最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08668841B2 Bismuth-zinc-mercury amalgam, fluorescent lamps, and related methods
A pellet having a microstructure including a bismuth phase, a zinc solid solution phase, and a Zn3Hg phase is disclosed. A method of making a pellet including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is also disclosed. Moreover, a fluorescent lamp with a fill material including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is disclosed. Further, a method of dosing a fluorescent lamp with mercury is disclosed.
US08668836B2 Plasma processing device and method of monitoring plasma discharge state in plasma processing device
An object is to provide a plasma processing device capable of rightly monitoring existence of plasma discharge and also rightly monitoring existence of abnormal discharge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of monitoring a state of plasma discharge in the plasma processing device.A discharge detection sensor 23, in which a dielectric member 21 and a probe electrode unit 22 are combined with each other, is attached to an opening portion 2a provided in a lid portion 2 composing a vacuum chamber. A change in the electric potential induced in the probe electrode 22b according to a change in plasma discharge is received, electric potential change wave-forms of specific patterns are respectively detected by an N-type wave-form detecting portion 34 and V-type wave-form detecting 35, and a discharge state judgment including a judgment of whether the electric discharge exists or does not exist and whether the electric discharge is normal or abnormal is made according to a counted value of counting the number of times of appearance of these electric potential change wave forms for each type of wave-form by a discharge ON wave-form counter 36, a discharge OFF wave-form counter 37, an abnormal discharge wave-form counter 38 and a leak discharge wave-form counter 39.
US08668833B2 Method of forming a nanostructure
A method of forming a discrete nanostructured element at one or more predetermined locations on a substrate is presented. The method includes forming a mask member over the substrate. A window is formed in the mask member at each of one or more locations at which it is required to form the nanostructured element thereby to expose a portion of a surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate exposed by the window at the one or more locations is removed to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The method further includes forming a layer of a nanostructure medium over a surface of the recess and annealing the structure thereby to form the nanostructured element in each of the one or more recesses. The nanostructured element includes a portion of the nanostructure medium and has an external dimension along at least two substantially orthogonal directions of less than substantially 100 nm.
US08668831B2 Method for contaminant removal from aqueous solution
The present invention provides for a permeable reactive barrier and an effective method of removing contaminants from water using adsorbent powders, such as zero valent iron particles, adhered throughout a reticulated foam structure. This structure provides improved mass transfer, higher reaction rates and reduced residence times. The barrier includes a reticulated foam substrate with high permeability, an adherent coating and a reactive adsorbent arranged in a reticulated foam structure. The substrate can be selected from various materials including polyurethane and polyester. The adherent may be selected from a wide range of materials including polyurethanes, acrylics, silicones, siliconized acrylics, latex emulsions, and other inherently tacky materials that cure to a water resistant coating. The reactive adsorbent can be selected from various adsorbents including a powdered zero-valent iron (ZVI).
US08668823B2 Methods and units for mitigation of carbon oxides during hydrotreating
This invention relates to methods and units for mitigation of carbon oxides during hydrotreating hydrocarbons including mineral oil based streams and biological oil based streams. A hydrotreating unit includes a first hydrotreating reactor for receiving a mineral oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a first hydrotreated product stream, and a second hydrotreating reactor for receiving a biological oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a second hydrotreated product stream.
US08668801B2 Method of producing a laminated optical film
A method for producing a laminated optical film that allows three-dimensional images to be reproduced, which is preferably used in a large image display apparatus. One embodiment of the method includes laminating a polarizing plate and a λ/4 plate and forming a λ/2 layer partially on the λ/4 plate. The polarizing plate and the λ/4 plate are laminated such that an angle between an absorption axis of a polarizer of the polarizing plate and a slow axis of the λ/4 plate is substantially 45°, and the λ/2 layer is formed such that an angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the λ/2 layer is substantially 45°.
US08668798B2 Non-toxic water-based frit slurry paste, and assembly incorporating the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a frit slurry paste for use in assemblies (e.g., a vacuum insulated glass unit or a plasma display panel), and methods of making the same. Frit powder, binder material, and a water-based solvent are mixed together to form an intermediate mixture. The frit powder is substantially lead free, and the water-based solvent is provided at a first temperature. Additional water-based solvent is added to the intermediate mixture to form a frit slurry paste. The additional water-based solvent is provided at a second temperature, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature. The binder material is provided at a concentration of 0.001%-20% by weight with respect to the frit slurry paste or the frit slurry paste absent the frit powder. The frit slurry paste has a bulk viscosity of 2,000-200,000 cps.
US08668797B2 Method of assembly of thermoplastic fencing
A method of assembly of fencing made of thermoplastic materials which can be easily assembled utilizing ultrasonic welding and which can include a unique configuration for the ultrasonic welding surfaces which prevents the flow of melted thermoplastic materials outwardly onto the decorative outer surfaces of the various fencing parts. Any excess thermoplastic material is designed to pass inwardly toward the longitudinally extending bore defined in the various fencing construction parts. This concept is particularly useful for attaching capping fence members which are injection molded onto structural fence members which are extruded.
US08668794B2 Mixing bonding adhesive at die bonder before dispense
A method for die bonding includes positioning a dispenser in a die bonding apparatus, wherein the dispenser includes a reservoir having bonding adhesive therein including particles and a liquid carrier. The dispenser is moved to provide mechanical agitation to the dispenser for mixing the bonding adhesive into a homogeneous mixture of particles and the liquid carrier, wherein the bonding adhesive is not dispensed during moving. After the moving, the bonding adhesive is dispensed onto a bonding location on the workpiece without removing the dispenser from the die attach apparatus. An integrated circuit (IC) die is attached onto the bonding adhesive over the bonding location. The method can also include determining an amount of time elapsed after the last mixing of the bonding adhesive or the positioning of the dispenser in the die bonding apparatus, and automatically initiating movement for mixing only if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time.
US08668791B2 Ascorbic acid, terephthalate and nitromethane stabilizers for fluoroolefins
The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one ascorbic acid, terephthalate, or nitromethane, or mixtures thereof. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.
US08668787B2 Silver alloy, sputtering target material thereof, and thin film thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a Ag—Pd—Cu—Ge type silver alloy which can form a reflective electrode film having such two characteristics that it is very reduced in the lowering of reflectance caused by thermal deterioration and has resistant to yellowing caused by sulfurization even after a heating step in a process of producing a color liquid crystal display. The silver alloy according to the present invention includes a composition containing at least four elements including Ag as its major component, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Pd, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Cu and 0.01 to 1.50 wt % of Ge, and the total amount of Pd, Cu and Ge is 0.21 to 3.00 wt %.
US08668781B2 Dishwasher lid sealing assembly
An appliance having a casing with an open topped tub located within it, a lid structure including a seal for closing and sealing the tub mounted to the casing, the seal sealing with the top edge of the tub and located at or close to the perimeter of the lid structure, the lid structure including a lid center portion and a frame which circumscribes the lid center portion, the appliance including a gasket, connecting the frame to the lid center portion so that at least part of the gasket forms a free body portion between the frame and the lid center portion, the lid center being free-floating relative to the frame, the appliance including a lid structure supporting mechanism connected to the frame to move the lid structure downwards, and if the lid center portion is prevented from moving downwards, the frame can continue to move downwards.
US08668780B2 Contact lens carrier and methods of use thereof in the manufacture of ophthalmic lenses
Methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses are described in which lens bodies are placed in cavities of lens carriers that are fluidly connected to reservoirs, flow ducts and sub-cavity base channels that provide enhanced washing and wet processing of the lenses.
US08668773B2 Mortar composition, method of preparation thereof and use thereof
A mortar composition in the form of a dry powder, ready for use, comprising at least one powdery binder and at least one aggregate, as well as possibly at least one standard additive and/or adjuvant, and formed from particles, at least some of which, referred to as fine particles, are liable to produce an emission of dust, characterized in that it also comprises a fluid additive that consists of least one non-polar hydrocarbon organic substance and that has a capacity for agglomeration of the said fine particles, and in that the dry mortar composition comprises agglomerates of fine particles formed by the fluid additive.
US08668754B2 Engine air intake device and construction machine incorporated with the same
Two air cleaners 20A, 20B are disposed on a horizontal plane in a state that air inlets 24, 24 are directed in an upward direction and an axial directions of the air cleaners 20A, 20B are aligned in parallel to each other. An air intake duct 21 for drawing in external air is disposed to overlap the air cleaners 20A, 20B in the upward direction. The air intake duct 21 is connected to the air inlets 24, 24 of the air cleaners 20A, 20B. A merging chamber S1 for supplying airs filtered through the air cleaners 20A, 20B to an engine is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial directions of the air cleaners 20A, 20B. The air cleaners 20A, 20B and a merging member 22 are attached to a common attachment member 26.
US08668747B2 Aqueous dye dispersions
The present invention relates to storage stable aqueous dye dispersions, comprising (a) 2.0 to 30.0% by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of a dye of the formula (3) in which KK is a residue of a coupling component; (b) 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, dispersing agents, rheology modifiers, and preservatives; and (c) 50.0 to 97.9% by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of water. The invention moreover relates to a process for their preparation and the use thereof for the dyeing, in particular of paper.
US08668740B2 Expandable vertebral prosthesis
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US08668730B2 Vascular device with valve for approximating vessel wall
A vascular device comprising a plurality of vessel engaging members and a valve. The device is movable from a collapsed insertion position having a first diameter to a second expanded position having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The plurality of vessel engaging members extend outwardly from the device for securely engaging the internal wall of a vessel upon expansion of the device to the second expanded position, wherein the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly upon movement of the device from the second expanded position toward a first expanded position having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. In the first expanded position the valve is movable between an open position to allow blood flow therethrough to a closed position to prevent blood flow.
US08668727B2 Systems and methods for treating pathogenic infection
An internal anatomic target that is infected by pathogenic microorganisms is treated using an applicator configured for delivering a therapeutic solution thereto and an UV light-emitting device transmits UV light thereon.
US08668724B2 Grommet assembly
A connecting device is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod and a vertebral screw or hook. The connector generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, and a grommet member for receiving a bone fixation member. The grommet member is inserted into the receiver member so that the receiver member and grommet member are rotatably connected. One or more disks may be placed between the receiver member and grommet member to assist in locking the device.
US08668721B2 Connector apparatus and method
A spinal stabilization apparatus and method according to which a fastener is engaged with a bone structure of a spinal system. The fastener is connected to a rod by moving the rod downward toward the fastener in a sagittal plane, and the direction of extension of at least a portion of the rod in a coronal plane may be selectively adjusted in predetermined angular increments through 360 degrees.
US08668713B2 Vascular filter device
A vascular filter device (1) comprises a plurality of filter elements (6) which are movable from a capturing position to an open position upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the capturing position the filter elements (6) are configured to capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava. In the open position the filter elements (6) are configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow. The filter elements (6) are biased towards the open position. The filter (1) comprises a holder member (10) to temporarily hold the filter elements (6) in the capturing position until elapse of the predetermined period of time. The holder member (10) comprises a biostable wire element (12) which extends through an opening (13) in each filter element (6), and a biodegradable/bioabsorbable stop element (11). Upon biodegrading/bioabsorbing of the stop element (11), the filter elements (6) are free to move from the capturing position to the open position.
US08668691B2 Electrosurgical tissue sealer and cutter
A surgical instrument comprises an end effector including a pair of jaw members configured to move with respect to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration for clamping tissue. At least one jaw member includes an elongate cam slot extending in a longitudinal direction over a substantial a length a tissue clamping surface of the at least one jaw member. A plurality of electrically isolated, and longitudinally spaced electrodes is supported by the tissue clamping surface and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. A reciprocating member engages the elongate cam slot and is extendable to a sealing position with respect to each of the electrodes to define a predetermined gap distance between a particular electrode and an opposing tissue clamping surface.
US08668687B2 System and method for removing medical implants
A method for removing a medical implant is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes the steps of guiding a plasma device to an implantation site. The plasma device includes a catheter having a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a flexible distal portion and a lumen defined therein terminating in an opening proximate a distal end thereof. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source. The plasma device also include one or more electrodes proximate the opening and adapted to couple to a power source. The method also includes the steps of positioning the opening proximate a medical implant, supplying ionizable media to the opening, energizing the electrode to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume emanating from the opening and manipulating the plasma plume relative to the medical implant to remove tissue surrounding the medical implant.
US08668670B2 Automatic injection devices
An injection device comprises a syringe extendible against a spring bias from a retracted position in a housing to a projecting injecting position. A spring biased plunger has collapsible elbows which, when the plunger is released, initially engage the end of the syringe to drive it to the projecting position, whereupon arresting of the syringe movement causes the elbows to collapse inside the syringe to allow the plunger to engage and drive the bung.
US08668667B2 Double wall catheter for delivering therapeutic agent
The present invention relates to a catheter assembly that can deliver a therapeutic composition. The catheter assembly can include an outer balloon with openings for releasing the therapeutic composition. When the catheter assembly is in its contracted state, the openings are closed, and the assembly retains the therapeutic composition. When the catheter assembly is in its dilated state, the openings are open, and the therapeutic composition is released. The present invention also includes methods of making and using such a catheter assembly.
US08668664B2 Method for reducing pain during skin puncturing procedures
A handheld instrument for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic that has a main body, a vibration unit mounted in the main body when initiated to cause the main body to vibrate, and a detachable tip cantilever mounted on the main body to vibrate with it, the tip having a free end characterized by a bifurcation to form two spaced projections defining a space between them, whereby the spaced projections can be placed in proximity to, adjacent to and bracketing a preselected injection site on a human or animal and the tissue at said preselected injection site and vibrated while an injection is given.
US08668649B2 System for cardiac status determination
A system improves detection and diagnosis of blood pressure based cardiac function and tissue activities by analyzing and characterizing cardiac blood pressure signals (including non-invasive and invasive blood pressure, discrete values and continuous waveforms) using pressure signal variation and variability calculation and evaluation. The system combines blood pressure analysis with multi clinical related factors and parameters to detect and quantify cardiac health status and arrhythmia severity. The system determines an accurate time, location and severity of cardiac pathology and events by calculating blood pressure variability and statistical variation. The accurately and reliably identifies cardiac disorders, differentiates cardiac arrhythmias, characterizes pathological severity, predicts the life-threatening events, and supports evaluation of drug delivery effects.
US08668648B2 Contrast agent destruction effectiveness determination for medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging
The effectiveness of contrast agent destruction is determined. Locations of ineffectively destroyed contrast agents are identified. The response from undestroyed contrast agents may be distinguished from response from tissue due to saturation or from rapid perfusion. The locations may be highlighted on resulting images, indicating to the user locations not associated with perfusion. The user may make a diagnosis on perfusion rather than a lack of destruction of contrast agents.
US08668645B2 Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08668638B2 Method and system for automatically maintaining an operator selected roll orientation at a distal tip of a robotic endoscope
In a robotic endoscope system, the orientation of a captured camera view at a distal tip of a robotic endoscope and displayed on a screen viewable by an operator of the endoscope is automatically maintained at a roll orientation associated with a setpoint so as not to disorient the operator as the endoscope is moved, flexed and its tip turned in different orientations. A processor generates a current commanded state of the tip from operator input and modifies it to maintain the setpoint roll orientation. To generate the modified current commanded state, the current commanded roll position and velocity are constrained to be a modified current commanded roll position and velocity that have been modified according to a roll angular adjustment indicated by a prior process period commanded state of the tip and the setpoint. The processor then commands the robotic endoscope to be driven to the modified commanded state.
US08668635B2 Pelvic implant with suspending system
A urethral stabilization system includes a support member adapted to be implanted into a patient to support a urethra. The support member has a first end and a second end. A first suspending member is attached between the first end of the support member and a first stabilizer and a second suspending member attached between the second end of the support member and a second stabilizer. A first thread member continuously extends between a first end that is attached to the first stabilizer and a second end that is free. A second thread member continuously extends between a first end that is attached to the second stabilizer and a second end that is free. The first and second stabilizers are configured to be advanced into the tissue to increase tension applied to the support member and withdrawn through the tissue to decrease tension applied to the support member.
US08668633B2 Waist and hip developer
A waist and hip developer includes a track curving smoothly upwardly toward two distal ends thereof and having two stop members respectively located at two distal ends thereof, foot members affixed to the track for supporting the track on the floor steadily, a slide slidably coupled to the track with rollers thereof and movable back and forth along the track between the stop members, a seat rotatably supported on the slide with a ball bearing, two grips respectively affixed to the two distal ends of the track, and a counter for counting of the number of reciprocating cycles of the slide moving by the user sitting on the seat.
US08668628B2 Electric treadmill with a folding mechanism by use of two swivel pieces
An electric treadmill with a folding mechanism by use of two swivel pieces includes a handrail frame mounted at both sides of the front end of the base frame. A base frame swivel piece is pivotally positioned at both sides near the front part of the bottom of the base frame, respectively. A handrail frame swivel piece is pivotally disposed near the bottom of the handrail frames, respectively. A pull rod is pivotally interposed between the swivel pieces. A movable support with ground-touching rollers is pivotally coupled to a cross shaft of the base frame swivel pieces. Moreover, the movable support is constantly biased by a telescopic supporting element. In this way, an action bar of the telescopic supporting element pushes the movable support forward when the base frame is folded upwards. Meanwhile, the ground-touching rollers are constantly in contact with the ground. Accordingly, a stable folded-up position is achieved.
US08668624B2 Motor control device for working vehicle
A motor control device for a working vehicle includes: a travel drive device that transmits rotation of a motor to wheels through a torque converter; a first selection device to be operated so as to select one of a power mode and an economy mode; a second selection device that is different from the first selection device; a mode switching device that switches from the economy mode to the power mode if the second selection device is operated in a state where the economy mode has been selected by the first selection device; and a speed restriction device that, when the economy mode is set, restricts a maximum rotational speed of the motor to a lower speed side than that when the power mode is set.
US08668621B2 Control device
A control device that controls a vehicle drive device, including a rotary electric machine and internal combustion engine that drive wheels, a first friction engagement device and a second friction engagement device. The control device is configured to execute rotational state control in which a rotational state of the rotary electric machine is controlled so as to establish a target rotational state with the second friction engagement device in a slip engagement state, and hydraulic pressure regulation control in which a hydraulic pressure supplied to the second friction engagement device is controlled on the basis of torque of the rotary electric machine produced during the rotational state control after the first friction engagement device is transitioned to a direct engagement state while the second friction engagement device is transitioned from the slip engagement state to a direct engagement state.
US08668616B2 Nine speed dual clutch transmission
A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes first and second shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a compound planetary gear set, a plurality of torque transmitting elements, and an output member. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of brakes, synchronizer assemblies, and clutches including a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least three reverse speed ratios and at least nine forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08668613B1 Offset compound gear inline two-speed drive
A two-speed transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, the transmission being capable of transitioning between fixed ratios, the high-range ratio being direct 1:1 and the low-range ratio being about 2:1. The transmission is a simple lightweight, yet robust, configuration utilizing only two gear meshes, being comprised of an input gear, a cluster gear, and an output gear. The transmission is controlled with a clutch and a sprag and with the input and output shafts turning in the same direction.
US08668610B1 Electro-hydraulic servo synchronizer for MW wind turbine generator system
An electro-hydraulic servo synchronizer for MW wind turbine generator system includes a 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism and a direct drive volume control system. The 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism comprises a planet carrier, a planet gear, a ring gear, a sun gear, and a control gear, the input end of the planet carrier is an input shaft I, the output end of the sun gear is an output shaft II, the central shaft of the control gear is a shaft III. The direct drive volume control system comprises a constant displacement motor, a two-way constant delivery pump and a servo motor, the servo motor is connected with the two-way constant delivery pump, the two-way constant delivery pump is connected with the constant displacement motor, and the constant displacement motor is connected with the shaft III, so as to drive the control gear.
US08668609B2 Inverted tooth chain sprocket with frequency modulated meshing
An inverted tooth chain drive system includes a sprocket supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including a plurality of teeth defined relative to respective tooth centers. The tooth centers are spaced evenly in a circumferential arrangement about the axis of rotation, and each of the plurality of teeth includes an engaging flank. An inverted tooth chain is engaged with the sprocket and includes a plurality of rows of links each structured for inside flank engagement with the sprocket, with leading inside flanks of each row of links projecting outwardly relative to the trailing outside flanks of a preceding row of links. The leading inside flanks of each row are positioned to make initial meshing contact with the engaging flank of one of the sprocket teeth. At least some of the teeth are standard teeth and other ones of the teeth are flank-relieved teeth. The engaging flanks of the flank-relieved teeth are negatively offset relative to their respective tooth centers as compared to said engaging flanks of said standard teeth relative to their respective tooth centers. The root surfaces leading the flank-relieved teeth are raised relative to the root surfaces leading the standard teeth and are also inclined.
US08668608B2 Chain guide of automotive engine
A chain guide that contacts a chain connecting a cam sprocket and a crank sprocket, and has a contact portion contacting the back of the chain in a length direction of the chain and a convex curved line in a cross-section of the contact portion.
US08668593B2 Shaft with shoulder and groove
A shaft includes a shoulder that transitions the shaft from a first diameter to a second diameter. The shaft includes a groove that is disposed immediately adjacent to and/or is formed in an inner radial portion of the shoulder. The groove acts to produce uniform deflection of the shoulder in an axial direction with respect to a centerline axis of the shaft.
US08668579B2 Method and apparatus for providing a time based award
A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
US08668574B2 Gaming system and method providing a user device that receives and stores a reel set for an initial game play and reel sets for subsequent game plays
A user playing a user device wagers a wager amount on a play of a game. A server determines a first reel set for the current play, an outcome for the current play, and a second reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount. The server communicates first reel set data, second reel set data, and outcome data to the user device. The user device spins and stops the first reel set in accordance with the determined outcome. When the user wagers that same wager amount on another play of that game, the user device displays that play of that game using the second reel set, and the server determines a third reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount and communicates third reel set data to the user device.
US08668559B2 Relating to coin dispensing
A mechanism for separating single coins from a plurality of coins provided within a coin dispensing apparatus. The mechanism comprises a housing defining a coin dispensing path, coin transport means for urging coins along the coin dispensing path; and first and second biased coin stripping members located adjacent each other and disposed successively in the coin dispensing path at an outlet of the coin dispensing mechanism. The first and second stripping members together comprise a double outlet gate and each member is movable independently of the other by each urged coin to effect, in use, alignment and stripping of coins being dispensed.
US08668558B2 Big game field dressing tool
A cutting tool is provided for safely dressing a game animal having a handle and a fork section including first and second elongated shielding members shielding the hunter's hands and a cutting blade positioned between the first and second elongated shielding members and perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the cutting tool and wherein the handle is configured in a T-shaped manner for providing a good grip and wherein the cutting blade is positioned under outer surfaces of the first and second elongated shielding members to further shield the hunter's hands. The cutting tool is pushed against various membranes and the trachea to safely cut it for the removal of the heart and lungs of the game animal.
US08668550B1 Prosthetic nipple undergarment device
A prosthetic nipple undergarment device is wearable to give an appearance of an erect nipple of a desired size and shape beneath an outer garment. The device includes a brassiere having a breast receiving cup. A prosthetic nipple is selectively coupled to the cup. The prosthetic nipple comprises a base and a projection coupled to and extending from the base wherein the prosthetic nipple is configured to resemble an erect human nipple.
US08668542B2 All-season indoor outdoor coupleable construction toys
A multiple use, light weight, cost-effective, indoor and all-weather outdoor construction toy for stimulating children's imaginations and encouraging physical activity comprises a basic modular unit with open ended cup-like coupling-means on its perimeter for male to female coupling and decoupling to other couple-able units, is described. The coupling-means may be molded as an integral part forming one seamless basic unit. The open bottom end of the coupling means provides for coupling, the open top end prevents the buildup of snow inside the coupling unit. Coupling can be achieved via coupling-means on basic units to each other or through the use of accessory independent coupler-units. The basic unit of the modular toy may be in the form of a saucer, disc, an oval, or in a rectilinear-shape for use as a sled, skiing device, a flotation device, or as fort building modules. Additional accessory parts include skis and inner-tubes, for example.
US08668526B2 Bi-ventricular percutaneous cable
A percutaneous cable includes a cable body having a first end and second end, the cable body including a sheath adapted to traverse a patient's skin. The cable includes a plurality of conductors disposed within the cable body configured to transmit power and control data between a system controller and two implantable pumps. The cable includes a first connector disposed at the first end of the cable body and coupled to the plurality of conductors, the first connector configured to connect the cable body to the system controller. The cable includes a second connector disposed at the second end of the cable body, the second connector comprising a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts.
US08668512B2 Safety socket
A safety socket of the present invention has one or several groups of socket holes, lock mechanisms, and release mechanisms. Plug can be inserted into the socket holes. The lock mechanism can engage the plug for preventing unexpected removal of the plug. The release mechanism is used for operating the lock mechanism for releasing the plug. The release mechanism has a button which is arranged at aside of the socket holes. Thus, the button would not be hidden by the plug. User can approach to the button easily. Operation condition of the safety socket is then facilitated.
US08668510B2 Tubular component having an electrically insulated link portion with a dielectric defining an annular sealing surface
A tubular component of a drill stem comprises a first end including a first threading, a second end including a second threading, and a substantially tubular central zone, the component further comprising a device for electrical connection with another component, mounted on at least one of the ends, and a cable for the transmission of signals between the first end and the second end, connected to the connecting device, the connecting device including at least one conductor provided with an electrically insulated link portion and an electrical contact portion; a dielectric to isolate the insulated link portion; and an annular sealing surface defining a protected zone, said electrical contact portion being disposed in the protected zone, the annular sealing surface being disposed at the surface of the insulated link portion.
US08668509B2 Wet-mateable connector
A wet-mateable connector for making a connection underwater comprises a male component 10 having a male pin 14 and a female component 20 having a female socket 24 for receiving the male pin. The male component has a male wiper seal assembly 16 which moves between a decoupled and a coupled position during coupling of the male component 10 and female component 20 so as to wipe at least a portion of the male pin 14. A latch 42a, 48 is provided which is arranged to latch the male wiper seal assembly 16 to the female component 20 during coupling such that when the male and female components are decoupled, the male wiper seal assembly 16 is returned to the decoupled position.
US08668499B2 Connector
A connector to be mounted on a substrate includes a first pad and a second pad formed on the surface, including a first contact including a first contacting portion to be in contact with the first pad when the connector is mounted on the substrate; and a second contact including a second contacting portion to be in contact with the second pad when the connector is mounted on the substrate, the first contact and the second contact being configured such that the first contacting portion slides on the first pad in a first direction while the second contacting portion slides on the second pad in a second direction opposite to the first direction, when the first contact and the second contact are pushed toward the first pad and the second pad, respectively, while the connector is being placed on and fixed to the substrate.
US08668498B2 Real-time video image analysis for providing virtual interior design
System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis, such as augmented reality, to assist a user of a mobile device with interior design. Through the use of real-time object recognition features, logos, artwork, products, locations, etc. can be recognized in a real-time video stream and can subsequently be matched with data associated with such to assist the user with selecting the proper design elements for a space, such as a kitchen. The proper design elements may be based off of several factors regarding the design space, include the dimensions of the space, the location of windows, doors and outlets, geographic and positional data, other space features, current design elements, architectural features, décor, and style data of the space, etc. This invention provides a virtual area with design elements, such that a user may view the area and determine the proper décor for the area.
US08668497B2 Free fall simulator
A free fall simulator includes a self-contained air circuit and a hover chamber in which persons can hover as a result of an air stream directed vertically upward. A lower opening is located at a lower end of the hover chamber and an upper opening is located at an upper end of the hover chamber. A substantially closed air guide channel includes at least one fan. The channel connects the lower opening and the upper opening of the hover chamber. At least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening allow for exchanging air within the air guide channel. The simulator includes redirecting lamellae which redirect an air stream within the air guide channel in corner areas or areas of high curvature, wherein at least one air outlet opening is disposed within the redirecting lamellae.
US08668496B2 Training system
A training system is provided. The training system may have a handheld computing device configured to receive a data input from an input device. The input device may be a sensor capable of measuring a condition relating to the training. An analysis module in electronic communication with the handheld computing device is configured to interpret the data input from the input device and configured provide a feedback output related to the execution of the goals of the training system. Based on this feedback, a trainee or trainer may adjust the training program to enhance the trained skills.
US08668494B2 Adjustable angle prophy angle adapter
An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, a pivot, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The pivot connects the body to the nose and includes a groove configured for a ball bearing that is passed through a channel formed within the pivot and the body. Also, the channel is parallel to the rotational axis of the shaft. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into a first configuration and a second configuration.
US08668488B2 Process for the combustion of a liquid
A process for the combustion of a liquid in a combustion chamber includes atomizing liquid sulfur using a rotary atomizer and introducing the liquid sulfur into the combustion chamber. The liquid sulfur is charged onto an inside of a cup. The cup is rotated so as to form a liquid film on the inside of the cup and so that parts of the liquid film are radially flung off from an edge of the cup edge into the combustion chamber. The rotational speed of the cup is varied so as to control a thickness of the liquid film in the cup to between 200 and 1000 μm. The liquid sulfur is evaporated and subsequently burnt in the combustion chamber.
US08668484B2 Mold, imprint method, and process for producing a chip
A mold capable of a highly accurate alignment with a member to be processed in such a state that a photocurable resin material is disposed between the mold and the member to be processed, and is constituted by a substrate 2010 formed of a first material and an alignment mark 2102 formed of a second material different from the first material. The first material and the second material have transmissivities to light in a part of an ultraviolet wavelength range. The second material has a refractive index of not less than 1.7.
US08668478B2 Compressor having a shutdown valve
A scroll compressor includes a discharge valve assembly having a valve member, a valve stop supported within the compressor shell and including an aperture there through and a communication member. The communication member defines a fluid passage extending into the discharge chamber from the valve stop toward the first discharge outlet in the discharge chamber and provides fluid communication between the aperture in the valve stop and a location downstream of the valve stop. A first side of the valve member abuts the valve stop when in an open position and the valve stop provides communication between the first side of the valve member and the communication member via the aperture.
US08668472B2 Wave actuated pump and means of connecting same to the seabed
A pumping apparatus for harvesting the wave energy and converting such energy into hydraulic power which may be transmitted and used to generate electricity or to produce desalinated water. The pumping apparatus has a float, an accumulator pressurized above the ambient pressure of the pump, the accumulator is charged with fluid and the pump is full of fluid. A check valve is closed and a pumping chamber is pressurized. An additional pumping chamber is also equally pressurized. An axial force is generated on a first tube by the pressure difference between its ends. An opposite axial force is generated on a second tube by the pressure difference between its ends. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube and hence the magnitude of the force on the second tube is greater. The resultant of these forces is balanced by a portion of the buoyancy of float.
US08668470B2 Offset valve bore for a reciprocating pump
A fluid end 15 for a multiple reciprocating pump assembly 12 comprises at least three plunger bores 61 or 91, each for receiving a reciprocating plunger 35. Each plunger bore has a plunger bore axis 65 or 95. The plunger bores are arranged across the fluid end to define a central plunger bore with lateral plunger bores located on either side. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective suction valve bores 59 or 89 in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Each suction valve bore can receive a suction valve 41 and has a suction valve bore axis 63 or 93. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective discharge valve bores 57 or 87 that can receive a discharge valve 43 and are in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Axes of suction and discharge valve bores are offset in the fluid.
US08668457B2 Gas turbine engine trim balance
A trim balance for a gas turbine engine having a hollow rotatable rotor shaft includes an elongate support rod adapted for longitudinal accommodation within and mounting on an interior surface of the rotor shaft and one or more apertured balance weights supported on the support rod which extends through the weight apertures and a weight retainer for retaining the weights on the support rod.
US08668447B2 Steam turbine blade and method for manufacturing the same
A steam turbine blade includes a coating film formed at least a portion of a surface of the steam turbine blade, the coating film containing a ceramic matrix and nanosheet particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix. The steam turbine blade is employed as one of stator blades or one of rotor blades in a steam turbine. The steam turbine includes a turbine rotor, the rotor blades implanted in the turbine rotor, the stator blades provided in an upstream side of the corresponding rotor blades, and a turbine casing supporting the stator blades and accommodating turbine rotor, the rotor blades and the stator blades. The steam turbine is also configured such that the rotor blades are paired with the corresponding stator blades to form turbine stages arranged in an axial direction of the turbine rotor, thereby forming steam paths.
US08668434B2 Robust flow parameter model for component-level dynamic turbine system control
A system comprises an apparatus, an actuator and a processor. The apparatus defines a flow path through an aperture, the aperture defines a pressure drop along the flow path, and the actuator regulates fluid flow across the pressure drop. The processor comprises a flow module, a comparator, an estimator and a control law. The flow module maps a flow curve relating a flow parameter to a pressure ratio, and defines a solution point located on the flow curve and a focus point located off the flow curve. The comparator generates an error as a function of a slope defined between the focus and solution points. The estimator moves the solution point along the flow curve, such that the error is minimized. The control law directs the actuator to position the control element, such that the flow parameter describes the fluid flow and the pressure ratio describes the pressure drop.
US08668430B2 Proppant discharge system and a container for use in such a proppant discharge system
A proppant discharge system has a container with an outlet formed at a bottom thereof and a gate slidably affixed at the outlet so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to second position opening the outlet, and a support structure having an actuator thereon. The container is removably positioned on the top surface of the support structure. The actuator is engageable with gate so as to move the gate from the first position to the second position. A conveyor underlies the container so as to receive proppant as discharged from the container through the outlet. The container is a ten foot ISO container.
US08668429B2 Depalleting unloading conveyor
The invention describes a depalleting device (1) and a method for operating the latter for a transported product (2) provided in a stack comprising a mounting table (8) which is adjustable linearly in a guiding arrangement (10) by a feed drive (9), and comprising a conveying device (4) arranged on the latter and drive-connected to a drive motor and with a mounting conveying device (23) arranged at least at one end section (20) of the conveying device (4). The mounting conveying device (23) is drive-connected to a drive motor that is independent of the drive of the conveying device (4). By means of a detecting means (52) of the mounting conveying device (23) a load parameter is detected which acts on the latter on placing a conveying roller up to the transported product (2) and a signal is generated in a control and regulating device for controlling the speed of the drive motor of the mounting conveying device (23).
US08668428B2 Horizontal articulated robot and substrate transfer system provided with the same
A horizontal articulated robot includes a first arm and a second arm respectively supported at their base end portions by a body and the tip end portion of the second arm to be rotatable about a first joint and a second joint; and a fork including its base end portion supported by the tip end portion of the second arm to be rotatable about a third joint. The first arm includes a first enlarged portion, formed in its tip end portion, with an upper surface positioned higher than an upper surface of the base end portion of the first arm. The second arm includes a second enlarged portion, formed in its tip end portion, with a lower surface positioned lower than a lower surface of the base end portion of the second arm. The first and the second enlarged portion are at least partially overlapped with each other horizontally.
US08668426B1 Drop-floor trailer
Proposed is a wheeled drop-floor trailer that has a U-shaped frame with two articulated linkages pivotally installed on the sides of the U-shaped frame and suspension rods that pivotally support the drop floor in a freely hanging condition. On the side of the trailer opposite the loading side the articulated linkages are interconnected by a cross bar, which is connected to a drive mechanism, e.g., to a winch, via a cable. When the articulated linkages are inclined toward the loading side, the drop floor descends to the ground under its own weight and, after the cargo is loaded onto the drop floor, the latter is raised by pulling the linkages with the use of the winch via the cable and the cross bar in the direction opposite the loading side.
US08668415B2 Shipping supports for tapered elongated structures
A support saddle (20, 24) for supporting a load (14) having a taper profile along an axial length of the load (14). The support saddle (20, 24) comprises a lower surface (20A, 24A) for resting on a surface (10A) of a transportation vehicle load bed (10) and an upper surface (20B, 24B) defining a taper to substantially match the taper profile of the load (10) in a region of the load contacting the upper surface (20B, 24B), the upper surface (20B, 24B) for receiving the load (10). In other embodiments the support saddles (20, 24) are used with inserts (64, 65) and/or cushions (45). One or more of the support saddles (20, 24), the inserts (64, 65) and the cushions (45) may comprise a tapered upper surface to match the taper profile of the load (14).
US08668403B2 Load supporting panel having impact absorbing structure
An impact absorption panel is adapted for playground use and comprises a panel section and a plurality of projections. The panel section is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. The plurality of projections extend from the bottom surface of the panel section. The plurality of projections have a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is configured to collapse initially when subjected to an impact load. The second stage is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first stage. The panel section is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first and second stages. The first stage can also be distinguished from the second stage by virtue of having a comparatively smaller volume.
US08668402B2 Pipe holder
Pipe holders retain a first pipe and a second pipe having a connector cable extending through the second pipe. The pipe holder has a first retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the first pipe and a second retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the second pipe. A second retaining chamber is surrounded by an internal surface of the second retaining section. A guide section communicatively connects the second retaining chamber to outside of the pipe holder, wherein the first retaining section, the second retaining section and the guide section are made of metal, and the connector cable that extends through second pipe and has at least one end to be connected to an electronic musical instrument is guided through the guide section to the outside. A coupling section couples the first retaining section and the second retaining section, wherein the guide section is formed in the coupling section.
US08668399B2 Dual component dispensing and mixing systems for marine and military paints
A device for applying a coating includes a multi-component cartridge, a static mixing nozzle in fluid communication with the cartridge, and at least one paint applicator selected from the group including a roller, a brush, and an angled spray tip, in fluid communication with the nozzle. A method includes applying a coating to a surface with the above-described device. Another method includes applying a non-skid coating to a surface with the above-described device.
US08668398B2 Hair coloration applicator
This invention disclosed hair coloration applicator designed with a holder with two ends, at least one opening provided on each of said ends corresponding with the opening on the other end, at least one pair of coloration bars being fixed at said corresponding openings on said two ends, in which said coloration bars are made of coloring compound with a color in a specific hair color family and can be blended together to make a variety of hair color shades. The Invention allows a person to blend the right color within their hair color range since it has colors that blend together to create a variety of shades within a specific color scheme.
US08668382B2 Method for evaluating life of cable insulating coating material
Disclosed is a method for estimating, within a short time, the life of a cable insulating coating material containing an antioxidant in a suitable concentration based on the rate of decrease of the antioxidant and on the critical concentration of the antioxidant at which oxidative degradation rapidly proceeds. The method tests the coating material to examine its life, the coating material including a base polymer, and an antioxidant having a functional group suppressing an oxidative deteriorative reaction of the base polymer. The method includes performing a thermal degradation test on the coating material; determining the degradation levels and degradation rates of the coating material at two or more time points in the thermal degradation test, based on the ratio of the absorbance of the functional group of the antioxidant to the absorbance of the base polymer; and thereby evaluating the life of the coating material.
US08668377B2 Gas diluter
A gas diluter which comprises: dilution chambers in which a first gas is mixed with a second gas to reduce the concentration of the first gas; connecting passages with which the dilution chambers are connected serially; branched passages through which the first gas is distributed to the dilution chambers, an introduction passage through which the second gas is introduced into the dilution chamber, which is located at one end of the serially connected dilution chambers; and a discharge opening through which the gas obtained by mixing the first gas with the second gas is discharged from the dilution chamber, which is located at the other end of the serially connected dilution chambers.
US08668370B2 Dimpled light distribution plates
Dimpled plates for light distribution and concentration are provided. Also provided are apparatus incorporating the plates as waveguides, and methods for using the dimpled plates for distributing or concentrating input light. The dimpled plates are designed to spatially distribute light from each of one or more near point light sources into a pixelated light projection using an array of reflective conical light deflection elements.
US08668367B2 Interchangeable lamp shade system
A lamp shade cover that fits snugly over a lamp shade or lamp shade liner to provide interchangeable lamp shade decor with a tailored look. In embodiments, a separating closure mechanism attaches sides of the lamp shade cover together to form a lamp shade form that fits snugly over the supporting lamp shade or lamp shade liner. In embodiments, the separating closure mechanism is a separating zipper sewn into either side of the lamp shade cover. Embodiments include an interchangeable lamp shade system that includes a lamp shade liner and one or more lamp shade covers that fit snugly over the lamp shade liner and are removable via the separating closure mechanism of the lamp shade cover.
US08668366B2 Energy star compliant LED lamp
The present disclosure provides an illumination device. The illumination device includes a cap structure. The cap structure is partially coated with a reflective material operable to reflect light. The illumination device includes one or more lighting-emitting devices disposed within the cap structure. The light-emitting devices may be light-emitting diode (LED) chips. The illumination device also includes a thermal dissipation structure. The thermal dissipation structure is coupled to the cap structure in a first direction. The thermal dissipation structure and the cap structure have a coupling interface. The coupling interface extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The thermal dissipation structure has a portion that intersects the coupling interface at an angle. The angle is in a range from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees according to some embodiments.
US08668364B2 Backlight unit and display device including the same
A backlight unit capable of emitting heat smoothly and a display device including the same are disclosed. The backlight unit includes a bottom cover, a light emitting module arranged in a predetermined area of the bottom cover, a reflective sheet provided on the bottom cover, the reflective sheet spaced apart a predetermined distance from the bottom cover, a plurality of first heat radiating members provided between the reflective sheet and the bottom cover, the plurality of the first heat radiating members spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, a second heat radiating member arranged between the light emitting module and the first heat radiating members, and a projected part located in the second heat radiating member below the reflective sheet, the projected part supporting the reflective sheet to locate the reflective sheet spaced apart a predetermined distance from the first heat radiating members.
US08668361B2 LED-based replacement for fluorescent light source
A light source that is adapted to replace existing fluorescent tubes in an existing fluorescent light fixture is disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on a heat-dissipating structure, first and second plug adapters that mate with the florescent tube connectors of the fluorescent tube the light source is to replace, and a power adapter that converts power from a fluorescent tube ballast presented on the first and second plug adapters to DC power that powers the LEDs. The light source is powered from the output of the existing fluorescent ballast. The light source can utilize the existing metallic enclosure as a heat-radiating surface and/or direct air heat transfer from the surface of the heat-dissipating structure.
US08668358B2 Mechanical bypass light unit
A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
US08668357B2 Luminaire with LED technology and method for obtaining said luminaire
The invention relates to a luminaire with LED technology, which comprises a power supply, wiring, a plurality of electronic components (7), a translucent or transparent closure (5), a protective housing (3) for the lighting system, and at least one electronic base plate (1) having a plurality of LEDs (2), the luminaire being characterized in that it comprises a thin film which is made of highly reflective material and is applied to at least 5% of a first surface (4a) defined by the surface of said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the electronic components (7) adjacent thereto; and/or is applied to at least 5% of a second surface (4b) defined by the inner surface of the protective housing (3) between said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the translucent or transparent closure (5).
US08668356B2 Lightweight heat sinks and LED lamps employing same
A heat sink includes a thermally conductive layer comprising at least one of fullerenes and nanotubes disposed in a polymeric host. The thermally conductive layer may be disposed on a heat sink body, which may be thermally insulating and/or plastic, and may include surface area enhancing heat radiating structures, such as fins, with the thermally conductive layer being disposed over at least the surface area enhancing heat radiating structures. A light emitting diode (LED)-based lamp embodiment includes the heat sink and an LED module including one or more LED devices secured with and in thermal communication with the heat sink. A method embodiment includes forming the heat sink body and disposing the thermally conductive layer on the heat sink body. The disposing may comprise spray coating. An external energy field may be applied during spray coating to impart a non-random orientation to nanotubes in the polymeric host.
US08668344B2 Marker sphere including edged opening to aid in molding
Described is a device comprising a retro-reflective marker sphere comprising: a core ball comprising: a generally spherical body portion, a mounting base extending from one end of the body portion of the core ball, and a mounting recess having a recess opening in the mounting base and extending into the body portion of the core ball, and a retro-reflective covering on the core ball, the retro-reflective covering comprising an opening through which the mounting base of the core ball extends, wherein a flat lower surface of the mounting base is spaced proximally from a lower edge of the opening of the retro-reflective covering, and wherein the mounting recess includes an interior screw thread for engaging an exterior screw thread of a mounting post when the retro-reflective marker sphere is mounted on the mounting post.
US08668331B2 Method for designing non-round soft contact lenses
A method for optimizing the performance in centration, rotation and stability of contact lenses makes use of the upper and lower eyelid geometries to maximize the lens-lid interaction for two different contact lens positions on the eye. The contact lenses are non-round lenses for maximum interaction with the eyelids.
US08668329B2 Printing apparatus arranged to lower, position and raise pressure elements in the printing apparatus
A printing apparatus has a path for transporting flat items in the x-direction, and allows insertion and removal of a box-shaped module along the y-direction. The box-shaped module has a pressure device that exerts pressure in the z-direction on the flat items to be transported. The x-direction, y-direction and z-direction are orthogonal to one another. The components of the box-shaped module in combination with guides of the printing apparatus cooperate to initially move the pressure device along the z-direction during insertion of the box-shaped module into the printing apparatus and to move said box pressure device opposite along the z-direction upon reaching a predetermined position.
US08668327B2 Particle dispersion supply apparatus and image forming device
A particle dispersion supply apparatus includes a roller, an ejection device and a particle dispersion permeation member. The roller rotates in a prescribed direction and touches an image formation face of a recording medium being conveyed by a conveyance body. The ejection device is disposed to oppose the roller at a roller rotation direction upstream side relative to the position at which the roller touches the image formation face of the recording medium, and ejects a particle dispersion in which numerous particles are dispersed in a liquid. The particle dispersion permeation member is disposed so as to be interposed between the ejection device and the roller and so as to contact the roller. The particle dispersion permeation member retains the particle dispersion and the particle dispersion can permeate therethrough.
US08668325B2 Control method of liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes first liquid ejecting nozzles that eject first liquid; a second liquid ejecting nozzle that ejects second liquid which is different from the first liquid; and a control unit which performs control of ejection of the first liquid from the first liquid ejecting nozzles and ejection of the second liquid from the second liquid ejecting nozzles. The control unit has a first mode of performing control to form flushing dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on a recording medium, the ejection not being based on image data, form background dots by ejection from the second liquid ejecting nozzle on the flushing dots, the ejection being based on the image data, and form image dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on the background dots, the ejection being based on the image data.
US08668317B2 Liquid container
A second sealing film F2 is thermally bonded onto a leading end portion R1 of an ink lead-out member 32b of an ink pack and an annular projecting portion R2 provided on an ink casing 31. Thereby, a gap D produced between the ink lead-out member 32b and the ink casing 31 can be closed from outside the ink casing 31. Accordingly, the airtightness of a space S in the ink casing 31 is kept, thus making it possible to raise the pressure in the space S and generate such a force as to crush the ink pack.
US08668314B2 Image forming apparatus including recording head for ejecting liquid droplets
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first passage, a second passage, a pressure unit, and a control valve. The first passage is connected to the head to supply liquid to the head. The second passage is connected to the tank. The pressure unit is disposed at the second passage to apply pressure to liquid in the second passage. The control valve includes an internal channel to connect the first and second passages, an expandable liquid retaining chamber connected to the internal channel to retain the liquid, and a valve member disposed in the internal channel to open and close the first and second passages and movable by a flow of liquid from the chamber to the first passage created by ejection of liquid from the head to communicate the second passage with the first passage.
US08668310B2 Liquid-ejecting head, liquid-ejecting apparatus, piezoelectric element, and piezoelectric material
A liquid-ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element has piezoelectric layer contains a perovskite complex oxide containing Bi, La, Fe, and Mn and can undergo electric-field-induced phase transition.
US08668306B2 Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head including: a head unit having a nozzle forming surface on which a plurality of rows of nozzles ejecting a liquid are arranged and of which the nozzle forming surface is wiped by a wiping member along an arrangement direction of the nozzle rows; and a fixing member, wherein the fixing member has a fixing plate section on which an exposure opening section exposing the nozzles of the nozzle forming surface is formed and of which an upper surface is joined to the nozzle forming surface as a fixing reference surface in a state where the nozzle is exposed into the exposure opening section, and a cutout section, which opens the exposure opening section in the wiping direction and exposes an edge portion of the nozzle forming surface, is formed downstream of the wiping member in the wiping direction in the exposure opening section.
US08668297B2 Driver for inkjet head
There is provided a driver for an inkjet head, capable of smoothly driving the inkjet head. The driver for an inkjet head includes: an amplifying unit having a plurality of amplifiers individually outputting signals having voltage levels amplified in accordance with a predetermined gain in a predetermined cycle; a coupling unit coupling the signals outputted from the plurality of amplifiers as a single driving signal in accordance with a control signal; a controlling unit controlling the coupling of signals performed by the coupling unit; and a switching unit switching a signal transmission path through which the single driving signal is transmitted to an inkjet head.
US08668296B2 Method of driving liquid ejection head and drive signal generation device for liquid ejection head
A method of driving a liquid ejection head adapted to apply a voltage to the liquid ejection head to eject a liquid including a polymer is provided. The method includes raising the voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage; raising the voltage from the second voltage to a third voltage at a gradient larger than that in raising the voltage from the first to the second voltage, and then holding the voltage at the third voltage; dropping the voltage from the third voltage to a fourth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the fourth voltage; raising the voltage from the fourth voltage to a fifth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the fifth voltage; dropping the voltage from the fifth voltage to a sixth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the sixth voltage; and raising the voltage from the sixth voltage to a seventh voltage.
US08668290B2 Rack and pinion refrigerator storage system
A rack and pinion storage system for use in a refrigerator compartment defined by a liner includes a pair of supports attached to opposing sidewalls of the liner. First and second gear covers snap-fittingly connect first and second gear wheels to respective first and second mounting brackets extending from a storage basket, such that the gear wheels are rotatably connected to the storage basket and have equal rotational and linear motion along the respective supports. Retaining bars extending from the storage basket are held within channels defined between the bottom walls of the supports and top walls of opposing telescoping slide assemblies used to movably support a door of the compartment. Tabs extending from the supports limit the sliding movement of the storage basket. A removable divider connects to the storage basket, sectioning the basket into multiple storage compartments.
US08668289B2 Automatic door opening/closing apparatus and refrigerator having the same
An automatic door opening/closing apparatus automatically opening and closing a door without applying any manual force to the door, and a refrigerator having the automatic door opening/closing apparatus. The automatic door opening/closing apparatus devised to automatically open or close a sliding door that is mounted, in a drawer manner, to a refrigerator body, includes a drive device coupled to the sliding door to automatically open or close the sliding door with respect to the refrigerator body, an input part to receive an user input and to operate the drive device based on the user input, a sensing part to sense an open or closed state of the sliding door, and a controller to operate the drive device based on signals from the input part and signals from the sensing part.
US08668284B2 Ejector for ejecting a movable furniture part
An ejector for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed end position in or on a furniture body includes an ejection lever that can be driven by an electrical drive unit, in particular an electric motor. The ejection lever has a first ejection lever part and a second ejection lever part that can be moved relative to the first ejection lever part. An adjusting device causes the length of the ejection lever to change during the ejection process as a result of the two ejection lever parts sliding relative to each other.
US08668283B2 Electronic device enclosure assembly
An electronic device enclosure assembly with a connecting assembly is disclosed. The electronic device enclosure assembly includes two electronic device enclosures. Each of the two electronic device enclosures includes a top frame, a bottom frame, a plurality of supports and a maintaining pole. The plurality of supports connects the top frame and the bottom frame, the maintaining pole is secured between two of the plurality of supports, and the maintaining pole defines a securing slot. A mounting member includes two side plates opposite to each other, and a positioning member protrudes from each of the two side plates. The maintaining poles of the two electronic device enclosures are located between the two side plates, the positioning member is engaged in the securing slot, and the two electronic device enclosures are connected together by the mounting member.
US08668282B2 Initializing method of brake-by-wire system in vehicle
A brake-by-wire system uses a time sequence type that determines road conditions before initialization, initializes EWBs (Electro Wedge Brake) at the left/right front wheels and EMBs (Electro Mechanical Brake) at the left/right rear wheels with time differences on the basis of the determined road conditions. Therefore, the clamping force in at least any one of the EWBs and the EMBs is maintained in any circumstances, thereby avoiding a situation that all the braking force of a vehicle is removed.
US08668273B2 Highchair
A highchair has a seat device, a bracket device and a table. The seat device has a base, a supporting sleeve and a seat. The bracket device is connected to the seat device and has two connecting segments, a connecting frame and a supporting arm. The connecting segments are respectively connected securely to the supporting sleeve and each has a connecting mount, a button seat, a pressing button and a button spring. The connecting frame connects to the connecting segments and has two inserting segments and a primary frame. The supporting arm is telescopically and pivotally connected to the connecting frame. The table is detachably mounted on the bracket device.
US08668272B2 Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat (10) includes an improved seat frame member (14) used as a seat back, a recliner mechanism connection (16) and a vehicle seat track actuator mechanism (18). The seat back frame member (14) includes a side frame member (30) having a side frame structural member (32) preferably made from a relatively high strength steel and a stiffening insert member (42) to provide strength and rigidity to the recliner mechanism connection (16) and to reduce the overall mass of the vehicle seat frame member and thereby the vehicle seat (10). The seat frame member (14) further includes a recliner mechanism (34) welded to the side frame structural member (32) preferably utilizing a shaped laser weld pattern (40). The vehicle seat track actuator mechanism (18) includes a bar (56), first and second pivot pins (62, 64) and connectors (70).
US08668268B1 Lounge chair assembly
A lounge chair assembly includes a frame having a top section, a bottom section, and a medial section. A support member is coupled to the frame for supporting a person on the frame. The support member has a corresponding top portion, bottom portion, and medial portion coupled to the frame. A plurality of legs is coupled to the frame. A telescopic headrest extends from the top section of the frame. An aperture extends through the head rest. A pair of openings extend through the bottom portion of the support member. Each opening is configured for receiving a human foot therethrough whereby a leg extending from the foot is abutted and supported by the support member without bending of the foot relative to the leg.
US08668267B2 Chair with tilting backrest
A chair comprising a basic structure, a seat, a backrest, and at least one joint made of plastic material, which connects the backrest to the basic structure, wherein the joint has a first connection portion fixed to or integral with respect to the backrest, and a second connection portion connected to the basic structure, wherein said second connection portion comprises a first and a second arm, which are elongated in a longitudinal direction and are set at a distance from one another in a vertical direction, wherein the first arm has a front portion fixed to the basic structure and is deformable between a resting position corresponding to the resting position of the backrest and a deformed position corresponding to the position where the backrest is tilted backwards, wherein the second arm has a front portion, which is mobile in a longitudinal direction with respect to the basic structure between a first position corresponding to the resting position of the first arm, and a second position corresponding to the deformed position of the first arm, and wherein the second arm and the basic structure are provided with respective arrest elements which limit the extent of the travel in a longitudinal direction of the front portion of the second arm and define an end-of-travel of tilting backwards of the backrest.
US08668254B2 Vehicle underfloor structure
A vehicle underfloor structure includes under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that cover an underside of a vehicle, and drain members (D) provided in the under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The drain members (D) each include: a front inclined wall (21) provided with a water drain opening (33, 34, 42, 43, 44, 72, 74); and a rear inclined wall (22). A recess is formed in each under cover in a front-back direction of the vehicle in such a manner that a first interior angle (θ1) formed by the front inclined wall is larger than a second interior angle (θ2) formed by the rear inclined wall and a length of the front inclined wall is different from a length of the rear inclined wall.
US08668244B2 Vehicle boundary layer air flow control structure
A vehicle boundary layer air flow control structure is provided with a vehicle body and a side view mirror. The vehicle body includes an exterior contoured surface with an air flow deflector. The side view mirror is attached to the vehicle body to provide a diagonally rearward direction to be viewed from a driver's seat. The air flow deflector has an inward longitudinal air flow guiding surface provided in a vehicle body region of the exterior contoured surface of the vehicle body along which an air flow heading toward the side view mirror passes. The inward longitudinal air flow guiding surface extends in an air flow direction of the air flow with respect to the side view mirror to divert the air flow inward of the side view mirror with respect to a vehicle widthwise direction.
US08668242B2 Removable valance for a golf cart
Systems and methods for providing a removable valance for a golf cart are provided. The apparatus may include a valance for use with a golf cart. The valance may include a bead configured to be inserted into a slot on a golf cart. The slot is preferably configured to engage the bead. The valance may further include material fixedly attached to the bead along a longitudinal axis of the bead.
US08668230B2 Apparatus and methods for splicing conduits and hoses subsea
A hose connection system comprises a body including an internal cavity and a port in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavity. In addition, the system comprises a hose end fitting positioned in the cavity. The hose end fitting includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member concentrically disposed about the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slits. Further, the system comprises a plurality of wedge members arranged circumferentially about the outer tubular member. Still further, the system comprises an annular piston movably disposed within the internal cavity of the body. An end of the piston has an inner frustoconical surface that slidingly engages the plurality of wedge members. The piston is configured to move axially through the body and compress the wedge members and the outer tubular member radially inward.
US08668220B2 Wheelchair system
A wheelchair system and an accessory system for a wheelchair are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the accessory system may include an accessory frame having one or more interface elements to mount to a wheelchair frame. The accessory system may include a wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the accessory frame by a first fastener. The accessory system may include an engagement system further coupling the accessory frame to the wheel assembly. The engagement system may include a channel guide member defining a channel having a notched region. The channel guide member may be rotatably coupled to one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly by a second fastener. The engagement system may further include a translating member retained within the channel of the channel guide member. The translating member may be fixed to another one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly.
US08668213B2 Damper mounting structure
A damper mounting structure is provided with a top buffer member and a bottom buffer member. The bottom buffer member has a protruding section that protrudes with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom buffer member. The damper mounting structure mates with the protruding section and is anchored to a vehicle body panel, and is provided with a collar formed at substantially the same height as the height of the protruding section. The corner of an opening formed on the vehicle body panel, which comes into contact with the top buffer member, is chamfered.
US08668210B2 Wheelbarrow configuration
Disclosed is a wheelbarrow that is easily moved and can be unloaded at either the front or rear end. One example embodiment of the wheelbarrow provides a frame and a container. A pivoting mechanism pivotally secures the container to the frame such that the container can be pivoted relative to the frame. A pair of handles is attached to the frame and a pair of wheels is coupled to the frame. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the handles and the frame. The stabilizing assembly is selectively engaged during unloading of the wheelbarrow.
US08668208B2 Pallet truck for transporting goods
Pallet truck for transporting goods that has a substantially horizontal frame on which the goods to be transported are placed. In one implementation the horizontal frame includes two substantially parallel arms with each arm having two parallel longitudinal extensions that define a space between them. Each of the two parallel longitudinal extensions has a wall that face each other and which are visible and accessible through the space. The longitudinal extensions being visible and accessible from above for their cleaning.
US08668206B2 Face seal gasket
Various embodiments of the present invention provide improved face seal gaskets for use in connecting meters and other devices to pipelines. The improved face seal gaskets include a planar annular ring portion and one or more tabs extending substantially perpendicularly from the annular ring portion. In use, the annular ring portion is disposed adjacent a sealing surface on the inlet or outlet of the device to facilitate a fluid tight connection between the device and the pipeline. The tabs engage complementary grooves formed in the inlet or outlet portions of the device to facilitate alignment of the annular ring to the sealing surface thereon. The tabs may also retain the face seal gasket adjacent the sealing surface to facilitate improved installation of the device to the pipeline.
US08668205B2 Flat seal comprising sealing bead and embossing, and method for the production thereof
A metallic flat seal, in particular a cylinder head gasket, includes at least one through-hole, a functional layer, a spacer layer, and a stopper layer which is arranged between the functional layer and the spacer layer, as well as a closed sealing bead around every through-hole in the functional layer, wherein the sealing bead points in the direction of the stopper layer, the seal additionally comprising an embossed closed contour around every through-hole in that least the stopper layer, the functional layer or the spacer layer, wherein the contour forms a fixing aid. A method is also provided for making such a gasket.
US08668202B2 Casino card game
A method of playing a card game in which at least one player plays her own hand against a banker's hand, using at least one deck of conventional playing cards, wherein Kings, Queens, Jacks, and tens have a value of zero, Aces have a value of one, and all other cards have a value equal to their numeric face value, wherein, when the total value of the cards in a hand equals ten or more, only the right-hand digit is considered, and wherein the rank of the hands, from highest to lowest rank, starts with a Natural 9 hand, which is a two-card hand having a value of nine, followed by a three-card hand having a value of nine, and continues with an eight-through-zero hand, which is a two or three card hand that has a value of eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one or zero.
US08668200B2 Carrying apparatus and image recording apparatus including the same
A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner; and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism moves the first roller between a first position at which the first roller carries the first carried object and a second position which is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which the first roller carries the second carried object.
US08668199B2 Sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming system
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a shift unit which includes a conveyance roller pair capable of being placed in a contact state and a separation state and configured to convey sheets having an overlapping portion where a rear end portion of a preceding sheet and a front end portion of a following sheet overlap each other. The shift unit is movable in a widthwise direction while conveying the sheets by the conveyance roller pair. The sheet conveyance apparatus moves the shift unit in the widthwise direction when it is determined that the overlapping portion of the sheets has reached the conveyance roller pair.
US08668198B2 Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A controller controls operations of a sheet conveying portion and a sheet feeding portion in such a manner that an operation for feeding a preceding sheet by the sheet feeding portion is started after a downstream portion of a subsequent sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion is overlapped an upstream portion of the preceding sheet stacked on the stacking portion, and the downstream edge of the preceding sheet is caused to abut against the reference member by the sheet feeding portion in a state where the upstream portion of the preceding sheet and the downstream portion of the subsequent sheet are maintained in an overlapped state.
US08668194B2 Media cassette
A media cassette is described. The media cassette comprising: a media removal window at one end of the media cassette; a handle end at an opposite end of the cassette to the media removal window; and a pusher plate assembly. The pusher plate assembly includes: (i) a finger recess component, (ii) a pawl biased downwards to a low position, and (iii) an actuator coupled to both the pawl and the finger recess component and including a pivot. The actuator is moveable on insertion of a finger into the finger recess component to raise the pawl from the low position to a high position.
US08668185B2 Security hoist
A hoist or capstan fitted with a driving pulley. The latter comprises a peripheral groove for taking a cable and two substantially parallel pulley halves, each pulley halve comprising a flank forming the lateral side of the peripheral groove and being axially pulled toward each other so as to prevent the slipping of a cable by elastic means formed of a continuous polymer ring.
US08668183B2 Dual-direction in-tank magnetic safety valve
A magnetic safety valve for installation through a tank wall incorporates a piston movable within a valve body. The valve is held normally-closed by two opposite-pole magnets, one in the inner end of the piston, and one in the valve body. A vacuum produced by a pump connected to the valve will act upon the outer end of the piston, producing a force tending to move the piston outward. When the vacuum-induced outward force on the piston exceeds the attractive force between the two magnets, it pulls the piston outward and away from the valve body magnet, unseating the inner end of the piston from the valve body, and allowing outward fluid flow through the valve. A second valve seat may be provided for engagement with an outer portion of the piston to prevent uncontrolled fluid flow out of the tank in the event of valve damage.
US08668177B2 Combination purse hanger and object retainer
An apparatus comprising first and second elements and a connecting element is provided. The first element comprises a first terminal member, an intermediate member having first and second ends, and a second terminal member having a closed form channel. The connecting element goes through the channel thereby engaging the first and second elements. An axis connects the first terminal member and the intermediate member first end permitting a closed position, in which the first terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the first terminal member is away from the intermediate member. Another axis connects the second terminal member and the intermediate member second end permitting a closed position, in which the second terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the second terminal member is away from the intermediate member. The second element retains an object.
US08668176B2 Part fixing structure to resin-made fuel tank and part fixing method thereto
There are provided a part fixing structure and a part fixing method to a resin-made fuel tank which can firmly fix a part to a tank wall without the need of providing a molding die with a convex portion and a recess. A part fixing method for fixing a tank-associated part to a tank wall of a resin-made fuel tank, the part being formed together with a pair of hook portions, the method comprising a step of burying the hook portions in the tank wall in a melted state when the resin-made fuel tank is molded, thereby fixing the part to the tank wall after the tank wall is cooled. In order to cause the resin of the tank wall to flow well, a chevron portion having a pair of first inclined faces is projectingly provided at the bottom face of the part between the hook portions, and a second inclined face which is inclined in a direction opposite to the buried direction toward the tip of the hook portion is formed at the bottom face of each hook portion.
US08668175B2 Electronics cabinet bracket system
A cabinet bracket system is secured to a column for supporting an electronics cabinet. The cabinet bracket system includes a lower cabinet bracket disposed against the bottom of the electronics cabinet, an upper cabinet bracket disposed against the top of the electronics cabinet, and a bottom support bracket secured to the lower cabinet bracket so as to prevent lower bracket from moving on the column when the electronics cabinet is mounted onto the lower cabinet bracket.
US08668167B2 System for airborne transport of flammable liquids
A system for airborne transport of flammable liquids with an aircraft. A fuel tank and a reservoir, each for storing flammable liquids, are joined to the aircraft. A fuel jettison subsystem is coupled between an interior portion and an exterior of the reservoir to selectably expel fuel from the reservoir to an exterior portion of the aircraft. The fuel jettison subsystem includes a jettison valve opening formed in the reservoir. A lid selectably closes off the opening. A biasing member urges the lid away from the jettison valve opening. A solenoid retains the lid in the jettison valve opening when unactuated and releases the lid when actuated. A jettison linkage is coupled to the solenoid, the jettison linkage being operable to actuate the solenoid. The lid is urged away from the jettison valve opening by the biasing member when the solenoid is actuated by the jettison linkage.
US08668165B2 Wheel drive system for aircraft with a fuel cell as energy source
A wheel drive system for an aircraft that features at least one electric motor and at least one fuel cell as energy source for the electric motor, wherein the electric motor is coupleable to at least one wheel of at least one landing gear of the aircraft. The wheel drive system reduces the fuel consumption and lowers the emission of CO2 and pollutants—primarily carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Persons, vehicles and other aircraft furthermore are not endangered by a jet blast while the aircraft is taxiing because the main engines do not have to be started until the take-off and landing strip is reached. The operation of the wheel drive system furthermore leads to a reduced noise pollution.
US08668160B2 Cable organizer and electronic appliance with same
A cable organizer in accordance with the present invention has a top seat, a separating plate and a base plate. The top seat has two plug slots, a winder and a longitudinal slot. The separating plate is mounted to a bottom of the winder and has a slit corresponding to and communicating with the longitudinal slot. The base plate is detachably mounted to a lower portion of the separating plate and has a spindle having a top mounted in the slit of the separating plate. The present invention also relates to an electronic appliance with the cable organizer. The electronic appliance has two sliding slots to which the base are slidably mounted, wherein the base plate has a mounting slot and the electronic appliance has a positioning bead selectively protruding from the side of the electronic appliance and detachably inserted in the mounting slot of the base plate.
US08668158B2 Horizontal shaft impact crusher
A horizontal shaft impact crusher, including a crusher housing having an inlet for material to be crushed and an outlet for material that has been crushed. An impeller is mounted on a horizontal shaft in the crusher housing and is operative for rotating around a horizontal axis. Material to be crushed is accelerated by the impeller against a curtain. An adjustment device is provided for adjusting the position of the curtain relative to the impeller. The crusher housing includes at least two guide rails to which the adjustment device is slidably connected. A retaining device is arranged to hold, with a predetermined holding force, the adjustment device in a crusher operation position relative to the guide rails. The adjustment device is movable along the guide rails from the crusher operation position and away from the impeller in response to an excessive force being transferred from the curtain to the adjustment device and exceeding the predetermined holding force.
US08668153B2 Spray nozzle for low clearance spraying
A spray nozzle includes an orifice disposed on a substantially planar discharge surface. An impingement surface is disposed opposite the orifice, the impingement surface forming an angle with a centerline of the orifice. A deflection ridge bridges a gap between the impingement surface and the discharge surface. Adjacent the deflection ridge is a further trough which extends into the impingement surface. The nozzle includes a fluid fitting adapted for providing a pressurized fluid to the orifice.
US08668126B2 Self wrapped gadget holder for stroller
The present invention relates to the means for attaching gadget on a stroller using an elastic holder to wrap around the stroller. Using the elastic self-wrapped holder, the lighting device or gadget is easily and conveniently secured on the stroller without any tool, thereby saving time and effort of parents. The elastic self-wrapped holder does not distort or damage the stroller. The elastic self-wrapped holder is versatile and can firmly secure a lighting device or gadget to any parts of stroller. The elasticity of the material used for the holder can conform to gadget of various sizes and shapes thereby firmly grip and tightly fit the gadget.
US08668106B1 Fluid container cover
A fluid container includes a spout and a cap, where the spout has an actuation portion that is inclined with respect to a drinking portion of the spout. The spout is actuated from a closed position to an open position with an external force applied on the actuation portion. A channel through the spout encompasses an oblique angle, and the spout is pivotally coupled to the cap at a fulcrum point. The fulcrum point is laterally offset from an aperture in the cap, where the aperture forms a passageway through a thickness of the cap. The channel adjoins the aperture when the spout is in the open position.
US08668098B2 Ergonomic bottle cap
A polymer lid for capping the mouth of a PET bottle having a neck with a male thread, the lid comprising a threaded female cylindrical section for engaging the male thread of the neck; an outer surface comprising an arcuate skirt consisting of at least three quarters (270°) of a torroidal cylindrical section around the female cylindrical section; and further consisting of a protrusion having first and second surfaces than meet at an apex whose maximum extension protrudes between 1 mm and 5 mm from the inner cylindrical female surface; the protrusion for engagement by a thumb of a person attempting to open the bottle, enabling increased torque in a counter-clockwise direction for removal of the lid from a PET bottle.
US08668096B2 Shelf
A shelf including a mounting bracket having two arms is provided. The length of the arms and the distance between the arms are adjustable so the shelf may be attached to and project outwardly from various support structures.
US08668089B2 System crate, in particular for transporting fresh fish
The present invention relates to a crate (2) of a system of crates, in particular for transporting fresh fish, which has an opening (16) on the top side, and wherein the edge area as well as the base area of the opening on the top side are designed in such a manner that the base area on the edge of the opening on the top side is laterally and positively placed on an identical crate; thus the crates can be stacked on top of each other such that the upper crate can be inserted into the lower crate, rotated about a vertical axis by 180°, and thus the empty boxes can be stacked into one another (180° stack-nest crate), and said crate is thereby characterized in that the edge area (10) of the opening on the top side is designed, at least in terms of area, in a channel shape and has at least one first through hole (30) which is located on the outer side at the bottom of the crate wall adjacent to the edge area, and in that the base of the crate features a second through hole (30) so that liquid can drain out of the crate through the second through hole into the channel-shaped area of a similar crate stacked below, and then through the first through hole of the crate stacked below, out of the channel-shaped area alongside the outer side crate wall adjacent to the edge area of the lower side.
US08668081B2 Toy vehicle storage case with race track
A toy vehicle storage case may be placed in a racing configuration with a toy vehicle raceway deployed and supported by the storage case, or a transport configuration with the storage case containing the toy vehicle raceway.
US08668080B1 Method and device for storing and transporting jewelry
A method and device for storing and transporting jewelry which generally includes a flexible, tubular, and transparent sleeve having a first angled end and a second angled end opposite thereof. The first end and the second end each have angled openings leading to an internal cavity. A jewelry item is inserted within the sleeve so that the first end and second end of the jewelry protrude from the first and second end of the sleeve. The first and second end of the sleeve are then extended over the first and second ends of the jewelry and connected to each other, such as by tying, or through the use of various types of fasteners so that the jewelry is completely enclosed within the sleeve in a conventional clasped circular-shaped orientation that will prevent tangling of the jewelry and allow the jewelry to be stored, hung on display, worn, or easily transported.
US08668079B2 Alignment and bracing assembly for a bucket elevator and method of using the same
An alignment and bracing assembly and method of using the same to erect a bucket elevator. The assembly has first and second cross braces that are attached to trunking members of a bucket elevator in spaced relation where a plate is secured to each of the cross braces. The plate includes diagonal sections for additional bracing and in addition alignment openings so that alignment pins can be disposed therethrough to align additional sets of trunking members with one another during the erection process.
US08668071B2 Turning wheel
A turning wheel comprising a number of blades. Each blade has a front side provided with a front projection, and a back side provided with a back projection. Each two consecutive blades form a gap between the backside of a first blade and a front side of a second blade. The gap comprises an inner gap formed radially inward from the back projection and the front projection. During rotation of the turning wheel a container can be held in the gap and an end portion of the container can be held in the inner gap, thereby protecting the end portion from being damaged.
US08668064B2 Assembly structure for a luggage case
One example may be directed to a luggage case including a first wire frame element forming at least a partial shape of a main body, an inner material attached at least in part to the first wire frame element, an outer material positioned over the first wire frame element, and a second wire frame element attached at least in part to the inner material and the outer material. The outer material is not attached to the first wire frame element.
US08668056B2 Modular weighting elements
The invention relates to a modular weighting element that can be assembled with at least one other modular element to form a ballast bar, known as an ingot, for example for creating a counterweight for a lift/elevator and/or goods lift, said modular element being in the form of a generally parallelepiped elongate body. According to the invention, said modular element comprises at least two assembly members, one of them male and the other female, of complementary shapes, arranged on said body in such a way as to allow said modular element to be assembled with at least one other modular element, preferably an identical one aligned in the continuation of one another. The invention also relates to a ballast bar, to a counterweight by superposing such ballast bars and to an assembly comprising the framework carrying such a counterweight.
US08668030B2 Establishing positions of locating field detectors and path mapping in underground boring tool applications
Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region. Provisions are also described for extending drilling range by using additional detectors by moving a limited number of detectors. In another aspect, a system is provided including at least two above ground detectors for sensing the locating signal. The detectors are located at initial positions in the region. Electromagnetic data is generated by the detectors with the boring tool at multiple positions to generate electromagnetic data which is used to identify the positions of the detectors. A selected flux pathline steering technique is introduced.
US08668019B2 Dissolvable barrier for downhole use and method thereof
A plug is disposable in a well bore to block fluid from passing through the wellbore. The plug includes a body formed from water soluble glass. The body is dissolvable in water. A method of utilizing water soluble glass includes employing an element formed of the water soluble glass, performing a first function in the system when the element is present, dissolving the element in the presence of water, and performing a second function in the system different than the first function.
US08668013B2 Plug counter, fracing system and method
A plug counter includes a seat receptive of a plug in a first position and capable of passing the plug in a second position. A first sleeve is in operable communication with the seat and is longitudinally movable in response to movement of the seat between the first position and the second position. A second sleeve is in operable communication with at least one of the first sleeve and the seat and is configured to index upon passage of the plug. A key is in operable communication with the seat and is configured to prevent movement of the seat to the second position after a selected number of plugs have passed the seat. A third sleeve is in operable communication with the first sleeve, and a release member is in operable communication with the third sleeve and is configured to move the third sleeve after it is released.
US08668012B2 System and method for servicing a wellbore
A wellbore servicing system, comprising a sleeve system comprising a ported case, a sliding sleeve within the case and movable between a first sleeve position in which the sleeve restricts fluid communication via the case and a second sleeve position in which the sleeve does not, a radially divided segmented seat movable between a first seat position in which the seat restricts movement of the sleeve and a second seat position in which the seat does not, and a sheath covering a portion of the seat, the sleeve system being transitionable from a first, to a second, to a third mode, in the first mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its first position, in the second mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its second position, and, in the third mode, the sleeve is in its second position.
US08668006B2 Ball seat having ball support member
Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a tubular member having an inner wall surface defining a bore and a seat in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface. Operatively associated with the seat is a plug element support member having an expanded position when the apparatus is in a run-in position and a contracted position when the apparatus is in a set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the seat which in turn moves the plug element support member from the expanded position to the contracted position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.
US08667996B2 Fluid transfer device
A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid between a supply reservoir and a fill reservoir includes a metering reservoir and a manifold that forms at least part of a first channel that is fluidly connected with the metering reservoir. The first channel comprises a first cannula extending from the manifold. The manifold forms at least part of a second channel fluidly connected with the metering reservoir. The second channel comprises a second cannula extending from the manifold. A third channel extends through the manifold and comprises a third cannula having a first end proximate a distal end of the first cannula and a second end proximate a distal end of the second cannula. A first check valve is disposed within the first channel and a second check valve is disposed within the second channel.
US08667990B2 Hydraulic oscillating motor
A hydraulic oscillating motor which has at least two working chambers which are coupled via pressure lines to a device for pressure compensation. A first working chamber is connected to a first pressure line and a second working chamber is connected to a second pressure line. The motor further has a device for pressure compensation with a first compensating cylinder and a second compensating cylinder. Each of the compensating cylinders has in each case one compensating volume and in each case one elastic force store for delimiting the respective compensating volume. The compensating volume of the first compensating cylinder is connected to the first pressure line, and the compensating volume of the second compensating cylinder is connected to the second pressure line.
US08667988B2 Actuating mechanism of a gas valve unit
A gas valve unit for adjusting a volumetric gas flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance, in particular a gas cooking appliance, includes at least two open/close valves which can be actuated by moving at least one magnetically active body, in particular a permanent magnet, relative to the open/close valves. For actuating an open/close valve, a position of the magnetically active body, which is preferably implemented in the form of a permanent magnet, can be varied relative to the shut-off body of the open/close valve.
US08667985B2 Pressure relief valve and vent assembly
A pressure relief valve and vent assembly include a tank vent including: (i) a vent body having a vent inlet adapted to connect to a tank and arranged to communicate with an exhaust outlet via a fluid passageway; (ii) an exhaust check valve connected to the vent body at or adjacent the exhaust outlet, the exhaust check valve being configured to allow flow in one direction only; and (iii) a pressure relief valve connected to the tank vent inlet and adapted to couple to a tank. The pressure relief valve, when closed, allows for venting air or air/hydrocarbon mixtures from the tank to the exhaust check valve via the fluid passageway. The pressure relief valve, when opened on pressurization of the tank, exhausts tank fluid from the exhaust check valve.
US08667983B2 Relief valve for oil pump
A relief valve for an oil pump can prevent a main gallery from being damaged by largely decreasing peak pressure of an oil pump by using bypass flow according to oil pressure of the main gallery in cold start of an engine, and can control the discharging pressure of the oil pump at the optimum level when the engine is warmed up, by defining a housing chamber communicating with the main gallery of the engine and a plunger chamber bypassing some of oil flowing to the main gallery to the oil pump or an oil pan in accordance with oil pressure in the housing chamber using a plunger chamber, and by changing a modulus of elasticity of a coil spring elastically supporting the plunger in accordance with the oil pressure produced in the main gallery, by using a substance that is expanded by temperature.
US08667978B2 Method and system for detecting water system leaks
A methods and system detecting water system leaks provides detecting of water leakage having very low flows. Very low flow leaks are detected by detecting drops in a building water system pressure when the water supply source is disabled. The water system is disabled by an electrically controllable valve, which may be turned off in response to a motion detector that detects that no human activity is present in the building. The rate of pressure drop is used to determine the magnitude of the leak, and multiple thresholds can be used to detect slow leaks versus more serious leaks. A humidity detector may also be incorporated in the system to detect abnormal humidity conditions and shut the electrically controllable valve in response. Appliance current consumption can be detected and used to override motion-sensor based shut-off of the valve, so that water-consuming appliances can continue to operate.
US08667975B1 Umbrella for dripless closure
An improved umbrella configured to reduce the likelihood that water on top of the umbrella will drain onto the area around the user when the umbrella is closed. The improved umbrella has a handle supporting a canopy section comprising of an upper canopy, a lower canopy and a collapsible frame attached to and disposed between the upper and lower canopies. An operating mechanism allows the user to move the umbrella between its open and closed positions. When being closed, the operating mechanism inverts the frame so the peripheral edge of the upper canopy is directed upward and the center area thereof is pulled down into an interior cavity at the top end of the handle so water will drain inward to the cavity instead of outward. The upper canopy is pulled into the cavity and the frame, with the lower canopy wrapped around it, is collapsed against the handle.
US08667964B2 Nasal interface
A patient interface includes a body portion configured to communicate with at least one fluid path, and at least one nostril interface extending from the body portion. The nostril interface includes an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a nostril of a patient and to be in communication with the at least one fluid path. In an embodiment, the insertion portion includes a plurality of laterally directed openings configured to communicate fluid between the fluid path and the nostril. The patient interface also includes a seal portion that is constructed and arranged to provide a seal between the patient interface and the nostril.
US08667961B2 Inhaler for delivery of a powder formulation from a blister strip
An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip has a plurality of blister pockets and uses a pivotable mouthpiece cover to move the blister strip onward via a conveyor, wherein the mouthpiece cover is drivingly coupled with the conveyor by engaging an axle in a recess to drive a conveying wheel.
US08667956B2 Controllable launcher
A controllable launcher for propelling a payload through a predictable and repeatable trajectory to a desired height. The launcher has an energy source for propelling a carriage and a piston in substantially opposing directions and a controller for controlling the trajectory of the propelled payload to enable the payload to land gently at a safe impact distance from the edge of a destination structure.
US08667954B2 Simultaneously firing two cylinders of an even firing camless engine
A valve control system includes an engine speed control module that determines an engine speed and a desired engine stop position. A piston position module determines a desired stopping position of a first piston based on the desired engine stop position. A valve control module receives the desired stopping position, commands a set of valves to close at the desired stopping position if the engine speed is less than a predetermined shutdown threshold, and commands the set of valves to reduce the engine speed if the engine speed is greater than the predetermined shutdown threshold.
US08667951B2 System and method for preparing an optimized fuel mixture
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and method for converting ozone and fuel into mechanical energy and waste products. In some embodiments, a super-combustor may be used to provide a combustion engine with an improved ability to combust fuel. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide for an improved spark plug or modified engine having a super-combustor built in.
US08667947B2 Oil passage structure of engine
An oil passage structure for an engine of a vehicle is provided with a connecting rod swingably coupled to a crankshaft rod by a plurality of crankpins, the plurality of crankpins being disposed between a plurality of crank journals, and a plurality of support portions for rotatably supporting the crankshaft by the plurality of crank journals in a cylinder block. The crankshaft has a first oil passage formed therein, the first oil passage supplying oil from an opening formed in one end face thereof to sliding surfaces of the plurality of crankpins, the plurality of support portions have a second oil passage formed therein, the second oil passage supplying the oil to a sliding surface of each of the plurality of crank journals, and the first oil passage and the second oil passage communicate with each other in some of the support portions and in some of the crank journals.
US08667933B2 Two-stroke engine
A two-stroke engine, comprising: a crankcase; a cylinder connected to said crankcase; a combustion chamber defined by a reciprocally mounted piston within said cylinder; a crankshaft mounted rotatably in said crankcase and drivingly connected with said piston; at least one overflow passage connecting the crankcase and the combustion chamber when the piston is positioned in the lower dead center region; a connecting stub attached to said cylinder which contains an intake passage that opens into the crankcase and supplies fuel and combustion air, said intake passage including therein an air-fuel mixture passage, wherein said connecting stub contains at least one section of the mixture passage; at least one fuel opening for supplying fuel into said mixture passage; and a guiding rib positioned within said connecting stub and oriented longitudinally in the mixture passage and protruding into the mixture passage.
US08667926B2 Painting robot and painting system
A painting robot includes a fixing unit fixed to a sidewall of a painting booth; a swivel unit provided to swivel with respect to the fixing unit; an arm provided to the swivel unit; and a painting gun provided in a tip end portion of the arm. The fixing unit includes a fixing surface fixed to the sidewall of the painting booth; and a cable lead-in portion provided on the fixing surface to lead a cable into the painting robot therethrough.
US08667925B2 Method and apparatus for lining a conduit
An apparatus is disclosed for locating an instrument within a pipe. The apparatus may include body portion defining a cavity therein, a pipe engagement region for slideable engagement with a pipe, and an instrument retention portion for receiving at least a portion of an instrument therein and retaining the instrument in position relative to the body. A method is also disclosed including the use of the apparatus to locate an instrument within a pipe.
US08667924B2 Coating device and nozzle managing method
A coating device including a coating mechanism which includes nozzles for ejecting a liquid material onto front and rear surfaces of the substrate while rotating a substrate in an upright state, and a nozzle managing mechanism which manages the state of the nozzles, in which the nozzle managing mechanism includes a soaking portion which dips the front end of the nozzle in a soak solution, and a discharging portion which discharges at least the soak solution, and a nozzle managing method.
US08667922B2 Closure element for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle
A closure element is provided for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, in which tank an at least slight excess pressure and/or vacuum may exist. An indication is provided on the closure element, by which indication the operator is informed of the presence of excess pressure and/or vacuum in the tank. The indication takes place mechanically by way of a mechanical pressure sensor, specifically with respect to the presence of essentially ambient pressure or excess pressure by use of different colors. For this purpose, an indicating dial can be provided in the closure element, which indicating dial can be rotated by way of a pin displaceable against a spring force under the influence of the pressure existing in the tank. A jacket segment being recognizable by the operator through a window.
US08667917B2 Watercraft, water diverter, entanglement system, and defense system for watercraft
A watercraft includes a hull and a water diverter. The water diverter comprises at least one first deflector configured to direct water upward and outward from the hull of the watercraft to create a wave. The water diverter may include a support structure in the shape of a hollow tube for the first deflector, and a second deflector positioned above the first deflector. An entanglement system for defending watercraft includes a main cable attached to the watercraft and at least one strand section. Each strand section includes a connector and a plurality of strands attached to the connector, and each strand section is attached to the main cable. A defense system for watercraft can include both a water diverter and an entanglement system.
US08667916B1 Anhydrous ammonia fertilizer liquid and vapor separator
The vapor exhaust assembly, for anhydrous ammonia, includes a closed filter tower and a closed exhaust tower with vertical tubes. The filter tower is connected to the vapor tower by a vapor upper pipe and a liquid lower pipe. A filter tube is mounted in the filter tower. Ammonia enters the filter tower above an open end of the filter. Ammonia vapor moves from the filter tower through the vapor upper pipe to a vapor chamber in the vapor tower. Liquid moves from the filter tower through the liquid pipe to the vapor tower. Liquid received in the vapor tower is moved upward by a dam. Vapor in the liquid moves upward to the vapor chamber. Liquid moves downward from the dam top to a liquid discharge exit. A vapor discharge valve in the top of the vapor tower is opened to discharge vapor and increase liquid in both towers.
US08667906B2 Removable device for facilitating eating
A device to be attached to the edge of a table comprises a table clamp provided with a vertical hole in which one leg of an angled tube is fastened. The other leg of the tube is horizontal and has at its outer end a tray mount, which receives in a pivotable, fixable and removable manner a centrally situated vertical pivot pin on the underside of a tray on which food and beverages can be placed. By pivoting the tube in the table clamp and the tray in the tray mount the tray can be placed in the desired position and at the desired angle while allowing the table clamp to be positioned out of the way. By displacing and fastening the tube in the table clamp the tray can be vertically adjusted to permit a user to eat in comfort with the food within sight.
US08667874B2 Pliers having wire strippers
A hand tool includes a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The first jaw assembly includes a first handle portion, a first jaw portion, a first pivot portion disposed between first handle portion and the first jaw portion, and a first rail disposed on one of the first pivot portion and the first handle portion. The second jaw assembly includes a second handle portion, a second jaw portion, a second pivot portion disposed between the second handle portion and the second jaw portion, and a second rail disposed on one of the second pivot portion and the second handle portion. The second rail is shorter than the first rail. A lock button is slidingly coupled to the first rail and selectively slidingly coupled to the second rail. A resilient member disposed between the lock button and the first rail to inhibit sliding movement of the lock button.
US08667858B2 Steering gear having a fixed bearing and a floating bearing for a screw pinion
A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft.
US08667857B2 Control device for an automated gear shift transmission
In a control arrangement for an automated gear shift transmission, particularly a dual clutch transmission, which provides for a plurality of functionalities with a relatively small number of slides and control valves, a first gear slide, which is assigned to a first shift device and by means of which an actuation pressure can be applied to the first shift device, has a first and a second supply input for the first and second movement direction of the piston. A supply pressure slide, by means of which a supply pressure can be directed to the gear slide, has first and second supply outputs, which are respectively connected to the first and second supply inputs of the gear slide. The supply pressure slide is designed in such a manner that it can direct a supply pressure optionally to one of the two supply outputs.
US08667856B2 Sensor assemblies and methods of assembling same
A method for assembling a sensor assembly includes providing a sensing device configured to measure at least one variable. The method also includes at least partially enclosing a magnetic material within an enclosure. At least a portion of the enclosure is manufactured from a material having a permeability that facilitates forming a magnetic field therein. The method also includes coupling the sensing device to a first portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one second portion that is movable with respect to the first portion of the enclosure such that a magnetic coupling force is induced external to the enclosure to facilitate coupling the sensor assembly to a magnetic surface.
US08667852B2 Flow meter including a balanced reference member
The present invention relates to a vibrating flow meter (210) and a method of providing a vibrating flow meter (210). The vibrating flow meter (210) includes a conduit (103A) and a driver (104) configured to vibrate the conduit (103A). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a first pick-off (105). The first pick-off (105) includes a first pick-off component (105a) and a second pick-off component (105b). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a reference member (150). The first pick-off component (105a) is coupled to the reference member (150) while the second pick-off component (105b) is coupled to the conduit (103A) proximate the first pick-off component (105a). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a balancing element (253) coupled to the reference member (150).
US08667835B2 Method and system for diagnosing cylinder valve activation/deactivation
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring cylinder valve deactivation in an engine operating with a plurality of cylinder valves. One example method comprises indicating valve degradation based on an indication of manifold pressure over a plurality of immediately successive induction events of the engine, the indication responsive to increases and decreases in the indication of manifold pressure correlated to the induction events of engine cylinders and further correlated to whether cylinders are commanded to be activated or deactivated.
US08667832B2 Method and system for particle settling velocity measurement
The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and rapid method of measuring particle settling velocity comprising: (i) providing a gravity settler such as a column; (ii) filling the column with a first homogenous particle suspension, wherein the particle concentration in the first homogenous particle suspension is X, (iii) separating the column into an upper sub-column and a lower sub-column with a height h after settling the first homogenous particle suspension for a period of time t, wherein some particles remain in the upper sub-column; (iv) removing the particle suspension in the upper sub-column and mixing the particle suspension confined in the lower sub-column with a height h to prepare a second homogenous particle suspension; (v) measuring the particle concentration in the second homogenous particle suspension X; and (vi) determining the particle settling velocity v with the formula: v=h(X−X)ltX. Also provided are device and system for carrying out the method.
US08667828B2 Crankshaft production method and production apparatus
A crankshaft production method includes: pressurizing both end portions of a shaft blank with a pressurization surface of a die, the pressurization surface being inclined in a specific direction so as to come close to the other end side of the shaft blank, and applying an axial compressive load to the shaft blank, while restricting a radial deformation in a predetermined zone of the shaft blank in a direction other than the specific direction, thereby swaging the shaft blank and causing the predetermined zone to buckle in the specific direction.
US08667826B2 Device for leveling metal stock
A device for leveling metal stock, which is moved during operation from an infeed side of the device to an outfeed side, includes: an upper set of leveling rollers and a lower set of leveling rollers, each of which comprises a terminal leveling roller on the infeed side and another one on the outfeed side. A plurality of lower backup roller support blocks, each include a plurality of backup rollers, which serve to support the lower leveling rollers and are arranged in rows, wherein their axes of rotation are parallel to axes of rotation of the leveling rollers. At least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers of the set of lower leveling rollers is arranged so that it can be individually adjusted, wherein the at least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers is supported at each end in a lever arm.
US08667813B2 Multi-size adjustable castings for jewelry
An adjustable jewelry head or casting is provided. The head includes a track and a plurality of mounting members, at least one of which is slideable along the track. One or more pins connect the mounting members to the track. The pins are moveable to allow sliding adjustment of the mounting members with respect to one another.
US08667811B2 Method and arrangement for cooling a substrate, especially a semiconductor
In this method, a refrigerant (52) is compressed (32) in a refrigerating circuit, then condensed by cooling in a condenser (44), then expanded in a throttle valve (62) and delivered in the expanded state, in the form of wet vapor (52), to an evaporator (60) that is in thermally conductive contact with a substrate (12) to be cooled. The cooling process thus operates similarly to a liquid cooling process, but with a higher mean logarithmic heat transfer temperature difference, which allows lower temperatures of the substrate (12) to be achieved and makes possible a better heat transition coefficient, since the refrigerant is present as wet vapor. A corresponding arrangement is likewise described.
US08667802B2 Variable fan duct nozzle translatable core/inner cowl including two overlapping portions made of different materials
An aircraft nacelle comprising an outer cowl and an inner cowl located inward of the outer cowl with an air flow path formed therebetween. The inner cowl may comprise a forward portion and an aft portion slidable in a forward-to-aft direction via one or more actuators. When translated aftward, the aft portion may decrease the area of the nacelle's fan duct nozzle. The greatest radial distance between the inner cowl and a center axis of the nacelle may occur at or forward of a location in which the forward and aft portions overlap each other. The forward portion may be comprised of a different material than the aft portion.
US08667801B2 Combustor liner assembly with enhanced cooling system
An enhanced cooling system for the downstream end of a combustor liner assembly is provided. The downstream end region of the combustor liner assembly is formed by a subassembly comprising an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a middle band. The middle band includes a plurality of undulations having alternating peaks and valleys. The middle band is operatively positioned between the inner and outer tubular members to form a plurality of elongated cooling passages. A turbulence generator is provided along each of the cooling passages and extends radially inward from a portion of the peaks such that the turbulence generator and the valleys contact an outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member. The surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the inner tubular member is greater than the surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the outer tubular member.
US08667785B2 Catalysed substrate monolith
A catalysed substrate monolith 12 for use in treating exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn internal combustion engine, which catalysed substrate monolith 12 comprising a first washcoat coating 16 and a second washcoat coating 18, wherein the first washcoat coating comprises a catalyst composition comprising at least one platinum group metal (PGM) and at least one support material for the at least one PGM, wherein at least one PGM in the first washcoat coating is liable to volatilize when the first washcoat coating is exposed to relatively extreme conditions including relatively high temperatures, wherein the second washcoat coating comprises at least one metal oxide for trapping volatilized PGM and wherein the second washcoat coating is oriented to contact exhaust gas that has contacted the first washcoat coating.
US08667784B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine
An exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine mounted on a vehicle includes a regenerative diesel particulate filter, an accumulated amount detector, an exhaust gas temperature raising unit, and a forcible regeneration control unit. The forcible regeneration control unit measures an automatic regeneration enable time in which an automatic regeneration condition for regenerating the filter is satisfied when the diesel engine is operating, determines from the automatic regeneration enable time whether the probability is high in which a regeneration will be completed without being interrupted when the automatic regeneration condition is continuously satisfied, performs automatic regeneration when determining that the probability of regeneration being completed is high.
US08667783B2 Method and system for controlling the operation of a pump
Method for controlling the operation of a pump driven by an electric motor and controlled by a controller, according to which an electronic control module (ECM) sends, to the controller, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control signal having a duty cycle that varies as a function of the desired operating conditions for the pump and according to which the controller acts on the electric motor to apply said operating conditions to the pump.
US08667771B2 Mower raking system
A system comprises a first housing configured to enable grass to extend into the first housing. A grass cutting unit is housed within the first housing. A discharge chute is joined to a rear portion of the first housing for directing grass cuttings away from the first housing. A bag unit is configured for collecting the grass cuttings from the discharge chute. A second housing is joined to a rear portion of the first housing and positioned below the discharge chute. A rake device is housed within the second housing. The rake device comprises rake tines being configured for rotating below the second housing bottom for transferring debris to the bag unit. A handle unit is joined to the second housing. The handle unit is configured for enabling an operator to control operations of the system. A plurality of wheels is joined to the first housing and the second housing.
US08667768B2 Evacuatable container
A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).
US08667767B1 Automatic refuse bag release device and method of using the same
The present invention provides a device and method for automatic release of a refuse bag from a refuse receptacle. The device and method provided herein substantially eliminates all contact by a user with a filled refuse bag and the unsanitary contents therein.
US08667763B2 Connector for supporting a veneer panel on a back-up wall
A connector for coupling a veneer panel to a back-up comprises a support member. The support member comprises a mounting flange adapted for securing the support member to said back-up wall. The support member further comprises first and second support member side walls extending outwardly from the mounting flange. The first and second support member side walls define at least one generally horizontal slot when the support member is secured to the back-up wall. The connector further comprises a veneer connector configured for non-rotational sliding receipt in the generally horizontal slot and adapted to support a generally horizontal edge of said veneer panel when the veneer connector is received in the generally horizontal slot and when the support member is secured to the back-up wall.
US08667755B1 Dual panel composite truss apparatus
This invention relates to a dual panel composite truss having a pair of spaced apart prestressed concrete panels having a versatile and adaptive structurally supporting end bearing truss on the ends thereof. The end bearing truss incorporates a versatile and adaptive structural support on each end of the composite truss. The end bearing truss is formed as an integral part of the composite truss for supporting the ends of the composite truss when the composite truss is used for the floors or ceiling of a building. The end bearing truss advantageously forms each end of each concrete panel form for the concrete pour when making each concrete panel.
US08667749B2 Building closure with enhanced moisture barrier properties
A building closure for mounting within an opening in a building wall structure includes a frame for mounting within the wall structure opening and at least one closure unit for mounting within the frame. The frame has at least one interior chamber extending entirely around the frame and a nailing flange for securement to the building wall structure such that at least a portion of the frame is disposed within the building wall opening. There is a cavity between at least one exterior surface of the frame and the inner periphery of the building wall opening, with the cavity extending along at least a top portion of the frame. A barrier extends along at least the top portion of the frame to retard passage of moisture from the cavity to the building interior. At least one moisture weep opening is disposed in the top portion of the frame from the cavity to the interior chamber of the frame such that moisture in the cavity flows through the weep opening into the chamber, within the chamber around the frame and then out of a drain opening in a bottom portion of the frame.
US08667748B2 Photovoltaic module ground mount
A photovoltaic module ground mounting system can include a collapsible photovoltaic module mounting assembly framework.
US08667735B2 Molded planter with wide upper rim
A planter includes a concave container and a separate rim, both formed from a thermoplastic material. The container has a brim extending radially outward from an upper portion of the container. A vertical wall extends upward from the brim and has exterior flanges and grooves formed on its outer surface. The rim has a top wall with outer and inner side walls extending downward from its edges. Interior flanges and grooves formed on the inner surface of the outer rim wall are configured to engage the exterior flanges and grooves on the outer surface of the container vertical wall such that the rim can be secured onto the upper end of the container. The upper surface of the brim of the container comprises a stop inward of the vertical wall such that when the rim is advanced onto the upper end of the container, a lower portion of the inner rim wall confronts the stop to inhibit further advancement.
US08667734B2 Hydroponic plant container with highly oxygenated nutrient solution using continuous air injection and continuous coriolis effect mixing
A hydroponic plant container with a reservoir of “highly oxygenated” nutrient solution that is the result of continuous direct air injection into the bottom of the reservoir, at a specific range of trajectories, along with continuous Coriolis effect mixing. The highly oxygenated nutrient solution is used to provide a deep water culture for the lower section of the plant roots, to saturate the middle section of the plant roots with fine droplets of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution, and to saturate the growing media and the upper section of the plants roots with a continuous drip of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution.
US08667708B2 Sole for shoes including gas dispenser device
A sole of a shoe includes a container housing a compressed gas having an active ingredient and an actuator operatively connected to the container. The container has an output for dispensing the compressed gas which is operatively connected to the actuator. The actuator permits closing of the output to restrict delivery of the compressed gas and opening of the output to permit delivery of the compressed gas from the container. The actuator includes an electro-magnet adapted to produce a magnetic field from an electrical current, and a moving element configured to assume different positions under control of the magnetic field and mechanically coupled to the output so as to correspondingly close and open the output.
US08667706B2 Rotary biomass dryer
A biomass drying system includes a rotary biomass dryer that includes a helically threaded auger shaft rotatably driven by a prime mover, such as an electric motor. No external source of heat is required to dry a wet biomass material that is supplied to an input of the biomass dryer. Instead, the helical threads on the shaft have a variable width, designed to gradually increase the compression applied as the biomass material is advanced through a generally cylindrical bore in the biomass dryer. A variable compression nozzle is disposed at a distal end of the bore and can be adjusted to achieve a desired level of a parameter such as the moisture content of the dried biomass material produced by the system. The variable compression nozzle, which can be automatically controlled, includes longitudinally extending segments that are forced radially inwardly to increase the compression force applied to the biomass material.
US08667705B2 Clothes dryer and lint cleaning device thereof
A clothes dryer having a lint cleaning device to collect and store lint generated during drying through a simple structure. The lint cleaning device, including a filter, a rectilinear blade performing a rectilinear motion to collect lint, and a rotary blade performing a rotary motion interlocking with the rectilinear motion of the rectilinear blade to collect lint, collects lint at a spot and stores the collected lint in a compressed state. The lint cleaning device is used for a long time without replacement.
US08667702B2 Domestic appliance with an open air duct
A domestic appliance includes an open air duct and a flow cross-section adjuster in the air duct for adjusting a flow cross-section of the air duct. The flow cross-section adjuster includes rotatably mounted blades for noise dampening purpose. The air duct and the flow cross-section adjuster are in a cooling air inflow region relative to a heat exchanger or a compressor of the domestic appliance.
US08667695B2 Work head for a rotational brush cutter
The present application provides a work head for a rotational brush cutter. The work head comprises an upper plate, a lower plate and a blade, the upper plate and the lower plate being fixedly coupled. The lower plate is circular and has a passage therethrough with a gear arranged in the passage. The blade has a body portion and a connection portion with the body portion able to be extended outside of the upper and lower plates. The through passage is designed so that the blade can be replaced without requiring the upper plate and lower plate to be disassembled. As a result, because the blade is not restricted by a narrow space between the upper plate and the main frame, the work head does not need to be removed from the brush cutter to replace the blade thereby saving time and effort.
US08667691B2 Actuated nail clipper
The actuated nail clipper is a grooming tool that has made it easier to clip nails. The present invention can change in length so the toe nails are easily reachable for the consumer. The elongated neck prevents the consumer from feeling any discomfort that is normally associated with clipping toe nails. A vacuum on the actuated nail clipper can suction in leftover nail clippings. The convenience of the vacuum allows for easier clean up. The present invention also includes a small light that is angled so the nail that is being cut is clearly visible to the consumer. The light helps reduce errors in nail clipping as well as decrease the strain on the consumer's eyes.
US08667689B2 Method and arrangement for supplying essentially hollow bodies with equipment
Method and arrangement for supplying essentially hollow bodies with equipment wherein the hollow bodies each have a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension being larger than the transverse dimension. The bodies have at least one opening for accessing their interior from outside along their longitudinal dimension. The hollow bodies are arranged essentially side-by-side along the longitudinal dimension and they are moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion. An arrangement comprises a plurality of conveyor means for moving hollow bodies, wherein the conveyor means are arranged such that the hollow bodies are arranged side-by-side along their longitudinal dimension and moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion.
US08667683B1 Apparatus and methods for permanently assembling tubes in a heat exchanger
Apparatus and methods for use with a baffle support fixture for a machine assembly of the tubes and baffles in a bundle assembly of a shell and tube type heat exchanger. The bundle comprises tubes inserted through baffles. The bundle is assembled using a holding fixture that includes anti-rotational features to secure baffles in a desired orientation. Following assembly, the bundle assembly is temporarily fixtured using pressure applying means such as plates and rods, and is then permanently affixed using an adhesive composition. After adhesive is applied, bundles, with the pressure applying means still attached, are preserved on racks and heat treated to cure and permanently set the adhesive.
US08667676B2 Method of stranded electrical wire connection
A method of stranded electrical wire connection involves stripping the insulation off the ends of stranded wire, inserting a metallic barrel member over the ends of the wire, applying ratcheting pressure to the barrel member to compress the barrel member over each end of the stranded wires, and then applying constant, irreversible ratcheting pressure to the wire containing barrel to substantially eliminate the spaces between the strands and to form a permanent barrel to wire connection between the lengths of wire. A shrink tube with an inner layer of adhesive is positioned over the permanent connection and the shrink tube, with its layer of adhesive, is heated, thus substantially eliminating any space between the shrink tube and the permanent connection. Utilizing the method of the present invention results in a permanent, waterproof connection between the stranded wire which eliminates all expansion and contraction within the permanent connection during use.
US08667669B2 Apparatus and method for manufacturing a packaged device
It is an objective of the present invention to eliminate wafer testing. Provided is a manufacturing apparatus comprising a detecting section that detects a position of a device terminal of a device; a generating section that generates a substrate-side terminal, which connects to the device terminal, on a substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal; and a mounting section that mounts the device on the substrate and connects the device terminal to the substrate-side terminal. The detecting section captures an image of the device and detects the position of the device terminal based on the captured image, and the generating section prints a pattern of the substrate-side terminal on the substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal.
US08667666B2 Method for producing stator or rotor with interlaced wire groups forming an intertwined wave winding
The disclosed method produces a stator or rotor having a distributed wave winding, in which the wires are associated in pairs lying with straight segments in the same slots. Head portions of two successive straight segments of each wire of a pair protrude from opposite ends of slots. For forming two wire groups, a plurality of coil windings are simultaneously created by winding up n parallel wires with intermediate spacing onto a striplike former that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. From each of the parallel wires one straight segment and one end turn are doubled by being bent over with the wire length of a head portion, and then head portions are formed and the wires interlaced. Finally, the two wire groups are wound onto one another and thereby intertwined with one another, and then introduced as an entire intertwined wave winding strand into the stator or rotor slots.
US08667665B2 Method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator
One embodiment of the present inventions sets forth a method for decreasing a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of a MEMS resonator. The method comprises lithographically defining slots in the MEMS resonator beams and filling the slots with a compensating material (for example, an oxide) wherein the temperature coefficient of Young's Modulus (TCE) of the compensating material has a sign opposite to a TCE of the material of the resonating element.
US08667663B2 Eccentric fitting assembly
An eccentric fitting assembly includes an outer eccentric fitting which defines an outer axis, the outer eccentric fitting defines an opening offset from the outer axis and an inner eccentric fitting which defines an inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting defines a stud opening offset from the inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting receivable within the opening.
US08667660B2 Quick change clamping device
A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.
US08667657B2 Method and apparatus for engine piston installation by use of industrial robots
A method and apparatus for engine piston installation in which robots are used for the entire engine piston installation process. A first robot equipped with a stuffing gripper and force control picks up a piston with a connection rod, detects the piston ring presence, squeeze the rings, find the engine cylinder bore, and stuffs the piston into the cylinder bore. A second robot can be used to load and unload the engine block, hold the block and position it to the location, and indexes the crankshaft into the proper orientation for each cylinder bore. A set of tools either fixed on a stationary station or on a third robot is used to guide the piston connecting rod, transport and place on the connecting rod cap, and fasten the cap onto the connecting rod. The piston connecting rod guiding process may be omitted in piston stuffing for some types of engines.
US08667655B2 Apparatus for attaching a drive system and a stand to a ring in a medicine gantry
An apparatus for securing a drive system to a ring in a medical imaging gantry, the ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a ring having an outer race and an inner race rotatively mounted within the outer race, the inner race defining inner race teeth about a portion of its circumference, The apparatus also includes a drive system having a drive gear, defining drive gear teeth that are engaged with the inner race teeth, and defining tooth clearance there between. A mounting assembly is also included having at least one mounting bar rigidly attached to the outer race outer facing surface, the mounting bar including a transverse face being substantially perpendicular to the ring outer race circumference, at least one mounting plate secured to the drive system and transverse face of the at least one mounting bar.
US08667651B2 Combined diving utensil
A combined diving utensil has a buckling assembly, a seesaw and a fastening element. The buckling assembly includes a male buckle and a female buckle. Of which, one end of the female buckle is provided with an opening, and the other end provided with a mating joint. One end of the male buckle is provided with a threading portion, and the other end provided with an extension coupled with the mating joint. A plurality of ribs are set on one surface of the fastening element, which is set on the threading portion of the male buckle. A stopper is set close to the end of the fastening element. The seesaw is provided with a thrust rib plate, which is mated with a plurality of ribs on the fastening element and pivoted on the female buckle via the fulcrum.
US08667648B2 Ball handle assembly for a handheld tool
A ball handle assembly for a handheld tool is provided. The handheld tool includes a powered mechanism, an actuating mechanism for actuating the powered mechanism, and an elongated boom extending between the powered mechanism and the actuating mechanism. A ball handle assembly is adjustably attached to the boom to allow a user to adjust the ball handle assembly relative to the boom to provide a comfortable and ergonomic orientation regardless of the handedness of the operator. The ball handle assembly is translatable along the length of the boom, and the ball handle assembly provides for three degrees of rotation relative to the boom.
US08667646B2 Magnetic bumper apparatus for vehicle closure
A magnetic bumper apparatus for constraining a vehicle closure to a vehicle closure interface includes first and second magnetic members configured for attachment to the closure and closure interface, and a non-magnetic bumper element interposed therebetween. Each magnetic member defines a plurality of spatially modulated magnetic fields (SMMF) in corresponding patterns to provide a cumulative SMMF attractive force and a cumulative SMMF repulsive force between the magnetic members and define a separation reference and an alignment reference. The magnetic members in magnetic proximity to each other constrain the closure to the closure interface with respect to the alignment and separation references to prevent contact between a closure surface and a closure interface surface and to define at least one alignment parameter therebetween. Constraining the closure to the closure interface may include resisting a non-magnetic force inputted to the vehicle to prevent contact between the closure and closure interface surfaces.
US08667634B2 System for axial bristle motion in a teeth cleaning mouthpiece
The mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece carrier member (14) having upper and lower sections which are adapted to receive the upper and lower teeth of a user. The mouthpiece carrier member has several embodiments which include side members and an intermediate member or members connecting the two side members to define the two sections. A bristle field (20) is mounted on the mouthpiece carrier member for contact with the surfaces of the teeth. The mouthpiece carrier member is moved in such a manner to produce a bristle action which has a significant axial component, resulting in the bristle tufts moving toward the teeth, contacting the teeth and moving away from the teeth, producing cleaning action on the teeth.
US08667632B2 Pneumatic seat cushion system
A pneumatic seat cushion system (10) has a deformable cushion (11) having a seating surface (12) and a self inflating cushion bladder (14) positioned beneath the seating surface (12). The self inflating cushion bladder (14) has an airtight envelope (15) containing compressible material (16) which is in air communication (19) with a displacement bladder (18) such that when in use the airtight envelope (15) and the displacement bladder (18) form a closed system from which no air can enter or escape. When there is no person seated on the seating surface (12), the self inflating cushion bladder (14) is inflated and the displacement bladder (18) is deflated. When there is a person seated on the seating surface, the weight of the person compresses the compressible material (16) so as to partially deflate the self inflating cushion bladder (14) which results in the contained air passing into the displacement bladder (18) which becomes fully inflated.
US08667631B2 Infant and preemie swaddling wraps
Infant and preemie swaddling wraps including a kite-shaped body defining head and body supporting portions, a bottom flap and opposing right and left wings configured to be folded around the infants torso, a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners attached to the body at a plurality of positions for releasably engaging with other positions on the kite-shaped body to maintain the folded configuration, and padding in the head and body portions.
US08667628B1 Bed frame having an integrated roller system
A bed frame has a bed frame having side frame members and cross supports interconnecting the side frame members for supporting one of a mattress and box springs and an integrated roller system which actuates the bed frame between a first wheels up position rollers connected to said bed frame are operably disposed between said bed frame and a floor to ready mobility of the bed frame via the rollers and a second wheels down position such that the bed frame in is in contact with the floor without the rollers contacting the floor and is generally frictionally disposed to inhibit movement.
US08667627B1 Blanket and method of making same
A multi-layer blanket or bed covering has adjacent sides or halves with different insulating properties, yet which resembles a traditional blanket, and which allows people to sleep side by side with different comfort levels for heat or coolness. The blanket preferably comprises three layers on one half of the blanket and two layers on the other. The blanket is preferably made from a single rectangular piece of material which is folded first at a location one fifth of the way in from one side of the rectangular piece of material, and folded second at a location two fifths of the way in from an opposite side of the rectangular piece of material. A stitch down the middle is preferably made after the first fold, and then the blanket is stitched around its four sides after the second fold.
US08667619B2 Water saving flapper valve weight apparatus
A water saving device for a toilet adapted for mounting on an overflow tube above a flapper valve. The device uses a mainframe connected to the overflow tube to position a highchair that is pivotally mounted to the mainframe. A water cup is mounted to the highchair for weight and a vertical cam descends from the highchair to contact and close the flapper valve.
US08667613B2 Athletic arm warmer
A device for warming a first arm and shoulder of a wearer includes a single arm portion and a torso portion. The single arm portion is comprised of a substantially flexible material and is configured to substantially cover the first arm of the wearer from the shoulder to a position beyond an elbow of the first arm. The torso portion is connected to the single arm portion and is configured to at least partially cover an opposite shoulder of the wearer without extending to an underarm under the opposite shoulder of the wearer. The torso portion includes a relatively rigid frame member. The torso portion defines a neck opening that is configured to receive a head and a neck of the wearer.
US08667612B2 Eye protection cap
The invention relates to an eye protection cap to protect an eye of a person to be treated against electromagnetic radiation, in particular against laser radiation. The eye protection cap comprises a dimensionally stable shaped body, which has a free edge for adjacent arrangement in relation to the person to be treated, limits a hollow shaped body interior, is formed from a silicone material and has a self-holding region for independent holding on the person to be treated.
US08671460B1 Operator lock-out in batch process control systems
A process control system includes module-level attributes that may be used to control access for writing information to unit module objects and module objects. A security check process examines the module-level attributes, which may include OPERMODE and OPERLOCK attributes, the values of which determine whether information may be written to unit module objects or module objects. The values of the module-level attributes may be controlled based on whether a particular module object is being used by the process control system.
US08671455B1 Systems and methods for detecting unintentional information disclosure
A method for detecting unintentional information disclosure. The method may include: 1) identifying at least one data access Application Programming Interface (API) programmed to provide access to sensitive information located on a computing device, 2) monitoring attempts to use the data access API, 3) while monitoring attempts to use the data access API, detecting an attempt by an application to access the sensitive information through the data access API, 4) in response to detecting the attempt to access the sensitive information, tracking the sensitive information accessed by the application, 5) detecting an attempt to leak the sensitive information outside of the computing device, and 6) in response to detecting the attempt to leak the sensitive information outside of the computing device, performing a security action.
US08671454B2 System for secure web-prompt processing on point of sale devices
A point of sale system including at least one proxy server having an internet connection, a web browser operative to download web pages from the internet via the proxy server, and a real time user input limiting trusted computing base module communicating with the web browser and being operative to limit user input to the web pages in real time.
US08671440B2 Personalized interaction using codes
A method and nodes adapted to provide personalized multimedia services for users having registered a media player (300, 400, 401, 501, 502, 606) to a multimedia network, on the basis of the content (301, 500) read by a code reader (302, 405, 503), connected to or integrated with the media player. Content decoded from a code is used for creating or updating a user preference data record (700, 701) linked to by the identity with which the respective media player is registered. An application server (305, 402, 506, 600) being responsible for personalizing a requested service is interconnected with one or more preference databases (306, 407, 603), and one or more content databases (308, 408, 605) and/or dedicated servers (507). Upon receiving a service request, the application server, access relevant data from the mentioned nodes and assembles personalization instructions, adapted to trigger the requested personalized service in the requesting media player.
US08671434B2 Method and apparatus for supporting services via a set-top box
An approach is provided for supporting messaging services via a set-top box. A set-top box establishes communications with a user device. The set-top box receives a message from the user device, and stores the message for inclusion in a messaging log. The set-top box presents content of the messaging log via a display coupled to the set-top box. According to one embodiment, the set-top box receives network address information of the user device, maps the network address information to location information, and retrieves information from a data repository based on the location information. In another embodiment, the user device acquires information about a program being experience by a user via the set-top box, and generates a message to provide presence status information to a social network service based on the program information.
US08671429B1 Method and system for dynamically changing a user interface for added or removed resources
A system and method for changing a user interface for added or removed content includes an external device, a display and a host device coupled to the display. The host device controlling the display to display a first user interface associated with the host device. The host device controlling the display to display a second user interface formed using the first interface with content corresponding to the external device.
US08671425B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for providing ad insertion via a multimedia applications gateway
Ad insertion includes providing a multimedia applications gateway that is connected to an access gateway for an end user device and receiving, at the multimedia applications gateway via the access gateway, multimedia program content. The multimedia applications gateway converts the program content from a program media source into a first communication having an open standards protocol recognized by the end user device. The ad insertion also includes receiving directly, at the multimedia applications gateway from an advertising media source, multimedia advertising content. The multimedia applications gateway converts the multimedia advertising content into a second communication having the open standards protocol. The second communication is stored in a local memory of the multimedia applications gateway. The ad insertion further includes retrieving the second communication from the local memory, inserting the second communication at a location within the first communication, and presenting the first and second communications on the end user device.
US08671424B2 Log-based targeting of advertisements to groups
In accordance with one or more aspects, a consumer device obtains advertisement event data indicating a time when an advertisement is to be presented, and maintains the advertisement event data in a log. Advertisement data corresponding to the advertisement event data is presented at the indicated time if the advertisement event data corresponds to a subscriber group of which the consumer device is a member, otherwise the advertisement data is not presented. In accordance with one or more other aspects, program event data and advertisement event data are both obtained. Electronic program guide data is generated including both the program data and the advertisement event data, and is sent to one or more consumer devices.
US08671423B1 Method for monitoring and controlling viewing preferences of a user
Media system control and advertisement technology, in which input related to advertising preferences of a user of a media system that is connected to a content delivery network is received. An advertisement control policy is defined for the user of the media system based on the received input. During viewing, on the media system, of a channel provided by the content delivery network, the media system is controlled to deliver advertisements based on the defined advertisement policy.
US08671416B2 Dynamic service discovery
When an application is launched, a framework scanning module scans a plurality of frameworks linked against by the application to generate a list of available services. When the application makes a request of a particular service, a service verification module compares the requested service to the list of available services and if the requested service is found in the list of available services, sends a signal to the application, the signal allowing access to the requested service for the application. Otherwise, access to the requested service is denied.
US08671414B1 Accelerating data intensive computing applications by reducing overhead associated with communication protocols
Various embodiments are directed toward improving Virtual Machine performance by reducing the amount of communication protocol processing performed between co-resident Virtual Machine guest applications executing on the same physical machine. Overhead can be reduced by short-circuiting the full communication protocol stack when a plurality of Virtual Machine guest applications are hosted and executing on the same physical machine such as a data storage node or a compute accelerator node. Improvements may also be realized by enabling the sharing in virtual memory of physical memory pages between co-resident Virtual Machine guest applications, and employing a low latency high bandwidth network for enabling guest applications to communicate with each other that are located in different nodes in a data storage cluster.
US08671408B2 Blocking applications to ensure task completion
A method, computer program product, and computing system for providing a graphical user interface including at least one selectable application in a scheduling entry in the multi-user scheduling system. An available application lockout may be activated on all available applications other than a selected application upon initialization of the scheduling entry.
US08671405B2 Virtual machine crash file generation techniques
Techniques for creating crash data in a virtualized environment are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the techniques can be used when a guest operating system within a virtual machine may not have a sufficient mechanism for generating crash data.
US08671387B2 Compilation and injection of scripts in a rapid application development
Systems, computer-readable media, and methods are disclosed for generating compiled scripts from scripts that include at least one scripting-language instruction. The least one scripting-language instruction may include a script extension to specify a computational model of the application and/or a method extension to specify a function of the computational model. The script extension may be identified within the at least one scripting-language instruction and an identifier for the computational model specified by the script extension may be determined. A compiled script may be generated that includes scripting-language code for replacing the script extension by an access of the computational model identified by the identifier. The application may be executed by locating a compiled script for the application based on an identifier assigned to the compiled script, injecting the compiled script into the application, and executing the injected script in the application.
US08671384B2 Web application pinning including task bar pinning
Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.
US08671380B2 Dynamic frequency control using coarse clock gating
A method and apparatus for controlling the frequency of a clock signal using a clock-gating circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a root clock signal and an enable signal are provided to a clock-gating circuit. The clock-gating circuit is configured to provide an operational clock signal (based on the root clock signal) when the enable signal is asserted. The operational clock signal is inhibited when the enable signal is de-asserted. The frequency of the operational clock signal can be output at a reduced frequency (relative to the root clock signal) by asserting the enable signal for one of every N clock cycles. Furthermore, the frequency of the operational clock signal can be dynamically changed by changing the rate of asserting the enable signal relative to the root clock signal, without suspending operation of a functional unit receiving the operational clock signal.
US08671371B1 Systems and methods for configuration of control logic in parallel pipelined hardware
A method of utilizing high level synthesis to automatically configure control logic of a hardware design for a pipelined parallel stream processor includes obtaining a scheduled graph representing a processing operation in the time domain as a function of clock cycles. The graph comprises a data path to be implemented in hardware as part of said stream processor, an input, an output, and parallel branches to enable data values to be streamed therethrough from the input to the output as a function of increasing clock cycle. The data path is partitioned to divide it into a plurality of discrete regions. Discrete control logic elements are assigned to each region using high level synthesis. The graph and assigned control logic is used to define a hardware design for the pipelined parallel stream processor.
US08671364B2 Techniques to present hierarchical information using a multivariable decomposition visualization
Techniques to present hierarchical information as orthographic projections are described. An apparatus may comprise an orthographic projection application arranged to manage a three dimensional orthographic projection of hierarchical information. The orthographic projection application may comprise a hierarchical information component operative to receive hierarchical information representing multiple nodes at different hierarchical levels, and parse the hierarchical information into a tree data structure, an orthographic generator component operative to generate a graphical tile for each node, arrange graphical tiles for each hierarchical level into graphical layers, and arrange the graphical layers in a vertical stack, and an orthographic presentation component operative to present a three dimensional orthographic projection of the hierarchical information with the stack of graphical layers each having multiple graphical tiles. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08671352B1 Variable dimension version editing for graphical designs
Computer-implemented methods for allowing users to specify interactive graphical designs are provided. The graphical designs can comprise multiple dimension versions—such as a tablet dimension version or a phone dimension version. Some of the methods involve an inheritance structure that defines a first dimension version of the design as a child of a second dimension version of the design. Specifications for properties of widgets in the graphical design are applied to the design in accordance with the inheritance specification. Some of the methods involve an inheritance characterization that determines how properties of a widget are affected by the inheritance structure across different dimension versions. Some of the methods involve an existence property for the widgets.
US08671348B2 Method and apparatus for inputting schedule in mobile communication terminal
A terminal includes: a camera configured to capture an image using a lens; a memory configured to store the image captured by the camera and identification information corresponding to the captured image; a controller configured to provide control to generate schedule information based on the identification information and to store the generated schedule information in a scheduler; and a display unit configured to display the generated schedule information or the scheduler under the control of the controller.
US08671343B2 Configurable pie menu
Systems, methods, and other implementations for a configurable pie menu are described herein. A pie menu has sectors of which at least one sector is both associated with a currently assigned menu item and at least one configuration menu. The operation of the pie menu is started by a pie menu activation input. Subsequent user input may then be interpreted as a pie menu selection input or a pie menu configuration invocation input. A pie menu configuration invocation input ascertains a pie sector and invokes the at least one configuration menu associated with the ascertained pie sector. The configuration menus provide a larger set of menu items, one of which is the menu item currently assigned to the pie sector. A menu item selected from the invoked configuration menu is assigned to the pie sector to which the configuration menu is associated.
US08671336B2 Method for determining transport block size and signal transmission method using the same
A device and method for attaching a CRC code to a transport block and turbo encoding the CRC attached transport block, where the transport block has a predetermined size.
US08671335B2 Soft output Viterbi detector with error event output
A first sequence of states associated with a surviving path and a second sequence of states associated with a non-surviving path are determined. A possible error event is determined based at least in part on the first sequence of states and the second sequence of states. The first sequence of states is replaced with the second sequence of states by applying the possible error event to the first sequence of states.
US08671333B2 Adaptive encoding and decoding for error protected packet-based frames
A communication system transmitter comprises an adaptive error correction encoder. The adaptive error correction encoder is configured to generate a plurality of error correction frames with each such error correction frame comprising a plurality of data packets and one or more error correction packets. A given one of the error correction packets comprises information relating to the plurality of data packets of its corresponding frame and additional information relating to a different one of the error correction frames. The additional information may be inserted into a header of the given error correction packet, and may comprise a next frame sequence number indicator and a corresponding next frame mask value for a subsequent one of the error correction frames. Other aspects of the invention relate to a communication system receiver comprising an adaptive FEC decoder, adaptive FEC encoding and decoding methods, integrated circuits, and associated computer program products.
US08671331B2 Apparatus and method for communicating FEC mode and alarming mismatch
A multi-mode transmission unit processes data to form an error correction code in accordance with one of a plurality of selectable processes. The data, correction code and a process identifier can be transmitted to a receiving unit which can carry out error correction of the data in accordance with the identified process.
US08671325B1 Forward error correcting code decoder method and apparatus
An apparatus for detecting and correcting errors in a received codeword includes a syndrome calculator, error locator polynomial generator, and symbol corrector. The syndrome calculator has a first input to receive a first plurality of symbols, a second input to receive a second plurality of symbols, and a plurality of processing stages each coupled to the first and second inputs. Each processing stage is configured to process a symbol of the first plurality of symbols, and a symbol of the second plurality of symbols, during each of a plurality of iterations to generate a respective syndrome value after the iterations. The syndrome calculator also has a syndrome output configured to output the respective syndrome values. The error locator polynomial generator has a syndrome input coupled to both the syndrome output and an error location output, and the symbol corrector has an error location input coupled to the error location output.
US08671310B2 Method and system for redundantly controlling a slave device
The disclosure provides a control and data transmission installation for redundantly controlling a slave device, which may be a field transmitter. The effect achieved by the control and data transmission installation is that essentially seamless control of a field transmitter can be assured even when a control device fails. The control and data transmission installation has at least two control devices and at least one slave device which are connected to one another by a communication network. The slave device contains addressable output interfaces for receiving output and status data. Each control device has a device for producing and transmitting status and output data for a separate output interface of the slave device, and the slave device has an evaluation device which controls the forwarding of received output data for further use in response to the status signals received from the control devices.
US08671308B2 Optimizing disaster recovery systems during takeover operations
Exemplary system, and computer program product embodiments for optimizing disaster recovery systems during takeover operations are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a flag is set in a replication grid manager to identify replication grid members to consult in a reconciliation process for resolving intersecting and non-intersecting data amongst the disaster recovery systems for a takeover operation. The replication grid members are consulted for the takeover operation to accommodate a coordination of an ownership synchronization process for cartridges not distributed on-time to the replication grid members. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages.
US08671298B2 System and method for improving power supply efficiency
A method may include: calculating approximate power requirements of components, the components supplied with electrical energy from a plurality of power supplies, each of one or more of the plurality of power supplies capable of being enabled and disabled from supplying electrical energy to the components; determining a set of possible configurations of the plurality of power supplies such that for each possible configuration, enabled power supplies of the possible configuration have adequate aggregate capacity to deliver the approximate power requirements and switching to the possible configuration from a then-present configuration would require no more than one of then-disabled power supplies be enabled and no more than one of then-enabled power supplies be disabled; and determining which of the set of possible configurations has the highest expected power efficiency.
US08671294B2 Environmentally cognizant power management
A method for environmentally cognizant power management that gathers server, application and environmental information from different devices to compute an aggregate behavior model.
US08671285B2 Microprocessor that fetches and decrypts encrypted instructions in same time as plain text instructions
A fetch unit (a) fetches a block of instruction data from an instruction cache of the microprocessor; (b) performs an XOR on the block with a data entity to generate plain text instruction data; and (c) provides the plain text instruction data to an instruction decode unit. In a first instance the block comprises encrypted instruction data and the data entity is a decryption key. In a second instance the block comprises unencrypted instruction data and the data entity is Boolean zeroes. The time required to perform (a), (b), and (c) is the same in the first and second instances regardless of whether the block is encrypted or unencrypted. A decryption key generator selects first and second keys from a plurality of keys, rotates the first key, and adds/subtracts the rotated first key to/from the second key, all based on portions of the fetch address, to generate the decryption key.
US08671281B1 System and method for single sign on process for websites with multiple applications and services
A system and method for integrating the Internet front end-sign on processes of the various systems of a financial institution which allows a customer to view and access its various financial accounts with the institution.During the initial sign up for the online access to its accounts, a customer creates his/her User ID and password online during the same session. Once the customer has signed on (password) and verified ownership of at least one account, the system displays all of the customer's accounts that are available for access via the Internet website. The online ownership verification uses only a single account of the customer and the ownership verification criteria associated with the account. The account used for verifying a customer is first determined based on the accounts selected by the customer for accessing online. From the selected accounts, the system of the present invention creates a verification hierarchy with respect to the accounts. When determining the verification to use for the single ownership verification, the present invention selects the account from the hierarchy with the most stringent requirements.
US08671275B2 Mechanism to handle events in a machine with isolated execution
A platform and method for secure handling of events in an isolated environment. A processor executing in isolated execution “IsoX” mode may leak data when an event occurs as a result of the event being handled in a traditional manner based on the exception vector. By defining a class of events to be handled in IsoX mode, and switching between a normal memory map and an IsoX memory map dynamically in response to receipt of an event of the class, data security may be maintained in the face of such events.
US08671274B2 Delivery of multiple third-party services to networked devices
Systems and methods for authenticating a media device or other information handling system so as to be able to receive content from one or more media content providers. Authenticating the device includes determining what authentication information the media content providers require for access and then to generating and providing to the media device an authentication token that includes the required information. In some embodiments this may be accomplished by a service center, which removes the need for additional authentication steps to be performed by the media device or the media content providers. In addition, the service center may also determine when changes are made to the authentication information and may then ensure that the authentication token is changed or updated to reflect these changes. This ensures that the media device is at least partially immune to changes to authentication.
US08671272B2 Method and system for changing bios settings via touch control interface by executing an application under OS without entering system management mode
A touch control method for setting the basic input output system (BIOS) is provided. The setting method includes the following steps. The BIOS transmits an initial configuration data to a memory. An application program reads the initial configuration data from the memory and evocates an input interface displaying on a touch panel. The input interface includes a plurality of selecting items corresponding to the initial configuration data. The application program receives a setting signal from the touch panel and executes the selecting item according to the setting signal. The application program produces a renewal configuration data and the application program stores the renewal configuration data in the memory. The application program rewrites the renew configuration data back to the BIOS.
US08671267B2 Monitoring processing time in a shared pipeline
A pipelined processing device includes: a device controller configured to receive a request to perform an operation; a plurality of subcontrollers configured to receive at least one instruction associated with the operation, each of the plurality of subcontrollers including a counter configured to generate an active time value indicating at least a portion of a time taken to process the at least one instruction; a pipeline processor configured to receive and process the at least one instruction, the pipeline processor configured to receive the active time value; and a shared pipeline storage area configured to store the active time value for each of the plurality of subcontrollers.
US08671262B2 Single-port memory with addresses having a first portion identifying a first memory block and a second portion identifying a same rank in first, second, third, and fourth memory blocks
A memory and a method for controlling a memory including: a set of first memory blocks of identical size, intended to contain first words, a set of second memory blocks of identical size, intended to contain second words, the number of second words being identical to the number of first words, a third memory block identical to the first blocks, a fourth memory block identical to the second blocks, each memory address comprising a first portion identifying a same line in all blocks, and each first word of the third block identifying a free word from among the second words sharing a same second address portion.
US08671251B2 Information processing apparatus that executes response process to received information, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor
An information processing apparatus that is capable of preventing the overwriting of an incoming packet without disconnecting the network connection. The information processing apparatus receives incoming information via a network, stores it into a storage area, and executes a response process thereto. A response processing unit executes the response process to the incoming information. A first change unit switches so that the incoming information is stored into a second storage area after the incoming information, which is a factor to shift to a power mode from a power saving mode, is stored into a first storage area. A second change unit switches so that the incoming information is stored into the first storage area after the response processing unit executes the response process to the incoming information stored in the first storage area.
US08671249B2 Apparatus, system, and method for managing storage capacity recovery
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing storage capacity recovery. A monitor module determines a workload write bandwidth for a sequential log-based data storage device. The workload write bandwidth includes a rate at which workload write operations generate reclaimable storage capacity on the data storage device. A target module determines a target reclamation write bandwidth for the data storage device. A capacity reclaim rate is associated with the target reclamation write bandwidth. The capacity reclaim rate satisfies the workload write bandwidth for the data storage device. A reclaim rate module determines a prospective reclamation write bandwidth for the data storage device, based on the workload write bandwidth, to correspond to the capacity reclaim rate associated with the target reclamation write bandwidth.
US08671235B2 KVM switch with embedded bluetooth module
A switch device that allows a user to use the same non-Bluetooth user console (e.g., keyboard, mouse) to control both non-Bluetooth computers and Bluetooth master machines such as tablet computers, smart phones, etc. The switch device includes a console port for connecting to the console and one or more computer ports for connecting to one or more computers, as well as a Bluetooth module for communicating with Bluetooth master machines. A controller processes input device data received via the console port, and either sends the data to a selected Bluetooth master machine or a selected computer, or perform other functions such as switching, Bluetooth device pairing and disconnecting based on the input device data. The controller stores link information of the Bluetooth master machines already paired with the computer switch for quickly switching to a Bluetooth master machine. The switch device can be with or without video switching.
US08671229B1 System and method for managing IO operations
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving an IO request from a host concerning an IO operation to be performed on a data array. The IO request is processed to generate an IO descriptor. The IO descriptor defines a unique and proprietary memory space for each of a plurality of IO processing routines.
US08671223B1 Methods and systems for utilizing delta coding in acceleration proxy servers
The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of utilizing delta coding in acceleration proxy servers. The method including storing, at a proxy server, a plurality of dictionary pages within a page storage disk and indexing, at the proxy server, the plurality of dictionary pages with fingerprint identifiers. The fingerprint identifiers are configured to uniquely identify data strings within each of the plurality of dictionary pages. The method further includes receiving, at the proxy server, a data request. The request includes a plurality of fingerprints associated with the requested data.
US08671215B2 Portable communications framework
Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable MTP framework. In an embodiment, the portable MTP framework includes an MTP communications stack and a portability layer. The portability layer decouples the MTP communications stack from the underlying platform, storage, and transport components, thereby achieving transport protocol, platform, and storage media independence. The portable MTP framework according to embodiments of the present invention includes platform-specific software components, including, for example, communications device drivers (USB, TCP/IP, etc.), a transport controller, a session handler, storage device drivers (USB drive, SD card, Hard disk, etc.), a storage controller, and a platform interface. The portable MTP framework further includes application-specific software components, including, for example, an MTP router, MTP agents, and MTP managers.
US08671201B2 Correlation of sessions in case of session transfer in IMS domain
The invention relates to session control in an IMS domain of a communications network and more particularly to techniques for performing session transfer in an IMS control node (SCC AS) for controlling centralized services in an IMS domain. One embodiment of an SCC AS (200) may be adapted to store, for each of a plurality of ongoing communication sessions, a session information item (218) comprising a user identity (222) identifying a user device involved in the session and a first identifier (216) of the user device in a CS domain of the communications network, wherein the user identity is associated with multiple user devices and the first identifier comprises at least one of an MSISDN (216), an IMSI, and a GRUU.
US08671184B2 Network management
A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided. The method includes identifying devices in a network, determining at least one property for each of the identified devices, receiving at least one determined device property from another device the network, and creating a network information data structure for storing the determined device properties.
US08671180B2 Method and system for generic application liveliness monitoring for business resiliency
A system and method for monitoring liveliness includes a management device which has an application layer where applications are executed. A connection monitor is located other than on the application layer, and the connection monitor is configured to receive requests from clients and deliver the requests to components on the application layer. The components include a generic application monitor which responds to liveliness monitor requests from the clients for all applications monitored, and one or more applications which response to requests to that application.
US08671172B2 Network device configuration
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for configuring a network device on a private network. A network device broadcasts a status message to the private network. The network device receives a request from a client and sends a response. The network device and the client establish a direct message route wherein one or more network configuration settings are exchanged between the client computer and the network device.
US08671167B2 System for providing demand response services
A system for providing demand response services relative to a resource. Demand response information may be conveyed by a provider of the resource to demand-response logic. The logic may translate the demand response information into one of a pre-defined finite amount or number of demand response levels. These levels may be translated to device states, and in turn the device states may be translated to device commands. The translations may be based on rules designed to effect a resource usage scenario. The rules may be easily changed. The commands may be provided to devices at one or more facilities. The devices may control loads, which consume the resource, in accordance with the device commands. The devices may also provide information, such as conditions and resource consumption, relative to the facilities to the provider of the resource. The commands and information may be conveyed via local and wide communication networks.
US08671159B2 Technique for previously providing estimate of time required for processing
Methods and systems for communicating information between a server device and one or more client devices. The client device comprises a transmitter to transmit a processing request to the server device in response to an input operation by a user, a display to display an object on a screen which can receive the input operation from the user, and an obtaining section to obtain from the server device both an initial estimate of time required for processing that will be executed by the server device in response to the processing request, and one or more updated estimates of required processing time if a certain amount of time has elapsed since the previous estimate.
US08671154B2 System and method for contextual addressing of communications on a network
The disclosure describes systems and methods delivering communications based on contextual addresses. An address string containing two or more identifiers, which may not be unique identifiers, and at least one conditional operator are provided as the address for a message or communication. The system identifies contextual relationships between a plurality of entities based on prior communications between the entities over the network. Based the contextual relationships, each identifier in the address string is disambiguated to identify one of the entities as a recipient and any associated delivery conditions controlling the delivery of the communication. The communication is then delivered to the identified recipient in accordance with the delivery condition.
US08671152B2 Network processor system and network protocol processing method
A multiprocessor system is provided for emulating remote direct memory access (RDMA) functions. The first sub-processing unit (SPU) generates a message to be transmitted. The second SPU is a processor for emulating the RDMA functions. Upon receiving a notification from the first SPU, the second SPU synthesizes the message into a packet according to a RDMA protocol. The third SPU is a processor for performing a TCP/IP protocol processing. Upon receiving a notification from the second SPU, the third SPU synthesizes the packet generated according to the RDMA protocol into a TCP/IP packet and then sends it out from a network interface card.
US08671150B2 Automatically managing objectionable behavior in a web-based social network
A system and method for curtailing objectionable behavior in a web-based social network is disclosed. The method includes monitoring various actions of users of a web-based social network for objectionable behavior. The monitored actions are those that affect other users of the social network. A policy is determined based on behaviors of users. The policy may be violated by a user if the user exceeds a policy threshold. Some monitored actions include the poking, friend requesting, and wall posting. A policy may be violated by multiple occurrences of a single type of action or by a combination of different types of actions. Upon a policy violation, a warning may be issued to the user or the user's account may be suspended.
US08671147B2 Supplying applications to mobile devices
Applications are supplied to mobile devices. An application template is developed as a hierarchy of nested elements and layout data for a plurality of types of element. An application is generated by applying content data to one or more of the elements to form objects. The objects are supplied to a requesting mobile device, such that each object contains data, an identification of its position within the hierarchy and an identification of its element type. In addition, layout data is supplied to the mobile device for element types corresponding to the supplied object.
US08671140B2 Metasearch engine for returning price data related to at least one stock returned in search results and at least one related news item link using at least one query on multiple unique hosts
Process for metasearching on the Internet performed by a metasearch engine, comprising: receiving an HTTP request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send at least one stock related search query to a plurality of unique hosts that provide access to stock related information; sending the at least one stock related search query to the plurality of unique hosts in response to the HTTP request; receiving search results from the plurality of unique hosts in response to the at least one stock related search query, the search results comprising price data related to at least one stock; incorporating the received search results comprising the price data related to the at least one stock and incorporating at least one related news item link into a response; communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device. Stock ordering and/or at least one updated response may also be included.
US08671128B1 Method and apparatus for a finite impulse response filter
A finite impulse response filter (FIR) for processing a communication channel. The FIR comprises a delay line, a tap processor and a summer. The delay line has “N” taps to successive portions of the communication channel. The delay line shifts the successive portions of the communication channel once in each symbol processing interval. The tap processor subjects each of the “N” taps to a first scaling utilizing first scaling coefficients associated with filtering the current symbol interval and further subjects at least one of the “N” taps to a second scaling by a second scaling coefficient associated with filtering the prior symbol interval. The summer generates in each symbol interval a filtered output comprising a sum of the “N” scaled taps from the first scaling in the prior symbol interval and the second scaling of the at least one tap in the current symbol interval, thereby increasing an order of the FIR without corresponding increase in an order of the delay line.
US08671126B2 Interpolator and designing method thereof
Interpolation of signed values A and B is efficiently performed by simple circuitry. To calculate an interpolated value C based on a 4-bit values A (bits a3a2a1a0) and B (bits b3b2b1b0) expressing a negative number by twos complement notation and a 4-bit interpolation rate D (bits d3d2d1d0) consisting of only a decimal part, a basic expression of C=(1−D)*A+D*B is transformed into an expression composed of an unsigned part that includes a sum of products with a bit di or a logically inverted value ei of the bit di (i=0, 1, 2, and 3), and indicates an absolute value of the interpolated value C, and a signed part indicating a sign of the interpolated value C. Then, 7 bits of bits c6 through c0 are generated from an arithmetic operation of the unsigned part, and logic judgement of the signed part is performed by considering a carry from the digit of the bit c6 of the arithmetic operation of the unsigned part to generate a bit c7. Significant digits of the obtained 8-bit value (bits c7 through c0) are outputted as an interpolated value.
US08671120B1 Method and system for manually maintaining item authority
An item authority system is provided. The item authority system uses rules to identify item definitions that match or potentially match an item description. When a unique match is found, then the item authority system may indicate that the item description describes the same item as the item definition. If multiple matches or only potential matches are identified, then the item authority system may allow a user to manually indicate which item definition matches.
US08671111B2 Determination of rules by providing data records in columnar data structures
A method includes providing a columnar database comprising a plurality of columnar data structures associated with one column attribute; providing first data records having a plurality of first attribute-value pairs comprising counting information indicative of a number of first data records having the respective first attribute-value pair; providing mask data structures comprising one or more second attribute-value pairs; selecting second data records by intersecting the columnar data structures and the mask data structures; selecting one of the column attributes and one value contained in the column data structure associated with said selected column attribute as the destination attribute-value pair; creating one second rule for each first attribute-value pair; calculating, for each second rule, a co-occurrence-count between its respective source attribute-value pair and its destination attribute-value pair; and specifically selecting one or more of said second rules as the first rules in dependence on the calculated co-occurrence-count.
US08671105B2 Data integration using conceptual modeling framework
A computer implemented system and method that combines data from multiple sources to provide a unified view of data using multi-layered conceptual modeling framework. The invention provides means to model conceptual data models at multiple levels of abstraction and a means to map them with each other and with physical models. A query rewriting approach adopted in the present invention is capable of translating queries down multiple levels of conceptual models into physical models and Conceptual modeling framework provide a means to capture and process semantic intent of data more accurately thereby reducing data integration errors significantly.
US08671099B2 Clustering devices in an internet of things (‘IoT’)
Clustering devices in an Internet of Things (‘IoT’), including: receiving, by a device clustering module, a characteristic set for a device, wherein the characteristic set specifies one or more device attributes and an attribute value for each device attribute; clustering, by the device clustering module, the device into an attribute level cluster based on the one or more device attributes specified in the characteristic set for the device; and clustering, by the device clustering module, the device into a value level cluster based on the attribute value for each device attribute, wherein the value level cluster is a subset of the attribute level cluster.
US08671095B2 Method for providing search results including relevant location based content
A search engine considers events and stories described in electronic documents, a location of a searcher/reviewer, and a situs associated with a query and content of the document to determine how/if they should be presented to users as part of relevant search results.
US08671094B2 System and method for providing document based on personal network
Provided are a system and method for providing a document based on a personal network. The document providing system may include a community searching unit to search for a community associated with a first document prepared by a first user, a document registration unit to register the first document in the searched community, and to receive a second document, associated with the first document, registered by a second user included in the community, and a document providing unit to provide the second document associated with the first document. According to embodiments of the present invention, a response that the first user may desire may be provided by receiving a response, registered by the second user included in the community associated with the first user, with respect to the document prepared by the first user.
US08671093B2 Click model for search rankings
Approaches and techniques are discussed for ranking the documents indicated in search results for a query based on click-through information collected for the query in previous query sessions. According to an embodiment of the invention, when calculating a relevance score for a particular document, one may overcome positional bias by utilizing click-through information about other documents previously returned in the same search results as the particular document. According to an embodiment, one may utilize Dynamic Bayesian Network, based on said click-through information, to model relevance. According to an embodiment of the invention, one may utilize click-through information to generate targets for learning a ranking function.
US08671091B2 Optimizing snowflake schema queries
For a database query that defines a plurality of separate snowflake schemas, a query optimizer computes separately for each of the snowflake schemas a logical access plan for obtaining from that schema's tables a respective record set that includes the data requested from those tables by that query. The query optimizer also computes a logical access plan for obtaining the query's results from the record sets in which execution of the logical access plans thus computed will result.
US08671090B2 Web service folder interface
A method of utilizing a Web Service folder interface. A user defines a folder in a local folder directory as a Web Services enabled folder. The folder includes file data and metadata corresponding to the file data. The metadata includes a configurable Web Services type property that corresponds to a remote Web Service. The metadata also includes a configurable data handling property that includes one or more allowable file formats. When a user submits the file data to the remote Web Service by selecting an option in a pull down menu of a graphical user interface (GUI) or dropping the file data in a local output folder, the operating system (OS) sends the file data to the remote Web Service. The OS automatically converts an output file received from the remote Web Service into one of the allowable file formats and updates the local file data with the output file.
US08671086B2 Prefetching content of a directory by executing a directory access command
In response to a request to access a directory, a directory access command is invoked and executed, where the executed directory access command accesses the directory and prefetches content of the directory.
US08671079B2 System and method for hierarchical recovery of a cluster file system
Hierarchical recovery of failed computing nodes to operative computing nodes within a cluster of computing nodes is managed by initiating a recovery leader at an operative node that retrieves management information from the operative nodes and applies the management information to recover filesets of a meta-fileset in a hierarchical filesystem. The use of hierarchical filesets throughout the cluster provides more rapid failover by distributing recovery load across computing nodes and supporting recovery of nodes in parallel.
US08671070B1 Systems and methods for extracting financial information from content
In one example, when a user reads content on a web browser, the content may contain information about companies, and may suggest, to the user, various financial transactions to be performed with respect to those companies. For example, the user may want to react to financial news about a company by buying or selling stock in the company. A software component (e.g., a browser plug-in) may be used to evaluate content that the user is reading, and to display a user interface that allows the user to perform financial transactions based on the content. For example, if the user reads a news article about a company, the software component may display an interface that shows the ticker symbol of the company's stock and allows the user to initiate a transaction to buy or sell that stock.
US08671069B2 Rapid image annotation via brain state decoding and visual pattern mining
Human visual perception is able to recognize a wide range of targets but has limited throughput. Machine vision can process images at a high speed but suffers from inadequate recognition accuracy of general target classes. Systems and methods are provided that combine the strengths of both systems and improve upon existing multimedia processing systems and methods to provide enhanced multimedia labeling, categorization, searching, and navigation.
US08671065B2 Methods and apparatus of monitoring an evolving system using selected functional nest
A method of monitoring an evolving system, the method including the steps of: obtaining a plurality of sensor data streams relating to outputs from sensors monitoring said system, wherein at least one of said sensors monitors a condition of said system, and wherein at least one of said sensors monitors a causal agent for said condition; iteratively constructing a plurality of functional nests, each functional nest being a functional formed from a combination of selected functionals from a basic set of functionals; determining an output data stream for each functional nest by inputting said sensor data streams into said functional nests; selecting a functional nest from said plurality of functional nests based on said output data streams; and using said selected functional nest to monitor said system.
US08671060B2 Post-production preparation of an unprotected installation image for downloading as a protected software product
An installation image for installing an unprotected software product is used to install a protected version of the same product. A protected version of the executable file is embedded in a new installation image with the original installation image, in which the unprotected version of the executable file is damaged so as to be unusable and unreadable. The new installation image causes the original installation image to operate, installing the damaged installation file and other data files. The new installation image then replaces the damaged installation file with the protected installation file.
US08671059B2 Remote feature delivery for output devices
A programmable feature is remotely delivered to an output device, such as a printer. The delivery of the feature is initiated by the customer tendering payment for the feature. The customer is provided with a coupon and the coupon is subsequently redeemed. The customer receives a feature key in response to redeeming the coupon. The feature key is used to install the feature on the output device of the customer. The feature key may be a print job that contains encrypted text. Security measures may be provided to ensure that the coupon and feature key are valid.
US08671052B1 Method and system for pricing forward commitments for mortgage loans and for buying committed loans
A method for managing best efforts forward commitments for loans to be sold by a lender, where each loan has loan level data and the best efforts forward commitments have commitment data includes determining a price for the best efforts commitment based on at least the loan level data and tracking the loan level data for each loan. Upon identifying a change to the loan level data, the loan level data and the commitment data including the price is updated based on the change.
US08671046B2 System for buying and selling click-through traffic on internet web sites
A system for buying and selling click-through traffic from a seller's web site employs an intermediary web site for conducting a multi-buyer pre-bidding trial of click through traffic so that a plurality of interested buyers can see for themselves what level and quality of traffic is generated to their webs sites. The trial is conducted with each buyer in turn during a trial period prior to opening bidding by the interested buyers for click through traffic from the seller's web site. The trial is conducted by placing a trial link on the seller's web site to the intermediary web site which links to each buyer's web site in turn during the trial period. The intermediary web site measures the click-through traffic during the trial process, so that the participating buyers are informed in real time of the actual performance of click-through traffic.
US08671042B2 Method and system for developing and applying market data scenarios
A method for developing and applying market data scenarios in which market data is received from a market data distribution platform, stored, changed with respect to a specific asset included in the market data, and the altered market data transmitted to a client application that processes the altered market data as if it were transmitted directly from the platform. The system may include a recording module for receiving a stream of market data from the platform, an interface module for specifying changes to the replayed stream to form a stream of altered market data and a client application interface for transmitting a stream of altered market data to a client application. The stream of altered market data mimics the market data stream such that the stream of altered market data can be processed as if it were market data from the market data distribution platform.
US08671035B2 Providing payroll software application as enterprise services
Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a service architecture design that provides enterprise services having payroll functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.
US08671034B2 Providing human capital management software application as enterprise services
Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a service architecture design that provides enterprise services having human capital management functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.
US08671026B2 Method of facilitating value-based bartering over the internet
A method, apparatus, and system of facilitating value-based bartering over the internet are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system of e-commerce includes a computer network, a server to host a market place website, a listing module to enable an entity to assign a specified value to a good and to list the good for trade on the market place website such that the listing of the good will expire after being posted for a specified period of time, a trade module to enable an entity to trade the good for an other good of an other entity on the market place website, a search module to enable the entity to search a list of goods on the market place website.
US08671019B1 Controlling and rewarding gaming socialization
A wagering game system and its operations are described. In some embodiments, the operations include receiving a message that was published from a social-communication application of a social network website, selecting a first phrase (e.g., promotional expression, by a user, regarding the wagering game venue) from the message, and comparing the first phrase to a plurality of second phrases (e.g., characteristics associated with a wagering game venue) accessible via a wagering game server. The operations can further include detecting that the first phrase is substantially similar to at least one of the plurality of the second phrases, and providing an award (e.g., loyalty points) in response. In some embodiments, the value of the award is based on a condition associated with the message, publication of the message, etc.
US08671012B2 Methods and systems for promoting items based on event sampling data
Items—including gourmet products—are evaluated and rated by participants in a controlled event, which can be coordinated by software locally or at a dedicated website. Event data, including item scores and participant scores can be shared with vendors, merchants and other commercial entities associated with the products. Promotional incentives from such entities for the products (and related products) can then be directly targeted and provided to participants and other members of the public. The participant's activities can also be collected and disseminated to affiliates/friends of the participants through social networking sites, personalized web pages, etc.
US08671010B2 Automatic production path finder
A method for ascertaining creation processes for products in the graphics industry, the product being described by one or more product properties. Starting out from the properties of a product, a network of creation processes (P1, P2, P4) is created, which describes the creation of the product as a function of the resources (1, 1′, 2, 2′, 3, 3′, 4, 5, 6) involved in the creation process, in that the creation processes (P1, P2, P4) upstream of a resource (1, 1′, 2, 2′, 3, 3′, 4, 5, 6) are ascertained.
US08671003B2 System and method for prediction of deterioration
System and method for predicting the rate of deterioration in one or more items of process equipment which are subject to deterioration by one or more deterioration mechanisms. The system includes a first item of process equipment which receives an inlet stream including a feedstock or derivative thereof, and discharges one or more outlet streams which can be fed to the item of process equipment. A data processor which is a programmed computer including at least one rate model for the first item of process equipment receives values of one or more properties of the feedstock and calculates predicted rates of deterioration by the one or more deterioration mechanisms for the first item of process equipment from the values of one or more of the feedstock properties. The data processor additionally provides an output containing information relating to the predicted rates of deterioration by the one or more deterioration mechanisms for the first item of process equipment.
US08670993B2 Method and system for providing an on-line healthcare open market exchange
An Internet-based competitive pricing and bidding transaction system includes one or more transaction processing servers that interface and communicate over the Internet with client computer systems of prospective online consumers, medical and professional/licensed services providers and a plurality of related information databases. The transaction processing system handles online communications and procedures for conducting auctions for delivery of proffered medical and professional/licensed services and maintains a registration database of service providers and online prospective consumers/bidders. Medical and professional/licensed services providers may include licensed doctors/nurses, licensed veterinary doctors/technicians as well as conventional homecare/hospice providers, physical therapy providers, babysitting and other professional caretaker services that can provided to/for man or animal. The online proffered services may include conventional medical treatment and/or veterinary services provided for animals, pets or other creatures. A professional license authentication/qualifier engine is provided which transparently and automatically researches, verifies and updates professional credentials, accreditations and background information of each professional service provider upon registration of that service provider with the transaction system, and makes that information available to prospective registered bidders online.
US08670992B2 Clinical protocol document production
A clinical protocol document is produced by generating a clinical protocol document having a chart section and a text section. The chart section displays drug dosage information and medical assessment activity information in a time-activity chart format. The text section describes the drug dosage information and medical assessment activity information in a text format. Medical drug dosage information and medical assessment activity information are received via a chart user interface and the received information is automatically converted to text format for the text section of the document.
US08670978B2 Topic transition analysis system, method, and program
The present invention provides a topic transition analysis system that determines a position on a primary media stream leading to a certain statement made in a language communication carried out in a secondary channel associated with the primary media stream. The topic transition analysis system includes a statement trigger string determination unit receiving a primary media stream and one or a plurality of language communication streams (hereinafter, language streams) executed in parallel with the media stream and determining whether or not a certain statement on the one or plurality of language streams has been made newly in response to contents of the media stream.
US08670965B2 Machine emulator products
Compute program products including an emulator module are disclosed. A computer program product includes a computer usable medium having computer readable program code for emulating a process of a machine having actuators and mechanical elements. The computer readable program code includes computer readable code instructions configured to display a graphical user interface having input fields corresponding to the actuators and mechanical elements, and to display a graphical representation of output response data of the machine using inputted parameters. Computer readable code instructions for receiving a plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields, and for emulating a mechanical operation of the machine using the plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields by simulating the programmable logic controller code are included. Output response data based on an emulation of the mechanical operation of the machine is generated and displayed.
US08670960B2 Proxy methods for expensive function optimization with expensive nonlinear constraints
A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model.
US08670952B2 Non-destructive inspection instrument employing multiple sensor technologies in an integral enclosure
A non-destructive inspection (NDI) instrument includes a sensor connection system configured to receive test signals from at least two different types of NDI sensors which are configured to obtain test signals from an object being tested. The sensor connection system has sensor-specific connection circuits and at least one common sensor connection circuit. A data acquisition circuitry is coupled to the sensor connection and has sensor-specific data acquisition circuits and at least one common data acquisition circuit. It is further coupled to a common digital data processor which executes sensor-specific processing modules and at least one common processing module. A common display screen and user interface is coupled to the data processor and enables programs including sensor-specific user interface modules and at least one common user interface module. The sensor types preferably include all of or any combination of an ultrasound sensor, an eddy current sensor and acoustic sensor.
US08670949B2 Real-time monitoring, feedback, identification and labeling systems for condom and glove products quality information and methods thereof
The invention specifically discloses a type of real-time monitoring, feedback, identification and consistent labeling system for quality information of condom and glove products. The system includes a collection module, a processing output module connected to the collection module, an application module connected to the processing output module, and also a query module. This system allows users (consumers) to obtain real-time collected product production data or pre-entered, encryption code or pre-entered information data from each product and to compare these data with pre-entered product performance indexes.
US08670938B2 Methods and apparatus for accurate service life prediction
Methods and apparatus for accurate service life prediction by exposing a test specimen to operating parameters of a multi-variable micro-environment cycle in an accelerated weathering test apparatus including an irradiance source, a temperature adjustment source and a moisture adjustment source connected to a controller to: expose the test specimen to the operating parameters of the multi-variable micro-environment cycle recreated in the test chamber; monitor the exposure of the test specimen to the multi-variable micro-environment cycle to generate run-time variables; and adjust the run-time variables to reconcile to the operating parameters.
US08670929B2 System and method for tracking a vehicle based on driver status
In at least one embodiment a system and a method for tracking locations for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to detect the presence of a memory map device that provides map data for one or more locations capable of being visited by the secondary driver and to receive a location signal having coordinate data that corresponds to one or more locations visited by the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to store the coordinate data when the memory map device is not detected so that the coordinate data is available for transmission with the map data when the memory map device is detected.
US08670928B2 Apparatus and method for optimally recording geographical position data
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimally recording or transmitting positional data and events of an object, said apparatus including input means to continuously provide positional data to a microprocessor and a memory device to store selected positional data wherein the microprocessor is programmed to compares new positional data from said input means to previously recorded log of positional data and creates a new log if the new positional data differs from the previously recorded log in accordance with pre-determined parameters.
US08670925B2 Navigation system and method
A non-scaled, linearly compressed pictographic mapping system is provided for the visual display of information in a navigational aid. Unlike today's road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping uses a non-scaled, linearly-compressed pictographic design that shows roads as linear pictograms. The display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. The maps may also contain icons representing points of interest arranged in a cloud fashion. In this manner, the mapping paradigm also serves to increase traveler safety, provide navigation assistance during address-less trips, create valuable advertising space and new promotional opportunities, and dramatically increases the travelers' communications and entertainment options.
US08670923B2 Mobile computing devices, architecture and user interfaces based on dynamic direction information
Mobile endpoints are provided that enable direction based pointing services including a positional component for receiving positional information as a function of a location of the portable electronic device, a directional component that outputs direction information as a function of an orientation of the portable electronic device and a location based engine that processes the positional information and the direction information to determine a subset of points of interest relative to the portable electronic device as a function of at least the positional information and the direction information. Devices can include compass(es), e.g., magnetic or gyroscopic, to determine a direction and GPS systems for determining location. A component for determining acceleration can also optionally be included.
US08670906B2 Dump vehicle overturn preventing device
Provided is an overturn preventing device for a dump vehicle equipped with a body (3) and hoist cylinders (5). The dump vehicle overturn preventing device comprises: a loaded weight estimation unit (32) which estimates loaded weight on the body; a vehicle rotation moment calculation unit (33) which calculates a vehicle rotation moment Mb caused by movement of the dump vehicle's load upon discharging of the load; a reference moment calculation unit (34) which determines a reference moment Ms not greater than an overturn threshold moment MI which is the minimum value of a rotation moment required to lift the front wheels (1) off the ground; a judgment unit (35) which judges whether or not the vehicle rotation moment Mb has exceeded the reference moment Ms; and a display device (37) which notifies the driver that there is a probability of an overturn of the vehicle when the vehicle rotation moment Mb is judged to have exceeded the reference moment Ms. The device thus prevents overturning of the vehicle caused by the load sliding down from the body in a lump.
US08670898B2 Tire pressure monitoring system and vehicular tire pressure device thereof
A vehicular tire pressure device integrates a central monitor and signal match device of a conventional tire pressure monitoring system. The vehicular device is also combined with a power-getting interface physically. The vehicular device is also provided with a separate battery which may be rechargeable and be charged by the interface. The monitoring system and vehicular tire pressure device may be used more easily and is convenient in installation and testing and therefore, they may be accepted more easily by the user and get great commercial success.
US08670897B1 Mobile in-vehicle communication and routing apparatus, system, and method
An in-vehicle mobile communication and routing apparatus for use with a taxi cab, public safety vehicle, delivery truck, fire truck, emergency vehicle, or any vehicle. Embodiments of the invention include a system incorporating the apparatus and a method for using the same. The mobile apparatus is attachable to a vehicle and includes a plurality of long-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, and a plurality of short-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more devices external to the mobile apparatus and proximally located to the vehicle. An intelligent power supply is structured to monitor a battery condition of the vehicle and initiate a controlled shutdown of the mobile apparatus responsive to at least one of a timer countdown and a voltage threshold of a vehicle battery. Devices external to the mobile apparatus communicate with an in-vehicle processor and one or more remote databases.
US08670896B2 Portable pedal measurement apparatus
A portable measurement apparatus is provided for measuring the load required to depress a foot pedal and the change in angular position of the foot pedal. A load plate is connected through at least one load cell to a pedal plate that engages a foot pedal. A linear motion driver is adjustably retained on the measurement apparatus to accommodate different types of foot pedals. A rotary encoder with an extendable cable is used to measure scrub throughout the range of movement of the foot pedal.
US08670891B1 User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system
A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle.
US08670887B2 Vehicle and method for controlling vehicle
A vehicle in which a drive state can be favorably selected in a configuration that separately and independently drives front and rear wheels and a method for controlling the vehicle. In the vehicle and control method thereof, a drive state control device prohibits operation of a first switch between front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) and a second switch between rear wheel drive (RWD) and AWD when a lateral acceleration related value of the vehicle exceeds a first threshold value G1. The first threshold value G1 is set with a divergence reference value Gref as a reference. The Gref value is determined considering factors such as lateral acceleration, turning characteristics and the drive state of the vehicle.
US08670884B2 Mobile device
In the case where a temperature allowance of one translational mechanism of a plurality of the translational mechanisms (the electric motors 31R, 31L) larger than a temperature allowance of the other translational mechanisms, the operation mode of a plurality of the translational mechanisms are controlled so that the heat generation amount of the one translational mechanism becomes larger than the heat generation amount of the other translational mechanisms. By doing so, the difference between the temperature allowances of a plurality of the translational mechanisms is reduced.
US08670881B2 Flight management system for generating variable thrust cutback during aircraft departure
A flight management system is provided for generating a variable thrust cutback during aircraft departure. The flight management system includes memory storing a sound exposure level limit for a navigation flight and storing expected sound exposure levels for an aircraft, and one or more inputs for receiving sensed aircraft variables including altitude and airspeed. The system also includes a processor for processing the sensed altitude and airspeed and stored sound exposure levels. The processor further computes an engine thrust value that complies with the sound exposure level limit based on the altitude, airspeed and the sound exposure levels for controlling aircraft throttle during departure.
US08670879B1 Automatically ejecting flight data recorder
An apparatus for holding a flight data recorder in an aircraft includes a housing that defines a compartment enclosing the flight data recorder and a flotation device encapsulating the flight data recorder. If the aircraft crashes into a body of water and become submerged, one or more releasable fasteners holding the compartment's cover in place are triggered thereby removing the cover over an opening in the compartment and ejecting the flotation device and the flight data recorder out of the compartment. The floatation device then floats the flight data recorder to the surface of the water where it can be located by the rescuers.
US08670872B2 Methods and apparatus for providing and distributing standby power
Aspects of the invention are directed to power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from a primary power source and a backup power source to a load. In one particular aspect, a power distribution system includes a first input to receive input power from the primary power source, a second input to receive input power from the backup power source, an output that provides output power from at least one of the primary power source and the backup power source, a first switch operatively coupled to the first input and the output and operative to selectively couple the first input to the output, a second switch operatively coupled to the second input and the output and operative to selectively couple the second input to the output, and a controller operatively coupled to the first switch and to the second switch and configured to control the first switch and the second switch to provide an electrical interlock.
US08670864B2 Dynamic refill level for medication dispensing apparatus
A dynamic refill level is used for determining medication refill requirements for a medication at a medication dispensing apparatus. When a medication refill report process for a medication dispensing apparatus is triggered, a quantity of medication likely needed to fulfill orders for a medication from the medication dispensing apparatus until a next scheduled refill is determined. A dynamic refill level is set for the medication based on the quantity of medication likely needed. A current count for the medication in the medication dispensing apparatus is compared against the dynamic refill level. If the current count satisfies the dynamic refill level, there is no need to refill the medication. However, if the current count does not satisfy the dynamic refill level, there is a need to refill the medication.
US08670855B2 Method for controlling a paced production line
A method is used for controlling a paced production line for processing airplane structural components, wherein the production line comprises at least one workstation having at least one processing machine. It is provided that the processing sequence in the workstation is determined for a production step by determining the expected or actual occupation of the working area by structural component(s) or structural component section(s) for the production step, and, on the basis of the occupation, all of the operations to be performed in this workstation in this production step are determined, and the processing sequence of these operations is optimized.
US08670853B2 Analog-to-digital converter, sound processing device, and analog-to-digital conversion method
The invention provides a sound processing device. In one embodiment, the sound processing device comprises a first microphone, a first analog-to-digital converter, a second microphone, and a second analog-to-digital converter. The first microphone detects a first sound pressure to generate a first analog audio signal. The first analog-to-digital converter converts the first analog audio signal from analog to digital to obtain a first digital audio signal. The second microphone detects a second sound pressure to generate a second analog audio signal. The second analog-to-digital converter receives the first digital audio signal and a clock signal, inverts the phase of the first digital audio signal to generate a third digital audio signal, converts the second analog audio signal from analog to digital to obtain a second digital audio signal, encodes a fourth digital audio signal according to the second digital audio signal, outputs data bits of the third digital audio signal when the clock signal oscillates to a logic low level, and outputs data bits of the fourth digital audio signal when the clock signal oscillates to a logic high level.
US08670850B2 System for modifying an acoustic space with audio source content
An audio signal processing system is configured to separate an audio signal into a dry signal component and one or more reverberant signal components. The dry signal component and the reverberant signal components can be separately modified and then recombined to form a processed audio signal. Alternatively, the dry signal component may be combined with an artificial reverberation component to form the processed audio signal. Modification of the reverberation signal component and generation of the artificial reverberation component may be performed in order to modify the acoustic characteristics of an acoustic space in which the audio signal is driving loudspeakers. The audio signal may be a pre-recorded audio signal or a live audio signal generated inside or outside the acoustic space.
US08670848B1 Method of calculating target pace for achieving a goal on an exercise route and related portable electronic device
A method of calculating an exercise goal includes receiving a selection of exercise route data from the user indicating a length of an exercise route, calculating a distance that the user has completed on the exercise route and a corresponding elapsed time for a completed portion of the exercise route, and calculating a target pace for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed, the target pace indicating a pace at which the user needs to move along the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal associated with the exercise route data received from the user. The method also includes outputting the target pace to the user for informing the user about the target pace, and repeatedly dynamically calculating the target pace and outputting the target pace until completion of the exercise route.
US08670847B2 Method and device for fantasy sports player recommendations using a weighted player ranking system
A method and device are for fantasy sport applications including receiving a plurality of ranking values associated with a sport player; assigning a corresponding weight value to each ranking value; determining a score value as a function of the ranking value and the corresponding weight value; determining a final ranking value as a function of the score values for the sport player; and generating a recommendation for the sport player as a function of the final ranking value.
US08670845B2 System and method for automatically tuning a voltage converter
A power converter system is provided, comprising a plant having a plant input and a plant output; and a plant identification filter that receives the plant input and the plant output, and estimates the values of poles and zeros of the plant, wherein the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the poles and zeros, based upon the plant input and the plant output, beginning from an initial state; and a rate at which the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the values of the poles and zeros is slower than a rate at which the plant input and the plant output are received by the plant identification filter.
US08670844B2 Device, particularly protective sensor system, for a machine tool
The invention relates to a device, particularly a machine tool device, having at least one computer (10), at least one transmitter (12) for transmitting a transmission signal (S1, S2), at least one receiver (14) for receiving at least one receiving signal (E1, E2, E3, E4) excited by the transmission signal (S1, S2), and at least one analysis unit (16) which is provided to calculate at least one parameter (P1, P2, P3, P4) by means of the receiving signal (E1, E2, E3, E4). The invention provides that the computer unit (10) is provided to compare the parameter (P1, P2, P3, P4) to at least one comparison parameter (V1, V2, V3, V4) calculated by means of at least one model (M).
US08670842B1 Intra-cardiac implantable medical device
An intra-cardiac implantable medical device (IIMD) system may include a housing and an intra-cardiac (IC) device extension. The housing may be configured to be implanted entirely within a local chamber of the heart. The housing includes a base configured to be secured to the local chamber. The IC device extension may include a proximal end, a distal end, and an extension body extending there between. The proximal end may be coupled to the housing and configured to be located in the local chamber. The extension body may include an IE orientation segment connected to a chamber transition segment that is sufficient in length to extend from the local chamber into an adjacent chamber. The IE orientation segment is configured to be lodged within the adjacent chamber in order to stabilize the system within heart.
US08670836B2 Medical infusion pump with power source voltage logging and method for logging a power source voltage in a medical infusion pump
A medical infusion pump and a method for logging a power source voltage of a medical infusion pump are disclosed. The medical pump may include a power source, a processor, and a voltage supervisor which responds if a voltage (VDD) drops to a response voltage level which is above a reset voltage level of the processor. When the voltage supervisor responds, the processor start logging the voltage (Vbat) of the power source in a memory, thus generating a voltage log. The memory maintains the logged data when the power supply by the power source is interrupted, thus enabling retrospective analysis of the voltage log.
US08670823B2 Implantable medical device having an MRI safe rechargeable battery
Disclosed are improved rechargeable battery designs for an implantable medical device. The improved rechargeable battery is designed to reduce eddy currents in the conductive anode and/or cathode plates within the battery housing, thereby reducing excessive heat and vibrations caused when the battery is placed in a high magnetic field, such as within a MRI machine. Discontinuities may be cut in the anode and/or cathode plates to increase their resistance to eddy currents, while not significantly affecting the internal resistance between these plates.
US08670806B2 Portable device for adaptive data communication control and method of operating the same
A portable device and a method of operating a portable device for performing adaptive data communication control are provided. The method includes determining the on or off state of a display unit, extracting data communication setting information including a fast dormancy policy according to the on or off state of the display unit, and controlling a data communication setting with a specific service provider network based on the extracted data communication setting information, and a portable device supporting the method.
US08670802B2 Wireless network radiolocation apparatuses, systems and methods
An apparatus including an array of directional antenna elements is provided. The apparatus is configured to identify an angular relationship between a transmitting device and the apparatus by sampling data from antenna elements and analyzing reception patterns relating to antenna elements.
US08670800B2 Removable baseband chipset
A communication device having a removable baseband chipset includes a communication device main body, a socket disposed on the communication device main body, a baseband processing unit configured to temporarily assemble to the socket, and a digital signal processing component that is contained in the baseband processing unit and is operable to enable the communication device to communicate with a cellular network system. The communication device is operable to transmit and receive radio signals.
US08670795B2 Transmission power control method, wireless communication system and terminal apparatus
A transmission power control method, a wireless communication system and a terminal apparatus which can reduce radio interference to each terminal apparatus installed into peripheral cars other than the communication counterpart are provided. In wireless communication between at least two movable terminal apparatuses, a terminal apparatus which has received a predetermined wireless signal transmitted with a known electric power from another terminal apparatus measures its received power and sets a numerical value of transmission power when transmitting information to the other terminal apparatus according to the measured value of the received power.
US08670789B2 Efficient paging in a wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus for efficient two-stage paging wireless communications systems are described. Wireless terminals are assigned to paging groups. A few first paging message information bits are modulated (using non-coherent modulation) into a first paging signal and communicated from a base station to wireless terminals. WTs wake-up, receive the first paging signal and quickly ascertain whether its paging group should expect a second paging signal, if so, the WT is operated to receive the second paging signal; otherwise, the WT goes back to sleep conserving power. The base station modulates (using coherent modulation) a number of second message information bits into a second paging signal and transmits the signal to WTs. From the information in first and second paging signals, a WT can determine that it is the paged WT and process the paging instructions. The intended paged WT can transmit an acknowledgement signal on a dedicated uplink resource.
US08670788B1 Dynamic paging concatenation
Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting the page-concatenation level based on RF conditions being experienced by a mobile station are disclosed herein. An exemplary method involves (i) determining that a mobile station should be paged, wherein the mobile station is operating in a coverage area of an access network; and (ii) in response: (a) using at least one indication of RF conditions for the mobile station as a basis for selecting a page-concatenation level for a page to the mobile station; and (b) transmitting the page to the mobile station, wherein the page is transmitted in a page message having the selected page-concatenation level. In an exemplary embodiment, the indication of RF conditions may be a determination that a mobile station is located near the border of a coverage area, which is made based on an elapsed time since the mobile station's last-received registration message.
US08670784B2 Method for operating a mobile communication device and mobile communication device
A mobile communication device having the capability of using the Internet does the same depending on a situation. For example, in the home country, to which a flat rate applies, larger amounts of data are downloaded during Internet use than in foreign countries, to which a flat rate does not apply. Corresponding situation profiles can be set by a user. The Internet can then be used in a cost-optimized manner.
US08670774B2 Systems and methods for uplink control resource allocation
Systems and methods of uniquely identifying communication nodes in a wireless communication system are described herein. One embodiment of the disclosure provides a wireless communication apparatus operative in a communication network. The apparatus comprises a transceiver configured to transmit control information over a first frequency range and content data over a second frequency range during a first predetermined time interval. The first frequency range is allocated to carry a first plurality of control blocks for transmitting only the control information. A duration of each of the first plurality of control blocks spans over the entire duration of the first predetermined time interval. The apparatus further comprises a processing circuit configured to direct the control information of the transceiver over the second frequency range for transmission to a base station node.
US08670764B2 Wireless communication systems and methods for processing handover messages thereof and computer program products thereof
Methods for processing messages in a wireless communication system including a femto network (FN) including at least one Home NodeB, a core network (CN), a macro network (MN) including a serving base station and a gateway located between the FN and the CN is provided. First, a handover request is received from the Home NodeB or a server of the CN when two mobile devices are communicating. When the handover request is received from the Home NodeB, the gateway transmits a call setup request to the CN to setup a first call path between the gateway and the CN according to the handover request, transmits the handover request to the CN through the first call path to obtain a second call path from the CN to the FN and directs the server to perform the handover request according to the first call path and the second call path.
US08670763B1 Service dependent handoff channel selection
A method and corresponding system for management of neighbor scanning in a cellular wireless communication system is disclosed. A radio access network (RAN) sends, and a mobile device receives, a neighbor list update message containing a plurality of different neighbor lists each listing available neighboring coverage areas communicating on respective communication channels. While the mobile device is engaged in a call, the mobile device selects one of the neighbor lists based on a service type of the engaged call. The mobile device scans the neighbors listed in the selected neighbor list for signal strengths sufficient to trigger a hand off. The mobile device sends a report indicating measured signal strengths of signals from the neighbors to the RAN, which then instructs the mobile device to hand off the engaged call.
US08670754B2 Reusable mulitmodal application
A method and system are disclosed herein for accepting multimodal inputs and deriving synchronized and processed information. A reusable multimodal application is provided on the mobile device. A user transmits a multimodal command to the multimodal platform via the mobile network. The one or more modes of communication that are inputted are transmitted to the multimodal platform(s) via the mobile network(s) and thereafter synchronized and processed at the multimodal platform. The synchronized and processed information is transmitted to the multimodal application. If required, the user verifies and appropriately modifies the synchronized and processed information. The verified and modified information are transferred from the multimodal application to the visual application. The final result(s) are derived by inputting the verified and modified results into the visual application.
US08670752B2 Providing integrated service-entity premium communication services
Systems, methods, and devices that integrate a subscriber's communication services, including home wireline communication services, and a service-entity communication services are presented. User equipment (UE) is associated with a subscription for communication services, comprising wireline and wireless communication services, of a subscriber. The UE communicates with an enhanced service management component (ESMC) associated with a service entity to facilitate integration of at least a portion of the subscriber's communication services with the service entity's communication services while the UE is registered with the ESMC. While registered, the subscriber's UE is used to facilitate controlling a door lock to the subscriber's room associated with the service entity; and accessing the integrated communication services, including at least a portion of the home services, while in a location of the service entity, at least when the home services are provided via the same provider as that serving the service entity.
US08670751B2 Method, system and terminal for realizing multimedia color ring back tone service in IMS domain
The present invention provides a method, terminal and system for implementing a multimedia coloring ring back tone (MCRBT) service in IMS domain. This method comprises: after receiving a call from a caller, a core network setting up a connection with a MCRBT service system when the callee is called if determining that the callee subscribes the MCRBT service; said MCRBT service system triggering the MCRBT service, and sending an address of a MCRBT file set by said callee through said core network; and said caller downloading said MCRBT file from a media resource server of said MCRBT service system according to said address, and enjoying said MCRBT file from a calling terminal when a called terminal rings. The present invention can meet the requirement of the caller of enjoying the MCRBT file set by the callee when the caller calls the callee of IMS domain, and better services are provided.
US08670747B1 Mobile network connectivity
A system and method for communication between a number of mobile devices. Wireless connectivity is established between the number of mobile devices and a mobile access point to form a mobile network. Information is exchanged between the number of mobile devices via the wireless connectivity between the number of mobile devices and the mobile access point. Wireless connectivity also may be established between the mobile access point and a number of other mobile networks to form a mesh of mobile networks. Information may be exchanged between the number of mobile devices and the number of other mobile networks via the wireless connectivity between the number of mobile devices and the mobile access point.
US08670744B2 Method for providing charging attributes
The invention relates to communication networks, specifically to service provisioning and authorization of service usage in different networks. The invention provides a method and a system for authorizing services for visiting subscribers and for obtaining the necessary charging profile information from the subscribers' home networks on a per-service basis.
US08670741B2 Mixer with high second-order and third-order intercept point
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods relating to a mixer having high second- and third-order intercept points are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08670739B1 Frequency-translational bandpass filter with harmonic rejection
A high quality factor frequency translated bandpass filter (FTBPF) with harmonic rejection includes multiple transconductance cells configured to convert a received radio frequency (RF) voltage signal into respective RF current signals. Each of the transconductance cells are weighted such that the FTBPF has an effective transconductance of a first magnitude for frequency components of the received RF voltage signal arising from a first harmonic and an effective transconductance of a second magnitude less than the first magnitude for frequency components of the received RF voltage signal arising from harmonics at integer multiples of the first harmonic. The FTBPF also includes multiple frequency conversion cells coupled to the transconductance cells and configured to mix respective ones of the RF current signals with multiple non-overlapping local oscillator signals. The FTBPF also includes multiple baseband impedances coupled to outputs of the frequency conversion cells and ground and are frequency translated by mixed signals from the frequency conversion cells.
US08670736B2 Crystal control scheme to improve performance of a receiver
A circuit includes, in part, a receiver, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and an oscillator. The receiver receives an incoming signal and an oscillating signal. The RSSI is responsive to the receiver and generates an output signal representative of the strength of the incoming signal. The oscillator receives different biasing conditions in response to different outputs of the RSSI. The oscillator generates the oscillating signal received by the receiver. The oscillator receives a first biasing condition when the incoming signal is detected as having a strength lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and a second biasing condition when the incoming signal is detected as having a strength higher than the predetermined threshold value. The first biasing condition may be defined by a first current, and the second biasing condition may be defined by a sum of the first current and a second current.
US08670733B2 Multimode communication device with shared signal path programmable filter
A multimode communication device with a shared signal path programmable filter and a method for utilizing a shared signal path programmable filter in a multimode communication device. Various aspects of the present invention comprise a first module adapted to receive a first communication signal (e.g., corresponding to a first communication protocol) and a second module adapted to receive a second communication signal (e.g., corresponding to a second communication protocol). A shared filter, communicatively coupled to the first and second modules, may be adapted to filter the first and/or second communication signals in accordance with a plurality of selectable sets of filter response characteristics (e.g., associated with the first and second communication protocols). A filter control module may be adapted to select a set of filter response characteristics from a plurality of such sets and program the shared filter to filter a communication signal in accordance with the selected set.
US08670730B2 Power efficient radio frequency transmitter
A power efficient, small-packaged radio frequency (RF) transmitter for use in avionics applications. The RF transmitter utilizes Cartesian feedback to operate a power amplifier with Class AB biasing and efficiency, while delivering Class A biasing performance. The RF transmitter includes interstage pads and high pass filters specially configured to meet demanding requirements for both adjacent channel power (ACP) limits and wideband spurious energy limits. The RF transmitter is much smaller in size and dissipates less DC power and heat than previous RF transmitters used in avionics applications.
US08670727B2 Automatic discovery of wireless communication settings
A method of discovering connection specific settings from a mobile unit for a telecommunications connection at a navigation device is disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the method may include establishing a wireless connection between the mobile unit and the navigation device to retrieve preliminary information from the mobile device, querying of a plurality of entries in a database within the navigation device based on the preliminary information, attempting to establish the telecommunications connection using the queried entries, and storing the entry resulting in a successful establishment of the telecommunications connection as the connection specific settings for the mobile unit.
US08670723B2 Measuring quality of experience associated with a mobile device
Implementations and techniques for measuring quality of experience associated with a mobile device are generally disclosed.
US08670719B2 Multi-point opportunistic beamforming with selective beam attenuation
A method for communication includes receiving at a receiver from a group of two or more transmitters multiple Radio Frequency (RF) transmission beams that alternate in time and space and include at least first and second transmission beams. The method identifies that the first transmission beam causes interference to reception of the second transmission beam. Feedback is sent from the receiver to one or more of the transmitters, so as to cause the transmitters to attenuate the first transmission beam during transmission of the second transmission beam.
US08670710B2 Filtering a single wire protocol (SWP) current signal to be provided to a near field communications (NFC) device
A communications device is disclosed that includes a united integrated circuit card (UICC) that provides a single wire protocol (SWP) current signal to a near field communications (NFC) device. The SWP current signal is filtered by a filter to remove noise from the SWP current signal. The filter is precharged by a reference voltage when the SWP current signal is in a low state and then filters the SWP current signal when the SWP current signal is in a high state. A switching network provides the filter with the reference voltage to precharge when the SWP is current signal is in the low state and then provides the filter with the SWP current signal to filter when the SWP current signal is in the high state.
US08670707B2 Low-cost satellite communication system
A communication system is provided that allows the use of low-cost, low-power remote terminal units that communicate substantially asynchronously and independently to a base station. To minimize cost and complexity, the remote terminal units are configured similarly, including the use of substantially identical transmission schemes, such as a common Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) code. To minimize collisions among transmissions, the communication system is designed to use a high-gain antenna with a limited field of view, to limit the number of cotemporaneous, or overlapping transmissions that are received at the base station. To cover a wide area, the limited field of view is swept across the area of coverage. To overcome potential losses caused by collisions, the remote terminal units are configured to repeat transmissions; to minimize repeated collisions, the repeat interval and/or duration is randomized.
US08670701B2 Endless belt member, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacturing endless belt member having position detecting member
An endless belt member for an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt member body that contains a resin and conductive particles, an inner transparent film, a position detection member that is used to detect the position of the endless belt member body, and an outer transparent film, wherein the position detection member is sealed by the inner and outer transparent films, is provided on a part of an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt member body, and has side surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt member body, and the inner and outer transparent films are welded to each other at portions, which is adjoining the side surfaces of the position detection member, of the portions that come into direct contact with each other.
US08670698B2 Development device having a regulation portion and image forming apparatus including development device
A development device using a developing agent including a toner and a carrier, in which the development device includes a development roller that attaches the developing agent to a circumference surface of the development roller and transfers the developing agent to a development region in which the development roller faces a photo receptor; and a regulation portion to regulate an amount of the developing agent transferred to the development region, where the regulation portion includes first, second, and third regulation portions sequentially disposed in the stated order in an opposite direction to a rotational direction of the development roller, where the first, second, and third regulation portions are respectively spaced apart from the circumference surface of the development roller by first, second, and third intervals, the second interval is greater than the third interval, and the third interval is narrowed in the rotational direction of the development roller.
US08670697B2 Method to optimize the transfer of developer fluid onto a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus
In a method to optimize transfer of a developer fluid on a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus, a developer fluid containing at least carrier fluid and toner particles is used, the toner particles having sizes that are greater than diameters of capillaries in a surface of the printing substrate. The additive particles are added to the developer fluid before the transfer, sizes of the additive particles being selected such that the sizes are smaller at least in part in comparison to the diameters of the capillaries in the surface of the printing substrate.
US08670678B2 Digital coherent receiver and digital coherent reception method
A digital coherent receiver converts signals and local light respectively detected, as detection results, in signal light from an optical transmission line, into digital signals and that further applies digital processing to the digital signals. The receiver includes a skew detecting unit that detects skew between the digital signals; a skew control unit controls the skew of each of the signals so that the skew to be detected by the skew detecting unit will be reduced; and a demodulating unit that demodulates each signal controlled for skew by the skew control unit.
US08670673B2 Method of operating an optical transmission system, optical transmitter, and optical receiver
The invention relates to a method of operating an optical transmission system (100a, 100b, 100c), wherein at least one optical data signal is transmitted over an optical transmission link (120), which particularly comprises at least one optical fiber (120a).The inventive method is characterized by modulating (200) said data signal with a test signal (s) having a predetermined modulation frequency fmod to obtain a modulated data signal (Pin), by receiving (210) a reflected portion (Pback) of said modulated data signal (Pin), and by determining (220) a fiber quality measure (a) depending on said received reflected portion (Pback) of said modulated signal (Pin).
US08670670B2 Optical ring network architecture
An optical ring network architecture including a number (N) of multi-add/drop filters, such as filters formed using pairs of frequency routers. Each multi-add/drop filter is coupled to two other multi-add/drop filters using N-2 transmission media, such as optical fibers, to form a ring. The network includes a number (N) of terminal stations associated with the multi-add/drop filters. A terminal station (p) is coupled with, and receives information from, its associated multi-add/drop filter (p) through a single optical fiber. The terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a first direction around the ring to, a multi-add/drop filter p+1 through a single optical fiber. Communications from terminal station p to each other terminal station in the first direction are assigned one of N-1 wavelengths where no two wavelengths on a given optical fiber are associated with communications between terminal stations in the same direction.
US08670657B2 Ranging apparatus, lens system, and imaging apparatus
The ranging apparatus of the present invention measures the distance to an object to be imaged by an imaging apparatus using the principle of triangulation ranging, and has a measurement unit in which a maximum distance that can be ranged to an object is not less than ½ of a maximum value of the hyper focal length of the imaging apparatus.
US08670654B2 Image capturing device and image capturing method
An image capturing device (100) is provided with: an image capturing unit (102) which generates, by continuous image capturing, a plurality of pieces of image data which are continuous in the time direction; an image processing unit which corrects a compression rate of the image data on the basis of a correction factor for correcting the image data, and performs compression coding by use of an intra-frame predictive coding system; a data control unit (124) which stores the image data, which has been subjected to the compression coding, in an image storage unit; a current compression rate derivation unit (130) which derives a current compression rate which is an actual compression rate of the image data which has been subjected to the compression coding; a current compression rate holding unit (132) which holds a plurality of current compression rates continuous in the time direction; a subsequent compression rate prediction unit (134) which predicts a subject compression rate, which is a compression rate of image data to be subjected to the subsequent compression coding next time, from the plurality of current compression rates which are held, or from the plurality of current compression rates which are held and the compression rate of the image data to be subjected to the current compression coding this time; and a correction factor derivation unit which derives the correction factor on the basis of the subsequent compression rate.
US08670651B2 Editing device, editing method, and program
An editing device includes a setting unit which sets a role for each device as an editor, in a group of devices as a plurality of editors in which a hierarchical structure is constituted by a director and one or more workers, and an executing unit which executes editing processing corresponding to an editing operation, when each device as the plurality of editors performs the editing operation which has been defined in advance on the basis of the role set by the setting unit.
US08670644B2 Manifold for managing fiber optic cable and structures and systems therefor
A manifold for managing fiber optic cables includes: a main panel; a plurality of clip channels mounted to a first side of the main panel, each of the clip channels comprising a pair of opposed clip arms sized and configured to receive and secure a fiber optic cable transition; and a pair of snap latches mounted to a second side of the main panel opposite the first side, the snap latches configured to receive cable management fingers. A manifold of this configuration can be particularly useful in organizing and managing fiber optic cables.
US08670642B2 Broadband or mid-infrared fiber light sources
An optical system for use in a spectroscopy procedure includes one or more semiconductor diodes configured to generate an input signal beam with a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns that is amplified and communicated through optical fiber(s) to a nonlinear element configured to broaden the spectral width to at least 50 nm through a nonlinear effect. A subsystem includes lenses or mirrors to deliver an output beam having a broadened spectrum selected to obtain a desired penetration depth and substantially minimize water absorption with a temporal duration greater than about 30 picoseconds to a sample to perform spectroscopy to characterize the sample. The output beam may have a repetition rate between continuous wave and one Megahertz or higher with a time averaged output power of 20 mW or more and a time averaged intensity of less than approximately 50 MW/cm2.
US08670639B2 Optical-switch driver circuit, optical switch, and optical changeover switch
An optical-switch driver circuit includes a pulse signal source and a voltage-applying circuit. The pulse signal source generates pulse waves that rise from a first voltage to a second voltage. The voltage-applying circuit, for one of the pulse waves, outputs a voltage higher than the third voltage, then outputs a voltage lower than the third voltage, and further outputs the third voltage.
US08670621B1 Using invariants of spherical harmonics to rotational and translational transformations for image recognition in industrial and security applications
A new method of image processing and recognition through calculation of expansion of projected images onto a spherical coordinate system with at least two sets of presumed spherical harmonics defined on it with different positions of their North Poles, and subsequent computation of expansion coefficients of the images into the abovementioned orthogonal systems of spherical harmonics, and then calculating the invariants of images to rotational and translational transformations as vector and scalar products of two series of expansions. The invariants of the images will be stored in a magnetic library and subsequently used in image recognition in various industrial and security/military applications.
US08670605B2 Identification method of data point distribution area on coordinate plane and recording medium
A disclosed identification method of identifying a data point distribution area on a coordinate plane includes dividing an area on the coordinate plane into divided areas so that the divided areas radiate from a division center point; selecting, in each of the divided areas, from among the data points in the divided area, a data point having the greatest distance from the division center point as a representative point; determining whether there is an overlapping area where a distribution representative point area overlaps a determination area; and determining, when there is the overlapping area, that the data group to be determined is a relevant data group.
US08670598B2 Device for creating and/or processing an object signature, monitoring device, method and computer program
The invention relates to a device (2) for creating and/or processing an object signature of an object from a scene, wherein the object signature is designed to describe and/or identify the object, comprising a characteristic extraction unit (5) designed to extract at least one characteristic value of the object from the scene, and wherein the characteristic value can be displayed in a characteristics space of the characteristic. The device further comprises a coding unit (8) designed to code the characteristic value into an identification data unit, wherein the identification data unit forms part of the object signature, and wherein the identification data unit refers to a partial region of the characteristic space of the characteristic.
US08670590B2 Image processing device
An image processing device for improving the accuracy of optical flow calculation when an optical flow is calculated in a window unit. An image processing device for calculating an optical flow on the basis of image information within a window for a processing target using a plurality of images captured at different times includes position acquisition means which acquires position information of the processing target and setting means which sets a size of a window for calculating an optical flow on the basis of the position information acquired by the position acquisition means.
US08670587B2 Audio-broadcasting hat for events
A hat that allows the wearer to select and play one of a plurality of pre-recorded audio tracks at an event is disclosed. The hat has a visor or brim formed of two layers between which are disposed an electronic audio-playing module having a plurality of pre-recorded audio tracks, a speaker and a plurality of switches. By pressing the appropriate switch, the sound module is activated and plays the selected audio. The provision of multiple tracks allows the wearer to select and broadcast audio appropriate for the event and to play different audios in response to changing circumstances during the event.
US08670586B1 Combining and waterproofing headphone port exits
A plate attached to the back shell of an earphone includes an exit cavity corresponding in dimension to and aligned with a first opening through the back shell. A channel in the bottom surface of the plate begins at a point aligned with a second opening through the back shell and ends at an aperture through a side wall of the exit cavity. The channel and the outer surface of the back shell together form a reactive acoustic port from a back cavity enclosed by the back shell to the exit cavity, the first opening through the shell forms a resistive acoustic port from the back cavity to the exit cavity, and the exit cavity couples the reactive acoustic port and the resistive acoustic port to free space without introducing additional acoustic impedance. In some examples, a water-resistant screen covers the upper aperture of the exit cavity.
US08670584B2 Hearing device
Among other things, embodiments of systems for assisting hearing for individuals are disclosed. A hand-carryable transceiver having inputs for sound or other audio signals is provided, with a transmitter for transmitting digital packets or signals with identifying information relating to the transmitter. An earpiece is adapted to receive the packets or signals from the transmitter, and direct signals to a speaker on the earpiece for hearing by an individual user. Methods for making and using the system are also disclosed.
US08670578B2 Piezoelectric actuator and electronic device
A piezoelectric actuator 60 includes a piezoelectric element 10 expanding and contracting according to a state of an electric field, a pedestal 20, a vibration film 30, and a support member. In the vibration mode of the divided vibration occurring in the piezoelectric actuator in a high frequency band, one or more reinforcement members 50 are selectively disposed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the piezoelectric element 10, in a region where a node of divided vibration occurs. With such configurations, the vibration mode can be changed in the piezoelectric element 10. Therefore, in the frequency sound pressure level characteristics, the divided vibration causing hills or valleys (peaks or dips) can be effectively suppressed, thus enabling the achievement of flatness of frequency sound pressure level characteristics and of reproduction of excellent sound.
US08670577B2 Electronically-simulated live music
A method for producing an electronically-simulated live musical performance, the method comprising providing morph-friendly solo tracks, morphing the morph-friendly solo tracks to produce a morphed track, and post-processing the morphed track. The method may also include combining the post-processed morphed track with one or more supporting tracks to produce an acoustic image for playback.
US08670576B2 Method and an apparatus for processing an audio signal
A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a downmix signal including at least one object signal and object information extracted when the downmix signal is generated, receiving mix information including mode selection information, the mix information for controlling the object signal, bypassing the downmix signal or extracting a background object and at least one independent object from the downmix signal, based on the mode selection information, and if the downmix signal is bypassed, generating multi-channel information using the object information and the mix information, wherein the downmix signal corresponds to a mono signal and wherein the mode selection information includes information indicating which one of modes including a normal mode, a mode for controlling the background object, and a mode for controlling the at least one independent object.
US08670574B2 Sound volume adjusting apparatus
A sound volume adjuster includes: a storage which stores a first value of a volume setting value and an allowable maximum change amount; a receiver which receives a change request indicating a second value of the volume setting value; a determiner which, when a change amount of the volume setting value between the first value and the second value exceeds the allowable maximum change amount, determines that the change request is an excessive request; and an adjuster which, when the determiner determines that the change request is the excessive request: changes the first value stored in the storage by a change amount which is equal to or smaller than the allowable maximum change amount to set a third value of the volume setting value; and adjusts a sound volume by the third value.
US08670572B2 Analog-to-digital converter and analog-to-digital conversion method
The invention provides an analog-to-digital converter. In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital converter receives a first audio signal from a microphone, and comprises a coding selection module, a pre-amplifier, a 1-bit ΔΣ modulator, and a signal coding module. The coding selection module receives a mode signal and a channel selection signal, and generates a control signal according to the mode signal and the channel selection signal. The pre-amplifier amplifies the first audio signal to obtain a second audio signal. The 1-bit ΔΣ modulator converts the second audio signal from analog to digital to obtain a third audio signal. The signal coding module encodes a fourth audio signal according to the third audio signal as an output signal of the analog-to-digital converter when the control signal indicates that the mode signal selects an encoding mode, and forwards the third audio signal as the output signal of the analog-to-digital converter when the control signal indicates that mode signal does not select the encoding mode.
US08670569B2 Method for checking audio interface in AV system and apparatus using the same
A method for checking availability of audio interface between a display apparatus and an AV apparatus in an AV system, and an AV apparatus using the same are provided. The checking includes transmitting a command to check an audio interface to a second AV apparatus where an audio from a first AV apparatus is output, and receiving a result of checking the audio interface in response to the command from the second AV apparatus. Therefore, a user can recognize whether or not an audio interface has a problem in an AV system.
US08670566B2 System and method for exchanging encryption keys between a mobile device and a peripheral output device
Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral output device (e.g. a printer, a headset). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at the peripheral output device. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the peripheral output device, which can be input by the user at the computing device. The encryption key is then recovered at the computing device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.
US08670564B1 Data encryption system and method
A sender apparatus encrypts data using a key. The apparatus then calculates various parameters based on the key and a shared secret between the sender apparatus and a recipient apparatus that is remote from the sender apparatus. The calculated parameters are transmitted to the recipient apparatus, which uses such parameters to calculate the key based on the shared secret. The recipient apparatus then decrypts the data using the calculated key, which does not need to be transmitted from the sender apparatus to the recipient apparatus.
US08670550B2 Automated mechanism for populating and maintaining data structures in a queueless contact center
A queueless contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, achieve true one-to-one matching. Solutions are also provided for managing data structures utilized by the queueless contact center. Furthermore, mechanisms for generating traditional queue-based performance views and metrics for the queueless contact center are proposed to help facilitate a smooth transition from traditional queue-based contact centers to the next generation contact centers described herein.
US08670548B2 Jumping callers held in queue for a call center routing system
Methods and systems are provided for routing callers to agents in a call-center routing environment. An exemplary method includes identifying caller data for a caller in a queue of callers, and jumping or moving the caller to a different position within the queue based on the caller data. The caller data may include one or both of demographic data and psychographic data. The caller can be jumped forward or backward in the queue relative to at least one other caller. Jumping the caller may further be based on comparing the caller data with agent data via a pattern matching algorithm and/or computer model for predicting a caller-agent pair outcome. Additionally, if a caller is held beyond a hold threshold (e.g., a time, “cost” function, or the like) the caller may be routed to the next available agent.
US08670546B2 Systems and methods for providing a personalized communication processing service
Systems and methods for providing a personalized communication processing service are disclosed. In one embodiment, a personalized communication processing system (PCPS) can include a processor, an input/output interface, and a memory. The memory can be configured to store instructions, executable by the processor to intercept an incoming communication from a calling party, identify calling party information, determine a contact category to which the calling party is logically associated based upon a recognized relationship between the called party and the calling party as defined in the contact category, determine a user state of the called party that identifies conditions under which a communication processing treatment is to be provided for the contact category according to a personalized communication processing rule, apply the rule associated with the determined user state and the determined contact category, and process the incoming communication according to the applied personalized processing rule.
US08670542B2 Call forwarding based on determination of status of destination
In a call forwarding system, a call from a calling party for a called party is received at a switching device and in response to the received call the switching device issues a request for call processing instructions to a control device. The call processing instructions request is received at the control device and in response to the received request the control device checks with the destination station to determine the availability thereof. The control device returns call processing instructions to the switching device including a telephone number of the destination station if the destination station is available. Similarly, the control device returns alternative call processing instructions to the switching device if the destination station is not available.
US08670541B2 Method and system for providing enhanced caller identification information including total call control for all received calls
All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.
US08670539B2 Delegate unit for a conference system, conference system, method for operating the delegate unit and computer program
Conference Systems usually comprise a plurality of delegate units, whereby each delegate unit provides a speaking place for a person attending the Conference. A delegate unit (1) for a Conference System is disclosed with a microphone (4) and a signal means (6, 7, 9) whereby the signal means (9) comprise a possible-to-speak indicator (9) operable to indicate a possible-to-speak Status of the microphone (4), whereby the microphone is ready to be activated by a user of the delegate unit (1), thus indicating the user floor status.
US08670538B1 International conferencing via globally distributed cascading servers
A method, a computer readable medium and a system for international conferencing via globally distributed cascading media servers that comprises, receiving a local participant audio packet at a local conferencing media server in a conference call, summing the local participant audio packet by the local conferencing media server, receiving a distal participant audio packet at a distal conferencing media server, summing the distal participant audio packet by the distal conferencing media server, and interfacing the local conferencing media server with the distal conferencing media server.
US08670524B2 Arrangement of analyzer measuring window
The invention relates to an arrangement of a measuring window in a continuously operated X-ray analyzer (1), said analyzer being is used particularly for analyzing elemental contents in solid, liquid or slurry-like materials; which measuring window (2) separates the sampling space (3) containing the sample material to be measured and the measurement space (4) containing the measuring probe (11), and is sealed by a lid structure (6) arranged in the sampling space, said lid structure defining the measurement aperture (7) of the sampling space, in which case the lid structure defining the measurement aperture of the sampling space is provided with a sealing surface (8) of the measuring window, so that said surface is at least partly planar and at least partly curved.
US08670523B2 Intensity modulated arc therapy with continuous couch rotation/shift and simultaneous cone beam imaging
A system for radiotherapy that includes a couch upon which a patient being treated by the system is positioned, the couch having continuous arc rotation for delivery accelerated irradiation to the patient.
US08670520B2 Shift register and one-of-many shift register
A shift register has a first latch and a second latch and a first output circuit and a second output circuit. The first latch and the second latch are series-connected. The latches are implemented to take over a signal state applied to their data inputs in a transparent state and to maintain the taken-over signal state in a non-transparent operating state. Clock inputs of the latches are switched such that the second latch is in the transparent operating state when the first latch is in the non-transparent operating state and vice versa. The first output circuit is implemented to provide a predetermined level independent of the signal state existing in the first latch at a first shift register output of the shift register in the transparent operating state and to provide a level depending on the signal state stored in the first latch in the non-transparent operating state of the first latch. The second output circuit is implemented to provide a predetermined level independent of the signal state existing in the second latch at a second shift register output of the shift register in the transparent operating state of the second latch and to provide a level depending on the signal state stored in the second latch in the non-transparent operating state of the second latch.
US08670519B2 Nuclear fuel assembly hold down spring
A nuclear fuel assembly having a plurality of multi-leaf hold down spring sets extending from a top nozzle. Each spring set consists of a multiple number of springs leafs in order to provide a large working range of spring deflection. Each spring leaf has a straight, flat base section followed by a straight, flat tapered beam with a secondary spring set having a curvature at its peripheral end.
US08670514B2 Hatch mechanical locking system
A locking mechanism for securing hatches internal to a steam generator that is made up of only mechanical locking elements with fully captured moving parts. The mechanism employs a locking pin with redundant mechanisms to secure the pin in the closed position. The moving parts of the device can be attached directly to a removable hatch so that installation and repairs that may be required can be performed outside of the pressure vessel of the steam generator.
US08670512B1 Acceleration of phase and frequency tracking for low-latency timing recovery
Circuit and methods accelerate jitter tracking and reduce or eliminate the processing delay of loop filtering in timing recovery. A timing recovery circuit incorporates a phase tracking accelerator and a frequency tracking accelerator to compute the phase and frequency variation of incoming signal during the delay period of a loop filter. In one embodiment, phase and frequency tracking accelerators are realized in direct forms. In another embodiment, pre-computed look-up tables are employed in phase and frequency tracking accelerators to ease timing closure and simplify accelerator circuit. The phase tracking accelerator and the frequency tracking accelerator together compensate the estimated phase at the output of a loop filter and eliminate the processing delay of loop filtering. The loop bandwidth and jitter tolerance of timing recovery are increased.
US08670509B2 Adaptive path selection for interference cancellation
Adaptive path selection for interference cancellation is provided for wireless communication devices. Signal strength metrics are obtained for each of multiple signal paths. One or more of the signal paths are selected as cancellation candidates in response to determining that the signal paths are associated with a strong interfering path based at least in part on the signal strength metrics for the signal paths and threshold criteria. Cancellation is enabled for an estimated signal generated using the signal paths in response to the signal paths being selected as cancellation candidates.
US08670506B2 Apparatus and method for providing a reduced representation based on a time-domain RF signal
An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for providing a reduced representation in a frequency-domain, based on a time-based RF signal, has a time-frequency converter adapted to transform the time-domain RF signal to obtain a frequency-domain representation based on the time-domain signal and an entropy encoder adapted to obtain the reduced representation based on the frequency-domain representation by entropy encoding.
US08670503B2 Method and apparatus for improving power amplifier efficiency in wireless communication systems having high peak to average power ratios
A power management system and method for a wireless communication device generates an average desired transmit power signal based on at least one of a received signal strength indicator signal and a power control instruction signal from a base station. A power supply level adjustment signal is generated based on the data parameters of an outgoing data stream and at least one environmental information signal. A combination of the power supply level adjustment signal and the average desired transmit power or a gain control signal and an altered version of the power supply level adjustment signal is used to generate a variable power supply signal that is provided to an output amplifier block for sufficiently generating outgoing wireless device radio signals while reducing power loss in the output amplifier block.
US08670502B2 Selective peak power reduction
A communication system comprising signal processing circuitry and up-conversion circuitry. The signal processing circuitry is configured to: i) generate a first signal of a first modulation type and a second signal of a second modulation type; ii) combine the first and second signals to form a combined input signal; iii) generate peak reduction distortion based on the combined input signal; iv) select a portion of the peak reduction distortion that corresponds to a first frequency band; and v) apply the selected portion of the peak reduction distortion in the first frequency band of the combined input signal to provide a combined output signal. The up-conversion circuitry up-converts the combined output signal to an RF signal for transmission.
US08670501B2 Digital pre-distortion of non-linear systems with reduced bandwidth feedback
Embodiments of the invention provide a DPD system where the transmit reference signal is transformed, including sub-sampling, frequency translation, and the like, to match the feedback signal, which goes thru a similar transformation process, to obtain an error signal. The same transformation is applied to a system model, which may be Jacobian, Hessian, Gradient, or the like, in an adaptation algorithm to minimize error.
US08670498B2 Method and apparatus for reducing interference in space frequency block coding communication
A method and apparatus of reducing interference in space frequency block coding (SFBC) communication are disclosed. SFBC encoding is performed on at least one pair of symbols. The symbols are assigned to subcarriers in accordance with a frequency assignment pattern assigned to a cell. Different frequency assignment patterns are assigned to neighboring cells. Cells in the network may be divided into a plurality of groups and a different frequency assignment pattern may be assigned to each group of cells. The frequency assignment pattern may be defined such that subcarriers mapped to a pair of symbols in one cell are interlaced to subcarriers mapped to a pair of symbols in a neighbor cell. Alternatively, the frequency assignment pattern may be defined such that subcarriers mapped to a pair of symbols in one cell are shifted in a neighbor cell.
US08670497B2 Method and apparatus for impairment correlation estimation in a wireless communication receiver
A wireless communication receiver improves signal impairment correlation estimation in MIMO/MISO systems by considering different transmit power allocations and different transmit antenna power distributions in its impairment correlation calculations. The receiver may be implemented in according to a variety of architectures, including, but not limited to, Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) Generalized RAKE (G-RAKE), Joint Detection (JD) G-RAKE, and Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE) G-RAKE. Regardless of the particular receiver architecture adopted, the improved impairment correlations may be used to calculate improved (RAKE) signal combining weights and/or improve channel quality estimates for reporting by receivers operating in Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) systems transmitting HSDPA channels via MIMO or MISO transmitters. A transmitter may be configured to facilitate impairment correlation determinations by wireless communication receivers operating in MIMO/MISO environments, by signaling one or more values, e.g., data-to-pilot signal transmit power ratios and/or transmit antenna power distributions for the data and pilot signals.
US08670489B2 Methods and systems for picture up-sampling
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for picture up-sampling using direct interpolation. Some aspects of the present invention provide an up-sampling procedure designed for the Scalable Video Coding extension of H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.
US08670483B2 Object tracking using graphics engine derived vectors in a motion estimation system
A method and apparatus are provided for motion estimation in a sequence of images. One or more motion vectors representing movement of a camera or viewer position or direction are determined between each pair of fields or frames in the sequence of images. A set of candidate motion vectors is then determined for deriving positions of objects in a field or frame from the positions of objects in a previous field or frame. This set of candidate motion vectors is adjusted using the motion vectors representing movement of the camera or viewer position and thus a set of motion vectors is derived for a sequence of images using the adjusted set of candidate motion vectors.
US08670480B2 Transcoder
A generated code amount accumulation part adds up the amounts of generated codes of pictures in 1 GOP which are encoded up to the current stage. An upper limit code amount accumulation part adds up the upper limit amounts of codes of the pictures in the 1 GOP which are encoded up to the current stage. A transmission load of an image transmission system is taken into consideration in the setting of the upper limit amount of codes. An update ratio setting part outputs an update instruction to lower a target rate when the accumulated amount of generated codes exceeds the accumulated upper limit amount of codes. The update ratio setting part does not output the update instruction for lowering the target rate when the accumulated amount of generated codes does not exceed the accumulated upper limit amount of codes. A transcoder can predict whether or not there is a possibility that the load of transmitting image data will increase while each picture in 1 GOP is encoded.
US08670448B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing traffic control services
Traffic control services include detecting an occurrence of an activity via a computer processor. The activity subject to the detecting includes a presence of a device. The services also include obtaining traffic management support information associated with a source and destination of the activity. The traffic management support information includes user-defined preferences for controlling traffic to the device. The services further include determining whether the source and the destination supports traffic management activities, and if the source and the destination support the traffic management activities the computer processor subscribes to traffic messages provided by the source and implements traffic management activities for the source and the destination based upon the traffic messages and the user-defined preferences. If the source and the destination do not support the traffic management activities, the computer processor performs default traffic management activities.
US08670436B2 Managing channel configuration information in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides for managing channel configuration information in a wireless communication system. Preferably, the present invention receives transport channel configuration information for configuring at least one transport channel currently not mapping a point-to-multipoint service, wherein the at least one transport channel is capable of mapping at least one new point-to-multipoint service at the start or before the stop of the at least one new point-to-multipoint service, determines whether to receive the at least one new point-to-multipoint service, and reads configuration information for the at least one new point-to-multipoint service at the start of the at least one new point-to-multipoint service if it is determined that the at least one new point-to-multipoint service is to be received.
US08670432B2 Methods and apparatus for coordination of sending reference signals from multiple cells
Methods and apparatus for coordination of sending reference signals in wireless network are disclosed. A network node may select a cell ID based on a measurement of adjacent cells so as to mitigate interference. A network node may communicate information to another network node to control transmitted resources in a protected interval so as to measure channel characteristics.
US08670430B2 Apparatus for transmitting uplink signal in mimo wireless communication system and method thereof
A method of multiplexing control information and data information in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The present invention includes mapping codewords corresponding to the data information to a preset number of layers, mapping the control information to the preset number of the layers, multiplexing the layer-mapped data information and the layer-mapped control information into a frequency region within an SC-FDMA symbol, and transmitting the SC-FDMA symbol to a base station via multiple antennas.
US08670420B2 Method for operating device in personal area network
A method for operating a device in a personal area network (PAN), includes: obtaining physical layer information regarding a physical layer; scanning a channel on the basis of the physical layer information; selecting a channel on the basis of channel information obtained through the channel scanning process; determining whether or not there is a PAN coordinator with respect to the selected channel; and when a PAN coordinator does not exist in the selected channel, transmitting a beacon signal including information regarding a superframe structure, wherein the superframe structure includes at least one sub-superframe, and the information regarding the superframe structure includes information regarding the number of beacon slots for transmitting a beacon signal in each sub-superframe, the number of data slots for transmitting data in each sub-superframe, and the number of sub-superframes.
US08670416B2 Segment size determination
A method is provided that includes determining, via data processing circuitry, error rate metrics of data transmissions over a constrained application protocol (CoAP) using a first CoAP segment size. The method further includes determining, via the data processing circuitry, a second CoAP segment size for the data transmissions based at least in part upon the error rate metrics.
US08670414B2 Mobile communication system including the radio access network not supporting circuit switching (CS) and the radio access network supporting CS
The characteristic of a mobile communication system according to the present invention is that the mobile communication system includes the steps of: causing an MME in a visitor network of UE#1 to acquire SRVCC capability of the UE#1 and to notify an HSS of the SRVCC capability of the UE#1 in an attach process or location registration process of the UE#1; and causing an ATCF, which controls an ATGW, to acquire the SRVCC capability of the UE#1, in a registration process of the UE#1 with IMS.
US08670406B2 Method and apparatus for handover between heterogeneous networks using mobile IP
A method and an apparatus to handover a mobile node between heterogeneous networks using a mobile internet protocol (IP) is provided. The method includes: connecting a mobile node to a movement destination network; obtaining information regarding, or about, the movement destination network; generating a message including the information regarding the movement destination network; and transmitting the generated message to a correspondent node that transmits continuous data to the mobile node.
US08670401B2 Method of load estimation
In a method and a device for determining or predicting the uplink load based on measurements, including CIR and adjustable parameters, the parameters are adjusted based on measurements of received power. Hereby an improved determination of the uplink load can be obtained.
US08670390B2 Cooperative beam-forming in wireless networks
A beam-forming system comprises a cooperative array of wireless terminals coupled to at least one wireless wide area network (WWAN) and communicatively coupled to a wireless local area network (WLAN) configured to provide information exchanges between the wireless terminals. A cooperative beam-forming system employing the WLAN provides antenna-array processing benefits (such as frequency reuse, interference rejection, array-processing gain, antenna-switching diversity) to the individual wireless terminals. A network access operator facilitates network control functionality between the WWAN and the cooperative array of wireless terminals.
US08670383B2 System and method for aggregation and queuing in a wireless network
A technique for improved throughput at an access point (AP) involves when frames are received for transmission by the AP, queuing the frames for a particular station. A system constructed according to the technique may include an aggregation and queuing layer. Station queues may be processed by the aggregation and queuing layer before being given to radio hardware for transmission. In an illustrative embodiment, when frames are received by the aggregation and queuing layer, the packet will be assigned a target delivery time (TDT) and an acceptable delivery time (ADT). The TDT is the “ideal” time to transmit a frame, based on its jitter and throughput requirements. Frames are mapped on to a time axis for transmission by TDT. In an illustrative embodiment, each frame is mapped by priority, so that there are separate maps for voice, video, best effort, and background frames. There will be gaps between frames for transmission that can be used for aggregation.
US08670382B2 Control apparatus, wireless communication apparatus, communication system, and control method
A mobile communication system has a mobile terminal, basestations, and a Radio Network Controller (RNC). In the case where drop of a frame occurs during data communication in Iub/Iur (between the basestations and the RNC), the RNC executes retransmission of an EDCH FP frame between the RNC and the basestations by transmitting a TN frame to the basestations to repair the drop of the frame without executing retransmission with the terminal device.
US08670378B2 Transform domain multi-user detection for femtocell
A transform domain multi-user detection and interference suppression apparatus for femtocell is disclosed. The transform domain multi-user detection and interference suppression apparatus is applied in a telecommunication system including a plurality of user equipments. The transform domain multi-user detection and interference suppression apparatus includes a multi-user signal processing module including an interference suppression unit. The multi-user signal processing module receives a plurality of user signals from the plurality of user equipments. During an interference suppression phase, the interference suppression unit of the multi-user signal processing module focuses on one of the plurality of user signals in the transform domain and reduces the other user signals in the transform domain by using a specific operation method. During an interference cancellation phase, the multi-user signal processing module receives an estimation of the plurality of user signals in the transform domain and reconstructs the received signals according to the estimation.
US08670368B2 Broadcast retransmitting method, broadcast retransmitting apparatus, replay apparatus, and broadcast retransmitting system using the same
A broadcast retransmitting method, a broadcast retransmitting apparatus, a relay apparatus and a broadcast retransmitting system using the same, are provided. The broadcast retransmitting apparatus includes a demodulation unit which receives and demodulates a modulated broadcast, a modulation unit which modulates the demodulated broadcast, a spectrum sensing unit which detects an available band through spectrum sensing, and a control unit which retransmits the modulated broadcast to at least one surrounding apparatus. The broadcast retransmitting method includes receiving and demodulating a broadcast which has been modulated according to a first modulation method, and modulating the demodulated broadcast according to a second modulation method different from the first modulation method; detecting an available band from an idle band through spectrum sensing; and retransmitting the broadcast which has been modulated in the second modulation method to at least one surrounding apparatus using the detected available band.
US08670366B2 Method and device for bearing and receiving scheduling information of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) control channel (MCCH) update indication information
The present invention discloses a method for bearing scheduling information of MCCH update indication information in a MBMS system, comprising: configuring the scheduling information of the MCCH update indication information in the MCCH or BCCH, wherein the scheduling information of the MCCH update indication information at least comprises information describing a sending rule of the MCCH update indication information. Meanwhile, the present invention discloses a method for receiving scheduling information of MCCH update indication information in the MBMS system, comprising: receiving a MCCH or BCCH, obtaining the scheduling information of the MCCH update indication information, and receiving the MCCH update indication information according to information describing a sending rule of the MCCH update indication information in the scheduling information of the MCCH update indication information. Meanwhile, the present invention discloses devices for implementing the methods above. The present invention only receives the MCCH when the information born in the MCCH is changed, without receiving information born in the MCCH at all times, to make the mobile terminals save more power.
US08670365B2 Telematics device reactivation via broadcast SMS alert
The disclosed invention provides a system and apparatus for deactivating unused telematics units in a cost effective manner, while allowing later contact with the unit by the service provider. The service provider deactivates a device by replacing a valid MIN with an invalid default MIN, deactivating the normal CDMA registration process, and implementing a reduced frequency registration regimen. A regionally broadcast SMS message is subsequently used to reach the deactivated module. The SMS message is configured in such a way as to cause the targeted device to place a cellular call using a non-validating wireless number to a call center of the service provider. Once the telematics provider has a dedicated link call with the module, it executes a desired action, e.g., providing a newly provisioned MIN, shutting down the device entirely, collecting stored data from the device, etc.
US08670362B2 Power state and medium access coordination in coexisting wireless networks
Apparatus and method for improving throughput in a wireless device accessing coexisting networks. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes first and second wireless transceivers, a power state controller, and an access controller. The first wireless transceiver is configured to access a first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured to access a second wireless network. The power state controller is configured to switch the first wireless transceiver between an active state and a sleep state. The power consumed by the first wireless transceiver while in the sleep state is reduced relative to the active state. The access controller is configured to alternately allocate a wireless medium to the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. The power state controller and the medium access controller are configured to coordinate power state switching of the first wireless transceiver and wireless medium access by the second wireless transceiver.
US08670357B2 Methods and apparatus for controlling peer to peer communications
A wireless communications system supports both cellular communications and direct peer to peer communications. The cellular communications use FDD downlink and uplink bands for control and traffic signaling. An access point employs control over direct peer to peer communications. Peer to peer mode control signals from the access point are transmitted to wireless terminals using the FDD cellular downlink band. Peer to peer mode control signals from wireless terminals are transmitted to an access point using the FDD cellular uplink band. Peer to peer traffic signals between wireless terminals are communicated using a TDD band. In one embodiment, the access point communicates priority information to peer to peer network wireless terminals, and the wireless terminals make peer to peer traffic transmission decisions in a decentralized manner using the received priority information. In another embodiment, the access point directly schedules peer to peer traffic in the peer to peer network.
US08670355B1 System and method for network based hearing aid compatible mode selection
A system and method for providing a hearing aid compatibility mode of communication service to hearing aid users is disclosed. The described system can store an indication at a communication network that a given account is used by a person who wears hearing aid equipment. Services provided to that account can then use communication parameters and network resources which tend to minimize interference with a hearing aid. The network can instruct the user equipment and the radio access network to communicate using hearing aid friendly parameters. In some cases, network resources beyond those allocated for accounts not indicated as hearing aid user accounts can be allocated. Parameters adjusted in hearing aid compatibility mode can include codec rates, operating power levels, and burst frame length, among others. In some described embodiments, the hearing aid compatibility mode can be selectively enabled as desired by an account user.
US08670353B2 Systems and methods for delayed message delivery
A system for delayed message delivery can include an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network that is in communication with at least one of a first user equipment and a second user equipment, and a message application server. The message application server can be configured to receive a message sent from the first user equipment, store the message temporarily in accordance with a time parameter, and send the message to a gateway when the time parameter is satisfied. The gateway can be configured to receive a message formatted in accordance with a first protocol used by the IMS network and convert the message into a format in accordance with a second protocol used by a message center. The message center can be configured to receive the message formatted in accordance with the second protocol and forward the message to the second user equipment. Other systems for delayed message delivery and corresponding methods are disclosed.
US08670345B2 Wireless coexistence based on network allocation vector usage
A wireless apparatus includes a wireless transceiver, a WLAN controller and a second controller coupled to the wireless transceiver. The WLAN controller is configured to send/receive packets in accordance with a WLAN protocol, and the second controller is configured to send/receive packets in accordance with a second wireless protocol. The apparatus includes scheduling logic that determines whether a WLAN communication will complete before an end of a WLAN active time period. If the scheduling logic determines that the WLAN communication will not complete before the end of the WLAN active time period, the scheduling logic causes the WLAN controller to transmit a WLAN packet that encodes a NAV value that prevents an access point from using the wireless medium until an end of second time period. The second controller is configured to use the wireless medium during the second time period.
US08670340B2 Method and apparatus for uplink scheduling in a communication system
A method and apparatus for uplink scheduling in a communication system are provided. The method includes determining whether a User Equipment (UE) is included in an uplink scheduling list, a buffer length of the UE is estimated, if the UE is included in the uplink scheduling list, it is determined whether a Buffer State Report (BSR) indicating the buffer length of the UE has been received from the UE, if the estimated buffer length is 0, and the UE is transitioned to a non-zero BSR reception state and maintained in the uplink scheduling list, if the BSR has not been received from the UE. The non-zero BSR reception state is a state in which a zero BSR indicating the buffer length of the UE is 0 has not been received.
US08670336B2 Measuring call quality
Provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call in which a first user terminal will comprise an end point. The method comprises establishing an end-to-end connection between a first user terminal and a node, which end-to-end connection is via an access point of a network by which the first user terminal is connected to the network; displaying information indicative of an expected quality of a call in which the first user terminal will comprise an end point, in dependence on information indicative of the quality of the end-to-end connection; and providing call initiation means for enabling a user to then selectively establish a call between the first user terminal and a callee. Also provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call between a first user terminal and a potential callee.
US08670334B2 Click quality classification and delivery
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet flow associated with a click-through from an end user node destined for an advertiser server; extracting information from the packet flow; analyzing the extracted information to determine one or more characteristics of the packet flow; and classifying the packet flow based on the determined one or more characteristics; modifying the packet flow to include classification information to provide classification information indicating a quality level of the click-through. The packet flow may include a hypertext transfer protocol GET request. Modifying the packet flow may include adding a tag with classification information that indicates a likelihood of fraudulent click behavior associated with the packet flow.
US08670329B2 Network testing providing for concurrent real-time ingress and egress viewing of network traffic data
There is disclosed a system and method for implementing concurrent ingress and egress viewing of network traffic data to evaluate the performance of a device under test. The method may be performed by a network testing system. The method may be performed in real-time.
US08670323B1 Method and apparatus for monitoring of access network status in communication networks
A method and apparatus for enabling a tool to collect alerting information of network disruptions across access networks external to a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, is disclosed. By monitoring the status of external access networks, service disruptions in the VoIP network that can be potentially caused by such access networks can be anticipated, prevented, diagnosed and/or resolved rapidly.
US08670319B2 Traffic prediction for web sites
A traffic prediction component may automatically generate predicted traffic profiles for web sites based on tags that characterize the sites. An initial set of tags can be selected for a web site based on a set of predefined rules. An initial traffic profile may be selected based on the initial set of tags. The predicted profile of user traffic is then generated based on the initial set of tags and on the initial traffic profile.
US08670318B2 Communication method and transmitting apparatus utilizing the same
An IF unit to an RF unit generate a packet signal containing a control signal and a data signal and transmits the thus generated packet signal. A radio control unit performs a first retransmission control or a second retransmission control on the packet signal transmitted. The radio control unit causes the IF unit to the RF unit to have first control information for the first retransmission control contained in the control signal and have second control information for the second retransmission control contained in the data signal.
US08670316B2 Method and apparatus to control application messages between client and a server having a private network address
A method to control communication traffic in a communication network. The traffic includes application-level messages between a client and a server having a private network address. The method includes the steps of: sending by the client a request message requesting a service to the server using a first public network address associated with the server; processing the request message at an intermediate logic unit logically positioned between the client and the server; and receiving an alert signal at the intermediate unit. Upon receipt of said alert signal, the method provides for: mapping the private network address of the server to a second public network address associated with the server; and instructing the client to send the request message to the second public network address of the server, routing to the server only request messages directed to the second public network address.
US08670315B1 Method and apparatus for estimating end-to-end packet delay
A method for estimating an end-to-end delay in a transmission network is described along with a number of embodiments. The method may use a variety of measured delay characteristics associated with domains spanning the network as inputs to a function which provides an estimation of delay. The function is not computationally complex, and thus accurate estimates of end-to-end delay may be obtained more quickly and therefore be made more useful in real-time network administration.
US08670305B2 Ethernet switch ring (ESR) protection method and transit node
An Ethernet Switch Ring (ESR) protection method for introducing the pre-up state for the transit node, includes, after a loop failure is recovered, the transit node on the loop entering the pre-up state if not receiving the loop failure protocol message within a set time. And when the transit node is in the pre-up state and the loop fails again, i.e., the transit node receives the loop failure protocol message in the pre-up state, the transit node opens the master and slave ports and refreshes the MAC address. Effectively, the transit node is an ESR transit node.
US08670304B1 Dynamic mirroring of a network connection
Methods and systems are directed to dynamically mirroring a connection between network devices. Mirroring is managed by forwarding a packet between a first network device and a second network device. In one method, the first network device receives the packet from a client and communicates the packet to the second network device. A forwarding device, pre-determined from the first and second network devices, forwards the packet to a server. The first network device receives a response from the server, and communicates it to the second network device. The forwarding device forwards the response packet to the client. In one configuration, the first network device and forwarding device is an active device, and the second network device is a standby device. In another configuration, the first network device is a standby device, and the second network device and forwarding device is an active device.
US08670303B2 Multiple-fault-tolerant ethernet network for industrial control
Fault-tolerant Ethernet is provided through the use of special interfaces providing end-devices with duplicate ports that may be alternatively enabled with the same network address in the event of a fault detected by loss of the message from a beacon device. Unidirectional network errors in the direction from the end-device to the beacon devices are detected through a path check message from the end-device to the beacon device. Multiple faults may be accommodated without network interruption by adding top-level switches without increasing the number of ports on the end-devices by cross connecting a lowest level of switch.
US08670302B2 Activation signaling in transport networks
A method comprising the steps of receiving a signal indicative of a failure of a working connection in a mesh network having a headend node, a tailend node and an intermediate node, and having a protecting connection, and transmitting an activation message via the protecting connection from at least one of the headend node and the tailend node to the intermediate node for activating the protecting connection.
US08670295B1 Method and system for optically coupling a laser with a transducer in an energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive
A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer coupled with a laser. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The EAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, a waveguide and an output device. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The at least one coil is for energizing the write pole. The waveguide has an input optically coupled to the laser and configured to direct energy from the laser toward the ABS for heating the region of the media. The output device is optically coupled to the waveguide. The output device coupling out a portion of the energy not coupled to the media.
US08670294B1 Systems and methods for increasing media absorption efficiency using interferometric waveguides
Systems and methods for increasing media absorption efficiency using interferometric waveguides in information storage devices are described. One such system for an interferometric waveguide assembly includes a light source, a first waveguide arm and a second waveguide arm, a splitter configured to receive light from the light source and to split the light into the first waveguide arm and the second waveguide arm, and a near field transducer (NFT) configured to receive the light from the first waveguide arm and the second waveguide arm, where the first waveguide arm and the second waveguide arm converge to form a preselected angle at a junction about opposite the splitter, and where the first waveguide arm and the second waveguide arm are configured to induce a preselected phase difference in the light arriving at the NFT.
US08670290B2 Method for determining the location of an impact on a surface of an object
The invention relates to a method for determining the location of an impact on a surface of an object based on the analysis of an acoustic signal generated by the impact. This method further comprises a signal treatment step of weighting the acoustic signal to take into account spurious contributions in particular due to reflections at the border of the object.
US08670283B2 Controller to detect malfunctioning address of memory device
A controller including a non-volatile memory to store a repair address, and a memory control unit operatively coupled with the non-volatile memory. The memory control unit comprising a memory test function configured to detect a malfunctioning address of primary data storage elements within a memory device. The memory device being another semiconductor device separate from the controller. The memory test function configured to store the repair address in the non-volatile memory, the repair address indicating the malfunctioning address of the primary data storage element.
US08670272B2 Memory with weighted multi-page read
A memory device is described that provides increased output data to help evaluate data errors from bit line coupling and floating gate coupling during a read operation. Multiple rows, or pages, of data are read to allow an internal or external decoder to evaluate memory cell data.
US08670266B2 Non-volatile flip-flop
A flip-flop has an output control node and an isolation switch selectively couples a retention sense node to the output control node. A sense circuit selectively couples an external sense current source to the retention sense node and to magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) elements. Optionally a write circuit selectively injects a write current through one MTJ element and then another MTJ element. Optionally, a write circuit injects a write current through a first MTJ element concurrently with injecting a write current through a second MTJ element.
US08670264B1 Multi-port magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A memory array is organized into rows and columns of resistive elements and is disclosed to include a resistive element to be read or to be written thereto. Further, a first access transistor is coupled to the resistive element and to a first source line and a second access transistor is coupled to the resistive element and to a second source line, the resistive element being coupled at one end to the first and second access transistors and at an opposite end to a bit line. The memory array further has other resistive elements that are each coupled to the bit line. The resistive element is written to while one or more of the other resistive elements are being read.
US08670259B2 Current source power conversion circuit
An example of the current source power conversion circuit is provided with a plurality of half-bridge rectifier circuits which are connected in parallel, each including a serial connection of a first switch circuit having a first self-turn-off element and a first diode which are connected in series to each other, and a second switch circuit having a second self-turn-off element and a second diode which are connected in series to each other. A first current electrode of said first self-turn-off element in one of said half-bridge rectifier circuits and a first current electrode of said first self-turn-off element in other one of said half-bridge rectifier circuits are short-circuited and connected.
US08670258B2 Power supply device
A power supply device includes a failure determination means that detects, based on a current detected by a current detector, a failure of the switching elements of each of the chopper sections, and the failure determination means obtains values of the current detected by the current detector at the timing of falling edges of control signals to the switching elements of each of the chopper sections, determines the failure when the obtained current values differ from each other, and transmits a failure signal to a generation control means. When receiving the failure signal, the generation control means limits an output current from a generator in a way such that the withstanding current of a non-failed chopper section out of the chopper sections of the phases is not exceeded.
US08670253B2 Converter protecting components against overvoltages
A converter includes a converter bridge (101) adapted to transfer electrical energy between the AC terminal (102) and the DC terminal (103) of the converter. The converter also includes electrical paths bypassing the converter bridge for conducting overvoltage transients occurring in the AC terminal around the converter bridge to the DC terminal. Each electrical path includes a unidirectionally conductive semiconductor component (104a, 104b, 104c), such as a diode, and a voltage-limiting component (105) for which the ratio of voltage change to current change is small when the voltage of the voltage-limiting component is greater than a predetermined threshold voltage. Because of the overvoltage protection thus achieved, AC chokes can be omitted from the AC terminal or at least they can be designed smaller, reducing the load-dependent voltage drop of the DC terminal.
US08670252B2 Switch controller, switch control method, converter using the same, and driving method thereof
Disclosed are a switch controller, a switch control method, a converter using the same, and a driving method thereof. A first voltage is generated by using a voltage that is input to an input terminal, and a soft start signal is generated by using the first voltage during a soft start duration. A switching operation is controlled by using the soft start signal during the soft start duration.
US08670236B2 Cage assembly for receiving a pluggable module
A cage assembly is provided for receiving a pluggable module. The cage assembly includes a cage having a front end, a mounting side, and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive the pluggable module therein through the front end. A heat sink is mounted to the mounting side of the cage. The heat sink has a module side that is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket extends along at least a portion of an interface between the mounting side of the cage and the module side of the heat sink.
US08670224B2 Power management system that includes a membrane
Some embodiments relate to a power management system includes a primary power source and a secondary power source. The power management system further includes an enclosure and an electrical component located within the enclosure. The electrical component is connected to the primary power source and the secondary power source. The power management system further includes a membrane that is mounted to an outside of the enclosure. The membrane extends through the enclosure such that the membrane provides information relating to operation of the power management system.
US08670223B2 Case mold type capacitor
A case mold type capacitor is formed of multiple metalized film capacitors connected together in parallel and rigidly accommodated with molding resin within a case. The multiple metalized film capacitors are divided into a first block and a second block, and P-poles of each block confront each other, and N-poles thereof also confront each other. Bus-bars including a connection terminal for external connection at an end are connected to respective P-poles and N-poles of each block. The bus-bars connected to the P-poles are coupled together, and the bus-bars connected to the N-poles are coupled together. Each one of the bus-bars includes a section located on the opening side of the case with respect to the blocks. The bus-bars connected to the P-poles overlap in part, and the bus-bars connected to the N-poles also overlap in part.
US08670212B2 PMR writer device with multi-level tapered write pole
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a multi-level tapered write pole. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip on a leading edge or a trailing edge, on which is formed at least one yoke that has a tapered edge. The edge of the yoke is recessed from the ABS of the main pole, giving the head a stepped profile. The yoke can be a single yoke formed on one side of the main pole or it can be two yokes formed on both the leading and trailing sides of the main pole. The write pole structure creates an efficient channeling of magnetic flux to the ABS surface of the pole tip which produces magnetic recording field at high area densities.
US08670211B1 Method and system for providing high magnetic flux saturation CoFe films
A method and system plates CoFeX, where X is an insertion metal. The method and system include providing a plating solution including hydroxymethyl-p-tolylsulfone (HPT). The plating solution being configured to provide a CoFeX film having a high saturation magnetic flux density of greater than 2.3 Tesla and not more than 3 weight percent of X. The method and system also include plating the CoFeX film on a substrate in the plating solution. In some aspects, the plated CoFeX film may be used in structures such as main poles of a magnetic recording head.
US08670204B2 Head-disk interference (HDI) detection
Method and apparatus for detecting head disk interference (HDI). In accordance with some embodiments, a bias calibration circuit is adapted to respectively bypass or amplify a head disk interference (HDI) signal output from an HDI sensor responsive to a bias voltage adjusted according to a first control signal. A detection circuit is adapted to compare a swing range of a signal output from the bias calibration circuit and a swing range of a reference signal, and to output the first control signal responsive to said comparison.
US08670192B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consists of a negative first lens having a concave object-side surface, a positive second lens, a negative third lens, a positive fourth lens having a convex object-side surface, and a positive fifth lens, which are in this order from an object side. A stop is arranged between an image-side surface of the first lens and an object-side surface of the third lens. When the focal length of an entire system is f, and the focal length of the first lens is f1, and the focal length of the second lens is f2, the following formula is satisfied: −1.30−0.65  (7).
US08670183B2 Augmented view of advertisements
A head-mounted display (HMD) provides an augmented view of advertisements to an HMD wearer. In some embodiments, when an advertisement is within an HMD wearer's field of view, the HMD may augment the HMD wearer's view of the advertisement to provide additional information and/or to personalize the advertisement to the HMD wearer. In other embodiments, when an advertisement is within an HMD wearer's field of view, the HMD may augment the HMD wearer's view of the advertisement to remove the advertisement from the HMD wearer's view or to replace the content of the advertisement with non-advertising content.
US08670179B2 Multi-function turret knob
A turret knob comprises first and second adjustment members that are both adjustably positionable about an axis of rotation, and a slip/engagement member positioned between the first and the second adjustment members along the axis of rotation. The slip-engagement member is movable between three positions along the axis of rotation. In a first position, the slip-engagement member does not engage the first or the second adjustment members. In the second position, the slip/engagement member engages the first adjustment member to rotatably adjust only the first adjustable member about the axis of rotation as the slip/engagement member is rotated about the axis of rotation. In the third position, the slip/engagement member engages the second adjustable member to rotatably adjust only the second adjustable member about the axis of rotation.
US08670178B2 Imaging distal end of multimode fiber
Where a multimode fiber is used for light delivery in a microscope system and a transverse distribution of light exiting a distal end of the fiber is substantially uniform, the distal end is imaged onto a plane of a sample to be probed by the microscope system, or at a conjugate plane. Alternatively, the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the sample plane or the conjugate plane such that a radiant intensity of light at the sample plane or the conjugate plane is substantially uniform. In the case of a multi-focal confocal microscope system, the distal end of the multimode fiber is imaged onto a plane of a segmented focusing array. Alternatively the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the segmented focusing array plane such that a radiant intensity of the light at the segmented focusing array plane is substantially uniform.
US08670177B2 Multifunctional polarizing filter and method for manufacturing the same
A multifunctional polarizing filter is used for a digital camera, and is produced by advanced optical technology to have a very small thickness and an integral structure in order to prevent a vignetting phenomenon in which the captured image is adversely affected by the frame of the filter.
US08670173B2 SPD films and light valve laminates with improved durability
A moisture-resistant suspended particle device film comprising a cured suspended particle device emulsion having a plurality of uncrosslinked droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed throughout the cured emulsion; first and second glass or plastic sheets located outwardly from and sandwiching the cured emulsion, wherein located on an inner aspect of each sheet, adjacent the cured emulsion, is a thin, transparent, electrically conductive coating, the coating serving as an electrode to permit passage of an applied electric field through the cured emulsion; and a moisture-resistant barrier located around an entire outer peripheral edge portion of the film, wherein the barrier is comprised of a barrier material that eliminates or at least reduces passage of moisture from outside the film into the cured emulsion, thus preventing development of a light-frame pattern in the film that would otherwise be caused by the moisture. The disclosure also discloses forming a laminate comprising the above-described film, as well as methods of forming such films and laminates.
US08670155B2 Conversion of K-only data from a source to a destination color space
In an implementation, conversion of K-only data from a source CMYK color space to a destination CMYK color space is managed. The destination CMYK color space is transformed to a virtual RGB color space, in which a neutral axis of the virtual RGB color space is set to be mapped to destination K-only output colors in a color separation table for mapping of source K-only grays to destination K-only grays. The source CMYK color space is converted to a device independent color space and the conversion is adjusted such that the source K-only grays are forced to have the same chrominance as the neutral axis of the virtual RGB color space in the color separation table. The LUT is generated to include a K-only mapping by combining the virtual RGB color space with the adjusted conversion of the source K-only grays.
US08670154B2 Data architecture for mixed resolution interleaved cross-channel data flow and format
The present application provides a mixed resolution, interleaving-based, cross-channel data flow and data format for a printer image path. The architecture provides pixel data for a colorant of a given writing channel at its nominal (full) resolution, while pixel data for other colorants is provided at lowered resolution. Pixel data for a primary channel at its full resolution is interleaved with data for other secondary channels at lower resolution. Known sub-sampling or compression techniques can be used to lower the resolution of the secondary channels. The data at the different resolutions is generated by the digital front end (DFE), which distributes the data for each writing channel at the time it is needed. Preferably, the low resolution data is sent first to the writer, followed by high resolution data, so that data buffering is minimized.
US08670149B2 Apparatus and methods for image processing optimization for variable data printing
Apparatus and methods for providing a pre-rasterized print job for variable data printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a set of printer characteristics may be determined and then transferred to a typesetting system. The typesetting system may then pre-rasterize objects of the print job based in part on the received printer characteristics. A pre-rasterized print job, including the pre-rasterized objects and print layout instructions may then be generated, such as in the form of a PostScript file, which may then be transferred to a raster image processor (RIP) for generation of printed output. In another embodiment, a printer characterization file may be used for execution on a printing system to determine the set of printer characteristics, that may include native resolution, rotation angle, compression data and/or other data or information characterizing the printing system.
US08670147B2 Image forming apparatus, computer-readable storage medium for computer program, and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus that prints and edits a document includes a user identification portion, a print management portion that records print management information indicating a user who performs abort operation of printing, an edit management portion that records edit management information, a determination portion that determines, based on the print management information, whether or not the user is a print suspended operator who has performed the abort operation previously, a page extraction portion that, when the print suspended operator performs reprinting operation for giving instructions to print the document that has been updated, extracts pages of the document which were printed successfully when printing of the document was suspended and have been updated thereafter, and a print controller that controls the image forming apparatus such that the image forming apparatus prints at least unprinted pages of the document and the pages extracted by the page extraction portion.
US08670145B2 Controlling image processing system
In an image processing system, when a user request is received from a client apparatus, an image processing management apparatus determines whether the user request can be processed by the image processing system to generate a determination result, and generate an instruction indicating how the image processing system should operate based on the determination result.
US08670132B2 Image processing apparatus, device cooperation system, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus is connected to an apparatus including a layout data storage unit storing layout data, a display part data storage unit storing part data, and a customization data storage unit storing customization data, the image processing apparatus including a menu construction unit that generates the menu based on at least the part data, a menu generation unit that modifies the menu based on the customization data, a display unit that displays the menu modified based on the customization data and accepts an operation for the display part, and a device cooperation unit that requests the apparatus to provide the function and setting information of the function, the function having been accepted via a second display unit.
US08670129B2 Filtered ASE swept source for OCT medical imaging
An integrated swept wavelength optical source uses a filtered ASE signal with an optical amplifier and tracking filter. This source comprises a micro optical bench, a source for generating broadband light, a first tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a narrowband tunable signal, an amplifier, installed on the bench, for amplifying the tunable signal, and a second tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the amplified tunable signal from the amplifier. A self-tracking arrangement is also possible where a single tunable filter both generates the narrowband signal and spectrally filters the amplified signal. In some examples, two-stage amplification is provided. The use of a single bench implementation yields a low cost high performance system. For example, polarization control between components is no longer necessary.
US08670127B2 Interferometric encoder systems
A method for determining information about changes along a degree of freedom of an encoder scale includes directing a first beam and a second beam along different paths and combining the first and second beams to form an output beam, where the first and second beams are derived from a common source, the first and second beams have different frequencies, where the first beam contacts the encoder scale at a non-Littrow angle and the first beam diffracts from the encoder scale at least once; detecting an interference signal based on the output beam, the interference signal including a heterodyne phase related to an optical path difference between the first beam and the second beam; and determining information about a degree of freedom of the encoder scale based on the heterodyne phase.
US08670126B2 Optical interference measuring method and optical interference measuring apparatus
In an optical interference measuring method according to the present invention, light emitted from a light source unit is split into measuring light and reference light, coherent light is detected that is obtained by interference of the reference light and the measuring light reflected from or scattered rearward from a measuring object, an optical-path length adjustment mechanism provided in the optical path of the reference light is driven to change the optical path length of the reference light, it is decided whether an image based on the detected coherent light is a normal image or a folded image based on the coherent light having varied with the change of the optical path length of the reference light, and the measuring object is measured from the detected coherent light based on a result of the decision about whether the image is a normal image or a folded image.
US08670121B1 Wavelength-tunable detector for label-independent optical reader
A wavelength-tunable detector for use in a label-independent optical reader for reading at least one resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor is disclosed. The wavelength-tunable detector includes a tunable wavelength filter. Broadband light is made incident upon the RWG biosensor to produce resonantly reflected light, which is then passed through the tunable wavelength filter whose central wavelength is adjusted, such as by varying the filter angle of the tunable wavelength filter. This generates filtered resonantly reflected light, which is detected by a photodetector that generates an electrical signal in response thereto. The electrical signal is representative of the detected spectrum, which includes the center resonant wavelength of the RWG biosensor. A controller can be used to determine the center resonant wavelength from the electrical signal.
US08670106B2 Optical imaging writer system
System and method for applying mask data patterns to substrate in a lithography manufacturing process are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a parallel imaging writer system which has a plurality of spatial light modulator (SLM) imaging units arranged in one or more parallel arrays; receiving a mask data pattern to be written to a substrate, processing the mask data pattern to form a plurality of partitioned mask data patterns corresponding to different areas of the substrate, assigning one or more SLM imaging units to handle each of the partitioned mask data pattern, controlling the plurality of SLM imaging units to write the plurality of partitioned mask data patterns to the substrate in parallel, controlling movement of the plurality of SLM imaging units to cover the different areas of the substrate, and controlling movement of the substrate to be in synchronization with continuous writing of the plurality of partitioned mask data patterns.
US08670103B2 Cleanup method for optics in immersion lithography using bubbles
A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes an optical system via which a substrate is exposed with an exposure beam, and a cleaning device which performs a cleaning operation by filling a space adjacent the optical system with a liquid including bubbles.
US08670098B2 Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method of the same
A fringe field type liquid crystal display panel that increases an aperture ratio of a pixel area includes: a gate line disposed on a substrate; a data line disposed to cross the gate line, wherein a gate insulating film is disposed the gate line and the data line; a thin film transistor disposed at an intersection area of the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode disposed on the gate insulating film and directly connected to the thin film transistor; a passivation film disposed on the gate insulating film to cover the pixel electrode and the thin film transistor; and a common electrode disposed to overlap the pixel electrode and the data line on the passivation film to form a fringe field for aligning liquid crystal together with the pixel electrode.
US08670096B2 Liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device, in which: the insulating film includes an extension portion, which extends from an end surface of the insulating film at a position which overlaps a portion of the sealing member forming the liquid crystal injecting port, up to the vicinity of the end surface of the at least one substrate; and the extension portion is formed so that a cross section of the extension portion, which is orthogonal to a thickness direction thereof, is symmetric with respect to a line passing a center of the sealing member in a width direction thereof, and further, a width of the extension portion in the width direction of the sealing member is formed smaller than a width of the sealing member obtained after adhering the pair of substrates to each other.
US08670094B2 Resin composition and image display apparatus
A thin image display apparatus capable of high luminance and high contrast display of a display part, which does not produce display defects resulting from deformation of the image display part. The thin image display apparatus has an image display part and a light-transmitting protective part arranged on the image display part. A cured resin layer is arranged between the image display part and the protective part. The cured resin layer has a transmittance in the visible region of 90% or higher and a storage modulus at 25° C. of 1.0×107 Pa or less. The cured resin layer is formed from a resin composition which has a curing shrinkage ratio of 5.0% or less.
US08670086B2 Multifunctional plastic frame and backlight module
A multifunctional plastic frame and a backlight module are disclosed. The multifunctional plastic frame comprises a frame body for supporting an LCD panel and covers movably connected with outer edges of the frame body. The covers are turned over along the outer edges of the frame body to press against edges of the LCD panel and to be buckled to the frame body. According to the present disclosure, the number of parts and consequently the cost are reduced; and the backlight module can be assembled quickly in a convenient way, which is favorable for improving the assembling efficiency of the backlight module.
US08670083B2 In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device
An IPS mode LCD device is disclosed in which a common voltage drop and delay is decreased. The LCD includes gate and data lines crossing each other to define pixel regions. Thin film transistors are formed at crossing portions of the gate and data lines. Common lines are parallel with the gate lines and common electrodes project from the common lines parallel with the data lines. Pixel electrodes connected with drain electrodes of the thin film transistors are formed in the pixel regions between the parallel common electrodes. A first common voltage supplying line applies a first common voltage or a second common voltage to a closed circuit formed by grouping the adjacent odd numbered common lines. A second common voltage supplying line applies the second common voltage or the first common voltage to a closed circuit formed by grouping the adjacent even numbered common lines.
US08670082B2 Thin film transistor, display device and liquid crystal display device
A thin film transistor, a display device and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode film onto which light from a light source is irradiated, a semiconductor film formed on the gate electrode film and on an opposite side to the light source side through an insulating film, first and second electrode films formed to be in electrical contact with the semiconductor film, and a first shielding film formed in a same layer as the gate electrode film and electrically isolated from the gate electrode film, wherein the first shielding film overlaps a part of the semiconductor film as seen from the light irradiation direction and also overlaps at least a part of the first electrode film as seen from the light irradiation direction.
US08670078B2 Two-sided remote control
A remote control is described that with at least two faces that have at least one touch-based input. The remote control also includes an orientation sensor that determines the orientation of the remote control. A processor on the remote ignores signals from inputs on certain faces of the remote based upon the orientation of the remote control.
US08670074B2 Projector, projection method, and storage medium storing program
A projector includes an input unit which inputs an image signal, a projection unit which projects an achromatic luminance image and a chromatic image on the basis of the image signal input by the input unit, an image processing unit which performs a sharpening processing to emphasize a high-frequency component in the image signal in accordance with a sharpening parameter to the image signal input by the input unit, and a projection control unit which controls a luminance image projection time of the luminance image for the chromatic image projected in the projection unit, a value of the sharpening parameter and the luminance image projection time being associated with each other.
US08670073B2 Method and system for video noise filtering
A video processing device may compare a pixel or group of pixels of a current video picture to a pixel or group of pixels of a previous video picture. The video processing device may generate a motion vector for the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture based on the comparison. The video processing device may determine an amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture. The video processing device may adjust the determined amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels based on the generated motion vector and based on a brightness value.
US08670067B2 Camera apparatus including supporting block with filling groove for adhesive agent
Disclosed herein is a camera apparatus, including: a lens block having an image capturing lens provided therein; a substrate having an image pickup element mounted thereto; a housing for accommodating therein the lens block and the substrate; and a supporting block for supporting the substrate so that the image pickup element and the image capturing lens face each other by bonding thereto the substrate by using an adhesive agent, wherein the supporting block has a side surface making a right angle with an adhesion surface to which the substrate is bonded, and a bottom surface parallel with the adhesion surface on the adhesion surface, and a filling groove which is filled with the adhesive agent is formed in the supporting block.
US08670053B2 Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method of solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device, includes: plural unit pixels including a photoelectric conversion portion converting incident light into an electrical signal, and a waveguide having a quadratic curve surface at an inner surface and introducing the incident light to the photoelectric conversion portion.
US08670036B2 Image-based vehicle maneuvering assistant method and system
An image-based vehicle maneuvering assistant method and system are provided in the present invention, in which images captured by a single image sensing device is processed to determine the changes with respect time by a controller having capability of image processing and identification and distance estimation in image space for providing a complete assisting image-information while the carrier is maneuvering. By means of the presented method of the presented invention, the system is capable of generating track of the carrier, view point transformation, and identifying the characteristic object in the image so as to performing the distance estimation. The present invention may be utilized and applied in different kinds of carrier type to solve the problem of guiding of carrier maneuvering, and assist the carrier lane changing, parking assistance and blind spot detection.
US08670033B2 Momentum balance optical scanning for wide field of view optical sensors
A compact momentum-balanced internal optical scanning mechanism is provided for a wide angle camera used in photo reconnaissance and the like, in which a large high resolution but not fully populated array is used to provide full scene coverage with high pixel densities, in which sharpness is maintained and in which the image can be scanned without vibration due to momentum compensation so that the image may be shifted on the focal plane array in such a manner that images focused on a dark portion of the array will move to an active portion of the array, with the sequential read out of the information concatenated into high resolution full scene image data.
US08670027B1 Modified scanner pen
A modified scanner pen comprising a microprocessor; a scanner with an on/off button, an audio recorder with an on/off button, an audio speaker, a video camera recorder with an on/off button; a secure digital (SD) slot; and a universal serial bus (USB) slot which stores date which can be reviewed.
US08670026B2 Video display apparatus capable of viewing videos by a plurality of persons using a plurality of shutter eyeglasses and method for controlling same
The video display apparatus is provided that the breaking up of the video image should not be viewed by users when the frame rate of video content items is changed in association with the change in the number of viewed content items. The video display apparatus, which is capable of viewing a plurality of video content items using the shutter eyeglasses, controls the plurality of video content items by time-division, and performs the shutter control of the shutter eyeglasses in association with the display videos. When the number of video content items which are to be viewed is changed, the control section controls the shutters of all of the shutter eyeglasses so that they close for the frame period of the video content items that are first output after a change of the frame rate.
US08670020B2 Multi-dimensional staring lens system
Infrared stationary lens systems for performing multi-dimensional scans of scenes are provided. Systems illustratively include a stationary lens, a first scan mirror, a second scan mirror, and at least one actuator. The stationary lens transmits infrared light and has an optical axis. The first scan mirror has a first axis and pivots about the first axis to direct images of a scene to the stationary lens along a first dimension. The second scan mirror has a second axis and is located in an optical path between the first scan mirror and the stationary lens. The second scan mirror pivots about the second axis to direct images of the scene to the stationary lens along a second dimension. At least one actuator controls the first and the second scan mirrors such that the first and the second scan mirrors step and stare across the multi-dimensional scan of the scene.
US08670013B2 Light scanning device, light scanning device production method, and color image forming apparatus
A light scanning device includes a semiconductor laser which emits a laser beam in response to an image forming signal, an optical deflector which scans the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser in a main scanning direction, and a liquid crystal deflecting element which changes the scanning position of the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser while desynchronized with output of the image forming signal, thereby to correct the scanning position of the laser beam in a sub-scanning direction.
US08670011B2 Erasing apparatus and image erasing method
In general, according to an embodiment, an erasing section erases the image on the sheet. A first conveying path conveys the sheet fed from a sheet feeding section and is provided with a reading section and a discharge section downstream of the reading section in a sheet conveying direction. A second conveying path is branched from the first conveying path downstream of the reading section in the sheet conveying direction and upstream of the discharge section in the sheet conveying direction. The second conveying path merges with the first conveying path upstream of the reading section in the sheet conveying direction and is provided with the erasing section. A sorting member, which is located at a branch point at which the second conveying path is branched from the first conveying path. A recording section is located on the first conveying path and records count information indicative of an erase count.
US08670006B2 Local dimming driving method and device of liquid crystal display device
A local dimming driving method of the LCD device includes divisionally driving all of a plurality of blocks of a backlight unit using a maximum luminance signal and measuring luminance per block, setting one of the plurality of blocks as a reference block, detecting luminance deviations between the reference block and the residual blocks, and setting an offset value per block for compensating for the detected luminance deviations per block, analyzing an input image in units of blocks corresponding to the plurality of blocks of a backlight unit respectively, detecting a representative value per block, and determining a dimming value per block according to the representative value per block, correcting the dimming value per block using the offset value per block, and controlling the luminance of the backlight unit on a block-by-block basis using the corrected dimming value per block.
US08670005B2 Method and system for reducing dynamic false contour in the image of an alternating current plasma display
The present invention discloses a method for and a system for reducing the dynamic false contour in the image of an alternating current plasma display. The method includes the following steps: dividing each frame image into multiple subfields; accounting the number and the probability of the dynamic false contour appeared in each frame image; based on the result of the accounting, carrying out an optimized coding for the pixel data of each frame image, and if there is an error generated by the optimized coding, diffusing the error generated by the optimized coding into neighboring pixels.
US08669996B2 Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device includes an image generation unit generating a computer graphics image on the basis of computer graphics description data, an image mapping unit texture-mapping an input image to a surface of a computer graphics object drawn by the image generation unit, and a coordinate setting unit undergoing a change manipulation of a texture coordinate and storing contents of the change manipulation, in which the image mapping unit performs texture mapping by a text coordinate which is changed on the basis of contents of the change manipulation which are stored in the coordinate setting unit when texture-mapping the input image to the surface of an object.
US08669995B2 Methods and apparatus for stroke grouping for high-level sketch editing
Attributes of a graphical element are compared to attributes of one or more groups of graphical elements. Responsive to identifying a similarity between the graphical element and a group of graphical elements among the one or more groups, the graphical element is added to the group of graphical elements. The adding enables editing operations performed with respect to the group of graphical elements to result in changes to the graphical element.
US08669994B2 Data visualization methods
A method of creating a graphical representation of data in the form of a heatmap, the method including the steps of: positioning data points on a heatmap for graphical representation, calculating conical data distribution values around a data point based on a data value associated with that data point and rendering the heatmap based on the calculated data distribution values.