Document Document Title
US08133730B2 Generation of neural stem cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells
The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
US08133728B2 Ex-vivo priming for generating cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for non-tumor antigens to treat autoimmune and allergic disease
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo. In contrast, CTL induced by antigenic peptides derived from IgE specifically inhibit IgE responses, and adoptive transfer of CD40L-specific CTL to NOD mice at early age delay the development of diabetes in NOD mice. In vitro generated CTL specific for non-tumor self-antigens expressed on activated CD4 T cells regulate immune responses in vivo.
US08133727B2 In vitro human B lymphopoiesis culture system
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and compositions for the generation of antibody-producing B cells in vitro. Some embodiments are related to an in vitro system for generating antibody-producing B cells from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).
US08133726B2 Ex-vivo priming for generating cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for non-tumor antigens to treat autoimmune and allergic disease
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo. In contrast, CTL induced by antigenic peptides derived from IgE specifically inhibit IgE responses, and adoptive transfer of CD40L-specific CTL to NOD mice at early age delay the development of diabetes in NOD mice. In vitro generated CTL specific for non-tumor self-antigens expressed on activated CD4 T cells regulate immune responses in vivo.
US08133717B2 Stereoinversion of amino acids in a single reactor
A process is described to prepare a single enantiomer of an amino acid from its opposite enantiomer or from a racemic mixture, using an oxidase biocatalyst and a supported metal catalyst in separate, sequential reactions in water. The process can be operated in batch or continuous mode.
US08133709B2 Target sequences for synthetic molecules
The invention is based on the discovery that certain biarsenical molecules react with specified target sequences, thereby providing a facile means for labeling polypeptides containing the target sequence. The invention is useful in creating stable mammalian cell lines expressing a certain tetracysteine tagged polypeptides, thereby overcoming toxicity associated with native tetracysteine. In addition, the invention allows for orthogonal labeling of polypeptides, thereby allowing for the observation of protein-protein interactions and conformational changes in proteins, for example.
US08133704B2 Biological synthesis of difunctional alkanes from carbohydrate feedstocks
Aspects of the invention relate to methods for the production of difunctional alkanes in host cells. In particular, aspects of the invention describe components of genes associated with the difunctional alkane production from carbohydrate feedstocks in host cells. More specifically, aspects of the invention describe metabolic pathways for the production of adipic acid, aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, and hexamethylenediamine via 2-ketopimelic acid.
US08133703B2 Closed-system multi-stage nucleic acid amplification reactions
The invention is directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for carrying out multi-stage amplification reactions, especially under fluidly closed conditions. In one aspect, methods of the invention are carried out in a fluidly closed reaction system that permits the isolation of a portion of a first (or prior) reaction mixture and its use as a sample or specimen in a second (or subsequent) reaction mixture, thereby substantially avoiding interfering effects that first reaction components may have in the second reaction if both reaction mixtures were simply combined together. In this aspect, systems, methods, and apparatus of the invention may be used with any amplification reaction that permits multiple stages of amplification based on the use of nested primers.
US08133697B2 Methods of cleaving DNA with rationally-designed meganucleases
Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research.
US08133693B2 Measurement of binding rate of a binding substance and an analyte
A method of measuring the rate of binding of a binding substance and an analyte, for example in an assay such as an immunoassay, uses an initial step of performing ultrasonication sufficient to disrupt binding between the binding substance and the analyte. After cessation of the ultrasonication, measurements are taken to determine the rate of binding at cessation of said ultrasonication or at a predetermined time thereafter. The ultrasonication results in knowledge of the precise time of the start of the binding reaction which provides a better rate measurement.
US08133677B2 Method for measuring the number of oral Lactobacillus, and a PCR primers-probe set used for the same
There is provided a real-time PCR assay capable of measuring the number of lactobacillus present in an oral cavity, in a short time. The object can be solved by a method for measuring the number of oral lactobacillus using a combination of a forward primer comprising a oligonucleotide part of at least 15 sequential bases in the base sequence any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 4 and a reverse primer comprising a oligonucleotide part of at least 15 sequential bases in the base sequence any one of SEQ ID NO: 5 to 7; and a probe for measuring the number of oral lactobacillus, comprising a oligonucleotide part of at least 10 sequential bases in the base sequence any one of SEQ ID NO: 8 to 15.
US08133675B2 Method of profiling gene expression in a subject having an infectious disease
The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.
US08133667B2 Methods for genotyping with selective adaptor ligation
The present invention provides methods for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample to interrogate a collection of target sequences. Complexity reduction can be accomplished by fragmenting the nucleic acid sample with a restriction enzyme that has at least one variable position in the recognition sequence. In some aspects adaptors that ligate to some but not all possible overhangs generated by digestion are ligated to the fragments. This selective adaptor ligation allows for selective amplification of a subset of the fragments using primers complementary to the adaptor sequence. In another aspect primers that are complementary to a subset of the fragments after adaptor ligation are used for amplification. Amplified fragments may be analyzed to genotype polymorphisms by hybridization to an array of probes that are complementary to target sequences that will be amplified.
US08133665B2 Silver halide photosensitive material and process of producing black and white image using the same
Disclosed is a silver halide photographic photosensitive material which includes a support and at least one silver halide photosensitive layer on the support, wherein the average equivalent sphere diameter of the silver halide of the silver halide photosensitive layer is 0.30 μm or less, the silver halide photosensitive layer includes four or more kinds of silver halide grains having mutually different average equivalent sphere diameters, and the thickness between a surface of the support at a side at which the silver halide photosensitive layer is provided and a surface of the silver halide photosensitive layer at a side opposite to the support is 10 μm or less.
US08133663B2 Pattern forming method and apparatus
A pattern forming method includes forming a resist film or sequentially forming a resist film and a protection film in this order on a surface of a substrate; then, performing immersion light exposure that includes immersing the resist film or the resist film and the protection film formed on the substrate in a liquid during light exposure, thereby forming a predetermined light exposure pattern on the resist film; and performing a development process of the light exposure pattern by use of a development liquid, thereby forming a predetermined resist pattern. After the immersion light exposure and before the development process, the method further includes performing a hydrophilic process of turning a surface of the resist film or the protection film serving as a substrate surface into a hydrophilic state to allow the substrate surface to be wetted with the development liquid overall.
US08133662B2 Method for manufacturing liquid discharge head
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head that includes a flow path wall member which forms a wall of a flow path communicating with a discharge port for discharging a liquid and a substrate which forms the flow path in contact with the flow path wall member includes providing a first layer, which is made of a photosensitive resin on the substrate, for forming a pattern having a shape of the flow path, providing a second layer which is capable of absorbing light within a photosensitive wavelength range of the photosensitive resin and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the flow path, on the first layer so as to come into contact with the first layer, performing patterning of the first layer which includes exposure of the first layer with the light using the second layer as a mask, and forming the pattern from the first layer, providing a cover layer which is made of a photosensitive resin and serves as the flow path wall member so as to cover the second layer and the pattern, forming the discharge port on the cover layer by performing patterning of the cover layer which includes exposure of the cover layer with the light, and forming the flow path by removing the second layer and the pattern.
US08133654B2 Laser-decomposable resin composition and laser-decomposable pattern-forming material and flexographic printing plate precursor of laser engraving type using the same
A laser-decomposable resin composition of the invention contains a polyurethane resin having a structure wherein an aromatic group is directly connected to a urethane bond.
US08133651B2 Lithographic printing plate comprising alkaline soluble and alkaline insoluble polymeric binders
Negative lithographic printing plate having on a substrate a photosensitive layer comprising an alkaline soluble polymeric binder, an alkaline insoluble polymeric binder, a polymerizable monomer, and an initiator is described. The photosensitive layer is imagewise exposed with a radiation to cause hardening in the exposed areas, and then developed to remove the non-hardened areas. The combination of both alkaline soluble polymeric binder and alkaline insoluble polymeric binder in a photosensitive layer can give excellent combined durability, developability, and coatability.
US08133648B2 Electrostatic image developing toner, production method thereof, electrostatic image developer, image forming method and image forming apparatus
An electrostatic image developing toner includes a binder resin that includes a polyester carbonate resin or a polyester amide resin, the polyester carbonate resin or the polyester amide resin containing a dodecenylsuccinic acid unit in an mount from about 0.5 mol % to about 30 mol % as a monomer unit; and a colorant.
US08133644B2 Method of forming an image having multiple phases
A method of forming an image having multiple phases is disclosed herein. The method includes forming exposed and unexposed areas, the exposed areas comprising a first polymer network exhibiting first and second phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase, and the unexposed areas comprising a second polymer network comprising third and fourth phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the third phase being continuous, and the fourth phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the third phase. The first and second polymer networks are chemically connected, and morphology formed by the first and second phases is different than that formed by the third and fourth phases.
US08133643B2 Reflective mask blank for EUV lithography
A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography having an absorbing layer which has a low reflectivity with respect to wavelength regions of EUV light and pattern inspection light, and which is easily controllable to obtain desired film composition and film thickness.The reflective mask blank for EUV lithography having a reflective layer for reflecting EUV light and an absorbing layer for absorbing EUV light which are formed in this order on a substrate, wherein the absorbing layer contains at least tantalum (Ta), boron (B), nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H), and the absorbing layer has a B content that is 1 at % or greater but less than 5 at %, an H content that is between 0.1 and 5 at %, a Ta+N total content that is between 90 and 98.9%, and a Ta:N composition ratio (Ta:N) that is between 8:1 and 1:1.
US08133637B2 Fuel cells and fuel cell catalysts incorporating a nanoring support
The fuel cells include electrode membrane assemblies having a nanoparticle catalyst supported on carbon nanorings. The carbon nanorings are formed from one or more carbon layers that form a wall that defines a generally annular nanostructure having a hole. The length of the nanoring is less than or about equal to the outer diameter thereof. The nanorings exhibit high surface area, high porosity, high graphitization, and/or facilitate mass transfer and electron transfer in fuel cell reactions.
US08133621B2 Location of a fuel cell on a mobile device
A mobile device having: a keyboard; a printed circuit board having at least one contact responsive to the keyboard; and a fuel cell assembly having: a fuel cell located between the keyboard and the printed circuit board, the fuel cell having a membrane and at least one aperture corresponding with the at least one contact; a tank adapted to store a fuel for the fuel cell; and piping connecting the tank with the fuel cell, where the fuel cell ventilates through the keyboard. Alternatively, the fuel cell acts as the printed circuit board and at least one contact for the keyboard is printed onto the fuel cell.
US08133614B1 Control of silver vanadium oxide surface areas as a means of controlling voltage delay and Rdc growth in an electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode, a cathode comprising a blank cut from a free-standing sheet of a silver vanadium oxide mixture contacted to a current collector. The active material has having a relatively lower surface area and an electrolyte activating the anode and the cathode is described. By optimizing the cathode active material surface area in a SVO-containing cell, the magnitude of the passivating film growth at the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and its relative impermeability to lithium ion diffusion is reduced. Therefore, by using a cathode of an active material in a range of from about 0.2 m2/gram to about 2.6 m2/gram, and preferably from about 1.6 m2/gram to about 2.4 m2/gram, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce undesirable irreversible Rdc growth and voltage delay in the cell and to extend its useful life in an implantable medical device.
US08133613B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery anode material with a uniform metal-semiconductor alloy layer
The present invention relates to nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries and durable anode materials and anodes for use in nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The present invention also relates to methods for producing these anode materials. In the present invention, a metal-semiconductor alloy layer is formed on an anode material by contacting a portion of the anode material with a displacement solution. The displacement solution contains ions of the metal to be deposited and a dissolution component for dissolving a part of the semiconductor in the anode material. When the anode material is contacted with the displacement solution, the dissolution component dissolves a part of the semiconductor in the anode material thereby providing electrons to reduce the metal ions and deposit the metal on the anode material. After deposition, the anode material and metal are annealed to form a uniform metal-semiconductor alloy layer.
US08133610B2 Battery
A battery capable of obtaining the superior battery performance is provided. An electrolyte is a gel electrolyte containing an electrolytic solution and a polymer compound. The polymer compound contains a ternary system copolymer containing vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, and monomethylmaleic acid ester as a component. The copolymerization amounts of hexafluoropropylene and monomethylmaleic acid ester in the ternary system copolymer are respectively in the range from 4 wt % to 7.5 wt %, and in the range from 0.3 wt % to 2 wt %. Further, the weight average molecular weight of the ternary system copolymer is in the range from 0.6 million to 1.5 million. The liquid retaining characteristics of the electrolyte are improved. Therefore, the contact characteristics of the electrolyte to a cathode, an anode, and a separator are improved.
US08133596B2 Bonded metal components having uniform thermal conductivity characteristics
Cookware having improved uniform heat transfer over the entire cross section thereof, the cookware formed from a multi-layered composite metal having a layer of stainless steel roll bonded at or near the core of the composite to act as a thermal barrier and provide more uniform heat distribution on the cook surface. The stainless layer is roll bonded to layers of aluminum which, in turn, is roll bonded to layers of stainless steel or aluminum or copper. The layer of stainless steel adjacent to the cooking range may be a ferromagnetic grade of stainless steel if induction-type heating is desired. The cookware may include a non-stick surface applied thereto.
US08133590B2 Dual cure coating compositions, multi-component composite coatings, and related coated substrates
Disclosed herein are dual cure coating compositions that include a melamine group-containing polyethylenically unsaturated compound and a polysiloxane. Also disclosed are related multi-component composite coatings, coated substrates, and methods for coating a substrate.
US08133589B2 Temperable glass coating
The invention relates to a silver low-E coating for glass which is temperable and can be applied by means of sputter processes onto the glass. The individual layers of the coating are cost-effective standard materials. One embodiment of the invention for example is comprised of a glass substrate, an Si3N4 layer disposed thereon of a thickness of approximately 15 nm, a TiO2 layer of 15 nm thickness on the Si3N4 layer, a 12.5 nm thick Ag layer on the TiO2 layer, a NiCrOx layer of approximately 5 nm thickness on the Ag layer and a terminating 45 nm thick Si3N4 layer.
US08133587B2 Proppant materials comprising a coating of thermoplastic material, and methods of making and using
The present invention provides thermoplastic coated proppants and methods for preparing the thermoplastic coated proppants. Methods for using these proppants in subterranean well formations and hydraulic fracturing operations, for example, are also disclosed.
US08133586B2 Silicone microparticles comprising silicone elastomer spherical microparticles coated with polyorganosilsesquioxane, and method of producing same
Provided are silicone microparticles including 100 parts by mass of silicone elastomer spherical microparticles having a volume average particle diameter within a range from 0.1 to 100 μm, and 0.5 to 25 parts by mass of a polyorganosilsesquioxane that coats the surface of the silicone elastomer spherical microparticles, in which the silicone elastomer is capable of absorbing not less than 200 parts by mass of a polymethylsiloxane having a viscosity at 25° C. of not more than 10 mm2/s per 100 parts by mass of the silicone elastomer. These silicone microparticles are capable of absorbing a large amount of the above types of polymethylsiloxanes, which represent low-viscosity silicones, and can therefore suppress the greasiness, stickiness, and oily film feeling of cosmetic materials containing this type of polymethylsiloxane. The silicone microparticles can be produced by hydrolyzing and condensing an organotrialkoxysilane in a water medium, in the presence of the above silicone elastomer spherical microparticles and an alkaline material, thereby coating the surface of the silicone elastomer spherical microparticles with a polyorganosilsesquioxane.
US08133581B2 Electroconductive polymer composition, electroconductive polymer material and method for producing electroconductive polymer material
An electroconductive polymer composition of the invention contains a conductive polymer and a trivalent phosphorus compound. The trivalent phosphorus compound is preferably a compound represented by the following Formulae (I) to (IV). In Formulae (I) to (IV), R1 to R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group. An electroconductive polymer material of the invention has a layer formed by using the conductive polymer composition, or has a layer containing a conductive polymer and a layer containing a trivalent phosphorus compound separately.
US08133575B2 Artificial stone and method of preparing the same
An artificial stone, including a solid material and surface-treated stone elements in the solid material, wherein the surface-treated stone elements are transparent stone elements having a coloring material disposed on surfaces thereof.
US08133569B2 Folded sheet material and array of folded sheet materials
An array of sheet materials includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and an interior sheet located between the first sheet and the second sheet, each sheet having a centrally located medial primary fold formed therein and a secondary off-fold transverse thereto, the medial fold and the transverse off-fold defining four panels in each sheet.
US08133568B2 Die cut insulation blanket
An expandable insulation blanket includes a body of insulation material having a first edge and a second edge wherein the first and second edges are opposite one another. A first slit defines a first hinge point between a first end of the first slit and the first edge, a second hinge point between a second end of the first slit and the second edge and a third hinge point between a third end of the first slit and the first edge. A first hinge body is outlined by the first slit, the first hinge point and the third hinge point. A second slit extends across the first hinge body and defines a fourth hinge point between the second slit and the first slit. When expanded the insulation body includes a substantially triangular shaped opening.
US08133566B2 Information recording medium, its manufacturing method, and sputtering target
An information recording medium is provided that has high recording sensitivity and high erasability, even when a recording layer thereof is as thin as about 3 nm. An information recording medium 15 on which information can be recorded by applying light or electrical energy has at least a recording layer 104 that undergoes phase change, while the recording layer 104 contains at least one element selected from among Zn, Si and C, and Sb in total proportion of 85 atomic % or more and has a composition preferably represented by the formula Sb100-a1M1a1 (atomic %) (wherein M1 represents at least one element selected from among Zn, Si and C, and a1 is a proportion in terms of atomic % that satisfies a relationship of 0
US08133555B2 Method for forming metal film by ALD using beta-diketone metal complex
A method of forming a single-metal film on a substrate by plasma ALD includes: contacting a surface of a substrate with a β-diketone metal complex in a gas phase; exposing molecule-attached surface to a nitrogen-hydrogen mixed plasma; and repeating the above steps, thereby accumulating atomic layers to form a single-metal film on the substrate.
US08133551B2 Radiation curable inkjet printing methods
An inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing a first radiation curable composition curable by free radical polymerization or cationic polymerization; b) applying a layer of the first radiation curable composition on a substrate; c) curing the layer; d) jetting on the cured layer a second composition curable by a different polymerization than the first composition but selected from the group consisting of free radical polymerization and cationic polymerization; and e) curing the jetted second composition by a different polymerization than the first composition. The first composition includes a cationically polymerizable compound having at least one (meth)acrylate group present in the first curable composition in an amount of at least 25 wt % based upon the total weight of the first curable composition. An inkjet ink set may be used in the above inkjet printing method.
US08133547B2 Photoresist coating composition and method for forming fine contact of semiconductor device
A coating composition containing a coating base resin and a C4-C10 alcohol as a main solvent, and a method for forming a fine contact of a semiconductor device including the steps of preparing the coating composition, forming a photoresist film on a semiconductor substrate having an underlying layer, performing exposure with a contact mask and developing processes to form a photoresist pattern for contact on the photoresist film, and coating the coating composition on the photoresist pattern to form a coating film.
US08133540B2 Method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate
This application relates to a method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate, such as an asphalt surface. The coating is applied in one or more preformed thermoplastic sheets and heated in situ to conform the thermoplastic material to the pattern formed in the underlying substrate. In one embodiment of the invention a pattern is formed in the asphalt surface using a removable template which is impressed into the asphalt when it is in a pliable state. The pre-formed sheets are then applied to the patterned surface and gradually heated. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the template is impressed into the pre-formed sheet and asphalt surface simultaneously after the sheet has been heated to a suitable temperature in situ. A bond reduction agent may be used to minimize adhesion between the template and the heated thermoplastic material. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the thermoplastic material may be stamped after it has melted and partially cooled to cause the thermoplastic to more precisely conform to the underlying pattern.
US08133536B2 Liquid coating method, liquid coating device, and method of manufacturing radiation detector
The liquid coating method includes the step of ejecting droplets from nozzles of a recording head onto an imaging region of a surface of a substrate placed on a support plate, wherein a dot pitch φ that is an interval between landing positions of the droplets on the surface of the substrate satisfies a following condition: ϕ ≤ 2 ⁢ 3 ⁢ V ⁡ ( 1 + cos ⁢ ⁢ θ a ) ⁢ sin ⁢ ⁢ θ a π ⁡ ( 1 - cos ⁢ ⁢ θ a ) ⁢ ( 2 + cos ⁢ ⁢ θ a ) 3 where V stands for a volume of a droplet ejected from each of the nozzles and θa stands for an advancing contact angle of the droplet against the substrate.
US08133535B2 Antipenetrating agent, solvent ink for inkjet printing and printing method
An antipenetrating agent is to be added to a solvent ink for preventing penetration of the solvent ink into a medium to be printed. The antipenetrating agent includes inorganic fine particles and a resin soluble in an organic solvent.
US08133522B1 Functional milk products and method for making
The present invention relates to functional milk products containing gum acacia as a fiber source and organoleptic attribute enhancer without any discernable after taste. The preferred milk used in the practice of this invention is super-skimmed milk that has had essentially all of the fats removed via ultra-centrifugation or reconstituted non-fat dried milk prepared from the super-skimmed milk. The gum acacia is used in amounts sufficient to provide a good source of dietary fiber without adversely affecting the organoleptic properties of the milk. Flavorants, vitamins and/or minerals may be added to the functional milk product for special consumer products.
US08133521B2 Method of separating components of technical eggs, edible eggs, yolk and whites and products therefrom
The present invention relates to methods for the separation of various components from eggs. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for the separation of proteins and lipids from eggs, including technical eggs (inedible) or edible eggs, yolks or whites, which comprises cross-linking the lipids of eggs with a cross-linking reagent. In an embodiment, the method includes separating the proteins from the cross-linked lipids. In an embodiment, the method includes the separation of various components associated with the cross-linked lipids. The methods disclosed herein allow for the isolation of multiple different components from the egg in an efficient, cost-effective manner without compromising the recovery process of the components or their subsequent utility in various applications or compositions. The compositions and isolated components obtained by the methods of the invention can be used in pharmaceutical, medical, nutritional, cosmetic or health applications.
US08133519B2 Crystallization apparatus and process for molten fats
Methods and apparatus are described for the production of a crystal slurry during the crystallization step of fractionation processes of edible oils and fats and related oil derivatives. The crystallization process for edible oil and fats is carried out in a crystallizer with stationary heat exchange elements, wherein the contents of said crystallizer are made to move along said heat exchange elements in an oscillatory manner without the use of an internal agitator. The crystallizer for edible oil and fats with stationary heat exchange elements is also described.
US08133509B2 Hydrogels based on aliphatic NCO prepolymers
The invention concerns novel hydrogels, a process for the preparation of these hydrogels and would contact materials comprising these hydrogels. These polyurethane hydrogels are obtained by the reaction of aliphatic isocyanate prepolymers with polyols comprising tertiary nitrogen in water.
US08133505B2 Transdermal delivery system for dried particulate or lyophilized medications
The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.
US08133503B2 Senior feline food
A feline pet food comprising a dietary level of protein and a supplemental amount of at least one amino acid in an amount sufficient to provide a feline lean body mass protection equivalent to about a 50% protein feline pet food.
US08133490B2 Method and system to remove cytokine inhibitors in patients
A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF. This provides a basis for an improved effect when combined with any treatment that enhances cytokine activity against the tumors, for example, treatments using alkylating agents, doxyrubicin, carboplatinum, cisplatinum, and taxol. Alternatively, the ultrapheresis treatment can be combined with local chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
US08133486B2 Method and composition for altering a B cell mediated pathology
The present invention provides a method for altering a B cell mediated pathology in a patient. This method comprises administering a composition comprising at least one and/or two chimeric proteins. Each chimeric protein comprises at least a portion of either the VH or VL region of a immunoglobulin molecule from particular B cells from a patient having a B cell mediated pathology, and an immunoglobulin constant region. The genes encoding VH and/or VL regions and the genes encoding immunoglobulin constant regions are isolated and inserted into an expression vector. The chimeric proteins are produced by introducing the expression vectors into insect cell lines. The chimeric proteins are purified using antibody affinity columns, and then chemically conjugated to an immunogenic carrier, keyhole-limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Since the conjugates comprise chimeric proteins made specifically from particular B cells from a patient having B cell mediated pathology, when it is administered to such a patient, with or without a cytokine, such as granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, or a chemokine, it can induce immune responses to alter such a B cell mediated pathology.
US08133481B2 Selectively replicating viral vectors
The present invention provides recombinant viruses which replicate the viral genome selectively in response to the intracellular conditions of the target cell through the use a pathway-responsive promoter which substantially inhibits viral replication in the host cell based on the phenotypic or genotypic of the infected cell. In the target cell, the promoter element of the pathway-responsive promoter is inactive and thus the virus is permitted to replicate. This results in: (1) killing the cells by natural lytic nature of the virus, and/or (2) provides a therapeutic dose of a transgene product (amplified in comparison to replication incompetent vectors) to the target cell, and (3) producing a localized concentration of the virus facilitating the infection of surrounding cells to the recombinant virus. The invention further provides therapeutic and diagnostic methods of use of the vectors, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the vectors, methods of making the vectors and transformed cells comprising the vectors.
US08133474B2 Sensors for fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging
The present invention generally relates to agents and compositions having MRI and/or optical signals, and methods for their use in the determination of an analyte. In some cases, an optical, MRI, or other signal produced by the agent or composition may be affected by the presence of an analyte. Some embodiments of the present invention may provide agents or compositions which are cell permeable. Examples of analytes that may be determined by the present invention include zinc ions, calcium ions, and other biological analytes.
US08133461B2 Nano-YAG:Ce phosphor compositions and their methods of preparation
Disclosed herein are cerium doped, garnet phosphors emitting in the yellow region of the spectrum, and having the general formula (Y,A)3(Al,B)5(O,C)12:Ce3+, where A is Tb, Gd, Sm, La, Sr, Ba, Ca, and/or Mg, and substitutes for Y, B is Si, Ge, B, P, and/or Ga, and substitutes for Al, and C is F, Cl, N, and/or S, where C substitutes for O. Relative to a solid-state-reaction method, the instant co-precipitation methods provide a more homogeneous mixing environment to enhance the distribution of the Ce3+ activator in the YAG matrix. Such a uniform distribution has the benefit of an increased emission intensity. The primary particle size of the as-prepared phosphor is about 200 nm, with a narrow distribution.
US08133459B2 Method for purifying aqueous alkaline solution
A method for purifying an aqueous alkaline solution, which comprises: bringing a fibrous activated carbon into contact with an aqueous alkaline solution to remove a metal component other than alkali metals and alkaline earth metals from the aqueous alkaline solution.
US08133458B2 Reactor and the use thereof for producing cyanides
A reactor for converting methane, ammonia and oxygen and alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxides into alkaline or alkaline earth cyanides by two-stage reactions comprising a first stage with a gas inlet, wherein the first stage is formed by a cone with distribution plates providing an even gas distribution over the catalyst material wherein the distribution plates are located between the gas inlet of the reactor and catalyst material and the distribution plates being perforated with a number of holes, with the distribution plates spaced from each other in the flow direction of the gas, the first distribution plate(s) functioning mainly to distribute the gas, whereas the last distribution plate works as a heat radiation shield and as a distribution plate facing the catalyst material, and wherein the catalyst material is present in the form of catalyst gauze fixed by catalyst weights.
US08133450B2 Portable chemical sterilizer
A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
US08133417B2 Process for the preparation of transparent shaped articles
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about −0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enables the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
US08133410B2 Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced concerning at least two characteristics. The invention is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that contains a specific five-membered ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08133405B2 Spinel-type ferrimagnetic particles, process for producing the same, and magnetic recording medium using the same
Spinel-type ferrimagnetic particles having a composition represented by the formula: (MO)·n/2(Fe2O3) where M is a divalent metal and n is a molar ratio of Fe to M (n=Fe/M) which is from more than 2.05 to less than 2.5 (2.05
US08133399B2 Thiosulfate removal methods and systems
Described herein is a cost effective method and system for removal of thiosulfate from a solution in-line with a process system. The method and system include passing the solution in contact with an open-structured substrate impregnated with a Group 16 element, which results in removal of thiosulfate from the solution and conversion of the thiosulfate to at least sulfite.
US08133397B2 Displacement filter method
A method and apparatus for filtering a slurry utilizing a displacement filtering principle. The filter apparatus desirably includes an inner filter and an outer filter. Both the inner and outer filters are preferably substantially annular in shape and positioned concentrically with respect to each other. A particulate collection volume is at least partially defined between the inner and outer filter. The method includes directing a flow of slurry into the particulate collection volume under sufficient pressure to force fluid within the particulate collection volume through one of the inner and outer filters and any particulate matter blocking a filtering surface of the inner and outer filters.
US08133396B2 Dissolved air floatation with filter system
A system for filtering organic molecules from an electrolyte solution, including a feed inlet line adapted to carry a solution with organic molecules, a filter vessel secured to the inlet line, and a pump adapted to introduce dissolved air into the solution in the feed inlet line. The filter vessel is a solvent extraction filter having coalescing media above a solution outlet at the bottom of the vessel and an organic vent outlet at the top of the vessel. The system operates by (a) dissolving air into the solution, (b) inputting the solution with dissolved air into the filter vessel, (c) outletting solution from the bottom vessel outlet to flow solution down through coalescing media, and (d) periodically venting floating organic molecules from the top of the vessel.
US08133388B2 Waste water filtering system
A wastewater filtering system is provided for the passage of the wastewater from the home to the septic tanks prior to passage to the drain fields. The system comprises a separate septic tank assembly and a grease trap assembly operatively adapted to receive the wastewater from the home prior to the passage of the wastewater into the drain fields. Septic tank assembly and grease trap assembly are specifically configured to separate the filtering of waste water from the kitchen from the sewage from the bathrooms to prevent the clogging of the entire filtering system.
US08133380B2 Method for regenerating ion exchanger
A method and device for regenerating an ion exchanger can regenerate an ion exchanger easily and quickly, and can minimize a load upon cleaning of the regenerated ion exchanger and disposal of waste liquid. A method for regenerating a contaminated ion exchanger includes: providing a pair of a regeneration electrode and a counter electrode, a partition disposed between the electrodes, and an ion exchanger to be regenerated disposed between the counter electrode and the partition; and applying a voltage between the regeneration electrode and the counter electrode while supplying a liquid between the partition and the regeneration electrode and also supplying a liquid between the partition and the counter electrode.
US08133375B2 Method of surface printing and plating
A method of surface printing and electric plating, it is to perform pre-plating to form a pre-plated layer firstly on a surface of a metallic or non-metallic article to be plated, thereby the metallic or non-metallic surface will not be oxidized, and to perform printing and then electric plating to make the plated layer higher than the electric printed layer, thus an effect of 3 dimensions can be resulted; and the printing oil ink is protected in the plated layer, thereby it is not subjected to being stripped off by abrasion.
US08133372B2 Method for producing ceramic components
A method for producing ceramic components, includes providing a dispersing agent comprising at least one first and one second powder fraction of an oxide ceramic, and a third powder fraction of an inter-metallic compound mixed in a liquid. The first powder fraction comprises a nanoscale particle fraction with particle sizes ranging from about 2 nm to 200 nm and functions as a binder. The second powder fraction comprises a sintering additive. The share of the third powder fraction, relative to the sum of all powder fractions, has a volume share of between about 50% and about 95%. The method further includes forming a green body with aid of precipitation by electrophoresis from the mixture, the precipitation by electrophoresis of the powder fractions occurring simultaneously. The green body is then sintered in an oxidizing atmosphere to form a ceramic component.
US08133369B2 Potentiostat circuit
A potentiostat is provided for a biosensor circuit and permits sequential and simultaneous measurements to be performed at different cells across a matrix of biosensing devices. Accordingly, a potentiostat comprises a first differential amplifier for receiving a scanning voltage at a first input terminal and a voltage at the reference electrode at a second input terminal and for generating an output voltage at an output terminal to be applied to the working electrode, wherein, when in use, a feedback loop of the potentiostat circuit is closed between the reference electrode and the working electrode.
US08133365B2 Method of arc ion plating and target for use therein
In an arc ion plating method, the target is divided into a central portion and longitudinal end portions at both longitudinal ends of the central portion. A constituent material of the target is evaporated and ionized by vacuum arc discharge using the target as a cathode, wherein the position of an arc spot on a surface of the target is controlled such that the consuming speed of the longitudinal end portions becomes higher than that of the central portion, whereby at least one of the longitudinal end portions will reach its consumption limit before the target central portion reaches its consumption limit. Only the respective longitudinal end portion that has reached its consumption limit is thereafter replaced, and the film forming step is continued.
US08133363B2 Dual magnetic tunnel junction sensor with a longitudinal bias stack
A dual magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor is provided with a longitudinal bias stack sandwiched between a first MTJ stack and a second MTJ stack. The longitudinal bias stack comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic layers. The first and second MTJ stacks comprise antiparallel (AP)-pinned layers pinned by AFM layers made of an AFM material having a higher blocking temperature than the AFM material of the bias stack allowing the AP-pinned layers to be pinned in a transverse direction and the bias stack to be pinned in a longitudinal direction. The demagnetizing fields of the two AP-pinned layers cancel each other and the bias stack provides flux closures for the sense layers of the first and second MTJ stacks.
US08133356B2 Method of monitoring microbiological deposits
A method for monitoring one or more deposits including microbiological deposits on a surface immersed in an aqueous medium of a process is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a QCM that is in contact with an aqueous medium, wherein said QCM has a top side surface contacting the aqueous medium, and a second, bottom side surface isolated from the aqueous medium; (b) providing a composition that is selective for one or more deposit types, including microbiological deposits without the use of an antigen or an antibody; (c) applying said composition to the top side of said QCM surface; (d) measuring the rate of deposition of said deposits from the aqueous medium onto the top side of said QCM surface; and (e) optionally taking corrective action to change one or more process parameters, or chemistry applied to the process, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired result in regards to microbiological deposition.
US08133354B2 Acoustic ceiling tiles made with paper processing waste
A composition and process suitable for making acoustic tiles are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the composition comprise: perlite; inorganic material selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, clay and mixtures thereof; a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, a combination of starch and cellulosic fibers, latex, kraft paper gel and mixtures thereof; optionally mineral wool; optionally gypsum; and cellulosic fiber, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fiber and at least a portion of the inorganic material are pulp and paper processing waste comprising cellulosic fiber, clay and calcium carbonate. Certain embodiments of the process comprise: forming an aqueous slurry; continuously flowing slurry onto a moving foraminous wire to form a cake; dewatering the cake to form a base mat; and drying the base mat.
US08133337B2 Method for making a concrete block
A mold core with a plurality of tension springs is placed in a mold box such that the top of the mold core is even with the top of the mold box when the plurality of tension springs have no tension. Block mix including a substantial amount of compressible material is poured into the mold and lightly vibrated. A movable bottom plate then moves downward at the same time as the mold core is moved downward a first distance to stretch the plurality of tension springs. After the mold core is moved downward the first distance, the movement of the mold core stops while the movement of the movable plate continues downward, thereby ejecting the partial block element from the mold. Block elements are cured, then glued together to form a complete block. One or both of the exterior surfaces of the block may have a wooden attachment layer attached.
US08133331B2 Aluminum-zinc-magnesium-scandium alloys and methods of fabricating same
Aluminum-zinc-magnesium-scandium alloys containing controlled amounts of alloying additions such as silver and tin are disclosed. The presence of Ag and/or Sn alloying additions improves fabrication characteristics of the alloys, such as the ability to be extruded at high temperatures and very high extrusion rates. The Al—Zn—Mg—Sc alloys may optionally include other alloying additions such as Cu, Mn, Zr, Ti and the like. The alloys possess good properties such as relatively high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. The alloys may be fabricated into various product forms such as extrusions, forgings, plate, sheet and weldments.
US08133325B2 Dry cleaning method for plasma processing apparatus
This dry cleaning method for a plasma processing apparatus is a dry cleaning method for a plasma processing apparatus that includes: a vacuum container provided with a dielectric member; a planar electrode and a high-frequency antenna that are provided outside the dielectric member; and a high-frequency power source that supplies high-frequency power to both the high-frequency antenna and the planar electrode, to thereby introduce high-frequency power into the vacuum container via the dielectric member and produce an inductively-coupled plasma, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a gas including fluorine into the vacuum container and also introducing high-frequency power into the vacuum container from the high-frequency power source, to thereby produce an inductively-coupled plasma in the gas including fluorine; and by use of the inductively-coupled plasma, removing a product including at least one of a precious metal and a ferroelectric that is adhered to the dielectric member.
US08133320B2 Diamond heat sink in a laser
A laser has a laser material in thermal contact with a diamond, such that the diamond is operable to carry heat away from the laser material. In further embodiments, the diamond has a reduced nitrogen content, is a reduced carbon-13 content, is a monocrystalline or multilayer low-strain diamond, or has a thermal conductivity of greater than 2200 W/mK.
US08133313B2 Aqueous inkjet ink and inkjet recording method
An embodiment of the invention is concerned with an aqueous inkjet ink containing an ink solvent containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent containing glycerin and triethylene glycol and a pigment dispersed in the ink solvent. The water-soluble organic solvent accounts for from 30 to 80% by weight of the ink solvent, a weight of the triethylene glycol is from 0.5 to 1.5 times the weight of the glycerin, and the pigment is blended in an amount of from 2 to 20% by weight of the total weight of the ink.
US08133304B2 Process for the production of carbonaceous adsorption agents doped with elementary sulfur and a process for waste gas cleaning using such adsorption agents
The invention concerns a process for the production of carbonaceous adsorption agents doped with elementary sulfur, in which sulfur is mixed with the adsorption agent, the mixture is heated to a temperature of between 120° C. and 150° C. and the temperature is maintained over a period of about an hour. The process is distinguished in that heating of the mixture is effected under a controlled oxygen-bearing atmosphere. The invention further concerns a process for waste gas cleaning using carbonaceous absorption agents doped with elementary sulfur. Preferably brown coal coke is used as the adsorption agent.
US08133303B2 Apparatus and method for controlling mercury pollution from a cement plant
A method and apparatus for reducing discharges into the atmosphere of mercury pollutants associated with dry process, precalciner cement manufacturing is shown. Raw feed meal used in cement production is heated in a special heating chamber to drive off volatile mercury pollutants, such as elemental mercury and mercury oxides. Preferably, the feed meal is heated to a temperature of at least 175° C. The gases that are driven off flow are then cooled to condense the mercury pollutants causing them to be adsorbed on carbon particles injected into the gas flow. The carbon particles containing the condensed mercury pollutants are then filtered out of gas flow, for example, using a fabric filter. The gas flow may be burned to destroy other volatile pollutants such as hydrocarbons and/or ammonia.
US08133294B2 Buffered amino alcohol solutions of N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and urea fertilizers using such solutions as urease inhibitors
Reduced volatility of urea fertilizers are prepared in accordance with the present invention by first preparing an N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) solution by dissolving NBPT in a mixture of an amino alcohol having the formula 1—(H)x—N—((CH2)m—OH)n where m is 1-3, x is 0 or 1, and n is 2 when x is 1 and 3 when x is 0: or the formula 2—(H)y—N—((CH2)—CHOH—CH3)z such that the length of the carbon chain where the secondary hydroxyl group is located is 3, y is 0 or 1, and z is 2 when y is 1 and 3 when y is 0, and a carboxylic acid having 6 or fewer carbon atoms. The solution is then combining with a urea fertilizer in granular or liquid form.
US08133286B2 Method and apparatus for high voltage aluminum capacitor design
The present subject matter includes a method of producing an apparatus for use in a patient, the method including etching an anode foil, anodizing the anode foil, assembling the anode foil, at least one cathode foil and one or more separators into a capacitor stack adapted to deliver from about 5.3 joules per cubic centimeter of capacitor stack volume to about 6.3 joules per cubic centimeter of capacitor stack volume at a voltage of between about 465 volts to about 620 volts, inserting the stack into a capacitor case, inserting the capacitor case into a device housing adapted for implant in a patient, connecting the capacitor to a component and sealing the device housing.
US08133283B2 Scapho-lunate fixation implants and methods of use
Surgical implants for neighboring bones are disclosed herein. Preferred implants are configured to be implanted into the scaphoid and lunate. Preferred implants include a first plate configured to be implanted into the scaphoid and a second plate configured to be implanted into the lunate wherein said first and second plates are couple together by a rotatable rod.
US08133277B2 Medical device for fluid flow and method of forming such device
A medical device which defines a lumen for flowing a bodily fluid from an upstream end of the device to a downstream end thereof is disclosed. The device has a luminal wall (14) that extends between the upstream and downstream ends and defines the lumen within which the fluid flows. The wall exhibits a succession of protuberances spaced from each other along the length of the device. Each protuberance has a flank facing upstream (54) and a flank facing downstream (64), the flank facing upstream extending into the fluid flow so that a radially outermost part of the flow of fluid from the upstream to the downstream end of the device impinges on the upstream flank and is thereby caused to reverse its flow, and flow upstream from the upstream flank to the downstream flank of the next adjacent protuberance upstream, creating micro-vortices between two adjacent protuberances.
US08133274B2 Photochromic intraocular lenses and methods of making the same
Intraocular lenses containing a photochromic agent, are disclosed. Specifically, the foldable intraocular lens of the present invention comprises an optic body made from a crosslinked material comprising at least one monomer, a crosslinker, a UV absorber, and a photochromic agent which has a maximum absorption peak of about 400-500 nm in its excited state. The lens has a glass transition temperature of about 37° C. or lower. Methods for making these intraocular lenses are also taught.
US08133271B2 Repositionable heart valve and method
A method for percutaneously replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of percutaneously delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration in which the anchor contacts tissue at a first anchor site; repositioning the anchor to a second anchor site; and deploying the anchor at the second anchor site.
US08133266B2 Expandable tip delivery system and method
A method of deploying a stent-graft in a curved vessel includes deploying an expandable tip to center a proximal end of the catheter containing a stent-graft in the curved vessel. A sheath is retracted to expose the stent-graft and the stent-graft self-expands into the curved vessel. By centering the catheter containing the stent-graft prior to deployment with the expandable tip, the accuracy of stent graft placement within the curved vessel is improved.
US08133261B2 Intra-facet fixation device and method of use
A implantable interference device configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint is provided. The device includes a shank capable of engaging opposing faces of the facet joint. The shank can further include a head extending from a proximal end of the shank wherein the head is configured to engage and/or buttress opposing faces of the joint, and also configured for preventing over-insertion of the device. Optionally, at least a portion of the shank can include or be formed of a fusion-promoting bioactive material. Further, a method for providing fixation of a facet joint by intra-facet placement of an interference device within the facet joint is provided.
US08133256B2 Shape memory polymer foams for endovascular therapies
A system for occluding a physical anomaly. One embodiment comprises a shape memory material body wherein the shape memory material body fits within the physical anomaly occluding the physical anomaly. The shape memory material body has a primary shape for occluding the physical anomaly and a secondary shape for being positioned in the physical anomaly.
US08133252B2 Reattachable introducer for a medical device deployment system
A reattachable introducer and method of using such introducer is disclosed for inserting an embolic coil deployment system into the tortuous vasculature of the human brain for placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm. The introducer includes a sheath having a lumen, a side opening and a longitudinal slit and includes a cylindrical sleeve slideably disposed about the sheath. A deployment catheter with a conical expander member is slideably disposed through the side opening of the sheath and through the lumen of the sheath. The conical expander member detaches the introducer from the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit of the sheath, while the cylindrical sleeve reattaches the introducer to the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit.
US08133251B2 Removeable embolus blood clot filter and filter delivery unit
A blood clot filter which is collapsible toward a central longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel and which is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration of the filter, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration thereof to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end. The ends of these legs include hooks to bend and straighten in response to withdrawal force.
US08133246B1 Safety lancet assembly
Disclosed is a safety lancet assembly configured to pierce a patient's skin. The safety lancet comprises a housing and a lancet disposed with the housing. The lancet includes both a block and a piercing tip attached to the block. The lancet is disposed within the housing such that the lancet may move from a retracted position to the piercing position. Additionally, the safety lancet includes a use indicator to alert a user or patient if the lancet is currently in the retracted position or if the lancet has been previously released to the piercing position.
US08133245B2 Surgical apparatus with annular penetrator
A surgical apparatus for penetrating tissue includes an outer member defining a longitudinal axis and having an outer peripheral wall and an inner member at least partially disposed within the outer member. The inner member includes a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the outer member. The penetrating member has a substantially annular peripheral edge adapted to penetrate tissue. The inner member and the outer member are adapted for relative longitudinal movement between first and second longitudinal positions. In the first position, the annular peripheral edge of the penetrating member is substantially confined within the outer peripheral wall of the outer member and wherein, in the second position, the annular peripheral edge is at least partially exposed from the outer peripheral wall to facilitate penetration through tissue.
US08133244B2 Medical instrument
A medical instrument has a shaft. The shaft has an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The outer shaft encloses the inner shaft. The medical instrument further has an actuator for rotating the inner shaft about a longitudinal axis relative to the outer shaft, arranged at a proximal end region of the shaft. The medical instrument has at least two tappet elements for transferring a rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft, which are engaged interchangeably with the inner shaft for transferring the rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft. The tappet elements reach through peripherally limited openings in a proximal end region of the outer shaft, which openings are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction.
US08133234B2 Patient specific acetabular guide and method
An acetabular system includes an acetabular guide having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface made to conform to an acetabular rim surface around an acetabulum of a patient in accordance with a three-dimensional image of the acetabulum of the patient. The acetabular guide includes an aperture having an inner surface oriented at selected anteversion and abduction angles relative to the first surface for guiding an acetabular implant into the acetabulum at the selected anteversion and abduction angles.
US08133217B2 Method and apparatus for marking a lumenal wall
A marking apparatus includes a selectively inflatable balloon. The balloon includes an external lumen adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The external lumen includes ports for creating a vacuum at the ports sufficient to draw walls of the gastric cavity into contact with the external lumen. The balloon is further provided with RF energy delivery devices. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a marking apparatus includes an elongated, hollow body, the hollow body including a proximal end and a distal end. The hollow body includes at least one suction trough in which a plurality of holes is disposed to draw suction on tissue. The at least one suction trough extends along a substantial portion of the hollow body as it extends from its distal end to its proximal end.
US08133214B2 Material removal catheter and method
A catheter device and methods useable to extract material from a body conduit, e.g., a blood vessel, are provided. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the body conduit, an opening in a wall of the catheter in fluid communication with a material collection chamber, and a controllably arcuate segment near the distal tip of the catheter and the opening. The catheter may include a sliding member, located within a lumen of the catheter, used to move the material entering the catheter through the arcuate segment opening, into the material collection chamber and away from said opening. The catheter may include a single mechanism utilized to both generate a vacuum to cause material to enter the catheter at the arcuate segment opening and also cause the sliding member to travel, inside the catheter, moving material away from the opening and into the material collection chamber.
US08133213B2 Catheter guidance through a calcified aortic valve
A method of treating a patient with a calcified aortic valve includes introducing a guide wire into a blood vessel. The guide wire is advanced through the aorta and the aortic valve. A balloon dilatation catheter is introduced into the blood vessel over the guide wire. The balloon dilatation catheter includes an elongate body, a distal portion, a guide wire lumen, an inflation lumen, and a dilatation balloon. The balloon dilatation catheter further includes at least one deflection wire lumen, and at least one deflection wire residing in the at least one deflection wire lumen and having a distal end attached to the distal portion. The balloon dilatation catheter is advanced over the guide wire through the aorta. The deflection wire is pushed towards the distal portion so that the deflection wire bows outward. The balloon dilatation catheter is advanced through the aortic valve, and the dilatation balloon is inflated.
US08133210B2 Aqueous ophthalmic spray and method for delivery of artificial tears to the ocular surface
A delivery device and method for the delivery of a substance to the eye or other bodily site of a user. The device delivers the substance to the eye in the form of a non-aerosol spray or mist. The delivery device is particularly suitable for the delivery of artificial tear compositions to the ocular surface.
US08133209B2 Valve connector for medical lines
Valve connector for infusion medical lines including an external tubular body (1) with an inlet end (4) and an outlet end (10), an internal hollow spike (2) and an intermediate sealing member (3) including an elastic head (35) with pre-slit (38) and an elastic hollow element (36) formed with sealing members (47, 48) in contact with the hollow spike (2) and with an elastic thrust means tending to maintain the elastic head (35) in a closure condition. An annular member (55) surrounds the elastic hollow element (36) and it axially slides into the tubular body (1) due to the movement of the elastic head (35) between the closure condition and the opening condition of the connector.
US08133205B2 Fluid delivery system having a plurality of resilient pressurizing chambers
A fluid delivery system includes a fluid container, two or more pressurizing chambers in fluid connection with the fluid container, a drive mechanism in operative connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers to pump fluid from the fluid container and an outlet in fluid connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers. Each of the two or more pressurizing chambers is formed from a flexible, resilient material that is adapted to be compressed to pressurize fluid therewithin.
US08133203B2 Method of injecting fluids from a dual syringe injector system
Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, syringe adapter, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly. The injector piston or drive member includes a sensing pin positioned at a forward end thereof to sense contact with the syringe plunger during advancement of the piston or drive member to contact the plunger. The piston can be advanced automatically upon connection of, for example, the syringe to the injector, or piston advance can be automated to occur after operator initiation. The injector may include or be adapted to accommodate two syringes, which for example provide for simultaneous injection of fluid into separate injection sites on a patient.
US08133196B2 Insufflation gas warmer and humidifier
An insufflation gas warmer and humidifier apparatus and methods are provided. Insufflation gas is received from a bulky insufflation tubing. Insufflation gas received travels through, in one aspect, a channel or winding flow path, in a passage. The configuration of the passage ensures that the insufflation gas, which travels through the passage, receives sufficient heat and moisture. A humidifying reservoir humidifies the insufflation gas as the insufflation gas is passed to the passage. In one aspect, an oxygenator introduces slight amounts of oxygen into the insufflation gas. A warmer connected to the passage warms the gas in the passage. The warmer, in one aspect, contains a reactive agent that when exposed to air produces heat that is transferred to the passage to warm the insufflation gas within the passage.
US08133188B2 Estrus detection device
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device and method for identifying estrus in production animals by detecting one or more standing mounts with a single device.
US08133187B2 Implantable medical device with heart condition detection
A method for detecting a condition of a heart of a patient using an implantable medical device, including the steps of sensing acoustic signals indicative of heart sounds of the heart of the patient; extracting signals corresponding to a first heart sound (S1) and a second heart sound (S2) from sensed signals; calculating an energy value corresponding to a signal corresponding to the first heart sound (S1) and an energy value corresponding to the second heart sound (S2); calculating a relation between the energy value corresponding to the first heart sound and the energy value corresponding to the second heart sound for successive cardiac cycles; and using at least one relation to detect the condition or a change of the condition. A medical device for determining the posture of a patient and a computer readable medium encoded with instructions are used to perform the inventive method.
US08133185B2 Catheter with common guide wire and indicator lumen
A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.
US08133180B2 Method and system for treating cellulite
A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. The invention delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, whereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. The invention can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.
US08133179B2 Method of displaying an elastic image
A method of displaying an elastic image, comprising: a) performing transmission/reception of an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines set on a target object to obtain first ultrasound data, the target object including a plurality of tissues; b) performing transmission/reception of an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines set on the target object by applying a stress to the target object to obtain second ultrasound data; c) calculating displacements of the tissues based on the first and second ultrasound data; d) calculating strains in the tissues based on the calculated displacements; e) forming an elastic image based on the calculated strains and a graph indicating changes of the tissues for the respective scan lines; and f) displaying the elastic image together with the graph.
US08133174B2 Self constricting orifice seal
An apparatus is disclosed for the reception of a surgical instrument inserted through a cannula assembly. An orifice in a seal member defines a central longitudinal axis in general alignment with the cannula assembly. The seal member includes an elastic member for engaging the surgical object about the orifice and forming a fluid-tight interface. A fiber loop is at least partially embedded in the elastic member and serves to compress central portions of the elastic member around the instrument. The fiber loop may form a loop around the orifice and may cooperate with other fiber loops similarly embedded in the seal.
US08133169B2 In-vivo image acquiring system capable of controlling illuminating unit and determining whether to wirelessly transmit image information based on estimated distance
An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control.
US08133167B2 Apparatus and method for radiation distribution mapping
An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.
US08133160B2 Low impact inertial exercise device
In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an inertial exercise device has an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions, and a sleeve movably coupled to the elongate member and disposed between the first and second end portions of the elongate member. A first elastic resistance element interfaces between the elongate member and the sleeve. A user-induced rhythmic movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first elastic resistance element to alternately compress and extend as the first and second end portions of the elongate member oscillate relative to the sleeve.
US08133158B2 Handgrip
Provided is a handgrip including first and second operating arms that are spaced apart from each other; first and second link arms that are sequentially and obliquely disposed between the first and second operating arms, and of which both ends are rotatably connected to the operating arms, respectively, through rotating shafts; and a spring member that is installed to provide an elastic force biasing the first and second operating arms apart from each other.
US08133150B2 Drive system for an industrial truck with an internal combustion engine
A drive system with either a four-shaft epicyclic gearing consisting of two fixed links or one fixed link. A first shaft is coupled to an engine and a second shaft is connected to a first electric motor. The electric is coupled to the power supply of the industrial truck. A brake is coupled to a third shaft of the gearing , while a fourth shaft is coupled to a change gear. The change gear is coupled to a summing gear, the other input shaft connected to a second electric motor connected to the power supply. The output shaft is coupled to a driven wheel of the truck. A sensor device detects the speed of the engine and of the two motors. A control and regulating device sets the speeds and/or torque of the motors and of the engine according to setpoint signals and the output signals of the sensor device.
US08133144B2 Planetary transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio
A planetary transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio. The transmission includes two sun wheels having sun wheel circumferential surfaces, and that are axially spaced and rotatable independently of each other around the same axis of rotation. A ring wheel is situated on the same axis as the sun wheels and has an internal circumferential surface. Planet wheels are provided having planet wheel circumferential surfaces that are in frictional contact with the internal circumferential surface of the ring wheel and the sun wheel circumferential surfaces. A web element is also provided, and the planet wheels are each rotatable about an associated planet wheel axle, which is guided in the web element so that it is movable in the radial direction relative to the transmission longitudinal axis.
US08133142B2 Belt pulley for the output shaft of a gear, gear, electric motor, and output shaft
The invention relates to a belt pulley for the output shaft of a gear being driven by an electric motor, with a support for a drive belt at the outer periphery and a receptacle for an axle in the centre, where the receptacle for the axle involves a first region, the profile of which is in such a way noncircular, that between an axle being insertable therein and the belt pulley no slip is possible, and wherein the receptacle for the axle involves a second region including at least one recess apt to allow an elastic part of the axle to snap in a form-fit way when inserted into the belt pulley through the first region. The invention further relates to a gear, to an electric motor, and to an output shaft.
US08133137B2 Pitching machine having optimal adjustability
A pitching machine configured for adjustment by a user, and including a pitching head, a first macro-adjustment device and a first micro-adjustment device. The pitching head is situated atop a stand. The pitching head includes a first wheel spaced apart from an opposing surface and a first motor for driving the first wheel. The first macro-adjustment device is coupled to the pitching head and includes a first locking assembly that, when loosened, allows manual rotation of the pitching head about a first pivot axis. The first micro-adjustment device is coupled to the pitching head, and includes a first adjusting element that, when repositioned, incrementally rotates the pitching head about the first pivot axis. The first micro-adjustment device configured for operation by a single hand of a user, and the first macro-adjustment device retaining the pitching head in a secure position during adjustment of the first micro-adjustment device.
US08133125B2 Leverage discs
A golf or tennis training apparatus for helping a player to improve his/her balance while practicing a swing using a disc shaped member of flexible material with an opening located in the top surface of the disc shaped member and a fluid located in the disc shaped member. The disc shaped member is an unstable support for a golf or tennis player to stand on to help improve the player's balance when swinging a golf club or a tennis racket.
US08133117B2 Game apparatus, game message displaying method and storage medium storing game program
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and in the game apparatus, letters are displayed as visual support for a sound generated by a message generating object. When a game message is displayed, a distance between the message generating object and a player object is calculated. Then, a form of the letters to be displayed on a billboard is changed depending upon the calculated distance. The form to be changed is, for example, transparency and a size of the letters. Thus, a game image in which the form of the letters is changed depending upon the distance between the player object and the message generating object is displayed.
US08133112B2 Gaming device for a flat rate play session and method of operating same
The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player's credit account.
US08133105B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating play of a gaming device
A method in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of receiving a wager, determining an intermediate outcome of a game of chance, determining a first option for play, determining a first final outcome based on the intermediate outcome and the first option for play, determining a second option for play, and determining a second final outcome based on the intermediate outcome and the second option for play.
US08133102B2 Method and apparatus for modifying gaming machines to provide supplemental or modified functionality
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.
US08133099B2 Reciprocating drive mechanism of abrasive band grinding machine
The present invention provides a reciprocating lifting motion of abrasive band grinding machine, wherein two control boxes are arranged correspondingly at lower part of the grinding mechanism of the grinding machine; the grinding mechanism is driven by the drive axle of the control box; a motor is coupled below the control box, and the control box is provided with a lifting mechanism, which is adapted with the cam via a main drive axle with worm gear; based on the eccentric rotation characteristic of the cam, the main drive axle could generate reciprocating lifting motion, driving the continuous operation of the grinding mechanism for uniform grinding of the abrasive band surface.
US08133096B2 Multi-phase polishing pad
An article of manufacture, a method, and an apparatus for use in a chemical mechanical polishing system is provided. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including a polishing article having a polishing surface, the polishing surface including a first polishing portion having a first polishing material of a first hardness for polishing a first portion of the substrate, and a second polishing portion having a second polishing material of a second hardness for polishing a second portion of the substrate. The article of manufacturer may be disposed on a rotatable, stationary, or linear platen for processing a substrate. In another aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate, including providing a platen containing the polishing article disposed on the rotatable platen, delivering a polishing composition to the polishing article, and contacting a substrate on the polishing article.
US08133094B2 Dust shroud with access hatch retention mechanism
A vacuum shroud for an angle grinder includes a removable hatch for grinding in a corner and provides a storage location on the shroud for the hatch in order to encourage use of the hatch when not grinding in a corner.
US08133088B2 Filament for infrared lamp and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a filament for an infrared lamp used as a heater and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of fabricating the filament includes cutting a thin graphite plate into a thin graphite plate strip of a predetermined size, integrally adhering two sheets of the thin graphite plate strips using heat, primarily heating and plasticizing the integrally adhered graphite plate strips within an inert gas, coating a silicon-series coating solution on the primarily heated and plasticized graphite plate strips and naturally drying the graphite plate strips, and heating and plasticizing the naturally dried graphite plate strips using an identical process to the primary plasticity process and then naturally cooling the heated and plasticized graphite plate strips.
US08133084B2 Propulsion device
A propulsion device includes a propulsion device main body, an attachment mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The attachment mechanism is arranged to attach the propulsion device main body to a hull such that the propulsion device main body turns right and left with respect to the hull about a swivel shaft. Further, the attachment mechanism is arranged to attach the propulsion device main body to the hull such that the propulsion device main body turns up and down with respect to the hull about a tilt shaft. The steering mechanism includes a motor and a transmitting mechanism. The transmitting mechanism is arranged to transmit a driving force of the motor to the propulsion device main body to turn the propulsion device main body to the right or the left. The attachment mechanism includes a housing space in which the motor and the transmitting mechanism are housed.
US08133080B2 Electronic apparatus and connector
According to one embodiment, a module comprises a connector into which a first plug and a second plug are insertable. The connector includes a housing and a terminal portion provided in the housing. The housing includes an insertion opening part which exposes the terminal portion outside, a back part positioned at an end part opposite to the insertion opening part in the housing, and a side part provided between the insertion opening part and the back part and configured to oppose to the plug when the plug is inserted into the connector. The side part includes an inclined part which continues to the insertion opening part and is inclined such that a distance between the inclined part and the plug increases in a direction from the back part toward the insertion opening part to form a gap between the inclined part and the plug.
US08133075B2 Electrical connector and method of manufacture
An apparatus and method are disclosed for manufacturing an electrical connector. A mold is presented having a pair of opposing dies that each define a mold pocket. The mold pockets of each die can be joined to form a mold cavity. Plastic can be injection molded into the mold cavity to form an electrical connector housing.
US08133074B1 Guided missile/launcher test set reprogramming interface assembly J2 connector clamp
A guided missile/launcher test set reprogramming interface assembly J2 connector clamp includes a frame having an upper side, a lower side, and at least one aperture with a threaded portion that extends through the frame and is adapted to threadingly associate with threads on a connector. Rotational torque is transferred away from the frame and connector when a securing mechanism is actuated.
US08133071B2 Cable assembly with flat cable
A cable assembly includes an electrical connector, a flat cable, a flexible printed circuit electrically connecting the flat cable to the electrical connector, and a spacer fastened on the electrical connector for supporting the flexible printed circuit. The electrical connector includes an insulation housing and a plurality of terminals receiving in the housing and each of which has an tail exposed out of the housing. The flexible printed circuit includes a vertical connecting portion connected to the terminals of the electrical connector and a horizontal connecting portion separated from the vertical connecting portion and connected to one end of the flat cable.
US08133068B2 Current connection apparatus for tanks
A current connection apparatus for a pressure tank is provided. The current connection apparatus includes a tank flange mounted on a tank and an opening that leads into the tank. Electrical connection cables are installed in this opening for connecting with an external electrical apparatus. An electrical lead having one or more conductors, which are electrically insulated relative to a metal flange, and a protective casing. The electrical lead is disposed between the tank flange and the protective casing and is tightly fastened to the tank flange. A plug body, which has plug elements corresponding to conductors of electrical lead, is inserted into the tank opening in the tank flange. The protective casing also has a plug body inserted therein, where the plug body has plug elements.
US08133063B2 Connector with removable covers
An electrical connector including a housing; one or more recesses formed in one or more sidewalls of the housing; a plurality of terminals disposed in respective portions of the housing such that solder tails of the terminals are accessible through the one or more recesses; and one or more cover elements removably coupled to the one or more sidewalls of the housing such that, in a mounted state of the connector on a PCB, the solder tails are enclosed by the one or more cover elements.
US08133062B2 Electrical connector assembly having tubular contact pin plugged at open end
An electrical connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, a center pin having a first end protruding out of the insulative housing and a second end disposed in the insulative housing, a metallic sleeve enclosing the center pin for forming a receiving room therein and a protection member. The center pin is configured as a hollow structure and defines a center space therein with an opening at the second end thereof. The metallic sleeve comprises a solder portion disposed in the insulative housing. The protection member completely blocks the opening of the center pin.
US08133060B2 Electric plug and methods of providing the same
In one embodiment, an electric plug can comprise a housing, a rotatable plug assembly, and a blade array. The housing can have a bottom piece and a top piece including a first opening. The bottom piece can be in mechanical communication with the top piece and forming a cavity defined by the interior surface of the top piece and the interior surface of the bottom piece. The rotatable plug assembly can have a top surface and a bottom surface opposite each other, where a first portion of the rotatable plug assembly can comprise the bottom surface and be located within the cavity, and where a second portion of the rotatable plug assembly can protrude from the cavity via the first opening. The blade array can include a plurality of plug blades, each plug blade of the plurality of plug blades having an outlet end and a connector end, the connector end of each plug blade located within the rotatable plug assembly. A power cord with a plurality of wires can be configured to pass through the second opening of the cavity, where the end of each wire can be located within the rotatable plug assembly and configured to mechanically couple to and be in electrical communication with the connector end of an associated one of the plurality of plug blades. Other embodiments and related examples are disclosed herein.
US08133048B2 Method and blank for producing a screw-tube conveyor and screw-tube conveyor produced in this way
The invention relates to a method and a blank for producing a screw-tube conveyor in the form of a cylindrical rotary tube (110) with an internal screw spiral (120) for conveying and mixing a bulk material. To simplify the method and to create even long screw-tube conveyors with small diameters in an relation to their length, it is proposed according to the invention first to produce a one-piece blank, which comprises a base portion in the basic form of a parallelogram and having laterally mounted fins. In a second method step, the fins are then bent, preferably by 90°, with respect to the base portion. In a third method step, the base portion (112) is then bent along bending lines (115i) in such a way that the base portion forms a helical casing portion (111) of the rotary tube (110) and the previously bent-round fins (122) form segments of the screw spiral (120) arranged inside the rotary tube (110). The invention also relates to a screw-tube conveyor produced in this way.
US08133046B2 Center mechanism of tire vulcanizing machine
In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing machine, including an upper clamp ring for grasping an upper opening end part of a bladder, a lower clamp ring for grasping a lower opening end part of the bladder, a hub on a side of a lower mold for supporting the lower clamp ring, a spacer connected to the hub and supported on the side of the lower mold to be ascendable and descendable, and a center post supported by the spacer to be extensible and contractible, the hub and the spacer are formed as members separate from each other, and are divisibly bound to each other by bolts.
US08133044B2 Positive displacement capture device and method of balancing positive displacement capture devices
A positive displacement capture apparatus contains a plurality of positive displacement capture devices which each contain a rotor portion positioned inside a casing portion to act as a least area rotor which captures a volume and moves the volume along the length of the separator. The rotor portion contains a plurality of lobes which interact with grooves in the casing portion, such that the interaction of the lobes and grooves create barriers which capture the volume. The creation of the volume creates a flow barrier between a downstream end of the separator and an upstream end of the separator. The flow separator is coupled to a combustion portion to provide a flow of material to the combustion portion. The plurality of positive displacement capture devices are positioned, oriented and rotational timed such that eccentric loads created by the rotation of the rotor portions cancel each other out during operation.
US08133040B2 Fuel pump and method of manufacturing the same
A fuel pump includes a case member defining a fuel passage and a discharge-side cover connected to the case member and defining an outlet port. A pump section has an inlet port and is connected to the case member. A motor section is housed in the case member for driving the pump section. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are supported by an insulative terminal support member fixed to the discharge-side cover. Base portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals are covered by insulative portions. The insulative portions are fitted in fitting holes of the discharge-side cover. The discharge-side cover has guide portions on its inner surface. The terminal support member has engagement projections on opposite side walls thereof. The engagement projections are guided by the guide portions to restrict the discharge-side cover from rotating with respect to the terminal support member.
US08133023B2 Wind turbine with variable area propeller blades
An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.
US08133020B2 Fastener device for fastening a free turbine stator with dual centering
The invention relates to the field of free turbines mounted on a gas turbine engine. It provides a fastener device for fastening a free turbine stator on a gas generator casing that shares a common axis with the turbine stator, the fastener device comprising a flange carrying a plurality of assembly parts providing a first releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing, the flange providing first centering of the turbine stator on the casing. The fastener device further comprises a second releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing that is axially offset from the flange towards the gas generator and that provides second centering of the turbine stator on the casing.
US08133016B2 Airfoil profile for a second stage turbine nozzle
Second-stage nozzles have vanes including airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I with the X, Y and Z values commencing at the radially innermost aerodynamic section of the airfoil and then made relative to that section for the Z coordinate values. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for the nozzle.
US08133014B1 Triple acting radial seal
A triple acting radial seal used as an interstage seal assembly in a gas turbine engine, where the seal assembly includes an interstage seal support extending from a stationary inner shroud of a vane ring, the interstage seal support includes a larger annular radial inward facing groove in which an outer annular floating seal assembly is secured for radial displacement, and the outer annular floating seal assembly includes a smaller annular radial inward facing groove in which an inner annular floating seal assembly is secured also for radial displacement. A compliant seal is secured to the inner annular floating seal assembly. The outer annular floating seal assembly encapsulates the inner annular floating seal assembly which is made from a very low alpha material in order to reduce thermal stress.
US08133010B2 Turbine stator for aircraft turbine engine including a vibration damping device
A turbine stator for an aircraft turbine engine is disclosed. The turbine stator includes a stator wall supporting a high pressure air injector fixed on the downstream side, and an annular abradable element support. The lower radial end of the element support is fixed to the high pressure air injector and the upper radial end of the element support is fixed to the stator wall, such that they jointly delimit a cavity under pressure. The turbine stator also includes at least one vibration damping device located in the cavity under pressure. The vibration damping device is in contact with each of the two elements taken among the stator wall and the annular support.
US08133009B2 Centrifugal fan
An impeller device (10) for centrifugal fans (1), having comprising a center wheel (40), at least one side disc (20, 30) and fan blades (50). The center wheel (40) and the side disc(s) (20, 30) are equipped with attachment devices (24, 44) for attaching the blades and the center wheel's (40) attachment device (44) comprises a protrusion (45) extending substantially in the center wheel's radial direction and arranged to abut against the second side end (54) in the fan blades (50).
US08133001B2 Device for overturning containers
The invention relates to a device (1) for overturning containers (2), particularly roller bottles intended for cell cultures, characterized in that it comprises a rotation actuator (3) associated by means of a transmission shaft (13) to a reducer (4) and a dynamic brake (5), a support (17) and rods (7) gripping the container (2), said support (17) being joined to the rotation actuator (3) by means of a shifter (16) of the transmission shaft (13) of the mentioned rotation actuator (3), the rotation actuator (3) being actuated by means of a pneumatic foot pedal (18), and the mentioned rotation actuator (3) in turn being associated to a timer (19) indicating the end of the overturning time of the container (2).
US08132999B2 Semi trailer dolly
A dolly is disclosed for a semi-trailer that has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. The dolly provides transverse support between the axles. The dolly includes a lift mechanism that provides a uniform lifting force, transversely to a trailer between the axles where a structural failure of the trailer is likely to occur. The dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled portion that includes a lift. The removable saddle can be removed from the dolly and positioned under the trailer. A tow truck boom winch can then be used to lift the saddle and enable the wheeled portion to be positioned under the trailer. Adjustable lift stands on the wheeled portion enable the lift stands to be mechanically secured under the saddle to support the trailer.
US08132991B2 Protection device for a motor spindle
The invention relates to a protection device for a motor spindle (1) arranged in a housing (2), particularly of a machine tool, having an inner ring (6) fixedly joined to the motor spindle (1) and an outer ring joined to the housing (2). The inner ring (6) is arranged in the outer ring (7) in a way permitting axial motion and a tilting motion, and is placed under elastically resilient preload against the outer ring (7) by means of preloading members (8).
US08132977B2 Refill container for consumer products
The present invention generally is a refill container for holding at least two products. The refill container of the present invention is configured to comprise at least two receptacles abutting each other, wherein either all the receptacles contain a similar product or one of the receptacles holds a related product or a tool. Each of the receptacles has a top end, a bottom end and at least one sidewall. The refill container is configured to be mounted in a refillable case wherein the refillable case comprises of a base and a cover. Also disclosed is refillable product container in which are replaced the refill containers once the initial product is finished.
US08132976B2 Reduced impact keyboard with cushioned keys
A keyboard for use with a computing device and a method of manufacturing a keyboard key are provided. One disclosed keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a key cap including a perimeter wall and a void positioned within the perimeter wall and opening to a top of the key cap. Each key further includes a cushion having a top portion configured to be contacted by a digit of a user and a bottom portion configured to be fitted within the void in the key cap. The cushion being may be configured to absorb an impact force directed against the key during a keystroke.
US08132975B2 Keyboard stiffening system
A keyboard stiffening system comprising a keyboard assembly having a plurality of key assemblies coupled to a support plate, the support plate having at least one extension extending from a bottom surface thereof to engage a support pan of the electronic device to secure the keyboard assembly to the support pan of the electronic device.
US08132969B2 Fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside a fiber optic connector sub-assembly
A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.
US08132966B2 Rotary flexure and air bearing support for rotary indexing system
A highly position-stabilized indexable table or “dial” in which the dial is supported relative to a steel surface on a frame by one or more air bearings. A flexure mechanically connects the indexing motor to the dial in such a way as to be torsionally non-compliant, but axially compliant to decouple the dial from the motor shaft along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, the air bearings are mounted to the frame at uniformly angularly displaced positions under the dial. In another embodiment, the bearings are partially integrated into the dial. Negative (suction) preload can be used in either embodiment to increase air bearing stiffness and/or to allow inverted processing; i.e., mounting part fixtures on an undersurface of the dial.
US08132962B1 Asymmetric specific heat meter
An asymmetric heat flux sensor has two sensing surfaces separately thermally coupled to the end plates of a thermoelectric module so that one is heated and the other cooled. The heated sensing surface is constrained to have a wettable area much larger than the area of the cooled sensing surface. This allows the heated sensing surface to be nearly the same temperature as the fluid ambient while providing a relatively large temperature differential. Because bubbles, which degrade a heat flux measurement, form preferentially on a heated surface, the asymmetric design avoids bubble formation and hence provides enhanced accuracy.
US08132961B1 Flow plug with length-to-hole size uniformity for use in flow conditioning and flow metering
A flow plug of varying thickness has a plurality of holes formed therethrough. The plug fits in a conduit such that a fluid flow in the conduit passes through the plug's holes. Each hole is defined by a parameter indicative of size in terms of the cross-sectional area thereof. A ratio of hole length-to-parameter is approximately the same for all of the holes.
US08132956B2 Lamp structure improvement in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string
The present invention is to provide a lamp structure improvement in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string. Each lamp body of the said lamp string is composed of a single soft head, a single soft core and a LED single body of the ordinary half-shaped type separately package-covered with a single lighting crystalline grain then leaned against each other to form a lamp of ordinary shape-and-sized single-piece LED such that the mutually assembled and formed single-piece-shaped LED can have two lighting crystalline grains and form a two-lamps typed lamp body. It thus can effectively lower the manufacturing cost of lamp body in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string.
US08132951B2 Endoscope system
An endoscope system comprises first and second emitters, a fiber, and a controller. The first emitter emits illumination light to a photographic subject. The second emitter emits infrared light. Emission intensity of the second emitter is stronger than that of the first emitter. The fiber has a tip which moves in a spiral when viewed from the photographic subject during scan periods. The controller controls emission timing of the first and second emitters. Light emitted by the first and second emitters is cast from the tip of the fiber onto the photographic subject. The second emitter emits in a predetermined period of one of the scan periods, based on control of the emission timing, so as to shine infrared light with the second emitter to at least one part of the photographic subject, in order to perform marking.
US08132945B2 Lighted bicycle pedal
The present invention is an apparatus and method for illuminating a bicycle crank. A magnetic coil is coiled around a portion of a tubular structure which houses a magnetic component. The magnetic component moves slidably inside the tubular structure passing through the magnetic coil. The tubular structure is housed in an outer housing which encases a bicycle crank or fits within a specially designed bicycle crank. When the bicycle crank rotates, the magnet slides back and forth through the magnetic coil generating an electric current that is used to power an LED.
US08132941B2 Portable terminal having transparent cover member
Disclosed is a portable terminal having a transparent member at an outside thereof, including a terminal body having at least one light emitting member, and a transparent cover member partially forming an outer appearance of the terminal body and transmitting light from the light emitting members to the outside. The transparent cover member includes a light diffusion pattern portion for scattering light from the light emitting members so as to minimize an occurrence of a case in which a specific position where the light emitting member is formed is brightly illuminated but other position is dimmed.
US08132939B2 LED module with application-specific color setting
An LED module with a blue LED chip, over which is arranged a conversion layer, which has a luminous material mixture mixing a further proportion of greater wavelength into the blue light, so that a reddish or greenish or yellowish white light is emitted from the LED module, the emitted light of the LED module having a peak or secondary peak in the red or green or yellow range.
US08132933B2 Power blackout bulb
A blackout light bulb has a housing with an Edson screw at one end for screwing into a light fixture socket and a plurality of spaced apart LEDs mounted to its opposite end. A flexible stalk is connected to the housing between the Edison screw and the LEDs and can be bent into a selected shape for positioning a free end of the stalk as desired. A circuit board in the housing has an electronic circuit connected to the Edison screw, to the LEDs and to a photo cell at the free end of the stalk. A rechargeable battery in the housing is connected to the circuit board so that it is charged under certain normal conditions and so that it lights up the LEDs under other blackout conditions.
US08132929B2 Visual morphing using directionally selective microprisms
An optical waveguide (106) with directional microprisms (116) and multidirectional light sources (110)(112) are provided for providing overlapping morphing images (104) and information (102) on a display (124) of a touch screen mobile phone or other electronic device (100). Microprisms can be patterned in the shape of a particular design, character, icon or other image. The microprisms can include: first microprisms (118) sensitive to light propagating in only one direction; second microprisms (120) sensitive to light propagating in a different direction, and a third microprisms (122) sensitive to light propagation in multiple directions. When light is directed into the waveguide (106) in a direction to which a portion of the microprisms (116) are sensitive, a fraction of that light will be directed upward and out of the waveguide (106) by those microprisms sensitive to light propagated in that direction. Controlling, switching or selectively activating the light sources (110)(112) results in different images (104) which are displayed and illuminated on the display (124) of the electronic device (100).
US08132919B2 Digital projector using arrayed light sources
A beam alignment chamber extending in a length direction comprising a base having a front edge, and two side edges, first and second opposed side walls connected to the base, and extending along the length of the base, a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further comprises a plurality of arrays of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each reflector being paired with a corresponding array of light sources, the base-mounted reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams.
US08132916B2 High precision contrast ratio display for visual stimulus
Embodiments of the present invention include approaches for controlling light valve devices to improve the range and precision of the contrast ratio and the grayscale levels of a display used for visual field tests. In one embodiment, two or more illumination devices are used to enable the display device to display a wide range of contrast stimuli at precise illumination intensities over a fixed background illumination level. In another embodiment, the gamma curves of the display elements are adjusted to allow greater variations in the brightness of the display.
US08132908B2 Articulated spectacle frames with wire assembled components
An articulated spectacle frame with wire assembled components, the components being able to slide and fold back past each other, when the spectacles are not being worn, characterized by using two lens rims (10, 20) for supporting lenses (1, 2) and being hinged together at their inner ends (13, 22a), and equipped with a joining slot (18, 28) on their outside, for orthogonal housing of components coaxial to each other and forming each of two temples (A), all these components being linked together by a wire (70) passing into each of the components tensioning and connecting them in succession, when the two lens rims are located on the same plane in order to use them, whilst the wire slackens allowing disconnection of the temple components and the loosening of these from the components supporting the lenses, when the rims are rotated against each other.
US08132904B2 Filter/wicking structure for micro-fluid ejection head
A micro-fluid ejection head structure and a method for assembling a micro-fluid ejection head structure. The micro-fluid ejection head structure includes a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration structure. The wicking and filtration structure is fixedly attached to a filtered fluid reservoir of the micro-fluid ejection head structure for flow of filtered fluid to a micro-fluid ejection head attached to the head structure.
US08132903B2 Ink jet system and method for removing air bubbles inside of an ink jet nozzle
An ink jet system according to the present invention is provided with an air bubble removing unit including: an ink jet body having a plurality of ink supply path; a nozzle plate connected to an end of the ink jet body and having a plurality of spaced nozzle holes therein; and a cap configured to cover the nozzle holes formed in the nozzle plate wherein a first ink channel space is formed continuous to the nozzle holes and the plurality of ink supply path, and a second ink channel space is formed between a recess of the cap and a surface of the nozzle plate, so that the second ink channel space and the first ink channel space are continuous through the nozzle holes.
US08132902B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a recording head including an introduction section, a discharge section and nozzles; a first liquid chamber connected to the introduction section; a second liquid chamber connected to the discharge section; a first buffer tank which is connected to the first liquid chamber and an interior of which is open to air; a second buffer tank which is connected to the second liquid chamber and an interior of which is open to air; and a pressure control device which sets target pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber in such a manner that a prescribed back pressure is applied to the liquid inside the nozzles of the recording head while a prescribed pressure differential is provided between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, and controls driving of the first pump and the second pump in accordance with determination results of the pressure determination device in such a manner that the internal pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber remain constant at the target pressures, wherein the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank are connected via a flow channel, and at least one of a filter and a deaeration device is provided in the flow channel.
US08132901B2 Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer includes: an ink recycling path that recycles ink; an ink head 1 that performs printing by discharging the recycled ink; an ink supplying port that supplies ink from the ink recycling path to the inside of the ink head while controlling the pressure; and an ink discharging port that discharges ink from the inside of the ink head to the ink recycling path while controlling the pressure. When moving from a standby state where the recycling of ink in the ink recycling path remains stopped to a printing preparing state, an amount of ink smaller than an ink recycling amount during the printing is recycled for a predetermined time. Thereby, leakage of the ink and the inhalation of air bubbles from the nozzle are prevented by suppressing the change in pressure of the nozzle, and ink having high viscosity, which is the cause of these defects, is also removed when the recycling of ink starts.
US08132892B2 Maintainable coplanar front face for silicon die array printhead
A full width array printhead is provided having a continuous maintainable printhead surface and method of forming the same. The printhead includes a substrate and an array of die modules mounted thereon with a front face of each die module exposed. A hardened fill material surrounds the array of die modules to define a continuous surface coplanar with the front face of the array of die modules.
US08132874B2 Server chassis rack rail with self-aligning, magnetic guide assembly for positioning servers in storage rack
A storage rack for supporting a server chassis in a storage cabinet. The storage rack includes vertical supports and outer rails attached to the vertical supports. The storage rack includes first and second middle rails supported by the first and second outer rails such that the middle rails may slide upon the outer rails. First and second inner rails slidably engage with the first and second outer rails and are typically attached the sides of the chassis. The storage rack further includes first and second magnetic guide assemblies that are each attached to an exposed end of one of the first and second inner rails. Each of the magnetic guide assemblies includes first and second magnetic alignment elements extending outward an alignment distance from the exposed end of the corresponding one of the inner rails such that magnetic forces assist both in initial alignment and in engagement.
US08132868B2 Hydraulic regenerative braking system for a vehicle
A hydraulic regenerative braking system and method for a vehicle include a variable displacement hydraulic machine operable as a pump or a motor (22). The hydraulic machine facilitates connections between some of its piston cylinders (50, 52) and a low pressure source (32), and some other of its piston cylinders (50, 52) and a high pressure source (28). The cylinders are alternately connected to the high and low pressure sources such that a pressure transition occurs during each piston stroke. By controlling where in a piston stroke the transitions occur, the power of the hydraulic machine can be modulated. The hydraulic machine is configured to effect the pressure transitions in only a portion of the cylinders at one time. This can be accomplished by asymmetrically configuring cam lobes (86, 88, 90) and fluid ports (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84). Staggering the pressure transitions helps to inhibit flow disturbances in the machine when it is operating at less than full displacement.
US08132859B2 Pneumatic seat device
A pneumatic seat device, in particular a pneumatic seat device for aircraft, includes at least one pneumatic unit and first and second computer units, whereby an advantageous division of tasks and/or functions within the pneumatic seat device among the individual computing units can be achieved. Primarily, it is thereby possible to obtain effective and fast data processing with use of the two computing units and, consequently, fast control and/or regulation of the pneumatic seat device.
US08132858B2 Vehicle seat with cushion plate
A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08132857B2 Vehicle seat with cushion plate
A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08132856B2 Seating furniture with media storage
An article of furniture for storing and powering electronic equipment including a seating area, at least one slidable drawer located under the seating area, and a power source located within the drawer.
US08132854B2 Motor vehicle having a windshield wiper cover
A motor vehicle with a windshield wiper cover for covering a region located in front of a windshield in the direction of travel. The windshield wiper cover contains at least two elements which can be connected to each other via a double interlocking connection, and can each be fixed to the motor vehicle body. One of the two elements is configured as a service flap and, by being opened, permits access to a component arranged there below without the other element of the windshield wiper cover also having to be removed for this purpose.
US08132849B2 Auxiliary door latch system
A door latch apparatus is described that is installable on a door of, for example, a camper, to make it easier for kids, small adults, those in wheelchairs and the like, who may have difficulty reaching a conventionally located door handle, to open the door from the outside. Kids or short adult will no longer need to climb up steps to open the door or ask an adult for assistance, and make it easier to gain access without walking up and down camper steps. The door latch apparatus includes a second exterior door latch mounted lower on the door which is linked to a first or upper door latch. Either latch can be used to open the door.
US08132848B1 Vehicle mounted brush for footwear
A cleaning system is attached to a door pocket of a vehicle and allows, via a spinning brush head, to clean the outer surfaces of a person's footwear prior to stepping into the vehicle. The system uses a brush that has a handle and a rotating brush head powered by a motor within the handle. The handle is attached, via a clip or similar system, to the door pocket. The motor is powered either via a battery within the handle or via the vehicle's battery and is controlled either via a switch on the handle or via the door depression switch that detects whether the door of the vehicle is open or closed, or both.
US08132845B2 Vehicle door structure
An outer door panel 2 defines a lower edge of a door window portion 8. An outer waist reinforcement 4 is disposed along the lower edge of the door window portion 8 on the inner side, in a vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2, and fixed onto the inner side surface, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2. A door beam 5 is disposed in a front-rear direction below the outer waist reinforcement 4, and fixed onto the inner side surface, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2. A mirror-support stay is disposed on the outer side, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2, and supports a mirror. A mirror mounting member 30 is fixed to a front end portion of the outer waist reinforcement 4 and a front end portion of the door beam 5 while straddling these two front end portions to connect the two, and supports a lower end of the mirror-support stay.
US08132842B2 Folding roof arrangement
A folding roof arrangement has a folding top covering (12) and a folding top structure (14). The folding top structure (14) has at least one roof frame (20) with a front area and at least one elastically deformable tensioning element (31-34). The folding top structure (14) can be folded or collapsed with or without the folding top covering (12), so that the tensioning element (31-34) is elastically deformed when folded.
US08132841B2 Convertible with a sunroof part
A convertible vehicle has a movable top with a sunroof part that is movable with respect to the surrounding top region. The sunroof part has a closed position and an open position, as well as an interference-preventing position and an intermediate position. The sunroof part is moved to the interference-preventing position during at least part of the movement of the top from the top closed position to the top open position and is moved to the intermediate position when in the top open position.
US08132837B2 Container transfer apparatus with automatic positioning compensation
An apparatus for transferring a specimen container from a departure support to a container which includes a gripper supporting frame and a container gripper selectively movable with respect to the frame between an upper position and lower position in which gripper fingers of the container gripper are able to catch a container in a departure support or to leave the container in a container carrier. The apparatus further includes a gripper blocking element movable between a work position, in which said gripper blocking element stops the movement of the container gripper towards the lower position in an intermediate position between the upper and lower positions, and a rest position in which the gripper blocking element allows the container gripper to reach the lower position sliding along the lateral surface of the container.
US08132834B2 Animal waste disposal tool
A tool for retrieving animal waste is effective in complete removal as it deploys at its end a row of tines that are inserted beneath the solid waste so that is can be lifted from the ground as the first step for proper disposal. The waste is then removed from the tines by a plate that pushes it off into a waste receptacle.
US08132823B2 Reconfigurable tilt wheelchair
A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair.
US08132819B2 Rolling container assembly with mount structure
A rolling container assembly includes a base container, wheels to provide rolling support, at least one removable container, and a container engaging region with an automatic lock interacting between the removable container and the container engaging region. The automatic lock is releasable so that the removable container can be released to enable the at least one removable container to be carried by its carrying handle and transported separately from the base container. The assembly has a lower drawer and an upper drawer, and a slide structure having a first portion mounted to the upper drawer and a second portion mounted to the lower drawer to facilitate movement of the drawers. The lower drawer and upper drawer are independently movable between their respective open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a central frame structure carrying a lock member that enables the upper drawer to be locked in the closed position.
US08132801B2 Positioning and clamping apparatus
A positioning and clamping apparatus clamps a panel material by moving a clamp arm to a clamping position while the panel material positioned by a locating pin is supported by a workpiece supporting face of a workpiece support. An extruding member having a plurality of extruding rods protruding from the workpiece supporting face is slidably provided in the workpiece support, and the panel material is detached from the locating pin since the extruding member causes a tip face of the extruding rods to be moved to a carry-out position by the hollow piston. The extruding member is caused to protrude by a spring force up to a standby position located between the carrying-out position and the workpiece supporting position, thereby being pushed down up to the workpiece supporting position by the panel material.
US08132800B2 Clamp apparatus
A lock mechanism includes a casing that is fixed to a side surface of a body, a handle disposed rotatably on the outside of the casing, and a transmission section, which is capable of transmitting a drive force applied by the handle. An end of a guide rod making up the transmission section is connected in a body surrounding groove of a piston rod disposed inside the body. In addition, by rotating the handle, the guide rod of the transmission section is displaced vertically (upward and downward), such that an arm is rotationally displaced through a toggle link mechanism by displacement of the piston rod along the axial direction.
US08132795B2 Bathroom sauna device
A bathroom sauna device having a heating device for heating air in a bathroom, a humidifying device for humidifying the air in the bathroom, and an airflow path for sending the air, which is adjusted in temperature and humidity by the heating device and humidifying device, to the bathroom. The temperature and humidity of the air in the bathroom are controlled by the heating device and humidifying device to a temperature and humidity immediately before which a human body starts sweating.
US08132790B2 Impact load deflector sleeve and removable collar assembly for cable and post protection
A guard system for protecting cables or posts from damage by falling rocks and other dynamic forces is provided. The guard assembly comprises a first sleeve rotatably positionable about one of the cables or the posts and a second sleeve rotatably positionable about the cable or the post. A removable collar assembly is positioned between the first sleeve and the second sleeve for maintaining the spacing between the first sleeve and the second sleeve with the removable collar assembly comprising a first removable collar and a second removable collar. The first removable collar has a first slot for receiving the cable or post and the second removable collar has a second slot for receiving the cable or post with the first slot extending from a perimeter of the first removable collar to a point past a center point of the first removable collar and the second slot extending from a perimeter of the second removable collar to a point past a center point of the second removable collar. The first sleeve is free from any overlap and connection with the removable collar assembly and the second sleeve is free from any overlap and connection with the removable collar assembly. The first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the removable collar assembly are independently rotatable from each other.
US08132788B2 Partition lifter
A wall partition lifter has a vertically extending support beam, a sleeve that is freely slidable therearound and has a ledge extending transversely outwardly from one side. An engagement protuberance extends transversely outwardly from a second side. The engagement protuberance engages and vertically supports the wall partition and may comprise a series of hooks adapted to engage complementary slots in the wall partition, and/or a foot plate for supporting a bottom surface of the wall partition. The support beam has a base with a lip that extends beyond one side thereof. An extension actuator such as a jack may be positioned on the lip and engage the underside of the ledge such that when the jack is extended, the sleeve extends vertically, elevating the wall partition. A plurality of bores in the support beam provide a locking mechanism together with a cotter pin to prevent the sleeve from descending beyond a desired elevation, even when the jack is retracted and/or removed.
US08132785B2 Shaft seal packing and shaft seal structure for valve
A shaft seal packing exhibits high sealability at the time of initial assembly and also exhibits, even after the packing is retightened, excellent sealability by an increased seal surface pressure obtained through an effect of pressing and by self-sealability obtained through an effect of fluid pressure. A shaft seal structure for a valve includes a body for a valve, a valve shaft, a valve disc disposed within the body so as to be rotatable or capable of ascending and descending, a valve shaft seal chamber having the valve shaft axially attached thereto, a shaft seal packing that is attached to the shaft seal chamber and comprises annular packing bodies stacked and substantially V-shaped in cross section, with stacked layer faces on the inner-diameter side of the packing bodies brought into tight contact with one another and stacked layer faces on the outer-diameter side of the packing bodies formed with prescribed gaps between the adjacent stacked layer faces. In the shaft seal structure for a valve, a tightening load on the packing bodies and fluid pressure are converted to a force in the diametrical direction owing to inclined angles of stacked layer faces on the inner-diameter side to attain a seal by a surface contact between the inner peripheral surface on the inner-diameter side and the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft on a sliding side, and a lip part on the outer-diameter side is pushed and spread owing to the gaps to attain a seal by a line contact with the shaft seal chamber on a fixed side.
US08132775B2 Solder mold plates used in packaging process and method of manufacturing solder mold plates
Solder mold plates and methods of manufacturing the solder mold plates are provided herein. The solder mold plates are used in controlled collapse chip connection processes. The solder mold plate includes a plurality of cavities. At least one cavity of the plurality of cavities has a different volume than another of the cavities in a particular chip set site. The method of manufacturing the solder mold plate includes determining susceptible white bump locations on a chip set. The method further includes forming lower volume cavities on the solder mold plate which coincide with the susceptible white bump locations, and forming higher volume cavities on the solder mold plate which coincide with less susceptible white bump locations.
US08132771B2 Portable spacing member
During shipping, it is not uncommon to have loads shift in transit. To help alleviate this problem, a portable bulkhead or spacing system is provided. The system is nestable for easy storage, lightweight, durable, and cost effective. The combination of these factors, thus, allows for shipping efficiencies to drastically increase so that products can be effectively shipped resulting in an overall lower cost to the consumer and generating an advantage over competition.
US08132766B2 Structrure having a mounting means
In order to provide a structure for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface for example of glass, glazed tiles or metal, the structure has a mounting means comprising: suction means (1) for sealingly contacting a surface, pulling means (2) being attached to the suction means (1) for drawing a part of the suction means (1) away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means (1) and the surface. There is a substantially helical or wedge shaped surface on the pulling means (2) engaged with a corresponding substantially helical or wedge shaped surface of a rotatable member (13), whereby rotation of the rotatable member (13) draws the pulling means (2) and respective part of the suction means (1) away from the surface. An intermediate member (5) is provided for engaging a sealing part of the suction means (1), the intermediate member (5) supporting the rotatable member (13). The structure comprises a structural member (10) mounted in or on the intermediate member (5), so that the structural member (10) is not gripped by the intermediate member (5) or rotatable member (13). At least part of the rotatable member extends beyond a part of the intermediate member which is adjacent to the rotatable member. There is a friction reducing member (11) between the rotatable member and the intermediate member. A clip means, possibly also acting as a friction reducing member (11), can be provided for holding the structural member 18 temporarily in position on the intermediate member 5 during assembly.
US08132764B2 Quick-release adjustable mounting bracket
A quick-release adjustable mounting bracket to be detachably connected to, for example, a handlebar of a bicycle to permit, for example, a bright flashing light source to be attached to and removed from the handlebar without the use of tools so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use. The mounting bracket includes a grip to engage a portion of the handlebar and a light stand pivotally coupled to the grip. The light source is removably received by the light stand so that the light stand and the light source received thereby are rotatable relative to the grip. The grip includes a hook-shaped locking catch, a coupling cavity within which a plurality of spaced, parallel-aligned coupling pin retaining slots are formed, and a flexible clamping band. A locking latch pivotally coupled to a first end of the flexible clamping band is pulled towards and rotated into locking engagement with the locking catch. The flexible clamping band is adapted to be bent over the locking bar, whereby a coupling pin carried by the opposite end of the clamping band is releasably connected to one of the plurality of coupling pin retaining slots in the grip depending upon the size (e.g., diameter) of the handlebar to which the mounting bracket is to be detachably connected.
US08132763B2 Aircraft highlift system
The present invention relates to an aircraft high-lift system with at least one drive unit for operating the high-lift systems of the half wings (half-wing systems) and with at least one overload protection to avoid undesirably high operating torques in the half-wing systems, wherein the overload protection includes a comparator, by means of which the instantaneous values of the operating torques of the half-wing systems are compared and/or a condition caused by the difference of the operating torques is detected, and a limiter connected with the comparator, by means of which the drive unit is blocked, shut down or deactivated, and/or the torque of the drive unit is dissipated into the aircraft structure, when the difference of the operating torques determined in the comparator exceeds a limit value.
US08132759B2 System and method for facilitating aerial refueling
A refueling system and method for use with a refueling tanker aircraft. The system and method involves the use of a camera system to provide imaging information concerning a receiver aircraft to the processor. The processor uses the imaging information to derive closure rate and distance information for the receiver aircraft as it approaches a refueling envelope prior to contact with a refueling boom. The processor also makes use of information from a look-up table to generate commands that are tailored to the specific type of aircraft being refueled. The commands are applied to a pilot's director lights display that generates visual commands or signals (e.g., “UP”, “DOWN”, “LEFT”, “RIGHT”) that assist the pilot of the receiver aircraft in guiding his/her aircraft toward and into the refueling envelope at a desired closure rate. The system and method eliminates potential error in the pre-contact phase of a refueling operation by eliminating judgment decisions by a boom operator when generating the commands for the pilot's director lights display.
US08132757B2 Pitch-oscillation limitation system applied to an aircraft
A pitch-oscillation limitation system, applied to an aircraft having main landing gear located toward the center of the aircraft and forward landing gear located under the nose of the aircraft, wherein the system includes means for automatically applying, in the event of sudden braking, time-deferred braking between the wheels of the landing gear under the wings and the wheels of the landing gear under the fuselage, so as to reduce the amplitude of the aircraft's pitching motion.
US08132735B2 Recording medium and apparatus for holding the same
An apparatus for holding a recording medium that contains an engagement member backwards with respect to an insert direction thereof has a main body containing an insert portion through which the recording medium is inserted on one end thereof and an eject portion on the other end thereof. The inserted recording medium are ejected from the eject portion with it being linked with an insert of the recording medium from the insert portion. The apparatus has a first engagement device that engages the engagement member of the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted by a predetermined position to hold the inserted recording medium. The apparatus has a second engagement device that engages the engagement member of the recording medium when the recording medium is ejected from the ejection portion to hold the ejected recording medium.
US08132733B2 Light-activated assistive reading device for visually impaired individuals
An assistive reading device for visually impaired users comprises a sheet-like member containing a photo-active material. The sheet-like member responds to light patterns representing data from a patterned light source to form tactile shapes on its surface. The visually impaired user obtains information by touching the tactile shapes. Preferably, the photo-active material is a layer of cross linked azobenzene liquid-crystalline polymers. The assistive reading device preferably is an output device for a computer.
US08132731B2 Digital image capture and processing system having a printed circuit (PC) board with a light transmission aperture, wherein an image detection array is mounted on the rear side of said PC board, and a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDS) is mounted on the front surface of said PC board, and aligned with an illumination-focusing lens structure integrated within said imaging window
A digital image capture and processing system includes a housing having an imaging window with an illumination-focusing lens structure integrated therewithin. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the housing and has a front surface, a rear surface, and a light transmission aperture spatially aligned with the imaging window. An area-type image detection array is mounted on the rear surface of the PC board. A linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is mounted on the front surface of the PC board, adjacent the light transmission aperture and aligned with the illumination-focusing lens structure. The LEDs produce a plurality of illumination beams which are transmitted through the illumination-focusing lens structure to generate a field of illumination that is projected within the FOV of the system. Illumination reflected and/or scattered off an object within the FOV is retransmitted through the imaging window and the light transmission aperture, and detected by the area-type image detection array.
US08132728B2 Parcel dimensioning measurement system and method
A parcel dimension measurement system includes image sensors oriented to image a parcel, an imaging subsystem configured to stitch together outputs of the image sensors to produce at least one two-dimensional image comprised of a plurality of pixels, and a general dimension subsystem including general parcel dimension information. A fine dimensioning subsystem is configured to determine dimension measurements of the parcel using the at least one two-dimensional image and the general parcel dimension information.
US08132724B2 Vehicle unit, vehicle system and program for same
A portable terminal receives a settlement record information instruction from a user for reading settlement record information, and requests a vehicle unit for an output of corresponding information represented by the user instruction. The vehicle unit then reads the corresponding settlement record information from among all information readable by the portable terminal, and transmits the information to the portable terminal. The settlement record information becomes therefore more accessible for the user without compromising privacy.
US08132719B2 Prepaid payment device admission ticketing
A prepaid payment device is used to by a consumer as a ticket to a future performance event as well as to conduct a transaction with a merchant. The consumer operates a user interface of a kiosk to select admission to the future performance event and a monetary amount to be added thereto. Payment is submitted to the kiosk for both the admission price and the monetary amount. The prepaid payment device is associated with an account that is credited with the payment. Stored on the prepaid payment device is information which includes the associated account and authorization for admission to the selected future performance event. The payment credited to the account can be for both the transaction with the merchant offering admission to the future performance event and also for an additional transaction with another merchant who may be at the venue of the future performance event.
US08132715B2 Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.
US08132714B2 Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.
US08132705B2 Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display
A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
US08132704B2 Surgical device
A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first jaw, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, a ball bearing disposed within the channel.
US08132700B2 Bicycle accessory mounting system
An accessory mounting system having a body for being removably engaged with a supporting structure. The body includes a pliable strap for securing the body to a variety of profiles. An operator is connected to the body and configured to engage the strap such that a portion of the strap removably engages the body. A cap portion is rotatably connected to the body and is configured to removably engage an accessory. Another operator interacts with the accessory such that the accessory can be selectively secured to the supporting structure.
US08132696B2 Metering dispensing system with one-piece pump assembly
A liquid dispensing device includes a storage container having an opening and dome pump assembly attached thereto substantially over the opening for metered dispensing. The dome pump assembly is integrally formed with a dome button, top portion extension and valve to facilitate manufacture and reduce costs of the pump while improving performance thereof. The valve is employed to pull liquid from the storage container into the dome for metering. An exit passageway formed from the extension and container wall serves as an output valve. The user squeezes the dome and the opposite side of the container pouch concurrently to seal the flapper valve to urge liquid out through the exit passageway for actual dispensing.
US08132688B2 Method and apparatus for soaking and draining wood chips or chunks
An apparatus for soaking wood chips or chunks in a liquid and draining the liquid from the wood chips or chunks includes at least a container and a lid. The container includes a sidewall and a bottom surface. The bottom surface and at least a portion of the sidewall are contiguous for containing a liquid therein and for holding the wood chips or chunks within the liquid. The lid has at least one aperture and may be removably coupled to the container. The method places the wood chips or chunks into the apparatus, places all or part of the apparatus into a soaking medium or otherwise fills the apparatus with a soaking medium, soaks the wood chips or chunks, drains the soaking medium from the apparatus, and then positions the wood chips or chunks in a useful position for cooking either with further manipulation or by placement of the entire apparatus in the cooking area.
US08132686B2 Collapsible liquid tank
A collapsible liquid storage tank for use in a freight container for selectively carrying solid freight and bulk liquid freight includes a substantially rigid gantry having a plurality of support posts, a first frame, a second frame suspended from the gantry, a substantially inelastic flexible fabric container having sidewalls connected between the first frame and the second frame, a water impermeable elastic bladder disposed within the fabric container, and a hoist coupled between the gantry and the second frame for lifting the second frame towards the first frame.
US08132679B2 Convertible card row
When displayed, greeting cards are typically organized on a display fixture having multiple rows or levels upon which to sit the cards. Each row then has a front wall to hold in the card, yet is short enough to still view a portion of the greeting card above the wall. Because display fixtures are manufactured to have a specified amount of rows or levels at a specified depth, in order to adjust the specifications of a display fixture, other pieces may be used, for example, by attaching to the display fixture a convertible row to add another level or tier between set rows of the display fixture. By providing another row using a convertible row, another set of greeting cards may be displayed between cards displayed on other rows of the original display fixture, increasing the density of the overall display. Further, when an extra row is not desired, such a convertible row may be pushed flush against the back of the display fixture, while still attached, allowing the full depth of the row of the display fixture to be used.
US08132673B1 Method and apparatus for retention of small components on adhesive backed carrier tape
An improved continuous adhesive backed carrier tape which eliminates the need for a lift pin to assist in removing components from the compartments in the carrier tape within which the components are adhesively retained. The improvements are achieved by utilizing a strip of continuous length containing a low tack adhesive coating within the central portion of the plastic strip located to underlie the entire bottom of each carrier tape compartment when the strip is affixed there to by either aggressive adhesive rails or by mechanical means, such as ultra sonic bonding. The unique feature is to affix low tack adhesive means underneath the compartment area of the carrier tape, sufficient to retain small, lightweight components yet an adhesion level that is low enough to enable the component to be removed using conventional vacuum pick tools without lift pin assistance.
US08132671B2 Blister card for child-resistant package
A slide card (10) for use with a sleeve of a unit dose packaging system, comprises a base panel (40) adapted for receiving unit doses of a medicament (90), a locking panel (20) joined by a hinge (30) to the base panel (40) and fold-resisting mechanism (30), (70), (80) for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between the base panel (40) and the locking panel (20) when folded over with respect to one another so as to promote engagement of the locking panel (20) with at least one locking element of the sleeve, thereby inhibiting undesired removal of the base panel (40) from the sleeve when the base panel (40) is attempted to be withdrawn from the sleeve.
US08132657B2 Torque limited decoupler
A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.
US08132653B2 Controlling elevator door orientation during door movement
An elevator door assembly (20) includes a positioner (30) for controlling an orientation of an elevator door panel (22) during movement between open and closed positions. The positioner (30) biases the door in a direction generally perpendicular to the desired direction of door movement. The disclosed example includes a first positioner member (32) that remains in a fixed position. A second positioner member (34) is supported for movement with the elevator door (22). In disclosed examples, at least one of the positioner members (32, 34) provides a magnetic field that results in the biasing force. In a disclosed example, opposing polarities on permanent magnets are arranged to provide a repulsive force between the positioner members (32, 34), which provides the biasing force on the elevator door.
US08132639B2 Nozzle actuated system for disabling a vehicle
A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a substance in a storage tank includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving a nozzle in fluidic connection to the storage tank when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable the at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.
US08132632B2 Method for recovering valuable drilling mud materials using a binary fluid
This invention relates to a system and process for recovering and recycling valuable target recycle materials such lost circulation material and weighting agents from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon drilling operations. The system and process includes use of a binary fluid that is separate from the drilling fluid and has a designed density that allows separation of the valuable target recycle materials from drill cuttings. The solids are separated from the drilling fluid in a primary separation step and then mixed with the binary fluid in a density separation or enhanced mass separation device. The binary fluid density allows the separation device to distinguish the target recycle material from drilling solids and recycles the target material to the drilling operations for re-use in drilling fluid. The binary fluid is recovered and refreshed to maintain a generally continuous process of targeted recycling.
US08132620B2 Triangle air injection and ignition extraction method and system
The present invention is a process for recovering oil from an underground oil-containing reservoir. The process includes providing one or more injection wells for injecting a gaseous fluid (steam and air) into the reservoir, the one or more injection wells having a plurality of generally horizontal injector legs, the injector legs positioned within a first depth region in the reservoir. The process further includes providing one or more extraction wells for recovering oil from the reservoir, the one or more extraction wells having plurality of generally horizontal extractor legs, the extractor legs positioned within a second depth region in the reservoir below the first depth region and spaced between the injector legs. Gaseous fluid, typically steam, is injected through the injector legs for a first period of time; and then air is injected through at least one of the injector legs. Alternative embodiments of the invention are also described.
US08132608B2 Die bonding apparatus
A die bonding apparatus cooperates to a die and a substrate having a die bonding surface. The die bonding apparatus includes a carrier, a die ejecting mechanism and a substrate holding mechanism. The carrier carries the die. The die ejecting mechanism has at least one ejecting unit. The substrate holding mechanism holds the substrate and is disposed opposite to the die ejecting mechanism. The substrate and the carrier move relatively to each other in two dimensions on a plane parallel to the die-bonding surface. The carrier is located between the die ejecting mechanism and the substrate. The ejecting unit pushes against the carrier for transferring the die on the carrier onto the die bonding surface of the substrate.
US08132588B1 Valve
A valve for use between a first fluid side and a second fluid side is disclosed herein. The valve comprises a pair of subassemblies, each one slidable between a closed position and an open position. Each subassembly comprises a first component comprising a first component main body, a first component first end and a first component second end opposite the first component first end. A first component first extension is formed on each first component first end, the first component first extension comprising a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first component main body. Hydraulic pressure causes one subassembly to slide to its closed position, and causes it to engage the second subassembly, sliding the second subassembly to its open position.
US08132587B2 Apparatus and method for introducing air into a hydropneumatic reservoir
Apparatus for introducing air (3) into a hydropneumatic reservoir (1) connected to pipework (2) comprising a sensor (6) of the pressure in the reservoir, a valve (9) controlled by a signal from the sensor and opening into the open air on one side, a tube (8) connected at one end to the valve and at the opposite end to the pipework (2), a first check valve (11) arranged in the tube to prevent liquid from travelling towards the open air, and a second check valve (5) arranged in the pipework between the reservoir (1) and the tube (8), the second check valve (5) being in the closed state when the pressure in the pipework (2) on the side nearest the tube (8) is less than the pressure in the reservoir (1).
US08132583B2 Method of forming a raintrough for a recreational vehicle awning
A raintrough support clip includes a generally cylindrical main body made from an elastically resilient material, and having a circumferential gap to facilitate mounting of the main body around the awning reel of a recreation vehicle awning assembly of the type having a flexible valance sheet extending downward from the outer edge of the awning reel. The raintrough support clip also has an outrigger member extending outwardly from a lower region of the main body, with an upturned portion forming a generally U-shaped space between the outrigger and the main body. When a suitable number of the raintrough support clips are mounted along the length of the awning reel, the valance sheet may be readily deformed to form a rainwater drainage trough for receiving runoff from the awning. The drainage trough thus formed will carry runoff to one or both ends of the awning reel, thereby preventing the runoff from falling over the awning reel and forming a runoff curtain therebelow.
US08132582B2 Umbrella with two belts
An umbrella having a telescopic shaft having one end carrying a handle and an opposite end carrying a canopy is held in a harness having upper and lower belts fittable on a user. The handle is secured to the lower belt. A strap around the upper belt carries a clip having a base plate and a counter plate flanking the strap, a pivot pin passing through the strap between the base plate and counter plate, and four fingers projecting from the base plate and releasably gripping the umbrella shaft.
US08132581B2 Method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic
This invention discloses a method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic waves. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitting device for transmitting the ultrasonic of a predetermined power and transmitting frequency to the sedimentation device, a carrying device positioned inside or outside of the water treatment system for moving the ultrasonic transmitting device over the sedimentation device. The carrying device may include an operation track, a moving car body erected over the operation track, a driving device, and a car body position detection and control device. The effects of the invention are greatly better than that of manual washing with high pressure water. The consumption of water, treatment reagents and manpower can be decreased, thereby decreasing effectively the cost of water production.
US08132566B2 Vas deferens vasectomy capping device
A medical device is provided which forms a physical barrier between the two ends of a cut vas during a vasectomy procedure, comprising a biodegradable, polymeric cap that is applied over at least one prostatic end of the vas, the cap including a fastener for preventing premature dislodgement.
US08132551B2 Switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine
A switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine is proposed, with an external lever that encloses an internal lever with its arms, of which components, that can deviate from each other flexibly, run on an axis that is attached to a valve side end, and the internal lever on an underside on the valve side end possesses a mechanism for a gas exchange valve as well as a complementary surface at the other end for storage on a head of a support element. A special characteristic is that guidance plates for the gas exchange valve come out from the underside of the external lever. That way, the switchable cam follower can be made narrower at least on the valve side. In addition, development of the mechanism for the gas exchange valve on the internal lever is simplified.
US08132550B2 Roller bearing, camshaft support structure, and internal combustion engine
A needle roller bearing (21) as a roller bearing comprises an outer ring (22) formed by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped outer ring members in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of needle rollers (23) arranged along the inner diameter surface of the outer ring (22), and an oil groove (22i) extending in a circumferential direction so as to contain a position opposed to an opening (13e) of an oil path of a housing is formed in the outer diameter surface of the outer ring member.
US08132538B1 System and method for gestation of sows in large pen gestation facilities
A sow management system makes use of separate Trickle Feeding and loafing areas separated by a one way gate or gates to establish a general continuous flow of sows through an interrogator apparatus where an RFID tag for each sow is read to determine if such sow should be returned to the general Trickle Feeding area or at least two other possible areas through automatic gating controlled by computer means sensitive to RFID tagging of the sows.
US08132537B2 Multi-compartment pet training system
A multi-compartment pet training system includes a front compartment joined to a rear compartment to define a passage therebetween such that the pet may move freely between the front compartment and the rear compartment. The front compartment includes a front door for ingress and egress of the pet between a surrounding area and the front compartment. The front compartment provides an area in which the pet may eat, drink and sleep. The rear compartment is configured to allow the pet to carry out urinary and/or fecal elimination while its owner is away. As such, the pet may be trained to utilize the rear compartment for carrying out waste elimination activities while utilizing the front compartment for all other activities.
US08132533B2 Overflow device for water tank
An aquarium overflow device capable of preventing adverse effects by suction noise of an overflow pipe. The aquarium overflow device according to the present invention is equipped with a water storing portion 52 for storing water W in an aquarium, an overflow pipe 54 extended upwardly in the water storing portion 52 and having an upper end opening for introducing the water W stored in the water storing portion 52 and a lower end opening for discharging the water which is open to a bottom wall side of the water storing portion 52, and a sound preventing cover 47 provided in the water storing portion 52 so as to cover the entire region of the above-water portion of the overflow pipe 54.
US08132531B1 Animal water dispenser
An animal water dispenser according to the present invention includes a base having a base bottom, base walls extending from said base bottom and a base interior defined by said base bottom and base walls. A water valve cover is provided in said base interior. An inlet nipple is carried by said base. A fill valve is provided in said water valve cover. The fill valve has a water conduit communicating with the inlet nipple, a valve communicating with the water conduit, a float slidably carried by the water conduit and a float rod connecting the float to the valve for opening and closing the valve responsive to displacement of the float on the water conduit. A dispensing spout is provided in fluid communication with the valve of the fill valve, and a drain pipe is provided in fluid communication with the base interior.
US08132530B2 Milking device
The invention refers to a milking device for milking an animal during a milking operation. A milking member (5) includes at least one teatcup (6) to be attached to a teat of the animal. A long milk conduit (10) extends from the milking member for being connected to a milking machine. A support device (15) comprises a mounting device (16) mounted to a stationary structure (2), and a support arm (17a) in parallel to an arm axis and connected to the mounting device. The milking member is freely movable along the support arm. The milking member is attached to the support arm and displaceable on the support arm. The support arm includes a primary arm element (17a′) connected to the mounting device and a secondary arm element (17a″) holding the milking member. The primary arm element is telescopically introduceable into the secondary arm element, which is displaceable on the primary arm element.
US08132523B2 Portable, single-person pontoon boat, kit and method
The portable, single-person pontoon boat includes a hull having a deck and at least one sidewall. The hull defines an open interior region. At least one laterally extending, elongated frame member having opposed first and second hollow ends is fixed to the bottom of the hull. First and second pontoon floats are further provided, along with at least one pair of spars. A distal end of each of the spars is releasably secured to a respective one of the first and second pontoon floats. A proximal end of each of the spars is slidably received within a respective one of the first and second ends of the at least one laterally extending, elongated frame member and releasably fastened thereto.
US08132519B2 Interlocking, interchangeable support base system
A support system comprises a hub comprising a channel, a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel, and a washer that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel, wherein a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection therebetween when the hub, the leg, and the washer are connected together. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprises inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween, connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel, and exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub.
US08132505B2 Imprint apparatus and imprint method
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus transferring a surface structure of a stamper to material to be patterned by allowing the stamper come in contact with the material to be patterned. The imprint apparatus includes a holding means that holds the material to be patterned and the stamper with a distance therebetween, a pressure reduction means that reduces pressure of a chamber in which the material to be patterned and the stamper are placed, and an alignment means that aligns the stamper with the material to be patterned.
US08132502B2 Cutting device for block-shaped food
The present invention relates to a cutting device for block-shaped food, comprises a container main body, a tube-shaped cutting mechanism having a grinding plate, an extruding mechanism composed by a screw rod and an extruding sheet, and a sealing cover connected to the top end of the container main body. An accommodating chamber having a polygonal cross section shape provided inside the container main body is served to accommodate block-shaped food; the tube-shaped cutting mechanism is connected to the bottom end of the container main body so the grinding plate thereof is provided adjacent to an opening at the bottom end of the container main body, and the bottom end and the top end of the screw rod are respectively fastened and pivotally connected to the grinding plate and the sealing cover, and the screw rod is screw-fitted with the extruding sheet in the accommodating chamber; when a relative movement is generated between the container main body and the cutting mechanism, the extruding sheet is downwardly moved along the screw rod, so the food is pressed toward the grinding plate and the food is cut to a power, strip or thin-sheet status; when the extruding sheet is upwardly moved along the screw rod and the resilient buckling member is buckled on the buckling flange provided inside the sealing cover, when the sealing cover is separated from the top end of the container main body, the extruding sheet is also separated from the screw rod, so block-shaped food is able to be refilled.
US08132479B2 Screw device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a screw device capable of preventing occurrence of any elevation change at a joint between a ball return path of a circulation member and a loaded ball rolling groove of a nut.The circulation member 12 has end parts 14 and 15 each of which the periphery includes a rolling groove connecting part 22 positioned to the side of a loaded ball rolling groove 11a of a nut 11 and connected to the loaded ball rolling groove 11a of the nut 11 and a scooping part 23 positioned to the side of a ball rolling groove of a screw shaft 1 and scoops up balls 3 from a loaded ball rolling path. The rolling groove connecting part 22 of each of the end parts 14 and 15 is made of resin and formed integral with the nut 11.
US08132475B2 Method of and apparatus for measuring strip planarity
A tensioned metal strip over an apparatus for measuring tension that only has a roller rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface engaged generally tangentially by the strip, a radially shiftable tension-measuring bar set in the roller, extending generally only angularly of the axis so as to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller surface. Sensors between the bar and the roller for measuring radial deflection of the bar. The apparatus, when used to determine planarity, further has a planarity-measuring bar also set in the roller, extending at an acute angle to and across a respective plane perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller outer surface. Other sensors between the planarity-measuring and the roller measure radial deflection of the planarity-measuring bar.
US08132473B2 Gobo wheel location drive
A gobo wheel with automatic detection system that automatically detects a rotational position of the gobo. The rotational position can be detected by a magnetic marking system. Each of the gobos can be randomly placed within the holder. The position of the gobos can be automatically determined during a start up routine for example, and then those positions can be stored and used for later determination of a position.
US08132469B2 Ultrasonic flow meter with transducer assembly having a rotatable receptacle and elbow connector
An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline. In an embodiment, the flow meter comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending to the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port. The transducer assembly comprises a piezoelectric capsule including a piezoelectric element. Further, the transducer assembly comprises a transformer capsule including a transformer. The transformer capsule is coupled to the piezoelectric capsule. Still further, the transducer assembly comprises a receptacle capsule coupled to the transformer capsule. The receptacle capsule includes a receptacle housing and a receptacle coaxially disposed within the receptacle housing. The receptacle is electrically coupled to the transformer. Moreover, the receptacle is rotatable relative to the receptacle housing between a first position and a second position.
US08132456B2 Fuel level indicator for riding lawn equipment
A fuel level indicator for riding lawn equipment with a fuel tank pivotably mounted under the operator seat. A fuel level indicator arm is pivotably mounted under the fuel tank and has a first end contacting the fuel tank and a second end extending through an opening in front of the operator seat. A scale on the opening indicates the fuel level corresponding to the location of the second end of the fuel level indicator arm. A pair of tension springs are attached to the fuel tank and partially support the fuel tank.
US08132448B2 Steam turbine test facility, low-load test method, and load dump test method
A steam turbine test facility 1 includes a test steam turbine 2 which simulates the behavior of a real steam turbines 11 included in the steam turbine plant 10, and a motor-generator 4 connected to the test steam turbine 2. A control unit 5 included in the motor-generator 4 controls the motor-generator 4 to change the rotational speed of the test steam turbine 2 based on an arbitrarily set speed change pattern. The speed change pattern is set such that the test steam turbine 2 in the load disconnection state simulates a time-profile of the rotational speed of the steam turbines 11 with the load disconnected.
US08132442B2 Compressible ceramic seal
A stack of substantially parallel ceramic plates (22) separated and interconnected by ceramic spacers (26, 27) forming a seal structure (20) with a length (L), a width (W), and a thickness (T). The spacers are narrower in width than the plates, and may be laterally offset from spacers in adjacent rows to form a space (28) in a row that aligns with a spacer in another adjacent row. An adjacent plate bends into the space when the seal structure is compressed in thickness. The spacers may have gaps (60, 62) forming a stepped or labyrinthine cooling flow path (66) within the seal structure. The spacers of each row may vary in lateral separation, thus providing a range of compressibility that varies along the width of the seal structure.
US08132440B2 Roll bending device
The invention relates to a roll bending device for the control of profile and flatness in the rolling of metal plates or strips. In particular the invention relates to the well known principle of roll bending by using hydraulic cylinders to modify the load distribution between rolls of a rolling mill stand and a rolled stock e.g. a metal plate or a strip in order to control the profile and flatness of the metal plate or strip. A special design to allow safe roll bending even at large roll gauges is presented. The new design allows safe operation even at large roll gauges and high side loads.
US08132437B1 Bicycle lock
A bicycle lock comprises a handlebar union connecting a handlebar with a bicycle frame and having an insert hole; a lock mechanism built in the handlebar union and manipulated to have a lock state or an unlock state; and a cable with one end thereof connected with the handlebar union and another end thereof having a bolt. The cable can be wound around a fixed object. The bolt can be inserted into the insert hole and manipulated to a lock state via the lock mechanism to make the bolt neither disengage from the insert hole nor separate from the handlebar union.
US08132433B2 Protective device for concealing a zipper pull
The present invention is directed to a protective device for a fastener located on an article. The protective device includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior space sufficient to surround at least a portion of a fastener. The body also includes an aperture which may be moved to an open position by squeezing or moving a portion of the body, and moved to a closed position by releasing a portion of the body. The device protects the interior walls of a washing or drying machine during washing or drying of the article.
US08132408B2 Annular intercooler having curved fins
An air-to-fluid intercooler is disclosed. The air-to-fluid intercooler may include a core assembly including an outer circumference and an inner circumference, at least one annular tube body configured to direct flow of a cooling fluid within the core assembly, and at least one curved fin coupled to an exterior surface of the at least one annular tube body and configured to direct a flow of charge air through the core assembly.
US08132405B2 Exhaust emission purifying apparatus for engine
An exhaust emission purifying apparatus for an engine, which is provided with: an electric pump sucking and supplying a liquid reducing agent by pumping out of a reducing agent tank; a flow control valve controlling flow rate of the liquid reducing agent; and an injection nozzle injection-supplying the liquid reducing agent with the controlled flow rate, to an exhaust emission upstream of NOx reduction catalytic converter. At the engine starting, a highly pressurized air is urged to reversely flow to a reducing agent supply system upstream of the flow control valve. Then it is determined whether or not the reducing agent supply system brings about clogging based on a pressure change produced by the reverse flow. When a number of frequency at which it is consecutively determined as occurrence of clogging reaches a predetermined number or more, it is determined that the clogging is serious, which is unable to be readily mended.
US08132402B2 Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, an NOx selective reduction catalyst is arranged in the engine exhaust passage, and a urea aqueous solution feed valve is arranged in the engine exhaust passage upstream of the NOx selective reduction catalyst. Based on the detections results of an NOx purification rate detecting means for detecting the NOx purification rate by the NOx selective reduction catalyst, a urea aqueous solution feed amount detecting means for detecting the amount of feed of the urea aqueous solution, and a urea aqueous solution concentration detecting means for detecting the concentration of the urea aqueous solution, abnormalities in the NOx selective reduction catalyst, urea aqueous solution feed system, and urea aqueous solution are judged.
US08132401B2 Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine wherein an SOx trap catalyst (12), an NOx storage catalyst (14), and a fuel addition valve (15) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. When making the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storage catalyst (14) the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or rich so as to make the NOx storage catalyst (14) release NOx, additional fuel is supplied into the combustion chamber (2) and fuel is added from the fuel addition valve (15). At this time, the amount of additional fuel to the combustion chamber (2) is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the combustion chamber (2) becomes the smallest in the range where the SOx trap catalyst (12) does not release SOx.
US08132400B2 Controlled air-fuel ratio modulation during catalyst warm up based on universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor input
An emissions control system for a vehicle configured to travel on a road is provided. In one example, a forced modulation of a UEGO is provided when output of a HEGO sensor is unavailable. The system may improve catalyst efficiency
US08132399B2 Reflective pulse rotary engine
A rotary engine includes a rotor having one or more combustion chambers connected to an exhaust passageway extending radially outward from the combustion chamber to an exhaust port adjacent a peripheral edge of the rotor. The exhaust gas is expelled at an angle to thereby generate cause the rotor to rotate. The housing may include reflective surfaces that reflect shockwaves from the exhaust gas back towards vanes on the rotor to thereby capture additional energy from the exhaust gas. The housing may also include stators that capture additional energy from the exhaust gas and rotate the rotor. An intake port fluidly connected to the combustion chamber is aligned with an opening in the housing as the rotor rotates to thereby allow comprised air to flow into the combustion chamber. As the combustion chamber rotates, it is closed off by a closed portion of the housing, fuel is injected, and ignited, to thereby generate exhaust gases and generate power. The engine does not include reciprocating components, and relatively few moving parts are required.
US08132398B2 Apparatus and method of operating a gas turbine engine at start-up
A method of operating a gas turbine engine having a turbine and a compressor connected via a shaft, a main fuel supply line for supplying fuel to a combustor that is positioned to release expanding hot gases to the turbine, the engine further including a starter/generator connected to the shaft via a gearbox assembly, the method is characterised the step of during engine start up fuel is circulated in a re-circulating fuel circuit positioned on the main fuel supply line and which has a first fuel/oil heat exchanger, for cooling the oil, and a fuel accumulator.
US08132396B2 Shutter mechanism for a lawnmower
A lawnmower capable of being switched between a bagging mode and a mulching mode is disclosed. The lawnmower includes a shutter mechanism provided on an internal peripheral surface of a housing which opens downward for storing a cutting blade. The shutter mechanism is switched, by the operation of the shutter mechanism, between a bagging mode for delivering cut grass from the housing to a cut grass storage container and a mulching mode for discharging the cut grass out below the housing. The shutter mechanism has a kicker on a shutter body positioned in the interior of the housing. The kicker guides the cut grass to the bottom of the housing during the mulching mode.
US08132391B2 Thin mirror with truss backing and mounting arrangement therefor
A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements.
US08132386B2 Use of a window glass comprising a profiled bead for installing it in an opening
A window glass, particularly for installation by adhesive bonding in an opening of a vehicle bodywork, comprises a sheet of glass with a profiled bead that is fixed at least to the main surface of the sheet of glass facing toward the interior in the installed state and that rests against at least part of the opening. The use of such a window glass makes it possible, once the window glass has been installed in the bodywork opening, to obtain a visible space less than 5 mm between the opening and the edge face of the window glass.
US08132383B1 Clip for attaching to column or beam
A metal clip is provided for facilitating the attachment of metal strips and wallboard to columns and beams. The metal clip includes a base section and a spring retainer extending from the base section. A portion of a column or beam, such as flange, can be inserted between the spring retainer and the base section and the spring retainer will exert sufficient force on the column or beam to hold the metal clip in place. A pair of foldout clips is formed on exterior surfaces of the metal clip for receiving and holding angle strips. Wallboard can be secured exteriorly of the metal clips and angle strips by screws that extend through the wallboard, through the angle strips and into the respective metal clips.
US08132381B2 Flangeless insulation product for compression fitting into insulation cavities
A system provides insulation products for a plurality of insulation wall cavities in buildings, where a substantial portion of the insulation wall cavities have a known nominal width. The system includes providing flangeless insulation products having a blanket of fibrous insulation material and having a facing material with a width substantially equal to the width of the insulation blanket, with the width of the insulation blanket and the width of the facing material being greater than the nominal width of the plurality of insulation cavities. The increased width of the facing material improves the seal of the facing material when the insulation product is placed within insulation wall cavities of the known nominal width in comparison to the seal provided by flanged insulation products applied with inset stapling to the same insulation wall cavities.
US08132377B2 Floor coverings with wooden floors on a substrate, method for the covering of a substrate and use of studded plates
It is disclosed a floor covering on a substrate with wooden floors, a method for covering a substrate with a wooden floor, and the use of a studded plate for covering of a substrate with a wooden floor, wherein: a substrate is covered with a bonding adhesive, the substrate and bonding adhesive is covered with studded plates, the studded plates covered with an adhesive on which a wooden floor is fixed.
US08132371B2 Modular furniture system
A connector connecting different components of furniture is disclosed. The connector has a frame and an insert connected to the frame. The insert has a body, at least one prong attached to the body and at least one release mechanism attached to the body. The one or more prongs are sized and configured to fit within one or more recesses in at least one component of furniture. The one or more release mechanisms are attached to the body so that actuation of one or more of the release mechanisms causes one or more prongs to move.
US08132368B2 Window lift apparatus, door module, motor vehicle door and method for installation of a window lift apparatus
A window lift arrangement with a lifter for a window pane, a door panel, positioning instruments for positioning the lifter relative to the door panel in an installation position for installation of the window pane, wherein the positioning instruments can assume a first and a second position, wherein the positioning instruments in the first position define the installation position and wherein the positioning instruments in the second position enable movement of the lifter for opening and closing the installed window pane.
US08132364B2 Highly buoyant and semi-rigid floating islands
A buoyant walkway or island and its method of manufacture. In a preferred embodiment, the buoyant walkway comprising: an internal frame comprising semi-rigid members that are attached to one another, said internal semi-rigid frame having openings; an internal block disposed in each of said openings, said internal blocks being spaced apart from one another by gaps and forming a top surface and a bottom surface; cured thermoplastic foam disposed in said gaps that attach said internal blocks to said semi-rigid internal frame and to one another; a permeable top layer that is attached to said top surface; and a bottom layer that is attached to said bottom surface.
US08132349B1 Trigger assembly
A trigger is provided and may be pivotally connected to a frame at or near the top of the trigger. A sear transfer bar may be further provided and is pivotally connected to the frame. The pivot in the trigger is higher within the frame as compared to the pivot of the sear transfer bar. Two balls can be between the trigger and the sear transfer bar. The top of the sear transfer bar has a sear contact. Pulling the trigger in a first direction causes the trigger to rotate in a first direction. The sear transfer bar rotates under force of the trigger. The sear transfer bar and the trigger may rotate in opposite directions. The sear will drop when the sear contact of the transfer bar ceases engagement with the sear, causing the firearm to fire.
US08132347B2 Interchangeable label holder
When displaying products on a display hook, labels associated with the products are oftentimes presented via a label holder affixed to the display hook. Because various display hook structures exist, an interchangeable label holder can be utilized to adjoin to the various structures. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a label holder is adapted for being affixed to both a cylindrical-shaped crossbar and a display plate crossbar of a display hook. The rear face of the interchangeable label holder includes first brackets and second brackets adapted for receiving either the cylindrical-shaped crossbar or the display plate crossbar. The rear face of the interchangeable label holder also includes a first securing element and a second securing element functional for receiving lateral edges of the display plate crossbar to restrict lateral movement of the label holder. The front face includes an edge extending substantially perpendicular from the face with a plurality of label securing elements extending inwardly to retain a label in the label holder.
US08132346B1 Iron retaining system and support device thereof
A system for retaining a clothes iron includes a base plate having vertically offset front and rear portions configured to support a nose sole plate portion and a heal portion of the clothes iron, respectively, and lateral side portions configured to support opposing lateral side sole plate portions of the clothes iron, and a pair of holding arms configured to move from a first position below the base plate to a second position above the base plate and to contact side body portions of the clothes iron.
US08132340B2 Footwear incorporating crossed tensile strand elements
An article of footwear may include various strands that extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to a sole structure. The strands lie substantially parallel to a surface of a material layer in a region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure, and the strands cross each other in the region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure.
US08132330B2 Bearing assembly and method of making a bearing assembly
A method of making a bearing assembly and a bearing assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of extruding a support rail, providing a mounting surface on the support rail, mounting a bearing rail on the mounting surface and machining a bearing surface on the bearing rail. The bearing assembly includes an extruded support rail and a bearing rail. The bearing rail is of a harder material than the material of the support rail to which the bearing rail is mounted. The bearing rail further provides a machine polished linear contact.
US08132321B2 Method for making embedded circuit structure
An embedded structure of circuit board is provided. The embedded structure includes a substrate, a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the substrate and selectively exposing the substrate, a first dielectric layer covering the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate, a pad opening disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a via disposed in the pad opening and exposing the first patterned conductive layer, wherein the outer surface of the first dielectric layer has a substantially even surface.
US08132319B2 Circuit connecting method
The invention provides a circuit connecting method that can satisfactorily reduce connection resistance between circuit electrodes electrically connected via an anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection.The circuit connecting method comprises a step of preparing a circuit member 12 having circuit electrodes 12b formed on a glass substrate 12a, a step of preparing a flexible wiring board 14 having circuit electrodes 14b formed on a base 14a and provided with a solder resist 18 at the sections of the circuit electrodes 14b other than the sections that are connected to the circuit electrodes 12b, and a step of bonding the circuit member 12 to the flexible wiring board 14 via an anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 so that part of the anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 overlaps with part of the solder resist 18. The thickness h3 of the anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 is no greater than the total of the height h1 of the circuit electrodes 12b and the height h2 of the circuit electrodes 14b.
US08132316B1 Handheld microprocessor controlled pneumatic tappet setting system
A tappet clearance setting apparatus includes a screwdriver, a pneumatic portion, and a controller. The screwdriver engages the tappet screw and the pneumatic portion provides a monitored and air flow through an engine cylinder. The controller directs the screwdriver to tighten the tappet until the air flow through the cylinder is indicative of a valve opening. The controller then directs the screwdriver to reverse directions until the sensed air flow indicates that the valve has closed, which further indicates that the tappet screw is in a reference position. From the reference position, the controller directs the screwdriver to loosen the tappet a predetermined amount to establish the desired tappet clearance.
US08132314B2 Method and system for packaging and mounting surface acoustic wave sensor elements to a flex plate
A method and system for packaging and mounting a sensor to a flex plate for use in sensing, for example, torque. In some instances, a SAW sense die can be adhesively bonded to a metal disc that includes at least one locating feature formed in the metal disc. An insulator having lead pins can be adhesively bonded to the metal disc, and may surrounds at least part of a periphery of the sense die in a particular orientation. In some instances, a cap may be bonded over the insulator. The metal disc, along with the SAW sense die, can be aligned to the flex plate by, for example, matching the at least one locating feature formed in the metal disc with at least one corresponding locating feature of a cutout in the flex plate. The aligned metal disc and the flex plate can be bonded together by, for example, laser welding.
US08132313B2 Method for fabricating a LCD panel
An inspecting circuit layout according to the present invention is provided. The inspecting circuit layout is adapted for inspecting panel units group by group, each of the panel units having a plurality of first and second signal lines. The inspecting circuit layout includes a multiplexer (MUX) and an inspecting pad. The MUX is electrically connected with at least one of the first or second signal lines of the panel units, and the inspecting pad is electrically connected to the MUX. The MUX is adapted for selectively connecting the inspecting pad with the first or second signal lines of a group of panel units.
US08132307B2 Airbag covering having a weakened leather layer
A process for producing an airbag covering having a leather layer, particularly for use in a motor vehicle, with a partial weakening for the initiation of a tear and/or the propagation thereof along a previously defined path is disclosed. In one embodiment, a skived region is introduced into the leather layer and at least one incision is introduced into the previously created skived region.
US08132306B2 Device for machining components, in particular of a vehicle body
A device for machining components, in particular of a vehicle body has a transport and positioning unit for the component and several machining stations, which are arranged around said unit and to which the component held by a component holder of the transport and positioning unit can be fed in a position ready for machining. To transport the component from one machining station to the other machining stations while taking up the smallest possible surface area, the transport and positioning unit includes a rotor and a pivoting arm that is mounted eccentrically on said rotor, driven in opposition to the latter and supports the component holder. The drives of the rotor and the pivoting arm are synchronized in such a way that the component holder is displaced along a closed curved path comprising spaces between the neighboring apexes of said path.
US08132288B2 Surface treating head assembly
A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in the head. A cam arrangement is rotatably driven in the head. The cam arrangement includes a pair of cams, each having a plurality of cam faces, each cam face corresponding to respective predetermined vertical positions of the brush bar. Thus, the height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet.
US08132287B2 Cleaning device with cleaning means and a frame body
The present invention relates to a cleaning device comprising cleaning means and a frame body. The frame body is provided with a plurality of connecting holes, wherein each connecting hole is constituted by a larger diameter hole and a smaller diameter hole, such that a twisted cleaning means with flexibility is folded to stuff through the connecting holes from the smaller diameter hole to the larger diameter hole. The folded twisted cleaning means with flexibility then is pulled back so as to bind the twisted cleaning means with flexibility in the frame body.
US08132281B1 Fold out ramp
A ramp assembly for providing a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface includes a ramp position that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is rotatably coupled about an axis to the ramp portion. The ramp assembly further includes a support member that supports a first end of the panel. An actuator drives the ramp assembly through a deployment motion having a first phase and a second phase. During the first phase, the actuator rotates the ramp portion about the axis. During the second phase, the actuator moves the axis in a downward direction.
US08132277B2 Emergency response treatment bed system
An emergency response treatment bed system. The emergency response beds may include a frame having a pair of opposing tubular stainless steel side supports and a pair of opposing tubular stainless steel end supports. The side supports and end supports are affixed each to the other by corner fixtures. A plurality of collapsible support legs are affixed to the frame. The support legs have an upper end and a lower end, and are adapted to support the frame above a selected substrate. A support deck is coupled to the frame. The support deck is adapted to support a patient body, and is provided with a liquid impervious, molded thermoplastic contaminant resistant cleanable surface. The support deck also has, above at least some of the support legs, a cutout portion defined by edgewalls, to provide access through the support deck to the support legs, so that multiple beds may be stacked one above the other, using support inserts between vertically adjacent support legs.
US08132274B1 Adjustable pool cover support
A pool cover supporting unit includes a plurality of spokes connected to a central hub. The hub rests floats in the pool and the spokes can be lengthened as needed to accommodate pools of various shapes, such as an oval pool. The unit is easily collapsed for storage and easily assembled for use.
US08132269B1 Matched pair of protective baseball batting gloves for right handed and left handed batters to protect the side of the hand and the wrist facing a pitcher with protective shock absorbing members on the exterior of the glove
A novel protective batting glove which is used specifically for protecting the most vulnerable parts of a batter's hands and wrists when the batter is standing at home plate and is gripping the end of a baseball bat and awaiting the arrival of a baseball which is thrown by the pitcher. The invention comprises a unique protective system of a design of a matched pair of batting gloves with one matched pair designed for a right handed batter and one matched pair designed for a left handed batter. For each matched pair of batting gloves, impact and shock absorbing material is incorporated onto selected portions of the exterior of the glove where the grip on the bat causes the hand to be most exposed to a pitch thrown at the batter. Alternatively, the glove has a cuff with an affixed interior impact and shock absorbing material to provide double protection for the ulna bone of an arm.
US08136168B2 System and method for design-for-manufacturability data encryption
An encryption and decryption interface for integrated circuit (IC) design with design-for-manufacturing (DFM). The interface includes a decryption module embedded in an IC design tool; an encrypted DFM data provided to an IC designer authorized for utilizing the encrypted DFM data; and a private key provided to the IC designer for decrypting the encrypted DFM data in the IC design tool.
US08136154B2 Hidden markov model (“HMM”)-based user authentication using keystroke dynamics
Hidden Markov Models (“HMMs”) are used to analyze keystroke dynamics measurements collected as a user types a predetermined string on a keyboard. A user enrolls by typing the predetermined string several times; the enrollment samples are used to train a HMM to identify the user. A candidate who claims to be the user provides a typing sample, and the HMM produces a probability to estimate the likelihood that the candidate is the user he claims to be. A computationally-efficient method for preparing HMMs to analyze certain types of processes is also described.
US08136152B2 Method and system for securely scanning network traffic
A method and system for implementing secure network communications between a first device and a second device, at least one of the devices communicating with the other device via a firewall device, are provided. The method and system may include obtaining an encryption parameter that is shared by the first device, second device and firewall device. A data packet sent by the first device may then be copied within the firewall device, so that decryption of the copy of the data packet within a portion of the firewall device may take place. In particular, the portion of the firewall device in which decryption takes place is defined such that contents of the portion are inaccessible to an operator of the firewall device. Thus, scanning of the decrypted copy of the data packet for compliance with a predetermined criterion may take place within the firewall device, without an operator of the firewall device having access to the contents of the data packet to be transmitted. Thereafter, the original data packet can be forwarded to its originally intended recipient.
US08136151B2 Systems and methods for remotely maintaining virtual private networks
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically configuring, managing, and maintaining a network device or VPN using a public network such as the Internet. Initial configuration of a network device or VPN occurs upon a user entering minimal information via a simple HTML page. After receipt of this minimal information, the present invention automatically configures the network device or VPN without user intervention. Thereafter, a user may modify the network device or VPN configuration via an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand graphical user interface. Parameters are presented such that a user simply checks and unchecks boxes, or clicks on radio buttons, to configure network device parameters. Upon completion of the selection, the user clicks on save, and the configuration is automatically modified. In addition, upon a significant change to any network device, the changed network device automatically initiates reconfiguration of the network device or VPN with zero input from a user.
US08136140B2 Methods and apparatus for generating metadata utilized to filter content from a video stream using text data
Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for generating metadata utilized by a DVR to filter content from a video stream. A video stream is reviewed to identify portions the video stream to skip during presentation of the video stream. Text data associated with the video stream is parsed to identify a string in the text data that identifies boundaries of the portions of the video stream that are to be skipped during presentation by the DVR. The string is provided to the DVR, and the DVR utilizes the string to skip the portion of the video stream during presentation of the video stream by the DVR.
US08136137B2 Program searching in digital multimedia terminal
A digital multimedia terminal comprises a receiving unit to receive a broadcasting signal. The digital multimedia terminal also comprises an input unit adapted to receive input associated with a user preferred program characteristic. The digital multimedia terminal also comprises a controller, operatively coupled to the receiving unit and the input unit, adapted to extract program information from received broadcasting signals and to search extracted program information based on the user preferred program characteristic. The digital multimedia terminal may further comprise a display unit, operatively coupled to the controller, adapted to display program description information associated with the extracted program information that corresponds to a broadcast program having the user preferred program characteristic.
US08136136B2 Recording multi-stream interactive television
Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, allows recording and playback of multi-stream interactive television. In one approach to this technology, the service configuration for an interactive television feature is determined. Data describing this service configuration is then obtained, and a recording device is then configured to record a portion of the interactive television feature. A number of data streams associated with that portion of the interactive television feature are recorded. The recorded portion of the interactive television feature can then be displayed.
US08136133B2 Methods and systems for broadcasting modified live media
Methods and systems are presented for broadcasting a modified live media feed of an event. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a live media feed at a broadcast computer from one or more recording devices, wherein the live media feed includes real time occurrences of a live event. The live media feed is broadcast after a predetermined delay, and the method includes identifying, during monitoring of the live event, a portion of the live event that is suitable for application of a modification effect. The process also includes the broadcast computer applying the modification effect to a portion of the live media feed corresponding to the identified portion of the live event, and then broadcasting the modified live media feed.
US08136128B2 Optical disc apparatus
An optical disc apparatus for enabling reduction of fluid noises accompanying with disc rotation, effectively, comprises a tray 5 provided to be able to comes in/out into/from said housing freely, a unit mechanism 5 provided together with the tray, in one body, a turntable 9a provided on the unit mechanism and configured to support a disc thereon, to be rotatable freely, a plural number of wall portions 5b to 5d formed on the tray surrounding the disc supported on the turntable from an outer periphery thereof, each of which has configuration like an arc around a rotation center of the turntable, a pickup 10 for doing straight-line motion within along a radius direction of a disc 4, and an opening 56, which is provided on the wall portion 5e locating at the position on the moving track of the pickup, for maintaining movement of the pickup, wherein the wall portion 5e is moved or stepped back to a side of an outer periphery of the turntable comparing to other wall portions.
US08136125B2 Prioritization for online contact status updates
Communicating information about a contact, such as presence status, may be regulated in accordance with priority values associated with contacts. Various parameters about contacts with respect to a particular environment may be collected and utilized to assign priority values to the contacts. Flow of information about the contacts is regulated based on the assigned priority values. Information about contacts with higher priority values may be communicated more frequently to client devices from one or more servers than those contacts with lower priority values. In addition, information about contacts associated with priority values that satisfy one or more criteria may be prefetched from a server to a client device.
US08136119B2 Method, apparatus and media for managing information model jobs
Methods, apparatus and media for managing jobs of an object-oriented information model. Managing includes maintaining and updating job status information resuming interrupted jobs following a reboot of the host system, issuing job references to clients, and manipulating job data for example, listing, retrieving, and/or deleting job data. Each job of an object-oriented model may be represented in a cache by a data section comprising data describing the corresponding job. Data includes a unique identifier, job state information, action after reboot information, and whether the job requires that the system undergo a reboot.
US08136117B2 Information processor and information processing system
An information processing apparatus is disclosed in which software resources are divided into first through N-th groups each of which has an operating system, a program operating on the operating system, and data, includes an execution section configured to simultaneously execute the groups with the groups isolated from one another, an OS activating section configured to operate on the operating system of the first group and activate the operating system of at least one of the second through N-th groups according to activation information, an activation information changing section configured to make communication with an administrative server over a network and change the activation information in response to an instruction from the administrative server, and a lock section configured to disable the operating system and the program of each of the second through N-th groups to change the activation information.
US08136115B2 Backfill scheduling of applications based on data of the applications
Backfill scheduling techniques are used to schedule execution of applications, either on a local computing unit or a remote unit. In determining whether a particular application is to be scheduled to execute on a local unit or a remote unit, the data associated with that application is considered. As examples, an amount of data to be moved, availability of communication channels, and/or availability of remote data storage resources are considered.
US08136107B2 Software pipelining using one or more vector registers
A method for managing multiple values assigned to a variable during various stages of a software pipelined process executed in a computing environment. The method comprises allocating two or more slots in a vector register to two or more values associated with said variable during two or more stages of a pipeline process; and rotating values in each slot responsive to an instruction.
US08136098B2 Using pushdown systems for the static analysis of multi-threaded programs
A static, inter-procedural dataflow analysis is used to debug multi-threaded programs which heretofore have been thought unsuitable for concurrent multi-threaded analysis.
US08136092B2 Multi-attribute dynamic link library packaging
A system for packaging a dynamically linked computer program function includes a compiler configured to compile a source file iteratively to create a plurality of corresponding object files, the source file associated with a specific computer program function having an established an attribute, with each attribute exhibiting a plurality of at least one of variations, characteristics and parameters, wherein each iteration of the compiling the source file results in the plurality of object files having the specific computer program function but with each object file having distinct attributes from one another; and a linker configured to link the plurality of resulting object files to create a single executable file, such that the single executable file comprises different versions of the specific computer program function; and wherein the single executable file is configured to facilitate choice of a selected version of the specific computer function.
US08136080B2 Graphic rendering of circuit positions
A method may include receiving circuit information from a backend circuit test system and grouping components in the circuit information into collections by types, the types including segments, equipment, ports, and connections. The method may further include positioning, based on the grouping by types, the components from the circuit information for presentation of a circuit design on a display, and performing path rendering for the circuit design based on the positioning of the components. The method may also include sending an output file with the path rendering to a web browser.
US08136066B2 Apparatus and computer program product for semiconductor yield estimation
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product that performs yield estimates using critical area analysis on integrated circuits having redundant and non-redundant elements. The non-redundant elements are ignored or removed from the critical area analysis performed for undesired opens.
US08136058B2 Method and system for representing geometrical layout design data in electronic design systems
A method and system of representing geometrical layout design data having a plurality of polygons in electronic design systems is provided. The method includes extracting topological characteristics data corresponding to one or more polygons to form one or more virtual topological polygon. Each virtual polygon is represented by Scan order (SO), with SO corresponding to order in which the vertices of polygon are encountered by a sweep line moving in predefined direction with a predefined angular orientation. The method further includes determining dimensional data corresponding to each polygon to form one or more sized polygons using one or more virtual topological polygon. Thereafter, the spatial data corresponding to each sized polygon is extracted to instantiate each sized polygon.
US08136054B2 Compact abbe's kernel generation using principal component analysis
Some embodiments provide techniques for determining a set of Abbe's kernels which model an optical system of a photolithography process. During operation, the system can receive optical parameters (e.g., numerical aperture, wavelength, etc.) for the photolithography process's optical system. Next, the system can use the optical parameters to determine a point spread function for an Abbe's source. Note that the point spread function for the Abbe's source can be determined either by discretizing the optical system's light source using a set of concentric circles, or by discretizing the optical system's light source in an orthogonal fashion. The system can then determine a correlation matrix from the point spread function. Next, the system can determine the set of Abbe's kernels by performing an eigen decomposition of the correlation matrix using principal component analysis. The system can then use the set of Abbe's kernels to compute image intensity.
US08136051B2 Method and apparatus for automatically updating a primary display area
Receiving commands from a remote controller and automatically activating display areas for cursor navigation. Content display areas within a display frame respectively correspond to a variety of content items and include a primary display area wherein cursor navigation is activated and secondary display areas wherein cursor navigation is prevented. Remote controller navigational commands, for example, then allow cursor based navigation for the content item currently displayed in the primary display area. A content selection command such as a number key input of the remote controller allows immediate and automatic updating of the primary display area to include a desired content item that is associated to the command (e.g., the particular number).
US08136045B2 Multiple menus for use with a graphical user interface
An approach for using multiple menus with a graphical user interface is disclosed. A multiple menu comprises a menu panel with two or more selection regions, each of which is associated with a base menu. A user requests the menu panel without selecting a menu object displayed on a display unit, such as by right-clicking. The menu panel is displayed along with one base menu, and other base menus are displayed by the user moving the cursor to another selection region. The user selects a menu item from a base menu to cause the application to execute the function associated with the menu item. The selection regions of the menu panel do not include information describing the content of the associated base menus. By arranging the base menus around the menu panel, cursor movement is minimized to improve user efficiency in using the application.
US08136043B2 GUI generation apparatus and method for generating GUI
A GUI generation apparatus comprises: a storage unit adapted to store association information that associates an input/output GUI component relating to the input and output of data with a data model that stores data; and a reflection unit adapted to, upon receiving an input of data through the input/output GUI component, reflect the inputted data in the data model that is associated with the input/output GUI component in the association information, wherein, upon a change of data in the data model, the reflection unit reflects the changed data in the input/output GUI component that is associated with the data model in the association information.
US08136038B2 Offering menu items to a user
The invention relates to an electronic device 1 offering a plurality of menu items to a user. In order to enable a user friendly selection of the menu items, the electronic device 1 comprises a screen 60, user input means 70, storing means 50 adapted to store parameters for a virtual model of a user and processing means 31. The processing means 31 are adapted to generate a visual representation of a virtual user model 61 on the screen 60 based on the stored parameters for the virtual model of a user, to cause a movement of a visually represented virtual user model 61 depending on a user input, to detect a movement of a visually represented virtual user model 61 that is associated to a particular menu item, which menu item is offered for any of a plurality of applications, and to call a function that is assigned to the particular menu item.
US08136033B1 Converting a graphic object from a first format to a second format with the aid of a stored checksum
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products involve modifying graphic objects. An electronic document can be obtained in a first format. The electronic document can include a graphic object represented using a main dataset and a private dataset. The main dataset can be normalized while stored in an object model in memory. A checksum can be computed for the normalized main dataset of the graphic object. The computed checksum can be compared with a stored checksum located in the electronic document. The electronic document can be converted from the first format to a second format based in part on a result of the comparison.
US08136027B2 Method and apparatus for providing conditional customization for generating a web site
A technique for generating a web site in accordance with received data entry by: presenting a prompt for data entry; receiving a data entry in response to the prompt; presenting at least one additional prompt for data entry that is determined at least in part based upon the received data entry; receiving an additional data entry in response to each of the at least one additional prompts; determining at least one characteristic of at least one web site dimension of the web site based on the data entry; generating a multi-dimensional description of the web site based on the determined characteristics; retrieving web site data according to the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site; and generating the web site based upon the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site and the retrieved web site data.
US08136024B2 Optional memory error checking
A memory error checking system includes a controller that is operable to transmit memory signals and error check signals. A first memory device coupler is coupled to the controller and operable to couple to a first memory device. The first memory device coupler is operable to transmit the memory signals from the controller to the first memory device. A first error check device coupler is coupled to the contoller and operable to couple to a first error check device that is separate from the first memory device. The first error check device coupler is operable to transmit the error check signals from the controller to the first error check device to be used to error check the memory signals transmitted to the first memory device.
US08136022B2 Detector for multi-level modulated signal and detection method using the same, and iterative receiver for multi-level modulated signal and iteratively receiving method using the same
Provided are a detector for a multi-level modulated signal and a detection method using the same, and an iterative receiver for a multi-level modulated signal and an iteratively receiving method using the same. The detector includes: a channel estimator estimating a channel response of each of a plurality of bits included in at least one received signal based on multi-level modulation; a hard decision unit, for each bit, selecting at least one of a plurality of bits remaining by excluding the bit and performing a hard decision based on a pre-probability of the selected bit; and a reliability calculator calculating reliability of each of all the bits in the received signal based on the received signal from which the hard-decided bit component is cancelled and the estimated channel response. Accordingly, the computation amount according to detection can be reduced without the degradation of performance.
US08136021B2 Generation of Golay-based systematic block code supporting various sizes
A method for generating block codes from Golay code and a method and apparatus for encoding data are provided. The method can effectively generate codes having various lengths, various dimensions, and superior hamming weight distribution, and encodes data such as control information having various lengths into codes having strong resistance to channel errors, resulting in an increase of error correction performance.
US08136019B2 Transparent envelope for XML messages
Transforming portions of a message to a destination via a communication protocol. A message is received. It is detected whether the received message includes an encoded envelope. The encoded envelope includes a stack defining parameters including information for handling the received message in an original format. If the received message includes the encoded envelope, the defined parameters are transformed to coded parameters in a common format. The coded parameters express the same information for handling the received message in the communication protocol. The encoded envelope is encapsulated in the received message, and the received message in the common format is delivered to the destination. If the received message does not include an encoded envelope, coded parameters are generated in the common format for the received message by encoding addressing information from the received message. The received message having the coded parameters in the common format is delivered to the destination.
US08136017B2 Multi-layer semiconductor memory device comprising error checking and correction (ECC) engine and related ECC method
Embodiments of the invention provide a multi-layer semiconductor memory device and a related error checking and correction (ECC) method. The multi-layer semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory cell array layers, wherein the first memory cell array layer stores first payload data. The multi-layer semiconductor memory device also includes an ECC engine selectively connected to the second memory cell array layer and configured to receive the first payload data, generate first parity data corresponding to the first payload data, and store the first parity data exclusively in the second memory cell array layer.
US08136015B2 Data storage apparatus and data storage method
In the ordinary operation mode, a data storage apparatus writes data into a first flash memory, while writing ECC data, which is used for correcting the data written in the first flash memory, into a second flash memory. When there is no remaining storage space in the first flash memory, the data storage apparatus deletes existing ECC data previously written in the second flash memory and writes ordinary data into the second flash memory. This arrangement enhances the reliability of data and enables effective use of the original storage space in the system of data storage with multiple storage areas.
US08136013B2 Burst error correction based on fire code
According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include logic. The apparatus may be configured to: determine, based on an error location polynomial, an error location syndrome corresponding to an actual location of a burst error in a data block; select a burst error pattern that is less than or equal to M bits, and having no more than Y consecutive zeros within the burst error, where M is greater than the order of the error location polynomial; determine an error pattern syndrome based on the selected burst error pattern and the error location polynomial; and determine an actual location of the burst error in the data block based on the error location syndrome and the error pattern syndrome.
US08136001B2 Technique for initializing data and instructions for core functional pattern generation in multi-core processor
Techniques have been developed to introduce processor core functional pattern tests into a memory space addressable by at least one processor core of an integrated circuit. In general, such functional pattern tests can include both instruction sequences and data patterns and, in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, are introduced (at least in part) into on-chip cache memory using facilities of an on-chip loader. Instruction opcodes used in functional test sequences may be efficiently introduced into a plurality of target locations in memory (e.g., at locations corresponding to multiple interrupt handlers or at locations from which a multiplicity of cores execute their functional tests) using facilities of the on-chip loader. In some embodiments, instruction selections together with a base address, extent and stride indications may be used to direct operation of the on-chip loader. Likewise, data patterns used in the functional test sequences may be specified as a data pattern selection together with base address, extent and optional stride indications and introduced into a plurality of target memory locations using facilities of the on-chip loader. In some embodiments, other forms or encodings of directives may be used.
US08135999B2 Disabling outbound drivers for a last memory buffer on a memory channel
Memory apparatus and methods utilizing multiple bit lanes may redirect one or more signals on the bit lanes. A memory agent may include a redrive circuit having a plurality of bit lanes, a memory device or interface, and a fail-over circuit coupled between the plurality of bit lanes and the memory device or interface.
US08135994B2 Methods, media, and systems for detecting an anomalous sequence of function calls
Methods, media, and systems for detecting an anomalous sequence of function calls are provided. The methods can include compressing a sequence of function calls made by the execution of a program using a compression model; and determining the presence of an anomalous sequence of function calls in the sequence of function calls based on the extent to which the sequence of function calls is compressed. The methods can further include executing at least one known program; observing at least one sequence of function calls made by the execution of the at least one known program; assigning each type of function call in the at least one sequence of function calls made by the at least one known program a unique identifier; and creating at least part of the compression model by recording at least one sequence of unique identifiers.
US08135992B2 Systems and methods for providing interactive customer support
A system for providing device diagnostics includes a surface interface operatively linked and in communication with a processor. The surface interface includes a multi-touch interface to detect multiple simultaneous inputs and an object recognition interface to communicate with a device upon the device being placed on the surface interface. The system further includes a memory operatively linked and in communication with the processor, wherein the memory includes a system application configured to: recognize a customer device when the customer device is placed on the surface interface, conduct a diagnostic test to determine whether the device is operating without error, and perform a corrective action if the diagnostic test detects an error.
US08135991B2 Semiconductor device and processing method for starting the same
A flash memory is made to store a same boot program in a plurality of blocks in it. When a flash memory controller receives an access command for accessing the storage region storing the boot program from a CPU (Step S101), it outputs the read out data to the CPU only when the corresponding block is not faulty according to the determination (Steps S105, S106) made on the basis of the ECC contained in the data read out from the corresponding page and the determination (Step S109) made on the basis of the block information also contained in the data read out from the corresponding page. If, on the other hand it is determined that the block is faulty, the flash memory controller reads out the boot program stored in the next block (Steps S106, S103) and determines once again that the block is faulty or not faulty.
US08135987B2 Collection ordering for replicated state machines
A replicated state machine with N replica servers may be configured to tolerate a count of F faults. A first operation (of a first ordering type) executes when a first quorum of correctly functioning replicas is available. A second operation (also of the first operation type) executes when a second quorum of correctly functioning replicas is available. A third operation (of a second ordering type) executes when a third quorum of correctly functioning replicas are available. The operations are executed by the replicated state machine such that: (1) the replicated state machine does not guarantee operational ordering between the first operation and the second operation; (2) the replicated state machine guarantees ordering between the first operation and the third operation; and (3) the replicated state machine guarantees ordering between the second operation and the third operation.
US08135984B2 System and method for reconstructing RAID system
A method for reconstructing a RAID system is disclosed. Plural disks are corresponded to plural pieces of unique recognition data, where each disk corresponds to one of the recognition data. A disk profile is generated according to the recognition data using a RAID system, wherein the disk profile comprises a logic section combined with the disks and the logic section respectively corresponds to the recognition data of different disks based on stored data in different disks. The disks are mounted to a computer device providing the RAID system. The mounted disks are mapped to correct disk mount addresses according to the disk profile to reconstruct the stored data of the disks in the computer device.
US08135983B2 Information processing apparatus, control method of the information processing apparatus, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus connecting a plurality of hard disks rebuilds data stored in one hard disk of the plurality of hard disks to another hard disk of the plurality of hard disks. The information processing apparatus is controlled in such a manner that when the information processing started, the rebuild is not resumed immediately after the information processing apparatus is started, and the rebuild is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed.
US08135977B2 Process for digital, bidirectional data transmission
The invention relates to a process for digital, bidirectional data transmission between a processing unit and a position encoder, as based on the transmission of frames of a predetermined bit length, such that each frame is provided with at least an initial bit length for the transmission of data from the processing unit to the position encoder and at least a second bit length for the transmission of data from the position encoder to the processing unit; and such that the frame is provided with a time slot in which data is neither transmitted from the processing unit to the position encoder nor from the position encoder to the processing unit. In the time slot a triggering signal (external sync signal) is transmitted from the processing unit to the position encoder and this triggers the acquisition of position data. In the first bit length, a clock signal for synchronizing the processing unit and the position encoder is transmitted from the processing unit to the position encoder, and after the acquisition of position data triggered by the external sync signal, the acquired position data is transmitted from the position encoder to the processing unit. Between the transmission of two successive external sync signals at least one additional position-data request signal (internal sync signal) is transmitted from the processing unit to the position encoder, and this signal triggers another acquisition of position data, which is followed by the transmission of the acquired position data from the position encoder to the processing unit.
US08135967B2 Storage system
A storage system includes one or more first power supplies which receive power from the first input and supplies power to each of multiple load groups through multiple first paths and multiple second power supplies which receive power from the second input and supplies power to each of the multiple load groups through multiple second paths. Each load group is comprised of at least one load, and each load is a storage device. Power is supplied from different second power supplies respectively to two or more load groups to which power is supplied from the first power supply through two or more first paths.
US08135966B2 Method and device for power management
A device and method for power management. The method includes receiving an indication about a load of a circuit, determining at least one long-term activation parameter in view of a circuit load pattern during at least one long period; determining at least one short-term activation parameter in response to an expected short period load change of the circuit; and providing least one clock signal and at least one supply voltage in response to the long-term activation parameter and in response to the short-term supply parameter.
US08135965B2 Apparatus and method for distributed standby power provision
An apparatus and method for providing standby power to a node of a distributed system of devices. The apparatus includes: a current manager operable to manage supply of current to a device at the node; a normal current supplier operable to supply normal operating current to the device; and a super capacitor at the node operable to supply standby operating current to the device under control of the current manager when the normal current supplier fails to supply the normal operating current to the device. The apparatus preferably further comprises a switching regulator, operable in electrical communication with the super capacitor and the device, to regulate the standby operating current to the device.
US08135957B2 Access control system based on brain patterns
The invention includes a control system and a method for access control of an application system, with electrically measurable data acquired as the result of a biometric reaction of a user, the biometric reaction triggered by stimulatory information presented to the user. An acquisition means for acquiring the electrically measurable data, a provision means for providing reference data and a comparison means for comparing the data are provided in the control system. The reference data is provided relating to the stimulatory information and/or the acquired, electrically measurable data. The acquired measurable data is compared with the provided reference data by means of the comparison means. An authorization of the user to the application system takes place on the basis of the comparison results. By means of this control system it is possible to dynamically authorize and identify a user with absolute reliability and to unambiguously authenticate said user.
US08135950B2 Method and apparatus for managing digital certificates
Method and apparatus for managing digital certificates are described herein. In one embodiment, an encryption certificate is extracted from an email received from an owner of the encryption certificate, where the encryption certificate being issued from a trusted party other than the owner. Then the encryption certificate is associated with an entry of a directory based on an identity (ID) of the owner, where the directory provides directory services to one or more email servers. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08135949B2 Digital content distribution
A method comprising distributing digital data encoding content and arranged into messages from a server to one or more client terminals through a network, each message being decodable by a decoder application on a client terminal, said method including transmitting a plurality of data packets from the server through a network through a network interface of the server, each packet including at least one header and a payload, each payload including at least part of a message, and providing each message to a first of a series of at least one service interface between two layers in a protocol stack, installed on the server, each service interface configured to add at least one packet header to the packet encoding information enabling the client to process the remainder of the packet.
US08135948B2 Method and system for transparently encrypting sensitive information
A method for transparently encrypting sensitive information, comprising detecting at least one literal in a database command that includes sensitive information. The literal is extracted from the database command. The literal is encrypted thereby forming an encrypted string. The literal is replaced by the encrypted string in the database command.
US08135947B1 Interconnect device to enable compliance with rights management restrictions
The present invention provides an interconnect device that connects a source device to a destination device, and allows the source device's non-compliant rights management (RM) interface to deliver media content with little or no restriction to the destination device's compliant RM interface.
US08135946B2 Method for programming an operating device for lighting means
The invention relates to a method for programming an operating device for lighting, wherein the operating device comprises firmware and an interface for receiving external control commands for operating the lighting. This method includes at least partially programming the firmware of the operating device or the interface by transmitting additional information to the interface. This can conveniently be accomplished while the operating device is in operation. Typical lighting of the invention is the type that includes an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps.
US08135943B1 Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for generating a dispatching function
The routines to be called by the dispatching function are identified based on the contents of description files associated with the child modules containing the routines to be called. Once the routines to be called by the dispatching function have been identified, an initialization source file is generated that includes source program code for calling each of the identified routines. Once the initialization source file has been generated, the parent program module is built by compiling the individual routines to generate object code and then linking the compiled files to generate the parent program module. The resulting executable parent program module includes the proper calls to execute the identified routines.
US08135940B2 Method of rotating data in a plurality of processing elements
A method of rotating data in a plurality of processing elements comprises a plurality of shifting operations and a plurality of storing operations, with the shifting and storing operations coordinated to enable a three shears operation to be performed on the data. The plurality of storing operations is responsive to the processing element's positions.
US08135939B2 Robust index storage for non-volatile memory
A non-volatile memory data address translation scheme is described that utilizes a hierarchal address translation system that is stored in the non-volatile memory itself. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a hierarchal address data and translation system wherein the address translation data entries are stored in one or more data structures/tables in the hierarchy, one or more of which can be updated in-place multiple times without having to overwrite data. This hierarchal address translation data structure and multiple update of data entries in the individual tables/data structures allow the hierarchal address translation data structure to be efficiently stored in a non-volatile memory array without markedly inducing write fatigue or adversely affecting the lifetime of the part. The hierarchal address translation of embodiments of the present invention also allow for an address translation layer that does not have to be resident in system RAM for operation.
US08135936B2 Adaptive address mapping with dynamic runtime memory mapping selection
A system monitors and dynamically changes memory mapping in a runtime of a computing system. The computing system has various memory resources, and multiple possible mappings that indicate how data is to be stored in and subsequently accessed from the memory resources. The performance of each memory mapping may be different under different runtime or load conditions of the computing device. A memory controller can monitor runtime performance of the current memory mapping and dynamically change memory mappings at runtime based on monitored or observed performance of the memory mappings. The performance monitoring can be modified for any of a number of different granularities possible within the system, from the byte level to memory channel.
US08135927B2 Structure for cache function overloading
A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design is provided. The design structure generally includes a system that includes a cache that stores information in a cache line for processing, wherein the cache line includes at least a first field configured to store an instruction or data and at least a second field configured to store parity information, a parity register that include a parameter indicative a whether parity generation and checking is disabled for the information in the cache line, and a processor that sets the second field in the cache line to include a value, which indicates a corresponding action to be performed, when the parameter in the parity register indicates that parity generation and checking is disabled for the cache line.
US08135918B1 Data de-duplication for iSCSI
Redundant data is identified and eliminated in a network that implements the iSCSI protocol either in-band at the source, in-band at the target, or out-of-band at the target. For in-band de-duplication, a data block included with a write command is assigned a unique identifier that is compared to a database of unique identifiers corresponding to previously written data. If the unique identifier is identical to an existing unique identifier, this indicates that the data block is redundant and has previously been stored elsewhere, in which case it is not stored again. Instead, the storage address specified in the write command may be added to a routing table showing the equivalence of unique identifiers, actual storage addresses, and duplicate storage addresses. When a read request specifying a duplicate storage address is received, the duplicate storage address can be translated to a corresponding unique identifier which points to the actual storage address.
US08135914B2 Managing cache data and metadata
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for managing cache metadata providing a mapping between addresses on a storage medium (e.g., disk storage) and corresponding addresses on a cache device at data items are stored. In some embodiments, cache metadata may be stored in a hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of hierarchy levels. When a reboot of the computer is initiated, only a subset of the plurality of hierarchy levels may be loaded to memory, thereby expediting the process of restoring the cache metadata and thus startup operations. Startup may be further expedited by using cache metadata to perform operations associated with reboot. Thereafter, as requests to read data items on the storage medium are processed using cache metadata to identify addresses at which the data items are stored in cache, the identified addresses may be stored in memory. When the computer is later shut down, instead of having to transfer the entirety of the cache metadata from memory to storage, only the subset of the plurality of hierarchy levels and/or the identified addresses previously loaded to memory may be transferred (e.g., to the cache device), thereby expediting the shutdown of the computer.
US08135900B2 Integrated memory management and memory management method
An integrated memory management device according to an example of the invention comprises an acquiring unit acquiring a read destination logical address from a processor, an address conversion unit converting the read destination logical address into a read destination physical address of a non-volatile main memory, an access unit reading, from the non-volatile main memory, data that corresponds to the read destination physical address and has a size that is equal to a block size or an integer multiple of the page size of the non-volatile main memory, and transmission unit transferring the read data to a cache memory of the processor having a cache size that depends on the block size or the integer multiple of the page size of the non-volatile main memory.
US08135893B2 System, apparatus and method for granting access to a shared communications bus
Systems, apparatuses and methods for timing access to a shared communications bus by a plurality of devices. Each of a plurality of nodes is successively provided an opportunity to gain access to a shared bus according to a time slot allocation referenced from a time reference. The successive time slot allocation occurs until one of the nodes has a message to send via the shared bus. The node that has the message to send transmits a frame onto the bus. A new time reference is established at each of the nodes based on an indication provided by the transmitted frame, whereby each of the nodes can then be afforded a new opportunity to gain access to the shared bus according to the time slot allocation referenced from the new time reference.
US08135889B2 Direct connection single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays
Methods, systems, and devices providing single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays. Direct communication links to multiple computers are provided to automatically transmit peripheral computer device position and peripheral computer device commands to one of the multiple computers using, for example, a single computer mouse and/or a single computer keyboard device, based on a configuration map which maps mouse position to display position of the multiple computers and displays as the current mouse position is automatically tracked.
US08135872B2 USB controller and a testing method of the USB controller
A USB controller and a testing method of the USB controller are disclosed. The USB controller includesa sequence control unit for outputting a transmitting enable signal and a receiving enable signal, and for controlling a sequence of transmission and reception of data based on the transmitting enable signal and the receiving enable signal;a driver unit for transmitting data;a receiver unit for receiving data;a register for setting up a test mode wherein a loop-back test of the USB controller is performed; anda switching unit for providing one of the transmitting enable signal to the receiver unit and the receiving enable signal to the driver unit, if the test mode is set up in the register;wherein the loop-back test is performed if the test mode is set up in the register.
US08135870B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes a communication processing unit configured to communicate with an external communication device and a data processing unit configured to communicate with the communication processing unit via a wired data communication path. The data processing unit is configured to interpret address information received from the external communication device. The communication processing unit includes a memory where data transmitted and received between the external communication device and the data processing unit is temporarily stored. The communication processing unit further includes a control unit configured to control data writing in and data reading from the memory, perform an error check process by a code included in a received data from the external communication device, and transmit the address information received from the external communication device to the data processing unit without interpreting the address information.
US08135868B2 Method and apparatus for processing messages
An apparatus and a method for transforming Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) messages is provided. The method comprises receiving and transmitting Extensible Markup Language (XML) format SOAP messages by using an application protocol and TCP/IP, a message comprising message elements and receiving and transmitting binary messages comprising binary message elements. A transformation is performed between an XML format message and a binary message by replacing (316-320) each message element of a given format with a message element in the other format. When transforming an XML message to binary format, the application protocol packet type and TCP/IP acknowledgement data are included (312) in the binary header. When transforming a binary format message to XML format, the application protocol packet type is selected on the basis of the information in the binary header of the binary format message.
US08135867B2 Secure operation of processors
Secure operation of processors is disclosed. A cell processor receives a secure file image from a client device at a processor of a host device (host cell processor), wherein the secure file image includes encrypted contents.
US08135857B1 Centralized configuration of a multi-chassis router
A multi-chassis router allows an administrator to distribute configuration data from a single user interface. Additionally, the multi-chassis router presents a software image consistent with that of a standalone router and uses configuration data syntax that is consistent with that of a standalone router. The multi-chassis router automatically distributes and validates relevant configuration data at each chassis within the multi-chassis router. In effect, an administrator does not need to account for the multiple chassis configuration, and an administrator familiar with the configuration data syntax for a standalone router can use that knowledge to configure the multi-chassis router.
US08135856B2 Data streaming through time-varying transport media
Methods of data streaming from an encoder to a decoder through a connection subjected to time-varying conditions are disclosed. The connection is assigned a nominal flow rate and an encoding coefficient associated with the connection modifies the nominal flow rate to determine a permissible flow rate compatible with a time-varying state of the connection. Multiple performance characteristics are associated with the connection and corresponding sets of performance measurements taken over adaptively selected time windows are acquired. Performance metrics having one-to-one correspondence to the performance characteristics are determined and compared with lower bounds and upper bounds of respective predefined acceptance intervals. A current encoding coefficient is computed as a function of the performance metrics and used to determine the permissible flow rate. The encoder's configuration is adapted to produce an encoded signal which maximizes signal fidelity under the constraint of the permissible flow rate.
US08135853B1 Streaming data engine
In one or more embodiments, a method, computer-readable media, system and or modules are capable of generating an address for a multimedia data block included in a stream of multimedia data. The address can be maintained in one or more local registers. The one or more local registers can be linked to one or more processor registers associated with a processor to synchronize communication of the stream of multimedia data with the processor.
US08135851B2 Object request broker for accelerating object-oriented communications and method
A processing system includes a plurality of processing resources capable of executing a plurality of objects. The objects include a client object and one or more server objects. The client object is capable of requesting a service provided by at least one of the one or more server objects. The processing system also includes a hardware object request broker capable of receiving one or more messages from the processing resource executing the client object and communicating the one or more messages to the processing resource executing at least one of the one or more server objects that provides the requested service. The one or more messages are capable of invoking the requested service.
US08135848B2 Alternate to email for messages of general interest
This invention is an online system to forward and discuss messages of common interest among members of the system. The system is based on a central server that manages all member accounts, messages and message flow among the members. The system introduces the concept of private comments on a public message. While the message is open to all members of the system, each comment on the message is restricted to be viewed only by members to whom the comment is sent to. This allows an email like interface to forward and discuss the same message among different groups of people. The system also provides metrics related to the overall reach and popularity of the message.
US08135847B2 Methods, systems, and software for providing service integration framework
A preferred embodiment of the subject invention comprises a system for implementing computer network services and applications, comprising a front-end component comprising one or more applications; a back-end component comprising one or more services; and an abstraction layer component operable to communicate with the front-end and back-end components. In another preferred embodiment, the subject invention comprises a system for linking applications and services, comprising: a vendor connectivity component; a business integration component; a security component; a utility component; and a back end connectivity component.
US08135846B2 Communication between call controllers by amending call processing messages
Call Control entities in a network communicate between themselves by amending call processing messages to include encrypted network information. As such, a call may be established whose path through the network is dependent on the paths of other calls. Information of a scope larger than a Call Controller normally possesses can, as a result of this communication, be made available to Call Controllers for constraining call establishment. This information could relate to other calls and connections associated with those other calls. The information may also relate to gateways in and to adjacent networks and the Call Controllers in the adjacent networks that are related to the current Call Controller.
US08135844B2 Content providing server, information processing device and method, and computer program
A device and method is provided to enable improved control of streaming live delivery and recording processing as to a client from a server of tuner-received content. This is configured such that a tuner control instance which executes streaming delivery of the tuner-received content under the control of the tuner, and a storage unit control instance which executes recording of the tuner-received content under the control of the content storage unit such as a hard disk, are independently set, and to each a channel list URL and video capsule URL are set as the content URL capable of specifying the processing control object, and requests can be received from the client individually by setting a control instance ID which is a control instance (AVT instance) identifier. By this configuration, independent processing according to the client request is enabled.
US08135838B2 System and method for providing data and application continuity in a computer system
A system and method for providing or maintaining data and application continuity in a computer system. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a communication interface for a client system, a network layer for receiving data from the client system, a hardware infrastructure for creating instances of the client system for replicating data, and an applications module for executing one or more applications on the replicated data. According to a further aspect, the system includes a portal interface configured for providing a remote user with control, audit and other functions associated with the user's system configuration.
US08135829B2 Utilizing a single agent on a non-origin node for measuring the roundtrip response time of web pages with embedded HTML frames
A computer-based system and article of manufacture utilizing a single response time monitor, located on a non-origin node of a public or private network, for measuring the total roundtrip response time of a set of requests resulting from an original request having embedded HTML frames. The response time monitor builds a relationship tree for the original request and its embedded HTML frames. For each request from the set of requests resulting from the original request, including requests for the embedded HTML frames, the method uses the response time monitor to detect a start time and end time of each component of the request's roundtrip response time in order to calculate each component's duration. Later, the response time monitor calculates the total roundtrip response time by adding together the duration of all components of the original request and all its additional requests that have the same network address and port number.
US08135819B2 Methods and systems for network management using periodic status messages in automated teller machines
Methods of managing a network comprising a plurality of agents. The methods may comprise the step of storing a plurality of agent data files corresponding to the plurality of agents. The methods may also comprise the step of receiving periodic status messages from at least a portion of the plurality of agents. Upon receiving a status message from a first agent, the methods may comprise the step of updating an agent data file corresponding to the first agent. Also, the methods may comprise the steps of periodically identifying agent data files from the plurality of agent data files that have not been updated for a predetermined amount of time; and sending a request for response to a second agent corresponding to an agent data file that has not been updated for a predetermined amount of time.
US08135801B2 Method, apparatus and system for management of information content for enhanced accessibility over wireless communication networks
Information content is managed in a network-based communication system by providing a first web site accessible to a user of the system. The first web site is configured to permit the user to designate at least one data source. A second web site is generated that is accessible independently of the first web site via one or more mobile devices over a wireless network of the communication system, with the second web site being configured to receive data automatically from the data source designated by the user at the first web site. The first and second web sites may comprise respective content management and mobile web sites, or other types of web-based interfaces. Other aspects of the invention relate to permitting a first user to designate a plurality of other users that will share access to content with the first user via the second web site, in accordance with accessibility rules established by the first user via the first web site.
US08135800B1 System and method for user classification based on social network aware content analysis
A target user's profile may be generated based on scanning metadata related to various content items made available for sharing by the user. For instance, some content items may be made available for sharing by the target user while other items are made available for sharing by one or more other users in the target user's social network. A list of keywords related to each item may be generated from the metadata. Each keyword may then be scored using social network data. For example, social network data corresponding to one or more users associated with each content item may be used to score keywords related to that item. Scoring may be based on factors such as social network distance, relationship type, trust, length of time in the social network, amount of content, amount of metadata, and other factors.
US08135799B2 Electronic media download and distribution using real-time message matching and concatenation
Methods for distributing content, which may include requesting a download of particular content; wherein the particular content is combined with additional content not specifically requested; storing the particular content and the additional content in a user's content play device; receiving a user request to play the particular content; determining whether the additional content has expired; if it is not determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device and the additional content; and if it is determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device without playing the additional content. Also described are systems for providing content and devices for playing content and various other embodiments.
US08135796B1 Mechanism and apparatus for accessing and addressing services in a distributed computing environment
In a distributed computing environment, a service advertisement may include information for a client to access a particular service. A service may publish the service advertisement in a space which stores documents such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents. The advertisement may include a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and an XML schema for the service that specifies XML messages which are usable to invoke functions of the service. A client may access the space and read the advertisement to construct a gate for access to the service. The client may send a first XML message to the service at the URI, wherein the first XML message is specified in the XML schema, to invoke one or more functions of the service. The service may send a second message specified in the XML schema (e.g., a message including the results of the invoked function(s)) to the client.
US08135793B2 Download progress management gaming system
A modified form of the UDP multicast protocol is disclosed to implement a one-way download progress notification system between a server and one or more clients. The UDP multicast download progress notification system enables UDP messages to be sent only to registered clients, not broadcasted to all clients. This architecture minimizes network traffic and enhances system security, since only registered clients receive the UDP message. The configuration of the UDP multicast download progress notification system does not require the configuration of network devices in order to support a UDP multicast. Furthermore, any number of the clients may be on a different network domain than the DCM engine.
US08135788B2 Email SMS notification system providing enhanced charge accounting features and related methods
A communications system may include at least one wireless communications device and at least one electronic mail (email) server for storing email messages for the at least one wireless communications device. An email relay server may detect a new email message on the at least one email server and, based thereon, send a short message service (SMS) notification with an original SMS identifier to the at least one wireless communications device. The at least one wireless communications device may detect the SMS notification and send an instruction to the email relay server to thereafter send any subsequent SMS notification with a different SMS identifier rather than the original SMS identifier.
US08135784B2 Communication system and e-mail check method
A communication device which accesses a mail server includes an acquisition unit and a judgment unit. The acquisition unit periodically accesses the mail server and acquires a total number of mails at each access. The judgment unit compares a total number of mails currently acquired with a total number of mails acquired last time and judges whether or not a new incoming mail is present and whether or not a different communication device receives a mail from the mail server, based on a result of said comparison.
US08135779B2 Method, system, apparatus, and software product for filtering out spam more efficiently
A method, network element, system, and software product are presented for differentiating spam from email so that the spam can be deleted, or placed in a separate location, or identified as spam. Email is received at a server, and the email is initially filtered to differentiate at least part of the spam from the other email. Then the filter is improved, for example by using an updated database to identify spam. Subsequently, the email is intermediately filtered to differentiate further spam at least once before a user device attempts to access the email. Some of the further spam was overlooked by the initial filtering, but not overlooked by the intermediate filtering.
US08135773B2 System and method for downloading files
A passenger entertainment system for use on aircraft and other types of vehicles and methods for manufacturing and using same. The entertainment system comprises a mobile entertainment apparatus that can communicate with a database system having at least one file library. When communicating with the database system, the entertainment apparatus can select and download one or more files from the file libraries. Once the selected files have been downloaded, the entertainment apparatus can present the files regardless of whether communication with the database system is maintained. If the entertainment apparatus is installed in a vehicle, for example, a passenger in the vehicle can download the files during travel to a portable personal entertainment system, which can retain the files even if disconnected from the entertainment apparatus. The passenger thereby can view the files at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle, by removing the personal entertainment system from the vehicle.
US08135767B2 Standard cell for arithmetic logic unit and chip card controller
A cell for an arithmetic logic unit includes a first input; a second input; a carry-in input; a first control input and a second control input; and a circuit connected to the first input, the second input, the carry-in input, the first control input, and the second control input. The circuit has a first output and a second output, the second output having a first value as a function of the first input and the second input when the first control input and the second control input are supplied values equal to a value at the carry-in input, and having a second value as a function of the first input and second input when the values at the first control input and the second control input are independent of the value at the carry-in input.
US08135760B1 Determining the lineage of a content unit on an object addressable storage system
Embodiments of the invention relate to determining the lineage of a content unit stored on an object addressable storage (OAS) system. When a content unit that is derived from at least one other content unit is stored on an OAS system, metadata that identifies the source content unit(s) from which the at least one content unit was derived may be stored. This metadata may be subsequently used to determine the lineage of the content unit.
US08135759B2 Communications system including protocol interface device for use with multiple operating protocols and related methods
A communications system may include a plurality of data storage devices each using at least one of a plurality of operating protocols. The system may also include a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices for accessing the data storage devices, and each may use at least one of the plurality of operating protocols. Furthermore, the system may also include a protocol interface device including a front-end proxy module for communicating with the plurality of mobile wireless communications devices using respective operating protocols, and a protocol engine module for communicating with the plurality of data storage devices using respective operating protocols. More particularly, the front-end proxy module and the protocol engine module may communicate using a common interface protocol able to represent a desired number of protocol-supported elements for a desired operating protocol.
US08135755B2 Templates in a schema editor
A schema editor allows for definition, distribution, and use of schema templates. The schema editor allows schema to be edited and then saved in such a way that the saved file can be reimported into the schema editor.
US08135751B2 Distributed computing system having hierarchical organization
A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. The model includes four distinct levels: fabric, domains, tiers and nodes that provide for the logical abstraction and containment of the physical components as well as system and service application software of the enterprise. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control nodes are responsible for all levels of management in accordance with the model, including fabric management, domain creation, tier creation and node allocation and deployment.
US08135747B2 Software and metadata structures for distributed and interactive database architecture for parallel and asynchronous data processing of complex data and for real-time query processing
The various embodiments of the invention provide software and metadata structures for a data processing system and method, for applications such as marketing campaign management, speech recognition and signal processing. An exemplary system embodiment includes a first data repository adapted to store a plurality of entity and attribute data; a second data repository adapted to store a plurality of entity linkage data; a metadata data repository adapted to store a plurality of metadata modules, with a first metadata module having a plurality of selectable parameters, received through a control interface, and having a plurality of metadata linkages to a first subset of metadata modules; and a multidimensional data structure. The control interface may modify the plurality of selectable parameters in response to received control information. A plurality of processing nodes are adapted to use the plurality of selectable parameters to assemble a first plurality of data from the first and second data repositories and from input data, to reduce the first plurality of data to form a second plurality of data, and to aggregate and dimension the second plurality of data for storage in the multidimensional data structure.
US08135741B2 Modifying service provider context information to facilitate locating interceptor context information
A method and system for tracking context information of a service provider and interceptors of service provider requests is provided. An interceptor modifies a portion of service provider context information to reference interceptor context information associated with a client. When the client requests a service of the service provider, the client provides the modified service provider context information along with the request. The interceptor uses the reference of the modified portion of the service provider context information to retrieve its context information. The interceptor then restores the modified portion of the service provider context information to the original unmodified portion, which the interceptor retained as part of its context information. The interceptor then forwards the request along with the original service provider context information to the service provider.
US08135737B2 Query routing
A search query is submitted to one or more information sources associated with a category of the query. The category of the query is indicated by a query ontology that relates queries to query categories. The information sources represent information sources from which a high percentage of search results for queries associated with the category are retrieved. For instance, the category of the query is identified by identifying categories corresponding to variations of the query, where each variation represents a combination of the terms within the query, and where the categories of the variations are assumed to be the categories of the query. Information sources associated with the query categories are identified, and the query is submitted to the identified information sources. Submitting the query to the identified information sources may cause search results retrieved for the query to more closely reflect search results desired by a user that specified the query.
US08135732B2 System and method for providing network-based services to users with high availability
A suite of network-based services, such as the services corresponding to Microsoft® SharePoint™, are provided to users with high availability. To maintain the availability of the services, the configuration parameters of a first server are updated on an ongoing basis, and the updated configuration parameters are used to configure a second, backup server. In the event of switchover or failover, the backup server is prepared to provide the serving functionality of the first server.
US08135729B2 Incremental query refinement
A method of incrementally refining queries and updating query result lists without requiring a user to provide an explicit indicator of query submission. In the method, one or more query related character patterns are defined. Entry of query defining characters by a user is monitored to detect entry of a defined query related character pattern. The user is provided with one or more suggested query refinement options and an updated query result list each time a defined query related character pattern is detected. The query related character patterns may be a character pattern that indicates a word has been input by the user.
US08135715B2 Method and apparatus for discovering and classifying polysemous word instances in web documents
A method and apparatus for discovering polysemous words and classifying polysemous words found in web documents. All document corpi in any natural language have words that have multiple usage contexts or words that have multiple meanings. Semantic analysis is not feasible for classifying all word occurrences in all documents on the web, which contain trillions of words in total. In addition, semantic analysis typically cannot distinguish multiple usages of a given meaning of a given word. In one embodiment of this invention, polysemous words in natural languages can be discovered by analyzing the co-occurrence of other words with the polysemous word in web documents. In one embodiment, the multiple meanings and usages of a polysemous word can be determined by analyzing the co-occurrences of other words with the polysemous word. In one embodiment, overcorrelation tables and three-word correlation tables are generated to analyze the words found in web documents.
US08135714B2 Public electronic document dating list
Systems and methods are disclosed which enable the establishment of file dates and the absence of tampering, even for documents held in secrecy and those stored in uncontrolled environments, but which does not require trusting a timestamping authority or document archival service. A trusted timestamping authority (TTSA) may be used, but even if the TTSA loses credibility or a challenger refuses to acknowledge the validity of a timestamp, a date for an electronic document may still be established. Systems and methods are disclosed which enable detection of file duplication in large collections of documents, which can improve searching for documents within the large collection.
US08135713B2 Sourcing controller
An intelligent sourcing controller for sourcing potential suppliers from external sources such as the Internet as well as internal sources such as a local data server. The intelligent sourcing engine controller provides a supplier appraisal to the buyer as decision support. The intelligent sourcing controller integrates its supplier appraisal criteria with the buyer's sourcing criteria, classifying the collected information in the same way a buyer configures his requirements for the suppliers. The intelligent sourcing controller synchronizes the Internet sourcing results with the local data server after each search to renew data in the local data server in time and the sourcing criteria can be reused in future for decision support.
US08135697B2 Search-friendly templates
Embodiments are provided for searching for templates utilized for managing data in a computer application program. Multiple templates for managing data are indexed as individual documents to facilitate the searching of data contained therein. Each individual document includes multiple subdocuments and a model which describes the multiple subdocuments. A data query may be received in the computer application program for one or more templates to utilize in managing the data. In response to receiving the data query, the indexed templates are searched for one or more templates which satisfy the data query. One or more template suggestions may then be displayed as a search result for satisfying the data query.
US08135691B2 Determining database relationships through query monitoring
An apparatus and method monitor database queries and allow determining database relationships from the analysis of the database queries. The database relationships are inferred from the analysis of the database queries. The result sets of queries are analyzed to determine if any relationships between the columns specified in the queries may be inferred. In one embodiment, when a relationship between columns is discovered from analyzing query results, a system administrator is notified. In another embodiment, the relationship is stored so it may be retrieved and viewed at a later time by the system administrator.
US08135683B2 Method and apparatus for data redundancy elimination at the block level
A redundancy elimination mechanism is provided, which applies aspects of duplicate block elimination and delta encoding at the block level. The redundancy elimination mechanism divides file objects into content-defined blocks or “chunks.” Identical chunks are suppressed. The redundancy elimination mechanism also performs resemblance detection on remaining chunks to identify chunks with sufficient redundancy to benefit from delta encoding of individual chunks. Any remaining chunks that do not benefit from delta encoding are compressed. Resemblance detection is optimized by merging groups of fingerprints into super fingerprints. This merging can be constructed to ensure that if two objects have a single super fingerprint in common, they are extremely likely to be substantially similar.
US08135680B2 Statistical record linkage calibration for reflexive, symmetric and transitive distance measures at the field and field value levels without the need for human interaction
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method use a symmetric, transitive and reflexive function to allow for linking records and entity representations whose field values differ. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.
US08135679B2 Statistical record linkage calibration for multi token fields without the need for human interaction
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method utilize blended field weights to account for certain types of partial matches. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.
US08135678B1 System and method for restoring a single data stream file from a snapshot
A file which has been changed from a data storage system is restored. If the file was changed from an active file system, a set of twin pointers is created by copying from the latest pointers in the active file system before the file system was changed. A pointer from the twin pointers is compared with a pointer from a snapshot of the active file system. If a pointer from the twin pointers points to a same data block as the pointer from the snapshot, the twin pointer is written into the active file system to restore the file to the active file system. If the pointers do not point to the same data block, a data of the block is copied to a new block in the active file system to restore data changed since the snapshot was taken.
US08135676B1 Method and system for managing data in storage systems
Method and system for incremental backup of data containers with fixed length records is provided. Initially, a backup application copies all stored data containers to create an initial backup container. A data structure corresponding to the first backup operation is also created. The data structure maintains unique file identifiers for each data container and information regarding when a record was added. The data structure is created and maintained by an application that also creates, updates, and modifies the fixed length records. The application updates the base data structure when records are added to a data container, after the initial backup. For a next backup operation, the initial data structure is compared to an updated data structure that is current at the next backup time. The comparison identifies the new records that were added (or updated) since the initial backup operation. The backup application then incrementally copies the new records.
US08135672B1 Deleting website-specific data at a wireless-network gateway
Computer-readable media are described to delete a wireless user's website-specific data, or cookies from a wireless-network gateway. A control port is provided at the wireless-network gateway and is configured to receive commands to delete a user's cookies from databases associated with the wireless-network gateway. A command message including a command to delete the user's website-specific data is received from the user's mobile device. The command message includes a unique user identifier to assist in identifying the user's website-specific data. The user's website-specific data are also labeled with the unique user identifier when stored in the databases. The user's website-specific data are identified in the databases using the unique identifier and are deleted. A status indication may be communicated to the mobile device and to the user to indicate successful deletion of the user's cookies.
US08135669B2 Information access with usage-driven metadata feedback
In a method for displaying and capturing metadata of documents within result presentations in information access or search systems, a metadata server is used for storing a metadata associated with any searchable document and the end users are given the opportunity to view and edit metadata associated with documents returned from the metadata server which is capable of automatically creating metadata objects associated with any combination of document query and document position in a result set for a given queryA search engine capable of implementing the method comprises a metadata server as part of or connected with its core search engine.
US08135668B2 Service composition environment
A service composition environment is used to create a collaborative application that links services, composite services as well as with other collaborative applications. An application that is created using the service composition environment may include any combination of composite services, individual services and aggregated composite services. Metadata is obtained from the services that includes functional and non-functional policies, governance regulations, management aspects, and programmable binding information that relates to the services.
US08135666B2 Systems and methods for policy based execution of time critical data warehouse triggers
Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods, apparatuses and program products that employ a policy based method of timely execution of triggers over a data warehouse. Embodiments of the invention utilize methods to convert a trigger condition into differential queries over data sources, to decide when to send queries to data sources, and determine to which data sources to send queries.
US08135652B2 Parallel support vector method and apparatus
Disclosed is an improved technique for training a support vector machine using a distributed architecture. A training data set is divided into subsets, and the subsets are optimized in a first level of optimizations, with each optimization generating a support vector set. The support vector sets output from the first level optimizations are then combined and used as input to a second level of optimizations. This hierarchical processing continues for multiple levels, with the output of each prior level being fed into the next level of optimizations. In order to guarantee a global optimal solution, a final set of support vectors from a final level of optimization processing may be fed back into the first level of the optimization cascade so that the results may be processed along with each of the training data subsets. This feedback may continue in multiple iterations until the same final support vector set is generated during two sequential iterations through the cascade, thereby guaranteeing that the solution has converged to the global optimal solution. In various embodiments, various combinations of inputs may be used by the various optimizations. The individual optimizations may be processed in parallel.
US08135647B2 Consumer authentication system and method
A method for authenticating a consumer. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a consumer conducting a transaction with a portable consumer device. A challenge message is sent to the consumer, where the challenge message is dynamic or semi-dynamic. A challenge response message is received from the consumer, and an authorization response message is sent to the consumer. The authorization response message indicates whether or not the transaction is authorized.
US08135646B2 Content transmission apparatus
A content transmission apparatus is disclosed which promotes distribution of contents over a network and thereby affords better convenience to those who wish to sell and buy the contents. The apparatus is implemented typically as a video camera provided beforehand with an access account from a server apparatus. The content transmission apparatus is equipped with abilities to encode contents in a streaming format for upload and to connect communicably with the server receiving what is uploaded. These features allow the user of the content transmission apparatus easily to upload the content generated thereby to the server without going through complicated steps to sign up with an ISP; to prepare a personal computer, a modem and other hardware; or to make elaborate settings and establish connection with the server. Therefore, uploading of contents is promoted. The server apparatus presents uploaded contents illustratively at its website to solicit potential buyers extensively for the presented contents.
US08135640B2 System and method for making a synthetic cash advance using a purchase payment exchange
System and method provide for making a synthetic cash advance to a credit cardholder via a purchase-payment exchange. A beneficiary selects an item to be purchased by a cardholder for the beneficiary, and in exchange for the cardholder's purchase, the beneficiary transfers funds to the cardholder in an amount that is less than the purchase price of the item. Using this invention, the beneficiary receives the selected item, has a payment made at a discount, and the cardholder receives cash at the card's purchase interest rate. Two or more cardholders may be allowed to bid to make the beneficiary's purchase or payment. The winning bid may be selected based on the cardholder bid having the largest discount from the purchase price.
US08135614B2 Multiple RF read zone system
A multizone RF read/write system for conducting transactions with vehicles traveling at high speeds. A first RF read zone is created, preferably by use of a first gantry that extends over at least one lane and contains at least one RF source that creates a large powerful RF read zone for reading or reading and writing to a transponder on a passing vehicle. Additional RF read zones arranged in tandem with the first RF read zone are created by at least one additional RF source that is located on an additional gantry extending over at least one lane, or located on the first gantry. Accordingly, multiple RF read zones are created to conduct transactions with passing vehicles. In one aspect, the multiple RF read zones can be used to ensure that tolling transactions with a single vehicle are more likely to be completed and have a higher degree of accuracy. In another aspect, the multiple RF read zones each employ a different RF technology so that multiple types of RF toll tags can be read and written.
US08135613B2 Ringback advertising
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an indication of a telephone call being placed from a calling number is received, and a determination is made of an audio advertisement to play based on the calling number. The audio advertisement is played based on the determination.
US08135609B2 Identifying and surveying subscribers
A method for surveying and gathering user and status information from data processing devices coupled to a network. Data processing devices, such as cellular phones and handheld devices, may be coupled to a network manager through phone lines or RF networks. The network manager transmits survey inquiries and receives survey responses from users. The specific set of users may be selected based on user characteristics and/or device characteristics compiled by the network manger. Other status information, such as the location of each data processing device on the network and whether each data processing device on the network is active, may also be collected by the network manager. Collected information may then be distributed or made available to other data processing devices on the network.
US08135601B2 One-way like display of roundtrip fares
A method of evaluating outbound and inbound fare amounts out of a plurality of roundtrip fare recommendations is disclosed. Intended to be displayed in a one-way like display, roundtrip fares are first obtained from a fare-driven availability engine receiving inputs from an online user of a travel website. Further recommendations are deduced by combining the above roundtrip fare recommendations in order to obtain a first improved list of recommendations which comprises more outbound and inbound fare combinations. Then, one-way fare amounts are determined for each combination from the first improved list of recommendations. A second improved list of recommendations, comprising outbound and inbound fare amounts evaluated on the basis of the initial roundtrip fare recommendations, is generated. Outbound and inbound fare amounts can thus be shown in a one-way like display of roundtrip fares to the online user of the travel website.
US08135599B2 Online method and system for fulfilling needs resulting from property and other similar losses
A method of fulfilling needs acquired as a result of property and other similar losses, the method involving the steps of directing a person or entity with a need resulting from a loss to a site on a global computer network, interviewing the person or entity at the site to obtain information about the person or entity and the need they have, and analyzing and processing the information to provide the person or entity automatic access at the site to at least one service that will go toward fulfilling the need of the person or entity. In addition to the method, a system for fulfilling needs acquired as a result of property and other similar losses, the system including a site on a global computer network for fulfilling needs of persons or entities acquired from property and other similar losses, the site having an interviewing component for obtaining information about the person or entity and the need they have, and a data analyzing and processing component for analyzing the information provided by the person or entity and providing the person or entity automatic access at the site to at least one service that will go toward fulfilling the need of the person or entity.
US08135598B2 Systems and methods for providing a deferred annuity with a target date retirement benefit
Systems and methods for guaranteeing a Target Value of an account on any given Target Value Date. The investment profile of the account may be automatically adjusted to be more or less conservative based on the evolution of the contract with respect to its accumulation value and guarantee. Within broadly defined groups of allocation choices the owner has complete freedom to distribute the account value to individual choices within those groups. The risk profile of the investments may be contracted to change as the Target Value Date approaches.
US08135597B1 Method using a global server for providing patient medical histories to assist in the delivery of emergency medical services
An Internet based method for assisting in the rapid delivery of medical information direct to the site at which emergency assistance is being performed uses a global database for warehousing patient history information, which is fetched over the Internet on demand. In one embodiment, medical providers use an access code carried by the injured party and without which access is denied. The access code may be carried as a barcode and as an imprinted number on a bracelet or on a card carried by the individual. Patient information is transmitted over a network, either wireline or wireless, the Internet or wide area network, to a computer or personal digital assistant available to emergency personnel. In one embodiment, patient history information access is determined through the use of an access code reader, by entering the patient access code manually or by entering the patient's name as a last resort. Additionally insurance information can be made available to shorten emergency room admission procedures.Lastly, the patient's card or bracelet can allow for patient history to be downloaded and saved. Thus in emergency situations, the information can be uploaded from the card or bracelet to the healthcare providers' viewing screens.
US08135596B2 Generating output data based on patient monitoring
Exemplary system and method embodiments may include real-time monitoring data regarding administration of a health-related procedure to a recipient patient which is posted to a patient data record that has restricted read/write access. In some instances the monitoring data is processed to determine compliance or non-compliance based on comparison of the health-related procedure with a predetermined benchmark standard. Exemplary aspects of the monitoring data transmitted and/or received via one or more communication links may include updated confirmation of a patient identifier and verification of an updated parameter regarding administration of the health-related procedure.
US08135595B2 Computer systems and methods for providing health care
The invention provides a computer network comprising a first computer and one or more second computers that are in electronic communication with each other. The first computer is associated with a first health care facility and has instructions for retrieving, over a network, one or more data structures for a patient enrolled in a health care program. The one or more data structures for the patient collectively comprise (i) a patient identifier, (ii) a molecular profile from a biological specimen obtained from the patient at the first health care facility; and (iii) a clinical characterization of the patient that was made at the first health care facility. The first computer has instructions for retrieving, over the network connection, one or a plurality of treatment regimens that are deemed suitable for the patient based upon the molecular profile and the clinical characterization of the patient. The one or more second computers are at one or more locations other than the first health care facility and have one or more data structures for each patient in a plurality of patients enrolled in the health care program.
US08135593B2 Methods, apparatuses and system for encoding and decoding signal
Methods and apparatuses for encoding a signal and decoding a signal and a system for encoding and decoding are provided. The method for encoding a signal includes performing a classification decision process on high frequency signals of input signals, adaptively encoding the high frequency signals according to the result of the classification decision process, and outputting a bitstream including codes of low frequency signals of the input signals, adaptive codes of the high frequency signals, and the result of the classification decision process. The classification decision process is performed on the high frequency signals, and adaptive encoding or adaptive decoding is performed according to the result of the classification decision process, so the quality of voice and audio output signals is improved.
US08135590B2 Position-dependent phonetic models for reliable pronunciation identification
A representation of a speech signal is received and is decoded to identify a sequence of position-dependent phonetic tokens wherein each token comprises a phone and a position indicator that indicates the position of the phone within a syllable.
US08135589B1 Performing speech recognition over a network and using speech recognition results
Systems, methods and apparatus for generating, distributing, and using speech recognition models. A shared speech processing facility is used to support speech recognition for a wide variety of devices with limited capabilities including business computer systems, personal data assistants, etc., which are coupled to the speech processing facility via a communications channel, e.g., the Internet. Devices with audio capture capability record and transmit to the speech processing facility, via the Internet, digitized speech and receive speech processing services, e.g., speech recognition model generation and/or speech recognition services, in response. The Internet is used to return speech recognition models and/or information identifying recognized words or phrases. The speech processing facility can be used to provide speech recognition capabilities to devices without such capabilities and/or to augment a device's speech processing capability. Voice dialing, telephone control and/or other services are provided by the speech processing facility in response to speech recognition results.
US08135583B2 Encoder, decoder, encoding method, and decoding method
An encoder, decoder, encoding method, and decoding method enabling acquisition of high-quality decoded signal in scalable encoding of an original signal in first and second layers even if the second or upper layer section performs low bit-rate encoding. In the encoder, a spectrum residue shape codebook stores candidates of spectrum residue shape vectors, a spectrum residue gain codebook stores candidates of spectrum residue gains, and a spectrum residue shape vector and a spectrum residue gain are sequentially outputted from the candidates according to the instruction from a search section. A multiplier multiplies a candidate of the spectrum residue shape vector by a candidate of the spectrum residue gain and outputs the result to a filtering section. The filtering section performs filtering by using a pitch filter internal state set by a filter state setting section, a lag T outputted by a lag setting section, and a spectrum residue shape vector which has undergone gain adjustment.
US08135575B1 Cross-lingual indexing and information retrieval
Systems and methods are disclosed for searching across multi-lingual information. A user makes a query in a first language, and a group of documents that were previously machine-translated into the first language are searched for information responsive to the query. Contextual information derived can be used to improve the accuracy of the machine translation. Responsive documents are returned to the user. Alternatively, a query provided in a user's language may be translated into one or more other languages. Documents written in these languages can then be searched for information responsive to the appropriate translated query. Responsive documents can be translated into the user's language prior to providing them to the user.
US08135571B2 Validating manufacturing test rules pertaining to an electronic component
The invention is directed to validating a specified manufacturing test rule, which pertains to an electronic component. The method includes generating a file of test data sets, wherein each test data set in the file is valid for the rule. Each test data set includes a stimulus comprising one or more single input vectors, and further includes a set of results that are expected. The method further comprises constructing a testbench to prepare testcases for simulation, wherein each testcase corresponds to the stimulus and the expected output results of one of the test data sets, and each testcase is disposed to be simulated separately, or independently, from every other testcase. The method further comprises selectively preparing each of the testcases for simulation, in order to provide simulated results for the stimulus corresponding to each testcase. The expected results and the simulated results are compared for each testcase.
US08135570B2 Generation of code from a graphical model
A method and system are provided for generating code from a graphical model in a graphical modeling environment. The graphical model includes at least one signal having a data size, a data dimensionality, or both that can vary from a first time instance to a second time instance as the model executes. The size and dimensionality of the signal can vary without the use of a graphically rendered connection to convey the size and dimension information to a block associated with the signal.
US08135567B2 Method of emulating machine tool behavior for programmable logic controller logical verification system
A method is provided of emulating and visualizing machine tool behavior for a programmable logic controller logical verification system for manufacturing a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps of constructing a mechanical model. The method also includes the steps of viewing motion of the mechanical model in a motion viewer and determining whether the motion of the mechanical model is acceptable. The method further includes the steps of replicating the motion previously defined with PLC code if the motion of the mechanical model was acceptable and using the accepted motion of the mechanical model to compare the behavior of the PLC code relative to the accepted motion.
US08135565B2 Method and system for transferring data between a discrete event environment and an external environment
In one embodiment, a model of a system includes one or more event-driven blocks and one or more time-driven blocks. The model is executed in part by receiving an entity from a event-driven block, and in response to receiving the entity, generating a time-varying data signal descriptive of the entity. The data signal is passed to one or more time-driven blocks, which generate one or more results at least in part from the data signal, and display at least some of the one or more results.
US08135564B2 Filtering techniques to remove noise from a periodic signal and Irms calculations
A signal filtering technique is designed to remove the effects of a periodic, low-frequency noise signal from a signal of interest. A signal waveform is sampled at different points of a number of consecutive periodic noise signal cycles and the collected samples are averaged to produce a corrected signal. The number of consecutive cycles in which samples are taken and averaged is inversely related to the signal amplitude such that as the signal level decreases, the number of cycles examined increases. The technique is particularly applicable to periodic signals associated with the output of Hall effect sensors in an electrical metrology environment. Improved RMS calculations are obtained for filtering low-frequency random noise from Hall sensors by averaging samples at different points of a signal cycle to create a composite desired signal cycle to facilitate other signal calculations. In a given electricity utility meter incorporating solid state circuitry, such metrology RMS calculations may be implemented in a metrology section of solid state devices provided on printed circuit boards, such as utilizing programmable integrated circuit components. By varying the number of cycles summed, the algorithm will adapt to amplitude changes more quickly. By using time averaged samples to filter random noise from the periodic signal of interest, the overall requirements for complex filtering is reduced. Instead, the technique relies on buffering and averaging synchronized samples for a given number of line cycles, so that by increasing the buffer size, larger numbers of line cycles can be accumulated and the filter cut-off frequency reduced.
US08135563B2 Apparatus and method for evaluating the performance of systems having time-varying output characteristics
An apparatus for evaluating a system. The apparatus can include a storage element for receiving at least one time-varying output characteristic of the system, the time-varying output characteristic comprising a plurality of raw data points representing a plurality of measurements at a plurality of times; and a processing element communicatively coupled to the storage element. The processing element can be configured for partitioning the plurality of raw data points into a plurality of segments, calculating a plurality of estimated data points based on a plurality of mathematical expressions, and characterizing the system based on at least one figure of merit (FOM) computed from the plurality of estimated data points. In the apparatus, at least one of the plurality of mathematical expressions is associated with each of the plurality of segments.
US08135560B2 Sensor system for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A chamber monitoring system may include a parallel architecture in which a single sensor control system is coupled to a number of different processing chamber control board sensor lines. In an illustrative embodiment, a single rotation sensor such as a tachometer may reside in a central control unit remote from the processing chambers such that rotation data may be processed by a single system and thereafter routed according to a variety of different network communication protocols to the main system controller, a factory interface, or both. In this and other embodiments, pull-up networks in the central control unit and the chamber control boards are matched so as to reduce electrical signal anomalies such as crowbar effects. The central control unit may be programmed via a main system controller to operate according to user defined parameters, which in turn may enable the system to differentiate between certain operating states.
US08135559B2 Extended thermal management
A method for managing thermal condition of a thermal zone that includes multiple thermally controllable components include determining thermal relationship between the components and reducing temperature of a first component by reducing thermal dissipation of a second component.
US08135550B2 System for monitoring and assessing electrical circuits and method of operation
A system for collecting data and monitoring the operation of electrical circuits, such as branch circuits at a substation is provided. The system collects data from a plurality of sensors coupled to a plurality of electrical equipment associated with a circuit. The data from the sensors is collected and used to determine the activation of the electrical equipment, such as a protective relay for example. The data is further transformed to allow assessment of the circuit's performance against desired parameters.
US08135523B2 Method for controlling a friction clutch
A method is proposed in which the distance sensor of a friction clutch operated automatically by a clutch actuator is calibrated in the disengaged state, wherein if the calibration is lost the friction clutch is slowly engaged until the friction clutch is in an engaged state, and when the friction clutch is completely engaged the distance sensor is recalibrated.
US08135520B2 Gear clash logic
A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
US08135518B2 Linkage control system with position estimator backup
A linkage control system for a machine having a linkage and a work implement is disclosed. The linkage control system has an operator input device configured to control the movement of the linkage, at least one actuator configured to respond to the operator input device to control the movement of the linkage, and at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of sensor data on at least one actuator. The linkage control system has a controller in communication with at least one actuator, at least one sensor, and the operator input device. The controller is configured to calculate the position of the linkage, to detect anomalous sensor data from at least one sensor, and to predict the position of the linkage and work implement based on a last known accurate position, a last known accurate sensor data, and the operator input device.
US08135512B2 Auxiliary control system and method to a motor vehicle's built-in anti-theft system
The auxiliary control system contains at least a first interaction device and a second interaction device that are capable of mutually detecting the presence of each other by a wireless means. The first interaction device is carried by a driver of a motor vehicle having a built-in anti-theft system, and the second interaction device is tapped into a Main Body ECU in parallel with the original control interface of the built-in anti-theft system. As such, when the driver carrying the first interaction device enters into or moves out of an effective sensing range from the motor vehicle, the second interaction device would detect the presence or absence of the first interaction device. The second interaction device then issues appropriate deactivating or activating signals to the Main Body ECU which in turn disarms or arms the various anti-theft means of the motor vehicle.
US08135488B2 Controller for a positioning device, method for controlling a positioning device, positioning device, and lithographic apparatus provided with a positioning device
A controller for a positioning device is constructed and arranged to receive a position signal indicative of a position of the positioning device, compare the position signal to a set-point signal indicative of a desired position of the positioning device to obtain an error signal, selectively modify the error signal based on the amplitude and the frequency content of the error signal to obtain a modified error signal, generate a control signal for controlling the positioning device on the basis of the modified error signal. The controller may be applied to control a positioning device in a lithographic apparatus.
US08135483B2 Editing device and audio signal processing device
An editing device that edits a configuration of signal processing to be performed in a mixer engine having a programmable signal processor stores, for each of a plurality of mixer engines, resource data indicating a signal processing resource of a DSP of the mixer engine, accepts a selection of mixer engine which executes signal processing based on the edited configuration, assigns a resource of the DSP to a component and wire in the signal processing to be executed in accordance with the resource data of the mixer engine, with respect to each of all the selected mixer engines, and adds data indicating that the assignment is performed in accordance with the resource data of which model and data indicating an assignment result regarding each model to data indicating the configuration of signal processing.
US08135475B2 Method and device for collagen growth stimulation
The invention provides an applicator for skin treatment having one or more RF electrodes. An article is located between the electrodes, such as a roller or flexible belt containing one or more protruding pins electrically isolated from the RF electrodes. The invention also provides a system for skin treatment comprising the applicator of the invention and a control unit. The invention further provides a method of treating skin disorders in which a section of the skin is heated while, essentially simultaneously, piercing one or more holes in the heated section of the skin. The method of the invention may be used, for example, in collagen remodeling.
US08135473B2 Collecting posture and activity information to evaluate therapy
A medical device, programmer, or other computing device may determine values of one or more activity and, in some embodiments, posture metrics for each therapy parameter set used by the medical device to deliver therapy. The metric values for a parameter set are determined based on signals generated by the sensors when that therapy parameter set was in use. Activity metric values may be associated with a postural category in addition to a therapy parameter set, and may indicate the duration and intensity of activity within one or more postural categories resulting from delivery of therapy according to a therapy parameter set. A posture metric for a therapy parameter set may indicate the fraction of time spent by the patient in various postures when the medical device used a therapy parameter set. The metric values may be used to evaluate the efficacy of the therapy parameter sets.
US08135471B2 Method and apparatus for inspiratory muscle stimulation using implantable device
An inspiratory muscle stimulation system uses an implantable medical device to deliver stimulation to control diaphragmatic contractions for slower and deeper breathing, thereby conditioning and strengthening inspiratory muscles. In various embodiments, respiratory and/or cardiac performance are monitored for controlling parameters of the stimulation.
US08135464B1 Painless ventricular rate control during supraventricular tachycardia
In various embodiments of the present invention, lower amplitude high frequency burst stimulation of cardiac fat pad(s) innervating the AV node and/or ventricle tissue performed in conjunction with ventricular pacing during refractory period is used to reduce the ventricular rate in order to terminate arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia. In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more pace pulse delivered during a ventricular refractory period can be used to further extend the duration of the refractory period followed by a short burst of cardiac fat pad stimulation to temporarily slow AV conduction. In an embodiment of the present invention, this therapy slows the ventricular rate by altering conduction speed in both the AV node and the ventricles.
US08135458B1 System and method for in vivo sensor recalibration
A method of in vivo sensor recalibration includes implanting a sensor at an implantation site in a living body; taking a sensor reading with the implanted sensor; taking a first electrical reading across biological material adjacent the implanted sensor; taking a second electrical reading across biological material adjacent the implanted sensor subsequent in time to the taking of the first electrical reading; comparing the first electrical reading with the second electrical reading; and recalibrating the sensor based on the comparison of the first electrical reading to the second electrical reading.
US08135456B2 Device and method for detecting atrial fibrillation
Detection of atrial fibrillation involves detecting a plurality of ventricular events and obtaining a series of probabilities of AF, each corresponding to a probability of AF for a different beat window having a plurality of ventricular events. AF onset is detected when one or each of a plurality of consecutive AF probabilities satisfies an AF trigger threshold. AF termination is detected when one or each of a plurality of consecutive AF probabilities does not satisfy the AF trigger threshold. A probability of AF is obtained using one or more of a probability of AF that is based on the presence of irregularity of the ventricular events (PMC); a probability of AF that is based on variances of R-R intervals of the ventricular events (PVAR); and/or a combination of these probabilities (PCOMBINED).
US08135447B2 Optical biological information measuring apparatus, optical biological information measuring method, biological information decision apparatus, program and recording medium
An optical biological information measuring apparatus includes a measuring surface to be placed on the surface of a living body, a mark display section which displays a mark at a region to be measured on the surface of the living body, a light-emitting section which irradiates the living body with light of a predetermined wavelength and a light-receiving section which receives light irradiated onto the living body and returned from the living body, and measures information on the living body based on the received light. The optical biological information measuring apparatus is capable of measuring biological information with improved alignment accuracy.
US08135433B2 Reduction in interference between components
An apparatus is disclosed comprising a transducer, which transducer comprises at least one electrical connection point configured to enable an external electrical connection of the transducer. The transducer further comprises at least one decoupling coil configured to electrically decouple the transducer from the at least one electrical connection point at a frequency above an operating frequency of the transducer. Moreover, a method for assembling the described apparatus is disclosed.
US08135431B2 Multi-dimensional adaptive transmission technique
Method and apparatus for dynamically optimizing the transmission level of each remote terminal in a satellite-based communication network. Each remote terminal maintains quasi-error-free communication at the highest efficiency level available under changing link conditions and network configurations, without requiring the reservation of substantial power margins, which results in a much more efficient satellite network.
US08135428B2 Transmission power control target calculating apparatus
A transmission power control target value calculating apparatus that calculates target values, which are used for transmission power control of radio waves sent through radio transmission paths, comprises: a first target value calculating section that calculates a first transmission power control target value based on quality of combined data which is obtained by combining data obtained through the radio transmission paths; and a second target value calculating section that determines a second transmission power control target value to be applied to at least one of the radio transmission paths, based on the first transmission power control target value and quality information of each of the radio transmission paths.
US08135426B2 Optimistic talk-permit reliability enhancement in a push-to-talk system
A system, method, and computer program for providing a greater reliability for a direct-communication, such as push-to-talk communication, being bridged between members of a communicating group of wireless telecommunication devices. Each wireless telecommunication device, such as a cellular telephone or PDA, of a plurality periodically informs a group communication server of the presence of that wireless telecommunication device on the wireless telecommunication network such that upon receipt of a request from a wireless telecommunication device to bridge a direct communication, the group communication server will attempt to bridge the requested direct communication with the target set of wireless telecommunication devices only if at least one of the wireless telecommunication devices of the target set has indicated its presence on the wireless telecommunication network.
US08135420B2 Method of transmitting/receiving a paging message in a wireless communication system
A method of receiving a paging message at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system in accordance with the present invention comprises receiving from a network paging indication information including a UE identification information and scheduling information for a paging channel (PCH) on which a paging message is transmitted, the scheduling information including allocation information of a time-frequency region through which the paging message is transmitted, obtaining the paging indication information when the UE identification information is identical to an identity of the UE, and receiving from the network the paging message through the time-frequency region indicated by the paging indication information.
US08135415B2 Integrated active tags in mobile devices
Described are integrated active tags in a mobile device. The mobile device may include (a) a transceiver broadcasting a first location beacon when a capacity of a battery of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold; and (b) a tag broadcasting a second location beacon when the capacity of the battery of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold.
US08135388B1 Managing communication network capacity
A system is provided for managing communication network capacity. The system includes a processor, a data store, an analysis component, and a message component. The data store stores information associated with communication metrics for customers. The analysis component, when executed by the processor, determines a mean and a standard deviation for the communication metrics based on the stored information. The analysis component also determines whether the stored information associated with communication metrics for one of the customers is a predefined number of the standard deviation from the mean for more than a predefined number of days. The message component, when executed by the processor, sends a message to the one of the customers in response to a determination that stored information associated with the communication metrics for the one of the customers is the predefined number of the standard deviation from the mean for more than the predefined number of days.
US08135387B2 Dynamic handling of urgent calls in mobile communication devices
A method for selectively permitting the completion of communications to a user's mobile communication device placed in silent mode includes: receiving an incoming communication from a caller; obtaining availability information for the called party and a first code; sending a message to the caller with the called party's availability and the first code; receiving a call from the caller with a second code; and allowing communication with the caller in the event the second code matches the first code.
US08135386B2 Method and apparatus for instance identifier based on a unique device identifier
A method and apparatus for use in a communications network whereby an Instance Identifier (ID) is created to uniquely identify a device such as a mobile device or User Equipment (UE) in the communications network.
US08135378B2 Emergency response system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions for receiving an emergency request to assist a subscriber, retrieving presence information of each of a plurality of parties that serve as emergency contacts for the subscriber, selecting a communication identifier of at least one of the plurality of parties according to the presence information, and notifying the at least one party of the emergency request. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08135376B2 System and method for differentiating between incoming and outgoing messages and identifying correspondents in a TTY communication
A method and system are provided that examine incoming and outgoing TTY transmissions to determine an identifier for distinguishing between correspondents in a TTY call. The system may utilize existing contact information associated with an incoming call to provide context to a user for accepting incoming calls and during conversations and may apply various display settings. For TTY users, the additional context simplifies the ability to conduct critical reasoning, especially those with cognitive impairments. In particular, a picture from the user's address book is provided to assist in identifying the caller. The other display settings may include modified font styles, colors, multi-line display etc. to differentiate between incoming and outgoing messages.
US08135374B2 Frequency converting circuit and receiver
A frequency converting circuit that outputs an output signal obtained by mixing a first input signal and a second input signal, has: a first input terminal to which the first input signal is input; a second input terminal to which the second input signal is input; an output terminal from which the output signal is output; a frequency converting element that has a first input part connected to the first input terminal and an output part connected to the output terminal, restricts the signal input to the first input part according to a signal input to a second input part and outputs the restricted signal to the output part; and a pulse controlling circuit that receives the second input signal via the second input terminal and outputs a pulse signal obtained by restricting the pulses of the second input signal to the second input part of the frequency converting element.
US08135368B2 Receiver
A receiver has a pre-stage variable gain amplifier configured to amplify an RF signal received by an antenna, a frequency converter configured to convert an output signal of the pre-stage variable gain amplifier into a low frequency signal to output the low frequency signal, a filter unit configured to selectively extract a receiving channel frequency band component from the low frequency signal, a post-stage variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the output signal of the filter unit, a pre-stage amplifier controller configured to adjust a gain of the pre-stage variable gain amplifier so that an output amplitude of the frequency converter approaches a target value, a post-stage amplifier controller configured to adjust a gain of the post-stage variable gain amplifier so that an output amplitude of the post-stage variable gain amplifier approaches a target value, and an adaptive controller configured to detect a receiving status based on the gain of the pre-stage variable gain amplifier and the gain of the post-stage variable gain amplifier, and control a circuit property of at least a portion of a circuit block from the pre-stage variable gain amplifier to the post-stage variable gain amplifier based on the detected result.
US08135367B2 Method and system for on-demand linearity in a receiver
Aspects of a method and system for on-demand linearity in a receiver are provided. In this regard, in a receiver such as on-chip receiver, a strength of a signal received by one or more antennas may be measured and linearity of the receiver may be controlled in response to the measured signal strength. The linearity may be controlled based on signal strength of in-band and/or out-of-band signals and by configuring component(s) of the receiver. Exemplary components may comprise one or more filter, amplifier, mixer, analog-to-digital converter, feedback loop, and equalizer and/or post corrector. Linearity may be increased, by switching one or more feedback loops and/or an equalizers and/or post correctors into a signal path of the receiver. Power consumption may be decreased, at the expense of reduced linearity, by switching one or more feedback loops and/or an equalizers and/or post correctors out of a signal path of the receiver.
US08135358B1 Device, method, and system for extended frequency band communication
A communication device may include a manpack, and a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.
US08135354B2 Method and system for chopped antenna impedance measurements with an RFID radio
Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.
US08135351B2 Systems and methods for improving channel estimation
A method for improving channel estimation in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A wireless signal that includes a plurality of multipath components is received. N channel estimates are then obtained, where N is any positive integer greater than one. Each channel estimate of the N channel estimates corresponds to a different multipath component of the plurality of multipath components. The effects of interference between the plurality of multipath components on the N channel estimates is then reduced.
US08135339B2 System and method for feedback cancellation in repeaters
An apparatus for repeating signals includes a receive antenna for receiving input signals, processing circuitry for processing the input signals to form repeated signals, and a transmit antenna for transmitting the repeated signals. The processing circuitry includes an adaptive digital filter configured to generate cancellation signals that are added to the input signals to cancel unwanted feedback signals from the input signals. A frequency shifting circuit adds a frequency shift to the input signals, after the addition of the cancellation signals, to form repeated signals that are frequency shifted from the input signals. A digital signal processor is coupled to the adaptive digital filter for digitally adapting the filter. The digital signal processor utilizes the frequency shift of the transmission signals to adapt the adaptive digital filter.
US08135335B2 Apparatus and method for processing transmission information of broadcast message constituted by relay station (RS) in multihop relay broadband wireless access (BWA) communication system
An apparatus and a method for processing transmission information of a broadcast message constituted by a Relay Station (RS) in a multihop relay Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) communication system are provided. A communication method of the RS includes composing a message to be sent to a Mobile Station (MS); transmitting a scheduling request message which includes information required to schedule the composed message, to a Base Station (BS); and receiving an allocation message which includes information to transmit the composed message, from the BS in response to the scheduling request message.
US08135332B2 Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
Set information including information identifying one or more areas of operation of a broadcast terminal apparatus and a user ID, and broadcast-station information including a name and an identification data item of a broadcast station are stored. The broadcast-station information is stored in association with an area in which a broadcast signal output by the broadcast station can be received. An information-processing apparatus includes a detecting unit that retrieves the name or the identification data item of the broadcast station upon a reception of information identifying one of the one or more areas of operation and the user ID. The information-processing apparatus also includes a transmitting/receiving unit that receives the reception, transmits a transmission of the name or the identification data item of the broadcast station upon the reception, and receives an indicator of the broadcast station and an indicator of the user ID in response to the transmission.
US08135330B2 Image recording device and determination method
A image recording device includes a sheet feeding unit, an image recording unit, a first feeding control unit, a determination unit, and a recording control unit. The sheet feeding unit feeds a sheet member along a sheet feeding path in a sheet feeding direction. The image recording unit records an image on the sheet member and defines a recordable area which is an area for forming the image on the sheet member. The first feeding control unit controls the sheet feeding unit to feed the sheet member to an entry position before the image recording unit starts to record the image on the sheet member. The determination unit determines whether the sheet member located at the entry position has a skew. The recording control unit controls the image recording unit to record the image on the sheet member based on a determination result of the determination unit.
US08135328B2 Cleaning blade
A cleaning blade is provided which does not cause contamination of other parts even when being stored for a long period of time in a high temperature and high humidity environment. The cleaning blade is set in an image forming apparatus employing an electrostatic transfer process, including a blade member and a support member to rub and remove residual toner remaining on a photosensitive drum provided to the image forming apparatus, in which the total amount of nitrogen-containing compounds extracted with methanol from the cleaning blade is 12 μg or less per cm of the cleaning blade in its longitudinal direction.
US08135325B2 Image-drivable flash lamp
A flash lamp including an integrated plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a transparent first electrode; a cell including a gas coupled to the transparent first electrode; and a second electrode having a non-uniform surface coupled to the cell.
US08135324B2 Fuser member and methods of making thereof
A fuser member includes a substrate and an outer layer including a polymeric material and an aerogel component including aerogel particles having a surface area of from about 400 to about 1200 m2/g that is at least one of dispersed in or bonded to the polymeric material. Methods of making a fuser member include applying an outer layer including a polymeric material and an aerogel component over a substrate, and curing the outer layer such that the aerogel component is at least one of dispersed in or bonded to the polymeric material.
US08135322B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heat member, a belt member, a belt support member, a first rotation member, a second rotation member, and a separation contact mechanism. The belt member is heated by the heat member. The belt support member operably supports the belt member. The first rotation member tightly stretches the belt member with the belt support member. The second rotation member is disposed opposite to the first rotation member through the belt member. The separation contact mechanism makes the heat member to contact the belt member when the first rotation member rotates, and makes the heat member separate from the belt member when the first rotation member halts.
US08135321B2 Gas knife apparatus and methods for stripping media from surface in printing apparatus
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful for printing includes a first member including a first surface; a second member including a second surface forming a nip with the first surface; a gas source; a rotary valve including a gas inlet in fluid communication with the gas source, a gas outlet and a rotor including a gas passage; a gas knife in fluid communication with the gas outlet of the rotary valve, the gas knife being adapted to emit gas onto the second surface downstream from the nip; and a motor coupled to the rotor. The motor is operable to rotate the rotor to selectively position the rotary valve in at least a first open position in which the gas passage is in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet, gas is supplied from the rotary valve to the gas knife which emits the gas having a first pressure onto the second surface, and a closed position in which the gas passage is not in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet and gas is not supplied from the rotary valve to the gas knife.
US08135311B2 Developing unit having effective developer transportability, and process cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same
A developing unit includes a developer carrying member, a supplying compartment, a recovery compartment, and an agitation compartment. The developer carrying member develops a latent image formed on an image carrier with a two-component developer. The supplying compartment has a developer supplying transporter to supply the two-component developer to the developer carrying member while transporting the two-component developer. The recovery compartment has a developer recovery transporter to transport the two-component developer recovered from the developer carrying member. The agitation compartment has a developer agitation transporter to agitatingly transports developer. The developer agitation transporter includes a first screw having a screw pitch to transport developer to an upstream end of the supplying compartment from a downstream end of the agitation compartment. The developer supplying transporter includes a second screw having a given screw pitch, which is greater than a screw pitch of the first screw.
US08135309B2 Compact, long life charging device
A coronode charging device includes a support member, a filament, an adjustment mechanism and a voltage source. The lament is disposed along the support member in a configuration that creates a plurality of active regions and a plurality of inactive regions of the filament. The active regions are simultaneously positionable adjacent the photoreceptor. The inactive regions may be farther from the photoreceptor than the active regions. The adjustment mechanism moves the filament such that portions of the filament that correspond to the active regions are moved to positions that correspond to the inactive regions, and some portions of the filament that were in the inactive regions are moved to positions that correspond to the active regions. This operations extends the life of the coronode charging device.
US08135292B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing device includes a pressing member, a belt member which rotates in contact with the pressing member and forms a nip with the pressing member, a first roller member and a second roller member to guide a rotation of the belt member, and a heating member which is mounted in one of the first roller member or the second roller member to heat the belt member, the heating member including at least two heaters to respectively heat at least two areas on the belt member corresponding to at least two width dimensions substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a sensor member to control a temperature of the belt member. The heating member includes a first heater to heat a central portion of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a second heater to heat opposite ends of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member.
US08135287B2 100 Gbit/s OFDM optical signal generation
A method includes modulating lightwaves to provide first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a first polarization direction and first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a second polarization direction, and combining sidebands that are oppositely positioned and joined from the first and second OFDM signal sidebands at each polarization direction to provide a polarization multiplexing OFDM signal.
US08135285B2 Optical transmission system and method
An optical transmission system for performing frequency synchronization even with a client signal with low frequency accuracy, and for transmitting thereof by accommodating/multiplexing without causing a bit slip. A new overhead is added to the entire client signal, and the signal including the new overhead being stuffed is transmitted in conjunction with a plurality of stuffing bits as an optical signal wherein a data storing bit for a negative stuffing, a stuffing information notification bit, and a stuff bits inserting bit for a positive stuffing in the payload are defined in plurality as stuffing bits for adjusting clock frequencies of the client signal in this new overhead.
US08135283B2 Clock recovery with channel coefficients
In a coherent optical receiver of an optical communications network, a method of recovering a clock signal from a high speed optical signal received through an optical link. A set of compensation vectors are adaptively computed for compensating Inter-symbol Interference (ISI) due to at least polarization impairments of the optical signal. A channel delay is estimated based on the computed compensation vectors. The estimated channel delay is subtracted from the computed compensation vectors to generate corresponding modified compensation vectors. Finally, the modified compensation vectors are used to derive a recovered clock signal.
US08135280B2 Method and system for power stability control in wavelength division multiplexing networks
Methods and systems for controlling power fluctuations in a network including a plurality of nodes are disclosed. A node in the network may be configured to modify power levels in accordance with either an active state or an inactive state. The node may transition to an inactive state in response to a power change that exceeds a power change threshold. The role of the node in controlling the power fluctuation in the network is reduced in the inactive state.
US08135272B2 Sub mirror and image pick-up apparatus having the same
An image pick-up apparatus which is capable of increasing an AF area is provided. The image pick-up apparatus includes a photographing lens to focus light received from a subject, a main mirror that passes a portion of light passing through the photographing lens and that reflects the remaining portion of the light, an auto focus module to detect the state of focus the photographing lens and a sub-mirror having a plurality of reflective areas that reflect respectively divided portions of the light passing through the main mirror and that guide the divided light portions to the auto focus module.
US08135266B2 Mobile device
A mobile device includes a camera module and a magnetism generating part that is different from the camera module. The camera module includes: a movable portion that corrects camera shake; a magnetism detecting element that detects a position of the movable portion. when the camera module is in a photographing state, the magnetism generating part is arranged at a position distant from the magnetism detecting element by at least the distance of D mm or more, where D = magnetic ⁢ ⁢ force ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ the ⁢ ⁢ magnetism ⁢ ⁢ generating ⁢ ⁢ part ⁢ [ gauss ] .
US08135258B2 Fiber optic cable control clips and enclosure assemblies and methods incorporating the same
An enclosure assembly for use with a fiber optic cable, the cable having a lengthwise cable axis and including a plurality of optical fibers and a jacket surrounding the optical fibers includes an enclosure housing and a cable control clip. The enclosure housing defines a chamber to receive the cable. The cable control clip is configured to be inserted through the cable to extend radially between the optical fibers and the jacket to limit contact between the optical fibers and one or more other components of the cable, and to limit displacement of the enclosure housing relative to the cable when the cable control clip is disposed in the chamber.
US08135253B2 Microchannel plate (MCP) having an asymmetric packing pattern for higher open area ratio (OAR)
A boule for making a multichannel plate (MCP) includes (a) at least two sets of rows of fibers, each set arranged to form a hexagonally shaped boundary of fibers, and (b) an additional row of fibers disposed between the two sets of hexagonally shaped boundary of fibers. The additional row of fibers includes a horizontally oriented row of fibers, which is packed on top of a horizontally oriented boundary of fibers. A fiber of the horizontally oriented row of fibers of the boundary is packed adjacent to two consecutive fibers of the additional row of fibers, forming a triangular shape of fibers. The triangular shape of fibers forms a maximum open area ratio (OAR) of at least 90 percent.
US08135224B2 Generating image data
The present invention concerns the generation of image data, particularly, though not exclusively for motion estimation in the context of video coders employing inter frame differential coding. A method is provided for generating image data using a set of sampled pixels, the sampled pixels being representative of a sampled image, the method including the steps of: (i) at intermediate positions between sampled pixels, interpolating the sampled pixels so as to provide at least one set of interpolated pixels arranged along a plurality of lines, the or each set of interpolated pixels having a respective offset relative to the sampled pixels, and, (ii) storing the or each set of interpolated pixels with a respective address in a memory, the addresses forming an ordered sequence, wherein along a given line, neighbouring interpolated pixels having the same offset are stored with respective addresses that are consecutive to one another in the ordered sequence.
US08135218B2 Character recognition device, mobile communication system, mobile terminal device, fixed station device, character recognition method and character recognition program
Words possibly included in a scene image shot by a mobile camera can be efficiently extracted using a word dictionary or a map database. Positional information acquiring means 101 measures a current position of the device to acquire positional information. Directional information acquiring means 102 detects a direction of the device to acquire directional information. Character recognizing means 104 determines a range of shooting of a scene image based on the current positional information and the directional information. The character recognizing means 104 extracts from a map database 103 information such as store names, building names, and place names associated with positions in the shooting range. Then the character recognizing means 104 conducts character recognition using word knowledge such as the extracted store names, building names, and place names.
US08135211B2 Method and device for three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene
Passive methods for three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene by means of image data are generally based on the determination of spatial correspondences between a number of images of the scene recorded from various directions and distances. A method and a device are disclosed which provide a high reliability in the solution of the correspondence problem in conjunction with a low computational outlay. Image areas for determining the correspondences are determined within a plurality of images forming at least two image sequences. In preferred embodiments, a parameterized function h(u, v, t) is matched to each of the image areas in a space R(uvgt) defined by pixel position (u, v), image value g and time t. The parameters of the parameterized functions are used to form a similarity measure between the image areas.
US08135183B2 Head pose assessment methods and systems
Improvements are provided to effectively assess a user's face and head pose such that a computer or like device can track the user's attention towards a display device(s). Then the region of the display or graphical user interface that the user is turned towards can be automatically selected without requiring the user to provide further inputs. A frontal face detector is applied to detect the user's frontal face and then key facial points such as left/right eye center, left/right mouth corner, nose tip, etc., are detected by component detectors. The system then tracks the user's head by an image tracker and determines yaw, tilt and roll angle and other pose information of the user's head through a coarse to fine process according to key facial points and/or confidence outputs by pose estimator.
US08135179B2 Systems, methods and devices for use in assessing fat and muscle depth
Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring subcutaneous fat and loin depth in a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method a probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue used to determine the fat and loin depth in the portion of muscle tissue.
US08135177B2 Motion detection device
The invention refers to a device, a method and a computer program product for extracting motion information from a sequence of video frames. Existing solutions for extracting motion information from sequence of video frames need a massive computing power which make it difficult and expensive to implement a real-time system. It is therefore an object of the invention to simplify such a device and to provide a real-time embedded system. It is suggested to provide a device comprising a digital video camera 1. The video camera 1 includes a processing unit 3 for processing video frames grabbed by the video camera 1. The processing uses a 3D recursive search block matching algorithm to extract the motion information from the video frames. The device can be used for traffic surveillance applications, e.g. for determining the speed of vehicles on the streets and roads.
US08135169B2 Method for multi-media recognition, data conversion, creation of metatags, storage and search retrieval
This invention relates to an apparatus for capturing data a first capture device interfacing with a primary data source to capture data therefrom for storage into a primary data set. A second capture device is provided interfacing with a secondary data source to capture data therefrom for storage into a secondary data set. An associating device is then operable to associate the converted data set with the primary data set. A data converter converts the data stored in the second data set to a different and converted form as a converted data set.
US08135156B2 Sound reproduction device with enhanced low-frequency sound effect
This invention is to provide a sound reproduction device including a tube, a loudspeaker and a resonance unit, wherein the loudspeaker includes a frame body having a side adjacent to a first diaphragm thereof peripherally fixed to a first opening of the tube, and the resonance unit includes a second diaphragm peripherally fixed to a second opening of the tube and a weighting element fixed at a central position of the second diaphragm. Thus, a closed resonance chamber is defined within the tube between the loudspeaker and resonance unit. When the loudspeaker is driven, the first diaphragm is vibrated and in turn vibrates air in front of the sound reproduction device to make sound and drives the second diaphragm to vibrate air behind the sound reproduction device synchronously in the same direction, thereby producing twice as strong low-frequency sound effect as a traditional sound reproduction device without a resonance unit.
US08135138B2 Hearing aid fitting procedure and processing based on subjective space representation
A system for hearing assistance devices to assist hearing aid fitting applied to individual differences in hearing impairment. The system is also usable for assisting fitting and use of hearing assistance devices for listeners of music. The method uses a subjective space approach to reduce the dimensionality of the fitting problem and a non-linear regression technology to interpolate among hearing aid parameter settings. This listener-driven method provides not only a technique for preferred aid fitting, but also information on individual differences and the effects of gain compensation on different musical styles.
US08135137B2 Sound image localization apparatus
The present invention is to provide a sound image localization apparatus which can prevent the lowering of the amplitude of the sound image localizing signal, the occurrence of clipping, and deterioration of the sound image localization component of the sound image localizing signal. The sound image localization apparatus according to the present invention comprises a frequency component analyzing unit 104 which analyzes the frequency component obtained from the sound source signal, a frequency component analyzing unit 103 which analyzes the frequency component obtained from the head-related transfer function that corresponds to the target position, a frequency component comparing/correcting unit 105 which decides whether a clipping occurs from a particular frequency range by comparing the frequency component of the analyzed sound source signal with the frequency component of the head-related transfer function, and a sound image localization processing unit 106 which outputs to acoustic device, a sound image localizing signal whose amplitude component corresponding to a particular frequency range of the sound source signal or a head-related transfer function is suppressed when the frequency component comparing/correcting unit 105 determines that a clipping has occurred.
US08135128B2 Animatronic creatures that act as intermediaries between human users and a telephone system
An animatronic telephone agent consisting of a communications subsystem connected to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving incoming telephone calls, and a robotic automaton coupled to the communications subsystem and responsive to incoming telephone calls for performing different movements that provide non-verbal visual cues to a human observer that are indicative of the status of each incoming call. The automaton preferably takes the form of an animatronic device that has movable appendages and a face with at least movable eyes or eyelids and which provides visual cues by making gestures and/or exhibiting facial expressions that are indicative of the receipt and progress of incoming calls.
US08135123B2 Methods, systems, and products for responding to communications
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for responding to a communication. The communication is received from a sender's address and is destined for a recipient's address. An audible message associated with the sender's address is retrieved. The audible message is sent to a server that stores messages associated with the sender.
US08135113B2 Image capture system for recording X-ray images in real time
An image capture system for recording X-ray images in real time is disclosed. The image capture system includes an image pickup device, a sensing module and a surgical navigation device. The sensing module is used to detect the on/off status of the image pickup device. While the image pickup device is turned on to capture an X-ray image, the sensing module transmits a notification signal to the surgical navigation device. After receiving the notification signal, the surgical navigation device records the X-ray image captured by the image pickup device and the relative position between the image pickup device and the patient in real time. Thus, the real-time recording of the relative position between the image pickup device and the patient will prevent inaccurate image reading that occurs when the patient's position and image pickup device shift after the X-ray image has been captured.
US08135108B2 Nuclear power station comprising at least one high temperature reactor
The invention relates to a nuclear power station comprising: at least one high temperature reactor; a storage installation (14) for fuel elements (5); means (32) for transferring the fuel elements (5) between the core (4) and the storage installation (14). According to the invention, the transfer means (32) comprise a tunnel (34) for transferring the fuel elements between the reactor core (4) and the storage installation (14).
US08135107B2 Canister apparatus and basket for transporting, storing and/or supporting spent nuclear fuel
A canister apparatus, basket apparatus and combinations thereof for transporting and/or storing high level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The canister apparatus comprises a cavity for receiving the spent nuclear fuel that is surrounded by two independent gas-tight containment boundaries. The structures that form the two independent gas-tight containment boundaries are in substantially continuous surface contact with one another, thereby facilitating sufficient heat removal from the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a basket apparatus having a plurality of disk-like grates arranged in a stacked and spaced arrangement so that the cells of the disk-like grates are aligned. In still another aspect, the invention can be a basket apparatus having a disk-like grate having a ring-like structure encompassing a gridwork of beams specially arranged to achieve a unique cell configuration.
US08135105B2 Circuit for correcting an output clock frequency in a receiving device
An output clock correction circuit (14) for correcting a frequency of an output clock in a receiving device (13) that receives data (16) and a time stamp component (18) includes an output clock feedback loop (20), a FIFO buffer (22) and a time stamp adjuster (24). The output clock feedback loop (20) adjusts a phase and/or a frequency of the output clock based at least partially on the time stamp component (18). The FIFO buffer (22) temporarily stores the data (16). The time stamp adjuster (24) selectively adjusts the time stamp component (18) based on a status of the FIFO buffer (22). In one embodiment, the status is based at least in part on an actual data level in the FIFO buffer (22). In another embodiment, the FIFO buffer (22) has a target data level range, and the time stamp adjuster (24) adjusts the time stamp component (18) when the actual data level in the FIFO buffer (22) is outside this range. The time stamp adjuster (24) can adjust the time stamp component (18) by an amount that is based on a calculation, or an amount that is determined from a lookup table.
US08135103B1 Mixed domain spread spectrum clocking for use in imaging systems for maximum imaging quality and optimized EMI performance
A method of operating a line imaging device including receiving a first clock signal indicative of a system timing signal in the line imaging device, generating a second clock signal based on the first clock signal and being unmodulated where the second clock signal being used for driving the imager timing, data sampling and digitizing operations of the line imaging device, and generating a third clock signal based on the first clock signal and being modulated using a spreading waveform where the third clock signal being a spread spectrum clock signal and being used to drive the data transfer operation of the line imaging device.
US08135100B2 Adaptive clock and equalization control systems and methods for data receivers in communications systems
Systems and methods for adaptive clock and equalization control are provided for data receivers, which are based on a “closed loop” sampling clock framework that employs controllable and dynamically adapted time offsets on both local data and amplitude clocks. The controllable clock offsets are dynamically adapted using signal processing methods adapted to achieve optimum sampling of data and amplitude sampling clock signals to accurately detect data bits and optimize system equalization settings, including, decision-feedback equalizer and/or an optional linear equalizer preceding a decision-feedback equalizer.
US08135093B2 Carrier frequency offset estimation method and system
In one aspect of the invention, a carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation method to estimate a CFO value of a received signal is provided, and the method comprises: receiving a preamble signal which includes several non-perfect repeat segments; applying an interpolation procedure to interpolate the perfect repeat point of one segment compared with the next segment or the previous segment; acquiring a delay correlation value based on the two perfect repeat signal segments and estimating the CFO value based on the delay correlation value.
US08135092B2 MIMO-OFDM wireless communication system
A MIMO channel frequency response matrix is decomposed into a frequency-related part and a constant part. The constant part is independent of subcarrier index and of number of subcarriers in one symbol interval. Separated QR decomposition and either SVD or GMD is applied to the two parts. A right unitary matrix (R) is obtained from the SVD or GMD applied to the constant part. QR decomposition is applied to the constant part to generate a beamforming matrix (V). In another embodiment, a selection criterion based on a correlation matrix distance is used to select a beamforming matrix that is independent of subcarrier, the selected matrix is retrieved from a local memory and applied to a received signal. Noise covariance is computed for a noise expression which considers interference generated from the applied beamforming matrix. Data detection is performed on the received signal by a MIMO data detector using the noise covariance.
US08135091B2 Method and system for communication in a wireless network
The present application discloses a number of inventions directed to method(s), apparatus and/or networks and systems adapted to track time varying channels, adapted to synchronize packets arriving at a receiver, adapted to correlate a received signal, adapted to manage digital resources, adapted to receive a signal and/or adapted to enable communication in a wireless packet based communications network.
US08135087B2 Apparatus and method for signal detection using log likelihood ratio
A method for signal detection using a log likelihood ratio in a multi-input multi-output communication system includes reconfiguring the signals received through the reception antennas on the basis of channel characteristics and acquiring candidate groups for each transmission symbol by acquiring a signal constellation of one quadrant with respect to signals generatable for each transmission symbol and signal constellations for the remaining quadrants on the basis of the reconfigured signals.
US08135083B2 Codebook method for a multiple input multiple output wireless system
A method for wireless encoding includes encoding wireless multiple input and multiple output signals in accordance with a codebook being one of a discrete codebook restricting elements of codebook entries to be within a predetermined finite set of complex numbers and a constant amplitude codebook including each entry in its codebook having equal column norm and equal row norm. In a preferred embodiment the digital codebook further includes restricting elements of a finite set in the discrete codebook to be in the form of ka+jkb for a base-k computer and the constant amplitude codebook further includes being obtained through a series of successive householder transformations. In a preferred embodiment the codebook is configured as one of a constrained codebook in which the codebook is configured for multiple scenarios and a discrete codebook.
US08135079B2 Apparatus and method of estimating signal-to-noise ratio
The present invention relates an apparatus and method of estimating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a received signal when the received signal has a timing offset. An apparatus for estimating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) unit that performs a fast Fourier transform on a received signal to convert the received signal into a frequency domain signal; a preamble selector that extracts a preamble from the frequency domain signal; a correlator that correlates the preamble to a preamble reference signal generated by a receiver to calculate a correlation value; an entire power estimator that calculates entire power; a noise power estimator that applies a differential demodulation method to the correlation value to remove a timing offset and calculate noise power; and an estimating unit that uses the entire power and the noise power to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
US08135074B2 Storage and read of memory areas and information for decoding
Provided herein is a decoding apparatus including: a pixel group information storage section configured to include memory areas each of which stores, as pixel group information, information concerning a corresponding pixel group and is referred to with a horizontal address of the pixel group, and an additional memory area that is located at a left end and stores a value indicating invalid pixel group information; a decoding information generation section configured to acquire the pixel group information identified by an address of a pixel group to be decoded and an address to the left thereof, and generating decoding information; a decoding section configured to perform a decoding process based on the decoding information; and a pixel group information update section configured to generate pixel group information and allowing it to be stored in the memory area identified by the address of the pixel group.
US08135070B2 Video coding method and apparatus for calculating motion vectors of the vertices of a patch of an image and transmitting information of horizontal and vertical components of the motion vectors
A method and apparatus for coding an image includes calculation of motion vectors of vertices of a patch in an image being encoded and transmitting information of horizontal and vertical components of the motion vectors of the vertices and information specifying that values of the horizontal and vertical components of a motion vector for each pixel in the patch are integral multiples of 1/d of a distance between adjacent pixels, where d is an integer not less than 2.
US08135064B2 Intra prediction apparatus
An intra prediction apparatus includes: a candidate narrowing-down unit which narrows down, from a plurality of intra prediction directions, an intra prediction direction candidate which is applied to a block of multiple pixels that constitutes a video in accordance with a characteristic of the video; and an intra prediction execution unit which executes intra prediction in the intra prediction direction narrowed down by said candidate narrowing-down unit. Through this, computational load can be lightened while contributing to improvement in picture quality and encoding efficiency.
US08135061B1 Variable bit rate encoding
A system, machine-readable medium and method for processing video comprising a video segmentor configured to receive a source video and to split the source video into segments; a bit rate allocator configured to receive the segments and generate target bit rates corresponding to the segments; a first encoder coupled to receive the plurality of segments and the target bit rates and configured to encode each of the segments using one of the target bit rates to generate encoded segments; and an output generator configured to receive the encoded segments and generate an encoded video.
US08135049B2 Optical pulse generating apparatus using photoelectric effect of surface plasmon resonance photons and its manufacturing method
In an optical pulse generating apparatus including a metal layer having an incident/reflective surface adapted to receive incident light and output its reflective light as an optical pulse signal, a dielectric layer formed on an opposite surface of the metal layer opposing the incident/reflective surface, and a dielectric layer exciting unit for exciting the dielectric layer on a time basis, the incident light exciting surface plasmon resonance light in the metal layer while the dielectric layer is excited on a time basis, so that an extinction coefficient of the dielectric layer is made negative.
US08135039B2 Method and apparatus for allocating radio resource in communication system
To transmit resource allocation information on a plurality of radio resources to a terminal, a resource allocation device expresses a radio resource that is differently allocated from before the resource allocation information is transmitted among the plurality of radio resources in a radio resource pattern sequence, generates resource allocation information on the plurality of radio resources based on the radio resource pattern sequence, and transmits the radio resource pattern sequence and the resource allocation information, or a compressed pattern sequence corresponding to the radio resource pattern sequence and the resource allocation information, to the terminal through a frame.
US08135038B2 Digital broadcast system for transmitting/receiving digital broadcast data, and data processing method for use in the same
The present invention is directed to a digital broadcast system and a data processing method. A broadcast signal in which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed is transmitted and received. Then, in a broadcasting receiver, the program table information including information about a service or a program of an ensemble is parsed according to an identifier of the ensemble in which the mobile service data are multiplexed, in the received broadcast signal. And a mobile service is outputted by using the mobile service data and the parsed program table information.
US08135027B2 Communication apparatus enabling temporal coexistence of systems
A communication apparatus, which is capable of allowing a plurality of communication systems respectively having different types of communication modes to coexist with one another on a single communication medium, satisfying Qos requirements with the use of only a simple configuration thereof, and minutely setting an exclusive use rate of a medium, is provided. A coexistence signal cycle T 209 is divided into M time periods by a communication slot unit 207 which is constituted of N communication slots. At least one communication slot in the communication slot unit 207 is defined as a “D-Slot” which can obtain a communication right M/X times during the coexistence signal cycle T 209, and remaining communication slots other than the D-Slot in the communication slot unit 207 is defined as “S-Slots” which can obtain the communication right M times during the coexistence signal cycle T 209. A communication band to be used exclusively in one communication system is allocated in a unit of 1/X of the communication slot D-Slot, and also in a unit of one of the communication slots S-Slots.
US08135023B2 Data packet, system and method for multiple nodes transmitting under AD-HOC network architecture
A system and method are provided for multiple nodes to wirelessly transmit in an Ad-hoc network architecture. First of all, an integration module of the system integrates a multi-node transmission protocol into a reservation column of a data packet. Next, an initial node of the system transmits the integrated data packet. Afterwards, according to the multi-node transmission protocol, one or more bridge node of the system receives the integrated data packet transmitted from the initial node. And finally, according to the multi-node transmission protocol, a destination node of the system receives the integrated data packet transmitted from the bridge node. By means of the proposed system and method, data transmission between multiple nodes is achieved under the Ad-hoc network architecture.