Document Document Title
US08298505B2 Process for gas sweetening
A process for treating a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) mixing a first gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide with a second stream comprising sulphur dioxide to produce a combined stream, whereby elemental sulphur is produced by a reaction between the hydrogen sulphide and the sulphur dioxide; (ii) removing elemental sulphur, and optionally water, from the combined stream; and (iii) oxidizing at least some of the elemental sulphur to form sulphur dioxide for use in the second stream, wherein, the reaction is conducted at a temperature of from 15 to 155° C. and a pressure of at least 3 MPa.
US08298494B2 Endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector and endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the present invention includes a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, a circulating section and a discharge section, wherein the discharge section communicates with the circulating section and includes a first channel that discharges a fluid R that passes through the circulating section into a pipe sleeve, a second channel that branches from the first channel and discharges the fluid R to the periphery of the pipe sleeve, and an opening/closing section that is provided in a branch section that branches from the first channel to the second channel or in the second channel, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of a fluid and blocks the second channel when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher.
US08298491B2 Process for treating and/or forming a non-newtonian fluid using microchannel process technology
The disclosed invention relates to a process, comprising: conducting unit operations in at least two process zones in a process microchannel to treat and/or form a non-Newtonian fluid, a different unit operation being conducted in each process zone; and applying an effective amount of shear stress to the non-Newtonian fluid to reduce the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in each process zone, the average shear rate in one process zone differing from the average shear rate in another process zone by a factor of at least about 1.2.
US08298487B2 Method of forming an electrochemical sensor
An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert and electrodes on a sensor base and applying plastic material. After the plastic material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The inserts may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding each insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.
US08298483B2 Method for radiation sterilization of medical devices using a package having modifier sections
Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed.
US08298480B2 Manufacture of specialized alloys with specific properties
A method of manufacturing specialized alloys having specific properties and an alloy made using this method. The methods involve the use of micro and/or nano-sized particles that are mixed into an alloy using a friction stir welding method. The micro and/or nano-sized particles are used to alter one or more characteristics of the alloy in the locations in which the micro and/or nano-sized particles are added. The micro and/or nano-sized particles may be metal particles, non-metal particles, or a combination thereof.
US08298478B2 Method of preparing an electrode
Methods of preparing an electrode are provided. A metal powder can be sintered onto a portion of a lead wire to form a connection region. An additional metal powder can be de-oxidation sintered onto the connection region to form the electrode. The oxides formed during the de-oxidation sintering are then removed from the electrode.
US08298472B2 System, apparatus, and method for resin level maintenance in a stereo-lithography device
A system includes a stereo-lithography device having a primary fluid vessel having an amount of a photo-curable fluid therein. The system includes a leveling reservoir fluidly coupled to the primary fluid vessel, where a fluid level in the leveling reservoir is vertically positionable. The system further includes a controller that maintains a pre-determined level of the photo-curable fluid in the primary fluid vessel by vertically positioning the fluid level in the leveling reservoir.
US08298471B2 Process for producing nano- and mesofibers by electrospinning colloidal dispersions comprising at least one essentially water-insoluble polymer
The present invention relates to a process for producing polymer fibers, especially nano- and mesofibers, by electrospinning a colloidal dispersion of at least one essentially water-insoluble polymer in an aqueous medium, and to fibers obtainable by this process, to textile fabrics comprising the inventive fibers, and to the use of the inventive fibers and of the inventive textile fabrics.
US08298467B2 Method of low temperature imprinting process with high pattern transfer yield
The present invention is directed to novel methods of imprinting substrate-supported or freestanding structures at low cost, with high pattern transfer yield, and using low processing temperature. Such methods overcome many of the above-described limitations of the prior art. Generally, such methods of the present invention employ a sacrificial layer of film.
US08298462B2 Method of uniaxially expanding a fluoropolymer product
This invention relates to a method of uniaxially expanding a fluoropolymer product including the steps of expanding a green fluoropolymer product in a first direction to create a first-expanded fluoropolymer product, and expanding the first-expanded fluoropolymer product in the same first direction. As a result with the subject invention, it has been found that ultra-high expansion and a variety of different porous/fibril structures can be achieved by using subsequent expansion steps in the same direction. Various considerations exist with such methodology, including the selection of rates of expansion of both steps, the amount of expansion of both steps, pre-heating and cutting the product between expansion steps. Although the present invention can be used with various fluoropolymer products, it is particularly well-suited for use with PTFE.
US08298450B2 Polybenzimidazole-base complex, crosslinked material of polybenzoxazines formed thereof, and fuel cell using the same
A polybenzimidazole-base complex includes a polybenzimidazole-based material and a base, wherein a peak corresponding to NH of an imidazole ring of the polybenzimidazole-based material does not appear at a chemical shift of 12 to 15 ppm in a 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectrum of the polybenzimidazole-base complex. A crosslinked material may be formed as a polymerization product of a polybenzimidazole-base complex and a benzoxazine-based monomer. The crosslinked material may be used an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell comprising the crosslinked material, and a fuel cell may include the electrolyte membrane.
US08298446B2 Vinylidene fluoride based polymer powder and use thereof
A method for producing a vinylidene fluoride based polymer powder having a high molecular weight and excellent solubility in an organic solvent, which is useful as an electrode binder for nonaqueous cells, is provided. Methods for producing an NMP solution and an electrode mixture are also provided.A vinylidene fluoride based polymer powder produced by supercritical suspension polymerization in an aqueous dispersion medium wherein a volume of pores having a pore diameter of 0.03 μm to 1.0 μm, as measured by a mercury porosimeter, is 77 vol % to 93 vol % of a total pore volume and an inherent viscosity is 2.0 dl/g or greater is obtained.
US08298432B2 Method and system for adjusting beam dimension for high-gradient location specific processing
A method and system of location specific processing on a substrate is described. The method comprises establishing a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) according to a set of beam properties and measuring metrology data for a substrate. Thereafter, the method comprises determining at least one spatial gradient of the metrology data at one or more locations on the substrate and adjusting at least one beam property in the set of beam properties for the GCIB according to the determined at least one spatial gradient. Using the metrology data and the adjusted set of beam properties, correction data for the substrate is computed. Following the computing, the adjusted GCIB is applied to the substrate according to the correction data.
US08298427B2 Apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment and method for managing such an apparatus
A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient.
US08298424B2 Apartment-shaped anaerobic digester for producing biogas
Disclosed herein is an anaerobic digester configured to include input reactors into which livestock wastewater or food waste (hereinafter, ‘inflow’) is introduced; regions of an anaerobic digestion reactor designed for the inflow passing through an input reactor to perform methane fermentation to produce and transfer biogas simultaneously into the next region; an inlet pipe into which sludge liquid is drawn; an inlet pipe into which activated liquid is drawn; a biogas capturing device; a first heat exchange tube to allow the sludge liquid to perform heat exchange with a new inflow; regions of a subsequent treatment reactor to allow the sludge liquid whose heat exchange is completed to be introduced and to treat gas odor components generated from the sludge liquid; and a liquid-composting reactor in which the emitted sludge whose odor components have been removed is stored.
US08298414B2 Separation process
The present invention relates to a process for separating a target radiolabelled compound from an impurity, apparatus for performing such a process and a removable cassette for use in such apparatus. Also provided are methods for using the target radiolabelled compound obtained by a method comprising the separating process of the invention.
US08298412B2 Structured packing module for mass transfer column and process involving same
A cross-corrugated structure packing module is provided for use in mass transfer or heat exchange columns and has particular applicability in severe service applications in which fouling, coking, and erosion are of concern. The structured packing module has a plurality of upright, parallel-extending, corrugated plates. Spacer elements are used to maintain the corrugations of adjacent plates in spaced apart relationship to reduce the opportunity for solids to accumulate on the surfaces of the plates. The plates are also free of apertures or surface treatments that would increase the opportunity for solids to accumulate on the plates.
US08298408B2 Filtering device for filtering water and liquids in general
A filtering device for filtering water and liquids in general comprises a first reservoir for collecting the water to be filtered, a second reservoir for collecting the filtered water, which reservoir is supplied by falling from the first reservoir, a conduit which extends from the first reservoir into the second reservoir, a cartridge type filtering element which is removably received in the conduit, a discharge hole for the filtered water that is positioned between the conduit and the second reservoir, and at least one opening for access to the cartridge provided at an end of the conduit that is distal from the first reservoir in order to promote the removal thereof. The device comprises an at least partial closure which can be removably fitted to the conduit in the region of the opening for access to the cartridge and comprises a flow adjuster which is associated with the conduit in order to adjust the flow of water flowing from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the discharge hole.
US08298405B2 Apparatus and method for resuscitating and revitalizing hydrocarbon fuels
The invention provides a metal alloy fuel catalyst for decontaminating a hydrocarbon fuel, including diesel and bio-diesel fuel, of a bacterial contamination and for improving fuel combustion. The metal alloy fuel catalysts preferably includes about 70% Sn, about 22% Sb, about 4% Bi, and about 4% Pb, although other formulations are possible. The fuel catalyst can take the form of an in-line component in a fuel system or be coated within a fuel storage container.
US08298402B2 Additives for improving the cold flowability and lubricity of fuel oils
The present invention relates to alkylphenol-aldehyde resins containing oligo- or polymers having a repeat structural unit of the formula where R1 is a branched alkyl or alkenyl radical which has from 10 to 40 carbon atoms and bears at least one carboxyl, carboxylate and/or ester group, R2 is hydrogen or R1 R3 is hydrogen or an alkoxy group of the formula -(A-O)m—H, A is a C2- to C4-alkylene group, m is from 1 to 100, R4 is hydrogen, a C1- to C11-alkyl radicals or a carboxyl group, R5 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, O—R6 or O—C(O)—R6, R6 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, n is from 1 to 100 and k is 1 or 2.
US08298400B2 Method of measuring quantity of substrate
A method of measuring a quantity of a substrate contained in sample liquid is provided. This method can reduce measurement errors caused by a biosensor. The biosensor includes at least a pair of electrodes on an insulating board and is inserted into a measuring device which includes a supporting section for supporting detachably the biosensor, plural connecting terminals to be coupled to the respective electrodes, and a driving power supply which applies a voltage to the respective electrodes via the connecting terminals. One of the electrodes of the biosensor is connected to the first and second connecting terminals of the measuring device only when the biosensor is inserted into the measuring device in a given direction, and has a structure such that the electrode becomes conductive between the first and second connecting terminals due to a voltage application by the driving power supply.
US08298378B2 Method for treating waste water containing oxygen-containing compound having phenolic hydroxyl group of carbonyl group
A method for treating a wastewater containing oxygen-containing compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group or a carbonyl group, including a step of adding an alkali agent to the wastewater containing the oxygen-containing compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group or a carbonyl group to control a pH of the wastewater to 10 or more; and a step of separating a discharge in which the oxygen-containing compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group or a carbonyl group is concentrated through distillation of the wastewater to which the alkali agent has been added.
US08298376B2 Patterned framework for a papermaking belt
The present disclosure is directed toward a papermaking belt having an embryonic-web-contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic-web-contacting surface opposite the embryonic-web-contacting surface. The papermaking belt has a patterned framework having a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits isolated from one another by the continuous network region. The continuous network region has a pattern formed therein by a plurality of tessellating unit cells. Each cell has a center and at least two continuous land areas extending in at least two directions from the center. At least one of the continuous land areas at least bifurcates to form a continuous land area portion having a first width before the bifurcation and at least two continuous land area portions having a second width after the bifurcation.
US08298374B2 Tissue products containing microalgae materials
Dry products, and particularly dry tissue substrates, including a blend of conventional papermaking fibers and microalgae are disclosed herein. Use of a cationic retention aid in the dry tissue substrates helps to provide a tissue sheet retaining the microalgae without being detrimental to tissue properties such as caliper, bulk, air permeability, slough and absorbent capacity. Additionally, use of a flocculating agent may agglomerate the microalgae and make it easier to retain the microalgae within the tissue sheet.
US08298372B2 Quartz window having gas feed and processing equipment incorporating same
Methods and apparatus for providing a process gas to a substrate in a processing system are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the substrate processing system may include a process chamber having a substrate support disposed therein; a light source disposed above the process chamber to direct energy towards the substrate support; and a window assembly disposed between the light source and the substrate support to allow light energy provided by the light source to enter the process chamber towards the substrate support, wherein the window assembly includes an inlet to receive a process gas and one or more outlets to distribute the process gas into the process chamber.
US08298371B2 Plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed to face each other, a high frequency power supply unit for applying a high frequency power to either the first electrode or the second electrode, a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas to a processing space, and a main dielectric member provided at a substrate mounting portion on a main surface of the first electrode. A focus ring is attached to the first electrode to cover a peripheral portion of the main surface of the first electrode and a peripheral dielectric member is provided in a peripheral portion on the main surface of the first electrode so that an electrostatic capacitance per unit area applied between the first electrode and the focus ring is smaller than that applied between the first electrode and the substrate by the main dielectric member.
US08298369B2 Liquid supply method, liquid supply apparatus, substrate polishing apparatus, and method of measuring supply flow rate of liquid
A liquid supply apparatus is to supply a polishing liquid from a polishing supply source onto a polishing surface of a polishing table at a predetermined flow rate. The liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one supply tube for retaining the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source, an electropneumatic regulator for supplying a pressurized gas from a gas source to the supply tube, and a pipe having no narrow portion for controlling a flow rate of the liquid. The supply tube is vertically disposed. The pressurized gas supply mechanism is operable to supply the pressurized gas to the supply tube so as to supply the liquid, filling the supply tube, to the polishing surface of the polishing table via the pipe and a polishing liquid supply pipe.
US08298364B2 Methods of manufacturing paint roller covers from a tubular fabric sleeve
A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular fabric sleeve knitted in a pile side-in manner and including at least one of a backing material and a pile made, at least in part, from a low melt fiber or yarn component. The seamless, tubular fabric sleeve is inverted to a pile side-out configuration, placed onto a cylindrical member, and heat is applied to cause the low melt fiber or yarn in the backing and/or looped ends of the pile to be activated and to closely conform to the size of the cylindrical member, thereby causing the melted and fused together, re-hardened low melt component of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve to remain in a cylindrical configuration, forming an integrally formed core member.
US08298361B2 Postage label dispenser for dispensing application ready/lined labels including a re-lining station facilitating the fabrication of lined labels
A postage label dispensing system for dispensing adhesive-backed postage labels comprising (i) a means for stripping the adhesive-backed face material from the liner material of a label material, (ii) a first cutting apparatus, downstream of the stripping means, for cutting the face material to a desired length and producing an adhesive backed postage label having a postage indicia printed thereon, (iii) a means for attaching re-lining material to the adhesive backed postage label (iv) a second cutting apparatus, downstream of the lining means, for cutting the re-lining material to dispense at least one lined postage label, and (v) a processor for controlling the operation of the first and second cutting apparatus. A deflector guide is disposed between the stripping and re-lining means and is re-positionable to engage and disengage the adhesive backed postage labels produced by the upstream stripping station. In the engaged position, the postage labels are directed to the re-lining station and dispensed as a lined label. In the disengaged position, the postage labels are dispensed as application ready labels.
US08298347B2 Method and apparatus for cleaning a substantially vertical surface
A method of and apparatus for cleaning a surface, such as a wall of a waste boiler of a Kivcet furnace, are described. The invention comprises suspending a pair of spaced apart cables adjacent a surface to be cleaned, attaching ends of the rail to respective ones of the cables with equal lengths of cable between the rail and the roof, the rail being reversibly moveable up and down the surface. A carriage has a nozzle assembly, operative to emit a jet of water, with the carriage reversibly moveable along the rail. The rail is moved from one of a top and bottom of the surface to another of the top and bottom of the surface, and the carriage is moved from one side of the rail to another, cleaning the surface as it moves. The foregoing steps are repeated for each remaining uncleaned surface.
US08298345B1 Method for cleaning a heat exchanger
A heat exchanger may be cleaned by introducing compressed nitrogen and a flushing composition through an injection device.
US08298333B2 Crucible for the crystallization of silicon and process for making the same
A protective coating is prepared for, and applied to, crucibles used in the handling of molten materials that are solidified in the crucible and then removed as ingots. Crucibles containing this protective coating may be used for the solidification of silicon. The coating has a specified oxygen content and contains a mineral binder and silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.
US08298328B2 Amorphous metal salt for facilitating the handling property of portland cements and dental applications thereof
A novel amorphous divalent metal ion salt for enhancing the manageability of a Portland cement and its application in dental field are disclosed. Typical formula (I), (II), or (III) of this amorphous metal ion salt are shown as following: M 2 + ⁢ A x - ⁢ B 2 - x - ( I ) M 2 + ⁢ A y 2 - ⁢ C ( 4 - y ) 4 2 - ( II ) M 2 + ⁢ A z 3 - ⁢ D ( 6 - z ) 9 3 - ( III ) wherein, M2+, A−, B−, C−2, D−3, x, y, and z are defined the same as the specification. A novel tooth filling material comprises: a Portland cement, a bone substitute substance, and an amorphous divalent metal ion salt with formula of (I), (II), or (III). In addition, a novel root canal filling material comprises: a Portland cement, a radiopaque substance, and an amorphous divalent metal ion salt with formula of (I), (II), or (III). This amorphous divalent metal ion salt in the filling material of the present invention can improve the sticking together and reduce the setting time, thus offering more convenient in dental applications.
US08298326B2 Tricyclic spacer systems for nonlinear optical devices
A compound for spacing nonlinear optical chromophores of the Formula I and the commercially acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, W, X, Y, Z, Q1, Q2, Q4 and L have the definitions provided herein.
US08298325B2 Electroless deposition from non-aqueous solutions
A non-aqueous electroless copper plating solution that includes an anhydrous copper salt component, an anhydrous cobalt salt component, a non-aqueous complexing agent, and a non-aqueous solvent is provided.
US08298314B2 Silver nanoparticles and process for producing same
Processes for producing silver nanoparticles are disclosed. A reaction mixture comprising a silver compound, a carboxylic acid, an amine compound, and an optional solvent is optionally heated. A hydrazine compound is then added and the mixture is further reacted to produce the silver nanoparticles.
US08298299B2 Azo pigment or tautomer thereof, process for producing same, pigment dispersion, coloring composition, inkjet recording ink, coloring composition for color filter, and color filter
An azo pigment selected from the group consisting of: an azo pigment represented by the following formula (1), which has: a characteristic X-ray diffraction peak at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of 6.9°, 21.5°, and 27.3° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, a peak height at 11.9° of 0.6 or less relative to a peak height at 10.9° or a tautomer thereof, or a salt, hydrate, or solvate of the azo pigment or tautomer thereof; and an azo pigment represented by the following formula (1), which has: a characteristic X-ray diffraction peak at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of 6.9°, 25.8°, and 27.1° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, a peak height at 10.9° of 0.2 or less relative to a peak height at 11.9° or a tautomer thereof, or a salt, hydrate, or solvate of the azo pigment or tautomer thereof.
US08298298B1 Dyes with changeable solubilities, and methods for their use
Solubility changeable dye compositions include a dye component linked via a linker moiety to a stimulus responsive hydrophobic moiety which modulates the solubility of the dye, wherein the hydrophobic moiety is configured to be de-linked from the dye component on exposure to a stimulus and render the dye component more hydrophilic. A method of dying a substrate with such dye compositions includes contacting the dye with the substrate.
US08298292B2 Craniofacial implant
A composite surgical implant that is made of a planar sheet of a thermoplastic resin that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a surgical grade metal mesh or metal plates contained therein. The implant may be bent by hand, wherein upon the displacement of the implant, the implant will generally maintain the shape to which it has been displaced.
US08298285B2 Graft ligament anchor and method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone
A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening. A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone comprises providing an opening in the bone, inserting the graft ligament and a graft ligament engagement member in the opening, with the graft ligament disposed alongside a first portion of the engagement member, and inserting a locking member in the bone alongside a second portion of the engagement member, the locking member being separated from the graft ligament by the graft ligament engagement member. The method further comprises moving the locking member to cause the locking member to engage the graft ligament engagement member to urge the graft ligament engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.
US08298282B2 Magnetic resonance-compatible medical implant
The invention relates to a medical implant or instrument, particularly a vascular endoprosthesis (stent), comprising a deformable structural part. In order to provide an implant of this type that is magnetic resonance-compatible and can be easily and economically produced, the invention provides that the structural part has a two-layer or multilayer design, whereby layers (2,3) have different electrical and/or magnetic properties. The invention particularly provides that the structural part has a frame structure with openings (5) whereby, in different layers (2,3) of the structural part, the openings (5) are each located at different positions not directly located one above the other.
US08298277B2 Medical appliance optical delivery and deployment apparatus and method
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices for allowing a user to deploy a stent in an anatomical lumen of a patient. For example, one embodiment is directed to a device including a longitudinally extending inner tubular member and a longitudinally extending outer tubular member that are longitudinally and axially displaceable relative to one another. The outer tubular member includes at least one longitudinally extending channel formed between the exterior and interior diameter of the outer tubular member. In addition, the device includes a handle configured to displace the outer tubular member and inner tubular member relative to each other in response to user intervention and a stop configured to coaxially engage the handle to form a safety mechanism. Displaceability of the outer tubular member and inner tubular member relative to each other is limited by the safety mechanism to a predetermined threshold.
US08298274B2 Multi-axial bone screw assembly
A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.
US08298266B2 Connectors for elongated surgical members and methods of use
The present application relates to connectors for coupling together two surgical members of different materials while inhibiting galvanic corrosion. The connector may include a first coupling element composed of a material with a similar galvanic potential to one of the surgical members, and a second coupling element composed of a material with a similar galvanic potential to the second surgical member. Each of the first and second coupling elements may be configured to connect to the respective surgical member. The connector may also include a coupling medium disposed between the first and second coupling elements. The coupling medium may function to connect together the two coupling elements, and isolate the coupling elements to inhibit galvanic corrosion.
US08298258B2 Embolic protection device
The invention provides an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for preparing said filter for deployment and retrieval.
US08298255B2 Cap displacement mechanism for lancing device and multi-lancet cartridge
A medical lancing device including a replaceable multi-lancet cartridge. The lancing device includes an advancing mechanism that advances lancets within the cartridge into an active position, separates a protective cap from the active lancet, and energize a drive mechanism of the lancing device. A cap displacement mechanism moves the separated cap out of the travel path of the active lancet. In a first example embodiment, the cap displacement mechanism includes a cantilevered spring arm that displaces the detached cap of the active lancet. In a second example embodiment, the cap displacement mechanism includes a spring-biased cam-driven plunger that displaces the detached cap of the active lancet. Then an activation mechanism releases the energized active lancet to traverse the unobstructed lancing stroke path to pierce the subject's skin at a desired lancing site.
US08298248B2 Medical ligating apparatus
A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible sheath and a proximal manipulating section, and a cutting member for cutting the ligating member. The cutting member is provided on the manipulating device and is movably provided on the ligating member.
US08298236B2 Cervical bone preparation tool and implant guide systems
Disclosed herein are various tools and devices for use in spinal surgery. In one embodiment, a spinal guide device is provided having a guide member with a positioning element that is adapted to engage a portion of a vertebra to position the guide member relative to the vertebra. The guide member can also include a retractor guide that is adapted to guide a retractor therethrough to retract tissue adjacent to the distal end of the guide member. Various tissue retractors, bone preparation tools, and spinal implants are also disclosed.
US08298206B2 Belted absorbent article
An absorbent article includes a belt and an absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is fastened to the belt via an article fastening means having a form such that the article fastening means does not fold or bend upwards under the forces present when the diaper is assembled.
US08298203B2 Multi-presentational packaging for disposable diapers
A multi-presentational package for disposable diapers such that the package may be presented in a multi-package form or an individual-package form. One exemplary embodiment of the package may include a plurality of disposable diaper products, a plurality of stabilizers, and a wrapping layer. The multi-presentational package may be marketed as a single unit such that a substantial portion of said plurality of disposable diaper products is visible to the consumer and/or the plurality of disposable diaper products and plurality of stabilizers may be removed from said multi-presentation package and subsequently marketable as multiple units.
US08298200B2 System for providing continual drainage in negative pressure wound therapy
A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound is provided. The system includes a wound dressing cover dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to establish a reservoir over the wound bed in which subatmospheric pressure may be maintained, a subatmospheric pressure mechanism including, a housing, a vacuum source disposed in the housing, and a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum source. The system further includes an exudate conduit in fluid communication with the wound dressing and the collection canister for collecting exudate removed from the reservoir and deposited in the collection canister under influence of the vacuum source and a vent conduit in fluid communication with the collection canister and the wound dressing for introducing air into the reservoir to facilitate flow of exudate through the exudate conduit.
US08298188B2 Telescoping cannula
An apparatus may serve as a surgical portal for the reception of surgical instruments for use in laparoscopic or similar surgery. The apparatus may include inner and outer tubular elongate members adapted for a longitudinal translation relative to one another to effect a length adjustment of the apparatus. An interface between the two elongate members includes a helical thread providing a mechanism for the translation of the elongate members, and indentations in one of the members provides a locking mechanism for affixing the length.
US08298187B2 Fluid injection device
A medical device is provided. The device includes a cannula with a lumen and a plurality of apertures and a visually perceptible indicator that is configured to allow the cannula to be positioned at an appropriate rotational position within the patient. A plurality of injection needles are disposed within the lumen and a first handle is fixed with respect to the cannula and a second handle is disposed in conjunction with the first handle and fixed to the proximal portion of each of the plurality of needles, the first handle is translatable with respect to the second handle to translate the plurality of needles from a first position where the distal portions of each of the plurality of needles are disposed within the lumen of the cannula, and a second position where the distal portion of each of the plurality of needles extends out of the lumen through their respective aperture.
US08298180B2 Safety needle guard
A needle guard is disclosed. The needle guard includes a binding plate defining a multi-slot aperture adapted to receive a needle cannula therethrough. The needle guard also includes a biasing member for biasing the needle cannula within the multi-slot aperture, and a sensing arm connected to the binding plate. The sensing arm is adapted to contact a portion of the needle cannula, and is positionable for restricting movement of the needle cannula. The multi-slot aperture may include a first region having a first dimension, a second region having a second dimension, and optionally, a third region having a third dimension with the third dimension being smaller than the second dimension and the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension.
US08298179B2 Catheter assembly with tapered joints and method of manufacture
A catheter assembly comprises at least one catheter shaft and a balloon. The catheter shaft comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and at least one tapered portion. The tapered portion forms an angle with the cylindrical portion of about 1 degree to about 25 degrees. At least one of the waists of the balloon is sealingly engaged to the tapered portion.
US08298173B2 Particle cassettes
A method of producing a particle cassette for a needleless syringe device which alleviates problems of providing a chamber for the confinement of particles which is hermetically sealed from the environment. A predetermined force is applied in the longitudinal direction to push first and second cassette parts together so as to cause plastic deformation of a portion of the first cassette part so as to create said hermetically sealed chamber. The cassette parts are preferably made of PETG and have bonded thereto rupturable membranes preferably made of PET. The sealing is preferably achieved at the end of a protrusion on the first cassette part which is tapered and which interacts with the membrane of the second cassette part.
US08298167B2 Modular hemofiltration apparatus with interactive operator instructions and control system
An apparatus for carrying out selected fluid management and/or renal replacement patient therapy is characterized by an interactive operator control system having operator inputs for selectively changing a panel kit, replacing a filter cartridge, and/or changing to a different patient therapy during a currently running patient therapy, and providing operator instructions for carrying out tasks for completing same. In one embodiment, the interactive operator control system is also characterized by automatically serially identifying different setup steps to be carried out during system setup, displaying the successive steps substantially throughout the system setup as well as displaying on the operator interface screen sequential tasks to be carried out for each of the different setup steps.
US08298161B2 Shape-transferring cannula system and method of use
The present invention is directed to a novel shape-transferring cannula system, which provides access to tortuous and unsupported paths. The shape-transferring cannula system and method enables exploration of hollow body structures, and creates a custom-contoured access port for insertion and removal of, for example, diagnostic, surgical, or interventional instruments to and from a site within the body to which the physician does not have line-of-sight access.
US08298157B2 Introducer cannula having a tissue anchor for use with a medical instrument
An introducer cannula configured for receiving a medical instrument includes a cannula tube having a side wall surrounding a central lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end. An elongate tissue anchor is positioned in the central lumen of the cannula tube. The elongate tissue anchor has a mounting end and an anchoring free end. The elongate tissue anchor is movable in the central lumen such that the anchoring free end is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled to the proximal end of the cannula tube. The actuator is coupled to the mounting end of the elongate tissue anchor. The actuator is operatively configured to selectively position the anchoring free end of the elongate tissue anchor in one of the retracted position and the deployed position.
US08298145B2 Peri-capsular fibroid treatment
Uterine fibroids and other tissue masses are treated using an electrode or other treatment element introduced into a potential or peri-capsular space surrounding the fibroid under ultrasonic imaging. A therapy is delivered into the potential space by the treatment element in order to reduce or eliminate blood supply to the fibroid or other tissue mass.
US08298143B2 Ultrasonograph that determines tissue properties utilizing a reference waveform
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitting section that generates a drive signal to drive a probe in order to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a subject to be deformed periodically under stress. A receiving section receives an echo, produced when the ultrasonic wave is reflected from the subject, at the probe to generate a received echo signal. A computing section determines a thickness change waveform, representing a variation in distance between two arbitrary measuring points on the subject, based on the received echo signal. A reference waveform generating section outputs a reference waveform. The apparatus obtains a subject's internal information by comparing the thickness change waveform and the reference waveform to each other.
US08298141B2 Method for measuring physiological parameters
A method for measuring physiological parameters uses statistical properties, spectrum analysis and feedback mechanisms to remove the signal noise generated by human body movement from a detected physiological signal.
US08298136B2 In-vivo examination system
An in-vivo examination system includes a body-insertable apparatus that moves in a subject; and an external device that acquires information about an inside of the subject. The external device includes a location acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of first locations of the body-insertable apparatus in the subject; a trajectory generating unit that generates a first movement trajectory of the body-insertable apparatus in the subject, based on the plurality of first locations; a trajectory storage unit that stores a second movement trajectory; and a scale adjusting unit that adjusts the first movement trajectory to the second movement trajectory.
US08298133B2 Gastric band composed of different hardness materials
A gastric band has a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location and a belt extending about the balloon. Further, a linking layer is positioned between the balloon and the belt, wherein the linking layer is harder than either the balloon or the belt. Additionally, the belt includes a first latching member at a first end of the gastric band and second latching member at a second end of the gastric band, the first latching member and the second latching member being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement to secure the gastric band about a stomach of a patient, wherein the first latching member and second latching member are composed of different materials.
US08298128B2 Centrifuge separating fluids by adjusting rotation speed using rotator and centrifuging method of the same
A centrifuge includes a rotator comprising a receiving unit receiving materials and guiding the materials to move upward by centrifugal force to an upper portion of the receiving unit, and a rotator cover covering the upper portion of the receiving unit. The centrifuge also includes a container that is coupled to the rotator cover to be connected to the receiving unit and that receives the materials moved upward along the receiving unit. The centrifuge and a centrifuging method as disclosed herein are used for separating a fluid to which a large centrifugal force is applied and a fluid to which a smaller centrifugal force is applied by adjusting the rotation speed using the principle that centrifugal force during rotation varies according to specific components of a fluid. Thus, using the centrifuge and the centrifugal method, materials can be centrifuged and layers of the materials can be classified and collected accurately and easily.
US08298117B2 Method for operating a hybrid drive system having a torque converter
A method for operating a hybrid drive system, in particular of a motor vehicle, having at least one electric machine and one internal combustion engine, a disconnecting clutch being provided between the electric machine and the internal combustion engine and a torque converter having a turbine wheel being provided between the electric machine and a hybrid drive output, the disconnecting clutch being engaged for starting the internal combustion engine. It is provided that, as a function of the rotational speed of the turbine wheel of the torque converter, a rotational speed is predefined for the electric machine such that no sudden torque change occurs at the hybrid drive output when the internal combustion engine is started.
US08298106B2 Steering transmission for tracked vehicles
An infinitely variable hydromechanical crossdrive steering transmission having a multiple of forward and reverse ratio ranges and a separately selectable low ratio range in both forward and reverse. The forward and reverse ratio ranges are enabled to shift between ratio ranges in a synchronous manner in both speed and torque, thus smoothly propelling the vehicle from rest through the multiple transmission ranges to maximum speed in a stepless manner.
US08298104B2 Timing chain driving system
In a timing chain drive, a hybrid driving sprocket, having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth, cooperates with a hybrid chain having rollers that mesh with the roller-engaging teeth and toothed link plates that mesh with the side sprocket teeth. A driven sprocket from which the chain travels toward the driving sprocket has a cyclically varying tooth pitch that compensates for tension variations due to cyclic variations in the rotational speed of the driving sprocket or to cyclic variations in the load applied to the driven sprocket. The driven sprocket can be a roller sprocket or a hybrid sprocket having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth for engagement with the teeth on the link plates of the chain.
US08298086B2 Provision of contact center services to players of games
A mechanism is provided in a networked multiplayer game for use by playable characters. When operated by a player's character, this mechanism causes the game to send a request for contact to an external contact center. The contact request is queued and allocated to an agent, optionally with the assistance of information provided by the game. When a contact center agent answers the contact request, a communications channel is opened from the agent directly into the game where the game system directs the communication to the local environment of the player's character enabling the player to communicate with the agent of a contact center without leaving the game environment. The agent or contact center may additionally have a representation in the game so that the player can interact with the agent or contact center. The agent representation may be a character in the game controlled by an agent who is logged into the game, or by the contact center manipulating a game client or API, or by the game engine itself. A representation of the contact center may be a telephone graphic, portal, door, sign, lever, button or any other manipulable game object, and optionally a multimedia representation of the contact queuing system. Payments can be made to or from the player using in-game currency which is credited or debited to an account held by the contact center.
US08298085B2 Method of linking devices to gaming machines
A method of dynamically linking abstracted hardware devices, which are used in association with gaining machines, to gaming software is disclosed. The game machine has a central processing unit (“CPU”), a resource manager, driver pools, and a communication link that connect a plurality of intelligent Input/Output controller boards (“IOCB”) to hardware devices interfaced to the game. The resource manager's functional blocks are: a resource manager control task, a plurality of Input/Output (“I/O”) communication drivers to connect to the IOCBs, a low level and high level driver manager, a low level and high level driver pool, and a plurality of resource repositories that interface to the gaming software. The resource manager starts an I/O communication driver to scan for the primary IOCB on the I/O memory bus, Universal Serial Bus, or Firewire. Once the primary IOCB is found, the resource control task will load more I/O communication drivers for any secondary IOCBs. The resource control task starts the driver managers, and requests the IOCB(s) to send the list of attached hardware. The driver managers load the drivers required for the type and version of hardware attached to the game. The gaming software interfaces to the hardware through the high level drivers loaded in the resource repositories. The high level drivers can be software or hardware drivers. Software drivers can simulate hardware, connect to other parts of the gaming software, or combine functions by calling other software and hardware drivers. New drivers can be added easily, allowing gaming software to use new hardware with little or no changes.
US08298083B2 Game device, game control method, information recording medium, and program
In a game, a user competes for accuracy of user's operation of a controller depending on whether a user can swing a controller at a target point in time. In a game device (401), for accurately determining the accuracy of user's operation, a measurement unit (402) measures acceleration of the controller, an extraction unit (403) extracts a time point at which a first threshold is reached by an increasing acceleration and a time point at which the first threshold is reached by a decreasing acceleration, wherein the increasing and decreasing accelerations are measured by the measurement unit, and a determination unit (404) selects, from the time points extracted, a time point closest to the target point in time, and determines the accuracy of the user operation based on the difference between the target point in time and the time point selected.
US08298078B2 Wagering game machine with biofeedback-aware game presentation
A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a biofeedback module operable to track at least one biometric characteristic of a game player. The wagering game is further operable to alter presentation of the wagering game based on changes in the at least one biometric characteristic. A mood enhancement module is operable to provide energy to a wagering game player at a frequency designed to provide a mood enhancing effect.
US08298075B2 Casino poker game with optional card
A method, system, and computer readable storage medium to provide a variation of a casino poker game that combines games of blackjack and poker into a single game. An optional card is available for use by the player in both the blackjack game and the poker game, but in order to use the optional card the player must make an additional wager.
US08298070B2 Gaming machine that executes free game and the play method
A gaming machine is arranged as follows: on condition that a game medium is betted, plural symbols including a specific symbol are rearranged based on a symbol randomly selected from the plural symbols; a base game in which a game medium with an amount determined in accordance with the rearranged symbols is run; if in the base game the specific symbol is rearranged with a first predetermined condition, a special game in which a free game is repeated plural times, in the free game a special status in which the specific symbol is added to the plural symbols being established and a game medium with an amount determined in accordance with the rearranged symbols; and another free game is added and made runnable if in the special game the specific symbol is rearranged with a second predetermined condition.
US08298069B2 Gaming machine reel alignment
An electromechanical wager-based gaming machine includes a plurality of reels that are aligned as they are spun so that the reels can be rapidly stopped in response to a player's input. One reel is selected as a reference reel and other reels are brought into alignment using feedback from reel position sensors.
US08298066B2 Game method using community reels
The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that include a community spin mechanism that, when activated, causes reel displays, at two or more player stations, to spin. Certain embodiments provide for one or more community reels that are utilized to determine an outcome of a community gaming session. The community reels are “community” in that they are formed by combining reels of individual play stations in order to increase the odds, and payouts, of potential wins via various line combinations of the combined set of reels, once they stop spinning. Re-stated, by way of non-limiting example, each play station has its own set of reels and when community play is started, one or more community reels are spun along with each player's set of reels. Any potential winning combinations are then based on resulting combinations of the individual play station reels in combination with the community reels. In one embodiment, one or more dedicated reels are specifically reserved as community reels that may be used in various combinations with a player's reels and other player reels to determine potential awards. The addition of community play, via community reels, advantageously adds to the excitement and enjoyment.
US08298059B2 Method, system and computer program product for creating custom tutorials based on interactive gameplay
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for creating a custom tutorial comprising the controller inputs associated with the controller manipulations that cause an action observed by a player during game play. Controller inputs are saved during game play. In response to a first player performing an action to create a tutorial, controller inputs from a tagged player are captured. A custom tutorial is created for performing game actions performed by the tagged player's avatar comprising the captured controller inputs. The tutorial is sent to a memory device accessible by the first player.
US08298052B2 Apparatus for sorting articles
A device for sorting disks or disk-like members of different identities (e.g., roulette chips) that ejects the disks from a receptacle by means of a rotating wheel with numerous wells, such as multi-chip storage compartments. Ejection of an article from the numerous wells is achieved by an ejector lever making contact with an activated solenoid thus forcing the article at the bottom of the well, in conjunction with the momentum of the rotating wheel, into a receiving space. The disks in the receiving spaces are continually replaced by newly arriving disks, which force the previously positioned disks upward into a column.
US08298050B2 Apparatus and method for filleting beheaded and gutted fish
The invention relates to an apparatus for filleting beheaded and gutted fish, comprising a cutting unit for filleting the fish, wherein the cutting unit has at least one pair of circular blades, an endlessly rotating transport conveyor having at least one saddle-shaped supporting body for receiving the fish and conveying them through the cutting unit tail first, wherein each supporting body has a supporting edge for making a form-locking connection with the center bone of the fish to be processed, and a device for centering the center bone in relation to the supporting body, which is distinguished in that a means for lifting the center bone of the fish off the supporting edge of the supporting body is provided, which is arranged in the region of the device for centering the center bone. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.
US08298048B2 CMP pad dresser with oriented particles and associated methods
CMP pad dressers with superabrasive particles oriented into an attitude that controls CMP pad performance, and methods associated therewith are disclosed and described. The controlled CMP pad performance may be selected to optimize CMP pad dressing rate and dresser wear.
US08298047B2 Substrate retainer
A retainer is used with an apparatus for polishing a substrate. The substrate has upper and lower surfaces and a lateral, substantially circular, perimeter. The apparatus has a polishing pad with an upper polishing surface for contacting and polishing the lower face of the substrate. The retainer has an inward facing retaining face for engaging and retaining the substrate against lateral movement during polishing of the substrate. The retaining face engages a substrate perimeter at more than substantially a single discrete circumferential location along the perimeter.
US08298042B2 Wire monitoring
A sawing device for sawing silicon blocks comprises at least one cutting element for sawing silicon blocks, the cutting element being drivable by means of a drive device, at least one guide device, with the at least one cutting element being alignable along a predetermined path by means of the at least one guide device, and at least one monitoring device for monitoring the position of the at least one cutting element.
US08298039B2 Two-wheel toy car
A two-wheel toy car includes a car body, a chassis for supporting the car body, a wheel assembly, and two balancing assemblies fixed to the chassis. The chassis includes an inner surface facing the car body and symmetrically defines two through holes. The wheel assembly includes two wheels symmetrically positioned on the chassis and two driving members corresponding to the wheels, respectively. The balancing assemblies correspond to the through holes, respectively. Each balancing assembly includes a guiding member fixed to the inner surface corresponding to the through hole, a contacting member extending from the through hole, and at least one elastic member positioned between the guiding member and the contacting member. The contacting member faces the guiding member and is slidably connected to the guiding member. One end of the elastic member abuts against the guiding member, and the other end of the elastic member abuts against the contacting member.
US08298033B2 Display panel assembly and method of manufacturing the same
A display panel assembly includes a first substrate having an effective display region for displaying an image and a non-effective display region positioned at a peripheral region outside of the effective display region, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a sealing member disposed along a boundary between the effective display region and the non-effective display region between the first and second substrates, the sealing member including a thermosetting material, and an exothermic member interposed between the sealing member and the first substrate to generate heat for curing the sealing member.
US08298016B2 Connector having a shield with with spring arms in lengthwise and crosswise directions
A connector to be disposed within a housing of an electronic device includes a main body and a conduction member. The conduction member includes a connecting portion and a resilient portion. The resilient portion is formed on the connecting portion and configured to abut against the housing. An EMI shield being formed on the housing, which includes at least one spring arm in the lengthwise direction and at least one spring arm in the crosswise direction on the EMI shield are sited to fixate the connection between the connector and the electronic device.
US08298014B2 Connector with data and power terminals on opposite sides of a terminal accommodating space
An eSATA connector includes a connector plug and a mated connector receptacle. The connector plug includes a plug member, a plug metal housing, plug data terminals and a terminal holding part, in which the plug data terminals are held, and further includes plug power terminals held in the terminal holding part, wherein the plug power terminals and the data terminals each other electrically insulated.
US08298009B2 Cable assembly with printed circuit board having a ground layer
The cable assembly may include a plug connector, a cable, and a connector. The plug connector may include a housing and a board assembly. The board assembly may include a printed circuit board. The edge of the printed circuit board may be enclosed with a material. The material may be an overmolded plastic or a coating of a material. In order to reduce the crosstalk in the areas where the cable shield is removed, a shielding assembly may be used. The shielding assembly may provide 360 degrees of shielding for the wire pair at the location where the cable shield is removed. The printed circuit board may have a trace layer, a core layer, and a ground plane layer. The ground plane layer may have a portion which is a solid layer and another portion which is a non-solid layer.
US08298002B2 Pluggable cable connector
A pair manager for use in securing a twin-axial cable to a printed circuit board is described. The pair manager comprises a generally block-shaped portion containing a pair of channels. The channels extend from the front face to the rear face of the block-shaped portion. An integral flange and a pair of integral fingers extend perpendicularly from the front face of the block-shaped portion. The flange extends generally from the center of the front face and the fingers extend from opposite edges of the front face. The fingers and flange function as a partial shield cavity around each pair of conductors. This design helps to maintain better impedance matching when connecting twin-axial cables to a printed circuit board.
US08298001B2 Board connector provided with an actuator integral with a beam portion of a contact
For connecting a board member inserted in a board insertion direction, a board connector includes a contact with a first and a second beam portion, a housing holding the contact, and an actuator integral with the first beam portion. The first and the second beam portions include a first and a second clamping portion, respectively, for clamping therebetween the board member. The actuator includes an effort point portion formed forward with respect to the first clamping portion in the board insertion direction. When an operator inserts the board member into the board connector, the board member pushes and moves the effort point portion.
US08297997B2 Connector with a surface with primary and reduntant connection points
A connector (10, 30, 40) is provided for coupling an electronic circuit (11) of an electronic device to sensor and/or actuation elements (12) of the electronic device. The connector (10, 30, 40) comprises at least one connection surface (21) with i connection points (13), the i connection points (13) comprise j primary connection points (13) for coupling the electronic circuit (11) to j corresponding ones of the elements (12), and k redundant connection points (13) for redundantly coupling the electronic circuit (11) to at least one of the elements (12). The primary and the redundant connection points (13) for the at least one of the elements (12) are distributed over the connection surface (21).
US08297996B2 Safety socket
A safety socket includes a first conductive clamp seat and a second conductive clamp seat in alignment with a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole. In normal state, the first and second conductive clamp seats are spaced from a first power terminal and a second power terminal in an open state. When a plug is plugged into the safety socket, the prongs of the plug outward bias spring limbs of the first and second conductive clamp seats into contact with the corresponding first and second power terminals respectively. Only under such circumstance, the first and second conductive clamp seats electrically contact the first and second power terminals to close the circuit and provide power for an electric appliance. If a child inserts a conductive article into the first or second insertion hole, the danger of electrical shock can be avoided to ensure safety in use of electricity.
US08297994B2 Switching device having an insulating enclosure with a rotary component and an inspection element with a detection element and a transmission member
A multi-functional polarity-correcting plugging-coupling switching device includes a rotary component, which is rotatable and has at least one inspection element that is electrically connected to a touch control resistor and a live connection of a power plug. With a user using a hand to touch the touch control resistor, a closed circuit is formed with the human body for identifying correct position of polarization of the power plug. Further, through rotation of the rotary component, correct polarization and voltage level can be selected. Further, a resistive indicator is provided for indicating correct connection of earth line.
US08297993B2 Connector arrangement with mate-assist device
The present application relates to a connector arrangement, including a first connector housing and a complementary second connector housing and a mate assist device. The mate assist device includes an actuating arm movably mountable to the first connector housing, wherein the actuating arm includes at least one cam slot and the second connector housing includes at least one corresponding cam peg to engage the cam slot, such that upon actuating of the mate assist device the cam slot can draw the cam peg towards the first connector housing to move the second connector housing towards the first connector housing. The actuating arm is provided with at least one blocking wing, which arranged movable with respect to the actuating arm and prevents from actuating the mate assist device, when the second connector housing is not at least partially mated with the first connector housing.
US08297987B2 Extended USB plug, USB PCBA, and USB flash drive with dual-personality for embedded application with mother boards
An extended universal serial bus (USB) storage device is described herein. According to one embodiment, an extended USB storage device includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) having a flash memory device and a flash controller mounted thereon, and an extended USB connector plug coupled to the PCBA for providing a USB compatible interface between an external device and the flash memory device and the flash controller, wherein the extended USB connector plug includes a first end used to couple to the external device and a second end coupled to the flash memory device and the flash controller. The extended USB connector plug includes multiple communication interfaces. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08297985B1 Connector with surface mount signal pin
In various embodiments, a coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector has a circuit board surface mount signal pin that forms no sharp angles (and especially no sharp right angles) as it leads down from an axis of the connector to the level of a printed circuit board 44 to which the signal pin 18 is to be surface mounted. The signal pin is flat and has a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section extends axially from the first end of the signal pin housing. The second section is a transition from the first section to the third section and has a filleted interior corner and a corresponding rounded exterior corner providing a gradual transition between a direction in which the first section extends to a different direction in which the third section extends. The third section then forms a downward curve around an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of the first section.
US08297984B2 Online test proctoring interface with test taker icon and multiple panes
An aspect of the present invention relates to an online test platform adapted to facilitate the development, delivery, and management of educational tests with interactive participation by students, teachers, proctors, and administrators even when some or all of them are remotely located. The platform may include administrator interfaces, test proctor interfaces, and test taker (e.g. student) interfaces to allow each participant to view, navigate, and interact with aspects of the online test platform that are intended to meet their needs.
US08297983B2 Multimodal ultrasound training system
An ultrasound training system having a data capture module, a digital asset management module, a validation module, didactic content, a media asset production module, an integration layer, an internet-based portal, a software client, and a peripheral probe. The combination of the disclosed elements creates a system that enables the creation and delivery of high-quality ultrasound education and training in a low-cost, widely deployable, and scalable manner, with a facilitated method for processing orders and financial transactions between customers and content providers.
US08297974B1 Dental implant with porous body
A dental implant having two distinct regions, a coronal region and a bone fixation region. The coronal region has a smooth transgingival section and an interface for connecting to a dental component. The bone fixation region has an elongated cylindrical shape and is formed as a porous structure that extends completely through the bone fixation region.
US08297953B2 Mini pump
A mini pump has a head including a connective end, a nozzle and an air channel communicating the connective end with the nozzle. A cylinder assembly is removably engaged with the connective end of the head. A tube is selectively received in the cylinder assembly and has an end connected to the connective end. The head is locked to the cylinder assembly and the tube is concealed in the cylinder assembly when the head is in a first position. The head is disengaged from the cylinder assembly and the tube extends out of the cylinder assembly when the head is in a second position.
US08297951B2 Fan having a printed circuit board
A fan (20) has: a motor having a stator (40) and having a rotor (60) with at least one fan blade; at least one air inlet having an air entrance opening (102) for the inlet of air; at least one air outlet having an air exit opening (32) for the outlet of air; a circuit board (80) having at least one recess, which circuit board (80) is arranged in the region of the air inlet in such a way that air can enter the fan (20) through the recess, motor electronics (88) being arranged on the circuit board (80). In a preferred embodiment, a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) resistor (84) is surface-mounted on a PC board portion (83) extending into the air passage, to thereby sense air temperature. This facilitates compact, automated construction.
US08297946B2 Fan, motor and oil sealing structure thereof
An oil sealing structure of a motor includes a cover and at least one sealing element. The motor has a shaft, a fluid bearing and a bushing. The fluid bearing mounts to the shaft and is accommodated in the bushing. The cover is disposed around the shaft and is connected with an opening of the bushing. The sealing element is disposed around the shaft and between the fluid bearing and the cover. A fan and a motor including the above-mentioned oil sealing structure are also disclosed.
US08297945B2 Axial fan
In an axial fan (1), equipped with a frame (13), a motor (2) and an impeller (3) whose hub (15) is rotationally driven by the motor (2) and where the hub (15) is cup-shaped, with an end wall (16) and an annular side wall (17) to partially contain the motor (2), the motor (2) protrudes from the hub (15) with its longitudinal end (23) which is supported and laterally surrounded by a crown (12) of the frame (13) and the crown (12) has an annular end strip (21) facing the hub (15) and laterally surrounding an annular end strip (22) of the hub (15) which faces the crown (12).
US08297942B2 Regulatable coolant pump
A controllable coolant pump for internal combustion engines is driven by a belt pulley. The controllable coolant pump has a hydraulically actuated gate valve connected to a ring piston. An axial piston pump is disposed in the pump housing and is driven and “operated” by means of a swashplate having a suction groove and disposed on the back side of the flywheel. The “pumped volume flow” of the pump is controlled in a defined manner by means of a solenoid valve such that precise displacement of the hydraulically actuated gate valve is ensured.
US08297940B2 Relocatable sucker rod pump assembly
A downhole pumping assembly has a tubing string with plural barrels which are arranged in-line with the tubing. The tubing string has a seating location adjacent to each barrel. A standing valve arrangement, which includes a standing valve and a seating device, is located with the standing valve adjacent to the lower end of one of the barrels. A plunger has a traveling valve that is located for reciprocation within the one barrel. The plunger has a clearance with each of the barrels so as to form a fluid seal. The plunger reciprocates inside the barrel so as to lift fluid to the surface. Over time, the barrel will exhibit wear. Instead of pulling the entire tubing string to replace the barrel, the standing valve and the plunger are relocated to one of the other barrels located in the tubing string and reciprocation is resumed to resume pumping.
US08297937B2 Pump control apparatus, system and method
An apparatus, system and method for more accurately monitoring and determining pump failure. The apparatus and system include at least a power circuit, a current sensing circuit, alarm circuit and a controller. The controller is connectable to and receives an input from the current sensing circuit. The controller is configured to calculate a baseline operating current, current thresholds and operating conditions affecting the operation of the pump. The alarm circuit is connectable to and receives outputs from the controller, and provides alarm indications corresponding to operating conditions determined by the controller.
US08297935B2 Turbine blades and methods of forming modified turbine blades and turbine rotors
Turbine blades and methods of forming modified turbine blades and turbine rotors for use in an engine are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a turbine blade includes a platform and an airfoil. The platform includes a surface configured to define a portion of a flowpath, and the surface includes an initial contour configured to plastically deform into an intended final contour after an initial exposure of the blade to an operation of the engine. The airfoil extends from the platform.
US08297928B2 Blade for reducing the drag movements of said blade, and a method of reducing such a drag movement
A blade (10) extending longitudinally from a root (11) of the blade (10) to a free end (12) of the blade (10), the blade (10) having a resonator (13) incorporated therein to reduce the drag movements (F1, F2) of the blade (10), the resonator (13) being provided with a solid and movable heavy element (30) and with resilient retaining element (20) secured to the heavy element (30) and to the blade (10). Furthermore, the resonator (13) includes guide element (40) in which the heavy element (30) is capable of oscillating (F1′, F2′) longitudinally, the guide element (40) being arranged in a longitudinal direction (D1) of the blade.
US08297915B2 Real-time turbomachinery blade breakage monitoring unit and turbo-apparatus
Disclosed herein are a turbo-machinery blade breakage monitoring unit and a turbo-apparatus having the same. The blade breakage monitoring unit includes a pressure sensor disposed near a rotor having a plurality of blades to be rotated at a predetermined speed, the pressure sensor functioning to measure total pressures of the respective blades. The blade breakage monitoring unit further includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor and functioning to judge whether or not each measured total pressure value, transmitted from the pressure sensor, is within a preset criterion total pressure range. With the use of the blade breakage monitoring unit, total pressures of the respective blades are monitored in real time at a position downstream of the blades when the blades are rotated at a high speed within the turbo-apparatus, such as a turbine, compressor and fan, enabling real-time monitoring of breakage of the blades.
US08297913B2 Fuel pump
A fuel pump has a casing and an impeller. The impeller is substantially disk shaped having an upper surface and a lower surface The impeller is rotatable within the casing around a rotational axis. A plurality of impeller depressions is formed in at least the lower surface of the impeller. The plurality of impeller depressions is located on at least one of the inside and the outside of a group of concavities. The plurality of impeller depressions is arranged on a circle around the rotational axis of the impeller. Each of the impeller depressions has its deepest portion in a rear half thereof with respect to the rotational direction of the impeller.
US08297909B2 Wind turbine
A wind turbine that is mounted on a corner of a building and has a shaft that extends upward and outward from the corner, where the turbine blades are located, and the resulting rotation of the shaft is used for some power consumption purpose in our outside the building.
US08297903B2 Segmented nut for screw connections
A nut for screw connections has two substantially identically sized nut segments of a half-shell shape, wherein the nut segments each have an inner side provided with an inner thread segment defining together an inner thread. The nut segments are connected to each other so as to be moveable toward each other until the nut segments reach a closed position. The nut segments are maintained in the closed position by springs or a locking device. An actuating device is moveably arranged on at least one of the two nut segments for releasing the closed position, wherein the actuating device is adapted to manually actuated.
US08297900B2 Composite member fixing structure
A composite member 12, which is formed by integrating an OCV housing 14 and a cylinder head cover 13, is fixed to a cam cap 15 by a bolt 20. The bolt 20 is passed through a bolt insertion hole 16 of the composite member 12 and fastened to the cam cap 15. A step portion 20d is formed in a shank 20c between a head 20a and a threaded rod 20b of the bolt 20. A circumferential groove 21 is formed in the shank 20c between the step portion 20d and the head 20a of the bolt 20. The circumferential groove 21 extends along the outer circumferential surface of the shank 20c. An annular sealing member 22 is fitted in the groove 21. The threaded rod 20b of the bolt 20 is then screwed into the internal thread 19 of the cam cap 15, which is a coupled member. At this time, the step portion 20d of the bolt 20 contacts a contacting portion 16c in the bolt insertion hole 16 of the OCV housing 14. Also, the sealing member 22 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the bolt insertion hole 16 of the cylinder head cover 13.
US08297895B2 Air cargo net
The invention relates to an air cargo net; that is to a net that is applied to restrain cargo that has been placed on a pallet and to prevent shifting of the cargo in an aircraft during transport, which net comprises a plurality of ropes made from polymer fibers, which ropes are joined at intervals to form meshes, the net having a central part and a plurality of lobes projecting there from, the peripheral meshes of each lobe being formed by a border rope, each border rope having a plurality of attachment fittings that are connected to the border rope by replaceable connecting ropes. The invention also relates to a method of connecting an attachment fitting to a rope of an air cargo net with an auxiliary connecting rope.
US08297891B2 Drill-and-hole detector tool, method of utilization thereof and uses
The invention relates to a drill-and-hole detector tool consisting of at least two plates (1a and 1b) having the first plate (1a) at least three passing holes (2b) at one end, and a chimney (3) used as a drilling guide at the other end and having the second plate (1b) at least three pins (2a) at one end and a positioning rivet or stub (4) at the other end, in such a way that when the two plates (1a and 1b) are superimposed, the three passing holes (2b) of the first plate (1a) coincide with the three pins (2a) of the second plate (1b), and the chimney (3) of the first plate (1a) coincides with the positioning rivet or stub (4) of the second plate (1b).
US08297888B2 Hydraulic prop comprising thin-walled exterior and interior pipes
A hydraulic prop 1 is provided for use in underground mining and tunnel construction and is to be used above all in the shield support. In this shield support or in the hydraulic prop 1, the exterior pipe 15 having the foot connection part 16 and the handle 17 and the interior pipe 19 having the head plate 20 are effectively connected together via spring steel wire ties 35 which are disposed or are to be disposed in corresponding connecting grooves 36, 37, 38 or 39, 40 41 such that in the transition region 42 sufficiently high forces can be transferred so as to ensure a connection between the components which is effective and remains effective. A setting pressure of 600 t can be realized at about 700 bar with the corresponding equipment. The connecting technique permits the use of high-strength thinner-walled pipes.
US08297887B2 Masonry block with leveling pads
A block having a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, a front surface, a rear surface opposing the front surface, the front and rear surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces, a first side surface, a second side surface opposing the first side surface, the first and second side surfaces extending between the front and rear surfaces, and a set of at least three leveling pads extending from the rear surface.
US08297880B2 Leaching chamber with continuous curve arch and closely spaced corrugations
A method for treating wastewater in a leaching field comprises forming and burying in soil a continuous curve arch shape cross section injection molded thermoplastic leaching chamber. The chamber has inwardly curving sidewalls perforated with closely spaced horizontal slots and peak corrugations which are closely spaced apart on about 8 inch center-to-center distance or less. The chamber configuration in combination with certain plastic material properties and thickness provide strength sufficient to meet regulatory requirements when the soil above the buried chamber is subjected to load.
US08297878B2 Curb and gutter forming machine
A curb forming machine for use by a single operator to form curved curbing includes a single rotatable curb-forming roller, a handle assembly for pulling and maneuvering the roller, and a motor for rotating the roller. The roller includes a generally cylindrical body, a neck at one end of the body, and a shaping surface, all of which are coaxial. The motor rotates the roller so that the lower periphery of the roller moves toward the direction of pulling to shape and smooth wet concrete into curbing. An overflow guard prevents wet concrete from flowing over the roller onto the finished curb, and an alignment device extends outwardly from the roller to contact a form member. A curb forming method includes pulling and steering such a roller around a curved form, including around tight curves in the form.
US08297874B2 Traffic bearing structure with permeable pavement
A traffic bearing structure with a permeable pavement includes a subgrade, a base positioned on top of the subgrade, and a wear surface positioned on top of the base. The base includes aggregate compacted in a single lift, where the aggregate in the base includes different sized particles mixed together. The wear surface includes a permeable pavement. The particle size distribution of the aggregate in the base is selected to provide adequate stability and permeability for the permeable pavement.
US08297872B2 Fastening device and article assembly having the same
A fastening device includes a lower engaging hook adapted to be provided on a first article and including a push portion, and at least one first hook portion spaced apart from and disposed below the push portion. Fixing plates are adapted to be provided on a second article disposed above the first article. At least one upper engaging hook is connected pivotally to and disposed between the fixing plates, and includes first and second arms formed as an inverted L-shaped configuration. The first arm extends downwardly from the second arm, and has a second hook portion to engage detachably the first hook portion. The second arm is engageable with the push portion. The upper engaging hook is pivotal to move the second hook portion to engage and move away from the first hook portion when the push portion engages and disengages from the second arm, respectively.
US08297861B2 Keypad with larger key areas in central key group
An electronic device and a keypad structure thereof are disclosed. The keypad structure includes a first key group, a second key group and a third key group. The second key group is disposed on the left side of the first key group, and the third key group is disposed on the right side of the first key group. Each key area of the second key group is smaller than that of the first key group, and each key area of the third key group is also smaller than that of the first key group.
US08297857B2 Theft deterring adjustable, transportable, outdoor camera support assembly
An adjustable locking camera support assembly is provided. The assembly includes a camera support assembly and a ground engaging assembly. The camera support assembly includes a first support in telescopic communication with a second support, a camera mount pivotally connected to the first support, and a support plate connected to the second support, the support plate includes a first aperture forming a passage to a hollow portion of the second support, and a second aperture. The ground engaging assembly includes a retention plate having a first side opposing a second side, an orifice carried by the retention plate, a first member connected to the first side of the retention plate, the first member being removably received by the first aperture and hollow portion of the second support of the camera support assembly, and a second member connected to the second side of the retention plate, the second member carrying an auger. An anchor member is removably received by the retention plate orifice and adapted to removably engage a passage carried by the first member. A locking mount is carried by the retention plate, the locking mount being removably received by the second aperture of the support plate of the camera support assembly.
US08297855B2 Optical connector
An optical connector 1 is for connecting a connection object 10 to an optical module 21. A slider 3 is slidably held by a housing 2 adapted for positioning the connection object and the optical module. The housing has a first positioning portion for receiving the connection object. The slider has a first pressing portion 3a for elastically pressing the connection object in a first direction toward the first positioning portion and a second pressing portion 3e that elastically acts in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08297843B2 Ball retainer chain, a method of making the same, and a linear guide apparatus
A ball retainer chain includes a flat belt with axially arranged holes defined thereon. A separating portion is disposed between every two holes; upper/lower spacers combine with the separating portion. The surface between the separating portion and the adjacent hole is formed by a smooth surface. Partial spacer is formed by a spherical surface that smoothly connected to the hole surface. The spherical surfaces interlacedly arranged at a right side a left side include an opening with a vertical direction and a lateral directions corresponding to the flat belt, so that a mold pair reliant on a slantwise opening and closing manner would complete an injection molding. A smooth cylindrical form at two ends of the flat belt connects to an indentation at an inner or a mold surface of the flat belt. Thereby, while applying the belt to a linear guide apparatus, the cylindrical form could adjustably bend inward or outward for achieving a fluent traveling.
US08297842B2 Air guide
An air guide includes a slide member and a guide track. The guide track defines a guide hole slidably receiving the slide member. The guide track defines an air intake in an outer surface, a plurality of air outlets in an inner surface opposite to the sliding member, and a plurality of guide holes therein. The guide holes communicates the air intake with the air outlets. The guide track further defines a plurality of guide grooves in the inner surface, communicating with the air outlets.
US08297838B2 Ear cap supplying device, ear cap and ear cap set
An ear cap supplying device, an ear cap and an ear cap set are provided. The ear cap supplying device includes a movable containing device and an output device. The movable containing device is used for containing at least one ear cap. The output device is used for exporting the ear cap(s). When the movable containing device is moved to a predetermined position, the movable containing device activizes the output device to export the ear cap(s). Whereby, problem that the ear cap(s) is/are obstructed during exporting process can be improved.
US08297835B2 Method and regulation system for monitoring a compressor of a gas turbine in particular
A regulation system for a compressor comprises a fiber-optic lattice sensor which makes it possible to determine a flow temperature of a fluid to be compressed by means of the compressor. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a fiber-optic Bragg lattice sensor as a temperature sensor in a regulation system.
US08297834B2 Temperature indication apparatus
An indication apparatus for indicating temperature status of a motherboard includes a detection module, a comparison module, a switch module, and an indication module. The detection module detects temperatures of the motherboard, and converts the detected temperatures to voltage signals. The comparison module receives the voltage signals, compares the voltage signals with a first reference voltage, and outputs control signals according to a comparison result. The switch module receives the control signals, and turns on or off according to the control signals. The indication module indicates temperature states of the motherboard when the switch module turns on or off.
US08297823B2 Backlight assembly
A backlight assembly includes a plurality of point light sources, a light guide plate (“LGP”) and a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The LGP has a light incident face in which light is incident, a side surface extending from an edge portion of the light incident face, and a fixing groove which is formed from the side surface toward an inner portion thereof. The PCB includes a point light source disposing portion in which the point light sources are disposed along a first direction, an extending portion extending from the point light disposing portion along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a protrusion which is fixed at an end portion of the extending portion. The protrusion of the PCB is coupled with the fixing groove of the LGP.
US08297820B2 Light-pipe based identification and location signaling light
A signaling light source facilitates locating personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment and resists damage from exposure to a harsh user environment A lighting unit includes at least one, and preferably two, of the signaling light sources also includes at least one personnel identifying red-green-blue (“RGB”) light emitting diode (“LED”) Disclosed methods for operating the signaling light source include energizing operation of a LED light source by supplying a sequence of electrical current pulses which repeat at a rate which causes emitted light to pulse visually, supplying electrical current to a pair of LEDs alternatively connected either in series or in parallel depending upon battery operating condition, and monitoring smoke density in environment around the signaling light source and modulating the intensity of emitted light responsive to smoke density.
US08297817B2 Lamp installation structure for vehicle
A lamp installation structure 1 includes a lamp installation portion 3, a clip member 10, a lamp body 21 and a screw member 30. The clip member is attached to the lamp body 21 in a way that the screw member 30 is inserted into a screw insertion hole 14, and that a tip 31 of the screw member 30 is meshed with a meshing portion 27. A turn lamp 20 is installed in the lamp installation portion 3 in a way that one end 11a of a base portion 11 of the clip member 10 is inserted into an attachment hole 4, and that an engagement portion 12 and a flange portion 13 are respectively engaged with the back surface side and the front surface side of the lamp installation portion 3.
US08297815B2 Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp including a main lamp unit that forms a main light distribution pattern for a headlamp, and an additional lamp unit that emits blue light or mixed light including blue light to form a lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern, wherein the lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern is superimposed onto the main light distribution pattern.
US08297812B2 Vehicle lighting system
A vehicle lighting system having a plurality of lighting apparatuses disposed so as to make a vehicle front surface reminiscent of a “face,” wherein an outline of a light-emitting surface of each of the lighting apparatuses from blurring to be fused. A glare area G has a width y as expressed in an expression “y=a+b·ln(x) (ln is a natural logarithm),” “a=−107,” and “b=39.6” when a main lighting apparatus has a luminous intensity of x is defined outside an outline OL of a main light-emitting surface in a vehicle front view, and an auxiliary lighting apparatus disposition area, in which an auxiliary lighting apparatus of a steadily lighting type different from a flashing type lighting apparatus is disposed, is set upwardly of the main lighting apparatus and outside the glare area G.
US08297807B1 Elevation adjustable window candle
An elevation adjustable window candle includes a candlestick having axial sliding grooves axially disposed between stop portions and an inside shoulder therein, a candle shaft having springy retaining blocks equiangularly suspending in the bottom side thereof and respectively axially slidably coupled to the sliding grooves in the candlestick to secure the candle shaft to the candlestick at the desired elevation by means of friction resistance, and a lampshell mounted on the top end of the candle shaft and holding a LED lamp module therein.
US08297806B2 Searchlight having pull-in bezel retention for marine applications
A searchlight is provided featuring a bezel pull-in retention assembly having a frame and a housing. The frame has a back plate configured with at least one opening to receive a fastening device. The housing is configured with a front end opening for receiving the frame, configured with a back end opening having an outer rim for receiving a seal plate, the seal plate configured to be adapted in the rim of the back end opening, to receive the fastening device and to fixedly couple the frame to the housing.
US08297803B2 Conveniently demountable assembled lamp
The present invention discloses a conveniently demountable assembled lamp. It is mainly composed of stand columns and clapboards, and multiple clapboards divide the stand columns into up and down multiple layers. At least one layer of the lamp is provided with a fixing frame, and a lampshade is connected between the fixing frame and the clapboard at the bottom of the layer; the lampshade is composed of a lampshade top frame, a soft outside cover and a lampshade bottom frame; locating pins extend from the lampshade top frame, and the fixing frame is provided with corresponding locating pin grooves; a central ring is additionally arranged at the central part of the lampshade bottom frame, and at least three support bars are connected between the central ring and the lampshade bottom frame; the lampshade bottom frame is arranged at the clapboard at the bottom of the layer, and the lampshade top frame is located at the inner side of the fixing frame; the locating pins of the lampshade top frame are jammed into the corresponding locating pin grooves of the fixing frame; the center of the clapboard at the bottom of the layer is further provided with a clapboard center hole corresponding to the central ring; a lampholder is mounted to the clapboard center hole and passes through the central ring. The assembled lamp is conveniently demountable, is convenient for daily cleaning, storage and maintenance, can improve the assembly efficiency and be convenient for transportation, and concurrently has multiple functions and strong aesthetic appearance.
US08297795B2 Illuminating apparatus having light shelters on tubular sidewall
An illuminating apparatus includes a lamp shade, a light source and a plurality of light shelters. The lamp shade includes a tubular sidewall, a receiving space and an opening. The light source is received in the receiving space. The plurality of light shelters is mechanically pivoted on the tubular sidewall. The plurality of light shelters is capable of being respectively and selectively rotated to cover the opening, thereby sheltering light passing through the opening.
US08297794B2 Method for directing light in a fluorescent piece
The method is for directing light in a fluorescent piece. Sequentially placed wedge-shaped pieces form a multiple-piece arrangement. Each piece has a base surface and a sloping top surface so that there is a first pointed end at one end and a short end surface at a second opposite end thereof. The pieces are exposed to light beams that hit fluorescent particles disposed inside the pieces. As a result, the particles emit a fluorescent light that are reflected off the inner surfaces of each piece as long as the light beams do not hit the surface at a perpendicular angle. The light beams are directed to penetrate the short end of each piece to form a continuous illuminated surface.
US08297786B2 Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method
In various embodiments, an illumination structure includes a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a waveguide and below a depression in a top surface thereof. A top mirror may be disposed above the discrete light source to convert modes of light emitted from the discrete light source into trapped modes, thereby increasing the coupling efficiency of the illumination structure.
US08297781B2 Multi-color illuminating back light structure
In an embodiment, the invention provides a multi-color illuminating back light structure comprising a light guide, a reflector, at least one LED and a wavelength converter material. Micro-structures are formed on a first surface of the light guide. The reflector is attached to the first surface of the light guide. A wavelength converter material is deposited on a second surface of the light guide. At least one LED is optically coupled to at least one side of the light guide. A portion of light reflected from the micro-structures and the reflector is converted into light having at least one wavelength different from the wavelength of the reflected light. The light leaving the wavelength converter material comprises light with at least first and second wavelengths.
US08297777B1 Barrier with ornamental lighting
A railing is provided with a pair of adjacent upright posts. Substantially parallel and spatially disposed opposing rails are supported by the posts. A plurality of balusters span the rails between the adjacent pair of posts, with the plurality of balusters defining first spaces between adjacent balusters and defining second spaces between each post and the respective adjacent baluster. One or more groups of one or more illuminating members are supported by each of a predetermined number of lighted balusters of the plurality of balusters.
US08297776B2 “Lip light” automatically controlled by the position of the head
A lighting device for helmet comprises a helmet including an arm to which are fixed a microphone and a lamp, called “lip light”, lighting with at least one lighting level. The device comprises a head tracking system comprising a computer for measuring and collecting data concerning the attitude of the helmet in motion and its position in space. Lamp activation means are automatically controlled by positions calculated by the computer so that the lip light lights, with one of its lighting levels, when it is oriented in a direction contained within a predefined area.
US08297769B2 Illumination device for display device and display device with the same
An illumination device for a display device has cold cathode tube lamps capable of being driven in parallel, a first holding member having holders equivalent in number to the number of the cold cathode tube lamps and each holding one end of each lamp, a second holding member having holders equivalent in number to the number of the cold cathode tube lamps and each holding the other end of each lamp and an electric power source device. Harness lines connected to one end of the electric power source device and the first holding member are interconnected at multiple points, and harness lines connected to the other end of the electric power source device and the second holding member are interconnected at multiple points. This reduces uneven brightness. The illumination device for a display device can be used as backlight for a liquid crystal TV.
US08297767B2 LED-based illumination modules with PTFE color converting surfaces
An illumination module includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and a light conversion sub-assembly mounted near but physically separated from the LEDs. The light conversion sub-assembly includes at least a portion that is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material that also includes a wavelength converting material. Despite being less reflective than other materials that may be used in the light conversion sub-assembly, the PTFE material unexpectedly produces an increase in luminous output, compared to other more reflective materials, when the PTFE material includes a wavelength converting material.
US08297765B2 Microstructural polarized light-guide device
A microstructural polarized light-guide device comprises an unpolarized light source module, a subwavelength polarization beam splitter structure and a polarization conversion module, the unpolarized light source module comprises a light-guide plate and a light source at the edge of the light-guide plate, the material of the light-guide plate is PMMA with the characteristic of high transparency, the surface of the light-guide plate has a plurality of extraction patterns, the polarization beam splitter structure is a nano-scale structure and comprises a dielectric nanograting layer and a metallic nanograting layer, and the dielectric nanograting layer and the metallic nanograting layer are vertically stacked with each other, the dielectric nanograting layer is integrated with a surface opposite to the surface with the plurality of extraction patterns, the polarization conversion module is disposed on the surface with the plurality of extraction patterns of the light-guide plate.
US08297755B2 Laser projector with alerting light
A projector with a laser light source projects an image. In order to reduce the risk for a person to be exposed to harmful levels of laser light, the projector also projects a time-variant alerting image into an alerting region. Alerting region is arranged outside of the projection region. The alerting image is of a wave length visible to the human eye, and of an intensity of eye-safe level.
US08297751B2 Multi-focal lenses with segmented boundaries
The invention provides multi-focal segmented lenses with boundaries that include at least one blended portion and at least one sharp portion. The lenses may possess, for example, the aesthetic advantage of blended multi-segment or progressive lenses while largely retaining the functional advantage of multi-segment lenses with sharp segment boundaries.
US08297738B1 Cartridge and printing material supply system
A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
US08297723B2 Interlock device for slide assembly
An interlock device includes an outer rail, an inner rail, an intermediate rail, a base, a driving member, a stop and a locking member. The base is connected to one end of the outer rail and includes a top room and a bottom room. The driving member is movable and includes a driving portion, an engaging portion and a co-moving portion. The driving portion is located in the top room and partially exposed from the top room. The engaging portion is located in the bottom room. The stop is connected to the inner rail or the intermediate rail. The locking member is connected to the co-moving portion. When the inner rail and the intermediate rail are pulled out, the driving portion is pushed by the intermediate rail and retracted into the top room. The co-moving portion is moved to shift the locking member, and the engaging portion extends from the bottom room of the base.
US08297722B2 Soft close drawer assembly and bracket
A cabinet slide assembly permits the soft-close action and/or a soft-open action of a drawer. The cabinet slide assembly includes a cabinet, a drawer, and at least one slide mechanism coupling the drawer to the cabinet to permit movement of the drawer between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A gas spring is also included in the assembly having a first end coupled to a portion of the cabinet assembly and a second end coupled to a portion of the drawer assembly. The gas spring is permitted to swing through an arc along a vertical plane as the drawer moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position. An adjustable bracket can also be included in the assembly and is configured for a top mount drawer assembly having a concealed drawer slide mechanism. The bracket is also configured for face frame or frameless cabinet construction.
US08297720B2 Device housing with latching mechanism
A device housing with latching mechanism includes a base, a cover and a latching mechanism. The cover includes a first edge and an opposite second edge. The first edge is rotatably connected to the base, and the second edge is connected to the cover by the latching mechanism. The cover defines an opening. The latching mechanism includes a support secured to the base, a button, and a resilient member arranged between the support and the button. The button includes a button body with a side surface and at least one flexible arm protruding from the side surface. Each at least one flexible arm forms a protrusion thereon. The button body extends through the opening and abuts against edges of the opening to connect the cover to the base.
US08297719B2 Computer enclosure with frame for disk drive
A computer enclosure includes a chassis and a frame. The chassis includes a chassis bottom wall and two chassis sidewalls located on the chassis bottom wall. A positioning post is located on each chassis sidewall. Each chassis sidewall defines a positioning hole. The frame includes a mounting bracket and a retaining bracket integrated with the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket defines a through opening, and includes two mounting bracket sidewalls. Each mounting bracket sidewall defines a slot and a fastening hole. Fasteners are engaged in the positioning holes and the fastening holes, to secure the frame to the chassis. The retaining bracket defines a holding space, configured for receiving a disk drive. The holding space communicates the through opening. When the positioning posts of the chassis are engaged in the slots of the mounting bracket, the positioning holes are aligned with the fastening holes of the mounting bracket.
US08297710B2 Toothbrush
A toothbrush including a brush main body of a synthetic resin and having a bristle base and bristles of a thermoplastic resin which have been fusion-bonded to the bristle base to constitute a bristled part, the bristles constituting the bristled part at least partly comprise: tapered bristles which are bristles having split free ends, the split free ends having been tapered beforehand; tapered bristles which have a sectional shape having a core-sheath structure or islands in a sea structure; or tapered bristles in each of which a core bristle comprising a core or island part has been formed beforehand so as to be exposed at the free end. The toothbrush has excellent suitability for bristle insertion into narrow parts. It is highly effective in removing dental plaque and cleaning the teeth. It is highly easy to use in the oral cavity. It further has a highly attractive appearance.
US08297708B2 Assembling structure of planar elastic body of vehicle seat
An assembling structure for a vehicle seat includes: an assembly frame having a frame shape and configured to be detachably attached to a seat main body of the vehicle seat, the seat main body having a backbone frame having a frame shape; a planar elastic body configured to elastically support a body of an occupant and is stretched on the assembly frame; an elastic latching unit configured to be detachably attached to a part of the backbone frame, the elastic latching unit formed on a part of a periphery of the assembly frame, wherein the assembly frame further includes a hook portion, the backbone frame further includes a portion to be hooked, and the planar elastic body is prevented from moving in an out-of-plane direction of the planar elastic body when the hook portion of the assembly frame is hooked on the portion to be hooked of the backbone frame.
US08297705B2 Adjustable head restraint for an automotive vehicle seat
A head restraint system for an automotive vehicle seat includes a post having first and second end portions, a support member fixedly attached to the second end portion of the post, and a head rest assembly. The support member includes a locking feature. The head rest assembly includes a housing supported by the support member, a locking member, and an actuator configured to move the locking member from a locked position with the locking feature to an unlocked position from the locking feature to permit the headrest assembly to move relative to the post and support member.
US08297704B2 Connector for vehicle seat
A connector for a vehicle seat includes a ratchet, a guide, and engagement pieces. The engagement pieces are supported so as to be movable only in the radial direction of the guide, and prevent relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide when engaged with an inner peripheral toothed face of the ratchet. The inner peripheral toothed face is formed in the inner peripheral face of an annular wall that extends from the outer peripheral portion of a disc portion of the ratchet in its axial direction. The inner peripheral face is in contact with and supported by outer peripheral faces of guide walls that project in the axial direction from the inner disc face of the guide. Thus, the ratchet and the guide are coaxially fitted together so as to be rotatable relative to each other.
US08297702B2 Two position at-rest seat adjustment mechanism
This invention is directed to a two-position, at rest, seat angle adjustment assembly that locks the seat in two distinct positions. In a first position, the seat is generally horizontal, while in a second position, the seat is inclined at an angle relative to horizontal. The assembly includes left and right adjustment mechanisms, a rod, and a lever. The left and right adjustment mechanisms are mounted to the seat and the back assembly on each side thereof. Each of the mechanisms includes a housing, and a cam. The cam is received in the housing and the rod is fixably received within the cam. The lever is attached to the rod proximate the right adjustment mechanism. The lever is utilized to rotate the cams within their respective housings thereby moving the seat with respect to the back assembly.
US08297701B2 Reclining chair with enhanced adjustability
An adjustable reclining chair including a seat configured to support a user, a chair back, a base and a control mechanism mounted on the base. The control mechanism coupling the chair back to the seat with the chair back located generally adjacent to the user's back when the user is seated upon the seat. The control mechanism including a resistance adjustment mechanism for varying the control mechanism's resistance to a reclining force applied by the user to the chair back in order to move the chair back rearward from an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism activated by the weight of the user when seated in the chair, such that easy adjustment of the resistance is facilitated with the chair in an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism including a resilient member placed under a load during reclining of the chair to provide resistance to the reclining force.
US08297700B2 Automotive vehicle safety seat
Improved child and infant safety seats for automotive vehicles. In one embodiment, a safety seat apparatus includes a base unit that may be secured to a vehicle seat, a coupling unit extendably and retractably coupled to the base unit, and a safety seat pivotally and removably coupled to the coupling unit.
US08297696B2 Bicycle saddle
A bicycle saddle includes front and rear portions; an elastic member disposed between the front and rear portions; and a valve assembly installed to the bottom of the saddle between the front and middle portions and including an air pump and an air escape valve communicating with the elastic member.
US08297695B1 Portable cooling device
A cooling system which having a body section which includes a flexible material; at least two mist dispensing fans connected to the body section; and control circuitry having at least a first switch controlling fan speed and a second switch controlling mist dispensing.
US08297692B2 Tiltable sun roof for vehicles
A vehicle sun roof device includes a panel for covering an opening in a roof of the vehicle. The panel can be moved horizontally to uncover the opening or tilted to raise its rear end section to a venting position. A drive system for tilting the panel includes front and rear shoes. The rear shoe tilts the panel by applying a force to the rear end section of the panel. The front shoe includes an upwardly facing support surface and a downwardly facing support surface. A bracket fixed to the panel and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle includes an upwardly facing bearing surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface arranged to slidably engage the downwardly facing support surface and the upwardly facing support surface, respectively, of the front shoe. The support surfaces and the bearing surfaces are configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the panel as the panel tilts.
US08297689B2 Indexing door latch striker enabling complex door articulation
A door of a vehicle is moveable between a closed position, an intermediate position and an open position. When moving between the closed position and the intermediate position, a first vertical edge of the door moves parallel with a body of the vehicle and a second rearward vertical edge of the door moves laterally away from the body of the vehicle. A striker assembly for the door is attached to the body and includes a striker that is moveable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism selectively engages the striker when the door is disposed in or moving between the closed position and the intermediate position, with the striker moving with the first edge of the door between the closed position and the intermediate position to prevent lateral movement of the door.
US08297687B2 Vehicle body for a motor vehicle
In a vehicle body for a motor vehicle, a crossbeam is situated between two longitudinal girders of a front frame. The crossbeam is formed from the vehicle front wall, the cover plate and the bulkhead plate. The bulkhead plate is led up to a plate of a wheel arch laterally outside the longitudinal girders. The vehicle body thus has a particularly high stability at a low weight.
US08297681B2 Glass run
A glass run 5 fit on a door sash 2 of an automobile has: a cross-section roughly U-shape comprising an outer-cabin side wall 6, an inner-cabin side wall 7 and a connecting wall 18 which connects the outer-cabin side wall 6 and the inner-cabin side wall 7 for guiding a door glass 3 lifting or lowering into a ditch part 4; and an outer lip 9 and an inner lip 10 respectively formed on inner surfaces of both of the side walls 6, 7, which extend toward a connecting wall 18 side and are slidably brought into contact with the door glass 3, wherein: the connecting wall 18 has a part thereof swelled and curved toward an inner surface side thereof, which faces a position on the connecting wall 18 where the door glass 3 collides; the connecting wall 18 swelled and curved has two projections 21, 22 formed on an outer surface thereof, which come into contact with the door sash 2 and of which an interval 50 therebetween is not more than thickness 60 of the door glass 3; and a position surrounded by the two projections 21, 22, the connecting wall 18 and the door sash 2 is formed into a space 40 having a cross-section roughly semicylindrical shape.
US08297676B2 Vehicle interior trim panel
A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a main trim body and a tab extending from the bottom end of the main trim body. The main trim body is configured to releasably cover at least a portion of a pillar of a vehicle, and includes a pillar facing surface, a passenger compartment facing surface, a top end and a bottom end. The tab extends from the bottom end of the main trim body to a free end that is configured to be received in a vehicle component. The tab includes a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge surrounding the first and second faces, and further includes a retention member protruding from the first face of the tab, with the retention member being configured to retain the tab to the vehicle component while the main trim body is released from the pillar.
US08297673B2 Gripper with central support
A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.
US08297659B2 Quick connector assembly
The quick connector assembly includes an insertion member that is inserted along a longitudinal axis into a receiving member. A retaining member is disposed in the receiving member for movement in a direction of insertion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A positioning member is disposed in the receiving member and includes a biasing portion that extends angularly from a base portion to a pair of blocking portions. The blocking portions move between an extended position and a retracted position and are oriented opposite the direction of insertion of the retaining member to block the retaining member from moving into a fully inserted position when the biasing portion is in the extended position. An annular collar of the insertion member engages the blocking portions when the insertion member is axially inserted in the receiving member to move the blocking portions into the retracted position. As a result, the retaining member is free to be moved into the fully inserted position to secure the insertion member relative to receiving member.
US08297640B2 Snow-ski board
Snow-ski board, especially a ski, having at least one trimming mechanism with at least one trimming rod with its axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the snow-ski board, including at least one damping element and at least one adjusting or tensioning mechanism for supporting the trimming rod on both ends by adjustable mechanical tension.
US08297638B2 External line connection for a semitrailer of a semitrailer truck
An external line connection for a semitrailer of a semitrailer truck, comprising a frame structure having a skid plate closing off the underside, on which plate a king pin is arranged, and a connector bracket, arranged to be swivelable about the king pin, at least one line section being led out of said bracket and being connectable to a power supply system of the semitrailer. The aim of the invention is to provide a low-wear external line connection from the connector bracket to the semitrailer. For this purpose, the connector bracket of the external line connection acts upon a turntable which is swivelably received on the skid plate. At least one line section is led out from the top of the turntable and rests on both sides of the turntable in subsections, the subsections being maintained under tensile stress via a prestressing device.
US08297632B2 Steering knuckle and method of forming same
A steering knuckle for a vehicle includes a metal body having a first portion defining a bore therethrough and a second portion extending longitudinally from said first portion. The steering knuckle also includes a ceramic insert disposed with the first portion and the second portion and surrounding the bore. A method of forming the steering knuckle includes disposing the ceramic insert within a cavity of a mold, sufficiently filling the cavity with a molten metal to contact and envelop the ceramic insert with the molten metal, and solidifying the molten metal so as to surround the ceramic insert with the metal body to thereby form the steering knuckle.
US08297630B2 Bi-directional propulsion caster
A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.
US08297610B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms images on sheets; a stack portion on which the sheets with the images are stacked as a bundle of the sheets with first end parts of the sheets aligned; a first binding unit that binds the first end parts; a second binding unit that binds the first end parts, by a binding method that requires a binding region larger than that of the first binding unit; and a distance reducing unit that changes a position of the bundle when bound by the first binding unit, from a position of the bundle when bound by the second binding unit, and reduces a distance between a part bound by the second binding unit and the first end parts as compared with a distance between a part bound by the first binding unit and the first end parts.
US08297607B2 Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system and sheet processing method
According to one embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a reinforce roller to further reinforce the fold of a sheet which has been folded by a fold roller pair, a support portion to move the reinforce roller in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction, a sensor to sense a position of the support portion, a distance sensing portion to sense a distance to a first position and a distance to a second position from a stop position of the support portion, when the sensor senses an abnormal stop of the support portion, and a control unit to compare the distance to the first position and the distance to the second position sensed by the distance sensing portion and to control the support portion to move in a direction where a moving distance is shorter.
US08297605B2 Multipurpose ball joint assembly and work holding devices
A ball joint assembly that is a movable mount for a work holding device for holding an item, such as a rifle or pistol, where the ball joint assembly is for seating on, or mounting onto, a table top, bench, or like surface. The ball joint assembly includes a cylindrical housing slotted on opposite sides thereof from a center opening in the housing top and contains a ball that rests on a plunger top end of a jacking screw that is turned in a round nut by a lever arm, and the ball joint assembly is fitted into the housing. Turning of the lever arm that is fitted through a housing lateral slot extends the plunger top into the ball, lifting the ball to lock it against a housing top concave surface, and which ball includes a stem extending through the housing top to tilt between the slots and pivot when the ball in unlocked, and the ball stem end includes a tool mounting for connection to the work holding devices.
US08297603B2 Spring retainer and spring system
A spring retainer is made from an iron-based material to improve the strength and abrasion resistance of the spring retainer and reduce the thickness and weight thereof. The spring retainer includes a retainer body having a tapered support hole to be supported with a valve stem and a flange-like spring seat circumferentially formed on a periphery at a first side of the retainer body to receive and support a valve spring. The retainer body and spring seat are integrally formed from resilient steel with grain flows continuously formed from the retainer body to the spring seat.
US08297602B2 Vibration isolator
A vibration isolator having a pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers between an outer cylinder and a mounting member, at two end sides along a main amplitude direction. A rubber elastic body changes the internal volumes of the pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers in directions opposite to each other, and fluid flows from the pressure receiving fluid chambers to an auxiliary fluid chamber through one of two orifices and flows from the auxiliary fluid chamber to the pressure receiving fluid chambers through the other orifice. Since a fluid pressure in the auxiliary fluid chamber is kept approximately constant, the fluid in the pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers smoothly flows, with a low resistance, into the auxiliary fluid chamber through the orifices. Therefore, any rise of the fluid pressure in the pressure receiving fluid chambers may be suppressed, such that rise of the dynamic spring constant may be suppressed.
US08297599B2 Underwater aeration device
A submersible aerator has an impeller which includes blades having partition walls which separate liquid passages and air passages and which is accommodated within a guide casing for rotation between a lower surface of an intermediate plate having an air suction opening and an upper surface of a suction cover having a liquid suction opening. The liquid passages and the air passages meet through communication portions at radially outer ends of rear-side blade partition walls. Intermediate blades are provided at radially outer ends of the liquid passages. A conical space is defined between the blade lower end surfaces and the suction cover upper surface such that the space, which is wide at a portion adjacent to the liquid suction opening, becomes narrower toward a radially outward region including guide vane tongues. A plurality of support legs and a plurality of straining projections are integrally formed on the lower surface of a peripheral portion of a bottom wall of the guide casing. Sloping surfaces are provided on the top wall upper surface between air-liquid discharge passages such that the sloping surfaces are inclined downward and increase in width in the radially outward direction.
US08297594B1 Utility tool for use with a motor vehicle
A tool for disconnecting the air and electrical connections between a motor vehicle and a trailer or a utility hookup station includes a handle and a forked member. The trailer connection includes an electrical socket with pins covered by a hinged cover plate; the motor vehicle connection includes a plug member. The forked member of the tool includes a pair of parallel hooks, one at the end of each of two linear elements of the forked member. A sloped interface portion on the forked member of the tool lifts the hinged cover plate away from the trailer's socket. The forked member is placed around the electrical connection adjacent the plug member and is pushed forward to lift the hinged cover plate. Once the hinged cover plate is lifted, the handle is pushed towards the motor vehicle, where the hooks engage lugs on the plug member, thus causing the plug member to separate from the electrical socket. Gripping grooves on the linear elements help to facilitate engagement between the tool and the lugs. Projections extending from the forked portion of the tool can be used to engage the air line connectors between a motor vehicle and a trailer or a utility hookup station to separate the air lines. A kingpin pulling slot may also be included on the tool.
US08297590B2 Guided non-ported expanding gate valve and method
A non-ported expanding gate valve and method of use, including an expanding gate assembly and a slotted guide, is fixedly positioned on the valve body and slidably coupled with a gate assembly. The guide has slots of varying widths that are used with a pivoting rocker arm coupled with the gate assembly to adjust the thickness of the gate assembly at the proper timing. The guides perform multiple functions, including: centralizing a rocker arm during opening between seats; collapsing the gate assembly when opening; allowing and controlling expansion when closing; guiding lateral movement during operation of the gate assembly between opposing guides on the sides of a flow passageway; guiding axial movement during operation of the gate assembly between opposing guide side flanges; retaining seats in position when the valve is open; and/or stiffening the guide in a lateral direction to control movement of the gate assembly.
US08297589B2 Active valve and methods of operation thereof
A valve including a linear positioning component operatively connected to a valve body and an actuating element.
US08297563B2 Lifting device for chair including force distributing pressing and locking sleeves
A lifting device for a chair includes an upright support post, a tapered locking sleeve adjustably mounted on the support post, a tapered pressing sleeve mounted on the locking sleeve, a stepping ring having a mounting tube which is mounted on the pressing sleeve, and a dustproof cover abutting a top of the mounting tube of the stepping ring and secured on a top of the pressing sleeve. Thus, the pressing sleeve surrounds the locking sleeve to distribute the pressing force evenly, and the locking sleeve surrounds the support post to distribute the pressing force evenly so as to prevent the pressing sleeve and the locking sleeve from being worn out or broken due to a stress concentration and to enhance the lifetime of the lifting device.
US08297559B1 Hand throw mechanism for in-tie switch machine
A hand throw mechanism for an in-tie switch machine having a drive element which serves to move switch points from a first end point to a second end point. The mechanism includes an elongated hand throw arm having a first coupling element that includes a first lower mating surface and a first upper mating surface. The mechanism also includes a gear set having an output shaft for moving the drive element. The gear set additionally includes a second coupling element having a second lower mating surface for engaging the first upper mating surface and a second upper mating surface for engaging the first lower mating surface to thus couple the first and second coupling elements. Rotation of the hand throw arm through an angle of approximately 180 degrees then causes rotation of the output shaft to thus move the driving element and ultimately the switch points. The mechanism also includes a thrust element having a raised portion wherein rotation of the thrust element urges the raised portion against the first coupling element to separate the first and second coupling elements and disengage the throw arm.
US08297553B2 Equipment element with retractable line
An equipment element for transportation means, in particular an airplane, includes, but is not limited to a retractable line, the length of which can be set using a retraction mechanism.
US08297547B2 Roller storage system
A roller storage system (1) for sheet-type media has at least one film drum (5) driveable by a motor with at least one strip-type film (5) and at least one winding drum (4) with a central drive spindle (8) driveable by a motor, wherein the strip-type film (5) can be wound onto the winding drum (4), where the winding drum (4) is carried floating on the drive spindle (8).
US08297546B2 Device for locking the micrometric grinding adjustment in coffee grinders
A device for locking the micrometric adjustment of the degree of grinding in coffee grinders includes a hollow cylindrical casing for housing a lower grinding wheel carrier, which is connected to a motion transmission shaft, and for housing an upper grinding wheel carrier, which is axially movable; and a threaded ring nut engagable in the casing to adjust the position of the upper grinding wheel carrier, wherein the ring nut has at least one seat for inserting a peg for locking its rotation, and the casing has an undercut slot in which a slider cooperating with the peg is housed, the thickness of the slider being less than the thickness of the slot. A member engages the slider and causes it to rise and to interfere by friction with the upper wall of the slot.
US08297525B1 Digital control system for tankless water heater assembly
A digital control system for a tankless water heater assembly designed to heat water on a continuous basis as it passes from a conventional water source and through a heating system. The digital control system comprises a display capable of displaying at least three display modes. The first display mode displays a power setting in the form of a bar graph, and real-time voltage used and efficiency in percentage form. The second display mode displays kilowatt usage and percentage draw. The second display mode is defined as a “generator mode” because a generator unit displays actual kilowatts the tankless water heater assembly is using. While in the second display mode, a user can manually adjust the kilowatts to be used. The third display mode displays amperage draw and actual power usage in percentage form.
US08297514B2 Electronic tag
A printed electronic tag (2) for packaging comprising a first set of spaced, electrically-conductive lines (4) overlying a substrate (5), an electrically-insulating layer (6) overlying at least a portion of the first set of lines, a second set of spaced, electrically-conductive lines (8) overlying the insulating layer, arranged to cross the first set of lines, the insulating layer configured to provide at least one region (10) for providing electrical contact between a line in the first set of the conductive lines and a line in the second set of lines.
US08297506B2 Systems and methods for secure voting
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for conducting an election. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for ensuring integrity of an electronic ballot. The method can include creating electronic ballots for voters based on votes received from the voters; digitally signing the electronic ballots; storing the signed electronic ballots; retrieving the signed electronic ballots from storage; verifying the digital signatures on the retrieved electronic ballots; and presenting the voters with validation pages derived from the retrieved electronic ballots, the validation pages including a user interface element for the voters to confirm that the retrieved electronic ballots accurately reflect their vote.
US08297497B2 Transmitting device, receiving device, screen frame transmission system and method
A screen frame transmission system includes a receiving device and a transmitting device. The receiving device includes a display unit or an external display device for displaying a 2D bar code containing connection information. The transmitting device includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the 2D bar code. The transmitting device decodes the 2D bar code to obtain the connection information and establishes a communication connection with the receiving device therewith to transmit a screen frame, thereby simplifying operations of a user.
US08297495B2 Application control based on flexible interface conformation sequence status
A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining information associated with one or more changes in one or more sequences of two or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of the flexible interface and coordinating the one or more changes in one or more sequences of two or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of the flexible interface with one or more commands. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08297490B2 Materials for and method for manufacturing a container with corner supports and the resulting container
A method of manufacturing containers, the resulting containers therefrom and the associated pre-assemblies and blanks used in the method and in the resulting containers. The method includes cutting a primary blank and at least one supplementary blank, affixing them together to form a pre-assembly, and assembly the container from the pre-assembly.
US08297489B2 Packaging container
A packaging container includes a body plate defined into front and back faces by a first folding line. The front face includes second and third folding lines. The second and third folding lines define two connection portions. The body plate further includes an enclosing plate. A fourth folding line is located between the front face and the enclosing plate. The back face is folded upwards along the first folding line, and the connection portions are folded inwards along the second and third folding lines. The connection portions are stuck to the back face. A first pre-folding line and a second pre-folding line are located between the second and third folding lines. A fifth pre-folding line and a sixth pre-folding line are located on the back face. Two seventh pre-folding lines and two eighth pre-folding lines are defined.
US08297483B2 Liquid dispenser
Liquid dispenser for dispensing a carbonated liquid from a container, the liquid dispenser including a compartment, a container sealing region, a compartment sealing region, and a valve, the compartment extending upwardly from a neck portion of the container, the neck portion and the compartment defining an opening to the atmosphere between the compartment and the neck portion, the container sealing region being located between the neck portion and the opening, the compartment sealing region being located between the compartment and the opening, the valve being movable within the compartment, from a closed position pressed toward the neck portion, to an open position away from the neck portion, the valve including a first surface facing the compartment, a second surface facing the opening, a first valve sealing region, a second valve sealing region, and a channel extending from the neck portion to the compartment, the first valve sealing region matching the container sealing region, for preventing passage of fluids between the neck portion and the opening, when the valve is in the closed position, the second valve sealing region matching the compartment sealing region, for preventing passage of fluids between the compartment and the opening, when the valve is in the closed position, the channel enabling passage of fluid from the neck portion to the compartment.
US08297472B2 Pellet loader with pellet separator for molding IC devices
A pellet loading apparatus includes a tablet pusher including a support surfaces including a pusher mechanism coupled thereto for vertical movement upon actuation. A tablet holder on the tablet pusher includes locations framed by sidewall members aligned in the vertical direction that form columns having open tops for holding a pellet stacks of mold component pellets. A pellet separator having a solid portion and apertures is sized to fit around a portion of a top mold pellet in the pellet stacks. The pellet separator includes a pellet drive for lateral moving the top mold pellets relative to under pellets so that after lateral movement the top mold pellets are laterally offset from the under pellets. A tablet lifter includes a pellet stopper having receiving positions for receiving top mold pellets upon receipt after a transfer actuation of the pusher mechanism.
US08297463B2 Closure for an equipment sub
A closure is shown for an equipment sub. A closure door is carried by a sub body and movable thereto between open and closed positions for providing access to a pressure vessel. Various improvements are disclosed including a new mechanism for positioning wedge shaped arcuate segments between the door and the sub body, a retainer mechanism for guiding movement of cross bars, a split hinge adjustment mechanism for adjusting planarity and concentricity between the closure door and the sub body, an increased annular wall body thickness region surrounding the sealing surface for reducing warpage during welding, a pressure lock rod member which also engages a combination of cross bars and a crank for driving the cross bars, and a pry bar that can facilitate better manually operated leveraging of the closure door.
US08297462B1 Normally-closed dispensing closure with operative handle
An apparatus and method for allowing a user to use the same mechanism to connect a container to another object and to open a normally-closed opening in the container. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a closure body having an opening therein; a stopper that closes the opening; and a carabiner that comprises a spine that is fixed to said body and a gate that is operably connected to said stopper. In use, this embodiment of the invention is operated by moving the gate to a full open position, which causes the stopper to move away from the opening.
US08297461B2 Moisture retention seal
Provided is a moisture retention seal for use with a package. The moisture retention seal includes an opened-ended canister having a plurality of canister sealing surfaces. Snap-fitted with spatial interference to the canister at its opened-end, is a moisture retention closure having a plurality of closure sealing surfaces. Each canister sealing surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the closure sealing surfaces to form a plurality of partial seals. At least one of the partial seals includes a micro-bead surface comprising one or more small, inwardly directed, narrowly spaced-apart, micro-bead elements. The package that includes a moisture retention seal of the present invention employs only molded parts and does not require gaskets or secondary seals.
US08297457B2 Flip top closure for dispensing fluent product
A closure for a container including a downwardly depending skirt having an upper end and a bottom end and a periphery defining a perimeter of the closure for sealable connection to the mouth of said container. Each of two side edges of the lid has a proximal end adjacent a different side of the hinge on the skirt and angling outwardly from the hinge at increasing distances from the opposing side edge to a distal end defining a different end of the outer edge. The end wall has shoulders integrally formed with the end wall and skirt proximate the upper end of the skirt on opposite sides of the lid hinge. The shoulders extend across portions of the end wall such that the thickness of the end wall in the regions of said shoulders is thicker than a thickness of said end wall free of the shoulders.
US08297453B2 Platform assembly
A platform assembly can be used in a motor vehicle, such as a truck, to support a person or objects. The platform assembly can have a frame with pivotal attachments to allow the frame to be at least partially collapsible. The platform can pivotally and removably attach to the frame.
US08297450B2 Modular rack for mounting avionics equipment
A modular rack for mounting avionics equipment comprises an upper rectangular frame, a lower rectangular frame, and a plurality of struts interconnecting the upper rectangular frame and the lower rectangular frame. Each strut is at least partially formed of an electrically conductive carbon fiber composite material and includes at least one flange extending substantially orthogonal to the strut. The flange includes a plurality of mounting holes to allow avionics equipment to be mounted to the rack. A method of mounting avionics equipment in an aircraft is also provided.
US08297431B2 Apparatus for unscrambling and aligning bulk plastic containers
An apparatus (1) for unscrambling and aligning bulk plastic containers (2) includes a plurality of pick-up element (3) for picking up containers (2), which are mounted to one or more pull-out turrets (50) of rotary type (4), located at each aperture (5a) the pick-up element (3) being of the type adapted to pull out the container (2) from the pocket (7) at the corresponding aperture (5a) and rotate it neck up; the pull-out action being substantially radial to the position of the container (2) in the ring (7a) of pockets (7). Each pick-up unit (3) has element (14, 40) for adjusting its rotation in a first axis (AA) and its height in one more axis (BB), to change both the pick-up position and the release location according to the type of container (2).
US08297424B2 Single actuator self-adjusting dry dual clutch
A self-adjusting twin or dual dry clutch assembly for a dual clutch transmission includes a single actuator. The clutch assembly includes one center and two outer clutch drive plates or discs which independently engage a pair of interleaved driven clutch plates or discs which are coupled to and drive a respective pair of transmission countershafts or layshafts. The single actuator translates an internal clutch carrier which acts upon the outer clutch plates through respective pluralities of linear one way clutches. Self-adjustment of the dual clutch assembly is achieved by additional linear one way clutches acting through pairs of spring biased control rods.
US08297418B2 Nested check high speed valve
A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
US08297413B2 Safety device for elevator and rope slip detection method using drive sheave acceleration
In a safety system for an elevator, a safety gear is mounted to a car, the safety gear being electrically operated by an actuator to cause the car to make an emergency stop regardless of whether a running direction of the car is upward or downward. A safety gear controller cuts power supply to a hoisting machine motor and causes the safety gear to make a braking operation upon detection of the slip between the drive sheave and the main rope based on a drive sheave acceleration exceeding a predetermined value.
US08297407B2 Oil pan and lubricating device
An oil pan is provided with an oil pan separator that partitions a first chamber that communicates with a moving part inside a cylinder block and a second chamber outside the first chamber. A communicating hole is provided to a bottom panel of the oil pan separator. The communicating hole is shielded from a strainer.
US08297406B2 Device capable of extending a foot end of a ladder
A device capable of extending a foot end of a ladder includes a box tube section with an elongated hole, a long engaging plate with an elongated hole and a plurality of inserting teeth, a short engaging plate with a central fixing hole, two pairs of engaging slots and an engaging nut, and a knob head bolt. The knob head bolt passes through the elongated holes, and the central fixing hole to be tightened to the engaging bolt via a rail of the ladder. The long and short engaging plates are disposed in the box tube section to face to each other. The knob head bolt is loosened or tightened to cause two pairs of the inserting teeth disengaging or inserting into the engaging slots for the box tube section being operated to extend a distance outward the rail stably and safely.
US08297400B2 Steering assist arrangement for motorcycles
An arrangement is utilized for reducing the manual steering force associated with steering a motorcycle. A steering assist for a vehicle includes a handlebar, and the handlebar being rotatable around a center of rotation. The steering assist further includes a damping device that includes a damping chamber, and a hydraulic valve being in fluid communication with the damping chamber and includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section. The hydraulic valve also includes a bearing mounting, and a bearing mounted in the bearing mounting. The steering assist further includes an upper fork crown attached to the first shaft section of the hydraulic valve, and a lower handlebar mounting attached to the second shaft section via the bearing arranged in the bearing mounting of the hydraulic valve. The handlebar being attached to the lower handlebar mounting, and the damping device being attached to the bearing mounting and the upper fork.
US08297385B2 Dual wheelend for a vehicle
A dual wheelend for an axle assembly having a rotatable axle shaft. The wheelend comprises a spindle defining a first axis. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle for rotation about the first axis during rotation of the axle shaft. An inner wheel hub and an outer wheel hub are adjacent one another and are each supported on the intermediate hub for rotation about the first axis. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs. A pin is disposed through a pinion along a second axis and couples the differential mechanism to the intermediate hub for driving the wheel hubs during rotation of the intermediate hub and permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs relative to the intermediate hub. The pin includes proximal end with a head disposed on the proximal end for engaging the pinion and sandwiching the pinion between the head and the intermediate hub.
US08297378B2 Turbine driven hammer that oscillates at a constant frequency
A hammer assembly comprises a jack element substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of a drill bit. The jack element includes a distal end extending beyond a working face of the drill bit. A porting mechanism within the bore comprises a first and second disc substantially contacting along a flat interface that is substantially normal to the axis of rotation. The first disc is attached to a turbine which is adapted to rotate the first disc with respect to the second disc. The first disc comprises a first set of ports adapted to align and misalign with a second and third set of ports in the second disc. As the first disc rotates, the sets of ports are adapted to route a drilling fluid into a piston chamber where a porting mechanism causes the jack element to repeatedly extend further beyond the working surface of the drill bit and then retract at a constant frequency.
US08297375B2 Downhole turbine
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has a jack element that is substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drill bit and the jack element has an asymmetrical distal end that extends beyond a working face of the drill bit. A turbine is located within a bore formed in the drill bit and a flow valve is actuated by the turbine. The flow valve is adapted to route a drilling fluid in the bore into a porting mechanism adapted to extend the jack element farther beyond the working surface of the drill bit. The turbine is also adapted to rotate the jack element at variable speeds.
US08297366B2 Installable load shoulder for a wellhead
A system for supporting tubing with an installable load shoulder. The system includes a wellhead formed with an enlarged first circumferential groove in the wall of the vertical bore of the wellhead, and a second circumferential groove extending upwardly or downwardly from the first circumferential groove. At least one opening is formed in communication with the second circumferential groove. An annular load shoulder is received within the first circumferential groove, and has an inner surface adapted to support a tubing hanger. The load shoulder is formed from at least three arc-shaped shoulder segments adapted to be received within the first circumferential groove. At least one of the shoulder segments has an engagement member configured to pass through the opening to be received within the second circumferential groove. Rotating the load shoulder such that the engagement member is out of alignment with the opening secures the load shoulder within the wellhead.
US08297365B2 Drilling string back off sub apparatus and method for making and using same
A back-off sub apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connection connecting a rotational section and a non-rotational section. The rotational section is designed to be rotated via a ball dropped into the well under sufficient pressure to cause the rotational section to rotate relative to the non-rotational section supplying a controlled and sufficient torque to the connection to break the connection. The connection then is unthreaded by normal surface action. The disconnected or upper section of the apparatus and the drill string section associated with it can be withdrawn from the well leaving the lower portion and the drill string section associated with it in the well.
US08297358B2 Auto-production frac tool
Fracturing tools for use in oil and gas wells comprise an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, a run-in position, and two operational positions. The inner sleeve comprises two ports and two positions. The first port is aligned with a first port of the housing when the tool and sleeve are in the first operational position and is closed when the tool and sleeve are in the run-in position. After performing the first operation, the inner sleeve is returned to its initial position and the outer sleeve is moved placing the tool in the second operational position in which the second port in the inner sleeve is in fluid communication with a second port in the housing. Movement of the tool from the first operational position to the second operational position so that a second operation can be performed is done without the need for an additional well intervention step.
US08297354B2 Tool and method for determining formation parameter
An apparatus and method of measuring a parameter characteristic of a rock formation in an oil well is provided with a device for generating a sensing field within a volume of the rock formation and a device for causing a flow through the volume in the presence of the sensing field, further including sensors responsive to changes in the volume, wherein a sensor response is indicative of the amounts of fluid, particularly hydrocarbon and water saturations and irreducible hydrocarbon and water saturations. Measurements can be made before the flow affects the measuring volume and after onset of the flow through the measuring volume.
US08297335B2 Interchangeable window treatment system
An interchangeable window treatment system has a plurality of independent fabric components including, but not limited to, a base drape panel, a valance, strap members and at least one overlay drape panel. The strap members are positioned at spaced intervals along a top of the base drape panel, forming loops to support the window treatment system on a horizontal rod. In one embodiment, the valance, one or more overlay panels and strap members are removably secured to the base drape panel with dumbbell shaped button links having enlarged button heads on opposite ends that fit through openings in the fabric (eyelets, buttonholes, etc.) on each of the attached fabric components. Any of the fabric components can be removed, reversed, interchanged and replaced to change the overall appearance of the window treatment system according to a desired style, color scheme, or theme. Medallions or other decorative elements are removably attachable at spaced intervals along the valance, button links or strap members. In another embodiment, the straps and valance are sewn to the base panel, as one piece, and the overlay drape panels and decorative elements are attached by snaps, magnets or other releasable fastening devices.
US08297333B2 Overhead doors and associated track and guide assemblies for use with same
Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion spaced apart from a second side portion to define a channel or gap region therebetween. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. Similarly, the second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In this embodiment, the first and second guide surfaces diverge outwardly from the gap region in a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge inwardly from the gap region in a second direction, opposite the first direction. An overhead door configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention can include a first guide member configured to extend through the gap region and movably engage the first and second retention surfaces, and a second guide member configured to be removably engaged with the first and second guide surfaces.
US08297326B2 Composite ball-bouncing tyre
The present invention relates to a composite ball-bouncing tire, comprising a subtire and an inner tube inside it, wherein the subtire includes a space between a ring-shaped base and its side walls, and the space includes a plurality of rails and fastening grooves that are arranged at intervals on its inner walls. A slope part that converges against the rolling-forward direction is established atop on both sides of the plurality of the rails, and at the bottom of the fastening grooves, there is a plurality of fixing grooves. One or more resilient balls are established in each rail and the inner tube includes a plurality of fixing parts on top of outer walls of a base component. When the subtire and inner tube rolls, the resilient balls will be pushed into the rails along the slope part and be pressed to bounce, thus producing supplementary force to drive the tire to move forward. Besides, when the inner tube is inflated, its fixing parts can be combined with the fastening grooves of the subtire, while the inner tube is deflated, it can be disengaged from the subtire, thus allowing the subtire or inner tube to be replaced independently.
US08297313B1 Pressure abatement emergency shut down assembly with a collapsible member retained valve member
A fluid control assembly configured to isolate a pressurized fluid, including an under pressure abatement assembly having a collapsible member and an energy storage member for exerting a collapsing force on the collapsible member while contactingly engaging a pivotal valve member. A conduit path directs pressurized fluid to exert a force in opposition to the collapsing force so that when the fluid pressure falls below a low pressure threshold, the collapsing force will collapse the collapsible member and release the valve member. An over pressure abatement assembly can be included having a second collapsible member and a second valve member, a conduit path directing pressurized fluid to exert a force in a direction to collapse the second collapsible member and release the second valve member when the fluid pressure exceeds an upper pressure threshold.
US08297301B2 Nozzle device for pump
A nozzle device includes a body, a controller and a core set. The controller is pivotally mounted on the body and is pivotable with respect to the body between a first position and a second position. The core set is slideably received in the body. While the controller is in the first position, the core set is slideable in the chamber and is adapted for coupling with a French type valve. While the controller is in the second position, the core set is fixed and is adapted for coupling with an American type valve.
US08297292B2 Cleaning device and cleaning method of semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
Provided are a cleaning device and a cleaning method of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, capable of performing a cleaning process more effectively as compared to conventional cases and obtaining a high cleaning effect. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus cleaning device 100 includes a pure water steam generating vessel 2 for generating pure water steam from pure water; a supply port 5 for supplying the pure water steam to a cleaning target portion; a supply line 4 for connecting the pure water steam generating vessel with the supply port; a collection port 6 for collecting steam used in cleaning from the cleaning target portion; a collection vessel 8 for condensing and collecting the used steam; and a collection line 7 for connecting the collection port 6 with the collection vessel 8.
US08297286B2 Physical rehabilitation and training aid: method of using musculoskeletal repositioning device
The present embodiment relates to the use of a musculoskeletal repositioning device in physical rehabilitation and athletic training by causing increased muscular strength and power and decreased muscular tension especially during the physical rehabilitation and athletic training. The device guides the condyles and articulating discs of the temporomandibular joint from a neutral or passive position into an active power position.
US08297283B2 Respiratory masks with gusseted cushions
Cushions for respiratory face masks have a frame-connecting portion, a face-contacting portion, and a gusset portion disposed between and joining the frame-connecting and face-contacting portions. The gusset portion preferably includes at least one perimetrical region which having a laterally projecting exterior gusset section and a laterally projecting interior gusset section. According to one aspect, the laterally projecting exterior and interior gusset sections are disposed about the entire perimeter to the gusset portion so as to establish a substantially constant widthwise dimension thereof about the gusset's entire perimeter.
US08297280B2 Inhaler
An object of the present invention is to enhance the inhalation efficiency by causing liquid droplets to be borne on an air flow in an early stage of inhalation in an inhaler. According to one embodiment, from an operation in which the user lets out a breath before the start of inhalation (that is, from exhalation), a positive pressure B produced by the exhalation is detected by a pressure detecting unit, and is compared with a standard pattern stored in a storage unit, and in this way the exhalation profile of the user is prepared. A time difference t between the exhalation finish time and the start time of the next inhalation is estimated, followed by the determination of the ejection start time T1 based on these pieces of information.
US08297259B2 Fuel injection valve and fuel injection device
It is equipped with an injector body 4z which has formed therein high-pressure paths 6az, 6bz, and 6cz through which high-pressure fuel flows to a spray hole and stores therein a piezo-actuator 2z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) and a back-pressure control mechanism 3z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) which open or close the spray hole, and a fuel pressure sensor 50z installed in the body 4z to measure the pressure of the high-pressure fuel. The body 4z has formed therein a branch path 6ez diverging from the high-pressure paths 6bz and 6cz to deliver the high-pressure fuel to the fuel pressure sensor 50z.
US08297254B2 Multifuel storage, metering and ignition system
A system for safe storage and efficient utilization of a variety of fuel selections that range in composition and phase from cryogenic mixtures of solids and liquids to elevated temperature gases is provided for unique applications with various types of heat engines and fuel cells including hybridized combinations.
US08297251B2 Lubricant structure of engine
A lubricant structure of an engine capable of easily and compactly attaching and detaching primary oil filters connected to oil intake sides of two oil pumps to and from a crank case. A power transmission chamber in the crank case dually divided in a crankshaft direction is an oil reserving portion. The lubricant structure includes a first oil pump for pressure-feeding oil of the oil reserving portion to a lubricant point, a second oil pump for returning the oil returned to the crank chamber to the oil reserving portion, and first and second oil filters connected to the oil intake sides of the oil pumps. The first oil filter is inserted from one of left and right crank case members, the second oil filter is inserted from the other crank case member, and both the oil filters are closed by oil filter caps.
US08297236B2 Steam generator
The invention relates to a steam generator wherein a continuous heating panel of a generator, which is formed from a number of evaporator tubes, and an overheating panel, which is formed from a number of over-heating tubes which are arranged downstream from the evaporator tubes and on the flow side, are arranged in a heating gas channel. According to the invention, a water separating element is integrated into a number of over-flow tubes which are connected on the flow side of one of several evaporator tubes to one or several overheating tubes.
US08297227B2 Method and device for injecting at least one product in an egg for treating the embryo
Method and device for injecting at least one product in an egg for treating the embryo. The method includes perforating a shell and an outer shell membrane on a large end of the egg, and injecting the product into an air chamber of the egg under pressure sufficient for the product to reach the amniotic fluid after passing with pressure through an inner shell membrane.
US08297218B2 Coating apparatus
A coating apparatus for conducting coating by discharging liquid droplets onto a substrate, is provided with a discharging head having an external terminal to receive control signals and a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid droplets in response to the control signals; a drive control board to output the control signals to the discharging head; a cable to transmit the control signals from the drive control board to the discharging head; a relay board having a first terminal to form a first joint section to joint with the external terminal of the discharging head and a second terminal to form a second joint section to joint with the cable; and an intercepting member to intercept contact between the first joint section and outside air and to intercept contact between the second joint section and outside air.
US08297217B2 Control box
A control box includes a shell, a display hole, an active member, an indicating member and an interlinking member. The display hole is formed in the shell. The active member has a turn-on end and a turn-off end and is pivotally connected with the shell so as to seesaw. The indicating member is movably disposed in the shell and has a first identifiable portion and a second identifiable portion. The interlinking member is connected between the active member and the indicating member to drive the indicating member to move. Accordingly, when the active member seesaws under the effect of an external force, the indicating member is driven by the interlinking member to show the first identifiable portion or the second identifiable portion in the display hole.
US08297212B2 Travel beginning/end adjusting positioning structure for a sewing machine motor drive mechanism
A travel beginning/end adjusting positioning structure for a sewing machine motor drive mechanism comprises a fixed holder, a positioning holder and an adjusting apparatus. By adjusting the relative position of the center of the rotating element of the motor and the control shaft using the adjusting apparatus, the control element on one end of the control shaft will rotate synchronously, and a mechanism connected to the other end of the control shaft will also rotate to a beginning and an end points of a different travel. By such arrangements, when the control element is driven by the motor, the mechanism connected to the control shaft will operate according to different travels, thus achieving the objective of adjusting travel.
US08297211B2 Method and apparatus for inertial stitch regulation
A stitcher is provided that includes a needle to stitch a workpiece, a motor to operate the needle, and a stitch regulator in communication with and capable of controlling a speed of the motor. A controller is in communication with the stitch regulator. The stitcher also includes at least one accelerometer in communication with the controller to determine an acceleration of the stitcher with respect to the workpiece. A signal representing the acceleration of the stitcher with respect to the workpiece is utilized to adjust the operation of the needle as necessary.
US08297210B2 Individual-grain seeding machine
A single-grain sowing machine having a sowing disc (3) forming a front wall of a seed hopper (2) is described, which comprises a fixed disc body (4) suctioned on the side facing away from the seed hopper (2) having at least one guide slot (5), and a conveyor disc (6), pressing against the disc body (4) on the side of the seed hopper (2) and drivable around a horizontal axis, having driver slots (7) distributed around the circumference and extending over the radial extension area of the guide slot (5), which form intake openings (8) for the seed grains dispensable from the seed hopper (2) along the guide slot (5) in the overlap area with the guide slot (5). In order to be able to perform simple residual emptying of the seed hopper (2), it is proposed that the seed hopper (2) have a floor in the form of an emptying flap (17), which is pivotable coaxially to the sowing disc (3) between a closed position and an open position.
US08297208B2 Tilting tabletop mechanism
An article of furniture has been developed having a tilting tabletop mechanism, which securely maintains a tabletop in either a generally horizontal or generally vertical position while permitting a user to tilt the tabletop easily. The article of furniture includes a first component, a second component, a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The second component is pivotally coupled to the first component. The first and second members are connectable to a first secured component. The first secured component is one of the first and second components. The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.
US08297207B2 Rapidly assembled office desk
A rapidly assembled office desk is provided, wherein a leg and a front guard board of the office desk are respectively fixed through a hinge, so that the leg of the office desk is linked with the front guard board. An inner side of the front guard board of the office desk and a back face of the desk board of the office desk are respectively fixed through a slide rail device, so that the front guard board of the office desk is linked with the desk board. In this way, the front guard board can be unfolded or be folded for storage at the back face of the desk board, and the two legs can also be unfolded or be folded for storage at the inner side of the front guard board.
US08297201B2 Method to high availability control for railway doors systems, on board system and application to accessories and surroundings of doors
The invention aims at increasing the availability of doors systems without affecting the reliability of control systems. For this purpose, the invention provides to take advantage of the alternating operation of door systems positioned on either side of the same car.An on-board panel system according to the invention includes associated control panels control means for transmitting authorization signals for the exclusive opening of side doors. The control means combine a low speed signal and a validation side selection signal to carry out, in each environment, opening/closing authorizations of the motor control of its environment and the motor control of the associated environment.Applications to the accessories and the mechanical part of the railway door systems (motors, latch fittings, loudspeakers, etc) as well as their door environment (interface with the communication network).
US08297200B2 Axlebox retainer key, an assembly including the key and a method of fastening the key
An axlebox retainer key (50) is disclosed for fitting to a pedestal leg (24) of a sideframe of a rail wagon bogie. The key (50) comprises a body which has a basal projection (52) which extends in use into a cavity or hole (42) which is formed in the pedestal leg (24). The key (50) also has an upper surface recess (60) which is arranged to receive a locking pin (66) which can be axially inserted to maintain the key (50) at the pedestal leg (24). The locking pin (66) is also inserted via the pedestal leg side wall (30) which incorporates a through-hole (82) through which the locking pin (66) is passed. To install the key (50), an operator first positions the basal projection (52) of the key (50) in the cavity or a hole (42) that is formed in the pedestal leg (24), and then moves the locking pin 66 across the key (50) via the through-hole (82) in the side wall (30) so as to secure the key (50) to the pedestal (24).
US08297195B2 Magnetic levitation railway and method for its operation
A method for operation of a magnetic levitation railway which contains vehicles with a plurality of supporting magnets (20a . . . 20j) and supporting runners (26) associated with them. In the event of a malfunction, the braking of the vehicle with the drive and braking systems switched off is brought about or assisted until a preselected destination stopping point is reached solely in that, even before the destination stopping point is reached, at least one of the supporting magnets (for example 20f, 20g) is switched off, and the magnetic levitation vehicle is placed on the track path (3) by means of the associated supporting runner (26), and is brought to rest at the destination stopping point by making use of the friction forces that occur as a result. A magnetic levitation vehicle is provided and operated in this way.
US08297188B2 Carbon nanotube-based detonating fuse and explosive device using the same
A detonating fuse includes at least one CNT wire shaped structure. The at least one CNT wire shaped structure includes a plurality of CNTs and an oxidizing material. The oxidizing material is coated on an outer surface of each of the CNTs.
US08297177B2 Ballistic projectile armour
Ballistic projectile armour includes a hard shell, kinetic energy absorption material and an energy diffusing backing layer. The hard shell is made from a material capable of deforming a projectile and slowing a velocity of the projectile. The kinetic energy absorption material is capable of deforming to further slow and capture the projectile after it has pierced the hard shell. The energy diffusing backing layer is capable of diffusing energy transferred from the projectile into the kinetic energy absorption material. Elastic containment keeps the kinetic energy absorption material sandwiched between the hard shell and the energy diffusing backing, while accommodating expansion of the kinetic energy absorption material during energy absorption.
US08297176B2 Semiautomatic firearm having lighter cocking action
An improved semiautomatic firearm is provided comprising as assembly which reduces the effort of cocking the firearm or loading a first cartridge. A spring tube contains an inner recoil spring which is employed only during cycling of the firearm when firing. For initial cocking purposes, the inner recoil spring is bypassed in favor of a lighter outer spring which is selectively engaged by the user. When the inner recoil spring is engaged, both inner and outer springs are employed without adversely affecting the recoil dynamics of the firearm.
US08297169B2 Ballistic resistant through insert with floating capability for stopping a ballistic projectile
A ballistic resistant through insert with floating capability for stopping a ballistic projectile, comprising at least one of a bullet, a ballistic fragment, and a particle fragment, may comprise a stud, a floating nut, and a cap. The stud may have a flat base portion and a cylindrical stud portion mounted thereon. The cylindrical stud portion may comprise a stud cylinder aperture. The floating nut may be located inside the stud cylinder aperture such that the floating nut floats within the stud cylinder aperture. The cap may have a flat cap portion and a cylindrical cap portion mounted thereon. The cylindrical cap portion may mate with the cylindrical stud portion. The stud may be made of a material for stopping a ballistic projectile. The flat base portion of the stud may have a minimum thickness for stopping a ballistic projectile.
US08297166B2 Foldable ramp for missile launchers
The foldable ramp is intended to store, carry and launch relatively large size tube-launched missiles typically on board of relatively small sized naval surface ships. Accordingly, the foldable ramp comprises a frame suitable for carrying one or more canisters for launching rockets or missiles and support elements, which are pivotably attached to the frame and which are adapted to pivotably connect to the launching platform so as to allow rotary movement of the frame with respect to the launching platform. A lifting device lifts the front end of the frame whereby the rear end of the canisters displace a horizontal distance towards the rear of the ramp as said lifting device lifts the frame. Adverse effects of the aft flame of the launched rocket or missile is securely displaced to the outside of the vehicle while foldability of the ramp enables to prevent or reduce radar and eye visibility of the launcher, particularly when mounted on a naval surface ship.
US08297159B2 Table saw with dropping blade
A power tool in one embodiment is a table saw which includes a latch hold mechanism, a swing arm movable along a swing arm path between a first position adjacent the latch hold mechanism and a second position spaced apart from the latch hold mechanism, a latch movable between a first position whereat the swing arm is maintained at the first position and a second position whereat the swing arm is not maintained at the first position, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the swing arm when the swing arm is maintained at the first position, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer a force to the swing arm when the swing arm is maintained at the first position sufficient to move the latch from the first position to the second position.
US08297155B2 Extension for wrench
A wrench includes a handle having first and second ends spaced along a longitudinal axis. The second end of the handle includes a receptacle extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The handle further includes an annular groove intermediate the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The second end of the handle is slideably received in an extension. A positioning hole extends from an inner periphery through an outer periphery of the extension. A positioning member is mounted in the receptacle and biased by a spring to extend through the positioning hole, with a portion of the positioning member pressing against the inner periphery of the extension. A resilient retaining member is mounted in the annular groove. An exposed portion of the retaining member outside of the annular groove presses against the inner periphery of the extension when the extension is engaged with the handle.
US08297151B1 Apparatus for opening and closing a specimen vial
A lid actuator for opening and closing a specimen vial is provided. The lid actuator is generally adapted for use with automated laboratory equipment, for example, specimen auto sampling equipment, laboratory analytical testing equipment, food and product filling equipment and the like. The lid actuator generally includes an enclosure for maintaining a vial in an upright orientation, and a linkage assembly for rotationally engaging and mechanically opening the lid of the specimen vial. Additional features of the lid-actuator may further include a specimen vial ejection member, a vial catch tray, and an input tray.
US08297150B2 Gearbox
A gearbox for a gear (14) to be connected to an electric motor (36) comprises a box body (10) and a box cover (12). Arranged internally of the box cover (12) is a holding portion for an output shaft bearing (24). According to the invention, electric connectors (46) for electric connection of the electric motor (36) are provided within the box body (10), and the electric feed lines (48) connected to the electric connectors (46) are injection-molded into the box body (10).
US08297147B2 Guiding-wire controlling rod device for chair adjustment
A guiding-wire controlling rod device for chair adjustment is pivotally attached inside a housing by a rotation plate of a pivoting rod. The rotation plate has two sides each with a guiding-wire retaining notch and has multiple abutting flat surfaces formed at a front end of the rotation plate to abut with a resilient sheet to position the rotation plate at different angles. Moreover, a rear end of a controlling rod of the pivoting rod has a pivotal hole to pivotally engage with another controlling rod to drive other guiding-wires. Thereby, the controlling rods are aligned and control respectively multiple guiding-wires for different functions.
US08297137B2 Hollow plastic body which is used, in particular, to line steering wheel columns in motor vehicles
A hollow body of plastics material for placing around a motor vehicle steering column, the body including two half-bodies (2, 4) assembled to each other by tabs (22) and snap-fastener elements (24), each tab (22) including a portion in relief (28) provided with a first catch bearing surface. The snap-fastener elements (24) include a housing for each tab, the housing presenting at least one constriction, the portions in relief (28) being retained in the housings by the constrictions, the bearing surfaces of the tabs coming into contact with the complementary bearing surfaces of the constrictions on planes inclined at an angle (α) selected to enable the portions in relief (28) to go past the constrictions by elastic deformation when the two half-bodies (2, 4) are pulled apart from each other with a predetermined force.
US08297136B2 Instrumentation arrangement
An instrumentation arrangement for a component includes a number of measurement devices mounted on a baseplate. The baseplate is shaped to correspond to the surface of the component in use, and has attachment features engageable with features of the component, so that the rake can be easily installed and removed without modification of the component.
US08297132B2 Device for recognizing a mechanical defect in a wire of an overhead line
A device for recognizing a mechanical defect in a wire of an overhead line. A device for determining the tension in the wire is connected to the wire and a support. The device is connected to an analytical device for comparing the tension with a set value and for indicating a mechanical defect when the value drops below the set value.
US08297129B2 Instrument mounting system and method
Provided is a strain gage mount, including an instrument carrier mount configured to secure a strain gage during use, a specimen mount configured to couple to a specimen during use, and a thermal insulating layer configured to be disposed between the instrument carrier mount and the specimen mount during use.
US08297128B2 Device for determining a physical value of a liquid flowing in a pipe
A device for determining a physical value of a liquid flowing in a pipe, without contact with the liquid. The device includes: a sensor for the physical value; a connector to insert into the pipe and including: an internal passage extending between two apertures, a flexible membrane for a pressure sensor, forming a wall of the internal passage; and a fastening mechanism for fastening the sensor onto the connector. The sensor is a temperature sensor fastened to the connector with the sensitive part of the sensor turned towards the membrane.
US08297124B2 Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor includes: a housing; a pressure receiver which seals an opening of the housing and transmits pressure from outside the housing to the inside of the housing; and a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing portion and a pair of base portions which are respectively coupled to both ends of the pressure sensing portion. In the pressure sensor, a force detecting direction is set to be a detection axis, a line connecting the pair of base portions and a displacement direction of the pressure receiver are arranged in parallel, one of the base portions is coupled to a central region, which is displaced by the pressure, of the pressure receiver, and the other of the base portions is coupled to a marginal region, which is at a fixing side, of the pressure receiver through a connecting member.
US08297115B2 Piezoresistive pressure-measuring plug for a combustion engine
A piezoresistive pressure-measuring plug for a combustion engine for measuring a pressure. The piezoresistive pressure-measuring plug: includes a plug body for insertion into a cylinder of the combustion engine, a rod that is arranged in the plug body, a sensing structure comprising a piezoresistive element, that is arranged between the rod and the plug body such that the sensing structure is acted upon, when in use, by the pressure prevailing in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. The sensing structure is arranged in the plug body and, when in use, is compressed in an axial direction by the force applied to the sensing structure and a piezoresistive element mounted on the sensing structure. A PWB is also arranged in the plug body. Such a pressure-measuring plug provides improved bandwidth and reduced build-in height.
US08297114B2 Pressure measuring device and corresponding method
Device for measuring cylinder pressure of an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor that includes a piezoelectric element associated with a capacitive element, and an output generating a first voltage representative of the cylinder pressure. A filtering module of the device filters parasitic low-frequency voltages and generates a second voltage free of these parasitic voltages. A control module delivers a control signal that is dependent on a switching parameter correlated with a stroke. A switching module, in response to the control signal, disconnects the input of the filtering module from the output of the pressure sensor during the first stroke and connects the input of the filtering module to the output of the pressure sensor during the second stroke. The first stroke corresponds to a compression stroke or to a combustion-expansion stroke, and the second stroke corresponds to an intake stroke or to an exhaust stroke.
US08297112B2 Device for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium
An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit; a driving/receiving unit, which, starting with an electric, excitation signal, excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations, and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and converts them into an electric, received signal; and an electronics unit, which, starting with the electric, received signal, generates the electric, excitation signal and sends it to the driving/receiving unit. The electronics unit is embodied in such a way that it generates the excitation signal, such that a predeterminable phase difference exists between the excitation signal and the received signal. Present in the electronics unit is at least one all-pass filter for tuning the phase difference.
US08297111B2 Arrangement for determining a characteristic variable of a fluid, sensor device and use in a motor vehicle
An arrangement and method for determining a characteristic variable of a fluid having a movably suspended measuring element, a restraining element, an advancing element and a control device. The control device is designed to actuate the restraining element and/or the advancing element in order to move the measuring element between the first measuring point and the second measuring point, to determine a time period which the measuring element requires in order to be moved between the first measuring point and the second measuring point, and to determine a characteristic variable of the fluid on the basis of the determined time period, a predetermined force and a known geometry.
US08297107B2 System for regulating fluid flowing through chromatographic column
Disclosed are systems and methods that include a sampling device, a chromatographic column, and a transfer line through which a fluid containing analytes to be measured are communicated from the sampling device to the column. The pressure at which the fluid containing the analytes is applied at the inlet of the transfer line is adjusted as the temperature of the column increases in accordance with certain relationships in order to maintain a substantially constant flow rate or velocity for the fluid exiting the column. In this way, the system compensates for changes in the viscosity of the fluid flowing through the column that result from changes in the column temperature.
US08297103B2 Method and apparatus for measurement and/or calibration of position of an object in space
The invention concerns a method of and apparatus for measurement and/or calibration of the position of an object in space in such embodiment where the apparatus contains at least one moving arm fitted to the frame on one end and on the other end fitted to a platform, where the platform can be attached to the object to be measured or calibrated; during the motion of the object with the platform attached the relative positions of individual members of at least one moving arm, frame and platform are read and the measured data is used for determination of the position of the object or for its calibration. Upon attaching the platform of the measurement and/or calibration apparatus to the measured or calibrated object, these joined parts perform an arbitrary motion within object's operating space actuated by the drives of the object, while the quantities corresponding to relative positions of individual members of the apparatus are collected and used for determination or calibration of position of the object in space. The number of measured quantities during the motion of the platform with the measured or calibrated object is higher than the number of degrees of freedom of the apparatus by at least one.
US08297100B2 Method and apparatus for making metallic casing
An exemplary apparatus for making metallic casing, the apparatus includes a first mold and a second mold, the first mold is opposite and movable relative to the second mold, the first mold defines a rectangular depression opposite to the second mold. The rectangular depression forms a plurality of side surfaces interconnecting to each other. Each side surface has a sharp edge. The second mold includes a plurality of cutting edges corresponding to the sharp edges respectively, one of the cutting edges has a secondary-cutting edge.
US08297094B2 Article for improved adhesion of fatigue-prone components
An article includes a titanium substrate, a metallic layer diffusion bonded with the titanium substrate and a residual stress region that extends through the metallic layer and at least partially into the titanium substrate.
US08297092B2 Reflection member for shot peening and shot peening method having the same
The reflection portion of the reflection member is moved along the inner surface in the hole of the pipe from the entrance opening of the hole of the pipe to the exit opening of the hole thereof. In this case, the reflection portion is guided by the guide portion provided at both sides of the reflection portion. The shots, which are projected toward the inner surface in the hole of the pipe, reach the reflection portion through the holes of the guide portion of the entrance side, and they are reflected toward the inner surface in the hole of the pipe. Since the shots can be reflected toward the inner surface inside in the hole of the pipe, the tendency that shots may be moved toward the inner surface outside in the hole of the curved portion can be small.
US08297090B2 Theft prevention device
A theft prevention device includes a base having body with a pair of side walls; a base protrusion protruding from an edge of the body, the base protrusion having a base protrusion opening; and a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener for coupling the base to an external device; and a sleeve adapted to mate with the base, the sleeve having a bottom wall; a pair of side walls extending from the bottom wall; an end wall extending from the bottom wall and between the side walls, the end wall having an end wall slot adapted to receive the base protrusion; and a sleeve protrusion protruding from an edge of the sleeve and having a sleeve protrusion opening configured to be substantially aligned with the base protrusion opening when the base protrusion is inserted through the end wall slot.
US08297084B2 Drum washing machine
A drum washing machine is provided. The drum washing machine includes a tub that stores wash water therein, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, a motor mounted in a rear of the tub, the motor having a shaft to rotate the drum, a bearing housing inserted into the tub having a hollow portion, which allows the shaft of the motor to pass therethrough, formed in a center thereof, a bearing secured to the hollow of the bearing housing, and an outlet hole that discharges gas or moisture generated in the bearing and a portion adjacent to the bearing outside of the bearing housing. The drum washing machine so constructed has enhanced durability, because it includes the outlet hole provided in the bearing housing where the shaft rotates that prevents moisture or water from remaining in the bearing housing.
US08297080B2 Method for producing high strength and long coiling length single-mode fiber for submarine cable
A method for producing a single-mode fiber for submarine cables including washing and flame polishing of a preform, fiber drawing, coating with a first coating layer and curing therein using an UV-curing device, coating with a second coating layer and curing therein using the UV-curing device, fiber selection with a 2% screening strain, and testing the properties of the fiber. The fiber has a high strength and long coiling length exceeding 100 km and the method is easy to practice with low production cost and parameters involved therein are highly controllable.
US08297074B2 Coiled heat exchanger having different materials
A coiled heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes which are wound around a core tube is disclosed. The coiled heat exchanger having a casing which delimits an outer space around the tubes, and wherein a first and a second component of the coiled heat exchanger are composed of different materials.
US08297068B2 Motor control device, its control method, and motor device
A motor control device controls a fan motor, and controls a motor speed so as to maintain a predetermined airflow value. For this, the motor control device includes an input terminal for inputting a first operation parameter indicating the motor speed or a second operation parameter indicating a motor torque. Moreover, the motor control device includes a motor-speed target value arithmetically-operating unit that calculates, using a predetermined airflow value and the motor torque, a necessary modified value for the motor speed at the predetermined time intervals. Further, the motor control device includes an output terminal that outputs an instruction speed of the motor based on the necessary modified value.
US08297066B2 Refrigeration unit and respective control and management assembly
A refrigeration unit and a respective control and management assembly, comprising a refrigeration assembly and at least one power input for its electrical power supply. The refrigeration unit comprising at least one signal input and at least one control switch, which is arranged along a power line which corresponds to the power input. The control switch controlling the power line and the data that arrive from the respective signal input being suitable for driving the control switch for consequently determining the presence/absence of electrical power supply for said refrigeration assembly.
US08297063B2 Method for servicing a refrigeration system
A method for servicing a refrigeration system is disclosed. The refrigeration system contains a refrigerant and has a compressor, a high-side section and a low-side section. The method includes the steps of releasing the refrigerant from the refrigeration system from the high-side section; collecting the released refrigerant with a recovery container containing a refrigerant adsorptive substance; charging the refrigeration system with inert gas from the low-side section; and discharging the inert gas from the refrigeration system from the high-side section.
US08297062B2 Heat-dissipating device for supplying cold airflow
A heat-dissipating device (1) including a casing (10), a thermal insulation plate (20), a thermoelectric cooling chip (30), a heat-dissipating body (40), super heat pipes (52), a cooler (53), a first fan (54) and a second fan (60). The thermal insulation plate (20) divides the interior of the casing (10) into a hot air zone (ZH) and a cold air zone (ZC). The thermoelectric cooling chip (30) is disposed on the thermal insulation plate (20) with its hot-end surface (32) facing the hot air zone (ZH). The heat-dissipating body (40) is disposed in the hot air zone (ZH) to contact the hot-end surface (32). The super heat pipes (52) and the cooler (53) thermally contact a cold-end surface (31) of the thermoelectric cooling chip (30). Thus, the cold generated by the cold-end surface (31) can be rapidly and uniformly conducted to other places to form a cold airflow.
US08297059B2 Nozzle for a turbomachine
A turbomachine includes a compressor, a combustor operatively connected to the compressor, and an injection nozzle operatively connected to the combustor. The injection nozzle includes a main body having a first end section that extends to a second end section to define an inner flow path. The injection nozzle further includes an outlet arranged at the second end section of the main body, at least one passage that extends within the main body and is fluidly connected to the outlet, and at least one conduit extending between the inner flow path and the at least one passage.
US08297055B2 Water motor
A water motor which includes a tubular tipping lever arm open on both ends and a central water fill port, and a central fulcrum pivotally supporting the lever arm for seesaw tipping thereabout. Temporary containment vessels Containers are positioned under each open end of the lever arm to receive water flowing from a respective one of the open ends of the lever arm. Water is drained from each vessel when a respective one of the lever arm ends is in an up position. A float is positioned in each of the containers and each float is provided with an upwardly extending rigid lifting vertical rod of predetermined length for engaging respective of the opposed lever arm ends for thereby cyclically reversing the seesaw tipping of the tipping lever arm and providing also resultant draining of a respective of the containers with the buoyancy force of the floats.
US08297040B2 Diagnostic method and device for operating an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has an exhaust gas catalyst, a first exhaust gas sensor that is arranged in such a manner that it can be used in lambda control, and a second exhaust gas sensor that is arranged in such a manner that it can be used in trim control. A HC quality value (EFF_CAT_HC) which is representative of an oxygen storage capacity of the exhaust gas catalyst is determined depending on a measuring signal (VLS_DOWN) of the second exhaust gas sensor. A NOx correction factor (COR_NOX) is determined depending on the measuring signal (VLS_DOWN) of the second exhaust gas sensor, namely depending on signal portions that are representative of the residual oxygen. A NOx quality value (EFF_CAT_DIAL_NOX) is determined depending on the HC quality value (EFF_CAT_HC) and the NOx correction factor (COR_NOX).
US08297037B2 Gas turbine and method of forming combustor insertion hole of gas turbine
A gas turbine includes a combustor, a combustor casing formed in a cylindrical shape to house the combustor therein, and a combustor insertion hole, which is a hole formed on a side periphery of the combustor casing, where a size thereof in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the combustor casing is formed larger than that in the circumferential direction of the combustor casing, and when the combustor inserted into the hole, a member moved together with the combustor, and the hole are viewed from a moving direction of the combustor, the hole includes an entire external form of the combustor and the member moved together with the combustor.
US08297018B2 Packaging prefinished fiber cement products
Protected prefinished fiber cement products are manufactured by applying a protective layer on the finished surface of a fiber cement product. The protective layer protects the finish layer of the prefinished fiber cement product during handling, storage, and transport. Removing the protective layer leaves no adhesive residue on the finish layer, does not damage the finish layer, and does not substantially tear the protective layer. Protected prefinished fiber cement products are typically stacked on pallets for storage and transport. Optionally, spacers may be placed between the stacked protected prefinished fiber cement products.
US08297016B2 Support for a grain bin floor and method of making the same
A floor support for a grain bin floor made from a sheet of galvanized steel having a top surface, a bottom surface and flat ends. The floor support has a plurality of flanges and notches disposed within the top surface and a plurality of openings disposed through the sheet of galvanized steel. Positioned between each opening is a first bend. Positioned on either side of selected first bends is a second bend thereby forming a z-shaped floor support.
US08297015B2 Built-in interior wall cavity drying and filtration system
A permanently installed wall cavity and filtration system provides molded base dry block members that install along the base of a wall between the floor and a bottom edge of drywall, gypsum board or other conventional interior wall construction material. The base block members have connection ports at opposite ends that communicate with an interior airflow channel on an inner facing side of the block members. The air flow channel communicates with the wall interior. A forced flow of dry air is directed through one of the ports, thereby allowing the forced dry air to circulate into the interior wall cavities in order to remove moisture and dampness. The damp, contaminated air can also be pulled out through any one of the connection ports by vacuum force, and filtered to avoid contamination of the surrounding interior living environment.
US08297014B2 Architectural structure and method thereof
An architectural structure comprises a core column structure (1), a plurality of recessed platform structures (2) vertically spaced apart from each other and supported by the column structure, and landfill filled in the recessed platform structures form plots. A water reticulation system moves through all the plots from a central water supply system. Dwellings (4) are built on the plots.
US08297006B2 Foundational cistern
The present invention is a foundational cistern. The present invention is an evolutionary panelized foundation system that uses known pre-casting technologies, functions structurally in similar ways to traditional systems, yet provides building designers with a multitude of new benefits in combination with the objectives of reduced construction time, energy, and water conservation. Stored rainwater in the cistern provides thermal mass for heating for a supported structure, and may be used for nonpotable uses. Given appropriate on-site water treatment, potable uses of stored rainwater may be contemplated as well. The foundational cistern of the present invention may be coupled to other foundational cisterns and structural elements of the supported structure. The present invention offers a multitude of advantages not currently known in the art of foundation products.
US08297004B2 Method for supporting a structure
A method and device for supporting a structure above a fixed surface. The device can include a support pedestal whose height is adjustable through a range of heights without a substantial gap in the obtainable heights.
US08296994B2 Film sheet for area focusing of sun light and greenhouse provided with the same
A film sheet for area-focusing of sunlight and a greenhouse provided with the same are provided. A film sheet includes i) a film having a rectangular shape, and ii) a plurality of prism assemblies formed on one surface of the film to extend in one direction. At least one prism assembly of the plurality of prism assemblies includes i) at least one first prism unit including a plurality of first prisms with slanted angles that are substantially the same as each other, and ii) at least one second prism unit neighboring the first prism unit and including a plurality of second prisms with slanted angles that are substantially the same as each other. The width of the first prism unit is substantially the same as the width of the second prism unit and a slanted angle of one first prism among the plurality of first prisms is different from a slanted angle of one second prism among the plurality of second prisms, and light entering the prism assembly is configured to be area-focused.
US08296990B2 Snap-on dovetail pistol sight
A firearm has a frame, a slide mounted to the frame, and a configurable sight that is removably connected to the slide using a combined transverse dovetail- and longitudinal lap-shaped protrusion and slot engagement. The configurable sight can be quickly and easily installed by hand without the use of tools.
US08296989B1 Adapter extension for rifle fired muzzle mounted grenades
A rifle barrel adapter that ensures adequate mounting overlap for muzzle mounted grenades for proper firing alignment is described, which adapter is formed of only four parts: (1) an elongated unitary body with a narrowed cylindrical front section upon which the muzzle mounted grenade is mounted, which elongated unitary body has an enlarged rear section that is mounted about the muzzle end of the rifle barrel over the flash suppressor; (2) a unitary locking mechanism to secure the elongated unitary body to the muzzle end of the rifle; (3) a bias spring to maintain the unitary locking mechanism in place, and (4) a locking pin to hold the unitary locking mechanism in place within the unitary body.
US08296987B1 Shotgun improvements
A shotgun includes a first barrel having a first barrel muzzle end and a second barrel having a second barrel muzzle end. The shotgun includes an expansion joint provided adjacent the first barrel muzzle end and the second barrel muzzle end to connect together the first barrel muzzle end to the second barrel muzzle end. The expansion joint is operative to allow movement of one of the first and second barrels relative to the other one of the first and second barrels to prevent bowing thereof.
US08296983B2 Identification bracelet with interchangeable segments providing user selectable sizing
A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a base band element with an elongated, thin body extending a first length from a first sidewall to a second sidewall. The body may include a user identification member that stores user ID information for a wearer of the band. The band includes a band sizing assembly with one, two, three, or more band sizing segments that are detachable linked together such as via a tongue and groove interlocking mechanism. The band sizing assembly extends a second length from first sidewall to a second sidewall, and these sidewalls are configured for coupling or linking with the sidewalls of the base band element body so as to form a closed loop or bracelet with a third length. A user may size the band by selecting the number and size of the sizing segments used in the band sizing assembly.
US08296979B2 Banner apparatus and method of use
A banner apparatus comprising a base having a substantially symmetrical central core formed in an upper end of the base and a banner-insert sub-assembly removably installed within the core from either open end. The core has a substantially symmetrical and central stepped inner surface that is accessible from each open end. The banner-insert sub-assembly comprises an insert having at least one passage therethrough and a windsock banner installed over the insert so as to be pinched between the insert and the core when the banner-insert sub-assembly is removably installed within the core during use, the banner having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one airflow channel in communication therebetween and with the passage and the core so as to allow airflow through the base and the banner to aid its substantially horizontal flight during use.
US08296978B2 Perimetrically tensioned flexible signage mount
The invention provides systems for removably attaching flexible signage to transportable containers, including systems adapted for attaching advertising banners to truck trailers. An aspect of the invention is a support line length adjustment mechanism adapted to be actuated to alternatively shorten and tension a signage sheet support line, and to lengthen and thereby untension the support line, to release the support line and the signage from the container.
US08296973B2 Multi-functional footwear
Described are embodiments of multi-functional footwear. In one example, an article of footwear includes a climbing arch configured to receive at least a portion of a climbing surface. The climbing arch also includes a plurality of engagement members extending from the arch and configured to engage a climbing surface. The article of footwear may also include a protective plate, a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions that form a receiving area configured to receive a portion of a second body, a drainage system configured to drain liquid from within the article of footwear, and/or an anti-rope burn upper. The described, multi-functional footwear may be designed with significantly less mass than known footwear.
US08296966B2 Micrometer
A micrometer includes: a body; a fixed sleeve that is fixed to the body; a spindle that is screwed to the fixed sleeve; a thimble that is rotatably fitted to an outer circumference of the fixed sleeve and has an outer end connected to the spindle; an operation sleeve fitted over a range from an outer circumference of the thimble to an outer end of the spindle and being rotatable relative to the thimble; and a constant pressure mechanism that is disposed between the operation sleeve and the spindle, the constant pressure mechanism transmitting a rotation of the operation sleeve to the spindle and allowing a free rotation of the operation sleeve against the spindle when a predetermined or more amount of load is applied on the spindle. Ball bearings are disposed between the thimble and the operation sleeve.
US08296961B2 Polishing pad thickness measuring method and polishing pad thickness measuring device
A polishing pad thickness measuring method measures the thickness of a polishing pad attached to an upper surface of a surface plate. The polishing pad thickness measuring method measures a first distance between an upper surface of the polishing pad and a reference position on a vertical line perpendicular to the surface of the polishing pad and a second distance between an upper surface of the surface plate and the reference position on the vertical line, and calculates the thickness of the polishing pad from the difference between the first and second distances.
US08296957B2 Stackable pieces of flatware
A stackable cutlery element having a handle and a functional element shaped onto the handle. To achieve maximum stability, the handle of the cutlery element is designed as a wall with longitudinal ribs arranged on the edge of both sides, so that an essentially H-shaped cross-section is formed. For additional stabilization, an end rib is arranged on the longitudinal end of the handle opposing the functional element on both sides of the wall. The end rib and the two longitudinal ribs on both sides are designed so that when the cutlery elements of this invention are stacked, the end rib and the longitudinal ribs of the first side of a cutlery element engage positively in the end rib and longitudinal ribs of the second side of the further cutlery element to connecting to them in the stacking direction.
US08296956B2 Pliers
The present invention relates to pliers for removing an insulating layer of an electrical cable, in particular a coaxial cable. The inventive pliers comprise a cutting element. The distance of the cutting element from a seat for the cable is adjustable. Furthermore, the cutting element has a degree of freedom in a circumferential direction of the coaxial cable relative to the seat.
US08296944B2 Method for manufacturing a printed circuit board
A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board includes the steps of: providing a base board having a first surface layer; performing a first patterning process to the base board to form a bottom circuit on the first surface layer; forming a metal protection layer on the bottom circuit; performing a second patterning process to the metal protection layer to form a patterned metal protection layer; performing a build-up process to the base board to form a first built-up layer on the bottom circuit and the patterned metal protection layer; performing a third patterning process to the first built-up layer to form a first built-up layer circuit; performing a laser manufacturing process to the first built-up layer to form a cavity structure; and clearing the patterned metal protection layer.
US08296943B2 Method for making surveillance devices with multiple capacitors
The present invention relates to surveillance and/or identification devices having capacitors connected in parallel or in series, and methods of making and using such devices. Devices with capacitors connected in parallel, where one capacitor is fabricated with a relatively thick capacitor dielectric and another is fabricated with a relatively thin capacitor dielectric achieve both a high-precision capacitance and a low breakdown voltage for relatively easy surveillance tag deactivation. Devices with capacitors connected in series result in increased lateral dimensions of a small capacitor. This makes the capacitor easier to fabricate using techniques that may have relatively limited resolution capabilities.
US08296940B2 Method of forming a micro pin hybrid interconnect array
A micro pin hybrid interconnect array includes a crystal anode array and a ceramic substrate. The array and substrate are joined together using an interconnect geometry having a large aspect ratio of height to width. The joint affixing the interconnect to the crystal anode array is devoid of solder.
US08296936B2 Phone cable crimping tool
A phone cable crimping tool is disclosed. The phone cable crimping tool comprises a body part, a first crimping head, a second crimping head, and a rotary unit. The body part comprises a first end and a second end; the first crimping head is connected to the first end of the body part; the second crimping head is connected to the second end of the body part; the rotary unit is pivotally connected to the body part, and the rotary unit is located externally to either the first crimping head or the second crimping head through rotary movements.
US08296933B2 Fastening apparatus with authentication system
The present invention relates to a fastening apparatus for fastening a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a printhead carrier and an ink ejection printhead carried by the carrier. The fastening apparatus includes a support assembly. An authentication system is arranged on the support assembly and is configured to authenticate the printhead assembly. At least one bonding assembly is configured to bond the PCB to the printhead assembly. A controller is configured to control the bonding assembly to bond the PCB to the printhead assembly subsequent to the authentication of the printhead assembly.
US08296932B2 Manufacturing equipment for electric resistance welding pipes having excellent characterization for welded seam
Manufacturing equipment of electric resistance welding pipes having excellent characterization of welded seams, includes an apparatus that supplies a strip, an apparatus that reforms a shape, an apparatus that performs roll forming, an induction heater, and a contacting apparatus of strip edges by pressing, and having a finpass forming apparatus incorporating a fin having at least two stages of tapering in a middle portion of the roll forming, wherein tapering of the strip immediately before electric resistance welding is conducted such that an angle from a surface of a strip edge toward a vertical direction is in a range of 25 degrees to 50 degrees, and length of a perpendicular angle from a starting position to an end position of the tapering at one side is 20% to 45% of strip thickness, and by shaping the tapering with a fin, having at least two stages of tapering, incorporated in a finpass forming end stand.
US08296931B2 Method for manufacturing storage medium
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a storage medium includes providing a medium plate member for forming the storage medium and a guide member; and aligning the medium plate member and the guide member so that the medium plate member and the guide member are placed adjacently and the surfaces of the medium plate member and the guide member form a substantially common plane. The method further includes guiding a burnishing member for burnishing the medium plate member onto the surface of the guide member; and sliding the burnishing member on the guide member onto the medium plate member so as to burnish the surface of the medium plate member.
US08296926B2 Method for making wound stator of automotive generator
A method for making a wound stator of an automotive generator is provided for replacing the conventional winding technique. The method includes: forming a stator ring provided with a plurality of annularly arranged radial through slots; cutting a copper wire into a plurality of wire units each having a rectangular cross section; inserting the wire units into the through slots in an interlacing manner; and soldering wire ends of the wire units sequentially so as to form a connected loop.
US08296922B2 Method for producing low-springback half shells
A method for producing low-springback half shells made of a metal, in particular steel or a steel alloy, includes drawing in at least one drawing die a blank, such that the blanks have flange regions on the deep drawn body after the deep drawing. The flange regions are shaped by upsetting a corner substantially perpendicularly to a wall of the deep drawn region of the blank and the flange regions are subsequently trimmed in a shearing die, such that half shells without margins are produced.
US08296921B2 Method of insulating a space
A method of insulating a space including the steps of: forming an insulation piece using at least one base material that are interlocked so as to produce a body with a predetermined starting shape; and placing the insulation piece in a space to define an insulating barrier between first and second regions between which the space resides.
US08296916B2 Repair method for electric aircraft brake
A method for enabling removal and replacement of a failed actuator module of a brake assembly that includes multiple actuators (27) for compressing a brake disk stack (12), wherein the failed actuator has failed in an extended position applying compressive force to the brake disk stack and at least one of the other actuators remains operative. The method comprises the steps of causing one or more of the operative actuators to apply to the brake disk stack a compressive force greater than the compressive force exerted by the failed actuator whereby the reactionary force acting on the failed actuator will be reduced, and removing the failed actuator after the reactionary load on the failed actuator has been reduced.
US08296911B1 Shifted angle fabric
An apparatus and method for producing a shifted angle fabric and the product produced thereby. The apparatus includes a supply of fabric and a differential tenter frame. The differential tenter frame includes a frame, a pair of opposed, constant path rails and a differential drive. The differential tenter frame is located downstream from the supply of fabric for receiving the opposing edges of the fabric and advancing the opposing edges at different speeds to shift the weft angle of the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame. A high velocity, low heat drying range adjacent to the differential tenter frame simultaneously dries the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame. A take-up roll downstream from the differential tenter frame then takes up the dried fabric.
US08296909B2 Mobile power generator apparatus
Mobile power generator apparatus includes: upper and lower pivoting links vertically pivotably connected at their one end portions to a frame; and a handle mounted to the frame for pulling the generator apparatus and connected at its proximal end portion to other end portions of the links. The handle is expandable, in a direction where a grip moves away from the links, in interlocked relation to upward pivotal movement of the links responsive to a pulling force, and is collapsable, in a direction where the grip moves toward the links, in interlocked relation to downward pivotal movement of the links responsive to a pushing force.
US08296907B2 Light weight grip and method of making same
A light weight flexible hand grip and method of making with a single piece precursor grip member having a tubular sleeve portion connected with a tubular grip portion with a wall situated therebetween. An alternate embodiment includes the tubular grip portion attached proximate an open end of the tubular sleeve portion. A core portion is disposed on an outer surface of the tubular sleeve portion and the tubular grip portion is positioned back over the tubular sleeve portion securing the core portion within an annular cavity to form the light weight hand grip.
US08296906B2 Four bar hinge
A four bar hinge for mounting a door on an enclosure, the hinge including a first mounting bracket adapted to secure the hinge to the enclosure, a second mounting bracket adapted to secure the hinge to the door, a first link rotationally connected to the first mounting bracket at a first location and rotationally connected to the second mounting bracket at a second location, a second link rotationally connected to the first mounting bracket at a third location and rotationally connected to the second mounting bracket at a fourth location, a first shield fixedly connected at the second and the fourth locations and a second shield slidably connected to the first link and rotationally connected at the third location, wherein throughout an entire range of motion of the first mounting bracket relative to the second mounting bracket at least a portion of one of the first or second shields overlaps at least a portion of the other of the first and second shields whereby access to a volume formed between the first and second links is precluded.
US08296890B2 Method for providing a weathered shoe and the weathered shoe
The invention relates to a method for providing a shoe having the steps of providing an upper, a sole, and a stitching; washing the upper for achieving a weathered appearance of the upper without subjecting the stitching and sole to the washing; and softening the sole. The method also comprises stitching the sole and the upper together with the stitching; working the sole to weather an appearance of the sole; drying the upper and sole together for disfiguring the upper and sole and for achieving a generally uniform weathered appearance; cyclically working the sole to match the appearance of the upper; and cyclically working the upper to match the appearance of the sole. The invention also includes the shoe.
US08296884B2 Siderail gap filler
A gap-filler for a patient-support apparatus comprises a barrier panel, a first coupler coupled to the barrier panel and a second coupler coupled to the barrier panel and configured to engage a siderail of the patient-support apparatus such that the gap-filler is movable relative to the siderail as the siderail moves between a raised position and a lowered position.
US08296882B1 Pet safety guard for a bed
A plurality of angled members that are positionable between a bed's mattress and box spring to prevent a pet from falling off or of being accidentally pushed off a bed. The angled member positioned at the foot of the bed extends from one side to the other whether twin, queen or king sized mattress with the side angled members positioned on opposing sides of the bed with each adjacently fastened to the foot member by means of at least one bracket. The vertical portion of the angled members sufficiently extends above the planar top surface of the mattress to form a barrier to prevent the aforementioned accidents.
US08296880B1 Hammock
A hammock having a self-closing bottom entrance slit is constructed with the slit substantially offset to one side of the center line of the hammock. This improves comfort by enabling one to lie in the hammock out of contact with the slit, and facilitates the addition of an insulating panel to the hammock.
US08296867B2 Helmet for a hockey or lacrosse player
A helmet for receiving the head of a hockey or lacrosse player, the helmet having an outer shell and an inner lining covering at least partially the inner surface of the outer shell. In one embodiment, the helmet comprises a skeleton at least partially covered by the inner lining, a movable occipital pad and movable temple pads. The inner lining can be made of an absorptive material such as foam, expanded polypropylene or expanded polyethylene and can be overmolded onto the skeleton. The occipital pad and the temple pads may be arranged with an inward bias so as to help the helmet self-adjust to provide an advantageous fit on the player's head. In some embodiments, the outer shell and skeleton, or the outer shell and the inner lining, cooperate to define a ventilation system.
US08296864B2 Garment with enhanced knee support
The present invention relates to a garment with enhanced knee support.
US08302208B1 Compliance validator for restricted network access control
A method, system, and computer program product for detecting and enforcing compliance with access requirements for a computer system in a restricted computer network. A compliance validation configuration file is created for the computer system. A maintenance service utility is configured to launch a compliance validation executable file at a specified time during operation of the computer system. A digital hash is generated for the compliance validation executable file and for the compliance validation configuration file. A determination is made if the computer system or a computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group. If the computer system or the computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group, a determination is made if a directory site code for a subnet of the restricted computer network to which the computer system is connected corresponds to a configured and allowed site. If the directory site code does not correspond to a configured and allowed site, compliance with access requirements are enforced. Enforcement actions can include a forced logoff of the computer system user, and/or a forced shutdown of the computer system.
US08302206B2 Appropriate control of access right to access a document within set number of accessible times
An access right management system is provided, which appropriately controls an access right, to access a document, when the number of executable times is set for each kind of processing on the document managed by a policy server. The management system includes the policy server which saves the access right showing permission or inhibition of access to the document in a first file and a document management server which saves the number of accessible times in a second file. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the document management server instructs the policy server to update the access right, and the policy server which receives the instructions executes an update of the access right such as changing a permission of access to an inhibition of access.
US08302200B2 Protected intra-system interconnect for digital rights management in electrical computers and digital data processing systems
Embodiments including protected paths for digital rights management of digital objects are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for transferring data from one or more peripherals to one or more computers or digital data processing systems for the latter to process, store, and/or further transfer and/or for transferring data from the computers or digital data processing systems to the peripherals. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium a within a single computer or digital data processing system.
US08302197B2 Identifying data associated with security issue attributes
A method for identifying data related to a software security issue is provided. The method includes accessing a software security issue and determining one or more attributes associated with the software security issue. The method also includes accessing aggregated software security data retrieved from a plurality of on-line sources and searching the aggregated software security data for the attributes associated with the security issue. The method further includes associating a portion of the aggregated data with the security issue based on matching the attributes associated with the security issue with contents of the portion of the aggregated data.
US08302194B2 Using file prevalence to inform aggressiveness of behavioral heuristics
The prevalence rate of a file to be subject to behavior based heuristics analysis is determined, and the aggressiveness level to use in the analysis is adjusted, responsive to the prevalence rate. The aggressiveness is set to higher levels for lower prevalence files and to lower levels for higher prevalence files. Behavior based heuristics analysis is applied to the file, using the set aggressiveness level. In addition to setting the aggressiveness level, the heuristic analysis can also comprise dynamically weighing lower prevalence files as being more likely to be malicious and higher prevalence files as being less likely. Based on the applied behavior based heuristics analysis, it is determined whether or not the file comprises malware. If it is determined that the file comprises malware, appropriate steps can be taken, such as blocking, deleting, quarantining and/or disinfecting the file.
US08302192B1 Integrating anti-virus in a clustered storage system
A method and system for integrating anti-virus in a clustered storage system. A clustered storage system provides anti-virus scanning with third-party software components. Specifically, the clustered storage system receives a request to access data from a client, retrieves the data from storage, and scans the data for viruses with third party software components that have been previously provided any one of a number of third party software vendors. If the data is free of viruses, the clustered storage system communicates the data to the client. Otherwise, the clustered storage system attempts to apply remedial actions to the infected file. For example, the clustered storage system may attempt to repair the file by removing the virus. If remedial action successfully removes the virus, the clustered storage system communicates the requested data to the client. Otherwise, the clustered storage system communicates an access denied message to the client.
US08302190B2 Method and apparatus for defending against ARP spoofing attacks
A method and an apparatus for defending against Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) spoofing attacks are disclosed. When a network device receives an ARP message, the network judges whether the MAC address of the received ARP message is the same as the MAC address in an ARP entry, if the MAC addresses are different, the network device determines the received ARP message as an ambiguous ARP message and starts an ARP verification process, and makes further process according to the result of the ARP verification process. In this way, when no address spoofing attacks occur, no verification messages are generated, and thus reducing signaling interactions and saving network resources; besides, spoofing attacks possibly happening at any time are avoided, which effectively prevents address spoofing attacks via random scanning and protects the normal application of the real host.
US08302187B1 System and method for preventing large-scale account lockout
Various embodiments of a system and method for preventing large-scale account lockout are described. The system and method for preventing large-scale account lockout may include an account access control component configured to prevent fraudulent individuals from locking access to user accounts. The account access control component may lock access to an account after a lockout threshold is tripped. To prevent an account from being locked by fraudulent individuals, the account access control component may utilize a warning threshold. When the account access control component detects a number of incorrect authorization attempts equal to the warning threshold, the control component may perform various actions to prevent a fraudulent individual from locking an account holder's account, including, but not limited to, contacting the account holder through a registered communication channel to inform the user that the warning threshold has been reached or placing the account holder's account in a particular hold state.
US08302186B2 System and method for testing network firewall for denial-of-service (DOS) detection and prevention in signaling channel
A device may measure a first performance, associated with legitimate traffic without attack traffic, of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based protection device implementing authentication; measure a second performance, associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic, of the SIP-based protection device implementing authentication; and measure a third performance, associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic, of the SIP-based protection device implementing authentication and return routability filtering. The device may also measure a first performance associated with legitimate traffic of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based protection device implementing rate-limiting filtering; measure a second performance associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic of the SIP-based protection device implementing scheme filtering; and measure a third performance associated with legitimate traffic of the SIP-based protection device not implementing rate-limiting filtering without attack traffic.
US08302185B2 System and method of owner control of electronic devices
A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.
US08302174B2 System, device and method for secure provision of key credential information
A system for secure provision of key credential information is provided. The system comprises secure logic circuitry for being disposed in a host computer. The secure logic circuitry detects a message received from a remote computer connected to the host computer and indicative of a request for provision of the key credential information; generates a message for prompting a user for provision of the key credential information; receives the key credential information; and provides the key credential information to the remote computer absent processing using circuitry of the host computer. The system further comprises a secure user interface connected to the secure logic circuitry for receiving the key credential information from the user and providing the same to the secure logic circuitry.
US08302173B2 Providing a user device with a set of access codes
A method for providing a user device with a set of access codes comprises, in the user device, storing an encryption key a an identification code, and sending a message containing the identification code to a server via a communications network. In the server, an encryption key is stored corresponding to the key stored in the user device, allocating the set of access codes on receipt of the identification code from the user device. A look up function is performed based on the identification code received in the message to retrieve the key from storage. The set of access codes is encrypted using the retrieved key to produce an encrypted set. A message containing the encrypted set is sent to the user device via the network. In the user device, the encrypted set received from the server is decrypted using the key in storage, and storing the decrypted set of access codes for use by a user of the user device.
US08302163B2 System and method for secure communication
A secure communication module is provided for securing communication between a client application and a network service. The secure communication module comprises an authentication identifier provider for providing the client application a pool of authentication identifiers for use in subsequent communication with the network service, and an authentication identifier validator for checking the validity of an authentication identifiers from the pool of authentication identifiers sent with the subsequent communication.
US08302160B2 Propagation of authentication data in an intermediary service component
A system may include a sender computing system, an intermediary service component, and a receiver computing system. The sender computing system may transmit a message and authentication data, and the intermediary service component may receive the message and the authentication data from the sender computing system, process the message, and transmit the authentication data and the processed message. The receiver computing system may receive the authentication data and the processed message.
US08302156B2 Computer information security system and operation method thereof
The present invention relates to a computer information security system and method, the system includes a connection device and a sensor. When the connection device plug in to the predetermined computer, the sensor and the connection device are conjoint, a first identification code can be stored to the computer through the connection device, and generated an initialization setting of the second identification code to the sensor through the connection device. Therefore, when the sensor is out of the predetermined range of the connection device, the connection device will control the computer for encoding to prevent unauthorized user to use the computer; when the sensor is located within the range of the predetermined range of the connection device, the connection device will automatically input the first identification code to the computer to enable the user to directly use the computer without inputting the first identification code to avoid the complicated procedure of inputting the first identification code when the user return to work on the computer, thus to reinforce the security to the information in the computer and to make the operation more convenient.
US08302154B2 Automatic and adjustable system and method for synchronizing security mechanisms in database drivers with database servers
A system and method for database security provides multiple choices of security mechanisms for enabling access to a database through a database driver. A security mechanism that is compatible with a database is selected and the security mechanisms between an application and a database server are automatically determined using the selected security mechanism.
US08302153B1 Systems and methods for securing extranet transactions
The systems and methods described herein relate to secure extranets which utilize certificate authentication to mediate access, transactions, and user tracking. Such extranets may be employed to provide an interface accessible over a network, such as the Internet, capable of authenticating and recording transactions for business, medical, or other purposes.
US08302140B2 Navigation within switched digital streamed content
In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08302139B2 Video-on-demand and targeted advertising
A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.
US08302134B2 Systems and methods for television antenna operation
A system and method for controlling a television antenna includes an amplifier circuit mounted with the television antenna. The amplifier circuit is connected to the television antenna and a control line. The control line is used for controlling the gain of the amplifier circuit.
US08302131B2 Method of processing non-real time service and broadcast receiver
A method of receiving and processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver includes receiving a first signaling information table including signaling information of the NRT service and a second signaling information table including announcement information of the NRT service, detecting a duplicate of the signaling information included in the first signaling information table and a duplicate of the announcement information included in the second signaling information table, acquiring the signaling information after processing the first signaling information table if the signaling information included in the first signaling information table is not a duplicate and acquiring the announcement information after processing the second signaling information table if the announcement information included in the second signaling information table is not a duplicate, and receiving and processing NRT service data based on the acquired signaling information and announcement information.
US08302124B2 High-speed programs review
High-speed programs review is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the progress when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.
US08302116B2 Optical disc drive and flexible cable assembly therein
An optical disc drive including a chassis, a circuit board and a traverse is provided. The traverse includes a carrier, a pick-up head module, a spindle motor module and a flexible flat cable. The carrier has an opening. The pick-up head module is movably disposed in the opening. The spindle motor module disposed on the carrier is located at one side of the pick-up head module. The flexible flat cable disposed in the opening has two connection ends respectively connected to the pick-up head module and the circuit board. The pick-up head module located at a first position enables the flexible flat cable to have a bending portion protruding towards a direction opposite to the position of the spindle motor module. The pick-up head module located at a second position extends the bending portion. The first position is closer to the spindle motor module than the second position is.
US08302113B2 Disk drive mechanism and electronic device using the same
A disk drive mechanism includes a bracket and a tray slidably received in the bracket. The bracket includes a bottom wall, two sidewalls protruding from the bottom wall, two guiding rails fixed to the sidewalls respectively, and two sliding rails slidably coupled to the guiding rails respectively. The bottom wall and the sidewalls cooperatively define an entrance. Each guiding rail includes an end maintaining a distance from the entrance. The tray is slidably coupled to the sliding rails and is capable of being inserted into and ejected out of the bracket from the entrance via the sliding rails. A supporting member is arranged between the end of each guiding rail and the entrance. The supporting member is used to support the sliding rails in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the tray inserted into the bracket. An electronic device using the disk drive mechanism is also provided.
US08302112B2 Optical disc player with decelerating member for stopping rotating disc
An optical disc player includes a case, a tray received in the case, and a decelerating member. The tray is adapted to hold an optical disc. The decelerating member integrates with the case, and is capable of stopping the rotating optical disc by friction generated between the decelerating member and edge of the rotating optical disc.
US08302107B2 Discovering object definition information in an integrated application environment
Provided is a method, system, and program for providing an object discovery agent (ODA) client. There is one object discovery agent (ODA) client and at least one ODA, wherein each ODA is associated with one application and includes: (i) application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with the associated application to discover definition information on objects maintained by the application and (ii) code to communicate with the ODA client. The ODA client communicates with one of the at least one ODA to cause the ODA to gather definition information on at least one object used by one application. The gathered object definition information is provided to an integration server to integrate the object in an environment including heterogeneous objects from different applications.
US08302102B2 System utilization through dedicated uncapped partitions
Improving system resource utilization in a data processing system is provided. A determination is made as to whether there is at least one ceded virtual processor in a plurality of virtual processors in a shared resource pool. Responsive to existence of the at least one ceded virtual processor, a determination is made as to whether there is at least one dedicated logical partition configured for a hybrid mode. Responsive to identifying at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition, a determination is made as to whether the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition requires additional virtual processor cycles. If the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition requiring additional virtual processor cycles, the at least one ceded virtual processor is deallocated from the plurality of virtual processors and allocated to a surrogate resource pool for use by the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition.
US08302091B2 Installation of a bootable image for modifying the operational environment of a computing system
Systems and methods for remotely installing software on a computing system while the computing system is running on a first bootable image, so that the computing system is not removed from operation during the installation of a second bootable image. The method comprises constructing the second bootable image on a storage medium accessible to the computing system while the computing system is operating in a first operating environment in association with the first bootable image, customizing the second bootable image so that the computing system can operate in a second operating environment in association with the second bootable image, disassociating the computing system from the first bootable image, and associating the computing system with the second bootable image.
US08302088B2 Analysis of effects of a software maintenance patch on configuration items of a CMDB
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, a system and a computer program product for analyzing the effect of a software maintenance patch on configuration items of a CMDB. One embodiment, directed to a method, is associated with a CMDB containing information that relates to configuration items (CIs) included in one or more managed configurable systems. The method includes the step of generating a manifest that defines a target system, and contains a description of a maintenance patch disposed to update one or more specified software components. The method further includes using information contained in the manifest to search the CMDB, in order to detect each configurable system in the CMDB that corresponds to the definition of the target system, and contains at least one CI that includes at least one of the specified software components. For a given CI that includes at least one of the specified software components, an identification is made of every other CI in the CMDB that would be affected, if the maintenance patch was used to update each specified software component of the given CI.
US08302087B2 Quality assurance in software systems through autonomic reliability, availability and serviceability code generation
A system and method for automatic code generation includes parsing source code in a source program to automatically generate reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) code in response to the source code. The automatically generated code is executed in a check in stage. All, a portion or none of the automatically generated code is selectively removed during a check out stage to keep the source program clean and focused.
US08302084B2 Using compiler commentary for configuring an integrated development environment
A technique is disclosed for correcting inconsistent language model parameters associated with a compiled computer readable project. One or more compiled units are analyzed to identify compiler commentary therein. Based on the debugging information, it is determined whether inconsistent language model parameters exist. If so, a user is allowed to apply a correction strategy to correct the one or more inconsistent parameters.
US08302083B2 Architecture and implementation method of programmable arithmetic controller for cryptographic applications
An architecture includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive a microprogram. The microprogram is configured for performing at least one of hierarchical or a sequence of polynomial computations. The architecture also includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) communicably coupled to the controller. The ALU is controlled by the controller. Additionally, the microprogram is compiled prior to execution by the controller, the microprogram is compiled into a plurality of binary tables, and the microprogram is programmed in a command language in which each command includes a first portion for indicating at least one of a command or data transferred to the ALU, and a second portion for including a control command to the controller. The architecture and implementation of the programmable controller may be for cryptographic applications, including those related to public key cryptography.
US08302074B1 “If” and “switch” as drag and drop objects
Systems and methods for graphical user interfaces and for presenting content to a user of a graphical user interface are provided. In one implementation, a method for providing a graphical user interface component for a web page is disclosed. The method includes positioning a graphical user interface component on a web page layout, defining one or more conditions associated with the graphical user interface component, and determining content to be displayed at run time if the conditions are satisfied.
US08302072B2 System and method for programmatically generating a graphical program based on a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and data acquisition (DAQ) operations
A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment application may then be operable to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate graphical program code implementing the sequence. For example, the environment may generate a standalone graphical program operable to perform the sequence of operations.
US08302071B2 Method of automatic pattern based editing of business models
A method of automatic pattern based editing of business models on a canvas of business model editing application includes receiving a request to automatically edit a business model, constructing an initial current set C of elements from the business model, constructing an initial next set N of elements from the business model, and connecting elements between the initial current set C and the initial next set N until all elements in both the initial current set C and the initial next set N have been connected. The connecting is based on at least connecting elements sequentially if the elements exist from left to right on the canvas, and connecting elements in parallel or using a decision and merge combination if the elements exist from top to bottom on the canvas.
US08302070B2 Output styling in an IDE console
A method of formatting source code in an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) environment includes the steps of: selecting a source statement in an IDE; associating a style sheet definition with a selected source statement; applying the style sheet definition to the selected source statement to format a display of the selected source statement; and in response to the style sheet definition being applied to the selected source statement, displaying content from the selected source statement in a visual style that is defined by the style sheet definition.
US08302061B2 Aware manufacturing of an integrated circuit
Some embodiments of the invention provide a process for designing and manufacturing an integrated circuit (“IC”). The process selects a wiring configuration and an illumination configuration. The process uses the selected wiring configuration to design an IC layout. The process then uses the selected illumination configuration to manufacture the IC based on the designed IC layout. Some embodiments concurrently select an optimal pair of wiring and illumination configurations. Other embodiments select an illumination configuration based on the selected wiring configuration. Yet other embodiments select a wiring configuration based on the selected illumination configuration. In some embodiments, selecting the illumination configuration entails selecting at least one stepper lens for the IC layout, where the stepper lens illuminates at least one mask for at least one particular layer of the IC layout. In some embodiments, this selection entails selecting a stepper lens for each particular layer of the IC layout. Also, in some embodiments, selecting the wiring configuration entails defining the width and/or spacing of the routes along different directions on at least one particular wiring layer of the IC layout. In some embodiments, this selection entails selecting width and/or spacing of routes along different directions on each particular layer of the IC layout.
US08302059B2 Power switch design method and program
A method of designing a power switch block (200) for an integrated circuit layout in a predefined integrated circuit technology is disclosed. The power switch block (200) includes a segment (710) comprising a plurality of spaced parallel conductors (110, 120, 130, 140) each having a predefined height in said technology, a stack of a first power switch (115) of a first conductivity type and a pair of drivers (152; 154) for respectively driving the first power switch (115) and a second power switch (135), said drivers having predefined dimensions in said technology, and the second switch (135) of a second conductivity type. The method comprises providing respective predefined width/length ratios for said power switches (115; 135); determining a total height of the segment (710) from the sum of the predefined heights of the individual conductors (110; 120; 130; 140) and respective spacings (310; 320) between said individual conductors, determining the height of the first transistor (115) from the difference between the total height and the predefined driver height; determining the width of the first transistor (115) from the combined predefined widths of the pair of drivers (152; 154); optimizing the first power switch layout within its determined height and width based on its predefined width/length ratio; and optimizing the second power switch layout based on its predefined width/height ratio.
US08302045B2 Electronic device and method for inspecting electrical rules of circuit boards
An electronic device and method for inspecting electrical rules of circuit boards includes selecting at least two design files that record electrical rules of the circuit boards and searching the electrical rules in the selected design files using preset parameter keywords. Same electrical rules of the selected design files are acquired by comparing the electrical rules in the selected design files. The same electrical rules and corresponding parameter values are input to a comparison table, and the comparison table is output.
US08302029B2 Presentation of large objects on small displays
A method for presenting at least a part of an object is shown, including at least partially dividing at least one object into a plurality of sub-objects, presenting the plurality of sub-objects in a first representation, making at least one sub-object of the plurality of sub-objects an active sub-object, and in response to a user operation on the at least one active sub-object, presenting at least one of the at least one active sub-objects in a second representation. The at least one object may be a 2D object, e.g. a Hypertext Markup Language HTML page or a page of a text document, or a 3D object, e.g. a Virtual Reality Markup Language VRML object, and the display may be integrated in a portable electronic device. A device, a system, a computer program and a computer program product for performing such methods are also provided.
US08302028B2 Expandable area for host table data display in a mobile device
A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed for providing improved display of a host terminal application interface. A host application translator reads characters stored in a character buffer of a computer host terminal application that is displayed to a user as a table of horizontal rows and vertical columns of characters. The host application translator receives a preference that determines which vertical columns are to be displayed and a second preference that determines the order in which the vertical columns are to be displayed. The host application translator reconfigures the display of the characters by displaying the vertical columns indicated by the first preference in the order indicated by the second preference and displaying information corresponding to the vertical columns that are not indicated by the first preference, thus providing user-selectable controls to expand or collapse this information.
US08302027B2 Graphic user interface management system and method
A graphic user interface management system displays all shortcuts on surfaces of a first three-dimensional (3D) graph displayed on a desktop background. The first 3D graph streams objects during rotating. On projection paths of the objects, a first preset number of objects forms system time to be displayed on the desktop background, a second preset number of objects forms a process wall, which displays running processes of shortcuts invoked by a user from the first 3D graph. The shortcuts dragged from the first 3D graph to other positions of the desktop background are represented by second 3D graphs. A rotation speed and direction of the first 3D graph change according to an operation speed and direction on the first 3D. The system further performs corresponding desktop display actions according to manipulated operations on the first 3D graph, the process wall, or the second 3D graphs.
US08302018B2 Representing an interest priority of an object to a user based on personal histories or social context
A method and apparatus assigns a quantative variable to each object (or set of objects) in a collection available to a user. The quantative variable is referred to as the Interest Priority Value (IPV). The IPV defines a range of states of the object, between ‘accessed’ and ‘unaccessed’, and is calculated based on one or more attributes of the object. A object with the highest IPV is the most ‘unaccessed,’ and the object with the lowest IPV is the least ‘unaccessed.’ The IPV may be used in a visual representation of the collection of objects, thereby permitting a user to readily identify and obtain those objects of greatest interest to the particular user.
US08302016B2 Display apparatus
A portable terminal includes a page storage section, in which a Web page is temporarily stored while the Web page is being browsed. Thus, when the same Web page is browsed the next time, a control section compares the Web page with the previously stored page contents and moves the display range of the page, so that the updated portion is displayed at a predetermined position on a display section.
US08302013B2 Personalized page modules
A system, a method, and a user interface for providing content by using several modules for displaying the content within a single page. A first module within the page is for presenting content from a first source and a second module is for presenting content from a second source. The first module is stacked on top of the second module within a window for presenting the page. The content presented by the first module is independent of the content presented by the second module such that a user interacts with the content of each module independently and without the need for navigation to a location external to the single page.
US08302011B2 Technique for modifying presentation of information displayed to end users of a computer system
A technique is described for facilitating a display of markup document content retrieved from a host server on a computer network including a client system and a server system. A first portion of content relating to a first markup document may be displayed to a user of the client system, wherein the first markup document has a URL associated therewith. Information relating to the first portion of content is stored at the server system. An action to display a current version of the first markup document on the client system is received. A current version of content for the first markup document is retrieved from the host server. The stored information relating to the first portion of content may be used to identify a third portion of content associated with the first markup document which has not previously been displayed to the user. The display of markup document content associated with the first markup document may then be modified in a manner which facilitates the user in identifying the third portion of content.
US08301996B2 Annotating images with instructions
A method described herein includes the acts of receiving an image captured by a mobile computing device and automatically annotating the image to create an annotated image, wherein annotations on the annotated image provide instructions to a user of the mobile computing device. The method further includes transmitting the annotated image to the mobile computing device.
US08301995B2 Labeling and sorting items of digital data by use of attached annotations
Annotations are associated with individual digital pictures that represent a characteristic of the pictures, such as their content, place of taking, etc. An annotation is directly entered into a digital camera and selected for association with pictures to be taken after that. The association of the selected annotation occurs automatically within the camera until another annotation is selected. An annotation is preferably entered into the camera by the voice of the user prior to taking pictures that are characterized by the annotation. The pictures may then be conveniently sorted by subject matter through use of the annotations. The same technique may be used to annotate audio segments.
US08301991B2 LDPC (low density parity check) coded modulation symbol decoding
LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded modulation symbol decoding. Symbol decoding is supported by appropriately modifying an LDPC tripartite graph to eliminate the bit nodes thereby generating an LDPC bipartite graph (such that symbol nodes are appropriately mapped directly to check nodes thereby obviating the bit nodes). The edges that communicatively couple the symbol nodes to the check nodes are labeled appropriately to support symbol decoding of the LDPC coded modulation signal. The iterative decoding processing may involve updating the check nodes as well as estimating the symbol sequence and updating the symbol nodes. In some embodiments, an alternative hybrid decoding approach may be performed such that a combination of bit level and symbol level decoding is performed. This LDPC symbol decoding out-performs bit decoding only. In addition, it provides comparable or better performance of bit decoding involving iterative updating of the associated metrics.
US08301984B1 QC-LDPC decoder with list-syndrome decoding
A QC-LDPC decoding system employing a trapping set look-up table is provided. The QC-LDPC decoding system includes an iterative decoder that utilizes a message-passing algorithm to decode a received codeword. If the iterative decoder fails to produce a valid codeword, additional processing is performed to decode the received codeword. The additional processing includes the steps of computing the syndrome pattern of the received codeword, searching the look-up table for a trapping set class that is responsible for the iterative decoder's failure, retrieving from the look-up table a syndrome pattern and an error pattern of a member of the responsible trapping set class, and calculating the error pattern of the received codeword based on its syndrome pattern and the information retrieved from the look-up table. The received codeword is then corrected based on its error pattern.
US08301981B2 Data access method for flash memory and storage system and controller thereof
A data access method for accessing data in a flash memory is provided, wherein the data has a plurality of sub-data. The data access method includes generating an error correction code (ECC) for the data and writing the data and the ECC into the flash memory. The data access method also includes generating a corresponding bit checking code for each of the sub-data and writing the bit checking codes into the flash memory. When the sub-data subsequently is read from the flash memory, whether the sub-data contains any error is determined only according to the bit checking code corresponding to the sub-data. Thereby, the data access efficiency is improved.
US08301976B1 Defect detector for holographic storage systems
A system including a data detection module, a reconstruction filter module, a first correlation module, and a second correlation module, The data detection module detects data bits from input signals. The reconstruction filter module generates reconstructed signals using the data bits. The first correlation module correlates the input signals and the reconstructed signals and generates first correlation values. The second correlation module self-correlates the reconstructed signals and generates second correlation values. In response to at least one of the input signals and the reconstructed signals including a B-bit floating number having a sign bit, at least one of the first correlation module and the second correlation module generates the first correlation values and the second correlation values based on the sign bit and K most significant bits (MSBs) of the B-bit floating number, where 0
US08301975B2 Structured low-density parity-check (LDPC) code
A method for constructing a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code using a structured base parity check matrix with permutation matrix, pseudo-permutation matrix, or zero matrix as constituent sub-matrices; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for constructing a LDPC code using a structured base parity check matrix H=[Hd|Hp], Hd is the data portion, and Hp is the parity portion of the parity check matrix; the parity portion of the structured base parity check matrix is such so that when expanded, an inverse of the parity portion of the expanded parity check matrix is sparse; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for encoding variable sized data by using the expanded LDPC code; and applying shortening, puncturing.
US08301974B2 System and method for low complexity raptor codes for multimedia broadcast/multicast service
A system and method for encoding symbols in a wireless communication is provided. The system and method includes a transmitter configured to encode data transmissions. The transmitter includes a raptor encoder configured to perform a coding operation. The raptor encoder generates intermediate symbols without using a half-code such that the intermediate symbols consist of precoded symbols and parity symbols. Thereafter, the intermediate symbols are encoded using a Luby Transform to produce and output encoded symbols. The transmitter further is configured to transmit one or more of the source symbols, parity symbols or encoded symbols.
US08301972B2 Apparatus for correcting single bit insertion or deletion in a data payload with a checksum corrector
This application discloses a message format including a data payload of N bits and a corrector component encoding a checksum to correct the checksum of single bit slipping noise, where the checksum is the sum of each data payload bit by its position modulo N+1. The corrector component may encode a second checksum derived from the checksum that may also be included in the message and so on. Apparatus embodiments may include a transmitter generating a transmitted message of this format and/or a receiver using a received message that may be corrupted from the transmitted message through bit slipping in the form of bit insertion or bit deletion.
US08301963B2 Low-density parity-check code based error correction for memory device
An accumulative repeat encoder facilitates encoding data written to memory, such that parity data is generated in accordance with a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code. The original data and associated parity data is stored in memory. During a read operation, a decoder component utilizes the parity data based on the LDPC code to facilitate decoding the data being read from memory. The decoder component is iterative and provides one or more decoding results based on probabilities that symbols or bits comprising the data have correct values. The decoder component analyzes a decoding result and references a parity-check matrix structured in accordance with the LDPC code to determine the accuracy of the decoding result. If the decoding result attains a desired accuracy, the decoding result is determined to represent the original data and is provided as an output.
US08301962B2 Apparatus and method for generating a linear code
An apparatus for generating a linear code according to the present invention includes a coding unit for coding input bits with a second coding scheme which is different from a first coding scheme for generating the linear code; and a rearrangement unit for generating the linear code by rearranging the bits coded with the second coding scheme. The present invention can provide a coding apparatus and method capable of reducing complexity by adaptively applying it to various coding scheme.
US08301960B2 Interleaving scheme for an LDPC coded 32 APSK system
An approach is provided for interleaving low density parity check (LDPC) encoded bits in 32APSK modulation systems. By assigning the bits determining modulation symbols based on different bit degrees, one can efficiently find the desirable tradeoff between error performance and error floor provided by the LDPC codes in use.
US08301952B2 Method for resource allocation for hybrid-automatic repeat request
A resource allocation method for a HARQ is disclosed. This resource allocation method includes, transmitting an MAP message having specific information indicating whether or not a differential allocation is supported, storing MAP information contained in the MAP message during a predetermined frame, and upon receiving an NACK message during the predetermined frame, transmitting sub-burst information having differential allocation information related to sub-bursts to be retransmitted. If there are a large amount of HARQ traffic, each embodiment of the present invention transmits only differential information on the basis of MAP information of the initial MAP message when HARQ sub-bursts is retransmitted.
US08301948B2 Storage device with adaptive error-correcting code for improved areal efficiency
A method for adaptively applying an error-correcting code to a storage device is disclosed. A determination is made that a system is in an idle state of input/output requests. First data symbols are copied into a first location within a buffer. First data symbol errors corrected using a first error-correcting code. Second data symbols including corrected bits are written in a second location on the recording media with a second error-correcting code. An error number for the second data symbols in the second location is determined. If the error number is below a first threshold error number, the first data symbols are deleted. If the error number is above the first threshold error number, the second data symbols are deleted.
US08301947B1 Dynamic scan chain grouping
A method and apparatus for dynamic scan chain grouping is disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a number of scan partitions. Each scan partition includes a number of scan input ports and a number of corresponding scan output ports. Each scan input port and each scan output port includes a number of scan paths. Additionally, each scan partition includes a number of scan chains. Each scan partition is programmable to couple the scan paths of one of the scan input ports to each of the scan chains. Similarly, the corresponding output port may also be coupled to the scan chains. The scan paths of the remaining scan input ports may be selected to bypass the scan chains of the scan partition, having their respective scan input ports connected directly to their respective scan output ports. Each scan partition may be reconfigurable.
US08301946B2 Inverted TCK access port selector with normal TCK data flip-flop
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatuses for allowing a controller to select and access different types of access ports in a device. The selecting and accessing of the access ports is achieved using only the dedicated TDI, TMS, TCK, and TDO signal terminals of the device. The selecting and accessing of device access ports can be achieved when a single device is connected to the controller, when multiple devices are placed in a daisy-chain arrangement and connected to the controller, or when multiple devices are placed in a addressable parallel arrangement and connected to the controller. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.
US08301941B2 Memory controller with loopback test interface
An apparatus may include an interconnect; at least one processor coupled to the interconnect; and at least one memory controller coupled to the interconnect. The memory controller may be programmable by the processor into a loopback test mode of operation and, in the loopback test mode, the memory controller may be configured to receive a first write operation from the processor over the interconnect. The memory controller may be configured to route write data from the first write operation through a plurality of drivers and receivers connected to a plurality of data pins that are capable of connection to one or more memory modules. The memory controller may be further configured to return the write data as read data on the interconnect for a first read operation received from the processor on the interconnect.
US08301940B2 Method for monitoring data processing system availability
A method, system, and product for monitoring the availability of a data processing system are proposed. The system runs a management application involving the periodic transmission of blocks of data from multiple local computers to a central computer. Whenever a block of data must be transmitted by a generic local computer, an expected transmission delay of a next block of data (with respect to the current one) is estimated and attached to the block of data. The central computer receiving the updated block of data can calculate an expected receiving time of the next block of data accordingly. If the next block of data is not received in due time, the central computer determines a failure of the local computer. The central computer also scans a subset of ports of the local computer, to ascertain whether the problem is due to a temporary unavailability of the application.
US08301939B2 Redundant data path
Disclosed are redundant data path(s) for transmission of graphical data between components in a graphical display system. The redundant data path(s) are used to transmit graphical data by at least two independent means, so that if a failure in one data path occurs, a data transmitted via a separate data path can be used for display. The system is particularly advantageous for multiple-serial-module configurations. The redundant data path(s) minimize disruption of data display and make repair and maintenance of the display system more efficient. The invention includes apparatus for graphical display systems, and also includes methods of data transmission for graphical display systems, and methods of maintenance of graphical display systems.
US08301938B2 Managing memory health
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with managing memory health are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes logic for detecting and correcting single bit memory errors. The example system may also include logic for selectively making unavailable a memory location associated with single bit memory errors.
US08301934B1 Commit-time timestamping of temporal rows
A base table temporal row affected by a transaction is timestamped. The temporal row has a row ID. The temporal row in the base table is modified according to the transaction. The row ID for the modified temporal row is associated with an identifier for the transaction in a temporal work table. Upon committing the transaction: the temporal work table is searched to determine the row ID of the temporal row modified by the transaction, and a commit-time is saved into the temporal row identified by the row ID.
US08301925B2 System and method to establish and dynamically control energy consumption in large-scale datacenters or it infrastructures
A system and method for establishing and dynamically controlling energy consumption in large-scale datacenters or IT infrastructures. The system including a primary configuration server, a router coupled to the primary configuration server, and a plurality of power-managed domains/clusters coupled to the router. The primary configuration server distributes an energy target to each of the power-managed domains/clusters over a predetermined interval to enable each of the power-managed domains/clusters to manage the power consumption for each of the power-managed domains/clusters to meet the energy target.
US08301922B2 System and method for policing bad powered devices in power over ethernet
A system and method for policing bad powered devices in power over Ethernet. Degradation of components within powered devices can lead to noise and ripple that exceed specified thresholds. This noise and ripple can adversely impact the operation of the power sourcing equipment. A noise detector implemented in the power sourcing equipment can detect the presence of such noise and ripple and modify the application of power to the particular port.
US08301919B2 System and method for implementing fairness in the powering of computing devices in a power over Ethernet application
A system and method for implementing fairness in the powering of computing devices in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. Power supplies in a power sourcing equipment are often oversubscribed. This oversubscription can lead to starvation of certain computing devices that have power requests that are not granted relative to competing requests. A fairness consideration can be implemented to ensure that starvation conditions are avoided.
US08301917B2 Method and apparatus for managing power from a sequestered partition of a processing system
A processing system may include a first processing unit for a legacy partition and a second processing unit for a sequestered partition. In one embodiment, a first interrupt handler in the legacy partition may support power management for the first processing unit. A second interrupt handler in the sequestered partition may cause the sequestered partition to take control of power management hardware in the processing system when the legacy partition enters reduced power mode. For example, the second interrupt handler may program the power management hardware to route interrupts to the second processing unit. The sequestered partition may relinquish control of power management hardware to the legacy partition when the legacy partition exits reduced power mode. A power policy manager in the sequestered partition may support features such as wake for incoming communications, wake to record, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08301911B2 Key storage administration
The present invention relates to a method and a system for allowing multiple applications to manage their respective data in a device (100, 200) having a secure environment (104, 204, 211) to which access is strictly controlled. The idea of the invention is that a storage area is allocated (301) within the secure environment (104, 204, 211) of a device (100, 200). The storage area is associated (302) with an identity of an application, the associated identity is stored (303) in the secure environment (104, 204, 211) and access to the storage area is controlled (304) by verifying correspondence between the associated identity and the identity of an accessing application. This is advantageous, since it is possible for the accessing application to read, write and modify objects, such as cryptographic keys, intermediate cryptographic calculation results and passwords, in the allocated storage area.
US08301907B2 Supporting advanced RAS features in a secured computing system
Systems and methods for enabling Reliability, Availability & Serviceability features after launching a secure environment under the control of LaGrande Technology (LT), or comparable security technology, without compromising security are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises adding at least one specific capability to a processor to enable at least one of CPU hot-plug, CPU migration, CPU hot removal and capacity on demand.
US08301899B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating password access to a device
A method of and apparatus for allowing a user to access an electronic device by entering a password from a first device having alphabetic letter keys and numerical digit keys and a second device having primarily numerical digit keys comprising creating an alphabetic letter conversion relationship between the alphabetic letter keys of the first device with the numerical digit keys of the second device, creating a numerical digit conversion relationship between the numerical digit keys of the first device with the numerical digit keys of the second device, receiving a first password entered from the first device having alphabetic letter keys and numerical digit keys, converting the first password to a second password that can be entered from the second device having primarily numerical digit keys by using the alphabetic letter conversion relationship and the numerical digit conversion relationship, and allowing a user to access the electronic device if the user enters the first password or the second password.
US08301898B2 Image processing system
The object is to enable a user to efficiently set a function for an image processing apparatus using a display medium he carries. When a user operates his mobile phone to activate a function setting information input program, an input screen for setting a function is displayed. When the user inputs function setting information, the mobile phone performs a code conversion for the function setting information to create a code image, and displays it on a display section. The user holds up the code image displayed on the mobile phone to a reading section of an image processing apparatus. The reading section reads the code image. The image processing apparatus performs authentication of the user, and then, it extracts the function setting information from the code image and sets a function. The image processing apparatus performs image processing in accordance with the function.
US08301894B2 Method and apparatus for applying digital signatures to translated content
A method (100) and a system (300) for applying digital signatures (206, 216, and 222) to translated content (and other content) can include a presentation (309) and a user interface presented on the presentation device. The system can further include at least one processor (307) that operates to create (102) the user interface in a first language as part of an application, enables (104) the entering of data into the user interface and the digital signing of the data by a first user, translates (106) the user interface to at least a second language, and presents (108) the data to at least a second user using the application. A recipient device can verify (110) the digital signatures where a verification of the digital signatures independently verifies a data signature (222), a user interface signature (206), and a translated user interface signature (216).
US08301883B2 Secure key management in conferencing system
A method for managing a conference between two or more parties comprises an identity based authenticated key exchange between a conference management element and each of the two or more parties seeking to participate in the conference. Messages exchanged between the conference management element and the two or more parties are encrypted based on respective identities of recipients of the messages. The method comprises the conference management element receiving from each party a random group key component. The random group key component is computed by each party based on a random number used by the party during the key authentication operation and random key components computed by a subset of others of the two or more parties seeking to participate in the conference. The conference management element sends to each party the random group key components computed by the parties such that each party can compute the same group key.
US08301880B2 Certificate enrollment with purchase to limit sybil attacks in peer-to-peer network
A system may protect against Sybil attacks on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network based on each one the nodes in the P2P network being identified by a corresponding certificate. In particular, a node may receive a license key, where the license key is evidence of a purchased product license. The node may transmit a message included in the license key to a certificate authority. The node may receive a certificate from the certificate authority in response to authentication of the message. The node may be identified in the P2P network with a node identifier included in the certificate.
US08301879B2 Conversation rights management
Conversation rights for multi-modal communications are managed and enforced in an enhanced communication system. Through physical and/or software components, rights are assigned to a communication session and related components upon user request. Permitted participants of the session are provided access tools such as decryption keys. Restrictions based on the assigned conversation rights are extended to preserved recordings and associated documents of the communication session.
US08301865B2 System and method to manage address translation requests
A system and method for servicing translation lookaside buffer (TLB) misses may manage separate input and output pipelines within a memory management unit. A pending request queue (PRQ) in the input pipeline may include an instruction-related portion storing entries for instruction TLB (ITLB) misses and a data-related portion storing entries for potential or actual data TLB (DTLB) misses. A DTLB PRQ entry may be allocated to each load/store instruction selected from the pick queue. The system may select an ITLB- or DTLB-related entry for servicing dependent on prior PRQ entry selection(s). A corresponding entry may be held in a translation table entry return queue (TTERQ) in the output pipeline until a matching address translation is received from system memory. PRQ and/or TTERQ entries may be deallocated when a corresponding TLB miss is serviced. PRQ and/or TTERQ entries associated with a thread may be deallocated in response to a thread flush.
US08301853B1 System and method for asynchronously mirroring data
A method and computer program product for a multicast data mirroring method including defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a first synchronous storage target and one or more asynchronous storage targets. The synchronous storage target is a member of a synchronously-mirrored storage group including at least a second synchronous storage target and a storage initiator device. A write request for storing a data segment within the synchronously-mirrored storage group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is written to the first synchronous storage target and the second synchronous storage target. The data segment is multicast to the asynchronous storage targets included within the multicast group.
US08301850B2 Memory system which writes data to multi-level flash memory by zigzag interleave operation
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory chip includes a first temporary memory and a first block, a second memory chip includes a second temporary memory and a second block, and a memory controller that controls writing of logical pages to the first and second memory chips. The memory controller forms a second unit having the same page number as the first unit by the first temporary memory and the lowermost physical page in the first block, forms a third unit having the same page number as the first unit by the second temporary memory and the lowermost physical page in the second block, and writes the logical pages by an interleave operation in order of the second unit, the third unit, the first unit in the first block, and the first unit in the second block.
US08301847B2 Managing concurrent accesses to a cache
Various embodiments of the present invention manage concurrent accesses to a resource in a parallel computing environment. A plurality of locks is assigned to manage concurrent access to a plurality of parts of a resource. A usage of at least one of the plurality of parts of the resource is monitored. The assignment of the plurality of locks to the plurality of parts of the resource is modified based on the usage that has been monitored.
US08301846B2 Integrated memory control apparatus
An integrated memory control apparatus including a first interface decoder, a second interface decoder and an interface controller is provided. Wherein, the first interface decoder is coupled to a control chip through a first serial peripheral interface (SPI), the second interface decoder is coupled to a micro-processor unit through a general transmission interface, and the interface controller is coupled to a memory through a second SPI. When the interface controller receives the request signals from the control chip and the micro-processor unit, the control chip may correctly read data from the memory through the first and second SPI. On the other hand, the micro-processor unit may stop reading data from the memory through the general transmission interface. Therefore, the control chip and the micro-processor unit may share the same memory.
US08301842B2 Efficient pseudo-LRU for colliding accesses
An apparatus for allocating entries in a set associative cache memory includes an array that provides a first pseudo-least-recently-used (PLRU) vector in response to a first allocation request from a first functional unit. The first PLRU vector specifies a first entry from a set of the cache memory specified by the first allocation request. The first vector is a tree of bits comprising a plurality of levels. Toggling logic receives the first vector and toggles predetermined bits thereof to generate a second PLRU vector in response to a second allocation request from a second functional unit generated concurrently with the first allocation request and specifying the same set of the cache memory specified by the first allocation request. The second vector specifies a second entry different from the first entry from the same set. The predetermined bits comprise bits of a predetermined one of the levels of the tree.
US08301841B2 Method and system for caching terminology data
A method for caching terminology data, including steps of: receiving a terminology request; determining that the terminology request is related to at least one uncached terminology concept; retrieving a complete concept set of the terminology concept as a cache unit, wherein the complete concept set includes the terminology concept, all other terminology concepts which are directly correlated or indirectly correlated through a non-transitive relationship to the terminology concept, properties of each terminology concept, and the non-transitive relationship between each terminology concept; retrieving transitive relationship information for the complete concept set, the transitive relationship information at least including identifiers of terminology concepts which are correlated through the transitive relationship to each terminology concept in the complete concept set; and caching the cache unit and the transitive relationship information of the cache unit. A corresponding device caches terminology data.
US08301833B1 Non-volatile memory module
Certain embodiments described herein include a memory system which can communicate with a host system such as a disk controller of a computer system. The memory system can include volatile and non-volatile memory and a controller which are configured such that the controller backs up the volatile memory using the non-volatile memory in the event of a trigger condition. In order to power the system in the event of a power failure or reduction, the memory system can include a secondary power source which is not a battery and may include, for example, a capacitor or capacitor array. The memory system can be configured such that the operation of the volatile memory is not adversely affected by the non-volatile memory or the controller when the volatile memory is interacting with the host system.
US08301827B2 Data read method for processing a plurality of host read commands, and flash memory controller and storage system using the same
A data read method for reading data to be accessed by a host system from a plurality of flash memory modules is provided. The data read method includes receiving command queuing information related to a plurality of host read commands from the host system, each of the host read commands is corresponding to one of a plurality of data input/output buses coupled to the flash memory modules. The data read method also includes re-arranging the host read commands and generating a command giving sequence according to the data input/output buses corresponding to the host read commands. The data read method further includes sequentially receiving and processing the host read commands from the host system according to the command giving sequence and pre-reading data corresponding to a second host read command. Thereby, the time for executing the host read commands can be effectively shortened.
US08301825B2 Method and system for storing logical data blocks into flash-blocks in multiple non-volatile memories which are connected to at least one common data I/O bus
For recording or replaying in real-time digital HDTV signals very fast memories are required. For storage of streaming HD video data NAND flash memory based systems can be used. However, NAND flash memories have a slow write access, and they have unmasked production defects. Write or read operations can be carried out on complete physical data blocks only, and defect data blocks must not be used by the file system. Logical file system blocks are used which are larger than the physical data blocks. According to the invention the error reporting mechanism of the NAND flash memories is exploited. The video data is not only written to the non-volatile flash memories, but is also written to corresponding buffer slots (LFSB) of a volatile SRAM or DRAM memory operating in parallel. The video data are kept in the volatile memory until the flash memory holding the respective data has reported that its program or write operation succeeded. Once this has taken place, the data within the volatile memory can be overwritten in order to save memory capacity. If the flash memory has reported an error, the respective block (FSBD) of data is marked bad and will not be overwritten until the end of the entire recorded take has been reached. At this time, the marked video data from the volatile memory are copied to spare flash-blocks within the flash memories.
US08301819B2 Method and system for docking a laptop with ethernet A/V bridging to guarantee services
Methods and systems for docking a laptop with Ethernet A/V bridging to guarantee services are disclosed and may include interfacing a portable computing device with a docking station using an Ethernet interface, and utilizing audio/video (AV) bridging for communicating data between the portable computing device and one or more devices coupled to the docking station. AV bridging may be utilized based on latency requirements of the data communication. The interfacing may include directly coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device. Alternatively, the interfacing may include coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device via an Ethernet cable. The portable computing device may be powered via the Ethernet interface, and may utilize power over Ethernet protocol. The docking station may include a passive or active docking station.
US08301814B2 Management of storage media device connected to a root hub
Improves ease of operation by making it easier for the operator to view and select storage media devices connected to a computer unit. Provides a computer unit with a USB root hub and running an operating system that has the function of managing a storage media device connected to the root hub directly or indirectly via a hub. The unit includes a topology configuration portion that, when the hub is connected to a port of the root hub and the storage media device is connected to the hub, configures the hub as a virtual drive and sets up a connection whereby a folder corresponding to the storage media device is placed in the virtual drive; and a display controller that displays on a display device a directory list DP of the connections that were configured by the topology configuration portion.
US08301811B1 Techniques for performing online data migration while effectively migrating SCSI reservations between source and target arrays
A technique migrates data from a source array to a target array while preserving SCSI reservation compliance. The technique involves providing an active-to-passive instruction to the source array while a first SCSI reservation enables hosts to access data on the source array using MPIO software. The active-to-passive instruction directs the source array to transition devices from active mode to passive mode and, upon receipt of a next SCSI instruction, output an indicator indicating that the first SCSI reservation has been cleared. The technique further involves transitioning devices of the target array from passive mode to active mode and beginning a data transfer operation which transfers data from the source array to the target array. The technique further involves automatically effectuating formation of a second SCSI reservation in place of the first SCSI reservation, the second SCSI reservation providing host access to the data on the target array using MPIO software.
US08301808B2 Information processing apparatus, peripheral device control method, and storage medium
The view language of a specific application can be adaptively switched in response to a language switching request from a user. If the user selects the specific application via a user interface on a peripheral device management screen, it is determined whether view language information having been set matches view language information designated and received as an argument when the specific application is selected. If it is determined that the view language information having been set does not match the view language information designated and received as the argument, view language information set beforehand in a storage unit is replaced by the view language information designated and received as the argument.
US08301804B2 Providing ring protection for access networks
According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more hub interfaces and one or more processors. A hub interface is coupled to an access network element of a ring network comprising a number of access network elements. The ring network comprises a pair of rings: a first ring traveling in a first direction and a second ring traveling in a second direction. The processors perform the following for each access network element: facilitate establishing a pair of point-to-point logical connections to couple a access network element to a hub interface at a corresponding dedicated bandwidth, a first connection traveling along the first ring, a second connection traveling along the second ring; facilitate establishing a pair of tunnels on the pair of point-to-point connections; and utilize the tunnels to protect the ring network.
US08301789B2 Techniques for port hopping
Techniques for port hopping are presented. A sender and a receiver engage in a communication session with one another and dynamically switch ports during that communication session. A decision to switch ports is based on a data length or packet count of a given transaction occurring during the communication session. The data length and packet count randomly and dynamically change during the communication session and varies from one transaction to another transaction. Any particular port to switch to during the communication session is also randomly and dynamically generated and varies from one transaction to another transaction.
US08301788B2 Deterministic finite automata (DFA) instruction
A computer-readable instruction is described for traversing deterministic finite automata (DFA) graphs to perform a pattern search in the in-coming packet data in real-time. The instruction includes one or more pre-defined fields. One of the fields includes a DFA graph identifier for identifying one of several previously-stored DFA graphs. Another one of the fields includes an input reference for identifying input data to be processed using the identified DFA graphs. Yet another one of the fields includes an output reference for storing results generated responsive to the processed input data. The instructions are forwarded to a DFA engine adapted to process the input data using the identified DFA graph and to provide results as instructed by the output reference.
US08301780B2 Client-based solution for seamless access to applications across networks
A client-based solution for seamless access to applications across networks is agnostic to the inter-network mix of application architectures with or without IMS. In one embodiment, the presence of an added layer of intelligence effectively traverses and is agnostic to the various standards layers.
US08301776B2 Switched stream server architecture
A method for allocating content requests to a server pool includes directing a stream requesting a novel title to one of a least-busy server in a server pool and a least-miss-traffic server in the server pool; setting the server to which the novel title was directed to the requested title's preferred server; directing a stream requesting a familiar title to the title's preferred server; and directing a stream requesting a crowded title to one of a least-busy server and the least-miss-traffic server.
US08301773B2 Server management program, server management method, and server management apparatus
A server management program, a server management method, and a server management apparatus that allows an environment for providing a service corresponding to a server group for executing processing in cooperation with a server computer to be formed automatically in a standby server computer added to the server group. An image data collector collects disk image data from server computers and stores the data in an image data storage section. When an instruction to add a server computer to a server group is received, an image data addition section obtains the disk image data from the image data storage section and copies the data onto a disk of the server computer to be added. A configuration setup section sets up unique information of a mating server computer having a processing request relationship, in the server computer to be added, in accordance with processing request relationships among the server computers included in the different server groups.
US08301772B2 Method and apparatus for allocating resources among backup tasks in a data backup system
Method and apparatus for allocating resources among backup tasks in a data backup system is described. One aspect of the invention relates to managing backup tasks in a computer network. An estimated resource utilization is established for each of the backup tasks based on a set of backup statistics. A resource reservation is allocated for each of the backup tasks based on the estimated resource utilization thereof. The resource reservation of each of the backup tasks is dynamically changed during performance thereof.
US08301767B1 System, method and computer program product for controlling network communications based on policy compliance
A policy management system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, information is received over a network relating to at least one subset of computers that are at least potentially out of compliance with a policy. Further, such information is sent to a plurality of the computers, utilizing the network. To this end, network communication involving the at least one subset of computers is capable of being controlled utilizing the information.
US08301765B2 Event detection and response using rich network content
A server device may receive a notification indicating that an event has occurred, where the notification specifies an area associated with the event. The server device may further send a request for network content in response to the notification; receive the network content for each of a group of user devices, where the network content includes a location for each of the group of user devices and incident information for each of the group of user devices; generate geo fence information based on the area associated with the event, the geo fence information including boundaries for a geo fence that surrounds the location of the event; generate state information, associated with the geo fence, for a user device, of the group of user devices, located within the boundaries for the geo fence, where the state information includes the location for the user device; and send, to another server device, the state information for the user device.
US08301751B2 Generation of a master schedule for a resource from a plurality of user created schedules for the resource
A plurality of user defined schedules are received for collecting data on a plurality of resources. A schedule is generated for data collection on at least one resource, based on processing the plurality of user defined schedules to eliminate redundant data collection on the at least one resource. Operations are executed on the at least one resource in accordance with the generated schedule.
US08301750B2 Apparatus, system, and method for facilitating communication between an enterprise information system and a client
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for assuring delivery of an Enterprise Information System (EIS) event to a client. An adapter apparatus polls at least one EIS for an event. The event is staged to a staging table, consisting of an XA-compliant database, in preparation for delivery to the client. The status of the event is marked and the event is delivered to the client. Events delivered to clients that are unresponsive or otherwise unavailable are held until the clients become responsive and then the events are delivered. Delivery of events is confirmed using a transaction service.
US08301745B1 Remote network device management
An apparatus includes a network port and a switch management processor. The network port receives packets over a network, where the packets include a management packet and a trigger packet. The switch management processor executes a command in selected management packets received over the network when a trigger pattern generated based on the trigger packet matches a bit pattern stored in memory. The bit pattern is stored in the memory during a predetermined period after the management packet is received. The predetermined period is selected based on a desired security level.
US08301740B2 Autonomic control of a distributed computing system using dynamically assembled resource chains
In general, this disclosure describes techniques of managing resources in a service-oriented distributed computing system. As described in this disclosure, one or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of resources within the distributed computing system. In order to provide automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources, a control node uses a set of governors. This set of governors includes a set of service governors to govern services used in the distributed computing system. The set of governors also includes a set of resource governors that govern individual resources of the services in the distributed computing system. The service governors and the resource governors may be implemented using finite state machines.
US08301728B2 Technique for providing a reliable trust indicator to a webpage
A technique is provided for providing a trust indicator for a particular webpage. The trust indicator may indicate whether publishers of web content and/or end-users trust the content of the particular webpage and whether the particular webpage is popular. A user requests, via a web browser a webpage to be displayed. A process associated with the webpage requests a value to be displayed along with the webpage. The value may indicate 1) a number of links that link to the webpage, 2) a number of user-created tags that have been associated with the webpage, or 3) a trust rank that a web crawler associates with the webpage. A trust rank may be based, at least in part, on user-created tags that have been associated with the webpage. A value may also be associated with an advertisement that is displayed along with a particular webpage.
US08301723B2 Computer to handheld device virtualization system
A method on a handheld device is provided. The method comprises sending a request from the handheld device to initiate an application on a host computer, receiving data related to the application from the host computer at the handheld device, and displaying the data in a view of the application appearing on the handheld device.
US08301716B2 Interface for a multi-processor gateway apparatus and method for using the same
An interface for a multi-processor gateway apparatus and method for using the same. A user device communicates with a multi-processor gateway apparatus over a wired or wireless path. A first processor within the multi-processor gateway apparatus provides the user device a user interface. The user interface allows the user to select a function that is managed by one of the multiple processors. If the selected function is assigned to the first processor, the function is performed by the first. However, if the selected function is performed by one of the other processors, the first processor executes calls to an API layer associated with the processor assigned to perform the requested function. The requested function is performed by the processor to which it is assigned and the results reported to the first processor. The first processor then provides the results of the request to the user device via the path.
US08301714B2 Method and system for networking
A method of wirelessly networking a system of at least first and second communication nodes includes obtaining a common power source for the at least first and second communication nodes, switching on the common power source, and establishing a power-up time. Each of the first and second communication nodes is capable of tracking the time since the power-up time. The method includes sending a start signal from one of the first and second communication nodes, wherein the start signal occurs after the power-up time and includes at least information of the elapsed time since the power up time. The method includes networking the other of the first and second communication nodes with the one of the first and second communication nodes sending the start signal, if the elapsed time of the other of the first and second communication nodes approximately matches the elapsed time provided in the start signal.
US08301713B2 Handheld electronic device and associated method providing time data in a messaging environment
An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances.
US08301700B1 System and method for event-driven live migration of multi-process applications
A system for event-driven live migration of applications between two or more servers. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. Event driven live migration is provided through a combination of process replication, logging, barrier synchronization, reliable messaging and message playback. The event driven live migration is transparent to the application and requires no modification to the application, operating system, networking stack or libraries.
US08301698B2 Voting in chat system without topic-specific rooms
A method, system and graphical user interface for a chat system is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes receiving from respective users feedback data regarding the received messages or authors of the received messages and providing the feedback to the respective authors.
US08301697B2 Adaptive streaming of conference media and data
A distributed system for distributing conferencing data such as video, audio, and other conference data. The distributed system includes a conference data dispatch system, multiple conference participant computing systems, and a network distribution path through which conference data may be distributed from the conference data dispatch system to the various conference participant computing systems. The conference data is segmented. Each segment is encoded to be suitable to a particular class of participant computing systems. The encoded segments may be cached in an intermediary computing system to thereby avoid a strict unicast model for distributing conference data.
US08301691B2 Server apparatus, network system, data transfer method, and program
Disclosed is a server apparatus including a registration means for associating a first apparatus with a plurality of second apparatuses as the control targets thereof, and registering the first apparatus and the plurality of second apparatuses associated, a constant connection session establishment means for establishing a constant connection session with each of the plurality of second apparatuses, a request reception means for receiving from the first apparatus a first request to transfer data between the plurality of second apparatuses, and a request transmission means for transmitting a second request to directly transfer data between the plurality of second apparatuses to one of the plurality of second apparatuses through the constant connection session in response to the received first request.
US08301688B2 Service server
A service server can be operated in a more practical rate structure by extending the storage period and/or reducing the recording fee for information having a high utilization factor, or increasing the recording fee for information with a low utilization factor among the information stored in the service server. The service server includes a receiving device which receives the image information from a communication device on the information supplier side and records a recording fee of the received information, a transmitting and receiving device which transmits the information recorded in the recording device to a communication device on the information demander side upon an information service request from the information demander side, a counting device (information processing device) which counts an information service number from the information demander side, a recording device which records the counted information service number to be associated with the information supplier, and a recording fee calculating device (information processing device) which calculates a recording fee by reducing or increasing the recording fee recorded in the recording device.
US08301685B2 Method and apparatus for managing transmission of TCP data segments
A communication device is arranged to transmit data segments over an interface, wherein the communication device comprises transmission management logic. In response to receipt of a data segment for transmission over the interface, the transmission management logic is arranged to determine a sequence number of a data segment to be transmitted and compare the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted with at least one pending sequence number of a previous data segment. Based on the comparison, the transmission management logic either discards the data segment to be transmitted if the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted matches the at least one pending sequence number of the previous data segment; or adds the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted to the at least one pending sequence number and transmits the data segment over the interface if the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted does not match the at least one pending sequence number.
US08301684B2 User challenge using information based on geography or user identity
Example embodiments of methods and apparatus for challenging an online user. In an example embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an online service provider, a request from a user to access one or more features of an online service running on a host server and also receiving an indication of a geography associated with the user. The example method further includes sending, to the user, information associated with the indicated geography in combination with information not associated with the indicated geography and a request that the user select the information associated with the indicated geography from the combined information or select the information not associated with the indicated geography from the combined information. The example method still further includes receiving, at the online service provider, a selection from the user and, in the event the selection correctly corresponds with the request, allowing the user access to the one or more features.
US08301681B1 Specialized processing block for programmable logic device
A specialized processing block for a programmable logic device includes circuitry for performing multiplications and sums thereof, as well as circuitry for performing floating point operations. The floating point circuitry preferably includes rounding and normalization circuitry. To perform mantissa multiplications, the floating point circuitry preferably relies on the aforementioned multipliers of the specialized processing block.
US08301678B2 Method and device for fast correlation calculation
The field of the invention is that of the reception of a radionavigation signal originating from a satellite positioning system such as the GPS system. The present invention concerns a method for calculating correlations between a first sequence and a second sequence, said first sequence and said second sequence having a duration DCode, the first sequence being extracted from a digital signal comprising a code, said code comprising elementary time divisions, called chips, of mean duration Dchip, said chips being synchronized with pulses delivered by an NCO oscillator at the mean frequency 2/Dchip, the second sequence resulting from a sampling at a frequency Fe of an analog signal, the frequency Fe being greater than 2/Dchip. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of aggregating samples of the second sequence, over consecutive integration intervals of duration equal on average to Dchip/2, starting at each pulse of the NCO oscillator, so as to determine results of elementary aggregates.
US08301672B2 GPU assisted garbage collection
A system and method for efficient garbage collection. A general-purpose central processing unit (CPU) sends a garbage collection request and a first log to a special processing unit (SPU). The first log includes an address and a data size of each allocated data object stored in a heap in memory corresponding to the CPU. The SPU has a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) parallel architecture and may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). The SPU efficiently performs operations of a garbage collection algorithm due to its architecture on a local representation of the data objects stored in the memory. The SPU records a list of changes it performs to remove dead data objects and compact live data objects. This list is subsequently sent to the CPU, which performs the included operations.
US08301670B2 Managing snapshot storage pools
Various embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and a method of managing a snapshot storage pool (SSP) associated with a storage unit of a distributed data storage system. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a logic module and a processor. The logic module may be adapted to provide a threshold corresponding to a ratio between a current amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP and a total storage capacity defined for the SSP. The processor may be adapted to trigger an action that may be effective for managing the SSP in response to the amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP crossing the threshold.
US08301665B2 Accelerated drill-through on association rules
A method, system and computer program product for processing data relating to transactions that enables, for example, performing a Drill-Through on a given association rule for a large number of transactions in a short period of time. A Drill-Through (DT) Preparation, which generates the prefix tree and the transaction group information, and the DT Execution, which determines the transactions supporting an association rule, may be carried out in order to extract hidden information from input data.
US08301655B2 Wireless sensing system and method thereof
A wireless sensing system and a method thereof are provided. The wireless sensing system includes: a data processing center; and a first sensor module for processing a first source data into a first dynamic counting sketch data structure. The first dynamic counting sketch data structure has a bit length determined based on the first source data. The data processing center estimates the first source data based on the first dynamic counting sketch data.
US08301652B2 Parallel algorithm to implement temporal aggregate queries
A method executed by a plurality of processors in a database system to implement temporal aggregate queries. The database system has a temporal table. A plurality of consecutive temporal partitions are defined and allocated to the respective processors. A query is received to aggregate at least one attribute of the temporal table. In response to the query, a plurality of timestamps are identified in the temporal table, the respective timestamps are allocated to the respective temporal partitions, the value changes in the at least one attribute at the plural timestamps are computed within each partition using the respective processors to which each partition is allocated, and the value changes within each partition are aggregated using the respective processors to which each partition is allocated to produce an aggregate value for the query.
US08301650B1 Bloom filter compaction
Systems and methods for Bloom filter compaction are described herein. A method embodiment includes reading a data corpus, inserting a plurality of data items from the data corpus into a Bloom filter, determining a number of the data items inserted, calculating a desired filter size based on the number, and constructing a compact Bloom filter based on the desired filter size. Another method embodiment includes generating a second bit vector from a first bit vector associated with a first Bloom filter, generating an empty second Bloom filter of a size based on the first bit vector, dividing the first Bloom filter's bit vector into a plurality of slices, and setting the second Bloom filter's bits based on an evaluation of the corresponding bits in each slice of the first Bloom filter's bit vector.
US08301643B2 Creation of highly available pseudo-clone standby servers for rapid failover provisioning
Near clones for a set of targeted computing systems are provided by determining a highest common denominator set of components among the computing systems, producing a pseudo-clone configuration definition, and realizing one or more pseudo-clone computing systems as partially configured backups for the targeted computing systems. Upon a planned failover, actual failure, or quarantine action on a targeted computing system, a difference configuration is determined to complete the provisioning of the pseudo-clone system to serve as a replacement system for the failed or quarantined system. Failure predictions can be used to implement the pseudo-clone just prior to an expected first failure of any of the targeted systems. The system can also interface to an on-demand provisioning management system to effect automated workflows to realize pseudo-clones and replacement systems automatically, as needed.
US08301641B2 Method of collecting information for a geographic database for use with a navigation system
A method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A feature visible from a road segment is identified. A guidance feature point object is defined at a location at the road segment where the identified feature is most visibly prominent. Additionally, an importance rating and a preferred name for the identified feature are determined. Data representing the guidance feature point object, importance rating and the preferred name are stored in the geographic database on a computer readable medium.
US08301638B2 Automated feature selection based on rankboost for ranking
A method using a RankBoost-based algorithm to automatically select features for further ranking model training is provided. The method reiteratively applies a set of ranking candidates to a training data set comprising a plurality of ranking objects having a known pairwise ranking order. Each round of iteration applies a weight distribution of ranking object pairs, yields a ranking result by each ranking candidate, identifies a favored ranking candidate for the round based on the ranking results, and updates the weight distribution to be used in next iteration round by increasing weights of ranking object pairs that are poorly ranked by the favored ranking candidate. The method then infers a target feature set from the favored ranking candidates identified in the iterations.
US08301633B2 System and method for semantic search
Systems and methods for semantic search are provided. A corpus of information grouped into passages are indexed by semantic key terms generated from packed knowledge representations that document the semantic relationships of information within those passages. When a search is conducted, a query is similarly transformed into a packed knowledge representation that documents the semantic relationships from which semantic key terms are also generated. An inverted index relating the semantic key terms associated to the passages is searched using the semantic key terms generated from the query. A set of candidate passages is selected and refined by analysis of the semantic key terms and other information. The semantic representations associated with the set of candidate passages are then matched to the semantic representation of the query to determine a search result set.
US08301626B2 Method and apparatus for maintaining and processing provenance data in data stream processing system
Techniques are disclosed for maintaining and processing provenance data in such data stream processing systems. For example, a method for processing data associated with a data stream received by a data stream processing system, wherein the system comprises a plurality of processing elements, comprising the following steps. A portion of data associated with the data stream is maintained. The maintained data comprises inputs to each processing element that contributed to an output of each processing element. In response to an alert generated by one of the processing elements, a scheduler is triggered to determine when a pre-calculation of a prospective query related to the alert should be executed. In response to the scheduler, at least a portion of the maintained data is used to determine a set of data that contributed to the alert such that the alert-contributing set of data can be used to respond to the prospective query upon arrival thereof.
US08301622B2 Identity analysis and correlation
An identity analysis and correlation service system can include a summary manager service for generating identity correlation summaries pertaining to a persona, wherein the generated identity correlation summaries are based on discovered content corresponding to the persona and analyzed content corresponding to the discovered content. The system can include a content search manager service for generating the discovered content based on search criteria and a semantic analysis service for generating the analyzed content. The system can also include a data store for storing the generated identity correlation summaries and a notification service for providing a notification based on the generated identity correlation summaries.
US08301609B1 Collision detection and data corruption protection during an on-line database reorganization
A method for identifying a set of records in a database for relocation during an on-line database reorganization (ODBR) process. The relocating includes, for each of the records in the set: requesting a record reorganization lock (RRL) on the record, receiving the RRL, retrieving data from the current location of the record, storing the data in the new location of the record, and releasing the RRL. A request is received to update a target record in the set of records with updated data. The receiving of the request is from an application and overlaps in time with at least a portion of the relocating. Independent of the application, a RRL is received on the target record and the target record is updated by writing target data to the target record in the current location and writing the target data to the target record in the new location.
US08301606B2 Data management method and apparatus
In a data management method using a hierarchical folder structure where an item such as data or a folder can be registered in multiple folders, attribute information is appended to each relational data piece that represents a pair of a child item that is either data or a folder registered in a folder and a parent folder in which the child item has been registered. This attribute information is referred to when a single child item has been registered in multiple parent folders, in order to select one of the multiple parent folders. By selecting a relational data piece based on the attribute information so that each child item can be registered in a single parent folder, at least part of the hierarchical folder structure is converted into a tree structure where a single child item belongs to a single folder.
US08301599B2 Cluster arrangement
A cluster arrangement having a first network, at least two data processing systems which each form an application node and which each have an operating system, and an application agent on each application node, which application agent is operable to monitor and identify entities executed on the application node; start a new entity or restart an entity which has been terminated prematurely on the application node; assess and decide whether it is possible to execute a new entity on the application node; send a request for execution of an entity to application agents at application nodes connected to the network; and report to application agents at application nodes connected to the network following an acceptance of the request for execution of an entity.
US08301595B2 Using AMQP for replication
A message-based replication system hosted by a first directory server receives update data describing an update to be made to a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP)-based database that is coupled to the first directory server and determines whether the data is received from an advanced message queuing protocol (AMQP) server. The message-based replication system converts the update data into LDAP data format based on a determination that the update data is received from the AMQP server and updates the database using the LDAP update data. The message-based replication system updates the database using the received update data based on a determination that the update data is not received from the AMQP server, converts the update data into wire level data format, and publishes the wire level update data to the AMQP server to allow a second directory server that subscribes to the AMQP server to obtain data representing the update.
US08301575B2 Method and device for the recognition of the position or movement of a device or a person
This method uses two sets of sensors to estimate certain characteristics of the movement of a device or a person or states, especially postures, they adopt. A first, abundant, set of sensors (1) is removed after a learning phase where it records with certainty the states obtained by interpreting first decisional rules. The measurements of a second set of sensors (2), much more restricted than the first, are correlated to the states reached during the learning period by second decisional rules automatically obtained by supplying a classifier. They are then interpreted to determine the new states reached by the wearer just by means of the second sensors. The results are good in spite of the low number of second sensors, thanks to the accuracy of the second decisional rules.
US08301563B2 Emerging trends lifecycle management
A process (and corresponding system) that defines sequential steps for the introduction, validation, and testing of business applications of emerging technologies, for example mobile banking services, is provided. The innovation provides a definable model and process for rapid innovation with a quality emphasis through efficient pipeline management and performance measurements. For example, the innovation can adhere to an enterprise's e-commerce requirements for a formalized and measurable structure to efficiently and diligently manage new ideas that have the potential to become new products and services that positively impact business.
US08301555B2 Pre-approved customer acceptance validation
In general, embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for producing a financial offer that is specific to a customer and storing the electronic acceptance and authentication of the acceptance in a digital medium. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to identifying a customer, providing a financial offer that is specific to that customer, and electronically storing both the authentication of the identity of the customer and the accompanying acceptance of the financial offer.
US08301551B2 System and method of implementing massive early terminations of long term financial contracts
A method of and system for terminating or assigning outstanding OTC derivative transactions between a plurality of financial institutions (banks). The system comprises: a processing station arranged to receive transaction data describing a plurality of transactions from a plurality of banks via the Internet. The processing station comprises: a linking module for linking different versions of the same transaction received from different parties to that transaction; an analysis module for determining a set of linked transactions between a plurality of different banks, wherein each bank has debts and claims towards other banks in the set; a calculation module arranged to calculate an aggregated value of each set of linked transactions and select the set of linked transactions which has an aggregated value within bank-specified tolerance limits acceptable for executing a termination; and an execution module for executing a termination or assignment of the selected set of linked transactions.
US08301549B2 System and method for improved distribution of market information
A data distribution system and method are described herein to improve the distribution of market information to subscribing client devices. Market information updates are provided to subscribing devices over a communication link every time a change in the market occurs. If a bandwidth limitation is reached on the communication link, the preferred embodiments switch to a second mode of transmission such that the market information updates are provided only at predetermined intervals. The preferred embodiment monitors the bandwidth consumption to determine what mode of transmission to apply, and in response, it can dynamically change between modes of transmission. By dynamically adjusting the mode of transmission to comport with the current network bandwidth, the preferred embodiments may provide a network friendly, data intensive, and fast response market information feed.
US08301548B1 Methods and systems related to securities trading
One exemplary aspect comprises: (a) receiving data describing an executed trading order in a market traded security and related trade execution data; (b) estimating a price of the market traded security if the executed trading order had not been executed, based in part on the data describing the executed trading order; and (c) transmitting the impact-free price estimate. At least one other aspect comprises: (a) receiving data describing a potential trading order and related market data; (b) calculating an impact-free price estimate which estimates an execution price of the potential trading order if the potential trading order were to be executed without market impact, wherein the impact-free price estimate is based in part on the data describing the potential trading order; and (c) transmitting data sufficient to describe the impact-free price estimate.
US08301545B1 Method and apparatus of analyzing social network data to identify a financial market trend
In general, the present disclosure includes a system, method and architecture for use in analyzing content of a social network data to identify a financial market trend, e.g., a trend associated with a financial market instrument.
US08301540B2 Neutral price improvement
Electronic trading systems and methods are provided that permit traders to submit price improvement orders that are traded at predetermined pricing increments and that maintain a position in a trading stack based on the size of other orders already existing in the stack at the time the order is submitted. This type of price improvement relates to neutral price improvement according to the invention. Neutral price improvement represents an option that permits a trader to opt out of being subjected to the trading rules and/or scheme governing a particular feature (e.g., price improvement), yet still permit traders to engage in competitive trading. In such a system, the trading rules may be applied generally to all orders in the system, except for orders submitted with the neutral price improvement option.
US08301538B2 System and method for selecting securities for an investment portfolio
Methods and systems for selecting and weighting securities for an actively managed exchange-traded fund. An initial selection of stocks includes domestic or international stocks, which are selected based at least in part on market capitalization. Each stock is scored using a plurality of growth and value factors to generate one or more growth scores and one or more value scores. A selection score is determined for each stock, and the stocks are ranked according to selection scores. A predetermined amount of stocks are eliminated from the stock portfolio based on selection score ranking, and the remaining stocks are split into a plurality of sub-groups. A stock portfolio is generated by weighting the remaining stocks according to the sub-groups they are in, with each stock being equally weighted within its sub-group. An exchange-traded fund is offered to consumers based on the stock portfolio.
US08301528B2 Procurement system managing off-contract internet purchases
A procurement system permits routine purchases through approved vendors in a catalog as well as off-catalog purchases via the web, the latter using a web access program that captures product information from the web to invoke the approval process normally used for catalog purchases.
US08301526B2 Method for maximizing retirement income using financial bridge products and deferred social security income
The present invention provides a method for maximizing retirement income using bridge annuities and deferred Social Security income. Financial information about a client is gathered, in addition to financial information about the client's spouse, if applicable. A variety of income scenarios are modeled using the financial information and a plurality of income models, each model including income from a bridge product and deferred Social Security income. Alternate funding approaches are projected using the financial information, and the modeled scenarios are compared to the alternate funding approaches to determine the optimal scenario for maximizing retirement income. The client can then purchase a bridge product in accordance with the optimal scenario.
US08301525B2 Method and system for managing communication of information
A method and system of managing communication of information to a destination utilizes computer hardware and software and a client-server architecture. The system receives information in file form, such as ASCII file form, via a file transfer service and/or in message-based form, such as SWIFT and/or ISITC messages, via a message network. The information that is received in message-based form is converted to file form by a message to file converter and translated by a message format library to an intermediary file format, and the information that is received in file form is also translated to the intermediary format by a message format library. The intermediary file format information can be aggregated and sorted, and is then translated to a preferred file format of the destination and sent to the destination.
US08301521B2 Mechanism for tracking traffic statistics on a per packet basis to enable variable price billing
A method, system and computer program product for generating variable price billing whereby a customer may balance its data traffic in response to such billing. A subsystem in an edge gateway may extract the packet header from a copy of a received packet of data associated with a session between a customer and a server and generate a key based on the extracted packet header. The key may be used to index into a table that may store pointers to particular statistics records associated with particular sessions. Once the subsystem identifies the statistics record associated with the current session, the subsystem may execute a per packet statistics update for the statistics record associated with the session. A per packet statistics update may include one or more of the following: time stamping arrival of the packet, updating packet count, updating byte count, determining transfer rate, determining distance packet traveled.
US08301520B1 Tax return signature systems and methods
The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax professional. Signature and review service options that are available from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system or tax software.
US08301514B1 System, method, and computer readable medium for providing recommendations based on purchase phrases
Purchase phrases can be analyzed to infer user interests. A purchase phrase can include one or more user-defined textual words that a user employs to purchase items in an expedited manner. Many users' purchase phrases may include words that reflect the users' interests, such as “golf” or “rose.” Users with similar purchase phrases may therefore be interested in purchasing similar items. A recommendation system can therefore find items purchased with similar phrases to a target user's purchase phrase and then recommend these items to the target user.
US08301508B2 On-line auction method across multiple auction sites
A computerized system and method for conducting electronic online auctions, which creates a perception of scarcity in the marketplace enhancing the demand for and marketability of the goods while minimizing the exposure time of the goods in the marketplace. The present invention improves the efficiency for conducting the liquidation sale of goods by directing the goods to auction venues having specific market parameters that will generate the highest bid. The present invention also provides suppliers with a dynamic market for expeditiously liquidating merchandise without undue exposure of their goods to the general market. The present invention is easily scalable on both its supply and demand end. The liquidation sale of merchandise is controlled by limiting the amount of available merchandise supplied to each auction venue. Furthermore, the metering of the auction merchandise is controlled as a function of both the product characteristic and the auction parameters.
US08301497B2 Method and system for media initialization via data sharing
A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium estimate media performance on advertising space inventory. The method selects at least one media cell that shares one or more common attributes with a target media cell. The method subsequently estimates mean revenue per impression (RPI) of the selected media cell, and then defines an initial estimate of a RPI of the target media cell based on the estimated RPI of the selected cell. The method computes the RPI of the target media cell by combining the initial RPI estimate for the target media cell with performance data associated with the target media cell.
US08301488B2 Determination of decision support data concerning customer satisfaction improvement techniques
In relation to an entity such as a business having customers, a determination is made of at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value associated with increasing customer satisfaction of at least one customer by a fixed increment relative to a satisfaction scale. Based on the at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value, decision support data corresponding to a plurality of customer satisfaction improvement techniques is then determined, which decision support data may be presented in any desirable manner such as on a display device.
US08301485B2 Work optimization based upon lifecycle tracking data
Tracking and management data for a survey distribution and response lifecycle is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the distribution and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as the indicators traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the distribution and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of customers are formulated enabling an operation to more efficiently forecast, plan and conduct operations.
US08301477B2 Consolidating processes for multiple variations
Harmonizing business process tasks comprehends comparing descriptors associated with each of a plurality of business process tasks in response to a process variation input and identifying tasks as a candidate task pair for consolidation. Input and output attributes of the candidate pair tasks are compared and consolidation confirmed if the compared input and output attributes are similar. Consolidating the confirmed candidate pair tasks includes merging the confirmed candidate pair into a new merged task or replacing one with the other, and an output from the consolidated candidate pair is generated as a common harmonized output for the first and second tasks. Identifying the candidate task pairs for consolidation may be a function of similarity of task descriptors, of input/output business process relationships to other candidate task pairs, and also of both.
US08301467B2 Panel diagnostic method and system including active and passive strategies
A system and method for computerized medical self-diagnosis is disclosed. Beginning with direct interactive dialog between a patient and a computing device to obtain patient health items, the system automatically obtains a differential self-diagnosis using active and passive strategies based on an analysis of the patient health items in conjunction with known disease properties. In one embodiment, each strategy differential self-diagnosis is obtained with different analysis criteria of the patient health items. At least a portion of the strategy differential self-diagnoses are compared and a consensus self-diagnosis based on the compared differential self-diagnoses is determined and communicated to the patient.
US08301463B2 Emergency alert feature on a mobile communication device
Automatically establishing a connection with an emergency services server is provided. In response to receiving an emergency signal from a mobile communication device, a connection with the mobile communication device is established by a communications server. Location data, audio input data, and visual input data from the mobile communication device is received by the communications server. Personal data for an owner of the mobile communication device is retrieved by the communications server from a storage device connected to a network. A connection with an emergency services server for a current locale of the mobile communication device is automatically established by the communications server. Then, the emergency signal, location data, audio input data, and visual input data received from the mobile communication device, along with the retrieved personal data, is transmitted by the communications server to the emergency services server for use by emergency service personnel.
US08301459B1 Method for forecasting housing prices using a dynamic error correction model
A system and method for forecasting a price of a property in a first housing sub-market based on data related to a second housing sub-market are described. A price index is derived for the second housing sub-market, and an error correcting function is calculated for the first housing sub-market. A price index for the first housing sub-market is derived from the second sub-market price index and the error correcting function. An estimate of the price of the price of the property in the first housing sub-market is then provided. The estimate of the price can be used as the basis for an economic decision.
US08301456B2 Electronic information access system and methods
An electronic information access system and associated methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises an antenna adapted to receive electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy encoding first data associated with at least one person; and processing apparatus in signal communication with the antenna. The processing apparatus is configured to: access a first database containing second data relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at least portions of the first data and the second data to determine if the at least one person is authorized to access the information; and if the at least one person is authorized access, facilitate download of the information to a personal electronic device (PED) of the at least one person.
US08301446B2 System and method for training an acoustic model with reduced feature space variation
Feature space variation associated with specific text elements is reduced by training an acoustic model with a phoneme set, dictionary and transcription set configured to better distinguish the specific text elements and at least some specific phonemes associated therewith. The specific text elements can include the most frequently occurring text elements from a text data set, which can include text data beyond the transcriptions of a training data set. The specific text elements can be identified using a text element distribution table sorted by occurrence within the text data set. Specific phonemes can be limited to consonant phonemes to improve speed and accuracy.
US08301444B2 Automated demographic analysis by analyzing voice activity
A method of generating demographic information relating to an individual is provided. The method includes monitoring an environment for a voice activity of an individual and detecting the voice activity of the individual. The method further includes analyzing the detected voice activity of the individual and determining, based on the detected voice activity of the individual, a demographic descriptor of the individual.
US08301443B2 Identifying and generating audio cohorts based on audio data input
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating audio cohorts. An audio analysis engine receives audio data from a set of audio input devices. The audio data is associated with a plurality of objects. The audio data comprises a set of audio patterns. The audio data is processed to identify attributes of the audio data to form digital audio data. The digital audio data comprises metadata describing the attributes of the audio data. A set of audio cohorts is generated using the digital audio data and cohort criteria. Each audio cohort in the set of audio cohorts comprises a set of objects from the plurality of objects that share at least one audio attribute in common.
US08301439B2 Method and apparatus to encode/decode low bit-rate audio signal by approximiating high frequency envelope with strongly correlated low frequency codevectors
A method of encoding a low bit-rate audio signal includes quantizing and encoding a plurality of low frequency sub-bands of an audio signal in a frequency domain, generating a codebook of codevectors using sub-bands of the audio signal spectrum, detecting an envelope of another frequency sub-band of the audio signal and quantizing and losslessly-encoding the detected envelope, selecting a codevector most similar to the higher frequency sub-band spectrum from the generated codebook's codevectors and determining its codebook codevector index, and generating a bit stream. Decoding the low bit-rate audio signal includes restoring and dividing a bit stream into a plurality of first frequency sub-bands and at least one second frequency sub-band and inversely quantizing the first frequency sub-bands in the bit stream, restoring codebook codevector index information and envelope information for the second frequency sub-band, generating a codebook of codevectors using the inversely quantized first frequency sub-bands, and restoring the second frequency sub-band using the restored codevector index information and the envelope information.
US08301438B2 Method for processing natural language questions and apparatus thereof
A method and an apparatus for selecting an answer to a natural language question. The method includes: detecting a named entity in the natural language question; extracting information related to an answer from the natural language question; searching in linked data according to the detected named entity; generating a candidate answer according to a search result; parsing the candidate answer according to the information related to the answer; and obtaining a value of a feature of the candidate answer; and evaluating each candidate answer by synthesizing the value of the feature of the candidate answer.
US08301429B2 Iterative multi-scale method for flow in porous media
Computer-implemented iterative multi-scale methods and systems are provided for handling simulation of complex, highly anisotropic, heterogeneous domains. A system and method can be configured to achieve simulation of structures where accurate localization assumptions do not exist. The iterative system and method smoothes the solution field by applying line relaxation in all spatial directions. The smoother is unconditionally stable and leads to sets of tri-diagonal linear systems that can be solved efficiently, such as by the Thomas algorithm. Furthermore, the iterative smoothing procedure, for the improvement of the localization assumptions, does not need to be applied in every time step of the computation.
US08301423B1 Verification and validation system for a graphical model
A verification tool in a graphical modeling environment allows the components in the graphical modeling environment to be used to define error or exceptional conditions without adverse affects on the ultimate implementation of the model. In one example, a system presents a graphical interface to facilitate design of a model constructed from graphical blocks; receives an association of a plurality of blocks with a verification subsystem; and performs an operation to verify that the blocks in the verification subsystem do not affect operation of the model external to the verification system.
US08301421B2 Automatic control system generation for robot design validation
The specification and drawings present a new method, system and software product for and apparatus for generating a robotic validation system for a robot design. The robotic validation system for the robot design of a robotic system is automatically generated by converting a robot design into a generic robotic description using a predetermined format, then generating a control system from the generic robotic description and finally updating robot design parameters of the robotic system with an analysis tool using both the generic robot description and the control system.
US08301420B2 Method and apparatus for creating a representation of a product or process
A product lifecycle management system cannot interact with 3D models and data representing a product or process that lacks information for creating a three-dimensional model in a seamless and uniform manner. Such incompatible data includes legacy and conceptual data. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to create from such data, an intermediary representation that is compatible with the three-dimensional model domain but differs from a three-dimensional model that has real-world geometry of the product or process. The intermediary structure is formed in a manner that enables the product lifecycle management system to interact with the intermediary representation and three-dimensional models in a seamless and uniform manner, and is capable of being updated with real-world geometry of the product or process.
US08301413B2 Testing analytics tool
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for testing analytics. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for automating the collection and storage of test data, automating test performance calculations across a multitude of segments within the test group and automating test result information delivery.
US08301408B2 Temperature prediction transmitter
A system and method is pro vided for predicting a physical quality such as temperature, the measurement of which tends to be hindered by a time-related impediment. A single sensor is configured to detect, in real time, the physical quality Qdetect, and one or more infinite impulse response filters are configured with time constants correlated to the time-related impediment. The infinite impulse filter(a) are configured to filter Qdetect to output a filtered quality measurement (Qfiltered). A processor is configured to calculate, in real time, the estimated or predicted quality Qestimate using Qdetect and Qfiltered.
US08301403B2 Hand held refrigeration gauge
The present invention is a hand held gauge for use with refrigeration systems. The gauge includes a service port connector, a display screen, and user interfacing buttons. The gauge also includes electronic storage of the pressure-to-saturation temperature data for different refrigerants. The gauge allows for the measuring of temperature and pressure of refrigeration systems. After a user inputs a refrigerant type, the gauge uses the pressure and the saturation data to determine the saturation temperature. The saturation temperature is compared to the measured temperature to get the superheat or subcooling. These results may all be displayed on the display screen.
US08301398B2 Structure of the insulin receptor ectodomain
The present invention relates to the crystal structure of the insulin receptor ectodomain, to the nature of its N-linked glycans and to methods of using the crystal and related structural information to screen for and design compounds that interact with or modulate the insulin receptor and/or the closely-related insulin-like growth factor receptors or variants thereof.
US08301394B2 System and method for correcting primer extension errors in nucleic acid sequence data
An embodiment of method for correcting an error associated with phasic synchrony of sequence data generated from a population of substantially identical copies of a template molecule is described that comprises (a) detecting a signal generated in response to an incorporation of one or more nucleotides in a sequencing reaction; (b) generating a value for the signal; and (c) correcting the value for the phasic synchrony error using a first parameter and a second carry forward parameter.
US08301391B2 Identifying components of a network having high importance for network integrity
A computer system (2) is provided which is arranged to receive network data (1) identifying nodes and links between nodes. The computer system (2) processes the input network data (1) to utilize the network topology to identify nodes and links having high importance for network integrity. A report (4) identify the critical components can then be output.
US08301377B2 Image navigation method using parametric systematic error correction
A novel Parametric Systematic Error Correction (ParSEC) system is disclosed which provides improved system accuracy for image navigation and registration (INR). This system may be employed in any suitable imaging system and, more specifically, to all imaging systems that exhibit systematic distortion. The ParSEC system may be employed to any such system regardless of sensing type (remote or in situ) or imaging media (photon or charged particle) and is further applicable to corrected imaging of any celestial body currently detectable to remove distortion and systematic error from the imaging system employed. The ParSEC system of the instant invention comprises a software algorithm that generates at least about 12 correction coefficients for each of the INR system measurements such as stars, visible landmarks, infrared (IR) landmarks and earth edges. An iterative estimation algorithm such as, for example, least squares or Kalman filters may be employed to determine the at least about 12 correction coefficients from each set of measurement residuals. The improved image products provide more accurate weather forecasting such as wind velocity and temperature.
US08301374B2 Position estimation for ground vehicle navigation based on landmark identification/yaw rate and perception of landmarks
A landmark-based method of estimating the position of an AGV (autonomous ground vehicle) or conventional vehicle, which has an onboard database of landmarks and their locations coordinates. During travel, the AGV looks for and identifies landmarks. It navigates according to position estimations that are based on measured yaw rate and speed. When a landmark s encountered and recognized, its true location coordinates are looked up from the database. These true coordinates are then used to enhance position estimation accuracy between landmarks.
US08301373B2 Navigation device and facility image display method
The invention provides a navigation device and a facility image display method, whereby a user can recognize various types of information about a facility from the image corresponding to the facility. The navigation device includes road information, etc., used for drawing map images; facility information including the nodes of the facilities and a plurality of attributes of the facilities; a buffer memory that stores data of icon images corresponding to each of the plurality of attributes of the facilities; a map drawing unit that draws a map image on the basis of the road information, etc., and draws any of the icon images corresponding to the plurality of attributes of the facilities contained in the facility information, at a position in the map image corresponding to the node identified in the facility information; and an image synthesizing unit that causes a display unit to display the drawn image.
US08301368B1 Electronic kit bag
The Electronic Kit Bag (EKB) is a computerized, portable pilot “kit bag” that accepts input data, manipulates said data, and outputs solutions. The EKB has standard and state-of-the-art computer parts and peripherals, interfaced for maximum utility. The central operating program of the device assesses the relationships of input data through logic based, three-dimensional decision-making algorithm. Data output is utilized either directly by the user, by the user through an aircraft system, or directly from the EKB to an aircraft system or autopilot.
US08301365B2 Navigation device presenting information regarding charging and vehicle including same device
An ECU executes a program including a step of detecting a present location using a GPS system; a step of reading out data of a geographical map proximate to the present location and presenting in the geographical map charging installations including a charging installation employing solar light, together with the location of its vehicle; a step of, if a presentation switching request is made and a real-time solar radiation correction request is made, detecting a solar radiation amount and correcting a charge amount per unit time provided by the power generation installation employing solar light, based on the detected solar radiation amount; and a step of detecting an SOC in the battery to calculate an amount of discharge done until arrival at the charging installation, calculating time required for charging up to a fully charged state, and presenting the time required for charging in the geographical map.
US08301352B2 Transmission power control parameter calculation method and device
A cubic metric calculator performs a calculation of a time average of power of the amplitude of a transmission signal when a cubic metric value is calculated as a product-sum operation between a transmission power-dependent term including an amplitude value depending on the transmission power of a transmission signal and a time average term including only a modulation parameter not depending on the transmission power of the transmission signal. When the transmission signal is transmitted, the operator inputs the amplitude value to calculate the transmission power-dependent term, reads the value of the time average term from coefficient memory, and performs the product-sum operation using an operation result of the transmission power-dependent term and the read value of the time average term, thereby calculating a time average of the power of the amplitude of the transmission signal.
US08301342B2 Electric power steering apparatus
In an electric power steering apparatus including a charge-discharge circuit 16 that selectively configures a first output mode in which only a main power supply including a battery 9 is used to supply an electric power to a motor 4 or a second output mode in which the main power supply and an auxiliary power supply 14 are used to supply the electric power to the motor 4, and a control circuit 6 that selects the output mode of the charge-discharge circuit 16 according to the electric power required for steering assist, the control circuit 6 selects the second output mode when the electric power required for steering assist in the first output mode becomes equal to or higher than an upward threshold value P1 or selects the first output mode when the electric power required for steering assist in the second output mode becomes equal to or lower than a downward threshold value P2 that is lower than the upward threshold value P1.
US08301335B2 Efficient AC operation using dew-point temperature
A system for controlling air-conditioning of a vehicle includes an input, an offset generator module, and an evaporator temperature control module. The input receives an input temperature. The offset generator module receives a psychrometric parameter of air inside the vehicle and generates offsets based on the input temperature and the psychrometric parameter. The evaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporator temperature based on the offsets.
US08301310B2 Wind turbine operational method
Operation method for a variable speed wind turbine which comprises control methods for blade pitch in cases of extreme gusts of wind, characterized by the fact that it is comprised of the following steps: a) detection of the presence of an extreme gust of wind; b) performance of a sudden increase in pitch within the range of 6 to 14 degrees at the maximum speed permitted by the wind turbine blade pitch control mechanisms. The method also includes an additional step; c) vary the generator speed to avoid an increased acceleration of the generator which could make a subsequent step b) necessary.