最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08353731B1 Plug connector
A plug connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first terminals which are adapted to connect with a mating receptacle connector and include a first ground terminal, a first power terminal for connecting with an external power supply and at least two first signal terminals, a plurality of second terminals which include second power terminals adapted to transmit different voltage values, second ground terminals and a backup terminal, and a support body mounted to a rear side of the insulating housing. The first and second terminals are inserted forward in the insulating housing and each has a soldering arm penetrating rearward through the support body to be exposed outside and supported by the support body. A shielding shell encloses the insulating housing and the support body with the first and second terminals.
US08353727B2 Card connector
A connector which makes it less difficult to insert two types of card-type electronic components, even when it is used over a long term. A first recess in which a first memory card is inserted has a bottom surface formed with a second recess in which a second memory card is inserted, whereby guiding surfaces are formed for guiding a second memory card in a card-inserting direction.
US08353721B2 Cable connection device, line feedthrough provided therewith, and use thereof
The invention relates to a cable connection device for connecting a cable to a housing that is to be electromagnetically shielded, comprising a sheath, which serves to surround the cable in the region of a cable feedthrough opening in the housing and is designed to be electrically conductive at least at its surface. In order to achieve a cable connection device with a simple design which can be used for different cables and has improved shielding, the invention proposes that the sheath completely covers a cable feedthrough opening, which is associated with the housing, when viewed in a direction axial to the cable feedthrough opening, the sheath being provided with shielding structures for damping electromagnetic radiation on an inner surface, which points towards the cable to be accommodated.
US08353714B2 High density coaxial jack
A coaxial switching jack with a pair of coaxial assemblies mounted within a housing having a pair of front cable connection locations is disclosed. The coaxial assemblies each include a center conductor and an outer shield conductor. The center conductors are connected by a first spring and the shell conductors are connected by a second spring. Insertion of a coaxial cable connector within one of the front cable connection locations deflects the springs from the corresponding coaxial assembly and disconnects the center and shell conductors of the two assemblies. The jack may also be configured to provide an electrical connection between the center and shell conductors of the second coaxial assembly if a coaxial cable connector is inserted within the first coaxial assembly. The connection between the center and shell conductors of the second coaxial assembly may be through a resistor assembly allowing for selection of a desired electrical impedance.
US08353711B2 Electrical connector with improved metallic shutter mechanism
An electrical connector includes a metal shell, an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the insulative housing and a shutter. The metal shell defines a receiving space with a mating port. The insulative housing defines a mating portion extending forwardly and received in the receiving space. The mating portion defines two rows of passageways exposed on opposite surfaces thereof. The terminals include contact portions retained in the corresponding passageways of the mating portion. The shutter is located in the mating port of metal shell. The shutter is made of metal sheet and pivotally mounted to the shell. The shutter includes a main portion and a pair of shafts extending outwardly form two sides of one end of the main portion.
US08353709B2 Retractable memory drive
A retractable memory drive in accordance with the present invention comprises a top casing, a middle carrier, an electronic device such as a USB thumb drive, and a bottom casing. There are guide rails that allow the middle carrier to remain in an appropriate position. There is also a metal spring clip coupled to the middle carrier for contacting a connector of a device coupled to the drive to provide for improved EMI and ESD protection.
US08353705B2 Attendance tracking system
An automated attendance monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes (i) identification tags, with wireless communication capabilities, for each potential attendee, (ii) scanners for detecting the attendees' tags as they enter a given room, (iii) at least one server in communication with the scanners, (iv) handheld computing devices for use by attendance trackers, such as teachers, to verify a provisional attendance report generated by the scanners and server, and (v) software running on the server for receiving and managing the attendance data received from the scanners, and for generating attendance reports. Although particularly well-suited for tracking attendance in schools, the present invention can also be used in a variety of other settings where there is a need to track the whereabouts of a number of individuals.
US08353702B1 Dental implant system
A dental implant system is described which includes a root form for attaching to a patient's jaw bone and an abutment. The root form has a cavity. Furthermore, the abutment has an attachment portion, an insertion portion and an aperture. The insertion portion may be receivable within the cavity and form a taper lock therein. Finally, the aperture may pass through the abutment from the attachment portion to the insertion portion. In a preferred embodiment, the aperture is configured to receive a predetermined amount of hydraulic pressure to eject the abutment from the cavity, whereby the predetermined amount of hydraulic pressure overcomes the taper lock between the insertion portion of the abutment and the cavity.
US08353697B2 Injection molding apparatus having a pressure disk disposed between a back plate and a valve pin actuator
An actuator is disposed between a back plate and a manifold and is connected to a valve pin. A nozzle flange, locating ring, or pressure disc can transmit a first load between the manifold and a mold plate. A pressure disc can be disposed between the actuator and the back plate. The pressure disc transmits a second load between the back plate and the manifold through the actuator.
US08353696B2 Semi-rigid tool having sections that vary from one another in rigidity
The present invention relates to a manufacturing tool (13, 14) and method for use in forming polymer matrix composite products such as carbon fiber composite products. The tool comprising a first and a second portion defining a cavity (15) therebetween in which the product is built before curing. The rigidity of the second portion (13) of the tool is selected based on the required deflection of the second portion of the tool under the curing conditions, in order to maintain pressure on the laminate during the entire cure. The second upper portion (13) is shown haring varying thicknesses (16A, 16B and 16C) which results in different rigidity of these regions.
US08353694B1 Thermoplastic pultrusion die system and method
A thermoplastic pultrusion die system for pultruding a thermoplastic composite includes a first pultrusion die member; a second pultrusion die member; a die cavity gap formed between the first pultrusion die member and the second pultrusion die member; and a die cavity gap adjustment mechanism that imparts movement to at least one of the first pultrusion die member and the second pultrusion die member to vary the die cavity gap within a very tight die cavity gap tolerance.
US08353693B2 Fluid machine
A fluid machine includes an inflow passageway arranged and configured to introduce fluid from outside into inner and outer fluid chambers of a first eccentric rotation mechanism, a communication passageway arranged and configured to introduce fluid discharged from the inner and outer fluid chambers of the first eccentric rotation mechanism into inner and outer fluid chambers of a second eccentric rotation mechanism, and an outflow passageway arranged and configured to allow fluid discharged from the inner and outer fluid chambers of the second eccentric rotation mechanism to flow to outside. Each of the first and second eccentric rotation mechanisms preferably includes a cylinder, a piston, and a blade. A drive shaft has a main shaft portion and first and second eccentric portions arranged to engage the first and second eccentric rotation mechanisms.
US08353691B2 Piston pump
A piston pump for the hydraulic energy supply in a motor vehicle, comprising a piston that is movably arranged in a stepped bore of an accommodating member that is provided with a closure, the piston carries a seat for an elastic sealing element which accommodates the sealing element with axial play, and with radial elastic preload for the purpose of sealing between piston and cylinder. The seat for the sealing element has a structure which generates forces pointing radially towards a piston axis and expanding the sealing element in a radial direction, and that the structure produces an elastic deformation of the sealing element for an increased and dosed sealing contact pressure between piston and cylinder.
US08353687B2 Rotary pump with a fixed shaft
A rotary pump (1), which can be operated by an electronically commutated DC motor (56) with an axial gap, with a dry space (54), in which a wound stator (55) is accommodated, and a fluid-fillable pump space (13), in which a permanent magnetic pump impeller (5) is accommodated to rotate, the pump impeller (5) being separated by a split plate (18) from stator (55), which is connected to a return ring (27), to which several poles (15) are connected, and a circuit board (17), and is in heat-conducting contact with it, and includes a heat conducting element (10) from a good heat conducting light metal. The heat conducting element (10) consists essentially of a disk (40) aligned at right angles to the motor shaft or an annular disk with a coaxial tube (39) extending in the direction of the pump impeller in one piece with it, open or closed toward the motor shaft, and that the circuit board (17) is connected to the heat-conducting element (15) on the side facing away from the pump impeller (5).
US08353683B2 Micropump, pump module, and drive module
A micropump of peristaltic drive system of pressing a tube having elasticity to transport a fluid is disclosed. The micropump includes: a pump module including the tube, a cam that presses the tube, and a cam shaft on which the cam is pivotally mounted; a drive module including a drive force transmission mechanism that transmits a drive force from a motor to the cam shaft; a coupling member that detachably couples the pump module and the drive module; and a linkage mechanism provided between the motor and the cam shaft to link the drive force.
US08353676B2 Method for determining faults during the operation of a pump unit
A method for determining faults during the operation of a pump unit. At least two electric variables that determine the electric output of the motor and at least one fluctuating hydraulic variable of the pump are detected. The detected values or values formed from the variables by use of algorithms are automatically compared to predefined stored values using electronic data processing and the results of the comparison are used to determine whether or not faults have occurred.
US08353670B2 Axial balancing clip weight for rotor assembly and method for balancing a rotor assembly
A balancing weight clip for balancing a rotor assembly of a gas turbine engine which includes a weight portion, and a first flange engaging portion and a second flange engaging portion extending from the weight portion. The weight portion and the first and second flange engaging portions define a flange receiving opening for receiving a flange of a disc of the rotor assembly. The first flange engaging portion is provided with a detent facing the second flange engaging portion and engageable with a mating groove provided on a face of the flange. At least one of the first and second flange engaging portions is elastically deformable so that the first and second flange engaging portions are elastically moveable away from one another to removably receive the flange in the flange receiving opening and engage the detent with the mating groove.
US08353667B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting a yaw angle of a wind turbine
A method and an apparatus for adjusting a yaw angle of a wind turbine comprising a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades and a hub are provided. The method is adapted for adjusting the yaw angle from an actual yaw angle to a desired yaw angle and comprises the steps of measuring a wind direction at the location of the wind turbine, measuring the yaw angle of the wind turbine and/or determining a wind direction relative to the nacelle orientation, calculating a pitch angle of at least one rotor blade as a function of the measured wind direction and the measured yaw angle and/or the wind direction relative to the nacelle orientation, and adjusting the pitch angle of the rotor blades according to the calculated pitch angle such that a yaw momentum is generated for changing the yaw angle from the actual yaw angle to the desired yaw angle.
US08353658B2 Debris-free plastic collating strip for nails
A fastener assembly is for use in an associated fastener driving tool. The assembly includes a row of fasteners arranged substantially parallel to each other. Each fastener has a shank and defines an axis. A collation system is formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material defines a collar portion at least substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar portions. The connecting portion includes a bridge and a rib. The bridge is a relatively thin, elongate element spanning adjacent collar portions and the rib is a relatively thick, short element that is disposed at about an upper portion of the bridge. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener. The connecting portion can include a weakened region for separating the connecting portion from the collar.
US08353655B2 Floor anchor
The invention relates to a floor anchor (10) made of steel pipe. The floor anchor comprises a hollow shaft segment (14) having an external thread (16) at least in segments, and a head segment adjacent to the shaft segment (14) and facing downward in the anchored state in the floor. The head segment (12) is designed as a drill head and comprises elements for removing earth.
US08353649B2 Apparatus and methods for securing a fastener
A nut plate assembly and a method for securing a nut plate assembly may include a support for a fastener element wherein the support has a base to be supported and/or fixed on a support surface and the base has another surface against which the fastener element bears. The base also supports a structure for supporting the fastener element where the structure is at least partly non-symmetrical about a plane other than a horizontal plane parallel to the base. One side of the base may be secured to the support surface and the other side of the base may have the fastener element bearing against it when a complementary fastener element is secured to the first fastener element.
US08353644B2 Apparatus and method for moving and placing granulate material
A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.
US08353636B2 Support device for a cosmetic article and associated method
This device comprises a covering (12) which defines an internal cavity (22) and a body (14) which can be moved in a first direction relative to the covering (12) between a storage position and a position in which the body (14) is removed from the covering.The device comprises a pushing member (54) which is mounted so as to be able to move relative to the covering (12) in the first direction between an idle position and a configuration for moving the body towards the removal position thereof.The device comprises a releasable assembly (80; 64) for retaining the body in the storage position thereof, and a member (56) for resiliently urging the pushing member (54) towards the idle position thereof.
US08353630B2 Fluid dynamic bearing with a labyrinth seal
A device for providing an air-gap associated with a portion of a fluid dynamic bearing, a sleeve is provided and surrounds a portion of a shaft. The sleeve and the shaft are configured for establishing the air-gap proximal to a portion of the fluid dynamic bearing. In addition, a cap is also provided and coupled to the sleeve. The cap has an outer end proximal to a portion of the fluid dynamic bearing such that the air-gap is provided between the outer end of the cap and the portion of the fluid dynamic bearing, wherein the air-gap forms a labyrinth seal.
US08353624B2 Test device for checking a pre-vacuum steam sterilization apparatus
Test device capable of checking the quality of the sterilizing steam in a pre-vacuum apparatus intended for sterilization, including a receptacle forming an elongate chamber closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end, in which the chamber contains a filling load, and at least one undesirable gas presence indicator arranged toward the distal closed end of the chamber. According to the invention; the undesirable gas presence indicator is an electronic temperature sensor, and the filling load comprises at least, in the operating position, one path enabling a flow by gravity of the water condensed in the chamber from the steam primarily forming the atmosphere of same, to the opening of the proximal end.
US08353618B1 External vibratory grout consolidator for vertically reinforced concrete masonry
A vibratory grout consolidator for eliminating gaps and voids in grout by attaching to reinforcing bars extending within masonry block walls and encapsulated within the grout. The device includes a clamp including a bar sleeve having a first part attached to a first arm and a second part attached to a second arm. The bar sleeve has a pair of open ends that allow a reinforcing bar to extending fully through the bar sleeve. A vibration source is attached to the clamp so that when the bar sleeve is engaged with the reinforcing bar, vibration is transmitted to the reinforcing bar and encapsulating grout.
US08353606B2 Streetlight
A streetlight installed on a street or a sidewalk in order to radiate light includes a base plate detachably fixed to a streetlight body using a clamp and a reflector fixed to one side of the base plate. The reflector has a first slope having a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon, and a second slope having a reflective film mounted thereon, the reflective film arranged opposite the LEDs. The reflector provides illumination by reflecting light, emitted from the LEDs, to the outside. A heat dissipation pad is disposed between the base plate and the reflector. The heat dissipation pad insulates the LEDs from external high-voltage EMS. A cover made of a translucent material has a recess in the central portion thereof to house the reflector therein, and fixes both the reflector and the heat dissipation pad to the base plate. Heat dissipation fins are fixed to the base plate.
US08353590B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head that ejects liquid to be cured by receiving irradiation of an electromagnetic wave onto a medium; a provisional-curing irradiation section that emits a first electromagnetic wave to a dot formed on the medium by the liquid; and a main-curing irradiation section that emits a second electromagnetic wave, which has irradiation intensity higher than that of the first electromagnetic wave, to the dot to which the first electromagnetic wave is emitted. When the main-curing irradiation section emits the second electromagnetic wave, a dot forming surface of the medium faces the lower side in the direction of gravity.
US08353585B2 Waste liquid collector
A waste liquid collector is detachably mounted on a device including a discharge unit discharging a waste liquid and stores the waste liquid discharged from the discharge unit when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device. The waste liquid collector includes: an opening through which the discharge unit is inserted or extracted at the time of mounting or detaching the waste liquid collector on or from the device; a collector-side connection terminal which comes in contact with a device-side connection terminal included in the device when the discharge unit of the device is inserted into the opening; and a positioning unit which positions the collector-side connection terminal to come in contact with the device-side connection terminal when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device.
US08353583B2 Liquid container
A liquid container comprises a liquid container pouch of flexible sheets and a liquid outlet between the pair of flexible sheets to permit extraction of a liquid in the pouch. The pouch includes a pair of side portions and a lower gusseted portion defining a basal gusset and including bilateral edge portions overlapping individual lower border zones on the side constituting the lower borders of the pair of side portions during extraction of liquid. The individual lower border zones and the individual bilateral side edge portions overlap to define sealed portions; the lower gusseted portion has a fold line parallel to the lower border between the bilateral edge portions and is oriented in a folding direction to define a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the pouch; and the two sealed portions having regulators to restrain outward expansion by a greater extent than other faces on the pair of side portions.
US08353580B2 Liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head including: a channel unit having pressure chambers, ejection openings, and liquid channels; and an actuator unit including a piezoelectric layer and individual electrodes formed on a face of the piezoelectric layer, the actuator unit being configured to apply a drive voltage to the individual electrodes, wherein each of the individual electrodes includes: a land to which the drive voltage is applied; a main portion disposed such that an entire area thereof is opposite to a corresponding one of the pressure chambers in a direction perpendicular to the face of the piezoelectric layer; an extended portion extending, in an extending direction in which the extended portion extends, from the main portion toward the land along the face so as to connect the main portion and the land; and a dummy extended portion extending from the main portion along the face in an opposite direction opposite to the extending direction.
US08353578B2 Piezoelectric actuator and liquid-droplet ejection head
A piezoelectric actuator disposed on a surface of a flow-path forming member may comprise a first piezoelectric layer disposed farthest from the surface of the flow-path forming member. The piezoelectric actuator may comprise a surface electrode disposed on one surface of the first piezoelectric layer opposite the surface of the flow-path forming member. The piezoelectric actuator may comprise a land bonded to a terminal of a power supply member. The piezoelectric actuator may comprise a continuous detection electrode including an outer peripheral portion extending along the outline of an area that opposes the land to surround the area and being disposed on one of the other surface of the first piezoelectric layer and a surface of a second piezoelectric layer.
US08353576B2 Liquid discharge head and electric wiring substrate
A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid, and a plurality of recording elements for generating energy to discharge liquid, and an electric wiring substrate electrically connecting the recording element substrate and a driving circuit substrate having a circuit for driving the plurality of recording elements, the electric wiring substrate having a plurality of first electrical contact groups including a plurality of electrical contacts, for electrically connecting with the driving circuit substrate, provided along a disposed direction in which the plurality of discharge ports are disposed. The plurality of first electrical contact groups are detachably attached to a plurality of second electrical contact groups electrically connected with the driving circuit substrate, such that adjacent first electrical contact groups do not overlap each other in the disposed direction and in a direction orthogonal to the disposed direction.
US08353570B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle. A head movement section moves the liquid ejecting head in a movement direction. A controller controls a movement ejection operation that ejects the liquid from the nozzle while moving the liquid ejecting head in the movement direction. If there is satisfied a decision condition that indicates that the ejection rate is excessive, the controller causes the number movement ejection operations related to a certain range to be larger than if the decision condition were not satisfied. With respect to second liquid being higher in viscosity than first liquid, the controller determines the number movement ejection operations related to the above-mentioned certain range by the above-mentioned decision condition determined as excess of the above-mentioned ejection rate at an ejection rate being smaller than that of the first liquid.
US08353569B2 Inkjet printing apparatus and printing method
In an inkjet printing method of performing printing on a printing medium by ejecting inks from a printing head configured to eject chromatic inks and an achromatic ink while moving the printing head, high-quality printing with few boundary stripes produced when the amount of inks is large is realized without complicated control being performed. To this end, print data in a boundary and the vicinity thereof is divided into unit regions, and for each unit region, performed are (A) a first reduction processing which determines a hue of the unit region based on amounts of the chromatic inks, and reduces the amount of chromatic inks applied to the unit region according to the determined hue; and (B) a second reduction processing which reduces an amount of achromatic ink based on the amount of achromatic ink applied to the unit region.
US08353568B2 Inkjet head driving apparatus with multi pulse generator
Disclosed herein is an inkjet head driving apparatus. The inkjet head driving apparatus includes a multi pulse generator that receives a trigger signal, and converts and outputs the trigger signal into a multi pulse signal; an amplifier that amplifies the multi pulse signal output from the multi pulse generator; and a controller that controls the number of pulses of the multi pulse signal generated from the multi pulse generator.
US08353547B2 Equipment for the simultaneous manipulation of several components
An equipment (1) for the simultaneous handling of several components having a plurality of gripping heads (2) which are movable between a close position and at least one spaced position in which they are at a preset distance from each other, and vice versa, including a first rod-shaped element (3) to which the gripping heads (2) are slidingly combined, a second rod-shaped element (4) parallel to the first rod-shaped element (3), provided with a longitudinal guide (5), movable between a first position and at least a second position, a plurality of rods (6) hinged in a zigzag forming a broken line (7) having a median fulcrum (8) at which it becomes integral with the second rod-shaped element (4), and a plurality of lateral fulcrums (9) free to slide in the guide (5) of the second rod-shaped element (4).
US08353546B1 Apparatus for opening doors
A device for assisting a disabled person to open and close and to lock or unlock doors. The device includes a coated metal hook equipped with a silicon strip attached to a rod with a lock opener attached to the opposite end from the hook. The person using the device can open doors by placing the hook over the door knob and rotating the rod and pulls or pushes to open the door from a preferred distance.
US08353544B2 Locking magnet closure
A locking magnet closure consists of a first closure module and a second closure module and comprises a magnet-keeper construction with at least one magnet in the first closure module and a keeper or second magnet in the second closure module, wherein on closing the magnet-keeper construction pulls the first closure module and the second closure module together in a closing direction. The closure further comprises a locking device for positively locking the closure modules between the first closure module and the second closure module. The locking device comprises at least one spring locking element, consisting of an engaging protrusion and a spring, wherein the spring locking element is arranged in the first closure module, and a locking piece which is arranged in the second closure module.
US08353533B2 Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus having a stationary bracket fixed to a vehicle body including a pair of first side plates; a receiving portion provided on the steering column for receiving one end of a conductive member; a pair of second side plates; a conductive cylindrical shaft secured between the pair of first side plates and inserted through the pair of the second side plates; and a plate-shaped conductive member interposed between the receiving portion and an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft. The conductive member includes first and second bow springs that fit the cylindrical shaft resiliently. The first bow spring is interposed between the second bow spring and the receiving portion, a first contact portion of the second bow spring is pressed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft, and a second contact portion of the first bow spring is pressed to the receiving portion.
US08353529B2 Airbag apparatus
The airbag apparatus includes a folded airbag, an inflator and an airbag storage that stores therein the airbag and the inflator. The airbag is inflated by the gas introduced from the inflator in a region between the left seat and the right seat to abut both to a vehicle interior ceiling above the airbag storage and to interior parts of a vehicle interior below the airbag storage. The airbag prevents an occupant sitting in a seat at a side opposite to collision from moving to the collision side.
US08353524B2 Wheeled cart slidable onto horizontal surface
A wheeled cart capable of rolling along a first environmental surface, which may carry a plurality of storage receptacles in gimballing fashion thereon, and which enables the wheeled cart to be slid onto an elevated second environmental surface. The wheeled cart comprises a base supporting wheels and two upright support posts. A subframe supporting the storage receptacles is pivotally and slidably mounted to the upright support posts. The subframe may be inclined from its usual vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation and slid onto the second environmental surface. The base and support posts may be inclined from their usual vertical orientation to reassume longitudinal alignment with the subframe. Contents of the storage receptacles are thus moved en masse onto the second environmental surface without requiring removal from the wheeled cart, while constantly assuming their orientation relative to a vertical direction because of gimballing action of the storage receptacles.
US08353523B2 Telescopic vehicle and method for transporting a long object
A telescopic vehicle for road transport of at least one long object, comprising: a rear vehicle portion being supported by at least one pair of wheels, the rear vehicle portion having a rear support structure for supporting the long object; and a front vehicle portion being telescopically connected to the rear vehicle portion to enable adjustment of a total length of the vehicle, the front vehicle portion having a front support structure for supporting the long object. At least one of the rear support structure and the front support structure is configured to allow relative movement between the long object and the respective vehicle portion, when the total length of the vehicle is adjusted.
US08353522B2 Towing assembly
The present invention relates to a towing bar assembly that may convert from an articulated assembly extracting a vehicle in an inaccessible location to a rigid assembly for safely towing a vehicle on a road.
US08353520B2 Infant carrier apparatus with a joint structure having an anti-pinch safety feature
A joint structure having an anti-pinch safety feature comprises a first support element and a second support element, and a joint structure including a coupling socket and an anti-pinch element. The coupling socket is respectively connected with the first and second support element. The anti-pinch element is interposed between the second support element and the coupling socket. The second support element when rotating about a pivot axis relative to the coupling socket forms a pinch region between an edge of the coupling socket and the second support element, and the anti-pinch element can continuously occlude the pinch region when the second support element is rotating. The joint structure can be suitable for use in a support frame of an infant carrier apparatus.
US08353518B1 Game machine
A game machine includes a main frame standing on a supporting surface, a 3D catcher mounted in a top portion of the main frame, an operational unit mounted onto the main frame for controlling the 3D catcher and a gate assembly mounted in a lower portion of the main frame, through the gate assembly, the operator can take the falling prize.
US08353514B2 Spherical puzzle
A spherical puzzle for learning knowledge about geography is disclosed. The spherical puzzle comprises a plastic sphere and a plurality of plastic puzzle pieces. The plastic puzzle pieces are arranged on the plastic sphere by a user and are held to the sphere by magnetism. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses. Metal mesh is provided on either the plastic puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere to attract magnets on the puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere. A base is provided for holding the sphere and allows the sphere to be rotated or turned.
US08353513B2 Card weight for gravity feed input for playing card shuffler
A card-feeding device for feeding cards into a card-handling device is disclosed. Examples of card-handling devices include shufflers, card sorters, card delivery devices and card verification devices. The device includes a card infeed area that supports a stack of cards. The card infeed area has a card support surface. Included in the device is a card-removing system that removes cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm presses against a card at the top of the stack. At least one sensor is provided that detects at least one of a position of the arm and a presence of a card in the card infeed area. A method of shuffling cards is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing cards to be shuffled into a card infeed area as a stack with a top and bottom and removing cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack and moving the removed cards to a shuffling zone. Cards are then shuffled. The stack of cards is stabilized by a pivoting arm capable of pressing against the top of the stack in an engaged position. The pivot arm may be automatically rotated from a first card-engaging position to a second recessed position.
US08353506B2 Equipment for making an album core automatically
The present utility model relates to an equipment for making an album core automatically, which comprises automatic feeding mechanisms for feeding an album paper and an interlayer, a creasing mechanism for creasing the middle of the album paper to form a crease, a folding mechanism for folding the album paper along the crease and a pasting mechanism for pasting the album or the interlayer by coating glue, wherein the automatic feeding mechanisms include an album paper feeding mechanism, an interlayer feeding mechanism and a control mechanism connected to the two feeding mechanisms. The equipment in the utility model has higher automaticity and can select the kinds of album papers freely.
US08353504B2 Sheet folding apparatus
A sheet folding apparatus includes a blade member having an edge configured to push a surface of a sheet so as to push the sheet into a sheet folding unit configured to fold the sheet, a pair of nipping members that is included in the sheet folding unit and nips the sheet pushed into the sheet folding unit by the blade member, a blade member moving unit that moves the blade member and a nipping member moving unit that moves the pair of nipping members. The blade member moving unit and the nipping member moving unit are driven by the same driving unit.
US08353499B2 Roadway guardrail system
A roadway guardrail system including a rail, a plurality of support posts, and a plurality of fasteners assembly to redirect an impacting vehicle and dissipate a portion of the impacting vehicle's energy. A plurality of support posts each includes a slot extending along its length aligning with apertures in the rail and engaging with the rail through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots in the posts. Alternatively, the rail has a plurality of laterally extending slots aligning with apertures in support posts and engaging with the support posts through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots.
US08353497B2 Variable radius annular and ram packing unit and method
A packing unit to seal a wellbore, the packing unit including at least one rotatable cam having a cam axis disposed about an axis of the wellbore, wherein the at least one rotatable cam is rotatable about the cam axis, the at least one rotatable cam comprising a seal recess formed in an outer periphery of the at least one rotatable cam, wherein the packing unit sealingly engages a tool in the wellbore by rotation of the at least one rotatable cam, bringing the seal recess into sealing contact with the tool.
US08353485B2 System for holding cables, hoses, tubes or the like
The invention relates to a system for holding elongated objects, which system comprises holder modules (1), each of which being provided with at least one seat (3) with an arched shape intended to receive an elongated object. The holder modules are provided with mutually co-operating coupling members (5a, 5b) for coupling together two holder modules with each other. A first coupling member comprises an elongated projection, which is tapered in its longitudinal direction and which has a dovetail shaped cross-sectional shape. A second coupling member comprises a groove (7) with a dovetail-shaped cross-sectional shape, which groove fits to the projection and is tapered in its longitudinal direction. The projection is insertable into the groove and displaceable to a locking engagement in the groove under gradual reduction of the play between the two holder modules when the projection is displaced into the groove.
US08353481B2 Spin-stabilized lander
The invention provides a novel, low-cost, spin-stabilized lander architecture capable (with appropriate system scaling tailored to the attributes of the target) of performing a soft-landing on a solar-system body such as Earth's Moon, Mars, Venus, the moons of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, selected near-Earth and main-belt asteroids, comets and Kuiper belt objects and even large human-made objects, and also moving about on the surface of the target solar-system body after the initial landing in movement akin to hopping.
US08353480B2 Concentric peripheral canopy parachute
A concentric peripheral canopy parachute having a canopy system including a number of peripheral, stacked, concentric, canopies, each superior canopy centered and spaced above the inferior canopy and having its skirt connected to the vent of the inferior canopy for generating an increased low pressure disturbance behind the canopy system for producing higher fluid drag.
US08353464B2 Tunable vibration absorbing device
A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) for reducing vibration and noise radiation from rails incorporates a series of oscillation mass (8) of different sizes held in position by layers of resilient material (9) and attached to the rail via several steel mounting plates (4). Each mounting plate (4) is fixed to the rail by two magnets (5). A bolt (10) is inserted through the mounting plates (4), resilient layers (9) and oscillation masses (8) alternatively. The bolt (10) is fixed to a middle mounting plate (4) such that different compressive forces can be provided on the two sides by tightening nuts (11) to different pre-set torques. When the resonance frequency of the oscillation masses (8) is tuned to that of rail, most of the rail vibration energy at resonance frequency is transferred to the oscillation masses (8) and eventually dissipated in the resilient layers (9).
US08353458B2 Network system, cable set, and method and program for controlling network system
A network system is provided with a cable set having a nonvolatile memory module mounted thereon, and a printer connected by the cable set. The printer is provided with a set information read means for reading set information for performing initial setting of itself from a nonvolatile memory module of the connected cable set, and an initial setting means for performing initial setting based on the read set information.
US08353457B2 Systems and methods for forming a composite image of multiple portions of an object from multiple perspectives
Various improved imager-based optical code readers and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an imager-based method reads an optical code (which may be, for example, a linear optical code such as a bar code) on an object in a viewing volume. The method comprises dividing an image plane into a plurality of strip-shaped sections, viewing the object in the viewing volume from a plurality of perspectives, forming a plurality of strip-shaped images corresponding to the plurality of perspectives, respectively, thereby creating a composite image containing data from a plurality of perspectives, and processing at least a portion of the composite image so as to ascertain the information encoded in the optical code on the object in the viewing volume. Certain embodiments can mimic the performance of a laser-based scanner without a laser or moving parts but instead utilizing an electronic imaging device such as an imager.
US08353453B2 Electronic voting method and apparatus
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for electronic voting performed in response to insertion of an electronic ballot by a voter into an electronic voting machine. The method includes storing candidate information in a candidate database, issuing an electronic ballot by a ballot dispenser in response to a ballot issuance request of a voter, displaying by the electronic voting machine a list of candidates from the candidate database when the electronic ballot is inserted into the electronic voting machine, and printing by a printer vote data related to a selected candidate on the electronic ballot, followed by dispensing the printed electronic ballot when the voter selects the candidate whom the voter wishes to vote from among the list of candidates. The electronic ballot is printed with a barcode corresponding to vote information containing at least one of data for authentication, precinct ID and polling place ID.
US08353449B1 System controlled responsive to data bearing records and operative to cause financial transfers
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to data card read from user cards. The machine is operative to cause financial transfers responding at least in part to a determination that the read card data corresponds to at least one of an authorized user or an authorized financial account. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transfers carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine includes a housing including a chest. The chest is supported on a safe. The safe includes a depository head that extends upward on the safe and in front of the chest.
US08353446B2 Shock and vibration absorbing device and method
A resilient device for absorbing at least one of shock and vibration includes a first portion, and a second portion which extends outwardly from the first portion and curves in a first direction away from the first portion and then recurves in a second direction towards the first portion. The method includes the step of securing the first portion to one of a first member and a second member disposed in spaced relationship to the first member and the step of abuttingly engaging the second portion to an opposed one of the first member and the second member wherein the second member is capable of withstanding application of at least one of shock and vibration and the resilient member temporarily changes its original shape for absorbing such at least one of shock and vibration.
US08353445B2 Storage and transport container
Provided is a stackable storage and transport container for storing and for single-use or multiple-use transport of goods, especially small parts. The container is assembled from a foldable container blank having a bottom, two side walls foldable about a fold, two end walls foldable about a fold, and four corner flaps foldable inward against the side walls or end walls about a fold. Tabs are formed on the side walls and end walls such that they can fold laterally against the intermediate pieces. A stackable profile having a hook edge is placed about the upper edge to provide for the stacking of a number of containers. The container blank preferably is made of a plastic hollow sheet.
US08353442B2 Support device for resonator
The purpose of this invention is to provide a support device for a resonator that can support the resonator at an optional location, can let the resonator vibrate with a specified vibration consistently, and can apply an ultrasonic vibration to objects efficiently. By inserting first clamping means and second clamping means, which comprise supporting member at least at each contacting portion, into first portion-to-be-supported and second portion-to-be-supported of resonator, the resonator is supported. As substances of the supporting member, substances that have a logarithmic decrement higher than 0.01 and lower than 1.0 and/or a sound propagation speed of more than 5900 m/s are suitable.
US08353441B2 Surgical instrument with pivotable jaw member
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member defines a first axis, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first jaw member is pivotable about the first axis. At least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart and an approximated position.
US08353430B2 Pressurized dispensable container operable in any orientation
An improved container and closure. Some embodiments are directed toward a pressurized container adapted to be utilized in any orientation. In one particular embodiment, a bladder separates a dispensable fluid in the container from a pressurizing fluid. Movement of the bladder via force from the pressuring fluid keeping the dispensable fluid in fluid communication with an outlet of the container regardless of orientation of the container. Some embodiments provide an improved sealing arrangement for a pressurized container and closure, wherein a bladder is utilized as a seal between the container and the closure.
US08353415B2 Synthetic resin bottle
A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle with a bottom comprising a sunken bottom portion, which is formed by contouring and concaving the bottom plate upward in a direction of bottle inside, starting from an inner edge of a ground contact portion disposed along the peripheral foot, the sunken bottom portion being capable of drawing upward in a reversible manner, when internal pressure goes down.
US08353413B2 Tamper-evident closure and container combination
A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring.
US08353411B2 Hydrocyclone
The present invention relates to a separating cyclone for separating a mixture of liquids into a heavy fraction, the cyclone comprising:—a cyclone tube (2) in which a flow space is defined, wherein the cyclone tube is provided with an inlet for infeed of a mixture of at least two different liquids, a heavy fraction outlet for discharging the heavy fraction separated from the mixture and a light fraction outlet for discharging the light fraction separated from the mixture;—a rotation generating unit (8) for setting into rotation the mixture fed in via the inlet;—a flow body (6) arranged substantially concentrically in the cyclone tube, in which body is provided a light fraction discharge channel (12) connected to the light fraction discharge, wherein the discharge channel has in flow direction a cross-section substantially decreasing along at least a portion of the length thereof.
US08353401B2 Fastening system for sheathing board
Disclosed is a fastening system that is adapted for securing a sheathing board to an associated framing member. The system includes a feedband for retaining a series of fasteners and a powered drill for sequentially driving the fasteners. The feedband is made from a membrane of a polymeric compound. As the fastener is driven into the sheathing board, a portion of the membrane tears away from the surrounding feedband and becomes seated beneath the fastener. This acts to seal the penetration point and prevent water intrusion and otherwise prevents deterioration of the sheathing board.
US08353399B2 Preparation-at-use device comprising pre-formed hydrogel product
Disclosed is a preparation-at-use device comprising: (1) a pre-formed hydrogel component packaged in a first compartment; the pre-formed hydrogel component comprising a gelling agent and a solvent; and (2) a benefit component packaged in a second compartment; the benefit component comprising at least one compound that is unstable when contacted with the pre-formed hydrogel component; wherein the first and second compartments are separately packaged prior to use, and wherein the device comprises means for contacting the pre-formed hydrogel component and benefit component upon use.
US08353398B2 Package for beverage-type containers
A package for holding a plurality of articles. The package has panels that cooperate to at least partially form an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one opening is in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel adjacent the at least one opening. The at least one retention flap has a free edge for engaging at least one article of the plurality of articles. The at least one retention flap is at least partially defined by at least one J-shaped cut.
US08353395B2 Helical auger plug systems
A conical-shaped plug member integrally comprising soft, porous foam material and having a helical profile for plugging the gap space in between the flights of an auger when an auger is not in use. Helical auger plug systems may comprise a removably attachable flag to indicate when the plug member is in use (inserted). The plug member of the present invention is designed to reduce the loss of heat (or cooling air) within/from a grain bin during the heating and drying process while preventing rodents and other animals from entering the grain storage bin through the auger flightings and infesting the grain.
US08353393B2 Operator interface controllable brake with field responsive material
A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever. The operator input device includes an interface lever controllable brake coupled to the operator interface lever, and a brake controller coupled to the sensor system for receiving the operator interface mechanism position signal and with the brake controller coupled to the brake for responsively transmitting a plurality of brake signals to the brake with the operator interface lever controllable brake responsively providing resistive braking forces to the operator interface lever for opposing a force applied to the operator interface lever by the operator, the operator interface lever controllable brake providing the resistive braking forces in response to controller brake signals, with the brake controller providing a first background force signal followed with a second below background force drop signal followed with a third above background stop force signal wherein the operator is provided with a mechanical detent sensation at a target lever location.
US08353387B2 Ladder safety apparatus
A safety accessory for use with a ladder to slow the speed of an accidental fall of a worker, who works in an elevated position. The accessory has a C-shaped track member and a slide body that moves inside the track member. The worker's harness is secured to the slide body. Contact surfaces of the track member and the slide member are serrated to slow the speed of an accidental fall. A plurality of locking wedge members is positioned in the channel formed by the track member to further decrease the speed of an accidental fall.
US08353385B1 Decorative end-cap for motor vehicle exhaust system
An exhaust pipe end-cap that includes an annulus having an annular leading edge and an annular trailing edge, an annular interior surface having a frusto-conical shape for mating with an exterior frusto-conical shape of an exterior surface of an exhaust system, an outer surface on said annulus for carrying a decorative design thereon, and a fastener located on the annular interior surface for securing the exhaust end-cap to the exterior surface of the exhaust system.
US08353383B2 Water motion powered seismic energy source and method for seismic surveying therewith
A seismic energy source includes an inlet aperture and an inlet pipe in fluid communication with an outlet of the inlet aperture at an inlet end of the inlet pipe. The inlet pipe is in fluid communication with an accumulator at an outlet end of the inlet pipe. An outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the accumulator at an inlet end of the outlet pipe and is connected to an outlet valve at an outlet end of the outlet pipe. The outlet valve is actuated by fluid pressure in the outlet pipe. An actuation pressure of the valve, and diameter, length and material properties of the outlet pipe are selected to cause a reflected water pressure wave resulting from closure of the valve to travel within the outlet pipe at a selected velocity. Motion of the seismic source through the water provides water pressure to operate the source.
US08353380B2 Deflector device for partially overlapping frontal collision of motor vehicles
Deflecting device for an offset frontal collision for motor vehicles, the front end of which motor vehicles has a left and a right longitudinal member (2, 3), and the deflecting device being arranged in front of a front wheel (6) and protecting the front wheel in the event of a collision. In order to reliably bring about an engagement embracing the front wheel (6) with minimal structural expenditure, the deflecting device is composed of a jib (12), which is fastened to the front end of the vehicle, and a shield (13) which is moveable on said jib (12) outward transversely with respect to the direction of travel, with the jib (12) extending in front of the wheel (6) substantially transversely with respect to the direction of travel and having a guide (14) for the shield (13) and a force source (15) for moving the shield (13).
US08353373B2 Mobile robotic vehicle
A mobile robot includes a robot chassis having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity. The robot includes a driven support surface to propel the robot and first articulated arm rotatable about an axis located rearward of the center of gravity of the robot chassis. The arm is pivotable to trail the robot, rotate in a first direction to raise the rearward end of the robot chassis while the driven support surface propels the chassis forward in surmounting an obstacle, and to rotate in a second opposite direction to extend forward beyond the center of gravity of the robot chassis to raise the forward end of the robot chassis and invert the robot endwise.
US08353362B2 Battery pack-operated hand-guided power tool with throttle lever
A hand-held power tool has a device housing and at least one grip disposed on the device housing. An electric drive motor is arranged in the device housing for operating a working tool. A battery pack provides electric energy for operating the electric drive motor. An electronic control unit is connected to the electric drive motor and the battery pack. An operating element disposed on the grip controls the electric drive motor. An electric actuator is acted upon by the operating element and the output signal of the electric actuator is supplied to the electronic control unit. Electric energy is applied to the electric drive motor by the electronic control unit as a function of a position of the operating element, wherein in a first dead travel range of the operating element that adjoins an inoperative position of the operating element the supplied electric energy is zero.
US08353346B2 Prevention, actuation and control of deployment of memory-shape polymer foam-based expandables
Actuation and control of the deployment of a polymeric memory-shape material on a wellbore device on a downhole tool may be accomplished by treating a compacted or compressed polymeric memory-shape material with a deployment fluid to lower its Tg and/or decrease its rigidity, thereby softening the polymeric shape-memory material at a given temperature and triggering its expansion or recovery at a lower temperature. Alternatively, the deployment of the compacted or compressed polymeric memory-shape material may be prevented or inhibited by shielding the material with an environment of a fluid that does not substantially lower its Tg, decrease its rigidity or both, and then subsequently contacting the material with a deployment fluid.
US08353345B2 Geothermal well diversion agent formed from in situ decomposition of carbonyls at high temperature
A method of selectively blocking fractures in a subterranean formation by injecting a diversion agent into the well is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a diversion agent into a subterranean formation to form an alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate from decomposition of a carbonyl compound, wherein the diversion agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.
US08353336B2 Power transmission system for use with downhole equipment
A power transmission system for use with downhole equipment in a borehole includes a power source that is positioned at the surface providing a DC power supply, a downhole DC/DC converter and a two-conductor cable connecting the power source and the downhole DC/DC converter. The power transmission system receives the DC voltage supply as an input and provides an output DC supply at a different voltage to the DC power supply for provision to the downhole equipment.
US08353335B2 Heat exchanger tube and method of forming the same
Flat heat exchanger tubes having two narrow and two broad sides are shown and described, wherein the flat tubes can be manufactured from two continuous strips having a relatively large curve on one longitudinal edge of the strips and having a relatively small curve on the other longitudinal edge of the strips. The two strips can be arranged laterally transposed with respect to one another to form the wall of the flat tubes, so that the relatively large curve of the longitudinal edge of one strip holds in itself the relatively small curve of the longitudinal edge of the other strip to form the narrow sides of the flat tubes. The strips can be formed with at least one further contoured portion which extends in the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes and which improves cohesion of the flat tube.
US08353334B2 Nano tube lattice wick system
A lattice wick system that has a plurality of nano tube wicking walls configured to transport liquid through capillary action in a first direction, each set of the plurality of granular wicking walls forming respective vapor vents between them to transport vapor. A plurality of nano tube interconnect wicks embedded between respective pairs of the plurality of nano tube wicking walls transport liquid through capillary action in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The nano tube interconnect wicks have substantially the same height as the nano tube wicking walls so that the plurality of nano tube wicking walls and the plurality of nano tube interconnect wicks enable transport of liquid through capillary action in two directions and the plurality of vapor vents transport vapor in a direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.
US08353309B1 Hydrant lock
A hydrant locking device inhibiting unauthorized operation of a fire hydrant and includes a flip-top lid positioning between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to a base. The flip-top lid is hingedly connected to the base of the locking device. The base may be releasably secured to an operating nut of the fire hydrant or more specifically an operating nut extension that engages the operating nut of the fire hydrant. The flip-top lid may also include a sealed cavity that may include electronics. These electronics may be in electrical communication with a wireless mesh network.
US08353308B2 Inflatable fluid conduit plug
An inflatable conduit plug is used to seal a conduit such as a floor drain or an air vent. The conduit plug includes a shroud that is removably sealed within the conduit so that fluids pass through the shroud opening. Axially disposed within the shroud is an inflatable bladder adapted for closing the shroud opening. The inflatable bladder is inflated by an inflation signal generated by a controller upon receipt of a contamination signal received from a remote contamination detector. The plug operates in a wireless environment and can be controlled remotely. The plug can also be adapted for diverting contamination away from sensitive lands and storm drains.
US08353305B1 Pressure vessel for treating dentures
A denture treating apparatus employs a receptacle base with a chamber closed by a rotatable cover. A denture and an effervescing denture treating composition, such as a denture cleaning tablet is place in water in the chamber. When the chamber is closed, the pressure created by the effervescing tablet causes the active ingredients to penetrate small spaces in the denture. A seal is compressed between relative thick peripheral lips on the cover and receptacle base. Thinner sections of the receptacle base can bow under pressure to show that pressure is building up. A shiftable handle on the cover makes it easier for a user to close the cover and compress the seal.
US08353301B2 Smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery
The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
US08353296B1 Positive airway supply system to nasal cannula
A nasal cannula fitting, comprising in combination, a rigid plastic tubular first duct configured to directly endwise connect with apparatus assisting respiratory air, a relatively flexible plastic second duct fitting onto an end portion of the first duct, relatively flexible third plastic ducts integral with the second duct and diverging endwise therefrom to receive flow of the assistance air, and nasal cannula plastic tubing connected in series with the respective third ducts. Nasal prongs on the cannula tubing may carry pressure sealing toggling skirts.
US08353265B2 Efficient vehicle component heating
Methods for achieving efficient vehicle component heating are provided. One example method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, includes selectively driving a lubricant heating device with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricant temperature. The method further includes directing the powertrain lubricants to the lubricant heating device.
US08353258B2 Roll support and roll coating apparatus
A roll support apparatus suitable for use in a roll coating machine is described. The roll support apparatus includes a roll support frame for rotatably supporting a roll coating head roll associated with the roll support frame, the roll support frame adapted for pivoting movement relative to a roll support frame mounting base. Furthermore, a roll carriage suitable for use in a roll coating machine is described. The roll carriage includes a roll support frame for rotatably supporting a respective roll and further includes a roll support frame mounting for movably mounting the roll support frame so that it moves between a coating position and an idle position, wherein the roll support frame mounting in use is mounted substantially above the respective roll to inhibit contamination of the roll support frame mounting.
US08353255B2 Device for coating a substrate
By means of the device for coating a substrate (2; 102) according to the present invention, a homogeneous coating of the substrate (2; 102) can be achieved. The device comprises a holding and rotating means for holding and rotating the substrate (2; 102) about an axis (A). A disk (3) is provided below the substrate (2; 102). Said disk (3) is arranged coaxially with respect to the substrate (2; 102), has at least the same diameter as the substrate (2; 102) and is able to rotate synchronously with the substrate (2; 102). By means of the disk (3), air swirls at the edge of and below the substrate (2; 102) are avoided during coating of the substrate (2; 102). Thus, it is possible to obtain a homogeneous coating. For being able to load and unload a substrate (2; 102) into and out of the device by means of a conventional gripper system (6), the distance between substrate (2; 102) and disk (3) is increased during loading and unloading.
US08353240B1 Compressible fluid filled micro-truss for energy absorption
A kinetic energy and blast energy absorbing material includes: a micro-truss structure including: a plurality of first struts extending along a first direction; a plurality of second struts extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third struts extending along a third direction; and a compressible fluid comprising a liquid or gel and a nanoporous material, wherein the micro-truss structure contains the compressible fluid.
US08353235B2 Counter-die for the cylinders of rotary die cutting machines
A counter-die includes a tubular body, divided into several parts (1-1′-1″) and joined to each other by tongue and groove joints using twisted edges (2) at the ends, preferentially three parts, these having an inner sector (3) which is the largest, of injected plastic, very resistant and light, over the exterior surface of which there is a coating (4) of polyurethane. The parts are joined to each other by orifices (7) and grooves (8) in their ends, more specifically in the area made of injected plastic, through which respective rods or pins (11) pass.
US08353234B2 Food dough cutting method and cutting apparatus
A food dough cutting method and cutting device thereof capable of forming conveyed food dough strips that have nearly identical weight per unit time when dividing band shaped food dough into multiple food dough strips in the conveyance direction, and is further capable of performing the same number of cuts for each food dough strip when cutting each food dough strip along the width direction into food dough pieces having a specified weight are provided. The conveyed food dough is aligned to a position that is displaced by just an alignment displacement amount with respect to a reference position that is based on the installation position of cutting members. The alignment displacement amount is calculated based on the ratio of the width dimension of the food dough and the lengths of food dough pieces that are cut from food dough strips on both sides.
US08353233B1 Meat cutting assembly
A cutting assembly for cutting a meat or food product passing along a path of travel and comprising a blade assembly including a cutting roller having a plurality of cutting blades radially mounted thereon and movable relative to the path of travel. A mating assembly interacts with the plurality of cutting blades to accomplish a multipoint cutting procedure which is facilitated by the concurrent rotation of the cutting roller and cutting blades as well as a linear reciprocal travel thereof transverse to the path of travel. A stabilizing assembly is provided to restrict the dimensional variance of the spacing between the cutting roller and mate roller through which the meat product travels and an ejecting assembly to remove cut portions from between the cutting blades and back onto the path of travel. The cutting assembly preferably includes a modular construction disposal within and removal from an operative position along a processing line associated with the path of travel.
US08353231B2 Bar feeder
A feed rod vibration prevention support of a material feeder includes a guide device for guiding a feed rod moving to feed a material to a working machine, and a vibration attenuation mechanism for preventing the feed rod from being vibrated. The guide device further includes a guide and a bush supported by the guide having a feed rod placed thereon. The vibration attenuation mechanism includes a first elastic material located between the bush and the guide. The bush is provided with a flanged portion.
US08353227B2 Fastening device
A structure for sufficiently spacing a steering handle from a top bridge, thereby greatly improving design flexibility. A relief portion for allowing the deformation of a washer is formed to overlap a second contact surface and adjacent to a first contact surface as viewed in the axial direction of each bolt member. The first contact surface is located so as not to overlap the second contact surface as viewed in the axial direction of each bolt member. Therefore, a bending force acts on the washer to allow the deformation of the washer. That is, the washer can exhibit a spring function to relax the effect of the bending force. As a result, the steering handle can be sufficiently spaced from the top bridge to thereby greatly improve design flexibility.
US08353222B2 Force measuring device and related methods
A testing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the testing apparatus may include a platform, a first plurality of cables, a second plurality of cables and a third plurality of cables, with each of the cables coupled to a respective load cell. The first plurality of cables may suspend the platform and be substantially parallel to each other. The second plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the second plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables. The third plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, and each cable of the third plurality of cables may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the third plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables.
US08353218B2 Scanning unit
A magneto-strictive scanning unit is formed through an actuation pushrod disposed and guided on an outside of a tight housing of a position sensor, in which the delicate sensor is tightly encapsulated, and components of an actuation unit can be disassembled and repaired without opening the sensor housing.
US08353215B2 Torque output differential pressure sensor
A fluid pressure differential measuring instrument comprises a diaphragm that is displaced by a pressure differential between two environmental pressure zones. Diaphragm displacement induced by the pressure differential between the two zones is converted to a torsional strain upon a cylindrical element in a third environmental zone. The torsional strain is measured by calibrated electrical sensing means positioned physically in the third environmental zone.
US08353214B2 Pressure sensor for side-impact sensing and method for forming a surface of a protective material for a pressure sensor
A pressure sensor for side-impact sensing and a method for forming a surface of a protective material for a pressure sensor are provided. In this context, at least one integrated circuit is completely surrounded in a protective material, and the protective material has a cavity into which at least one pressure sensor element is installed, a surface of the protective material being formed such that a pressure-entry channel is formed by the interaction of the surface with at least one housing part. The pressure-entry channel allows for a lateral access to the at least one pressure sensor element.
US08353213B2 Sensor element for sensing accelerations in three spatial directions
A sensor element is provided for sensing accelerations in three spatial directions, which furnishes reliable measurement results and moreover can be implemented economically and with a small configuration. The sensor element encompasses at least one seismic mass deflectable in three spatial directions, a diaphragm structure that functions as a suspension mount for the seismic mass, and at least one stationary counterelectrode for capacitive sensing of the deflections of the diaphragm structure. According to the exemplary embodiments and/or exemplary methods of the present invention, the diaphragm structure encompasses at least four electrode regions, electrically separated from one another, that are mechanically coupled via the seismic mass.
US08353212B2 Micromechanical rate-of-rotation sensor
A micromechanical rate-of-rotation sensor for detecting a rate of rotation about a sense axis includes a substrate, a detection unit, means for generating a rotational oscillation of the detection unit about a drive axis which is orthogonal to the sense axis, and a central suspension means rotatably coupling the detection unit to the substrate in a fulcrum of the detection unit. The central suspension means is configured to permit the detection unit to perform a detection movement about a detection axis orthogonal to the sense axis in the form of a rotational oscillation about the central suspension means. The sensor also includes at least two second suspension means coupling the detection unit and the substrate for providing a response behavior specific to rotation about at least one of the drive axis and the detection axis.
US08353208B2 Housing made of fiber-reinforced plastic
Plastic housings that are subjected to internal pressure and comprise a housing upper part, a housing lower part and a closure which connects both parts to one another. At the connecting point, the housing upper and lower part have a plurality of comb-like retaining columns shaped in a complementary manner with respect to one another such that the housing parts can be plugged together. The retaining columns are oriented in a direction in which tensile force between the housing upper part and the housing lower part is oriented when the housing is subjected to internal pressure. Retaining grooves which are oriented transversely to the effective direction of the tensile force are formed in two opposite surfaces of the retaining columns in each case. Retaining bodies which at least partially touch the areas formed by the retaining grooves and thus establish the connection can be introduced into the retaining grooves.
US08353202B2 Exhaust diagnostic systems and methods with SCR conversion efficiency monitor disabling
A diagnostic control module includes a temperature gradient module. The temperature gradient module determines a temperature gradient across a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst of an exhaust system of an engine based on a plurality of temperature signals. A calibration module determines a weighted average based on the plurality of temperature signals. A SCR efficiency control module disables conversion efficiency monitoring based on the temperature gradient and the weighted average.
US08353201B2 Intake air temperature rationality diagnostic
A method of determining whether a fault condition of an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor of an engine is present includes estimating a first manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based on a previously estimated first MAP and an estimated first mass air flow (MAF) as a function of the previously estimated first MAP and estimating a second MAP based on a previously estimated second MAP and a currently measured MAF. An IAT difference is determined based on the first MAP and the second MAP. Whether the fault condition of the IAT sensor is present is determined based on the IAT difference.
US08353198B2 Diagnostic method and device for diagnosing an intake system of an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has an intake system (1) and an exhaust gas system (4). An exhaust turbocharger of the internal combustion engine has a compressor (42) arranged in the intake system (1) and a turbine (48) arranged in the exhaust gas system (4) of the internal combustion engine for driving the compressor (42). In order to diagnose the intake system (1), a charge pressure (PHS_AIC_DOWN) of the compressor (42) is determined in a predetermined operating state of the internal combustion engine. A leakage of the intake system (1) downstream of the compressor (42) is recognized if the determined charge pressure (PHS_AIC_DOWN) is lower than the predetermined base charge pressure (PUT_BAS) in the predetermined operating state.
US08353197B2 Differential comparative pressure monitoring system
A differential comparative pressure monitoring system (10) for monitoring the structural integrity of a structure (30) has a pressure source (12); a first fluidic circuit (14), and a reference fluidic circuit (16) which are connected in parallel to the pressure source (12); and a monitoring device (18). The first and reference fluidic circuits (14) and (16) have substantially matched characteristics. The first circuit (14) has a sensor element (20) which is sealed to a surface (28) on the structure (30). The reference circuit (16) is in fluidic isolation from the surface (28) of the structure (30). The monitoring device (18) takes simultaneous measurements of a common fluidic characteristic of the circuits (14) and (16), and produces a signal indicative the integrity of the structure based on a difference between the simultaneously measured common characteristic.
US08353195B2 Miniaturized gas chromatography module with pre-stage miniaturized unit
The invention relates to a miniaturized gas chromatography module, comprising: a gas injector unit having a gas injector sample inlet and outlet, the gas injector inlet being connectable with a source of a substance to be analyzed, a separation column having a separation column inlet and outlet, the separation column inlet being in fluid communication with the gas injector sample outlet, a thermal conductivity sensor having a sensor inlet and outlet, the sensor inlet being in fluid communication with the separation column outlet. The invention addresses the problem to broaden the field of application of such gas chromatography module. This is achieved by providing a pre-stage injector having a pre-stage injector sample inlet and outlet, the pre-stage injector sample inlet being connectable with the source of the substance to be analyzed, a pre-stage module having a module inlet and outlet, the module inlet being in fluid communication with the pre-stage injector sample. outlet and the module outlet being in fluid communication with the gas injector inlet, wherein the pre-stage module is adapted to transfer heat to a substance flowing from the module inlet to the module outlet.
US08353192B2 Linear bearing plate for rolling mill
A linear bearing plate, or liner, for use within a rolling mill stand, said liner including lubrication ports in fluid communication with a lubrication source. A centralized lubrication source can provide a predetermined lubrication to a plurality of mill stands in response to a signal, such as from a rolling facility operator. Lubrication ports provide areas of active lubrication which are surrounded by areas of passive lubrication so as to provide adequate lubrication during a rolling campaign.
US08353191B2 Cooling device and cooling method for hot strip
A cooling device and cooling method for a hot-rolled strip in which the strip can be uniformly cooled from a leading edge to a trailing edge with coolant by properly realizing a great cooling ability and a stable cooling zone.
US08353183B1 Triple locking handcuffs
A pivot lock for use in a handcuff of the type having a body containing a primary locking system and having parallel strands extending laterally therefrom terminating at a pivoting end, which supports a pivoting locking arm with a plurality of ratcheted teeth for engaging the primary lock. The pivot lock positioned at the pivoting end includes a pivot gear affixed to the locking arm at a pivoting juncture of the strands and the locking arm. The pivot gear has a plurality of teeth about its periphery. A locking pawl has at least one detent and a projection therefrom and is supported by one of the parallel strands. The locking pawl is selectively rotatable between a locked position wherein the projection is in engagement with the plurality of teeth of the pivot gear and an open position wherein the projection is disengaged from the plurality of teeth. A plunger engages the at least one detent for maintaining the locking pawl in a selected rotated position.
US08353176B2 Liquid cooling system
In some embodiments, a cooling device may be mounted to a portion of a chassis of an electronic system, wherein the cooling device may be releasably and pivotably attached to the chassis in at least an open position to permit access to components within the electronic system and a closed position to permit installation of a cover on the chassis. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08353169B2 Supersonic cooling system
A supersonic cooling system operates by pumping liquid. Because the supersonic cooling system pumps liquid, the compression system does not require the use of a condenser. The compression system utilizes a compression wave. An evaporator of the compression system operates in the critical flow regime where the pressure in an evaporator tube will remain almost constant and then ‘jump’ or ‘shock up’ to the ambient pressure.
US08353156B2 Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US08353154B2 Thermally efficient exhaust treatment system for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust system for an engine comprises a cylinder head having an integral exhaust manifold to collect exhaust gas exiting the engine combustion chambers. An exhaust gas conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold comprises an inlet end connected to the cylinder head, a portion that extends towards an upper end of the internal combustion engine and an outlet end configured to define an inlet end of a multistage catalytic converter. The catalytic converter comprises a canister having an inlet end located adjacent the top of the engine and includes first and second catalyst substrates and a collector closing an outlet end of the canister. The outlet end of the canister is located adjacent to the bottom of the engine, and the first and the second catalyst substrates receive and convert constituents of exhaust gas passing from the inlet end of the canister to the outlet end.
US08353152B2 Exhaust emission control device
An exhaust emission control device, which can absorb thermal expansion difference between a particulate filter and a selective reduction catalyst without causing urea deposition, has the filter and the catalyst arranged in parallel with each other with their entry ends facing the same direction. An S-shaped communication passage is provided to introduce the exhaust gas from a discharge end of the filter into an entry end of the catalyst through turndown, urea water being added upstream of the communication passage. A mixing pipe providing a straight section of the communication passage at an intermediate portion thereof, with a double-pipe portion constituted by overlapped stretchable/retractable inner and outer pipes, the outer pipe having a terminal end secured to an outer periphery of the inner pipe and being provided with an axially expansible and contractible bellows, a sealing ring fitted over an outer periphery of a terminal end of the inner pipe.
US08353143B2 Lateral seismic brace
A sway brace fitting clamp is used for lateral bracing of sprinkler or other types of pipe (designated the service pipe) to a structure, to prevent movement of the service pipe perpendicular to the axis of the pipe relative to the structure to which it is attached. The sway brace fitting clamp includes a U-bolt which fits around the service pipe, and a pair of hooks that are coupled to straight ends of the U-bolt, for hooking the sway brace pipe. A pair of nuts engages threaded portions of the U-bolt ends. The nuts may be tightened to pull the sway brace pipe into contact with the service pipe, firmly clamping the sway brace pipe and the service pipe together.
US08353142B2 System and method for sealing sump covers
Disclosed is a system and method for sealing containment sumps used in connection with underground storage tanks. A sump cover sealing system includes an expansion ring assembly adapted to affix to the interior of the sump, and to fastenably attach with the sump cover to removably seal the sump cover to the sump. A contraction band assembly is also provided to affix to the exterior of the sump opposite the expansion ring assembly. Methods of using the system are described. A sump cover with an observation portal is provided.
US08353138B2 Window frame with hidden weep
One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for a window frame. The apparatus includes a window frame having a lower frame portion; a window glazing supported by the lower frame portion; a glazing bead; and at least two connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame. The connectors are spaced apart defining a fluid pathway allowing fluid to escape from the lower frame.
US08353134B2 Grouted tubular energy-dissipation unit
The present invention discloses a grouted tubular energy-dissipation unit comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially inserted into the outer tube defining a gap within a lapping portion of the tubes for receiving expansive cement grout. After solidified, the expansive cement grout forms an expansive ring. A prestress produced by the expansive cement grout increases the friction between the expansive ring and the tubes. In service, the present invention can transfer the axial force via the friction between the tubes and the expansive cement grout. In case of earthquake, the sliding friction between the tubes and the expansive cement grout can absorb energy. The present invention does not require high precise in manufacturing and constructing, saves steel and has low cost. It is only need to replace the grouted tubular energy-dissipation unit when the present invention is damaged in earthquake, which is very convenient.
US08353132B1 Method and apparatus for erection and disassembly of a sectional mast assembly
A method and an apparatus for a sectional mast assembly for erection and disassembly of a rig. The sectional mast assembly includes a bottom section having at least a back and a pair of opposed sides with each of the opposed sides having at least one pivoting ratchet support. A scoping dog assembly is moveable on a track on the bottom section. The scoping clog assembly includes wheels which engage the track and a pivoting ratchet support. A cylinder extends between the bottom section and the scoping dog assembly to move the scoping dog assembly on the track. The pivoting ratchet support of the scoping dog assembly engages each of the mast sections in sequence to raise the entire mast assembly.
US08353131B2 Loq-kit building component system
Loq·kit is a mass-produced system of interchangeable building components for assembling single or multi-family houses. The building components are of three varieties: structural frame, in-fill, or snap-cladding components. Except for bolted structural frame connections, all connections between parts are snap-lock, and may be released. With snap-lock interfaces and a modular dimensional relationship between components, they can be reconfigured in near endless variety. The components all share a common dimensionality that is derived from a regulating grid. The grid utilizes an alternating sequence of two modules—a module A, and a smaller module B. The A,B,A,B rhythm of gridlines is used to regulate component connection locations in three dimensions. The alternating-sequence grid works by establishing a standard connection width, module B, for making connections between components. Each possible connection width is spaced from another by a common module A. This A,B,A,B grid sequence is used to determine connection locations along the length, width, and height of a building. Because the grid establishes a standard connection size and spacing, modular system dimensions result as a function of connection width and spacing. These modular system dimensions inform the size of structural frame members, and dictate directly the length and width, or length and height, of in-fill and snap-cladding components. The modular sizes and snap-lock interfaces result in a system of components that can be interchanged with each other, reconfigured, and reused.
US08353125B2 Method of adjustably mounting a device to a firearm rail interface and mounting apparatus therefor
A mounting apparatus and method for adjustably mounting, for example, an optical device to a rail interface of a firearm. The apparatus includes a base, a ring assembly configured to surround and grip the device, and at least two spacer members configured to be disposed and secured between the base and ring assembly. The ring assembly includes ring segments, a mechanism for securing the ring assembly to the base, and a mechanism for securing the ring segments together to grip the device therebetween. One of the ring segments has a support surface having a shape complementary to a support surface of the base. The spacer members are configured to be secured between the base and ring assemblies, and each spacer member has oppositely-disposed support surfaces configured to complementarily engage the support surface of either the base or ring assembly.
US08353120B2 Retractable and extendable display apparatus
An optionally extending or retracting display panel assembly, comprising a horizontally elongated support bracket configured for support at an upper portion of a relatively large first container, or the like, primary magnetic apparatus carried to magnetically attract the bracket toward the container, for removable bracket attachment to the container, and the display panel assembly and associated connections configured for horizontal displacement guiding by the bracket during panel extension and retraction relative to the container, while the panel remains generally vertically proximate a vertical side of the container. A counter-weight system assists panel leveling as well as extension and retraction.
US08353114B2 Apparatus and method for refrigeration cycle with auxiliary heating
An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement in turn including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected. A drum is provided to receive clothes to be dried. An auxiliary heater is included, as is a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and the heater, and through the drum. A sensor is located to sense high side temperature and/or high side pressure of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the auxiliary heater, and is operative to: activate the auxiliary heater during a startup transient of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement; monitor the high side temperature and/or high side pressure, during the startup transient; and de-activate the auxiliary heater in response to the high side temperature and/or high side pressure reaching a first predetermined value.
US08353110B2 Motorized saw and clamping element
A motorized saw has a guide rail which is arranged on at least one clamping stud and can be clamped in place between two bearing surfaces by clamping means. A clamping element is provided which is arranged on the clamping stud and in a locating opening of the guide rail and which fixes the guide rail in at least one radial direction of the clamping stud in the clamped state. A clamping element has at least one clamping surface which is formed at an end face of the clamping element and which encloses an angle of less than 90° with the longitudinal center axis of an opening of the clamping element.
US08353108B2 Utensil and method for retrieving and applying spreadable food
A utensil has first and second arm members of substantially the same size and shape. Each arm member has a head section and a handle section. The head sections are concave or scoop-like in configuration and are connected by a rotatable hinge which permits rotation of the arm members in relation to each other. The head section of the first arm members has elongated openings through which spreadable food can be expelled. The head section of the second arm member is solid. With the first arm member nested within the second arm member, spreadable food is scooped onto the utensil, specifically on the top surface of the first arm member. Rotation of the second arm member around the first arm member such that the second arm member is now nested within the first arm member, causes the food to be expelled from the openings in the first arm member, where the food can be easily spread on bread and or food items.
US08353106B2 Wheel/rim fixing device and method of using the same
A device and method for fixing or repairing a wheel or rim of an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is provided. The device has an adjustable shaft having a first side and a second side. The first side may act as a brace secured against the interior of a rim of, for example, an automobile. The second side may be the work end of the device which may be formed to fit the interior wall(s) of the rim. When the rim is heated and the shaft is extended, the device may allow a user to fix a dented rim. A bracing bar may be extended perpendicularly from the shaft and may act to secure the device in place while the work is performed.
US08353099B2 Insertion aid for loading needle boards
An insertion arrangement (20) is provided to make it easier for an operator to insert several needles (41, 44) clamped in a multiple clamping chuck (40), even in the case of certain positional deviations, simultaneously in the associate bores (11) of a needle board (10). The insertion arrangement (20) comprises a guide section (32) with many parallel grooves (51) that are arranged at the distance of the bores (11), and that, respectively, can accommodate the tip (45) of a needle (41, 44) and can guide said tip to the associate bore (11). In so doing, the grooves (51) help align the individual needles (41, 44) with respect to the bores (11) in that the grooves correct potential positional deviations by slightly bending the needles (41, 44). The insertion arrangement (20) is mounted to an automatic loading machine (1) and can be adjusted and locked relative to a needle board (10) accommodated in the automatic loading machine.
US08353098B2 Method of manufacturing perpendicular magnetic write head
A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head capable of easily and accurately forming a main magnetic-pole layer having a shape suitable for concentrating a magnetic flux is provided. A nonmagnetic layer having a recessed section (a first recessed section and a second recessed section) is formed, and then an additional nonmagnetic layer is formed on an inner surface of the recessed section. Then, a magnetic layer is formed in the recessed section formed with the additional nonmagnetic layer, and then the magnetic layer is cut to form an air bearing surface, so as to form the main magnetic-pole layer.
US08353095B2 Self feeding drill press lathe attachment
The present invention provides a self feeding drill press lathe attachment designed for rotating a workpiece along a horizontal axis to remove material from the workpiece to form it into a desired shape. The drill press lathe attachment comprises a base and a power transfer box along with components commonly found on a lathe, but without a motor. The drill press lathe attachment, or “motorless” lathe, may be mounted directly to the bed of an existing drill press thereby providing an alternative means of achieving turning operations without needing a traditional motor driven lathe.
US08353094B2 Method of forming sheet metal casket
A method of forming a sheet metal casket comprises providing a sheet metal casket shell having at least a portion of an end wall and at least a portion of a side wall and a round corner between the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall, and forming a generally planar corner oriented at about a 45° angle relative to the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall.
US08353087B2 Closure device
A closure device includes a knob. A ratchet member is mounted on a bottom of the knob. An engaging member is movably received in a cavity of the ratchet member. A spool is mounted on a bottom of the engaging member. A stopper is mounted around the spool. A base is proved for receiving the stopper, the spool, the engaging member, and the ratchet member.
US08353084B2 Connector device on a retainer device for a cover of an openable vehicle roof
The invention relates to a connector device for a retainer device (2) on a cover of an openable vehicle roof on an operating mechanism, in particular, on an operating lever (3) with a bearing pin (4), comprising a mid axis (104), about which the operating lever (3) is mounted to pivot relative to the cover, characterized in that the bearing pin (4) is mounted to rotate relative to the operating lever (3) and has a housing device (10, 13) for the retainer device (2) in a region facing the a vehicle inner side (111), wherein the retainer device (2) is connected with fixing means (22) to the housing device (10, 13) in an axially and rotationally fixed manner relative to the bearing pin (4).
US08353079B2 Elevator hoistway door closer
Elevator hoistway door closer device that increases the closing force on the door as the door approaches the door closed position. A elevator hoistway door closer includes a reel having a groove in its side that terminates in a flat edge beyond a breakover angle. The groove may have a first portion of essentially constant diameter and a second portion having a conical helix shape. The third portion includes the breakover angle and may terminate in a flat edge. There may be an elongate tensile element received by the first and second portions and the third portion defined by the breakover angle flat edge, and that has a free end for attachment to a fixed point. There may be a spring for rotating the reel and attracting the elongate tensile element by wrapping the elongate tensile element around the first and second portions of the channel and over the breakover angle and flat edge of the third portion.
US08353078B2 Anchor and alignment device for carpet tiles
An anchor for a carpet tile includes a cross-shaped base having four arms extending from a vertex. The arms form a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface. A vertical blade centered on the base rises to engage the backing of a carpet tile when a corner of the carpet tile is placed near the vertex. The blade is preferably made of bendable and resilient material. Preferably, the anchor is used with a pedestal head of a raised-flooring system and has a nub extending from the bottom surface of each of the arms of the base to fit within holes in the pedestal head and thereby secure the anchor to the pedestal head. An alternative anchor includes a plate for the base and the blade in the shape of a cross rises from the plate. The plate may have a hole in each quadrant defined by the blade.
US08353074B2 Steam mop with shuttling steam distributor
A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam delivery system for generating and distributing steam onto a surface to be cleaned. The steam mop further comprises a handle assembly mounted to a foot assembly that has a shuttling plate slidably mounted beneath the foot assembly, wherein the shuttle plate is configured to selectively divert steam through one of a pair of steam distributors positioned at a forward and rearward portion of the foot assembly dependent on the cleaning stroke direction of the steam mop. In one embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a vacuum source mounted thereto and at least one suction nozzle connected to the vacuum source and adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned and to draw moisture and debris from the surface.
US08353072B2 Fire-resistant mattress having combustible material compartmentalized between fire-resistant layers
A mattress is disclosed that includes a sleeping side, a cushioning layer, an inner support compartment, and a fire-containing compartment disposed between the sleeping side and the inner support compartment and including first and second layers of fire-resistant material. The cushioning layer is disposed between the first and second layers of fire-resistant material.
US08353070B1 Collapsible rail system
A collapsible rail system for attachment to a variety of surfaces such as a fluoroscopy or radiographic table and easily extended into a raised position or retracted into a lowered position which is flush with the surface. The collapsible rail system generally includes an upper rail, a lower rail and a plurality of post members, wherein each of the post members is pivotally connected to both the upper rail and the lower rail so as to allow the upper rail to collapse onto the lower rail. The lock plate is positioned within a lower channel of the lower rail for locking the rail assembly in an upright position. One or more brackets are provided for removably attaching the rail assembly to a table such as a fluoroscopy or radiographic table.
US08353069B1 Device for heating, cooling and emitting fragrance into bedding on a bed
A device for heating, cooling and emitting fragrance into bedding on a mattress of a bed which comprises a vented bladder placed upon the mattress under the bedding of the bed. A mechanism is for producing forced air being hot/cool and scented. A flexible air hose extends between the vented bladder and the forced air producing mechanism, to carry the hot/cool and scented air from the forced air producing mechanism to the vented bladder and into the bedding.
US08353068B1 Rotatably positionable hand rail
The present invention provides an adjustable hand rail including a wall-mounted base member that includes a circular plate with an inward facing side and an outward facing side. The circular plate includes a circular track. The circular track has a bottom, an inside rail member extending from the bottom and an outside rail member extending from the bottom. The two rail members define a C-shaped channel. The bottom of the track member also includes a plurality of lock apertures. A rotatable insert is rotatably disposed within the circular track. The insert has a first insert opening and a diametrically opposed second insert opening. First and second shoulder members are disposed within the insert openings. The first shoulder member has a first locking pin biased to extend into one of the lock apertures. A bar having a first end and a second end is provided attached to the shoulder members.
US08353064B2 Salon cape with adjustable magnetic channel closure
The present invention is an adjustable magnetic channel closure for a salon cape. The channel closure has a reinforced tab located at or near each of the ends of the channel. Each reinforced tab has a pair of magnetic components that grip the channel when the reinforced tab is bent. The channel closure is tightened by pulling a gripping component located at each end of the channel closure. A cord located at the top of the channel prevents the reinforced tabs and magnetic components from sliding off the channel when the gripping components are pulled.
US08356357B1 Detecting tainted documents by tracking transformed confidential data
Tainted files suspected to contain confidential data that are inaccessible to Data Loss Prevention (DLP) applications are detected and tracked on computers. An access detection module detects that an application has accessed a file that contains confidential information. A transformation detection module that the application wrote a transformed file that contains content inaccessible to the DLP application, where the transformed file is suspected to contain at least a portion of the confidential information. A signature module generates a signature for the transformed file containing the inaccessible content. The signature is stored in a signature database containing a plurality of signatures of transformed files. A comparison module compares the signature generated to files transmitted via a network, wherein the transmitted files contain content inaccessible to the DLP application. A transformed file detection module detects that matched file is the transformed file in response to a comparison indicating that the signature matches a file transmitted via the network.
US08356352B1 Security scanner for user-generated web content
User-generated web content is received prior to posting by a client system, such as a web content hosting system. The user-generated web content is executed in a virtual environment and monitored for malicious behavior. Execution of the web content in the virtual environment forces code in the web content to run such that the actions the code takes, especially malicious behavior, are not obfuscated. If malicious behavior is detected, the user-generated web content is blocked from posting to the web content hosting system. Alternatively, when malicious behavior is not detected, the user-generated web content is permitted to be posted to the web content hosting system.
US08356350B2 Method and system for managing denial of service situations
For managing denial of service situations at an application level in a communications network receiving message data, the message data are monitored in a sensor that sends an event message when detecting an alarm condition; a control logic detects a first analysis to be performed associated with the received event message and generates a request; an analysis module receives the request of analysis, performs the analysis and sends a result message; the control logic receives the result message and detects an action to be taken associated with the result message, the action being a countermeasure or a further analysis. For determining the analysis to be performed and the action to be taken, the control logic browses rules stored in a memory, each rule including a conditional clause and an associated action to be taken.
US08356346B2 VPN secure sessions with dynamic IP addresses
To help maintain secure and convenient connectivity for users when IP addresses change, devices connected between sites by using multiple virtual private network security associations update one another when the security association IP addresses change. The device whose WAN interface IP address changed transmits an address change notification message to the other device over a WAN interface whose IP address did not change. The message indicates which IP address(es) changed and new value(s) to use. The devices can then continue the same secure virtual private network session (from a user point of view above the security association level) by using the new value(s) for the changed IP address(es). Use of the new value for the changed IP address is transparent to (unseen by) VPN applications that are running in the LANs. IPSec sessions and load balancing may be provided.
US08356343B1 Session continuity on reauthentication
A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for maintaining a network session between a network element and a network despite the need to reauthenticate the network element. A computer-implemented method is provided for authenticating a network element to a network. According to this method, an authentication request is transmitted to the network element. In response, the network element provides identifying information for a home agent that previously routed messages to the network element. The identifying information is then used to generate a mobility key. Later, when a network registration request message is received on behalf of the network element, the generated key is used to validate the request.
US08356332B2 Extensible protocol validation
A method comprises operations for receiving a binary data structure including a portion representing a protocol validation specification expressed in a respective protocol validation specification language and for receiving a security policy rule having an action part specifying that the binary data structure is to be used for verifying that application protocol payload of network packets complies with the protocol validation specification. After receiving the binary data structure and the security policy rule, an operation is performed for verifying that application protocol payload of received network packets complies with the protocol validation specification. Such verifying is initiated in response to determining that the security policy rule applies to the received network packets and such verifying includes validating the application protocol payload of the received network packets against the binary data structure.
US08356325B2 System and method for transferring a session across domains and subscriptions
A system and method for transferring a session between IPTV Control Servers, or between IMS subscriptions, allows the IPTV Control Servers involved in the transfer to connect to each other and facilitate a transfer of session transfer information. This session transfer information allows the recipient of the transfer to connect to the same content distribution network and resume the session using the same content servers where appropriate.
US08356323B2 UPnP/DLNA compliant MR-DVR
A method for operably connecting MR-DVR legacy systems with DLNA/UPnP compliant devices. An embodiment comprises an MR-DVR server translating DLNA/UPnP compliant protocols/data format to legacy protocols/data format used by MR-DVR legacy client devices.
US08356320B2 Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing data in the transmitting/receiving system
A receiving system and a method for processing data in the receiving system are disclosed. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, a first handler, and a second handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal through a mobile broadcast network. Herein, the broadcast signal includes mobile service data and a first signaling table. And, the first signaling table includes service guide transmission information and service guide bootstrapping information on the mobile service data. The first handler acquires the service guide bootstrapping information based upon the service guide transmission information included in the first signaling table. And, the second handler accesses a service guide by using the acquired service guide bootstrapping information.
US08356319B2 Screen saver trigger using partial still picture detection
A method of determining when to activate a screen saver for a display device comprises selecting as a sample set a sparse subset of pixels which collectively form a display frame. An evaluation is performed of only the pixels in the sample set, to determine over a plurality of display frames whether pixels within the sample set have undergone a sufficient amount of change so that burn-in is unlikely. A determination is then made of whether to activate the screen saver based on a result of the evaluation.
US08356316B2 Method, system and computer program product for an emergency alert system for audio announcement
A method is disclosed for distributing emergency alert audio data, the method including but not limited to receiving emergency alert message (EAM) data at an encoder/decoder in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system; sending the EAM to an emergency alert control (EAC) server in the IPTV system; verifying at the EAC that a valid audio message is received in the EAM; if the EAM contains an audio file, creating a MP3 audio file from or another acceptable format for the audio file; and if the received EAM is a state/local alert, placing the EAM in first-in-first-out order in a message delivery queue for delivery to end user devices in the order of the message delivery queue, else, if a streaming playback of state/local alert message is in progress, suspending the streaming playback of the state/local alert message, and continuously streaming the received EAM to end user device in the IPTV system.
US08356312B2 Cartridge drive apparatus for a disc cartridge that holds a disc
A cartridge drive apparatus for a disc cartridge having upper and lower shells which are separatably joined to each other to form a cartridge body is disclosed, in which a accommodated disc is able to be inserted or ejected by separating the upper and lower shells vertically. The cartridge drive apparatus includes a cartridge holder which, by inserting the cartridge body, has an upper holder supporting the upper shell and a lower holder supporting the lower shell, and a holder moving mechanism which separates the upper holder and the lower holder of the cartridge holder to separate the upper shell and the lower shell and thus is able to allow the disc to be inserted or ejected.
US08356296B1 Method and system for minimal disruption during software upgrade or reload of a network device
A method and system for resetting a network device. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for upgrading and/or reloading software for a network device with minimal disruption. The method begins by separating operations associated with layer two of an International Standardization Organization Open Systems Interconnect (ISO/OSI) reference model from other layers in the ISO/OSI reference model in a network device. Then, the software operations in layer two of the network device are reset. The software operations are reset while maintaining continuity for a communication session between the network device and other network devices coupled together through a network. Thereafter, for minimal disruption, execution of the software operations is recovered at layer two before continuity of the communication session s terminated.
US08356283B2 Determining a relative measure of fault risk for a built system
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and software for determining a relative measure of the risk of faults in a built product relative to a reference build of the product. The measure can be based on a balance between the additional risk added as a result of changes made in a given build and the risk reduction resulting from testing applied to the build. The product associated with the builds can be a software product, a firmware product, an electronic device, and/or any manufactured product.
US08356276B2 Flexible code generation
There are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a flexible generation framework. The generation framework encapsulates a variety of different code generation technologies within a common interface. This allows various types of generator cores operating in various development environments to be integrated into the framework, and enables the generation of code using various generating technologies.
US08356271B2 Layout testing method and wafer manufacturing method
A product layout testing method includes testing and correcting one or more patterns of a product layout, detecting and correcting electrical characteristic changes of transistors of the product layout, and testing whether a product characteristic predicted from the product layout is equal to that predicted from a designed circuit view. Weak points with respect to the pattern may be detected and corrected, electrical characteristic changes depending on layout parameters may be detected and corrected, and whether a circuit operation depending on parasitic components is normal may be checked.
US08356270B2 Interconnect and transistor reliability analysis for deep sub-micron designs
A system and method for providing a statistical budgeting approach to modeling reliability effects such as interconnect electromigration (EM), transistor time-dependant dielectric breakdown (TDDB), hot-carrier injection effects (HCI) and bias temperature instability (BTI) is disclosed. A static analysis flow captures the effects of design topology, switching constraints, interactions between signal nets and supply rails as well as thermal gradients due to interconnect and transistor self as well as mutual heating, and was used to verify successive iterations of deep sub-micron integrated circuit designs.
US08356266B1 Enabling a high-level modeling system
An embodiment of a method for enabling a high level modeling system for implementing a circuit design in an integrated circuit device includes: receiving a high-level characterization of the circuit design; receiving a portable location constraint associated with elements of the circuit design; and generating, by a computer, a low-level characterization of the circuit design based upon the high-level characterization and the portable location constraint.
US08356265B2 Offset fill
Techniques are described for increasing the density of structures in a layout circuit design, while reducing undesired total interconnect capacitance that might otherwise be created by the increase in structure density. Data representing a pattern of fill structures is added to the fill regions of the design for one of the layers. Data representing a pattern of fill structures then is added to the fill regions of the design for another of the layers adjacent to the first layer. In the design for the second conductive layer, however, the pattern of fill structures is offset from the pattern of fill structures added to the design for the first layer in a direction substantially parallel to the layers. The offset may be selected to minimize or otherwise reduce the amount of overlap between the fill structures along a direction substantially perpendicular to the layers, thereby reducing the total interconnect capacitance associated with the layers.
US08356264B2 Implementing enhanced clock tree distributions to decouple across N-level hierarchical entities
A method, system and computer program product for implementing enhanced clock tree distributions to decouple across N-level hierarchical entities of an integrated circuit chip. Local clock tree distributions are constructed. Top clock tree distributions are constructed. Then constructing and routing a top clock tree is provided. The local clock tree distributions and the top clock tree distributions are independently constructed, each using an equivalent local clock distribution of high performance buffers to balance the clock block regions.
US08356256B2 Presentation scratch spaces
Implementing scratch spaces to display one or more windows or slides previously streamed while displaying a currently streamed window or slide. A method includes using at least one of a plurality of screens, displaying a source window or slide. A first scratch space location is identified. The first scratch space location is a special window intended to contain a copy of pixels taken from a source window. The method further includes determining that the source window or slide should be copied to the first scratch space location either by detecting user input selecting an accelerator or by identifying a trigger image. As a result of determining that the source window or slide should be copied to the first scratch space location, pixels of the source window or slide are copied to the first scratch space location.
US08356248B1 Generating context-based timelines
Context-based timelines can be generated for an item in an electronic catalog by extracting contextual terms and item events corresponding to the item. The contextual terms can be used to retrieve historical data on historical events from a data repository. The historical data can be associated with at least some of the contextual terms. A context-based timeline can be generated that includes at least some of the historical events. The context-based timeline can be output for presentation to one or more users.
US08356244B2 Managing changes in aircraft maintenance data
Airline operator-customers manage aircraft maintenance data for fleets of commercial aircraft using a suite of electronic maintenance tools that are delivered to the customers over the Internet and viewed with a web browser. The maintenance tool suite includes an authoring module that allows customers to create, edit and manage both OEM originated aircraft maintenance data and the customers' own data within a fully integrated environment running as a web application over the Internet. The authoring module combines workflow, XML authoring and editing, import/export of the data, change reconciliation, and publishing of airline customer authored documents, airline customer authored changes, OEM Temporary Revisions, and OEM aircraft maintenance documents into a single integrated web application using XML as the maintenance document format. The use of XML as the native format of the aircraft maintenance data allows the customers to reuse the data in a variety of ways.
US08356239B2 Selective cache way mirroring
A data processing system has cache circuitry having a plurality of ways. Mirroring control logic indicates a mirrored way pair and a non-mirrored way of the plurality of ways. The mirrored way pair has first and second ways wherein the second way is configured to store cache data fields redundant to cache data fields of the first way. In one form, comparison logic, in response to an address hitting in the first way or the second way within the mirrored way pair, performs a bit comparison between cache data from the first way addressed by an index portion of the address with cache data from the second way addressed by the index portion of the address to provide a bit parity error signal. In another form, allocation logic uses a portion of the address and line locking information to determine whether a mirrored or non-mirrored way is selected for allocation.
US08356238B2 Trellis encoder for encoding dual transmission stream
A trellis encoder for trellis encoding a dual transmission stream. A first multiplexer selectively outputs one of a predetermined first bit of the dual transmission stream and a value stored in a first memory according to an external control signal. A first adder adds the value output from the first multiplexer to the value stored in the first memory, outputs the added value, and stores the added value in the first memory. A second multiplexer selectively outputs one of a predetermined second bit of the dual transmission stream and a value stored in a second memory according to the external control signal. A second adder adds the value output from the second multiplexer to the value stored in the second memory and stores the added value in a third memory. Thus, an initialization is effectively performed before trellis encoding is performed.
US08356237B2 Controller with error correction function, storage device with error correction function, and system with error correction function
The invention is intended to curtail the circuit scale of the error correction circuit of a flash memory. The invention relates to a controller with error correction function capable of controlling writing and reading of data in a plurality of memories, including a buffer memory, an error correction circuit, and a plurality of interface modules provided individually corresponding to each one of the plurality of memories, for exchanging data with the memories, in which the plurality of interface modules have a plurality of syndrome generation function parts for receiving sector data from the memories and error correction codes corresponding to the sector data, and generating syndromes on the basis of the received sector data and error correction codes, the buffer memory temporarily stores the plurality of sector data, and the error correction circuit determines the address having an error corresponding to each one of the syndromes generated by the plurality of syndrome generation function parts, and corrects the bit corresponding to such address in the sector data stored in the buffer memory.
US08356234B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving symbols in a mobile communication system, in which a multiplexer and burst mapper divides each of first and second group data blocks into a plurality of sub-blocks, the symbols including the first group data block and the second group data block, the second group data block having a different priority level from the first group data block, and maps a combination of one of the first group data sub-blocks and one of the second group data sub-blocks to each burst. A modulator maps a bit of the first group data sub-block and a bit of the second group data sub-block to a symbol according to a bit reliability pattern of modulation symbols in each burst.
US08356231B2 Use of alternative value in cell detection
A system and method, including computer software, allows reading data from a flash memory cell. Voltages from a group of memory cells are detected. The group of memory cells have associated metadata for error detection, and each memory cell stores a voltage representing a data value selected from multiple possible data values. Each possible data value corresponds to one range of multiple non-overlapping ranges of analog voltages. Memory cells having uncertain data values are identified based on the detected voltages. Alternative data values for the memory cells having the uncertain data values are determined, and a combination of alternative data values is selected. An error detection test is performed using the metadata associated with the multiple memory cells and the selected combination of alternative data values.
US08356225B2 Data derate matcher for supporting HARQ and method thereof
A data derate matcher for supporting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), includes a control parameter generation unit for generating control parameters to separate bits of an input bit stream ek; and a bit separation unit for separating the bits of the input bit stream ek into three types of bits streams v(0)k, v(1)k, and v(2)k by modulus operation of each of the bits of the input bit stream and the control parameters. Further, the data derate matcher for supporting the HARQ includes address generators for generating addresses (j) of valid data to be used in deinterleavers with respect to data of each of the bit streams output from the bit separation unit; and subblock deinterleavers for sequentially inputting data corresponding to the addresses generated by the address generators to output decoded data.
US08356214B2 Internal signal monitoring device in semiconductor memory device and method for monitoring the same
An internal signal monitoring device in a semiconductor memory device includes: an internal signal input unit to receive an internal signal to be monitored and having an output to provide a monitor source signal in response to a test mode signal; and an internal signal output unit having an input coupled to the output of the internal signal input unit, the internal signal output unit to transmit the monitor source signal to a predetermined pad of the semiconductor memory device in response to the test mode signal.
US08356210B2 Programming in a simultaneous multi-threaded processor environment including permitting apparently exclusive access to multiple threads and disabling processor features during thread testing
A system, method, and product are disclosed for testing multiple threads simultaneously. The threads share a real memory space. A first portion of the real memory space is designated as exclusive memory such that the first portion appears to be reserved for use by only one of the threads. The threads are simultaneously executed. The threads access the first portion during execution. Apparent exclusive use of the first portion of the real memory space is permitted by a first one of the threads. Simultaneously with permitting apparent exclusive use of the first portion by the first one of the threads, apparent exclusive use of the first portion of the real memory space is also permitted by a second one of the threads. The threads simultaneously appear to have exclusive use of the first portion and may simultaneously access the first portion.
US08356209B2 Self-managed processing device
A processing device may automatically provide protective services and may provide backup services for backing up and restoring user files, system files, configuration files, as well as other information. The processing device may be configured to check one or more performance conditions and perform an action to improve performance based on the one or more performance conditions. The processing device may monitor configuration and file changes and provide a user with a capability to persist or discard configuration changes and/or file changes made by an application during a session. The processing device may include a recovery button or switch, which when selected or pressed may cause the processing device to be restored to an operational state. The processing device may automatically detect instabilities and may automatically attempt to repair possible causes of the instabilities. The processing device may also include an additional chipset, which may perform backup and recovery services.
US08356199B2 Logical battery partitions configured by user interface
A logical battery partitioning approach is disclosed. In one embodiment, a power management system in a portable computing device having a plurality of subsystems can include: (i) a battery coupled to a plurality of subsystems; (ii) a first battery variable provided to a first subsystem to indicate a characteristic of a first logical battery partition; and (iii) a second battery variable provided to a second subsystem to indicate a characteristic of a second logical battery partition. A battery variable can include an accessibility control, or a percent of battery power available, for example.
US08356197B2 Method, apparatus, and system for optimizing frequency and performance in a multidie microprocessor
With the progress toward multi-core processors, each core is can not readily ascertain the status of the other dies with respect to an idle or active status. A proposal for utilizing an interface to transmit core status among multiple cores in a multi-die microprocessor is discussed. Consequently, this facilitates thermal management by allowing an optimal setting for setting performance and frequency based on utilizing each core status.
US08356193B2 Scaling energy use in a virtualized environment
A method, system, and computer usable program product for scaling energy use in a virtualized data processing environment are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A set of PIOAs is configured such that each PIOAs in the set of PIOAs is a functional equivalent of another PIOAs in the set of PIOAs. A utilization of each PIOA in the set of PIOAs is measured. A number of PIOAs needed to service a workload is determined. A first subset of PIOAs from the set of PIOAs is powered down if the number of PIOAs needed to service the workload is smaller than a number of operational PIOAs. The I/O operations associated with the first subset of PIOAs are transferred to a second subset of PIOAs remaining operational in the set of PIOAs.
US08356185B2 Apparatus and method for local operand bypassing for cryptographic instructions
A processor may include a hardware instruction fetch unit configured to issue instructions for execution, and a hardware functional unit configured to receive instructions for execution, where the instructions include cryptographic instruction(s) and non-cryptographic instruction(s). The functional unit may include a cryptographic execution pipeline configured to execute the cryptographic instructions with a corresponding cryptographic execution latency, and a non-cryptographic execution pipeline configured to execute the non-cryptographic instructions with a corresponding non-cryptographic execution latency that is longer than the cryptographic execution latency. The functional unit may further include a local bypass network configured to bypass results produced by the cryptographic execution pipeline to dependent cryptographic instructions executing within the cryptographic execution pipeline, such that each instruction within a sequence of dependent cryptographic instructions is executable with the cryptographic execution latency, and where the results of the cryptographic execution pipeline are not bypassed to any other functional unit within the processor.
US08356177B2 Key transport in authentication or cryptography
A computer system for authenticating, encrypting, and transmitting a secret communication, where the encryption key is transmitted along with the encrypted message, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a first transmitting processor encrypts a plaintext message to a ciphertext message using a data key, encrypts the data key using a key encrypting key, and sends a communication comprising the encrypted data key and the ciphertext message. A second receiving processor receives the communication and then decrypts the encrypted data key using the key encrypting key and decrypts the ciphertext message using the data key to recover the plaintext message.
US08356174B2 System for automatically shadowing encrypted data and file directory structures for a plurality of network-connected computers using a network-attached memory with single instance storage
The Secure Networked Data Shadowing System is connected to a plurality of monitored computer systems via an existing communication medium to store the shadowed data. The data is encrypted by the monitored computer system using a cryptokey, and the data file is processed using a hash function prior to encryption, so the contents of this file are uniquely identified. Thus, the encrypted file is stored in its encrypted form and the hash index is used to identify the encrypted file. A “data de-duplication” process avoids storing multiple copies of the same files by identifying instances of duplication via the hash index. Files that have the same hash index can be reduced to a single copy without any loss of data as long as the file structure information for each instance of the file is maintained.
US08356172B2 Apparatus and method for monitoring certificate acquisition
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to transmit a request to a remote management server for status information associated with a x.509 certificate intended for the STB, wherein at least one of the STB and the remote management server operate in an interactive television (iTV) network, and receive the status information associated with the x.509 certificate from the remote management server, wherein events associated with the status information are received by the remote management server from at least one of the STB, a certificates proxy, an external certificate web service, and a certificate authority, and wherein the status information comprises at least a portion of the received events. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08356167B2 Information device, storing predetermined state restoration software
An information device has a storage medium storing information items which includes a first program provided on a first partition, a second program and data provided on a second partition to restore the first program on the first partition to a predetermined state, a boot block which causes system activation from one of the first partition and the second partition, and an active-partition switching program which indicates, to the boot block, one of the first and second partitions. An input/output system activates the active-partition switching program when a specific operation is performed. The active-partition switching program indicates to the boot block that system activation is to be executed from the second partition.
US08356164B2 Shift-in-right instructions for processing vectors
The described embodiments provide a processor for generating a result vector with shifted values from an input vector. During operation, the processor receives an input vector and a control vector. Using these vectors, the processor generates the result vector, which can contain shifted values or propagated values from the input vector, depending on the value of the control vector. In addition, a predicate vector can be used to control the values that are written to the result vector.
US08356156B2 Method and system for using external storage to amortize CPU cycle utilization
A method and system for using external storage to amortize CPU cycle utilization, wherein translated instructions are stored in a storage medium and subsequently accessed on a subsequent execution of a non-native application in order to amortize CPU cycles used in generating the translated instructions.
US08356146B2 Memory register encoding apparatus and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to encode register bits to generate encoded bits such that, for pairs of addresses, an encoded bit to be coupled to a first address in a memory device may be exchanged with an encoded bit to be coupled to a second address in the memory device. Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to invert encoded bits in logic circuits in the memory device if original bits were inverted. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08356141B2 Identifying replacement memory pages from three page record lists
A replacement memory page is identified by accessing a first list of page records, and if the first list is not empty, identifying a replacement page from a next page record indicator of the first list. A second list of page records is accessed if the first list is empty, and if the second list is not empty, the replacement page is identified from a next page record indicator of the second list. A third list of page records is accessed if the first and second lists are empty, and the replacement page is identified from a next page record indicator of the third list.
US08356132B2 Position sensing system for a KVM switch
A position sensing system controls selection of channels in a KVM switch having a plurality of channels. The system has a sensor interface for receiving a sensor reading indicating a current position of a position movable component. Each position of the movable component is associated with one of the plurality of channels. The position sensing system also includes a position component for selecting channels of the KVM switch according to the sensor reading. The position component comprises a position definition component and a translation component. The definition component identifies one of the channels corresponding to the sensor reading based on one of a position definition. Each position definition provides sensor readings corresponding to the positions associated with one of the channels. The translation component generates a signal for selecting the determined channel at the KVM switch. This signal is provided to the KVM switch to switch the KVM channel.
US08356131B2 System and method for controlling interruption of a process in electronic equipment based on priority of the process, and program
System, method, and program to determine whether to interrupt a process, e.g., a write function, to carry out another process, e.g., a high priority read function, in a device that uses memory devices, e.g., eMMC devices, that use a single channel to carry out two different processes, e.g., write and read processes.
US08356130B2 Mechanism for recording undeliverable user-level interrupts
A method includes recording a user-level interrupt as undeliverable in a mailbox at least partially based on an interrupt domain identifier and an interrupt recipient identifier included in a user-level interrupt message associated with the user-level interrupt. The recording is at least partially based on an indication that the user-level interrupt is undeliverable to a recipient application thread executing on a processor core of a plurality of processor cores in a multi-core system.
US08356126B2 Command-coalescing RAID controller
A RAID controller is disclosed. The controller controls at least one redundant array of physical disks, receives I/O requests for the array from host computers, and responsively generates disk commands for each of the disks. Some commands specify host computer user data, and others specify internally generated redundancy data. The controller executes coalescer code that maintains the commands on a queue for each disk. Whenever a disk completes a command, the coalescer determines whether there are two or more commands on the disk's queue that have the same read/write type and specify adjacent locations on the disk, and if so, coalesces them into a single command, and issues the coalesced command to the disk. The coalescer immediately issues a received command, rather than queuing it, if the number of pending commands to the disk is less than a maximum command depth, which may be different for each disk.
US08356122B2 Distributed trace using central performance counter memory
A plurality of processing cores, are central storage unit having at least memory connected in a daisy chain manner, forming a daisy chain ring layout on an integrated chip. At least one of the plurality of processing cores places trace data on the daisy chain connection for transmitting the trace data to the central storage unit, and the central storage unit detects the trace data and stores the trace data in the memory co-located in with the central storage unit.
US08356118B2 Storage device and storage device access control method
A storage device is removably connectable to a host computer. The storage device includes: a storage unit on which one or more storage areas are allocatable to a plurality of users; and a control unit. The control unit is operable to, when the storage deice receives authentication success information indicating that authentication for one of the users is succeeded from the host computer or other external device, simulatively mount the storage area allocated to the authenticated user and unmount the storage area allocated to another user.
US08356114B2 Region of interest-based image transfer
Image data of an image is transmitted from a first computer to a second computer over a network. A region of interest in the image is identified by a first computer by calculations using image data. Coordinates for the region of interest are transmitted from the first computer to the second computer. Image data for the region of interest is encoded. Encoded image data for the region of interest is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer for decoding and display at a position corresponding to the transmitted coordinates. A region surrounding the region of interest is identified by the first computer. Coordinates for the region surrounding the region of interest are transmitted. Image data for the region surrounding the region of interest is encoded. Encoded image data for the region surrounding the region of interest is transmitted for display at a position corresponding to the transmitted coordinates.
US08356112B1 Intelligent network adaptor with end-to-end flow control
A host is coupled to a network via an intelligent network adaptor. The host is executing an application configured to receive application data from a peer via the network and the intelligent network adaptor using a stateful connection according to a connection-oriented protocol. The intelligent network adaptor performs protocol processing of the connection. Application data is copied from host memory not configured for access by the application (possibly OS-associated host memory) to host memory associated with the application (application-associated host memory). The application data is received from the peer by the intelligent network adaptor and copied to host memory not configured for access by the application. The operating system selectively provides, to the intelligent network adaptor, information of the memory associated with the application. At least one portion of the application data for the connection is provided directly from the intelligent network adaptor to the memory associated with the application.
US08356107B2 Method, apparatus and system for updating PCC rules
A method, an apparatus, and a system for updating PCC rules are disclosed herein to ensure normal process of the user service in the process of updating the PCC rules. A method for updating PCC rules includes: obtaining a response made by a PCEF after the PCEF updates the PCC rules; and keeping consistency between PCC rules stored in the PCRF and the PCC rules currently executed in the PCEF according to the obtained response.
US08356090B2 Method for a facilitator to assist an entrepreneur in creating an internet business
The present invention provides a method for an Entrepreneur to start an Internet business by creating an Entrepreneur's web site using tools provided at a Facilitator's web site. The method allows the Entrepreneur to access the Facilitator's web site, register a desired available domain name, trademark the domain name, design an Entrepreneur's web site accessible via the domain name, design a similar appearing store front web site to handle commercial transactions, copyright the Entrepreneur's web site, offer hosting services for the Entrepreneur's web site and submit the Entrepreneur's web site to one or more search engines. Tremendous synergies may be achieved and serious pitfalls avoided in creating the Internet business by receiving overall guidance and assistance from one web site, i.e. a Facilitator's web site, in performing these processes.
US08356084B2 Information processing apparatus and image processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus communicable with an image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus including a transmission unit configured to transmit a job that requests execution of image processing, a switching unit configured to automatically switch a transmission destination of the job to the image processing apparatus during a communication with the image processing apparatus, and a unit configured to revert the transmission destination of the job, after completion of the communication with the image processing apparatus, to a setting before the transmission destination of the job was switched by the switching unit.
US08356075B2 Distributed business process management system with local resource utilization
Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include providing an instance of business process management suite in a sandbox of a web browser. The instance of the business process management suite may be based on an archive received from a web server. The business process management suite may be controlled using a graphical user interface in a browser. Providing a business process management suite may further include creating an instance of a database management system in the sandbox. The instance of the database management system may further store its data in the local memory of a client device.
US08356071B2 Presentational system and method for IP telephones and other devices
A system and method for providing a presentation to a display client. In one illustrative embodiment, the display client can be an IP phone. The presentation can be provided over a network from a central location without requiring end user action at the IP phone. The presentation can be modified for optimal display based on the capabilities of the specific IP phone without affecting the quality of the presentation for other device types. The devices capable of viewing the presentation can include desk display telephones, cellular telephones, smart phones, portable computers, PCs, and possibly other appropriate network-enabled devices. Centrally controlled presentations can be pushed to an individual device, group of devices, and/or all devices site-wide. In some applications, the display client can be used to provide user selections in response to the provided presentation.
US08356068B2 Multimedia training system and apparatus
A method for providing interactive training, whereby a video display and a base station are coupled in communication with a computer. A plurality of wireless handheld remotes are configured for wirelessly communicating with the base station, and each of the remotes is operable by a respective trainee of a group of trainees. Each remote has a remote ID unique from all other remotes and is stored in non-volatile memory of the computer; and the base station includes a base station ID code unique from all other base stations, and the base station ID is stored in non-volatile memory of each remote. Each remote remains in an inactive state and is operable to be activated via a respective activate signal transmitted from the base station, and the base station is operable to transmit an activate signal to one or more of the remotes, the activate signal being effective for enabling the remote to transmit a signal, wherein the remote is deactivated upon completion of transmission of signal. Using unique IDs prevents interference from other wireless devices including remotes paired with other base stations. It also makes it unnecessary for one training system to operate on a different channel from another training system.
US08356052B2 Analysis of third party networks
A method of analyzing customer behavior, where customers are engaged in customer-to-customer transactions in a third-party network, includes a transformation of data representing the customer-to-customer transactions from a data representation to a network representation, and then analyzing the network representation. The network representation includes a set of nodes and a set of links where each node represents a customer and each link represents a transaction between two of the customers.
US08356048B2 Systems and methods for improved forums
An embodiment relates generally to a method of searching. The method includes receiving a query in a structured forum and searching a general and certified knowledgebase based on the query. The method also includes providing a plurality of search results ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of the search results.
US08356042B1 Business constructs
Various systems, processes, tools and techniques are provided for managing and processing data within a computing environment including a data warehouse component. Certain embodiments of the business construct of the invention can provide an interim stage for mapping data prior to loading the data into the data warehouse. When embodied as standard interface files, each of the business constructs can represent a business object that is of importance to a corporate entity or other enterprise.
US08356035B1 Association of terms with images using image similarity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for associating terms with images. A plurality of images is received. One or more of the received images are associated with one or more terms. Degrees of similarity between a plurality of pairs of images in the plurality of images is determined. A respective weight with respect to a first image of the plurality of images is assign to one or more of the terms based at least on the degrees of similarity. One or more of the terms are selected based on the respective weights of the terms with respect to the first image, and the selected terms are associated with the respective image.
US08356032B2 Method, medium, and system retrieving a media file based on extracted partial keyword
A method, medium, and system retrieving a media file associated with a partial keyword which is generated by using a named entity extracted from the media file, when a query is received from a user, with the media file being associated with the partial keyword being retrieved by identifying the partial keyword associated with the query through speech recognition. That is, a media file may be retrieved by extracting the named entity from the media file, performing a word segmentation for the extracted named entity, generating the partial keyword from the word-segmented named entity, and retrieving the corresponding media file by using the partial keyword.
US08356021B2 Method and apparatus for indexing in a reduced-redundancy storage system
Method and apparatus for indexing subblocks in a reduced-redundancy storage system. Each subblock is hashed to an K-bit key and an entry for the subblock added to an index data structure comprising of a tree of hash tables. In a further aspect, by replacing the top of the tree with an array, the data structure can achieve O(1) access time for random keys while still providing relatively smooth growth.
US08356019B1 Method and apparatus for utilizing patterns in data to reduce file size
A method for managing records in an object-oriented database is disclosed. Modified representations of data in fields of records is generated in response to patterns in the data. The modified representations of the data is compressed utilizing similarities in the modified representations of the data.
US08356018B2 Systems and methods for grid-based data scanning
A computing grid for performing scanning operations on electronic data in a networked computing environment. The data scanning operations may include scanning data for viruses or other malicious software code. The computing grid for performing data scanning operations may include one or more event detectors to detect data scanning events and one or more grid scanning elements to perform the data scanning operations. The computing grid may also include a grid coordinator to monitor the grid configuration, perform necessary updates to the grid, and to take pre-determined actions based on the results of the data scans.
US08356010B2 Online data migration
Data is recursively migrated during uptime from a first table to a second table in a first schema in a database while taking into account changes to the first table in a change table. The database has first and second application servers respectively connecting to the database using first and second schemas and running first and second versions of a software program. Downtime can be initiated to migrate the remaining entries in the change table to the second table, delete the first table, and rename the second table to have a same name as the first table prior to deletion so that during uptime the second application server connects to the second table and runs the second version of the software program. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US08356002B2 Learning apparatus and method of intelligent system
A learning apparatus and method of an intelligent system according to the present invention relates to learning of an intelligent system that automatically controls a system on the basis of information about events generated in an external environment or services input by a user. In the learning, it is determined whether rules extracted from event data or service data are the same as rules already stored. Then, if it is determined that the rules are new rules, queries about the confidence of new rules are generated and provided to a user. The rules are updated on the basis of user's answers. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately grasp users' patterns by using very small amount of observation data as compared to an existing method, and to more easily sense variable patterns. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more intelligent learning in the intelligent system.
US08355998B1 Clustering and classification via localized diffusion folders
A method for hierarchical clustering comprises multi-level partitioning of data points into non-overlapping LDFs and formation of sets of such LDFs, wherein original data points may reside in different LDFs. The sets of LDFs are then hierarchically processed into sets of super-LDFs, which are further processed up the hierarchy. In some embodiments, the further processing ends with the construction of a single super-LDF at the root of the hierarchy. The partitioning of the data points and the hierarchical processing of the sets of LDFs and super-LDFs uses respective local affinity matrices.
US08355996B2 Plant control apparatus that uses a model to simulate the plant and a pattern base containing state information
A plant control system includes: a numerical calculation execution part which calculates the operation characteristic of the plant; a model for simulating the plant control characteristic according to information on the numerical calculation result; a learning part which learns the plant operation method by using the model; a learning information database which stores learning information data on the learning part; a pattern generation part which generates pattern data expressing a state input based on the learning information data in the learning part with a smaller input number than the model input dimension; a pattern database which stores the pattern data generated in the pattern generation part; and a learning result determination part which selects a learning result having a preferable control effect from the learning result obtained by using a plurality of patterns.
US08355985B1 Systems and methods for providing enhanced account management services for multiple banks
This invention includes methods for delivering account management services to multiple financial institutions that provide for customer deposit accounts without transaction but than nevertheless offer interest and receive enhanced deposit insurance. The methods apply at least one customer transaction to that customer's deposit account, and then re-allocate customer-deposited funds among the plurality of financial institutions in order that, for each customer, the risk of loss is not substantially increased, and that, for each financial institution, the amount of customer-deposited funds is not substantially decreased. Preferably, risk of loss is reduced by increasing the fraction of each customer's deposited funds covered by FDIC deposit insurance, and interest and enhanced insurance are available by innovative management of customer transactions and accounts. This invention also includes computer systems for practicing the methods and program products for accordingly configuring such computer systems.
US08355983B1 Method and system for vehicle finance credit analysis
Assimilating data and applying reasoning mechanisms for matching a vehicle buyer's credit history, vehicle details, and vehicle deal structure details, to the purchasing guidelines of the most suitable finance sources is described. The system aids the dealership agent in quickly locating the finance sources that best fit the specific criteria of the customer, the vehicle, and the proposed financial structure of the deal. The system also enables the finance sources to increase the quality of the fit of those applications reviewed for potential contract purchase, to see the specific details that are integral in making purchasing decisions in advance of reviewing the entire application, to actively manage the risk level of its auto finance portfolio, and to automate its purchasing decisions. The system allows the vehicle buyer, vehicle dealership, and finance source to match on a near instantaneous basis, thereby reducing the time involved in the vehicle sales process to a fraction of its current burden.
US08355974B2 Account level liquidity charge determination
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for measuring, calculating, analyzing, and using account level effectiveness metrics are presented. Various statistics may be collected and compiled into a table, and effectiveness of one or more financial accounts may be determined at the account level. A prediction model may be created and used to determine the probability of an early balance payoff. An account-level liquidity additional fee may be imposed in anticipation of or as a result of an early balance payoff. Financial accounts may be classified on a variety of bases, and the results may be presented in a report.
US08355973B2 Apparatuses, methods and systems for a periodic auction reset securities optimization engine
Dynamic management of one or more portfolios of securities, in particular, portfolios of Periodic Auction Reset Securities (PARS) is disclosed. The dynamic management for the specification of rules for investor accounts by which optimization of this type of portfolio may occur and allows financial institutions or other wealth management entities to easily maintain and invest in PARS holdings for multiple accounts. For example, the dynamic management systems and methods can provide for the maintenance of a large number of separate accounts that contain PARS, centralize the maintenance of PARS positions, allow management of central PARS accounts in line with guidelines specified in one or more account profiles, allow sales traders to specify additional guidelines, and/or automate account analysis, trade generation and/or participation in the auction process.
US08355968B2 Method of identifying potential targets for a capital transaction
A method of identifying potential targets (i.e., buyers, investors, sellers, or acquisition targets) for a financial transaction. The method enables a user to specify at least one investment criteria based on which to run a search to identify the prospective targets, and to select a universe within which to search for the prospective targets. The method also enables the user to specify a type of financial transaction. A scoring algorithm that is used to score the results of the search is selected based on the user's specification of the type of financial transaction.
US08355963B2 Method for controlling a supply chain
The present document describes a method, a processor platform and a processor readable medium for controlling a supply chain for moving goods by agents according to orders. The method comprises: updating a knowledge base populated with statuses of the goods; statuses of the agents; rules for establishing expected behaviors of the goods and of the agents; and the orders. The method further comprises: determining, based on the knowledge base, instructions to be executed by the agents for moving the goods to achieve the orders wherein each elapsed time between each agent sending the status of a good or its own status to the knowledge base and the same agent receiving an instruction is smaller that the expected completion duration of the same instruction.
US08355960B2 Electronic acknowledgement of receipt of inventory
A method for tracking status of an inventory shipment sent to a recipient includes monitoring whether the recipient has transmitted an electronic acknowledgment of the status of the shipment; and automatically transmitting a message to the recipient requesting acknowledgment of receipt of inventory if the electronic acknowledgment is not transmitted by the recipient within a first predetermined amount of time.
US08355959B2 Payment service capable of being integrated with merchant sites
A computer-implemented service integrates with merchant sites to enable registered users of the service to perform purchase transactions on the merchant sites. In one embodiment, a merchant can incorporate a reference to a display object served by the service into coding of a page of the merchant's site. When the page is loaded by a user's browser, the reference causes the browser to request the display object from the service for display on the page. If the user is recognized by the service, the service may return a personalized display object that includes functionality for the user to perform a purchase transaction using the service. Also disclosed are embodiments that enable users to initiate transfers of personal account information to the merchant sites.
US08355952B2 Data processing system for pricing, costing and billing of financial transactions
The present invention provides methods and systems for pricing financial transactions by defining product rules, providing links to appropriate price tables, and calculating a price for a financial transaction. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a product rule corresponding to a financial transaction. The product rule contains mandatory attributes and optional attributes. Optional attributes may be looked up using identifiers constructed from said mandatory attributes. Optional attributes include a link to a price table which contains further attributes, including a pricing method. A price is then calculated in accordance with the pricing method. Billing is completed according to the billing method for the particular financial transaction.
US08355944B2 Methods and systems for collaborative demand planning and replenishment
The present invention provides systems and methods for generating replenishment orders for products sold to a multi-store retailer. Store trait data is mapped with planogram information and the mapped data is used to generate a fixture level safety stock for a particular product in a particular store. The fixture level safety stock triggers fixture level replenishment orders.
US08355937B2 System and method for managing seat reservations
This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.
US08355930B2 Insurance claim processing using containerized processing logic
A system and method for processing insurance claims using a set of adjudication rules. The method and system comprises receiving a claim for processing, such that the received claim having claim content including a claim date. Also provided is a database configured for accessing the set of adjudication rules appropriate to the received claim, the set of adjudication rules structured in containers including a primary rule container and secondary rule containers, each of the secondary rule containers being coupled to the primary rule container by a respective container reference, each of the secondary rule containers containing one or more adjudication rules adapted for processing the claim content of the received claim, each of the one or more adjudication rules being coupled to their respective secondary container by a respective rule reference, the set of adjudication rules defining a rule hierarchy.
US08355921B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing improved audio processing
An apparatus for performing improved audio processing may include a processor. The processor may be configured to divide respective signals of each channel of a multi-channel audio input signal into one or more spectral bands corresponding to respective analysis frames, select a leading channel from among channels of the multi-channel audio input signal for at least one spectral band, determine a time shift value for at least one spectral band of at least one channel, and time align the channels based at least in part on the time shift value.
US08355920B2 Natural error handling in speech recognition
A user interface, and associated techniques, that permit a fast and efficient way of correcting speech recognition errors, or of diminishing their impact. The user may correct mistakes in a natural way, essentially by repeating the information that was incorrectly recognized previously. Such a mechanism closely approximates what human-to-human dialogue would be in similar circumstances. Such a system fully takes advantage of all the information provided by the user, and on its own estimates the quality of the recognition in order to determine the correct sequence of words in the fewest number of steps.
US08355915B2 Multimodal speech recognition system
The disclosure describes an overall system/method for text-input using a multimodal interface with speech recognition. Specifically, pluralities of modes interact with the main speech mode to provide the speech-recognition system with partial knowledge of the text corresponding to the spoken utterance forming the input to the speech recognition system. The knowledge from other modes is used to dynamically change the ASR system's active vocabulary thereby significantly increasing recognition accuracy and significantly reducing processing requirements. Additionally, the speech recognition system is configured using three different system configurations (always listening, partially listening, and push-to-speak) and for each one of those three different user-interfaces are proposed (speak-and-type, type-and-speak, and speak-while-typing). Finally, the overall user-interface of the proposed system is designed such that it enhances existing standard text-input methods; thereby minimizing the behavior change for mobile users.
US08355909B2 Hybrid permanent/reversible dynamic range control system
A system for controlling dynamic range of an audio signal comprises an automatic gain control element that receives an input signal having a varying level and outputs a control signal that varies based on the varying level of the input signal and a modified input signal having a dynamic range different than a dynamic range of the input signal. The system also comprises an inverter that inverts the control signal or a block-based control signal corresponding to the control signal in block format. The system also comprises a variable gain element that receives the modified input signal and at least some of the inverted control signal or block-based control signal. The variable gain element also outputs a remainder signal corresponding to the modified input signal as unmodified based on the at least some of the inverted control signal or block-based control signal.
US08355908B2 Audio signal processing device for noise reduction and audio enhancement, and method for the same
In frequency signals obtained by converting input audio signals from time-domain signals to frequency-domain signals, a level control value setting unit 5 establishes a level control value for reducing the levels of spectrums at a noise-components level. A level control value smoothing unit 6 carries out a smoothing process of smoothing the level control value established by the level control value setting unit 5 temporally. A spectral adjustment unit 8 multiplies the level control value after the smoothing process by the frequency signals, performing a level control.
US08355899B2 Anesthesia apparatus or respirator with integrated simulation functionality
An anesthesia apparatus or respirator (1) enables the user (21) to simulate functions of the device and to carry out suitable operating steps depending on the situation, the device interactively responding to interventions by the user. The anesthesia apparatus or respirator (1) is equipped with at least one control and regulating unit (6), with at least one associated actuator (7, 8) and with internal and/or external sensors (9, 10) as well as with an interface unit (15) with an associated input and output unit (2, 3), respectively, for the operation, data input and output, and with an external data interface (4), wherein simulation components (12, 13) simulating the properties of the internal and/or external sensors (9, 10) with an associated simulation control (14) are present, so that the control and regulating unit (6) uses data of the simulation components (12, 13) for controlling the at least one actuator (7, 8) via the input and output unit (2, 3) and via the simulation control (14).
US08355897B2 Generation of controls for a simulator mobile platform
The present invention relates to a method for generating motion controls for a mobile platform of a vehicle simulator. The method uses, as input, accelerations calculated by a process for simulating the behavior of the vehicle. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: filtering the accelerations calculated accelerations by use of a filter constructed according to a mathematical model of human perception of a motion; calculating successive positions of the mobile platform as a function of the filtered acceleration controls; scaling the positions of the mobile platform as a function of physical limitations of the mobile platform, to produce scaled successive positions of the mobile platform; and calculating acceleration controls to be applied by the mobile platform, as a function of the scaled successive positions of the mobile platform, to produce calculated acceleration controls.
US08355884B2 Signal quality measurement device, spectrum measurement circuit, and program
Spectrum measurement circuit (101) includes: N-(where N is integer equal or greater than 2) phase clock generation circuit (304) for supplying phase-modulated signals in which the phase of a clock signal is shifted by a phase modulation amount each time the settings of the phase modulation amount are switched; mixer circuit (303) for taking the product of a measured signal supplied from a transmitter and the phase-modulated signals supplied from N-phase clock generation circuit (304); average value output circuit (305) for supplying an average voltage value of the output signal of mixer circuit (303); memory (307) for storing the average voltage value supplied from average value output circuit (305) for each phase modulation amount of N-phase clock generation circuit (304); and arithmetic unit (308) for using the average voltage value for each phase modulation amount of N-phase clock generation circuit (304) to calculate the signal strength of the measured signal.
US08355883B2 Measurement and apparatus for electrical measurement of electrical drive parameters for a MEMS based display
Methods and devices to measure voltage margins of electromechanical devices are disclosed. The voltage margins are determined based on responses to test voltages which cause the devices to change states. State changes of the devices are detected by monitoring integrated current or charge used to drive the devices with the test voltages.
US08355876B2 Microfluidic assay for selection and optimization of drug delivery vehicles to tumors
An apparatus and method for assaying a tumor drug delivery vehicle comprises a synthetic microvascular network of interconnected flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space containing animal cells and means for quantifying drug delivery from the microvascular network to the animal cells.
US08355872B2 System and method for reservoir analysis background
A system for and method of automatically evaluating similarity between a target geological region of interest and a plurality of known geological regions of interest includes selecting a plurality of quantitative parameters describing reservoir characteristics of the target geological region of interest and defining a graphical target line based on values of the selected parameters. Comparison lines are graphically constructed for at least some of the plurality of known geological regions of interest, respective comparison lines representing respective values of the quantitative parameters describing corresponding characteristics of respective regions among the known geological regions of interest. A similarity factor between each of the comparison lines and the target line is calculated based on the plotted target and comparison lines. The comparison lines are ranked based on the calculated similarity factors, and similarity factor versus similarity rank are graphically displayed.
US08355870B2 Methods, systems, and apparatuses for telematics navigation
Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for telematics navigation.
US08355864B2 Map matching system, map matching method and program
Provided is a general-purpose map matching system enabling high-speed map matching while maintaining a precision of an analysis based on a map matching result even when event data is transmitted from numerous vehicles.The grid road generation unit 8 generates each grid obtained by the division of a region in which a road network exists into a latitude direction and a longitude direction by equal spaces based on data stored in the road network storage unit. Then, combine grids whose sets of roads passing are the same. The event grid matching unit correlates event data collected from a vehicle and a grid. When the number of pieces of event data correlated with the grid is large, the event processing priority determination unit selects a part of the data. The event road matching unit correlates the selected event data and a road in the grid.
US08355861B2 Avoidance manoeuvre generator for an aircraft
A method for automatically determining an avoidance maneuver in an automatic collision avoidance system of an aircraft. A maximum kinematic acceleration envelope is determined by determining a multitude of avoidance maneuver angle kinematic acceleration pairs in a kinematic acceleration plane, and interpolating gaps between points, thus creating a curve. The curve is called maximum kinematic acceleration envelope. The curve may also be approximated by an analytical expression. An adjusted kinematic acceleration envelope is formed in the plane by forming a new envelope. The new envelope at each point laying closer to or at the same distance from an origin as the points of the maximum kinematic acceleration envelope and such that there is only one value of the kinematic acceleration a for a given avoidance maneuver angle. An avoidance maneuver angle is received for which a suitable bank angle and a suitable normal load is to be determined. Determining The magnitude of the kinematic acceleration a corresponding to the adjusted kinematic acceleration envelope for the avoidance maneuver angle is determined by reading the envelope curve, or if the curve is an analytical expression, calculating the curve by using the analytical expression. The normal load is determined based on the kinematic acceleration, and the avoidance maneuver angle. The bank angle is determined based on the kinematic acceleration and the avoidance maneuver angle.
US08355860B2 Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method includes, during a first condition, engaging an engine starter, without applying a starter current, to the deactivated rotating engine after the engine speed drops below a threshold speed. The method further includes, during a second condition, engaging the starter and adjusting a starter motor switch to apply a starter braking torque to the rotating engine.
US08355859B2 Accessory drive for a stop/start vehicle
An engine with vacuum and coolant pumps is disclosed. In one example, the vacuum and coolant pumps are mechanically coupled together and driven by a single motor. The approach may reduce system cost and complexity.
US08355855B2 Systems and methods for controlling an integrated drive train
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling an integrated drive train. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine drive train includes measuring speed associated with the drive train, controlling fuel flow to a gas turbine based at least in part on a speed command and the measured speed, controlling one or more guide vanes associated with a torque converter based at least in part on the speed command and an expected power output of the torque converter, and selectively coordinating respective torque contributions from the torque converter and the gas turbine.
US08355852B2 Slow or stopped vehicle ahead advisor with digital map integration
A driver assistance or collision avoidance system is adapted for use with trailing and preceding host vehicles, and in a preferred embodiment includes a preceding vehicle speed sensor for determining the current speed of the preceding vehicle at a point; a vehicle-to-vehicle communication sub-system; a normal speed determining sub-system operable to determine the normally expected speed of the preceding vehicle at the point, and including an exterior remote vehicle sensor or digital map-indicia database; and a controller configured to compare the current and normally expected speeds, and the discrepancy there-between to a threshold, and cause an alert to be generated only when the discrepancy exceeds the threshold or an otherwise stalled condition is determined.
US08355847B2 Controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine
Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper and a crowd drive. A method includes determining an acceleration associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd retract factor based on the acceleration, comparing the crowd retract factor to a threshold crowd retract factor, setting a crowd speed reference and a crowd retract torque for the crowd drive for a period of time based on the comparison of the crowd retract factor to the threshold crowd retract factor.
US08355841B2 Turning behavior display device
A turning behavior display device, operable to display control condition of a turning behavior control unit which controls turning behavior of a vehicle in a turning direction by using a relative difference between a first torque acting on one of left and right wheels of the vehicle and a second torque acting on the other of the left and right wheels of the vehicle, includes: first display portions, provided for the left and right wheels, and adapted to increase or decrease in the turning direction in accordance with the relative difference from a reference section used when the first torque is equal to the second torque.
US08355840B2 Influencing device for influencing an active chassis system of a vehicle
An influencing device for influencing an active chassis that includes a plurality of controllable spring or damper units of a vehicle is provided. The influencing device includes a roadway sensor that produces sensor data relating to a roadway located in front of the vehicle in a direction of travel, the sensor data being used to acquire a roadway profile. The influencing device also includes a pilot control unit that determines, as a function of the acquired roadway profile, a pilot control variable that is used to adapt the setting of the spring or damper units to the acquired roadway profile. An input signal for a vehicle body control system, which is used to control the position of the vehicle body, is calculated on the basis of the pilot control variable.
US08355839B2 Vehicle vision system with night vision function
A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vision system. The camera has a forward field of view in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor, the vision system is operable to provide a night vision function and at least one of (i) a headlamp control function for controlling a headlamp of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a lane departure warning function, (iii) an adaptive cruise control function, (iv) a sign recognition function, (v) a rain sensing function, (vi) an object detection function and (vii) a pedestrian detection function.
US08355825B2 Wind farm
Wind farm, of the kind that comprises a series of wind turbine generators, which consist of a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means of connection to the computing network for the wind farm of which they form part, in such a way that at least two of the wind turbine generators in the farm can assume a leader hierarchy for the wind farm, accessing the operating data of the rest of the wind turbine generators, calculating and sending instructions to the rest of the wind turbine generators making up that wind farm, and a subject hierarchy, receiving and following the instructions coming from the leader wind turbine generator of the wind farm.
US08355819B2 Method, apparatus and system for igniting wide range of turbine fuels
In operating a gas turbine, there can be a difference between the desired heating value of the fuel and the actual needs of the fuel for the supplied fuel to be ignited. In one aspect, fuel parameters related to the molecular weight of the fuel such as specific gravity and pressure drop are determined. Ignitability of the fuel is calculated based on the fuel parameters and adjusted as necessary to bring the fuel's ignitability to designed values. The fuel's ignitability can be calculated without actually igniting the fuel and also without direct knowledge of the fuel's calorific value or its composition.
US08355813B2 Machining status monitoring method and machining status monitoring apparatus
A machining status monitoring apparatus is provided on a machine tool, and has a plurality of actual CCD cameras for imaging the tool and workpiece from different view points and generating actual two-dimensional image data thereof, a virtual image generating section having a plurality of virtual CCD cameras corresponding to the actual CCD cameras, in which the tool and workpiece of three-dimensional model are imaged by the virtual CCD cameras from each point and virtual two-dimensional image data thereof are generated, and a display control section for selecting one virtual CCD camera corresponding to the virtual two-dimensional image data in which the distal end of the tool is not hidden by the workpiece among the generated two-dimensional image data, and displaying the actual two-dimensional image data generated by the actual CCD camera corresponding to the selected virtual CCD camera on a display device.
US08355809B2 System and method for designing a die to yield a desired coating uniformity
Computer implemented method for making a die includes: selecting coating uniformity required to produce a particular coated product with the die and a value for one or more dimensions of the die; determining (using a mathematical model determined by regression analysis) total indicated run-out (TIR) of a die surface and dimensions of the die not having a user specified value; and machining die part or parts to the determined TIR and dimensions. A thermal treatment process for reducing the number of finishing (e.g., grinding) cycles needed to produce a desired die flatness is provided. A coating fluid rheological characteristic can be an input to the method.
US08355806B2 Information control system and information control method
An information control system capable of precisely defining and executing a condition for stipulating a state of an apparatus to be controlled. A storage unit stores an object definition table storing data items of a structure and a state of an object constituting a controlled system, and an actor definition table storing a monitor condition of an object state, an object monitor item and a setting value, as an actor as a control element for monitoring and controlling the object. A processing unit receives an object state from the controlled system, and when the state changes, transmits changed state value to the actor. The actor then refers to the actor definition table to judge whether the monitor condition is satisfied, and if satisfied, changes the setting value of the monitor condition and transmits a control command for setting value change to the object corresponding to the monitor item.
US08355792B2 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
US08355788B2 Vestibular stimulation system and method
An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient.
US08355782B2 Implantable heart stimulator for measuring dyssynchrony using impedance
Implantable heart stimulator connectable to an electrode arrangement has a pulse generator adapted to deliver stimulation pulses to a heart of a subject; an impedance measurement unit adapted monitor at least one heart chamber of the heart of the subject to measure the impedance in the at least one monitored heart chamber for generating an impedance signal corresponding to the measured impedance. The impedance signal is applied to a processor where the signal is processed, according to specified criteria, and a fractionation index value is determined represented by the curve length of the impedance signal during a predetermined measurement period. The fractionation index value is a measure of different degrees of mechanical dyssynchrony of the heart.
US08355776B2 Hemoglobin contrast in magneto-motive optical doppler tomography, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus
Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
US08355775B2 Image diagnosing support method and image diagnosing support apparatus
This is an image diagnosing support method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of images obtained by imaging the same region of the same object with one or more medical imaging apparatuses and having positional information at the time each of the images was picked up; a selecting step of selecting a first image and a second image out of the plurality of images; a displaying step of displaying the first image and the second image; a step of designating one or more of first reference points on the first image; a step of figuring out second reference points, on the second image, each matching one or another of the first reference points; a first step of extracting for each of the first reference points a first region containing that point within it; and a second step of extracting for each of the second reference points a second region containing that point within it, characterized in that either one of the first step and the second step is performed earlier or both are at the same time.
US08355762B2 Electronic device and flat display module
Disclosed is electronic device including a case body including a front surface side portion of the case body and a rear surface side portion of the case body; a flat display module accommodated in the case body; a conductive layer formed on an internal wall of one of the front surface side portion of the case body and the rear surface side portion of the case body, the internal wall being around a contact portion of both portions of the case body; a circuit board having electrical components mounted thereon; and a ground means that electrically connects the conductive layer to a GND of the circuit board.
US08355734B2 Wireless system
The capacity of a cellular wireless system is increased by operation of base stations or base station sectors arranged to re-use radio resource elements that are used by neighboring base stations or base station sectors, in conjunction with operation of relay stations, which are similarly arranged to re-use radio resource elements used by neighboring relay stations, and where the radio resource elements re-used by the relay stations are different to those used by the base stations. The relay stations provide coverage, particularly in the areas at the boundaries between the areas of coverage of base stations that suffer from interference between signals transmitted from the respective base stations. In addition, the relay stations generally increase the average available carrier to interference ratio compared with a system in which base stations alone are deployed. The scheme for the allocation of radio resource elements ensures in particular that interference is avoided between signals transmitted from a base station and signals transmitted from a relay station in radio resource elements allocated to control data.
US08355718B2 RF4CE-based terminal and communication system thereof
A Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics (RF4CE)-based terminal and a system therefor are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of terminals each having an RF4CE communication module, and at least one gateway for storing unique Identifier (ID) information and other ID information about a plurality of terminals within a predetermined area in a table and periodically transmitting the table externally.
US08355715B2 Client module, multimedia server and methods for use therewith
An encoded signal is modulated to produce a first radio frequency (RF) signal that is transmitted to a client module over a first transceiver channel when a first transceiver module is in a transceive mode. A channel scan is performed when the first transceiver module is in a scan mode. The encoded signal is modulated to produce a second RF signal and that is transmitted over a second transceiver channel when a second transceiver module is in a transceive mode.
US08355698B2 Unlock screen
Unlock screen and notification techniques are described. In an implementation, an unlock screen is displayed by a mobile communications device that indicates that one or more keys of the mobile communications device are locked. If an input is detected at the mobile communications device to remove the lock, an animation is displayed that gives an appearance that the unlock screen is a page that is being turned and removing the lock of the one or more keys.
US08355692B2 System and method for transmitting user data received by an authorized approver
This present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for an authorized approver (AA) to receive and transmit information to contacts of an end user or others. The authorized approvers may receive, for example, voice, data or video or a combination thereof from the end user. Said authorized approver may view the received information on a back-end server or on a telecommunications device including but not limited to a mobile device or mobile internet device. The authorized approvers may retransmit the end user data to one or more contacts of the end user. Before such retransmission, the authorized approver, may amend, summarize, modify, tag, or otherwise edit the end user information before sending it on to the end user contacts.
US08355686B2 Radio preset key assignment method and apparatus
A system and method for assigning received channels to preset tuning keys of a receiver. A series of preset keys are sequentially labeled and one preset key, such as the preset key marked “0,” is a pre-defined preset key. An elongated pressing of the pre-defined key causes the currently tuned channel, if it is not assigned to a preset key, to be assigned to an unassigned preset key. If the currently tuned channel is already assigned to a preset key, pressing the pre-defined key instead causes the currently selected channel to be un-assigned from that preset key. Radios with two tuners that each process different sets of radio signals assign channels for a particular tuner to alternating preset keys, allowing acceleration of sequentially selecting channels assigned to pre-set keys by pre-tuning another tuner to the next channel in the sequence.
US08355682B2 Radio transmitter and method for transmission of combined signal
A radio transmitter is disclosed which comprises at least two transmit paths. A combiner is connected to the at least two transmit paths for combining modified transmit signals on the at least two transmit paths to form a combined signal. The radio transmitter further comprises a; power amplifier for receiving and power amplifying the combined signal resulting in an amplified combined signal, at least one feedback path for sampling the amplified combined signal and at least two predistortion elements connected to the at least one feedback path and adapted to produce at least two individual predistortion functions for modification of the transmit signals in the at least two frequency bands to produce the modified transmit signals on the at least two transmit paths, resulting in a corrected amplified combined signal. A method for the transmission of a combined signal, wherein the combined signal comprises signals from different frequency bands, is also disclosed.
US08355673B2 Methods and apparatuses for configuration automation
Methods and apparatuses for automated configuring of user preferences. In one aspect of the present invention, a method to operate a data processing system, includes: detecting whether or not a portable device is connected to the data processing system; and automatically configuring one or more user preferences of the data processing system according to an identity of the portable device in response to a change in whether or not the portable device is connected to the data processing system. In one aspect of the present invention, call forwarding of at least one of a land line phone and a mobile phone is automatically configured when the mobile phone is brought close to the land line phone or when the mobile phone is taken away from the land line phone.
US08355670B2 Near field communication adapters
Devices and systems are disclosed which relate to enabling NFC communication on devices such as an iPhone. A traditional smart card tray is modified to include contact leads from the inside of the smart card tray to an exterior surface of the smart card tray. Exposed contacts on the external surface provide an outside interface for add-ons. An exemplary add-on is an NFC circuit coupled to or embedded within a mobile device skin. The skin fits snugly around a portion of the mobile device, and includes on one surface contact points that line up with the outside interface of the mobile device. The contact points provide electrical communication between NFC circuitry of the mobile device skin and the smart card within the mobile device. When the skin is worn on the mobile device, the mobile device is NFC enabled. When the skin is removed, the NFC is no longer available.
US08355667B2 Apparatus, method, and computer program product for obtaining broadcast content
An apparatus is provided for obtaining broadcast content disseminated by a broadcaster with which a perceiver of content is in unilateral communication. The apparatus includes a communications unit configured to receive a message from the content perceiver, the message including time information associated with the content and source information for the content. A processing device in communication with said communications unit and at least one broadcaster database is configured to obtain the time and source information included in the message and to use the time and source information to obtain identification of the content from the broadcaster database. The processing device may be in communication with at least one content provider database and is further configured to cause the identified content to be distributed from the content provider database to the perceiver. Methods and computer program products are also provided.
US08355664B2 Cleaning device for photosensitive drum and image forming apparatus equipped with cleaning device
A cleaning device for a photosensitive drum includes a cleaning roller, a cleaning blade, and a layer control member. The layer control member may include an upstream scraper having a surface that surface contacts the cleaning roller in a substantially same direction as a rotation direction of the cleaning roller. In addition, the layer control member may include a downstream scraper having an edge that contacts the cleaning roller. The downstream scraper may be positioned downstream of the contact position between the cleaning roller and the upstream scraper in the rotation direction of the cleaning roller. In some embodiments, the downstream scraper edge may line contact the cleaning roller in a direction opposing the rotation direction of the cleaning roller.
US08355660B2 Fixing device with a shielding member having an insulated circumferential part and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device is provided with a heating member, a pressing member, a coil, a fixed core, a movable core and a shielding member provided on the movable core and a position switching unit moving the shielding member between a shielding position where a ring part shields magnetism and a retracted position where the ring part does not shield magnetism. A first area requiring magnetic shielding and a second area not requiring magnetic shielding are selectively set in the heating member. The shielding member includes a first annular portion provided at a position corresponding to a boundary part between the first and second areas, and the first annular portion has a shape closed in a circumferential direction and is electrically insulated at a circumferential part when viewed in an axial direction of the movable core.
US08355657B2 Development unit, for image forming apparatus
A development unit includes a toner carrying device, a regulating member, and a toner leak protection member. The toner carrying device having a first electrode and a second electrode arrayed with an interval. The first and second electrodes are supplied with a given voltage to set an electric field, changing in a time cycle, between the first and second electrodes. The electric field is used to hop toner over the toner carrying device to form a toner cloud for developing a latent image. The regulating member regulates an amount of toner on the toner carrying device. The toner leak protection member, made from a conductive material, prevents leakage of toner, and is supplied with a bias voltage.
US08355651B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a power interrupting structure and a cover opening and closing structure. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a first cover and a second cover to open and close the apparatus body, a switch configured to be turned on/off according to an opening and closing operation of the first cover, and a safety device, operatively connected to the second cover, to selectively restrict the switch from being turned on by the first cover.
US08355645B2 Image forming device for making quality adjustments based on calibration data, and method and computer readable medium therefor
An image forming device, configured to make image quality adjustment based on calibration data, includes a storage configured to store the calibration data for the image quality adjustment, an acquiring unit configured to acquire first image data, a converter configured to, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, convert the first image data acquired by the acquiring unit into second image data by placing, into the first image data, test pattern data for forming one or more test patterns, an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the second image data on an image-formed body thereof, a sensor configured to measure densities of the test patterns included in the image formed on the image-formed body, and a modifying unit configured to modify the calibration data stored on the storage based on the densities measured by the sensor.
US08355637B2 Optical OFDM receiver, optical transmission system, subcarrier separation circuit, and subcarrier separation method
A high-performance optical OFDM receiver is realized. A subcarrier separation circuit receives an optical OFDM signal consisting of two subcarriers A and B and separates a subcarrier component, signal light and first local oscillator light are input to the subcarrier separation circuit, the subcarrier separation circuit converts the signal light and the first local oscillator into a baseband electrical signal, the subcarrier separation circuit converts the baseband electrical signal into a digital signal, the subcarrier separation circuit shifts the frequency of the converted digital signal so that a center frequency of the subcarrier A becomes zero, and the subcarrier separation circuit adds a frequency shifted signal to a signal obtained by delaying the frequency shifted signal by ½ of a symbol time to separate a component of the subcarrier A.
US08355634B2 Optical network unit having automatic shutdown
An optical network unit useful in a passive optical network has capability for automatic shutdown upon detection of a malfunction, thereby protecting the integrity of upstream data transmitted in the network. The unit detects the generation of upstream light during intervals in which transmission is not authorized. In response, the light source of the unit is deactivated to prevent collisions with upstream data from other optical network units in the network.
US08355632B2 Transmission apparatus
In a transmission apparatus, unlike in the conventional transmission apparatus, a protection switch is not arranged on the signal path, but a TSI having only the basic function performs the function of the protection switch as a substitute, a processing unit to perform the switching function at a low rate is artificially constructed on a TSI, the switch process of SONET protection type is artificially executed by the TSI, and a signal for controlling the TSI function is further controlled thereby to realize the protection switch function. The logic of switching at the main signal rate in addition to the conventional TSI function is deleted.
US08355628B2 Compact camera module
The invention provides a compact camera module. The compact camera module includes an image sensing device, a set of optical elements, and a zooming device. The set of optical elements connects to the image sensing device, and comprises a lens set. The zooming device connects to the set of optical elements for adjusting a distance between the lens set and the image sensing device. The zooming device directly electrically joins with the image sensing device.
US08355624B2 Susceptor for heat treatment and heat treatment apparatus
A susceptor for holding a semiconductor wafer to be flash-heated by a flash of light emitted from flash lamps is formed of transparent quartz. The susceptor has a backside surface only which is roughened by shot blasting to provide a ground-glass-like surface. When a flash of light is emitted, part of the flash of light emitted from the flash lamps and passing by a peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer held by the susceptor into the susceptor reaches the ground-glass-like backside surface and is diffusely reflected therefrom. Part of the diffusely reflected light impinges on the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer held by the susceptor to thereby heat the low temperature regions which have appeared in the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer.
US08355622B2 Reproducing apparatus, reproducing system, reproducing method, and recording medium thereof
There are provided a reproducing apparatus, a reproducing system, a reproducing method, and a recording medium that prevent deterioration in a subjective appraisal value of an output frame. Therefore, in the case where when interpolation is impossible for a frame whose abnormality is confirmed among frames obtained by decoding image data, an already output frame is maintained until a normal frame can be output.
US08355612B2 Active alignment method for multi-channel optical transmitter and receiver, which has an optical signal generator with an optical multiplexer, which has an optical signal generator with an optical multiplexer
An active alignment method for a multi-channel optical transmitter and receiver is disclosed. The active alignment method for a multi-channel optical transmitter includes actively aligning an optical signal generator with an optical multiplexer based on optical outputs of a plurality of wavelengths from the optical signal generator and an optical output of the optical multiplexer, and actively aligning the optical multiplexer with a fiber optic coupler based on an optical output of the optical multiplexer and an optical output of the fiber optic coupler.
US08355611B2 Photonic crystal element
A waveguide stub is connected to a pillar-type square-lattice photonic crystal waveguide. Within the waveguide stub, the diameter of a defect is made larger than that of the original photonic crystal waveguide thereby reducing the group velocity of a guided light. The original waveguide and the waveguide stub are smoothly connected via a taper waveguide. Because of low group velocity of light in the waveguide stub, free spectral range (FSR) decreases thereby allowing the size of the waveguide stub to be reduced.
US08355603B2 Data converting apparatus and data converting method, learning device and learning method, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a data conversion apparatus and a learning device in which an image can be converted into a higher-quality image. A class-tap generating circuit (2) and a predictive-tap generating circuit (3) respectively generate from an SD image a class tap for classifying a specified pixel of an HD image and a predictive tap for determining the specified pixel. A classification circuit (4) classifies the specified pixel based on the class tap. A coefficient RAM (5) obtains a tap coefficient for the class of the specified pixel from tap coefficients obtained by using supervisor pixels and learner pixels and by learning the relationship between the supervisor pixels and the learner pixels for each of at least one class while applying weighting to the supervisor pixels and the learner pixels based on the activity of the predictive tap generated from the learner pixels. A predictive-computation circuit (6) determines the specified pixel by using the tap coefficient and the predictive tap.
US08355594B2 Information processing apparatus, line noise reduction processing method, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus performs first filter processing to combine pixels of an image along a predetermined direction. A line noise image is extracted by executing second filter processing for the processed image along a direction different from the predetermined direction. The extracted line noise image is subtracted from the image to acquire a line noise reduced image.
US08355592B1 Generating a modified image with semantic constraint
A computer-implemented method for generating a modified image includes initiating, in a computer device, a patch-based optimization algorithm for using a first image to generate a second image. The method includes identifying, in a computer device, a first feature of a first image. The identification corresponds to a constraint on the first feature for generating a second image, The constraint restricts at least one of location and geometric orientation in the second image of patches representing the first feature. The method includes identifying, using the computer device, contents for the second image by processing patches in the image in iterations of the patch-based optimization algorithm. The patch-based optimization complies with the constraint, The method includes generating the second image from the identified contents based on the iterations of the patch-based optimization algorithm. The second image includes a second feature generated to represent the first feature and complying with the constraint.
US08355591B2 Lossless compression process for interferograms
A process and apparatus for lossless data compression including the step of generating characteristic tables for predicted intensities as a function of radius values f(i,j)) on at least one type of preferred axes. Intensity signals of a detector matrix (I(i,j)) are used to implement the invention.
US08355589B2 Method and apparatus for field picture coding and decoding
A field picture coding/decoding apparatus and method is provided. The field picture coding method includes selecting a reference field with respect to an input image, generating a predictive image by deinterlacing with respect to the selected reference field, and performing predictive coding with respect to the input image using the predictive image.
US08355587B2 Image processing apparatus capable of writing compressed data into frame buffer and reading buffered data from frame buffer alternately and related image processing method thereof
An image processing apparatus includes a processing circuit and a storage system. The processing circuit generates a first processing result and a second processing result by processing a first horizontal line group of a first frame and a second horizontal line group of a second frame preceding the first frame, respectively. The storage system includes: a frame buffer; a write circuit for storing the first processing result into the frame buffer; a read circuit for reading the second processing result from the frame buffer; and a timing controller for controlling the write circuit to start storing the first processing result at a first time point not prior to a specific time point when the processing circuit finishes receiving the first horizontal line group, and controlling the read circuit to start reading the second processing result at a second time point which is prior to the specific time point.
US08355584B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus generates code data by connecting a plurality of first compressed codes output from one or more threads. The image processing apparatus includes a compressing unit that compresses image data by using the threads corresponding to divided compression processes; an identification-information attaching unit that attaches identification information to the first compressed codes thereby generating second compressed codes; and a code-data generating unit that generates code data including the second compressed codes.
US08355583B2 Image processing apparatus and apparatus for searching operator
An image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit configured to extract a feature amount from information recorded on a recording medium, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an identification image identifying an operator of the recording apparatus, a storage unit configured to store the feature amount and the identification image, wherein the identification image is associated with the feature amount, a search unit configured to compare a feature amount extracted from a predetermined medium by the extraction unit with the feature amount stored in the storage unit, wherein, based on a result of the comparison, the identification image associated with the stored feature amount is associated with the predetermined medium, and an output unit configured to output the identification image associated with the predetermined medium.
US08355579B2 Automatic extraction of planetary image features
A method for the extraction of Lunar data and/or planetary features is provided. The feature extraction method can include one or more image processing techniques, including, but not limited to, a watershed segmentation and/or the generalized Hough Transform. According to some embodiments, the feature extraction method can include extracting features, such as, small rocks. According to some embodiments, small rocks can be extracted by applying a watershed segmentation algorithm to the Canny gradient. According to some embodiments, applying a watershed segmentation algorithm to the Canny gradient can allow regions that appear as close contours in the gradient to be segmented.
US08355567B2 Method and apparatus for implementing moving image color appearance model for video quality ratings prediction
Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for predicting video quality through human vision perceptual color response and associated perceptual differences of video relative to a reference. Embodiments include a model of the human vision system developed as an extension to CIECAM02 to predict the macro-behavioral response to light stimuli with the following varying parameters, in addition to the parameters relevant to CIECAM02: spatial frequency, temporal frequency, angular extent, temporal extent, and surround.
US08355557B2 System and method for decomposed temporal filtering for X-ray guided intervention application
A method for temporally filtering medical images during a fluoroscopy guided intervention procedure includes providing a mask image, a fluoroscopy intervention image acquired at a current time during a medical intervention procedure, forming a subtraction image by subtracting the mask image from the intervention image, calculating a motion image of a moving structure in the subtraction image, forming a residual image by subtracting the motion image from the subtraction image, temporally filtering the residual image with a filtered image from a previous time, and adding the motion image to the temporally filtered residual image.
US08355548B2 Load independent index of diastolic function
Methods and related apparatus and systems for determining a load-independent index of diastolic function in the heart are described.
US08355545B2 Biometric detection using spatial, temporal, and/or spectral techniques
A biometric feature detection system is provided according to one embodiment. The system may include a target, an illumination source, a color filter array, a light detector, and a computational unit. The illumination source illuminates a portion of the target with monochromatic light at a large angle of incidence measured from the normal of the target surface. The light detector may be configured to receive light from the target through the color-filter array and provide an image of the target surface. Each pixel of the light detector may correspond to one of a plurality of color filter mosaics such that each pixel detects light associated with a corresponding color filter. The computational unit may be interfaced with at least the light detector. The computational unit may include instructions to monitor the levels of monochromatic light and make proximity, presence and segmentation determinations based on the detected levels of monochromatic light.
US08355544B2 Method, apparatus, and system for automatic retinal image analysis
Disclosed embodiments include a method for retinal image analysis implemented in a medical system with one or more processors comprising the method steps of: (a) locating an optical disk on the retinal images and establishing a plurality of circumferences centered at the disk; (b) detecting a plurality of vessels within a region defined by said circumferences' radii using a crease-based algorithm; (c) extracting a plurality of vessel segments based on a deformable models (snakes) algorithm; and d) automatically classifying the vessels and computing clinical parameters.
US08355540B2 Detector and method for identifying a road lane boundary
A detector for identifying a road lane boundary using a digitalized optical image of the region in front of the vehicle. The detector includes a correlator configured to select the edges which are to be used for road lane estimation by searching for extreme values of convolution response, and to weight each convolution response by a weighting factor. A histogram analysis unit configured to group the extracted edges into pairs, and to determine a frequency distribution of the distances between two paired edges as a histogram, and to use said frequency distribution to determine the distances between two grouped edges forming a frequency peak or a frequency plateau in the histogram as nominal edge widths. A weighting factor determination unit configured to determine, for an edge, the weighting factor of the convolution response in the correlator in such a manner that the weight determined by the weighting factor for an edge of the paired edges is higher the smaller the deviation of the distance between the grouped edges from the nominal edge width.
US08355536B2 Passive electro-optical tracker
A passive electro-optical tracker uses a two-band IR intensity ratio to discriminate high-speed projectiles and obtain a speed estimate from their temperature, as well as determining the trajectory back to the source of fire. In an omnidirectional system a hemispheric imager with an MWIR spectrum splitter forms two CCD images of the environment. Three methods are given to determine the azimuth and range of a projectile, one for clear atmospheric conditions and two for nonhomogeneous atmospheric conditions. The first approach uses the relative intensity of the image of the projectile on the pixels of a CCD camera to determine the azimuthal angle of trajectory with respect to the ground, and its range. The second calculates this angle using a different algorithm. The third uses a least squares optimization over multiple frames based on a triangle representation of the smeared image to yield a real-time trajectory estimate.
US08355534B2 Digital processing method and system for determination of optical flow
A method and system for determining an optical flow field between a pair of images is disclosed. Each of the pair of images is decomposed into image pyramids using a non-octave pyramid factor. The pair of decomposed images is transformed at a first pyramid scale to second derivative representations under an assumption that a brightness gradient of pixels in the pair of decomposed images is constant. Discrete-time derivatives of the second derivative image representations are estimated. An optical flow estimation process is applied to the discrete-time derivatives to produce a raw optical flow field. The raw optical flow field is scaled by the non-octave pyramid factor. The above-cited steps are repeated for the pair of images at another pyramid scale until all pyramid scales have been visited to produce a final optical flow field, wherein spatiotemporal gradient estimations are warped by a previous raw optical flow estimation.
US08355529B2 Motion capture apparatus and method, and motion capture program
A motion capture apparatus includes: generating means; predicting means; projecting means; evaluating means; and estimating means. The generating means generates a kinematics model having joints connected to one another. The predicting means hierarchically calculates predicted positions at a current time of the joints of the objective person, and predicts three-dimensional positions and postures of the joints and the limbs. The projecting means projects the three-dimensional positions and postures of the joints and the limbs of the objective person on a two-dimensional image plane, the three-dimensional positions and the postures being predicted by predicting means. The evaluating means evaluates reliability about projection positions projected by the projecting means based on the observation image of the objective person. The estimating means estimates the three-dimensional positions and postures of the joints and the limbs of the objective person at the current time based on an evaluation result about the reliability.
US08355523B2 Speaker
A damper, which is an element of a speaker and suppresses the rolling of a voice coil unit, includes a corrugated structure portion at its inner periphery and a leaf spring at its outer periphery. By coupling the corrugated structure portion to the voice coil unit and coupling the leaf spring to the frame, the distortion of a speaker can be reduced and the driving efficiency can be improved.
US08355514B2 Audio encoding to convey auxiliary information, and media embodying same
Methods of processing audio to convey auxiliary information hidden therein are provided. Various arrangements are disclosed. One alters data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information. The altering is based on a carrier signal and corresponding to the sequence of bits, and is based on a perceptibility threshold that varies within the data representing audio. Other arrangements are provided as well.
US08355497B2 Provision of telecommunication services
An apparatus (100) suitable for providing telecommunication and data services in a telecommunications network to a plurality of subscribers, comprising a first distribution matrix (104), a crossover matrix (108) and a second distribution matrix (106). Said crossover matrix (108) is adapted to be connected to a main cable (130) and to a distribution cable (120). The apparatus further comprises a DSLAM unit (112) and crossover switching elements in said crossover matrix (108) and distribution switching elements in said distribution matrices (104, 106) are controlled from a remote location. The apparatus is adapted to add data services to a subscriber line by switching the subscriber line from the crossover matrix (108) to the first distribution matrix (104) and then via splitter (110) to the second distribution matrix (106) and back to the crossover matrix (108), wherein the splitter (110) is adapted to receive data signal from the DSLAM unit (112).
US08355491B1 Intelligent do not disturb rule
Methods and apparatus for allowing parties to temporarily and automatically bypass an established “do not disturb” (DND) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes applying a DND with respect to a telephone apparatus associated with a telephone number for a first party, and obtaining a first indication of a first new attempt by the first party to establish contact with a second party. The method also includes maintaining a second indication which indicates that a first attempted call from the second party to the telephone number is a response to the first new attempt. It is determined if the first attempted call from second party to establish contact with the first party occurs. If the first attempted call is made, the method includes routing the first attempted call from the second party to the telephone apparatus such that the DND is effectively bypassed.
US08355489B2 Teleconference scheduling and activity reporting method
A teleconference system that monitors the activity levels of one or more attendees of a teleconference and, based on that monitoring, provides information about attendees who are active participants and attendees who are passive listeners. The information includes evaluative feedback or a conference roster that is ordered based on the activity levels of the attendees, or both. Furthermore, the teleconference system takes into account that the potential invitees to a teleconference being scheduled can be different from one another in terms of their importance to a teleconference being scheduled, or in terms of the relevance of the teleconference to those invitees. The system is also able to consider the activity levels that are reported for a teleconference in progress when the system schedules a new teleconference.
US08355482B2 Radiotherapy apparatus
It is desirable to achieve a co-incident investigative kV source for a therapeutic MV source—a so-called “beams-eye-view” source. It has been suggested that bremsstrahlung radiation from an electron window be employed; we propose a practical structure for achieving this which can switch easily between a therapeutic beam and a beam-eye-view diagnostic beam capable of offering good image resolution. Such a radiation source comprises an electron gun, a pair of targets locatable in the path of a beam produced by the electron gun, one target of the pair being of a material with a lower atomic number than the other, and an electron absorber insertable into and withdrawable from the path of the beam. In a preferred form, the electron gun is within a vacuum chamber, and the pair of targets are located at a boundary of the vacuum chamber. The lower atomic number target can be Nickel and the higher atomic number target Copper and/or Tungsten. The electron absorber can be Carbon, and can be located within the primary collimator, or within one of a plurality of primary collimators interchangeably locatable in the path of the beam. Such a radiation source can be included within a radiotherapy apparatus, to which the present invention further relates. A flat panel imaging device for this source can be optimised for low energy x-rays rather than high energy; Caesium Iodide-based panels are therefore suitable.
US08355474B2 Apparatus and method for interference cancellation in multiple-antenna communication system
An apparatus and method for interference cancellation in multiple-antenna communication system is disclosed. Accordingly, a receiver of a multiple-antenna communication system cancels interference by selecting either a multiple-symbol processing scheme or a single-symbol processing scheme depending on a signal type, thereby improving performance of the communication system.
US08355472B2 Frequency deviation error compensation in an MLSE receiver
A method is described to compensate for deviation error in a H-CPM sync or data burst received by a MLSE receiver in a communication device. The deviation error is estimated and matched filter coefficients are adjusted using the estimated deviation error. Metrics are determined for the current state using the adjusted matched filter coefficients. The state having the minimum metric is determined to be the most likely current state. The most likely previous state is similarly determined. The burst is reconstructed backward from the last state to the initial state. The metric is the squared magnitude of the difference between the channel estimate multiplied by the matched filter coefficient associated with one of the possible states and the current state. Timing and frequency errors are compensated for before estimation and correction of the deviation error. Pilot or sync symbols are used in estimating the deviation error.
US08355471B2 Joint demodulation and interference suppression using serial localization with indecision
A receiver includes a constellation processing module and a multi-stage demodulator having a plurality of non-final demodulation stages and a final demodulation stage. The constellation processing module derives a set of centroid-based values from subsets of constellation points associated with a plurality of transmitted signals for input to each of the non-final demodulation stages. Each of the non-final demodulation stages demodulates a group of signals input to the non-final demodulation stage using the set of centroid-based values as constellation points and suppresses residual interference associated with using the set of centroid-based values as constellation points for signal demodulation. The final demodulation stage demodulates a group of modified signals input to the final demodulation stage using the subset of constellation points input to the final demodulation stage to determine a final symbol decision for the plurality of transmitted signals.
US08355464B2 Method for generating and transmitting downlink frame
A downlink frame generation device arrange a plurality of synchronization channel symbols and a plurality of broad-casting channel symbols in a common bandwidth of a system so that the symbols may neighbor each other on the time axis. The downlink frame generation device applies a precoding vector to the synchronization channel symbols and the broadcasting channel symbols to generate a plurality of downlink frames corresponding to a plurality of antennas. The precoding vector is variable by a sector for transmitting a plurality of downlink frames and a subframe in which a plurality of synchronization channel symbols are positioned. The precoding vector is independent of an index of a subcarrier.
US08355463B2 Radio transmission device and modulation method
A radio transmission device includes a modulation unit that maps a transmission bit sequence to a symbol corresponding to any one signal point by using a constellation in which a plurality of congruent equilateral triangles having a signal point as an apex are formed in each of four quadrants of an IQ plane representing an in-phase component and a quadrature component of a signal, two arbitrary neighboring equilateral triangles share one side, and signal points closest to an original point in the four quadrants form two neighboring equilateral triangles that share one side. The radio transmission device also includes a transmission unit that transmits the symbol obtained by mapping performed by the modulation unit.
US08355460B2 Radio transmitter system and method
A radio transmitter system responsive to a binary signal drives a narrow bandwidth VLF or LF antenna. A generator derives a first variable frequency wave frequency coded based on bit values of a binary signal. An arbitrary impulse response signal processor responsive to the first wave derives a first output signal having real and imaginary components representing the shape of a modulating wave having a variable amplitude envelope and the frequency of the coded values. A transmitter responsive to the processor output signal and a VLF or LF carrier supplies the antenna with another output signal including a modulation wave having a shape that is a substantial replica of the modulating wave shape. The processor causes the signal emitted by the antenna system to include modulation having a shape that is substantially the shape of the first wave.
US08355452B2 Selective frame dropping for initial buffer delay reduction
The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, devices, and systems adapted to reduce initial buffering delay encountered at the client side by selectively dropping content elements of a source content within a drop interval prior to transmission to a client or receiver. The drop interval associated with the initial buffering delay value at the client.
US08355449B2 System and method for intra refresh implementation with pseudo random number generation
The present invention includes a method and system for encoding video data by accessing a picture to be encoded, wherein the picture comprises a plurality of macro-blocks. A plurality of programmable counters are associated with each macro-block to be encoded. A counter associated with a macro-block of the plurality of macro-blocks is accessed and a value of the counter is determined. The method further includes determining whether to encode the macro-block as an Intra or non-Intra based on the value of the counter. If the macro-block is encoded as Intra, its counter is reset. If the macro-block is encoded as non-Intra, its counter value is updated. The counter value may be reset with a random number. Counters can be programmed such that a region of interest is defined for updating associated macro-blocks with greater frequency.
US08355448B2 Carriage of SEI messages in RTP payload format
A system and method of modifying error resiliency features by conveying temporal level 0 picture indices, such as tl0_pic_idx, within an SEI message instead of optionally including them in the NAL unit header is provided. In addition, a mechanism is provided for enabling repetition of any SEI messages in Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets. Enabling such repetition of any SEI messages facilitates detection of lost temporal level 0 pictures on the basis of any received packet.
US08355446B2 Temporal vector processing device and method for motion estimation
A temporal vector processing device includes a motion vector estimation device for performing a motion estimation on a first pixel to generate a first motion vector. A motion vector compensation device performs a motion vector compensation on the first pixel based on the first motion vector to obtain a second pixel. A buffer temporarily stores motion vectors of the pixels of the image. A motion vector determination device determines whether a second motion vector is stored in the buffer at a corresponding storage location of the second pixel. In determining that the second motion vector is stored in the buffer at the corresponding storage location of the second pixel, the corresponding storage location of the second pixel in the buffer is updated based on a determination mechanism, and otherwise the first motion vector is directly stored in the buffer at the corresponding storage location of the second pixel.
US08355439B2 Transcoder and imaging apparatus for converting an encoding system of video signal
The time required to transcode an encoded image signal to an image signal encoded by a different encoding method is reduced.Disclosed herein is a transcoder comprising: picture selector 4 which extracts specific types of pictures (I- and P-pictures) from a first image signal (MPEG2 stream) and generates a subset of the first image signal; a first decoder 5 which decodes the subset image signal; and a first encoder 7 which encodes the decoded image signal to a second image signal (MPEG4 stream). The picture selector 4 uses the extracted pictures to generate the subset image signal with a reduced effective length.
US08355434B2 Digital video line-by-line dynamic rate adaptation
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compressing video data for wireless transmission. The invention continually monitors the output of a video data encoder and maintains a running average for the data output rate over multiple lines of video data. The encoder compresses video data on a line-by-line basis. The invention also monitors the occupancy of the data buffer and as well as the performance of the wireless subsystem to determine real time available channel capacity. If the average data rate exceeds the available channel capacity, the invention increases data compression on subsequent lines of video data until the average data rate falls within the channel capacity. If the average data output rate is less than the channel capacity, the invention reduces data compression on subsequent lines of video data until the average data rate increases to match the channel capacity.
US08355428B2 Data receiving device
A data receiving device, for receiving digital data via a differential signal transmission path made up of two or more channels including one channel of a reference clock, includes a digital data receiver configured to receive various data channel signals transmitted from the transmitter side to the differential signal transmission path, a reference clock receiver configured to receive a reference clock transmitted from the transmitter side to the differential signal transmission path, and a transmission loss rate determining unit configured to determine between degree of magnitudes of transmission loss with the reference clock, based on waveform deterioration resulting from the reference clock receiving at the reference clock receiving unit having passed through the differential signal transmission path.
US08355420B2 Light-emitting device and manufacturing method therof
Provides is a semiconductor light-emitting device. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a first conduction-type cladding layer, an active layer, and a second conduction-type cladding layer, on a substrate. Portions of the substrate and the first conduction-type cladding layer are removed. According to the light-emitting device having the above-construction, damage to a grown epitaxial layer is reduced, and a size of an active layer increases, so that a light-emission efficiency increases. Even when a size of a light-emitting device is small, a short-circuit occurring between electrodes can be prevented. Further, brightness and reliability of the light-emitting device are improved.
US08355419B2 Semiconductor optoelectronic device with improved beam quality
A tilted wave semiconductor diode laser containing additional structural elements that improve beam quality is provided. The tilted wave laser includes a narrow active waveguide coupled to a broad passive waveguide, and light generated in the active waveguide leaks to the broad waveguide and propagates in it in the form of a tilted optical wave. The device emits laser light coming out from the broad waveguide in the form of one or two narrow beams. The additional structural elements may include grooves intersecting the narrow waveguide and a stripe that suppress undesired emission from the narrow waveguide; grooves that extend parallel to the stripe that suppress parasitic lateral optical modes; unpumped sections of the stripe that suppress light emission from the narrow waveguide; and facet coatings having distinct reflectance for the light in the narrow and in the broad waveguides thus suppressing emission of light from the narrow waveguide.
US08355416B2 Wavelength stabilized multi-transverse optical mode laser diodes
A multi-transverse-optical-mode heterojunction diode laser characterized by wavelength control of its output. The wavelength control or the control of multi-transverse-optical-modes may be achieved by, for example, selectively etching a layer to partially remove it and possibly followed by epitaxial regrowth, or by selectively converting a layer to an insulating material of a different refractive index, or by selectively modifying the optical properties of a layer by ion implantation, or by selectively modifying the optical properties of a layer by impurity-induced vacancy disordering.
US08355412B2 Method and system for power saving in asynchronous communication system
A method for transmitting data from a second device to a first device in a communication system including at least two devices that enter a sleep mode and a wake-up mode in an alternative manner. The first device of which state is changed from the sleep mode to the wake-up mode broadcasts a message containing state change information to adjacent devices. The second device that receives the message containing the state change information informs the first device of the presence of data to be transmitted. The first device that is informed of the data to be transmitted sends a message permitting the data transfer. The second device upon receiving the message transmits the data to the first device.
US08355411B2 Method and arrangement for handover in a radio access network
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for handling a handover in a more efficient way. The invention relates to a method in a mobility controller (180) in a radio access network for preparing a handover. The method comprises the following steps to be taken during data transmission between a mobile terminal (140) and a source base station (120), before the handover: Sending a request to a candidate base station (122), which request aims at measuring and reporting timing alignment to be used by the mobile terminal (140) when communicating with the destination base station (122) after the handover, if the candidate base station becomes the destination base station (122) after the handover; receiving a report from the destination base station (122) comprising said requested timing alignment; and when the destination base station (122) is selected among the at least one candidate base stations, sending a message to the mobile terminal (140) to use said timing alignment received from the destination base station (122) when communicating with the destination base station (122) after the handover.
US08355410B2 Location-based mobile gaming application and method for implementing the same using a scalable tiered geocast protocol
A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.
US08355408B2 System with distributed analogue resources
The present disclosure relates to a system comprising at least a first and a second essentially analogue portion and an essentially digital portion, the analogue portions forming a part of a unidirectional circular network. First communication means is provided between the digital portion and the first analogue portion. Second communication means is provided between the first and second analogue portions. The first and second communication means are configurable for establishing communication between the digital portion and the second analogue portion. The first and second communication means are arranged to determine if a packet communicated over the first or second communication means is of interest for any of the analogue portions.
US08355406B1 Setting signal-power thresholds on nodes in a communications network
Systems and media for setting signal-power-received threshold values on nodes of a communications network. A segment on a route of a communications network transmission route is identified. A number of spans in the segment and a number of channels transmitted over a segment is determined. Based on design specifications, a signal-power-received threshold value is calculated. The signal-power-received threshold value may be adjusted to accommodate for segment performance. The signal-power-received threshold value is communicated to and set on one or more nodes on the segment.
US08355399B1 Communication method and system for a traffic shaper network
A network having traffic shapers or controllers to convey packets between a sender and receiver over first and second channels of a network. A compression and decompression module associated with the sending traffic shaper or controller compresses, marks, and forwards packets to the receiver over the second channel when the packet is compressible, as determined by size reduction. A compression and decompression module associated with the receiving traffic shaper identifies marked data packets sent over the second channel and, in response thereto, decompresses and forwards the packets to the receiver.
US08355395B2 Controlling registration floods in VoIP networks via DNS
A mechanism controls global synchronization, or registration floods, that may result when a large number of endpoints in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network such as an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) come online simultaneously after a catastrophic failure. The mechanism allows the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure to efficiently control the overload condition by registering user end points with backup border elements, and by staggering and by randomizing the time-to-live (TTL) parameter in registrations with backup border elements.
US08355393B1 Method and apparatus to process a call request by establishing calls among devices
A communication system includes a packet-based data network coupled to various network entities. The communications system includes a community that has a call processing system and various other devices, such as an integrated voice response (IVR) system and plural agent systems. The call processing system includes a combination of logical entities that perform call processing tasks. As an example, the logical entities may include a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxy, a SIP client, and a SIP server. In response to a call request from outside the community, the call processing system, under control of the server, sends back responses to the originating system. The call processing system also establishes a call with a network element inside the community, such as the IVR system. The IVR system is capable of receiving input data from the originating system. Based on the received input data, the call processing system can reconnect or forward the call to one of the agent systems.
US08355384B2 System and method of handover in wireless network
A method of handover in a wireless network includes in response to a request for data from a user equipment connected to a first access point in the plurality of access points, determining whether the first access point is storing the requested data and if the first access point is storing the requested data, then serving the user equipment with the first access point, if it is determined that the first access point is not storing the requested data, then determining whether a second access point in the plurality of access points is storing the requested data, and if it is determined that the second access point is storing the requested data, then initiating a handover of the user equipment to the second access point.
US08355383B2 Method, system and devices for supporting handover in mobile communication networks
Handover of a mobile station (MS) from a serving base station (BS) to a target base station in a mobile communication system supporting both MS-initiated handover and BS-initiated handover, is coordinated by ensuring that, both in the case of BS-initiated handover and in the case of MS-initiated handover: the mobile station (MS) and the base station (BS) share information, either via a MO_BSHO-REQ message sent from the BS to the MS in the case of BS-initiated HO or via a MO_MSHO-RETQ message sent from the MS to the BS in the case of MS-initiated HO, indicating a target base station for the mobile station (MS) to attempt handover; and the mobile station (MS) sends an information message (M0B_H0-IND) indicating the base station to which handover was attempted.
US08355379B2 Handover between radio networks
A communication system (100) comprises a core network (109) for routing data to and from radio networks. A first radio network supports a first air interface standard (e.g. UMTS) and comprises a first controller, such as an RNC (107), which can receive a handover preference message from the core network (109) and which can determine a handover in response to the handover preference message. The second radio network supporting a second air interface standard (e.g. GSM) and comprises a second controller, such as a BSC 111, which can receive the handover preference message from the core network (109) and which can determine a handover in response to the handover preference message. An interlayer handover controller sets a handover preference indication such that the first controller biases handover decisions towards a remote station being supported by the first radio network and the second controller biases handover decisions towards the remote station being supported by the second radio network.
US08355374B2 Method for signaling uplink system configuration information
A method for transmitting system configuration information about uplink multiplexing of a 16m mobile station (MS) and a 16e MS is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting the system configuration information every super frame comprised of a plurality of radio frames. The system configuration information comprises an uplink configuration of time division multiplexing (TDM) and frequency division multiplexing (FDM) of the 16m MS and the 16m MS for each of the plurality of radio frames.
US08355361B2 Control of network relay device to reduce standby power consumption
The Ethernet converter includes a LAN switch, an RF device and an antenna, a wired device monitoring module, and an RF device controller. The RF device and the antenna carry out communication with wireless network devices. The wired device monitoring module monitors the operation state of the wired network devices via the LAN switch. The RF device controller controls the operation of the RF device on the basis of the operating state of the wired network devices. If the result of monitoring is that the wired network devices are not operating, the RF device controller stops the operation of the RF device so that power consumption by the RF device is less than when the wired network devices are operating.
US08355359B2 Secondary payload interface
A secondary payload interface for payload communications using a primary payload communications channel is provided. The secondary payload interface may include a plurality of input/output couplers which may connect the primary payload communications channel to a secondary payload. The plurality of input/output couplers may establish an isolated secondary payload communications channel within the primary payload communications channel. The secondary payload interface may be designed such that control and telemetry interactions with the operators of the communications satellite are limited.
US08355355B2 Method and apparatus for multicast group management
It provides a method for multicast group management. The apparatus determines a request for joining a multicast service derived during establishment of a connection for carrying multicast service between a first device and a second device, and it sends a message indicative of joining said multicast service based on the request for joining if the multicast service is not available in said network device. As a consequence, it reduces the messages exchanged in unreliable wireless connection so as to reduce the probability of service interruption.
US08355349B2 Voice-over-IP enabled chat
A network-based system and method for providing anonymous voice communications using the telephone network and data communications links under the direction of a Call Broker and associated network elements. A user (the call initiator) present in a text chat room session establishes a data connection to Call Broker and, after qualifying for access (e.g., using credit card information) and providing a callback number, receives voice session information and participant access codes for each desired participant in a voice call. The initiator causes session information and participant codes to be passed to one or more selected chat participants in the current text chat room. When a selected participant uses the received session information, and enters the received participant code and a callback number, the Call Broker in cooperation with a Network Adjunct Processor (NAP) completes voice links to the initiator and the selected participant(s).
US08355344B1 Storage area network edge-core interswitch link optimization
Systems and methods for configuring a network are disclosed that comprise creating a list of functional elements of the network, determining the operational requirements of the functional elements, and determining an acceptable over subscription rate of the functional elements. These systems and methods may also comprise creating a list of interconnecting switches required to connect the functional elements, configuring the interconnecting elements, creating a list of core elements required to connect the interconnecting elements, and configuring the core elements.
US08355342B2 Video quality estimation apparatus, method, and program
A packet loss frequency calculation unit (102) which counts, from an extracted packet loss pattern, packet losses generated in a predetermined interval representing the interval of a plurality of continuous IP packets as a packet loss of one time, thereby calculating the value as a packet loss frequency. The packet loss frequency calculation unit (102) also calculates a burst packet loss length representing the number of continuously lost packets from the packet loss pattern. An average burst packet loss length within a quality estimation interval is calculated from the burst packet loss length. A packet loss variation index calculation unit (106) derives a packet loss variation index from the average burst packet loss length. On the other hand, an encoding quality calculation unit (103) calculates an encoded video quality value based on the extracted encoding bit rate and frame rate. A video quality estimation unit (104) calculates a video quality value based on the encoded video quality value, packet loss frequency, and packet loss variation index. This allows to properly estimate the quality of a video in which a burst packet loss has occurred.
US08355333B2 Methods and systems for session initiation protocol control of network equipment
A network method utilizing Session Initiation Protocol to establish a network path between network elements in a network includes generating a request for a network service in Session Initiation Protocol, wherein the request is one of manually and automatically configured, and wherein the request is directed to the network; obtaining network resources responsive to the request, wherein the network resources comprise network parameters required to obtain and provision the network path; and configuring the network resources responsive to the request. The network includes a plurality of network elements operable to receive Session Initiation Protocol requests. Optionally, the plurality of network elements include a plurality of optical network elements, wherein the network route includes wavelengths between a first and second optical network element in the network. The network parameters include one or more of available wavelengths, available bandwidth, available regeneration points, available circuits, intermediate network elements, and combinations thereof.
US08355331B2 Method for transmitting PDCP status report
A method of transmitting PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) status reports, is performed by a mobile terminal by receiving, from an upper layer, a request for PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) re-establishment; detecting whether there are any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs (service data units) stored; and if there is at least one out-of-sequence PDCP SDU stored, allocating a bitmap field of length in bits equal to the number of PDCP SNs from and not including the first out-of-sequence PDCP SDU up to and including a last out-of-sequence PDCP SDU.
US08355319B2 Multicast dual join for ring network topologies
A network node includes a primary incoming interface, a secondary incoming interface and a data flow control unit. The primary incoming interface is operable to receive traffic associated with a particular source and multicast group. The secondary incoming interface is operable to serve as a backup interface if the primary incoming interface or a transmission path coupled to the primary incoming interface is inoperative. The data flow control unit is operable to determine whether the network node is part of a ring topology and if so, forward traffic received on the primary incoming interface associated with the source and multicast group to both a host which joined the multicast group and the secondary incoming interface and forward traffic received on the secondary incoming interface associated with the source and multicast group to the primary incoming interface.
US08355310B2 Optical information recording method
To solve the problem of deterioration in recording quality due to a change of a write waveform caused by changes of temperature and recording powers, aged deterioration and the like. A driver having a function of controlling rise/fall times and an overshoot amount of an optical waveform is used to optimize an optical waveform that changes in recording under the influence of a component of a laser and the like. Specifically, the rise/fall times and the overshoot amount of the optical waveform are optimized by obtaining a waveform control register value from test recording or a table.
US08355305B1 System and method for initialization of media asset modules for improved execution sequence on a playback environment
There is provided a system and method for initialization of media asset modules for an improved execution sequence on a playback environment. The system includes a player application configured to segment media assets associated with a primary media content into a plurality of asset modules, assemble the plurality of asset modules into a media file, identify a first subset of asset modules from the plurality of asset modules for loading in a first loading process, determine a loading sequence for the first subset of asset modules, and load the first subset of asset modules according to the loading sequence before beginning playback of the primary media content. The player application may be further configured to identify, determine another loading sequence for, and load additional asset modules after playback of the primary media content has begun.
US08355299B2 Heat-assisted magnetic recording head with convergent lens
A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole, a waveguide that allows light to propagate therethrough, a near-field light generating element that generates near-field light based on the light propagating through the waveguide, a convergent lens, and a laser diode disposed above the waveguide. The convergent lens transmits light that is emitted from the laser diode, so that the light transmitted through the convergent lens is incident on the waveguide.
US08355295B1 Underwater mobile sensing/communications node and network of such nodes
An underwater sensing and communications node includes an underwater vehicle, target sensing capability mounted on a forward portion of the underwater vehicle, at least three passive acoustic sensors evenly distributed about a first circumferential region of the underwater vehicle, and at least three transceiving hydrophones evenly distributed about a second circumferential region of the underwater vehicle. A controller governs collection of sensed data and transmission of the sensed data into the underwater environment.
US08355291B2 Resistive memory device and method of controlling refresh operation of resistive memory device
A resistive memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory units. The memory device performs a refresh read operation to check a condition of each of the memory units. Then, it determines whether to refresh each memory unit based on data read by performing the refresh read operation, and refreshes the memory unit according to a result of the determination. The refresh read operation uses a reference resistance with a smaller margin from a resistance distribution than a normal read operation.
US08355288B2 Semiconductor memory device with temperature sensing device capable of minimizing power consumption in refresh
A semiconductor memory device capable of measuring a temperature without the influence of noise includes a temperature sensing device for sensing a current temperature in response to a control signal, wherein the semiconductor memory device enters a power save mode for a predetermined time starting from an activation of the control signal and wherein the power save mode has substantially no power consumption. A method for driving a semiconductor memory device in accordance with the present invention includes sensing a current temperature in response to a control signal and entering a power save mode for a predetermined time starting from an activation of the control signal, wherein the power save mode has substantially no power consumption.
US08355278B2 Reducing effects of program disturb in a memory device
The programming disturb effects in a semiconductor non-volatile memory device can be mitigated by biasing unselected memory cells with a negative voltage while a well containing the memory cells receives a positive voltage. A selected memory cell in the well can be biased with a negative voltage while the well is at the positive voltage then the selected memory cell bias transitions to a positive programming voltage when the well returns to a ground potential.
US08355266B2 Apparatus and method for sensing of isolated output
A controller for use in a power converter includes a control circuit to be coupled to a current controller coupled to an energy transfer element. A first, second or third current is enabled in the current controller in response to the control circuit. The first current is substantially zero, the second current is greater than the third current, and the third current is greater than the first current. The third current only partially discharges a capacitance coupled to a terminal coupled between the energy transfer element and the current controller. A first feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit generates a first feedback signal after a full discharge pulse of current through the current controller. A second feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit generates a second feedback signal after a partial discharge pulse of current through the current controller.
US08355259B2 Demountable dry connection for flexible circuits to circuit boards
Substrates are connected by demountable coupling by connecting an electronic module to a substrate. An electronic module and a substrate carrying electrical and/or optical circuits are provided. A connector electrical circuit is connected between the substrate and the electronic module. The connector electrical circuit is electrically demountable dry connected to the electronic module.
US08355252B2 Server rack and electronic system incorporating the same
An exemplary server rack includes a box adapted for receiving a plurality of servers therein, a plurality of pivoting members pivotally connected to the box; and a plurality of covers fixed to the pivoting members respectively. The box includes a front board and a back board opposite to the front board. The front board and the back board both define a plurality of though holes adapted for airflow to pass therethrough. Each cover is operable to pivot relative to the box via the corresponding pivoting member, and thereby cover some of the through holes of the front board of the box.
US08355238B2 Ion generator and heat dissipation device using the same
An ion generator to generate ion flow to ventilate heat comprises an emitter, a receiver and a power supply. The emitter comprises a needle electrode having one needle shaped tip configured as a discharging portion. The receiver comprises a plurality of flow channels for airflow and at least one receiving portion. The at least one receiving portion comprises a line edge arranged around a concave spherical surface, and the discharging portion is at a substantial center of the concave spherical surface. The power supply provides a voltage potential difference between the discharging portion of the emitter and the receiving portions of the receiver.
US08355223B2 Magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus
The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium that has sufficient recording/reproducing characteristics and good write characteristics and can correspond to high recording density, and a method of manufacturing the same. A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a plurality of magnetic recording patterns 2 that is magnetically separated from each other. Each of the magnetic recording patterns 2 includes a low-coercivity region 2a and a high-coercivity region 2b having a coercivity higher than the low-coercivity region, and the high-coercivity region 2b is arranged at the center of the low-coercivity region 2a in a plan view.
US08355218B2 Optical element position adjusting mechanism and optical element position adjusting method, exposure apparatus using same, and device manufacturing method
The optical element position adjusting mechanism includes a holding member for holding an outer periphery of an optical element, a fixing portion for pivotally fixing the holding member to adjust the position of the optical element, a clamping portion capable of fixing or releasing the holding member against the fixing portion, a driving section for driving the holding member fixed to the fixing portion by the clamping portion in a pivot direction, and a flexure that is interposed between the clamping portion and the holding member and elastically deforms to guide the holding member driven by the driving section in the pivot direction about the clamping portion. The holding member positioned by the pivot is released from the fixing portion by the clamping portion to restore the flexure to the state prior to being elastically deformed, whereby it is again fixed to the fixing portion by the clamping portion.
US08355216B2 Image pickup module and image forming lens for the same
An image forming lens includes a lens element having a flange part that is integral with the lens element. When assembled with an image pickup element to form an image pickup module, an outside perimeter portion of the lens element having a flange part, at a region nearest an image pickup element, is inclined so that outer diameters thereof increase when successively measured at positions nearer to the image pickup element. A frame of the image forming lens according to the invention has an inclined portion on the object side with an outer diameter that becomes smaller when successively measured nearer the object side. Satisfying one or more conditions insures accuracy in assembly and that there will be sufficient room near the object side outside the inclined portion to mount a light source, such as an LED, without having to increase the maximum outer diameter of the image pickup module.
US08355215B2 Image pickup lens and image pickup apparatus
Disclosed is an image pickup lens having the following disposed from an object side in the order listed below: a first lens having a negative power and a meniscus shape with a concave surface on an image side; a second lens having a positive power; a third lens having a negative power; a fourth lens having a positive power; a fifth lens having a positive power; and a sixth lens having a negative power and a meniscus shape with a concave surface on the object side. The image pickup lens satisfies Conditional Expression (1) given below when a focal length of the first lens is taken as f1 and a focal length of the second lens is taken as f2 −3.0
US08355214B2 Light collection apparatus, system and method
An optical collector is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.
US08355212B2 Lens unit and image sensing apparatus incorporated with the same
In a lens unit 1, and an image sensing apparatus 15 incorporated with the lens unit 1 of the invention, a fixed cylinder 2 is formed with an oblong hole 21 extending in an optical axis direction in a lateral surface of the fixed cylinder 2. A driving force from a driving member such as a motor 12 is transmitted to a gear portion formed on an outer periphery of a cam cylinder 3 by a major axis gear 10 received in the oblong hole 21. Thereby, the cam cylinder 3 is rotated, and a lens holding frame is driven in the optical axis direction for a zoom operation. A pressing member 13 for pressing the major axis gear 10 in the optical axis direction during the zoom operation is provided at an end surface of the major axis gear 10.
US08355211B2 Optical lens systems
Optical lens attachments and cameras are disclosed. The attachment comprises a coupling mechanism for mating engagement with at least one of a camera and an optical lens. A barrel is coupled at one end to the coupling mechanism. A negative lens unit is coupled to the other end of elongated barrel. A diopter lens is disposed between the barrel and the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism, the diopter lens, and the barrel are aligned with an optical axis. Also disclosed is a double swivel optical system, comprising a negative lens unit, a mirror oriented at an angle to the optical axis of the negative lens unit, a roof prism for rotating incident light rays by 90 degrees and inverting an image, a rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the negative lens unit about a vertical axis, an image rotator comprising a prism that can invert an image, the prism disposed within the image rotator, and another rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the roof prism about an optical axis of the image rotator.
US08355204B2 Light-extraction layer of light-emitting device and organic electroluminescence element employing the same
The present invention provides a highly efficient light-extraction layer and an organic electroluminescence element excellent in light-extraction efficiency. The light-extraction layer of the present invention comprises a reflecting layer and a three-dimensional diffraction layer formed thereon. The diffraction layer comprises fine particles having a variation coefficient of the particle diameter of 10% or less and of a matrix having a refractive index different from that of the fine particles. The particles have a volume fraction of 50% or more based on the volume of the diffraction layer. The particles are arranged to form first areas having short-distance periodicity, and the first areas are disposed and adjacent to each other in random directions to form second areas. The organic electroluminescence element of the present invention comprises the above light-extraction layer.
US08355202B2 Accessory for attenuated total internal reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy
An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.
US08355201B2 Catadioptric projection objective
A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y′, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y′·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.
US08355193B2 Electrophoretic display device and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic display device, which includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electrophoretic element disposed between the first substrate and second substrate, includes a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on the first substrate and arranged in a row direction and in a column direction, and a counter electrode provided on the second substrate. In conjunction with the pixel electrodes, the counter electrode applies a voltage to the electrophoretic element. The counter electrode includes an opening portion extending in at least one of the row direction and the column direction at a location opposite an area between the pixel electrodes that are adjacent to each other.
US08355187B2 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a timing predicting unit that predicts a reading-start-timing by detecting a front-end and predicts a reading-end-timing by detecting a back-end, an image reading unit that generates density data, a line density data classification unit, a first, second and third specific density data storage units, a determination unit that determines whether or not a foreign substance is attached to a reading position, and a peak density position specifying unit.
US08355169B2 Synthesis of authenticable luminescent color halftone images
The present invention enables creating authenticable multi-ink luminescent continuous tone color halftone images offering means of verifying their authenticity. The invented luminescent color halftone image synthesizing techniques enable increasing the attractiveness and aesthetics of color images. The invention relies on daylight luminescent inks, color prediction models for daylight luminescent halftones, color gamuts of luminescent and non-luminescent inks, color separation into luminescent and non-luminescent ink layers, mapping of input gamuts into a luminescent target gamuts by gamut reduction and/or expansion strategies, and luminescent color halftone image generation. The basic authentication is performed by examining the excitation trace image of the synthesized luminescent color halftone image under an illuminant active within its excitation wavelength range. Further authentication means include hiding messages under one or several different illuminants as well as hiding message with different sets of luminescent inks. Hidden messages are recovered under illuminants different from their reference illuminant.
US08355164B2 Imaging device, control method, and program for rendering data and performing color matching
A printing control method comprises a rendering step for rendering a description language document, a color matching step for converting color information specified in the description language document into color information for a printing device which is to print the description language document, and a control step for controlling whether to perform the conversion in the color matching step before the rendering or following the rendering. Appropriately controlling whether to perform color matching before rendering or following rendering enables color reproducibility to be improved.
US08355157B1 Method and apparatus for storing demonstration page information in an imaging device
Imaging devices incorporating semi-volatile NAND flash memory are described herein. According to various embodiments, demonstration page information may be stored in the semi-volatile NAND flash memory, which may be reused and incorporated back into the memory pool after the demonstration page information is no longer needed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08355156B2 Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the order of execution of print jobs
An image forming apparatus includes a job memory which stores each of image formation jobs, which are received from terminals, in association with a user identifier which identifies a user of a corresponding terminal, an image forming unit which executes the image formation jobs which are stored in the job memory, a user detector which detects a user identifier of each approaching user, and a controller which calculates, upon detection of plural user identifiers by the user detector, elapsed times from reception times of image formation jobs which are stored in the job memory in association with the user identifiers, compares the elapsed times, and controls the image forming unit to preferentially execute the image formation job with a shortest one of the elapsed times.
US08355154B2 Computer-readable recording medium having printer driver recorded thereon, copying machine, and multi-function peripheral
A computer-readable recording medium having a printer driver recorded thereon, the printer driver causing a computer to operate as a computer including: a setting reception unit that displays a first user interface and receives settings of print settings; and a print data generation unit that generates print data according to the set print settings, wherein, when settings of a plurality of print copies are received via the first user interface, the setting reception unit displays a second user interface and receives settings for dividing the number of print copies into groups per an arbitrary number of copies, wherein, when an instruction for settings print settings to one of the groups is received via the second user interface, the setting reception unit displays a third user interface and receives settings of the print settings of the corresponding group.
US08355152B2 Image forming apparatus, setting operation support method and setting operation support program
The present invention provides a technique to support a setting operation as to a processing performed using identification information of a communication terminal on an associated network, in the communication terminal connected via the network.The present invention enables a processor to conduct a collecting of identification information for individually identifying communication terminals communicably connected via a network, on the network; obtains identification information collected by the collecting; and registers the obtained identification information as identification information of communication terminals which are management targets.
US08355145B2 Image forming apparatus and control method for the same
The image forming apparatus includes, even when an abnormality of operation occurs in any of a plurality of modules to which an assigned operation in a plurality of operations for an image formation is assigned and which autonomously executes the assigned operation, each of the modules can autonomously perform a particular operation for eliminating an abnormality of operation at a module in which an abnormality occurs. When detecting the module in which the abnormality of operation occurs based on operation abnormality generation condition information in each of the modules stored in the shared data module, the plurality of modules provided in the image forming apparatus each perform an operation (a particular operation) for eliminating the abnormality of operation in accordance with the module in which the abnormality of operation occurs and the contents of the abnormality of operation. Of the plurality of modules, a module which finally performs the particular operation notifies the occurrence of abnormality of operation to a controller module.
US08355140B2 Systems configured to generate output corresponding to defects on a specimen
Systems configured to generate output corresponding to defects on a specimen and systems configured to generate phase information about defects on a specimen are provided. One system includes an optical subsystem that is configured to create interference between a test beam and a reference beam. The test beam and the reference beam are reflected from the specimen. The system also includes a detector that is configured to generate output representative of the interference between the test and reference beams. The interference increases contrast between the output corresponding to the defects and output corresponding to non-defective portions of the specimen.
US08355139B2 Semiconductor apparatus including alignment tool
Provided is a semiconductor apparatus. The semiconductor apparatus includes a reference grating and a plurality of detectors. The reference grating diffracts an optical signal generated by being reflected from the alignment grating of a substrate to diffraction beams with different orders. The plurality of detectors measure intensities of a plurality of diffraction beams selected from the diffraction beams, respectively.
US08355128B2 Polarization controller
A feedforward controller for controlling the polarization state of an optical signal. The feedforward controller includes an optical input for receiving an optical input signal having an input polarization state, an optical output for transmitting an optical output signal having an output polarization state, a polarization controller coupled to the optical input and the optical output, and a transfer function determiner for determining a characteristic polarization transfer function of the feedforward controller from the input and output polarization states. The polarization controller is adapted to modify the polarization state of light passing therethrough in dependence on the characteristic polarization transfer function of the feedforward controller.
US08355126B2 Hand-held, self-contained optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analyzer
A hand-held, self-contained, battery-powered test instrument for analyzing composition of a sample includes an exciter for exciting at least a portion of the sample, a compact cross-dispersed spectrometer for receiving an optical signal from the excited portion of the sample and a processor for processing spectral data about the optical signal from the spectrometer. The exciter may include a spark generator and a counter electrode, a laser or other device for generating the optical signal from the sample portion. The spectrometer has a wavelength range broad enough to enable the test instrument to detect and determine relative quantities of carbon, phosphorous, sulfur, manganese, silicon, iron and other elements necessary to identify common alloys. The spectrometer includes a structural member made of a light-weight material having a small coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The spectrometer is dimensionally stable over a range of expected ambient temperatures, without controlling the temperature of the spectrometer.
US08355124B2 Energy meter for mixed streams of combustible compounds
An energy content meter can spectroscopically quantify oxidation products after oxidation of a combustible mixture. The measured oxidation product concentrations or mole fractions can be converted to an energy content of the un-oxidized combustible mixture using a conversion factor that relates oxygen consumption during oxidation of the combustible mixture to the energy content of the combustible mixture.
US08355122B2 Non-contacting aligning method for planes in three-dimensional environment
A non-contacting aligning method for planes in a three-dimensional environment is disclosed. The method includes: projecting a light beam in a predetermined incident angle onto a transparent first object and an opaque second object that are facing each other; and calculating a distance between the first and second objects basing on the tangent trigonometric function of the incident angle of the light beam.
US08355119B2 Method for optical measurement of velocities according to the spatial frequency filtering method and sensor for optical measurement of velocities
The invention relates to a method for measuring a relative velocity between an object surface (O) and a sensor (1) having at least one light-sensitive element (2) according to the spatial frequency filtering method, wherein the light-sensitive element (2) is read out at time intervals, and wherein the spatial frequency filter is designed as at least one masking grating having a variable grating constant. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the relative velocity is firstly measured with a first grating constant k1 having a large period length and/or over a short observation time period t1 (rough measurement) and then the measurement of the relative velocity is repeated for an exact determination using a second grating constant k2 having a small period length and/or over a long observation time period t2 (fine measurement). The invention further relates to a sensor for velocity measurement.
US08355110B2 Method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display panel
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel by providing a first substrate and providing a first alignment film, providing a second substrate and providing a second alignment film; interposing a liquid crystal compound and at least two reactive mesogens between the first and second substrates, where the two reactive mesogens are selected from Chemical Formulas 1 and 2; curing the reactive mesogens to form a first mesogen layer; and a second mesogen layer, wherein wherein in Chemical Formula 1 A and B are each independently selected from the group consisting of and wherein at least one hydrogen atom of a naphthalene group is independently replaced with at least one of F and Cl and wherein in Chemical Formula 2, D is selected from at least one of and a single bond, wherein E and G are each independently selected from at least one of and wherein at least one hydrogen atom of a phenyl group are independently replaced with at least one of F and Cl.
US08355106B2 Display panel
A display panel includes a first substrate having a pixel thin film transistor thereon and a second substrate opposing the first substrate. The first substrate further includes a first insulation substrate having a display region in which the pixel thin film transistor is formed and a non-display region that encloses the display region, gate lines formed in the display region and electrically connected to the pixel thin film transistor, a driving part, including a driving thin film transistor, located in the non-display region and driving the pixel thin film transistor, and a dummy semiconductor layer formed in a peripheral area of the driving part.
US08355104B2 Liquid crystal display device
An MVA mode liquid crystal display device is configured such that a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric constant anisotropy is held between a first substrate and a second substrate. The liquid crystal display device includes a structural body which controls an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in a manner to form a multi-domain in each of pixels. The structural body includes a first structural body which is disposed in a manner to overlap a light-blocking wiring line, and a second structural body which is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first structural body and is formed to be narrower than the first structural body.
US08355103B2 TN-LCD and polarizer plate comprising an integrated O film having a negative biaxial film and a positive O film for improving the viewing angle
Disclosed herein are an integrated O film for improving a viewing angle of a TN-LCD, and a polarizer plate and TN-LCD including the same. Also disclosed herein are a compensation film which is capable of improving a contrast characteristic at a front side and an inclination angle and minimizing a color variation according to a viewing angle in a dark state, and a polarizer plate and TN-LCD including the same. The integrated O film includes a transversely-stretched negative biaxial (B) film and a positive O film laminated on the transversely-stretched negative B film.
US08355102B2 Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus
There is provided a liquid crystal panel exhibiting a high contrast ratio and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a first polarizer, a first optical compensation layer, a liquid crystal cell, a second optical compensation layer, and a second polarizer in the stated order from a viewer side. The first optical compensation layer and the second optical compensation layer have a refractive index profile of nx>ny>nz, and a light transmittance (T2) of the second polarizer is larger than a light transmittance (T1) of the first polarizer.
US08355089B2 Liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device including forming an active pattern on a substrate, the active pattern including lateral surface partially having a non-planar shape, forming a gate electrode on the active pattern, the gate electrode crossing the lateral surfaces of the active pattern, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to predetermined regions of the active pattern, and forming a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode.
US08355087B2 Pixel array substrate, conductive structure and display panel
A pixel array substrate includes a substrate having a display region and a non-display region, a pixel array in the display region, first and second lead lines, first pads in the non-display region, second pads in the non-display region and on a first insulating layer, and the first insulating layer. The first lead lines electrically connect the pixel array and extend from the display region to the non-display region. Each first pad electrically connects one corresponding first lead line. The first insulating layer covers the first lead lines and exposes the first pads. The second lead lines on the first insulating layer electrically connect the pixel array and extend from the display region to the non-display region. Each second pad electrically connects one corresponding second lead line. A distance between each first pad and the adjacent second pad along a horizontal direction is 10 um˜20 um.
US08355078B2 HDMI transmission systems for delivering image signals and packetized audio and auxiliary data and related HDMI transmission methods
A transmission system is capable of packetizing audio and auxiliary data in compliance with an HDMI standard. The transmission system may include a register set block that may be configured to store video formation information and/or a transmission enable signal; a data packet block that may be configured to generate a first signal, packetize the audio and/or auxiliary data in response to the transmission enable signal, and output packet data in response to a control signal; and a control signal generator that may be configured to output the control signal in response to the video formation information and the first signal.
US08355069B2 Solid-state image pickup device
A solid-state image pickup device includes pixels diagonally arranged, each including a photoelectric conversion unit and a plurality of transistors and wiring extending in the vertical and horizontal directions which is diagonally arranged around the photoelectric conversion unit in each of the pixels so that at least one portion of the wiring is arranged along at least one side of the photoelectric conversion unit.
US08355061B2 Image record apparatus and image record method for calculating and setting a pre-record volume
An object of the invention is to provide an image record apparatus and an image record method that can improve the use efficiency of a record medium for recording a video image from a camera. A NW control section (141) acquires the image quality and the resolution set in a camera (10) performing pre-record and calculates the maximum image size that can be transmitted by the camera (10), and a file system (142) calculates the number of images from the preset pre-record rate and pre-record time and reserves an area corresponding to the maximum image size of one pre-record image calculated by the NW control section (141) in an HDD (146). The NW control section (141) records a pre-record image transmitted from the camera (10) in the area reserved by the file system (142). When it records as many pre-record images as the number of pre-record images, it returns to the beginning of the area reserved by the file system (142) and continues recording a pre-record image is continued. When an alarm occurs while a pre-record image is recorded, the NW control section 141 determines that the pre-record image at the point in time is pre-record data.
US08355059B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method thereof
An image capturing apparatus determines a scene of a captured image, and, depending on the scene determination result, performs image capture with an expanded dynamic range, or performs a dynamic range contraction process based on the captured image. In the case of executing the dynamic range expansion process, the image capturing apparatus performs image capture at a decreased ISO speed, and performs tone correction for compensating the decrease in ISO speed with respect to the captured image. The image capturing apparatus is thereby capable of performing image capture with a dynamic range that takes into consideration the subject and the scene.
US08355052B2 Photographic apparatus with inclination correction in sleep mode
A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller.The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens.The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, as measured with respect to a level plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction based on the inclination angle.The controller calculates the inclination angle but stops the controlled movement when the photographic apparatus is set to a sleep mode.
US08355044B2 Reticle defect inspection apparatus and reticle defect inspection method
The present invention provides a reticle defect inspection method and a reticle defect inspection apparatus capable of calibrating the offset and gain of a sensor amplifier using a product reticle even though black and white regions each sufficiently wider than a TDI sensor imaging area do not exist in the product reticle. An output of each pixel of the TDI sensor is amplified by the sensor amplifier. A bottom value of the amplified amount-of-light signal of each pixel is stored by bottom value storing means of offset/gain calibrating means, and a peak value thereof is stored by peak value storing means. The offset of each pixel is calculated by offset calculating means based on the bottom value of each pixel. The gain of each pixel is calculated by gain calculating means based on the offset of each pixel and the peak value of each pixel. The calculated offset and gain of each pixel are stored in a register and thereby the offset and gain of the sensor amplifier are calibrated.
US08355042B2 Controller in a camera for creating a panoramic image
Methods and apparatus to create and display panoramic images on a mobile device are disclosed. Such a mobile device can be a mobile phone. Apparatus is provided to control the position of a lens in relation to a reference lens. Methods and apparatus are provided to generate multiple images that are combined into a panoramic image. A panoramic image may be a static image. It may also be a video image. A controller provides correct camera settings for different conditions. An image processor creates a panoramic image from the correct settings provided by the controller. A panoramic camera is applied in a computer gaming system.
US08355025B2 System and method for displaying text
A system and method for displaying text are described. According to embodiments of the invention, the system and methods describe operations for displaying text, where the text does not include hints.
US08355024B2 Lightweight three-dimensional display
A computer-implemented imaging process method includes generating a progression of images of a three-dimensional model and saving the images at a determined location, generating mark-up code for displaying image manipulation controls and for permitting display of the progression of images in response to user interaction with the image manipulation controls, and providing the images and mark-up code for use by a third-party application.
US08355019B2 3D optical illusions from off-axis displays
A 3D viewing system captures offset images from off-axis camera perspectives inclined to a normal of base plane of a scene that includes one or more objects projecting from the base plane. The offset images, which take a planar form, are displayed from a display surface at an off-axis viewing perspective that is inclined to a normal of the display surface similar to the inclination of the off-axis camera perspective to the normal of the base plane. The offset images undergo a distortion to counteract a keystone distortion associated with the off-axis viewing perspective. The base plane of the scene is oriented parallel to the display surface, and the objects projecting from the base plane appear to project from the display surface.
US08355016B2 Display device, electronic device, and driving method
An electronic device is described. The device includes a substrate for a luminescence panel that includes data lines and pixels in which a luminescence element can be formed. Each pixel includes a driving transistor that converts a signal voltage from a data line into a signal current, and a first switch between the data line and the gate of the driving transistor. The device includes a first circuit to flow a test current from the data line through the driving transistor, a second circuit to generate a voltage on the data line corresponding to a gate voltage on the driving transistor generated by the test current, and a voltage detector to detect the voltage in the data line.
US08355014B2 Ambient light detection device
An ambient light detection device for use with a liquid crystal display having an array of liquid crystal cells, each liquid cell having at least one transistor for selectively connecting that liquid crystal cell to a signal line and each transistor having a gate connected to a gate line and having a gate supply line selectively connectable to the gate line for turning off the gates. The device includes a current measuring circuit configured to measure the current flowing in the gate supply line as a result of gate leakage current in the gates to which the gate supply line is connected and a controller connected to the measuring circuit and configured to calculate, from the measured current, the level of ambient light reaching the gates.
US08355002B2 Biaxial rotary display module
A biaxial rotary display module is disclosed, which includes a first casing, a rail disposed on the first casing, a rotary piece arranged in the rail, a second casing having s display panel, and two hinges. The rotary piece has a pivoting portion pivoted to the first casing, and the rotary piece is rotated in the rail. The hinges are disposed on opposite sides of the pivoting portion for connecting the second casing and the rotary piece, thereby causing the second casing able to be pivoted relative to the first casing via the two hinges and swiveled relative to the first casing via the rotary piece.
US08354999B2 Button assembly and computer mouse having the same
A computer mouse includes a housing and a button assembly. The button assembly includes a button, a circuit board, a first conductive sheet, and a second conductive sheet. The button is exposed out of the housing. The circuit board is received in the housing, and includes a first contact and a second contact. The first conductive sheet has a first magnet fixed thereon, and is electrically connected to the first contact of the circuit board. The second conductive sheet is electrically connected to the second contact of the circuit board. The second conductive sheet is fixed to the button and contactable with the first conductive sheet when the button is pressed. The second magnet and the first magnet form a repulsive force therebetween.
US08354998B2 Information input panel using light emitted diode matrix with time-division multiplexing
The present invention relates to an information input panel using the light emitted diode (LED) matrix. The panel includes the LED matrix and a control circuit. The LED matrix includes N×M LEDs. The control circuit includes N first terminals and M second terminals, wherein the ith first terminal thereof is coupled to first terminals of the LEDs in the ith row and the jth second terminal thereof is coupled to second terminals of the LEDs in the jth column. In the kth detecting period, the control circuit detects the reverse photoelectric currents of each LED from the second terminals through the kth first terminal to determine whether LED in the kth row is lighted up or not, wherein “M”, “N”, “i”, “j”, “k” are nature numbers and 0
US08354997B2 Touchless user interface for a mobile device
A sensory device (200) for providing a touchless user interface to a mobile device (100) is provided. The sensory device can include at least one appendage (210) having at least one sensor (220) that senses a finger (232) within a touchless sensing space (101), and a connector (230) for communicating sensory signals received by the at least one sensor to the mobile device. The sensory device can attach external to the mobile device. A controller (240) can trace a movement of the finger, recognize a pattern from the movement, and send the pattern to the mobile device. The controller can recognize finger gestures and send control commands associated with the finger gestures to the mobile device. A user can perform touchless acquire and select actions on or above a display or removable face plate to interact with the mobile device.
US08354988B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including first sub-pixels for charging a data of a polarity opposite to a prior horizontal period, and second sub-pixels for charging a data of a polarity identical to a prior horizontal period; a data driver for driving a plurality of data lines of the liquid crystal display panel; and a timing controller for dividing a charging period of the data into a plurality of charging periods, generating at least one compensation data for compensating a data on at least one of the plurality of charging periods, and supplying the at least one compensation data to the data driver.
US08354985B2 Driving apparatus, liquid crystal display having the same and driving method thereof
A driving apparatus resets driving circuits provided therein after an internal supply voltage reaches a sufficient voltage level. The driving apparatus includes a reset signal generator that resets the driving circuits when the internal supply voltage exceeds the external supply voltage in a rising period of the internal supply voltage. Accordingly, the driving circuits may be prevented from being reset before the internal supply voltage reaches the sufficient voltage level, thereby preventing an abnormal operation of the driving circuits.
US08354975B2 Electromagnetic band gap element, and antenna and filter using the same
Conductor pieces 102 that are periodically arrayed, a conductor plane 103 that has openings 104 periodically arrayed so as to correspond to the conductor pieces 102, and a dielectric 108 that is arranged between the conductor pieces 102 and the conductor plane 103, are included. Island electrodes 105 and planar inductance elements 106 are arranged in the openings 104 of the conductor plane 103. The island electrodes 105 and the conductor pieces 102 are connected by conductor posts 107. The island electrodes 105 and the conductor plane 103 are connected through the planar inductance elements 106.
US08354973B2 Antenna
A phased array antenna is disclosed where the transmit/receive modules are replaced by a series of separately packaged components. The components include, for example, a vector control component, a high power amplifier component, a low noise amplifier component, a transmit/receive duplexing component and ancillary supporting components. An advantage of this arrangement is that cheaper antenna arrays can be constructed without limiting the capability and/or performance of a system incorporating such an array when compared to known solutions.
US08354971B2 Antenna device
An antenna device having a magnetic core to be surface-mounted on a circuit substrate includes a pair of coil portions spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The coil portions are connected by a connecting conductor. An end of the magnetic core includes a curved or bent portion curved toward the circuit substrate. This structure defines an RFID antenna device having an improved receiving sensitivity that can be surface-mounted without increasing the thickness of a casing of a mobile electronic device.
US08354965B2 Multiple antenna communication apparatus
A multiple antenna communication apparatus includes a printed circuit board having multiple layers and two antenna devices. The two antenna devices are disposed on antenna regions of the printed circuit board, and each antenna device comprises a ground terminal. Each ground terminal is coupled to a conductor on a different layer of the printed circuit board. The antenna regions on which the two antenna devices are disposed do not contain any main ground via.
US08354949B2 Remote control codes
An apparatus, such as a database or a processor/memory combination of a remote control system, for supplying for example infrared codes defining functions for remotely controlling devices wherein code-sets include function-code-combinations for each one of two/more different functions. By distinguishing main-functions such as power on/off and sub-functions such as channel up/down and volume up/down, code-sets may be allocated to a group of code-sets for a target device in case a code of a function-code-combination for the main-function is valid for the target device. This increases an efficiency of the apparatus. The group of code-sets may form a tree, whereby the main-function and its code(s) form root of the tree, whereby a sub-function forms a branch of the tree and a code or cedes defining this sub-function form a leaf or leaves of the branch. The group of code-sets may be defined for device-types and/or device-brands.
US08354946B2 Digital signal coding method and apparatus, digital signal decoding apparatus, digital signal arithmetic coding method and digital signal arithmetic decoding method
A digital decoding apparatus and method for receiving and decoding a compression-coded digital signal in predetermined transmission units is disclosed. The decoding apparatus includes initialization unit for initializing an arithmetic coding process based on information of initializing a table of probability of occurrence which is multiplexed on a header of data for the predetermined transmission units and information of initializing a register value which shows the arithmetic decoding process, a context model determination unit for determining a context model to be used for each type of decoded data among a plurality of context models, a binarization unit for generating a binarization rule defined based on the type of decoded data, a probability of occurrence generation unit for providing a probability of occurrence corresponding to the context model determined by the binarization rule, and an arithmetic decoding unit for arithmetic decoding based on the generated probability of occurrence and the initialized register value.
US08354941B2 Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable
An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. The apparatus includes at least one, first electronics unit, at least one, second electronics unit, and at least one transferring unit. The transferring unit is arranged between the first electronics unit and the second electronics unit, and the transferring unit is embodied in such a manner, that it transmits electrical energy and data between the first electronics unit and the second electronics unit.
US08354934B2 Burst indicator
A burst indicator (24) for use in a rupture disc assembly (12) is provided. The burst indicator (24) comprises a non-electrically conductive material having an outer annular portion (66) and an inner section (68) joined to the outer portion by a pair of bridge features (70, 72). A circuit comprising electrically conductive segments (78, 80) is located on the burst indicator (24) and can be used to monitor the integrity of the rupture disc (20). One electrically conductive segment (78) is located on the outer annular portion (66), and another electrically conductive segment (80) extends across the bridge features (70, 72) and inner section (68). Upon rupture of the rupture disc (20), one of the bridge features (72) carrying an electrically conductive segment (80) severs thereby opening the circuit.
US08354932B2 Method and device for driver assistance
A method and a device for driver assistance in which the warning threshold at which the driver is warned for example of a departure from the lane is adaptively adjusted as a function of the driver's state and/or the driving situation.
US08354931B2 Transponder device to mark implements, such as surgical implements, and method of manufacturing and using same
A transponder device to mark a surgical implement, such as a metallic surgical instrument, is provided that comprises a transponder housing attachable to a portion of the surgical implement. The housing may include a transponder receiving cavity spaced at least 1 millimeter, and preferably at least 2 millimeters, from any portion of the surgical implement when the housing is attached to the surgical implement, and preferably includes a saddle-shaped finger support surface or a stabilizing surface sized and configured to receive a finger of a user for providing additional leverage and/or stabilizing structure when operating the implement. The housing may be removably attached to the surgical implement or permanently attached. In use, a transponder is retained in the device. Methods of manufacturing transponder devices and methods of detecting a transponder indicating the possible presence of a surgical implement are also provided.
US08354929B2 Intruder detector and classifier
A method and system for detecting and classifying intruders is provided. A noise threshold can be determined and set based on background noise. A seismic sensor can be configured to receive a plurality of seismic data signals. A microcontroller can be configured to count the number of times the noise threshold is exceeded over a defined time interval by the plurality of seismic data signals, and then detect and classify the presence of an intruder based on the count. Additionally, an amplitude evaluation module can be configured to determine a signal amplitude for the seismic data signals associated with the detected intruder and compare the detected intruder signal amplitude to known signal amplitudes in order to determine a sub-type of the intruder. Finally, a transmission source can be configured to transmit intruder detection and classification information to a remote location.
US08354921B2 Self-illuminating handle for a vehicle emergency egress assembly
A self-illuminating handle assembly for a release mechanism of an emergency egress system for a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and providing a sensor signal in response thereto, and a sensor-activated switch assembly for causing the handle assembly to self-illuminate in response to the sensor signal. The sensor could be a so-called tilt sensor for sensing when the vehicle orientation is tilted beyond a threshold tilt orientation, or an acceleration sensor (accelerometer) for sensing when the vehicle has undergone an acceleration or deceleration beyond a threshold, indicative of a crash or the vehicle having been exposed to an explosion.
US08354919B2 System and method for activating and deactivating a remotely controlled vehicle starter
A system for activating and deactivating a remotely controlled vehicle starter includes a handheld mobile communication device having at least a speaker mounted therein and a wireless transmitter having at least a start switch mounted therein. A first wire connects a negative voltage supply path to the speaker circuit with a negative voltage supply path to the start switch circuit. A variable resistor is provided and has a pair of end terminals. There is a second wire having each of a first end thereof electrically connected to a positive voltage supply path to the speaker circuit and an opposed second end thereof electrically connected to one terminal end of the variable resistor. A third wire is also provided to connect an opposed end terminal of the variable resistor to a positive voltage supply path to the start switch.
US08354917B2 RFID tag chips and tags complying with only a limited number of remaining commands and methods
RFID tags and chips for RFID tags are capable of complying with only a limited number of remaining commands, and methods. In a number of embodiments, a counter is adjusted in association with receiving a command and complying with it. The tag complies until the counter reaches a limit, and then it can stop complying. Non-compliance can be by the tag becoming quiet, or performing other activities, or performing nothing at all, or performing only selected activities, and so on. In some embodiments non-compliance is permanent, while in others it is temporary and/or restorable.
US08354916B2 Radio interrogator system and radio communication method therefor
There is provided a radio interrogator system which reduces the interference with a radio transponder and avoids the decrease in throughput of the entire system in a case in which a plurality of radio interrogators are disposed at positions brought relatively close to each other and are simultaneously placed into operation.The plurality of radio interrogators are classified into two groups and each of the radio interrogators has an operation mode setting unit capable of exclusively setting, for each of the classified groups, a transmission mode for transmitting a radio transmission signal to a radio transponder or a reception mode for receiving a radio response signal transmitted from the radio transponder as a response to a radio transmission signal from the radio interrogator.
US08354915B2 Multi-channel passive entry system for vehicles
A method and system for determining whether or not passive entry of a vehicle is permitted, includes allocating separate channels for each authorized key FOB for the vehicle. An indication of manual entry of the vehicle is detected. Upon such detection, a challenge from a transmitter of a passive entry system is output. The challenge is received by more than one key FOB in a vicinity of the vehicle, and outputting a respective remote keyless entry response at an assigned frequency channel for each respective key FOB. The remote keyless entry responses are received at a receiver of the passive entry system, at each respective channel allocated for the respective key FOBs. A determination is then made as to whether or not any of the respective key FOBs are assigned to authorized users of the vehicle, and if so, a vehicle door is set in an unlocked state to allow entry into the vehicle.
US08354912B2 Chip resistor and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a chip resistor includes the following steps. A resistor layer is formed on an obverse surface of a material substrate. A plurality of substrate sections are defined in the material substrate by forming, in the obverse surface of the material substrate, a plurality of first grooves each of which is elongated in a first direction. A conductor layer is formed in each of the first grooves. The substrate sections are cut along lines extending in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08354899B2 Switch structure and method
Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10−12 s−1 when subject to a stress of at least about 25 percent of a yield strength of the metallic material and a temperature less than or equal to about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material. The contact and the conductive element may be part of a microelectromechanical device or a nanoelectromechanical device. Associated methods are also provided.
US08354895B2 Duplexer including first and second additional grating reflectors
Disclosed is a miniaturized duplexer having a good isolation characteristic. A duplexer having a high band side filter and a low band side filter that are each formed in a ladder-type filter provided on a common piezoelectric substrate is provided with a first elastic wave resonator to be included in one of these filters, a second elastic wave resonator to be included in the other of the filters, and a first additional grating reflector provided between these resonators to reflect an elastic wave leaked from a grating reflector of the first elastic wave resonator, and in which an additional grating reflector is not provided on a side opposite to the second elastic wave resonator in the first elastic wave resonator.
US08354894B2 RF signal combiner/splitter and related methods
A radio frequency (RF) signal combiner/splitter may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having first and second opposing major surfaces, and openings therethrough. The RF signal combiner/splitter may further include a ferromagnetic body. The ferromagnetic body may include a first portion spaced from the first major surface of the PCB, a second portion spaced from the second major surface of the PCB, and interconnecting portions coupling the first and second portions and extending through respective openings in the PCB. The PCB may include conductive traces cooperating with the ferromagnetic body to define circuitry for combining/splitting RF signals. For example, the PCB may further comprise additional conductive traces cooperating with the ferromagnetic body to define impedance matching circuitry coupled to the circuitry for combining/splitting RF signals.
US08354891B2 Nonreciprocal circuit element
A nonreciprocal circuit element includes first and second center electrodes. On a ferrite to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied from a permanent magnet, the first and second center electrodes are insulated and intersect. First and second ends of the first center electrode are connected to an input port and an output port, respectively. First and second ends of the second center electrode are connected to the output port and a ground port, respectively. A first matching capacitor and a resistor are connected between the input port and the output port. A second matching capacitor is connected between the output port and the ground port. A parallel resonant circuit is connected in parallel to the resistor. A coupling element is connected between the parallel resonant circuit and another parallel resonant circuit including the first center electrode and the first matching capacitor so as to the parallel resonant circuits.
US08354881B2 Chopper-stabilized instrumentation amplifier
This disclosure describes a chopper stabilized instrumentation amplifier. The amplifier is configured to achieve stable measurements at low frequency with very low power consumption. The instrumentation amplifier uses a differential architecture and a mixer amplifier to substantially eliminate noise and offset from an output signal produced by the amplifier. Dynamic limitations, i.e., glitching, that result from chopper stabilization at low power are substantially eliminated through a combination of chopping at low impedance nodes within the mixer amplifier and feedback. The signal path of the amplifier operates as a continuous time system, providing minimal aliasing of noise or external signals entering the signal pathway at the chop frequency or its harmonics. The amplifier can be used in a low power system, such as an implantable medical device, to provide a stable, low-noise output signal.
US08354875B2 Low voltage temperature sensor and use thereof for autonomous multiprobe measurement device
A bandgap sensor which measures temperatures within an integrated circuit is presented. The sensor may include a first transistor having an emitter node coupled in series to a first resistor and a first current source, wherein a PTAT current flows through the first resistor, and a second transistor having a base node coupled to a base node of the first transistor, and a collector node coupled to a collector node of the first transistor, further wherein the first and second transistors are diode connected. The sensor may further include a first operational amplifier providing negative feedback to the first current source, wherein the negative feedback is related to a difference in the base-emitter voltages of the first and second transistors, and a second operational amplifier which couples the base-emitter voltage of the second transistor across a second resistor, wherein a CTAT current flows through the second resistor.
US08354874B1 Kickback cancellation in class B type circuits using AC coupling
A circuit includes a first current source, a second current source, a third current source and a fourth current source. A load includes a first terminal connected to a first node between the first current source and the second current source and a second terminal connected to a second node between the third current source and the fourth current source. A bias control module includes a first output configured to output a first bias signal to the first and fourth current sources and a second output configured to provide a second bias signal to the second and third current sources. A capacitance is connected to the first and second outputs of the bias control module.
US08354869B1 Systems and methods for controlling power supply current using clock gating
A control system includes a clock gating module and a clock comparison module. The clock gating module is configured to generate a gating signal based on an enable signal, a given period, and a base clock signal having a given frequency. The clock comparison module is configured to generate a gated clock signal based on the base clock signal and the gating signal.
US08354862B2 Phase-lock assistant circuitry
A circuit including a first circuit configured to receive an input signal and first, third and fifth phase clocks of a clock, and generate a first early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a first late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a second circuit configured to receive an input signal and second, a fourth and sixth phase clocks of the clock, and generate a second early signal indicating the clock is earlier than the input signal and a second late signal indicating the clock is later than the input signal. The circuit further includes a third circuit configured to generate a first increase signal. The circuit further includes a fourth circuit configured to generate a first decrease signal.
US08354855B2 Carbon nanotube columns and methods of making and using carbon nanotube columns as probes
Carbon nanotube columns each comprising carbon nanotubes can be utilized as electrically conductive contact probes. The columns can be grown, and parameters of a process for growing the columns can be varied while the columns grow to vary mechanical characteristics of the columns along the growth length of the columns. Metal can then be deposited inside and/or on the outside of the columns, which can enhance the electrical conductivity of the columns. The metalized columns can be coupled to terminals of a wiring substrate. Contact tips can be formed at or attached to ends of the columns. The wiring substrate can be combined with other electronic components to form an electrical apparatus in which the carbon nanotube columns can function as contact probes.
US08354853B2 Test electronics to device under test interfaces, and methods and apparatus using same
In one embodiment, a test system has a set of test electronics for testing a device under test (DUT). The test system also has at least one test electronics to DUT interface having a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector. Each ZIF connector has a ZIF connector to DUT clamping mechanism configured to i) apply a first orthogonal force to a probe card that interfaces with a DUT, by pressing the ZIF connector against the probe card, and simultaneously ii) exert at least one second orthogonal force on the probe card, the at least one second orthogonal force being opposite in direction to the first orthogonal force.
US08354852B1 Wireless soil sensor utilizing a RF frequency for performing soil measurements
A wireless soil sensor for using a RF frequency for performing soil moisture measurements is disclosed herein. The sensor preferably includes a sensing component integrated directly with a radio and a microcontroller. The wireless soil sensor is designed to be buried underground and to transmit to above ground receivers.
US08354851B2 Production method for a capacitive sensor unit
An apparatus and production method for a watertight capacitive sensor unit is provided. Accordingly, a carrier, approximately U-shaped in cross section, is made from a water-impermeable material. At least one electrode strip is placed in an interior space of the carrier along the longitudinal extension of the carrier. The interior space is filled with a hardening filler material in such a way that the electrode strip is sealed outwardly watertight.
US08354850B2 Methods and systems for detecting the presence, or determining the location or the size, or detecting changes of material properties, of an object within a predefined space
A method for detecting the presence, and/or determining the location, and/or detecting changes in the material properties, of a first object (4) within a predefined space (12) and compensating for the disturbance caused by a second object, where the method comprises the following steps: providing at least a first and a second electrode (6) capacitively coupled to each other; conductively applying an electrical signal to each of the first and second electrodes (6), the electrical signals being different for the first and second electrodes (6); for each of the electrodes (6) measuring the current signal through, and/or the voltage signal on, the electrode (6); deriving from the measured values an indication of the disturbance caused by the second object; and deriving from the measured values and the indication of the disturbance a disturbance-compensated indication of the presence, and/or the location, and/or changes in the material properties, of the first object (4).
US08354843B2 Magnetic resonance pre-determined data acquisition and image reconstruction with location-coding of magnetic resonance data exclusively via phase coding only
In a method and system to generate magnetic resonance (MR) images by MR data are acquired by a pure phase-coded imaging in k-space having a predetermined set of possible measurement points, with the MR data being acquired only for a predetermined subset of the measurement points of this set. An image is reconstructed from the acquired measurement points of the subset such that information about un-acquired measurement points of the set is also obtained.
US08354838B2 Arrangement for contactlessly measuring a position using a magnetoresistive sensor, and method for operating the arrangement
The disclosure relates to an arrangement for contactlessly measuring a position using a magnetoresistive sensor, the displacement-proportional transfer characteristic of which has a plurality of ranges which are suitable for a position measurement and associated characteristic curve sections of which have both positive and negative gradients. The arrangement can be included in a position regulator which has control electronics which, with the aid of a microcontroller, receive one or more input signals and output actuating signals for controlling the actuating drive. A method is also disclosed for operating the arrangement. For example, to uniquely associate the direction of movement of the displacement pick-off shaft with the effective direction of the drive, at least one range sensor for detecting the characteristic curve range of the magnetoresistive measuring system, which is in the form of a magnetoresistor potentiometer, in which the position is measured, is proposed. The range sensor can be connected to the control electronics. The activity of each range sensor can be assigned a sign for the gradient of the characteristic curve section of the measuring system in which the position is measured, which sign can be used to infer the effective direction of the actuating drive.
US08354830B2 Systems and methods for self-recycling power
A power system includes a switch, a capacitor and a comparator circuit. The power system receives a signal to turn off power supplied to the power system, turns off the switch that is used to supply power to the system and discharges the capacitor. The power system also compares a voltage across the discharging capacitor to a threshold voltage value, and turns on the switch to allow power to be supplied to the power system when the compared voltage across the discharging capacitor equals the threshold voltage value.
US08354829B2 Apparatus, method and system for control of AC/AC conversion
A method, system and apparatus for controlling a pulse width modulator (PMW) converter for direct AC/AC conversion and/or AC voltage regulation. According to some embodiments of the invention, an output voltage may be provided, independent of the input voltage quality, thereby avoiding or minimizing power company irregularities, brownouts and the like. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful, for example, for use in connection with motors and motored devices or other applications.
US08354827B2 Controller for a buck-boost circuit
A control circuit includes a controller that provides a master PWM signal indicative of a difference between a predetermined setpoint and a process signal. The control circuit also includes a PWM splitter circuit that receives the master PWM signal and provides a first PWM signal for a first switch and a second PWM signal for a second switch. The first PWM signal corresponds to a first portion of the master PWM signal and the second PWM signal corresponds to a second portion of the master PWM signal.
US08354823B2 Charger
A charger includes a base, a frame, a cover, and at least one spring. The base defines a groove. The frame defines at least one positioning member. The cover is capable of moving between a latched position and a unlatched position. The cover includes a latching tab and at least one limiting protrusion. The at least one spring provides a rebound force to the frame. When the cover is in the latched position, the latching tab is received in the groove, the at least one positioning member engages the at least one limiting protrusion, and the at least one spring is compressed by the frame. When the cover moves to the unlatched position, the latching tab disengages from the groove, the at least one positioning member disengages from the at least one limiting protrusion, causing the frame to be ejected upwardly by the at least one spring.
US08354819B2 Apparatus and method for charging battery using a thin film printed solar cell
A charging apparatus and method for charging a battery of a mobile terminal using a thin film printed solar cell. The apparatus has an outer case including electrochromic elements and a thin film printed solar cell. A control unit controls charging of the battery so that a color of the electrochromic elements is changed into a transparent color and sunlight is transmitted to the thin film printed solar cell disposed under the electrochromic elements. Also, the control unit controls charging of the battery such that a color of the outer case is automatically changed into a transparent color so that sunlight is transmitted to the thin film printed solar cell. Also, the color of the electrochromic elements can be changed according to the user's request so that the color of the outer case is changed into a desired color.
US08354818B2 Solar charged hybrid power system
A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.
US08354814B2 Fan system circuit module
A fan system circuit module including a stable voltage input terminal for receiving a stable voltage, an operation unit electrically connected to the stable voltage input terminal and a drive chip. The operation unit includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a first capacitor and a third resistor. After powered on at the stable voltage, the operation unit generates an operation signal for the drive chip to decrease drive current value of the fan. In case that a lock of the fan takes place, the drive chip can effectively decrease the block current. The circuit module has soft-start function and provides block current protection effect so as to avoid malfunctioning of the fan system due to too great start current of the fan and avoid burnout of the fan due to high rise of temperature.
US08354813B2 Inverter device, electric automobile in which the inverter device is mounted, and hybrid automobile in which the inverter device is mounted
A torque limit section that applies limit to a torque instruction value of an electric motor such that a switching elements temperature is restricted to no more than an element upper limiting temperature includes a torque restriction section that finds a torque restriction value for restricting the torque of the electric motor in accordance with the said switching elements temperature; a torque restriction mitigation section that finds a torque restriction mitigation value for mitigating the torque limit value in accordance with the integrated value of the deviation of the element upper limiting temperature and the switching elements temperature; a first subtractor that finds a torque restriction value by subtracting the torque restriction mitigation value from the torque limit value; and a second subtractor that finds a limited torque instruction value obtained by subtracting the torque limit value from the torque instruction value and outputs this to the gate generating section.
US08354796B2 Reverse polarity series type led and drive circuit
The present invention of a reverse polarity series type LED is formed by two sets of LED and diode assemblies in reverse polarity series connection wherein the first set is consisted of at least one or multiple homopolar series or parallel connected or series and parallel connected LED's, and the second set consisting of at least one or more homopolar parallel or series connected or series and parallel connected LED's for further connection to the drive circuit formed by current-limiting impedance and/or power storage and discharging devices and/or voltage-limit circuit devices in order to produce the required operational characteristics.
US08354787B2 Organic electroluminescent display device
The present disclosure relates to an organic electroluminescent display device. The organic electroluminescent display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a substrate including thin film transistor; a first electrode disposing on the substrate and connecting to the thin film transistor; an electron transport emission layer on the first electrode; and a second electrode on the electron transport emission layer; wherein the electron transport emission layer includes an electron transport material and an emission material.
US08354770B2 Alternator for motor vehicles
An alternator for motor vehicles, having a rotor, whose poles are developed as claw-poles. In order to improve the design options of the stator of the machine, its multiphase winding is developed as a fractional-slot winding, whereby, in particular with respect to the selection of the number of slots, many additional options are created, by which both the production is made clearly simpler and less costly and, at the same time, the electrical properties are able to be improved.
US08354769B2 Rotating electrical machine and manufacturing method of a stator thereof
A rotating electrical machine includes: a rotor to which a plurality of magnetic poles are provided along its circumferential direction; a stator core laminating a plurality of core plates, and having a cylinder portion with teeth extending radially outwards; and a stator coil received in a slot between the teeth; wherein each of the teeth includes: a tooth body portion extending radially outwards from the cylinder portion; and a pair of projecting end portions, provided at an end of the tooth body portion, that are in radially extended state before receiving the stator coil in the slot, and that are in curved state in which they are bent in circumferential direction after receiving the stator coil in the slot; and wherein, in the curved state, a vacant space is defined at the slot side of a curved portion that communicates the base portion and the projecting end portion.
US08354745B2 Electronic assembly
An electronic assembly includes a first substrate and a second substrate, a hole through the first substrate, the second substrate having a trace with an indentation, an electronic device mounted over the indentation in the trace, and the first substrate is attached to the second substrate such that the electronic device is positioned within the hole through the first substrate.
US08354742B2 Method and apparatus for a package having multiple stacked die
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package involves providing a substrate having a window. The substrate may include a leadframe having half-etched leads. First and second semiconductor devices are mounted to a top surface of the substrate on either side of the window using an adhesive. A third semiconductor device is mounted to the first and second semiconductor devices using an adhesive. The third semiconductor device is disposed over the window of the substrate. A wirebond or other electrical interconnect is formed between the third semiconductor device and a contact pad formed over a bottom surface of the substrate opposite the top surface of the substrate. The wirebond or other electrical interconnect passes through the window of the substrate. An encapsulant is deposited over the first, second, and third semiconductor devices.
US08354741B2 Lead frame manufactured from low-priced material and not requiring strict process control, semiconductor package including the same, and method of manufacturing the lead frame and the semiconductor package
Provided are a lead frame, a semiconductor package, and a method of manufacturing the lead frame and the semiconductor package. The lead frame includes: a die pad on which a semiconductor chip is installable; a plurality of lead patterns formed around a circumference of the die pad; an insulating organic material filling etching spaces interposed between the die pad and the lead patterns and structurally supporting the die pad and the lead patterns; and a pre-plating layer formed on both upper and lower surfaces of the die pad and the lead patterns.
US08354732B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate having a first region and a second region, a multilayer wiring layer formed on the SOI substrate and having an insulating layer and a wiring layer alternately stacked in this order, a first inductor formed over the SOI substrate, and a second inductor formed over the SOI substrate and positioned above the first inductor.
US08354730B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A structure obtaining a desired integrated circuit by sticking together a plurality of semiconductor substrates and electrically connecting integrated circuits formed on semiconductor chips of the respective semiconductor substrates is provided, and a penetrating electrode penetrating between a main surface and a rear surface of each of the semiconductor substrates and a penetrating separation portion separating the penetrating electrode are separately arranged. Thereby, after forming an insulation trench portion for formation of the penetrating separation portion on the semiconductor substrate, a MIS•FET is formed, and then, a conductive trench portion for formation of the penetrating electrode can be formed. Therefore, element characteristics of a semiconductor device having a three-dimensional structure can be improved.
US08354729B2 Gas sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A gas sensor manufacturing method including the following steps: providing a SOI substrate, including an oxide layer, a device layer, and a carrier, wherein the oxide layer is disposed between the device layer and the carrier; etching the device layer to form an integrated circuit region, an outer region, a trench and a conducting line, the conducting line including a connecting arm connecting to the integrated circuit region, the trench is formed around the conducting line and excavated to the oxide layer for reducing power consumption of the heater circuit, the connecting arm reaches over a gap between the integrated circuit region and the outer region and electrically connects to the integrated circuit region; coating or imprinting a sensing material on the circuit region; and etching the carrier and the oxide layer to form a cavity to form a film structure suspended in the cavity by the cantilevered connecting arm.
US08354724B2 Semiconductor device and electronic device
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which includes a photoelectric conversion layer; an amplifier circuit amplifying an output current of the photoelectric conversion layer and including two thin film transistors; a first terminal supplying a high-potential power supply voltage; a second terminal supplying a low-potential power supply voltage; an electrode electrically connecting the two thin film transistors and the photoelectric conversion layer; a first wiring electrically connecting the first terminal and a first thin film transistor which is one of the two thin film transistors; and a second wiring electrically connecting the second terminal and a second thin film transistor which is the other of the two thin film transistors. In the semiconductor device, the value of voltage drop of the first wiring and the second wiring are increased by bending the first wiring and the second wiring.
US08354721B2 Gate-all-around CMOSFET devices
A GAA (Gate-All-Around) CMOSFET device includes a semiconductor substrate, a PMOS region having a first channel, an NMOS region having a second channel and a gate region. The surfaces of the first channel and the second channel are substantially surrounded by the gate region. A buried insulation layer is disposed between the PMOS region and the NMOS region and between the PMOS or NMOS region and the semiconductor substrate to isolate them from one another. The structure is simple, compact and highly integrated, has high carrier mobility, and avoids polysilicon gate depletion and short channel effect.
US08354718B2 Semiconductor device including an arrangement for suppressing short channel effects
An apparatus comprising a substrate of first dopant type and first dopant concentration; pocket regions in the substrate and having the first dopant type and a second dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration; a gate stack over the substrate and laterally between the pocket regions; first and second source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate stack and vertically between the gate stack and the pocket regions, the first and second source/drain regions having a second dopant type opposite the first dopant type and a third dopant concentration; and third and fourth source/drain regions having the second dopant type and a fourth dopant concentration that is greater than the third dopant concentration, wherein the pocket regions are between the third and fourth source/drain regions, and the third and fourth source/drain regions are vertically between the first and second source/drain regions and a bulk portion of the substrate.
US08354717B2 Lateral double-diffused MOSFET
A LDMOS transistor is implemented in a first impurity region on a substrate. The LDMOS transistor has a source that includes a second impurity region. The second impurity region is implanted into the surface of the substrate within the first impurity region. Additionally, the LDMOS transistor has a drain that includes a third impurity region. The third impurity region is implanted into the surface of the substrate within the first impurity region. The third impurity region is spaced a predetermined distance away from a gate of the LDMOS transistor. The drain of the LDMOS transistor further includes a fourth impurity region within the third impurity region. The fourth impurity region provides an ohmic contact for the drain.
US08354716B2 Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device for use in a relatively high voltage application that comprises a substrate, a first n-type well region in the substrate to serve as a high voltage n-well (HVNW) for the semiconductor device, a pair of second n-type well regions in the first n-type well region, a p-type region in the first n-type well region between the second n-type well regions, a pair of conductive regions on the substrate between the second n-type well regions, and a number of n-type regions to serve as n-type buried layers (NBLs) for the semiconductor device, wherein the NBLs are located below the first n-type region and dispersed in the substrate.
US08354712B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A body contact layer 18 is formed on the side of a recessed structure 17 as well as in the bottom of the recessed structure 17, so that a contact area between the body contact layer 18 and a well layer 12 is increased and the amount of dopant implanted to the body contact layer 18 is suppressed.
US08354710B2 Field-effect device and manufacturing method thereof
Embodiments relate to a field-effect transistor that includes a body region, a first source/drain region of a first conductivity type, a second source/drain region of the first conductivity type, and a pocket implant region adjacent to the first source/drain region, the pocket implant region being of a second conductivity type, wherein the second conductivity type is different from the first conductivity type. The body region physically contacts the pocket implant region.
US08354706B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a first gate insulator formed on the substrate and serving as an F-N (Fowler-Nordheim) tunneling film, a first floating gate formed on the first gate insulator, a second gate insulator formed on the first floating gate and serving as an F-N tunneling film, a second floating gate formed on the second gate insulator, an intergate insulator formed on the second floating gate and serving as a charge blocking film, and a control gate formed on the intergate insulator, at least one of the first and second floating gates including a metal layer.
US08354702B1 Inexpensive electrode materials to facilitate rutile phase titanium oxide
This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device, such as a capacitor and DRAM cell. In particular, a bottom electrode has a material selected for lattice matching characteristics. This material may be created from a relatively inexpensive metal oxide which is processed to adopt a conductive, but difficult-to-produce oxide state, with specific crystalline form; to provide one example, specific materials are disclosed that are compatible with the growth of rutile phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use as a dielectric, thereby leading to predictable and reproducible higher dielectric constant and lower effective oxide thickness and, thus, greater part density at lower cost.
US08354689B2 Light emitting devices having dopant front loaded tunnel barrier layers
Light emitting devices described herein include dopant front loaded tunnel barrier layers (TBLs). A front loaded TBL includes a first surface closer to the active region of the light emitting device and a second surface farther from the active region. The dopant concentration in the TBL is higher near the first surface of the TBL when compared to the dopant concentration near the second surface of the TBL. The front loaded region near the first surface of the TBL is formed during fabrication of the device by pausing the growth of the light emitting device before the TBL is formed and flowing dopant into the reaction chamber. After the dopant flows in the reaction chamber during the pause, the TBL is grown.
US08354688B2 Semiconductor chip assembly with bump/base/ledge heat spreader, dual adhesives and cavity in bump
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and dual adhesives. The heat spreader includes a bump, a base and a ledge. The conductive trace includes a pad and a terminal. The semiconductor device is mounted on the bump in a cavity in the bump, is electrically connected to the conductive trace and is thermally connected to the heat spreader. The bump extends into an opening in the first adhesive and is aligned with and spaced from an opening in the second adhesive. The base and the ledge extend laterally from the bump. The first adhesive is sandwiched between the base and the ledge, the second adhesive is sandwiched between the conductive trace and the ledge and the ledge is sandwiched between the adhesives. The conductive trace is located outside the cavity and provides signal routing between the pad and the terminal.
US08354682B2 Radiation emitting element
A radiation-emitting component (10) having a layer stack (1) which is based on a semiconductor material and which has an active layer sequence (4) for generating electromagnetic radiation, and a filter element (2) which is arranged after the active layer sequence (4) in the irradiation direction (A) and by means of which a first radiation component is transmitted, and a second radiation component is reflected into the layer stack (1), wherein the second radiation component is subjected to a deflection process or an absorption and emission process, and the deflected or emitted radiation impinges on the filter element (2).
US08354678B1 Structure and method for forming a light detecting diode and a light emitting diode on a silicon-on-insulator wafer backside
A structure and method for fabricating a light emitting diode and a light detecting diode on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer is provided. Specifically, the structure and method involves forming a light emitting diode and light detecting diode on the SOI wafer's backside and utilizing a deep trench formed in the wafer as an alignment marker. The alignment marker can be detected by x-ray diffraction, reflectivity, or diffraction grating techniques. Moreover, the alignment marker can be utilized to pattern openings and perform ion implantation to create p-n junctions for the light emitting diode and light detecting diode. By utilizing the SOI wafer's backside, the structure and method increases the number of light emitting diodes and light detecting diodes that can be formed on a SOI wafer, enables an increase in overall device density for an integrated circuit, and reduces attenuation of light signals being emitted and detected by the diodes.
US08354672B2 Thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel can include: a substrate; a gate line formed on the substrate; a gate pad formed at an end of the gate line; a gate identification member corresponding to the gate pad and formed in the same layer as the gate pad; a gate insulating layer covering the gate line and the gate identification member; a data line formed on the gate insulating layer; a passivation layer formed on the gate insulating layer and the data line; a gate contact assistant formed on the passivation layer; and a gate driving chip electrically connected to the gate contact assistant, wherein the gate contact assistant at least partially overlaps the gate identification member. The gate identification member is formed without producing a step in the gate contact assistant, reducing the risk of defects when wires or other objects are pressed onto the gate pad.
US08354669B2 Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display device and a method of its manufacture are provided, whereby manufacturing processes are simplified and display quality may be enhanced. The display device includes: an active layer of a thin film transistor (TFT), on a substrate and including a semiconducting material; a lower electrode of a capacitor, on the substrate, doped with ion impurities, and including a semiconducting material; a first insulating layer on the substrate to cover the active layer and the lower electrode; a gate electrode of the TFT, on the first insulating layer; a pixel electrode on the first insulating layer; an upper electrode of the capacitor, on the first insulating layer; source and drain electrodes of the TFT, electrically connected to the active layer; an organic layer on the pixel electrode and including an organic emission layer; and a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode, the organic layer between the counter electrode and the pixel electrode.
US08354667B2 Organic electroluminescence manufacturing method and image display system having the same
An organic electroluminescence device manufacturing method and an image display system having the organic electroluminescence device are provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a substrate, forming a first electrode on the substrate, forming an organic layer having a plurality of crystals on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode on the organic layer. Each of the crystals comprises a particle.
US08354666B2 Organic polymer semiconductor, method of preparing the same, and ambipolar organic thin film transistor using the same
Disclosed are an organic polymer semiconductor, an ambipolar organic thin film transistor using the same, an electronic device comprising the ambipolar organic thin film transistor and methods of fabricating the same. Example embodiments relate to an organic polymer semiconductor, which may include an aromatic ring derivative having p-type semiconductor properties and a heteroaromatic ring having n-type semiconductor properties in the main chain thereof, and which thus may exhibit both p-type transistor properties and n-type transistor properties when used in the organic active layer of an electronic device, e.g., an organic thin film transistor, an ambipolar organic thin film transistor using such an organic polymer semiconductor, an electronic device comprising the ambipolar organic thin film transistor and methods of fabricating the same.
US08354660B2 Bottom electrodes for use with metal oxide resistivity switching layers
In a first aspect, an MIM stack is provided that includes (1) a first conductive layer comprising a first metal-silicide layer and a second metal-silicide layer; (2) a resistivity-switching layer comprising a metal oxide layer formed above the first conductive layer; and (3) a second conductive layer formed above the resistivity-switching layer. A memory cell may be formed from the MIM stack. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08354657B2 Extreme ultra violet light source apparatus
In an extreme ultra violet light source apparatus of a laser produced plasma type, charged particles such as ions emitted from plasma are promptly ejected to the outside of a chamber. The apparatus includes a chamber, a target supply unit for supplying a target material into the chamber, a collector mirror for collecting extreme ultra violet light radiated from plasma generated by irradiating the target material with a laser beam to output the extreme ultra violet light, an electromagnet arranged outside of the chamber, and a charged particle collection mechanism provided on at least one of two surfaces of the chamber to which lines of magnetic force generated by the electromagnet extend.
US08354644B2 Total reflection tera hertz wave measuring apparatus
A total reflection terahertz wave measuring apparatus 1 is configured to acquire information on a subject S by a total reflection measurement method by use of a terahertz wave, and includes a light source 11, a branching part 12, a chopper 13, an optical path length difference adjusting part 14, a polarizer 15, a separator 17, a terahertz wave generating element 20, an internal total reflection prism 31, a terahertz wave detecting element 40, a ¼ wavelength plate 51, a polarization split element 52, a photodetector 53A, a photodetector 53B, a differential amplifier 54, and a lock-in amplifier 55. The internal total reflection prism 31 is a so-called aplanatic prism, and has an entrance plane 31a, an exit plane 31b, and a reflection plane 31c. The terahertz wave generating element 20 is provided to be integrated with the entrance plane 31a of the internal total reflection prism 31, and the terahertz wave detecting element 40 is provided to be integrated with the exit plane 31b of the internal total reflection prism 31.
US08354640B2 Optically based planar scanner
Apparatus and methods for providing an optically based planar scanner for generating an image are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a switchable Bragg grating. An area of the switchable Bragg grating is configured to be activated to direct light to a platen. The platen is configured to reflect the light to a waveguide or to refract the light. The light reflected to the waveguide is guided to a light detector. By activating a number of the areas of the switchable Bragg grating and measuring the intensity of the light with a light detector, an image of an object contacting the platen may be formed.
US08354639B2 IR camera with adjustable view parameter settings
The invention relates to an IR camera for capturing thermal images of an imaged view, the IR camera comprising an IR camera display arranged to display the captured thermal images to a user of the IR camera according to a view parameter setting. The IR camera is characterized in that it further comprises a display control unit arranged to automatically adjust the view parameter setting in the IR camera display based on a temperature reference area in the captured thermal images, wherein the temperature reference area is obtained using an indication means when a manual indication is performed by the user of the IR camera. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting view parameter settings in an IR camera and a computer program product.
US08354637B2 Method for obtaining crystal lattice moire pattern and scanning microscope
A method for taking a crystal lattice moiré pattern of a crystal structure using a scanning microscope, and the scanning microscope implementing the method, arranges multiple virtual lattice points periodically corresponding to the crystal structure and an orientation thereof, on a scan plane of the crystal structure, detects signals from the multiple virtual lattice points, generated by an incident probe of the scanning microscope, and generates data of the crystal lattice moiré pattern, based on the detected signals.
US08354633B2 Side cured light-transmissive display system
An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. The light resistant material has a first side and a second side. Substantially invisible holes penetrate between the first surface and the second surface in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern. The second surface is exposed to a side curing light that is substantially parallel to the second surface at the invisible holes thereadjacent. A light-conducting curable filler is applied into the invisible holes from the first surface. Surfaces of the light-conducting curable filler are cured in the invisible holes at the second surface with the side curing light. The remaining curable filler in the invisible holes is cured.
US08354624B2 Device for curing a plastic material
The invention relates to a device for curing a plastic material, in particular a sealing compound and/or a filling compound for tolerance adjustment or gap filling, respectively, wherein the plastic material is at least partly inserted in a gap area between two components, and wherein at least one of the components is made of a fiber reinforced plastic material, in particular of a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin. According to the invention the device is provided with at least one electromagnetic inductor for a locally defined heating of the gap area and for curing the plastic material arranged in the gap area. Due to the electromagnetic inductor which might be a linear inductor or a circular inductor a contact-less and fast curing of the plastic material is possible.
US08354623B2 Treatment apparatus, treatment method, and storage medium
A treatment apparatus uses an inductive heating method to allow an object to be heated while preventing a treatment chamber from being heated. The treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment on the object has a treatment chamber and an induction heating coil section. The treatment chamber is capable of accommodating a plurality of objects. The induction heating coil section is wound around an outer circumference of the treatment chamber. The treatment apparatus also has a high frequency power supply and a gas supply unit. The high frequency power supply applies high frequency power to the induction heating coil section. The gas supply unit introduces a necessary gas to the treatment chamber. A holding unit is inserted in and removed from the treatment chamber under the condition that the holding unit holds the object and an induction heating generator adapted to be inductively heated by means of a high frequency wave emitted by the induction heating coil section.
US08354616B2 Heater apparatus, system, and method for stabilizing a sheet material
An apparatus for stabilizing a sheet material by near-field levitation comprises a heater plate including a heating element and a radiation surface which vibrates when the heater plate receives an acoustic wave. The apparatus further comprises at least one vibration source coupled to the heater plate and operable to transmit the acoustic wave to the heater plate.
US08354615B2 Manual welding electrode
An electrode for use in a welding process may comprise a finite length electrode core. The electrode core may be encapsulated at least partially within a coating comprising a flux material. One end of the electrode core may be tapered from a first diameter D to a second smaller diameter D1. The tapered end may further be covered with a coating that enhances the arc starting capabilities of the electrode.
US08354611B2 Laser engraving apparatus
In laser engraving apparatus for engraving a gray-scale image on a plastic ID-card, the laser is a modulatable optically pumped semiconductor laser. Focusing optics focus a beam from the laser into a focal spot about 10 micrometers in diameter. The ID-card is mounted on a turntable which is rotated such that the focal spot sweeps over the ID card. The turntable is translated in a direction transverse to the rotation direction and the laser is modulated such that the engraved gray-scale image is formed by a matrix of parallel black lines of various length and spacing.
US08354605B2 Input device for in-vehicle device
A technique of preventing permeation of liquid and dust to electronic parts within a housing of an input device for an in-vehicle device.An input device of an in-vehicle device comprises a housing and a substrate stored in the housing. The housing comprises a button, a rod hole for guiding vertically a rod positioned under the button, taking the top of the button as an upper side, and the rod inserted in the rod hole. The substrate comprises an input element positioned under the rod. The rod is fitted with a covering member that covers the rod hole from above.
US08354602B2 Method and system for weighting material storage units based on current output from one or more load sensors
Methods and systems for accurate measurement of forces to determine the amount of materials in a container are disclosed. A weighing assembly is disclosed which includes a base plate, a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate and a plurality of load sensors. Each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates. A mounting block is symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors and a current measurement device measures a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors.
US08354601B2 Method and structure for coaxial via routing in printed circuit boards for improved signal integrity
A method and a structure for a coaxial via that extend along the entire length of a signal via in a printed circuit board. Signal integrity is improved by providing ground shield for the entire length of the coaxial via. The ground shielding can be implemented by either providing ground cage vias around a signal via and routing a trace to the signal via on a built up layer or by providing a semi circle ground trench through a build up layer to permit a trace access to the signal via.
US08354592B2 Super-conducting cable device
Provided is a superconducting cable device including: a first superconducting cable and a second superconducting cable; an intermediate connection box which connects the first and second superconducting cables to each other; and a cooling device which causes a coolant to flow inside the intermediate connection box in a lengthwise direction of the intermediate connection box, wherein a cable connection portion for connecting the first and second superconducting cables to each other is provided in the intermediate connection box. In an uncooled state, the cable connection portion is disposed to be eccentric from a center line in the lengthwise direction of the intermediate connection box in a direction in which the coolant flows.
US08354582B2 Solar home electrification with grid connection
A means of providing solar powered electricity for day and nighttime use supported in part by power from the grid to allow a small generator to electrify the home or business with a small generator operating with much larger capacity. Excess solar energy is provided to the power company as needed.
US08354581B2 Hybrid drum
A hybrid drum as described combines the characteristics of both acoustic and electronic percussion apparatus enabling a musician to have a single instrument and have either acoustic or electronic output. A hybrid drum includes a multilayer drum head with a built-in FSR sensor such that the FSR drum head replaces the drum head of the acoustic drum and can be used to perform acoustically and or electronically. The FSR sensor is built into a double layer, double-head acoustic drum head, wherein one layer of the double head system has the FSR element printed on it, while the other layer of the double layer head has the inter-digiting conductive fingers printed on it and facing the FSR element. A conductive tail extends from one of the drum head layers and is operably connected to an electronic module secured to the drum shell.
US08354568B2 Suppression of B-cell apoptosis in transgenic animals expressing humanized immunoglobulin
The invention provides a novel approach to increase immunoglobulin expression in non-human transgenic animals. For instance, the invention provides a method to increase humanized immunoglobulin production in animals genetically engineered to express one or several human or humanized immunoglobulin transloci. This can be done by overexpressing the apoptosis inhibitor, i.e. a rabbit bcl-2, whose expression is driven by a B-cell specific promoter specifically in the B-cell of the animal, thereby enhancing the survival of B-cells. This invention further relates to a method for selectively enhancing the survival of exogenous B-cells, that is B-cells expressing any immunoglobulin transgene locus, over the survival of endogenous B-cells that do not express the transgene locus. Selectivity is achieved by expressing the apoptosis-inhibitor only within exogenous B-cells, that is, by coupling exogenous immunoglobulin expression with apoptosis inhibitor expression. This latter method allows for increased expression and production of the transgene encoded product(s) over the endogenously produced immunoglobulin of the transgenic animal. The invention also provides a novel apoptosis-inhibitor, rabbit bcl-2.
US08354565B1 Rapid gas hydrate formation process
The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for forming gas hydrates from a two-phase mixture of water and a hydrate forming gas. The two-phase mixture is created in a mixing zone which may be wholly included within the body of a spray nozzle. The two-phase mixture is subsequently sprayed into a reaction zone, where the reaction zone is under pressure and temperature conditions suitable for formation of the gas hydrate. The reaction zone pressure is less than the mixing zone pressure so that expansion of the hydrate-forming gas in the mixture provides a degree of cooling by the Joule-Thompson effect and provides more intimate mixing between the water and the hydrate-forming gas. The result of the process is the formation of gas hydrates continuously and with a greatly reduced induction time. An apparatus for conduct of the method is further provided.
US08354553B2 Preparation method of organic-transition metal hydride complexes containing aryl group or alkyl group as hydrogen storage materials
The present invention relates to an improved preparation method of an organic-transition metal hydride as a hydrogen storage material, especially an improved preparation method of an organic-transition metal hydride containing aryl or alkyl group that facilitates safe and reversible storage of a massive amount of hydrogen. The present invention also relates to a preparation method of an organic-transition metal hydride comprising the steps of: preparing a complex reducing agent composition by reacting alkali metal, alkali earth metal or a mixture thereof and a C10 to C20 aromatic compound in aprotic polar solvent; and preparing the organic-transition metal hydride by reacting the prepared complex reducing agent composition with an organic-transition metal halide in the absence of a hydrogen source. The method has the advantages of minimizing the number and amount of byproducts by using a complex reducing agent and producing an organic-transition metal hydride safely without denaturation under more moderate reaction conditions.
US08354552B2 Method of surface modification of metallic hydride forming materials
The invention discloses a method of modifying the surface of a metallic hydride-forming material, through functionalization treating the surface of the metallic hydride-forming material with aminosilane to deposit self-assembled monolayers onto the surface. Thereafter at least one Platinum Group Metal is deposited onto the treated surface of the metallic hydride-forming material to allow chemical bonding to occur between the Platinum Group Metal(s) and the self-assembled monolayers.
US08354545B2 3,4-substituted pyrrolidine beta-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of alzheimer's disease
The present invention is directed to 3,4-substituted pyrrolidine compounds of formula (I) which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved.
US08354540B2 2-aminopyridine analogs as glucokinase activators
Provided are compounds that are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases mediated by deficient levels of glucokinase activity, such as diabetes mellitus. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing diseases and disorders characterized by underactivity of glucokinase or which can be treated by activating glucokinase.
US08354527B2 Process for producing amide or lactam
The present invention relates to a process for producing an amide or lactam, particularly laurolactam, wherein catalytic amounts of an acidic chloride and a Lewis acid are used in Beckmann rearrangement of an oxime compound. In accordance with the process, side reactions during Beckmann rearrangement can be so controlled that selectivity can be improved and strong coloring in the reaction can be prevented, giving a high-quality amide or lactam.
US08354524B2 Synthesis of selenium-derivatized nucleosides, nucleotides, phosphoramidites, triphosphates and nucleic acids
The present invention provides selenium derivatives of nucleosides, nucleoside phosphoramidites, nucleotides, nucleotide triphosphates, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, and larger nucleic acids and methods for their synthesis. Selenium derivatives of both ribonucleic acids and deoxyribonucleic acids, as well as methods for their synthesis, crystallization and uses in structural determinations, particularly by X-ray crystallographic techniques are disclosed. The selenium derivatives of the present invention are also useful as food supplements.
US08354515B2 Oligonucleotide derivative, labeling agent and use for labeling agent
A labeling agent comprising a plurality of nucleotide derivative units represented by Formula (1) below: (where, Z represents a nitrogen atom or CH, Y represents an uncondensed aromatic hydrocarbon group or condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon group, X1 represents O, S or Se, and X2 represents SH (or S−), Se−, a C1-4 alkyl or a morpholino group).