Document	Document Title
US08343438B1	Ergonomic pipette tip and adapters An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter. An improved pipette tip that includes the addition of an elastomeric material and cooperative means for insuring uniform interference and depth of penetration of the pipetter barrel as successive barrels are inserted and ejected. Also disclosed is an improved multiple-tip configuration with similar features that can be mounted to multiple barrels of a multi-pipetter as one tip instead of 8 or 12 individual tips. The addition of the elastomeric material allows for better sealing and eliminates alignment issues, high installation and ejection requirements while reducing the hand and thumb forces that due to repeated use will sometimes result in repetitive stress injury.
US08343431B2	Honeycomb filter and method of manufacturing the same The honeycomb filter is constructed as a diesel particulate filter having a filtration function for filtering out the particulate matter included in an exhaust emission of a diesel engine. The honeycomb filter has a honeycomb structure as a base and inlet opening cells with surface layers formed on respective inner surfaces thereof. The surface layer has zero film thickness in an inlet peripheral region. Separation vortexes are generated in the inlet peripheral regions. The zero film thickness of the surface layers in the inlet peripheral regions naturally causes non-flaking of the surface layers induced by the separation vortexes generated in the inlet peripheral regions and thereby leads to non-production of flakes. In the non-existent condition of flakes, the overall surface layers are not collapsed by collision of the flakes.
US08343419B2	Ni base alloy solid wire for welding An object of the present invention is to provide a Ni base alloy solid wire for welding, which has excellent cracking resistance to ductility dip cracking in weld metal, can increase the tensile strength of the weld metal to not less than the tensile strength of the base material, and has excellent weldability. The present invention provides a solid wire which has a composition containing Cr: 27.0 to 31.5 mass %, Ti: 0.50 to 0.90 mass %, Nb: 0.40 to 0.70 mass %, Ta: 0.10 to 0.30 mass %, C: 0.010 to 0.030 mass %, and Fe: 5.0 to 11.0 mass %, and is regulated to Al: 0.10 mass % or less, N: 0.020 mass % or less, Zr 0.005 mass % or less, P:0.010 mass % or less, S: 0.0050 mass % or less, Si: 0.50 mass % or less, and Mn: 1.00 mass % or less, with the balance including Ni and inevitable impurities.
US08343418B2	Tap hole plug gun The embodiments of the invention relate to a tap hole plug gun for metallurgical furnaces, having a pressure cylinder for receiving the plugging compound, which has a closable filling opening for the plugging compound, and having a plugging piston for pressing the plugging compound out from a mouthpiece of the pressure cylinder pressed against the tap hole of a furnace. The pivotable safety flap for closing the filling opening of the pressure cylinder for the plugging compound is equipped with a stop, which is pivoted into the cylinder chamber of the pressure cylinder upon opening of the flap to decelerate an unintentional forward stroke of the plugging piston for pre-compression and expulsion of the plugging compound, and is pivoted out of the cylinder chamber upon closing of the safety flap.
US08343398B2	Panels and a method of making A prefabricated modular panel, comprising a framework that includes a plurality of lattices, with a lattice of the plurality of lattices comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member that are spaced apart and juxtapose laterally parallel, forming an axial length of the lattice. Further included is a third member substantially transversally oriented at an angle along the axial length of the lattice, with the third member coupling the first elongated member with the second elongated member to form the lattice, with the plurality of lattices forming the framework. The plurality of lattices are coupled with one another in parallel by a solidified filler material forming a single piece, unitary modular panel.
US08343395B2	Powder particle shaping device and method A powder particle shaping device includes a closed cavity capable of changing between multiple shapes as an external pressure changes, and the closed cavity compresses and moves powder particles with which the closed cavity is filled full while the shape changes. A powder particle shaping method is further provided, which includes a. filling a cavity full with powder particles to be shaped; and b. applying a varying external pressure to make the cavity change repeatedly between multiple shapes, thereby making the powder particles under compression move and be subject to friction, where the cavity is kept in a closed state during an effective processing process. The shaping device and method have highly controllable shaping processing intensity of powder particles and stable processing strength, and thus are applicable to shaping and pulverization of various powder particles, and also applicable to pulverization and further shaping processing of dispersed agglomerates.
US08343391B2	Compositions for the preparation of composite photochromic polycarbonate lenses Photochromic matrix compositions and tie layer compositions useful for the preparation of photochromic polycarbonate lenses are disclosed. The tie layer compositions facilitate adhesion of the photochromic matrix composition to the polycarbonate lens. The photochromic matrix compositions can contain a flexible hydrophilic dimethacrylate monomer, one or more hydrophobic monomers, a flexible hydrophobic multi(meth)acrylate monomer, one or more urethane methacrylate oligomers, and one or more photochromic dyes. The tie layer compositions can contain one or more methacrylate monomers, a (meth)acrylated oligomer with a polycarbonate backbone, one or more urethane methacrylate oligomers, and a solvent or solvent mixture. Methods of preparing photochromic polycarbonate lenses are also disclosed, involving the serial application of the tie layer composition, then the photochromic matrix composition to the lens.
US08343389B2	Additive for nickel-zinc battery A composition that contains nickel oxyhydroxide, nickel metal, ruthenium oxide (Ru02) and a binder is prepared as the cathode for a nickel-zinc battery. Metal oxide or hydroxide with a rare earth oxide may be included in the cathode to improve the electrode capacity and shelf life. Optionally, zinc oxide is added to the cathode to facilitate charger transfer and improve the characteristics of high rate discharging. The cathode significantly increases the charging efficiency, promotes the overpotential of oxygen evolution, and intensifies the depth of discharging, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and lifespan of the battery.
US08343379B2	Warm white light-emitting diode and thin film and its red phosphor powder The invention discloses a red phosphor powder which is based on strontium (Sr) aluminate and using europium (Eu) as exciting agent, and is characterized by that its chemical equivalence formula is (SrO)4(ΣMe+2O)1Al2O3: Eu, wherein Me+2=Mg and/or Ca and/or Ba. The present invention also discloses a manufacturing process for the red phosphor powder and a warm white light-emitting diode employing the phosphor powder. Moreover, the present invention also discloses a multi-layer polyethylene thin film using the red phosphor powder.
US08343376B2	Piezoelectric ceramic composition A KNbO3—NaNbO3 piezoelectric porcelain composition which exhibits a larger piezoelectric constant than those of conventional ones and does not have any secondary phase transition point in the neighborhood of room temperature (10 to 40° C.), that is, a piezoelectric porcelain composition represented by the general formula: (1-y-z-w)(KxNa1-x)NbO3+yLiNbO3+zSrTiO3+wBiFeO3, wherein (KxNa1-x)NbO3 represents potassium sodium niobate; LiNbO3 represents lithium niobate; SrTiO3 represents strontium titanate; and BiFeO3 represents bismuth ferrate; with the proviso that 0.4
US08343374B2	Electrolytic solution There is provided an electrolytic solution comprising a chain carbonate (I) represented by the formula (I): wherein Rf is a fluorine-containing ether group (Ia) having, at its end, a moiety represented by the formula: HCFX (X is H or F); R is an alkyl group in which hydrogen atom may be substituted with halogen atom and hetero atom may be contained in its chain, and an electrolyte salt (II), and the electrolytic solution is excellent in flame retardance, low temperature characteristics, withstand voltage and compatibility with a hydrocarbon solvent and is high in solubility of an electrolyte salt.
US08343372B2	Surface processing method for mounting stage A surface processing method for a mounting stage, which enables a mounting surface conforming to a substrate to be formed while saving time and effort. The substrate is mounted on a mounting surface of the mounting stage disposed in a housing chamber of a substrate processing apparatus that carries out plasma processing on the substrate. The mounted substrate is thermally expanded.
US08343368B2	Method of fabricating a structure by anisotropic etching, and silicon substrate with an etching mask In a fabrication method of fabricating a structure, a basic etching mask corresponding a target shape with a convex corner, and a correction etching mask with a first portion, a second portion and an opening portion are formed on a single-crystal silicon substrate, and the silicon substrate with the basic etching mask and the correction etching mask formed thereon is subjected to an anisotropic etching to form the silicon substrate having the target shape. The first portion extends in a <110> direction, respective ends of the first portion are connected to the basic etching mask. The second portion is connected to a side of the first portion extending in the <110> direction.
US08343366B2	Fabricating a graphene nano-device Nanoscale graphene structure fabrication techniques are provided. An oxide nanowire useful as a mask is formed on a graphene layer and then ion beam etching is performed. A nanoscale graphene structure is fabricated by removing a remaining oxide nanowire after the ion beam etching.
US08343365B2	Method for producing color filter The invention provides a color filter producing method that is based on dry etching and makes it possible to produce a color filter which has fine and rectangular pixels and is excellent in flatness, and color filters produced by the method. The method is a color filter producing method of forming a first colorant-containing layer on a support, removing the first colorant-containing layer corresponding to a region where a second colorant-containing layer is to be formed by dry etching, forming the second colorant-containing layer so as to be embedded into the layer-removed region, removing the first and second colorant-containing layers corresponding to a region where a third colorant-containing layer is to be formed by dry etching, forming the third colorant-containing layer so as to be embedded into the layer-removed region, and removing the colorant-containing layers laminated on other colorant-containing layers.
US08343362B2	Stamper manufacturing method According to one embodiment, when forming first, second, and third stampers by transferring three-dimensional patterns of a master, a height adjusting layer having a film thickness greater on the upper surface of a projection than on the bottom surface of a recess is formed between the second stamper and a second release layer, and the surface of the third stamper is etched with an acidic solution having a pH of less than 3.
US08343361B2	Method for producing a thin film laminated capacitor A method for producing a thin film laminated capacitor that makes it possible to reduce the number of operations for etching its electrode layers and its dielectric layers. On a substrate, a capacitor part is formed wherein n electrode layers and (n−1) dielectric layers are alternately laminated onto each other, wherein n is 4 or more. The capacitor part is etched from the same side k times. In any ith etching operation, through holes are formed in an amount corresponding to respective ai layers of the electrode layers and the dielectric layers. At least one of ai's is set to 2 or more, and k is made smaller than n−1, thereby making it possible to make the 2nd to nth layers of the electrode layers from the etching starting side exposed at the bottom surfaces of the through holes.
US08343353B1	Grease containment systems and methods A grease containment apparatus arranged to receive grease discharged by a fan-type rooftop grease exhauster includes multiple sumps and at least one trough disposed between the sumps. An apparatus may be disposed along two, three, or four sides of a rooftop grease exhauster, including corner sumps assemblies and/or end sump assemblies, preferably including associated rain shields, and optionally including one or more end caps. Components may be fabricated of UV-resistant polymeric materials such as ABS. Use of grease absorbent media may be avoided. A drain conduit may receive water from a sump, with at least a portion of the drain conduit being disposed at a level above a bottom edge of the sump.
US08343346B2	Dialysis systems and related components A cassette is described for holding circuit components used with a hemodialysis machine.
US08343343B2	Underdrain apparatus An underdrain apparatus includes one or more underdrain blocks and an anchor assembly that includes one or more support members. Each of the underdrain blocks includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a center separation wall that extends between the pair of opposing end walls. The center separation wall of at least one of the underdrain blocks may have one or more apertures formed therein, the apertures configured to receive at least one of the support members. One or more of the side walls of the pair of opposing side walls of the underdrain blocks may have one or more side clips. At least one of the side clips defines an aperture for receiving a support member.
US08343338B2	Reverse osmosis water filtering system A valve assembly having a first valve defining an inlet connected to the inlet supply and an outlet connected to the concentrate chamber, a second valve defining an inlet connected to the permeate chamber and an outlet connected to the faucet, and a third valve defining an outlet connected to drain, a port connected to the concentrate chamber, and an inlet connected to the inlet supply. The port is selectively in fluid communication with the third valve outlet and inlet. When the faucet opens, the first valve opens, the second valve has permeate flowing, and the third valve opens a flowpath between the third valve port and the inlet due to pressure dropping in the second valve. When the faucet closes, the first valve closes and the third valve opens another flowpath between the third valve port and outlet due to pressure created in the second valve.
US08343337B2	Bitumen extraction process A process for the extraction and recovery of bitumen from oil sands and a process for the treatment of tailings are disclosed. Bitumen is recovered in a process comprising contacting a polysilicate microgel with an ore sand oil to produce a froth comprising bitumen and a tailings stream comprising water, sand and clay fines. Preferably the tailings stream is dewatered and recovered water may be recycled to the extraction process. Polysilicate microgel may be carried through to a dewatering step and enhances flocculation in dewatering said tailings.
US08343324B2	Electrochemical high pressure pump The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.
US08343318B2	Magnetic lensing to improve deposition uniformity in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process A physical vapor deposition (PVD) system includes a chamber and a plurality of electromagnetic coils arranged around the chamber. First and second annular bands of permanent magnets are arranged around the chamber with poles oriented perpendicular to a magnetic field imposed by the electromagnetic coils. Each of the permanent magnets in the first annular band is arranged with poles having a first polarity closest to a central axis of the chamber. Each of the permanent magnets in the second annular band is arranged anti-parallel with respect to the permanent magnets in the first annular band.
US08343316B2	Vacuum dehydrator A vacuum dehydrator for processing an oil containing entrained contaminants such as water, air, and particulates comprises a tower enclosing upper and lower chambers. A random packing is contained in the upper chamber. The oil is preheated to a temperature above the boiling point of water and is introduced into the upper chamber for downward flow through the random packing into the lower chamber. Entrained air and water is retained as water vapor in the upper chamber, and particulates are retained in the random packing. Heated ambient air is introduced into the lower chamber for upward flow through the random packing into the upper chamber, and the upper chamber is cooled to condense the water vapor. Oil and condensed water are pumped respectively from the lower and upper chambers.
US08343314B2	Pulp feeder for used paper recycling apparatus A pulp feeder for used paper recycling apparatus being installed in a room of a small shop or the like, friendly to the environment, low in running cost, and capable of maintaining a high confidentiality is presented. The pulp feeder includes a partition member disposed slidably on the downside of a running endless mesh belt, and a paper making frame body disposed slidably on the upside of the mesh belt, and an overflow gate is provided in the paper making frame body for keeping constant the water level of the collected pulp suspension, and the pulp suspension supplied in the paper making frame body is collected up to a specific water level defined by the overflow gate, and is uniformly diffused and supplied on the upside of the running mesh belt. Accordingly, if the supply water volume of pulp suspension fluctuates, the water level of pulp suspension staying in the paper making frame body is always kept constant, and the weight of the wet paper manufactured on the mesh belt is stabilized.
US08343311B2	Method for producing paper and cardboard A method for producing paper, cardboard or similar materials, comprising, separately or in a mixture, adding to a fibrous suspension: at least one main retention agent comprising a cationic (co)polymer, and at least one dual retention agent comprising a crosslinked cationic (co)polymer obtained in the form of a dispersion and placed in solution prior to its introduction into the fibrous suspension with gentle stirring. The crosslinked cationic (co)polymer having—a UL viscosity of between 1.3 and 2.7 cps, preferably between 1.5 and 2.4 cps, and—an apparent cationicity ratio of between 25 and 75%. Optionally, before or after the dual agent or the main retention agent are added, one or more tertiary retention agent(s) selected from the group comprising mineral particles and organic polymers carrying anionic charges, is added to the suspension.
US08343306B2	Plasma processing apparatus and method of plasma distribution correction A plasma processing apparatus can prevent a sheath from becoming distorted, simplify a configuration of the apparatus, and prevent particles from attaching to a substrate. The plasma processing apparatus performs plasma processing on the substrate. A housing chamber houses the substrate. A mounting stage is disposed within the housing chamber and mounted with the substrate. An annular member is disposed in the mounting stage. A power supply unit supplies high-frequency power to the mounting stage. An observation unit optically observes the distribution of the plasma. A voltage applying unit applies a DC voltage to the annular member. A control unit sets the value of the DC voltage to be applied based on the observed plasma distribution.
US08343301B2	Method for manufacturing interior material using transfer paper and interior material made using the method The present invention provides a method of manufacturing interior material using transfer paper, the method comprising the steps of: processing release paper for coating a surface of the release paper with a release agent; coating an acryl resin layer for coating the surface of the release paper manufactured in the release paper processing with an acryl resin layer in order to improve a printing eligibility of the surface of the release paper for a convenient digital printing; printing images for printing various designs such as pictures, figures or patterns desired by a customer on the acryl resin layer of the release paper formed in the acryl resin coating process through a digital ink jet printer in order to manufacture transfer paper; bonding a master sheet for bonding the images of the transfer paper manufactured through the image printing process to a master sheet to be transferred; and post-treating master sheet for bonding a surface paper layer or surface reinforcement layer to the surface of the master sheet on which images are transferred after the images are transferred to the master sheet through the master sheet bonding process in order to strengthen duration.
US08343298B2	Aircraft structures bonded with adhesive including magnetostrictive material First and second aircraft structures are bonded together with an adhesive including strain-sensitive magnetostrictive material.
US08343295B2	Apparatus and method for insulating conductor bars for rotating electrical machines An apparatus is provided for wrapping a conductor bar with an insulation. The apparatus has at least one supply roll for feeding an insulating tape to the conductor bar. The insulating tape can be wound around the conductor bar by the supply roll rotating relative to the conductor bar. At least one pressure roll is provided, and the insulating tape can be pressed against the conductor bar by means of the pressure roll. A method is also provided for wrapping a conductor bar with insulation, with an insulating tape being pressed against the conductor bar by means of a pressure roll.
US08343292B1	Adhesive tape The pressure sensitive adhesive tape of this invention comprises a first layer of polymeric material, particularly a polyvinyl chloride, having a Shore A Hardness of between 92 and 100 and a second layer of adhesive material attached to a surface of the layer of polymeric material.
US08343290B2	Process for producing rubber sheets, rubber mats or similar rubber products from rubber granules A rubber sheet is made from rubber-containing granules by first coating the rubber granules with a binder, then forming the coated rubber granules into a mat having a core layer with a low moisture level of less than 5% and a pair of outer surface layers, and then, without substantially increasing the low moisture level in the core layer, setting in at least one of the outer layers a high moisture level of 10% to 50% by weight and thereby imparting to the mat an inhomogeneous moisture profile. The mat with the inhomogeneous moisture level is then hot-pressed with pressure and heat so as to vaporize moisture in the one outer layer and drive steam into the core layer, and the hot-pressed mat is cured.
US08343289B2	High frequency ultrasonic transducer and matching layer comprising cyanoacrylate In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.
US08343285B2	Method for carrying out a rinsing programme A method for carrying out a dishwashing cycle in a household dishwasher includes performing a wash step and dispensing an amount of a combination product from a dispenser during the wash step. The combination product includes a rinse agent and a cleaning agent. The method also includes performing a rinse step and dispensing an amount of the combination product from the dispenser during the rinse step.
US08343279B2	Apparatuses for atomic layer deposition Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on substrates during vapor deposition processes, such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). In one embodiment, a chamber contains a substrate support with a receiving surface and a chamber lid containing an expanding channel formed within a thermally insulating material. The chamber further includes at least one conduit coupled to a gas inlet within the expanding channel and positioned to provide a gas flow through the expanding channel in a circular direction, such as a vortex, a helix, a spiral or derivatives thereof. The expanding channel may be formed directly within the chamber lid or formed within a funnel liner attached thereon. The chamber may contain a retaining ring, an upper process liner, a lower process liner or a slip valve liner. Liners usually have a polished surface finish and contain a thermally insulating material such as fused quartz or ceramic. In an alternative embodiment, a deposition system contains a catalytic water vapor generator connected to an ALD chamber.
US08343278B2	Mask assembly and deposition and apparatus for a flat panel display using the same A mask assembly includes a mask frame, the mask frame having an opening and a frame surrounding the opening, a pattern mask on the mask frame, the pattern mask including a pattern portion having at least one pattern overlapping the opening and a welding portion attached to the frame, and at least one support bar crossing the opening and attached to the pattern mask.
US08343264B2	Web comprising fine fiber and reactive, adsorptive or absorptive particulate The assemblies of the invention can comprise a fine fiber layer having dispersed within the fine fiber layer an active particulate material. Fluid that flows through the assemblies of the invention can have any material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the active particulate within the nanofiber layer. The structures of the invention can act simply as reactive, absorptive, or adsorptive layers with no filtration properties, or the structures of the invention can be assembled into filters that can filter particulate from a mobile fluid while simultaneously reacting, absorbing, or adsorbing materials from the mobile fluid.
US08343262B2	System for preventing contaminants from reaching a gas purifier The present invention is directed to the prevention of an exothermic reaction in the gas purifier of an ultra-high purity gas system.
US08343253B2	Method for producing conductor fine particles A method for producing conductor fine particles in which the advantages of conventional vapor phase method and liquid phase method are utilized while eliminating the drawbacks of both methods remarkably. Furthermore, definite guidelines and measure for improvement are given to the greatest problems common to the vapor phase method and liquid phase method, i.e., enhancement in quality of the unit fine particle and a fine particle production method controllably temporarily and regionally. The method for producing conductor fine particles comprises a step for applying a voltage to a pair of electrode consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged in conductive liquid and generating plasma in the vicinity of the negative electrode, and a step for producing conductor fine particles by melting the metal material of the negative electrode and then re-solidifying.
US08343251B2	Composite filter media A composite filter media having excellent dust-releasing properties provided with a layer of netting formed of a low surface free energy material that is hot calendered to the upstream surface of a supporting layer formed of non-woven synthetic fibers. A filtering layer formed of non-woven synthetic fibers is laminated to the downstream surface of the supporting layer. The filtering layer may include an electrostatic charge to increase filter efficiency at a reduced pressure drop across the composite media.
US08343249B2	Filter element, particle filter, method for marking a filter element, method for producing a particle filter and use of a filter element A filter element, a particle filter, a method for marking a filter element, a method for producing a particle filter and the use of a filter element are described. With such methods and filter elements, individual filter elements can be securely adhered in a simple manner to form a filter. An identification means is applied to the end surfaces of each filter element for producing a particle filter, thus enabling the defined orientation of the filter elements for the adhesive process and preventing erroneous adhesion.
US08343248B2	Filter unit panel The present invention provides a filter unit panel in which the generation of an organic gas derived from an adhesive can be suppressed although a plurality of filter units each having a frame body made of a resin member and an outer frame that surrounds these units are used together. This filter unit panel includes a plurality of filter units (100) and an outer frame (10) that surrounds these units. Each of the plurality of filter units includes a pleated filter medium and a frame body that supports the filter medium. Both of the outer frame (10) and the frame body are resin members. The filter units (100) are integrated into a single unit by welding their frame bodies adjacent to each other, and the outer frame and the frame bodies are integrated with each other by welding.
US08343244B2	Air conditioner and extension nozzle of cleaner used for the same Dust collection structure for collecting the dust removed from an air filter of an indoor unit has been devised to reduce user's labor in collecting the dust as much as possible. An indoor unit includes, in a casing, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan for sucking air from inside of a room, and blowing the air to the inside of the room, and an air filter arranged on an inlet side of the indoor fan. The dust trapped on the air filter is removed by the dust removing means, and is contained in the dust containing part. A nozzle connector for arranging a nozzle of a cleaner at a predetermined position where suction of the contained dust is allowed is provided at a downstream outlet of a dust collection path as a transfer path for transferring the dust in collecting the contained dust.
US08343231B1	Surgical mesh for hernia repair A surgical mesh for repair of incisional and or ventral hernia with a fixation fin extending from one of the surfaces of the mesh usually along the midline of the surface. The closure of the hernia defect edges involves suturing to the fin to avoid the possibility of damage to internal organs during laparoscopic suturing. An alternate embodiment involves a flexible rod mounted in a tubular structure on the mesh axis. The tubular structure includes a central opening with an attached thread that permits removal of the flexible rod, which spreads the mesh open to facilitate fixation of the mesh onto the abdominal wall surface.
US08343230B2	Orthopaedic bearing material Disclosed is a polymeric orthopaedic bearing material for use as an implant material or part thereof comprising one or more crosslinked regions and one or more non-crosslinked or substantially non-crosslinked regions at the surface. The bearing material can be prepared from a crosslinkable polymer, e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The orthopaedic bearing material has an advantageous combination of at least one wear property and at least one mechanical property. Also disclosed are processes for producing orthopaedic bearing materials, for example, by irradiating a raw material in consolidated form through a radiation mask having a perforated pattern for crosslinking selected regions of the raw material, and optionally shaping the raw material into a bearing material. Alternatively, a pulsed radiation beam can be used for crosslinking.
US08343224B2	Intervertebral implants and graft delivery systems and methods According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some arrangements, the anterior wall of the spinal implant comprises at least one opening or hole that places the internal chamber in fluid communication with an exterior area or portion of the spinal implant. In one embodiment, at least one of the two lateral walls comprises an access port. The method additionally includes positioning the spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae of a patient and directing at least one graft and/or other fill material into the internal chamber of the spinal implant through the access port. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the graft and/or other fill material delivered into the internal chamber is configured to exit through the one or more of the openings of the anterior wall.
US08343223B2	Combined spinal interbody and plate assemblies A spinal implant assembly combines a spinal interbody spacer with a spine plate. The combined spinal interbody spacer and spine plate assembly provides stabilization and torsional resistance to promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The interbody spacer is configured for placement within an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae previously occupied by a spinal disc. The spinal plate is configured for attachment to anterior sides of the adjacent vertebrae (either on or within the vertebrae). The spinal plate may translate relative to the interbody spacer or it may be fixed relative to the interbody spacer. Translation of the spinal plate allows it to be affixed to the vertebrae in various positions and/or allow movement post installation. In one form, the spinal plate is defined by first and second spine plate or plate portions that are coupled to one another to allow rotation about each other. Ends of the first and second spine plates are received in/by the interbody spacer, while a pin extends through the interbody spacer to fix the first and second spine plates to the interbody spacer. In another form, the spinal plate is defined by first and second spine plates or plate portions that are movably retained by the interbody spacer. In call cases, the first and second spine plates each have one, two or more screw holes for accepting a bone screw for fixing the spine plates to the adjacent vertebrae.
US08343220B2	Nested interbody spinal fusion implants Tapered root threaded hollow perforated interbody spinal fusion implants are disclosed for placement into a disc space in a human spine between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implants have opposite arcuate portions with lockable screws passing therethrough for engaging each of the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implants are adapted for use in side-by-side pairs such that a portion of the circumference of a first implant nests within the circumference of a second implant, so as to have a reduced combined width.
US08343217B2	Intraocular lens and methods for providing accommodative vision An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision contains an optic and a haptic. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a clear aperture of the optic. The haptic is at least partially disposed inside the optic and includes an inner structure, an outer structure, and a plurality of arms disposed between and connecting the inner structure and the outer structure. The inner structure is circumferentially disposed about the optical axis, while the outer structure is circumferentially disposed about the inner structure and has an outer face. Each arm has proximal portion adjacent the inner structure and a distal portion adjacent the outer structure that is bifurcated in a radial direction from the proximal portion. The intraocular lens also has an outer surface defined by outer surfaces of the plurality of arms and an outer surface of the outer structure. The inner structure and at least a portion of the arms are disposed inside the clear aperture. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent than an axial extent of the inner portion. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent along the outer surface than an axial extent of the outer structure along the outer surface.
US08343212B2	Polymer coatings on medical devices A medical device, for example a stent, has a surface which in use contacts body tissue, wherein said surface has on it a biocompatible coating layer comprising a polymer having covalently bound allyl-terminated pendent groups, said pendent groups comprising a moiety selected from -0-CH2—CH═CH2—S—CH2—CH═CH2—S(=0)-CH2—CH═CH2—Se—CH2—CH═CH2 and —Se (=0 J-CH2—CH═CH2. This surface has good biocompatibility and can bind strongly to a metallic surface. The polymer may be made from an electropolymerisable monomer, e.g. a pyrrole.
US08343196B2	Bone plate A bone plate has an underside on the side of the bone, an upper side and a plurality of holes in the plate connecting the underside with the upper side, with a central hole axis. At least one of these holes in the plate has an internal jacket surface that tapers towards the underside, while the internal jacket surface has N≧3 recesses which extend radially away from the axis of the hole.
US08343195B2	Drill-tap-screw drill guide A surgical drill guide for use with a bone plate having fastener holes oriented at predetermined angles with respect to the plate, the surgical drill guide having at least one alignment drill guiding barrel that is aligned with the respective fastener holes in the bone plate for drilling the holes at the desired range of angles permitted by the plate hole.
US08343194B2	Anterior cervical staple A surgical staple for discectomy by an anterior approach that comprises a plate with sharp-pointed projections positioned at each of four corners of the plate and extending perpendicularly there from for frictional insertion into pilot holes formed in the vertebrae, and a pair of circular apertures in the plate spaced along a centerline for insertion of bone screws. The plurality of projections may further comprise four barbed and pointed projections that a surgeon may quickly tap into the bone, thereafter securing the staple with two smaller bone screws. An Annular C shaped retention locking clip retains the bone screws and prevents counter-rotation and back out.
US08343186B2	Fully threaded suture anchor with transverse anchor pin A suture anchor has a pin that is disposed transversely within the suture anchor, over which one or more strands of suture is looped. The anchor body is threaded and has a tapered distal portion. The proximal end portion of the suture anchor body has a hexagonally shaped opening to accept a hexagonal drive head. The peripheral surface defining hexagonally shaped opening is rounded and smooth to prevent abrading sutures placed in contact therewith.
US08343182B2	Tourniquet assembly A tourniquet assembly includes a strap and a windlass crank attached to a windlass cord that forms a loop that is slidably engaged with anchors that are attached to the main strap. During use, the crank is rotated, causing the windlass cord to twist. This effectively shortens the length of the windlass cord which also pulls the anchors inwardly, thereby causing a similar shortening of the main strap between the anchors and enabling the strap to be used for use as a tourniquet.
US08343168B2	Endoscopic device A medical device having a member with a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the member is disclosed. The lumen has a device portion defined by at least one curved walled portion and at least one anchoring portion. An endoscopic device, such as a needle, is attached to an actuator inserted into the device portion of the lumen. A housing or stop is inserted into the distal end of the lumen.
US08343166B2	Bone fixation apparatus A clamp assembly for bone fixation elements including first and second clamp structures configured to engage first and second bone fixation elements, respectively. The first clamp structure may have a first spherically contoured bearing surface. The second clamp structure may have a second spherically contoured bearing surface seated in sliding contact with the first bearing surface. A spring-loaded mechanism may apply a spring force urging the bearing surfaces together to resist pivotal movement of the clamp structures relative to each other. The clamp assembly may be used with an assembly of fixation elements to create an external fixation frame.
US08343165B2	Apparatus and method for implantation of surgical devices A driver apparatus for implanting spinal rod fixation devices including an anchor member and a coupling member pivotable relative to the anchor member is disclosed. The driver apparatus generally immobilizes the anchor member and coupling member relative to each other and to the driver apparatus during insertion to minimize interference between the coupling member and tissues surrounding the implantation site, as well as to minimize the clearance required for implantation. The driver apparatus includes a driver portion engageable with the anchor member for effecting seating of the anchor member, such as by threadably driving the anchor member in the bone. The driver portion is closely fit between portions such as upstanding walls of the coupling member to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The driver apparatus further includes locking portions shiftable to secure the coupling member with the driver apparatus when the driver is engaged with the anchor member.
US08343159B2	Orthopaedic bone saw and method of use thereof A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.
US08343157B2	Bone-reaming system A bone-reaming system for use in bone cavities which allows for a less invasive and more precise surgical procedure is disclosed. An apparatus according to such a system may include a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a cutter attached to the motor and extendable through the aperture, wherein the housing is capable of articulating with respect to a bone cavity so as to allow the cutter to cut at least a portion of the bone cavity. A routing guide is used in conjunction with the apparatus to provide a template through which to cut preselected portions of a bone cavity. Also disclosed is a method for using such a bone-reaming system.
US08343153B2	Component and method for assembling an implant arrangement The invention refers to a component for arrangement at an implant as well as a method for the assembling of an implant arrangement. The component comprises a basic component, at least one sensor arranged in the basic component for the detection of a measurement variable and for the generation of measuring data for the detected measurement variable, a telemetry device arranged in the basic component for transmitting and receiving data and a data transmission connection between the at least one sensor device and the telemetry device for the transmission of data between the at least one sensor device and the telemetry device, whereby the data comprise the measuring data. At the basic component, assembly means for mounting the basic component in an implant recess are formed.
US08343151B2	Vessel sealer and divider with captured cutting element A forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has an end effector assembly that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation and moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween and a knife. One or more jaw members include knife blade channels defined therein. Each knife blade channel includes a polygonal longitudinal cross-section defined therein. The knife includes a knife edge and a knife base. The knife base includes a corresponding polygonal longitudinal cross-section. The knife is configured to translate through the knife blade channels and the knife base is configured to slidingly engage the knife base channel having the polygonal cross section upon translation of the knife. In embodiments, the knife blade channel and the knife base have a T-shaped longitudinal cross-section.
US08343148B2	Surgical instrument A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly comprises first and second electrodes separated by an insulation member. When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly, and relative movement is initiated between the tube and the tissue, a core of severed tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The tube comprises a twin-walled construction with an inner wall, an outer wall and an air gap therebetween. This twin-walled construction reduces the heat that is able to travel proximally along the tube.
US08343146B2	Methods for control of energy delivery to multiple energy delivery devices Embodiments of a system and method are described for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal through a plurality of energy delivery devices. In some embodiments, a plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to a generator and the number of energy delivery devices is automatically detectable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the amount of energy delivered through the energy delivery devices is controlled, at least in part, by dynamically varying the amount of time that each energy delivery device is delivering energy.
US08343145B2	Microwave surface ablation using conical probe An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a conical hood reflector and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a shaft assembly that has a coaxial feedline core having an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by an insulating layer. A tubular catheter is disposed coaxially around the feedline and is configured to deliver coolant, such as saline or deionized water, to a coolant chamber at a distal end formed within the conical reflector. A radiating section disposed within the conical reflector may have a conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape. A membrane disposed across a distal opening of the conical reflector seals coolant within the coolant chamber, and may conform to tissue contours during use. A resilient aperture may be included at the periphery of the conical hood. The shaft assembly may include an angled section, an adjustable section, and, additionally or alternatively, a malleable section.
US08343139B2	Portable pressure relief system and methods A portable systems release fluid pressure with a cavity within a patient. These systems include a drainage catheter, a pressure-responsive one-way valve, and a fluid reservoir all adapted to be mounted in proximity to the cavity being drained. One system in particular is used in relieving intracranial pressure. This intracranial pressure relief system may include a headband to which are mounted the one-way valve and reservoir. The drainage catheter may have mounted thereon a cranium seal formed of a soft material that contacts the inner wall of a cranium bore hole. The cranium seal may have threads to facilitate advancement into the bore hole.
US08343137B2	Medical connector A medical connector, of a female luer type, comprises an external tubular body (4) which contains an internal tubular body (2) free to rotate about an axis thereof. The external tubular body exhibits a screw-coupling surface. The internal tubular body exhibits a conical luer seal surface. An insert (5), which has a pawl (9) snap-fitted in a window (8) afforded on the external tubular body, constrains the two tubular bodies solidly to one another, in an axial displacement direction. The connector is used to connect a blood line to a blood port of a dialyser, preventing the blood line from twisting on itself and kinking.
US08343136B2	Introducer sheath with encapsulated reinforcing member An introducer sheath and a method for making the sheath. The sheath includes a fluoropolymer liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner jacket is positioned longitudinally over the liner, and the inner surface of the inner jacket is bonded to the outer surface of the liner. An outer jacket is positioned longitudinally over the inner jacket, and the inner surface of the outer jacket is bonded to the outer surface of the inner jacket. A reinforcing coil is encapsulated within the inner jacket and the outer jacket.
US08343133B2	Bone marrow aspiration needle Disclosed is an aspiration assembly including an outer cannulated needle having a tip, a threaded collar, and an inner aspiration needle. A material can be aspirated through at least the inner aspiration needle. The distance that the tip of the inner aspiration needle extends from the tip of the outer cannulated needle changes when the inner aspiration needle is rotated relative to the outer cannulated needle.
US08343125B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article (100) includes a topsheet (101), a backsheet (102), and an absorbent core (10). The absorbent core (10) includes a number of discretely and independently arranged absorbent members (30) located across a planar direction of the article (100). An intermediate sheet (20) is disposed between the topsheet (101) and the absorbent core (10) or between the backsheet (102) and the absorbent core (10). The absorbent members (30) are fixed to the intermediate sheet (20). It is preferable that an absorption rate of physiological saline solution measured by D/W method of each of the topsheet (101), the intermediate sheet (20), and the absorbent core (10) satisfies the following relationship: the topsheet (101)
US08343123B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has multiple linear or curved fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than average flexural rigidity and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions. Accordingly, there is provided an absorbent article that can change its morphology along the configuration of wear object. Absorbent article has multiple linear or curved first fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than the average flexural rigidity of the absorbent article and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions, which multiple first fold regions are provided in approximately symmetric relationship with respect to the center line in the direction of width.
US08343120B2	Ostomy bag The invention provides an ostomy bag assembly including an outer bag and an inner bag secured to one side of a flange. The inner bag is removable to facilitate disposal. The flange has a polymeric backing film and a layer of bioadhesive for securing the ostomy bag assembly to the body of a patient. The flange includes an orifice to enable bodily waste to be received by the inner bag. The outer bag is detachably bonded to a first attachment zone on the flange and the inner bag is secured to a second attachment zone on the flange. The outer bag is mounted to the flange by an annular bonding element is formed from a multilayer polymeric material comprising first and second ethylene vinyl acetate layers and a polymeric support layer interposed there between. A method of fabricating ostomy bags is also provided.
US08343119B2	Stoma cap device for ostomy maintenance assistance Provided is a cap device for home use to temporarily cover the stoma resulting from a urostomy, colostomy or ileostomy procedure. It provides a favorable means of preventing leakage during routine cleaning around the stoma during the ostomy pouch replacement process. The device may include, in any combination, use of a flexible elastomeric material for creating low suction to assist with retention, a shaped lip for comfort and sealing, a disposable liner, or internal absorption material to help avoid spillage and leakage.
US08343095B2	Thermochemical ablation of bodily tissue Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy.
US08343094B2	Universal syringe with retractable needle This invention relates to medical devices useful for infusion therapy and, more particularly, to a syringe that can be selectively used with a retractable needle or with frontal attachment devices such as luer hubs, valves or other connectors in needleless systems.
US08343091B2	Security tip for vascular catheter and method of using same A method of maintaining a locking fluid in an implanted catheter including positioning a catheter assembly in a patient, the catheter assembly including a first lumen having a closed first distal end and a first proximal end, and a second lumen having a closed second distal end and a second proximal end and injecting the locking fluid into the first and second proximal ends at a low pressure such that the locking fluid enters each lumen without opening the respective closed distal end. A method of withdrawing the locking fluid is also provided.
US08343087B2	Prosthetic device for creating a vascular bypass, without clamping, from a blood vessel A prosthetic device for creating a vascular bypass from an arterial vessel has at least one prosthetic tube joined to an orifice of a flexible collar. The prosthetic tube extends from an outer face of the collar. The collar has an inner face surface for attachment to the arterial vessel. The collar has a connection zone has an annular cavity extending around and away from the orifice. The annular cavity is suitable for receiving an injected glue or bioabsorable haemostatic product so as to attach to the arterial vessel.
US08343082B2	Nonwoven splinting and casting product A medical bandaging product, including a non-woven, fibrous, flexible medical material adapted for being applied and conformed to a body part to be supported, and a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the medical material. The system remains stable when maintained in a non-activated condition in the absence of an activating agent, such as water, and hardens upon activation by exposure to the activating agent to form a rigid, self supporting structure. An enclosure is provided within which the medical material is maintained against exposure to the activating agent until use. The product may be in pre-cut shapes or in roll-form for cutting off a desired length for a given use.
US08343081B2	Mechanical CPR device with variable resuscitation protocol Methods to control the delivery of CPR to a patient through a mechanical CPR device are described. The method generally allows for a gradual increase in the frequency of CPR cycles. The gradual increase can be regulated by protocols programmed within the CPR device such as intermittently starting and stopping the delivery of CPR, accelerating the delivery of CPR, stepping up the CPR frequency, increasing the force of CPR, and adjusting the ratio of compression and decompression in a CPR cycle. Combinations of each of these forms may also be used to control the delivery of CPR. This manner of gradually accelerating artificial blood flow during the first minutes of mechanical CPR delivery can serve to lessen the potential for ischemia/reperfusion injury in the patient who receives mechanical CPR treatment.
US08343080B2	Knee extension treatment apparatus A knee extension treatment apparatus for applying a downward force to an upper surface of a user's leg while the leg is supported by the knee extension treatment apparatus, for facilitating the straightening of the leg when bent at the knee, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a base frame assembly, an ankle support connected to the base frame assembly, first and second strap assemblies secured to the base frame assembly, each strap assembly being secured at one end and constructed and arranged to lay over the upper surface of the user's leg, a corresponding opposite end of each strap assembly being moveable by the user whereby pulling each corresponding opposite end creates a corresponding downward force on the upper surface of the user's leg.
US08343079B2	Neural monitoring sensor A sensing device for detecting a muscle event includes a mechanical sensor, such as an accelerometer, that is configured to provide a signal corresponding to a mechanical movement of a muscle, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the sensing device; and a contact detection device coupled with the plurality of electrodes and configured to detect if the sensing device is in contact with a subject.
US08343074B2	Fluid handling devices Devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid are provided. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.
US08343068B2	Sensor unit and procedure for monitoring intracranial physiological properties An anchor for an implantable sensing device, a sensor unit formed by the anchor and sensing device, and a surgical procedure for implanting the sensor unit for monitoring a physiological parameter within a cavity of a living body, such as an intracranial physiological property. The anchor includes a shank portion and a head portion. The shank portion defines a distal end of the anchor and has a bore defining an opening at the distal end. The head portion defines a proximal end of the anchor and has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the shank portion. The sensor unit comprises the anchor and the sensing device placed and secured within the bore of the anchor so that a sensing element of the sensing device is exposed for sensing the physiological parameter within the cavity.
US08343067B2	System and method for quantifying and mapping visual salience A system for quantifying and mapping visual salience to a visual stimulus, including a processor, software for receiving data indicative of a group of individual's ocular responses to a visual stimulus, software for determining a distribution of visual resources at each of at least two times for each of at least a portion of the individuals. The system further including software for determining and quantifying a group distribution of visual resources at each of the at least two times and software for generating a display of the group's distribution of visual resources to the visual stimulus.
US08343065B2	Neural event detection A method of detecting an induced muscle response includes monitoring a mechanical parameter of a muscle; computing an amount of muscle jerk from the monitored parameter; comparing the computed muscle jerk to a jerk threshold; and identifying the occurrence of an induced muscle response if the computed muscle jerk exceeds the threshold.
US08343062B2	Digital control method for measuring blood pressure A system and method of digital control for a blood pressure measurement system is provided. According to at least one embodiment, a photo-plethysmographic (PPG) system produces a frequency signal that corresponds to the measured light in the PPG system. Such light may be indicative of blood volume in a vein or artery. The frequency signal may be used to control one or more pressure valves of the system in order to measure blood pressure and hold the frequency signal constant.
US08343057B2	Apparatus and method for monitoring pressure related changes in the extra-thoracic arterial circulatory system A method and apparatus for monitoring changes in the intra-thoracic pressure of a patient due to the patient's respiratory activity or volumetric changes in the extra-thoracic arterial circulatory system due to cardiac function based on the changes in pressure in the patient's extra-thoracic arterial circulatory system as measured by a plethysmography sensor, such as an photoplethysmograph. A frequency spectrum is generated for the plethysmograph signal and the frequencies of interest is isolated from the frequency spectrum by setting appropriate cutoff frequencies for the frequency spectrum. This isolated frequency is used to filter the plethysmograph signal to provide a signal indicative of the patient's respiratory activity or cardiac function.
US08343054B1	Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging Systems and methods are described to create a plurality of ultrasound images of an area, each of the plurality of ultrasound images acquired using a respective beam steering angle, determine, for each of a plurality of image pixel locations in each of the plurality of ultrasound images, a value of an image pixel located at an image pixel location, identify, for each of the plurality of image pixel locations, a value among the plurality of values determined for the pixel location other than the largest value of the plurality of values determined for the pixel location, and create a first output image in which each of the plurality of image pixel locations of the output image includes an image pixel having the value identified for the image pixel location.
US08343052B2	Ultrasonograph, medical image processing device, and medical image processing program An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of measuring a three-dimensional motion of a biological tissue in a short time. An image processor creates volume data based on image data of a B-mode image of a biological tissue and creates image data of a series of tomographic images in time series for the respective two or more sectional positions based on the volume data. A controller displays one tomographic image for each sectional position on a display part. A user operates an operation part to designate a measurement image region on the displayed tomographic image. A displacement calculating part calculates a displacement in time series of the designated measurement image region for each sectional position. A motion information calculating part calculates motion information of the biological tissue based on the displacement of the measurement image region calculated for each sectional position.
US08343048B2	Retractor system The present invention provides a surgical retractor system in which first and second retractor blades are maintained in spaced relationship by a third retractor blade engaged with the first and second retractor blades. The first and second retractor blades are moveable between a first position in which they are nearer one another and a second position in which they are further from one another. The third retractor blade is engageable with the first and second retractor blades in the second position to maintain the first and second retractor blades in the second position. The first, second, and third retractor blades define an open space between them in which a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be carried out.
US08343047B2	Surgical instrument access device Embodiments of an access device system useful for single or limited port procedures includes a retractor and a gel cap removably coupled to the retractor. The gel cap includes a gel pad that acts as an artificial body wall, through which instruments may be inserted into a body cavity, either directly or through one or more trocars. The gel pad permits flexible instrument placement, as well as translational and angular degrees of freedom for the instruments while maintaining a gas tight seal.
US08343045B2	Curved cannula The cross section of a curved portion of a curved cannula is oval shaped. The oval is oriented such that a major axis of the oval is generally aligned with the curved portion's bend radius. In one aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall approaches the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this first aspect, a wider contact patch area between the instrument component and the cannula results, which reduces friction and stick-slip during insertion. In another aspect, the cannula tube is ovalized so that the radius of curvature of an interior wall is less than the outer radius of an instrument component that contacts the curved portion during instrument insertion. In this second aspect, two contact patches are established between the instrument component and cannula, which also reduces friction and stick-slip during instrument insertion. Also disclosed is a cannula orientation marking that changes circumferential orientation along a length the curved cannula to help a person who is inserting the cannula to properly twist the cannula during insertion.
US08343041B2	Integrated locking device with passive sealing Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.
US08343037B2	Endoscope apparatus and endoscope-image recording method An endoscope apparatus including an insertion portion for insertion into a body cavity; an image-acquisition unit disposed at a tip thereof that acquires an image of the inside of the body cavity; an insertion-length measuring unit disposed at a base end of the insertion portion that measures an insertion length of the insertion portion inside the body cavity; a storage unit that stores the image acquired by the image-acquisition unit in association with the insertion length measured by the insertion-length measuring unit; a following decision unit that determines whether insertion movement at the tip follows insertion movement at the base end; and a correcting unit that corrects the insertion length of the insertion portion associated with the acquired image to cancel a change in the insertion length measured in a non-following period on the basis of the result of that determination.
US08343035B2	Dilator with direct visualization Dilators with a threaded distal portion and direct visualization capability may be used for penetrating and dilating stiff tissues and bones. The threaded portion of a dilator engages the tissue between the insertion site and the target site, and may be rotated for advancing through the target tissue in a more controlled fashion. The direct visualization capability may be used to visualize the ligament as the threaded distal portion passes through the ligamentum flavum. The devices and methods described may be used in procedures, for example, where ligaments surrounding the epidural space need to be dilated in order to deliver one or more surgical instruments into the epidural space.
US08343034B2	Electric medical instrument fitting which is attached to a medical instrument holding device The electric medical instrument fitting is attached to a medical instrument holding device. The electric medical instrument fitting includes a fitting body, drive units for a plurality of second medical instruments, and an intermediate member. The fitting body has a fitting portion that enables attachment/detachment of a first medical instrument which can be arranged with an observation device and provided with channel holes for inserting treatment instruments, or which is provided with an observation device. The drive units for the second medical instruments can each be detachably connected with each second medical instrument provided with an insertion portion to be inserted into each channel hole, with a treatment portion being provided on the side of a distal end thereof. Each of the drive units for the second medical instruments is provided with a joint driver, an advancing/retreating driver and a rotation driver, for changing the position and the posture of the treatment portion. Each of the drive units for the second medical instruments has a center of gravity set at a predetermined position of a roll axis of the rotation driver, with the position of the roll axis being apart from a fitting surface by a predetermined distance. The intermediate member is arranged at the fitting body which is attached with the plurality of medical instrument drive units, a center of gravity of the entirety being set on an extension line of a center axis of the fitting portion.
US08343024B1	Apparatus and methods relating to corrugated materials, containers, and packaging A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.
US08343023B2	Method and device for producing a highly precise box The invention relates to a method for producing an outer box and a drawer for packaging purposes, and to a corresponding device for producing the outer box and drawer. A first machine produces the outer box, a second machine produces the drawer, and a shared main drive drives the devices of the first machine and the second machine. The first and second machines transform flat blanks into an outer box and a drawer respectively, by a series folding and welding steps.
US08343010B2	Shift to direct drive during coast conditions A method and system for automated manual transmission shift methodologies for coasting conditions are disclosed. A coast condition is detected in a vehicle having a transmission that couples prime mover power from a transmission input to a transmission output at a plurality of different gear ratios. A target gear ratio is selected based on the power loss attributes associated with each gear ratio. Each gear ratio is associated with a power loss attribute indicative of a power loss between the transmission input and transmission output when prime mover power is coupled from the transmission input to the transmission output using that gear ratio. The transmission is shifted from a current gear ratio to the target gear ratio if the target and current gear ratios differ. By selecting the target gear ratio, vehicle fuel efficiency is improved, while keeping the vehicle under constant prime mover braking or continuous prime mover control.
US08343005B2	Multi-speed transmission having four planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, another two planetary gear sets that may be stacked or nested to form a planetary gear set assembly, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The stacked or nested planetary gear set assembly has a carrier member for rotatably supporting a first plurality of pinion gears and a second plurality of pinion gears, a ring gear and a common member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08343004B2	Powertrain of an automatic transmission A powertrain of an automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third operating members, a second planetary gear set having fourth, fifth, and sixth operating members, and third planetary gear set having seventh, eighth, and ninth operating members, the fourth and seventh operating members being fixedly interconnected, the fifth and ninth operating members being fixedly interconnected, the third and eighth operating members being selectively interconnected, the second and seventh operating members being selectively interconnected, the second and sixth operating members being selectively interconnected, wherein a transmission case is fixedly connected to the first operating member and selectively connected to the seventh and eighth operating members, an input shaft is fixedly connected to the third operating member and selectively connected to the seventh operating member, and an output shaft is fixedly connected to the ninth operating member.
US08342999B2	Electromotive drives A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.
US08342991B2	Inflatable play ball A play ball comprising an outer casing having two adjacent openings, a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented. A handle is attached to the outer casing through the adjacent openings in the casing. The handle is stretchable and can be in the form of an elastomeric band.
US08342983B1	Golf putter A golf putter comprising a body including a front face, and a rearward member joined to and extending rearwardly from the body and comprising a lower region, and a first cleat and a second cleat extending downwardly from the lower region. The first and second cleats may be positioned to extend downwardly along first and second cleat axes, such that a line segment extending between the cleat axes is parallel to the front face of the club body. The putter may be further comprised of a shaft joined to a top portion of the body and having a central axis which intersects a line segment extending from a junction of the first cleat with the lower region of the rearward member to a junction of the second cleat with the lower region of the rearward member. The central axis of the shaft may be substantially perpendicular to the line segment.
US08342978B2	Device for instructing downswing in golf swing A start timing instructing device includes a sensor attachable to the body of a player to detect changes in angle and/or acceleration associated with a backswing movement of the player. A variable resistor sets a start timing associated with a predetermined angle and/or acceleration data and has a volume by which the set start timing is adjustable. A microprocessor calculates an angle and/or acceleration data of the backswing movement based on the detected angle and/or acceleration and generates a start timing instruction if the calculated angle and/or acceleration data meet the angle and/or acceleration data which have been set and adjusted through the variable resistor and the volume. The microprocessor controls a stimulator attached to the body of the player to generate a vibration, sound or electric stimulation upon receiving the start timing instruction so as to inform the player of the body start timing for the downswing.
US08342975B1	Occupant propelled roundabout One embodiment of an occupant propelled roundabout (“roundabout”) may have a body. The roundabout may also have a carrier, which may be rotatably carried by the body and may also have a seat assembly adapted to carry an occupant. In addition, the roundabout may also have a drive mechanism pivotally coupled to the seat assembly such that the drive mechanism may be movable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The drive mechanism may be moved toward the deployed position in response to the occupant operating the drive mechanism. Also, the roundabout may have a biasing member, which may be operably connected between the drive mechanism and the carrier so that the biasing member may move the drive mechanism toward the retracted position.
US08342973B2	Sliding joint A sliding joint for motor vehicles, having an inner race which includes inner running grooves, an outer race which includes outer running grooves, a cage, and balls. The inner running grooves are constructed parallel to each other in the axial dimension and include a displacement segment and a functional segment, and the outer running grooves are likewise constructed parallel to each other in the axial dimension and also include a displacement segment and a functional segment.
US08342971B2	Fixed type constant velocity universal joint A fixed type constant velocity universal joint secures smooth rotation and reduces a load on a cage even at a large operating angle and when bearing large torque. The universal joint includes an outer joint member having an inner spherical surface in which track grooves are circumferentially formed in an axial direction and an inner joint member having an outer spherical surface in which track grooves paired with the track grooves of the outer joint member are circumferentially formed in the axial direction and multiple outer spherical surface portions circumferentially arranged. Balls are interposed between the track grooves of the outer and inner joint members for transmitting torque. A cage is interposed between the inner spherical surface and the outer spherical surface for retaining the balls. A spherical surface angle of the outer spherical surface on a joint opening side is set to 12.5° or more.
US08342965B2	Displaying a game menu screen by flash program module in an on-line game application A recorded medium comprises a FLASH program module including FLASH program module graphic data and action scripts associated with the FLASH program module graphic data. The FLASH program module analyzes the FLASH program module graphic data and the action scripts. A platform program installed on a client transmits the functionality necessary for game processing through communication with a game server. When a user requests information which requires communication with the game server, the FLASH program module provides a parameter associated with the user request to the platform program. The platform program analyzes the parameter, requests the information from the game server and provides the information to the FLASH program module.
US08342963B2	Methods and systems for enabling control of artificial intelligence game characters A method for controlling an artificial-intelligence (AI) character includes entering a command mode which enables control of the AI character, and occurs while substantially maintaining an existing display of the game, thereby preserving the immersive experience of the video game for the player. A plurality of locations are sequentially specified within a virtual space of the game, the plurality of locations defining a path for the AI character. The AI character is moved along the path to the plurality of locations in the order they were specified. The plurality of locations may be specified by maneuvering a reticle, and selecting each of the locations. A node can be displayed in the existing display of the game at each of the plurality of locations. A series of lines connecting the nodes can also be displayed in the existing display of the game.
US08342957B2	Convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system and method with a real-time player dashboard display A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines wherein each of the gaming machines includes a video camera connected to capture live player video feed during competition or tournament operating mode, and each of the gaming machines is operable to display a tournament game presentation simultaneously with a player dashboard. The player dashboard includes a display of the live player video, the player position, the player score, and remaining time in the competition or tournament.
US08342954B2	Gaming system and method of operating a gaming system providing wagering control features for wagering games A gaming system and method provides wagering control features for application in multi-stakes, multi-player wagering games. Players have the option to choose one of a plurality of different modes at the beginning of a gaming session. Depending on which mode is selected, the wagering control feature or features available to players during game play will be different.
US08342951B2	Providing offers to computer game players A method of rewarding a game player of a game can target particular types of offers to a player. A usage profile is determined for the player, which can be based on interaction between the player and items or goals in a game. Player information is identified, such as player statistics or categorization of the player. A category is selected for the player, based on the usage profile and the player information for the player. An offer is then selected from a group of offers, wherein the offer is for a real world object, service or event.
US08342949B2	Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play with multiple gaming devices In accordance with at least one embodiment, a gaming system is operable to determine a first gaming device being operated by a player and select a second gaming device to be controlled, via the first gaming device, by the player. In some embodiments, the gaming system is further operable to configure the second gaming device to be controlled via an interface of the first gaming device.
US08342930B2	Game execution control method, storage medium, and electronic instrument When a piece 6a has stopped at an empty element 3, a castle 10 can be built at the element, and ownership can be set to the element. When another piece 6b has stopped at the element to which the ownership has been set, a sub-game is executed so that a player who owns the castle 10 (element 3), another player who uses a piece 6b, and a third player who uses a piece 6c that is positioned within a given range from the castle 10 participate in the sub-game. When the player who owns the castle 10 has won the sub-game, the player can collect the cost of staying from the player who uses the piece 6b. When the player who uses the piece 6b has won the sub-game, the player who uses the piece 6b can acquire the ownership of the castle 10.
US08342928B1	Market-based simulation game and system Games and devices for playing games based on market simulations are described. The games may use real market data or may simulate markets using real data. Other games may use guesses from a large number of other players to simulate the market. One embodiment is described where real estate markets are the basis for a game. The value of the real estate may be determined by actual sales prices or valuations, by automated valuation models of the sales or valuation of similar items, or from a “wisdom of the crowd” algorithm. In one embodiment, the wisdom of the crowd algorithm uses a segmented authority model to make the pricing algorithm more robust.
US08342913B2	Orbital apparatus for machining a revolution metallic wall The invention relates to an orbital apparatus (20) for machining of a revolution metallic wall, of the type comprising a fixed annular plate (30) coaxially mounted on a universal support and having a peripheral annular electric collector (35) and an annular plate (50) rotationally mobile and coaxially mounted on the fixed annular plate (30). The mobile annular plate (50) carries a set of electrical contacts (55) cooperating with the electrical collector (35), means (60) for rotationally driving the plate (50), means (70) for machining the metallic wall and pneumatic feeder means (80) to apply and maintain the machining means (70) on the metallic wall.
US08342885B2	Serviceable inline AC fuse holder An inline fuse holder for housing a fuse that electrically connects first and second wire terminals is provided. The inline fuse holder can generally include a cannulated fuse holder housing having a cylindrical inner periphery. The fuse holder housing can have a first end that defines a first opening, and a second end that defines a second opening. The first and second ends comprise first locking features. A first wire connector includes a connector housing that defines a through bore. The connector housing can have a boss configured to be received by the first opening of the fuse holder housing. The first wire connector further includes a second locking feature that is configured to selectively lock with one of the first locking features in the installed position.
US08342884B2	Dual card edge connector with top-loading male and female components An LED light assembly includes a plurality of LED printed circuit boards (PCB), with each LED PCB having at least one LED bulb and electrical connector pads configured at each opposite end of the boards. A top loading two-component surface mount electrical connector is configured to connect one end of a first LED PCB to an end of a second said LED PCB such that the first and second LED PCBs are electrically connected in an abutting end-to-end configuration. The connected LED PCBs may be configured in a light tube that includes connector end caps for mounting the light tube in a light fixture.
US08342883B2	Electric power supply connecting device for a parameterizable electrical apparatus There is provided an electric power supply connecting device for a parameterizable electrical apparatus, comprising a first connector for an electric power source, a second connector to the electrical apparatus and a storage device for parameter data which can be read out by the electrical apparatus.
US08342882B2	USB interface device and terminal device A USB interface device includes a USB connector electrically connected with a circuit board through pins. A shielding frame is attached to a joint between the USB connector and the circuit board and covering the pins. The shielding frame is a frame body having a first opening at a part thereof attached to the circuit board and a second opening at a part thereof attached to the USB connector.
US08342879B2	Coaxial cable connector A connector used in coaxial cable communication applications, and more specifically to coaxial connectors having features for sealing against environmental contaminants, facilitating effective attachment to a corresponding interface port, and improving the efficiency of structures and processes for attaching the connectors to coaxial cables. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08342874B2	Electrical connector with improved locking member having latch structure thereof An electrical connector assembly includes a first and second connector and locking members. The first connector defines a mating surface and two rows of first terminals along a lateral direction. Each row is arranged along a longitudinal direction. The first terminals include elastic contacting portions projecting beyond the mating surface. The second connector defines a receiving space to receive said first connector and includes two rows of second terminals. The locking members are formed in a same shape and each comprises a retention portion and a latch portion. The first and the second connectors define at least one receiving slot between two rows of passageways and extending in the longitudinal direction, the locking members are retained in the receiving slots respectively, the locking member located in the first connector is hid in the slot and the locking member located in the second connector projecting perpendicularly beyond the bottom surface.
US08342859B2	Electronic component An electronic component includes: a first substrate having a through-hole; a second substrate opposite the first substrate; a sealing member surrounding a sealing space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a functional element having at least a part thereof disposed in the sealing space, and a through-electrode filling the through-hole, the through-hole penetrating the first substrate. The sealing member includes an elastic core part on the first substrate. A metal film is on a surface of the core part and is bonded to the second substrate.
US08342856B2	Charging connector and method A charging connector (10) has terminal fittings (20) including female-side main portions (21) connectable to a vehicle-side terminal (60) and having a wire (W) connected to the rear end of the main portion (21). Terminal accommodating portions (15) are formed internally with cavities (17) for accommodating the terminal fittings (20). Seals (30) are sandwiched between facing inner walls of the cavities (17) and the main portions (21). Wire accommodating portions (11, 12) are behind the terminal accommodating portions (15) for accommodating the wires (W) in a state where reaction forces push the terminal fittings (20) forward. Each terminal fitting (20) is biased constantly forward by the reaction force of the wire W against a frictional force with the seal ring (30), thereby being arranged at a frontmost position where the front end of the main portion (21) and a front wall (17A) of the cavity (17) are in contact.
US08342846B2	Braille writing device capable of processing information A Braille writing device capable of processing information, comprises a motherboard (10) including a plurality of Braille cells (11) arranged in rows and columns, each cell consists of six dot-shaped recesses or pinholes, a sub-board (20) is configured to be inserted into a flute (12) being provided at each of left and right margins of the motherboard and moveable along the flute, a plurality of marks (13) are provided on an outer surface of the flutes (12), and a detent member (30) is formed between each two of the marks (13) in the inner side of the flute (12) and configured to prevent the moveable sub-board from being moved during writing. A Braille information processor (40) is fixed on a concave formed on the backside of the motherboard (10), comprising a circuit board (41), a central processing unit (42), a plurality of Braille trigger switch groups (44) each of which consists of six trigger switches (43), and an infrared transmitter (45). The Braille information processor can be coupled to a PDA or computer.
US08342845B2	Method and system for providing incentives in a business environment A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.
US08342839B2	Assembly for hanging a candle inside a bottle An assembly is provided whereby a candle holder is supported within a bottle and the bottle has no bottom and a single assembly supports both the candle holder and bottle.
US08342838B2	Mold with sliders A mold includes upper and lower mold members, an upper-side slider pushing member, a slider, and an ejector rod. The upper-side slider pushing member is secured on the upper mold member. The lower mold member defines a movement space. The slider is slidably mounted on the lower mold member, and forms outer and inner angled surfaces. The ejector rod is movably mounted on the lower mold member. The ejector rod extends into the movement space and is driven by the push bar. The ejector rod and the upper-side slider pushing member are respectively engageable and thus pushing the inner and outer angled surfaces of the slider to cause the slider to slide on the lower mold member. The mold keeps the slider in a closed state while the mold is being opened, thereby preventing molded products from sticking to an upper mold member and saving internal space for the sliders.
US08342835B2	Seal-ring shape forming apparatus A seal ring whose abutment joint portion is opened is fitted into an annular gap while the abutment joint portion is substantially closed. The annular gap is formed between an inner circumferential surface of a hole portion provided in an outer circumferential jig and an outer circumferential surface of an inner circumferential jig disposed in the hole portion, and has a heating region and a cooling region. The seal ring is passed through the heating region and then passed through the cooling region in the annular gap. The outer circumferential jig and the inner circumferential jig are maintained at a constant temperature higher than a glass transition temperature of a resin material for the seal ring in the heating region, and maintained at a constant temperature lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin material for the seal ring in the cooling region.
US08342832B2	Mold for shaping baseball or softball cover A ball cover shaping mold of a baseball or softball is constructed from two corresponding figure of 8 shaped mold pieces. These two mold pieces fit together to form a mold of the outside of the ball cover of a softball or baseball, and these two mold pieces are constructed from a soft material. Where these two mold pieces join are the seams, and on the inside side of the seams, grooves are set to form the raised sewn section on the ball cover, and an material inlet and an air outlet is situated where these two pieces join. PU material is used in the mold to construct the ball cover. The soft mold pieces are easy to remove and moreover, the grooves set on the inside seams of the figure of 8 shaped mold pieces form the raised sewn section on the outside of the ball cover where the two mold pieces join, thereby fulfilling the required outside appearance of the ball. The raised sewn section is situated along the mold lines, eliminating the need to further repair and trim the ball to achieve the required outside appearance of the ball, this structure of the mold being simple, and meticulously designed, therefore allowing for easy formation of the ball cover, and additional work procedures are simplified, hugely increasing the production rate of baseballs and softballs, and thereby raising the competitiveness of the product on the market.
US08342829B2	Three-stage screw compressor The invention relates to a multi step helical screw compressor unit which consists of a drive housing (90), wherein a first, second, and third helical screw compressor (60, 70, 80) are secured in a protruding manner parallel to each other and are driven together by a drive toothed wheel in the drive housing. A gas-like fluid is compressed by the first helical screw compressor (60) at a first intermediate pressure of approximately 3.5 bars, by the second helical screw compressor (70) at a second intermediate pressure of approximately 12 bars and by the third helical screw compressor (80) at an end pressure of approximately 40 bars. The driven toothed wheels (65, 75) of the first and the second helical screw compressors are in contact with the drive toothed wheel (95) above the axes thereof, when the driven toothed wheel (85) of the third helical screw compressor (80) is in contact with the drive toothed wheel (95) in the vicinity of the deepest point thereof (T). The position of the axis of the drive toothed wheel (95) can be modified horizontally, and the position of the driven toothed wheel (85) of the third helical compressor (80) can be modified vertically, in order to install a wheel set having various diameter ratios.
US08342827B2	Hermetic compressor and refrigeration cycle device having the same Disclosed are a hermetic compressor and a refrigeration cycle device having the same. An oil separator for separating oil from a refrigerant is installed outside a casing. The oil separated by the oil separator is recollected into the casing by an oil pump driven by a driving force of a driving motor. The oil is recollected from the refrigerant and fabrication costs are be reduced. A cooling capability of the refrigeration cycle device is enhanced, the compressor has a simplified configuration, and the fabrication costs are reduced. Because an outlet of a discharge opening through which oil is discharged to the casing from the oil pump is installed at a position lower than a minimum level of oil in the casing, the refrigerant is prevented from backflowing into an oil passage, and the occurrence of air bubbles on the surface of oil in the compressor may be prevented.
US08342824B2	Piston compressor, particularly refrigerant compressor A piston compressor, particularly a refrigerant compressor includes a compression chamber in a compressor block, the compression chamber being delimited by a cylinder head (10), the cylinder head (10) comprising at least one valve plate arrangement with at least one suction valve (23, 24) and at least one pressure valve (21, 22), as well as a valve cover (12). To achieve low manufacturing costs, though maintaining a good efficiency, the valve plate arrangement (16) is formed by a carrier plate (17) that comprises the suction valve (23, 24, 26, 27) and the pressure valve (18, 19, 21, 22) and is connected by at least one gas-tight connection seam (28, 31) to the valve cover (12), the connection seam (28, 31) separating a suction area (32) and a pressure area (29, 30) from one another and sealing at least the pressure area (29, 30) towards the outside.
US08342823B2	Sludge suction apparatus for offshore structure Disclosed is a sludge suction apparatus for an offshore structure. The sludge suction apparatus includes a housing having an upper mounting hole and a lower mounting hole; a suction valve installed in the lower mounting hole in line with a suction hole to selectively suck sludge according to variation of internal pressure of the housing; an exhaust valve installed in the upper mounting hole to communicate with the exhaust hole and aligned coaxially with the suction valve to exhaust the sludge to an outside through the exhaust hole; a valve port coupled to an upper portion of the upper mounting hole and formed with a fixing groove coupled with an upper portion of the exhaust valve; and a piston assembly fixedly coupled with the coupling section and reciprocated in forward and rearward directions to operate the suction valve and the exhaust valve.
US08342820B2	Cryogenic fluid circulation pump Disclosed is a cryogenic fluid circulation pump that is capable of preventing heat from permeating into a cryogenic fluid by convection during the circulation of the cryogenic fluid by the pump and, at the same time, minimizing the transfer of heat to the cryogenic fluid circulating through a shaft rotating to rotate the pump. The cryogenic fluid circulation pump includes a magnet pump unit mounted in a vacuum chamber having an introduction channel and a discharge channel formed therein to prevent heat from permeating into the cryogenic fluid by convection for rotating by a magnetic force to circulate the cryogenic fluid, when a rotary force from a power source is transmitted to the magnet pump unit.
US08342819B2	System and method for mounting a cooling device and method of fabrication A mounting apparatus for a cooling device is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a plurality of connectors extending outwardly from the cooling device. The mounting apparatus also includes at least one mounting post coupled to the plurality of connectors and configured to mount the cooling device on a substrate.
US08342816B2	Engine-driven hydraulic pump Engine-driven hydraulic pump for an aircraft, having a first and a second pump unit which each comprise an adjustable swash plate and a piston assembly coupled with said swash plate and driven by a pump shaft, a control device for adjusting the inclination of the swash plate and a drive shaft via which the hydraulic pump can be driven by an engine of the aircraft while generating hydraulic pressure at an outlet line, characterized in that the pump units are arranged in parallel and have a respective pump shaft, which pump shafts are coupled with the drive shaft by a gear unit.
US08342809B2	Device for a runner A device for a runner (1) for a fluid machine comprising a runner hub (2) and a number of blades (4) distributed around the centre axis (8) of the runner (1), each blade (4) being detachably connected to the runner (1).
US08342807B2	Elevation angle adjustment structure for a shaft of a wind power generator An elevation angle adjustment structure for a shaft of a wind power generator, including a shaft bridged between two piers and an elevation angle adjustment unit disposed on one of the piers. The elevation angle adjustment unit serves to incline the shaft from a horizontal position and adjust the elevation angle of the shaft.
US08342801B2	Method for controlling of at least one element of a first component of a wind turbine, control device and use of the control device The invention concerns a method for controlling of at least one element of a first component of a wind turbine and a control device not permanently belonging to the wind turbine wherein the control device is connected to a communication interface of the first component for supporting the mounting of the first component and a second component of the wind turbine with each other and/or for the purpose of service of the wind turbine. Moreover the invention concerns the use of the control device for controlling of at least one element of a first component of a wind turbine during the mounting of the first component and a second component of the wind turbine with each other and/or during a service procedure of the wind turbine.
US08342797B2	Cooled gas turbine engine airflow member In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine turbine flow member is described that contains a passageway having a flow obstruction that forms a tortuous passageway for the passage of a cooling fluid. The flow obstruction can include flow structures disposed toward either side of the passageway. In one non-limiting embodiment a flow structure can have a V-shape, and in another non-limiting embodiment the flow structure can have an elongate shape. As cooling fluid flows through the passageway it is encouraged to flow up, down, and/or along portions of the flow obstruction.
US08342792B2	Article separation directly on storage and retrieval device Storing and retrieving articles in and from rack warehouses which are filled and emptied, wherein articles are stored on load supports at storage locations of at least one rack of rack warehouse comprises moving a storage and retrieval device, which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the rack and has a lifting table movable in height, to a receiving point of the rack; receiving a load support, which is loaded with an article, from the rack on a load suspension device of the storage and retrieval device; separating article from the received load support on the lifting table by means of a separation station; moving storage and retrieval device to hand-over point, where storage and retrieval device is coupled in a transverse direction of the rack to article conveyor extending in longitudinal direction of rack; and delivering separated article from lifting table to the article conveyor.
US08342791B2	Depalletizing device The invention relates to a depalletizing device comprising a carriage as well as a friction roller attached to the carriage, which friction roller is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and is coupled to a rotational drive in order to rotate. The carriage can be moved to and fro in a direction at right angles to the rotation axis of the friction roller in order to push the friction roller against a side of an object on the pallet in such a manner that the friction roller exerts an upward friction force on the object as a result of which the object is raised on that side, and in order for the friction roller to pass underneath said object after the latter has been raised. The depalletizing device comprises drive means with variable driving power in order to drive the carriage. The drive means comprise detection means. The drive means are designed such that, when the carriage moves, it is driven with a power of not more than a base value and that, when the friction roller engages on the side of the object, the driving power is increased from that power until the detection means detect that the object has been raised. The power is then immediately reduced to the power of not more than the said base value when the detection means detect that the object has been raised sufficiently high.
US08342778B2	Method and apparatus for facilitating the subterranean support of underground conduits having a fixed insertion axis A vibratory pile driver configured to insert curved sheet pile beneath a conduit by rotating the pile driver about a fixed pivot element to advance the curved sheet pile along a fixed arc. In one exemplary embodiment, the distance between the fixed pivot element and the clamps that secured the curved sheet pile to the pile driver is the same as the radius of curvature of the curved sheet pile. In another exemplary embodiment, when the curved sheet pile is secured to the pile driver by the clamps, the center of the radius of curvature of the curved sheet pile lies substantially on the rotational axis of the fixed pivot element. In this embodiment, the vibratory pile driver may be rotated about the fixed pivot element to advance the curved sheet pile along an arc having curvature substantially identical to the radius of curvature of the curved sheet pile.
US08342776B2	Mine seal with adhesive An explosive-resistant mine seal, which includes a pair of block walls. An adhesive is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks where the adhesive has greater strength properties than the blocks themselves. A core member is provided between the two walls and is bound thereto. The adhesive may be coated over the walls to increase the strength of the mine seal.
US08342759B2	Barrier unit A barrier unit is provided that suppresses reflection of light at end faces of blades when the blades are in an open state and that prevents the blades from riding on top of each other. The barrier unit includes a base; and a pair of blades mounted on the base, the pair of blades being configured to be positioned in an open state and a closed state and to contact each other at predetermined end faces of the blades in the closed state. An inclined portion is provided at a central portion in a longitudinal direction, of each predetermined end face of the blades, the inclined portion defining a plane inclined with respect to an optical axis of a lens. A parallel portion is provided on both sides of the inclined portion of each predetermined end face of the blades, the parallel portion defining a plane parallel to the optical axis.
US08342757B2	Rear-view camera unit for motor-vehicles An external rear-view camera unit for motor vehicles includes a camera and a support for such camera prearranged to be connected to a structure of a motor vehicle. The support includes at least one wing element, with a wing profile, having an end for connection to the structure of the motor vehicle and an opposite end portion bearing the body of the camera and ending with a winglet portion. A lower wing element and an upper wing element may be parallel and spaced from each other. The portion for supporting the body of the camera is in the form of a casing surrounding the body of said camera and having passages for conveying the air—that impacts said unit during the travel of the motor vehicle—around the body of said camera and at the front of the transparent element for protecting the camera lens.
US08342753B2	Venturi drain for self-pumping bearing rolling mills A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove oil exiting from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting flow of oil. The chamber is isolated from a drainage sump by confinement surfaces including a seal interface defined by a flexible seal in contact with an adjacent rigid component of the bearing. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to rotatively propel oil around the chamber. A discharge conduit communicates tangentially with the chamber and is arranged to receive a pressurized flow of the oil being rotatively propelled around the chamber. A venturi is located in the discharge conduit. A suction conduit connects the venturi to the drainage sump. Oil escaping from the annular chamber past the seal interface into the drainage sump is aspirated by the venturi for removal via the conduit.
US08342750B2	Reusable refoldable bag A reusable and refoldable bag includes an integral locking mechanism that enables the bag to stay closed in a compact folded position (the folded position is about one-sixth to one-ninth of the original bag size compared to the bag when it is open and laid flat) when not in use and is easily opened when needed to carry contents. The integral locking mechanism includes a covering feature with a protected adhesive element and a flap with a mating adhesive element. In the folded position, the flap's adhesive element is placed under the covering feature and securely interlocks with the protected adhesive element. The locking mechanism can be disengaged and re-engaged for multiple reuses. The flap couples to a first side of the bag and extends outward from the bag. The covering feature couples to the first face adjacent to a top portion of the bag.
US08342747B2	Temperature sensing circuit of semiconductor device A temperature sensing circuit of a semiconductor device includes a code signal generator, a comparator, a reference clock generator and a final temperature code signal generator. The code signal generator is configured to output a first count signal having an increase rate that varies according to a change in temperature. The comparator is configured to receive the first count signal and a control signal, compare the first count signal with the control signal and output a comparison signal. The reference clock generator is configured to generate a reference clock having a uniform period regardless of the change in temperature during an activation period of the comparison signal. The final temperature code signal generator is configured to count pulses of the reference clock, generate a second count signal, modify the second count signal using an offset value, and output the modified second count signal as a final temperature code signal.
US08342744B2	Differential scanning calorimeter The differential scanning calorimeter includes: a heat sink, which stores a measuring sample and a reference material; a heater, which heats the heat sink; a cooling block, which is separated away from the heat sink, and positioned below the heat sink; a thermal resistor, which is connected between the heat sink and the cooling block, and forms a heat flow path therebetween; a cooling head, which is detachably fitted to the cooling block, and is cooled by an external cooling device; and differential heat flow detectors, which output a temperature difference between the measuring sample and the reference material as a heat-flow-difference signal, in which: the cooling block forms a side wall to fit the bore of the cooling head outward from the joint of the thermal resistance body; the top surface of the cooling head is lower than the joint.
US08342743B2	Method for testing a rotor blade of a wind power plant and test device The invention relates to a method for testing a rotor blade (13.1) of a wind power plant (1), which sweeps across a rotor blade surface to be covered during operation of the wind power plant, comprising the following steps: emitting a target light beam (20), in particular a target light beam having a power density, in a direction of the target light beam onto the rotor blade surface to be covered; detecting a possible reflection of the target light beam by a detection device at a point of incidence (16) on the rotor blade; electrically controlled emission of a measurement laser beam (21) which has a power density that is larger than the power density of the target light beam immediately after detection of the reflection at the point of incidence so that the rotor blade is heated at the point of incidence; measuring a temperature distribution at the point of incidence; and repeating the steps (a) to (d) for several points of incidence.
US08342741B2	Method for operating a sensor arrangement A method is disclosed for operating a sensor arrangement having at least one measuring sensor and at least one reference sensor for recording the same physical variable, and having an analysis unit electrically connected thereto, with a characteristic of the sensor arrangement being recorded in an initialization phase from measured values of the at least one measuring sensor and of the at least one reference sensor, and an alarm being given during continuous operation if the deviation from the characteristic lies outside a tolerance band. It is proposed to suspend the alarm dynamically so long as the changes in the measured value in the variation over time of the at least one measuring sensor or in the variation over time of the at least one reference sensor differ by more than a definable limit within a definable time interval.
US08342733B2	LED lighting assemblies A lighting assembly for a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED chip on the top of a mounting substrate with power leads on the top of the mounting substrate arranged proximate to a first edge of the mounting substrate, which is mounted to a base, includes power contacts defining separable interfaces for contacting the power leads on the mating substrate of the LED package and supplying power to the LED chip. The power contacts have compliant beams extending to the separable interfaces that are deflected when contacting the power leads such that the power contacts are biased against the power leads. The power contacts are terminated to corresponding power conductors opposite the separable interfaces. The lighting assembly also includes a dielectric housing holding the power contacts, with the housing having mounting features for securing the housing to the base independent of the LED package.
US08342723B2	Headlamp having selectable beam A headlamp having a selectable beam is provided. The headlamp having the selectable beam is configured such that a low beam and a high beam are selectable, and the headlamp includes a first lamp section which forms a low-beam light distribution pattern if the low beam is selected; a second lamp section which forms a high-beam light distribution pattern if the high beam is selected; and a control unit which controls the second lamp section based on an inclination angle of a body on which the headlamp is mounted.
US08342721B2	Recessed lighting remodeler fixture with sliding housing A recessed luminaire with adjustable socket assembly in a housing having a sidewall a top wall and a lower opening allowing light output. A socket adjustment assembly is disposed in the housing, The socket adjustment assembly has a lamp socket connected to a socket carriage, and a track having a socket carriage movably positioned on the track. The carriage moves along the track and the lamp socket is movable in a vertical and/or a horizontal direction.
US08342712B2	Kinetic flame device An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.
US08342706B2	LED lamp An exemplary LED lamp includes a central member, lamp bodies, a solar panel transforming solar power to electric energy, and a supporting member supporting the solar panel over the central member. Each lamp body includes a housing and an LED module received in the housing. The housings of the lamp bodies have bottoms thereof mounted around the central member and have tops thereof extending upwardly and outwardly from the central member. Each of the housings defines an opening facing away from the central member. Light generated by the LED modules projects out of the lamp bodies through the openings. The solar panel provides the electric energy to the LED modules.
US08342702B2	Vehicle door mirror mount structure A mount structure of a vehicle door mirror on a side door, the side door including: a door body having an outer panel and an inner panel which are joined together; and a door sash provided at an upper part of the door body so as to form an outer frame of the door body, wherein a door mirror mounting unit which mounts the door mirror is provided at an upper edge of the door body and at a vehicle front side of the door sash.
US08342697B2	Light source unit and projector To provide a light source unit which can enhance luminance and a projector, a projector of the invention includes a light source unit comprising a luminescent wheel with luminescent light emitting portions to emit blue and green rays, a primary light source shining an excitation light to the luminescent light emitting portions, a secondary light source emitting a red ray, a light guiding optical system guiding the rays from the luminescent wheel and the ray from the secondary light source to the same optical path and a light source control means controlling the emissions from the respective light sources, wherein the light source control means turns on the secondary light source when the ray from the primary light source is shone onto a boundary between the luminescent light emitting portions to synthesize the rays from the luminescent wheel and the ray from the secondary light source to generate white ray.
US08342695B2	High pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus and projector A discharge lamp lighting apparatus comprises a discharge lamp and a power supply the discharge lamp can be switched between a steady power lighting mode, which drives the discharge lamp by an alternating current in which first and second polarities are repeated by turns, and a low power lighting mode, which drives the discharge lamp at 50% or less of the alternating current of the steady power lighting mode, and the alternating current comprises a first time unit, which has a time width t1, and second time unit, which has a time width t2, that are repeated by turns to drive the discharge lamp.
US08342685B2	Testing/training visual perception speed and/or span System and methods for testing and/or training a subject's visual perception span and/or speed are provided. More specifically, a method may include testing/training various aspects of the subject's visual perception span/speed through the use of assessments that test the subject's ability to receive and retain information that is flashed in front of them. By using various assessments, an efficient examination may be administered. In accordance with the invention, an individual may be subjected to such a method of testing/training comprising: presenting one or more two-dimensional representations to the subject at a first time; receiving input responses from the subject at a second time; and processing the received input responses to provide a measure of the perception span of the subject; and processing the time between the first time and the second time to provide a measure of the perception speed of the subject.
US08342681B2	Eyewear for reducing symptoms of computer vision syndrome Computer eyewear for reducing the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). In one embodiment, the eyewear comprises a frame and two lenses. In some embodiments, the frame and lenses have a wrap-around design to reduce air flow in the vicinity of the eyes. The lenses can have optical power in the range of approximately +0.5 to +2.5 diopters for reducing accommodation demands on a user's eyes when using a computer. The lenses can also include prismatic power for reducing convergence demand on a user's eyes when sitting at a computer. The lenses can also include a partially transmissive mirror coating, tinting, and anti-reflective coatings. In one embodiment, a partially transmissive mirror coating or tinting spectrally filters light to remove spectral peaks in fluorescent or incandescent lighting.
US08342678B2	Inkjet recording method and recorded article An image is recorded by ejecting two or more ink compositions on a porous layer that contains inorganic microparticles and a water-soluble resin and has a porosity [%] of 50% or more with a maximum total ejection amount (mL/m2) set at less than 90% of an absorption capacity (mL/m2) of diethylene glycol in the porous layer. The porosity=(absorption capacity of diethylene glycol (mL/m2))/(thickness of porous layer (μm))×100. The maximum total ejection amount=(maximum ejection amount of one dot (mL/m2))×(total amount of ink (%)). An inkjet recording method capable of inhibiting color change from occurring to cause color irregularities when papers are stacked on an image portion within a relatively short time after recording in high-speed processing or processing of a large number of sheets, and capable of stably obtaining images recorded with desired color tone.
US08342674B2	Ink composition and inkjet recording method An ink composition is provided that includes (A) a monofunctional monomer comprising an acrylate monomer represented by Formula (I) and (B) a photopolymerization initiator represented by Formula (II), the monofunctional monomer (A) having a content of 30 to 90 wt %. There is also provided an inkjet recording method that includes (a1) a step of discharging onto a recording medium the ink composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 11; and (b1) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating the discharged ink composition with actinic radiation.
US08342669B2	Reactive ink components and methods for forming images using reactive inks An ink set including at least two inks. A first ink includes an optional colorant, a first multi-functional monomer, a second multi-functional monomer that is different from the first multi-functional monomer, and a peroxide initiator comprising a thermal free radical initiator. A second ink includes an optional colorant, a first multi-functional monomer, a second multi-functional monomer that is different from the first multi-functional monomer, and an amine activator having a catalyst which catalyzes the homolytic cleavage of the thermal free-radical initiator at low temperatures into radicals. The first ink is free of the amine activator and the second ink is free of the peroxide initiator. The first multi-functional monomer and the second multi-functional monomer accelerate reaction kinetics through a Trommsdorff effect. The components are each present in an amount relative to the other that provides a) early onset of gelation that accelerates polymerization, and b) an ink viscosity that is suitable for jetting from an ink jet printer.
US08342668B2	Liquid application apparatus, liquid storage method and inkjet recording apparatus A liquid application apparatus has: an application member that has an application surface applying a liquid onto a medium; a holding member that abuts against the application surface of the application member so as to form a liquid holding space in which the liquid is held; a liquid application device that rotates the application surface of the application member in such a manner that the liquid supplied from the holding member to the application surface is applied onto the medium; a storage device that stores the liquid; a first flow channel and a second flow channel that connect the storage device to the holding member; a liquid movement device that causes oscillation of the liquid in the first flow channel, the second flow channel and a flow channel including the liquid holding space to generate a flow of the liquid; and a controller that controls the liquid movement device to generate the flow of the liquid caused by the oscillation in such a manner that a product which is generated from the liquid, has a higher viscosity than the liquid and adheres to interior walls of the first flow channel and the second flow channel, is solved in the liquid or collected in the liquid.
US08342666B2	Ink-jet image forming apparatus and method of controlling ink flow An ink-jet image forming apparatus. The ink-jet image forming apparatus includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink, an ink tank to store the ink, an ink supply passage to supply the ink in the ink tank to the print head, an ink return passage to return the ink in the print head to the ink tank, a regulator mounted in the ink supply passage to regulate ink flow supplied to the print head, a shut-off valve mounted in the ink supply passage, between the ink tank and the regulator, to intercept ink flow supplied to the regulator, and an ink pump mounted in the ink return passage to forcedly flow the ink in the ink return passage. The ink pump is configured to be driven in forward and reverse directions so as to change an ink flow direction. Since the shut-off valve intercepts forcedly the ink flow in the ink supply passage, the ink in the ink tank is prevented from flowing abnormally to the print head and leaking from the print head.
US08342651B2	Inkjet recording head A liquid jet recording head includes a substrate including a plurality of discharge energy generating elements, and a plurality of ink supply ports positioned along an array direction of the plurality of discharge energy generating elements and separated from each other by beams, a plurality of ribs supported by the beams, and an orifice plate supported by the plurality of ribs, wherein the orifice plate includes discharge ports for discharging liquid droplets which enter from the plurality of ink supply ports and is provided with discharge energy by the plurality of discharge energy generating elements.
US08342648B2	Inkjet head To provide an inkjet head which includes high-density nozzle rows and which does not easily cause an ejection failure due to adhesion of ink mist around ejection orifices when a high-density image of a secondary color is printed with a small number of paths. An inkjet head includes at least two or more types of nozzle rows that eject different amounts of ink. When A is the cross section, with respect to an ink supplying direction, of an ink supply path from each ejection orifice to a supply port and L is the length of the ink supply path, the value of A/L differs between the two or more types of nozzle rows. The nozzle row of which the value of A/L is small is disposed outside an area between the nozzle rows that eject a largest amount of ink and that are arranged next to each other.
US08342644B2	Inkjet printhead for use in image forming apparatus An inkjet printhead includes multiple head modules and a mount base. The multiple head modules each includes a laminate unit containing a nozzle to eject ink in droplets and an ink chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle. The multiple head modules are mounted on the mount base. The mount base defines a first contact surface facing a first direction in which the ink is ejected. Each laminate unit defines a second contact surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second contact surfaces are held in contact with each other to position each head module in the mount base.
US08342640B2	Image forming method The present invention provides an image forming method including jetting an ink composition containing a pigment, a volatile water-soluble organic solvent, polymer particles and water, from a heated nozzle plate of an inkjet head onto a recording medium; and applying a maintenance liquid on a nozzle surface of the nozzle plate after jetting.
US08342637B2	Suction cap device and liquid jetting apparatus provided with the same A suction cap device includes a cap member which is formed of an elastic member, which is formed to have a recessed portion, and which has a suction port formed in a bottom surface of the cap member to be located inside of the recessed portion; a suction mechanism which communicates with the suction port; and a cap protector which is accommodated in the recessed portion of the cap member, and which prevents the cap member from being deformed when a pressure inside the recessed portion is decreased. In a liquid flow passage formed in the cap protector, a lead-in port formed in the cap protector has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of a lead-out port formed in the cap protector. With this, it is possible to quickly discharge a liquid received in the cap member.
US08342636B2	Discharge rate control method for ink-jet printer, ink spread inspecting method, and oriented film forming method A discharge rate control method for an ink-jet printer (1) includes forming a film (B) on a coating article (2) having a non ink-absorbent characteristic. Ink is discharged on coating article (2) from a plurality of nozzles (4) of a print head (3). The film thickness of film (B) is measured, corresponding to ink discharge positions of each nozzle (4). The discharge rate of ink is corrected for each nozzle (4) by increasing or decreasing the discharge rate based on differences between a target film thickness (Ba) and a film thickness at an ink discharge position of each nozzle (4).
US08342632B2	Printer, printing program, and printing method A printer includes a print head in which nozzles that form an image by discharging ink are arranged in a plurality of lines. The printer prints out an image on the basis of print form data in which information of layout contents of printing elements that form the content of print is set according to the attribute of each printing element. The printer includes a print form data storage unit, a printing element data storage unit, a print form data selection unit, a printing element data selection unit, and a printing element data insertion unit.
US08342631B2	Inkjet print apparatus and inkjet print method An objective is to provide an inkjet print apparatus and an inkjet print method capable of a print without concentration unevenness. To achieve the objective, in a multiple-pass print using mask patterns each having low-print-percentage areas and high-print-percentage areas, the print-percentage difference between high-print-percentage areas and low-print-percentage areas is cancelled out in left-edge and right-edge parts of an image to be printed.
US08342627B1	Adaptive filtering scheme in handheld positioning device Systems, apparatuses, and methods for an adaptive filter scheme in handheld positioning device are described herein. The adaptive filter scheme may determine a direction that the positioning device is traveling and adjust one or more parameters of the filter scheme based at least in part on the determined direction. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08342626B2	Ink jet recording apparatus and discharge recovery method An ink jet recording apparatus determines the timing of executing discharge recovery processing based on the discharge amount of ink for each predetermined region discharged from a recording head, and controls the discharge recovery processing to be executed at the determined timing. Thereby, the discharge performance of the ink can be kept to be good, and the discharge recovery processing can be executed at the suitable timing without producing any deterioration of the image quality of a recorded image, and with the deterioration of throughput reduced.
US08342624B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a recording head having: a discharge port; an actuator; and a driving circuit that selectively supplies to the actuator a discharge driving signal which includes at least one of discharge pulse signals, and a non-discharge driving signal which includes at least one of non-discharge pulse signals. The recording apparatus further includes: a transport unit; an image recording control unit; a signal number calculating unit that calculates the number of non-discharge driving signals; and a non-discharge driving control unit that controls the driving circuit to supply the number of non-discharge driving signals calculated by the signal number calculating unit, wherein the signal number calculating unit calculates the number of non-discharge driving signals such that the sum of the number of correction pulses and the total number of non-discharge pulse signals supplied to the actuator within the predetermined period is equal to a predetermined value.
US08342609B2	Mining method An open cast mining method includes sinking a blasting borehole (14) for receiving an explosive charge into a ground body (12) which is to be mined, taking an initial measurement of one or more borehole conditions, including at least a temperature inside a bottom half (14.1) of the borehole (14), and loading the borehole (14) with a base explosive charge (28) only if the initial measurement of all of the one or more measured borehole conditions are within predefined limits indicating that the borehole (14) will not be subject to uncontrolled detonation of the base explosive charge (28). The one or more borehole conditions, including at least said temperature, are further measured and monitored after the base explosive charge (28) has been loaded. An alarm signal external of the borehole (14) is provided if any of the one or more measured borehole conditions are not within predefined limits so that there is a risk of uncontrolled detonation of the explosive charge (28).
US08342600B2	Central floor part of a vehicle body A central floor part of a floor assembly of a vehicle body is formed as a unipartite cast part which is delimited at the outer side of the body by in each case one sill profile. Alternatively the unipartite cast part can be two cast parts connected to each other by a vehicle tunnel disposed between the inner sides of the two cast parts.
US08342599B2	Steering support member structure A steering support member has a steering support member 1 configured by two support members arranged in parallel; a first support member 9 arranged throughout the entire vehicle width, and a second support member 10 arranged in a zone corresponding to the front position on the driver's seat side; the first and second support members 9 and 10 are connected with a steering bracket 11; the vehicle body side end portion of the second support member 10 attached to the vehicle body via an end connecting bracket 8 together with the first support member 9, and the vehicle body opposite side end portion of the second support member 10 attached to the first support member 9 via an intermediate connecting bracket 12; and the intermediate connecting bracket 12 connected to a floor panel 5 via a first brace 13 and connected to a cowl panel 2 via a second brace 14.
US08342594B2	Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle An apparatus for reducing atmospheric drag on a vehicle. The apparatus includes an airfoil having a receiving feature, wherein the airfoil is attachable with a back portion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes at least one extender attachable with the back portion of the vehicle, and a slide arm attached to the at least one extender and mateable with the recess portion of the airfoil. The apparatus is configured such that when the slide arm is disposed in the receiving portion of the airfoil, the airfoil is in an extended position relative to the back of the vehicle. The apparatus is further configured such that applying a force on the airfoil in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back portion of the vehicle buckles the airfoil, thereby lifting the slide arm from the recess and moving the airfoil to a retracted position.
US08342591B2	Removable shade for a stroller hood A stroller covering including a removable cover shade is provided. Embodiments of this invention are directed to a removable shade for a stroller hood or bassinet hood to shield a stroller occupant (i.e., an infant or child) from rain, snow, sunlight, noise, etc., while allowing his/her caregiver quick and easy access to the child. In these embodiments, the removable shade comprises a curtain configured to cover an opening formed by the stroller hood, and a flange extending from the curtain for engaging a surface of the stroller hood.
US08342586B2	Robot hand and humanoid robot having the same A robot hand, which minimizes the number of actuators and adjusts the bending angles of joints through torque limiters to flexibly and finely control finger units, and a humanoid robot having the robot hand. The robot hand includes a torque limiter disposed on at least any one joint of a plurality of joints to link another joint of the plurality of joints with the any one joint through a power transmission member.
US08342581B2	Vehicle latch with pendulum stop on release lever A vehicle door latch assembly is provided, the vehicle door latch assembly having: a release lever pivotally secured to the latch assembly for movement between a locked position and an unlatched position; a pendulum stop pivotally secured to the release lever for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the release lever is prevented from moving to the locked position when the pendulum stop is in the blocking position; and a spring for biasing the pendulum stop into the unblocking position wherein the pendulum stop is configured such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position will cause the pendulum stop to move from the unblocking position to the blocking position such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position is limited to a predetermined position between the locked position and the unlatched position.
US08342577B2	Magnetic quick disconnect fitting A fitting for releasably coupling two structures and for maintaining fluid communication between the two structures has a first and second fitting member. The first fitting member includes a first ferromagnetic coupling element, and the second fitting member includes a second ferromagnetic coupling element. The first and second fitting members are constructed and arranged so as to be moved into engaged relation with one another and to be moved apart from on another so as to be separate from one another. Magnetic attraction between the first and second fitting members maintains the fitting members in engagement, and the fitting members are decoupled by applying force sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction.
US08342571B2	Airbag having a filling piece and airbag arrangement having an airbag and a gas generator The invention relates to an airbag, the airbag comprising a tubular area and a filling piece for filling the airbag with gas of a gas generator, wherein the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag. In one embodiment, the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag in the longitudinal direction, wherein an end of the put-over tubular area faces the airbag interior and said end of the put-over tubular area comprises one or several openings which are arranged to distribute gas inflowing from a gas generator in a targeted manner into the airbag.
US08342570B2	Air bag system for vehicle An air bag system for a vehicle includes an air bag body formed by stitching base fabric material, an inflator that charges the air bag body with gas, and a vent hole that is a through hole provided in the air bag body so as to communicate the inside with the outside of the air bag body. The vent hole of the air bag body is formed to be slit-like and longer in a longitudinal direction thereof. The air bag body includes two base fabric pieces having overlapping side ends that are joined together, a tensile-force applying mechanism that applies tensile-force in the longitudinal direction of the vent hole, including a pair of V-shaped stitched lines bent in a sharply angled V-shape and formed on the side ends of the two base fabric pieces with a predetermined distance therebetween that defines the slit-like vent hole, and portions of the side ends aligned with vent hole along the gas discharge direction form a flow-passage restriction membrane.
US08342563B2	Joint protecting device for baby stroller A joint protecting device for a baby stroller, the baby stroller has a pair of guarding housings on the outer surface of two joints on the two lateral sides of the baby stroller. When the baby stroller is collapsed or stretched, each of two upper struts is rotated relatively to a corresponding lower strut on each of the joints and makes one of the two guarding housings rotate about an axle of the joint, thereby the guarding housing obstructs a gap with an angle formed between the joint and the upper strut, and harming by clamping to the baby's fingers can be prevented.
US08342555B2	Collapsible recumbent tricycle One embodiment of a tricycle (20) having a spine frame (22), supported by a rear wheel (34) and a pair of steerable front wheels (36), and supporting a recumbent seat (42) pivotably attached at its rear. A pedal boom (44) extends forwardly of the spine (26) and supports a pedal crank assembly (46). The front wheels each support a lateral arm (28) with the front wheel pivotably attached at the distal end and an angular projection (80) attached at the proximal end. A pivot (78) connects each angular projection to the spine, allowing the lateral arms and attached front wheels to fold to a stowed position alongside the spine. Another pivot (84) connects the boom to the spine, allowing the boom fold back to a stowed position against the spine. In the travel position, a clamp arrests the angular projections, and can arrest the boom and seat. The tricycle is collapsible to several levels of compactness. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08342551B2	Retractable running board/box side step A running board assembly is provided for a motor vehicle having a passenger cab and a box. The running board assembly includes a housing assembly, a gear assembly disposed within the housing assembly, a running board operably coupled to the gear assembly and movable relative to the housing assembly between a stowed position tucked underneath the motor vehicle, a cab entry position generally outwardly from the motor vehicle to support a user entering or exiting the passenger cab, and a box side step disposed generally outwardly from the motor vehicle and rearward of the cab entry position to provide a user with side access to the box, and a motor operably coupled to the gear assembly for driving the gear assembly in opposing first and second directions to move the running board between the stowed position, the cab entry position, and the box side step position.
US08342549B1	Running board for three wheel motorcycles A running board assembly for a three wheel motorcycle including independent first and second support frame members. Each of the support frame members further includes: i) a substantially U-shaped configuration having a rear lateral section, a longitudinal section, and a front lateral section; ii) a connector on the rear lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle frame; and iii) a connector on the front lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle engine block. A running board member is connected to each of the support frame members.
US08342548B1	Lateral air bag for trike suspension A suspension system for a motor vehicle including a frame assembly; a differential supported on the frame assembly; two half shaft assemblies engaging the differential and being pivotally connected to the frame assembly; and at least one air spring operatively positioned between the frame assembly and each of the half shaft assemblies. The air springs are connected to a rotating linkage which maintains a substantially linear axis of compression for the air springs.
US08342545B2	Mobile cart for metal decking sheets A forward moving powered cart configured to receive a bundle of roof decking sheets, and which cart rides on the each of three spaced adjacent trusses after being crane lifted onto the said roof trusses. The cart has two sets of spaced casters that ride on the 1st and 3rd truss, while a safety truck on the cart designed to prevent slippage from the two trusses upon which its two sets of casters ride, engages the middle truss of the three. Sheets are removed from the rear for placement and post installation, the cart is moved forwardly an incremental amount.
US08342539B2	Clamping tool A clamping tool includes a holder, a connector and a tool. The holder has a rearwardly tapering bore and a holder thread having a first pitch. The connector has a cylindrical shape and a connector through bore. The connector further has a first connector thread having a pitch similar to the first pitch, and a second connector thread having a second pitch that is different from the first pitch. The tool has a rearwardly tapering rear portion and a tool thread having a pitch similar to the second pitch. In an assembled position, the rearwardly tapering rear portion of the tool abuts the rearwardly tapering bore of the holder, the holder thread is threadingly engaged with the first connector thread, and the tool thread is threadingly engaged with the second connector thread.
US08342537B2	Metal laminate gasket A metal laminate gasket includes a plurality of metal plates including a first metal plate having a first hole to be sealed and a bead around the first hole, and a second metal plate laminated under the first metal plate and having a second hole corresponding to the first hole. Concavities and convexities are formed at the second metal plate concentrically around the second hole for increasing an apparent plate thickness of the second metal plate. The concavities and convexities are provided continuously at a position corresponding to the foot portion or the top portion of the bead of the first metal plate. The concavities and convexities have a height and width smaller than those of the bead, and have a deformation characteristic due to a surface pressure when compressed, smaller than that of the bead.
US08342528B2	Proposition wagering card game and method of play A new card game and method of play is provided. The card game includes a means for making at least one proposition related to the value of a single card to be revealed from a 36-card deck of cards and a means for representing the deck of thirty-six cards. The deck of thirty-six cards includes (a) one card of a first value, (b) two cards of a second value, (c) three cards of a third value, (d) four cards of a fourth value, (e) five cards of a fifth value, (f) six cards of a sixth value, (g) five cards of a seventh value, (h) four cards of an eighth value, (i) three cards of a ninth value, (j) two cards of a tenth value, and (k) one card of an eleventh value.
US08342525B2	Card shuffler with adjacent card infeed and card output compartments A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.
US08342522B2	Sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet and a pair of roller units, provided on a downstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction, wherein the pair of roller units forms a plurality of nipping portions, arranged along a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, a downstream end of the sheet to be conveyed is caused to abut against abutting positions of the plurality of nipping portion, and wherein the abutting position of the nipping portion nearer to a center in the width direction is positioned on a more downstream in the conveyance direction than the abutting position of the nipping portion at end side in the width direction.
US08342504B2	Image forming apparatus with common support shaft An image forming apparatus (100) is equipped with a left-side cover (2), manual supply tray (10b), a carry guide (31) and a lift plate (33), and these are rotatably supported by a third shaft (35). The apparatus is reduced in size and a protrusion length L of the lift plate (33) is enlarged. The change in inclination angle of the lift plate (33) is reduced and a paper-sheet supply characteristic, even when the amount of paper sheets placed on the manual supply tray (10b) changes, is stabilized.
US08342499B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing system A sheet processing apparatus includes a support unit on which sheets, which each include first and second edge portions that differ from each other, are stacked together such that the first and second edge portions are aligned; a counter member disposed so as to face the first edge portions; a pressing member that presses the first edge portions against the counter member; a first binding unit that binds together the first edge portions by a first binding process, the first edge portion of each sheet being pressed against the counter member by the pressing member; and a second binding unit that binds together the second edge portions by a second binding process, the first edge portion of each sheet being pressed against the counter member by the pressing member, a bond formed by the second binding unit being more easily breakable than a bond formed by the first binding unit.
US08342496B2	Printing system, printing apparatus, job processing method, storage medium, and program A printing system which is capable of performing square back processing and has a mechanism that makes it possible to prevent occurrence of a new trouble of inadvertently creating a saddle-stitched brochure defective in appearance and/or stackability, which is unexpected by an operator. A printing apparatus receives plural jobs including a saddle-stitch job for creating a saddle-stitched brochure of a predetermined kind. In the saddle-stitch job, saddle-stitch processing and square back processing are carried out. The square back processing is performed by a saddle-stitching machine. The saddle-stitching machine forms a flat surface on the back of a saddle-stitched brochure. A controller permits or inhibits creating the saddle-stitched brochure of the predetermined kind for a job based on whether the job meets a predetermined condition.
US08342491B2	Transport system for transportation of a spar A transport system for transporting at least one blade or spar for a wind turbine. The blade or spar has a root end and a tip end. The transport system comprises a root frame structure for holding the root end and a fixation device adapted to fixate and support the blade or spar between the root end and tip end.
US08342483B1	Hinged wire installation tool A wiring tool and method are provided for protecting a length of wiring being pulled along a wiring path through a connection box, through use of an attachment plate arrangement of the wiring tool having first and second plate elements cooperatively configured for movement from first to second relationships with respect to one another such that the wiring tool can be removed from or placed about the length of wiring without having to feed the entire length of wiring through a closed periphery of an aperture in the attachment plate. One or more rollers mounted to the attachment plate along the aperture preclude the wiring from contacting edges of the aperture while being pulled through the wiring tool.
US08342480B2	Substance communicating device with mechanically energized connector A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a consumable holder. The appliance has a first substance service connector component and a first service switch component. The substance communicating device has a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance connector component to permit the communication of a substance between the first and second substance service connector components. The substance communicating device further has a second service switch component operably associated with the second substance service connector component, the second service switch component being configured to engage the first service switch component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance.
US08342477B2	Hinged clamp bracket A clam-shell bracket for defining a mounting flange on a structural member, such as a hydroformed vehicle cross-member or frame rail, includes a lower body featuring an integrated locating feature with which to preposition the bracket on the structural member, and permanently-attached male threaded fasteners with which to thereafter secure the bracket to the structural member. The bracket further includes a hinged upper body having slotted bolt holes through which the lower body's fasteners may freely pass as the upper body is pivoted into the assembled position, thereby reducing the time required for bracket installation. The use of fasteners on the both the hinged end and opposite end of the lower clamp body provides an improved clamping force about the structural member, while the improved clamping force cooperates with the mating locating features of the bracket and the structural member to improve the lateral applied load transfer therebetween.
US08342468B1	Drink container holding device A drink container holding device for permitting articles and a beverage to be stored on a music stand includes a frame. At least one mounting assembly is coupled to the frame. The mounting assembly engages the stand to mount the frame to a stand. A sleeve is coupled to the frame. The sleeve has a beverage aperture extending therein through an upper end of the sleeve. The beverage aperture receives a drink container to allow the sleeve to support the drink container adjacent to the stand when the frame is mounted on the stand.
US08342467B2	Apparatus for hand control, pressure amplification, and stabilization of medical and industrial devices An equipoising arm structure that can selectively exert force in any direction—lifting, pressing down, or applying lateral bias—with consistent force throughout its range of articulation, comprises a force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length and disposition of the third side of the structure to positions above or below the load pivot. Additional adjustment mechanisms may alter the mounting angle of the entire force exerting structure, and/or the angular relationship between a plurality its force-exerting component devices.
US08342460B2	Device for fastening a connector piece to a carrier piece and fastening arrangement having such a device A bracket part and a securing part are provided to connect an add-on part to a carrier part. The securing part is displaceable relative to the bracket part. The bracket part includes a carrier part receptacle that receives an edge region of the carrier part that is adjacent a carrier-part opening. In a final mounting arrangement, the securing part secures the bracket part via a mounting operation that can be performed by displacing the bracket part and the securing part. The final mounting arrangement can be easily checked for proper execution.
US08342458B2	Electric device cord handler The present invention relates to corded electric devices and more particularly to corded electric devices that move their location such as an electric lawn mower. The present invention is a device for handling the electric cord of a device such as an electric lawn mower or some other movable platform to which electric power is provided (a lawn mower is a movable platform having a device for cutting grass such as spinning blades). The present invention manages the position of a cord as the platform on which it is mounted is moved.
US08342457B2	Shape-changing structure member with embedded spring A shape-changing structural member has a shape-changing material, such as a suitable foam material, for example a polymer foam capable of withstanding at least 300% strain or a metal alloy foam capable of withstanding at least 5% strain. Springs, such as one or more coil springs, provide structural support for the shape-changing material. The springs may also be used to provide forces to expand and contract the shape change material. The springs may include pairs of concentric springs, one inside of another. The concentric springs may surround an underlying skeleton structure that supports the shape-changing material and/or aids in changing the shape of the material. The concentric springs may or may not be wrapped around the underlying skeleton structure. Multiple springs or pairs of springs may be coupled together using a sheet metal connector.
US08342455B2	Method of assisting piloting, piloting assistance means, and a piloting assistance device for a rotorcraft using said piloting assistance means to implement said piloting assistance method The present invention relates to a device and method of assisting the piloting of a rotorcraft, the rotorcraft having a flight control (10) for controlling a rotor (20, 21) via at least one linkage (35), during which method an additional force is generated by at least one piloting assistance means (100) mechanically linked to the linkage (35), the additional force being a function of the position of the flight control (10) and of an instantaneous force as measured on the linkage (35).
US08342445B2	Horizontal tail load alleviation system A method for controlling control surfaces. A position limit is identified for movement of a control surface based on a load limit set for the control surface and a number of vehicle current operation parameters to form an identified position limit. Responsive to receiving a command to move the control surface on a vehicle to a new position, the control surface is commanded to move to a position within the identified position limit.
US08342441B2	VTOL vehicle with coaxially tilted or tiltable rotors A VTOL vehicle includes a forward rotor, an aft rotor and a fuselage, the forward and aft rotor lying in a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the fuselage located axially between the forward and aft rotors. The vehicle has an in-flight configuration wherein the forward rotor is tilted downwardly at a negative tilt angle relative to the fuselage and the aft rotor is tilted upwardly at a positive tilt angle relative to the fuselage.
US08342440B2	Miniature robotic vehicle with ground and flight capability Miniature robotic vehicles suitable for a variety of tasks including covert surveillance, reconnaissance, and recreation are provided. Embodiments of the invention may include vehicles having a hybrid transportation system that incorporates a rotary-wing flight mode in conjunction with a wheeled ground transport mode. As a result, exemplary vehicles provide efficient ground-mode travel, with the added ability to fly over large obstacles and rough terrain.
US08342431B2	Jet diffusor having a withdrawal mechanism A sanitary outlet fitting including a water outlet (2) and a jet regulator (1) which is associated with the water outlet and includes a jet regulator housing (3) with integrated components. The jet regulator housing can be inserted into the water outlet by an axial insertion movement and includes a holding element (6) provided with at least one radially mobile projection (10) for connecting to the water outlet. The outlet fitting includes either a locking element (8) that can be actuated from the outside without using a tool for selectively blocking and releasing the holding element, or an unlocking tool (65) can be inserted into the annular space (68) between the inner peripheral edge of the water outlet and the outer peripheral edge of the housing by an axial insertion movement. The insertion movement of the unlocking tool can be converted into a radial movement of the at least one projection of the holding element from a functional position into an unlocking position.
US08342420B2	Recyclable plastic structural articles and method of manufacture The plastic structural article includes an elongated tubular shell having opposed end sections, a middle section therebetween and an interior cavity. The interior cavity has a foam core situated therein. The foam core comprises steam expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity.
US08342415B2	Method of conducting a transaction using an NFC device The invention relates to a method of conducting a transaction between an NFC device and a contactless integrated circuit of the passive reader type. The method includes providing, in the contactless integrated circuit, at least one reader application emulation program and, by an intermediary unit of the NFC device, establishing a communication with the contactless integrated circuit, receiving from the contactless integrated circuit reader application commands and transferring the commands to the first host processor, and receiving card application responses supplied by the first host processor and transferring the responses to the contactless integrated circuit.
US08342414B2	Multiface document A multisided card having at least two obverse faces and two reverse faces that are adjacent one another, can be used to print and store relatively insecure information of the obverse faces and to have more sensitive information stored and printed on the adjacent reverse faces. To protect privacy, a caricature or cartoon of an individual can be placed on an obverse face, which image cannot be read by facial recognition techniques but could be recognized by human observers. Many of the features of the card can be utilized in a virtual card that exists in machine memory or cyberspace. A virtual purse or wallet can be created in which to store such virtual cards.
US08342412B2	Transaction product with electrical circuit A transaction product includes an enclosure, an account identifier and an electrical circuit. The enclosure defines an aperture. The account identifier is at least one of connected to or enclosed within the enclosure and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. The electrical circuit includes a flexible circuit member, wherein the flexible circuit member extends through the aperture defined by the enclosure such that a first portion of the flexible circuit member is coupled to an outside surface of the enclosure and a second portion of the flexible circuit member is positioned inside the enclosure. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.
US08342411B2	Bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
US08342407B2	System and method for pairing a bluetooth device with a point-of-sale terminal A method of completing a transaction at a point-of-sale terminal using payment information contained on a wireless unit of a customer. The method comprises providing a point-of-sale terminal capable of wirelessly connecting with a wireless unit of a customer desiring to complete a transaction. The point-of-sale terminal is used to perform at least one of reading a barcode displayed on the wireless unit containing short range network pairing information, or displaying a barcode containing short range network pairing information for reading by the wireless unit, to thereby establish a short range wireless network between the point-of-sale terminal and the wireless unit of the customer. Via the short range wireless network, transaction data is received from the wireless unit of the customer containing payment information. The transaction data is then used to effect payment for the transaction and thereby complete the transaction.
US08342406B2	System and method for data transfer through animated barcodes A system and method are provided for transferring data to a mobile device through animated barcodes. The mobile device scans, with a barcode reader, at least a first barcode and then scans at least a second barcode, whereby the barcodes are shown on a display. The display is in an open-loop relationship with the mobile device. The mobile device decodes the at least first and second barcodes to extract a first data portion and an associated first sequence identification, and a second data portion and an associated second sequence identification. The mobile device combines the first and second data portions according to the associated sequence identifications.
US08342405B2	Light pipe illumination system and method Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.
US08342400B1	Systems controlled by data bearing records for maintaining inventory data A registering and counting system operated in response to information included on data bearing records is used for maintaining inventory records related to narcotics items. Data corresponding to users is read through record reading devices (448, 452). Authorized users are allowed access to a narcotics vault (402). Narcotics holding containers (422) are removable from storage locations in drawers (416). Wireless transmitters on the containers operate in conjunction with wireless readers in the storage locations to enable a computer (458) to track the use of the narcotics items and operating parameters of the system.
US08342398B2	Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates using data read from user cards. The machine is operative to transfer funds in accounts. The machine includes a user fascia adapted to be held by a lock adjacent an opening of a housing supported atop a chest. The fascia is supported by the housing through two horizontally-disposed members. The fascia is movable away from the housing. The machine includes serviceable components supported within the housing or by the fascia. A machine servicer may stand between the two horizontally-disposed members while servicing the machine. The housing additionally includes a rear panel similarly movably mounted with two other horizontally-disposed members for use in servicing rear components.
US08342393B2	Attributing harvest information with unique identifiers Systems and methods allow units of produce to be traced back to the fields in which the produce was grown. In the field, a harvest form is completed with harvest information at the time of the harvest. In some instances, labels having unique codes are used to label the produce in the field, and two additional labels are placed on the harvest form to associate a range of unique codes with the harvest information on the form. The labels used to label the produce can also be marked with a lot code and date at the time of harvest. In other instances, empty packages arrive at the field already marked with a range of associated unique codes. In the field, harvest information is recorded and associated with the range of unique codes by scanning one or more of the packages.
US08342391B2	Travel kiosk A travel kiosk with improved document delivery. The travel kiosk includes a first section containing a touch screen, and a second section adjacent the first section including an aperture and a document delivery tray within the aperture. The document delivery tray includes a first portion including a document slope for receiving a document at an upper end from a printer, the document falling to a lower end of the document slope, the document slope including ribs oriented generally downwardly to minimize friction between the document and the document slope. A second portion coupled to the first portion at the lower end includes first and second tabs which form a landing zone for the document after it has fallen from the document slope.
US08342389B2	Films, packaging and methods for making them The invention relates to a flexible polymeric film for enveloping a container comprising: a tear path; and a tear tab extending from the outer surface of the film; wherein the tear path comprises at least one fault line arranged to facilitate tearing of the film in one direction when the tear tab is pulled in a direction generally perpendicular to the container; wherein the at least one fault line comprises an embossed pattern being positioned to enhance the sound generated by the tearing of the at least one fault line.
US08342385B2	Process for mapping formic acid distribution A transfer process for bonding a solderable device to a solderable firsl substrate having a first oxidized surface comprises placing the solderable device proximate to the first substrate in a reducing chamber, where the first surface cannot be visually observed. We place a second substrate having a second oxidized surface in the chamber in a way to visually observe the second surface. Selecting the first substrate and the second substrate so that the reduction of the second surface correlates with the reduction of the first surface provides an indication of the degree of reduction of the first surface. Introducing a reducing agent into the chamber under reducing conditions reduces the surfaces which we track by irradiating and observing the second surface; evaluate any change in the second surface during irradiation and correlate the change with first surface reduction. When sufficiently reduced, we solder the first substrate to the device.
US08342381B2	Solder feeder, printer, and printing method Disclosed is a print technology in which a solder pool staying on the surface of a mask is driven by means of a squeegee, and solder is applied onto a substrate onto which the lower surface of a mask is placed. A forward print process where solder is applied by driving a squeegee in a predetermined forward direction relative to a mask, and a backward print process where the solder is applied by driving the squeegee in a returning direction opposite to the forward direction are switched alternately. When the squeegee passes through the solder pool on the downstream side in a moving direction before switching in the course of switching from any one of the forward and backward print processes to the other one of these processes, the amount of solder in the solder pool is measured. Based on the amount of solder thus measured, the necessity of replenishing solder is determined. The solder pool is supplemented with solder, based on the result of the decision on whether solder replenishment is required.
US08342371B2	Caulking gun with a radially expanding pressure disk The caulking gun comprises a cartridge holder (12) for accommodating a cartridge (25). For pressing out the substance contained in the cartridge (25), use is made of a piston (30) which is advanced by a pressure disk (16). The pressure disk (16) can be radially expanded under the influence of the advancement force and thus will press by a spreading edge (49) against the side wall (31) of the piston (30). In this manner, the piston in the region of its side wall (31) is tightly pressed against the cartridge wall. Leakage of substance past the piston (30) is prevented.
US08342368B2	Convertible peristaltic and piston pump dispenser A dispenser for flowable material adapted for engagement and for dispensing fluid from either a replaceable piston pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a piston pump or a replaceable peristaltic pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a deformable tube member.
US08342348B2	Storage box A storage box includes a support assembly having a plurality of supports, connectors, and lower posts. The support assembly is placed to support an outer part member, and the outer part member includes outer and inner sheets covering a bottom end thereof to wrap the bottom supports of the support assembly and casing a flat body. The inner sheet includes a jointing medium defined thereon. The outer part member further includes a covering section extending from the upper end thereof to cover an opening of the body. A plurality of sub supports are used to expand the covering section flatly so that the covering section covers the opening of the body completely.
US08342347B2	Collapsible container with a sliding lock feature A collapsible, portable container having a roof, a base, two foldable end walls and two removable side walls. The container is collapsed by removing the side walls and inwardly folding the end walls to draw the roof closer to the base. A slide lock feature is present which alternatively allows or prevents the inward folding of the container end walls.
US08342342B1	Adjustable, collapsible clothes rack The adjustable, collapsible clothes rack is easily portable due to the telescopic fit of the leg inserts within the legs and the slideable cross bar insert within the cross bar. Additionally, the pivoted fastening of the legs to the cross bar assembly provides for a further compact state. The expandable and retractable features of the apparatus provide for fit to a variety of surfaces. The rubberized leg insert stoppers and the suction cups provide for apparatus position retention on a given surface. Further, the suction cups are pivoted and thereby even allow for the cups to be removably attached to a wall or other surface at and angle to the positioning of the leg inserts.
US08342332B2	Portable laboratory for a biology course and experiments A portable laboratory for an intermediate or secondary biology course and experiments relating to the course includes a carrying case of the type having an impervious sturdy cover and a closeable interior containing a first and second inner panel. The laboratory also includes a relatively small portable microscope having a zoom optical system, a dissecting box and tray, a spirit lamp, a digital camera and numerous items typically found in a secondary school laboratory all of which are releaseably fastened to one of the panels. The portable laboratory also includes test strips for testing glucose in urine as well as a number of microscope slides, many of which are prepared slides and other elements for conducting experiments for a course together with a laboratory manual and CD containing text material.
US08342330B2	Child-resistant and senior-friendly eco-friendly pill dispenser blister package A blister and package system made of a blister card and an outer package with unique interacting locking mechanisms. The blister card or strip is inserted into the outer package or sleeve and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or the blister card or strip. The user is able to expose the blisters from the outer package by disengaging the lock. The blister card or strip includes a formable, pliable sheet material, into which one or more individual cavities or blisters are formed. The separated cavities are loaded with product and sealed with one or more layers of puncturable or tearable sheet material, such as aluminum foil. The blister card or strip contains a plastic rivet assembly that forms an interference mechanism. The rivet is trapped by an internally formed panel and stopped by a catch flap included in the outer package.
US08342319B2	Reciprocating slat conveyor An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.
US08342317B2	Processing on a transporter A device and method for transport of flexible, two dimensional products and performance of associated production processing of those products, by which the flexible, two-dimensional products are serially conveyed to a workstation and are conveyed away from the workstation again by the same gripper transporter, which enables the workstation to be selectively removed from the production process being performed along the transport path of the printed products, and to be selectively re-introduced again the transport path, in a flexible manner.
US08342313B2	Accumulation-and-release conveyor An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt. A movable stop is positioned along the carryway just downstream of a bearing surface that is movable into and out of contact with the rollers. When the bearing surface is out of contact with the rollers, they are freely rotatable; when the bearing surface contacts the rollers, they roll on the bearing surface to propel articles in the direction of belt travel. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.
US08342309B2	Blind operating device There is provided a blind operating device for transmitting a rotation in both directions from an operation portion to a driving axis of the blind capable of making a diameter of a clutch spring smaller, and then capable of reducing operation load without breaking the clutch spring. The blind operating device includes an input shaft into which a rotation from a pulley is inputted, and a rotation axis that is provided coaxially with the input axis and is capable of transmitting the rotation to the driving axis. A clutch spring is wound around a fixed spring winding axis of a case and a rotation spring winding axis of the rotation axis. Linking and de-linking of the rotation axis and the case is made possible utilizing tightening and loosening of the clutch spring and one end of the clutch spring is linked to the rotation axis. When the rotation in one direction is inputted to the input axis, a part of the clutch spring wound around the fixed spring winding axis loosens starting from a rotation spring winding axis side, whereby the rotation axis is allowed to rotate with the input axis.
US08342307B2	Synchronizing ring A synchronizing ring includes a conical ring body with an inner friction surface and an outer installation surface, which bound the ring body and extend conically. The ring body is bounded in the axial direction at a largest cone diameter by a gear wheel surface with a gear wheel extending substantially perpendicular to the synchronizing ring axis and is bounded at a smallest cone diameter by a surface. A recess is provided at the surface of the synchronizing ring for fixing the inner ring with a security against rotation of the inner ring. A raised or displaced portion is provided at the surface of the synchronizing ring and an undercut is provided at the inner ring, so that the displaced portion can engage in the undercut in such a way that an overall height of the synchronizing ring set is not enlarged by the displaced portion.
US08342304B2	Pneumatic retarding device The invention concerns a pneumatic retarding device with a cylinder dividing the cylinder into a displacement chamber and a compensation chamber and including a piston with a piston rod movably supported in the cylinder and having a piston seal element wherein, upon movement of the piston, a piston movement opposing force is generated while an air leakage flow is established past the piston for damping piston movement. The piston and the piston rod are formed integrally and the piston seal element has at least two deformation zones of which one responds faster to a pressure change in the displacement chamber then the other which is subjected to the pressure change via a restrictive passage. Also, a guide system is provided with such a retarding device.
US08342301B2	Shock absorber A shock absorber is attached coaxially with a reciprocating rod driven by a reciprocating unit to prevent a bending moment from being applied to the reciprocating rod in absorbing an impact force. The shock absorber has a hollow rod provided with a through hole and an outer cylindrical body mounted outside the hollow rod so as to be movable axially relatively and attached to the reciprocating unit. An accommodating space is formed between the hollow rod and the outer cylindrical body. A spring force in a direction of being relatively directed to one end portion side of the hollow rod is applied to the outer cylindrical body by a compression coil spring. An annular piston for partitioning an accommodating space into two liquid chambers is provided in the hollow rod. When the impact force is applied to the hollow rod so as to be slid to the hollow rod, the liquid flows from one liquid chamber to another liquid chamber through a gap, whereby a resistance force is applied to the annular piston.
US08342293B2	Magnetic guiding apparatus of elevator A guide apparatus includes a pair of guide rails, magnet units, pedestals, a sensor unit, a magnetic guide control apparatus as a control unit, and projected parts. The magnet unit includes electromagnets and permanent magnets and magnetic poles thereof are opposed to a blade of the guide rail from three directions with a gap. The projected parts are formed with side parts of a tip part of a central magnetic pole opposite to a tip surface of the blade of the guide rail among the magnetic poles of the magnet unit being brought closer to the guide rail than a center section thereof.
US08342288B2	Seismic transducers having reduced surface area baseplates and methods of use Methods and systems are provided for induc ing seismic energy waves in a subterranean formation. More particularly, improved seismic transducers are provided that comprise enhanced baseplates. Baseplates are provided that comprise an intermediate plate and a plurality of contact plates secured to the underside of the intermediate plate. The contact plates provide a surface area for engagement with the ground surface that is more limited than the lower surface area of the intermediate plate. Advantages of such baseplate enhancements include, but are not limited to, a reduction of baseplate harmonics or ringing and enhanced baseplate strength so as to reduce baseplate fatigue or failure, a reduction of baseplate flexure. These advantages ultimately translate to improved seismic surveys, having higher resolution of the formations surveyed and resulting in surveys reaching greater depths.
US08342287B2	Vehicle steering apparatus A vehicle steering apparatus (1) comprises: a control device (12) which controls an actuation of an electric motor (18); a control housing (H) which partitions an accommodation chamber (100) which accommodates the control device (12); an adjacent housing (27, 28; 280; 35A) which is adjacent to the control housing (H); and a heat-conducting member (96; 96A; 96B; 96C; 96D; 96E). The adjacent housing (27, 28; 280; 35A) is opposite to the electric motor (18) with the control housing (H) interposed therebetween. The heat-conducting element (96; 96A; 96B; 96C; 96D; 96E) comprises: an adjacent section (97) which is adjacent to a heat-generating element (83) of the control device (12) so that heat can be conducted; and a connected section (98; 98A; 98B; 98C; 98D; 98E) that is connected to the adjacent housing (27, 28; 280; 35A) so that heat can be conducted.
US08342284B2	Work vehicle In a work vehicle, a cutoff-pressure-setting part sets cutoff pressure at a predetermined first pressure value when vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined first speed threshold, and at a second pressure value greater than the first pressure value when vehicle speed is equal to or less than a second speed threshold less than the first speed threshold. When the vehicle is moving forward and the forward/backward switch lever is in forward motion position, or when the vehicle is moving backward and the forward/backward switch lever is in backward motion position, the second speed threshold is set to a predetermined first value. When the vehicle is moving forward and the forward/backward switch lever is in backward motion position or when the vehicle is moving backward and the forward/backward switch lever is in forward motion position, the second speed threshold is set to a second value lower than the first value.
US08342275B2	Fuel cell vehicle A fuel cell vehicle is provided that can suppress uneven torque. The fuel cell vehicle 1 includes a motor 4; a fuel cell 10; a battery 3; a battery drive unit 21 for driving the motor 4 using electricity from the battery 3 so as to serve as an battery drive mode, in which case the initialization of the fuel cell 10 to generate electricity is not complete; a fuel cell drive unit 22 for driving the motor 4 using electricity from the fuel cell 10 and battery 3 so as to serve as a fuel cell drive mode, in which case the initialization of the fuel cell 10 to generate electricity is complete; and a torque upper limit control unit 23 for controlling a torque upper limit value of the motor 4 under the battery drive mode and fuel cell drive mode.
US08342274B2	Control device for power transmission device for vehicle When an engine is driven on a different type of fuel (for example, ethanol-containing fuel) from a reference fuel (for example, gasoline) and the engine torque is thus greater than that produced when the engine is driven on the reference fuel, a differential state control device expands a non-differential range compared to that at the time when the reference fuel is used. Thus, in the case where a plurality of types of fuel including the reference fuel are supplied to the engine, the advantage of switching a power distribution mechanism between a differential enabled state and a non-differential state can be fully utilized in correspondence with engine torque characteristics which may vary in accordance with the type of fuel for the engine. As a result, the fuel consumption rate can be reduced in correspondence with the plurality of types of fuel supplied to the engine, for example.
US08342261B2	Method and equipment for small-charge blasting A method for small-charge blasting, and a rock drilling unit used therein. By means of a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit, a drill hole is first drilled into material to be excavated, after which one or more cartridges comprising a propellant charge are fed through a drilling tool onto the bottom of the drill hole. The drilling unit comprises a cartridge feed station, which is separate from the rock drilling machine and from which the cartridges may be fed into a longitudinal channel in the drilling tool.
US08342257B2	Vehicle track assembly A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.
US08342254B2	Adjustable packer wheel seeding system and method In one embodiment, a seeding implement includes a frame configured to couple to a tool bar, a parallel linkage coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging tool extending from a shank, wherein the shank is coupled to the parallel linkage. The implement also includes a packer wheel configured to control a position of the ground engaging tool, wherein the packer wheel is positioned directly behind the ground engaging tool when the ground engaging tool is engaging a soil region. Further, the implement includes an adjustment mechanism configured to shift the packer wheel rearwardly upon the ground engaging tool encountering an obstruction and to shift the packer wheel forwardly after the obstruction has been passed by the ground engaging tool.
US08342252B2	Automatic fire extinguisher An automatic fire extinguisher includes a closed metal container with a top and upper portion in the shape of the frustum of a cone, a hemispherical shaped lower portion and a weighted bottom portion. The closed container includes a closeable opening for filling the container with the fire suppressant and a pressure valve for pressurizing the container after filling with suppressant. A quantity of fire suppressant is disposed in the container and dischargeable through a tubular member that extends through the top of the container and outwardly through a spray nozzle attached to the tubular member.
US08342249B2	Offshore drilling system According to one or more aspects of the invention, a method for drilling an offshore wellbore into a seabed from a platform positioned proximate to the water surface comprises making-up a first tubular string with a first conveyance assembly and running the first tubular string into the wellbore with the first conveyance assembly, wherein the first tubular string enters the wellbore from the water column at an entry position proximate to the seabed; performing a wellbore task with the first tubular string; while the wellbore task is being performed with the first tubular string, making-up a second tubular string in the water column from a second conveyance assembly; withdrawing the first tubular string from the wellbore with the first conveyance assembly once the wellbore task is completed; and running the second tubular string with the second conveyance assembly into the wellbore at the entry point from the water column.
US08342245B2	Multi-position valves for fracturing and sand control and associated completion methods A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves one series of which can be put in the wide open position after run in for gravel packing and fracturing zones one at a time or in any desired order. These valves are then closed and another series of valves can be opened wide but with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage to selectively produce from one or more fractured zones. An annular path behind the gravel is provided by an offset screen to promote flow to the screened production port. The path can be a closed annulus that comes short of the production port or goes over it. For short runs an exterior screen or shroud is eliminated for a sliding sleeve with multiple screened ports that can be opened in tandem.
US08342244B2	Methods and apparatuses for releasing a chemical into a well bore upon command Methods and apparatuses for releasing a chemical in a well bore are disclosed. One apparatus includes a curved member configured for coupling to a casing, and a hollow member is connected to the curved member. A chemical container is disposed, at least in part, within the hollow space, and the hollow member extends at least partially around a hollow space.
US08342238B2	Coaxial electric submersible pump flow meter A venturi structure is supported below an ESP preferably off its gauge assembly below its motor so that the surrounding casing or wellbore defines the venturi path leading to the suction connection of the ESP. Multiple pressure sensing locations are provided in case the gauge that defines the venturi path is disposed off center in the bore or if the bore is on an incline. The gauge can receive forms of different sizes depending on the size of the surrounding tubular where the forms use an incline of preferably 15-20 degrees and allow for measuring differential near the perforations and at the constriction location so that the flow can be computed using the Bernoulli Equation.
US08342220B2	Process and apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tyres of vehicles In tire manufacture, a belt structure is made by means of strip-like segments each including parallel cords incorporated into an elastomeric layer, which strip-like segments are sequentially laid down in mutual circumferential side by side relationship on a toroidal support. The apparatus for manufacturing such a reinforcing structure for vehicle tires includes: a feeding unit to supply strip-like elements, each including threadlike elements disposed parallel to each other and at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomeric material; a laying unit including at least one laying assembly to apply each of said strip-like elements onto a toroidal support according to a predetermined laying angle relative to a circumferential extension direction of the toroidal support itself, the laying unit including at least one presser element movable in contrast relationship against the outer surface of the toroidal support and at least one guide element to keep the strip-like element centered and guide it during laying of same, wherein the guide element includes at least one cavity in which the presser element is at least partly housed during laying of said strip-like element.
US08342219B2	Tape placement apparatus and tape printer provided therewith A tape placement apparatus in which a small roll of wound tape with an adhesive is placed in such a way that a tape can be unreeled freely from the small roll of tape, includes: a rotating table with which a tape end face of the small roll of tape makes contact after being positioned; and a table supporting section rotatably supporting the rotating table.
US08342195B2	Apparatus and method for washing a vehicle An apparatus for washing a vehicle having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a top side between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The apparatus comprises a portal for allowing the vehicle to pass therethrough. The apparatus also comprises at least one nozzle mounted to the portal for directing liquid toward the vehicle. The apparatus further comprises a control apparatus for controlling the at least one nozzle to direct liquid toward the vehicle to progressively wash a limited portion of the first lateral side of the vehicle, a limited portion of the second lateral side of the vehicle, and a limited portion of the top side of the vehicle. Also provided is a method for washing a vehicle using such an apparatus.
US08342187B2	Vibrating device Vibrating grooming device comprising a vibrating head (1) with bristles and/or tines (3) and a handle (2), the vibrating head comprising a motor (10) and an oscillating mass (11), the device characterized by the oscillating mass being disposed to oscillate linearly along an oscillating axis.
US08342186B2	Hair extension device In one configuration of the present invention, a hair extension device for providing a user with the appearance of having longer, fuller hair is disclosed. The device may have a hair cluster having a hair flap which in turn comprises one or more hair wefts. The hair wefts may contain a number of hair strands connected together by seams which composes the band. The device may contain a filament which may be sandwiched between one or more flaps. The hair wefts may be sewn together with thread using a zig-zag stitch for example. The hair extension device may be reversible and the wefts may be attached to a length of lace.
US08342175B2	Inhaler for powdery substances, in particular medicinal substances An inhaler for powdery, in particular medicinal, substances includes a suction air channel, which leads to a mouthpiece. The inhaler also has a storage chamber for storing the substance and a linearly moving dosing chamber for apportioning and distributing a specified amount of substance from the storage chamber to a transfer point to the suction air flow. The novel inhaler represents a structurally simple solution that makes it possible to eliminate adding an external air flow. To this end, a component of the suction air flow, which is located in the direction of extension of the dosing chamber, empties said dosing chamber.
US08342173B2	Nasal dilator with cushion layer and variable spring rate A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a resilient member and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which can be forced toward one another from an initial flat position of the dilator to thereby substantially reduce the direct spacing therebetween by an external spacing reducing force. This results in restoring forces in the dilator tending to return it to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. Resilient members, which can be asymmetrical with respect to a centerline of the dilator that is parallel to the long axis of the dilator, have a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. The edges of the resilient members are contiguous to the edge of the cushion layer so that adhesive on the cushion layer is at the same level as the bottom surface of the resilient members. An adhesive on the end surfaces adhesively engages exposed surfaces of nasal outer wall tissues sufficiently to keep the dilator attached to the nasal wall surfaces while subjecting them to the restoring forces.
US08342170B2	Liquid ejection method and liquid ejection apparatus The present invention provides a liquid ejection method and a liquid ejection apparatus which enables small droplets each of diameter at most 10 μm to be stably ejected and which allows a sufficient number of droplets to be ejected per unit time. A heater is allowed to generate heat to eject a main droplet and a liquid column from an ejection port; the liquid column is to be separated into a plurality of sub-droplets. A relationship (L2/L1)≧0.9 is set for the length L1 of the liquid column observed immediately after the liquid column has been separated from the main droplet and from a liquid in the ejection port and the length L2 of the liquid column observed immediately before the liquid column is separated into the plurality of droplets.
US08342150B2	Compressor control for determining maximum pressure, minimum pressure, engine speed, and compressor loading A load control system, in certain aspects, may be configured to decrease the amount of noise pollution of a prime mover (e.g., engine) of a service pack in that it may not require the prime mover to operate at higher discrete operating speeds to deliver small amounts of air from the air compressor. The load control system may also only increase the speed of the prime mover to a minimum discrete speed required, keeping noise at a minimum. The load control system may also maximize fuel efficiency by not operating the prime mover at the highest discrete speed at all times. More specifically, the lower operating speeds may lead to less fuel consumption.
US08342148B2	Throttle valve for internal combustion engine A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.
US08342141B2	Engine cooling system An engine cooling system in which a coolant flows through a coolant circuit includes: a pump for circulating coolant under pressure through the coolant circuit; a radiator provided in the coolant circuit, wherein the radiator cools coolant passing through the coolant circuit; a by-pass conduit, wherein the by-pass conduit allows coolant to by-pass the radiator, a flow control valve, which regulates the flow rate of coolant flowing through the radiator and the by-pass conduit; and a controller, wherein the controller controls the flow control valve in response to input signals from at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor in the coolant circuit. The flow control valve includes a first controllable valve located upstream of the radiator and downstream of the by-pass conduit, and a second controllable valve located in the by-pass conduit.
US08342137B1	Animal leash An animal leash that is operable to be surroundably mounted proximate a user's waist wherein the animal leash is configured to allow the animal tethered thereto to move in a first direction and a second direction. The first direction permitted by the animal is such that the animal can move generally away or towards the user. A second direction is further allowed such that the animal can traverse in a circular direction about the user. The animal leash further includes a belt having a longitudinal track disposed therein. Captively engaged with the track is the wheel assembly, which is configured to traverse along the track. A connections module is secured to the wheel assembly and is intermediate the wheel assembly and the leash container. The connection assembly functions to disengage the leash assembly upon a substantial force being applied thereto. The leash container houses a spring-biased reel, which stores the leash. A plurality of pockets are further included which are integrally formed into the belt.
US08342136B2	Method and apparatus for animal positioning in imaging systems An apparatus for imaging an animal includes a first mounting surface, a bed sized to support the animal and releasably secured to or integral with the first mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a plurality of straps, each having a first end in a fixed position relative to the bed and a second end for tightening around a limb of the animal. A method for in-vivo imaging of an animal includes providing an animal that has limbs, providing a first mounting surface, and providing a bed removably secured to or integral with the mounting surface and sized to support the animal as well as being coupled to a plurality of straps. The method also includes placing the animal on the bed between the plurality of straps and tightening at least two of the plurality of straps around at least two of the limbs such that the animal is substantially secured in place relative to the bed.
US08342133B2	Pet toy with noise making feature A pet toy includes a noise making instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the noise making instrument is a squeaker incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. The internal holding pocket frictionally engages the squeaker. The squeaker is located within the protected internal holding pocket such that it is very difficult for the animal to remove the squeaker. Optionally, a control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.
US08342130B2	Apparatus for the cultivation of shellfish An apparatus for the cultivation of shellfish, the apparatus including a base with a culture surface and a support attachment for the base, the apparatus characterized in that the support attachment is configured to permit rotational movement of the base relative to a support when the base is secured to the support.
US08342127B2	Squirrel resistant hopper type bird feeder A hopper type squirrel resistant bird feeder which has a base having first and second ends and first and second sides, first and second end walls located proximate the first and second ends of the base and first and second side walls set inwardly of the first and second sides of the base to define a feed access area with the first and second side walls being spaced upwardly from the base, a feed cavity being defined by the base, end walls and side walls, and a seed guard extending over the feed access area, the seed guard having at least a portion spaced from the base and having apertures formed therein to permit access by birds to the feed access area. The bird feeder is of the knock down variety and can easily be disassembled for cleaning purposes.
US08342117B2	Coating apparatus There is provided a coating apparatus capable of continuously producing coated rice having powdered coating material adhered to the grains and including a drying process to prevent the grains from being bonded to one another and make the grain surfaces smoother upon drying of the grains. The coating apparatus comprising a binder coating unit for applying liquid binder to the grains being conveyed through a coating and stirring chamber to coat the grain surfaces with the binder; a adhering unit for adding powder material to the grains conveyed through a adhering and stirring chamber to adhere the powdered material to the grain surface by the binder; and a drying unit including a drying and stirring chamber through which the grains are conveyed while being stirred, a blow passage for blowing hot air into the drying chamber to dry the grains, and an exhaust passage for exhausting the hot air from the drying chamber.
US08342111B2	Sewing machine and computer-readable medium storing control program executable in sewing machine A sewing machine that operates with power supplied from a main power supply includes a needle plate having a needle hole through which a sewing needle can pass, an illuminating device that illuminates the needle hole and a vicinity of the needle hole, a power supply device that stores power, a detection device that detects whether a predetermined operation is performed in the sewing machine, a power distribution device that supplies the power from the power supply device to the detection device and the illuminating device, if supply of the power from the main power supply is turned off, and a turning-on device that turns on the illuminating device, if the detection device detects that the predetermined operation is performed in a condition where the supply of the power from the main power supply is cut off.
US08342107B2	High-strength, lightweight blow-molded plastic structures Blow molded plastic structures are provided for use in various structures such as, but not limited to, tables, chairs, walls, backboards, storage bins, sports equipment and the like. The blow molded plastic structure has a first surface and a second surface extending between a first end and a second end and forming a chamber there between. A plurality of depressions is formed on the second surface and extends into the chamber. The depressions are usually unitary structures formed by a depression wall. Generally, the steeper the depression wall, the more strength is provided to the structure. In addition, where the plurality of depressions has a low profile and a greater density, increased strength is provided to the structure. The depressions may or may not be joined to the first surface.
US08342103B2	Battery-powered all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented, including the combination of a battery assembly and a diesel-electric engine on separate locomotive platforms.
US08342101B2	Integrated multimodal transportation system and associated infrastructure Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof.
US08342095B2	Self-stemming cartridge A cylindrical casing (18) has first and second ends (33 and 31), the first end (33) being closed. The casing (18) encloses an accelerant (22) disposed adjacent the first end (33), at least one stemming mechanism (21), and a fuse (14 or 14′) extending from the accelerant (22) out of the second end (31) of the cylindrical casing (18). The cartridge (12) is made of a rupturable cylindrical casing (18) with accelerant (22) and self-stemming mechanism (22) inserted therein. A method of breaking hard (R) materials involves detonating a self-stemming cartridge (12) disposed in a borehole (B).
US08342094B2	Dissolvable material application in perforating A shaped charge includes a charge case; a liner; an explosive retained between the charge case and the liner; and a primer core disposed in a hole in the charge case and in contact with the explosive, wherein at least one of the case, the liner, the primer core, and the explosive comprising a material soluble in a selected fluid. A perforation system includes a perforation gun, comprising a gun housing that includes a safety valve or a firing valve, wherein the safety valve or the firing valve comprises a material soluble in a selected fluid.
US08342089B2	Printing screens, frames therefor and printing screen units A printing screen unit (110), comprising: a printing screen (112), comprising a sheet, at least sections of at least one pair of opposite edges of which include one of engagement apertures (124) or engagement projections; and a supporting frame (114) including at least one pair of interface units (116, 117) which are attached to the at least one pair of opposite edges of the printing screen (112), wherein the interface units (116, 117) each comprise at least one coupling element (130) which includes the other of engagement apertures or engagement projections (158) for inter-engaging with the one of engagement apertures (124) or engagement projections at a respective one of the opposite edges of the printing screen (112), and an interface member (126) which includes a coupling slot (142) for captively receiving the at least one coupling element (130) therein.
US08342086B2	Drive device for a bending press The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a bending press, in particular a folding press (2), comprising a press frame (3), a press table (9) and a press beam (11) that can be adjusted relative to the press table (9) via a hydraulic system (18) comprising a hydraulic pump (47), controlled drive motor (45), switch and control means and pressure lines and at least one pressure cylinder (12) which can be supplied with at least one pressure medium. The hydraulic system (18) forms a closed system together with a ring line (44) comprising the hydraulic pump (47), control valves (39, 41, 58, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89) and a pressure store (57). The ring line comprises a first line section (51) between a pressure chamber (23) of the pressure cylinder (12) and the hydraulic pump (47) and a second line section (53) between an additional pressure chamber (22) of the pressure cylinder (12) and the hydraulic pump (47). The pressure store (57) can optionally be in fluid connection via at least one of the control valves (58, 84, 86) with the first line section (51) or the second line section (53) to take up or release a storage volume of the pressure medium.
US08342084B2	Bottle compactor A compactor device is provided including a cylindrical housing having an elongate channel for receiving a bottle to be compacted therein and elongate guide slots, an end cap attached to a first end of the housing for seating the bottle and protecting the neck end of the bottle, a piston slidably disposed within the channel and having a forward ram for stuffing the bottle, and a lever for actuating linear movement of the piston within the channel, whether manually or automated.
US08342077B1	Binary cylinder engine A non-internal combustion reciprocating engine has an enhanced mechanical advantage lever system for efficiently converting linear motion from reciprocating pistons to rotary motion at a crankshaft. The engine comprises a chassis, at least two sets of binary cylinder systems mounted on the chassis, a crankshaft and a lever system. Each lever system has a piston lever, two thrust rods and a central drive lever. Each piston lever is pivotally attached to the chassis and pivotally attached to a piston rod extending from a piston cylinder. The two thrust rods are pivotally attached at one terminus to the piston lever and pivotally attached at a second terminus to the central drive lever. The two piston cylinders of each binary cylinder system work in concert to efficiently transfer power to the crankshaft.
US08342073B2	Composite armor, armor system and vehicle including armor system Composite armor panels are disclosed. Each panel comprises a plurality of functional layers comprising at least an outermost layer, an intermediate layer and a base layer. An armor system incorporating armor panels is also disclosed. Armor panels are mounted on carriages movably secured to adjacent rails of a rail system. Each panel may be moved on its associated rail and into partially overlapping relationship with another panel on an adjacent rail for protection against incoming ordnance from various directions. The rail system may be configured as at least a part of a ring, and be disposed about a hatch on a vehicle. Vehicles including an armor system are also disclosed.
US08342069B2	Device and method for controlled breaching of reinforced concrete A breaching apparatus includes an impactor element and a self-contained energy source. The self-contained energy source enables the impactor element to impact a first surface of a structure. The impactor element is configured to transmit a localized shock wave through the structure upon impact. The self-contained energy source is capable of accelerating the impactor element to a velocity sufficient to induce spalling at a second surface of the structure. Multiple breaching apparatuses can be supported by a frame to facilitate simultaneous or successive breaching of the structure. The breaching apparatus can be used in a method to breach a concrete structure.
US08342062B2	Multi-angle hand tool A multi-angle hand tool for a handle includes a shank including a body, and a compartment defined in the body. An operating device includes a connecting end having an engaging portion defined thereon. A guide is mounted in the compartment and includes an embedding portion defined thereon. A connecting device is disposed and interconnected between the operating device and the guide. The multi-angle hand tool has a plurality of operation modes, and, in each operation mode, the operating device is prevented from moving and pivoting with respect to the shank by engaging the engaging portion with the embedding portion. Furthermore, a longitudinal length of the operating device is perpendicular to, angled non-perpendicularly to, or aligned with the longitudinal length of the body of the shank selectively for different operation modes.
US08342056B2	Telescopic shaft and vehicle steering apparatus A telescopic shaft (5) has an inner shaft (12) and a tubular outer shaft (13) that are fitted to each other so that they can move relative to each other in the axial direction and that they can transmit torque to each other. A plurality of balls (14) are aligned between respective raceway grooves (15; 16) of the inner shaft (12) and the outer shaft (13). Limiting mechanisms (20A; 20B) are provided that limit the amount of relative rotation to not more than a predetermined amount of the inner shaft (12) and the outer shaft (13) when a ball (14) comes off the raceway grooves (15; 16). The limiting mechanisms (20A; 20B) include a pair of engagement sections (21, 22; 23, 24) engageable with each other in a circumferential direction (C1). The engagement sections (21, 22; 23, 24) are provided at ridges (25, 26) and recesses (27, 28) that are adjacent to the raceway grooves (15; 16) of the inner shaft (12) and the outer shaft (13), respectively.
US08342055B2	Toggle-type positioning platform This invention provides a precise positioning platform by using of toggle type principle, wherein the positioning platform can be single toggle type, double toggle type, or combination with multi-link to enhance positioning platform precision.
US08342051B2	DCT transmission utilizing a two axis chain A vehicle dual clutch transmission is provided which includes a first clutch housing driven along a first axis extending generally aligned with the output axis of an engine. A second clutch housing is provided which is chain driven from the first clutch housing and extends along a second generally parallel axis. First and second input shafts are respectively driven by the first and second clutches. An output shaft or shafts is provided that is driven by the input shafts and has selective meshed torsional force transferring gear contact therewith. A differential input gear is driven by the output shaft(s).
US08342046B2	Environmental test apparatus A second tank for accommodating a sample is disposed within a first tank. A heater for heating gas is provided inside the second tank. A heater controller controls the heater such that temperature of gas becomes a set temperature. A heat conducting member is disposed such that one end of the heat conducting member is positioned in the gas inside the first or second tank and the other end is positioned in the humidifying water contained in the humidifier. The heat conducting member is made of material having higher thermal conductivity than that of gas inside the first or second tank.
US08342045B2	Activity monitor A method of recording data relating to the posture of a subject and assessing the data so as to categorize said data into activities, including sitting, walking and standing. The method comprises sensing the movement of the thigh by use of a single sensor; recording the movement of the thigh; and processing the data so as to classify the data into discrete ones of said activities.
US08342044B2	Flow cytometric apparatus and method Various embodiments disclose a flow cytometric apparatus comprising a flow chamber to be passed through by a sample in a row in sequence, a sample storage means for metering and storing the sample, a sample syringe for driving the sample into the flow chamber, a syringe-type injection-suction device comprising a sheath liquid syringe and a liquid-path switching means connected with it, and a control unit for controlling the operations of the sample syringe and the syringe-type the injection-suction means. In a sample charging stage, the injection-suction means feeds the sample into the sample storage means so that the sample is temporarily stored in it in a ready-to-use state, and in a sheath-liquid injection stage, the injection-suction means feeds the sheath liquid into the flow chamber to form a sheath flow. A flow cytometric method performed by the flow cytometric apparatus is also disclosed.
US08342036B2	Differential pressure anemometer A pitot-static device, comprising first and second pluralities of hollow spokes extending in a radial direction from a central hub, the hollow interiors of the spokes of the first plurality being connected so as to allow fluid communication therebetween, and at least all but one of the spokes of the first plurality having at least one aperture facing in a first axial direction that is transverse to the radial direction, and the hollow interiors of the spokes of the second plurality being connected so as to allow fluid communication therebetween, and at least one of the spokes of the second plurality having an aperture at an end portion thereof that faces in the radial direction.
US08342035B2	Coriolis mass flowmeter with mounting assembly having center of gravity lying in the reference oscillation plane A Coriolis mass flowmeter having at least one measuring tube assembly (1) and at least one mounting assembly (2), wherein the mounting assembly (2) includes at least one bracket (3) mounted on the measuring tube assembly (1) and at least a part of an actuator assembly (4) and/or a sensor assembly (5) supported by the bracket (3) for oscillation generation and/or oscillation compilation so that measuring tube assembly (1) can be excited into oscillation in a reference oscillation plane (X-plane). The Coriolis mass flowmeter oscillation behavior is improved for increasing the quality of measurements by the center of gravity of the mounting assembly (2) being set in the reference oscillation plane.
US08342034B2	System and method to test specimens An apparatus and method to test a specimen is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing defining a passage having a length extending along a longitudinal axis, an anvil movable in the passage between a first position and a second position along the longitudinal axis, the anvil comprising a tapered shaft section, an expandable mandrel having an inner surface adapted to fit around a portion of the tapered shaft section and an outer surface adapted to receive a test specimen, and a first block to limit motion of the mandrel. In use, moving the anvil between the first position and the second position causes the mandrel to expand in a circumferential direction, thereby applying a circumferential tension force to the specimen.
US08342030B1	Apparatus for deforming fibres An apparatus comprising a housing comprising an end wall and side walls defining a first chamber open at one end a slide at the open end a diaphragm in the chamber spaced from the slide and generally parallel to it, defining, with the slide and side walls of the first chamber, a second chamber; and an opening in the first chamber for permitting fluid to enter and exit the first chamber.
US08342021B2	Composite sensor and electronic device A composite sensor includes: a package including a container and a lid; a plurality of spaces that is partitioned by at least the container and the lid, and has different pressures, the plurality of the spaces including a first space sealed at around an atmospheric pressure and a second space sealed at a depressurized state; an acceleration sensor element disposed in the first space; and a vibration type angular velocity sensor element disposed in the second space. In the sensor, the first space has a volume smaller than a volume of the second space.
US08342012B2	Method for performing diagnostics on line systems of internal combustion engines In a method for performing diagnostics on line systems, in particular crank casing venting systems of internal combustion engines, a correction value for an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine is formed in each of at least two chronologically successive determining steps. The correction values or values which are derived therefrom are used to detect a faulty state of the line system.
US08342010B2	Surge precursor protection systems and methods The present application provides a method of monitoring a compressor. The method may include the steps of determining a blade passing frequency, determining a power indication for a number of frequencies above and below the blade passing frequency, determining a ratio between a maximum power indication and a minimum power indication for the frequencies for a number of predetermined time intervals, and analyzing the ratio for each predetermined time interval to predict a surge condition of the compressor.
US08341998B2	Forming apparatus and forming method A forming apparatus to bend a plate-shaped material, including: a first forming device to bend one surface of the plate-shaped material not more than 180 degrees by pressing the plate-shaped material; a second forming device to bend another surface of the plate-shaped material not more than 180 degrees by pressing the plate-shaped material; wherein the first and the second forming device perform bending while changing a relative position by interlocking with each other.
US08341997B2	Method of forging bevel gear The present invention is a method of forging a bevel gear, comprising: a first forging step in which a first intermediate article is obtained by pressing a blank, such that there is formed a preliminary one-end recessed part that is axially recessed in an axis-center part on an axially one-end side and/or a preliminary other-end recessed part that is axially recessed in an axis-center part on an axially other-end side; a second forging step in which a second intermediate article is obtained by pressing the first intermediate article in a hermetically sealed cavity space defined by a first die and a second die that is positioned opposedly to the first die in the axial direction, such that there are formed: a body part including a tooth part on a radially circumference thereof and a one-end recessed part that is axially recessed in an axis-center part on the axially one-end side; and a projecting part projecting from a rear surface part of the body part on the axially other-end side; and a through-hole forming step in which a bevel gear having a through hole in an axis-center part is formed by removing the axis-center part extending from a bottom surface of the one-end recessed part to the projecting part of the second intermediate article. The tooth part provides a tooth-crest surface which is tapered from the axially other-end side to the axially one-end side, and upon completion of the second intermediate article in the second forging step, there remains an unfilled space between the projecting part of the second intermediate article and a wall surface of the dies defining the cavity space.
US08341986B2	Key box construction A key box construction, wherein a shaft of a door is provided with two parallel flat surfaces in axial extensions of the shaft, an outer cover is provided with bearing parts which each comprise a groove having the same width between parallel flat surfaces of the groove as the width between the two parallel flat surfaces of each axial extension and at an angle. The door is provided at the lower end portion thereof with hooks, whereby the door is hooked directly on an inner case by the hooks and a latch.
US08341982B2	Detergent supply apparatus and washing machine A washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a body having a washing tub; a detergent bottle seating part provided over the body and having a detergent inlet through which a liquid detergent is entered, a detachable detergent bottle containing the liquid detergent being seated on the detergent bottle seating part; and a detergent storing part provided under the detergent bottle seating part, the liquid detergent contained in the detergent bottle being entered and stored in the detergent storing part by its weight.
US08341980B2	Integrated multiaxial articles: method, apparatus and fabrics Integrated multiaxial articles are formed of yarns arranged in multiaxial direction in a plurality of layers bound together by a set of through-the-layers yarns. Methods and apparatus of making same are presented. Hollow integrated multiaxial fabric and its variants are introduced.
US08341972B2	Drive control apparatus and method for refrigerator type fan motor An apparatus and method for controlling driving of a plurality of fan motors for a refrigerator are provided. When operated, the plurality of fan motors provided in the refrigerator is sequentially operated at certain delay times, to thus improve operation efficiency of the plurality of fan motors. The apparatus for controlling driving of a plurality of fan motors includes blowing devices that supply cool air, a driving device that generates drive signals to drive the blowing devices, a controller that controls operation of the driving device, a power device that provides operation power of the driving device and the controller, and a cutoff device positioned between the driving device and the power device that cuts off noise and a surge voltage introduced from the power device to the driving device.
US08341967B2	Heat-dissipating device for supplying cold airflow A heat-dissipating device (1) includes a casing (10) and a thermal insulation plate (20) provided within the casing (10). The thermal insulating plate (20) divides the interior of the casing (10) into a first accommodating space (101) and a second accommodating space (102). A hot air outlet (121) and a first air inlet (122) of the casing (10) are in communication with the first accommodating space (101). A cold air outlet (110) and a second air inlet (123) of the casing (10) are in communication with the second accommodating space (102). A thermoelectric cooling chip (30) is disposed in a through-hole (200) of the thermal insulation plate (20) and has a hot-end surface (31) facing the first accommodating space (101) and a cold-end surface (32) facing the second accommodating space (102). A heat-dissipating module (40) is received in the first accommodating space (101). A cold-airflow supplying module (50) is received in the second accommodating space (102). The heat generated by the hot-end surface (31) is dissipated to the hot air outlet (121) by the thermal conduction of the heat-dissipating module (40). The cold generated by the cold-end surface (32) is conducted and distributed uniformly by the cold-airflow supplying module (50) to the cold air outlet (110).
US08341965B2	Method and system for cooling A method for cooling a structure includes flowing a saturated refrigerant through one or more passageways in the structure while maintaining the refrigerant at a substantially constant pressure. The method also includes evaporating at least a portion of the refrigerant at a substantially constant temperature throughout the passageways in the structure.
US08341960B2	Multi-heat source power plant For operating a multi-heat source power plant, including a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a first heat source for heating a first fluid to a first temperature, a topping power generation cycle using the first fluid as a motive fluid, and a geothermal second heat source for heating a second motive fluid, which is different from said first motive fluid, to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a heat exchanger transfers heat from the first fluid to the second fluid to raise the temperature of the second fluid to a higher temperature. A bottoming power generation cycle uses said second fluid, heated to the higher temperature, as a motive fluid.
US08341946B2	Exhaust-gas aftertreatment system An exhaust-gas aftertreatment system for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a portion of the engine exhaust gases goes to the particulate filter and the other portion of engine exhaust gases goes to the catalyst element. The outlet of the filter element is directed to the inlet of the catalyst element and the outlet of the catalyst element is directed to the inlet of the filter element. Thus, the engine exhaust gases are filtered and processed by a catalyst.
US08341943B2	Exhaust gas purification method and exhaust gas purification system An exhaust gas purification system has a NOx purification catalyst that purifies exhaust gas of NOx when an air-fuel ratio of exhaust of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle is in a lean condition and recovers purification ability when the air-fuel ratio is in a rich condition. The system performs recovery control for setting the exhaust gas to a rich air-fuel condition in order to recover the NOx purification ability of the NOx purification catalyst, and at a time of retardation of the vehicle, both a fuel system rich control and an air intake rich control are used in the recovery control. The recovery control can be performed without worsening the drive comfort of the vehicle and with less fuel consumption.
US08341938B2	Method for determining the instant at which a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst is switched from the storage phase to the regeneration phase and for diagnosing the storage properties of this catalyst When a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst is being regenerated, the regeneration may be terminated for example as a result of a premature load change in the engine, which can lead to incomplete emptying of the storage catalyst. The residual filling level which remains in the catalyst following an incomplete regeneration of this nature is used as the starting value for calculation of the filling level during the next storage phase. After incomplete regeneration, the nitrogen oxide conversion rate is initially greater than would be expected, on account of the residual filling level. By taking this increased conversion rate into account when calculating the filling level during the storage phase, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the calculation.
US08341937B2	Diagnostic apparatus for an exhaust gas purification system of an internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas purification system and a diagnostic method thereof An apparatus for an exhaust gas system includes a main exhaust passage, a main catalytic converter disposed in the main exhaust passage, a bypass exhaust passage, a bypass catalytic converter disposed in the bypass exhaust passage, and a valve configured to open or close a section of the main exhaust passage. The bypass exhaust passage bypasses the main exhaust passage between a branch point of the bypass exhaust passage out of the main exhaust passage and a junction with the main exhaust passage at a upstream side of the main catalytic converter. A first sensor indicates a first air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in the bypass exhaust passage. A second sensor indicates a second air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the main catalytic converter. A controller determines whether the valve in the closed configuration leaks exhaust gas based on the first and second air-fuel ratios of exhaust gas.
US08341935B2	Internal mixing of a portion of fan exhaust flow and full core exhaust flow in aircraft turbofan engines An integrated, single piece mixer-center body ventilation apparatus is disclosed for use with a turbofan jet engine. The apparatus may incorporate a circumferential forward body portion adapted to be coupled to an aft end of a core engine turbine case of the jet engine, and a center body tube portion integrally formed with the forward body portion and having an axially opening vent exit. The forward body portion may have a plurality of inner mixer flow paths in communication with scalloped projecting portions. The inner mixer flow paths direct a pressurized core exhaust flow through the mixer device and mix the pressurized core exhaust flow with a portion of a pressurized fan exhaust flow, to thus significantly cool the pressurized core exhaust flow.
US08341929B2	Belt guard crop dam for flexible draper header Belt guards that overlie the interface between a flexible cutterbar assembly and a flexible draper assembly of a harvesting header define an underlying void region that is sealed against the entry of crop residue by an upright dam wall that bears against the underside of the overhanging belt guards forward of the front edge of the upper run of the belt of the draper assembly. The upright dam wall is on the front extremity of flexible support panels that underlie the upper belt run and may be essentially rigid or provided with a resilient trim seal strip.
US08341925B2	Method of packing a food product with extended shelf-life A method of packing and, for purposes of extending its shelf-life, heat treating a food product in a packaging container of paper or paperboard. The packaging container is first filled wholly or at least partly with foam containing a non-oxidizing gas, such as nitrogen, whereafter the wholly or partly filled packaging container is filled with the pertinent food product. After this filling, the packaging container is, where necessary, filled with additional foam to ensure the headspace above the product level in the packaging container is entirely filled with foam when the packaging container is closed and sealed by thermosealing. The closed packaging container filled with product and foam is thereafter subjected to the heat treatment for purposes of extending its shelf-life at a treatment temperature of at least 115° C.
US08341921B2	Floor system with steel joists having openings with edge reinforcements and method A steel joist member for use in supporting floor structures giving great strength and convenience and improved acoustical performance having a web defining edges, first and second side surfaces and an axis, a edge wall on at least one edge, main openings through the web at spaced intervals therealong, with rounded ends and parallel linear sides, channel portions of the web displaced from the main openings remaining attached integrally to the web by right angle bend lines formed on the first side surface of the main opening along axes parallel to the web axis, and forming reinforcing channels alongside the opposite sides of the main opening.Also disclosed is a composite joist member made up of two such joist members joined together back to back with their openings in registration.Also disclosed is a rim member for supporting the composite joists to form a floor structure.Also disclosed is a method of making such a floor joist member.Also disclosed is a floor panel system by which floor panels can be prefabricated in a factory and transported to a construction site ready for installation in a building.
US08341920B2	Metal door The present invention is directed to a metal door. The door includes a pair of sheet metal door panels. Each of the door panels includes a central body portion with top, bottom and opposing side edges. The doors include an integral flange along each side edge of each panel. The integral flange extends generally perpendicular to the central body portion. An integral inturned lip can be located along each flange and extend substantially parallel to the central body portion. The door panels are positioned such that the central body portions are in an opposing spaced apart relation to one another with the flanges adjacent to and aligned with one another. The inturned lips are positioned in contacting face-to-face relation. The metal door also includes an elongate connector overlying and clamping together each face-to-face pair of inturned lips to maintain the door panels in assembled relation.
US08341906B2	Monopole tower and wind turbine generator having monopole tower The present invention provides a monopole tower having a tower supporting structure in which the outer dimension of a tower shell is the maximum dimension by eliminating a base plate which extends toward the outside of the tower shell. In a monopole tower provided upright on a foundation B, a lower end side of the tower 2 comprised a tower-side coupling member in a range equal to or less than outside diameter of a tower shell 21. In a space comprising a foundation-side coupling member provided on the foundation B, the foundation-side coupling member and the tower-side coupling member are coupled by welding, a bolt using a splice plate, or a rivet.
US08341899B2	Cafe A cafe may include a food purchasing area, a primary dining area, and a primary child play area. The primary child play area may be defined by at least one wall and be surrounded by the primary dining area. The wall(s) may be substantially transparent. Seats may be positioned around the primary child play area to enable parents to view children within the primary child play area. In one embodiment, the wall(s) extend from floor to ceiling. The café may include a classroom in which classes for the children are conducted. Sound absorbent material may be positioned above the primary play area to reduce sound from the primary play area entering the primary dining area.
US08341898B1	Modular log assembly system An apparatus and method is described for applying a siding or facing to an internal or external surface of a wall, enclosure, or other building construction to simulate a solid debarked log wall construction that includes varying diameter non-uniform logs. The invention further pertains to a lightweight yet rigid assembly that closely resembles at least a portion of a solid debarked log and includes longitudinal segments that may be coupled together to a backing material to create a siding or facing that simulates the exterior of a log whose circumference may be varied.
US08341897B2	Pitch pocket assembly A pitch pocket assembly for sealing an aperture in a roof includes a first member and a plurality of flashing members. The first member includes a wall portion and a plurality of flashing portions. The plurality of flashing portions extend from and are substantially perpendicular to the wall portion proximate at least one deformation zone. The plurality of flashing members are each attached to the first member. Each of the flashing members at least partially overlaps at least one of the flashing portions. The wall portion of the first member is bendable along each of the deformation zones to form a pitch pocket having the flashing members at least partially overlapping the flashing portions of the first member.
US08341887B2	Plantation fan top window shutter A plantation window shutter comprises a frame and a plurality of shutter blades pivotably supported by the frame in a fan configuration. The frame comprises a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface has a plurality of upper grooves and a plurality of lower grooves, each upper groove being axially aligned with a respective lower groove. Each of the shutter blades has a longitudinal pivotal axis and a top pivot and a bottom pivot aligned along the axis, the top pivot and the bottom pivot being received in respective upper groove and the lower groove for pivotal motion therein. At least one member is attached to the rear surface disposed to bridge over the upper grooves and the lower grooves, thereby to capture the top and bottom pivots within respective the upper grooves and the lower grooves.
US08341878B2	Zip tree tie A tree tie and method of use is disclosed. The tree tie comprises a member. The tie member including a first end portion; a first tab coupled to the first end portion; a middle portion and one end of a middle portion coupled to the first tab. The tie member also includes an opposite end of the middle portion coupled to a second tab, a second end portion coupled to the second tab and a head portion coupled to the second end portion. The tree tie including a flexible hose surrounding the middle portion of the first member and being substantially held in place by the first and second tabs. Only flexible hose contacts the tree when the first member surrounds the tree.
US08341873B2	Portable insect trap A portable insect trap includes a base which supports a pair of lamps and a removable double sided glue board which is removably mounted between the lamps. A shield which has apertures in the form of a grill work allows insects which are attracted by the lamps to enter the shield and then become trapped by adhesive layers on the glue board.
US08341868B2	Stock for a small arms weapon A stock for a small arms weapon that includes a first member that includes a distal end which has a receiver extension connection structure, a proximal end, a first longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a first cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis which defines a maximum outer dimension of the stock. The stock further includes a second member connected to the first member which includes a third end adjacent to the proximal end, a fourth end spaced from the distal end, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the third end and the fourth end such that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are disposed at an acute angle. The stock further includes a chamber inside the second member that is sized and configured to house a power supply for a small arms accessory.
US08341848B2	Method and apparatus for vehicle service system optical target assembly A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target assembly secured to the vehicle wheel in a non-determined position, the optical target assembly having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of optical target elements disposed on a plurality of target surfaces. Images of the optical target elements are acquired by an imaging system, together with target identifying indicia, and utilized together with previously stored target characterization data to determine a spatial orientation of the optical target assembly and an alignment of the vehicle wheel onto which it is secured.
US08341832B2	Method to create an enclosure for an electronic device A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.
US08341831B2	Removing tool and method using same A removing tool used for removing a removable element from a shielding cover. The removing tool comprises a handle including a first end and a head protruding from the first end, a driving portion mounted on the head, and a pushing portion mounted on the head between the driving portion and the first end. The driving portion is for latching with the removable element; the pushing portion pushes the removable element away from the shielding cover until the removable element separates from the shielding cover.
US08341824B2	Method for manufacturing circumferentially deploying type of stator coil A method of manufacturing a stator coil to be wound in and around a stator by bending an insulating-coating conducting wire so as to alternately have slot-held conductor sections to be held in slots of the stator and a coil-end conductor sections each mutually connecting two of the slot-held conductor sections outside the slots. The method includes arranging three or more pairs of molds at predetermined intervals along the insulating-coating conducting wire, each pair of molds having paired molds facing each other with the wire located therebetween. First, the coil-end conductor sections are formed by moving the mold pairs such that the paired molds come closer to each other. Then the slot-held conductor sections are formed by moving the molds, in parallel, in both the longitudinal direction along which the insulating-coating conducting wire extends and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
US08341821B2	Fall restraint equipment components and method for manufacturing the same A handrail or a swing gate for fall restraint equipment comprising an outer rail constructed from a single, continuous piece of tubular metal, a midrail constructed from a single, continuous piece of tubular metal, and a toeboard constructed from a single, continuous piece of sheet metal, where the outer rail is constructed to receive portions of the midrail and toeboard for an integral construction.
US08341818B1	Nail removal tool A nail removal tool in the form of an adapter for attachment to the drive socket of a rotary driver such as a rotary pneumatic impact driver. The adapter includes a drive shaft engagable with the chuck of the pneumatic driver, a cylindrical foot with a slot for receiving the body of a nail and a ramp for engaging under the head and lifting it to dislodge the nail from its embedded location. A coil spring serves as a flexible connection to provide proper presentation of cylindrical bit allowing wedging of the adapter beneath the head of a nail which is reluctant to be removed.
US08341809B2	Zipper arrangement with funnel grip A zipper arrangement comprises a first side with a first plurality of zipper elements and a second side with a second plurality of zipper elements. A slider is moveably positioned on the first side and an insertion pin assembly is positioned on the second side. The insertion pin assembly includes a mouth defined between an inner jaw and an outer jaw and an insertion pin positioned within the mouth. The mouth is configured to receive the slider and the insertion pin is configured for insertion into the slider.
US08341803B2	Floor cleaning attachment A floor cleaning attachment is configured to attach to a pressure washer lance to receive a flow of fluid. The floor cleaning attachment includes a housing that defines a suction space and includes an attachment point configured to attach to the pressure washer lance to receive the flow of fluid. A rotatable brush is coupled to the housing, a vacuum producing member is coupled to the housing, and a valve is coupled to the housing and movable between a first position in which the flow of fluid is directed onto a floor, a second position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the vacuum producing member to produce a partial vacuum, and a third position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the rotatable brush to rotate the brush.
US08341800B2	Break-away wiper extension for VEE windows A break-away wiper arm assembly which allows a vehicle escape window to be opened rapidly without any delays or undue forces to impede the escape of the vehicle crew. The invention uses a two piece coupling held together using a retaining ring. As the window is pushed open, the window frame pushes against the wiper arm which overcomes the retaining ring retention force allowing the wiper arm to break away, clearing the area in front of the window for free motion of the window and the unimpeded exit of vehicle occupants.
US08341793B2	Apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces A dual mode floor scrubber with a square cleaning pad that can rotate in a first mode to achieve a scrubbing operation away from the walls, and reciprocate longitudinally in a second mode adjacent to a wall to remove the sediment next to the wall and corners.
US08341778B2	Bed gap filler and footboard pad A hospital bed includes a frame having a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced from the head end, and first and second laterally spaced sides. A siderail is coupled to the frame adjacent one of the first and second laterally spaced sides. A footboard is coupled to the frame adjacent the foot end such that a gap is defined between the siderail and the footboard. A barrier pad is coupleable to the frame in a first position and in a second position. The barrier pad is situated in the gap and extends generally longitudinally when coupled to the frame in the first position. The barrier pad extends generally laterally in juxtaposition with the footboard when coupled to the frame in the second position. The barrier pad, therefore, serves as a gap filler when in the first position and serves as a footboard pad in the second position.
US08341763B2	Reinforcing element The invention relates to a reinforcing element for an article of clothing, in particular for a goalkeeper glove, that allows a bending in a first direction, but resists bending in a second direction. The reinforcing element includes at least one bending area that has a curvature with a shape that allows bending of the reinforcing element in the first direction and blocks a bending of the reinforcing element in the second direction.
US08347407B2	Authority management method, system therefor, and server and information equipment terminal used in the system There is provided an authority management system in which, when a data user discloses secret information only to a specific partner having the authority to receive the disclosure of the secret information, the information can be disclosed only if the correctness of the partner is confirmed in a face-to-face manner. A holder of disclosure data encrypts data, generates and divides a decryption key of the data, and sends a partial decryption key to a disclosure partner beforehand. At the time of data disclosure, the data holder physically meets a disclosure partner terminal. The partial decryption key is sent in a proximate state, and the decryption key is reproduced. With this, the data is decrypted and disclosed. Thus, the data holder meets the disclosure partner having the authority to receive the disclosure, and visually confirms the correctness of the partner.
US08347403B2	Single point authentication for web service policy definition A single point authentication component is provided that is responsible for authenticating incoming requests received via various mediums into a system of a plurality of Web services. The single point authentication component is configured to receive a request from a client for accessing one of the plurality of Web services and to determine and enforce security policies acceptable for accessing the requested Web service.
US08347402B2	Software development and distribution workflow employing meta-object time stamping A method and system facilitating the development and distribution of software is provided. The system includes a database provided on a computing device, the computing device configured to enable users to provide an update to an element of the database, wherein the element is associated with an object. The system further includes time stamp tracking software configured to enable revisions to elements of the database by establishing time stamps for each stored element changed at a specified time and an assembler configured to enable a user to assemble elements for execution based on time stamping.
US08347395B2	Filtering data requiring confidentiality in monitor mirroring A method and an apparatus for monitor mirroring in the display of data requiring confidentiality is disclosed, including a computer system, an identification unit that identifies the data requiring confidentiality, and a filter unit that filters the identified data requiring confidentiality, so that only the filtered data and data not requiring confidentiality are shown on the monitor. The screen content of the monitor can thereupon be mirrored onto a further monitor.
US08347394B1	Detection of downloaded malware using DNS information A DNS engine monitors domain name system (DNS) network activity occurring between a user computer and a remote computer server. The engine collects DNS traffic information during a specified time window at the user computer using the monitored DNS network activity. The engine generates a local DNS reputation for the user computer and stores the local DNS reputation on the user computer. When a triggering event is received at the user computer the engine determines that the triggering event is abnormal in comparison to the stored local DNS reputation. An alert is issued to a software product on the user computer. The engine takes an action using a software product upon the alert. The reputation may be a frequency distribution for each accessed domain name and IP address. A triggering event may be an abnormal access to a domain name or IP address, or a mismatch between DNS queries and DNS responses of the user computer.
US08347391B1	System and method for detecting network activity of interest A network activity detection system is trained to detect network activities of interest such as threats by malicious computer data. The training involves distilling the characteristics of known network activities of interest (e.g., intrusion by computer viruses, exploits, worms, or the like) into a minimal set of meta-expressions. At run-time, the network activity detection system combines the minimal set of meta-expressions with efficient computer algorithms for evaluating meta-expressions to detect known network activities of interest, as well as their unknown variants, among an unknown set of network activity. The network activity detection system may produce appropriate responses upon the detection of network activities of interest.
US08347389B2	System for protecting devices against virus attacks A system for protecting devices operating on 64-bit editions of operating systems by retrieving the file path by which the process was run and not the actual file path from where the process is running and scanning this retrieved file path for viruses.
US08347384B1	Methods and systems for using incremental operation for processing regular expressions in intrusion-prevention systems Methods and systems are provided for using incremental operation for processing regular expressions in intrusion-prevention systems. In an embodiment, a state-transition table is provided, said table representative of a predetermined data pattern, and including states each having one or more egress events defining transitions to other states. A first portion of a subject is received, where the subject is to be evaluated for the presence of the predetermined data pattern. While using the state-transition table for said evaluation, a first state is transitioned into, after which it is determined that a set of restart information should be saved for the first state, said determination including identifying a tail to save from an end of the first portion of the subject. The restart information is saved, along with at least the identified tail.
US08347378B2	Authentication for computer system management An improved solution for authenticating a user seeking to manage a computer system is provided according to aspects of the invention. A user seeking to perform out-of-band management of the computer system can provide a set of credentials to a service processor, which in turn provides them to the computer system for authentication. Additionally, a user seeking to perform in-band management of the computer system can provide a set of credentials to a management agent executing on the computer system for authentication. In either case, the computer system can authenticate the set of credentials, e.g., using an operating system interface.
US08347354B2	Restricting access to hardware for which a driver is installed on a computer Users of a computer are prevented from directly accessing certain hardware for which a driver is installed on the computer. The users are provided a limited, indirect manner to access the hardware for a specific purpose or to do a specific job. One example of such hardware is a wireless hardware communication interface. The wireless activity of the computer may be restricted so that the wireless hardware communication interface is prevented from communicating with any devices compatible with the wireless hardware communication interface other than one or more specific devices.
US08347353B1	Addressing security in asymmetrical networks Addressing security in an asymmetrical network. At a centralized database, a handshake message is received from a security element that received the message on a first path. A second handshake message is received from a second security element that received the second message on a second path, where the centralized database tracks handshake messages and associations between the messages and communication sessions. A determination is made that the first message is associated with a session. Another determination is made that the second message is associated with the same session. An association between the second message and the first message is stored in the centralized database, based on the associations of the first message and the second message with the same communication session. A determination that the communication session is allowed is stored in the centralized database, based on the association of the second handshake message to the first handshake message.
US08347346B2	Management of mandatory access control for graphical user interface applications Granular policy management is provided based upon an active status of a process and the display status of an associated visual display. A policy is constructed and applied to a process by a combination of individual control policy parameters associated with the status of a process or a graphical user interface. Each active policy is dynamically adjusted in response to a change in at least one policy condition.
US08347345B1	Television terminal modem The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with a modem. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The modem may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The modem enables the terminal to communicate with interactive services and on-line databases, including services and databases outside of the television program delivery system. The services and databases may provide home shopping, airline reservations, news, financial information, classified advertisements, home banking, and/or interactive teletext.
US08347337B2	Data storage management and scheduling system A data storage management and scheduling system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of television and Web page program material on a client system storage medium. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's scheduled program recordings. The programs include television broadcast programs and Universal Resource Locators (URLs). A program is recorded if at all times between when the recording would be initiated and when it expires, sufficient space is available to hold it. All scheduling conflicts are resolved as early as possible.
US08347336B2	Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
US08347334B2	System and method of recording television content A method of recording television content is disclosed and includes receiving one or more television program search criteria from a set-top box device at a recurrent searching system. The method also includes storing the one or more search criteria at the recurrent searching system. Further, the method includes performing a first search of electronic program guide (EPG) data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria and performing at least one additional search of EPG data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria after the first search.
US08347330B2	Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US08347328B2	Method and system for initiating an emergency alert in a broadcast system A method and system for initiating an emergency alert in a broadcast system includes a broadcast operations channel management system providing a user alert user interface and determining guide channels eligible for an emergency alert. The broadcast operations channel management system sends a trigger to the traffic scheduling system and initiates an emergency alert event in response to the trigger.
US08347323B2	Method and apparatus for supporting development of broker program, and computer product A broker-program generating unit generates a broker program by using an interface-definition-language file defining interface definition information concerning a plurality of applications described in various programming languages. The broker program is installed in a middleware platform that absorbs and hides a common object request broker architecture, and brokers an interaction between the applications with a structure that stores data in a binary format as an interface to the middleware platform.
US08347319B2	Device display object infrastructure Multi-function devices expose multiple functions to device drivers or other lower-level software. Device function providers can interface with such drivers or lower-level software and can provide information, including device identifiers regarding such functions, to a device display object infrastructure. A device display object can then be created that encompasses one or more functions such that, in one embodiment, the device display object corresponds to a single, physical multi-function device. Alternatively, any combination of functionality from one or more physical devices can be combined into a single device display object representing a virtual multi-function device. Properties of the device display object can be set with reference to user-specified settings, remotely maintained metadata, locally available metadata, and information associated with each function. Functions can be ranked such that, if there is a conflict, information from more highly ranked functions is used to set the properties of the device display object.
US08347318B2	Application component communication apparatus of SCA-based system and method thereof An application component communication method and an apparatus using the same are provided to an SCA-based system for efficiently performing data communication between SCA-based application components by using a dynamic connection manager. The application component communication apparatus includes an application module provided in the SCA-based system and driven, an application packaged by a plurality of application components, and an application factory for generating the application and driving the application components by parsing XML files. The dynamic connection manager registers port information of each of the application components, and establishes a connection for data communication between the application components according to the port information. According to the present invention, data communication between the respective application components can be efficiently performed by using the dynamic connection manager.
US08347313B2	Method and apparatus for automating organization of processes Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for automating organization of multiple processes involving maintaining a uniform record of process threads using at least one server, each process thread comprising a representation of a collaborative process capable of involving a plurality of users, enabling at least one of the plurality of users to carry out a user action while interacting with one of a plurality of different types of application programs, and modifying at least one process thread in the uniform record of process threads in response to the user action carried out by the user. Modifying the at least one process thread may comprise generating the at least one process thread as a new process thread. Alternatively or in addition, modifying the at least one process thread may comprise modifying the at least one process thread as an existing process thread. At least one of the process threads may reflect user actions carried out by more than one of the plurality of users.
US08347308B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium An information processing apparatus having a storage unit configured to execute a workflow with a plurality of processes combined therein and hold history information of the workflow, the information processing apparatus comprising an instructing unit configured to instruct such that a test workflow regarding a workflow selected to be executed is executed; a generating unit configured to generate the test workflow for the workflow selected to be executed; and an executing unit configured to execute the test workflow; wherein the generating unit generates the test workflow at least by adding a process not held in history information to processes of the test workflow, without adding a process held in the history information to the processes of the test workflow.
US08347302B1	System-aware resource scheduling Technology is provided to manage requests for physical resources in computing systems using system-aware scheduling techniques. Transactions having two or more dependent requests for a physical resource are identified by the computing system. Information identifying the requests as part of a dependent transaction is passed with the requests for the physical resource. In at least one mode of operation, a scheduler corresponding to the physical resource allocates submission of the requests to the physical resource using the dependent transaction information.
US08347286B2	Method, system and program product for managing download requests received to download files from a server A method, system and program product for managing downloads of files from a server. The method includes presetting, using a tool, a threshold number of allowable connections for each client requesting connections to download files from a server. The method further includes identifying, using the tool, a client requesting one or more connections to download a file and tracking, using the tool, whether or not the client has exceeded the threshold number of allowable connections preset. If the client has not exceeded the threshold number of allowable connections preset, allowing the one or more connections up to the threshold number of allowable connections preset for the client to download the file from the server and if the client has exceeded the threshold number of allowable connections preset, preventing the client from connecting to the server, such that overloading of the server with too many simultaneous active connections is minimized.
US08347281B2	Automatic software update detection and flexible installer for set-top boxes A method and apparatus for updating set top box software from a resident software version stored in a memory of the set-top box to a current software version is disclosed. The method comprises the step of automatically checking to determine if the resident software version is the current software version, and downloading data comprising at least a portion of the current software version if the resident software version is not the current software version.
US08347274B2	Debugging support device, debugging support method, and program thereof A debugging support device includes: a plurality of CPU simulating units which simulates the operations of a plurality of CPUs which executes programs in parallel; a memory simulating unit of a memory to be shared by the plurality of CPUs; an event monitoring unit that detects a predetermined event occurring between each CPU simulating unit and the memory simulating unit; and a state judging unit that judges whether the state of the occurred predetermined event matches a predetermined condition and, if the predetermined condition is matched, records history information related to the state of the memory simulating unit.
US08347270B1	Self-assembled software and method of overriding software execution A computer-implemented software self-assembled system and method for providing an external override and monitoring capability to dynamically self-assembling software containing machines that self-assemble execution sequences and data structures. The method provides an external override machine that can be introduced into a system of self-assembling machines while the machines are executing such that the functionality of the executing software can be changed or paused without stopping the code execution and modifying the existing code. Additionally, a monitoring machine can be introduced without stopping code execution that can monitor specified code execution functions by designated machines and communicate the status to an output device.
US08347262B2	Method of deriving an integrated circuit schematic diagram A method, computer-readable medium and system are described for deriving a schematic diagram representative of an integrated circuit (1C) comprising a plurality of circuit elements. In general, the method, computer-readable medium and system are configured to receive as input a working schematic diagram identifying at least some of the circuit elements, and at least one existing schematic diagram from one or more libraries thereof. Based on this input, at least a portion of the working schematic diagram that matches at least a portion of the at least one existing schematic diagram is identified and replaced, thereby forming a revised schematic diagram.
US08347252B2	Method for rapid estimation of layout-dependent threshold voltage variation in a MOSFET array An automated method for estimating layout-induced variations in threshold voltage in an integrated circuit layout. The method begins with the steps of selecting a diffusion area within the layout for analysis. Then, the system identifies Si/STI edges on the selected area as well as channel areas and their associated gate/Si edges. Next, the threshold voltage variations in each identified channel area are identified, which requires further steps of calculating threshold voltage variations due to effects in a longitudinal direction; calculating threshold voltage variations due to effects in a transverse direction; and combining the longitudinal and transverse variations to provide an overall variation. Finally, a total variation is determined by combining variations from individual channel variations.
US08347249B2	Incremental timing optimization and placement Disclosed is a computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product to optimize, incrementally, a circuit design. An Electronic Design Automation (EDA) system receives a plurality of nets wherein each net is comprised of at least one pin. Each pin is linked to a net to form a path of at least a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin is a member of a first net. The second pin can be a member of a second net, and the path is associated with a slack. The EDA system determines whether the path is a critical path based on the slack. The EDA system reduces at least one wire length of the path, responsive to a determination that the path is a critical path. The EDA system moves a non-critical component in order to reduce at least one wire length of the nets that include pins of a non-critical component, responsive to reducing at least one wire length of the path, wherein the non-critical component lacks pins on a critical path. The EDA system legalizes the components on a net having a pin selected from the first pin and the second pin. The EDA system determines whether a component is a non-critical component. The EDA system, responsive to a determination that component is a non-critical component, legalizes the non-critical component. The EDA system incrementally optimizes a time delay of the plurality of paths, responsive to legalizing.
US08347248B2	Method and mechanism for performing timing aware via insertion A method and system to insert redundant vias while preserving timing is disclosed. The system and method preserve the timing during redundant via insertion, which utilizes incremental timing and extraction updates. A budgeting based approach and a path based approach to the method are disclosed. The budgeting approach is faster, while the path based method has a better insight of the worst slack/slew for the entire design.
US08347232B1	Interactive user interface Methods and apparatuses are provided for navigating an electronic document. In one implementation, a method includes executing a command associated with a region selected by a tap gesture. In another implementation, a method includes displaying a slider on a slide bar including an expanded part corresponding to a section of the electronic document. The expanded part is disproportionately larger than other parts of the slide bar corresponding to other sections of the electronic document. Methods and apparatuses are provided for activating an element of an electronic document. In one implementation, a method includes activating the element selected by a touch gesture. Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling a perceived brightness of an electronic document. In one implementation, a method includes displaying a partially opaque graphical object in front of the electronic document. The perceived brightness of the electronic document being based on an opacity of the graphical object.
US08347229B2	Multifunction peripheral and control method thereof A multifunction peripheral and a control method thereof include an input to provide an input screen through which an item is selected from a plurality of items to execute a plurality of operations, and data corresponding to the selected item is input, and a controller to control the multifunction peripheral such that when the data corresponding to the selected item is input, the input data is applied to execute the operations.
US08347220B2	Information display apparatus, method for displaying information, program, and recording medium An original image is displayed on a display screen. Here, when a sub-screen input mode is set, a sub-screen that is obtained by reducing an entire screen displayed on the display screen is displayed on an image display portion. The user uses an electronic pen to select an optional input area within the sub-screen. An area corresponding to the selected input area is displayed on the entire screen. At this timer, the reduced image of the entire screen is switched to an image of the input area on the sub-screen. Then, the user uses the electronic pen to perform an editing work on the sub-screen. The sub-screen is set within reach of the user, and editing on an area out of reach on the entire screen can be also performed on the sub-screen.
US08347199B2	Enhanced error detection in multilink serdes channels A method for receiving packet data at a communication channel and transmitting the packet data over serial links of the communication channel. The packet data is sliced into n-bit data portions which are concatenated with a header prior to transmitting an n-bit portion across one of the serial links of the communication channel. The header includes a CRC to provide improved error detection.
US08347182B2	Ensuring data consistency Mechanisms for ensuring data consistency in a data store are provided. The mechanisms access a parity scrub factor f and perform a check on a data group of the data store. The check on the data group includes performing a parity check on a portion of the data group, the portion being equal to 1/f of the data group, and performing a data verify on the remainder of the data group. The performing of the check is repeated for the entire data store. An offset factor is used to select the portion of the data group for the parity check. In this case, the offset factor may be incremented when the performance of the check on the data group of the data store has been repeated for the entire data store.
US08347176B2	Method and apparatus for memory read-refresh, scrubbing and variable-rate refresh A memory controller and method that provide a read-refresh (also called “distributed-refresh”) mode of operation, in which every row of memory is read within the refresh-rate requirements of the memory parts, with data from different columns within the rows being read on subsequent read-refresh cycles until all rows for each and every column address have been read, scrubbing errors if found, thus providing a scrubbing function that is integrated into the read-refresh operation, rather than being an independent operation. For scrubbing, an atomic read-correct-write operation is scheduled. A variable-priority, variable-timing refresh interval is described. An integrated card self-tester and/or card reciprocal-tester is described. A memory bit-swapping-within-address-range circuit, and a method and apparatus for bit swapping on the fly and testing are described.
US08347174B2	Method of transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system including error detection code decoded using equipment identifiers and group identifiers A method for transmitting data from a network to a user equipment in a wireless communication system is provided. The network adds an error detection code, generated using a first identifier allocated to the user equipment, to scheduling information for data to be transmitted to the user equipment and transmits the scheduling information to which the error detection code has been added to the user equipment. The network also adds an error detection code, generated using a second identifier allocated to the user equipment, to the data to be transmitted to the user equipment and transmits the data to which the error detection code has been added to the user equipment.
US08347163B2	System and method for data transmission A method for a receiver to receive data from a transmitter, the receiver including a plurality of buffers to support data retransmission by the transmitter. The method includes: receiving a data packet from the transmitter; determining whether or not at least a predetermined number of buffers are in use; and notifying the transmitter if it is determined that at least the predetermined number of buffers are in use.
US08347157B2	Multiplexer control circuitry for TAP selection circuitry Today many instances of IEEE 1149.1 Tap domains are included in integrated circuits (ICs). While all TAP domains may be serially connected on a scan path that is accessible external to the IC, it is generally preferred to have selectivity on which Tap domain or Tap domains are accessed. Therefore Tap domain selection circuitry may be included in ICs and placed in the scan path along with the Tap domains. Ideally, the Tap domain selection circuitry should only be present in the scan path when it is necessary to modify which Tap domains are selected in the scan path. The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus which allows the Tap domain selection circuitry to be removed from the scan path after it has been used to select Tap domains and to be replaced back into the scan path when it is necessary to select different Tap domains.
US08347153B2	Protocol aware error ratio tester A method and an apparatus for testing the physical layer of high speed serial communication devices and systems with protocol awareness is disclosed. The apparatus comprises of two major blocks: a General Purpose Platform (GPP) and an Analog Front End (AFE). Physical layer testing is divided into two sets of testing procedures: Receiver and Transmitter testing. This test system can be used in a traditional BERT setting where the test system commands the Device Under Test (DUT) to be placed into either a loop back mode, or into a more advanced mode where the test system is communicating with the DUT on a protocol level and counts the frame error ratio (FER). This FER is protocol dependent and each protocol receiver has its own way of reporting transmission errors to the transmitter. The protocol awareness of this invention is capable of detecting such a level of errors.
US08347149B2	System and method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device Embodiments herein generally relate to implantable medical devices and, specifically, to a system and method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device. In an embodiment a system for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. The system can include an implantable medical device comprising a processor and memory store configured to execute a plurality of threads, temporal and spatial constraints assigned to one or more of the threads, and a kernel. The kernel can include a scheduler and a thread monitor configured to monitor execution of threads against the temporal and spatial constraints, and further configured to issue a response upon violation of either of the constraints by one of the plurality of threads. In an embodiment a method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US08347147B2	Lifecycle management of automated testing Systems and methods for lifecycle management of automated testing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes processing multiple manual test cases for an application under test, associating a set of reusable test scripts to the manual test cases, where the set of reusable test scripts is selected from a library of reusable test scripts, and executing the set of reusable test scripts for the application under test using an automated testing tool associated with the set of reusable test scripts.
US08347146B2	Assisting failure mode and effects analysis of a system comprising a plurality of components A method of assisting failure mode and effects analysis of a system having a plurality of components includes obtaining data associated with a component, or a group of components, of the system. The component or the group is associated with component type data or group type data, respectively, that includes data relating to at least one failure feature common to all components or groups, respectively, of that type. The component/group data and the component/group type data can then be stored and/or transferred for use in a failure mode and effects analysis of the system.
US08347141B2	Method and apparatus to maintain data integrity in disk cache memory during and after periods of cache inaccessibility A volatile or nonvolatile cache memory can cache mass storage device read data and write data. The cache memory may become inaccessible, and I/O operations may go directly to the mass storage device, bypassing the cache memory. A log of write operations may be maintained to update the cache memory when it becomes available.
US08347135B2	Method and system of halting content delivery based on non-detection of user input An approach is provided for determining if video content provided to a device is still being viewed, without disrupting the presentation of the content. A device is monitored for input from the user, wherein the device is configured to present content to the user. A determination is made whether the user input is within a predetermined time period. A control signal is generated to change the presentation of the content without explicitly notifying the user of the change, wherein the presentation of content will cease if the user input is not within the predetermined period.
US08347134B2	Power control system, power control apparatus, power control method and storage medium A power control system for a network system in which a plurality of devices are connected over a network can adequately distribute limited power according to the operational state of each device while keeping a high reliability. A device operating in normal mode broadcasts a power accommodation request when the power of the device is insufficient. Upon reception of the power accommodation request, devices operating in low-power mode send accommodatable power values to the requesting device, and sends a low-power mode fixation notification indicating that operational mode is fixed to the low-power mode to a controller. Upon reception of the low-power mode fixation notification from the notifying devices, the controller sets a job assignment ratio to the notifying devices lower than that of the requesting device.
US08347122B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a drive status of a device based on power source information There is provided an information processing apparatus including an internal power source that supplies power, a power source information acquiring unit that acquires, from the internal power source, power source information relating to supply of the power in the internal power source, a drive status setting unit that determines power supply capability of the internal power source based on the power source information and sets setting information to define a drive status of a device in accordance with a determination result, and a device control unit that controls the drive status of one or more control subject device, based on the setting information.
US08347119B2	System and method for processor utilization adjustment to improve deep C-state use In some embodiments, the invention involves modification of the processor utilization calculations that are used by operating system power management services to improve processor efficiency. An embodiment of the present invention is a system and method relating to power management policies under operating system control. In at least one embodiment, the present invention is intended to modify the processor utilization evaluation process so that C-state transition time and/or unhalted reference cycles are included in the calculation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08347116B2	Semiconductor device having multi access level and access control method thereof An access control method of a semiconductor device includes providing an inputted password as an input of a hash operator; performing a hash operation in the hash operator and outputting a first hash value; controlling the hash operator so that the hash operation is repeatedly performed in the hash operator by providing the first hash value as an input of the hash operator when the first hash value and a second hash value stored in a nonvolatile memory do not coincide; and setting an access level with respect to the inner circuit according to the repetition number of times of the hash operation of the hash operator when the first and second hash values coincide.
US08347100B1	Methods for DNSSEC proxying and deployment amelioration and systems thereof A method, computer readable medium, and device for providing authenticated domain name service includes forwarding at a traffic management device a request for a domain name from a client device to one or more servers coupled to the traffic management device. The traffic management device receives a first response comprising at least a portion of the domain name from the one or more servers. The traffic management device attaches a first signature to the first response when the first response is determined by the traffic management device to be an unauthenticated response, and provides the first response with the first signature to the client device.
US08347098B2	Media storage structures for storing content, devices for using such structures, systems for distributing such structures Some embodiments of the invention provide a content-distribution system for distributing content under a variety of different basis. For instance, in some embodiments, the content-distribution system distributes device-restricted content and device-unrestricted content. Device-restricted content is content that can only be played on devices that the system associates with the particular user. Device-unrestricted content is content that can be played on any device without any restrictions. However, for at least one operation or service other than playback, device-unrestricted content has to be authenticated before this operation or service can be performed on the content. In some embodiments, the system facilitates this authentication by specifying a verification parameter for a piece of device-unrestricted content. The content-distribution system of some embodiments has a set of servers that supply (1) media storage structures that store content, (2) cryptographic keys that are needed to decrypt device-restricted content, and (3) verification parameters that are needed to verify device-unrestricted content. In some embodiments, the device that receives the media storage structure inserts the received cryptographic key or verification parameter in the received media storage structure. In some embodiments, the set of servers also supply cryptographic content keys for the device-unrestricted content. These keys are used to decrypt the content upon arrival, upon first playback, or at some other time. However, some embodiments do not store these cryptographic keys in the media storage structures for the device-unrestricted content.
US08347094B2	Securing wireless body sensor networks using physiological data A password protocol for establishing secure communications between sensor nodes in a network using secure environmental values (SEV). A first sensor sends a message to a second sensor comprising the first sensor's location and a key encrypted by a first SEV. The second sensor responds with a message comprising a key encrypted by a second SEV and a first nonce encrypted by a session key. The first sensor sends a third message comprising the first nonce and a second nonce encrypted by the session key. The second sensor verifies the first nonce and sends a fourth message comprising the encrypted second nonce. The first sensor then verifies the second nonce.
US08347089B2	System and method of indicating the strength of encryption A method and system are provided for secure messaging on mobile computing devices. The method and system provide for an indication of a security trust level associated with a security method used with an electronic message.
US08347081B2	Method, apparatus and system for employing a content protection system A method, apparatus and system for employing a secure content protection system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a certificate having a unique device identification associated with a first device is received, and, at a second device, a revocation list having unauthorized device identifications is received. The unique device identification is incrementally compared with the unauthorized device identifications of the revocation list, and media content is transmitted from the second device to the first device, if the unique device identification is not matched with the unauthorized device identifications of the revocation list.
US08347077B2	Authenticating a registration request with a mobility key provided to an authenticator Authenticating a registration request from a mobile node includes an authenticator operable to facilitate a communication session for the mobile node. Access authentication to provide the mobile node access to an Internet Protocol (IP) network is facilitated. A mobility key is obtained from the access authentication. A registration request is received from the mobile node, and is authenticated using the mobility key.
US08347072B2	Method and apparatus for secure execution using a secure memory partition A processor capable of secure execution. The processor contains an execution unit and secure partition logic that secures a partition in memory. The processor also contains cryptographic logic coupled to the execution unit that encrypts and decrypts secure data and code.
US08347070B1	System and methods for sharing platform data with an ACPI module of a computer system A method and system for sharing platform data are described. The method for sharing platform data includes during a boot sequence of system firmware, accessing a first data structure tag associated with a resource accessible by the operating system. Also during the boot sequence of the system firmware, the method includes determining a memory address corresponding to platform specific data associated with the resource. During a boot time sequence of the system firmware, run time code is parsed. The method includes accessing a second tag that is visible to the operating system and associating it with the location of the platform specific data. This allows for the platform specific data to be consumed by an operating system during runtime in accordance with the industry common interfaces defined in ACPI.
US08347066B2	Replay instruction morphing Replay instruction morphing. One disclosed apparatus includes an execution unit to execute an instruction. A replay system replays an altered instruction if the execution unit executes the instruction erroneously.
US08347065B1	System and method for concurrently managing memory access requests A shared memory management system and method are described. In one embodiment, a memory management system includes a memory management unit for concurrently managing memory access requests from a plurality of engines. The shared memory management system independently controls access to the context memory without interference from other engine activities. In one exemplary implementation, the memory management unit tracks an identifier for each of the plurality of engines making a memory access request. The memory management unit associates each of the plurality of engines with particular translation information respectively. This translation information is specified by a block bind operation. In one embodiment the translation information is stored in a portion of instance memory. A memory management unit can be non-blocking and can also permit a hit under miss.
US08347060B2	Storage system, storage extent release method and storage apparatus This storage system has an allocation unit for allocating a storage extent in prescribed units to the dynamic logical volume upon storing the data sent from the host computer in the dynamic logical volume; a management unit for managing the storage extent recognized as being currently used by the file system among the storage extents allocated to the dynamic logical volume by the allocation unit; and a release unit for releasing the storage extent that is not being managed by the management unit from the dynamic logical volume.
US08347055B2	Method to defrag a memory of an IC card A method may defrag a memory for an IC card having a plurality of files stored in memory portions, each file including respective links to one or more other files. The method may include detecting a start address of a first free memory portion of the memory, detecting an address of a memory portion following the start address and storing one file to be moved, detecting files including links to the address of the file to be moved, moving the file to be moved to the start address of the first free memory portion, updating the links to point at the start address, and repeating the above steps until at least two free memory portions following the moved files are separated by one or more of files.
US08347051B2	Storage apparatus, backup apparatus, and backup method A storage apparatus includes a second volume which stores data serving as a copying source of data to be stored in a first volume, serving as a data copying destination in another storage apparatus, a session establishing unit which establishes a session between the second volume and the first volume, and a copy directing unit which directs a volume, including a free area, in the other storage apparatus such that data equivalent to the data to be stored in the first volume is copied, in response to a copy setting command issued by a server.
US08347047B2	Memory system and device with serialized data transfer A memory system with serialized data transfer. The memory system includes within a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. The memory controller receives a plurality of write data values from a host and outputs the write data values as respective serial streams of bits. Each of the memory devices receives at least one of the serial streams of bits from the memory controller and converts the serial stream of bits to a set of parallel bits for storage.
US08347043B2	Storage management task distribution method and system on storage virtualizer Systems and methods for dissolving the bottleneck issue of management task requested from management client to the storage virtualizer which consolidates externally attached storage arrays while providing a single management point of the entire system to the management client. Specifically, by utilizing the storage virtualizer to distribute received management tasks to respective external attached arrays, it can off load tasks, thus reducing the workload on the storage virtualizer itself. Because of the task distribution, the storage virtualizer consequently does not need to copy and hold detailed information of each storage volume in the respective attached storage arrays, thereby avoiding any inconsistent information between the arrays and the virtualizer when the configuration change has been done on the external array.
US08347041B2	System and method to preserve and recover unwritten data present in data cache of a disk subsystem across power outages Disclosed are a system and method to preserve and recover unwritten data present in data cache of a disk subsystem across power outages. In one embodiment, a method of a controller is described. The method includes applying a write-back technique between a host server and a data store, accessing a dirty data in a cache memory during a power outage. The method may apply an algorithm for efficiently offloading the dirty data to a non-volatile storage device during the power outage. In addition the method may apply the algorithm to efficiently transfer the dirty data from the non-volatile storage device to the data store when power is restored.
US08347037B2	Victim cache replacement A data processing system includes a processor core having an associated upper level cache and a lower level victim cache. In response to a memory access request of the processor core that specifies a non-modifying access to a target coherency granule, a determination is made whether the memory access request hits or misses in a directory of the lower level victim cache. In response to determining that the memory access request hits in the lower level victim cache in a data-valid coherence state, the lower level victim cache provides the target coherency granule of the memory access request to the upper level cache. The lower level victim cache preserves the target coherency granule in the lower level victim cache in a shared coherence state if the memory access request is of a first type and invalidates the target coherency granule if the memory access request is of a second type.
US08347036B2	Empirically based dynamic control of transmission of victim cache lateral castouts In response to a data request, a victim cache line is selected for castout from a lower level cache, and a target lower level cache of one of the plurality of processing units is selected. A determination is made whether the selected target lower level cache has provided more than a threshold number of retry responses to lateral castout (LCO) commands of the first lower level cache, and if so, a different target lower level cache is selected. The first processing unit thereafter issues a LCO command on the interconnect fabric. The LCO command identifies the victim cache line to be castout and indicates that the target lower level cache is an intended destination of the victim cache line. In response to a successful coherence response to the LCO command, the victim cache line is removed from the first lower level cache and held in the second lower level cache.
US08347032B2	Image forming apparatus and access request arbitration method for a RAID driver An image forming apparatus includes a RAID control unit comprising an access request queue and an access request arbitrating unit configured to store access requests to a logical disk sent from an operating system in the access request queue on the basis of fetch order determination information, and to fetch the access requests. An access arbitration method for a RAID driver comprises the steps of storing the access requests in an access request queue on the basis of fetch order determination information, converting logical disk access information contained in access information corresponding to the access requests into physical disk access information, and supplying the access information containing the physical disk access information to a RAID controller.
US08347029B2	Systems and methods for fast state modification of at least a portion of non-volatile memory A method is provided for reducing the number of writes in a non-volatile memory (122). The method involves writing data in the non-volatile memory and determining a set of data from the data in the non-volatile memory to be written to a removable memory (126) that is operatively coupled to the non-volatile memory (e.g., a NAND memory). The method also involves writing the set of data to the removable memory (e.g., a hard disk) from the non-volatile memory. The method further involves writing a delineation marker (e.g., a sequence number) to the non-volatile memory specifying that the set of data has been written to the removable memory. Notably, the metadata of the data in the non-volatile memory comprises at least one marker set as a specific marker type (e.g., a valid marker and a dirty marker).
US08347023B2	Compression based wear leveling for non-volatile memory The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to non-volatile memory. Systems and techniques can include obtaining information to store in a non-volatile memory, the information including a data segment, compressing data within the data segment, including pad data in one or more portions of the data segment based on a compression result attained by the compression, and writing data of the data segment.
US08347018B2	Techniques for broadcasting messages on a point-to-point interconnect Techniques to broadcast a message across a point-to-point network are described. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention relate to broadcasting messages between electronics components within a point-to-point interconnect. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08347017B2	Integrated circuits for accessing USB device via USB 3.0 receptacle An integrated circuit for accessing a universal serial bus (USB) device via a USB 3.0 receptacle is provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of pins and a controlling unit. The pins include a first group for receiving and transmitting a first pair of differential signals of the USB device, a second group for receiving a second pair of differential signals from the USB device, and a third group for transmitting a third pair of differential signals to the USB device. The second group is disposed between the first and third groups. The controlling unit controls the plurality of pins to receive or transmit the first, second or third pair of differential signals.
US08347014B2	Class-based compatibility testing and notification A mobile computing device (MCD) can determine, based on model-specific test result information, whether an accessory may be incompatible with specific MCD functions. In some embodiments, the accessory provides test result information separately indicating a test result for each of a number of MCD models. Multiple MCD models can be grouped into a device class, and the MCD can deem the accessory compatible if he received test result information indicates a pass result for at least one of the device models associated with a device class to which the MCD belongs. If the accessory is not deemed to be compatible with the mobile computing device, the MCD can generate a warning.
US08347009B2	Communication system having a plurality of communication nodes A certain ECU transmits a reference message for requiring the other ECUs to transmit data. After transmission of the reference message, each of all the ECUs transmits priority information of its transmit message onto a communication bus, and then detects whether some priority information transmitted from the other ECUs has a higher priority than its own transmitted priority information. If there is detected no priority information of a higher priority than its own transmitted priority information, it transmits a message associated therewith, and then is prohibited to transmit data of the same priority until receiving a next reference message.
US08347008B2	Method and system for hardware based implementation of USB 1.1 over a high speed link Certain aspects of a method and system for a hardware-based implementation of USB 1.1 over a high-speed link may comprise translating at a client side of a client server communication system, USB protocol messages comprising a first USB standard to corresponding encapsulated USB protocol messages, wherein the USB protocol messages comprising the first USB standard are received from a client device at the client side of the client server communication system. The translated corresponding encapsulated USB protocol messages may be communicated from the client side to a server at a server side of the client server communication system.
US08346994B2	Methods and apparatus for providing user level DMA and memory access management A memory access control apparatus receives from a DMA requestor an access request command, which contains an IOID, for a DMA address space that is a memory area used for a DMA transfer, and determines whether the access is permitted or not and executes the access if it is permitted. The operating system on the PU sets in MMU the correspondence relationship between the logical address space of a user process and the DMA address space. When the user process instructs to access the DMA address space by specifying a logical address, the MMU translates the logical address into a physical address of the DMA address space.
US08346989B2	Display apparatus and control method for adjusting the time required for detecting input signals A display apparatus capable of adjusting the time for detecting input signals from an external input source is provided. The display apparatus includes a signal detector which checks a plurality of input sources in sequence for a predetermined basic time and detects signals input from the plurality of input sources, and a controller which controls the signal detector to adjust the basic time and recheck the plurality of input sources if no signal is detected within the basic time. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize an input source from which input signals are detected late.
US08346987B2	Communication protocol for use with portable electronic devices Improved techniques for communicating between a portable electronic device and an accessory (or auxiliary) device are disclosed. The accessory device can augment or supplement the functionality or capabilities of the portable electronic device. For example, in one embodiment, the accessory device can provide wireless communication capabilities to the portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device pertains to a portable media player and thus provide media data for storage, playback or transmission. In one embodiment, the accessory device is attachable to the portable electronic device.
US08346985B2	Receiver configured to pair to multiple wireless devices A computer system includes a receiver configured to pair with a set of peripheral devices and have active connections with a first subset of the peripheral devices and inactive connections with a second subset of the peripheral devices. The first and the second subsets of peripheral devices are subsets of the set of peripheral devices. If a select one of the peripheral devices in the inactive set of peripheral devices is operated, the receiver is configured to activate a connection with the select one of the peripheral devices in a latency period that is below human perception levels of the latency period.
US08346980B2	Modular input/output bridge system for semiconductor processing equipment Apparatus and methods for providing an interface for a semiconductor processing tool are provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an input/output bridge for receiving analog and state command system control signals from, and sending return data and status information to, a system controller, wherein the analog and state command system control signals are intended to control an analog device, and for converting the analog and state command system control signal into a digital system control signal intended to control a digital device; and an upper pneumatic assembly coupled to the input/output bridge for providing pressure control to one or more pressure zones located on a polishing apparatus coupled to the upper pneumatic assembly for the polishing of semiconductor wafers.
US08346977B2	Device address assignment in a bus cascade system According to one aspect there is disclosed an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first device. The first device may include a first serial input port configured to receive serial data from at least one of a host MCU and a second device; a first serial output port configured to output the serial data to a third device when the third device is coupled to the first device; a first shift register configured to receive the serial data from the first serial input port; a first multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first serial output port to the first shift register or the first serial input port; and a bus controller configured to receive the serial data from the first serial input port, the bus controller further configured to control the first multiplexer to couple the first serial output port to the first serial input port or the first shift register, based at least in part on the serial data, wherein the serial data includes a command section of a command and at least a portion of a payload section of the command, wherein the command section includes a command code, a target address and an error check and the payload section includes at least one new address and at least one corresponding error check.
US08346970B2	Data relay device, data receiving device and communication system A data relay device has a reception processing unit for dividing transmitted data into data blocks to store in a storage unit together with labels for managing the data blocks, a manipulation processing unit for manipulating the data blocks stored in the storage unit and a transmission processing unit for transmitting the data blocks of which manipulation is completed to a destination. Since the reception processing unit divides the transmitted data while receiving the same, the reception processing unit, the manipulation processing unit and the transmission processing unit may operated in parallel, thereby realizing reduction of time required to relay the transmitted data.
US08346965B2	Systems and methods for multi-layer traffic grooming A method may include constructing an auxiliary graph for a network comprising a plurality of network elements, the network elements having an Internet Protocol layer, a lower layer, and a wavelength layer, the auxiliary graph including a plurality of directed edges, the plurality of directed edges indicative of connectivity of components of the plurality of network elements. The method may further include: (i) deleting directed edges from the auxiliary graph whose available bandwidth is lower than the required bandwidth of a selected demand; (ii) finding a path for the demand on the auxiliary graph via remaining directed edges; (iii) deleting at least one directed edge of the auxiliary graph on the wavelength layer along the path; (iv) adding lower layer lightpath edges to the auxiliary graph for a lower layer lightpath for the path; and (v) converting lower layer lightpaths to Internet Protocol lightpaths if a conversion condition is satisfied.
US08346963B2	Method for sending and receiving personal information by using mobile terminal A system for sending and receiving personal information using a mobile terminal is disclosed. In the present invention, a personal information is sent using a short message service with an attached identification information. Accordingly, when the short message is received by a receiving mobile terminal, the attached identification information allows the receiving mobile terminal to distinguish and process the short message for personal information differently from other general short messages.
US08346962B2	Session initiation protocol message routing method between IP networks using different IP address format Disclosed are examples of an interworking system and related methods. The interworking system can be configured to implement a session initiation protocol (SIP) message routing method that may include checking a transmitting subject and a transmission method of a SIP message, applying a network address translation based on the checked message's transmitting subject and its transmission method, and specifying the address of the node selected based on the checked message's transmitting subject in routing path information.
US08346958B2	Rate control technique for a lightweight directory access protocol over MQSeries (LoM) server A system and method for controlling rates for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) over MQSeries (LoM) server. The system comprises a health metrics engine configured to calculate an actual delay value, at least one LoM server configured to asynchronously obtain the actual delay value from the health metrics engine and place the delay value between one or more requests, and a LDAP master configured to accept the one or more requests and send information in the one or more requests to a LDAP replica.
US08346957B2	Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving information in internet protocol network A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting and receiving information in an Internet Protocol (IP) network. In the method of allowing a client to receive information from a server, the client requests that a third client in a subnet to which the client belongs transmit the information, and receives the information that the third client transmits in response to the request. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly share information for a broadcast, which the server provides, while minimizing the load on the server.
US08346943B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a multimedia gateway comprising an IMSI A multimedia gateway that has an ISIM is provided. The multimedia gateway comprises: request receiving means for receiving, from a client terminal, a request message that specifies a destination IMS AS and a communications protocol, and identifying an IMPU assigned to the client terminal, establishing means for establishing a session for communication with the IMS AS by means of the communications protocol, and establishing a connection with the IMS AS over the session, authentication information sending means for sending authentication information derived from the ISIM that contains the identified IMPU to the IMS AS, request sending means for sending the request message together with the identified IMPU to the IMS AS through the connection, response receiving means for receiving a response message from the IMS AS through the connection as a response to the request message, and response sending means for sending the response message to the client terminal.
US08346940B2	Method and system for provisioning customer premises equipment A method for execution by at least one entity in the service provider network. The method comprises receiving an access request from a communication device; determining a logical identifier intended for use by the communication device during an eventual communication session; and identifying, based on the logical identifier, an object linked to a physical location of the communication device. Finally, in one aspect, the method comprises obtaining account credentials for a customer known to be associated with the object, whereas in another aspect, the method comprises establishing a data session between the communication device and a network entity associated with the object without necessarily obtaining any account credentials.
US08346936B2	Method for managing the allocation of resources to channel swarms in a peer-to-peer network A resource-node of a peer-to-peer (P2P) network adapted to manage the allocation of resources to channel swarms. Resource allocation is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes of the P2P network occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism of the resource-node.
US08346933B2	Virtual machine location system, virtual machine location method, program, virtual machine manager, and server A virtual machine location system includes a resource conflict detection unit for detecting a resource conflict using measurement data regarding a resource usage state of the entirety of a single server and a resource usage state of virtual machines running on the server, and a virtual machine relocation determination unit for transferring the virtual machine on the server for which a resource conflict has been detected to another server having a lower resource usage rate are included.
US08346923B2	Methods for identifying an application and controlling its network utilization In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for improving network quality of service, such as through controlling the bandwidth consumed by a client computing facility. To affect this, the software applications operating through the client computing facility may be identified to determine which applications are requesting network access, and confirming which are permitted only restricted bandwidth when making network communications. The requesting software application that is permitted only restricted bandwidth may then be allowed to make the network communications through a bandwidth restricted network connection.
US08346921B1	Predictive governing of dynamic modification of program execution capacity Techniques are described for managing program execution capacity or other capacity of computing-related hardware resources used to execute software programs, such as for a group of computing nodes that is in use executing one or more programs for a user. Dynamic modifications to the program execution capacity of the group may include adding or removing computing nodes, such as in response to automated determinations that previously specified triggers are currently satisfied, and may be automatically governed at particular times based on automatically generated predictions of program execution capacity that will be used at those times by the group, such as to verify that requested dynamic execution capacity modifications at a time are within the predicted execution capacity values for that time. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service.
US08346912B2	System and method of emulating a network controller within an information handling system A system and method of emulating a network controller within an information handling system is disclosed. In one form, an information handling system can include a host chipset operably coupled to a network interface controller of a first main circuit board, and a management controller operably coupled to the host chipset. The information handling system can also include an emulated network interface controller operable to be activated by the management controller. The information handling system can further include a communication bus coupled to the host chipset and the management controller. In one form, the communication bus is operable to activate a communication link between the host chipset and the emulated network interface controller.
US08346909B2	Method for supporting transaction and parallel application workloads across multiple domains based on service level agreements An on-demand manager provides an improved distributed data processing system for facilitating dynamic allocation of computing resources among multiple domains based on a current workload and service level agreements. Based on a service level agreement, the on-demand manager monitors and predicts the load on the system. If the current or predicted load cannot be handled with the current system configuration, the on-demand manager determines additional resources needed to handle the workload. If the service level agreement violations cannot be handled by reconfiguring resources at a domain, the on-demand manager sends a resource request to other domains. These other domains analyze their own commitments and may accept the resource request, reject the request, or counter-propose with an offer of resources and a corresponding service level agreement. Once the requesting domain has acquired resources, workload load balancers are reconfigured to allocate some of the workload from the requesting site to the acquired remote resources.
US08346902B2	Performing device configuration rediscovery A method, apparatus and computer instructions in a data processing system for identifying device configurations. Unique identification information is identified for a set of devices in the data processing system. The identified unique identification information is compared with previously identified unique identification information. Configuration data is moved to a memory for devices in the set of devices in which a match exists between the identified unique identification information and the previously identified unique identification information for devices. Configuration information is obtained from a device in which configuration information is absent in the memory after configuration data has been moved to the memory for the devices to form a current set of configuration data for the set of devices.
US08346900B2	Network service for modularly constructing a software defined radio Systems and methods are provided that disclose a network service for modularly constructing a software defined radio (“SDR”). A server system provides an SDR kernel (i.e., a potentially platform-neutral definition of digital signal processing functionality and control operations necessary to implement the core portion of a software defined radio implementing a particular radio standard) to a client system. The client system may select a desired SDR kernel through a variety of means disclosed herein. While some SDR kernels may be provided for free and unrestricted use, others may be purchased or subscribed to and additionally restricted by digital rights management (“DRM”) policies. Based upon the agreed upon payment terms and any other restrictions, a customized set of DRM policies may be applied by the server system to the SDR kernel before sending it to a client system. Additionally, the server system may provide a description of governmental regulations applicable to a given locality.
US08346899B2	Method and system for NIC-centric hyper-channel distributed network management A server comprising a network interface controller (NIC) may be operable to determine network components and/or resources that may be utilized to create, modify and/or terminate a hyper-channel in a network fabric. A configuration for creating, modifying and/or terminating the hyper-channel may be initiated by the NIC based on knowledge of the network fabric up to the edge of network and each of the switches along a path of the hyper-channel may be instructed by the NIC to configure the hyper-channel. The configuration may also be initiated by the NIC based on knowledge of the network fabric up to a first hop and each of the switches along a path of the hyper-channel may then be allowed to configure the hyper-channel based on knowledge of the network fabric surrounding each of the switches.
US08346895B2	User productivity on-demand services The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing user productivity on-demand services. One process includes operations for determining a hosted service for use with an application at a client based on user context data associated with the application. A request for the hosted service and a reference to stored data required for the hosted service is received. The hosted service is executed, and the results are transmitted to the client.
US08346886B2	System, method, and medium for configuring client computers to operate disconnected from a server computer while using a master instance of the operating system A computer system comprises a server. The server, in turn, comprises one or more master instances of an operating system (OS). The OS comprises a set of computer program files to operate a computer. The server also includes a version-managing program maintaining the one or more master operating systems. The computer system also includes a number of client computers each of which is configured to operate using one of the one or more master operating systems as read-only files.
US08346883B2	Effecting hardware acceleration of broadcast operations in a parallel computer Compute nodes of a parallel computer organized for collective operations via a network, each compute node having a receive buffer and establishing a topology for the network; selecting a schedule for a broadcast operation; depositing, by a root node of the topology, broadcast data in a target node's receive buffer, including performing a DMA operation with a well-known memory location for the target node's receive buffer; depositing, by the root node in a memory region designated for storing broadcast data length, a length of the broadcast data, including performing a DMA operation with a well-known memory location of the broadcast data length memory region; and triggering, by the root node, the target node to perform a next DMA operation, including depositing, in a memory region designated for receiving injection instructions for the target node, an instruction to inject the broadcast data into the receive buffer of a subsequent target node.
US08346879B2	Detecting conflicts in email messages A computer implemented electronic out-of-office message analysis system and method are disclosed. The method includes, for each of a plurality of users, receiving a user-generated electronic out-of-office message in a natural language in which a time window of absence and at least one alternate named contact are expressed and, based on the out-of-office message, generating a structured representation of the out-of-office message which links the alternate contact to a normalized representation of the time window. The structured representation of the out-of-office message is stored in a database. From the database it can be determined whether a current user's out-of-office message conflicts with another user's out-of-office message. If a conflict is detected, the current user can be notified.
US08346877B2	System and method for enhancing digital content A computer-readable medium including computer-executable code for enhancing an electronic document with one link and being served via a network responsively to a request received via the network and correspondent to an electronic document. The chat application may be for use with a mobile device and be less computing resource intensive. Certain embodiments of the present invention may not require a code or applets to be inserted to provide chat functionality. Advantageously, only a link may need to be inserted, for example. This may provide particularly well suited for use with websites where traditional chat code or applets may not be inserted.
US08346870B2	Low-privilege debug channel A browser-based debugger application is configured to debug a second browser based application. A channel repeater module is invoked to establish a bidirectional communication channel between the debugger application and the second application. A start indication is transmitted from the second application through the channel repeater module. The second application enters a blocked wait state. A debug operation is performed on the second application. A debug request message is transmitted to the second application through the channel repeater module to cause the second application to transition from the blocked wait state to a run state and to perform a debug action indicated by the debug request message. A response to the debug request message is received from the second application through the channel repeater module. The second application transitions to the blocked wait state from the run state.
US08346860B2	Multi-phased and partitioned content preparation and delivery The invention generally relates to optimizing the speed and reliability of the delivery of content or functionality to electronic devices. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for managing content including a production server with a web interface and configured to allow a producer to create content. The system includes a gateway server which can receive the content and write it to a dynamic section. The gateway server can then compile the dynamic section into a compiled section, still including the content, and send it to a client, thereby giving an end-user access to new content or functionality.
US08346858B2	System and method for providing an optimal motivational response A system for providing an optimal motivational response is provided. The system includes an input device configured to receive at least one client input from the client. The system further includes a processor configured to analyze the at least one client input received from the client and generate a current state of the client based on the at least one client input. The processor is further configured to analyze the current state of the client and determine an optimal motivational technique for the client based on the current state of the client and the at least one client input. The processor is also configured to generate an optimal motivational response based on the optimal motivational technique. The system further includes an output device configured to display the optimal motivational response to the client.
US08346857B2	Systems and methods for providing resource allocation in a networked environment Methods and systems for allocating resources, such as computer controlled resources, in a networked system are described. An example system includes a network interface, an item database, a load balancer, a web proxy processor configured to selectively block or route an inbound user browser request, a cache cluster system configured to cache data and states for access by other system components, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to store a session identifier on a user terminal associated with a user browser, process an item acquisition request from the user browser while the browser is accessing a first website, transmit to the browser an indication that the acquisition request is accepted if the acquisition request meets a predefined criterion, if the acquisition request is accepted then automatically transmit to the browser an offer to transfer the item to another, use the session identifier for identification, and determine if a transfer instruction has been received from the browser.
US08346854B2	Method and system of operating system independence A method and system of operating system independent cloud computing is provided. In one embodiment, a method of a client device includes accessing a first application through a first application template. The first application template resides on a server. The method also includes accessing the first application based on a response to a request of a user interface of the client device. Furthermore, the method includes processing the first application through a processor such that the first application accesses the first application template such that the client device permits an access of the first application through the first application template. The method also includes executing the first application through the first application template such that an execution of the first application through the first application template emulates the execution of the first application installed on an operating system of the client device.
US08346849B2	Security and support for flexible conferencing topologies spanning proxies, firewalls and gateways A method and system for setting up and managing secure data/audio/video conferences with a wide range of topologies is described. The disclosed method and system allow extending the range of topologies possible with the H.323 conferencing standards while overcoming T.120 negotiating constraints. Security in such conferences may be based on a trusted node system or on more complex security procedures. Furthermore, the taught conference topologies fully utilize the T.120 standards while also permitting the reach of the conferences to the extent enabled by the H.323 standards by implementing additional modules to manage the setting up and tearing down of one or more conference connections. In addition, the method and system allow for dynamically adjusting conference connections to improve bandwidth usage and utilize H.323 support for gatekeepers.
US08346846B2	Transmission of aggregated mote-associated log data Methods and/or systems relating to mote networks having mote-addressed content logs of a first set of motes. The mote-addressed content logs are aggregated and transmitted.
US08346835B2	Filter structure and method for filtering an input signal The invention relates to a method and filter structure for filtering an input signal, which is applied to an input (1) of the filter structure, having a symbol rate. The input signal is guided to multiple parallel branches of the filter structure connected to the input (1), in which at least two sequence holding members (4) are each disposed. Symbol values of the input signal, which are applied to the outputs of the sequence holding members (4) at certain points are guided to multiple (N) parallel signal addition units (3) having weighted inputs. One output signal each is generated in the signal addition units (3) as the sum of the weighted symbol values that are applied to the inputs. According to the invention, space and energy saving filter structure is provided, wherein: the same amount of sequence holding members (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) is disposed in each of the parallel branches; as many signal addition units (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) are disposed in the filter structure as the amount of parallel branches are provided in the filter structure; the sequence holding members (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) and addition units (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) are nested inside each other; and the sequence holding members die (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) and the signal addition units (3) are controlled via a multi-phase clock signal (F1 to 4).
US08346823B2	Method of storing and organizing files on a storage medium via a file system In order to face fragmentation, a method for storing and organizing files on a storage medium via a file system reserves on the storage medium a non-fragmented segment for taking up a file by storing within the file system an identification of an address range of the segment. The file is written within the segment and information is stored in the file system. The information is suited to find the file. The size of the segment is derived by statistical methods from file sizes of a kind of the file.
US08346817B2	Systems and methods for embedding interpolated data object in application data file Embodiments relate to systems and methods for embedding an interpolated data object in an application data file. A database management system can store operational data, such as financial, climate or other information. A user can input or access target data, representing an output desired to be generated from an interpolated set of input data. Thus, the average air temperature of a region may be known for several years, along with other inputs including water temperature, wind speed, and other data. The target data can include an expected average temperature for the current year. The interpolation engine can receive the current-year target temperature, and generate water temperatures, wind speeds, and other variables that produce the target temperature. In aspects, the interpolation engine can embed the interpolated data as an object in a local or remote spreadsheet or other local data file via dynamic data links, to permit automatic updating of the embedded interpolated data.
US08346814B2	Method and system of splitting and merging information spaces An approach is provided for managing split and merge operations for information spaces with respect to their information content.
US08346811B2	System and method for analyzing and reporting extensible data from multiple sources in multiple formats A system and method for analyzing and reporting data from multiple sources is provided. The system is a foundation for an analytical platform that covers not only traditional relational data, but also a new generation of extensible data formats designed for the web, such as those based on XML (FIXML, FpML, ebXML, XBRL, ACORD, etc.), as well as HTML, E-mail, Excel, PDF, and others. In a preferred embodiment, the eXtensible on-line analytical processing (XOLAP), is a scalable client/server platform that allows the multi-dimensional analysis of modern data types, as well as traditional relational data, by bringing them all into an internal common XML-based model, without the time and expense of creating a data warehouse.
US08346806B2	Image processing apparatus and control method An image processing apparatus includes a browser which obtains an external resource or internal resource of the apparatus and displays the resource on the display unit, and a storage unit for storing an internal resource that can be displayed on the display unit. The image processing apparatus performs control not to display information by which storage location of the internal resource in the storing unit is identifiable in the case where the resource obtained by the browser unit is an internal resource.
US08346805B2	Filter driver for identifying disk files by analysis of content A system and method for excluding certain types of files from being saved to a system by examining file data. The file data is examined by: mapping the circular queue to memory; reading the file identifiers from the circular queue (a named mutex is locked until all file identifiers have been read from the queue); using the file identifier to open the file; scanning the opened file to create a file signature; comparing the file signature to each entry on a list of signature criteria; and performing a storage policy if there is a match.
US08346797B2	Search device and information providing system A search device and an information providing system are structured, to lessen a user's operation load, such that a crawling portion executes a crawling while sequentially changing an expansion header indicating a voice display capacity in an HTTP request into a voice display capacity of a typical model within each of model groups, and registers the obtained result in a search index in correspondence to the model name within the model group, a search service providing portion executes a search from the search index in correspondence to a search condition like a key word from a cellular phone terminal unit and the model name in the HTTP request, and a response portion generates a search result in correspondence to a template, and sends to a Web browser of the cellular phone terminal unit via an HTTP server.
US08346791B1	Search augmentation Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating or using augmentation queries. In one aspect, augmentation queries are identified from user interactions or are machine generated. The augmentation queries can be stored in an augmentation query data store. When a user submits a search query to a search engine, the terms of the query, and optionally additional information, such as the geographic location from which the query is received or the language of the query, can be used to identify stored augmentation queries and select one or more similar augmentation queries. The selected augmentation queries, in turn, can be used by the search engine perform an augmented search operation.
US08346789B2	System and method for generating homogeneous metadata from pre-existing metadata A method according to one embodiment includes determining the presence of pre-existing metadata associated with at least one local media content file. The method of this embodiment may also include determining at least one data field contained within the pre-existing metadata and generating a homogeneous metadata file for the at least one local media content file by mapping data contained within the at least one data field of the pre-existing metadata into at least one defined data field of the homogeneous metadata file.
US08346787B1	Method and apparatus for continuous data protection A method and apparatus for continuous data protection is provided. In one embodiment, the method for continuous data protection comprises receiving a write request for writing at least one data segment to storage; computing, using at least one processor, a signature for the at least one segment; comparing, using at least one processor, the signature that is associated with the at least one segment with a plurality of data signatures for previously stored data segments; and processing the data segment in a manner dependent upon whether the signature matches any one of the plurality of data signatures.
US08346785B1	Performing abstraction and/or integration of information Abstraction and/or integration can be performed on information, e.g. transaction data items in standard and/or proprietary formats, using data processing systems. For example, standard-based abstraction operations can analyze transaction data items in standard format to obtain transaction segment data items, each about a transaction segment; transaction segment data items can be used to obtain and store segment group data structures, each about a type of transaction segment data items and which can also include standard-based abstraction artifacts. Abstraction operations on standard or proprietary format can automatically extract pre-integration information, such as usage attributes, useful in integration and for other purposes. Integration can be performed on transaction type attribute data, producing merged attribute data including mapping attributes, such as based on match results from associated fields of selected transaction types in different formats. Attribute data items being integrated can include pre-integration information and segment group data structures with standard-based abstraction artifacts.
US08346781B1	Dynamic content distribution system and methods A dynamic content distribution system and method that uses a unique Item Response Function IRF method to provide digital content to end-users based on psychometric reasoning. The system and method gathers psychometric attributes of Registered Users and Registered Subscribers and combines the psychometric attributes with Item Response Function methods, including characterizing content by corresponding psychometric attributes, to determine how and when digital content is presents to the Registered Users.
US08346779B2	Method and system for extended bitmap indexing A system and method for enhancing bitmap indexing representation of a dataset, which comprises a plurality of cases and features, each case characterized by one or more values of each feature. Currently, the bins vector for each case in the dataset, is a binary array, which is a bitmap indexing representation of each respective feature of the case. The system and method enhance the bitmap indexing by padding each bins vector. The padding is carried out by identifying all target bit locations with a ‘1’ value and replacing at least one ‘0’ bit adjacent to a target bit location with a non-zero numerical value, thereby creating a padded bitmap index. The padding factor may be based on any mathematical or statistical factor concerning population or subpopulation relevant to each of the features of the dataset.
US08346769B2	System, method and program to manage alternate bookmarks System, method and program for managing bookmarks. A user hovers a cursor over a primary bookmark displayed on a client computer. In response, the client computer automatically sends a request to a server corresponding to the primary bookmark to identify one or more alternate bookmarks that correspond to the primary bookmark. In response to receipt of the identification of the one or more alternate bookmarks from the server, the client computer displays the one or more alternate bookmarks adjacent to the primary bookmark. If a user selects one of the alternate bookmarks which is displayed, the client computer sends a request to a web server corresponding to the selected alternate bookmark for a web page corresponding to the selected alternate bookmark.
US08346768B2	Fast merge support for legacy documents A method is presented for merging document metadata at a client computer. A document obtained from a server computer is opened by a user at the client computer. If the document does not include paragraph identifiers, a paragraph identifier is assigned to each paragraph in the document. When the document is opened by a second user at a second client computer, metadata for the document is received from the server computer. A determination is made whether to merge the metadata received from the server computer with current metadata for the document. When it is determined that the current metadata and the metadata received from the server computer should be merged, paragraph identifiers are adjusted in the document based on the metadata received from the server computer.
US08346760B2	Method and apparatus to improve execution of a stored program In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising determining metadata encoded in instructions of a stored program; and executing the stored program based on the metadata.
US08346757B1	Determining query terms of little significance A system determines whether a term of a search query is a term with little significance based on a context of the search query. The system performs a search based on the search query while considering the term with little significance as optional when the search query includes the term with little significance and presents a list of search results based on the search.
US08346755B1	Iterative off-line rendering process System and method for indexing rendered web page images. A web crawling engine stores the content and crawl time of a web page. A scheduling engine sends the content and crawl time to a rendering engine, and processes requests for embedded objects. If a requested object has been crawled, it sends the contents to the rendering engine. Otherwise it schedules the crawl of the object, and once the object is crawled, it resends the content and crawl time of the web page to the rendering engine. The rendering engine receives the content and crawl time of a web page, requests all embedded objects, and renders the web page to an image once all embedded objects are received.
US08346754B2	Generating succinct titles for web URLs Methods, computer programs, and systems for generating a link title for a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) within a context webpage to be shown as a web result are provided. The method evaluates generation parameters for a plurality of sources for picking words from the link title. Further, the method generates candidates for the link title, and a likelihood is computed for each candidate. When computing the likelihood, the generation parameters, the context webpage and the words are considered. In addition, the method selects a candidate with the highest likelihood from all the computed likelihoods, and presents the URL with the selected candidate as the title.
US08346753B2	System and method for searching for internet-accessible content A system and method for searching and voting on Internet-accessible content is presented. HTML-linked content on one or more Internet host servers is indexed and stored on associated meta servers. Non-HTML content and dynamic HTML content from the deep web, is processed by the present invention into HTML content, indexed, and stored on the meta servers. Each meta server includes a local search engine. The present invention also includes a central repository which tracks user votes, query language progressions, and information about content on each of the meta sites. The present invention also provides a plurality of enhancement plug-ins for standard web robots, including a toolbar for conventional web browsers. The toolbar can be used to securely solicit and authenticated user votes from standard web sites, while preserving the privacy of the voter. The plug-ins facilitate interoperability between existing Internet software (and technology) and the present invention.
US08346747B2	Extending database tables in a multi-tenant environment Embodiments relate to database technology, and more specifically, to extending database tables in a multi-tenant environment. A method for extending a database table, includes receiving a request of a tenant for extending a database table; and generating a description file corresponding to the tenant according to the received request, the description file describing an extended field defined for the database table as at least one extended column.
US08346739B1	Segmenting documents among multiple data repositories Techniques for storing electronic documents include defining multiple logical storage locations, with each logical storage location corresponding to a respective first set of data parameters, and storing electronic documents in the logical storage locations. Each electronic document is stored in a logical storage location having a particular corresponding first set of data parameters. The particular corresponding first set of data parameters is associated with the electronic document, and the electronic document is indexed within the logical storage location based on a second set of data parameters.
US08346733B2	Systems and methods of media management, such as management of media to and from a media storage library A system and method for determining media to be exported out of a media library is described. In some examples, the system determines a media component to be exported, determines the media component is in the media library for a specific process, and exports the media component after the process is completed.
US08346729B2	Business-semantic-aware information lifecycle management For information lifecyle management (ILM) a process receives a user-definition of ILM actions, data state transitions, and associations among the respective data state transitions and ILM actions and responsively stores a data structure representing the received data state transitions, ILM actions, and correspondence among the respective data state transitions and ILM actions. A process for an ILM model detects a workflow definition event in a monitored process running on a computer system. An information lifecycle flow data structure for the workflow definition is stored responsive to the workflow definition in the monitored process having a data state transition matching one of the user-defined data state transitions, wherein the information lifecycle flow data structure models the matching data state transition, so that the ILM action corresponding to the matching data state transition may be performed for the data responsive to occurrence of a workflow process event in which the matching data state transition occurs.
US08346725B2	Evolution of XML schemas involving partial data copy XML schema evolutions can be performed on an XML-type database using partial data copy techniques. The partial data copy techniques provide mechanisms to identify a minimal set of data in the database that needs be copied out in order for schema evolution operations to occur. Identifying the minimal set of data involves comparing an existing XML schema to a new XML schema and determining the differences between the two schemas. Based on those differences, a minimal set of data can be determined. That data can then be copied to a temporary storage location, while the XML schema and its associated database structure are updated to conform to the new XML schema. Then, the minimal set of data is copied back into the modified database structure.
US08346723B2	Consolidation of patch transformations for database replication Embodiments of the invention provide for applying modifications to database instances in a way that allows some of instances to be modified without requiring that all of the instances be modified. Patching less than all of a plurality of replicated database instances can comprise applying a patch to a first version of a table in a first database instance. The first version of the table may be replicated in a corresponding first version of the table in a second database instance. Applying the patch to the first version of the table in the first database instance can result in a second version of the table in the first database instance. Transformations caused by applying the patch to the first version of the table in the first database instance can be consolidated based on differences between the first version of the table and the second version of the table.
US08346719B2	Multi-node replication systems, devices and methods Replication techniques are presented. According to an embodiment of a method, a node of a replicated storage network is assigned to be an owner of a data block to issue write memory block commands. The network includes at least two nodes including the node assigned to be the owner. If a read memory block command is received to read the data block, a read_lock is issued for the data block, the data block is read, and the read_lock for the data block is released. If a write memory block command is received to write new data to the data block, a write_lock is issued for the data block, the data block is written and a version associated with the data block is incremented, and the write_lock for the data block is released.
US08346715B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing intelligent agent services Implementing intelligent agent services includes generating an ontological domain for an individual based upon sets of information elements. A set of the information elements represents aspects of a detectable behavior of the individual at a point in time. The detectable behavior is one of a number of detectable behaviors of the individual occurring within a physical and virtual geography and in relation to time. The detectable behaviors include an activity conducted by the individual at a computer and a presence of the individual at a function. Implementing the intelligent agent services also includes determining relevance of relationships among the sets of the information elements in the ontological domain, and searching sources of information using the sets of the information elements having a relationship determined to be relevant, and identifying a solution for satisfying an interest based on the search.
US08346710B2	Evaluating statistical significance of test statistics using placebo actions Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for evaluating statistical significance using placebo actions. One method includes receiving exposure data and control data describing exposed and control subjects and determining a test statistic for each of a plurality of subject actions including a desired action and a plurality of placebo actions. The test statistic for an action corresponds to an estimated effect that exposure to the treatment has on a likelihood that a subject will take the action. The method further includes comparing the test statistic for the desired action to the test statistics for the plurality of placebo actions, and determining whether the test statistic for the desired action is statistically significant according to the comparison. Another method includes automatically identifying placebo actions using a taxonomy that classifies subject actions or treatments, and determining test statistics for the placebo actions.
US08346707B2	Rule reasoner, and dynamic materialization method for wild pattern rules including the same Rule reasoner includes: a Rete network builder for receiving ontology, including ontology instance represented by triple and ontology schema defining classes and properties of the triple, and reasoning rule, building Rete network corresponding to the ontology and the reasoning rule, selecting clue pattern corresponding to wild pattern rule with reference to the ontology schema when reasoning rule having wild pattern is received, rewriting the wild pattern rule with reference to the clue pattern, and adding test node, alpha memory node, and wild rule node so that the rewritten wild pattern rule is incorporated; a Rete network implementer for generating reasoned triple by implementing the Rete network built by the Rete network builder or generating reasoning rule where the wild pattern rule is dynamically materialized; and a Rete network expander expanding the Rete network by inputting the new reasoning rule, generated by the Rete network implementer, to the Rete network builder.
US08346702B2	System and method for automatically predicting the outcome of expert forecasts Systems and methods are provided that predict the accuracy of expert forecasts based on a corpus of prior expert forecasts. Expert forecasts (also referred to as opinions) are analyzed and processed to determine an opinion and related positions expressed by the expert. Each opinion is combined with relevant industry information to create a structured model for the opinion. A plurality of structured models for a given expert are then analyzed along with information related to the actual outcome of prior predictions to create a decision model for the particular expert. A new opinion issued by an expert is then analyzed using the decision model for that expert to predict the accuracy of the new opinion from the expert. Recommended actions in accordance with or against the new expert opinion may then be provided.
US08346698B2	System and method for optimizing development, implementation and management of orders A system and method is provided for developing, implementing and managing orders whereby a raw order set can be resolved into a canonical order set to identify at least one order within the one raw order set. A commonality analysis can be performed by comparing one canonical order set with another canonical order set to determine at least one common order subset. The canonical order sets sharing at least one common order subset can then be restructured into a hierarchical structure, and prioritized to minimize downstream processing.
US08346693B2	Method for hammerstein modeling of steam generator plant The method for Hammerstein modeling of a steam generator plant includes modeling of the linear dynamic part of a Hammerstein model with a state-space model, and modeling the nonlinear part of the Hammerstein model with a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). Particle swarm optimization (PSO), typically known for its heuristic search capabilities, is used for estimating the parameters of the RBFNN. Parameters of the linear part are estimated using a numerical algorithm for subspace state-space system identification (N4SID).
US08346685B1	Computerized system for enhancing expert-based processes and methods useful in conjunction therewith A computerized system for enhancing expert-based processes, the system comprising a computerized expert based data analyzer receiving input from a plurality of experts by operating a corresponding plurality of expert-based processes on a body of data, the input including a discrepancy set including at least one point of discrepancy regarding which less than all of the plurality of experts agree and an agreement set including at least one point of agreement regarding which all of the plurality of experts agree; and an oracle from which oracle input is received resolving at least the point of discrepancy and not resolving any point of agreement in the agreement set; wherein the computerized analyzer is operative to select and to subsequently actuate for purposes of receiving input regarding the body of data, a subset of better experts from among the plurality of experts based on the oracle input.
US08346684B2	Pattern classification method For assigning a test pattern to a class chosen from a predefined set of classes, the class membership probability for the test pattern is calculated as well as the confidence interval for the class membership probability based upon a number of training patterns in a neighborhood of the test pattern in the feature space. The number of training patterns in the neighborhood of the test pattern is obtained from computing a convolution of a density function of the training patterns with a Gaussian smoothing function centered on the test pattern, where the density function of the training patterns is represented as a mixture of Gaussian functions. The convolution of the smoothing function and the mixture of Gaussian functions can be expressed analytically.
US08346674B2	Intelligent physical mail handling system A system and method for handling unwanted physical mail pieces having a sorter and imager which intercepts one or more pieces of physical mail, which produces an electronic image of a front panel of each piece of mail, and which physically retains pieces of mail in temporary physical storage, and which cooperates with an optical recognizer to determine an intended recipient for each retained piece of mail, further cooperating with a server that notifies the intended recipients and receives a choice for disposition of the mail, and including a destruction which destroys said pieces of mail rejected by the intended recipient.
US08346670B2	System for controlling user access to a service The invention concerns a system for controlling user access to a service having a read device (210) arranged to contactlessly read a payment card (211) of a user; and a control block (214) coupled to an entry gate (202), the control block arranged to determine whether online payment authorization should be requested for the payment card, wherein if it is determined that online payment authorization should be requested, the control block is arranged to allow the user access to the service prior to completing an online payment authorization for the payment card.
US08346669B2	Method of requesting a customized instance of an object using information contained within an existing instance A method and system for reselling an object in a client-server environment is disclosed. The method and system also enables a user using a client device can order an object, order a customized object, order a composite object, and order a customized composite object. The system includes an object order form handler, an object order handler, a view objects handler, a reseller form handler, a reseller handler, a reseller permission handler, an add object handler and a server database.
US08346658B1	Line of credit with pre-agreed line increases A line of credit with pre-agreed line increases is described. In example embodiments, the line of credit is secured by a residence, and the borrower can agree at initial closing to periodic line increases, so that additional closings and re-recording are not necessary. Modeling can be used by the financial institution to determine if and when to offer increases in the LOC. An automated servicing routine is then used to produce a recommendation with respect to increasing the LOC loan amount. This automated servicing routine includes at least one model to produce the recommendation. The line of credit can be increased if and when recommended by the servicing platform.
US08346652B2	Hybrid trading system for concurrently trading securities or derivatives through both electronic and open-outcry trading mechanisms A system and method of allocating orders in an exchange configured for trading by a combination of electronic and open-outcry trading mechanisms is provided. One method includes permitting multiple quotes to be disseminated to the market, but limiting market making to only those entities having a physical presence on the floor of the exchange. Methods of enhancing the hybrid electronic and open-outcry exchange also include automatically eliminating crossed quotes and locked quotes while permitting certain orders to trade against locked quotes.
US08346647B1	Systems and methods relating to bond liquidity In one aspect, an embodiment comprises a computer system comprising: (a) a computer readable memory that stores price information for a plurality of bonds; and (b) a processor unit that calculates a liquidity cost score for one or more of said plurality of bonds; wherein said liquidity cost score calculation is based on data regarding quoted bid price and quoted ask price if a bond is a quoted bond, wherein said liquidity cost score calculation is based on a regression analysis if a bond is a non-quoted bond, and wherein said processor unit comprises one or more processors.
US08346642B2	Trading orders with decaying reserves In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product. The trading order specifies that a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and that a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The trading order specifies at least one of a decay rule, a decay interval, a decay rate, decay quantity, and one or more conditions. The software instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on at least one of the decay rule, the decay interval, the decay rate, and the decay quantity, and one or more conditions.
US08346639B2	Authentication of a data card using a transit verification value Transaction processing involves receiving data from an access transaction application of a portable consumer device, wherein the received data comprises data from an access transaction data string that includes a transit verification value wherein, with the exception of the transit verification value, the access transaction data string is substantially similar to a retail data string comprising retail data, wherein the access application data string is adapted for use with an access transaction processing system and the retail data string is adapted for use with a retail processing system. The transaction processing involves processing access transaction application data for selective authorization of the transaction.
US08346619B2	System for mediating transaction information and device in the system The present invention provides an intermediation system of transaction that has purchasing indicators to show purchase intent of buyers in transaction through a network. The intermediation system includes first user terminals for requesting the acquisition of information about predetermined products or services, second several user terminals for providing information on products or services which they offer, and an intermediation device for mediating the information between the first user terminals and the second user terminals. The first and second user terminals and the intermediation device are interconnected over a network.

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