Document Document Title
US08361316B2 Device for mixing and separation of magnetic particles
An apparatus for mixing and separating magnetic particles in a liquid comprises a holder having a plurality of apertures configured as an array of rows and columns and a plurality of containers capable of receiving liquid containing magnetic particles, each container being sized to be placed in one of the apertures; plural magnets capable of being moved relative to the containers between a first position and a second position to change the position of the magnets and magnetic particles in the container; and a drive mechanism for moving the magnets between positions at a sufficiently high speed that the particles do not settle down due to gravitational forces during motion between the first and second positions.
US08361305B2 Method and device for analyzing lipid component contained in serum
To provide a method of analyzing a lipid component in serum which comprises: a first total acid concentration measurement step of electrochemically measuring the total acid concentration in a serum-containing analyte solution in the presence of a water-soluble quinone derivative; a fatty acid production step of allowing a lipid component in the serum to react with one or more kinds of enzymes which specifically act on the lipid component to produce a fatty acid; a second total acid concentration measurement step of electrochemically measuring the total acid concentration in the serum-containing analyte solution in the presence of the water-soluble quinone derivative; and a lipid component concentration calculation step of calculating the serum concentration of the lipid component based on the total acid concentration measured in the first total acid concentration measurement step and the total acid concentration measured in the second total acid measurement step.
US08361304B2 Water electrolysis system and method of operating same
A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis apparatus for producing high-pressure hydrogen by electrolyzing pure water and a casing. The casing defines therein an accommodating chamber accommodating the water electrolysis apparatus etc. therein, first electric component compartments separate from the accommodating chamber and housing a controller and an electrolysis power supply therein, the first electric component compartments having first fans for introducing external air, and a second electric component compartment separate from the accommodating chamber and housing a relay, the second electric component compartment being connected to the first electric component compartments by a pipe.
US08361301B2 Electrocoating composition comprising a crater control additive
The present invention relates to an electrodepositable coating composition comprising a crater control additive.
US08361296B2 Shaped electrodes for microfluidic dielectrophoretic particle manipulation
Methods, devices, and systems for separating disparate liquid-suspended particles in a flow channel using dielectrophoresis induced by concave-shaped electrodes and field-flow fractionation.
US08361291B2 System and method for quality assurance of a biosensor test strip
The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a signal of interest in a biological fluid when the test strip is mated to an appropriate test meter, wherein the test strip and the test meter include structures to verify the integrity of the test strip traces, to measure the parasitic resistance of the test strip traces, and to provide compensation in the voltage applied to the test strip to account for parasitic resistive losses in the test strip traces.
US08361282B2 System and method using a microwave-transparent reaction chamber for production of fuel from a carbon-containing feedstock
Approaches for producing fuel from a carbon-containing feedstock are described. Feedstock is introduced into a substantially microwave-transparent reaction chamber. A microwave source emits microwaves which are directed through the microwave-transparent wall of the reaction chamber to impinge on the feedstock within the reaction chamber. The microwave source may be rotated relative to the reaction chamber. The feedstock is subjected to microwaves until the desired reaction occurs to produce a fuel. A catalyst can be mixed with the feedstock to enhance the reaction process.
US08361276B2 Large area, atmospheric pressure plasma for downstream processing
An arcless, atmospheric-pressure plasma generating apparatus capable of producing a large-area, temperature-controlled, stable discharge at power densities between about 0.1 W/cm3 and about 200 W/cm3, while having an operating gas temperature of less than 50° C., for processing materials outside of the discharge, is described. The apparatus produces active chemical species, including gaseous metastables and radicals which may be used for polymerization (either free radical-induced or through dehydrogenation-based polymerization), surface cleaning and modification, etching, adhesion promotion, and sterilization, as examples. The invention may include either a cooled rf-driven electrode or a cooled ground electrode, or two cooled electrodes, wherein active components of the plasma may be directed out of the plasma and onto an external workpiece without simultaneously exposing a material to the electrical influence or ionic components of the plasma.
US08361271B2 Ceramic-metal bonded body and method of producing the same
To form an electrostatic chuck, a bonding sheet is applied onto the upper surface of a cooling plate and then the cooling plate is placed in a vacuum dryer at a pressure of 2,000 Pa or less for a pre-bake treatment at 120° C. to 130° C. for 15 to 40 hours, followed by natural cooling. A plate is then stacked on the bonding sheet so that the lower surface of the plate is aligned with the upper surface of the bonding sheet, which is applied onto the cooling plate. The resulting stacked body is placed in a heat-resistant resin bag, and is then placed in an autoclave and treated together for several hours under pressure and heat.
US08361265B2 Process for producing composite prepreg base, layered base, and fiber-reinforced plastic
A composite prepreg base which includes a raw prepreg base comprising a fiber sheet comprising discontinuous reinforcing fibers arranged in one direction and having a fiber length of 1-300 mm and a matrix resin infiltrated into the fiber sheet; and an additional resin layer formed on at least one surface of the raw prepreg base. The composite prepreg base is produced by a process including (i) the step of preparing the raw prepreg base and (ii) the step of forming an additional resin layer on at least one surface of the raw prepreg base prepared. Also provided are: a layered base including two or more sheets of the composite prepreg base which have been superposed so that the additional resin layer is present on at least one surface; and a fiber-reinforced plastic formed by heating and pressing the layered base.
US08361246B2 Pearlite rail
A pearlite rail contains, by mass %, 0.65 to 1.20% of C; 0.05 to 2.00% of Si; 0.05 to 2.00% of Mn; and the balance composed of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein at least part of the head portion and at least part of the bottom portion has a pearlite structure, and the surface hardness of a portion of the pearlite structure is in a range of Hv320 to Hv500 and a maximum surface roughness of a portion of the pearlite structure is less than or equal to 180 μm.
US08361242B2 Powders for rare earth magnets, rare earth magnets and methods for manufacturing the same
A powder consists essentially by weight, of 28.00≦R≦32.00%, where R is at least one rare earth element including Y and the sum of Dy+Tb>0.5, 0.50≦B≦2.00%, 0.50≦Co≦3.50%, 0.050≦M≦0.5%, where M is one or more of the elements Ga, Cu and Al, 0.25 wt %
US08361237B2 Wet clean compositions for CoWP and porous dielectrics
The present invention is a formulation for wet clean removal of post etch and ash residue from a semiconductor substrate having a CoWP feature, comprising; Deionized water; Organic acid; Amine and/or quaternary ammonium hydroxide; wherein the formulation is compatible with the CoWP feature and either (a) the molar ratio of amine and/or quaternary ammonium hydroxide to organic acid provides a pH in the range of 7-14; or (b) the formulation includes a corrosion inhibitor. A method of using the formulation is also described.
US08361235B2 Low-viscosity reduced-sugar syrup, methods of making, and applications thereof
The invention provides a low-viscosity reduced-sugar syrup, methods of making such a low-viscosity reduced-sugar syrup, and uses of such syrup.
US08361232B2 Vapor deposition apparatus and process for continuous indirect deposition of a thin film layer on a substrate
An apparatus and related process are provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate. A deposition head is configured for sublimating a source material supplied thereto. The sublimated source material condenses onto a transport conveyor disposed below the deposition head. A substrate conveyor is disposed below the transport conveyor and conveys substrates in a conveyance path through the apparatus such that an upper surface of the substrates is opposite from and spaced below a lower leg of the transport conveyor. A heat source is configured adjacent the lower leg of the transport conveyor. The source material plated onto the transport conveyor is sublimated along the lower leg and condenses onto to the upper surface of substrates conveyed by the substrate conveyor.
US08361229B2 Seal configuration for a system for continuous deposition of a thin film layer on a substrate
An apparatus and associated method of operation is provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material, such as CdTe, as a thin film on discrete photovoltaic (PV) module substrates that are conveyed in a continuous, non-stop manner through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a deposition head configured for receipt and sublimation of the source material. The deposition head has a distribution plate at a defined distance above a horizontal conveyance plane of an upper surface of the substrates conveyed through a deposition area within the apparatus. The sublimated source material moves through the distribution plate and deposits onto the upper surface of the substrates as they are conveyed through the deposition area. The substrates move into and out of the deposition area through entry and exit slots that are defined by transversely extending entrance and exit seals. The seals are disposed at a gap distance above the upper surface of the substrates that is less than the distance or spacing between the upper surface of the substrates and the distribution plate. The seals have a ratio of longitudinal length (in the direction of conveyance of the substrates) to gap distance of from about 10:1 to about 100:1.
US08361221B2 Additive for reducing chromium (VI) to chromium (III) ions
The invention relates to an additive for reducing Cr(VI) ions to Cr(III) ions, comprising a complex of tin(II) and a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and to the process for the preparation thereof. It also relates to a process for preparing a material having a low chromium(VI) content. Finally, it relates to the use of said additive for reducing chromium(VI) ions to chromium(III) ions.
US08361199B2 Purification of H2Se
Methods of purifying H2Se by removing H2S and/or H2O are disclosed. The amount of H2S in the H2Se-containing gas is reduced below 10 ppmv by passing the H2Se-containing gas through an AW-500 molecular sieve. H2S and H2O are removed by passing H2Se through a 4 A molecular sieve and subsequently passing H2Se through an AW-500 molecular sieve.
US08361196B2 Gas-selective membrane and method of its production
A membrane selectively permeable to light gases comprises a membrane body formed by a first plate and a second plate. The second plate comprises a thin layer that is selectively gas-permeable. In the region of windows, this layer is exposed. There, support is provided by a porous bottom wall in the first plate or by narrow bores in the second plate. A heating device causes a radiation heating of the windows.
US08361190B2 Process and apparatus for producing sponge iron
A process and an apparatus for producing sponge iron from iron-oxide-containing material in lump form by direct reduction in a reduction shaft using a reducing gas, wherein the entire reducing gas is introduced by means of a number of reducing gas distribution ducts in a star-like arrangement or arranged parallel to one another, preferably into the lower quarter of the reduction shaft, and evenly distributed over the entire cross-section of the reduction shaft.
US08361188B2 Methods for preparing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles
Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can be prepared via a simple synthesis by using a hydrolysable gallotannin, such as tannic acid, to reduce a metal precursor compound and to act as a stabilizer for the resultant nanoparticles. By controlling the molar ratio of hydrolysable gallotannin to metal precursor and/or the initial pH of the reagents one can achieve control over the size and polydispersity of the resultant nanoparticles. In particular, the controlled addition of a metal precursor into a solution of the hydrolysable gallotannin, as described herein, can yield small nanoparticles, for example 1 nm to 40 nm diameter nanoparticles, with low polydispersity. The methods disclosed herein can be performed at room temperature.
US08361183B2 Air filtration media pack, filter element, air filtration media, and methods
An air filtration media pack is provided having a plurality of layers of single facer media. The layer of single facer media includes a fluted sheet, a facing sheet, and a plurality of flutes extending between the fluted sheet and the facing sheet and having a flute length extending from a first face of the filtration media pack to a second face of the filtration media pack. A first portion of the plurality of flutes are closed to unfiltered air flowing into the first portion of the plurality of flutes, and a second portion of the plurality of flutes are closed to unfiltered air from flowing out of the second portion of the plurality of flutes so that air passing into one of the first face and the second face of the media pack and out the other of the first face and the second face of the media pack passes through media to provide filtration of the air. The fluted sheet includes repeating internal peaks facing toward the facing sheet and repeating external peaks facing away from the facing sheet. In addition, the fluted sheet can include at least one ridge extending along at least 50% of the flute length between an internal peak and an adjacent external peak. Additional characterizations of an air filtration media pack, air filtration media, and methods of making and using are provided.
US08361176B2 Hydrophilic and hydrophobic silane surface modification of abrasive grains
A surface-modified abrasive grain includes an abrasive grain as a substrate, and a film on the abrasive grain that includes a relatively hydrophilic silane component and a relatively hydrophobic silane component. The film can be a single film layer or multiple film layers, wherein a film layer most proximal to the abrasive grain has a predominately hydrophilic silane component, and a film layer more distal to the abrasive grain includes predominately a relatively hydrophobic silane component. Coated abrasive products and bonded abrasive products include the surface-modified abrasive grains.
US08361165B2 Neural prosthetic with touch-like sensing
An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit, and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate, and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.
US08361161B2 Kit and method for fixating a prosthesis or part thereof and/or filling osseous defects
Kit of parts, comprising: a prosthesis or prosthesis part having at least one contact surface; metal granules having an internal porosity; bone cement; and further comprising titanium granules for use in a kit of parts, which granules preferably are osteoconductive, which granules preferably are coated with a coating from the group of osteoconductive or osteoinductive coatings, or coatings comprising bioceramic, bioglass or osteoconductive or osteoinductive molecules or fluids or cells.
US08361156B2 Systems and methods for spinal fusion
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US08361153B2 Porous intervertebral distraction spacers
An intervertebral space distraction and implantable device assembly provides sequentially axially wider spacers that are to be sequentially inserted into and removed from an intervertebral space to widen the space until a desired anatomical spacing of the adjacent vertebral bones is restored. The set of spacers includes a porous spacer that is as wide as the spacer that restores the desired anatomical spacing. The porous spacer can therefore be left implanted in the intervertebral space to promote fusion of the adjacent vertebral bones.
US08361149B2 Wedge-like spinal implant
The present invention is a spinal implant that can be inserted into a surgically created cavity of one or more regions of the mammalian spine. Universal corner posts and one or more lateral universal posts are connected with a series of trapezoidal wedge-like dividers. The series of dividers includes a generally horizontal divider, a first set of dividers diverging away from the horizontal and a second set of dividers diverging away from the horizontal. Embodiments of the current cage can further include brakes, bars and superior and inferior plates.
US08361146B2 Materials for making hydrophobic intraocular lens
The present invention provides copolymers made up of alkoxyalkyl methacrylate and/or alkoxyalkyl acrylate monomers in combination with one or more additional hydrophobic monomers. The copolymers may be used in the manufacture of intraocular lenses, including both the optic and haptic portions of the lenses. The present invention also provide methods for making intraocular lenses from the copolymers.
US08361144B2 Percutaneously deliverable heart valve and methods associated therewith
A prosthetic heart valve implantable by catheter without surgery includes a substantially “dry” membrane or tissue material. In at least one embodiment, the tissue is folded in a dry state to form a tissue leaflet assembly that is then attached to a frame to form an implantable prosthetic heart valve. Alternatively, one or more tissue leaflets are operatively associated with a frame to form an implantable prosthetic heart valve. The implantable prosthetic heart valve is subsequently pre-mounted on an integrated catheter delivery system. The catheter delivery system that includes the implantable prosthetic heart valve is then packaged and transported while the tissue remains dry. The implantable prosthetic heart valve, while remaining substantially dry, can then be implanted into the receiving patient.
US08361143B2 Medical devices for delivery of therapeutic agents
The present invention is generally directed to medical devices, and more specifically to medical devices that are at least partially insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical devices generally include (a) a therapeutic agent, more typically, a high-molecular-weight therapeutic agent, and (b) at least one polymeric layer, which typically acts to control the release of the therapeutic agent from the medical device. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such medical devices.
US08361142B2 Docking head for connecting vascular device to a vessel
A docking head of the present invention is provided to be mounted on a vascular graft having an outer diameter comparable with the inner diameter of the blood vessel so as to couple the vascular graft to a vessel wall in a suture-less manner. The docking head comprises a thin-walled hollow truncated cone having a passage sized to fit the outer diameter of the vascular graft wherein the cone is capable of connecting to the vascular graft while the hollow thin-walled truncated cone is provided with a plurality of outwardly pointing and inclined plurality of barbs. The docking head act as guiding, anchoring and sealing means between the vascular graft and the vessel.
US08361141B2 Modular stent assembly
A modular stent assembly (20) is provided with stent sections (22-26) which are coupled together by a coupling arrangement formed of first (30) and second (32) coupling elements. The first and second coupling elements (30, 32) provide a strong coupling between adjacent stent sections (22-26) which behaves in a manner substantially identical to the conventional unitary tie bar. The modular nature of the stent assembly (20) reduces manufacturing costs, can provide for replacement of only a defective part of the assembly 20 and can facilitate the assembly of a stent having differing characteristics along its length optimised for a particular medical application.
US08361135B2 Prosthesis deployment system
An introducer for an expandable endovascular prosthesis having a self expanding stent has a distal prosthesis positioning mechanism and a proximal prosthesis retention mechanism. The proximal prosthesis retention mechanism includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted to retain the self expanding stent. A release mechanism extends proximally from the distal prosthesis positioning mechanism exerts a force in the proximal direction on the self expanding stent to retain the self expanding stent in the cylindrical sleeve.
US08361131B2 Multi-component K-wire
A surgical tool includes first and second K-wire components that are configured to pivot relative to each other and their relative position can be securely locked. The locking mechanism may be a sleeve, a retention ring or a collet.
US08361129B2 Large diameter bone anchor assembly
A bone anchor assembly is described having a large diameter for fixing a spinal connection element to bone. The assembly includes a receiver member for receiving the spinal connection element, a bone-engaging shank for engaging bone and a first and second insert for retaining the head of the shank within the receiver member.
US08361128B2 Method and apparatus for performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure
A method of performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure includes securing a sensor support instrument to the patient's bone. A number of sensors are secured to the support instrument. A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.
US08361119B2 Bone anchoring device
A bone anchoring device is provided that includes an anchoring element with a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra, a connection element for connecting at least two anchoring elements, the connection element being made of an elastic material, a receiving part being connected to the shank for receiving the connection element and connecting the connection element to the shank, a seat for the connection element the seat being provided in the receiving part, and a locking element being engageable with the receiving part for fixation of the connection element in the seat. At least the portion of the connection element which is received in the recess has a substantially smooth-surface. The locking element has an engagement structure which contacts the surface of the connection element in such a way that a form-fit connection is provided.
US08361114B2 Method and apparatus for suture anchors with a vertical eyelet
A method of preparing a suture in a suture anchor having a bone engaging section and a suture engaging section is provided. The suture is passed through a first suture passage section from a proximal end of the suture engaging section in a direction that diverges from a bone engaging axis and out of the suture engaging section through a first suture portal. The suture is passed from the first suture portal through the second suture portal. The suture is then passed from the second suture portal in a direction that converges toward the bone engaging axis through the third closed suture passage.
US08361113B2 Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.
US08361110B2 Heart-shaped PFO closure device
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure clip include two closure members, which may be heart shaped, joined by at least two spaced central connecting members. Each of the at least two spaced central connecting members is attached to each closure member at a location on the periphery of the closure member. The connecting member may be generally square shaped or include other shapes. The clips of the present invention may be formed of various materials, including metals, nonmetallic materials, bioresorbable polymers, spring steel, shape memory materials, bioresorbable shape memory polymers, or combinations thereof. The clips can take various forms depending, in part, upon the distribution of force required to close a given PFO. At least one of the closure members can include a tissue scaffold.
US08361098B2 Surgical blade for use with a surgical tool for making incisions for scleral eye implants
A surgical blade is disclosed for use with a surgical tool for making incisions in the sclera of an eye to form a scleral pocket to receive a scleral prosthesis. The surgical blade comprises a rotatable support arm capable of being rotated by the surgical tool and a detachable curved cutting blade for making incisions in the sclera of an eye. The surgical tool causes the curved cutting blade to advance through the sclera to form an incision having dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis. When the incision is complete the curved cutting blade is detached from the rotatable support arm. The curved cutting blade is then removed from the incision by pulling the curved cutting blade forward out of the incision. The incision has the exact dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis.
US08361091B2 Cannulas, cannula mount assemblies, and clamping methods using such cannulas and cannula mount assemblies
A cannula connects an organ with a perfusion system that monitors, treats, sustains and/or restores the viability of the organ and/or that transports and/or stores the organ. At least part of a cannula may be made of a soft elastomer to help avoid damage to the organ. In embodiments, the cannula includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a sealing ring and two compression straps. In embodiments, the cannula includes a top portion and a flexible bottom portion that may be attached to the top portion. In embodiments, part of the cannula is inserted directly into an artery and a suture is used to tie the artery in place. Also, the cannula may include an attachment feature that can be used to connect the cannula to an organ platform or chair. Various features of the cannula may allow a visual check for and venting of air bubbles in the cannula.
US08361090B2 Apparatus and method for endoscopic colectomy
Apparatus and methods for endoscopic colectomy are described herein. A colectomy device having a first and a second tissue approximation device is mounted on a colonoscope separated from one another. During deployment of the colectomy device, a diseased portion of the colon is positioned inbetween the tissue approximation devices. The tissue approximation devices are radially expanded such that they contact and grasp the colon wall at two sites adjacent to the diseased portion of the colon. The diseased portion is separated from the omentum and is transected using a laparoscope or is drawn into the colonoscope for later removal. The tissue approximation devices are then urged towards one another over the colonoscope to approximate the two free edges of the colon into contact together where they are fastened to one another using the tissue approximation device as a surgical stapler to create an end-to-end anastomosis.
US08361083B2 Obstetrical vacuum extractor with over-traction release
A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the inner side of the cup and secures it to the fetal head. A strain sensor is connected to the stem. When the force applied to the cup through the handle and stem exceeds a predetermined maximum, a valve connecting the vacuum pressure to the atmosphere is opened so as to release the vacuum pressure from the cup. Another extractor comprises an elongated hollow stem having one or more apertures along its length, a vacuum source connected to a cup supported on the stem, and a handle member which includes a traction limiting element operative to open and close the apertures.
US08361081B2 Flexible vacuum grabber for holding lesions
A grabbing device includes a transparent flexible cup that can be placed adjacent to a selected region of an inner surface of a body cavity. The flexible cup is visually put in place by the surgeon, and a vacuum is applied to draw a selected amount of tissue into the flexible cup, so that it may, e.g., be excised. The device may also retrieve the tissue excised from the body cavity.
US08361079B2 Method for drilling enlarged sections of angled osteal tunnels
Methods for drilling enlarged osteal tunnels using osteal guides capable of drilling an angled osteal tunnel, namely, an osteal tunnel having an angle or turn within the bone and for drawing a muscle, tendon or ligament in need of repair into the enlarged osteal tunnel such that the bone can mend about, around, over and/or within the muscle, tendon or ligament. A reamer and guide wire can be used to create the enlarged osteal tunnel to accommodate a portion of the muscle, tendon or ligament in need of repair. The device allows for the blind intraosseous preparation of osteal tunnels and the blind intraosseous retrieval of sutures from such osteal tunnels.
US08361065B2 Electrosurgical instrument with an ablation mode and a coagulation mode
The electrosurgical instrument is configured to selectively perform ablation or coagulation as desired. The electrosurgical instrument includes at least two electrodes on the electrode probe that can be activated using an RF generator. The electrosurgical instrument is selectively switchable between an ablation mode and a coagulation mode by changing the amount of active surface area. In particular, in the ablation mode, a relatively small surface area is active. Thus, for a given power input, the current density is relatively high. In the coagulation mode, the active surface area is increased, thereby reducing the current density in the coagulation mode for the given power input.
US08361060B2 Electromagnetic thermotherapeutic apparatus and system
An electromagnetic thermotherapeutic system is adapted to treat a biological tissue and includes an electromagnetic thermotherapeutic apparatus and a high frequency induction heating circuit unit. The apparatus includes a needle assembly and a temperature monitor. The needle assembly is adapted to be inserted in the biological tissue and includes a flexible and bendable needle seat and a plurality of ferrous needles attached to the needle seat and having needle tips extending in a direction away from the needle seat. The temperature monitor is connected to the needle assembly. The high frequency induction heating circuit unit has an induction coil capable of producing an electromagnetic field to induce currents in the ferrous needles and to thereby heat the ferrous needles.
US08361058B2 Laser treatment apparatus
A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a laser beam to a patient's eye, comprises: a plurality of laser sources which emit treatment laser beams having different wavelengths, each laser source being held in a main body to be mountable and demountable and connected to a power source through a connector; a light delivery optical system having a mirror for making the laser beams from the laser sources coaxial with each other to deliver each laser beam to the patient's eye; an input unit for inputting mounting information of each laser source; a control unit which checks a predetermined operation of each laser source by a sensor at the time of activation to determine whether an abnormality is present or not in each laser source, and displays an indication that the abnormality is present on a display, wherein the control unit will not perform the operation check whether the abnormality is present or not in the laser source or laser sources unmounted in the main body, based on the mounting information input by the input unit.
US08361057B2 Male telescope catheter
The present invention relates to a catheter, especially an expandable catheter with a transition between the individual sections allowing insertion of the transition into urethra. In particular the present invention relates to a catheter which is operable between a collapsed configuration for storage and transportation and an expanded configuration for draining fluid from a body via a conduit which extends axially in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to an opposite distal end, the catheter comprising: a proximal section, adapted to be fully inserted into a urinary channel of the body and forming a proximal part of the conduit which part extends axially between the proximal end and a first transition end of the proximal section, and a distal section, adapted to be at least partially inserted into the urinary channel and forming a distal part of the conduit which part extends axially between a second transition end of the distal section and the distal end, an insertable part of the first transition end being dimensioned to enable its positioning inside a receiving portion of the distal part of the conduit to enable axial movement of the sections relative to each other to operate the catheter between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration of the catheter, wherein the sections comprise cooperating coupling structures to support the catheter in the expanded configuration.
US08361055B2 Syringe and method for reconstitution of dry-form drugs and medicines
A method of reconstituting and administering an injectable fluid distributed to practitioners in dry-form includes receiving a drug or medicine in dry form, selecting a reconstitution concentration for the drug or medicine, reconstituting a desired number of units of the drug or medicine by adding diluent to the dry-form drug or medicine, selecting a syringe having units marked according to the selected reconstitution concentration, drawing up a desired number of drug or medicine units using the selected syringe, and administering a desired number of units according to the unit markings on the selected syringe. Such a syringe includes a barrel, a plunger assembly that has a plunger handle and a piston, a needle, and a needle cap. The syringe includes a visual indicia, representing a first drug concentration contained in the barrel, that is distinguishable from a corresponding visual indicia, on a second syringe, representing a second drug concentration.
US08361053B2 Multi-cartridge fluid delivery device
A fluid delivery device for administering a first medicament and a second medicament includes a first fluid reservoir configured to contain the first medicament and a second fluid reservoir configured to contain the second medicament. The fluid delivery device may include one or more basal drive mechanisms to provide a basal delivery of one or more of the first and second medicaments. The fluid delivery device may further include one or more bolus drive mechanisms to provide a bolus delivery of one or more of the first and second medicaments.
US08361047B2 Absorbent article having spaced narrow width sections
The absorbent article includes a chassis, a crotch region, an absorbent body, and an elastic member arranged along a side edge in width direction of the crotch region. The oblong absorbent body arranged in the crotch region includes a first narrow width section, a second narrow width section, a center low rigidity section formed along a center line that halves the absorbent article in the width direction and a pair of lateral low rigidity sections provided at both sides of the center low rigidity section in the width direction with a substantially equal interval. Skin contacting face-side sheets and non-skin contacting face-side sheets 6 and 10 are arranged in the crotch region. The initial tensile strength of the skin contacting face-side sheets is lower than that of the non-skin contacting face-side sheets or that of the chassis 2.
US08361046B2 Absorbent garments with improved fit in the front leg area
Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.
US08361035B2 Prefilled retractable syringe, plunger and needle assembly
A retractable syringe, plunger and releasable needle retaining assembly are provided. The retractable syringe typically has a glass barrel and is prefilled with fluid contents before use. The releasable needle retaining system comprises a retractable needle, a needle seal, a retaining member and an ejector member that is operable to release the retractable needle from the retaining member. The retaining member has a mating surface for mounting to a complementary mating surface of an interior wall of a syringe barrel. The plunger comprises a plunger outer, a plunger rod frangibly connected to a controlling member, a spring and a unitary plunger seal capable of engaging the retractable needle, wherein the plunger rod, plunger outer and the controlling member co-operate to releasably maintain the spring in an initially compressed state. After delivery of fluid contents of the syringe, the plunger forces the ejector member to release the retractable needle from the retaining member. Decompression of the spring at the end of depression of the plunger facilitates retraction of the retractable needle when engaged with the unitary plunger seal. Dual locking systems prevent re-use of the syringe after needle retraction.
US08361032B2 Curable material delivery device with a rotatable supply section
An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site. The supply section can be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner section.
US08361023B2 Dialysis system with efficient battery back-up
A medical fluid machine includes: an enclosure; at least one medical fluid delivery component located inside the enclosure, the component capable of being powered by an external power source or a back-up battery; a transistor in electrical communication with the battery; and a regulator configured to: (i) receive as feedback a supply voltage; and (ii) vary a gate voltage at the transistor to maintain the supply voltage at least substantially at a desired level.
US08361020B2 Catheter assembly and pierced septum valve
A pierced septum valve is disclosed herein. The pierced septum valve includes a septum that is located within a lumen of a body. A septum activator is positioned proximal the septum within the lumen of the body. A seal is disposed between an outer surface of the septum activator and the body to seal the portion of the septum activator distal the lumen from the portion of the septum activator proximal the lumen. One or more vents are disposed between the seal and the lumen of the body to permits the passage of air but not blood past the seal.
US08361019B2 Injection aid and stability disk for syringe or insulin pen
An injection aid for a syringe includes a disk with a central orifice and a flange. The flange is located on the top of the disk, and surrounds the central orifice. The outlet end or needle hub of a syringe or insulin pen fits in the flange, with the syringe needle extending through the orifice, thereby securing the disk to the syringe. The bottom surface of the disk is generally flat. The bottom surface of the disk makes contact with the skin when the needle is inserted to the proper depth. In other words, the needle lies perpendicular to the disk and is arranged to project past the disk's flat bottom surface by a set, pre-determined length. When the disk is pressed flat against a patient's skin, the needle is at the proper depth for the substance being injected.
US08361014B2 Telescoping perfusion management system
A system for perfusion management that monitors, maintains, diagnoses, or treats perfusion deficiencies.
US08361009B2 Medical fluid machine with supply autoconnection
A medical fluid machine with supply autoconnection, the machine comprising: a cassette-receiving wall; a disposable cassette held firmly by the wall, the disposable cassette including a port spike, the port spike fitted with a spike cap; a translating shuttle including a channel sized to hold a portion of a supply tube and including a fixture for releasably holding a supply tube end; a supply tube including an end configured to be releasably held by the fixture of the channel of the translating shuttle, the supply tube fitted with a supply tube cap; a cap removal device selectively positionable between the disposable cassette and the translating shuttle; and a controller programmed to (i) translate the shuttle holding the supply tube at the supply tube end towards the disposable cassette, so that the cap removal device is likewise moved towards the disposable cassette and the spike cap of the disposable cassette is engaged, (ii) translate the shuttle holding the supply tube at the supply tube end away from the disposable cassette and the cap removal device, so that the cap removal device can pull the spike cap off of the port spike and the tube cap off of the tube end, and (iii) translate the shuttle back towards the disposable cassette to allow the port spike of the cassette to spike the tube end.
US08361006B2 Blood treatment device
A blood treatment device has a blood purification element divided into two chambers by a semipermeable membrane. With the device, nonphysiological conditions of the patient, in particular critical potassium concentrations and withdrawal rates, can be better prevented during the blood treatment. The device's analyzer unit determines on the basis of at least one sensor the concentration of a substance in the blood in the blood inlet line, the instantaneous transfer rate of this substance through the membrane, and the total quantity of this substance withdrawn during the treatment. The determined concentration is compared with a first admissible value range, the transfer rate is compared with a second admissible value range, and the quantity of the substance withdrawn is compared with a third value range. The device's control unit can instruct the device such that the blood treatment device performs the blood treatment while maintaining all three admissible value ranges.
US08361004B2 Foot abduction apparatus
An improved foot abduction apparatus allowing movement in a horizontal and vertical plane. The embodiments allow a user to more easily manipulate the apparatus in one or both planes through the use of strategically placed pivot points. The device utilizes at least one rigid member attached to coupling devices which contain at least one pivot point. The specialized coupling devices may be selectively attached to shoe receiving member or plates which are well known in the art. Additionally the shoe receiving members are able to receive an improved shoe containing a sole member contained with a silicone boot.
US08361003B2 Systems, devices, and methods for diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine
Systems, devices, and methods for diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine employ a garment for selectively positioning vertebrae of a spine of a supine individual, e.g., during diagnostic imaging of the spine. The garment affects movement of vertebrae that can be diagnostically correlated with incidents of back pain.
US08361002B2 Orthotic apparatus and method for using same
An inflatable bladder position a distance from a joint is attached to an external structural support which crosses the joint but does not support it. By inflating the bladder one limb segment is forced towards the external support thereby increasing the ranges of motion of that joint. Further, the inflatable bladder has an instant release valve which, when pressed, will instantly release the pressure within the bladder. The limb is positioned intermediate the bladder and the external structural support for optimal biomechanical efficiency.
US08361001B2 Device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and the applications thereof
The present invention generally relates to a device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and applications thereof. The device may be used to increase the blood flow in a local region of the body, and in preferred embodiments provides a device for regulating the core body temperature of a patient.
US08360998B2 Applicator system with vibrating implement
An applicator system for providing a massaging and a cooling effect while applying product to a body includes an applicator tip connected to a vibrating mechanism that is disposed proximate to the applicator storage tip. By virtue of having the vibrating mechanism disposed proximate to the applicator tip, the vibration produced by the vibrating mechanism is transferred primarily to the applicator tip.
US08360996B2 Guide wire
A guide wire for a catheter is inserted for use into the catheter and has a wire body, a reshapeable shaping ribbon (wire material) mounted such that a part of the base end side of the shaping ribbon is fixed to the front end side (small diameter section) of the wire body and a part of the front end side of the shaping ribbon extends in the direction to the front end of the guide wire from the front end of the wire body, and a helical coil installed so as to cover both the front end side of the wire body and the shaping ribbon. The coil is divided into a first coil and a second coil, and the first coil is divided into a fine pitch section and a rough pitch section. The bending rigidity of the fine pitch section is greater than that of the rough pitch section.
US08360995B2 Wire guide
The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.
US08360993B2 Method for body fluid sample extraction
An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.
US08360982B2 Method and apparatus for operating a micromotor in a fluid using a moisture barrier
A device and a method for sealing a micromotor with an optional associated gearbox are disclosed where, in one aspect of the present invention, a catheter tip comprises: a micromotor; an ultrasound imaging transducer; a gearbox mechanically coupled to the micromotor, the gearbox having a rotatable portion mechanically coupled to the ultrasound imaging transducer array; and a moisture barrier disposed so as to reduce or prevent acoustic coupling fluid from entering both the gearbox and the micromotor.
US08360981B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which moving images of rapidly moving tissues and organs can be preferably displayed in real time and the lower power consumption can be achieved. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes propagating from the object to output reception signals, an image generating unit for supplying the drive signals to the ultrasonic probe and processing the reception signals outputted from the ultrasonic probe to generate image signals representing ultrasonic images, and a display unit including a display of an impulse drive type for displaying the ultrasonic images based on the image signals generated by the image generating unit.
US08360975B1 Networked interface appliance for improved medical device integration and physician workflow
A networked interface appliance for use in the medical arena that simplifies the connectivity of medical diagnostic devices to the portable computers in electronic medical record systems (EMR's). The appliance utilizes location support hardware and software to locate and map various tagged assets within the existing environment. The appliance automatically determines the proximity of nearby portable assets and computing devices, and creates network connection to each. Data obtained from a diagnostic device connected to the appliance is buffered and transmitted to portable computing devices connected to the appliance. Using specific IP addressing, support teams can connect to the appliance to diagnose and correct problems remotely using a local area network, wide area network or the Internet. A video port for remotely controlled video display and for local data acquisition is included. Location data from the appliance can be utilized in improving billing algorithms and workflow analysis. Asset management and location mapping of resources are also supported.
US08360972B2 Virtual ports devices and method
A device auxiliary to surgery, for anchoring and lifting cavity walls or internal organs of a patient. The device provides a virtual port; that is an instrument that can be non-invasively, or minimally invasively and removably attached to the undersurface of a patient's cavity, or to various tissues within a cavity, and to which various retracting means are attached. The device includes means allowing it to be moved from one position to another and reattached to the undersurface of the abdominal wall, or to various tissues within a cavity, without creating any additional openings in the cavity wall. The device includes means for attaching various retractors.
US08360969B2 Securable cannula and method
A medical device suitable for introducing a medical instrument into a patient includes an outer cannula and at least one arm connected to the cannula toward a proximal portion of the at least one arm. The at least one arm is deployable between a closed position and an open position. An inner member is telescopically received in the outer cannula to hold each arm in the closed position. The inner member is deployable to disengage from the arm after the device is inserted into a patient, thereby freeing the arm to be deployed to the open position where it helps hold the outer cannula in the patient. The inner member includes an inner cannula and/or a trocar.
US08360967B2 Distal end optical unit for electronic endoscope
A distal end optical unit for an electronic endoscope includes a first supporting tube configured to support an image sensor therein, a second supporting tube, and a third supporting tube configured to support an objective optical system. The first supporting tube includes a first open end, a first sealed end that is hermetically sealed, and a metal-covered inner circumferential surface. The second supporting tube includes a second open end, a second sealed end that is hermetically sealed with a cover lens, and a metal-covered outer circumferential surface. The third supporting tube has an inner circumferential surface with a low reflectivity. The third supporting tube is fitted into the second supporting tube. The second open end of the second supporting tube is fitted into and hermetically joined to the first open end of the first supporting tube.
US08360962B2 Position control of medical appliances in the human body by means of phase difference measurement
A system measures a change in position of a medical appliance, such as an endoscopy capsule. A device uses this measurement in order to influence the position of the medical appliance. The medical appliance sends a signal that is received by a multiplicity of spatially separate receiving devices. The time profile of the phase differences between the received signals and a reference signal provides an indication of whether the medical appliance has moved. In the event of a movement being detected, a maneuvering device can be regulated by a regulating means in such a way that the maneuvering device generates forces and/or torques and applies them to the medical appliance to counteract the detected movement.
US08360960B2 Endoscope with surgical instrument multi-positioning capability
An endoscope having circumferential surgical instrument positioning capability includes an operation portion; an elongated, flexible insertion portion extending from the operation portion; a viewing conduit extending through the operation portion and the insertion portion; a plurality of instrument channels provided in and spaced around a circumference of the insertion portion; and a channel selector sleeve assembly having a selector channel rotatably carried by the operation portion. The selector channel of the channel selector sleeve assembly registers with the plurality of instrument channels, respectively, as the channel selector sleeve assembly is rotated with respect to the insertion portion.
US08360946B2 Machine for the manufacture of bags
A machine (1) for the manufacture of bags, having a support element (2, 3, 4) for detachably coupling a corresponding portable storage (22, 33, 44) of a consumable material (22a, 33a, 44a) from which the bags are made and mechanical mechanism for making bags from the material. A remote reading mechanism (5) is provided for reading the information stored in a radiofrequency tag (6, 7, 8) included in the portable storage, as well as a control unit (18) which contains a mechanism for obtaining information from the radiofrequency tag, which allows identifying the type of consumable material coupled in the support element, and for automatically generating a signal for controlling the mechanical mechanism.
US08360941B2 Ergonomic pull handle and associated exercise methods
A pull handle that is ergonomically designed to avoid unnatural stresses on the user's body and joints through the range of motion. The invention enables a user to perform exercises that cannot be accomplished with existing handles or may be more difficult to do so. These objects are achieved by providing one or more axes of rotation or flexibility in the pull handle so that the user's hand, write and/or arm, or foot, ankle and/or leg, may bend and/or rotate more naturally through the user's range of motion.
US08360929B2 Method and control device for operating a hybrid drive
In a control unit and a method for operating a hybrid drive arrangement (1) with an internal combustion engine (5), an electric drive (3) and a coupling device (20) that is arranged therebetween, when the internal combustion engine (5) and the electric drive (3) should be coupled together, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine (5) is pilot-controlled to a target rotational speed level (N2) such that the drive shafts (4, 6) of the internal combustion engine (5) and the electric drive (3) run at least approximately synchronously. The pilot-control takes place by the throttle valve. Subsequently, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine (5) is controlled in such a manner that the drive shafts (4, 6) of the internal combustion engine (5) and the electric drive (3) run essentially synchronously. Then, the drive shafts (4, 6) are joined by the coupling device (20).
US08360924B2 Multi-speed planetary transmission with two planetary gear sets and up to ten forward speed ratios
A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set has a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth member. The second planetary gear set has a first, second, third, and fourth member. The first member of the first compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the input member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. The second member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member. None of the members of the first planetary gear set are continuously connected for common rotation with any of the members of the second planetary gear set. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable to establish up to ten forward speed ratios.
US08360920B2 Continuously variable transmission and control method thereof
When a vehicle stops in a travel range, a transmission controller sets a subtransmission mechanism in a second speed interlocking condition in which a torque input into a continuously variable transmission is transmitted in a second gear position and both a frictional engagement element of a first gear position and a frictional engagement element of the second gear position are engaged, and when a predetermined condition is established while the vehicle is stationary, the transmission controller reduces an output shaft torque of the continuously variable transmission.
US08360913B2 Drive system with an 8-gear gearbox
A drive system with an 8-gear gearbox for a motor vehicle with a driving machine 11, more particularly an internal combustion engine, comprising a distribution gearbox 12 which is drivingly connected to the driving machine 11 and comprises three members, as well as two 2-gear partial gearboxes 17, 18, wherein a first member of the distribution gearbox 12 is drivingly connected to the internal combustion engine 11 and the two other members of the distribution gearbox 12 are each connected to an input shaft 20, 28 of one of the two 2-gear partial gear-boxes 17, 18 and wherein, between two members of the distribution gearbox 12, there is provided a switchable bridging coupling 19 and wherein one output element of each of the two 2-gear partial gearboxes 17, 18 is permanently drivingly connected to a driven gear 38, 39 or to a driven shaft 40.
US08360909B2 Method and apparatus for shifting a bicycle transmission
A control mechanism for controlling a bicycle transmission to set a speed stage of a bicycle comprises a shift command communication path for communicating electronic shift commands to select a speed stage of the bicycle, a transmission command communication path for communicating information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission, and a transmission control unit operatively coupled to the shift command communication path and to the transmission command communication path for receiving the shift commands and for generating the information for controlling the operation of the bicycle transmission. When the transmission control unit receives at least one shift command requesting a shift through N speed stages to a destination speed stage, where N is an integer greater than one, the transmission control unit generates information for causing the bicycle transmission to move to the destination speed stage.
US08360904B2 Sports electronic training system with sport ball, and applications thereof
A sports electronic training system with sport ball, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and an electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual's performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. In an embodiment, a sport ball that includes a motion monitor for monitoring motion of the sport ball stores an identification value received when a shoe that includes a motion monitor contacts the sport ball. The stored identification value serves as a record of the contact.
US08360898B2 Grip
The disclosure herein includes a grip for a golf club with a flexible tube and a layered sheet. The tube includes a tubular body and raised portions extending from the tubular body. The outer surface of the raised portions cooperates with the layered sheet to form a gripping surface. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness while providing increased variation in the physical characteristics of the gripping surface. The disclosure further provides a golf club grip that includes a resilient strip spirally wrapped about an underlisting sleeve having a cap and a nipple. The underside of the cap is formed a downwardly facing circumferential slot that receives the upper edge of the strip. The nipple is formed with an upwardly facing groove that receives the lower portion of the strip.
US08360876B2 Networked game machine, game information display and game program for mahjong game
A game machine includes a game progress controller, a main image display controller, a supplementary information generator, and a sub-image display controller. The game progress controller accepts operational information entered from a touch panel and from other game machines and successively obtains tile objects representing tiles of individual players. The main image display controller defines arrangement zones for the tile objects representing the tiles of the individual players within a main screen area, displays the tile objects so that patterns of tile objects of a primary player are visually recognizable, and substitutes the tile objects obtained by drawing actions for specified ones of the tile objects. The supplementary information generator generates supplementary information regarding the tile objects that are displayed in a visually recognizable fashion. The sub-image display controller displays the supplementary information in a sub-screen area located adjacent to the main screen area.
US08360871B2 Wagering game machines with non-volatile memory
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to load a software program which, when executed by a processor, is associated with presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered. The software program may be loaded into a non-volatile memory in the form of phase-change random access memory, nanotube random access memory, or a combination thereof, and executed by the processor to present the wagering game after conducting a first preliminary authentication. Upon entering a reset cycle, a subsequent preliminary authentication of the software program is conducted without reloading the non-volatile memory, and the program is executed from the non-volatile memory by the processor while a background full authentication of the software program stored in mass storage is conducted. Execution out of the non-volatile memory is halted if the background full authentication fails.
US08360863B2 Wagering games allowing player to wager on iterative simultaneous independent wagers with different variances
A method to implement a wagering game which allows a player to make multiple bets on independent outcomes. The outcome distributions/variances of each of the bets can vary. The player can, for example, place a bet on whether cards drawn from independent decks will have the same suit, the outcomes of which are entirely independent of each other.
US08360861B2 Gaming system and a method of gaming
A method of gaming comprising: generating a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols, and displaying the selected symbols on a display at respective ones of a plurality of display positions arranged in a three-dimensional array; and determining whether the game outcome includes one or more winning outcomes.
US08360859B2 Apparatus providing payouts proportional to wagers and methods for operating same
A gaming device such as a slot machine is provided having a payout proportional to a wager value. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the gaming machine provides a player with the ability to flexibly and automatically increase and decrease wagers, thereby allowing the player to press his bets when he feels lucky, and to decrease his bets when he feels unlucky. Different proportional payout tables are provided for different levels of wagers.
US08360856B2 Entertainment apparatus and method
An entertainment device comprises communication means for communicating with a remote device over a network; program code and resources for running a full version of the program, the program code being operable to interact with remote devices also running a full version of the program; and program resource classification means, and in which when communication with a remote device indicates that the remote device is running a demonstration version of the program code; the program code on the entertainment device restricts the use of program resources to those identified by the program resource classification means as being available to or compatible with the demonstration version of the program, thereby restricting the full version of the program to operate substantially as a demo version of the program for the purposes of interaction with a demo version of the program being run on the remote device.
US08360841B2 Facilitating a payout at a gaming device using audiovisual content
A gaming device is adapted to present audiovisual content to players of the game. While the audiovisual content is playing, the player may initiate a game start. A snap shot of the audiovisual content playing at the time of the game start is taken. Reels of the gaming device spin and provide indicia on a payline. The indicia on the payline are compared to characters and elements within the snap shot of the audiovisual content. If there is a match for outcome significant indicia, the player receives a benefit.
US08360840B2 Gaming machine with enhanced feature indicator
A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize. The gaming machine 10 comprises a bonus feature that is triggered when a trigger condition occurs in a base game and an indicator incorporated in the bonus feature indicates to the player that the chance of winning during the bonus feature is higher than in the base game that triggered the bonus feature.
US08360838B2 Detecting and preventing bots and cheating in online gaming
Methods and devices are provided for detecting and/or preventing cheating in online gaming. Some implementations provide gaming information in formats that are difficult for a bot to interpret, but which are preferably easy for humans to interpret. Some implementations of the invention involve the tracking and analysis of players' gaming activities. Some implementations of the invention provide a multi-tier approach to data analysis. Some analyses may be performed, for example, by a centralized computing device such as a server, whereas other analyses may be performed by a host device. In some implementations, “challenge and response” measures will be employed. Some implementations of the invention involve detection and prevention of collaboration between players.
US08360836B2 Gaming device, game processing method and information memory medium
In a gaming device, an input receiving unit receives an instruction input to specify a position where a moving object is to be arranged. The moving object is movable in a predetermined pathway. A memory unit stores, for each of a plurality of timings, a timing and a position where the moving object is to be placed at that timing in association with each other. For each of the plurality of timings, a sound outputting unit determines whether a position stored in the memory unit in association with a timing matches a position specified by a latest instruction input received by the input receiving unit. When the positions match, the sound outputting unit outputs a sound associated with the matching position.
US08360833B2 Method and apparatus for attachment and removal of fans while in operation and without the need for tools
Disclosed is an air containment cooling system for containing air between two rows of equipment racks. The air containment cooling system comprises a canopy assembly configured to enclose a hot aisle defined by two rows of equipment racks and a cooling system embedded within the canopy assembly, the cooling system being configured to cool air disposed within the hot aisle, the cooling system including a heat exchanger, a mounting plate coupled to the canopy assembly, and a fan assembly configured to move air to the heat exchanger, the fan assembly being releasably mounted on the mounting plate. The fan assembly may include a fan unit having a fan and a motor and a mounting ring configured to mount the fan unit thereon. The mounting ring may have at least one mounting post configured to pass through a key slot formed in the mounting plate.
US08360830B2 Grinding lamella and grinding wheel holding same
A grinding lamella (1) for being arranged on a rotatingly drivable grinding wheel (8), has at least two annular portions (4, 5, 6, 7, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 44, 45, 46, 47) arranged at an angle (α) relative to one another. At least partially, the grinding lamellae (1) have a shape that deviates from the shape of a circular wheel with a central aperture. The grinding wheel (8) containing the grinding lamellae has at least one carrier element (2) and a least two such grinding lamellae (1) that partially overlap and, together, form an annular shape. If use is made of a pattern (14, 32) for a piece of material or a strip of material for producing the grinding lamellae (1), the grinding lamellae (1) are arranged side by side in the same direction so as to adjoin one another and offset relative to one another by 180°.
US08360827B1 Road marking removal system and method
A road marking removal system creating a blasting mixture by injecting particulate matter from a media hopper into flowing compressed air. The blasting mixture is directed at a road marking via a blasting nozzle. The nozzle discharges the blasting mixture from within a marking removal head housing. A vacuum is applied to an interior of the marking removal head housing for collecting the residual material created by the removal process. The residual material consists of particulate matter, road marking debris, and the like. The collected material can optionally be sorted with material of an acceptable size being reclaimed and forwarded to the media hopper for reuse. The road marking removal system can be manually operated being integrated into a cart, or remotely operated when integrated into a vehicle.
US08360825B2 Slurry supply system
A slurry supply system with multiple supply modules and a flushing module concurrently coupled to the multiple supply modules is provided. Each supply module includes a slurry reservoir and at least one delivery line connecting to the slurry reservoir, wherein each delivery line is oriented toward a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus. The flushing module includes a flushing liquid reservoir and multiple flushing lines connecting to the flushing liquid reservoir, wherein each flushing line is coupled to each delivery line thereby the flush module can selectively flush one of the delivery lines.
US08360824B2 Method of processing synthetic quartz glass substrate for semiconductor
Disclosed is a method of processing a synthetic quartz glass substrate for a semiconductor, wherein a polishing part of a rotary small-sized processing tool is put in contact with a surface of the synthetic quartz glass substrate in a contact area of 1 to 500 mm2, and is scanningly moved on the substrate surface while being rotated so as to polish the substrate surface. When the method is applied to the production of a synthetic quartz glass such as one for a photomask substrate for use in photolithography which is important to the manufacture of ICs or the like, a substrate having an extremely excellent flatness and capable of being used even with the EUV lithography can be obtained comparatively easily and inexpensively.
US08360821B2 Glass-plate working apparatus
A glass-plate working apparatus (1) includes a grinding means (7) for grinding a peripheral edge (6) of a glass plate (2); and a grinding supporting means (9) for supporting the glass plate (2) whose peripheral edge (6) is to be ground by the grinding means (7), wherein the grinding supporting means(9) includes a grinding supporting table (101), a plurality of suction cups (102) which are held on the grinding supporting table(101) by being attached by suction to the grinding supporting table (101) and suck and hold the glass plate (2) by sucking the glass plate (2) whose peripheral edge (6) is to be ground, and an arranging means (103) for disposing the plurality of suction cups (102), respectively, at positions corresponding to the shape of the glass plate (2) to be ground.
US08360819B2 Method for grinding a machine part, and grinding machine for carrying out said method
Disclosed is a method for grinding a machine part that is used as a drive shaft, for example, rotates about the longitudinal axis thereof during the grinding process, and is provided with a journal at one axial end thereof and a recess at the opposite end thereof. The grinding process is carried out in one and the same grinding machine. In said grinding method, the machine part is brought into different clamped states by means of a chuck of a workpiece spindle head with releasable clamping jaws and a centering tip, a backrest, and/or a tailstock quill. Changing the clamped states has the advantage that the machine part remains in the same position in a single grinding machine, i.e. the clamped position, in all the different clamped states such that more accurate sizes, shapes, and positions can be obtained in an economical manner and all areas of the machine part which are to be ground are successively accessible to the grinding disks.
US08360817B2 Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus can perform more precise control of a polishing profile without carrying out many polishing tests in advance. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table 22 having a polishing surface 52a; a top ring 24 for holding a polishing object W and pressing the polishing object W against the polishing surface 52a; a polishing liquid supply nozzle 26 for supplying a polishing liquid to the polishing surface 52a; a movement mechanism 70 for moving a polishing liquid supply position 26a of the polishing liquid supply nozzle 26 approximately along the radial direction of the polishing surface 52a; a controller 66 for controlling the movement mechanism 70; and a simulator 72 for predicting the relationship between the polishing liquid supply position 26a of the polishing liquid supply nozzle 26 and a polishing profile, performing a simulation and outputting data to the controller 66.
US08360816B2 Article of clothing with wicking portion
Articles of clothing that incorporate fabrics or chemicals having wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficients of friction either overall or in specific areas of the apparel that will minimize the development of irritation, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. The invention also includes methods for producing this wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficient of friction apparel.
US08360814B2 Yo-yo having a modifiable string gap
The invention is a yo-yo that includes unique features that enable a user to adjust the yo-yo's string gap. In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the yo-yo's side assemblies includes a screw engaged to a nut that has two thru-bores located in a side-by-side relation. The screw is located to one side of the yo-yo's axis of rotation and can be rotated by a user to adjust the position of the associated side assembly on the yo-yo's axle structure. By appropriate positioning of the side assembly, a user can adjust the yo-yo's performance characteristics.
US08360810B2 Modular outlet
In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet (100) includes a base module (100a) and interface module (100b). The base module connects to the wiring and is attached to the surface of a building. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet provides the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.
US08360806B2 RF module
An RF module configured to be coupled to a backplane module includes a front housing that has walls that define connector cavities. The walls include a rear wall that has a plurality of openings therethrough. The connector cavities are open opposite the rear wall to receive electrical connectors. The RF module also includes RF cable assemblies having front end connectors and rear end connectors that are connected by corresponding cables. The front and rear end connectors are coaxial connectors. The front end connectors are received in corresponding connector cavities through corresponding openings. The RF module includes a connector holder extending from the front housing rearward of the rear wall. The connector holder holds the rear end connectors such that the rear end connectors are simultaneously pluggable into corresponding board connectors of the backplane module.
US08360802B2 Adjustable connector system for connection to a modular appliance
An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
US08360793B2 Connector fitting structure and electric apparatus using the same
A connector fitting structure enabling easy insertion is provided. The connector fitting structure includes a case provided with a plurality of holes, a male connector having connectors fitted into the plurality of holes, respectively, and sealing elements as sealing members interposed between the holes and the connectors, respectively. Connectors each have a tapered surface. The respective tapered surfaces are shifted in position such that a tapered surface comes into contact with a sealing element, and then another tapered surface comes into contact with a sealing element.
US08360785B2 System for managing physical training and method thereof
A system for managing physical training includes: a goal achievement planning module establishing a training goal and a time schedule for a physical training participant on the basis of a profile reflecting physical characteristics of the physical training participant; a section creation module separately creating training items on a section basis according to the training goal and the time schedule of the physical training participant with reference to a predetermined standard; and a management contents creation module creating contents required to manage the physical training of the physical training participant on the basis of physical measurements previously established by the goal achievement planning module and the section creation module and various physical measurements measured from sensors attached to the physical training participant in real-time.
US08360783B2 Aural, neural muscle memory response tool and method
An aural, neural muscle memory response tool includes an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with parallel tines formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal. The U-shaped bar is attached to a deflector at a curved vertex. The tines are configured to resonate at a determined frequency up to about 20 Hz. A housing houses and stably supports the deflector and also houses a portion of the tines without contacting the tines. Optionally, the tool may include a manually actuatable trigger configured to cause the tines to vibrate when actuated. Use of the tool for training entails performing a task; determining to either associate a sound generated by the tool with the performed task, and if the sound generated by the tool will be associated with the performed task, generating the sound. These steps may be repeated until the training session is complete. Use of the tool for recollection entails determining whether to produce a sound generated by the tool and associated with a task as a muscle memory cue, and if the sound will be produced, producing the sound before the task is performed; and then performing the task.
US08360780B2 Method and system for creating a multiplication and division puzzle
A multiplication and division puzzle and method of making thereof include a main table having a plurality of cells in rows and columns, the cells being filled with products and multipliers. A template having a plurality of cells that correspond to the plurality of cells in the main table has selected cells removed to form openings therein to reveal a set of product clues in the main table when the template is superimposed or laid thereon. The product clues include the products in the cells of the main table. The non-selected cells that remain in the template, concealing the multiplier answer and non-selected product answers in the main table. The main table and template are used to form a puzzle blank having a plurality of cells containing the set of product clues and empty cells for the user to fill in missing product answers. The main table contains all of the product and multiplier answers.
US08360778B2 Braille cell cap
An electromechanical Braille cell assembly includes a plurality of parallel bimorph reeds. A first plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a first side of a printed circuit board by a first plurality of clips and a second plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a second side of the printed circuit board by a second plurality of clips. A frame has a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall in the form of an angle wall and a second side wall in the form of a flat wall. Pinholes are formed in the angle wall to accommodate Braille pins and the flat wall is slotted to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards. A monolithic cap covers all of the Braille pins. Pinholes formed in the cap receive the respective tips of the Braille cells when actuated bimorph reeds cause displacement of the Braille pins.
US08360771B2 Handpiece for detection of dental demineralization
A dental implement including a housing, a light source, and an air supply, the implement being suitable for examining tissue such as dentition of a patient and detecting loss of mineralization therein. The implement is capable of operating in a wireless mode. The implement is further able to communicate with a computing device to allow recording of images captured by the implement.
US08360767B2 Device for avoiding the uncontrolled discharge of melt from a nozzle plate
One or more embodiments of a device for avoiding the uncontrolled discharge of melt from nozzle apertures of a nozzle plate are provided. The device can include a locking member that is movable in front of the nozzle plate. The locking member can be formed as an extrudate collection member. The locking member can be reciprocable between a production position and a collection position. And melt can be discharged from the nozzle apertures of the nozzle plate in the form of extrudates into a process chamber when the locking member is in the production position and into extrudate collection member when the locking member is in the collection position. The device can also include a melt extraction aperture disposed on the extrudate collection member. The melt extraction aperture can be configured to align with the nozzle apertures in the nozzle plate and a melt extraction channel.
US08360765B2 Systems and method for forming a coaxial implant
The present disclosure provides implants suitable for drug delivery. In embodiments, the present disclosure provides layered biodegradable drug delivery implants and systems and methods for making these implants.
US08360758B2 Peristaltic pump
A peristaltic pump, for propelling liquid through a flexible pump tube, includes an outer casing having a guiding channel wherein an operating portion of the pump tube extends along the guiding channel. The peristaltic pump further includes at least two pressuring rollers supported at the outer casing in a radially movable manner which can move outwardly to press against the operating portion of the pump tube. A center driving mechanism is supported at a center portion of the outer casing to radially push the pressure rollers and to drive the pressuring rollers to concurrently rotate such that the pressuring rollers roll against the operating portion of the pump tube for continuously propelling the fluid in the pump tube in the direction of rotation.
US08360747B2 Miniature fan
A miniature fan includes a housing having a mounting portion with a shaft seat. A base is mounted to the mounting portion of the housing. The base includes first and second faces spaced along an axis. An outer layer is provided on the first face of the base. A bottom layer is provided on the second face of the base. The base further includes a coil unit intermediate the outer layer and the bottom layer. The coil unit is electrically connected to a drive circuit. An impeller includes a shaft and a permanent magnet. The shaft is coupled to the shaft seat of the housing and rotatable about the axis. The permanent magnet is aligned with the coil unit. The axial height of the miniature fan is reduced, and the structure of the miniature fan is simplified.
US08360743B2 Rotary pressure production device
A rotary pressure production turbine for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid is disclosed comprising a plurality of piston assemblies. Each piston assembly comprises a hollow needle piston shaft having through which hydraulic fluid is moved from a low pressure volume to a high pressure volume as the piston shaft moves in a first direction. A rotary actuator actuates each piston shaft. From the high pressure volume, hydraulic fluid is moved to a common high pressure header and delivered to an aspirated accumulator where the fluid can be stored and subsequently utilized. In some embodiments, the fluid is utilized to operate an electric generator for use in a hybrid-electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the rotary actuator is driven by an internal combustion engine, while in others the rotary actuator is driven by a vehicle drive train in a regenerative braking application.
US08360742B2 Swash plate compressor
A swash plate compressor capable of realizing an excellent sliding characteristic when a drive shaft is rotated at high speed, and a high refrigerating capacity when the drive shaft is rotated at low speed, has a release passage for communication between a crank chamber and a suction chamber. The release passage includes a first passage communicated to an oil rich region, in the crank chamber, and a second passage communicated to an oil poor region, in which lubricating oil is small in quantity, in the crank chamber. A valve mechanism that increases an opening ratio of the first passage with respect to the release passage, as a rotational speed of a drive shaft increases, and increases an opening ratio of the second passage with respect to the release passage, as the rotational speed of the drive shaft decreases.
US08360741B2 Manual/pneumatic pump structure
A manual/pneumatic pump structure includes: a barrel member having a barrel body defining a fuel collection space; a cover body disposed on the barrel body for sealing the fuel collection space; a pneumatic gas-sucking member having a main body disposed on the cover body and a Venturi tube section positioned in the main body, an inlet passage being formed in the main body in communication with an inlet of the Venturi tube section, an outlet passage being formed in the main body with a first end in communication with an outlet of the Venturi tube section, a second end of the outlet passage being permissible to communicate with the atmosphere; and an isolation section for isolating internal passage of the pneumatic gas-sucking member from the atmosphere. The isolation section has a movement space within which a stopper body is movable between a blocking position and an unblocking position.
US08360734B2 Method for repairing an airfoil
An example method of repairing an airfoil includes securing a cap to an end portion of a worn airfoil and securing additional material to the cap. The method includes altering some of the cap to form a desired airfoil contour.
US08360723B2 Method for reducing vibrations in wind turbines and wind turbine implementing said method
A method is presented that reduces vibrations of a wind turbine in a situation where yawing of a wind rotor of said wind turbine is at least temporarily not possible. The method includes adjusting a first pitch angle of a first rotor blade and a second pitch angle of a second rotor blade such that the first and second pitch angles differ by at least 30 degrees.
US08360722B2 Method and system for validating wind turbine
A method of validating a wind turbine including a rotor includes intentionally inducing a loading imbalance to the rotor. The method also includes measuring the loading imbalance induced to the rotor, transmitting a signal representative of the measured loading imbalance to a calibration module, and at least one of detecting an error and calibrating at least one component of the wind turbine based on the signal.
US08360721B2 Low maintenance stiff in plane gimbaled rotor head
A stiff in-plane gimbaled rotor head for a rotorcraft, such as a helicopter, includes a vertically extending rotor shaft, a center hub disposed on the rotor shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, and an outer hub surrounding the center hub and coupled thereto through a spherical gimbal bearing for conjoint rotation therewith, and such that the outer hub is also capable of an angular range of gimbaling movement relative to the center hub. A plurality of rotor blades, which may include three or more blades, is coupled to the rotor shaft through the inner and outer hubs by a constant velocity joint that enables the blades to be rotated in a common plane about the axis of the rotor shaft while controlling the respective pitches of the blades and such that any other relative in-plane and out-of-plane movements of the blades during rotation is prevented.
US08360720B2 In-pipe hydro-electric power system and turbine
A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.
US08360714B2 Gas turbine engine front center body architecture
A gas turbine engine includes a central body support that provides an inner annular wall for a core flow path. The central body support includes first splines. A geared architecture interconnects a spool and a fan rotatable about an axis. A flex support interconnects the geared architecture to the central body support. The flex support includes second splines that intermesh with the first splines for transferring torque there between.
US08360708B2 Telescoping tool basket, especially for offshore operations, and method of using same
A telescoping, adjustable length tool basket, particularly suitable for offshore operations in the oil and gas industry. A center section has four elongated, tubular corner members, joined by bottom and side members. At least one, and preferably two, wing sections comprise elongated inner corner members that are slidably disposed within the outer corner members. The wing sections can be moved inwardly and outwardly from the center section to adjust the overall tool basket length to accommodate the tool length. When adjusted to the desired length, a lock pin is inserted through aligned holes in at least one pair of outer and inner corner members, to lock the tool basket at the desired length. Inner and outer bushings are disposed in the annulus between the inner and outer corner members. Preferably the bushings are of a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) material such as Teflon®.
US08360702B2 Screw
A screw includes a screw head and a shank connected to the bottom of the screw head. The screw head has a cavity on the top to be wrenched by a screwdriver. The shank is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a point at a distal end, a triangular thread portion helically formed thereon and extended upwards from the point and a circular thread portion extended contiguously upwards from the triangular thread portion. The triangular thread portion has a plurality of thread cusps formed annularly at different angles. The triangular thread portion and circular thread portion have asymmetrical threads. The triangular thread portion has serrated cutting edges on the circumference. Thus the screw can be screwed into a work piece with less friction force and fastened faster and firmer with less effort.
US08360701B2 Threaded fastener
A fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end, a helical thread having a crest, a root, and flank portions formed on at least a portion of the elongated body, and at least one protrusion extending from the crest and flank portion. The at least one protrusion is an axially extending V-shape of the crest, flank portions, and root of the helical thread with a peak of the at least one protrusion having a ridge that extends radially outward from the root of the thread.
US08360696B2 Quick change arbor, hole cutter, and method
An arbor is provided for small diameter quick change and standard hole saws. Each hole saw defines an outer diameter of less than 1¼ inches, a central aperture and at least one drive pin recess. The arbor comprises an arbor body including an end portion engageable within the central aperture, and a drive member having at least one drive pin receivable in a corresponding drive pin recess of the hole saw for rotatably driving the hole saw.
US08360694B2 Rotatable multi-operation tool for chip removing machining, and a basic body therefor
A rotatable multi-operation tool for chip removing machining, including a plurality of replaceable cutting inserts of different types, and a basic body that is rotatable around a center axis and includes a rear end and a front end from which there is extending rearward an envelope surface in which at least one chip space, delimited by two opposite side surfaces, is countersunk, which opens in the envelope surface and in the front end. A first cutting insert is mounted in a first insert seat that is formed in one side surface of the chip space and situated in the immediate vicinity of the front end and included in a cavity that opens in the front end for the cutting insert to partly protrude axially forward from the front end. A second cutting insert, of a type other than the first cutting insert, is mounted in a second insert seat, which is formed in the same side surface as the first insert seat and situated axially behind the first insert seat. The second insert seat is included in a cavity that opens in a part of the envelope surface.
US08360693B2 Boring bar apparatus
In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a boring bar, a slot, a channel, a centering pin, and an adjustment system. The slot may extend substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the boring bar. The slot may be configured to receive a cutting unit. The channel may be located within the boring bar extending substantially along the axis. The centering pin may be moveably located within the channel and configured to selectively engage a centering feature in the cutting unit. The adjustment system may be configured to position the centering pin relative to the channel in a plurality of axes.
US08360691B2 Plant for the controlled-speed pneumatic transport of granular material and conveyance speed control process
A plant for transport of granular material comprising container for granular material to be transported, receiver-meter group designed to receive granular material from container, conveyance duct of granular material from container to receiver-meter group, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into container, and vacuum duct between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of granular material and gaseous medium in at least one conveyance duct or line directed to receiver-meter group and a flow of gaseous medium between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, the plant comprising detection means of parameters of flow located in vacuum duct or line, adjusting means of the power of depressurization/pressurization means and electronic control means designed to receive in input control signals from speed detection means and to emit control signals in output for driving adjusting means.
US08360689B2 Method for ground improvement with hardened inclusions
A method for ground improvement with hardened inclusions includes providing a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines and to create cavities at the location the tines are advanced. The device is at least partially retracted and hardening cementitious material backfill is added into the cavities for forming a plurality of hardened inclusions within the cavities.
US08360687B2 Method to lay a pipeline in circles on the water in a horizontal plane
Disclosed is a method of laying pipeline in a horizontal plane. The method comprises anchoring a pivot member to a bed under a surface of a body of water; attaching a first plurality of lines to the pivot member; extruding a pipeline from a support base onto the surface of the body of water; and attaching a first line, of the first plurality of lines, to the extruded portion of the pipeline. Subsequently, the boat applies a force to the extruded portion applies such that the extruded portion of the pipeline encircles the pivot member while floating on the surface of the water, wound into a flat monolayer spiral. An inner radius of the spiral is sufficiently large to avoid applying plastic strain to the pipeline.
US08360686B2 Pipelaying vessel
An apparatus for continuously laying a pipeline on the floor of a body of water from a pipelaying vessel includes: a generally cylindrical reel with an axis upon which the pipeline is wound, a stinger provided at the stern of the vessel for guiding the lowered pipeline, a launch device configured to control lowering of the pipeline over the stinger of the vessel and into the body of water. This apparatus further includes a frame supporting the reel and the launch device, adapted to be moveable with respect to the vessel in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline, and a tension device to be mounted between the frame and the vessel, adapted to control the pipeline tension in a predetermined tension range during pipelaying.
US08360684B2 Method for linking segments and linking tool
A linking tool links segments for a rehabilitating pipe for rehabilitating an existing pipeline. The segment is integrally formed at least from an internal surface plate that constitutes the inner circumferential surface of the rehabilitating pipe, and side plates that have an insertion hole formed thereon and are disposed on both sides of the internal surface plate so as to extend in the circumferential direction of the rehabilitating pipe. The linking tool includes a tubular linking pin that is separable into pin halves and can be inserted into the insertion hole in the side plate of a first segment with a part of the linking pin remaining outside the first segment. The linking tool further includes a separating pin that can be inserted into the linking pin to separate the linking pin into the pin halves and press them against the first segment for anchoring thereto. The pin halves remaining outside the first segment are snap-fitted into a second segment through the insertion hole of the side plate thereof, thereby linking the first and second segments in the longitudinal direction of the rehabilitating pipe. Such a linking tool allows the segments to be efficiently linked in a short period of time.
US08360681B1 Portable concrete striking device with auger
The portable concrete striking device comprises an elongated portable screed, a handle mounted to the screed for allowing a worker to manually pull the screed towards an upstream direction and an auger rotatably mounted to the screed and located upstream of the screed. A motor is linked to the auger for rotating the auger. The auger is capable of directing excess concrete upstream of the screed towards an excess concrete discharge location which is located at a determined position along the elongated screed.
US08360665B2 Camera shutter device and optical apparatus having the same
A camera shutter device and an optical apparatus having the same are disclosed. The camera shutter device includes a pair of cores, each wrapped by a coil and having a distal end facing the other, wherein each coil is formed at the distal end with an electromagnetic force line generating unit. A magnet comprising a first magnet and a second magnet is interposed between the pair of cores. The magnet linearly and reciprocally moves in a direction perpendicular to the electromagnetic force line generating unit, and a slider opens and shuts a shutter blade as the magnet linearly and reciprocally moves, whereby miniaturization and thinning of the shutter device can be realized, and an opening/shutting operation can be stably performed.
US08360657B2 Hydrodynamic tapered roller bearings and gas turbine engine systems involving such bearings
Tapered roller bearings and gas turbine engine systems involving such bearings are provided. In this regard, a representative bearing cage for a gas turbine engine includes: an outer cage rim and an inner cage rim; the outer cage rim having a rounded edge at a location of contact between the outer cage rim and a roller.
US08360656B2 Bearing apparatus
A bearing apparatus includes two split outer ring halves disposed in close contact with each other and a plurality of rollers. A circumferential end of each of the split outer ring halves has a concave-and-convex shape including a first slope portion inclined with respect to a line extending along an axial direction of the split outer ring halves and a second slope portion inclined in an opposite direction to that of the first slope portion. Each of the rollers is provided with crowning so as to be shaped in barrel form, and an amount of crowning is set such that an apex of a projecting portion at the concave-and-convex shape of each of the split outer ring halves is located on an axially outer side of a rolling surface of the roller rolling on an inner peripheral surface of each of the split outer ring halves.
US08360654B2 Radial antifriction bearing which can be taken apart only if destroyed
The radial antifriction bearing has an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality or rolling bodies arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring in such a way that the inner ring is rotatably mounted relative to the outer ring, via the rolling bodies, and the outer ring has an inner chamber in which the inner ring and/or at least one inner ring section is arranged. The inner chamber is closed at one front side of the radial antifriction bearing by a shaped marginal section of the outer ring in such a way that the inner ring and/or the at least one inner ring section is destroyed when it is removed from the outer ring.
US08360646B2 Sludge and sediment removal system by remote access
A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.
US08360644B2 Linear motion guide unit with cage
A linear motion guide unit in which the smaller pitch between the center-lines of adjacent rollers installed in a cage results in the greater number of the rollers lying in a preselected length of the cage to increase load-carrying capacity. The cage plate has openings for retaining the rollers arranged in the lengthwise direction of the cage plate. Each of the openings has a contour whose major axis lies in a widthwise direction of the cage plate. Bearing lips retain axially opposite end surfaces of the rollers, the bearing lips extending inside from an edge around the opening at locations corresponding with diametrically opposite ends of the major axis. The bearing lips end into wedged bearing edges deformable elastically. The bearing edges have bearing slants that conform to the end surfaces of the roller to bear the roller thereon. The bearing slants are in diametrically symmetric relation to each other.
US08360641B2 Air bag with continuous heat resistance material
An air bag includes two inner sheets facing each other, heat resistance materials located between the two inner sheets and applied to any one inner sheet in its length direction, two outer sheets located outside the two inner sheets, a second thermal bonding line thermally bonding the inner and outer sheets along the heat resistance materials, a first thermal bonding line thermally bonding the two outer sheets with gap from the second thermal bonding line to form an air input channel, and third thermal bonding lines extending from the second thermal bonding line oppositely to the channel to form air pillars, at least two heat resistance materials being continuously formed over the pillars, an air injected through the channel being introduced into the pillars between the two inner sheets, and the two inner sheets positioned in the pillars being adhered and pressed to any one outer sheet by an inner pressure of the pillars.
US08360640B2 X-ray tube and method for examining a target by scanning with an electron beam
The invention relates to an X-ray tube, especially a microfocus X-ray tube (2), comprising means (18) for orienting an electron beam (10) towards a target (4). A control device (20) is used to control the means for orienting the electron beam (10) towards the target (4) in such a way that the electron beam (10) scans the target (4), in addition to a measuring device (22) for measuring the intensity of the target current which flows to different scanning sites when the target (4) is scanned by the electron beam (10), or a measuring variable dependent on the target current, and an evaluation device (24) for associating each measured value of the target flow with the corresponding scanning site. Said X-ray tube enables the easy and economical implementation of a method for checking the operability of the target (4).
US08360638B2 Radiographic imaging apparatus
There is provided a radiographic imaging apparatus including: a control unit housing a control section and a power source section; a panel unit housing a radiation detection panel; a connection member that rotatably connects one edge portion of each of the control unit and the panel unit so as to adopt two states: a closed state in which one face of the control unit faces one face of the panel unit, and an open state in which the one face of the control unit and the one face of the panel unit are side-by-side facing in substantially the same direction, wherein in the open state the other face of the panel unit is positioned higher than the other face of the control unit; and a support member positioned below the other face of the panel unit and supporting the panel unit when in the open state.
US08360636B2 Temperature detection and reporting system and method in power driving and/or consuming system
An apparatus, in one embodiment, can include a configuration including a plurality of heat generation devices. The apparatus also includes a plurality of thermal sensors respectively, operably connected to each of the plurality of heat generation devices, wherein each thermal sensor of the plurality of thermal sensors includes a respective output terminal configured to provide a voltage representative of the temperature of the respective heat generation device. The apparatus further includes an output circuit configured to output the highest temperature information among the heat generation devices. The output terminals of the plurality of thermal sensors are tied together. A corresponding method is also discussed.
US08360631B2 Method and apparatus for the preparation of a reconstituted food product
A method and apparatus are provided for producing a reconstituted food product. The apparatus includes a co-extruder 11 in which a gelling agent 70 and a setting agent 80 are co-extruded into a process stream of comminuted food pieces in a flow passage, with the gelling agent and setting agent being separated by the process stream. The apparatus includes a static mixer 10 of part cylindrical wall elements 22 with inwardly protruding mixer elements 24 in which the process stream, including the gelling agent and setting agent are mixed and the grain and texture of the food pieces altered to produce a reconstituted food product that resembles whole food. The apparatus includes a tenderiser 200 for pre-treating the comminuted food pieces by compressing them between a stationary plate 202 and a vibrating plate 206 in a tapering cavity.
US08360626B2 Vehicle headlamp lamp unit having pluralityof shades
A lamp unit includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed such that a light emitting axis of the light emitting device is oriented upward, a reflector disposed to cover light emitted from the light emitting device and to reflect the light toward the projection lens, a first shade configured and disposed to partially block the light reflected by the reflector, and a second shade. The first shade includes a light cutting edge configured to form a cutoff line along an upper edge of a light distribution pattern, and an auxiliary reflecting surface extending rearward from the light cutting edge and configured to partially reflect, toward the projection lens, the light reflected by the reflector. The second shade is arranged to extend from a front edge of the reflector toward the auxiliary reflecting surface.
US08360621B2 Lighting fixture having multiple degrees of rotation
A lighting fixture has a modular design. A plurality of interconnecting components fit together to impart to the lighting fixture multiple degrees of rotation. This enables the installer or user to effectively move, change, or adjust the area of illumination over time without constraints. A lamp housing is supported by a plurality of tubular arms that have a threaded connection at one end and a slip-fit connection at the other end. These connections enable the arms to be rotated independently of each other. The result is a lighting fixture having multiple degrees of rotation. An enclosed path through the tubular arms and a hinge leads from a J-box to the lamp housing. The enclosed path accommodates electrical wiring to power the lighting fixture, while the hinge enables the lamp housing to rotate about an axis parallel to the mounting surface.
US08360618B2 LED unit
An LED unit includes a printed circuit board, an LED mounted on the printed circuit board, and a lens covering the LED and fixed on the printed circuit board. The lens includes a pedestal and an optical element connected to the pedestal. The lens has a light-incident face formed in an interior thereof for receiving light emitted from the LED into the lens, and a light-emergent face formed on an outside thereof for refracting the light out of the lens. The optical element has two opposite sides longer than the other two opposite sides thereof so that the light pattern modulated by the optical element has two opposite ends wider than a middle thereof.
US08360617B2 Lighting system including LED with glass-coated quantum-dots
A lighting system includes at least one light emitting diode and a coating of matrix material having at least one glass-coated quantum dot in a base material. The at least one glass-coated quantum dot may be selected from at least one of a group II-VI materials, III-V materials, IV-VI materials, I-III-VI materials and combinations of such materials. The matrix material may be silicone, and the lighting system may include a light bulb replacement fixture including a threaded screw electrically connected to the light emitting diode.
US08360615B2 LED light module for omnidirectional luminaire
A light module including a single light emitting diode (LED) and a rotationally symmetrical reflective light transformer providing an omnidirectional pattern with a pre-calculated intensity distribution. In alternative embodiments the light module may consist of a plurality of LEDs and the reflective light transformer, having plurality of identical segments, provides an omnidirectional pattern with a pre-calculated intensity distribution as a result of superposition of the limited angle pattern reflected by each segment. In order to provide high efficiency the light transformer reflective surface profile is designed using a given LED's spatial intensity distribution and required intensity distribution across the emitted omnidirectional pattern as a design parameters.
US08360608B2 Illuminating system of flexible shape
Disclosed is an illuminating system of flexible shape and comprising at least one LED disposed on a flexible carrier material, an optic being provided that permits uniform, directed and/or glare-free light emission.
US08360603B2 Lighting fixture using semiconductor coupled with a reflector having a reflective surface with a phosphor material
To improve semiconductor-based systems for generating white light, a phosphor is integrated with an external structure, such as a reflector. A disclosed exemplary system, for illumination applications, utilizes one or more semiconductor devices for emitting radiant energy of a first wavelength. A reflector outside the package of the LED or other semiconductor device has a reflective surface arranged to receive radiant energy from the energy source. At least some of the received radiant energy of the first wavelength excites one or more phosphors associated with an external light processing element, for example, located along the surface of the reflector, to emit light, including visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength. In the examples, at least some of visible light emitted by the phosphor is reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector and directed to facilitate the particular humanly perceptible luminance or illumination application.
US08360592B2 Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a backlight unit with a plurality of light-emitting blocks and a light source driving section. The plurality of light-emitting blocks are arranged in a matrix shape along first and second directions different from each other. Each of the light-emitting blocks includes a light source unit having at least one light-emitting chip to emit light, and a light guiding unit to guide the light. The light source driving section controls the light source unit of the light-emitting blocks to drive the light source unit. Therefore, a thickness of the backlight unit may be reduced.
US08360586B2 Retroreflective film containing a polymeric face film and method of manufacture therefore
In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.
US08360584B2 Projector
A projector includes: an optical system includes a light source, a light modulation element for modulating light emitted from the light source to form an optical image, and a projection lens for projecting the optical image, the optical system is structured such that an illumination optical axis of the light source and a projection optical axis of the projection lens cross each other substantially at right angles in the plan view; and a cooling fan configured to the light modulation element, and has a rotation axis crossing each other substantially at right angles with a discharge direction where a cooling air is discharged, the cooling fan is disposed in the vicinity of the projection lens and on the side where the light source is provided such that the rotation axis extends in the thickness direction of the projector.
US08360579B2 Ophthalmologic device for breaking down eye tissue
An opthalmological apparatus (1) comprises a base station (11) having a light source (51) for generating light pulses, and an application head (3) which can be mounted on an eye (2) having a light projector (58) for the focussed projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue (22). The application head (3) additionally has movement drivers (57) for moving the light projector (58) in a feed direction and in a first scanning direction. A scanner (52) is arranged in the base station (11) in order to deflect the light pulses in a second scanning direction. In addition, the opthalmological apparatus (1) comprises an optical transmission system for transmitting deflected light pulses from the base station (11) to the application head (3), and for superimposing the light pulses deflected in the second scanning direction onto the movement of the light projector (58) in the first scanning direction. It is possible to use light sources with high light pulse rates, for example femtosecond lasers, without the need for impractical enlargement of the overall size of the application head (3) owing to the scanner. In addition, it is possible while safeguarding a manageable overall size of the application head (3) to make use of light sources with high light pulse rates, something which increases the accuracy of treatment and reduces the burden on the eye (2).
US08360576B2 Copolymerizable methine and anthraquinone compounds and articles containing them
This invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbers and yellow colorants and their use in ophthalmic lenses. In particular, this invention relates to polymerizable ultraviolet light absorbing methine compounds and yellow compounds of the methine and anthraquinone classes that block ultraviolet light and/or violet-blue light transmission through ophthalmic lenses.
US08360572B2 Transport apparatus having side members and recording apparatus having side members
A transport apparatus which transports a sheet-like medium along a transport direction while one surface of the sheet-like medium is sucked to a holding surface, includes side members having opposed faces which are opposed to a portion of the holding surface at a position near the edge of the holding surface in a width direction intersecting with the transport direction. The side members form spaces between the other surface of the sheet-like medium and the opposed faces when the sheet-like medium is transported in a state where edges of the sheet-like medium in the width direction are interposed between the opposed faces and the holding surface.
US08360567B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus having a decompression unit
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used for ejecting a liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that ejects the liquid, a liquid supplying path that is used for leading the liquid to the head unit, a defoaming chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and is used for eliminating air bubbles inside the liquid, a broaden chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and can collect the liquid due to having a cross-section area larger than that of the liquid supplying path, and a decompression unit that is used for decompressing the defoaming chamber and the broaden chamber.
US08360566B2 Method for printing
A method of printing including providing an ink delivery system including a print head in fluid communication between a first tank and a second tank; and providing a pressure differential across the print head to cause ink to flow from the print head. With embodiments of the method, ink can be controllably dispensed from the print head at substantially the same velocity irrespective of the orientation of the print head with respect to the direction of the force of gravity.
US08360558B2 Liquid droplet discharging head and liquid droplet discharging apparatus
A liquid droplet discharging head includes a pressure chamber substrate having a pressure chamber in communication with a nozzle hole. The pressure chamber has compartments adjacent to one another in a first direction. A vibrating plate has a first surface for covering the pressure chamber and a second, opposite, surface. The vibrating plate has a first area surface as a part of the first surface, the first area surface covering the pressure chamber in a view in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and is normal to the first surface. A first conductive layer is formed at a plurality of areas to cover, in a view in the second direction.
US08360554B2 Modular encoder
A modular encoder has been developed that can be mounted to a motor shaft without requiring time consuming alignment or special tools. The encoder includes a base having an annular opening, the base including a plurality of resilient arms surrounding the annular opening with each arm having a terminal end that extends into the annular opening, and a hub having a horizontal flange with a top and a bottom surface and a generally vertical wall extending from the bottom surface of the horizontal flange, the wall is configured to fit within the annular opening of the base and is circumscribed with a groove for receiving the terminal ends of the resilient arms to secure the hub to the base and enable rotation of the hub within the annular opening of the base as the terminal ends of the resilient arms slide within the groove.
US08360553B2 Liquid droplet jetting apparatus
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a jetting head having a jetting surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed for jetting liquid droplets; a carriage carrying the jetting head and moving reciprocatingly in a first direction along a surface parallel to the jetting surface; and a guide member having a guide surface perpendicular to the jetting surface and extending in the first direction to guide the carriage along the guide surface. The carriage is provided with a fixed slide member fixed to the carriage to slide along the guide surface; a movable slide member arranged apart from the fixed slide member in the first direction to slide along the guide surface and configured to be movable with respect to the carriage in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and an angle change mechanism for changing an angle of the carriage relative to the first direction.
US08360548B2 Printhead maintenance assembly for inkjet printer
A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printer includes a movable chassis arranged in a housing; an endless belt mounted on the chassis, the endless belt having a contact surface reciprocally movable between a first position in which the contact surface is engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the printhead; a pair of spools mounted on the chassis and on which the belt is mounted, one of the spools being a toothed drive spool and the other being an idler spool; a drive gear driven by a drive motor and engaged with the drive spool, the drive gear, the drive spool, and the drive motor forming a conveyor mechanism for conveying the belt in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a cleaning station mounted on the chassis and positioned to clean the belt as the belt moves past. The contact surface is sloped with respect to the printhead.
US08360545B2 Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a conveyance device having a conveyance device surface with which a rear surface side of a recording medium comes into contact and which includes a plurality of suction holes for suctioning the recording medium with a negative pressure, and conveying the recording medium while changing suction locations of the recording medium suctioned via the suction holes; an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance device in such a manner that an image is formed on the recording medium; and a control device which changes the suction locations of the recording medium suctioned via the suction holes, at a prescribed interval.
US08360544B2 Print condition setting method in printing device
In a printing device includes a plurality of heads corresponding to black K ink and colored inks C, M, and Y, wherein the heads are extended in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a medium and are disposed in parallel from the upstream side to the downstream side, and ink droplets are discharged and deposited on the medium in order from the heads while the medium is being conveyed, a print condition setting method includes the steps of setting an order in accordance with the extent of concentration irregularity in the composite colors RGB; and creating, within the discharge order of the inks, the most separation of discharge order between the two colored inks that manifest the composite color having the greatest concentration irregularity, and inserting K ink between the discharge orders of the two colored inks that manifest the composite colors having the second greatest concentration irregularity.
US08360537B2 Ejection device for a displaceable furniture component
An ejection device for a furniture component moveably housed in or against a furniture body. The ejection device includes a swivellably housed lever. A first castor is attached to a free end of the lever, and a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free end.
US08360504B2 Drainage structure for double doors
A weather strip 20 for double doors comprises: an installation base member 21 installed on a door join part side of a prior closing rear door 2 of double doors arranged on a side part of an automobile; a hollow seal member 22 which is integrally molded with the installation base member 21 and makes an elastic contact with a post closing front door 1 when the door is closed; and a fin 50 connected to a lower side of the hollow seal member 22, which includes a plane installation piece 51 installed on a lower end on a door join part side of the rear door 2 and a seal piece 52 which is integrally molded with the installation piece 51 and makes an elastic contact with the front door 1 when the door is closed, wherein: the installation piece 51 of the fin 50 has a concave ditch 80 formed on an installation surface side thereof, continuously extending from a lower side of the hollow seal member 22 to a hole 130 which is provided on a lower end on the door join part side of the rear door 2 and bores in the rear door 2.
US08360503B2 Sealing device disposed between a vehicle door and a vehicle body
Disclosed herein is a sealing device disposed between a vehicle door and a vehicle body and a vehicle door sealing rubber strip thereof. The sealing rubber strip is sleeved on a door pipe of the vehicle door. The vehicle door sealing rubber strip is an annular rubber body constituted by a drain segment and a non-drain segment. The annular rubber body includes a hollow rubber ring made of foaming rubber and a groove-shaped rubber ring made of compacted solid rubber and provided with a pipe body mounting groove at the inner side of the groove-shaped rubber ring. An air hole is provided in the hollow rubber ring, and a small water flowing trench is provided at the bottom surface of the pipe body mounting groove of the groove-shaped rubber ring. A fixing groove with a broad bottom and a narrow opening is provided on one external side of the groove-shaped rubber ring. A water flowing channel disposed transversely and a draining through hole communicated with the water flowing trench are provided on the other side surface of the groove-shaped rubber ring at the drain segment. Compared with the prior art, such device can solve the problem of unreliable sealing between a vehicle body doorframe and a vehicle door which are made of circular pipes and the difficulty of draining water accumulated inside the vehicle door.
US08360496B2 Folding seat system
A folding seat system for use with a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a seat body including a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is rotatably mounted to the seat bottom such that the seat back can be folded over the seat bottom. A hinge is connected to the seat body and is configured to attach to the vehicle. The hinge is further configured to permit the seat body to rotate approximately 180° in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a forward position, an intermediate position, and a storage position when the seat back is folded over the seat bottom. A biasing member biases the seat body towards the storage position when the seat body is in the forward position.
US08360487B2 Latch assembly, over-center reverse draw
A latch assembly includes a housing having a cavity between first and second end walls. The housing includes first and second journal members and first and second swing arm apertures at the second end wall. A swing arm member having a joining end is positioned within the cavity having first and second swing arms connected to the joining end having portions extending freely through the first and second swing arm apertures. A keeper/catch member is rotatably connected to the first and second journal members. Keeper/catch member rotation from an orientation rotated away from a longitudinal axis defined by a portion of the first and second swing arms extending through the swing arm apertures to an orientation approximately parallel with the longitudinal axis creates an over-center locking condition for the housing and a pushing force acting through the keeper/catch member to push a first component into contact with a second component.
US08360482B2 Spring activated adjustable dead bolt latch
A dead bolt latch (10) readily adjustable between forward and rear backset positions. A bolt casing (56) connects to a faceplate (48) installed on an outer face of a door (D). A bolt (15) fitting within the casing extends and retracts to latch or unlatch the door. A latch operator (12) and the bolt casing each have slots (64, 78) of a length corresponding to the distance between the backset positions, and a spring (72) seats between the bolt and latch operator. When the latch is being installed and needs to be adjusted between backset positions, the installer blocks movement of the bolt and then, by turning the latch operator, moves the relative position of the latch operator and bolt between backset positions using the force of the spring. This facilitates latch adjustment even by relatively unskilled installers.
US08360478B2 Sacrificial hose fitting assembly
A hose fitting assembly is provided, wherein the components are operably engaged with a length of hose to form a sacrificial construction. An end fitting having an insertion stem is disposed within a portion of the hose, wherein a clamping sleeve receiving a length of the hose threadingly engages the end fitting. A swaging collar is slide along the hose to threadingly engage the clamping sleeve, such that complete threaded engagement of the swaging collar and the clamping sleeve circumferentially compress and deform a portion of the clamping sleeve to clamp a portion of the hose intermediate the clamping sleeve and the insertion stem, and partially deformed threads on at least one of the clamping sleeve and the swaging collar. The hose fitting assembly can cooperatively engage a flexible high pressure metal braided hose, wherein the metal braid is formed of a less than full tensile strength steel, such as half hard stainless steel.
US08360477B2 Compliant conduit connector
A compliant conduit connector system for the sealed joining of two fluid conduits having two or more slip bearings to maintain mechanical connection between the two fluid conduits and a sealing o-ring to maintain a fluid seal between the two fluid conduits is disclosed. A socket having an inner surface including a sealing surface is formed on an end of a first fluid conduit. A plurality of slip bearings are held in position on the outer surface of a second fluid conduit by respective bearing channels attached to an outer surface of the second fluid conduit where the slip bearings are in mechanical contact with an inner surface of the socket formed in the first fluid conduit. The o-Ring makes sealing contact with a sealing surface defined as part of the inner surface of the first fluid conduit. To assure electrical conductivity a conductor assembly contacts both the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit.
US08360467B2 Head-protecting airbag apparatus
A head-protecting airbag apparatus includes an inflated airbag with a rear inflatable portion covering the vicinity of a rear window of a vehicle, and a gas supply passage that inflates the rear portion. The rear inflatable portion includes a main body portion and an inlet inflatable portion, with a belt-shaped closing portion that partitions the two. The upper communication port and the lower communication port of the belt-shaped closing portion allow the inflation gas to flow from the inlet inflatable portion to the inflatable main body. In both communication ports, the opening area of the lower communication port is larger than the opening area of the upper communication port so that the airbag inflates via the lower communication port upon normal inflation of the airbag, and then inflates via the upper communication port upon abnormal inflation when the lower communication port is obstructed.
US08360461B2 Foldable stroller
A foldable stroller that moves between an extended position and stowed position, and which comprises a seat portion, a back, at least three legs, and a rear linkage including at least one rear leg, a front linkage including at least one front leg, a back linkage including at least one back mount and a seat portion mounting and when moving the stroller from the extended position to the stowed position, the lower end of the back leg tilts forward the lower end of the front leg tilts backward, the back is folded against the seat portion, the upper edge of the back coming opposite the front end of the seat portion mounting and the upper end of the front leg.
US08360456B2 Apparatus for towing bicycles
Apparatus for towing bicycles, comprising a towing arm, a connector, adapted to fix the towing arm to a towing vehicle, a joint for interconnection between the towing arm and the connector, which defines a first oscillation axis and a second oscillation axis, the first oscillation axis being parallel to the resting surface of the towing bicycle to which the connector is coupled during use, a fork for connection of the towing arm to the hub of the front wheel of the bicycle to be towed, the fork being locked to the towing arm during use, a strut pivoted on the towing arm, and a coupling assembly which is adapted for connection of the strut to the bicycle to be towed. The first oscillation axis is transverse to the anteroposterior direction of the towing bicycle and the second oscillation axis is perpendicular to the resting surface.
US08360451B2 Air suspension system
An air suspension system for a multi-axle vehicle having air bags (4,5; 6,7; 8,9; 10,11; 44 to 49) supporting either side of the axles (2,3; 41 to 43), including separate air lines (18 to 25; 50 to 55) respectively connecting each air bag to a level control valve (16,17; 56,57) via manifolds (26,27; M) and air lines (28,29; 54,55) to independently control air supply to the bags on either side, the separate air lines being of the same size and length to ensure that substantially the same volume of air is supplied to each bag to improve the responsiveness and stability of the system.
US08360449B2 Suspension assemblies and systems for land vehicles
A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.
US08360444B2 Monument transport tool and method
A transport tool is disclosed for moving an aircraft monument from one location to another. The transport tool comprises an elongated, substantially rectangular, support frame having handle members at an upper region, wheel elements at a lower region, and a leg pivoted to the mid-region of the tool for supporting a load mounted to the tool as the transport tool is rotated about the wheel elements from a vertical orientation in which the load can be loaded onto, or unloaded from, the tool to a horizontal orientation in which the load can be transported from one location to another. Also disclosed is a method for transporting the load between two locations using the transport tool.
US08360443B2 Pallet jack system and method for the transportation of stackable packaged goods pallets
A pallet jack is disclosed that comprises a left tine and a right tine. The pallet jack includes a lifting mechanism that may include an electrically powered hydraulic pump to effectuate the lifting motion. The pallet jack may also include power-driven wheels that are connected by an axle, thereby facilitating translational motion of the pallet jack. The wheels may be maximally spaced by using a maximum-length axle that is slightly longer than the width of the pallet jack body, thereby optimizing load stability.
US08360436B2 Mechanical seal sliding member, and mechanical seal
The present invention provides a mechanical seal sliding member with high lubricating characteristics, in which the coefficient of friction and the temperature of sliding surfaces are lowered and stabilized without excessive leakage. In the mechanical seal sliding member of the present invention, on the sliding surface 2, a plurality of grating sections 5 are formed separately in each of which a plurality of linear shape ridge portions parallel to each other are formed in a predetermined region with a predetermined pitch. The linear shape ridge portions of the plurality of grating sections are formed as inclined at a predetermined angle to a sliding direction of the sliding surfaces 2. Such periodic structure can improve the lubricating characteristics for lubrication. By irradiating a linearly polarized femtosecond laser with irradiating energy adjacent to a process threshold level to a material surface, a fine periodic structure with a cycle interval comparable with a laser wavelength and with a ridge depth half or less than the laser wavelength can be formed by a self-structuring manner.
US08360430B2 Table ball game device
The present invention relates to a table ball game device (1), comprising a game field (2) and a game table comprising a game field edge (3), wherein on at least one narrow side (4) at least one launch apparatus (5) for launching spheres (6) at a ball (7) are pivotally disposed, wherein the at least one launch apparatus (5) is associated with a feed apparatus (8) for automatically feeding the spheres to the at least one launch apparatus (5).
US08360427B2 Medium transfer apparatus for an automated teller machine
The present invention relates to a medium transfer apparatus for an automated teller machine, wherein a portion of medium transfer apparatus is opened and shut by a simple operation, thereby conveniently and quickly solving the problem of jams occurring when the medium transfer apparatus transfers a paper medium.
US08360426B2 Medium pressurizing device and image forming apparatus
A medium pressurizing device includes: two rotating bodies that rotate and allow a recording medium held in a contact part to pass; a pressurizing member that applies, to one of the rotating bodies, a pressure of pressing the one toward the other; a drive roll disposed downstream from the contact part in a conveyance direction, and rotating thereby transmitting a conveyance driving force to the recording medium; and a following roll contacting the drive roll, and rotating by following rotation of the drive roll, thereby conveying the recording medium held therebetween. The device further includes: an axis member rotating by receiving a driving force; and a cam member fixed to the axis member, acting on the pressurizing member, and following rotation of the axis member, thereby changing the pressure. The following roll has a hollow, and the axis member is disposed to pass through a space in the hollow.
US08360414B2 Imaging device
An imaging device including a pivoting media pick tire is described.
US08360410B1 Baking dough processing assembly
The present invention is a dough board assembly including an outer frame having top and bottom edges, an inner perimeter with the inner perimeter having at least one shoulder, at least one inner board sized to rest on the at least one inner shoulder within the inner perimeter so that at least one of the top and bottom edges extend above the inner board as it rests on the at least one shoulder. The inner perimeter has at least one perimeter length and at least one perimeter width. In an alternate embodiment, the assembly further includes a insert defining at least one orifice. In a second embodiment, the invention further comprises a rolling pin.
US08360393B2 Valve actuator having spring return power
A spring return valve comprising a motor, a first worm member, a second planetary gear member, a second worm member, an elastic member, and a valve attached to said second worm wheel is provided. Since the first and the second planetary gear are installed between the first worm shaft and the second worm shaft and the elastic member is fitted onto the second worm shaft, the load applied on the output shaft can be reduced a lot, the opening and/or closing operation is very easy even if the elastic coefficient is small, thereby the reduction in size is possible.
US08360391B2 Metal sealing, stem locking mechanism
A device includes a stem hub attached to a fitting body. A rotatable stem is located at least partially within the stem hub. Rotation of the rotatable stem operates a blocking element located in the fitting body. In an embodiment, an upper stem is coupled to a first end portion of the rotatable stem so that rotation of the upper stem rotates the rotatable stem. A metal seal is located on the stem hub. A portion of the upper stem presses the metal seal between the upper stem and the stem hub when the upper stem is moved towards the stem hub. An operating mechanism moves the upper stem towards the stem hub and away from the stem hub. The upper stem is moved by the operating mechanism in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the rotatable stem and the upper stem.
US08360387B2 Actuator including mechanism for converting rotary motion to linear motion
An active vibration control device is provided that is configured to control the position of a body relative to a reference frame. The control device includes sensors that provide input signals corresponding to movement of the body in at least one direction, a rotary motor configured to control the position of the body, and four-bar linkage connecting the rotary motor to the body. The linkage converts the rotary motion output from the motor into a linear motion of the body. The controller, based on the input signals from the reference frame sensors, provides control signals to the rotary motor which acts through the linkage to position the body in the at least one direction relative to the position of the reference frame.
US08360386B2 Coupling system for an aircraft seat
In a coupling system for coupling an aircraft seat in a rail of the rest thereof, of the type including a base to which the rest of the seat is connected and associated with a locking slide able to be moved using a control device under the control of a handling lever that can be actuated by an assembly operator, between an assembly/disassembly position and a locking position, the control device includes a device in needle form, which is able to be moved in the base by the lever and whereof one end includes a support surface adapted to cooperate with a complementary ramp surface of the slide to move the latter from its assembly/disassembly position towards its locking position, against the stress from an elastic or spring device.
US08360385B2 Tie down assembly
A tie down assembly adapted to be installed within a structure includes a cup and a plate fastened removably to the cup by fasteners. The cup includes a first sidewall, an interior portion, and a plurality of seats that extends within the interior portion. The plate an aperture to receive tie down connectors. The plate includes a plurality of tabs. The plate is positioned within the interior portion of the cup and rests on the seats. When the plate requires repair or replacement, it may be removed from the cup by unfastening the fasteners without the need to remove the cup from the structure. Each of the tabs of the plate is positioned within a space between adjacent pairs of the seats of the cup and is adapted to engage the seats of the cup so as to inhibit rotation of the plate relative to the cup.
US08360382B2 Stand assembly and electronic device
The present invention provides a stand assembly for supporting an electronic device. The stand assembly includes a main stand member and an auxiliary stand member. The main stand member includes a first stand and a second stand. The first stand is pivotally connected to the electronic device. The second stand is pivotally connected to the first stand and capable of sliding relative to the electronic device. The auxiliary stand member is pivotally connected to the electronic device.
US08360378B1 Mobile electronic device support
A mobile electronic device support is disclosed for allowing a mobile electronic device to be removably secured to a surface, such as a column.
US08360374B2 Adjustable frame to support flexible bodies
The present invention provides a frame having variable dimensions, comprising a plurality of telescoping legs arranged in first and second pairs, with each leg of said first pair being rotatably coupled together and each leg of said second pair being rotatably coupled together; and a scissor link mechanism coupled between the legs of said first and second pairs to vary a length of said plurality of legs in response to a distance between said first and second pairs varying. In one embodiment one end of each of said legs of said first pair is rotatably coupled together and one end of each of said legs of said second pair are rotatably coupled together. In this manner, the dimensions of the frame may be varied to accommodate support of a flexible body, such as a plastic bag, paper sack, fabric sack and the like to provide the same with a desired volume and/or an opening of the same with desired dimensions. Specifically, the length of the legs, the angle therebetween and the distance between the first and second pairs may be such as to provide a desired volume of structure support to the flexible membrane from amongst range of volumes that the flexible material can support.
US08360372B2 Stackable cable hanger
The invention relates to a novel cable hanger for supporting at least one cable. The cable hanger comprises a cable support member having first and second ends for supporting one or more cables and a latching element extending from each of the first and second ends of the support member which is adapted to stably suspend the cable hanger.
US08360369B2 Emergency collective actuator and method for a helicopter
A helicopter includes a rotor system having a rotor with an adjustable pitch that is controlled at least in part by a pilot using a collective control and which helicopter generates a Low RPM signal that is indicative of a threshold low rotational speed of the rotor. An actuator arrangement configured to move the collective control by exerting a force on the collective control such that the pilot is able to overcome the force but which otherwise moves the collective control from a current operational position toward a minimum pitch position. A control arrangement is configured for receiving the Low RPM signal and for responding to the Low RPM signal by activating the actuator arrangement for at least a predetermined period of time to apply the force to move the collective control from the current operational position to the minimum pitch position.
US08360365B2 Modular hatrack for a passenger compartment of aircraft
The present invention describes a modular hatrack for an interior of an aircraft, wherein the modular hatrack comprises at least one container and at least one housing to accommodate the container, wherein at least one component from the group comprising a personal supply channel, an electrical line, a light strip, an air duct for an air conditioning system, and an air outlet for an air conditioning system is integrated in the housing. The present invention also describes the use of the modular hatrack in an aircraft or in some other vehicle.
US08360362B2 Aircraft floor and method of assembly
The invention relates to aircraft floor assemblies and to methods for their assembly. In one embodiment, an aircraft comprises at least one fuselage section and at least one floor section. At least one system component is installed to the floor section prior to installation of the floor section in the fuselage of the aircraft. In another embodiment, a floor section adapted to be installed in an aircraft includes at least one system component installed to the floor section while it is outside of the aircraft. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed for assembling an aircraft. The method comprises installing at least one system component to a floor section, and installing the floor section into a fuselage section of the aircraft.
US08360359B2 Aircraft horizontal stabilizer surface
Aircraft horizontal stabilizer surface (8) in which the sweep angle (40) of this surface (8), where this angle (40) is the one formed by the projection of the reference line of points located at 25% of the local chord (19) of the horizontal stabilizer surface (8) on a plane perpendicular to the aircraft plane of symmetry (21), and which also contains this plane to the flight direction of the aircraft with respect to the aircraft plane of symmetry (21), is less than 90 degrees, with this angle (40) being measured in the flight direction of the aircraft. In addition, the structural connection of this horizontal stabilizer surface (8) to the aircraft fuselage (1) is located at a closing frame (13) of this fuselage (1).
US08360355B2 Wing-to-body fairing with spray-on foam and noise reduction method
A fairing includes a fairing body having a fairing interior and an interior surface and a spray-on insulation foam layer provided on the interior surface of the fairing body.
US08360353B2 Portable winding and reeling apparatus
An improved winding apparatus for winding hoses and similar hose-shaped items such as those used in the firefighting industry. The apparatus includes a retainer including first and second pieces adapted for moving relative to each other in a complementary way for securing the hose to the winding means. Optional mechanical and electrical means for driving the apparatus are described. Rollers, left and right guide means and a squeegee comprise a three part guide and cleaning subassembly which aids in the reeling of the hose. The apparatus includes a modular core adapted to be permanently mounted to any vertical wall or alternatively easily connected to a handcart or fire truck for movement to fit the particular application.
US08360332B2 Electronic card
An electronic card that, once activated, can drive a set of user data from a first secure microprocessor through a signal line to a second processor, process the set of user data in the second processor to generate a series of digital transaction signals, drive the series of digital transaction signals into a RC specialty circuit, convert the series of digital transaction signals into two distinct analog waveform signals, and drive the two distinct analog waveform signals along at least two tracks such that the first analog signal and the second analog signal cancel each other magnetically so that the resulting magnetic flux at a target broadcast area replicates the magnetic field created in a magnetic stripe.
US08360322B2 System and method of a smartcard transaction with biometric scan recognition
A method for facilitating biometric security in a smartcard-reader transaction system is provided. The method includes determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also includes notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.
US08360318B2 Dimensioning and barcode reading system
A system and method for auto-calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel to determine the orientation of one or more cameras with respect to a range finder and a conveyor belt comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, at least one range finder having an orientation, at least one camera having an orientation and at least one calibration object having at least one indicia disposed in a predetermined relationship to one or more features of the at least one calibration object, capturing at least one image of the at least one calibration object by the at least one camera, electronically detecting the at least one calibration object at least one indicia and the one or more object features and electronically calculating at least one component of the at least one camera orientation with respect to the moveable surface in response to information obtained from the image and the at least one calibration object at least one indicia.
US08360317B2 Apparatus and method for enhancing card security
A card adapted to be read by a machine has certain patterns and physical characteristics unique to the card and includes electronic circuitry for storing selected of these characteristics. The machine includes apparatus for; (a) optically sensing selected characteristics of the card; (b) electromagnetically sensing information stored in the card; and (c) comparing optically sensed data with electromagnetically sensed data for validating the card. The machine further includes apparatus for selectively processing and updating the information stored on the card each time it reads the card.
US08360312B2 Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same
A method of creating a single transaction card is disclosed and comprises embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card, filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket. Another method is disclosed for machining a face pocket within a single transaction card and disposing a microchip therein. In various embodiments, a single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer, such as, for example, titanium.
US08360305B2 Method and apparatus for reflow soldering
Reflow soldering apparatus comprising a vapour chamber in communication with a reservoir of heat transfer fluid such that a volume of vaporised heat transfer fluid is created and held in the vapour chamber by heating of the heat transfer fluid. A heating chamber is provided for receiving a board and a transportation mechanism is provided to transport vapour, and condensate formed from the vapour, from the volume of vaporised heat transfer fluid to the heating chamber. The transported vapour and condensate applies heat to the heating chamber for the reflow soldering process.
US08360297B2 Surgical cutting and stapling instrument with self adjusting anvil
A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein. An anvil is coupled to the elongate channel and is configured to interact therewith such that at least a mounting portion of the anvil can seatingly engage corresponding portions of the elongate channel at any one of a discrete number of predetermined locations to adjust a tissue clamping space between the anvil and the elongate channel in response to a thickness of tissue received between the elongate channel and the anvil and application of a closing motion to the anvil.
US08360295B2 Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device an elongated body portion having proximal and distal portions, and a head portion positioned adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion. The head portion includes a shell assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to the shell assembly between un-approximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and an anvil head connected to the center rod. The center rod includes at least one aperture extending transversely therethrough and configured and dimensioned to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member extends transversely through the center rod.
US08360292B2 Staple refill, stapler, and cartridge
A staple refill includes a refill body accommodating sheet-type connected staples. The refill body includes a bottom wall, a right wall provided on a right side of the bottom wall and formed with a vertically extending right guide slot, and a left wall provided on a left side of the bottom wall and formed with a vertically extending left guide slot. A pressing member is provided in the refill body in a movable manner to press the sheet-type connected staples, the pressing member including a guide shaft guided along the right and left guide slots. The guide shaft includes a right end portion protruding outside the right wall through the right guide slot, and left end portion protruding outside the left wall through the left guide slot.
US08360290B2 Method for separating label assembly
A label assembly including a face sheet, a back sheet, and a layer of an adhesive positioned between the face sheet and the back sheet. A separation line divides the label assembly into at least two portions. The separation line is formed by a first tearable line of separation extending across the back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across the face sheet. The first tearable line of separation is offset with respect to the second tearable line of separation, and at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation includes a non-linear portion directed toward and/or an angled portion extending at an angle to an other of the at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation.
US08360286B2 Draw back push pump
A piston pump dispenser having a reciprocating piston pump arrangement which in a dispensing stroke dispenses fluid from an outlet and in a charging stroke draws fluid from a reservoir and also draws back fluid from the outlet.
US08360279B1 Automatic baby formula preparation device
An automatic home appliance that performs the preparation, mixing, and heating of infant formula bottles provides a reservoir on top that holds an amount of powdered formula. Connection to a household water supply provides a flow of water to an internal water heating reservoir. A central front opening is provided in which the infant bottle is placed. A digital display and a plurality of programming buttons are arranged upon a front panel to allow the user to select operating parameters. Once programmed, internal electronic controls perform dispensing and mixing of the necessary ingredients in the proper ratio and dispensing of mixed formula into the proper sized bottle. The mixture is also kept warm at the proper temperature by a hot plate. An indicator light then illuminates to communicate to a user that the bottle is ready to be removed and the mixture consumed.
US08360274B2 Negative pressure type medication delivering device and medication dispensing device and system using the same
A medication delivering device includes a delivering unit and a negative pressure unit. The delivering unit includes a cylinder, a retractable part and a tip element. The cylinder has a first opening and a second opening. The retractable part connects the cylinder with the tip element. The tip element has a first end, a second end and a channel. The first end passes through the first opening and is received within the cylinder. The second end is located at an outlet of a pill container. The channel penetrates from the first end to the second end to link with the interior of the cylinder. The negative pressure unit connects to the second opening for providing negative pressure to the interior of the cylinder and the channel of the tip element, so that the tip element sucks up a pill on the outlet of the pill container.
US08360270B1 Method for feeding small items
A method is provided for feeding small items, for example pills, that does not require tooling changes or position adjustment regardless of the size or shape of the pills. A first hopper supplies small items to a second hopper that separates the small items. The method incorporates sensors to detect the presence, size and travel time of the pills in the separating bowl hopper. The method uses the sensed values for setting vibration amplitude and the duration of an air flow to discharge pills from the apparatus.
US08360256B2 Storage and drinking container having cap and retaining ring
A storage and drinking container for pressurized beverages includes a drinking vessel 1 having a lip 3 and a lid formed from a cap 5 and retaining ring 12. The cap 5 seals with a surface 4 on the inside neck of the vessel and is retained in place by fingers 8 engaging under a lip 3. The fingers 8 are retained in position by a retaining ring 12. Cooperating sets of cammed surfaces 10 and 13 on cap 5 and ring 12 act on rotation of the ring to axially separate the ring 12 from the cap 5, releasing the fingers 8 from under the lip 3 and permitting the lid to be removed. A drinking vessel with a wide neck can be reliably sealed without the necessity to provide screw threads on the outer surface of the vessel 1.
US08360252B1 Dirt bike stand and method of use thereof
A ride on/ride off dirt bike stand for use with dirt bikes that do not come with a kickstand attached to the dirt bike for parking the dirt bike when not in use, such as motocross, rally, trials and/or track bikes. The dirt bike stand is free standing and includes an upper frame pivotally connected to a base frame, such that the upper frame may be pivoted and secured between an upright position and a lowered position. The upper frame may be height adjustable so that the dirt bike stand may be utilized with different dirt bikes having differing chassis heights. Also, the upper frame may include a rotatable platform to provide a greater surface area for supporting the dirt bike.
US08360240B2 Protective device
A protective device made of plastic, which is intended as an instrument housing for a measuring instrument. In order to ensure sufficient shock protection, which assures that the protective device is not damaged by hard shocks, the protective device is assembled from a core which is made of thermoplastic material and at least in sections encloses the housing, and a sheathing, which is made particularly of rubber elastic material.
US08360232B2 Rotatable indexed article support for a conveyor
An article support assembly includes a carriage for riding along a conveyor and a holder and turning block depending from and rotatable together relative to the carriage for supporting an article. Rotation of an article is effected in response to the article support and turning block moving past a turning station along a conveying path. Position stops are operatively arranged between the turning block and the carriage for holding the turning block and holder yieldably in at least one predetermined indexed orientation relative to the carriage. The position stops include at least one pair of confronting magnetic elements associated with the carriage and the turning block and located to align with each other when the turning block and holder are in the predetermined indexed orientation.
US08360229B2 Isolating plant and associated isolating method
An isolating plant for isolating objects, in particular nuclear fuel pellets, fed in stacks, includes a feeding conveyor belt and an output conveyor belt, permitting a particularly reliable and interruption-free isolation of the fed objects simultaneously with a high processing speed. A delivery area, situated between the feeding conveyor belt and the output conveyor belt, includes a separating device driven by a pressure gas, in which the fed objects are separated from each other during operation of the plant by purposeful pressure-gas pulses in order to be delivered one by one to the output conveyor belt. A method for isolating nuclear fuel pellets is also provided.
US08360220B2 Power transmission device and vehicle having the same
A power transmission device includes a clutch that transmits power from a motor to an axle; a first pump that is driven by power from the motor to generate and output fluid pressure; a second pump that receives and is driven by a supply of electric power to generate and output fluid pressure; a pressure regulating valve that functions as a linear solenoid valve and is formed with an input port, an output port that is connected to the clutch, and a drain port; and a switching valve that switches between a first connection state.
US08360214B2 Brake shoe support assembly and method
The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.
US08360211B2 Hoisting machine including a measuring arrangement and elevator system containing the same
A hoisting machine and an elevator system including the hoisting machine are provided. The hoisting machine includes a measuring arrangement for determining the position and/or movement of the rotor of a hoisting machine. The measuring arrangement includes a magnetic band whose magnetic property is so implemented that it varies in the longitudinal direction of the band.
US08360210B2 Oil buffer for an elevator
In an oil buffer for an elevator, at least one cylindrical intermediate plunger is inserted into a base cylinder. An upper-stage plunger is inserted into the intermediate plunger. An orifice is provided in a bottom surface portion of the upper-stage plunger. A pin rod is provided upright in the base cylinder. The pin rod is inserted into the orifice in a middle of a stroke of the upper-stage plunger. A return spring causes the intermediate plunger and the upper-stage plunger to return to positions in an unloaded state.
US08360207B1 Security method for a self-service checkout system with RFID capability
A security method for a self-service checkout system with radio frequency identification (RFID) capability. The security method includes the steps of obtaining cart identification information from an RFID label attached to a cart by a security computer at a security station, obtaining first item identification information from a self-service computer transaction record using the cart identification information, obtaining second item identification information from a group of RFID labels attached to a group of items in the cart by the security computer, and comparing the first item identification information in the transaction record to the second item identification information to determine whether the second item identification information equals the first item identification information.
US08360206B2 Shopping cart securing structures and method of securing shopping carts
Cart securing structures are provided for securing shopping carts. In one embodiment, the structures include a body having a pair of spaced stops with an intermediate trough. In use, the wheels of the cart are rolled along an upwardly extending face of one of the stops, over the stop and into the trough between the stops. In one embodiment, advertising is located on the surfaces of one or more of the stops. In one embodiment, an electronic display is located on one of the faces of the structure and a control system is provided for presenting advertising and other information using the display.
US08360202B1 Personnel extraction system
A personnel extraction system preferably includes at least a securement band and an extraction strap. Preferably, the extraction strap is affixed to the securement band and provides at least one attachment loop. The preferred embodiment includes the securement band being selectively configurable to provide the extraction strap in a storage state, an operative state, and a deployed state. In the deployment state, a first connecting hitch is secured to a rescue personnel while a second connection hitch is secured to a downed personnel and the extraction strap accommodates movement of the downed personnel to safety.
US08360201B2 Sound absorbing structure and sound chamber
A sound absorber is formed by covering the opening of a housing with a vibration member having a flat shape or a film shape so as to define an air layer therebetween. The sound absorber is attached to the wall of a room such that the vibration member is positioned opposite to the wall with a prescribed space therebetween. Sound generated in the room particularly in low frequencies enters into the space between the vibration member and the wall so as to cause vibration of the vibration member due to the pressure difference between the sound pressure applied to the space and the internal pressure of the air layer, thus consuming energy of sound waves. Thus, it is possible to efficiently absorb low-frequency sound with a reduced thickness of the air layer.
US08360194B2 Transfer box for transferring gearshifting movements in a vehicle
A transfer box for transferring movements and forces from a gearshift lever of a tiltable vehicle cab portion to a gearbox includes a first frame portion mounted on the cab portion, the first frame portion including at least one first journalled lever portion and being connectable to cable ends or push rods connected to the gear shift lever, a second frame portion mounted on a vehicle chassis, the second frame portion including at least one journalled second lever portion and being connected to the gearbox via cable ends or pushrods, wherein the first lever portions and the second lever portions interact to enable movement/force transfer from the cable ends/push rods connected to the first lever portions to the cable ends/push rods connected to the second lever portions. The at least one first and the at least one second lever portions are provided with wedge shaped cooperating portions.
US08360189B2 Motorcycle frame having protected space therein, and motorcycle incorporating same
A motorcycle includes a main frame member having a front half section extending downward and rearward from a head pipe, and a rear half section extending rearwardly from a lower end of this front half section. A vehicle body part is provided for covering portions of this main frame member. In the motorcycle, the main frame member includes left and right sidewall parts as well as a bottom wall part, and is opened upward. The vehicle body cover is provided so as to cover, from above, an opened portion of the main frame member and a portion of each of the left and right sidewall parts. A lower portion of the rear half section is exposed to the outside as an external appearance design surface.
US08360184B2 Control system for electric hybrid vehicle conversion
A control system is disclosed which permits operation of a Plug-in Hybrid IC-Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) in either parallel electric hybrid or IC modes with a single accelerator pedal. The operation of the electrical equipment is optimized to provide maximum electric power as long as the battery has useable capacity while being completely transparent to the driver. This control system is particularly suitable for converting an existing vehicle to a PHEV.
US08360182B2 Control of the operating mode of a main drive unit of a vehicle in dependence on brake pedal actuation
A method for controlling the operating mode of a drive of a vehicle that includes a main drive unit and an auxiliary tractive energy source. The method includes operating the main drive unit, detecting the duration of actuation of an uninterrupted actuation of a brake pedal, and detecting whether the duration of actuation is above a minimum duration by comparing the duration of actuation with a minimum duration. The main drive unit is switched off if it has been detected that the duration of actuation is above the minimum duration. Otherwise, operation of the main drive unit is continued if it has been detected that the duration of actuation is not above the minimum duration. A device for carrying out the method is also described, which includes a timer for detecting the duration of actuation and a comparator for comparing the duration of actuation with a minimum duration.
US08360180B2 System for controlling a hybrid energy system
A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.
US08360176B2 Brazing methods for PDC cutters
A method for a down hole cutting tool is disclosed, wherein the cutting tool includes a cutting element support structure having at least one cutter pocket to support a cutting element comprising a substrate and an ultrahard layer. The method includes inserting a base portion of the cutting element into the cutter pocket; locating a first braze alloy such that when heated the first braze alloy melts and fills a space in the cutter pocket between the cutting element and the cutting element support structure adjacent the ultrahard layer; locating a second braze alloy such that when heated the second braze alloy melts and fills a space in the cutter pocket between the cutting element and the cutting element support structure non-adjacent the ultrahard layer; and heating the first and second braze alloy such that they melt.
US08360175B2 Convex crested insert with deflected wedge surfaces
This invention relates to carbide inserts used on roller cone bits for oil and gas drilling applications as well as for other geological drilling applications, and more specifically, relates to the convex crested insert with deflected wedge surfaces. The insert comprises a cylindrical portion and a crest portion. Said crest portion is composed of a conical crest base, a top surface and two opposing wedge surfaces. Upper ends of the two wedge surfaces are merged smoothly with top surface of the insert. The specific feature of the structure is that top surface of the crest portion is convexed outwardly and forms a smooth curve surface which is higher in the middle and lowers down gradually to each end. Said two wedge surfaces are slant wedge surfaces, so that a width of the top surface and therefore a width of the insert crest are tapered from one end to the other. Advantages of this invention include: 1. Help for rock breaking and therefore, it can increase drilling efficiency of the cutters and lower the overall drilling cost; 2. higher anti-breakage capability and longer working life; and 3. when inserts of this invention are used as heel row cutting elements on bit, contact area between wider end of the top surface of the insert and borehole wall is larger and therefore the gouging action applied on the borehole wall is higher and can also achieve better gage protection of the bit.
US08360169B1 Apparatuses and methods relating to cooling a subterranean drill bit and/or at least one cutting element during use
One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a subterranean drilling assembly comprising a subterranean drill bit and a sub apparatus coupled to the drill bit. Further, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the drill bit. For example, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system comprising a plurality of refrigeration coils or at least one thermoelectric device. In another embodiment a subterranean drill bit may include at least one cooling system positioned at least partially within the subterranean drill bit. Also, a sub apparatus or subterranean drill bit may be configured to cool drilling fluid communicated through at least one bore of a subterranean drill bit and avoiding cooling drilling fluid communicated through at least another bore of the subterranean drill bit. Methods of operating a subterranean drill bit are disclosed.
US08360168B2 Power tool
It is an object of the invention to provide a power tool that effectively prevents leakage of lubricant while regulating the internal pressure of a housing space for a driving mechanism.The object can be achieved by a representative power tool that includes a too bit 119, a driving mechanism 113, 115, an enclosed housing space 107a which houses the driving mechanism and in which lubricant is sealed in, and a path 151 which regulates pressure of the housing space 107a. On the path, a filter chamber 154 having a predetermined capacity, an inner passage 155c that communicates the filter chamber 154 with the housing space 107a, and an outer passage 159c that communicates the filter chamber 154 with the outside are formed. A filter 157 is disposed in the filter chamber 154 and spaced apart from a peripheral edge of an opening of the outer passage 159c which is open to the filter chamber 154, so that a space 161 is created on the opening edge side of the filter chamber 154. A throttle member 163, 167 is disposed in the space 161 and throttles flow of air which flows out to the outer passage 159c through the filter 157.
US08360162B2 Hybrid inert gas fire suppression system
A hybrid fire suppression system includes a supply of pressurized inert gas, a pipe network connected in inert gas flow communication to the inert gas supply, a first inert gas nozzle, a second inert gas nozzle, and a water storage cartridge having an interior volume defining a water reservoir storing a limited amount of water. The water reservoir communicates with the second inert gas spray nozzle. The first inert gas nozzle connects with the first terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas only into a first protected space. The second inert gas nozzle connects with the second terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas and the limited amount of water from the water reservoir into the second protected space.
US08360160B2 Deep water drilling with casing
Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.
US08360151B2 Methods for mitigation of annular pressure buildup in subterranean wells
Compositions and methods that mitigate pressure buildup in the annular space between two tubular bodies in subterranean wells. The composition of the invention comprises an aqueous solution of crosslinkable acrylamide-base polymer, a crosslinker and a gas. Once foamed and placed in the annular space, the composition provides a resilient, flexible, compressible and durable body that is able to compensate for pressure increases in the annular space, thereby protecting the integrity of the tubular bodies.
US08360140B2 Well head lubricator assembly
A well head lubricator assembly including an elongated rigid tubular body defining an interior chamber open at a lower end to receive a plunger at a well head. The plunger is slidably positioned within the chamber in response to forces or loads acting thereon and has a seat arranged toward an upper end thereof. An upper end of the tubular body is closed. An axially elongated one-piece thermoplastic ether ester elastomer spring is slidingly positioned within the interior chamber of the tubular body. One end of the spring is seated on the seat of the plunger. The spring defines an elongated bore opening to opposed ends thereof. Moreover, the spring is provided with a plurality of axially spaced flange sections along a length thereof for guiding the spring for endwise sliding movement on an inside diameter of the tubular body. Any two flange sections on the spring are axially separated by an energy absorbing section for allowing the spring to react to energy imparted to the plunger. Each energy absorbing section on the spring defines a wall having a lateral thickness ranging between about 20% to about 30% of an axial length of the energy absorbing section extending axially between any two adjacent flange sections and such that radial expansion of the energy absorbing sections is limited to about an outermost edge of the flange sections.
US08360136B2 Continuous casting method and nozzle heating device
In a continuous casting method, the outside surface of a continuous casting nozzle which supplies molten metal into a mold while immersed in the molten metal in the mold, is heated to 1000° C. or higher by a nozzle heating device comprising an external heater which performs radiant heating, while the molten metal passes through the continuous casting nozzle.
US08360135B2 Mold cooling device
At the operation of a suction pump, a negative pressure is generated in a supply-side pipe line, a cooling passageway of a mold, and a return-side pipe line. Cooling water stored in a water tank is sucked by the negative pressure, flows from a first feed-water inlet to the supply-side pipe line, flows through the supply-side pipe line, and enters the cooling passageway of the mold. After the cooling water cools down the mold while flowing through the cooling passageway of the mold, it flows out to the return-side pipe line. Additionally, at the operation of the suction pump, a negative pressure is also generated in a bypass pipe line. The cooling water stored in the water tank is sucked by the negative pressure, flows from a second feed-water port to the bypass pipe line, and enters the return-side pipe line via the bypass pipe line.
US08360128B2 Transfer tool
A transfer tool of the present invention comprises a transfer head which has a folding back guide portion for folding and guiding a transfer tape and a pair of outer walls for supporting side ends of the folding back guide and in which a transfer tape passage is formed between the outer walls, a refill for holding at least the transfer head, a case capable of holding the refill such that the refill can be inserted into and pulled out from the case in one direction, and a head cap which is pivotally mounted on the case through a pivot shaft portion and rotatable between a close position where the transfer head is covered and an open position where the transfer head is exposed, wherein the head cap is located outside an inserting and pulling out locus of the transfer head when the head cap is disposed in the close position.
US08360121B2 Wheel having temperature compensated and controlled pressure
A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about −50° C. to about 50° C.
US08360118B2 Fuel system for a floating unit, and method for the operation thereof
A fuel system is disclosed for a floating unit, including a fuel passage extending from a filler neck to a motor, a measuring unit disposed in the fuel passage through which at least part of the fuel flowing along the fuel passage flows, for measuring a sulfur content of the fuel through the measuring unit.
US08360114B2 Apparatus and method for filing a syringe
An apparatus for assisting a user in loading a syringe with medication from a medicinal vial comprising an elongated guide having a syringe well and a vial well, the syringe well having a syringe well opening along a surface of the guide. A syringe guide member inserted into and removable from the syringe well through the syringe well opening, the syringe guide member having a bore for receiving and guiding the syringe. The vial well receiving the vial. The guide has a wall separating the syringe well and the vial well, the wall having an aperture formed therethrough providing communication between one end of the bore and the vial, the recess mutually adjacent with the wall. The guide includes a displaceable cover enclosing the syringe well and the vial well. The guide may also include a magnifying element coupled to the cover.
US08360104B2 Pressure relief assembly
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pressure relief assembly that may include a main housing having an air passage chamber, and a flapper positioned on or within the air passage chamber. The flapper includes a membrane flap and a stabilizing member extending toward a center of the membrane flap. The stabilizing member prevents the center of said membrane flap from flapping open, but allows outer free edges of the membrane flap to open when air flow at a particular pressure is exerted into said membrane flap from an opening direction.
US08360098B2 Monodirectional intake pressure stabilization structure of pneumatic tool
A monodirectional intake pressure stabilization structure of pneumatic tool includes a tool main body and a pressure stabilization unit. The pressure stabilization unit is disposed in a first directional intake passage formed in the tool main body for controlling the pressure of the air guided by the first directional intake passage into an air chamber of the tool main body. Accordingly, excessively great intake pressure can be avoided so as to avoid over-torque output of the pneumatic tool. In this case, the pneumatic tool can stably output power within a safety range in accordance with the requirements of actual use. The pressure stabilization unit can be a pressure stabilizer or a pressure relief valve.
US08360082B2 Compact folding umbrella with hybrid ribs to resist damage due to inversion
A folding umbrella, particularly one having multiple folds, has a support frame incorporating a hybrid rib typically located intermediate a main rib and a rear or outermost rib. The hybrid rib is formed of multiple sections composed of first and second materials which respectively provide the desired structural strength to reduce inversions of the umbrella to an acceptable minimum and provide the hybrid rib with the desired resiliency and flexibility to return the hybrid rib to its original, unstressed shape and thereby prevent permanent damage to the hybrid rib as well as adjoining frame elements of the umbrella. The thicknesses of the multiple sections and the relative sizes of the sections also significantly contribute to the capability of the hybrid rib to achieve the desired objectives of a compact, small, folding umbrella of reduced weight, and the ability to prevent permanent damage to the frame due to inversion.
US08360077B2 Headband with pliable ends
This invention provides a headband with pliable ends. More specifically, the headband with pliable ends has a curvilinear body integrally formed from an arcuate midsection and two pliable end sections. Each pliable end section extends from opposite ends of the midsection. The arcuate midsection structured and arranged to conform to a generalized top of head shape. The pliable end sections are each structured and arranged to be selectively deformable to conform to a user's side of head shape.
US08360076B2 Hair styling tool with rotatable cylinder
A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is distant the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is proximate to the cylinder, such as contacting the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.
US08360074B2 Smoking article
A smoking article (10) comprises a rod (12) of smokeable material and a filter (14) attached to one end of the rod. The filter comprises an elongate body of filter material (16) wrapped with a transparent plug wrap (18). A first tipping wrapper (20a) overlies the join between the rod and the filter to attach the filter to the rod. At least one additional tipping wrapper (20b) is provided around the filter, spaced from and separate to the first tipping wrapper such that a portion of the transparent plug wrap is exposed between the first and at least one additional tipping wrapper to define a window portion (22) through which the filter material is visible. A method of producing such a smoking article is also disclosed.
US08360071B2 Covered ashtray with reversible top
A covered ashtray which has a reversible top which is reversed when the ashtray is in use. The reversed side allows for the use of the ashtray in a standard fashion. Upon completion of use, the top may be placed back into the original position, wherein the ash and cigarette butts will be deposited into a chamber in the bottom portion of the ashtray.
US08360059B2 Respirator with a breathing tube system
A breathing tube system for connection to a respirator (2), which is provided with a tube heater, avoids a local increase in temperature during the heating of the tube (4, 7). Resistance wires (9, 10) are connected to one another on the breathing tubes (4, 7) in the form of a series connection and are contacted at the respirator (2) in the area of an inspiration port (3) and of an expiration port (6).
US08360052B2 Half parabolic dish reflector with planar reflector solar smelter
Melting metals using the sun's energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-circular-planar-reflector with a cut-a-way-triangle, hinged and attached a half-shell-parabolic-reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sun's energy reflects off the flat half-circular-planar-reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish-reflector, which redirects the sun's energy to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sun's energy. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's energy. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking.
US08360049B2 Windscreen for fire
A windscreen having base positionable adjacent a fire, a first body portion removeably secured to the base in a substantially vertical orientation, and a securing member connected to the first body portion and capable of removeably securing a second body portion above or next to the first body portion.
US08360048B2 Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance
Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.
US08360041B2 Two-track system for dual cam compound bow
The present invention comprises a two-track cam assembly wherein the cam assembly has a bowstring component for housing the bowstring and a power cable component that allows for the take up and let out of the power cable on opposing ends of the power cable component, effectively creating a two-track cam assembly. The efficiency rating of the device achieves 95.8%. The cam assembly can come in a unitary or modular form and further each component (i.e. the bowstring or power cable component) can be in a circular or non-circular form.
US08360040B2 Engine controller
A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.
US08360029B2 Method for improving vaporization of a fuel for an internal combustion engine notably of direct injection type, in particular an autoignition engine, and more particularly of diesel type
The present invention relates to a method of improving vaporization of a fuel injecting an engine that can work at least a conventional mode during a high load and an at least partly homogeneous mode with an intake, compression, combustion and exhaust phase during the high load, said engine comprising at least one cylinder, a combustion chamber, at least one intake valve associated with an intake pipe, at least one exhaust valve with an exhaust pipe, control means for controlling opening-closing of the at least one valve and fuel injection means.
US08360024B2 Method and device for controlling at least one glow plug of a motor vehicle
A device and a method for controlling at least one glow plug of a motor vehicle are described. The at least one glow plug is controlled as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the control is effected as a function of a variable which depends on the exhaust gas temperature and/or as a function of the fulfillment of a fuel quantity condition and/or time condition.
US08360023B2 Engine including valve lift mechanism with oil flow control features
A valve lift mechanism may include a housing member and a plunger. The housing member may define a first annular wall including a first oil passage. An inner circumference of the first annular wall may define a first continuous region along an axial extent corresponding to the first oil passage from a first location on the inner circumference and circumferentially offset from the first oil passage to a second location on the inner circumference. The plunger may be located within the housing member within the first annular wall. The plunger may define a second annular wall including a series of apertures axially aligned with the first oil passage and separated from one another by an outer circumferential region of the second annular wall. The outer circumferential region may abut the first continuous region of the first annular wall to inhibit oil flow past the outer circumferential region.
US08360018B2 V-type internal combustion engine with variable valve train
A V-type internal combustion engine having a variable valve train for keeping the height of the internal combustion engine low. Disclosed is a V-type internal combustion engine with a variable valve train that uses an actuator to vary the phase/lift amount of camshafts. The actuator is mounted on head covers for each of a plurality of cylinder blocks arranged in a V-shape. The actuator is attached to a lateral surface positioned opposite the offset direction of the head covers. In an embodiment, the actuator is attached to a lateral surface of the head covers and positioned close to the inside of the V banks.
US08360009B2 Animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of the animal
An animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a sling that can be routed around the abdomen of the animal, and a plurality of primary support straps extend and are joined at a handle. A leash strap is integrated with the handle, and extends to connect to the collar of the animal. The integral leash strap along with the primary support straps enables an owner to control not only an upward supporting force for the animal, but also provides an inherent restraint to prevent an animal from walking too quickly or lunging, which might otherwise harm the animal.
US08360008B2 Chew toys comprising biologically degradable material
A biodegradable chew toy having a first body that is made of a first biodegradable material have first characteristic. A second body is made of a second biodegradable material having a second characteristic. The second body is overmolded by the first body. The first characteristic and the second characteristic differ by elasticity.
US08359994B1 Retractable pontoon boat cover
A retractable cover system for a pontoon boat comprising an expanding frame of U-shaped supports sliding in tracks along the sides of the boat, the U-shaped supports interconnected by expanding scissors. The bow and stern ends of the frame are provided with pivoting sections that include horizontal and angled U-shaped supports to define fabric-supporting and fabric-securing structure at the bow and stern of the boat when the frame is fully extended. The retracted frame and fabric cover self-store at the stern of the boat by tilting a pivot station portion of the track rearwardly.
US08359977B2 Miniature shaped charge for initiator system
An initiator device, comprising an explosive foil initiator; an initiator shaped charge that is activated by the explosive foil initiator; the initiator shaped charge comprising an outer casing having an opening therein defining a volume, an explosive located inside the opening, the explosive defining a concave cavity therein; a metal liner lining the concave cavity; and a detonation cord that is activated by the initiator shaped charge.
US08359976B2 Method and machine for aligning flexographic printing plates on printing cylinders
The invention relates to a method and a machine for aligning at least two flexographic printing plates on at least one printing cylinder. The method comprises the steps of capturing an image relating to a first plate, capturing the image relating to a portion of a second plate, reprocessing the image captured from the first plate so as to obtain a portion thereof corresponding to the image relating to the portion of the second plate, concurrently displaying said reprocessed image and the image captured from the second plate and aligning said two images.
US08359971B2 Leak resistant siphoning device for use in fluid transfer
An improved, leak resistant, siphoning device that includes an elongated hollow body member, a means for filling and emptying the hollow body member, such as an elastomeric resilient suction bulb and a valve placed between the hollow member and the filling/emptying means. The suction bulb defines a chamber therein, so that when it is squeezed and released it will create suction to direct fluid up through the first open head end into the elongated hollow body member using pressure differential. Squeezing the suction bulb can release the liquid and partial solids held within the elongated hollow body member out of the first open head end. The suction bulb also has an optional opening for venting heated air from the bulb, and a means to selectively close the opening for creating vacuum or pressure required to draw or expel liquid from the tube.
US08359960B2 Cutter with laser generator that irradiates cutting position on workpiece to facilitate alignment of blade with cutting position
A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.
US08359958B2 Emergency braking system of a machine tool
An emergency braking system of a machine tool for the abrupt braking of a rotating shaft of the machine tool having at least one brake drum and at least one brake shoe, which are brought into engagement with each other in order to brake the shaft. According to the present system, the brake drum engages with the brake shoe under the influence of a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of a shaft.
US08359956B1 Lathe rose device
A rose engine apparatus is disclosed for attaching to a lathe having a lathe bed and a headstock with a rotatable spindle. The apparatus includes a pivotal attaching means for pivotally attaching the headstock with the lathe bed. At least one cam is selectively fixable to a cam attachment means fixed to the spindle of the headstock, each cam having a continuous, variable radius along a peripheral edge thereof. A cam roller is fixed with the lathe bed so as to make contact with the peripheral edge of a selected cam. A biasing spring urges the selected cam against the roller means, such that the headstock pivots with respect to the lathe bed as a function of the variable radius of the selected cam, as the spindle and workpiece rotates. As such, cutting operations can be performed on the workpiece that correspond to the variable radius of the selected cam. The apparatus may be bypassed to allow conventional operation of the lathe without removing the apparatus therefrom.
US08359950B2 Nail set
A nail set includes a body portion and a tool portion. The body portion includes an opening formed therein. The tool portion includes a first work portion at one end portion thereof, and a second work portion at an opposite end portion thereof. The first work portion and the second work portion are constructed and arranged to be interchangeably received in the opening. The tool portion includes an outwardly extending shoulder portion between the first work portion and the second work portion. The outwardly extending shoulder portion is constructed and arranged to provide a path for force transmitted from the body portion, when the tool portion is disposed in the body portion and the body portion is impacted by a tool.
US08359944B2 Robot arm
A robot arm includes a circular rack, an elongated first mounting member attached to the rack, and a second mounting member attached to the first mounting member. The first mounting member extends in a radius direction of the rack and moves in a circular trace along the rack. The second mounting member slides relative to the first mounting member along the radius direction, thereby defining a polar coordinate system in a plane defined by the rack to allow the second mounting member to flexibly locate at any desired positions in the plane.
US08359943B2 Gearshift device
A gearshift device for an automatic transmission that prevents inadvertent gearshift operations. The gearshift device includes a shaft-shaped gearshift member partially exposed from a housing so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation axis and movable sidewards in at least a first direction that intersects the rotation axis. The gearshift member is rotated to a plurality of rotation positions respectively corresponding to the gear positions of the automatic transmission. A movement restriction unit permits movement of the gearshift member in the first direction only when the gearshift member is rotated to a selected one of the rotation positions to determine shifting to the gear position corresponding to the selected one of the rotation positions. A control unit provides the automatic transmission with a gearshift control signal corresponding to the selected one of the rotation positions.
US08359937B2 Assembly for insertion of an object into a pipeline
An assembly for insertion of an object into a pipeline comprises a base, a connector, and a set of pins. The base has a cylindrical passage and is connected to a mechanism for configured to drive the object into an inlet in the pipeline. The connector includes a head and a cylinder with a threaded internal surface and a external surface having a groove spanning a circumference of the external surface. The connector is rotatable within the cylindrical passage in the base in a first direction and held substantially stationary within the cylindrical passage in the base in a second direction by the set of pins in cooperation with the groove. The base is rotatable in the first direction and held substantially stationary in the second direction while connected to the inlet in the pipeline by the connector.
US08359935B2 Fiber optic rotation/position sensor
A sensor apparatus includes a resilient member positioned near a rod member and a strain sensor operatively connected to the resilient member. The rod member includes an eccentric member, which causes the resilient member to deflect as the rod member rotates. The strain sensor measures the strain in the resilient member due to the deflections caused by the eccentric member. The amount of strain relates to a rotational position of the rod member.
US08359919B2 Thermal humidity sensor
Provided is a high-precision, mechanically robust thermal humidity sensor. A detecting element 1 of the thermal humidity sensor of the present invention has a diaphragm (a bridge structure) 2 formed on a planar substrate which is formed from a material with high thermal conductivity such as silicon or ceramic. Formed on the diaphragm 2 are temperature detecting resistors 4, 5, 6, and 7 and a heating resistor 3 arranged in a manner surrounding the temperature detecting resistors. Humidity is detected based on the outputs of the temperature detecting resistors 4, 5, 6, and 7. Accordingly, humidity measurement errors that can possibly occur due to the leakage of heat through the diaphragm 2 to the planar substrate can be reduced.
US08359918B1 Rain gauge with particulate separator
The rain gauge with a particulate separator is a balance-type precipitation gauge having a particulate separator for removing sand, dust and other environmental particulate matter. The particulate separator includes a spherical particulate separator mounted beneath a central nozzle and above first and second receptacles of the gauge. A frustoconical particulate separator is mounted beneath the spherical particulate separator and above the first and second receptacles, a central channel being formed therethrough. In operation, liquid flows through the central nozzle and clings to an outer surface of the spherical particulate separator, flowing through the central channel to alternately fill the first and second receptacles. Particulate matter flowing through the central nozzle is deflected by the outer surface of the spherical particulate separator to strike an inclined upper surface of the frustoconical particulate separator, falling through at least one vent formed through the housing to exit the housing.
US08359914B2 Procedure for checking the functionality of a pump
A procedure for checking the functionality of a reducing agent pump (172) of a NOx-reduction system of a combustion engine (110) is thereby characterized, in that it is checked, whether the pump (172) reaches a default engine speed value in a defined time interval within defined limits.
US08359906B2 Environment testing apparatus capable of controlling condensation amount, and control method therefor
An object of the present invention is to provide an environment testing apparatus capable of achieving, on the surface of a test object, a stable condensation status with less variation in the condensation amount than that of already existing-art. The environment testing apparatus 100 includes a regulator 4. On the basis of a signal from a condensation amount sensor 9, the regulator 4 controls the temperature of a cooling/heating plate 6 between a deviation-added value of the wet bulb temperature obtained from the wet bulb 11, and a deviation-added value of the dew-point temperature inside the test chamber 1.
US08359892B1 Rebar bending device
A rebar bending device for bending rebar. The device features a base plate and a rotator plate pivotally attached to the top of the base plate. A top plate is attached atop the rotator plate. A first pin extends from the base plate through the rotator plate and through the top plate. The rotator plate can rotate about the first pin with respect to the base plate and top plate. An arc-shaped slots are disposed in the top plate, which is adapted to receive a dial pin that is anchored to the rotator plate. A dial is marked atop the top plate (the second marker plate). A second pin is disposed on the top of the top plate near the first pin and a third pin is disposed on the top of the rotator plate.
US08359876B2 Refrigerated display merchandiser with microchannel evaporator oriented to reliably remove condensate
A refrigerated display merchandiser is provided that includes a microchannel evaporator positioned within the merchandiser such that both the fins and the tubes of the microchannel evaporator are vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented with respect to a vertical axis of the refrigerated display merchandiser, thus more reliably ensuring removal of condensate from the microchannel evaporator.
US08359869B2 Method and systems for adaptive ignition energy
A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.
US08359832B2 SCR reductant mixer
An engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a mixer disposed in the exhaust stream. The mixer includes a mesh section having a mesh of wires and may include a baffle section having a deflector that redirects a direction of flow of the exhaust stream. The mesh section may not extend across an entire width of an exhaust conduit containing the exhaust stream. The mesh section may also be sized and located to intersect the reductant introduced by the injector.
US08359829B1 Powertrain controls
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media directed toward reducing emissions are disclosed. In some aspects, a hybrid powertrain may include an engine and a motor. A combination of output from the engine and motor may be chosen that reduces a concentration of one or more pollutants. In some cases, an exhaust aftertreatment system may be remotely activated, which may reduce warmup time associated with emissions mitigation.
US08359824B2 Heat recovery steam generator for a combined cycle power plant
A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature.
US08359816B2 Apparatus for and method of shipping a child-resistant medicate container
A method of shipping at least one child-resistant medicate container via a carrier includes providing or obtaining at least one child-resistant medicate container including a front sidewall, and an opposing rear sidewall, a right sidewall, an opposing left sidewall, and at least one locking mechanism. The method also includes creating or obtaining a flat-rate shipping package from a carrier, inserting the at least one child-resistant medicate container into the package, and closing the package to enclose the at least one child-resistant medicate container within the package so that the package is generally flat and acceptable by the carrier for a flat-rate shipping. The method also includes causing the closed package to be shipped or transported by the carrier at a flat-rate.
US08359810B2 Method for building over an opening via incremental launching
Methods and systems for building a stress ribbon structure over an opening via incremental launching, a construction fixture, a support structure, an anchorage panel, and a stress ribbon structure are disclosed. Construction fixtures are constructed adjacent to a support structure. The stress ribbon structure is constructed in a staging area and in sections that are suspended between the construction fixtures. Anchorage panels at each end of a section engage a blister on the construction fixtures and the support structure. Completed sections are launched from the construction fixtures onto and along the support structure. Sections are individually constructed and launched and adjacent sections abut along a lateral edge. Adjacent sections are aligned by adjusting tension in integral support cables and their ends pivot or rotate about the blisters via a bearing system with both rotational flexibility and low friction to support sliding in the direction of launching.
US08359809B1 Apparatus and method for refurbishing a work station
An apparatus and method of refurbishing a modular work station or cubicle having a wall segment with at least one exterior surface and at least one horizontal load support that is connected to the wall segment so that it confronts the exterior surface. The apparatus includes one or more sheets of material that can be trimmed to the dimensions of the exterior surface and which are thin enough so that they are able to be inserted between a load support (such as a desk top, tack board, shelf, tool rail, cabinet, or the like) and the external surface. The one or more sheets can be penetrable (tackable), paramagnetic, and/or capable of use with wet or dry markers. The one or more sheets may also be provided with a finishing layer of woven material or fabric and can be fire resistant and/or have acoustical dampening properties.
US08359803B2 Grid runner cap anchoring lance
An elongated grid runner, and its manufacture, comprising a pair of overlying metal strips roll-formed together into a shape suitable for use in a rectangular grid to support ceiling panels, one of said strips serving as a visible cap for concealing the other strip forming the main body of the grid runner when the grid member is employed in a completed ceiling, the strips being lanced at each end of the grid runner to lock the cap strip on the main body strip whereby when the overlying strips are simultaneously cut to a finish length prior to finish roll-forming, the ends of the strip are maintained in substantially overlying end-to-end registration where the cap is visible in a finished ceiling.
US08359787B2 Device for buffering containers with plants and distributing means therein or therefor
A buffering device for temporarily storing containers with plants in a buffer space includes a supply device for supplying containers, a disposer for disposing a number of supplied containers in a row extending in a first direction, a distributor provided with at least one controllable gripper for gripping a row of containers, wherein the distributor is movable substantially in a second direction which differs from the first direction, and is movable above the disposer. In turn the gripper includes opposing pivot arms arranged opposite to one another relative to an intended row of containers to be gripped, and further includes a pivot driver.
US08359785B2 Fan type noxious insect control apparatus
A fan type noxious insect control apparatus is disclosed which is desirably used carried on a user's body part and excels in noxious insect control performance. To this end, the apparatus is so configured that air is drawn through an inlet port (6) by driving of an axial flow fan (3) and passed through a chemical carrier (2) carrying a noxious insect control active ingredient to form the air containing such active ingredient, the air being run out through an outlet port (7) to diffuse the active ingredient into the ambient atmosphere and further that the inlet port (6) at an upstream of the fan (3) is open facing axially thereof, the outlet port (7) at a downstream of the fan (3) is open facing radially thereof, and there are provided an annular wall (8) surrounding the fan (3) and an air flow passage (9) communicating between a delivery section of the fan (3) and the outlet port (7) to convert air flowing out of the axial flow fan (3) axially thereof to air flowing radially thereof.
US08359780B2 Anypoint picatinny rail bipod/tripod mount
Various detachable firearm mounting bracket device embodiments are provided. According to an embodiment, a detachable mounting bracket is adapted to allow users of various weapons platforms and support devices to rapidly and securely attach support devices, e.g., bipods and tripods, to a firearm in tandem. A detachable mounting bracket can comprise a housing to attach to a firearm forend, a clamping mechanism to secure the housing to a firearm, and a rail interface adapted to receive a plurality of adapters. The detachable mounting bracket device can be attached to a firearm with a clamp, screw closure, and a vertical interlock clamp. After the detachable mounting bracket is attached to a firearm, a user can easily and rapidly secure a support device to the rail interface using a plurality of adapters. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08359776B2 Sign holder for an electronic kiosk
A sign holder includes a base, a first sign sleeve and at least one second sign sleeve. The base has a mounting portion configured to mount to an electronic kiosk, a sleeve support portion and a connecting portion coupling the mounting portion to the sleeve support portion. The first sign sleeve receives at least one sign and is mounted to a front surface of the sleeve support portion and the at least one second sign sleeve receives at least one sign and is mounted to a front surface of the first sign sleeve.
US08359771B2 Sports shoe, in particular ski shoe and tightening means therefor
The invention relates to a sports shoe (1) with an outer shell (2) made of injection moulded plastic, in particular a ski shoe with at least one tightening means (12) arranged in the upper end section of the shoe collar (5) running ring-like around the upper end section of the shoe collar (5), and with at least one adjusting means (13) for tightening or limiting the width of the entry opening into the sports shoe (1) as necessary. For this a first and a further tightening element (15, 16) are arranged above one another in vertical direction within a section of the length of the tightening means (12), where the tightening elements (15, 16) run essentially parallel to one another. The first tightening element (15) is designed to bear against the peripheral sections of the comparatively flexible inner shoe (3) or its tongue (17) and the further tightening element (16) is designed to bear against the upper end section of the shoe collar (5) made of a relatively rigid plastic. In this way pressure points can be avoided or reduced on the leg of the user and the level of comfort when using the sports shoe (1) can be increased.
US08359766B2 Spray dried human plasma
The technology relates to spray dried plasma and methods of making the same. The method includes providing plasma to a spray drying apparatus, spray drying the plasma, at the spray drying apparatus, to form physiologically active plasma powder, the spray drying apparatus configured utilizing one or more parameters, and storing the physiologically active plasma powder.
US08359754B2 Multi-tasking utility tool
A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable blade cartridge positioned within the body, wherein a knife blade within the removable blade cartridge is configured to slidably extend out from the first end; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body. The utility tool includes a knife switch coupled to the knife blade, the knife blade moves from the retracted position to the extended position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the body. The utility tool having a spring mechanism for biasing the knife blade to the retracted position and a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge from the blade cartridge bay by a snap fit.
US08359737B2 Device for connecting a framework of length of timber
A device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber includes a number of upper and lower frame sections, as well as a number of diagonals or struts wherein at least one press tool is disposed to fixedly press at least one nail plate over joints between the lengths of timber, and that the press tools are disposed in a portal with a number of upper beams and a number of lower beams on which the press tools are adjustable reciprocally across the framework between a position in which the press tool collects a pair of nail plates, and a position over a joint for fixedly pressing one of the nail plates on the upper side and the other on the under side of the joint.
US08359735B2 Head assembly for chip mounter
A head assembly for a chip mounter is provided. The head assembly includes a nozzle module disposed above a printed circuit board (PCB) and configured to pick up and move an electronic component to mount the electronic component on the PCB, and a component recognition module electrically connected to the nozzle module and configured to recognize presence of the electronic component, a distance between the PCB and the nozzle module, and alignment of the electronic component at least one given moving position of the electronic component.
US08359725B1 Single action swage
The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for forming materials that may comprise a body having a channel and an insert. The channel may extend to a first opening in the body and a second opening in the body. The embodiments may also provide a mandrel disposed in the channel of the body and the insert of the body. The mandrel may have a shaft, a head on the shaft, and a compressible material disposed between the head and the insert of the body. The embodiments may also provide a collar. The collar may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body. The embodiments may also provide a biasing system configured to guide the collar in a first direction to a first position and then to a second position and configured to apply force to the body in a second direction.
US08359720B2 Hydraulic patterning of a fibrous, sided nonwoven web
Disclosed herein is a reflectively patterned, fibrous, sided nonwoven material comprising a first set of fibers hydraulically needled with a web of a second set of fibers, the first set of fibers primarily containing short fibers and the second set of fibers primarily containing one of (a) substantially continuous filaments, (b) long fibers, and (c) short fibers having an average fiber length at least twice the average fiber length of the first set of fibers. The material has a first surface predominately comprising the first set of fibers and an opposing second surface predominately comprising the second set of fibers. A method of patterning a sided nonwoven web and a reflectively patterned, sided nonwoven material also are disclosed.
US08359716B2 Magnetomechanical connection assembly with load securing
A connection assembly includes two connecting modules each including a load housing with a locking device, a spring locking element, a latch piece, a magnet and armature construction, and a movement track on which the latch piece can move from a closed position to an open position. The locking device, the magnet and armature construction and the movement track cooperate by way of an opening whereupon the connecting modules move on the movement track such that the magnet and armature move in opposition and the latch piece and the spring locking element move in opposition until the spring locking element is no longer engaged. On closing, the connecting module locks with the aid of magnetic force. The position of the load housing and the position and form of the movement track are such that on moving the connecting module the loading housings move together against a load.
US08359698B1 Mop system
An improved mop system and method is provided including a T-shaped handle and a mop head. The handle comprises an elongated cylindrical shaft with a crossbar perpendicularly attached at the base of the shaft.The mop head comprises a sheet of flexible, absorbent first material and a sheet of flexible, reinforcing second material attached to a central area of the absorbent first material, with the joined absorbent first material and reinforcing second material configured with a generally circular central hole. The central hole is sized and shaped to accommodate the handle shaft, allowing the mop head to be fitted over the shaft and drawn down the shaft to be suspended over the crossbar.Preferably the mop head also comprises a third material attached near one or both outer edges of the absorbent first material. Thus the improved mop system provides an easily removable, launderable, and re-installable mop head.
US08359697B2 Toothbrush
A toothbrush includes a head portion having bristles thereon, a neck portion, and a handle. One end of the neck portion is connected to the head portion, and the other end is connected to the handle. The axis of the bristles is substantially parallel to the axis of the neck portion. The axis of the neck portion and the axis of the handle form an angle. Accordingly, the toothbrush can be used easily for brushing, and it reduces angle limitations when cleaning the inner surface of teeth.
US08359684B2 Spring mattress having a heating function
The present invention is directed to a mattress which includes a heating unit in an enclosed space thereof to quickly heat the enclosed interior space of the mattress to a certain temperature and replacement main parts that are assembled in a separable box form to facilitate the maintenance service.
US08365308B2 Method and system for a secure power management scheme
A security processor integrated within a system may be securely shut down. The security processor may receive shut down requests, and may determine components and/or subsystems that need be shut down during shut down periods. The security processor may determine when each of the relevant components is ready for shut down. Once the relevant components are shut down, the security processor may itself be shut down, wherein the shut down of the security processor may be performed by stopping the clocking of the security processor. A security error monitor may monitor the system during shut down periods, and the security processor may be powered back on when security breaches and/or threats may be detected via the security error monitor. The security error monitor may be enabled to power on the security processor by reactivating the security processor clock, and the security processor may then power on the system.
US08365305B2 E-mail with secure message parts
A method for preventing a recipient of an electronically transmitted message from taking at least one action in relation to the message is disclosed. The message has at least two parts with one of the parts having a higher level of security than the other part. The method includes the step of extracting information from the message. The information indicates that the higher level security part is not permitted to have the action taken on it while the other part is so permitted. The method also includes the step of preventing the higher level security part from having the action taken on it in reaction to said recipient making an offending request.
US08365300B2 Information processing device, disc, information processing method, and program
An information processing device includes: a usage permission requesting unit configured to read out data from an IC chip in which the usage control information of a disc recorded content to confirm the validity of the usage control information; and a usage execution unit configured to perform usage of the disc recorded content in accordance with a usage permission mode recorded in the usage control information on condition that the validity of the usage control information has been confirmed by the usage permission requesting unit.
US08365299B2 Information processing device and method, recording medium, and program
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program which make it possible for persons at remote places to enjoy simultaneous playback of various contents while promoting the protection of the copyright or the privacy. A copyright authentication section 112 decides, based on copyright restriction information added to a content and license information stored in a license storage section 62, whether or not utilization of the content is permitted. An accounting processing section 114 is controlled in response to a result of the decision so that it cooperates with an authentication server to perform an accounting process. A privacy authentication section 115 decides, based on privacy restriction information added to the content and privacy information, whether or not utilization of the content is permitted. A permission request processing section 117 is controlled in response to a result of the decision so that it performs a communication process with a communication apparatus, which has a privacy management right in the content. The present invention can be applied to a communication system which supports remote place communication between users.
US08365298B2 Comprehensive security architecture for dynamic, web service based virtual organizations
A comprehensive security architecture for a virtual organization (VO) is disclosed. The comprehensive security architecture uses the same security mechanism or substantially similar security mechanisms to control access to VO infrastructure services as it uses to control access to resource services. Infrastructure services are services used to change the state of the VO and to change membership in the VO. Resource services (e.g. processing a purchase order) are services used in furtherance of achieving the objectives of the VO (e.g. build an aircraft). A security mechanism prevents a service call from accessing the service called until the security mechanism has decided to authorize or deny the service call. A security mechanism may decide to authorize or deny the service call based on details of the service call, a set of role-based access policies, and attributes from the caller's credentials including the caller's role in the VO.
US08365296B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer readable medium having a program
An information processing apparatus and method configured to access multiple external storage medium. The apparatus and method detect theft or loss (or otherwise unauthorized use) of the information processing apparatus with respect to data stored in multiple storage areas, back up the data to the storage medium, and record, in association with each of the storage medium, an easiness degree indicating how easily a user accesses the storage medium. The apparatus and method calculate erasure priority rankings of the data stored in a manner that an erasure priority ranking is higher as an easiness degree is higher, record the calculated erasure priority rankings in association with each of the multiple storage areas, and erases the data stored in the multiple storage areas in accordance with the erasure priority rankings when detecting theft or loss of the information processing apparatus.
US08365291B1 Browser extension control flow graph based taint tracking
A computer-implemented method, a system and a computer program product for determining whether a browser extension leaks information over a network, is provided. A control flow graph (CFG) is generated from a source code included in the browser extension. The CFG is particular to the programming language included in the source code. A sensitive path in the CFG is determined. The sensitive path begins at a sensitive source node and ends at a sensitive end node. A set of tainted variables in the CFG are identified, where each tainted variable stores sensitive information. A subset of tainted variables is generated, where each tainted variable in the subset is included in the sensitive path. When a tainted variable in the subset is included in the sensitive end node it is associated with a leak of sensitive information by the browser extension over the network.
US08365287B2 Anti-malware system and operating method thereof
An anti-malware device and an operating method thereof are provided. The operating method includes: filtering by a first logic unit of the processor, input data based on a rule; and scanning by a second logic unit of the processor, for malware in the data, the filtering and the scanning being performed at the same time. Accordingly, the security of the packet data is tightened.
US08365286B2 Method and system for classification of software using characteristics and combinations of such characteristics
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for the steps of identifying a functional code block that performs a particular function within executable code; transforming the functional code block into a generic code representation of its functionality by tokenizing, refactoring, or the like, the functional code block; comparing the generic code representation with a previously characterized malicious code representation; and in response to a positive correlation from the comparison, identifying the executable code as containing malicious code.
US08365284B2 Method for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, and security border node
The invention relates to a security border node (2a) for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, comprising: an anomaly detection unit (10) for performing an anomaly detection, in particular a statistical analysis, on session control messages (11), in particular on SIP messages contained in a packet stream (5) received in the security border node (2a). The security border node further comprises a message context provisioning unit (13) for providing at least one session control message (11) to the anomaly detection unit (10) together with message context information (12, 17, 24) related to a client (22) and/or to a session (23) to which the session control message (11, 11a to 11f) is attributed. The invention also relates to a method for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, to a computer program product, and to a packet-based network.
US08365281B2 Determining whether method of computer program is a validator
An illegal pattern and a computer program having a method are received. The method has one or more return statements, and a number of basic blocks. The method is normalized so that each return statement of the target method relating to the illegal pattern returns a constant Boolean value. A first path condition and a second path condition for one or more corresponding paths is determined such that one or more corresponding basic blocks return a constant Boolean value of true for the first path condition and a constant Boolean value of false for the second path condition. An unsatisfiability of each path condition is determined using a monadic second-order logic (M2L) technique. Where the unsatisfiability of either path condition is false, the method is reported as not being a validator. Where the unsatisfiability of either path condition is true, the method is reported as being a validator.
US08365274B2 Method for creating multiple virtualized operating system environments
A method of processing multiple workload using virtualized operating system environments. The creation of a new user in a global operating system may automatically cause the creation of a working partition (WPAR) instance. The user will be associated with the WPAR instance and a virtualized operating system environment will be created from the global operating system within the WPAR instance. Within the WPAR instance, the user may be assigned a root identification which enables the user to have root access privileges to perform operations or processes that may only be performed by a root user. The removal of a user from the system also results in the deletion of the associated WPAR.
US08365268B2 Wireless communication system, wireless host, and wireless device
A wireless communication system includes a wireless host and a wireless device. The wireless device includes a user authentication unit that authenticates a requesting user that is using the wireless host based on a result of comparison between a requesting-user ID of the requesting user received from the host and a user ID of a user that is permitted to establish communication with the wireless device. When the requesting user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, information required prior to connection is stored in the wireless device and the wireless host. The wireless device permits to continue the association process with the wireless host, when the information required prior to connection received from the wireless host and the information required prior to connection stored in the wireless device match.
US08365260B2 Multi-variable challenge and response for content security
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for multi-variable challenge-response. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for multi-variable challenge-response can include receiving a request to access content from an end user computing device from over a computer communications network. The method also can include selecting different objects for inclusion in an object set and applying a different characteristic to each of the different objects in the object set. A question and answer can be generated based upon each of the different characteristics. Further, a challenge-response prompt can be transmitted to the end user computing device such that the prompt includes the different objects with different characteristics applied, and also the generated question. A response to the challenge-response prompt can be received and compared the response to the computed answer. Finally, access to the content can be granted if the response and computed answer match, but otherwise access to the content can be denied.
US08365259B2 Security message processing
Systems, methods and apparatus for handling security messages in a distributed security system. Requests, replies, and/or updates have varying time constraints. Processing node managers and authority node managers determine the best transmission times and/or the ignoring of such data to maximize information value.
US08365255B1 Configuration file download enforcement
Methods and devices are provided for detecting or preventing unauthorized upgrades to a customer's quality of service in an access data network. Several aspects of the invention require customer nodes to properly perform an initialization procedure. For example, the initialization procedure may involve making a request to a server controlled by, or at least trusted by, the service provider. The initialization procedure may involve downloading a configuration file, such as a DOCSIS configuration file, from the trusted server. According to some such aspects of the invention, nodes that cannot properly perform the initialization procedure are prevented from coming online. According to other such aspects of the invention, nodes that cannot properly perform the initialization procedure are marked. A warning may be sent to marked nodes. A customer associated with a marked node may be charged a higher rate for service.
US08365249B1 Proxy registration and authentication for personal electronic devices
Communication systems, media, and methods for authenticating and registering unauthenticated electronic devices are provided. The communication systems include authorized electronic devices that proxy authentication and registration for one or more unauthenticated electronic devices. The unauthenticated electronic devices connect to the authenticated electronic device over a personal area network and initiate a communication session—via the authenticated electronic devices—with an authentication server located on a secure broadband wireless network that connects the one or more authenticated electronic devices. When the authentication server authorizes the unauthenticated electronic devices to access the secure broadband wireless network, network configuration data is communicated to the unauthenticated electronic devices via the authenticated electronic devices.
US08365240B2 Method for providing wireless application privilege management
A method for providing an administration policy to a user device comprising a plurality of applications, the method comprising centrally generating the administration policy to be implemented in the user device, the administration policy comprising at least one of an application administration policy to be used by at least one of the plurality of applications and a client administration policy for the user device; and providing the generated policy to the user device.
US08365238B2 Method and apparatus for using the video blanking period for the maintenance of a modem that is used for wireless transmission of video
The vertical blanking period is an idle period in video transmission that was originally intended for allowing the trace back of an electron beam to its point of origin. When sending the video signal over a wireless channel, the wireless channel may remain free of transmission of data during this period. However, in wireless transmission of a video signal in general, and in the transmission of an essentially uncompressed video signal in particular, there is a need to use all the bandwidth available, especially when transmitting a high-definition video signal. Therefore, a method is taught for using the vertical blanking period of a video signal for modem maintenance.
US08365235B2 Trick play of streaming media
A data processing system, comprising a network interface configured to couple to a data network; one or more processors coupled to the network interface; memory coupled to the one or more processors; a video interface coupled to the one or more processors and configured to output video data to a video display device; logic encoded in one or more computer-readable media wherein execution by the one or more processors causes receiving and storing in the memory a plurality of still images from an audiovisual program, wherein each of the still images is associated with a sequentially later time point within the audiovisual program; receiving first user input specifying invocation of a trick play mode of playing the audiovisual program; generating video output to the video interface wherein the video output comprises a first image position comprising one or more of the still images, a linearly second image position comprising one of the still images, and a linearly third image position comprising one or more of the still images; wherein the still images in the video output are arranged in the image positions in sequential order according to time point within the audiovisual program; generating updated video output to the video interface in which the still image of the second image position is shifted into the first image position, one of the still images of the third image position is shifted into the second image position, and one or more new still images are in the third image position.
US08365232B2 Method, device, system, program, and integrated circuit for wireless transmission
A wireless transmission method includes: receiving a location specification message indicating a location of a source device (S702 and S703); and selecting a connection mode applied between first and second wireless transmission devices, on the basis of the location of the source device indicated by the location specification message, and establishing a connection according to the selected connection mode (S704 to S706). When the source device is located on a side of the second wireless transmission device (Yes in S704), a first wireless connection mode is selected in the selecting so that the video data is wirelessly transmitted in a direction from the second wireless transmission device to the first wireless transmission device (S706). When the source device is located on a side of the first wireless transmission device (No in S704), a second wireless connection mode is selected in the selecting so that the audio data is wirelessly transmitted in a direction from the first wireless transmission device to the second wireless transmission device (S705).
US08365224B2 Extended description to support targeting scheme, and TV anytime service and system employing the same
The present research relates to description supporting a targeting scheme, more particularly, to an extended description structure supporting a targeting scheme and a TV-Anytime service providing method and system employing the same based on Moving Picture Experts Group 21 (MPEG-21) Usage Environment Description (UED) tools. The TV-Anytime service providing system employing the extended description structure includes a service providing apparatus for generating package metadata including user information and usage environment information; and a user device for acquiring the package metadata including user information and usage environment information from the service providing apparatus through diverse access networks.
US08365216B2 Video stream modification to defeat detection
A method and system for detecting automatic ad detection is presented in which video streams are modified such that features cannot be automatically recognized or statistical parameters and fingerprints derived from the video stream cannot be matched against fingerprints of known video segments in a database.
US08365211B2 Disk cartridge including an inner rotor and a shutter
A disk cartridge that has high durability with respect to a drop impact is provided. The disk cartridge includes: a disk-like recording medium; a cartridge case that rotatably accommodates the disk-like recording medium and is formed with a first opening that exposes a part of the disk-like recording medium; an inner rotor that is rotatably supported inside the cartridge case and includes a main surface portion formed with a second opening corresponding to the first opening; shutter members that are movable between a closing position at which the first opening is closed and an opening position at which the first opening is opened in accordance with a rotation of the inner rotor; and a buffer mechanism that is formed on the main surface portion of the inner rotor and includes rotary shafts that rotatably support the shutter members and elastic support portions that respectively support the rotary shafts and can be elastically deformed with respect to the main surface portion.
US08365208B2 Optical disk player
An optical disk player includes a main body, a cover engaging with the main body, a pivot module, and a deceleration module. The pivot module includes a torsion spring, two ends of the torsion spring being fixed on the main body and the cover respectively. The deceleration module includes a first deceleration portion arranged on the main body and a second deceleration portion arranged on the pivot module. The first deceleration portion contacts the second deceleration portion and frictional forces therebetween reduces the speed of opening the cover.
US08365205B2 Adaptive communication application programming interface
A method and apparatus for inter-module communication is disclosed. The method includes defining a command definition, wherein the command definition comprises commands for interfacing with a multi-channel, multi-media, communication queuing system. The command definition can include, for example, driver object commands to request media type lists and command event lists, create drivers, request service, and release drivers. The command definition can also include, for example, service object commands to release service objects, notify when handling of an event is complete, invoke commands, release work items, suspend work items, resume work items, handle queued events, and cancel queued events. The command definition can also include, for example, client object commands to start a work item, release work items, save work item contexts, restore work item contexts, serialize work items, free work item storage, begin batch processing, and end batch processing.
US08365192B2 Methods for managing authority designation of graphical user interfaces
According to one aspect, a graphics management system receives a first message from a first process for granting one or more rights to a second process for accessing a GUI element owned by the first process. In response, the graphics management system transmits a second message to the second process, the second message offering the one or more rights to the second process. The graphics management system receives a third message from the second process indicating an acceptance of the offer. Thereafter, the graphics management system restricts access of the GUI element by the second process based on the one or more rights accepted by the second process.
US08365191B2 Container for disparate software components
A computer readable medium embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for hosting components implemented in different computer readable languages within one process. The method includes instantiating a container within a single process, creating a hosting environment for each of a plurality of components, and wherein loading the components by respective environments and wherein the hosting environments are objects instantiated within the container and within the one process, and wherein the plurality of components are implemented in respective a computer readable language, and instantiating a container communication framework object within the container and the one process for processing serialized messages of the components, wherein specific language adapters convert data types of the components to a common implementation, wherein the messages of the plurality of components are processed within the container.
US08365190B2 Correlated message identifiers for events
A message identifier of a first event is provided to a correlation engine. The correlation engine is to correlate the first event to one or more second events according to a predetermined correlation technique. The message identifiers of the second events are received from the correlation engine. A correlated message identified for the first event is generated based on the message identifier of the first event and on the message identifiers of the second events. The correlated message identifier for the first event is output.
US08365188B2 Content management
Tailored pages are received within a browser running on a client device. Pages from a page server are browsed and the browser sends from an active page to a monitoring server, at least one monitoring message including information concerning at least one of: interactions with and performance of at least one page browsed within the browser running on the client device. A control message is received in the active page, from the monitoring server including an instruction to generate a cookie within the browser including selected monitoring information. The cookie is generated within the browser and a message is sent to the page server, which message includes the cookie including the selected monitoring information. From the page server, at least one page content item is received that has been selected in dependence on the selected monitoring information included in the cookie.
US08365186B2 Runtime optimization of an application executing on a parallel computer
Identifying a collective operation within an application executing on a parallel computer; identifying a call site of the collective operation; determining whether the collective operation is root-based; if the collective operation is not root-based: establishing a tuning session and executing the collective operation in the tuning session; if the collective operation is root-based, determining whether all compute nodes executing the application identified the collective operation at the same call site; if all compute nodes identified the collective operation at the same call site, establishing a tuning session and executing the collective operation in the tuning session; and if all compute nodes executing the application did not identify the collective operation at the same call site, executing the collective operation without establishing a tuning session.
US08365184B2 Multi-core resource utilization planning
Techniques for multi-core resource utilization planning are provided. An agent is deployed on each core of a multi-core machine. The agents cooperate to perform one or more tests. The tests result in measurements for performance and thermal characteristics of each core and each communication fabric between the cores. The measurements are organized in a resource utilization map and the map is used to make decisions regarding core assignments for resources.
US08365183B2 System and method for dynamic resource provisioning for job placement
A method for dynamic resource provisioning for job placement includes receiving a request to perform a job on an unspecified computer device. One or more job criteria for performing the job are determined. Each job criteria defines a required operational characteristic needed for a computer device to perform the job. A list of available computer devices is provided. The list includes a plurality of computer devices currently provisioned to perform computer operations. A list of suitable computer devices for performing the job is determined from the list of available computer devices by comparing operational characteristics for each available computer device with the job criteria. The list of suitable computer devices includes one or more computer devices having operational characteristics that satisfy the job criteria. From the list of suitable computer devices, a least active computer device is determined, and the job is forwarded to the least active computer device.
US08365182B2 Method and system for provisioning of resources
A method of autonomous provisioning of resources of a computer system, wherein: performance-critical workload of the computer system is monitored; workload suffering is detected based on comparing the performance-critical workload with defined values of performance-critical workload goals; types of missing resources are determined; additional resources available for activation are determined; the additional resources are activated, and a notification of the activation is generated for being sent to a system provider for automated billing of the added capacity, and a computer device, data processing program, computer program product, and computer data signal therefor.
US08365180B2 Information terminal, computer resource managing method, and virtual machine execution switching method
An in-vehicle terminal (101) is provided, which has a function ensuring that computer resource secured by a virtual machine (1a1) or a virtual machine (1b1) is controlled within a limit value of the computer resource that is allocated to the corresponding virtual machine, or a function which is capable of executing multiple virtual machines appropriately.When the virtual machine (1a1) or the virtual machine (1b1) requests securing the computer resource, the in-vehicle terminal (101) requests the OS (143) to secure computer resource in response to the request, if the requested resource is lower than the limit value of the computer resource that is allocated to the corresponding virtual machine. Furthermore, the in-vehicle terminal (101) checks at predetermined intervals the continuously selected count of the virtual machine previously selected, and if the continuously selected count is equal to the limit value, or the virtual machine is in standby state, a different virtual machine is selected and the OS (143) is instructed to execute the selected virtual machine.
US08365179B2 Multi-thread processor and its hardware thread scheduling method
A multi-thread processor in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of hardware threads each of which generates an independent instruction flow, a first thread scheduler that outputs a first thread selection signal designating a hardware thread to be executed in the next execution cycle, a first selector that outputs an instruction generated by the selected hardware thread according to the first thread selection signal, and an execution pipeline that executes an instruction output from the first selector, wherein whenever a hardware thread is executed in the execution pipeline, the first thread scheduler updates the priority rank of the executed hardware thread and outputs the first thread selection signal in accordance with the updated priority rank.
US08365177B2 Dynamically monitoring and rebalancing resource allocation of monitored processes based on execution rates of measuring processes at multiple priority levels
Measuring processes are started at a plurality of priority levels. A different one of the measuring processes is started for each of the priority levels. Subsequently, for each of the measuring processes, it is determined whether each measuring process is scheduled for executing at a respective target rate. In response to determining that a particular measuring process of the measuring processes is not scheduled for executing at a particular target rate, resource allocation to at least one monitored process running at a particular level of the priority levels is adjusted. The at least one monitored process is not any of the measuring processes.
US08365170B2 Realizing jumps in an executing process instance
A method for realizing jumps in an executing process instance can be provided. The method can include suspending an executing process instance, determining a current wavefront for the process instance and computing both a positive wavefront difference for a jump target relative to the current wavefront and also a negative wavefront difference for the jump target relative to the current wavefront. The method also can include removing activities from consideration in the process instance and also adding activities for consideration in the process instance both according to the computed positive wavefront difference and the negative wavefront difference, creating missing links for the added activities, and resuming executing of the process instance at the jump target.
US08365166B2 System and method for automated provisioning of VMware image instances
A system and method for provisioning virtual machines for a demonstration are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a scheduling server for enabling a user to schedule a demonstration by selecting a demonstration set and related details using a scheduling web page and a plurality of provisioning servers each connected to the scheduling server via an Internet connection, each of the provisioning servers having stored thereon a plurality of demonstration sets each comprising at least one VM. Responsive to selection of a demonstration set by the user, the scheduling server selects one of the provisioning servers to host the scheduled demonstration and notifies the selected provisioning server of details regarding the scheduled demonstration. The selected provisioning server executes a provisioning process for modifying a configuration file of each at least one VM such that a network number therein is set to a unique number associated with the user and the scheduled demonstration, and modifying a VM snapshot file associated with each at least one VM such that a network number therein is set to the unique number associated with the user and the scheduled demonstration.
US08365155B2 Software analysis framework
Presently described is a decompilation method of operation and system for parsing executable code, identifying and recursively modeling data flows, identifying and recursively modeling control flow, and iteratively refining these models to provide a complete model at the nanocode level. The nanocode decompiler may be used to determine if flaws, security vulnerabilities, or general quality issues exist in the code. The nanocode decompiler outputs in a standardized, human-readable intermediate representation (IR) designed for automated or scripted analysis and reporting. Reports may take the form of a computer annotated and/or partially human annotated nanocode listing in the above-described IR. Annotations may include plain English statements regarding flaws and pointers to badly constructed data structures, unchecked buffers, malicious embedded code or “trap doors,” and the like. Annotations may be generated through a scripted analysis process or by means of an expert-enhanced, quasi-autonomous system.
US08365153B2 Server-based code compilation
A server is disclosed that includes an interface to a data communication network, a compiler library that stores a plurality of different compilers, and compiler selection logic responsive to data received at the interface and including logic. The compiler selection logic is configured to select one of the plurality of different compilers based on an evaluation of the received data. The selected compiler generates compiled output data and the compiled output data is communicated over the data communication network to a client.
US08365147B2 Test script transformation architecture
A test script transformation architecture helps generate accurate test scripts for evolving applications. Applications often have complex graphical user interfaces for which the permutations and combinations of GUI elements give rise to an enormous field of potential commands and command sequences to be tested. Furthermore, these applications change over time, rendering prior test scripts unworkable. The architecture facilitates the automatic generation of new test scripts to reliably test subsequent application versions, while greatly reducing the time, cost, and resource expenditures needed to arrive at new test scripts.
US08365144B1 Proxy graphical user interface generation
An exemplary embodiment may provide tools for creating a graphical user interface (GUI) in a first or original environment and for embedding the GUI in a second or target environment. The GUI created in the first environment may be translated into a platform independent description. A proxy GUI may be generated from the platform independent description and incorporated in the second environment.
US08365132B2 Hierarchial power map for low power design
A computer-implemented method for debugging the power aspect of an IC design by integrating the power specification expressed in certain power specification format and its corresponding circuit design within a power schematic diagram called power map. Power map is created by using a power data base generated by regrouping the original circuit design hierarchy to new hierarchies defined by the power specification. Power map contains power cell symbols (such as isolation cells, level shifters, power switches) and signal nets, and can show the relationship between power domains. Power map can also display mismatches or errors between the power specification and the circuit design for those signals connecting the power domains. Furthermore, power map can be used in conjunction with simulation result.
US08365131B2 Hardware synthesis using thermally aware scheduling and binding
Technologies are generally described for hardware synthesis using thermally aware scheduling and binding. Multiple versions of a hardware design may be generated, each having variations of schedule and binding results. The scheduling and binding may be performed such that thermal profiles of the multiple versions have thermal peaks that are distant between the versions. The increased physical distance between the thermal peaks of the versions can give the versions unique thermal characteristics. A schedule of rotation between the multiple versions of the design may be constructed such that the thermal profile of the integrated circuit balances out during operation. A linear programming framework may be used to analyze the multiple designs and construct a thermally aware rotation scheduling and binding. For example, the K most efficient versions may be selected and then durations for operating each version within a rotation may be determined.
US08365126B2 Method and apparatus for scan path connection routing
An integrated circuit design apparatus includes a macro signal terminal position determination unit that determines temporary arrangement positions of a scan-in terminal and a scan-out terminal of each of a number of macros. The unit updates layout information of an integrated circuit based on the temporary arrangement positions. The apparatus includes an initial scan path route determination unit that updates scan path connection information, such that one of the macros arranged in a closest distance is connected in turn starting with a scan-in external terminal, with reference to the updated layout information and the scan path connection information. The apparatus include a scan path re-routing unit that determines a scan path connection order, such that a scan path total wiring length becomes shortest, with reference to the updated layout information and the updated scan path connection information. This unit updates the scan path connection information based on this determined order.
US08365122B2 Method and apparatus for configurable systems
The present invention relates to a flexible analog/digital configuration, preferably on a chip, that can be used for receiving various inputs, processing those inputs, and displaying/communicating the results and/or providing a response thereto. More particularly, the present invention can measure multiple parameters and, when properly programmed, can easily organize the data from multiple sensors or other analog or digital sources. It can present or display different, or similar, pages for setting up each measurement (or each measured parameter) (e.g., by sensor, class of sensors, etc.) to enable an easy to use approach for individuals without needing to know the specifics as to many parameters. This user-friendly approach can be performed using a configurable chip module system. A configurable chip module system can include analog elements, digital elements, and connection elements between the analog and digital elements, where some of the analog elements and/or digital elements receive inputs from one or more sources and where some of the analog elements and/or digital elements generate output signals for generating control signals and/or outputs that present measurements to output receiving elements. The system includes a configuration mechanism that automatically configures the connection elements in response to receiving selections entered on a user interface, where the user interface allows a user to input commands to modify the structure of the chip module system.
US08365118B2 Broken-spheres methodology for improved failure probability analysis in multi-fail regions
A failure probability for a system having multi-fail regions is computed by generating failure directions in a space whose dimensions are the system parameters under consideration. The failure directions are preferably uniform, forming radial slices. The failure directions may be weighted. The radial slices have fail boundaries defining fail regions comparable to broken shells. The distribution of the system parameters is integrated across the broken shell regions to derive a failure contribution for each failure direction. The failure probability is the sum of products of each failure contribution and its weight. Failure contributions are computed using equivalent expressions dependent on the number of dimensions, which can be used to build lookup tables for normalized fail boundary radii. The entire process can be iteratively repeated with successively increasing failure directions until the failure probability converges. The method is particularly useful in analyzing failure probability of electrical circuits such as memory cells.
US08365115B2 System and method for performance modeling of integrated circuits
A system and method for performance modeling of integrated circuits is provided. A method for performing timing analysis on an integrated circuit is provided, the integrated circuit having a timing path. The method includes computing a number of non-common timing path elements in the timing path, assigning a timing de-rate factor to the timing path based on the number of non-common timing path elements, and computing a timing analysis on the integrated circuit using the assigned timing de-rate factor.
US08365107B2 Scanner based optical proximity correction system and method of use
A modeling technique is provided. The modeling technique includes inputting tool parameters into a model and inputting basic model parameters into the model. The technique further includes generating a simulated, corrected reticle design using the tool parameters and the basic model parameters. An image of test patterns for an integrated circuit is compared against the simulated, corrected reticle design. A determination is made as to whether a difference between the simulated, corrected reticle design and exposure results of the image of the test patterns (δ1) is less than a predetermined criteria (ε1). The technique further includes completing the model the difference between the simulated, corrected reticle design and the exposure results of the image of the test patterns is less than the predetermined criteria.
US08365106B2 Method for optimization of light effective source while target pattern is changed
The present invention provides a method including generating mask data to be used in an exposure apparatus including an illumination optical system and a projection optical system which projects a pattern of the mask onto a substrate, and fabricating a mask based on the generated mask data.
US08365105B2 Method of performing optical proximity effect corrections to photomask pattern
A method of performing an optical proximity effect correction to a first photomask pattern for a wiring of a semiconductor device for use in combination with a second photomask pattern for a via, the wiring including an end portion coupled to the via, the method being performed by a computer including a memory storing layout data of the first photomask pattern and the second photomask pattern, including extracting a pattern of layout data of the first photomask pattern for the wiring corresponding to the end portion of the wiring and layout data of the second photomask pattern for the via.
US08365104B2 Original data producing method and original data producing program
A two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient is obtained based on a function representing a light intensity distribution formed by an illumination apparatus on a pupil plane of the projection optical system and a pupil function of the projection optical system. Based on the two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient and data of a pattern on an object plane of the projection optical system, an approximate aerial image is calculated by using at least one of plural components of an aerial image on an image plane of the projection optical system. Data of a pattern of an original is produced based on the approximate aerial image.
US08365085B2 Method of indicating functions of buttons, an image display apparatus, and an on-screen-display menu processing method
A method of indicating functions of buttons included in an image display apparatus on a screen and an image display apparatus implementing the method thereof. The method of indicating functions of buttons includes generating an image indicating functions assigned to the buttons and displaying the image on the image display apparatus.
US08365074B1 Navigation control for an electronic device
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for suggesting search queries relevant to a user's context. One of the methods includes providing a navigation control for navigating in a graphical space. A portion of a large-scale graphical space is displayed on a screen of an electronic device and a navigation control is generated and displayed on the screen. The navigation control includes a ring-shaped graphical entity and a knob graphical entity positioned at point on the ring-shaped graphical entity. A zooming user input can be received to the navigation control, and in response, zooming in the graphical space is provided. The zooming user input includes the user selecting the knob graphical entity and tracing a shape of the ring-shaped graphical entity with the knob graphical entity in either a first direction to zoom in or in a second direction to zoom out.
US08365069B1 Web content management based on timeliness metadata
A server receives a hypertext request from a client. The server looks up a hypertext document, wherein looking up comprises obtaining a first HTML element and a second HTML element and combining the first HTML element and second HTML element into a hypertext document, in response receiving the hypertext request from the client. The server parses the hypertext document for timeliness tags. The server generates at least one header tag based on the timeliness tags. The server determines whether at least one expired tag is among the timeliness tags. Responsive to a determination that at least one expired tag is among the timeliness tags, the server can look up a timeliness tag rule corresponding to the at least one timeliness tag.
US08365067B2 Method and system for moving single documents between a document processing system and a document repository
From a logical point of view, a document processing system allows to read and write single documents. However, physically all documents within a document processing system are usually stored in a sequential binary format and therefore are not accessible in the binary format. In order to move a single document in its physical representation i.e. the binary format, it is proposed to use the logical view to obtain all structural information describing the document as well as its content and all meta data. This information will then be used to create an exact copy of that document outside the document processing system.The invention particularly proposes a native file format to write content such as Lotus Domino notes, that is documents as well as design elements like folders, agents, buttons, etc. to a file. The native file format allows to read content of a document in binary format and write it in a serialized manner to the file. Besides the document content, the file format can store document properties as meta data and therefore those properties are preserved during serialization.
US08365062B2 Auditing a website with page scanning and rendering techniques
An automated website analysis system includes mechanisms for automatically reviewing a website and identifying various features of the website. In one implementation, the analysis system can rely at least in part on the actual downloading and rendering of each page in the website to determine not only aspects of website content and layout, but also whether various content, such as third party objects or source code, execute as intended. Additional features include recording user input that may be required to progress past web pages where automated site mapping would ordinarily stall. The analysis system can identify various items of interest about each web page to the website owner, including web page parent/child relationships, as well as the extent to which the given page content is consistent with its metadata descriptions.
US08365058B2 Safe information transmission via non-safety approved equipment
A method of detecting communications errors by coding messages as pictures. A communications method useable to safely communicate a message or a signal from a first safety approved entity to a second safety approved entity via a third, non-safety approved entity including that each command is sent with the aid of a command message from the first to the second entity, an acknowledge message from the second to the first entity, and a go-ahead message from the first to the second entity.
US08365055B2 High performance cache directory error correction code
Defining a set of correctable error and uncorrectable error syndrome code points, generating an error correction code (ECC) syndrome decode, regarding the uncorrectable error syndrome code points as “don't cares” and logically minimizing the ECC syndrome decode for the determination of the correctable error syndrome code points based on the regarding of the uncorrectable error syndrome code points as the “don't cares” whereby output data can be ignored for the uncorrectable error syndrome code points.
US08365052B2 Encoding device for error correction, encoding method for error correction and encoding program for error correction
The present invention aims at providing an encoding device for error correction, encoding method for error correction and encoding program for error correction wherein countermeasures against eavesdropping are taken into account. To achieve this, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided an encoding device for error correction, the device comprises a generation means for generating randomly a vector u=(xk+1, . . . , xm) composed of m-k digit(s); a creation means for creating an x′=[xu]=(x1, . . . , xm) by concatenating the vector u=(xk+1, . . . , xm) composed of m-k digit(s) randomly created by the creation means to data x=(x1, . . . , k) to send; and an output means for outputting a vector of length n by carrying out [n, m] encoding of the x′ created by the creation means.
US08365047B2 FEC code and code rate selection based on packet size
Techniques for encoding and decoding data are described. In an aspect, multiple code rates for a forward error correction (FEC) code may be supported, and a suitable code rate may be selected based on packet size. A transmitter may obtain at least one threshold to use for code rate selection, determine a packet size to use for data transmission, and select a code rate from among the multiple code rates based on the packet size and the at least one threshold. In another aspect, multiple FEC codes of different types (e.g., Turbo, LDPC, and convolutional codes) may be supported, and a suitable FEC code may be selected based on packet size. The transmitter may obtain at least one threshold to use for FEC code selection and may select an FEC code from among the multiple FEC codes based on the packet size and the at least one threshold.
US08365045B2 Flow based data packet processing
Flow based data packet processing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing a data packet in a flow comprises identifying a flow Identification (ID) of the data packet, where the flow ID is based on one or more portions of control information for the data packet. The method also comprises accessing an address pointer stored in a shared memory designated for the flow ID. The method further comprises performing a set of instructions stored in an address in a cache memory which is assigned by the address pointer, wherein the set of instructions is loaded to the address in the cache memory upon identifying of the flow ID if the flow is currently active. Additionally, the method comprises generating report data associated with the flow by executing the set of instructions.
US08365043B2 Efficient redundant memory unit array
A method of storing data is disclosed. A set of data blocks, including a plurality of proper subsets of data blocks, is stored. A plurality of first-level parity blocks is generated, wherein each first-level parity block is generated from a corresponding proper subset of data blocks within the plurality of proper subsets of data blocks without reference to other data blocks not in the corresponding proper subset. A second-level parity block is generated, wherein the second level parity block is generated from a plurality of data blocks included in at least two of the plurality of proper subsets of data blocks, and wherein recovery of a lost block in a given proper subset of data blocks is possible without reference to any data blocks not in the given proper subset.
US08365036B2 Soft error correction in a memory array and method thereof
A memory system includes a memory array. The memory array includes a plurality of storage locations arranged in rows and columns. The memory system includes error correction circuitry that generates correct data bits from data bits of the memory array and error correction bits. The data bits received by the error correction circuitry are divided in subgroups where each subgroup of data bits is used to generate a subgroup of the correct data bits. The subgroups of data bits are stored in a row of the memory array at locations that are interleaved with each other.
US08365024B2 High integrity data bus fault detection using multiple signal components
Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying the integrity of a signal transmitted across a multiple rail data bus. The method and apparatus provide for independently processing a signal by a first processor and a second processor, the first and second processors being connected in parallel thereby generating a first processed signal and a second processed signal. Each of the processed signals is split into a first component sequence and a second component sequence, the first component sequences being different from the second component sequences. It is then determined that the first component sequences are not identical and that the second component sequences are not identical. If either of the first component sequences is not identical, or if either of the second component sequences is not identical, then an error signal is transmitted to a receiving device via a first or second rail of the bus.
US08365020B2 Mechanism for saving crash dump files of a virtual machine on a designated disk
A mechanism for saving crash dump files of a virtual machine (VM) on a designated disk is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes configuring an operating system (OS) of a VM managed by a hypervisor of a host machine to store any crash dump files created by the VM to a designated crash dump virtual disk associated with the VM but accessible outside of operations of the VM, determining that the VM experienced a crash event, stopping operations of the VM, and obtaining a crash dump file created by the VM that details the crash event from the designated crash dump virtual disk.
US08364998B2 Adaptive real-time methodology for optimizing energy-efficient computing
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is an effective way to reduce energy and power consumption in microprocessor units. Current implementations of DVFS suffer from inaccurate modeling of power requirements and usage, and from inaccurate characterization of the relationships between the applicable variables. A system and method is proposed that adjusts CPU frequency and voltage based on run-time calculations of the workload processing time, as well as a calculation of performance sensitivity with respect to CPU frequency. The system and method are processor independent, and can be applied to either an entire system as a unit, or individually to each process running on a system.
US08364985B1 Buffer-caches for caching encrypted data via copy-on-encrypt
Encryption using copy-on-encrypt determines that plaintext data stored in a plaintext buffer is to be written out to an encrypted storage resource. In response to the determining, an encryption buffer is allocated. The plaintext data is copied from the plaintext buffer to the encryption buffer and the encryption buffer is encrypted. Encrypted data from the encryption buffer is written to the encrypted storage resource. The encryption buffer is de-allocated. Read or write requests from a client are satisfied by retrieving the plaintext data from the plaintext buffer.
US08364983B2 Corralling virtual machines with encryption keys
A virtual machine comprises a unique identifier that is associated with one or more encryption keys. A management server encrypts the virtual machine's virtual hard disk(s) using the one or more associated encryption keys. The management server further provides the one or more encryption keys to a limited number of one or more servers in a system. Only those one or more servers that have been provided the one or more encryption keys can be used to load, access, and/or operate the virtual machine. The management server can thus differentiate which virtual machines can be operated on which servers by differentiating which servers can receive which encryption keys. In one implementation, a management server encrypts all virtual machines in the system, but encrypts virtual machines with sensitive data with a limited set of encryption keys, and further provides those encryption keys to a limited set of trusted servers.
US08364980B2 System for selective encryption within documents
A system for selective encryption within a document. A portion of the document selected and marked for encryption is detected, the selected portion of the document including plaintext. The detected portion of the document selected for encryption is encrypted as ciphertext. The document is displayed with the selected portion of the document encrypted. An attempt by an accessor to access the encrypted portion of document is detected. The encrypted portion of the document is decrypted with a proper decryption key, wherein the decrypting includes decrypting the encrypted portion of the document in response to presentation of required data by the accessor. The required data includes the proper decryption key, a name of the accessor, and an employee number of the accessor. The portion of the document is displayed as decrypted.
US08364976B2 Pass-through adapter with crypto ignition key (CIK) functionality
A pass-through adapter includes an adapter body having at least two connector pin interfaces, with one configured for coupling to an external device such as a communications device. Each connector pin interface includes a plurality of connector pins, including a plurality of pass-through connector pins operative with each other for in-line, pass-through signaling when the pass-through adapter is coupled to the external device. A crypto ignition key (CIK) circuit is contained within the adapter body and connected to at least one of the connector pins to provide a secure mode of operation for the external device.
US08364975B2 Methods and apparatus for protecting data
An augmented boot code module includes instructions to be executed by a processing unit during a boot process. The augmented boot code module also includes an encrypted version of a cryptographic key that can be decrypted with a cryptographic key that remains in the processing unit despite a reset of the processing unit. In one embodiment, the processing unit may decrypt the encrypted version of the cryptographic key and then use the decrypted key to establish a protected communication channel with a security processor, such as a trusted platform module (TPM). Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08364970B2 Method and apparatus for providing enhanced service authorization
An approach is provided for authorizing one or more services from service providers in a communications network. The approach includes receiving a request from a first service provider, the request having an associated primary token and a secondary token identifier, the secondary token identifier relating to resources of a second service provider. Based, at least in part, on the secondary token identifier, a secondary token is identified; and then the secondary token is sent to the first service provider, wherein the first service provider and the second service provider belong to different trust domains and the first service provider can use the secondary token to access resources of the second service provider.
US08364956B2 Security management server and image data managing method thereof
A security management server includes an input unit for receiving image data from at least one network camera; a control unit for assigning an access authority level to each image data received via the input unit; and a storage unit for storing therein the image data along with the access authority levels assigned by the control unit. When receiving a request for a specific image data among the image data stored in the storage unit from a user having a user access authority level, the control unit compares the user access authority level and the access authority level assigned to the specific image data, and based on comparison result thereof, selectively provides the specific image data to the user.
US08364950B1 Auditable cryptographic protected communication system
An auditable cryptographic protected communication system for connecting an enterprise server to a plurality of industrial devices using messaging protocols for each industrial device enabling the industrial devices to receive commands and transmit status and measurement data using the individual device messaging protocols over a network.
US08364944B2 Methods of operating memory devices and electronic systems having memory devices
Methods of operating memory devices and electronic systems having memory devices include initiating a boot mode of operation of the memory device in response to receiving a first command, wherein the first command comprises a pattern of two or more command signals, and terminating the boot mode of operation in response to receiving a second command, wherein the second command comprises a pattern of two or more command signals.
US08364941B2 Switching drivers between processors
Systems, methods, and computer software for operating a device can be used to operate the device in multiple modes. The device can be operated in a first operating mode adapted for processing data, in which a first processor executes a driver for a nonvolatile memory and a second processor performs processing of data stored in files on the nonvolatile memory. An instruction can be received to switch the device to a second operating mode adapted for reading and/or writing files from or to the nonvolatile memory. The driver for the nonvolatile memory can be switched from the first processor to the second processor in response to the instruction, and the driver for the nonvolatile memory can be executed on the second processor after performing the switch. A communications driver can be executed on the first processor in response to the instruction to switch the device to the second operating mode.
US08364938B2 Running-AND, running-OR, running-XOR, and running-multiply instructions for processing vectors using a base value from a key element of an input vector
In the described embodiments, a processor captures a value from an element at a key element position in a second input vector into a base value. The processor then generates a result vector by, if the predicate vector is received, for each element in the result vector to the right of the key element position for which a corresponding element in the predicate vector is active, otherwise, for each element in the result vector to the right of the key element position, setting the element in the result vector equal to a result from an associative Boolean operation or a multiplication operation for which the inputs are the base value and a value in each relevant element of a first input vector from an element at the key element position to and including a predetermined element in the first input vector.
US08364935B2 Data processing apparatus address range dependent parallelization of instructions
A data processing apparatus has an instruction memory system arranged to output an instruction word addressed by an instruction address. An instruction execution unit, processes a plurality of instructions from the instruction word in parallel. A detection unit, detects in which of a plurality of ranges the instruction address lies. The detection unit is coupled to the instruction execution unit and/or the instruction memory system, to control a way in which the instruction execution unit parallelizes processing of the instructions from the instruction word, dependent on a detected range. In an embodiment the instruction execution unit and/or the instruction memory system adjusts a width of the instruction word that determines a number of instructions from the instruction word that is processed in parallel, dependent on the detected range.
US08364928B2 Modeling memory compression
A method for modeling memory compression is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A subset of candidate pages is received. The subset of candidate pages is a subset of a set of candidate pages used in executing a workload in a data processing system. A candidate page is compressible uncompressed data in a memory associated with the data processing system. The subset of candidate pages is compressed in a scratch space. A compressibility of the workload is computed based on the compression of the subset of candidate pages. Page reference information of the subset of candidate pages is received. A memory reference rate of the workload is determined. A recommendation is presented about a memory compression model for the workload in the data processing system.
US08364917B2 Replication of deduplicated storage system
A method for replicating a deduplicated storage system is disclosed. A stream of data is stored on an originator deduplicating system by storing a plurality of deduplicated segments and information on how to reconstruct the stream of data. The originator deduplicating system is replicated on a replica system by sending a copy of the plurality of deduplicated segments and information on how to reconstruct the stream of data to the replica system. A first portion of the deduplicated segments stored on the originator deduplicating system that is corrupted is identified. A copy of the first portion of the deduplicated segments is requested to be sent by the replica system to the originator deduplicating system.
US08364905B2 Storage system with middle-way logical volume
A storage system is disclosed including storage devices configured to store data, and a logical storage volume coupled to the storage devices and configured to store a subset of the data as segments. The storage system also includes a controller including a cache and memory. The memory is configured to include records such that each record corresponds with a segment in the logical storage volume and each record includes information regarding data stored in the corresponding segment. The controller is configured to access the records in response to a cache miss of the cache to determine if requested data from the cache miss is stored and ready for access in the logical storage volume. The controller is also configured to update the subset of data stored in the segments as a function of cache misses.
US08364899B2 User-controlled targeted cache purge
User-controlled targeted cache purging includes receiving a request to perform an operation to purge data from a cache, the request including an index identifier identifying an index associated with the cache. The index specifies a portion of the cache to be purged. The user-controlled targeted cache purging also includes purging the data from the cache, and providing notification of successful completion of the operation.
US08364890B2 RAID control apparatus and control method therefor
A RAID control apparatus and control method. The RAID control apparatus includes disk devices and disk control devices including a cache memory that stores cache data of a logical unit, and control unit, upon the logical units present in different disk devices being concatenated to each other, switching in-charge disk control devices such that a disk control device is in charge of access to the concatenated logical units without writing back the cache data stored in a cache memory of a source disk control device to the disk device.
US08364885B2 Semiconductor storage system for decreasing page copy frequency and controlling method thereof
A semiconductor storage system includes a memory controller that classifies a memory block of a memory area into a data block and a buffer block. The buffer block corresponds to the data block. The memory controller compares the number of free pages of both the data block and the buffer block with the number of valid pages of the data block and the buffer block during mergence in order to select the merged target block. Depending on the result of the comparison, either the data block or the buffer block is selected as the merged target block.
US08364877B2 Implementing gang interrupts
A method includes receiving a first interrupt request from a first device instance of a plurality of device instances. The first interrupt request is requesting an interrupt of a processor. The method also includes updating a bit vector based on the first interrupt request. The bit vector comprises a plurality of bits representing an accumulation of interrupt requests. The method further includes generating a gang interrupt comprising the updated bit vector. The method also includes transmitting the gang interrupt to call a first device driver associated with the first interrupt request based on the bits in the bit vector.
US08364874B1 Prioritized polling for virtual network interfaces
Methods and systems for prioritizing virtual network interface controllers (VNICs) are described. Each VNIC is assigned a priority level and a maximum current priority level associated with VNICs which are requesting service is determined. Fairness is enforced by using a round robin approach to selection among those currently requesting VNICs which have the same, maximum current priority level.
US08364870B2 USB port connected to multiple USB compliant devices
At least one downstream interface may be configured to be simultaneously connected to both a USB 3.0 compliant device and a USB 2.0 compliant device. The interface may be used for communicating with a USB 3.0 compliant device via a downstream port and simultaneously communicating with a USB 2.0 compliant device via the downstream port.
US08364869B2 Methods and apparatus for managing virtual ports and logical units on storage systems
A storage system configured to associate a virtual port 810 to a plurality of physical ports 800. In response to commands from computers, the storage system 100 manages relation between physical ports and virtual ports and relation between virtual port and volumes by performing processes such as creating a virtual port, assigning LUs to a virtual port, moving a virtual port between physical ports and deleting a virtual port. The storage system also maintains/calculates statistics information for ports and displays the information for each virtual port.
US08364868B2 Device control apparatus, device control method and program for initiating control of an operation of an external device
There is provided a device control apparatus, a device control method and a program capable of easily initiating control of an operation of an external device through an application according to a status of the external device and a usage status of the application. An application for controlling an operation of an AV amplifier is acquired from an application server, a status of the AV amplifier and a usage status of the application are determined upon startup of the application, a screen according to the result of the determination is displayed in order to arrange an operation environment of the application and then a manipulation screen for controlling the operation of the AV amplifier through the application is displayed, and the operation of the AV amplifier is controlled according to a user manipulation performed through the manipulation screen.
US08364864B2 Multi-bank queuing architecture for higher bandwidth on-chip memory buffer
A network device includes a main storage memory and a queue handling component. The main storage memory includes multiple memory banks which store a plurality of packets for multiple output queues. The queue handling component controls write operations to the multiple memory banks and controls read operations from the multiple memory banks, where the read operations for at least one of the multiple output queues alternates sequentially between the each of the multiple memory banks, and where the read operations and the write operations occur during a same clock period on different ones of the multiple memory banks.
US08364861B2 Asynchronous ID generation
A technique for automatically establishing device IDs for devices in a daisy chain cascade arrangement. For each device, a write ID operation is initiated at the device to cause the device to enter a generate/write ID mode. While in this mode, a first value is input to the device. The device generates a second value from the first value. The device outputs the generated second value from the device to a next device in the daisy chain cascade which uses the second value as a first value for the next device. The device then establishes its ID from the first value. The process is repeated for all devices in the daisy chain cascade arrangement.
US08364857B2 Wireless modem with CPU and auxiliary processor that shifts control between processors when in low power state while maintaining communication link to wireless network
A computing device includes a low power auxiliary processor, such as a processor on a wireless card or sub-system, which is able to takeover processing in place of the computing device's central processing unit (CPU). Operating the computing device on the auxiliary processor draws less power from the computing device battery, enabling extended operation in an auxiliary processor mode. When in this mode, the auxiliary processor controls peripherals and provides the system functionality while the CPU is deactivated, such as in “off,” “standby” or “sleep” modes. In the auxiliary processor mode, the computing device can accomplish useful tasks, such as sending/receiving electronic mail, displaying electronic documents and accessing a network while drawing minimal power from the battery. Transitions between the normal operating mode and auxiliary processor mode may be transparent to users. Such a computer may display instant on, always on and always connected operating features.
US08364853B2 Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method
A computer program product is provided for performing a method including: obtaining information relating to an I/O operation at a channel subsystem in a host computer system; generating at least one address control word (ACW) in the local channel memory specifying one or more host memory locations for transfer of data between the host and a control unit and including at least one ACW error checking field; generating an address control structure specifying a location in the local channel memory of a corresponding ACW and including at least one address control structure error checking field; receiving a data transfer request from the network interface that includes the addressing information; comparing the at least one ACW error checking field to the at least one address control structure error checking field; and, responsive to the fields matching, routing the data transfer request to the host memory location specified in the corresponding ACW.
US08364852B1 Methods and apparatus to generate and update fibre channel firewall filter rules using address prefixes
In one embodiment, a network management module converts zone policies for a network into access sets and access set lists. The network management module can define access sets for a collection of peripheral processing devices that share the same communication restrictions imposed by the zone policies. The network management module can allocate address blocks for each access set such that at least some of the peripheral processing devices in the same access can share a common address prefix. The network management module can define access sets lists such that each access set references an access set list that includes all the peripheral processing devices in the network that can communicate with the peripheral processing devices in the referencing access set. The network management module can apply access sets and access set lists in generating or updating firewall filter rules, and in some embodiments, the access sets can be expressed in terms of the one or more common address prefixes. The conversion of zone policies into access sets and access set lists can, for example, improve the efficiency of zone policy conversion and the optimal state of the firewall filter rules, which can result in reduced disruptions from logins or logouts of peripheral processing devices, and/or faster responses to post-login queries by newly-connected peripheral processing devices concerning the restrictions on its communications.
US08364848B2 Delivering multimedia services
Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality.
US08364842B2 System and method for reduced cloud IP address utilization
System and method for providing cloud computing services is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a cloud computing environment, the cloud computing environment comprising resources for supporting cloud workloads, each cloud workload having associated therewith an internal cloud address; and a routing system disposed between external workloads of an external computing environment and the cloud workloads, the routing system for directing traffic from an external address to the internal addresses of the cloud workloads.
US08364837B2 Virtual web service
An improved solution for Web services is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for providing a virtual Web service includes: providing a Web service gatekeeper, where the gatekeeper acts as an access point to multiple private internal enterprise environments; and then the gatekeeper receives a request for access to one, or more, of these private internal enterprise environments.
US08364832B2 Data segregation and fragmentation in a wireless network for improving video performance
A wireless communication device comprises an input terminal configured to communicate data with a processor. A segregation circuit (150) is coupled to the input terminal and configured to identify predetermined data and to separate more important data from less important data. A memory (112) is configured to store at least one parameter relevant to the wireless communication protocol. A modem (110) is coupled to segregation circuit and the memory (112) and is configured to communicate using a wireless protocol over a wireless channel, and includes a framer (152) configured to fragment the segregated data based at least in part on the at least one parameter stored in the memory. In one aspect of the invention, the wireless protocol is 802.11. Advantages of the invention include the ability to achieve high quality video communication over a wireless communication link with less chance of dropping important data.
US08364831B2 Method and equipment for accessing a telecommunication network
A method for accessing a network in a telecommunication system which comprises at least one terminal and a plurality of networks in which information sets describing settings needed to access networks and their resources are stored in the terminal. The terminal scans for information about available networks. Available information sets are determined by comparing the information about available networks to the stored information sets. At least one network is accessed based on the settings defined in the available information sets.
US08364823B2 Self-configuring IP video router
The embodiments described in this disclosure address the above issues and others. Accordingly, a self-configuring IP video router provides a plug-and-play transport interface between two LANs, one of which is the host to multiple IP video cameras or servers.In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, plug-and-play functionality provides that the device can be connected to both networks via standard hardware interfaces, discover the video sources on the “inside” network, and configure itself to do the appropriate IP address mapping and IP port transport across the interface between the networks.
US08364821B2 Method and system for deploying content to wireless devices
A method and system for deploying content to devices is provided. The method and system can be used to deploy markup content to web browser applications on wireless devices. The wireless devices may included, for example, WAP phones, HDML phones, Palm VII, Palm V, etc. The method and system can also be used in conjunction with wired systems. A translator receives data, in a variety of formats, from the wireless devices. The translator then translates the data into a standardized format. A content provider interface receives the data in the standardized format and provides content data, also in the standardized format. The content data in the standardized format is provided to a transformer. The transformer transforms the content data into the pre-selected format for the particular wireless device. The content data can then be utilized and manipulated by the wireless device.
US08364820B2 Data center resource usage and cost determination
Techniques are provided to derive a virtual machine workload cost for a data center. At a network management appliance that is in communication with network resources and computing resources used by a plurality of virtual machines executed by the computing resources for providing one or more services, usage metrics are collected from network components of the network resources operating with respect to traffic that passes through the network resources as a result of the plurality of virtual machines executed by the computing resources. The virtual machine workload cost is computed from the usage metrics.
US08364816B2 Mapping network addresses to geographical locations
A network address mapping system is described. The network address mapping system can identify a set of Web pages, collects information from the Web pages indicating geographical locations (“geolocations”), and correlate the geolocations with the network addresses from which the identified Web pages are served. The collected information can be weighted based on various factors, such as its relative position in a Web page. The collected information can then be used to identify a geolocation. The network mapping system can deduce geolocations for portions of ranges of network addresses based on the score, and can infer geolocations for other portions based on the deduced geolocations. This mapping can then be stored in a database and provided as a geomapping service. The network address mapping system is able to map network addresses to geographical locations. Thereafter, when a user's client computing device accesses a Web server, the Web server can easily and accurately determine a geographical location by querying the database storing the mapping or a geomapping service.
US08364802B1 System and method for monitoring a grid of hosting resources in order to facilitate management of the hosting resources
Some embodiments provide a method. The method interfaces with several nodes of a hosting system. Each node includes resources for hosting several virtual machines. The method collects statistics for facilitating deployment of the virtual machines across the several resource nodes from the resource nodes. The method determines a particular node from the several nodes with sufficient available resources to host a configuration for a virtual machine based on the collected statistics. The method deploys the configuration for the virtual machine to the particular node for hosting on the particular node.
US08364799B2 Management server and content moving system
A management server to manage a plurality of media servers each to store contents, the server comprising: a failure rate calculating section to calculate a failure rate of each of the plurality of media servers; a judgment section to judge whether or not there is a media server having the failure rate which has been calculated by the failure rate calculating section and which exceeds a predetermined threshold value, among the plurality of media servers; and a movement controlling section to move the contents being stored in the media server judged to have the failure rate exceeding the predetermined threshold value by the judgment section to a media server judged to have failure rate less than the predetermined threshold value by the judgment section.
US08364794B2 Admission control framework method and system
An admission control method and system. The method includes presenting, by a computer processor of an admission control framework computing system, a configuration user interface comprising lists. The computer processor generates and deploys a modified runtime configuration for the admission control framework computing system. The computer processor injects a runtime component of the admission control framework computing system into a command processing path between a container representing an application server and servants representing application components deployed to the application server. The computer processor intercepts commands transmitted from the container to a first servant of the servants. The computer processor reroutes the commands to a reservation pool configured to inspect the commands.
US08364790B2 Method and apparatus for production and use of decorated networking identifier
A method and apparatus are provided for producing a decorated networking identifier at a client terminal for transmission to a server side element. The networking identifier is obtained at the client terminal. The networking identifier is appended with one or more extensible decorations at the client terminal creating the decorated networking identifier. The one or more extensible decorations are separated from the networking identifier by a first predetermined character. The one or more decorations each include a decoration sequence and an identifier corresponding to the decoration sequence. The identifier and the decoration sequence are separated by a second predetermined character. The decorated networking identifier is transmitted from the client terminal to the server side element.
US08364787B2 Automatically adjusting command parameters to support devices of a computer network
Adjusting one or more command parameters for a device of a computer network includes accessing command sets. A command set comprises one or more commands supported by a known device, and a command has one or more command parameters. One or more command sets associated with an unknown device are identified. The following are repeated for each command set of the one or more command sets until a termination event occurs: applying the command set to the unknown device to perform an operation; determining whether the command set has failed to perform the operation; and automatically adjusting the command parameters of the command set if the command set has failed to perform the operation.
US08364786B2 Synthesizing a scalable and incrementally updatable system software infrastructure for sensor networks
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and a system for synthesizing a scalable and incrementally updatable system software infrastructure for sensor networks. During operation, the system receives a specification for an application and a specification for target devices. The system analyzes these specifications in order to identify a set of software components required to support the application, and then proceeds to synthesize a customizable software stack that accommodates the identified set of software components on a specified target device. This process generates a minimal, resource-efficient software stack for a specific application on the specified target device.
US08364773B2 E-mail authentication
A system and method for determining whether an e-mail originates from a sender authorized by an address provider to send the e-mail to an intended recipient's e-mail address. The e-mail identifies an address provider from which the intended recipient's e-mail address was obtained. The e-mail is delivered to the intended recipient only upon verification that the sender is authorized by the address provider to obtain the intended recipient's e-mail address. The system and method may also provide for determining whether an e-mail originates from a forged source. A server receives data relating to an e-mail, including a purported sender and a verification host. The server queries the verification host with information pertaining to the e-mail and requests confirmation that the e-mail originates from the purported sender. The e-mail is determined to originate from a forged source unless the verification host responds that the e-mail originates from the purported sender.
US08364771B2 Tools for generating PKI email accounts
The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing an Email User to create a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Email Account and thereafter to digitally sign, send, verify and receive PKI encrypted emails over a computer network, such as the Internet. The systems and methods preferably include a Web-based Email System and a Certificate Authority that coordinate their actions to make the process of creating, maintaining and using the PKI Account as easy as possible for the Email User. In a preferred embodiment, a Keystore System may also be used to enhance the management and use of digital keypairs.
US08364770B2 Heterogeneous network delivery of electronic messages in accordance with privacy and personalization criteria
A method of network delivery of electronic messages includes creating an action list from templates corresponding to a group identifier. The templates characterize the structure of a group specified by the group identifier. The structure of the group is specified through roles, permissions and transaction rules for communicating with each individual associated with the group identifier. A message recipient specifies communication preferences for receiving information. Electronic message delivery instructions of the action list are executed for each individual associated with the group identifier. The electronic message delivery instructions specify instructions to be processed by disparate communication networks. The disparate communication networks include at least two of a text messaging network, an instant messaging network, an email network, a cellular network, a social network and the public switched telephone network.
US08364769B2 Communications system providing message aggregation features and related methods
A communications system may include a plurality of source message servers for storing messages for delivery to a user, a target message server having a target message box associated therewith, and an aggregation server for periodically aggregating the messages from the source message servers to the target message box for retrieval by the user. The target message server may provide a delivery failure message to the aggregation server based upon a failure to deliver a message to the target message box. As such, the aggregation server may increase a period of sending messages to the target message box based upon a delivery failure message therefrom, and thereafter decrease the period of sending messages to the target message box based upon a successful delivery of a message thereto.
US08364765B2 Prioritizing electronic messages based upon geographical location of the recipient
A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include, for each of a plurality of electronic messages received in an electronic messaging client, determining availability of a sender of each electronic message and determining an order for the electronic messages within the electronic messaging client according to availability of the sender of each electronic message. The method further can include displaying the electronic messages within a view of the electronic messaging client in the order.
US08364756B1 Connection sharing
A method, computer-readable medium, and system for re-using a connection between a client computing device and a server system. The method includes receiving at a server system a request from a client computing device to initiate a connection; receiving over the connection a request from the client computing device for first content from a first domain hosted by the server system; sending information to the client computing device over the connection that specifies one or more additional domains hosted by the server system and acceptable to the server system for connection sharing; receiving over the connection a request for second content from a second domain that is hosted by the server system and that was specified in the information sent from the server system to the client computing device; and sending the second content to the client computing device over the connection in response to receiving the request.
US08364753B2 Relationship and security in online social and professional networks and communities
A method is provided for evolving a defined online existing relationship between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship defined by a plurality of existing relationship features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member. The method comprising: receiving a new online relationship having new relationship features such that the new features are different from the existing relationship features, the new relationship features being characteristic of the new relationship; aggregating the existing relationship features and the new relationship features as aggregate relationship features a combination of the existing relationship features and the new relationship features in order to define an aggregate relationship; storing the aggregate relationship features in a storage as relationship data; and accessing the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network interaction from one of the members is permitted.
US08364747B2 Client/server request handling
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer program product which enables a target service to provide operations which behave, on a per operation basis, in a way appropriate to the type of client that requested the operation to be performed. As a result the target service can provide operations which behave differently for different clients. Further the client can obtain details of the behavior characteristics of the operations, according to its type, at runtime and act appropriately in the event of the request being timed out or resulting in a communication failure. For example, the client middleware can take action to re-issue a timed out request if the behavior characteristic for that operation indicates that multiple invocations of the operation will yield the same result.
US08364735B2 Test method of integrated circuit with random-number generation circuit and integrated circuit with random-number generation circuit
Random numbers output from a random-number generation circuit, for which an optimized control parameter is set, at a predetermined timing after power-on reset are obtained after each power-on reset, by repeating the power-on reset with respect to a system LSI for a preset number of times, and a test of the obtained predetermined number of random numbers is performed by using a test circuit incorporated in the system LSI to determine the quality of the random-number generation circuit incorporated in the system LSI.
US08364730B2 Data storage apparatus and data storage method
In response to a write command with regard to an FAT1 area received from a host device, the data storage apparatus collectively records management information with regard to the FAT1 area simultaneously with duplicate management information of identical content as management information with regard to an FAT2 area at consecutive addresses. In response to a write command with regard to the FAT2 area received from the host device subsequent to the write command with regard to the FAT1 area, the data storage apparatus notifies the host device of completion of data writing without recording the management information with regard to the FAT2 area. This arrangement effectively enhances the data writing efficiency in the data storage apparatus having multiple records of identical management information.
US08364721B2 System and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records
A system and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records is provided. Categories of published waymark records are maintained in a database. Each category is associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes, which each specify a type of metadata for the variables. The variables and attributes are presented for one of the categories in response to a request from a user. A user interface is applied to process input metadata for a physical object that is received from the user via the user interface. A consistency of the input metadata with the variables and attributes associated with the category is determined. The consistent input metadata is complied as a waymark record for the physical object. The waymark record is published and displayed on a map.
US08364717B2 Hardware accelerated shortest path computation
The non-negative single-source shortest path (NSSP) problem is solved on a graph by using a preprocessing phase and then, in a query phase, computing the distances from a given source in the graph with a linear sweep over all the vertices. Contraction hierarchies may be used in the preprocessing phase and in the query phase. Optimizations may include reordering the vertices in advance to exploit locality, performing multiple NSSP computations simultaneously, marking vertices during initialization, and using parallelism. Techniques may be performed on a graphics processing unit (GPU). This makes applications based on all-pairs shortest-paths practical for continental-sized road networks. The applications include, for example, computing graph diameter, exact arc flags, and centrality measures such as exact reaches or betweenness.
US08364711B2 Contact management system and method
In an embodiment of a method of providing contact information, the method includes creating a contact record in a contact management system, where a process associated with a subject of the contact record and/or a recipient of data associated with the contact record is included in creating the contact record. A unique serial number is generated corresponding to the contact record and the serial number is conveyed to the recipient. A request by an application is received for the contact record from the contact management system corresponding to the serial number and data associated with the contact record is transmitted to the application.
US08364699B2 Commodities framework
Various embodiments are directed to methods and systems for presenting an interface to a user. For example, a computer may receive a request for content originating from a browser application executing on a client machine in electronic communication with the at least one server. The request may identify a first commodity and a first event associated with the commodity and may comprise a Universal Resource Locator (URL) identifying the first commodity. The computer may parse a commodity descriptor file to identify a first service associated with the first commodity and the first event. The commodity descriptor file may comprise definitions of a plurality of commodities and wherein the plurality of commodities comprises the first commodity. In addition, the computer may generate a service call requesting the first service, and execute the at least one service associated with the first commodity and the first event. The at least one service may query the data source to retrieve data describing the commodity and construct a model of the commodity according to the data.
US08364690B2 Automatic creation of pre-condition queries for conflict detection in distributed processing systems
Disclosed are a method, information processing system, and computer program storage product for managing Resource Description Framework (“RDF”) graphs in a distributed system. At least one modification request for modifying an RDF graph in a shared data store is received. The modification request includes a query set, an expected result set, and a change set associated. The query set is a set of preconditions for guaranteeing a state of the RDF graph before executing the change set. The expected result set is results expected by the query. The change set is at least one statement that changes data elements in the RDF graph. The query is applied to the RDF graph at the shared data store. A result of the query is analyzed. A transaction request, which includes the change set, associated with the modification request is sent to a server information processing system communicatively coupled to the shared data storage.
US08364673B2 System and method for dynamically and interactively searching media data
Systems and methods for searching a database of media content wherein the user can dynamically and interactively perform searches and navigate search results. One or more search anchors are received, and at least one of the search anchors is associated with an anchor cell on a navigation map. One or more documents assigned to at least one cell on the navigation map can be determined, and the cells are populated with search results based at least in part on the search anchors. At least one of the documents is then displayed to a user.
US08364672B2 Concept disambiguation via search engine search results
Concept disambiguation is provided for search queries by analyzing search results in conjunction with an ontology of concepts. An ontology of concepts is identified, and at least one document is associated with each concept. The document associated with a concept is representative of the concept and used to generate a concept signature. When a search query is received, it is processed to obtain search results. The search results are used to generate a search results signature, which is compared to the concept signatures to identify one or more concepts that are relevant to the search query.
US08364665B2 Directional expression-based scientific information knowledge management
The present invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for capturing, integrating, organizing, navigating and querying large-scale data from high-throughput biological and chemical assay platforms. It provides a highly efficient meta-analysis infrastructure for performing research queries across a large number of studies and experiments from different biological and chemical assays, data types and organisms, as well as systems to build and add to such an infrastructure. In particular, aspects of the invention relate to integrating, organizing, navigating and querying “directional” data, such as gene expression profiles.
US08364660B2 Apparatus and software system for and method of performing a visual-relevance-rank subsequent search
A method analyzes the visual content of media such as videos for collecting together visually-similar appearances in their constituent images (e.g. same scenes, same objects, faces of the same people.) As a result, the most relevant and salient (of clearest and largest presence) visual appearances depicted in the videos are presented to the user, both for the sake of summarizing the video content for the users to “see before they watch” (that is, judge by the depicted video content in a filmstrip-like summary whether they want to mouse-click on the video and actually spend time watching it), as well as for allowing to users to further refine their video search result set according to the most relevant and salient video content returned (e.g. largest screen-time faces).
US08364653B2 Triggering server state changes with references
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for triggering server state change using references. A method includes receiving a request to change a state of the server system, interpreting the request to determine which property is indicated by the reference, computing a value for the property, and using the value to change the state of the server system in accordance with the request. In that method, the request is received at a first program residing at a server system, the request is from a second program residing at a client system, and the request includes a reference to a property.
US08364649B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating synchronization of a wireless device
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates synchronization of a wireless device, such as a portable mobile station. The wireless device is positioned at a support dock, such as a charging cradle of a charging assembly. Positioning of the wireless device at the support dock is detected, such a through detection of application of charging current to the wireless device. Detection of the positioning causes automatic initiation of synchronization operations. Synchronization operations are initiated and then carried out.
US08364641B2 Method and system for deduplicating data
Methods, computer systems, and computer program products for deduplicating data in a computing environment are provided. A sequence of data is received. The sequence of data is formatted for back-up such that an order of the sequence of data is different than the order of an input sequence of the data. The sequence of data is stored in the same order as the input sequence of the data.
US08364637B2 File transmission system and file management method thereof
A file transmission system and a file management method thereof that is capable, when files are transmitted between devices, of allowing the user to determine whether to download a file having a delete history, among those files, so that an undesired file is not transmitted. The file transmission system includes a host device to provide content files, a user device connected to the host device, the user device receiving the content files provided from the host device, and a controller to search for a delete history of a file to be transmitted from the host device to the user device and determine whether to transmit the file to be transmitted, if the file to be transmitted has the delete history. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently manage files having delete histories.
US08364633B2 Distributed computing systems and system components thereof
In one embodiment of the present invention, a replicated state machine comprises a proposal manager, an agreement manager, a collision/back-off timer and a storage reclaimer. The proposal manager facilitates management of proposals issued by a node of a distributed application for enabling coordinated execution of the proposals by all other nodes of the distributed application. The agreement manager facilitates agreement on the proposals. The collision/back-off timer precludes repeated pre-emptions of rounds in attempting to achieve agreement on the proposals. The storage reclaimer reclaims persistent storage utilized for storing at least one of proposal agreements and the proposals.
US08364631B1 Database migration
A technique for converting a first version of a database to a second version is disclosed. The technique includes determining available translation steps, selecting a translation path from the first version of the database to the second version, and executing the selected translation steps in the translation path. The translation path includes selected translation steps from among the available translation steps.
US08364625B2 Mainframe-based business rules engine construction tool
In various embodiments, a programmable apparatus for use in a computing environment is provided. The apparatus may include a business rules engine having at least one rule executable by a mainframe system and stored based on an extensible language; and, a business rules engine builder interface configured to access the business rules engine and which permits user selection from among different rules collections in the business rules engine.
US08364623B1 Computer systems management using mind map techniques
A method for computer systems management using mind map techniques comprises receiving a request to generate a graphical summarization of relationships of a particular entity associated with an information technology (IT) infrastructure with other entities associated with the infrastructure, and generating a graphical representation of the particular entity and its relationships as a mind map comprising a plurality of linked nodes. The network of nodes may include a primary node representing the particular entity, a first link from the primary node to a first sub-network of nodes representing a first relationship, and a second link from the primary node to a second sub-network of nodes representing a second relationship.
US08364622B1 Determining traits from sample events
Various aspects provide for receiving data associated with a plurality of samples. A sample generally includes data associated with one or more events. One or more traits may be determined, where a trait may be a set of or associated with one or more events. Generally, events included in a trait may be correlated (including anti-correlated) in some way. A trait may be associated with a sample, and the association may be recorded, an action may be triggered, and/or a user may be notified.
US08364609B2 Optimization of microgrid energy use and distribution
An energy distribution may include a server and one or more databases. The system may communicate with an energy provider to receive energy provider data, at least one information collector to receive information collector data such as individualized energy usage data, customer preferences, and customer or location characteristics, and the one or more databases for receiving data for optimization. The system may calculate a cost of service or avoided cost using at least one of the individualized energy usage data and a system generation cost at a nearest bus. The system may also forecast individualized demand by end-use, individualized demand by location, energy prices, or energy costs. The system may optimize energy distribution, energy use, cost of service, or avoided cost using the forecasted individualized demand by end-use, the forecasted individualized demand by location, the forecasted energy prices, and the forecasted energy costs.
US08364607B2 Shipment flow validation systems and methods
According to various embodiments, a flow validation system models distribution flows of a consignor's packages from each of one or more hubs within a carrier's shipping network. The flow validation system allows the carrier and/or the consignor to identify at least one optimal hub within the carrier's shipping network to which packages destined for a particular geographical area (e.g., three-digit ZIP code) should be shipped from their origin and from which the packages should be distributed through the carrier's general shipping network to their respective destinations. According to various embodiments, the optimal hub (or hubs) for packages destined for a particular geographical area may be identified based on the number of days expected to transport the packages from the origin to the particular geographical area via the optimal hub (least “time-in-transit”) and/or the distance (or range of distances) between the optimal hub and the particular geographical area.
US08364603B2 On-line dispute resolution for e-commerce disputes
A system, software and method for electronically adjudicating a dispute includes selecting an electronic dispute adjudication level from multiple levels providing various extents of procedural options involved in the adjudicating of the dispute, and electronically processing the adjudicating of the dispute in accordance with the selected level. The multiple levels preferably include successive levels providing enhanced procedural options to parties involved in the dispute. The successive levels may correspond to increasing amounts in dispute and/or may be selected by one or more parties involved in the dispute.
US08364598B2 Use of software update policies
A portable device may be roamed from one host to another. In one example, the portable device stores software that is to be executed by a host. The host may maintain a policy that governs which software may be executed on the host. When the portable device is connected to a host, the host checks the software version installed on the guest to determine whether that software version is compatible with the host's policy. If the guest's software does not comply with the host's policy, then the host installs a compatible version. If the guest's version complies with the policy and is newer than the host's version, then the host copies the guest's version to the host and propagates it to other guests. In this way, newer versions of software propagate between hosts and guests, while also respecting specific execution policies of the various hosts.
US08364592B2 Method and system for conducting transactions with oligopolistic entities
A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction is provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer. A method for encouraging use of electronic payment methods is also disclosed, wherein an oligopolistic entity and a group of business consumers in an industry vertical are identified based on sales information, and an economic incentive is provided to the oligopolistic business entity after it agrees to accept electronic payment transactions for conducting business with the group of business consumers.
US08364591B2 Track data mapping system for processing of payment transaction data
Systems and associated apparatuses and methods for processing payment transactions. A merchant's data processing system may provide payment transaction data in a first format (e.g., Track 1) to a payment processing network. The payment processing network may determine the issuer to which the data will be provided as part of a process for authorizing the payment transaction. It is determined if the issuer is one that is expecting or requires that the data be provided in a second format (e.g., Track 2). If the issuer is one that is expecting or requires that the transaction data be supplied in the second format, then it is determined if the issuer is enrolled in the appropriate data mapping service. If the issuer is enrolled in the data mapping service, then the inventive system performs the data mapping processes needed to provide the data in the second format to the issuer. The issuer may then use the received data to determine whether to authorize the payment transaction.
US08364589B2 Method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal
A method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal makes use of computer hardware and software that allows a financial institution cardholder to authorize a recipient to withdraw a specified amount of cash at an ATM of the particular financial institution. The cardholder can set up the transaction, for example, from any telephone using an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or by utilizing the application at a financial institution ATM, or by using an Internet website application. The originator can set up the recipient's ATM transaction to be either cardless or card-initiated.
US08364582B2 Credit score and scorecard development
Share of Wallet (“SOW”) is a modeling approach that utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a consumers spending capability, tradeline history including balance transfers, and balance information. These outputs can be appended to data profiles of customers and prospects and can be utilized to support decisions involving prospecting, new applicant evaluation, and customer management across the lifecycle. The outputs can be used as attributes to consider in developing a credit bureau scorecard.
US08364581B2 System and method for providing time to cure negative balances in financial accounts while encouraging rapid curing of those balances to a positive net position
A computer implemented method and system for providing financial services are described. The system and method include determining an account balance for a financial account. If the account balance is negative, notice of the negative balance is sent to the account holder in real time. After a predetermined period of time or grace period, and/or by a predetermined end time or cut-off date or time, it is determined whether the negative balance was cured. If the negative balance was not cured during the grace period, an overdraft fee is assessed to the financial account. If the negative balance was cured during the grace period, any assessed overdraft fee for the negative balance is rebated or reversed.
US08364580B2 Independent research consensus earnings estimates and methods of determining such
Apparatus and methods are described for correlating business relationships and issuing earnings estimates. According to the present invention, an earnings estimate can be generated for a company as it compares to a consensus estimate, or other rating aggregate, along with an indication of an investment banking relationship or other business relationship that the entity providing the estimate has had with the company. In addition to a consensus estimate that may be based upon current and previous analyst earnings estimates, operating actuals, expected reporting dates, footnotes and company-issued guidelines, indications of investment banking relationships and a consensus estimate is provided that excludes input from banks conducting business with the company. The present invention can also include suggested actions that can be taken based upon data relating to an investment banking relationship, an earnings estimate and/or a consensus earnings estimate that excludes input from banks with substantial business relationships with the company.
US08364579B2 Online system for fulfilling loan applications from loan originators
A loan submission and processing system, methods, apparatus and computer program products. One example method includes receiving user specified input relating to a loan application, storing the user specified input in a loan application file, determining a partner system that is to receive data related to the electronic loan application including dynamically determining a format and contents required to present a service request to the partner system for processing by the partner system, dynamically formatting the user specified input and any other required content into a service request, the service request compatible with the partner system and including the user specified data and the other required content and transmitting the service request to the partner system.
US08364577B2 Method, apparatus and system for advancing a bidder to a selected rank
Techniques for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank in an electronic auction are disclosed. In response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function by a first bidder, a new bid for the first bidder is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank in the electronic auction. The new bid is automatically submitted to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.
US08364576B2 Tradable investment unit
A tradable investment unit is an inseparable combination of a predetermined quantity of a tradable security together with a put option contract for the predetermined quantity of the tradable security. The combination will specify the minimum price and thereby the maximum potential loss of the tradable investment unit to purchasers. The profit potential will be unlimited as the price of the tradable security increases above the cost of the tradable investment unit.
US08364574B1 Call for quote/price system and methods for use in a wholesale financial market
An electronic trading system and associated methods that provide for anonymous pricing data while ensuring the integrity of the system by preventing it from being used for price discovery information only. Methods are included to police the dealers requesting price information and clear rules are implemented to reward the dealer offering the best price. Dealers request price information by submitting an open (not anonymous) request to a broker for a price on an amount of a security or financial instrument, referred to herein as a “Price-For-Call,” which results in an anonymous RFQ being sent to a group of other dealers. If more than one dealer in the group responds with a price, only the best price (bid or offer or both) is returned to the requesting dealer and only the dealer offering the best price is rewarded with knowledge of the price information by virtue of the fact that his price traded.
US08364572B2 Method and system for evaluating pricing of assets
Methods are provided for detecting price manipulation in assets by receiving data indicating returns on an asset, generating a histogram of returns data, determining a first area under a curve of the histogram in a first interval, determining a second area under the curve of the histogram in a second interval; and calculating a bias ratio which comprises a ratio based on the first area and the second area.
US08364571B1 Method of and system for trading of synthetic assets
A method of and system for trading of synthetic assets is disclosed. A plurality of fractional interests in a synthetic asset are created, and the plurality of fractional interests are designated as IPO fractional interests. An initial price of the plurality of fractional interests is determined, and the plurality of fractional interests are made available in a primary market. A first user indicates a desire to acquire at least one of the plurality of fractional interests and provides funds. The fractional interests are transferred to an account associated with the first user and a portion of the funds are designated as reserved funds. A second user submits a request indicating a desire to acquire at least one of the plurality of fractional interests. The reserved funds of the first user are as free funds of the first user, and free funds of the second user are transferred to the first user. The fractional interests of the first user are transferred to the second user.
US08364566B2 Method for managing group finances via an electronic network
The present invention provides a method of managing group finances via an electronic network. Transaction details are received from a member of group via an electronic network. The transaction details preferably include a shared expense containing an expense amount and at least one group member responsible for the expense. The transaction details are then assigned to the group and a payment specified-by the-transaction-details is allocated-among-group members-of-the-group. The method is repeated for a plurality of transactions. The finances of the group may also be balanced using accounting mathematics. Furthermore, an original expense value may be rounded up to a new expense value having a predefined number of decimal places, and a difference distributed between the new expense value and the original expense value to a third party.
US08364564B2 Method for usage billing in an internet environment
The invention presents a novel and efficient method of facilitating accurate usage billing. In a multi-user service provider environment, using weighted records of web-server usage to determine each user's bill for services is provided. The invention provides for billing with a minimal amount of overhead on the web host, which will benefit the web host's profit margin. The invention utilizes three pieces of information to compute the amount of usage. The weights that are associated with the functions are determined in order to score the system resource utilization of the respective functions. The weights need to be determined only once during the entire life cycle of the application, and may be based on empirical data or determined through lab tests. The weight can be stored in a static file.
US08364560B2 User segmentation for listings in online publications
A method and a system segmenting a user viewing listings in online publications to render the listing according to a rule received from a seller. For example, the system receives one or more listings submitted by a seller. The listing comprises one or more modifiable parameters. The system also receives a rule from the seller, the rule associated with a first listing of the one or more listings. A profile is associated with a user based on data collected about the user. The first listing is rendered to the user based on the profile associated with the user and the rule by modifying the one or more parameters.
US08364546B2 Restroom convenience center
A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.
US08364543B2 Weight detection for cashier checkout terminals
Weight detection mechanisms for cashier checkout terminal are provided. When a transaction by a customer concludes at a cashier checkout terminal, a check is made to determine if a product was left behind on a baggage unit associated with the cashier checkout terminal. When excess weight is detected on the baggage unit at the conclusion of the transaction, one or more alerts are generated to raise awareness with the customer that the product has not been retrieved by the customer from the baggage unit.
US08364530B2 Methods and apparatus for presenting personalized information to consumers in a retail environment
Methods and apparatus are provided for presenting personalized information to consumers in a retail environment. A personalized price is determined for at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The physical proximity may be determined, for example, by evaluating identifiers, such as RFID tags, associated with each customer and product. A personalized message can be also presented to a customer regarding at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The personalized message can provide, for example, dietary or safety information relevant to the customer and at least one product in the proximity of the customer. The personalized information may be determined based on one or more personalized message rules.
US08364525B2 Using clicked slate driven click-through rate estimates in sponsored search
A computer-implemented method and system for selecting a subject advertisement in a sponsored search system based on a user's commercial intent (pertaining to the subject advertisement), using techniques for determining intent-driven clicks from a historical database. The method includes steps for aggregating a training model dataset wherein the training model dataset contains a selected history of clicks. Then, selecting from the training model dataset, a clicked slate (further selection of clicks), the clicked slate comprising a set of clicked ads, and calculating an intent-driven click feedback value for the subject advertisement. The method includes techniques for selecting a clicked slate using features corresponding to clicks received within a particular time period (the time period determined statically or dynamically). A system for implementing the method includes aggregating data from a historical database using selectors such as a position selector, a click feature selector, an impression-advertiser-campaign-creative selector, and a commercial intent selector.
US08364520B1 Method for measuring effectiveness of sampling activity and providing pre-market product feedback
There is disclosed herein an improved method for measuring the effectiveness of a sampling event, particularly correlating a product sampling event with the consumer's purchase of a corresponding purchasable product. Preferably, a product sample terminal is employed to identify a consumer, dispense a product sample to the consumer, store data pertaining to the product sampling event, and correlate the consumer's purchase of a corresponding or complimentary product for determining whether the product sampling event converted the event into the consumer's purchasing decisions. Additionally disclosed is a method for soliciting, aggregating, and processing consumer preferences pertaining to product attributes for informing investment decisions with regard to product development.
US08364519B1 Apparatus, system and method for processing, analyzing or displaying data related to performance metrics
A method of determining a set of future actions includes providing an interface to a user, the interface including an adjustable element associated with a future value of an influencer. The influencer is associated with an action. The method further includes receiving via the interface an adjusted future value of the influencer, projecting a future value of a performance indicator based at least in part on the adjusted future value of the influencer, and providing a results interface to the user indicative of the future value of the performance indicator.
US08364499B2 Medical information validation system
A system uses clinical data to help identify incorrect demographic information (such as gender or age) of a patient that may cause an erroneous critical or abnormal indication in medical tests and uses results of a clinical test to indicate possible demographic errors and various methods to modify a workflow to incorporate alternative tasks or to request verification of specific demographic facts. A system for validating patient medical information includes an input processor for receiving a laboratory test result value of a particular patient. A data processor automatically compares the received laboratory test result value with a predetermined normal value range for a patient having demographic characteristics of the particular patient, and compares the received laboratory test result value with a predetermined normal value range for a patient having different demographic characteristics than the particular patient. A communication processor initiates generation of an indication to a user indicating stored demographic information of the particular patient may be inaccurate.
US08364498B2 Healthcare claim and remittance processing system and associated method
A system for processing healthcare claims and remittances comprises a database and an electronic portal. The database contains previously received healthcare claims from a plurality of healthcare providers and previously received remittances from a plurality of payers. The electronic portal, connected to the database, receives a healthcare claim from a provider or a remittance from a payer, and splits the received claim or remittance into a plurality of data elements. The portal assigns a unique identifier and a shared identifier to each of the data elements of the received claim or remittance. The portal performs a duplicate claim edit and/or a third party liability edit on the received claim, or performs a duplicate remittance edit an/or a third party payment edit on the received remittance. Based on the result of the edits, the portal submits the received claim to a payer or submits the received remittance to a provider.
US08364496B2 Signal recording and reproducing apparatus and method
A signal recording and reproducing apparatus includes an encoder encoding an input signal to produce a first group of encoded data, and a second group of encoded data used for reproducing a signal of higher quality than a signal resulting from decoding of the first group of encoded data, a recording unit recording record-data, including the first group and the second group of encoded data, into a recording medium, a reproducing unit reproducing the record-data from the recording medium, a decoder decoding at least the first group of encoded data out of the record-data from the reproducing unit, and a controller controlling an operation of each part of the recording and reproducing apparatus, and the controller performs control so as to cause the recording unit to erase the second group of encoded data according to a command to increase the amount of free storage capacity of the recording medium.
US08364495B2 Voice encoding device, voice decoding device, and methods therefor
An encoding device capable of realizing a scalable CODEC of a high performance. In this encoding device, an LPC analyzing unit (551) analyzes an input voice (301) efficiently with a synthesized LPC parameter obtained from a core decoder (305), to acquire an encoded LPC coefficient. An adaptive code note (552) is stored with its sound source codes, as acquired from the core decoder (305). The adaptive code note (552) and a stochastic code note (553) send sound source samples to a gain adjusting unit (554). This gain adjusting unit (554) multiplies the individual sound source samples by an amplification based on the gain parameters acquired from the core decoder (305), and then adds the products to acquire sound source vectors. These vectors are sent to an LPC synthesizing unit (555). This LPC synthesizing unit (555) filters the sound source vectors acquired at the gain adjusting unit (554), with the LPC parameter, to acquire a synthetic signal.
US08364489B2 Method and system for speech based document history tracking
A method and a system of history tracking corrections in a speech based document. The speech based document comprises one or more sections of text recognized or transcribed from sections of speech, wherein the sections of speech are dictated by a user and processed by a speech recognizer in a speech recognition system into corresponding sections of text of the speech based document. The method comprises associating at least one speech attribute to each section of text in the speech based document, said speech attribute comprising information related to said section of text, respectively; presenting said speech based document on a presenting unit; detecting an action being performed within any of said sections of text; and updating information of said speech attributes related to the kind of action detected on one of said sections of text for updating said speech based document.
US08364485B2 Method for automatically identifying sentence boundaries in noisy conversational data
Sentence boundaries in noisy conversational transcription data are automatically identified. Noise and transcription symbols are removed, and a training set is formed with sentence boundaries marked based on long silences or on manual markings in the transcribed data. Frequencies of head and tail n-grams that occur at the beginning and ending of sentences are determined from the training set. N-grams that occur a significant number of times in the middle of sentences in relation to their occurrences at the beginning or ending of sentences are filtered out. A boundary is marked before every head n-gram and after every tail n-gram occurring in the conversational data and remaining after filtering. Turns are identified. A boundary is marked after each turn, unless the turn ends with an impermissible tail word or is an incomplete turn. The marked boundaries in the conversational data identify sentence boundaries.
US08364479B2 System for speech signal enhancement in a noisy environment through corrective adjustment of spectral noise power density estimations
A system estimates the spectral noise power density of an audio signal includes a spectral noise power density estimation unit, a correction term processor, and a combination processor. The spectral noise power density estimation unit may provide a first estimate of the spectral noise power density of the audio signal. The correction term processor may provide a time dependent correction term based, at least in part, on a spectral noise power density estimation error of the actual spectral noise power density. The correction term may be determined so that the spectral noise power density estimation error is reduced. The combination processor may combine the first estimate with the correction term to obtain a second estimate of the spectral noise power density that may be used for subsequent signal processing to enhance a desired signal component of the audio signal.
US08364474B2 Signal encoding device and signal encoding method, signal decoding device and signal decoding method, program, and recording medium
A signal encoding device for encoding an input time-series signal includes: partitioning means; low-frequency encoding means; high-frequency gain information generating means; low-frequency reference value information generating means; high-frequency gain difference information generating means; high-frequency gain difference information encoding means; and multiplexing means.
US08364473B2 Method and apparatus for receiving an encoded speech signal based on codebooks
A method and apparatus for processing speech in a wireless communication system uses CELP speech encoded signals. A decoder receives encoded speech including a code index, a code index gain, a pitch lag, a pitch gain, and a line spectral pair (LSP) index. An innovation codevector and an adaptive codevector are determined and scaled. An excitation sequence is generated. Reconstructed speech is then output based on the excitation sequence and LSP index.
US08364470B2 Text analysis method for finding acronyms
A list of reference terms can be provided. Text and the list of reference terms can be broken down into tokens. At least one candidate can be generated in the text for mapping to at least one of the reference terms. Characters of the candidate can be compared to characters of the reference term according to one or more mapping rules. A confidence value of the mapping can be generated based on the comparison of characters. Candidates can be ranked according to their confidence value.
US08364469B2 Natural language enhanced user interface in a business rule management system
Some embodiments of a natural language enhanced user interface in a business rule management system have been presented. In one embodiment, one or more rule templates in a natural language are generated from one or more prefabricated sentences. Then a user interface is created using the one or more rule templates to allow a user to compose rules for a business rule management system.
US08364464B2 Flexible display translation
A user interface for displaying source data and a translated copy of a segment of the source data is provided. The user interface includes a first display portion for displaying at least a subset of the source data on the display. The user interface includes a second display portion for displaying a translated copy of a selected segment of source data on the display.
US08364462B2 Cross lingual location search
A cross-lingual location search uses a combination of translation and transliteration of query tokens to develop a set of candidate matches for further searching. A query is broken up into individual tokens (e.g. address parts) and a list of transliterations and/or translations for each token is developed. The translated and transliterated results are keyed against a spatial database using both literal database keys and transliterated database keys. Matches from the resulting searches are selected when a spatial overlap, or constraint, occurs among subsequences of the query tokens.
US08364460B2 Systems and methods for analyzing performance of virtual environments
Intelligent monitoring systems and methods for virtual environments are disclosed that understand various components of a virtual infrastructure and how the components interact to provide improved performance analysis to users. In certain examples, a monitoring system assesses the performance of virtual machine(s) in the context of the overall performance of the physical server(s) and the environment in which the virtual machine(s) are running. For instance, the monitoring system can track performance metrics over a determined period of time to view changes to the allocation of resources to virtual machines and their location(s) on physical platforms. Moreover, monitoring systems can utilize past performance information from separate virtual environments to project a performance impact resulting from the migration of a virtual machine from one physical platform to another.
US08364451B2 Process for producing sandwich structures with particulate material pattern
The present invention is concerned with a process for forming a very well defined pattern of particulate material in a composite material comprising a web material and particulate absorbent material. The present invention relates also to a method for determining the equipment design and process parameter for such a process. In a particular application, the present invention provides a process for preparing liquid absorbent structures, such as may be useful for disposable absorbent articles.
US08364450B2 Multi-objective optimization design support apparatus and method
An embodiment relates to a multi-objective optimization design supporting technique to reduces the computational complexity of QE/CAD. When the input logical expression generated by a logical-expression-with-qualifier generation unit is satisfied in regard to the sample point included in a certain piece of cell information for each value of the same design parameter, a first cell processing unit does not evaluate the input logical expression on the cell information including other sample points having a value equal to or smaller than the value of a predetermined design variable (for example, a design variable indicating a yield) corresponding to the sample point above, but selects it as the cell information for an output of a logical expression without a qualifier.
US08364439B2 System and method for detection of concealed cargo in a vehicle by center of mass measurement
A system and computer-implemented method for detecting concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in a vehicle includes obtaining weight distribution data for the vehicle; obtaining vehicle loading data; measuring a center of mass of the vehicle to obtain an actual center of mass position of the vehicle; and executing one or more computer program modules configured to determined a predicted center of mass position of the vehicle using the obtained vehicle loading data and the obtained weight distribution data of the vehicle; compare the actual center of mass position of the vehicle with the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle; and provide a signal if the actual center of mass position of the vehicle departs from the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle by at least a predetermined threshold, the signal being representative of concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in the vehicle.
US08364438B2 Methods, systems, and formats for data, such as data used in laser projection of fasteners used in manufacturing
A system and method provides data for a laser projection process used in manufacturing involving fasteners. For example, the laser projection process may include projecting a laser image associated with fasteners used to assemble objects. Fastener attribute data may be extracted from an engineer's design data and processed to generate a laser projection output file. This output file may include geometric data used to project a laser image associated with the fasteners. For example, this image may be an outline indicating the location, shape, and orientation of a fastener. The output file may also include non-geometric data associated with attributes of the objects to be assembled. Both the geometric and the non-geometric data can then be displayed in a user interface, such as a display screen of a laser projector control device, in addition to the display of the laser image in three-dimensional space.
US08364437B2 Mark arrangement inspecting method, mask data, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A method of inspecting a mark arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating mask data in which mark seed data that includes an inspection mark that includes vector information and is not drawn on a mask and mark data is arranged on a scribe line of the mask, calculating coordinates of the inspection mark from a reference position of the mark seed data, detecting an arrangement state of the inspection mark with respect to the reference position by using the coordinates and vector information, and judging whether the mark seed data is correctly arranged by comparing the arrangement state of the inspection mark with an arrangement check rule.
US08364418B2 Software integrated cytometric assay for quantification of the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte FCγRI receptor (CD64)
The invention relates a method of quantifying CD64 and CD163 expression in leukocytes and, specifically to a kit for use with a flow cytometer including a suspension of quantitative fluorescent microbead standards, fluorescent labeled antibodies directed to CD64 and CD163, and analytical software. The software is used to take information on the microbead suspension and fluorescent labeled antibodies from a flow cytometer and analyse data, smooth curves, calculate new parameters, provide quality control measures and notify of expiration of the assay system.