weight and class weight, calculating a within-class scatter using the at least one sample weight and a between-class scatter for multiple classes of data samples in a sample set using the class weight, performing a mode-k matrix unfolding on scatters and generating at least one orthogonal projection matrix.
US08024151B2	Mobile instrument, viewing device, and methods of processing and storing information A method of transferring information stored in a mobile instrument, the information including a first information file (140) containing metadata and a pointer indicative of a first auxiliary file address; and a first auxiliary file (141) containing image information, the first auxiliary file being located at the first auxiliary file address. The method includes the steps of: storing the metadata in a second information file (140′); storing the image information in a second auxiliary file (142′) at a second auxiliary file address; generating a second pointer indicative of the second auxiliary file address; and storing the second pointer in the second information file. The instrument includes a camera (70); one or more spatial sensors; and an external sensor port (56). Power to the sensors can be controlled asynchronously. Various parsing methods are also described. The instrument includes a marker module configured to superimpose a marker on the image.
US08024140B2	Waveform anomoly detection and notification systems and methods Systems and methods to automatically detect anomalies in waveforms. In addition, the systems and methods alert a human operator of the anomaly and provide suggestions as to the cause of the problem and/or possible solutions to the problem.
US08024130B2	Pattern discovery techniques for determining maximal irredundant and redundant motifs Basis motifs are determined from an input sequence through an iterative technique that begins by creating small solid motifs and continues to create larger motifs that include “don't care” characters and that can include flexible portions. The small solid motifs, including don't care characters and flexible portions, are concatenated to create larger motifs. During each iteration, motifs are trimmed to remove redundant motifs and other motifs that do not meet certain criteria. The process is continued until no new motifs are determined. At this point, the basis set of motifs has been determined. The basis motifs are used to construct redundant motifs. The redundant motifs are formed by determining a number of sets for selected basis motifs. From these sets, unique intersection sets are determined. The redundant motifs are determined from the unique intersection sets and the basis motifs. This process continues, by selecting additional basis motifs, until all basis motifs have been selected.
US08024125B2	Methods and apparatus to monitor contamination levels in a formation fluid Apparatus and methods to monitor contamination levels in a formation fluid are disclosed. An example method involves obtaining first property data indicative of a first fluid property of a formation fluid and second property data indicative of a second fluid property of the formation fluid. A correlation between the first and second property data is generated and third data is fitted to the correlation. A fitting parameter is determined based on the third data indicative of an amount of change of the first property data relative to an amount of change of the second property data.
US08024113B2	Navigation system In a navigation system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, for determining the route from a location of the navigation system to a destination point, the navigation system includes an output device for outputting the route and/or a direction indication that corresponds to the route, and an input device for inputting the destination point, graphics or images of selectable destination points being representable for the input of a destination point.
US08024112B2	Methods for predicting destinations from partial trajectories employing open-and closed-world modeling methods The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate inferring probability distributions over the destinations and/or routes of a user, from observations about context and partial trajectories of a trip. Destinations of a trip are based on at least one of a prior and a likelihood based at least in part on the received input data. The destination estimator component can use one or more of a personal destinations prior, time of day and day of week, a ground cover prior, driving efficiency associated with candidate locations, and a trip time likelihood to probabilistically predict the destination. In addition, data gathered from a population about the likelihood of visiting previously unvisited locations and the spatial configuration of such locations may be used to enhance the predictions of destinations and routes.
US08024106B2	Method for regulating a combustion process of an internal combustion engine with exhaust-gas recirculation In a method for regulating a combustion process of an internal combustion engine with exhaust-gas recirculation, which can be operated with a variable air/fuel ratio, and a fresh-air flow and a recirculated exhaust-gas flow, both the fresh air and the recirculated exhaust-gas flow are metered. The combustion process of an internal combustion engine with exhaust-gas recirculation is regulated, wherein the method makes precise determination of the exhaust-gas recirculating rate possible with a low fault tolerance.
US08024101B2	Undercarriage for hospital bed An undercarriage for a hospital bed including at least three wheels (1) while at least two wheels (1) are equipped with a brake (2) with a common control (9) of all the brakes (2). The undercarriage further includes a bed movement sensor (31) that is connected to the central processor unit (32), which is interconnected with an actuating device (33) for control of all the brakes (2). The central processor unit (32) is further equipped with a block (35) for generation of a timeout between stopping of turning of the wheel (1) and automatic applying of the brakes (2).
US08024100B2	Method of controlling the path of a vehicle Method for determining the gradient on which a motor vehicle is traveling, comprising a step (44) of detecting disengagement of the clutch, a step (46) of measuring the variation in speed of the vehicle on the gradient when the clutch is disengaged, a step (48) of estimating the vehicle load, and a comparison (50) with calibration curves stored in memory and providing deceleration values for various gradients and various vehicle loads at various vehicle speeds.
US08024099B2	Deceleration controller for vehicle A deceleration control apparatus and method for controlling deceleration of a vehicle where a controller is operable to set a target vehicular speed calculated based on a turning condition of the vehicle and a lateral acceleration limitation value. The controller is also operable to apply deceleration to the vehicle based on the actual vehicular speed and the target vehicular speed and to correct the deceleration used when the vehicle is traveling along a detected curve. Correcting the deceleration can be done by, for example, correcting the lateral acceleration limitation value.
US08024098B2	System and method for determining the engagement point of a clutch A method of determining an engagement position of a clutch of a vehicle is provided. The clutch is operable by a clutch pedal adapted to move over a travel range. The method comprises determining a rate of change of position of the clutch pedal, locating a dwelling range of the clutch pedal, the dwelling range comprising a plurality of positions of the clutch pedal along the travel range during which the rate of change of position of the clutch pedal is less than a predetermined rate of change for a predetermined length of time, and recording the travel positions of the clutch pedal in the dwelling range.
US08024092B2	Vehicle governance system Disclosed are a method and system for preventing the unauthorized use of a vehicle. A set of vehicle operating parameters is entered onto a person's driver's license, and that person registers as an authorized user of a specified vehicle. When that person enters the vehicle, the person inserts the driver's license into a card reader, and the card reader reads the operating parameters and enters those parameters onto a computing platform. The computing platform receives these operating parameters and checks to determine if the person is an authorized user of the vehicle. If the computing platform determines that the person is an authorized user, the computing platform sends the operating parameters to a control module within the vehicle. If the person then operates the vehicle, the control module controls the vehicle to maintain that operation within the operating parameters.
US08024087B2	Method and system for determining a cornering angle of a tyre during the running of a vehicle A method and a system for determining a cornering angle of a tire fitted on a vehicle during a running of the vehicle on a rolling surface includes the steps of determining the lateral acceleration of a portion of the tire tread spaced apart from the equatorial plane of the tire; determining a rotation speed of the tire; and determining the cornering angle from the lateral acceleration and the radial speed by using characteristic curves of lateral acceleration amplitude versus predetermined values of cornering angle for at least one rotation speed.
US08024080B2	Automated throttle control system A throttle control system that is compensated for mountain wave conditions includes an auto throttle computer and a detector for detecting the pitch or pitch angle of the aircraft. The computer is used for determining the rate of change of pitch i.e. the first derivative of pitch angle and the rate of change of the rate of change of pitch i.e. the second derivative for generating a signal indicative of the rate of change of the rate of change of pitch. The signal from the auto throttle computer is combined with the signal from the signal indicative of the second derivative to produce a combined signal which is fed to a servo assemble and motor for adjusting the throttle of an aircraft.
US08024078B2	System for aiding the taxiing of an aircraft A system on an aircraft used during taxiing or air/ground and ground/air transitions. The system groups together a set of devices for mapping the airport zone presenting the crew with a set of elements catalogued in a database and/or updated as a function of information received dynamically. The system group has control or monitoring of compliance with regulations and other mobile craft, consolidating the airport topological information, the ground control instructions and the applicable operational rules. The system groups have routing, that is preparation of the taxiing phase during an arrival or preparation for takeoff, by depicting the interactions with the ground control for receiving the taxiing instructions, and from the aircraft to the ground control to inform the same of the aircraft capabilities. The system groups have guidance in the form of instructions presented to the crew, and of automatic speed management capabilities, for managing emergency situations.
US08024063B2	Process and system for tracking of mail A process of tracking mail during postal handling includes an initial step of sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme. During sorting, RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers are introduced into the incoming mail stream at intervals and the RFID-tagged markers are sorted with the mail into pockets of the sorter. Mail and markers are swept from the pockets into trays, and the markers are introduced such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing the sorted mail. The trays containing the mail and markers are then transported away from the automated sorting machine. During a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, one or more of the RFID-tagged markers are scanned to identify mail from the initial sorting.
US08024060B2	Method for defining safe zones in laser machining systems A method for defining machine cutting path safety zones for use in laser machining devices. The method includes indentifying safety zone positional coordinates in a computer aided design model, using a machine vision system to image the modeled physical machining device, determining the positional difference between the design model safety zone points and the imaged points and converting the design model safety zone coordinates into machine specific coordinates for input into a machining cutting path program.
US08024059B2	Method and system for determining a demand on a product variant using bill of material Disclosed is a method and system for receiving a product parts list containing parts for creating a product variant of a product and updating a bill of material with the parts and a selection condition to identify a part of the product variant. The method includes determining a characteristic and a characteristic value of the parts of the product variant and generating a variant demand object for the product variant.
US08024057B2	Audio recording and playback system A handheld electronic pen having an audio recording mode and an audio playback mode. In the audio recording mode, the pen is configured to activate a microphone for recording audio, determine a position on an encoded substrate during interaction with the substrate associate said the position with the recorded audio. In the audio playback mode, the pen is configured to: determine a position on the encoded substrate, retrieve recorded audio associated with the position, and playback the recorded audio via an audio output device.
US08024054B2	Building automation system facilitating user customization Systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable building automation system (BAS). In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) of the BAS comprises a building summary pages. The invention is also directed to a space summary page and an equipment summary page.
US08024053B2	Safety instrumentation system and plant safety system An instruction converting unit converts the data form of an instruction of an operation received by a receiving unit to the data form of a safety instrumentation system from the data form of a plant control system. An operation carrying out unit receives the instruction of the operation obtained by the instruction converting unit and an original instruction of the safety instrumentation system to carry out the operations, and preferentially carries out the operation of the original instruction of the safety instrumentation system when both the instructions compete with each other.
US08024050B2	Lead for stimulating the baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode. The expandable electrode includes a plurality of electrode zones. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.
US08024048B2	Method and device for treating cancer with electrical therapy in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy A method for the electrical treatment of malignant tumors and neoplasms by applying a voltage to affected tissue. Devices and various adaptations therein are described for use in electrical therapy. Additionally, various chemotherapeutic agent and radiation therapies are described which may be advantageously used in conjunction with electrical therapy to ameliorate cancer.
US08024047B2	Alignment indication for transcutaneous energy transfer System for transcutaneous energy transfer. An implantable medical device, adapted to be implanted in a patient, has componentry for providing a therapeutic output. The implantable medical device has an internal power source and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the internal power source. An external power source, having a primary coil, provides energy to the implantable medical device when the primary coil of the external power source is placed in proximity of the secondary coil of the implantable medical device and thereby generates a current in the internal power source. An alignment indicator reports the alignment as a function of the current generated in the internal power source with a predetermined value associated with an expected alignment between the primary coil and secondary coil.
US08024035B2	Electric modulation of sympathetic nervous system A method is described for the treatment of obesity or other disorders, by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by electrically stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an implantable pulse generator. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. Reduced food intake may occur through a variety of mechanisms that reduce appetite and cause satiety. Increased adrenal gland hormone levels will result in increased energy expenditure. Fat and carbohydrate metabolism, which are also increased by sympathetic nerve activation, will accompany the increased energy expenditure.
US08024034B2	Programmable neural therapies An implantable medical device (IMD) comprising a controller adapted to execute instructions included in firmware, a programmable neural therapy source adapted to provide programmable electrical neural stimulation therapy to at least one neural stimulation electrode, and a state machine included in hardware circuitry coupled to the programmable neural therapy source. When neural therapy is initiated by a firmware instruction, the state machine is configured to automatically apply power to the neural therapy source when neural therapy is initiated by a firmware instruction and automatically remove power from the neural therapy source when neural therapy is terminated by a firmware instruction.
US08024011B2	Method and apparatus for intercepting signals to change the ring mode of a mobile device A method for intercepting signals so as to change the ring mode of a mobile device includes the following steps. Initially, a signal about to enter a predetermined area is intercepted. Then, a specific ring mode is added to the signal according to contents of the signal. Next, the signal having the specific ring mode is sent to a mobile device located in the predetermined area. Subsequently, the mobile device uses the specific ring mode as the ring mode of the mobile device upon receipt of the signal. A device applying the method is also disclosed.
US08024010B2	Radio transmission apparatus and control apparatus for events rooms as well as corresponding method Radio systems for supplying hearing apparatus in events rooms are of a more convenient design. To this end a radio transmission apparatus is provided for transmission of speech signals in an events room. It possesses a receive device for receiving at least one control signal and a switching device for switching the radio transmission apparatus on and/or off depending on the received control signal. In addition a control apparatus is provided for controlling the radio transmission device, with which speech signals are transmitted in an events room. This control apparatus possesses a detection device to detect a presence or a movement of the radio transmission device in the events room and a transmit device for transmitting a control signal to the radio transmission device depending on the detection result of the detection device. This allows a transmit device of a teacher to be switched off when they leave the classroom.
US08024009B1	Communication device A communication device, such as a mobile phone, which implements a voice communication mode, a digital mirror mode, and an answer rejecting mode, wherein the image retrieved from the camera is displayed in an inverted manner when the digital mirror mode is implemented, and answering to a phone call addressed to the communication device is rejected when the answer rejecting mode is implemented.
US08024006B2	Mobile terminal with cellular and broadcast reception, audio muting and closed captioning The present invention provides a mobile communication terminal having broadcast reception function, capable of preventing occurrence of a situation in which sound comes out due to the activation of a television function even though the phone's silent mode is set. When the phone's silent mode is set in a television watching state, a CPU 1 determines that it is a television silent mode. Similarly, also when an ON operation is performed on a television function activation key in a state where the phone's silent mode is set, the CPU 1 determines that it is the television silent mode. When the CPU 1 determines that it is the television silent mode, the CPU 1 mutes television sound.
US08024004B2	Device having display buttons and display method and medium for the device Provided is a device and a display method and medium for the device. The device includes a sensing unit sensing the acceleration of gravity affecting the device on fixed coordinates with respect to the device, a calculator calculating a tilted figure of the device using the sensing result, a plurality of buttons displaying a plurality of images in response to a control signal, and a controller generating the control signal for commanding to display images indicated by image data corresponding to the calculation result from among prepared image data.
US08023995B2	Radio frequency device and mobile communication terminal using the same There is provided a radio frequency circuit device for multi-band and multi-mode which is low in a circuit loss, and a mobile communication terminal using the radio frequency circuit device. The radio frequency circuit device has a first path 110 that includes an amplifier 10a that amplifies signals of at least two modulation techniques in power, a matching network 20 that is connected to the amplifier and a duplexer 50 and allows the matching network to be coupled with an antenna, and a second path 111 that does not include the duplexer and allows the matching network to be coupled with the antenna. The first path is selected when the amplifier amplifies one of the signals of at least two modulation techniques, and the second path is selected when the amplifier amplifies another signal. An output impedance of the amplifier is matched with an impedance when viewing the antenna side from the amplifier in the first path and the second path.
US08023993B2	Mobile terminal and network unit for multi-wireless technologies Mobile terminals (2) for transmitting first signaling signals (11) according to first wireless technologies to first networks (3) and for transmitting second signaling signals (12) according to second wireless technologies to second networks (4), which first signaling signals (11) comprise first information for informing the first networks (3), which second signaling signals (12) comprise second information for informing the second networks (4), and which first and second wireless technologies are different from each other, get a better efficiency by letting the first signaling signals (11) comprise the first information and the second information. This way, the power consumption of the mobile terminals (2) is reduced and the signaling efficiency is increased. The first/second information comprises first/second location information and/or comprises first/second paging-response information.
US08023992B2	Mobile wireless communications device providing pattern/frequency control features and related methods A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a plurality of antennas also carried by the portable housing. Each antenna may have a different gain pattern at a different respective operating frequency, and the antennas may have different shapes to define different gain patterns at a given operating frequency. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a frequency/pattern diversity controller for controlling the wireless transceiver to preferentially operate with the plurality of antennas.
US08023985B1	Transitioning a state of a connection in response to an indication that a wireless link to a wireless device has been lost A method and apparatus of establishing a connection between a wireless device and a second device includes maintaining a state of the connection between the wireless device and the second device, and receiving an indication that a wireless link to the wireless device has been lost or may be lost. In response to the receiving the indication that the wireless link to the wireless device has been lost or may be lost, the state of the connection is transitioned from a first state to a second state.
US08023982B2	Wireless communication device having dynamically escalated media transmission handling A wireless communication device that dynamically escalates media transmission handling on the resident computer platform operating system through passing priority data bundles that include media directly from an application programming interface to the wireless communication interface. The application programming interface generates an outgoing priority data bundle including media, and a media handler directs the outgoing priority data bundle directly to the wireless communication interface for transmission without handling of the outgoing priority data bundle by other software layers of the operating system. The same priority handling can be done with incoming data bundles received at the wireless communication interface and being sent to an application programming interface.
US08023977B2	Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live entertainment event The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes use of an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.
US08023971B2	Method and system to deliver multimedia alerts to a mobile phone A method and system for transferring content to a communication device or other destination are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a subscription service to create and store subscriptions to a channel; a channel queue to obtain a multimedia message associated with the channel; and a delivery engine to cause an alert notification containing the multimedia message to be delivered to an eligible subscriber's mobile phone.
US08023967B2	Consolidating online privacy preferences User privacy preferences are consolidated for location-based services. A mobile user is able to control the service providers to which the mobile user's location is transmitted as well as control the service providers from which the user wishes to receive content. Service providers and other online vendors request the location and network identifiers of mobile users in order to provide the mobile users with content. The user's privacy preferences are described in a document that includes the location format being used by the user, a link to the user's preference data, and the current location of the user's mobile device. The privacy preference file includes global privacy preferences that apply when the user is outside of established privacy locations and one or more privacy locations defined by geographical boundaries. These preferences apply while the user is inside the defined privacy location.
US08023964B2	Predictive mobile phone service disruption service Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, a data processing system and a computer program product for a predictive mobile phone service disruption service. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method comprises monitoring a cellular call of a caller, calculating a location and vector of the caller, and determining whether the caller is approaching a drop zone. The computer implemented method responsive to determining the caller is approaching a drop zone, estimates a duration of a loss of service, and responsive to determining the caller is approaching a drop zone, selectively notifying the caller.
US08023963B2	Mobile communication device and method for linking communications with location data An electronic device includes a communication component; a location-determining component; a display; and a computing device all housed within a portable, handheld housing or other enclosure. The communications component transmits and receives mobile communications over a wireless communication network or path and provides identification information to the computing device. The location determining component determines locations of the electronic device as it is carried or driven from place to place and provides corresponding location data to the computing device. The computing device links the identification information with the location data to indicate the location of the device when a communication was made or received. The identification information and location data may be linked by adding a geocode or geotag to the identification information or by cross-referencing the information and data in a database. The computing device may also display a representation of the location data alongside a representation of the communication on a cartographic map and then display some of the identification information for the communication when a user scrolls over or otherwise selects either of the representations.
US08023961B2	Method and a system for location estimation using location estimated In a system for location estimation, information necessary for location estimation is acquired from a wireless signal. The first estimated location of each of target terminals is found out on the basis of the acquired information necessary for location estimation, and the locations of reference terminals. The second estimated location of each target terminal is found out on the basis of the information necessary for location estimation, the first estimated locations of the target terminals other than that target terminal of which the location estimation is being carried out, and on the locations of the reference terminals. Thus, the system for location estimation avoids the problem associated with an increased sphere of location estimation and with an increased communication traffic attendant on an increased number of target terminals, and achieves location estimation of high accuracy.
US08023960B2	Positioning system, terminal apparatus, control method of terminal apparatus The terminal apparatus has: base station and terminal error information generating means for generating base station and terminal error information indicating a rate of the base station and terminal frequency difference with respect to the official frequency; geostationary satellite and terminal difference information generating means for generating geostationary satellite and terminal difference information indicating a geostationary satellite and terminal frequency difference; geostationary satellite and terminal error information generating means for generating geostationary satellite and terminal error information indicating a rate of the geostationary satellite and terminal frequency difference with respect to the geostationary satellite frequency; base station frequency error information generating means for generating base station frequency error information indicating a frequency error of a transmitting radio wave from the communication base station based on the base station and terminal error.
US08023957B2	Dynamically managing and reconfiguring wireless mesh networks A wireless network with multiple subscriber systems in a lobe pool may operate by determining a state of the wireless network, identifying a new condition, the new condition including a new demand condition or a new network health condition, determining whether the new condition has a threshold impact on operations of the wireless network or component subscriber systems of the wireless network, and if the threshold impact exists, reconfiguring the wireless network to accommodate the new condition.
US08023955B2	Uplink resource allocation to control intercell interference in a wireless communication system Embodiments of the present invention exploit the reciprocity of radio channels in TDD, and longer-term correlation between average uplink and downlink path losses in FDD wireless communication systems to enable distributed schedulers in an enhanced uplink system to allocate uplink transmission resources while preemptively managing intercell interference levels. Each cell's base station transmits a downlink reference signal at a known transmission power level. A mobile station monitors the received signal strength of the downlink reference signals from multiple base stations. The transmitted and received signal strength levels can be used by the mobile station to estimate the amount of intercell interference that the mobile station's uplink transmissions cause, and the mobile station's uplink transmission parameters are adjusted accordingly. In further embodiments, the received reference signal power levels, or values derived therefrom, are transmitted by the mobile station to its serving base station, where a scheduling algorithm uses the information to adjust one or more transmission parameters relating to a grant of uplink transmission resources to the UE, thereby controlling the intercell interference generated by the mobile station's uplink transmissions.
US08023954B2	Systems and methods for controlling a cellular communications system responsive to a power level associated with a wireless transmitter A cellular communications system includes a wireless transmitter that is configured to transmit over a set of frequencies that is assigned to a given cell of the cellular communications system from a band of frequencies that is assigned to the cellular communications system. A controller is configured to identify a power level to be used by the wireless transmitter and to determine a subset of frequencies in the set of frequencies that is assigned to the given cell of the cellular communications system, the subset of frequencies to be assigned to the wireless transmitter responsive to the power level that was identified. Related methods are also described.
US08023952B2	Location updating in communications networks This disclosure concerns methods and systems for network communications. In one example of such a method, respective groups of cells are first allocated to respective location regions. Next, respective indicators are received from various devices, indicating the identity of the cell occupied by the corresponding device. Additionally, a database is maintained that includes information concerning the location region occupied by each device. In operation, when a device switches from a radio access network to another access network, the other access network receives the indicator of the identity of the cell occupied by the device and, in dependence thereon, selects the location region which the device is deemed to occupy by a core network.

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