Document Document Title
US08026204B2 Method for producing anionic surfactant granule
The present invention relates to a method for producing an anionic surfactant granule, which includes granulating an anionic surfactant powder in a granulator having an agitating blade, while adding water, at a temperature of the granule being higher by 0.5 to 30° C. than a boiling point of water under a pressure of the inside of the granulator.
US08026203B2 Surfactant concentrate
The present relates to a surfactant concentrate comprising at least 75% of an essentially completely neutralized anionic sulphated surfactant and 5% to 25% carboxylic acid, of which 4% to 96% of the carboxylic acid is in its free acid form, the process for making it and a detergent composition containing it.
US08026199B2 Lubricating oil composition
The present invention provide a lubricating oil composition suitable for internal combustion engines, which composition is excellent in thermal/oxidation stability and can inhibit the increases of the viscosity and acid number even in the presence of NOx and can be used for a long period of time or provide a lubricating oil composition particularly suitable for diesel or direct injection engines equipped with an exhaust-gas after-treatment device such as DPF or various catalysts, which composition is excellent in high-temperature detergency and base number retention properties and further can achieve the effect of inhibit wear caused by soot contamination in the oil occurring significantly when the content of phosphorus compounds such as ZnDTP is decreased, at a high level and can inhibit the exhaust-gas after-treatment device from being adversely affected. The lubricating oil composition comprises a lubricating base oil containing, a specific amount of a base oil with specific properties, and two or more types of additives selected from specific additives.
US08026169B2 Cu annealing for improved data retention in flash memory devices
Data retention in flash memory devices, such as mirrorbit devices, is improved by reducing the generation and/or diffusion of hydrogen ions during back end processing, such as annealing inlaid Cu. Embodiments include annealing inlaid Cu in an N2 atmosphere containing low H2 or no H2, and at temperatures less than 200° C., e.g., 100° C. to 150° C.
US08026162B2 Method of manufacturing layer-stacked wiring
A layer-stacked wiring made up of a microcrystalline silicon thin film and a metal thin film is provided which is capable of suppressing an excessive silicide formation reaction between the microcrystalline silicon thin film and metal thin film, thereby preventing peeling of the thin film. In a polycrystalline silicon TFT (Thin Film Transistor) using the layer-stacked wiring, the microcrystalline silicon thin film is so configured that its crystal grains each having a length of the microcrystalline silicon thin film in a direction of a film thickness being 60% or more of a film thickness of the microcrystalline silicon thin film amount to 15% or less of total number of crystal grains or that its crystal grains each having a length of the microcrystalline silicon thin film in a direction of a film thickness being 50% or less of a film thickness of the microcrystalline silicon thin film amount to 85% or more of the total number of crystal grains making up the microcrystalline silicon thin film.
US08026159B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of loading a substrate into a processing chamber; processing the substrate by supplying plural kinds of reaction substances into the processing chamber multiple number of times; and unloading the processed substrate from the processing chamber, wherein at least one of the plural kinds of reaction substances contains a source gas obtained by vaporizing a liquid source by a vaporizing part; in the step of processing the substrate, vaporizing operation of supplying the liquid source to the vaporizing part and vaporizing the liquid source is intermittently performed, and at least at a time other than performing the vaporizing operation of the liquid source, a solvent capable of dissolving the liquid source is flown to the vaporizing part at a first flow rate; and at a time other than performing the vaporizing operation of the liquid source and every time performing the vaporizing operation of the liquid source prescribed number of times, the solvent is flown to the vaporizing part at a second flow rate larger than the first flow rate.
US08026138B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor apparatus having saddle-fin transistor and semiconductor apparatus fabricated thereby
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory apparatus may include forming a channel region and a gate region through a self-alignment etching process on a cell region; and forming a three-dimensional multi-channel region through an etching process using a first multi-channel mask on a core region and a peripheral region and forming a gate region through an etching process using a second multi-channel mask, thereby preventing mis-arrangement of gates.
US08026134B2 Recessed drain and source areas in combination with advanced silicide formation in transistors
During the manufacturing process for forming sophisticated transistor elements, the gate height may be reduced and a recessed drain and source configuration may be obtained in a common etch sequence prior to forming respective metal silicide regions. Since the corresponding sidewall spacer structure may be maintained during the etch sequence, controllability and uniformity of the silicidation process in the gate electrode may be enhanced, thereby obtaining a reduced degree of threshold variability. Furthermore, the recessed drain and source configuration may provide reduced overall series resistance and enhanced stress transfer efficiency.
US08026121B2 Method for producing electronic components and pressure sensor
A method produces electronic components in particular electronic sensors for pressure and differential pressure measurement. Firstly, the semiconductor structure of the electronic components is produced on a wafer. An insulating oxide layer is then applied. A protective metal layer is subsequently applied. The metal layer is applied in sections only in those regions of the wafer in which no splitting, for example by mechanical separation, occurs later. The electronic components thus formed in the wafer are then divided up into individual elements.
US08026117B2 Semiconductor light emitting device with lateral current injection in the light emitting region
A semiconductor light emitting device includes an active region, an n-type region, and a p-type region comprising a portion that extends into the active region. The active region may include multiple quantum wells separated by barrier layers, and the p-type extension penetrates at least one of the quantum well layers. The extensions of the p-type region into the active region may provide uniform filling of carriers in the individual quantum wells of the active region by providing direct current paths into individual quantum wells. Such uniform filling may improve the operating efficiency at high current density by reducing the carrier density in the quantum wells closest to the bulk p-type region, thereby reducing the number of carriers lost to nonradiative recombination.
US08026105B1 Quantification of lubricant reactivity using constant volume combustion device
A method for identifying a lubricant composition that reduces the propensity for knock in an engine. The lubricant composition is mixed with a solvent to reduce the viscosity of the lubricant composition, thereby forming a lubricant-solvent mixture having a viscosity similar to or less than that of engine fuel. A sample of a lubricant-solvent mixture is then subjected to a constant volume combustion test to determine the reactivity associated with the lubricant-solvent mixture. The test is repeated for a range of lubricant-solvent ratios, and statistical methods are used to calculate the reactivity of the lubricant composition without solvent.
US08026103B2 Breath test for total organic carbon
A total amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a breath sample (101) is detected by oxidizing/burning (120) the VOCs to form CO2 and H2O, and the amounts of one or both of these compounds are measured (130). CO2 and H2O molecules in the breath sample (101) are removed (110) before the VOCs are converted (120) to CO2 and H2O. Because one VOC molecule contains multiple carbon and hydrogen atoms, the number of formed CO2 and H2O molecules will be substantially larger than the original number of VOC molecules, thereby improving the sensitivity of the detection.
US08026095B2 Biological production of ethanol from waste gases
Apparatus for biological production of ethanol from waste gases includes a bioreactor including a plurality of tunnels each having inlet and outlet passageways, a gasifier reactor generates a continuous supply of syngas from waste gases into the upper portion of each tunnel. A mixing device provides a continuous supply of fermentation microbes in a liquid directed by pumps and spray misters into the tunnel. Pumps direct the liquid vertically for conversion of the syngas into ethanol.
US08026092B2 Replication competent hepatitis C virus and methods of use
The present invention provides replication competent polynucleotides that include a coding sequence encoding a hepatitis C virus polyprotein having adaptive mutations. The invention also includes methods for malting replication competent polynucleotides, identifying a compound that inhibits replication of a replication competent polynucleotide, selecting a replication competent polynucleotide, and detecting a replication competent polynucleotide.
US08026091B2 DNA polymerases and related methods
Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having improved extension rates relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
US08026086B2 Methods for co-production of ethanol and silica from equisetum
A method for the co-production of silica and at least one other useful industrial chemical such as ethanol, comprises the steps of: pre-treating siliceous plant matter derived from plants, such as horsetail weeds from the genus Equisetum, to create a feedstock having exposed cellulose; placing the feedstock in a reactor containing a biological agent effective to break down the cellulose into at least one useful organic chemical reaction product and a silica-containing co-product; separating the at least one useful organic chemical product from the reactor; separating the silica-containing co-product from the reactor; and refining the silica-containing co-products into silica or other industrially useful silicon containing products. The biological agent may be an anaerobic thermophyllic bacteria, enzymes, or a co-mixture of enzymes and yeast.
US08026083B2 Yarrowia lipolytica and Pichia pastoris HAC1 nucleic acids
Described herein are methods and genetically engineered cells useful for producing an altered N-glycosylation form of a target molecule. Also described are methods and molecules with altered N-glycosylation useful for treating a variety of disorders such as metabolic disorders.
US08026079B2 Method for detection of microorganism and kit for detection of microorganism
According to the following steps, live cells, injured cells, VNC cells and dead cells of a microorganism in a test sample are detected by flow cytometry:a) the step of treating the test sample with an enzyme having an activity of decomposing cells other than those of the microorganism, colloidal particles of proteins or lipids existing in the test sample,b) the step of treating the test sample with a topoisomerase poison and/or a DNA gyrase poison.c) the step of treating the test sample treated in the steps a) and b) with a nuclear stain agent, andd) the step of detecting the microorganism in the test sample treated with the nuclear stain agent by flow cytometry.
US08026075B2 Method for stabilizing coenzyme and composition thereof
Disclosed is a sugar and/or a sugar alcohol as a substance for suppressing dephosphorylation reaction of a phosphorylated coenzyme. Also disclosed is a method for stabilizing a phosphorylated coenzyme which is characterized by having at least a substance for suppressing dephosphorylation reaction of the phosphorylated coenzyme coexist with the phosphorylated coenzyme.
US08026072B2 Method of identifying compounds that bind BAFF-R
Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding BAFF-R polypeptides, as well as antibodies to BAFF-R polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions including the same. Methods of treating tumorigenic and autoimmune conditions using the nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are also provided.
US08026071B2 Systems and methods for detecting target analytes
A method of detecting a target substance includes contacting the target substance with a substrate. The substrate has a first receptor bound to the substrate. The target substance binds to the first receptor. The method further includes contacting a second receptor with the substrate. The second receptor is associated with the target substance. The second receptor is biotinylated. The method also includes contacting an anti-biotin antibody conjugated paramagnetic particle with the substrate.
US08026066B2 Detection of nucleic acids from multiple types of human papillomaviruses
Nucleic acid oligonucleotide sequences are disclosed which include amplification oligomers and probe oligomers which are useful for detecting multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Methods for detecting multiple HPV types in biological specimens by amplifying HPV nucleic acid sequences in vitro and detecting the amplified products are disclosed.
US08026064B2 Compositions, methods and systems for inferring bovine breed
Provided herein are methods to discover and use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for identifying breed, or line and breed, or line composition of a bovine subject. The present invention further provides specific nucleic acid sequences, SNPs, and SNP patterns that can be used for identifying breed or breed combinations for Angus, Holstein, Limousin, Brahman, Hereford, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Charolais and Beefmaster breeds. These patterns can be utilized to manage animals in a feedlot to obtain optimum performance based on known characteristics of specific breeds and identify animals for breeding in selection programs. In another aspect, these patterns can be used to ensure labeling on breed specific branded products.
US08026063B2 Method of examining inflammatory disease and method of screening remedy for imflammatory disease
A gene polymorphism on a Toll-like receptor gene is analyzed and an inflammatory disease is examined based on the results of the analysis. A remedy for an inflammatory disease is screened by selecting a substance capable of altering the interaction between Toll-like receptor and galectin-2.
US08026061B1 Probe, probe set, probe carrier, and testing method
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.
US08026059B2 Treatment response in generalized social phobia
This invention generally pertains to the field of psychiatry. In particular, this invention relates to, inter alia, the discovery that a subject's serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism genotype can be used to determine the subject's response to certain drug therapies.
US08026056B2 Compositions and methods for detecting Borrelia afzelii
Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Borrelia afzelii, a spirochete which is a causative agent of Lyme disease in humans. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the p24 gene for the outer surface protein of Borrelia afzelii, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Borrelia afzelii. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.
US08026053B2 Mutations of the PIK3CA gene in human cancers
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are known to be important regulators of signaling pathways. To determine whether PI3Ks are genetically altered in cancers, we analyzed the sequences of the P13K gene family and discovered that one family member, PIK3CA, is frequently mutated in cancers of the colon and other organs. The majority of mutations clustered near two positions within the P13K helical or kinase domains. PIK3CA represents one of the most highly mutated oncogenes yet identified in human cancers and is useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic target.
US08026049B2 Noninvasive measurement and identification of biomarkers in disease state
The invention is methods and related kits for diagnosing a disease state of cachexia by measuring biomarker profiles from a biological sample. Rapid measurement of early onset or progression of the disease in a subject is determined by measuring biomarker levels from the subject and optionally comparing the biomarker levels to a standard biomarker profile or metabolome phase portrait for the disease. The biomarkers measured in the assay and related kit for cachexia progression include biomarkers selected from the group consisting of lactate, citrate, formate, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxy butrate, alanine, glutamine, glutamate, valine, isoleucine leucine, thrionine, lysine, arginine, tyrosine, phenyl alanine, histidine and tryptophan.
US08026042B2 Polymer for organic anti-reflective coating layer and composition including the same
A polymer which has siloxane group at a main chain thereof and a composition including the same, for forming an organic anti-reflective coating layer are disclosed. The polymer for forming an organic anti-reflective coating layer is represented by following Formula. In Formula, R is hydrogen atom, C1˜C20 alkyl group, C1˜C10 alcohol group or epoxy group, R1 is independently hydrogen atom, n is an integer of 1-50, R2 is C1˜C20 alkyl group, C3˜C20 cycloalkyl group, C6˜C20 aryl group or C7˜C12 arylalkyl group, R3 is hydrogen atom, C1˜C10 alcohol group or epoxy group and POSS is a polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane.
US08026041B2 Imageable elements useful for waterless printing
A non-ablative negative-working imageable element has first and second polymeric layers under a crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used in a simple method to provide lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple using either water or an aqueous solution containing very little organic solvent to remove the imaged regions. The crosslinked silicone rubber layer is ink-repelling and only the first layer that is closest to the substrate contains an infrared radiation absorbing compound to provide thermal sensitivity.
US08026037B2 Si-polymers and photoresists comprising same
New polymers are provided that have non-carbon tetravalent species (Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Sn) and photoimageable compositions that contain such polymers. Preferred polymers are organic, e.g. one or more polymer repeat units comprise carbon atom(s). Particularly preferred are polymers that comprise SiO2 or TiO2 repeat units and which can be highly useful as a resin component of resists imaged at short wavelengths such as sub-300 nm and sub-200 nm.
US08026035B2 Etch-resistant disilane and saturated hydrocarbon bridged silicon-containing polymers, method of making the same, and method of using the same
A composition includes a copolymer including a mixture of monomeric units having structures (A), (B), and (C), and one or more of structures (D) or (E): HSiO(3-a)/2(OH)a  (A) Si(3-b)/2(OH)b—CH2)n—SiO(3-c)/2(OH)c  (B) R1SiO(3-d)/2(OH)d  (C) MeSi(3-e)/2(OH)e  (D) R2SiO(3-f)/2(OH)f  (E) wherein a, b, c, d, e, and f are independently from 0 to 2, n is from 0 to about 10, R1 is a chromophore, and R2 is a hydrophilic group.
US08026034B2 Enhanced fusing for electrophotographic toners
An electrophotographic method for producing fused toner images on a receiver medium comprising the steps of: forming an electrostatic image pattern on an image forming member; developing the image pattern on the image forming member with fusible toner particles thereby forming a toner image thereon; transferring the toner image to the receiver medium; and heating the toner image to form a fused toner image on the receiver medium, wherein an amount of a plasticizer is added to the toner particles of the toner image after formation of the toner image on the image forming member and prior to or concurrent with fusing of the transferred toner image on the receiver medium, further wherein the amount of plasticizer added is effective in lowering the Tg of the toner below that of the toner under prevailing ambient conditions in the absence of the added plasticizer. The current invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art because the plasticizer is added immediately before fusing, thus avoiding toner clumping upon storage, as well as eliminating the high cost associated with a custom manufactured receiver that already contains plasticizer.
US08026032B2 Carrier, supplemental developer, developer in image developer, developer feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus and process cartridge
A carrier for use in an image forming apparatus in which a toner and a carrier are fed to an image developer thereof and an extra developer including the toner and the carrier in the image developer is discharged therefrom, wherein at least one of the carrier fed to the image developer and a carrier readily contained therein includes a core material; and a coated film coating the core material, and wherein the coated film includes a binder resin and a particulate material having a ratio of an average particle diameter thereof to an average thickness of the coated film of from 0.01 to 1, and includes concavities and convexities having an average difference of elevation of from 0.02 to 3.0 μm.
US08026031B2 Toner, vessel with the toner, developer, image forming apparatus and process cartridge and image forming method
Toner and a developer which are excellent in cleaning property and fixing property at low temperature, and capable of forming images with high quality are provided. A toner prepared by dispersing and/or emulsifying an oil phase or a monomer phase comprising a toner composition and/or a toner composition precursor in a water-based medium to granulate, wherein the toner has an average circularity of 0.925 to 0.970, and the toner composition and/or the toner composition precursor has a layered inorganic material in which at least a part of interlayer ions in the layered inorganic material has been exchanged with organic ions.
US08026028B2 Low friction electrostatographic imaging member
Present embodiments pertain to an improved electrostatographic imaging member having low contact friction surfaces to ease sliding mechanical interaction and suppressing abrasion/wear failure and methods of preparing thereof. The improved imaging member has layers comprising slippery polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane molecules that enhance the physical and mechanical functions and reduce the layers surface contact friction of the imaging member to extend service life.
US08026027B2 (Enylaryl)bisarylamine containing photoconductors
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and an (enylaryl)bisarylamine containing charge transport layer.
US08026026B2 Colored photosensitive resin composition, coating film of colored photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive resin transfer material, method of foaming photosensitive resin layer, color filter, method for producing color filter, and liquid crystal display device
A colored photosensitive resin composition comprising (1) an alkali-soluble binder, (2) a monomer or an oligomer, (3) a photopolymerizaton initiator or a photopolymerization initiator system, and (4) a coloring agent, wherein the coloring agent is a specific pigment in a specific quantity. Also provided is a color filter obtained by using the colored photosensitive resin compositions for formation of the respective photosensitive resin layers of R, G and B.
US08026018B2 Electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly and production method thereof
An electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention includes: an electrolyte membrane; an anode-side electrode including an anode-side catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and an anode-side gas diffusion layer formed on the anode-side catalyst layer beyond a surface-direction end of the anode-side catalyst layer; an anode-side adhesive layer disposed on at least a part of a periphery of the anode-side catalyst layer; and an anode-side gasket layer disposed in contact with the anode-side adhesive layer, wherein a surface-direction inner end of the anode-side adhesive lay is located inside beyond a surface-direction inner end of the anode-side gasket layer, and a part of the anode-side adhesive layer is located to overlap with a part of the anode-side gas diffusion layer with respect to a thickness direction. Further, on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, cathode-side respective layers having the same constructions as above are disposed.
US08026002B2 Battery cathode, a lithium ion battery using the same and processes for preparation thereof
A battery cathode including a current collector and a cathode material coated on and/or filled in the current collector, said cathode material including a cathode active substance, a conductive additive and an adhesive, wherein said cathode material is coated with a layer of lithium cobaltate on the surface thereof and the content of lithium cobaltate is 0.1-15 wt % (weight percent) based on the weight of the cathode active substance. The lithium ion battery using the cathode provided by the present invention has a higher specific capacity and improved cycling performance.
US08026000B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, nonaqueous electrolyte, and charging method therefor
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the invention has a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte having electrolyte salt in a nonaqueous solvent. The electric potential of the positive electrode active material is 4.4 to 4.6 V relative to lithium, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a compound expressed by structural formula (I) below. The quantity of compound added is preferably 0.1% to 2% by mass. Also, the positive electrode active material preferably comprises a mixture of a lithium-cobalt composite oxide which is LiCoO2 containing at least both zirconium and magnesium and a lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide that has a layer structure and contains at least both manganese and nickel. Thanks to such structure, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be provided that is charged to charging termination potential of 4.4 to 4.6 V relative to lithium and that has enhanced overcharging safety.[Chemical Formula 1]
US08025996B2 Electrical connection terminal for electric power storage cell
An electric power storage cell including several electrochemical elements connected in series and/or in parallel, arranged inside a sealed casing. The casing electrically connects the electrochemical elements to a power connecting device outside the casing. The electrical connection is configured so that the casing can be traversed without affecting adversely the tightness thereof and without transmitting stresses to the casing. The storage cell has applications in the field of lithium polymer technologies with high power storage assemblies.
US08025995B2 Battery fastening assembly
A battery fastening assembly for fastening a battery to a housing, includes a receiving portion formed on the housing and a fastening subassembly. The receiving portion defines a receiving slot and a first engaging portion. The battery defines a second engaging portion. At least part of the fastening subassembly is slidable between the battery and the housing to engage with the receiving slot and the second engaging portion or the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion.
US08025992B2 Block and method of making
The invention relates to a block (10) made of ceramic compounds, in particular dental compounds, of at least one ceramic compound (15) with predetermined first optical properties and at least a second ceramic compound (17) with predetermined second optical properties, and of a transition area between the two ceramic compounds, which transition area is composed of changing mixtures of the at least two ceramic compounds, the variation gradient of the mixtures being substantially constant. The invention further relating to a process for making such a block.
US08025991B2 Cutting tool with oxide coating
By using the PVD process, cutting tools are provided with a coating that is a mono-phase ternary or more complex oxide. By appropriately defining the involved major component and minor component in terms of atom percent, the distortions of the formed oxide can be controlled in a specific manner and in order to influence the properties of said oxide. Alternatively, the layer may contain an amorphous oxide phase with oxide crystallites embedded therein. The oxide crystallites may be binary, ternary or more complex. One or more different types of crystallites may be present adjacent to each other.
US08025990B2 Hard coating film and target for formation thereof
A hard coating film having oxidation resistance and wear resistance superior to those of conventional coating films formed of TiAlN, TiCrAlN, TiCrAlSiBN, CrAlSiBN, NbCrAlSiBN, or the like. The hard coating film of the present invention has a component composition represented by the formula: (TiaCrbAlcMdBe)(CxN1-x), wherein 0≦a≦0.2, 0.05≦b≦0.4, 0.45≦c≦0.65, 0.005≦d≦0.05, 0≦e≦0.15, a+b+c+d+e=1, and 0≦x≦0.5; where M denotes at least one species selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, and Sc; variables a, b, c, d, and e indicate the atomic ratios of Ti, Cr, Al, M, and B respectively; and variable x indicates the atomic ratio of C.
US08025983B2 Joining method between Fe-based steels and Ti/Ti-based alloys having joint strength higher than those of base metals by using interlayers and the joints produced using the method
A joining method between Fe-based steel and Ti/Ti-based alloys having a joint strength higher than those of base metals by using interlayers. The production of intermetallic compounds at a joint portion between Fe-based steel and Ti/Ti-based alloys can be prevented using interlayers, and strong interface diffusion bonding can be formed at interfaces between interlayers, thereby producing a high-strength joint. Accordingly, the present disclosure can be used to develop high-strength, high-functional advanced composite materials.
US08025978B2 Multilayered board
A multilayered board including a material board having a visible surface coated with at least one paper layer impregnated with resin. The multilayered board includes a material board, at least one paper layer structured to coat the material board, and a resin layer structured to impregnate the at least one paper layer, wherein the resin layer is arranged to face away from the material board and have an average layer thickness of at least 5 μm.
US08025974B2 Inorganic substrates with hydrophobic surface layers
Inorganic substrates with a hydrophobic surface layer of a fluorinated material having the following structure are disclosed: where A is an oxygen radical or a chemical bond; n is 1 to 20; Y is H, F, CnH2n+1 or CnF2n+1; X is H or F; b is at least 1, m is 0 to 50, and p is 1 to 20. The fluorinated material can be directly adhered to the inorganic substrate or can be indirectly adhered to the inorganic substrate through an intermediate organometallic coating.
US08025969B2 PET yarns with improved loop tensile properties
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) monofilaments having improved loop strength and toughness as well as improved tensile strength and tensile toughness. The yarns can have a loop toughness of at least 2 gf/den, a loop tenacity of at least 7 gf/den, a tensile toughness of at least 0.9 gf/den, a tensile tenacity of at least 4 gf/den, and a DSC crystallinity of at least 35%. A process for the production of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monofilaments includes melt extrusion, orientation of the extrudates by stretching, and further stretching as well as heat treating the stretched monofilaments. Industrial fabrics, especially fabrics for paper machine clothing, can be made of such monofilaments as load bearing yarns that resist loop failure and that resist fabric creep at high temperature and high load.
US08025968B2 Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for dicing and method for processing processed material using the same
To provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for dicing which inhibits the generation of fibrous scraps and has good expandability. A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for dicing, which comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on at least one surface of a base material, wherein the base material contains a polymer having a random copolymer block, and wherein the random copolymer block contains a block (I) containing, as a main constitutional unit, a constitution unit represented by the following structural formula (A) and a block (II) containing, as a main constitutional unit, a constitutional unit represented by the following structural formula (B) —(CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2)—  (A)
US08025964B2 Laminated visco-elastic support
A laminated support for pressure-relief comprising multiple foam layers. The combinations of layers can comprise one or more layers of visco-elastic foam, highly resilient polyurethane foam, reticulated filter polyurethane foam, and the like.
US08025959B2 Interior material for vehicle
The present invention is an interior material for a vehicle having a skin layer and a base layer. The skin layer contains an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, a polyolefin resin, a polylactic acid resin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, in amounts of respectively 20% to 70% by weight, 10% to 50% by weight, 5% to 30% by weight and 5% to 30% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total of these. The base layer is preferably a thin layer in which a natural fiber is dispersed in a phase of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin resin, or a polyurethane foam layer.
US08025952B2 Printed magnetic ink overt security image
A security image and method of forming said image is disclosed wherein a substrate having an image or indicia thereon is coated with a dilute solution of pigment flakes in an ink or paint. The flakes are subsequently aligned in a magnetic field and are fixed after the field is applied. Most or all of the flakes in a region are aligned so as to be partially upstanding wherein their faces are essentially parallel. Coating the image with flakes yields a latent image which can be clearly seen at a small range of predetermined angles.
US08025949B2 Honeycomb containing poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) paper with aliphatic polyamide binder and articles made therefrom
This invention relates to a honeycomb having cells of paper, comprising by weight 3 to 30 parts by weight aliphatic polyamide binder, and 70 to 97 parts of a poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) fiber having a modulus of 600 grams per denier (550 grams per dtex) or greater, based on the aliphatic polyamide binder and PPD-T fiber in the paper. In another embodiment, the honeycomb is made from paper comprising by weight 30 to 50 parts aliphatic polyamide binder, and 50 to 70 parts of a poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) fiber having a modulus of 600 grams per denier (550 grams per dtex) or greater, based on the aliphatic polyamide binder and PPD-T fiber in the paper. Both papers have an average specific tensile index of 60 (lbs/in)/opsy (310 Nm/g) or greater. Articles made from the honeycombs include a panel or an aerodynamic structure.
US08025947B2 Optical information recording medium
An optical information recording medium has a substrate, and an optical reflection layer, an optical recording layer containing an organic dye, an interlayer, and a cover layer formed in this order on the substrate. The interlayer contains a sputtered Nb2O5—Al2O3-based composite oxide having an Nb2O5 content of more than 50 mol % and less than 60 mol %.
US08025944B2 Cut and stack labels of laminated film
A cut and stack label includes a layer of polymer film printing stock having a first face carrying a printed message and a second, opposite face, a clear polymer film laminated to the first face over that printed message and a coating of an anti-static formulation over the clear polymer film and/or the second face. An optional dusting or layer of offset powder may also be provided.
US08025941B2 IG window unit and method of making the same
An insulating glass (IG) window unit, and/or a method of making the same is/are provided. The IG window unit includes two spaced apart substrates that are separated from one another by at least one seal and/or spacer. One of the substrates supports both a solar management coating for blocking significant amounts of infrared (IR) radiation and a coating for blocking amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
US08025936B2 Optical compensation film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device
The present invention aims to provide an optical compensation film that allows superior phase difference between a first optically anisotropic layer and a second optically anisotropic layer and excellent wavelength dispersibility in terms of front and inclined retardation of liquid crystal layers in liquid crystal cells, a polarizing plate containing the optical compensation film, and a liquid-crystal display device that can display superior images with less color change due to the polarizing plate.In order to attain the object, an optical compensation film etc. is provided that comprises at least a first optically anisotropic layer and a second optically anisotropic layer, wherein the first optically anisotropic layer satisfies at least one of the following Equations (i) to (iii): 1≦Re1450)(0°)/Re1650)(0°)≦1.25:  Equation (i) 1≦Re1450)(40°)/Re1650)(40°)≦1.25:  Equation (ii) 1≦Re1450)(−40°)/Re1650)(−40°)≦1.25:  Equation (iii).
US08025917B2 Liquid material drawing method, color filter manufacturing method, and organic EL element manufacturing method
A liquid material drawing method includes: performing a first discharging step in which at least one of the droplets the liquid material is discharged from at least one of a plurality of nozzles for each of a plurality of pixel regions; observing and capturing an image of the pixel regions on a workpiece in which the droplets are discharged; computing a distance in a first direction and a distance in an orthogonal second direction between barrier parts on the workpiece and a landing position of the at least one of the droplets in the image of the pixel regions; and correcting arrangement information including a relative positioning of the nozzles and the workpiece, which is used to arrange a prescribed number of the droplets as dots for each of the pixel regions, based on the distance in the first direction and the distance in the second direction.
US08025916B2 Methods for forming a composite stent with regioselective material
A composite stent and a method for making the same are provided.
US08025914B2 Method of preparing egg nuggets
A method that entails blending an egg-based substance, a water-absorbent thickener, and pieces of supplemental food together to form an egg-based material, the egg-based substance including a natural liquid egg component, the water-absorbent thickener distributed throughout the egg-based material, and the water-absorbent thickener effective to maintain distribution of the pieces of supplemental food throughout the egg-based material.
US08025912B2 Method for packaging bananas for ripening
A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In addition, the method does not require separate handling and repackaging of the bananas between the starting of the ripening process and storage/shipment of the bananas. In this method, ripening is initiated by inserting additional gas into the banana package, such that the gas medium comprises from about 2.0% to about 5.0% oxygen, from about 5.0% to about 15.0% carbon dioxide, from about 0.8% to about 1.5% ethylene, the remainder of the gas medium being predominantly nitrogen, for a period of from about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. The composition of the gas medium in the package is then adjusted such that the gas medium has a ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide which meets the following conditions:(20.94−B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.8; wherein B is the percentage of oxygen in the gas medium, C is the percentage of carbon dioxide in the gas medium, and, further, wherein the percentage of oxygen in the gas medium is from about 1.0 to about 6.0, and the percentage of carbon dioxide in the gas medium is from about 3.0 to about 10.0.
US08025911B2 Preventive and/or remedy for inflammatory bowel diseases
The present invention relates to a preventive and/or a therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel diseases containing a fermentation product of a propionic acid bacterium as an active ingredient.
US08025910B2 Method and composition for administering bioactive compounds derived from Morinda citrifolia
This invention relates to a method and composition for providing in various health benefits by administering various bioactive compounds derived from the plant Morinda cirtrifolia to individuals. This invention relates to using one or more of the following: Noni Leaf Extract; Noni Leaf Juice; and/or Roast Leaf. More particularly this invention relates to administering one or more of the following: Pyro-phorbide a, Pheophorbide a, Purpin 7, and/or Pheophorbide all which may be derived from Noni leaf extract, Noni leaf juice, and/or Roast leaf. Moreover, the foregoing formulations result in alleviating pain and inflammation.
US08025905B2 Method for reducing allergencity in indoor spaces
According to this invention, allergenicity in an indoor space is reduced by denaturing allergens in allergen reservoirs that are capable of producing respiratory or skin reactions and physically removing the allergens from the allergen reservoirs in the indoor space. The allergen reservoirs may also be treated with pesticides and fungicides/fungistats to prevent reinfestation of house dust mites, molds and cockroaches.
US08025903B2 Composite bone graft substitute cement and articles produced therefrom
The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a β-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.
US08025902B2 Low-irritation compositions and methods of making the same
Provided are compositions comprising a low molecular weight, non-crosslinked, linear acrylic copolymer and at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and combinations of two or more thereof, and methods of using such compositions.
US08025898B2 Enhanced drug delivery in transdermal systems
A composition for transdermal administration resulting from an admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a drug that includes a parent drug and a prodrug; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the parent drug and prodrug are individually present in an amount sufficient for a pharmacological effect. In a preferred embodiment, the admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically active agent that includes a corresponding steroid and a steroid derivative; and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent. The steroid and the corresponding steroid derivative are present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 steroid: corresponding steroid derivative. In a preferred embodiment ratio is 6:1 to 1:6. In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding steroid derivative is a steroid ester. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is a polymer that includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In another preferred embodiment, the parent drug is an ACE inhibitor such as ramipril and the prodrug is an ACE inhibitor prodrug such as ramipril ethyl and/or methyl ester.
US08025896B2 Porous extracellular matrix scaffold and method
A method of making an implantable scaffold for repairing damaged or diseased tissue includes the step of suspending pieces of an extracellular matrix material in a liquid. The extracellular matrix material and the liquid are formed into a mass. The liquid is subsequently driven off so as to form interstices in the mass. Porous implantable scaffolds fabricated by such a method are also disclosed.
US08025886B2 Modified VEGF-A with improved angiogenic properties
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for making and using chimeric polypeptides that comprise a VEGFR-2 ligand. The chimeric molecules of the present invention retain VEGFR-2 binding activity and an enhanced angiogenic activity as compared to native VEGF-A.
US08025884B2 Lawsonia intracellularis subunit vaccines
The present invention relates i.a. to nucleic acids encoding novel Lawsonia intracellularis proteins. It furthermore relates to DNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers comprising these sequences. Also it relates to host cells comprising such nucleic acids, DNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers. Moreover, the invention relates to proteins encoded by these nucleotide sequences and to their use for the manufacturing of vaccines. The invention also relates to vaccines for combating Lawsonia intracellularis infections and methods for the preparation thereof. Finally the invention relates to diagnostic tests for the detection of Lawsonia intracellularis antigens and of antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis.
US08025861B2 Making electrocatalyst supports for fuel cells
Titanium oxide (usually titanium dioxide) catalyst support particles are doped for electronic conductivity and formed with surface area-enhancing pores for use, for example, in electro-catalyzed electrodes on proton exchange membrane electrodes in hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells. Suitable compounds of titanium and a dopant are dispersed with pore-forming particles in a liquid medium. The compounds are deposited as a precipitate or sol on the pore-forming particles and heated to transform the deposit into crystals of dopant-containing titanium dioxide. If the heating has not decomposed the pore-forming particles, they are chemically removed from the, now pore-enhanced, the titanium dioxide particles.
US08025856B2 Colorimetric chemical analysis sampler for the presence of explosives
A tester for testing for explosives comprising a body, a lateral flow swab unit operably connected to the body, a explosives detecting reagent contained in the body, and a dispenser operatively connected to the body and the lateral flow swab unit. The dispenser selectively allows the explosives detecting reagent to be delivered to the lateral flow swab unit.
US08025845B2 Blower type chemical diffusing apparatus with fuel cell power supply
A blower type chemical diffusing apparatus is disclosed which can be of service for an extended period of time and does not give rise to refuse disposal problems. The blower type chemical diffusing apparatus of the invention has an air blower, a chemical retainer and a fuel cell included in the apparatus body whereby powering the air blower to drive it with the fuel cell causes chemical from the chemical retainer to be emitted into an environmental atmosphere.
US08025839B2 Steel alloy and tools or components manufactured out of the steel alloy
The invention relates to a powder metallurgically manufactured steel with a chemical composition containing, in % by weight: 0.01-2 C, 0.6-10 N, 0.01-3.0 Si, 0.01-10.0 Mn, 16-30 Cr, 0.01-5 Ni, 0.01-5.0 (Mo+W/2), 0.01-9 Co, max. 0.5 S and 0.5-14 (V+Nb/2), where the contents of N on the one hand and of (V+Nb/2) on the other hand are balanced in relation to each other such that the contents of these elements are within an area that is defined by the coordinates A′, B′, G, H, A′, where the coordinates of [N, (V+Nb/2)] are: A: [0.6,0.5]; B′: [1.6,0.5]; G: [9.8,14.0]; H: [2.6,14.0], and max. 7 of (Ti+Zr+Al), balance essentially only iron and impurities at normal amounts. The steel is intended to be used in the manufacturing of tools for injection moulding, compression moulding and extrusion of components of plastics, and for tools for cold working, which are exposed to corrosion. The invention also relates to construction components such as injection nozzles for engines, wear parts, pump parts, bearing components etc. Yet another field of application is the use of the steel alloy for the manufacturing of knives for food industry.
US08025837B2 Generator for flux specific bursts on nano-particles
Methods, systems and apparatus for producing a variable, known number of nanoparticles of various materials in an expanding mist in a vacuum or enclosure. The configurations allow for this mist of small particles to be produced in bursts, at repetition rates over a wide range of frequencies. The technique produces an isotropically expanding mist of particles. Direct applications of the invention can be used for the development of high power short wavelength incoherent light sources for applications in EUV lithography (EUVL), advanced microscopy, precision metrology, and other fields.
US08025832B2 Method for shaping sheet thermoplastic and the like
Processes and apparati for shaping sheet glass or thermoplastic materials use force from a layer of a flowing fluid, such as air, between the sheet and a mandrel at close to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic. The shape is preserved by cooling. The shape of the air bearing mandrel and the pressure distribution of the fluid contribute to the final shape. A process can be conducted on one or two surfaces such that the force from the air layer is on one or two surfaces of the sheet. The gap size between the sheet and mandrel determines the pressure profile in the gap, which also determines the final sheet shape. In general, smaller gaps lead to larger viscous forces. The pressure profile depends on the shape of the mandrel, the size of the fluid gap and the sheet and the fluid supply pressure.
US08025819B2 Manufacturing method of plastic lens and the lens
The present invention provides a plastic lens which can simplify the installation, can enhance the forming accuracy and can exhibit extremely small optical irregularities. Molds having a planned combination are heated, using at least one pre-numerically controlled automatic chucking transport device and/or manually, the molds are constituted to be sequentially overlapped in accordance with the combination. First of all, an optical thermoplastic resin molten material having an extremely small agitation flow is placed on a forming surface of one lower mold. Subsequently, a forming surface of another upper mold is brought into contact with the resin molten material by inclining the posture of the upper mold, and both molds are made to approach each other to define a given distance therebetween so as to form a lens by pressing the resin molten material.
US08025818B2 Process for the production of an optical lens
The invention relates to an optical hybrid lens. According to the invention, the lens consists of a substrate (1) that consists of a ceramic having a predetermined shape and at least another material (2), which covers a surface of the substrate (1) at least in certain sections in order to form a lens surface.Use of an optical ceramic as a material enables an additional degree of freedom for adjusting the imaging properties of the hybrid lens. The optical ceramic may have a high refractive index and a low dispersion. The other material can be a material that can be deformed or recast at temperatures that are low in comparison to those of the optical ceramic. In particular the other material can be a low-TG glass or a polymer. The other material is directly applied onto the substrate without a further surface finishing being necessarily required.Other aspects of the invention relate to an optical lens group, an optical image acquisition device, and a process for manufacturing a hybrid lens.
US08025816B2 Semiconductor superfine particle phosphor and light emitting device
This invention provides a novel phosphor material that has better brightness than conventional phosphors using dispersed rare earth ions, and that possesses excellent light resistance, temporal stability, and the like, and a light-emitting device with high brightness comprising such phosphor material and an excitation ultraviolet light source corresponding to the properties thereof. A phosphor comprising a silicon-containing solid matrix and semiconductor superfine particles dispersed therein at a concentration of 5×10−4 to 1×10−2 mol/L, said semiconductor superfine particles having a fluorescence quantum yield of 3% or greater and a diameter of 1.5 to 5 nm, and a light-emitting device including said phosphor and a light source for excitation light with an intensity of 3 to 800 W/cm2.
US08025814B2 Resin composition and molded article using the same
The present invention provides a resin composition comprising a liquid crystal polymer and a filler comprising a composite oxide containing Ba, Sm, and Ti. The resin composition can provide a molded article which has excellent dielectric characteristics and is excellent in dimension stability.
US08025812B2 Selective etch of TiW for capture pad formation
A chemical etchant containing hydrogen peroxide and phosphate ions at a controlled pH is provided for selectively etching metals in the presence of one or more metals not to be etched. The etchant is useful in the fabrication of semiconductor components particularly for forming capture pads where TiW is used as a barrier layer for a copper, copper/nickel pad, or copper/nickel alloy pad. A commercial hydrogen peroxide solution is preferred to which has been added phosphoric acid as a source of phosphate ions and KOH as the pH adjuster.
US08025806B2 Separating sand from fluids produced by a well
A settling system may be used to separate and/or remove solid particles, such as sand, from fluids produced by wells. The container of the settling system may be cleaned without need for manned-entry.
US08025805B2 Device for reducing bitterness and astringency in beverages containing polyphenols and tannins
A method of treating an orally ingestible item having an original taste to be enhanced or reduced without imparting bitterness to the item, includes exposing the item to a magnetic field and oxygen.
US08025799B2 Maple tree sap reverse osmosis device
A maple sap reverse osmosis device has a support rack configured and sized to rest atop a tank. The support rack supporting a reverse osmosis device. The reverse osmosis device has a pump line and a dump line both located within the tub. The pump line being located at an upper region of the tank. A pumping means to pump the maple sap from the pump line. The pumping means pushing maple sap through an osmosis membrane. The dump pipe purging concentrate resulting from sap not passing through the osmosis membrane into the deepest region of the tub.
US08025791B2 Systems and methods of producing a crude product
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude feed has a residue content of at least 0.2 grams of residue per gram of crude feed. At least one of the catalyst includes one or more transition metal sulfides. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US08025790B2 Process to upgrade heavy oil by hot pressurized water and ultrasonic wave generating pre-mixer
A process for upgrading heavy oil by mixing the heavy oil with water fluid using an ultrasonic wave generator prior to increasing the temperature and pressure of the mixture to values near to or exceeding the critical point of water, to produce low pour point, high value oil having low sulfur, low nitrogen, and low metallic impurities for use as hydrocarbon feedstock.
US08025785B2 Aluminium electrowinning cells with inclined cathodes
A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium (50) from alumina dissolved in a molten electrolyte comprises a generally horizontal cell bottom (5), preferably aluminium-wettable, on which a pool of product aluminium (50) is collected from at least one electrically conductive cathodic element (10) having aluminium-wettable cathode surfaces (11). The cathodic element comprises an inclined cathodic wall (10) in the electrolyte (60) above the generally horizontal cell bottom (5). The cathodic wall (10) has an upwardly-oriented inclined face (11) that forms a sloping upper aluminium-wettable drained active cathode surface on which aluminium is produced and drains into the aluminium pool (50), and a downwardly-oriented inclined face (12) which is in contact with the molten electrolyte (60) and which overlies the aluminium pool (50). The aluminium pool (50) covers substantially the entire cell bottom (5) including underneath the cathodic wall (10). A return path for alumina-enriched electrolyte (60) towards a bottom end of the anode-cathode gap (40) may be provided behind the cathodic wall (10) along an inactive surface (12) thereof. The cell may be fitted with anodes (10) that are foraminate, e.g. an arrangement of spaced apart parallel rods, or solid plates.
US08025783B2 Method for producing a composite material, associated composite material and associated semiconductor circuit arrangements
A method for producing a composite material, associated composite material and associated semiconductor circuit arrangements is disclosed. A plurality of first electrically conducting material particles are applied to a carrier substrate and a second electrically conducting material is galvanically deposited on a surface of the first material particles in such a way that the second material mechanically and electrically bonds the plurality of first material particles to one another.
US08025777B2 Processes and device for the deposition of films on substrates
It is in the object of the present invention to improve current deposition processes and devices for the fabrication of multilayer systems to better control the energy contribution at different stages of the deposition. This is achieved by depositing films by sputtering in a scheme providing for thermalized particles. One can get thermalized particles by choosing the working gas pressure and the distance between target and substrate to result in a mean free path of particles smaller than the distance between target and substrate or to result in a product of pressure and distance being larger than 2.0 cmPa.
US08025775B2 Vacuum plasma generator
A vacuum plasma generator with an output for feeding a plasma discharge for treatment of workpieces in a vacuum chamber has a connection for the junction to AC voltage mains, a rectifier connected to a converter with a control input for the setting and/or regulation of the converter output voltage, and a controlled full bridge circuit connected to the converter output with a potential-free generator output, which transposes the converter output voltage into pulses of 1 to 500 kHz. A potential-isolating transformer is switched into the bridge for the galvanic decoupling of the generator output.
US08025774B2 Controlling tar by quenching cracked effluent from a liquid fed gas cracker
In a system for thermal cracking gaseous feedstocks, the system including a gas cracker for producing an effluent comprising olefins, at least one transfer line exchanger for the recovery of process energy from the effluent and a water quench tower system, a process for extending the range of system feedstocks to include liquid feedstocks that yield tar is provided. The process includes the steps of injecting a first quench fluid downstream of a primary transfer line exchanger to quench the process effluent comprising olefins, separating in a first separation vessel a cracked product and a first byproduct stream comprising tar from the quenched effluent, directing the separated cracked product to a water quench tower system and quenching the separated cracked product with a second quench fluid to produce a cracked gas effluent for recovery and a second byproduct stream comprising tar. An apparatus for carrying out such process is also provided.
US08025773B2 System for extending the range of hydrocarbon feeds in gas crackers
In a system for thermal cracking gaseous feedstocks, the system including a gas cracker for producing an effluent comprising olefins, at least one transfer line exchanger for the recovery of process energy from the effluent and a water quench tower system, a process for extending the range of system feedstocks to include liquid feedstocks that yield tar is provided. The process includes the steps of injecting a first quench fluid downstream of the at least one transfer line exchanger to quench the process effluent comprising olefins, separating in a separation vessel a cracked product and a first byproduct stream comprising tar from the quenched effluent, directing the separated cracked product to the water quench tower system and quenching the separated cracked product with a second quench fluid to produce a cracked gas effluent for recovery and a second byproduct stream comprising tar. An apparatus for cracking a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock that yield tar is also provided.
US08025766B2 Boron nitride-based fiber paper and manufacturing process thereof
A boron nitride fiber paper having a very small fiber diameter and exhibiting excellent heat resistance, mechanical properties and heat conductivity. The fiber paper is composed of a fiber assembly which contains boron nitride fibers having a fiber diameter of not more than 1 μm in an amount of not less than 40 wt %.
US08025759B2 Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus has a polishing section (302) configured to polish a substrate and a measurement section (307) configured to measure a thickness of a film formed on the substrate. The polishing apparatus also has an interface (310) configured to input a desired thickness of a film formed on a substrate to be polished and a storage device (308a) configured to store polishing rate data on at least one past substrate therein. The polishing apparatus includes an arithmetic unit (308b) operable to calculate a polishing rate and an optimal polishing time based on the polishing rate data and the desired thickness by using a weighted average method which weights the polishing rate data on a lately polished substrate.
US08025758B2 Heat-sealing compound for sealing aluminium foil and polyethylene terephthalate film to polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene containers
The invention relates to a heat-sealing system consisting of an olefin polymer or olefin copolymer A, a methacrylate copolymer B, a graft polymer AB that is composed of the aforementioned components, a polyester C and an optional polymer D or an optional polymer blend DA, in addition to a solvent or solvent mixture L. The heat-sealing system is characterised by a high heat resistance, excellent barrier properties and short sealing times in relation to various plastics and aluminium foil or PET film.
US08025745B2 Device for the thermal deburring of workpieces
A device for the thermal deburring of workpieces. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08025742B2 Dishwasher with controller device
A dishwasher is provided having a controller for switching on or off, or for selection of operational functions for the dishwasher, the controller thus providing improved ease of operation and being relatively unaffected by wear and contamination. The controller has at least one touch-sensitive surface with switching functions allocated to at least one operating function, whereby the switching functions of the touch-sensitive surface may be operated with a light contact and the relevant operating function is then switched on or off, or selected. The touch-sensitive surface of the controller preferably reacts to the change in the electromagnetic field, resulting from a touching of the touch-sensitive surface, whereupon the relevant operating function is switched on or off, or selected. Improved ease of use may be achieved, whereby only a slight effort is required for selection, or to switch on a particular rinsing program, or operating function on the controller.
US08025740B2 Process for conducting cleaning operations in a fluid-receiving device of a foodstuff-processing apparatus, and fluid-receiving device and foodstuff-processing apparatus therefor
A process for conducting cleaning operations at predetermined time intervals in a chamber or container of a fluid-receiving device of a foodstuff-processing apparatus first comprises receiving a first fluid in the chamber or container. Then, first and second degrees of cleaning are determined at first and second moments in time, respectively. Then, a first difference between the first and second degrees of cleaning is determined. In a first case, in which the second degree of cleaning lies below a first limit value, the action duration of the at least one cleaning agent during at least one subsequent cleaning operation is set depending on the first degree of cleaning. In a second case, in which the second degree of cleaning lies above the first limit value, a greater amount of cleaning agent is supplied and/or the time interval between two subsequent, successive cleaning operations is shortened.
US08025739B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
In a dry cleaning process, breakage of a gas supply pipe can be prevented, and maintenance efficiency can be increased. There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: (a) loading a substrate into a process chamber; (b) forming a silicon film or a silicon compound film on the substrate loaded in the process chamber by supplying a raw-material gas to a gas supply pipe disposed in the process chamber to introduce the raw-material gas into the process chamber; (c) unloading the substrate from the process chamber; (d) heating an inside of the process chamber after unloading the substrate to generate a crack in a thin film formed inside the process chamber; (e) decreasing an inside temperature of the process chamber after carrying out the step (d) with the substrate unloaded from the process chamber; and (f) introducing a cleaning gas into the process chamber by supplying the cleaning gas to the gas supply pipe after the step (e) with the substrate unloaded from the process chamber.
US08025729B2 Device and process for heating III-V wafers, and annealed III-V semiconductor single crystal wafer
A device for heat treating (annealing) a III-V semiconductor wafer comprises at least one wafer support unit which is dimensioned such that a cover provided above the wafer surface is either spaced without any distance or with a distance of maximally about 2 mm to the wafer surface. A process for heat treating III-V semiconductor wafers having diameters larger than 100 mm and a dislocation density below 1×104 cm−2 is carried out in the device of the invention. SI GaAs wafers produced have an at least 25% increased characteristic fracture strength (Weibull distribution), an improved radial macroscopic and mesoscopic homogeneity and an improved quality of the mechano-chemically polished surface. The characteristic fracture strength is higher than 1900 MPa.
US08025722B2 Ink jet ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet ink is provided which contains at least a coloring material and a water-soluble organic solvent, where the water-soluble organic solvent contains a branched alkanediol having hydroxyl groups at both terminals of its main chain and at least one of a compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a compound represented by the following general formula (2): R1-[A]-R2  General formula (1)
US08025713B2 Adjustable gas-liquid centrifugal separator and separating method
An adjustable type guide vortex gas-liquid separating apparatus is provided, it comprises a case, a vortex flow guide spiral pipe, a mist eliminator, an adjusting valve and a γ ray phase volume fraction meter. Its separating method is to make the oil-gas-water multiphase flow move in vortex, and thus to realize the gas-liquid separation, then to measure the gas content of the separated liquid phase by using the γ ray phase volume fraction meter and to send out control information as judged by the magnitude of the gas content in the liquid phase, so as to control the opening of the adjusting valve of the gas circuit, thus to achieve adjustment of the gas-liquid separation effects, and to control the gas content of the liquid phase to a certain range.
US08025712B2 In-line salt refining of molten aluminium alloys
The present invention describes an apparatus and a process for in-line substantially continuous degassing of aluminium and/or aluminium alloys, in absence of chlorine and through the injection of at least one metal halide salt that includes a halogen and water and an inert gas, in a transfer trough before casting.
US08025708B2 Liquid separator, particularly oil separator for compressed air systems
The invention relates to a liquid separator, particularly an oil separator for compressed air systems. The liquid separator comprises a housing (15), which can be detachably connected by means of a bayonet-type connector (11) to a counterpart (12).
US08025703B2 Two-part foam hair dye
A two-part foam hair dye having a first agent containing an alkali agent, a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide, and a non-aerosol foamer container, wherein the first agent contains (A), from 0.20 to 2.00 mol/kg of (B), and 0.05 mol/kg or greater of (C1); a total concentration of (C1) and (C2) in the first agent is from 0.16 to 0.50 mol/kg: and a mixture of the first agent and the second agent has a viscosity of from 1 to 300 mPa·s;(A) a water-soluble cationic polymer,(B) an alkali metal ion,(C1) an oxidation dye having a phenolic hydroxyl group, and(C2) an anionic surfactant.
US08025702B2 Two-part hairdye composition
Provided is a two-part hair dye composition, including a first part containing an alkali agent, a second part containing hydrogen peroxide, and a non-aerosol type foamer container for discharging a mixture solution of the first part and the second part as foam, in which the mixture solution contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) 0.1 to 10% by mass of a nonionic surfactant, and (B) 0.1 to 5% by mass of a cationic surfactant, and the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) (content of the component (A)/content of the component (B)) is 1 to 100.
US08025692B2 Stent delivery system
A stent delivery catheter for rapid exchange carries at its distal end a sleeve (12) to surround a self-expanding stent (10) and a tension wire (30) running the length of the catheter to release the stent by proximal withdrawal of the sleeve. A tubular catheter shaft (62) surrounds the tension wire. An inner catheter (44) defines a guidewire lumen (48) with a proximal guidewire exit part (58) at the distal end of the catheter shaft. The inner catheter carries an abutment (32) to restrain the stent from moving proximally when the sleeve is pulled proximally. There is a gap (74) between the abluminal surface of the inner catheter and the luminal surface of the catheter shaft, in which the tension wire is accommodated.
US08025690B2 Perioperative warming method
A method for warming a person perioperatively using a warming device including a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with stacked, separately-inflatable sections includes inflating one of the stacked sections of the convective apparatus to provide comfort warming by convection or inflating another of the stacked sections of the convective apparatus to provide therapeutic warming by convection.
US08025688B2 Apparatus for thermal therapy of prostate gland with ultrasound energy
An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a prostate gland, comprising a support tube having a longitudinal passageway, a power lead channeled through the longitudinal central passageway and an ultrasound crystal disposed around at least part of the support tube. The ultrasound crystal is coupled to the power lead which provides the power to energize the ultrasound crystal and generate ultrasound energy providing thermal therapy to the prostate gland. The ultrasound crystal further includes inactivated portions for reducing ultrasound energy directed to the rectal wall of the patient. A sealant is disposed in contact with the ultrasound crystal allowing vibration necessary for efficient ultrasound energy radiation for the thermal therapy of the prostate gland.
US08025685B2 Bone instrumentation cover or shield
A bone instrumentation cover or shield has a hollow cap or casing for encapsulating projecting parts of instrumentation installed in a bone, and a fastener portion provided at a lower edge of the cap or casing for securing it to the bone or to parts of the instrumentation where it is installed in the bone. The instrumentation shield or cover is designed to provide a medically-safe physical barrier for implantation between projecting parts of bone instrumentation constructs and surrounding bone and soft tissues, in order to minimize local irritation or injury and also serve as a barrier to ingrowth from bone and/or fibrous tissues. The shield or cover can be formed in a variety of forms, from rigid casing, to semi-pliable sheath-like structure, to soft pouch or cinch sack. The cap or casing is readily applied over the instrumentation, then cinched, tied or fastened to the instrumentation or adjacent areas, using a locking toothed edge, suture ties, suture strings, drawstrings and the like. The cover is made of medically safe material, and can come in various sizes or constructed to be pliable, stretchable, or adaptable with slidable, displaceable or pleated panels.
US08025679B2 Method for spinal stabilization using a rod connector
An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes an elongated body portion, a clamp portion depending from the body portion for engaging a spinal rod, the clamp portion defining a deformable clamp body having opposed clamp arms configured for movement between a first position wherein a spinal rod is received between the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body and a second position wherein the spinal rod is securely engaged by the opposed clamp &ms &the clamp body, and structure operatively associated with the clamp body which h configured to effectuate movement of the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body between the first and second positions.
US08025678B2 Interspinous process spacer having tight access offset hooks
An interspinous spacer having a pair of hooks that, upon lateral insertion between opposed spinous process, bear upon the opposed spinous processes.
US08025662B2 Bidirectional reaming cutter
A surgical rotary reamer including a shaft and a cutting head connected to the shaft. The cutting head has a plurality of cutting teeth. At least one cutting tooth has a forward portion, a rearward portion and a mid-portion therebetween. The forward portion has a first cutting edge that cuts in a first rotary direction. The rearward portion has a second cutting edge that cuts in the first rotary direction and/or a second rotary direction. The mid-portion interconnects the forward portion and the rearward portion and includes a recessed portion.
US08025658B2 Adhesive patch systems and methods
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to patches for medical devices. In various embodiments, an adhesive patch of a medical device may have selective areas with adhesive material of varying adhesion strengths. In other embodiments, an adhesive patch of a medical device may include adhesive material that may be activated by a catalyst to increase or decrease the adhesion strength of the adhesive material. In further embodiments, a medical device may include a pierceable membrane containing an agent, the pierceable membrane positioned to be pierced by a needle and to cause some of the agent to be carried to the user-patient.
US08025654B2 Method of identifying a flow set for use with a pump
A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.
US08025651B1 Anti-backflow urinary device
A urinary anti-backflow device is provided which prevents urine from flowing back into the patient's bladder from a urine collection bag. The device comprises a flow tube having an upstream section connectable to an external urinary device secured to a patient and a downstream section connectable to a urine collection bag, a rod within the flow tube, and a stopper which moves along the rod between the downstream and upstream ends of the flow tube. When the upstream section of the flow tube is elevated relative to the downstream section, urine from the patient is free to flow through the flow tube. When the downstream section of the flow tube is elevated relative to the upstream section, urine forces the stopper against the upstream section to prevent backflow.
US08025649B2 Method for use of attachment device and system for corneal irrigating cannula
A cannula support serves in supporting a cannula relative to a non-contact lens assembly and a positioning mechanism for positioning the non-contact lens assembly. The cannula support includes a cannula holder and a gripper disposed relative to the cannula holder. The cannula holder is provided for receiving at least a portion of the cannula. The gripper is adapted to cooperatively engage a portion of one of the non-contact lens assembly and the positioning mechanism.
US08025645B2 Guard for flexible tubing clamp and method of using same
A clamp guard (10,110,210, . . . ) for securing to flexible tubing (50) such as catheters and their extension tubes and about a clamp (60) therealong for housing the clamp at least when the clamp is in a tubing-clamping state, to prevent inadvertent contact of the clamp by a foreign body and undesirable unclamping of the clamp. The clamp guard is removable from around the clamp when desired.
US08025629B2 Wire guide torque device
A wire guide torque device includes a handle member having a proximal end and a distal end wherein a groove extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the handle member for inserting a wire guide. A retaining ring is rotatably disposed on the proximal end of the handle member for securing the wire guide inside the groove along the proximal end of the handle member. A lever is slidably disposed in the distal end of the handle member for securing the wire guide inside the groove along the distal end of the handle member. The device further includes a pin having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is engaged with the lever and the second end is engaged with the handle member.
US08025626B2 Biopsy forceps with hold open jaw feature
Biopsy forceps have a handle located at the proximal end and an end jaw assembly located at the distal end. The handle and jaw assembly are connected by a flexible catheter tube. The handle includes a body portion and an actuator portion that controls the jaw assembly. The actuator is axially displaced relative to the handle body to open and close the pair of opposed jaws. The jaw assembly consists of a housing composed of a first and second portion, which holds the pair of opposed jaws and a distal actuator. The distal actuator is controlled by the handle actuator which controls the jaws positioning. A locking mechanism is attached to the handle actuator and can lock the jaws in an open position. To close the jaws, the locking mechanism can be pushed to its unlocked position and the actuator slid to its back position.
US08025622B2 Systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a medical device to be applied within a patient
The field of the invention relates to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a stent or other medical device within a patient. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, configured to be inserted into a vessel of a patient, an imaging device coupled to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and a console electrically coupled to the imaging device, wherein the console includes a computer-usable medium, electrically coupled to the imaging device, having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process including generating an image of the vessel, and overlay one or more shapes onto the image to provide a visual approximation of the size and position of a medical device to be applied within the patient.
US08025621B2 Medical device with adjustable inner shaft movement
A medical device may include a tube having a first end and a second end, in which the first end can engage an instrument tip, an inner shaft disposed in the tube, a shaft end connected to the inner shaft and which can move lengthwise relative to the tube, a first abutment surface to abut a first shaft end stop of the shaft end, and a second abutment surface to abut a second shaft end stop of the shaft end generally opposite the first shaft end stop of the shaft end, in which the shaft end can slidably move along a length constrained by the abutment of the first shaft end stop against the first abutment surface and the second shaft end stop against the second abutment surface, and in which either one or both of the first abutment surface or the second abutment surface is positionally adjustable relative to the tube.
US08025617B2 Stretching apparatus
The present invention concerns a stretching apparatus that is useful to apply controlled, gradual muscular stretching, and is particularly useful for controlled stretching of the hamstring muscle.
US08025616B1 Vertical twist figure shaping machine
A vertical twist figure shaping machine includes a base, a supporting unit, a tread, a U-shaped element and two handle units. The supporting unit is pivotally supported on the base. The tread is supported on the base. The U-shaped element includes a middle section connected to the supporting unit and two lateral sections extending from the middle section. Each of the handle units includes a bar, a primary handle and an auxiliary handle. The bar is pivotally connected to a related one of the lateral sections of the U-shaped element. The primary handle includes front and rear sections both extending from the bar with an obtuse angle defined between them. The auxiliary handle is transversely connected to the bar in front of the primary handle.
US08025600B2 Endless belt for power transmission
An endless belt for power transmission is capable of efficiently improving the yawing attitude of the elements in a variable pulley. This endless belt for power transmission includes the elements and an annular band-like member for supporting the elements. The endless belt is winched between a pair of variable pulleys. Groove parts extending from the front surface of the belt in the forward movement direction to a predetermined position not reaching to the rear surface of the belt in the forward movement direction are formed in the side surfaces of the elements contacting with the belt sliding surfaces of the variable pulleys.
US08025594B2 Golf ball with single layer core having specific regions of varying hardness
A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends from at least about 2 mm radially from the geometric center to at least about 2 mm from the outer surface. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC1h), the outer core region has a second hardness (OC2h), the intermediate core region has third and fourth hardnesses (IMC3h) and (IMC4h), respectively, such that the third hardness is less than the first and second hardnesses, represented by the relationships (IMC3h)<(IC1h) and (IMC3h)<(OC2h), and the fourth hardness is greater than the first and second hardnesses, represented by the relationships (IMC4h)>(IC1h) and (IMC4h)>(OC2h), and hardness of the outer surface (OSh) is greater than a hardness of the geometric center (GCh), represented by the relationship (OSh)>(GCh) to define a positive hardness gradient.
US08025593B2 Multi-layer-core golf ball having highly-neutralized polymer outer core layer
A golf ball including an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition and having a first surface hardness; a thermoplastic outer core layer having a second surface hardness, an inner surface hardness, and being formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to fully-neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer; an inner cover layer; and an outer cover layer; wherein the first surface hardness is less than the second surface hardness by at least 5 Shore C and less than the inner surface hardness by at least 5 Shore C.
US08025592B2 Golf ball comprising UV-cured non-surface layer
Golf balls including at least one non-surface layer that has been treated with a radiation source to effect a complete cure of the non-surface layer and methods for making same, wherein the radiation-curable non-surface layer includes a polymer component and, optionally, an initiator, a crosslinking agent, or both.
US08025586B2 Golf club
A golf club includes a golf club head including a golf club head including a head body and a pair of balance adjustment portions formed in the head body, a plurality of weights detachably retained in each balance adjustment portion so that a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head is adjusted, the weights serving as balancers and differing from each other in density and mass, and an IC chip accommodating portion which is formed in the head body or one of the balance adjustment portions to house an IC chip which stores information on a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head.
US08025580B2 Shaft for transmitting rotational movements and/or forces
A rotary torque shaft including a tube made of a composite material having a plastic matrix and a metallic tubular insert fixedly mounted around a recessed longitudinal outer surface portion of the tube so as to link the tube mechanically to a functional mechanical assembly which is supported by the insert. The insert has in cross section a non-circular inner surface profile which is complementary in shape to a profile of the outer surface of the tube.
US08025578B2 Wheel hub/universal joint assembly with end teeth
A wheel hub/universal joint assembly having a wheel hub with a wheel flange for connecting a wheel and with a sleeve portion for receiving a wheel bearing. A constant velocity universal joint is provided with an outer joint part, an inner joint part and torque transmitting elements. The outer joint part has a first face toothing with first teeth and wherein the sleeve portion has a second face toothing with second teeth, wherein the two sets of face toothings engage one another for torque transmitting purposes. Clamping means is also provided for axially clamping the wheel hub to the outer joint part, the clamping means being axially supported on the wheel hub and on the outer joint part 22. At least one of the two face toothings is provided such that the first and second teeth, when clamping together the assembly, contact one another first on the radial outside and, as the clamping operation progresses, also on the radial inside.
US08025576B2 Precision ball joint
The joint comprises a ball (4) held between two seats (5 and 6) of the members (1, 2) to be joined, and it further comprises fittings (7, 8) bound to the members (1, 2) respectively, connected together through an intermediate jointed ring (12). A spring (13) maintains the contact between the ball and the seats. A rim (15) of the ring retains the ball (4) in case of disjunction. The ball (4) provides large accuracy in the position of the centre of rotation and the remainder of the joint maintains cohesion of the assembly.
US08025575B2 Constant velocity joint of tripod type
A constant velocity joint for a drive system of a vehicle comprises: a spider trunnion for transmitting torque between first and second shaft of the drive system, the spider trunnion including a spherical outer surface; and a roller assembly operatively attached on the spider trunnion, the roller assembly including an inner roller, an outer roller, and a plurality of needle rollers engaged between the inner and outer rollers, wherein the inner roller includes a tapered outer surface with a taper angle (θt), and the outer roller includes a tapered inner surface with the same taper angle (θt). The taper angle (θt) is preferably in a range from about 0.23° and to about 1.17°, and selected in consideration of both accommodating the inner roller to move without jamming in an entire effective movement range under presence of a maximum joint angle of the drive system, and preventing self separation of the roller assembly by jamming stop between the inner, outer and needle rollers due to the tapered structure of the rollers. The inner roller is preferably configured to have a ratio LL/RR1 in a range from about 0.11 to about 0.20, where LL is a distance from the center of the spider trunnion to a starting edge of the chamfer or recessed area of the inner roller at initial or neutral position thereof, and RR1 is a radius of the spherical surface of the spider trunnion.
US08025573B2 Physical representational objects with digital memory and methods of manufacture and use thereof
A representational object contains a visual representation of a character and a memory tag comprising a digital memory adapted to be read from when inductively powered. The digital memory contains digital content relating to the character represented visually on the representational object. At least a part of the digital content relates to function of the character in a game carried out by a gaming application and comprises executable code for execution in connection with operation of the gaming application.
US08025564B2 Dual-usage bonus point method for gaming machines
A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play on networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a progressive jackpot opportunity and a dual-usage point system. The point system feature allows the player the flexibility to choose to either redeem the points for benefits (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, and the like) or save the points as entries into a progressive prize-related lottery.
US08025556B2 Method of grinding wafer
A method of grinding a wafer, including: a wafer holding step for holding a wafer on a conical holding surface of a chuck table having the holding surface; a rough grinding step for performing rough grinding of the wafer held on the holding surface of the chuck table by positioning a grinding surface of a rough grinding wheel at a predetermined inclination angle relative to the holding surface of said chuck table, and rotating the rough grinding wheel; and a finish grinding step for performing finish grinding of the wafer by positioning a grinding surface of a finish grinding wheel in parallel to the holding surface of the chuck table, and rotating the finish grinding wheel in a grinding region of the grinding wheel in a direction toward the vertex of the contact angle between the grinding surface of the finish grinding wheel and the surface to be ground of the wafer.
US08025554B2 Method of polishing work
In the method of precisely polishing a work, torque of a sun gear and an internal gear are kept constant and a load applied to a carrier is reduced and maintained. The method comprises the steps of: changing a rotational speed of at least one of the sun gear, the internal gear, an upper polishing plate and a lower polishing plate; measuring rotation torque of a driving motor of at least one of the sun gear and the internal gear; detecting the minimum rotation torque measured in the measuring step; and adjusting the rotational speed of at least one of the sun gear, the internal gear, the upper polishing plate and the lower polishing plate so as to make the rotation torque thereof equal to the minimum rotation torque or running rotation torque, the running rotation torque being greater by a prescribed value than the minimum rotation torque.
US08025552B2 Artificial diets for honey bees
The invention is directed to water-dispersible, substantially homogeneous artificial diets and diet formulations which provide honey bees with a fully nutritious, complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins in an easily digestible form. The diets of the invention support growth and development of honey bees, sustain brood rearing, and maintain hive vigor, and thus make possible the continuous rearing of bees using an artificial diet. The invention diets are useful for many purposes, and are particularly advantageous for providing nutrition sources for bees that are moved during commercial crop pollination or for other migratory beekeeping uses.
US08025551B2 Multi-mode three wheeled toy vehicle
A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.
US08025550B2 Nocturnal pet toys
A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. An illumination device, such as luminescent or chemiluminescent coatings or light emitting diodes (LED's) are operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation.
US08025539B2 Connector for biometric belt
A biometric belt connector for electrically connecting an electrode belt to a biometric device to be carried on a human or animal body. The belt connector comprises a back element and a front element configured to engage with each other in a fixed and locked arrangement, fastening in between them an end of an electrode belt, the front element having a substantially circular hole, an electrically conducting wire which forms a loop, such that part of said wire loop is exposed through said hole when the back and front elements are engaged. The wire loop is connected to a conducting element extending from an end of an electrode belt, which conducting element forms part of or is connected to an electrode in the electrode belt. The hole is of suitable dimension to form a female snap button receiver for a male snap fastener on said biometric device.
US08025532B2 Connector and electronic equipment
The invention provides a connector including a shield case having a body containing portion; first and second bodies, contained in the body containing portion and combined; first contacts, embedded in the first body and arranged in a row; and second contacts, embedded in the second body and arranged in a different row. The body containing portion includes a top plate, a bottom plate and a pair of side plates. At least one plate of the top plate, the bottom plate and the side plates is smaller in length than the other plates, and a back surface of the one plate functions as an abutting stop surface on which the first body abuts. A back surface of at least one of the other plates is provided with a lock piece, and the first and second bodies are sandwiched between the abutting stop surface and the lock piece.
US08025527B1 Electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles and method
A method, apparatus and means to address the problem of utilizing two large power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs simultaneously with one duplex power receptacle. The duplex power receptacle has a ground-up and ground-down configuration, such that two conventional large three prong power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs can be used simultaneously. This configuration can be utilized while still maintaining many characteristics of conventional duplex power receptacles such as left and right orientation of neutral and hot conducting busses. By maintaining characteristics of the conventional duplex power receptacle one knowledgeable in the art can install this invention without having to be retrained in a method of installation and a conventional wall outlet box and cover plate will accommodate this invention. Additionally, by maintaining these characteristics users of this invention will not have to learn any new method of using the device.
US08025523B2 Plug-in connector for a printed circuit board
A plug-in connector (1) for printed circuit boards includes a two-part housing and a number of contact elements (10), each of the contact elements (10) having two connection sides. One connection side is designed as a contact for connecting leads and the other connection side is designed as a plug-in contact for a printed circuit board. In addition, the contact element (10) has an interface, which is used to connect overvoltage protection elements. The first housing part (2) is designed with recesses (20, 21), into which double-pole surge voltage protectors (24) are inserted. The contact element (10) has a contact surface (13) that is designed as an interface to a surge voltage protector (24) and projects into the recess (20, 21), contacting a first pole of the surge voltage protector (24). The other pole of the surge voltage protector (24) is contacted by a grounding element.
US08025517B2 Connector with flexible rib interface
One or more saw tooth shaped flexible ribs in between a connector interface provide asymmetric sliding resistance and a one sided sealing effect. The asymmetric sliding resistance provides for low frictional engaging resistance and for a high disengaging resistance of the connector interface. The one sided sealing effect provides in conjunction with an interface cavity for back flow resistance into the cavity during disengagement movement in the interface and for a vacuum effect that assists in opposing the disengagement movement. The flexible ribs may be monolithically fabricated together with the entire housing of the respective connector.
US08025514B1 Shroud to prevent manipulation of a release mechanism of a plug
Apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods are provided for prevention of tampering with cables and associated systems. In one aspect, an anti-tamper adapter is provided that can inhibit or prohibit cable tampering for existing cables. The provided embodiments can economically and flexibly facilitate cable tamper prevention in a wide array of cable technologies.
US08025508B2 Solar panel grounding connector
An electrical connector including a first section adapted to receive a first electrical conductor; a second section, and a rotatable connection between the first and second section. The second section has a channel adapted to receive a portion of a frame of a solar panel. The second section is adapted to spring clip onto the solar panel frame and make an electrical connection therewith. The rotatable connection is adapted to rotate the first section relative to the second section to orient the first electrical conductor at a desired orientation relative to the solar panel.
US08025504B2 Display apparatus for teaching writing
Apparatuses and methods are provided directed at teaching writing, such as printing, cursive, and calligraphy, to users of all ages. Typically, the embodiments are directed toward teaching children the basic skills of writing. However, it may be appreciated that the embodiments may be utilized by users of all ages. In particular, embodiments of the invention can be used to teach the skill of writing and learning letters of the English alphabet to foreigners. Or, embodiments of the invention can be used to teach English speakers various foreign alphabets. For example, embodiments may provide instruction in writing Arabic letters, Greek letters, or Chinese or Japanese characters, to name a few. Additionally, embodiments of the invention may be used to teach artistic forms of writing, such as calligraphy, script, or various fonts.
US08025503B2 One-engine-inoperative training method and system
A method and system of simulating one-engine-inoperative (OEI) conditions in a multi-engine single-output aircraft which involves the operation of the engines above non-zero power settings, and operating each relative to one another to simulate power loss experienced during an actual failure of at least one engine.
US08025499B2 Multi-segment tool and method for composite formation
A multi-segment tool and tooling system for vacuum forming a composite part. A tool can include a first tool having first and second surfaces. A second tool can have an opening positioned on a first tool in a location other than the first surface or the second surface. The first tool and second tool can receive at least a portion of a preform composite. The first tool can have a vacuum barrier attached to the first surface and to the second surface encapsulating the preform composite and the second tool. A tooling system can include a first tool having a core and a base with a core extending upwards from the base. A second tool can be positioned upon the core where the core extends above the second tool. A vacuum barrier sealed to the base and the core can include a composite, the first tool and the second tool.
US08025498B2 Rotary tableting press
The invention relates to a rotary tableting press comprising a rotor, at least one filling station and at least one pressure station as well as lower and upper ram guides. The rotary tableting press has a modular design, such that individual modules are arranged so they can be removed and/or converted within the rotary tableting press for retooling the rotary tableting press from two-layer operation to single-layer operation or vice-versa.
US08025480B1 Wind turbine blades with avian avoidance surfaces
A blade for a wind turbine has a surface with a first color band and a second color band and a third color band thereon in spaced relationship to each other. A luminescent band extends in the space between said first, second and third color bands. The first, second and third color bands are of different colors. The luminescent band extends around a periphery of each of first, second and third color bands. The first color band is a red color. The second color band is a white color. The third color band is a blue color.
US08025473B2 Carrying system, substrate treating device, and carrying method
A carrying system 1 has a carrying path which is laid out in such a manner as to pass through the lower sides of loading table 11 and the like provided at the front face side of treating devices 10, 100, 200, and covered by a cover 5. As the carrying path is positioned below the loading tables, the occupying areas of the loading table 11 and the like and portions of the region of the carrying path are shared so that space saving is achieved, and the accessibility to the treating device 10, 100 or the like from the front side thereof is improved, thereby realizing a layout which facilitates maintenance. A loading surface 11d or the like of the loading table 11 is set to a height which allows a conventional overhead-type carrying system 2 and unmanned carrying vehicle 3 of a floor-type carrying system to load an object on the loading surface, thereby ensuring the co-existence with the other carrying systems.
US08025467B2 Countersinking-carrier nozzle
A countersinking-carrier nozzle has a flat front surface with a central hole via which emerges a countersinking drill, such that said flat front surface establishes a limit to the penetration depth of the countersinking nozzle. The nozzle includes a flexible retainer for the nozzle front surface so that it swivels when making contact with a curved countersinking surface, adapting itself tangentially to it while the headstock presses against the countersinking surface. The flexible retainer is defined by a ball-and-socket joint including a curvo-concave retaining receptacle, with the possibility of swivelling, with a complementary curvo-convex portion provided in the rear part of the flat front surface. This portion projects with respect to the receptacle to allow it to swivel when pressed against the countersinking surface, at which moment the complementary curvo-convex portion of the rear part of the front surface swivels in the receptacle of the headstock.
US08025466B2 Removable countersink bit
A removable countersink bit comprises a body, a flange, at least one clamp, and a plurality of cutting teeth. The removable countersink bit creates countersink holes for receiving manhole fixtures and the like.
US08025457B2 Geocell for load support applications
A geocell is disclosed that has high strength and stiffness, such that the geocell has a storage modulus of 500 MPa or greater at 23° C.; a storage modulus of 150 MPa or greater at 63° C. when measured in the machine direction using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) at a frequency of 1 Hz; a tensile stress at 12% strain of 14.5 MPa or greater at 23° C.; a coefficient of thermal expansion of 120×10−6/° C. or less at 25° C.; and/or a long term design stress of 2.6 MPa or greater. The geocell is suitable for load support applications, especially for reinforcing base courses and/or subbases of roads, pavement, storage areas, and railways.
US08025454B2 Connecting assembly between a shaft journal and a constant velocity universal joint
A connecting assembly comprises a shaft journal with an outer journal groove; a constant velocity universal joint with an inner joint part which, for the purpose of transmitting torque, is connected to the shaft journal in a rotationally fixed way and which comprises a sleeve projection, wherein, in an outer circumferential face of the sleeve projection, there is provided an engagement recess; a securing sleeve for axially fixing the inner joint part relative to the shaft journal; wherein the securing sleeve comprises inner holding portions which engage the journal groove, as well as outer holding portions which engage the at least one engagement recess.
US08025451B2 Tape printer
An antenna 33 is located downstream of a tape transferring direction of a tape discharging port 27 through which a printed label tape 28 of a tape cassette 21 mounted to a cassette housing part 8 is discharged. A reflective sensor 35 that detects a sensor marks 65 provided on the back surface of the printed label tape 28 is arranged at the opposite side of the antenna 33 interposing the printed label tape 28. At the upstream of the antenna 33 and the reflective sensor 35 in the tape transferring direction, a cutter unit 30 for cutting the printed label tape 28 discharged through the tape discharging port 27 of the tape cassette 21 at a predetermined interval is arranged.
US08025450B2 Lens frame, lens assembly and image-taking apparatus
A lens assembly made of porous ceramic is provided with concave sections into which an adhesive for fixing lenses inserted into a lens frame is injected. Each of the concave sections has an outward opening and a spacing wall provided between a hollow part of the lens frame and the opening. The adhesive injected into the concave sections passes through multiple pores in the lens frame made of porous ceramic, and reaches the periphery of each of the lenses, thereby fixing the lenses to an inner wall of the hollow part of the lens frame.
US08025447B2 Apparatus for reducing mirror bounce, photographing apparatus comprising the same, and photographing method for the same
Provided are an image processing device, the operating speed of which is increased by reducing mirror bounce, a photographing apparatus having the same, and a photographing method. The image processing device includes a mirror disposed to revolve with respect to a shaft, a first guide unit disposed in a path of revolution of the mirror to lessen vibration of the mirror when the mirror revolves, and a first elastic unit applying predetermined elastic force onto the first guide unit while being engaged with the first guide unit.
US08025438B2 Electronic clinical thermometer, method of controlling the same, and control program
An electronic clinical thermometer having a low frequency of errors can be implemented. The electronic clinical thermometer for predicting an equilibrium temperature based on a temporal change in the actual measurement value of a temperature at a measurement target detected by a temperature detection element includes an abnormal change detection unit which detects an abnormal change of an actual measurement value from the temperature detection element, and a control unit which controls the start timing of a temporal change in actual measurement value used for derivation of a prediction value when the abnormal change detection unit detects an abnormality.
US08025436B2 Whisk
A whisk comprising: a whisk handle, a bushing fixedly attached to the whisk head end of the whisk handle; at least two generally spiral grooves located on the interior surface; a bushing fixedly attached to whisk head end of the whisk handle; an extension member in rotatable and slideable communication with the whisk handle and the bushing, at least two engagement members extending orthogonally from the extension member and slideably engage with one of the grooves; a spring rod, with a whisk head end and a cap end, located within the extension member; an integral cap located on the cap end of the spring rod; a compression spring, in slideable communication with the spring rod, the whisk head end of the compression head pushing against the whisk head base, the cap end of the compression spring pushing against the integral cap.
US08025434B2 Two-sided illumination device
A two-sided illumination device including a printed wiring board, a first light source and first translucent member connected to a first side of the wiring board, and a second light source and second translucent member connected to a second side of the wiring board. The first translucent member is configured to transfer light from the first light source to a surface of the first translucent member, while the second translucent member is configured to transfer light from the second light source to a surface of the second translucent member. The illumination device is used for illuminating a user input region of an apparatus.
US08025431B1 Cleat with illumination
The cleat includes a bridge supported by first and second columns. Both columns include two wings with bottom support surfaces. A horn is integral with each column and extends away from the bridge. An illumination module cavity with an open top is formed in the bridge. A cavity bottom includes a light aperture that passes through the bridge. An illumination module with a transparent case is pressed into the illumination module. A light emitting diode inside the case directs light downward through the light aperture. A photovoltaic cell array in the top of the case energizes the diode.
US08025429B2 LED illumination lens
An LED illumination lens can guide light from light emitting diodes (LEDs). The incident surface and transmission surface of the lens are a part of an elliptical shape. The present invention makes an optical lens which provides that light is refracted twice by the LED illumination lens, and the output light is more uniform and present a long elliptical output light. The curve surface of the transmission surface is selected from elliptical surfaces, rectangular surfaces, square shape surfaces, round surfaces and rectangular surfaces with a cut corner, and polygonal surfaces. An LED illumination lens serves to refract the light beam from the LED by the incident surface and then disperse by the transmission surface 12 into a slender and long elliptical light beam.
US08025428B2 Assembly of light emitting diodes for lighting applications
An assembly of light emitting diodes for a streetlight or the likes comprises a first board having a first matrix of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted thereon defining a first light projection plane and at least another board having a second matrix of LEDs mounted thereon defining a second light projection plane. The other boards are mounted to the first board so as to define an angle therebetween. The LEDs can be mounted to the boards so as to independently define and angle therewith. They can also be oriented towards privileged directions. The present assembly allows providing a more uniform light distribution.
US08025427B2 Filter device for the compensation of an asymmetric pupil illumination
The invention relates to a filter device for an illumination system, especially for the correction of the illumination of the illuminating pupil, including a light source, with the illumination system being passed through by a bundle of illuminating rays from the light source to an object plane, with the bundle of illuminating rays impinging upon the filter device, including at least one filter element which can be introduced into the beam path of the bundle of illuminating rays, with the filter element including an actuating device, so that the filter element can be brought with the help of the actuating device into the bundle of illuminating rays.
US08025415B2 Projection optical system and image projecting apparatus
A projection optical system including a first optical system configured to form a second image conjugate to a first image and a second optical system configured to include a reflective optical element which reflects light from the second image and to project a third image conjugate to the second image onto a projection surface is provided, wherein the first optical system includes a stop and at least one optical element with a positive refractive power and at least one optical element with a negative refractive power which are provided between the stop and the second image, and an optical element with a strongest positive refractive power in the at least one optical element with a positive refractive power is provided between the stop and an optical element with a strongest negative refractive power in the at least one optical element with a negative refractive power.
US08025414B2 Projector, projected image adjustment method, and program for projecting an image while correcting the shape of the image
A projector includes a projection section which projects a calibration image onto a projection target through a projection panel, a shape determination section which determines a shape of the projection target, a correction target area setting section which sets a correction target area, an aspect ratio calculation section which calculates an aspect ratio of the correction target area, a determination section which determines whether or not a value which indicates a difference between the aspect ratio of the correction target area and a reference aspect ratio satisfies a set condition, and an image generation section which generates an image having the shape of the correction target area on the projection panel when the set condition is satisfied, and generates an image having the reference aspect ratio on the projection panel when the set condition is not satisfied.
US08025410B2 Projection device providing reduced speckle contrast
A projection device includes a diffuser and a light source system. The light source system includes a light source, a dichroic element, an actuator, and a reflector. The light source generates a light beam that is directed to the dichroic element. The dichroic element forms first and second individual light beams from the light beam. The first individual light beam is transmitted to the diffuser. The second individual light beam is reflected from the reflector to the diffuser. The actuator is fixed to the reflector and has a removal frequency exceeding 20 Hz.
US08025406B2 Systems and methods for photoacoustic opthalmoscopy
Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.
US08025404B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring eye tremor
An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.
US08025402B2 Ophthalmic photographing apparatus
To provide an ophthalmic photographing apparatus capable of checking a measurement (photographing) position of a tomographic (cross-sectional) image of a fundus on a front (surface) image of the fundus.The ophthalmic photographing apparatus has a first optical system for obtaining a tomographic image of a fundus by optical coherence tomography using low coherent light, a second optical system for obtaining a visible front image of the fundus, a third optical system for obtaining an infrared front image of the fundus, a monitor, setting means which sets a line for obtaining a two-dimensional tomographic image of the fundus on the infrared front image displayed on the monitor, and control means which establishes a positional correspondence between the infrared front image on which the line is set and the visible front image, and displays a line on the visible front image displayed on the monitor.
US08025398B2 Wearable high resolution audio visual interface
An adjustable visual optical element is provided, which may be supported, for example, by an eyeglass. The optical element is preferably adjustable in each of the X, Y, and Z axes to allow the wearer to optimize projection of the optical element. A view axis of the display is preferably also angularly adjustable with respect to a wearer's straight ahead normal line of sight. Source electronics may be carried onboard the eyeglasses, or may be connectable to the eyeglasses via either a hardwire, optical guide, or radiofrequency link.
US08025387B2 Inkjet printer
A heating lamp unit (40) is mounted on a head carriage (10) of an inkjet printer (1). Since the heating lamp unit (40) is positioned very close to an ink drop, which is discharged from the inkjet head (11) and dropped on a recording medium (30), and that the heating lamp unit can directly harden the ink drop with heat, the ink drop can be efficiently fixed. When the heating lamp unit (40) is arranged very close to the inkjet head (11), there are possibilities of generating clogging of the nozzle of the inkjet head (11) and thermal failure of the inkjet head itself due to heat released from the heating lamp (40). Since the heating lamp unit (40) can be efficiently cooled by a cooling mechanism (50) using heat pipes (51, 52), the inkjet head can be prevented from being heated.
US08025379B2 Ink cartridges
An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, an ink supply portion positioned at the front face of the case, an air intake portion positioned at the case, and a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the case. The ink cartridge also includes a resilient member having a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case and a second end which is coupled to the movable member. The movable and member and the resilient member are positioned outside the case. Moreover, the resilient member is configured to expand and to contract to move the movable member relative to the case between the first position and the second position.
US08025372B2 Ink jet printer
A main ink tank side connector of an inkjet printer moves, with respect to a sub ink tank side connector, between a first positional relationship where the two connectors are connected, and a second positional relationship where the main ink tank side connector is disconnected from the sub ink tank side connector. A wall member surrounds at least a connection portion of the two connectors when they are in the first positional relationship. A breaking portion breaks an ink film formed within an inner space of the wall member. The ink film is formed when the main ink tank side connector moves with respect to the sub ink tank side connector from the first positional relationship to the second positional relationship. The breaking portion breaks the ink film in a state where at least a part of the ink film exists within the wall member.
US08025370B2 Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes: a supply channel member including a plurality of supply channel plates, and the supply channel including supply holes provided through the respective supply channel plates and a supply groove formed by removing part of one of adjacent supply channel plates in terms of the direction of thickness thereof for communicating the respective supply holes; a pressure generating element that provides a pressure to the pressure generating chamber; a supply communication channel that connects a storage unit having the liquid stored therein and a reservoir, the supply communication channel being formed through a pressure chamber plate and the supply channel member in the direction of thickness thereof, the supply channel plates having the supply groove being formed with a recess having the substantially same depth as the supply groove at an area corresponding to the supply communication channel; and a filter unit having a plurality of filter holes provided on the bottom of the recess.
US08025354B2 Sensing objects for printing
A printing apparatus including a conveyor capable of moving an object in a process direction, a drop ejection device, a sensor array that substantially spans the conveyor in a cross-process direction that is perpendicular to the process direction, the sensor array being configured to detect a position of the object in the process direction and cross-process direction, and a controller configured to receive position data about the object from the sensor array and to cause the drop ejection device to deposit fluid droplets on the object based on the position of the object on the conveyor.
US08025353B2 Process and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with an embedded waveform
Described herein is a process and apparatus for driving a droplet ejection device with embedded multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, the process includes generating a multi-pulse waveform that includes drive pulses in predetermined positions. Next, the process includes applying the drive pulses to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a first droplet of a fluid. The process also includes applying a second multi-pulse waveform having at least one embedded pulse to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a second droplet of the fluid. Each embedded pulse is embedded between predetermined positions of two drive pulses. In some embodiments, the first and second droplets have different droplet sizes and these droplets are ejected at substantially the same effective drop velocity.
US08025349B2 Refrigerator with door opening device
A refrigerator allowing a user to easily open a door of a refrigerator with less force, including a main body having an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment, a door sliding to open and close any of the storage compartments, a handle vertically rotatable relative to the door, a plurality of push members moving to advanced positions from retreated positions by the vertical rotation of the handle to separate the door from the main body, and an elastic member between at least one of the push members and the door to restore the push members to the retreated positions when an external force is removed from the handle.
US08025329B1 Collapsible airfoil for trucks and trailers
The purpose of the device is to minimize drag and turbulence otherwise occurring at the rear of a semi trailer, in order to reduced the consumption of fuel by a semi tractor. This is accomplished using directionally flexible sheets of composite material, which create contours that taper towards a terminating edge to form a teardrop shape, as established by panels attached to the top and bottom of either door. Along the trailing edge of the main body, another vertical panel known as a wake separator maintains separation between confliction columns of air. An additional wake separator attached to the bottom of the device performs a similar function, and will facilitate collapse in the event of a collision.
US08025314B2 Medication packaging and labeling system
Method for generating a label for a medication in which information about the medication is obtained and printed on the label in a hierarchical manner with more important information in a more prominent location or more prominent type relative to other less important information. The information may be divided into primary information and secondary information with the primary information being placed on the label before the secondary information. The label may be used in a container having a curved front wall, a planar rear wall, a substantially planar bottom wall and a cap engaging with the front and rear walls to seal the container. The rear wall is constructed with a device for removably received an information card containing information relating to the medication.
US08025307B2 Anti-sway trailer hitch devices
The present disclosure relates trailer hitch devices for towing a trailer behind a vehicle. The present disclosure provides a hitch and associated structures which provide an anti-sway function. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an anti-sway trailer hitch including an anti-sway device for the hitch, wherein the anti-sway device includes: a sway bar attachment member having a cammed surface; and a sway controller having a bias mechanism adapted to bias a travel axis of the trailer toward a travel axis of the towing vehicle through an interaction between the cammed surface of the sway bar attachment member and the bias mechanism.
US08025296B2 Shaft sealing mechanism
In a shaft sealing mechanism which prevents fluid from flowing in an axial direction of a rotor through an annular gap between the rotor and a stator, there are provided a high pressure side plate positioned on a high pressure side region of a plurality of sheets, and a low pressure side plate positioned on a low pressure side region of the plurality of sheets, and construction is such that in a state in which the plurality of sheets is fixed on a stator side, and when under gas pressure, the sheets make contact with each other.
US08025293B1 Air hockey table
Air hockey tables are disclosed herein. An embodiment of an air hockey table comprises a playing surface bounded by at least three sides; a plurality of air paths extending through the playing surface, wherein air is emittable by the plurality of air paths, and wherein a puck is at least partially floatable on air that is emittable by the plurality of air paths; and at least one opening proximate each of three of the sides, the openings being sized to receive the puck.
US08025291B2 Signature velocity reduction device and method
An apparatus for decelerating a signature comprises a movable belt arrangement, and a motor coupled to the movable belt arrangement for controllably moving the movable belt arrangement through a cyclical velocity profile. The movable belt arrangement is moved through a signature engaging section with the cyclical velocity profile causing the motor to decelerate the movable belt arrangement from a first speed to a second speed while engaging a signature in the signature engaging section. The signature enters the signature engaging section at the first speed, and leaves the signature engaging section at the second speed, lower than the first speed. The cyclical velocity profile causes the movable belt arrangement to accelerate upon the signature leaving the signature engaging section, back to the first speed, prior to a next signature entering the signature engaging section.
US08025281B2 Sheet post-finishing apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same
In a sheet post-finishing apparatus, a stapling device conducts a saddle stitching process on a bundle of sheets, based on an instruction signal; a sheet guide member, mounted on the stapling device, faces a surface of a sheet to be stacked on a sheet stacking section; a stapling device moving section allows the stapling device to move along a line dividing the sheet into two equal portions, perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction; and a control section controls the stapling device to stand by above a lateral center of the sheet to be conveyed to the stapling device, while the sheets are stacked as the bundle of sheets, and after the bundle of sheets is formed, the control section controls the stapling device to sequentially move to predetermined plural positions, whereby said control section sends the instruction signal to the stapling device which was stopped at the predetermined positions.
US08025278B2 Method and apparatus for fabricating a plurality of turbine components
A method for fabricating a plurality of turbine components is provided. The method includes removably coupling at least one tab to a plate, wherein the at least one tab and the plate each include a plurality of apertures extending therein. The at least one tab is removably coupled to a first turbine component, and a tool is removably coupled to the plate such that the plate and the at least one tab substantially align the tool with respect to the first turbine component. The method further includes performing a fabrication operation on the first turbine component. The at least one tab is re-oriented with respect to the plate, and the at least one tab is removably coupled to a second turbine component. The tool is removably coupled to the plate such that the plate and the at least one tab substantially align the tool with respect to the second turbine component, and a fabrication operation is performed on the second turbine component.
US08025275B2 Single hand operated ratchet clamp
A single hand operated ratchet clamp comprises a finger ring lever and a typical ratchet clamp having a slide rail, a sliding arm, a fixed arm, and a lever element with pressure plate. The finger ring lever is pivoted to the free end of the lever element so that the ratchet clamp can be operated with one hand only.
US08025274B2 Insert bearing part, elastomeric insert bearing and shock strut bearing assembly
In an insert bearing part for combining with another insert bearing part structured the same or similar to form an elastomeric insert bearing there is provided a surrounding outer shell featuring a radial portion and an axial portion, an elastomeric body surrounded by the outer shell and a rigid core with an axial throughway for securing the insert bearing, said core protruding axially beyond the axial portion such that when locating the insert bearing part on the other insert bearing part structured the same or similar, the insert bearing parts contact each other substantially at the radial level of the core in forming an axial spacing between opposing axial portions of the insert bearing parts so that the elastomeric body is compressed by the insert bearing parts being brought together.
US08025272B2 Air spring and damper unit having a pilot-controlled main valve
An air spring and damper unit for vehicles has, as operating spaces, at least two pressure spaces filled with compressed air and connected to one another via flow channels. The pressure spaces have movable walls in the form of rolling bellows or folding bellows, wherein a pilot-controlled main valve which can be loaded with a control pressure on the low-pressure side is configured at least in one flow direction in a first flow channel.
US08025271B2 Directed-flow conduit
Device including channel having channel input and output. Channel has interior channel surface extending along channel path from channel input to output. In one implementation, channel includes plurality of channel sections in serial communication along channel path. Each of channel sections includes first internal circumference spaced apart along channel path from second internal circumference, in each of channel sections the first and second internal circumferences being substantially different. Each of channel sections includes sub-surface of interior channel surface. At least region of sub-surface of each channel section includes distribution of raised micro-scale features. As another implementation, at least first region of interior channel surface includes distribution of raised micro-scale features interrupted by plurality of raised barriers spaced apart along channel path on interior channel surface. Each raised barrier extends on interior channel surface in directions partially transverse to and partially parallel to longitudinal axis. Method also provided.
US08025258B2 Electrical wire bracket device
An electrical wire bracket including a body having an open loop and at least one mounting foot coupled to the body. The bracket also includes at least one hole through the at least one mounting foot for securing the bracket to a mounting surface. A user can pull electrical wire through the open loop of the body and then allow the body to support the electrical wire.
US08025257B2 Actuation system for a lift assisting device and roller bearings used therein
An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a wing of an aircraft, is presented. The actuation system includes a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device, a shaft rotating in response to flight control signals to deploy or retract the lift assisting device, means for actuating the lift assisting device between a retracted position and a deployed position along an arcuate path, a plurality of track roller bearings and a plurality of side roller bearings. The roller bearings rotatably contact the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The track roller bearings are comprised of an outer ring, a split inner ring and liners disposed between bearing surfaces of the outer and the inner rings. The split inner ring is configured for accommodating deflection and bending of a mounting pin coupling the track roller bearing in proximity to the track.
US08025248B1 Turbine for material comminutor
The invention is a detachable “blade foil” system for comminuting machines which employ a rotating turbine. The turbine blades are each endowed with a detachable leading edge which is shaped in an air foil configuration. These “blade foils” are penetrated by a vent chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port. The vent chambers aid in drying input material that is processed by a comminuting machine and also aid in reducing sound from the turbine. The configuration of the inventive blade foils also vary to aid in material drying. The configuration of the blade foils also define the level of particle size attributed to the processed output material. Hence by selecting particular blade foil configurations the operator can achieve different levels of material drying and differing output particle sizings.
US08025228B2 RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags
A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms.
US08025227B2 Access to distributed databases via pointer stored in RFID tag
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in a data management scheme that combines both distributed as well as a hierarchical (object-oriented) data management structure. The hierarchical databases will store data records such that each or selected entities of the record will be associated with a pointer that can be written into an RFID tag of an item as the item progresses through manufacturing, production, transportation, and consumer user, for example. Thereafter, once the RFID tag is read, the pointer information can be processed to directly access the data in the database associated with the pointer.
US08025225B2 Merchandise registration processing system
When obtaining an ID code from a user who holds out an arm to a corresponding merchandise in a noncontact manner, respective information terminal devices accept a registration input of the corresponding merchandise. When accepting the registration input of the corresponding merchandise, registration merchandise information including obtained user identification information and merchandise identification information for identifying the merchandise corresponding to the information terminal device is transmitted to a server device. The server device stores and manages merchandise sales information for the respective ID codes from the registration merchandise information received from the respective information terminal devices. When the ID code is input from a settlement device, the merchandise sales information corresponding to the ID code is transmitted to the settlement device. The settlement device performs the settlement processing based on the merchandise sales information received from the server device.
US08025223B2 System and method for mass transit merchant payment
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument.
US08025208B2 Bulk container for liquid and semi-liquid fluid
A bulk container for storing, shipping and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid fluids comprises a bin having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. The sidewall comprises a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels extending at an angle with respect to one another. A lid is covering the open top of the bin and having a discharge opening therethrough adjacent one side edge thereof. A fluid-containing bag is supported in the bin and a discharge valve is on an upper end of the bag where the discharge valve is positioned to extend through the discharge opening. Valve support means in an upper end of the bin for supporting and holding the discharge valve in position to extend through the discharge opening, the valve support means having a valve support opening therethrough with an elongate generally keyhole shape that is wide at one end and narrow at the other end, the narrow end being aligned with the discharge opening through the lid, the discharge valve being received through the narrow end of the valve support opening, and locking means engaged with the discharge valve to hold it in the narrow end of the valve support opening.
US08025206B2 Bulk container for liquid and semi-liquid fluid
A bulk container for fluid materials comprises a bin having a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels, a closed bottom, and an open top. A rim around the top of the bin defines a downwardly facing shoulder. A lid covers the open top and has elongated depending skirt panels extending downwardly past the shoulder. A clamping band is tightened around the lid skirt below the shoulder to secure the lid to the bin. Notches in an outer surface of the rim receive bendable locking strips on the lid skirt to lock the lid in position on the bin, and locking tongues on a first skirt panel are engageable in respective locking slots in an adjacent second skirt panel to hold the skirt panels in their operative downwardly folded positions. A tray and liner insert may be positioned in the bin, and a fluid-containing bag may be placed in the liner.
US08025205B2 Electronic component mounting method
By an electronic component mounting method for electrically connecting bumps to board electrodes, in a contact process for placing a thermosetting resin in a liquid glob state on the board surface and bringing the lower surface of the electronic component into contact with the thermosetting resin, the bumps are pressurized against the electrodes in positional alignment in a liquid glob distribution state where one portion of the liquid glob is arranged inside an electronic component mounting region and a remaining portion greater in liquid measure than the one portion is arranged outside the electronic component mounting region. The thermosetting resin enters into a gap between the electronic component and the board by capillarity in a thermocompression bonding process. This prevents voids occurring in the sealing resin, reinforces bonded portions of bumps and electrodes with thermally cured thermosetting resin, thereby preventing bonded portion breakage due to thermal stress generated during cooling.
US08025185B1 One-gallon hot and cold water dispenser and associated method
A hot and cold water dispenser includes a base unit that has an open top end and a closed bottom end respectively. The base unit is formed from rigid material such that the base unit maintains a fixed shape when a traditional one gallon, square shaped bottle typically sold at supermarkets and other retail outlets (referred throughout the patent application as an “existing one-gallon water bottle”) is positioned therein. A mechanism heats and cools water contained within the base unit, and is housed within the base unit. A mechanism dispenses the heated and cooled water, and is housed within the base unit and directly connected to the heating and cooling mechanism.
US08025178B2 Drinking vessel
According to the invention a drinking vessel (10) comprises a generally cylindrical container (11) adapted to contain liquid and a generally cylindrical lid (12) adapted to close the container. The lid comprises a generally cylindrical outer member (20), a generally cylindrical inner member (22) located within the outer member so as to define a generally cylindrical aperture (50) between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member, and a generally cylindrical sealing element (21) located in the aperture. The sealing element normally forms a seal between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member but is deformable by suction at the end of the aperture remote from the container so as to cause liquid within the container to flow, from the end of the aperture adjacent to the container, out through the aperture under the action of the suction.
US08025165B2 Document storage rack conversion apparatus
A rack conversion system mounts to an existing storage rack and includes lateral tracks for side to side movement of forward bins and longitudinal tracks for front to rear movement of rear bins. The bins are sized to efficiently store a particular item, for example, paper files. The forward bins are movable side to side along the lateral tracks and reside in front of the rear bin. The rear bins are moveable front to rear along the longitudinal tracks and are normally positioned to the rear to allow the side to side movement of the forward bins. The lateral tracks are preferably mounted below the forward bins and do not interfere with the movement of the rear bins, and the longitudinal tracks are preferably mounted above the rear bins and do not interfere with movement of the forward bins.
US08025162B2 Product management display system
A product management display system for merchandising both larger and heavier products includes using a pusher mechanism along with one or more roller assemblies that, in combination, improve the merchandising of products on the shelves, especially on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the product management display system includes a pusher mechanism configured to urge product forward and toward the front of the shelf. At least one roller assembly is positioned beneath the product to be merchandised to assist the pusher mechanism in urging the product toward the front of the shelf.
US08025161B2 Laminated glass rack, and/or method of making and/or shipping laminated glass panels using the same
Certain example embodiments relate to glass racks that are suitable for both autoclaving and shipping. In certain example embodiments, a glass rack may include a metal base having a grooved bottom connected thereto and a metal upright support substantially parallel to the base. The upright support may include a plurality of fingers covered in a protective material (e.g., rubber tubing) that extend therefrom. The spaces between the fingers may correspond with grooves of the grooved bottom, thereby cooperating to accommodate a plurality of panels (e.g., assemblies prior to autoclaving, laminated glass panels formed by autoclaving, etc.). The grooved bottom may be connected to the base so as to allow for expansion and/or contraction of the metal base relative to the grooved bottom. The rack, as a whole, may be capable of withstanding the temperature and pressure conditions of an autoclave, while also providing sufficient protection for the panels during shipping.
US08025158B2 High molecular weight poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and process therefor
A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a high molecular weight and a reduced content of low molecular weight species can be prepared by a method that includes specific conditions for the oxidative polymerization, chelation, and isolation steps. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) is particularly useful for the fabrication of fluid separation membranes.
US08025154B2 Screen panel fastener and fastening arrangement
The invention provides a fastener (10) for a screen panel (20), the fastener including a base section (12) at least two outer engagement means (14) extending from opposite side zones of the base section, the two outer engagement means at least partially opposing one another; and at least one inner engagement means (16) located between the outer engagement means; the inner and outer engagement means including retaining formations (14.2, 16.2) adapted to engage a complementary receiving formation in a screen panel (20) in a snap fit configuration.
US08025151B1 Card support system
A primary sheet has a rearward section in a planar configuration and a vertical orientation. The primary sheet has a forward section. The primary sheet is fabricated of an opaque, relatively stiff, paper based material. A horizontal surface has an opening and a horizontal support between the opening and the rearward section. The horizontal support is adapted to receive and support cards. A decorative toy is positioned in the opening. Written indicia are provided on the primary sheet. The written indicia are adapted to be readily seen and read in the vicinity. In this manner customers are attracted.
US08025140B2 Material processing apparatus comprising a conveyor
A material processing apparatus comprises a conveyor that is rotatable in vertical direction around a horizontal axis that is situated in an element rotatable in horizontal direction relative to the apparatus. The element is articulated to the apparatus at a main point of articulation, and at a point remote from the main point of articulation, articulated to a variable length element which in turn is articulated to the apparatus, and the element is connected to an actuator causing the horizontal rotational movement of the element together with the conveyor, defined by said main point of articulation.
US08025138B2 Multi-plate clutch system
A multi-plate clutch system includes an outer clutch member having a plurality of first clutch plates thereon, a central spool having a plurality of second clutch plates thereon interspaced with the first clutch plates. The clutch system also includes a cam mechanism including a protruding cam and a recessed cam. The protruding cam and the recessed cam respectively include first inclined faces and second inclined faces, which are inclined in the same direction with respect to the circumferential direction. The protruding cam is thus brought into a point contact with the recessed cam during clutch engagement. As such, the multi-plate clutch system can maintain constant variable characteristics of the clutch capacity even when there is a variation in processing accuracy at the time of the production.
US08025132B2 System and method for removing brake dust and other pollutants
Systems and methods for capturing pollutants from braking mechanisms are provided. The systems can include a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing. A method can include providing the a providing a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing, creating a first air flow using the forward motion of the vehicle to move the pollutants from said housing to said collector, and capturing the brake dust in said collector.
US08025130B2 Roller disk brake for a winch
A power device includes a motor, a drive shaft, and a roller brake system including a cam mechanism. The motor may put out a driving torque in a first and a second rotary direction. The cam mechanism includes first and second cam members. The first cam member may be in a driven engagement with the motor and the second cam member may be slidably engaged with the first cam member and coupled to the drive shaft. The first cam member includes a circumferentially disposed ramped surface having a stop member at a first end thereof. The said second cam member is axially and rotatably fixed with the drive shaft and includes an axially extending protrusion disposed about a circumference thereof and slidably engaged with the ramped surface.
US08025129B2 Overrunning clutch parking brake actuator
Parking brake actuator is an overrunning single directional clutch which provides for infinite locking positions.
US08025122B2 Acoustically treated exhaust centerbody for jet engines and associated methods
An acoustically treated exhaust centerbody comprising a body including a body fore portion and a body aft portion. An internal passageway extends through the body in the axial direction. A resonator in the body fore portion includes a plurality of acoustic chambers. A plurality of ribs in the resonator form fore/aft walls of the acoustic chambers. Each rib is shaped substantially as a section of an annulus. A plurality of radial fins extend between adjacent ribs. The fins form sidewalls of the acoustic chambers. A skin overlies the acoustic chambers and forms an outer surface of the resonator.
US08025121B2 Tube structure for exhaust component
A vehicle exhaust component includes an outer shell defining an internal cavity, at least one baffle located within the internal cavity, and at least one tube supported by the baffle. The baffle is fixed to the outer shell and includes at least one opening. The tube has first and second tube ends with one of the first and second tube ends being supported within the opening in the baffle. At least one slot is formed within the one of the first and second tube ends at the at least one opening. The slot facilitates noise reduction during cool down of the vehicle exhaust component.
US08025119B2 Seat assembly with ignition switch and switch actuator
A seat includes a seat frame and a resilient web supported by the seat frame. The web is adapted for movement between an at rest condition in which no operator is seated on the seat, and a deflected condition in which the web is deflected with respect to the frame in response to an operator seated on the seat. A switch actuator is mounted to the web and is movable between a non-actuating position when the web is in the at rest condition and an actuating position when the web is in the deflected condition. A switch is mounted to the frame, the switch includes first and second parts movable with respect to each other to open and close an electrical circuit in response to the switch actuator moving between the non-actuating and actuating positions. A distal end of the switch actuator engages the switch at least when the switch actuator is in the actuating position.
US08025109B2 Method for establishing the positions of a transmitter and detector in a region
A method is described for tracking the position, orientation and/or guiding a transmitter as it moves through the ground in a region. The transmitter transmits an electromagnetic locating signal received by a detector. The detector, with the transmitter at a start position, receives the signal to produce a first set of electromagnetic data. The transmitter moves to a second position. The detector receives the signal with the transmitter at the second position to produce a second set of electromagnetic data. Absolute positions of the detector and the transmitter are determined within the region using certain information including the first and second sets of electromagnetic data.
US08025104B2 Method and apparatus for delayed flow or pressure change in wells
Degradable polylactic or polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers may be used to viscosify aqueous fluids for use in wells, Sand control screen or liner can be coated with a solid degradable polymer during placement in a well. Mechanical changes or flow changes in a well can be caused by solid degradable polymer that changes physical properties after it is placed in a well. Parts of devices or entire devices can be made of solid degradable polymer that converts to a fluid after selected times in an aqueous environment in a well.
US08025095B2 Heat exchanger
Disclosed is a heat exchanger, particularly an exhaust gas heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing jacket that is open at both ends, and a tube bundle which is inserted into said housing jacket and is penetrated by the hot exhaust gas. The aim of the invention is to produce said heat exchanger in an inexpensive and functionally safe manner. Said aim is achieved by the fact that only the tube bundle with the tube bottoms thereof, which are located on the front side, are made of metal while the housing jacket into which the tube bundle is inserted along with the tube bottoms is made of plastic. The dimensions of the transition between at least the tube bottom that is impinged upon by the hot medium entering the tube bundle on the feeding side are selected in such a way in the direction of the housing jacket that a drop in temperature that is sufficiently great regarding the thermal resistance of the plastic is definitely obtained all the way to the contact area on the housing jacket.
US08025093B2 Process for manufacturing cast aluminum alloy plate
A twin-roll continuous casting method that controls occurrence of casting defects in a center part of plate thickness, for Al—Mg series aluminum alloy, a material featuring a wide temperature range for solid and liquid phases coexistence. In the method of manufacturing an Al—Mg series aluminum alloy cast plate, the plate contains Mg in a predetermined amount and has a relatively thick plate size, while casting is performed by a twin-roll type continuous casting method. Twin rolls have a roll diameter, and the rolls have a circumferential velocity. The circumferential length from points where molten metal starts contact with the rolls to kiss points is a solidification distance, and the roll gap at the kiss points is equal to the thickness of the cast plate. Specific relations among the above factors are maintained, and the continuous casting operation is carried out while satisfying such relations.
US08025078B2 Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine
A valve operating device includes a mounting for attachment to a vehicle and an elongate arm, the free end of which is only moveable in a plane parallel to the ground. The joints of the arm pivot around vertical axes and the arm is locked into a desired orientation by a brake at each joint. A valve turning machine is at the free end of the arm. The brakes are engaged and released by a control on the valve turning machine.
US08025064B2 Methods for attenuating pressure waves in a patient's eye
Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration. The attenuation device is introduced into a treatment site. In one embodiment, the treatment site is a patient's eye. The volume of the attenuation devices changes in response to pressure changes in the treatment site and attenuates pressure changes in the eye.
US08025052B2 System and method of monitoring respiratory events
A system and method of monitoring a patient, that in one embodiment, comprises determining a flow of gas generated by respiration of the patient, identifying a respiratory event entry and a respiratory event exit based on the flow of gas generated by respiration of the patient, and identifying a respiratory event when the identification of the respiratory event entry is followed by the identification of respiratory event exit.
US08025049B2 High efficiency furnace having a blower housing with an enlarged air outlet opening
An air distribution blower housing for a furnace is designed with an enlarged air outlet opening that slows down and spreads out the air flow from the blower housing over a greater area of the furnace heat exchanger. The blower housing thereby enables less air pressure drop through the heat exchanger, which increases the efficiency of the blower motor operation. The design of the blower housing also efficiently turns the velocity head of the air flow through the housing to usable static air pressure at the housing air outlet. The enlarged air outlet opening of the blower housing is achieved without increasing the exterior diameter dimensions of the blower housing by utilizing a volute outer wall of the blower housing that has an exponentially increasing expansion angle in the direction of air flow through the blower housing.
US08025046B2 System and method for facilitating homogeneous charge compression ignition
A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.
US08025042B2 Intake flow control device for internal combustion engine
An intake flow control device includes valve units, a drive shaft, and an actuator. The valve unit includes a housing defining an intake passage therein. A valve shaft is supported between side walls of the housing. The drive shaft connects and drives the valve shafts. The actuator is directly connected to the drive shaft so as to drive a valve mounted to the valve shaft to open or close the intake passage. The valve has a width defined between side ends of the valve, which is larger than a width defined between side walls of the intake passage located at an upstream side of the valve.
US08025032B2 Animal training device
A dog training device may include a base with a first cross member slidably connected to the base and a second cross member slidably connected to the base. A first set of pedestals may be slidably connected to the first cross member and a second set of pedestals may be slidably connected to the second cross member. Advantageously, the distances between the cross members and the pedestals may be adjusted so that the dog training device may be used with dogs of various shapes and sizes. In addition, the base, cross members and pedestals may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected, which may facilitate transportation and storage of the device. The base, cross members and pedestals may also be securely interconnected to provide a stable and steady dog training device.
US08025029B2 Automatic dairy animal milker unit backflusher and teat dip applicator system and method
A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.
US08025022B1 Painting device
A painting device for applying a paint product and that includes a frame with a handle end and a support end and that has one and another sides. The one side of the support end of the frame includes spaced apart flanges that retain therebetween a paint roller and the another side of the support end of the frame includes a wall member and opposed end wall surfaces that together retain a paint pad device.
US08025021B2 Submersible vehicle
A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. The vehicle further comprising means for rolling the vehicle about the hull axis. A buoyancy control system may be provided, and the outer hull may be swept with respect to the hull axis. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.
US08025009B2 Industrial printer with cutter and dryer modules
An industrial printer includes a frame; a cabinet defining a media path; a pagewidth printhead arranged on the frame for printing images on blank web media; pilot guides for guiding the blank web media fed from cartridges via the media path past the pagewidth printhead to facilitate printing; a dryer module configured to operatively dry the printed web media; and a cutter module for cutting the printed web media before the printed web media is fed into a container for storing the web media in a roll. The cutter module includes a frame having end plates, and a pair of entry rollers and a pair of exit rollers serving as a transport mechanism for the web media through the module. The cutter module further includes a slitter gang composed of a plurality of slitters each having a plurality of blades, the slitter gang being located between the end plates. The dryer module includes a plenum defined vertically downward through the cabinet for supplying air received from a top of the plenum to the media path.
US08025004B2 Transparent ceramic composite
A ceramic composite and method of making are provided. The ceramic composite is transparent and serves as transparent armor. The composite provides adequate protection from projectiles while exhibiting large surface areas and relatively low areal densities.
US08024998B1 Locking pliers for being one-handed adjustable, clampable, and releasable
Locking pliers for being one-handed adjustable, clampable, and releasable. The locking pliers includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, a first apparatus for moving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion a desired amount in order to clamp a workpiece using only one hand, and a second apparatus for releasing the movable portion from the fixed portion in order to release the workpiece using only the one hand. The movable portion is movably connected to the fixed portion. The first apparatus is operatively connected to the fixed portion. The second apparatus is operatively connected to the movable portion.
US08024997B2 Coupling mechanisms for detachably engaging tool attachments
Coupling mechanisms for engaging and releasing a tool attachment such as a socket from a drive element include an engaging element and an actuating element. The actuating element can include a collar or other manually-accessible part, and various features allow for a relatively small outside diameter for the collar or other part. These features include configuring the actuating element to contact the engaging element within the drive element, placing the biasing elements within the drive element, and forming guides for parts of the actuating element within the drive element Also, the engaging element can move along a direction that is oriented at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the drive element, in whole or in part. The engaging element can have a first part that moves obliquely in the drive element and a second part that moves radially in the drive element to engage the tool attachment.
US08024993B2 Bicycle component and method for manufacturing such a component
A bicycle component is provided comprising an elongated body consisting of structural fibers incorporated in a matrix of polymeric material and having, in an end part thereof, a seat for the mechanical coupling of the component with an element of the bicycle. Also provided in the zone between the seat and the end of the body is a continuous layer of structural fibers which surround the seat and which ensure mechanical continuity in the aforementioned zone. The central part of the component comprises at least one first layer formed of continuous structural fibers incorporated in a matrix of polymeric material and at least one second layer formed of small pieces of structural fibers incorporated in a matrix of polymeric material and arranged randomly inside the layer, such layers overlapping each other.
US08024991B2 Actuator for seat adjusting devices
An actuator, especially for seat adjusting devices with at least one electrical engine having subordinated reduction gear and a disconnecting device for manual operation. The generic actuator is provided with a disconnecting device that can be used in all operating processes in a large number of different applications and that guarantees reliable functioning of the disconnecting device without being over-dimensioned and thus uneconomical. The disconnecting device has a coupling insertion spring which determines the release force of the disconnecting device and a reset spring is provided which resets an actuating device.
US08024984B2 Device and method for testing decoking tools
A device for testing decoking tools comprises means 30 for receiving the decoking tool 31 which can be connected to a high-pressure water conduit, as well as means for testing the water jet which exits from a nozzle of the decoking tool 31 following the opening of the high-pressure water conduit. It is possible to test, measure and analyse the high-pressure water jet exiting from the nozzle by means of this testing device in order to optimize the performance of the decoking tool on the basis of the results of this examination. According to the method of the invention the high-pressure water jet generated by means of the nozzles of the decoking tool is exposed to means for testing the high-pressure water jet.
US08024974B2 Cantilevered bioacoustic sensor and method using same
A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use of the sensor. An anchoring arrangement is defined on the housing. A transducer member has an anchoring end and at least one free end. The anchoring end of the transducer is coupled to the housing such that the transducer member is arranged to be preferentially sensitive to bioacoustic energy transferred to the transducer via the interfacing portion relative to other portions of the housing.
US08024970B2 Passive humidity sensors and methods for temperature adjusted humidity sensing
A humidity sensor having temperature sensing includes a substrate and a RLC (damped resonant) circuit formed in or on the substrate. The RLC circuit comprises a capacitor having a first and a second electrically conductive plate and a moisture sensitive dielectric interposed between the first and second plate. An RL network comprising an inductor and a resistor is coupled to the capacitor and comprises a high relative temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) portion formed from a first material which is coupled to a low relative TCR portion formed from a second material different from the first material. The RLC circuit can be a series RLC circuit. In another embodiment, the RLC circuit can comprises a parallel RLC circuit.
US08024966B2 Test setup for a high-speed-torpedo defense system
A test system that is capable of evaluating the effectiveness of a weapons system designed to defeat an incoming, fast-moving, underwater munition is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, an extremely large tubular sheath is inflated underwater. The sheath is maintained at a depth and inclination that is appropriate for an incoming torpedo. An inert projectile is launched or flown inside the sheath at a speed that is consistent with the speed of munition that the weapons system is intended to defeat.
US08024964B2 Method and system to determine composition of fuel entering combustor
Disclosed is a method and system for determining composition of a fuel entering a combustor. The method includes determining a temperature of the fuel entering the combustor, calculating a first estimated total fuel flow utilizing fuel properties and fuel nozzle effective area (Ae), and calculating a second estimated total fuel flow utilizing an aero-thermal cycle model analysis. The first estimated total fuel flow is compared to the second estimated total fuel flow and a lower heating value of the fuel is determined from a difference between the first estimated total fuel flow and the second estimated total fuel flow. A method and system for controlling a gas turbine includes calculating effects of the fuel composition on performance of the gas turbine and comparing one or more performance parameters to one or more parameter limits. One or more machine controls of the gas turbine are changed based on the results of the comparison.
US08024959B2 Gas sensor and gas detection method
A gas sensor contains such a dielectric substance having a domain boundary formed between domains with different polarization directions. When a gaseous molecule is adsorbed to the dielectric substance, a transient current is generated due to displacement of the domain boundary under an applied voltage. The adsorbed gaseous molecule is detected by measuring the transient current.
US08024958B2 Gas sensors with thermally insulating ceramic substrates
A gas sensor includes a substrate having a low thermal conductivity. Localized heating can be produced using a serpentined heater carried by the substrate. The low thermal conductivity of the substrate substantially confines the generated heat to a region local to the heater thereby reducing required power to operate the sensor. Multiple sensing elements can be deposited onto the substrate adjacent to respective heaters and relatively close together because of the thermal isolation provided by the substrate. In one embodiment, the sensor can include the ceramic substrate, the heater, catalytic material overlying the heater with a gas impermeable layer overlying, at least in part the catalytic material.
US08024957B2 Downhole load cell
A downhole load cell calibrated for enhanced accuracy. The load cell may be a dry load cell calibrated by storage of pre-determined temperature and pressure data relative to the load cell based on known loads applied thereto. Thus, surface equipment employed with the load cell may include a computer program that takes advantage of the stored pre-determined information. The computer program may then be employed for calibration of downhole load cell data based on readings from the load cell along with downhole temperature and pressure information.
US08024953B2 Lubricant for hot working and method for producing seamless steel pipe
There is provided a lubricant for hot plastic working, which contains 20 to 40 mass % of iron oxide and 10 to 30 mass % of sodium silicate, wherein impurities are 3 mass % or less, and the lubricant contains 40 to 60 mass % of water. By virtue of combined action of these components, the lubricant exhibits excellent lubricity and suppliability and does not adversely affect the corrosion resistance of product. The lubricant is suitably used for lubricating a guide shoe in piercing-rolling, for example, a high-Cr steel and achieves a great effect of preventing a seizure flaw from occurring on the outer surface of product by being applied directly to the outer surface of a workpiece just before piercing rolling, preferably, within one second before starting piercing rolling.
US08024949B2 Apparatus for decelerating and temporarily accumulating hot rolled product
An apparatus is disclosed for decelerating and temporarily accumulating a hot rolled product moving longitudinally along a first axis at a first velocity V1. The apparatus comprises a curved guide with an entry end aligned with the first axis to receive the product, and with an exit end spaced radially from the first axis and orientated to deliver the product in an exit direction transverse to the first axis. The curved guide is rotatable about the first axis in a direction opposite to the exit direction of the product and at a speed at which its exit end has a second velocity V2 lower than V1 and such that the product is delivered from the exit end as a helical formation of rings and at a third velocity V3 equal to V1−V2. A cylindrical drum is arranged to axially receive the helical formation of rings and to rotate about the first axis in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the curved guide and at a speed such that the product is unwound from the drum at the third velocity V3. A receiver moves to and fro along a path parallel to the first axis to receive the product being unwound from the drum. A shroud is configured to partially encircle the drum, and rotatable interior rollers are circumferentially spaced around the interior of the shroud. The interior rollers are spaced radially from the surface of the drum and extend in parallel relationship with the first axis.
US08024943B2 Method of dividing glass into separate pieces with the aid of a cutting liquid and improved cutting liquid for said method
The method of dividing a glass substrate into separate pieces includes producing a crack along a dividing line on the substrate and acting on the crack with an aqueous cutting liquid during or immediately after producing the crack. The aqueous cutting liquid used in the method has a special composition that reduces the breaking forces applied to the glass substrate in order to divide it. The aqueous liquid contains an ionic organic compound, which has a cation with a positively charged nitrogen atom and a hydroxyl anion. Quaternary ammonium hydroxide compounds are especially preferred as the ionic organic compound.
US08024942B2 Method and apparatus for highly efficient compact vapor compression cooling
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for cooling. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a lightweight, compact, reliable, and efficient cooling system. The subject system can provide heat stress relief to individuals operating under, for example, hazardous conditions, or in elevated temperatures, while wearing protective clothing. The subject invention also relates to a condenser for transferring heat from a refrigerant to an external fluid in thermal contact with the condenser. The subject condenser can have a heat transfer surface and can be designed for an external fluid, such as air, to flow across the heat transfer surface and allow the transfer of heat from heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In a specific embodiment, the flow of the external fluid is parallel to the heat transfer surface. In another specific embodiment, the heat transfer surface can incorporate surface enhancements which enhance the transfer of heat from the heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In another specific embodiment, an outer layer can be positioned above the heat transfer surface to create a volume between the heat transfer surface and the outer layer through which the external fluid can flow.
US08024941B2 Method of operating an adsorption refrigeration system
A method is provided of operating an adsorption refrigeration system. The system includes a primary adsorption pump which is arranged in communication with a primary chamber containing coolant, a secondary adsorption pump and a high fluid impedance conduit which places the secondary adsorption pump and primary chamber into communication. The method includes saturating the primary and secondary adsorption pumps with coolant while each pump is at its respective operational temperature. The pumps are then heated above their operational temperatures to desorb the coolant such that the coolant pressure in the primary chamber and the secondary adsorption pump substantially equalizes through the conduit while the primary chamber is cooled. The secondary adsorption pump is then cooled causing coolant gas to be adsorbed and, therefore, a reduction in temperature and pressure of the coolant in the primary chamber is effected. The primary adsorption pump is then cooled to an operational temperature causing adsorption of the coolant and, therefore, a reduction in temperature and pressure of the coolant in the primary chamber.
US08024924B2 Drive having an energy recovery and retarder function
The invention relates to a drive with an energy recovery and retarder function. The drive (1) comprises a hydrostatic piston engine (12) which is connected to an accumulator (16) for storing pressure energy and to a pressure limiting valve (19) for generating a braking action. Arranged downstream of the pressure limiting valve (19) is a cooler (45). The drive (1) also comprises a hydraulic motor (35) for driving a cooler fan (33), wherein the hydraulic motor (35) is acted on with a pressure medium which is delivered by the hydrostatic piston engine (12).
US08024917B2 Multi-functional power supply for a hall thruster
A multi-functional power supply system for a Hall thruster including a thruster assembly for providing a plasma discharge and a cathode assembly for providing electrons. The cathode assembly includes an emitter, a keeper with a current limiting device, and a heater. A magnetic field source is operatively associated with the cathode assembly for generating a magnetic field to control the discharge. A plasma discharge circuit creates a plasma and accelerates the plasma to produce thrust. A power supply is connected to the keeper and the plasma discharge circuit and is connected to the heater through a switching device responsive to a predetermined condition for interrupting the power to the heater and simultaneously enabling the power supply to deliver power to the keeper and the plasma discharge circuit to initiate production of thrust.
US08024906B1 Standing-seam roof assembly bracket
A bracket for use in retro-fitting metal clad buildings to facilitate attachment of new roof or wall panels of any desired profile, directly over existing ribbed or fluted panels of various configurations. Commonly known in the trades as a sub purlin or sub girt. Generally a one piece Z shaped metal bracket with a substantially vertical web between opposed top and bottom flanges in a parallel plane. The bottom flange and adjacent lower portion of the web contain a series of notches that allow the bracket to nest onto and over existing ribbed roof or wall panels. The top flange is automatically in position, lying flat and continuous, to receive and attach the new panels thereto. An ant-roll tab further connects the web to the existing roof panel. The solid portion of lower flange is preferred to be positioned directly above the underlying substructural support system members of the existing building to assure a structurally sound attachment of bracket to the building. Pre-punched holes in the solid portion of lower flange dictate required location, number and size of fasteners to be inserted through lower rib surface of existing panel into substructural system members.
US08024885B1 Lens cover for an optical sight
A unique, new and useful structure designed to simply and efficiently cover and protect the lens of a sight, especially a firearm sight such as the hooded models of the EO Tech Holosight type 511, 512, 551, and 552 models. A lens cover comprises a housing with a pair of lens openings, and a pair of lens covers, one for each lens opening. The housing has a recess for receiving the lens covers, and each lens cover is biased toward the recess and is moveable against its bias to a position in which it covers a respective lens opening in the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the recess and the lens covers are configured such that (i) the lens covers can be received and oriented in the recess in a predetermined relation with each other and (ii) the lens covers can be efficiently manipulated when they are not received in the recess in the predetermined relation to cause them to be reoriented and received in the recess in the predetermined relation. Further each lens cover is pivotally supported on the housing in a manner that enables the lens cover to be pivoted toward and into the recess and to be pivoted relative to the housing as the lens cover is moved against its bias and to a position in which it covers a respective lens. Also, the lens covers are offset in relation to their pivot axes in a manner that enables them to be received and oriented in the predetermined relation, and oriented in a manner that enables them to be efficiently manipulated and reoriented when they are not received in the recess in the predetermined relation.
US08024881B2 Lock for frame
A display apparatus is disclosed that includes a screen and a frame system positioned to support the screen. The frame system includes a plurality of frame members, a hinge that couples the frame members together, and a lock that blocks relative movement of the frame members.
US08024877B2 Electric fireplace flame curtain with flexible simulated carbon bed
The present invention relates to an electric fireplace flame curtain with flexible simulated charcoal bed, the flame curtain is a structure of vessel, comprises a front wall and a rear wall with transparent structure, an imaging mechanism disposed on the front wall of the vessel, a number of movable light-holding charcoals with a plurality of transparent surfaces disposed in the vessel. The essential effect of the present invention is to solve the monotone flame, dull appearance and poor visual effect of the exiting electric fireplace. Meanwhile, the problems such as constant charcoal flame brightness, lack of reality, bad simulative effect are solved as well. The present invention could simulate a plurality of independent charcoal burning spots, with various styles. The light-spots of the flame are sparkling intermittently with bright and shade, and the flame is of light-holding effect. The visual effect and the authenticity are both perfect.
US08024876B2 Greeting card, 3-D sculpture model kit combination, assembly system
A method system for a novelty greeting card combined with an embodied 3-D sculpture model kit is contained within a postal envelope. The invention's items are at least one or more inscribed parallel planar rectangular sheets bound in dependant form to enable an open and close greeting card function. The envelope is inscribed with systematic directions to guide construction of the novelty card's embodied sculpture model kit. The card is signed by a sender including a recipient's name; said sender gives card as a gift to a recipient to apply methods of the invention's intent. As recipient deploys invention's construction system by implementing tools and parts embodied in novelty card. The sender's actual signature and recipient's name are conveyed though the method of construction and retained upon the final resulting sculpture of the invention. All construction elements, tools and parts derive solely from the planar sheets that comprise the invention.
US08024874B2 Wear assembly for excavating machines
A wear member that includes a pair of legs defining a slot straddles the digging edge of a piece of excavating equipment. In one construction, the slot is formed at its front end with a pair of inclined surfaces and a laterally extending ridge that is fit within a complementary channel on the digging edge. A lock is received within an opening in the wear member to releasably secure the wear member to the digging edge.
US08024873B2 Resilient excavation bucket, excavation apparatus, and methods of use and manufacture thereof
A resilient excavation bucket for use with a piece of machinery having an articulated arm. The excavation bucket comprises a resilient member and a rigid member. The resilient member has a digging edge adapted to deflect in response to pressure from impact with a material at least as rigid as the digging edge and to return to a substantially non-deflected condition upon release of the pressure. The rigid member is cooperatively associated with the resilient member and has a connection member adapted to pivotally engage a portion of the articulated arm of the piece of machinery. At least one of the resilient member and the rigid member at least partially defines a bucket cavity disposed at least partially between the digging edge and the connection member. Additionally, an excavation apparatus comprising a backhoe having an articulated arm and the resilient excavation bucket operatively associated with the articulated arm.
US08024864B2 Ratcheting cutting tool for plastic pipes
A ratcheting cutting tool for plastic pipes having first and second, elongated rigid members pivotally mounted to each other. Each rigid member has a handle and the first rigid member additionally has an anvil at an end opposite from its handle. A spring-biased, knife blade member with a cutting edge and with a plurality of ratchet teeth is pivotally mounted to the first member. The tool further includes drive and catch pawls pivotally mounted to the respective rigid members. In operation, the handles of the rigid members can be repeatedly squeezed together to progressively move the cutting edge of the knife blade member in a step-by-step manner toward the anvil to cut through a plastic pipe positioned therebetween. A manually operated release mechanism is also disclosed wherein both the drive and catch pawls can be moved in one motion to release positions spaced from engagement with the ratchet teeth to permit the spring-biased knife blade member to be automatically returned to its open position after each cut.
US08024856B2 Method for manufacturing printed circuit board
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, which includes: forming at least one interlayer connector on a first carrier, stacking at least one insulation layer on the first carrier such that the interlayer connector is exposed, removing the first carrier, and forming at least one circuit pattern on the insulation layer such that the circuit pattern is electrically coupled with the interlayer connector, can be used to increase the density of circuit patterns, as the method can provide electrical connection between circuit patterns and vias without using lands.
US08024853B2 Head gimbal assembly (HGA) connector pad alignment jig
A head gimbal assembly (HGA) connector pad alignment jig is disclosed. One embodiment provides an HGA testing jig for holding an HGA, the HGA testing jig including an opening at a location of the HGA connector pads. In addition, an HGA testing apparatus including a disk for testing the HGA and a controller with a plurality of pin connectors for providing control information to the HGA during a testing process. Thus, the present technology provides an alignment adjuster for adjusting the location of the pin connectors with respect to the connector pads to ensure a good electrical connection between the HGA connector pads and the pin connectors.
US08024846B2 Preparation of an article surface having a surface compressive texture
A method for preparing a surface includes providing an article having an article surface, thereafter first processing the article surface to establish a first residual compressive stress state and a first surface roughness in the article surface, and thereafter second processing the article surface by surface compressive texturing to establish a second residual compressive stress state and a second surface roughness in the article surface. The second surface roughness is quantitatively less than the first surface roughness, and substantially no material is removed from the article surface in the step of second processing.
US08024841B2 Hinge
A hinge includes a bracket, a shaft rotatably received in the bracket, a engaging member, a pressing member, and a driving member. The bracket includes a casing portion defining a receiving space therein. The receiving space includes a circular part and a slot connecting the circular part. The engaging member is received in the slot of the bracket. The engaging member includes a slope surface and a screw hole. The pressing member is received in the slot of the bracket. The pressing member includes a pressing portion pressing firmly against the shaft, and a driven portion engaged with the slope surface of the engaging member. The driving member includes a screw pole capable of screwing in the screw hole of the engaging member to move the engaging member toward the pressing member, for driving the pressing member to press firmly against the shaft.
US08024828B2 Air cell
An object of the present invention is to provide an air cell which is capable of detecting that the upper end side and the lower end side of the air bag are nearer than a predetermined distance. This air cell has an air bag, a base member to which the lower end portion of the air bag is attached, an air chamber AR configured by the air bag and the upper surface of the base member, a thin film portion which forms the bottom surface of the air chamber and capable of deforming elastically in the up-and-down direction, an extending member configured to extend upwardly from the upper surface of the thin film portion, detecting means which is provided under the thin film portion and which detects downward deformation of the thin film portion.
US08024824B1 Person lifting apparatus and method
The present disclosure provides for individuals who may otherwise have trouble lifting themselves from the floor after a fall. Using the teachings of the present disclosure, such individuals may autonomously regain their footing, without the necessity of calling paramedics or others for help. An individual may crawl onto the seat of the device and then, using either a handcrank or an electric motor, lift himself to a sitting/standing position.
US08024823B2 Water conservation system
A water conservation system comprising a reservoir for storing water; a toilet water tank for storing water, the toilet water tank is disposed below the reservoir; and a tube fluidly connecting the reservoir and the tank, wherein the tube is configured such that a first end of the tube reaches near a bottom surface of the reservoir, a second end of the tube reaches near a bottom surface of the tank, and an elevated portion with a crest that is oriented above the first end.
US08024819B2 Weighted undergarment
The invention prevents leg chafing, and keeps the garment from riding up in the wearer's crotch area, by disposing weights on the garment. If the garment is an undergarment, then Modal® fabric, a bio-based fiber made by spinning reconstituted cellulose from beech trees, is especially preferred, as it is extremely soft, and wicks away moisture in an effective manner. It is an object of the invention to reduce leg chafing. It is a further object of the invention to teach a method of preventing garments from riding up into the wearer's crotch area.
US08024818B1 Retractable neckpiece for headwear
Apparatus for shading a user's neck. In some embodiments, a support device comprises a flexible, generally U-shaped structure with a laterally extending central portion to accommodate attachment of a proximal edge of a neckpiece, and opposing leg portions which extend from the central portion to engage the headwear. In further embodiments, the neckpiece preferably comprises a layer of flexible material with a proximal end supported adjacent a headwear and an opposing distal end configured to be suspended adjacent to a base of the user's neck. A support portion is formed from laterally extending first and second panels which fold together to form a V-shaped channel circumferentially extending in contact against an outermost rearward surface of the headwear. A flap portion extending from the second panel is moveable between a deployed state to cover the user's neck to a retracted state in which the flap portion is gathered into the channel.
US08028338B1 Modeling goodware characteristics to reduce false positive malware signatures
A set of likelihood values associated with a set of characteristics associated with the set of goodware entities is determined. The set of characteristics is stored in association with the set of likelihood values as a model. A set of relative information gain values associated with the characteristics of the set of characteristics is generated. One or more characteristics are removed from the model responsive to the relative information gain values associated with the one or more characteristics to produce a revised model.
US08028333B2 Method and system for the authentication of a public key certificate
A method and system of authenticating a public key certificate for a relying party (RP). A Certificate Authority (CA), who issued the certificate, is a member of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) having a Certificate Policy (CP). First quality levels required of the CA by the RP are accessed by a certificate classification service (CCS) and corresponding second quality levels possessed by the CA are ascertained by the CCS. At least one quality characteristic pertaining to the second quality levels relates to at least one element of the CP. The ascertained second quality levels are compared by the CCS with the corresponding accessed first quality levels. A result of the comparing, communicated by the CCS to the RP, is that the certificate is authenticated if the comparing has determined that each first quality level is not less than each corresponding second quality level.
US08028325B2 Invocation of a third party's service
Invoking a computer implemented service includes receiving a request from a first user to access a service associated with a second user. The request is associated with a security token for the first user and an identity token for the second user. The acceptability of the security token is determined to authenticate the first user, and the acceptability of the identity token is determined to securely identify the second user. The first user is able to access the service associated with the second user conditioned on the security token being determined to be acceptable and the identity token being determined to be acceptable.
US08028317B1 Integrated live video production system
Described is a system used in defining and producing a live television broadcast. The system includes one or more control panels, a workstation, a router, and devices. The control panels may be hard control panels or soft control panels. The control panel includes programmable buttons having a display determined in accordance with a show definition. Display and control of a portion of the control panel buttons may vary in response to another control or button selection. Primary and backup communication connections are used to control the live show production.
US08028302B2 Software architecture system with embedded virtual router
The invention relates to a network system of at least two appliances, each appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article, and each appliance having its own software architecture. An embedded virtual router enables communication among appliance components independent of the architecture of the software.
US08028301B2 Restricting recordal of user activity in a processing system
A method/system for restricting recordal of user activity in a processing system. In one form, the method comprises intercepting a kernel API call of the processing system 100, determining if a process initiating the kernel API call is malicious, and in response to a positive determination, terminating the determined process. A table can be updated with request information of the process and it can be determined if a trend of requests exists for the status of the input device, and in response to a positive determination of a trend, the process may be terminated.
US08028288B2 System and method for data synchronization for a computer architecture for broadband networks
A computer architecture and programming model for high speed processing over broadband networks are provided. The architecture employs a consistent modular structure, a common computing module and uniform software cells. The common computing module includes a control processor, a plurality of processing units, a plurality of local memories from which the processing units process programs, a direct memory access controller and a shared main memory. A synchronized system and method for the coordinated reading and writing of data to and from the shared main memory by the processing units also are provided. A processing system for processing computer tasks is also provided. A first processor is of a first processor type and a number of second processors are of a second processor type. One of the second processors manages process scheduling of computing tasks by providing tasks to at least one of the first and second processors.
US08028282B2 System for atomically updating a plurality of files
A method for updating platform firmware is disclosed. This capability is facilitated by a standard software abstraction for a firmware storage device, known as Firmware Volume (FV) that is managed through a Firmware File System (FFS). The FFS enables firmware files to be created, deleted, and updated individually. The FFS also enables a plurality of firmware files to be updated atomically by managing file state information via state bits stored in a file header of each firmware file, whereby an atomic change to a single state bit simultaneously causes the FFS to use an updated set of firmware files in place of an original set of firmware files.
US08028271B2 Patch-aware editor
A system and method for receiving an origin file corresponding to source code, modifying the source code to create a modified source code, creating a modified file corresponding to the modified source code and comparing the modified file to the origin file. A system having an editor for editing source code to create a modified source code and a patch aware editor storing an origin file corresponding to the source code and creating a modified file corresponding to the modified source code, the patch aware editor comparing the origin file to the modified file and displaying conflicts between the files.
US08028269B2 Compliance management method and system
A compliance method and system. The method includes receiving by computing system compliance data comprising a plurality of compliance rules from a plurality of different compliance domains. The plurality of compliance rules are converted from said text format to a first plurality of program objects. Attributes for the first plurality of program objects are modified. A compliance report comprising an output of the plurality of program objects is generated. An automated compliance verification software tool compares the first plurality of program objects with compliance verification data in order to verify if the first plurality of program objects is in accordance with the compliance verification data.
US08028266B2 System and method for automated placement in custom VLSI circuit design with schematic-driven placement
A method for automatically generating an electronic circuit layout with placed circuit elements includes receiving a user provided schematic, the user provided schematic comprising a plurality of circuit elements, each circuit element comprising general parameters. The method associates a plurality of first placement parameters with each of the plurality of circuit elements. The method retrieves, from a design library, design parameters associated with at least one of the plurality of circuit elements. The method selects a subset of circuit elements and receives placement inputs. The method generates a first placed layout configuration comprising adjusted placement parameters, based on the received placement inputs, the first placement parameters, and the design parameters. The method assigns absolute placement coordinates for each of the plurality of circuit elements based on the first placed layout configuration. The method generates an electronic circuit layout with placed circuit elements based on the absolute placement coordinates.
US08028260B1 Determination of most critical timing paths in digital circuits
Methods and computer programs for determining the top most critical timing paths in an integrated circuit (IC) based on a timing graph of registers and combinational nodes in the IC are provided. One method generates the most critical path to each destination register and invokes a function to calculate the next critical path in each destination register a number of times according to the number of top most critical paths desired. The method uses recursion to calculate critical paths on the different nodes by recursively calling a function to calculate the next critical path on a fan-in node, where the fan-in node corresponds to the node which last contributed a critical path. Further, the most critical path to the node is selected in the recursive function. The critical paths are used to determine if the IC is stable under the analyzed clock frequency.
US08028258B1 Interactive graphical pin assignment
A design tool provides interactive graphical pin assignment. In one embodiment, the design tool identifies layout restrictions of a configurable processing device that includes a plurality of pins. The design tool further provides an interactive visual representation of a pin assignment that accommodates the layout restrictions and a user input.
US08028255B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit design support device, and semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing method
A semiconductor integrated circuit including a user logic circuit is disclosed in which circuit parts for shifting data are composed of registers other than scan cells except for the circuit part right after a combinational circuit, and the parts configured of the registers other than the scan cells are used as a scan path.
US08028254B2 Determining manufacturability of lithographic mask using continuous derivatives characterizing the manufacturability on a continuous scale
The manufacturability of a lithographic mask employed in fabricating instances of a semiconductor device is determined. Target edge pairs are selected from mask layout data of the lithographic mask, for determining a manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask. The mask layout data includes polygons, where each polygon has a number of edges. Each target edge pair is defined by two of the edges of one or more of the polygons. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask, including the manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask, is determined. Determining the manufacturing penalty is based on the target edge pairs as selected. Determining the manufacturability of the lithographic mask uses continuous derivatives characterizing the manufacturability of the lithographic mask on a continuous scale. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask is output. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask is dependent on the manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask.
US08028251B2 Touch screen device and method of selecting files thereon
A touch screen device and a method of operation are provided. The device and method allow for scrolling and selection of files from a file list, and for skipping or reversing an execution order of the selected files simply by performing a drag on a touch screen. The method of selecting files on the touch screen device includes detecting a diagonal drag on a screen, selecting file(s) included within a corresponding range, and skipping file(s) within the range. The method may also include changing an execution order of the selected file(s) when a drag with a return trajectory is detected. The method may also include scrolling through the file list in accordance with a direction and speed of the drag. The device and method allows a plurality of files to be selected and skipped at a time, and a desired file to be rapidly and easily located.
US08028245B2 Method and system for operating multiple web pages with anti-spoofing protection
Method and system for operating tabbed browsing with anti-spoofing protection. Tabbed browsing operates to detect pop-up dialogs sent from malicious web pages operating in a background browser. Keystrokes and keyboard messages are prevented from being delivered to background browsers. Unauthorized movement of background browsers are detected. URLs are inspected before being saved or restored.
US08028238B2 Message display system
A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which electronic message content and other selected or predetermined components of an electronic message are automatically displayed whenever an abbreviated or condensed message identification on a listing of messages is highlighted by a user. In one exemplary embodiment, Whenever an item of a message listing is highlighted by a user of a wireless phone or other communication device, a first pop-up content window is created and overlaid upon the listing display. The content window enables the user to view only predetermined portions, for example the first several lines of text of the highlighted message without having to access and scroll through other detailed portions of the message.
US08028235B2 Multi-windows color adjustment system and method
The invention provides a multi-windows color adjustment system and method that divides the picture frame of a display screen into three or more windows so that the user can compare the color tones of the windows and then select the preferred window. The multi-windows color adjustment system includes a memory read/write controller coupled to an image data input for temporarily storing an input image data and executing read/write control, a window control unit coupled to the memory read/write controller for executing size, data flow and color tone controls of the windows, a line buffer coupled to the memory read/write controller and the window control unit for storing a line data, and a color adjustment unit coupled to the window control unit and the line buffer for executing the processing of color adjustment of the image data in the windows subject to the control of the window control unit.
US08028234B2 Summarization of sumo video content
Summarization of video content, such as a video that includes sumo, by a method that provides a description of the video, identifies a plurality of segments of the video based upon the provided description, and generates another video based upon the identified segments, having less frames than the original video.
US08028226B2 Document content analysis technology for reducing cognitive load
The present invention provides for analyzing document content for display with reduced cognitive load assists those who are blind, have low vision, or cognitive problems. This present invention also aids those who prefer to receive condensed information orally. Document content is analyzed, a set of salient words and phrases are generated from the document content and the set of salient words and phrases are read.
US08028225B2 Visual system for visualizing, navigating, and editing attribute lattices within OLAP databases
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for creating and managing a visual representation of OLAP attributes and relationships for a dimension. A visual representation is generated that contains an arrangement of shapes with connections between shapes. One or more sub-elements are contained within at least some of the shapes. Connections between the shapes represent relationships between attributes in an OLAP dimension. The containment of a respective sub-element within a respective shape represents a relationship between an attribute being represented by the respective sub-element and an attribute being represented by the respective shape. Shapes representing OLAP attributes and relationships can be programmatically grouped and ungrouped. When an attribute does not have any outgoing relationships, when an attribute only has one incoming relationship, and when the attribute is not a level in a user-defined hierarchy, a grouping process is performed to put the attribute in an expandable shape belonging to another attribute.
US08028222B2 Apparatus and method for improving turbo code performance in a communication system
An apparatus and method for improving turbo code performance in a communication system are provided. In the apparatus, a bit inserter inserts a predetermined number of bits into a transmission information bit stream, if the effective coding rate of a transmission packet is a predetermined coding rate. A turbo encoder turbo-encodes a bit stream received from the bit inserter and outputting code symbols. A rate matcher matches the code symbols to a predetermined size.
US08028211B1 Look-ahead built-in self tests with temperature elevation of functional elements
A method and apparatus are disclosed for predicting the failure of a functional element of an integrated circuit during operation. The method includes determining whether the functional element of the integrated circuit device is in an idle cycle, elevating the temperature of the functional element above a normal operating temperature, performing a stress test of the functional element while the functional element is in the idle cycle, and indicating that the functional element, if it fails the stress test, is a potential future failing element. The stress test can include simultaneously providing a margining test voltage and a stress clock signal to the functional element while the temperature is elevated or at a normal operating temperature. The stress test is performed in the background, during continuous operation of the integrated circuit device, such that normal operation of the integrated circuit device is not interrupted. Thereby, the method and apparatus of the present invention allows for failure prediction in a device before it happens, allowing for planned outages or workarounds and avoiding system downtime for unplanned repairs.
US08028210B2 Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device capable of recognizing circuit malfunction in an actual operation and of specifying a point of the circuit malfunction, and the semiconductor device, which does not induce the malfunction in the circuit of a subsequent stage when restoring the malfunction. The present invention is the semiconductor device provided with a plurality of logic circuits and a plurality of judging circuits for judging malfunction based on data from the logic circuits, wherein each of the judging circuits is provided with a first register, delay unit, a second register, a comparator and scanning unit, which makes the second register a shift register to allow to transmit an error signal held in the second register to the subsequent stage, while allowing the comparator to hold a comparison result.
US08028205B2 System for providing performance testing information to users
A computer system includes server computers, application program storage modules, a communication network, client computers, a database storage module, and a test data presentation module. The database storage module stores event data. The event data logs events that occur in the server computers during performance test runs. The test runs are performed in connection with a plurality of projects. The projects are defined for performance testing the application programs. The test data presentation module generates a test data screen display for rendering by one of the client computers. The test data screen display includes a data table. The data table presents event data relating to events that occurred during test runs for two or more of the projects.
US08028200B2 Tracing operations in multiple computer systems
A method and apparatus for tracing operations in multiple computer systems. An embodiment of a method includes running a computer application, where the computer application operates on multiple computer systems, including a first system and a second system. The first system and the second system have different computer environments. A trace of the computer application is performed, with performance of the trace including enabling a first trace of the first system and enabling a second trace of the second system. Trace data is collected from the first system and the second system during the operation of the application, and the trace data from the first system and the trace data from the second system are combined.
US08028179B2 Determining expected exceeding of maximum allowed power consumption of a mobile electronic device
Apparatus and method for determining an expected exceeding of a maximum allowed power consumption of a mobile electronic device is provided, wherein the method includes determining power consumption of the device in a current operating state, determining, for a first process executable by a processor of the device, process-specific power consumption of the device which would be caused by execution of the first process, determining as to whether an expected exceeding of a maximum allowed power consumption would occur for a case in which a new instance of the first executable process would be executed, which is currently not executed, and that possible present instances of the first executable process, which are currently executed, are continued to be executed, and if it has been determined that an expected exceeding of a maximum allowed power consumption would occur, outputting information about the expected exceeding of the maximum allowed power consumption.
US08028178B2 System and method for providing external power on a universal serial bus
A universal serial bus power control circuit including at least one first switch which selectively couples a power source node to an external power node, a comparator which detects when the external power node is charged, a feedback node for enabling voltage regulation, a charge circuit and a controller. The charge circuit charges the external power node from the power source node and selectively couples the feedback node to at least one of the power source node and the external power node. The controller opens the first switch when the external power node is not charged, controls the charge circuit to charge the external power node while coupling the feedback node to the power source node, and closes the first switch and couples the feedback node to the external power node in a host mode when the external power node is charged.
US08028176B2 System and method for modeling a power over ethernet component in a computing device platform using a common information model
A system and method for modeling a power over Ethernet component using a common information model. With the profiling of components based on the common information model, a remote agent can query status/capabilities or configure a power over Ethernet component based on messaging that is consistent with a power over Ethernet common information model schema.
US08028169B2 Electronic document management program, electronic document management system and electronic document management method
It is possible to control electronic documents for partial disclosures and non-disclosures and prove to the third party that information other than non-disclosure part thereof has not been altered and the originality of decrypted information is assured. There is provided a section that controls electronic information for partial disclosures and non-disclosures according to conditions and situations such as viewers, systems and time and also a technological concept for proving to the third party that information other than non-disclosure part thereof has not been altered and the originality of decrypted information is assured, while controlling electronic information for partial disclosures and non-disclosures, by generating partial signature information (to be referred to as piat signature information in the embodiment of this invention which is described hereinafter) apart from the text of electronic information, dividing it for holding and separating the function and the role of electronic information and those of partial signature information (verifying information).
US08028166B2 Versatile secure and non-secure messaging
A messaging system and method are associated with a first device. The messaging system includes a plurality of credentials and a plurality of authorities. Each authority associates at least one of a plurality of protocol operations with at least one of the plurality of credentials. The messaging system is adapted to receive an initiating message from a second device, which identifies at least one of the authorities, and responsively implements a security protocol for further messages between the first and second devices in accordance with the identified authority.
US08028162B2 Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
A computer system and process for issuing digital certificates use domain-control vetting to issue certificates. A requestor requests a certificate from a certificate authority, which identifies at least one approver to approve issuance of the digital certificate. If approved, the certificate authority accepts the request, creates and signs the certificate, and the signed certificate is sent to the requester.
US08028154B2 Method and system for reducing instruction storage space for a processor integrated in a network adapter chip
Certain embodiments for reducing instruction storage space for a processor integrated in a network adapter chip may include generating MIPS instructions from corresponding new instructions. The new instructions may be in patch code instruction (PCI) format. The new instructions may be decoded and the MIPS instructions may be generated by a MIPS processor within a network adapter chip. Decoding the new instructions may also be referred to as interpreting the new instructions. The new instructions may comprise fewer bits than the generated MIPS instructions. The generated MIPS instructions may be executed by the MIPS processor within the network adapter chip.
US08028153B2 Data dependent instruction decode
A circuit arrangement and method support data dependent instruction decoding, whereby instructions are decoded, in part, using decode data that is stored in operand registers identified by such instructions. An instruction may include an opcode and at least one operand that identifies a register. During execution of the instruction, the instruction is first decoded using the opcode, and then decode data stored in the operand register is retrieved and used to further decode the instruction, e.g., to select from among a plurality of operations or instruction types associated with the same opcode.
US08028138B2 Replication of deduplicated storage system
A method of replicating a deduplicated storage system is disclosed. The method comprises requesting the state of a replica system. The method further comprises sending a container to the replica system and sending a file system log record to the replica system.
US08028135B1 Method and apparatus for maintaining compliant storage
According to an embodiment of the invention, a storage server is mirrored onto a mirroring server. The mirroring server maintains point-in-time images of data stored on the storage server. The point-in-time images have a retention period. During the retention period, the point-in-time images must be maintained to comply with 17 C.F.R. 240.17a-4 (the “Rule”). When a command to delete a point-in-time image is issued, the file system of the mirroring server references a table including a list of point-in-time images and their retention dates. If the current date is greater than the retention date, the point-in-time image is deleted. If the current date is less than the retention date, the point-in-time image cannot be deleted.
US08028128B2 Method for increasing cache directory associativity classes in a system with a register space memory
In a method of managing a cache directory in a memory system, an original system address is presented to the cache directory when corresponding associativity data is allocated to an associativity class in the cache directory. The original system address is normalized by removing address space corresponding to a memory hole, thereby generating a normalized address. The normalized address is stored in the cache directory. The normalized address is de-normalized, thereby generating a de-normalized address, when the associativity data is cast out of the cache directory to make room for new associativity data. The de-normalized address is sent to the memory system for coherency management.
US08028114B2 Information processing apparatus, method, and program for simplifying an interrupt process
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program for simplifying an interrupt process to reduce time needed for the interrupt process. If it is determined in step S52 that a network card pointer and a CPU clear pointer fail to match each other, i.e., that there is a packet area corresponding to a packet used in an executed DMA transfer process and having not undergone a DMA transfer complete process, processing proceeds to step S53. An interrupt generator sets a completion status as an interrupt status and proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the interrupt generator generates an interrupt signal. If it is determined in step S52 that there is not a packet area corresponding to a packet used in an executed DMA transfer process and having not undergone a DMA transfer complete process, processing proceeds to step S55. The interrupt generator clears the completion status. The present invention is applicable to a network card, for example.
US08028109B2 Hard disk drive integrated circuit with integrated gigabit ethernet interface module
An IC for a HDD including first and second processors, a HDC module, and a wireline network interface module. The first processor performs processing related to storing data on the HDD. The second processor performs processing related to communication of the HDD via the network interface module. The HDC module controls operation of the HDD. The network interface module includes a medium access control (MAC) module that communicates with the second processor and a physical layer module (PHY) that communicates with the MAC module and an output. The PHY includes first, second, third, and fourth transceivers each communicating with the output. The first processor and the HDC module process packets communicated via the network interface module using a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP), a peer-to-peer sharing protocol, and an Internet protocol-based small computer system interface standard (iSCSI). The network interface module uses power received from Ethernet to power the HDD.
US08028108B2 Virtual KVM functionality for computer systems
A method, system, and computer program product for implementing virtual keyboard video mouse (KVM) switching functionality using a processing device in communication with a memory device is provided. Keyboard, video, and mouse signals for a first computer are redirected to be carried over a standardized serial bus connecting the first computer to a second computer. Each of the keyboard, video, and mouse signals are carried at predetermined frequencies. The keyboard, video, and mouse signals on the second computer are identified and separated. The keyboard, video, and mouse signals are passed to an operating system on the second computer. The keyboard, video, and mouse signals are used by the operating system to manage the first computer.
US08028105B2 System and method for virtual adapter resource allocation matrix that defines the amount of resources of a physical I/O adapter
A method, computer program product, and distributed data processing system that enables host software or firmware to allocate virtual resources to one or more system images from a single physical I/O adapter, such as a PCI, PCI-X, or PCI-E adapter, is provided. Adapter resource groups are assigned to respective system images. An adapter resource group is exclusively available to the system image to which the adapter resource group assignment was made. Assignment of adapter resource groups may be made per a relative resource assignment or an absolute resource assignment. In another embodiment, adapter resource groups are assigned to system images on a first come, first served basis.
US08028098B2 Peer to peer broadcast content synchronization
A method and apparatus for synchronizing recorded broadcast content on a peer to peer system, in which portions of the content are synchronized between the peers by referring to program clock reference values.
US08028093B2 Media processing system supporting adaptive digital media parameters based on end-user viewing capabilities
Systems and methods that adapt media content are described. In one embodiment, a system may include, for example, a first communications device and a second communications device. The first communications device may be disposed in a first location and may be operatively coupled to a network. The second communications device may be disposed in a second location and may be operatively coupled to the network. The second communications device may receive a device profile relating to the first communications device, adapt media content based upon the device profile of the first communications device, and send the adapted media content to the first communications device.
US08028092B2 Inserting advertising content
Content may be inserted at a duplicating device by inserting advertising content into a duplicated feed, and transmitting the duplicated feed to the terminal. The transmission of the duplicated feed is performed in response to a state of the terminal.
US08028091B1 System and method for reducing DNS lookup traffic in a computer data network
To reduce Domain Name System (DNS) lookup traffic in a computer data network, a client computer requests a DNS lookup. A router or other means then sends the request for a hostname of a web server to a DNS server and receives a corresponding IP address. Next, the router forwards the request to the web server. In response, the web server sends an HTML document. Upon receiving the HTML document, the router examines the document for URLs and sends one DNS lookup request for each of the distinct hostnames, regardless of how many times that distinct hostname appears in the HTML document. The router receives IP addresses, each of which corresponds to one of each of the distinct hostnames and modifies the HTML document by replacing the each of the distinct hostnames, including recurrences, in the URLs associated with the image elements with their corresponding IP addresses.
US08028089B2 On-deck detection for a web site
Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs for detecting an on-deck user of a web site are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for detecting on-deck users for a web site. One such method comprises: providing a web site having an associated primary URL and at least one secondary URL; associating the at least one secondary URL for use in association with a carrier deck; receiving a request for the web site from the carrier deck on a mobile communication device; and determining that the request is from the carrier deck.
US08028083B2 Method and system for remote activation and management of personal security devices
The present invention provides a method for activating and/or managing at least one Personal Security Device PSD (2040) with at least a first Remote Computer System (2050) over a first network (2045) using at least one Client (2010) as a host to said at least one PSD (2040), said method comprising the steps of: a) establishing at least one communications pipe (2075) over said first network (2045) between said at least one PSD (2040) and said at least first Remote Computer System (2050), b) retrieving proprietary information (I) by said at least first Remote Computer System (2050) from a remote storage location (2165), c) transmitting said proprietary information (I) from said at least first Remote Computer System (2050) said at least one PSD (2040) through said at least one communications pipe (2075), and d) storing and/or processing said proprietary information (I) in said at least one PSD (2040).
US08028072B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product implementing session-specific URLs and resources
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement session-specific URIs for allocating network resources by receiving a request from a user for at least one network resource; assigning a session-specific URI to the at least one network resource for use in identifying the at least one network resource and controlling access to the at least one network resource; updating a network directory service with the session-specific URI; and communicating the session-specific URI to the user. The user communicates the session-specific URI to other participants in the session during which the at least one network resource will be used. After a pre-determined time, the session ends and the at least one network resource is de-allocated by, for example, changing the URI of the at least one network resource. Frequent changes of URIs hinder efforts by unauthorized individuals to gain access to network resources.
US08028060B1 Background task execution over a network based on network activity idle time
Network activity of a client device that is coupled to a data network is monitored, to detect network activity idle time. Based upon detecting the idle time, an application running in the client device is automatically signaled that its background task be executed over the data network. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08028059B1 Page views for proxy servers
Distinctions between resources explicitly selected by a user and resources indirectly selected may be enabled by identifying an explicitly selected web page or other resource as such in the request for the web page or other resource, which may allow the web page or resource to be differentiated from web pages or other resources that are requested as a consequence of their indirect selection. Moreover, a log of web pages or other resources explicitly selected by a user may be maintained at the client and later reference by a local processor or communicated to a host process seeking to differentiate directly and indirectly selected web pages or other resources. These techniques also may allow a proxy or other server to perform processing related to parentally controlled accounts or related to accurately tracking frequently requested resources such as web pages.
US08028053B2 System and method for dependency management
A system and method for dependency management are provided. The system for dependency management, includes a provider object management module managing a provider object that provides information, a consumer object management module managing a consumer object that executes a predetermined task based on the information provided by the provider object, an information object management module managing an information object that manages the provider object and the consumer object based on the information, a dependency storage module storing dependency information between the provider object and the consumer object, and a dependency management module examining dependency between the provider object and the consumer object based on the dependency information that is received from the dependency storage module and controlling activation and deactivation of the provider object and the consumer object according to a result of the dependency examination.
US08028051B2 Apparatus for adjusting use resources of system and method thereof
The transition of a use resource amount is predicted from the transition of a transaction occurrence amount for each module by using a function that expresses a correlation between a past transaction processing amount and a past use resource amount in a data processing system. After this, an allocation resource amount for each module is automatically fluctuated in accordance with the transition of the predicted use resource amount.
US08028047B2 Communication device and method for determining function unit of communication device to be compatible with a computer
A communication device is capable of communicating with a computer, and includes a function unit, a storage unit, a determining module, and a sending module. The storage unit stores a driver of the function unit therein, and the driver is capable of making the function unit compatible with the computer after installed to the computer. The determining module is capable of determining the function unit to be compatible with the computer. The sending module is capable of sending the driver to the computer when the function unit is determined by the determining module.
US08028040B1 Method and apparatus for communications between a virtualized host and remote devices
Communicating between virtual machines on a host computer and remotely located devices connected to device interfaces of remote computers is disclosed. The method comprises establishing communication between the host computer and at least one remote computer in operative control of at least a first device interface and a second device interface; determining that the device interfaces belong to a set of supported device interfaces; associating the at least one remote computer with at least one virtual machine; presenting to the virtual machine, in forms recognizable by the virtual machine as forms in which interface functions are presented by local controllers, interface functions associated with the first device interface and the second device interface; executing commands in response to the interface functions associated with the device interfaces; and sending to the remote computer commands and/or data related to the presented interface and usable by the device interfaces.
US08028036B1 Launching a web site using a passive transponder
A method of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device (2502) having a unique code stored therein is provided to the user. The unique code is extracted from the triggering device (2502) with an activation system (302), the activation system (302) disposed on a network (306). Location information associated with the unique code is retrieved from a database (1614 or 310), the location information corresponding to a location of the web page on a remote location (312) disposed on the network (306). In response to retrieving the location information, the activation system (302) is connected to the remote location (312). The web page corresponding to the location information of the remote location (312) is then presented to the user via the activation system (302).
US08028029B2 Method and apparatus for context-sensitive exchange of electronic information
A method and apparatus for context-sensitive exchange of electronic information, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining multiple signatures for a sender; associating each signature with a recipient address or communication content pattern described based on a rule; sending an electronic communication to a recipient address by automatically selecting a most appropriate signature among the multiple signatures based on the recipient address or content pattern in the communication; and including the selected signature in the electronic communication.
US08028024B2 System and method of instant messaging between wireless devices
A system and method of instant messaging is disclosed and includes transmitting an indication from a wireless device to an instant messaging server that instant messaging is enabled at the wireless device. Further, a plurality of communication signals between the wireless device and a plurality of base stations are monitored. After determining that the wireless device has one remaining communication signal with one base station, the one remaining communication signal is monitored. Moreover, a time history of signal strength data for the one remaining communication signal is recorded and a slope of the signal strength data is determined. Based on the slope of the signal strength data, it can be determined whether an imminent loss of signal is about to occur at the wireless device.
US08028019B2 Methods and apparatus for data transfer in networks using distributed file location indices
Methods and apparatus for data transfer according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a peer-to-peer (p2p) network associated with distributed file location index. For example, a system according to various aspects of the present invention may identify a high-demand file item according to communications on the p2p network and store a copy of the high-demand file item. The system may assign a non-random node identifier to the system for identifying the computer system in the p2p network. The system may then respond to requests for the high-demand file item.
US08028016B2 Absence assistance system for multimedia-enabled communication systems
The absence assistance system for at least one multimedia-enabled communication system comprising a plurality of packet-oriented client communication systems, in which the packet-oriented client communication systems support at least in part different multimedia services and at least one multimedia service of a packet-oriented client communication system is in each case assigned to at least one communication subscriber, has in each case at least one absence assistance unit per packet-oriented client communication system, the packet-oriented client communication systems being connected to one another via a peer-to-peer transmission protocol. The absence assistance units manage, in the absence of a communication subscriber, the communication connections directed to the absent communication subscriber via the at least one assigned multimedia service.
US08028015B2 Method and system for large number multiplication
Methods, apparatus and systems for large number multiplication. A multiplication circuit is provided to compute the product of two operands (A and B), at least one of which is wider than a width associated with the multiplication circuit. Each of the operands includes contiguous ordered word-wide operand segments (Aj and Bi) characterized by specific weights j (integer from 0 to k) and i (integer from 0 to m). The multiplication circuit executes a matrix of word-wide operand segment pair multiplication operations. Multiplication operations are performed on a pair of rows at one time. For each pair of rows, a pair of corresponding Bi word-wide operand segments are read from a memory and word-wide operand segment pair multiplication operations (Aj*Bi) are iteratively performed for each of k+2 columns. For each column a maximum of two additional memory read operations and one memory write operation is required.
US08028012B1 Dominos calculator
This is a calculator for tabulating the score in the game of dominos or other tile or card games, wherein the score is determined by symbols or colors rather than numerals, comprising a housing, a display panel, a control panel having a plurality of mathematical function keys and input keys, wherein the input keys have symbols or colors corresponding to the symbols or colors on the game pieces.
US08027999B2 Systems, methods and computer program products for indexing, searching and visualizing media content
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for searching a metadata repository and visualizing the results of the search, wherein the metadata in the metadata repository is associated with a plurality of media content, and wherein each media content including at least one audio track. The method comprises retrieving the media contents used to generate the metadata terms satisfying a search criteria, and generating a ranked list of search results. The method further includes visualizing the ranked list of media contents, and displaying relevant metadata and corresponding associations for the media contents to enable navigation of the at least one audio track included in the media contents.
US08027992B2 Build automation and verification for modular servers
A system and method for managing and verifying the installation of software on a modular information handling system includes a bar file database and an installation management module. The bar file database stores bar files. The bar files each are related to a component of a modular information handling system. The installation management module is able to receive a bar file and communicate with the bar file database to identify and access each bar file associated with the modular information handling system.
US08027987B2 Electronic device having a handwriting input function, and non-transitory medium storing a control program therefor
In a state where the entry word “account” retrieved from a dictionary and its explanatory information have been displayed, when the entry memo “Test point to notice” is input in handwritten characters at a handwriting input unit, the entry memo is caused to correspond to the retrieved entry word “account” and then registered. When the desired entry memo “Test point to notice” is selected from a list of the registered entry memos, the entry word “account” caused to correspond to the entry memo and its explanatory information are displayed immediately. Accordingly, as with a paper dictionary, an entry memo in which handwritten characters have been written as needed is related to the desired entry word and its explanatory information. Using the entry memo data as if it were a sticky note enables the desired entry word to be displayed easily and quickly.
US08027983B1 Enhanced query performance using fixed length hashing of multidimensional data
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for enhancing query performance through fixed length hashing of multidimensional data. According to one method, a fixed length hash of a multidimensional data record is created where the hash has respective fixed length sections for each data dimension of the record being hashed. The composite fixed length hash is stored with a reference to the original data record to which it corresponds. Query parameters are hashed and compared to a corresponding section of the fixed length hash to determine a set of candidate records.
US08027978B2 Image search method, apparatus, and program
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for searching image data representing an image from a database by using a query image, the image data including information indicative of a shape of a contour of the image, comprising: obtaining a query image data representing the query image; extracting information indicative of a shape of a contour of the query image; and determining the image data in the database on the basis of correlation of the topological characteristics of the shapes of the contours of the images and the query image.
US08027973B2 Searching questions based on topic and focus
A method and system for determining the relevance of questions to a queried question based on topics and focuses of the questions is provided. A question search system provides a collection of questions with topics and focuses. Upon receiving a queried question, the question search system identifies a queried topic and queried focus of the queried question. The question search system generates a score indicating the relevance of a question of the collection to the queried question based on a language model of the topic of the question and a language model of the focus of the question.
US08027969B2 Efficient calculation of sets of distinct results in an information retrieval service
Systems and methods are provided for efficient calculation of sets of distinct results in an information retrieval service. A query is received having at least one requested attribute and one or more conditions. For each row identifier in a database table that matches the one or more conditions, a tuple of value identifiers having an entry for each requested attribute is calculated. A unique number is generated and assigned to the tuple for each distinct combination of the value identifiers. Duplicate entries in the tuple listing are identified and removed, so that a result set provides only distinct results.
US08027962B2 Techniques for asynchronous command interface for scalable and active data warehousing
Techniques for asynchronous command processing within a parallel processing environment are provided. A command is raised or received within a parallel processing data warehousing environment. A job or a component of the job is dynamically monitored, controlled, or modified in response to the real-time processing of the command. The job is actively processing within the parallel processing data warehousing environment when the command is received and processed against the job or the component of the job.
US08027957B2 Grammar compression
Compression of extensive, rule-based grammars used to facilitate search queries is provided herein. Rule-based grammars includes a list of rules that each comprise a sequence of token classes. Each token class is a logical grouping of tokens, and each token is a string of characters. A grammar is parsed to identify rules and token classes. Unimportant token classes are identified and sets of unimportant token classes are merged to generated merged token classes. A compressed grammar is generated by substituting the merged token classes into the grammar for corresponding unimportant token classes used to generate the merged token classes.
US08027953B2 System and methods for synchronizing datasets using cooperation among multiple synchronization engines
A system and methods for synchronizing datasets are provided that are especially suitable and efficient for a user who has three or more datasets that need to be occasionally synchronized, with no one dataset or synchronization system being guaranteed to participate in every synchronization. Synchronization status information, such as correspondences between data records of particular multiple datasets, is stored with more than one of the datasets. When two datasets that contain synchronization status information synchronize with each other, they not only synchronize user data and exchange status information involving each other, but they also synchronize and exchange status information involving “third-party” datasets that may not be participating in the synchronization. In this way, synchronization status information collected in an earlier synchronization is made available in a later synchronization, even if the earlier and later synchronizations are not conducted by a same synchronization system or do not both include a common, permanently-designated “hub” dataset. Further, when datasets being synchronized are found to contain mutually-duplicative data records, the data records are intelligently mapped to each other as being corresponding so as to avoid or minimize causing of changes to be made, in the data records, that would make synchronization status information stored in another dataset to become obsolete.
US08027951B2 Predictive algorithm for load balancing data transfers across components
A system, backup components and computer program product are provided to improve the efficiency of the transmission of consistency groups across multiple storage components by ensuring that volume transactions are evenly allocated among backup components. Each volume is initially assigned to a specified backup component. Once a color period begins, volume transactions are transmitted to the assigned backup component. Each backup component accumulates data transfer information for its assigned volumes throughout at least a portion of the color period and calculates a new volume assignment for the next color period. Before the start of the next color period, a captain storage controller transmits any new assignments to the backup components. During a next color period, the process is repeated using the new assignments.
US08027945B1 Intelligent portal engine
A human-computer interface system and methods for providing intelligent, adaptive, multimodal interaction with users while accomplishing tasks on their behalf in some particular domain or combination of domains. Specifically, this system accepts user input via natural language text, mouse actions, human speech, whistles, gestures, pedal movements, facial or postural changes, and conveys results via natural language text, automatically-generated speech, and displays of graphs, tables, animation, video, and mechanical and chemical effectors that convey heat, tactile sensation, taste and smell.
US08027942B2 Method and circuits for associating a complex operator to each component of an input pattern presented to an artificial neural network
The method and circuits of the present invention aim to associate a complex component operator (CC_op) to each component of an input pattern presented to an input space mapping algorithm based artificial neural network (ANN) during the distance evaluation process. A complex operator consists in the description of a function and a set of parameters attached thereto. The function is a mathematical entity (either a logic operator e.g. match(Ai,Bi), abs(Ai−Bi), . . . or an arithmetic operator, e.g. >, <, . . . ) or a set of software instructions possibly with a condition. In a first embodiment, the ANN is provided with a global memory, common for all the neurons of the ANN, that stores all the CC_ops. In another embodiment, the set of CC_ops is stored in the prototype memory of the neuron, so that the global memory is no longer physically necessary. According to the present invention, a component of a stored prototype may now designate objects of different nature. In addition, either implementation significantly reduces the number of components that are required in the neurons, therefore saving room when the ANN is integrated in a silicon chip.
US08027940B2 Classification of images as advertisement images or non-advertisement images
An advertisement image classification system trains a binary classifier to classify images as advertisement images or non-advertisement images and then uses the binary classifier to classify images of web pages as advertisement images or non-advertisement images. During a training phase, the classification system generates training data of feature vectors representing the images and labels indicating whether an image is an advertisement image or a non-advertisement image. The classification system trains a binary classifier to classify images using training data. During a classification phase, the classification system inputs a web page with an image and generates a feature vector for the image. The classification system then applies the trained binary classifier to the feature vector to generate a score indicating whether the image is an advertisement image or a non-advertisement image.
US08027933B2 Postal package delivery system
The present invention relates to a Postal package delivery system for forwarding a packet from a sender towards a destination through a postal network where the postal network comprises a plurality of postal nodes for sorting and forwarding the package through said network via at least one node of said plurality of postal nodes towards the destination. The forwarding of the package is based on the address of said destination, where a tag associating device is able to associate a tag of the package flexibly with a physical address of a plurality of addresses of said destination.
US08027932B2 Systems and methods for modification of service status of geographical delivery areas for common carriers
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for modifying the status for one or more carrier services based on one or more geographical delivery areas. Such embodiments provide an interface module executed by a processor to modify data indicating the status for the one or more carrier services in response to obtaining data indicating the one or more carrier services to be modified, a beginning date for which the status of the one or more carrier services is to be modified, an ending date for which the status will return to its pre-existing state prior to being modified, one or more geographical delivery areas in which the status is to be modified, and a modification for the one or more carrier services.
US08027931B2 Automated friend finder
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatically connecting individuals. A private profile of an individual may be automatically generated. The private profile of the individual may be automatically compared with private profiles of a set of individuals such that one or more of the set of individuals are identified as matches for the individual, wherein the private profile of the individual includes private data and each of the private profiles of the set of individuals includes private data. The private profile of the individual is not publicly available to other individuals that have access to a public profile of the individual. The individual may be automatically notified that the individual has been matched with the one or more individuals, thereby enabling the individual to initiate communication with the one or more individuals. The similarities between the private profile of the individual and the private profiles of the one or more individuals are not revealed to the individual or the one or more individuals.
US08027930B2 Method and apparatus for updating certificate information between buyers and suppliers
A computer system that manages compliance information between a buyer and a number of suppliers includes a database and is operable to store supplier guidelines corresponding to a product the buyer desires to purchase, store a list of approved suppliers, provide the suppliers with access to the supplier guidelines, store compliance information indicating whether one or more of the suppliers is in compliance with the supplier guidelines, and selectively update the list of approved suppliers in response to the compliance information. The computer system is also operable to store supplier certificates and to request updated supplier certificates provided directly from a certification issuer.
US08027929B2 Record-keeping system for live performances before transmission over a network
A method of producing a performance, the performance being transmitted over a network, the performance being subject to a record-keeping requirement, includes the steps of: providing information pertaining to a performance in accordance with a record-keeping requirement; associating the information with the performance; providing the associated information to a custodian; and transmitting the performance over a network.
US08027925B1 System method and apparatus for authorizing access
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses for resource libraries such as an application program interface (API), a toolkit, a framework, a runtime library, a dynamic link library (DLL), an applet (e.g. a Java or ActiveX applet), or any other reusable resource. The present invention allows the resource library to be selectively used only by authorized end user software programs. The present invention can be used to enforce a “per-program” licensing scheme for a resource library whereby the resource library is licensed only for use with particular software programs. In one embodiment, a license text string and a corresponding license key are embedded in a program that has been licensed to use a resource library. The license text string and the license key are supplied, for example, by a resource library vendor to a program developer who wants to use the resource library with an end user program being developed. The license text string includes information about the terms of the license under which the end user program is allowed to use the resource library. The license key is used to authenticate the license text string. The resource library in turn is provided with means for reading the license text string and the license key, and for determining, using the license key, whether the license text string is authentic and whether the license text string has been altered. Resource library functions are made available only to a program having an authentic and unaltered license text string.
US08027924B2 Playback apparatus, playback authorization server, program, and system integrated circuit
A playback apparatus judges whether a region code assigned to a BD-ROM matches a region code assigned to the playback apparatus. When the judgment result is in the affirmative, the playback apparatus plays back the content recorded on the optical disc. When the judgment result is in the negative, the playback apparatus does not play back the content, except when an exceptional playback is authorized. The exceptional playback is authorized when a combination of the content identifier of the content to be played back and the apparatus region code satisfies a predetermined condition defined by an owner of the rights of the content.
US08027922B2 Integration infrastructure
A system for making computing applications aware of business events. The system can consist of an enterprise integration layer that automatically publishes business events and a messaging system that automatically subscribes to business events and makes the computing applications aware of the business events. The enterprise integration layer can include a set of client access interfaces, a business object server, and a set of adapters. The interfaces transform data from the format of a front-office application to a common data format. The business object server performs object assembly and disassembly, caching and synchronization, and service invocation functions. The adapters transform business objects into data requests compatible with a back-office system. The enterprise integration layer can also include an enterprise object model to standardize business objects, a rules engine to define and store rules regarding data and events, and a business event repository to contain definitions of business events.
US08027918B2 Micro-payment system architecture
A micro-payment system has buyers, sellers, and a broker. The buyers establish accounts with the broker and provide payment information allowing the broker to invoice the buyers. The sellers establish accounts with the brokers and specify terms for accessing items, including electronic content, available from the sellers. The sellers also provide payment information that allows the broker to credit the sellers for sales of the items. The broker aggregates the buyers' micro-payment purchases and invoices the buyers. The broker also aggregates the sellers' micro-payment sales and credits the sellers.
US08027906B2 Portrayal of human information visualization
An apparatus and method for displaying viewer reactions to a display object. The display object is divided into a plurality of spatial regions, viewer reactions are collected to an exposure to the display object and correlated with the spatial regions, and the display object is displayed with an aspect of the display of each spatial region being a function of the viewer reactions for the region.
US08027892B2 System and method for automating invoice processing with positive confirmation
An invoice processing system includes a requisition and catalog server (referred to as a Req/Cat Web, or RCW, server), a procurement services system (SAP), and a requester terminal (browser). ReqCat Web allows requesters to input requirements (requisitions) which ReqCat then passes to SAP, which creates purchase orders, sends them to vendors for fulfillment, receives the vendors invoices, and prepares the payments. Commodities may be designated as either receivable or non-receivable, and this designation is stored in ReqCat web and passed to SAP on inbound requisitions. Payments on invoices received for non-receivable items are approved via a positive confirmation process, and payments on invoices received for receivable items are approved via a negative confirmation process. Positive acceptance of an invoice by a requester of commodities triggers automatic generation of a goods received (move) ticket.
US08027879B2 Exclusivity bidding for mobile sponsored content
In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for receiving a bid for an exclusive sponsored content item to be presented on a mobile communication facility, the bid including an amount and at least one exclusivity characteristic relating to a mobile subscriber characteristic and matching the at least one exclusivity characteristic with the exclusive sponsored content item based at least in part on a relevancy for presentation to a mobile communication facility.
US08027870B2 Method and apparatus for formalizing information technology (IT) business decision making
A method, framework, and system for providing formalized Information Technology (IT) business decision making, which includes determining a relationship between at least one Information Technology (IT) environmental element and at least one Information Technology (IT) performance metric, and determining a business value based on the at least one Information Technology (IT) environmental element and the at least one Information Technology (IT) performance metric to optimize an Information Technology (IT) business decision based on at least one predetermined business objective. The at least one predetermined business objective is based on a set of system constraints.
US08027864B2 System and method for providing e-commerce consumer-based behavioral target marketing reports
A system and methods which enable modeling of end consumer interests based on online activity and producing e-commerce reports is described. The method includes scoring and classifying interests and preferences of consumers in relation to various items being offered as function of time and utilizing such scores to predict purchasing activity and revenue yield for n-dimensional combinations of interest for generation of consumer lists for target marketing and merchandising. The method also includes converse modeling of the performance and behavioral profile of items offered as a function of consumer activity.
US08027856B2 Automated notification of part revisions for outside suppliers
Revision of a part specification document, such as a drawing, a part specification, or a bill of materials, prompts execution of an automated notification process. A unique part number associated with the revised part specification document is employed in searching open purchasing documents for purchase orders or request for quotes containing the part number. Electronic mail addresses for outside supplier contacts are kept in the database and linked to the supplier master of the open purchasing documents containing the part number. An electronic mail notification of the part specification document revision is generated and transmitted to each electronic mail address identified as being associated with an open purchasing document containing the subject part number.
US08027850B1 Property insurance risk assessment processing system and method
Disclosed herein is a method of facilitating an insurance coverage determination for a property based on a plurality of characteristic elements relevant to the insurance coverage determination. The method includes receiving property data indicative of attributes of the property for the plurality of characteristic elements, determining a property risk score for the property based on the property data, and supporting the insurance coverage determination with the property risk score.
US08027848B2 Context managing mobile computing framework for enterprise application
A framework for handheld computing devices comprises a user interface controlling the display, selection and launching of program modules, controls patient context within the program modules, and provides for messaging and sharing of databases between and among program modules. Databases are shared between the program modules by the publishing of XML and metadata identifying the structure of the databases.
US08027843B2 On-demand supplemental diagnostic and service resource planning for mobile systems
Enhanced diagnostic service is provided by determining availability of and downloading a supplemental diagnostic function to isolate a failure according to a service signal from a mobile system; coalescing offers for a repair service according to results of the execution of the downloaded diagnostic function; presenting the offers to an operator of the mobile system; executing the diagnostic function by an on-demand computing system wherein transactions provided by the diagnostic function are automatically shared by simultaneously serving multiple customers; differentiating and recording each customer's usage of the diagnostic functions according to one or more parameters included in the transactions, the parameters uniquely identifying each customer and a type of transaction conducted for that customer; and, responsive to a number of simultaneous transactions to any one server exceeding a performance limit of a given server, automatically accessing one or more additional servers to increase capacity and to share workload.
US08027840B2 Enabling speech within a multimodal program using markup
A method for speech enabling an application can include the step of specifying a speech input within a speech-enabled markup. The speech-enabled markup can also specify an application operation that is to be executed responsive to the detection of the speech input. After the speech input has been defined within the speech-enabled markup, the application can be instantiated. The specified speech input can then be detected and the application operation can be responsively executed in accordance with the specified speech-enabled markup.
US08027829B2 System and method for integrated circuit emulation
A system and method for integrated circuit emulation. One embodiment provides a system for in-circuit emulation of an integrated circuit device with program-controlled components. The system includes an integrated circuit device with program-controlled components used in a system for normal operation. The integrated circuit device having at least one program-controlled emulation unit emulating at least one of the program-controlled components of the integrated circuit device, and at least one statistics memory for storing statistical data of the program-controlled emulation unit during emulation.
US08027826B2 Evaluation device consisting of a logic simulator and a simulation result table
Evaluation by logic simulation can be favorably performed. A target packet determination part determines if a target packet which is a response packet that is to be transmitted with respect to a request packet that is received is in a simulation result table. When there is a target packet, a response packet output reads out and transmits the target packet from the simulation result table. On the other hand, when there is no target packet, a system controller forces a logic simulator to perform logic simulation regarding the received request packet, disconnects a connection with an opposing connection device, so as to perform reconnection after completion of the logic simulation by the logic simulator. A table generating part writes the request packet and the response packet obtained by the logic simulator into the simulation result table, the request packet and the response packet being made correspondent to each other.
US08027824B2 Protein switches incorporating cytochrome C3 in monolayers and method for producing same
A biomolecular electronic switch includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a programmable monolayer of either cytochrome c or cytochrome c3 or bovine serum hormone sandwiched between the first and second electrical contacts and a substrate. These switches have high current-carrying capacities and are very fast. It appears that these protein materials can be either metals or semiconductors. Because of the high conductivity and tiny size, these globular proteins can be used to develop cost-effective, miniaturized FEDs, molecular diodes and rectifiers for nanocomputer chips.
US08027823B2 Methods and system for viewing genomic data
A computer-implemented method for viewing experimental data is provided. In certain embodiments the method comprises: a) inputting genomic array data and cytogenetic data into a computer memory; and b) producing a graphical user interface comprising: i) a chromosomal map of the genomic array data comprising a first positional indicator that indicates a position on the chromosomal map; and ii) a cytogenetic map of the cytogenetic data comprising a second positional indicator that indicates a position on the cytogenetic map.
US08027820B2 Method and apparatus for predicting the failure of a component
The invention provides a method and apparatus for predicting the failure of a component using a probabilistic model of a material's microstructural-based response to fatigue. The method predicts the component failure by a computer simulation of multiple incarnations of real material behavior, or virtual prototyping. The virtual prototyping simulates the effects of characteristics that include grain size, grain orientation, micro-applied stress and micro-yield strength that are difficult to simulate with real specimens. The invention provides an apparatus for predicting the response of a component to fatigue using the method.
US08027818B1 System and method for unstable-resonator optically pumped semiconductor lasers
Apparatus and method for designing and operating a solid-state laser that compensates for thermal lensing such that lasing instability is maintained at high pumping power. In some embodiments, the laser is an optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL). In some embodiments, a concave end facet is formed on the OPSL that at least compensates for thermal lensing at high pump power. In some embodiments, an external mirror is used for at least one end of the OPSL, wherein the external mirror at least compensates for thermal lensing at high pump power.
US08027817B2 Simulation management within a grid infrastructure
A solution for managing a set of simulations within a grid infrastructure is provided. In particular, a solution is provided in which distinct simulations (e.g., virtual worlds, distributed simulations, and/or the like) and/or simulation instances (e.g., virtual world instances) can be concurrently managed in a single grid infrastructure.
US08027816B2 Frequency response optimisation of a movement simulator by adaptive sinusoidal reference tracking
The control device of a movement simulator, between its input formed of a control signal and its output formed of a measured magnitude among its speed, its position and its acceleration, by a transfer function B(z−1)/A(z−1) includes a corrector synthesized from the modelling of the movement simulator and equivalent to a RST controller. The controller includes a reference input, a retro-action input whereon is applied the measured magnitude and an output producing the control signal. The transfer function between the reference input of the controller and the measured magnitude is H(z−1)/W(z−1). The device has a reference filter whose input is a sinusoidal reference signal c(t) at a frequency wc and applying at output a filtered reference signal on the reference input of the controller. The reference filter has a transfer function Rr(z−1)/Fr(z−1), whose denominator and numerator are adapted to ensure, for the frequency wc, effective tracking by the movement simulator of the sinusoidal reference.
US08027812B2 Charge trajectory calculating method, system, and program
An embodiment of the present invention is a charge trajectory calculating method which calculates, by simulation, trajectories of charges scattered by irradiating a target object with a charged beam. The method includes: setting a simulation region, which corresponds to the existence region of the target object; dividing the simulation region into a plurality of segment regions; calculating, by a Monte Carlo calculation, the trajectories of charges scattered by irradiating the inside of a predetermined segment region with the charged beam; calculating, based on function values of an approximate function, the potential distribution which occurs in the simulation region by irradiating the outside of the predetermined segment region with the charged beam; and calculating, by a Monte Carlo calculation, and based on the potential distribution calculated based on the function values of the approximate function, the trajectories of charges scattered by irradiating the outside of the predetermined segment region with the charged beam.
US08027802B1 Method and apparatus for verifying two dimensional mark quality
A method and system for applying a two dimensional mark on a first surface of a component and assessing mark quality, the method comprising the steps of positioning a component with a first surface at a first station, applying a two dimensional mark to the first surface at the first station wherein the applied mark is intended to codify a first information subset, obtaining an image of the applied two dimensional mark at the first station, performing a mark quality assessment on the obtained image and performing a secondary function as a result of the mark quality assessment.
US08027800B2 Apparatus and method for testing a panel of interferometric modulators
In some embodiments, each interferometric modulator has a stiction threshold voltage. If a voltage above the stiction threshold voltage is applied to the interferometric modulator, the interferometric modulator enters a stiction state permanently, i.e., becomes “stuck,” and the interferometric modulator becomes inoperable. Disclosed are apparatuses, methods and computer-readable media for testing a panel of interferometric modulators. A ramped voltage waveform is applied to a plurality of interferometric modulators of the panel. In response to applying the ramped voltage, the stiction threshold voltage is identified. At or above this voltage, the number of stuck interferometric modulators in the panel reaches or exceeds a first threshold number, for example, 50% of the total number of the interferometric modulators constituting the panel. The embodiments can be used to establish stiction benchmark for panel manufacturing processes, to collect data for generating statistical distribution, etc.
US08027791B2 Self-improving classification system
A self-improving classification system classifies specimens based on class identifiers. The system stores specimen profiles in a database that is updated with additional specimen profiles and with follow-up data that corrects classification of specimens that were initially incorrectly classified. Algorithms use the updated database to discover new class identifiers, modify thresholds of known class identifiers, and drop unnecessary class identifiers to improve classification of specimens.
US08027787B2 Vehicle navigation system and method
A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.
US08027778B2 Torque delivery
A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders with electronically actuated valves (EVA) is presented. The system is designed to improve the torque delivery of an EVA engine that operates a portion of cylinders in an HCCI combustion mode.
US08027771B2 Method and apparatus to monitor an output speed sensor during operation of an electro-mechanical transmission
There is provided a method to monitor a sensing system adapted to monitor an output of an electro-mechanical transmission. This includes monitoring rotational speed of a wheel operatively connected to a driveline operatively connected to the output of the electro-mechanical transmission. A first expected output of the transmission is determined based upon the output of the first sensor. A second expected output of the transmission is determined based upon a rotational speed of a torque-generative device operatively connected to the transmission. The first and second expected outputs and an output of the sensing system adapted to monitor the output of the electro-mechanical transmission are compared.
US08027769B2 Device and method for controlling a vehicle flap or a vehicle door
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle flap or a vehicle door, the apparatus having a housing, a first end of which is pivotably coupled to one of the following: a vehicle flap or a vehicle door and a vehicle frame, and a second end of which is pivotably coupled to the other one of the following: a vehicle flap or a vehicle door and a vehicle frame, a drive control device which is arranged on the housing, and at least one sensor which is in the form of an acceleration sensor. An abovementioned apparatus and a method, in which simple and reliable movement as well as detection and evaluation of the movement may be ensured, is provided by virtue of the acceleration sensor being arranged on the housing, and the acceleration sensor detecting the acceleration of the vehicle flap or vehicle door.
US08027762B2 Driving assist apparatus
A driving assist apparatus 1 that performs driving assist on the basis of a traffic rule of a mobile object includes a traffic rule acquisition unit 11, 12, and 13 acquiring a traffic rule which a mobile object is highly likely to observe in an arbitrary region, and performs driving assist on the basis of the traffic rule acquired by the traffic rule acquisition unit. In particular, the driving assist apparatus includes a region acquisition unit 13 acquiring a traffic rule deviation region where a defined traffic rule in an arbitrary region does not conform to the traffic rule acquired by the traffic rule acquisition unit, or a traffic rule correction unit correcting the traffic rule acquired by the traffic rule acquisition unit when a defined traffic rule in an arbitrary region does not conform to the traffic rule acquired by the traffic rule acquisition unit.
US08027757B2 Method and device for aiding the management of successive flights of an aircraft
The invention relates to a method and device for aiding the management of successive flights of an aircraft. The device includes a determination unit which uses values recorded automatically for a flight, to automatically determine the values of characteristic parameters for waypoints of a next flight.
US08027752B2 Network for changing resource consumption in an appliance
A network includes a smart coupler having a processor, a memory with software, and a power source to energize the processor and the memory, and an appliance configured to perform an operation on a physical article. The appliance is one that consumes at least some of a resource in performing the operation. The network also includes a source of information about the resource. The smart coupler is in communication with the appliance and the source, and the processor and memory operate to request a change to the operation of the appliance in response to a resource parameter or a request communicated by the source.
US08027750B2 Robot control apparatus
A robot control apparatus (3) for controlling tasks to be executed by a plurality of robots which are capable of moving. The robot control apparatus (3) includes: a battery level determination device (330) which determines a battery level of each robot from a predetermined plurality of battery levels based on a remaining amount of charge in a battery of each robot; a task manager (340) which sets a task executive plan to be executed by each robot for the plurality of robots and rearranges the task executive plan for one or more tasks registered in the task executive plan in accordance with a process predetermined for each battery level; an executive instruction generator (350) which generates executive instructions requesting the robots to execute the tasks that are set in the task executive plans; and a transmitter which transmits the executive instructions to the robots.
US08027747B2 Method for register correction of a processing machine, and a processing machine
A method for the register correction of a processing machine for processing a continuous material, in particular a shaftless printing press, with which the continuous material is processed by at least two processing units with at least one compensator for adjusting the length of the continuous material in the continuous material section being provided upstream of each of the at least two processing units. In order to adjust the register of a first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of the first processing unit is adjusted by the compensator provided in this first continuous material section. To adjust the register of the first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of a second processing unit is also adjusted by the compensator provided in this second continuous material section. A related processing machine carries out the inventive method.
US08027742B2 Fault detection systems and methods for self-optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls
A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.
US08027741B2 System and method of improved kalman filtering for estimating the state of a dynamic system
Embodiments include systems and methods of estimating at least one state of a modeled dynamic system. In particular, in one embodiment, an observer such as an extended Kalman filter is used to estimate the state of a modeled dynamic system. A covariance matrix associated with state variables of the observer is periodically checked for compliance with a specified condition, e.g., positive definiteness. If the matrix deviates from the specified condition, the matrix is set to a specified value.
US08027732B2 Integrated phase-shift power control transmitter for use with implantable device and method for use of the same
Systems and methods for efficiently transmitting power using a high frequency (e.g., RF) telemetry transmitter are provided. The telemetry transmitter may include a fixed clock source (which may provide a fixed clock signal), telemetry phase shift circuitry (which may include switching circuitry and phase shifting circuitry), and a push-pull network. The telemetry phase shift circuitry generates a phase shifted clock signal that is phase shifted with respect to the fixed clock signal. The fixed and phase shifted clock signals may drive the switching circuitry to produce a high frequency signal that is passed through the push-pull network. The power or magnitude of the high frequency signal is based on the phase delay between the fixed clock signal and the phase shifted clock signal.
US08027728B2 High power implantable battery with improved safety and method of manufacture
A power control circuit for an implantable medical device is presented. The power control circuit includes a first high rate cell, a second high rate cell, at least one resistive load, and at least one control circuit. The at least one resistive load is connected between the first and the second high rate cells. The at least one control circuit is coupled to the first and the second high rate cells.
US08027727B2 Pacemaker RF telemetry repeater and method
A system and method for repeating radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an RF repeater. According to various embodiments, the repeater includes a first antenna and a first communication circuit electrically connected to the first antenna. The first communication circuit is adapted to communicate with an IMD, the IMD including a built-in active telemetry transceiver, over a first channel. The device also includes a second antenna and a second communication circuit electrically connected to the second antenna. The second communication circuit is adapted to communicate with a programmer over a second channel different from the first channel. The device also includes a control circuit coupled to the first and second communication circuits. The control circuit is adapted to enable or disable the first and second communication circuits. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08027720B2 Apparatus and method of arrhythmia detection in a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator
In a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator, cardiac arrhythmias are detected to determine necessary therapeutic action. Cardiac signal information is sensed from far field electrodes implanted in a patient. The sensed cardiac signal information is then amplified and filtered. Parameters such as rate, QRS pulse width, cardiac QRS slew rate, amplitude and stability measures of these parameters from the filtered cardiac signal information are measured, processed and integrated to determine if the cardioverter/defibrillator needs to initiate therapeutic action.
US08027719B2 Method and apparatus for delivering defibrillation shock therapy while reducing electrical dispersion due to ventricular conduction disorder
A method and device for delivering defibrillation shock therapy in patients having an inter-ventricular conduction disorder is presented. Ventricular resynchronization therapy is employed to reduce the dispersion of ventricular depolarization which takes place due to the conduction disorder and reduces the safety margin of shocks delivered synchronously with ventricular beats. The method may be employed in the treatment of atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
US08027718B2 Regional anesthetic
A method and apparatus are disclosed for anesthetizing a region of a patient's body. The method includes identifying a target nerve which, upon activation, anesthetizes a region of a patient's body including a surgical site. The target nerve is located and an active site of a nerve blocking apparatus is placed in proximity to the nerve. The nerve blocking apparatus is activated to block neural propagation along the nerve. The activation of the nerve blocking apparatus is maintained during a surgical procedure at the surgical site.
US08027702B2 Combined omni- and directional- communications in high-frequency wireless networks
In a wireless communication network, specific portions of the communication may combine directional transmission with omnidirectional reception. In particular, sector-level directional transmission may be established through sector sweeps, followed by antenna training for more directionality. In some embodiments, collisions during the exchange may be reduced by having different network devices use different sub-channels or different time slots. In some embodiments, each network may restrict its network communications to a single sub-channel that is different than the sub-channels used by adjacent networks.
US08027700B2 Method and system for forwarding communications
A method includes receiving an identification value from a wireless beacon at a mobile device when the mobile device is within a detection area of the wireless beacon. The method also includes determining whether the wireless beacon is a recognized wireless beacon based on the identification value using a look up table accessible to the mobile device. An alternate communication address is selected from the look up table based on the identification value received from the wireless beacon, and communications addressed to the mobile device are redirected to the alternate communication address.
US08027697B2 Public safety access point (PSAP) selection for E911 wireless callers in a GSM type system
Public safety access points are selected in a wireless network for E911 calls based on ESRD substitution when ESRKs are not being used. The present invention was conceived as an ESRK workaround solution to implement Phase II of the E911 rules from the starting point of a Phase I implementation. ESRKs, ESRDs or ESRVs are initially obtained and managed for each PSAP in a particular carrier's area. Then, Phase I processes are modified to wait to see if Phase II GSM location information will be reported in a timely manner (e.g., within a second or two or so) before committing to a default selection of a particular PSAP based on information available (e.g., based on the location of a serving cell site).
US08027694B2 Method and system for messaging across cellular networks and a public data network
A computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. A message is sent from a mobile unit device over a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the mobile unit device's user, message content and message address. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message function, the associated instant message function is executed at the instant message system using the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the associated instant message function. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user, the destination address is associated with an instant message user name, an instant message is created according to the message content and is sent to the user with the associated instant message user name.
US08027688B2 Method and device of network resource release processing
A method of network resource release processing is provided, which includes the following steps. After user equipment (UE) using idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism registers to two 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication networks, when the UE changes from the 3GPP network to a non-3GPP communication network, a serving gateway (Serving GW) receives a message sent from a peer endpoint network element (NE), and deletes network resources established by the two 3GPP communication networks for the UE according to the message. A mobility management NE and a Serving GW are also provided. Through the method and device of network resource release processing, the resources are released when the UE using the ISR mechanism changes from the 3GPP network to the non-3GPP communication network.
US08027679B2 Secure intra- and inter-domain handover
To achieve a secure and fast handover in a distributed mobile communication environment (10), the control functionality is lying at the borderline between wireless and wire-bound communication network elements, and it is proposed to, firstly, execute a mutual authentication between a mobile device (26) and a new access point (14) using security context information previously transmitted to the new access point. Then, after successful mutual authentication, a handover will be executed from the current access point (12) to the new access point (14).
US08027672B2 System and method for dynamically configuring wireless network geographic coverage or service levels
A system and a method for facilitating communication between a remote station and a service network are disclosed. A remote station is associated with a first communicator configured to communicate over a first communication network and a second communicator configured to communicate over a second communication network. A communication controller associated with the remote station and coupled with the first communicator and the second communicator is operable to transmit a first set of signals using the first communicator a second set of signals using the second communicator. A mobile network access point is directable to within a communication range of the second communicator of the remote station when the remote station is outside of an existing communication range of the second communication network and the first set of signals includes a resource request for the second communication network.
US08027669B2 Optimized transmission of text sample format description for streaming timed text
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting formatted text from a streaming server 100 to a mobile client 101 using an RTP protocol in a mobile communication system. The formatted text comprises at least one text sample having an associated text sample format description. Further; the present invention relates to the streaming server 100 transmitting the formatted text, the mobile client 101 receiving a streamed formatted text and to a streaming system. To reduce the transmission overhead of conventional systems when transmitting streamed text in a wireless communication system, such as UMTS, using RTP, the streaming server 100 transmits only text sample format descriptions that are not already provided for a earlier text samples to the mobile client 101 when processing a text sample to be transmitted. The server maintains information on the text sample format descriptions transferred to the client in order to determine which of the text sample format descriptions have already been provided.
US08027659B1 Configuration of alert messages for emergency alert system broadcast
An Emergency Alert System (EAS) alert message can be provided based on a configuration established by a subscriber of a mobile device as well as a characteristic of the mobile device. The subscriber can interact with an interface provided by the network provider to establish the configuration. Additionally, the mobile device can provide the characteristic such as the location of the mobile device to the network provider. The network provider can use the configuration established by the subscriber and/or the characteristic of the mobile device to determine which alert message to provide to the mobile device.
US08027651B2 Method and apparatus for removing DC offset in a direct conversion receiver
A method and apparatus for correcting direct current (DC) offset errors of a received signal in a direct conversion receiver (DCR) are provided. DC offset correction algorithms are incorporated into the DCR, each algorithm being optimized for a particular receive signal operating environment. The DC offset correction algorithms remove DC offset errors in baseband In-phase and Quadrature-phase signals received within the direct conversion receiver baseband signal path. Individual DC offset correction algorithms are selected for use as determined by a signal quality estimator component. A DC offset correction component of the direct conversion receiver determines an appropriate DC offset correction algorithm suited for a particular operating environment. A criterion for a signal quality estimate is set to control transitioning between DCOC algorithms. A dual threshold strategy may be adopted to transition between one DC offset correction algorithm and another DC offset correction algorithm to provide hysteresis.
US08027650B2 Iterative multi-stage detection technique for a diversity receiver having multiple antenna elements
A system and method for processing signals are disclosed. The method may include spreading N replicas of a received signal with N orthogonal sequences. A scrambled set of N channel signals may be generated based on the spread N replicas of the received signal. M replicas of a received signal may be spread with the N orthogonal sequences. A scrambled set of M channel signals may be generated based on the spread M replicas of the received signal. The generated scrambled set of N channel signals and said generated scrambled set of M channel signals may be multiplexed onto K multiplexed channel signals on a receiver chain, where M, N and K are integers. The spread N replicas of the received signal may be combined. The combined spread N replicas of the received signal may be scrambled.
US08027635B2 Relaying third party wireless communications through a portable wireless system
A portable wireless system is described. The portable wireless system has a controller that is operable to selectively configure the portable wireless system as a personal electronic appliance or a third party wireless repeater that is configured to relay wireless signals between a third party electronic appliance and a wireless network. Accordingly, the portable wireless system (e.g., a cellular telephone, a pager or a personal digital assistant) may act as a wireless repeater for third party wireless communications when the portable wireless system otherwise is not in use. In this way, the portable wireless system increases the utilization of existing wireless network infrastructures (e.g., a cellular telephone network) by making one or more unused wireless channels available to other devices. A novel incentives-based business model that encourages owners of portable electronic appliances to fully utilize existing wireless network capacity also is described.
US08027631B2 Song practice support device
A technique of enabling a singer to auditorily recognize how to change the way of singing is provided. The CPU (11) of a karaoke device (1) associates model voice data stored in a model voice data storage area (14c) with inputted learner voice data in a time axis direction. Then the CPU (11) shifts the pitch of the learner voice data so that it may coincide with the corresponding pitch of the model voice data according to the result of the association, compresses or extends the section (mora) of the learner voice data in the time axis direction so that the section length of the learner voice data coincides with the corresponding section length of the model voice data, and outputs the resultant learner voice data to a voice processing section (18). The voice processing section (18) converts the learner voice data supplied from the CPU (11) into an analog signal and generates the sound from a loudspeaker (19).
US08027613B2 Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An arrangement of sealing members seals developer in a developer device. The sealing members minimize or eliminate developer from leaking around the sides of a developer carrier.
US08027612B2 Image forming apparatus having a charge member disposed near an image bearing member
Provided is an image forming apparatus having a charge brush for charging a transfer residual toner remaining on an intermediate transfer member. A toner is adhered to the charge brush. While a charge voltage is applied to the charge brush, the toner adhered to the charge brush is attracted by an electric field onto the charge brush. However, when the charge voltage is not applied to the charge brush, the toner adhered to the charge brush is moved to the intermediate transfer member. When a subsequent toner image is formed on the toner adhered to the intermediate transfer member, the quality of the subsequent image is deteriorated. Accordingly, the charge voltage is applied to the charge brush when an intermediate transfer area to which the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member immediately afterward faces the charge brush.
US08027611B2 Detachable holding portions in an image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier carrying an image; a charging roll charging the image carrier; a cleaning member configured to be brought into contact with the charging roll for cleaning the charging roll; a first holding portion detachably provided in an apparatus main body for holding the image carrier; and a second holding portion provided within the apparatus main body independently from the first holding portion, for holding the cleaning member.
US08027610B2 Image forming apparatus and control method for printing without a margin
An image forming apparatus according to this invention which allows double-sided printing can reduce the toner consumption amount by decreasing the size of a developer image on the second page as compared with the size of a developer image printed on the first page in margin-less printing. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a setting unit adapted to set, when images are to be formed on both surfaces of a printing material without margin, a size of a developer image on a second page of the printing material smaller than a size of a developer image on a first page of the printing material.
US08027608B2 Fixing device, image forming apparatus equipped therewith, and recording medium on which temperature control program is recorded
A fixing device which can reduce an overshoot of the surface temperature of a main heating section without lengthening a warming-up period of time, an image forming apparatus equipped therewith, and a recording medium on which is recorded the temperature control program are provided. In a standby mode, control is performed to stop an operation of a halogen lamp which is an internal heat source, when a surface temperature of a heating roller reaches a certain temperature lower than a target temperature, or when the operating period of time of the halogen lamp reaches a certain period of time. By so doing, as the heating roller ceases to be heated at a point at which it reaches a temperature lower than the target temperature, it is possible to reduce the overshoot of the surface temperature of the heating roller.
US08027585B2 Optical communication method, optical communication device, and optical communication system
The present invention relates to controlling wavelength switching in a plurality of nodes that are provided to increase the distance of signal transmission in inverse MUX transmission in which a high-speed line is divided into a plurality of low-speed lines for transmission. A maximum skew occurring between adjacent nodes is measured, and switching of wavelength channels is performed in one or a plurality of nodes on the basis of the measured maximum skew to keep the skew of the entire inverse MUX transmission system at or below a prescribed value. The optical communication device is provided with an NNI functional block to which high-speed lines on the transmission channel side are connected, and a UNI functional block to which low-speed lines on the client side are connected.
US08027582B2 Autofocus with confidence measure
Autofocusing is performed in response to a weighted sum of previous blur difference depth estimates at each focus adjustment iteration. Variance is also determined across both past and present estimations providing a confidence measure on the present focus position for the given picture. Focus adjustment is repeated until the variance is sufficiently low as to indicate confidence that a proper focus has been attained. The method provides more accurate and rapid focusing than achieved by the best current depth-based techniques, such as those utilizing most recent depth estimation to determine the next lens position. In contrast to this, the present apparatus and method combines all previous depth estimation results in the autofocus process to determine the next lens position based on statistical models and confidence measure.
US08027580B2 Image capture unit and image capture device having same
An exemplary image capture unit includes a light guide plate, a camera module, and a driving unit. The light guide plate includes a first wedge-shaped portion, a second wedge-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion connecting to the first wedge-shaped portion and the second wedge-shaped portion. The intermediate portion has a uniform thickness. The camera module faces the light guide plate. The camera module has an optical axis associated therewith. The driving unit is configured for driving the light guide plate to move relative to the camera module to selectively align the camera module with the first wedge-shaped portion, the second wedge-shaped portion, or the intermediate portion.
US08027579B2 Camera driver
A camera driving apparatus capable of inclining a camera section including a lens barrel and an imaging element in a panning direction (yawing) and a tilting direction (pitching) and also capable of rotating the camera section around an optical axis thereof (rolling).
US08027572B2 Dialysis machine having multiple line voltage heater
A dialysis machine having a multiple line voltage heater includes first and second heater elements, first and second switching devices connected electrically to the first and second heating elements, first and second power lines, and a control element configured to provide a first switching device state in which power at a first voltage is supplied via the first and second power lines to both first and second heater elements via both first and second switching devices and a second switching device state in which power at a second voltage is supplied via the first and second power lines to the first heater element only via the first switching device.
US08027568B1 System capable of playing a seamless version from within a motion picture
A method of selecting video segments and programs from a program database (“programbase”), such as may be constructed from a collection of news, educational programs, and motion pictures, in which available segments of programs are assigned descriptors responsive to subject matter (e.g. news), content levels (e.g. “Highlight”, “Summary”, “Condensed”, and “Detailed”), and levels of explicitness (e.g. “None”, “Implied”, “Explicit”, and “Graphic”) in each of a range of content categories (e.g. “Inclusion”, and “Violence”), according to the content of the segments of the program. The programbase being accessible by a plurality of video retrievers, and the selection of video segments and programs being responsive to the subject matter preferences and content preferences of a video retriever.
US08027567B2 Apparatus for and method of recording information, apparatus for and method of reproducing information, recording medium, and information recording medium
Provided is an information recording apparatus which, in a state where the content of moving picture image information, etc. can be prevented from being inadvertently recognized by the user due to inadvertent presentation to the user of a relevant representative picture image, enables recording the respective information into a recording medium. A reproduction list PL that is to be reproduced is not only recorded into an optical disc 1 but is there also recorded in it a reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF indicating at least whether limiting the display of a representative picture image that represents the content of the reproduction list PL.
US08027565B2 Method for identifying motion video/audio content
A method for identifying motion video/audio content, by means of comparing a video A to a registered video B so as to determine if they are originally the same as each other, wherein said method at least comprises the steps of extracting a fingerprint A from the video A; and searching from a fingerprint database for a pre-extracted and registered fingerprint B of the video B by means of comparison of fingerprint A with a sliding window of a possible fingerprint B, so as to determine that the video A is visually identical to the video B if a match is found. According to the present invention, the method for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals facilitates the automatic identification, archiving and search of video content, and can be of without the need for human visual inspections.
US08027563B2 Recording medium, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method
In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream (231) including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed.
US08027560B2 System and method for synchronizing playback of audio and video
A system and method for providing a digital In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, that is capable of presenting a video program and associated audio in a synchronized manner to a large number of individual video monitors and speakers. The system and method employ processing operations in at least one decoder of the IFE system, to perform operations such as adjusting a local clock based on a master clock, setting a delay time in relation to a master clock, and adjusting video and audio playback based on the delay, to substantially synchronize playback of the audio and video data by the audio and video players, to thus eliminate or at least minimize the negative effects of source and load based jitter, network delays, clock drifts, network errors and decoder buffering differences, on synchronizing video and audio playback.
US08027558B2 Slide arrangement for cable drawer
A drawer slide having first and second rails interconnected by a center rail. The center rail includes a spool configured to provide half-speed travel of the center rail relative to the travel of the first rail. The drawer slide is configured for use with a drawer assembly having a drawer and a chassis. The drawer assembly further includes a radius limiter secured to the center rail. The radius limiter travels at half-speed relative to the drawer. The radius limiter also automatically rotates relative to the travel of the drawer. The chassis includes sides including threaded backing plates, and mounting brackets. The mounting brackets include tri-lobed holes for receipt of a reciprocally shaped washer and a fastener for mounting the brackets to the chassis sides.
US08027554B2 Thermo-optic phase shifter and method for manufacturing same
The thermo-optic phase shifter (200) according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: a substrate (201); a sacrificial layer (202) formed above the substrate (201); a first cladding layer (203) formed above the sacrificial layer (202) and having a film density higher than that of the sacrificial layer (202); an optical waveguide core (204) formed above the first cladding layer (203); a second cladding layer (205) provided over the first cladding layer (203) to cover the optical waveguide core (204); a heat-generating heater (206) provided to a region of the second cladding layer (205) directly above the optical waveguide core (204); and a groove (207) formed in a side face region of the optical waveguide core (204) and extending from the surface of the second cladding layer (205) to the surface of the substrate (201).
US08027552B2 Monolithic optical transmitter and receiver apparatus incorporating hollow waveguides
A transmitter apparatus (2) is described that comprises one or more lasers (4), modulation means (10) to intensity modulate radiation output by each of said one or more lasers (4), and output means for outputting the modulated radiation produced by the modulation means into, for example, an optical fiber (22). The apparatus comprises hollow core optical waveguides (20) formed in a substrate (18) which, in use, guide radiation from the one or more lasers (4) to the modulation means (10) and from the modulation means (10) to the output means. An associated receiver apparatus (30) is also described that comprises one or more detectors (32) and one or more optical fiber attachment means, the one or more optical fiber attachment means being arranged to receive one or more one optical fibers (42). The receiver is characterized in that radiation is guided from the one or more optical fibers (42) to the one or more detectors (32) by at least one hollow core optical waveguide (40) formed in a substrate. A combined receiver/transmitter apparatus (70) is also shown.
US08027548B2 Microscope system
A microscope system is constructed by a light guiding optical system 20 having an objective lens 21 and beam splitters 27a and 27b for splitting an optical image of a sample S, a photodetector 31 for acquiring an image of the sample S, and two CCD cameras 33 and 34 for focus control disposed on optical paths split by the beam splitters 27a and 27b. The cameras 33 and 34 are disposed being inclined with respect to the optical path so that the optical paths thereof in the light guiding optical system 20 vary along a z-axis direction in opposite directions to each other. Images acquired by these cameras 33 and 34 are analyzed in a focus controller 37, and the image pickup focal point to the sample S is controlled on the basis of the analysis result, whereby the focus control when an image of the sample is acquired can be suitably performed.
US08027542B2 High speed video action recognition and localization
An apparatus for detecting an action in a test video. In an illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes a first mechanism for receiving a query for a particular action via a query video. A second mechanism employs motion vectors associated with the test video to compute one or more motion-similarity values. The one or more motion-similarity values represent motion similarity between a first group of pixels in a first frame of a query video and a second group of pixels in a second frame of the test video based on the motion vectors. A third mechanism uses the one or more similarity values to search for the particular action or similar action in the test video. In a more specific embodiment, another mechanism aggregates the similarity values over a predetermined number of frames to facilitate estimating where the particular action or version thereof occurs or is likely to occur in the test video.
US08027540B2 Asymmetric score normalization for handwritten word spotting system
A method begins by receiving an image of a handwritten item. The method performs a word segmentation process on the image to produce a sub-image and extracts a set of feature vectors from the sub-image. Then, the method performs an asymmetric approach that computes a first log-likelihood score of the feature vectors using a word model having a first structure (such as one comprising a Hidden Markov Model (HMM)) and also computes a second log-likelihood score of the feature vectors using a background model having a second structure (such as one comprising a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM)). The method computes a final score for the sub-image by subtracting the second log-likelihood score from the first log-likelihood score. The final score is then compared against a predetermined standard to produce a word identification result and the word identification result is output.
US08027535B2 Image processing method and image processing apparatus
This invention relates to an image processing method and image processing apparatus for improving the image quality of the boundary part of an image cutout or deletion area. According to this method, an area specified by a user as a cutout or deletion target area is slightly reduced or enlarged to eliminate an undesirable background area. In image cutout, the cutout image side is shaded off. In image deletion, the background image side is shaded off. This increases the image quality at the joint between the boundary part of the cutout image and an image to be composited. The image quality between the remaining background image and the deletion part also improves.
US08027518B2 Automatic configuration of devices based on biometric data
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can obtain biometric data from a user as the user interacts with a device. Based upon the obtained biometric data, the architecture can determine an identity of the user and automatically apply settings associated with that particular user to the device. The settings can relate to a physical configuration of the device (or aspects, features, and/or peripherals of the device), as well as to a data set employed by the device (or components of the device). As such, a user of the device can benefit from enhanced efficiency, utility, and/or convenience.
US08027517B2 Method for stratigraphic interpretation of seismic images
A method for stratigraphic interpretation of a seismic image for determining a sedimentary history of an underground zone having application to petroleum exploration. The seismic reflectors of the image are digitized by means of an applied shape recognition technique. At least one attribute characteristic of the structure of the image in the vicinity of each reflector is calculated for a set of reflectors by means of an image analysis technique. This analysis is based on at least one analysis window whose shape is controlled by the associated reflector. Pertinent reflectors, in the sense of the stratigraphic interpretation, are selected from among this set of reflectors on the basis of this attribute. Finally, the sedimentary history of the underground zone is reconstructed from a stratigraphic interpretation of the reflectors thus selected.
US08027513B2 Bitmap tracker for visual tracking under very general conditions
System and method for visually tracking a target object silhouette in a plurality of video frames under very general conditions. The tracker does not make any assumption about the object or the scene. The tracker works by approximating, in each frame, a PDF (probability distribution function) of the target's bitmap and then estimating the maximum a posteriori bitmap. The PDF is marginalized over all possible motions per pixel, thus avoiding the stage in which optical flow is determined. This is an advantage over other general-context trackers that do not use the motion cue at all or rely on the error-prone calculation of optical flow. Using a Gibbs distribution with a first order neighborhood system yields a bitmap PDF whose maximization may be transformed into that of a quadratic pseudo-Boolean function, the maximum of which is approximated via a reduction to a maximum-flow problem.
US08027508B2 Interactive gaming objects
A method for operating an electronic gaming system captures an image of a gaming object, extracts identifying information from the image of the gaming object, and uses the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information. The method returns data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object. Various system configurations for this method as well as unique applications of it are also disclosed.
US08027507B2 Method and apparatus for embedding auxiliary information within original data
This patent application is generally related to watermarking and steganography. One claim recites a method of transmarking a media signal previously embedded with a first digital watermark using a first digital watermark embedding method. The method includes: utilizing a programmed electronic processor, detecting the first digital watermark in the media signal; converting the media signal to a different format; utilizing a programmed electronic processor, embedding detected message information from the first digital watermark into a second digital watermark in the converted media signal such that the second digital watermark is adapted to robustness or perceptibility parameters associated with the new format. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well.
US08027487B2 Method of setting equalizer for audio file and method of reproducing audio file
A method of setting an equalizer so as to enlarge a sound field in reproducing an audio file and a method of reproducing an audio file thereby, includes: dividing an input audio file into segments with a predetermined time length; extracting an audio feature value for each segment; determining equalizer information for reproducing each segment by the use of the extracted feature value; and determining an equalizer sequence for the audio file by the use of the determined equalizer information of each segment. Since the equalizer setting information can be automatically changed without user manipulation, the user can listen to an audio file of which the sound field is dynamically enlarged.
US08027486B1 Probabilistic ringing feedback detector with frequency identification enhancement
Disclosed herein are detectors of audio ringing feedback, that is decaying feedback with a gain of less than one, those detectors utilizing a repeated gain measurement that applied to a range of gain values characteristic of ringing-type feedback. Those gain measurements, while in the range, increase a probability measurement of feedback. When the probability of feedback reaches a threshold, a detection of feedback is made and feedback countermeasures, such as the application of a notch filter, may be applied. Optionally, the audio gain around likely frequencies of feedback may be enhanced for a time to increase the resolution of identification of a feedback frequency, which may be identified through an interpolative method. Repeated gain measurements may also identify building-type feedback. A ringing detector may include more than one range of detection, for example for building, strong-ringing and weak-ringing feedback.
US08027483B2 System and method for designing sound systems
The invention is directed to a display and method for conducting sound system design. The display is configured to simultaneously show a sound system model comprising both audio components and sound environment components, a plurality of parameters and a graphic representation of a calculated sound system performance attribute. In response to receiving input from the user and without any additional user intervention, the display re-displays a newly-calculated sound system performance attribute such as, for example, a graphic representation in the sound system model of a sound path associated with a user-selected reflected sound identifier. A processor also simulates, based on the sound system configuration, the sound performance that a user would expect to hear positioned in an identified listening position of the sound system model.
US08027472B2 Using a trusted-platform-based shared-secret derivation and WWAN infrastructure-based enrollment to establish a secure local channel
A system and method for establishing a connection on a mobile computing device. A secret is generated on a trusted platform of the mobile computing device. The secret is transported to a secure channel application. The secure channel application establishes a trusted local communication channel between the trusted platform and a SIM (subscriber identity module)/Smartcard. The secret is received by the SIM/Smartcard. The secret, after being received by the SIM/Smartcard, is provided to a secure channel applet on the SIM/Smartcard. The secure channel applet establishes the trusted local communication channel between the SIM/Smartcard and the trusted platform, wherein the secret is shared by the trusted platform and the SIM/Smartcard.
US08027462B1 Structure and method for conversation like rendering for echo reduction without loss of information
A method for conversation like rendering of a stored audio information stream determines a first location in the stored audio information stream. The first location represents a point in time when the sound detection flag became active. The method next moves from the first location to a second location in the stored audio information stream. The second location is selected based upon a criterion to make playback of the stored audio information stream appear like actual conversation. Finally, the stored audio information stream is rendered starting with audio information stored at the second location.
US08027455B2 Ringbacks based on extrinsic information
An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a first user of a telecommunications terminal to receive, upon placing a call to a second user, a ringback signal that is based on information that is extrinsic to the telecommunications system that handles the call (i.e., information that is independent of the state of the telecommunications system). Such extrinsic information might include: entries in a user schedule (e.g., from a groupware application such as Lotus Notes® that is hosted on a server, from a personal digital assistant [PDA] calendar, etc.); environmental parameters at the first and/or second user's terminal (e.g., temperature, ambient sound pressure, ambient luminosity, etc.); physiological parameters of the first and/or second users (e.g., heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, brain activity, etc.); stock ticker information; weather forecasts; sports scores; updated election results; and so forth.
US08027446B2 System and method for providing service mediation and orchestration for external telephony applications
A system for providing service mediation comprising a service enablement platform between a service network and a telephony application external to the service enablement platform, the service enablement platform comprising an adaptor providing an interface between the external telephony application and the service enablement platform, the adaptor exposing functionality of the external telephony application to one or more functional units of the service enablement platform.
US08027444B1 Ringback tones management for phones having a profile specifying both organizational and personal ringback tones
A call tones management platform provides a facility for configuration of a user profile. The user profile specifies the circumstances under which organizational call tones (such as a call tone of an employer of the subscriber using the phone) or a personal, non-organizational tone should be rendered to a calling party. When a call is placed to the subscriber, the profile is consulted and an instruction for rendering a call tone in accordance with the profile is sent to a call tones content provider or run time site generating call tones during the time of a call. The call tones management platform implements logic for resolving potential scheduling conflicts between organizational call tones and private call tones, such as, for example, a rule in which the organizational call tone trumps personal call tones for calls are made to the subscriber telephone during business hours.
US08027443B2 Method and apparatus for exchange of data objects between network nodes depending on terminal capability
A method and a system which provide means to enable terminal equipment that relies on network based retrieval of data objects and terminal equipment that comprises data object retrieval capability, to coexist and interact with each other on the same communication network. This is accomplished by a filtering server on the network that at least knows which terminals require network based retrieval and only gives these terminals network based data object retrieval.
US08027440B2 System and method for facilitating call routing
A telecommunications system utilizes a central database to determine characteristics for international calls, to facilitate call routing for international calls, or both. The central database includes termination information for telephone numbers in multiple nations outside the North American Numbering Plan. In one aspect, an interexchange switch receives a termination number for an international call from a local exchange carrier and uses information from the central database to help complete the call. In another aspect, the central database receives a telephone number from a remote user such as interexchange carrier (IXC) and, in response, transmits termination information to the remote user to identify whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. The remote user may then charge a customer for wireless termination, if appropriate, possibly even before the remote user receives an invoice that reflects wireless termination charges from a foreign wireless carrier.
US08027437B2 System and method for improving message delivery in voice systems utilizing microphone and target signal-to-noise ratio
A method for delivering a message to a recipient in an environment with ambient noise includes the steps of recording the ambient noise in the environment at a certain time interval, analyzing the recorded ambient noise to obtain an average power Pnoise or a RMS amplitude Anoise of the ambient noise, providing a predetermined desired SNRdesired, calculating an average signal power Psignal or a RMS amplitude Asignal of the message to be delivered based on the Pnoise or Anoise and the desired SNRdesired, and adjusting a volume of the message to be delivered according to the Psignal or Asignal. Alternatively, the actual SNRactual will be computed and the message will be repeated if the SNRactual falls below the SNRmin. Systems for delivering a message to a recipient in an environment with ambient noise and computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for carrying out the methods are also provided.
US08027432B2 Radiography control apparatus and radiography control method
A radiography control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire data of image-capturing mode and a change unit configured to change the number of times a correction image is captured, the correction image being used to correct a radiographic image in accordance with the acquired image-capturing-mode data.
US08027430B2 Systems and methods for adapting a movement model based on an image
Various embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for adapting a movement model based on an image captured during radiation treatment of a patient. The movement model may, for example, be used in radiotherapy to treat lung cancer. The movement model is typically based on a series of images of a patient captured over a period of time. The movement model and/or one or images included therein may be used to generate a reference image of the patient. The reference image is compared with an image of the patient optionally captured during treatment. The result of this comparison is used to adapt the movement model to conditions during the treatment.
US08027426B1 Shift register
An exemplary shift register includes a plurality of transistors. The transistors are subjected to the control of a start pulse signal, a first clock signal and a second clock signal to generate a gate driving signal. The first clock signal and the second clock signal are phase-inverted with respect to each other. A logic low level of the first clock signal and another logic low level of the second clock signal are different from each other. Moreover, the transistors are negative threshold voltage transistors. A potential at the gate of the each of the transistors is lower than another potential at the source/drain of the transistor at the situation of the transistor being switched-off state.
US08027424B2 Fuel element for a boiling water reactor
A fuel assembly for a boiling-water reactor has a water channel and a fuel assembly base, made from a sieve plate and a frame section enclosing the same. The water channel supports a plug with a bore running therethrough, at the lower end thereof, to which the fuel assembly base is fixed. The fuel assembly further comprises an opening through the sieve plate, a skirt, formed on the underside of the plug, surrounding the bore, extending into the opening in the sieve plate, a bush, provided with a first and a second longitudinal section, whereby the first longitudinal section extends from the underside of the sieve plate into the opening in a rotationally-fixed manner and a radial shoulder is provided between the two sections which contacts the underside of the sieve plate. A threaded section of a screw extends through the bush which engages in a thread in the bore in the plug.
US08027415B2 Data communications systems
A receiver for a data communications system comprises: a data path for receiving a data signal from a data channel, the data path comprising an automatic gain control (AGC) loop; and, a signal detector for generating a data valid signal indicative of the validity of the data signal in response to detection of the data signal on the channel exceeding a threshold and in dependence upon gain information from the AGC loop in the data path.
US08027414B2 Carrier frequency recovering apparatus using phase shift and method thereof
Provided is a carrier frequency recovering apparatus and method based on phase shift. The carrier frequency recovering apparatus can recover carrier frequency based on phase shift caused by a frequency offset to thereby perform demodulation without deterioration, no matter how large the frequency offset is, and minimize structural complexity, although a frequency offset tolerance range is higher than a symbol rate and a method thereof. The carrier frequency recovering apparatus includes a phase shift estimation part for estimating a phase shift value caused by a frequency offset based on a received preamble signal; a compensation part for compensating a receiving signal based on the estimated phase shift value obtained in the phase shift estimation part prior to differential decoding; and a detection part for detecting the compensated signal obtained in the compensation part.
US08027410B2 Digital signal processing based de-serializer
A DSP based SERDES performs compensation operations to support high speed de-serialization. A receiver section of the DSP based SERDES includes one or more ADCs and DSPs. The ADC operates to sample (modulated) analog serial data and to produce digitized serial data (digital representation of the modulated analog serial data). The DSP communicatively couples to the ADC and receives the digitized serial data. Based upon the known characteristics of the digitized serial data and the digitized serial data itself, the DSP determines compensation operations to be performed upon the serial data to compensate for inadequacies of the receiver and/or channel response. These compensation operations may be (1) performed on the analog serial data before digitization by the ADC; (2) applied to the ADC to modify the operation of the ADC; and/or (3) performed on the digitized serial data by the DSP or another device.
US08027408B2 ASK modulator
An ASK modulator for reducing the difference in the On/Off ratio due to the difference in the envelope frequency components without deteriorating an adjacent wave leakage power is disclosed. The ASK modulator includes a Manchester encoder that generates Manchester-encoded signals by applying Manchester encoding to an input signal sequence, a waveform shaping unit that generates band-limited encoded signals from the Manchester-encoded signals, and detects and limits minimum values of waveforms of the band-limited encoded signals to generates shaped signals, and a modulating unit that modulates carrier waves based on the shaped signals.
US08027405B2 Data communication using constant total current
A data communication system, comprising at least three signal conductors and a first and a second power supply terminal, for supplying currents of mutually opposite direction to the signal conductors respectively. A driver circuit establishes respective combinations of currents through the signal conductors from a selectable set of combinations, which includes combinations with currents from the first supply terminal and to the second supply terminal, so that a sum of the currents through the signal conductors substantially has a same value for each combination and at least one of the conductors in operation does not merely function in a differential-pair relation with another one of the conductors, the driver circuit determining which of the combinations from the set are established depending on information to be transmitted.
US08027402B2 Symbol-level combining for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) and/or repetition coding
Systems and methods are provided for decoding signal vectors in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where the receiver has received one or more signal vectors from the same transmitted vector. The symbols of the received signal vectors are combined, forming a combined received signal vector that may be treated as a single received signal vector. The combined signal vector is then decoded using a maximum-likelihood decoder. In some embodiments, the combined received signal vector may be processed prior to decoding. Systems and methods are also provided for computing soft information from a combined signal vector based on a decoding metric. Computationally intensive calculations can be extracted from the critical path and implemented in preprocessors and/or postprocessors.
US08027397B2 Apparatus for creating, demodulating, transmitting and receiving orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol
The present invention relates to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal transmitting and receiving device, in which a peak to average power ratio characteristic is improved without reducing a data transmission speed. The OFDM signal transmitting device separates a digital modulated symbol as a real part and an imaginary part, and performs discrete cosine transform (DCT) and discrete sine transform (DST) operations respectively for real and imaginary part symbols, performs an inverse fast Fourier transform operation, and generates an OFDM symbol. The OFDM signal receiving device performs a fast Fourier transform operation for the OFDM symbol, and performs an inverse DCT operation and an inverse DST operation, performs a digital demodulating operation, and generates a final binary data symbol.
US08027391B2 Differential transmission line connector
A differential transmission line connector with little unwanted radiation noise is provided. A connector connects a differential transmission pattern for multiple transmission of a group of three differential signals and a differential transmission cable. The differential transmission pattern is provided with three signal lines, and the differential transmission cable also is provided with three signal lines. In a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the differential transmission pattern and the differential transmission cable, the signal lines are positioned at the apexes of an equilateral triangle. The connector is provided with three signal lines that connect, at identical lengths, the signal lines of the differential transmission pattern and the signal lines of the differential transmission cable, between a predetermined first plane of the planes that perpendicularly intersect the longitudinal direction of the differential transmission pattern and a predetermined second plane of the planes that perpendicularly intersect the longitudinal direction of the differential transmission cable.
US08027388B2 Methods and systems for adaptive communication
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of transferring data in a communication system. In the method, an initial impulse noise protection value is determined. A number of redundancy bits is added to blocks of data to form codewords as a function of the initial impulse noise protection value, where the impulse noise protection value corresponds to a number of consecutive symbols that can be corrected. The number of symbols that can be correctly transmitted is changed by changing only the number of redundancy bits added to each block of data.
US08027384B2 Scalable MPEG video/macro block rate control
A scaleable macro block rate control method particularly well-suited for MPEG video. There is provided a method to easily derive a quantization parameter (QP) value using information such as bit usage, previous QP values and SAD values from the past encoded and future frames. The method utilizes quantization estimation techniques based on statistical relationships between different intensity measures, such as distortion intensity, absolute difference intensity and mean of absolute difference intensity. The method is well-suited to applications utilizing MPEG video such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JVT/H.264 standards and so forth.
US08027382B2 Pulldown correction for progressive display of audiovisual recordings
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems that may detect cadences and duplicate fields in a video sequence, and correct the sequence to retrieve the original progressive content. Methods according to the present invention may compare consecutive fields of the same parity for similarity, and consecutive fields of the opposite parity for field and frame activity. By analyzing patterns in the similarity and activity of the fields, the cadence may be determined. The invention also provides methods that may be used to adjust for changes in the cadence, such as can result from scene changes in the video stream.
US08027380B2 Method and apparatus for fast nearest neighbor search for vector quantizers
A method comprises identifying a component k of a codevector from a codebook C having one or more codevectors, the component k introducing highest variance for an input vector; allowing ordering of codevectors in the codebook C; and searching for a best match vector for the input vector using ordered codevectors.
US08027371B2 Combine time multiplexed pilot (TMP) derotation with descrambling and despreading in data correlators used by rake receivers
The invention provides a code modification circuit for receiving a descrambling/dispreading code at a first input pair thereof and a pilot derotation code at a second input pair thereof, and arranged to combine the codes to form a combined code for providing to a correlator such that the correlator can recover data or a pilot signal from an input sequence supplied thereto.
US08027370B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention provides a semiconductor device realizing improved adhesion between a low-dielectric-constant material and a semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes, on a semiconductor layer, an adhesion layer and a low-dielectric-constant material layer in order from the semiconductor layer side. The adhesion layer has a projection/recess structure, and the low-dielectric-constant material layer is formed so as to bury gaps in the projection/recess structure.
US08027367B2 Methods and apparatus for multi-carrier communication systems with adaptive transmission and feedback
An arrangement is disclosed where in a multi-carrier communication system, the modulation scheme, coding attributes, training pilots, and signal power may be adjusted to adapt to channel conditions in order to maximize the overall system capacity and spectral efficiency without wasting radio resources or compromising error probability performance, etc.
US08027363B2 Method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system
A method of configuring a lower layer data block in a protocol layer of a transmitting side of a wireless communication system comprises receiving upper layer data from an upper layer, and configuring a second lower layer data block to include a first upper layer data block comprising at least part of the upper layer data, and a size change indictor indicating whether a size of the first upper layer data block is identical with a size of a second upper layer data block included in a first lower layer data block.
US08027358B2 Dynamic link width modulation
Techniques for dynamically adjusting point-to-point link width based, at least in part, on link conditions. When operating at full power and at the highest performance level, the full width of a point-to-point link may be utilized to transmit data between the end points. If the link is not fully utilized, a portion (e.g., one half or one quarter) of the link may remain active for communication purposes.
US08027354B1 Network consolidation for virtualized servers
Techniques are disclosed for virtualized server kernel and virtual networks consolidation. The network consolidation allows a data center to migrate from an infrastructure that uses multiple dedicated gigabit Ethernet Network Adapters to manage system virtualization and migration to an infrastructure using consolidated, redundant, 10 gigabit Ethernet adapters. Different priority classes may be defined for different classes of network traffic such as hypervisor management traffic, inter-host virtual machine migration traffic, virtual machine production traffic, virtualized switching control plane traffic, etc. Further, an enhanced transmission standard may be used to specify a minimum bandwidth guarantee for certain traffic classes. Thus, the hypervisor management and inter-host virtual machine migration traffic may be transmitted, even the presence of congestion.
US08027352B2 Gateway apparatus and data managing method
A gateway apparatus for performing transfer control of frame data between a plurality of different communication channels is provided with a time stamp unit for adding time stamp information to received frame data and a data discarding unit for determining processing delay of the frame data or abnormality of the apparatus by referring to the time stamp information and for deleting the time stamp information added to the frame data at the time of sending the frame data.
US08027349B2 Database event driven motion systems
A data collection system for distributing data from at least one target asset to at least one software application, comprising a machine platform and a data routing system. The machine platform stores data associated with the at least one target asset. The data routing system collects data from the machine platform. The data routing system operates in a pass through mode and a data processing mode. In the pass through mode, data is passed from the at least one target asset to the at least one software application without modification. In the data processing mode, the data routing system generates modified data based on the data stored by the machine platform and sends the modified data to the at least one software application.
US08027344B2 Transmission of data packets of different priority levels using pre-emption
A method for transmitting data packets of at least two different priority levels via one or more bearer channels is described. The method comprises the steps of fragmenting a data packet into a plurality of corresponding code words, each code word comprising a sync code, with the sync code being adapted for indicating a priority level of the corresponding data packet, and of transmitting the code words via the one or more bearer channels. In case high priority code words corresponding to a high priority data packet arrive during transmission of low priority code words corresponding to a low priority data packet, the following steps are performed: interrupting transmission of low priority code words, transmitting the high priority code words corresponding to the high priority data packet, and resuming the transmission of the low priority code words via the one or more bearer channels.
US08027329B2 Preamble design for synchronization and cell search
A method of synchronizing signals in a wireless network uses a two part preamble transmitted on the downlink between a base station and a mobile station. The preamble includes a common pilot common to a plurality of base stations and a dedicated pilot unique to the transmitting base station. The mobile station performs coarse synchronization based on the common pilot and fine synchronization based on the dedicated pilot. The mobile station also identifies one or more nearby cells based on unique pilot tones in the dedicated pilot transmitted by the nearby cells.
US08027326B2 Method and system for high data rate multi-channel WLAN architecture
A method and system provides a way to achieve very high data rate expanded bandwidth (wide band) WLAN operations reusing existing single channel radio designs. The system provides a dual-channel form of operation for greater flexibility and performance across multiple platforms. Further, the system provides adaptive anti-aliasing techniques for eliminating aliasing due to adjacent channel waveform effects. These techniques mesh with existing systems cleanly.
US08027325B2 Home network using wireless module
Methods and apparatus for implementing a home network including a wireless module. In one implementation, a home network includes: two or more host devices, where at least one host device includes a wireless module port, and where the host devices are connected in a local network; and a wireless module connected to the wireless module port of a host device, where the wireless module provides a wireless connection to an external network; where at least one host device is a consumer appliance.
US08027322B2 Communication method, communication system, mobile node and network node for notification about the proximity of a second wireless network via a first wireless network
This system provides for communications between several different types of wireless networks and a mobile node. The system provides various services from a wireless network to a mobile node which is not covered by that wireless network without exhaustion of the mobile node battery. According to this system, the mobile node sends an update message to a currently accessible network node, which transfers the update message to the same or different types of nearby network nodes with incrementing the hop count for every transfer. The different type of network node that has received the update message checks whether the hop count decreases from that previously received, judges that the mobile node is approaching if the hop count decreases, and sends the guide message to the mobile node via the same and different types of networks.
US08027314B2 Method, network system and destination network for transmitting QoS during a handover process between systems
A method for transmitting quality of service (QoS) during a handover process between systems and a network system and a destination network thereof are provided, which enable the QoS to be transmitted to a second access network during a handover process of a user equipment (UE) between systems. The method comprises: a mobility management network element of the second network acquires QoS of a UE during a handover process of the UE from a first network to a second network; and the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the acquired QoS to the access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element.
US08027312B2 Wireless communication methods and components that implement handoff in wireless local area networks
This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.
US08027302B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving selected interlace acknowledgement messages in wireless communication systems
An apparatus and method of acknowledging transition to SelectedInterlacesOff state in a wireless communication system are described. A SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabled field is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field is of such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to “0” is generated and transmitted over a communication link.
US08027298B2 Methods and systems for transmission of multiple modulated signals over wireless networks
A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE. By using a combination of bandwidth allocation techniques, the present invention advantageously makes use of the efficiency benefits associated with each technique.
US08027295B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product providing dynamic sharing of resources between uplink and downlink allocations for separately coded users
Apparatus, methods and computer program products operate an electronic device to generate downlink allocation information and uplink allocation to be signaled to other electronic devices operative in a wireless communications system; and to operate radio apparatus to signal the downlink allocation information and uplink allocation information in a control channel, wherein the downlink allocation information is signaled in a downlink allocation portion of the control channel and the uplink allocation information is signaled in an uplink allocation portion of the control channel. In a variant, apparatus, methods and computer program products operate an electronic device to receive downlink and uplink allocation information signaled in a control channel by a wireless communications system; and to search for downlink allocation information in the downlink allocation portion and uplink allocation information in the uplink allocation portion.
US08027290B2 Methods of jointly assigning resources in a multi-carrier, multi-hop wireless communication system
Methods for jointly determining tones, power, scheduling and routing of links in a multi-carrier, multi-hop network to achieve certain desired throughput objectives between source and destination nodes. The methods effectively enhance or optimize throughput received by each destination router under node traffic constraints such as power, scheduling and flow constraints that apply to each link between each of a plurality of nodes within the mesh network.
US08027284B2 Method and apparatus for reliable multicasting in wireless relay networks
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for performing multi casting. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving routing, association, relaying, and/or topology information associated with a plurality of nodes in a multi-hop wireless network, the plurality of nodes communicably coupled in a tree or mesh arrangement via a plurality of broadcast channels; and determining a subset of the plurality of nodes over each broadcast channel on the multi-hop wireless network that is responsible for sending acknowledgment information, in response to receipt or lack of receipt of transmissions, back to senders of transmissions.
US08027283B2 Method and apparatus for waiting time gain of user equipment through efficient process of assigned slot in mobile communication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for increasing the waiting time of a User Equipment (UE) through an efficient processing of assigned slots. The method includes processing a first 10 ms half frame of the assigned slot initially when the assigned slot is processed, identifying a general page message located in the first half frame, and performing a transition operation into a sleep state, when the general page message corresponds to a null general page message having no paging information and no control information to be updated.
US08027271B2 Communicating apparatus and controlling method of thereof
A communicating apparatus for relaying a data communication between a first network and a second network, includes a receiving unit having an interface for a first network connection and serving to receive a packet from a terminal connected to the first network; and a control processor that acquires an IP address of the terminal from the packet received by the receiving unit, obtains a range of a subnet mask value which can be taken by the terminal based on the IP address, obtains a candidate for a host address corresponding to each subnet mask value, sets the host address candidate accessibly from the terminal, determines an estimated value of the subnet mask value of the terminal based on a state of the packet which is received from the terminal and is transmitted to the host address candidate, and sets the estimated value as a subnet mask value corresponding to an interface for the first network connection.
US08027267B2 Network condition capture and reproduction
A network condition capture and reproduction technique captures measurement data characterizing network conditions at a given time between first and second endpoint devices of a network, and utilizes the captured measurement data in a network impairment device to reproduce the network conditions at a later time and possibly in a different place.
US08027265B2 Providing a capability list of a predefined format in a communications network
In a communications network having plural nodes, a first node receives a capability list that has a predefined format and includes plural entries identifying corresponding data processing functions supported by one or more nodes along a communications path of a communications session involving the first node. The first node adds at least one additional entry into the capability list in response to determining that the first node supports a data processing function that is not identified in the capability list.
US08027264B2 Method and apparatus for measuring subjective assessment of digital video impairment
A method and system for using key performance indicators of a transport channel to determine key quality indicators associated with information transported there through.
US08027259B2 Opportunistic routing protocol in ad hoc networks
An opportunistic ad hoc routing protocol system and method includes a dynamic ad hoc network having one or more nodes configured to communicate wirelessly with each other. Each node is configured to implement a routing protocol wherein a list of possible relay nodes is stored in each of the one or more nodes' routing tables. In addition, each node is configured to implement a protocol adapted to allow different nodes to receive the same packet. Further, each node is adapted to update the list of possible relay nodes in order to capture a change in the ad hoc network.
US08027253B2 Mobile communication system, mobile communication method, mobile station, and exchange
An object of the present invention is to avoid congestion, by restricting only processing which causes the congestion without affecting processing which essentially should not be restricted. In a mobile communication system according to the present invention, an exchange MSC/SGSN includes: a congestion factor detector configured to detect a congestion occurrence factor in the switching exchange MSC/SGSN, and a restriction indication transmitter configured to transmit, a restriction indication, to a radio network controller, based on the detected congestion occurrence factor, the restriction indication instructing a processing type that should be restricted in the switching exchange MSC/SGSN congestion occurrence factor. The radio network controller RNC is provided with a broadcast information transmitter configured to transmit broadcast information including the received restriction indication to a mobile station UE.
US08027246B2 Network system and node apparatus
A failure detection protocol is applied so that failure detection requests for the same aggregated link can be processed even when the failure detection requests differ among routing protocols. The failure detection protocol is executed for each of the physical links that form an aggregated link, and a notification is sent to a higher-level application (for example, a routing protocol), which is a requesting source of a communication line failure monitoring request, with a discrimination between a case in which the communication of the aggregated link in its entirety fails and a case in which some physical links of the aggregated link fail.
US08027243B2 Allocation of radio resource in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
An uplink capacity is increased by a method in which more than two mobile stations simultaneously use a radio resource allocated to one mobile station. A method of allocating a radio resource in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system comprises receiving data associated with a radio resource allocation map from a base station, wherein the radio allocation map comprises control parameters for transmitting uplink data to the base station. The control parameters comprises orthogonal pilot pattern indicator for using orthogonal pilot patterns associated with supporting at least concurrent dual transmission by at least one mobile station, and for use in the same frequency band and same time duration. The orthogonal pilot patterns comprises at least a minus pilot being used for an uplink basic allocation unit. The mobile station then transmits uplink data to the base station by using the orthogonal pilot patterns.
US08027213B2 Mechanism for measuring read current variability of SRAM cells
A mechanism for measuring the variability of the read current of SRAM cells on an integrated circuit includes the integrated circuit having an SRAM array including a plurality of SRAM cells. The integrated circuit may also include a selection circuit configured to select a particular SRAM cell in response to a selection input. An oscillator circuit such as a ring oscillator, for example, on the integrated circuit may be configured to oscillate at a frequency that is dependent upon a read current of a selected SRAM cell during operation in a first mode. A frequency determining circuit that is coupled to the oscillator circuit may be configured to output a value corresponding to the frequency of oscillation of the oscillator circuit.
US08027208B2 Flash memory device and programming method thereof
The flash memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, a high voltage generator configured to generate a plurality of pass voltages, with a first pass voltage of the plurality of pass voltages supplied to the memory cell array during a programming operation; and a main controller including a voltage controller configured to shift the first pass voltage at a plurality of time intervals during the programming operation.
US08027203B2 Pipe latch circuit of multi-bit prefetch-type semiconductor memory device with improved structure
Provided is a pipe latch circuit of a multi-bit pre-fetch type semiconductor memory device with an advanced structure. The pipe latch circuit of the present invention comprises: a first latch circuit for latching pre-fetched plural bits of input data from global input/output lines; a first multiplexing circuit comprises a first multiplexer for selecting a certain input data from first group of the input data in response to a first selection control signal and a second multiplexer for selecting a certain input data from second group of the input data in response to a second selection control signal; a second multiplexing circuit for setting a sequence of output data from the first multiplexing circuit in response to a third selection control signal; and a second latch circuit comprises a third latch for latching a first output data from the second multiplexing circuit in response to a first output latch control signal and a fourth latch for latching a second output data from the second multiplexing circuit in response to a second output latch control signal. The invention cuts down the overall chip size and current consumption of the pipe latch circuit by reducing the number of multiplexers necessary for arranging the pre-fetched data in a predetermined output order.
US08027190B2 Command processing circuit and phase change memory device using the same
A command processing circuit for generating internal command signals corresponding to a plurality of unit internal command signals sequentially applied during a plurality of command cycles, the command processing circuit includes a first command latching unit configured to latch a first unit internal command signal applied in a first command cycle and a second command latching unit configured to latch a second unit internal command signal in response to the first unit internal command signal latched in the first command latching unit in a second command cycle after the first command cycle, and output an internal command signal corresponding to the first unit internal command signal and the second unit internal command signal.
US08027185B2 Techniques for electrically characterizing tunnel junction film stacks with little or no processing
Probes are electrically connected to a surface of a tunnel junction film stack comprising a free layer, a tunnel barrier, and a pinned layer. Resistances are determined for a variety of probe spacings and for a number of magnetizations of one of the layers of the stack. The probe spacings are a distance from a length scale, which is related to the Resistance-Area (RA) product of the tunnel junction film stack. Spacings from as small as possible to about 40 times the length scale are used. Beneficially, the smallest spacing between probes used during a resistance measurement is under 100 microns. A measured in-plane MagnetoResistance (MR) curve is determined from the “high” and “low” resistances that occur at the two magnetizations of this layer. The RA product, resistances per square of the free and pinned layers, and perpendicular MR are determined through curve fitting.
US08027182B2 Electric current measurement apparatus, voltage measurement apparatus and power supply apparatus
An electric current measurement apparatus for measuring an electric current of each electrode of an electron tube includes a transformer, a detection resistor connected in an ampere meter route for measurement, a voltage detection unit for detecting electric potential difference of the detection resistor and outputting pulse signals corresponding to the detected electric potential difference, a switching part for providing a short circuit of the secondary winding according to the pulse signals, and a measurement current value output unit. The measurement current value output unit measures pulse attribute of pulse-shape signals which are induced on the primary winding of the transformer caused by the short circuit of the secondary winding, and outputs a value of electric current flowing through the detection resistor with referring to a predetermined relationship between a value of the electric current flowing through the detection resistor and the pulse signals generated in the voltage detection unit.