Document	Document Title
US08029832B2	Obesity and metabolic syndrome treatment with tanshinone derivatives which increase metabolic activity The present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome, containing tanshinone derivatives as an effective ingredient. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome, containing tanshinone derivatives that exhibit superior activity in enhancing metabolic activity, as an effective ingredient.
US08029831B2	Formulations containing thymoquinone for urinary health A novel dietary supplement or therapeutic composition is provided that serves to treat lower urinary tract disorders or to support normal urinary tract function in animals. The supplement comprises a thymoquinone formulation and at least one member of the group consisting of cranberry fruit, cranberry extract, cranberry juice and a pharmaceutical grade methionine.
US08029829B2	Preventive, relieving or therapeutic composition for diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy To provide a composition for prevention, amelioration, or treatment of diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy, which is less likely to cause any disadvantages such as side effects, and highly safe. [1] A composition for prevention, amelioration, or treatment of diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy, containing one or more dietary fiber selected from the group consisting of a degraded galactomannan, an indigestible dextrin, a polydextrose, inulin, arabinogalactan, dietary fiber derived from corn, a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide, psyllium, and a low-molecular weight sodium alginate, and/or a polyphenol compound.
US08029814B2	Male produced pheromone in Tetropium fuscum (F.) and Tetropium cinnamopterum (kirby) (coleoptera: cerambycidae) Described herein is (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-ol (geranyl acetol), termed here fuscumol, which has been identified as a male-produced pheromone emitted by Tetropium fuscum (F.) and Tetropium cinnamopterum. Also described are novel derivatives thereof e.g. esters, methods for the synthesis thereof and to a composition comprising fuscumol plus host volatiles e.g. a synthetic blend of monoterpenes plus ethanol, for attracting male and female T. fuscum and female T. cinnamopterum.
US08029813B2	Pesticides formulations Concentrated microemulsions comprising: 1) 10-25 parts by weight of a pesticide with a solubility in water 20° C. lower than 1% by weight and having a melting point from 10° C. to 60° C.; 2) 8-25 parts by weight of one or more solvents containing oxygen atoms, having a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 5% by weight and the Hildebrand solubility parameter in the range 16-21 MPa1/2: 3) 10-20 parts by weight of a polyol; 4) 10-25 parts by weight of one or more non ionic surfactants having a HLB value from 9 to 15; 5) 2-10 parts by weight of one or more anionic surfactants: 6) water up to 100 parts by weight; wherein—the ratio by weight between 2) and 1) ranges from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1;—the ratio by weight between 4)+5) and 1) is in the range 0.5:1-3:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) and 5) ranges from 1:1 to 4.1.
US08029802B2	Vaccines against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus The invention provides attenuated Flavivirus vaccines, such as vaccines against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, as well as methods of making and using these vaccines.
US08029797B2	Multivalent HIV immunogenic compositions comprising a pool of lipidated and nonlipidated peptides representing Gag and Env variable regions An anti-HIV vaccine composition is disclosed. The vaccine comprises an combination of immunogenic peptide mixtures, which mixtures may be prepared in a single synthesis. The composition collectively represents the in vivo variability seen in immunogenic epitopes from highly variable regions of HIV. Immunization with the vaccine elicits broadly reactive immunity (CTL and T helper cell responses) against the divergent strains of HIV upon which it is based. The vaccine may be formulated to target regionally distinct variability based on an HIV clade predominant in a geographical region.
US08029785B2	Therapeutic antibodies for treatment and prophylaxis of transmittable viral diseases The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of a transmittable disease in a subject, such as avians and mammals. The methods and compositions of the invention specifically make use of avian antibodies to the disease to be treated or prevented. Administration of such avian antibodies to a subject has been shown effective for reducing mortality in a population of subjects that are infected, or become infected, with the disease. The invention also provides kits useful for detecting the presence of transmittable diseases in subjects.
US08029774B2	Wound healing polymeric networks A composition includes at least one biologically active agent covalently attached to a first polymerizing molecule that is adapted to undergo a free radical polymerization. The first polymerizing molecule retains the ability to undergo free radical polymerization after attachment of the bioactive agent thereto. The first polymerizing molecule is preferably biocompatible. The polymerizing molecule can, for example. be dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA) or tyrosine. The composition can also include a second component synthesized by reacting at least one core molecule having a plurality of reactive hydrogen groups with at least one multi-isocyanate functional molecule to create a conjugate including terminal isocyanate groups. The conjugate molecule is reacted with a second polymerizing molecule that is adapted to undergo a free radical polymerization. The second polymerizing molecule includes a reactive hydrogen to react with the isocyanate groups of the conjugate. The second polymerizing molecule retains the ability to undergo the free radical polymerization after reaction with the conjugate. In several embodiments, the first polymerizing molecule and the second polymerizing molecule are the same and dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA) or tyrosine.
US08029773B2	Mascara containing fiber components The invention relates to a mascara containing fibre components and a method for producing the same. Said mascara contains (in % by weight) 0.1-10 of at least one oil-soluble or oil-dispersible polymer or copolymer, 0.3-10 of a natural or synthetic fibre with an average length of between 3 and 6 mm, 10-30 of a natural or synthetic wax which hardens at 25° C., 1-10 of a synthetic wax which is liquid at 18° C. and above, 0.5-10 of inorganic pigments, organic colourants and mixtures thereof, 40-80 water and cosmetic auxiliaries, active agents and mixtures thereof making up the remainder up to 100% by weight, wherein said mascara does not contain any water-soluble or water-dispersible hydrophilic polymers, film-forming agents, thickeners or clays. The fibres are separated very well and the mascara shows a very good balance between its adhesive properties and the brittleness of the mascara film.
US08029767B2	Fluorescent membrane intercalating probes and methods for their use The invention relates to a family of cyanine dyes which fluoresce in the far red and near infra red wavelengths of the spectrum and preferably possess lipophilic side chains. The dyes of the invention are soluble in commercially available membrane staining vehicles, are useful as probes for rapidly staining lipophilic structures such as membranes in cells or isolated from cells, and are well retained therein. Methods of using the dyes to detect stained cells both in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
US08029749B2	Cracking furnace The invention relates to piping for use as a pyrolysis tube in a cracking furnace. The tube is formed such that it has at least one section whose centerline curves in three dimensions, to induce swirl flow in the tube. Preferably, the tube is formed as a helix.
US08029748B2	Process and apparatus for improved methods for making vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.
US08029740B2	Event-triggered self-sterilization of article surfaces Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.
US08029735B2	System and method for transferring calibration data A test system comprises a sensor container and a testing device. The sensor container has a base and a lid. The container encloses test sensors therein. The container includes a calibration label attached thereto. The label includes electrical contacts located thereon. The electrical contacts encode calibration information onto the calibration label. The testing device has an auto-calibration feature externally located thereon. The testing device is adapted to determine the analyte concentration in a fluid sample. The auto-calibration feature includes calibration elements that communicate with the electrical contacts on the calibration label. The testing device is adapted to determine the calibration information encoded on the calibration label in response to the calibration elements engaging the electrical contacts. The encoded calibration information is determined without inserting the sensor container or the calibration label into the testing device.
US08029728B2	Blood perfusion air removal device with arcuate manifold An air removal device removes air from blood flowing in a perfusion system. A generally cylindrical chamber has a liquid flow region at a lower end thereof and has a gas collection region at an upper end thereof. An arcuate manifold provides an arcuate flow path outside of the chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end. A slit aperture is provided between the arcuate manifold and the chamber along at least a substantial portion of the arcuate manifold. A mixture of gas and liquid introduced into the arcuate flow path at the upstream end flows through the slit aperture to create a spiral flow within the chamber causing the gas to move toward a central axis of the chamber and into the gas collection region.
US08029720B2	Resin sealing apparatus and resin sealing method A resin molten in a pot portion 59 is molded by being loaded via a gate 48 into a cavity, which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in plan view and is formed of both molds 1 and 2, which are a second mold 2 and a first mold 1 that can make or release contact with the second mold 2. The pot portion 59 is provided at either one of the molds 1 and 2 and constituted of recess portions 54c located at prescribed intervals at the cavity. The recess portions 54c have a bottom surface constituted of part of a moving member 60 movable toward an opening portion. The gate 48 is structured so that one side of the cavity and the long side of the pot portion 59 are connected with each other.
US08029719B2	Method and device for shaping of composite material A method and device for shaping of an article of composite material. The method includes arranging a blank of composite material on a top surface of a forming tool. A portion of the blank is arranged to protrude outside the top surface of the tool. At least one support is arranged in contact with an underside of the protruding portion of the blank. An air-tight foil is arranged over the arrangement. The air-tight foil is forced towards the blank. The support is lowered until the blank is shaped over the tool. The support is stopped and/or removed. The device includes a tool including a top surface and side surface for shaping at least one blank of composite material into an article having a predetermined profile; and a air-tight foil. The device further includes at least one support arranged to be in supporting contact with the underside of the protruding part of the blank.
US08029718B2	Process for forming multi-layer molded articles The invention relates to a rotomolding process for forming a multi-layer article of two different polymers with different melting points in which an outer layer polymer powder is added to a rotational molder along with an inner layer polymer powder that is separated from the outer layer powder by a release film. The release film has a particular melting point that is greater than that of the outer layer polymer and preferably between the melting points of the inside layer and outside layer polymers. In one embodiment, the release layer forms an enclosure or bag in which the inner layer (higher melting point) powder is enclosed. In another embodiment the release film forms a barrier between an insulated cavity and the mold. The process provides a means for a “one-shot” rotomolding method.
US08029711B2	Method for producing a core sand and/or mold sand for foundry purposes A method for producing a core sand and/or mold sand for foundry purposes mixes a granular mineral mold base material with an additive and an inorganic binder. An inorganic swelling additive having a swelling index of at least 9, in other words a higher swelling index that that achieved for coal, is used as an additive. Alternatively, it is also possible to work with an inorganic additive, for example with macro-crystalline graphite, whereby the finished mixture of the mold base material, the additive, and the binder is compacted to a density increase of at least 20 g/dm3.
US08029702B2	Low solar absorptance, high emissivity, inorganic electrostatic dissipative thermal control coating An electrostatic dissipative paint including a plurality of particles having a composition selected from the group consisting of gallium magnesium oxide, gallium aluminum magnesium oxide and combinations thereof. The paint further includes an inorganic binder mixed with the particles to form a mixture. A method of making a thermal paint, a method of applying thermal paint and painted components are also disclosed.
US08029700B2	Compound of silver nanowire with polymer and compound of metal nanostructure with polymer The invention provides a compound of silver nanowire with polymer. The compound comprises a resin, a dispersant, and a plurality of silver nanowires. The dispersant is capable of copolymerizing with the resin. The dispersant has a plurality of functional groups capable of connecting with the silver nanowires respectively. Therefore, the silver nanowires could disperse in the resin by means of the functional groups of the dispersant.
US08029698B2	Production of photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles having surfaces that are essentially free of residual oxygen The present invention relates to a method for preparing photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles having uniformly hydrogen-terminated surfaces that are essentially free of residual oxygen. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a blue-emitting photoluminescent silicon nanoparticle. The present invention further relates to a composition that includes a photoluminescent silicon nanoparticle having a surface that is uniformly hydrogen-terminated and essentially free of residual oxygen. The present invention also relates to a composition including a photoluminescent silicon nanoparticle having a surface that is uniformly coated with an organic layer and essentially free of residual oxygen. The present invention additionally relates to a composition including a photoluminescent silicon nanoparticle stably dispersed in an organic solvent and having a surface that is uniformly coated with an organic layer and essentially free of residual oxygen.
US08029696B2	Fused naphthalenes The invention relates to fused naphthalenes of the general formula I, in which A1, A2, A3, A4, Q1-Q2, G1-G2, R1, R2, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, q, r, s and t have the meaning indicated, and to the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline media and to an electro-optical display element containing them.
US08029688B2	Method of fine patterning semiconductor device For patterning during integrated circuit fabrication, a first pattern of first masking structures is formed, and a buffer layer is formed on exposed surfaces of the first masking structures. Also, a second pattern of second masking structures is formed in recesses between the buffer layer at sidewalls of the first masking structures. Furthermore, the first and masking structures are formed from spin-coating respective high carbon containing materials. Such first and second masking structures pattern a target layer with higher pitch than possible with traditional photolithography.
US08029685B2	Liquid ejection head and its method of manufacture A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection head capable of preventing corrosion of electrodes are provided. The method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes: a step of forming porous silicon areas in portions of a silicon substrate where the liquid paths are to be formed; a step of forming in layers in the porous silicon areas a protective layer, a heating resistor layer, an electrode layer and a heat accumulation layer; a step of forming ink ejection openings in the silicon substrate; and a step of removing the porous silicon areas.
US08029682B2	Method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes forming a first hard mask, a second hard mask and a resist on a magnetic recording layer, imprinting a stamper to the resist to transfer patterns of protrusions and recesses to the resist, removing residues remaining in the recesses of the patterned resist, etching the second hard mask by using the patterned resist as a mask to transfer the patterns of protrusions and recesses to the second hard mask, etching the first hard mask by using the second hard mask as a mask to transfer the patterns of protrusions and recesses to the first hard mask, subjecting the magnetic recording layer exposed in the recesses to modifying treatment to change an etching rate, and deactivating the magnetic recording layer exposed in the recesses.
US08029678B2	Method for treating water, in particular drinking water, and water treatment plant The invention concerns a water treatment method including a step of clarification, followed by an ozonization step and at least one filtration step, wherein after the clarification step (1), one fraction of the main stream of water is diverted (9); said diverted fraction of water is circulated counter-current (7) to an ozone-rich carrier gas, and the ozone-enriched fraction of water is diluted in the main stream.
US08029672B2	Filter head A filter head, designed to hold at least two filter elements. The filter head having a housing, into which feed channels to, and return channels from, the filter elements are integrated. A rotatable switching drum is provided for selectively opening or closing the channels to control the flow of fluid to the filter elements. The filter head has a cover, which closes off the housing, and a spring element, which produces an axial force which presses one of the sealing surfaces of the switching drum against the cover and the other sealing surface of the switching drum against the housing.
US08029671B2	Combined membrane-distillation-forward-osmosis systems and methods of use In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for purifying a liquid, such as an impaired water. In some examples, seawater or brackish water is purified, such as to a potable level. Some configurations provide a system which includes a membrane-distillation unit, such as a vacuum-enhanced direct contact membrane distillation unit. The system also includes a forward-osmosis system, which may include one or more forward-osmosis units. A concentrated draw stream from the membrane-distillation unit, such as a concentrated brine solution, serves as a draw solution for a forward-osmosis unit, which may extract water from a source water, such as an impaired water. In some implementations, the forward-osmosis system includes a second forward-osmosis unit which uses the diluted draw solution from the first forward-osmosis unit as a draw solution to extract water from a source water. The system may include additional components, such as a heater or a buffer tank.
US08029667B2	Filler and filter unit for a tank, in particular for the fuel of a motor vehicle fitted with a diesel engine The unit comprises a tubular filler, provided with an internal thread) suitable for coupling with a corresponding external thread of the mouthpiece of the tank, and with, internally, a plurality of essentially coplanar anchoring prominences which, in the fitted condition, rest on part of the top edge of the mouthpiece of the tank to which they are constrained by fixing elements in such a way as to prevent the unscrewing of the filler. The anchoring prominences have respective retention elements protruding radially towards the centerline of the filler and capable of being opened out elastically towards the outside. The unit also comprises a filter with, at the top, an annular flange protruding radially towards the outside. It is possible to introduce this filter through the filler prefitted on the tank until the said flange interferes with the retention elements of the prominences of the filler and, after passing beyond the said retention elements, is held between them and the top edge of the mouthpiece of the tank.
US08029653B2	Electroplating apparatus and electroplating method An electroplating apparatus can form a plated film having a more uniform thickness and good film quality over an entire surface of a substrate having a conductive layer (seed layer) whose resistivity is equal to or higher than that of copper. The electroplating apparatus includes: a substrate holder for holding a substrate; a sealing member for contact with a peripheral portion of a surface of a substrate, held by the substrate holder, to seal the peripheral portion; a cathode contact for contact with a conductive layer formed in the surface of the substrate, held by the substrate holder, to feed electricity to the conductive layer; and a housing having therein an anode to be immersed in a plating solution, and a porous structure disposed at an open end facing the substrate held by the substrate holder, said porous structure defining a plating chamber in the housing; wherein the plating chamber is divided into rooms by a partition plate and the porous structure, and the anode is comprised of a plurality of divided anodes, each divided anode being disposed in each room of the plating chamber so that each divided anode can pass an independent plating current.
US08029638B2	Component mounting apparatus and method A component mounting apparatus includes: a plurality of pressure-bonding units which are arrayed in line and each of which includes a pressure-bonding head for pressure-bonding a component to a component pressure-bonding area of the substrate, and an edge-portion support member for supporting an edge portion of the substrate during the pressure bonding; a guide support member for supporting the pressure-bonding units so that their movement along the edge portion for execution of substrate pressure-bonding can be guided; a common head up/down unit for integrally moving up and down the individual pressure-bonding heads; and a plurality of unit-moving devices which are provided for the plurality of pressure-bonding units, individually and respectively, to move the pressure-bonding units along the edge portion so that placement of the pressure-bonding units is changed.
US08029633B2	Method of forming a consolidated fibrous structure A method of consolidating thermoplastic fibrous layers by providing a plurality of fibers having a core with an exterior surface portion comprising polypropylene and a first layer disposed on at least a portion of the core containing at least 70% alpha-olefin units which is formed into a first fibrous layer. A second fibrous layer is applied to the first fibrous layer which second layer contains a second polymer being a co-polymer having at least 50% alpha-olefin units which is characterized by a number-average molecular weight of about 7,000 to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity of between about 2,500 and 150,000 cP measured at 170° C. and a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface of the core. Heat and optionally pressure are applied to the assembly to consolidate the layers.
US08029629B2	Sputtering target and manufacturing method thereof A sputtering target manufactured by die forging is provided. It is characterized in that an average crystal grain size D at a portion where an average crystal grain size is the largest and an average crystal grain size d at a portion where an average crystal grain size is the smallest are related as 1.0
US08029625B2	Method and device for the simultaneous cleaning of a plurality of pipe conduits or pipe conduit systems Illustrated and described are a method and a device for the simultaneous cleaning of a plurality of pipe conduits or pipe conduit systems, particularly in each case having different pipe cross sections, wherein the cleaning takes place with a liquid cleaning medium, which is taken from a reservoir by a feed pump and fed to the systems to be cleaned. The invention makes provision for the cleaning medium stream to be fed to the first system to be cleaned and after leaving the first system to be cleaned, as cleaning medium stream, to be divided into two component streams, one component stream of which is used for cleaning the second or further system and the other component stream is again fed to the reservoir. In addition the second or further system to be cleaned is assigned a feed pump, whose speed and direction of rotation are variable for determining or regulating the cleaning method.
US08029618B2	Manufacture of Portland cement using spent claus catalyst Spent Claus catalyst having a high alumina content is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of Portland cements in place of all or a portion of a conventional source of alumina. The spent Claus catalyst is preferably of a small particle size and can be ground to the desired fineness before mixing with the other ingredients that are heated in a conventional kiln to produce the cement composition. Finely ground spent Claus catalyst can also be used as an additive at levels of 0.1% to 2% by weight to increase the thickening time of shallow casing cement slurries.
US08029611B2	Inkjet dyes exhibiting reduced kogation A salt of a sulfonated dye comprising an ammonium cation as a counterion. The ammonium cation comprises at least 3 hydroxyl groups. The salt is useful in reducing kogation in thermal inkjet printheads. One example of these salts is the compound of formula (II): wherein M is Ga(OH); and each of Z1+, Z2+, Z3+ and Z4+ is protonated 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2′,2″-nitrilotriethanol.
US08029610B2	Compounds suitable for use in inks and inks having such compounds Disclosed herein are compounds having a formula of R1—CONH—R6—CONH—R3, R1—NHCO—R6—CONH—R3, R1—CONH—R6—NHCO—R3 or R1—NHCO—R6—NHCO—R3, wherein R6 is a cyclic group having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R3 are the same or different and comprise an alkyl group having from about 3 carbon atoms to about 200 carbon atoms, and wherein one or both of R1 and R3 include at least one hydroxyl group substituent, and ink compositions including the compounds as an ink vehicle.
US08029609B2	Ejection liquid, ejection device, ejection cartridge, and method of making droplets from liquid An ejection liquid which can be ejected stably by an inkjet method using thermal energy even in the case of containing at least one of proteins and peptides, and a method and device of discharging a liquid containing at least one of proteins and peptides, which use the ejection liquid. At least one compound having a guanidine group is added to an aqueous solution of at least one of proteins and peptides to improve its qualifications to an ejection event by an inkjet method using thermal energy.
US08029608B1	Furnace filter indicator A furnace filter indicator system comprises a pressure differential switch that monitors air pressure near a furnace filter, and a transmitter coupled to the pressure differential switch sends a signal to a receiver within a thermostat. The receiver includes an indicator for indicating the status of the furnace filter. If the pressure differential near the furnace filter triggers the switch, then the indicator will receive a “dirty” signal and will indicate that the furnace filter is dirty and should be replaced. The furnace filter indicator system is able to be installed on a previously installed furnace/thermostat system by utilizing the pre-existing wiring.
US08029600B2	Sorbent filter for the removal of vapor phase contaminants Methods and apparatuses are described for removing a contaminant, such as a vaporous trace metal contaminant like mercury, from a gas stream. In one embodiment, a primary particulate collection device that removes particulate matter is used. In this embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within the housing of the primary particulate collection device, such as an electrostatic precipitator or a baghouse, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In another embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within a scrubber, such as a wet scrubber, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that can advantageously be retrofit into existing particulate collection equipment. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that in addition to removal of a contaminant additionally remove particulate matter from a gas stream.
US08029584B2	Vacuum cleaners with self-cleaning filtration, and other self-cleaning filters A particularly advantageous vacuum cleaner system has at least two filters and self-cleans its filters via back-flushing, without needing to stop normal operation to self-clean. Also, a self-cleaning valve assembly is provided for use in a vacuum cleaner. Also, a vacuum cleaner is provided that uses permanent, self-cleaning filters, and does not need disposable filters or filter bags, and advantageously can use inexpensive plastic bags. In another vacuum cleaner system, waste is collected in an ordinary plastic bag without any special preparation or modification of the bag being needed. Further, an inventive self-cleaning X-valve assembly cleans itself and is useable in the vacuum cleaner system.
US08029582B2	Wireless zoned particulate matter filter regeneration control system An assembly includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that comprises an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas, a downstream end and multiple zones. An absorbing layer absorbs microwave energy in one of N frequency ranges and is arranged with the upstream end. N is an integer. A frequency selective filter has M frequency selective segments and receives microwave energy in the N frequency ranges. M is an integer. One of the M frequency selective segments permits passage of the microwave energy in one of the N frequency ranges and does not permit passage of microwave energy in the other of the N frequency ranges.
US08029580B2	Fuel cell reformer and system A reformer for a fuel cell system has at least a dual pipe configuration that forms independent spaces through which fuel containing hydrogen passes. The reformer includes a first reaction assembly for generating heat energy by an oxidation reaction of the fuel and a second reaction assembly for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through a reforming reaction using the heat energy. The reformer further includes a first pipe, and a second pipe having a circumference significantly less than a circumference of the first pipe to thereby allow for positioning of the second pipe within the first pipe. An oxidation catalyst layer is formed in the second pipe, and a reforming catalyst layer is formed between the first pipe and the second pipe.
US08029567B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally-invasive medical procedures are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a proximal portion configured to move repeatedly between a first configuration and a second configuration. At least a section of the proximal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. The elongate member has a distal portion configured to move repeatedly between a first configuration and a second configuration. At least a section of the proximal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. A non-expanding central portion is positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The non-expanding central portion is configured to engage adjacent spinous processes.
US08029561B1	Drug combination useful for prevention of restenosis The current invention comprises an approach to solving the clinical problem of restenosis, which involves the administration of combinations of drugs to patients undergoing PTCA or stent implantation. In one embodiment of the invention, an antiproliferative agent such as rapamycin, vincristine or taxol is administered in combination with the antiinflammatory agent, dexamethasone, to patients systemically, either subcutaneously or intravenously. In another embodiment of the invention, the antiproliferative and antiinflammatory agents are bound in a single formulation to the surface of a stent by means of incorporation within either a biodegradable or biostable polymeric coating. Alternatively, such drug combinations could be incorporated into a stent constructed with a grooved reservoir.
US08029551B2	Fracture fixation plate with cover sheath A fracture fixation plate with cover sheath having a head element that is rigidly connected to a plate element in an upwardly angled direction. The head element is anatomically shaped and includes medial and lateral sheath recesses wherein non-threaded bone screw holes and a threaded sheath screw hole are located. Cylindrical head bone screws are inserted through the sheath recess and oriented at set angles allowing for bone fragment fixation and fracture reduction. Medial and lateral sheath elements are placed within the boundaries of their respective sheath recesses and are secured with a sheath screw. The sheath elements contact the heads of the inserted bone screws restricting and maintaining their implanted positions. Alternative sheath elements with outreaching medial, lateral and distal fragment capture flanges may also be utilized. The plate element includes at least one longitudinal slot with several bone screw holes for use with pivotable spherical headed bone screws.
US08029542B2	Supplemental spine fixation device and method A supplemental spine fixation device and method is used in association with a primary spine fixation device. The supplemental spine fixation device includes a guide and spacer for distracting apart adjacent spinous processes and the device has hook members which hook about the first and second spinous processes. With the spinous processes distracted and the hook members about the spinous processes, the hook members can be rigidly secured to a hub in order to rigidly affix the spinous processes about the spacer. The rigidity between the spinous processes assures that the vertebral bodies will be held rigidly in place in order to promote bone growth and fusion. Further additional freedom of movement between the spacer and hub is accomplished with the spacer being pivotably mounted relative to the hub. The hooks have a tissue distracting lead-in guide for allowing the hooks to be easily urged between spinous processes.
US08029536B2	Multiple offset eyelet suture anchor A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone may include a threaded body, a head extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of eyelets that extend though the anchor head and that are each configured to receive a suture. The eyelets are offset from one another along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor. Each eyelet may have a desired shape and cross section. Surgical kits including one or more suture anchors and one or more surgical tools are also described.
US08029534B2	Closure device with string retractable umbrella A repositionable closure device for occluding a body opening is provided. The closure device includes distal and proximal occluding bodies having expandable distal and proximal umbrella frames. Each umbrella frame includes a plurality of struts connected to a biocompatible sheet material. The distal and proximal umbrella frames expand to expanded configurations on opposite sides of the body opening. The struts of the distal umbrella frame terminate with an eyelet. The distal occluding body is connected to a distal end of a center rod and the proximal umbrella frame is slidable along the center rod via a center ring. At least one drawstring is threaded through the eyelets and the center ring, connecting the distal and proximal occluding bodies. The drawstring extends proximally from the center ring. Manipulation of the drawstring and the center rod is configured to collapse the closure device for at least partial retrieval during repositioning.
US08029527B2	Device for local puncturing of skin A device for locally puncturing skin is disclosed, especially for applying permanent make-up or a tattoo, comprising a housing, a needle guided in the housing for movement between extended and retracted positions, and a diaphragm made of an elastically extensible material and dividing a front-end space at a front surface of the diaphragm from a rear-end space at a back surface of the diaphragm in the housing. A coupling mechanism firmly couples the needle and the diaphragm for backward movement of the needle in the direction of the retracted position, a return force generated by the diaphragm for moving the needle back in the direction of the retracted position being introduced into the needle shaft.
US08029519B2	Eversion apparatus and methods Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient includes an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit harvested from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit end portion over itself when moved proximally away from the end of the conduit and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto. A method of everting a graft includes positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom; introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from the support device; and moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.
US08029517B2	Epilation device Techniques for implementing an epilation device are described, including a body including a first half and a second half, the first half having a first arm and the second half comprises a second arm, an axle having a third arm disposed at an end of the axle and a fourth arm disposed at another end of the axle, the axle being coupled to a first set of teeth, and a trigger coupled to a spring, the trigger being substantially housed within the body and being partially exposed through an aperture in the body, the trigger further including a second set of teeth configured to engage the first set of teeth.
US08029516B2	Bracing of bundled medical devices for single port entry, robotically assisted medical procedures Medical devices robotically manipulated by a medical robotic system for performing a medical procedure on a patient are bundled together as a bundled unit and inserted into the patient through a single entry port. Bracing of the bundled unit at the surgical site so as to be constrained in one or more degrees of freedom of movement may be performed using an anchor secured to an anatomic structure at the surgical site and physically coupled to the bundled unit, or using a tool extending out of a distal end of the bundled unit that extends out to an anatomic structure at the surgical site.
US08029515B2	Corneal implants and methods and systems for placement A system comprising a hollow member is used to deliver a constrained corneal implant into a corneal pocket. The hollow member may be tapered and the system may further include an implant deformation chamber and an axial pusher to advance the implant through the hollow member.
US08029512B2	Spinal stabilization device and methods Devices and methods for immobilizing adjacent vertebrae are disclosed including the utilization of one or more implants inserted between adjacent vertebrae and having protrusions thereon for substantially fixedly securing with the vertebrae. In one form, an implant may be inserted in a first orientation and then rotated to a second orientation having a larger profile. A second implant may also be inserted in the same vertebral space in the same manner. A trial spacer may be used to determine the proper implant size. In another form, an implant may be inserted already in the fusion orientation. The implants and trial spacer, as well as a spreader and/or a scraper for preparing the intervertebral space, may be inserted in the vertebral space with the same insertion tool. The inserter tool may include a threaded member for attachment with the implants or other devices.
US08029510B2	Surgical machine and method for controlling and/or regulating a surgical machine In order to so improve a surgical machine comprising a housing and a surgical drive that maintenance of the machine is simplified, it is proposed that the drive and the housing be directly on indirectly connectable in a detachable manner.A method for controlling and/or regulating a surgical machine is also proposed.
US08029507B2	Orthopedic method for correcting angular bone deformity An orthopedic device and method for correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a growth plate. The device includes first and second hinge members connected together at a hinge joint. The device is adapted for mounting the orthopedic device to the bone structure with the pivot joint positioned over the growth plate. Alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.
US08029503B2	Nerve repair by selective surgical repair of axons Method and systems for nerve repair and for microfabrication. In specific embodiments, nerve repair is accomplished by repairing axons. In further embodiments, a modular, 3D system having very small dimentions is described. In further embodiments, a method ans system for performing surgery on axons is disclosed.
US08029502B2	Cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes The cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes includes a) a housing assembly; b) a plurality of elongated structural support elements, each securely connected at a first end to the housing assembly; c) a tip member securely connected to second ends of the plurality of elongated structural support elements, the tip member including a plurality of cryoprobe openings; and, d) a plurality of cryoprobes each having a shaft thereon, each shaft being deployable through a respective cryoprobe opening during operation to a deployed position used for ablating tissue. In an alternate embodiment, a cylindrical housing is utilized rather than elongated structural support elements.
US08029499B2	Endprobe for intraocular treatment of the eye An endoprobe for ophthalmic microsurgery for intraocular treatment of the eye and that affords a surgeon good visibility regardless of the distance from the treatment site in the eye. The endoprobe includes a stainless steel cannula enclosing one or more optical fibers and a laser fiber. A distal end of the optical fibers can be closed by a transparent lens-shaped structure such that an illuminating light transmitted through the optical fibers is radiated and transmitted laser light can exit from the laser fiber, or such that the laser fiber is embedded in a transparent shaped element. The laser fiber may have a covering for transporting light. The laser light may be injected directly into the laser fiber and the illuminating light is injected via at least one optical element into the covering of the laser fiber or into the transparent shaped element.
US08029496B2	Method and device for delivering drug to the trigone of the bladder Methods of treating functional disorders of the bladder in mammalian females are disclosed. A therapeutic compound is delivered directly into the trigone of the bladder. The therapeutic may be delivered to the trigone through the vaginal wall. A device for delivering the therapeutic compound is also disclosed. The device may be an array of microneedles connected to a reservoir.
US08029493B2	Method for aspirating a space within a body Methods for aspirating a space within the body of a patient, such as the subdural space, including providing an evacuating port device having an evacuating lumen in fluid communication with the space in the body. A port aspiration device is mounted on the evacuating port device, creating fluid communication between an aspiration channel of the port aspiration device and the evacuating lumen. An instrument is positioned in the aspiration channel so that the instrument is capable of entering the evacuating lumen of the evacuating port device. The instrument can dispense medication and/or remove materials from the lumen or the space in the body. The evacuating port device can be mounted to a patient's skull.
US08029490B2	Absorbent article for use with an application aid An absorbent article having at least one belt part with a first end secured to the absorbent article, and a second end, wherein the belt part has a feature for cooperating with an application aid so that the belt and the application aid cooperate when guided under the user.
US08029486B2	Disposable wearing article A disposable wearing article is provided with a skin-contactable panel laid in a front half of a crotch region of the article and a liquid-impervious partition laid in a vicinity of a transverse center line of the article. The panel has transversely opposite side edges bonded to transverse opposite side portion of the article and a intermediate region defined between these side edges. The partition has an upper edge bonded to the panel, a lower edge bonded to a topsheet of the article transversely opposite side edges bonded to the side portions of the article and a middle portion defined between the upper and lower edges. The intermediate region of the panel describes an upward convex circular arc above the topsheet and the middle portion of the partition is unfolded in a thickness direction of the article so as to form a pocket-like barrier against movement of bodily wastes.
US08029485B2	Tampon with offset grooves A tampon for feminine hygiene that has an insertion end, a withdrawal end, a central portion between the insertion end and the withdrawal end, a length, a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and an outer surface. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material. The outer surface of the insertion end has a plurality of longitudinal grooves which are offset from the plurality of longitudinal grooves located in the withdrawal end.
US08029475B2	Reinforced seal assembly A seal assembly adapted for use in conjunction with a trocar assembly includes a seal body permitting the selective insertion and removal of instruments. The seal body includes a plurality of overlapping seal segments, each seal segment including a peripheral edge with a central seal member extending therefrom. The central seal member includes a free edge remote from the peripheral edge. A reinforcement pad is located on at least one of the seal segments between the peripheral edge and the free edge of the central seal member.
US08029469B2	External inserter for transcutaneous device A medical device is provided, comprising a first unit and a releasably attachable second unit. The first unit comprises a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, and a transcutaneous device comprising a distal pointed end adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject, wherein the transcutaneous device has a first position in which the distal end is retracted relative to the mounting surface, and a second position in which the distal end projects relative to the mounting surface. The second unit comprises actuatable driving means adapted to move the transcutaneous device from the first position to the second position when the driving means is actuated with the second unit attached to the first unit. By this arrangement the first unit can be applied to the skin of the subject using the second unit as a gripping and handling means, whereafter the driving means can be actuated for insertion of the transcutaneous device.
US08029467B2	Stretch resistant therapeutic device A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08029465B2	Stretch resistant therapeutic device A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08029464B2	Vasoocclusive coil with enhanced therapeutic strand structure A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.
US08029456B2	Compact intravaginal device applicator The present invention provides a compact intravaginal device applicator assembly having a longitudinal axis comprises an elongated barrel with an insertion end and an opposite gripper end; an intravaginal device and a plunger with a restraint.
US08029454B2	High convection home hemodialysis/hemofiltration and sorbent system A system, method and apparatus for performing a renal replacement therapy is provided. In one embodiment, two small high flux dialyzers are connected in series. A restriction is placed between the two dialyzers in the dialysate flow path. The restriction is variable and adjustable in one preferred embodiment. The restriction builds a positive pressure in the venous dialyzer, causing a high degree of intentional backfiltration. That backfiltration causes a significant flow of dialysate through the high flux venous membrane directly into the patient's blood. That backfiltered solution is subsequently ultrafiltered from the patient from the arterial dialyzer. The diffusion of dialysate into the venous filter and removal of dialysate from the arterial dialyzer causes a convective transport of toxins from the patient. Additionally, the dialysate that does not diffuse directly into the patient but instead flows across the membranes of both dialyzers provides a diffusive clearance of waste products.
US08029453B2	Apparatus and method for reduction, correction and/or reversal of aberrant cervical, cervico-thoracic, thoracic, thoraco-lumbar, lumbar and lumbo-sacral/pelvic postures An orthopedic device includes at least one torque band disposable around a users' body and having opposing ends extending outwardly from the users' body and generally transverse to a user's spine along with apparatus applying counteracting forces to the ends in order to torque the body to the corrective posture. In addition, a support table may be provided along with a cervical device disposed on the table drop leaf and a pelvis/leg/feet carrier slidably disposed on the table. A lumbar sacral unit is disposed on the table between the cervical device and the pelvis/leg/feet carrier and a movable thorax carrier may be disposed on the support table between the sacral unit and the cervical device.
US08029449B2	Cryotherapy method for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque Methods, apparatus, and kits detect and/or treat vulnerable plaque of a blood vessel. A temperature differential can be sensed along a lumen surface with temperature sensors on a balloon filled with warm gas. Treatment methods include controlled and safe cryogenic cooling of vulnerable plaque to inhibit release of retained fluid within the vulnerable plaque so as to inhibit acute coronary syndrome and to help maintain patency of a body lumen.
US08029440B2	Video blade laryngoscope A laryngoscope including a control circuit and a camera having a housing enclosing the camera that is detachably connectable to a handle, where the camera functions and is compatible with a wide variety of displays. The laryngoscope may optionally be used in either the video mode where the user views a display presenting image data of the area ahead of the blade, or the user may use the laryngoscope in the direct visualization where the user uses the laryngoscope in a traditional manner directly viewing the area ahead of the blade during the intubation procedure. When used in the video mode, an LED is positioned adjacent to a window enclosing the digital image sensor to defog the window.
US08029439B2	Disposable attachable light source unit for an endoscope An LED based light source unit for an endoscopic imaging system produces illumination for a camera through an endoscope. The light source unit includes an array of LEDs mounted to a thermally conductive substrate, a light guide to collect light emitted from the LEDs and to couple the light into a group of optical fibers within the endoscope, and an interface to allow the light source unit to be removably attached to the endoscope at the endoscope's external light port. The LEDs therein may be overdriven by power for increased light output. When the LEDs reach their lifetime, the light source unit can be discarded.
US08029412B2	Portable hurdle A portable hurdle for use primarily athletes has a base portion operably secured to a bow portion that holds the hurdle to a predefined height when the bow portion is placed in tension by a securing structure. The hurdle lays substantially flat when the bow portion is returned to its neutral position. In one disclosed embodiment, the securing structure is a trap that forms the top of the hurdle. In other disclosed embodiments, the base portion defines the top of the hurdle. An adjustment structure allows for adjustment of the hurdle's height.
US08029411B2	Systems and methods of monitoring exercises and ranges of motion Systems and methods are provided for remotely a monitoring an individual's ability to carry out a various exercise activities and to evaluate the individual's range of motion. The individual can stand or sit in the field of view of the camera and carry out a set of base line activities. The baseline activities can be stored for subsequent retrieval and analysis. Based on the results of that evaluation, other activities can be prescribed for the individual to systematically carry out. The results of the subsequent activities can be evaluated and compared to the result of the base line activities to determine how the activities should be revised or whether other treatments are required or appropriate.
US08029399B2	Compound planet steer differential A drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle incorporates a controlled differential for use in exercising steering control of the vehicle, comprising a compound planetary gear set (8) coupling two shafts (7a, 7b). Respective sun gears (10a) and (10b) turn with the shafts and mesh with compound planet gears (12) in a common planet carrier (13), the ratios of the number of gear teeth between each sun gear and the respective gears (14a) or (14b) of the compound planets being unequal so that when the planet carrier is stationary the two shafts are coupled through the differential to turn together in the same sense but with a speed difference, and controlled rotation of the planet carrier varies the speed difference between the shafts in accordance with the sense and speed of rotation of the planet carrier.
US08029393B2	Foam game ball with tubular holes A game ball is provided with the shape of a football with tubular symmetrically placed holes along the length of the ball. The ball is made of foam and when submerged in water the holes will fill with water. As the ball is thrown in a spiraling rotation, the centrifugal force will cause the water to be expelled through the holes producing multiple spiraling streams of water to spray away from the ball as the ball travels in the air.
US08029386B2	Golf ball A golf ball composed of a solid core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer is characterized in that the solid core or an inner cover layer adjacent to an outer cover layer has a color difference ΔE with a ball surface of at most 30, and at least the outer cover layer is transparent or translucent and made of a resin material that includes an interference pigment in which color develops through an interference effect by reflected light. The golf ball is stylish and has a high-quality feel, yet also has an excellent scuff resistance.
US08029384B2	Golf club head A golf club head includes a striking face having a plurality of grooves formed therein. At least one groove includes a first curved side surface, a second curved side surface opposite to the first curved side surface, and a bottom surface connecting the first and the second curved side surfaces. As viewed in the longitudinal direction of the at least one groove, the first and the second curved surfaces respectively have first and second involute profiles. A distance measured between the first and the second curved surfaces continuously increases from the bottom surface to the striking face.
US08029382B2	Golf-club shafts having selectable-stiffness tip regions, and golf clubs comprising same The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener is coupled to the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example. The clubhead can be removable from the shaft to facilitate stiffener exchange.
US08029380B1	Golf putting training apparatus and method of training a golfer to use a putter A golf putting training apparatus for improving a golf stroke along a line of intended travel of a golf ball. The golf training apparatus includes a pair of upright supports and an eye alignment tool for aligning a user's eyes above the apparatus and in a vertical plane that includes the golf ball and the line of intended travel. The eye alignment tool is supported by and connected between the supports and above the golf ball and includes a substantially linear top edge and pair of generally parallel planar sides depending from the top edge toward a bottom edge. With the golf putting training apparatus further including a longitudinally elongated tool arranged under the lower bottom edge of said eye alignment tool and extending along the line of intended travel of said golf ball. A method of training a golfer to use a putter used by the golfer during a golf putting stroke is also disclosed.
US08029378B1	Apparatus and methods for training a golf stroke An apparatus for training a golf stroke comprising: a grip for orienting the user's hands; a restraining bar for orienting the user's arms mechanically coupled to one end of the grip; a shaft mechanically coupled to the end of the grip opposite the restraining bar; and an indicator for the user to determine the orientation of the apparatus mechanically coupled to the end of the shaft opposite the grip. Such apparatus and related methods facilitate training a golfer to swing a golf club by executing a stroke with a proper grip, posture, alignment, balance, and movement during setup, backswing, downswing, and follow-through.
US08029373B2	Fixed constant velocity universal joint A fixed constant velocity universal joint of a structure, which easily allows incorporation of an inner ring into a cage without impairing a function of the joint, is provided. The fixed constant velocity universal joint has an outer ring having in an inner spherical surface thereof a plurality of track grooves arranged at equal circumferential intervals and extending axially toward an open end, an inner ring having in an outer spherical surface thereof a plurality of axially extending track grooves paired with the track grooves of the outer ring and arranged at equal circumferential intervals, a plurality of balls interposed between the track grooves of the outer ring and the track grooves of the inner ring, for transmitting torque, and a cage interposed between the inner spherical surface of the outer ring and the outer spherical surface of the inner ring, for holding the balls, in which an outer ring open end side of the outer spherical surface of the inner ring is cut off, with a boundary portion between a cutoff portion thereby obtained and the outer spherical surface being rounded.
US08029372B2	Constant velocity universal joint A constant velocity universal joint is provided, having a hollow outer joint member, an inner joint member, an outer roller including a cylindrical surface, an inner roller including a concave sphere, and plural leg shafts each including a convex sphere formed in a tip portion and engaging with the concave sphere, where the cylindrical surface of the outer roller satisfies the following: W1>PCR(1−cos θ)/2+μ3R3+μ2R1 W2>3PCR(1−cos θ)/2−μ3R3+μ2R1, where W1 indicates a length of the cylindrical surface from a center of the leg shaft and an intersection of the cylindrical surface and an upper side taper portion of the outer roller, W2 indicates a length of the cylindrical surface from the center of the leg shaft and an intersection of the cylindrical surface and a lower side taper portion of the outer roller, and θ indicates a maximum joint angle.
US08029362B2	Gaming device methods and apparatus employing audio/video programming outcome presentation In a first aspect, a method (e.g., of operating a gaming device) is provided. The method includes the steps of (i) receiving audio/video content; (ii) associating a plurality of sets of outcome values with the audio/video content; (iii) determining a play session; (iv) determining which of the plurality of sets of outcome values to associate with the audio/video content for a duration of the play session, thereby determining an active set of outcome values; (v) determining a result of a game play during the session; (vi) selecting, based on the result, a value from the active set of outcome values; and (vii) outputting, as an indication of the result, the audio/video content and an indication of the selected value.
US08029361B2	Method and apparatus for providing player incentives A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location.
US08029352B2	Method, system, and program product for grouping game players by class Game play requests in a bingo gaming system are associated with different play characteristic classes and collected into different game play groups simultaneously according to play characteristic class. Once a sufficient number of game play requests are collected in a respective game play group, a bingo game is conducted with the respective game play group and results are returned to the players associated with that game play group. Play characteristic class may be defined on the basis of the speed at which players take any required actions to claim results in a game so that players who may take the required actions relatively slowly will not be grouped for games with players who may take the required actions relatively quickly.
US08029344B2	Door assembly for climate control system A motor vehicle climate control system that utilizes a door to selectively open and close an inlet formed in a housing of the climate control system. The housing includes a wall having a seal surface. The seal surface is spaced outwardly from an inner surface of the wall. A seal member, typically attached to the door used to open and close the inlet, contacts the seal surface when the door is placed in a position to close the inlet.
US08029335B2	Wafer processing method In a wafer processing method, rough grinding using a first grinding stone is divided into first and second steps. In the first step, a wafer is processed into a concave shape at a first transfer rate with a reinforcing rib area slightly left. Thereafter, as primary rough grinding in the second step, the grinding stone is positioned slightly on the inner circumferential side and the wafer is further processed into the concave portion at a second transfer rate faster than the first transfer rate. Since the first transfer rate is suppressed to a rate not to cause a burst chipping, a burst chipping resulting from the second step fast in the processing rate to ensure productivity will occur at the stepped edge portion on the inside of the reinforcing rib area surface. Thus, the flatness of the reinforcing rib area can be ensured.
US08029334B2	Device for modifying the position of the segments in the event of the inclination of a segmented grinding pad A device is described comprising: a segmented sanding pad having a plurality of segments, each segment having a longitudinal axis and corresponding to a respective contact roller having a longitudinal axis, wherein, when the sanding pad is moved obliquely, the segments align in accordance with a degree of oblique movement, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the individual contact rollers and the respective segments are aligned with respect to each other when the gap between the segments is adjusted to the longitudinal axis of the contact rollers.
US08029323B2	High power electrical interface connection An electrical connection includes a socket having a bore and a pin. The pin is allowed to move along an axis defined inwardly into the socket bore, and also to move radially relative to the axis. The socket bore has a generally conical portion. The pin has a generally conical face. The generally conical face of the pin is in contact with the generally conical portion of the socket. A motor system including such a connection is also disclosed. In another feature, an electrical connection includes a socket having a bore and a pin. The pin is allowed to move along an axis defined inwardly into the bore, and also to move radially relative to the axis. The pin is spring-biased into the bore such that an end of the pin seats on an end face of the bore.
US08029322B1	Electrical contact assemblies and connectors including retention clips An electrical connector that includes a plug insert having a dielectric body and having a pair of contact channels. The contact channels have central axes that extend parallel to each other in a common direction. The contact channels are defined by respective channel walls and are separated by an inter-channel portion of the dielectric body. The channel walls have wall perimeters that extend around the corresponding central axes. The electrical connector also has a contact sub-assembly that includes mating contacts that are received in the contact channels and retention clips that are positioned within the contact channels between the mating contacts and the channel walls. Each of the retention clips has a concave body with an open side. The concave body extends partially about the wall perimeter with the open side positioned along a portion of the wall perimeter. The retention clips are oriented to face one another.
US08029321B2	Electronic apparatus and connector According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a connector into which a plug is insertable. The connector includes a housing and a terminal portion provided in the housing. The housing includes an insertion opening part which exposes the terminal portion outside, a back part positioned at an end part opposite to the insertion opening part in the housing, and a side part provided between the insertion opening part and the back part and configured to oppose to the plug when the plug is inserted into the connector. The side part includes an inclined part which continues to the insertion opening part and is inclined such that a distance between the inclined part and the plug increases in a direction from the back part toward the insertion opening part to form a gap between the inclined part and the plug.
US08029320B1	Integrated module including physical layer network device, receptacle and physical layer isolation module An embodiment may include an integrated module that may include a physical layer network device and a cable connector receptacle. The physical layer network device may be physically and electrically coupled to the cable connector receptacle. The physical layer network device may include a circuit board. The circuit board may be directly physically coupled to the receptacle. The circuit board also may be electrically coupled to the receptacle. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible.
US08029317B2	Power plug system for submersible pump system A power plug system for use with a submersible pump. One embodiment comprises a male plug end, a female plug end, and a plurality of seals. The male plug end comprises a housing and a conductive sleeve. The housing receives an electrically conductive cable and conducts an electric current from the cable to the conductive sleeve. The female plug end comprises a housing, a conductive pin, and a female plug sleeve. The conductive sleeve is radially sealable within the female plug end through a plug end seal of the plurality of seals. The conductive sleeve and the conductive pin are conductively connectable. The female plug sleeve is radially sealable within a complementary plug end through a female plug sleeve seal of the plurality of seals. The conductive pin conductively connects to a conductive lead of the complementary plug end with insertion of the female plug sleeve therein.
US08029314B2	Connector for mounting a flexible printed circuit board A connector is adapted to mount a FPC board. The connector includes a base and a cover. The base includes an opening and a first connecting portion located at two sides of the opening. The cover is pivotally connected to the base, and includes a second connecting portion, wherein when the cover is turned and then the second connecting portion is engaged with the first connecting portion, there is an accommodating space formed between the cover and the opening of the base for accommodating the FPC board, and the first and second connecting portions are adjacent to the position portion, whereby the position portion cannot escape from the accommodating space.
US08029309B2	Electronic devices with sliding and tilting mechanisms, and associated methods Electronic devices with sliding and tilting mechanisms are disclosed. The electronic device can include a first electronic component having a handheld display, a second electronic component having a handheld keyboard, and a coupling slidably and pivotably connecting the first and second electronic components. Accordingly, the first and second electronic components can both slide and pivot relative to each other.
US08029305B2	Connector mounting structure, connector, a grommet and mounting method Connection resistance (Rc) resulting from the resilient deformation of a lock arm (26) is produced in the process of connecting two housings (10, 20), and connection resistance (Rb) resulting from a resilient restoring force of a grommet (30) held in contact with a panel (P) is produced with the two housings (10, 20) properly connected. In the process of connecting the two housings (10, 20), the connection resistance (Rb) resulting from the resilient restoring force of the grommet (30) increases after the lock arm (26) is resiliently restored.
US08029304B1	Portable storage device A portable storage device comprises a main body, a first connector electrically coupled to the main body and a second connector electrically coupled to the main body. The first connector and the second connector are respectively capable of connecting to an electronic device. The main body is capable of storing data transmitted from one electronic device to another. Thus, data can be transmitted among different electronic devices.
US08029303B2	Multi-in-one-connector A multi-in-one connector has a casing and a plug assembly. The casing has a cavity and a front opening communicating with the cavity. The plug assembly is mounted in the cavity and extends through the front opening and has a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is separately stacked with the first plug and mounted slidably in the cavity through the front opening, wherein the second plug moves relative to the first plug to extend out of or retract from the front opening. Hence the multi-in-one connector is compatible with at least two connection interfaces of connector sockets.
US08029298B2	Apparatus for preventing electrical shock in devices A device for preventing electrical shock from a device with electrical interfaces. A shutter or other barrier associated with the device that physically prevents access or contact to one of the electrical interfaces while another electrical interface is in use.
US08029293B2	Positionable lighting systems and methods A lighting assembly includes a lighting unit having a housing defining an internal cavity and an opening. A light source is assembled within the internal cavity of the housing. An electrical wire is electrically connected to the light source at a first end and is configured to be contained at least in part within the housing. The opening is configured to permit withdrawal of a user selected amount of the electrical wire from within the internal cavity and/or to permit a user selected amount of the electrical wire to be inserted into the internal cavity.
US08029283B2	Abutment with a hydroxylated surface Abutment of a dental implant system, having at the top a support region intended for receiving a prosthetic build-up construction and at the bottom an implant contact region intended for insertion into a receiving hole of an implant, and wherein the abutment has between the support region and the implant contact region a soft tissue contact surface. The soft tissue contact surface is at least partially hydroxylated or silanated.
US08029274B2	Convection oven with laminar airflow and method A convection oven with laminar airflow and/or moisture injection. A radial airflow fan is used to provide a circulating airflow that is substantially even and substantially turbulence free. The circulating airflow is provided to an oven chamber via a plurality of egress ports that rim a divider wall disposed between the oven chamber and a fan chamber. The airflow interleaves with a plurality of pans in the oven chamber to provide a laminar airflow. Moisture is injected into the circulating airflow either upstream of the fan or by flashing water onto the hot blades of the fan from either the low pressure side or the high pressure side of the fan.
US08029265B2	Burger press A burger press includes a base having upward extending sidewalls, a lifter sized and shaped to fit within the base, and a plunger having a handle attached to a first side of a generally planar plate that is sized and shaped to fit within the base. At least one of a second side of the plunger plate and the lifter are shaped to include a surface feature selected from a plurality of ribs and a raised portion, the plurality of ribs and the raised portion being structured to press into a burger as the burger is formed in the burger press by compressing the burger between the plunger and the lifter.
US08029263B1	Low pressure vacuum resin infusion system A mold assembly includes a support table mounted for rotation within a vacuum chamber. A plurality of hollow part molds is radially disposed about an axis of rotation of the support table. Each part mold has fiber architecture disposed between an inflatable bladder and internal walls of the part mold. A first motor rotates the support table and resin is urged by centrifugal force to flow along the length of each part mold until the fiber architecture is thoroughly impregnated with resin. A second motor spins each part mold about an axis of rotation of the part mold to ensure that the resin migrates radially outwardly relative to the interior wall surface of each part mold. The resulting product is a monolithic, seamless part having no voids.
US08029253B2	Finger-type peristaltic pump The invention provides a finger-type peristaltic pump (2) having a body (4) and a housing (6). The body contains two or more finger-type valves (16) and a processor (22) configured to operate the valves according to a predetermined temporo-spatial pattern. The housing has a passageway (18) configured to receive a conduit. The housing has a first position in which a conduit in the passageway is positioned adjacent to the valve fingers, and a second position in which a conduit in the passageway is not adjacent to the valve fingers. The invention also provides a housing for use in the pump of the invention.
US08029251B2	Fan having conical impeller cup A fan for generating an air flow by rotating an impeller with a motor is provided. A cylindrical outer side surface of a rotor of the motor is press-fitted to an inner side surface of the impeller cup which is substantially cylindrical. An outer side surface of the impeller cup is a portion of a circular conical surface, thereby increasing the amount of air generated and transmitted by the fan. A gap is formed between the outer side surface and the inner cylindrical surface of the impeller cup. The cylindrical outer side surface of the rotor is connected to the inside of the inner cylindrical surface of the impeller cup coaxially with each other. Thus, the impeller and the rotor can be reliably fixed to each other with improved performance of transmitting air.
US08029250B2	Variable volume, shape memory actuated insulin dispensing pump A portable pumping system provides insulin or other drugs to a user. A shape memory element is used to actuate the pump and an intelligent system controls the actuator in order to minimize stresses within the system and provide accurate and reliable dosage delivery. The control system utilizes various types of feedback to monitor and optimize the position of the pumping mechanisms. Physical design aspects also minimize stress and the combination of the physical design aspects and the intelligent operation of the system results in a lightweight and cost effective pump that may be used in a disposable fashion if desired.
US08029244B2	Fluid flow amplifier A by-pass fluid flow amplifier which contains a primary nozzle and a primary profile for discharging compressed air into a conduit of the air amplifier and entraining ambient air in the process. A secondary nozzle and a secondary profile for discharging compressed air into the conduit of the air amplifier towards the rear that assists the primary nozzle such as to allow consistent fluid wall attachment of the compressed air and the entrained air caused by the primary nozzle and the primary profile. The secondary nozzle increases the total flow of the amplifier and prohibits the total flow from traveling towards the center of the conduit where flow reversal and turbulence are likely to occur.
US08029239B2	Rotor for a wind energy turbine and method for controlling the temperature inside a rotor hub A rotor for a wind energy turbine includes a hub defining an inner space and at least one rotor blade defining an inner space and having a tip and a root attached to the hub. The inner spaces of the hub and the at least one rotor blade are in fluid communication. The rotor further includes air flow means for causing air to flow out of the hub and into the at least one rotor blade.
US08029235B2	Shape detail of a piston to avoid jamming within a distorted bore A piston (21; 104) to be mounted inside a cylindrical bore (46; 117) has a cylindrical surface (32; 114) provided with at least one axially extending deepening (31; 116) for accommodating a thermal distortion of the cylindrical bore (46; 117). Preferably, the piston is used in a piston valve as a valve control member or turbine as a variable nozzle control member.
US08029234B2	Systems and methods involving aerodynamic struts Systems and methods involving struts are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes a gas turbine engine defining a gas flow path. The gas turbine engine comprises a strut extending into the gas flow path. The strut has an interior operative to receive pressurized air, an outer surface, and ports communicating between the outer surface and the interior of the strut, the ports are operative to receive the pressurized air from the interior and emit the pressurized air into the gas flow path such that an effective aerodynamic length of the strut along the gas flow path is increased.
US08029222B2	Push-pin fastening system A fastening system and method of use is disclosed. The fastening system includes a substrate, an aperture and a fastener. The fastener includes flexible wings that allow for insertion of the fastener into an aperture of a vehicle component.
US08029221B2	Cage nut assembly A cage nut assembly includes a cage, a nut and a heat sensitive adhesive. The cage includes a plurality of walls defining an internal chamber and an open end. An opening is formed through one of the walls. The nut is secured to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut includes a threaded channel exposed through the opening. The heat sensitive adhesive adhesively secures the nut to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut breaks away from the cage within the internal chamber when heat is applied to the heat sensitive adhesive.
US08029217B2	Machine adaptation The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool 200 to/from an accessory 100 mounted in the spindle 210 of the machine tool 200. A first electrical link or interface 1a,1b,1c,1d provides electrical communication between the stationary part 200 and the spindle 210, and a second electrical link or interface 3 is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area 230. The second link 3 is in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shank 360 for mounting to the spindle 210 of the machine tool, and also to an accessory 100 e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank 360.
US08029193B2	Guide rail and method for manufacturing same A guide rail and method of forming a guide rail is provided. The guide rail includes a base rail having a groove with a plurality of fingers formed therein and a race insert mounted in the groove. The race insert has at least two different load directions. The fingers extend generally non-parallel to the different load directions. The fingers are preferably deformed into a state of bending.
US08029190B2	Method and articles for sensing relative temperature A method for determining the relative body temperature of a warm-bodied animal is described. The method, in part, involves an article of manufacture that provides a manifestation, or visually observable indication on an exterior surface, of a relative state of the warm-bodied animal's body temperature, either being too cold or too hot, as a measure against relative levels of hypothermia or hyperthermia, or poor circulation.
US08029181B2	Light collector for an illumination optic A light collector is provided to converge light from a light source down to a range of acceptance angles of an illumination optic, and to couple the converged light into the illumination optic, where the range of acceptance angles of the illumination optic is less than a range of emission angles of the light source.
US08029180B2	Light unit, backlight, frontlight, and display device A light unit, a backlight, a front light, and a display device, have a structure such that an uneven luminance generated in display is suppressed by radiating light in a sufficient amount even to an end portion of a display region, thereby uniformly radiating light in a sufficient amount to the entire display region, without a complicated structure. The light unit includes a light guide plate and a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources being arranged in a line to oppose at least one side surface of the light guide plate, wherein one or more light sources at at least one terminal among the plurality of light sources are positioned outside a lateral edge of a display region, and such a light unit is preferably used in a side-light type backlight or front light.
US08029177B2	Lighting device with at least one illuminant unit for vehicles, preferably motor vehicles A lighting device with at least one lighting unit for vehicles, preferably motor vehicles. The lighting device comprises at least one illuminant unit with one circuit board, and with at least one illuminant attached to the circuit board, connected to the conductive paths of the circuit board through contacts. The illuminant is positioned at the front face of the circuit board in order to configure the lighting device so that it can be manufactured simply and economically in a particularly flat configuration and in any curved shape. The lighting device is advantageously used in vehicles, preferably in motor vehicles.
US08029170B2	Lamp with light emitting diodes using alternating current Provided is an LED lamp for AC power. The LED lamp for the AC power can replace a related art halogen lamp. Since the bottom of an LED substrate for AC power is allowed to directly contact an inner upper surface serving as a substrate base of a main body with a built-in heatsink where heatsink pins are formed in an entire outer peripheral surface, so that heatsink operation of heat generated while the LED for the AC power operates is maximized. A reflection funnel whose inner surface is entirely chrome-deposited extends on the upper end of the main body with the built-in heatsink to reflect light while the LED for the AC power is lit, so that the intensity of illumination can be enhanced.
US08029169B2	LED illumination device An LED illumination device includes a lamp housing, a heat sink, a cooling fan, and a light source. The heat sink, the cooling fan and the light source are received in the lamp housing. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins extending from the base. The light source is attached to the base of the heat sink. The cooling fan causes ambient air to enter into the lamp housing and flow through the heat sink. A plurality of air-disturbing plates extends from the lamp housing towards the heat sink. The air-disturbing plates disturb the air in the lamp housing and guide the disturbed air into air passageways defined between adjacent fins of the heat sink.
US08029167B2	Light emitting device The light emitting device comprises a point light source, a solid and transparent light guide, a recess arranged on center of a light receiving surface of the light guide, a concave lens formed on a surface of the recess. A reflecting side surface is a revolving surface determined by revolving a parabola passing through one point of peripheral border of the light receiving surface and the other point of peripheral border of the light radiating surface, and having a focal point on the other point of peripheral border. The point light source is arranged apart from the light receiving surface so as to divide the light from the point light source into light entering into the light guide through the surface of the recess and light entering into the light guide through some part of the light receiving surface other than the recess.
US08029164B2	LED light recycling cavity with integrated optics A light emitting diode light source with mirrored surfaces is formed on a planar substrate which, when folded, forms both a light recycling cavity and an optical taper at the end of the light recycling cavity.
US08029159B2	Light source device having different color temperature rotating lighting modules A light source device capable of switching to different color temperature planes includes a cooler, a first lighting module, a second lighting module and a rotating mechanism. The cooler has a first surface and a second surface formed at one side of the first surface. The first and second surfaces are non-coplanar to each other. The first lighting module is arranged onto the first surface by adhesion and the second lighting module is arranged onto the second surface by adhesion. The first lighting module and the second lighting module can radiate light of different color temperatures respectively. The rotating mechanism, which is connected to the cooler, provides a rotating operation to the cooler. When the first surface or the second surface is rotated for radiating light, the first lighting module or the second lighting module can emit an illumination of different colors.
US08029158B2	System in package high power highly efficient diode lamp A system in package, high power, and highly efficient diode lamp is provided. The diode lamp includes a heat-conducting/heat-dissipating module, a LED light module, an optical module, and a control circuit module. The heat-conducting/heat-dissipating module includes a heat-conducting device and at least one heat-dissipating fin. The LED light module is disposed on a flat portion of the heat-conducting device. The optical module focuses the light emitted by the LED light module. The control circuit module is used to control the LED light module. When the diode lamp is electrically connected to a power supply, the control circuit module selectively controls the LED light module to emit the light. The heat generated during the operation of the LED light module is conducted from the flat portion of the heat-conducting device to the at least one heat-dissipating fin, and then it is dissipated by the at least one heat-dissipating fin.
US08029151B2	Back-up lighting system Embodiments of this invention provide a secondary, or back-up, lighting system for light fixtures having a primary light source. The back-up lighting system is configured to mount onto a support structure of the light fixture. The back-up lighting system includes a light source and a lens with optical properties. A housing retains the light source and lens. The back-up lighting system may include a controller that monitors the main power source for the primary light source of the light fixture. The controller activates the light source of the back-up lighting system upon detecting power restoration after a power loss. In some embodiments of this invention, the back-up lighting system includes a secondary power source that powers the back-up lighting system during a loss of power.
US08029140B2	Device to produce a floating image The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing image projection and entertainment.
US08029132B1	3D eyeglasses with detachable front eyeglasses frame The present invention relates to 3D eyeglasses with a detachable front eyeglasses frame, including: eyeglasses arms having a coupling rim disposed in the middle portion thereof and attaching and detaching protrusions formed at the center portion of the coupling rim; the detachable front eyeglasses frame having lens insertion holes formed on both sides thereof, fixing protrusions formed at each of the upper and lower sides of the lens insertion holes on the rear surface thereof, and attaching and detaching grooves formed at the center portion of the rear surface thereof; and 3D eyeglasses lenses adapted to be inserted into the lens insertion holes of the detachable front eyeglasses frame.
US08029117B2	Selectable fill volume for ink reservoir A method for filling an ink tank to one of several selectable ink fill volumes, by providing an ink tank including an ink reservoir having a maximum fill volume V and selecting an ink fill volume Vi to store in the ink reservoir. One subsequently determines a quantity of pellets to add to the ink reservoir, wherein the total pellet volume Vp>(V−Vi−2) cubic centimeters. Upon adding the determined quantity of pellets to the ink reservoir, the ink reservoir is sealed with a lid. Whereupon, ink, in the amount Vi, is added to the ink reservoir.
US08029116B2	Ink cartridge The present invention provides an ink cartridge including a cartridge body defining an air vent at an upper section thereof and an ink discharge port detachably assembled to a lower section of the cartridge body. The cartridge body and/or the ink discharge port can be replaced separately when they are damaged and, thus, there is no need to replace the ink cartridge as whole.
US08029110B2	Droplet ejection head and droplet ejection apparatus A droplet ejection head comprises: a substrate having first through-holes forming reservoir chambers, a second through-hole forming a supply chamber, and a bonding film on one surface; a nozzle plate having nozzles for ejecting ejection liquid and a second bonding film on one surface, the first and second films being bonded together to cover the first through-holes and the second through-hole; a sealing plate on another surface of the substrate covering the first through-holes, one surface of the sealing plate contacting the substrate's another surface; and piezoelectric means on another surface of the sealing plate for driving the droplet ejection head. The bonding films contain an Si-skeleton of constituent atoms containing silicon atoms, with siloxane (Si—O) bonds and elimination groups bonded to the silicon atoms, the constituent atoms being randomly bonded together, and the elimination groups existing near a surface of the bonding films.
US08029099B2	Nozzle assembly with thermal bend actuator for displacing nozzle A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet; a nozzle defining an opening through which ink is ejected, the nozzle including a crown portion and a skirt portion depending from the crown portion; wall portion extending from the substrate towards the nozzle and bounding the ink inlet; thermal bend actuator assembly mounted to the substrate assembly; and a lever arm extending from the thermal bend actuator to the nozzle, the lever arm supporting the nozzle above the wall portion. The thermal bend actuator assembly is adapted to actuate the lever arm such that the crown portion of the nozzle is displaced with respect to the wall portion, whereby ink contained in the nozzle is ejected out through the opening.
US08029096B2	Printing system for depositing layers of material to form 3-D objects A device for depositing layers of material to form three dimensional objects using a plurality of printheads that can print multiple layers simultaneously and different materials into the same layer, wherein some of the printheads can be maintained at a temperature that differs from the operating temperature of the other printheads.
US08029094B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid storage portion of liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that discharges liquid, a liquid receiving portion that receives the liquid from the liquid ejection head, a detachable liquid storage portion that stores the liquid within the liquid receiving portion, and a liquid passage that conducts the liquid within the liquid receiving portion into the liquid storage portion. The liquid storage portion includes an absorbing portion that absorbs the liquid, and a scattering prevention portion that prevents scattering of the liquid.
US08029082B2	Liquid discharging apparatus, liquid discharging method, and program A liquid discharging apparatus includes a head that is driven in response to a driving signal to discharge liquid, a controller that drives the head by generating the driving signal, an adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid, and a supply path that supplies the head with the liquid having the temperature adjusted by the adjustment unit. The controller alters the driving signal in accordance with a flow amount of the liquid, which flows in the supply path.
US08029081B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator can prevent torsion of a rail member guiding withdrawal of a storage box to stably withdraw the storage box. The refrigerator includes a body, a movable storage box, a rail member, and a supporting member. The body includes a storing compartment. The movable storage box is provided inside the body. The rail member is provided in at least one side of the storage box and guides a movement of the storage box. The supporting member is disposed between the rail member and the body and allows the rail member to be tiltably supported with respect to the body. Therefore, the usability of the refrigerator is improved.
US08029078B2	Ejection device for a movable furniture component An ejection device for a furniture component moveably housed in or against a furniture body. The ejection device includes a swivellably housed lever. A first castor is attached to a free end of the lever, and a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free end.
US08029073B2	Motor vehicle rapid braking brake booster The invention relates to a brake booster with a short operating travel, in which the three-way valve comprises a mobile valve seat borne by a sleeve (54). The movement of this sleeve is controlled by the piston. According to the invention, there is an elastic device (70) applying force to the sleeve (54) in the direction of the front of the booster, and tending to move this sleeve forward with respect to the pneumatic piston (12). In addition, there is a device for transmitting the pressure of the master cylinder (120) to the sleeve (54) and that tends to apply a rearward force to the sleeve (54).
US08029068B2	Locking fixture for a degradation assembly In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly comprises an impact tip brazed to a carbide bolster. A stem protrudes from the bolster, being adapted to be retained within a bore connected to a driving mechanism. A locking fixture is disposed within the bore and locking the stem to a wall of the bore.
US08029065B2	Sliding armrest A sliding armrest for use in an automotive vehicle. The sliding armrest including a lower cover, and a lower rail case arranged on a top surface of the lower cover. The armrest includes a guide arranged on the surface of the lower rail case and an upper case cover having a plurality of bosses extending from the surface thereof with the bosses contacting the guide. The sliding armrest also includes a force member arranged between the upper case cover and the guide.
US08029064B2	Connection devices in vehicle seats A connecting device may include first and second connecting elements that are axially oppositely coupled to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a locking member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, an operating member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, and a retainer member that is arranged and constructed to circumferentially clamp the first and second connecting elements. The retainer member has a retainer portion and is fixed to the first connecting element while the second connecting element is axially supported by the retainer portion of the retainer member.
US08029060B2	Chair A chair has a supporting frame, a seat portion, a back portion, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion upon a reclining action of the back portion. The mechanism has a rear deformable member and a front deformable member operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
US08029057B2	Clutch mechanism for vehicle seat A coupling arm presses a first or second arm of a swing member, connected to a frame of a seat back, by an occupant's backrest load caused by a rear-end collision of a vehicle to pivotally move the swing member. The first arm receives a first backrest load via the coupling arm and the second arm receives a second backrest load, which is larger than the first backrest load, via the coupling arm. The first and second arms are set so that a maximum pivot amount of the swing member when the first arm is pressed to pivot is equal to a maximum pivot amount of the swing member when the second arm is pressed to pivot.
US08029052B2	Roof system for a vehicle A roof system for a vehicle includes a panel assembly having a transparent roof panel (14), a privacy panel (18), and a transparent display panel (16). An image generator (40) is configured to display an image on the display panel (16) and a control system operates the image generator (40) and actuates the privacy panel (18) between a transparent mode and an opaque mode. The system may also includes a perimeter trim member (20) having a perimeter ventilation system surrounding the panels. The transparent display panel (16) may also be provided with a user interface region having instruments, displays and touch-activated switches (52). The system may also include ambient lighting bands (60) adjacent to the perimeter of the panels.
US08029048B2	Rigidity of vehicle body panels An insert for reducing deflection of a vehicle fender or wing panel includes an attachment member for attachment to a lamp cluster or lamp housing of a vehicle and a head for lying between the panel and the cluster or housing.
US08029047B2	Center pillar assembly for vehicle A center pillar assembly for a vehicle may include a center pillar panel which is not connected to a side reinforcing panel at one end thereof, and a center pillar reinforcing member connecting the other one end of the center pillar panel with the side reinforcing panel for reinforcing the center pillar panel.
US08029045B2	Crossbeam for a motor vehicle A crossbeam for a motor vehicle comprises a crossbeam body and at least one attachment device for attaching at least one vehicle component of the motor vehicle to the crossbeam, the attachment device having an attachment body which is fastened to the crossbeam body and extends in the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam body over a partial length of the crossbeam body and away from the crossbeam body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of attachment elements being present on the attachment body. The attachment body is built up from a plurality of individual blanks which are fastened to the crossbeam body in a distributed manner over the partial length and which each extend with their longitudinal direction and with their blank area transversely to the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam body.
US08029040B2	Vehicle comprising a window lined with a safety film, and production method A vehicle including a window fastened to a body wall and a method of assembling the vehicle. The window is lined with a safety film adhering to an inner face of the window. A border at the periphery of the window is free of film such that a peripheral limit of the film is situated at a distance from the edge of the window, the distance separating the edge of the window and the limit of the film being alternately variable such that first peripheral portions of the film are in contact with a strip of adhesive, which fastens the window to a vehicle body wall, and second peripheral portions of the film are free with respect to the strip of adhesive.
US08029037B2	Method and apparatus for forming a vehicle trim panel A trim panel for a vehicle is formed with a pinch-sealed edge by compression molding. The mold is designed with one or more cutting surfaces that compress or pinch the trim panel material to the point of severing the trim panel to form a tightly compressed and cut edge.
US08029036B2	Apparatus for lifting pipelines Apparatus for the lifting of pipelines, includes a frame having two vertical side beams and a transverse top beam interposed between the vertical beams. Two concave and symmetrically disposed supporting members pivotally connect to the two vertical beams, respectively, and are configured to achieve a pipe supporting position without applying a radial inwardly directed force to the bottommost portion of the pipe when the frame is suitably lowered and the supporting members are suitably pivoted. A driving unit is disposed within, and fixedly attached to, each of the supporting members, for generating a linear downwardly directed force; a force transmitting element connected to a driving unit rod along which a corresponding driving unit housing is slidingly displaceable. A control unit independently controls each of the driving units; and at least one connector releasably connects the two supporting members to one another when the supporting members are in a pipe supporting position. The control unit is adapted to immobilize the force transmitting elements against a trench bed in a pre-lifting mode when a first force is generated by the driving units, and to lift each of the driving unit housings together with the corresponding supporting member with respect to the corresponding force transmitting element in a lifting mode when a suitable second force greater than the first force is generated by each of the driving units.
US08029032B1	Automotive door handle assembly with directly coupled-inertia activated mechanism A directly coupled-inertia activated mechanism that may be incorporated into a door handle assembly and counteracts inadvertent door opening during a side crash. An inertia lever with certain inertia moment in relation ship to that of the handle is coupled to the handle, such that it rotates in the opposite direction of that of the handle when the handle is being pulled. The inertia lever is capable of canceling totally the inertia force causing the handle to move inadvertently to unlatched position during side impact crash, and stops the handle's unlatching move.
US08029025B1	Single taper wedge thread connection with mid-seal A tubular connection includes a pin member and box member. The pin member includes a pin thread formed on a small step and a large step and a first seal surface formed between the small step and the large step. The box member includes a box thread formed on a small step and a large step and a second seal surface formed between the small step and the large step. The pin thread and the box thread are wedge threads. The small step and the large step of both the pin member and the box member are formed on a single taper. Upon a selected make-up of the pin member with the box member, a seal is formed between at least a portion of the first seal surface and the second seal surface.
US08029024B2	Tube couplings A tube coupling includes a coupling body (10) having an open ended throughway (11) to receive a tube (16). A collet (20) is located in the open end of the throughway having a ring (21) and a plurality of flexible arms (22) extending into the throughway. The throughway has a tapered cam surface (25) convergent towards the open end and the collet arms have heads (23) at their distal ends for engaging both the cam surface and a tube extending through the collet into the throughway to be compressed against the tube by the cam surface with outward movement of the collet with respect to the throughway to secure the tube in the throughway. A collet lock (27) is rotatably mounted on the coupling body having one rotary position in which the lock holds the collet (20) and another rotary position in which the collet can move axially.
US08029020B2	Trailer jack kickstand A trailer jack stand for supporting a trailer comprising: a pedestal stand, where stand attaches to a trailer jack, said stand includes a top connecting section and a pivoting section; a center mount pin, where the mount pin attaches the stand to the jack through the top connecting section; a locking pin, where the locking pin secures the mount pin into place; a platform, where the platform attaches to the bottom of the pivoting section; and a spring assembly, where the spring assembly includes a top pivot pin extending from the top connecting section, a stand pin extending from the pivoting section and a spring attached between the pivot pin and stand pin. The pivoting section is capable of pivoting between a retracted position and an extended position, where in the extended position the stand supports the trailer.
US08029017B2	Airbag inflator manifold An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.
US08029013B2	Cambered snowboard At least one embodiment of the inventive technology relates to a snowboard having a lower surface that does not at any point along at least one specified portion thereof contact a horizontal surface underlying the snowboard when the snowboard is unweighted. Such portion(s) may be defined, at least in part, by one or more cambers. A rocker may be used to impart additional board performance benefits to a rider. Other embodiments may relate more specifically to the positioning of cambers relative to mount regions.
US08029012B2	Device, system and method for automated tow coupling A tow hook coupling device to automatically align and couple a tow hook of a first vehicle onto a female member of a second vehicle when the two vehicles are brought into proximity. The female member has a lateral attachment that is suitable to be grabbed by a hook, and the male member has a shaft, a hook connected to the shaft and an elevation guide extension. Upon contact of the guide extension with the lateral attachment, the shaft is raised to align the hook to couple with the lateral attachment.
US08029011B2	Adjustable handlebar assembly for a saddle-type vehicle An adjustable handlebar assembly for a saddle-type vehicle includes a base member, a support member, a left handlebar and a right handlebar. The support member is rotatably coupled to the base member and each of the left handlebar and the right handlebar is attached to the support member. The support member is configured to permit the left handlebar and the right handlebar to be selectively moved relative to the support member and the base member, independently of one another, to selectively adjust each of the left handlebar and the right handlebar in respective, generally longitudinal directions along a saddle-type vehicle, when the adjustable handlebar assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame of the saddle-type vehicle.
US08029010B2	Suspension fork A suspension fork for a bicycle includes at least one stanchion tube and at least one slider tube interacting therewith and a wheel receiving space, and a damper system. The damper system includes a damper chamber divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston and a damping device for rebound damping and a damping device for compression damping. The damper system is disposed at the stanchion tube, the damping device for rebound damping and the damping device for compression damping are disposed above the movable piston.
US08029008B2	Vehicle suspensions having leaf springs and alternative clamp groups A vehicle leaf spring suspension having a low spring rate is disclosed. The suspension has an axle seat secured to a vehicle axle. The leaf spring is clamped at its spring seat area to the axle seat at the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and with certain of the disclosed axle seats, can be clamped such that the spring seat area is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vehicle axle centerline. Also, an active clamp group arrangement can be used to utilize the entire physical length of the leaf spring.
US08029006B2	Stackable dolly A stackable dolly includes a platform having upper and lower surfaces and a peripheral edge. A plurality of legs are generally coextensive with the platform and extend from the platform beyond the peripheral edge and extend radially outwardly from the platform beyond the platform periphery. Each leg includes an upper surface generally coextensive with the upper surface of the platform a lower surface serving as a mounting surface. The legs are equally angularly spaced from each other about the axis along the periphery of the platform. Casters are secured to each mounting surface of each leg. Engaging members are provided below the platform lower surface each engaging member being arranged approximate to the peripheral edge to abut against the peripheral edge of a cooperating dolly placed below the platform when the platform is supported on the cooperating dolly. The engaging members are restricting lateral movements of the engaged dollies relative to each other. In this manner, a plurality of dollies can be stacked one on top of the other while the engaging members maintain vertical stability of a stack of dollies by preventing adjacent dollies from shifting laterally from each other in relation to the axis.
US08029005B2	Immobilizer for shopping trolleys A principle for alternately activating and deactivating a blocking device by means of a magnetic field. A further developed embodiment of the invention is provided in that the deactivating magnetic field can be smaller than the activating magnetic field.
US08028995B2	Electro-mechanical beer pong table and method of use One possible embodiment could be an electro-mechanical beer pong game table and a method of operating same. The game table could comprise a playing surface with a centerline axis; a plurality of movable platforms, the movable platforms being located over the playing surface; each movable platform reversibly and securely receiving a set of upright cups, each cup capable of containing beer and receiving a bear pong ball as played in the game of beer pong; one or more actuators that impart at least one motion to the movable platform relative to the playing surface; and an controller connected to the one or more actuators and controlling the at least one motion provided by the actuators wherein at least one movable platform is placed into motion relative to the playing surface and beer pong ball is thrown in the direction the moving movable platform.
US08028994B2	Gaming device and method of use with balls of differing diameters A gaming device with orbs for the generation of a greater number of results is disclosed. The device draws out numbers in a single playing cycle in various games where a greater number of orbs are used and the result depends on the numbers that are marked in the openings by randomly laying orbs. The balls are, as a rule, of two dimensions—wherein the balls with the smaller dimensions are in the game for reasons of better scattering and greater attractiveness, while the balls with the greater diameter that represent the result or the drawn numbers are retained in random holes on the plate of the cylinder with the help of the offset plate of the cylinder.
US08028990B2	Paper thickness detecting apparatus with applying electrodes A paper thickness detecting apparatus includes a first sensor and a second sensor in which the electrostatic capacitance changes when a piece of paper such as a bank note or a piece of copying paper is inserted, and a thickness detecting unit for detecting the thickness of the piece of paper from the signals obtained from the respective first sensor and the second sensor, in order to provide a paper thickness detecting apparatus that can reliably detect a foreign object adhered to the paper.
US08028984B2	Sheet finishing apparatus and control method A sheet finishing apparatus includes an inlet roller to receive a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a sheet introduction unit to guide the sheet received by the inlet roller to a finishing unit, a sheet ejection unit to guide the sheet performed to a post process by the finishing unit to an ejection port and to eject from the ejection port, a paper storage tray to receive the ejected sheet, a drive unit including a plurality of motors to drive respective devices, and a control unit to control operations of the plurality of motors. In a trial operation of the sheet finishing apparatus, the control unit controls the plurality of motors, and first drives a motor with a sound pressure level less than a previously set reference level.
US08028979B2	Sheet folding apparatus, sheet folding method, and image forming apparatus A sheet folding apparatus includes an adjuster which supports a stack of sheets stacked on an inclined surface of a sheet path and adjusts a position of the stack of sheets along the inclined surface, a stapler which staples the stack of sheets set at a stapling position, a folding unit which folds the stack of sheets set at a folding position, and a guide provided between the stapler and the folding unit. The stapler ejects a staple from a staple surface by sinking from the inclined surface. The folding unit includes folding rollers and a folding blade which inserts the stack of sheets into a nip between the folding rollers. The guide includes a loading surface offset from the staple surface and an uprising member which is disposed on a part of the loading surface to keep the stack of sheets symmetric with respect to the folding rollers.
US08028976B2	Machining fixture with self-contained hydraulics A new arrangement for machining parts is disclosed. The parts to be machined are mounted on fixture plates on a fixture. Using a stationary hydraulic line, hydraulic equipment is then pressurized by a pump within the fixture. The pump is mechanically powered by a separate (and disconnectable) power source. A rotatable coupling is attached to the pump. It receives a spindle from a CNC machine, enabling the machine to activate the pump by rotating the spindle while the spindle is received in the coupling. The coupling has axially extending prongs that form slots that accommodates the spindle. The prongs have ends that taper inwardly toward the slots. The spindle is also used to actuate a pressure release valve. The fixture also has at least four angled work faces and an access face that separates two of those faces. In operation, parts are first mounted on the fixture plates. The fixture is then moved to a work area, where the spindle actuates the pump, pressuring clamps that lock the parts in position. The parts are then machined, and the spindle then actuates the pressure release valve to release the pressure in the clamps. The fixture is then moved out of the work area, and the parts are removed. The process is then repeated for the next batch of parts.
US08028975B2	Separation vessel or part thereof, and process relating thereto One exemplary embodiment can be a stack for a separation vessel adapted to receive a fluid having one or more phases. The stack may include one or more walls surrounding a void, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor positioned above the packed bed. Generally, the stack has a height greater than its width. Usually, the separation vessel further includes a base having a length greater than its height, and the height of the stack is orientated substantially perpendicular to the length of the base.
US08028969B2	Valve seat and valve ball for vacuum solenoid valves A vacuum solenoid valve may comprise a valve body defining an interior cavity and include a plurality of ports configured to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the valve body. One or more valve seats may be disposed about an opening between at least one of the plurality of ports and the interior cavity. One or more valve members may be configured to be moveably disposed within at least a portion of the interior cavity of the valve body and to sealingly engage with the valve member. Either the valve seat and/or the valve member may comprise a material having a higher resistance to wear and erosion compared to valve body.
US08028968B2	Variable orifice gas flow modulating valve A temperature control system for a gas appliance utilizes an improved variable orifice gas flow modulating valve (10) capable of direct modulation of gas flow through an orifice (20) directly into a gas burner (54) to provide a constantly maintained temperature in an appliance working compartment, as selected by human interface via a temperature selector. An actuator (12) attached to a gas fitting body (14) of the valve provides for linear movement of a metering pin (16) into the taper inside the orifice, accomplishing the variable controlled modulated flow of gas directly into the burner. The actuator (12) is controlled by an input signal from a programmable controller (90) whose output is determined by calculations based on inputs from a temperature selector and a temperature sensor located in the gas appliance working compartment.
US08028959B2	Automatic recycling ice detector An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.
US08028952B2	System for shipboard launch and recovery of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aircraft and method therefor A system to launch and recover an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft has a pole member attached to a deck of a ship. An arm member is attached to the pole member and extends away from the pole member in an approximately horizontal direction. The arm member is able to move rotationally and vertically on the pole member. An attachment mechanism is attached to a distal end of the arm member for holding and capturing the UAV aircraft. Momentum of the UAV aircraft causes the arm member to move rotationally around and vertically on the pole member when the UAV aircraft is coupled to the attachment mechanism.
US08028947B1	Depth finder retractor for ice fishing An embodiment of the invention comprises a retractor for use with a depth finder unit. The retractor includes a depth probe on a length of cord, a winding mechanism, a ratcheting slip ring assembly, and a housing.
US08028944B2	Mixing impeller with grinding pegs The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of manufacturing the apparatus for grinding and evenly disseminating solid materials within a vehicle or carrier. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention may be comprised of an impeller with a plurality of grinding pegs extending therefrom. The plurality of grinding pegs extend from two faces of the impeller wherein the grinding pegs work in concert with a plurality of grooves on the impeller to finely grind the solid material and improve the turbulent flow within the vehicle. The end result is that the impeller of the present invention improves the efficiency of finely grinding and evenly dispersing the solid particles within the vehicle.
US08028943B2	Agitating ball mill An agitating ball mill includes a comminution vessel surrounding an agitating shaft which is provided with a product inlet and a product outlet, wherein the comminution media located within the comminution vessel is activated through the rotation of the agitating shaft and held back in the comminution chamber by a separating and/or pre-classifying device. For optimum energy and space utilization a pre-crushing device is arranged upstream of the comminution chamber. The pre-crushing device includes either a static or dynamic gap guard.
US08028941B2	Pulper for pulverizing and suspending paper stock A pulper to pulverize and suspend paper stock. The pulper includes a container open at the top with a cylindrical side wall and a driven rotor that is arranged in an off-center manner to the center of the container. The base of the container can be inclined toward the side wall.
US08028937B2	Fuel injection valve A fuel injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said fuel injection valve comprising a fuel inlet which is designed to allow fuel to flow into the fuel injection valve, and an actuating device which can be electrically activated and cooperates with a valve arrangement in order to discharge fuel into the combustion chamber in a directly or indirectly controlled manner via a fuel outlet the actuating device having a solenoid arrangement which is to be energized, a substantially magnetically soft magnet yoke arrangement which cooperates therewith, and a substantially magnetically soft magnet armature arrangement which cooperates therewith. The magnet yoke arrangement is constituted by at least two yoke discs. At least one of the faces of each yoke disc has at least one pole web which together with the solenoid arrangement acts upon the magnet armature arrangement. Each yoke disc is composed of at least two partial yokes which contain soft iron and at least partly surround an actuating rod which supports the magnet armature arrangement.
US08028920B2	Data capture terminal with multiple readers operable in handheld and hands-free modes of operation A data capture terminal for, and method of, automatically capturing data in a handheld mode, and in a hands-free mode, of operation, include an actuatable laser scanning reader supported by the terminal for electro-optically reading indicia to obtain data by scanning the indicia, an actuatable imaging reader supported by the terminal for electro-optically reading indicia to obtain data by capturing an image of the indicia, and an actuatable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader supported by the terminal for reading an RFID tag to obtain data. A trigger mechanism is manually actuatable by an operator to initiate actuation of the readers in the handheld mode with different triggering actions unique to the respective readers.
US08028900B2	Automated banking machine that uses inductance readings to detect unauthorized card reader devices A cash dispensing automated banking machine includes a card reader associated with a card slot. An anti-fraud sensing device is able to sense ambient light or generated radiation that passes to the sensing device through the card reader slot. The installation of an unauthorized card reading device on the machine changes at least one property sensed by the sensing device. A controller in the machine receives signals from the sensing device, and determines if an unauthorized card reading device has been installed.
US08028899B2	Automated banking machine that outputs interference signals that jam reading ability of unauthorized card reader devices A cash dispensing automated banking machine includes a card reader associated with a card slot. An anti-fraud sensing device is able to sense ambient light or generated radiation that passes to the sensing device through the card reader slot. The installation of an unauthorized card reading device on the machine changes at least one property sensed by the sensing device. A controller in the machine receives signals from the sensing device, and determines if an unauthorized card reading device has been installed.
US08028897B2	Deposit of coins into a financial account Method, apparatus and system for receiving coins and generating a certificate for depositing the sum of received coins in a banking account. The user may redeem the certificate in an already existing bank account or may enroll into a new banking account and receive immediate access to the funds redeemed.
US08028896B2	Authentication methods for use in financial transactions and information banking A method for conducting a financial transaction can be used by a person using a mobile device to conduct the transaction. The mobile device receives information related to the person that can be used for authentication purposes, such as a PIN or biometric data. The mobile device then authenticates the person by verifying the information received. If the person is authenticated, the transaction is completed using the mobile device, and if the person is not authenticated, the transaction is prevented.
US08028893B1	Over-the-air device provisioning and activation Simplified wireless device activation may be achieved using temporary and permanent numbers used to connect to a wireless service provider. In one implementation, an electronic book reader device includes a memory that contains a temporary number that may be used to connect to a wireless service provider. The temporary number may be replaced with a permanent number that is used to connect to the wireless service provider. This replacement may occur once the electronic book reader device connects with the wireless service provider for the first time. The permanent number may be used to connect to the wireless service provider after the initial connection with the wireless service provider has transpired.
US08028891B2	System and method for authenticating and tracking products The embodiments herein provide an authentication and tracking and retail analytics system. The system comprises of code generation module, a database server, an authentication module and a communication channel. A code generation module generates unique authentication code. This unique authentication code is printed/labeled on the product. Label/tag that is marked or contains a hidden code is placed on a product requiring verification. In order to verify the product, the consumer or retailer defaces or scratches a portion of the label/tag and reveals its hidden code. Consumer or retailer sends the product authentication code to a specified number mentioned via any communication device capable of sending and receiving SMS/MMS/picture/graphics. The verification software decrypts the encrypted authenticated code and compares decrypted code with the original data assigned for the code to determine an authenticity of the product and sends reply message to the consumer or retailer.
US08028883B2	Methods of using shape memory alloys for buttress attachment A surgical stapling device includes a tissue contacting surface and a buttress attachment feature. The buttress attachment feature permits selectively securing a surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface, which may be disposed on a cartridge assembly or an anvil plate of the surgical stapling device. The buttress attachment feature may include a shape memory alloy, such as a nickel titanium alloy, that is responsive to a temperature change to allow the buttress attachment feature to move between a first position where a free end of the buttress attachment feature is substantially spaced from the tissue contacting surface, and second position where the surgical attachment feature is approximated with respect to the tissue contacting surface.
US08028873B2	Ratchet type pocket clip A pocket clip is attached at a first end to a tool such as a folding knife. A roller assembly is provided at a second end of the clip with a portion extending toward the tool. The roller assembly includes a ratchet wheel between a pair of elastomeric roller wheels. A pawl engages the ratchet wheel and limits rotation of the roller assembly such that the assembly rotates in one direction around an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool, and resists rotation in an opposite direction. When the tool is positioned in a user's pocket, a panel of the pocket engages the roller assembly, which rotates substantially freely, permitting the pocket panel to slide easily between the pocket clip and the surface of the tool. However, the roller assembly resists movement of the pocket panel in the opposite direction, holding the tool securely in the pocket.
US08028869B2	Adjustable clothes hanger The adjustable clothes hanger has adjustable sleeve upper stays, sleeve lower stays, and torso side stays. These components adjust to spread the sleeves and torso of a shirt on the hanger to hold the fabric in a smooth, lightly stretched condition to optimize drying and preclude wrinkling. The hanger has opposed sleeve upper stays, which adjust along the underlying frame of the hanger. The outer portions of the sleeve upper stays extend to support the shirtsleeve upper edges. Torso side stays extend downwardly from the horizontal crossmember of the hanger, and adjust to hold the sides of the shirt apart and to hold the torso fabric in a smooth and unwrinkled condition during drying. Pivotal or fixed sleeve lower stays may extend from the upper portions of the torso side stays, or may extend adjustably from the outer ends of the adjustable sleeve upper stays.
US08028847B2	Baby bottle and method of creating infant formula A baby bottle comprising a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment comprised a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is comprised of at least one substantially open bore. The distal end is comprised of at least one partially closed port and a stabilization coupling mechanism first portion. The second compartment is comprised of a first end and a second end. The first end of one embodiment comprises a partially closed cavity and a stabilization coupling mechanism second portion. The stabilization coupling mechanism second portion may be adapted to mate with the stabilization coupling mechanism first portion. Furthermore, the first end may be adapted to couple to the first compartment distal end. The second end of one embodiment may have a substantially open bore and a removably coupled end cap.
US08028842B2	Chlorine resistant desalination membranes based on directly sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers The present invention provides a membrane, kit, and method of making a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane includes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer includes one or more hydrophilic monomers having a sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer and a second monomer and one or more hydrophobic monomers having a non-sulfonated third monomer and a fourth monomer. The sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer introduces a sulfonate into the hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer prior to polymerization.
US08028841B2	Filter and filter cleaning apparatus and related methods Apparatus and methods include an improved filter and cleaning processes for same. A rotating cleaning element is actuated by vacuum pressure, and relatively precise controls ensure that all portions of the filter's surface are vacuumed cleaned during cleaning cycles. Longitudinal pressure on the rotating cleaning element is balanced to reduce wear and improve performance.
US08028838B2	Suspension package assembly A suspension package assembly can include a package member, a stretchable retention member, and a closure device disposed on the stretchable retention member. The package member and a stretchable retention member cooperate to suspend at least one article. At least one article can be held securely between the retention member and a base member of the foldable member. The pocket of the retention member can be positioned over the foldable portions of the package member. The foldable portions can fit into the pockets and then can be folded so as to generate tension in the retention member.
US08028835B2	Medical products and medical product ordering system A transaction management system is capable of simply and accurately gathering information about the use of medical products with minimized human errors and automatically executing issuance of invoices of suppliers and restocking of used products on the basis of the results of use of products deposited at medical centers. The system comprises a computer system having an antenna electrically connected to a reader and a medical product encapsulated in a sterilized environment in a package. The package is provided with an IC tag arranged such that signal transmission and/or reception is disabled while the package remains unopened so that the medical product is in the sterilized condition. The IC tag becomes wirelessly communicable with the antenna when the package is opened to remove the medical product. The computer system reads the product information about the medical product from the IC tag now wirelessly communicable with the antenna and, on the basis of the obtained product information, places an order to a supplier for the replenishment of the used medical product through a dedicated line or an external network.
US08028834B2	Medical tubing bag A medical tubing bag disclosed herein includes a housing having an open interior area and generally opposed first and second ends defining respective first and second openings. A first guide is adjacent the first opening for guiding tubing in and out of the first opening. In an embodiment, the first opening has a center axis being offset from a center axis of the first guide. In an embodiment, a second guide is inwardly adjacent the second opening for guiding tubing in and out of the open interior area. In an embodiment, a medical system includes a medical tubing bag, a medical device, and medical tubing. The tubing has a first end coupled to the medical device, the tubing extends into the medical bag, and the tubing continues from the medical bag to a user.
US08028832B2	Storage device A storage device and a method for making the storage device are described. In one implementation, the storage device comprises first and second walls having interior and exterior portions. The second wall opposes and is connected to the first wall so that the interior portions of the first and second walls define an interior of the storage device and the exterior portions of the first and second walls define an exterior of the storage device. An access opening is located between the first and second walls, and the access opening is sized to receive an electronic device. A plurality of voids is located in the first wall and the voids are configured to permit air passage between the interior and exterior of the storage device. A porous material that permits airflow through the voids may be connected to the first wall. Other implementations are described.
US08028831B2	Package structure for display device A package structure prevents an optical sheet from being brought into contact with a display panel and making scratches on the display panel due to motion caused during transport of a display device, thereby minimizing cost increase. A package structure for a thin display device is the structure for storing the thin display device in a package case. The thin display device includes at least one optical sheet situated in approximately parallel with its display surface, and the package case includes a storage member for holding a thin display device with the optical sheet having a surface inclined relative to a vertical direction.
US08028830B1	Anti-ballistic composite structure for ordinance A structure is disclosed to protect explosive ordnance. The structure comprises an inner ceramic layer. A polyurethane layer encompassing the inner ceramic layer. A third layer is a stainless steel layer encompassing the polyurethane layer with a second polyurethane layer wrapping around the stainless steel layer. A fifth layer is an outer ceramic layer. A sixth layer through tenth layer comprises interconnected aramid fiber fabric (i.e., KEVLAR) impregnated with polyurethane. The structure may be part of an explosive handling system to include a shipping container that decelerates projectiles approaching the explosive device. The container comprises fifteen additional layers to encompass the structure. The first layer is steel encompassing the structure with a second layer through fifteenth layer of the container each being KEVLAR impregnated with polyurethane. Both the composite structure and the shipping container can be made from commercially available products.
US08028821B2	Apparatus for gathering signatures along a conveying section of a circulating conveyor An apparatus is provided for gathering signatures along a conveying section of a circulating conveyor provided with spaced-apart pushers that are attached to a traction mechanism. The apparatus includes a delivery station adapted for being arranged along the conveying section. The delivery station includes a downward slanted conveying path wherein the signatures are supplied via the downward slanted conveying path from the delivery station to the conveyor approximately in synchronism with movement of the circulating conveyor. The conveying path includes a convex conveying section followed by a concave conveying section in the conveying direction for the signatures.
US08028817B2	Conveyor and conveyor controller A conveyor, which has an area in its conveyor line and for adjusting intervals between articles, includes (1) a plurality of zones constituting the area and each having at least one driving motor and an article sensor, (2) structure for measuring either an interval between adjacent articles in the conveying direction or a difference of time points when adjacent articles in the conveying direction pass the sensor, and (3) a motor controller for each of the zones and for varying a rotational speed of the driving motor. When the measuring structure measures either the interval or the difference upon reception of signals from the sensor, the motor controller either accelerates or slows down the rotational speed of the driving motor in a zone where the article is placed.
US08028809B2	Elevator system control providing specialized service features and individual location information An elevator system (20) includes a transceiver (22) that receives at least one wirelessly transmitted signal (24). In one example, a signaling device (26) includes a plurality of switches (28) that can be activated to provide a signal indicating a desired or intended destination. The signal also provides an indication of the individual from whom the signal is received. A system controller (30) responds to the signal by assigning an elevator car (32) to travel to the intended destination. When the elevator car (32) is situated to receive the individual, in the event that another wireless signal is received, the system provides at least one access feature including delaying closing an elevator car door or generating an audible sound to guide the individual to the car. In one example, the system maintains information regarding expected locations of individuals providing such signals to facilitate providing assistance to them for exiting a building, for example.
US08028806B2	Method of dispatching an elevator car including an expected arrival time of a passenger near an elevator car A method of dispatching an elevator car to a destination requested by a passenger before the passenger enters the car includes determining which trip of the elevator car begins at a time having a desired relationship to an expected arrival time when a passenger is expected to arrive near the elevator car. An actual arrival time of the passenger near the elevator car is determined. The elevator car is dispatched to the requested destination during a trip that begins at a time that corresponds to or is after the actual arrival time.
US08028795B2	Exhaust component cover A lightweight exhaust component cover having a small number of components is disclosed. In the exhaust component cover, an internal plate is formed by bending part of a single plate at both ends, and the internal plate is joined to the inside surface of an external plate.
US08028783B2	Tilt apparatus and method for operating it A tilt apparatus and method for operating it is disclosed. The tilt apparatus for a cab of a construction vehicle comprises a support frame attached to a chassis of said vehicle, the horizontal plane of said support frame being parallel to that of said chassis, a mounting attached to said cab and connected with said support frame, and configured so that the horizontal plane of said mounting can tilt about any direction of said chassis, at least one actuator having one end connected with said support frame and the other end connected with said mounting, and operating so as to tilt said mounting, at least two inclination sensors comprising at least one top sensor installed on said mounting and at least one bottom sensor installed on said support frame or said chassis and a CPU installed in said cab and receiving the continual slope information from said top and bottom sensors and controlling the operation of said actuator on the basis of said continual slope information and the relative tilted angle information between the horizontal plane of said mounting and that of said support frame or chassis. The tilt apparatus of the invention is able automatically to level the cab of vehicle whilst the vehicle is in transit.
US08028779B2	Hybrid vehicle The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle including a first transmission path that transmits a traction of an engine to driving wheels and a second transmission path that transmits a traction of a motor to the driving wheels, and the hybrid vehicle runs by alternatively selecting either the first or second transmission path or in combination thereof. The first transmission path has a first reduction gear ratio that is defined to be smaller than a reduction gear ratio at which a maximum vehicle speed can be achieved by the traction of the engine alone.
US08028771B2	Polycrystalline diamond constructions having improved thermal stability Polycrystalline diamond constructions include a diamond body comprising a matrix phase of bonded together diamond crystals formed at high pressure/high temperature conditions with a catalyst material. The sintered body is treated to remove the catalyst material disposed within interstitial regions, rendering it substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the body. Accelerating techniques can be used to remove the catalyst material. The body includes an infiltrant material disposed within interstitial regions in a first region of the construction. The body includes a second region adjacent the working surface and that is substantially free of the infiltrant material. The infiltrant material can be a Group VIII material not used to initially sinter the diamond body. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body, and can be the same or different from a substrate used as a source of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the diamond body.
US08028770B2	Conformal bearing for rock drill bit A rock drilling bit having PDC radial bearings has journal and cone bearing surfaces with increased contact area to increase load support. The radius of curvature of the bearing pin journal and cone bearing surfaces are matched or conformed on the bearing pressure side. The conformal journal surfaces may be formed on the main journal bearing, the pilot pin radial bearing, or both surfaces. In addition, diamond inlays may be located on the bearing surfaces of the cone, the bearing pin, or both components.
US08028769B2	Reamer with stabilizers for use in a wellbore A reamer bit for use in earth boring operations comprising a body, cutter mounts having rolling cutters on the bit body, and stabilizers pads on the body placed between adjacent cutter mounts. The reamer may further include a pilot bit on a drill pipe extending downward from the reamer body. The reamer bit outer periphery with its stabilizers and bit body has a radial profile approximating a circle thereby reducing dynamic perturbations during drilling operations.
US08028750B2	Force balanced rotating pressure control device Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
US08028749B2	Expanding multiple tubular portions Apparatus for expanding first and second portions of a downhole tubular in a single trip comprises a support and first and second expansion devices. The first expansion device is mounted on the support and is operable to expand a first portion of tubular. The second expansion device is mounted to a second portion of tubular and is adapted to be engaged by the support following the expansion of the first portion of tubular, and is then used to expand the second portion of tubular.
US08028747B2	Tube spacer, method of manufacturing the same, and heat exchanger A tube spacer S formed by bending a wire, includes a plurality of projections 20 and a base-bending portion 21. Each of the projections 20 is inserted between tubes, and has a pair of extending portions 201 extend in X direction and a front-bending portion 202 for connecting both front ends of the pair of extending portions 201. The base-bending portion 21 connects both rear ends of the projections 20 so that the projections 20 are arranged at interval in Z direction. With this structure, manufacturing cost for the tube spacer S can be low, and the tubes can be stably supported.
US08028742B2	Radiant heating/cooling tubing substrate with in plane bus Modular panels for radiant thermal conditioning systems have special purpose bus tracks for routing tubing. Specifically, these tracks enable the routing of tubing, and specifically tubing from multiple circuits, in-plane, in the floor, ceiling, or walls. Specifically, multiple laterally extending tracks are provided for handling multiple circuits. A modular panel enables the interconnection between tubing held in bus tracks and the arcuate return tracks that are used for the tubing direction changes that are needed for creating serpentine paths of the tubing loops.
US08028741B2	Strip casting apparatus with improved side dam force control Apparatus for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which thin strip can be cast, a pair of confining side dams adjacent the ends of the casting rolls capable of confining a casting pool of molten metal supported on the casting rolls and formed on the casting surfaces above the nip, a metal delivery system disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, side dam actuators each capable of applying cyclical axial force to the side dams without leakage, and a control system capable of actuating at least one side dam actuator to cyclically vary the apply force of the side dam against the ends of the casting rolls during a casting campaign.
US08028732B1	Tire inflation system Preferably, an embodiment of a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, and a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap. The rotary union preferably includes at least a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion rotates with hub cap, and the non-rotating portion including at least a fluid conduit defining an air passage there through. The air conduit is preferably in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, and is preferably configured for conducting pressurized air from said source of pressurized air to a tire mounted to the wheel of the vehicle, and for developing a dynamic seal between the fluid conduit and the rotating portion.
US08028728B2	Dispensing apparatus and method for determining the location of a container A dispensing apparatus for determining a location of a container into which at least one of a liquid and ice is dispensed from a refrigerator. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the container, without contacting the container, and to send a first signal indicating the sensed position. A microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal and to send a second signal based on the first signal. An indicator is configured to receive the second signal and to indicate the position of the container.
US08028726B2	Automatic venting of refillable bulk liquid canisters Methods, systems and apparatus for automatically maintaining a pressure differential for the continuous delivery of a liquid to semiconductor manufacturing equipment. A refillable bulk liquid delivery system includes a plurality of canisters residing along a liquid flow path, whereby an over pressure is detected within at least one of the canisters. The over pressure may be detected using an automatic venting circuit or a programmable logic controller programmed for detecting such over pressures. The over pressure is then exhausted by removing excess pressure from the canister through a venting valve to maintain a Delta pressure across the canisters for continuously delivering the liquid along the liquid flow path.
US08028724B2	LNG tank and unloading of LNG from the tank Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
US08028717B2	High throughput double valve with reduced outlet pressure during a faulted state A double valve having inlet, outlet, and exhaust ports maintains an outlet pressure below one percent of inlet pressure during a faulted state while maintaining a relatively small exhaust for reduced overall valve size. Crossover passages receive inlet pressure through main crossover poppets when the respective valve units are not in a deactuated position. When the valve units are in a deactuated position, then the crossover passages receive inlet pressure through respective bypass passages whose flow rate can be controlled independently from the size of the crossover poppets. The use of bypass passages provides particular benefits for double valves for non-press applications which have a ratio of exhaust flow coefficient to inlet flow coefficient that is less than about 2.5.
US08028715B2	Check valve for vacuum sewage pipe and vacuum sewage system The present invention provides a check valve for use in a vacuum sewage pipe. The check valve includes a body having a sewage inlet and a sewage outlet to be coupled to the vacuum sewage pipe, a flap valve element disposed in the body and rotatably supported by a first shaft, and a closing mechanism. The closing mechanism can keep the flap valve element in a closed state so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a gate valve. The closing mechanism can also limit an opening degree of the flap valve element so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a check valve.
US08028711B2	Hot tap clamp A hot tap clamp. The clamp includes a first clamp part, a second clamp part, a fastener for stable fastening of the clamp parts around a section of a pipeline provided with a hot tap coupling, a pipe socket fixedly integrated with one of the clamp parts at an inner end and extending outward from the clamp part to an outer end, a hub on the outer end of the pipe socket, the pipe socket at the inner end going through the clamp part abutting the surface of the pipeline, such that the pipe socket can be sealingly welded to the pipeline by internal welding.
US08028710B2	Water-powered hand-washing system and method A hand-washing system for washing fingernail beds and cuticular regions of human fingers and thumbs (collectively “digits”). The hand-washing system includes a work enclosure for containing ones of the digits and a high-velocity, high-flow water spray during a washing operation. The work enclosure defines an interior space, part of which defines an energy-dissipation region that, during use, provides a water reservoir for dissipating energy in the high-velocity, high flow water spray. The work enclosure includes a high-energy spray nozzle and a digit portal sized to receive the four fingers of one hand simultaneously in closed-fingered, upwardly-curled configuration. A mixing valve may be provided to allow a user to adjust the temperature of the water during washing. A quick-disconnect fluid-coupling assembly may also be provided and be used to quickly select between work enclosures of differing size.
US08028706B2	Method for controlling the alertness of a human subject and a light source for use in this method The invention relates to a method for controlling the alertness of a human subject and a light source for use in this method and use of a light source for this method. The method comprises exposure of a human subject during an exposure period to suitable light radiation without substantially influencing the phase of a melatonin cycle. Melatonin is a sleep-hormone that can be used to control the alertness of a human subject. The suitable light radiation being specified by an output fraction of melatonin suppressive radiation (Melatonin Watt/Watt) and light output (lumen/Watt), the output fraction and light output being adjusted to obtain the desired effect on the phase of said cycle.
US08028700B2	Full face flexible oxygen mask for use with flight helmets The full face flexible oxygen mask for use with flight helmets includes an elastic face seal with an oronasal cone that seals around the nose and mouth of the wearer, and flexible sealing flaps along the perimeter of the face seal to adapt the face piece of the mask to seal against the surface of a flight helmet. The mask face piece has two large sealing surfaces or channels down each side of the mask that overlap and flex to adapt to seal to a variety of flight helmets. The top of the face seal has an inner and outer flap that work together to seal the exposed face visible between the sides of the flight helmet.
US08028697B2	Ventilator circuit and method for the use thereof A ventilator circuit for use in administering medication to a patient includes a housing, a one-way inhalation valve and a one-way exhalation valve. A metered does inhaler receptacle is in fluid flow communication with an interior space of the housing holding chamber. An exhaust conduit communicates between input and output passageways disposed on opposite sides of the interior space.
US08028696B2	Display integrated vibrating alarm An alarm system and method for use with a breathing apparatus that provides a source of breathable air to a user/diver. A tactile signal is generated in response to a signal representing at least one parameter corresponding to the breathing apparatus status, and the tactile signal can be both felt and heard by the user. The tactile signal may be generated in combination with a visual and/or an additional audible alarm. The tactile signal may be a vibration. The alarm may be worn on the face, either on the mask or on the mouthpiece. The vibrator serves two functions, one as a tactile alarm that the diver can feel during operation, and a second as an auditory alarm through bone-conduction of sound. The tactile alarm indicates to the user/diver that his particular unit is the one transmitting an alarm signal, and cannot be mistaken for any other device. The tactile signal may be generated to have one or more signal characteristics that are modulated to convey additional information about the parameter or parameters being monitored.
US08028688B2	Concrete block splitting and pitching apparatus and method An apparatus for splitting a concrete block and pitching at least one edge of the split concrete block is provided. The apparatus includes a splitting blade have a blade edge, such as a sharpened edge or a dull edge. The splitting blade is configured to move in a first direction so as to split a concrete block into two or more sections. The apparatus also includes a pitching blade having a blade edge, such as a sharpened and adjacent to the splitting blade, the pitching blade edge vertically offset from the splitting blade edge so as to pitch an edge of one of the sections of the concrete block after the concrete block has been split.
US08028686B2	Thin veneer stone saw A thin veneer stone saw and related methods are provided. The thin veneer stone saw includes one or more circular saw blades. In an embodiment, two circular saw blades are arranged such that a masonry block, such as stone, may be sawed completely through in a single pass through the thin veneer stone saw. The stone may be delivered to, and processed through, the circular saw blades by a conveyor system. One of the circular saw blades may be centered below the top surface of the conveyor and protrude through a gap between two sections of the conveyor system. The other circular saw blade may be positioned entirely above the top surface of the conveyor system. The thin veneer stone saw may be operable to produce thin veneer stones in a variety of widths. The thin veneer stones may be used to form facade for a structure.
US08028682B2	Apparatus for improving efficiency and emissions of combustion with perpendicular ozone elements An apparatus improves the efficiency and emissions of a combustion process by producing sufficient amounts of ozone in the air flow to the combustion chamber to enable more complete and cleaner combustion of the fuel. An ozone cell comprises a plurality of cylindrical ozone elements for producing ozone disposed within a housing that is placed in the air intake to a combustion chamber such as a diesel engine. The ozone elements are bonded together in a block and placed perpendicular to the air flow in the cell. The ozone elements are bound together in the block with a block plate at the top and bottom of the block with the ozone elements running lengthwise from the top to the bottom of the block.
US08028680B2	Fuel system for liquefied petroleum injection engine A fuel system for an LPI engine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a reservoir disposed in a fuel tank, a recovery pipe inserted in the reservoir, and a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir and supplying LPI fuel, wherein liquefied fuel mixed with gaseous fuel recovered through the recovery pipe is separated in the reservoir and the liquefied fuel is pumped again by the fuel pump.
US08028678B2	Direct injection alcohol engine with boost and spark control Boosted engine operation and spark timing of an engine may be adjusted with alcohol content of the fuel in a direct injection engine. Further, various adjustments may be performed in numerous related systems to account for increased maximum engine torque, such as traction control, transmission shifting, etc.
US08028675B2	Ignition system for internal combustion engine and method for installation of same A novel method and apparatus useful for the installation of a flame cone within a respective throughbore in the head of an ICE having a pre-ignition system without removal of the head from the ICE, followed by threading a spark plug into the outboard end of the flame cone. This installation is effected from a location external of the head and while the head is affixed in covering relationship to one or more combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The installation further comprises employing unique interconnection between the flame cone and an installation tool. The flame cone includes a rotational position indicator which is aligned with an exit port in the flame cone and which contributes to the exclusivity of mating interconnection with the tool in a manner which converts rotational movements of the tool to like rotational movements of the flame cone, hence like rotation of the location of the exit port.
US08028673B2	Fuel line protective cover A fuel line protective cover is disclosed. The fuel line protective cover includes a first leg configured to be mounted to a top surface of an engine and configured to extend the length of an engine. The fuel line protective cover further includes at least one second leg configured to be mounted to a side surface of an engine. The first leg and the at least one second leg cooperate to at least partially enclose a high pressure fuel system.
US08028671B1	Serpentine belt system A serpentine belt system for use in connection with an engine block for an automotive engine is disclosed. A spacer, which is preferably a pair of brackets, is provided for mounting on the face of the engine block. A bridge bracket is secured to the spacer brackets, and other elements of the automotive system, such as the air conditioner compressor and alternator, may be secured to the bridge bracket. The system may further include a tensioner having a tensioner housing mounted on and supported by the air conditioner compressor, and a tensioner pulley is mounted to the tensioner housing for adjusting the serpentine belt system.
US08028667B2	Valve timing adjusting apparatus A valve timing adjusting apparatus includes a driving-side rotor, a driven-side rotor, and a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism includes a projection portion that is rotatable synchronously with the one of the driving-side and driven-side rotors and that contacts a contact part of the other one of the driving-side and driven-side rotors. The contact part includes a receiver part that is configured to increase the restoring force of the resilient member when the other one of the driving-side and driven-side rotors is rotated relative to the one of the driving-side and driven-side rotors in the advance direction or in the retard direction.
US08028657B2	Cattle management method and system An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time. At the slaughter facility, the animal's identification is used to correlate the live animal physical characteristics and performance data to the carcass characteristics data and build a database to more accurately identify and measure value-based characteristics in subsequent animals for more effective selection and management.
US08028650B2	Optical lens coating apparatus A light irradiation device (151) includes a UV lamp (153), first and second optical filters (164, 165) which transmit and block wavelengths within different specific ranges, and a filter switching mechanism (162) which selectively interposes the first and second optical filters (164, 165) between the UV lamp (153) and an optical lens. The blocking wavelength of the first optical filter (164) is relatively longer than that of the second optical filter (165). The first optical filter (164) is interposed between the UV lamp (153) and the optical lens since the start of curing a coating solution until a lapse of a predetermined period of time. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the second optical filter (165) is interposed between the UV lamp (153) and the optical lens to replace the first optical filter (164).
US08028649B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and resist pattern forming method The liquid ejection apparatus has: a head having a nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles which are aligned in a first direction and performs ejection of resist liquid onto a wiring substrate; a scanning device which causes the head and the wiring substrate to move relatively in the first direction; an ejection control device which controls the ejection of the resist liquid from the head; and a scanning control device which controls the scanning device in such a manner that the head and the wiring substrate are relatively moved only once in the first direction, through a region of the wiring substrate which corresponds to one relative movement in the first direction of the wiring substrate and the scanning device, wherein the ejection control device controls the ejection of the resist liquid from the head to cause the resist liquid to be ejected onto a same position of the wiring substrate sequentially, at prescribed time intervals, from different nozzles of the nozzle group, to deposit the resist liquid ejected onto the same position of the wiring substrate sequentially from the different nozzles of the nozzle group, in such a manner that a resist pattern having a prescribed thickness and a prescribed pattern is formed on the wiring substrate.
US08028639B2	Transom for boat A tuned transom for a marine vessel comprising a boat hull having a bow and an aft section, a port side and starboard side with a centerline. The transom comprises an outer constraining layer positioned in the aft section enclosing the boat hull, an inner constraining layer which is a separate sheet from the outer constraining layer and positioned in the hull spaced-apart forwardly from the outer constraining layer to form a space between the inner constraining layer and the outer constraining layer, an a constrained damping layer adapted to bond the outer constraining layer to the inner constraining layer; wherein the constrained damping layer comprises an adhesive and means for securing the edges of the outer and the inner constraining layers to the hull.
US08028636B2	Stern shape of displacement-type marine vessel A stern shape of a displacement-type marine vessel enables reduction of the hull resistance and prevents propeller cavitation. The displacement-type marine vessel which travels in a velocity range in which the Froude number is smaller than the last hump and the stern includes knuckle lines connecting knuckle points provided on the surface of the hull, from a starting point in front of a propeller to an end point behind the propeller. A portion of the stern located inside the knuckle line in the direction of the width of the hull has a dome shape with upward curvature, and the length of the portion which has the dome shape is set to 10% or more of the entire hull length or at least the diameter of the propeller.
US08028635B2	Feed-off-arm type sewing machine for flat seaming A needle bar supported in a head unit is connected with a needle bar lever extending from the inside of a sewing machine arm and the needle bar is moved up and down by swing of the needle bar lever about a supporting shaft generated by transmission from a sewing machine main shaft. The sewing machine arm and the head unit are fluid-tightly shielded by a shield plate, and a first sealing part is provided in the shield plate. The first sealing part supports the needle bar lever by fitting a portion of the needle bar lever into seal plates held between a presser plate and a back face of a seal support having a curved shape of a circular arc taken along a swinging locus of the needle bar lever. The inside of the sewing machine arm is oil-lubricated, and the inside of the head unit is grease-lubricated.
US08028630B2	Folding table arrangement A folding-table arrangement includes a supporting device, a table housing accommodating a table top in an essentially vertical stowed position and a table top which can be adjusted from an essentially vertical stowed position in the table housing into an essentially horizontal use position. The table housing is arranged in a height-adjustable manner on the supporting device and, in the use position, the table top has its underside supported on the table housing.
US08028626B2	Frangible, ceramic-metal composite objects and methods of making the same In making frangible objects, including lead-free bullets and other projectiles, powdered metal primary and powdered ceramic secondary phases are mixed and densified at an elevated temperature such that the ceramic phase forms a brittle network. Any combination of metal and ceramic phases may be used to achieve desired chemical and physical properties. Any appropriate mixing, forming, and/or thermal processing methods and equipment may be used. Degrees of frangibility, strength, and toughness can be adjusted to suit a given application by precursor selection, degree of mixing, relative amounts of metal and ceramic phases, forming method, and thermal and mechanical processing parameters.
US08028617B2	Easily-cleaning multifunctional soybean milk maker An easily-cleaning multifunctional soybean milk maker comprises a motor, a blade, a head unit, and a container, wherein a lower cover of the head unit being capped on the container, characterized in that a flow guider is securely fastened to the lower cover of the head unit, with the lower part of the flow guider immersed into water and the lower port of the flow guider being open. The blade fastened at the front end of the motor shaft is arranged within the flow guider and extends into water. Guiding holes are provided in the flow guider, and/or guiding channels in communication with the interior of the flow guider are provided on the lower cover of the head unit.
US08028616B2	Beverage maker with adjustable brew chamber A beverage maker for brewing a beverage from water and a quantity of particle material includes a water supply structure, a brewing chamber downstream of the water supply structure, and a dispensing channel downstream of the brewing chamber. A bounding member is adjustable for adjusting the operational size of the brewing chamber, and an adjustment structure is provided for adjusting said bounding member. The adjustment structure is adjustable in response to the quantity of particles present in said brewing chamber.
US08028608B2	Torque-limiting fastener driver A torque-limiting fastener driver for driving a bone fastener into bone includes a handle supporting a driver shaft. The driver shaft includes limited components which are designed to provide feedback to a user regarding the applied torsional force. In addition, the driver shaft is designed to controllably fail before any potential uncontrolled failure of the distal driving tip. This prevents application of too much torque and controlled design of the shape and size of the failed components.
US08028606B2	Tire puncture repair device Provided is a tire puncture repair device capable of injecting a puncture sealing agent into a tire stably and speedily. A container is compressed between plate members by placing one of the plate members on the ground and pressing down the other one of the plate members with a foot. Thereby, the puncture sealing agent is discharged from the container and is injected into the tire through an injection tube. Discharge amount control means is attached to the injection tube to level an amount of the puncture sealing agent to be discharged.
US08028601B2	Bicycle shift operating device A bicycle shift operating device is provided with a support structure, a take-up unit and a shift positioning mechanism. The support structure has an inner wire fixing part. The take-up unit includes a rotating body mounted on the support structure to rotate about a first axis, and an inner wire routing pulley mounted on the rotating body to move with the rotating body about the first axis and to rotate independently of the rotating body about a second axis that is offset from the first axis of the rotating body. The shift positioning mechanism is operatively coupled to the take-up unit to selectively hold the take-up unit in one of a plurality of shift positions.
US08028599B2	Vehicle 1. Vehicle (10), in particular tracked vehicle (10).2.1 The invention relates to a vehicle (10), in particular a tracked vehicle (10), having a manual controller (40) for controlling driving functions of the vehicle (10) and/or additional functions of the vehicle (10), the manual controller (40) having a base (42) and a handle which can move in relation to the base (44) and is designed such that it can pivot at least about a substantially horizontal pivot axis (44a, 44b) for control purposes.2.2 According to the invention, the handle (44) has a contact zone (46) which is to be held by the inner surface of a hand, the manual controller (40) having at least one touch sensor (50, 52) which is designed to detect that a user is touching the handle (44).
US08028590B2	Traction apparatus and traction force control method of traction apparatus In the traction apparatus, a control circuit has the following traction control process portions. First, a first traction control process portion winds up the slack portion of a wire by a motor to eliminate the slack of the wire connected to a body to be pulled. Next, a second traction control process portion converts a set traction force that is set by an operation portion to a traction amount to calculate a converted value and, by defining a predetermined amount of a traction amount set based on the converted value as an initial target value, continuously winds up the wire by the motor to that target value. Next, a third traction control process portion detects the traction force that is being applied to the body to be pulled by a load cell, calculates a drive stop time of the motor by defining the set traction force as a final target value on the basis of a detected output of the load cell and drives the drive mechanism, and stops the driving of the motor at a point of reaching the drive stop time.
US08028563B2	Pressure interference testing for estimating hydraulic isolation A cased hole pressure test tool is used to determine the integrity of cement between two points in a borehole in terms of permeability or transmissibility. The test tool drills at least one probe hole through the casing up to the cement. In one embodiment, two probes are set and the dissipation of a pressure pulse through the cement initiated by the first probe is observed by the second probe. In another embodiment, one probe hole is in hydraulic communication with the borehole fluid and a single offset probe is set in another probe hole. Fluid (water) is then added to the borehole to cause a pressure increase in the borehole fluid. Detection of the pressure increase through the cement by the offset probe is indicative of a loss of hydraulic isolation. Packers may be used to isolate the portion of the borehole under test. A mechanism for generating a pressure pulse of known magnitude is also described.
US08028560B2	Handheld brake Vise pliers with duck bill jaws and a brake attached thereto, having utility as a vise pliers tool and/or as a handheld sheet metal brake.
US08028549B2	Control device for a washing machine A device and method for controlling a drainage pump of a washing machine. The drainage pump is powered by a synchronous motor that is connected to a mains voltage bus by a switch. During one or more stages of a washing program the switch is operated to apply in each half cycle of the mains voltage a delay time from the zero setting of the mains voltage to cause the motor to operate in a cut-wave mode.
US08028546B2	Pick-up device for picking up a tubular knitted article from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like and for transferring it to a unit adapted to perform additional work on the article A pick-up device for picking up a tubular knitted article from a circular knitting machine for hosiery and for transferring the article to a unit adapted to perform additional work thereon. The device comprises an annular pick-up body that supports pick-up members that can slide with respect to the pick-up body along radial directions. The pick-up body can be arranged coaxially around the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine for hosiery so that each one of the pick-up members faces laterally a needle of the machine. The end of each one of the pick-up members that is directed toward the axis of the pick-up body has a seat that can engage a region of the stem of the needle that is arranged proximate to the latch of the needle on the opposite side with respect to the head of the needle. The device comprises actuation elements formed by elastic elements that act on the pick-up members for their sliding toward the axis of the pick-up body and radial pushers that act on the pick-up members for their sliding away from the axis of the pick-up body in contrast with the action of the elastic elements.
US08028544B2	High delivery temperature isopipe materials Isopipes (13) for making a glass or a glass-ceramic using a fusion process are provided. The isopipes are made from a silicon nitride refractory material that is: (a) produced in block form in an atmosphere having a pO2 of less than 0.1 using less than 10 weight percent of one or more sintering aids, (b) machined into an isopipe configuration, and (c) exposed to a partial pressure of oxygen equal to or greater than 0.1 for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to form a SiO2 layer (31) which exhibits substantially only a passive oxidation mechanism. The SiO2 layer (31) serves as a protective barrier for further oxidation of the silicon nitride during use of the isopipe (13). The isopipes (13) exhibit less sag during use than isopipes composed of zircon.
US08028534B2	Freeze-tolerant waterline valve for a refrigerator An improved refrigerator is provided with a freeze tolerant valve for the water tank assembly in the refrigerator. The valve includes a body with an internal plastic spool which minimizes the volume of water within the valve, and which provides a space in the valve to accommodate freezing water in the valve. The valve will not crack or fail in the event of a temperature control problem in the refrigerator which results in frozen water within the valve.
US08028530B2	Device for attaching a combustion chamber A turbomachine including an annular combustion chamber is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall exhibiting symmetry of revolution. An annular chamber end wall equipped with a fuel injection device connects upstream ends of the inner and outer walls. A suspension device suspends the upstream end of the combustion chamber from an outer casing.
US08028525B2	Multistage exhaust turbocharger A multistage exhaust turbocharger is easily mountable in a narrow engine compartment of a vehicle by simplifying its construction and reducing its bulk. The multistage exhaust turbocharger has a high-pressure stage turbocharger and a low-pressure stage turbocharger. A cover of the high-pressure stage turbocharger has a compressor inlet passage, a bypass inlet passage, a switching aperture between the passages to be opened and closed by a valve body of the compressor bypass valve device, and a bypass outlet pipe part connecting to the bypass inlet passage to introduce bypass air passed through the aperture opened by the bypass valve to the compressor bypass channel which is to be connected to the bypass outlet pipe part.
US08028523B2	Arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases of a supercharged internal combustion engine An arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases of a supercharged combustion engine in a vehicle. A first EGR cooler effects a first step of cooling the recirculating exhaust gases in the return line by means of a cooling medium in the form of a cooling air flow, and a second EGR cooler effects a second step of cooling the recirculating exhaust gases in the return line by means of a cooling medium which is at substantially the temperature of the surroundings. The first EGR cooler is fitted in an internal region of the vehicle which is adapted to have the cooling air flow passing through it during operation of the combustion engine.
US08028519B2	Method and device for regenerating an emission control system The invention relates to a method for regenerating an emission control system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a storage catalytic converter, a first exhaust gas probe being situated in an exhaust gas tract upstream of the storage catalytic converter and a second exhaust gas probe being situated in a second exhaust gas tract downstream of the storage catalytic converter. A first output signal of a first exhaust gas probe and a second output signal of a second exhaust gas probe are supplied to an engine management system and the storage catalytic converter is regenerated by being exposed to a reductant in a regeneration phase. If the quantity of reductant is controlled by the engine management system during the regeneration phase, whereby said system detects the quantity of reductant that is present downstream of the storage catalytic converter by means of the second output signal of the second exhaust gas probe situated downstream of said converter, the charging of reductant can be significantly reduced with respect to an optimised dosage. Excess consumption of fuel or reductant as a result of the regeneration of the storage catalytic converter is minimised. In addition, the method improves the emission values, thus significantly contributing to the maintenance of emission limits.
US08028515B2	Exhaust controlling device for direct cylinder fuel injected spark ignition engine An engine exhaust controlling device is provided, including a controller for detecting whether or not a request is present for activating a catalyst when the engine is started, and whether or not a fuel pressure meets or exceeds a predetermined pressure. When a request is not present, the engine is operated in a homogeneous combustion mode in which fuel is injected during the intake stroke and ignition occurs before compression top dead center. When a request is present, an intake valve characteristic is adjusted to be larger than when the request is not present. If the fuel pressure is not greater than or equal to the predetermined fuel pressure, the engine is operated in the homogeneous combustion mode, otherwise, the engine is operated in a retarded combustion mode in which the ignition timing is retarded to ignite the fuel-air mixture after compression top dead center.
US08028513B2	Variable bypass turbine fan An engine for powering a vehicle, such as a military aircraft or a commercial aircraft, is provided. The engine broadly comprises a main core with a plurality of spools with each spool having a plurality of compressor blades and a plurality of turbine blades attached thereto. One of the spools has a first set of fan blades attached thereto. The engine further has a variable bypass turbine fan formed by a second set of fan blades. The second set of fan blades is arranged outboard of the main core. The second set of fan blades may be decoupled from the first set of fan blades.
US08028507B2	Picking arrangement for picking fruit on an elongate stem Picking arrangement for picking at least one fruit (36) located on an elongate stem (33) of a plant (34), has a holder (3), that can be moved along the ground (9), and having an elongate picking gap (30), which is provided on the holder (3), bounded by lateral edges (31) and through which the stem (33) can be guided. The fruit (36) is separated off along the edges (31) in the process, wherein the picking gap (30) is oriented such that the step (33) can be fed to the picking gap (30) with its longitudinal axis oriented parallel, or essentially parallel, to the longitudinal axis of the picking gap (30).
US08028505B1	Telescoping flail mower and method of operation A foldable mower includes a telescoping flail conditioning system. The telescoping flail conditioning system includes a first tube having a first set of tines, a second tube having a second set of tines, and a first arrangement of corresponding slots extending through at least a portion of the first tube and configured to permit the second set of tines to extend substantially radially out of the first tube upon at least a portion of the second tube being positioned within the first tube.
US08028503B2	Method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.
US08028501B2	Custom packaging solution for arbitrary objects A method of producing a packaged uses an electronic user interface to receive a first image of an object to be packaged, along with information relating to one or more properties of the object. A three dimensional size for the object is determined, and a package is automatically selected. Based on the object properties, a packing material type is automatically determined. Based upon the size and the selected package, a packing material amount is determined.
US08028488B2	Foldable truss A foldable truss having a pair of side frames hinged together by a foldable arm allowing the truss to be collapsed to a smaller width while maintaining the truss length as a constant.
US08028485B2	Module having displacement bodies for the production of concrete elements Module (1) for the production of concrete elements, particularly of concrete semi-finished products or of relatively “thin” in-situ concrete surfaces. The modules includes a plurality of displacement bodies (5, 5′, 5″, 5′″) able to be inserted and arranged adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of displacement bodies (5, 5′, 5″, 5′″) is arranged respectively undetachably in a latticework (2) of bars (3, 3′, 4, 4′, 4″). The displacement body (5, 5′, 5″, 5′″) is formed as a substantially oblate rotation ellipsoid with two at least slightly flattened pole sides (7, 7′, 8, 8′).
US08028478B2	Skylight having a molded plastic frame The present invention provides a skylight frame design that is adapted to receive at least two panels of glass. The skylight frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first glass panel so that a section of the first glass panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second glass panel so that the second glass panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The skylight frame design of the invention is either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section. In another embodiment of the invention, a skylight frame design which directly incorporates one or more panels of glass during molding is provided.
US08028476B1	Pool leveling system A pool leveling system uses a threaded bolt that interacts with a support surface to alter the vertical alignment of the individual wall panels used to construct a modular swimming pool. The threaded bolt is coupled to the wall panels through a mounting bracket attached directly to a flange on the wall panel or indirectly through a frame used to support the wall panels. The mounting bracket is preferably a substantially C-shaped bracket having a hole adapted to receive the threaded bolt. The vertical alignment of the wall panels is adjusted by advancing or retracting the threaded bolt with respect to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and threaded bolt are left in place and encased in concrete when the pool installation is complete.
US08028475B2	Highly ventilated soffit with obscured ventilation openings A ventilating component for a building, particularly a ventilating soffit, provides a high ratio of ventilation flow area to component coverage area. A sheet in a plane of coverage has a spaced-channel configuration, or alternatively a terraced configuration. Ventilation openings are placed in the connecting webs between the upper and lower levels, especially in sidewalls of elongated channels that open as slots on the exposed side of the soffit. These connecting webs are oriented at an acute angle relative to the coverage plane. In a channel arrangement the webs can be shaped to block direct view of the side walls. The acute angle precludes, or at least foreshortens, a view of the webs that contain the ventilation openings. The ventilation aspects are concealed while permitting a high ratio of flow area to coverage area.
US08028471B2	Wrapper with decorative extension and method A wrapper for wrapping an item to form a decorative cover thereabout is disclosed. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion thereof and provides the decorative cover with the appearance of being formed of two separate, unconnected sheets of material.
US08028468B1	Bait station and detachable bait station base A bait station system has a bait station mounted to a base. The bait station has the general shape of a box with a locking hinged lid. The box has side walls with openings so that rodents can enter into the box and gain access to poison bait or a mechanical trap. The base has a lower tray for receiving a weight. The lower tray has a lower surface which may be glued, attached by a screw, bolt, or earth anchor to a planar surface. The bait station is releasably mounted to the base by a locking mechanism which can be unlocked only by gaining access to the interior of the box forming the bait station.
US08028463B2	Fishing pole holder A fishing pole holder that can be used in specific situations where a folding chair or chair with a intersecting rods or support structure is available, most common situation of a fisherman is that the fisherman is seated in a chair with his tackle box with a fishing pole holder that is staked into the ground to hold the pole and allow the fisherman to do other tasks, such as drinking while the pole remains fixed in a holder of some sort and type. There have been various types of fishing pole holders, This invention is created to simplify the number of things that is normally carried in order to fish, when a folding chair or chair with intersecting rods or support structure is available.
US08028461B2	Switch for the control of weapon mounted electronic assemblies, a weapon having a control switch and a method for using weapon A switch assembly 16 which is selectively deployed upon a weapon and which normally causes electrical power to be communicated to a visible energy emission assembly 14 from a source of electrical power 90 and which requires positive actions to interrupt such communication.
US08028460B2	Integrated rail system and method for making and using same Embodiments of the application can include an integrated rail system construction for a firearm with transverse ribs or tabs (e.g., picatinny rail) to include an undercut or slot at a front and/or rear face to cooperate with mounting structure for a detachable accessory. Embodiments of a rail structure can include a channel to pass wires used to power accessories mounted to the rail. Embodiments of the application can include methods for manufacturing an integral rail system.
US08028458B2	Housing for a rifle A housing for a rifle, comprising a first anchoring for a barrel, a second anchoring for a butt, a guide for a breech that can be locked with the barrel, and a seat for a trigger that interacts with the breech. The housing is subdivided into a lower part and a separate upper part which can be firmly connected thereto. The lower part forms the anchorings for the barrel and the butt and the seat for the trigger and the upper part forms the guide for the breech.
US08028453B2	Apparatus and methods for displaying a card Apparatus and methods for displaying a card via a decorative figurine, or similar device, equipped with one or more card retention mechanisms. In one embodiment, the retention mechanisms are arranged in a V shape to allow a card placed therein to be retained in a partially open state. In another embodiment, upper projections may be included to provide further stability to the retained card. In some embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of a quadruped, the retention mechanisms are integral to or coupled to the quadruped's legs, and the upper projections are in the form of the quadruped's arms. In another embodiment, a tent-style card is held between upper and lower retention mechanisms. In another embodiment, the card is permanently adhered to the figurine.
US08028444B2	Apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a laundry-treatment arrangement, in particular a mangle An apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a mangle having loading clamps (27) arranged on conveyors (20) having endless toothed belts (21), the loading clamps (27) being driven in circulation, and if the respective toothed belts (21) are assigned a plurality of the loading clamps (27), the cycle times can be reduced.
US08028430B2	Height measurement apparatus A height measurement apparatus for measuring a height of a workpiece is provided. The height measurement apparatus includes a support member, a level bar and a height gauge. The level bar is installed on the support member and movable along a horizontal direction. The height gauge is installed on the level bar and vertically movable along a vertical direction relative to the level bar. The height gauge comprises a probe for contacting the workpiece, thereby detecting the position of the workpiece.
US08028427B2	Apparatus and method for positioning a workpiece A stage for aligning a workpiece relative to analyzing apparatus. The stage has a platform and means for maintaining a workpiece on the platform. The platform is operable to tilt relative to the analyzing apparatus and thereby rotate the workpiece relative to the analyzing apparatus.
US08028425B1	Centerless saw device The present invention generally pertains to a saw device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handheld centerless saw. The saw comprises a frame and a pair of driving rollers mounted to the frame for rotation. The saw also comprises an annular blade mounted between the drive rollers and functionally engaged thereby, where the blade defines frontward and backward hemispheres. At least two guide wheels are mounted to the frame, or to a cover mounted to the frame, the guide wheels being positioned in the backward hemisphere of the blade. The guide wheels are operatively engaging the inner circular edge of the blade. A drive assembly mounted to the frame is operable for urging the countersense rotation of drive rollers, thereby causing rotation of the blade.
US08028424B2	Cutting head for a brush cutter, edge trimmer or similar The invention relates to a cutting head for a brush cutter, edge trimmer or similar, the head being of the type including at least a passageway for a cutting string and a locking element of the cutting string. The cutting head is characterized in that the locking elements include at least one ratchet wheel, including a toothed wheel mounted in rotation around an axis in such a manner that said teeth project in the passageway. The ratchet can be arranged in such a way that the toothed wheel can turn in a given direction to allow the introduction of the cutting string in the passageway and cannot turn in the opposite direction, thereby locking the cutting string in the passageway.
US08028417B1	Applicator head The present invention is directed toward a tool holder for a flexible tube that contains a composition used in connection with the tool. The tool holder has a frame adapted to be secured the sealed end of the flexible tube and a tool portion having a tool such as a razor blade, a brush, a cosmetic scraper blade, a planar scraper blade, a massager head, sandpaper, polishing, and the like.
US08028416B2	Hybrid composite journal bearing and manufacturing method thereof The object of this invention is to provide a hybrid composite journal bearing which is constructed so that a composite liner is positioned on an inner surface of a metal housing having a circular cross-section, thus preventing a journal from being broken or damaged or seized to the bearing, due to friction between the metal or composite journal and the journal bearing. The hybrid composite journal bearing (210) includes a metal housing (211) which is secured on an outer surface thereof to a bearing system and has a circular cross-section. A composite liner (212) is laminated to an inner surface of the metal housing (211) with a uniform thickness so as to minimize friction between the journal bearing and a journal.
US08028405B2	Device and method for fitting printed circuit boards with contact pins A device for fitting printed circuit boards (5) with contact pins (7), comprising at least one insertion device (1) for inserting at least one contact pin (7) into a printed circuit board (5), at least one measuring device (3) for measuring the angle of insertion (θ) between the at least one inserted contact pin (7) and the printed circuit board (5), wherein the measuring device (3) comprises a sensor assembly (9) having at least two sensors (11) arranged at different heights above the printed circuit board (5) in such a way that the contact pins (7) can be detected by the sensors (11). At least one of the sensor assemblies (9) and the printed circuit board (5) are capable of being displaced in a plane parallel to the printed circuit board (5). The angle of insertion (θ), between the contact pin (7) and the printed circuit board (5), is determined using the relative speed between the printed circuit board (5) and the sensor assembly (9) and from the time difference for the sensors (11) to detect the contact pins (7). The measuring device (3) may connect to the insertion device (1) in such a way that a resulting measurement, taken by the measuring device (3), may be transmitted to the insertion device (1), which is capable of readjustment in response to the transmitted resulting measurement.
US08028396B2	Automatic wire winding of inside brushless stator A method and mechanism for automatic or manual winding of a stator. A fixed arbor serves to support the stator during the winding process, as well as a wire feed point and wire guide. A mechanism moves the stator in a back and forth motion along the major axis of the arbor. Proper axial position of the wire is maintained by the outer surface of the arbor and the axial slot itself. The arbor has a channel that serves to guide the wire, allowing it exit in each of the two possible longitudinal directions along the major axis of the arbor.
US08028395B2	Method for manufacturing high flow insufflation needle stylet A method for forming a high flow insufflation needle stylet having distal, intermediate and proximal sections includes providing a flat sheet of metal and forming pilot holes in the sheet proximate opposed edges of the sheet. A profile of a flat pattern of the stylet is formed. The flat pattern has a proximal end, a distal end and a pair of substantially longitudinal edges. At least one support tab is positioned between the flat pattern and the sheet. The intermediate and the proximal sections of the stylet are progressively formed into a partial cylindrical shape with the proximal end being open and the longitudinal edges in the intermediate and proximal sections being positioned between about 90° and 180° apart. The distal section is progressively formed into a substantially cylindrical shape having a closed distal end. The stylet is trimmed from the sheet by cutting the at least one support tab.
US08028394B2	Manufacturing method of a thermally insulated housing A back surface of an outer case is formed by mutually overlapping left and right back panels. The overlapping edges on the front side and backside of the panels may be bent toward the opposite side at a blunt angle. A joint between the back panels is established in which the overlapping edge of one back panel is pressed against the overlapping edge of the other back panel. Spacers are mounted between the outer and inner case such that the overlapping edges are put in close contact with each other. The bends are deformed in order to prevent leakage from the joint after the injection of foam liquid. Due to the pressure of the foam, both of the overlapping edges are placed in closer contact while deforming the bends to be substantially flat. Consequently, the sealing properties of the joint after the completion of the thermally insulated housing are secured.
US08028379B2	Closure clip and process for the production thereof Closure clips and a process for the production of closure clips of strip-form or wire-form material for the closure of tubular or bag-like packagings. In the process, a substantially wave-form profile with successive first and second apex points is stamped along the strip-form or wire-form material, the first apex point forming a clip bottom, flanks respectively adjoining the first apex point on each side thereof form clip limbs that are bent over in a U-shape and the second apex point forms limb ends that are bent over outwardly with respect to the U-shape at which two adjacent closure clips are separably connected. The strip-form or wire-form closure clip material is pierced inwardly with respect to the U-shape so that a raised material portion is formed at the limb inside.
US08028375B2	Pinch prevention structure of slide door A slide door is provided to be movable between a closed position to cover a side opening formed at a vehicle-body side face and an open position. The slide door is configured to move outward and subsequently slide rearward along a rear vehicle-body outer face when the slide door moves from the closed position to the open position. There is provided a detection sensor to detect a foreign matter in coming into a gap from a vehicle-compartment inside. A drive of the slide door is stopped in case the detection sensor detects the foreign matter in coming into the gap when the slide door moves toward the open position. Thereby, any foreign matter can be prevented from being pinched in the gap formed between the slide door and the rear edge portion of the side opening.
US08028366B2	Tool for cleaning tile and grout A tile and grout cleaning tool that can be turned over to place either a first series of bristle bundles projecting from the head of the tool in position to clean tile surfaces or a second series of bristle bundles spaced from the first series in position to clean the grout between tiles, the second series of bristle bundles comprising bristles that can be pressed into the grout channels and have ends of different lengths that form rough cleaning surfaces.
US08028359B2	Automated multi-functional support apparatus A support apparatus (10) for use in supporting a person, particularly a bariatric patient. The apparatus (10) is selectively convertible between a seat configuration for supporting the person in a substantially seated position and a table configuration for supporting the person in a substantially prostrate position. The apparatus (10) is both vertically and angularly adjustable in either configuration. The apparatus (10) includes enhanced lateral support provided by telescoping support cylinders (74,76), and substantially automatically retracting foot support portions (50).
US08028354B2	Spa apparatus A spa apparatus includes a chair and a basin supported by a base. The basin is movable in an up/down direction relative to a portion of the base. The chair may include actuators to tilt forward to permit easy entry and exit from the chain. The chair may also move in a fore/aft direction relative to the basin. A pair of foot rests may be located within the basin. A manicure assembly may be located within a cavity in the arm of the chair. The basin may have a narrowed front portion to allow a technician to easily fact the customer. A base may include two support frames that pivot relative to one another proximate an end of the base distal the basin.
US08028347B2	Hand protection structure A hand protection structure is provided. The hand protection structure includes a fixing unit, a plurality of finger protection units, a plurality of fingertip members, and a plurality of backbone members. The finger protection units are configured of flat strip shapes. Each of finger protection units has one fingertip member assembled at a distal end thereof, and a fastening piece is configured at the end thereof of the finger protection unit for mounting the finger protection unit to the fixing unit. The hand protection structure can be assembled in a glove. When a hand of the user is impacted by external forces, the finger protection units relieve the external impact to protect the fingers from injury.
US08028346B2	Patient gown A patient gown for a nursing mother is disclosed, the patient gown includes an outer gown releasably fastened in a front thereof and providing an inner jacket releasably fastened to an interior of the outer gown, the outer gown and inner jacket cooperate to provide coverage of a desired portion of the body of the patient, as well as coverage of a nursing child, as desired.
US08032941B2	Method and apparatus for searching for rights objects stored in portable storage device object identifier A method for searching a portable storage device for a rights object by using an identifier of the rights object, including a host device accessing the portable storage device, retrieving the identifier of the stored rights object from the portable storage device, storing the retrieved object identifier, searching for the stored object identifier to perform an operation associated with the rights object stored in the portable storage device, and acquiring location data of the rights object as a result of the searching.
US08032929B2	Safety judgment method, safety judgment system, safety judgment apparatus, first authentication apparatus, and computer program product Security of an information processing apparatus is ensured by performing biological information authentication and collecting the environment information about the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus transmits the collected environment information to a first authentication apparatus. An electronic certificate issued by a second authentication apparatus and information encrypted with a secret key issued by the second authentication apparatus are transmitted to the first authentication apparatus. The first authentication apparatus acquires the public key of the second authentication apparatus and the public key of the information processing apparatus so as to decrypt the encrypted information, and judges whether or not the decrypted information is proper. The first authentication apparatus refers to an environment information database and the transmitted information, and judges whether or not the transmitted environment information is proper. When all the authentications by the biological information authentication, environment information authentication and electronic certificate authentication are successful, the information processing apparatus is judged to be safe.
US08032926B2	Method of configuring hierarchical network of user group and resource group and key distribution center Provided are a method of configuring a hierarchical network of user groups and resource groups, and a key distribution center. The method includes the steps of: analyzing hierarchical connection relationships between respective user groups and respective resource groups, comparing redundancy rates of the respective hierarchical connection relationships, and determining a connection mode having a larger redundancy rate; separating the respective user groups and resource groups and hierarchically connecting the user groups with the resource groups, according to the determined connection mode; comparing hierarchical connections between the respective separated user groups and resource groups, and removing an overlapping hierarchical connection; and recombining the separate hierarchical connections except for the overlapping hierarchical connection, and configuring an entire network.
US08032924B2	Access control method and a system for privacy protection A method for protecting information in a distributed stream processing system, including: assigning a principal label to a processing component; assigning a first channel label to a first communication channel that is input to the processing component; comparing the principal label to the first channel label to determine if the processing component can read data attributes of the first channel label; and reading the data attributes of the first channel label when the principal label is equal to or has precedence over the first channel label, wherein the principal label includes a read label and a write label and at least one of a selection label, an addition label or a suppression label.
US08032921B2	Computer-readable recording medium storing access rights management program, access rights management apparatus, and access rights management method A first access policy is stored to provide information on a first distributee to which an electronic document is distributed, to which the first distributee is permitted to distribute the electronic document, and use rights that permit the second distributees to use the electronic document. Also stored is a distribution target information indicating the second distributees. When the first distributee requests permission to grant use rights to a specific distributee, the distribution target is consulted to confirm whether or not the specific distributee is included in the second distributees. A second access policy associating the specific distributee with the information on the use rights is then registered. When the specific distributee requests permission to use the electronic document, the second access policy is consulted to permit the specific distributee to use the electronic document.
US08032916B2	Single master clock control of Ethernet data transfer over both a cable TV return path and an Ethernet forward path An optical signal return path system analog RF signals are sampled using a master clock frequency, and combined with digital data such as Ethernet data at a cable node. The cable node sends the combined signals on a return path over a fiber optic medium to the cable hub. The cable hub extracts an approximate in-frequency replicate of a master clock signal, and can use the replicate master clock signal to desample the digitized RF signals back to analog. The cable hub can further use the replicate of the master clock signal to serialize Ethernet data, and send the Ethernet data back to the cable node via an optical cable in the forward direction. Accordingly, a single master clock signal can be used on a CATV network for encoding/decoding, and transmitting a variety of data signals, which enhances the integrity and reliability of the data signals.
US08032903B2	Motor with a chucking device for detachably holding a disk and disk drive apparatus equipped with the same In a motor including a chucking device for detachably holding a disk, the chucking device has a center case to which a central opening of the disk is inserted; resilient members received within the center case; and claw members for holding the disk in place. Each of the claw members has a tip end portion, a disk holding surface positioned axially below the tip end portion for holding the disk in place, and a recessed sliding portion formed substantially at a circumferential center region of the disk holding surface, the sliding portion serving to guide movement of the claw member. Rest portions are formed in the center case in a facing relationship with the respective sliding portions, the rest portions serving to support the respective sliding portions by contacting therewith. Each of the rest portions has an upwardly convex curved surface with which the corresponding sliding portion makes contact.
US08032897B2	Placing virtual machine monitor (VMM) code in guest context to speed memory mapped input/output virtualization In one embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining use of one or more pages in a guest physical address space of a guest; storing handler code to process one or more input/output (I/O) and/or interrupt events in the one or more pages; and redirecting a first event of the one or more I/O events from guest handler code that would process the first event to the handler code in the one or more pages. Also contemplated is a computer accessible medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method.
US08032893B2	Synchronization of data A method and a system for the synchronization of data between applications are provided. Data is exchanged at least partially between the applications, the exchanged data being synchronized with the data that is present in the respective application. To simplify the synchronization process, according to the invention an identification that signifies incompleteness is assigned to the data.
US08032891B2	Energy-aware scheduling of application execution A mobile device (10) manages tasks (18) using a scheduler (20) for scheduling tasks on multiple processors (12). To conserve energy, the set of tasks to be scheduled are divided into two (or more) subsets, which are scheduled according to different procedures. In a specific embodiment, the first subset contains tasks with the highest energy consumption deviation based on the processor that executes the task. This subset is scheduled according to a power-aware procedure for scheduling tasks primarily based on energy consumption criteria. If there is no failure, the second subset is scheduled according to a real-time constrained procedure that schedules tasks primarily based on the deadlines associated with the various tasks in the second subset. If there is a failure in either procedure, one or more tasks with the lowest energy consumption deviation are moved from the first subset to the second subset and the scheduling is repeated.
US08032886B2	Tracking asynchronous execution of program using hierarchical structure of objects The invention builds a structure of software objects that captures the historically contingent development of an asynchronous program. The invention builds software objects that represent the resources and subtasks that make up the asynchronous program. The objects are connected into a hierarchy whose structure explicates interactions among the resources and subtasks. When a fault is detected, the structure tells the debugger everything the program was doing at the time of the fault and lays open the developmental history of the program that led to the fault. The debugger uses this information to trace the detected fault back through code and time to its origin. When a new feature is added, the structure tells maintenance personnel how the new feature affects existing functions. Within the structure, the invention provides mechanisms for handling reference counters and software locks. Groups of resources can be handled together, the structure taking care of coordination.
US08032883B2	Controlling access from the virtual machine to a file According to one embodiment, a computer machine includes a client virtual machine and a file server virtual machine configured to simultaneously run, a virtual machine manager configured to control booting of the client and file server virtual machines, a monitoring module configured to monitor whether a communication with an external file server is possible, an access control module configured to access to a duplicate file which is a duplicate of the file and is stored in a part of a local disk or a part of a memory which are managed by the monitoring module when the monitoring module determines that the communication is impossible after determining that the communication is possible, and a file deletion module configured to delete the duplicate file when the monitoring module detects the communication is impossible in a preset time.
US08032882B2	System and method for controlling aggregate CPU usage by virtual machines and driver domains A method comprises determining an aggregate usage of CPU attributable to a given virtual machine (VM), wherein the aggregate usage of CPU attributable to the given VM includes a determined amount of CPU usage by a driver domain, such as by a network driver domain, that is attributable to the given VM. The method further comprises scheduling, by an aggregate proportional-share scheduler, CPU access to the given VM based at least in part on the determined aggregate usage of CPU attributable to the given VM.
US08032873B2	Computer program code size partitioning system for multiple memory multi-processing systems The present invention provides for a system for computer program code size partitioning for multiple memory multi-processor systems. At least one system parameter of a computer system comprising one or more disparate processing nodes is identified. Computer program code comprising a program to be run on the computer system is received. A program representation based on received computer program code is generated. At least one single-entry-single-exit (SESE) region is identified based on the whole program representation. At least one SESE region of less than a certain size (store-size-specific) is identified based on identified SESE regions and the at least one system parameter. Each store-size-specific SESE region is grouped into a node-specific subroutine. The non node-specific parts of the computer program code are modified based on the partitioning into node-specific subroutines. The modified computer program code including each node-specific subroutine is compiled based on a specified node characteristic.
US08032867B2	Programmatic root cause analysis for application performance management Programmatic root cause analysis of application performance problems is provided in accordance with various embodiments. Transactions having multiple components can be monitored to determine if they are exceeding a threshold for their execution time. Monitoring the transactions can include instrumenting one or more applications to gather component level information. For transactions exceeding a threshold, the data collected for the individual components can be analyzed to automatically diagnose the potential cause of the performance problem. Time-series analytical techniques are employed to determine normal values for transaction and component execution times. The values can be dynamic or static. Deviations from these normal values can be detected and reported as a possible cause. Other filters in addition to or in place of execution times for transactions and components can also be used.
US08032866B1	System and method for troubleshooting runtime software problems using application learning Analysis of execution traces to identify execution problems is described. Analysis of the execution trace allows the user to detect application execution patterns. Each pattern represents a sequence of operations performed by the application. Some patterns correspond to normal execution of the application. Some patterns correspond to typical operations such as file opening, file saving, site browsing, mail sending. Diagnostic classes include patterns associated with certain malfunctions. In one embodiment, the system includes a learning mode wherein the system accumulates patterns belonging to different classes and stores them in a pattern database. In one embodiment, the system also includes a recognition mode where the system matches the trace against the pattern database and assigns trace regions to specific classes such as normal, abnormal, classes of specific problems or user activities, etc.
US08032862B2	Dynamic configuration files A dynamic nature is added to configuration files so that various types of dynamic functions can be performed within them. Variables are utilized within the configuration files. Thus, it is possible to have parameters specified in one configuration file and a formula to which the parameters will be applied in another configuration file. This allows changing of the values in the parameter file without having to modify the formula file, thereby streamlining the modification process when changes need to be made. In addition, it provides the capability for cross-referencing between configuration properties by allowing for variables in properties that refer to other properties.
US08032860B2	Methods for type-independent source code editing An extensible, data-driven, language independent source code editor is presented, with an embedded, extensible multi-language compiler framework. Such an editor can be tightly integrated with a compiler framework that provides detailed information about the language currently being edited by the user. This information can be provided in a language-neutral way effectively decoupling the editor from the underlying set of languages being edited. In addition, a language-independent editor can expose a set of APIs that makes it easy to customize behavior for specific languages that have characteristics not shared by most languages. This set of APIs can also enable the development of customized views, such as for developing visual editors that represent and allow the user to manipulate aspects of the source code pictorially.This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US08032858B2	Method and system for navigationally displaying HTTP session entry and exit points A monitoring tool continuously monitors for insertion, call or deletion of objects from a session. Display of this information shows any get object, set object or remove object operations in the session and shows the entry and exit points for each such object, thus assisting the user whenever objects inserted or called remain in the session and are not removed, thus allowing the user to prevent any data buildup in the session. The display is performed in a navigational view or “state diagram” form of view which is constructed by polling the filesystem content and building a navigational view of the overall states and interactions occurring within the session.
US08032855B1	Method and apparatus for performing incremental placement on a structured application specific integrated circuit A method for placing a system on a structured application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using an electronic design automation tool is disclosed. A subregion that includes an illegal position in a placement solution is identified. All structured ASIC cells in the subregion are removed. Positions for all the structured ASIC cells that are legal are determined.
US08032853B2	Configuration information writing apparatus, configuration information writing method and computer program product A configuration information writing apparatus for writing configuration information defining a logical configuration of a logic circuit device into the logic circuit device to change the logical configuration thereof, the apparatus comprising: a difference extracting unit that acquires plural pieces of configuration information and extracts differences between each of the acquired plural pieces of configuration information; a differential relation generating unit that generates a differential relation indicating a relation of the differences between each of the plural pieces of configuration information based on the differences extracted by the difference extracting unit; and an order information generating unit that generates order information specifying an order of writing the configuration information from the relation of the differences indicated by the differential relation generated by the differential relation generating unit.
US08032850B2	Structure for an absolute duty cycle measurement circuit A design structure for a circuit for measuring the absolute duty cycle of a signal, is provided. A non-inverted path from a signal source is selected and various DCC circuit setting indices are cycled through until a divider, coupled to the output of the DCC circuit, fails. A first minimum pulse width at which the divider fails is then determined based on the index value of the DCC circuit at the time of the failure. An inverted path from the signal source is selected and the various DCC circuit setting indices are cycled through again until the divider fails. A second minimum pulse width at which the divider fails is then determined based on the index value of the DCC circuit at the time of this second failure. The duty cycle is then calculated based on a difference of the first and second minimum pulse width values.
US08032844B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method, data generating apparatus, data generating method and recording medium readable by computer recoded with data generating program A semiconductor manufacturing method comprising, a data generating process including, acquiring a simulation light pattern that simulates a shape of a light exposure pattern formed on a substrate on the basis of design data of a semiconductor device, acquiring a simulation electron beam exposure pattern that simulates a shape of an electron beam exposure pattern formed by an electron beam exposure on the substrate on the basis of the design data, extracting difference information representing a shape difference portion between the simulation light pattern and the simulation electron beam exposure pattern, acquiring changed design data for modifying shape by changing the design data in accordance with the difference information, conducting the electron beam exposure on the substrate by use of the changed design data for modifying the shape.
US08032842B2	System and method for three-dimensional interaction based on gaze and system and method for tracking three-dimensional gaze A gaze-based three-dimensional (3D) interaction system and method, as well as a 3D gaze tracking system and method, are disclosed. The gaze direction is determined by using the image of one eye of the operator who gazes at a 3D image, while the gaze depth is determined by the distance between pupil centers from both eyes of the operator shown in an image of both eyes of the operator.
US08032840B2	Apparatus, method and computer program product for generating a thumbnail representation of a video sequence A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating an image, such as a thumbnail, representation of a video sequence, where the video sequences includes a plurality of frames, at least some of which include an image of a scene that may include one or more objects. The method can include identifying a plurality of objects from the video sequence, and selecting at least some of the identified objects. In addition, the method can include extracting the selected objects from the frames of the video sequence including the respective objects, and combining the selected and extracted objects into an image representation of the video sequence.
US08032834B2	Context-based user assistance Provided are techniques for providing context-based user assistance. A request from a user for user assistance content for a first configurable element is received. One or more rules are retrieved for the first configurable element, wherein at least one of the rules describes a second configurable element that is related to the first configurable element. The one or more rules are used to identify context-based user assistance content for configuring at least one of the first configurable element and the second configurable element. The user assistance content is provided to the user.
US08032825B2	Dynamically creating multimodal markup documents Methods, systems, and products for dynamically creating a multimodal markup document are provided that include selecting a multimodal markup template, identifying in dependence upon the multimodal markup template a dynamic content module, instantiating the dynamic content module, executing a dynamic content creation function in the instantiated dynamic content module, receiving dynamic content from the dynamic content creation function, and including the dynamic content in the multimodal markup template. Selecting a multimodal markup template may be carried out by identifying a multimodal markup template from URI encoded data embedded in a request for a multimodal markup document from a multimodal browser. The multimodal markup template may include static content and the dynamic content may include XHTML+Voice content.
US08032822B1	Method and system for explaining dependencies on a document A method for reviewing data dependencies in a document that includes requesting an explanation of a dependent data container in a plurality of data containers, in which the dependent data container resides within a document, and receiving the explanation of the dependent data container, in which the explanation that includes information about the dependent data container and information about a precedent data container of the plurality of data containers, and in which the information describes the dependency between the precedent data container and the dependent data container.
US08032818B2	Method and apparatus for storing survivor paths in a Viterbi detector using input-dependent pointer exchange Methods and apparatus are provided for storing survivor paths in a Viterbi detector. At least one register and at least one pointer are maintained for each state. Each register stores a bit sequence associated with a Viterbi state and each pointer points to one of the registers. A trellis transition type is determined, for example, based on a decision from an add/compare/select unit. One or more predefined rules based on a trellis structure and the trellis transition type are employed to exchange one or more of the pointers and to update one or more of the at least one registers. A survivor path memory is also disclosed for a Viterbi detector. The survivor path memory comprises a plurality of columns, each associated with a different time step, and an input processor. Each column comprises a latch for storing one bit of a bit sequence associated with a Viterbi state.
US08032813B2	Concurrent production of CRC syndromes for different data blocks in an input data sequence Cyclic redundancy check (CRC) processing is applied to a received sequence of data blocks that are defined by respective sequences of sets of parallel data. For each data block, there is produced a sequence of syndromes that respectively correspond to the sets of parallel data within the data block. The final syndrome in the sequence of syndromes corresponds to all of the data in the data block. The time required for CRC processing can be reduced by concurrently producing first and second ones of the syndromes that respectively correspond to first and second ones of the sets that are respectively contained in first and second ones of the data blocks.
US08032811B2	Efficient almost regular permutation (ARP) interleaver and method An almost regular permutation (ARP) interleaver and method generate interleaved indices in a sequential fashion based on a process in which each interleaved index is a function of an adjacent index. Based on the data block size (N) for a received data block and a constant (C) for the ARP interleaver, a plurality of interleaved indices is generated. For one embodiment in which the interleaved indices are generated in forward sequence, the adjacent interleaved index is the immediately previous index, P(j−1), and each interleaved index (P(j)) is generated based on incrementing the previous interleaved index (P(j−1)) by an incremental value k(i), where j represents a non-interleaved index between 0 and N−1, i represents a modulo-C counter index that corresponds to j, k(i) represents the i-th value of a set of incremental values associated with N and C.
US08032810B2	Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and non-volatile storage system This memory device comprises a word-line control circuit applying a read voltage and a soft-value read voltage as a word line voltage to a word line to generate soft-values. The soft-value read voltage is between an upper limit and a lower limit of each of plural threshold voltage distributions. A likelihood calculation circuit calculates a likelihood value of data stored in a memory cell based on the soft-value. An error correction circuit executes data error correction for the data read from the memory cell based on the likelihood value. A refresh control circuit controls a timing of a refresh operation for the memory cell based on the soft-value or the likelihood value.
US08032800B2	Subframe interleaving Included are embodiments for subframe interleaving. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving at least one subframe, the at least one subframe being derived from a plurality of frames of data and interspersing at least a portion of the at least one subframe according to a predetermined subframe interleaving strategy.
US08032799B2	System and method for managing server performance degradation in a virtual universe A system and method for managing server performance degradation in a virtual universe environment having avatars has a server load detection unit for detecting server load and a failure notification unit for notifying the avatars of imminent server failure. The server load detection unit measures the wall time of the server for determining performance. A memory stores acceptable performance parameters so that if the server is performing unacceptably, the failure notification unit may notify the avatars.
US08032797B1	Storage of mass data for monitoring A plurality of data models are generated in a server from a stream of metrics describing a state of at least one system. Each of the data models represents a time grouping of a subset of the metrics. One or more dimensions are associated with each of the metrics. The data models are stored in association with respective ones of the dimensions in a memory. The dimensions with which the data models are associated in the memory are increased based upon an appearance of at least one previously non-existing dimension associated with a metric in the stream.
US08032791B2	Diagnosis of and response to failure at reset in a data processing system Detection of a reset failure in a multinode data processing system is provided by a diagnostic circuit in each of a plurality of the server nodes of the system. Each diagnostic circuit is coupled to a code fetch chain of its corresponding node. At reset, prior to a node processor retrieving startup code from the code fetch chain, the diagnostic circuit provides diagnostic signals to the code fetch chain. A problem in the code fetch chain is detected from a response to the diagnostic signals. When a problem is detected, a node failure status for the problem node may be signaled to the other nodes. The multinode system may be configured in response to signaled node failure status, such as by dropping failed nodes and replacing a failed primary node with a secondary node if necessary.
US08032789B2	Apparatus maintenance system and method An apparatus maintenance system and method are provided. The apparatus maintenance system includes an apparatus including a first control part, and a second control part connected to the first control part and a maintenance-data management server managing maintenance data about the apparatus. The second control part downloads the maintenance data from the maintenance-data management server to transfer the downloaded maintenance data to the first control part and transmits a maintenance result transferred from the first control part to the maintenance-data management server.
US08032783B2	Memory apparatus which provides notification of memory capacity The service life of memory cards is to be substantially elongated against the occurrence of faulty blocks. A control logic searches blocks in a nonvolatile memory cell array for any acquired fault on the basis of a fault-inviting code in a management information section. If any faulty block is detected, the faulty block will be subjected to write/read comparison of data to judge whether or not the data in the block are normal. Any block determined to be normal will undergo rewriting of its fault-inviting code and registered as a normal block. Further, the registered block is stored into a write management table in the management area as a writable block. This enables an essentially normal block judged faulty on account of an erratic error or some other reason to be restored.
US08032754B2	Systems and methods for embedding media forensic identification markings The present invention leverages a series of media watermark locations to provide information relating to media ownership and/or distribution source. This provides a forensic means to establish a source of media with a high degree of certainty despite malicious and/or non-malicious attacks. By providing embedded user unique identification, a source of copied media can be determined without the embedded information substantially interfering with the intended purpose of the media itself. In one instance of the present invention, digital media is transformed into an N-dimensional media signal. User unique keys are then utilized along with a master key to determine locations for embedding a watermark signal that possesses substantially similar quantized statistics as the transformed media signal. The watermark signal is then embedded into the media signal, fingerprinting the media.
US08032750B2	Method for establishing a secure e-mail communication channel between a sender and a recipient A method for establishing a secure e-mail communication channel between a sender (10) and a recipient (5), wherein: 1) said sender sends an e-mail addressed to said recipient over an e-mail encryption system (16), 2) said encryption system (16) verifies in a database (160) of recipients if a public key of said recipient is available, 3) if said public key of said recipient is available, said encryption system encrypts said e-mail with said public key, and forwards the encrypted e-mail to the recipient (5), 4) if, on the other hand, said public key of said recipient is not available in said database (160), said encryption system sends instead enrolment message (1220) to said recipient, said enrolment message containing an invitation for said recipient to choose among one of the following options: i) access to said email over a secured web mail interface, or ii) sends a reply to said encryption system from which said public key can be extracted, or ii) initiate generation of a public key on the recipient's side.
US08032748B2	System for allocating a chip card to a network operator A chip card needs to be allocated in a secured manner to a network operator via a personalization center in order to determine a final authentication key which is attributed to a subscriber of the operator without its being transmitted via a network. The following is loaded into a card by a module: an algorithm and an allocation key; an algorithm for determination of the authentication key and at least one intermediate authentication key. A module transmits an allocation message which includes a final identity number, a random number and an allocation signature from the center to the card. The card authenticates the message by means of the allocation algorithm as a function of the allocation key and the allocation signature, and determines the final authentication key as a function of the intermediate key and the random number.
US08032743B2	Reliance server for electronic transaction system A method of managing reliance in an electronic transaction system includes a certification authority issuing a primary certificate to a subscriber and forwarding to a reliance server, information about the issued primary certificate. The reliance server maintains the forwarded information about issued primary certificate. The subscriber forms a transaction and then provides the transaction to a relying party. The transaction includes the primary certificate or a reference thereto. The relying party sends to the reliance server a request for assurance based on the transaction received from the subscriber. The reliance server determines whether to provide the requested assurance based on the information about the issued primary certificate and on the requested assurance. Based on the determining, the reliance server issues to the relying party a secondary certificate providing the assurance to the relying party.
US08032740B2	Update in-use flash memory without external interfaces A method, apparatus and program storage device for updating a non-volatile memory in an embedded system is provided. The invention includes detaching the non-volatile memory from all expectable non-volatile memory references, creating a temporary, volatile-memory file system for allocation of volatile memory space as needed for the non-volatile memory update process, copying all procedural code required to perform the non-volatile memory update into the volatile memory, changing the system search path definitions temporarily to point to the volatile memory, and performing the non-volatile memory update.
US08032735B2	Load/move duplicate instructions for a processor A method includes, in a processor, loading/moving a first portion of bits of a source into a first portion of a destination register and duplicate that first portion of bits in a subsequent portion of the destination register.
US08032734B2	Coprocessor load data queue for interfacing an out-of-order execution unit with an in-order coprocessor A coprocessor interface unit for interfacing a coprocessor to an out-of-order execution pipeline, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the coprocessor interface unit includes an in-order instruction queue, a coprocessor load data queue, and a coprocessor store data queue. Instructions are written into the in-order instruction queue by an instruction dispatch unit. Instructions exit the in-order instruction queue and enter the coprocessor. In the coprocessor, the instructions operate on data read from the coprocessor load data queue. Data is written back, for example, to memory or a register file by inserting the data into the out-of-order execution pipeline, either directly or via the coprocessor store data queue, which writes back the data.
US08032732B2	System and method for generating a cache-aware bloom filter A cache-aware Bloom filter system segments a bit vector of a cache-aware Bloom filter into fixed-size blocks. The system hashes an item to be inserted into the cache-aware Bloom filter to identify one of the fixed-size blocks as a selected block for receiving the item and hashes the item k times to generate k hashed values for encoding the item for insertion in the in the selected block. The system sets bits within the selected block with addresses corresponding to the k hashed values such that accessing the item in the cache-aware Bloom filter requires accessing only the selected block to check the k hashed values. The size of the fixed-size block corresponds to a cache-line size of an associated computer architecture on which the cache-aware Bloom filter is installed.
US08032731B2	Virtualization system and area allocation control method A virtualization system, upon judging that a write operation from a higher-level device is an operation to write in the format of the virtual volume, even when the write position of the write operation is in a virtual area different from a virtual area to which an allocated actual area has been allocated, if there is an unused area in the allocated actual area, writes management information to the unused area according to the write operation, and if there is no unused area in the allocated actual area, newly allocates an unallocated actual area, and writes management information to the newly allocated actual area according to the write operation.
US08032709B2	System, method and computer program product for handling shared cache lines in a multi-processor environment A system, method, and computer program product for handling shared cache lines to allow forward progress among processors in a multi-processor environment is provided. A counter and a threshold are provided a processor of the multi-processor environment, such that the counter is incremented for every exclusive cross interrogate (XI) reject that is followed by an instruction completion, and reset on an exclusive XI acknowledgement. If the XI reject counter reaches a preset threshold value, the processor's pipeline is drained by blocking instruction issue and prefetching attempts, creating a window for an exclusive XI from another processor to be honored, after which normal instruction processing is resumed. Configuring the preset threshold value as a programmable value allows for fine-tuning of system performance.
US08032708B2	Method and system for caching data in a storgae system A method for caching data in a storage system involves receiving a request for a first datum stored on a storage disk, retrieving the first datum from the storage disk when a copy of the first datum is not stored on an asymmetric cache device (ACD), storing a first copy of the first datum in a main memory, updating a list of data to include the first datum, storing, prior to any data being evicted from the main memory, a second copy of the first datum on the ACD, and evicting the first copy of the first datum from the main memory when a first copy of a second datum is designated for storing in the main memory and the main memory is full and the first datum is at the tail of the list of data.
US08032703B2	Storage apparatus and failure recovery method Proposed are a storage apparatus and a failure recovery method capable of performing failure recovery processing while reducing performance deterioration. Whether user data is written into a storage area provided by multiple storage mediums is managed for each stripe. When any one of the storage mediums is blocked due to a failure, correction copy processing is executed to the stripe written with the user data in preference to the stripe not written with the user data in a storage area provided by the multiple storage mediums, and correction copy processing is executed to the stripe not written with the user data in a storage area provided by the multiple storage mediums during spare time.
US08032697B2	Method and system for responding to file system requests A system for responding to file system requests having file IDs comprising V, a volume identifier specifying the file system being accessed, and R, an integer, specifying the file within the file system being accessed. The system includes D disk elements in which files are stored, where D is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer. The system includes a switching fabric connected to the D disk elements to route requests to a corresponding disk element. The system includes N network elements connected to the switching fabric. Each network element has a mapping function that for every value of V, specifies one or more elements from the set D that store the data specified by volume V, where N is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer and N+D is greater than or equal to 3, which receives the requests and causes the switching fabric to route the requests by their file ID according to the mapping function.
US08032692B2	System for accessing non-volatile memory Accessing a non-volatile memory array is described, including receiving a first data and a memory address associated with the first data, writing the first data to the non-volatile memory array at the memory address of the first data without erasing a second data stored in the non-volatile memory array at the memory address of the first data before writing the first data.
US08032686B2	Protocol translation in a data storage system A data storage system includes an input/output server and a storage unit. The input/output server includes a processor, memory, and a host channel adapter. The storage unit includes a processor, memory, and a storage module. The storage module includes a storage controller, and an interface block for connecting the storage module to a corresponding memory-mapped interface. The storage unit further includes a host channel adaptor. The storage unit host channel adapter is connected to a corresponding memory-mapped interface. The storage unit host channel adapter is capable of remote direct memory access to the input/output server. Protocol translation logic is configured to intercept a memory access request from the storage controller, and initiate a corresponding remote direct memory access to the input/output server through the storage unit host channel adapter and the input/output server host channel adapter.
US08032684B2	Programmable bridge header structures A computer system includes compute nodes coupled through a switch to shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch includes a pool of bridge headers and virtual bridges coupling a root port of a compute node to each of one or more shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch is configured to associate each of the virtual bridges with a respective one of the fixed pool of bridge headers, receive a packet including data identifying the root port and a shared or non-shared I/O device, and route the packet in response to comparing data in the packet to data in the bridge headers associated with the virtual bridges. The virtual bridges comprise a hierarchy of virtual bridges in which one virtual bridge connects the root port to the remaining virtual bridges of the hierarchy. The switch may change the associations between virtual bridges and bridge headers.
US08032674B2	System and method for controlling buffer memory overflow and underflow conditions in storage controllers A method for maintaining flow control in a buffer memory coupled to a storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes, first and second counters that are used to monitor when data is read from a buffer memory and when data is transferred from the buffer memory to the host. The method includes, incrementing first and second counter values when data is placed in the buffer memory; decrementing a first counter value when data is read from the buffer memory; and decrementing the second counter value when data is sent to a host. The method further includes, pausing a first channel logic between a transport module and a storage disk when there is no data in the buffer memory; and pausing a second channel logic between a disk and the buffer if there is no space in the buffer memory.
US08032666B2	Location enabled bookmark and profile Location based profiles are used to modify the configuration of a computing device based on a detected location. The location based profiles allow features such as cameras to be enabled and disabled. Physical and logical data storage partitions can also be mounted and unmounted, and the home screen displayed by a device can be modified. Location bookmarks can be used to further customize the appearance and function of a computing device.
US08032660B2	Apparatus and method for managing subscription requests for a network interface component In some embodiments, a processor-based system may include at least one processor, at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, a network interface component, and a management controller. The management controller may be configured to receive information related to a subscription request for a virtual machine, generate configuration information for the network interface component based on the subscription request, and provide the configuration information to the network interface component. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08032659B2	Method and apparatus for a shared I/O network interface controller A network interface controller is provided which is shareable by a plurality of operating system domains (OSDs) within their load-store architecture. The controller includes local resources for corresponding to the OSDs, and global resources corresponding to both the OSDs and a network fabric. A method and apparatus is provided for distinguishing between the local and global resources, for purposes of reset and configuration. The controller allows a reset of only those local resources which are associated with the OSD transmitting the reset. Registration logic allows one of the OSDs to register as master, for configuration and reset of global resources.
US08032656B2	Fast handover using SIP A method of handling a data stream during a handover in a communications network comprising a first user agent having a fixed address, a proxy server and a second user agent, said method comprising the steps of: mapping at the proxy server the fixed address with a dynamic network address allocated to the first user agent; sending a request by the first user agent to the second user agent for a data stream; generating by the second user agent in response to the request a plurality of messages each comprising part of the data stream requested and the fixed address of the first user agent, wherein the message is a session initiation protocol message, and sending the messages to the proxy server; receiving the messages at the proxy server and determining the mapped dynamic network address corresponding to the fixed address in the message, and forwarding the messages to the determined dynamic network address; and when the first user agent is allocated a new dynamic network address, replacing by the proxy server the mapped dynamic network address with the new dynamic network address and forwarding the received messages to the new dynamic network address.
US08032651B2	News architecture for iTV A system and method for acquiring media content is disclosed. A capture platform may allow users to create customized templates for the automatic capture of web-based media, such as news. Captured content may be normalized for optimized access by a plurality of different device platforms, and may also be customized for individual users. One or more chained transformer plug-ins may be used to provide the customization.
US08032648B2	Apparatus and method for replacing a media content item An apparatus for outputting a media content item includes a receiver arranged to receive a first media content item, and an output device arranged to output the first item to a user. A selection device is provided for user-operably inputting a command to replace the first item at a particular moment of outputting the first item. Further, a time-estimating device is arranged to estimate, upon inputting the command, an estimated period of time necessary for outputting the remaining part of the first item. A search device is arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of the second item is substantially equal to the estimated period of time.
US08032646B2	Administering a communication network Methods and apparatus are provided for administering a communication network. In one embodiment, a first interface screen depicts nodes within a network. The nodes include a pair of media aggregation managers providing multiplexing/demultiplexing of media traffic associated with multiple application sessions between a pair of communities onto a preallocated reservation protocol session between the media aggregation managers. The media aggregation managers are visually distinguishable from other nodes. A second interface screen depicts potential paths through the network. Each potential path is capable of transferring media packets between the media aggregation managers. Via the second user interface screen, a network administrator is capable of initiating (1) path-level configuration of routers that are part of a selected potential path to cause the routers to route media packets exchanged between the pair of communities over the selected path, and (2) establishment of the preallocated reservation protocol session between the media aggregation managers.
US08032644B2	Service creation method, computer program product and computer system for implementing that method The invention discloses a method (100) for creating a service based on a request. This method comprises a step of semantically analyzing (30) a natural-language request, such as one sent (20) from a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistant (150). In this manner, the request may be formulated (10) in natural language, without needing to possess any technical knowledge whatsoever. The semantic analysis (30) makes it possible to identify (35) Web service requirements (or specifications). Next, Web services are determined (40) and sequenced (50) based on the identified service requirements. A new service is then made available, such as to the user who made the natural-language request.
US08032641B2	Assymmetric traffic flow detection Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to detecting, and in some implementations, responding to, asymmetric routing in network deployments. In a particular embodiment, a first process detects asymmetric routing at connection initiation, while the second process can detect asymmetric routing that may after connection initiation.
US08032640B2	PVC switching The invention provides a PVC switching control method for an ATM communication network which allows high speed changeover of a connection upon occurrence of/release from a trouble and is superior in reliability and maintenance facility and simple in control. A master PVC connection and an OAM connection are set between two ATM exchanges, and a bypassing PVC connection and an OAM connection prepared in advance for bypassing are set between the two ATM exchanges. If occurrence of/release from a trouble with and of the master PVC connection is recognized by the ATM exchanges using an OAM function, then the operative PVC connection is switched between the master PVC connection and the bypassing PVC connection.
US08032638B2	Calling method for node across zones in IP network system The invention discloses a calling method for endpoint across zones in IP network system. The method implements, simply and conveniently, endpoint addressing and calling across GK zones. The method includes: pre-registering an E.164 alias for each endpoint to a gatekeeper managing the endpoint in IP network system, wherein the E.164 alias comprises a gatekeeper zone prefix uniquely indicating the gatekeeper in the IP network system and a unique number indicating the endpoint in its own gatekeeper; a calling endpoint calling a called endpoint with the E.164 alias of the called endpoint.
US08032635B2	Grid processing in a trading network Methods and apparatus can enable a trading network can use participant nodes of the trading network as a hub node to distribute tasks within the trading network, instead of a fixed server as a fixed hub. The trading network can allow for distribution of tasks for grid computing. The trading network can also be enabled to switch from using one participant node as the hub to using another participant node as the hub. Additionally, the hub node can be enabled to pass functionality to another node at the request of the hub node instead of at the request of the receiving node.
US08032633B2	Computer-implemented method for implementing a requester-side autonomic governor using feedback loop information to dynamically adjust a resource threshold of a resource pool scheme A requester-side autonomic governor is provided for a requester configured to send service requests to a service provider. For example, the requester and service provider may be disposed in a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) architected system. A feedback loop, preferably a monitor portion of a Monitor, Analyze, Plan, and Execute (MAPE) loop, is configured to monitor responses to service requests. An autonomic governor mechanism limits the type and/or number of concurrent service requests according to a resource pool scheme, and dynamically adjusts a resource threshold of the resource pool scheme based on information provided by the feedback loop. In one embodiment, the resource threshold is reduced if more than a predetermined number of service requests generated time-outs, and is increased if more than a predetermined number of service requests are being held awaiting available pool resources and less than a predetermined number of service requests generated time-outs.
US08032630B2	Method and apparatus for comprehensive network management system In a system for managing data, voice, application and video networks and associated systems and services that comprise multiple, interconnected network technologies, a management system suited for a particular networking technology manages each separate technology domain. Multiple management systems thus manage multiple domains with respect to fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security management. The management systems that manage the individual networking technology domains are then themselves managed by a higher-level system, called an inter-domain management system, which performs cross-domain management. The individual management systems of the invention collect data from their respective technology domains and provide it to an intra-domain data collection function. This data is then utilized by an inter-domain data correlation function to determine what instructions should be sent from an intra-domain instruction function to each management system for implementation in its respective technology domains. The comprehensive management system thus collects data from each lower-level management system and, if required, sends operational instructions back to each lower level system. Event correlation and service level management are performed at both the intra-domain and inter-domain levels. Business process management is performed at the inter-domain level.
US08032625B2	Method and system for a network management framework with redundant failover methodology A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product is presented for management of a distributed data processing system. Resources within the distributed data processing system are dynamically discovered, and the discovered resources are adaptively monitored using the network management framework. When the network management framework detects that certain components within the network management framework may have failed, new instances of these components are started. If duplicate components are later determined to be active concurrently, then a duplicate component is shutdown, thereby ensuring that at least one instance of these components is active at any given time. After certain failover events, a resource rediscovery process may occur, and a topology database containing previously stored information about discovered resources is resynchronized with resource information about rediscovered resources.
US08032622B2	System and method for social-networking based presence A telecommunications system includes a network; a social networking service operably coupled to the network and configured to allow registration of users, to allow identification of registered users' interests, and to identify associated users, said associated users being associated with registered users; a presence service operably coupled to the network and configured to determine an availability of associated users responsive to one or more availability criteria; a translation unit configured to convert user information from a social networking service format to a presence service format; and a messaging service operably coupled to the network and configured to send notification messages to associated users determined to be available and having a common interest corresponding to an event responsive to an occurrence of the event and one or more availability criteria.
US08032618B2	Asynchronous update of virtualized applications A determination is made as to whether an updated image for an outdated virtualized application is available on a server. If it is determined that the updated image is available, then a background download operation configured to retrieve the updated image from the server is initiated. Another determination is made as to whether the outdated virtualized application is being utilized. After the background download operation is complete, if it is determined that the outdated virtualized application is not being utilized, then the outdated virtualized application is transformed to a current virtualized application by replacing at least a portion of the outdated virtualized application with the updated image. The outdated virtualized application and the current virtualized application are configured to be executed on the computer without installation on a computer.
US08032612B2	Token-based web browsing with visual feedback of disclosure A data communications network may be browsed using one or more tokens by receiving an input keyword string from a user, determining whether there is a match between the input keyword string and a database of keyword strings, determining a category of the keyword string, rendering to the user at least one service identifier associated with the category, receiving a user-selected service identifier in response to the rendering, substituting at least one variable in a resource locator template associated with the service with a string based at least in part on the keyword string entered by the user and launching the resource locator. According to one aspect, a special rendering of a hyperlink corresponding to the resource locator is used to indicate private data will be disclosed upon launching the resource locator.
US08032609B2	Dynamic endpoint aggregator for web services A dynamic endpoint aggregator aggregates dynamic endpoints of requested Web services for efficiently delivering the Web services to a Web service client. The client communicates to the aggregator a plurality of SOAP requests each having a SOAP header containing a redirect URL for the aggregator in turn to access each of the requested Web services. Web service data is aggregated by the aggregator and then efficiently communicated to the client, which is particularly useful when wireless clients access Web services because of the limited bandwidth available over the wireless link. The aggregator also handles dynamic endpoints by dynamically resetting all endpoints of requested Web services without burdening the wireless link.
US08032603B2	Methods for sending an email and distributing an email and an email server The present application relates to methods for sending an email and distributing an email, and an email server. According to the application, a summary is generated for an email to be sent, with the email stored in a sender side server; the summary of the email is sent to a receiver side server; and the email is sent to the receiver side server in response to receiving, by the sender side server, a request for sending the email, the request being sent by a recipient based on the summary. Thus, the network bandwidth, the storage space of the email server and user terminals may be saved.
US08032599B1	Display of archived email content in a preview pane An email archive system and associated techniques are described. Archived emails may be stored locally on a user's client computer in a local archive store. The email archive system and associated techniques may interact with an email message system and an email client application.
US08032598B1	Methods and systems of electronic message threading and ranking A system of ranking e-mail threads is disclosed. The system receives e-mail messages, and determines e-mail threads in response to the e-mail messages. The system determines an e-mail rank associated with each e-mail message in the e-mail threads, where an e-mail rank associated with an e-mail message is determined in response to a sender identifier related to the e-mail message. The system also determines a thread rank for each e-mail thread, where a thread rank associated with an e-mail thread is determined in response to e-mail ranks of each e-mail message associated with each respective e-mail thread. The system then determines an ordering of the e-mail threads based on the thread rank associated with each e-mail thread.
US08032572B2	Personal inventory manager A device retrieves information associated with personal inventory from a personal inventory database, and provides for display of an input personal inventory option, a search personal inventory option, and a search loaned personal inventory option based on the retrieved personal inventory information. The device further receives selection of one of the input personal inventory option, the search personal inventory option, or the search loaned personal inventory option, and receives information associated with a new personal inventory item when the input personal inventory option is selected. The device also provides for display of search personal inventory information when the search personal inventory option is selection, and provides for display of search loaned personal inventory information when the search loaned personal inventory option is selected.
US08032569B2	Information management system, display system, management apparatus and program Only the display device stores content files and a management device stores file management information. The content files are managed using the file management information. Because the management device does not store the actual content files, the security policy of an organization is not violated even if the management device is located outside the organization. Furthermore, because the display device stores the content files, the user desire to keep content files locally at hand is satisfied. Furthermore, because file management information consisting of small amounts of data is exchanged between the display system and the management device, the communication environment of the system does not need to be suitable to large data transmissions. Furthermore, because the management device stores the file management information, the storage capacity required by the management device is small.
US08032554B2	Stream data processing method and system Stream data is provided for realizing precise calculation processing to keep a constant memory usage of a query including a time-based window, and to take all of input data into consideration. A stream data processing server sections the time-based window into sub-windows each with a smaller width by a query time resolution change unit, and a query processing engine executes the aggregation processing based on the sub-window when receiving the stream data to generate an aggregation tuple, and calculates the calculation result of the query including the time-based window by aggregation processing on the aggregation tuple.
US08032552B2	Virtual private supply chain A generic Internet based system for viewing supply chain data is provided. The system includes an Internet based data viewing engine and a data store that holds both viewable data and metadata associated with the viewable data. The metadata can be employed by the Internet based data viewing engine to control the presentation of the viewable data. The generic Internet based supply chain data viewing engine may be employed in a virtual private supply chain (VPSC). A VPSC includes a data acceptor that can receive supply chain data items from supply chain members, a supply chain data store that can store transformed, validated supply chain data items received from the supply chain members and a data accessor operable to selectively present supply chain data items stored in the supply chain data store to viewing supply chain members. One example of the data accessor is the generic Internet based viewing engine.
US08032550B2	Federated document search by keywords A method and system stores search indices across multiple storage locations, and uses the search indices to conduct a document search. In one embodiment, a server receives a search request that includes a keyword. The server hashes the keyword with multiple hash functions to obtain a sequence of hash values, which are used to index a chain of search indices. Each hash value points to an entry of a corresponding search index in the chain. If a search index is not the last index in the chain, the entry provides a reference to the location at which a next search index in the chain can be found. If a search index is the last index in the chain, the entry includes or points to identifiers of documents that contain the keyword in the search request. The documents can be retrieved from document repositories using the identifiers.
US08032543B2	Sorting apparatus and method A sorting apparatus and method for sorting units into a unit storage structure in accordance with a pre-determined order, the sorting apparatus comprising a unit search structure containing a record of units in the unit storage structure, and a unit location pointer structure containing location pointers for units in the unit storage structure, wherein the sorting apparatus receives a unit being sorted, the unit search structure reads the unit being sorted, uses its record of units in the unit storage structure to search for a closest matching unit to the unit being sorted, accesses the unit location pointer structure and retrieves a location pointer for the closest matching unit, and the sorting apparatus uses the location pointer of the closest matching unit to access the unit storage structure and to place the unit being sorted into the unit storage structure in an appropriate position in accordance with the pre-determined order.
US08032539B2	Method and apparatus for semantic assisted rating of multimedia content The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for assisting in rating and filtering multimedia content, such as images, videos and sound recordings. One embodiment comprises a computer implemented method for rating the objectionability of specified digital content that comprises one or more discrete content items, wherein the method includes the step of moving the specified content to one or more filtering stages in a succession of filtering stages. After the specified content is moved to a given one of the filtering stages, a rating procedure is carried out to determine whether a rating can be applied to one or more of the content items, and if so, a selected rating is applied to each of the one or more content items. The method further comprises moving content items of the specified content to the next stage in the succession after the given stage, when at least one content item of the specified content remains without rating, after the rating procedure at the given stage. When none of the content items of the specified content remains without a rating after the rating procedure has been completed at the given stage, ratings that have been respectively applied to at least some of the content items are selectively processed, in order to determine an overall objectionability rating for the specified content.
US08032538B2	Information processing device, content title display method, and content title display program A client terminal displays the titles of downloaded music data such that these titles are classified by albums based on the album identification information associated with each music data and arranged in an order indicated by the recording order information which is associated with each music data.
US08032526B2	Recommendation information generation apparatus and recommendation information generation method A recommendation information generation apparatus and a recommendation information generation method that can select a similar user appropriately even if the amount of history information is small. In an information distribution server, a user characteristic vector calculation unit calculates a user characteristic vector of each of users, and a similar user calculation unit calculates the degree of similarity between the users based on the calculated user characteristic vector of each of the users. The similar user calculation unit then selects a similar user who is similar to a first user based on the calculated degree of similarity. A relevance evaluation unit generates recommendation information for the first user based on the characteristic vector of the selected similar user.
US08032517B2	Method for the automatic evaluation of the similarity of two character strings that are stored in a computer The invention describes a computer-aided method for automatically valuating the similarity of two character strings which are stored in a computer or to which the computer has access via an interface. First of all, associations which are present in the character strings are sought using a specification stored in the computer. The sought associations are then valuated using a first rule stored in the computer, with cohesive associations—subsequently also referred to as association strings—being given a higher valuation for the similarity of the character strings than non-cohesive associations. Finally, a second rule stored in the computer is used to derive a value, particularly a numerical value, from the valuation of the sought associations as a measure of the similarity of the two character strings.
US08032515B2	Information repository search system A computerized method and system for compiling and presenting popular searches in an information repository are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a number of search criteria from one or more users, respectively. The search criteria may be applied to a common information repository. Source and category information may be associated with each search criteria. The category information may identify a category of a number of categories into which information in the common information repository may be categorized. The source information may identify a source of a number of sources via which the search criteria are receivable. Each search criteria may be stored in association with the source and the category information.
US08032512B1	Generating sitemap where last modified time is not available to a network crawler Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating a sitemap where a last modified time of website content is not available to a network crawler. A sitemap generator determines that a file has a previously stored version number, compares a current version number of the file to the previously stored version number of the file, generates a sitemap having an entry corresponding to the file if the current version number of the file is changed from the previously stored version number, and assigns a new last modified time to a last modified time value for the entry wherein an actual last modified time of the file is not available. A search engine receives the sitemap, determines that the entry was previously indexed at a time before the last modified time value, and accesses file information associated with the file to update an index with the file information.
US08032511B1	System and method for presenting categorized content on a site using programmatic and manual selection of content items Embodiments provide for the creation of network pages or presentations that include pages on which programmatically selected/categorized content and manually-identified content from website users may be combined and displayed.
US08032507B1	Similarity-based searching Pairs of similar objects in a population of objects can be found using a process that includes identifying a comparison vector x in a set of vectors having non-zero features, determining an estimated similarity contribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector x to a similarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set of vectors, generating an index that includes features based on a comparison of the similarity contribution with a similarity threshold, and identifying another vector in the set that is similar to the vector x using the index.
US08032503B2	Deferred maintenance of sparse join indexes A system and method include defining a snapshot join index using a sparse condition in a join index definition. A new sparse condition of the snapshot join index is compared with an old sparse condition. Rows in a base table are identified as a function of the comparing, and the join index table is updated using the identified rows.
US08032495B2	Index compression Compressing and decompressing compressed index lists. One or more index lists include at least a portion of the list that is compressed. A method includes reading an entry from a list. The method further includes determining that the entry indicates the start of a compressed block of the list. The compressed block is compressed using a compression algorithm including a plurality of delta pointers. Each of the delta pointers point to data store entries by reference to a difference from a reference in a previous entry in the list. An entry size indicator is referenced. The entry size indicator is configured to indicate a memory storage size for a delta pointer, and the entry size indicator supports indications for all of fixed storage sizes, variable storage sizes, and run length encoding. The compressed block of the list is decompressed according to the entry size indicator.
US08032493B2	System and method of obtaining interrelated data in a database A system and method are provided for obtaining interrelated data for a database. The method can include the operation of calculating a data row set for a driving table in the database using at least one archive policy. A further operation is obtaining explicit and implicit application relationships between a second level table and the driving table. The driving table can be linked to the second level table to identify data rows eligible for archiving in the second level table. In addition, partition identifiers can be copied from the driving table rows to the second level table data rows in order to enable merging of application partitions as needed. Additional data rows can be found in the driving table based on the application relationship between the second level table and the driving table. The data rows collected from the tables can be archived.
US08032485B2	Rapid caching and data delivery system and method The initial systems analysis of a new data source fully defines each data element and also designs, tests and encodes complete data integration instructions for each data element. A metadata cache stores the data element definition and data element integration instructions. The metadata cache enables a comprehensive view of data elements in an enterprise data architecture. When data is requested that includes data elements defined in a metadata cache, the metadata cache and associated software modules automatically generate database elements to fully integrate the requested data elements into existing databases.
US08032482B2	Method, system, and apparatus for providing a document preview A method and apparatus are provided for generating a document preview. According to the method, a preview handler provides an interface to one or more previewers. The previewers are software components capable of generating a visual preview for one or more document types. In response to a request from a host application to generate a preview for a document, the preview handler is operative to identify the appropriate previewer for generating a preview for the document. The preview handler may then call the previewer and instruct the previewer to load the document and to show the preview in a sub-window of a window provided by the calling host application.
US08032472B2	Intelligent agent for distributed services for mobile devices Mobile devices, mobile device systems and methods applying to mobile devices are provided that employ intelligent agents in combination with a wide array of remote utilities and information sources to facilitate improving a mobile device user's experience. By collecting contextual information from numerous information sources related to the mobile device user's context, more accurate and optimized determinations and/or inferences are formed relating to which remote utilities to make available to the mobile device user. This facilitates less confusion for the user in selecting desired mobile device content, services, and/or applications. The devices, systems, and methodologies also provide for an improved user experience in an open remote utility provider model.
US08032468B2	Identifying and recommending potential uses of computing systems based on their patterns of use Techniques for identifying potential uses of computing systems are disclosed. A potential use of a computing system can be identified by considering the context that effectively represents a situation for the computing system and further considering a known situation to be a match for the situation. As such, a potential state of use of the computing system can be identified based on one or more known states of use of the computing system. A matching situation can, for example, be determined, based on pattern of use data that effectively associates a state of use with a situation in which the use may or has occurred. Identifying a potential state of use, among other things, allows making various applications, tasks, and/or services more accessible and/or effectively recommending what is likely to be used for a given situation without requiring supervised training or direct feedback from a user.
US08032466B2	System, method, and computer readable medium for micropayment with varying denomination A system, a method, and a computer readable medium for micropayment with varying denomination are disclosed. The method utilizes a secret value, a public information, a number base parameter, a bit parameter, and merged one-way hash chains to calculate a root for providing a certificate of a transaction among a customer, a merchant and a service device. Therefore, the purpose of varying denomination for micropayment system can be achieved and the trade safety and the efficiency during the transaction process can be enhanced as well.
US08032463B2	Method and apparatus for increasing charitable donations by providing instantaneous donor recognition Charitable donations are increased by automatically providing immediate on-line recognition of on-line donors. A list of donors is maintained on a Web page acknowledging the on-line contributions. Donor names on the list can be links to additional information about the donation or the donor. Information about donor and donation is entered by the donor, who can specify what information is to be published on the Web and what information is to remain unpublished. The donor list can be arranged in order of donation size, and donors can compete for position on the list. The donor information can indicate membership in a group, and donations can also be totaled by group to encourage donation competition between groups.
US08032453B2	Method and system for notifying customers of transaction opportunities A standalone notification system, including a notification server which generates electronic messages for alerting customers of potentially fraudulent activity on one or more of their financial accounts. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the notification system may be used to forward transaction code(s) to customers for verification of a request for high risk transaction(s) with respect to a customer's financial account. The transaction code is generated in response to a high risk transaction request and sent to through an identified customer notification means, e.g., e-mail, short message service (“SMS”), facsimile, mobile phone, telephone, etc. The customer must enter the transaction code within a predetermined amount of time in order to verify the high-risk transaction request.
US08032450B2	Loan commitment system and method The processing of loans techniques includes a system, and a method. In some embodiments, the system includes a processor, a machine readable storage media, a committing logic, and a user interface. The committing logic is configured to permit a seller of a plurality of mortgage loans to enter into and update commitments to sell the plurality of mortgage loans in secondary mortgage market. The user interface logic is configured to provide an Internet-enabled interface to permit the seller to access the committing logic and to receive the commitments to sell the plurality of mortgage loans by way of the Internet. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08032438B1	Method and system for automating fraud authorization strategies According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for automatically implementing a fraud strategy may involve identifying transaction data related to a customer transaction based on a payment instrument; automatically identifying a pattern based on one or more factors associated with a customer spending profile; identifying a potential fraud situation based on the identified pattern and the transaction data; executing an action for the potential fraud situation; and adjusting authorized use of the payment instrument.
US08032437B2	System and method for displaying trading data A system and method are provided for presenting trading information. One example method includes displaying a plurality of effective trade indicators corresponding to price levels at which effective trades have been initiated, and displaying trading information corresponding to each effective trade. The effective trades can be determined based on user-configured trade definitions. The trading information can include a traded quantity and profit/loss corresponding to each effective trade. In addition to the trading information, current market information could be displayed as well in relation to the plurality of effective trades.
US08032434B2	Systems and methods for issuing and maintaining a bond According to some embodiments, a bond is issued to an investor in exchange for value. The bond may be, for example, a tax-free municipal bond associated with (i) a spread to a pre-determined index, (ii) a nominal maturity date, (iii) an initial mandatory tender date prior to the nominal maturity date, and/or (iv) an option for the investor to extend the initial mandatory tender date during an initial decision period. According to some embodiments an indication is received, during the initial decision period, indicating that the investor will extend the initial mandatory tender date. It may then be arranged for the initial mandatory tender date to be extended such that the bond will be associated with a subsequent option for the investor to extend an extended tender date during a subsequent decision period.
US08032432B2	System and method for tracking a billing cycle A system for tracking a billing cycle in a billing system includes a data tracking engine and a rule-based engine. The rule-based engine retrieves information from the billing system during the billing cycle based on a set of rules, and provides the data to the data tracking engine. The data tracking engine generates status information and reports based on the data. The status information and reports can be accessed via a web client to monitor the billing cycle. Additionally, the rule-based engine identifies events in the billing cycle and generates a notification to alert a person if the event is not successfully completed according to a billing schedule. The notification can be accessed via a web client or a wireless communications device. The rule-based engine can subsequently issue an escalated notification to alert another user if the event has not successfully completed at a later time.
US08032426B2	Automated system for managing baby care products A computer-based online system for managing a plurality of registries of baby care product selections, where each of the plurality of registries is uniquely associated with a respective one of a plurality of users, and where each baby care product selection corresponds to a baby care product selected at the online system or one of a plurality of retailers, includes a database to electronically store data records corresponding to the plurality of registries, and an application server communicatively coupled to the database. The application server includes a baby care product selector to automatically process a request to add a baby care product selection to a specified one of the plurality of registries, and update at least one data record in the database in accordance with the request, wherein the request is automatically generated by an application running on a smart device; and a purchase manager to automatically process a purchase selection, where the purchase indication is associated with a selection of a certain baby care product included in the specified one of the plurality of registries for purchase by a participant.
US08032424B1	Method, system, and storage medium for viewing commodity information A request for information relating to a commodity is sent to a server using a client computer. The requested commodity information is received at the client computer and rendered on a display. A client action with respect to the commodity information is detected, and, using the client computer, a determination is made whether communication with the server is required to respond to the client action and, if the communication is not necessary, responding to the client action without communicating with the server regarding the response.
US08032422B2	Method of transacting pooled sales based on an accumulated time rate A method of transacting sales over a computerized network correlates in a first database record a first product and a plurality of first purchasers to form a pool; further correlates a plurality of second purchasers; issues an offer to a vendor of the first product; and consummates a transaction between the vendor and the first and second purchasers. The offer is issued to the vendor responsive to a time rate of accumulation of buyers in the pool. A first commitment price for buyers is responsive to historical sales performance of the first product; a price trend of an article similar to the first article; or a price trend of the first article itself over time. A second product desired to be purchased by a first purchaser is defined, and an offer is made to a vendor for the purchase of the second product.
US08032415B2	Immediate recognition of financial transactions Immediate recognition of deposits and other transactions may be provided by a financial institution for transactions conducted at a remote location. The financial institution may receive transaction data from a device at the remote location and immediately acknowledge the transaction and provide a non-provisional credit to an entity's account. The device may include various currency handling devices such as automatic teller machines (ATM), self-payment kiosks, cash registers and the like. A financial institution may further provide a real-time cash position of an entity across multiple currency handling devices of the entity.
US08032403B2	Method and system for assigning staff as a service in a service network within a component business model architecture A method and system using a component business model (CBM) architecture provides a staff assignment service to an enterprise. A staff assignment scenario is described in terms of business components in a CBM architecture of the enterprise, the applicable business components forming a staffing service network. For each business component in the staffing service network, functionalities supporting the scenario are identified, and collaborative links among the business components are established, sufficient to enable the service functionalities within the staffing service network to operate so as to assign staff to a project of the enterprise. The staff assignment service is adapted dynamically by repetition of this technique as new scenarios are developed.
US08032399B2	Treatment regimen compliance and efficacy with feedback A method and system for interaction with a community of individuals, relating to compliance with and effectiveness of treatment regimens, including supply and use of pharmaceuticals, using a protocol or other intelligent message which acts in place of a service provider and which is capable of collecting or imparting information to patients in place thereof. Individuals interact with the protocol or intelligent message to provide assistance in all aspects of treatment regimen compliance, data collection, supply or delivery, review and modification.
US08032388B1	Dynamic selection of supported audio sampling rates for playback A source sampling rate is associated with first or second groups of sampling rates. A playback rate is determined by: (a) selecting the source sampling rate if the source sampling rate is supported by a playback environment; (b) otherwise if there is a highest first rate from the first or second groups of playback sampling rates which is supported by the playback environment and is lower than the source sampling rate, selecting the first rate; (c) otherwise if there is a slowest second rate from the group that the source sampling rate is associated with that is supported by the playback environment and is higher than the source sampling rate, selecting the second rate; (d) otherwise selecting the slowest sampling rate supported by the playback environment from the group that the source sampling rate is not associated with as the playback rate.
US08032386B2	Apparatus and method of processing an audio signal In one embodiment, the method includes receiving the audio signal including at least one block of audio data and configuration information, and reading coding type information and partitioning information from the configuration information. The coding type information indicates an entropy coding scheme used in encoding the audio signal, and the partitioning information indicates a sub-block partition scheme by which the block is divided into sub-blocks. Sub-block information is read from the block of audio data, and the sub-block information indicates a number of the sub-blocks into which the block is partitioned given the sub-block partitioning scheme. The number of the sub-blocks is determined based on the entropy coding scheme and the sub-block partition scheme. The partitioned sub-blocks are decoded based on the entropy coding scheme.
US08032382B2	Information processing apparatus and information processing method An apparatus and method for speech information processing includes detecting a first operation of a speech processing start instruction element, controlling a display so that speech recognition information is displayed in response to the detection of the first operation, detecting a second operation of the speech processing start instruction element, acquiring speech information in response to detection of the second operation, and performing speech recognition processing on the speech information.
US08032380B2	Method of accessing a dial-up service A method of accessing a dial-up service is disclosed. An example method of providing access to a service includes receiving a first speech signal from a user to form a first utterance; recognizing the first utterance using speaker independent speaker recognition; requesting the user to enter a personal identification number; and when the personal identification number is valid, receiving a second speech signal to form a second utterance and providing access to the service.
US08032376B1	Personalized electronic greeting card and associated method An electronic greeting card for recording and playing back a personalized message includes a bifurcated card with first and second coextensively shaped sections pivotally coupled to each other. The device further includes a mechanism for recording and playing back a one-time personalized message associated with the greeting card, and a mechanism for adapting the recording and playback mechanism between inoperable and operable modes for allowing a sender to record the one-time personalized message on the recording and playback device and thereafter allowing a recipient to repeatedly play back the one-time personalized message.
US08032364B1	Distortion measurement for noise suppression system The present technology measures distortion introduced by a noise suppression system. The distortion may be measured as the difference between a noise-reduced speech signal and an estimated idealized noise reduced reference (EINRR). The EINRR may be determined from a speech component and noise component that are pre-processed, and the EINRR may be used with masks associated with energies lost and added in the speech component and noise component. The EINRR may be calculated on a time varying basis.
US08032361B2	Audio processing apparatus and method for processing two sampled audio signals to detect a temporal position An audio processing apparatus for processing two sampled audio signals to detect a temporal position of one of the audio signals with respect to the other. The apparatus detects audio power characteristics of each signal in respect of successive continuous temporal portions of each of the two signals, the portions having identical lengths and each portion including at least two audio samples, and correlates the detected audio power characteristics in respect of the two audio signals to establish a most likely temporal offset between the two audio signals.
US08032357B2	Phonetic input using a keypad A keypad is used to enter complex characters using a phonetic input method editor (IME). The user may enter complex characters by combining consonants, vowels, mid-vowels and tones by selecting keys on a the keypad instead of using a full size keyboard. Instead of a one-to-one mapping between the symbols and keys on a full size keyboard, multiple symbols are assigned to single keys on the keypad. For example, on a keypad having ten keys an average of four phonetic symbols are mapped to each of the ten keys on the keypad. The phonetic symbols are applied to the keypad in layers. For example, the symbols may be may be mapped to a consonant layer; a middle vowels+vowels layer; a vowels layer and a tone layer. Phonetic symbols with similar readings may also be mapped to the same key.
US08032350B2	Techniques for generating and simulating a simulatable vector having amplitude noise and/or timing jitter added thereto Methods for generating realistic waveform vectors with controllable amplitude noise and timing jitter, simulatable in a computer-based simulation environment are disclosed. In one implementation, a transition vector is created from a sequence of bits having a rise time and a fall time, in which the transition vector comprises voltage values at timings corresponding to midpoints of transitions in the bit sequence. A jittered transition vector is created from the transition vector, in which the timing of the transitions in the jittered transition vector include timing jitter. An upscaled jittered transition vector is then formed having additional points, in which at least some of the additional points comprise corners of the sequence of bits. The voltages of the additional points are set by the sequence of bits, and the timing of the corners are set in accordance with the rise time and the fall time. Although this resulting vector can be simulated, this vector can also be re-sampled to produce a new simulatable vector in which the voltages are separated by a constant time step.
US08032347B2	Methods and apparatus for protein sequence analysis Apparatus, methods, media, signals and data structures for protein sequence analysis are disclosed. A method includes identifying, from among a first group of aligned protein sequences having at least a threshold degree of alignment with a first protein sequence, a second group of at least one of the aligned sequences having at least one insertion or deletion (“indel”) relative to the first protein sequence satisfying a predefined condition. The apparatus may include a processor circuit configured to carry out the method.
US08032344B2	Method of setting parameter in method of detecting decreased pneumatic pressure A method of setting a parameter in a method of detecting a decreased tire air pressure for detecting a decreased tire air pressure based on a wheel rotational speed obtained from tires attached to a four-wheel driving vehicle. The method includes a vehicle model preparation step of preparing a vehicle model including a suspension member; a tire model preparation step of preparing a tire model; a step of inputting a friction coefficient between a tire and a road surface; and a simulation step of performing a running simulation of the vehicle model attached with the tire model. A determination parameter for determining whether the tire has a decreased air pressure or not is set based on wheel rotational speeds of the tires of the respective four wheels obtained in the simulation step.
US08032337B2	Method for modeling customized earpieces The present invention relates to a method for computer-controlled modelling of customised earpieces. These earpieces include housings for hearing aids, wireless or connected communication devices (headsets, mobile phones, personal agents), loud speakers, tinnitus masking devices, devices recording vibrations in the skull and transforming these into audio signals, voice recognition devices, earplugs, noise blockers with selective frequencies or sound levels, Man Machine Interface (MMI) products that enable clear communication even in the noisiest environments, or products related to wireless Internet applications. All these earpieces may be worn in the user's meatus and/or auditory canal. The invention also relates to a computerised system for manufacturing such customised earpieces. In particular, the invention is directed to a computerised system that models an earpiece based on a three-dimensional replica of the user's meatus and/or auditory canal.
US08032335B2	Evaluating magnetic resonance spectra Provided are methods, systems and computer program products evaluating magnetic resonance (MR) signals from a sample. The methods and systems can be used to evaluate MR signals from various constituents (e.g., metabolites, macromolecules) of the sample.
US08032331B2	Detection of airflow anomalies in electronic equipment Thermal diagnostic systems and methods are provided for improved detection of airflow anomalies in a computer system. In particular, processor load is selectively increased to amplify the effects caused by any airflow anomaly that may be present in the computer system. Workload migration may be used to shift processor load from another node to a target node. Artificial load may also be generated on the target node. The processor load increased to a level sufficient that an airflow anomaly would cause a detectable temperature difference at the selected node. The processor load may be increased by an amount computed to generate this detectable temperature difference. Alternatively, the processor load may be increased by a predetermined amount of between 40% and 100% of full processor utilization. While at the increased processor load, actual temperature sensed by temperature sensors may be compared to temperatures predicted from the model to detect the presence or absence of an airflow anomaly.
US08032324B1	Interactive controller device A method and system for an interactive controller device comprising a two axis sensor in combination with one or more other sensors for hand-held devices operated in mid-air. A time sequence of measurements in three linearly independent directions is used to extract the angles of rotation around one or more distinct axes. A method is disclosed to approximately determine a transformation matrix, T, of a device orientation from a sequence of single vector measurements as a combination of rotations about specified axes. Calculated rotation angles can then be used to calculate changes in a controller or pointer position and a rate change thereof.
US08032321B2	Multi-layered biosensor encoding systems A biosensor system determines the presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a sample using one or more calibrated correlation equations. The analysis may be electrochemical, optical, or a combination thereof. The biosensor system may be implemented using a measurement device and a sensor strip. The measurement device applies test signals to a multi-layered encoding area of the sensor strip. Calibration information is determined from the patterns generated by the interaction of the test signals with the multi-layered encoding area.
US08032309B2	Method for identifying motifs and/or combinations of motifs having a boolean state of predetermined mutation in a set of sequences and its application A method for identifying a motif or a combination of motifs having a Boolean state of predetermined mutations in a set of sequences including a) aligning a set of sequences of ordered motifs represented by a single-character code, b) comparing a reference sequence with the set of sequences aligned in step (a), c) identifying motifs not having mutated simultaneously or motifs having mutated simultaneously at least once on at least one sequence of the set and not having mutated on another sequence of the set.
US08032308B2	Modeling lung cancer survival probability after or side-effects from therapy Modeling of prognosis of survivability, side-effect, or both is provided. For example, RILI is predicted using bullae information. The amount, volume or ratio of Bullae, even alone, may indicate the likelihood of complication, such as the likelihood of significant (e.g., stage 3) pneumonitis. As another example, RILI is predicted using uptake values of an imaging agent. Standardized uptake from a functional image (e.g., FDG uptake from a positron emission image), alone or in combination with other features, may indicate the likelihood of side-effect. In another example, survivability, such as two-year survivability, is predicted using blood biomarkers. The characteristics of a patient's blood may be measured and, alone or in combination with other features, may indicate the likelihood of survival. The modeling may be for survivability, side-effect, or both and may use one or more of the blood biomarker, uptake value, and bullae features.
US08032306B2	Computerized system and method for documenting patient vital signs during blood product administration and transfusion A computerized system and method for processing patient vital signs during blood product administration in a computerized healthcare environment is provided. A blood product to be administered to a patient is identified. The patient is identified. Vital signs for the patient are received during blood product administration by a healthcare provider and automatically, without user intervention, the vital signs for the patient are documented in a database.
US08032295B2	Pressure-maintaining function in a fully hybrid drive A method for maintaining and/or adjusting a system pressure in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, in which the internal combustion engine is a part of an hybrid power train, which includes in addition at least one further drive. A system pressure in a reservoir element of the fuel injection system is monitored using a pressure sensor. In operating modes in which the internal combustion engine is shut down and/or is separated from the hybrid power train, the maintaining or the adjusting of the system pressure takes place via a pressure-regulating valve. The activation of the pressure-regulating valve takes place directly or indirectly via a control unit or a vehicle control unit or a clutch control unit.
US08032292B2	Electrical ignition method for internal combustion engines An ignition procedure for internal combustion engines using multiple coils of a generator coupled to and turning synchronously with the engine. A magnetic field flows through the coils and generates a sequence of alternating current half waves induced in the coils. The half waves are used for: (1) charging an energy storage element that is discharged by an ignition switch via the primary coil winding for triggering an ignition spark; (2) processing via a control device for activating the ignition switch at an ignition time in dependence on the processed alternating current half waves and/or on the state of the internal combustion engine; and (3) the power supply for the control device (U8), and an operating mode for switching combustion off for the engine, whereby by means of the control device, the ignition switch is guided over less than the time span that is needed for a complete revolution of the magnetic generator.
US08032286B2	Irradiating direction control system for a vehicle lamp A system for controlling an irradiating direction of a vehicle lamp includes a target swivel angle calculating section to calculate a target swivel angle based on a vehicle steering angle, a swivel driver to execute, based on the target swivel angle, a swivel control to swivel the irradiating direction, and a fail-safe controller to execute, upon detection of a failure in the system, a fail-safe operation to stop the swivel control. When the system is restored after the failure, the fail-safe controller determines whether the target swivel angle is within a straight-ahead range that includes an angle corresponding to a straight-ahead direction of a vehicle. If the fail-safe controller determines that the target swivel angle is within the straight-ahead range, the fail-safe controller deactivates the fail-safe operation to restart the swivel control.
US08032281B2	Vehicle control system with advanced tire monitoring A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a roadway surface condition estimation value as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. The roadway surface condition estimation value is transmitted to a suspension control system (33) to adjust the vehicle suspension characteristics in response to the roadway surface condition estimation value.
US08032276B2	Apparatus and method for optimally recording geographical position data The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimally recording or transmitting positional data and events of an object, said apparatus including input means to continuously provide positional data to a microprocessor and a memory device to store selected positional data wherein the microprocessor is programmed to compares new positional data from said input means to previously recorded log of positional data and creates a new log if the new positional data differs from the previously recorded log in accordance with pre-determined parameters.
US08032274B2	Diagnostic system for automatic transmission A diagnostic system for an automatic transmission is provided in which a microcomputer determines that torque that can drive the driving wheels of the vehicle is not transmitted to an output shaft of the automatic transmission when the vehicle is stopped and the ignition key is operated to the OFF position, and performs forced energization of solenoids of solenoid valves associated with respective friction devices of the transmission, while monitoring current passing through the solenoid valves. If the current monitored does not match the current for energizing any of the solenoids, the microcomputer determines that the corresponding solenoid valve is at fault. Thus, the diagnostic system appropriately determines the presence of a fault of each solenoid valve for controlling the hydraulic pressure to each friction device, with increased flexibility and freedom.
US08032273B2	Section overspeed warning apparatus and system In a section overspeed regulating method of determining whether a vehicle overspeeds on the basis of whether an average speed of the vehicle in a regulation section exceeds a speed limit, the section overspeed warning apparatus and system determine whether the current speed of the vehicle traveling on a regulation section exceeds the speed limit, and warn a driver. Whether the speed of the vehicle traveling on the regulation section exceeds the speed limit of the section is determined depending on a travel distance from a starting position of the regulation section to a current position of the vehicle, a travel time taken for the vehicle to travel by the travel distance, and a remaining distance from the current position of the vehicle to an end position of the regulation section. If it is determined that the current position of the vehicle will exceed the speed limit of the section, overspeed warning messages are output in the form of text, voice, or warning sound. Further, the section overspeed warning apparatus and system recommend the maximum speed, which allows the vehicle not to violate the speed limit of the section at the current position, to a driver as a recommended speed.
US08032266B2	Method for selecting aircraft access point into a lateral free evolution area This method facilitates the joining, by an aircraft, of a secure zone, without constraint of deployment in the horizontal plane, in particular when the latter is threatened by a risk of collision with the ground or by a risk of penetration into a forbidden zone which cannot be resolved by a purely vertical avoidance maneuver. It consists in selecting a point for joining a zone of free lateral deployment by means of a criterion of minimum cost of the initial maneuver of turning at the start of the trajectory for joining the possible points of access to the zones of free lateral deployment.
US08032251B2	Control panel for hot beverage dispensing machines A control panel for automatic beverage machines includes a touch screen that visually represents icons saved in a memory unit as the displayed basic setting as a first selector mechanism used for choosing a desired beverage and by which a predetermined preparation process is triggered. The steps of the selected beverage preparation process may be visually represented on the touch screen. Alternatively, the touch screen is used as a second selector mechanism for choosing a desired preparation setting after a beverage is chosen by actuating the first selector mechanism. When a preparation setting is selected, the touch screen displays the icon for the selected beverage in addition to setting key icons that allow an operator to select and save a desired setting.
US08032247B1	Fabric selection and performance matching Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for fabric selection and performance matching. The method includes selecting a fabric combination from a set of different constructions and materials, the selection being made on a basis of predetermined characteristics of fabric performance and comfort required to meet specified parameters of conditions and manner of use.
US08032246B2	Winding method for uniform properties A winding procedure has been developed that results in substantially uniform material properties from the outside diameter to the core of a wound roll of elastomeric webs produced by vertical film lamination (VFL) or stretch bond lamination (SBL) or as registered film. The web material is wound onto the roll in accordance with a wound on tension (WOT) profile that varies with the diameter of the wound web in a manner that was calculated using WOT transposition that is based on a modified version of Hakiel's nonlinear model for wound roll stresses. A constant WOT winding profile is corrected to obtain a compensated WOT winding profile that can be employed to wind the material into a roll that exhibits properties (including MD stress in the web) that are substantially uniform thru-roll. This resulting controlled winding technique has immediate application for webs that are converted for child care products, adult care products, and infant care products.
US08032244B2	Method and system for concrete quality control based on the concrete's maturity A method and system for controlling and monitoring the quality of concrete based on the concrete's maturity (which is a function of its time-temperature profile, or temperature history). Five different applications or embodiments of the present invention are discussed, namely, Enhanced Maturity, Moisture-Loss Maturity, Improved Maturity, SPC Maturity, Loggers, Readers, and Software. Enhanced Maturity involves a maturity calibration method to account for the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio, air content, and gross unit weight of the concrete. Moisture-Loss Maturity is a method for determining the appropriate time to terminate moisture-loss protection of concrete and concrete structures. Improved Maturity is a method and system for determining the strength of curing concrete using improved maturity calculations. SPC Maturity is a method that beneficially couples maturity measurements and calculations with Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods to enable rapid recognition of changes to the concrete mix and/or incompatibilities between the various components of the concrete mix. Loggers, Readers, and Software represent the preferred embodiment for automating and simplifying the implementations of Enhanced Maturity, Moisture-Loss Maturity, Improved Maturity, and SPC Maturity.
US08032242B2	Mixing system and format conversion device and method therefor One format converter connected to a mixer and another format converter connected to a head amplifier are interconnected via a single control/audio communication line. Each of the format converters includes a communication interface, control signal interface, audio signal interface, and a control section. The control section converts control data and audio data into data compliant with the EtherSound (registered trademark) that allows the control data and audio data to be transmitted over a single physical cable, and then it transmits, over the physical cable, the converted data from the communication interface to the other format converter.
US08032237B2	Correction signal capable of diminishing a future change to an output signal This document describes a correction signal usable to correct an effect of a disturbance signal on a controlled system or apparatus. In one case this document describes ways in which to diminish a future change to an output signal based on determining that a disturbance signal consistently precedes the future change.
US08032233B2	Method and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by an electric utility A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. In one embodiment, the power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command or instruction to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device.
US08032226B2	User profile backup system for an infusion pump device Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can include a controller device that communicates with a pump device, the pump device having a memory device. The controller device can be configured to record controller-related data, such as user profile data on the memory device of the pump device. This user profile data that is stored in the memory of the pump device can serves as a data backup system that permits the user to program a new controller device in a situation where the original controller device is lost or damaged. In addition or in the alternative, the controller device can be configured to receive controller-related data, such as software update programs or backup controller data, from the memory device of the pump device.
US08032220B2	Method of implanting microdevice with extended lead and remote electrode An implantable microdevice includes at least one electrode detachably connected to electronic circuitry housed in an hermetically-sealed micro housing. The micro housing has a length no more than about 10 mm. In one embodiment, the electrode is located at a distal end of an electrode lead, and a proximal end of the electrode lead is removably inserted into a connector that forms part of the micro housing.
US08032203B2	Method and medical imaging system for acquisition of image data by using a pacemaker signal to control the imaging system The invention relates to a method and a medical imaging system for acquisition of image data of the heart using a medical imaging procedure during an intervention on the heart, while the heart is stimulated by a pacing signal from an external heart pacemaker, the acquisition and/or reconstruction of the image data being controlled, in particular triggered, by the pacing signal.
US08032185B2	Operation mode conversion device, mobile communication terminal having the operation mode conversion device and method for converting operation mode using the same An operation mode conversion device, a mobile communication terminal having the same and a method for converting the operation mode are provided. According to an embodiment, a user interface element is provided with an input unit configured to generate a signal to switch a current operation mode to a selected operation mode upon being pressed by a user, the selected operation mode being set with respect to a position on the input unit, and a display area is located at a central portion of the input unit, the display area being configured to output information about the selected operation mode. The user can quickly perform menu navigation to convert the operation mode as desired, the information about the converted operation mode is conveniently viewed, and the overall size of the mobile phone can be minimized.
US08032180B2	Broadcast reception method and apparatus A digital broadcast reception method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) including a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM stores files associated with a digital broadcast service and a mobile equipment for executing a broadcast application using the files. The method and apparatus eliminates previously required cumbersome user manipulation receiving a pay program by storing the application and files associated with the digital broadcast service.
US08032179B2	System and method for making and receiving cellular telephone calls at a wired analog telephone device A cellular telephone docking station is provided and includes a semiconductor device that has a processor and a memory device that is coupled to the processor. An identification device is coupled to the semiconductor device and the identification device includes a docking station identification. The cellular telephone docking station also includes a cellular telephone cradle that is coupled to the identification device. Further, a computer program is embedded within the memory. The computer program includes instructions to verify that a cellular telephone identification matches the docking station identification. Additionally, the computer program includes instructions to transfer a cellular telephone service associated with the cellular telephone to the docking station. The computer program also includes instructions to disable the cellular telephone.
US08032178B2	Mobile terminal The present invention relates to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal comprises a first body, a first key button part disposed on a front surface of the first body, a second body rotatable connected to the first body such that the second body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the first body, a display disposed on a front surface of the second body, a camera disposed on a rear surface of the first body, and a sliding cover slidably connected to the first body. When the sliding cover is in a closed state, the first key button part and the camera are covered by the sliding cover, and when the sliding cover is in an opened state, the first key button part and the camera are exposed.
US08032176B2	Method and apparatus for exchanging content over distinct wireless access technologies An apparatus and method are disclosed for exchanging content over distinct wireless access technologies. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode access network server (MANS) (102) having a controller that manages operations of a communications interface that communicates with multimode communication devices (MCDs) in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from an MCD status information associated with a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs), each WAP operating according to a disparate wireless access technology, and determine with the MCD a coordination plan for transmitting partitioned content by way of at least two of the WAPs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08032171B2	Transmission power control method, radio base station, and radio network control station The present invention enables to reduce deterioration in an uplink capacity due to a transmission power of an E-DPCCH, by setting, at the radio network controller, a suitable transmission power offset depending on a situation. A transmission power control method according to the present invention includes: measuring, at the radio base station, a reception quality of the enhanced dedicated physical control channel; notifying, from the radio base station to a radio network controller, the measured reception quality of the enhanced dedicated physical control channel; setting, at the radio network controller, a transmission power offset for the enhanced dedicated physical control channel to a dedicated physical control channel, in accordance with the reception quality of the enhanced dedicated physical control channel; and notifying, from the radio network controller to the mobile station, the set transmission power offset.
US08032166B2	Wireless network location-based reference information The present invention provides a ‘411xx’ value added service to wireless users. The disclosed ‘411xx’ service allows a mobile user who may be unfamiliar with their current geographic location to nevertheless obtain quick, accurate, and current information relating to the geographic area, e.g., different services in their current location, stores, libraries, gas stations, etc., via a mobile terminated (MT) short message system (SMS) message. In addition to the traditional ‘4-1-1’ dialed digits, a mobile user would also dial a number (or numbers) representing a feature code for a particular service, e.g., nearby ATMs, or traffic information. Upon receiving a 411xx call, the MSC generates an ORREQ/TCAP trigger based on a translation of the requested service represented by the extra ‘xx’ digits. The 411xx call is terminated on the MSC after an audible whisper notice plays to the caller, e.g., “thank you for calling, your requested information will be sent momentarily”.
US08032162B2	Apparatus and method for transmission of messages to multiple recipients A method for transmitting a message containing both common content to be transmitted to a plurality of receiving mobile communication terminals and specific content to be transmitted to a specific receiving mobile communication terminal includes displaying, when in a message writing mode, a message writing window including a first writing area and a second writing area, writing messages in the first writing area and the second writing area, inputting a telephone number of the receiving mobile communication terminal to which the message written in the second writing area is to be transmitted, combining the messages written in the first writing area and in the second writing area, and transmitting the messages to the receiving mobile communication terminal.
US08032152B2	Method and system for creating a flexible GIS data collection network Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for creating a flexible Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, a data dictionary is assigned to a mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, the data dictionary comprises a definition of at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended to be recordable by the mobile electronic device. The method further comprises uploading the data dictionary onto the mobile electronic device.
US08032148B2	Method and system for wireless cellular indoor communications The invention relates to a method for wireless cellular indoor communications, the method comprising at least one base station connected to a cell management unit through a first digital connection interface, the cell management unit connected to at least one RF hub through a second digital connection interface, and the at least one RF hub connected to at least one remote radio head through a third digital connection interface, the at least one remote radio head providing service in a certain cell area inside a confined environment, and the cell management unit comprising means for providing efficient load balancing at and between base stations through adaptive cell reconfiguration; means for mapping carriers, time, frequency or time-frequency allocations to individual radio heads; means for alignment of individual delays accumulated on the digital connections between the cell management unit and each of the radio heads; means for synchronization of the signals between the cell management unit and the individual remote radio heads; and means for failure detection of the individual digital links between the cell management unit and the remote radio heads.
US08032144B2	Multi-carrier communication device and feedback information communication method A multicarrier communication apparatus that is capable of suppressing interference of feedback information with other channels and alleviating a reduction in an uplink capacity. In PL signal reception section (260) of this apparatus, PL signal extraction section (261) extracts pilot signals and reception quality measuring section (262) measures reception quality such as an SIR. Here, since pilot signals are included in respective subcarriers, reception quality measuring section (262) measures reception quality of subcarriers. FBSC determining section (270) determines a feedback information subcarrier based on the reception quality of subcarriers. More specifically, FBSC determining section (270) determines a subcarrier having the highest reception quality as a feedback information subcarrier. FBSC determining section (270) outputs information about the feedback information subcarrier (FBSC information) to control CH transmission section (110) and FB information reception section (250).
US08032142B2	Access point power control There is described a method of controlling a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising, within the basestation, autonomously and dynamically adapting a maximum value for a total transmit power of the basestation, such that interference between the basestation and other access points in the vicinity is minimized.
US08032135B1	System for transmitting wireless high-speed data signals between a terrestrial-based antenna and an aircraft A system and method for providing wireless high-speed data services for an aircraft. Wireless data signals can be received and transmitted by one or more directional antennae on the aircraft which can be dynamically directed to track one or more terrestrial-based antennae. The terrestrial-based antennae, for receiving and transmitting wireless data signals, are directional and can also be dynamically directed in order to track the aircraft.
US08032132B2	Remote management and analysis techniques in cellular and satellite radio networks Several system diagnostic and network management tools are disclosed that, as a primary goal, support the consumer's ability to self diagnose and solve an existing problem. A non-intrusive diagnostic tool is provided that exposes system parameters of a consumer system for remote analysis by qualified personnel. Important data parameters of a given radio receiver are preferably predetermined and gathered directly at the receiver. Then, they are uploaded via the Internet from a removable memory placed into an Internet terminal (e.g., PC), or through a temporary docking station connected to an Internet terminal. This leads toward quick and efficient problem resolution with a properly informed customer service representative that is crucial to enriching the consumer's experience. The data collected relating to relevant system parameters may be used by service providers to enhance or even in some cases enable services.
US08032131B2	Mobile phone network management systems A system for maintaining or optimizing a mobile phone network, the system includes a plurality of data feed inputs including at least one performance data feed input to receive performance data relating to performance of said mobile phone network over a first time period and at least one configuration data feed input to receive configuration data relating to configuration of said mobile phone network over a second time period; and a radio performance optimization system coupled to said plurality of data feed inputs, said radio performance optimization system including a rules engine to operate on said performance data and on said configuration data in accordance with a set of hierarchical rules and to output one or more tasks for network optimization, a said task including a definition of a potential fault, exception or optimization of said network to be investigated by a service engineer.
US08032124B2	Health-related opportunistic networking A wireless opportunistic network that can facilitate data transfer by way of interconnected devices is disclosed. In accordance with this opportunistic network, each of the devices effectively contributes to the transfer of the information thereby obviating the need for an external carrier. In this manner, the carrier infrastructure is embodied and distributed throughout the individual devices of the network. In a particular aspect, the opportunistic network is employed to transfer and make available health-related data. This functionality can be used in many scenarios related to heath from, monitoring patients and conveying basic diagnostic data to identifying bioterrorism by way of collaborating data between a number of devices within the network. Essentially, the innovation provides for at least two core functional ideas, the opportunistic network infrastructure and the use of the network in health related scenarios.
US08032116B2	Communication apparatus, portable terminal and communication control program A communication method, including: sending a response signal including terminal information to a portable terminal upon receiving an identification information request; accepting periodically a connection request from the portable terminal during a period not shorter than a second period and three-fold period not longer than the second period, for each period not shorter than the third period and not longer than three-fold period of the third period; establishing a wireless link with the portable terminal upon receiving the connection request; and controlling an execution apparatus for executing a predetermined operation after the link connection establishment unit has established the wireless link.
US08032113B2	Value added transaction gateway for video clips Users are allowed to download information from a cellular network, but are charged for the download. A part of the charge for the download goes to the creator of the information and download. A device determines how many downloads each user-created item has received. Also, a list is provided which displays to other users which are the most commonly downloaded elements.
US08032110B2	Mobile security device The security device contains at least a main unit with a number of wired external sensors and detectors. The main unit itself has built-in image capturing and motion detection capabilities that can be operated independently or to provide additional confirmation to the events detected by the external sensors and detectors. The main unit contains a radio transceiver member capable of conducting two-way, real-time and message-based, mobile communications via a mobile communication network. As such, whenever some abnormality is detected, the main unit is able to dial a specific party to play pre-recorded voice message and/or send captured images or video clips in real time or in some messages.
US08032107B1	Power management by constant awake correlator Disclosed is a circuit for improved power management of a wireless device, comprising an input signal from an antenna, an oscillator, a mixer and a circuit for correlating. In a first analog embodiment of the circuit, the circuit for correlating comprises a surface acoustic wave (SAW) and the circuit further comprises an operational amplifier and a reference voltage. In a second digital embodiment of the circuit, the circuit for correlating comprises a digital correlator and the circuit further comprises a digital comparator.
US08032096B2	Method and system for compensating for antenna pulling Methods and systems for wireless communication are disclosed herein and may include sampling a portion of a transmitted wireless signal which gets coupled to receiver circuitry in a receive chain during transmission via an antenna. The DC level corresponding to the sampled portion of the transmitted wireless signal may be measured. The transmit power corresponding to the transmitted wireless signal may be adjusted based on the measured DC level. The antenna may include a mobile antenna, which may be coupled to a wireless terminal. The sampled portion of the transmitted wireless signal may be buffered. The buffered portion of the transmitted wireless signal may be multiplied with the transmitted wireless signal to generate a multiplied signal, and the DC level may be measured using the multiplied signal. A control signal may be generated based on the measured DC level and, for example, a look-up table.
US08032092B2	System, apparatus and method for introducing antenna pattern variability A device, system, and method for providing a transmit diversity device have a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna may have a first power transmission gain pattern, which may be non-uniform in a reference plane. The second antenna may have a second power transmission gain pattern, which may be non-uniform in a reference plane. The first and second antennae may be arranged with respect to each other such that a minimum power region of the first gain pattern overlaps a maximum power region of the second gain pattern in the reference plane. The transmit diversity device may also have a processor to receive a feedback parameter from a feedback device. The processor may produce a different transmit diversity parameter based on the feedback parameter for each of a first and second signals to be transmitted on the first and second antennae, respectively.
US08032091B2	Method, apparatus and system for providing transmit diversity feedback during soft handoff Embodiments of the present invention describe methods for increasing the amount of information available to a mobile transmit diversity transmitter during soft handoff. According to embodiments of the invention, a transmit diversity transmitter may determine substantially when it is within the range of at least two receivers. In such situations, the transmitter may use the power control signals from more than one receiver, for example, from the two most dominant receivers in order to focus the beamforming accordingly.
US08032088B2	Method, apparatus, network element and software product for location area update optimization A method, apparatus, software product, and network element enable a user equipment to operate in an idle mode, to sense a change in the broadcasted location area, and to then report that change to a network without requiring a dedicated connection to the network. This embodiment is achieved by sending an identifier via an uplink transport channel, and then the user equipment receives a resource allocation that is based at least partly on the identifier. The user equipment provides an uplink signal via the allocated resource, including a user equipment identity in the uplink signal. When the user equipment receives confirmation, including the user equipment identity, then the user equipment reenters the idle mode. The uplink signal provided an update as to the location area of the user equipment, although other types of signals can instead be provided this way to the network.
US08032085B2	Spectrum-blind sampling and reconstruction of multi-band signals A signal processing method includes sampling an analog signal, which has a spectral density defining one or more bands, to produce a digitized signal. A spectral transform of the digitized signal is expressed as a matrix multiplied by a vector, wherein the vector includes multiple elements that represent the spectral density of the analog signal as a function of frequency within respective spectral slices. Indices of a subset of the elements of the vector, in which the spectral density is concentrated, is determined. The analog signal is reconstructed from the digitized signal using the subset of the elements of the vector and a corresponding subset of columns of the matrix having the indices.
US08032083B2	Method for establishing a wireless, autonomous communications network, transceiver and base station of a wireless, autonomous communications network and corresponding wireless, autonomous communications network The present disclosure provides optimal network performance and network illumination in a wireless, autonomous communications network with a dynamic network topology achieved by auto-configuration. Functional alogorthemic enhancements of the communications network are used, enabling the communications network to automatically determine the current network configuration and the accessibility of the transceivers that are associated with the communications network by using measurements and to determine the optimal position of a master station at any one time from the data obtained from the measurements.
US08032082B2	Amplifier for a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a transmit signal to an otological apparatus There is described an amplifier for a radio frequency signal for transmitting a transmit signal to an otological apparatus. The amplifier comprises at least one power transistor for switching an output signal. A breaker gap of the power transistor is actively connected to a network such that a power loss converted in the power transistor is at least partially reduced during a switchover into a switched-on state and/or at least during a switchover into a switched-off state. The breaker gap of the at least one transistor is at least indirectly connected in series to a power supply source by way of a choke coil. The amplifier comprises a transmit coil as an output load, with the transmit coil comprising an inductor and being actively connected to the power transistor. The transmit coil is coupled to the choke coil in a transformer-like manner, with the choke coil thus being able to transmit an output power to the transmit coil. The transmit coil can generate a transmit signal from the output power.
US08032077B2	Wireless communication device According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device including: a cable port to which an external device is connected; a reading unit that reads identification information from the external device; a determination unit that determines whether the external device is the source-side wireless communication device; an authentication memory unit that performs an authentication process with the source-side wireless communication device; a wireless communication unit that performs a wireless communication with the source-side wireless communication device; and a physical address processing unit that controls the source-side wireless communication device to store a physical address of a source-side device calculated based on from the read identification information of the sink-side device.
US08032065B2	Developing device and image forming apparatus A developing device includes a developer supporting member for supporting developer and a developer charging member disposed to face the developer supporting member for charging and supplying the developer to the developer supporting member. The developer supporting member has a surface having a calculated average surface roughness Ra between 0.1 μm and 0.6 μm and a surface free energy SFE between 15 mN/m and 26 mN/m. Further, the developer charging member has an Asker F hardness Haf between 24° and 56°.
US08032062B2	Developing unit and image forming apparatus with magnet bearing members A developing unit is configured to develop an electrostatic latent image born on an image bearing member with a developer that has been charged by mixing and agitating toner and magnetic carrier. The developing unit comprises a developing hopper; a developer bearing member; and at least a pair of agitating and conveying members rotationally driven in the developing hopper. The agitating and conveying members are arranged substantially parallel to the developer bearing member and each rotational shaft of the agitating and conveying members is embedded with a magnetic source element whose magnetic poles are laid out so as to produce a magnetic field radially oriented in a particular fixed direction with respect to the agitating and conveying member.
US08032060B2	Power transmitting unit, and developing device and image forming apparatus having the same An image forming apparatus includes a main body in which a photosensitive medium is disposed, and a developing device detachably disposed at the main body to develop electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive medium. The developing device includes a developing member disposed in a developing unit to supply developing agent to the photosensitive medium, a driven member to receive power from a driving member, and to allow the developing member to rotate, and a power transmitting member to connect the developing member and the driven member, and to absorb a movement of a normal force direction of a driving force generated between the driving member and the driven member.
US08032051B2	Belt carrying device, intermediate transfer device, and image forming apparatus A belt carrying device includes supporting rollers, an endless belt supported by the supporting rollers, and guiding members provided on the endless belt. The endless belt is rotated by rotation of the supporting rollers. An outer peripheral surface of the endless belt is in contact with a cleaning member. The guiding members are provided on those projecting areas of the endless belt, which project in an axial direction of the supporting rollers from both end surfaces of the supporting roller. A guiding member suppresses meandering of the endless belt by coming into contact with an end surface of the supporting roller. Formed on the end, surfaces of at least one of the supporting rollers are projecting sections and groove sections, which are rotated around a rotation axis of the at least one of the supporting rollers in response to rotation of the at least one of the supporting rollers.
US08032045B2	Fusing device heated by induced current for instantly controlling power A device for fusing and fixing a transferred toner of a predetermined image onto a print paper is provided. In particular, a fusing device which can instantly control induced current provided to a fusing unit in an image printing apparatus which heats the fusing unit using the induced current is provided. The fusing device includes a fusing unit which is resistance heated or induction heated by an induced current, and fuses the toner onto the print paper using the generated heat. A sensing unit senses the temperature of the fusing unit. A reference current generating unit generates a predetermined reference current to heat the fusing unit to reach a predetermined temperature based on the temperature of the sensed fusing unit and the reference temperature. A pulse width modulation signal generating unit generates a pulse width modulation signal for generating the induced current so that the induced current corresponding to the reference current is supplied to the fusing unit.
US08032044B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus capable of preventing toner fusion between recording sheets, with a construction that does not require increase in cost and size of the apparatus and does not unduly lower productivity, to thereby offer high usability. For image formation on plural pieces of recording sheets, a CPU controls a recording sheet conveyance interval for a first set based on a detected amount of toner used for the image formation on each page, stores the toner use amounts for respective pages of the first set into a RAM, and controls the recording sheet conveyance interval for second and subsequent sets based on the toner use amount stored in the RAM for each page.
US08032040B2	Image forming apparatus and method thereof An image forming apparatus includes a static electricity eliminator to remove residual charge from a printing medium. A selector is provided to connect the static electricity eliminator to ground through a selected resistance, and a controller is provided to control the selector depending on printing medium characteristics. The resistance in the ground path connected to the static electricity eliminator is changed according to printing medium characteristics such that elimination of residual charge is effective over a range of printing media having different printing medium characteristics.
US08032039B2	Controller, image-forming device, and storage medium A controller includes: a detection unit that detects that a housing unit housing a recording medium has been inserted into an insertion slot for inserting the housing unit; a prediction unit that predicts a vibratory excitation time at which vibrations will occur based on a time detected by the detection unit; a determination unit that determines whether the vibrations will occur based on the vibratory excitation time during a period when an image-forming unit is forming an image on a recording medium supplied from a different supply source for recording media from the housing unit inserted into the insertion slot; and a control unit that controls the image-forming unit to prevent image formation if the determination unit determines that the vibrations will occur during a period when the image-forming unit is forming an image on the recording medium.
US08032030B2	Multiple core system An integrated circuit has a group of cores that communicate with a packet switch using carrierless ultra wideband (UWB) radio frequency (RF) signaling. The packet switch communicates outside the integrated circuit using optical signaling. The carrierless UWB provides for high frequency communication and processing without requiring additional space for interconnects. No special paths are necessary because the signals used by the cores for communicating with the packet switch are RF signals therefore they can be broadcast by the packet switch and be received by a plurality of cores. No conductor line or waveguide is required. Because the signals are carrierless, they can be transmitted with low power. With multiple cores providing information to the switch, the total information being received may exceed the capacity of the RF bandwidth so an external optical interface is provided to multiplex information provided via carrierless UWB RF signals by a plurality of cores.
US08032025B2	Polarization monitoring in polarization division multiplexing in optical communications Systems and techniques for optical communications based on polarization division multiplexing are described.
US08032023B2	Reconfigurable DWDM wavelength switch based on complementary bandpass filters Programmable wavelength line switches and routers based on a complementary wavelength switch (CWS) building block are described for switching optical signals of different wavelengths between signal lines, with each carrying multiple wavelengths. The CWS building block is based on a complementary bandpass filter structure. The reconfigurable wavelength routers described allow any of a plurality of wavelengths on any line to be switched to any output line by programming the filters accordingly. The various implementations described are useful for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), dense WDM, and ultra dense WDM optical communications systems, as well as for on-chip interconnects and optical signal processing.
US08032020B2	Self calibrated optical spectrum monitor An optical spectrum monitor includes a tunable optical detector that receives optical channel monitoring signals from an optical channel and receives a control signal that selects a frequency of an optical channel monitoring signal for detection. The tunable optical detector detects the optical channel monitoring signal selected by the control signal and generates an electrical signal related to a power of the detected optical channel monitoring signal. A processor analyzes a plurality of differences between selected optical channel monitoring frequencies and their corresponding ITU frequencies and then generates the control signal at the output that corrects for at least one of systematic band offset and systematic band tilt in the optical channel monitoring frequency.
US08032018B2	Photographing apparatus having a folding flash unit Provided is a photographing apparatus. The photographing apparatus may illuminate auto focus (AF) auxiliary light onto a subject without regard to an opening/closing of a flash because the flash may illuminate the light out of a main body even when the flash is received in the main body in a retracted position.
US08032006B2	Digital processing disruption systems A method and apparatus are described for modifying an analogue video signal to impair its conversion to a digital signal by an analogue to digital converter. The resulting modified signal may prevent the operation of the analogue to digital converter altogether, or even if a digital signal can be output and recorded, may result in a signal which is difficult to view due to a reduction in quality on playback. The modifications made to the signal include altering the amplitude of the horizontal synchronization pulses in the original signal, and/or modifying the level of the back porch, or the region of the signal adjacent the back porch. Additionally, methods are contemplated for the use of specific response models for target analogue to digital converters, and display devices.
US08031993B2	Optical fiber interconnect device A fiber optic interconnect device includes a silicon substrate having at least one groove formed therein. The groove includes a pair of sidewalls and a first end disposed at an end of the pair of sidewalls. The device also includes an optical fiber disposed in the groove, the optical fiber having a cylindrical body, an endface formed on an end of the cylindrical body, and a multi-faceted mirror formed on the endface, and a light source adapted to transmit light to the multifaceted mirror to launch light through the optical fiber to a detector.
US08031990B2	Plasmon multiplexing A variety of structures, methods, systems, and configurations can support plasmons for multiplexing.
US08031988B2	Apparatus for pressure sensing The present invention provides an apparatus for pressure sensing. The apparatus comprises a light guide, a Bragg grating incorporated into the light guide and a moveable wall portion. The moveable wall portion has opposite first and second sides and is being positioned so that a change in pressure at one of the sides relative to a pressure at the other side will move the moveable wall portion. The moveable wall portion is coupled to the Bragg grating so that the movement of the moveable wall portion causes a force on a side of the Bragg grating. The force has a component that is transversal to the Bragg grating and effects a change in strain of the Bragg grating and thereby a change in an optical period of the Bragg grating.
US08031979B2	Method and device for verifying multimedia entities and in particular for verifying digital images The method of verifying multimedia entities according to the invention to determine whether a first multimedia entity matches a second multimedia entity, is characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting from a plurality of second multimedia entities, by a content-based search, a set of second multimedia entities close to the first multimedia entity, and a step of deciding as to at least one match between the first multimedia entity and at least one second multimedia entity of the set of second multimedia entities, based on a comparison between the first multimedia entity and the second multimedia entities of the set.
US08031970B2	Method of restoring closed-eye portrait photo The present invention is to provide a method of restoring closed-eye portrait photo, which comprises the steps of detecting the locations and range of the eyes of a portrait photo being taken, retrieving a patch of a designated range of the eyes area and its neighboring area which represents the expression of the eyes and its neighboring area, determining whether the eyes of said patch are open or closed by using an eyes state classifier, temporarily storing said patch as an open-eye templet when it is determined that the eyes are open, detecting the locations and range of the eyes of a subsequently taken portrait photo, calculating an eyes restoration area when it is determined that the eyes are closed, replacing the closed-eye patch with said open-eye templet, and performing fusion operation toward said eyes restoration area to ensure that each portrait photo generated is with the eyes opened.
US08031967B2	Video noise reduction A video noise reduction technique is presented. Generally, the technique involves first decomposing each frame of the video into low-pass and high-pass frequency components. Then, for each frame of the video after the first frame, an estimate of a noise variance in the high pass component is obtained. The noise in the high pass component of each pixel of each frame is reduced using the noise variance estimate obtained for the frame under consideration, whenever there has been no substantial motion exhibited by the pixel since the last previous frame. Evidence of motion is determined by analyzing the high and low pass components.
US08031963B2	Noise filter Provided is a system and method for processing data and images including, but not limited to separating data into a plurality of data planes; performing noise analysis to determine an average noise amplitude and noise distribution for each data plane via a gradient calculation; applying an edge mask to weaken isolated transients in one or more of the data planes; applying a noise filter using one or more levels of filtering to one or more of the data planes; and performing detail recovery combining a composite data plane and filtered and unfiltered data planes according to the noise analysis.
US08031959B2	Compression system for a bit-plane A compression system and method for a bit-plane is disclosed. A run-length encoder is used to compress a first block of an image, which includes at least a first line in the image. An offset encoder is used to compress a second block of the image, which includes a number of lines different from the first line.

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