Document	Document Title
US08043284B2	Cryosurgical catheter A cryogenic catheter includes an outer flexible member having at least one cryogenic fluid path through the flexible member. The at least one fluid path is defined by a plurality of flexible members disposed within the outer flexible member.
US08043282B2	Drainage catheter with extended inflation lumen A Foley catheter with a retention balloon includes an elongated inflation tube so that the inflation port used to inflate and deflate the balloon may be maneuvered away from the drainage port of the Foley catheter. If the Foley catheter was placed using a urethral access sheath, the elongated inflation tube allows the surgeon to easily remove the access sheath from the patient.
US08043271B2	Apparatus for transportation of oxygen to implanted cells Apparatus is provided which includes a housing, configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus includes functional cells coupled to the housing and a source of oxygen configured to supply oxygen to the functional cells. The apparatus further includes an oxygen delivery interface configured to receive oxygen from the source of oxygen, and to facilitate passage of the oxygen to the functional cells, while the housing is disposed within the body of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.
US08043264B2	Sheath A sheath shaped and dimensioned for reducing trauma and easing insertion thereof includes an inner sheath member shaped and dimensioned to fit around a guidewire in a manner permitting relative movement, the inner sheath member including an inner sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface. The sheath also includes an outer sheath member shaped and dimensioned to fit around the inner sheath member in a manner permitting relative movement. The outer sheath member includes an outer sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface.
US08043263B2	Slittable delivery device assembly for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device An assembly for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a slittable delivery device and a bypass assembly. The slittable delivery device may include a hub, a shaft integrated into the hub and forming at least a segment of the circumferential surface of the hub, and a hemostasis valve contained substantially within the hub. The bypass assembly may include a cap and a valve bypass tool. The cap may be on a proximal end of the hub and may include an opening in the cap extending radially outward from a point near a radial center of the cap through a circumferential edge of the cap. The valve bypass tool may be operably coupled to the cap and may include a longitudinally extending open channel.
US08043261B2	Method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter and medical catheter implanting assembly A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.
US08043253B2	Device and method for rapid aspiration and collection of body tissue from within an enclosed body space Device and method for rapid extraction of body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. Hollow entry cannula with optional core element provides entry into body tissue space such as bone marrow. Aspiration cannula is inserted through cannula into body tissue and is manipulated to advance directionally through body cavity. Optional stylet within aspiration cannula aids in advancing aspiration cannula through body tissue and is removed to facilitate extraction of body tissue through the aspiration cannula. Inlet openings near distal tip of aspiration cannula allow tissue aspiration, with negative pressure source at proximal end of aspiration cannula providing controlled negative pressure. Aspiration cannula may be withdrawn and its path adjusted for multiple entries through the same entry point, following different paths through tissue space for subsequent aspiration of more tissue.
US08043241B2	Convertible support system, device, and method for shoulder surgery patients A support system for surgical patients, a convertible support for surgical patients, and a method for providing a convertible support for surgical patients is provided. The support system includes an arm cradle adapted to hold an arm of a patient at an angle when the patient is in a supine position and a side bolster adapted to be positioned against a side of a patient opposite the arm cradle. The side bolster is adapted to stabilize the patient in the supine position. The arm cradle is adapted to hold an arm of a patient at an angle conducive to recovery from shoulder surgery when the patient is in a supine position. The arm cradle is also adapted to be worn as a sling when the patient is ambulatory. The arm cradle, side bolster, and an optional head support may be secured to a mat in a temporary manner.
US08043238B1	Disposable decubitus preventing and treating mattress with ancillary applications Two plastic sheets are selectively joined to create parallel air cells with connecting passageways at alternate ends. The sheets form a mattress for full body, back or leg massages. An air pumped reservoir supplies air flow to a fluidic switch. Air from a right arm pushes air to a left leg and sequentially fills a first cell. Alternating passageways at opposite ends of cells sequentially fill the cells. After the last cell is filled, air flowing out from the last cell through a right arm of the switch pushes the supplied air flow to a right leg of the switch for exhaust, emptying the cells. The cycle repeats automatically, sequentially filling the cells and pushing blood toward the heart and then emptying the cells then sequentially filling the cells.
US08043236B2	Breath training device The inventive breath training device comprises a respiratory tube, a low-frequency mechanical air oscillation generator provided with an oscillation chamber embodied therein and provided with an input channel which is embodied in the form of an upwardly extending saddle-shaped body of revolution, contains a spherical ball and is connected to the respiratory tube and to an output channel communicating with ambient air, wherein the respiratory tube is provided with a jacket in which the body of the low-frequency mechanical air oscillation generator rotatable about a horizontal axis is fixed and a bypass chamber provided with an inspiratory tube is formed, said inspiratory tube comprises an inspiratory valve provided with a tubular attachment and the output channel of the oscillation chamber of the low-frequency mechanical air oscillation generator is also provided with an expiratory valve.
US08043234B2	System and method for providing therapeutic treatment using a combination of ultrasound, electro-stimulation and vibrational stimulation Systems and methods are disclosed for providing therapeutic treatment using vibrational stimulation, ultrasound stimulation and electro-stimulation. The combined therapeutic treatment allows for more flexible and effective treatment of bone-loss related and other ailments and conditions by providing one or a combination of vibrational, ultrasound and/or electro-stimulation to a patient.
US08043230B2	Urine specimen collection device A urine specimen collection device includes a body adapted to support a specimen collector. The device includes a pull tab movably connected to the body, the pull tab being movable between a first position and a second position. The urine selectively flows through the body and into the specimen collector when the pull tab is generally positioned in the second position and urine flows through the body and into a diverter tube when the pull tab is generally positioned in the first position.
US08043219B2	Automated power level for contrast agent imaging Automated determination and setting of an ultrasound system transmit power level is provided for contrast agent imaging. Low mechanical index imaging of contrast agents allows substantially continuous imaging of contrast agents without destruction. By comparing data associated with different transmit power levels and spatial locations, different delays between acquisition or different acquisition sequences, a contrast agent imaging transmit power generally minimizing destruction of contrast agents and maximizing signal-to-noise ratio is automatically determined. By using contrast agent specificity for setting the transmit power in addition or alternative to destruction of contrast agents, harmonic imaging may be improved.
US08043218B2	Therapeutic endocavity probe comprising an image transducer integrated within the therapy ultrasonic transducer A therapeutic endocavity probe for treating tissues in particular of the prostate by emission of focused ultrasonic waves, including a support forming a guide tube extended by a mounting head for at least one therapy transducer component with an active surface emitting focused ultrasonic waves and having a spherical front of a total surface area in which a surface window is laid out for mounting an imaging transducer. According to the invention, the therapy transducer component has a front face having a total surface area equal to the sum of the active surface area equal to 1,500 mm2±200 mm2, and of the surface area of the window for letting through the imaging transducer, the ratio of the surface area of the window over the active surface area of the therapy transducer component being less than or equal to 0.45.
US08043213B2	Advanced patient management for triaging health-related data using color codes Systems, devices and methods for triaging health-related data, such as significant health-related events associated with health-related parameters, are disclosed. One aspect is a method for use in managing a patient's health within a patient management system. In various embodiments of the method, a number of predetermined events are accessed. The events are related to the patient's health and are identified by the patient management system. Each of the predetermined events are classified according to severity using a color-code system. In various embodiments, a red event is an imminent life threatening event, a yellow event is a serious health-related condition that is not imminently life threatening, and a green event is an event that is neither an imminent life threatening event nor a serious health-related condition. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08043206B2	Self-regulating gastric band with pressure data processing A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an expandable portion containing a volume of fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the expandable portion. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable portion and to a controller that can operate the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure is set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band.
US08043203B2	Method and device for tinnitus therapy A method and device for tinnitus therapy. The method includes generating pure sounds, each having a predetermined frequency, within an audible range, and waiting for a user to press an input button when the user hears the pure sound. Then, the hearing characteristics of the user are interpreted in conjunction with equal loudness contours. From this interpretation, either a tinnitus masking method or a tinnitus retraining therapy are selected according to the hearing characteristics of the user.
US08043192B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08043190B2	Multi-speed transmission with stacked planetary gear sets A multi-speed transmission is provided that has three planetary gear sets that have a plurality of members positioned to establish only two gear planes. Six torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable in different combinations to connect different members of the planetary gear sets with an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and one another to establish seven forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. One of the gear planes is established by the first and the second planetary gear sets. The second planetary gear set is positioned concentric with and radially-outward of the first planetary gear set, and the first and second planetary gear sets share a member.
US08043186B2	Two stage check valve for automatic transmission system The two stage check valve for the automatic transmission system provides a first member that opens in response to a first pressure and a second member which opens in response to a second pressure where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.
US08043182B2	Hybrid powertrain A hybrid powertrain is provided that includes an engine operatively connected with an input member. The powertrain includes a transmission with first and second electric motor/generators, a differential gear set having multiple members, and selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The input member, the output member, the engine and the motor/generators are selectively interconnected through the differential gear set by engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms in different combinations. An electronic controller controls the electric motor/generators, the engine and the torque-transmitting mechanisms to provide multiple operating modes between the input member and the output member, including an electric-only operating mode in which the engine is off and one motor generator acts as a motor to provide torque at the output member while the other electric motor/generator can remain substantially stationary, and another electric-only operating mode in which both electric motor/generators act as motors to provide torque at the output member.
US08043177B2	Arrowhead having collapsible and outwardly biased blades A broadhead for an arrow has a ferrule and a pair of blade members. Each blade member has a first end that is pivotally interconnected with the ferrule body and an opposite second end. The blade members each have a retracted position and an extended position. A biasing member biases the blade members toward the extended positions and is the only element operable to hold the blade members in the extended position.
US08043175B2	Sensing home plate A sensing home plate, structurally assembled from a home plate main body, and a sensing device disposed therein. The sensing device is assembled from a power supply circuit, a signal transmitting circuit, a fine tuning circuit, a signal receiving circuit, and an acousto-optic circuit. The signal transmitting circuit transmits signals, and forms a sensing area on the upper side of the home plate main body. When a baseball passes through or contacts the sensing area causing interference therewith, then a signal is received by the signal receiving circuit, and the acousto-optic circuit emits sound and light as a means to indicate such. The present invention can thus be used in the sport of baseball to accurately determine whether or not the ball pitched by the pitcher is a strike (good pitch) or ball (bad pitch), thereby assisting the chief umpire in making decisions, and reducing judgmental errors.
US08043174B2	Goal height adjuster lock A fixed support member includes upper and lower horizontal plates, and a movable support member is coupled to the fixed support member for vertical movement. A drive screw extending between the fixed support member upper and lower horizontal plates and coupled to the movable support member for adjusting the position of the movable support member relative to the fixed support member by rotation of the drive screw. A locking plate fixed to a lower surface of the fixed support member lower horizontal plate having an opening receiving a lower end of the drive screw. A drive coupling connected to the lower end of the drive screw has a portion that can be coupled to a torque input device so that a torque applied to the drive coupling can cause rotation of the drive screw. The drive coupling has an upper portion shaped to be received in the locking plate opening to prevent rotation of the drive coupling and drive screw. A spring coupled between the drive coupling and the drive screw biases the drive coupling toward engagement with the locking plate opening.
US08043172B2	Rebounder and method of use A rebounder for rebounding a ball includes a base; a frame pivotally connected to the base for adjusting an angle of the frame relative to the base, the frame including a first member having a first maximum dimension and a second member having a second maximum dimension less than the first member, the second member structurally supported by the first member; a rebounding mat; a plurality of springs coupling the rebounding mat to the first member, and wherein the second member is disposed forward of the springs and configured to protect the springs from contact by the ball.
US08043159B2	Method for providing location information of game character by operating with messenger server and systems thereof The present invention relates to a method and an online game system for providing position information of a game character in an online game, and more particularly, to a method and an online game system for providing position information of a game character in an online game by interworking with a predetermined messenger server.
US08043153B2	Gaming device having destructive chain reaction events In accordance with a game method, game information regarding one or more player selectable elements and awards associated with those elements is generated and stored. The player selectable elements are displayed and a player is permitted to select one or more of those elements. Each selected element is destroyed, unmasking or triggering an associated award. The award may be a monetary or credit value, symbol or secondary event. A secondary event may comprise an explosion or chain reaction destruction of other un-selected elements, which elements are unmasked to reveal associated awards or trigger additional secondary events. The game may be presented on a gaming machine, and may comprise a primary game or bonus round of another game.
US08043151B2	Trading game simulation method A trading simulation game that emulates the roles of market makers and traders involved in the securities market. The simulation allows for random market activity by specifying a starting market price and employing a subset of a pool of market-affecting items to modify the starting price and determine the final game price. Items in the subset are incrementally revealed to simulation participants during play, and designated participants may make the first offer to trade. All participants simultaneously make and accept offers to buy and sell the simulated security without restriction, based on the public and private information they have and their dynamic estimates of the final game price. Trades are tracked, and they are settled at the final game price when all items are revealed. The use of a subset of a pool of market-affecting items allows for probability-based strategy similar to popular card games like blackjack and poker.
US08043148B2	Noise suppressing damper A damper is provided to suppress the abnormal noise or air noise at the small opening of the damper. The damper includes a wall surface which forms an air flow passage, a stationary portion which extends from the wall surface to the center of a flow passage, and a rotating portion rotatably disposed in the flow passage, having one end in contact with a portion of the stationary portion at a downstream side of an air flow through the flow passage. A curved wall portion as a convex curved surface protruding to the center of the flow passage is formed on a position of the wall surface on which the air flow passing between the one end and the stationary portion impinges.
US08043144B2	Abrasive preparation device with an improved abrasion element assembly Disclosed is an exemplary abrasive surface preparation device for use with a rotary device having a rotatable housing and a support member extending obliquely from the housing. The exemplary abrasive hard surface preparation device includes a substantially planar substrate layer having a first end connectable to the support member and an opposite second end. An abrasive material is attached to at least the second end of the substrate layer.
US08043143B2	Sharpeners to create cross-grind knife edges A sharpener for creating cross-grind knife edges includes a nominally flat annular abrasive sharpening member which could be a ring or a disk and is rotated about its center and held against a moving knife edge facet to simultaneously and sequentially abrade the knife edge at multiple locations on the abrasive member. The disk may be slidably mounted on a shaft in opposition to a spring restraining force. The disk is nominally disposed in a vertical orientation. The sharpener may include multiple stages including a manual stage having a pair of off axis conical shaped rotatable abrasive coated disks which have abrading lines on opposing facets which are not parallel but cross and intersect in a crossing pattern at the blade edge.
US08043137B2	Light-emitting panel and a method for making An improved light-emitting panel having a plurality of micro-components sandwiched between two substrates is disclosed. Each micro-component contains a gas or gas-mixture capable of ionization when a sufficiently large voltage is supplied across the micro-component via at least two electrodes. An improved method of manufacturing a light-emitting panel is also disclosed, which uses a web fabrication process to manufacturing light-emitting displays as part of a high-speed, continuous inline process.
US08043132B1	Method for operating a propulsion system of a watercraft A hybrid marine vessel is provided with a system that inhibits the movement of the marine vessel under its own power when the marine vessel is connected or recharging to a stationary source of energy on shore. This avoids significant damage that could otherwise occur if the marine vessel moves away or attempts to move away from the dock when connected by a cable or other device to a stationary structure. The system detects a potential connection between the boat and a stationary shore component, such as a source of energy, and inhibits the transmission from being placed in a forward or reverse gear position under those conditions. Similarly, if the boat is already in a forward or reverse gear position, the system inhibits its being placed into a battery recharging mode.
US08043130B2	Female electrical contact comprising spring contact plates The invention relates to a female electrical contact including a housing which is cut and folded from a metal strip and which includes at least one contact plate which extends along the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing and which is equipped with a section that is in contact with a complementary contact pin. According to the invention, the contact plate includes part for connecting to the housing and a free end. The invention also includes a spring element which is cut from the extension of the contact plate prior to folding, such as to form a counter plate after folding. The spring element and the plate are provided, for example, on either side of the above-mentioned connection part.
US08043118B1	Coaxial connector with a housing with a contact member and a conductor coaxial with the housing A radio frequency coaxial adaptor includes a housing having an end portion to engage a mating connector, a contact member mounted to the housing and moveable in a reciprocating manner relative to the housing, and a conductor coaxial with the housing and having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion extends within the contact member, and the second end portion extends within the end portion of the housing for electrically engaging the mating connector.
US08043109B2	Wire to board connector An electrical connector configured for connecting wires to components includes a female component defining a socket with electrical contacts therein. A male component includes an insulative base body with contacts having a first section configured for receipt of a conductive core of an insulated wire, and an insulative plug member that extends transversely from the base body. The electrical contacts have a second section that extends at least partially onto the plug member. In mating contact of the male and female components, the plug member is inserted into the socket such that the electrical contacts on the plug member engage against the electrical contacts in the socket to electrically connect the wires to the electrical component.
US08043098B2	Electronic device with EMI shield spring device An electronic device comprises a circuit board, a conductive member, and a spring contact. The conductive member is spaced from the circuit board and comprises a surface opposite to the circuit board. The surface defines a recessed portion. The spring contact is connected to the conductive member and contacts the circuit board to achieve grounding. The spring contact comprises an end movably received in the recessed portion.
US08043088B2	Endodontic procedure employing simultaneous liquefaction and acoustic debridgement An ultrasonic liquefaction endodontic system having a graspable hand piece includes a contra-angle tip assembly that has an insert and an internal fluid flow passageway. A portion of the fluid flow passageway passes through a C-shaped receiver located at the end of the receiver so that an ultrasonic frequency may pass directly to the fluid flowing through the passageway. The fluid flow passageway may be an injection tube and the tubular body portion of the tip assembly may be injection molded around the injection tube and the insert. A supply tube, which is held in position by tube guides connected to the hand piece, provides a source of flushing fluid with and without pulsed pressure. The fluid pressure pulses may have an ultrasonic energy superimposed thereon as the fluid is forced into a root canal.
US08043085B2	Imprint lithography An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed that has a first support structure arranged to support an imprint template, and a first actuator attached to the first support structure, and arranged in use to be located between the first support structure and the imprint template. The first actuator is configured to apply a force to the imprint template. The imprint lithography apparatus further includes a second support structure and a second actuator located between the second support structure and the first support structure. The second actuator is configured to apply a force to the second support structure, wherein a range of movement of the second actuator is greater than a range of movement of the first actuator.
US08043084B2	Device for moulding containers comprising means of adjusting the volume dimensions of the moulding cavity Device for moulding containers, in particular bottles, from a thermoplastic material such as PET by blow-moulding or stretch blow-moulding of heated preforms, such moulding device comprising at least one mould comprising at least two mould halves respectively comprising two supports and two mould blocks defining a joint plane in the closed position of the mould, each mould block comprising a shell) in which an impression is made partly forming the moulding cavity and a shell-holder fixed to said respective support of the mould block, characterised in that at least one removable spacer is provided between said shell and said shell-holder, as a result of which the dimensional characteristics of the moulding cavity can be modified without the need for intervention on the supports and the shell-holders.
US08043076B2	Method and device for operating an electric peristaltic hose pump The invention relates to a method and to a device for operating an electric peristaltic hose pump, in particular a hose pump for transporting fluids in medical-technical devices, in particular extracorporeal blood treatment devices. In order to monitor the regular operation of a hose pump, the power consumption of the pump or a physical variable in correlation with the power consumption, in particular the pump flow, is monitored. The pump flow includes a periodically non-altering direct component which is superimposed on a periodically altering alternating component. In order to monitor the regular operation of the hose pump, the alternating component of the power consumption in relation to the direct component of the power consumption is monitored as whether it increases and/or decreases during blood treatment.
US08043071B2	Vacuum generating unit An ejector functioning as a vacuum generating mechanism is disposed in a main body constituting a vacuum generating unit, and an atmospheric air introducing valve is disposed between the ejector and a vacuum port. The atmospheric air introducing valve is brought into a valve closed state at times when a negative pressure is generated by the ejector under a condition in which a workpiece is held by the negative pressure generated by the ejector, whereby communication between the vacuum port and the atmosphere is blocked. On the other hand, at times when the vacuum is broken, in which the negative pressure state of the vacuum port is released, the atmospheric air introducing valve is brought into a valve open state, whereby the vacuum port communicates with the atmosphere.
US08043068B2	Ni-Fe based super alloy, process of producing the same and gas turbine A Ni—Fe based super alloy having high strength and toughness at high temperatures even when used in high-temperature environments, and a process of producing the super alloy. A turbine disk using the super alloy, a process of producing the turbine disk, a turbine spacer using the super alloy, and a process of producing the turbine spacer, as well as a gas turbine are also provided. The Ni—Fe based super alloy contains not more than 0.03% by weight of C, 14-18% of Cr, 15-45% of Fe, 0.5-2.0% of Al, not more than 0.05% of N, 0.5 to 2.0% of Ti, 1.5-5.0% of Nb, and Ni as a main ingredient.
US08043051B2	System, method, and apparatus for stackable multi-stage diffuser with anti-rotation lugs A stackable multi-stage diffuser with anti-rotation lugs utilizes cast lugs and complementary recesses in the diffuser walls. When stacked in a housing, the lugs of lower diffusers nest inside the recesses of upper diffusers. The diffuser sections interlock and are mechanically locked in the housing to prevent rotation of the diffusers. Each diffuser is sealed directly to adjacent diffusers with o-rings, but do not contact or seal to the housing.
US08043047B2	Compressor casing for an exhaust gas turbocharger A compressor casing for an exhaust gas turbocharger is disclosed. The exhaust gas turbocharger has a rotatable turboshaft, a compressor wheel mounted on the turboshaft, and a turbine wheel mounted on the turboshaft. The compressor casing includes a sensor for measuring a rotational speed of the turboshaft. The sensor is embedded in the compressor casing and forms an integral component of the compressor casing.
US08043039B2	Substrate treatment apparatus A substrate treatment apparatus is disclosed. The substrate treatment apparatus includes: a cassette loading portion on which a cassette for containing a substrate is loaded when the cassette is carried to/from outside of the substrate treatment apparatus; a substrate treatment portion for performing a treatment on the substrate; a substrate carrying portion for carrying the substrate in the cassette loaded on the cassette loading portion to the substrate treatment portion, and carrying the substrate that has been subjected to the treatment by the substrate treatment portion to the cassette on the cassette loading portion; a vacant cassette loading portion on which the cassette caused to be vacant by carrying the substrate to the substrate treatment portion is temporarily loaded; and a vacant cassette transfer mechanism for transferring the vacant cassette between the vacant cassette loading portion and the cassette loading portion.
US08043027B2	Device for regulating the buckling of underwater pipes For regulating the lateral buckling of a section of pipe, at least one device permanently applies a force to a point on the section of pipe. The force is preferably applied substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the axis of the pipe. Preferably, two of the devices that apply equal and opposing forces are positioned at a distance from each other along the section of a pipe. Each device comprises a clamp, a cable, a return device and a buoy or a weight.
US08043026B2	Flow control system for a detention pond with tapered plunger An application for a flow control system includes a tapered plunger situated within an conduit. The conduit is open to a downstream drainage system. The tapered plunger is buoyant, assisted by one or more floats attached such that, when the water level around the flow control system increases to a pre-determined level above a top rim of the conduit, the tapered plunger lifts due to the buoyancy. In such, the flow rate is maintained substantially constant. At the emergency level, alternate drain systems provide increased drainage to reduce the potential of flooding.
US08043024B2	Pivot swivel cable barrier A light weight, high strength cable supported by a longitudinal device that is capable of stopping a 15,000 lb vehicle at speeds exceeding 30 mph and provides for manual operation by one (1) person, whereas the barrier may pivot, move vertically, or swivel horizontally to control vehicle passage. Typically, the cable is embedded within a longitudinal support device and remains concealed. During normal operations where the vehicle barrier is moved, there is no tension on the cable and it remains unfastened. If a vehicle impact occurs, the cable immediately engages and fastens to the end support structures to resist vehicle impact forces. The light weight cable and longitudinal support device provides span distances exceeding 24 feet across a vehicle travel path, while requiring only one (1) person to manually move the barrier. The light weight cable and longitudinal support device also minimizes the counterweight size. The barrier may be moved by an operator from either side of the vehicle travel path. Both fixed and unfixed end support structures may be utilized. Non-rotating energy absorbing compression springs may be utilized to enhance the vehicle stopping capability.
US08043021B2	Fastening element for a friction-welded joint The invention relates to a rotationally symmetrical fastening element with an axially centralized rounded tip for a friction-welded joint with a flat component. The tip is adjoined by a conical lateral surface, the conical lateral surface transitioning into a flute for receiving a material melted during friction-welding, and by a shoulder, wherein the shoulder surrounds the flute, is axially recessed in relation to the tip and transitions into the friction-welded joint.
US08043019B2	Card supplying and storage system A system for storing index cards, the system including at least one storage sheet having at least one pocket, at least one supply sheet having at least one index card formed therein and detachable therefrom. The system further includes a binding mechanism that binds the storage sheet and the supply sheet together.
US08043010B2	Wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member and an inner member with a wheel hub and at least one inner ring. Double row rolling elements are contained between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members. A sensor holder, with a wheel speed sensor to detect the wheel speed, is mounted on the end of the outer member. An encoder is mounted on the inner ring and arranged opposite to the wheel speed sensor, via a predetermined air gap. The sensor holder has an annular ring shaped cover and a holding portion of synthetic resin. The wheel speed sensor is embedded in the holding portion. The cover is press-formed of an anti-corrosion steel sheet. The cover has a cylindrical fitting portion fit onto the end of the outer member. A flange portion extends from the fitting portion and is in close contact with the end face of the outer member. A bottom portion further extends radially inward from the flange portion. At least the outer circumference of the end of the outer member onto, where the cover is fit, is anti-corrosion treated.
US08043001B2	Apparatus and method for determining and/or monitoring temperature An apparatus and method for determining and/or monitoring at least one temperature, the apparatus including: a first and a second temperature sensor; a measurement transmitter; wherein the measurement transmitter has four terminals for electrical connection of electric lines; and five electric lines. The first temperature sensor is connected with three terminals of the measurement transmitter via three electric lines the three electric lines are connected with the first temperature sensor and with the measurement transmitter in such a manner that, via a 3-line circuit, a value of the electric resistance of at least one of the three lines can be obtained; and the second temperature sensor is connected with two terminals of the measurement transmitter via two electric lines. The value of the electrical resistance of the at least one electric line obtained via the 3-line circuit serves for determining the value of the electrical resistance of at least one electric line, via which the second temperature sensor is connected with the measurement transmitter.
US08042999B2	On die thermal sensor of semiconductor memory device An on die thermal sensor (ODTS) of a semiconductor memory device includes a high voltage generating unit for generating a high voltage having a voltage level higher than that of a power supply voltage of the semiconductor memory device; and a thermal information output unit for sensing and outputting a temperature as a thermal information code, wherein the thermal information output unit uses the high voltage as its driving voltage.
US08042994B1	Specific heat meter with improved accuracy The accuracy of instruments used to measure the specific heat of heat transfer fluids is limited by the accumulation of bubbles, debris or loose surface films on an active measurement surface. Accumulated bubbles, debris or loose film may be reduced or eliminated by using an agitator to cause relative motion between a working fluid and an active surface of a specific heat sensor. The accumulation of bubbles, debris or loose film may also be reduced or eliminated by electrolytically cleaning an electrically conductive heat transfer surface.
US08042981B2	Vehicle headlamp In a vehicle headlamp, a light source image forming device forms a first light source image and a second light source image. A projection lens projects the first light source image and the second light source image so as to have a common border with each other. The light source image forming device forms the first light source image and the second light source image at positions spaced apart from each other along respective edges forming the common border.
US08042976B2	White hardening resin composition, hardened material, printed-wiring board and reflection board for light emitting device A white hardening resin composition includes a hardening resin and rutile-type titanium oxide produced by a chlorine method.
US08042974B2	Removable, rotatable gobo holder assembly The invention provides a system and method for maintaining removable, rotatable gobo holders in place on a fixed baseplate within an effects lighting fixture. In the first preferred embodiment, a gobo platform includes a rotatable baseplate having at least one aperture and at least one removable, rotatable gobo holder including points of active retention configured to retain the removable, rotatable gobo holder on the rotatable baseplate.
US08042972B2	Light assemblies A method for forming a light beam, and a light assembly having at least one light source with a fixed reflector which directs a beam of light light assembly having a front lens, and a light deflecting mechanism for changing the light angle of the light beam after passing through the front lens. The front lens has a central part that differs from the surrounding parts of the front lens, and the light deflecting mechanism, in a first position, concentrates the light beam into the central part of the front lens to generate a wide-angle light beam, and in a second position, distributes the light beam over the entire front lens to generate a narrow angle light beam. The light deflecting mechanism is connected with a first actuator, and is movable between the first and the second position.
US08042967B2	Lamp module and lighting device comprising such a lamp module The present invention relates to a lamp module (10) comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) chip (12) for emitting light, means (13, 15, 16, 17) for extracting and shaping the light emitted from the chip(s), and a base (21) for allowing the lamp module to be fitted and connected to a lighting device. The lamp module is characterized by at least one electrically switchable cell (22) adapted to receive light emitted from the LED chip(s), which cell in a first state transmits incoming light without substantially altering the direction of the light and in a second state alters the direction of the light when the light passes the cell(s). This allows for electrically controlled adjustable beam shaping. The present invention also relates to a lighting device (30) comprising such a lamp module.
US08042963B2	Optical member, method of manufacturing the optical member and backlight assembly having the optical member An optical member includes a base body, a plurality of light-concentrating lenses and a plurality of light-diffusing patterns. The base body has a first surface and a second surface which is opposite to the first surface and receives light from light sources. The light-concentrating lenses are formed on the first surface. The light-diffusing patterns are respectively formed at positions of the second surface respectively corresponding to the light sources to reduce an amount of light reflected by the light-concentrating lenses. Each of the light-diffusing patterns includes curved surfaces extending in a first direction and has a width which is in a predetermined range. The light-diffusing patterns are separated from one another in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US08042962B2	Lighted fittings for bathing installations A fixture for through hole mounting to a panel includes a flange structure fabricated of a translucent material. The flange structure includes a body portion adapted to extend through a mount hole in the panel and having a outer peripheral portion, and a transverse flange portion having an outer size larger than the hole opening. A periphery flange portion overlaps the panel surrounding the hole when the flange structure is installed in the panel hole. A light source attachment portion is configured to direct light emitted from a light source into the body portion of the flange structure, so that at least some of the emitted light passes into the flange portion to illuminate the flange portion.
US08042957B2	Height adjustment device with fine tuning for an image system Through combination of gears with different sizes in a transformation gear set configured in the height adjustment device, the height adjustment device can be fine-tuned. When an actuator of the height adjustment device is pressed, a first gear engaging with the actuator rotates and has a first relative distance with the actuator while a second gear engaging with a rack of the supporter has a second relative distance with the rack. The second relative distance is shorter than the first relative distance and the supporter is adjusted in a large scale and is fine-tuned through operating one single actuator.
US08042956B2	Projector apparatus, projection control method and recording medium storing projection control program A projector apparatus comprises a light source lamp which is inside a reflector, a projection system forming a light figure using a light from the light source lamp, projecting the formed light figure by an optical lens unit having an automatic focus function and providing the image on a projection target position, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the light source lamp, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the optical lens unit, and a control unit moving the position of a focus lens of the optical lens unit in accordance with each detection result of the temperature sensors, thereby revising an image location set by the automatic focus function.
US08042955B2	Laser module, illumination device, and projection display device Disclosed is a light source module including a first light emission unit having a first laser light source, and a first cooling part on which the first laser light source is mounted; a second light emission unit having a second laser light source, and a second cooling part on which the second laser light source is mounted; and an insulating member provided between the first light emission unit and the second light emission unit. The first light emission unit and the second light emission unit are constructed in such a manner that the first laser light source and the second laser light source are disposed close to each other, and the first cooling part and the second cooling part are disposed away from each other.
US08042954B2	Mosaicing of view projections Two projected images from two projector-camera systems, each defined by characteristics c1=T1p1 and c2=T2p2, respectively, are used to create mosaic composite of a desired image c. Formulas p1=T1−1(c−T2p2) and p2=T2−1(c−T1p1) are iteratively repeated with p2 initially set to zero until p1 converges to a first mosaic image and p2 converges to a second mosaic image.
US08042953B2	Projector using ballast controlled high-pressure discharge lamps A projector includes: plural high-pressure discharge lamps; a high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device for lighting the plural high-pressure discharge lamps; a light combining system that combines and outputs lights from the plural high-pressure discharge lamps; an electro-optical modulation device that modulates the light from the light combining system according to image information; and a projection system that projects the light modulated by the electro-optical modulation device, wherein the high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device supplies alternating lamp currents having alternating-current waveforms with the same waveform and period and phases shifted by a predetermined amount with respect to each of the high-pressure discharge lamps to the respective plural high-pressure discharge lamps.
US08042952B2	Control of a light valve that is dependent upon a voltage and a duration time of lighting measurement of a light source unit In order to provide a high-image-quality display apparatus which can perform proper correction with respect to an abrupt luminance change at the time of lighting of a discharge lamp and a white balance change, a projection type display apparatus which projects irradiating light from a light source unit to a screen through a light valve includes a measurement unit which measures at least one of a voltage value and a current value supplied to the light source unit, and a control unit which controls the light valve based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit.
US08042949B2	Projection of images onto tangible user interfaces A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.
US08042948B2	Apparatus that produces a three-dimensional image The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing image projection and entertainment.
US08042945B2	Multifocal intraocular lens simulator and method of simulating multifocal intraocular lens A multifocal intraocular lens simulator includes an optical system enabling an object to be observed therethrough, and a test lens holder which holds a prescribed test intraocular lens. The intraocular lens holder is installed at a position optically conjugate with a position at which an eye of an observer is to be placed. The present invention also teaches a method of simulating a multifocal intraocular lens.
US08042938B2	Temple and pair of eyeglasses with the same The present invention provides a temple that has a sufficient elasticity and that can respond to twisting so as not to apply excessive force to a hinge portion or a bracket on the side of a lens portion, when a pair of eyeglasses is worn, and a pair of eyeglasses provided with the temple.In a temple (A) for a pair of eyeglasses including an elastic compression portion between a hinge portion (3) to a lens portion and an ear pad portion (2), the elastic compression portion (1) is provided with a plurality of linear arch portions (11) and the linear arch portions are arranged side by side.
US08042931B2	Method and apparatus for forming image An image forming apparatus includes a sheet stacking unit that stacks and stores the sheet before printing, a first conveying path that conveys the sheet from this sheet stacking unit, a second conveying path that conveys the sheet from this first conveying path to a space between the recording head and a sheet guide member while reversing the sheet, a third conveying path that conveys the sheet from the first conveying path to a temporary storing unit in a state in which a front-to-rear direction of the sheet is maintained, a fourth conveying path that conveys the sheet from the temporary storing unit to the space in a state in which the front-to-rear direction of the sheet is maintained, a first switching mechanism that switches a conveying direction of the sheet, and a second switching mechanism that guides the sheet.
US08042924B2	Attachment structures, liquid ejection head unit and method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head unit Bondage of an ink supply needle and a holder base is appropriately performed by ultrasonic welding. A filter is housed in a filter storing part from the upper side of the holder base, and a needle-side fitting part is fitted into a base-side fitting part from the upper side of the holder base. Then, when the ink supply needle and the holder base are welded by ultrasonic waves, the energy of ultrasonic oscillation is concentrated on a contact portion of a protruded part of a needle-side bondage part and a base-side bondage part, and the contact portion of the protruded part is melted out so as to weld the ink supply needle and the holder base. Thereby, the contact portion of the ink supply needle and the holder base is appropriately bonded by ultrasonic welding as a whole without any gap.
US08042921B2	Valve device provided in a passage forming member An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.
US08042917B2	Liquid dispenser head, liquid dispensing unit using same, image forming apparatus using same, and method of manufacturing liquid dispenser head A liquid dispenser head includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of liquid chambers, and a plurality of vibration members. The nozzle is used to discharge liquid. The liquid chamber communicates with the nozzle. The vibration member has a vibration portion, which is used as a deformable wall face of the liquid chamber. The vibration member includes a metal member and a resin layer directly formed on the metal member, and the resin layer has a coefficient of linear expansion greater than a coefficient of linear expansion of the metal member.
US08042916B2	Micromachined fluid ejector array This invention relates to a micromachined fluid ejector array having a fluid reservoir bounded at one side by an elastic membrane having scalable arrays of orifices arranged between concentric piezoelectric transducers, and at another side by a top cover supported by surrounding walls. By actuating neighboring concentric piezoelectric transducers, the scalable array of orifices arranged between the actuated neighboring concentric piezoelectric transducers deflect to eject fluid droplets. Also disclosed is a micromachined fluid ejector array having a fluid reservoir bounded at one side by an elastic membrane having scalable arrays of orifices arranged between concentric piezoelectric transducers, and at another side by a top cover supported by surrounding walls. A piezoelectric layer is bonded on top of the top cover. By actuating the piezoelectric layer bonded on top of the top cover, the scalable arrays of orifices arranged between the neighboring concentric piezoelectric transducers deflect in phase to eject fluid droplets.
US08042914B2	Jetting error detector, droplet jetting applicator and display device manufacturing method A jetting error detector includes multiple input circuits configured to receive respective voltage values of multiple piezoelectric elements from a droplet jetting head configured to jet droplets through multiple nozzles by use of the multiple piezoelectric elements, a selection circuit configured to sequentially select one of the multiple input circuits, a judging unit configured to judge, based on the voltage value inputted to the selected input circuit, jetting quality of the nozzle for jetting the droplets by use of the piezoelectric element corresponding to the selected input circuit, and an output circuit configured to output a jetting quality judgment result of the nozzle.
US08042909B2	Ink cartridge attachment/detachment device, recording apparatus, liquid ejection apparatus, and liquid container A liquid container for a liquid ejection apparatus includes: a case having a liquid containing portion in its interior; a supply portion which is formed on a first side wall of the case, and through which a liquid in the liquid containing portion can flow to an exterior; a contact portion, which can contact a part of a slider of the liquid ejection apparatus to move the slider in a direction in which the liquid container is inserted; and an engagement portion, which is configured to engage a lock portion of the slider. The contact portion and the engagement portion are formed on a second side wall of the case, the second side wall intersecting the first side wall.
US08042908B2	Fluid ejector device A fluid ejector device, including: a fluid nozzle layer defining an orifice therein; and at least one epoxy resin layer established on the nozzle layer, the at least one epoxy resin layer having first and second opposed surfaces with a thickness there between and a fluorine gradient formed therein such that the gradient extends into at least a portion of the thickness of the at least one epoxy resin layer, wherein an amount of a fluorinated species present in the at least one epoxy resin layer at the first opposed surface is greater than an amount of the fluorinated species present in the at least one epoxy resin layer at the second opposed surface that is adjacent the fluid nozzle layer.
US08042906B2	Image forming method and apparatus The image forming method is for forming an image on an image formation body by using an ink liquid including a coloring material and an aggregation treatment agent including a component that causes the coloring material to aggregate. The image forming method includes: an aggregation treatment layer formation step of forming, on the image formation body, a semisolid aggregation treatment layer that includes the aggregation treatment agent and has a moisture content ratio not more than 56%; an ink droplet deposition step of ejecting droplets of the ink liquid and depositing the droplets of the ink liquid onto the image formation body where the aggregation treatment layer has been formed; and a solvent removal step of removing a liquid solvent present on the image formation body after the ink droplet deposition step.
US08042903B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus including a head part with an ejection port configured to eject ink, a discarded-ink tank configured to collect ejected or absorbed ink in order to restore a function of the ejection port, and a sensing device configured to sense the discarded ink collected in the discarded-ink tank, the sensing device including an absorber configured to absorb the ink and an optical sensor configured to sense the light received from the absorber is disclosed, wherein the apparatus uses ink having a characteristic such that the discarded ink is accumulated in a mountain-like shape in the discarded-ink tank, and the absorber is arranged at the location, at which discarded ink can be absorbed when a mountain top of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape reaches a predetermined height so that the discarded ink flows along a slope of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape to the absorber.
US08042902B2	Pressure adjustment apparatus and image forming apparatus, and pressure adjustment method and liquid remaining amount determination method A pressure adjustment apparatus for adjusting a pressure of liquid inside a liquid ejection head including nozzles and flow channels includes: a tank; a pump; a buffer chamber; a first switching device; and a second switching device. The tank includes a movable film and a hermetically sealed container of a prescribed volume, the movable film dividing the hermetically sealed container into a gas chamber filled with gas and a liquid chamber filled with the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head. The pump changes a pressure of the gas inside the gas chamber so as to adjust a pressure of the liquid inside the liquid chamber. The buffer chamber is filled with the gas and damps gas-flow pulsations caused by the pump. The first switching device connects and disconnects the buffer chamber and the gas chamber. The second switching device switches between a state where the pump is connected to the gas chamber without through the buffer chamber, and a state where the pump is connected to the buffer chamber.
US08042901B2	Recording apparatus and method, and storage medium storing program for detecting position of recording portion A recording apparatus is provided. The recording component includes a plurality of recording portions arranged in a first direction and moves relatively to a recording medium at a speed V in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The reading component reads an image recorded on the recording medium in a reading cycle T by a plurality of reading sections arranged at a predetermined pitch in the first direction. The control component controls, on the recording medium by the recording component, recordation of a detection mark having a size W in the first direction of twice or more than twice the predetermined pitch and a size L in the second direction in which L≧(n+1)·V·T (where n is an integer of 1 or more) and calculate a barycenter position of the detection mark in the first direction based on a reading result of the detection mark.
US08042896B2	Ink jet printer having ink maintenance system An ink jet printer performs a print process by ejecting ink for each of a plurality of ink colors. When a predetermined first circulation time elapses after starting the ink circulation, an ink agitating operation drive signal generation unit applies an ink agitating operation drive signal to an ink ejecting unit set operable to eject an ink, which has a predetermined nature, for a first ink agitating operation time in a first period, and applies the ink agitating operation drive signal to an ink ejecting unit set operable to eject an ink, which has not the predetermined nature, for a second ink agitating operation time in a second period which is shorter than the first period. It is therefore possible to perform maintenance effectively in advance of starting the print process in accordance with the nature of ink.
US08042890B2	Boltless storage cabinet A cabinet comprises a plurality of selected cabinet-defining components wherein components defining said cabinet integrally define at least one respective cooperating part of at least one coupling element, said components all secured respectively together exclusively by said respective cooperating parts and the coupling elements formed by said respective cooperating parts.
US08042889B2	Multiple drive for tracked running gear The invention relates to a tracked running gear, in which two running gears are arranged parallel to one another and each running gear has a longitudinal member (1) and a running gear chain (2) which runs around the longitudinal member in the longitudinal direction thereof and forms an upper and a lower strand, and at least one traction drive, composed of a motor, transmission and a drive gearwheel which meshes into the running gear chain and also a deflecting wheel which permits chain tensioning by means of a movement relative to the fixed part of the longitudinal member, characterized in that at least one additional traction drive (3) which acts on the upper strand is provided on the longitudinal member, wherein the running gear length is changed or remains unchanged.
US08042887B2	Brake control apparatus A brake control apparatus for controlling brakes of a vehicle having wheels, the apparatus including a stopped-state detecting portion which detects, based on a speed of at least one of the wheels detected by at least one wheel-speed sensor, a stopped state of the vehicle; an operation-force limiting portion which limits, based on a detection of the stopped state of the vehicle by the stopped-state detecting portion, an operation force of at least one of the brakes, such that an upper limit of the operation force is an intermediate level of an operation-force range used when the stopped state is not detected; a sensor ignoring portion which ignores, when an electric voltage supplied from a power source to the at least one wheel-speed sensor is not higher than a reference value, the at least one wheel-speed sensor; a limitation canceling portion which cancels, when the sensor ignoring portion ignores the at least one wheel-speed sensor, a limitation of the operation force by the operation-force limiting portion; and a rapid-change restraining portion which restrains a rapid change of the operation force caused by a cancellation of the limitation of the operation force by the limitation canceling portion.
US08042883B2	Braking device for vehicle To provide a brake device for a motor vehicle that can suppress variation in braking force applied to a wheel regardless of variation in friction coefficient between a rotator and a braking means in a fluid pressure brake.A brake device for a motor vehicle is provided with a fluid pressure brake 2 (braking means) that applies brake force according to brake fluid pressure to a brake disk (rotator) 20 fixed to a driving wheel (wheel) 3, and has a first feedback mechanism (pressure-reducing means) 15-1 that applies reaction force inputted from the brake disk 20 to the fluid pressure brake 2 in brake operation in a reducing direction of the brake fluid pressure.
US08042875B2	Center door assembly for dump bed and method of removing retractable door therein A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.
US08042870B2	Device for attaching motor vehicle seat covers or mats A device for fixing a car seat mat or cover to the backrest part, which is composed of a hollow tubular member (4) of ‘open’ circular section, having at least two slots (5) formed at a certain distance from the axis of such tubular member (4). Two enlarged parts (11) with a thread (10) integrated, inserted or threaded therein are received in each of the slots (5) to form a loop that closes upon the tubular member: one of the headrest rods will pass through the loop. A second device (20) for holding the car seat cover or mat fixed to the seating surface of the seat namely attachment thereof to the seating surface of the car seat uses a pair of such devices (20) with respective ropes (C), which are hooked and fastened together.
US08042868B2	Power seat system for vehicle A power seat system for a vehicle, includes an operational switch configured to be operated by an occupant for changing positions and attitudes of a vehicle seat whose positions and attitudes are electrically adjusted, a sensor portion positioned in the vicinity of the operational switch and detecting a hand of the occupant approaching the operational switch without contacting the hand of the occupant, and a control portion changing the positions and attitudes of the vehicle seat by actuating an actuator on the basis of an output from the operational switch, the control portion configured to display an operational display indicating adjusting portions and directions of the vehicle seat, which is adjustable by means of the operational switch on the basis of the output from the sensor portion, at an display device provided in a vehicle.
US08042851B2	Chopsticks Chopsticks, used for eating, of the type that have a notch, to enable them to be coupled together, arranged in an oblique position on one of the surfaces close to the upper end of the chopsticks, with a suitable slope for assembling the chopsticks in the manner of pliers, with a depth equivalent to half the thickness of the chopstick and with a width equivalent to the width of the actual chopstick, provision having been made for each of the upper edges of said notch to end in ribs that emerge towards the inside of the notch in order for one chopstick to be snap-fitted together with the other.
US08042849B2	Device and method for lifting a pool skimmer basket The present invention is directed to a skimmer basket lifting tool that enables a user to engage and remove a skimmer basket for cleaning without having to contact the debris accumulated within the basket. The skimmer basket lifting tool comprises a lifting handle which has both a proximal and a distal end, a base portion, including an attachment point for engaging the distal end of the lifting handle, and a pair of opposed skimmer basket crossbar engagement elements extending downward from the base portion. The opposed crossbar engagement elements are oriented such that rotation of the base portion, following insertion of the base portion into a skimmer basket housing, results in reversible engagement of the opposed crossbar engagement elements with the skimmer basket crossbar. This reliable, reversible engagement enables the skimmer basket to be lifted from the skimmer basket housing.
US08042840B2	Sealed flexible coupling with torsion acceptance A coupling has respective support elements extending respectively from each coupling end toward the other, but not directly connected to each other. Radially oriented ends of these elements define a pocket capturing a cushion therein. A non-metallic bellows operably covers the coupling. An optional thermal shield is disposed between the bellows and the support element.
US08042836B2	Reversibly bound book A reversibly bound book is provided. A first cover strip is wrapped around the first edge of a first cover board, passes over the first side of the first cover board and along the first side of the second cover board. One end of a second cover strip is wrapped around the second edge of the second cover board, strip passes along the second side of the second cover board and over the second side of the first cover board. The cover boards are only attached to each other via the cover strips and can be rotated and turned inside-out. One book can have two different appearances simply by rotating the cover boards with respect to each other. At least one floating spine is bound to one cover board, serving as a spine in one configuration and a closure in the other.
US08042830B2	Device for snap-fastening an airbag unit in a subassembly of a motor vehicle, especially in a steering wheel A device is provided for snap-fastening an airbag unit in a subassembly of a motor vehicle, especially in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, snap-in elements that are associated with each other being provided on the airbag unit and on the subassembly of the motor vehicle. In order to be able to snap-secure an airbag unit both to a plate-shaped subassembly and to a subassembly having a lateral wall, at least one snap-in hook is provided on the airbag unit or on the subassembly of the motor vehicle, at least one pivotable plastic snap-in clip being associated therewith on the other subassembly. The snap-in hook engages with said clip in at least one section thereof when in the snap-in position.
US08042828B2	Multi-position foldable stroller A foldable stroller includes a rolling chassis, a push arm coupled to the rolling chassis to move relative to the chassis, and a folding mechanism.
US08042827B2	Snowboard and ski A snowboard or ski (1) is made having a flat sole, seen in cross-section, and with a longitudinal bendable zone or zones so that the whole or parts of the right-hand and/or left-hand part of the board are bendable in such manner that the sole, seen in cross-section, is or can be curved upwards in these parts of the board, thus causing the steel edges outermost on the upward curved portions to be higher than the sole in the middle of the board. The board may be equipped with tensioning means to hold these portions permanently flexed upwards.
US08042819B2	Folding cart for galley A foldable galley cart including a plurality of frame members that are hinged together to form an expandable frame, a flexible material attached to and carried by the frame that forms a generally rectangular-shaped, open-topped bin when the frame is in an expanded configuration, at least one set of wheels rotatably attached to the frame, and a handle attached to the frame. A collapsible galley cart for serving food containers during a flight that is collapsible so that it may be readily stored within a compartment of an aircraft galley unit between uses.
US08042818B2	Electric damper An electric damper which does not transmit unbalance wheel vibration to a vehicle body is provided. A low-pass cutoff frequency setting unit and a high-pass cutoff frequency setting unit respectively set the cutoff frequencies for band-stop filters to a frequency band corresponding to unbalance wheel vibration based on a signal indicating a vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor, and a function as a band-stop filter comprising a low-pass filter computation unit, a high-pass filter computation unit and an adder is computed for a displacement rate of the vertical motion of a wheel calculated by a differentiating unit in a damper control unit. A damper control amount computation unit calculates a control amount of controlling an electric motor for a motor-driven damper based on the calculated filtered displacement rate, and outputs a control signal to a motor driving unit through a driving circuit output unit.
US08042814B2	Seal The seal for sealing off the bearing interior of a bearing has a first sealing lip angled outward from a base of the seal and forming a first sealing contact, and a second sealing lip angled inward from the base and forming a second sealing contact. An annular chamber is formed between the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip. The first sealing lip has at least one ventilation opening which leads into the chamber from the outside. The ventilation opening is positioned at the first sealing contact.
US08042805B2	Machine for processing printed sheets A machine for processing printed sheets includes a sheet delivery having a first conveying device for leading sheet ends, a second conveying device for trailing sheet ends, and a setting device for adjusting one of the two conveying devices relative to the other in a manner dependent on sheet format. The setting device includes a variable ratio gear unit for superimposing two movements.
US08042802B2	Transporting device, image reading device, method and program storage medium The present invention provides a transporting device that includes: a transport unit that transports a document placed on a document tray; a detector that detects the width of the document placed on the document tray; a controller that controls the transport unit to transport the document when the width of the document detected by the detector is a predetermined definite size, and prohibits the transport unit from transporting the document when the width of the document detected by the detector is a predetermined size that is different from the definite size; and a cancellation unit that cancels the prohibition on the document transportation imposed by the controller.
US08042799B2	Vacuum level switch for a vacuum corrugated feeder This invention provides a simple vacuum level switch to be used inside the feedhead's vacuum plenum to detect when the vacuum level exceeds a predefined threshold. This switch is composed of an opening in the plenum that is covered by a cap which is in turn spring-loaded against the opening. The mechanical properties of the spring are such that the cap is pushed away from the opening by ambient air pressure at the point when the vacuum threshold has been reached during sheet acquisition. A Hall Effect or optical sensor is used to detect this motion and the corresponding signal is sent to the feeder controller. This enables more intelligent control of the feeder while also providing an inexpensive method for tracking sheet acquisition times.
US08042791B2	Self-pumping hydropneumatic shock absorber Self-pumping hydropneumatic shock absorber with internal level control, with an oil-filled working cylinder under the pressure of gas cushions and with a damping piston, which is attached to the end of a hollow piston rod and can slide back and forth in the working cylinder, the hollow space in the piston rod serving as the pump space of a pump rod attached to the working cylinder. Oil is drawn from a reservoir space when the piston rod travels outward and into the working space when the piston rod travels inward, and where a control opening is provided in the pump rod to compensate for pressure differences between the working spaces. At least one throttle acting as a function of pressure is provided in the pump space between the high-pressure gas cushion and the low-pressure gas cushion.
US08042784B2	Mounting frame for portable equipment The present invention includes a frame that is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. The frame may be used for supporting a portable forced air heater, or other similar equipment. Handles, supports, and optionally a wheel assembly is assembled to two core members using snap lock buttons. In a preferred embodiment, the portable forced air heater includes a maintenance clock for measuring and recording operational parameters of a portable forced air heater, and for notifying a user that maintenance is required.
US08042768B2	Systems and methods for reducing noise in aircraft fuselages and other structures Systems and methods for reducing noise in aircraft fuselages and other structures are described herein. A noise reduction system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an auxetic core, a damping layer, and a constraining layer. In this embodiment, the auxetic core is supported by a structural member, and the damping layer is sandwiched between the auxetic core and the constraining layer. A method for manufacturing a structural assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention includes forming a stiffener by positioning a first ply of composite material against a first tool surface, positioning damping material against the first ply, and positioning a second ply of composite material against the damping material to sandwich the damping material between the first and second plies. The method can further include forming a skin by positioning a third ply of composite material against a second tool surface offset from the first tool surface, and attaching the stiffener to the skin by co-curing the first, second and third plies of composite material.
US08042763B2	Rotary wing vehicle A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core, and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors with each rotor having a separate motor to drive the rotors about a common rotor axis of rotation. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.
US08042753B2	Mobile crusher A mobile crusher includes: a crusher having a fixed jaw and a swing jaw and adjusting an outlet gap between lower ends of the fixed jaw and the swing jaw, the crusher crushing raw materials by swing movement of the swing jaw toward the fixed jaw and discharging the raw materials crushed by the crusher from the outlet gap to produce crushed materials; a work implement disposed on an upper stream or a lower stream of the crusher to produce the crushed materials; and a controller that controls a work implement speed of the work implement depending on the outlet gap.
US08042744B2	RFID tag A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including a substrate, an RFID chip, a chip contact part, a folding circuit and a radiation part is provided. The chip contact part is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID chip. The folding circuit is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the chip contact part. The folding circuit has a winding part, which forms a hollow region, for compensating the antenna electric length. The radiation part is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the folding circuit, wherein one terminal of the winding part of the folding circuit is open, and the other terminal is electrically coupled to the radiation part. At least one of the folding circuit and the radiation part is asymmetric to the chip contact part.
US08042740B2	Method of reading bar code symbols on objects at a point-of-sale station by passing said objects through a complex of stationary coplanar illumination and imaging planes projected into a 3D imaging volume Digital image capture and processing systems and methods for generating and projecting coplanar illumination and imaging planes and/or coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones, through one or more imaging windows, and into a 3D imaging volume in a retail POS environments, while employing automatic object motion and/or velocity detection, real-time image analysis and other techniques to capture and processing high-quality digital images of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and intelligently controlling and/or managing the use of visible and invisible forms of illumination, during object illumination and imaging operations, that might otherwise annoy or disturb human operators and/or customers working and/or shopping in such retail environments.
US08042731B2	Systems and methods for validating RFID tag data prior to writing into RFID tag The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for validating RFID tag data prior to encoding the data onto an RFID tag, utilizing at least one computing device separate from an RFID encoder. An embodiment of the present invention describes a method of receiving RFID tag data at a computing device, validating that data in compliance with an RFID format, such as the EPC Global standard, and sending the validated data to an RFID encoder. An alternative embodiment provides a method for receiving RFID tag data at a computing device configured for verifying the data, and if the data is not valid, returning an informative error message to a user indicating the component of the data that was invalid and how the error can be corrected. A further embodiment provides a method for allowing a user to correct the RFID tag data and re-validate the data.
US08042727B2	Heater, reflow apparatus, and solder bump forming method and apparatus An apparatus characterized by a feature that in a stage on which a substrate or a jig holding a substrate is mounted, an opening closed when the substrate or the jig is mounted is provided and the substrate or the jig is heated by blowing hot air against the lower portion of the substrate or the jig and by a feature that a solder bump is formed on a pad electrode by heating or reflowing a solder composition which is a mixture containing solder particles, a flux component, and a liquid material which is liquid at normal temperature or changing to liquid when heated, and the composition is heated from the substrate side. With the former feature, oxidization of the solder paste on the substrate where no hot air comes and adhesion of particles to the substrate can be prevented, and with the latter feature, solder particles near the pad electrode are melted earlier and wet and spread over the pad electrode, solder particles above and far from the pad electrode are not melted sufficiently, and an effect of reducing the possibility that solder particles join together can be expected.
US08042723B2	Method of repair Provided is a method of repair which method is capable of holding a molten brazing material at the bonding portion when a component is bonded with a brazing material to an inclined or to a curved surface. The method of repair repairs by brazing a repair portion in which a crack has developed and which needs repair, wherein a brazing material support (4) holding in the interior thereof a molten brazing material (5) is brought into contact with the repair portion, and under the condition that the brazing material support (4) is in contact with the repair portion, the molten brazing material (5) is solidified. Under the condition that the brazing material (5) in a powder form is brought into contact with the brazing material support (4), the brazing material (5) can be melted by heating to a temperature at or above the melting point of the brazing material (5). Alternatively, under the condition that the brazing material support (4) in the interior of which the brazing material (5) has been beforehand held is brought into contact with the repair portion, the brazing material (5) can be melted by heating to a temperature at or above the melting point of the brazing material (5).
US08042716B2	Donning device for stockings A device that makes donning of stockings, in particular medical compression stockings, easier has a flexible sheet body that has a low friction inner side and a high friction outer side and is closed by snap fasteners. It can be rolled to a tubular shape having a larger diameter at one end. The sheet body is inserted into a stocking with the end of lower diameter first and is then pulled over the foot and leg, with the device reducing the friction forces that have to be exerted.
US08042705B2	Cap for safely filling and closing an engine oil tank, in particular of an aircraft engine A cap, for safely filling and closing an engine oil tank, in particular of an aircraft engine, has an elongated tubular body for feeding oil into the tank; a removable cover body for closing an end portion of the tubular body; an oil feed valve located close to the end portion of the tubular body and movable between an open position, allowing oil flow into the tank, and a closed position, preventing oil outflow from the tank; a filter upstream from the oil feed valve; a dipstick for measuring the oil level in the tank, and which is housed in the tubular body and carried by the removable cover body; and a monostable valve controlled by the dipstick.
US08042704B2	Container with measuring device holding means A container for holding a product including a holding means for removably holding a product measuring device adjacent the upper end of the container. The holding means is connected to the container and the measuring device may be replaced in the holding means to secure the measuring device therein during use of the product.
US08042703B2	Recycling center A recycling center receivable on a supporting surface is provided. The recycling center includes first and second sidewalls. Each sidewall has a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper edge and an inner surface such that the inner surfaces of the sidewalls define a recycle receiving chamber. A bag slide slidably is mounted within recycle receiving chamber. The bag slide is movable between a first retracted position wherein the bag slide is received within the recycle receiving chamber and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the bag slide projects from the recycle receiving chamber. A first bag retainer is pivotably mounted to the bag slide for receiving a first portion of upper end of a first bag thereon. The first bag retainer is pivotable between a first position and a second retaining position for supporting the first bag in an open configuration.
US08042699B2	Adjustable cable routing spool A cabling spool for guiding or storing cable, such as is often employed in network racks or other cabling cabinets or enclosures to organize cable layouts and store excess cable, includes a spool body and an end flange. The spool body has a surface with a radius, sized to prevent a minimum bend radius of a cable from being exceeded. The end flange of the spool keeps cables passing about the spool body from leaving the spool. The end flange may be attached to the spool body in a number of positions, e.g., in an upward position, when a majority of cables pass over a top of the spool body; in a downward position, when a majority of cables pass over a bottom of the spool body. The end flange may optionally be rotated relative to the spool body.
US08042698B2	Flat display and flat display apparatus having the same A flat display including a display main body to receive a display panel to display an image and a receiving member which is formed with receiving holes disposed at opposite lateral sides of the display main body.
US08042697B2	Low thermal mass semiconductor wafer support A support for a semiconductor wafer includes a plate having a support surface for supporting the wafer and a recessed surface spaced from the support surface and spaced from the wafer. A plurality of holes extends from the recessed surface, and the support surface is free of holes to inhibit contamination of the wafer.
US08042695B2	External pressure type hollow fiber membrane module An external pressure type hollow fiber membrane module, comprising a hollow fiber membrane bundle formed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, a housing, and an inlet/outlet nozzle for fluid, wherein hollow fiber membranes are fixedly adhered to each other and the hollow fiber membranes are fixedly adhered to the inner wall of the housing at both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. The hollow part at one or both side adhesively-fixed ends is opened, and the inlet/outlet nozzle for fluid is installed at the side face of the housing at least at one adhesively-fixed end in which the hollow part is opened. Where the membrane occupied rates of the nozzle in a neighboring area (A) and a non-neighboring area (B) among membrane chargeable areas on the inside of the adhesively-fixed part at at least one adhesively-fixed end positioned near the nozzle and where the hollow part is opened are PA and PB, the ratio of the membrane occupied rates PB/PA is 0.50 to 0.95.
US08042692B2	Mailpiece conveyor device with servocontrol on reject rate A device for conveying flat articles, in which device the flat articles are moved in series while being at a pitch one from the next that is normally constant, includes a synchronization device for compensating for a certain amount of variation in said pitch. This device includes: means for categorizing the articles on the basis of certain physical characteristics of the articles; means for identifying a certain amount of variation in the pitch for the current article and for recording said pitch variation in a memory in correspondence with the class of the current article; and means for servocontrolling the synchronization system on the basis of said pitch variations recorded in the memory in correspondence with said classes of articles.
US08042689B2	Extravascular system packaging systems Extravascular system packaging systems are adapted to facilitate opening of the package and to facilitate one or more auxiliary uses of the packaging systems. Auxiliary uses include the use of at least a portion of the packaging system as a pre-insertion table and as a temporary disposal receptacle. In its use as a pre-insertion table, the packaging system is adapted to provide a stable temporary storage tool where the extravascular system is readily accessible to the medical practitioner. In its use as a temporary disposal receptacle, the packaging system is adapted to provide a stabilized receptacle adapted to temporarily receive a deployed needle assembly until the needle assembly can be properly disposed of in a sharps container.
US08042682B2	Conveyor belt drive sprocket retention system A drive sprocket retention system is provided for use in a belt conveyor in which a plurality of drive sprockets are mounted on a rotatable element having an axial keyway formation. The retention system is defined by a key arrangement disposed in the keyway formation of the rotatable element, wherein a recessed portion of a key is received and retained between each drive sprocket and the rotatable element without the need for threaded fasteners. The retention system is movable between a locked position and a release position, wherein the spacing between the drive sprockets is substantially fixed when the retention system is in the locked position, and the drive sprockets are independently movable along the longitudinal length of the rotatable element when the retention system is in the release position.
US08042665B2	Multi function torque converter with lever spring and method for controlling hydraulic pressure and flow A torque converter including an impeller clutch with a first portion connected to a cover for the torque converter and a second portion connected to an impeller; and a lever element in contact with the clutch and displaceable to multiply a first force applied to the lever element for operation of the clutch. In some aspects, the converter includes an impeller piston plate engaged with the lever element and displaceable to apply the force to the lever element. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a torus and a charge chamber for the impeller clutch, a second force is associated with a hydraulic pressure to prevent cavitation in the torus, a third force is required to operate the impeller clutch to transmit a desired torque across the impeller clutch, and the multiplied force is at least equal to a sum of the second force and a third forces.
US08042664B2	Electrical cable retractor assembly for a movable window A cable retractor for paying out and retracting an electrical cable providing electrical power to an electrical load on a movable window element comprising a first assembly having a rotatable cable spool for receiving the electrical cable for winding on the cable spool, the first assembly including a first housing having an opening therein for paying out a first end of the electrical cable wound on the spool and at least one electrical terminal for connecting a second end of the electrical cable on the spool to one of an electrical power source or the electrical load; a second assembly having at least one electrical connection connected to the first end of the electrical cable and further being connected to the other one of the electrical load or the electrical power source; thereby to provide power to the electrical load from the electrical cable; one of the first and second assemblies being mounted for movement with the movable window element and the other of the first and second assemblies being fixed; and a guide channel disposed between the first and second assemblies for guiding the electrical cable as the electrical cable is retracted into the first housing on the cable spool as the movable window element moves such that the first and second assemblies move relatively toward each other; whereby the electrical load is provided with electrical power from the electrical power source at all positions of the movable window element.
US08042663B1	Communications spooler for a mobile robot A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.
US08042661B2	Shock absorber A shock absorber (100) for suppressing vibration in a vehicle includes a valve disk (1) that delimits the interior of a cylinder (40) in which a working fluid is sealed; a first passage (2a), a second passage (2b) and a third passage (2c), which are disposed in series so as to connect pressure chambers (41, 42) delimited by the valve disk (1); a valve body (10) that selectively opens the first passage (2a) and the second passage (2b); a biasing member (15) that biases the valve body (10) in a direction for closing the first passage (2a) against the pressure in one of the pressure chambers (42); and a bypass passage (10a) that connects the first passage (2a) to the third passage (2c) when the valve body (10), having displaced in accordance with the pressure in the one pressure chamber (42) so as to open the first passage (2a), displaces further so as to close the second passage (2b). The bypass passage (10a) is set to have a smaller flow passage area than a flow passage area when the first passage (2a) and the second passage (2b) are both open.
US08042655B1	Roll stop for a lift A roll stop system for a lift includes a roll stop member that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a driving mechanism for moving the roll stop member between the raised position and the lowered position, and a spring member acting as a buffer between the driving mechanism and the roll stop member, and preferably the spring member protects the driving mechanism from damage due to abnormal operations of the roll stop member.
US08042652B2	Tree stand The tree stand has a lower rectangular platform with an extended opening from the center to an outer edge of the platform for installation around a tree trunk. An upper platform provides a secure seating area. A plurality of support members are pivotally attached to the lower surface of the lower rectangular platform and have teeth on their lower end adapted for securing into the bark of a tree. The tree stand is further secured to the tree by a plurality of angle irons that are mounted at the center of the upper and lower platforms. Adjustable tension straps attach to the angle iron and tighten the platforms to the tree preventing vertical movement of the tree stand. The support members on the lower platform have a hook on the lower end opposite the teeth, and an adjustable tension strap that engages the hooks further tightens the support members against the tree.
US08042647B1	Speaker side air supply A Speaker Side Air Supply Cabinet that has three things that are working together the Speaker Side Air Supply ducts, the Front Air Chamber, and the Bass Horn. The Front Air Chamber takes in air then compress it so that we get a very high sound pressure {sound wave} output, and the Speaker Side Air Supply ducts supply all the air the Front Air Chamber needs. At the same time the Speaker Side Air Supply ducts also supplying air to the Bass Horn working together to eliminate the pull back on the out going sound wave so there is no reduction of the very high sound wave volume output.
US08042643B2	Saddle-ride type vehicle A saddle-ride type vehicle with a swing arm swingably supported on a body frame. A shock absorber is connected to the body frame and the swing arm for applying a damping force. A shock absorber support member is suspended to the body frame in a vehicle width direction for supporting an upper end of the shock absorber. The shock absorber is supported on a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the shock absorber support member. The central portion in the vehicle width direction of the shock absorber support member is formed in a U-shape that is open at a lower side in a cross section taken along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An upper surface and a lower surface of the shock absorber support member are curved wherein a central portion lies above the end portion in the vehicle width direction.
US08042634B2	Power output apparatus, vehicle mounting the same, and method for controlling power output apparatus The rotating shaft of the motor is connected to and disconnected from the first coupled rotating shaft, the crankshaft of the engine, and the drive shaft is connected to and disconnected from the second coupled rotating shaft and the third coupled rotating shaft. Thereby, the connection state when a power is output to the drive shaft can be increased and the power to the drive shaft can be output in a more efficient connection state in comparison with only connecting and disconnecting the rotating shaft of the motor to and from the first coupled rotating shaft and the crankshaft of the engine.
US08042629B2	Snow traction unit for vehicles A snow traction unit to replace a wheel of an all wheel drive vehicle which includes a frame supporting two carrier wheels; said carrier wheels being spaced apart a distance greater than their combined radii; an endless snow contacting track mounted for rotation on said carrier wheels; a track contacting surface provided between the lower extremities of said carrier wheels; a drive engagement means for engaging the drive shaft of the vehicle and for driving at least one of said carrier wheels; the arrangement of the width of the track, the spacing between the carrier wheels and the track contacting surface resulting in the vehicle having a force imprint less than 250 Kg/square meter.
US08042621B2	Impact mechanism for an impact wrench An impact mechanism (12) for an impact wrench comprises an anvil (8) with a middle portion (13), at least one abutment surface (14) radially protruding therefrom, which forms at least one abutment surface (15), a hammer (4) with an impact surface (16) suitable to give rotational pulses to the anvil (8) by the impact surface (16) hitting the abutment surface (15). The anvil (8) comprises a first connection area (17) connecting the abutment portion (14) to the middle portion (13) within the axial extension of the abutment surface (15) and the middle portion (13) and a reinforcement rib (18) axially arranged out of the abutment surfaces (15) that connects the abutment portion (14) to the middle portion (13) of the anvil (8), thereby forming a second connecting area.
US08042613B2	Drilling head for reboring a stuck valve A drilling head, method of drilling, and use of the drilling head, for reboring a stuck valve or drilling into the formation downhole and, in particular a drilling tool having a drilling head and a driving unit. The drilling head includes a hole saw beside a drill bit for cutting out a piece from the stuck valve. A drilling system includes the drilling tool and a driving tool for moving the drilling tool downhole.
US08042611B2	Field joint for a downhole tool A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.
US08042605B2	Heat conduction device A heat conduction device is fixed into a radiator (2) and abutted a heat-generating component (42). This radiator (2) has a through-hole (10). The heat conduction device includes a column body (1). One end of the column body (1) is recessed to form a hollow part in order to increase the radiating surface; the other end of the column body (1) is a contact surface (12). The outer surface of the column body (1) is fixed inside the through-hole (10) of the radiator (2), the contact surface (12) is abutted the heat generating component (42); Due to the formation of the hollow part, the radiating surface is increased, the radiating effect is enhanced, and the cost can be decreased greatly due to the simple configuration of the column body (1).
US08042594B2	Compaction device for fiber placement using interdependent segment travel A method and system for a fiber compaction device with interdependent segment travel is described. A compaction device structure supports a series of individual interdependent segments including a compaction surface. Each segment also includes an opening in which a presser member can be located. The presser members consist of either an elastomeric bladder filled with an incompressible fluid or individual pistons that are manifolded together with a fixed volume of incompressible fluid. The presser members create an interdependence in segment positions such that if one or more segments are displaced the others move to balance the segment positions. Having a fixed volume of incompressible fluid allows the segments to work interdependently, thus guaranteeing that the average section position will be the nominal position and eliminating the need for a fixed center section. The segments can conform to complexly shaped part surfaces and apply a uniform pressure against the entire surface to better compact material being drawn through the fiber compaction device.
US08042584B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having radial grooves and shutoff walls A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion (2) with a circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction and having a pair of oppositely opposed groove walls (6). The circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) is provided in at least one of the groove walls (6) with radial grooves (9) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the circumferential groove (3). The radially outer end (9o) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a1) of from 0 to 20% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radially inner end (9i) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a2) of from 80 to 100% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radial groove has an opening width (g) of not less than 1.0 mm, but not more than 6.0 mm.
US08042582B2	Pneumatic tire having conductive layer and rubber cement layer including compound having oxyethylene unit A pneumatic tire is equipped with at least a tread part, a sidewall part, a bead part, and a carcass extending from tread part through sidewall part to bead part, and provided with a breaker part on the outside of carcass in the radial direction of the tire. The volume resistivity of each of a tread rubber, a sidewall rubber, a breaker rubber, and a carcass rubber formed in the tread part, the sidewall part, the breaker part, and the carcass respectively is set to 1×1012 Ω·cm or more. A conductive layer having volume resistivity of 1×1011 Ω·cm or less is provided between a carcass ply constituting the carcass and the sidewall rubber and has an exposed part to the tire surface. A rubber cement layer contacting with at least a part of the exposed part of the conductive layer and at least a part of the region that becomes a grounding surface in the tread part to the road surface is provided.
US08042578B2	System and method for making paints from prepaints A manufacturing system for making paints from prepaints, along with a method related thereto.
US08042565B2	Double check back flow prevention device A double check valve is provided that includes an in-line inlet check valve and an outlet check valve that cooperate to prevent back flow of fluid through the valve. The check valve also includes at least one vent that allows for fluid trapped within the check valve to drain, thereby preventing freezing of the check valve and hydrant to which it is interconnected. The check valve provided omits many superfluous components and thus is smaller and easier to install than check valves of the prior art.
US08042562B1	Portable shelters, related shelter systems, and methods of their deployment Portable shelters, shelter systems, and methods of deployment of such shelters are described. The shelters or housing units may be deployed in emergency housing situations and may be grouped into systems of shelters. One particular embodiment comprises a rigid top frame structure, a rigid bottom frame structure, and one or more collapsible support arms connecting the top frame structure to the bottom frame structure. The frame structures and the collapsible support arm(s) are sized and configured to form a shelter frame when the collapsible support arm(s) are in a fully extended position, and the top frame structure is brought into proximity with the bottom frame structure when the collapsible support arm(s) are in a collapsed position. Methods of rapid deployment of the shelters and systems of shelters are also described.
US08042555B2	Head for a cosmetic applicator An applicator for applying a cosmetic to keratinous material is provided. The applicator is a single-piece molded unit formed of a single material and includes a slim, tapered head portion, having an arcuate configuration. The head portion comprises a support and at least two rows of projecting tines integrally molded therewith. The tines extend transversely away from one side of the support relative to the longitudinal axis of the head, the opposite side of the support being smooth and free from tines. The arcuate and tapered shape of the support facilitates the application of cosmetic product to the eyelash fringe including the shortest eyelashes located in the corners of the eye.
US08042542B2	Respiratory mask assembly with magnetic coupling to headgear assembly A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and a headgear assembly which are adapted to being removeably magnetically coupled to one another at a desired angular orientation therebetween.
US08042539B2	Hybrid ventilation mask with nasal interface and method for configuring such a mask A nasal ventilation interface and method for providing nasal ventilation to a patient includes a hybrid face mask, covering only the mouth, coupled with removable nasal inserts extending from the upper surface of the mask. The nasal interface has modular, removable, and disposable nasal pillows connecting the upper surface of the mouth-portion of the mask to the user's nares. Each part of the hybrid mask is modular and can be formed in various shapes and sizes. The ventilation interface has differing gas line entry ports and can be shallow with a relatively deep soft facial interface or deep with a relatively shallow facial interface. In either case, the upper surface receives the nasal interface. The upper surface can have a removable ceiling in which is defined a nasal interface connector. The nasal interface can be integral with a removable ceiling. The entire hybrid mask can be made in one piece.
US08042537B2	Method of providing interactive pressure support A method of employing a pressure generating system that provides a pressure therapy to the pulmonary system of a patient and to enable the patient to interact with the pressure support system, for example, to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment provided by the pressure support system. The interactive system includes an output device that provides first information to the patient, an input device that allows the patient to provide second information that is based on the first information and a control unit that controls the operation of the output device to present the first information and collection of the second information via the input device. In a further embodiment, the operation of the pressure generating system is controlled based on the second information provided by the patient.
US08042531B2	Portable batting device and method A portable batting device that includes a housing, a pneumatically operated ball launching assembly partially disposed within the housing, and a funnel-shaped ball capturing assembly positioned on the top side of the housing. The launching assembly launching a first ball upward into a hitting zone so that a batter may attempt to hit the first ball with a bat. The hitting zone is at a predetermined and adjustable vertical height. The ball capturing assembly receives the first ball should the batter swing the bat and not hit the ball and funnels the first ball into position for a subsequent launch by the launching assembly. The batting device may have a ball feeding assembly operatively associated with the ball capturing assembly.
US08042528B2	Adaptive EGR control for internal combustion engines A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an EGR valve determine a base valve position to deliver a target flow using a stored map and adjust the base position in response to differential pressure across an orifice in the EGR flow to move the valve to a position different from the base position to provide the target flow.
US08042526B2	Torsion damping mechanism for a supercharger A torsion damping mechanism for a rotary blower is provided that includes an input hub adapted to engage a first end of a torsion spring and an output hub adapted to engage a second end of the torsion spring. An intermediate hub is fixed for rotation with a first drive member. A bearing member includes an inner portion connected for rotation with the intermediate hub and an outer portion connected for rotation with the output hub. The bearing member may be a one-way bearing that permits torque to flow from the output hub into the intermediate hub and the first drive member when the output hub is driven in a first rotational direction, and permits the output hub to rotate relative to the intermediate hub with no substantial torque transfer therebetween when the output hub is driven in a second rotational direction.
US08042525B2	Evaporated fuel treating apparatus An evaporated fuel treating apparatus that realizes enhanced exertion of the treating capability of a canister for evaporated fuel and thus efficient treatment of evaporated fuel. Vapor piping for feeding an evaporated fuel from fuel tank to canister is provided with first close valve. The first close valve is capable of regulating the flow rate of transit evaporated fuel through regulation of the opening degree thereof. Accordingly, the evaporated fuel treating capability of the canister can be exerted higher than in the system in which the flow rate of evaporated fuel is not regulated.
US08042514B2	Throttle bodies and saddle-type vehicles including valved intake conduits for engine A throttle body includes first and second intake conduits, first and second valves, and first and second gears. The first and second intake conduits are configured for respective placement in fluid communication with first and second cylinder housings of an engine. The first valve is associated with the first intake conduit and is movable to selectively adjust restriction of the first intake conduit to passage of fluid. The second valve is associated with the second intake conduit and is movable to selectively adjust restriction of the second intake conduit to passage of fluid. The first gear is attached to the first valve and the second gear attached to the second valve. The second gear is engaged with the first gear such that the first and second gears correspondingly rotate. Engines and saddle-type vehicles are also provided.
US08042501B2	Continuously variable valve lift apparatus A continuously variable valve lift apparatus may include a control shaft, a camshaft in which a cam is formed thereto, an eccentric member connected to the control shaft, a follower slidably contacting the cam, a follower arm that is extended from a follower ring mounted around the eccentric member, a variable ring slidably mounted on the eccentric member and a variable arm extended from the variable ring, an output ring slidably mounted on the control shaft and an output arm extended from the output ring, wherein an output cam is integrally formed to the output arm and an end portion of the output cam is pivotally coupled to one end portion of the output arm, a first link pivotally connecting the follower arm and the variable arm, and a second link pivotally connecting the variable arm and the output arm.
US08042491B2	Weedless fish structure The Weedless Fish Structure is a simple, waterproof, hardened acrylic structure that is submerged in water to provide camouflage and shade cover for game and feeder fish in areas where the body of water does not provide adequate cover. The weights within the main tube allow the apparatus to rest on the bottom with little buoyancy. A small air tube edges around the semi-circular bifurcated shade fin and provides buoyancy to the top fin so it remains upright. Two stakes are provided to secure the apparatus to the bottom when desired to prevent currents from moving the device. If the structure is turned over to where the long tube is above the shade fin, the weights will slide down into the shade fin tube and the air will rise into the long main tube, and then by attaching two floats, the structure becomes a surface apparatus. A photo image of underwater vegetation, sandwiched between the acrylic sides of the shade fin provides additional concealment for fish and a more natural appearance to attract fish to hide on either side of the shade fin in sunny or shaded conditions.
US08042486B2	Stent spin coating apparatus A system or device for spin coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The device includes a coating table to support the stent, the stent being positioned on top of the coating table and supported on the table by a support fixture. The coating table has an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the table can intersect a center of the mass of the stent. A driving means can be provided for rotating the stent about the longitudinal axis of the stent and for rotating the coating table about the axis of rotation.
US08042483B2	Apparatus for control of stator wakes The invention as disclosed is an apparatus that controls the wake of stator blades on an underwater vehicle. The apparatus comprises one or more stator blades each with a movable trailing edge that when actuated in a controlled manner produces a periodic flapping motion upstream of a propulsion rotor. The controlled periodic flapping of the trailing edge the fills the stator blade wake enough to overcome the stator blade's own drag and fill its wake deficit. This has the effect of reducing the blade rate tonal noise of the propulsion rotor.
US08042472B2	Cartridged ammunition, particularly blank ammunition The invention relates to cartridged ammunition, particularly blank ammunition, having a cartridge shell (3) and a projectile (2) placed therein. A propellant chamber (4) accommodating a pyrotechnic of a propellant charge (5) is disposed in the cartridge shell, such charge being ignitable by an ignition device (13) also containing pyrotechnic material that generates propellant gases that act on the base (8) of the projectile and propel the shot out of the cartridge shell. In order to prevent the pyrotechnic charges of the propellant charge and/or the ignition device from self-igniting at high ambient temperatures, particularly in a fire, thus tearing apart the cartridge shell and projectile and being flung away, an inert, meltable material is mixed into the pyrotechnic charges of the propellant charge and/or the ignition device. This material has a melting temperature that is lower than the self-ignition temperature of the pyrotechnic charge with the lowest ignition temperature and, upon melting, phlegmatises the pyrotechnic charges of the propellant charge and/or the ignition device.
US08042466B2	Printing press with adjustable bearer rings A printing press and a method for controlling a printing press include rotatably mounted cylinders. At least two adjacent cylinders roll on one another through bearer rings. At least one of the adjacent cylinders can be rotated actively relative to at least one of the bearer rings by a setting device.
US08042465B2	Method and device for switching between single-sided or straight printing mode and perfecting or recto/verso printing mode in a sheet-processing machine and reversing drum having the device A method and a device for converting a mode of operation from straight printing to perfecting in a sheet-processing machine, includes a cam/follower control for operating a gripper system, in which cam followers are maintained in a position in which they are disengaged from control cams before a conversion of the mode of operation is performed. The method and the device convert a gripper system of a reversing drum between a straight or one-sided printing mode and a perfecting or recto-verso printing mode, by controlling pivoting and opening movements of grippers of the gripper system with a control cam. Initially, a cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from the control cam. Subsequently, a further cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from a further control cam. Then the gripper system is converted.
US08042464B2	Rotary press A rotary press including a plurality of printing groups each with a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder arranged in the machine frame such that respectively two blanket cylinders are configured to be leaned against each other and, in this way, a paper web that is guidable between the blanket cylinders is printable on both sides. Furthermore, the press includes inking units for inking the printing groups and damping units for applying a damping medium. The inking units are configured such that, with at least some of the inking units, two plate cylinders and thus two blanket cylinders at a time are able to be inked up. In this way, a compact, space-saving and economical design of the press is achieved.
US08042463B2	Coating device and coating unit in a stencil printing apparatus The invention discloses a varnish coating device that utilizes an ordinary conventional digital stencil printing apparatus, such that anyone can easily apply a uniform film of a viscous coating onto a predetermined area of, for instance, covers and surfaces of printed products. The invention functions as a varnish coating device, in place of a drum unit, when a varnish coating unit is mounted on a mounting section of a printing apparatus main body. The varnish coating unit has: a coating roller that coats the surface of printed paper with a transparent varnish liquid and feeds out the paper; a supply device having a doctor roller that forms a liquid pool on the coating roller and that supplies varnish liquid to form a coating in a predetermined thickness over a predetermined area of the surface of the coating roller; a cradle that detachably supports a varnish container; and a pumping device.
US08042460B2	Head unit for coil packaging A head unit for coil packaging is disclosed to transfer and fasten band for fixing a packaging material to a coil. The head unit for coil packaging, including: a band transfer unit that transfers a front end of a band supplied for coil packaging to a position at which a robot for winding the band to a coil can grip the front end of the band, and transfers the front end of the band such that it overlaps with the band as the robot provides the front end of the band wound on the coil; and a band fastening unit that fastens the front end of the band to the band.
US08042454B2	Machine for filtered coffee A machine for filtered coffee comprising a main body having at least a tank containing the water, at least an aperture to access at least the containing tank in order to load the water, and at least a basket, comprising a housing compartment to house members to filter the coffee. The basket is pivoted to the main body so as to be rotatably and selectively disposed between a closed position, in which the basket is comprised in the bulk of the main body, in such a manner that access to the housing compartment is prevented, and an open position, in which the basket makes access available to the housing compartment, and vice versa. The basket, in the closed position, closes the aperture, preventing access to the tank.
US08042453B2	Piston with a skirt having oil flow slots A piston has a pair of diametrically opposite skirt portions each having an opening providing fluid communication between an outer surface of the skirt portions and an internal cavity. The openings provide the outer surfaces of the skirt portions with a circumferentially extending upper band portion above a horizontal plane extending through a pin bore axis and a circumferentially extending lower band portion below the horizontal plane.
US08042452B2	Lifting ram for lifting platforms The invention relates to a lifting ram for lifting platforms, in particular for underfloor lifting platforms, comprising an inner tubular body and an outer body which is at least partially tubular and which at least partially surrounds the inner tubular body, wherein the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body are connected to one another at least in a force-fitting manner via connecting elements. The lifting ram is an extruded element at least in some sections.
US08042450B2	Safety apparatus for firearms Safety apparatus for firearms are described. An example safety apparatus may be used with a firearm having a latch movable between a first position to retain a breech of the firearm and a second position to enable movement of the breech. The safety apparatus includes a biased safety mechanism coupled to the latch and movable between the first position and the second position. Additionally, the safety apparatus includes a safety device moveable between a locking position and a non-locking position. The safety device interacts with the biased safety mechanism when the safety device is in the locking position and the safety mechanism is in the first position to enable the biased safety mechanism to prevent a trigger force from moving the latch to the second position but to enable the latch to be deflected by a returning breech.
US08042448B1	Firearm muzzle attachment A muzzle device configured to be attached to the muzzle region of a barrel. The muzzle device has a compensator region positioned longitudinally rearward from a flash suppression region. The muzzle device further is provided with adjacent compensator ports in communication by a longitudinally extending access vent.
US08042441B2	Method for cutting protective tape of semiconductor wafer and apparatus for cutting the protective tape A cutter blade movably in a radial direction of a wafer is pressed for biasing to an outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer. Simultaneously, the pushing biasing force of the cutter blade is controlled constant with automatic regulation corresponding to a traveling speed variation of the cutter blade, so that effect of a centrifugal force that works at the time of rotating travel of the cutter blade may not vary a pushing biasing force of the cutter blade. As a result, a contact pressure of the cutter blade to the outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer is maintained stable.
US08042440B2	Punching die for manufacturing seal member and method for manufacturing seal member A punching die for punching out a seal member from a sheet of an inorganic fiber mat having a contour. The punching die includes a base plate. A first blade is supported on the base plate and has a cutting edge extending to form a loop. The first blade punches out a frame-shaped unnecessary portion, which includes the contour, and a seal member formation portion, which includes the seal member, from the inorganic fiber mat. A second blade, which is supported on the base plate at an outer side of the first blade, partially cuts the frame-shaped unnecessary portion. The at least one second blade forms a perforation in the frame-shaped unnecessary portion to separate the unnecessary portion into a plurality of unnecessary fragments. This improves productivity for production of the seal members.
US08042438B2	Cutting apparatus with vibrator An exemplary cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece includes a base, a cutting device and a first driving device. The cutting device is movably mounted on the base. The cutting device includes a first blade and a first vibrator. The first blade is movable in a moving direction toward the workpiece. The first vibrator is configured for vibrating the first blade to increase a shearing force applied to the workpiece. The first driving device is configured for driving the first blade to move.
US08042430B2	Accelerator pedal for a vehicle A pedal assembly that provides a hysteresis in pedal force-response upon actuation is provided. The pedal assembly includes a housing and a pedal arm that has an end. The end has a rotatable drum that defines a braking surface. The pedal arm is rotatably mounted to the housing. A lever extends from the second end. A brake pad is retained by the housing and has a contact surface that is substantially complementary to the braking surface. The brake pad is adapted to be engaged with the braking surface. A bias spring device is situated between the lever and the brake pad for urging the contact surface of the brake pad into frictional engagement with the braking surface of the drum. A sensor is coupled to the pedal arm to sense the position of the pedal arm.
US08042429B2	Control switch A control switch includes a rotary shaft rotatably mounted therein. A switching knob is mounted to the rotary shaft and a surface of the control switch. Also, a stationary shaft is arranged beside the rotary shaft. A driving control disk and a locking control disk are sequentially and rotatably fit onto the stationary shaft so that when the switching knob on the surface is actuated, the rotary shaft is rotated to selectively drive cables through the driving control disk or the locking control disk to thereby effect switching of transmission modes and the function of locking. Thus, the amount of space required for installation is reduced and the chance of malfunctioning is also reduced and further, the costs are reduced.
US08042427B2	Bicycle shifter A bicycle shifter is configured to ensure that the position where a main shifter body is attached to a bicycle can be easily varied. The bicycle shifter basically has a mounting bracket, a main shifter body and a fixing mechanism. The mounting bracket is preferably configured be fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle. The main shifter body is mounted on the mounting bracket and has a shifter mechanism in the interior. The fixing mechanism is a mechanism whereby the main shifter body can be fixed in place on the mounting bracket at an arbitrary attachment position between a first position and a second position.
US08042422B2	Sealing element, and drive unit containing a sealing element A sealing element for sealing off a drive unit, having a radial shaft sealing ring that has a radial sealing face for sealing off from a first component and a diametrically opposed radial sealing lip for sealing off from a further rotatable component, in which an axial sealing ring for axial sealing of a third component is integrally formed onto the radial shaft sealing ring.
US08042420B2	Twin clutch type speed-change apparatus A twin clutch type speed-change apparatus for detecting the engagement state of a dog clutch by use of the rotational speed difference between an inner main shaft and an outer main shaft and of a signal outputted from a gear position sensor. A rotational speed difference between an inner main shaft and an outer main shaft is detected by use of inner and outer rotational speed sensors. When the engagement of the dog clutch is to be released, it is judged to complete the release if the signal outputted from the gear position sensor indicates a speed step number after shifting and the rotational speed difference is zero. It is judged as a dog-tip caught state if the signal outputted from the gear position sensor indicates a speed step number before or after shifting and the rotational speed difference is a transmission gear ratio difference.
US08042419B2	Vehicle transmission An outer circumference of a shift drum of a vehicle transmission is provided with at least one particular lead groove among multiple lead grooves which continuously extends beyond one circle of the shift drum. Two ends of the particular lead groove are arranged so as to be out of alignment with each other in the axial direction of the shift drum. A common shift position adapted to establish gear trains with two shift stages different from each other is set at one position corresponding to the two ends of the particular lead groove along the circumferential direction of the shift drum. The resulting configuration prevents an increase in the diameter of a shift drum and eliminates the significant change of the shape of a lead groove, even as the number of shift positions set on the shift drum is increased.
US08042417B2	Actuator An actuator is described which comprises a rotatable actuator member (14, 114) and a lock arrangement (28, 128) operable to lock the actuator member (14, 144) against rotation, the lock arrangement (28, 128) comprising an axially movable lock member (30, 130, 230a, 230b), the lock member being movable between a locked position in which it co-operates with a stop (34, 136) to resist rotation of the actuator member, and a released position, and an actuation device (62, 162) operable to move the lock member towards its released position.
US08042415B2	Motion converting drive mechanism and vehicle seat apparatus including the same A motion converting drive mechanism converting a rotary motion into a linear reciprocating motion includes a motor having an output shaft, a housing case to which the output shaft of the motor is fixed, a reduction gear mechanism including a first pinion and a second pinion meshing with the first pinion, and a screw mechanism having an internal threaded portion and an external threaded portion, one of which is integrally and coaxially formed with the second pinion. The first pinion serving as a helical gear wheel having two to four teeth is rotatably supported by the housing case therein. The first pinion has a rotation axis rotatably and coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor. The second pinion having a rotation axis arranged in parallel and close to the rotation axis of the first pinion is rotatably supported by the housing case therein.
US08042413B2	Transverse force measurement A piezoelectric sensor for bending moment measurements has measuring elements separating at their axes and electrically connecting both halves with their opposing directions of polarization. Such a sensor, mounted with its axis on the neutral bending axis of a machine structure, thus measures concurrently both tension and compression of the machine on both sides of the axis thereof.
US08042406B2	Method of determining overspeed reliability A method and system for determining the reliability of a rotating component compares a normalized stress curve with a normalized strength curve. The resulting overlap corresponds with the reliability of the rotating component.
US08042404B2	Stress detection circuit and semiconductor chip including same A stress detection circuit includes a function block and a detection signal generation circuit. The function block outputs a first voltage such that the first voltage is varied depending on an extent that the function block is stressed. The detection signal generation circuit generates a stress detection signal based on the first voltage and a second voltage during a test mode. The stress detection signal represents integration of the function block, and a level of the second voltage corresponds to a level of the first voltage before the function block is stressed.
US08042400B2	Pressure sensor A pressure sensor according to the present invention comprises: a differential pressure diaphragm, which is provided to a center part of a sensor chip; a differential pressure gauge, which is provided to a perimeter edge part of the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in radial directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the differential pressure gauge and, together with the first differential pressure gauge, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in perimeter directions, which are perpendicular to the radial directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is provided in the vicinity of the differential pressure gauge and is provided in the perimeter directions; a differential pressure gauge, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the differential pressure gauge and, together with the differential pressure gauge, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm and is formed in the radial directions; a static pressure diaphragm, which is disposed at a position that lies in the perimeter directions between the differential pressure gauge and the differential pressure gauge; and a static pressure diaphragm, which is disposed at a position at which it opposes the static pressure diaphragm and, together with the static pressure diaphragm, sandwiches the differential pressure diaphragm.
US08042393B2	Arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor An arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor, being excited and measured by means of capacitive drive elements, and the rotation of said sensor in an axis, excited by a rotation in another axis by means of the Coriolis force, being measured by means of capacitive measuring elements. Excitation voltages can be supplied to the fixed electrodes of the drive elements, the frequency of said voltages corresponding to the resonance frequency or the subharmonic of the resonance frequency of the vibration sensor. An alternating voltage having a first measuring frequency which is higher than the excitation frequency can be supplied to capacitive elements for measuring the excited vibration. Alternating voltages having a second measuring frequency higher than the excitation frequency are supplied to the fixed electrodes of the measuring elements can be supplied to drive elements causing a vibration excitation in a direction on the basis of the excitation voltage, being in antiphase with the excitation voltage.
US08042384B2	Fuel composition estimation and control of fuel injection A method for estimating the composition of a fuel within an engine, comprises performing the following steps under ambient conditions: (a′) determining the ambient temperature of the fuel; (a) monitoring the fuel pressure inside a fuel rail of the engine over a period of time; (b) calculating at least one frequency component of the change in fuel pressure; (c) calculating the speed of sound transmission c on the basis of the at least one frequency component; and (d) estimating the composition of the fuel on the basis of the calculated speed of sound transmission at said ambient temperature. Suitably, the speed of sound transmission in the fuel is calculated using the equation: c=fλ, where the wavelength λ of the standing wave with frequency f is 2L, where L is the length of the fuel rail. Also described are methods for estimating the temperature of the fuel at a non-ambient temperature, and determining a fuels physical properties. Methods for controlling a fuel injection system in an engine according to the determined physical properties of the fuel and the resultant fuel injection system are also described.
US08042380B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor has a sensor element, extending axially, that detects a particular gas component in a gas under measurement, a metal housing causing the end of the sensor element to protrude farther than the end thereof to expose it to the gas under measurement and that surrounds the periphery of the sensor element and an outer tube disposed at the rear end inside the metal housing and a seal member that is disposed farther to the rear than the detection element and also inside the rear end of the outer tube, and that has formed therein a atmosphere-introduction hole passing therethrough in the axial direction, the gas sensor further having a crimped part, formed in the outer tube, for the purpose of holding the seal member a hollow-cylindrical member in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the atmosphere-introduction hole so as to oppose the crimped part, and a metal filter that joins to the hollow-cylindrical member at the rear end of the hollow-cylindrical member and also farther to the rear than the crimped part.
US08042373B2	Method and apparatus for reducing a stent A medical device crimping system comprises a crimper and a plurality of protective strips. The crimper defines a crimping iris, which has an open state and a closed state. In the open state the cross-sectional area of the crimping iris is greater than in the closed state. The plurality of protective strips extend longitudinally through the crimping iris. Each of the strips is radially offset from one another. The strips protect the stent from direct contact with the crimping blades of the crimper.
US08042372B2	Method of making an automotive closure panel assembly A method may include providing an outer panel that may have a flange that defines at least one planar section. The flange may be heated at the at least one planar section, and the flange may be bent about the at least one planar section.
US08042368B2	Method and apparatus for the production of a longitudinal seam welded hollow profile To produce hollow profiles from sheet-metal blanks, the invention uses at least two process steps to form said blanks into a slit profile which is subsequently welded to produce the finished welded profile. For this purpose a mandrel is used which cooperates with a first tool part in the first step, and with a second tool part in the second step, such as to form a gap with the recess of each tool part into which a portion of the sheet-metal blank is guided. Shaping the sheet-metal blank in at least two steps means that a mandrel that is a self-contained component and can therefore be moved by a simple control device can be used to support the sheet-metal blank while the slit profile is being created. This considerably reduces the equipment needed to produce the hollow profile. Moreover, forming the sheet-metal blank into the slit profile in at least two steps also considerably improves the reliability with which this shaping takes place.
US08042346B2	Refrigerator The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a receiver unit for receiving information required for every day life, a control unit for determining information a user is in need from the information required for every day life, and a display unit for displaying the information the user is in need to an outside of the refrigerator.
US08042345B2	Outdoor unit and air conditioning system using the same An air conditioning system comprising: an indoor and an outdoor unit connected through common power supply lines The indoor unit comprising a first communications circuit in communication with the outdoor unit through first and second communication lines independent of the supply lines; and a second communication circuit that communicates through one of the supply lines and a third communication line. The outdoor unit comprising a third communication circuit in communication with one of the first and second communication circuits; a switch that connects or disconnects a communication terminal with one of the common power supply lines based on a connection status between the third communication circuit and the first and second communication circuits; and a judging circuit that controls the connection and disconnection, and judges, based on the presence of an acknowledge signal, whether the first and the second communication circuit is connected to the outdoor unit.
US08042337B2	Method and apparatus for solar tracking and energy collection This invention relates to the sun location tracking method and apparatus of solar heat or photovoltaic collectors which are composed of a solar heat comparison collector for tracing the sun, a solar heat collector for reverting the collectors to sunrise position, and a turbine driven instrument of differential gear for mechanical driving of the tracking system so the tracking is accomplished by itself, and a heat exchanger and a water tank are provided to improve efficiency. The sun location tracking is performed by kinetic force of the steam turbine which driven by the steam from the solar heat comparison collector that generating steam with the solar energy only, so the most solar heat or photovoltaic energy to be obtained at the collectors while tracking the sun location from sunrise to sunset as driving one or more solar heat or photovoltaic collector(s) with interlocking movement manner.
US08042334B2	Vertical fluid container with endless chain The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated methods for generating energy by capturing and taking benefit of the energy generated by any quantity of air surfacing inside water. The apparatus includes a frame structure to which is rotatably mounted an upper drive wheel, a lower wheel, and a vertical fluid column container. An endless chain of gas capsule elements is mounted on the upper and lower wheels. This endless chain passes vertically up into and through the fluid column container through a seal port in the bottom of the container. As the endless chain of gas capsule elements passes vertically through the fluid in the container, fluid pressure on the elements due to the height of the column of fluid in the container produces a net buoyant force upward on the elements, causing them to rise, generating kinetic energy that turns the wheels.
US08042331B2	On-demand hydraulic pump for a transmission and method of operation A fixed displacement binary pump is provided for a powertrain on a vehicle. A hydraulic system is operatively connected with first and second discharge ports of the pump and is operable to alternately permit fluid flow through both discharge ports (i.e., full displacement or volumetric output of the pump) or permit flow through only the first discharge port (i.e., partial displacement or volumetric output of the pump). The pump may be packaged in a front support of the transmission. An auxiliary pump may be provided that is operable to supplement the output of the binary pump or to be used when the binary pump is off. A method of operating the binary pump and auxiliary pump is provided.
US08042320B2	Workstation of a packaging machine having a lifting device A workstation of a packaging machine comprises a lifting device (100) which is configured such that it is able to convert a rotary motion of a motor (8) into a translator motion of the workstation by a lever device (6). The stroke of the lifting device (100) is performable for this purpose by a pivotable lever (61) and a roller (32) which cooperates with an upper roller limit (33).
US08042312B2	Three-dimensional cellular light structures directly woven by continuous wires and the manufacturing method of the same Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional cellular light structure formed of continuous wire groups. In the cellular light structure, six orientational-wire groups are intercrossed each other at 60 degrees or 120 degrees of angles in a three-dimensional space to thereby construct the structure similar to the ideal Octet or Kagome truss and having a good mechanical property such as strength, rigidity or the like. A method of mass-producing the structure in a cost-effective manner is also disclosed. The three-dimensional cellular light structure has a similar form to the ideal Octet or Kagome truss. When required, the intersection points of the wires are bonded by means of welding, brazing, soldering, or a liquid- or spray-form adhesive to provide a structural material having a light weight and a good mechanical strength and rigidity. It can be made into a fiber-reinforced type composite material by filling part of or entire internal empty space of the structure.
US08042309B2	Panelized veneer with backer-to-backer locators A cast veneer wall panel includes a backing panel having a rear face and a front face. The front face includes a boundary wall and a continuous abutment extending around a perimeter of a casting field. The cast veneer wall panel further includes a facing panel formed from a cast material that is received and held within the casting field. The facing panel includes at least one design element.
US08042306B2	System and method for erecting a tower A method, a system, and a device for erecting a tower. The method comprises assembling proximate to the ground a base section, top section, and one or more intermediate sections of the tower into an assembled tower lying in a substantially horizontal first plane, the assembled tower comprising a top end including the top section and a bottom end including the base section. The method also includes orienting the attitude of the assembled tower using a lift initiator to lie in a second plane defining an acute angle to the first plane, so that the top end of the tower is higher in elevation than the bottom end. The method also includes lifting the assembled tower from the second plane to a vertical plane with a primary lift assembly and coupling the assembled tower to the foundation. The primary lift assembly may comprise a pulley having a continuous loop of cable connected to a counter-balanced tackle-block system.
US08042300B2	Methods of managing timberland A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in first and second rows, wherein the tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop. The method further includes periodically harvesting the energy crop for a predetermined number of harvests.
US08042299B1	Mole trap The mole trap includes a base assembly and an upper movable frame. Two vertical guide rods are attached to the base assembly and pass through the bores through the upper movable frame. Springs urge the movable frame away from the base. Two U-shaped rods are attached to the movable frame and extend under the base. An upper horizontal pin is fixed to the movable frame. A lower horizontal pin is fixed to the base. A tension link connected to the upper pin. A recess in the link receives the lower pin and holds both springs in loaded condition. A bracket with a tension link recess is pivotally mounted on the lower pin. A tension link release surface on the bracket releases the tension link when a mole sensor pivots the bracket.
US08042298B1	Fishing lure The present invention includes improvements for fishing lures. In some embodiments, a blade of a fishing lure includes a louvered hole. The louvered hole increases the blade turning action as water moves through the hole making the lure more enticing to fish resulting in more bites/strikes. The size, shape, type, color, texture and other characteristics of the blade and the overall lure are all changeable. In a second embodiment, a lure includes one or more elongated tails. In some embodiments, the elongated tails float, spin, slow down the lure and/or generate an appearance similar to a living creature. Again, the other characteristics of the lure with elongated tails are all changeable.
US08042297B2	Magazine for a handheld firearm The present invention relates to a magazine (10) for a handheld firearm, suitable for accommodating a plurality of cartridges (11, 12, 13, 14) which are transported in a guided movement by means of a feed within the magazine in the direction of the barrel of a weapon, in order to be loaded individually in each case into the barrel of the weapon at the upper end of the magazine after each shot, with the cartridges being guided along a curved path in the magazine. When using cartridges with a firing rim (19), in order to ensure that these cartridges are emitted at the upper end of the magazine such that the firing rim of the uppermost cartridge (14) is always in front of that of the second-uppermost cartridge (13), the invention provides that the internal contour of the magazine (10) is designed, at least in an area at a distance from the upper magazine end, such that successive cartridges assume an interlaced arrangement with crossing axes, the internal contour tapers toward the upper end of the magazine such that the cartridges are aligned, and that the firing rim (19) of at least the uppermost cartridge (14) is guided by guide elements in the magazine.
US08042296B1	Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, containing a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear; a breech body which is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position which closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case; characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position, such that the magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, which acts as an opposing bearing during the firing of a projectile.
US08042294B2	Ornamental album frame An album frame is provided having an outer frame. The outer frame has a back side and an outer periphery. A mounting plate is attached to the back side of the outer frame. A support shelf extends frontwardly from the mounting plate along a first portion of the inner periphery. The support shelf is adapted to support a binding of an album. In addition, the outer frame may have a recessed groove in a second portion of the inner periphery. The second portion is located opposite the first portion of the inner periphery. Furthermore, the outer frame may include a first guiding ramp on a third portion of the inner periphery and a second guiding ramp on a fourth portion of the inner periphery. The first guiding ramp and the second guiding ramp allows an edge of an album cover to be guided into the recessed groove.
US08042287B2	Insole comprising a curve support The invention relates to a plastic insole comprising a curve support for the metatarsus. Provided in the region of the greatest height of the curve support on the underside of the insole are a plurality of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs as well as grooves, said grooves extending from the toe region in the direction of the heel as far as the metatarsal region and so curving round in the metatarsal region to the lateral side of the insole and terminating in said region that extending between the grooves are spring strips issuing from each of the toes, wherein material can be removed from the spring strips and stiffening ribs in order individually to adapt the thickness thereof.
US08042284B2	Heating system, drying machine having the heating system, and method of controlling the heating system A heating system and a method of controlling the heating system are provided. When a heating unit and a switch are turned on and off repeatedly by the predetermined number of times or more, only some of heaters of the heating unit are turned on, thereby increasing service life of the heating unit and the switch.
US08042270B2	Method of manufacturing hose coupling fitting A hose coupling fitting is furnished with a coupling head portion having a connecting hole, and a nipple portion having a nipple hole, and is fabricated through sequential cold forging steps carried out on a rod material. Specifically, a first pilot hole is formed along the center axis from a first end of the rod material, and a second pilot hole is formed along the center axis from the other end of the rod material. The second pilot hole is connected to the first pilot hole, and is formed with smaller diameter than the first pilot hole and larger diameter than the nipple hole. The surrounding area of the second pilot hole is then worked to form the nipple portion.
US08042267B2	Method for producing microsystems The invention relates to a method for producing microsystems comprising microelectronic components that are inserted into cavities created during the layered construction of a base body consisting of a photocurable material, said components being situated adjacent to and/or above one another on several planes and being interconnected either electrically or thermally. The invention is characterised in that once said microelectronic components have been inserted, the layered construction of the base body continues and that a structure is constructed consisting of an electrically or thermally conductive material that projects vertically above the contacts (pads) of the electronic component, said conductive material producing a direct connection to an additional electronic component above the first electronic component or to one or several additional electronic components that is or are located at a lateral distance from said first component by means of a conductor track that runs horizontally from the conductive material projecting vertically above the pad.
US08042263B2	Process for manufacturing circuit board According to the present invention, there is provided a process for manufacturing a circuit board wherein a first substrate having a conductor post and a second substrate having a conductor pad for receiving the conductor post are laminated through an interlayer adhesive, and the conductor post and the conductor pad are electrically connected, comprising, as a first step, bonding the conductor pad with the conductor post by thermocompression under predetermined first conditions while the first and the second substrates are arranged such that the conductor pad faces the conductor post through the interlayer adhesive; thermocompressing the first substrate and the second substrate under predetermined second conditions while the conductor pad is bonded with the conductor post; and thermocompressing the first substrate and the second substrate under predetermined third conditions while the conductor pad is bonded with the conductor post, wherein the first, the second and the third conditions are different from each other.
US08042259B2	Method of manufacturing a magnetic recording head A magnetic recording head and a method of manufacturing the same. The magnetic recording head includes a stack containing a main pole and a return pole. The stack includes a first magnetic layer having a groove formed therein; an insulating layer covering a surface of the groove; and a second magnetic layer pattern filling the groove covered with the insulating layer.
US08042252B2	Pipe coupling and method for installation The coupling includes a mandrel and a coupling outer sleeve. In a method for installing the coupling on a pipe, the mandrel is inserted into the inner diameter of an end of pipe with an outboard end of the mandrel protruding from an end of the pipe. Then the outer sleeve is positioned over the pipe to form a length of substantially concentrically arranged, overlapping parts of the mandrel, the pipe and the sleeve. Then the sleeve is crimped over at least a portion of length, which engages the pipe between the sleeve and the mandrel. Either before or after sleeve is crimped over the pipe, the sleeve is connected to the outboard end of the mandrel.
US08042249B2	Motor vehicle body assembly apparatus A method and apparatus for providing motor vehicle sub-assemblies with unrestricted model mix and quick changeover between models. The apparatus includes a track; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the track between first and second positions; and first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations and each including a plurality of circumferentially spaced individual faces and unique tooling fixtures on the respective faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles.
US08042247B2	Method for assembling a two-piece punch into a tool A tool for use in a powder metal process is disclosed. The tool includes an upper tool and a lower tool. The upper and lower tools may include multiple members for each tool. The lower tool having a predetermined cross sectional profile that continuously expands outward from or near a center point of the lower tool. The lower tool is also secured within a press for the powder metal process via a fastening mechanism.
US08042246B1	Tool and method of repair for removing bulges in stained glass windows A tool and method of repair for removing a bulge in a stained glass window by providing at least one aperture in the metal earning of the stained glass window; positioning at least one threaded rod member through at least one of such aperture(s); further positioning two tool members one on each side of the stained glass window, each tool member having at least one aperture defined therein and a flat surface with the flat surface of one tool member being positioned against the bulge in the stained glass window and the other positioned behind the bulge, each of such tool members receiving such rod member(s), respectively, in such tool member aperture(s). Tightening means are positioned on the ends of such rod member(s) which tightening means are manually adjusted to urge such tool members toward one another to compress the bulge in the stained glass window to bring it into alignment with the original plane of the stained glass window while the stained glass window is within its frame including when the window is still in a wall or other location without the need for disassembling and reassembling the stained glass pieces.
US08042245B2	Repair kit for vehicular brake slack adjuster A repair kit for a vehicle brake slack adjuster provides C-shaped reinforcement plates that may be clamped on opposite sides of a damaged stabilizer anchor tab to repair the same without removal of the slack adjuster.
US08042243B1	Apparatus for single hand attachment of drywall corner beads A tool that can be held and operated with one hand to attach a corner bead to an outside corner of drywall includes a substantially V-shaped member having a pair of interior surfaces disposed at an angle of less than 100° and a frame or handle attached thereto. The handle maybe sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of a human hand. A lever is pivotally attached to the handle. A pair of opposed pincers having pointed tips are pivotally mounted relative to the V-shaped member so as to allow the tips to move in a converging direction. A mechanical linkage system translates force applied to the lever into a the converging motion of the pincers. The apparatus facilitates transmitting to the corner bead force applied to the frame in a first direction and deforming the corner bead with a second force applied to the frame/lever in a second direction, the second force having a component in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, the second force having a magnitude correlating to the defamation force applied to the corner bead.
US08042239B2	Piezoelectric/electrostrictive element and method of manufacturing the same A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element with improved moisture resistance while having less degradation in its piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties and a method of manufacturing such a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element are provided. A laminated vibrator of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element has a structure in which an electrode film, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, another electrode film, another piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and another electrode film are laminated one above the other. In the manufacture of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, the laminated vibrator and a counter electrode are immersed in an electrodeposition coating fluid containing a coating component so that the electrodeposition coating fluid is brought into contact with the surfaces of the laminated vibrator and the counter electrode. Thereafter, voltage is applied between an internal electrode film and the counter electrode to induce electrophoresis of the coating component toward a surface-exposed defect, whereby the coating material is selectively electrodeposited on the surface-exposed defect.
US08042235B2	Buckling device for safety belt A buckling device for safety belts includes a buckle made of metal material and bent to form a projected holder. A wider segment of the holder is used to insert a side of the safety belt to the buckle. On each of two sides of a narrower segment of the holder is mounted a second side plate. Between two second side plates is defined a locking unit by using a shank. On an upper rim of the second side plate is a recess. The locking unit includes an engagement member in which a rotary member, a fixing piece, a compression spring, a mounting member, and a torsion spring are received. A fastening member includes a bottom sheet, with a wider segment thereof being used to insert another side of the safety belt. The fastening member further includes a retaining pore secured on a narrower segment thereof.
US08042234B2	Clamping device with reinforced clamping lugs Disclosed is a clamping device including a collar having at least one pair of projecting lugs and tightening means co-operating with said lugs. Each lug of a pair is equipped with reinforcement means suitable for opposing deformation of said lugs under the action of the tightening means. Each lug has a connection portion via which it is connected to a belt portion of the collar, which connection portion is upstanding relative to said belt portion, and a tightening wall, with which the tightening means come into engagement and which is folded back towards the belt portion. A space is formed between the connection portion and the tightening wall.
US08042231B2	Portable terminal with hinge apparatus A portable terminal having a hinge apparatus is provided. The portable terminal includes a first housing, a second housing pivotally coupled to the first housing so that the second housing can be unfolded from and folded onto the first housing, and a hinge apparatus coupling the first housing and the second housing together. The hinge apparatus provides a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis perpendicular to each other, in which, from the folded state in which the second housing is folded on the first housing, the second housing is operable to rotate about the first hinge axis to be located in an upper side of the first housing and to rotate about the second hinge axis to be located in a first side of the first housing. Also, the hinge apparatus allows the second housing to rotate about the first hinge axis to be unfolded at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the first housing and then rotate about the second hinge axis so that an inner face of the second housing is oriented in a same direction in which a first side of the portable terminal faces. Therefore, the hinge apparatus provides a portable terminal that is convenient to use not only communication functions, but also multimedia services such as watching broadcastings.
US08042224B2	Cleaning appliance A cleaning appliance includes a main body, a handle assembly and a hose. The handle assembly includes a tube and a gripping portion fixedly attached thereto. The hose has one end attached to the main body. The tube is movable relative to the main body between a stored position in which at least a part of the tube lies within the hose and an extended position in which the gripping portion can be used to manipulate the cleaning appliance in use. By providing such an arrangement, the handle assembly and the hose can be stored compactly. When the user wishes to store the cleaning appliance, the tube can be retracted inside the hose for storage. When the tube is extended, the gripping portion is at a convenient height to be manipulated by a user.
US08042222B2	Vacuum attachment for a vacuum cleaner A vacuum attachment for a vacuum cleaner including a housing having a vacuum channel. A roller is rotatably and displaceably disposed in a region of the vacuum channel and driveable during a vacuuming operation. The roller includes at least one of bristles and baffle walls configured to be in partial contact with a floor covering during the vacuuming operation. At least one roller magnet is disposed on the roller at least one end thereof. At least one housing magnet is non-rotatably disposed on the housing axially adjacent to the at least one roller magnet and configured to interact with the at least one roller magnet so as to alternately at least one of attract and repel the roller so that the roller performs an oscillatory motion as it rotates.
US08042216B2	Ergonomic brush In one embodiment, an ergonomic brush includes a handle grip with finger slots situated between thumb slots and a palm rest extending rearwardly from the finger slots. A bristle base may be adapted to the handle grip, where the bristle base includes a bristle field having a length extending in a direction substantially parallel to a user's hand when engaged in the finger slots.
US08042214B2	Oral care implement An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.
US08042210B2	Articulating bed system A mechanism for activation of an articulating bed incorporates at least one mattress support plate and a pair of side rails. A rack is attached to each side rail and a torque tube extends between the side rails with a pinion gear at each end engaging a respective one of the racks. An actuator imparts translational motion to the torque tube perpendicular to its axis. Elevation bars connected to the torque tube and the support plate are angularly displaced by translation of the torque tube.
US08042208B2	Rotational operating table An operating table has first bed platforms, each which can rotate. In an operating configuration, the patient lies on one of the bed platforms in a prone or supine position with the bed platform centered over the base. When the patient needs to be turned, the other table extends outwardly, and both tables are rotated to position the patient for turning. Once the patient is turned, the table on which the patient lies is returned to its operating position over the base and the other table is returned to its storage position.
US08042207B2	Holding mechanism for foldable side rails The conventional holding mechanism for foldable side rails have such problems that the release lever can be accidentally pressed for release action and that if a double lock is employed for preventing it, automatic holding action cannot be performed.This invention proposes a holding mechanism for foldable side rails, characterized in that the holding mechanism 4 is provided at an end of an upper horizontal rail member 1u and comprises a mechanism support member 5 connected with the stanchion member provided at said end; the mechanism support member 5 has a stopper pin set 12 capable of advancing and receding; the stopper pin set 12 is biased in the advancing direction by a spring 13; the stanchion member has a fitting hole 10 allowing the stopper pin set 12 to be fitted in it when the stanchion member is kept erect; the mechanism support member further has a release lever 6 engaged with a mechanically driven trigger site 15 provided in connection with the stopper pin set for making the stopper pin set recede against the force of the spring; a play mechanism is provided between the release lever and the mechanically driven trigger site; and the mechanism support member further has a release prevention mechanism for preventing the movement of the release lever in the release allowing direction.
US08042203B2	Faucet body A faucet body includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe enclosed around the inner pipe. The inner pipe is formed by a plastic injection molding process and has an inside formed with a water guide channel. Preferably, the outer pipe is directly enclosed around the outside of the inner pipe after the inner pipe is formed and is formed by a plastic injection molding process so that the inner pipe and the outer pipe are combined together. Thus, the outer pipe is enclosed around the inner pipe to form the faucet body, and the outer pipe and the inner pipe are formed by a plastic injection molding process, so that the faucet body is made and worked easily and quickly.
US08046834B2	Method of polymorphic detection A computer program signature may be determined based on the function flow grammar for a given source code. The function flow grammar may be determined based on reduced control flow graphs generated based on control flow graphs for each function within the source code. A polymorph of a computer program may be detected by comparing the determined computer program signature with computer program signatures, which may be included in a database.
US08046825B2	Selective acceptance of electronic messages in communication systems A file authentication requesting device that stores a computer program for requesting authentication of files in digital systems, the device comprises a confirmation request system that generates a request for a confirmation receipt from a third party authenticator authenticating the attributes of a file; a transferring system that transfers attributes of at least one file to be authenticated to the third party authenticator from the device that requested the confirmation; and a receiving system that receives the confirmation receipt comprising authenticated file attributes, after authentication by the third party authenticator; wherein, at least one file authentication is received from the third party authenticator. Corresponding processing devices, media, systems and methods are also provided.
US08046812B2	CATV system, management device, cable modem, set-top box and program A cable modem of a CATV system includes a proxy requesting unit. The proxy requesting unit requests a set top box to send relevant information about the set top box when the cable modem is requested to send the relevant information from at least one management device connected to the cable modem via a CATV network.
US08046805B2	Method for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal and broadcasting signal receiver A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.
US08046802B2	Method and system for ordering and prioritizing the downloading of content from an interactive interface A method and system for ordering content includes a first device having an ordering interactive interface. The first device identifies a user account. The first device forms a content selection corresponding to the on-demand content from the interactive interface and generates a recording priority status. The first device communicates the content selection and the recording priority status to a content processing system. The content processing system forms a queue for the user account, inserts the content selection in the queue in response to the recording priority and communicates a control word to the user device. A user device receives the content corresponding to the selection in response to the control word.
US08046790B2	Media projector system for preventing the display of on-screen display information A system comprising a media player configured to play media content, a projector operatively coupled to the media player, and a control unit operatively coupled to the media player and the projector is provided. The control unit is configured to detect an on-screen display condition associated with the media player, and the control unit is configured to prevent first information associated with the on-screen display condition and provided by the media player from being displayed by the projector in response to detecting the on-screen display condition.
US08046788B2	Systems, methods, and products for presenting content Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for presenting content. Programming content is received having a program and program control data. The program control data may has a default setting followed by a data record comprising a rating value and a content attribute value. Program presentation preferences of a viewer are received that block or modify the program. When, however, the rating value and the content attribute value are missing from the data record, and when the default setting equals or exceeds the program presentation preferences, then modification of the program is not allowed. An instruction to modify the program is, instead, interpreted as another instruction to block the program from presentation.
US08046787B2	Method and system for the storage, viewing management, and delivery of targeted advertising A method for managing television advertisements. The method includes determining if a subscriber has reached a minimum level of advertisement viewing and curtailing the service level of the subscriber if the subscriber does not maintain the minimum level of advertisement viewing.
US08046784B2	Optical disc record system and method, and an optical pickup actuator unit for such a system An optical disc record system comprising an optical pickup actuator unit for transferring data to and/or from a rotating optical disc. The optical pickup actuator unit comprises a fixed part (1) and a movable part (2) carrying an objective lens (4) for focusing a light beam on the optical disc. The movable part (2) is connected to the fixed part (1) by a number of substantially parallel elastic suspension wires (5). The movable part (2) is provided with a number of coils (8, 9, 15, 16, 17) of electrically conductive wires, which coils (8, 9, 15, 16, 17) are at least partly present in a magnetic field generated by magnets (10, 11, 18). At least one electrically conductive stranded wire (22, 23) is present between said fixed part (1) and said movable part (2) in order to feed electric current to at least one coil (16, 17).
US08046773B1	Object oriented communication between isolates A computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium for providing object-oriented communication between isolates is described. A request is received from a requesting Xlet for a remote reference to an exported object in a first isolate, the exported object having been exported by an exporting Xlet. A plurality of object registries are searched for the remote reference, each of the object registries being in a respective isolate. The remote reference is retrieved from one of the object registries and the remote reference is forwarded to the requesting Xlet.
US08046767B2	Systems and methods for providing capacity management of resource pools for servicing workloads A method comprises receiving, by a capacity management tool, a capacity management operation request that specifies a resource pool-level operation desired for managing capacity of a resource pool that services workloads. The capacity management tool determines, in response to the received request, one or more actions to perform in the resource pool for performing the requested capacity management operation in compliance with defined operational parameters of the workloads. The method further comprises performing the determined one or more actions for performing the requested capacity management operation.
US08046746B2	Symbolic execution of object oriented programs with axiomatic summaries Symbolic execution identifies possible execution paths of a computer program or method, each having certain constraints over the input values. The symbolic execution also records updates of memory locations, e.g. updates of the fields of symbolic objects in the heap of an object oriented program, involving a description of the previous heap, the updated symbolic object, a field identification, and a newly assigned symbolic value. The symbolic execution can also record calls to summarized methods, involving a description of previous calls, an identification of the summarized methods, and its symbolic arguments. The behavior of summarized methods can be expressed by axioms. Axioms describe the relationship between summarized methods under certain conditions. Axioms can be generated from parameterized unit tests. A parameterized unit test is a method with parameters which executes a sequence of calls to methods of an implementation under test; it asserts constraints over the inputs and outputs of the calls. A software testing program receives a parameterized unit test of an implementation under test, and symbolically executes the parameterized unit test. It can re-use axioms generated from other parameterized unit tests, and use them to emulate summarized methods.
US08046743B1	Method and system for remote software debugging Methods and systems for remotely debugging a software program are provided. The methods and systems make use of a debugger application executing on a host computer and configured to communicate with a debugger module executing on a target computer via a distributed computing network, such as the Internet.
US08046741B2	Private source code commenting A method, computer program product, and data processing system for exchanging information regarding software source code among a team of developers is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a developer associates commentary with a particular code feature, such as a function or object class. A list of intended recipients or readers of the commentary is obtained from the developer. Additional settings regarding such things as an expiration date for the commentary are also obtained from the developer. The source code with associated commentary is then made available to the intended readers. If desired, the source code with associated commentary may be transmitted the intended recipients via e-mail or an “instant message” or other form of notification can be transmitted to the intended recipients to notify them of the commentary to be read.
US08046733B2	Method and system for process composition A method and system for model composition. A business process model defined by a plurality of tasks may be accessed. A plurality of available executable elements capable of implementing the plurality of tasks may be identified. Each of the plurality of available executable elements may be capable of providing functionality to implement parts of the business process model. One or more executable elements may be selected among the plurality of available executable elements for each of the plurality of tasks. The selection may be based on functionality of an available executable element. The selected elements may be combined for the plurality of tasks to create an executable process for the business process model.
US08046727B2	IP cores in reconfigurable three dimensional integrated circuits The invention describes IP cores applied to 3D FPGAs, CPLDs and reprogrammable SoCs. IP cores are (a) used for continuously evolvable hardware using 3D logic circuits, (b) applied with optimization metaheuristic algorithms, (c) applied by matching combinatorial logic of netlists generated by Boolean algebra to combinatorial geometry of CPLD architecture by reaggregating IP core elements and (d) used to effect continuous recalibration of IP cores with evolvable hardware in indeterministic environments for co-evolutionary reprogrammability.
US08046720B2	Graphical system and method for editing multi-layer data packets A graphical system and method for creating and editing packets of data is disclosed, which displays on a first pane of a computer window a hierarchical order of all of the protocol layers and protocol fields of a data packets, and displays on a second pane of the same window the entire encoded data packet in standard hexadecimal notation. In the first pane, a user can select a field of data pertaining to any of the protocol layers from the hierarchical order, and change any of the protocol field values, change options within a protocol, or add additional protocol layers to the packet, and the portion of the encoded data pertaining to the changed data will be updated in the second pane.
US08046716B2	Creating, displaying, and editing a sub-process within a process diagram Technologies are described herein for creating, displaying, and editing a sub-process within a process diagram. A diagramming application provides for the grouping of existing process operations of a process diagram into a sub-process. The sub-process is displayed within the process diagram as a container that may be expanded and collapsed in-place within the diagram to display or hide the corresponding sub-process operations without leaving the context of the process diagram. Similarly, a single process operation within a process diagram may be selected for the creation of an associated sub-process. An expanded container including the newly created sub-process operations and a collapsed container representing the sub-process operations replace the single process operation and are concurrently hidden and displayed according to a user selection of a collapse or expand control.
US08046712B2	Management of multiple window panels with a graphical user interface A method in a user interface, according to one embodiment, allows for the docking of window panels within a software application. A palette in the user interface can, in this embodiment, have three states: (i) the palette is open within a window panel; (ii) the palette is docked as a tab; and (iii) the palette is open in a area connected to the tab. User actions through the user interface can control transitions among these three states. Other methods are described, and systems and computer readable storage media are also described.
US08046709B2	Apparatus for providing multiple screens and method of dynamically configuring multiple screens An apparatus for providing multiple screens and a method of dynamically configuring multiple screens are provided. The apparatus for providing multiple screens includes a digital signal processing module which receives predetermined information and restores a service based on the predetermined information, a service processing module which displays one or more logical screens associated with the service, and an output module which arranges the logical screens provided by the service processing module at different locations on a display screen.
US08046687B2	Direct manipulation of displayed content A method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing direct manipulation of displayed content (e.g., dragging the displayed content or a portion thereof in a particular direction). A user may perform a variety of direct manipulations of displayed content to modify the display without separate content manipulation controls. Such direct manipulations modify the display by altering the value of content properties affecting the display. Properties can include an amplitude affecting the size or level with which information is presented (e.g., volume of audio, size of visual information), an information history that refers to a series of distinct groups of information that are related over time, and a channel that specifies which of multiple groups of information is displayed. The value of a property is modified according to the manipulations, and the display updated to reflect the new value of the property. The user can map which manipulations correspond to which properties.
US08046683B2	Structural editing with schema awareness A markup language document has data entry fields corresponding to markup language nodes that are arranged in a hierarchical structure of parents having child nodes. The hierarchical position of each markup language node in the hierarchical structure is expressed as a corresponding fragment of the markup language. For each parent, a markup language fragment is formed so as to have a plurality of portions each corresponding to the fragment of a respective child node without repeating any fragment of the respective child nodes. Portions that respectively correspond to the child nodes are used for data entry with the data entry fields, where an electronic form is displayed on a user interface for interactive data entry. The electronic form has one or more data entry fields each corresponding to one of the data entry fields of the structured markup language document and into which data can be entered.
US08046682B2	Method and system for accessing business applications via a standard interface A method and system for integrating business application elements of an external business application into an internal business application where the integration system maps the output of external business applications to a Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) format. The XML format defines a standard format for the business application elements generated by the external business applications and provided to the internal business applications by the integration system. When developing a new internal business application, developers can work with the XML formatted elements provided by the integration system without having to learn the different formats provided by the various external business applications. The integration system is responsible for converting the data generated by the external business application to the XML format.
US08046673B2	Apparatus and method for facilitating trusted business intelligence through data context A computer readable medium with executable instructions to analyze a report value, includes executable instructions to select a report value and identify the formula evaluated to produce the report value. Formal parameters associated with the formula are determined. The actual parameters used to compute the report value are located. The formula, the formal parameters and the actual parameters are then displayed.
US08046668B2	Method and apparatus for code block segmentation in a mobile communication system A method for segmenting an information word into code blocks in a mobile communication system. The method includes setting a number C of code blocks to a minimum integer not less than a value obtained by dividing X by Z; when sizes K of all code blocks are determined to be equal when a length X of the information word is greater than a maximum length Z of each code block, determining a minimum integer value T not less than a value obtained by dividing a size of the information word by a number of code blocks, and determining, as K, a maximum value most approaching the value T among the values based on which a size of the code block can be set in units of eight bits; and generating a code block by inserting filler bits into a specific code block when a value obtained by multiplying K by C is greater than X.
US08046665B2	Memory device employing dual clocking for generating systematic code and method thereof A memory device may include a memory core block, a data patch unit, a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) generating unit, and/or a serializer. The data patch unit may be configured to patch parallel data read from the memory core block in response to a first read pulse. The CRC generating unit may be configured to generate the CRC code based on the parallel data in response to a second read pulse, the second read pulse delayed by a period of time from if the first read pulse is generated. The serializer may be configured to convert the parallel data to serial data in response to the first read pulse, and/or arrange the CRC code in a order for a number of bits of the serial data to generate a systematic code.
US08046662B2	Method and system for decoding control data in GSM-based systems using inherent redundancy A method and system for decoding control data in GSM-based systems using inherent redundancy and physical constraints are presented. At least one estimated GSM-based bit sequence may be selected by performing searches that start from trellis junctions determined by the decoding algorithm. The estimated bit sequences may be selected based on corresponding redundancy verification parameters. At least one physical constraint test may be performed on the selected estimated GSM-based bit sequences to select a decoded output GSM-based bit sequence. A multilayer decoding process may comprise a burst process and a frame process. Results from a first burst process may be utilized to generate a decoded GSM bit sequence in the frame process. The frame process may utilize redundancy information and physical constraints to improve the performance of a decoding algorithm.
US08046661B2	Symbol error correction by error detection and logic based symbol reconstruction Methods and apparatus for creating codewords of n-valued symbols with one or more n-valued check symbols are disclosed. Associating the codewords with a matrix allows for detection of one or more symbols in error and the location of such symbols in error. Methods to reconstruct symbols in error from other symbols not in error are also disclosed. Systems for using the methods of error detection and error correction by symbol reconstruction are also disclosed. Using two or more matrices to determine check symbols is also provided.
US08046655B2	Area efficient memory architecture with decoder self test and debug capability An integrated test device reduces external wiring congestion to a memory. The integrated test device provides for separate decoder testing and debugging to find specific errors in the memory. The device also helps in reducing the complexity of the test of external BIST. Furthermore, the number of clock cycles required for the decoder testing for an N-address memory is reduced from 4N cycles to N clock cycles. Additionally, the access time for the memory is reduced as the test device is used as a pipelining device in normal operation mode.
US08046654B2	Image data test unit, image apparatus having the same, and method of testing image data using the same An image data test unit includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire image data having individual frames, an image data temporary storage unit configured to receive the acquired image data from the data acquisition unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and a test calculation unit configured to sequentially receive the image data from the image data temporary storage unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and compare the stored image data with pre-set test elements. In addition, an image apparatus having the image data test unit and a method of testing image data using the image data test unit are also provided.
US08046653B2	Low power decompression of test cubes Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to generate test patterns for testing integrated circuits. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to provide a low power test scheme and can be integrated with a variety of compression hardware architectures (e.g., an embedded deterministic test (“EDT”) environment). Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology can reduce the switching rates, and thus the power dissipation, in scan chains with no hardware modification. Other embodiments use specialized decompression hardware and compression techniques to achieve low power testing.
US08046650B2	TAP with control circuitry connected to device address port The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for making device TAPs addressable to allow device TAPs to be accessed in a parallel arrangement without the need for having a unique TMS signal for each device TAP in the arrangement. According to the disclosure, device TAPs are addressed by inputting an address on the TDI input of devices on the falling edge of TCK. An address circuit within the device is associated with the device's TAP and responds to the address input to either enable or disable access of the device's TAP.
US08046640B2	Safety-oriented automation system having automatic address recovery An industrial automation system for controlling the operating means of a technical process. The system includes fail-safe modules for interchanging process data with the operating means, i.e., actuating and measurement signals, stations having slots for modules, which slots are inter-connected by a backplane bus, a central processing unit at least for processing process signals from the technical process, and a field bus for transmitting data between the central processing unit and the stations. In accordance with the invention, the address relationship for the addressing of a fail-safe module by the central processing unit over the field bus for data processing purposes is permanently stored in a first memory in the respective module and is additionally permanently backed-up in the associated station. As a result, it is advantageously possible to safely and automatically recover the address relationships of fail-safe modules due to address relationships which have already been recognized as valid, such as during planning, being backed-up in a permanent, power-failure-safe manner at the station level. In addition, it is possible, when a module is exchanged, for a new module to reload the correct address relationships of the old module, which is no longer present, from the back-up means in the station.
US08046638B2	Testing of distributed systems In an embodiment, a method is provided for tracking a test. In this method, a test session identifier is transmitted to a test system. The test session identifier identifies a particular test session. A test of a component is triggered at the test system, and this test provides test results, which are received from the test system. The test results include the test session identifier, which allows the tests to be associated with the particular test session.
US08046635B2	Data processing device and data control circuit for use therein When data that has been saved outside a circuit is restored, a data control circuit, before resuming the processing that an electronic circuit had been performing before the data was saved, performs particular processing different from that processing. Moreover, the data control circuit has a data saving control function whereby it, via a debugging port (or a general-purpose data input/output port) of a volatile memory storing data to be processed by the electronic circuit, saves that data (or sends an instruction to save that data).
US08046634B2	Integrated circuit card with condition detector An integrated circuit card includes a central processing unit, a memory and an abnormal condition detector. The memory stores data to be processed by the central processing unit. The abnormal condition detector detects whether at least one operating condition of the integrated circuit card is within one of a suspend region or a reset region. The abnormal condition detector controls an operation of the central processing unit in accordance with the detection.
US08046633B2	Improving data availability during failure detection and recovery processing in a shared resource system A system and method for managing shared resources is disclosed. The system includes a primary coherency processing unit which processes lock requests from a plurality of data processing hosts, the primary coherency processing unit also storing a first current lock state information for the plurality of data processing hosts, the first current lock state information including a plurality of locks held by the plurality of data processing hosts. The system further includes a standby coherency processing unit storing fewer locks than the primary coherency processing unit, the locks stored by the standby coherency processing unit being a subset of locks included in the first current lock state information, the standby coherency unit configured to perform a plurality of activities of the primary coherency processing unit using the subset of locks in response to a failure of the primary coherency processing unit.
US08046632B2	Backup management method based on mode of failure A storage management program is provided with a function of determining a suspension/continuation of a remote backup based on an operation-at-failure management table, and accomplishes the suspension/continuation of the backup based on the application in which a failure has occurred and the mode of this failure. The storage management program is also provided with a function of computing a change in the quantity of data from the last backup before the occurrence of the failure until the first backup after the occurrence of the failure, and determining the suspension/continuation of the backup, enabling to suspend/continue the backup in line with the operating status of the application.
US08046628B2	Failure recovery memory devices and methods Memory devices and methods are described that include serially chained memory devices. In one or more of the configurations shown, a serial chain of memory devices includes a number of memory devices, and an error recovery device at an end of the chain. In one configuration shown, the serial chain of memory devices includes a chain of devices where each device is a stacked die memory device. Methods are described that show using the error recovery device in write operations and data recovery operations.
US08046626B2	System and method for maintaining resiliency of subscriptions to an event server A system and method for maintaining resiliency of subscriptions to an event server includes receiving a subscription request to establish a subscription to receive event state information of an event source, a primary event server providing the event state information. The event state information is received from the primary event server in accordance with the subscription request. The primary event server provides the event state information to an event consumer. It is determined whether the primary event server fails during the subscription.
US08046625B2	Distributed fault tolerant architecture for a healthcare communication system A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices, such as patient stations, staff stations, and a master station, that are operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices may have core nurse call functionality residing on an embedded computing platform. At least one of the first plurality of computer devices may have a graphical display screen. A second plurality of computer devices may be operable to provide the first plurality of computer devices with additional functionality via software plug-ins that are transmitted to the first plurality of computer devices. The first plurality of computer devices may be interconnected logically and/or physically in a tiered architecture arrangement to provide fault isolation among the tiers so that faults occurring in computer devices of one tier don't affect the operability of computer devices in other tiers and so that faults occurring in any of the second plurality of computer devices don't affect the core nurse call functionality of the first plurality of computer devices.
US08046624B2	Propagation of viruses through an information technology network Requests to send data from a first host within a network of hosts are monitored against a record of destination hosts who have been sent data in accordance with a predetermined policy. Destination host identities not the record are stored in a buffer. The buffer size is monitored to establish whether requests from the first host are pursuant to viral activity therein.
US08046619B2	Apparatus and methods for data distribution devices having selectable power supplies A network apparatus includes an independent power supply providing a first power signal, and a data distribution device which is operably coupled to the independent power supply and a remote data distribution device, where the remote distribution data device exchanges data and provides a second power signal to the data distribution device, and further where the data distribution device selects the first power signal or the second power signal for operational power. A method includes scanning a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a plurality of power inputs, to ascertain if a power signal is present, determining whether a power signal associated with an independent power supply is present at a power input, sourcing power from the independent power supply if the power signal is associated with an independent power supply, and sourcing power from an alternative supply if the power signal is not associated with an independent power supply.
US08046617B2	Method and apparatus for operating an electronic device in a low power mode with a low power mode application based on determined operating parameters An electronic device, such as a hand-held portable computer, is provided with capability to operate an application during a low power mode. During the low power mode, portions of hardware, software, services, and/or other components of the portable computer that are not necessary to the operation of the application is suspended or otherwise deactivated. As each task is performed by the application, the components that are no longer needed for subsequent tasks to be performed by the application are also deactivated and reactivated as needed. The deactivation can be performed in sequence from the highest-level components to the lowest-level components to ensure that components that are needed by other components are not prematurely deactivated. A specific set of events transitions the portable computer out of the low power mode.
US08046616B2	Controlling power change for a semiconductor module to preserve thermal interface therein The present invention provides a method for controlling power change for a semiconductor module. Specifically, under the present invention power is applied to, or removed from a semiconductor module between a lower power state such as a zero power, nap or sleep state and a full power state over a predetermined time period. This allows the rate of movement and strain rate of the thermal interface material within the semiconductor module to be controlled, thus preserving the reliability of the material. Typically, the power is changed over time between the lower power state and the full power state in a linear fashion or incrementally.
US08046615B2	Microcomputer system with reduced power consumption A sub-microcomputer having a sub-CPU and a power supply control section that controls the power supply to a main microcomputer is disposed in addition to the main microcomputer having a main CPU. A sub-clock section that supplies a sub-clock signal having a lower frequency to the sub-microcomputer can change over between a continuous mode and an intermittent mode. When the main CPU gives an operation stop notification to the sub-CPU, the sub-CPU recognizes the notification, stops the power supply to the main microcomputer, and sets the sub-clock section to the intermittent mode. The sub-CPU determines that the operation state condition is satisfied in the period of the intermittent mode, the sub-CPU changes over the sub-clock section to the continuous mode to restart the power supply to the main microcomputer.
US08046610B2	Power supply control in a mobile portable device The present invention provides a mobile portable device comprising a network communication module, a power-on circuit, a switching power supply, a system power supply and external battery and a calculation unit, wherein the system power supply and external battery constantly supply power to the network communication module by using an external AC power supply or the power of the battery, when the mobile portable device is in a power-off/sleep state, and when the power-on circuit detects that the network communication module has received information from a network, it activates the switching power supply to supply power to the mobile portable device and thus put the mobile portable device into an operating state. By supplying power to the network communication module in the power-off/sleep state of the notebook computer, the computer can be in the network communication state at any time and thus will not miss any information transmitted over the network.
US08046607B2	Method, device and system for providing information from a computing device when the computing device is in a hibernate or power off state In a computing network containing multiple computing devices, a network card in a computing device provides the ability for the computing device to transmit specific types of information while the computing device is in an inactive state. The network card contains processing capabilities that enable it to detect and receive an inquiry directed to that device, process the inquiry, retrieve the requested data which is stored in the network card and transmit that information to the requestor. The ability of the network card to perform this enables system administrators to perform certain system maintenance functions while a computer may be in a power off or hibernate state instead if having to power on the computing device.
US08046605B2	Computer system management and throughput maximization in the presence of power constraints Methods are provided for maximizing the throughput of a computer system in the presence of one or more power constraints. Throughput is maximized by repeatedly or continuously or periodically optimizing task scheduling and assignment for each of a plurality of components of a computer system. The components include a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) each operating at a corresponding operating frequency. The components also include a plurality of disk drives. The corresponding operating frequencies of one or more CPUs of the plurality of CPUs are adjusted to maximize computer system throughput under one or more power constraints. Optimizing task scheduling and assignment, as well as adjusting the corresponding operating frequencies of one or more CPUs, are performed by solving a mathematical optimization problem using a first methodology over a first time interval and a second methodology over a second time interval longer than the first time interval. The first methodology comprises a short term heuristic solver for adapting to computer system changes that occur on a short time scale, and the second methodology comprises a long term solver having greater accuracy and greater computational complexity than the first methodology.
US08046604B2	Power sharing between portable computer system and peripheral devices A method and apparatus that allows for controlling operating time of a portable computer system and a peripheral device. A portable computing system that includes a rechargeable power supply and that includes a connection mechanism for coupling to a peripheral device is used to control operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device. In one embodiment, a user can choose between maximizing the operating time of the portable computer, maximizing the operating time of the peripheral device, or maximizing the life of the entire system (maximizing the operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device). When operating time of the portable computer system is to be maximized, power is sent from the peripheral device to the portable computer system to extend the operating time of the portable computer system. Similarly, when operating time of the peripheral device is to be maximized, power is sent from the rechargeable power supply of the portable computer system to the peripheral device to extend the operating time of the peripheral device. When operating time of the entire system is to be maximized, power is moved such that the operating time for the portable computer system is equal to the operating time of the peripheral device.
US08046602B2	Controlling connection status of network adapters A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided for controlling the number of Ethernet adapters connected in an EtherChannel depending upon the current bandwidth requirements of the system. This system reduces power consumption, inter alia, wherever possible while not sacrificing performance or flexibility of an EthernetChannel. An exemplary embodiment EtherChannel's total bandwidth utilization is monitored and controlled. When the bandwidth utilization is a predetermined amount less than or more than a predetermined threshold level, power supplied to one or more of the physical Ethernet adapters that are part of the EtherChannel is adjusted, i.e. reduced or increased, accordingly. In another embodiment, in systems where ethernet devices support different levels of power, the power supplied to one or more adapters can be systematically incrementally reduced or increased in response to reduced or increased bandwidth utilization.
US08046599B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit device including semiconductor integrated circuit board supplied with no high voltage In a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a nonvolatile memory device and a semiconductor integrated circuit board which are mounted on a wiring board where the nonvolatile memory is enable to electrically program data therein at a first voltage and the semiconductor integrated circuit board is operable at a second voltage lower than the first voltage, the nonvolatile memory device has a first terminal supplied with the first voltage and a second terminal for outputting the second voltage, the semiconductor integrated circuit board has a third terminal which is electrically connected to the second terminal. The nonvolatile memory device includes a voltage converting circuit, disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal, for converting the first voltage into the second voltage. The nonvolatile memory device is stacked on the semiconductor integrated circuit board.
US08046597B2	System and method for managing storage device capacity use Information handling system storage devices are managed to reduce power consumption by consolidating stored information to less than all of plural storage devices and powering down the storage devices that are no longer storing information. If a predetermined buffer of unused capacity is detected at the storage devices, then a powered down storage device is powered up to store additional information. The storage devices are consolidated to maintain desired performance parameters, such as by monitoring I/O performance for information stored on active storage devices.
US08046593B2	Storage device controlled access Access to a storage device, such as a disk, is controlled by performing a disk operation using a single cryptographic engine. Keys associated with each layer of a layered structure associated with controlling access to the storage device are combined. The resultant of this combination is used as the key to the cryptographic engine. Data to be retrieved from and written to the storage device are operated on by the cryptographic engine utilizing the combined key. Keys are combined by combining functions associated with layers of the layered structure. A combining function can include an exclusive or function, a cryptographic hash function, or a combination thereof.
US08046592B2	Method and apparatus for securing the privacy of sensitive information in a data-handling system A data-handling system (20) is arranged to scan through data it holds for instances of sensitive information as identified by reference (35) to a set of sensitive-information identifiers held by the system. Each identifier identifies one or more items of sensitive information (25) and is so formed or protected as to not reveal any such item. Following an instance of sensitive information being found by the scan, it is replaced by a reference to an instance of the corresponding sensitive-information item (25) held in protected storage (21). As a result, in due course the only instances of, sensitive information held by the system (20) will be those in the protected storage (21).
US08046591B2	Method of and apparatus for reproducing information, and security module An information reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a secure module and a main memory. The information in the secure module can not be accessed from outside. The secure module reads, using a direct access method, information relating to software stored in the main memory. The secure module checks a falsification of the software by comparing the information read with the information stored in advance in the secure module.
US08046590B2	System and method for protection of creative works The inventive method for protection of creative works is accomplished by creating a creative work, securing the creative work using biometric information of an author of the creative work, and restricting an access to the creative work to the author and select users, who are authorized by the author and whose biometric information is registered with a biometric security database.
US08046588B2	Audit trail in a programmable safety instrumented system via biometric signature(s) System(s) and method(s) that facilitate utilizing biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint, hand scan, voice recognition . . . ) in manufacturing systems in order to maintain accurate safety audit trails. A safety audit system, utilizing a biometric sensing device, facilitates determining if a user is allowed to access and change the configuration of the manufacturing system. Once a user is allowed to change the configuration (e.g., programmable electronics, tooling changes, software updates, etc.) the changes are automatically recorded in a safety audit database. Automatic storage of configuration changes mitigates manual recording of changes thereby enhancing the safety audit data often necessary to meet safety standards for manufacturing systems.
US08046573B2	Masking a hardware boot sequence One of the processors of a multiprocessor system is chosen to be a boot processor. The other processors of the multiprocessor system execute masking code that generates electromagnetic and/or thermal signatures that mask the electromagnetic and/or thermal signatures of the actual boot processor. Such masking may involve running the same boot code as the boot processor but without obtaining access to security information, such as the security key for accessing the system. The electromagnetic and/or thermal signatures generated by the execution of the masking code preferably approximate the electromagnetic and/or thermal signatures of the actual boot code executing on the boot processor. In this way, it is difficult to distinguish which processor is the actual boot processor.
US08046570B2	Supporting multiple operating systems in media devices Techniques and tools for supporting multiple operating systems in consumer electronic devices. For example, techniques and tools are described that allow quickly switching between operating systems in video disc players that support different media types while reducing wait time and mitigating possible negative impacts to user experience.
US08046567B2	Multi-threaded processor architecture A multi-threaded processor that is capable of responding to, and processing, multiple low-latency-tolerant events concurrently and while using relatively slow, low-power memories is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment comprises a multi-threaded processor, which itself comprises a context controller and a plurality of hardware contexts. Each hardware context is capable of storing the current state of one thread in a form that enables the processor to quickly switch to or from the execution of that thread. To enable the processor to be capable of responding to low-latency-tolerant events quickly, each thread—and, therefore, each hardware context is prioritized—depending on the latency tolerance of the thread responding to the event.
US08046565B2	Accelerator load balancing with dynamic frequency and voltage reduction Systems and methods for accelerators which may execute a program in conjunction with a PC are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accelerator includes a plurality of calculation units, each calculation unit operable to execute the program in parallel, an operation control unit configured to control an operation capability or a processing capability of at least one of the plurality of calculation units, and a control unit configured to determine a corresponding operation capability or processing capability for the plurality of calculation units based on load information on the program to be executed and control the operation control unit accordingly.
US08046557B2	Apparatus and method for on-demand in-memory database management platform A method and apparatus for constructing a memory-based database service platform, in which database can be on-loaded and off-loaded or unloaded as needed, and can reserve schedule and size of memory and other resources, including CPUs, network, backup, mirroring and recovery recourses. With the service platform, multiple different types of databases can be chosen by specifying data storage type and data operation interfaces, such as Relational Database (RDB), Biometric Database (BDB), Time Series Database (TDB), Data Driven Database (DDDB) and File-based Database (FDB) etc. Database types can be chosen either by user directly or by platform automatically or semi-automatically based on data types and data operation characteristics.
US08046551B1	Techniques for processing I/O requests Described are techniques executed in a data storage system in connection with processing an I/O request. The I/O request is received. It is determined whether the I/O request is a write request. If the I/O request is a write request, write request processing is performed. The write request processing includes: copying write request data of the write request to cache; destaging the write request data from the cache to a primary storage device; and copying, in accordance with a heuristic, the write request data from the primary storage device to an asynchronous mirror device including an asynchronous copy of data from the primary storage device, wherein the asynchronous mirror device is write disabled with respect to received write requests requesting to write data thereto, the asynchronous mirror device used for servicing data requested in connection with read requests upon the occurrence of a cache miss.
US08046549B2	Storage controller, control method of the same, and information processing system In the storage controller of the present invention, different difference bitmaps are used for predetermined sections respectively, whereby the difference between the primary volume and the base volume is managed for each section, and the data are protected efficiently. The difference between the primary volume and the base volume is managed by using the difference bitmaps that are different for the respective sections. The journal data after a lapse of the targeted protection period are written to the base volume and then discarded. At the time of recovery, the difference bitmaps are merged to create a new difference bitmap, and the difference is copied from the base volume to the primary volume. Thereafter, the journal data up to the designated restoration point are written to the primary volume.
US08046546B2	Variable partitioning in a hybrid memory subsystem A memory subsystem may include logic to make available to the device into which it is installed at least one portion of the volatile memory that will be backed up to the nonvolatile memory in the event of device power failure. The logic may make available to the device at least one portion of the volatile memory that will not be backed up to the nonvolatile memory in the event of device power failure, and make available to the device at least one portion of the nonvolatile memory that is not reserved for backups from the volatile memory.
US08046541B1	System for calibrating memory A memory integrated circuit (IC) includes first memory implemented by the memory IC. An operation management module implemented by the memory IC generates first initialization data and stores the first initialization data in the first memory before other data is stored in the first memory. Timing alignment of the memory IC is adjusted based on the first initialization data.
US08046535B2	Data processing system and storage area allocation method thereof When creating a storage pool with external volumes, it is not possible to put together the volumes that have the same level of reliability if consideration is only given to the physical attributes of such volumes. Further, the reliability demanded between a host computer and a storage apparatus does not necessarily match the reliability between storage apparatuses. When creating a storage pool in the data processing system of this invention, not only is consideration given to the characteristics of the physical disks themselves, consideration is also given to the connection status of the backend network between a storage apparatus and a switch loaded with external storage function, and an external storage apparatus. What is more, volumes are allocated to a host machine after said system considers both the redundancy of a backend network of between storage apparatuses and that of a network path between the host machine and storage apparatus.
US08046529B2	Updating control information in non-volatile memory to control selection of content To control selection of content in a non-volatile memory, control information is stored in the non-volatile memory, where the control information is to control selection of content in the non-volatile memory. An algorithm is used to update the control information in the non-volatile memory to cause different content in the non-volatile memory to be selected, wherein the algorithm sets the control information to an initial value that enhances use of programming of the non-volatile memory to update the control information, and reduces use of erasing of the non-volatile memory to update control information.
US08046527B2	Apparatus and method for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache An apparatus and method are provided for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache for data. A memory controller writes data to the page buffer and later reads out the data without programming the data into the memory cells of the memory device. This allows the memory controller to use the page buffer as temporary cache so that the data does not have to occupy space within the memory controller's local data storage elements. Therefore, the memory controller can use the space in its own storage elements for other operations.
US08046522B2	Use of a direct data file system with a continuous logical address space interface and control of file address storage in logical blocks Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
US08046521B2	Computer virtualization apparatus and program and method therefor A hypervisor prepares a guest region identifier (RID)-physical region identifier (RID) mapping table for dynamically registering and managing items and performs RID conversion using the guest RID-physical RID mapping table. When the mapping table is used, since it is unnecessary to provide a specific information area representing logical partitions (LPARs) corresponding to respective guests in an RID to be converted, there is no limitation concerning the number of LPARs and a problem in operation can be eliminated.
US08046512B2	Communication system with master and slave exchanging control data in predetermined communication period A master includes a unit configured to register, for each slave, an expected communication time needed to exchange control data; a unit configured to register a slave in which a communication error is detected during exchange of the control data in a communication period; and a unit configured to re-execute exchange of the control data with the registered slave in the same communication period as that in which the communication error is detected. The unit configured to re-execute exchange of control data calculates a remaining resending time that can be used to re-execute exchange of the control data and, when the remaining resending time is longer than the expected communication time of the registered slave, resends the control data.
US08046507B2	Computer, external storage and method for processing data information in external storage The present invention provides a computer, comprising: a processor for processing data; a system bus connected to the processor; a management unit connected to the system bus; and an external storage connected to the system bus through the management unit, wherein the external storage comprises: a buffer for buffering data; and storage areas connected to the buffer for storing data, and wherein the management unit is adapted to: receive an instruction sent by the processor from the system bus, said instruction corresponding to operations; read data information from the storage areas to the buffer; and execute at least one of the operations on the data information. Furthermore, the present invention provides an external storage and a method for processing data information in an external storage. According to the present invention, it is possible to scan the external storage with a large capacity in a short time.
US08046493B2	Asset management system, asset management method, information processor, management device, and program An asset management system includes one or more information processors having a communication function and a management device, the information processor includes a search unit which searches for a network address converter for converting between a local IP address and a global IP address in a network, and a position information transmitting unit which transmits positional information including at least one of the global IP address of the searched network address converter and a domain name corresponding to the global IP address and identification information of the information processor to the management device, the management device includes a positional information registration unit which records the positional information received from the information processor in a position recording unit.
US08046487B2	Method for routing of data packets and routing apparatus In order to be able to use a smaller routing table (4) and, thus, to reduce the costs and power consumption and to improve the performance of an IP router, it is proposed to extract a destination address identifier (ADR) from a data packet to be forwarded by the IP router, compress the extracted destination address identifier (ADR) by using a lossless data compression algorithm, and compare the compressed destination address identifier with entries stored in the routing table (4) so as to find a correspondence between the destination address identifier and one of the entries of the routing table (4). Each entry of the routing table (4) corresponds to a possible or available forwarding address of the IP router, the forwarding addresses having been compressed with the same data compression algorithm as the destination address identifier. After having found a correspondence between the destination address identifier and one of the compressed forwarding addresses stored in the routing table (4), a switch (6) of the IP router switches the respective data packet to one of its output links (OUT) which is associated with the respective forwarding address matching the destination address identifier (ADR).
US08046486B2	Active client buffer management Active client buffer management methods, systems, and apparatus for transmitting electronic data from a server to a client having a limited receive buffer are disclosed. The receive buffer is managed by determining a consumption rate at the client and adjusting the transmission rate of the server responsive to the determined consumption rate to manage the fill level of the receive buffer.
US08046482B2	System and method for managing multiple stack environments Systems and methods that manage multiple stack environments are provided. In one example, a system may include, for example, a first protocol processing stack, a second protocol processing stack and a mapper. The mapper may be coupled to the first protocol processing stack and to the second protocol processing stack. A first port number may be associated with the first protocol processing stack and a second port number may be associated with the second protocol processing stack. The mapper may store a correspondence between the first port number and the second port number.
US08046481B2	Peer-to-peer network communications using SATA/SAS technology A conventional serial communications protocol that is limited to supporting only host-to-slave communications, such as SATA or SAS, is extended to support peer-to-peer communications, e.g., by adding a memory-map layer into the conventional protocol stack between the link layer and the protocol layer. The addition of the memory-map layer enables two (or more) non-host devices (i.e., peer devices) to communicate with one another without using a host computer and without relying on conventional protocol-bridging techniques.
US08046467B2	Maintaining client affinity in network load balancing systems Described is a technology in a network load balancing system (node cluster), by which client affinity is preserved across cluster configuration changes, including for new connections from a previous client. Each node maintains a list of the clients that are to remain (have affinity, or “stickiness”) with that node, including following bucket redistribution resulting from convergence. Each affinity list is communicated during convergence so that other nodes may build an exception list or lists. Via a node's exception list, the node that owns a bucket corresponding to a client knows of the affinity with another node and thus drops any packets from that client. Affinity may expire, whereby the node having affinity with that client releases it and notifies the node owning the bucket for that client that the client is no longer to be treated as an exception.
US08046463B1	Method and apparatus for controlling double-ended soft permanent virtual circuit/path connections A method and apparatus control a double-ended soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC) connection coupling from a source end to a destination end via a communications network. The method includes (a) receiving an SPVC connection message from a first network device for the source end, (b) accepting an SPVC connection in accordance with the SPVC connection message if a second network device receiving the SPVC connection has an association with the first network device, and (c) rejecting the SPVC connection if the second network device does not have an association with the first network device. The network device for the destination end includes a database memory adapted to store an access identifier of at least one predetermined source network device from which the network device is allowed to accept an SPVC connection.
US08046448B2	System and method for information sharing A distributed system architecture with components each having an autonomous “hub” or dependent “hub” and a related differential indexing method for obtaining data are disclosed.
US08046446B1	System and method for providing availability using volume server sets in a storage environment employing distributed block virtualization A system for ensuring availability using volume server sets in a storage environment employing distributed block virtualization includes a plurality of volume servers, one or more volume clients, one or more physical block devices and a volume server manager. The volume server manager may be configured to designate the plurality of volume servers as a volume server set with an associated volume server set management policy, and to verify each volume server in the volume server set has access to storage within each block device. In addition, the volume server manager may be configured to designate a first volume server of the volume server set to aggregate storage within the block devices into a logical volume, to make the logical volume accessible to the volume clients, and to share configuration information about the volume with the other volume servers of the volume server set.
US08046442B2	Method, a device for configuring at least one firewall and a system comprising such device A method and a device to configure at least one firewall are provided comprising the steps of (i) transmitting at least one mobility report to a firewall controller; (ii) transmitting at least one session report to the firewall controller; and (iii) configuring the at least one firewall according to the information obtained by the at least one mobility report and by the at least one session report.
US08046441B2	Business to business integration software as a service The present technique includes a software framework which makes it possible for providing Business-to-Business (B2B) integration software as a service (SaaS). The framework follows a hub and spoke model wherein the hub and spoke communicate through web services. While the hub and spokes act as integration gateways with the enterprise systems, the hub also acts as a centralized remote command, control and configuration center for the entire setup. The hub software provides the ability to generate and remotely deploy the spoke environments and also manage them remotely. The generated spoke environment can be downloaded, installed and configured to connect to the local systems and act as a mediator for B2B integration between hub and the local systems. Once installed the environments are remotely managed through the management console provided by the hub software. This invention reduces the cost of B2B integration by amortizing the cost of remotely managing multiple trading partner gateways through a single management console.
US08046430B2	Load balancing network access requests A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.
US08046426B2	Random linear coding approach to distributed data storage A method and computer program product for providing a random linear coding approach to distributed data storage is presented. A file is broken into a plurality of pieces. For every peer (peer means storage-location with limited storage space), the number of coded-pieces the peer can store is determined. Each of the coded-piece is determined by taking random linear combination of all the pieces of the entire file. The associate code-vector is stored for every coded-piece. The file is retrieved by collecting code-vectors and the coded-pieces from the peers and viewing the collected code-vectors as a matrix. When a dimension of the matrix is equal to the number of pieces of the file, the file is recovered using the collection of code vectors in the matrix.
US08046420B2	System and method to control wireless communications A method of controlling wireless communications is provided. A first call is received at a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server from a first mobile communication device. The first DMA server communicates with the first mobile communication device via a first wireless communication protocol. A second call is received at the first DMA server from a second mobile communication device. The first DMA server communicates with the second mobile communication device via a second wireless communication protocol. Voice information associated with the first call is converted to first packet data and voice information associated with the second call to second packet data. The first packet data and the second packet data are routed via a private Internet Protocol (IP) network to at least one second DMA device, where the first call is accessible to a first destination device and the second call is accessible to a second destination device via the at least one second DMA device.
US08046419B2	Method of processing open asynchronous application service event and open web service gateway implementing the same A method of processing an open asynchronous application service event and an open web service gateway implementing the method are provided. The open web service gateway includes: a plurality of SCFs (service capability features) operatively connected to an application service through a web service interface, receives an event registration request from the application service, and notifies an event occurring in a network to the application service; and an event broker registering the registration-requested based on a predetermined policy in correspondence with the SCFs, when the registration-requested event received from the application service is an asynchronous event, and notifies an occurrence of the event in the network to the SCFs according to a registered priority of the event. Accordingly, an asynchronous event is registered and notified based on a predetermined policy, so that it is possible to prevent event registration conflict between the SCFs and between the application services and to maximize network operation efficiency.
US08046413B2	Automatic commutativity detection for generalized paxos Synchronized devices comprising a distributed system attempt to agree on a compatible sequence of commands to execute. Each device in the distributed system may act as a proposer, acceptor, or a learner. Each proposer proposes a command for each device to execute. The acceptors either accept or reject the proposed commands. The learners keep track of the proposed commands and determine, using a transactional substrate, whether the acceptors have a accepted sequences of commands that commute with respect to one another. Once the learners have determined that a quorum of acceptors have accepted sequences of commands that commute with respect to one another the accepted commands are executed by each device in the distributed system.
US08046411B2	Multimedia sharing in social networks for mobile devices A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards sharing multimedia information on a mobile device based at least in part on vitality information and other social networking information. Multimedia information may be received and/or synchronized on the mobile device based on a relationship between vitality information of members of a social network. The relationship may comprise a common membership in a group, a common multimedia usage behavior, a geographical proximity of members of the social network, a degree of separation of members of the social network, a common search behavior, or the like. Multimedia information captured on the mobile device may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with members of the social network. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view in conjunction with other social networking information.
US08046410B1	System and method for attribute detection in user profile creation and update In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a user participating in a collaboration session; create a profile associated with the user; and detect an attribute associated with the profile based on the collaboration session.
US08046407B2	Method for processing a control message and a message processor, a media service, a media service system A method for processing a control message sent by a terminal is provided according to the present invention. The method includes determining whether or not to trigger a shortcut key analysis when the control message is sent from the terminal and accomplishing various extended control operations by a shortcut key analysis. A message processor, a media server, and a media service system are also provided. With the method of the present invention, the terminal may utilize the existing keys to send a series of control messages in accordance with a transmission sequence mechanism recognized by the server. The server may interpret the control message according to a predetermined rule and thus the purpose of extending the service control functions at the terminal side can be accomplished. Accordingly, no modification is needed to the software or hardware of the existing terminal, which bring convenience to the users.
US08046403B2	Methods and systems for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine A method for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine includes receiving, by a remote agent executing on a remote machine, an identification of a shell extension associated with a resource provided by a local machine. The remote agent installs a proxy handler associated with the identified shell extension. The proxy handler receives a request for access to the shell extension and redirects the request to a shell extension invoker executing on the local machine.
US08046400B2	Apparatus and method for optimizing the performance of x87 floating point addition instructions in a microprocessor A microprocessor having a Precision Control (PC) field, an instruction dispatcher, and a Floating Point unit (FPU). The FPU receives an FP Add instruction from the instruction dispatcher, and generates a sum from its addends. The FPU determines whether any conditions exist in the addends with respect to their contribution to a rounding determination and relative to the PC field. If none of the conditions exists, the FPU makes the rounding determination based on the smaller addend and the PC field, and selectively rounds the sum based on the rounding determination. If any conditions exist, the FPU saves the sum and rounding information derived from the addends, and signals the instruction dispatcher to re-dispatch the instruction. On re-dispatch, the FPU makes the rounding determination based on the saved rounding information and the PC field, and selectively rounds the sum based on the rounding determination.
US08046398B2	Method and apparatus for modulating symbols in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and transmission apparatus using the same A method for modulating a symbol in a transmitter of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. The symbol modulation method includes multiplying an input stream of an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) unit by a Twiddling factor for circular-shifting the input stream of the IFFT unit by a Cyclic Prefix (CP) length; performing IFFT on the input stream of the IFFT unit, which is multiplied by the Twiddling factor; buffering data corresponding to the CP length beginning from a front of an output stream of the IFFT unit; and generating an OFDM symbol by forward-copying the buffered data to a back of the output stream of the IFFT unit.
US08046397B2	Computations of power functions using polynomial approximations A power function is approximated over an applicable data interval with polynomials determined by means of a Chebyshev minimax approximation technique. In some cases, multiple polynomials may be used to approximate the function over respective ranges of the desirable interval, in a piecewise manner. The appropriate polynomial that approximates the power function over the range of interest is derived and stored. When the power function is to be applied to a particular data value, the data value is first evaluated to determine where it lies within the applicable interval. The constants for the polynomial associated with that range of the interval are then retrieved and used to calculate the power of that data value.
US08046387B2	System and method for providing intelligence centers Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system comprising a content repository, a communication portal developer, a content manager, and an analytic engine. The content repository is adapted to store electronic content in a computer-readable storage medium. The communication portal developer includes at least one wizard to create a plurality of customizable portals without coding software. Each customizable portal is accessible to one or more selected visitors through a web browser. The content manager is adapted to publish selectable electronic content to selectable portals. The content manager includes at least one wizard to populate and manage the electronic content within the content repository. The analytic engine analyzes electronic content use and visitor behavior while logged into their customizable portal. In various embodiments, the analytics are provided in real time or near real time. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
US08046385B2	Data quality tracking In general, a method includes determining metric values associated with data quality for one or more child nodes. Metric values are determined for a parent node based on the metric values of at least some of the child nodes, and relationships between one or more parent nodes and one or more child nodes define a hierarchy. The determination of the metric value for the parent node is repeated for multiple instances.
US08046383B2	Mapping deep structured data structures Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mapping deep structured data structures. Statements defining a mapping of source elements formatted in accordance with a first hierarchical structure to a target formatted in accordance with a second hierarchical structure are received. The first and second hierarchical structures may be different. A mapping of the source elements to the target in accordance with the statements may be performed, where the statement may be defined in accordance with a mapping language. The mapping language may define that a single statement may represent an iterative approach to mapping elements from the source to the target. The mapping language may support selection of source elements using a format that allows for navigation through a hierarchy of the source. The mapping language may also support nested statements which may allow for nested iterations in which to perform mappings.
US08046380B2	Data storage system The present invention is directed to an archival data storage system. The archival data storage system includes write once and read many (WORM) capability, data redundancy, error correction, and access control. The combination of these capabilities enable the archival storage system to be secure, error proof, and reliable. Additionally, to provide fast data access time, solid state storage devices are used in place of conventional tape drive. Solid state storage devices such as, for example, flash memory devices are fast, versatile and reliable.
US08046376B2	Method and system to automatically generate classes for an object to relational mapping system There is provided a system to respond to a request for data. The system receives a request for the data, queries at least two data sources for the data based on the request and receives results that include the data that is populated to at least one data object.
US08046367B2	Targeted distribution of search index fragments over a wireless communication network Identifying portions of an index related to prior search requests sent from a wireless data processing device and transmitting the portions of the index to the wireless data processing device to be used for local searches. Specifically, a method according to one embodiment comprises: collecting information related to a plurality of content located over a network; automatically generating and continually updating an index for the plurality of content as new content is identified; analyzing search requests transmitted from a wireless data processing device; based on the analysis, identifying portions of the index relevant to the search requests; transmitting the portions of the index to the wireless data processing device; and executing subsequent search requests using the portions of the index stored on the wireless data processing device.
US08046365B2	Document management apparatus and document management method An apparatus stores one or more document information of which access right is managed by an access right management apparatus, and generates an index of stored document information. The apparatus receives user identification information, and sends the user identification information, and information for identifying document information of which index has not been generated to the access right management apparatus. The apparatus receives access right information associated with the user from the access right management apparatus, and generates index of the identified document information based on the received access right information.
US08046361B2	System and method for classifying tags of content using a hyperlinked corpus of classified web pages An improved system and method for classifying tags of content using a hyperlinked corpus of classified web pages is provided. An anchor text index may be searched to find anchor texts that may match text of the tag, documents referenced by the matching anchor texts may be found, and the documents referenced by the matching anchor texts may be grouped to disambiguate multiple classifications that result from matching the anchor texts with the categories of the reference documents. To resolve ambiguity between multiple classifications, weighted classifications may be used where each document may be assigned a positive weight for a mapping to a category to indicate the confidence of the classification of the document to the category. The classification for the grouping of the documents referenced by the matching anchor texts with greatest frequency may be selected and output as the classification for the tag.
US08046354B2	Method and apparatus for re-evaluating execution strategy for a database query A query facility for database queries saves and re-uses query execution strategies, and automatically detects that a strategy should be re-optimized as a result of changes to an indexed variable value. Preferably, the number of records evaluated and selected by the index value condition is dynamically monitored during execution, and an alternative query strategy is initiated when this number appears to be out of proportion to expectations. In an exemplary embodiment, an indexed search strategy is changed to a table scan strategy (or vice versa) as a result of a change to the number of records eliminated by the indexed value, although other examples are possible. Preferably, the query engine initiates an alternative search strategy and concurrently continues to execute the original search strategy as separate threads. Search results are obtained from whichever thread completes first.
US08046349B2	Method, a system, a device, and a computer program product for providing information regarding the validity of a character string as a document identifier This invention relates to a method, a system, a device, a browser and a computer program product for informing on the validity of a character string as a document identifier. In the method, a character string comprising one or more characters is received, the validity of the character string as a document identifier is checked repeatedly, a valid part of the character string is indicated, by means of which the document identifier is defined, and a user is offered a possibility to send a request for a document relating to the document identifier defined by the valid part of the character string.
US08046346B2	System and method for improving integrity of internet search A system and method are provided to receive a search query from a user, typically via a web browser, the Internet, and a web server. A search engine obtains a set of potential search results based on the search query. For each Internet domain or web site mentioned in the search results, a set of data sources is accessed to obtain information concerning the legitimacy of the business associated with the Internet domain or web site. The legitimacy information is used to reorder or to change or to augment the appearance or presentation of the search result for the Internet domain or web site. The processed search results are returned to the user.
US08046341B2	Information processing apparatus for reproducing metadata and method, program, and recording medium A system and method to protect uniquely extended metadata by others, while maintaining compatibility of metadata. An information processing apparatus determines if items included in entered metadata are defined in advance, and reproduces only items that are included in the metadata and determined as defined in advance, and rewrites or transfers the entered metadata when the metadata is rewritten or transferred.
US08046335B2	System for automatically shadowing data and file directory structures that are recorded on a computer memory The Data Shadowing System comprises a memory module that is connected to the monitored computer system via an existing input/output port to store the shadowed data. The memory module includes a memory device for data storage as well as software, including a control software component that is automatically installed on the monitored computer system when the memory module is first connected to the monitored computer system, as well as associated module software for maintaining a record of the data stored on the memory device. The Data Shadowing System automatically stores the data on the memory module in a single format, while representing it in a data management database in two formats: disk sectors and files. The Data Shadowing System thereby efficiently tracks and stores the state of multiple file systems over time, while allowing for correct disk-level and file-level restoration to a point-in-time without storing redundant data.
US08046334B2	Dual access to concurrent data in a database management system Various embodiments include one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures that allow dual access to concurrent data in a database management system including uncommitted updated data. Some embodiments include a dual snapshot of data in a multi-version concurrency control style database, but the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to virtually any other type of database and database management system.
US08046333B1	Incremental dump with a metadata container walk using inode-to-parent mapping information An embodiment of the invention provides a traversal engine that traverses (walks) through metadata containers (e.g., inodes) in a file system and determines the metadata containers that have been modified (added, changed, deleted, or renamed) within a particular time interval. A modified metadata container corresponds to a data container (e.g., file or directory) that has been modified within the particular time interval. The traversal engine records, into a table, information about the modified metadata containers. The traversal engine also records, into the table, parent information corresponding to an immediate parent of a modified data container.
US08046330B2	Image accumulation device and image accumulation method An image accumulation device is provided so as to include: an input unit that inputs, as input images, images of specific shot locations; an image database in which specific locations in a predetermined region, shot images relating to the specific locations, position information of shot locations of the shot images and shooting time information of the shot images are associated and stored; and an identification unit that identifies, on the basis of the input images and the image database, at least one of specific locations corresponding to the shot locations of the input images and shooting times of the input images.
US08046325B2	Method and system for distributing product information A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network when the values of those characteristics change.
US08046321B2	Method and system to analyze rules A method and system to analyze rules is described. The system receives a query and applies a first plurality of rules to the query to identify a second plurality of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Next, the system counts the first plurality of rules to identify a total quantity of rules applied to the query and further counts the second plurality of rules to identify a second quantity of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Finally, the system determines a percentage of coverage for the query based on the total quantity of rules and the second quantity of rules.
US08046317B2	System and method of feature selection for text classification using subspace sampling An improved system and method is provided for feature selection for text classification using subspace sampling. A text classifier generator may be provided for selecting a small set of features using subspace sampling from the corpus of training data to train a text classifier for using the small set of features for classification of texts. To select the small set of features, a subspace of features from the corpus of training data may be randomly sampled according to a probability distribution over the set of features where a probability may be assigned to each of the features that is proportional to the square of the Euclidean norms of the rows of left singular vectors of a matrix of the features representing the corpus of training texts. The small set of features may classify texts using only the relevant features among a very large number of training features.
US08046310B2	Community awareness management systems and methods A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data.
US08046306B2	System, method, and apparatus for property appraisals An appraisal system, method, and apparatus for property appraisals including a collector system, an appraisal database, an accounting system, and a scoring system. The collector system gathers data associated with a property and provides the data to the appraisal database. The collector system also reviews, edits, corrects, validates, and formats the data. The scoring system uses the collector system and appraisal database to access and analyze the data to calculate a score associated with the property. The score is calculated using one or more of a zone and market group associated with the property. The scoring system maps the score to one or more comparable sales of one or more other properties based on one or more of the zone and market group in order to generate an appraisal report for the property.
US08046303B2	Methods, systems, and products for providing electronic media Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing electronic media to a customer. One method prompts a customer to license a right to electronic media. If the customer agrees to license the right, then the license is electronically stored on behalf of the customer. The licensed electronic media is communicated to the customer via a communications network.
US08046280B2	Method for using environmental classification to assist in financial management and services Managing risks of crop production can be performed by understanding the relative performance of different agricultural inputs under the same or similar environmental conditions. In addition, managing of crop production risks can be performed by understanding variations in the performance of the same agricultural inputs over a range of environmental conditions. By being able to describe and understand these variations in performance, decisions can be made which are consistent with overall business and/or production objectives and limit risk associated with variations in environmental conditions. In addition to producers there are other stakeholders in the crop production process, such as financial institutions, insurance providers, users of crops produced, and input suppliers. These and other stakeholders can provide financial incentives to producers for managing crop production risks through use of environmental classification and/or genotype-by-environment information.
US08046277B2	Methods and systems for managing reconciliation and write-off in an accrual accounting environment A computer-implemented method of managing reconciliation and write-off data in an accrual-based accounting environment may include steps of retrieving a plurality of transactions associated with a predetermined purchase order from a database coupled to a computer network; calculating an aggregate accrual balance of the retrieved plurality of transactions and associating the calculated aggregate accrual balance with a unique first identifier; when the aggregate accrual balance associated with the unique first identifier indicates that the predetermined purchase order is unbalanced, loading a first reconciliation table with first reconciliation information and storing the first reconciliation table in the database; enabling writing-off the aggregate accrual balance, and when the aggregate accrual balance has been written-off, removing the first reconciliation information from the first reconciliation table and storing the first reconciliation table in the database.
US08046276B2	System and method for managing product reserve A receiving section receives a supply request for product from a terminal set up at a shop or a terminal used by a client. A first determination processing section determines whether a product in stock can be reserved for an order. A first reserve processing section reserves the product in stock for the order when the first determination processing section determines that the product can be reserved. A second determination processing section determines whether a semifinished product necessary for manufacturing a final product can be reserved when the first determination processing section determines that the product reserve is inadequate. A second reserve processing section reserves the semifinished product for the order when the second determination processing section determines that the semifinished product can be reserved.
US08046271B2	Method and apparatus for custom strategy specification in a hosted electronic transaction service system A merchant generates a customized service strategy related to a suite of electronic transaction services hosted by a service provider. The custom strategy specifies services to perform, and possibly an order in which to perform the services, by a service provider in relation to an electronic transaction associated with the merchant. Through use of a user interface, the strategy can be represented as a graphical decision tree, with terminal nodes representing services or actions. A customized strategy is transmitted to a service provider, as is transaction related information, whereby the service provider can service the transaction according to the strategy and based on the transaction information. Scheduling information that specifies different strategies to apply to different transaction scenarios can be generated. A strategy is selected by a service provider based on the scheduling information and transaction information, and is used to service one or more electronic transactions.
US08046263B1	Method of offering home inspection services through retailers Methods of offering inspection services through retailers are described. Customers may obtain access to qualified home inspectors in a sub-contractor referral service area of a retailer through the use of a kiosk, service desk or similar point-of-purchase display. The retailer may partner with the inspector or inspection company for a fee. The retailer may offer Inspection Services Gift Cards for sale to customers. The retailer may also receive additional business from the inspection company's customers who may return to the retailer to purchase replacement items for those found deficient from the inspection.
US08046251B2	Electronic employee selection systems and methods An automated employee selection system can use a variety of techniques to provide information for assisting in selection of employees. For example, pre-hire and post-hire information can be collected electronically and used to build an artificial-intelligence based model. The model can then be used to predict a desired job performance criterion (e.g., tenure, number of accidents, sales level, or the like) for new applicants. A wide variety of features can be supported, such as electronic reporting. Pre-hire information identified as ineffective can be removed from a collected pre-hire information. For example, ineffective questions can be identified and removed from a job application. New items can be added and their effectiveness tested. As a result, a system can exhibit adaptive learning and maintain or increase effectiveness even under changing conditions.
US08046250B1	Facilitating performance by task performers of language-specific tasks Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between task requesters who have tasks that are available to be performed and task performers who are available to perform tasks, such as by an intermediary electronic marketplace or other task fulfillment facilitator system. In some situations, support is provided in various ways for using multiple human languages when supplying and performing tasks. For example, some tasks may have associated languages, and some tasks may further have multiple task variants that each have a distinct associated language. A user may then request information about tasks in a particular language, and receive information about tasks and/or task variants associated with that language. Furthermore, some tasks and task variants may further be associated with locales that include particular languages and/or various other factors, including geographical areas, and such locales may similarly be used to identify appropriate corresponding users that match the various locale factors.
US08046231B2	Speech processing apparatus and control method thereof An speech processing apparatus comprises a setting unit that sets an association between a speech recognition target vocabulary and the shortcut data for transitioning to a state to which a transition is made, when a user makes a transition to a state among the plurality of states using an operation input unit, an speech input unit that inputs an audio, a speech recognition unit that employs the speech recognition target vocabulary to recognize the audio that is input via the speech input unit, and a control unit that employs the shortcut data that corresponds to the speech recognition target vocabulary that is a recognition result of the speech recognition unit to transition to the state, in order to improve speech recognition accuracy for audio shortcuts, while also preserving the convenience of the audio shortcuts.
US08046224B2	Speaker adaptation of vocabulary for speech recognition A phonetic vocabulary for a speech recognition system is adapted to a particular speaker's pronunciation. A speaker can be attributed specific pronunciation styles, which can be identified from specific pronunciation examples. Consequently, a phonetic vocabulary can be reduced in size, which can improve recognition accuracy and recognition speed.
US08046222B2	Segmenting words using scaled probabilities Systems, methods, and apparatuses including computer program products for segmenting words using scaled probabilities. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a probability of a n-gram identifying a word, determining a number of atomic units in the corresponding n-gram, identifying a scaling weight depending on the number of atomic units in the n-gram, and applying the scaling weight to the probability of the n-gram identifying a word to determine a scaled probability of the n-gram identifying a word.
US08046221B2	Multi-state barge-in models for spoken dialog systems Disclosed are systems, methods and computer readable media for applying a multi-state barge-in acoustic model in a spoken dialogue system comprising the steps of (1) presenting a prompt to a user from the spoken dialog system. (2) receiving an audio speech input from the user during the presentation of the prompt, (3) accumulating the audio speech input from the user, (4) applying a non-speech component having at least two one-state Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to the audio speech input from the user, (5) applying a speech component having at least five three-state HMMs to the audio speech input from the user, in which each of the five three-state HMMs represents a different phonetic category, (6) determining whether the audio speech input is a barge-in-speech input from the user, and (7) if the audio speech input is determined to be the barge-in-speech input from the user, terminating the presentation of the prompt.
US08046220B2	Systems and methods to index and search voice sites A method includes crawling and indexing voice sites and storing results in an index; receiving a search request in voice from a user via a telephone; performing speech recognition on the voice search request and converting the request from voice to text; parsing the query; and performing a search on the index and ranking the search results. Search results may be filtered based on attributes such as location and context. Filtered search results may be presented to the user in categories to enable easy voice browsing of the search results by the user. Computer program code and systems are also provided.
US08046217B2	Geometric calculation of absolute phases for parametric stereo decoding An audio decoder which reproduces original signals from a bit stream including (i) a downmix signal of the original signals, and (ii) supplementary information indicating a gain ratio D and phase difference θ between the original signals. The audio decoder includes: a decoding unit extracting the downmix signal; a transformation unit transforming the extracted downmix signal into a frequency domain signal; a phase rotator determination unit determining two phase rotators having, as the phase rotation angles, angles α and β respectively obtained by dividing a contained angle by a diagonal of a parallelogram; a separation unit separating the frequency domain signal into two separation signals respectively indicating angles α and β as phase differences between the signals and the decoded downmix signal; and an inverse transformation unit inversely transforming the respective two separation signals into time domain signals so as to reproduce the two audio signals.
US08046214B2	Low complexity decoder for complex transform coding of multi-channel sound A multi-channel audio decoder provides a reduced complexity processing to reconstruct multi-channel audio from an encoded bitstream in which the multi-channel audio is represented as a coded subset of the channels along with a complex channel correlation matrix parameterization. The decoder translates the complex channel correlation matrix parameterization to a real transform that satisfies the magnitude of the complex channel correlation matrix. The multi-channel audio is derived from the coded subset of channels via channel extension processing using a real value effect signal and real number scaling.
US08046213B2	On demand TTS vocabulary for a telematics system A driving directions system loads into memory a limited subset of prerecorded, spoken utterances of geographic names from a mass media storage. The subset of spoken utterances may be limited, for example, to the geographic names within a predetermined radius (e.g., a few miles) of the driver's present location. The present location of the driver may be manually entered into the driving directions system by the driver, or automatically determined using a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver. As the vehicle moves from its present location, the driving directions system loads into memory new names from the mass media storage and overwrites, if necessary, those which are now geographically out of range. Based on the current location of the driving, the driving directions system can audibly output geographic names from the run-time memory.
US08046212B1	Identification of chemical names in text-containing documents A method and computer software for rapid searching of text-containing documents and identifying and isolating chemical names and common chemical expressions from surrounding text. The chemical names are returned to the user in a list which is arranged in descending order based on the number of occurrences of each chemical name. The list can also contain all synonyms for each chemical name found.
US08046208B1	Method and apparatus for representing high speed interconnects in closed forms A simulation apparatus and method is provided for simulating complex high speed interconnects for which closed forms of the S-parameter are incorporated. Differential transmission lines are represented in a causal manner analytically using the 4-port S-parameter without concerns of passivity and stability. Difficult discontinuities of interconnect such as differential vias are represented in closed form and the present invention allows those interconnects to be characterized by 4-port S-parameter measurements or simulation. A complete method of combining causal transmission line models with discontinuities in cascade is provided.
US08046192B2	Baler machine monitoring and performance interfaces, systems and methods Monitoring and performance interfaces are disclosed for baler machines. The interfaces collect and analyze runtime and downtime data and present reports or varying detail to interested personnel that allow objective assessment of baler machine performance. Multiple baler machines may be monitored and analyzed to reveal human and machine-related issues that inhibit optimal performance but are otherwise extremely difficult to detect.
US08046191B2	Method for monitoring performance of a heat transfer device A method is provided for the monitoring of heat transfer devices. The method includes the acts of receiving data from a heat transfer device, and computing a performance indicator indicative of an incipient anomaly condition of the heat transfer device based upon the received data, and/or computing a normalized efficiency of the heat transfer device. The normalized efficiency represents a corrected efficiency that isolates effects of a process parameter on performance of the heat transfer device. The data represents a measurable process parameter or a change in a measurable process parameter in the heat transfer device. The method receives the data and computes a performance indicator to predict performance degradation of the heat transfer device over time based upon the received data.
US08046190B2	Automated hypothesis testing A method of automatically applying a hypothesis test to a data set. The method reduces errors made in failing to appreciate predicate assumptions of various statistical tests, and elicits a series of indications from the user regarding characteristics of interest embodied by the data set to select an appropriate statistical test. The system also reduces errors in constructing competing null and alternative hypothesis statements by generating a characterization of the data and defining null and alternative hypotheses according to the indications, selected statistical test, and conventions adopted with respect to the tests. The system also establishes a significance level, calculates the test statistic, and generates an output. The output of the system provides a plain interpretation of the quantitative results in the terms indicated by the user to reduce errors in interpretation of the conclusion.
US08046178B2	Defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams A defect detection system identifies defects in weld seams. An exemplary system includes a scanner device, mounted on a displacement device of a processing unit and which can be displaced by the unit over at least one weld seam that is to be examined. The scanner unit scans the weld seam using a predefinable frequency, each scanning sweep being correlated with a time signal. The time signal is used to record the point in time when at least one location containing defects is scanned. An analysis module determines the co-ordinates of the defects from the signals that are obtained by the scanning sweeps and stores the co-ordinates of the defects and transmits them to a localisation module. The localisation module determines the spatial arrangement of the defects of the weld seam by evaluating a speed profile of the displacement device during the scanning sweeps, the time signal and the co-ordinates.
US08046176B2	Device and method for determining material moisture by thermogravimetry A device and a method for determining material moisture by thermogravimetry. Included in the device are: a test chamber (2) delimited by a chamber cover (8); a microwave field that can be generated by a magnetron (5) and supplied to the test chamber by a waveguide (4); a tuning rod (22) arranged in the test chamber; a sample carrier (3) which is operatively connected to a weighing module (6) mounted upstream of the test chamber; and at least one sensor (24) arranged in the test chamber. The tuning rod is arranged centrally on the chamber cover, above the sample carrier, and the at least one sensor is arranged on the free end of the tuning rod, opposing the chamber cover.
US08046175B2	Analytical strip reading apparatus and the analyical strip used therein The invention discloses an analytical strip reading apparatus and the analytical strip used therein. The analytical strip reading apparatus comprises a housing, a monitor, a delivering device, an optical reader, a reaction signal reader and a control module. The analytical strip comprises at least one optically readable pattern which comprises identification information of the analytical strip.
US08046174B2	System and method for identifying networks of ternary relationships in complex data systems A system and method for identifying high order associations between variables in complex systems that is particularly useful where there is no correlation or weak correlation between variables due to the influence of a third variable, a ternary relationship. The ternary relationship describes how the variation in the pattern of association between a pair of variables, including its sign and strength, is mediated by a third variable. In one embodiment applied to gene expression data, the activity of pairs of correlated genes due to the activity of one or more third genes is shown.
US08046171B2	Methods and apparatus for genetic evaluation Rapid and definitive bioagent detection and identification can be carried out without nucleic acid sequencing. Analysis of a variety of bioagents and samples, such as air, fluid, and body samples, can be carried out to provide information useful for industrial, medical, and environmental purposes. Nucleic acid samples of unknown or suspected bioagents may be collected, optimal primer pairs may be selected, and the nucleic acid may be amplified. Expected mass spectra signal models may be generated and selected, the actual mass spectra of the amplicons may be obtained. The expected mass spectra most closely correlating with the actual mass spectra may be determined using a joint maximum likelihood analysis, and base counts for the actual mass spectra and the expected mass spectra may be obtained. The most likely candidate bioagents may then be determined.
US08046161B2	Transportation planning with rule-based release of trips for execution A computer, for planning moves of freight automatically receives a plan containing a number of trips to be performed to move freight using vehicles, and partially releases only a portion of the plan for execution instead of releasing the entire plan. The plan portion that is released includes a subset of trips that are selected by the computer from among all trips in the entire plan. Thereafter, the computer simply repeats the just-described acts. Iteratively releasing portions of a plan allows the computer to be instructed to release early certain trips that are satisfactory. Trips that are sub-optimal are re-generated in a next version of the plan, based on changes in orders in the interim. The computer may also be instructed to release a trip even if sub-optimal, if its time-to-departure becomes less than an advance notice needed by a truckload service that is to execute the trip.
US08046157B2	Control system and work method for a control system A control system (and a method of operating the system for an internal combustion engine. The control system has a trigger circuit for supplying trigger signals and an output stage having a plurality of output channels which supply actuating signals. The trigger circuit and the output stage are connected to one another by a selection interface and a trigger interface that is a single control line which supplies a time control signal.
US08046155B2	Method and apparatus for misfire detection using engine cycles at least subsequent to actual misfire event In a method of monitoring for a misfire event in an internal combustion engine signals representative of engine speed are monitored for successive engine revolutions subsequent to each firing event. The monitored signals are stored (e.g., in a buffer) and processed to detect changes in the monitored speed signals. Changes in monitored speed signals that are indicative of an actual misfire event are detected and a misfire count is changed in response thereto.
US08046152B2	Device for controlling internal combustion engines A device for controlling an internal combustion engine which uses, as the fuel, a heavy fuel, a light fuel, an alcohol fuel and a mixture thereof, comprising a heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector 39 capable of detecting the ratio of the heavy fuel and the light fuel, and an air-fuel ratio detector 41 for detecting the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, wherein the amount of fuel injection is calculated based on the heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector so that the air-fuel ratio becomes a target air-fuel ratio. The heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector is diagnosed if it is in an abnormal condition based on a difference between the target air-fuel ratio and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detector while the engine temperature is in a particular temperature region. The heavy fuel/light fuel ratio detector can be correctly diagnosed if it is in an abnormal condition even when an alcohol-mixed fuel is used.
US08046132B2	Vehicle steering control without mechanical connection between steering wheel and steered wheels A vehicle steering control system includes a controller for determining control angles for actuators used for steering the vehicle based on at least a speed of the vehicle and a steering signal. The controller includes a unit, a module, and a block. The unit determines an equivalent steering angle of a steered wheel of an equivalent bicycle model according to the steering signal, and also determines a transverse coordinate of an instantaneous center of rotation of the vehicle. The module controls a steering behaviour of the vehicle to enable a longitudinal coordinate of the instantaneous center of rotation of the vehicle to be determined from the speed of the vehicle and a maximum transverse acceleration parameter of the vehicle. The block determines the control angles from the longitudinal coordinate and the transverse coordinate. The maximum transverse acceleration parameter of the vehicle is fixed for the vehicle or is variable based on conditions of operation of the vehicle.
US08046131B2	Vehicular steering apparatus Provided is a vehicular steering apparatus capable of improving a steering feeling and achieving a reduction in cost. The vehicular steering apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with an assist motor for generating an assist torque, a state quantity detector for detecting a steering shaft reaction torque and a road surface reaction torque, and a control unit for calculating a target current value of the assist motor. The control unit includes a friction compensation portion and a return compensation portion, which calculate a friction compensation torque for compensating for the assist torque and a return compensation torque for compensating for the assist torque from the steering shaft reaction torque and the road surface reaction torque respectively. The control unit compensates for an overall friction torque in a steering mechanism and a gradient of the road surface reaction torque, using the friction compensation torque and the return compensation torque.
US08046124B2	Control apparatus and control method for electric vehicle A control apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a road surface condition detection portion, a slip determination portion, a torque reduction device, and a voltage control device. The electric vehicle includes a motor that generates drive power for the electric vehicle, and a drive device that drives the motor. The road surface condition detection portion detects the condition of a road surface on which the electric vehicle is driven. The slip determination portion determines whether the electric vehicle is slipping. The torque reduction device reduces the torque of the motor when the slip determination portion determines that the electric vehicle is slipping. The voltage control device controls a voltage input to the drive device to reduce the voltage when the road surface condition detection portion determines that the road surface has a friction coefficient lower than a predetermined value.
US08046117B2	Wireless control of an adjustable bed A controller for an adjustable bed manages at least one wireless communication function, such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.x, and peer-to-peer functions in association with controlling the bed. The controller also can control a second system associated with the adjustable bed.
US08046108B2	System and method for converting ocean wave energy into electricity A system and method for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, a generator mechanism, and other components that synergistically operate to optimize power output of the buoy. Both the load on the pendulum and the effective length of the pendulum may be varied in response to changing environmental conditions. Also, the buoy may be part of a network that shares environmental data and a series of best tuning responses to that data, across the network. A library of environmental data and associated tuning responses is built at a central location and shared across the network.
US08046106B2	Controlling method and system for saving energy of building A controlling method and a controlling system for saving energy of a building are provided. In the present method, a user environment requirement is obtained first. Then, a plurality of cover ratios of a sunshade device on an opening of a building is defined, and according to an environment parameter and the user environment requirement, a total electricity consumption required by air conditioning equipment and by lighting equipment in the building corresponding to each of the cover ratios is calculated. Finally, a cover ratio that produces the minimum total electricity consumption is obtained, and the sunshade device, the air conditioning equipment and the lighting equipment are adjusted according to the obtained cover ratio, so as to make the building meet the user environment requirement and maintain a status of the minimum total energy consumption.
US08046105B2	Vibrating plate system A vibrating plate system comprises at least two vibrating plates are mechanically coupled to one another via a coupling device and a controlling transmitter for outputting control data to the vibrating plates. Each of the vibrating plates comprises a receiving device for receiving the control data, a drive mechanism for propelling the vibration plate forwardly and rearwardly, and a position determining device for determining the position of the relevant vibrating plate within the group. A rule memory is also provided in which control rules are stored. One control rule defines a correlation between a control measure for controlling the traveling mechanism according to the position of the vibrating plate and an item of control information given by the control data. In each vibrating plate, a single control device selects a suitable control rule according to the position of the vibrating plate and to the control measure.
US08046100B2	Method and system for accomplishing product detection The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.
US08046088B2	Dependent power supplying apparatus and electronic instrument A semiconductor power supplying apparatus driven by a power source includes at least two driven circuits for performing prescribed data processing when electric power is supplied. An electric power supplying circuit is provided so as to convert power from the power source as needed to supply at least two driven circuits with electric power in accordance with voltages that the driven circuits need. A driven circuit power supplying condition signal generating device is provided so as to generate a driven circuit power supplying condition signal for determining a power supplying condition of all of the at least two driven circuits. A power supplying control signal generation circuit is also provided so as to generate a power supplying control signal for controlling operation of the power supplying circuit. The power supplying control signal is generated from the driven circuit power supplying condition signal and determines an order of supplying power to the at least two driven circuits so that the at least two driven circuits can receive dependent power supplying.
US08046085B2	Controlled vagal blockage therapy A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.
US08046083B2	Device for influencing brain functions of a human being Device for influencing brain functions of a human being by targeted stimulation of at least one region of the human body, comprising stimulating means that permit a stimulation of the region that is to be stimulated, characterized in that the stimulation is an electrical stimulation.
US08046082B2	Method and apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient Single-use electrical leads for a nerve stimulator include a status flag element such as a fuse, which is deliberately blown after use of the leads has begun to indicate that the leads are not to be reused. The nerve stimulator has a “test mode” that determines a current value for treatment, and a “therapy mode” that administers treatment with the chosen current value. If the fuse in the electrical leads is blown, then the stimulator assumes that the leads have already been used and does not enter therapy mode. If the fuse in the electrical leads is intact, then the stimulator assumes that the leads are as yet unused, and allows the user to enter either test mode or therapy mode. The fuse is deliberately blown after a particular amount of time spent in therapy mode. After the fuse is blown, the user may still complete the therapy mode.
US08046081B2	Implanted system with DC free inputs and outputs An implantable electronic system is described. An implantable power supply includes multiple power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and multiple power output ports for developing a detected power signal. An implantable prosthetic processing module includes multiple prosthetic processing input ports connected by wire to the power output ports for receiving the detected power signal, and multiple prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue. Each of the multiple ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential.
US08046068B2	Apparatus and method for treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
US08046065B2	Fusion pacing enhancements The disclosure provides methods and apparatus of left ventricular pacing including automated adjustment of a atrio-ventricular (AV) pacing delay interval and intrinsic AV nodal conduction testing. It includes—upon expiration or reset of a programmable AV Evaluation Interval (AVEI)—performing the following: temporarily increasing a paced AV interval and a sensed AV interval and testing for adequate AV conduction and measuring an intrinsic atrio-ventricular (PR) interval for a right ventricular (RV) chamber. Thus, in the event that the AV conduction test reveals a physiologically acceptable intrinsic PR interval then storing the physiologically acceptable PR interval in a memory structure (e.g., a median P-R from one or more cardiac cycles). In the event that the AV conduction test reveals an AV conduction block condition or if unacceptably long PR intervals are revealed then a pacing mode-switch to a bi-ventricular (Bi-V) pacing mode occurs and the magnitude of the AVEI is increased.
US08046064B2	Method of delivering PESP/ICC as well as adjusting the refractory period of the heart Medical devices and methods are used to treat cardiac dysfunction conditions which involve delivery of stimulation pulses in cardiac refractory periods in order to modulate an effective refractory period (ERP). Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with or in place of other therapies, including increased cardiac contractility (ICC) therapy, post extrasystolic potentiation (PESP) therapy, and other therapies to achieve increased heart contractility, provide a safer and more effective regimen for the corresponding stimulation therapies, and reduce the risk of inducing an arrhythmia.
US08046059B2	Mobile diagnosis device A mobile diagnosis device comprised of an ECG unit (1) to record an ECG signal (55), with the ECG unit (1) being connected or connectible to two or more ECG electrodes (27, 28) to dissipate electrical signals from a patient's body, and comprised of a pulsoximetry unit (2) for simultaneous recording of a volume pulse signal (56), with the pulsoximetry unit (2) comprising at least one light source (17, 18) and at least one light sensor (20) for optical measurement of blood perfusion in the vascular system of a patient's body tissue, and comprised of a program-controlled evaluation unit (4) to evaluate the ECG signal (55) and the volume pulse signal (56). To provide such a diagnosis device that is suitable for auto-diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, the device proposes that the evaluation unit (4) be appropriately equipped to allow for automatic recognition of R peaks (57) in the ECG signal (55), automatic recognition of extreme levels (58) in the volume pulse signal (56), and for determination of the time difference (60) between an R peak (57) and a successive extreme level (58) in the volume pulse signal (56). Furthermore, the evaluation unit (4) can be appropriately equipped to allow for determination of the time difference (61) between the main and secondary peak values (58, 59) in the volume pulse signal (56).
US08046056B2	Body fat measurement apparatus and method of operating the apparatus A method measuring a body fat by using a body fat measurement device including an optical detector and at least two light sources, the method including: detecting an optical signal which is scattered by a biological tissue by the optical detector, and measuring a first optical signal intensity and a second optical signal intensity; calculating a slope the first optical signal intensity and the second optical signal intensity by using a distance between a first light source unit and a second light source unit, and a difference between the first optical signal intensity and the second optical signal intensity, the first optical signal intensity corresponding to the first light source unit and the second optical signal intensity corresponding to the second light source unit; and measuring a thickness of body fat of the biological tissue from the calculated slope.
US08046054B2	Bi-planar fluoroscopy guided robot system for minimally invasive surgery and the control method thereof Disclosed is a computer-integrated surgery aid system for minimally invasive surgery and a method for controlling the same. The system includes a surgery planning system for creating three-dimensional information from two-dimensional images obtained by means of biplanar fluoroscopy so that spinal surgery can be planned according to the image information and a scalar-type 6 degree-of-freedom surgery aid robot adapted to be either driven automatically or operated manually.
US08046052B2	Navigation system for cardiac therapies An image guided navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of a patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the instrument in a region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representative of the instrument onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the instrument. The display displays the image with the superimposed instrument. The images and a registration process may be synchronized to a physiological event. The controller may also provide and automatically identify an optimized site to navigate the instrument to.
US08046049B2	Robotically guided catheter Apparatus is provided for use with a steerable catheter that includes a thumb control adapted to control a deflection of a distal tip of the catheter. The apparatus includes a robot, including an end-effector, adapted to be coupled to the thumb control, and a controller, adapted to drive the end-effector to deflect the distal tip by manipulating the thumb control.
US08046045B2	Anatomical feature condition assessment system using tissue displacement characteristics An anatomical feature condition assessment system includes an acquisition processor for acquiring data representing the velocity and direction measurements of individual segments of an anatomical feature of a patient. A repository contains mapping data associating averaged velocity and direction measurements within a predetermined particular segment of the anatomical feature with a set of values. A data processor averages the acquired velocity and direction measurements within the predetermined particular segment of the anatomical feature and uses the mapping data to identify a set of values associated with the averaged acquired velocity and direction measurements. The data processor uses the identified set of values to derive an assessment of the condition of the anatomical feature of the patient.
US08046042B2	Signal processing apparatus The present disclosure describes a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals using various processing techniques. In certain embodiments, the measured signals are physiological signals. In certain embodiments, the measurements relate to blood constituent measurements including blood oxygen saturation.
US08046023B2	Mobile communication device with direction indicator A mobile communication device includes a processor to identify a direction related to the geo-positioning signals; a display including a pre-defined shape to indicate the direction related to the geo-positioning signals, where the pre-defined shape is exhibited when an optical property of the pre-defined shape is altered; and a power source to supply voltage to the pre-defined shape, where the optical property of the pre-defined shape is altered by a burst of voltage.
US08046021B2	Communication system, communication apparatus, and communication method to minimize interference by transmission power control There is provided a communication control technique in which it is possible to avoid interference with another wireless communication system. This invention is characterized by a control station which controls wireless communication of dependent stations. When a dependent station newly starts, the control station determines whether a beacon transmitted by the dependent station is received by another wireless communication network. When determining that the beacon is received by the other wireless communication network, the control station instructs the dependent station to lower the transmission power until the beacon is not received.
US08046016B2	Indicating availability of RF resources at a peer base station in a two-way peer-to-peer communication system A method for indicating availability of outbound RF resources (ORFRs) of peer base stations is provided that uses peer busy indicator (PBI) messages transmitted from one peer base station to other peer base stations.
US08046015B2	Adaptive tuning to improve demodulator performance A receiver is tuned to a transmission frequency of a data signal after the receiver has already locked onto a frequency carrying the data signal. A frequency offset between a locked frequency of a tuner on the receiver and the actual transmission frequency is determined by a comparator. If the frequency offset is greater than a threshold value, then the tuner is stepped to another frequency and the frequency offset is determined again. The direction of the tuning step can be determined by comparing multiple frequency offsets. An average value of multiple frequency offset measurements may also be used to determine if the tuner should retune to another frequency by comparison with the threshold value.
US08046010B2	System and method for subscription management A subscription manager module or message processing engine operating within a messaging inter-carrier vendor (MICV) provides value added services to both service users (e.g., mobile telephone users) and service providers (e.g., information brokers, vendors, news sources, etc.). The MICV is disposed between a plurality of service users and a plurality of service providers and messages sent between these parties are processed by a subscription manager module, or message processing engine, which is configured to, among other things, manage short codes, detect undesirable spam messages, operate service user opt-in and opt-out processes, and perform billing functions.
US08046001B2	Method of providing advertising to mobile units A method of delivering advertising to a mobile unit via at least one wireless network, in association with a Location Based Service (LBS) is provided A LBS request is received. Location information associated with the mobile unit is requested. First location information is received. Location Based Advertising (LBA) is provided to the mobile unit based on the first location information while waiting for second location information. The second location information is received. Accuracy and results of the first and second location information is compared to determine which of the first and second location information provides a most probable location of the mobile unit. The LBS is provided to the mobile unit based on which of the first and second location information provides the most probable location of the mobile unit.
US08045989B2	Method and apparatus for reducing the number of times of measurements for cell reselection in mobile communication terminal Provided is a method and apparatus for reducing the number of times of measurements in a mobile communication terminal. According to the method, a signal receive level (“Srxlev”) and a signal quality (“Squal”) of a serving cell in an idle state are measured. When the serving-cell selection condition is not satisfied or an adjacent-cell measurement condition is satisfied as a result of the measurement, it is determined whether the number of times of cell reselections reaches a critical value. When the number of times of cell reselections reaches the critical value, the number of times of cell reselection is initialized to a value smaller than the critical value and the mobile terminal returns to an idle state. When the number of times of cell reselections does not reach the critical value, an adjacent-cell measurement for the cell reselection is performed. Therefore, unnecessary quiescent current consumption is reduced and a quiescent current performance is improved.
US08045988B2	Softer and soft handoff in an orthogonal frequency division wireless communication system Transmission patterns for pilot symbols transmitted from a mobile station or base station are provided. The patterns may be selected according to a location of the mobile station with respect to one or more antennas are provided. In some aspects, the pattern may be selected based upon the distance between the mobile station and the one or more antennas. In other aspect, the pattern may be based upon whether the mobile station is in handoff.
US08045982B2	Methods for site selection in a multi-site communication system A device detects a first signal on a channel that is one of a plurality of channels arranged in a first order on a list, with each channel being associated with a different site in a multi-site communication system. Upon detecting the first signal, the device attempts to measure and record signal strength of a signal at each channel on the list based on the first order beginning with the detected first signal, and selects as a home site the site associated with the channel having the signal with the highest recorded signal strength. The device rearranges the channels on the list into a second order based on the recorded signal strengths with the home site channel at the top. If necessary, the radio attempts to awaken its repeaters one after another based on the second order until a repeater is found to transmit a signal.
US08045975B2	Systems and methods for inter-system sharing of satellite communications frequencies within a common footprint Two satellite communications systems can use the same frequency or frequencies in geographically overlapping footprints, without creating undue interference in a given system that is caused by the same frequency signal(s) that is/are used by the other system. In particular, an aggregate Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of the radioterminals and/or ancillary terrestrial components of a second satellite communications system in the common footprint is sufficiently low, and/or the receive antenna gain of a first satellite communications system is sufficiently low compared to the receive antenna gain of the second satellite communications system, so as to increase an aggregate receiver noise that is seen by the first satellite system receivers by an amount that does not substantially change a Quality of Service (QoS) of the first satellite communications system.
US08045972B2	Multimode wireless radio access network with distributed processing A multimode Radio Access Network (RAN) for wireless communication is disclosed. The RAN separates the control signals from the data streams for their distributed processing. The control signals are transmitted between base stations and a Radio Resource Server (RRS), while the data streams are communicated between the base stations and Wireless Access Gateways (WAGs). The base station and WAG resources are managed by the RRS. Besides providing single and multiple radio mode access to a mobile user for efficient communication with other wireless communication networks, the RAN infrastructure has a high outage tolerance and can be scaled cost effectively for wider coverage and increased data traffic capacity.
US08045960B2	Integrated access control system and a method of controlling the same An access control system including a base station located near a stationary target site used to control access to the stationary target site and satellite access station coupled to the exterior of a satellite target site used to control access to the satellite target site. The base station includes an identification device, storage device, a control unit, a user interface and a transceiver. A master database containing a list of access information for all of the satellite access stations is stored in the storage device. Each satellite access station includes a second identification device, a second storage device, a control unit and a second transponder. A satellite database contains a list of access information for the satellite target site. Information contained in the master database for a particular satellite access station is provided to the particular satellite access station and stored in the satellite database.
US08045959B1	Assigning a serving-CSCF during access authentication Assigning a serving-call session control function (serving-CSCF) to an access terminal includes receiving an access authorization request corresponding to the access terminal. The access terminal is authorized, and a serving-CSCF is assigned to the access terminal. An access authorization response comprising the serving-CSCF address is sent.
US08045957B2	Computer program product to indicate a charge for a call Embodiments may comprise hardware and/or code within a cellular phone to process data related to charges for a call to indicate the charges to the user. In some embodiments, the charges may be presented in the form of an icon. The icon may indicate whether or not charges apply to the call, a range of charges, and/or a rate of charge. Further embodiments may display characters describing conditional charges for a call. In still further embodiments, the charges for a call may be indicated by an audible alert such as a volume, frequency, pattern of frequencies, or a voice generated. Embodiments may also include hardware and/or code of a cellular phone server such as an MTSO to gather and transmit account information to a cellular phone (or apparatus with similar functionality such as a mobile broadband card).
US08045952B2	Method and device for obtaining playlist content over a network A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices. The IPAN includes an IPAN server, an IPAN client, and IPAN software stored on the network-enabled audio device. Thus, the network-enabled audio device provides people who are or are not comfortable with computers a way of taking music from various sources and putting it into one place for listening pleasure. In one embodiment, the Personal Computer (PC) is used to compose the playlists, but the user is able to listen to playlists and other audio sources without using the PC.
US08045949B2	Noise cancellation circuit and amplifier with noise cancellation circuit A noise cancellation circuit, which reduces noise in an output signal of an amplifier having an input resistance, a feedback resistance, and an operational amplifier, has: a first mixer circuit, which input an input signal across a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the operational amplifier, and performs frequency conversion of the input signal according to a first frequency signal; a noise cancellation amplifier, which amplifies an output signal of the first mixer circuit; a second mixer circuit, which performs frequency conversion of an output signal of the noise cancellation amplifier according to the first frequency signal; and a signal supply circuit, which supplies an output signal of the second mixer circuit to the first input terminal of the operational amplifier via an output resistance.
US08045947B2	RF power extracting circuit and related techniques In one aspect, the invention is a far-field power extraction circuit which includes an integrated antenna and impedance matching portion and a rectifier portion. The antenna and impedance matching portion includes an antenna configured to be responsive to a propagating electromagnetic signal and which provides a resonant response at a resonant frequency. In response to the electromagnetic signal, the antenna provides an electromagnetic output signal at an antenna port. The antenna and impedance matching portion is configured to match an antenna impedance with a remainder of the far-field power extraction circuit including the rectifier portion of the power extraction circuit coupled to the antenna and impedance matching portion. The rectifier is configured to rectify the electromagnetic output signal provided by the antenna to produce a direct current (DC) voltage at an output of the rectifier.
US08045946B2	Active resistive summer for a transformer hybrid A system includes a transceiver configured to receive a composite signal. The composite signal is a composite of a transmit signal and a receive signal. A replica transmitter is configured to generate a replica transmit signal based on the transmit signal. A transmit canceller is configured to recover the receive signal at least in part by resistively summing the composite signal and the replica transmit signal.
US08045932B2	Double search user group selection scheme with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback Aspects of a double search user group selection scheme with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback are provided. The method may comprise maximizing system capacity using feedback information for a plurality of signals in a frequency division duplex system to reduce a search range within which a group of signals having maximum channel gain are located. The feedback information may comprise quantized gain for the signals. Quantized channel direction for the signals within the reduced search range may be requested and received by the transmitter. One or two signals from the reduced search range that maximizes system capacity may be selected. The receivers associated with these signals may then be selected as the user group.
US08045922B2	Apparatus for and method of bluetooth and wireless local area network coexistence using a single antenna in a collocated device A novel and useful apparatus for and method of providing a mechanism for achieving coexistence between a Bluetooth system and WLAN system collocated in the same communications device such as a mobile terminal. The coexistence mechanism of the present invention functions to monitor WLAN and Bluetooth system activity, determine the access priority of both WLAN and Bluetooth systems, predict Bluetooth high priority packet transmission patterns, allocate bandwidth to both the Bluetooth and WLAN systems in accordance with the traffic patterns predicted, and switch the antenna and control the Bluetooth and WLAN power amplifiers when required.
US08045921B2	Audio delivery system and method for mobile phone A wireless audio delivery system and method are disclosed for distributing an audio signal to a plurality of headsets through short range wireless communication channels. An audio delivery method for a short range wireless communication network including a master device and a plurality of slave devices includes selecting, at the master device, one of the slave devices as a primary slave device, assigning a master control to the primary slave device, establishing a communication channel between the master and the slave devices and delivering audio data to the slave devices through the communication channel.
US08045920B2	Apparatus for access control, and read/write device In an access control device including a lock with a locking element, an actuating element for the locking element, an electronic key, a receiver unit for receiving key identification data and an evaluation circuit for determining access authorization based on the received identification data, the evaluation circuit cooperates with the actuating element and/or the locking element for selectively locking or unlocking the lock. The electronic key includes means for generating a capacitive near field via which the identification data is emitted. Furthermore, a device for coupling the capacitive near field to the person carrying the key is provided. The receiver unit is designed as a device separate from the lock and comprises at least one capacitive coupling surface such that, at a contact of the capacitive coupling surface or an approach of the capacitive coupling surface by said person, an alternating current circuit is closed and an electric flux is created across the receiver unit, which can be detected by the receiver unit.
US08045919B2	Electromagnetic/acoustic underwater communications system An underwater communications system is provided that transmits electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals to a remote receiver. The transmitter includes a data input. A digital data compressor compresses data to be transmitted. A modulator modulates compressed data onto a carrier signal. An electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna transmits the compressed, modulated signals. The receiver that has an electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna for receiving a compressed, modulated signal. A demodulator is provided for demodulating the signal to reveal compressed data. A de-compressor de-compresses the data. An appropriate human interface is provided to present transmitted data into text/audio/visible form. Similarly, the transmit system comprises appropriate audio/visual/text entry mechanisms.
US08045918B2	Proxy mobile station using assignable mobile identifier to access a wireless network A proxy mobile station for retransmitting reverse channel signals from a mobile station to a base station of a wireless network. The proxy mobile station comprises: 1) a controller for receiving reverse channel data to be transmitted to the base station and transmitting the reverse channel data using an assigned mobile station identifier associated with the mobile station; and 2) a radio frequency transceiver for up-converting the encoded reverse channel data for transmission to the base station. The assigned mobile station is modifiable and may be modified by an external control device.
US08045911B2	Image forming apparatus having a cleaning section An image forming apparatus, including an image carrier, a toner image forming section which forms a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer section which transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to an intermediate transfer member or a recording sheet, a cleaning section which includes a brush and a blade to remove toner particles remaining on the image carrier after the toner image are transferred by the transfer section, and a control section executes a blade cleaning mode in which toner particles having an opposite polarity against the toner particles adhered onto the blade are sent to the cleaning section while an amount of toner particles to be removed by the brush is changed.
US08045905B2	Belt transfer device for image forming apparatus In a belt transfer device according to an embodiment, rotation of a rear side detection roller or a front side detection roller, which contacts with a rib of a transfer belt and is rotated, is converted into linear driving by using a worm gear. The movement of a linear movement shaft is transmitted to a steering roller through a slider. The steering roller is tilted and meandering of the transfer belt is regulated.
US08045897B2	Developing device A developing device includes a developer tank configured to contain a developer including a toner and a carrier, the developer tank having a discharge port which is provided in a lateral side surface of the developer tank and configured to discharge the developer, a developing agent supplier configured to develop a latent image by using the toner contained in the developer tank, and a plate-shaped member configured to be formed in a direction of height from a lower end of the discharge port and partially cover the discharge port to regulate the discharge of the developer.
US08045896B2	Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same A developing device includes a developing vessel for storing a developer, a first conveying passage, a second conveying passage, a first conveying member and a second conveying member to supply toner to a photoreceptor drum. The first conveying member includes a first rotary shaft and a first multi-helically structured blade. The first multi-helically structured blade includes a first inner helical blade and ring-shaped first outer helical blade. The first inner helical blade is formed so that the radius of the helical blade varies cyclically. The second helical pitch of the first outer helical blade is smaller than the first helical pitch of the first inner helical blade. The first outer helical blade inscribes the outer periphery of the first inner helical blade at its minimum radius portions.
US08045892B2	Developing unit, process cartridge, and image forming method and apparatus incorporating an agitation compartment A developing unit used in an image forming apparatus with a latent image carrier includes a developer carrier, a supply compartment, a recovery compartment, a separation member, and a gap. The developer carrier facing the latent image carrier rotates while carrying two-component developer containing toner and carrier and supplies the toner to the latent image. The supply compartment includes a supply transport member to transport the developer in a first direction. The recovery compartment includes a recovery transport member to transport the developer in a second direction. The separation member includes one end portion facing the latent image carrier at a facing area. The separation member separates the supply compartment and the recovery compartment and is disposed above the recovery compartment behind the separation member. The gap is provided at the facing area. The gap has a width of not more than 1.4 millimeters.
US08045890B2	Multi-pass type image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, and a plurality of developing devices to develop a color image on the photosensitive body. The plurality of developing devices include fixed-position developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are fixed, and moveable developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are changed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be manufactured compactly, by mounting four developing devices, e.g., for yellow, magenta, cyan and black for the color printing such that three developing devices stand by at the respective development positions and one developing device variably moves to the development position so that the photosensitive body is reduced in diameter when compared to a conventional photosensitive body which opposes four developing devices.
US08045888B2	Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus A conveying device conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium recorded with an image formed in an image forming unit, and includes a container that is detachable and contains a sheet of blank recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container, and a recirculating path that leads the non-blank recording medium to the feeding unit. The recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit. A part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit. At least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.
US08045884B2	Imaging cartridge having a hopper supported by a wastebin An imaging cartridge contains a wastebin and a hopper connected to the wastebin. A flat mounting surface on the wastebin receives a circuit board. A microswitch actuating tab is formed on the body of the imaging cartridge. A hopper is connected to the wastebin in a manner such that the hopper is supported entirely by the wastebin when the imaging cartridge is installed in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine. The hopper is void of any protrusions adapted to rest on a supporting member in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine.
US08045882B2	Self-sealing process roller A process roller for use with an imagining cartridge, the process roller including sealing surfaces located at its distal ends. As the process roller rotates, the sealing surfaces of the process roller are sufficiently flexible to conform to the inner side walls of the imaging cartridge, thereby sealing the printing agent inside the imaging cartridge at the distal ends of the process roller.
US08045880B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding device to feed a sheet in a sheet feeding path is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of feeding rollers to feed a sheet in the sheet feeding path, and a dust remover unit to remove dust adhered onto a surface of the sheet. The dust remover unit includes a dust absorber roller to absorb dust from a surface of the sheet, a dust remover member arranged to be in contact with a surface of the dust absorber roller to remove the dust from the surface of the dust absorber roller, a conveyer member, arranged to be opposed to the dust remover member, to convey the dust removed by the dust remover member, and a cutter member, arranged in an intervening position between the dust remover roller and the conveyer member, to cut the dust removed by the dust remover member into smaller pieces.
US08045879B2	Methods for controlling environmental conditions in an electrophotographic apparatus and a corresponding electrophotographic apparatus Disclosed are a method of controlling moisture in an electrophotographic apparatus having a fuser assembly, and corresponding electrophotographic apparatus. The method includes measuring a cavity temperature of an inner portion of the electophotographic apparatus, measuring a cavity relative humidity of an inner portion of the electophotographic apparatus, calculating a cavity dewpoint temperature using the measured cavity temperature and the measured cavity relative humidity, determining a difference between the cavity temperature and the cavity dewpoint temperature, and if the difference between the cavity temperature and the cavity dewpoint temperature drops below a predetermined threshold, turning on a heater device in the fuser assembly to control moisture in the electrophotographic apparatus.
US08045876B2	Fixing device for image forming apparatus to control power of heating source while in a warming-up mode A fixing device of this invention enables variable control of power to be supplied to a heat roller side or a press roller side in accordance with the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller while each mode is carried out. In a copy mode, the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller is finely controlled. In a copy standby mode, only the power required for maintaining a set temperature is supplied.
US08045874B2	Image forming apparatus and image density control method An image forming apparatus includes a control device that calculates a developing ability of the developing device based on a detection value detected by an optical detection device from the plural toner patches. The control device adjusts an image formation condition based on the calculated developing ability. A factor detection device is provided to detect a contributing factor that causes the developing ability to largely change after the last adjustment of the image formation condition. The control device controls image formation such that when the factor detection device does not detect the contribution factor and a developing ability calculated this time is different from that calculated last time (as to a part of the plural toner patches), the plural toner patches are formed based on a prescribed fixed image formation condition so that an attraction amount of toner attracting to the plural toner patches enter a prescribed range detectable for the optical detection device. The remaining toner patches are formed (based on an image formation condition determined) in accordance with the image formation condition previously adjusted. When the detection device detects the contribution factor, the entire toner patches are formed based on the prescribed fixed condition.
US08045865B2	Automatic optimization of HFSI warning thresholds based on actual service interval statistics If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is higher than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by extending the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds. If the specific device incurs unscheduled maintenance visits more often than average, the embodiments herein extend the replacement warning thresholds for components of the device. The amount that the replacement warning thresholds are extended is different for different parts, and is based on part life, part cost, and part service cost. If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is lower than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by shortening the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds. If the specific device incurs unscheduled maintenance visits less often than average, the embodiments herein shorten the replacement warning thresholds for components of the device.
US08045864B2	Method and apparatus for processing signals of photo-detector in visible light communication system Disclosed is a method for processing incoming signals of photo-detectors in a visible light communication system. The method includes: dividing symbol duration into divided durations according to an equal time interval to set the divided durations to a plurality of time slots, the symbol duration being a time required to transmit one of a symbol and a bit; receiving visible light signals through a photodiode array in a receiver; determining a gain value of each of the photodiodes during a time slot, in consideration of each photodiode area on the photodiode array during the time slot and the time slot position within the symbol duration; multiplying a gain value of each of the photodiodes by an output value of a corresponding photodiode; and summing up output values of each of the photodiodes by which the gain value has been multiplied and calculating a total of output values of the time slot.
US08045863B2	Byte-interleaving systems and methods for 100G optical transport enabling multi-level optical transmission The present invention provides byte-interleaving systems and methods for Optical Transport Unit N (OTUN) (i.e. Optical Transport Unit 4 (OTU4)) and 100 Gb/s (100 G) optical transport enabling multi-level optical transmission. The byte-interleaving systems and methods of the present invention support the multiplexing of sub-rate clients, such as 10 Gb/s (10 G) clients, 40 Gb/s (40 G) clients, etc., into two 50 Gb/s (50 G) logical flows, for example, that can be forward error correction (FEC) encoded and carried on a single wavelength to provide useful, efficient, and cost-effective 100 G optical transport today. Signaling format support allows these two 50 G logical flows to be forward compatible with an evolving OTU4 and 100 G signaling format without waiting for optical and electronic technology advancement. Signaling format support also allows an evolving standard 100 G logical flow (i.e. OTU4, 100 Gb/s Ethernet (100 GbE), etc.) to be carried as 2×50 G logical flows, 4×25 G logical flows, or other lower rate formats on a single wavelength.
US08045855B2	Systems and methods for the mitigation of polarization mode dispersion impairments in fiber optic links The present invention provides systems and methods for the mitigation of PMD impairments in fiber optic links. The present invention utilizes synchronous polarization modulation and digital control of polarization modulation, instead of independent polarization modulators and analog control used in the current state of art. Also, the present invention utilizes a feedback loop to avoid identified bad polarization states instead of a random open loop operation. Further, the present invention includes a mechanism to continually update polarization states based on pre-corrected FEC error analysis from data receivers. Additionally, the present invention includes a mechanism for collecting and correlating error feedback signals from multiple geographically-diverse network nodes. Advantageously, the present invention provides a cost-effective and efficient way to implement mitigation of PMD impairments, while using only a small fraction of the FEC error correction capability.
US08045853B2	Mechanism for tracking wavelengths in a DWDM network without specialized hardware In one embodiment, techniques provide a mechanism for tracking wavelengths in a DWDM network. In particular, embodiments of the present invention also provide for connection tracking using a slowly modulated pilot tone in a DWDM network without dedicated hardware for the generation and the diction of the tone.
US08045852B2	Channel balancing algorithm An algorithm is disclosed for performing channel balancing on channels between optical network elements within an optic-fiber communications system. The algorithm groups at least a portion of the channels into channel pairs, differentially adjusts the transmitter output power level of each of the channel pairs until the bit error ratio (BER) of at least one channel in each of the channel pairs exceeds a threshold, and records a respective power margin for each of the channels as the difference between the initial and final power levels. From the recorded power margins, a mean power margin is determined that is used to shift the transmitter output power level of each of the channels.
US08045849B2	Water treatment system and process The present invention generally relates to a water treatment system and a sanitization system and method. A sanitization fluid, typically water at a pharmaceutically acceptable temperature, is intermittently provided to the water treatment system for minimal periods of time.
US08045844B2	Recording medium, playback apparatus, and integrated circuit A playback device includes a reading unit that reads extent blocks from a recording medium. A switching unit extracts a main-view stream and a sub-view stream from the extent blocks. Each stream is stored in a different read buffer. A decoding unit reads and decodes each stream from a corresponding read buffer. A time (t) required for the decoding unit to decode all data blocks in one extent block is greater than or equal to the sum (t1+t2+t3) of a time (t1) required for the reading unit to read the data blocks except for the top data block in the extent block, a time (t2) required for the reading unit to start to read the top of a next extent block from the time of finishing reading the tail of the extent block, and a time (t3) required for the reading unit to read the top data block in the next extent block.
US08045837B2	Controller for photographing apparatus and photographing system A picture photographed by a camera portion is sent to a video capturing portion of a computer. The picture is displayed in an operation area of a monitor. A panorama picture of which pictures in part or all moving range of a pan tiler are combined is displayed in a panorama operation area. A pan tilter portion sends positional information of pan and tilt to the computer through a mode controller. With a mouse, the operation area and the panorama operation area are operated so as to select an object. The computer obtains data for driving the pan tilter. Thus, the selected object is displayed at the center of the operation area.
US08045830B2	Apparatus and method for excitation of a single mode in a waveguide A wave-guiding system and method for mode-selective transmission of a spatially coherent light beam is disclosed. The system comprises a wave-guide with an inlet and an outlet for transmitting one or more modes; a first mode-shaping optical element for shaping the spatially coherent light beam before it enters through the inlet of the wave-guide to a desired mode of the wave-guide; and a second mode-shaping optical element for shaping light beam after it exits from the outlet of the wave-guide for obtaining a desired vectorial field.
US08045829B2	Optical waveguide member, optical wiring board, optical wiring module and method for manufacturing optical waveguide member and optical wiring board The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide. The inventive method includes steps of providing a transfer member comprising a transfer sheet and a first metal film. The transfer sheet and the first metal film are detachable from each other. A laminated body made of a core layer disposed between two clad layers is formed on the transfer member. The invention also relates to optical waveguides produced by the inventive process and devices incorporating the optical waveguides of the invention.
US08045825B2	Image processing apparatus and method for composition of real space images and virtual space images A left-eye color discrimination unit (1101) and right-eye color discrimination unit (1102) generate mask images from virtual space images. If an error part exists at the boundary between a chroma key region and non-chroma key region in the mask image, each of a left-eye mask correction unit (1108) and right-eye mask correction unit (1110) corrects the error part using another mask image generated based on the other virtual space image in addition to the virtual space image.
US08045821B2	Coding method conversion apparatus A coding method conversion apparatus converts the first coded data coded by the first coding method into the second coded data. The coding method conversion apparatus includes: an H.264 decoder which decodes the first coded data; a deblocking filter strength calculation unit which calculates a filter strength of deblocking filtering of a second coding method, using at least one piece of decoding information except a coding type of the first coded data, the decoding information being obtained by decoding the first coded data; and a deblocking filter which performs the deblocking filtering to reduce noise in a boundary of blocks according to the filter strength calculated by the deblocking filter strength calculation unit.
US08045819B1	Efficient implementation of mirror-mode edge handling in image filtering A method of filtering image data is described. In one embodiment, the method includes storing in line buffers image data corresponding to a plurality of rows of an image; filtering image data on one row of multiple of rows; and filtering image data on another row of the multiple rows without changing the image data stored in the line buffers between filtering image data on the one row and filtering image data on the another row.
US08045815B2	Image encoding apparatus and image encoding method An image capturing apparatus 100 first executes JPEG encoding on RAW data. On the basis of the compression ratio of JPEG image data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 selects a Huffman table to encode the RAW data. With the higher compression ratio of the JPEG data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 assumes that the RAW data is image data with a larger number of low frequency components. The image capturing apparatus 100 thus selects a Huffman table that assigns a particularly short code to a predictive differential value with a smaller absolute value. In contrast, with the lower compression ratio of the JPEG image data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 selects a Huffman table that assigns a code of a relatively equal length to the predictive differential value regardless of its absolute value.
US08045814B2	Image compression device, compressing method, storage medium, image decompression device, decompressing method, and storage medium An image compression device having a prediction unit for predicting a value of a compressing target pixel from peripheral values, and quantizing prediction error between a prediction value of the prediction unit and a value of an actual pixel in a predetermined quantizing step, comprising: a specific pixel level difference evaluation unit sequentially calculating the difference value between the level values as a sum of the prediction values corresponding to each of the compressed pixel immediately before the compressing target pixel and peripheral compressed pixels adjacent to the pixel and the quantization value of the prediction error, and evaluating the sameness of the difference value; and a quantization switching unit controlling the quantization in the quantizing step more precise than the quantizing step used when the difference value continuously indicates the same value as a result of the evaluation by the specific pixel level difference evaluation unit.
US08045810B2	Method and system for decoding encoded images and reducing the size of said images A method and system for reducing the number of mathematical operations required in the JPEG decoding process without substantially impacting the quality of the image displayed is disclosed. Embodiments provide an efficient JPEG decoding process for the purposes of displaying an image on a display smaller than the source image, for example, the screen of a handheld device. According to one aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by reducing the amount of processing required for dequantization and inverse DCT (IDCT) by effectively reducing the size of the image in the quantized, DCT domain prior to dequantization and IDCT. This can be done, for example, by discarding unnecessary DCT index rows and columns prior to dequantization and IDCT. In one embodiment, columns from the right, and rows from the bottom are discarded such that only the top left portion of the block of quantized, and DCT coefficients are processed.
US08045808B2	Pure adversarial approach for identifying text content in images A pure adversarial optical character recognition (OCR) approach in identifying text content in images. An image and a search term are input to a pure adversarial OCR module, which searches the image for presence of the search term. The image may be extracted from an email by an email processing engine. The OCR module may split the image into several character-blocks that each has a reasonable probability of containing a character (e.g., an ASCII character). The OCR module may form a sequence of blocks that represent a candidate match to the search term and calculate the similarity of the candidate sequence to the search term. The OCR module may be configured to output whether or not the search term is found in the image and, if applicable, the location of the search term in the image.
US08045804B2	Method and apparatus for estimating vanish points from an image, computer program and storage medium thereof A method and apparatus for estimating vanishing points from an image, a computer program and a storage medium thereof are provided. One of the methods for detecting the vanishing points from an image includes a dividing step for dividing the image into small patches, a first detecting step for detecting each patch's local orientations, a composing step for composing lines of pencils from which at least one vanishing point is to be computed based on the local orientations detected in the first detecting step, and a computing step for computing at least one vanishing point based on the lines of pencils composed in the composing step. On the basis of the computed vanishing points, the perspective rectification on a document image can be executed accurately and quickly.
US08045803B2	Handwriting recognition system and methodology for use with a latin derived alphabet universal computer script A novel symbollogy derived from the lower-case cursive English alphabet (which is compatible with Latin alphabet derived languages), and a multi-step identification program designed to invoke the strengths of the XY Cartesian coordinate mapping system and a specific multi-step identification criteria designed to work in concert so as to allow absolute identification of each symbol. Each symbol is written onto an electronic tablet capable of identifying and distinguishing each individual symbol from a range of possible stroke patterns and then outputting or storing the symbol's assigned English alphabet counterpart. The combination of this symbollogy and recognition program allows high writing speed with the highest possible recognition potential.
US08045801B2	Image processing apparatus and method An image processing apparatus segments an image into a plurality of regions in accordance with attributes of a plurality of types, and acquires feature amount data from image information of a region of a first attribute (an image region) from among the plurality of regions. The apparatus then applies compression processing to the image and acquires compressed data. The apparatus outputs the acquired feature amount data and compressed data as output data of the image.
US08045799B2	System and method for generating a photograph with variable image quality Image data for a digital photograph is segmented into a first portion and a second portion. The image data of the second portion is processed to have a quality lower than the image data of the first portion. An image file for the scene is stored where the image file contains image data corresponding to the first and second portions so that the image file has a high quality portion and a low quality portion.
US08045797B2	Image processing method, recording medium with recorded image processing program and image processing apparatus An image processing method for carrying out predetermined correction processing with respect to one or more items regarding the quality of color images and the image processing method comprises a judgment step for judging the necessity/nonnecessity of correction with respect to each of the above-mentioned items and a correction processing step for carrying out the predetermined correction processing with respect to the item judged as required to be corrected at the above-mentioned judgment step.
US08045794B2	Image processing method and device for restoring sub-information from composite image information In an image processing device adapted to restore sub-information from composite image information produced by a composite image producing device which embeds invisible sub-information into visible main image information to produce the composite image information, the frequency components of the sub-information extracted for each of its color components are smoothed, and the optimum one is selected from among the results of the smoothing process performed for each color component of the sub-information.
US08045789B2	Method and apparatus for inspecting defect of pattern formed on semiconductor device In the inspection apparatus for a defect of a semiconductor and the method using it for automatically detecting the defect on a semiconductor wafer and presuming the defect occurrence factor using the circuit design data, a plurality of shapes are formed from the circuit design data by deforming the design data with respect to shape deformation items stipulated for respective defect occurrence factor for comparison with the inspection object circuit pattern. The defect is detected by comparison of the group of shapes formed and the actual pattern. Further, the occurrence factors of these defects are presumed, and the defects are classified according to respective factor.
US08045780B2	Device for merging a 2D radioscopy image with an image from a 3D image data record The invention relates to a device for merging a 2D radioscopy image with an image obtained from a 3D image data record, having a memory unit that stores the 2D radioscopy image and the 3D image data record, a segmentation unit that segments an inner surface of a hollow organ from the 3D image data record, a registration unit that registers the 2D radioscopy image with the 3D image data record, a back-projection unit that back-projects the pixels of the 2D radioscopy image onto the segmented surface, taking account of the projection geometry of the 2D radioscopy image and the registration, and an image merger unit that generates a virtual endoscopy view of the surface from the segmented surface using the back-projected pixels. The device primarily allows 2D radioscopy images to be superimposed during interventional procedures with a fly display of the interior of an interesting organ.
US08045775B2	Localization of brain landmarks such as the anterior and posterior commissures based on geometrical fitting A method of estimating the location of the anterior and posterior commissures in a brain scan image is proposed. Firstly, a geometrical object is constructed using points on a brain scan image of an individual which are on the surface of the brain, such as an ellipse fitting the cerebral surface of a sagittal image of the mid-sagittal plane, or an adjacent sagittal plane. The locations on the MSP of the AC and PC landmarks (and optionally other landmarks) are estimated using the five parameters which define the ellipse, plus numerical values obtained in advance from statistical analysis of other individuals.
US08045764B2	Expedient encoding system An encoding system for an iris recognition system. In particular, it presents a robust encoding method of the iris textures to compress the iris pixel information into few bits that constitute the iris barcode to be stored or matched against database templates of same form. The iris encoding system is relied on to extract key bits of information under various conditions of capture, such as illumination, obscuration or eye illuminations variations.
US08045759B2	Object detection system and method An object detection system, comprising an unit for calculating relationship information between a position on an image of an object existing on a road surface and a size of an image picked up by one camera, using an actual size of a target object and camera parameter, a unit for evaluating an existence possibility of a symmetry axis in a specific pixel incase of an interval determined on the basis of geometric information, a unit for evaluating density and continuity in the vicinity of the center axis of a rectangular area of a pixel whose symmetry value is equal to or more than a specific threshold and detecting the lowest end point of the symmetric object and a unit for outputting a position and size of a candidate area of the symmetric object on the basis of the lowest end point.
US08045756B2	Routing networks for use with content linking systems A method of linking a content object with a network resource presents a content object to a reader, discerns an identifier associated with the content object, transfers the identifier to an indexing system, and in response receives an internet address corresponding to the content object. To enhance the response of the indexing system, it includes multiple routers, which it selects based on location relative to the reader. For example, the method sends user location data to a master system, and in response, receives an address of an indexing system close to the user location.
US08045748B2	Watermark embedding functions adapted for transmission channels A method for controlling watermark embedding in a media object through the use of a watermark embedding command. The use of the embedding command enables watermark embedding to be adapted for the transmission channel at the time of transmission.
US08045745B2	Edge support for a speaker apparatus comprising multiple ridges According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus includes: a voice coil bobbin; and a diaphragm that is vibrated by the voice coil bobbin, the diaphragm including an edge portion at an outer circumference of the diaphragm, the edge portion including at least two ridge portions protruding forward.
US08045739B2	Method and apparatus for controlling band split compressors in a hearing aid In a method and hearing aid (200) for processing sound signals for hearing impaired persons by providing multi-band compression processing an input sound signal is filtered by a band split filter (202) into a number of frequency bands to obtain band split signals. A signal level for each of the band split signals is determined and the frequency bands are arranged into a number of groups. Based on the signal levels in each of the groups, a compressor input level for a number of band split compressors each associated to one of the frequency bands is calculated. A compressor gain for each band split compressor is determined based on the corresponding compressor input signal and the band split signals are amplified with the corresponding compressor gain and summed in a summing unit (208) to produce an output sound signal.
US08045733B2	Silicon microphone with enhanced impact proof structure using bonding wires A backplateless silicon microphone and a wire protection method for improved impact resistance are disclosed. A circular diaphragm is surrounded by a circular spring having a plurality of slots and perforations to facilitate air damping reduction, release of in-plane stress, and improve out-plane flexibility. Anchored at a substrate, the circular spring holds the silicon microphone suspended over a backside hole in the substrate but allows the diaphragm to vibrate perpendicular to the substrate. A microphone variable capacitor is formed between the perforated spring and substrate. Slot size is minimized to prevent particles from entering an underlying air gap. A plurality of “n” bonding pads near the outer edge of the circular spring are connected by “n/2” bonding wires that serve as a stopper to restrict an upward motion of the diaphragm. The bonding wires may cross each other to enable lower loop height for more effective resistance to impact.
US08045720B2	Method for dynamic determination of time constants, method for level detection, method for compressing an electric audio signal and hearing aid, wherein the method for compression is used The invention provides a method for dynamic determination of time constants to be used in a detection of the signal level of an input signal of unknown level in an electric circuit, comprising the following steps: —feed the input signal through an auxiliary level detection means that is reacting faster to changes in the input sound signal level than the detection of the signal level as a whole, —feed either the input signal or the output of the auxiliary level detection means through a guided level detection means, which is arranged with a guided time constant, and where the guided level detection means outputs an estimate of the level of the input signal, —analyze the outputs of the auxiliary and the guided level detector means, determine the time constant of the guided level detection means based on this analysis.
US08045714B2	Systems and methods for managing multiple keys for file encryption and decryption Systems and methods for managing multiple keys for file encryption and decryption may provide an encrypted list of previously used keys. The list itself may be encrypted using a current key. To decrypt files that are encrypted in one or more of the previous keys, the list can be decrypted, and the appropriate previous key can be retrieved. To re-key files, an automated process can decrypt any files using previous keys and encrypt them using the current key. If a new current key is introduced, the prior current key can be used to decrypt the list of keys, the prior current key can be added to the list, and the list can be re-encrypted using the new current key.
US08045707B2	System and method for securing data Systems and systems that protect data are provided. In one embodiment, a system may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The memory may store, for example, encrypted data. The processor may be coupled to the memory and may include, for example, a decryptor that decrypts the encrypted data. The decryptor may be adapted, for example, to variably bit roll the encrypted data, to fixedly bit shuffle the bit-rolled data, to add a first key to the bit-shuffled data and to process the added data with a second key.
US08045701B2	Method and apparatus for active reduction of speakerphone singing In a speakerphone device identification of signals (i.e., voice input or speaker output) in a process for reducing acoustic feedback, in a communication device, is accomplished by adding a signature noise (i.e., an identification mark) to output signals radiated by the speaker to enable these signals to be separated from speech input to the microphone. Having identified the signal (i.e., speech output) likely to cause a “singing” phenomenon, appropriate insertion loss to reduce the feedback may be added to the appropriate speech path within the communication device, to reduce a probability of singing.
US08045693B2	Message reception confirmation method, communications terminal and message reception confirmation system A message sending device sends a message. A message receiving device generates reception authentication information of the message when receiving the message, and further generates reception confirmation information of the message by using the reception authentication information of the message, to send the reception confirmation information of the message to a reception confirmation information verification device. The reception confirmation information verification device verifies the received reception confirmation information. The message sending device obtains a reception confirmation of the message for the message receiving device based on the verification result. This configuration reduces a processing load in each node as much as possible for confirming whether data to large numbers of nodes under a multihop environment have been received in each node.
US08045691B2	Method and apparatus for processing routing requests The invention provides a method and apparatus for communication and provision of routing address information. The prior owner of a called telephone number is referred to herein as a “prior subscriber”. When a number is released by a prior subscriber, it is placed into a database referred to as the “spare pool” which includes available (unsubscribed) telephone numbers. When a caller dials a number that is in the spare pool, the invention intercepts the call and takes any number of possible actions. In one embodiment, the invention automatically forwards the caller to a new number based on a database that stores the new number of the prior subscriber or routes the caller to a message that gives the caller the option (either via a charge or after listening to an advertisement) of being connected to, or being given, the current number of the prior subscriber.
US08045684B2	Securely sending notification of a new incoming e-mail message by way of a public network A system notifies a computing device of an incoming message. In the system, a message server is coupled to a data communications network for receiving the incoming message, and a communications system is coupled to the message server so that the message server can communicate to the communications system that the incoming message awaits retrieval by the computing device. A communications line is coupled to the communications system and to the computing device so that the communications system can signal the computing device over the communications line that the incoming message awaits retrieval by such computing device. The computing device is for receiving the aforementioned notification and retrieving the incoming message from the message server, and includes a communications device for coupling with the aforementioned communications line. The communications device implements an on-hook signaling protocol for receiving data sent when the communications line is on-hook, where the received data includes the notification of the new incoming message.
US08045682B2	Stream current song An electronic equipment includes a monitor circuit and a message generation circuit. The monitor circuit is operative to obtain information corresponding to media content reproduced by the electronic equipment, and the message generation circuit is operative to include the obtained information in an outgoing message.
US08045673B2	Core spray sparger T-box clamp assemblies and methods of using thereof Example embodiments are directed to core spray sparger T-box repairs, specifically, to universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps having remote-friendly operation and methods of using universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps. Example embodiment clamps may be secured without welding to a variety of upper and lower sparger T-box configurations. Example embodiment clamps may be configured to simultaneously engage a sparger T-box in multiple dimensions to allow a universal fit. Further, example embodiment clamps may be accessed, installed, or removed by interacting only with a front side of the example embodiment clamps, thus potentially reducing difficulty and cost in remote access repairs to example clamps.
US08045672B2	Core spray sparger T-box attachment and clamp and method for clamping A core spray sparger T-box clamp for a sparger T-box in a shroud of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, the sparger T-box clamp including: an anchor plate substantially aligned with a closed end of the T-box; a carrier plate slidably secured to an upper side the anchor plate and latched to the T-box; a saddle bracket secured to a lower side of the anchor plate and latched to the T-box, and a pair of clamp blocks on opposite sides of the anchor plate fixed to sparger pipes coupled to the T-box.
US08045668B2	Frame synchronization apparatus and its control method A frame synchronization apparatus and method for controlling a frame synchronization process. The frame synchronization apparatus includes a correlation-value computation section; an IQ component select section; and a synchronization-signal outputting section. The correlation-value computation section computes a correlation value representing a correlation between a known delay wave detection series and a received delay wave detection series. The IQ component select selects a larger one of absolute values representing the amplitudes of I and Q. The synchronization-signal outputting section carries out a peak detection process to detect a peak in pieces of data arranged along a time axis to form a correlation-value series and output a frame synchronization signal for said input signal in accordance with a result of said peak detection process.
US08045666B2	Spread spectrum clock generator Disclosed are embodiments of methods and circuits to generate spread spectrum clocks.
US08045662B2	Binary ripple counter sampling with adjustable delays The output bits of a binary ripple counter are used to control the sampling of those output bits, thereby ensuring accurate sampling. A sampler is provided with adjustable delay elements that permit accurate sampling regardless of: delay mismatch between the sampler and a data path of the counter; the length of the counter; operating speed; or PVT variations.
US08045658B2	Reception apparatus, reception method and program A reception apparatus includes: an extraction section; a transmission line characteristic estimation section; an estimation section; a frequency shift amount production section; a control section; an addition section; a first frequency shifting section; a second frequency shifting section; an interpolation section; a compensation section; a detection section; and an operation section.
US08045657B2	Enhanced carrier frequency offset estimator A method is provided for estimating a frequency offset in a carrier signal caused by the Doppler effect. The method determines a frequency offset estimate by utilizing a multi stage estimation scheme. More specifically, the method determines the frequency offset estimate of a data frame by iteratively estimating the frequency offset by comparing different portions of the preamble. As the length of the sampled patterns varies, the frequency offset estimates vary in accuracy and range. The method may adjust frequency offset estimates that are out of range. Finally, the receiver obtains a frequency offset estimate for the data frame from a weighted combination of frequency offset estimates. This method is applicable in WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/g), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), and WAVE (IEEE 802.11p) systems.
US08045656B2	Weather band radio having digital frequency control In one embodiment, the present invention includes a digital mixer to receive and digitally mix incoming weather band radio data with a control signal, a digital demodulator to demodulate the data to obtain a demodulated signal, and a digital feedback loop coupled between the demodulator and the digital mixer. The digital feedback loop includes a loop filter to receive the demodulated signal and to generate a filtered output and a fine tune controller to receive the filtered output and a frequency control signal and to generate the control signal based on them. In this way, audible artifacts caused by a frequency step change occurring in an analog front end to which the digital circuitry is coupled can be reduced or removed.
US08045651B2	Method and system for redundancy-based decoding in 8-PSK GSM systems Aspects of a method and system for redundancy-based decoding in 8-PSK GSM systems are provided. A burst process may utilize a gradient search equalization operation to process a received 8-PSK modulated symbol sequence. A frame process may generate a redundancy-based decoded output bit sequence based on the burst process results. Iterative steps of the gradient search equalization operation may be utilized to converge to the burst process results. The redundancy-based decoded output bit sequence of the frame process may be fed back to a subsequent burst process. Results from the subsequent burst process may be utilized to generate a subsequent redundancy-based decoded output bit sequence by a subsequent frame process. The fed-back redundancy-based decoded output bit sequence may be combined with results from a Viterbi equalization operation within the subsequent burst process. Symbol-to-bits and bits-to-symbol conversions may be utilized during the burst process and during the subsequent burst process.
US08045650B2	Radio receiving apparatus A radio receiving apparatus capable of making compensation for both amplitude variations and phase variations and of suppressing image interference in a short period of time is provided. A correction value calculation section combines a signal, obtained by multiplying a first digital signal by an amplitude correction candidate value and rotating the phase of the first digital signal, with a signal obtained by multiplying a second digital signal by a multiplicative inverse of the amplitude correction candidate value and performing, for the second digital signal, phase rotation which is in a quadrature relationship to phase rotation performed for the first digital signal, so as to obtain a first combined signal, obtain an inflection point of the first combined signal, and input, to a demodulation section, the amplitude correction candidate value and a phase correction candidate value, which correspond to the inflection point, as an amplitude correction value and a phase correction value, respectively. The demodulation section makes compensation for the amplitudes and the phases and suppresses image interference, based on the amplitude correction value and the phase correction value.
US08045648B2	Amplitude-shift-keying (ASK) radio-frequency (RF) signal decoding device and method thereof An amplitude-shift-keying radio-frequency (ASK RF) signal decoding method includes separating a low frequency and a high frequency from an ASK RF signal, which includes a pause section and a non-pause section, generating a divided signal by dividing the high frequency signal, counting the divided signal for the non-pause section of the low frequency signal, and decoding the ASK RF signal based on a result of the counting.
US08045645B2	Signal processor for estimating signal parameters using an approximated inverse matrix A device that estimates information from a signal includes a receiver for receiving an input signal and electronic processing circuitry. The electronic processing circuitry generates a matrix associated with the input signal and determines an approximation of an inverse of the matrix based on the adjoint of the matrix and a scaling factor associated with the determinant of the matrix. This approximation avoids possible mathematical difficulties that may be encountered in certain situations when a typical matrix inversion is calculated. The approximated inverse matrix is applied to the input signal to transform the input signal into an output signal. Information associated with the input signal is then determined based on the output signal.
US08045637B2	Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data A digital broadcasting system including a transmitting system and a receiving system, and a method of processing data are disclosed. A method of processing data of a transmitting system includes sequentially grouping N number of columns (Kc) configured of A number of enhanced data bytes having information included therein, thereby creating a frame having a size of N (rows)*Kc (columns), wherein N and A are integers, encoding the created frame, and multiplexing and transmitting enhanced data included in the encoded frame and main data.
US08045636B1	Maximum-likelihood frame synchronization algorithms for OFDM systems Autocorrelation algorithms are employed in systems and methods to detect preamble symbols for frame synchronization in WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) systems. An ML (“Maximum Likelihood”) estimator estimates segment index and frame timing information for an ideal signal scenario. When using the ML estimator, a received time domain signal is sampled. Groups of samples are formed, and the group is further divided into a plurality of portions. Then, an autocorrelation between time domain samples of each portion results in a maximum value which indicates the start of a preamble of the time domain signal. Frame synchronization can then be performed. In other transmission scenarios, the algorithm is modified to use modified estimators of the preamble symbol location. When using the modified estimators, less than all of the portions of samples are compared to one another to find a maximum value.
US08045625B2	Encoding and decoding method to control a direct current (DC) component, and data processing apparatus performing the same An encoding method includes partitioning an input stream into first sub-blocks and second sub-blocks, encoding the second sub-blocks based on a number and location of reference sub-blocks to generate third sub-blocks when at least one of the first sub-blocks corresponds to a forbidden pattern, and rearranging the first sub-blocks and the third sub-blocks to generate an output stream. The reference sub-blocks indicate the second sub-blocks that correspond to a reference pattern and the third sub-blocks includes a redundant information sub-block and non-redundant information sub-blocks. Thus, the encoding method may properly control a direct current (DC) component.
US08045623B2	Image decoding apparatus An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.
US08045614B2	Quantization control for variable bit depth The quantization parameter QP is well-known in digital video compression as an indication of picture quality. Digital symbols representing a moving image are quantized with a quantizing step that is a function QSN of the quantization parameter QP, which function QSN has been normalized to the most significant bit of the bit depth of the digital symbols. As a result, the effect of a given QP is essentially independent of bit depth—a particular QP value has a standard effect on image quality, regardless of bit depth. The invention is useful, for example, in encoding and decoding at different bit depths, to generate compatible, bitstreams having different bit depths, and to allow different bit depths for different components of a video signal by compressing each with the same fidelity (i.e., the same QP).
US08045611B2	Video processing and recording apparatuses and methods A method for video processing. A first video sequence (VS) is received. The first VS is processed to generate a second VS in a first resolution. The second VS is adjusted to a third VS in a second resolution. It is determined whether the difference between the first VS and the third VS is lower than a predetermined bias level. The second VS is encoded and output if the difference between the first VS and the third VS is lower than the predetermined bias level.
US08045610B2	MMSE-DFE equalization with antenna diversity for mobile DTV A decision feedback equalizer has a feedback filter and K feed forward filter branches. Each of the K feed forward filter branches receives an input signal from a corresponding one of a plurality of channels associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of antennas, where K>1. Each of the K feed forward filter branches provides an output. An instantaneous SNR level γk is determined for each of the K feed forward filter branches. The instantaneous SNR level γk for each of the K feed forward filter branches is compared to an upper threshold TH and to a lower threshold TL. The outputs from the K feed forward filter branches are selectively added dependent upon the comparing of the instantaneous SNR level γk for each of the K feed forward filter branches to the upper threshold TH and to the lower threshold TL.
US08045606B2	Bidirectional equalizer with improved equalization efficiency using viterbi decoder information and equalization method using the bidirectional equalizer A bidirectional equalizer and an equalization method using the bidirectional equalizer. The bidirectional equalizer includes: a first equalizer to eliminate inter-symbol interference present in a data sequence transmitted from a transmitter and to generate a first candidate data sequence; a first time reverse operator to reverse the order of the transmitted data sequence and to generate a reversed data sequence; a second equalizer to eliminate inter-symbol interference present in the reversed data sequence and to generate a second candidate data sequence; a forward Viterbi decoder to receive the first candidate data sequence, and to decode and output the first candidate data sequence for every data symbol using a first minimum path metric calculated by a maximum likelihood (ML); a reverse Viterbi decoder to receive the second candidate data sequence, and to decode and output the second candidate data sequence for every data symbol using a second minimum path metric calculated by ML; a second time reverse operator to reverse the order of the decoded second candidate data sequence output from the reverse Viterbi decoder and to output the reversed decoded second candidate sequence; and an arbitrator to compare the first minimum path metric with the second minimum path metric, and to selectively output an output of the forward Viterbi decoder or an output of the second time reverse operator according to the comparison result.

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