Document Document Title
US08535082B2 Apparatus for providing a secure connection between different devices
An apparatus for holding at least two devices together is provided with a first securing member, a second securing member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second securing members. The first securing member may be an elongate member having first and second ends such that the elongate member has a length between said first and second ends sufficient to wrap around one of the at least two devices, and the first end of the first securing member having securing means that operates to connect the first end to the second end. The second securing member may receive at least one other of the at least two devices, and may have at least two substantially linearly aligned receptacles. Each receptacle may receive the at least one other of the at least two devices. The two devices may be one or more cords, extension cords, and electrical plugs.
US08535079B2 Burn-in socket having actuating mechanism driven alternatively for driving sliding plate
A socket connector includes a socket body, a sliding plate movably mounted upon the socket body, a plurality contacts received in the socket body and the sliding plate, and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a lid moving upwardly and downwardly between a first position away from the socket body and a second position close to the socket body, and a lever having one mating bar with at least a first tab and a second tab to be pressed by the lid so as to push the sliding plate moving.
US08535074B2 Switch-equipped coaxial connector
Occurrence of defective electrical connection caused by dust that has entered the interior through a corresponding insertion hole can be prevented well by a simple configuration. A through hole facing a corresponding insertion hole is formed to penetrate through a movable contact attached to an insulating housing, and two corresponding connector contact pieces are disposed respectively in both sides sandwiching the through hole. Thus, the dust that has entered the interior through the corresponding insertion hole opened when a corresponding connector is not mated is configured to be discharged through the through hole without accumulating the dust on the movable contact to reduce the risk that the electrical conductivity between the movable contact and the fixed contact may be disturbed by the dust.
US08535072B2 Connector
A connector includes a main body, an electrical interface extending from a front end of the main body, and a fixing member pivotably mounted to the main body with a first end. A second end of the fixing member forms a dummy interface similar to the electrical interface.
US08535070B2 Connector for electrified ceiling grid
A connector assembly for installation on a ceiling grid having conductors therein. Contacts are mounted in a housing of the connector, with the contacts having contact portions. Mounting members are mounted in the housing, with the mounting members having grid mounting sections. A cam member is provided in the housing, with the cam member being movable between a first position and a second position. As the cam member is moved from the first position to the second position, the cam member biases the contact portions of the contacts into electrical engagement with the conductors of the ceiling grid and biases the grid mounting sections of the mounting members into mechanical engagement with the ceiling grid to provide a mechanical connection between the ceiling grid and the connector.
US08535064B2 Method and apparatus for cyclic variations in altitude conditioning
A method and apparatus for cyclic variations in altitude condition that allows a user to rest in a pressure vessel while undergoing rapid variations or transitions between simulated altitudes. The pressure vessel comprises a blower to generate negative pressure, and a proportional valve to allow air back into the pressure vessel in order to relieve the negative pressure. An on-board interface, kiosk controller and master controller are all in electrical communication with each other in order to enable a user to implement a program of cyclic variations in altitude conditioning that is suitable to the specific user, and enables an operator to bill the user for such services, as well as to allow the user to use a different pressure vessel without re-entering data, so long as such data was originally entered and stored, and the different pressure vessel is in electrical communication with the master controller. A user sensor monitors the user during a session, such that the program may be modified or replaced with another program in real time, according to the user's needs.
US08535063B1 Craniofacial anatomic simulator with cephalometer
A craniofacial anatomic simulator with cephalometer is disclosed and omnidirectional osteogenesis is provided as an example thereof. The craniofacial anatomic simulator (CAS) includes an articulator in which a stereolithographic medical model is mounted. The medical model hereof is modified for this purpose so that the mandibular portion is mounted together with the craniomaxillary portion in a manner which simulates the excursive movement of the temporomandibular joint and the masseteric sling providing both rotational and translational motion. The cephalometer consists of three digital calipers that provide locational data—height, depth and lateral position for any point on the stereolithographic model.
US08535059B1 Learning management system for call center agents
A learning management system provides e-learning to call center agents. Agents can receive training provided in various training formats, which are characterized as fixed-time, flex-time, human-initiated, or system-initiated. A training process flow illustrates how the various training formats can be provided using processes involving agent selection, registration, scheduling, content delivery, and post-training reporting. A modular system provides the training flow and coordinates the function of various call center components to provide training in a seamless and integrated manner using existing call center scheduling systems, such as workflow management components.
US08535044B2 Apparatus and method for releasing a lens molded in a cavity between posterior and anterior mold sections
An apparatus and method for releasing a lens molded in a cavity between posterior and anterior mold sections and adhered thereto. A post is configured to support a flange of the posterior section while the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin applied to an outer concave surface of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface rests on the post. A collar unit with gas channels presses against a flange of the anterior section while blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.
US08535042B1 Apparatus for manufacturing a flanged component and methods of manufacturing the same
An apparatus and methods for manufacturing a flanged component from a composite lay-up are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the composite lay-up and a mold ring coupled to the support structure. The mold ring includes a ring guide surface and a radial contact surface that is configured to couple to the composite lay-up. The apparatus further includes a mold plate coupled to the mold ring. The mold plate includes a recessed surface and a plate guide surface, where the recessed surface is configured to couple to the composite lay-up and the plate guide surface is configured to couple to the ring guide surface. The apparatus also includes an autoclave that applies pressure to the mold ring and the mold plate to move the plate guide surface along the ring guide surface to apply pressure to the composite lay-up.
US08535041B2 Addressable flexible patterns
Techniques, methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed that are useful for creating addressable three-dimensional elements formed on a flexible substrate using continuous roll-to-roll fabrication methods. An array of conductive elements can be formed on a first flexible substrate layer, over which is disposed a second polymer layer containing a three-dimensional micro-scale relief pattern. The second layer can be formed in registration with the underlying electrode pattern. The lowest areas of the micropattern can be etched away, in order to expose the underlying electrode elements. The 3D micropattern can include a volumetric structure capable of being filled with various materials, where the contents of the 3D structure may be further processed by chemical, electrochemical, or physical treatment. The 3D structure may consist of elements in the general form of microvessels disposed in a periodic or non-periodic array.
US08535035B2 Fine-structure transfer apparatus
A fine-structure transfer apparatus has a base plate, a first post and a second post erected on the upper surface of the base plate, an elongated stamper that is fixed at one end to the upper end face of the first post. The stamper is supported at the other end in a vertically movable manner by means of an ascending/descending unit provided on the second post. A transfer element holding stage is provided on the upper surface of the base plate between the first and second posts in a position that corresponds to the position of the lower surface of the elongated stamper where a fine pattern is formed. A pressure-applying unit is provided to reciprocate on the upper surface of the elongated stamper along a longitudinal direction thereof. The transfer apparatus is characterized by the ease with which the stamper can be detached from the transfer element.
US08535032B2 Film stretcher
A film stretcher that transports a film material in a predetermined transport direction while holding an end of the film material in a width direction of the film material to stretch the film material in the width direction includes a holding unit that includes a stretching roll having an annular groove formed on an outer periphery of the stretching roll and an endless wire fitted in the annular groove over a predetermined rotation angle range of the annular groove in a circular arc shape so that the end of the film material in the width direction of the film material is pinched. The stretching roll is inclined so as to open toward a downstream side in the transport direction of the film material. The holding unit transports the film material in the transport direction while pinching the film material using the stretching roll and the endless wire, whereby the film material is stretched in the width direction.
US08535029B2 Scroll type compressor having reinforced fixed scroll
A scroll type compressor has a rotary shaft, a fixed scroll member, a movable scroll member and a rib. The fixed scroll member has a fixed end plate and a fixed scroll wall. The fixed end plate has first and second sides. The fixed scroll wall is formed on the first side. The movable scroll member has a movable end plate and a movable scroll wall. The movable scroll wall is formed on the movable end plate. The movable scroll member is adapted to make an orbital motion in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft whereby a compression chamber to decrease the volume of the compression chamber with the orbital motion of the movable scroll member is formed between the fixed scroll member and the movable scroll member. The rib is provided on the second side so as to extend behind the inner end of the fixed scroll wall.
US08535023B2 Linear compressor
A linear compressor includes a fixed member provided with a compression space, a movable member which linearly reciprocates inside the fixed member to compress refrigerant, one or more springs installed to elastically support the movable member in a motion direction, a first stator applied with a current to produce a magnetic field, a second stator spaced apart from the first stator at a certain interval, a conductor member electromagnetically induced by the magnetic field produced by the first stator and the second stator to make the movable member linearly reciprocate, and a control unit which controls supply of the current with respect to the first stator.
US08535015B2 Rinsing device and method for the operation thereof
A method of operating a rinsing pump, for example, a peristaltic roller pump for use in endoscopy, which involves reducing a rinsing fluid flow rate to a safe flow rate when a detected electrical current exceeds a first predetermined current value, in which the first predetermined current value corresponds to a first predetermined limiting rinsing pressure. The method in part prevents an excessively high pressure in case of an unintended stenosis, e.g., kinking of the supply tube, or also intended stenoses, e.g., insertion of a narrow rinsing probe, by detecting an electrical current received by the pump by a current-measuring device.
US08535008B2 Turbine and compressor employing tubercle leading edge rotor design
A turbine/compressor comprises at least one magneto-electric device and a drive train coupled to the magneto-electric device. At least one rotor blade is coupled to the drive train. The rotor blade has a shaped leading edge with a series of spaced tubercles formed therealong.
US08535004B2 Four-wall turbine airfoil with thermal strain control for reduced cycle fatigue
A turbine airfoil (20B) with a thermal expansion control mechanism that increases the airfoil camber (60, 61) under operational heating. The airfoil has four-wall geometry, including pressure side outer and inner walls (26, 28B), and suction side outer and inner walls (32, 34B). It has near-wall cooling channels (31F, 31A, 33F, 33A) between the outer and inner walls. A cooling fluid flow pattern (50C, 50W, 50H) in the airfoil causes the pressure side inner wall (28B) to increase in curvature under operational heating. The pressure side inner wall (28B) is thicker than walls (26, 34B) that oppose it in camber deformation, so it dominates them in collaboration with the suction side outer wall (32), and the airfoil camber increases. This reduces and relocates a maximum stress area (47) from the suction side outer wall (32) to the suction side inner wall (34B, 72) and the pressure side outer wall (26).
US08535000B2 Centrifugal pump for slurries
A centrifugal pump is provided having a volute casing having a discharge conduit, an impeller provided in the volute casing, and a suction sideliner enclosing the impeller in the volute casing, the suction sideliner being at least partially covered with sintered tungsten carbide tiles. In one embodiment, the impellor has a central hub, a plurality of vanes spacedly attached to the hub, and at least one side plate attached to the vanes, whereby each vane is individually wear protected prior to attaching each vane to the hub.
US08534999B2 Gas turbine
A gas turbine is provided including a compressor, a combustion chamber, a guide vane row and a rotor airfoil row. The guide vane row includes a plurality of guide vane airfoils having a blade and an inner platform. The ratio between the pitch and the leading edge diameter of the guide vane airfoils is between 6.3-7.6 and the ratio between the platform length and the leading edge diameter of the guide vane airfoils is between 4.0-5.5.
US08534997B2 Fluid flow machine with a blade row group featuring a meridional edge distance
A main flow path of a fluid flow machine includes N adjacent member blade rows firmly arranged relative to each other in both a meridional direction m and a circumferential direction u. A number of the member blade rows, N, is greater than/equal to 2 and (i) designates a running index with values between 1 and N. A trailing edge HK (i) of a blade of the member blade row (i) is spaced from a leading edge VK(i+1) of a blade of the adjacent, downstream member blade row (i+1) by a meridional edge distance D in a meridional plane established by axial direction x and radial direction r. A value of D along a height of the main flow path increases towards the main flow path confinement at least along a part of the area between the main flow path center and the main flow path confinement.
US08534990B2 Inlet guide vane drive system with spring preload on mechanical linkage
A variable vane system includes a plurality of vanes each being pivotal about an axis. A mechanical linkage drives the plurality of vanes to rotate about the axis. The mechanical linkage includes a ring gear to rotate, and in turn drive the plurality of vanes. There is at least one rod to drive the ring gear to rotate. The rod is driven by a hydraulic servo motor. A spring bias force is provided in the mechanical linkage to resist either translational or rotational oscillation.
US08534987B2 Wind energy conversion devices
A wind turbine for harvesting energy from both horizontal and vertical wind currents having an open frame structure and a central passage through the structure with at least three wind energy harvesting generally vertically disposed and rotatably mounted blades positioned about the central passage and at least three wind energy harvesting generally horizontal blades projecting radially from the central vertical axis of the device. The open frame structure includes a unique rod and cable central structure offset from the periphery of the frame. In one embodiment, the frame structure is suspended from a rotatable hub at the top of a stationary mast.
US08534979B2 Front entry power access ramp
An access system for use in a vehicle. The access system includes a frame supported on a vehicle and a ramp having a support surface and a leading edge. The ramp is moveable with respect to the frame between a stowed position, in which the leading edge of the ramp is proximate the frame, and a deployed position, in which the leading edge is positioned away from the frame. A first track and a second track are coupled to one of the frame and the ramp, where the contours of the first and second tracks at least partially define the tilt angle of the ramp with respect to the frame.
US08534970B2 Shipping chocks and methods for loading cylindrical-shaped objects for transport
Shipping chocks for securing a transverse cylindrical-shaped object on top of at least two vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects are disclosed. Methods of loading cylindrical-shaped objects in both vertical and horizontal orientations, using the chocks, allows for more cylindrical-shaped objects to be shipped in a shipping container in a safe and effective manner that reduces shipping costs.
US08534967B2 Processing apparatus and processing method
A processing apparatus for processing a workpiece includes a router bit having a processing area for processing the workpiece; an actuator for moving the relative position of the router bit with respect to the workpiece so as to place a part of the processing area of the router bit in contact with the workpiece for processing the workpiece; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the router bit relative to the workpiece; a wearing detector for detecting wear of the processing area; and a controller for controlling the adjustment mechanism, upon detection of wear of the part of the processing area of the router bit, to make a different part of the processing area of the router bit contact with the workpiece during processing.
US08534966B2 Cutting tool having releasably mounted self-clamping cutting head
A cutting tool has a tool shank and a replaceable cutting head resiliently secured to the tool shank by an interference fit between a male fixation member of the cutting head and a female fixation member of the tool shank. The male fixation member has a resilience slit. In each cross section of the cutting tool taken perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the cutting tool through mutual abutment regions, the cross sectional profiles of the mutual abutment regions are arcuate sectors.
US08534959B2 Method and apparatus for deployment of ocean bottom seismometers
A deployment and retrieval apparatus for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the apparatus being a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto and carrying a plurality of receivers. The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. The structure includes a discharge port on said frame and a discharge mechanism for removing and retrieving said receivers. A method for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed.
US08534955B2 Tamper of a screed of a road finishing machine
A tamper of a screed having an eccentric shaft including an eccentric section and an eccentric bushing rotatably mounted in a connecting rod driving a tamper bar. The stroke of the tamper bar is adjustable by a relative rotation between the eccentric shaft and the eccentric bushing, and a tappet and a preselection area with two tappet stop positions defining two different tamper bar strokes are provided between the eccentric shaft and the eccentric bushing, enabling adjustment of the tappet to each tappet stop position, by reversing the direction of rotation of the eccentric shaft to switch between the two strokes.
US08534954B2 Pot hole repair patch and method of installation
A road patch for repair of potholes is disclosed. A pothole is preliminarily repaired with asphalt fill and compacted per current standard practice. Thereafter, a road patch is placed upon the compacted top surface of the asphalt fill, overlapping onto the adjacent road surface and compressed. The road patch forms a water proof seal over the surface area of the patch preventing water from seeping into the repaired pothole. The patch also resists crack propagation and minimizes the potential of asphalt chipping and the breaking down of the asphalt fill.
US08534951B2 Joint unit
A joint unit comprises a lock mechanism in which a ball-like joint section provided at the base end of an arm is housed in a holder formed at an end of a cylindrical case. As the joint section is brought into pressed contact against an inner surface of the holder, the lock mechanism locks a pivotal angle. In the lock mechanism, in response to a manual operation of a knob, a bolt is caused to project into the case and this pressing force is transmitted to a roller-like first pressing body and then to a second pressing body placed in contact therewith. Further, the pressing force from the first pressing body is transmitted to a pressure block and then the pressing force from this pressure block brings the joint section into pressed contact against the holder inner surface.
US08534950B2 Toothbrush with integral toothpaste dispenser and timed music play interval
A toothbrush with an integral toothpaste dispenser has a handle portion and a toothbrush portion. A commercially available toothpaste tube is opened at one end and contained within a central aperture of the handle of the integral toothbrush. Toothpaste from the toothbrush tube is discharged into a channel contained within the toothbrush portion and exits between the toothbrush bristles through a non-return valve positioned close to a bristle exit aperture. Toothpaste is squeezed by upward movement of a pedestal supporting the toothpaste tube when the user turns a knob on the bottom of the handle. The toothpaste tube is supported by a vertical support tube within the central aperture of the handle, producing an accordion-like, uniform, progressive toothpaste tube collapse. The non-return valve is only open during toothpaste delivery and thereby prevents toothpaste spills. The close proximity between the toothpaste exit aperture and the non-return valve enables the toothpaste to remain moist between brushings. Toothpaste residue between the non-return valve and the bristle exit aperture is readily rinsed away during cleaning to provide a hygienically clean toothbrush.
US08534949B2 Toothbrush with reactive composition for remineralization of teeth
A toothbrush having brush means and a means to support the brush means; and a one or two part therapeutic tooth treatment composition which becomes activated when wet incorporated on the brush means or within the toothbrush means to support the brush means in a manner such that the composition remains inactive during storage and is only activated when contacted with water or saliva; and a method comprising brushing a tooth with the toothbrush so that the brush means become wet with saliva, optionally wetting the brush means with water immediately prior to brushing a tooth, and the composition becomes activated to form a therapeutic composition to provide remineralization, whitening, and/or fluoridation.
US08534948B2 Dispenser with a cam path
A dispenser includes a cam path and a mating guide pin to provide a closed position or an open position for the dispenser. The dispenser is selectively rotatable causing the mating guide pin to travel along a cam path to rotate between slanted, unslanted, and slanted downward positions. The mating guide pin in the cam path causes the open position to allow product delivery and causes the closed position to provide a seal to prevent product leakage. In an implementation, the dispenser is selectively guidable along a helical guide slot to an upward position for product application and to a downward position to retract the applicator. When the dispenser is selectively rotatable along the helical guide slot to a retracted position, the dispenser is in a stored state.
US08534941B2 Expanding a sheet to be cut when an ink dot is present in a cut position
A printing apparatus has: a dot discrimination section that discriminates whether a print dot is present in a discrimination target area D including a cut position at which an elongated sheet is cut in a sheet width direction, the discrimination target area being at least either one of a front edge area D1 or a rear edge area D2 having a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction of the sheet in a print area; and a print section that prints after providing a margin area adjacent to an outer side of either one of the front edge area or the rear edge area where whether the print dot is present or not is discriminated when the dot discrimination section discriminates such that the dot is present, and that prints without providing the margin area when the dot discrimination section discriminates such that the dot is not present.
US08534933B2 System for storing and releasing a camera for quick use
A first system for mounting a camera to an arm is disclosed. Specifically, the first system comprises a bracket system, an arm mount, and a hinge system. Said bracket system is capable of supporting a camera. Said hinge system comprises a clasping device having a first portion and a second portion. Said hinge system connects said bracket system and said arm mount, and said first portion and said second portion of said clasping device are capable of selectively releasing and reattaching to one another and thereby release and reattach said bracket system and said arm mount. Further, a second system for mounting a camera to an arm is disclosed. Specifically, the second system comprises a bracket system, an arm mount, and a hinge system having a bending point. Said bracket system is capable of supporting a camera. Said hinge system connects said bracket system and said arm mount. Said hinge system comprises a flexible portion comprising a flexible material. Said bending point is in said flexible portion. And, finally, said bending point serves as a pivot point for said hinge system.
US08534930B1 Circuit boards defining openings for cooling electronic devices
Printed circuit boards and assemblies for cooling electronic devices in processing units are described herein. In some embodiments, a printed circuit board configured to be coupled to an electronic device defines a first set of lumens configured to receive a mounting portion of a frame. The frame and a portion of a first surface of the printed circuit board collectively define an internal volume within which at least a portion of the electronic device can be disposed and an external volume that is external to the internal volume. The printed circuit board defines a second set of lumens positioned to place at least a portion of the external volume in fluid communication with the internal volume.
US08534928B2 Optical fiber assemblies, optical fiber organizers and methods of fabricating optical fiber assemblies
A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule comprising a ferrule boot insertion end and a ferrule boot. The ferrule boot includes a lower component and an upper component. The lower component of the ferrule boot includes a first grooved surface that includes a plurality of first grooves that are dimensioned to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The upper component includes a second grooved surface that includes a plurality of second grooves that are dimensioned to receive the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the lower component is coupled to the upper component such that individual ones of the plurality of first grooves are substantially aligned with individual ones of the plurality of second grooves. The lower component and the upper component also define a fiber insertion end and a ferrule insertion end of the ferrule boot. The ferrule insertion end of the ferrule boot is at least partially positioned within the ferrule at the ferrule boot insertion end.
US08534927B1 Flexible fiber to wafer interface
An interface device includes a flexible substrate portion, a flexible cladding portion arranged on the substrate portion, a flexible single-mode waveguide portion arranged on the cladding portion including a substantially optically transparent material, a first engagement feature operative to engage a portion of a wafer, and a connector portion engaging a first distal end of the flexible substrate portion, the connector portion operative to engage a portion of an optical fiber ferrule.
US08534924B2 Wheel bearing unit
The invention relates to a wheel bearing unit (1) for a vehicle wheel, comprising a hub element (2, 3) which has a axially (a) extending cylindrical section (4) to be supported by a bearing arrangement (5) and which has a radially (r) extending flange section (6) for fixing the vehicle wheel and/or a brake disk at a face side (7) of the flange section (6). To ensure a simple design with high stability the invention is characterized in that the hub element (2, 3) consists of a first part (2) comprising the cylindrical section (4) and the flange section (6) and of a second part (3), wherein the second part (3) has means (8) for centering a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel and/or the brake disk and wherein the first part (2) and the second part (3) are connected by connection means (9).
US08534918B2 Semiautomatic slide mechanism
A semiautomatic slide mechanism includes a slide board and a slide seat slidably connected therewith. The slide board is formed with a slide rail divided into a first slot and a second slot for early half and later half of the sliding travel. Two racks are disposed on different sides of the first and second slots. The slide seat is formed with a guide slot. A guide member is slidably disposed on the slide seat corresponding to the guide slot. An elastic member is disposed in the guide member. A driving spring member is disposed on the slide seat for driving the guide member. A gear is disposed between the slide board and the slide seat and engaged with one of the racks. The gear has a shaft member connected with the driving spring member and the elastic member and slidably extending through the guide slot and the slide rail.
US08534917B2 Linear bearing assembly and method
A linear bearing assembly (the assembly) of the present invention is disposed in a housing of the assembly. A first rail and a second rail are movable relative to one another. A plurality of linear bearings are connected to the housing and disposed about the first and second rails. An actuator device is connected to at least one of the first rail and the second rail to selectively move the first rail and the second rail relative to one another and the housing in at least one of simultaneous and separate modes to redistribute lubricant in the linear bearings thereby preventing deformation of at least one of the first rail and the second rail.
US08534911B2 Instrument case assemblies
An instrument case assembly may include an instrument case having a face, a back, and at least one side extending between the face and the back about a perimeter of the case. The face may include a crystal held by a perimetrical bezel. In some aspects, a pair of strap brackets may be removably coupled to the at least one side at substantially opposite perimetrical regions of the case. In some aspects, a crystal guard may be coupled to the case.
US08534905B2 Adjustable orbit imbalance compensating orbital shaker
An orbital shaker apparatus is provided, including a first shaft connected to a first bearing assembly at a first end and a mounting portion at the other. The first shaft is rotatable about a first shaft axis, and is connected to a motor. The second shaft has a bearing assembly on the mounting portion at one end and a platform at the other, and is aligned parallel to and offset from the first shaft by a distance. A counterweight rotor assembly is coupled to the mounting portion, and rotated by a belt driven by a pulley connected to the rotating shaft of a counterweight motor. The counterweight assembly includes two counterweight bearings, each having a counterweight wedge. The platform also includes supports for objects to be secured thereto. In use, as the counterweight rotor rotates, the second shaft, second bearing assembly, and platform describes a circular orbit with diameter 2R.
US08534896B2 Free form lighting module
The invention provides an illumination device comprising a waveguide having a first face, a second face, and a waveguide edge. The device further comprises a LED light source, wherein the LED light source is arranged to couple at least part of the light source light into the waveguide element. The device also comprises a first transmissive reflector, arranged at the first face side, and a second transmissive reflector, arranged at the second face side. The LED light source, the waveguide, the first transmissive reflector, and the second transmissive reflector, are arranged to generate the first and second light in a direction away from the first face and in a direction away from the second face, respectively. Such an illumination device may allow lighting of a room, for instance via the ceiling with uplight, and lighting of a specific area in the room with downlight.
US08534891B2 Luminous plate
This board is a complex including a rigid support covered with a luminous fabric. The rigid support has a front face, a rear face, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge. The luminous fabric at least partly covers the front face of the rigid support, extending from the first edge toward the second edge, and includes optical fibers extending over the front face of the rigid support substantially perpendicular to the first edge and the second edge. First ends of the optical fibers are bent around the first edge toward the rear face of the rigid support, and a gripping element are provided on the first edge and form a clamp for gripping the bent parts of the optical fibers and the first edge of the rigid support.
US08534886B2 Exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle
An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle includes driver-side and passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assemblies including respective driver-side and passenger-side light modules and driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The light modules are sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious, and the light modules provide at least one of (a) a driver-side floodlight and a passenger-side floodlight and (b) a driver-side indicator and a passenger-side indicator. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the multi-camera vision system has a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The displayed images displayed by the display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of the driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera.
US08534880B1 Solid state lighting system
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method is inherently configurable into a variety of new and retrofit lamp applications. This reduces fixture costs by incorporating the heat removal method, light guide system, and a chassis into one easy to assemble and install structure. It also allows for configuration of a lighting system for determining overall height, overall inner and outer radii, light directivity, lighting intensity, and thermal performance. In retrofit applications, the lighting system can be configured to minimize installation costs. In a preferred embodiment, a LED lighting system is comprised of sub assemblies of LED circuit strips or arrays conjoined to create a multifaceted structure. Each sub-assembly has LEDs mounted on a circuit substrate with conductors to electrically connect the LEDs. These circuits are thermally interfaced and attached to thermally conductive material selected, treated, or processed to obtain desired light reflecting properties. The thermal conductive material may be formed in any variety of ways, with consideration of surface area, fixture volume envelope and shape, and light directivity. Each LED sub-assembly circuit strip or array is electrically connected in series and/or parallel to a power supply.
US08534865B2 Lighting device
A lighting device includes a housing, at least one reflector disposed inside the housing; and a light source unit being disposed inside the housing and emitting light toward the reflector, wherein the light source unit includes a light emitting groove formed therein, the light emitting groove including a basal surface sloped toward the reflector, and wherein a plurality of light emitting devices are disposed sloping along the basal surface in the light emitting groove, and wherein the light emitting groove includes a projection part formed from the basal surface, the projection part blocking the light emitted directly from a plurality of the light emitting devices to the outside of the housing.
US08534864B2 Mounting rail for a lamp
A generally U-section adapter profile extending along a longitudinal axis forms a longitudinally extending and transversely open cavity and has an outer surface formed with an array of at least three longitudinally extending and radially outwardly directed outer mounting formations radially spaced from the longitudinal axis and angularly spaced around the longitudinal axis. An elongated light emitter is provided in the cavity. A generally U-section mounting rail extending parallel to the axis opens radially toward the axis and has two side walls formed with inwardly directed and longitudinally extending inner mounting formations generally complementary to the outer formations and spaced so that the profile can be fitted to the rail in at least two different positions in each of which the two inner formations of the rail engage in two of the outer formations of the profile.
US08534862B2 Automotive cup holder with adjustable light-emitting retainers
An automotive cupholder has resiliently biased container retainers which are adjustable both translationally and rotationally, and which include integral light engines transmitting light through the retainers and into the container well of the cupholder.
US08534858B2 Display device window protector having light-shielding film on inclined surface portion
A display device includes a display unit configured to display an image and a window protector installed in front of the display unit and connected to the display unit through an adhesive. The window protector having a surface facing the display unit, at least a portion of the surface is inclined with respect to the remaining portion of the surface, and a light-shielding film formed on at least the inclined surface. In one embodiment, a height difference is not generated due to the forming of the light-shielding film by forming the inclined surface on the window protector and forming the light-shielding film on one surface of the window protector including the inclined surface.
US08534855B2 Touch electric fireplace
A touch electric fireplace comprises a housing, an imaging screen installed in the housing, a light source, a flame processing device, and a reflecting module. A window is defined on a front wall of the housing, a transparent insulator completely shields the window as well as a rim of the window, a touch area is arranged on the transparent insulator and along the rim of the window, and a touch panel is attached to a front side of the transparent insulator of the touch area; whereby, the electric fireplace is easily operated and controlled by simply touching the touch panel.
US08534853B2 Backlight module
A backlight module comprises a light emitting element and a light guide panel having a light output surface in which the light output surface is with a first side, a second side, a through hole, a recess and plural microstructure rows. The microstructure rows are arranged on the light output surface, and the extending direction thereof is parallel to the extending direction of the first side. The through hole is installed between any two adjacent microstructure rows. The light emitting element is disposed in the recess in a central zone of the light output surface, and arranged to emit lights towards the second side. One major light emitting axis of the light emitting element deviates from the through hole.
US08534848B2 Marker for a navigation system
A marker for a navigation system for determining the spatial position (e.g., of a surgical instrument), said marker including a retroreflective ball (12). A retroreflective surface (13) of the ball (12) is protected by a dimensionally stable, translucent or transparent shell (14) in such a way that the reflected image remains essentially uninfluenced in terms of contour and the position of the centre of gravity.
US08534843B2 Image display apparatus, information processing apparatus, and methods of controlling the same
Based on image data input to a display unit and an image on a display surface acquired by an acquisition unit, control is performed to decrease the difference between the input image data and the image displayed on the display surface.
US08534840B2 Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring anisocoria and asymmetry of pupillary reaction to stimulus
A Pupillometer is disclosed. The Pupillometer has a display, an imaging apparatus that has a pupil finder and a microprocessor, and a memory in communication with the microprocessor. The display is sized to simultaneously display a video of y or more seconds in length of a left pupil and a video of y or more seconds in length of a right pupil. The pupil finder identifies the perimeter of a pupil. The imaging apparatus is capable of recording images of an individual's pupils at a rate of x image frames per second for a period of y or more seconds and playing back said image frames as a video at x image frames per second or at another rate that is faster or slower than x image frames per second. The memory has stored therein a program for enabling said microprocessor to do the following: (i) identify a center of the left pupil and a center of the right pupil for each image frame; (ii) synchronize each image frame of the two videos starting from the first frame; (iii) cause the display to display the two videos simultaneously such that each of the image frames of the video of the left eye is synchronized to a corresponding image frame of the video of the right eye when played back on the display; and (iv) cause the two videos to be displayed so that the center of the left pupil in each image frame is aligned on the display with the center of the right pupil for the corresponding image frame.
US08534839B2 Adaptive visual performance testing system
A method of testing visual performance includes determining a difficulty rating for each of a plurality of visual recognition tests. The method further includes displaying one of the visual recognition tests to a subject and receiving from the subject a response to the visual recognition test. After receiving the response to the visual recognition test, a subsequent visual recognition test is selected to have a difficulty rating determined based on the response received from the subject, the subsequent visual recognition test is displayed, and a response is received from the subject. The subsequent visual recognition tests are repeated until a predetermined number of responses is reached. A visual performance score is determined based on the set of responses received from the subject and the difficulty ratings for the visual recognition tests displayed to the subject is then output.
US08534837B2 Systems for imaging structures of a subject and related methods
Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject.
US08534830B2 Eyeglass with enhanced ballistic resistance
An eyeglass is provided that can comprise a frame, a lens, and at least one retention component that can secure the lens relative to the frame. The frame can be configured to support at least one lens in a field of view of a wearer. The frame can include a first ear stem and a second ear stem that allows the frame to be worn on the wearer's head. The at least one retention component can be supported by the frame and/or the lens and can be movable or fixed relative to the frame and/or the lens. The retention component can engage an engagement portion of the frame and/or the lens for preventing the lens from separating from the frame in response to a ballistic event.
US08534826B2 Inkjet recording apparatus and method
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head which ejects an aqueous ultraviolet-curable ink toward a recording surface of a recording medium; a holding and drying unit including: a suction holding drum which conveys the recording medium while holding a back surface side of the recording medium by suction through suction holes formed in an outer circumferential surface of the drum; and a hot air flow drying device disposed to face the outer circumferential surface of the drum; a transfer conveyance device which is arranged at a downstream side of the holding and drying unit and conveys the recording medium while holding a leading end of the recording medium and curving the back surface side in a convex shape; and a fixing unit including an ultraviolet light irradiation device which is arranged at a downstream side of the transfer conveyance device and irradiates ultraviolet light onto the image.
US08534818B2 Printhead including particulate tolerant filter
A printhead includes a nozzle plate, a filter, and a plurality of walls. Portions of the nozzle plate define a plurality of nozzles. The filter, for example, a filter membrane, includes a plurality of pores grouped in a plurality of pore clusters. Each of the plurality of walls extends from the nozzle plate to the filter membrane to define a plurality of liquid chambers positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter membrane. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of a respective one of the plurality of pore clusters. The respective one of the plurality of pore clusters includes two pore sub-clusters spaced apart from each other by a non-porous portion of the filter membrane.
US08534817B2 Melt reservoir housing
An imaging device includes at least one ink reservoir located within a housing in the imaging device. The housing at least partially encloses the at least one ink reservoir and includes a top, a bottom, and a plurality of side walls extending vertically between the top and the bottom of the housing. The side walls are spaced from the at least one reservoir to define a first air gap between each of the side walls and the at least one reservoir.
US08534815B2 Flow path member, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A seal member is held in tight contact with a first inner wall of a first opening of a flow-in path section (ink inlet hole) by a fixing member. An ink supply pipe is urged and held into a holding hole of the seal member, so that the ink supply pipe is held in a predetermined position with respect to the first inner wall of the first opening of the ink inlet hole and a second inner wall of a second opening of the ink inlet hole. As a result, the ink supply pipe is held in the ink inlet hole with the first opening of the ink inlet hole being kept airtight.
US08534812B2 Liquid cartridge, loading/unloading device of liquid cartridge, recording apparatus, and liquid ejection apparatus
A cartridge loading/unloading device includes a cartridge holding mechanism 154 which holds a liquid cartridge 80 when a liquid cartridge 80 is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism 153 which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm 160, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm 160 into a second predetermined stroke S of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism 154. The cartridge holding mechanism 154 includes an integral engaging member 155 which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge 80 in its loading direction across the center of the one surface.
US08534810B2 Liquid discharge head unit and image forming apparatus
A liquid discharge head unit includes a liquid container tank storing a liquid and a head discharging liquid droplets from its nozzles. The head includes a common channel supplying the liquid to liquid-chambers communicating with the nozzles, and the common channel includes a supply port introducing the liquid and a discharge port discharging the liquid. The liquid container tank includes a container including upstream and downstream chambers separated via a filtering member, a supply path supplying the liquid from the downstream chamber to the supply port of the head, a discharge path discharging the liquid obtained from the discharge port of the head, a communication path via which the downstream chamber communicates with the discharge path, and a communication path via which the upstream chamber communicates with the discharge path, where a fluid resistance of the second communication path is higher than that of the first communication path.
US08534798B2 Ink jet recording head
An ink jet recording head includes a supporting member, a plurality of recording element substrates secured to the supporting member while being arranged along a lengthwise direction of the supporting member and including a discharge port configured to discharge a droplet and an electrode formed at an end in the lengthwise direction and receives an electric signal that controls the discharge of the droplet from the discharge port, an electric wiring member secured to the supporting member and including a plurality of device holes configured to individually expose the plurality of recording element substrates and an electrode terminal formed in the periphery of the plurality of device holes in the lengthwise direction to transmit the electric signal to the electrode, and a wire configured to connect the electrode and the electrode terminal, and the electric wiring member is at least discontinued between the adjacent device holes in the lengthwise direction.
US08534795B2 Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes: a sheet conveying unit; an ink ejection head having a nozzle and an ink ejection surface; a pretreatment liquid ejection head; a purge unit; a wiping unit having a wiper; a paper jam detection unit detecting a position when the recording sheet is jammed; and a maintenance control unit, wherein, when the paper jam detection unit detects a paper jam on the downstream side from the pretreatment liquid ejection head, the maintenance control unit performs a first maintenance operation, in which the purge unit discharges ink from the ink ejection head, and the wiping unit wipes the ink ejection surface with the wiper, and in the first maintenance operation, the maintenance control unit performs control such that a discharge amount of ink to be discharged from the ink ejection head decreases or the wiping speed when the ink ejection surface is wiped decreases.
US08534792B2 Method for calibrating an array of imaging elements
For accurately calibrating an inline scanner a printer such as an inkjet printer may print a pattern, which is scanned by the inline scanner. The method is configured such that print artifacts resulting from not yet calibrated print heads do not significantly influence the calibration of the scanner. After calibration of the scanner, the print heads and the control units driving the print heads may be calibrated using the calibrated inline scanner.
US08534790B1 Fire timing control in printing devices
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for generating each of (i) a first signal and (ii) a second signal based at least in part on a position of a carriage, where the carriage is a component of a printing device, estimating (i) a major cycle duration associated with the first signal and (ii) a first minor cycle duration associated with the second signal, estimating a position of the carriage based at least in part on the estimated major cycle duration and the estimated first minor cycle duration, and generating a plurality of print synchronization pulses based at least in part on the estimated position of the carriage.
US08534789B2 Recording apparatus and control method therefor
A disclosed recording apparatus includes a carriage having a recording head including nozzles, a moving unit configured to move the carriage, a platen including plural plate members connected in a carriage traveling direction to support a recording medium, a transferring unit to transfer the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the carriage traveling direction, a recording control unit to record patterns at predetermined positions to form a carriage traveling direction pattern array plural times in a transferring direction of the transferring unit by changing relative recording times for recording the carriage traveling direction pattern array in forward and backward traveling directions, a determination unit to determine ink ejecting times at the predetermined positions, and a time control unit to linearly interpolate between the determined ink ejecting times at the predetermined positions to control ink ejecting times for intervals between the predetermined positions based on the obtained linear interpolation.
US08534784B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes an electrolytic capacitor for stabilizing the head power source voltage, a transistor for charging the electrolytic capacitor, a transistor for discharging the electrolytic capacitor, a push-pull circuit, a resistor for controlling the charging/discharging current to the electrolytic capacitor, and a resistor for dividing the head power source voltage. The power supply to the head is turned on with the head power source voltage increased by the capacitor.
US08534775B1 Server cabinet
A server cabinet for receiving a server includes two sidewalls forming two rails to support the server. A fixing board perpendicularly extends from a rear side of each sidewall toward the other sidewall and longitudinally defines a number of through holes. Each fixing board includes a blocking member. The blocking member includes a main portion, two curved claws extending from top and bottom ends of the main portion to be engaged in two through holes of the fixing board, and an extension piece extending from a side of the main portion to block a rear side of the server.
US08534774B1 Attachment system for modular composite cabinet systems
This invention features a modular composite cabinet system for facilitating multiple configurations of a variety of interconnecting modules. The system has one or more cabinet modules with one or more composite panels. The exterior surface has one or more pre-cut elongated slots with a depth equal to a thickness of a layer. A first cabinet module attaches to a second cabinet module using one or more attaching screws driven into an interior surface, exiting through a pre-cut elongated slot on the exterior surface, further driven through a second pre-cut elongated slot on the second cabinet module, into, then lodging into the substrate. A plurality of cabinet modules can be attached, then detached, then reattached in multiple configurations.
US08534772B2 Hydraulic brake system
A hydraulic brake system includes: a master cylinder forming a braking hydraulic pressure according to an operation of a brake pedal; wheel brakes provided in front and rear wheels of a vehicle to receive the braking hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder and exert a braking force; a first hydraulic circuit controlling an oil pressure transmission by connecting a first port of the master cylinder and two wheel brakes; a second hydraulic circuit controlling an oil pressure transmission by connecting a second port of the master cylinder and remaining two wheel brakes; a hydraulic block communicating main passages of the first and second hydraulic circuits with each other, the hydraulic block being provided with a communication passage having one side opened, such that the first and second hydraulic circuits pass through the communication and a damper member including a stepped piston embedded into the hydraulic block and reciprocating the communication passage.
US08534757B2 Child safety seat and its installation method
A child safety seat comprises a seat portion including a seat bottom and a backrest, and a first and second rail section disposed parallel on a rear of the seat portion at left and right sides, respectively, each of the first and second rail sections including a first rail portion located on a rear of the backrest and a second rail portion located below the seat bottom. The first rail portion includes a first anchoring slot, and the second rail portion includes a second anchoring slot, the first and second anchoring slots adapted to hold spaced-apart portions of a seat belt. In addition, a method for installing the child safety seat is also described.
US08534752B2 Reconfigurable table assemblies
A hood assembly for use with furniture, the hood assembly comprising a frame structure including at least first and second rigid elongated frame members that are spaced apart by at least a first brace member and a fabric sock cover member that forms a passage that is open on at least one end, wherein the frame structure is slid into the passage to stretch the sock cover member over the frame structure and form an architectural structure including portions of the fabric sock cover member on either side of the frame member.
US08534744B2 Pillar garnishments, interior garnishment assemblies incorporating the same, and methods for controlling alignment of interior garnishment assemblies
In one embodiment, an interior garnishment assembly may include a pillar garnishment coupled to a vehicle pillar, a door opening trim engaged with the pillar garnishment and the vehicle pillar, and a scuff plate coupled to the pillar garnishment. The pillar garnishment may include a ledge portion that extends at least partially along a W direction, a datum orifice formed in a low end of the ledge portion, and a datum feature joined with the ledge portion. The datum feature can be substantially hook shaped. The door opening trim may include a biased member that can clamp the datum feature to the vehicle pillar along the W direction. The scuff plate may include an attachment member that can be engaged with the datum orifice of the pillar garnishment. The datum feature of the pillar garnishment can control alignment of the door opening trim and the scuff plate.
US08534737B2 Trunk of a motor vehicle
A trunk of a motor vehicle having an opening providing access from the outside, a floor, two side walls substantially transversal to the floor, a load platform, which is defined by a first edge facing the opening, by a second edge substantially parallel to the first edge and by two side edges substantially transversal to the first and second edge; the trunk being further equipped with two shelves, each of which is integral with a respective side wall and has a respective groove overlooking the groove of the other first shelf and adapted to be slidingly engaged by a respective said side edge in order to arrange and keep the load platform stable in a tilted position with respect to the floor.
US08534736B1 Cargo lid system for a vehicle
A cargo lid system for a vehicle includes a cargo lid body, a leg member and at least one support surface. The cargo lid body has a substantially planer upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The leg member is movable relative to the lid body. The leg member is movable between an extended position wherein the leg member depends from the lid body to support the cargo lid assembly in an elevated position and a retracted positioned wherein the leg member folds against the lid body to arrange the lid body in a collapsed position. The at least one support surface is defined by a surrounding vehicle structure for supporting the lid body in the elevated position together with the leg member in the extended position.
US08534733B2 Sliding guide and arm support provided with such a sliding guide
A sliding guide, for instance for an arm support (A), comprising at least a first and an at least second profile, with bearing and friction elements included therebetween for providing a particular frictional resistance between the profiles, wherein the profiles are provided with fastening elements, wherein the first and second profiles on both sides in the longitudinal direction are provided with respective connecting longitudinal edges, which cooperate in order to allow sliding of the second profile relative to the first profile, wherein the bearing and the friction elements are provided between the profiles near the respective connecting longitudinal edges thereof in order to provide an internal space (I) between the at least first and the at least second profile. The invention further relates to an arm support (A) provided with such a sliding guide.
US08534726B2 Table tennis ball collector and dispenser
A table tennis ball collector and dispenser collects and secures table tennis balls with minimal effort. The collector may comprise a frame supporting one or more cross members arranged to allow one or more table tennis balls to enter therebetween. A tubular elastic sleeve having open receiving and dispensing ends may be attached to the frame to capture table tennis balls that advance beyond the cross members. The sleeve may taper towards its dispensing end to secure the table tennis balls within. Individual or multiple collected table tennis balls may be dispensed by applying force to push the table tennis balls out of the dispensing end of the sleeve. A handle extending from the frame allows the user to position the frame 120 for collection and dispensing of table tennis balls.
US08534708B2 See-through security element with microstructures
The present invention relates to a see-through security element (12), for security papers, value documents and the like, having at least one micropattern having a visual appearance that is viewing-angle dependent when looked through (26, 28). According to the present invention, the at least one micropattern is formed from an arrangement of a plurality of pattern elements (24) having a characteristic pattern spacing of 1 μm or more, and the see-through security element (12) exhibits a total thickness of 50 μm or less.
US08534703B1 Dynamic antiwhiplash apparatus and method
A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle includes a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized gas within a compartment, the compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to the seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle; a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from the quantity of pressurized gas to transition an expansion of the headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and a gas channel communicating the quantity of pressurized gas to the bladder after a collapsing of the one or more walls.
US08534690B2 Hand propelled and steered bicycle
A bicycle. A front bicycle wheel and rear bicycle wheel are connected to a bicycle frame. A steerer tube controls the left and right motion of the front bicycle wheel. A drive sprocket drives the rear bicycle wheel. Two hand grippable pivotally connected handles are each connected via a handle steering linkage connection to the steerer tube. They are both also connected via a second handle drive linkage to the drive sprocket. The pivoting of the handles in an approximately horizontal plane controls the left and right motion of the front bicycle wheel. The pivoting of the handles in an approximately vertical plane controls the rotation of the drive sprocket and drives the bicycle forward.
US08534686B1 Independent strut suspension
A suspension system may be provided. The suspension system may comprise a wheel support idler and a strut. A top end of the strut may be attached to a bottom of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a spring configured to absorb shock from the strut. A bottom of the spring may be attached to a top of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a first tower and a second tower. The wheel support idler may be configured to slide up and down on the second tower and the wheel support idler may not contact the first tower.
US08534682B2 Unique five-device-in-one system comprising wheelbarrow, wheel harvest-bag trash-bag caddy, wheel tool-refreshment caddy, dump truck, and hand truck
A unique five-device-in-one system comprises the five following devices, which are combined into one system to save cost, time, labor, and space, and can change their shapes and functions while in motion and can function, simultaneously: a wheelbarrow, a wheel harvest-bag trash-bag caddy, a wheel tool-refreshment caddy, a dump truck, and a hand truck. The unique five-device-in-one system comprises left and right multi-purpose foldable handles, left and right frames, left and right sleeves, a roll bar, a nut-washer-axle combination, a wheel, a multi-position locking device, left and right multi-purpose shock absorbers, left and right utility-bag spreaders, left and right attaching screws, a quick-release multi-purpose container, expandable tool-carrying pockets, left and right horizontal hooks and loops, left and right vertical hooks and loops, left and right dustpan hooks and loops, and a multi-purpose foldable dustpan.
US08534672B2 Self resetting target apparatus
Describe herein is a target apparatus that includes a base with a flat surface and a rocker assembly. The rocker assembly includes a curved surface operatively disposed in rolling engagement with the flat surface. The rocker assembly also includes a target support that is configured for supporting a target thereon. The rocker assembly rolls on the flat surface in a first direction between an upright position and a lowered position. The rocker assembly has a weight sufficient to return the rocker assembly to the upright position from the lowered position. The target apparatus may be configured such that a target mounted on the target support moves in a direction toward or away from the front of the target apparatus or in a direction perpendicular to a direction that runs from the back of the target apparatus to the front of the target apparatus.
US08534668B2 Image forming device
An image forming device includes a sheet container unit that stores a plurality of sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a particular surface of a sheet that is conveyed from the sheet container unit, and a re-conveying unit that re-conveys the sheet to the image forming unit. The re-conveying unit includes a conveyor roller set that conveys the sheet. The conveyor roller set includes a pinch roller and a driving roller that receives a driving force and that contacts the particular surface of the sheet. The driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the pinch roller.
US08534664B2 Image forming apparatus and feed mechanism
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a feed roller; a separation unit; a position detection part includes: a detection member that can move to a retracted position, and a detector which detects that a image formation target material is disposed at the feed position or the feed setup position in a case of having detected that the detection member is at the retracted position; and a restricting member that is disposed at a restricting position that restricts the detection member from moving from the initial position to the retracted position by abutting the detection member, in a detached state in which the separation unit is detached from the mounting part.
US08534661B2 System and method for preparing collations
A system for preparing a collation of sheets for a subsequent folding operation wherein edges of the collation are aligned to eliminate the need for additional trimming operations. The system comprises: a cutting device operative to cut each sheet of the collation based upon a length dimension of each of the inner and outer sheets, an accumulating device operative to stack the sheets to form the collation, a registration device operative to register at least one edge of the collation, a conveyance device for transporting the sheet material along a feed path to the cutting, accumulating and registration devices, and a processor operatively coupled to, and controlling, the cutting, accumulating, registration and conveyance devices.
US08534659B2 Substrate carrier and applications thereof
A substrate carrier for performing a deposition process comprises a supporting element and a cover element. The supporting element having a through hole is used to carry a substrate. The cover element is removably engaged with the supporting element, so as to secure the substrate therebetween and expose a deposition surface of the substrate from the through hole.
US08534656B2 Clamp arrangement
A clamp has first and second movable jaws and a catch mechanism having a movable detent arranged to engage with a locking element in a number of different positions dependent upon the degree of separation of the jaws. The tightening force to tighten the jaws is transmitted through the catch mechanism and an actuator may be used to both engage/release the catch mechanism and move the jaws to the open position.
US08534652B2 Positioning machine
A positioning machine includes a base, a support portion mounted on the base for supporting a workpiece and a first positioning mechanism received in the recessed portion. The base defines a recessed portion. Two sidewalls of the recessed portion respectively define a pair of first tracks. The first positioning mechanism includes a first motor, a first coupler, a first positioning block, a first screw rod, and a first nut movably mounted over the first screw rod and fixed to a low surface of the support portion. The first coupler is forced by the first motor to drive the first screw rod to rotate to drive the first nut to move along the first screw rod, causing the support portion to be moved along the first tracks, and the workpiece to be moved in a predetermined position relative to the base.
US08534647B2 Hydraulically damping elastomeric bushing
An elastomeric bush bearing, with hydraulic damping, comprises a metallic inner part (1), an elastomeric bearing element (2) encompassing the inner part (1) with a cage (3) for reinforcing the bearing element (2) vulcanized thereto. At least two chambers (5), for accommodating a fluid damping medium, are separated from one another by partitions (8), constructed between the bearing element (2), adhesively bonded to the inner part (1) by the vulcanization, but are mutually connected by a damping medium channel (7). A prestressing is applied to the elastomer of the bearing element (2). However, the prestressing is not applied over the bearing shell (4), but instead over the cage (3). Calibration takes places thus by a pressure force exerted on the cage, before assembly of the bearing element (2) in the outer shell (4), which is a deviation from the state of the art.
US08534645B2 Heat exchanger for removal of condensate from a steam dispersion system
A steam dispersion apparatus includes a steam chamber communicating in an open-loop arrangement with a first steam source for supplying steam to the steam chamber. The steam chamber includes a steam dispersion location at which steam exits therefrom at generally atmospheric pressure. A heat exchanger communicates in a closed-loop arrangement with a second steam source for supplying steam to the heat exchanger at a pressure generally higher than atmospheric pressure. The heat exchanger is located at a location that is not directly exposed to the air to be humidified, the heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the steam chamber so as to contact condensate from the steam chamber. The heat exchanger converts condensate formed by the steam chamber back to steam when the condensate contacts the heat exchanger.
US08534643B2 Welded hammer
A hammer includes a handle and a head. The handle includes a bottom end and an upper end. The head is disposed on the upper end of the handle. The handle and the head are separately formed structures. The handle is formed from sheet metal.
US08534638B2 Removable gas turbine engine stand
A removable stand assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first stand removably mountable to a gas turbine engine on one side of a center of gravity of the gas turbine engine and a second stand removably mountable to the gas turbine engine on a second side of the center of gravity of the gas turbine engine.
US08534637B2 Mounting apparatus and mounting apparatus assembly
A mounting apparatus seats a card on an element. The mounting apparatus includes a fastening member mounted on the receiving element, a latching member extending through the fastening member to be mounted to the element, and an elastic member fitting about the latching member. Opposite ends of the elastic member resist the latching member and the element. One end of the card is received in the fastening member and clamped between the latching member and the fastening member.
US08534635B2 Support for portable electrical device
A support includes a base frame, a rotatable frame, an adjusting knob assembly and a spring element. Each leg of the base frame has a through hole formed with a protrusion and an L-shaped sliding groove. The rotatable frame pivotedly coupled to the base frame through a first shaft, which is rotatably inserted into the through hole and formed with a plurality of inner teeth. The adjusting knob has a guiding rib and a plurality of outer teeth respective to the inner teeth, and the guiding rib is slidable in and along the guiding groove portion and engagable in the engaging groove portion. The spring element surrounds the second shaft of the adjusting knob, as compressed between the protrusion and the insertion portion. Through operating the adjusting knob, the relative angle of the base frame and the rotatable frame switches between adjustable and fixed.
US08534633B2 Suction cup having replaceable sealing surfaces
A suction cup for a tool driven by vacuum is presented, the suction cup in a first or upper end arranged to be brought into fluid flow communication with a vacuum source and in its opposite end arranged to be brought tightly into contact with the surface of an object to be handled. The suction cup is in its lower end arranged to be coupled to a sealing ring having a sealing surface arranged between an outer periphery and a through-opening defined by an inner periphery, and the sealing ring in the region of its inner periphery having a lip arranged to engage with the suction cup, to which purpose the suction cup in its lower end has a circumferentially running groove) in which the peripheral region and the lip of the sealing ring is insertable under form fitting engagement and in a radially overlapping relation between the groove and the lip in the region (r) of engagement.
US08534627B2 Over-the-door hanging apparatus
An apparatus for hanging an article from a door. In one aspect, the invention can be a frame comprising first and second channels in a rear surface of the frame; a first and second mounting plate, each of which comprises a first, second and third edge and a vertical axis; the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first channel is coextensive with the vertical axis of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate secured to the rear of the frame so that the second channel is coextensive with the vertical axis of the second mounting plate; a bracket assembly comprising a first pair of vertically aligned hooks and a second pair of vertically aligned hooks; and wherein the first and second pairs of hooks of the bracket assembly extend into the first and second channels, respectively.
US08534625B2 Sway brace attachment
A sway brace attachment for firmly connecting to a beam and other flanged structures, and a method for manufacturing the sway brace attachment. The sway brace attachment includes a main body and an insert that is captured within the main body by a pair of set screws which also engage the flange. Preferably, a third set screw is supported by the main body and engages the opposite side of the flange from the pair of set screws. The main body can be generally rectangular in shape, with a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall and a pair of bottom walls, which extend inwardly from respective side walls in an overlapping relationship. The sway brace attachment can be used for bracing pipes and other loads, suspended below ceilings and floors, against sway and seismic disturbances.
US08534619B2 Support stand for electronic device
A support stand includes a first support assembly, a second support assembly, a first connecting assembly connecting one end of the first support assembly and the second support assembly. A second connecting assembly connects the other ends of the first support assembly and the second support assembly. The first support assembly includes two first support mechanisms, each first support mechanism includes a main body, and a first support rod hinged on the main body in a first direction. When the first support rods rotate around the first direction to a back side of the support stand, the first connecting assembly and the second connecting assembly are tilted by the first support rods and the second support assembly.
US08534614B2 Device for holding systems and aircraft or spacecraft
The present invention relates to a device for holding systems, for example an electric or fluid-guiding line, on a structure, in particular an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising: a first holding part, which has a first encompassing portion to encompass the system in portions and a first foot portion; a second holding part, which has a second encompassing portion for encompassing the system in portions and a second foot portion; a fastening mechanism, by means of which the first and second foot portion of the first and second holding part can be detachably fastened to one another, so the first and second encompassing portion of the first and second holding part encompass a region, in which the system is located with its entire periphery.
US08534607B2 Multiple bundle sling load system
A multiple bundle sling load system including a sling for attachment to an aircraft, a support system suspended from the sling for carrying a plurality of bundles, a load release mechanism interconnecting each bundle with the support structure, a parachute associated with at least one of the bundles, a parachute release mechanism interconnecting each parachute with the support structure. And an actuator for remotely operating each release mechanism for selectively releasing each load release mechanism and not releasing the associated parachute release mechanism for an air drop operation and selectively releasing each load release mechanism and each associated parachute release mechanism for a land drop operation.
US08534599B2 Redundant two stage electro-hydraulic servo actuator control
A flight control system includes a dual stage actuator for moving a control surface. Each stage includes several control valves that are controlled independently to provide a desired redundancy. A flight controller generates a position command that is indicative of the position desired for the control surface. A first communication link is provided between several flight controllers to share information. Each of the flight controllers forwards the position command to actuator remote processing unit. The actuator remote processing unit receives position commands and generates a command signal that controls movement of the actuator using the control valves. Each of the actuator remote processing units is linked through a second communication link. Feedback and balancing of the different control valves is provided by the visibility accorded each actuator remote processing unit by the second communication link.
US08534595B2 Shock wave modification method and system
A system for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information transferred to or from the body. The system includes an element for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave; an element for transferring the information to or from the body; and an element for timing the transferring of the information relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.
US08534591B2 Apparatus and method for loading a film cassette for gaseous vapor deposition
The present invention is an apparatus and method for loading a film cassette for gaseous vapor deposition. The invention comprises careful alignment of a film cassette and a supply roll such that film can be transferred from the supply roll to the cassette while minimizing touching, ceasing or cracking the film.
US08534590B2 Coil winding system and method for fabricating molded coil
There is provided a system for readily and efficiently fabricating a wound coil composed of a bobbinless coil. The system includes a coil winding device having an upper jig to which an upper plate is attached and a lower jig to which a lower plate is attached which are provided so as to be relatively displaceable and a tension device for applying predetermined tension to a wire rod fed from a wire rod supplying source. The coil winding device is provided with a claw section having first through third split claws that function as a winding section around which the wire rod is wound between the upper and lower plates and that slide in a radial direction when the upper jig is assembled coaxially with the lower jig.
US08534584B2 Dual-bearing reel speed change operation mechanism
A dual-bearing reel speed change operation mechanism is configured for a user to switch transmission speed from rotation of a handle to a spool at either a first speed or a second speed. The dual-bearing speed change operation mechanism includes a handle a handle shaft, an operating shaft, an operating shaft urging member, a base member, a lock member, and a lock member urging member. The handle arm includes a first through hole penetrating therethrough in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the handle arm, and a first protrusion protruding from the handle arm away from the spool. The base member formed in a plate shape. The base member is configured on a front surface of the handle arm. The base member includes a third through hole communicating with the first through hole, and a fourth through hole in which the first protrusion is inserted.
US08534583B2 Drag mechanism for a fishing reel
A drag mechanism for a fishing reel having a dual braking configuration to provide efficient drag control is provided. A spool is rotatable on a drag shaft. A first braking pad and a second braking pad are disposed on opposite ends of the spool. A first braking surface engages the first braking pad, and a second braking surface engages the second braking pad. Means are provided for translating each of the first braking surface and the second braking surface on the drag shaft to control the engagement with each of the first braking pad and second braking pad, respectively. More braking force is provided when the first braking surface and the second braking surface are translated toward the longitudinal center of the spool.
US08534578B2 Method and apparatus for recovering valuable metals from slag and manufacturing multifunctional aggregate
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for recovering valuable metals from slag and manufacturing multifunctional aggregate, wherein a reducing agent is fed into molten slag discharged into a slag pot or a slag reforming pot from a converter or an electric arc furnace thus recovering valuable metals from the molten slag, and then the molten slag is formed into a lightweight porous structure. Accordingly, the valuable metals (Fe, Mn) are recovered from the slag discharged from the converter or electric arc furnace, and slag having low specific gravity is ensured using foaming and controlled cooling and then formed into multifunctional aggregate.
US08534576B2 Shower head for a sanitary shower fitting
A shower head for a hand-held shower attachment, an overhead shower attachment or a side shower attachment contains, in its shower-head housing, a vortex chamber which is of funnel shape with the side wall curved. The funnel begins, at the location of the largest diameter, in a radial plane and then decreases in diameter along a curved contour to an exit, where the walls of the funnel run in the axial direction. At the location of the largest diameter of the vortex chamber, upstream of this tapering region, the water is let in tangentially in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction. The vortex which is generated by virtue of the water being let in tangentially accelerates its speed of rotation in the direction of the spray disc. Arranged at the end of the tapering region is a jet-outlet chamber which is very flat, but is of large diameter in relation to the vortex chamber. The vortex travels into this jet-outlet chamber, and therefore, even in the outer region, water jets exit with a massage action out of the jet-outlet openings which are present there.
US08534572B2 Sprinkler to top riser and housing seal cartridge for gear drive sprinkler
A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
US08534565B2 Two-dimensional optical identification device with same gray level for quick decoding and decoding method therefor
A two-dimensional optical identification device for a quick decoding operation in a same gray level and decoding method applied to the same. The two-dimensional optical identification device has at least one two-dimensional optical identification with the same gray level. The two-dimensional optical identification has a first positioning block, a plurality of data blocks, and a second positioning block. The first positioning block has a plurality of first positioning points. The data blocks are placed around the first positioning block. The second positioning block has a plurality of second positioning points and a second direction identification point for providing the direction of the two-dimensional optical identification, and the second positioning block is placed at each boundary of the plurality of data blocks for defining the positions of the plurality of data blocks. The second direction identification point indicates an identification direction of the two-dimensional optical identification.
US08534560B2 Two-dimensional code reader and program
Disclosed is a technology that specifies each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes in an image and reduces the processing time for judging color in each cell region in each specified two-dimensional code. Based on edge images generated from obtained images, candidate regions among these edge images are extracted, a judgment is made about whether or not a characteristic pattern is included in each of the corresponding regions in the original images that correspond to these extracted candidate regions, and then the two-dimensional code regions are detected from among the original images. The color is judged both for each pixel group that comprises each row of that region and for each pixel cell, in pixel array order. If it is determined that a certain number or more pixels in each row that corresponds to each cell region are included in the color judgment region, color judgment is omitted for the remaining pixels in that row.
US08534556B2 Arrangement for and method of reducing vertical parallax between an aiming pattern and an imaging field of view in a linear imaging reader
Vertical parallax between an imaging linear field of view (FOV) and an aiming light pattern is reduced in a reader for electro-optically reading symbols to be read by image capture by an arrangement that includes an imaging assembly having a solid-state imager with a linear array of image sensors, and an imaging lens for capturing return light over the imaging linear FOV from a symbol and for projecting the captured return light onto the linear array, an aiming light assembly spaced vertically away from the imaging assembly for generating the aiming light pattern on the symbol prior to reading, and an optical assembly for intercepting the aiming light pattern and for vertically aligning the aiming light pattern with the imaging linear FOV to reduce the vertical parallax.
US08534555B1 Reconfiguration of a card reader for wake-on-swipe
An apparatus includes a reconfigurable stripe reader configured to receive read head signals corresponding to states on a magnetic stripe. The reconfigurable stripe reader can have a first configuration with a first routing of the read head signals to detect an initiation of a swipe of the magnetic stripe from the read head signals. The reconfigurable stripe reader can have a second configuration with a second routing of the read head signals to read data stored on the magnetic stripe from the read head signals during the swipe of the magnetic stripe.
US08534545B2 Crop traceability system as well as server, method, and program used for the same
A crop traceability system includes: a terminal which moves together with a machine to harvest or transport a crop; and a server which receives an information from the terminal. The terminal includes: a location information acquisition unit which acquires a location information of the terminal; and a transmitter which transmits the location information and a machine ID of the machine to the server. The server includes: a storage unit which stores a location information of a planimetric feature; a receiver which receives the location information and the machine ID which are transmitted by the terminal; and an ID information processor which links the machine ID with a planimetric feature ID of the planimetric feature when a location information of the planimetric feature stored in the storage unit coincides with the location information transmitted by the terminal.
US08534544B1 System and method for authenticating a manufactured product with a mobile device
A system and method for authenticating an individual item of a manufactured product with a mobile computing device includes generating a first identifier including an at least partially random visual feature on the item during manufacture of the item, and generating a second identifier associated with the item, where the second identifier is cryptographically related to the first identifier. One or more digital images of the first and second identifiers may be created by a camera of the mobile computing device. The digital images may be used to validate the authenticity of the item at the mobile computing device.
US08534543B1 System and method for authenticating a manufactured product with a mobile device
A system and method for authenticating an individual item of a manufactured product with a mobile computing device includes generating a first identifier including an at least partially random visual feature on the item during manufacture of the item, and generating a second identifier associated with the item, where the second identifier is cryptographically related to the first identifier. One or more digital images of the first and second identifiers may be created by a camera of the mobile computing device. The digital images may be used to validate the authenticity of the item at the mobile computing device.
US08534542B2 Making an ordered element list
A method of making an ordered element list includes providing a plurality of machine-readable codes, each machine-readable code encoding a corresponding element or a reference to a corresponding element, and wherein each element of the plurality of elements forms a portion of a plurality of different ordered lists, each ordered list enabling a function having one or more operations; using a receiver to receive in order a digital image of each of a plurality of the machine-readable codes; using a processor to extract the elements received or referenced by the received digital images of the machine-readable codes; arranging the extracted elements in the received order to form an ordered list; and using a processor to perform the function enabled by the ordered list.
US08534538B2 Carton with product holding compartments
A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a back panel, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top flap. A first compartment is foldably connected to the back panel, and a second compartment is foldably connected to the front panel. The top flap is operable to overlap the first and second compartments of the carton.
US08534528B2 Surgical instrument having a multiple rate directional switching mechanism
A surgical instrument having a remotely controllable user interface, and a firing drive configured to generate a rotary firing motion upon a first actuation of the remotely controllable user interface and a rotary refraction motion upon an other actuation of remotely controllable user interface. The instrument is such that when the remotely controllable user interface operates a first drive member, the first actuation advances a cutting member a first distance, wherein, when the remotely controllable user interface operates a second drive member, the other actuation retracts the cutting member a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
US08534522B2 Anti-sway arrangement for cargo on a load carrier
Method and apparatus for providing and anti-sway arrangement for stabilizing a bicycle supported upon a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The arrangement includes a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The elongate arm is insert-received in a through-hole located in the cradle and the cradle is configured to abuttingly receive a portion of a bicycle frame thereupon. An anti-sway device is included that has a substantially Y-shape with two upper arms straddling the cradle, and the two upper arms are joined together at a lower common leg thereof. Each of the two upper arms have an arm engaging portion having a releasable clasp that is operator transitionable between a clasping configuration in which the anti-sway device is secured to the elongate arm and an open configuration in which the device is installable upon and removable away from the arm in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate arm and whereby the anti-sway device accommodates installation onto, and removal off of, the elongate arm of the load carrier without disengagement of the cradle from the elongate arm.
US08534521B2 Accessory mounting device for saddle riding type vehicle
There is provided an accessory mounting device for a saddle riding type vehicle. An accessory mounting device for mounting a navigation device on a fuel tank comprises a base body on which the navigation device is mounted, and permanent magnets caused to stick to the fuel tank and thus allowing the base body to be mounted thereon. The permanent magnets are provided on the base body via spherical joints. In this sense, the permanent magnets are caused to stick to the fuel tank in a manner such that directions thereof are changed depending on a shape of the fuel tank, thus obtaining a stable mounting structure. Further, since there is no need to provide flexible members around the permanent magnets, an excellent durability is achieved. Furthermore, the base body comprises a bracket for holding the car navigation device, and an angle of the bracket can be adjusted.
US08534516B1 Protective roof rack system
The present invention includes a polyurethane foam block placed on a vehicle rooftop to protect the vehicle's rooftop from damage during transport of cargo supported thereon, further comprising a generally trapezoidal shape of a length substantially equal than a width of the vehicle, further having a pair of opposing flexible extending ear portions. The bottom surface comprises a corrugated base of foam material to conform to the curvature of the vehicle's rooftop. An elastic fabric covers the device and the ear portions and further comprises a means for receiving rigging material in securing the device to the existing vehicle rooftop and preventing unwanted cargo shifting.
US08534515B2 Pivoting elastic shoulder support
An adjustable shoulder support harness with a 2-axis pivot assembly, capable of supporting power tools, such as a powered weed trimmer. The support harness distributes the weight of the tool and the woven and elastic straps allow the distance between the tool and the user to be varied, allowing for improved maneuverability of the tool by the user.
US08534513B1 Time organizing clothes hanger
The time organizing clothes hanger involves a system for hanging garments, which also keeps track of when a garment was last worn or when a garment is to be worn or when a garment is due to be laundered. The time organizing system utilizes sliding panels that connect into and slide along sliding channels located on the clothes hanger. The sliding panels keep track of and indicate a particular day, month, and current status of use of the respective garment. The shape of each hanger includes a specific day of the week that is incorporated into the design. The hanger also includes adjustable clips located along a bottom edge, which enable garments to be clipped there under, and of which the clips do not use a fixed jaw to secure the garments.
US08534499B2 Integrated material transfer and dispensing system
An integrated material transfer and dispensing system for storing, transferring and dispensing materials, such as fluids, and liquids, for example, liquid applied sound deadener (LASD). The system includes at least one vessel having a force transfer device. Each vessel may be removably enclosed in cabinet to form an automated station. Each vessel may be configured with a data logger, cleanout port, a sample valve at least one sight window and an access port for introducing a compound such as a biocide. Each vessel may be configured with instruments including sensors for measuring process variables, such as material volume, level, temperature, pressure and flow. The system may further include a metering device system and a robotic material dispenser system without a pump interface. The robotic system may further include a computer control system connected to flow and pressure sensors. The system may directly feed an applicator without an intervening pump.
US08534495B2 Bulk dispenser for pre-cut edible film
A bulk dispenser (10) for dispensing pre-cut pieces of film is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a container body (12), a dispenser housing assembly (52) housed within the container body, arid a lid (14) which forms a moisture-tight seal with the container body. The dispenser housing assembly includes a product reservoir, a dispenser housing in engagement with the product reservoir, and a flexible indexing arm that is movable relative to the dispenser housing to dispense the pre-cut pieces of film. The pre-cut pieces of film can be encapsulated within a perforated continuous carrier (30) and contained within the product reservoir. The flexible indexing arm has features that cooperate with the continuous carrier to index the continuous carrier and dispense an individual pre-cut film piece. In an alternative embodiment, the dispenser employs a suction cup (150) in the container lid which is forced onto a film piece in a stack of film pieces to be dispensed. The vacuum that is generated by the suction cup causes the film piece to be securely attached to the suction cup so that, when the container lid is opened, a single film piece is lifted from the stack of film pieces.
US08534492B2 Container with air-tight lid
A storage system including, in an exemplary embodiment, a unitary open-topped container, and an air-tight lid system, suitable for storage of food items. The lid system includes a plastic lid including a cover portion and a plurality of lid latches connected to the lid cover portion by living hinges, and a seal gasket fitted into an inner seal channel formed in a lid peripheral region. The latches are configured for movement between extended positions in which the lid is removable from the container, and a latching position in which latch features engage a peripheral edge of the container to secure the lid and gasket in a sealed position on the container.
US08534486B2 Container cover and dispenser therefor
A container cover prevents spillage of contents. In one embodiment, the container cover includes a flexible body having a first portion that can be stretched over a mouth of a container. The container cover also includes a second portion providing a periphery around the first portion that can contract against the sides of a container on which the container cover is placed to hold the cover in position. The first portion when stretched over the mouth of the container has an extension forming an area of slack for the container cover to allow the container cover to expand as a result of increased pressure within the container. The container cover further includes the first portion also including an aperture to receive a tube for withdrawing contents from the container. The first portion of the container cover includes a venting system. The venting system is provided by a valve.
US08534476B2 Child-resistant closure shell, closure, and package
A plastic shell for a two-piece push-and-turn child-resistant closure in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure includes a peripheral skirt, and a base wall from which the peripheral skirt depends. The base wall has a peripheral portion having a first thickness, a plurality of lugs disposed at least in part on the peripheral portion adjacent to the peripheral skirt, and a central portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and including a plurality of ribs having a third thickness greater than the second thickness and substantially equal to the first thickness and extending from the first peripheral portion toward a center of the base wall.
US08534473B2 Comestible fluid rack with conduit routing system
A rack for comestible fluids with conduit portals in front and rear rails for passage and support of the conduits passing from the fluid container to the pump.
US08534469B2 Inventory display lock
A display lock system and display lock used therein are provided. The display lock system includes a display hook having a display lock attached thereto. The display lock includes a lock body attached to a bar of the display hook and a lock bar that surrounds a second bar of the display hook. A lock arrangement operates between the lock body and the lock bar to selectively permit and prohibit movement of the lock bar relative to the lock body.
US08534465B2 Method for removing metallic impurities
A process for removing metallic impurities from a product mass flow comprising water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein the product mass flow has a temperature of 35 to 90° C.
US08534459B2 Cancellation feature for pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly
A cancellation feature (2203) for a pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) having a first surface (2201) and a second surface (2202) can include a first cancellation member (2204) that is secured to the first surface (2204) and a second cancellation member (2205) that is secured to the second surface (2205). The second cancellation member (2205) automatically moves from a pre-engaged configuration that allows engagement with the first cancellation member (2204) to a post-engaged configuration that inhibits engagement with the first cancellation member (2204). The automatic movement occurs after engagement and/or during disengagement between the second cancellation member (2205) and the first cancellation member (2204). The first surface (2201) can form a portion of a receiver that receives pharmaceutical waste, and the second surface (2202) can form a portion of a receiver retainer that retains the receiver. Conversely, the second surface (2202) can form a portion of the receiver and the first surface (2201) can form a portion of the receiver retainer.
US08534456B2 Conveyor device for analyzer, analyzer, analyzing system, and connector for conveyor device
A conveyor device 2 for analyzer includes: a conveyance tracks 20A and 20B capable of conveying a specimen rack 3 along a fixed path; and a frame 21 positioned around the conveyance tracks 20A and 20B, the frame 21 being provided with separable and removable portions 24A and 24B which are separable and removable from the frame 21 and which are capable of providing the frame 21 with cutouts in open condition when separated and removed from the frame 21. When the frame 21 is provided with the cutouts in open condition, the cutouts allows the specimen rack 3 to be introduced onto and discharged from the conveyance tracks 20A and 20B from outer lateral sides of the frame 21 through the cutouts.
US08534454B2 Conveyor and method of manufacturing absorbent article
The web conveyor conveys a continuous web for L size or M size. The conveyor includes a guide mechanism changing a passing position of a side edge portion of the web, a detection mechanism detecting the passing position of the edge portion of the web, and a drive mechanism moving the guide mechanism and the detection mechanism together in the cross direction of the web according to the L size or M size, by being in contact with a first side edge portion and a second side edge portion of the web. The drive mechanism moves the guide mechanism and the detection mechanism by an equal traveling distance in the cross direction of the web.
US08534440B2 Clutch arrangement, in particular for the drive train of a vehicle
A clutch arrangement includes a housing filled with fluid, a first friction surface formation rotatable with the housing around an axis of rotation, a second friction surface formation rotatable with a driven element around the axis of rotation, a pressing element rotatable with the housing around the axis of rotation and which divides an interior space of the housing into a first spatial area and a second spatial area. Depending on fluid pressure in the first and fluid pressure in the second spatial areas, the pressing element is movable with respect to the housing for producing and canceling a frictional engagement between the and the second friction surface formations. A fluid supply system for the first spatial area and/or the second spatial area includes at least a first fluid flow path. The fluid can be supplied to the associated spatial area via at least one fluid flow path and fluid can be removed from the associated spatial area via at least one fluid flow path.
US08534434B2 Single axis telescoping handle
A handle assembly that includes two sets of handle members that are vertically engageable with one another and where at least one of the sets of handle members extends substantially across a width of the receiving portion in the housing or bag that receives the handle. The receiving portion can be integral with the housing such that no additional receiving portion needs to be produced during the manufacturing process, resulting in a less complex and expensive manufacturing operation. The handle can further include a detent mechanism to allow the handle to easily collapse into the housing without the need for a separate button and lock mechanism.
US08534431B2 Face tooth hydraulic piston brake
A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.
US08534430B2 Disc brake for a commercial vehicle
A commercial vehicle disc brake has a caliper that straddles a brake disc that can be functionally connected to brake pads having a brake lining supporting plate and a friction lining secured thereto. At least one closure cover encloses and hermetically seals a chamber for housing functional parts of the brake. The disc brake is designed such that the closure cover is form-fittingly connected to the brake caliper.
US08534427B2 Movable desk
A movable desk includes a cam, an elevation member, a brake portion, and a guide portion. The cam rotates in accordance with a rotation of the top panel. The elevation member, including one end swingably connected to the cam, is moved downward when the top panel is rotated to the in-use position, while being moved upward when the top panel is rotated to the storage position. The brake portion is swingably connected to the elevation member and contacts a floor surface when the top panel is in the in-use position thereby fixing at least one leg portion with respect to the floor surface. The guide portion abuts the brake portion thereby to bring the brake portion into contact with a predetermined position of the floor surface.
US08534423B1 Tree stand and mounting member assembly
A tree stand and mounting member assembly is provided that has a base and mounting member that are releasably attachable to one another. First and second engagement members are included that have first and second female and male members. The first and second engagement members function to allow the mounting member to be releasably attachable to the base. The first engagement member does not engage the second engagement member and is spaced from the second engagement member in a vertical direction when the mounting member is attached to the base and the tree stand and mounting member assembly is mounted to a tree in a use configuration.
US08534417B2 Apparatus and method for providing protective gear employing shock penetration resistant material
A method for providing a shock penetration resistant apparatus may include providing an item of protective gear to be positioned proximate to an object to be protected, and disposing a shock penetration resistant material proximate to the item of protective gear to attenuate or redirect shock pulses away from the object to be protected. An apparatus is also provided that may include an item of protective gear and a shock penetration resistant material. The item of protective gear may be configured to be positioned proximate to an object to be protected. The shock penetration resistant material may be disposed proximate to the item of protective gear to attenuate or redirect shock pulses away from the object to be protected.
US08534414B2 Steering apparatus for a vehicle having front and rear steerable wheels
An apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (28, 124) of a vehicle (12) in response to input to a driver control interface (14) includes a sensor (18) for monitoring steering input to the driver control interface (14) and for providing a steering input signal indicative of the monitored steering input. Front and rear steering systems (24, 110 and 120, 126) are actuatable for turning front and rear sets of steerable wheels (28, 124), respectively. A controller (22), upon a malfunction of the front steering-system (24, 110), actuates only the rear steering system (120, 126) in response to the steering input signal.
US08534406B2 Motorcycle
A motorcycle has a large accommodating space and an enlarged capacity of a fuel filter. The motorcycle includes: a fuel tank disposed on the upper side of the rear wheel and on the rear side of the luggage box; a rear fender provided between the rear frames and, disposed between the luggage box and the rear wheel, and covering the rear wheel on the front and upper sides of the rear wheel; a fuel supply path; and a fuel secondary filter. The rear fender is so disposed that its front portion faces a rear wall of the luggage box, the front portion is inclined rearwardly upward so that the distance thereto from the rear wall increases along an upward direction, and the fuel secondary filter is disposed between the rear wall of the luggage box and the front portion of the rear fender.
US08534404B2 Auxiliary power device of bicycle
An auxiliary power device of a bicycle includes a driving member and a base member provided at a first section and a second section of the bicycle respectively. The first section and the second section are two parts of the bicycle, which has a relative motion therebetween in cycling. An input member is provided to the base member to be driven by the driving member when the first section moves relative to the second section. The input member turns a power storage member to store a power. A control member is provided for manipulation to release the power stored in the power storage member for moving the bicycle forward.
US08534398B2 Motor vehicle with electric drive
A motor vehicle has an electric drive and at least one electrical energy storage module connected therewith. A guide extends longitudinally along the motor vehicle, and supports the storage module therein in a longitudinally displaceable manner relative to the motor vehicle.
US08534394B2 Power brick assembly capable of generating a mechanical rotary power output using solar energy
The power brick assembly includes a solar energy collecting plate carried on a carrier for collecting solar energy to generate electrical energy. A first connecting port is mounted on the carrier so that the carrier is movable relative to the first connecting port. A mechanical rotary power generating unit includes a second connecting port mounted on a brick-like casing and connected electrically and detachably to the first connecting port so that the first connecting port is movable relative to the second connecting port. The brick-like casing receives a battery module for supplying electric power, a driving module for generating a mechanical rotary power output in response to an electric power input, and a control module operable to output the electric power input based on one of the electrical energy from the solar energy collecting plate and the electric power from the battery module.
US08534391B2 Cutting elements and earth-boring tools having grading features
Earth-boring tools include one or more cutting elements having at least one grading feature positioned a known distance from an initial working surface of the cutting element. Methods of grading cutting element loss on earth-boring tools include comparing locations of wear surfaces on cutting elements to locations of one or more grading features in or on the cutting elements. In some embodiments, a cutting element may comprise an insert having a generally cylindrical body, a substantially planar cutting face surface, a substantially arcuate side surface, and at least one grading feature. In additional embodiments, a cutting element may comprise a tooth having one or more grading features.
US08534385B2 Steering head
A steering head for use with a casing, the steering head having a generally cylindrical body with a first body end with a lead edge, a second body end with a rear edge, and a body surface extending from the lead edge to the rear edge, an outer tube with an internal side generally facing the body surface, the outer tube extending from the first body end to the second body end, and a steering flap disposed on an external side of the outer tube having a first flap face facing radially inwardly and a second flap face facing radially outwardly. A biased hinge is secured to both the outer tube and the steering flap, the biased hinge being operative to retract the steering flap into a retracted position from an extending position.
US08534384B2 Drill bits with cutters to cut high side of wellbores
A drill bit in one aspect includes a cutting device on a selected section of the drill bit, which cutting device is configured to cut formation on the high side of a wellbore during drilling of the wellbore. In one aspect, the cutting device comprises a cutting element disposed on a substantially non-rotating member placed around the selected section. In another aspect, the selected section may be a gage section of the drill bit.
US08534360B2 Debris anti-compaction system for ball valves
A wellbore ball valve includes a ball-type valve closure having an interior, central bore. A lower ball carrying assembly defines a first annular, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the valve closure. The first seat surface defines a first through hole. An upper assembly defines a second annular seat surface in contact with the exterior of the valve closure. The second seat surface defines a second through hole. The second through hole is shaped differently from the first through hole in that it at least partially overlaps with the central bore while the first through hole is sealed from the central bore.
US08534356B2 Methods and compositions for consolidating particulate matter in a subterranean formation
Methods of treating a subterranean formation can comprise introducing a pre-flush fluid into a subterranean formation having particulate matter therein; introducing a curable adhesive composition comprising a silane coupling agent and a polymer, the polymer having a reactive silicon end group, into the subterranean formation subsequent to the pre-flush fluid; introducing an aqueous post-flush fluid into the subterranean formation subsequent to the curable adhesive composition; and allowing the curable adhesive composition to at least partially consolidate particulate matter within the subterranean formation.
US08534353B2 Hydraulic actuated pump system
The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well.
US08534349B2 Heat exchanger tube and heat exchanger
A heat exchanger tube (1), wherein a plurality of refrigerant passages (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube are formed in a flat tube body (2) with a specified length parallel with each other in the lateral direction of the tube and, where the overall cross sectional area of the tube body (2) is (At), the overall cross sectional area of the refrigerant passage (5) is (Ac), the outer peripheral length of the tube body (2) is (L), and the overall inner peripheral length of the refrigerant passage (5) is (P), set so that the relation of Ac/At×100=30 to 55 and P/L×100=150 to 325 can be established, whereby a heat exchanging performance can be increased.
US08534347B2 Expandable fluid cooling structure
A connector system is provided. The system includes a substantially circular interconnecting hub, and a plurality of circuit board bays configured substantially radially around the substantially circular interconnecting hub. Each circuit board bay has a plurality of aligned connectors configured to receive a circuit board. The interconnecting circuit hub has, for each individual circuit board bay, a direct data pathway connecting the individual circuit board bay to all remaining circuit board bays of the plurality of circuit board bays. Each of the plurality of circuit board bays can directly communicate through the interconnecting hub with each of the remaining circuit boards bays.
US08534333B2 Pneumatic tire
A tread rubber is made of a rubber composition containing 100 pbw of a diene rubber, 30 to 100 pbw of a reinforcing filler including at least 10 pbw of silica, and 1 to 20 pbw of microcapsules each encapsulating a heat-expandable substance. A sulfur-containing silane coupling agent is mixed in the rubber composition in an amount of 3 to 15 wt. % based on the weight of the silica. A shell material of each microcapsule is made of a thermoplastic resin which essentially contains a nitrile monomer. A vapor pressure of the heat-expandable substance is 1.4 to 3.0 MPa at 150° C. An average diameter of the microcapsules is 20 to 30 μm before vulcanization of the rubber composition. An average diameter of the microcapsules expanded due to the vulcanization is 40 to 80 μm. The tread rubber has a proportion of a cell-occupying area of 5 to 30%.
US08534330B2 Knife and knife assembly for a planer side head
A knife and knife assembly for a planer side head. An L or an LV type side planer head is retro-fitted with knives having substantially less mass than the knives originally provided for these heads.
US08534329B2 Joint making jig
A woodworking joint cutting jig comprised of a dovetailing template repositionably attachable to a beam, together with a side stop, a template, and a plurality of removable pin plates that establish positions along the beam for attachment of the template.
US08534326B2 Metering pump assembly
The invention relates to a metering pump for admixing a fluid reduction agent into an exhaust gas flow, which comprises a premixing device in which the supplied reduction agent is mixed in a mixing region with a pressurized gas, wherein a first return valve is arranged in the premixing element in a supply conduit for the reduction agent, in front of the mixing region in the flow direction.
US08534322B2 Hydraulic directional valve
A hydraulic directional valve which has a valve housing and a filter element. At least one groove encircles the valve housing and the filter element is arranged in the groove and has at least one frame element and a filter fabric which is firmly connected to the frame element. The groove has a groove base and two side walls which extend substantially in the radial direction and circumferential direction.
US08534320B2 Magnetic transmission
In a magnetic transmission for coupling a valve element to a valve drive, the valve element and the valve drive are located in the same housing, the valve element includes a ring gear composed of ferromagnetic material, the ring gear and, therefore, the valve element are positioned via reluctance forces using a magnetic spindle, and the ring gear is sealed off from the spindle by a magnetically permeable housing partition.
US08534317B2 Hydraulically controlled barrier valve equalizing system
A barrier valve has an equalizing feature for the ball or plug when in the closed position before it is opened. A hydraulic open and a close line are connected to a housing so that they can move a piston in opposed directions. The piston ends are sealed and the exterior of the piston is tapered to push one or more bypass valves open to connect tubing pressure across the ball when ramped off its seat. Pressure on the main hydraulic line to close the ball reverses the piston movement and allows a spring bias to close the bypass valve or valves. The equalizing system can be integrated into the barrier valve housing or can be separate as a retrofit.
US08534313B1 Toilet fill valve auxiliary shutoff mechanism
An auxiliary actuator for a toilet fill valve comprises a plunger oriented under an arm of the toilet fill valve to lift the arm to close the toilet fill valve when the plunger is in a raised position. A spring or hydraulic mechanism urges the plunger into the raised position. A solenoid mechanism is normally de-energized and engages a latching mechanism of the plunger when the plunger is in a lowered position. An electronic sensing circuit has at least one sensor and a power source. The electronic sensing circuit is electrically connected with the solenoid mechanism to energize the solenoid mechanism upon detection of a fault condition based on the input of the at least one sensor. Fault conditions may include a flush valve leak, a stuck-open flush valve, a plugged toilet, and a leaking fill valve.
US08534312B2 Gas control device with protective cover
A method and apparatus for providing a gas to or from a pressurized cylinder is described. The apparatus includes a gas delivery device housing that houses and protects a gas control device configured to deliver gas to a user or device, and may also be adapted to provide gas to the pressurized cylinder in a refilling process. The housing includes a surface free from unnecessary depressions and/or protrusions to facilitate cleanability and enhance safety during use. Adjustment indicators and status indication elements disposed in or on portions of the housing are configured to enhance readability and recognition, which facilitates safe and efficient operation of the device. Adjustable elements to control a flow metric from the gas control device are adapted to facilitate adjustment by a user with a large hand and/or a user suffering from some diminished physical capability.
US08534310B1 Hot water circulation system
A two-way check/bypass valve is connected between the hot and cold water supply lines at hot and cold water faucets located most distantly from the water heater in a building. The valve establishes and maintains convective hot water circulation at a low flow rate from the heater to the most distant hot water faucet, through the cold water supply line, and back to the heater, during the period of time when the hot and cold water faucets are closed. When the hot water faucet is opened, hot water is nearly instantly available. Convective hot water circulation is stopped by the valve when either the hot or cold faucet is opened. The valve also prevents mixing of hot and cold water when either the hot or cold faucet is open and includes provision for dampening any water hammer effect.
US08534306B2 Subsea hot tap systems and methods
A subsea hot-tapping system, comprising an existing pipeline; a hot-tap body fitted around the pipeline; and a fluid injected between the pipeline and the body. In some embodiments, the system also includes a radial arm cutter, adapted to cut a hole in the existing pipeline.
US08534302B2 Prober cleaning block assembly
A system is provided for cleaning of probe contacts. The system has a base plate with three mounting means, such as openings, for receiving each an adjustable attachment, and means, such as further openings, for connecting the base plate to a probe machine; and a cleaning plate having on a bottom side three holding means, such as openings, for receiving the respective adjustable attachment, and a top area for supporting a cleaning device, wherein the holding means do not reach into a top area of the cleaning plate; and wherein the adjustable attachment means allows the top area to be leveled.
US08534301B2 Steam mop
A steam mop that includes a handle, an extension member, a base mount, a steam generator, and a mop head. The steam generator includes a body that at least partially contains a fluid tank, fluid pump and a heating element used to at least partially vaporize fluid. The body of the steam generator is designed to be releasably connected to the base mount such that the steam generator can be used as a steam producing device for the steam mop or can be disconnected from the base mount and be used as a stand alone steam producing device.
US08534300B2 Method of implant flossing
A dental hygiene threading tool used to insert floss between teeth of a user who has permanent oral implants. Traditional flossing for individuals with oral implants and the methods of flossing between implants and the gum line presently available are time consuming and difficult, due to the lack of the space between the two structures. The disclosed device comprises a hollow tube used to guide a floss threading line or pull through guide into these tight spaces. The tube is then removed once the threading line has been inserted. A user feeds a strand of dental floss through the threading line loop and pulls the threading line with the dental floss through the space. Once the dental floss has been fed through the teeth, the flossing procedure may commence. The device dramatically reduces time and effort required to thread floss between teeth and oral implants.
US08534298B2 Hair care device
The present invention relates to a hair care device (1), having a handle (3), a function head (4) which can be connected to the handle (3), and which has a hair treatment device (5), particularly a brush and/or a tooth field, and having an ion-discharging device (9) for discharging ions onto the hair, the ion-discharging device (9) having at least one ion outlet (11). According to the invention, the hair care device (1) is characterized in that the function head (4) and/or a housing part which surrounds the ion outlet (11) has at least one grounding area for dissipating/limiting electronic charges. Advantageously, the ions are discharged exclusively from the back of the device (8) which faces away from the hair treatment device (5), while the grounding area on the function head (4) can be provided on the front of the device.
US08534297B1 Method of testing moisture retention of tobacco
The present invention provides a method of testing moisture retention of tobacco in which dynamic rules on moisture desorption of the cut tobacco in a dry environment are investigated by using a dynamic vapor sorption system and has found that a dry basis moisture content at an earlier stage of moisture desorption of the cut tobacco has a preferred linear correlation with a square root of time. A linear fitting for t0.5 is made by using values of a dry basis moisture content Mt at a time point t, and a rate constant k is obtained from a slop of the obtained straight line and used as a reference of testing the moisture retention of tobacco. The method can also be used to investigate the moisture retention of tobacco and filter humectants of cigarettes. In comparison with the conventional method, the method is convenient and applicable, and has a short testing period, a high degree of automation, preferred accuracy and preferred reproducibility, etc.
US08534293B2 Apparatus for aligning needle with port of infusion device
A needle apparatus for aligning a needle with a port of an implantable infusion device includes a needle anchoring portion configured to axially fix the apparatus relative to a needle to be inserted into the port. The needle apparatus further includes a port locating portion fixable relative to the needle anchoring portion. The port locating portion includes a port location signal receiver module for receiving a signal from an implantable infusion device regarding the location of the port of the infusion device.
US08534287B2 Methods for tracheostomy visualization
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.
US08534286B2 Nasal continuous positive airway pressure device and system
An nCPAP device including a generator body defining first and second fluid flow circuits each including a tube and first and second nozzles. The tube defines a passageway forming an axial centerline. The first and second nozzles are associated with the tube and each defines an inlet and an outlet. The inlets are open to a fluid supply, whereas the outlets are open to the passageway. Each nozzle is adapted to emit a fluid jetstream from the outlet along a flow direction axis. The nozzles are arranged such that the flow direction axes are non-parallel relative to each other and relative to the axial centerline. This configuration readily induces vortex shedding during an expiratory phase, thus facilitating jet fluid flow disruption and reducing a patient's work of breathing.
US08534279B2 Respirator system including convertible head covering member
A headgear article includes a head covering member that has an opening formed therein. A panel is disposed over the opening and is removably attached to the head covering member. A respirator system is also disclosed that includes the headgear article and further including a visor and defining an interior zone. The respirator system also includes a clean air supply system having an inlet configured for connection to a source of clean air and an outlet disposed within the interior zone.
US08534276B2 Tea kettle
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved kettle using conduction and convection, yielding improved boiling efficiency and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, a tea kettle comprises a handle, a spout, and a voluminous container having at least one passageway positioned about an outer surface of an inner containment wall of the voluminous container, for allowing a heated fluid to pass therethrough and conductively heat the inner containment wall. In another embodiment, a tea kettle comprises a voluminous container comprising an inner containment wall having a surface comprising a plurality of curves, and an outer wall having a surface comprising a plurality of curves, wherein at least one passageway is defined between an outer surface of the inner containment wall and an inner surface of the outer wall, for allowing a heated fluid to pass therethrough and conductively heat the inner containment wall.
US08534264B2 Engine control apparatus
An engine control apparatus includes an engine target speed set unit 51 setting a first target speed through a throttle dial, a relief engine maximum speed calculation unit 52 calculating a second target speed limiting a maximum target speed in a relief operation according to a load pressure of a hydraulic pump, a speed control means controlling an engine speed such that the engine speed is equal to lower one of the first target speed and the second target speed, a determination means determining whether an engine torque assist action of a generator motor is performed, based on a deviation between an target speed and a real speed of the engine. When the determination means determines that the engine torque assist action is performed, the speed control means controls the engine speed to be equal to the target speed through the engine torque assist action of the generator motor.
US08534260B2 Fuel supply system
A sub-injector injects liquid fuel into a vaporized-fuel chamber of a vaporized-fuel tank. The injected liquid fuel is vaporized in the vaporized-fuel chamber. The generated vaporized fuel is supplied to a combustion chamber through a vaporized-fuel passage. A supply of the vaporized fuel to the combustion chamber is controlled by a purge valve. Thereby, the vaporized fuel can be precisely supplied to the engine at a start of engine, so that emission can be reduced.
US08534250B2 Valve lash adjustment system for a split-cycle engine
The present invention provides a valve actuation system comprising a valve train for actuating a valve, the valve train including actuating elements and a valve lash, and a valve lash adjustment system for adjusting the valve lash, wherein the valve train and the valve lash adjustment system do not share any common actuating elements.
US08534248B2 Camshaft adjuster having a pressure accumulator
A camshaft adjuster arrangement, which has a stator, a rotor, and a pressure accumulator, which is controlled by control vanes.
US08534243B2 Internal combustion engine with masking wall the curtain area of the intake valves
A spark ignition four stroke internal combustion engine includes two intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder, arranged around a central spark plug and provided with means for varying the lift of the intake valves between a zero value and a maximum value H. A masking wall which masks the curtain area of the intake valves on one side facing towards the exhaust valves is provided in the combustion chamber associated to each cylinder. The axis of each intake valve is inclined with respect to the axis of the respective engine cylinder by an angle not exceeding 12° and the abovementioned masking wall has along the seat of each intake valve a height h in the direction parallel to the axis of the intake valve which is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 times, extremes excluded, the maximum value H of the lift of the intake valves.
US08534239B2 Multi-cylinder diesel engine
It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-cylinder diesel engine in which a thermal damage of a common rail, and a rise in fuel temperature can be suppressed.In order to achieve the object, a multi-cylinder diesel engine in which, while the extension direction of a crank shaft 1 is set to the anteroposterior direction, a common rail 3 which is directed in the anteroposterior direction is placed above an intake manifold 2, and an engine cooling fan 4 is placed in front of the engine is configured so that the width direction of the engine which is perpendicular to the anteroposterior direction is set to the lateral direction, an air intake portion 6 of the intake manifold 2 is placed on the outer lateral side of the both lateral sides of the common rail 3, the outer lateral side being opposite to a head cover 5, and the common rail 3 is placed in a place to which engine cooling air produced by the engine cooling fan 4 is blown.
US08534233B1 Hands-free pet leash
A wearable apparatus for using a leash in a hands-free manner is provided. The apparatus includes a centrally positionable connection hub connectable to the leash, first and second straps structured to extend over a person shoulders, third and fourth straps structured to extend around a portion of a person's waist, and a back support connected to the first, second, third, and fourth straps. The first, second, third, and fourth straps are configured to removeably and releasably attach to the connection hub.
US08534226B2 Bird drinker assembly with a triangular supply line
A supply line for the water supply to poultry house drinkers is triangular in shape with the drinkers secured to a bottom surface around a drinking nipple by a quick-attach rotational movement. The triangular line has a top fin which provides additional bending strength and may have an internal fin to limit movement of the drinking nipple valve.
US08534225B2 Pet feeding system
A pet feeding systems for slowing the eating process of a pet, e.g., a dog, and simultaneously entertain the pet. The pet feeding system includes a floor, retaining walls, and obstacles which form a food maze. The obstacles may vary, for example, in shape (e.g., as letters, words, geometric shapes, etc.), form (e.g., rigid structure, flexible fingers, etc.), size, height, etc. In addition, the obstacles may include structures to further slow a pets eating, such as tunnels, slides, ramps, etc. The pet feeding system may be fabricated of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, silicone rubber, natural rubber, metal, and ceramic.
US08534222B2 Delivery unit, coating apparatus, and coating method
It is an object of the present invention to apply a liquid uniformly on a to-be-coated area of an object subjected to liquid coating. A delivery unit which delivers the liquid on the to-be-coated area of the object subjected to liquid coating comprises a main body filled with the liquid and a nozzle plate which is provided at one end side of the main body and which is provided with a delivery path for delivering the liquid. The axial line of the delivery path is inclined relative to a vertical axis toward an opposite side of a travelling direction in which the delivery unit travels relative to the to-be-coated area.
US08534219B2 Soccer goal securement monitor
A device indicates a ready and/or upset condition of a ground supported goal such as a soccer goal that has at least one bar that lies in contact with the ground. An indicator arm is movable relative to the contact arm between a ready position and an upset position. A contact arm cooperates with. A biasing element biases the indicator arm to the upset position. When the bar of the goal is no longer in contact with the ground the indicator arm moves from the ready position to the upset position.
US08534217B2 Location signaling device
A location signaling device comprising a wing balloon for signaling a location. The wing balloon is fixed to a tether line that itself is fixed to the location to be signaled. The wing balloon has an inflatable aerodynamically shaped hollow body to be at least partly be filled with a lighter-than-air gas and having a wing attack surface for air flowing relative to said wing balloon. The floating aloft of said wing balloon is supported by said air flow. When the wing balloon is inflated, a flexible wing portion is passively variable. The stronger the wind, the less attack is given. Thus, the dragging force on the tether line is generally static.
US08534208B2 Product conveyance system for an agricultural implement
An inductor assembly is configured to be attached in flow communication to receive a flow of product from a storage hopper of a product conveyance system. The product conveyance system includes a forced fluid source mounted thereon and operable to provide a forced fluid stream to the inductor assembly. The inductor housing includes an inlet configured to direct a first portion of the forced fluid stream in a path to engage the flow of product so as to generate the combined stream of forced fluid and product. The inductor assembly further includes multiple inductor segments, wherein each inductor segments defines at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet. One or more of the inlets may be configured to restrict air and product flow therethrough.
US08534205B1 Folding table
A fold-in-half table may include a first half constructed from molded plastic, such as blow-molded plastic, and a second half constructed from a wire rack. An inner engagement surface of the first half of the table top may engage an inner engagement surface of the second half of the table top when the table is in the unfolded position. The first and second inner engagement surfaces may be spaced apart when the table is in the folded position. The fond-in-half table may also include first and second support structures connected to the first and second halves of the table top and the support structures may be movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top.
US08534202B2 Modular base side bearing
A modular base side bearing assembly has a cage with upstanding side walls defining a bearing cavity and a central bottom opening to receive a modular base on which a bearing element supported on a central base portion thereof. The modular base has externally visible tabs identifying a force level corresponding to the modular base, in which the thickness of the central base portion corresponds such force level. The modular bases are interchangeable with modular bases having central base portions of differing thickness, or zero-thickness, such that the same cage, bearing element, and wear cap can be used with different modular bases to provide different force levels. The modular base is movable vertically relative to the cage to accommodate uneven mounting surfaces.
US08534197B2 Supersonic hydrogen tube vehicle
A transportation system having a tube containing hydrogen gas and a vehicle designed to operate within the tube. The vehicle breathes hydrogen from the tube to power fuel cells in order to produce power. The vehicle is suspended above the tube on a low-friction layer and is propelled through the tube via a propulsion system, such as contra-rotating propfans.
US08534172B2 Positioning belt conveyor
Apparatus and method for translating articles. The apparatus has a rectangular work area defined by the upper run of a positioning conveyor having an oblique-roller conveyor belt selectively driven forward or reverse in coordination with the actuation and deactuation of the obliquely rotatable belt rollers. Tools, such as cutting tools or inspection stools, along the sides of the work area interact with the sides of the articles as they are translated without rotation in a rectangular path against guide surfaces on the periphery of the work area by the sequential reversing of the conveyor belt direction and the actuation and deactuation of the article-supporting rollers.
US08534148B2 Gear change device for a motor vehicle
A gear change device for a motor vehicle includes a first and a second primary shaft coaxial with respect to each other, selectively connectable to the driving shaft of the motor vehicle by means of a double clutch engagement device, and a first and a second secondary shaft, whose axes are parallel and spaced from the common axis of said primary shafts, and having respective output gear wheels intended to mesh with the gear wheel of a differential. A plurality of pairs of gear wheels correspond to a plurality of forward gear ratios and to at least one reverse gear ratio. The gears of each pair are one rigidly connected in rotation with one of the primary shafts or with one of the secondary shafts while the other is freely rotatable respectively on one of the secondary shafts or on one of the primary shafts. A parking gear wheel is operatively connected to said first secondary shaft cooperating with a lock device for locking the gear change device in the parking condition. The parking gear wheel is rotatably mounted on a fourth axis, parallel and spaced both with respect to the common axis of the two primary shafts and with respect to the axes of the two secondary shafts.
US08534146B2 Geared, continuously variable speed transmission
A continuously variable speed transmission includes a first guideway, a second guideway, wherein the first guideway and the second guideway remain stationary during operation at a particular speed ratio. The transmission includes a first member moveably connected to the first guideway and the second guideway, the first member includes gear teeth and a second member having gear teeth positioned at an adjustable angle relative to the first member. The speed ratio of the transmission is determined based on angle of the second member relative to the first member. In another variation, the first member may be either an input member or a control member, and the second member may be either an input member or a control member. An additional member connected to the center of the gear between the first and second members would then serve as the output member.
US08534145B2 Engine starting apparatus
In an engine starting apparatus, together with a one-way clutch, a pinion is pushed toward a ring gear of an engine mounted in a vehicle. The one-way clutch has an idling torque smaller than a torque of the ring gear that tries to turn the pinion when the pinion is pushed to the ring gear. By a control device, a pinion pushing device is enabled to operate when i) the revolution speed of the ring gear is larger than a revolution speed of the pinion and ii) a relative revolution speed between the revolution speed of the ring gear and the revolution speed of the pinion is a desired value.
US08534144B2 Apparatus and method for determining the internal cleanliness of a tube
A system to measure the internal state of a bundle of tubes by injecting a signal into each tube of the bundle, receiving reflections from the tube due to anomalies within the tube, then analyzing the reflections to determine the type or characteristics about the anomalies. The analyzed information is stored in database to be used for statistical processing. Further, the device can be used in the performance of a cleaning process by conducting an initial assessment of the tubes in a bundle of tubes, comparing the stored data and estimating the number of cleaning cycles that will be required, and re-conducting the evaluation of the state of the tubes after every cleaning cycle or after every few cleaning cycles.
US08534129B2 Photoacoustic multipass cell with concentrating reflection means
A photoacoustic multipass cell includes a light source, an acoustic resonator and a reflecting arrangement configured in a concentrating manner for reflecting light into the acoustic resonator. Additionally, the light source is arranged at least partially within the reflecting arrangement.
US08534109B1 Calibrating hydro-formed tubular parts
A method and apparatus are disclosed for making a hydro-formed part by first hydro-forming a tubular blank to form an initially formed part. The initially formed part is clamped in a calibration tool with clamps. The initially formed part is connected to a source of electric current and electric current is pulsed through the initially formed part to reduce internal stresses in the initially formed part and reduce spring-back to form the initially formed part to a target shape.
US08534107B2 Method and apparatus for pulsed forming, punching and trimming of tubular members
A hydro-forming tool is disclosed in which first and second electrohydraulic forming (EHF) electrodes are used to provide a pressure pulse in opposite ends of a tubular pre-form. Alternatively, an accumulator with a rupturable membrane may be provided in opposite ends of a tubular pre-form for hydro-forming the tubular pre-form. A multiple discharge hydro-forming tool is also disclosed in which several pairs of accumulators are provided with selectively rupturable membranes that are ruptured to provide a pressure pulse in opposite ends of a tubular pre-form. The accumulators or EHF electrodes may be sequenced to provide separate pressure pulses that may be coordinated with retraction of a filler plug or shifting of a split ring into their respective retracted positions. A plurality of pressure pulses may be used to form, pierce and trim the tubular pre-form.
US08534105B2 Bending method, and die and bending machine used for the bending method
A bending machine having: a punch and a die for bending a sheet-shaped work; pressurizing means which pressurizes the work in a space between the punch and the die by vertically moving a ram; inputting means (23) which inputs die information on the punch and the die, material information on the work and bending information; a database (25) which stores data on a pressure per unit length required for bending the work; calculating means (29) which calculates a pressure necessary for the pressurizing means based on various information inputted from the inputting means (23) and on the data on the pressure stored in the database (25); and controlling means (31) which controls the pressurizing means based on a result of calculation by the calculating means (29).
US08534103B2 Method and apparatus for securing door mechanisms
Apparatus and methods for securing a door having one or more door mechanisms via a cover and base. The cover protects the door mechanisms and includes an enclosure fitting over the at least one of the door mechanisms, a first securing member comprising a slot through which a second securing member passes, and a first joint member. A base connects the cover to the door. The base includes one or more second holes extending through which are one or more fastening mechanisms of the door mechanisms protected by the cover, and a second joint member. A releasable joint aligning the cover with respect to the base, is formed by the first joint member of the cover and the second joint member of the base.
US08534097B2 Clothes treating apparatus with liquid supply unit
Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus with a liquid supply unit. The clothes treating apparatus comprises: a body; a drum accommodated in the body; a steam generator communicated with inside of the drum, and configured to inject steam into the drum; a reservoir configured to store liquid to be supplied to the steam generator, and having an outlet at a bottom surface thereof; a closure having a check valve, and configured to close the outlet; and a reservoir accommodation portion configured to temporarily store the liquid discharged through the check valve, and communicated with the steam generator for flow of the liquid, wherein the check valve is configured to be open only when the reservoir has been mounted to the reservoir accommodation portion.
US08534096B2 Quench station and method for formed glass sheet quenching
A glass sheet quench station (16) and method for quenching glass sheets includes quench control valves (55, 57) that are operated to reduce unnecessary quenching air and thereby provide efficiency in the quenching.
US08534090B2 Cooling system for an auxiliary device
A system for cooling an auxiliary device having a main housing with at least one canister port, at least one fluid manifold mounted within the housing and in communication with the port, and a removable dry ice canister inserted in to the fluid manifold. Connected to the fluid manifold is a fluid line and connected to the canister is an air pressure line. Both the air pressure and fluid lines are connected to the pump. As the dry ice melts, it cools the fluid and creates pressure that activates the pump to pump fluid to the auxiliary device and back to the manifold for subsequent cooling.
US08534087B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes an ice maker positioned in the refrigerator and configured to make ice. The refrigerator also includes a plate positioned at an open side of the ice making tray and configured to reduce water overflow. The refrigerator further includes a cool air inlet passage configured to allow cool air to be introduced to an area inside of the plate. In addition, the refrigerator includes a cool air outlet passage that is separate from the cool air inlet passage, and configured to allow release of cool air from the area inside of the plate to an exterior of the plate.
US08534085B2 Refrigerated merchandiser
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case and a refrigeration system in communication with a product storage area of the case. The case includes a case top, a discharge passageway, and a return passageway, and the case top has a lower wall, a front wall, and a deflector. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit that has a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator in series, where the evaporator is disposed in the case top. The refrigeration system further includes a fan that cooperates with the lower wall, the front wall, and the deflector to discharge a substantially laminar refrigerated airflow into and through the product storage area to refrigerate the product within a predetermined temperature range without directing the refrigerated airflow directly at the product.
US08534084B2 HVAC management system for a vehicle
A vehicle that includes a frame, a prime mover, an alternator, a cabin, a HVAC system, and a power source. The prime mover is operable in a first mode that is configured for driving the vehicle and a second mode that is configured for standby operation of the vehicle. The cabin includes walls that define a space and that have insulation to insulate the space. The HVAC system is in communication with the cabin to condition the space, and includes a cooling system, a heating system, and a sorption system that dehumidifies air provided to the space. The power source has a battery that is in electrical communication with the alternator and the HVAC system to supply power to the HVAC system from the battery when the prime mover is in the first mode and when the prime mover is in the second mode.
US08534083B2 Evaporative cooling condenser for household appliance
An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.
US08534081B2 Device and method for cooling drinks
Device for cooling drinks with a drink supply container (30a, 30b) for a water-comprising drink, a cooling medium supply container (22) for holding at least one cooling medium, —dosing means adapted to dose a quantity of drink and a quantity of cooling medium required for cooling the dosed quantity of drink, a mixing chamber (36) for successively collecting a quantity of drink and a quantity of cooling medium respectively dosed by the dosing means, and—at least one stirring element (39), which stirring element is positioned relative to the mixing chamber (36) such that the stirring (39) element is adapted to generate a vortex in the drink present in the mixing chamber, wherein the stirring element (39) is also adapted to mix together drink present in the mixing chamber (36) and cooling medium present in the mixing chamber (36), wherein the cooling medium in the mixing chamber (36) undergoes a phase change to the gaseous state and/or an adiabatic expansion while cooling the drink.
US08534080B2 Compositions comprising iodotrifluoromethane and uses thereof
Disclosed are compositions comprising iodotrifluoromethane and other compounds that are useful as heat transfer fluids, including refrigerants, in a stationary air conditioning or refrigeration system, a flooded evaporator chiller or a direct expansion chiller. Also disclosed are methods for producing cooling and methods for replacing R22, R407C, R410A, R404A or R507A in such equipment.
US08534078B2 Self generating power generator for cryogenic systems
A cryogenic self powered system includes a cooled chamber having a hot face and a cold face; a power generator coupled to the hot face and the cold face to generate electricity therefrom; and a working fluid coupled to the cooled chamber and to the power generator.
US08534071B1 Engine hot section vane with tapered flame holder surface
A gas turbine or rocket engine hot section includes a first duct case, a second duct case, a plurality of vanes arranged about an axial centerline, and an igniter located with a first of the plurality of vanes. The first of the plurality of vanes extends axially between a leading edge and a flame holder surface at a trailing edge. The flame holder surface extends radially between a first vane end connected to the first duct case and a second vane end connected to the second duct case. The flame holder surface includes a first section that tapers towards the first vane end, and a second section that tapers away from the first section and towards the second vane end.
US08534066B2 Two-stage turbocharged engine system
A two-stage turbocharged engine system is provided. The two-stage turbocharged engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a high-pressure turbocharger having a high-pressure turbine for rotating a high-pressure compressor through a connecting shaft, and a low-pressure turbocharger having a low-pressure turbine for rotating a low-pressure compressor by a connecting shaft. The two-stage turbocharged engine system also includes a low-pressure intake line for fluidly connecting the outlet of low-pressure compressor to the inlet of high-pressure compressor, a high-pressure intake line for fluidly connecting the outlet of high-pressure compressor to an air cooler, and a bypass device for selectively fluidly connecting a first branching point located in low-pressure intake line to a second branching point located in high-pressure intake line to thereby bypass the high-pressure compressor. The bypass device is located closer to the low-pressure compressor than to the high-pressure compressor.
US08534062B2 Locally powered water distillation system
A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.
US08534061B2 Dump truck
A dump truck includes: an oil-cooling center brake; a first hydraulic pump supplying cooling oil to the center brake; a second hydraulic pump supplying cooling oil to the center brake in addition to the cooling oil from the first hydraulic pump; a hydraulic motor driving the second hydraulic pump; a third hydraulic pump supplying hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor; an open/close valve letting the hydraulic oil bypass the hydraulic motor; and a controller controlling a bypass flow amount at the open/close valve. A capacity of the first hydraulic pump corresponds to a flow amount of the cooling oil required to lubricate a transmission. A capacity of the second hydraulic pump corresponds to a flow amount for compensating the cooling oil from the first hydraulic pump when a brake is off. A capacity of the third hydraulic pump is smaller than the capacity of the second hydraulic pump.
US08534055B2 Filter arrangement for exhaust aftertreatment system
An auxiliary filter arrangement for an exhaust aftertreatment system, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) system. The DPF communicates with an exhaust line to receive a flow of exhaust gases therethrough. An auxiliary filter is positioned in an auxiliary line or tube that connects an air supply, a pressure sensor, and/or any other aftertreatment system component to the exhaust line. The auxiliary filter can be a wire mesh filter operable to trap particulate or soot, thereby preventing the soot from traveling further up the auxiliary line toward the components of the air supply system, the pressure sensor, and/or the components of any other aftertreatment system communicating with the exhaust line through the auxiliary line.
US08534051B2 Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine in an engine exhaust passage of which an exhaust purification catalyst (13) having an oxidation function is arranged and in the engine exhaust passage upstream of the exhaust purification catalyst (13) of which a small-sized oxidation catalyst (14) and a fuel feed valve (15) for feeding fuel to the small-sized oxidation catalyst (14) are arranged. When activating the exhaust purification catalyst (13), the fuel fed from the fuel injector (15) is used to heat the small-sized oxidation catalyst (14) and when the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is further raised in temperature, the fuel fed from the fuel feed valve (15) is increased and reformed fuel is exhausted from the small-sized oxidation catalyst (14).
US08534050B2 Exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a diesel engine and method of increasing a temperature of an SCR catalyst to reduce NOx in exhaust gases
An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a diesel engine is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the engine that induces the engine to combust a rich air/fuel mixture in at least one cylinder at a predetermined time interval after startup of the engine to output exhaust gases including elevated levels of CO, and a percentage increase in HC that is less than a minimal threshold percentage relative to combusting a lean air/fuel mixture. The system further includes a diesel oxidation catalyst that receives the exhaust gases and oxidizes the CO to obtain an exothermic reaction that increases a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the oxidation catalyst to greater than a threshold temperature level. The system further includes an SCR catalyst which receives the exhaust gases and reduces NOx in the exhaust gases.
US08534047B2 Combustion engine breathing systems, components thereof and methods of operating and controlling the same
A method including obtaining information representative of the amount of oxides of nitrogen and the amount of particulate matter being produced by a combustion engine, and adjusting the amount of oxides of nitrogen and the amount of particulate matter being produced by the combustion engine by controlling the amount of combustion engine exhaust gas re-circulating through an EGR cooler and through an EGR cooler bypass line using the information.
US08534032B2 Method for placing inert gas in gas-filling packaging machine
A filling method including a preceding filling process in which the drop opening of the filling funnel and the forward end of the gas-filling nozzle brought close to the normal line are inserted from the opened bag opening into a package bag, and at the same time, the forward end is separated from the normal line and moved toward a corner of the package bag. The method further includes a following filling process in which inert gas jetted from the gas filling nozzle and air in the package bag are replaced with each other, and a postprocess on the downstream side in which the replacement action between the inert gas and the air is promoted with the bag opening substantially closed by a shutter unit.
US08534025B2 Metallic tower
This invention relates to metallic towers or the like utilized for electric power transmission lines, telecommunications, wind energy generators and other applications. The standard sections used in lattice towers of the prior art have structural and aerodynamic deficiencies. To overcome the drawbacks and problems the prior art one aspect of the present invention is directed to a metallic tower comprising lattice members with a channel section, wherein the length of the channel web is smaller than the length of the channel legs.
US08534009B2 Safety nosing components and manufacturing methods
The present invention is an improved safety nosing component including a base element with channel member and a light emission element. The safety nosing component is manufactured by extrusion, co-extrusion, triple-extrusion, injection molding, insert injection molding, two-shot molding or a combination thereof. The present invention allows safety nosing components to be installed on architectural structures while also providing additional functionality.
US08534005B2 Adjustable and reversible pillar
An adjustable and reversible pillar includes a reversible substantially rectangular parallelepiped pillar housing resting on a base. The first and second ends have corresponding first and second mounting flanges extending therearound. The housing is hollow. The mounting flanges each extend inwardly of the walls and into the cavity. Either of the first or seconds ends is adapted for mounting on the base. At least one of the housing walls is selectively removable. At least the upper surface of the base is sized to mate with the first or second ends of the pillar housing by mounting of the corresponding first or second mounting flanges onto the upper surface of base. Vertically adjustable feet are mounted to the lower surface of the base.
US08534004B2 Rapid deployment and retraction telescoping mast system
A rapid deployment and retraction telescoping mast system for controlling the height of a mast. A retraction mechanism including a resilient member, a retraction reel, a reel shaft, and a motor disposed about a frame. The resilient member extends from the retraction reel and is rigidly attached to a top tube of the mast through a sealed passage. The reel shaft rotates the retraction reel and winds the resilient member creating a retraction force on the top tube causing controlled retraction of the mast. A deployment mechanism including a compressor, storage tank, exhaust valve and isolation valve arranged about the frame and in communication with the mast. The compressor generates pressurized air to be communicated to the mast when the isolation valve is in the open position. The increase of pressure generated by the deployment mechanism provides a force within the mast thereby controlling its deployment.
US08534003B2 Roll-out structure/hurricane sheathing
A roll-out sheet of construction material has a plurality of slats, each with a shelf with a generally upward facing surface and a ledge with a generally downwardly facing surface. The plurality of slats are adjacent one another so that the ledge of one slat underlies the shelf of an adjacent slat. A pivoting assembly disposed on each of the plurality of slat allows the slats to articulate relative to one another within a defined range of vertical angles. The slats may have a longitudinal opening at least partially through, which is optionally filled with thermal and/or sound insulation, and/or load-bearing filler. The openings can also include a rib or support extending across the opening and bracing one side wall of the slat against the other. A securing tab can extend outward from one or more slats, shaped as a hoop, or having a through opening. When deployed, the roll-out sheet may be flat or have some angle or curvature.
US08533995B1 Automatic watering device for plants
The automatic watering device for plants is placed in the soil of a potted plant. A float is housed in an outer chamber. The float has a ferrous metal contact at each end, with and the chamber has magnets at each end. The chamber top has a water inlet. The upper end of the float has a shutoff valve. The lower end of the chamber has a calibrated orifice for water dispensing. A water supply is connected to the chamber inlet. The water eventually provides sufficient buoyancy to the float to release it from its lower magnet and rise for attachment to the upper magnet, thereby shutting off the water inflow. Water continues to seep from the lower orifice until the level drops within the chamber to a point sufficient to cause the float to to drop from its upper magnet, allowing the water to again flow into the chamber.
US08533994B2 Method for wrapping a floral grouping
A method for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end is disclosed. A wrapper is formed from a sheet of material or bag which is wrapped about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping. The wrapped floral grouping is then positioned within a receiving space of a preformed sleeve whereby the wrapper is secured in a stable position about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping by the preformed sleeve. A detaching element defines the detachable upper portion and a lower portion of the preformed sleeve so that the upper portion can be removed from the lower portion.
US08533992B2 Method and apparatus for aeroponic farming
A system and method of aeroponic farming includes depositing seeds in a flat containing micro-fleece cloth and placing the flat within a growth chamber. The upper side of the flat is subjected to light of the proper frequencies to promote growth in plants. A nutrient solution is sprayed onto the micro-fleece cloth and the developing root mass of the plants, while controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide within the growth chamber. The plants are harvested resulting from the seeds at a desired stage of growth. The growth chambers can be stacked on each other and/or located side by side to save space within a facility, and to permit sharing the subsystems which control the nutrient solution, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide for the growth chambers.
US08533986B2 Bolt for a repeating firearm
The invention pertains to a bolt for a repeating firearm having a cylindrical bolt body and a bolt shaft that is detachably fastened on the bolt body. The bolt shaft is screwed to the bolt body by a fastening screw that protrudes into a sleeve-shaped rear section of the bolt body from the inner side of the bolt body through a radial through-opening and engages into a threaded bore of the bolt shaft.
US08533985B2 Magnetic planning board with stackable, snap-to-grid, self-aligning items
The invention provides a simple, yet flexible mechanism for affixing items to a magnetic board such that they are accurately aligned to the board and to one another. Such mechanism allows positioning and repositioning of the items as desired by the user, including stacked configurations. Contact between the items and the board is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a bearing surface that allows for repositioning of items using a sliding motion. Further, aligning the items is convenient for the user and does not distract from the primary task at hand.
US08533983B2 Readerboard system
A graphic panel system for providing a message spanning all or substantially all of a readerboard is provided. According to embodiments of the present invention, panel elements may be combined to form larger graphic images and textual messages. The individual panel elements may be single track height, even though they contain graphics or images that, when the panels are attached to a readerboard, extend for more than one row of the readerboard. Graphic panels having first color images are also provided.
US08533974B2 Reclamation of components of wellbore cuttings material
The present disclosure is generally directed to systems that are used for reclaiming components of wellbore cuttings material. In one illustrative embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes, among other things, a dryer that is adapted to receive a drill cuttings mixture that includes drilling fluid and cuttings material, the dryer being further adapted to treat the drill cuttings mixture by drying the cuttings material below a preselected moisture content level. The system also includes a moisture sensor that is adapted to sense a moisture content of the cuttings material after it is dried by the dryer, and a cuttings reinjection system that is adapted to reinject the dried cuttings material into a well bore. Additionally, the system includes a conveyor system that is adapted to convey the dried cuttings material to the cuttings reinjection system, wherein the conveyor system includes, among other things, a positive pressure pneumatic conveying apparatus.
US08533971B2 System and method for spray drying a liquid
Described herein are devices and techniques for spray drying a fluid to produce a dried powder. Assemblies include a spray drying head attachable to a gas supplier and a liquid sample, such as a standard unit of blood product. The spray drying head can be adapted to provide an aerosolized flow of liquid sample exposed to a drying gas. The assembly also includes a drying chamber adapted to separate the aerosolized flow of liquid sample into a dried powder and humid air. The assembly can be disposable, provided in a sterilized kit and having simplified attachments allowing quick connect and disconnect from the gas and liquid sample. Separation of the powder from the humid air exiting the drying chamber occurs within a filtered collection bag. In some embodiments, one or more of the drying chamber and collection bag are formed form a thin-walled, collapsible material.
US08533963B2 Sundial with elevated gnomon support avoiding shadow eclipse
A hemispheric armillary with arms and supporting a structure for supporting a gnomon over a time indicating dial plate is constructed to avoid the arms' shadows from eclipsing the gnomon shadow on the dial plate.
US08533962B1 Clipper lever
The present invention may be used oscillate a movable blade of a clipper. A lever may be a drive finger attached to a rotator member and a motor lever arm attached to the rotator member approximately opposite the drive finger along a longitudinal axis. A rotator bearing cavity of generally cylindrical shape may be formed in the rotator member and may be sized for insertion of a rotator bearing. A bottom wall of the rotator bearing cavity may have an aperture sized to allow fluid to flow through the aperture adjacent a lever shaft inserted through the rotator bearing and the aperture. A motor end of the motor lever arm may have a motor end cavity therein with two opposed spaced apart side walls.
US08533951B2 Joining method
Producing a solar trough collector includes fastening a mirror to a structure so that the mirror connects to the structure and has a holding container and a mirrored side facing away from the holding container, the mirror and structure forming joining components, aligning the mirror and structure into a joining position to form a joining gap between joining surfaces; at least temporarily fixing the joining components in the joining position by laying the mirrored side downward in a first holding device, suspending the structure in a second holding device arranged above the mirror, and moving holding devices into the joining position; filling the joining gaps with a joining medium; and allowing the joining medium to harden in the gap to form a permanent connection, wherein the holding devices are held in position until the joining medium has at least partially hardened.
US08533949B2 Methods of manufacture for components with cooling channels
A method of manufacturing a component is provided. The method includes forming one or more grooves in an outer surface of a substrate. Each groove extends at least partially along the surface of the substrate and has a base, a top and at least one discharge point. The method further includes forming a run-out region adjacent to the discharge point for each groove and disposing a coating over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. The groove(s) and the coating define one or more channels for cooling the component. Components with cooling channels are also provided.
US08533946B2 Method of manufacturing a crankshaft
A crankshaft is cast in a mold to define a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals, at least one of each has a hollow section extending therethrough. A single core is positioned within the mold to form all of the hollow sections. The single core may include a cross-section defining an elliptical shape to form hollow sections having an elliptical cross-sectional shape to further reduce the weight of the crankshaft. The hollow sections are each positioned along a path that minimizes stress within the crankshaft. The path may include a non-linear path relative to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft or a linear path angled relative to the longitudinal axis to bend or direct the hollow sections away from high stress regions of the crankshaft. The non-circular cross section of the core may spiral about its own axis to maximize mass reduction.
US08533940B2 Angled wire crimping tool
A crimping tool having an angled crimping portion and a method to use the crimping tool are provided. The angled crimping portion can be angled relative to the crimping tool handle or pivoting portion. The angled crimping portion can also be replaceable with various angled crimping portion having various angles. The angled crimping portion is also adjustable at different angles as needed by the user.
US08533935B2 Auxiliary tool for assembling voice coil motor
An auxiliary tool, for assembling a number of voice coil motors, includes a number of trays, a rod member, and two limiting members. Each of the trays includes a main portion and a plurality of support arms extending away from the main portion. The main portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The support arms and the main portion cooperatively define two receiving spaces respectively on the top surface and the bottom surface. Each voice coil motor is received in two receiving spaces of two neighboring trays and clamped by the two neighboring trays. The rod member passes through trays and the voice coil motors. The two limiting members are sleeved over the rod member at two ends of the rod member. The trays and the voice coil motors are limited between the two limiting members.
US08533933B2 Method for manufacturing and transport of a generator stator core
A method for manufacturing and preparing for assembly a stator core of a generator, the stator core having a central cylindrical bore along a longitudinal axis of the stator core, the method including in a first step, mounting a first press plate onto a tooling device and concomitantly and/or subsequently positioning at least one key bar to be manufactured in an axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis in a spaced manner along a peripheral circumference of the first press plate. The method includes in a second step, stacking a plurality of generator laminations onto the first press plate and mechanically coupling the plurality of generator laminations with the at least one key bar and, in a third step, mounting a second press plate onto the plurality of generator laminations, fixing the second press plate to at least one of the at least one key bar and at least one axial fixing device and concomitantly and/or subsequently exerting axial stress on the first and the second press plates.
US08533925B2 Method for contracting or crimping stents
An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
US08533923B2 Method and device for chain wheel change
A method for changing a chain wheel, a first chain wheel being on an axle, the method comprising (a) positioning a hydraulic cylinder at least partially within the axle. In addition, the method comprises (b) moving the first chain wheel off the axle with the hydraulic cylinder. Further, the method comprises (c) connecting the first chain wheel to a conveying device while the first chain wheel is held in position by the hydraulic cylinder. Still further, the method comprises (d) connecting a second chain wheel to the hydraulic cylinder while the second chain wheel is held in position by the conveying device. Moreover, the method comprises (e) moving the second chain wheel onto the axle with the hydraulic cylinder.
US08533918B1 Automatic zipper
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an automatic zipper. An apparatus for an automatic zipper includes a first placket tab and a second placket tab located on opposing sides of a zipper. The zipper also includes a slider body. The apparatus also includes a zipper connector permanently coupling the slider body to an anchor location on the first placket tab. The zipper connector is substantially non-stretchable and has a length such that the zipper connector maintains the distance between the anchor location and the slider body to be substantially the same or less than the distance between the anchor location and the slider body in the closed position.
US08533915B2 Button activated spring-loaded hinge assembly
A hinge assembly includes a first member, a second member, two rotary members, a resilient member, and a main shaft. The first member includes a cam surface. The two rotary members engage with the second member to constitute a latching cam surface engaging with the cam surface. The resilient member provides an elastic force for the first member to abut against the second member. The first member, the second member, the resilient member are placed around the main shaft. After the rotary members are rotated, the first member automatically rotates relative to the second member.
US08533898B2 Vehicle wiper device and vehicle
A vehicle wiper device including a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and a wiping range enlarging mechanism is disclosed. The wiper arm is driven by driving force of a drive source. The wiper blade is coupled to a distal portion of the wiper arm at a constant position relative to the wiper arm. The wiper blade moves back and forth between first and second reversing positions while wiping a wiping surface of a vehicle body when the wiper arm is driven. The wiping range enlarging mechanism drives the wiper arm while moving a basal portion of the wiper arm so that a wiping angle of a basal portion of the wiper arm becomes greater than a wiping angle of a distal portion of the wiper arm at the second reversing position.
US08533877B2 Patient trolley
A trolley for transporting a patient includes a couch for the patient, an extendable and retractable component, and a coupling device on the extendable and retractable component for coupling the trolley to a medical apparatus. The couch and the extendable and retractable component are arranged such that extending or retracting the extendable and retractable component when the trolley is coupled to the medical apparatus (NMR) causes a relative movement of the couch with respect to the medical apparatus.
US08533867B2 Hospital garment with adjustable pockets
A hospital garment and method includes a garment fabric having a set of sleeves constructed and arranged to enclose a patient's arms, and a body portion constructed and arranged to enclose a patient's back, chest, and abdomen. The body portion defines a front side corresponding to a region of the body portion constructed and arranged to be worn on top of the patient's chest and abdomen, and an inner surface constructed and arranged to face the patient's back, chest, and abdomen. The hospital garment also includes an adjustable pocket attached to the inner surface of the front side of the body portion. The adjustable pocket defines a left seam, a right seam, a bottom seam, an attaching surface, and a pocket chamber, the adjustable pocket attaching to the inner surface at the attaching surface.
US08533866B1 Article having an improved closure device
An article having an improved closure device. The article includes an opening including: (i) an overlapping portion with a receiving aperture; and (ii) an underlying surface; and (b) an asymmetrically offset fastener attached to the underlying surface of the article for fastening the underlying surface to the overlapping portion, wherein the asymmetrically offset fastener is dimensionally greater in one direction than in the other direction with respect to the aperture.
US08533864B1 Stabilizing garment system
A stabilizing garment system featuring a shirt component and a pant component and strips of spandex integrated into the shirt component and the pant component. The strips of spandex follow the path of a ligament or a muscle of the wearer. The strips of spandex can help provide compression or added support to the wearer's ligaments and/or muscles.
US08539609B2 Device managing apparatus, device managing system, and recording medium storing a software management program
A device managing apparatus for managing software installed in at least one device includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a software item to be installed in the device requires license validation; a validation unit configured to perform a license validation operation on the software item for which the determination unit determines that license validation is required, depending on an available license for the software item; and a setting unit configured to set a license issued by the validation unit in the device in which the software item is installed.
US08539606B2 Data protection method and data protection system
Present invention provides a data protection method, used by a data owner to share data with a data sharer securely through a data distribution system. The data owner first establishes a proxy relationship with the data sharer, while the data distribution system maintains a proxy relationship between the data owner and the data sharer, and after receiving encrypted shared data sent by the data owner, the data distribution system changes the encrypted shared data according to the proxy relationship, so that the data sharer may decrypt the data. By using the data protection method in the present invention, both encryption and decryption of data are a result of coordination of three parties, thereby avoiding a problem of data leakage caused by a problem of a single party.
US08539605B2 Data processing device and data processing method
A data encryption device is connected between an HDD and an HDD controller that controls the HDD. The data encryption device encrypts data that is stored from the HDD controller to the HDD, and decrypts data that is read from the HDD. A CPU of the data encryption device receives a command issued from the HDD controller to the HDD, and determines whether the command is executable at the HDD. When it is determined that the command is executable, the command is issued to the HDD. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command is unexecutable, the CPU prohibits issuance of the command to the HDD. Furthermore, when a command issued to the HDD is a specific command, the CPU bypasses data transferred between the HDD controller and the HDD without encryption or decryption.
US08539603B2 System and method for secure communication
A system for secure communication comprises a secure electronic messaging server which is accessible by the public and a database for storing data of messaging users. The data comprises the tracking of trust establishing out-of-band verification and the monitoring of the trust relations derived thereof, messaging user-based instructions related to the handling of incoming mails, wherein the instructions comprise information related to an at least one security level chosen by the messaging user. The system comprises message handlers to automatically handle in- and outgoing mails according to these instructions. This system allows transmitting messages privately and securely with minimum prerequisites for its users. The inventive system allows a secure transmitting of messages between a sender and a recipient, wherein only one of the two parties is a messaging user.
US08539590B2 Protecting electronic devices from extended unauthorized use
When unauthorized use of a device is suspected, a recharging mechanism (e.g., recharge-circuit) of the device is disabled in order to guard against extended unauthorized use of the device. The recharging mechanism normally recharges the rechargeable-power-supply that powers the device. Consequently, normal use and enjoyment of the device can be significantly reduced by disabling the rechager. Moreover, for devices that are mainly powered by a rechargeable-power-supply (e.g., music-players, phones, Personal Digital Assistants), disabling the recharger effectively renders the device inoperable when the power of the main power-supply has run out. As such, disabling the recharger should serve as a deterrent to theft.
US08539589B2 Adaptive configuration management system
An automated configuration management system (ACMS) oversees resources of a virtualized ecosystem by establishing a baseline configuration (including, e.g., security controls) for the resources; and, repeatedly, monitoring and collecting data from the resources, analyzing the data collected, making recommendations concerning configuration changes for the resources of the virtualized ecosystem based on the analysis, and either adopting and implementing the recommendations or not, wherein new states of the virtualized ecosystem and reactions to recommended changes are observed and applied in the form of new recommendations, and/or as adjustments to the baseline. The recommendations may be implemented automatically or only upon review by an administrator before being implemented or not. The various data may be analyzed according to benchmarks established for security and compliance criteria of the resources of the virtualized ecosystem, for example static/pre-defined or dynamically derived benchmarks/best practices.
US08539586B2 Method for evaluating system risk
A method for evaluating a system having at least one portal is provided, wherein the method includes examining the at least one portal to identify at least one accessible portal, performing a qualitative analysis responsive to the at least one accessible portal, performing a quantitative analysis responsive to the qualitative analysis and generating a risk profile responsive to the performing a qualitative analysis and the performing a quantitative analysis.
US08539584B2 Rootkit monitoring agent built into an operating system kernel
A rootkit monitoring agent (RMA) built into an operating system (OS) kernel for detecting a kernel-based rootkit and preventing subsequent effects of the rootkit. The RMA is activated as a kernel process subsequent to the OS initialization and stores a good state of OS kernel data structures including the System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) and Interrupt Descriptor Table (IDT). The RMA monitors the SSDT and IDT and detects that a hook previously stored in the good state is changed by an installation of suspect software. The RMA determines the suspect software is a kernel-based rootkit by determining a whitelist does not indicate the changed hook. The RMA restores the changed hook to its good state. The RMA updates a blacklist to reference the changed hook.
US08539583B2 Rollback feature
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for rolling back protection processes. In one aspect, a method includes determining that a file is a malicious file, storing a duplicate of the file in a quarantine area, performing one or more protection processes on the file, if the determination that the file is a malicious file is a false positive determination, restoring the file by a pre-boot rollback process to a state prior to the one or more protection processes performed on the file, and booting the computer with the restored file, and if the determination that the file is a malicious file is not a false positive determination, not restoring the file to a state prior to the one or more protection processes performed on the file, and booting the computer.
US08539579B2 Detecting spam short messages based on sending characteristics
A method and apparatus for spam short message detection. The method includes obtaining sending characteristics of at least two suspected short message sources, judging whether the two suspected short message sources have similar sending characteristics, and determining the two suspected short message sources as spammer if they have similar sending characteristics. A spammer that makes multiple short message sources send short messages alternately can be detected through similar sending characteristics of the short message sources.
US08539578B1 Systems and methods for defending a shellcode attack
A computer-implemented method for defending an attack from the execution of shellcode is described. Elements within a dynamically linked library (dll) may be duplicated. The dll resides in a first memory space. The duplicated elements may be redirected into a second memory space. A protection attribute may be established for the elements within the second memory space. A location of execution code attempting to access the elements within the second memory space may be determined. The execution code may be prevented from being executed based on the determined location.
US08539575B2 Techniques to manage access to organizational information of an entity
Techniques to manage access to organization information for an entity are described. An apparatus may include a presentation component operative to present an organizational chart on a presentation surface. The organizational chart may comprise multiple nodes associated with members of an organization, and connections between the nodes representing hierarchical relationships between the nodes. A security component may be communicatively coupled to the presentation component. The security component may be operative to receive a request to modify a characteristic of the organizational chart from an operator, access security settings for the operator, and authorize the operator to modify a characteristic of the organizational chart. Authorization may be granted, for example, when the operator is a delegate and a permission level for the delegate allows a modification operation associated with the modify request. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08539572B2 System and method for secure usage of peripheral devices using shared secrets
A system, method, and program product is provided that establishes a shared secret between a computer system and a peripheral device such as a removable nonvolatile storage device or a printer. After establishing the shared secret, the peripheral device is locked. After the peripheral device is locked, an unlock request is received and the shared secret is sent to the peripheral device. The peripheral device then attempts to verify the shared secret. If the shared secret is successfully verified, then the peripheral device is unlocked allowing use of the device by using an encryption key that is made available by the verified shared secret. On the other hand, if the shared secret is not verified, then the peripheral device remains locked and use of the device is prevented.
US08539569B2 Systems and methods for facilitating user authentication over a network
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for facilitating network transactions include user authentication over a network by providing strong mutual authentication of client web application to server side application server, providing session encryption key negotiation after authentication to continue encryption during communication, and providing a high-level encryption technique referred to as an effective zero knowledge proof of identity (eZKPI) algorithm. In various implementations, the eZKPI algorithm is adapted to couple something the user Knows (e.g., a password or personal identification number) with something the user Has (e.g., a secure identification card) to create a stronger identity authentication proof for access to a mobile device and applications running on the mobile device.
US08539553B2 System and method for managing delivery of internet content
Disclosed are a system and method for managing delivery of pushed web content to communication devices. In an embodiment, the method comprises: uniquely identifying a communication device to which the pushed web content is to be delivered; establishing a pushed web content service linking the pushed web content to the communication device; receiving a pushed web content service request; and permitting delivery of content to the communication device via the pushed web content service based on verification of the identity of a trusted pushed web content provider. The method may further comprise uniquely identifying the pushed web content provider with an assignable unique pushed web content identification.
US08539547B2 Policy selector representation for fast retrieval
A method and apparatus for representing policies and searching for polices that match a packet are provided. The policies being represented and searched for include policies that overlap and policies that have “don't care” attributes.
US08539544B2 Method of optimizing policy conformance check for a device with a large set of posture attribute combinations
A method, apparatus, and electronic device for conforming integrity of a client device 106 are disclosed. A memory 1100 may store a policy tag 404 associated with a subgroup of a group of policies 1102 and having a tag timestamp. A network interface 1060 may receive the certificate of health 300 from the client device 106. A processor 1010 may extract from the certificate of health a certificate timestamp 302 and a policy tag 304. The processor 1010 may access the tag timestamp. The processor 1010 may execute a comparison of the certificate timestamp 302 with the tag timestamp. The network interface 1060 may grant access to a network 104 based in part upon the comparison.
US08539540B2 Interactive advertising monitoring system
Disclosed is an interactive advertising system that utilizes an analyzing tool that is capable of analyzing and displaying overlay data and signaling data that is transmitted to set top boxes to be displayed. If problems exist with the data, the analyzing tool is capable of storing and displaying the data for later analysis.
US08539532B2 Retransmission manager and method of managing retransmission
The invention provides a retransmission manager for use in a digital content delivery system, wherein the delivery system comprises a plurality of user devices, a set of content providers for delivering digital content to the user devices in the form of bursts of content through a source unit. The retransmission manager is connected to the user devices to receive notifications therefrom, each notification received from a given user device identifying a burst received by the given user device which is candidate for retransmission. The retransmission manager selects a set of bursts among the bursts identified by the notifications based on the amount of available bandwidth at the source unit and on negotiation messages received from at least one of the plurality of content providers, the negotiation message being related to at least one burst identified in the notifications and including, for each burst, a negotiation parameter. The retransmission manager then sends a request for retransmission of the selected bursts to the source unit.
US08539530B1 Method and apparatus for ordering entertainment programs from different programming transmission sources
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for ordering entertainment programs from different programming transmission sources. A selection is received from an entertainment system to buy an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission. The purchase is automatically coordinated and the upgraded media feature is automatically provided for the programming by a server system. The server system bills a client for services performed by the server system and provides billing information about the client to at least one of a plurality of programming transmission sources that provided the programming transmission.
US08539524B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The DTV includes an access point (AP) card. The method includes receiving emergency alert information and independent space identification (ID) information from a management server, comparing independent space ID information pre-stored in the DTV with the received independent space ID information, parsing the emergency alert information when the pre-stored independent space ID information is identical to the received independent space ID information, and switching an operation mode of the DTV from a power-off mode to a wake mode on the basis of the parsed emergency alert information, and displaying the emergency alert message.
US08539522B2 Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US08539519B2 Methods and apparatus to adaptively select sensor(s) to gather audience measurement data based on a variable system factor and a quantity of data collectable by the sensors
Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather.
US08539507B2 Service oriented architecture
A computer system and method of using a service oriented architecture (SOA) which runs business service application in a distributed network. The system has a channel dependent client layer containing a presentation layer and an application control layer, a channel independent service layer containing a business service layer and a data service layer and an integration layer. The integration layer can receive requests for service from the client layer and has a message generator for sending a request message to the service layer which is adapted to read the request message and in response, to run the business service application.
US08539501B2 Managing access to a shared resource in a data processing system
Processes requiring access to shared resources are adapted to issue a reservation request, such that a place in a resource access queue, such as one administered by means of a semaphore system, can be reserved for the process. The reservation is issued by a Reservation Management module at a time calculated to ensure that the reservation reaches the head of the queue as closely as possible to the moment at which the process actually needs access to the resource. The calculation may be made on the basis of priority information concerning the process itself, and statistical information gathered concerning historical performance of the queue.
US08539500B2 Efficient partial execution for the parallelization of software analysis in a distributed computing environment
An electronic device includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and one or more policies stored in the memory. The policies include a resource availability policy determining whether the processor should continue evaluating the software, and a job availability policy determining whether new jobs will be created for unexplored branches. The processor is configured to receive a job to be executed, evaluate the software, select a branch to explore and store an initialization sequence of one or more unexplored branches if a branch in the software is encountered, evaluate the job availability policy, decide whether to create a job for each of the unexplored branches based on the job availability policy, evaluate the resource availability policy, and decide whether to continue evaluating the software at the branch selected to explore based on the resource availability policy. The job indicates of a portion of software to be evaluated.
US08539498B2 Interprocess resource-based dynamic scheduling system and method
A method and system for scheduling tasks in a processing system. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing tasks from a primary work queue, wherein the tasks consume resources that are operable to be released. Whenever the volume of resources that have been consumed exceeds a threshold, the processor executes tasks from a secondary work queue for a period of time. The secondary work queue is comprised of tasks from the primary work queue that can release the resources; the secondary work queue can be sorted according to the volume of resources that can be released.
US08539497B2 Method for organizing software so the set of extensions for an extendable application can be run securely
The operating system organizes software so the set of extensions for an extendable application can be dynamically discovered and the extension can be run securely. Extensions are run as separate applications instead of within the extendable application's process. Extensions are discoverable to an activated extendable application by querying a category catalog. A category provides at least a partial description of a contract between an activating software entity and a software entity that is activated by the activating software entity. The category may enumerate a set of configuration settings associated with the contract that may be used to set up an isolated execution environment for the activated software entity. The category may also specify one or more extension points to be used for communication between the activating and activated software entities. The category may also include a list of software entities that implement the category.
US08539489B2 System for dedicating a number of processors to a network polling task and disabling interrupts of the dedicated processors
Improving the performance of multitasking processors are provided. For example, a subset of M processors within a Symmetric Multi-Processing System (SMP) with N processors is dedicated for a specific task. The M (M>0) of the N processors are dedicate to a task, thus, leaving (N−M) processors for running normal operating system (OS). The processors dedicated to the task may have their interrupt mechanism disabled to avoid interrupt handler switching overhead. Therefore, these processors run in an independent context and can communicate with the normal OS and cooperation with the normal OS to achieve higher network performance.
US08539485B2 Polling using reservation mechanism
A first thread enters a polling loop to wait for a signal from a second thread before processing instructions dependent on the polling loop. When entering the polling loop, the first thread sets a reservation for a predetermined memory address. The first thread then executes a reservation-based instruction that can change the execution state of the first thread. Reservation circuitry of the processing device that was executing the first thread monitors the reservation. In the event that the reservation cleared, such as by the second thread modifying data at the predetermined memory address, the first thread is reinstated to its prior execution state. By using a hardware reservation mechanism to monitor for clearing of a set reservation, repeated memory accesses to the memory address by the first thread can be minimized or avoided while in the polling loop and other threads can be allowed to execute at the processing device with reduced interference from the waiting thread.
US08539484B1 Multi-platform computer system management for virtualized environments
A virtual machine management system is configured to manage a plurality of computing systems each configured to support virtual machines. The virtual management system is configured to transparently manage the computing systems even in cases where the virtual machines are supported by different hypervisors. In some embodiments, this capability simplifies the management of cloud computing systems including software provided by different virtual machine vendors.
US08539479B2 System and method for application function consolidation
Systems and methods that facilitate keeping or improving the current/prior level of complexity in a software package, despite enhancement package additions. To keep the current number of business functions (e.g., some software configuration or functionality), new packages may have to consolidate older ones. Consolidating business functions may include dissolving those functions into the core set of functions (e.g., those functions that are “always on”) or to merge them with other business functions (e.g., to be switched on or off as a set). Additionally, if a function is simply not used, and will never be used again, the function may be dissolved completely. Regardless, disruption to the customer should be minimized by any consolidation of functions. Systems and methods identify functions that can be automatically consolidated, and facilitate the consolidation of any remaining functions.
US08539477B2 Managed environment update selection
Software update selection information can be obtained for each of multiple machines in a managed environment. The update selection information for each machine can represent selections of software updates corresponding to software installed on the machine. The software update selection information for the machines can be aggregated to produce aggregated software update selection information. In addition, the aggregated software update selection information can be used to produce a subscription set of software update selections corresponding to software to update on the machines. The subscription set can exclude available software update selections that do not correspond to software installed on the machines.
US08539475B2 API backward compatibility checking
A system and method for automatically determining whether a newer version of an application programming interface (API) is backwards compatible with an older version is disclosed. The method includes comparing the two versions of the API to determine a set of atomic differences between the two versions and applying a set of backwards compatibility rules to the set of atomic differences. For each atomic difference, applying the rules includes analyzing the atomic difference to determine any applicable backwards compatibility rules and evaluating each applicable rule for the atomic difference to determine whether the atomic difference represents a violation. The method also includes storing an indication of any backwards compatibility violations from the evaluation.
US08539472B2 Method and system of updating shared memory
A method and system is disclosed for updating a shared memory or other memory location where multiple entities rely on code stored to the same memory to support one or more operation functions. The shared memory may be updated such that the code intended to the replace the currently stored code may be relied upon prior to replacement of the code currently written to the shared memory.
US08539468B2 System and methods for replacing software application classes using transparent object adapters
A computer-implemented method for creating transparent object adapters for replaced classes in an multi-subsystem application is provided. The method includes determining whether an original class of the original subsystem is referenced by at least one other of the multiple subsystems in response to substituting a new subsystem for an original one. If the original class is referenced by at least one other of the multiple subsystems, a pair of corresponding classes for the original class is generated. One of the generated classes defines an object adapter class having the same name and package as the original class, the other class defining a new class. The method further includes configuring the object adapter class to export methods referenced by at least one of the other subsystems and to transform data and/or handle references to adapter objects passed as parameters or returned values. Additionally, the method includes configuring the object adapter class and the new class to maintain references to one another.
US08539463B2 Apparatus and method for improving the performance of compilers and interpreters of high level programming languages
A content processing device and corresponding method are disclosed. The content processing device includes a compiler front end to parse programming language source code into an high level intermediate representation and a detection component to detect high level constructs in the intermediate representation of the source code that satisfy constraints for parallel-merging high level constructs. And a parallel-merging component modifies the high level intermediate representation of the source code by parallel-merging the detected constructs to generate new high level parallel-merged constructs in a modified high-level intermediate representation of the source code that enable runtime operations of the detected constructs when finally lowered into processor instructions to be able to execute in parallel using the executable code generated from the modified intermediate representation.
US08539462B2 Method for allocating registers for a processor based on cycle information
A method of allocating registers for a processor based on cycle information is disclosed. The processor comprises a first cluster and a second cluster. Each cluster comprises a first functional unit, a second functional unit, a first local register file connected to the first functional unit, a second local register file connected to the second register file, and a global register file having a ping-pong structure formed by a first register bank and a second register bank. After building a Component/Register Type Associated Data Dependency Graph (CRTA-DDG), a functional unit assignment, register file assignment, ping-pong register bank assignment, and cluster assignment are performed to take full advantage of the properties of a processor as well as cycle information.
US08539461B2 Method for identifying memory of virtual machine and computer system thereof
A method for identifying memories of virtual machines is provided. The method is adapted to a computer system executing at least one virtual machine, and an operating system is executed on the virtual machine. The method includes the following steps. A kernel file of the operating system is obtained, and the kernel file includes version information of the operation system. A source code and a configuration file of the operating system are obtained according to the version information, and the versions of the source code and the configuration file are complied with the version of the operating system. An object file is generated by compiling a fixed interface function with the source code according to the configuration file. Memory pages of the virtual machine are identified according to the object file. Furthermore, a computer system using the foregoing method is also provided.
US08539459B2 Code obfuscation and controlling a processor by emulation
An individual security program is randomly chosen by way of a respective key and is then packaged with a games program to provide an executable program file which is applied to a storage media, such as an optical disc. Whenever the security program is running, the object code it produces is obfuscated to make it difficult to overcome the protection by identifying and removing the security program. The obfuscated object code is produced by substituting a variable in source code with a function of the variable. When the source code is compiled to produce the object code, the function causes the variable to be presented in the compiled object code as a series of operations.
US08539451B2 Systems and methods for model checking the precision of programs employing floating-point operations
Methods and systems for verifying the precision of a program that utilizes floating point operations are disclosed. Interval and affine arithmetic can be employed to build a model of the program including floating point operations and variables that are expressed as reals and integers, thereby permitting accurate determination of precision loss using a model checker. Abstract interpretation can be also employed to simplify the model. In addition, counterexample-guided abstraction refinement can be used to refine the values of parametric error constants introduced in the model.
US08539448B2 System and method for automatically testing a program for safety-related automation systems
A method and system are provided for automatically testing a program for automation systems (e.g., programmable logic controllers) with regard to maintaining programming guidelines for program design for automation systems. A copy of at least part of a safety-related program is obtained from a development system for automation systems as a copy to be tested. The program copy to be tested is loaded into a test device for testing programs. The test device has access to programming guidelines for program testing. The test device automatically performs the program test with regard to maintaining programming guidelines, and outputs the test result.
US08539447B2 Real-time validation of interactive applications
A validation tool providing real-time validation of interactive content applications includes a static analysis engine that extrapolates the timeline of an application and the application's behavior over that timeline. The static analysis engine watches various types of data associated with the application's markup document and works through an editor to inform the user if the application has exceeded defined limits as the application is being built. The validation tool is further configured with a dynamic simulator that is arranged as a state machine that shares state information with the static analysis engine to enable the validation tool to display useful information such as pixel buffer usage at a given time code. The validation tool is further configured to provide a real-time application preview with which the user may interact to immediately evaluate cause and effect of any changes that are made in the application code using the editor.
US08539446B2 Reduced interoperability validation sets for multi-feature products
Systems and methods of validating multi-feature products can provide for identifying a feature combination for a product, and expanding the feature combination to include additional features only if the additional features are interoperable with all features in the feature combination and the additional features are new to the feature combination. The feature combination and the expanded feature combination may be added to a validation set for the product, wherein the validation set can be used to validate various platform configurations of the product.
US08539445B2 Method for generating a robust software signature
A method and a corresponding system and computer-usable medium for discovering software products on a plurality of one or more computers. The discovering method, system and/or computer-usable medium can populate a software catalogue without the manual intervention of an administrator. Such an approach reduces the cost of producing and maintaining a comprehensive knowledge base (e.g., the catalogue), which contains definitions of software products and the related signature. Signature definitions combine information obtained by the data gathering process and information contained in the registries. This combination allows the creation of a robust signature which reduces to a great extent the possibilities of both “false positive” and “false negative” results.
US08539444B2 System and method for platform-independent, script-based application generation for spreadsheet software
A script-based application generation for spreadsheet software reads from one or more spreadsheets rendered by a spreadsheet program, description written in said text-based language, the text-based language for describing user interfaces, data models and/or workflow models or combinations thereof. The text-based language is independent of the spreadsheet program. The description is parsed and from the description one or more user interfaces, data model or workflow model or combinations thereof are generated in the spreadsheet program.
US08539439B2 Asynchronous programming model mapping
Mapping is performed between operations of an abstract asynchronous programming model and a concrete asynchronous programming model. In other words, differences between asynchronous programming models are bridged to enable interaction.
US08539436B2 System and method for rule-based distributed engineering
The invention relates to a system and a method for providing specifications for a project, in particular for an engineering project for creating an automation solution. The system comprises first means for creating a file containing the specifications and at least one project planning environment for creating a solution on the basis of the specifications, with the file containing the specifications being imported into the at least one project planning environment as meta knowledge. A simple provision of specifications to be used for a project is hereby enabled.
US08539434B2 Method for the management, logging or replay of the execution of an application process
This invention relates to a management method, more particularly by recording or external control, of software operations performed within the execution of an application process executed on a computer. This management applies in particular to the recording of operations in the form of logging data, or to a replay of operations according to a given execution corresponding to a running previously logged running This method applies in particular to operations returning at least one result datum to the managed process, and comprises the carrying out of at least one complementary management phase for the managed operation, this complementary management depending on the deterministic or non deterministic nature of the managed operation or of its result.
US08539432B2 Computer product, circuit design method and apparatus for designing electronic apparatus in which multiple printed-circuit boards are mounted
A computer-readable recording medium stores a program that causes a computer to execute a circuit design process. The process includes selecting component data in first board data from among the first board data including first connector component data and second board data including second connector component data that is associated with the first connector component data; setting a connection destination net name of the selected component data to a first vacant terminal of the first connector component data; and setting the connection destination net name of the component data to a second vacant terminal of the second connector component data that corresponds to the first vacant terminal of the first connector data when the component data is moved from the first board data to the second board data.
US08539431B2 Method and tool for designing electronic circuits on a printed circuit board
The invention relates to a design method and tool for designing electronic circuits on a printed circuit board, wherein at least one self-contained, pre-composed domain is used, wherein the domain is a module chosen from a pre-composed architecture library, including self-contained pre-designed electronic modules represented by logical architecture and corresponding physical architecture.
US08539427B2 Device mismatch corner model
A device mismatch corner model for semiconductor device simulation is provided. A method of providing the device mismatch corner model for semiconductor device simulation, includes selecting a type of electric performance target F for a type of device, determining a number N of semiconductor devices for which mismatches among electric performance targets of the semiconductor devices are simulated, and determining a desired k-sigma mismatch corner value among N(N−1)/2 pairs of the electric performance targets. The method further includes identifying at least one electric parameter P of the semiconductor devices that has a mismatch component and contributes to the mismatches among the electric performance targets of the semiconductor devices, determining a plurality of corner values for the at least one electrical parameter P, and running at most N circuit simulations based on the determined plurality of corner values which are recalculated for each of the circuit simulations.
US08539422B2 Method and system for power delivery network analysis
The subject application relates to a method and system for power delivery network analysis. The present disclosure is directed towards a computer-implemented method for displaying one or more results of a power delivery network (PDN) analysis associated with an electronic circuit design. The method may include extracting, using at least one processor, an electromagnetic (EM) model for each of one or more discontinuity structures associated with the electronic circuit design. The method may further include performing a power delivery network analysis of the electronic circuit design, the PDN analysis including a Method of Moments (MoM) calculation. The method may also include displaying a three dimensional image depicting one or more results of the PDN analysis. Numerous other features are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
US08539421B2 Layout-specific classification and prioritization of recommended rules violations
A method, system, and computer program product for classifying and prioritizing a set of recommended rule (RR) violations in an integrated circuit (IC) design are provided in the illustrative embodiments. The set of RR violations is received. A layout corresponding to the IC design is received. A set of features is selected in the layout. A classification model corresponding to the set of features is selected. Using the set of features and the classification model, the first RR violation is classified into a classification from a set of classifications. The classification is prioritized in an order of priority such that the first RR violation in the classification is recommended for remedying in the order of priority.
US08539420B2 Method and apparatus for self-annealing multi-die interconnect redundancy control
An apparatus for interconnecting a first die and a second die of a multi-die device includes a master circuit block that interfaces with the first die of the multi-die device, a slave circuit block that interfaces with the second die of the multi-die device, a first memory in the slave circuit block, a second memory in the master circuit block, and a plurality of μbumps between the first die and the second die, wherein the master circuit block and the slave circuit block are configured to identify one of the μbumps as a faulty μbump, and store a first value that corresponds with the identified faulty μbump in the first memory.
US08539416B1 Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for creating a hierarchical output for an operation in an electronic design
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for processing a electronic design, which use a computer system to identify an operation associated with a task to be performed on the electronic design, to generate a hierarchical output for multiple shapes for performing the task based at least in part on performing an operation associated with the task, and to display or to store the hierarchical output. The task comprises a dummy fill insertion task or a design verification task in some embodiments. The methods or the systems may further determine or identify an inverse transform and apply the inverse transform to a shape before adding the shape to the hierarchical output. In some embodiments, there exists no duplication among the shapes in the hierarchical output.
US08539413B1 Frequency optimization using useful skew timing
A circuit analysis tool is provided for optimizing circuit clock operating frequency using useful skew timing analysis. The instructions supply clock signal with an optimized operating frequency. A first gate signal input slack time is determined with respect to the clock signal to the first gate. If the first gate signal input has a negative slack time, a delay is added to the first clock signal. A second gate signal input slack time is determined with respect to the clock signal to the second gate. If the second gate signal input slack time is negative, a delay is added to the second clock signal necessary to create a second gate signal input positive slack time. In response to the first and second gate signal input positive slack times, it is determined that the circuit successfully operates at the clock optimized operating frequency.
US08539403B2 Reducing observability of memory elements in circuits
A method, apparatus and computer program product for modifying a circuit design. The method comprising: obtaining a design of a circuit, the design comprising at least a first memory element and a second memory element. The method further comprising selecting the second memory element to be a dominant memory element over the first memory element. The method further comprising modifying the design of the circuit by replacing usage of an output signal of the first memory element with usage of an output signal of the dominant memory element in one or more cycles in which values of the output signals of the first memory element and the dominant memory element are equal. Whereby a reduction in observabiltiy of the first memory element in the design is achieved.
US08539398B2 Model for a hardware device-independent method of defining embedded firmware for programmable systems
A processing device programming system automatically provides a user interface comprising a selectable list of one or more processing devices based on a system level solution, automatically generates an embedded programmable system solution from the system level solution and a processing device selected from the selectable list of one or more processing devices, and automatically programs the processing device according to the embedded programmable system solution.
US08539396B2 Stitch and trim methods for double patterning compliant standard cell design
A method for creating double patterning compliant integrated circuit layouts is disclosed. The method allows patterns to be assigned to different masks and stitched together during lithography. The method also allows portions of the pattern to be removed after the process.
US08539391B2 Edge fragment correlation determination for optical proximity correction
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for determining edge fragment correlation information. With various implementations of the invention, image intensity slope information for edge fragments in a layout design is determined. The image intensity slope information comprises information describing how image intensity for each of the edge fragments changes with its position. Image amplitude sensitivity information for the edge fragments is also determined. The image amplitude sensitivity information comprises information describing how image amplitude for each of the edge fragments changes with positions of neighboring edge fragments. Based on the image intensity slope information and the image amplitude sensitivity information, edge fragment correlation information for the edge fragments is determined. Using the edge fragment correlation information, the layout design may be processed by using, for example, OPC techniques. This OPC process may be performed on the whole layout design or problematic layout regions identified by a conventional OPC process.
US08539389B2 Correlation of device manufacturing defect data with device electrical test data
Various embodiments related to correlating a location of a defect on a substrate for a semiconductor device to an electrical significance of a device structure at that location are disclosed. For example, one embodiment includes receiving a defect location for the location on the substrate where the defect was detected; receiving a physical representation of the semiconductor device for the defect location; generating a significance determination indicating whether the defect is located in an electrically significant region by correlating the defect location to logical and physical layout information included in the physical representation; and displaying the significance determination.
US08539387B1 Using beat combinations for controlling electronic devices
Beat combinations may be used in controlling operations or functions of a handheld electronic device. The beat combinations may be applied via a presence-sensitive interface in the handheld electronic device. The presence-sensitive interface may be implemented using a display or screen of the handheld electronic device. The beat combinations may comprise a series of tap steps, with each tap step comprising an arbitrary tap location, and having specific tap criteria (e.g., number of taps and/or duration of each of the taps.). The beat combinations may also comprise tap-and-slide combinations, involving an initial tap location, which may be an arbitrary location in the presence-sensitive interface, followed by a sequence of preconfigured slides, having preconfigured slide movements, to other tapping locations. The beat combinations may allow for acceptable tolerances associated with each of tap steps (e.g., allowing for acceptable variation of location, tap criteria, and/or slide movements).
US08539380B2 Integration of location logs, GPS signals, and spatial resources for identifying user activities, goals, and context
Described are methods that utilize a geographic location technology (e.g., GPS) to determine user location data, and existing network-based websites (e.g., Internet websites) for searching and accessing data related to the location data such that the user context can be developed and stored. A location component is provided that determines location data of a wireless communications device of a user. A context component is provided that accesses context data based on the location data to define a context in which the device is located. Activities, goals, and overall context of a user can be inferred through statistical fusion of multiple sources of evidence. The context data is presented to the user via the wireless device such that the user can make decisions as to where to go, for example. User preferences can be accessed and applied to filter context data according to what the user desires to see and access.
US08539378B2 Method, computer program and data processing system for navigating in a flow diagram
A method of navigating in a flow diagram is disclosed. The flow diagram is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) and the flow diagram comprises a set of task elements and a set of connectors. A set of navigation commands is provided. The set of navigation commands comprises a first navigation command and a second navigation command. A selector is moved from a first task element of the set of task elements to a first connector of the set of connectors in response to the reception of the first navigation command, wherein the first connector immediately succeeds the first task element in the flow diagram. Furthermore, the selector is moved from the first connector to the first task element in response to the reception of the second navigation command.
US08539377B2 Image capture and manipulation
The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for image capture and manipulation.
US08539374B2 Graphical user interface for electronic devices
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display and a processor configured to control the display of a graphical user interface on the display. The electronic device further includes a computer readable medium containing instructions for configuring the processor to provide a menu. The menu includes a plurality of links. The links include at least one link that corresponds to a submenu. The submenu includes a further plurality of links. The processor monitors a plurality of user inputs and monitors the position of a cursor within the display. The processor displays the menu upon entry of a first user input, and displays the submenu upon selection of the corresponding submenu link within the menu. When the cursor is within a content portion of the display and the menu is not displayed, the processor displays the submenu upon entry of a second user input, without first displaying the menu.
US08539366B2 Representing an interest priority of an object to a user based on personal histories or social context
A method and apparatus assigns a quantative variable to each object (or set of objects) in a collection available to a user. The quantative variable is referred to as the Interest Priority Value (IPV). The IPV defines a range of states of the object, between ‘accessed’ and ‘unaccessed’, and is calculated based on one or more attributes of the object. A object with the highest IPV is the most ‘unaccessed,’ and the object with the lowest IPV is the least ‘unaccessed.’ The IPV may be used in a visual representation of the collection of objects, thereby permitting a user to readily identify and obtain those objects of greatest interest to the particular user.
US08539364B2 Attaching external virtual universes to an existing virtual universe
The present invention is directed to attaching an external virtual universe to an existing virtual universe. A method for enhancing a preexisting virtual universe (VU) in a computerized system may include providing an external virtual universe in a second computerized system, where the external virtual universe is configured so as to be attachable to the first, preexisting virtual universe. As a result, residents of virtual universes can create, run, and/or host their real estate, inventory items, and/or avatars (including all necessary geometries, textures, scripts, etc.) using their own computing devices, which may be inserted, attached, and detached from the VU grid.
US08539360B2 Management of data on related websites
A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product of managing and sharing entries into a webpage are presented. The computer-implemented method receives an input to an input box located in a first webpage on a first network. This input is analyzed to determine its subject matter, and is then migrated into an appropriate subject box on the webpage. In one embodiment, the input is then shared with another webpage, for the same user, which is on a second network.
US08539354B2 Method and apparatus for interactively sharing video content
Teachings presented herein provide a method of sharing video content over one or more communication networks. In particular, a first user can initiate a “video push,” wherein specified video content is delivered to a second user via a video call. Return video content from the second user is received over the video call. Sending the return video content to the first user allows the first user to observe the second user's reaction to the pushed video content, thereby enhancing the experience of sharing video content for both users. The return video content can be streamed back to the first user in real-time or near real-time, or can be buffered for non real-time return. Thus the outgoing leg of a video call pushes specified video content to a targeted user, and, advantageously, the incoming leg of the video call receives return video capturing the targeted user's reaction to the pushed video.
US08539353B2 Tabs for managing content
A computer-implemented method for interacting with a file stored on a computing device that includes a display. The method includes causing a first user interface element to be displayed; receiving user input; determining that the user input is received for a duration of time greater than a threshold value; and, in response to determining, causing a first full tab to be displayed on a first side of the first user interface element, where the first full tab is associated with a first function for manipulating the file.
US08539350B2 Automatic language selection for improving text accuracy
A method, and a handheld electronic device that implements the method, for selecting a number of languages used by a text disambiguation function executed by an electronic device during a text entry session. The method comprises determining a context for the text entry session, and responsive to the determining, selecting at least some of the number of languages used by the text disambiguation function during the text entry session.
US08539348B2 Handheld electronic device providing proposed corrected input in response to erroneous text entry in environment of text requiring multiple sequential actuations of the same key, and associated method
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able in certain circumstances of erroneous input to provide proposed corrected output.
US08539341B2 Electronic document reader
We describe a method of displaying a document page with a predetermined size using a display device having edges defining lateral dimensions not substantially larger than said predetermined size and having a central re-writable display portion and a non-re-writable border, said document page comprising a central, foreground portion bearing one or both of text and graphics, a background having a background color and at least one margin having said background color, the method comprising: inputting page data defining a page for display; processing said page data to crop margins of said page such that, when displayed on said re-writable display portion, said non-re-writable border gives the appearance of said cropped margins, said processing generating cropped page data; and outputting said cropped page data for display on said re-writable display portion of said display.
US08539340B2 Method to serve real-time data in embedded web server
The present technique serves Web pages that are mixed with dynamic data from an embedded system using object files to access the dynamic data. The technique constructs the object files in the embedded system in real-time separate from the Web pages. The technique then merges the dynamic data with the Web pages and displays the data-populated Web pages via a Web browser. The data/page merging process may be performed at either the server side or the client side.
US08539335B2 Entering data into a webpage
Methods, systems, and computer program products for entering data into a web page by means of a data processing system. The method includes detecting a wireless device and forming a communication link between the data processing system and the wireless device. The method also includes retrieving data from the wireless device. The method also includes populating fields in the web-page with the retrieved data.
US08539333B2 Technique for changing the display of web pages as time passes
A display device for displaying a web page is provided, which displays each of the contents contained in a web page so that users can recognize whether the content is new or not. The display device has a displaying unit, an acquiring unit, and a changing unit. The displaying unit displays an image of each of the contents contained in the web page. The acquiring unit acquires a reference time point as a criterion of the age of each of the contents. The changing unit changes, for each of the contents, the image of the content displayed by the displaying unit to an image in which the age of the content is reflected in accordance with expiration of the reference time point.
US08539331B2 Editable bookmarks shared via a social network
Editable bookmarks shared via a social network are described. In embodiments, a bookmark is received from a client device at a media content service. The bookmark corresponds to a media asset and includes an identifier of the media asset. Metadata associated with the media asset is added to the bookmark to generate an editable bookmark. A bookmark invitation is also received from the client device, and the bookmark invitation is directed to social network contacts of a user of the client device. The editable bookmark can then be communicated to receiving client devices of the respective social network contacts identified by the bookmark invitation, and a receiving client device can initiate playback of the media asset that corresponds to the editable bookmark. Further, the editable bookmark can be updated when additional data associated with the media asset is received from a social network contact via a respective client device.
US08539324B2 Processing unit
A processing unit includes: a cache memory including a plurality of memory elements; an error detection circuit configured to detect an error when a first timing for reading data from the cache memory is behind a threshold; a latch circuit configured to set a second timing for latching the data based on an output from the error detection circuit and to latch the data at the second timing; and a processing unit core to process the data latched by the latch circuit.
US08539323B2 Encoding and decoding methods and apparatus for use in a wireless communication system
The claimed subject matter relates to encoding and decoding information in a wireless communication system using soft-demodulation and interleaving of concatenated code received in a strip channel. A set of symbols is received containing a plurality of information bits, dividing the received set of symbols into a plurality of subsets of symbols, each subset corresponding to the input of an inner code demodulation selecting a set of initial a priori values of the inner code demodulation for each subset of symbols, and demodulating each subset of symbols, using the initial a priori values of the subset of symbols and an inner code generator matrix, to generate a plurality of first soft information values as the output of the inner code demodulation.
US08539322B2 Data processing apparatus and method, and program
The present invention relates to data processing apparatus and method, and a program which make it possible to scatter burst errors with respect to both codes of a product code.A block-wise interleaver performs interleaving A, which is a process of inputting data in the order of the column direction as one direction, and reading the data in the order of the direction diagonally downward to the right, NB bits by NB bits (=block by block) with respect to ND×NB×NA bits of a product code. Next, the block-wise interleaver performs interleaving B, which is a process of inputting data in the order of the column direction as one direction, and reading the data in the order of the row direction as the other direction, NB bits by NB bits with respect to (NC−ND)×NB×NA bits representing the parity portion of an inner code indicated by P, of the product code. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a recording/reproducing apparatus.
US08539320B2 Device and method for the fine synchronisation of different versions of a received data stream
The Invention pertains to the field of broadcasting digital services to terminals for transmitting said services, and concerns the problem of the smooth transfer between two versions of a same stream upstream from a transmitter within transmission networks on a single modulation frequency. The invention relates to a device for the fine synchronization of different versions of a data stream received with a certain offset or various jitters. In order to do so, the device includes different paths for detecting errors (ETR) and synchronizing the stream (SNF).
US08539316B2 Method and device for synchronizing reception of data packets
In order in particular to allow a synchronization on data packets, the method comprises: a first check that a data set which would be protected by an error detection code, does not comprise any error, the frame comprising the data set; a synchronization on one of the packets comprising the set if the check indicates that the data set does not comprise any error. The invention also relates to a corresponding synchronization module and an apparatus implementing this module.
US08539312B2 Memory system and method using a memory device die stacked with a logic die using data encoding, and system using the memory system
A memory system and method using at least one memory device die stacked with and coupled to a logic die by interconnects, such as through silicon vias. One such logic die includes an ECC system generating error checking and correcting (“ECC) bits corresponding to write data. The write data are transmitted to the memory device dice in a packet containing a serial burst of a plurality of parallel data bits. The ECC bits are transmitted to the memory device dice using through silicon vias that are different from the vias through which data are coupled. Such a logic die could also include a data bus inversion (“DBI”) system encoding the write data using a DBI algorithm and transmitting to the memory device dice DBI bits indicating whether the write data have been inverted. The DBI bits are transmitted using through silicon vias that are shared with the ECC bits when they are unused for transferring the ECC bits.
US08539310B2 Memory device and refresh adjusting method
When a single error of data is detected by an ECC circuit, a cycle adjusting unit provided on a memory board shortens a refresh cycle T1 of a refresh request generating unit to T2 and causes a patrol controlling unit to intensively carry out an error patrol of an error-occurred address at a cycle T3, which is slightly longer than the changed refresh cycle T2. If an error is not detected for more than a predetermined period of time after the error patrol is started, the error patrol is stopped.Furthermore, if a single error is not detected for more than a predetermined period of time after the error patrol is stopped, the shortening of the refresh cycle is cancelled and returned to the original cycle.
US08539306B2 Data processing circuit and data processing method
A data processing circuit includes a receive circuit that receives data including a control bit for controlling a process of the data, a hold circuit that holds the received data, an error detection circuit that detects an error in the received data, a first correction circuit that corrects the received data when an error of the control bit in the received data is detected, and outputs the corrected data, and an output select circuit that outputs data held in the hold circuit when no error is detected in the control bit, and outputs the corrected data outputted from the first correction circuit when an error is detected in the control bit.
US08539297B1 Determining whether a wireless access node should retransmit data packets based on the condition of a reverse wireless link
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for determining whether a wireless device should retransmit data packets based on the condition of a reverse wireless link. In a particular embodiment, a method provides exchanging wireless data packet communications between a wireless device and an access node on a wireless network. The method further provides transmitting a first packet set from the access node to the wireless device on a forward wireless link. The method further provides determining a reverse noise ratio, signal interference noise ratio, and packet error rate on a reverse wireless link and generating a confidence level indicator based on the reverse noise ratio, signal interference noise ratio, and packet error rate. The method further provides determining whether to retransmit the first packet set from the access node to the wireless device based on the confidence level indicator.
US08539296B2 Coordination of packet and acknowledgment retransmissions
Techniques generally related to a multi-copy transmission scheme are described. A first wireless communication device may transmit Xi copies of each ith packet in an N numbers of packets over a wireless communication link to a second wireless communication device. In response, the second wireless may transmit Y copies of an acknowledgement over the wireless communication link to the first wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device may retransmit the packets if it does not receive the acknowledgement within a predetermined time period. The second wireless communication device may retransmit the acknowledgment if it does not receive other packets within another predetermined time period. N, Xi, and Y may be optimized for one or more of throughput, latency, and energy consumption using calculations or simulations.
US08539291B2 Circuits with selectable paths of control and data scan cells
An integrated circuit or circuit board includes functional circuitry and a scan path. The scan path includes a test data input lead, a test data output lead, a multiplexer, and scan cells. A dedicated scan cell has a functional data output separate from a test data output. Shared scan cells each have a combined output for functional data and test data. The shared scan cells are coupled in series. The test data input of the first shared scan cell is connected to the test data output of the dedicated scan cell. The combined output of one shared scan cell is coupled to the test data input lead of another shared scan cell. The multiplexer has an input coupled to the test data output, an input connected to the combined output lead of the last shared scan cell in the series, and an output connected in the scan path.
US08539286B1 Method and apparatus of error reporting
A method includes receiving an error signal from a client device receiving a video stream. A portion of the video stream associated with the error signal is detected. An error selection listing based on the portion of the video stream is transmitted. The client device receives a selection based on the error selection listing. The selection is stored as an error listing.
US08539271B2 Determining a power saving mode based on a hardware resource utilization trend
Techniques are disclosed for managing the amount of power consumed by server components of a computer system, each server component having multiple power modes. The utilization of each server component is monitored. Based on the monitored utilization, a time period is determined in which to apply a selected power mode to the respective server component. The respective server component is configured to operate in the selected power mode for at least the determined time period.
US08539267B2 Image forming apparatus and power management method thereof
A power management method of an image forming apparatus which communicates with at least one terminal device supporting a universal plug and play (UPnP) protocol, including: setting power save mode information which includes a plurality of levels corresponding to the UPnP protocol to the image forming apparatus; storing the set power save mode information; receiving a command to enter a first power save mode among the plurality of levels from the terminal device; comparing the received command to enter the first power save mode with the stored power save mode information; and entering a power save mode by the image forming apparatus corresponding to the received command to enter the first power save mode. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus supporting a UPnP protocol categorizes power save modes by using a low power protocol of the UPnP protocol, and can reduce unnecessary power consumption and improves usability.
US08539243B2 Information processing apparatus capable of communicating with external authentication device
Authentication information necessary for authentication processing at an external authentication device is restricted to be transmitted from a user terminal to an information processing apparatus without being encrypted. The information processing apparatus restricts transmission of information that allows a user to select authentication processing at an external authentication device in the case of not employing encryption communication arranged to communicate encrypted information.
US08539237B2 Methods and systems for playing media
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
US08539228B1 Managing access to a resource
Methods of managing access to at least one resource in a computer system. The methods may comprise the step of associating access rights with an application resource. The access rights may define a level of access to the resource granted to the application. The methods may also comprise the step of digitally signing the access rights and the application resource. In various embodiments, the associating may comprise incorporating the access rights into a stream of a file including the application resource. Also, in various embodiments, the associating may comprise incorporating the access rights into an extended attribute of a file including the application resource.
US08539226B2 Certificate management and transfer system and method
A method and system for Certificate management and transfer between messaging clients are disclosed. When communications are established between a first messaging client and a second messaging client, one or more Certificates stored on the first messaging client may be selected and transferred to the second messaging client. Messaging clients may thereby share Certificates. Certificate management functions such as Certificate deletions, Certificate updates and Certificate status checks may also be provided.
US08539220B2 Secure computation using a server module
A server module evaluates a circuit based on concealed inputs provided by respective participant modules, to provide a concealed output. By virtue of this approach, no party to the transaction (including the sever module) discovers any other party's non-concealed inputs. In a first implementation, the server module evaluates a garbled Boolean circuit. This implementation also uses a three-way oblivious transfer technique to provide a concealed input from one of the participant modules to the serer module. In a second implementation, the server module evaluates an arithmetic circuit based on ciphertexts that have been produced using a fully homomorphic encryption technique. This implementation modifies multiplication operations that are performed in the evaluation of the arithmetic circuit by a modifier factor; this removes bounds placed on the number of the multiplication operations that can be performed.
US08539215B2 Protocol converter for performing protocol conversion between loading an OS image using a first protocol in communication with a remote disk drive and second protocol to be used to load boot loader in communication with a memory
A protocol converter includes a MBR emulation unit connectable to a connector for an internal hard disk drive and configured to provide MBR in response to a request from a system BIOS, a first interface configured to acquire an OS from a remote hard disk drive through a network in response to an OS acquisition request from a secondary boot loader, a second interface configured to provide the secondary boot loader with the OS acquired by the first interface, and a conversion unit configured to perform conversion between a first protocol to be used by the first interface and a second protocol to be used by the second interface.
US08539202B2 Load/move duplicate instructions for a processor
A method includes, in a processor, loading/moving a first portion of bits of a source into a first portion of a destination register and duplicate that first portion of bits in a subsequent portion of the destination register.
US08539201B2 Transposing array data on SIMD multi-core processor architectures
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for transposing array data on a SIMD multi-core processor architecture. A matrix in a SIMD format may be received. The matrix may comprise a SIMD conversion of a matrix M in a conventional data format. A mapping may be defined from each element of the matrix to an element of a SIMD conversion of a transpose of matrix M. A SIMD-transposed matrix T may be generated based on matrix M and the defined mapping. A row-wise algorithm may be applied to T, without modification, to operate on columns of matrix M.
US08539200B2 OS-mediated launch of OS-independent application
A system, method, and computer readable medium for an operating system (OS) mediated launch of an OS dependent application is disclosed. An application running within an OS may operate outside an OS environment by constructing for example a capsule file, passing the capsule file to firmware interface, and restarting the system. The firmware interface may load various drivers and applications contained within the capsule file and execute them to perform a task. Upon completion of the task, the OS is booted again and the original application may resume control, making use of any information stored by the firmware interface in a dedicated status table or file. Other embodiments may be employed, and other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08539199B2 Hash processing in a network communications processor architecture
Described embodiments provide a hash processor for a system having multiple processing modules and a shared memory. The hash processor includes a descriptor table with N entries, each entry corresponding to a hash table of the hash processor. A direct mapped table in the shared memory includes at least one memory block including N hash buckets. The direct mapped table includes a predetermined number of hash buckets for each hash table. Each hash bucket includes one or more hash key and value pairs, and a link value. Memory blocks in the shared memory include dynamic hash buckets available for allocation to a hash table. A dynamic hash bucket is allocated to a hash table when the hash buckets in the direct mapped table are filled beyond a threshold. The link value in the hash bucket is set to the address of the dynamic hash bucket allocated to the hash table.
US08539198B2 Memory management system
This memory management system has: (a) a logical partition management unit that manages allocation and release of a virtual memory used by an application in a logical address space; (b) a physical partition management unit that manages allocation and release of small size parts into which a physical memory is divided in a physical address space; and (c) a converter unit that converts an address between the logical address space and the physical address space.
US08539193B2 Virtualized storage system and method of operating thereof
A storage system and method is provided including physical storage devices controlled by storage control devices constituting a storage control layer operatively coupled to the physical storage devices and hosts. The storage control layer includes a first virtual layer interfacing with the hosts, operable to represent a logical address space available to said hosts and characterized by an Internal Virtual Address Space (IVAS); a second virtual layer characterized by a Physical Virtual Address Space (PVAS), interfacing with the physical storage devices, and operable to represent an available storage space; and an allocation module operatively coupled to the first and second virtual layers and providing mapping between IVAP and PVAS. Each address in PVAS is configured to have a corresponding address in IVAS. The allocation module facilitates management of IVAS and PVAS, enabling separation of a process of deleting certain logical object into processes performing changes in IVAS and PVAS, respectively.
US08539190B2 Preemptive in-pipeline store compare resolution
A computer-implemented method that includes receiving a plurality of stores in a store queue, via a processor, comparing a fetch request against the store queue to search for a target store having a same memory address as the fetch request, determining whether the target store is ahead of the fetch request in a same pipeline, and processing the fetch request when it is determined that the target store is ahead of the fetch request.
US08539184B2 On demand storage group management with recapture
A method to dynamically adjust the amount of free space in a storage group is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method may include monitoring the amount of free space in an active storage group. The method may further include maintaining an overflow storage group containing unused volumes. When the free space in the active storage group falls below a lower threshold value, the method may automatically move a volume from the overflow storage group to the active storage group. Conversely, when the free space in the active storage group exceeds an upper threshold value, the method may automatically transfer data from a volume in the active storage group to other volumes in the active storage group, and move the volume from the active storage group to the overflow storage group. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
US08539182B2 Method and apparatus for protected content data processing
Methods and an apparatuses that perform protected content data processing with limited access to system resources are described. One or more regions in a memory (including a source memory and a destination memory) can be allocated and unprocessed content data can be mapped to the source memory. A process can be initialized with the source and destination memories to process the content data. The process can be prevented from accessing resource other than the allocated regions in the memory. The processed content data can be stored in the destination memory. In one embodiment, the content data can include media content. A playing device can be instructed to play the media content based on the processed content data via the destination memory.
US08539179B1 Methods and systems for creating full backups
A computer-implemented method may create a first full backup of a set of data units at a first point in time. The method may create, at a second point in time, a representation of one or more data units in the set of data units that have been modified since the first point in time. The method may determine, based at least in part on the representation of one or more data units that have been modified since the first point in time, a difference between a state of the set of data units at the first point in time and a state of the set of data units at the second point in time. The method may use the difference to update the first full backup to a second full backup that comprises modifications made to the set of data units between the first and second points in time.
US08539168B2 Concurrency control using slotted read-write locks
A system and method for concurrency control may use slotted read-write locks. A slotted read-write lock is a lock data structure associated with a shared memory area, wherein the slotted read-write lock indicates whether any thread has a read-lock and/or a write-lock for the shared memory area. Multiple threads may concurrently have the read-lock but only one thread can have the write-lock at any given time. The slotted read-write lock comprises multiple slots, each associated with a single thread. To acquire the slotted read-write lock for reading, a thread assigned to a slot performs a store operation to the slot and then attempts to determine that no other thread holds the slotted read-write lock for writing. To acquire the slotted read-write lock for writing, a thread assigned to a slot sets its write-bit and then attempts to determine that the write-lock is not held.
US08539166B2 Reducing remote reads of memory in a hybrid computing environment by maintaining remote memory values locally
Reducing remote reads of memory in a hybrid computing environment by maintaining remote memory values locally, the hybrid computing environment including a host computer and a plurality of accelerators, the host computer and the accelerators each having local memory shared remotely with the other, including writing to the shared memory of the host computer packets of data representing changes in accelerator memory values, incrementing, in local memory and in remote shared memory on the host computer, a counter value representing the total number of packets written to the host computer, reading by the host computer from the shared memory in the host computer the written data packets, moving the read data to application memory, and incrementing, in both local memory and in remote shared memory on the accelerator, a counter value representing the total number of packets read by the host computer.
US08539159B2 Dirty cache line write back policy based on stack size trend information
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for managing memory write back. In some embodiments, the method may include examining current and future instructions operating on a stack that exists in memory, determining stack trend information from the instructions, and utilizing the trend information to reduce data traffic between various levels of the memory. As stacked data are written to a cache line in a first level of memory, if future instructions indicate that additional cache lines are required for subsequent write operations within the stack, then the cache line may be written back to a second level of memory. If however, the future instructions indicate that no additional cache lines are required for subsequent write operations within the stack, then the first level of memory may avoid writing back the cache line and also may keep it marked as dirty.
US08539155B1 Managing home cache assignment
Managing cache memories in a computing system comprising multiple cores includes: assigning home cache locations for portions of data stored among caches in a group of caches of respective cores; accessing a first one of the portions of the cached data by sending an access request to a first home core of that first one of the portions of cached data; tracking a history of access for the first one of the portions of cached data; determining whether the tracked history of access for the first one of the portions of cached data exceeds or meets a predetermined condition, and re-assigning a home cache location of the first one of the portions of cached data from the first home core to a second, different home core when the predetermined condition is met or exceeded.
US08539142B2 Storage system comprising nonvolatile semiconductor storage media
Logical-physical translation information comprises information denoting the corresponding relationships between multiple logical pages and multiple logical chunks forming a logical address space of a nonvolatile semiconductor storage medium, and information denoting the corresponding relationships between the multiple logical chunks and multiple physical storage areas. Each logical page is a logical storage area conforming to a logical address range. Each logical chunk is allocated to two or more logical pages of multiple logical pages. Two or more physical storage areas of multiple physical storage areas are allocated to each logical chunk. A controller adjusts the number of physical storage areas to be allocated to each logical chunk.
US08539128B1 Architecture for an efficient media framework
A system comprises a first media framework component, a second media framework component, and a media framework. The media framework comprises a simplified media framework interface and a non-tunnel mode handler. The simplified media framework interface handles connectivity between a first port and a second port in a tunnel mode. The non-tunnel mode handler converts connectivity of a third port and a fourth port in a non-tunnel mode to appear to be the tunnel mode for the simplified media framework interface. The first port and the second port of the simplified media framework interface is coupled to a fifth port and a sixth port of the non-tunnel mode handler. And, the third port of the non-tunnel mode handler is coupled to the first media framework component and the fourth port of the non-tunnel mode handler is coupled to the second media framework component.
US08539125B1 Combined USB flash drive cap audio device
A combined USB flash drive cap audio device is provided. In at least one embodiment, a thumb drive cap includes: a portable housing defined as a USB cap for a portable USB storage thumb drive; a female USB connector interface defined within the portable housing and configured to receive and electronically couple to a male USB connector on the portable USB storage thumb drive; a control unit disposed within the portable housing and configured to enable audio playback through the thumb drive cap of audio data stored on the connected portable USB storage thumb drive; and a plurality of user interface buttons disposed upon the portable housing and through which the thumb drive cap is controlled by a user for audio playback and audio record.
US08539120B1 System and method of video decoding using hybrid buffer
In one embodiment the present invention includes an apparatus having a random access memory, a first interface, and a second interface. The first interface is coupled between the random access memory and a plurality of storage devices, and operates in a first in first out (FIFO) manner. The second interface is coupled between the random access memory and a processor, and operates in a random access manner. As a result, the processor is not required to be in the loop when data is being transferred between the random access memory and the storage devices.
US08539112B2 TCP/IP offload device
A host CPU runs a network protocol processing stack that provides instructions not only to process network messages but also to allocate processing of certain network messages to a specialized network communication device, offloading some of the most time consuming protocol processing from the host CPU to the network communication device. By allocating common and time consuming network processes to the device, while retaining the ability to handle less time intensive and more varied processing on the host stack, the network communication device can be relatively simple and cost effective. The host CPU, operating according to instructions from the stack, and the network communication device together determine whether and to what extent a given message is processed by the host CPU or by the network communication device.
US08539108B2 Distributed robust clock synchronization
Technology is provided for synchronization of clock information between networked devices. One or more of the devices may include one or more applications needed access to data and a common time reference between devices. In one embodiment, the devices have applications utilizing data shared in a network environment with other devices, as well as having a reference to a local clock signal on each device. A device may have a layer of code between the operating system and software applications that processes the data and maintains a remote clock reference for one or more of the other devices on the network.
US08539106B2 Server for aggregating search activity synchronized to time-based media
Where multiple client devices are synchronized to multiple, asynchronous instances of a time-based media presentation such as live and time-shifted views of a television broadcast, interactive content can be delivered to each one of the various devices at a particular time (or “time offset”) within the presentation independent of when each instance of the time-based media presentation is viewed.
US08539101B2 Systems, methods, and computer programs for detecting carrier-controlled requests for a web site
Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computers are disclosed for detecting and/or managing carrier-controlled requests for a web site. One embodiment is a method system for providing a web site to mobile communication devices. The system comprises a mobile communication device and a server. The mobile communication device is configured to communicate with the server via a communication network and comprises a carrier-controlled user interface for accessing a web site. The server is configured to provide the web site to the mobile communication device and comprises an on-deck detection system and an on-deck/off-deck management system embodied in a memory and executed by a processor. The on-deck detection system detects requests for the web site from the carrier-controlled user interface, and the on-deck/off-deck management system manages the requests.
US08539100B2 Method, device, and communications system for managing querying mapping information
The present invention discloses a method, a device, and a communications system for managing and querying mapping information. The method for managing mapping information includes: signing a mapping information pair by using a private key of a certificate corresponding to a prefix in the mapping information pair to generate a signed mapping pair; submitting the signed mapping pair to a registration agent (RA) in a transit network; and sharing, by the RA, the signed mapping pair with other RAs through data synchronization. With the mapping information management method, data transmission method, devices and communications system provided by the present invention, the security of mapping information in registration, query, and synchronization operations is guaranteed.
US08539099B2 Method for providing on-path content distribution
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a content request from the end user at a proxy. A modified TCP connection request message is generated such that the modified TCP connection request message includes a content identifier. The content identifier identifies the requested content. The modified TCP connection request message is sent from the proxy towards an origin server associated with the requested content, and a response to the TCP connection request message is received from a network element. A TCP connection is established with the network element.
US08539078B2 Isolating resources between tenants in a software-as-a-service system using the estimated costs of service requests
An apparatus hosting a multi-tenant software-as-a-service (SaaS) system maximizes resource sharing capability of the SaaS system. The apparatus receives service requests from multiple users belonging to different tenants of the multi-tenant SaaS system. The apparatus partitions the resources in the SaaS system into different resource groups. Each resource group handles a category of the service requests. The apparatus estimates costs of the service requests of the users. The apparatus dispatches service requests to resource groups according to the estimated costs, whereby the resources are shared, among the users, without impacting each other.
US08539075B2 On-demand global server load balancing system and method of use
A method and system for measuring performance and balancing workload of sites and servers is provided. The method comprises measuring performance of one or more servers located at different sites of the network and computing a performance metric for each of the sites or one or more servers at each of the sites. The method further comprises providing a bias to the performance metric and routing a request to one of the different sites or one of the one or more servers based on the biased performance metric.
US08539064B1 Analysis of encrypted streaming media traffic
A method of analyzing streaming media traffic comprises intercepting a data stream that is at least in part encrypted, observing a characteristic associated with the data stream, deriving, based at least in part on the characteristic associated with the data stream, a characteristic associated with an IP telephony session.
US08539055B2 Device abstraction in autonomous wireless local area networks
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a managed network device assigns to itself an IP address, in absence of a DHCP service, in a link local address space within a wireless network. The system further responds to a network frame received from another device based on the assigned IP address in the link local address space. The network frame can be a network traffic frame, a control path frame, and/or a management frame. The control path frame comprises a source IP address and a destination IP address that correspond to internal IP addresses in the link local address space that are self-assigned by managed network devices. The management frame comprises the self-assigned internal IP address for the managed network device, and provides for management of managed network devices in the wireless network through a single IP address when a virtual controller is configured for the wireless network.
US08539053B2 Apparatus and method for dynamic host configuration protocol version 6 extensions for configuring hosts with multiple interfaces
An apparatus comprising a plurality of communication interfaces configured to receive a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) reply message comprising routing information for at least one of the plurality of interfaces, and a processor configured to select one of the plurality of interfaces for transmission based upon the routing information. An apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a DHCP request message comprising a first multi-homed routing policy entry (MHRPE) option, selecting default route information based upon the first MHRPE option, and transmitting a DHCP reply message comprising a second MHRPE option comprising the default route information. A method comprising receiving a DHCP request message comprising a first MHRPE option, selecting default route information based upon the first MHRPE option, and transmitting a DHCP reply message comprising a second MHRPE option comprising the default route information.
US08539047B2 Apparatus, method and system for a tunneling client access point
The disclosure details the implementation of a tunneling client access point (TCAP) that is a highly secure, portable, power efficient storage and data processing device. The TCAP “tunnels” data through an access terminal's (AT) input/output facilities. In one embodiment, the TCAP connects to an AT and a user employs the AT's user input peripherals for input, and views the TCAP's activities on the AT's display. This enables the user to observe data stored on the TCAP without it being resident on the AT, which can be useful to maintain higher levels of data security. Also, the TCAP may tunnel data through an AT across a communications network to access remote servers. The disclosure also teaches a plug-n-play virtual private network (VPN).
US08539046B2 Delegated pre-configuration
Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for delegated pre-configuration are described. In embodiments, an identification of a user is received. Further, in various embodiments, one or more pre-configuration instructions is received from a delegate. In various embodiments, one or more online service settings is processed in accordance with the one or more pre-configuration instructions. In various other embodiments an online service is presented in accordance with the processed one or more online service settings.
US08539044B2 On-line schedule system with personalization features
An on-line scheduling application allows users to personalize how television-related, entertainment-related, and social event related information is provided. Users may select one or more sources from which the information is obtained. Users may set up a date book that is also uses as a source. Users may select one or more delivery schemes that the application uses to provide the information. One or more of the personalization features of the scheduling application may be incorporated into an on-line television programming guide.
US08539042B2 Method for establishing a network platform for renting the electronic publications
A method for establishing a network platform for renting the electronic publications adopts a grid algorithm, links to the Internet via various networks, and establishes the network platform having an information service grid character for renting the electronic publication. Three types of nodes are established in the information service grid: a first type of node is established as service domain owner and the administrator grid node; a second type of node is established as service provider grid node that is composed of the consumers of the electronic publication; and the third type of node is established as the service provider grid node which is composed of the publishers of the electronic publication; the three types of node provide the network information service by utilizing the grid computing mode and the SOAP. The service provider grid nodes can do online maintenance on the content of the electronic publication provided by them and collect the charge. And the service consumer grid nodes can obtain the service provided by the service provider nodes through the variant service paths, which are provided by the service domain owner and the administrator grid nodes, and pay the service fee.
US08539040B2 Mobile network background traffic data management with optimized polling intervals
Systems and methods for aligning data transfer to optimize connections established for transmission over a wireless network are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for aligning data transfer to a mobile device to optimize connections made by the mobile device in a cellular network. The method includes batching data received in multiple transactions directed to a mobile device for transmission to the mobile device over the cellular network such that a wireless connection need not be established with the mobile device every time each of the multiple transactions occurs. For example, the data received in the multiple transactions for the mobile device can be sent to the mobile device, in a single transaction over a single instantiation of wireless network connectivity at the mobile device.
US08539037B2 Method and apparatus for synchronizing feed information
A method and apparatus for synchronizing feed information are provided. A podcasting client includes a synchronization-processing unit which synchronizes first feed information acquired from a connected device with pre-stored second feed information, and a communication interface which transmits feed information of content that is podcast based on the synchronized feed information to the connected device.
US08539036B2 Modular transparent proxy cache
A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource that is available from an origin device, and determines whether the resource is cached in a cache server or not cached in the cache server. The device forwards the request to the cache server regardless of whether or not the resource is cached in the cache server, and receives, when the resource is not cached in the cache server, a redirect command from the cache server based on the request. The device forwards the received redirect command to the client device, where the redirect command instructs the client device to obtain the resource from the origin device. The device receives, from the cache server and based on the request, the resource when the resource is cached in the cache server, and forwards the received resource to the client device.
US08539035B2 Message tying processing method and apparatus
This message tying processing method include: extracting tying keys from a key definition database storing, for each protocol, tying keys included in messages relating to the protocol and used in a message tying processing, and generating data of a structure including nodes respectively corresponding to the extracted tying keys and links connecting between the nodes of the tying keys belonging to the same protocol: judging whether or not a loop is formed in the structure by the links; when it is judged that the loop is not formed in the structure, identifying, among allocation patterns that are combinations of allocation of the tying keys to each of plural tying processors, that respectively carry out the tying processing in cooperation with each other, an allocation pattern satisfying a first condition that a communication load between the tying processors is the minimum.
US08539031B2 Displaying images for people associated with a message item
Technologies are described herein for displaying a list of people associated with a message item along with images and other personal context information in a PIM application. The people associated with the message item are identified and a list is generated containing a name, an image, and other personal context information for each. The list of people associated with the message item is displayed in a window of the PIM along with the information regarding the message item.
US08539030B2 System and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages
A system and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages is presented. A selection criteria that defines message-based content for a digest is defined. Properties and characteristics of the content of the digest are defined. A delivery criteria that specifies periodic sending of the digest is accepted. The digest is constructed as a set of electronic messages. A dynamic stream of the electronic messages is monitored. One or more of the electronic messages is evaluated by filtering the electronic messages against the selection criteria. Only those electronic messages that satisfy the selection criteria are grouped into the digest to which the selection criteria corresponds. The digest is periodically delivered upon satisfaction of the delivery criteria.
US08539022B2 Facilitating server response optimization
A configuration of cached information stored within a cache is determined. One or more character omission rules are determined by: identifying the one or more optimizable characters based on the configuration, where the one or more optimizable characters are characters in the stored cached information that do not have an effect on an interpretation of the stored cached information by a requester computer; and determining, based on the configuration, one or more conditions under which omission of the one or more optimizable characters from the stored cached information produces a valid result in view of the configuration. One or more character omission rules are applied to the stored cached information by removing from the stored cached information the one or more optimizable characters that meet the one or more conditions.
US08539020B2 Sessions to host processes with special requirements
Techniques are disclosed for enabling a system service executing in an isolated session to access system resources (such as a graphics processing unit) that it is isolated from. In an embodiment, the system service creates a “worker” session that is not isolated, and a “worker” process inside that worker session. Then, the system service is able to access the system resource that it is directly isolated from accessing by passing a request to the worker process to access the system resource on the system service's behalf. The worker process does so, and passes a result to the system service.
US08538997B2 Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes for index databases. In one exemplary method, different processing priorities are assigned to different indexing tasks based upon the origin of the task. In another exemplary method, indexing tasks are processed in a first mode when a data processing system is in a first power state and indexing tasks are processed in a second mode when the data processing system is in a second power state.
US08538994B2 Methods and procedures to provide complete test copy environment of hosted applications
Systems and methods that create a duplicate database instance on which database testing may be performed. The techniques for creating a test database instance enable database testing to proceed without impacting other organization's access to their data in the database or corrupting an organization's data. The ability to allow one organization (“org”) to test their portion of a database without interrupting other organizations from using their portions of the database enables a database system to support more than one organization as tenants.
US08538991B2 Information managing apparatus, information managing method, and computer product
A method of a computer, the method including the computer authorizing, not only a first user, but also a second user to access data that is created by the first user and is stored in association with a community. Wherein the first user is registered as a member who belongs to a group, wherein a member belonging to the group is authorized to access data that is accessibly stored for the member of the group, and the second user is defined as a superior of the first user in organization information that indicates hierarchical-relation of users and does not belong to the group. The computer rejects access to the data for an additional user, wherein the additional user has been determined not to be within a publication range of the data, even though the user is within a publication range of the community to which the data belongs.
US08538986B2 System for coordinating user images in an artistic design
A computer system coupled to a digital image database with images having image attributes. The image attributes are automatically evaluated in order to find a compatible digital template from a digital template database. The templates each include a plurality of windows for displaying the digital images and each of the template include template attributes to automatically select a template whose attributes are compatible with at least one of the image attribute. The data base of digital images is also automatically searched for additional images having an attribute compatible with the template attributes and with the first one of the image attributes. A display screen coupled to the computer system displays the selected template and at least one other image.
US08538985B2 Efficient processing of queries in federated database systems
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for processing a federated query in a federated database system. A federated query is received at a federated database server. A federated query execution plan is generated based on the received federated query. The federated query execution plan defines one or more source servers of the federated database and a unique subquery to be executed on each of the source servers. The subqueries are distributed to the source servers in accordance with the federated query execution plan. The respective subqueries are executed asynchronously at the source servers. The subquery results are passed to a first designated source server defined in the federated query execution plan. The subquery results are joined and aggregated at the first designated source server into a final query result. The final query result is returned to the federated database server.
US08538981B2 Stream sharing for event data within an enterprise network
Merging of query elements in an enterprise system is described. The enterprise system receives queries, which may each be broken down into query components. The enterprise system identifies query components that are related to identical event information from a data source of the enterprise. The enterprise system sends a single query to the data source for the event information, receives the response, and sends the response to the query sources.
US08538980B1 Accessing forms using a metadata registry
A method, an apparatus and a system perform accessing of electronic forms using a metadata registry. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a request for an electronic form from a user. The method also includes accessing metadata for the electronic form from a metadata registry. The method includes accessing the electronic form based on the metadata for the electronic form from a content repository.
US08538974B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for self-targeted content delivery
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for self-targeted content delivery. Content objects can be delivered to a user and indications from the user to mark any content object can be received thereby generating standard data structures to be placed into a central data store. At a later time, on various other systems, a content guide may be provided to the user showing the content related to the standard data structures placed in the central store. The user may mark digital content as it is encountered via television, internet, mobile devices, automobile terminals, public terminals, kiosks, or otherwise. Standardized data structures can allow the marking to operate across platforms, operating systems, hardware, and delivery modes. Content guides created from data structures associated with marked content can allow the marked content to be recalled and accessed from any of various other systems at a later time.
US08538969B2 Data format for website traffic statistics
A data format is optimized for storing data such as website traffic data. The data format enables easy access to and filtering of data, for example in generating website traffic reports. The data format also provides significant data compression. A method for generating a data file according to the data format employs linear compression and indexing to efficiently store the data. Data stored according to the format can be easily retrieved, particularly when a known value is specified and particular entries matching the known value are sought.
US08538958B2 System and method for context map generation
Personalized services and targeted services demand the exploitation of context—say, context of an environment, context of a product, context of a service, and context of a customer or user or individual. In order for the personalized and targeted services to have a greater impact, the identified context used by a context aware processing engine needs to be accurate and current. Such an up-to-date context is called as context map and a system and method for generating a customer-specific context map involves the processing of customer transactions, abstracting and generalizing these transactions into entities, and inter-relating these entities. The context map, for example, is useful in ad targeting in mobile environments, and in quicker and efficient problem resolution in contact center environments.
US08538957B1 Validating translations using visual similarity between visual media search results
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for validating candidate translations for a phrase. A plurality of candidate translations for a phrase are received. A similarity score for each of the candidate translations is calculated. Each similarity score is an estimate of visual similarity between a group of visual media search results responsive to a visual media search query with text corresponding to the phrase and a group of visual media search results responsive to a visual media search query with text corresponding to a candidate translation. One or more of the candidate translations are selected based on the similarity scores. The selected candidate translations are associated with the phrase as valid translations for the phrase.
US08538945B1 Tailored intergenerational historic snapshots
A tailored intergenerational historic snapshot message informs a younger person about the world an older person lived in when they were young. The older person's age and the younger person's age are used to identify a historic time period in which the older person was the same age as the younger person. A circumstance which occurred in the historic time period is selected from a database or web search result. The message is tailored to the ages of the people involved. The message may also be tailored to recite circumstances specific to a topic area or a geographic location.
US08538943B1 Providing images of named resources in response to a search query
Systems, computer program products, apparatus, and methods are described that perform operations including receiving a search query that includes a name, receiving multiple resources that have been identified by a search engine as best satisfying the search query, wherein the identified multiple resources include a resource including a plurality of images. The operations include identifying an image of the plurality of images displaying a face of the person. The image is identified based on a description associated with the image. The description is based at least in part on one or more resources included in the search results. The operations further include providing the identified image with the search results. The search results are provided as a plurality of links. Each link identifies a corresponding resource of the identified plurality of resources.
US08538942B2 Method and system for sharing documents between on-demand services
A method for sharing documents between on-demand services is provided. In an embodiment, a user of a first on-demand service may be able to view a list of content that includes content stored at the first on-demand service and content stored at a second on-demand service. The content of the second on-demand service may be associated with information about the content, allowing the content to be shared among multiple users of the first on-demand service. The user wanting to view the content, select or click on an indicator identifying the content, a connection to the second on-demand service is established, and images of the content are sent from the second on-demand service to the first on-demand service.
US08538941B2 Visual information search tool
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to generating a search result comprising one or more candidate documents selected based at least in part on one or more criteria associated with an input value of a visual information metric.
US08538934B2 Contextual gravitation of datasets and data services
Through proactive structured dataset management, suggestions are made for dataset enrichment, cleansing, and other enhancements. Users need not go looking for potentially helpful datasets online or in an enterprise filesystem, because relevant datasets and services will be automatically suggested, based on a samplex cast from the user's dataset. Enrichment may add typed attributes, rows, and/or cell values from a matching dataset, may cleanse data, and may add another dataset which has data about the same entity as the original dataset. Proactive dataset and service matching occurs inside a security perimeter to protect confidentiality. Confidence in suggested modifications may be shown by color differences. Modifications may be previewed, and kept or reverted after acceptance. Suggestions are made in from-example or from-scratch scenarios. Samplex, preview, modification, and other modules reside in an architecture that supports a variety of data sources and dataset service providers, in an auction or other market.
US08538930B2 Method and system for database recovery
A business process catalog is built using pattern analysis of historical data of a database and deploying the built business process catalog to perform database recovery, A first set of statements are logged for transactions of a first business process batch and compared with a second set of statements. The second set of statements is included in a second business batch process stored in the business process catalog. The business process catalog is updated based on the comparison of the first and second sets of statements. The built business process catalog is deployed to identify and present business process batches to a database system user to select a business process batch used to perform the database system recovery.
US08538921B2 File caching
A system and method for publishing a file on a network is. A caching service reduces the load on the publisher's server by publishing that the file is at a fictitious network location. Requests directed to the fictitious location are received by the caching service and the fictitious network location is parsed to determine what file is being requested. If the caching service already has a copy of the file, then the copy is transmitted to the requestor without alerting to the requester that the address is fictitious. If the caching service does not have a copy of the file, then a copy is automatically obtained based on information contained in the fictitious network location.
US08538915B2 Unified numerical and semantic analytics system for decision support
A system and method for responding to a query. An original query is received. A first semantic query and a second semantic query are extracted from the information of the original query. The first semantic query is transformed, based upon semantic analysis, into a numeric model query. The second semantic query is submitted to a semantic analyzer and the numeric model query is submitted to a numeric model analyzer. A response for the second semantic query and a response for the numeric model query are integrated into an answer for the original query.
US08538912B2 Apparatus and method for an automatic information integration flow optimizer
An apparatus and method provides automatic information integration flow optimization. The apparatus may include an input/output port connecting the information integration flow optimizer to extract-transform-load tools. The information integration flow optimizer includes a parser unit to create a tool-agnostic input file containing rich semantics, a converter to transform the tool-agnostic input file into an input DAG, and a QoX-driven optimizer applying one or more heuristic algorithms to the input DAG to develop an optimum information integration flow design based on the rich semantics. The method may include receiving a tool-specific input file representing a physical information integration flow, parsing and converting the tool-specific input file into an input DAG containing tool-agnostic rich semantics, and applying heuristic algorithms to the input DAG to develop an optimum information integration flow design based on the rich semantics.
US08538910B2 Determining relative skills of players
There is a desire to provide a way to determine relative skills of players of games such as computer games, chess, tennis and any other suitable type of game. Our earlier Bayesian Scoring system is implemented in Xbox Live (trade mark) and is currently commercially available under the trade name TrueSkill (trade mark). Here we build on our earlier work and use a new method of computation to enable processing times to be significantly reduced. Message passing techniques are adapted to enable computation of updated skill beliefs to be obtained quickly even in the case of multiple teams of multiple players.
US08538905B2 Lazily enabled truth maintenance in rule engines
Some embodiments of a method to lazily enable truth maintenance in a rule engine have been presented. A rule engine can enable truth maintenance on an object type basis. In response to a working memory action involving a particular object type, the rule engine may check a truth maintenance parameter of the object type involved to determine if truth maintenance for the object type has to be enabled. If so, the rule engine may enable truth maintenance for the object type.
US08538902B2 Behavior predicting device that predicts the behavior of an object based on characteristic values of the object
A characteristic value temporary setting section temporarily sets a characteristic value of an object depending on the type of the object judged by a type judging section. A characteristic value correcting section corrects the temporarily set characteristic value of the object according to the behavior of the object detected by a behavior detecting section. A type setting section sets the type of object as one of a motorcycle, a bicycle, and a pedestrian according to the corrected characteristic value of the object. A behavior predicting section predicts the behavior of the object on the basis of the corrected characteristic value and the set type of the object. Therefore, the behavior is predicted on the basis of the characteristic value corrected according to the actual behavior and the type of the object, and consequently, the accuracy of the behavior prediction is improved.
US08538901B2 Method for approximation of optimal control for nonlinear discrete time systems
A method for approximation of optimal control for a nonlinear discrete time system in which the state variables are first obtained from a system model. Control sequences are then iteratively generated for the network to optimize control variables for the network and in which the value for each control variable is independent of the other control variables. Following optimization of the control variables, the control variables are then mapped onto a recurrent neural network utilizing conventional training methods.
US08538891B2 Online card present transaction
An online card-present transaction system facilitates card-present type transactions with a merchant over a public network. A host system is configured to accept authentication data from a user via an authentication device. The host system, after authenticating a user is configured to retrieve the user's account information from a user database system and translate a user account number into a temporary transaction number. The temporary transaction number is then transmitted directly from the host system to the merchant, thereby eliminating the need for the user to send to the merchant over the internet, the user's transaction account number.
US08538890B2 Encrypting a unique cryptographic entity
A method of encrypting a unique cryptographic entity (UCE), where a client device receives a global-key (GK-) encrypted UKD comprising a GK-encrypted UCE and a GK-encrypted unit key number (UKN). The client device verifies that the GK-encrypted UKN is the same as a pre-provisioned value and then decrypts the GK-encrypted UKD using a global key (GK). The client device then re-encrypts the decrypted UKD using a device user key (DUK) to determine a DUK-encrypted UCE and a DUK-encrypted UKN. The DUK-encrypted UKN is verified as not equal to the GK-encrypted UKN. The DUK-encrypted UKN is then appended to the DUK-encrypted UCE to form a DUK-encrypted UKD and stored in a memory.
US08538885B2 Encryption switch processing
A method for delivering non-financial electronic data through a secure communications channel between a payment processing network and an access device is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving, at a payment processing network, a request to establish a secure communications channel between a consumer device and the payment processing network. Upon establishing a secure communications channel with the consumer device, the payment processor network receives non-financial electronic content from a merchant at the payment processing network where the non-financial electronic content is selected at the merchant by a user associated with the consumer device. The non-financial electronic content is sent to the consumer device from the payment processing network via the secure communications channel between the consumer device and the payment processing network.
US08538876B2 System and method for providing borrowing schemes
A system and method providing a borrowing scheme. The method comprises the steps of: establishing an interest-free revolving amount or account using the computer processor; establishing a periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount or account using the computer processor; and automatically revising the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment using the computer processor based upon at least one user performance metric over a predetermined period of time; wherein the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount is determined by the user via the network.
US08538873B1 Communication network for gathering information and performing electronic transactions
In certain embodiments, a system for calculating a cost for an electronic transaction comprises one or more processors operable to receive first charge information associated with electronic transactions for a plurality of nodes, one or more memories operable to store the first charge information, the one or more processors further operable to receive a request execute an electronic transaction, determine a route for the electronic transaction comprising two or more of the nodes, determine first charge information applicable to the electronic transaction for the two or more nodes, and calculate a cost for the electronic transaction based at least in part on the first charge information for the two or more nodes on the route.
US08538871B2 Method for facilitating payment of a computerized transaction
A method for facilitating the transfer of a payment for a computerized transaction between a buyer and a seller for the purchase of an item using a computer network, such as the Internet. The method includes the steps of communicating, from a seller's computing station to an agent computing system, data regarding the transaction between the buyer and the seller, wherein the data identifies the buyer, the seller, and the amount of the transaction. The agent computing system communicates transaction information displayable to the buyer, such as a confirmation number created by the agent computing system for identifying the transaction, an order number corresponding to a merchant order number provided by the merchant for identifying the transaction, an exchange rate between a first local currency usable to the buyer and a second currency usable by the seller, and a total price of the transaction expressed in the first local currency usable by the buyer. Receiving an actual payment from the buyer at a plurality of agent locations is provided for, the agent locations being in communication with the agent computing system. Upon receiving the actual payment from the buyer at one of the agent locations, a message is communicated to the seller that the actual payment for the transaction was received at the agent location, thereby permitting the seller to begin shipment of the item to the buyer. Funds are transferred to the seller preferably paid in the second currency usable by the seller.
US08538870B2 Electronic purchasing and funds transfer systems and methods
An electronic transaction method, funds transfer apparatus and method for facilitating a funds transfer. The methods comprise sending information from a purchaser or payor to a funds transfer system separate from a vendor system or payee, validating and confirming personal financial information at the funds transfer system, and transferring funds from a purchaser or payor account to the vendor or a payee account without exposing either party's financial and account information to the other. Additionally, a funds transfer apparatus is disclosed comprising connections to a payor and payee system and mechanisms for receiving and validating party and transaction information and a mechanism for transferring funds from one party to the other.
US08538869B1 Systems and methods for identifying financial relationships
Improved systems and methods are provided for identifying financial relationships. In particular, financial relationships may be identified by associating tradelines with one or more people who sign or co-sign on the tradeline. In various embodiments a method is provided comprising, receiving, at a computer-based system for credit data analysis comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, credit reporting data relating to a tradeline, parsing, by the computer-based system, the credit reporting data to yield primary debtor data and secondary debtor data, and linking, by the computer-based system, the tradeline with the primary debtor data and the secondary debtor data.
US08538862B2 System and method for graphically displaying market related data using fixed size bars
A system and method are provided for displaying market related data, such as traded volume at each price level, or any other trader-selected values, using one or more fixed size bars. In one preferred embodiment, a graphical display interface is provided and includes a plurality of fixed size bars that display traded volume at different price levels. In such an embodiment, the length of each bar may correspond to a predefined maximum value, and each bar may be progressively color-coded using a first graphical format to represent traded volume that is lower than the maximum value. If the traded volume exceeds the maximum value, the overflow value may be represented by progressively color-coding the bar using a second graphical format that may be used in relation to the first graphical format color-coding.
US08538860B1 System and method for the creation and rebalancing of beneficial interests in index tracking and other investment vehicles over multiple market periods using fixed or regularly resetting prices to calibrate outstanding interest counts with liquidation entitlements
A method and system are disclosed which creates, modifies and manipulates the units of a collective investment vehicle, and which accurately tracks a linked index or specific investment strategy through the execution of steps including: creating units at a fixed price and fixed par value at the opening of any market period; modifying of the par value of units which are traded between investors to a fixed initial par value; creating of the intra-period price values which links unit par value to returns for the applicable partial period to produce a system generated intra-day transacting price; and at the close of each market period, a manipulation of the number of units outstanding, such that the units reflect an equivalent value based on a reset to the initial fixed price, and further such that the par value is adjusted in a counterbalancing direction.
US08538857B2 Online trading system having real-time account opening
In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.
US08538842B2 System and method for financial analysis and brand index in brand valuation
A brand name is used to generate a domain name portfolio comprising at least one brand domain name comprising the brand name and a top-level domain name, and at least one qualified brand domain name comprising the brand name, at least one qualifying term, and a top level domain name. Network traffic is tracked for each of the domain names in the domain name portfolio over an analysis period. A role of brand index is determined, wherein the role of brand index is determined using the ratio of network traffic for the brand domain name to a total of the network traffic for all domain names in the domain name portfolio. Additionally, revenue generated by websites linked to each of the domain names in the domain name portfolio is tracked over the analysis period. Brand earnings are then calculated the revenue generated by websites.
US08538841B2 Method for establishing and administering a benefits program
A system and method for establishing and administering a benefits program for enrollees of a membership association of tenants including an indemnity plan backed by a licensed surety to guarantee association participants of rental properties against property damage and/or loss of rents due to actions of any tenant as an association member, comprising the steps of marketing the benefits program to association participants, indemnifying the association participants, managing the benefits program by the association sponsor, issuing a surety bond certificate by the association sponsor to each association participant, accepting prospective program members into the benefits program upon payment of an enrollment fee and qualification, establishing a loss pool account with a predetermined portion of the enrollment fees received from each association participant, disbursing predetermined portions of the enrollment fees to the plan surety and the loss pool account and, optionally, to association participants, submitting and approving claims for property damage and/or loss of rent to the association sponsor and paying the association participants' approved claims from the loss pool account.
US08538839B2 System, method, and program product for unit transfer fee processing
A method, system and program product, the method comprising: accessing Transfer Fee data to be paid to a third party that is not the borrower or the lender of a security for a right to loan one or more units of the security; accessing loan data on a loan of units of the security, calculating an amount of a Transfer Fee for the right to loan the security; generating data for debiting an account or sending a bill for the Transfer Fee; sending or having sent data on revenue from one or more of the Transfer Fees to be paid to an issuer of the security; updating the database with data on the Transfer Fee.
US08538838B2 System for pairing vehicle components
The specification and drawing figures describe and show a system for pairing and decoupling vehicle components. The vehicle components may be disparate and distantly located from one another. The system includes a network management center having one or more data processing systems that may communicate with the vehicle components. An integrated wireless equipment management system is included whose components are mountable on the vehicle components, and operatively connectable to the network management center. Asset tracking units are located on each vehicle component, and are operatively connectable to the network management center. At least one executable program is included that is capable of processing data received across the integrated wireless equipment management system to establish a compatible communications connection between the asset tracking units to correctly pair the vehicle components.
US08538837B2 Methods and systems for providing wireless enabled inventory peering
Systems and methods for providing wireless enabled inventory peering are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for providing wireless enabled inventory peering includes a wireless enabled inventory peering vehicle system (WEIPVS). The WEIPVS is configured to receive an inventory search request. In response to receiving the inventory search request, the WEIPVS searches inventories of proximate technician vehicles. If a needed inventory item is located in an inventory of a proximate technician vehicle, the WEIPVS generates a request for an inventory transfer and sends the request to the proximate technician vehicle. When the item is received at the WEIPVS, the WEIPVS updates the inventory associated with the WEIPVS.
US08538836B1 Method and system for selecting and displaying items
Methods and systems for causing the display of items for the review and selection thereof by a potential purchaser has a plurality of search tools whereby a customer can select certain search criteria for displaying items corresponding to the search criteria for review and selection thereof and comparison therebetween. In one embodiment, the system provides a brand menu whereby a customer can select one or more brands of products for displaying the same in a common display window.
US08538826B1 Applying restrictions to items
Disclosed are various embodiments for applying restrictions to items. Multiple rejection rules are applied to each item in a catalog of items. Each of the rejection rules is associated with one or more conditions in a geographic area. The respective item is designated as restricted for the geographic area when the conditions are met.
US08538824B1 Methods systems and computer program products for notifying consumers of recurring purchases
Systems, methods and computer program products for identifying recurring purchases of the same good or service based upon item-level electronic transaction data. Item-level electronic transaction data is analyzed to determine a purchase interval of a good or service. A consumer is reminded to purchase the good or service based on the determined purchase interval by receiving an electronic message at a consumer computer or mobile communication device, e.g., in the form of an electronic shopping list. Purchase intervals of different items may be determined such that a list generated at one time may include certain goods and services but a list generated at another time may include other goods and services due to the variable time between purchasing different goods and services.
US08538823B2 Merging image data based on prospective shopping basket selection
An image data processing method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a shopping basket. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to an article selected by an on-line viewer and tagged as a prospective selection via a shopping basket designation with an image of a structure selected by the on-line viewer.
US08538819B2 Method and system for dynamic funding
An identifier of a mobile device may be accessed. The identifier may be associated with a payment account. A single use authentication code relating to the identifier may be generated. The single use authentication code may be capable of being used to authenticate the mobile device at a point of sale (POS) device and enable a funds adjustment to the payment account. The single use authentication code may be provided to the mobile device through a communications network.
US08538816B2 Method of rewarding the viewing of advertisements based on eye-gaze patterns
Users are rewarded for viewer interaction (based on tracked eye-gaze patterns) with Internet advertisements rendered on a display (such as a computer display), wherein the reward is computed based on the visual activity of the viewer. Payments are disbursed to any of the following: viewer, sponsor of the advertisement, creator of advertisement. Examples of reward computations include, but are not limited to, computing payments based on: the level of viewer interaction with the rendered advertisements, the amount/proportion of content interacted with by the viewer, the value of the text interacted with by the viewer. In one example, rewards are based on a combination of previously recorded viewer interests and computed payments based on user interaction.
US08538814B2 Systems and methods of providing advertising content
A system for providing advertising content includes a public display; a database configured to store the advertising content; and a central processing element configured to dynamically interact with participants in an activity and present the advertising content in connection with information about the activity on the public display. A method of providing advertising content includes conducting an activity involving participants; receiving input regarding the participants engaged in the activity; and displaying advertising content from a database concurrently with information regarding the activity.
US08538812B2 Managing payment for sponsored content presented to mobile communication facilities
A system and method for targeted delivery of advertising of a first or second sponsor to a plurality of cellular phones of a first or second type by way of a competitive bid auction process includes (a) receiving a credit card datum from a credit card provider; (b) presenting to the first and second sponsor data corresponding to (1) the credit card datum and (2) the first type and the second type of cellular phone; (c) receiving from each sponsor advertising associated with credit card characteristic relating to the credit card datum, wherein each advertising has a different rendering capability associated therewith; (d) attributing a priority to the delivery of the advertising based upon a resultant yield determination; and (e) transmitting the appropriate advertising to the types of cellular phones having the corresponding rendering capabilities of the advertising.
US08538809B2 Estimating on-line advertising inventory value based on contract eligibility information
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for apparatus and methods for pricing on-line advertisement inventory. In one embodiment, a method for pricing on-line advertisement inventory includes (i) receiving a request for a price of a new product, wherein the new product includes a plurality of specified characteristics of a type of on-line advertisement display, (ii) providing a sample of new impressions that are predicted to be delivered for such new product, (iii) for each new impression, determining which bookings could be served by such new impression so as to define a set of overlapping bookings, (iv) determining the price of each new impression based on a weighted average of a plurality of prices of such each new impression's corresponding overlapping bookings, (v) determining the price of the new product based on an average of the prices of the new impressions, and (vi) returning the price of the new product for use in a booking negotiation with a potential buyer of such new product.
US08538802B2 System and method for building a communication link
This invention discloses a method to build a communication link between a client and a customer service of the dispatching company. The dispatching company has a plurality of dispatch lists, each dispatch list records a code of a client and a code of a customer service that provides service to the client. The method comprises: gathering a telephone number of a client; gathering a code of the client based on the telephone number; searching a dispatch list from the plurality of dispatch lists based on the code of the client; gathering a code of a customer service recorded in the dispatch list; gathering a telephone number of the customer service based on the code of the customer service; and dialing the telephone number of the customer service to build a communication link between the client and the customer service.
US08538801B2 System and method for processing financial transactions
The invention relates generally to retail transactions and, more particularly, to systems and methods for monitoring consumer behavior and for providing a secure electronic payment in exchange for goods and services.
US08538794B2 Method and apparatus for management of the creation of a patent portfolio
Start-up companies, as well as new businesses within established firms, have the challenge of creating a sensible intellectual property (IP) portfolio. With resources usually tight, not all of the IP can be protected due to cost or resource availability considerations. Accordingly, disclosed herein is an apparatus and method that provide an effective solution for management of identified intellectual property. By providing an effective scoring scheme and a simple display, management decision making is made simple and straightforward, while providing in a glance the entire distribution of the firm's IP.
US08538793B2 System and method for managing real-time batch workflows
A system and method for executing and managing a business process in a unified business process environment is provided. The methodology of the invention describes steps to execute a business process and thereafter monitor the executed business process in a unified business process environment. A business process is received in a unified business process environment. The business process comprises at least one workflow. The methodology further ascertains execution details of the at least one workflow based on a predefined attribute of the at least one workflow. Thereafter, the methodology processes the at least one workflow at a location selected from at least one of a grid processing environment and a local processing environment, based on the ascertained execution details of the at least one workflow. After which, the methodology monitors the at least one workflow, executed for processing at the grid processing environment and the local processing environment.
US08538792B1 Method and system for determining total cost of ownership
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a total cost of ownership method and system for technology components, applications or business units. The system provides financial reporting costs in information technology terms in order to build a bridge between technology and finance organizations. The method and system utilize data from systems of record for assets and charges, extract this data and deliver output reports and visualizations on the data processing and analysis in order to drive a Total Cost of Ownership for technology components, applications or business units. The method includes bringing data from disparate sources into the computer processor accessing at least one storage medium, validating the data by a Data Quality Engine, processing the data by matching the at least one charge to the at least one asset and performing data analytics and reporting on the Total Cost of Ownership.
US08538786B2 Method, system and program product for generating an implementation of a business rule including a volatile portion
A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for implementing business rules. According to one embodiment, a computer-implementable method includes receiving one or more business rules for an upper level business model, enabling designation of at least a portion of a particular business rule among the one or more business rules as volatile, and transforming the business rules to generate implementation code for the business process modeled by the upper layer business model. The transforming includes automatically generating implementation code by which the portion of the particular business rule is configurable at runtime.
US08538784B2 Workers compensation system for determining a cost of insurance based on collecting selected data having a pre-selected relationship to a risk's business operations
A system is disclosed for determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected time period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of the risk's business characteristics, whereby the cost is adjustable by relating the business characteristics to predetermined standards. The system predetermines a risk profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance based on said risk profile, monitors a plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of the risk or a payroll modification during the selected time period, collects selected data elements out of the plurality of data elements when said ones are determined to have a pre-selected relationship to the risk's business operations, consolidates the selected ones for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost, and produces a final cost for the selected time period from the base cost and the surcharge or discount.
US08538779B1 Method and system for online secure patient referral system
The present invention provides a system and method, relating to the transfer of patient files over a secure, HIPAA compliant, patient file transfer and outpatient order system and a computer site therefore. The method includes obtaining and compiling a patient record pertaining to a patient; electronically inputting the patient record obtained into a secure computer database containing other patient records, allowing physician access to the patient record wherein the access includes allowing the physician to order outpatient services and send part of the patient information, including certain defined fields for a complete record and to send and receive referrals including certain defined fields for a complete record.
US08538773B2 Healthcare quality measurement
A method of determining a quality of care provided by a healthcare provider to individuals in a population is provided. A data processing apparatus that has one or more processors is disclosed. Data representing biomarkers for individuals in a population is received. Baseline and present risks are determined. Risk reduction values are determined. Based on the current risk reduction, a quality score is determined. A scale is created, and the quality score is mapped to the scale. The global quality score of the disclosure provides numerous benefits over past performance measures.
US08538769B2 Contact center data visualization system and method
A data visualization system is disclosed that includes an interaction database, a retrieval component, a display component, and a contour generator. The interaction database is maintained in a computer memory of interaction data representing interactions between customers and at least one merchant. The retrieval component is configured to retrieve from the interaction database data representing interactions between customers and the merchant, and to construct a finite set of data values from the retrieved data. The display component is configured to display a graphical representation of a merchant and a graphical representation of each of the set of data values centered on respective data points disposed on a representation of a bell-shaped curve. The contour generator configured to generate and display one or more contour lines at least partly around each data point to form a bell-shaped curve, in which the areas of representation around each data point are shown in a series of contour lines, and the nature of the contour lines for each data point are preferably represented to gradually drop off or fan away from each data point, wherein each data point is displayed as a local maximum at an apex of the bell-shaped curve.
US08538768B2 Methods and apparatuses for delivery of advice to mobile/wireless devices
Methods and apparatuses to connect consumers to diverse advice sources of experts. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a list of experts to a mobile device via a wireless media channel for presentation to a consumer; responsive to receiving from the mobile device a selection of one expert from the list of experts, initiating a telephonic connection between the expert and the consumer prior to the consumer submitting a question for advice. In one example, the list includes information to indicate whether one or more of the experts are individually available to telephonically communicate with the consumer at a time when the list is provided to the consumer. In one example, initiating the telephonic connection includes: initiating a first call to the consumer; initiating a second call to the expert; and joining the first and second calls to make the telephonic connection between the expert and the consumer.
US08538767B1 Method for discovering functional and system requirements in an integrated development process
A method for developing a response to a business need that has been initially reduced to a concept and approved for additional development after an initial estimate. The method can consist of capturing functional requirements to implement the defined concept through interaction with end users of the potentially impacted business processes. After the functional requirements have been captured, system requirements, including requirements for potential automation and software systems supporting the impacted business processes, can be captured. System requirements can be captured through interaction with systems analysts for the potentially impacted automation and software systems supporting the impacted business processes. A set of business requirements can be identified with respect to the approved concept and every captured functional requirement can be mapped to one or more identified business requirements. Every captured system requirement can be mapped to one or more captured functional requirements.
US08538764B2 Method and apparatus for delivery of aligned multi-channel audio
There is provided a method of encoding audio and including said encoded audio into a digital transport stream, comprising receiving at an encoder input a plurality of temporally co-located audio signals, assigning identical time stamps per unit time to all of the plurality of temporally co-located audio signals and incorporating the identically time stamped audio signals into the digital transport stream. There is also provided a method decoding said encoded data, and encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus.
US08538760B2 Methods and apparatuses for identifying audible samples for use in a speech recognition capability of a mobile device
Techniques for provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile device to allow for speech recognition based, at least in part, on context information associated with at least a portion of at least one navigational region, e.g., associated with a location of the mobile device. A speech recognition capability may, for example, be provided with a set of audible samples based, at least in part, on the context information. Such speech recognition capability may be provided by the mobile device and/or by one or more other devices coupled to the mobile device.
US08538754B2 Interactive text editing
A method for providing suggestions includes capturing audio that includes speech and receiving textual content from a speech recognition engine. The speech recognition engine performs speech recognition on the audio signal to obtain the textual content, which includes one or more passages. The method also includes receiving a selection of a portion of a first word in a passage in the textual content, wherein the passage includes multiple words, and retrieving a set of suggestions that can potentially replace the first word. At least one suggestion from the set of suggestions provides a multi-word suggestion for potentially replacing the first word. The method further includes displaying, on a display device, the set of suggestions, and highlighting a portion of the textual content, as displayed on the display device, for potentially changing to one of the suggestions from the set of suggestions.
US08538751B2 Speech recognition system and speech recognizing method
A speech recognition system and a speech recognizing method for high-accuracy speech recognition in the environment with ego noise are provided. A speech recognition system according to the present invention includes a sound source separating and speech enhancing section; an ego noise predicting section; and a missing feature mask generating section for generating missing feature masks using outputs of the sound source separating and speech enhancing section and the ego noise predicting section; an acoustic feature extracting section for extracting an acoustic feature of each sound source using an output for said each sound source of the sound source separating and speech enhancing section; and a speech recognizing section for performing speech recognition using outputs of the acoustic feature extracting section and the missing feature masks.
US08538746B2 Apparatus and method of providing a quality measure for an output voice signal generated to reproduce an input voice signal
A method of providing a quality measure for an output voice signal generated to reproduce an input voice signal, the method comprising: partitioning the input and output signals into frames; for each frame of the input signal, determining a disturbance relative to each of a plurality of frames of the output signal; determining a subset of the determined disturbances comprising one disturbance for each input frame such that a sum of the disturbances in the subset set is a minimum; and using the set of disturbances to provide the measure of quality.
US08538745B2 Creating a terms dictionary with named entities or terminologies included in text data
A computer system of an embodiment of the disclosure can be used to automatically create or populate a terms dictionary using a set of computing units. A morphological analysis unit can acquire token sequence data by performing morphological analysis for the text data. A category distinguishing unit can distinguish tokens of the token sequence data by using a category dictionary to extract uncategorized words. An uncategorized-word comparing unit can compare each of the extracted uncategorized words with an uncategorized-word comparison rule to extract an uncategorized word matching the uncategorized-word comparison rule as a registration candidate word. A token-sequence comparing unit can compare a token sequence of the token sequence data with a token-sequence comparison rule to extract a token sequence matching the token-sequence comparison rule as registration candidate words. A permission unit can permit a user to select whether to register the registration candidate words in the category dictionary.
US08538740B2 Real-time performance modeling of software systems with multi-class workload
Methods and systems for determining a real-time performance model of systems that process multi-class workloads. The methods can include collecting measurement data, selecting a series of prior time windows, processing the measurement data to compute a set of constraints based on the measurement data from the series of prior time windows, augmenting the set of constraints to a measurement model to obtain an augmented measurement model and running a modified extended Kalman filter with the augmented measurement model to obtain a state estimate.
US08538727B2 Method and apparatus for calibration and testing of scientific measurement equipment
Discussed herein are methods and apparatuses to produce profiles for scientific measurement equipment, and to use those profiles for various purposes in using, designing, calibrating and managing such equipment, such as to carry out critical laboratory testing. In this approach, either the analyzers' quality control data or serial patient data are numerically reduced to generate graphical precision profiles. Precision profiles for serial patient data show increased (im)precision vs time implying increased patient variation over increased time. Precision profiles for quality control data, according to one implementation, can demonstrate three different zones: 1) increased imprecision for quality control determinations that are close spaced (implies the discovery of an error condition and rapid reanalysis, 2) the usual imprecision and 3) a zone of increased imprecision which indicates either a need for a quality control analysis or re-calibration.
US08538724B2 Apparatus and method for checking the attitude of a vehicle
An apparatus (1) for checking the attitude of a vehicle (2) includes: at least one target (3) defining a spatial reference system; a mobile unit (4) adapted for measuring the value of parameters representing the geometric characteristics of the wheels of the vehicle (2), and for viewing the target (3); a processor (13) is connected to a camera (14) mounted on the mobile unit, for calculating the position of the wheel (9) relative to the reference system to calculate the attitude of the vehicle (2); an interface (23) is provided, designed to make available in real time to the user driving the mobile unit (4) information relating to the position of the camera (14) relative to the wheel (9), wherein the mobile unit (4) can be driven manually by a user to be positioned in proximity of the wheel (9).
US08538723B2 Exercise mode automatic identification method
An exercise mode automatic identification method is provided. The automatic identification method includes the following steps. A step count taken by a user is obtained. A horizontal transient speed at which the user moves at the end of a predetermined period is obtained. The user's exercise mode is defined by a microprocessor according to the step count and the horizontal transient speed.
US08538719B2 Method for testing device descriptions for field devices of automation technology
In a method for testing device descriptions for field devices of automation technology, a finite state machine is produced from a device description to serve as a basis for a test script. For testing the device description, the test script is executed, with data being sent to and received from the device description. In such case, it is tested whether desired values set in the test script agree with actual values delivered e.g. from the field device.
US08538718B2 Clock edge grouping for at-speed test
A method of grouping clock domains includes: separating a plurality of test clocks into a plurality of domain groups by adding to each respective one of the plurality of domain groups those test clocks that originate from a same clock source and have a unique clock divider ratio; sorting the domain groups in decreasing order of size; and creating a plurality of parts by adding the respective one of the plurality of domain groups to a first one of the plurality of parts in which already present test clocks have a different clock source, and creating a new part and adding the respective one of the plurality of domain groups to the new part when test clocks present in the respective one of the plurality of domain groups originate from a respective same clock source and have a different clock divider ratio as test clocks present in all previously-created parts.
US08538715B2 Design-dependent integrated circuit disposition
A method of integrated circuit (IC) disposition includes the steps of determining one or more disposition criteria based at least in part on statistical timing of a given IC design; and determining whether a given IC according to the given IC design satisfies the one or more disposition criteria based at least in part on one or more measurements of at least one test structure.
US08538710B2 Methods and systems for monitoring lift usage
Methods and systems for lift monitoring are described. In one embodiment, a first operation signal may be received from a first relay coupled to an electro-mechanical patient lift when the electro-mechanical patient lift is being operated in a first position. A second operation signal may be received from a second relay coupled to the electro-mechanical patient lift when the electro-mechanical patient lift is being operated in a second position. A determination of whether a lift qualification threshold is met may be based on the receiving of the first operation signal and the second operation signal. An occurrence of a lift may be recorded when a determination is made that the lift qualification threshold is met. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
US08538706B2 Method for affinity scoring of peptide/protein complexes
The present invention is related to a quantitative structure-based affinity scoring method for peptide/protein complexes. More specifically, the present invention comprises a method that operates on the basis of a highly specific force field function (e.g. CHARMM) that is applied to all-atom structural representations of peptide/receptor complexes. Peptide side-chain contributions to total affinity are scored after detailed rotameric sampling followed by controlled energy refinement. The method of the invention further comprises a de novo approach to estimate dehydration energies from the simulation of individual amino acids in a solvent box filled with explicit water molecules and applying the same force field function as used to evaluate peptide/receptor complex interactions.
US08538705B2 System and method of assessing analgesic adequacy using biopotential variability
The system and method for predicting and measuring a subject's analgesic state and analgesic adequacy. Biopotential signals are obtained from a subject through electrodes. A processor will compute a measure that is representative of the subject's sedative state and/or muscle activity. A metric representative of such measures is then determined. In the case where a measure is taken of both the subject's sedative state and muscle activity the two measures are combined into an index representative of the subject's analgesic state and analgesic adequacy.
US08538703B2 Method, system, and computer program product for the processing of self-monitoring blood glucose(SMBG)data to enhance diabetic self-management
A method, system, and computer program product related to the maintenance of optimal control of diabetes, and is directed to predicting the long-term exposure to hyperglycemia, and the long-term and short-term risks of severe or moderate hypoglycemia in diabetics, based on blood blucose readings collected by a self-monitoring blood glucose device. The method, system, and computer program product pertain directly to the enhancement of existing home blood glucose monitoring devices, by introducing an intelligent data interpretation component capable of predicting both HbA1c and periods of increased risk of hypoglycemia, and to the enhancement of emerging continuous monitoring devices by the same features. With these predictions the diabetic can take steps to prevent the adverse consequences associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
US08538695B2 System and method for analyzing trees in LiDAR data using views
A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, the number of trees represented by a LiDAR data point cluster is estimated based on a calculated value related to the exposure to the sky of a LiDAR data point in the LiDAR data point cluster.
US08538687B2 System for guidance and navigation in a building
A system for guidance and navigation in a building. For example, the system may determine a route for egress or rescue of one or more people from a building with a hazardous condition. The system may process the route into waypoints and segments developed within a set of constraint rules. Semantic information about the building may be associated with the waypoints and/or segments. The waypoints and segments may be processed into navigation commands. The navigation commands may be formed in natural language from sentence templates. The system may additionally have 3D beacon audio to assist in guidance and navigation of the one or more people in the building.
US08538679B1 Enhanced geocoding
An enhanced geocoding module may be used to determine various physical addresses located on the same street. The enhanced geocoding module may create a grid around a predetermined location and request the physical addresses of various coordinate points located on the grid. Additional features of the module may include a display that displays the grid with physical addresses located on the same street, various statistics related to a user of the enhanced geocoding module, and a color-coded scheme that indicates the status of individuals/groups located at the physical addresses.
US08538677B2 Navigation system with constrained resource route planning mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving an entry for a destination; and generating a travel route to the destination through a sufficient number of one or more replenishment locations required for reaching the destination for displaying on a device.
US08538673B2 System and method for planning/replanning collision free flight plans in real or accelerated time
A system and method for planning/replanning collision free flight plans in real-time (or accelerated-time) including planning individual flight plans for each flying asset, executing (or simulating) the planned individual flight plans, detecting violations of safety zones of each of the flying assets by negotiation and by other assets monitoring (radar sensing), and repairing the individual flight plans by real-time replanning.
US08538669B2 Ground based system and methods for identifying incursions along the flight path of an in-flight aircraft
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting incursion alerts to a plurality of in-flight aircraft in accordance with preconfigured pilot preferences. The apparatus comprises a data store module containing data sets against which the pilot preferences are evaluated during flight, including weather, airspace and flight restrictions, ground delay programs, and air traffic information. The apparatus further includes a flight path module containing route and position information for each aircraft. An incursion alert processing module evaluates the flight path, data store, and pilot preferences and generates incursion alerts which are transmitted to each aircraft during flight, either directly or via ground based dispatchers or flight operations personnel.
US08538667B2 Evaluating road conditions using a mobile vehicle
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product evaluates a real-time condition of a construct of a roadway. A processor receives a set of roadway vibration patterns from a mobile smart sensor that is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle as it travels along a roadway. This set of roadway vibration patterns is created by a physical contact between a roadway surface of the roadway and a tire on the terrestrial vehicle. The processor also receives a set of transient data from a probe on the terrestrial vehicle. This transient data describes a real-time transient environmental condition at the roadway. The set of roadway vibration patterns and the set of transient data are input into an analysis algorithm to determine a real-time physical condition of a construct of the roadway, such that the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set of transient data has on the set of roadway vibration patterns.
US08538666B2 CPS knock detection system
A control system includes a cylinder pressure sensor (CPS) that senses a cylinder pressure of an engine and generates a CPS signal based on the cylinder pressure. A CPS failure detection module selectively generates a failure signal based on characteristics of the CPS signal in a knock frequency range. A status detection module generates a CPS status signal based on the CPS signal and the failure signal.
US08538663B2 Method for adapting the performance of a fuel prefeed pump of a motor vehicle
In a method for adapting the performance of a fuel prefeed pump of a motor vehicle which has a common rail injection system and an internal combustion engine, after the ignition is switched on and before the internal combustion engine is started, adaptation values are determined and stored which are assigned to the fuel prefeed pump and describe its individual performance. After the internal combustion engine is started, the stored adaptation values are taken into consideration during the determining of an actuating signal for the prefeed pump.
US08538662B2 Variable valve device for internal combustion engine
In a variable valve device for an internal combustion engine, which has a cam phase variable mechanism including a split variable function, when the operation of the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined extremely low speed and load region, the phase of a second intake cam is controlled to a more advanced position (S1) than the phase in which the closing timing of a second intake valve is in a most retarded position.
US08538654B2 Systems and methods for improved aircraft braking
Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A method is disclosed comprising determining, at a brake controller, an aircraft reference speed for an aircraft having a first wheel and a second wheel, identifying, at the brake controller, a state comprising the first wheel having a different rotational velocity than the second wheel, wherein the difference in rotational velocity sums to about zero, calculating, at the brake controller, a compensation factor for at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel, and adjusting, at the brake controller, a locked wheel trigger velocity in accordance with the compensation factor.
US08538651B2 Driving force controller of vehicle
A driving force control apparatus includes a driver model which is a functional block adjusting characteristics relevant to human senses and a powertrain manger which is a functional block adjusting vehicle's hardware characteristics. The driver model includes a target base driving force calculation unit (static characteristics) calculating a target driving force from an accelerator pedal position using a base driving force map or the like, and a target transient characteristics addition unit calculating a final target driving force from the target driving force using transient characteristics represented by a transfer function. The powertrain manager includes a target engine torque and AT gear calculation unit and a characteristics compensator compensating for response of the vehicle.
US08538649B2 System and method for managing accumulator effects during engagement of a lockup clutch in a torque converter
A method and system for managing accumulator effects during engagement of a lockup clutch of a torque converter includes selecting a pump speed profile that reduces a rotational speed of a pump of the torque converter from an initial value to a rotation speed of a turbine of the torque converter. A pump acceleration profile is determined based on the pump speed profile. Engagement of the lockup clutch is controlled as a function of an inertia of an engine associated with the torque converter, a torque applied by the engine to the pump, the rotational speed of the turbine, the pump speed profile, and the pump acceleration profile.
US08538647B2 Control apparatus for automatic transmission and control method thereof
In an operation of controlling an automatic transmission, an engagement pressure for each hydraulic servo in a normal operation is determined so that none of friction engagement elements slips at each shift speed in the normal operation, and so that in case of a failure in which the friction engagement element that is supposed to be disengaged in the normal operation is engaged, one of the friction engagement elements slips, and thus one of the shift speeds is established. In the control operation, upon detection of a failure state in which a gear ratio after a shift operation is a gear ratio of a shift speed different from a shift speed to be established, the slipping friction engagement element is disengaged, and the shift speed that is different from the shift speed to be established is temporarily retained.
US08538645B2 Control system having load-adjusted economy mode
A control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control system may have an engine configured to propel the mobile machine, at least one operator input device configured to indicate a desired engine speed and a desired mode of operation, and a controller in communication with the engine and the at least one operator input device. The controller may be configured to make a comparison of a current torque of the engine to an available torque, and to selectively adjust a speed of the engine from the desired engine speed based on the desired mode of operation and based on the comparison.
US08538642B2 Range determination apparatus
A range determination apparatus for preventing a shift range from being undefined during speed change states of an automatic transmission with no manual valve. The range determination apparatus includes a gear speed change mechanism and a plurality of friction engagement elements operative to have respective operation states changed between an engagement and a disengagement state. The range determination apparatus is used for automatic transmissions subject to speed changes via a torque transmission path of the gear speed change mechanism changed by the operation states of the friction engagement elements. A real shift range determination is carried out on the basis of the operation states of the friction engagement elements, where a T-ECU is operative to determine a current shift range based on detection results obtained by oil pressure sensors and operation patterns preliminarily memorized when the operation states of the friction engagement elements are not being changed.
US08538641B2 Multi-motor drive system with differential speed regulated by CVT
In a system in which two or motors drive a common load, respective continuously variable transmissions are installed between each individual motor and a respective individual load in the form of a wheel group, the respective continuously variable transmissions providing a differential speed drive operation.
US08538640B2 Travel damper control device for wheel loader
A travel damper control device includes a proximity detecting part and a valve switching part. The proximity detecting part is configured to detect that the bell crank is in proximity to the cross tube. The valve switching part is configured to switch the open/close valve into a closed position when the proximity detecting part detects that the bell crank is in proximity to the cross tube.
US08538639B2 Method for closed-loop power control of a road finishing machine or feeder and a road finishing machine or feeder comprising the same
In the hydrostatic working operation of a road finishing machine or a feeder which comprises a primary power plant with an internal combustion engine (M) and several hydraulic variable displacement pumps, which are hydraulically connected to hydraulic motors of working components, and which possesses a computerized control device, the internal combustion engine is operated within its engine-specific characteristic map in response to the load condition by dynamic speed adaptation in a characteristic zone with optimal consumption, and the displacements (VsHP) of the variable displacement pumps are simultaneously automatically adapted for keeping the volume flow rates for the hydraulic motors constant. In the road finishing machine or the feeder, in the control device or connected to the same, a control loop for evaluating the load condition of the internal combustion engine and the current displacement of the variable displacement pumps is provided, by means of which the speed can be dynamically adjusted to or in a characteristic zone with optimal consumption, and simultaneously with the adjustment of the speed for keeping the volume flow rates for the hydraulic motors constant, the displacements of the variable displacement pumps can be automatically adapted.
US08538635B2 Vehicle speed estimator and traction control device
A vehicle speed estimator includes a unit that selects a minimum rotation speed among rotation speeds of wheels detected by a rotation speed detector and calculates a reference wheel speed of a construction vehicle at every predetermined time. The unit includes: a variable filter processor that performs a low-pass filter processing to the minimum rotation speed, the variable filter processor having a variable time constant; and a time constant changer that changes the time constant of the variable filter processor in accordance with travel conditions of the construction vehicle.
US08538634B2 Body velocity estimating device, and collision safety protecting system
Body velocity estimating device 10A is constituted by acceleration measurement unit 11, acceleration separation unit 12, filter processing operation unit 13, acceleration addition unit 14, integration processing operation unit 15, and estimated body velocity output unit 16. The unit 12 compares an acceleration measured by the unit 11 with set acceleration upper and lower limit reference values to separate the measured acceleration into reference value range-in and range-out accelerations. The unit 13 performs filtering on the separated reference value range-out acceleration to calculate filtered accelerations of the reference value range-out acceleration. The unit 14 adds the filtered accelerations to the previously separated range-in acceleration. The unit 15 multiplies the added acceleration by an operation period, and adds the resultant to the estimated body velocity calculated in the preceding one operation period to update the value of the estimated body velocity. The unit 16 outputs the updated estimated body velocity.
US08538633B2 Power steering apparatus
The power steering apparatus according to the invention is a power steering apparatus with a power steering function to drive an oil pump by a motor to generate hydraulic pressure, and to assist in driver's steering through the hydraulic pressure. The power steering apparatus includes a power source voltage detecting unit which detects the voltage of a power source of the power steering apparatus; a motor rotating speed detecting unit which detects the rotating speed of the motor; and a control stopping unit which stops the power steering function when the voltage of the power source detected by the power source voltage detecting unit exceeds a predetermined power source voltage value, and the rotating speed of the motor detected by the motor rotating speed detecting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined motor rotating speed value.
US08538613B2 Method for determining an estimated driving range for a vehicle
A method for determining an estimated driving range for a vehicle that uses battery power for vehicle propulsion, where the estimate is in the form of a range of values as opposed to a single value. In one embodiment, the method adds a positive offset value to an initial estimate value to determine an upper limit, and subtracts a negative offset value from the initial estimate value to determine a lower limit. The positive and negative offset values may be determined separately and on a real-time basis so that the extent of the overall estimated driving range may be influenced by the volatility in power consumption and/or power creation.
US08538609B2 System, method, and computer readable memory medium for verifying track database information
A system for verifying data in a track database comprises a track profile database stored in a memory having data relative to one or more track grades and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades. A vehicle trip plan is developed according to the track profile data that comprises a designated path of travel of the vehicle over the track system and a planned vehicle operating condition associated with each of the one or more track grades and the associated coordinates or range of coordinates of the track grades. A controller is configured to compare a stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operating condition to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates.
US08538603B2 Aircraft avionics system
An aircraft avionics system (10) for an aircraft, comprising includes a mission system (2), controlled by an open systems mission computer with a tactical communications system (320) and a tactical navigation system (220), The avionics system also includes a civil system (I), controlled by a flight management system with a civil communications system (310) and a civil navigation system (210), The mission system (2) is logically separated from the civil system (I) through separation of a navigation system (20) of the aircraft into a civil navigation system (210) and a tactical navigation system (220), and through separation of a communications system (30) of the aircraft (100) into the tactical communications system (320) and the civil communications system (310), and through the independence of the open systems mission computer from the flight management system, The separation allows the civil system (I) to operate and be updated independently from the mission system (2).