Document	Document Title
US08440629B2	Cyclic receptor-associated protein (RAP) peptides The present invention relates generally to receptor-selective variants of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein (RAP) and compositions thereof, methods of generating such variants and methods of using such receptor-selective RAP variant compositions for therapeutic purposes.
US08440628B2	Medical compositions containing ghrelin It is provided a pharmaceutical composition stably containing ghrelin or its derivative, which is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) to a growth hormone secretagogue-receptor (GHS-R), comprising a aqueous solution containing the ghrelins having pH range of 2 to 7, wherein the aqueous solution having pH range of 2 to 7 is a buffer solution, especially, glycine hydrochloride buffer, acetate buffer, citrate buffer, lactate buffer, phosphate buffer, citric acid-phosphate buffer, phosphate-acetate-borate buffer or phthalate buffer, and the concentration of the ghrelins in the solution is from 0.03 nmol/mL to 6 μmol/mL.
US08440625B2	Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) as chemotherapeutic sensitizers The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use thereof for cancer therapy sensitization. Such compositions comprise functional fragments of the nucleotide and/or polypeptide sequences of a Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC). The compositions can be used in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of cancers.
US08440623B2	Polymer stabilized neuropeptides A substantially hydrophilic conjugate is provided having a peptide that is capable of passing the blood-brain barrier covalently linked to a water-soluble nonpeptidic polymer such as polyethylene glycol. The conjugate exhibits improved solubility and in vivo stability and is capable of passing the blood-brain barrier of an animal.
US08440622B2	Use of gelsolin to treat multiple sclerosis and to diagnose neurologic disease (stossel) The invention relates to the use of gelsolin to treat neurologic diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis) and to the use of gelsolin to diagnose, monitor, and evaluate therapies of neurologic diseases.
US08440615B2	Pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition containing active-principle activators of aconitase A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, and in particular a dermatological one, including, in a physiologically adapted medium, active principles capable of activating aconitase, and methods of using the composition for protection of mitochondria, the skin and the appendages from external aggressions and to combat cutaneous aging. These active principles may be composed of polypeptides or of peptides, used alone or in association with at least one other active principle.
US08440613B2	Controlling diseases caused by trichomonadida The present invention relates to the use of nifurtimox for the treatment of diseases caused by trichomonads, such as, for example, histomoniasis, in particular in turkeys.
US08440612B2	Controlling giardiosis The present invention relates to the use of nifurtimox for the treatment of giardiosis, in particular in dogs and cats.
US08440609B2	Peptides against autoantibodies causing intolerance to cold and use thereof The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding peptides which are directed against autoantibodies associated with cold allergy, to the peptides themselves, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said nucleic acid molecules and peptides, and to the use of said nucleic acid molecules and peptides for the treatment of circulatory disorders associated with exposure to cold or intolerance to cold, especially cold allergies.
US08440605B2	Process for making a cleaning composition employing direct incorporation of concentrated surfactants The proposed process of the present application passes a concentrated surfactant in a lamellar phase though a high-shear device diluting the concentrated surfactant in a lamellar phase to an isotropic phase without encountering the highly viscous middle phase.
US08440597B2	Graphite-containing high-temperature lubricant for high-grade steels and carbon steels The present invention concerns a high-temperature lubricant for the hot shaping of high-grade and carbon steels, which has a content of graphite, organic blowing agent and inorganic separation agent, and the use thereof. In order to provide a high-temperature lubricant which can be used for a wide range of steel qualities for different wall thicknesses to be rolled and stretching effects and which is moreover stable in respect of temperature, provides constant rolling results upon a change in the wall thickness and/or the quality of steel and does not lead to unwanted cementation of the rolled material,za the high-temperature lubricant according to the invention contains at least the following constituents in percent by weight with respect to the solids content: (a) 40 to 90% by weight graphite, (b) 2 to 50% by weight organic blowing agent, and (c) 5 to 50% by weight inorganic separation agent, wherein the organic blowing agent (b) is selected from the group consisting of melamine, melam, melem, melon, phosphate salts and polyphosphate salts of the aforesaid compounds with phosphate chain lengths in the region of n=1 to 1000, reaction products and adducts of the aforesaid compounds with cyanuric acid or isocyanuric acid, and mixtures of the aforesaid, and the inorganic separation agent (c) is a sheet silicate or a mixture of sheet silicates.
US08440595B2	Fungicides Fungicidal compounds of the general formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1.
US08440593B2	Herbicidal formulations for triethanolamine salts of glyphosate A high strength herbicidal composition including water; glyphosate, predominantly in the form of a combination of triethanolamine salt and potassium salt in solution in the water in an amount of about 350 grams or greater of acid equivalent per liter of the composition wherein the composition is formulated to include triethanolamine in an amount to form a salt with about 10% or greater, by weight, of total glyphosate and to include potassium in an amount to form a salt with a percentage of total glyphosate so that the combined sum of glyphosate in triethanolamine and potassium salts is more than 50% of total glyphosate; and optionally, one or more surfactants and/or one or more humectants.
US08440590B2	Method for controlling soybean rust A method for controlling asian soybean rust comprising (α) applying a pesticidal composition (A) to a glyphosate tolerant soybean plant propagation material, and (β) applying a pesticidal composition (B) to the resulting soybean plant, part of plant and/or the locus thereof one or more times: i) before emergence, ii) after emergence, or iii) both (i) and (ii), provided that composition (A) comprises one or more of flutriafol, triticonazole, tebuconazole, ipconazole, epoxyconazole, orysastrobin, prothioconazole fluoxastrobin, azoxystrobin, furametpyr, cyproconazole, a compound of formula (I) and a compound of formula (B), and pesticide composition (B) comprises glyphosate; wherein compound (I) is represented by or a tautomer of such a compound, and compound (B) is represented by formula or a tautomer of such a compound.
US08440588B2	Creating background colors on thermal printing material A dye resin ink application process using flexographic printing, flood coating, tinting, or other suitable technique or process to add a color layer on top of a thermal ink layer of a material. The color layer provides a background color, such that upon application of the heat source, the thermal image appears as being imaged onto the background color. The process can be used to make heat-sensitive direct thermal labels or thermal paper rolls, including cash register-type rolls, poster printer format rolls, etc. The process permits thermal-inked material to be produced in various colors in relatively small print runs using conventional equipment.
US08440584B1	Methods for decontamination of powders Provided herein are methods and apparatus to remove unwanted elements in commercial powders, and particularly in commercial powders that include one or more of a crystalline ceramic oxide. The methods involve treating powders in reduced pressure atmosphere, such as a vacuum, with or without heating, for a period of time sufficient to remove impurities. Impurities and contaminants, including anionic species, are removed from the powders without any undesirable changes in the physical characteristics of the starting material, such as particle size and particle size distribution, surface area, and volume, for example. The resulting purified powder starting material can be consolidated without the need for any sintering aids such as LiF to produce nearly colorless, extremely transparent polycrystalline articles that approach identical properties and performance of single crystal spinels.
US08440581B2	Systems and methods for non-periodic pulse sequential lateral solidification The disclosed systems and method for non-periodic pulse sequential lateral solidification relate to processing a thin film. The method for processing a thin film, while advancing a thin film in a selected direction, includes irradiating a first region of the thin film with a first laser pulse and a second laser pulse and irradiating a second region of the thin film with a third laser pulse and a fourth laser pulse, wherein the time interval between the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse is less than half the time interval between the first laser pulse and the third laser pulse. In some embodiments, each pulse provides a shaped beam and has a fluence that is sufficient to melt the thin film throughout its thickness to form molten zones that laterally crystallize upon cooling. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are spaced a distance apart.
US08440579B2	Re-establishing surface characteristics of sensitive low-k dielectrics in microstructure device by using an in situ surface modification Patterning-induced damage of sensitive low-k dielectric materials in semiconductors devices may be restored to a certain degree on the basis of a surface treatment that is performed prior to exposing the device to ambient atmosphere. To this end, the dangling silicon bonds of the silicon oxide-based low-k dielectric material may be saturated in a confined process environment, thereby providing superior surface conditions for the subsequent application of an appropriate repair chemistry.
US08440578B2	GCIB process for reducing interfacial roughness following pre-amorphization A method for amorphizing a layer on a substrate is described. In one embodiment, the method includes treating the substrate with a first gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) using a first beam energy selected to yield an amorphous sub-layer within the substrate of a desired thickness, which produces a first interfacial roughness of an amorphous-crystal interface between the amorphous sub-layer and a crystalline sub-layer of the substrate. The method further includes treating the substrate with a second GCIB using a second beam energy, less than the first beam energy, to reduce the first interfacial roughness of the amorphous-crystal interface to a second interfacial roughness.
US08440574B2	Post chromium alloy plasma etch ashing process A method for ashing hardened resist from a photoresist patterned chromium alloy post etch using a plasma ashing chemistry which contains no gaseous source of hydrogen and contains a gaseous source of oxygen and a gaseous source of nitrogen with an oxygen to nitrogen atomic ratio of at least 5.
US08440570B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device The invention defines a pillar pattern or an island pattern by forming a contact hole and filling the contact hole with a hard mask material by using a spacer formation process, so that the mask pattern formation process margin for island (e.g., pillar) pattern formation is increased. Accordingly, the yield and reliability of the formation process of a semiconductor device are improved.
US08440565B2	Semiconductor apparatus manufacturing method and semiconductor apparatus There is provided a method of manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus, including: forming through-hole which penetrates a semiconductor substrate at a point that corresponds to a location of an electrode pad; forming an insulating film on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, including the interior of the through-hole; forming an adhesion securing layer from a metal or an inorganic insulator on a surface of the insulating film at least in an opening portion of the through-hole; forming a resist layer to serve as a mask in bottom etching on the adhesion securing layer; performing bottom etching to expose the electrode pad; removing the resist layer to obtain the insulating film free of surface irregularities that would otherwise have been created by bottom etching; forming a barrier layer, a seed layer, and a conductive layer by a low-temperature process; and performing patterning.
US08440562B2	Germanium-containing dielectric barrier for low-K process A semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; a conductive wiring in the first dielectric layer; and a copper germanide nitride layer over the conductive wiring.
US08440560B2	Method for fabricating tungsten line and method for fabricating gate of semiconductor device using the same A method for fabricating a tungsten (W) line includes forming a silicon-containing layer, forming a diffusion barrier layer over the silicon-containing layer, forming a tungsten layer over the diffusion barrier layer, and performing a thermal treatment process on the tungsten layer to increase a grain size of the tungsten layer.
US08440558B2	Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same There is provided a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method comprises: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a transistor structure on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the transistor structure comprises a gate region and a source/drain region, and the gate region comprises a gate dielectric layer provided on the semiconductor substrate and a sacrificial gate formed on the gate dielectric layer; depositing a first interlayer dielectric layer, and planarizing the first interlayer dielectric layer to expose the sacrificial gate; removing the sacrificial gate to form a replacement gate hole; forming first contact holes at positions corresponding to the source/drain region in the first interlayer dielectric layer; and filling a first conductive material in the first contact holes and the replacement gate hole respectively to form first contacts and a replacement gate, wherein the first contacts come into contact with the source/drain region. Thereby, the replacement gate and the first contacts can be made in one same step of depositing the same material, and thus the process flows are simplified.
US08440556B2	Forming conformal metallic platinum zinc films for semiconductor devices Forming conformal platinum-zinc films for semiconductor devices is described. In one example, a conformal film is formed by heating a substrate in a reaction chamber, exposing a desired region of the substrate to a precursor that contains platinum, purging excess precursor from the chamber, exposing the desired region of the substrate to a co-reactant containing zinc to cause a reaction between the precursor and the co-reactant to form a platinum zinc film on the desired region, and purging the chamber of excess reaction by-products.
US08440541B2	Methods for reducing the width of the unbonded region in SOI structures The disclosure relates to preparation of silicon on insulator structures with reduced unbonded regions and to methods for producing such wafers by minimizing the roll-off amount (ROA) of the handle and donor wafers. Methods for polishing wafers are also provided.
US08440536B2	Mask layout and method for forming vertical channel transistor in semiconductor device using the same A method for forming a vertical channel transistor in a semiconductor memory device includes: forming a plurality of pillars over a substrate so that the plurality of pillars are arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and so that each of the pillars has a hard mask pattern thereon; forming an insulation layer to fill a regions between the pillars; forming a mask pattern over a resultant structure including the insulation layer, wherein the mask pattern has openings exposing gaps between each two adjacent pillars in the first direction; etching the insulation layer to a predetermined depth using the mask pattern as an etching barrier to form trenches; and filling the trenches with a conductive material to form word lines extending in the first direction.
US08440526B2	Method of fabricating memory A method of fabricating a memory is provided. A substrate including a memory region and a periphery region is provided. A plurality of first gates is formed in the memory region and a plurality of first openings is formed between the first gates. A nitride layer is formed on the substrate in the memory region, and the nitride layer covers the first gates and the first openings. An oxide layer is formed on the substrate in the periphery region. A nitridization process is performed to nitridize the oxide layer into a nitridized oxide layer. A conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and the conductive layer includes a cover layer disposed on the substrate in the memory region and a plurality of second gates disposed on the substrate in the periphery region. The cover layer covers the nitride layer and fills the first openings.
US08440525B2	Method for obtaining extreme selectivity of metal nitrides and metal oxides Methods for etching metal nitrides and metal oxides include using ultradilute HF solutions and buffered, low-pH HF solutions containing a minimal amount of the hydrofluoric acid species H2F2. The etchant can be used to selectively remove metal nitride layers relative to doped or undoped oxides, tungsten, polysilicon, and titanium nitride. A method is provided for producing an isolated capacitor, which can be used in a dynamic random access memory cell array, on a substrate using sacrificial layers selectively removed to expose outer surfaces of the bottom electrode.
US08440517B2	FinFET and method of fabricating the same The disclosure relates to a fin field effect transistor (FinFET). An exemplary structure for a FinFET comprises a substrate comprising a top surface; a first insulation region and a second insulation region over the substrate top surface comprising tapered top surfaces; a fin of the substrate extending above the substrate top surface between the first and second insulation regions, wherein the fin comprises a recessed portion having a top surface lower than the tapered top surfaces of the first and second insulation regions, wherein the fin comprises a non-recessed portion having a top surface higher than the tapered top surfaces; and a gate stack over the non-recessed portion of the fin.
US08440515B2	Method of forming a field effect transistor In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor includes etching an opening into source/drain area of a semiconductor substrate. The opening has a base comprising semiconductive material. After the etching, insulative material is formed within the opening over the semiconductive material base. The insulative material less than completely fills the opening and has a substantially uniform thickness across the opening. Semiconductive source/drain material is formed within the opening over the insulative material within the opening. A transistor gate is provided operatively proximate the semiconductive source/drain material. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US08440510B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is as follows: forming a gate electrode; forming a first insulating film over the gate electrode; performing halogen doping treatment on the first insulating film so that the first insulating film is supplied with a halogen atom; forming an oxide semiconductor film over the first insulating film so as to overlap with the gate electrode; performing heat treatment on the oxide semiconductor film so that a hydrogen atom is removed in the oxide semiconductor film; performing oxygen doping treatment on the oxide semiconductor film from which the hydrogen atom is removed so that the oxide semiconductor film is supplied with an oxygen atom; performing heat treatment on the oxide semiconductor film to which the oxygen atom is supplied; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film; forming a second insulating film.
US08440504B2	Method for aligning and bonding elements and a device comprising aligned and bonded elements The present invention is related to a method for aligning and bonding a first element (1) and a second element (2), comprising: obtaining a first element (1) having at least one protrusion, the protrusion having a base portion (12) made of a first material and an upper portion (13) made of a second, deformable material, different from the first material; obtaining a second element (2) having a first main surface and second main surface (8) and at least one through-hole between the first and second main surface; placing the first and second element onto each other; receiving in the through-hole of the second element (2) the protrusion of the first element (1), the protrusion being arranged and constructed so as to extend from an opening of the through-hole in the first main surface to a position beyond an opening of the through-hole in the second main surface (8); deforming the deformable portion (13) of the protrusion, such that the deformed portion mechanically fixes the second element (2) on the first element (1).
US08440500B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device comprises a plurality of LED chips (“lateral” or “vertical” conducting) operable to generate light of a first wavelength range and a package for housing the chips. The package comprises: a thermally conducting substrate (copper) on which the LED chips are mounted and a cover having a plurality of through-holes in which each hole corresponds to a respective one of the LED chips. The holes are configured such that when the cover is mounted to the substrate each hole in conjunction with the substrate defines a recess in which a respective chip is housed. Each recess is at least partially filled with a mixture of at least one phosphor material and a transparent material. In a device with “lateral” conducting LED chips a PCB is mounted on the substrate and includes a plurality of through-holes which are configured such that each chip is directly mounted to the substrate. For a device with “vertical” conducting LED chips the LED chips are mounted on a diamond like carbon film.
US08440496B2	Solar cell with conductive material embedded substrate Conductive material grids or lines embedded or partially embedded in a transparent substrate of a solar cell. The grids or lines can have a higher conductivity than the anode or they can have the same conductivity. The grids or lines increase the volume of the anode and, thus decrease sheet resistance of the same.
US08440495B2	Method for reducing crosstalk in image sensors using implant technology The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. A semiconductor substrate having a first-type conductivity is provided. A plurality of sensor elements is formed in the semiconductor substrate. An isolation feature is formed between the plurality of sensor elements. An ion implantation process is performed to form a doped region having the first-type conductivity substantially underlying the isolation feature using at least two different implant energy.
US08440483B2	Method of fabricating array substrate A method of fabricating an array substrate including forming a first metal layer; forming a gate insulating layer and an active layer; forming a second metal layer; forming a gate line, an etch-stopper and a gate electrode by patterning the first and second metal layers; forming an interlayer insulating layer including an opening, wherein the opening corresponds to the etch-stopper such that the opening is divided into first and second semiconductor contact holes respectively exposing both sides of the active layer; forming first and second ohmic contact layers, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a data line, the first and second ohmic contact layers respectively contacting both sides of the active layer through the first and second semiconductor contact holes; removing an exposed portion of the etch-stopper; and forming a pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode.
US08440481B2	Manufacturing method of the electronic component Manufacturing method of an electronic component including connecting one lead of a pair of leads to a surface parallel with a pn connection layer of an electronic element having a structure where the p-type layer and the n-type layer are connected by the pn connection layer provided between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, connecting another lead to another surface parallel with the pn connection layer; and forming a supporting part of the pair of the leads that is connected to and supporting the electronic element, and an electrode part functioning as an electrode, by bending the pair of the leads to an outside.
US08440468B2	Method for amplifying variation of frequency of signal in piezoelectrical biosensor Provided is a method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal in a biosensor that is used for detecting a biomolecule by measuring a change in frequency of an oscillating signal, the change being caused by pressure a biomolecule applies to a piezoelectric substance. The method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal comprises the steps of: (a) applying a sample to a probe being fixed to an upper portion of a substrate of the biosensor to allow a biomolecule in the sample to be bound to the probe; (b) applying protein tagged with a metal particle to the biosensor to allow the protein and the biomolecule to be bound with each other; and (c) applying a metal enhancer to the biosensor to allow the metal enhancer to be bound to the metal particle having been bound to the protein.
US08440465B2	Methods and apparatus for fractionation-based chemical analyses A method for analyzing chemicals includes fractionating a complex sample into at least two sample portions that each include portions of two polypeptides though in different concentration ratios, digesting and performing LC/MS on each of the sample portions, and associating precursor ions observed via LC/MS with their corresponding polypeptide in response to LC/MS-provided intensity data. A set of precursor-ions that has substantially similar intensity ratios in both sample portions is determined to be associated with the same polypeptide.
US08440464B2	Method for evaluation or selection of adiponectin secretion regulator Provided is a method for conveniently and rapidly evaluating or selecting an adiponectin secretion regulator.The method for evaluating or selecting an adiponectin secretion regulator includes the following steps (A) to (C): (A) a step of administering a test substance to an experimental animal; (B) a step of inducing a sleep deprivation in the experimental animal; and (C) a step of measuring blood adiponectin level of the animal, and evaluating change of the blood adiponectin level.
US08440463B2	Predicting renal failure in diabetes patients based on placental growth factor and soluble FLT-1 Disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of developing renal failure or mortality for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus. More specifically, a method is disclosed for predicting the risk of developing renal failure for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus, the method including the steps of determining the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 in a sample of a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus and comparing the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 determined with reference amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1, whereby the risk of developing renal failure is predicted. Also disclosed are diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.
US08440462B2	Use of a hydrogel for the culture of chondrocytes The invention relates to the use of a silanised hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or silanised hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) hydrogel, self-crosslinking as a function of pH, for the three-dimensional ex vivo culture of chondrocytes.
US08440456B2	Nucleic acids of Pichia pastoris and use thereof for recombinant production of proteins The present invention provides the genome sequence of Pichia pastoris and manually curated annotation of protein-coding genes. The invention provides novel nucleic acids, proteins, and related expression vectors useful for genetic engineering of methylotrophic yeast strains, as well as engineered methylotrophic yeast strains particularly Pichia pastsoris, and use thereof for recombinant production of heterologous proteins including glycoproteins suitable for use in mammals including humans.
US08440440B2	Ultrasonic cavitation derived stromal or mesenchymal vascular extracts and cells derived therefrom obtained from adipose tissue and use thereof Methods of treating using adipose tissue using ultrasonic cavitation to dissociate the fat cells and blood vessels contained within adipose tissue and thereby obtain mesenchymal or stromal vascular fractions for use in human subjects are provided. These methods preferably do not include the use of any exogenous dissociating enzymes such as collagenase and result in increased numbers of the cells which constitute the mesenchymal or stromal vascular fractions (about 10-fold greater) than methods which use collagenase to isolate these cells.
US08440433B2	Corynebacterium glutamicum enhanced expression of moaA gene encoding molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis enzyme A and method for producing L-lysine using the same The present invention relates to a microorganism of Corynebacterium ssp. having enhanced expression of gene for encoding molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis enzyme A and a method for producing L-lysine using the same, which has effects on providing the production method of L-lysine using the Corynebacterium strain having enhanced productivity of L-lysine by intensifying expression of the moaA gene for encoding molybdnum cofactor biosynthesis enzyme A.
US08440431B2	TAL effector-mediated DNA modification Materials and methods related to gene targeting (e.g., gene targeting with transcription activator-like effector nucleases; “TALENS”) are provided.
US08440430B2	Modified dicer polypeptide and methods of use thereof A modified Dicer polypeptide is provided, which modified Dicer polypeptide exhibits enhanced catalytic activity. Also provided is a method for producing small regulatory RNAs from a dsRNA, involving contacting a dsRNA with a subject modified Dicer. Small regulatory RNAs produced by a subject method find use in a variety of applications, including research and therapeutic applications.
US08440426B2	Method for production of antimutagenic substance using lactic acid bacterium Disclosed is a method for producing an antimutagenic substance by using a lactic acid bacteria, which can produce the antimutagenic substance in a large quantity in an extremely simple manner and is economically advantageous; particularly a method for producing an antimutagenic substance effective for a carcinogenic substance, particularly a heterocyclic amine (HCA) which is a carcinogenic substance derived from a food, by using a lactic acid bacteria. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an antimutagenic substance by using a lactic acid bacteria, which is characterized by suspending the lactic acid bacteria in a poorly nutrient or nutrient-free medium and leaving the lactic acid bacteria in the medium. Preferably, the poorly nutrient or nutrient-free medium is selected from the group consisting of physiological saline, a phosphate-buffered saline without a calcium or magnesium salt (PBS (−)), a citrate buffer, a distilled water, an ion-exchanged water, a natural water, a well water, a tap water, a mineral-added water, a vitamin-added water, an ion supply beverage for an athlete and the like. More preferably, the lactic acid bacteria is Lactobacillus plantarum strain KK-2503 or Lactobacillus alimentarius strain KN-15.
US08440421B2	Upregulation of integrin linked kinase (ILK) to provide cardioprotective effects Modulation of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway is used to enhance the remodeling process relevant to a wide range of cardiac diseases. More specifically, a process to instigate beneficial human cardiac hypertrophy or for post myocardial infraction (MI) remodeling comprising illiciting an overexpression of ILK, is described. The ILK signaling pathway is also used as a means for cardiac stem cell proliferation and self-renewal.
US08440418B2	Metabolic syndrome and HPA axis biomarkers for major depressive disorder Materials and methods for using combinations of metabolic syndrome and HPA axis biomarkers for monitoring major depressive disorder.
US08440415B2	BORIS isoforms and methods of detecting and treating disease A method of detecting a proliferative disease, such as a disease associated with the abnormal expression of BORIS, in a mammal comprising testing for the expression of a BORIS isoform in the tissue of a mammal that does not express BORIS in the absence of disease, as well as a method of treating or preventing such a disease, isolated or purified BORIS isoform polypeptides and nucleic acids, and kits and arrays comprising same.
US08440413B2	Method of screening for a substance that strengthens a bond between thioredoxin and macrophage migration inhibition factor Disclosed is a screening method which can select a substance having an influence on the binding between thioredoxin and MIF. The screening method is characterized in that a test substance capable of enhancing the binding between a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor is selected through the steps of mixing at least one binding substance selected from the substances (1) to (4) shown below with the test substance, allowing the binding substance to bind to the macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and confirming the binding between the binding substance and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor: (1) a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family; (2) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues in an amino acid sequence for a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family and has the same activity as that of a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family; (3) a gene encoding the polypeptide (1); and (4) a gene encoding the protein (2).
US08440407B2	Gene expression profiles to predict relapse of prostate cancer The present disclosure provides a method for cancer relapse prediction that provides higher resolution grading than Gleason score alone. In particular, the method provides for prediction of prostate cancer relapse that correlates gene expression of each individual signature gene and deriving a prostate cancer gene expression (GEX) score in the plurality of prostate cancer tissue samples; and correlating said GEX score with the clinical outcome for each prostate carcinoma tissue sample. A set of signature genes is provided that encompasses all or a sub-combination of GI_2094528, KIP2, NRG1, NBL1, Prostein, CCNE2, CDC6, FBP1, HOXC6, MKI67, MYBL2, PTTG1, RAMP, UBE2C, Wnt5A, MEMD, AZGP1, CCK, MLCK, PPAP2B, and PROK1.
US08440406B2	Amplification primers with non-standard bases for increased reaction specificity Described herein are methods for increasing the annealing specificity of an amplification reaction using Iso-base Amplification Primers (“IAPs”). IAPs containing an iso-region are capable of regulating sequence-specific annealing thereby enhancing primer-template hybridization for sequence-specific amplification of nucleotides.
US08440403B2	Apparatus and method An apparatus for investigating a molecule comprising a channel provided in a substrate, a metallic moiety capable of plasmon resonance which is associated with the channel in a position suitable for the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety to interact with a molecule passing therethrough, means to induce a molecule to pass through the channel, means to induce surface plasmon resonance in the metallic moiety; and means to detect interaction between the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety and a molecule passing through the channel. Methods of investigating molecules are also provided.
US08440398B2	Method for prediction of sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil-type anticancer agent A factor affecting sensitivities to anticancer agents is analyzed and the validity of the factor is demonstrated.The present invention provides a method for predicting sensitivities to 5-fluorouracil-based anticancer agents using the copy number of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene as an indicator. Also disclosed are a kit and primers for use in predicting sensitivities to 5-fluorouracil-based anticancer agents.
US08440397B2	High throughput genome sequencing on DNA arrays The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for acquiring nucleotide sequence information of target sequences using adaptors interspersed in target polynucleotides. The sequence information can be new, e.g. sequencing unknown nucleic acids, re-sequencing, or genotyping. The invention preferably includes methods for inserting a plurality of adaptors at spaced locations within a target polynucleotide or a fragment of a polynucleotide. Such adaptors may serve as platforms for interrogating adjacent sequences using various sequencing chemistries, such as those that identify nucleotides by primer extension, probe ligation, and the like. Encompassed in the invention are methods and compositions for the insertion of known adaptor sequences into target sequences, such that there is an interruption of contiguous target sequence with the adaptors. By sequencing both “upstream” and “downstream” of the adaptors, identification of entire target sequences may be accomplished.
US08440393B2	Pro-angiogenic genes in ovarian tumor endothelial cell isolates A gene profiling signature for ovarian tumor endothelial cells is disclosed herein. The gene signature can be used to diagnosis or prognosis an ovarian tumor, identify agents to treat an ovarian tumor, to predict the metastatic potential of an ovarian tumor and to determine the effectiveness of ovarian tumor treatments. Thus, methods are provided for identifying agents that can be used to treat ovarian cancer, for determining the effectiveness of an ovarian tumor treatment, or to diagnose or prognose an ovarian tumor. Methods of treatment are also disclosed which include administering a composition that includes a specific binding agent that specifically binds to one of the disclosed ovarian endothelial cell tumor-associated molecules and inhibits ovarian tumor in the subject.
US08440391B2	Constitutively activated human G protein coupled receptors The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to a human G protein-coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand is unknown (“orphan GPCR receptors”), and most particularly to mutated (non-endogenous) versions of the human GPCRs for evidence of constitutive activity.
US08440385B2	Positive resist composition, method of forming resist pattern and polymeric compound A positive resist composition including a base component (A′) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid and generates acid upon exposure, the base component (A′) including a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a0-1) represented by general formula (a0-1), a structural unit (a0-2) which generates acid upon exposure and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 represents a divalent linking group, and R3 represents a cyclic group containing —SO2— within the ring skeleton thereof).
US08440382B2	Method of producing toner A method of stably producing a toner is provided. This method provides a long-term stabilization of material dispersion in a colorant-dispersed solution and inhibits segregation of the material and provides a more microfine and more uniform dispersion of the colorant in the toner, and moreover produces a toner that has a sharp toner particle diameter distribution. This method of producing toner has at least a colorant dispersion step of obtaining a colorant-dispersed solution by dispersing a pigment-containing colorant in a liquid mixture that contains the colorant and a dissolved resin solution or a polymerizable monomer, wherein the liquid mixture contains a nonionic surfactant and the nonionic surfactant has at least an oxyalkylene group and has a hydrophile-lipophile balance value (HLB value) of 9.0 or more and 17.0 or less.
US08440381B2	Liquid electrophotographic ink with a charge director system The present disclosure is drawn to compositions and methods for a liquid electrophotographic ink printing. The composition comprises a liquid vehicle; ink particles; and a charge director system, comprising i) a primary charge component, ii) a secondary charge component, and iii) an electrical stability additive; such that the charge director system provides the following ink conductivities: a high field conductivity of about 100 pS/cm to about 500 pS/cm, a low field conductivity of about 20 pS/cm to about 200 pS/cm, a direct charge conductivity less than about 30 pS/cm, and a particle conductivity of at least 100 pS/cm. Additionally, the liquid electrophotographic ink can be formulated for printing from a liquid electrophotographic printer.
US08440380B2	Toner and method for producing the same A toner containing core particles each containing at least a resin A having a polyester skeleton and a colorant; and vinyl resin fine particles each of which encapsulates a resin B having at least a polyester skeleton and an endothermic peak measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at 40° C. to 110° C., wherein the vinyl resin fine particles are attached onto each of the core particles.
US08440378B2	Electrostatic image developing toner, method for producing electrostatic image developing toner, method for forming image, and image forming apparatus An electrostatic image developing toner includes a binding resin and a release agent, wherein an organic silicon compound including a siloxane bond is present in a domain of the release agent.
US08440375B2	Exposure method and electronic device manufacturing method An exposure method for exposing a bright-dark pattern onto each exposure region of a substrate via a projection optical system includes a position detection process for detecting positions of a plurality of microscopic regions in a unit exposure field of the substrate, a deformation calculation step of calculating a state of deformation in the unit exposure field based on information related to the positions of the plurality of microscopic regions obtained in the position detection step, and a shape modification step of modifying the shape of the bright-dark pattern to be exposed on the substrate based on the deformation state obtained in the deformation calculation step. The microscopic regions detected in the position detection step include a circuit pattern formed in the unit exposure field.
US08440374B2	Colored curable composition, color filter and method of producing the same, and solid-state imaging device A colored curable composition with which a coating film having excellent uniformity and surface planarity can be formed even when the support (substrate) has irregularities, and which exhibits excellent developability, and which is capable of forming a high-resolution colored pattern, is provided. The colored curable composition includes: (A) a polymer that contains a structural unit having a carboxyl group bonded to a main chain thereof via a linking group containing an ester group; (B) a photopolymerization initiator; (C) a polymerizable compound; (D) a pigment; and (E) a dispersant containing a phosphoric acid group.
US08440372B2	Single field zero mask for increased alignment accuracy in field stitching A single field photomask includes a first set of targets formed on a first side of the photomask, and a second set of targets formed on a second side of the photomask, opposite the first side. In operation, the photomask is to be applied to a wafer without any alignment marks. The photomask forms a first set of alignment marks in the wafer from the first set of targets, and the photomask further forms a second set of alignment marks in the wafer from the second set of targets. The first set of alignment marks is used to align to a first field mask and the second set of alignment marks is used to align to a second field mask to stitch an image of the first field mask to an image of the second field mask.
US08440364B2	Membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell A membrane electrode assembly includes an solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The cathode has a stacked body of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer has platinum-cobalt-supporting carbon particles and an ion conductor. The ratio (P2/P1) of the pore volume P2 (ml/g) per gram of catalyst layer in a second micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.1 μm to less than 1 μm, over the pore volume P1 per gram of catalyst layer in a first micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.01 μm to less than 0.1 μm, is in a range of 3.8 to 8.3.
US08440363B2	Electrode for fuel cell and fuel cell comprising same The present invention relates to an electrode for a fuel cell containing a catalyst layer, a gas diffusion layer including a conductive substrate, and a micro-porous layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer and including a conductive material and a dispersant.
US08440358B2	Method of operating a fuel cell system on low quality by-product gases A method of operating a fuel cell system on a by-product gas containing a fuel constituent. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer for forming a reformate stream, a combustor for supplying heat energy to the fuel reformer, and a fuel cell stack. The method includes the steps of separating a by-product gas into a purified gas stream and a residual stream with a gaseous fuel purifier, feeding the purified gas stream to the fuel reformer configured to transform the purified gas stream to produce a reformate stream, and feeding the residual gas stream to a combustor configured to provide heat energy to the fuel reformer. The purified gas stream contains a higher concentration of preferable fuel constituents and a lower concentration of contaminants than the residual gas stream.
US08440355B2	Equalizing electrode plate with insulated split-flow conductive structure The present invention relates to an equalizing electrode plate with insulated split-flow conductive structure, which is a specifically installed insulated split-flow conductive structure with internal conductive body coated with insulator; one end of the insulated split-flow conductive structure connects to the electric energy input/output terminal of the electrode plate, and another end connects to the electrode plate area farther away from the electric energy input/output terminal and/or with larger impedance in the electrode plate; thus the dedicated insulated split-flow conductive structure connects with the electric energy input/output terminal to specifically transmit the electric energy therebetween.
US08440348B2	Sealed battery The external terminal 19 has sword-guard portion 191 provided with a terminal portion 193 formed at one end thereof and a cylindrical crimping member 192 formed at another end thereof, the cylindrical crimping member 192 being inserted through openings each formed at a first insulating member 211, the opening-sealing plate 13, a second insulating member 212 and the collector 181, and being crimped in a diameter-enlarging direction, so that the sword-guard portion 191 of the external terminal 19, the opening-sealing plate 13 and the collector 181 are mechanically-fixed and a thin-walled portion made thinner than other portions formed in a tip portion of the cylindrical crimping member 192 is adhered to the collector, and the thin-walled portion 194 and the collector being welded with a high energy beam.
US08440345B2	Battery pack of improved stability Disclosed herein is a battery pack wherein a rectangular battery having an electrode assembly and an electrolyte contained therein in a sealed state is received in a pack case, and an insulating material is filled in a space defined between the inner surface of the upper end of the pack case and the upper end of the battery, whereby the battery pack is manufactured with a reduced thickness, the assembly process of the battery pack is very simple, and short circuit of the battery pack or suspension of power supply from the battery pack, which may occur as the battery is moved, is effectively prevented even when the battery pack falls down or external impacts are applied to the battery pack.
US08440331B2	Magnetic nanohole superlattices A magnetic material is disclosed including a two-dimensional array of carbon atoms and a two-dimensional array of nanoholes patterned in the two-dimensional array of carbon atoms. The magnetic material has long-range magnetic ordering at a temperature below a critical temperature Tc.
US08440329B2	Transparent substrate which can be used alternatively or cumulatively, for thermal control, for electromagnetic armour and for heated glazing A glazing for thermal control and heating is provided. The glazing includes a transparent substrate including glass and provided with a thin-film stack including a plurality of functional layers. The thin-film stack includes at least three silver-based functional layers. The thin-film stack has a resistance R<1.5Ω per square.
US08440323B2	Coated steel stamped product The invention relates to a process for making a hot stamped coated steel sheet product, comprising the steps of pre-coating a steel strip or sheet with aluminum- or aluminum alloy, cutting said pre-coated steel strip or sheet to obtain a pre-coated steel blank, heating the blank in a furnace preheated to a temperature and during a time defined by diagram according to thickness, at a heating rate Vc between 20 and 700° C. comprised between 4 and 12° C./s and at a heating rate Vc′ between 500 and 700° C. comprised between 1.5 and 6° C./s, to obtain a heated blank; then transferring said heated blank to a die, hot stamping the heated blank in the die obtain a hot stamped steel sheet product, cooling at a mean rate Vr between the exit of the heated blank from the furnace, down to 400° C., of at least 30° C./s.
US08440320B2	Article An article includes a substrate made of carbon fiber and zirconium diboride composites; an chromium layer deposited on the substrate; an chromium diffusing layer formed between the substrate and the chromium layer; and a iridium layer deposited on the chromium layer opposite to the chromium diffusing layer.
US08440317B2	Protective film for polarizing membrane and polarizing laminate A protective film for a polarizing membrane is provided which is prevented in light leakage generation, and excellent in moldability. The protective film contains a polyamide resin, and is subjected to an orientation (e.g., a drawing) to have a retardation value of not less than 300 nm. The polyamide resin may also contain an alicyclic polyamide resin, e.g., a resin whose monomers are an alicyclic diamine and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The polyamide resin may have microcrystallinity. The Abbe number of the polyamide resin may be not less than 40.
US08440316B2	Odor transmission-resistant polymeric film A malodor transmission-resistant plastic finding employment in cassettes housing flexible tubular material.
US08440313B2	Crosslinkable thermoset monomer, composition for producing printed circuit board comprising the thermoset monomer and printed circuit board using the composition Disclosed herein is a crosslinkable thermoset monomer. The crosslinkable thermoset monomer has acetylene groups as crosslinking groups introduced at both ends of the backbone. Also disclosed herein is a composition for producing a printed circuit board which comprises the crosslinkable thermoset monomer. The composition exhibits excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, the composition can be used as a material for next-generation boards that are becoming lighter in weight and smaller in size and thickness. Also disclosed herein is a printed circuit board using the composition.
US08440310B2	Coated article with low-E coating having zinc stannate based layer between IR reflecting layers for reduced mottling and corresponding methods A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) and/or heat bent in certain example instances. In certain example embodiments, a zinc stannate based layer is provided between a tin oxide based layer and a silicon nitride based layer, and this has been found to significantly reduce undesirable mottling damage upon heat treatment/bending. This results in significantly improved bendability of the coated article in applications such as vehicle windshields and the like.
US08440305B2	Electrically conductive sheet A sheet which has a substrate layer containing from 21 to 87 mass % of a polycarbonate resin, from 7 to 68 mass % of a polyalkylene terephthalate resin and from 3 to 30 mass % of carbon black, and a surface layer containing from 19 to 86 mass % of a polycarbonate resin, from 6 to 67 mass % of a polyalkylene terephthalate resin and from 5 to 35 mass % of carbon black, laminated on one side or both sides of the substrate layer by extrusion, co-extrusion or extrusion coating, where the sheet has a burr incidence ratio of at most 4%, and a carrier tape using the sheet.
US08440303B2	Polycrystalline diamond compacts and related drill bits In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) comprises a cemented carbide substrate including a first cemented carbide portion and a second cemented carbide portion bonded to the first cemented carbide portion and exhibiting an erosion resistance that is greater than the first cemented carbide portion. The PDC further comprises a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the first cemented carbide portion. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween, with the plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions.
US08440302B2	Reinforced resin-derived carbon foam A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.
US08440301B2	Coating apparatus and method The invention is directed toward a method and apparatus which can be used to allow the sputter deposition of material onto at least one article to form a coating on the same. The new form of magnetron described herein allows an increase in sputter deposition rates to be achieved at higher powers and without causing damage to the coating being created. This can be achieved by improved cooling and use of a relatively high magnetic field in the magnetron while at the same time increasing the power to the magnetron by increasing the current at a rate faster than the voltage.
US08440299B2	Composite dielectric material for high-energy-density capacitors A composite dielectric material having a plurality of particle cores, each surrounded by polymer strands that are chemically bonded to the surface of the particle core. Each polymer strand includes a linker, through which the polymer strand is attached to the surface, an interfacial core-shielding (ICS) group bound to the linker, and a polymer molecule bound to the ICS group. The ICS groups are designed to inhibit electrical breakdown of the composite dielectric material by (i) deflecting or scattering free electrons away from the particle cores and/or (ii) capturing free electrons by being transformed into relatively stable radical anions. Representative examples of the particle core material, linker, ICS group, and polymer molecule are titanium dioxide, a phosphonate group, a halogenated aromatic ring, and a polystyrene molecule, respectively.
US08440294B2	Structural color body A structural color body is film-like and formed of a resin layer containing a block copolymer, the resin layer has a micro-phase separated structure including lamellar micro domains, each of the micro domains has a wave-like shape having amplitudes in the thickness direction of the structural color body, and in each of the micro domains, a maximum value of distances in the direction between the tops of convexities and the bottoms of concavities is larger than the wavelength in the visible light range.
US08440281B2	Stabilized blends of polyester and polyamide Disclosed are stabilized blends of polyester and polyamide. The polymer blends are stabilized with A) a combination of stabilizers a) acetaldehyde scavengers and b) stabilizers selected from phenolic antioxidants, organic phosphorus stabilizers and lactone stabilizers or B) a combination of c) lactone stabilizers and d) stabilizers selected from phenolic antioxidants and organic phosphorus stabilizers. The present blends exhibit reduced color formation, a high level of whiteness/brightness and acceptably low haze formation upon heat treatment. The blends are useful to make bottles, containers and films for drinks, food and cosmetics and the like. The polyester is in particular polyethylene terephthalate, PET, and the polyamide is in particular polyamide-MXD6. Heat treatment is for example melt extrusion or solid state polymerization, SSP.
US08440279B2	Structural element for a motor vehicle, and a method of fabricating such an element This element (2) is of the type including a hollow elongate body (4) made of metal and having a closed section; and a continuous second body (6) made of plastics material overmolded on the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) including at least two rings (24) surrounding the metal first body (4), the rings (24) being longitudinally spaced part. In any cross-section of the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) is situated entirely outside the outline of the metal first body (4), and the ratio of the axial length of each ring (24) over the longitudinal distance between the rings (24) is less than 1. The invention is applicable to the front faces of motor vehicles.
US08440277B2	Intrinsically stable shirred stick Disclosed is an intrinsically stable shirred, tubular, single-layer or multilayer food casing that preferably has a sigma-5 value (longitudinal/transversal, measured in a moist state) of less than 20/20 N/mm2. Said casing is preferably shirred at a ratio of 100:1 or more, preferably 120:1 to 500:1, and is essentially made of synthetic polymers. The shirred casing can be stored and transported without using a net-type envelope and is particularly suitable for processing on fully automatic sausage stuffing, portioning, clipping, and twisting devices.
US08440274B2	Electronic device moisture indicators Electronic devices may have sensitive circuitry. To determine whether an electronic device has been exposed to excessive amounts of moisture, the electronic device may be provided with a moisture indicator. The moisture indicator may have a wicking layer of white paper and a red dye layer. If a portion of the moisture indicator is exposed to moisture, red dye may bleed into the white paper. The moisture indicator may be mounted in an input-output port opening or other portion of the electronic device where the state of the moisture indicator is visible. The moisture indicator may have sealed edges to reduce sensitivity to small amounts of moisture intrusion. Different regions of the moisture indicator may be provided with different sensitivities by forming structures that have altered moisture flow properties, by altering wicking layer thicknesses, or by otherwise spatially modifying moisture sensitivity.
US08440272B2	Method for forming post passivation Au layer with clean surface A method for fabricating and testing a wafer includes forming metal traces with metal pads, wherein forming the metal traces include forming a TiW layer on a passivation layer and on pads, next forming a seed layer on the TiW layer, next forming a photoresist layer on the seed layer, next forming a metal layer on the seed layer exposed by openings in the photoresist layer, next removing the photoresist layer, next removing the seed layer not under the metal layer, and then etching the TiW layer not under the metal layer with an etchant containing H2O2 at a temperature of between 35 and 50° C., or with an etchant containing H2O2 and with ultrasonic waves applied to the etchant, next contacting probe tips of a probe card with some of the metal pads, next cleaning the probe tips until repeating the step of contacting the probe tips with some of the metal pads at greater than 100 times, and then after cleaning the probe tips, repeating the step of contacting the probe tips with some of the metal pads.
US08440270B2	Film deposition apparatus and method A film deposition apparatus which comprises: a processing chamber having a space inside which serves as a vacuum space to which a film deposition gas is supplied; a substrate supporting unit which is disposed in the vacuum space and supports a substrate; a coil which inductively heats the substrate supporting unit to thereby form a film from the film deposition gas on the substrate and which has been divided into regions; and a coil control unit which controls the coil region by region.
US08440261B2	Housing and surface treating method for making the same A surface treating method for making a housing have a metallic glass main body comprising: coating a primer on the metallic glass main body to form a bottom layer; forming a plating layer on the bottom layer; coating an adhesive on the plating layer to form an adhesive layer; and coating a lacquer on the adhesive layer to form an outer layer.
US08440254B2	Method for preparing multilayer of nanocrystals, and organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescence device comprising multilayer of nanocrystals prepared by the method A method for preparing a multilayer of nanocrystals. The method includes the steps of (i) coating nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a photosensitive compound, or a mixed solution of a photosensitive compound and nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a material miscible with the photosensitive compound, on a substrate, drying the coated substrate, and exposing the dried substrate to UV light to form a first monolayer of nanocrystals, and (ii) repeating the procedure of step (i) to form one or more monolayers of nanocrystals on the first monolayer of nanocrystals. Further, an organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescence device using a multilayer of nanocrystals prepared by the method as a luminescent layer.
US08440251B2	Doughs containing dehydrated potato products Improved doughs containing dehydrated potato products, food products made from said doughs, and the methods for making the same are disclosed. Although the improved doughs contain non-ideal dehydrated potato products, processing efficiency and finished product quality are comparable to that of finished products made with doughs containing dehydrated potato products having from 40% to 60% broken cells and from 16% to 27% free amylose.
US08440243B2	OM vitamin formula A composition comprising various vitamins to make a multi-vitamin. The vitamins identified in multi-vitamin include vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, niacinamide, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, pantothenic acid, folic acid, beta carotene, iron, biotin, choline, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. The multi-vitamin soothe pain, depression, weakness and insomnia and works best with variety of food and less dairy products. Lead combined with calcium effects are severe than lead effects only; it elevates blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight and cause frequent infections; bigger than normal dose of antibiotics need in infections; and variation in quantities of few vitamins are needed to soothe the symptoms.
US08440242B1	Alcohol metabolizing assisting supplement A alcohol metabolizing assisting supplement includes a mixture which includes humic and fulvic acids, L-Cysteine, L-Glutamine, thiamine mononitrate, and vitamins. The mixture is ingested after the consumption of alcohol to assist the body in quickly metabolizing the alcohol and to resist the negative effects of metabolizing alcohol.
US08440237B2	Botanical anti-acne formulations Disclosed is a topical skin care composition and corresponding methods for their use comprising Arctium lappa (Burdock) root extract, Epilobium angustifolium (Canadian Willowherb) extract, or Cystoseira amentacea/Caespitosa Brachycarpa extract, or any combination thereof.
US08440230B2	Formulation based on micronized natural calcite mineral as a plant booster and mineral fertilizer The present invention is related to a formulation based on micronized natural calcite mineral consisting of: A. mineral part which is characterized: (i) by the particle size with diameter smaller than 5 μm, where the distribution of particle size is such that minimum of 10% of particles are with diameter under 900 nm, with total surface of particles greater than 3.2 m2/g, and with total porous volume greater than 0.012 cm3/g, and by composition: (ii) CaCO3, MgCO3, FeCO3, MnCO3, ZnCO3 and SiO2 in mixtures where CaCO3 is presented in amount from 10% to 99% of mineral part; and B. adjuvant selected from the group consisting of: wetting agent, drift-control agent at application by spraying, humic acid salt, amino-acids salts, complex of plant micro-nutrients, vitamin, plant hormone, nitrogen fertilizer, potassium salt, borate salt, molybdate salt, plant extract, chlorophyll, yeast extract, or mixture of these substances; where A. and B. form an aqueous suspension wherein percentage of A. and B. is lower than 5% by weight. The formulation from this invention is used as a plant booster and mineral fertilizer for stimulation of photosynthetic process in plants, stimulation of plants growth, reinforcement of plant resistance to physiological and anhydrous stress, reinforcement of resistance to different plant diseases, for improvement of nutrient absorption, for increasing crop yields, and for plant nutrition.
US08440216B2	Sustained release intraocular implants and related methods Biocompatible intraocular implants include a steroid and a polymer associated with each other to facilitate release of the steroid into an eye for a period of time greater than about two months. The steroid may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the steroid may be associated with a polymeric coating having one or more openings effective to permit the steroid to be released into an external environment. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions. The steroid is released from the implant for more than about two months, and may be release for more than several years.
US08440215B2	Absorbable polymer formulations A co-polyester which includes the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol. The co-polyester is injectable and absorbable into animal, such as human, tissue and can be used for facial cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of soft tissue. Another embodiment is directed to a method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol, and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.
US08440213B2	Pesticides formulations Concentrated microemulsions comprising: 1) 10-25 parts by weight of a pesticide with a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 1% l by weight and having a melting point from 10° C. to 60° C.; 2) 8-25 parts by weight of one or more solvents containing oxygen atoms, having a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 5% by weight and the Hildebrand solubility parameter in the range 16-21 MPa1/2; 3) 10-20 parts by weight of a polyol; 4) 10-25 parts by weight of one or more non ionic surfactants having a HLB value from 9 to 15; 5) 2-10 parts by weight of one or more anionic surfactants; 6) water up to 100 parts by weight; wherein—the ratio by weight between 2) and 1) ranges from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) +5) and 1) is in the range 0.5:1-3:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) and 5) ranges from 1:1 to 4.1.
US08440199B2	Methods for mobilizing mesenchymal stem cells in a patient The current invention provides a method for mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and/or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a patient, wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) administering a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) agonist to the patient; and (ii) administering an antagonist of CXCR4 to the patient. Also provided are uses of EPC and MSC harvested using the methods of the invention.
US08440194B2	Methods using 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione for treatment of certain leukemias Methods of treating, preventing or managing leukemias are disclosed. The methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention known as Revlimid® or lenalidomide. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using this compound with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy. Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms suitable for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.
US08440192B2	Bispecific binding agents for modulating biological activity Methods for improving the biological and pharmaceutical properties of bispecific binding agents are described herein where the bispecific binding agents are able to target cells by a high affinity binding domain to a first cell surface marker that does not induce a significant biological effect and a low affinity binding domain that binds specifically to a second cell surface marker, causing a significant and desired biological effect. Compositions of such bispecific binding agents, uses for them, and kits containing them are also provided.
US08440188B2	Therapeutic and diagnostic anti-HSP70 antibodies Methods and compositions for the detection, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases, including, but not limited to human sarcomas and carcinomas are described. In particular, specific antibodies are provided, which are capable of binding an epitope of Hsp70 that is extracellularly localized on diseased tissue and cells, in particular on tumor cells and infected cells.
US08440181B2	Prevention of micronutrient deficiencies associated with common disabilities in the over 50 adult A micronutrient dosage unit which comprises two or more micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium in one or more specified ratios. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08440180B2	Anti-cancer composition comprising aquatic microbial extract There is provided an anti-cancer composition comprising an aquatic microbial extract, and there is more particularly provided an anti-cancer composition comprising a Bacillus sp. strain extract.
US08440168B2	Image-guided therapy of myocardial disease: composition, manufacturing and applications Compositions and methods for imaging and for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are disclosed. More particularly, the invention concerns agents comprising a targeting moeity comprising a beta-adrenergic receptor targeting compound conjugated or embedded with ethylenediamine. The present invention also concerns methods of application of such agents for imaging and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and kits for preparing a radiolabeled therapeutic or diagnostic agent.
US08440167B2	Multimodal imaging of atherosclerotic plaque targeted to LOX-1 The present invention provides multiple modalities for detecting LOX-1. More particularly, an imaging composition is provided that allows for the in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic plaque.
US08440153B2	Method for preparing manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate from waste batteries containing manganese and zinc A method for preparing manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate from waste batteries containing manganese and zinc, and more particularly to a method for preparing manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate from waste batteries containing manganese and zinc. Zinc powder and activated carbon are added to a leached solution obtained from a continuous leaching process so as to remove heavy metals and organic materials from the leached solution, and then the leached solution is spray-dried to simultaneously obtain manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate at high-purity by a simple process without generating wastewater. An environmentally friendly waste battery recycling process is thereby provided, because it is not required to use additional chemical substances for neutralization titration or impurity removal in recovering manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate by leaching a waste battery powder.
US08440151B2	Apparatus for delivering pipettable substances A system (10) for removing a pipettable substance from a pre-filled container (20), which is closed off by a top (30) having at least one opening area (40), comprises an opening tool (100) having a tube (110), which has a cross-section corresponding substantially to the shape of the opening area and which comprises at a distal end (120) an endpiece (140) extending substantially obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, which moves a part of the top (30) located inside the opening area (40) towards the container when the opening tool is applied, so as to form an opening in the top, and a point of attack (150) for a transporting tool (200). The opening tool (100) is designed to remain on the container (20) after use. Moreover, the system comprises a transporting tool (200) for moving the opening tool (100) through the lid, and a cannula (250), which is adapted to be inserted over at least part of its length through the tube (110) into the interior of the container (20), in the position of use of the opening tool (100), and one end of which can be connected to a suction device (300) for sucking a pipettable substance out of the interior of the container (20).
US08440121B2	High-dielectric material A bulk dielectric material can include a solid composite material having a solid matrix material and a plurality of filler elements distributed within the matrix material. The bulk dielectric material can have, at a frequency of greater than 1 MHz, (i) a permittivity with a real part of magnitude greater than 10 and an imaginary part of magnitude less than 3, and (ii) an electrical breakdown strength greater than 5 kV/mm and can have a minimum dimension greater than 2 mm.
US08440117B2	Biaxial-optical polynorbornene-based film and method of manufacturing the same, integrated optical compensation polarizer having the film and method of manufacturing the polarizer, and liquid crystal display panel containing the film and/or polarizer Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a biaxial polynorbornene-film having a compensation film which has good light transmittance and a uniform in-plane retardation value and can function as both a negative C-plate and an A-plate.
US08440102B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device An object is to provide a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase in a wide temperature range. Another object is to provide a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase, with which high contrast can be provided, in a liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase includes: a nematic liquid crystal including a compound represented by a structural formula (100) (PPEP-5FCNF (abbreviation)); and a chiral agent. In a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is formed using the liquid crystal composition including a nematic liquid crystal including a compound represented by a structural formula (100) (PPEP-5FCNF (abbreviation)) and a chiral agent, and the liquid crystal composition exhibits a blue phase.
US08440095B1	Anti-corrosive corn extracts A corrosion inhibiting deicer composition includes an aqueous extract of corn stillage. The composition may be combined with a freezing point suppression agent to exhibit a freezing point of less than −35° C. The composition may be applied as a deicer to corrosion-susceptible materials without substantial risk of corrosion.
US08440093B1	Methods and devices for electronic and magnetic sensing of the contents of microfluidic flow channels The presence of a detectable entity within a detection volume of a microfabricated elastomeric structure is sensed through a change in the electrical or magnetic environment of the detection volume. In embodiments utilizing electronic detection, an electric field is applied to the detection volume and a change in impedance, current, or combined impedance and current due to the presence of the detectable entity is measured. In embodiments utilizing magnetic detection, the magnetic properties of a magnetized detected entity alter the magnetic field of the detection volume. This changed magnetic field induces a current which can reveal the detectable entity. The change in resistance of a magnetoresistive element may also reveal the passage of a magnetized detectable entity.
US08440085B2	Plasma separation Devices and methods for separating plasma from biological fluids such as blood and blood products are disclosed.
US08440079B2	Liquid filter arrangements and methods A liquid filter arrangement is provided, as well as methods of assembly and use. Advantageous features, relating to a preferred filter cartridge and a preferred slide arrangement, are provided.
US08440069B2	Methods of isolating and using components from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil Method of isolating active resins from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil includes providing a HSDP crude oil, deasphalting the HSDP crude oil into at least a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction and a first asphaltenes fraction, deasphalting the first asphaltenes fraction to isolate active resins from a second asphaltenes fraction, and combining the DAO fraction and the second asphaltenes fraction to form a de-resinated crude. Method of using components isolated from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil includes providing a HSDP crude oil, deasphalting the HSDP crude oil into at least a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction and a first asphaltenes fraction, deasphalting the first asphaltenes fraction to isolate active resins from a second asphaltenes fraction, and selecting at least one of the DAO fraction, the active resins, or the second asphaltenes fraction for use in a refinery process.
US08440065B1	Electrolyte composition, method, and improved apparatus for high speed tin-silver electroplating The invention provides an electroplating composition, method, and improved apparatus, which enables electroplating tin-silver alloys at high speed and without burning. The composition is an aqueous acidic solution including salts of stannous tin and a monovalent silver, and a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of thiocarbazides and thiohydrazides, and optionally an aldehyde and/or dialdehyde organic brightener compound. A sulfonic acid and a surfactant may also be included. The improved apparatus provides a protective structure substantially surrounding the anode(s) to decrease turbulence and the problematic silver displacement reaction.
US08440063B2	Electrokinetic concentration devices The present invention provides a device and methods of use thereof in concentrating a species of interest and/or controlling liquid flow in a device. The methods make use of a device comprising a fluidic chip comprising a planar array of channels through which a liquid comprising a species of interest can be made to pass with at least one rigid substrate connected thereto such that at least a portion of a surface of the substrate bounds the channels, and a high aspect ratio ion-selective membrane is embedded within the chip, attached to at least a portion of the channels. The device comprises a unit to induce an electric field in the channel and a unit to induce an electrokinetic or pressure driven flow in the channel.
US08440061B2	System and method for plasma arc detection, isolation and prevention A device for use with an RF generating source, a first electrode, a second electrode and an element. The RF generating source is operable to provide an RF signal to the first electrode and thereby create a potential between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device comprises a connecting portion and a current sink. The connecting portion is operable to electrically connect to one of the first electrode, the second electrode and an element. The current sink is in electrical connection with the connection portion and a path to ground. The current sink comprises a voltage threshold. The current sink is operable to conduct current from the connecting portion to ground when a voltage on the electrically connected one of the first electrode, the second electrode and the element is greater than the voltage threshold.
US08440060B2	High surface area electrode coating An electrode surface coating for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.
US08440056B2	Heat integrated distillation apparatus Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.
US08440055B2	Press section and permeable belt in a paper machine A pressing arrangement including at least one first fabric and second fabric both being permeable. A paper web is disposed between the first fabric and the second fabric. A pressure producing element is in contact with the first fabric. A support surface of a supporting structure is in contact with the second fabric. A differential pressure is provided between the first fabric and the support surface that acts on the first fabric, the paper web, and the second fabric, whereby the paper web is subjected to mechanical pressure and experiences a predetermined hydraulic pressure so as to cause water to be drained from the paper web. The pressing arrangement is structured and arranged to allow air to flow in a direction from the first fabric through the paper web and through the second fabric.
US08440053B2	Method and system using surfactants in paper sizing composition to inhibit deposition of multivalent fatty acid salts A method for inhibiting deposition of multivalent saturated fatty acids on paper sizing equipment and/or devices which use a paper surface sizing composition containing one or more surface sizing starches and a source of multivalent cations, such as a multivalent metal drying salt, by including a C16 or higher saturated fatty acid solubilizing and dispersing surfactant in the paper surface sizing composition. Also, a paper surface sizing system for carrying out this method.
US08440047B2	Method for producing a stretch resistant belt A belt having stretch reduction features is provided, along with a method for producing a belt having reduced stretch characteristics. The belt is formed of a jacket and a stretch reduction element. The stretch reduction element is formed of a material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the jacket. Additionally, the stretch reduction element is formed by bathing the stretch reduction element to a reactive fluid in an oxidizing atmosphere.
US08440043B1	Absorbent article process and apparatus for intermittently deactivating elastics in elastic laminates The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for severing elastic in an advancing elastic laminate. A continuous elastic laminate may be formed by bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. As discussed in more detail below, the continuous elastic laminate may advance through a cutting apparatus that intermittently deactivates or severs the elastic strands of the elastic laminate along the machine direction.
US08440035B2	Method for manufacturing ceramic multi-layered interconnection substrate A ceramic multi-layered interconnection substrate can be manufactured by using a stack including a plurality of ceramic layers with division grooves in the uppermost layer, at least one intermediate layer, and the lowermost layer. The substrate can be manufactured by forming division grooves in respective green sheets other than the uppermost and lowermost ones at adjacent package boundaries, pressing them to be stacked, forming division grooves in the uppermost and lowermost sheets at the adjacent package boundaries, firing them to be ceramic layers, and breaking the ceramic layers along the division grooves to separate individual packages, thus preventing failure and preventing the generation of burrs, chips, and the like.
US08440025B2	Water-conducting domestic appliance A water-conducting domestic appliance having a drain pump, a controller to activate the drain pump, and a water safety switch that has a first switch position to react to escaping water, wherein the water safety switch is connected to the controller. If a fault causes water to escape, the water safety switch switches into the first switch position so as to connect the controller to an electrical mains.
US08440022B2	Method for extraction of sugar A method for extraction of sugar from a sugar containing biomass is disclosed, wherein the sugar containing biomass a) is introduced in an extraction device (1), b) is treated with steam having a temperature of between 103 and 124° C., c) is treated in one or more steps with hot water having a temperature of 65-85° C., and d) is subjected to one or more compression steps, wherein a sugar containing solution is extracted from the sugar containing biomass in each of the steps c) and d) in the extraction device (1) and is removed from the extraction device (1), said method being continuously performed at an overpressure of 0.2-1.5 bar in the extraction device (1).
US08439983B2	Sealed battery with electrode terminal welded to current collector, and manufacturing method for the same Provided is a sealed battery that can offer excellent battery performances by having its electrode terminal and a current collector securely welded to each other, and its manufacturing method. The sealed battery is formed by hermetically sealing a casing storing an electrode assembly and the current collector, wherein: the electrode assembly formed by layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator sandwiched therebetween is electrically connected to the current collector; and a shaft portion of the electrode terminal penetrates through the current collector. A part of the electrode terminal projecting out from a pass-through of the current collector is a (conical) frustum-shaped portion whose bottom base is in contact with the current collector. The frustum-shaped portion is pressed against the current collector, and the frustum-shaped portion and the current collector are welded together in at least one area on a perimeter of the bottom base of the frustum-shaped portion.
US08439979B2	Artificial contractile structure and apparatus comprising such structure An artificial contractile structure generally devised to be used in the medical field to assist the functioning of an organ, includes a support (2) and one or more fibers (5) fixed thereto. The fibers are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator so as to provide the structure in a rest or activated position, the activated position being defined with fibers of reduced length compared to their length in the rest position. The structure is adapted to be placed around a hollow part of an organ to be contracted. The fibers are distributed along the support in order to be able to reduce the volume of the hollow part, when the fibers are contracted. The fibers and the activator are designed so that the temperature of fluids or tissues surrounding the organ does not increase above 40° C., preferably 39° C., and more preferably 38° C.
US08439974B2	Adjusted index of refraction of ocular replacement material The present invention relates to a method of determining the IOL refractive index for an ocular replacement material for replacing tissue in the capsular bag comprising combining a neutral (non-correcting) reference refractive index (“NRRI”) of between 1.421 and 1.450 with a refractive index correction factor (“RICF”) ascertained by reference to the refractive power required to correct the patient's refractive error. The present invention also relates to methods of treating presbyopia, myopia and hyperopia using the above method.
US08439973B2	Plungers for intraocular lens injectors An intraocular lens (IOL) injector for delivering an IOL into an eye of a patient. The injector includes an IOL load chamber and connected delivery tube, and a push rod for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The push rod is guided and biased against one side of the injector load chamber. The injector may include an inflatable pusher for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The inflatable pusher has a proximal end that may be open to an internal cavity of the injector, wherein a plunger movable in the injector cavity forces fluid such as air or saline into the pusher. A distal end of the pusher may be forked to capture a trailing end of the IOL, or may have a bulbous configuration to ensure the pusher does not pass the IOL.
US08439963B2	Apparatus and method for maintaining fluid flow through body passages A device (10) for maintaining fluid flow through at least one passage in a human or animal body, the device comprising two end portions (12, 14) for anchoring the device in position, and an intermediate portion (16) which allows movement of the end portions relative to each another, wherein the end portions and intermediate portion together define a pathway for fluid flow through the device. The device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of coronary heart disease by minimally invasive surgery, and the invention extends to a method for diverting fluid flow from one passage to another.
US08439962B2	Endoprothesis stent delivery system and method of using the same An endoprosthesis deployment system includes an axial catheter, an outer sheath extending parallel to the axial catheter, and an inner sheath positioned transversely between the axial catheter and outer sheath, the inner sheath including first and second inner sheath sections extending along the axial catheter, each of said first and said second inner sheath sections mounted for axial movement relative to the other inner sheath section.
US08439961B2	Stent retaining mechanisms A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.
US08439960B2	Hypothermia devices and methods A method of providing hypothermia to a patient including the steps of inserting a fluid delivery member into a peritoneal cavity of the patient; delivering hypothermia fluid from a fluid source into the peritoneal cavity through the delivery member; and limiting fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity without providing feedback control to the fluid source. The invention also provides an apparatus for practicing the method.
US08439957B2	Bone plate assembly provided with screw locking mechanisms One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bone plate assembly that includes a bone plate, bone screw(s) received in aperture(s) in the bone plate, and screw fixation member(s). The screw fixation member(s) may, alone or in conjunction with the bone plate, fix the bone screw(s) in place when such bone screw(s) are inserted in the aperture(s) in the bone plate. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive) when the bone screw(s) have been received by the bone plate and inserted into bone and/or tissue, the bone plate assembly can-be used to fuse anatomical structures together (such as adjoining bones) and/or to heal a fracture in bone.
US08439953B2	Spinal stabilization system and method A spinal stabilization system may include a pair of structural members coupled to at least a portion of a human vertebra with connectors. Connectors may couple structural members to spinous processes. Some embodiments of a spinal stabilization system may include fasteners that couple structural members to vertebrae. In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system provides three points of fixation for a single vertebral level. A fastener may fixate a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae and couple a stabilization structural member to a vertebra. Connectors may couple the structural members to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Use of a spinal stabilization system may improve the stability of a weakened or damaged portion of a spine. When used in conjunction with an implant or other device, the spinal stabilization system may immobilize vertebrae and allow for fusion of the implant or other device with vertebrae.
US08439943B2	Tourniquet A tourniquet includes a first and a second elements and a strap having one end winding around a human body and threading through the first element. The first element has a latch slot and a latch element. The second element has a coupling element at one end latchable with the latch element and the other end fastened to the strap. The first element has an upper and a lower cases and a brake unit inside. The upper and lower cases have respectively an upper and a lower openings threaded through by the strap. The brake unit has a detent edge at one end and an axle at the other end extended to form an actuating member movable with the brake unit about the axle, and an elastic element provides a force for the detent edge to butt the strap from the upper opening to the lower opening.
US08439937B2	System, apparatus and method for opening an occluded lesion A system, apparatus and method for maximizing efficiency of tissue removal from body passageways is provided. The system comprises a device for opening an occluded lesion, e.g., a rotational atherectomy device or angioplasty device, and a guide wire having an introducer sheath. The guide wire introducer sheath may comprise a hypo tube having columnar strength greater than that of the guide wire alone to assist the guide wire in crossing occluded lesions, wherein the sheath and guide wire are axially moveable relative to each other. The guide wire sheath may further comprise increased flexibility at its distal end to increase flexibility and/or a soft distal tip to help with steerability through the vasculature. The sheath may allow for a smaller outer diameter guide wire which, in turn, may allow for a smaller outer diameter on the occlusion-opening device, e.g., atherectomy or angioplasty device, which is slid over the pre-positioned guide wire.
US08439935B2	Process and a device for surgical treatment of rectal and haemorrhoidal prolapse A process for surgical operations on a rectal/haemorrhoidal prolapse comprises stages of realising, in the anal canal, at least a first circular stitching at a first portion of a haemorrhoidal prolapse; realising at least a second circular stitching in a second portion of the haemorrhoidal prolapse, and nearing the first circular stitching and the second circular stitching in order to create a constriction of the haemorrhoidal prolapse. The invention also relates to a device, preferably for actuating the process, which comprises a hollow divaricator (17) having a prevalent development direction along a longitudinal axis (Z) and being insertable in a patient's anal orifice. The device further exhibits a window (29) defining an operational area and creating a communication between a cavity (17b) internal of the divaricator (17) and a portion of haemorrhoidal prolapse. The device further comprises means for opening and closing (31) the window (29).
US08439929B1	Method of preparing a gel matrix for grafting to a bone A method of preparing a graft material for a bone surface at a surgical site includes providing a first syringe having continuous side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein the syringe has a first end and a second end wherein the inner surface defines a chamber. An adapter is removably attached to the distal end of the syringe wherein the adapter has a throughbore in fluid communication with the chamber. A first selected amount of solid bone graft material is disposed within the chamber. A plunger is inserted into the chamber to define a selected volume between a distal end of the plunger and the second end of the first syringe. A second syringe containing a selected amount of a liquid biomaterial is attached to the adapter wherein the second syringe is in fluid communication with the adapter and the first syringe such that the liquid biomaterial is transferred from the second syringe to the first syringe. After a selected amount of time, the biomaterial forms a gel matrix containing the solid bone graft material. The adapter is removed to provide an unobstructed opening at the second end and the plunger is depressed to force the gel matrix from the chamber of the first syringe.
US08439909B2	Cooled ablation catheter with reciprocating flow The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow blood and other biological fluids to flow into and out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow produced the desired cooling effect and is accomplished, for example, by a reciprocating plunger or piston, or by a balloon that is alternately inflated and deflated.
US08439903B2	Systems and methods for delivering light to a surgical site An ophthalmic surgery system for delivering light to a surgical site includes an ophthalmic surgical console including a light source to generate light and a processor operably coupled to the light source and a surgical handpiece operably coupled to the ophthalmic surgical console via an optical fiber for delivering light from the from the light source to a surgical site. The processor is configured to adjust the light source to ensure an output light level at the surgical site is substantially consistent over a period of time.
US08439901B2	Fractional scanner for dermatological treatments A dermatological treatment device is disclosed for generating a matrix of two dimensional treatment spots on the tissue. A handpiece carries a laser which generates a beam of laser pulses. The pulses are focused onto the tissue with a lens system. A diffractive element is positioned between the laser and the lens system for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of sub-beams. A scanner translates the beam over the diffractive element to generate the two dimensional spot pattern. The laser has a semi-monolithic resonator design with one integral end minor defining the output coupler and a second, independent mirror for adjustment.
US08439891B1	IV start device and method A method for starting an intravenous fluid line (IV) is disclosed where a combination of a syringe body with hypodermic needle, a dual ampoule with separate reservoirs for bicarbonate and an anesthetic, a trocar and a cannula are configured so that the steps of injecting a wheal of a buffered anesthetic, retracting the needle tip, lancing a vein with the trocar, and withdrawing the trocar tip so that the cannula remains in place in the vein may be accomplished in a single coordinated action by one skilled in the method, such as with one hand while the other hand performs manipulations on the vein and IV site.
US08439889B2	Blood bag system and blood treating method The blood bag system includes: a blood treating filter for treating a blood; a first bag for containing therein a blood to be supplied to the blood treating filter; a second bag for containing therein the blood treated by the blood treating filter; storage solution supply which supplies a blood component storage solution to the blood treating filter; a third bag into which a blood remaining in the blood treating filter replaced by the blood component storage solution is transferred and in which the recovered blood is temporarily contained; and a fourth bag to which a blood component separated from the treated blood contained in the second bag is transferred and in which the transferred blood component is contained.
US08439887B1	Reusable adjustable diaper The invention, a reusable adjustable diaper, includes: a multi-ply member having a first curvilinear portion connecting by a medial portion to a second curvilinear portion; a first elastomeric member connected to a first curved segment of multi-ply member and having a first plurality of fastening areas; a second elastomeric member connected to a second curved segment of multi-ply member and having a second plurality of fastening areas; a first plurality of fasteners connected to first curvilinear portion; a second plurality of fasteners connected to second curvilinear portion and disengagably fastenable with first plurality of fasteners; a third fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with first elastomeric member at each of first plurality of fastening areas; and a fourth fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with second elastomeric member at each of second plurality of fastening areas.
US08439876B2	Injector system for encoding and sensing of syringe information Injector systems including a syringe for use with a powered injector having a drive membre to inject a fluid into a patient having a first indicator positioned on the syringe at a predetermined position are described. The position of the first indicator may be associated with information about the syringe configuration. The first indicator can, for example, be positioned on a rear surface of an attachment flange of the syringe. The injector system includes sensors each having on and off states, and a shutter mechanism configured to place sensors in the on or off states. The state of each of the sensors provides a digital code corresponding to information on the syringe configuration.
US08439874B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a vacuum source to establish fluid flow A flow control system that includes a vacuum device configured to control the level of vacuum applied for urging the flow of aspirated fluid from a surgical site, and a vacuum sensor configured to communicate a signal representative of the sensed vacuum level. A flow sensor control is configured to generate a signal indicative of the rate of aspirated fluid flow. A flow controller monitors the vacuum sensor and the flow measurement device, and communicates a requested vacuum level to the vacuum device for establishing a desired vacuum level. The flow controller employs a first feed back loop that compares the actual sensed vacuum level with the requested vacuum level and adjusts the requested vacuum level as needed. The flow controller implements a second feedback loop that compares the actual flow rate of aspirated fluid with a desired flow rate, and adjusts the requested vacuum level to achieve the desired flow rate.
US08439873B1	Catheter with position indicator A peripherally inserted central venous catheter having a position indicator is used in a method of detecting movement of a catheter tip within a patient's superior vena cava. The PICC comprises a catheter having a proximal end with distance marks at measured intervals, an anchor wing system secured to the catheter's proximal end, at least one extension leg secured to the anchor wing system and the position indicator attached to the extension leg. The position indicator has an area for marking a distance signifying an initial external length of catheter which extends from the point the catheter enters the patient to the point it is attached to the anchor wing and/or marking an initial full length or the internal length of catheter which is fully within the patient. Any movement of the catheter's tip is detected by comparing the current external distance mark with the initial external distance mark.
US08439851B2	Lumen passability checking device, lumen passability checking method, and method of manufacturing lumen passability checking device A lumen passability checking device includes: an expandable and shrinkable outer casing that contains a predetermined fluid, is expanded by a pressure of the contained fluid, and forms an external diameter substantially equal to that of a capsule medical device to be inserted into a body of a subject; and a shape manipulating unit that flows out the fluid contained in the outer casing to shrink-deform the outer casing. The outer casing is shrink-deformed by flowing out the fluid, while maintaining a state of being integrated with the shape manipulating unit.
US08439840B1	Ultrasound imaging system and method with automatic adjustment and/or multiple sample volumes Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure.
US08439839B2	Ultrasonic diagnosis device and ultrasonic probe for use in ultrasonic diagnosis device An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a structure for adjusting the positional relationship between an ultrasonic transducer and a blood vessel for measuring an elasticity characteristic. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe including a transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by a tissue of a biological body; and a driving device for physically moving the transducer. For measuring the elasticity characteristic of the blood vessel, the driving device moves the transducer based on a control signal to change at least one of a direction and a position at which the ultrasonic wave is to be transmitted. A determination section specifies a position of the transducer at which the reflection intensity is maximum based on intensity information representing an intensity of the reflected wave. A calculation section calculates the elasticity characteristic of the blood vessel at the specified position.
US08439838B2	Inserter for transcutaneous sensor The invention relates to an inserter for a transcutaneous sensor comprising a sensor part e.g. for registration of the bloods content of glucose. The inserter comprises a needle unit comprising a needle hub and a carrier body, and a sensor housing. The sensor housing and the needle hub are releasably connected and when they are connected, the insertion needle is placed along the sensor e.g. surrounding the sensor wholly or partly. The carrier body guides the movement relative to the housing between a retracted and an advanced position. When released the needle unit and the sensor housing are forced by a spring unit to an advanced position where the needle and sensor are placed subcutaneously. The object of the invention is to provide a disposable inserter for a transcutaneous sensor which inserter is easy and safe for the user to handle during use and to dispose of after use.
US08439833B2	Ophthalmic structure A ring for dilating a pupil during an ophthalmic procedure includes a series of spaced supports for engaging an iris perimeter. The supports are plate elements which form an open pocket directed outwardly for engaging the iris. The sides of the ring form a primary plane, and the plates are located in respective planes above and below the primary plane. The outer periphery of the top and bottom plates forms a lip feature which is the opening to the pocket which retains the iris.
US08439832B2	Surgical access system and related methods A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08439827B2	Endoscope system and control method for the same In an endoscope, a solid-state image pickup device images an object, to output an image signal. In a processing apparatus, an illuminator applies normal light and specific light having spectral distribution different from the normal light to the object. A display control unit operates according to the image signal, to cause display of a normal image of the object produced by applying the normal light, and a specific image of the object produced by applying the specific light. A motion detector detects information of relative motion of the object. A controller controls the illuminator, causes alternate emission of the normal and specific light periodically at a storage period of the image pickup device if the motion information is equal to or smaller than a threshold level, and causes emission of the normal light without emitting the specific light if the motion information is greater than the threshold level.
US08439819B2	Fecal incontinence device, system and method A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject.
US08439787B2	Transmission with mixed planetary layshaft structure A transmission includes an input member, an output member, a first and a second intermediate member, and a planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial and define a first axis of rotation. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. Each of five sets of intermeshing gears transfer torque from a respective one of the intermediate members to a respective one of the layshafts via engagement of different respective ones of nine torque-transmitting mechanisms. A set of transfer gears transfers torque from the layshafts to the output member. One of the torque-transmitting mechanisms grounds a member of the planetary gear set to a stationary member. The nine torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08439780B2	Tensioner for a drive belt of a motor vehicle A tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected around a first axis and a couple of idle pulleys supported by a rigid element on opposing parts of axis and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of belt drive. The tensioner also includes a mobile element hinged to a second fixed axis carrying the first axis.
US08439778B2	Axial fixing device with an integrated end plug An axial fixing and closure member arrangement including an insert element for producing a rotatable, but axially fixed connection between the rotary axle of the chain guide of a rear gear change mechanism for bicycles and the related lower pivot head by means of a spring element, wherein additionally the insert element also has a sealing effect by providing an integrated closure member.
US08439774B2	Pitching movement training device A pitching movement training device includes a ball, a plurality of pegs selectively secured at predetermined locations about the surface of the ball, and at least one band secured between adjacent pegs. The ball has a seam and at least one of the pegs being positioned adjacent the seam. The ball allows one to teach athletes proper hand positioning upon a ball while throwing specific pitches. The method includes providing the plurality of pegs and the ball, securing the pegs to the ball at predetermined locations about the outer surface of the ball, positioning a user's fingers relative to the pegs; and instructing the user to throw a pitch with a specific hand motion.
US08439768B1	Tool with holder for smoking article A golf tool comprises a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, at least first and second prongs depending from the body for repairing a golf ball pitch-mark, an s-shaped serpentine structure extending from the upper portion of the body, the serpentine structure having a first end connected with and generally in vertical alignment with the body and a second end connected to a multi-purpose holder, the second end being offset from the body, the serpentine structure having a segment opposite the body defining a clip for clipping the golf tool to a golf bag, the multi-purpose holder having a shaft holder which is generally U-shaped and vertical in orientation, the multi-purpose holder separated from the body by the s-shaped serpentine structure, a channel having an axis which is generally horizontal and transverse to the shaft holder, wherein the golf tool is capable of a first position clipped to the golf bag and a golf shaft held in vertical orientation with the shaft holder, and a second position wherein the at least first and second prongs are positioned in the ground and a smoking article or golf club shaft is positioned in the channel to elevate from the ground.
US08439764B2	Drive plate with lanced drive tabs A drive plate for a torque converter, including: an annular shaped inner portion including an inner periphery for the drive plate and a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a front cover of the torque converter; a plurality of outer portions along an outer periphery for the drive plate; and a respective drive tab for each outer portion. The respective drive tab includes: a top surface disposed outward from said each outer portion in an axial direction and substantially orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the drive plate; an opening in the top surface for receiving a fastener for connecting the drive plate to a flex plate; and first and second surfaces extending from the top surface and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation for the drive plate.
US08439759B1	System and method of facilitating external notifications for events that occur in a plurality of different virtual spaces External notifications related to virtual spaces, such as virtual game spaces may be provided to users. The notifications may provide an indication of events that have occurred in the virtual game spaces, offers of virtual goods, and/or other information related to the virtual game spaces. External notifications may be sent, for example, via email, text message, instant message (external from the virtual space), and/or through other external communication media. This may provide centralized and/or coordinated distribution of notifications for a plurality of different virtual game spaces.
US08439756B2	Gaming system having a display/input device configured to interactively operate with external device A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. In various embodiments, the game table operates with one or more separate physical input devices, each having one or a plurality of the encoded patterns and each being sized and configured to be placed on top of the game table. The separate physical input devices enable the player to interact with the display/input device.
US08439752B2	Bonus trigger sounds building into a song A system and method of playing a multi-track musical composition during a wagering game in which musical tracks are successively added as bonus triggers occur, starting from an introduction portion of the musical composition and culminating in a main theme or chorus of the musical composition. Upon receipt of a wager input at a gaming terminal, a base wagering game is initiated during which several bonus triggers can occur, satisfying eligibility to conduct a bonus game. As each bonus trigger occurs, the musical composition adds a musical track to the introduction being played through audio speakers of the gaming terminal, increasing its instrumentation density to create a richer and denser sound. When the last bonus trigger occurs during the base wagering game, the music launches seamlessly from the introduction that has just been built up into the main theme or chorus of the music, which serves as the accompaniment music for the bonus game.
US08439747B2	Virtual playing chips in a multiuser online game network Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
US08439745B2	Electronic sweepstakes system providing multiple game presentations for revealing results from a single sweepstakes game A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed wherein a reveal request is initiated through a result reveal station by a person (user) who has previously made some purchase or donation and has been assigned one or more sweepstakes entries in an assignment order from a set of available sweepstakes entries for a sweepstakes game. This reveal request represents a request to reveal one or more of the results associated with the corresponding sweepstakes entries that have been assigned to the user. The reveal station employs a game presentation including various graphics and audio effects to show sweepstakes results in an entertaining fashion. In response to the reveal request, or perhaps even prior to the reveal request, one or more sweepstakes entries are selected to be revealed for the reveal request. The sweepstakes entries are selected in an order different from the order in which the sweepstakes entries were assigned to the user. The selection of entries is based on a set of game characteristics associated with the game presentation provided at the reveal station through which the reveal request is initiated.
US08439742B2	Method of adapting a class II game to provide the play characteristics of a class III game Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
US08439740B2	Gaming system, machine and method with a scannable physical component associable with a game A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed that include generating a scannable physical gaming component associable with a game. The disclosed method also includes identifying a game structure at a player station through a scan of the gaming component, receiving a game play request from a player at the player station, associating the game structure with the game, and awarding the player based on the game outcome. Further disclosed is a group or community game with which the player may be associated upon game play request wherein a winner may be determined based upon the game outcomes at respective player stations.
US08439735B2	Modified poker with bonus match card A system and method for adding a bonus round to any poker-style card game on a Nevada-style gaming machine. The bonus round is characterized by the existence of a match card. The match card is not part of the traditional poker hand (the “in-hand” cards) of the player, and only comes into play during a bonus round. The suit and value of the match card may be generated by the game machine or a remote game controller or backend server. The match card is then displayed in a manner visually associating the match card with one of the player's “in-hand” cards. A bonus is determined by evaluating the associated pair. Alternatively a bonus may be determined first, in which case the game machine determines a match card and associated card from the player's in-hand cards that is the equivalent of the predetermined bonus.
US08439733B2	Systems and methods for reinstating a player within a rhythm-action game Band members use their own performance during a song to reinstate a band member who has failed during the course of the song. Once a band member has failed, options are given to other members of the band who have achieved a predetermined bonus or performance level to save the fallen band member. Once saved, the failed member returns to normal play of the song. In this manner, failure still has the consequence of removing a player from a song at least temporarily, and perhaps permanently if bandmates are unable or unwilling to save the fallen member. However, by providing the option of reinstatement, band members can prevent their friends from long stretches of inactivity following a failure. This may have the added benefit of encouraging band members to perform strongly in order to be able to save their friends.
US08439732B2	HVAC air valve A passive air valve for an HVAC module allows air to flow through a conditioning passage in a single direction. The valve can be disposed on a downstream side of a heat exchanger. The valve can inhibit back airflow from one of the conditioning passages to the other one of the conditioning passages.
US08439730B1	Gizzard processing apparatus An apparatus and method for splitting and cleaning poultry gizzards. A poultry gizzard with proventriculus attached thereto is moved in sequence along a processing path, first along a pair of conveyor rollers that support the gizzard and pull the proventriculus downwardly between the conveyor rollers and then along a pair of engaging cutting spindles which sever the proventriculus from the gizzard. The gizzard is then transferred to a cutting station where a water knife cuts a slit into the gizzard, exposing the interior cavity of the gizzard and loosening ingest contained therein. The gizzard is then spread open by a spreading fin and adjoining rails that enter and enlarge the freshly cut slit. A water sprayer manifold then sprays pressurized water into the exposed cavity to flush and forcibly clean ingest out of the cavity.
US08439728B2	Reticle carrier A reticle carrier for a polishing tool capable of accommodating a reticle includes a base plate with an obverse and reverse surfaces, a retaining ring secured to the obverse surface of the base plate forming a recess defined by the obverse surface of the rigid base plate and internal edges of the retaining ring. A reticle pad supports a reticle in the recess. The base plate and the reticle pad having an array of matching, aligned passageway holes therethrough for exhaustion of air from space between the base plate and a the reticle and for supply of air to that space so a vacuum can retain a the reticle in place on the reticle carrier under vacuum conditions and application of air under pressure can eject a reticle from the reticle carrier.
US08439725B2	Method and device for the production of a precise concrete prefabricated part With a method for the production of a precise prefabricated concrete part, especially in the form of a sleeper or a plate for a fixed track for rail-guided vehicles, the prefabricated concrete part is ground at the functionally relevant points to the predetermined size by means of a grooved roller. The device for this is a grinding machine with a grooved roller to grind the prefabricated concrete part at functionally relevant points to a predetermined size. The grooved roller is made of a wear resistant material, especially silicon carbide.
US08439720B2	Shooting toy used in game for two or more players A shooting toy used in a game for two or more players capable of allowing an opponent player to reliably receive an infrared ray signal even in an open air, e.g., under a scorching sun. The intensity of light included in a particular wavelength region around a toy is detected by an optical sensor 27. If the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is large, an infrared ray signal generating section 31 increases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated, whereas if the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is small, the infrared signal generating section 31 decreases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated. This prevents the infrared ray signal reception capability from being affected by the light included in the particular wavelength region around the toy.
US08439715B1	Trolling motor support assembly A support assembly for a trolling motor is disclosed whereby the trolling motor shaft is clamped into a separate threaded rack unit. A motor driving a gear engaged with the rack unit causes the trolling motor to be raised and lowered vertically. A spring is employed in the breakaway mounting assembly to allow the trolling motor propulsion unit to deflect upon striking an underwater obstacle, and thereby prevent damage to the trolling motor.
US08439714B2	Electrical connector for an in-body multi-contact medical electrode device An electrical connector for connecting a linear-array plural-contact tail of an in-body multi-contact medical electrode device. The connector includes an elongate body member defining an elongate void extending along the length of the body member. An array of electrical conductors are secured in the body member and project into the elongate void to facilitate electrical connection of the contacts on the tail when the plural-contact tail is in the elongate void. A cylindrical carrier member is rotatably contained in the elongate void, the carrier member itself forms a tail-receiving subvoid.
US08439708B2	Electrical connector with cantilevered arm integrally formed on metal shell An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a metal shell enclosing the insulative housing. The metal shell includes a top wall defining a pair of slits each extending along a transverse direction, a cutout communicating with the slits and a L-shaped cantilevered arm residing in the slits and the cutout. The cantilevered arm includes a base portion protruding along the transverse direction and situated between the pair of slits and a deformable arm extending into the cutout along a mating direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. The deformable arm comprises a locking protrusion bent upwardly for locking with a notch of a mateable connector.
US08439707B2	Compression connector for multi-conductor cable A multi-conductor cable connector is provided, the connector including a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives a prepared multi-conductor cable having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis, and a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08439695B2	Lever type electrical connector A lever type connector is mated with a mating connector by operating a rotatable lever with a mating portion being received in a receiving space of the mating connector. The lever type connector includes a slider having a cam groove and is moved by rotation of the lever. The mating connector further includes a cam pin positioned on a mating housing and inserted into the cam groove. A rib that constitutes a cam pin displacement restricting body is placed between a front cover that constitutes a part of a housing of the lever type connector 1 and the mating housing in a region corresponding to the cam pin.
US08439694B2	Socket with pick up cap with a pivot having a long side and a short side A socket comprises an insulating housing receiving a plurality of contacts, and a pick-up cap engaging with the insulating housing. The pick-up cap has a planar main body covering the insulating housing. The main body is formed with two pivots on a side thereof. The insulating housing is formed with a plurality of sidewalls, one of the sidewall is provided with a pair of mounting seats on an outside thereof, each mounting seat defines a mounting hole with a gap, and the pivots of the pick-up cap enter into the mounting holes via the gaps to pivotally assemble the pick-up cap to the mounting seats.
US08439691B1	Electrical connector for realizing a high signal transmission rate An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals disposed in top and bottom surfaces of the insulating body, a holding body mounted to a rear of the insulating body and defining a plurality of positioning apertures penetrating vertically therethrough, and an insulating housing having a base body and a tongue board extending forward from a front of the base body. Each terminal has a soldering tail stretching downward beyond a bottom of the rear of the holding body to be positioned in the positioning aperture. A bottom of the tongue board defines a receiving recess extending longitudinally to penetrate through the base body. A rear end of the receiving recess penetrates downward through the base body to define an opening. The insulating body with the terminals and the holding body is inserted forward in the receiving recess, and the holding body is secured in the opening.
US08439690B2	Connector The present invention provides a technique that is easy for soldering fixture to a printed circuit board and is easy to handle. Regarding a connector having an insulating base portion and a conductive portion, in at least one direction of a surface to which the conductive portion is exposed, a metal plate extending from a side constituting the surface to another side not adjacent to the side is included. The metal plate can be fixed to a circuit board with solder, and deformation of the connector can be made less likely to occur.
US08439681B2	Method of assessing oral health risk A method of oral health risk assessment is provided in which diagnostic data from an oral health detection device and patient risk factor data is processed to provide a integrated risk measure relating to a patient's dental health. The patient risk factor data preferably includes risk factor data such as pathological risk factors, protective risk factors, historical factors, self care factors, behavioral factors, and extrinsic factors. The integrated risk assessment and patient data is preferably provided to a remote server for access by various authorized stakeholders.
US08439672B2	Method and system for optimizing dental aligner geometry Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.
US08439665B2	Ribbon liquefier for use in extrusion-based digital manufacturing systems A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.
US08439661B2	Power take-off for compressors A power take-off for compressors, comprising: a first rotating element (2), predisposed to be connected on command to a motor (40); at least a second rotating element (3), kinematically connected to the first rotating element (2), which is predisposed to be connected to a first user (50); a torque limiter or clutch (4), interposed between the first rotating element (2) and the second rotating element (3).
US08439659B2	Eccentric screw pump with split stator An eccentric screw pump has a plurality of segments extending along an axis and together forming a tubular casing generally centered on the axis and a plurality of axially extending stator shells of elastic material together forming inside the casing a tubular stator having axially opposite ends each having centered on the axis a frustoconical end seal surface. The stator shells are separable from the casing segments. An intake housing has a connecting flange formed centered on the axis with a frustoconical flange surface fitted with one of the end seal surfaces of the stator, and an output fitting has a connecting flange formed centered on the axis with a frustoconical flange surface fitted with the other of the end seal surfaces of the stator. A rotor extends axially in the stator, the stator being clamped by the casing against the rotor.
US08439650B2	Flow-controllable cell pump with pivotable control slide valve A flow-controllable cell pump having a bearing element that may be positioned in a receiving shell of a pump housing such that the receiving shell may assume an operational connection with at least one of a bearing element, a pump chamber positioned between an inner rotor and a control slide valve. An outer rotor may be configured in the control slide valve, and suction kidneys may be arranged on both sides of the pump chambers in the pump housing. At least one pressure kidney may be offset on both sides of the pump chambers in the pump housing. The pressure kidney may be connected with a pressure connection socket, with a control slide valve arm configured on the control slide valve.
US08439644B2	Airfoil leading edge shape tailoring to reduce heat load An airfoil includes a leading edge surface that includes a non-continuous curvature distribution. A stagnation region of the airfoil includes a curvature larger than adjacent segments to reduce heat transfer into the airfoil. The reduced curvature in the stagnation region is surrounded by the adjacent segments with larger curvatures to tailor the airfoil surface to provide a desired balance between heat transfer properties and aerodynamic performance.
US08439638B2	Blade pitch controller, wind turbine generator, and method of controlling blade pitch A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to blades of a wind turbine generator and actuated to change a pitch angle of the blade. A variable displacement hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder, and a discharge pressure of the pump does not follow a load pressure. When the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump becomes a set pressure, a pressure control valve is opened to change a discharge amount of the hydraulic pump, and to make the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump to be a pressure smaller than a cut off pressure. Further, a setting control unit sets the set pressure based on the hydraulic pressure that the hydraulic cylinder requires such that the set pressure becomes a minimum pressure required to change the pitch angle to a predetermined angle by the hydraulic cylinder.
US08439636B1	Turbine blade outer air seal A BOAS assembly for a gas turbine engine with a full annular impingement ring secured in place above BOAS segments between front and aft full retainer rings and the front and aft hooks on the BOAS segments. The full impingement ring uncouples the impingement ring from the BOAS segments and eliminates gaps for cooling air leakage so that all of the cooling air is used for impingement cooling of the BOAS segments. A long tongue extending from the aft retainer rings guides the impingement ring and the BOAS segments into place during assembly.
US08439633B2	Hollow steam guide diffuser having increased pressure recovery A steam turbine includes a diffuser that has a bearing cone and an inner plate of a steam guide that define a passage through which steam flows. An outer plate is disposed with respect to the inner plate such that an opening is located between the inner and outer plates. At least one hole is located in the inner plate. A water tube is disposed in the opening, the water tube having water flowing therethrough which condenses at least a portion of a flow of steam flowing in the passage thereby creating at least a partial vacuum within the opening. The vacuum creates a suction effect through the at least one hole in the inner plate that can cause at least a portion of the flow of steam in the passage to attach itself to an inner surface of the inner plate.
US08439631B2	Shaft coupling arrangement A shaft coupling arrangement and a corresponding method for coupling shafts are disclosed herein. The shaft coupling arrangement includes an input shaft operable to rotate about a first axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes an output shaft operable to rotate about a second axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes a gearing arrangement operable to engage the input and output shafts together for rotation in the same angular direction at different angular speeds. In one embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement includes a plurality of nested bevel gears. In another embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement can include a single layshaft.
US08439628B2	Heat transfer enhancement in internal cavities of turbine engine airfoils An airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side and a pressure side; a plurality of internal cooling cavities extending radially within the airfoil, one of the plurality of internal cavities extending along the trailing edge. The trailing edge is provided with a plurality of coolant exit apertures extending therealong. A plurality of vortex generators is formed on an internal surface of at least one of the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The vortex generators are arranged in radially spaced relationship in one of the plurality of internal cooling cavities, extending substantially parallel to and in proximity to the plurality of coolant exit apertures.
US08439624B2	Transfer apparatus A transfer apparatus which performs long-distance transfer at a high speed, while preventing dimensions of the apparatus from increasing. Specifically, a transfer apparatus transfers a work to a pressing machine The transfer apparatus is provided with a base section, a follower arm, which is connected to the base section on the base-section end side such that the follower arm can rotate and vertically slide, and a first driving arm which is rotatably connected to the base section on the base-section end side. The transfer apparatus also includes a driving arm, which is rotatably connected to the first driving arm on the base-section end side and rotatably connected to the follower arm on the leading end side, and a holding apparatus arranged on the leading end side of the follower arm for holding the work.
US08439615B2	Assembly for mounting electronic components, methods of use and manufacture thereof An assembly for mounting electronic components includes a face plate comprising a thermoplastic material. The face plate includes a retaining element for securing a captive screw and spring assembly for mounting an electronic printed circuit board. The retaining element includes one or more slots adapted to expand the element to permit insertion of the screw and deformation of the hole upon insertion of the screw, while locking the screw to retain the screw in place. This arrangement permits the elimination of the metal standoff frequently used in similar devices. Methods for preparing the assembly and mounting the printed circuit boards are also described.
US08439605B2	Apparatus for everting a liner into a pipe and pressure connector for the same An apparatus for lining a pipe, comprising a support structure, a liner secured to the support structure and having a non-everted portion and an everted portion, and a pressure connector secured to the everted portion of the liner. The pressure connector includes a connector stud positioned in an opening of the everted portion of the liner, an inner pinch plate positioned inside the liner adjacent the opening, an outer pinch plate positioned outside the liner adjacent the opening and in opposing relation to the inner pinch plate, and a compression mechanism forcing the outer pinch plate toward the inner pinch plate. Preferably, the connector stud includes splines, and the outer pinch plate includes grooves receiving the splines. The compression mechanism can include a reaction plate coupled to the connector stud and including a threaded hole engaged with a threaded member.
US08439604B2	Pipe support system and method for use in underground pipe ramming A method of driving a pipe into the ground includes steps of placing a pipe to be driven into the ground onto a series of at least two spaced skids each having an upwardly opening cradle thereon so that the pipe spans and is supported by the skid cradles, one skid proximate a front end of the pipe and the other skid proximate a rear end of the pipe, each skid including a vertical jack mechanism for raising and lowering the pipe supported by the skid, positioning the pipe in a position for ramming into the ground by operating the vertical jack mechanisms as needed to raise the pipe into the ramming position, and ramming the pipe using an impact ramming tool applied to push the pipe into the ground.
US08439601B2	Containment boom mooring system A containment boom mooring system for efficiently anchoring containment booms over extended periods of time and in varying sea conditions. The containment boom mooring system generally includes a clamping frame having a first and second frame section pivotally connected upon a first end and having a latching assembly upon a second end for securing the frame sections in a pivotally closed position, a first and second resilient retainer extending along the inner sides of the first and second frame sections to frictionally engage a first side and a second side of a containment boom, a first and a second buoyancy member extending from the first and second frame sections, and an anchor assembly extending from the clamping frame which is adapted to extend below a water surface for mooring the clamping frame.
US08439594B1	Shallow flush-mounted vehicle control barrier Systems and methods described herein provide for a flush-mounted vehicle control barrier having a shallow foundation. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a vehicle control barrier includes a sub-frame, a wedge plate, and an actuator mechanism that is coupled to the sub-frame and disposed within an interior space of the sub-frame.
US08439593B2	Quarter turn locking mechanism Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securely, yet releasably, connecting separate parts. A shaft engages a cooperating socket to form a connection capable of sustaining service loads. The shaft has a protruding pin which slides within a slot in the socket to guide the shaft into locked engagement with the socket. The shaft also has a cantilever body which wedges into a tapered region in the socket to frictionally bind the shaft and socket together.
US08439587B2	Joining member and ballpoint pen employing the same The present invention provides a joining member for connecting an ink accommodating member and a ballpoint pen tip provided in a ballpoint pen, the joining member comprising, as a constituent material, a resin comprising a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. By this means, it is possible to provide a joining member for a ballpoint pen having, in particular, both sufficiently excellent transparency and gas barrier properties.
US08439584B2	Paper cutting device and a printer with a paper cutting device A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
US08439579B2	Single-lens reflex camera using phase difference detection method A single-reflex camera includes a mirror box, and a focus detecting unit. The mirror box further includes a first opening on a side of the image-pickup optical system, which the light flux that has passed the image-pickup optical system enters, and a bottom plate arranged between the mirror and the focus detecting unit, the bottom plate including a plate-shaped front part that extends so as to approach to an optical axis of the image-pickup optical system from the first opening. Part of the condenser lens is located on a side of the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system with respect to a line that is made by extending, parallel to the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system, an end of the first opening on a side of the bottom plate.
US08439568B2	Wheel support bearing assembly equipped with sensor In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements between an outer member and an inner member, a sensor unit is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit is made up of a sensor mounting member and at least one or more strain sensors fitted to the sensor mounting member. A sensor signal processing circuit to process an output signal from the strain sensor is provided in the sensor mounting member.
US08439566B2	Wear pad adjustment assembly A cam assembly is provided for adjustment of a drill feed guide wear pad. The cam assembly has an eccentric bushing with a shank portion extending circumferentially about a first axis and defining a bore along a second axis. The second axis is generally parallel and offset from the first axis. The bushing has a head portion extending from the eccentric bushing portion, with the bore extending though the head portion. The bushing is sized for insertion into an aperture of a drill feed guide wear pad, and is rotatable causing the shank portion to engage the aperture of the wear pad to provide a camming action to position the wear pad relative to a drill feed guide. The head portion is shaped to interact with a tool for rotating the bushing.
US08439560B1	System and method for determining the blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge A system for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge including a light-tight enclosure, a viewing aperture sheet received in the light-tight enclosure, the viewing aperture sheet having a first side and a second, opposite side, and defining at least one viewing aperture having a known area, a radiometer having a sensor aperture, the sensor aperture being received in the light-tight enclosure on the first side of the viewing aperture sheet, the sensor aperture being positioned a known distance from the viewing aperture, and an electric current source having an electrode, the electrode being received in the light-tight enclosure on the second side of the viewing aperture sheet.
US08439548B2	Symmetric serrated edge light guide having circular base segments The present invention provides a planar light guide film for a backlight unit having at least one point light source, the light guide film comprising a light input surface for receiving light from the point light source, a light redirecting surface for redirecting light received from the light input surface and a light output surface for outputting at least the light redirected from the light redirecting surface. The light input surface further comprises a composite lens structure having a circular tip segment with a first contact angle, and a first and second circular base segments with a second contact angle, the second contact angle being greater than the first contact angle and the second contact angle being equal to each other. Further, the circular tip segment satisfies the following equation: y1=a1+√{square root over ((r12−x2))} and the circular base segments satisfies the following equations: y2=b2+√{square root over ((r22−(x+a2)2))} y3=b3+√{square root over ((r32−(x−a3)2))}.
US08439544B2	Headlight for a motor vehicle with temperature-compensated holder for a lamp module This invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) with a base body (2) containing at least one light module (3) for emitting low beam light, whereby the low beam light is emitted at a specified angle or within an angle range.The invention envisages that the fixture of the light module (3) in the headlamp (1) must have at least one expansion joint (5), whereby temperature-related deviations in the emission of the low beam light from the specified angle or the specified angle range can be compensated by the temperature-related expansion of the expansion joint (5).
US08439542B2	Vehicle light A vehicle light can maintain its maximum light intensity in its light distribution pattern while improving the brightness sense at a farther area. The vehicle light can be provided in a front portion of a vehicle body, for forming a road surface light distribution pattern on a road surface in front of the vehicle body. The road surface can include at least a farther area, an intermediate area, and a nearby area. The road surface light distribution pattern can include a plurality of light source images each extending in a horizontal direction, the respective light source images being projected to the corresponding farther area, intermediate area and nearby area, respectively, without striding across the adjacent areas. The vehicle light can include an LED light source having a rectangular light emission surface with a short side of 0.6 to 0.8 mm, and an optical system configured to project the plurality of light source images each extending in the horizontal direction to the corresponding farther area, intermediate area and nearby area, respectively, without striding across the adjacent areas, thereby optimizing the road surface illuminance in each of the farther area, intermediate area and nearby area.
US08439536B2	Vehicle headlight A vehicle light can include a matrix type semiconductor light source, an imaging lens and a reflector. The light source can project an enlarged matrix light on the reflector via the imaging lens. The reflector can include a matrix reflex surface having horizontal curvatures. Each of the horizontal curvatures of the reflex surfaces arranged in columns can be configured such that the corresponding column light is extended gradually in a wider range as the corresponding column light approaches from a central column light toward both edge column lights. Accordingly, a magnification of light projected from the reflector can become gradually large as approaching from the central column toward both edge columns. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle headlights that can form favorable light distribution patterns for a low beam and a high beam having a bright central portion in a wide range of a smooth light distribution pattern.
US08439527B2	Bulb-type lamp and lighting device Provided is a bulb-type lamp including a lightweight housing with great handleability. An LED light bulb comprises: an LED module on which LEDs are mounted; a cylindrically-shaped case having openings at both ends, which are first and second ends; a mount member on a front surface of which the LED module is mounted, the mount member closing a corresponding one of the openings of the case by being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first end of the case; a base member attached to the second end of the case; and a lighting circuit that is disposed inside the case. A wall thickness of the case is in a range of 200 μm to 500 μm inclusive, and the wall thickness of at least one portion of the case decreases from the first end toward the second end of the case.
US08439524B2	Light emitting assembly with independent heat sink LED support A light emitting assembly (10) is fabricated by forming a continuous strip of aluminum heat sink having a pair of fins (32) aligned with the side edges (20) and cutting the continuous strip into a plurality of elongated sections (18). The elongated sections (18) are disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another and separated by an elongated slot (26) so that adjacent elongated sections (18) are independent of one another. A plurality of light emitting diodes (24) are disposed on the mounting surface (14) of each elongated section (18). Bridges (28) constructed of a material different from the material of the heat sink interconnect the elongated sections (18). An independent cover (52) is adhesively secured to the mounting surface (14) around the light emitting diodes (24) on each elongated section (18). A housing (56) spaced from the fins (32) is disposed over the assembly (10).
US08439521B2	Light-emitting module and luminaire According to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a substrate, a light-emitting element, a light distribution control member, and a cover. The substrate includes a surface on which a thermally conductive portion and a interconnect pattern are formed. The light-emitting element is thermally connected to the thermally conductive portion, is electrically connected to the interconnect pattern, and generates heat while emitting light. The light distribution control member is thermally connected to the thermally conductive portion at a periphery of the light-emitting element, includes a ridge portion formed on an exit side where light emitted from the light-emitting element is projected, and is configured to control distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting element. The cover is thermally connected to the ridge portion and configured to pass therethrough the light emitted from the light-emitting element.
US08439515B1	Remote lighting device and associated methods A lighting device to receive solar light by a color conversion optic and convert the solar light into a powering light, increasing the efficiency of electrical power generation using a photovoltaic system. The electrical power may be stored by a battery, from which it may be drawn to drive a lighting element to emit illuminating light. The illuminating light may be received and converted by the color conversion optic into a converted light, providing illumination in a desired wavelength range. The color conversion optic may be positionable adjacent to the photovoltaic system or the lighting element to convert light. A controller may be included to control the color conversion operation. The controller may be connected to a sensor or a timer.
US08439513B2	Light emitting diode module and back light assembly The present application presents a light emitting diode module comprising a substrate including a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a metal layer between the first and the second insulating layers; a groove formed at the first insulating layer for exposing the metal layer; and a light emitting element disposed at the groove, and including an LED chip and body part surrounding the LED chip, wherein the LED chip contacts the metal layer for radiating heat.
US08439508B2	Projector and projector system A projector that projects an image on a screen, includes: plural image generating units that generate an image lights representing the image; a main body housing that houses the plural image generating units; and plural projection optical units that are provided in the main body housing to respectively correspond to the plural image generating units and project the image lights generated by the image generating units on the screen.
US08439498B2	Toric intraocular lens with modified power characteristics An intraocular lens for correcting or reducing the astigmatism of a cornea includes an optical element that has optical properties and characteristics that make it tolerant of rotational misalignment, when compared to a comparable lens having a uniform astigmatism orientation across its entire optical element, leading to more relaxed tolerances for a surgeon that implants the lens. The optical element of the toric ophthalmic lens has meridians associated therewith, including a high power meridian and a low power meridian orthogonal to the high power meridian. The optical element has at least one radially modulated meridian along which power monotonically varies with increasing radial position.
US08439497B2	Image processing apparatus with nested printer and scanner An image processing apparatus has a compact arrangement of an inkjet printer; and a flat bed scanner unit. The scanner has a scanner head, a glass panel for receiving media to be scanned and a lid having an inner surface for flat engagement with the glass panel. The lid also has an outer surface presenting a flat surface for receiving media printed by the printer and awaiting collection.
US08439495B2	Ink jet liquid composition, set, liquid cartridge, and ink jet recording method An ink jet liquid composition which is used with an ink containing a pigment and which contains an ABC triblock polymer formed from an A block having an aryl group, a B block having a unit represented by the general formula (1), and a C block having a unit represented by the general formula (2), wherein an acid value of the polymer is 20 mgKOH/g or more and less than 150 mgKOH/g, the ratio of the number average molecular weight of the polymer to the acid value is 50 or more and 200 or less, the proportion of the A block in the polymer is 20.0 percent by mass or more and 80.0 percent by mass or less and is 5.0 times or more and 15.0 times or less the proportion of units derived from all acidic monomers contained in the polymer.
US08439494B2	Liquid ejecting head, method for making the same, and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head includes a head main body capable of ejecting a liquid supplied from a liquid storage unit, and a supply member provided with a liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the head main body. The supply member has a filter mounting member provided with the liquid supply passage, a supply body that supplies the filter mounting member with the liquid, and a filter provided between the filter mounting member and the supply body. The supply member is provided with an outer portion that fixes the filter mounting member, the supply body, and the filter and that is formed by integral molding.
US08439490B2	Apparatus for regulating air pressure in ink tank and ink-supplying system having the same The present invention relates to an ink-supplying system. The ink-supplying system includes an ink tank for receiving ink therein, a vacuum pump configured for providing a pressure below atmospheric pressure in the ink tank, a first regulating unit, at least one second regulating unit, and a third regulating unit disposed between the vacuum pump and the ink tank, and in communication with each other. The first regulating unit and the third regulating unit each includes a pressure regulating valve and a buffer tank connected therewith, and the at least one second regulating unit comprises a closed-loop pressure regulating valve and a buffer tank connected with the closed-loop pressure regulating valve.
US08439485B2	Substrate including a detection feature for liquid discharge head and liquid discharge head A liquid discharge head includes a heat accumulation layer provided on a board, an energy generation element configured to generate energy to discharge liquid from a discharge port and including a heat generation resistor layer provided on the heat accumulation layer and formed of a material configured to generate heat through supply of electricity and a pair of electrodes connected to the heat generation resistor layer, and an insulation layer including a silicon compound and provided so as to cover the energy generation element, and a line formed of a metal material provided between the heat accumulation layer and the insulation layer, and in at least a portion at a position closer to a flow path than the energy generation element.
US08439482B1	Cartridge and printing material supply system A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
US08439481B2	Liquid dispenser including sloped outlet opening wall A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel; and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
US08439478B2	Ink-jet wiping apparatus, and wiping method using this A wiping apparatus having a gas injection aperture that injects gas, and a guide section that has a convexly curved surface and has an apex and over which gas injected from the gas injection aperture is blown, and, in this wiping apparatus, foreign substance adhering to a nozzle plate of an ink-jet head placed above the guide section is blown away by gas guided along the curved surface of the guide section.
US08439470B2	Liquid ejecting device A liquid ejecting device to eject droplets of liquid onto a recording medium is provided. The image ejecting device includes a recording medium conveyer, a liquid ejecting head, a detector unit, an image data storage, a controller, and a cancellation signal output unit to output cancellation signals in an error condition. The controller includes a creating unit to create first dot pattern data and sum segments extracted from the first dot pattern data to create second dot pattern data, a transmission unit, and a cancellation controller unit to stop the creating unit, create second dot pattern data by adding a dot pattern to the segments having been extracted from the first dot pattern data, and transmit the created second dot pattern data to the transmission unit. The controller controls the liquid ejecting head to eject the droplets from the nozzles according to the second dot pattern data.
US08439456B2	Built-in domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher A built-in domestic appliance is provided that has a length-adjustable spacer sleeve to fasten the built-in domestic appliance to a wall with a fastening screw. The length-adjustable spacer has a first sleeve part mounted on the built-in domestic appliance and a second sleeve part that is telescopically adjustable relative to the first sleeve part and that is adjustable, in length, along an axis with respect to the first sleeve part until the second sleeve part is in contact with the wall. The built-in domestic appliance also includes a rotational securing assembly that limits rotational movement of the second sleeve part about the axis.
US08439453B2	Method and assembly for mounting an automobile rim to a motorcycle A method and assembly for mounting an auto rim and either motorcycle or auto tire as a motorcycle rear wheel. The assembly allows tires of different widths and diameters to be used on the rear of motorcycles that have single side swing arms and standard swing arms. The method and assembly allows a left side or right side drive which can be a belt or chain. A hub with bearings and spacers are mounted with a brake rotor disk and a drive pulley in tandem to produce a hub assembly.
US08439450B2	Tunneling apparatus including vacuum and method of use The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.
US08439444B2	Tip slide stow seat A seat assembly (10) includes a recliner assembly (30) operatively coupled between a seat back (12) and a seat cushion (14) for pivotal movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and fold-flat position. A track assembly (58) operable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition allowing forward and rearward movement of said seat assembly. A stop member (54) fixedly secured to the seat cushion engages the seat back to limit forward pivotal movement. A trigger mechanism (56) pivotally coupled to said seat cushion and operatively coupled to said track assembly for releasing said track from said locked condition to said unlocked condition in response to pivoting said seat back to the fold-flat position. A pin mechanism (80, 82) slidably coupled to the seat back moves between an extended position engageable with the trigger mechanism and the stop member, and a retracted position allowing the forward pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold-flat position.
US08439443B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat includes an operating member that is provided for a seat back. The operating member is operated to release locking of a seat cushion to a floor and to release rotation-sopped state of a reclining device. By operating the operating member, a first link rotatably provided for the seat back is operated in one rotation direction to thereby turn a second link rotatably provided for a base frame so that locking of the seat cushion to the floor is released. When the seat back is tilted forward, the first link is moved together with the seat back in a direction to be separated from the second link, that is, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first link turns the second link.
US08439442B2	Method and apparatus to enhance proprioception and core health of the human body The present disclosure provides a lockout mechanism for use with a dynamic therapeutic assembly having a pivot bar pivotally coupled to an upper pivot plate such that the upper pivot plate is moveable with respect to the pivot bar about a first pivot axis and pivotally coupled to a lower pivot plate such that the pivot bar is moveable with respect to the lower pivot plate about a second pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The lockout mechanism includes a pushrod assembly that is moveable between a first position, wherein a portion of the pushrod assembly is engageable with the pivot bar to prevent substantial movement of the pivot bar about the second pivot axis, and a second position, wherein the portion of the pushrod assembly is disengaged from the pivot bar to allow movement of the pivot bar about the second pivot axis.
US08439438B2	Push-push cup holder A cupholder has a substantially tubular shell configured to be mounted with a longitudinal axis oriented substantially vertically. A floor received in the shell is vertically movable along the longitudinal axis for defining a variable depth cup well. A ring coaxially atop the shell has a plurality of vertical guide extensions disposed around a periphery of the shell. The ring is vertically movable. A linkage is provided between the floor and the guide extensions providing reciprocal motion of the floor and the ring wherein pushing down the floor raises the ring and wherein pushing down the ring raises the floor.
US08439433B2	Single motor structure for operation of panorama sunroof glass and roll blind at the same time A single motor structure for operation of a panorama sunroof glass and a roll blind may include a motor supplying a motive power to the panorama sunroof glass and the roll blind, a rotating shaft rotatably connected to a side of the motor, a first actuating gear and a second actuating gear, which may be spaced symmetrically from the rotating shaft with a predetermined distance, a first actuating member combined with the first actuating gear so as to rotate with the first actuating gear to control open-shut of the panorama sunroof glass, a second actuating member combined with the second actuating gear so as to rotate with the second actuating gear so as to control open-shut of the roll blind, and a first actuating relay member and a second actuating relay member, which may be combined with each of the first actuating member and the second actuating member respectively.
US08439430B2	Vehicle body structure In a vehicle body structure, a frontal crash performance is improved by establishing a transmission path of a frontal crash load by a floor frame (28) without increasing the weight of the vehicle body, manufacturing cost or the number of welding spots. The floor frame (28) is attached to a lower surface of a floor panel (12), and extends from a rear end of a front side frame (20) from a longitudinally intermediate part of the floor panel. A rear part of the floor panel is formed with a side bead (34) extending in a fore and aft direction in alignment with the floor frame. The rear end of the floor frame is connected to the front end of the side bead via a slope section (32) of the floor panel, and the rear end of the side bead is connected to a middle cross member (18) extending laterally along the rear edge of the floor panel.
US08439426B2	Reconfigurable travel trailer with removable camping pod A travel trailer is provided. The travel trailer may include a camping pod that contains tent fabric. The travel trailer may also have a telescoping member that is configured for raising and lowering the camping pod.
US08439418B1	Illuminated shelf vehicle storage compartment A vehicle storage compartment is provided having a housing defining a storage space and a shelf disposed within the housing such that the compartment is divided. The shelf includes translucent material coated with flock and has non-flock areas. A light source is operatively coupled to the shelf to provide light illumination through the translucent material such that light illumination is illuminated into the compartment through the non-flock areas.
US08439415B2	Ski boot carrier A reusable, hand-held carrier for transporting and storing a pair of ski boots includes: (a) a handle portion; (b) a shank including two opposite longitudinal first sides, an upper shank end being attached to a base handle section of the handle portion; (c) a hanger portion extending from a lower shank end and including at least two elongate hook elements, each of the hook elements including an open topped channel and a set of corresponding shoulder portions on opposite walls of the channel that form a pinched zone at the top of the channel. The boot carrier preferably also includes at least one carrier pin for holding a sole guard ski boot accessory within a recess in the carrier shank. A carrier wall mount and boot carrier set is also contemplated. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.
US08439411B2	Bumper beam with integrated energy absorber The present invention is directed to an energy absorbing component externally mounted to a vehicle having a beam structural member and at least one energy absorber operably connected to the beam structural member. The energy absorber absorbs energy when the vehicle undergoes a collision. Also included is a beam cover plate connected to the beam structural member through the use of resistive implant welding, which simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves manufacturing costs. There are two vehicle attachment plates which are overmolded to the beam cover plate, the vehicle attachment plates allow for the beam cover plate to be attached to a vehicle. The beam cover plate, beam structural member, and energy absorber form a component that is operable to function as a bumper that is connected to a vehicle, which absorbs energy during a collision.
US08439408B2	Pipe clamp A pipe repair clamp includes a flexible strap having ends that are brought together when the clamp is closed. A thrust plate is secured near the first end of the flexible strap. A lug is secured to the thrust plate. A lug plate is secured near the second end of the strap. A threaded stud is secured to the lug plate and is used to tighten the clamp. A lug cover plate is secured to the lug and the thrust plate and receives the threaded stud. The lug cover plate includes a curved end portion covering at least a portion of the lug. A locking plate receives the threaded stud. The locking plate slides along a top surface of the lug and over the lug cover plate when the first and second ends of the strap are pulled toward each other when the clamp is tightened around a pipe.
US08439396B2	Airbag module An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising an inflatable curtain airbag configured to deploy between an occupant and an interior side of the vehicle; an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag; a housing configured to surround the airbag; and a strap configured to retain the airbag in the housing prior to inflation and deployment of the airbag; wherein at least one end of the strap is connected to the housing.
US08439393B2	Attachment device An attachment device is provided for securing a cladding element covering an airbag to a motor vehicle body. The airbag is designed to deploy during and/or after activation of the airbag, predominantly in a main direction of force exertion, encompassing a mount that is attachable or attached to the motor vehicle body in an assembly direction, and an insert that is attachable or attached to the cladding element. The insert is connectable or connected with the mount by means of a first connection device and the attachment device is designed to open in an opening direction during and/or after activation of the airbag by releasing the first connection device. The opening direction coincides with and/or mirrors the main direction of force exertion.
US08439392B2	Motor vehicle body with side airbag system A motor vehicle body is provided with a side airbag system that has a gas generator of the side airbag system and a handle mounted adjacently to a side window. The gas generator is inserted in a mounting frame between the handle and the roof frame, which connects the handle to a roof frame of the body.
US08439391B1	Baby jogger A baby jogger includes an upper frame unit, two coupling members, two stop members, two rear frame bars, a rear wheel axle, a plurality of rear wheels, two linking devices, two side bars, a lower frame unit, a mud fender, a front wheel frame and a front wheel. The front wall of each coupling member is connected between the two sidewalls thereof; the rotary members at the two distal ends of the lower frame unit are respectively accommodated in the accommodation space in the two coupling members; the two distal ends of the U-shaped handlebar of the upper frame unit are respectively accommodated in the locating hole in each of the two coupling members. This arrangement avoids accidental finger jam when collapsing the upper frame unit and the lower frame unit, assuring a high level of safety.
US08439380B2	Front structure of saddle type vehicle A front structure of a saddle type vehicle is provided with the added function of damping vibrations generated in the direction different from the direction of an axis of a telescopic fork, in addition to functioning as a steering damper. An automatic two-wheeled vehicle includes a head pipe provided on a front portion of a vehicle body frame, a steering stem supported by the head pipe, and a fork member coupled to the steering stem and supporting a front wheel. The fork member includes an upper pipe coupled to the steering stem, and a bottom pipe slidably coupled to the upper pipe and rotatably supporting the front wheel at a lower portion thereof. A damper member is provided between the bottom pipe and the vehicle body frame.
US08439379B2	Bicycle A bicycle wherein the front wheel can be both steered and powered by reciprocal movement of the handle bars in a forward and rear direction. The drive system for the front wheel comprises a first linkage comprising two arms, one of which is a pivoting arm, and a second linkage comprising three arms, two of which are pivoting arms. The two arm linkage system is the primary driver in the sense of rotating a drive sprocket between two over center positions. The three arm linkage system, while also driving the drive sprocket, serves the primary function of moving the two arm linkage system over the two center positions, as the handle bars are reciprocated in forward and rear directions.
US08439368B2	Articulating seal A known gland 11 includes first and second members 12 and 13. Prior art seals 33 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), 40 (FIG. 2A and 2B) or 50 (FIG. 3) can be used to seal the gland 11. Also, a novel, double acting, over center cone, articulating compression seal 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5) can be used to seal the gland 11. The seal 60 includes a base 61, an articulating compression arm 62, and a rocker 63. The arm 62 is connected to the base 61 at one hinge region 73 and to the rocker 63 at another hinge region 83. The articulating compression arm 62 is cone shaped, and the cone inverts as the seal 60 is displaced from a relaxed position (FIG. 4) to a sealed position (FIG. 5). The rocker 63 extends radially and longitudinally in the relaxed position and extends longitudinally in the sealing position.
US08439361B2	Slat puzzle An improved puzzle of the type in which a target image is applied to the edge of a stack of slats. The slats are shuffled and then reassembled by the user. In the improvement, the strip of target image that is associated with the edge of each slat is extended beyond the edge, along the surface of the slat, allowing the user to more readily perceive the puzzle pattern, particularly on relatively thin slats. The improvement also allows economic manufacture from inexpensive materials by ordinary printing techniques. Slats can be printed flat, then formed by folding.
US08439360B2	Roulette game device It is possible to arrange a plurality of wheel pins 281 on an inclined face 28 formed so as to follow an outer circumferential direction of a plurality of pockets 23 formed in a roulette device 2. These wheel pins 281 include threaded holes 282 and insertion pins 283, and match positions of through holes 284 formed in the inclined face 28 and the threaded holes 282, and are fastened with screws 286 inserted from a back surface side of the inclined face 28 to be detachable. In addition, concave portions 285 formed according to a distance between the threaded holes 282 and the insertion pins 283 in the wheel pins 281 are formed in the inclined face 28, and the insertion pins 283 are inserted and cause a direction of the wheel pins 281 to be fixed.
US08439352B2	Rotation transmission mechanism and paper feeder A one-way clutch is mounted on an outer periphery of a rotary shaft in a manner to place a clutch needle bearing in contact with the outer periphery of the rotary shaft. A rotary member is disposed on one side of the one-way clutch and engaged with the one-way clutch to be subjected to the rotation of the rotary shaft transmitted thereto. A retaining member is mounted on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft and located on the opposite side of the one-way clutch from the rotary member, while an urging unit is provided for urging the one-way clutch to abut against the retaining member.
US08439345B2	Image forming device An image forming device including a pickup roller and a scraper roller configured to send out a print sheet to a feed route, a before-registration roller configured to send out a print sheet to a registration roller, and a control unit configured to independently control the transfer speed of the print sheet at each point based on operation patterns relating to the pickup roller and the scraper roller, and an intermediate transfer roller configured to transfer the print sheet between the before-registration roller and itself, wherein the operation pattern is set based on a relationship between a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the before-registration roller or a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the registration roller and a length of the print sheet.
US08439344B2	Image recording device An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit.
US08439338B2	Rotary table device provided with cooling structure and rotary bearing provided with cooling structure A rotary table device includes a cooling structure and a rotary bearing provided with a cooling structure. A rotary table device provided with a cooling structure includes a hollow motor as a drive source, a table rotated by the hollow motor, and a rotary bearing supporting rotational motion of the table, in which the rotary bearing includes an outer ring having an inner peripheral surface to which a rolling surface is formed, an inner ring having an outer peripheral surface to which a rolling surface facing the rolling surface of the outer ring is formed, and a number of rolling members in a rolling passage formed by the rolling surface of the outer ring and the rolling surface of the inner ring, and a heat sink is formed to either one of the inner and outer rings.
US08439333B2	Removable misting array assembly for an abatement system Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of an abatement system that removes heat and/or one or more byproducts of combustion from a gas flow. In various aspects a misting array assembly is provided that includes at least one nozzle tubing having at least one nozzle coupled thereto.
US08439331B2	Manhole cover extractor A manhole cover extractor that pulls and lifts weighty horizontal items such as manhole covers and handhold enclosure covers that are lifted perpendicular from one side and pulled from the original position, removed and on same plane able to lift and move cover back to the original setting or simply move cover as to not create a tripping hazard; the tool consists of a T-bar which gives the necessary fulcrum for effortless removal and management of cumbersome manhole covers, the T-bar is comprised with handles to control the load. A polypropylene strap which is doubled back with reinforced cross stitching and J-hook which engages the object(s) listed and the aforementioned polypropylene strap is docked to the T-bar handle. Pneumatic all-terrain tires that are attached to an axle that is secured to the T-bar handle through the A-frame of the dolly.
US08439330B2	Stem shoulder seal with double rings and an assembly of independent dual stem seals A stem shoulder seal with double rings is composed of a sealing ring, a clamping ring and a spherical or conical stem shoulder, and the sealing ring is of a self-energized seal designed to its ultimate allowable strength and automatically free of any load beyond its ultimate strength. An assembly of independent dual stem seals, consisting of a stem shoulder seal with double rings, a stem cylinder seal with triangular sections and an isolating mating, can ensure that a stem has three seals which get well seated automatically at the same time to bear an identical ultimate medium pressure independently or without any mutual interference in service when assembled to the extent that the stem operating torque is just definitely increased, thereby ensuring that a stem sealing has a triple safety.
US08439329B2	Method and device for operating an electropneumatic valve The disclosure relates to a method and device for operating an electropneumatic valve for driving a pneumatic actuator drive to activate fittings in automation systems. The valve has at least one electropneumatic transducer and a pneumatic booster. The pneumatic booster has at least one 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position for optionally connecting an air inflow duct or an air outflow duct to a connecting duct, which connects to the actuator drive. The ducts are activated as a function of an electrical actuation signal by the electropneumatic transducer. At least one position of the 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position is measured and a correction value of a variable of the actuation signal is determined based on the measured value and the electrical actuation signal.
US08439325B2	Clamp structure A clamp structure includes a clamping component for clamping a tube, and at least one bridging component disposed on a lateral surface of the clamping component. A pivoting portion is disposed on the bridging component, and the bridging component pivots with an antenna module via the pivoting portion, so that the antenna module can pivot relative to the clamping component along a radial plane of the clamping component.
US08439317B2	Grommeted clamp assembly A grommeted clamp assembly is provided for securing an elongated member to an underlying surface. The grommeted clamp assembly includes a grommet having a generally tubular body with an ovate cross section. An opening extends lengthwise along the body and is sized for receiving an elongated member. The grommet includes at least one transverse projection. The assembly includes a pair of clamp portions each having an anchoring end, an interlocking end, and a curved portion. A second anchoring end is configured for alignment with the first anchoring end. A second interlocking end is configured for being received by a slot of the first interlocking end. A second curved portion cooperates with a first curved portion to collectively support the grommet. At least one of the curved portions includes an elongated slot for receiving the at least one transverse projection for retaining the grommet.
US08439301B1	Systems and methods for deployment and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister and one or more gas generators operatively connected to each canister and configured to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister. A controller for activating the gas generators can sequentially, and with a predetermined time delay, expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration. The system further includes a UAV recovery device, a power supply, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.
US08439299B2	Active cancellation and vibration isolation with feedback and feedforward control for an aircraft engine mount An engine mount structure is provided with active vibration mechanisms which are attached in the vicinity of the engine mount to prevent engine vibrations from propagating into the engine mounting structure, for example, the wing or fuselage structure of an aircraft. Additionally, sensors are provided on the engine and/or wing/fuselage structure to provide control signals to the active vibration mechanisms so that the active vibration mechanism react to the sensed data to minimize the vibration transmissibility from the engine into the wing/fuselage.
US08439294B2	High speed airship structure The structure provided multi-Levels of the center fuselage, two front wings, Extended mid-two wings and two rear wings with two vertical winglets.The fuselage has a cross section of half circle shaped fuselage.The first level comprises multi-fuel tanks, water tanks, Helium gas tanks, hydraulic, Pneumatic systems and plurality of the multi-landing gear bays and multi-cargo Compartments.The first level comprises a top cockpit and the plurality of the multi-passenger Cabins.The second level is comprises multi-central posts, multi-guy wires on the top center Beams, mid level, lower level center beams, leak proof sealed floor gates for the Multi-gas envelopes structure, under belly multi-pontoon air bags.The first level further comprises multi-jet power plants with multi-chute flaps.The second level may comprises, carbon fiber honey comb sandwich composite Multi-envelopes and multi-level soft gas envelopes.
US08439287B2	Apparatus for fracturing polycrystalline silicon and method for producing fractured fragments of polycrystalline silicon An apparatus for fracturing polycrystalline silicon has: a pair of rolls which are rotated in a counter direction each other around parallel axes; and a plurality of fracturing teeth protruding outward radially from outer peripheral surfaces of the rolls and having variant heights. In the apparatus for fracturing, the fracturing teeth are arranged so that higher teeth among the fracturing teeth and lower teeth among the fracturing teeth are alternately rowed at least along a circumferential direction or a width direction of the rolls; and the fracturing teeth are arranged so that a tip of the higher tooth of the one roll and a tip of the lower tooth of the other roll are opposed to each other at a position in which the fracturing teeth of each rolls are closest to each other, so that the apparatus fractures fragments of polycrystalline silicon between the rolls.
US08439282B2	Low flow irrigation emitter An irrigation emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a water supply conduit, such as an irrigation supply tube, pipe, or other water supply apparatus, at a low volume or drip-like flow rate. The emitter operates generally through the use of a reduced size orifice and a relatively long tortuous flow channel that cause a pressure reduction between the water supply conduit and an emitter outlet. The emitter includes an inlet for tapping a portion of the water flow from the water supply conduit and, when the water pressure is above a predetermined minimum level, directing the flow to and through the flow channel for subsequent discharge to a desired location. The emitter also may regulate to accommodate for changes in supply pressure. The emitter also may include multiple emitter outlets.
US08439280B2	Nebulizing device for liquid substances A nebulizing element for liquid substances for coupling to procurement elements, includes at least one membrane with a microperforated area; at least one piezoelectric element connected to an electronic circuit and coupled to the membrane to cause it to vibrate; at least one first and one second support that can be placed on top of one another and create, on their interior a compartment to contain the membrane, the piezoelectric element, and a space of limited dimension for the liquid to be nebulized, created beneath the membrane. The second support has an opening for the nebulized liquid outlet, located in correspondence with the perforated area of the membrane. The nebulizing element also includes at least one collector for the liquid that flows from the porous element to the collector itself by capillary action; at least one capillary opening to allow in the liquid to be nebulized and at least one outlet opening to aid air circulation.
US08439268B2	Stored-value card with multiple member housing A financial transaction card includes a first member, a second member, a side wall, at least one substantially rigid connection member, and an account identifier. The first member defines a first panel, and the second member defines a second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel are substantially planar. The side wall extends between the first panel and the second panel such that the first panel is spaced from the second panel to define a void between the first panel and the second panel. The at least one substantially rigid connection member extends through the first member and interfaces with the second member to at least partially couple the first member to the second member. The account identifier associates the financial transaction card with an account or record having a value associated therewith. Other cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08439264B2	Reading apparatus having partial frame operating mode A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.
US08439263B2	Handheld electronic article surveillance (EAS) device detector/deactivator with integrated data capture system A portable, cordless hand-held device for locating an active electronic article surveillance (EAS) device, managing the activation/deactivation status of the EAS device and logging information relating to alarm events triggered by the EAS device. The device includes an EAS detector for detecting the presence of an EAS tag or label, a state manipulator for manipulating the activation/deactivation state of the detected active EAS label, at least one data capture device for capturing data related to the alarm event, and a memory for storage of the captured data.
US08439259B2	Code reading apparatus, sales registration processing apparatus, and code reading method According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a determining unit, and a notifying unit. The image capturing unit captures an image picked up by an image pickup unit. The determining unit determines whether the image captured by the image capturing unit satisfies a condition for extracting code data from a code symbol. The notifying unit notifies, if the determining unit determines that the image does not satisfy the condition, a cause that prevents satisfaction of the condition or a method of improving the image pickup.
US08439254B2	Fully enclosed carton A fully enclosed paperboard carton having a top, a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sides and a pair of oppositely disposed end panels. Each end panel being substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and top. Each side having a lower portion that is substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and an upper portion that is substantially planar and tapers inwardly towards its edge connection with the top.
US08439253B2	Carton A blank, carton, or package including a handle formed in a top panel is described. Deformation lines can be included on the blank or carton to allow the handle to flex, thereby increasing handle strength. The blank can include corner-forming panels attached to end flaps that can be used to form corners in the formed carton or package. The corners provide reinforcement strength to allow stacking of the cartons or packages, such as on pallets or during shipment. Openings can be provided in select areas of the blank, carton, or package to allow ventilation to and from the interior of the carton or package. Connecting panels in the top panel can be removed to dispense articles from the carton or package.
US08439245B2	True multi-fire endocutter An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row. Another exemplary surgical endocutter may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt; and at least one wedge movable relative to the staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to the feeder belt; wherein at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of staples and disconnects a plurality of staples from the feeder belt in a single continuous motion of the wedge.
US08439244B2	Surgical stapler fastening device with movable anvil A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.
US08439241B2	Apparatus and method for detaching portions of glass rods The invention is based on the object of improving the detachment of portions of a glass rod to the extent that a very planar, uniform fracture surface is produced. For this purpose, an apparatus according to the invention for detaching portions of glass rods comprises a device for the parallel holding and lateral fixing of a number of glass rods, a scoring wheel holder with a scoring wheel rotatably mounted parallel to the axis of the glass rods, at least one pressing spring for pressing the scoring wheel and the glass rods against one another, a device for guiding the glass rods and the scoring wheel past one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the glass rods, a holddown means for pressing against the glass rods, a breaking bar and a breaking beam, the breaking bar being arranged opposite, between the holddown means and the breaking beam.
US08439240B1	Carrier rack for a vehicle Carrier racks are coupled to a vehicle such that a user can access a pack (e.g., to open and close the pack) carried by the carrier racks. When the vehicle is stationary, items may be loaded and unloaded from the pack while the pack remains securely held by the carrier rack. An all terrain vehicle can include a vehicle frame carrying an engine and a carrier rack fixedly coupled to the vehicle frame. The carrier rack has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a center plane of the all terrain vehicle. The carrier rack extends upwardly from a rearward end of the vehicle. A longitudinally-extending straddle-type seat is between a handlebar assembly of the all terrain vehicle and the carrier rack such a pack on the carrier rack is positioned directly rearward of a rider.
US08439237B2	Wig or hair piece box and form An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes wig or hair piece boxes for both the efficient storage and display of wigs or hair pieces before sell, as well as providing simple, efficient and effective storage facilities for wigs or hair pieces for use of the consumer. The wig or hair piece boxes include a form which holds the wig or hair piece and preserves the curl, style, and one directional curl of the hair tip end on the wig or hair piece. This avoids the common problem of loss of original curl and style of the wig or hair piece which plagues conventional wig and hair piece boxes.
US08439236B2	Bridge breaker A bridge breaker includes a casing and an inner ring. Balls are provided between the casing and the inner ring for rotatably supporting the inner ring, without independent ball bearings, so as to make for easy and cost-effective machining. Seal rings having a square shape section are laid on same horizontal level surfaces of the casing and the inner ring, and are depressed by air pressure for preventing powder from entering into the device and to avoid frequent exchange of packing. A blade having a shaft is fixed to the inner ring through a hole of the inner ring, to prevent problems caused by looseness or releasing of connecting bolts.
US08439234B2	Non-dripping suck-back nozzle A non-dripping suck-back nozzle has a shell comprising a press cover (1), a revolving cover (2) and a cylinder (7). A needle valve (6) comprises a round rod (61) and a convex ring (62). The upper part of the round rod (61) of the needle valve (6) passes through an inner round pole (51) of a piston (5) and extends into a hollow channel (41) of a connecting bar (4). The round rod (61) and the connecting bar (4) are locked by each other. A channel is formed between the round rod (61) and the connecting bar (4). A space is formed between the round rod (61) and the inner round pole (51) of the piston (5).
US08439230B2	Dispenser having dispensing head moveable between use and non-use positions A dispenser for dispensing liquid to pasty substances has a dispensing head with a dispensing mouth, a supply chamber and a dispenser head part. The dispensing head can be displaced relative to the dispenser head part out of a dispensing-standby position into a lowered position and vice versa. It is possible for the dispensing head, as a result of being supported on a fixed dispenser part, to be extended or retracted relative to the fixed dispenser part when rotated by the dispenser head part. The dispenser head covers over a dispensing tube that communicates with the pumping chamber. In order to achieve a favorable configuration of the substance path during the extension and retraction of the dispensing head. The dispensing head, in the extended position, interacts in an aligned manner with the dispensing opening and, in the retracted position, interacts with a closed region of the dispensing tube.
US08439218B1	Dumpster lid opening system A container has a base plate, front, rear and side walls. A chamber is defined between the walls. A lid is pivotably coupled to the rear wall. A pivot bar is attached to the lid. A long extent is attached to the lid and a short extent. An actuator housing with a trolley is movable between top and bottom positions. A spring urges the trolley to the top position. A pedal coupled to the trolley is adapted to be depressed by a user to move the trolley to the bottom position. A connector has an interior end attached to the trolley. The connector has an exterior end attached to the short extent of the pivot bar. In this manner the depression the pedal will move the connector to raise the lid. Also in this manner the release of the pedal will cause the spring to lower the lid.
US08439215B2	Convertible container and plate Foldable container including a base having a first base portion and an opposing second base portion. The base has a base surface free of hinge lines between the first base portion and the second base portion. A sidewall surrounds at least a portion of the base and extends generally upward from the base with a non-uniform height to define a compartment. A rim having a first rim portion and an opposing second rim portion is disposed proximate the top edge of the sidewall. At least one transition region is formed in the sidewall to allow the first base portion to pivot between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the container defines a plate. When in the closed position, the first base portion defines at least a portion of a cover relative to the second base portion. A packaged product is also provided, including a foldable container and a cover member removably attached to the rim of the foldable container in the open position to contain a product therein.
US08439214B2	Plastic container with elongated vertical formation A plastic container is disclosed comprising a base portion for supporting the container on a surface, an upper portion, and a body portion. The upper portion includes a neck and a dispensing opening. The body portion extends between the base portion and the neck, the body portion including a shoulder portion below the neck and a sidewall portion between the shoulder portion and the base portion. The body portion includes at least one elongated vertical formation that substantially extends along the sidewall portion from the base portion toward the shoulder portion, the elongated vertical portion being continuous along at least 0.60 the total height of the container.
US08439213B2	Security closure assembly for a container, in particular for a bottle for liquids The closure assembly (1) comprises: a pourer unit (2) having a lower portion (3) for fixing to the mouth of the container and an upper pouring portion (4), a removable cap (6) provided with a resiliently deformable peripheral lip portion (7), and an outer covering (8, 9) including: an upper sleeve element (8) and a lower sleeve element (9. The arrangement is such that, after the first opening of the closure assembly (1), the lip portion (7) is arranged in the opened-out condition in which it extends radially outside of the lower sleeve element (9) but permits subsequent re-fitting of the cap (6) on the pourer unit (2) as far as the closure position in which the lower sleeve element (9) and the upper sleeve element (8) once more extend the predetermined distance (d) apart.
US08439209B2	Backboard container storage system A user configurable container storage system using movable container-nest modules securely anchored to a backing allowing removal and insertion of the containers with one hand.
US08439208B2	Retail merchandise hook A pusher is provided. The pusher hook has a track and a pusher that is slidable thereon. The pusher biases retail merchandise situated on a merchandise hook forward towards a front stop. The pusher hook further includes a security frame that reduces or restricts entirely the ability to remove the merchandise laterally from the hook.
US08439205B1	Portable universal flow filter A monolithic carbon composite filter for use in water filter bottles of the type having a bottle cap and a valved vented top. The filter is formed with exposed surfaces including side walls and a base. The filter employs both radial flow through the side walls of the filter and axial flow through the filter base. All available exposed surfaces thus maximize the available surface area for filtering water. As a result a larger diameter filter suited to the addition of a second media as well as an inner tube providing for separate axial flow may be utilized. A dual aspect or universal flow filter adapted to be attached to a filter housing top is capable of being cooperatively attached to the bottle cap and bottle with a valved vented top. The bottle is normally inverted for drinking.
US08439204B1	Reusable drop-in engine oil filters A drop-in oil filter having top and bottom caps having annular recesses on facingly disposed surfaces adjacent their outer periphery, a pleated, woven metal cylindrical filter element having an outer and an inner diameter, a first cylindrical wire cage over the outer diameter of the filter element, a second cylindrical wire cage within the inner diameter of the filter element, ends of the filter element and the first and second cylindrical wire cages being fastened into the annular recesses in the top and bottom caps, the bottom cap having a first opening there through concentric with and within inner diameters of the filter element and the first and second cylindrical wire cages, and a first elastic grommet within the first opening having a central opening for sealing on a tube within a drop-in filter housing.
US08439200B1	Dining tray and method A dining tray for use in preventing accidents and possibly food spillage. The tray includes a central T-shaped member and a pair of opposing L-shaped side members which engage rotated lateral members affixed to food containers. The method of use includes the steps of placing the lateral members of the food containers onto the inside, upper bottom surface of the tray and then by rotating the food container the lateral members engage the T-shaped member and L-shaped members whereby the containers are then held securely in place. After eating the food containers can be rotated in an opposite direction to release the lateral members for removal and cleaning purposes. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a locking clamp engages the tray and secures it to a table top or other surface.
US08439193B2	Medical guidewire basin A novel container for storing medical guidewires in liquid is disclosed herein. The container comprises a substantially rectangular basin where the guidewire coils are separated horizontally into individual bays. Specific tabs and dividers hold the coils in place and keep the wires untangled. The horizontal placement of the wires enables a clinician to instantly differentiate between wires, select the right coil without spending time in untangling wires and allows storing of the wires is relatively small amount of storing liquid.
US08439190B2	Attachment guide comb organizer A dummy hair clipper head, or dummy blade, which is a form conforming to those dimensions of a hair clipper's stationary blade which are necessary for its compatibility with attachment guide combs, is employed in an attachment guide comb organizer which comprises a plurality of interconnected forms, whereby a plurality of attachment guide combs can be stored and organized. By interconnecting the forms with either a rigid, contoured or flexible means, with the options of placing them within a container and of making them releasable, the organization and storage of a set of attachment guide combs can be customized. For the purposes of storage the form can be flexible and have a reduced structure from that of the stationary blade. The use of the form also makes possible a variety of new uses for attachment guide combs including a scissor comb, razor comb, and conduit comb.
US08439171B2	Vehicle disk brake A vehicle disc brake includes pad retainers. Each pad retainer includes: a pair of retainer portions; a connecting piece connecting the pair of retainer portions together; and pad returning portions. The retainer portion includes: an inner piece; an outer piece; and a deep side piece which is laid on the opposing surface so as to connect the outer piece and the inner piece together. The pad returning portion is formed by inclining a distal end portion of a narrow elongated piece while causing the distal end portion to warp into a curved shape. A dislodgement preventing projecting portion is formed through pressing on at least one of the outer piece and the inner piece so as to project towards an interior of a pad guide groove so that the lug piece can ride thereover when the lug piece is inserted into the pad guide groove.
US08439164B1	Heavy duty, knock-down sawhorse with leveling capability A knock-down sawhorse has a support beam supported above a surface by at least two pairs of legs, each pair of legs supporting opposing ends of the beam. The beam has at least four connectors, at least a first pair of connectors arranged on opposing lateral side walls at one end and at least a second pair of connectors arranged on opposing lateral side walls at the other opposing end. Each connector has a tab downwardly depending from a top wall of the beam for engaging an axially-extending recess in an upper end of each leg. Each pair of legs is interconnected by an adjuster for adjusting a lateral spacing therebetween. Manipulation of the lateral spacing between each pair of legs allows a working height of the sawhorse to be manipulated, allowing the sawhorse to be leveled.
US08439160B2	Acoustic suppression systems and related methods An acoustic suppression system for absorbing and/or scattering acoustic energy comprising a plurality of acoustic targets in a containment is described, the acoustic targets configured to have resonance frequencies allowing the targets to be excited by incoming acoustic waves, the resonance frequencies being adjustable to suppress acoustic energy in a set frequency range. Methods for fabricating and implementing the acoustic suppression system are also provided.
US08439155B2	Firearm sound suppressor A suppressor for a firearm is provided, wherein the suppressor can be selectively oriented relative to the firearm. The suppressor has an elongate body, a piston assembly and a cam assembly. A piston of the piston assembly can be fixedly attached to the barrel of a firearm. An indexing ring is radially fixed relative to the piston. The cam lever is selectively movable between a second position, in which the indexing ring is fixed relative to the elongate body, and a first position, in which the indexing ring can rotate relative to the elongate body.
US08439153B2	Method and apparatus for a loudspeaker assembly The present invention relates to a loudspeaker assembly and a method of assembling a loudspeaker assembly. In one or more embodiments, the invention comprises forming a front baffle comprising a first driver mounting portion, an intermediate portion, and an edge mounting portion. A first driver is installed in the first driver mounting portion proximate to a first driver aperture. A rear baffle is formed from a second material, which, in one or more embodiments, is less stiff than the first material from which the front baffle is formed. The rear baffle comprises a top portion, sidewalls, a recessed mounting portion, and an edge portion. The edge mounting portion of the front baffle is attached to the recessed mounting portion of the rear baffle such that an entirety of said front baffle is recessed within said rear baffle spaced apart from said open bottom portion.
US08439152B2	Vehicle drive transmission and steering system On an amphibious ATV, a triple-differential transmission is combined a continuously-variable drive. The gearbox can be set at a low ratio, for negotiation of difficult terrain, and at a high ratio for cruising trails. The high-low shift mechanism is located upstream, in the drive train, of the forward-reverse shift mechanism. Both mechanisms are located upstream of the steer-differential and of the two wheel-differentials. Main power from the engine is passed, through the mechanisms, directly to a wheel-ring that is common to both wheel-differentials. The common wheel-ring is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the wheel-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd into the gearbox housing. Similarly, the steer-diff-housing is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the steer-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd from the gearbox housing, which makes for a compact, narrow, layout of the gearbox—well suited to the ATV. The steer-brake-disks are located on the steer-shafts, and are positioned outside the gearbox housing.
US08439127B2	Drive device for a boring bar A drive apparatus for a drill stem of a de-coking system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeder as water supply to the drill stem. The drill stem is rotatably driven by a rotational drive which includes a motor and a first and second gear box. The second gear box has an output gear which is meshed with a large gear which is connected to an outer gear rim of the feeder. A skirt envelops the gear which is formed by an output gear and by the second motor driven gear box and the gear which is connected to the feeder completely. A lower side of the skirt is open.
US08439105B2	Completion system for subsurface equipment An apparatus for creating multiple and isolated well flow paths operating at different pressures in the wellbore is described. These multiple flow paths establish a full circulation loop with the surface and a remaining isolated flow channel produces reservoir fluids to the surface. Heat is transferred from the produced reservoir fluid into the circulated loop via a unique down-hole heat exchanger. The flow of reservoir fluid through the isolated annular well channel allows for more efficient and extensive extraction of heat from the reservoir fluid compared with merely heating the circulating loop via the well bore exterior surface.
US08439102B1	Vector tile, refractory assembly unit including same and refractory array including same A refractory brick assembly unit is provided, including a refractory brick member having an inner passageway extending therethrough from a first opening at an inlet end face to an opposed second opening at an outlet end face thereof. A vector tile is also included, having an annular portion that is coaxially arranged with respect to a longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member positioned in a portion of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member and located proximate the second opening at the outlet end face thereof, and having a domed portion extending from a first surface of the annular portion at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member so as to occlude at least a portion of the second opening of the refractory brick member at the outlet end face thereof.
US08439098B1	Closing-biased retractable screen door system A portal extends through a vertical surface. The portal is bounded laterally by a vertical closing rail and a parallel opening rail. A flexible door has a size essentially equal to that of the portal. The door has an interior edge and an exterior edge. The interior edge is secured within the closing rail. Guide mechanisms include fixed upper and lower tracks. The upper and lower tracks are adapted to receive and guide the movement of the door when moving to and from an open orientations. A closure assembly includes upper and lower cables and pulleys adapted to move the door to the closed orientation.
US08439096B2	Traction device for a vehicle tire A traction device for a tire having a hub for attachment to the tire's wheel. At least one arm extends outwardly from the hub, with the arm attached to a gripping section that is capable of contacting the tire. A reversible, rotatable cam attached to the arm and the gripping section controls the movement of the device.
US08439082B2	Retention mechanism for subterranean seals experiencing differential pressure A mandrel is formed with a projection, depression or a surface irregularity to retain the seal material sealing a passage in the mandrel or an annular space around it against differential pressure. The material can be a shape memory or swelling material.
US08439080B2	Pressure compensator A pressure compensator is configured to compensate for volume variations of an insulation medium or other liquid of a subsea installation. The pressure compensator includes a first bellows chamber having a first bellows part. The first bellows chamber is in flow connection with an insulation medium or liquid chamber of the subsea installation, and the walls of the first bellows chamber are configured to separate the insulating medium from surroundings. The first bellows chamber is surrounded by a second bellows chamber having an end wall, a side wall and a second bellows part formed by a diaphragm. The second bellows chamber is configured to form a closed intermediate space around the first bellows chamber. The walls of the second bellows chamber are configured to separate at least the bellows parts of the first bellows chamber from the surrounding water. The second bellows chamber is filled with an intermediate medium.
US08439076B2	Faucet module A faucet module has a base, a valve chamber formed in the base, a cold water inlet port, a hot water inlet port and an outlet port in communications with a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe and an outlet pipe respectively, a first threaded section formed at an outer periphery of an opening of the valve chamber, a flange formed around all the pipes at a predetermined position away from the bottom face of the base, a protrusion having a second threaded section respectively formed at an end of each pipe below the flange, each of the base, the valve chamber, the cold water inlet port, the hot water inlet port, the outlet port, the cold water inlet pipe, the hot water inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the first threaded section, the flange, the protrusion and the second threaded section formed as an entire unit.
US08439075B2	Outlet of a spigot An outlet of a spigot has a bottom seat, a neck, a head and a flow passage. The bottom seat has a flat bottom face. The neck is curvedly formed on and protrudes upward from the bottom seat. The head is formed on and protrudes forward from the neck and has a front side. The flow passage is formed in the outlet between the bottom seat, the neck and the head and has an inlet hole and an outlet hole. The inlet hole is formed through the bottom face of the bottom seat and communicates with the flow passage. The outlet hole is formed through the front side of the head and communicates with the flow passage and has a width and a length. The length of the outlet hole is wider than the width of the outlet hole.
US08439063B2	Heat and/or steam activated valve and method therefor A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.
US08439062B1	Flood preventing system, and method of use A system and method for detecting water in locations in homes and buildings where it should not be present, and responding by terminating water inlet access to plumbing in said home or building or the like and optionally operating a dump valve, in combination with an approach to periodically testing system operability and providing a signal upon a component performing a predetermined number of operations. The method can further include the monitoring of signals and responding with maintenance and/or replacement.
US08439059B2	Device with direct control, in particular proportional and/or rectilinear control, for fluid loading and/or unloading system The invention concerns a control device for the movement and positioning of a coupling for a marine loading system having at least one fluid transfer line with a first line end fixed to a base and a moveable second line end provided with a coupling adapted for connection to a target duct, the marine loading system further having a plurality of mechanical connections such that the coupling has at least three degrees of freedom relative to the base. The device includes at least three proportional control actuators, each for proportionally controlling the movement of the system in a degree of freedom, a position sensor for tracking each degree of freedom, an operator input interface for inputting commands to move the coupling, and a calculator for calculating the instantaneous position of the coupling from the information provided by the sensors and for calculating, from movement command inputs of the input interface, simultaneous control instructions to give to each of the actuators such that their combined movements result in a movement of the coupling corresponding to the movement command provided by the operator at the input interface.
US08439056B2	Stick allowing an umbrella to be installed therein An easily detachable stick has an umbrella installed therein. The stick includes a grip element having a root portion extending therefrom, the root portion having a platform along an axis direction and a leaf spring installed on the platform, the leaf spring having one end fixed to the platform and the other end being a free end; and a supporting pole having a hollow cavity installed therein, the cavity having an opening at one end thereof, into which the root portion is inserted, a sliding groove disposed in the opening along an axis direction of the cavity, a sliding button embedded in the sliding groove, an elastic element installed in the sliding groove between the sliding button and the opening of the cavity, and an inner flange inward protruding from the opening of the cavity, allowing the free end of the leaf spring to be supported by the inner flange.
US08439046B2	Filter cigarette In a filter cigarette having a tobacco strand, a wrapping and a filter, the filter possesses at least one gas phase-active filter part which contains at least one gas phase-reducing substance. The gas phase-reducing substances are embedded in a filter material matrix. They are introduced in a quantity of at least 75 mg per filter and at least 5 mg/mm of the length of the gas phase-active filter part. The filter cigarette exhibits a filter ventilation of at most 30% (or of from 30% to 70%). The NFDPM value is between 4 and 10 mg/cigarette (or in the range of from 2 to 4 mg/Cigarette), as measured in accordance with ISO smoking conditions. The gas phase quotient Q1, defined as (μg of benzene per cigarette)/(mg of CO per cigarette) and measured in accordance with ISO smoking conditions, is less than 1.5, preferably less than 1.
US08439041B2	Tracheal tube with scaffolding-supported wall Various embodiments of a medical device tube having scaffolding-supported inner and outer walls are provided. In particular, the medical device tube may include a plurality of struts extending from an inner wall to an outer wall of the medical device tube. In certain embodiments, each of the individual struts may connect to adjacent struts at the inner wall and the outer wall. As such, the plurality of struts may comprise a zigzag pattern circumferentially around the medical tube device. In other embodiments, the struts may extend radially from the inner wall to the outer wall of the medical tube device. Regardless, the area between the struts and the inner wall and/or the outer wall form a plurality of lumens, which may be used for suctioning, blowing, and various other applications of the medical device tube.
US08439037B2	Exhalation valve assembly with integrated filter and flow sensor An exhalation valve assembly that controls the pressure of exhaled gas in a ventilation system is described. The exhalation valve assembly includes an actuator module that may be fixed to the ventilation system and a valve module, removable for cleaning or disposal, through which the exhaled gas flows and that controls the pressure and release of the exhaled gas to the environment. Other components may also be incorporated into the assembly including a filter module, a flow meter and a condensate trap.
US08439036B2	Exhalation valve assembly with integral flow sensor An exhalation valve assembly that controls the pressure of exhaled gas in a ventilation system is described. The exhalation valve assembly includes an actuator module that may be fixed to the ventilation system and a valve module, removable for cleaning or disposal, through which the exhaled gas flows and that controls the pressure and release of the exhaled gas to the environment. Other components may also be incorporated into the assembly including a filter module, a flow meter and a condensate trap.
US08439035B2	Flow regulation vent A flow regulation vent includes a fixed portion adapted to engage a gas supply conduit and a spring force biased movable portion connected by a hinge to the fixed portion and flowingly connected to the pressurized gas supply. The fixed portion includes a gas flow orifice. The movable portion is pivotally movable between 1) a relaxed position, whereby at a specified minimum operating pressure, the movable portion is pivoted by the spring force away from the fixed portion to a position to establish a first gas washout flow area between the movable portion and the gas flow orifice; and 2) a fully pressurized position, whereby at a specified maximum operating pressure, the pressurized gas offsets the spring force to pivot the movable portion to a position adjacent the fixed portion to establish a minimum gas washout flow area between the movable portion and the gas flow orifice.
US08439028B2	Cooking appliance with an oven rack An oven rack for an oven that providing additional clearance for an object on the oven rack. The oven rack comprises a generally rectangular shape including a front member, a rear member, and side members extending between the front and rear members. A grid structure is connected to the front, rear and side members and supports objects on the oven rack. Two rear rails are connected to the rear member to help retain objects on the oven rack. The rear rails project rearwardly and upwardly from rear member and define a free space being between the rear rails providing additional clearance for objects placed on the oven rack.
US08439027B2	Door control mechanism A door control mechanism which is attached near the hinge region of a door to bias the door to a closed orientation, and after a prescribed location, bias the door toward an open location to a sufficient degree such that the door is noticeably open. The door control mechanism in one form may have a cam extension that engages a spring member to supply stored energy to and from the spring member to bias the door closed and to bias the door open after a prescribed amount of rotation.
US08439023B2	Ignition coil, in particular for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle An ignition coil, in particular for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a secondary winding situated on a coil body for the production of a high voltage at a spark plug, having a contact sleeve that electrically contacts the secondary winding and that is capable of being pushed over an end area of the coil body and that has at least one contact element for the secondary winding, and having a holding-down element that can be pushed over the contact sleeve and that acts on the at least one contact element of the contact sleeve. In its end position, the holding-down element protrudes beyond the at least one contact element of the contact sleeve, seen in the axial direction of the coil body, and covers the at least one contact element.
US08439021B2	EGR system for an internal combustion engine An EGR system for an IC engine, wherein the IC engine includes a block defining a plurality of combustion cylinders, a plurality of multi-valve heads, each multi-valve head associated with a respective combustion cylinder and including an inlet valve and an exhaust valve, an exhaust manifold fluid coupled with each exhaust valve, and an intake manifold fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and each inlet valve. The EGR system includes: a plurality of EGR inlet valves and a plurality of EGR exhaust valves, wherein each multi-valve head includes at least one EGR inlet valve and at least one EGR exhaust valve; an EGR exhaust manifold fluidly coupled with each EGR exhaust valve; and an EGR intake manifold fluidly coupled between the EGR exhaust manifold and each EGR inlet valve.
US08439020B1	CVT driven supercharger with selectively positionable speed multiplying gear set A supercharger assembly includes a dry-running CVT coupled to a speed multiplying gear set, which is in turn coupled to a centrifugal supercharger. The CVT includes a CVT housing which has an opening formed therein to provide access to a face of the driven pulley, and a plurality of equally spaced bolt receivers arranged in a circle around the opening. The gear assembly includes a gear housing formed separate from the CVT housing. The gear housing has a plurality of bolt holes formed in it which are arranged in a circle and alignable with respective ones of the bolt receivers. The gear housing is selectively rotatable relative to the CVT housing by moving each of the bolt holes from alignment with a first respective one of the bolt receivers and into alignment with a second respective one of the bolt receivers and then installing fasteners therein.
US08439019B1	Compressed air delivery system with integrated cooling of a continuous variable transmission A compressed air delivery system in which power from a power supply is transmitted to a rotary air compressor through a dry running, continuous variable transmission (CVT) utilizing a belt coupled between two pulleys enclosed within a CVT housing. The air pressure differential created by the rotary air compressor is used to urge cooling air through the CVT to cool the CVT belt. The pressure differential may be utilized to push cooling air into the CVT housing or to draw cooling air through the CVT housing. In one embodiment, a portion of the compressed air discharged from a supercharger may be routed through a bleed line and into the CVT housing.
US08439013B2	Wound hydrocarbon trap An air induction system hydrocarbon trap is provided. In one example, the hydrocarbon trap includes an adsorber roll including an adsorbing material and a corrugate support, where the corrugate support is rolled with the adsorbing material to form a wound adsorber roll. A housing is further provided to retain the adsorber roll. A housing cap may be coupled to the housing.
US08439003B2	Cooling apparatus for internal combustion engine, method of controlling the same, and hybrid vehicle including the same A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an engine cooling system that includes a water jacket, a radiator, and a circulation passage through which a coolant is circulated between the water jacket and the radiator, wherein the coolant is provided in the engine cooling system; a water pump that forcibly circulates the coolant provided in the engine cooling system when the water pump is operated; a reservoir tank in which the coolant is reserved, and into which gas flows from the engine cooling system while the reserved coolant flows out to the engine cooling system from the reservoir tank; and a forcible introduction portion that forcibly introduces the coolant from the reservoir tank into the engine cooling system before the internal combustion engine is started.
US08438998B2	Avian flight diverter Generally, an avian flight diverter fixed to an aerial line to divert the flight of birds. Specifically, an avian flight diverter having a body coupled to an avian flight diverting member having a first component and a second component generally a mirror image of the other joined in opposed fixed angled relation, each of the components of generally flat material having a first face and a second face having a surface area sufficient to divert flight of an avian animal when secured to an aerial line.
US08438996B2	Micro layering pest control system A micro layering pest control system that includes combining generally immiscible ingredients in a container, maintaining the ingredients in a combined state by substantially continuously agitating and homogenizing the combined ingredients under pressure, and discharging the combined ingredients in one or more applications.
US08438991B2	System for connecting a teat cup to a teat The invention provides a system for connecting a teat cup to a teat, including a teat cup with an opening for receiving a teat, a robot arm for moving the teat cup, a teat cup positioning system with a 3D-sensor and a sensor device for measuring a control quantity, and for connecting the teat cup under the control of the 3D-camera and the control quantity. The sensor device includes at least two electrodes around the opening and a capacitive sensor configured to measure a quantity connected with the capacitance between the electrodes, in particular the capacitance between two electrodes. This system provides a reliable positioning with respect to a teat by, for example, maximization of the measured capacitance. The positioning system supports an optical 3D-sensor for the first, global positioning.
US08438987B2	Operating device having a bundle of light guides An operating device for selecting shift positions of a gear-changing transmission, for example an automatic transmission. The operating device comprises a shift operating device and a console arrangement with an operating lever and a shift position indicator device with illuminatable shift position designations. The shift position indicator device includes an electronics unit and a light-emitting device. The electronics unit and the light-emitting device are integrated into the shift operating unit. An ordered fiber-optic bundle for the selective illumination of shift position designations is disposed between the light-emitting device and shift position indicator device. The operating device enables cost savings in production and assembly by eliminating, for example, the electronic module in the region of the shift gate. Flexible, selective illumination of the illuminated symbols or shift position designations in the region of the shift gate becomes possible.
US08438983B2	Waste treatment process and apparatus A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.
US08438982B2	Table with a table top constructed from molded plastic A table includes a table top and a pair of support pedestals. A first pivotal support brace can be attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support can be attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces can be pivotally attached to a retaining assembly, which may include a cross-brace member. Alternatively, a second retaining assembly including a cross brace member may be mounted in relation to the table top. In addition, the first and second support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, wherein each support leg of the first and second support pedestals are laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collaspsed position.
US08438971B1	Stand mixer and heating means combination apparatus A stand mixer and heating means combination apparatus includes a stand mixer that has a base. A top side of the base includes a container mating member. An outer container includes a mixer mating member that is engageable with the container mating member. The outer container includes a bottom wall. A heating assembly is mounted on the base and is in thermal communication with the outer container. An inner container has a lower wall. The inner container has a size to be positioned in the outer container. A first mating member is attached to an outer surface of the inner container and is engageable with a second mating member attached to an inner surface of the outer container such that the lower and bottom walls are retained in a spaced relationship with each other.
US08438967B2	Piston portion for a piston assembly and a piston assembly A piston portion (102) for a piston assembly (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The piston portion (102) includes a substantially cylindrical head portion (103) including a mating face (105). The piston portion (102) further includes a substantially annular insert chamber (126) formed in the mating face (105) and adapted for receiving a portion of a substantially annular insert (120).
US08438965B2	Mounting device for weapon A mounting device for mounting an accessory to a rail of a weapon includes a base portion and first and second side portions. One side portion is movable to grip the rail. An elongated connecting member has a first end engaging the first side portion and a second end connected to a camming device. The camming device engages the second side portion and pulls the elongated connecting member to move the side portions to an engaged position. A locking mechanism locks the camming device in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The locking element has an engagement portion that selectively engages the camming device when the locking element is in the lock position thereby locking the camming device in the closed position.
US08438959B2	Cutting device for shear-cutting of fibre strands A cutting device for shear-cutting of fiber strands comprises at least two cutting units which are rotatably drivable about an axis of rotation and two counter cutting units which are rigidly mounted relative to a base frame. The cutting edges of the cutting units as well as the counter cutting edges of the counter cutting units are positionable relative to a common cutting plane independently of each other. The forces acting on the counter cutting edges are measured during a cutting process by means of corresponding measuring sensors, allowing the position of the counter cutting edges to be controlled by means of a control unit via electrically driven displacement devices.
US08438958B2	Detection system for power equipment Woodworking machines including conductive cutters adapted to cut workpieces, and motors adapted to drive the cutters are disclosed. The machines also include a contact detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutter, and to distinguish contact between the person and the cutter from contact between the workpiece and the cutter. The machines further include a reaction system adapted to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of contact between the person and the cutter by the contact detection system.
US08438952B2	Cut and strip machine for producing cable-sections A cut and strip machine (1) for producing cable-sections by processing a passing cable, especially coaxial or optical cable (2). Cable-sections are cut off from the cable, and on both ends of each cable-section at least one insulating layer can be notched/cut and stripped off. The machine comprises at least one cable feeding device (3, 4), and a cable processing unit, preferably cutting unit (6) arranged adjustably transverse to a cable axis, as well as a first cable guiding unit arranged—in a feeding direction (5) of the cable (2)—in front of said cable processing unit (6). A second cable guiding unit is arranged behind said cable processing unit (6). These first and second cable guiding units may be formed as fixed, non-rotating first and second cable centering units (7, 8). These are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cable processing unit (6), and are suitable for centering, preferably straight-line centering, of the cable (2) on both its sides. At least one of the cable centering units (8) can be adjusted transversely to the cable axis for effecting its adjustment to the current diameter of the cable to be processed.
US08438940B2	Apparatus for simulatively measuring environment of wound dressing on skin and measuring method therefor An apparatus and a method for simulatively measuring an environment in a microspace between human skin and a wound dressing. The simulative environment-measuring apparatus includes a constant temperature-and-humidity chamber (14); a heat exchanger (12) disposed in the chamber; a constant temperature water bath (10) and a pump (11) for supplying warm water to the heat exchanger; and a container (1) set on the heat exchanger. The container holds a water retentive member (2) therein, and is covered with a water vapor diffusion-controlling member (4). A microspace (6) formed between the water vapor diffusion-controlling member and a wound dressing (5) is a simulatively reproduced space between human skin and the wound dressing. A thin temperature-and-humidity sensor (7) is set in the microspace to measure temperature and humidity. When plural containers are used, the environments of plural wound dressings can be measured at once.
US08438937B2	Devices and methods for detecting rates of change of torque Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.
US08438933B2	Flowmeter and manifold therefor An acoustic displacement flowmeter for determining flow rate of a fluid has a fluid flow line defining a flow path for the fluid. The fluid flow line has an inlet and an outlet. A controllable valve is positioned along the fluid flow line for opening and closing the flow path as desired, and an acoustic displacement transducer having a fluid port is coupled to the fluid flow line upstream from the controllable valve. The outlet of the fluid flow line extends through a wall isolating fluid exhausted from the outlet of the fluid flow line from electrical and/or mechanical components residing inside the flowmeter, thereby preventing the exhausted fluid, if explosive, from contacting such electrical and/or mechanical components which may act as potential ignition sources. Preferably, a manifold having a rigid body is provided in which the fluid flow line is formed. An acoustic displacement transducer (ADT) chamber wall is formed on the manifold body, and has an ADT chamber inlet port formed therein, and the fluid flow line has a branched portion connecting the fluid flow line to the ADT chamber inlet port. The outlet of the fluid flow line extends through a wall formed in the manifold body to isolate fluid exhausted from the outlet of the fluid flow line from electrical and/or mechanical components residing inside the flowmeter.
US08438929B2	Phased array ultrasonic inspection system for turbine and generator rotor bore A phased array ultrasonic testing system for examining discontinuities in turbine or generator rotor bores formed within turbine or generator rotors of a turbine or generator rotor assembly. The system includes a phased array ultrasonic transducer structured to be coupled to a surface of the rotor bore at a first location in order to emit an ultrasonic beam toward a second location of the rotor bore which is to be examined. The system further includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering the ultrasonic beam via at least one, two-dimensional phased array transducer, thereby precisely and accurately inspecting the area of interest. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different transducer wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection.
US08438926B2	Method of evaluating fastening state of threaded joint of pipes or tubes, method for fastening threaded joint of pipes or tubes, and apparatus for evaluating fastening state of threaded joint of pipes or tubes The present invention provides a method which allows simply, easily and accurately evaluating the fastening state of shoulder parts of a threaded joint for use as a joint of pipes or tubes, such as OCTG, during fastening or after fastening. The fastening state evaluation method for a threaded joint 100 of pipes or tubes according to the present invention is characterized in that it transmits ultrasonic surface waves from the internal surface of either one of the pin 1 and the box 2 toward the internal surface of the other one of the pin 1 and the box 2 through the shoulder parts 13, 23 of the pin 1 and the box 2, and on the basis of the transmitted wave intensity or the reflected wave intensity thereof, determines whether or not the fastening state of the threaded joint 100 is satisfactory.
US08438925B2	Method and arrangement for determining and monitoring the state of a rolling bearing An arrangement and method for determining and monitoring the state of a rolling bearing, wherein a first sensor signal is captured in the form of a sound emission signal in a first frequency band in the ultrasonic range during operation of the rolling bearing, a second sensor signal is captured in a second frequency band of lower frequency in the ultrasonic range, a first characteristic value for recently occurred damage is determined from the shape of the first sensor signal, a second characteristic value for recently occurred damage is determined from the shape of the second sensor signal, and the state of the rolling bearing is determined by comparing the first characteristic value to a reference value dependent on the speed of the rolling bearing and dependent on the second characteristic value to at least one second reference value dependent on the speed of the rolling bearing.
US08438924B2	Method of determining multilayer thin film deposition on a piezoelectric crystal A method for accurately calculating the thickness of deposited thin film layers onto a piezoelectric crystal blank in which dissimilar materials can be utilized, enabling determinations for various applications employing exotic materials. Additionally, the specific acoustic impedance (or equivalent z-ratio) of an unknown deposited material can be determined. The exact analytical solution nearly eliminates thickness errors when several layers of different materials are sequentially deposited on the same monitor quartz crystal.
US08438908B2	Leak detection system and method A leak detector (1) adapted to detect a leak (40) of a first material by detecting a change in a physical/chemical property of a second material. The leak detector includes a quantum cascade laser (5) and a detector (35).
US08438907B2	Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems with a liquid leak detection system Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery of liquid reactants, by generating an alert, by transitioning the fuel processing system to a different operating state, and/or by shutting down the fuel processing and/or fuel cell system. The liquid leak detection systems may include a controller and at least one liquid detector, and in some embodiments may include a cover. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes a signal emitter and a signal detector. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members that nominally define an open circuit. In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to repel water and/or includes conductive particulate.
US08438903B2	Molecule detection device formed in a semiconductor structure Semiconductor devices, chromatography devices and integrated circuits for detecting one or more molecules and methods for forming a semiconductor device for detecting one or more molecules are presented. For example, a semiconductor device for detecting one or more molecules includes a channel formed within a semiconductor structure, and at least one detector formed within the semiconductor structure. The at least one detector detects the one or more molecules in the channel. The semiconductor device may optionally comprise one or more additional channels formed within the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor device may, for example, be operative to detect a single molecule.
US08438893B2	Method of forming two-dimensional sheet material into three-dimensional structure A two-dimensional sheet material is provided that is suitable for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one side of the bend line. A portion of the displacements shear adjacent the bend line and define an edge and an opposed face. The edge and opposed face configured to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet material during bending. Alternatively, sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one or both sides of the bend line, and with a plurality of corresponding and cooperating protrusions to improve structural integrity and/or to improve electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding. The sheet material may also be provided with a self-latching structure. A method of preparing and using these sheet materials is also described.
US08438888B2	Door lock device for vehicle A door lock device includes a lever mechanism which carries out lock/unlock operation in response to turn operation of a key cylinder. The lever mechanism includes a key rotor which includes a coupling hole to which an inner end of a rod is coupled in a torque transmittable manner and is rotatably assembled to a housing, and a key lever which includes a hub which is coupled to the key rotor in a torque transmittable manner and is arranged in the housing. The key lever includes a first arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a first engagement portion of the active lever, and a second arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a second engagement portion of the active lever.
US08438885B2	Security apparatus The present invention, relates to an apparatus for securing cassettes housed within an automatic teller machine (ATM). The apparatus comprises at least one barrier and a supporting structure for supporting at least one barrier. Each barrier is formed and arranged to be associated with a pair of adjacent cassettes and to be movable between a first position in which the barrier prevents removal of a pair of adjacent cassettes in use of the apparatus along their respective removal paths. The barrier is moveable to a second position in which the barrier prevents removal of one cassette of the pair of adjacent cassettes along its removal path and to a third position in which the barrier prevents removal of the other cassette of the pair of adjacent cassettes along its removal path. In use, only one cassette of a pair of adjacent cassettes is removable along its removal path when the barrier is in the second or third position. The apparatus is further formed and arranged so that the barrier (or barriers) can be moved to a ‘service’ position so that both cassettes can be accessed and removed along their removal paths and for servicing of the ATM.
US08438883B2	Washing machine improving washing efficiency Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.
US08438881B2	Method and apparatus for dispensing treating chemistry in a laundry treating appliance A laundry treating appliance and method for dispensing treating chemistry, where the laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber, a single use dispenser and a bulk dispenser. Water may be supplied to the single use dispenser through a first water flow path, which directs a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the single use dispenser into the treating chamber. Water may be supplied to the bulk dispenser through a second water flow path, which is configured to spray a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the bulk dispenser into the treating chamber. The laundry treating appliance may determine the presence of treating chemistry within at least one of the single use dispenser and the bulk dispenser, and, based on this determination, supply water to the flow path associated with the dispenser which contains treating chemistry.
US08438880B2	Detergent dispensing unit A detergent dispensing unit is provided that includes a dispensing shell; a dispensing connection permitting the entry of fresh water into the dispensing shell; and a trap being located fluidly between an interior of the detergent dispensing unit and an opening that leads to the exterior, the opening which leads to the exterior being an overflow. The trap is positioned in the dispensing shell downstream of the dispensing connection, a maximum filled level of the trap lies below a lower edge of the overflow and the trap is adapted to be filled by liquid from the dispensing shell.
US08438875B2	Glass manufacturing device A glass manufacturing device includes a main body defining a working space, a fixing device and a grit blower in communication with the working space. The fixing device includes a first fixing assembly, a second fixing assembly, and a locking assembly. The first and second fixing assemblies are rotatably connected with each other and used for clamping a glass substrate. The first fixing assembly includes a number of shielding elements spaced from each other. The locking assembly is used for locking the first and second fixing assemblies. The grit blower is disposed opposite to the first fixing assembly and used for blasting grit on the glass substrate, and thus the portions of the glass substrate which are not shielded by the shielding elements are cut off during the process of grit-blasting. Remaining portions of the glass substrate shielded by the shielding elements are the desired product.
US08438861B2	Cooler / heater arrangement The present invention relates to a device for heating and cooling an object in a controlled manner permitting a good thermal contact between the thermal block, the element for heating and cooling and the heat sink without the need for using a thermal interface material, an instrument comprising such a device and a method for conducting a thermal profile using the device.
US08438854B2	Pre-diffuser for centrifugal compressor A diffuser system for a compressor for a gas turbine engine, the compressor having an impeller and the gas turbine engine having a combustor and a fuel injector proximate to the combustor, includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser is configured to receive compressed air from the impeller. The second diffuser is coupled to receive the compressed air from the first diffuser. The second diffuser comprises a housing comprising a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls form a diffuser flow passage therebetween. The first wall or the second wall, or both, further form an opening through the first and second walls for the fuel injector to pass through when removed from the combustor.
US08438850B2	Waste heat utilization for pre-heating fuel A waste heat utilization system and associated methods for preheating fuel for a turbine engine component. The turbine engine component includes at least one heat generating source. The system includes structure for applying heat from the at least one heat generating source to relatively cold fuel for the turbine engine component to preheat the fuel prior to ignition.
US08438846B2	Hydraulic drive apparatus The present invention provides a hydraulic drive apparatus which can flexibly be set. The hydraulic drive apparatus which drives a variable displacement hydraulic motor 20 by a pressure oil discharged from a variable displacement hydraulic pump 10 and outputs a driving force of the hydraulic motor 20 to outside. The hydraulic drive apparatus includes torque upper limit setting unit which sets an upper limit of an output torque with respect to the hydraulic motor 20, and control unit which sets a maximum capacity limit value of the hydraulic motor 20 in accordance with the upper limit of the output torque when the upper limit of the output torque is set by the torque upper limit setting unit, and which sets a maximum capacity limit value of the hydraulic pump 10 in accordance with the upper limit of the output torque.
US08438843B2	Hydraulic system of work machine A hydraulic system of a work machine with a hydraulically controlled implement includes: an operating oil flow passage for flowing operating oil from a main pump; a boost flow oil passage for supplying operating oil to the operating oil flow passage; a connection unit for connecting the implement which is provided downstream of the confluence on the operating oil flow passage; a controller for controlling the high-flow valve; and a high-flow switch which is connected to the controller and is configured to effect or cancel a command of the amount increase on a high-flow valve. Annunciation is made when the connection unit is connected to a high-flow actuator for the implement requiring an amount increase of the operating oil, and the amount increase is effected by the high-flow valve in accordance with an operation of the high-flow switch.
US08438841B2	Particulate filter regeneration in an engine Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter positioned downstream of an engine in a vehicle are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during combusting engine conditions, directing exhaust from the engine to a three-way catalyst and then to the particulate filter, and during non-combusting engine conditions and while the vehicle is in motion, directing fresh ram-air to between the particulate filter and the catalyst to regenerate the particulate filter. Thus, vehicle motion may be used to introduce the ram-air.
US08438838B2	Fuel-fired burner and heat exchanger system for heating a NOx reducing agent supply tank A fuel-fired burner in a vehicle exhaust system is used to heat up a frozen NOx reducing agent supply tank within a predetermined target amount of time. A method and apparatus are used to identify when a supply of agent is below a predetermined temperature, and the fuel-fired burner is activated for a sufficient amount of time to raise a temperature of the agent to at least the predetermined temperature with the predetermined target amount of time.
US08438818B2	Methods for packaging filled bags together, machines used in these methods, and the package of snack-filled bags thus obtained A machine for forming a bale including a plurality of bags includes a conveyor for conveying each of the bags to an inlet opening. A film feeder is positioned adjacent the inlet opening, along with a former for forming a sleeve from the film adjacent to the inlet opening. Means for pushing, such as a pusher, is provided for pushing the bags into the sleeve. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08438811B1	Vehicle ready modular light weight load bearing equipment apparatus Preferably, a vehicle ready modular light weight load bearing equipment apparatus “V-MOLLE,” includes a semi-rigid panel portion that includes a front side surface and a backside surface. In a preferred embodiment the front side surface includes a plurality of attachment points configured for reception of a number of utility pouches. The apparatus further preferably includes a vertical anchor system secured to the panel portion and configured for communication with a seat of a vehicle, and a horizontal anchor system secured to the panel portion and configured for communication with the seat of the vehicle. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cover portion attachable to a backside surface of the panel portion, wherein the backside surface of the panel portion is exposable to reveal a signal panel when the cover portion is detached from the panel portion.
US08438806B2	Composite cement panel This invention relates to a composite panel for a rooftop surface having a core material board having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of openings through said core material board extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; a rigid outer shell of solid material that encapsulates said core material board; a plurality of supports of said solid material wherein each of said plurality of supports extends through one of said plurality of openings in said core material board; and a plurality of legs on a portion of said rigid outer shell covering said bottom surface of core board material.
US08438793B2	Structural systems A structural system for use in areas in which space is valuable. The structural system has the ability to transform from a first object or shape into a self-contained meeting center. The structural system may be used for interior and exterior applications. The structural system may also include a mobile, micro-climate controlled chair system.
US08438780B1	Bouquet making apparatus and method A bouquet making apparatus comprises a plurality of bouquet forms movably supported at spaced locations along a conveying device. Each bouquet form includes fixed upper and lower stem supports that hold bouquet elements, such as flowers, at an angle with respect to vertical. As each bouquet maker travels along the conveying device, workers spaced along the conveying device sequentially insert sets of flowers into upper and lower stem supports until each bouquet maker hold a final bouquet set. Each of the final bouquet sets are removed from the bouquet form and secured with a fastener, thereby forming a plurality of twisted stem-type bouquets having a substantially identical design appearance.
US08438771B1	Detachable pistol stock A detachable pistol stock that includes a stock member having a butt, a comb disposed between a heel and a forearm recess, a pistol grip disposed proximal a fore-end, a fore stock attached to a fore-end notch disposed underlying the pistol grip, wherein an extant pistol is releasably supportable within a receiving tray and compressibly engagable with a padded bracket disposed on the fore-end by a shooter's grip, whereby the detachable pistol stock is rapidly deployable and usable with an extant pistol, as desired, to increase accuracy in using said pistol.
US08438766B2	Merchandise labeling Disclosed is a unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
US08438763B2	Three dimensional illuminated greeting cards A three-dimensional illuminated greeting card which combines a unique card construction having a 3D pop-out structure with one or more lights contained therein. The 3D pop-out structure forms an internal cavity in which illumination means and other electronic components are contained. One or more sides of the 3D structure are made of translucent or semi-translucent material, creating a screen that can be illuminated from behind by one or more miniature lights, such as LED lights. The light or lights may be connected to an integrated circuit chip that can be programmed with various lighting effects. The greeting card may optionally include other electronic components which are configured to play sound or music or perform other electronic effects.
US08438761B2	Method in the operation of spreader clamps A method for operating two spreader clamps for receiving and holding in pairs pieces of cloth and for spreading out the pieces of cloth before they are delivered to a conveyor, that includes selecting whether the two spreader clamps first spread a piece of cloth about one of two outer centerlines of the conveyor for small-sized pieces of cloth or about a first centerline for large-sized pieces of cloth, feeding a piece of cloth to the spreader clamps, moving the two spreader clamps so as to be situated in relation to the centerline selected, initiating movement of the spreader clamps to either side of the centerline selected to spread the piece of cloth and ascertaining during the spreading about the centerline selected if the piece of cloth is a large-sized piece or a small-sized piece, wherein if an outer centerline is selected and it is ascertained that a piece is a large-sized piece of cloth, moving the two spreader clamps so that the piece of cloth is spread about the first centerline and if the first centerline is selected and it is ascertained that the piece of cloth is a small-sized piece of cloth, moving the two spreader clamps so that the piece of cloth is spread about one of the outer centerlines.
US08438760B2	Mechanical attachment system and associated failure mechanism An attachment system for connecting a first member such as a lip plate of a mechanical digging device to a second member such as a ground engaging tool. The first member has a lug attached thereto, and the second member has a recess which is located about the lug A stabilizing member is located within a slot in the recess. A clamping member is between the lug and the stabilizing member, and includes a resilient portion such as a compression spring. A compressive force supplied to the resilient portion restricts the movement of the second member relative to the lug.
US08438756B2	Articles of footwear Articles of footwear that include a flexible or rigid sole portion with a shape and size as to correspond to a foot of a wearer, a sole portion having a periphery, a toe region in the front area of the sole portion, a heel region in the back area of the sole portion, and an instep region between the toe and heel regions. Also included is an upper portion connected to the sole portion to form a partially open enclosure for receiving and containing a part of the foot of the wearer and a flexible tubular sleeve which is attached to the sole portion's instep region. The flexible sleeve includes an attachment portion for attaching the flexible sleeve to the instep region of the sole portion, an outwardly opened toe portion for containing the front part of the foot and the toes of the wearer, an outwardly opened heel portion for containing the back part of the foot and the heel of the wearer, and an insertion portion for enveloping the ankle of the wearer.
US08438752B2	Yankee cylinder for paper producing machine The steel-made Yankee cylinder includes a cylindrical shell (11) joined to two ends (13, 15), to which are fixed respective-support journals (3). The cylindrical shell (11) is joined to the ends through a circumferential weld formed between opposing surfaces of each end and of the cylindrical shell.
US08438751B2	Dryer with heat recovery and method of operation thereof A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.
US08438746B2	Coordinate measuring machine A coordinate measuring machine includes: a probe for measuring an object; a movement mechanism for moving the probe; and a motion controller for controlling the movement mechanism. The motion controller includes: a current value detecting unit that detects a current value for moving the probe by the movement mechanism; and a load judging unit that judges a status of a load applied on the movement mechanism based on the current value detected by the current value detecting unit and a threshold that is set in accordance with a target speed for moving the probe by the movement mechanism. The target speed is in proportion to the threshold.
US08438734B2	Rail vehicle assembly system and method There is provided a method for assembling a rail vehicle. The method includes positioning a plurality of motor combos on a fixture frame. The fixture frame may be adapted to hold each of the plurality of motor combos positioned for an assembly into a rail vehicle truck. The method further includes positioning a plurality of springs on each of the plurality of motor combos. The plurality of springs are positioned for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck. Additionally, the method includes simultaneously lifting a plurality of motors such that a truck frame may be coupled to the motors. The plurality of motors corresponds to the plurality of motor combos. The method also includes connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors, attaching a spring compression fixture to the truck frame and the fixture frame, and compressing the plurality of springs for assembly into the rail vehicle truck.
US08438726B2	Method of manufacturing printed circuit board A resist film is formed on a conductor layer of a two-layered base material composed of a carrier layer and the conductor layer. Next, the resist film is exposed and developed, so that an etching resist pattern is formed. A region of the conductor layer that is exposed while not covered with the etching resist pattern is removed by etching. A conductor pattern is formed by removing the etching resist pattern. Then, an adhesive layer precursor is applied on an entire surface including an upper surface of the conductor pattern. The adhesive layer precursor is exposed and developed, so that an adhesive pattern is formed on the conductor pattern. After that, a base insulating layer is joined onto the conductor pattern with the adhesive pattern sandwiched therebetween. Finally, a carrier layer is separated from the conductor pattern, so that the FPC board is manufactured.
US08438724B2	Method for producing substrate for mounting device and method for producing a semiconductor module Methods for producing a substrate for mounting a device and for producing a semiconductor module are provided. The methods comprise preparing a metal plate on one major surface of which a plurality of projected electrodes are provided. An insulating resin layer is formed on the major surface so as to cover the top surface of the projected electrodes. The top surface of at least one of the plurality of projected electrodes is exposed by removing the insulating resin layer so that a major surface of the insulating resin layer opposite to the metal plate is level. A plurality of counter electrodes is arranged having a counterface to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes or a semiconductor device having a plurality of device electrodes is arranged to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes. The at least one of the plurality of projected electrodes, the top surface of which is exposed, is electrically connected with at least one of the plurality of counter electrodes facing the projected electrodes, by pressure-bonding the metal plate with the counter electrode. A wiring layer is formed by selectively removing the metal plate.
US08438722B2	Apparatus and method for detecting component attachment An apparatus for detecting component attachment of the present invention includes a detection head for detecting presence or absence of a component or whether or not a component is attached, and a driving mechanism for driving the detection head in an attachment direction of the component. The detection head includes a movable element having a distal end portion capable of being brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the component, a guide passage for guiding the movable element in the attachment direction so as to be capable of reciprocal motion, a fluid passage for passing a fluid when the distal end portion is brought into contact with the predetermined portion and pushed and the movable element is moved to a predetermined position, and a detection portion for detecting a pressure or a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage.
US08438721B1	Method to assemble disk drive A disk drive is assembled to have a cover that includes a hole therethrough, and an annular gasket continuously encircling the hole and being adhered to an undersurface of the disk drive cover. A breather filter is adjacent the disk drive base. The breather filter includes a breather filter housing having a top surface and an entrance port. The annular gasket is in compressive contact with, but not adhered to, the top surface of the breather filter housing. The annular gasket encircles the entrance port. In certain embodiments, this method of assembly may facilitate disk drive rework.
US08438711B1	Tool and method for removing sweeper bristles from a railway track broom Embodiments of a tool and method for removing sweeper bristles from a railway track broom are disclosed. An exemplary tool may include a tube member for insertion into a sweeper bristle gripped onto a nipple element, wherein two or more slits split a front portion of the tube member into flexible prongs each having outward-facing gripping elements near its tip. A plunger element, located inside the tube member, can be propelled forward into a front end of the tube member to cause the flexible prongs to substantially expand at least part of the front portion of the tube member, thereby loosening the sweeper bristle's grip on the nipple element. A hydraulic assembly coupling the plunger element to a hydraulic pressure source is controlled by a trigger mechanism to supply hydraulic pressure to propel the plunger element.
US08438710B2	Method of manufacturing a structure with an integrated circuit and a silicon condenser microphone mounted on a single substrate A structure with an integrated circuit (IC) and a silicon condenser microphone mounted thereon includes a substrate having a first area and a second area. The IC is fabricated on the first area in order to form a conducting layer and an insulation layer. Both the conducting layer and the insulation layer further extend to the second area. The insulation layer is removed under low temperature in order to expose the conducting layer on which the silicon condenser microphone is fabricated. The silicon condenser microphone includes a first film layer, a connecting layer and a second film layer under a condition that the connecting layer connects the first and the second film layers. The first film layer and the second film layer act as two electrodes of a variable capacitance.
US08438696B2	Surface cleaner including a cleaning pad A steam surface cleaner operable to clean a surface, and the steam surface cleaner includes a supply tank configured to retain a cleaning fluid, a base including a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank to dispense the cleaning fluid from the supply tank and onto the surface, a handle configured to move the base along the surface, a heater operable to heat the cleaning fluid to generate steam such that the cleaning fluid dispensed from the dispensing nozzle includes steam, and a cleaning pad coupled to the base for movement with the base and such that the cleaning pad is configured to directly contact the surface. The cleaning pad includes an aperture that allows the cleaning fluid to flow from the dispensing nozzle, through the aperture, and onto the surface.
US08438695B2	Autonomous coverage robot sensing An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.
US08438694B2	Cleaning apparatus A cleaning apparatus including a main body, a dust collection unit detachably installed on the main body and provided with a plurality of inlets, through which foreign substances are introduced into the dust collection unit, and a connection hole, to which an external instrument is connected, a shutter to open and close one inlet, and a cap to open and close the connection hole. The shutter opens and closes the inlet in cooperation with one of whether or not the dust collection unit is attached to or detached from the main body and whether or not the connection hole is opened or closed.
US08438689B2	Brush and broom bristle A broom having a head part to which a first and a second plurality of bristles are coupled. The second plurality of bristles preferably comprising a hooking member positioned at an end of the bristle opposite the head part, wherein the hooking member preferably forms a cap on the second end of the body. Alternatively, a bristle device having a plurality of bristles each with a hooking member at one end, wherein the bristle device is releasably couplable to bristles or a head part of a broom. In operation, as the plurality of bristles with hooking members sweep over the debris or material to be swept along a surface, the bristle with hooking members catch, hook or hold onto the debris being swept. The row of bristles with hooking members preferably form a hooking barrier that traps the material being swept making sweeping very easy and effective.
US08438688B2	Ice scraper A hand held scraper tool adapted to remove debris from a surface. The scrapper tool includes a body, handle and a plurality of abraders. In one embodiment, the abraders may be configured as a highly flexible cantilevered structure. In another embodiment, the abraders may be configured as a brush that creates a water impermeable barrier.
US08438681B2	Furniture device adapted to receive the weight of a being A furniture device comprising a section, having a fundament, a plate member, a first set of elastic members, an array of connections, a plurality of connection members attached to the first set of elastic members and to the fundament and a deformation member adapted to displace the plate member. Each elastic member comprises an elastic element having a first spring constant and a flexible envelope that encloses the elastic element. The connections located between the upper and lower ends of the elastic members forming an upper part with an upper length extending between the upper ends of the elastic members and the connections, and a lower part extending between the connections and the lower ends of the elastic members. The upper length is mainly unaffected by the displacement of the plate member and the lower length is adjustable by means of the displacement of the plate member.
US08438680B2	Hospital beds with four corner braking A vehicle for use in hospitals, and the like, giving better mobility, steering, braking and passenger handling while providing comfort to the passengers from the time they lay down until they are standing on the side through the rotation and tilting ability of the frame.
US08438667B2	Apparel incorporating a protective element An article of apparel may include may include a garment portion and at least one protective element. The garment portion and the protective element have a configuration that forms a gap, separation, or pleat structure through, for example, folding or overlapping of a textile element of the garment portion. The gap, separation, or pleat structure may permit the protective element to move independent of other portions of the apparel at the joint, thereby enhancing a range of movement of the individual and the overall comfort of the apparel.
US08438663B2	Face protector lens assembly and method of use A lens assembly for securing in an opening in a face plate of a face protector has a first, retainer lens of shape and dimensions configured to be secured in the front opening of a face plate and having a curvature substantially matching the curvature of the face plate. A second lens of smaller dimensions is secured behind the first lens to provide a lens-in-a-lens configuration. The lens assembly may be releasably secured in the face plate opening and the second lens is interchangeable with sets of lenses having different properties such as lens shade. The retainer assembly has a back cover and a gasket or spacer between the back cover and second lens to allow second lenses of different depths to be secured in the assembly.
US08443461B2	Interatomic force measurements using passively drift compensated non-contact in situ calibrated atomic force microscopy—quantifying chemical bond forces between electronic orbitals by direct force measurements at subatomic lateral resolution Interatomic forces are measured with subatomic lateral resolution by in situ calibrated non-contact and passively thermal drift compensated atomic force microscopy in aqueous or generally liquidous environment; interatomic forces acting between distinct electronic orbitals of front-most tip atom and opposing sample atom can be quantitatively measured with subatomic lateral resolution. Calibration standard is a CaCO3-crystal, which undergoes a well defined pressure induced phase transition from the calcite to the aragonite crystal lattice structure providing an accurate independent force anchor point for the AFM's force versus distance curve. Furthermore, an independent actual tip-sample-distance d calibration is obtained by directly observing oscillatory (steric) solvation forces originating simply from packing effects of the liquid particles at very small tip-sample separations d.Key to achieving this extreme sensitivity is operating the AFM in the simple variable deflection mode in the non-contact regime while specific mechanical instrumental design minimizes thermal drifts.
US08443457B2	System and method for controlling the use of a digital work in accordance with usage rights associated with the digital work Methods, apparatus, and media for controlling the use of a digital work in accordance with usage rights associated with the digital work. An exemplary server-side method comprises storing a description file associated with a content file of a digital work, the description file including usage rights for the content file, the usage rights indicating a permitted use for the content file of the digital work, communicating with a rendering device, receiving a request to render the content of the digital work originating from the rendering device, processing the request to render including enforcing the usage rights by granting or rejecting the request to render in accordance with the usage rights, and performing closing transaction steps upon detecting that the rendering device has finished rendering the content of the digital work.
US08443455B2	Apparatus, method, and computer program for controlling use of a content A content usage control apparatus prevents a content managed by an end user from being illegally used. To prevent a content from being used by an apparatus or user other than an authorized apparatus or user, a content usage control apparatus registers the authorized apparatus or user and determines, before providing the content, whether the content is going to be provided to the authorized apparatus or user. The content usage control apparatus also has the capability of imposing a limitation on rewriting of registration. The above-described capabilities of the content usage control apparatus make it possible to protect copyright of information to be provided. A specific example of the content usage control apparatus is a server which stores contents such as movie contents or music contents, and may be used in a system in which a content is provided in response to a request from a client such as a portable telephone, a TV set, or a personal computer, connected to the server.
US08443448B2	System and method for detection of non-compliant software installation A system and method for performing a security check may include using at least one processor to periodically check a status of a flag, generate and store a baseline representation of modules stored on the device where the flag is determined to be set to a first state, and, where the flag is determined to be set to a second state, generate an active representation of modules stored on the first device, compare the active representation of modules to the baseline representation of modules, and, responsive to a determination in the comparing step of a difference between the baseline and active representations of modules, output an alert. The flag status may depend on an association of the device with one of a plurality of authorization policies, each mapped to one of the two states. Results of the comparison may be appended to an activity log of the device.
US08443445B1	Risk-aware scanning of objects Scanning is disclosed. A system is monitored to detect object events. A risk level is determined for an object event, and a scan is scheduled for an object associated with the object event according to the risk level. The risk level may be based on the risk level of the object type, and on the risk level of the operation. An immediate on access scan may be scheduled for a first risk range, a differential scan may be scheduled for a second risk range, and an incremental scan may be scheduled for a third risk range. The scheduled scan is performed.
US08443443B2	Security system and method for detecting intrusion in a computerized system In detecting the identity of a person currently using a computer (100) and in particular for detecting whether the person is the intended or authorized user of the computer previously established user patterns of users as stored in a database (4) are matched, in comparators (9), with data of the person's interactions through the computer. The interactions are detected by a monitoring module (2) that in testing modules (7) can process data of the interactions and storing them in buffers (8) to be used by the comparators. Such data can include data of interactions that happen directly after each other and can also include one or more time characteristic of each detected interaction.
US08443434B1	High availability security device Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for processing a first plurality of packets using one or more processors and maintaining one or more flow records associated with the first plurality of packets, and processing a second plurality of packets without maintaining flow records associated with the second plurality of packets and allowing the second plurality of packets to pass to one or more destinations.
US08443421B2	Method and apparatus for implementing communication of stand-alone software The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for implementing communication of stand-alone software applications. In one aspect, a method for implementing communication of stand-along software applications comprises: establishing an instant communication connection between a first user device and a second user device by a first instant communication client on the first user device and a second instant communication client on the second user device, the first user device and the second user device being remote from each other; and communicating, by a first stand-alone software application on the first user device, with a second stand-alone software application on the second user device via the instant communication connection.
US08443420B2	System for communicating with a mobile device server A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server that has computer instructions to execute a web server application at the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to detect a media resource center while roaming in a communication zone of the media resource center and to transmit a pairing key to the media resource center responsive to acquiring communication access to the communication zone. The web server application can be further operable to receive from the media resource center an indication that a roaming charge will be applied to a subscriber account associated with the mobile device responsive to the media resource center identifying from the pairing key that the mobile device server is a guest device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08443414B2	Information processing apparatus and method for controlling a TV receiver According to one embodiment, there is provided an information processing apparatus connectable to a TV receiver via a digital image interface, including: a display device; a plurality of image output terminals including a digital image output terminal associated with the digital image interface; an image output selection section configured to select an image output terminal for output to the TV receiver from the plurality of image output terminals; and an image output section configured to output image data of an image being displayed on the display device and control data for control of the TV receiver to the TV receiver through the selected digital image output terminal, the image output section configured to generate the control data based on an operation state of the information processing apparatus.
US08443407B2	Facilitating placeshifting using matrix code A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.
US08443404B2	Session life-cycle quality-of-experience orchestration for VOD flows in wireless broadband networks A network system includes a connectivity services network (CSN), a plurality of access service network gateways, a plurality of base stations, an orchestration device, executing a lifecycle quality-of-experience model for video-on-demand flows, receiving content from the CSN, and a plurality of subscriber stations in communication with the orchestration device through a base station and/or gateway, wherein the orchestration device continuously tracks past service and usage for each of the subscriber stations and predicts future channel conditions and load to determine, periodically or when triggered by critical events, many-to-one assignments from subscriber stations to base stations and allocation of base station resources to subscriber stations assigned to it.
US08443402B2	Terminating enhanced television broadcasts An enhanced television broadcast system may enable the transmission and reception of a real-time event when a new program is about to begin. The real-time event may control access to enhancements from the program that is ending. In some embodiments, these real-time events may constitute triggers that are included within packets transmitted in an Internet Protocol multicast. As one example, the trigger may include a Uniform Resource Locator in the form of a tv: protocol that automatically causes the television display to go to full screen television.
US08443392B2	Differentiated PSIP table update interval technology An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08443381B2	API evaluation system in embedded device An API evaluation system which includes: a test procedure description device in which an API execution procedure is described; a virtual API device for issuing a command to call the API and acquiring a return value by supplying the API of a target device to the test procedure description device; a script execution device for performing script interpret; a command transmission device for transmitting the command to the target device; and a log reception device for receiving a result log obtained after the API execution from the target device. A user program installed on the target device is controlled and verified on per-API basis.
US08443368B2	User controlled reconfiguring and saving of a task context comprising a configuration of a set of tools used by the user The present invention pertains to the field of onboard flight management systems embedded in aircraft. The invention relates to a reconfiguration device (1) for reconfiguring a task processing context.The reconfiguration device (1) according to the invention notably comprises: a module for managing the tasks to be carried out (2), performing a sorting of the tasks according to a priority criterion; a module for managing a current task (3), managing the state of progress of the current task; a module for managing a context (4), saving contexts relating to the current task, to a highest priority task and restoring one of the contexts saved on order of an operator. The present invention notably finds its application in the management of tasks for piloting an aircraft, for example the management of tasks originating from a system for managing alerts and procedures.
US08443360B2	Dynamic file system restriction for portable storage devices A method of installing an application on a portable storage device is disclosed. The method includes receiving file system commands issued by an installer application and selectively intercepting and modifying at least one file system command before the at least one file system command is executed with respect to a destination file system. The method restricts access to a first file system located at a fixed storage memory device and directs access to a second file system located on the portable storage device.
US08443354B1	Detecting new or modified portions of code Detecting new or modified portions of executable code is disclosed. An indication is received that a prior version of an executable file has been replaced by a new version. A security response is provided if a process associated with the executable file attempts to perform a restricted action and a new or changed portion of code comprising the new version has executed. If no new or changed portion of code has executed, the restricted action is allowed to an extent determined previously for the prior version of the executable file.
US08443347B2	Translating declarative models The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for translating declarative models. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate processing declarative models to perform various operations on applications, such as, for example, application deployment, application updates, application control such as start and stop, application monitoring by instrumenting the applications to emit events, and so on. Declarative models of applications are processed and realized onto a target environment, after which they can be executed, controlled, and monitored.
US08443345B2	Dynamic processing of embedded compiled programming language code Development using the JavaScript programming language can be limited since JavaScript code is interpreted. Compiling code at a client may interfere with the dynamicity and portability of web pages. Dynamicity and portability of web pages can be preserved while providing the features of a compiled programming language. A compiled programming language code can be embedded within an interpreted programming language code. The embedded compiled programming language code can be extracted and compiled with resources of a server to deliver the robustness and flexibility of the compiled programming language without burdening a client with compiling.
US08443342B2	Static analysis using interactive and integration tools Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate static software program analysis using an interactive tool and/or a disassembly integration tool are provided. An interactive tool enables a user to view alternative error paths in association with an error such that the user can identify any valid errors within program code. A disassembly integration tool provides source code that is interleaved with an intermediate representation of such source code.
US08443330B2	Methods and systems for measuring and reducing clock skew using a clock distribution network A technique for a delay measurement system to measure the skews in a clock distribution network is presented. It uses the principle of sub-sampling to measure and amplify small clock skews and determine an estimate of clock skew by further manipulation if these sampled measurements. The technique can be applied to measure clock skew on a computer chip, between bit-line of a communication bus, or between elements connected by an electronic or optical interconnect.
US08443327B2	Reassembling scattered logic blocks in integrated circuits Techniques for reassembling scattered logic blocks in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. The techniques include identifying a virtual memory block to be reassembled in an IC design. The virtual memory block is formed by a plurality of memory blocks that are connected by a plurality of logic circuitry. The plurality of memory blocks and the plurality logic circuitry that connect the memory blocks within the virtual memory block are identified. The identified logic circuitry and memory blocks are removed from the virtual memory block. The virtual memory block is replaced with a custom memory block that is functionally comparable to the plurality of connected memory blocks in the virtual memory block.
US08443325B1	Method and apparatus for utilizing constraints for the routing of a design on a programmable logic device A method for designing a system on a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. Routing resources are selected for a user specified signal on the PLD in response to user specified routing constraints. Routing resources are selected for a non-user specified signal on the PLD without utilizing the user specified routing constraints.
US08443319B2	Method for preparing re-architected designs for sequential equivalence checking This disclosure describes a method illustrated in FIG. 7 to prepare re-architected digital logic designs for sequential equivalence checking. This method initially begins with a description of an electrical design module that includes a plurality of ports, and a description of an electrical reference model that comprises a hierarchy of one or more reference modules where each said reference module comprises a plurality of internal signals. In addition, this method includes a configuration file with additional initial information. The method then processes 100 a configuration file. Then, the method 105 computes one or more output files. Finally, the method 110 writes the output files.
US08443316B1	Accelerating coverage convergence and debug using symbolic properties and local multi-path analysis In a method for increasing coverage convergence during verification of a design for an IC, symbolic elements can be generated for the variables and the variable expressions in the hardware code of the design and a test bench. Simulation semantics can be modified and local multi-path analysis can be provided to expand symbolic property collection and symbolic element propagation. Modifying simulation semantics can include transformation of conditional statements, flattening of conditions, avoidance of short circuiting logic, and/or symbolic triggering of events. Symbolic elements are propagated through the design and the test bench during multiple simulation runs to collect symbolic properties. Coverage information from the multiple simulation runs is analyzed to identify coverage points to be targeted. For each identified coverage point, the constraints resulting from the collected symbolic properties are solved to generate directed stimuli for the design. These directed stimuli increase the coverage convergence.
US08443306B1	Planar compatible FDSOI design architecture A multi-operation mode application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) implemented in fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) includes an ASIC implemented in FDSOI having a plurality of operating modes, plurality of power rails, and a power supply that provides voltages for the first and second rails corresponding to the plurality of operating modes. The power rails include at least one VDD rail, at least one Vss rail, a first rail for biasing a NGP region of PMOS transistor devices in the ASIC, and a second rail for biasing a PGP region of NMOS transistor devices in the ASIC.
US08443301B1	Inspection reporting including a 3D vehicle model In one embodiment, a visual reporting system generates a 3-dimensional (3D) interactive vehicle inspection report comprising 3D model data and inspection data for a particular vehicle. The inspection data, such as recommended repair items, are associated with graphical vehicle sections in the 3D model. Further, additional inspection data, such as instructional videos or inspection photographs, can be provided to a user desiring additional detail. By providing an interactive visual representation of inspection data, the 3D inspection report provides a report that can be customized to provide different levels of detail to different users. In addition, the 3D model can provide a visually compact summary of the inspection data by marking on the 3D model the repair items for the vehicle. Use of the 3D inspection report can raise the likelihood that the vehicle owner understands the need for repair, leading to more repair orders for repair facilities.
US08443293B2	Bull's-eye multidimensional data visualization Embodiments are directed to presenting multiple data items with multiple attributes simultaneously. In an embodiment, a computer system accesses a plurality of data items, where each data item includes data item features and data item attributes for each feature. The computer system arranges the accessed data items in a customizable pattern that visually shows each data item's features and associated attributes. The pattern includes slices that designate the data items' features and rings that designate the data items' attributes. The computer system also presents the arranged data items on a circular base that includes multiple slices and rings, so that each data item is displayed in an appropriate slice and ring, according to the data item's corresponding features and attributes.
US08443284B2	Script-integrated storyboards A storyboard presentation is generated by launching a scene design tool that includes actor and camera placement tools. Using the actor and camera placement tools, a first actor icon and a first camera icon are added on a scene layout, the first actor icon representing a first actor that will appear in a scene and the first camera icon representing a first camera that will film the scene. The user is enabled to control a location and orientation of the first actor icon using the actor placement tool and a location and orientation of the first camera icon relative to the first actor icon using the camera placement tool. Based on the location and orientation of the first actor icon and the first camera icon, a first projection of the scene featuring the first actor as seen from the first camera is generated.
US08443283B2	Visual screen indicator Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and method for viewing electronic documents. Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes an electronic viewer application to display contents of an electronic document; and a visual indicator logic configured to display at least one visual indicator on the electronic display, each visual indicator indicating a portion of the contents that are to be subsequently displayed on the electronic display in response to a navigation command. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08443282B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program for generating an adaptive layout template which may have a transposition link An information processing apparatus for generating a template in which is arranged a plurality of areas where content data can be inserted, includes a setting unit configured to associate the areas with one another, a determination unit configured to determine based on the content data whether the areas are to be arranged in a vertical direction or in a horizontal direction as an arrangement direction, a layout unit configured to arrange the areas in the arrangement direction determined by the determination unit, an input unit configured to input the content data into the areas arranged by the layout unit, and an output unit configured to output the areas where the content data is inserted by the input unit.
US08443274B2	Test circuit for testing execution of a handshake protocol and method for testing execution of handshake protocol The present invention relates to a checker circuit for a handshake protocol. The checker circuit detects common errors that occur when two communication unit on execute the handshake protocol. The checker circuit is characterized by a compact circuit design that is associated with reduced susceptibility to circuit errors and a significantly reduced spatial requirement. The invention also relates to a method for checking the execution of the handshake protocol.
US08443269B2	System and method for handling forward error correction code blocks in a receiver A receiver apparatus can identify a plurality of patterns corresponding to scrambled synchronization bytes of a transport stream in a number of successive signal frames containing FEC code blocks, determine a pattern distribution into which most of the patterns identified in the successive signal frames map, and generate a synchronization signal locked to a distribution of the FEC code blocks associated with the pattern distribution. With this synchronization signal, FEC code blocks can be timely handled in a reliable manner through a FEC decoder, making the receiver apparatus more efficient and robust. In other embodiments, methods of handling FEC code blocks in a receiver apparatus are also described.
US08443264B2	Disk array apparatus, a disk array apparatus control method and a program for a disk array apparatus A disk array apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic disks, and a RAID controller that generates redundancy data for host data received from a host apparatus by a primitive polynomial of Galois extension field, generates a redundancy code for the host data and the redundancy data, the redundancy code is a cyclic code calculated by a generating polynomial identical to the primitive polynomial, and writes the host data and the redundancy data to the plurality of magnetic disks.
US08443259B2	Apparatus, system, and method for using multi-level cell solid-state storage as single level cell solid-state storage An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for storing information in a storage device that includes multi-level memory cells. The method involves storing data that is written to the storage device in the LSBs of the multi-level memory cells, and storing audit data in the MSBs of the multi-level memory cells. The audit data can be read separately from the data and used to determine whether or not there has been any unintended drift between states in the multi-level cells. The audit data may be used to correct data when the errors in the data are too numerous to be corrected using error correction code (ECC). The audit data may also be used to monitor the general health of the storage device. The monitoring process may run as a background process on the storage device. The storage device may transition the multi-level memory cells to operate as single-level memory cells.
US08443238B2	System and method for testing hard disk ports A method tests hard disk ports located on a motherboard of a computing device. Each of the hard disk ports connects to a respective serial port of a test fixture. The test fixture includes a group of serial ports, a multiplexer and a storage device. Each of the hard disk ports is selected to be tested during the process of hard disk ports test. A data transmission path is formed by building a connection between the storage device and a channel of the multiplexer corresponding to the hard disk port. Data are written to the storage device and read from the storage device through the data transmission path. The hard disk port is working normal if the written data are identical to the read data. The hard disk port is not working normally if the written data are not identical to the read data.
US08443230B1	Methods and systems with transaction-level lockstep Methods and systems for redundant operation of a first and second processor are provided. A set of instructions is executed in parallel on the first and second processors. In response to a first access transaction for a peripheral device being issued from execution of an instruction by the first processor, the first processor suspends operation. In response to the first access transaction being a write transaction, the write transaction is not issued to the peripheral device until the second processor executes the instruction and issues a second access transaction that is equal to the write transaction. In response to the first access transaction being a read transaction, the read transaction is not issued to the peripheral device until the second processor executes the instruction.
US08443219B2	Mechanism for reducing the power consumption of virtual desktop servers A mechanism for reducing the power consumption of virtual machine host servers is disclosed. A method for a virtual machine (VM) power reduction agent (PRA) hosted by a VM may include identifying a user activity associated with the VM, determining that the VM is inactive based on the user activity associated with the VM, and notifying a host of the VM that the VM is inactive to facilitate application of a power reduction policy to the VM based on specific power reduction settings associated with the VM.
US08443198B2	Trusted and secure techniques for item delivery and execution Documents and other items can be delivered electronically from sender to recipient with a level of trustedness approaching or exceeding that provided by a personal document courier. A trusted electronic go-between can validate, witness and/or archive transactions while, in some cases, actively participating in or directing the transaction. Printed or imaged documents can be marked using handwritten signature images, seal images, electronic fingerprinting, watermarking, and/or steganography. Electronic commercial transactions and transmissions take place in a reliable, “trusted” virtual distribution environment that provides significant efficiency and cost savings benefits to users in addition to providing an extremely high degree of confidence and trustedness. The systems and techniques have many uses including but not limited to secure document delivery, execution of legal documents, and electronic data interchange (EDI).
US08443192B2	Network security method This invention provides a method for allowing the recipient of a message 2 to confirm the identity of the sender. In the message 1 the sender provides a web address that comprises an identifying code uniquely assigned to that message. The sender also provides a document 4 at that web address that comprises confirmatory information already known to the recipient.
US08443191B2	System and method for accessing information resources using cryptographic authorization permits A system and method for securing information associates a party with a node that communicates messages over one or more channels based on a channel access privilege. One or more authorities sign a cryptographic authorization permit (CAP) to authorize the channel access privilege, which can be a write privilege or a read privilege. In one embodiment, the authorization for the channel access privilege is based on a public key issued by an authority and the CAP comprises a cryptographic certificate digitally signed by the authority.
US08443181B2	Processor boot security device and methods thereof Securing network authentication information at a data processing device includes determining a boot source from which to boot the device and comparing the boot source to an expected source. If the boot source is not the expected source, access to the network authentication information is inhibited, such as by disabling access to the portion of memory that stores the network authentication information. Further, if the boot source is the expected source, boot code authentication information is retrieved from memory and verified during the boot sequence. If the boot code authentication information is not authenticated, access to the network authentication information is inhibited. Accordingly, access to the network authentication information is allowed only if the data processing device is booted from an expected source, and only if the boot code is authenticated, thereby reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to the network authentication information.
US08443169B2	Interconnection network connecting operation-configurable nodes according to one or more levels of adjacency in multiple dimensions of communication in a multi-processor and a neural processor A Wings array system for communicating between nodes using store and load instructions is described. Couplings between nodes are made according to a 1 to N adjacency of connections in each dimension of a G×H matrix of nodes, where G≧N and H≧N and N is a positive odd integer. Also, a 3D Wings neural network processor is described as a 3D G×H×K network of neurons, each neuron with an N×N×N array of synaptic weight values stored in coupled memory nodes, where G≧N, H≧N, K≧N, and N is determined from a 1 to N adjacency of connections used in the G×H×K network. Further, a hexagonal processor array is organized according to an INFORM coordinate system having axes at 60 degree spacing. Nodes communicate on row paths parallel to an FM dimension of communication, column paths parallel to an IO dimension of communication, and diagonal paths parallel to an NR dimension of communication.
US08443168B2	Microcontroller comprising a plurality of registers and instruction modes A microcontroller includes a plurality of primary registers, a secondary register and a central processing unit (CPU). The primary registers store a plurality of primary data respectively. Each primary data has a first width. The secondary register includes the plurality of primary registers and stores a secondary data having a second width. The secondary data includes a combination of the plurality of primary data. The CPU executes a first instruction in a first mode in which a primary data is fetched for operation and executes a second instruction in a second mode in which the secondary data is fetched for operation.
US08443166B2	Method for tracking changes in virtual disks Systems and methods for tracking changes and performing backups to a storage device are provided. For virtual disks of a virtual machine, changes are tracked from outside the virtual machine in the kernel of a virtualization layer. The changes can be tracked in a lightweight fashion with a bitmap, with a finer granularity stored and tracked at intermittent intervals in persistent storage. Multiple backup applications can be allowed to accurately and efficiently backup a storage device. Each backup application can determine which block of the storage device has been updated since the last backup of a respective application. This change log is efficiently stored as a counter value for each block, where the counter is incremented when a backup is performed. The change log can be maintained with little impact on I/O by using a coarse bitmap to update the finer grained change log.
US08443162B2	Methods and apparatus for dynamically managing banked memory Techniques for controllably allocating a portion of a plurality of memory banks as cache memory are disclosed. To this end, a configuration tracker and a bank selector are employed. The configuration tracker configures whether each memory bank is to operate in a cache or not. The bank selector has a plurality of bank distributing functions. Upon receiving an incoming address, the bank selector determines the configuration of memory banks currently operating as the cache and applies an appropriate bank distributing function based on the configuration of memory banks. The applied bank distributing function utilizes bits in the incoming address to access one of the banks configured as being in the cache.
US08443157B1	Data storage system having associated situational analysis framework for automatic response to movement in a state space The operation of a data storage system is controlled by determining dimensions of a situational state space characterizing operating conditions of the data storage system, associating policy sets with respective states of the state space, monitoring system operation in the state space, selecting a particular one of the policy sets based on an identified current state in the state space, and controlling the operation of the system in accordance with the selected policy set. These operations are performed by a processing device incorporated in or otherwise associated with the system, with the processing device implementing a situational analysis framework comprising a learning module coupled to a production module. The situational analysis framework may be part of a policy engine. The dimensions of the situational state space in an illustrative embodiment may comprise two or more dimensions selected from one or more dimension categories such as load, performance, time and event state.
US08443155B2	Lock-free concurrent object dictionary An object storage system comprises one or more computer processors or threads that can concurrently access a shared memory, the shared memory comprising an array of equally-sized cells. In one embodiment, each cell is of the size used by the processors to represent a pointer, e.g., 64 bits. Using an algorithm performing only one memory write, and using a hardware-provided transactional operation, such as a compare-and-swap instruction, to implement the memory write, concurrent access is safely accommodated in a lock-free manner.
US08443140B2	Apparatus, computer-readable recording medium and storage system A apparatus for controlling a first storage and a second storage, has a controller for receiving a write command and a read command sent out from a host and for sending out the write command and the read command to the first storage and the second storage, a determining unit for sending out a request corresponding to the write command to the first storage and the second storage, for receiving a first response corresponding to the request from the first storage and a second response corresponding to the request from the second storage, and for determining one of the storages on the basis of each of response times, a first writing unit for writing data into the determined storage, and a second writing unit for writing the data written in the determined storage into the other storage after writing the data into the determined storage by the first writing unit.
US08443137B2	Grid storage system and method of operating thereof The is provided a storage system comprising a plurality of disk units adapted to store data at respective ranges of logical block addresses (LBAs), said addresses constituting an entire address space, and a storage control grid operatively connected to the plurality of disk units and comprising a plurality of data servers. The method of operating the storage system comprises: a) configuring a first data server to have a primary responsibility over a certain range of LBAs, b) configuring a second data server to have a secondary responsibility over said certain range of LBAs and to overtake the primary responsibility over said certain range of LBAs if the first server fails; c) responsive to a request to one or more LBAs within said certain range of LBAs, generating a primary cache object in the first data server and generating a redundancy object in the second data server; d) deleting said redundancy object upon successful permanent storing of data and/or metadata corresponding to said request, said storing provided by the first data server, e) if operation d) fails, using said redundancy object by the second server for providing permanent storing said data and/or metadata when overtaking primary responsibility, wherein said redundancy object is derivation of the primary cache object and need to be reconstructed in order to enable overtaking the responsibility.
US08443132B2	Method and apparatus for cascade memory A system and method of operating a cascade of a plurality of memory devices connected in series is disclosed. In one aspect, there is a memory controller operatively connected to the memory cell and a cascade circuit configured to enable a subsequent memory device in a cascade of memory devices.
US08443131B2	Non-volatile memory device Operational information read out by a read-out sense amplifier (19) is transferred via the data line DB to a volatile memory section. The volatile memory section is configured with the volatile memory section (21) having a SRAM configuration and the second volatile memory section (23) configured with latch circuits, both sections respectively connected in parallel with the data line DB. The operational information, which may be provided depending on an operation state of the write-protect information and other information stored in the non-volatile memory cell MC selected by the word line WLWP, is written and read out with respect to the first volatile memory section (21) in response to the identification information linked with the operational information. The operational information which must be constantly accessible, is written into the second volatile memory section (23). Thus, the operational information is available in response to attributes of the operational information.
US08443129B1	Method and apparatus for implementing a data bus interface A data bus interface channel controller circuit for an N-bit data bus is described. A FIFO command queue is coupled to receive and buffer one or more commands formatted for M-bit transactions. A FIFO data queue is coupled to receive and buffer N-bit formatted data packets. A first translation circuit is coupled to the FIFO command queue and configured to translate the each commands into a selected one of a plurality of transaction formats. A transmission control circuit is coupled and configured to receive and transmit commands removed from the FIFO command queue. The transmission control circuit is configured to track a number of outstanding transmitted commands and, in response to receiving a command having a transaction format different from the previously received command, delay transmission of commands on the N-bit data bus until the number of outstanding transmitted commands equals zero.
US08443120B2	Method for accessing multiple card slots and apparatus for the same The present invention discloses a method for accessing multiple card slots and an apparatus for the same, which relate to data communication field. The method comprises establishing a connection from a CCID to a host, declaring at least a pair of IN/OUT endpoints used for implementing a response pipe and a command pipe as BULK-IN and BULK-OUT endpoints, declaring at least one IN endpoint used for implementing an event notification pipe as an interrupt endpoint, and declaring, by the CCID, the CCID itself as a device compliant with a CCID standard and the number of card slots supported by the CCID to the host; accessing the CCID by the host; receiving, by the CCID, a BULK-OUT packet and determining, by the CCID, a type of a CCID command issued by the host according to the BULK-OUT packet; in case the CCID command is a channel extension command, determining if it is a channel switch command; and if so, parsing the channel switch command and activating a card slot the host tries to access.
US08443115B2	Method and system for managing access to presence attribute information A presence attribute information server and manager application, and corresponding method is provided for managing access to presence attribute information. In addition to the presence attribute information entries, access authorization entries associated with at least some of the presence attribute information entries are provided which define conditions in which access to the presence attribute information is authorized. Generally, the defined conditions can include temporal and/or spatial requirements associated with either the user requesting the presence attribute information or the person/item associated with the presence attribute information, for purposes of establishing authorization to access the presence attribute information.
US08443110B2	Approach for discovering devices on a common bus without direct communication A system for discovering devices on a common bus without direct communication. Each device on the bus has a unique identification. One of the devices or a computer may be a master or a host. The host may broadcast a request asking every device with an identification value in a particular range to respond. If no device or one device exists on the bus in this particular range, then there is no or one response, respectively. If multiple devices exist within the range, then multiple responses may be received by the host. In a case of multiple responses, the host may re-transmit its request to one or more half ranges. If multiple responses are again received, then the host may again re-transmit its request where the half range or ranges are again split in half. This approach of half-range reduction may be repeated until no more collisions occur.
US08443108B2	Centrally controlled backup functionality A method and mobile device are presented for centrally controlling backup functionality, so that parties such as backup devices will efficiently be informed how data content should be backed up from or restored to the mobile device. The mobile device exposes to a party rules for backing up or restoring data content, and those rules are not just for the party, but also are for other parties including the mobile device itself. The rules are contained in a list formatted in extensible markup language (XML). If the party is an external party, the mobile device provides an object exchange protocol (OBEX) capability object in response to the party fetching that object. The OBEX capability object describes capabilities of the mobile device, and is for use by the external party in order to access the list of rules via the mobile device exposing those rules to the external party.
US08443103B2	Method and system for intelligently forwarding multicast packets A routing system utilizes a layer 2 switch interconnecting several routers to intelligently forward multicast packets throughout an internet exchange carrying multicast content. The layer 2 switch performs protocol snooping to extract a lookup key that is based on network layer protocol information. The lookup key is uniquely formulated to support either shared or explicit source distribution trees. The lookup key is used to query a forwarding memory that returns an outgoing port index. The outgoing port index points to one or more outgoing ports that are eligible to receive the multicast packet. The outgoing ports are also connected to the neighboring device(s) that are designated to receive the multicast packet. The routing system also supports real time maintenance and updating of the forwarding memory based on the periodic exchange of control messages. The routing system is configured to support PIM routers operating in PIM SM or PIM SSM modes. However, the routing system can also support other multicast protocols and/or standards.
US08443102B1	Pipeline of a packet processor programmed to extract packet fields A packet processor includes a memory and a programmable compute pipeline. The memory stores microcode that specifies respective sets for the packet types, and the respective set for each type specifies packet fields. The programmable compute pipeline includes a sequence of stages beginning with an initial stage. The initial stage includes an operand selector that extracts a data vector from each packet. The operand selector is programmable to extract the data vector that includes each field specified in the respective set for the type of each packet. Each stage except the initial stage inputs a first version of the data vector and each stage outputs a second version of the data vector. Each stage except the initial stage generates the second version of the data vector that replaces a part of the first version of the data vector with a result that the stage computes from the part.
US08443101B1	Method for identifying and blocking embedded communications A method and system for steganography and steganalytic techniques are provided for effecting embedded communications in a variety of communication environments. One aspect may include an embedded transmitter for inserting embedded data into a packet and an embedded receiver for receiving the packet via, for example, a packetized communication network such as the Internet. Various aspects of the present invention provide robust communications with optimized throughput and may include various error handlers to maximize performance and ensure transfer of incorrupt data. A method for identifying and blocking embedded communications is also provided.
US08443093B2	Connection management system for multiple connections In one embodiment a computing system comprises one or more processors, a display device coupled to the computing system, a connection client module, at least one remote access client module, a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors and comprising logic to; receive a service request from a user via a remote connection client coupled to the connection server, wherein the service request comprises at least one user credential, authenticate the at least one user credential, retrieve at least one user profile associated with the user, connection data for at least one remote system and at least one policy associated with the at least one user profile, transmit the at least one user profile, at least one remote system and the connection data for at least one remote system and at least one policy associated with the at least one user profile from the connection server to the remote connection client.
US08443089B2	Method and apparatus for integrated communication services provisioning for health care community A method and apparatus for providing an integrated communication services (ICS) network that permits data subscribers to share information on a hospital campus using wireless or wireline local area networks, or to seamlessly tap into the facility's central database while in transit away from the hospital. The central database, referred to as the integrated communications clearinghouse (ICC) is adapted to store a communication profile for every network server on the ICS network. The ICC also maintains a Global Patient Profile (GPP), consisting of a patient profile for every patient on the network. The GPP provides the ICC with the capability of providing aggregated data and demographic information, creating “live” public health statistics through a single query to a central server. The actual selection of a particular channel to access the ICS will be service-dependent and a function of user whereabouts, desired quality of the connection, and costs of the connection.
US08443081B2	User configuration file for access control for embedded resources Multimedia content is featured on user pages of an online social network using embed codes that are generated using a configuration file associated with the source ID for the multimedia content and a content ID for the multimedia content. The configuration file, the source ID and the content ID are stored locally by the online social network so that any changes to the embed codes can be made by changing the configuration file associated with the source and regenerating the embed codes. By managing multimedia content in this manner, greater control can be exercised by the online social network over the multimedia content that are featured on its user pages.
US08443080B2	System and method for determining application dependency paths in a data center A method and a system are disclosed for determining application dependency paths in a data center. The method and the system captures application traffic volume data on the servers with switches and monitoring agents; generates an application traffic matrix of all the components of the applications based on the application traffic volume data; estimates the number of the applications in the data center from the traffic matrix with a Rank Estimation via Singular Value Decomposition or Power Factorization Residue Errors process; and decomposes the traffic matrix into a first matrix and a second matrix with a non-negative matrix factorization process using the estimated number of applications. The first matrix represents a set of the components belonging to each of the applications and the second matrix represents the amount of traffic generated by each application over time. Any noise in the first and second matrices is removed with a concurrent volumes ratios based correlation process.
US08443070B2	Personal inter-home media exchange network A system and method support the exchange of media between friends, family members, and 3rd party media providers over a closed and secure media exchange network. The media may include, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images, digital data, or any form of digital information.
US08443067B2	Method and apparatus for identifying an order in a network The invention relates to a method for identifying an order of users of a network, whereby the network contains a multitude of nodes and each of the nodes has a number of connections by which the nodes and the users can be interconnected. Disclosed embodiments of the method include: a) identifying the node connected to one of the users; b) determining the number of connections of this node and a predetermined hierarchy of the connections; c) determining, for these nodes, the connection with which the user is connected to this node and; d) determining, for the nodes, other connections that are connected to other nodes or to other users; e) establishing a relationship between users of the network based on the hierarchy of the connections that is predefined for node and on the determined connections that are connected to users or to other nodes.
US08443066B1	Programmatic instantiation, and provisioning of servers A networked computing system is taught that may be operated as one or more provisioned servers, each of the provisioned servers including capabilities as identified by a corresponding set of specifications and attributes, according to various embodiments. Typically the specifications (or constraints) and attributes are specified with a Server Configuration File. The networked computing system may be provisioned into any combination and number of servers according to needed processing and I/O capabilities. Each of these servers may include distinct compute, storage, and networking performance. Provisioned servers may be managed similar to conventional servers, including operations such as boot and shutting down.
US08443063B1	Determination of communication networks for a wireless communication device A network control system to determine alternative networks for a wireless communication device comprises a processing system and a communication transceiver. The processing system is configured to determine an identifier of a first wireless access node in communication with a first communication network serving the wireless communication device, and process the identifier of the first wireless access node with a network data structure to determine a second communication network for the wireless communication device based on the identifier. The communication transceiver is configured to transfer the network data associated with the second communication network for delivery to the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to initiate a handoff to a second wireless access node in communication with the second communication network based on the network data associated with the second communication network.
US08443057B1	System, method, and/or apparatus for establishing peer-to-peer communication Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with peer-to-peer communications are disclosed.
US08443055B2	System and method to provide device control service, and computer product A device control service providing system includes a service request receiving unit that receives, via a network, a device control service request for controlling a group of electronic devices, and a process execution requesting unit that requests respective device control servers to execute device control processes for controlling an operation of the electronic devices in the group based on the request received, where one of the device control servers executes the device control processes corresponding to one group of the electronic devices.
US08443051B2	Direct memory access buffer management Disclosed are systems and methods for reclaiming posted buffers during a direct memory access (DMA) operation executed by an input/output device (I/O device) in connection with data transfer across a network. During the data transfer, the I/O device may cancel a buffer provided by a device driver thereby relinquishing ownership of the buffer. A condition for the I/O device relinquishing ownership of a buffer may be provided by a distance vector that may be associated with the buffer. The distance vector may specify a maximum allowable distance between the buffer and a buffer that is currently fetched by the I/O device. Alternatively, a condition for the I/O device relinquishing ownership of a buffer may be provided by a timer. The timer may specify a maximum time that the I/O device may maintain ownership of a particular buffer. In other implementations, a mechanism is provided to force the I/O device to relinquish some or all of the buffers that it controls.
US08443034B2	Input vector selection for reducing current leakage in integrated circuits Techniques are generally described for selecting input vectors that reduce or minimize leakage current for a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) with the same design, but that differ due to manufacturing variability. In various embodiments, the techniques include determining at least one starting input vector that reduces leakage current in a respective one of N instances of the ICs, and selecting from the determined at least one starting input vector of each respective one of the N instances, a set R of representative input vectors. Some of the embodiments then use each of the representative input vectors in the set R to determine at least a particular input vector to apply to input terminals of an IC in the plurality of ICs to reduce or minimize leakage current in the IC. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed.
US08443028B2	Circuits and methods for performing exponentiation and inversion of finite field elements An exponentiation circuit for computing an exponential power of a finite field element includes combinatory logic circuits that map input digits of a multi-digit field element β to output digits of an output multi-digit field element β2m. The exponentiation circuit is capable of computing a power of a field element without performing any multiplication operations and requires only exclusive-OR logic operations to generate the output exponential field element. A circuit for generating a multiplicative inverse of a finite field element can be constructed from a set of parallel exponentiation circuits, with each of the parallel exponentiation circuits generating a different multi-digit field element β2m directly from the input field element β. Multiplier circuits multiply together the outputs of the parallel exponentiation circuits to generate the multiplicative inverse of the field element β.
US08443027B2	Implementing a floating point weighted average function A method, computer-readable medium, and an apparatus for implementing a floating point weighted average function. The method includes receiving an input containing 2N input values, 2N weights, and an opcode, where N is a positive integer number and each of the input values corresponds to one of the weights. Furthermore, the method also includes using existing dot product circuit function to generate 2N addends by multiplying each of the input values with the corresponding weight. In addition, the method includes generating a sum value by adding the 2N addends, where the sum value includes an exponent value, and generating the weighted average value based on the sum value by decreasing the exponent value by N. In this fashion, the same circuit area may be used to carry out both dot product and weighted average calculations, leading to greater circuit area savings and performance advantages.
US08443022B2	Apparatus and method for generating random number A random number generating apparatus and method for generating a metastable state signal by using logic gates include a metastable state generating unit generating and outputting a metastable state signal; an amplifying unit receiving the metastable state signal from the metastable state generating unit, amplifying the received metastable state signal, and outputting the amplified metastable state signal; and a sampling unit receiving the amplified metastable state signal and a sampling clock, and sampling and outputting the amplified metastable state signal according to the sampling clock.
US08443020B2	Pseudo random number generator A pseudo-random number generator 100 generates a pseudo-random number by the following operation. At C.2, S1[B41] is determined from B41 set in a second internal memory, and S2[B40] is determined from B40. Then, R[J] is generated from S1[I], S1[B41], and S2[B40]. At C.3, S1[I] is newly generated based on S1[B41] and S2[B40]. At C.4, B4 is updated from S2(I). In the above, the relationship between R[J] and S2(I) is cut off, which makes difficult to estimate S2(I) from R[J], and security is increased. Further, since S1[I], S1[B41], S2[B40], etc. have 4 bytes, the processing speed is high.
US08443018B2	Mobile terminal and unit converting method thereof A mobile terminal and its unit conversion method are disclosed. When a unit conversion function is selected through a menu manipulation by a user, the selected unit conversion function is executed, and then, when a unit conversion factor for a unit conversion is selected, a reference unit related to the selected unit conversion factor is converted into two or more different units and the converted information is displayed in the form of a unit scale. The unit conversion factor includes volume, area, distance, speed, currency, mass, weight, dimension, and the like.
US08443013B1	Predictive analytical modeling for databases A computer-implemented method includes obtaining a database table, the table including multiple rows and multiple columns, in which one or more rows are missing at least one column value, executing a script, using a script engine, in response to obtaining the table, in which executing the script causes one or more values from the rows to be provided as input data to a first predictive model, and processing, using the first predictive model, the input data to obtain output data, the output data including a predicted value for at least one of the missing column values, and populating one or more of the missing column values with the output data to provide a revised database table.
US08443011B2	Graphical storage system visualization, timeline based event visualization, and storage system configuration visualization A method and system for visually displaying and navigating a computer storage system are disclosed. The storage system can be graphically browsed to select a particular entity in the storage system. A graphical timeline of events relating to the selected entity is displayed. Selecting an event from the timeline displays a graphical representation of the storage system at a time relating to the selected event or additional graphical detail about the selected event. Based on the selected event, configuration information for the entity in the storage system that experienced the event can be displayed and compared against the configuration of the entity at a different time or against a predefined template.
US08443009B2	Data processing system having services for providing functionalities The invention relates to a data processing system with an improved provision of services for providing functionalities. The data processing system comprises at least one first service for activating at least one second service, whereby the services are configured as Web services.
US08443007B1	Systems and devices for personalized rendering of digital media content Systems and methods are disclosed for providing devices capable of the reception and playback of one or more crafted media channels transmitted over an intermittent connection. The one or more channels may be customized by the end user to bias the programming towards individual tastes or moods. The channels may be delivered over an intermittent, unidirectional link, for example a Satellite Radio receiver in a home or car. Content may also be delivered over an intermittent, bidirectional link, for example to a portable media player via a wireless 802.11 or other networked connection.
US08443004B2	System and method for storing and computing business data and logic A computer system and method is to manage business data and logic in a uniformed manner. It is based on the theory of total recursive functions. As a result, it is a monolith consolidating the multiple-component architecture of traditional technologies in the fields of programming language and database management. Secondly, the properties of the theory of total recursive functions are uniquely demonstrated by a set of built-in operators of the system. Therefore, it offers novel approaches to many challenges in the fields of artificial intelligence and knowledge management facing the traditional technologies.
US08442999B2	Semantic discovery and mapping between data sources An apparatus and method are described for the discovery of semantics, relationships and mappings between data in different software applications, databases, files, reports, messages, or systems. In one aspect, semantics and relationships and mappings are identified between a first and a second data source. A binding condition is discovered between portions of data in the first and the second data source. The binding condition is used to discover correlations between portions of data in the first and the second data source. The binding condition and the correlations are used to discover a transformation function between portions of data in the first and the second data source.
US08442994B1	Custom search index data security A system includes a server to store content and a content searching system. The content search system includes an application programming interface to receive user-selected metadata uploaded from a first user, where the metadata includes data that describes content stored at a server. The content searching system further includes an indexer to index the metadata to produce a metadata search index, a search engine to search the metadata search index based on a search query received from a user to produce metadata search results, and a delivery engine to send the metadata search results, and a link to the remote server, to the user to permit the user to access the content stored at the remote server.
US08442991B2	Information access device and network An information access device is disclosed comprising an interface for connecting the information access device to a network; a further interface for providing the information access device with a string of information request indicators; an interpretation layer for extracting an information source from the string and for generating an instruction for triggering a different application of the device to retrieve the information from the information source; and a processor for executing the generated instruction.
US08442990B1	Query-based event routing Techniques are described herein to allow a query and one or more associated actions to be registered as an “event selector”, and to have the one or more actions of the event selector invoked when an event occurs on a target that matches the query. According to one aspect, a selector string representing the query and one or more actions associated with the selector string are obtained. In response to obtaining an event, a target of the event is obtained and it is determined whether the target matches the selector string. If the target matches the selector string, then the one or more actions associated with the selector string are invoked. By doing so, events may be indirectly routed to actions through queries on event targets.
US08442989B2	Method for assigning multimedia data to distributed storage devices The invention concerns a method for assigning parts of multimedia files to distributed storage devices, the number of said devices being an integer n, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step consisting in dividing each multimedia file in windows, which represent data for contiguous playback of a given duration; a step consisting, for each multimedia file, in determining a number k so that any original window of file can be recovered from any k distinct symbols; a step consisting, for each window of each said multimedia files, in assigning n corresponding symbols to said devices, one to each device, the n distinct symbols being created using erasure coding; and a step consisting in partially or totally filling the storage memory left on each device after said first steps with prefix windows of said multimedia files.
US08442987B2	Method and system for providing contents based on past queries An example of a method includes identifying a formulated query and at least one past query associated with an input query. The method also includes determining a first similarity score between the input query and the formulated query. Further, the method includes updating the first similarity score based on a second similarity score between the input query and the at least one past query, and based on a third similarity score between the formulated query and the at least one past query. Moreover, the method includes extracting one or more contents based on the formulated query if updated first similarity score is greater than a first threshold. The method also includes providing the one or more contents.
US08442984B1	Website quality signal generation Systems and methods relating to website quality rating are disclosed. Websites are rated, relationships between ratings and website signals are identified, models are generated and modeled ratings are assigned to unrated websites by applying the models to the website signals of the unrated websites.
US08442981B2	Résumé storage and retrieval system A method of and apparatus for storage and retrieval of résumé images in a manner which preserves the appearance, organization, and information content of the original document. In addition, summaries or “outlines” of résumé images, broken down into multiple fields, are stored, and can be searched field by field. A user interface is provided which is based on a familiar paper-based method already in common use, thus reducing the training required to effectively use the system.
US08442980B2	Attribute change coalescing in order to deal with component moves on a page Embodiments of the invention provide for applying multiple attribute changes to components of a dataset. According to one embodiment, coalescing changes can comprise reading a definition of the dataset. For example, the definition can comprise an identity and a context for each of the plurality of components. A component tree can be generated representing the data set and based on the context and identity. An indication of one or more changes to the components of the data set can be received and the changes can be classified based on a type of each of the changes. For example, the type of the changes can comprise one or more of a single component change, a cross-component change, and a cross-component change the affects the identity of at least one of the components The changes can be coalesced based on the type of the changes.
US08442968B2	Associative search engine This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlating the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.
US08442967B2	Operator-assisted iterative biometric search Biometric search methods, apparatus, and systems using operator input for an operator-assisted iterative biometric search are provided. In certain embodiments, a set of candidate records is received at a computing device. At least a first portion of the set of candidate records is displayed. An indication that a first candidate record in the set of candidate records is not a match to the probe record is received. A first search of the set of candidate records using the first candidate record is performed. A score assigned to a second candidate record in the set of candidate records is modified when the second candidate record is more likely to be a match to the first candidate record than a match to the probe record. At least a second portion of the set of candidate records is displayed.
US08442962B2	Distributed transaction management using two-phase commit optimization A computer-implemented method, a computer-readable medium and a system are provided. A transaction master for each of a plurality of transactions of a database is provided. Each transaction master is configured to communicate with at least one transaction slave to manage execution of a transaction in the plurality of transactions. Each transaction master configured to perform generating a transaction token to specify data to be visible for a transaction on the database, the transaction token including a transaction identifier for identifying whether the transaction is a committed transaction or an uncommitted transaction, receiving a request to commit the transaction, initiating, based on the request, a two-phase commit operation to commit the transaction. The two-phase commit operation includes preparing for committing the transaction, writing a committed transaction to a memory, optimizing the two-phase commit operation by omitting a phase of the two-phase commit operation, generating an acknowledgement of the committed transaction. The plurality of transactions of the database are executed with each transaction master.
US08442961B2	Method, system and computer programming for maintaining bookmarks up-to date A solution is proposed for facilitating accessing resources of a data processing system with distributed architecture by a data processing entity of the system (with each resource that is accessible via a corresponding address). A set of bookmarks are provided for corresponding resources. Each bookmark is associated with a stored address of the corresponding resource—for accessing the corresponding resource in response to a selection of the bookmark. In the solution according to an embodiment of the invention, a signature identifying the corresponding resource is associated with each bookmark. Each bookmark is updated by verifying accessibility of the resource at the stored address matches the signature. The resource matching the signature is then located via a search engine in response to the non-accessibility of the resource. It is then possible to replace the stored address with a new address of the located resource.
US08442960B1	Systems and methods for process self-elevation A computer-implemented method for elevating privileges for a process may comprise: 1) determining that the process requires elevated privileges for proper execution, 2) attempting to elevate privileges for the process, 3) determining whether privileges for the process were elevated, and 4) concluding execution of the process. In one example, each step of the method may be performed by the process itself. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08442954B2	Creating and managing links to deduplication information In a method of linking to information in a deduplication data sequence, a branching point is identified. The branching point is a place where a branch data sequence diverges from a parent data sequence that has been previously stored in a data deduplication process. A signature value associated with a subsequence of the information represented in the branch data sequence is determined. A branch location where the information of the branch data sequence begins is identified. Link information is stored in association with the branching point. The link information is stored in a computer memory. The link information comprises a link to the branch location and also comprises a portion of the signature value.
US08442948B2	Adapting a timer bounded arbitration protocol Example apparatus, methods, and computers prevent a split brain scenario in a pair of high availability servers by maintaining single writer access to a resource. One example method includes monitoring control of an arbitration (ARB) block by an active file system manager (FSM). An active file system portmapper (FSMPM) simultaneously requests permission from a standby FSM to restart a dead-man timer. The active FSM attempts to maintain control of the ARB block before expiration of the dead-man timer. If the active FSM is unable to maintain control of the ARB block before expiration of the dead-man timer, a hardware reset of an apparatus running the active FSM is forced. Therefore, the active FSMPM and standby FSM negotiate for additional time to maintain control of the ARB block to maintain single writer access and avoid unnecessary hardware resets.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10