Document	Document Title
US08673239B2	Sample collector and test device A sample collector and test device is disclosed. The sample collector and test device may be used together as a diagnostic tool for collecting and assay of analytes contained in a sample. A sample collector is also disclosed which may be used with existing sample containers and or test devices. The sample collector may indicate sample adequacy when a sufficient volume of sample has been collected for assay and may also include a sample retaining feature which retains a portion of expressed sample for confirmatory testing, if desirable. The sample collector may also include a mechanism for expressing sample in a sample collector and/or test device. A test device is also disclosed for retaining and assay of an expressed sample. The disclosed test device may be used with existing sample collectors. In a preferred embodiment, test device is used with a preferred sample collector. Test device may include a locking feature for locking a sample retained on a sample collector or test device may be used to receive expressed sample collected from a syringe or another suitable sample delivery device.
US08673236B2	Water soluble film based matrix to collect samples extracted from living species The invention relates to a water soluble film based matrix for collecting blood samples, urine samples, serum samples or any other type of samples extracted from living species; so as to avoid cross infection or spillage of samples during transportation of said samples. These samples can then used for further detection of virus, bacteria, finding new molecules, diagnosing genes or extraction of DNA. Also, said matrix will dissolve during analysis of the sample and thus there will be no disposal problems.
US08673233B2	Solid reactant sheet, solid reactant stack, and fuel cartridge A solid reactant sheet, a solid reactant stack, and a fuel cartridge are provided. The solid reactant sheet comprises an adhesive film and a plurality of solid reaction particles. The adhesive film has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through holes connected between the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of solid reaction particles are adhered to the first surface, and the solid reaction particles react with a reactant for generating a gas. Furthermore, a solid reactant stack and a fuel cartridge are also provided.
US08673232B2	Isothermal tube reactor A tube isothermal chemical reactor (1), comprising a vessel (2) with a central axis (A-A), and an annular tube heat exchanger (40) embedded in a catalytic reaction space, the exchanger (40) comprising a plurality of concentric ranks (10, 11) of tube packs (10a), each of said tube packs comprising parallel tubes (30), a respective heat-exchange fluid feeder (20) and a respective heat-exchange fluid collector (21).
US08673229B2	Compositions containing biosoluble inorganic fibers and micaceous binders Compositions that include a mixture of biosoluble inorganic fibers and a micaceous binder are described. The compositions can be prepared free of refractory ceramic fibers that are respirable but durable in a physiological medium. The compositions are typically in the form of a sheet material or a paste and can be used, for example, as a protective packing material around the pollution control element or as an insulating material in the end cone region in a pollution control device. Sheet materials formed from the compositions have an area of a X-Y plane that decrease less than about 6 percent when heated to about 900° C.
US08673228B2	System for reducing environmental pollutants The system for reducing environmental pollutants according to the present invention comprises: a first water immersion tank for producing strongly alkaline water by receiving a supply of bottom ash, which has been created by and has been accumulated at the bottom of a combustion furnace, and reacting it with water accommodated on its inside; an elimination reaction tank which is provided on a combustion pathway extending from the combustion furnace, and which internally accommodates the strongly alkaline water supplied from the first water immersion tank, and which also eliminates carbon-based compounds contained in exhaust gases which are discharged through the combustion pathway; a sludge-storage tank for receiving and storing sludge which has been produced as a consequence of the elimination reaction within the elimination reaction tank; a first aggregate storage tank for receiving and storing bottom-ash aggregate remaining within the first water immersion tank after the neutralization which follows as a consequence of the production of the strongly alkaline water; and a second water immersion tank for supplying the elimination reaction tank with strongly alkaline water which is produced by reacting water, accommodated on its inside, with a supply of fly ash which has been generated by the combustion furnace and has accumulated in a dust-collecting device on the combustion pathway.
US08673218B2	Bioanalytical instrumentation using a light source subsystem The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems. The capillaries are used to separate molecules that are chemically tagged with appropriate fluorescent or chromophore groups.
US08673215B2	Test device for platelet aggregation detection The invention relates to the test device for platelet aggregation detection comprising: —an element (1) for receiving a blood sample—a capillary tube (3) connected at a first end (31) to said element (1) and at a second end (32) to a pressure lowering device (5) to pump said blood sample through said capillary tube (3)—at least a pair of facing electrodes (8) on the capillary tube—a device for measuring an impedance between said pair of facing electrodes. The invention also relates to a process for using this device, comprising: a) receiving a blood sample and pumping it through the capillar tube (3) b) determining a dynamic change of the value of the impedance between at least one pair of electrodes (8).
US08673211B1	Method to reduce corrosion of aluminum alloys exposed to seawater A method is taught to alleviate some of the expected seawater corrosion of aluminum alloy fuel tanks originating from the chlorides present in seawater through the use of a dicarboxylic acid additive that is added to the aluminum alloy fuel tank when seawater enters the tank.
US08673192B2	Apparatus and methods for fabricating food items Apparatus and methods for fabricating food items include extruding a first hot plastic food mass through multiple passages and co-extruding a second hot plastic food mass through a feed stem received in each of the multiple passages and through nozzles. Each nozzle includes a first portion in communication with the feed stem but not the passage and a second portion in communication with the passage but not the feed stem. The nozzles are rotatable in gearing relation with the drive gear of a servomotor. The co-extruded ropes are conveyed at a linear speed rate less than or equal to the discharge speed from the nozzles, cooled, and cut into individual pieces in the form of peelably separable strands.
US08673178B2	Liquid crystal medium The invention relates to compounds of the formula I in which R0, A0, A1, A2, Z0, Z1, Z2, L1, L2, X, l, m and n have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and to the use thereof in liquid-crystalline media, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more compounds of the formula I in electro-optical liquid-crystal displays.
US08673176B2	Method of reusing micro-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal A method of reusing micro-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystals is provided. The method includes providing a display medium material containing a micro-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal and a dispersant. The display medium material is mixed with a solvent to form a mixture having a temperature of between 40° C. and 60° C. A centrifugal process is performed to the mixture for separating the micro-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal and the dispersant. Then, the dispersant and the solvent are removed to obtain the micro-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal.
US08673174B2	Liquid crystalline polyester fiber and process for production of the same A liquid crystalline polyester fiber which exhibits a half width of endothermic peak (Tm1) of 15° C. or above as observed in differential calorimetry under heating from 50° C. at a temperature elevation rate of 20° C./min and a strength of 12.0 cN/dtex or more; and a process for production of the same. A liquid crystalline polyester fiber which is excellent in abrasion resistance and lengthwise uniformity and is improved in weavability and quality of fabric and which is characterized by a small single-fiber fineness can be efficiently produced without impairing the characteristics inherent in fabric made of liquid crystalline polyester fiber produced by solid phase polymerization, namely, high strength, high elastic modulus and excellent thermal resistance.
US08673169B2	Lubricant composition for refrigerating machine A lubricating oil composition for refrigerator is provided by adding base oil with biphenols selected from 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butyl-phenol), 2′2-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol) and 4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol).
US08673165B2	Sidewall image transfer process with multiple critical dimensions Embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a semiconductor device in a sidewall image transfer process with multiple critical dimensions. The method includes forming a multi-level dielectric layer over a plurality of mandrels, the multi-level dielectric layer having a plurality of regions covering the plurality of mandrels, the plurality of regions of the multi-level dielectric layer having different thicknesses; etching the plurality of regions of the multi-level dielectric layer into spacers by applying a directional etching process, the spacers being formed next to sidewalls of the plurality of mandrels and having different widths corresponding to the different thicknesses of the plurality of regions of the multi-level dielectric layer; removing the plurality of mandrels in-between the spacers; and transferring bottom images of the spacers into one or more layers underneath the spacers.
US08673152B2	Methods for polishing wastewater utilizing a bed of commingled bauxite residue and iron filings Wastewater treatment systems, methods and apparatus for polishing a wastewater stream comprising a plurality of contaminants are provided. One system includes a vessel containing a plurality of natural media filtration agents selected to remove selected ones of the plurality of contaminants from the wastewater stream. In one embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of bauxite residue and at least one other natural media filtration agent. In another embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of compost and at least one other natural media filtration agent. The vessel includes a wastewater inlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents. The vessel includes a wastewater outlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents.
US08673148B2	Multifiltration cartridge filtration apparatus A filtration apparatus is provided comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of spirally wound filtration cartridges. The filtration cartridges include two filter layers, a feed spacer layer and a permeate spacer layer. Seals are provided to prevent admixtures of feed and permeate and to permit recovery of permeate.
US08673145B2	System for treating faeces An apparatus for the treatment of faeces, includes a tank (200) for housing faeces that has been subjected to treatment. There is a process vessel (202) in which the faeces is treated and which is located inside the tank (200) having an inlet (204) for feeding faeces into the process vessel (202). A rotary device (300) is provided for stirring the faeces in the process vessel (202) and for introducing oxygen into the faeces, which is operable in two modes of operation at different speeds of rotation. A partitioning member (212) separates the interior of the process vessel in a lower (216) and an upper (218) portion, while at the same time allowing communication between the lower and upper portions. The rotary device (300) is arranged to at least cause a suction of material mainly from the lower compartment in a first mode of operation and into the rotary device.
US08673144B2	Flow rate control A liquid sample is prepared at a preparation site and then processed, e.g. in an HPLC column. The sample is prepared and conveyed to the device at a flow rate which is substantially less than the flow rate through the device. The different flow rates are preferably provided by variable rate working fluid supplies which drive the sample from the preparation site and through the device.
US08673141B2	Oil filter device The present invention provides a suction oil filter device for an engine or a transmission that has an oil inlet and an oil outlet on the filter housing, a suction oil pump connectable to the oil outlet, using which a partial vacuum may be generated between oil inlet and oil outlet, a fine filter medium and an ultrafine filter medium, which are situated between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The fine filter medium is attached to the oil inlet or to the oil outlet, and the ultrafine filter medium is situated before the fine filter medium in the flow direction and in a secondary flow area of the filter housing. A high filtration performance may thus be achieved at low production outlay.
US08673133B2	Process, method, and system for removing heavy metals from fluids Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.
US08673131B2	Integrated sequence of methods for extracting and processing extra-heavy or bituminous crude oil with CO2 capture The present invention relates to a method of preparing synthetic crude oil from a heavy crude reservoir, comprising: (a) extracting the heavy crude oil using a steam technology; (b) separating the crude extracted and the water; (c) separating the crude into at least one light cut and one heavy cut; (d) converting said heavy cut to a lighter product and a residue; (e) optionally, partially or totally hydroprocessing the converted product and/or the light cut(s) obtained upon separation (c); (f) burning and/or gasifying the conversion residue in the presence of metal oxides in at least one chemical looping cycle producing CO2-concentrated fumes in order to allow CO2 capture, the optionally hydroprocessed converted product and light separation cut(s) making up the synthetic crude oil, said combustion allowing to generate steam and/or electricity, and said gasification allowing to generate hydrogen, the steam and/or the electricity thus generated being used for extraction (a), and/or the electricity and/or the hydrogen thus generated being used for conversion (d) and/or hydroprocessing (e).
US08673129B2	High-throughput cavitation and electrocoagulation apparatus The invention relates to a cavitation and electrocoagulation reactor comprising a hollow cylindrical cathode having a cylindrical anode coaxially disposed therein to form an annular interelectrode gap between the contact surfaces. An inlet sleeve and an outlet sleeve disposed in the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode and abutting against opposite ends of the anode seal the interelectrode gap from the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode. A set of channels disposed in the wall of the inlet sleeve connect the inlet to the interelectrode gap. Similarly, a set of openings disposed in the outlet sleeve connect the interelectrode gap to the cathode outlet. An electrical source has first and second terminals respectively connected to the anode and the cathode. The method for removing contaminants from a contaminated fluid flow involves the simultaneous application of hydrodynamic cavitation and electrocoagulation to the contaminated fluid flow.
US08673119B2	Photovoltaic panel-interfaced solar-greenhouse distillation systems A hybrid photovoltaic panel-interfaced solar-greenhouse distillation technology is provided that is capable of utilizing solar waste heat to perform liquid distillation while co-generating solar electricity. Solar waste heat co-generated at a photovoltaic panel is effectively utilized by in situ distillation liquid as an immediate heat sink in thermo contact with the photovoltaic panel front surface, thus providing beneficial cooling of the photovoltaic panel and co-making of distillation products while generating electricity with significant improvement on total-process solar energy utilization efficiency. Its enabled beneficial utilization of waste heat can provide a series of distillation-related products such as: freshwater, sea salts, distilled water, hot water, hot steam, saline/brine products, and brine photobiological cultures for production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts, in addition to solar electricity.
US08673114B2	Method for producing a watermark element, watermark element, and also applications According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a watermark element (10) for forming a shadow watermark image in a substrate by means of dewatering of a fibrous suspension, wherein the watermark element (10) comprises a body with a relief side (12) having a relief (14) and a dewatering side (16) positioned opposite the relief side, perforations (18) being provided at least in the relief (14), a perforation (18) comprising a channel (20) with a channel inlet (21) at the relief side (12) and a channel outlet (22) at the dewatering side (16), which method includes the steps of forming perforations in a body in a mechanical manner and introducing a relief in the intended relief side, the perforations (18) being formed in such a way that the dewatering capacity, expressed as the open surface area of the channel inlet(s) per unit of surface area of the relief, is dependent on the height (h) of the channel inlet (21) with respect to the dewatering side (16), it being the case that the higher the height, the lower the dewatering capacity.
US08673104B2	Fabricating method of liquid crystal display device A method of fabricating an LCD device is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes combining a first substrate having thin film transistors with a second substrate having black matrices and color filters using a sealant. Also, the method includes: forming an absorbent layer which is positioned to overlap with an edge of the sealant and burned by a laser; curing the sealant partially covered with the absorbent layer by irradiating UV light; burning the absorbent layer using a laser beam; and cutting the sealant through the burnt absorbent layer and the second substrate opposite to the absorbent layer using a scriber.
US08673102B2	Inflatable structure and method of manufacture A method of thermoforming an inflatable structure of dissimilar materials includes the steps of providing a first sheet formed of a first material and a second sheet formed of a second material different than the first material, the second sheet being spaced from the first sheet, and a valve being positioned between the first and second sheets; heating the first and second sheets to a temperature above their glass transition temperature and below their melting point; bonding the first and second sheets together in a mold having an opposed pair of cavities to form an inflatable structure having a seal around a periphery thereof, the valve extending through the seal and being in fluid communication with an interior and exterior of the inflatable structure; and trimming excess material from the periphery of the inflatable structure.
US08673094B2	Case hardening steel and manufacturing method thereof A case hardening steel includes by mass %, C: 0.1% to 0.5%, Si: 0.01% to 1.5%, Mn: 0.3% to 1.8%, S: 0.001% to 0.15%, Cr: 0.4% to 2.0%, Ti: 0.05% to 0.2%, Al: limited to 0.2% or less, N: limited to 0.0050% or less, P: limited to 0.025% or less, O: limited to 0.0025% or less, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the number d of sulfide having an equivalent circle diameter more than 5 μm per 1 mm2 and a mass percentage [S] of S satisfy: d≦500×[S]+1.
US08673092B2	Outer member of constant speed universal joint An outer member of a constant velocity universal joint suppresses occurrences of cracking in a joining portion and has stable quality. The outer member includes a cup section having track grooves formed therein, and a shaft section having one end coupled to a bottom portion of the cup section. By joining members having different carbon contents and performing induction hardening on the members, a hardening heat-affected portion affected by the induction hardening, a hardening heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the induction hardening, a joining heat-affected portion affected by heat generated during the joining, and a joining heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the heat generated during the joining are formed. A martensitic structure is eliminated from the hardening heat-unaffected portion of the high carbon content member and is the joining heat-affected portion at an end portion including a joining end surface that is to be joined to the low carbon content member.
US08673080B2	Temperature controlled showerhead A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger.
US08673079B2	Film deposition apparatus and substrate processing apparatus A film deposition apparatus includes: a turntable; a first reaction gas supply part and a second reaction gas supply part extending from a circumferential edge toward a rotation center of the turntable; and a first separation gas supply part provided between the first and second reaction gas supply parts. A first space contains the first reaction gas supply part and has a first height. A second space contains the second reaction gas supply part and has a second height. A third space contains a first separation gas supply part and has a height lower than the first and second heights. A motor provided under the rotation center of the turntable rotates the turntable. A rotation shaft of the turntable and a drive shaft of the motor are coupled without generation of slip.
US08673073B2	Methods for purifying metallurgical silicon A method for purifying silicon bearing materials for photovoltaic applications includes providing metallurgical silicon into a crucible apparatus. The metallurgical silicon is subjected to at least a thermal process to cause the metallurgical silicon to change in state from a first state to a second state, the second stage being a molten state not exceeding 1500 Degrees Celsius. At least a first portion of impurities is caused to be removed from the metallurgical silicon in the molten state. The molten metallurgical silicon is cooled from a lower region to an upper region to cause the lower region to solidify while a second portion of impurities segregate and accumulate in a liquid state region. The liquid state region is solidified to form a resulting silicon structure having a purified region and an impurity region. The purified region is characterized by a purity of greater than 99.9999%.
US08673068B2	Device for inactivating and finely filtering viruses and microorganisms in a flow of air This device for inactivating and finely filtering viruses and microorganisms in a flow of air is intended for cleaning air or gas. The device includes a high voltage power supply (4) and the following components arranged in series in the direction of flow: a unit (1) for pre-treating a flow of air, a two-section inactivation chamber (2) and a precipitator (3). The pre-treating unit (1) consists of oppositely charged conductive filtering elements (7, 7′). The first conductive filtering element (7) in the direction of flow is in the form of a cylindrical electrode (6) and a plate (9) which is made of a current conductive, highly porous material and is positioned at a distance from the free end face of the cylindrical electrode (6). A needle electrode (8), electrically associated with the plate (9), is adjacent to said plate. The base of the cylindrical electrode is in the form of a plate (7) which is made of a conductive, porous and permeable material and is adjacent to a plate (5) made of a dielectric, highly porous permeable material. The needle electrode is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical electrode and the point of the needle electrode is oriented towards the dielectric plate. The cylindrical and needle electrodes are connected to opposite poles of the power supply. The device makes it possible to increase the operational efficiency of the device.
US08673066B2	Dust-removing method In a porous filter, dust that has been collected from a gas through a filter group installed in a vessel body onto filter surfaces is removed from the filter surfaces by backwashing in which the supply and stoppage of a high-pressure gas ejected toward porous filter elements are repeated by means of a valve operation. Backwash tanks having upstream backwash valves and downstream backwash valves are installed in backwash pipes through which the high-pressure gas is guided from high-pressure-gas supply equipment to backwash nozzles for ejecting the backwash high-pressure gas toward the filter group to form a backwash high-pressure-medium supply line. The outlet pressure of the high-pressure-gas supply equipment is set to “1/critical pressure ratio” or more times a filter inlet gas pressure so that the flow speed of the high-pressure gas ejected from the backwash nozzle is the speed of sound or higher.
US08673061B2	Methods for facilitating use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by removal of same, related compounds, or associated odors Several embodiments of the invention relate to methods for removing compositions comprising dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. In several embodiments, systems including activated carbon filters, adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies are provided in order to perform said methods. In some embodiments the systems and methods facilitating the treatment of traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, atherosclerosis, spinal cord trauma, and neurodegenerative illnesses with compositions comprising DMSO.
US08673055B2	Improving the recovery of precious metals from recalcitrant refractory ore The invention provides a novel process for improving the recovery of precious metals from recalcitrant refractory ores by the use of hydrofluoric acid dissolved in ionic liquids. The solution of hydrogen fluoride gas in an ionic liquid is contacted with dry crushed ore at a temperature and for a period of time commensurate with the fracturing of a specific recalcitrant refractory ore. The excess ionic liquid is separated from the ore and the fractured ore is further treated with dilute sodium cyanide solution to extract precious metals in greater yields.
US08673053B2	Method of hardening an interface of carbon material using nano silicon carbide coating Disclosed is a method for hardening an interface of a carbon material by using nano silicon carbide coating. A carbon material-aluminum composite prepared by the disclosed method is light in weight, and has a high dynamic strength, and thus can be applied to currently used cars and aluminum wheels. Furthermore, the composite can be utilized as a material for aircrafts, spacecraft, ships, etc. requiring a high strength.
US08673048B2	Magnetic separation of iron from aluminum or magnesium alloy melts Iron impurities may be removed from volumes of molten aluminum or magnesium metals or alloys by applying a static magnetic field gradient to each of the molten metal volumes, or melts. The magnetic field gradient is applied to each of the melts so that separate-phase iron impurities suspended therein will move in the direction of the applied magnetic field and become concentrated in a predetermined region of the of the melts, thereby forming an iron-rich region. The remaining iron-depleted region of each of the melts can be physically separated from the as-formed iron-rich region and cast into shaped articles of manufacture or into semi-finished articles for further processing. Such articles will have a lower iron-content than the original molten metal volumes.
US08673045B2	Cordierite aluminum magnesium titanate compositions and ceramic articles comprising same Disclosed are ceramic bodies comprised of composite cordierite aluminum magnesium titanate ceramic compositions and methods for the manufacture of same.
US08673039B2	Enhanced vane bundle design An enhanced vane bundle design that provides additional inlet chord area. An enhanced vane bundle for use in separator vessels includes top and bottom convexly-curved outlet baffles that extend horizontally from the outlet-side of the vane pack, the outlet baffles including a plurality of corresponding holes. The enhanced vane bundle further includes curved plates affixed to the convexly-curved outlet baffles, the curved plates and the convexly-curved outlet baffles define vertical pockets that extend vertically through an entirety of an outlet chord area on an outlet side of the enhanced vane bundle. The enhanced vane bundle further includes a plurality of tubes connecting the corresponding holes of the outlet baffles and extending vertically through the entirety of the outlet chord area.
US08673036B2	Quench chamber assembly for a gasifier A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A quench chamber having a liquid coolant is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube couples the combustion chamber to the quench chamber. The syngas is directed from the combustion chamber to the quench chamber via the dip tube to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. A draft tube surrounds the dip tube such that an annular passage is formed between the draft tube and the dip tube. An asymmetric or symmetric faceted baffle is disposed proximate to an exit path of the quench chamber. The cooled syngas is directed through the annular passage and impacted against the baffle so as to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas before the cooled syngas is directed through the exit path.
US08673035B2	Solar-thermal reaction processing In an embodiment, a method of conducting a high temperature chemical reaction that produces hydrogen or synthesis gas is described. The high temperature chemical reaction is conducted in a reactor having at least two reactor shells, including an inner shell and an outer shell. Heat absorbing particles are included in a gas stream flowing in the inner shell. The reactor is heated at least in part by a source of concentrated sunlight. The inner shell is heated by the concentrated sunlight. The inner shell re-radiates from the inner wall and heats the heat absorbing particles in the gas stream flowing through the inner shell, and heat transfers from the heat absorbing particles to the first gas stream, thereby heating the reactants in the gas stream to a sufficiently high temperature so that the first gas stream undergoes the desired reaction(s), thereby producing hydrogen or synthesis gas in the gas stream.
US08673023B2	Method for preparing a coloring composition A method for manufacturing a coloring agent for keratin fibers from a first composition A and a second composition B is provided. The method comprises directing the first composition A from a container A by a filler apparatus through an inlet opening into a second container B containing the second composition B. In container B, as a result of the introduction of composition A and/or the action of the filler apparatus, at least one exit opening is formed out of which the coloring agent for keratin fibers exits from container B as a mixture of compositions A and B.
US08673003B1	Method for improving the early detection of breast cancer and device therefor A device for improving the early detection of a malignant breast cancer tumor in the breast of a human being includes a foreign body implant which is shaped and dimensioned to imitate a breast tumor. The foreign body implant is implanted in the breast of a human being and provides a tactile standard with which to compare a possible actual breast cancer tumor. During periodic breast self examination, the human being feels the foreign body implant to reinforce a tactile memory of what breast tumors feel like.
US08672991B2	Delivery and recovery sheaths for medical devices A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter. The proximal ends of the inner catheter and recovery sheath include handle portions having snap mechanisms which hold the components together as the recovery system is being advanced into the patient's vasculature.
US08672988B2	Method and device for local cooling within an organ using an intravascular device A method is disclosed for cooling a limited portion of a body organ by placing a cooling device into a blood vessel within a target organ; and activating the cooling device to cool tissue proximate the cooling device to a temperature below +34 degrees Centigrade. The blood vessel can be a vein or an artery and the cooling device can be a fixed diameter catheter or it can include a balloon. More particularly, the method of cooling can provide a method for treating injured ischemic and infarcted tissue by placing a device capable of passage through the vasculature into a target organ, wherein the device is capable of providing sufficient thermal exchange at a working region thereof to cool adjacent tissue; and activating the device to cool adjacent tissue to a temperature in the range of 0 degrees Centigrade to +36 degrees Centigrade. The method can further include placement of a second device capable of passage through the vasculature into the target organ, wherein the second device is capable of at least partially removing a blockage from a blood vessel.
US08672986B2	Device for temporarily splinting toes A device for temporarily splinting toes, especially for the treatment of hammertoes and other defective positions of toes, consisting of a tube composed of a bio-absorbable material and a guide wire. The tube has an inner diameter of d, whereas the guide wire has an external diameter D, such that D
US08672981B2	Osteosynthesis plate comprising through-openings which are inclined in relation to the plane of the plate An osteosynthesis plate is described, which is suitable for treating jaw fractures. The osteosynthesis plate has a plane of the plate as well as two plate sections 12, 14 with associated longitudinal axes 16, 18 extending substantially within the plane of the plate and inclined or staggered with respect to one another. Through openings 20, 22 inclined to the plane of the plate are formed in each of the two plate sections 12, 14. The angular alignments of the through openings 20, 22 within the plane of the plate differ with respect to a longitudinal axis 16 serving as reference line from one another by less than approximately 60°. In applications in the jaw region this slight deviation of the angular alignments permits an intraoral securement of the osteosynthesis plate. A transbuccal access through the cheek can thus be dispensed with.
US08672977B2	Device and method for spinous process distraction An implant for maintaining a given minimum inter-spinous-process spacing includes an implant body with a number of segments hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery along a conduit and a curved deployed state. An elongated tightening element is anchored at the distal segment of the implant body and passes along a channel extending along the implant body. Tension applied to the tightening element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the curved deployed state. Preferably, when the tightening element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, a locking arrangement locks the tightening element relative to the implant body, thereby retaining the implant in the curved deployed state. A distal portion of the implant body is preferably formed with a set of lateral projections to inhibit withdrawal of the distal portion between adjacent spinous processes after deployment.
US08672973B2	Facet replacement/spacing and flexible spinal stabilization Spinal stabilization devices for addressing back pain originating in the facet joints and the spinous processes of the vertebrae. One embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped facet implant for insertion between the facets of two successive vertebrae after a desired amount of the articulating surfaces have been resected. The long and flat portion of the T-shaped facet implant is inserted in between the facets and then the wings of the T-shape, also called fixation tabs, are secured to the spine to secure the facet implant into place. The T-shape implant may also be a part of a spinal stabilization system that includes a facet implant, a spinous process spacer, and a flexible connecting member securing the same.
US08672966B2	High-strength suture A surgical suture is made of an elongate, hollow braid of high strength fibers. The braid defines an elongate, longitudinally-extending, central chamber that is open and without any core material extending therein so that, when a surgeon's knot is tied with the suture, the cross-sectional shape of the braid collapses upon itself and is reduced in size in response to pressures experienced when the knot is tightened thereby producing a low profile knot that resists slippage. Preferably, the braid is of a size corresponding to a USP size 5-0 to USP size 7 suture and has one or more, preferably a pair, of color contrasting monofilaments woven therein to enhance suture visibility. Methods of making a flattened suture and of utilizing the high strength suture to maintain body tissues in an engaged position to promote healing are also provided.
US08672965B2	Nucleus replacement based on injectable PVA gels The invention relates to novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gels which gelate in situ and are suitable for nucleus (gel bodies of the intervertebral disks) replacement, and to a process and to an apparatus for administration thereof, to the use thereof and to a vessel which comprises an inventive PVA gel.
US08672961B2	Surgical severing instrument In a surgical severing instrument comprising two cutting jaws movable relative to each other from an open position to a cutting position by means of hand grips movable relative to each other, in order to improve the handling, in particular, of the severed parts, it is proposed that two clamping jaws movable relative to each other from an initial position to a clamping position be arranged alongside the cutting jaws, and that actuators be provided on the surgical severing instrument, which, upon movement of the cutting jaws from the open position to the cutting position, simultaneously move the clamping jaws from their initial position to the clamping position.
US08672957B2	Adhesive patch vascular applicator Apparatus is provided for applying one or more patches to a tubular structure in a body of a patient. The apparatus includes an applicator, which is configured to removably hold the one or more patches, and to place the one or more patches at least partially around the tubular structure. The applicator includes one or more patch supports. Each of the patch supports includes a yielding pad, which is removably coupleable to one of the patches; and a stiff back support structure, to which the yielding pad is fixed. Each of the patch supports is shaped so as to define at least one chamber that itself has a volume of at least 0.5 ml when the patch supports are in respective resting states. Other embodiments are also described.
US08672950B2	Uterus-manipulator A micro-invasive medical instrument includes a shaft and an end balloon on a distal end of the shaft, where the end balloon completely encloses the distal end of the shaft.
US08672949B2	Self-orienting polypectomy snare device A snare device and methods of making and using the same. The snare device may include a sheath having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and a shaft slidably disposed therein. A handle may be coupled to the shaft and disposed adjacent the proximal end region. The snare device may also include a swivel disposed adjacent the distal end region of the sheath and coupled to the shaft and to a snare loop.
US08672943B2	Surgical saw blade device and system A saw blade assembly for use with a driver having an oscillatory drive member comprises an elongate sheath and an elongate monolithic blade. The sheath's proximal end is removably mountable on the driver. The sheath has an open interior which receives the blade. The blade's proximal end is pivotably mounted to the sheath's proximal end. The blade's distal cutting end extends out of the sheath's distal end and is transverse to the blade's central longitudinal axis. When cutting bone, the drive member pivots the blade's cutting end back and forth in an arc about a pivot point at the blade's proximal end while the driver holds the sheath stationary to protect surrounding tissues from the motions of the remainder of the blade. The long pivot radius between the proximal pivot point and the distal cutting end contributes to minimizing the angle of engagement of the cutting end to the bone.
US08672941B2	Coring device for preserving living tissue Improved coring devices suitable for articular cartilage and bone, wherein the cutting device is capable of slicing through a tough protective tangential zone, delicately separating the shock absorbing columns of cells in the radial zone of the cartilage, and finally cutting into the hard underlying bone in a manner that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells. The coring device features an annulus having a flat annular cutting edge interrupted by at least one serration having neutral cutting angles. A method for concurrently removing cartilaginous and bony tissue using an improved coring device that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells.
US08672931B2	Cryosurgical device with metered dose A cryosurgical device and system is provided comprising a pressurized container, a metered valve that regulates the retrieval of a coolant solution stored in the pressurized container and regulates the volume of coolant solution dispensed with each actuation of the device, an actuator that engages the metered valve when engaged, and directs the coolant solution to an extension tube, which directs the coolant solution away from the pressurized container, and an applicator head configuring an open-ended enclosure attached to a distal end of the extension tube.
US08672921B2	Flexible hollow shaft for a medical instrument A flexible shaft to be received in a curved shank of a medical instrument has a hollow shaft having a wall with cuttings therein such that said hollow shaft can also transmit rotary forces in a curved state. Said hollow shaft has a proximal end for coupling to a drive mechanism of a medical instrument and a distal end on which a tool is arranged. In view of tension relief a body extending through an inside of said hollow shaft from said distal end to said proximal end is provided, said body is flexible but is axially inextensible and axially incompressible. In terms of pressure relief said distal end of said hollow shaft is provided with a limit stop which interacts with a limit stop on said medical instrument in such a way that a compression of said hollow shaft beyond a certain extend is blocked.
US08672919B2	Dual balloon catheter assembly A dual balloon catheter assembly and method of use thereof are provided. The dual balloon catheter assembly may be used in a cryoplasty treatment that is provided in combination with eluting an antiproliferative to reduce and/or eliminate vessel fractures, thereby inhibiting proliferative response after angioplasty.
US08672914B2	Absorbent article having a telescoping waist A disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis which includes a front region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a back region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a crotch region having two longitudinal edges wherein said crotch region is disposed between said front and back regions; and at least two side panels extending outwardly from the two opposing longitudinal edges of one or both of the front or back regions and interconnecting said front and the back regions to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings; wherein the article exhibits a pre-application side panel length, Li, and a post-application side panel length, Lf, such that Li is less than Lf.
US08672895B2	Needle guard A needle guard assembly having a resilient arm extending from a base situated to slide along the shaft of a needle. In one implementation the needle guard has an elongate containment member that rides with the resilient arm and is co-operable with the resilient arm to effectuate a covering of the entire distal tip of the needle upon the needle being retracted into the needle guard.
US08672881B2	Syringe set for balloon catheter A syringe holder which is capable of holding a plurality of types of syringes used for expanding a balloon catheter so as to be capable of being detached and attached is proposed. Preferably, a clearance is provided between the syringe holder and the syringe, so that gas can come into sufficient contact therewith during sterilizing treatment. The syringe holder in this arrangement can be formed, for example, by forming a plurality of grooves which are similar to the shape of the syringe and slightly larger than the syringe on a sheet formed of resilient member. Preferably, the shape is devised to prevent dropping off of the syringe from the syringe holder.
US08672868B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring and optimizing blood circulation generated by a pump In a method for the automatic control of blood pumps, an optimization of the blood flow is achieved by periodic speed interventions and flow changes thereby occurring, using a formed differential variable and a control algorithm. In addition, the location of possible flow resistances on the venous or arterial side can be ascertained.
US08672867B2	Cardiopulmonary bypass devices and methods A cardiopulmonary bypass device may include a first tube configured for connection to a vein and a second tube configured for connection to an artery. The device may further include a pump connected between the first and second tubes. In a first mode, the pump may pump fluid in one direction and in a second mode, the pump may pump fluid in the opposite direction. A control unit may be coupled to the pump to control its operation. Lungs may functions as the oxygenator of the cardiopulmonary bypass device.
US08672865B2	Weight-bearing lower extremity brace The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a device and/or system (e.g., redistributing weight away from a subject's foot), which may comprise (a) a platform, (b) at least one vertical support fixed to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and (c) at least one cuff (i) configured to surround and releasably grip at least a portion of a subject's leg other than the foot and (ii) mounted (e.g., adjustably) to the at least one vertical support at a vertical position along the at least one vertical support sufficient to suspend a subject's foot in a non-weight-bearing position above the platform during ambulation, wherein the platform, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one cuff together are configured to bear at least the subject's full weight.
US08672861B2	Cervical cell tissue self-sampling device A device, a kit, and a method of use thereof, for self-administration and collection of cervical cell tissue samples such as for Pap smear testing. The device comprises an insertion tube, within which is carried a movable cervical aligning tool with an aligning probe, and a cellular sampling tool with a cellular adhesion surface. The aligning probe and cellular adhesion surface can be selectively movable relative to the insertion tube to improve accuracy of the testing and user safety.
US08672856B2	System and method for automated diagnosis of myocardial ischemia through remote monitoring A system and method for automated diagnosis of myocardial ischemia through remote monitoring is described. Physiological measures comprising data either recorded on a regular basis by a medical device or derived therefrom is stored. Qualitative measures associated with the physiological measures are matched. Indications of myocardial ischemia are remotely identified. The qualitative measures for both of a reduction in exercise capacity and respiratory distress occurring contemporaneously are examined. The qualitative measures for angina that accompanies the reduction in exercise capacity and the respiratory distress are evaluated. A time course for each of the indications is determined. A patient status is formed comprising an onset of myocardial ischemia conditioned on the time course comprising a short duration.
US08672853B2	Pressure sensor for monitoring a subject and pressure sensor with inflatable bladder Pressure sensing devices for use with an inflatable bladder and monitoring apparatus for an at rest subject are disclosed herein. The device can comprise a housing comprising a recess and configured to be welded in a seam of the inflatable bladder. A pressure sensor can be located within the recess with a sensing side configured to be exposed to the cavity of the inflatable bladder and a reference side configured to be exposed to ambient air. A printed circuit board can be located within the recess and coupled to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is operable to detect a pressure change within the cavity due to a force exerted by a subject on the inflatable bladder.
US08672849B2	Method and apparatus for ultrasonic detection and imaging of hemodynamic information, particularly venous blood flow information A method for ultrasonic detection and imaging of hemodynamic information includes the steps of transmitting ultrasonic pulses into a body, which are generated by an array of electro-acoustic transducers arranged in a predetermined order and design; receiving reflected pulses with an array of receiving electro-acoustic transducers, which generate receive signals upon stimulation of the reflected pulses, the succession of pulses transmitted to or received from the body being focused along one or more scan lines; generating a Doppler frequency shift signal resulting from the reflection of pulses transmitted by a blood flow into a vessel intersected by the scan line, in a point and along the scan line, or along a direction of propagation of a pulse; determining the direction of blood flow velocity from the average frequency value of Doppler shift frequencies; and displaying the direction of blood flow velocity by graphical and/or chromatic representation differentiating opposite directions.
US08672848B2	Method and system for treating cellulite A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. The invention delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, whereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. The invention can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.
US08672840B2	Surgical access system and related methods A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08672834B2	Surgical file system A reciprocating surgical file system for precisely removing bone and/or other tissue is described. The system allows a user to maneuver the system and navigate into hard-to-access sites. The tool may be used to perform a spinal decompression by removing tissue that impinges a spinal nerve.
US08672829B2	Methods and articles for treatment of rectal prolapse Improved methods and devices for treatment of rectal prolapse are provided. A suturing console for suturing the rectal fascia at, to, or about the sacral vertebral fascia is disclosed. A method of repairing prolapsed rectum via a vaginal incision or perineal incision is also disclosed.
US08672827B2	Cardiac device and methods of use thereof Devices and methods are described herein which are directed to the treatment of a patient's heart having, or one which is susceptible to heart failure, to improve diastolic function.
US08672817B2	Exercise system using exercise resistance cables An exercise chair for an exercise system. The exercise system is of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to an exercise chair, and; a handgrip connected to a second end of the exercise resistance cable. The exercise chair includes: a) a chair frame; b) a first force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a first selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of the chair frame; c) a second force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a second selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of the chair frame; d) a third force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a third selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of the chair frame; e) a fourth force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a fourth selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of the chair frame; and, f) means for connecting the first end of a resistance cable to a selected position on the chair frame. The first, second, third and fourth force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at the shoulder and ankle height levels for a selectable exercise using resistance cables.
US08672813B2	Rebounding arena construction systems A trampoline arena system having a reduced non-reboundable area includes a mattress, an outer support element substantially surrounding and connected to an outer edge of the mattress, and an inner support element providing support to the mattress at a location interior from the outer edge of the mattress. The inner support element may be completely and contiguously surrounded by the mattress. The trampoline arena system may include first and second support members in a parallel spaced relationship, a first mattress joined to the first support member by a first plurality of springs such that at least one of the first mattress and the first plurality springs passes under the second support member, and a second mattress joined to the second support member by a second plurality of springs such that at least one of the second mattress and the second plurality of springs passes under the first support member.
US08672811B2	Power generating device connected with exerciser A power generating device includes a power generating unit and a frame, wherein the power generating unit is connected to the frame by two outer casings with two respective arms. The power generating unit has an input shaft and a roller is mounted to the input shaft. The frame is connected to the exerciser and a shock-absorbing member is located beneath the frame. Two resilient members are connected to two ends of the frame and two ends of each resilient member are respectively connected to the frame and the power generating unit so as to urge the roller to contact against the energy transferring end. The shock-absorbing member absorbs vibration from the power generating unit. The users operate the exerciser and generate electric power.
US08672809B2	Engine control apparatus An engine control apparatus capable of performing engine automatic stop includes an engine automatic stop inhibition means configured to inhibit the engine automatic stop after engine restart conditions are satisfied and the engine is restarted until a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, a brake operation detection means configured to detect a presence of increase of the amount of a brake operation in a state of the brake operation being performed after the vehicle has been stopped, and an engine stop control means configured to release inhibition of the engine automatic stop to allow the engine to be automatically stopped, if the brake operation detection means detects presence of increase of the amount of the brake operation while the engine automatic stop is inhibited by the engine automatic stop inhibition means.
US08672806B2	Method for determining a starting speed in a motor vehicle A method for determining a startup gear in a motor vehicle for starting from standstill while maintaining a load limit of the clutch in a the drive train which comprises a drive engine built as an internal combustion engine, a friction clutch, and an automatic stepped transmission. To avoid overloading the clutch, the method determines a load-independent startup gear with which startup would occur under the present starting conditions without considering the current load state of the clutch and without complying with a load limit of the clutch. A load-specific startup gear is determined as the highest startup gear, with which during a startup under the present starting conditions, a predefined load limit of the clutch would be maintained with consideration given to the present load state of the clutch. The startup gear is the lowest of the load-independent startup gear and the at least one load-specific startup gear.
US08672805B2	Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method A hybrid electric vehicle has a first mode in which slippage of a clutch between an electric motor and a driving wheel is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of the electric motor and a second mode in which the slippage of the clutch is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of an engine. When the vehicle is stationary in the first mode, a controller reduces a control setpoint of hydraulic pressure of the clutch from an initial point. The controller identifies a reference point of the control setpoint with which actual output torque of the electric motor becomes unchanged with respect to the reduction of the control setpoint. Then, the controller increases the control setpoint from the reference point at a higher gradient and then a lower gradient, and then sets the control setpoint to a corrected point below the initial point and above the reference point.
US08672797B2	Power train for wind turbine A geared power train (100) for use in a wind turbine application to maximize a step-up ratio within a radial space that is defined by the planetary gearing system ring gear size. The geared power train (100) is configured as a split-compound planetary gearing system with a closed-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a high-torque stage (Stage 1) for receiving driving torque via an input shaft (IN) from a wind turbine, and an open-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a low-torque stage (Stage 2) coupled to the high-torque stage (Stage 1) for delivering the driving torque to an electrical generator via an output shaft (OUT).
US08672796B2	Adjustment device, in particular for a vehicle seat An adjustment device is disclosed for carrying out at least one adjustment function, such as for a motor vehicle seat. The device includes a drive in the form of a planetary gear mechanism. The mechanism has a planet carrier and an output. The output is stopped by a brake device when the drive is not actuated. The planet carrier cooperates with the brake device to release the brake device.
US08672787B2	Drive belt Drive belt (3) including several hundred transverse elements (20) provided on and in sliding relationship with an endless carrier (10) and having a head part (21) that is bent such that it protrudes in longitudinal direction relative to a body part (23) of the elements (20). On average between the transverse elements (20) of the drive belt (3), the longitudinal protrusion LP of the head parts (21) thereof combines to between 4 and 40 times an amount of play present in longitudinal direction between the transverse elements (20) of the drive belt (3) when placed in a circular posture at the radial position of the rocking edges (25).
US08672782B2	Sporting devices and structures having dynamic visual indicia Sporting devices having the ability to provide dynamic indicia are disclosed. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for altering the output of at least one light-emitting/light reflecting device of a sporting device. In one aspect, the selective utilization of dynamic indicia may be implemented in the training or coaching of athletes. In one embodiment, a user input may be received by manipulating a structure traditionally located on a particular type of sporting device or from an external electronic device, including for example, a portable communication device, such as a wireless telephone, media player, tablet, netbook, or notebook computer. Further aspects relate to utilizing sensors to detect a motion parameter of the sporting device and/or an athletic parameter during a selected athletic routine. Certain implementations may utilize data from multiple sporting devices and/or other structures.
US08672778B2	Golf ball Golf ball 2 has a land and numerous dimples 8 on the surface thereof. This dimple 8 has first curved face 14 and second curved face 16. The first curved face 14 is continuous with land 10 at the edge Ed. The second curved face 16 is continuous with the first curved face 14 at the boundary point Pb. The first curved face 14 has ring-shape. The first curved face 14 is projecting upwards. The second curved face 16 has a bowl-shape. The second curved face 16 is projecting downwards. The second curved face 16 has a curvature radius R2 of equal to or greater than 10 mm. The proportion P1 of the depth d1 of the boundary point Pb to the depth de of the dimple 8 is 1% or greater and 10% or less. The mean diameter of the dimple 8 is equal to or greater than 4.0 mm. The proportion P3 of the number of the dimples 8 having a diameter of equal to or greater than 4.3 mm to total number of the dimples 8 is equal to or greater than 30%.
US08672770B2	Stand up swing apparatus A recreational amusement stand-up swing apparatus consisting of a singular bracing member anchored to a stationary overhead object. A coupling link element, akin to a swivel-eye carbiner, for the bracing member to attach thereto, further providing a member for the apparatus to be convieniently removed from the bracing member by way of a side gate portion, and further providing a member for unrestricted spinning rotation by way of a swivel mechanism. An extension spring providing vertical bouncing member, comprising upper and lower connecting portions attached between the coupling link and a connecting agent centrally located on a line separator element. A line element comprising right and left arm portions equidistantly extending through the line separator and further comprising stopping agents thereon. The right and left arm portions respectively attaching to right and left supporting bands located atop a rigid platform element and further providing space for a user's feet to be insertably placed therebetween. The right and left arm portions furthermore including line tightener elements thereon for the purpose of adjusting the height of the apparatus relative to the ground.
US08672766B1	Rol-lee gaming cabinet A compact gaming cabinet that efficiently allows both mechanical reels and LCD flat screen video to operate in tight areas with a unique, high security door design which offers additional protection against tampering while maintaining easy internal cabinet access for improved maintenance and serviceability. Additionally, extra “creature” conveniences are integrated into the cabinet to enhance player comfort.
US08672752B2	Interface for wagering game environments This document describes inter alia a method for presenting an interface on a wagering game machine, where the interface includes a plurality of wagering game icons, and where each of the wagering game icons indicates a wagering game that is available on the wagering game machine. The method can include presenting wagering game icons in an interface, wherein the wagering game icons form a row, and wherein each wagering game icon occupies a position in the row, and detecting a sweeping screen touch on a touch screen. The method can also include shifting, based on the sweeping screen touch, the wagering game icons to different positions in the row, where the shifting causes a wagering game icon at an end position in the row to disappear from the interface, and where the shifting also causes a new wagering game icon to appear at another end position in the row.
US08672749B2	Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating a negative credit balance of a gaming device Apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance.
US08672746B2	Horse-racing simulation wagering game Systems and methods for providing a wagering game which involve providing a plurality of game pieces, intermediate game events, and intermediate game event modifiers for each of the game pieces, wherein each intermediate game event modifier is associated with a distinct intermediate game event; receiving one or more wagers relating to a final game outcome; randomly generating a value for each of the distinct intermediate game events; determining an intermediate game event result for each game piece, wherein the intermediate game event result includes the randomly generated value as modified by the intermediate game event modifier for the distinct intermediate game event; determining a final game outcome for each game piece, wherein the final game outcome is the total of each of the distinct intermediate game event results; and resolving the one or more wagers received based on the final game outcome.
US08672745B2	Gaming machine The present invention is a gaming machine including a display, which shows a plurality of cells indicating a plurality of symbols, and a controller, which selects a cell in a cell-selecting stage provided between a primary game and a secondary game on the display, controls the plurality of symbols in the secondary game and gives a predetermined function to the selected cell in the secondary game and where the selected cells or columns can change position on display during game play but the quantity of selected cells remain fixed for all free spin games of a secondary game.
US08672743B2	Facilitating play of a gaming device in accordance with a contract According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining an identifier associated with a player of a gaming device, determining information indicative of historical game play of the player, and determining, based at least upon the information indicative of the historical game play of the player and the identifier associated with the player, whether the player qualifies for a benefit pursuant to a gaming contract. Some embodiments are directed to receiving an indication of a gaming contract insurance claim associated with a gaming contract of a player, determining information indicative of a subset of historical game play of the player, and determining whether to provide a benefit to the player pursuant to the gaming contract.
US08672738B2	Lottery game having enhanced winnings A multi-matrix lottery game allowing cross-matching between two sets of player indicia against two sets of game indicia drawn by a lottery authority is provided. A player selects one set of indicia from a first set of indicia matrix and another set of indicia from a second set of indicia matrix. The lottery authority determines an winning result by making similar selection from two sets of indicia matrices. The player's prize is determined by matching between indicia from the corresponding sets. The player is entitled to an enhanced prize if there is cross-matching between the player indicia from the first set and the winning indicia from the second set or between the player indicia of the second set and the winning indicia from the first set.
US08672735B2	Land-based, on-line poker system An on-line poker game system includes a poker table staffed with a live dealer with a plurality of designated seats assigned to at least one a remote player and one or more live players or to a plurality of remote players. Remote players connect to the system via a wide area network. Located at each designated seat is a private card camera that transmits images of the face down cards dealt thereto. A public card camera transmits real images of all face up cards dealt on the poker table. A table camera is used to transmit images of all or a portion of poker table and the dealer. A RFID reader, a barcode reader or OCR software program are used to determine the identities of the public and private cards dealt with each hand. The descriptive information for the public and private cards are stored in the game logic server and sent to each remote player display.
US08672734B2	Extraction fan assembly including a damper that closes firmly when the fan is not running and reduces the pressure drop when the fan is running at full speed An extraction fan has a housing mounted in a wall with an outlet duct extending through the wall to an outlet opening outside the wall. A damper flap is mounted on the fan suspended by a hinge at an upper edge so as to extend in a closed position across the opening and is movable to an open position under forward air flow from the fan, and tightly closes against a resilient deformable seal when the fan is shut off. A spring biasing cam applies inwards force to the damper flap to bias the damper flap into the closed position, and an outwards force also to bias the damper flap into the fully open position. The mounting plate includes a hood having a top wall extending over the top of the damper flap and a down-turned front flange extending parallel to the damper flap to a bottom edge.
US08672733B2	Ventilation airflow rate control Airflow rates within a ventilation system are controlled using motor speed or torque and motor electric current or pressure. Fan speed or torque may be varied to compensate for differing restriction in ductwork, and may provide a constant airflow rate over a range of varying airflow restriction. Air handlers or air conditioning units may be mass produced in common configurations, and installed in different buildings or structures with different ductwork configurations. Methods operate a fan motor at a present speed or torque, sample speed or torque, sample current of the fan motor or pressure within the ventilation system, calculate a present airflow rate within the ventilation system, calculate a new input setting using the present airflow rate and a target airflow rate, change the speed or torque to the new input setting, and repeat these steps to converge on the target airflow rate, often avoiding overshoot.
US08672726B2	Methods of completing a remotely controlled model vehicle system with a separate controller Methods of establishing a fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system for a model vehicle. The method includes the steps of transferring a model vehicle, including a receiver for receiving a control signal from a remote control signal source to control operation of the model vehicle, the transfer being from a first party to a second party, and the transfer taking place without the remote control signal source, and the second party providing the remote control signal source following transfer of the model vehicle to the second party to complete the fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system. The transfer from the first party to the second party may be a sale of the model vehicle with the receiver, but without the remote control signal source.
US08672712B2	Shield and circuit board module having the same A shield is made of a conductive material and used to cover a connector fixed to a circuit board. The shield includes a shield body, a contact portion and a lock portion. The shield body covers an outside of the connector. The contact portion projects from the shield body toward inside of the shield body to contact a ground terminal of the connector. The contact portion is elastically deformable and applies a pressing force toward the connector. The lock portion projects from the shield body toward outside of the shield body. The lock portion is brought into contact with the connector by a reaction force exerted to the shield body due to the pressing force, thereby to restrict the shield body from being moved relative to the connector due to the reaction force.
US08672708B2	Connector assembly having a floatable module assembly with a coupling member A connector assembly including a support frame and a module assembly that is movably coupled to the support frame. The module assembly includes first and second connector modules that are positioned adjacent to each other and a coupling member that joins the first and second connector modules. Each of the first and second connector modules is configured to mate with a mating connector along a corresponding mating axis to establish a communicative connection. The coupling member joins the first and second connector modules such that the first and second connector modules move with each other and relative to the support frame. The coupling member permits the first and second connector modules to move relative to each other when the mating connectors engage the first and second connector modules.
US08672706B2	Connector assembly The present invention provides a connector assembly having a small size and preventing a contact between a bolt fastener and a detection member. The connector assembly includes a connector having an inner chamber with an opening and a plurality of connector terminals, a connector receptacle having a plurality of connector receptacle terminals securable together with the connector terminals and a first detection member, and a cover for covering the opening and having a second detection member. When the opening of the inner chamber is covered with the cover, the first detection member and the second detection member are connected together and detect that the cover is covered. The first detection member is disposed between the adjacent connector receptacle terminals. An end surface of the first housing is positioned inwardly of the inner chamber with respect to a surface of a connector electrical contact portion.
US08672703B2	Spring terminal, in particular a front terminal An electrical connector for connecting the bare end of an insulated conductor with a circuit on a printed circuit board, including a horizontal printed circuit board having an electrical circuit thereon, an electrically conductive contact arrangement mounted on, and electrically connected with the circuit of, the printed circuit board, the contact arrangement including at least two spaced resilient contacts having adjacent end portions that are biased together, a housing formed from electrically insulating material and containing a conductor opening for receiving the conductor bare end; and a positioning arrangement operable by an actuating tool for positioning the conductor bare end in a clamped position between the contact end portions. When the contact arrangement is in the form of a pair of leaf spring contacts connected in a V-shaped manner, an adjusting device is provided for adjusting the space between the adjacent ends of the contacts.
US08672702B2	Electrical conductor arrangement as a component of a photovoltaic array An electrical conductor arrangement, particularly as a component of a photovoltaic array. Such an arrangement is designed having a first electrically conductive element, a second electrically conductive element, and an electrically conductive rod which itself has a threading, wherein the two elements are in electrical contact with each other via said rod.
US08672694B2	Protection module for data transmission connector A protection module includes a protective cover having a first main body and an elastic arm, and a cover removing tool having a second main body, at least one elastic engaging pin and a release pin. The first main body has at least one engaging slot and a retaining slot; the elastic arm has a free front end with at least one beveled slot. The release pin is longer than the elastic engaging pin and has a thickness larger than a height of two raised portions in a socket of the data transmission connector, and has an acute-angled beveled free end. The elastic engaging pin has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the engaging slot and has a free end with a retaining block. The protective cover is plugged into the data transmission connector for protecting the same against damages caused by maliciously applied force or improper use of it.
US08672692B2	USB connector A universal serial bus (USB) connector, includes an insertion unit insertable into a USB port; a terminal unit disposed on a portion of a first side of the insertion unit; a connection member to electrically connect the terminal unit and an internal circuit of a terminal body of the USB connector; a reinforcement unit disposed on a second side of the insertion unit to protect the insertion unit; and an insulating unit formed on an exposed surface of the reinforcement unit.
US08672690B2	Electronic connector including grounding part having protrusion interposed between terminal connecting parts An electronic connector includes a plurality of pairs of terminal parts for transmitting an electric signal; and grounding parts shaped like plates and connected to have a ground potential, wherein the grounding parts have protrusions protruding on a side of the pairs of terminal parts, and the protrusions are respectively interposed between the pairs of terminal parts which are adjacent to each other.
US08672686B2	Methods, media, and systems for computer-based learning Methods, systems, and media for computer-based learning are provided. In some embodiments, methods for leaching a student in a computer-based learning environment are provided, the methods comprising: identifying a concept to be taught to the student; accessing a learning profile for the student, wherein the learning profile identifies at least one category of content as being more successful than other categories in teaching the student; selecting content based on the student learning profile, the concept to be taught, and a categorization of the content; and presenting the content to the student.
US08672681B2	System and method for conditioning a child to learn any language without an accent A system for conditioning a child to learn any language without an accent, contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: separating from a full International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) set, a native language IPA, resulting in a derivative set, wherein the native language is at least one native language of the child; sequencing the derivative set according to aspects of the derivative set, wherein aspects are selected from the group including consonants, vowels, and tones, resulting in a sequenced derivative set; selecting words in foreign languages that use at least one aspect of the sequenced derivative set each; embedding the selected words in an easy to follow format, in the native language of the child; and playing the easy to follow format with the embedded words according to the prior determined sequence of the sequenced derivative set.
US08672680B2	Tactile relief films, decals and stickers for indicating object characteristics A system and method of tactile relief stickers, decals or moldings to indicate object characteristics, for example to indicate object color. The system can include a plurality of stickers. Each sticker can have a first surface with a relief texture and a second surface opposite the first surface. Each sticker can also have a relief texture corresponding to a color according to a predetermined correspondence of one texture to one color. The second surface can have an adhesive applied thereto.
US08672675B2	Firing tray A firing tray for a furnace for dental ceramics having a plate for the placement on it of the firing material, wherein the plate is made as a base for the improvement of the application possibilities and the firing tray has additional wall elements which are designed for the placement on them of a further firing tray for the forming of a stack.
US08672668B2	Device for producing closures The invention relates to a device (1) for producing hinged closures out of plastic. The device (1) has a prismatic central block (3) which can be rotated about a rotational axis (2), said block being arranged between a first and a second molding plate (4, 5). The first and the second molding plates (4, 5) are movable in relation to the central block (3) in a first direction, and in a closed position, form a plurality of cavities in the area of a first and a second parting plane. The device has a handling system (14) used to remove and transport the hinged closures onto a capping device (16) in accordance with their layout.
US08672663B2	Imprint apparatus and article manufacturing method An imprint apparatus of the present invention that molds and cures an imprint material on a substrate using a mold to form a pattern on the substrate. The imprint apparatus includes a supply unit configured to supply a gas into a gap between the imprint material on the substrate and the mold. The supply unit is configured to supply a mixed gas in which a permeable gas, which permeates at least one of the mold, the imprint material and the substrate, and a condensable gas, which is liquefied under a pressure generated by the molding, is mixed with each other.
US08672662B2	Plastic extruder The invention relates to a device (1) for extruding thermoplastic material, having an extruder housing (22) in which an extruder screw (22) driven by a drive device (23) is supported rotatably about the axis thereof, said housing comprising an intake opening (24) to which a plastic material feeder (3) is connected, said feeder comprising at least one air inlet opening (36), wherein the extruder housing (22) comprises at least one vapor outlet opening (41) upstream of the intake opening (24) and an air/vapor path (28) is defined from the intake opening (24) to the vapor outlet opening (41).
US08672661B2	Imprint apparatus and article manufacturing method An imprint apparatus that includes a holding unit, and performs an imprint process, including molding of an imprint material on a substrate held by the holding unit using a mold, curing of the molded imprint material, and releasing of the cured imprint material from the mold, to form a pattern on the substrate. The apparatus includes a first cure device configured to perform a first cure process for the imprint material molded by the mold prior to the releasing; and a second cure device configured to perform a second cure process for the imprint material on the substrate conveyed out from the holding unit after the releasing.
US08672658B2	Vane pump with improved rotor and vane extension ring A fluid vane pump having a housing with a generally cylindrically walled control volume with an inlet and outlet. A rotor is provided having a rotatable axis within the cylindrical wall control volume. The rotor has a plurality of radially movable vanes operating with the cylindrical wall. A single vane ring is provided which operates with the rotor having an outer radial surface contacting the inner radial edges of the vanes.
US08672651B2	Fuel pump module with driver equipped inside fuel tank Provided is a fuel pump module used for a car, and more particularly, to a fuel pump module with a driver equipped inside a fuel tank capable of solving a problem of space limitation due to the installation of the driver by disposing the driver for controlling a BLDC fuel pump between a flange and a reservoir and mounting it in the fuel tank, minimizing the degradation in performance of the BLDC fuel pump caused by voltage drop and efficiency degradation due to a wire by reducing a length of a wire for electrically connecting the driver with the BLDC fuel pump, and achieving a sufficient heat radiation effect by directly transferring the heat energy generated from electrical devices such as FET, MCU, or the like, mounted in the driver to the fuel in the fuel tank through the case cover.
US08672650B2	Cooling fan A cooling fan includes a housing and a motor. The housing includes a support portion, a cover portion and a lateral wall portion. The lateral wall portion is disposed between the cover portion and the support portion, and the lateral wall portion, support portion and the cover portion define a compartment, with the lateral wall portion having at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet penetrating through the lateral wall portion and communicating with the compartment. The motor is mounted inside the compartment of the housing and contains a stator and a impeller, with the impeller rotatably mounting to the stator. The motor further contains a hub with a top and a plurality of blades, with the top facing the cover portion, with the top and the cover portion delimiting a lateral flow path in the compartment, and with each blade being contained in the lateral flow path.
US08672649B2	Ceiling fan system with brushless motor A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. The motor is coupled with the hub by a hollow drive shaft, such that the drive system of the fan system is gearless. The motor is controlled by a PFC-based control module, which is in communication with sensors that are configured to sense parameters associated with operation of the fan system. The control module is configured to react in certain ways to certain conditions detected by the sensors, such that the fan system uses feedback-based control algorithms. A remote control panel is in communication with the control module. The remote control panel is operable to display fault conditions detected by the sensors. Blade retainers prevent fan blades from falling when a fan blade breaks free from the hub. Pins prevent the hub from falling when the hub breaks free from the rotor.
US08672638B2	Air turbine starter A blade profile section for an air turbine starter includes an airfoil which defines an airfoil profile section through a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil profile section is defined by a set of X-coordinates and Z-coordinates defined in any of Table I, Table II, Table III or Table IV scaled by a desired factor. The X-coordinate is the tangential direction, and the Z-coordinate is a axial direction between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
US08672636B2	Method for manufacturing braided preforms The present invention relates to an automatic method for manufacturing a stator or rotor blade preform for a turbine engine, comprising at least the following successive steps: a) a step for the helical braiding of a plurality of interlocked tubular braids (1), called nested braids, said step being conducted on braiding machines (2) placed in a row in a braiding direction; b) a step for flattening the nested braids (1); c) a step for stitching the nested braids (1) together in a direction perpendicular to the braiding direction; d) a step for winding the nested braids (1) on a transport mandrel (3); e) a step for cutting the nested braids (1) unwound from the transport mandrel (3), said cut being performed in a direction perpendicular to the braiding direction.
US08672631B2	Articulated wind turbine blades A blade assembly for a wind turbine has a hub, a plurality of inboard and outboard blades, and a plurality of cables. The inboard blades are spaced apart from one another and are mounted on the hub. Each outboard blade is pivotally connected to one of the inboard blades such that it is capable of rotation to a desired swept angle relative to the inboard blade to which it is connected. The cables extend between the outboard blades and the inboard blades to actuate rotation of the outboard blades to the desired swept angle.
US08672628B2	Wind turbine generator With a simple and low-cost structure, it is possible to introduce a sufficient amount of external wind while suppressing power consumption, and thereby, inside a nacelle and a tower are satisfactorily cooled. A wind turbine generator, in which a rotor head generates power by driving a generator installed inside a nacelle and in which the nacelle is installed at a top end of a tower, wherein an introducing vent that takes the external wind into an internal space in the wind turbine generator is provided at a portion of an outer circumference surface of the tower or the nacelle that receives positive pressure due to the external wind; and an exhaust vent that externally exhausts cooling air in the internal space is provided at a portion of an outer circumference surface of the tower or the nacelle that receives the negative pressure due to the external wind.
US08672626B2	Engine assembled seal A system for creating a seal between a damper and a platform of a turbine engine component includes a turbine engine component having an airfoil portion, a platform, and a fir tree for joining the turbine engine component to a rotor, a damper located in an area beneath the platform, a seal having a sealing surface which seats against an underside of the platform, which seal has a seal retention feature which bends into contact with an underside of the damper, and which seal with the seal retention feature has a center of gravity which allows the seal retention feature to bend up as result of rotational movement of the rotor. A method for creating the seal is also described.
US08672619B2	Turbocharger vane A vane (234) is provided which reduces leakage of gas in a variable geometry turbocharger (210) from the high pressure side of the vane (234) to the low pressure side of the vane (234). The vane (234) can have a channel (330, 430) along a gas bearing surface (325, 425) for reducing the leakage. The channel (330, 430) can be defined at least in part by sideplates (300, 350). The sideplates (300, 350) can be integrally cast with the rest of the vane (234). At least one of the sideplates (300, 350) can have a hole therein for a vane shaft (228) which allows movement of the vane (234) for gas flow control. The sideplates (300, 350) can have edges (301, 351) that conform to the shape of the gas bearing surface (325, 425).
US08672604B2	Industrial robot An industrial robot includes a hand on which a workpiece is placed, an arm that takes out the hand from a predetermined position of the workpiece and supplies the hand, an up-down moving mechanism connected to the arm by a support member, a pedestal provided at a lower portion of the up-down moving mechanism, and a pendulum stopper provided on a base on which the pedestal turns.
US08672602B2	Vertical thermal processing apparatus The present invention is a processing apparatus comprising a transfer mechanism including at least one transfer plate, the transfer mechanism being configured to cause, when a substrate to be processed is placed on an upper surface of the transfer plate, the transfer plate to move while maintaining the substrate to be processed placed horizontally thereon. The transfer plate has a cantilevered support structure horizontally extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof in a fore and aft direction. An upper surface of the transfer plate is provided with a plurality of support projections configured to horizontally support the substrate to be processed at a substantially central position thereof and a rear position thereof in the fore and aft direction. The substrate to be processed is not supported on the distal portion of the transfer plate.
US08672598B2	Screw post A screw post is detachably screwed with a self-tapping screw. The screw post includes a post body and a rib structure. The post body has an approximately triangular hollow structure formed therein. The approximately triangular hollow structure has three arc-shaped sides. The rib structure protrudes from an outer surface of the post body corresponding to at least one of the three arc-shaped sides in an axially-extending manner. The self-tapping screw is screwed into the approximately triangular hollow structure.
US08672594B1	Hauling apparatus, system, and method of use Provided are hauling apparatus, systems, and methods adapted to securely transport on a standard flatbed trailer or other structure a plurality of objects up to several feet across having open center portions and curved outer surfaces and weighing up to thousands of pounds each, such as metal coils. A first apparatus is adapted to be removably attached to a standard flatbed trailer or the like, and includes an abutment structure extending upward from a longitudinally extending base that may include specially angled support structures adapted to securely carry the curved cargo. The abutment structure is connected to a movable abutting apparatus by a tensioner structure that passes through the open center portions of the objects without touching those objects. The objects are then secured to the hauling apparatus by tightening the tensioner structure, which causes the objects to be compressed between the abutment structure and movable abutting apparatus.
US08672593B2	Method and apparatus for cooling mobile body of machine tool A cooling method and cooling apparatus which can reduce thermal deformation of a mobile body of a machine tool is provided. On the front of a column (1), a pair of upper and lower guides (3) is formed, and saddle (7) is suspended on guides (3), saddle (7) being movable left and right. Guiding surface (5) of guide (3) and sliding surface (9) of saddle (7) are slip surface and are in contact with each other. Sliding surfaces (9a, 9b, 9d, 9e) which generate a large amount of heat and need to be cooled are identified in advance by simulation. Fluid pipelines (25) for cooling the identified portions generating higher heat are formed, and a coolant liquid is circulated by being passed from portion (9a) generating less heat toward portion (9e) generating higher heat.
US08672589B2	Hob A hob having a helically curved tooth profile. A plurality of segments covering only a limited angle range are attached to a base body for forming the tooth profile. The segments abut each other in the circumferential direction of the base body, and the segments form rows in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base body. The segments each comprise a segment foot and a segment profile disposed diagonally thereon. The diagonal arrangement of the segment profile forms a coiled slope of the helically curved tooth profile in each segment and the tooth profile can be built up simply by arranging the segments in rows in the circumferential and the longitudinal directions.
US08672575B2	Pivot joint A pivot joint has a first member having a ball located at one end, a fixed member having one or more bearing surface, which locates on the ball of the first member and a second member having one or more bearing surface located at one end which locates onto the ball of the first member. The first and second members are rotatable about the center of the ball. This type of pivot joint is suitable for use in a machine such as a Stewart platform.
US08672567B2	Printer apparatus A printing apparatus 100 includes a detecting unit, which detects that a core part at a center portion of a recording medium 202, in a rolled state, has reached a predetermined position accompanying the consumption of the recording medium 202 in a recording medium accommodating unit 301 accommodating the recording medium 202, when the printer apparatus 100 is in an installed state; and further includes a moving mechanism that moves the detecting unit to a position whereby the detecting function of the detecting unit is deactivated.
US08672565B2	Tape printing apparatus and outlet therefor A tape printing apparatus including a tape accommodation area for accommodating a supply of image receiving tape; a cutting arrangement; an outlet arranged adjacent said cutting arrangement, the outlet having a first part downstream of the cutting arrangement with a size such that a user is able to access an area adjacent the cutting arrangement.
US08672564B2	Printing device A printing device for printing labels having a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; a user input having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means; wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and maintaining activation of the character selection key for a predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.
US08672558B2	APC adapter Optical signals are transmitted via fiber optic cables. The cable ends have connectors that connect to fiber-optic adapters. The interface between a connector and its adapter typically creates unwanted signal reflections. These unwanted signal reflections are mitigated by including an eight degree angle-offset of one face of an optical fiber within the adapter itself, the other face of the optical fiber having no angle offset, and the adapter being contained within a rigid housing. The angle offset of the fiber optic face in the adapter is mated with a complementary angle offset of the optical fiber in the cable connector. Embodiments of the present invention avoid cable management issues presented by previous adapters that included flexible cable between its input and output the previous adapters being designed primarily as jumpers and not suitable for use in tight, crowded spaces.
US08672554B2	Bearing, in particular for a wind turbine A bearing, in particular for a wind turbine, is provided. The bearing has a standing inner ring, an outer ring movable around the inner ring, lubricated rollers in a cage, arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The bearing includes a device for draining oil from a top region of the standing inner ring.
US08672553B2	Load detecting device for roller bearing and roller bearing apparatus A load detecting device for a roller bearing includes: a strain gauge that is provided in a roller arranged rollably between a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring and that detects a load applied to the roller; a position detecting sensor that detects a rotation position of the roller in a revolution direction of the roller; and a data logger that is provided for the roller and that records and stores a detection signal from the stain gauge.
US08672547B2	Milk cover A liquid container cover is designed for a container which holds milk or other liquids and being stored in a refrigerator or other locations. Such cover, called “Milk Cover”, can trap dried milk flakes, small spills or drips, and other particles to keep them from landing on the refrigerator shelf or other shelf. The Milk Cover has cotton or foam material version with cow-pattern design to hold different sizes or shapes of containers.
US08672541B2	Temperature sensor A temperature sensor (100) includes a heat-sensitive element (21) having a thermistor sintered-body (22), an insulating support (31), an insulation sheath (41) and a housing tube (11). The insulating support (31) is in contact with the rear end of the heat-sensitive element (21) and the insulation sheath (41) is in contact with the rear end of the insulating support (31). The housing tube (11) accommodates the heat-sensitive element (21), the insulating support (31) and the insulation sheath (41). The housing tube (11) includes a sheath accommodation portion (14) which accommodates the insulation sheath (41) and a distal accommodation portion (13). The distal accommodation portion (13) is located toward the distal end of the housing tube (11) with respect to the sheath accommodation portion (14), is smaller in outside diameter than the sheath accommodation portion (14), and accommodates at least half of the insulating support (31) as measured from the axially distal end of the insulating support (31).
US08672536B2	Isochronism corrector for clockwork escapement and escapement provided with such a corrector A mechanical oscillator isochronism corrector comprising a frame (12), a flexible blade (14) integral with the frame to act on a mechanical oscillator at a contact portion (14a) presented by the blade, and a first element for adjusting the pre-stress of the flexible blade including a pre-stress finger (22) acting on the flexible blade, the first adjustment element being integral with the frame.
US08672535B2	Spiral-spring balance wheel regulating member This spiral-spring and balance wheel regulating member includes a shaft mounted pivotably on the frame of a timepiece. The spiral spring includes at least one blade, whose inner end is designed to be fixed to the pivot shaft and whose outer end is made in one piece with a member (2) for connection to the frame, the rigidity of this connecting member being substantially greater than that of the spiral. The connecting member (2), on one hand, and the frame (9) or a member (6) for the angular positioning of the regulating member on the frame, on the other hand, both have respective bearing surfaces which are at least partially complementary, and these complementary bearing surfaces are joined.
US08672533B2	Blender jar lid with strainer In an electric blender having a lid assembly including a strainer, the blender includes a base including a motor; a jar with a top aperture and an impeller; and a lid for removably covering the jar. The lid includes a strainer section and a closer. The strainer section includes holes extending through the lid to allow contents of a predetermined size to flow out of the jar. The closer includes a pivot arm having an end pivotably connected to the first section. The pivot arm has a flat portion near the end. The flat portion is configured to contact the first section of the lid to maintain the closer in an open position relative to the strainer section. The first section has a recessed area above the strainer section.
US08672529B2	Backlight unit There is provided a backlight unit. The backlight unit includes a light guiding plate, a light source module including a substrate provided with a circuit wiring and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) blocks each including one or more LED mounted on the substrate to be positioned vertically with respect to the substrate, the one or more LED being disposed to face a side surface of the light guiding plate, a bottom chassis including a base and a sidewall upwardly extending from a circumference of the base, and accommodating the light source module and the light guiding plate in such a manner that the one or more LED is disposed to be adjacent to the sidewall, and a driving unit controlling a current signal applied to each of the plurality of LED blocks to thereby control brightness for each LED block.
US08672525B2	Projection head lamp assembly for vehicle A projection head lamp assembly for a vehicle may include a bulb irradiating light, a reflector supporting the bulb and reflecting the light irradiated from the bulb to the front, a shield unit including a shield shaft supported by the reflector and a shield integrated on the shield shaft, a drive cam inserted into one end of the shield shaft to be rotated according to a straight movement of a solenoid, and a lens connected to the front of the reflector. The projection head lamp assembly may further include a return spring provided on an outer circumference of the shield shaft, and weights inserted into both ends of the shield shaft for preventing free movement of the shield shaft when the shield shaft is rotated.
US08672524B2	Rear lamp for vehicle A rear lamp apparatus for a vehicle may include a plurality of reflectors mounted in a rear lamp housing of the vehicle to reflect light emitted from light sources at various angles and a light guide provided inside the reflectors and having end portions on which the light sources are mounted to guide the light emitted from the light sources through the light guide.
US08672503B2	Lighting device and the fixing mechanics thereof Example embodiments relate to a lighting device comprising a shell, at least one LED positioned at the bottom of the shell, and at least one fixing mechanics. The fixing mechanics comprises a base and a fixing element. An end of the base forms a plurality of pins which is ended with a hook. The fixing element connected with the base is fixed on the bottom of the shell.
US08672499B2	Flat panel display device, stereoscopic display device, plasma display device The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel, wherein: the backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame; the back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism, the light homogenization mechanism guiding light from the light source to a light incidence surface of the display panel; the back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces. The at least two primary assembling pieces are joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame in which the at least two primary assembling pieces are joined with multiple space joining spots. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device. The flat panel display device, the stereoscopic display device, and the plasma display device of the present invention have a simple structure and can reduce the expenditure of the back frame mold, and can also save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost, and also ensure the strength of the joining site of the back frame and at the same time spread the stress, thereby further ensuring the overall strength of the back frame meets the desired requirements.
US08672495B2	Mirror adjustment unit with electric accessory A mirror adjustment unit for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a mirror adjustment mechanism and a mirror support. The mirror support is couplable to the mirror adjustment mechanism, and includes at least one electric accessory. The mirror adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements configured to electrically connect the electric accessory of the mirror support with at least one of the conductive elements of the mirror adjustment mechanism by plug connection.
US08672486B2	Wide field-of-view projector This document describes various techniques for implementing a wide field-of-view projector. A wide field-of-view projector may include a spatial light modulator configured to inject light rays into an input wedge. The input wedge acts to output the light rays with an increased fan-out angle. In an embodiment, the spatial light modulator is controlled to inject light rays into the input wedge effective to project an image from the surface of an output wedge that is positioned proximate, and receives light rays with an increased fan-out angle from, the input wedge.
US08672482B2	Method and apparatus for communication between humans and devices This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising: providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.
US08672477B2	Eyewear with pinhole aperture and lens Eyewear is equipped with at least one lens and at least one pinhole aperture. Lenses and apertures may be used in place of or in combination with one another, and may be disposed in or on full frame, half frame, wire frame or rimless eyeglasses. The lens may be a corrective lens. Pinhole apertures may have a diameter no greater than about 3 mm, and a diameter/thickness ratio no less than about 66.7%.
US08672476B2	Contact lenses with improved movement Contact lenses have design features to enhance translational properties such as dimples and coating treatments.
US08672473B2	Myopia control means Sets, kits or stocks of anti-myopia contact or spectacle lenses, along with methods for their use, that do not require a clinician to measure peripheral refractive error in the eyes of myopic patients. Extensive surveys have shown that lenses having peripheral powers or defocus set in accordance with central corrective power will cover almost all normal myopes not worse than −6 D central refractive error. In one example, a kit or set of lenses (50, FIG. 15) can have multiple parts or sub-sets (52, 54) each comprising a compartmented container (56a, 56b) with lenses (58a, 58b) arranged according to increments of central corrective power (59a, 59b). The lenses (58a) of the first part (52) have four steps (60a, 61a, 62a, 64a) of peripheral power or defocus to pro vide therapeutic effect and, while the lenses (58b) of the second part (54) also have four steps (60b, 61b, 62b, 64b), the level of therapeutic effect is higher. Other examples of sets, kits and stocks, as well as examples of lenses themselves, are disclosed together with methods of use.
US08672465B2	Water-based ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, ink jet apparatus, and image forming method A water-based ink of the present invention includes water, a plurality of different water-soluble organic solvents, and a water-insoluble coloring material, wherein the above water-soluble organic solvents consist of a good solvent to the above water-insoluble coloring material and a poor solvent to the above water-insoluble coloring material, and the total amount (% by mass) of the good solvents in the ink is represented by A and the total amount (% by mass) of the poor solvent in the ink is represented by B, the ratio of A to B ranges from 10:5 to 7:9 both inclusive, and when the respective Ka values of the above water-soluble organic solvents are determined by the Bristow method and compared with each other, a water-soluble organic solvent having the largest Ka value is the poor solvent. The pigment ink has a sufficiently large area factor even with a small amount of ink and provides an image of high OD.
US08672462B2	Ink supply device and image recording apparatus There is provided an ink supply device including: a cartridge installing section configured to install the ink cartridge in a horizontal direction; an ink supply section configured to be fluid communication with an ink supply portion of the ink cartridge; a first sensor disposed in the ink cartridge installing section and positioned under the ink supply section in a vertical direction; and a first partitioning member partitioned the ink supply section and the sensor in the vertical direction.
US08672455B2	Piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, droplet-ejecting head, droplet-ejecting apparatus, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric element A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode disposed on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and a resin layer that covers at least the side surfaces of the first electrode. The first electrode includes a metal layer and an anti-oxidation layer. The metal layer is formed of a base metal. The anti-oxidation layer is disposed between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer to prevent contact between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer.
US08672452B2	Liquid discharge head and circuit board A liquid discharge head includes a liquid discharge head substrate including a discharge port through which a liquid is discharged, and a plurality of energy generating elements that generate energy for discharging the liquid from the discharge port, and a circuit board having flexibility including a pair of differential transmission lines for transmitting differential transmission signals used as logical signals for driving the energy generating elements, to the liquid discharge head substrate, and a voltage supply line for supplying a voltage applied to the energy generating elements to obtain the energy, to the liquid discharge head substrate, wherein the pair of differential transmission lines is provided on one surface of the circuit board, and the voltage supply line is provided on the other surface of the circuit board, which is on a reverse side of the one surface.
US08672443B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and storage medium storing program A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid-ejection head having ejection openings to eject liquid to record an image on a recording medium; a sealing mechanism configured to selectively establish a sealed state and an unsealed state; a humid-air supply mechanism which supplies a humid air into the ejection space; and a controller, wherein, during the sealed state of the ejection space, the controller controls the humid-air supply mechanism to supply the humid air into the ejection space such that one of a density and a viscosity of the liquid to be ejected from the ejection openings becomes less than a predetermined appropriate value, and then controls the liquid-ejection head such that the liquid having an amount equal to or larger than a set amount is preliminarily ejected prior to the ejection of the liquid onto the recording medium for recording the image on the recording medium, is disclosed.
US08672436B2	Method and system for improved ink jet or printhead replacement A system and method is provided for compensating for a faulty ink jet in a target printhead in an ink jet imaging system having a plurality of printheads arranged to span a maximum printing width that includes defining a typical printing width less than the maximum printing width and swapping the target printhead with a printhead situated in the margin outside the typical printing width. The system and method permits swapping the target printhead with a margin printhead that has a faulty ink jet provided that the location of the faulty ink jet in the margin printhead does not coincide or align with a faulty ink jet in printheads adjacent the target printhead.
US08672431B2	Slide rail assembly A slide rail assembly includes a first, second, and third rail. The second rail is slidably connected to the first rail defining a second path. The third rail is slidably connected to the second path of the second rail. A front and rear support are respectively connected to a front end and rear end of the first rail. A stop member has a fixed section and a resilient section extending from the fixed section. The fixed section is fixed to the front support and the first rail. The stop portion is located at the resilient section. When the third rail is separated from the second rail and the second rail is retracted in the first rail, the stop portion prevents the third rail from being inserted into the second path.
US08672422B2	Hydraulic brake apparatus of motorcycle An hydraulic brake apparatus of a motorcycle, including a main frame having a pair of right and left frame members extending rearward from a head pipe, and equipment arranged in a space between the right and left frame members. The hydraulic brake apparatus further includes at least one brake fluid pipe, wherein the at least one brake fluid pipe is arranged so as to extend rearward from near the head pipe along an upper surface at least one of the frame members.
US08672420B2	System for evacuating gas from a brake booster A system for evacuating gas from a brake booster of a motor vehicle includes: a first conduit adapted to be connected fluidly to the brake booster; an electric pump connected fluidly to the first conduit, and controllable to evacuate gas from the brake booster via the first conduit; a second conduit; an electric valve fluidly connecting the first and second conduits to each other; a mechanical pump connected fluidly to the second conduit, and adapted to be driven by a vehicle drive unit of the motor vehicle to evacuate gas from the brake booster via the first conduit, the electric valve, and the second conduit; and a control unit operatively associated with the electric pump and the electric valve, and configured to control operations of the electric pump and the electric valve according to a working state of the mechanical pump.
US08672419B2	Brake system A brake system including: (i) hydraulic brakes provided for respective wheels of a vehicle, and configured to be activated by hydraulic pressures of respective brake cylinders so as to restrain rotations of the respective wheels; (ii) a power hydraulic pressure source including a drive source that is activatable by supply of electric energy, and configured to generate hydraulic pressure by activation of the drive source; and (iii) a common passage to which the power hydraulic pressure source and the brake cylinders of the hydraulic brakes are connected. The brake cylinders include a first brake cylinder connected to the common passage via a first individual passage that is provided with a normally-close electromagnetic valve as a first individual control valve. The brake cylinders include a second brake cylinder connected to the common passage via a second individual passage that is provided with a normally-open electromagnetic valve as a second individual control valve.
US08672410B2	Tiltable headrest device A tiltable headrest device is provided to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise during rotation, to reduce the number of components and to improve appearance quality. Guide portions (12) each comprising a standing-up locking portion (12a), a falling-down locking portion (12b) and a rail portion (12c) are integrally formed on a core member (1), a coil spring (4) for urging a lateral rod (31) toward a direction approaching the guide portions (12) is provided in the core member (1). The lateral rod (31) is pressed to the guide portions (12) by the urging force of the coil spring (4) so as to be guided. Due to sliding contact between resin and metal, the occurrence of abnormal noise can be prevented.
US08672405B2	Sitting arrangement Chaise longue comprising a sofa frame (2), seat part (4) and back rest (3). The seat part (4) comprises side bars (9a, b), cross bars (10a, b) and seat springs (7). The seat part (4) is rotatably connected to the sofa frame (2) by means of mounting devices (8a, b) below the sitting surface of the seat part. One or more balance springs (14) are arranged between the seat part (4) and the sofa frame (2). A shutter or flap (16) is rotatably mounted to the seat part with pivotable joints (17a,b). The flap is furthermore rotatably connected to the sofa frame in point at the opposite end from the joints.
US08672403B2	Child seat The present disclosure relates to a child seat for rearward-facing use in a vehicle. It comprises a back portion and a squab portion. The back portion comprises a force-receiving assembly, located at the shoulder region, which is of a more rigid material than a main portion of the back portion, the main portion being of a light-weight material. The force-receiving assembly comprises a first portion arranged at the first side of the back portion providing an anchor point for a shoulder portion of a child safety belt arrangement. The force-receiving assembly further comprises a second portion arranged at the second side of the back portion providing an anchor point for a child seat fixation means. The disclosure further relates to a child seat arrangement, a kit of parts and a vehicle comprising the child seat.
US08672389B2	Retractable top for an open vehicle In one embodiment of a retractable top for a vehicle having an open top, including a left and a right rear roll bar projecting vertically from the rear floor above the height of the vertical walls, the roll bars projecting forward to join a transverse roll bar and forming a roll cage, the retractable top includes support members attached to two of the three horizontal sides. The retractable top includes linkage arms attached to the support members configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, linkage arms including a bow arm that has a first tapered interconnection aperture, the first tapered interconnection aperture shaped to receive a first connector and recess the first connector such that an end of the first connector is flush with a first surface of the bow arm. The retractable top includes an enclosure material oriented to cover the open top when extended.
US08672388B2	Hard roll-up tonneau A tonneau system for a pickup bed comprising a bracket system connectable with a sidewall of the pickup bed and a plurality of hingeable sections pivotally coupled to each other to define a continuous surface. Each of the plurality of hingeable sections being connected to adjacent hingeable sections to permit at least some of the plurality of hingeable sections to be rolled together into a generally circular cross-section to selectively reveal the pickup bed.
US08672386B2	Seat latch structure A seat latch structure is provided, which includes a base bracket mounted on a seat for a vehicle and having a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole formed thereon and an opening which is formed on one side thereof and into which a striker fixed to a vehicle body is inserted, a claw having a first through-hole formed thereon to correspond to the first insertion hole and a locking groove formed on one side thereof, a pawl provided on one side of the claw and having a second through-hole formed thereon to correspond to the second insertion hole, a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft inserted into the first through-hole of the claw and the second through-hole of the pawl, respectively, and a double torsion spring connecting the first through-hole and the second through-hole into which the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are inserted, respectively. According to the seat latch structure, the noise generated during the operation of the seat latch is reduced and the operating force is increased to improve the merchantability.
US08672385B2	Seat locking device A seat locking device includes a striker and a catching section. The catching section includes a base plate including a first entrance concave portion, a cover member including a second entrance concave portion, a latch, a lock plate, and a bumper rubber including a substantially isosceles-triangle portion. A lateral surface of a holding concave portion of the latch is inclined such that an opening side of the lateral surface is located closer to a bottom surface of the first entrance concave portion than its counter-opening side. A bottom surface of the holding concave portion is closer to an imaginary center line of the first entrance concave portion than one lateral surface of the first entrance concave portion so that a catching-capable dimension for the striker is set between the bottom surface of the holding concave portion and another lateral surface of the first entrance concave portion.
US08672380B2	Handhold assembly A handhold assembly for a machine chassis includes a handhold and a mounting structure. The handhold includes a gripping member, an elongate member extending from the gripping member, and a locking member provided at a distal portion of the elongate member. Further, an adapter provided at a distal end of the elongate member. The mounting structure is configured to be attached with the machine chassis and includes a first opening and a second opening. The first and the second openings configured to removably receive the elongate member and the adapter, respectively. Further, a slot provided on the first opening, the slot configured to engage with the locking member of the handhold.
US08672377B2	Eating utensil An eating utensil has first and second elongated stick members extending parallel to each other and a U-shaped connector attaching the stick members together. Each of the stick members has a base portion extending in a first plane, a intermediate portion extending in a second plane, and an end portion extending in a third plane. The connector located in the first plane and attaches together the base portion of the first stick member with the base portion of the second stick member. Both of the stick members are thus curved to facilitate handling and use of the utensil.
US08672366B2	Pipe coupling arrangement A coupling arrangement having external threads carried on a first pipe element. A second pipe element carries a radially movable locking member with external locking profiles, and a connection sleeve having internal threads that are threaded onto external threads and internal locking profiles that engage with the external locking profiles. The connection sleeve is moved in a first axial direction towards the first pipe element by rotation on the external threads while the internal locking profiles are in an intermediate engagement with the external locking profiles, until the movement is limited by abutting faces of the internal and external locking profiles. At least one of the abutting faces exhibits an inclination resulting in a pull of the connection sleeve towards an axial direction opposite of the first axial direction when the external locking profiles are moved radially.
US08672363B2	Printed matter forming method Provided is a printed matter, a printed matter forming apparatus, and a printed matter forming method, which improve the expression of the texture. A lower layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region; an image layer provided above the lower layer, the image layer forming an image and transmitting part of incident light towards the lower layer; and a surface layer provided above the image layer, the surface layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region, the surface layer transmitting part of incident light towards the image layer are included. This allows various textures to be expressed fully.
US08672361B2	Security element for banknotes or documents with intrinsic value A security element, comprising at least two contiguous areas having an identical or different coloring which can vary depending on the inclination of the incidence and, therefore, reflection of direct light or depending on the type of incident light. The security element also has a single graphic marking which crosses with continuity the two areas having variable coloring so that the graphic marking straddles the two areas so that it is perfectly aligned, without having discontinuities of any kind. Moreover, the effect of this graphic marking is perfectly visible both when the security element is viewed from the recto and when it is viewed from the verso.
US08672347B2	Integrated airbag restraint A restraint system for a seat is provided and may include a first portion formed from a first material and having a first end fixed for movement with the seat and a second end movable relative to the seat. A second portion may be integral with or attached to the first portion, may be formed from the first material, and may be operable between a pre-deployed state and an inflated state.
US08672342B2	Foldable cart for golf bag A removable cart for a golf bag is provided. The cart includes a frame for receiving and releasably retaining a golf bag, a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels operatively connected to the cart frame, the first set of wheels configured to extend to a distance longer than the second set of wheels. Upon folding, the first set of wheels wraps around to encompass the second set of wheels. The first and the second set of wheels are connected by axles such that each set of wheels remains parallel to each other at all times, in both a folded position and an open position.
US08672336B2	Automatic scooter unlocking mechanism The automatic scooter unlocking mechanism is an improvement to existing folding kick scooter designs whereby vertical movement of a telescoping handlebar automatically causes rotation, and a corresponding unlocking, of a scooter footboard latch. The inventive mechanism places an extension on to the rotating handle of the footboard latch and places the distal end of the extension in such a location so as to contact a protuberance located on the sliding portion of the telescoping handlebar. During contact, the extension is deflected and the handle of the footboard latch rotates and unlocks, allowing for free rotation of the scooter footboard between folded and unfolded states. The inventive mechanism can be integral to a kick scooter design or can take the form of a system that can be installed on to a pre-existing kick scooter in an aftermarket fashion.
US08672335B2	Suspension systems and methods with independent stiffness and height tuning A suspension system between two bodies, the suspension system including: a first pressure chamber provided between the bodies; and at least one other pressure chamber provided between the bodies such that the at least one other pressure chamber opposes the action of the first pressure chamber; and a control system to control the pressure and volume in the first pressure chamber and the at least one other pressure chamber to adjust the stiffness value of the suspension system independently of adjusting a distance between the bodies.
US08672332B2	Combination of the chucking device and a drill and a chucking device for a drill with cutting tips on both ends A combination of a chucking device and a drill and a chucking device for a drill with cutting tips on both ends. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08672319B2	Sheet feeders and image forming apparatuses having the same A sheet feeder is provided that includes a feeding unit configured to feed a sheet through a feeding path and a guide portion that is bent in a shape of a relaxation curve and configured to feed the sheet thereon and turn a feeding direction of the sheet.
US08672314B2	Sheet stacking apparatus A sheet stacking apparatus includes an alignment member to align a sheet stacked on a stacking tray in a width direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet is discharged. When stacking a plurality of sheets on the stacking tray, the sheet stacking apparatus lowers the stacking tray, so that a predetermined distance is maintained between the top surface sheet and a sheet discharge port. If the stacking tray is lowered to a predetermined position while the alignment unit is executing an alignment operation at a first position, the sheet stacking apparatus lowers the alignment member to a second position lower than the first position and causes the alignment member to execute the alignment operation at the second position.
US08672312B2	Sheet processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, storing medium, and program A control includes causing a processing unit to perform a saddle-stitching binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to a binding process and a folding process or a center-folding binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to the folding process, permitting the processing unit to perform the saddle-stitching binding process or the center-folding binding process on a predetermined number of sheets, and controlling such that the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the center-folding binding process is smaller than the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the saddle-stitching binding process.
US08672309B2	Windshield installation device and method of use A windshield installation device for use by a single technician in replacing a vehicle windshield. The device includes a first assembly attachable to a side window of the vehicle and a second assembly attachable to the windshield to be placed on the vehicle. The second assembly is adapted to couple to the first assembly and pivot with respect to the first assembly.
US08672308B2	Method and apparatus for depositing phosphor on semiconductor-light emitting device A method and apparatus for depositing a phosphor using transfer molding. The method includes: forming a plurality of light-emitting devices on a wafer and rearranging the light-emitting devices on a carrier substrate according to luminance characteristics of the plurality of light-emitting devices by examining the luminance characteristics of the plurality of light-emitting devices; depositing the phosphor on the rearranged light-emitting devices using transfer molding; and separating the light-emitting devices on the carrier substrate.
US08672307B1	Stretch liner clamp A clamp mechanism for assisting a bricklayer or mason worker in positioning and aligning a next row of bricks being laid upon a previous row of bricks using an alignment string is provided. One end of the alignment string is secured in a desired position adjacent the previous row of bricks. The clamp mechanism comprises a clamp having a first clamp arm and a second clamp arm. A spring mechanism biases the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm in a general direction toward each other. A string receiving mechanism is associated with the clamp for receiving a portion of the alignment string. Upon the alignment string being secured to the string receiving mechanism and the clamp being positioned upon a brick in the previous row of bricks, the alignment string indicates the proper positioning and alignment of the next row of bricks.
US08672306B2	Vehicle shock absorber A vehicle shock absorber includes a plurality of communication holes axially provided side by side in a peripheral wall of the cylinder of the damper, another communication hole provided in a peripheral wall of the cylinder and located below a position of piston of the damper, and a third oil chamber provided in an outer tube and an inner tube of a fork body and outside the cylinder and communicating with only a second oil chamber via the communication holes. This configuration enables the vehicle shock absorber to make a damping force generated by the damper positional dependent, and suppresses the entering of an air bubble into the cylinder, even when a cylinder of the damper is located above an oil level in an oil reservoir within the absorber body.
US08672302B2	Shock and vibration damper The invention relates to a type of shock and vibration isolator which has almost identical rigidity and damping properties in any translatory direction, wherein the device is disposed between a reference object (A) which is subjected to vibrations and shocks, and a means (B) which is only to be subjected to translatory damped vibrations and shocks in all directions, where a center bar (2) and wire rope holders (3) are designed for attachment to any one of the reference objects (A) or (B), characterized in that the center bar (2) and the wire rope holders (3) are rigidly interconnected to three or more independent wire rope series (4), each of which is formed of two or more wire rope loops where the configuration of a wire rope series (4) is based on essentially as many wire rope loops with opposite geometrical angles of inclination (A1 and A2), each wire rope series forming a symmetry along a center axis relative to an unloaded neutral position for the isolator and where the three or more wire rope series (4) are symmetrically arranged about the center axis in an about-axis symmetry principle relative to the radial neutral position of an unloaded isolator, such that the two symmetry principles together give almost identical translatory properties in all directions for damping of shock and vibration between the reference objects (A) and (B).
US08672300B2	Fuel evaporator A modified carburetor allows the fuel and air input ratio to be adjusted by varying the opening sizes in the carburetor. After the proper air opening size is determined and set, the fuel jet setting can be adjusted for cold starts and/or to fine tune the engine. The air opening setting may remain the same, regardless of engine speed. This allows the engine to create a vacuum of near zero to five inches of mercury or more, depending on the speed of the engine. A small air input opening setting may be used for the engine to create this vacuum. The higher the vacuum created, the better the fuel efficiency. The fuel from the modified carburetor then flows through a heated evaporator chamber that maintains this vacuum. This enhances and completes the evaporation process as the fuel passes through and over metal shavings toward the engine.
US08672299B2	Humidifier Disclosed herein is a humidifier. The humidifier includes a rear casing, a front casing placed in front of the rear casing and having an opening formed on its front side, a fan housing having an air intake unit formed on its front side, wherein an air blower unit is formed on one side of a circumference part of the fan housing, a humidification filter placed in front of the air intake unit, and a water tank placed on a side of the humidification filter. The fan housing has a partition wall projected therefrom between the humidification filter and the water tank, and the partition wall partitions a front side of the fan housing into a space through which air passes and a space where the water tank is placed.
US08672298B2	Jack for trailer A jack includes an outer tube, an inner tube and a lifting device. The outer tube has a positioning member and a driving rod connected thereto. The positioning member is positioned by an object and the driving rod is driven by a crank. The inner tube is located in the outer tube and the lifting device is located on the top of the inner tube so as to lift the outer tube. The positioning member is located on the top of the outer tube and the driving rod is located below the positioning member. The positioning member is positioned by a pivotal device which pivots the positioning member to a desired angle and positions the positioning member.
US08672297B2	Scissor lifting platform Embodiments of a scissor lifting platform comprising at least two crossing lower scissor bars, at least two crossing upper scissor bars articulatedly connected to the lower scissor bars, and a lower joint connecting the two lower scissor bars with each other and an upper joint connecting the two upper scissor bars with each other. Furthermore, the scissor lifting platform comprises at least one lifting aggregate connected to the lower scissor bar or the upper scissor bar and at least one rail having at least one contact area and being supported on the upper scissor bars. The upper scissor bar is articulatedly connected to the at least one rail and the other one of the upper scissor bars is guided by the at least one rail so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction when the scissor lifting platform moves. The lifting aggregate has at least one operating rod which works together with an elevating mechanism for lifting and reinforcing the vertical force up to a predetermined lifting height of the scissor lifting platform.
US08672283B2	Projection device A projection device including a turntable module and a projection module is provided. The turntable module includes a first turntable and a second turntable. The first turntable is disposed on a surface. The second turntable is disposed on the first turntable and connected to the first turntable, and rotates relative to the first turntable by revolving along a rotation axis. The projection module is disposed on the turntable module and fixed to the second turntable.
US08672279B2	Reversible ladder-mounted support and tray A reversible ladder-mounted support and tray has a bracket designed to be removably affixed to the combination of a rail of a ladder and over a rung just adjacent to the rail. A first fitting is provided that overlies the rail and a second fitting overlies the rung. Concerning the second fitting overlying the rung, in fact, two such fittings are also provided that are essentially back-to-back. In this way, the support may be removably installed on either of the opposed rails of the ladder so that the support can extend laterally to either side of the ladder. Attached to the first fitting designed to overlie the rail is an elongated rod to which is mounted an elongated tube or sleeve having a split and a locking mechanism. The split allows the tube to slide freely over the rod and the locking mechanism may be engaged to narrow the split to lock the position and orientation of the tube thereon. A limit stop mechanism may be employed between the rod and tube or sleeve to limit the degree of rotation of the tube with respect to the rod.
US08672269B2	Vent stringer and aircraft main wing A vent stringer 20 is formed by a pair of ribs 21 rising in the direction perpendicular to an inner surface 11a of a wing panel 11, and a cover 22 provided in the tip end portions of the ribs 21. With rivets 23 unexposed to an outer surface 11b of the wing panel 11, a spark is prevented from occurring in a fuel tank 30, which is provided in a main wing 10, through the rivet 23 at the time of a lightning strike. Formed by being machined integrally with the wing panel 11, the rib 21 is formed with high accuracy so as to match the curved shape of the wing panel 11. The cover 22 has only to be formed by curving a strap member so as to match the shapes of the wing panel 11 and the ribs 21.
US08672265B2	Container for air freight transport and fuselage of an aircraft for freight transport A container assembly and aircraft fuselage for air transport of freight. The container assembly includes a spacer layer formed of malleable material. The spacer layer is positioned between and in contact with a bottom plate of the container and the floor of an aircraft. The aircraft fuselage for the freight transport is equipped with a floor adapted to receive and bear a load. A spacer layer integral with the floor is positioned between the floor and the load. The spacer layer is formed of a malleable material.
US08672260B2	Single plane mount system for gas turbine engine A mounting system for a gas turbine engine assembly includes a plurality of mounting links attached the gas turbine engine along a single plane transverse to the engine centerline for separating the loads from the core engine.
US08672258B1	Power transmission for aircraft flight testing Systems and methods for transferring power through an aircraft window and thereby powering temporary externally mounted equipment, such as flight test instrumentation, without cutting or drilling holes in the airplane to run wire for a flight test or experiment. One embodiment uses a light source and a photovoltaic cell to transfer power from inside to outside the aircraft. Another embodiment uses an RF source and a rectenna to transfer power from inside to outside the aircraft.
US08672257B2	Centrally-holed paper roll with reinforcing element and method of manufacturing said roll A roll of sheet product, in particular of tissue paper, with a central hole along its winding axis includes a cylindrical reinforcing element onto which the paper is wound. The reinforcing element includes at least one ring joined to the innermost turn of the roll, with a width less than the width of the roll and provided with a means of extracting the ring by pulling substantially along the axis of the roll.
US08672253B2	Collapsible reel type dispenser with swivel closure A collapsible reel-type apparatus provides a plurality of adjoining arm component axially joined to a plurality of adjoining leg component. The component so adjoined may be swiveled into a collapsed parallel condition for storage and an open perpendicular position for dispensing. Spring loaded elements automatically lock the components in the open position. Bearings located on the axial member above and below the sum arm component allow the free rotation of the arm component in the open position. Post guide members are adjustably secured to at least one arm component. An axially joined tubing guide extends outward and upward terminating in a looped enclosure. An upper retaining bar is detachably connected upon a coil with a tensioned retainer.
US08672252B2	Seat belt retractor with sensor cutoff A self-locking belt retractor in particular for motor vehicles with a vehicle-sensitive and a webbing-sensitive control system for the blocking device of the belt retractor having an operatable toothed lock washer in a cased gearing.
US08672249B2	Herb grinder A herb grinder includes a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface. the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet. The metal sheet may include an opening adjacent an edge of the sheet, and a flexible link may be fastened to the metal sheet through the opening.
US08672239B2	Fuel injector A fuel injector is disclosed that has plural nozzle holes with the same cross-sectional shape and can individually set the flow rate of each nozzle hole. The fuel injector includes the plural nozzle holes, a seat section positioned upstream of the nozzle holes, a valve element that closes a valve when brought into contact with the seat section and opens the valve when separated from the seat section, and a circular cone tapered from an upstream end to a downstream end and provided with the seat section and an inlet opening of the nozzle holes. The plural nozzle holes have an identical shape and a shape of a cross-section of each of the nozzle holes is substantially out-of-round, the cross-section being perpendicular to a central axis of each of the nozzle holes. The cross-section of each of the nozzle holes is rotated around the central axis of each of the nozzle holes. A rotation angle of the cross-section is set in such a manner that a relationship between a conical surface of the circular cone and the rotation angle is different among at least two of the nozzle holes.
US08672231B2	Integrated circuit system with antenna A system for manufacturing an integrated circuit system having a substrate with a integrated circuit device. A first pad is formed on the substrate and connected to the integrated circuit device. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and the first pad, with the first dielectric layer having an opening provided therein exposing the first pad. An upper redistribution layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. A portion of the upper redistribution layer is formed into an antenna with the antenna connected to the first pad. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and over the antenna.
US08672229B2	Electronic module holder with sliding door An assembly including an electronic module holder configured to hold an electronic module, where the holder is configured to be inserted into a mating receiving area of an apparatus; and a door slideably connected to the electronic module holder. The door is configured to close an entrance into the receiving area of the apparatus. The door is slideable relative to the holder to latch and unlatch the assembly with the apparatus.
US08672224B2	ID scanner with machine-readable coded indicia reader and card imaging digital camera An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding coded data on an inserted card is disclosed. The device features a barcode scanner, a magnetic strip reader, and a digital camera for recording an image of the surface of a card. By providing these three scanning options, the device is capable of extracting data from virtually any ID card. The device can also be used to compare text or photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph or encoded data in a two dimensional barcode and to display both sets for comparison for added reliability. The device can also be used to verify the authenticity of virtually any ID card.
US08672223B2	System, device and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming missiles and threats The present invention includes a system for protecting an aircraft against one or more incoming threats. The system includes one or more electro-optic sensors to scan an area around the aircraft for one or more possible incoming threats, and to generate an indication signal once an incoming threat is detected; an integrated unit combining a Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor (MACS) with Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM), to verify the incoming threat and to activate a countermeasure against the verified incoming threat; and a processor to receive data from said one or more electro-optic sensors and the integrated MACS-DIRCM unit, and to select a countermeasure technique for deployment against the incoming threat.
US08672222B2	Infrastructure-mounted RFID tags Infrastructure-mounted RFID-readable tags or transponders are provided for various applications. Such infrastructure tags may be employed in combination with RFID-readable product tags and an RFID reader for an improved inventory-management system which requires both types of tags to be scanned to constitute a successful product count. Infrastructure tags may also be employed as “read” or “no-read” tags in an RFID read field. The infrastructure tags of the RFID read field are combined with an RFID reader which is dynamically adaptable during initial set-up and use to improve the performance of the read field. When a perturbing object is detected in the read field, one or more performance parameters of the reader are adjusted to overcome any perturbing influence caused by the object.
US08672216B2	Flat card production systems and methods Systems and methods for producing a presentation instrument involve receiving an image file having an account number stamp, and producing the image file onto a piece of stock material, such that a visible account number corresponding to the account number stamp is created on the stock material. The visible account number is scanned with a reader. An account number record is encoded onto a presentation instrument, and compared with the scanned visible account number.
US08672212B2	Joining method and friction stir welding method A method of welding that realizes enhancements of airtightness and watertightness at weld area and a method of welding and method of friction stir welding that attain an enhancement of welding operation efficiency/speed. There is provided a method of welding including the first primary welding step of carrying out a friction stir welding on the abutting portion (J1) of metal members (1,1) from the surface (12) side of metal member (1) and the second primary welding step of carrying out a friction stir welding on the abutting portion (J1) from the reverse face (13) side of the member (1), wherein in the second primary welding step, the friction stir welding is performed while penetrating a stifling pin (B2) of rotation tool (B) in plasticized region (W1) foamed in the first primary welding step.
US08672210B2	Capillary exchange system of semiconductor wire bonding A capillary exchange system of a semiconductor wire bonding includes a wire bond unit having a chuck that includes a holding portion for holding a capillary for semiconductor wire bonding, a holding release guide unit for mechanically acting on the chuck of the wire bond unit to allow the capillary to be held by the holding portion or released from the holding portion, and a capillary exchange unit for separating the capillary from the chuck of the wire bond unit and installing a new capillary in the chuck in cooperation with the holding release guide unit.
US08672205B2	Nailing device with nail coil stabilizing mechanism A nailing device includes a body with first and second ends and a handle attached to one of the first and second ends. A nail magazine is articulatably connected to the body, where the nail magazine is configured to receive a nail coil. The nail magazine includes an upper part that has a plurality of recesses and a lower part. In order to stabilize the nails in the nail coil, a plurality of magnets are disposed in the plurality of recesses of the upper part of the nail magazine.
US08672197B2	Liquid dispenser A device used to easily fill small containers, i.e. shot glasses, with hot or cold liquids, with precision and speed, without spillage. The device consists of a funnel, attached to a filler hose, with a specialized filler nozzle at the end. Liquid of choice is poured into the funnel. The liquid then flows through the hose, but will not come out until the user activates the nozzle. The nozzle is activated by gently pressing its tip on the floor of the container. The liquid dispenser device may be used to fill shot glasses with hot, liquid gelatin mixtures or can be used to fill other cups, such as communion cups.
US08672196B2	Dispensable product container A container (10) suitable for dispensing comestible products has a body (12) with a top face segment (36) having an opening (14) and a concave top face segment (18) and a separate continuous member (40) connected to a side face (24), the member having an openable lid portion (42) which covers the opening and a flexible press portion (50) extending from the lid portion to the side face over the concave top segment face, which is normally convex to the concave top face segment, wherein application of a downward force to the convex flexible press portion transforms the convex portion to a concave portion and rotates the lid portion to uncover the opening.
US08672194B2	Hopper structure The present invention regards a hopper structure for containing and treating loose material, which includes a tubular section, upper in use, a lower tapered section equipped with a suitable discharge mouth, a support device for at least the upper tubular section, and a guide device designed to allow the lower section to move between a closed position against the upper section and an open position removed from the upper section.
US08672192B2	Push-type nozzle assembly A push-type nozzle assembly includes a main tube, a valve, a suction unit and a push unit. The suction unit includes a push rod, a connection rod, a block and a seal sleeve. A spring is mounted between the seal sleeve and the push rod. The spring provides a force to move the block and the connection rod back and forth between the closed position and an open position. Because the spring is located outside of the push rod, the spring does directly contact the liquid which is avoided from being chemically changed.
US08672189B2	Rotating sprayer and methods for using the same A trigger sprayer may include a rotatable nozzle to facilitate the discharge of liquid from the nozzle in any desired direction and may also include a locking mechanism for preventing activation of the trigger sprayer. The trigger sprayer may also fit within the footprint of a container to which the trigger sprayer is attached.
US08672183B2	Collapsible bottle and cover In combination with a collapsible container with a dimension that varies as the container collapses from a full position to an empty position, the bottle cover with a sight opening for viewing of indicia on the bottle to provide an indication as to the extent the bottle is full or empty.
US08672180B2	Dispensing bin for multiple materials Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for dispensing multiple types of materials, such as packing materials. According to various embodiments, the systems include a dispensing bin with multiple compartments configured to receive and dispense different types of materials, such as air-filled dunnage cushions and air-filled protective material. In certain embodiments, the dispensing bin is configured to receive materials from one or more supply machines and dispense the materials such that more than one type of material is provided to numerous packing stations for use in packaging items.
US08672173B2	Commodity tank for air seeder A commodity tank for use with an air seeding implement includes a series of panels arranged to form an enclosure defining a volume configured to hold a supply of commodity. At least one or more of the panels has a warping-reducing bend formed therein. The commodity tank further has a series of tubular members with each tubular member located between adjacent and perpendicular panels to define a respective corner of the enclosure.
US08672172B2	Organizer system A system for organizing very similar articles in a container so that the user can readily identify the desired article. A “menu” may be used to readily identify the articles, which preferably are non-food, consumer items, such as bandages or first-aid supplies. The “menu” may be provided in the lid of the container. If desired, the “menu” may be fixedly provided in the lid of the container, such as on the interior-facing surface of a flip-top or hinged-lid of the container. The articles may be organized in an insert or tray that is removable from a shell portion of the container so the shell can be used for other purposes.
US08672165B2	Containers with dispensing cap and methods of manufacturing the same A container may have a breakaway tab forming an opening to dispense the contents. The container may be used for BB shot. The breakaway tab can have two opposing flat surfaces that extend upward away from the spout, and at least one cutout. The at least one cut out may be aligned with the flat opposing surfaces. The at least one cutout may facilitate easy removal of the tab to form a clean opening that is configured for proper dispensing of the contents.
US08672164B2	Drinking vessel with atmospheric assist valve Drinking vessels have an elongated container body joined with a closure body having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice, each in fluid-passing communication with the interior of the container body. A closure arm is rotatably mounted near one end of it and has at least two sealing members spaced from each other along the length of the closure arm, one of the sealing members opening and closing the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the dispensing orifice when the closure arm is rotated between its open and closed positions. At least the sealing member for the vent orifice has an elastomeric surface that sealingly engages a surface at the vent orifice when at the closed position. Elastic surfaces can instead or in addition be provided at the vent orifice surface or one or both opposing surfaces of the dispensing area.
US08672159B2	Hollow product with localized relief for vacuum sealing A hollow vacuum packaging product in which a ring includes threads distributed around its periphery, and between which a sealing cap enters into engagement when the hollow product is opened/closed. In an evacuated closed condition of the hollow product, the sealing cap is configured to enter into engagement only in an interval between two consecutive threads, or in plural such consecutive intervals, but not in all of the intervals. Such a hollow product may be, as an example, a thermoplastic bottle or jar.
US08672150B2	Modular shelving An adjustable shelving assembly is provided with four corner members of L-shaped cross section, either half of each corner member including aperture members each including an upper, larger circle and a lower, smaller, vertical hole overlapping the larger circle thereof; at least one group of four interconnecting members each including upper and lower aperture elements and a through hole between the aperture elements, each aperture element including an upper, smaller, vertical hole and a lower, larger circle overlapping the vertical hole thereof; elongated retainers each including two enlargements at both ends respectively, an annular groove adjacent to one enlargement, and an annular shoulder between the groove and the other enlargement; lock pins each having a substantial portion fastened in the larger circle of the aperture member and the through hole; and at least one flat shelf each anchored on tops of the interconnecting members.
US08672147B2	Expandable clothes frame An expandable clothes frame includes a pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies for engagement with a ground surface, two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies each extending between and hingedly engaged with each of the end support assemblies, wherein each foldable assembly is provided in two portions having relative movement therebetween to allow folding of each foldable assembly about a fold axis between the pair of end support assemblies, a linkage assembly extending longitudinally between the foldable assemblies, and a locking assembly for securing the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies relative to each other so as to secure the frame in the extended configuration. Upon the frame being urged towards an extended configuration the engageable and cooperative portions are urged towards each other and engage so as to secure the two portions relative to each other and maintain the frame in the extended configuration.
US08672138B2	Isotope separation by magnetic activation and separation A method for separation of isotopes includes vaporizing a sample having two or more isotopes of the same element. A stream of atoms is generated from the vaporized sample. One or more light waves are applied to the stream. The one or more light waves are tuned to prepare one or more specific isotopes in the flowing stream into a set of one or more magnetic states. A magnetic field is applied to the stream, deflecting atoms in the stream based on their magnetic states. Isotopes are collected based on their deflections (or lack of deflection).
US08672137B2	Modular, knock down, light weight, thermally insulating, tamper proof cargo container The invention provides a knock-down, lightweight, thermally insulating, shipping container made at least in part from a polymer core covered by a thermoplastic sheet layer. In an embodiment of the invention, the shipping container is modular, being adjusted to suit the item(s) to be shipped. In an embodiment of the invention, the base, top panel and walls are made of expanded polystyrene core and combined with high impact polystyrene surface. In one embodiment, a mesh is introduced into the core to strengthen the core making the shipping container tamper proof. A shipping container bag that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardant material and which forms an ultra violet light, weather and dust barrier can be used to store the shipping container. A system and method for supplying, dispensing, positioning, tracking, transporting, forwarding and storing the light weight shipping containers based on the shipping container bag is disclosed.
US08672129B2	Multicard holder A card holder for holding a plurality of transaction cards, such as a gift cards, that minimizes display rack space occupied by the holder when it is on display for sale, but that expands to hold multiple gift cards.
US08672123B1	Dry and wet mixing baby bottle A baby bottle comprised of an upper assembly, a lower assembly and a baffle assembly. The upper assembly is adapted to contain separately a wet ingredient and a lower assembly is adapted to contain a dry ingredient. The baffle assembly includes an integral plug and aperture that rotates relative to the upper assembly so that the upper assembly is selectively in fluid communication with lower assembly to mix the wet and dry ingredients.
US08672122B2	Carrying container folded from a die cut sheet material A carrying container for bottles includes a container body and a packaging reinforcing arrangement. The container body, which is made of a one-piece panel structure having a plurality of folding lines provided thereon, includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls to form a substantially cubic structure of the container and to define a receiving cavity. The packaging reinforcing arrangement includes two reinforcing walls integrally extended from two side edges of the bottom wall to the two side walls respectively, and supported within the receiving cavity at a position that a front reinforcing edge and a rear reinforcing edge of each of the reinforcing walls are biasing against inner surfaces of the front and rear walls of the container body for effectively resisting an external impact force.
US08672120B2	Wireway for conveyor The present invention is a wireway for a conveyor system which is integrally molded into the sideguard of the conveyor system. The sidewall, or sideguard, has both an inner wall and an outer wall, and there is an intermediate wall connected to both the inner wall and outer wall. The inner wall, outer wall, and intermediate wall form an upper passage and a lower passage which function as a wireway in which wires are fed through and connect to various components of the conveyor system.
US08672118B2	Conveyor installation with carrying bags for products to be conveyed A conveyor installation has carrying bags, in which products to be conveyed can be transported. In order to ensure an adequate spacing of the carrying bags from one another on back-up sections, the latter have spacers, which can be adjusted between a rest position and a working position.
US08672115B1	Clutch for a roller shade including a ribbed spindle A roller shade clutch is disclosed. In exemplary embodiments the clutch may comprise a housing, a ribbed post extending axially from the housing, a sprocket wheel mounted for rotation around the post, at least one torsion spring mounted for rotation on the ribbed post, a chain guard, a boss extending axially from the sprocket wheel, and a drum disposed over the ribbed post, the torsion spring and the boss.
US08672110B2	Automatic torque overload clutch A torque overload clutch comprises outer and inner members. A recess is formed in the outer member and a radial opening is formed in the inner member. A driving member is slideably captured in the opening to move between an extended, engaged position with the recess and a retracted, disengaged position. An actuator ring is urged by a spring into engagement with the driving member to bias the driving member toward the engaged position. An end of the driving member may engage the recess to define an engagement angle that is approximately between thirty-four and seventy degrees relative to a radially oriented reference. The driving member may be slideably captured in a liner seated in the opening, and one or both may be impregnated with a lubricant. A bearing may be positioned between the inner and outer members to inhibit relative movement along the clutch axis.
US08672107B2	Compact vibration damper A vibration damper includes a rigid base with a mass coupled thereto for linear movement thereon. Springs coupled to the mass compress in response to the linear movement along either of two opposing directions. A converter coupled to the mass converts the linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement. A rotary damper coupled to the converter damps the rotational movement.
US08672105B2	Damping control device filled with magnetorheological fluid and engine mount having the same A damping control device includes a lower core, a nonmagnetic orifice, an upper core, and a membrane made of an elastic material to shield a lower end of the lower core, and in which the lower core and the upper core are magnetized when a current is applied to the coil, and a predetermined amount of the MR fluid is filled therein, such that the MR fluid flows between the pressure applying plate and the upper plate according to an elastic compression of the membrane.
US08672102B2	Brake system for a motor vehicle An improved brake system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes a rotor attached to a rim of a wheel and a caliper assembly mounted to a hub of the wheel. The caliper is arranged to retain a friction element and operatively engage the friction element against the rotor.
US08672091B2	Personnel safety apparatus for a machine Personnel safety apparatus is provided on a machine to prevent users from falling while moving between access points on the machine. The apparatus includes a rail having a first end positioned adjacent a first user access point and a second end positioned adjacent a second user access point to define a rail path that spans a vertical elevation. A carrier is movably coupled to the rail and has a first mode, in which the carrier engages a fixed position on the rail, and a second mode, in which the carrier is permitted to move relative to the rail. A tether extends between a harness on the user and the carrier to secure the user to the machine.
US08672088B2	Phase plug and acoustic lens for direct radiating loudspeaker A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle.
US08672074B2	Apparocycs A non-conventional motorcycle designed to be a wearable application. It is intended that the present invention is used to transport a passenger commuting between a suburb and a city which lack a reliable public means of transportation to school, work or other, however it is more particular, that the present invention be used in extreme, sport competition racing of various applications providing an area facilitating spectators.
US08672073B2	Construction machine A construction machine includes an engine disposed in an engine room, a heat exchanger disposed in the engine room, an air intake passage configured to provide a communication between the interior and the exterior of the engine room, and a cooling fan disposed in the engine room. The cooling fan is configured to draw external air into the engine room through the air intake passage by rotation thereof, and to flow the external air for allowing the external air to pass the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an air intake surface formed on a side portion thereof. The air intake surface is a surface configured to receive airflow to be drawn into the heat exchanger. The air intake passage is configured to flow the external air drawn to the air intake passage along a route passing a position over the heat exchanger and reaching the air intake surface.
US08672072B2	Construction machine A construction machine that can limit consumption of battery electric power is provided. The construction machine includes: air-cooled heat exchangers 47, 48; a cooling fan 49 for generating cooling air for the heat exchangers 47, 48; a fan electric drive motor 50 that is driven by electric power of a battery 8 for rotating the cooling fan 49; an inverter unit 30 for drivingly controlling the fan electric drive motor 50; a lock lever 25 disposed at a boarding-alighting port and configured to be operated into an unlocked position and a locked position; and a lock valve 42 for making an operation of an operating device 27 or the like ineffective or the operating device inoperative when the lock lever 25 is operated into the locked position. The inverter unit 30 stops the fan electric drive motor 50 when the lock lever 25 is operated into the locked position.
US08672071B2	Fluid cooler arrangement for a cooling package in a work vehicle A work vehicle includes a frame and a cooling package carried by the frame. The cooling package includes a housing with an opening, and a fluid cooler covering the opening. The fluid cooler includes at least one hinge along one side thereof, and at least one latch along another side thereof, whereby the fluid cooler can be pivoted open to access an inner side of the fluid cooler.
US08672065B2	Vehicle having an articulated suspension and method of using same A vehicle includes a chassis and a plurality of wheel assemblies articulated with the chassis, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies comprising a rotatable wheel spaced away from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and an articulated suspension system mounted to the chassis. A method includes comprising articulating at least one of a plurality of wheel assemblies with a chassis, each of the wheel assemblies including a rotatable wheel spaced apart from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and articulatable means for rolling the chassis along a path.
US08672064B2	Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled irrigation vehicles (10) that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled irrigation vehicle (60) using one or more track assemblies (62). Each track assembly (62) includes a carriage (70) with frames (92, 94) that support a plurality of pairs of idler wheels (74, 76), and pairs of bogey wheels (80, 82, 84). A portion of one of the frames (94) is telescopically received within a portion of the other frame (92), so that the frames (92, 94) may move relative to each other in a linear fashion. A tensioning apparatus (212) is connected to the frames (92, 94) so that the frames are adjustable relative to each other. Each carriage (70) also includes a hub support frame (90) that is connected to one of the frames (92) in an offset manner. The hub support frame (90) includes an aperture (132) that rotatably receives a spindle (262) of an adaptor (258). The adaptor (258) includes a peripheral flange (264) to which a segmented sprocket (86) may be connected, and a ring extension (268) that is able to be connected to an existing wheel hub of an irrigation vehicle whose drive wheel has been removed. A flexible endless track (88) is entrained about the wheels (74, 76, 80, 82, 84) and the sprocket (86). The track assembly (62) may be provided with one or more cleats (278) that are removably connected to the flexible, endless track (88), and which include a ground engaging member (281) that serves to increase the traction of the endless track (88).
US08672059B2	Permanent magnet direct drive drawworks A direct drive drawworks has a permanent magnet motor, a shaft extending from the permanent magnet motor so that the permanent magnet motor directly rotates the shaft, and a drum connected to the shaft away from the permanent magnet motor such that the rotation of the shaft causes a corresponding rotation of the drum. The permanent magnet motor has a housing, a stator positioned in the housing, and a rotor cooperative with the stator. The rotor has a drive plate affixed thereto. The shaft is directly connected to the drive plate. A bearing housing rotatably supports the shaft.
US08672057B2	Method for controlling loss of drilling fluid Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss.
US08672044B2	Device for increasing the effectiveness of the pressurizing gas in an extinguisher bottle A fire extinction device comprises a reservoir (2) of extinguishing agent and means for generating a pressurized gas (30) such that the gas generated (16) may enter the reservoir (2) when the extinguishing agent (4) is to be ejected onto a fire zone.The device of the invention comprises furthermore a refractory separating element (40) between the extinguishing agent (4) and the pressurizing gas generated (16), in order to avoid heat exchanges between them and to optimise the ejection of the extinguishing agent (4).
US08672029B2	System for reducing foam in mixing operations A technique facilitates mixing operations by removing foaming that results from air entrained during mixing of constituents. A mixing system comprises a container body having an interior and an inlet through which material enters the interior for mixing. The container body also comprises a discharge through which the mixed material is delivered downstream. A mechanical foam breaker is disposed within the container body and extends upwardly a sufficient distance to extend through a surface level to which the material rises during mixing within the container body. The mechanical foam breaker is oriented to break down foam along the surface of the material as the material moves through the interior.
US08672028B2	Settable compositions comprising interground perlite and hydraulic cement Methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise interground perlite and hydraulic cement. An embodiment provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a settable composition comprising perlite, hydraulic cement, and water, wherein the perlite and hydraulic cement are interground prior to combination with the water to form the settable composition; and allowing the settable composition to set.
US08672027B2	In situ fluid reservoir stimulation process A method for stimulating a hydrocarbon-containing formation that includes the steps of: introducing a heat source in the formation; heating a portion of liquid hydrocarbons in the formation to expand hydrocarbon volume, thereby rejuvenating fractures in the formation; passing at least some of the heated liquid hydrocarbons through the rejuvenated fractures; and producing at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbons that passed through the rejuvenated fractures. The methods and processes provide for in-situ stimulation of hydrocarbon-containing formations using energy to expand in-situ liquid hydrocarbons, thus rejuvenating naturally occurring fractures. In some embodiments, the energy is supplied as heat from injection of an oxygen-containing fluid.
US08672025B2	Downhole debris removal tool A downhole debris recovery tool including a ported sub coupled to a debris sub, a suction tube disposed in the debris sub, and an annular jet pump sub disposed in the ported sub and fluidly connected to the suction tube is disclosed. A method of removing debris from a wellbore including the steps of lowering a downhole debris removal tool into the wellbore, the downhole debris removal tool having an annular jet pump sub, a mixing tube, a diffuser, and a suction tube, flowing a fluid through a bore of the annular jet pump sub, jetting the fluid from the annular jet pump sub into the mixing tube, displacing an initially static fluid in the mixing tube through the diffuser, thereby creating a vacuum effect in the suction tube to draw a debris-laden fluid into the downhole debris removal tool, and removing the tool downhole debris removal tool from the wellbore after a predetermined time interval is also disclosed. Further, an isolation valve including a housing, an inner tube disposed coaxially with the housing, and a gate, wherein the gate is configured to selectively close an annular space between the housing and the inner tube is disclosed.
US08672021B2	Simplified flow shell and tube type heat exchanger for transfer line exchangers and like applications A shell and tube heat exchanger (which can be a boiler) which includes a plenum chamber defined by at least one of the tube-sheets and a diaphragm plate. In this plenum chamber a system of outer and inner annuli around each of the tubes created by a system of baffle tubes that surround each fluid tube and a holes in the thick tube-sheet of the exchanger. This arrangement allows the high pressure cooling fluid in the shell to keep the high temperature low pressure fluid tube inlet, and the associated tube-sheet cool under very high hot fluid flow rates at lower cost, smaller footprint and with lower pressure loss of the low pressure hot fluid than previous art.
US08672019B1	Cleaning unit for a continuous metal strip as well as a strip casting installation with such a cleaning unit An arrangement includes a continuous band made of metal, at least two guiding rollers, around which the continuous band is guided, and a first drive, which is set up to move the metal strip. Furthermore, the arrangement includes a textile band, a pressing device, which is set up to press the textile band against the metal strip, and a second drive which is set up to move the textile band past the pressing device. The textile band is set up to clean the continuous band made of metal. In addition, a strip casting installation is also provided which includes an arrangement of this type.
US08672013B2	Apparatus for handling magnet An apparatus for handling a magnet handles a plurality of split magnets obtained by sequentially splitting a magnet to be split from one end thereof. The apparatus for handling a magnet is equipped with a mechanism which arranges a split magnet with respect to a previously split magnet so that the magnets are put on top of one another and the corresponding irregularities of a pair of split surfaces thereof are arranged opposite each other. The apparatus for handling a magnet is also equipped with a section where the plurality of split magnets are arranged.
US08672005B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having connecting grooves A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion having an outside tread edge and an inside tread edge. The tread portion is provided with: a plurality of oblique grooves extending from the outside tread edge toward the inside tread edge beyond the tire equator, while inclining to one circumferential direction corresponding to the tire rotational direction at angles of from 20 to 45 degrees with respect to said one circumferential direction; and a plurality of connecting grooves extending between the oblique grooves at angles β of from 90 to 180 degrees with respect to said one circumferential direction. Between every two of the adjacent oblique grooves, there are disposed are three or more of the connecting grooves which are gradually decreased in the angle β from the outside tread edge towards the inside tread edge, whereby a plurality of oblique blocks are formed between every two of the adjacent oblique grooves.
US08672002B2	Key locator A key locator includes first and second members. The first member has opposed ends and an intermediate u-shaped region. One of the ends of the first member comprises a hook for engaging the second member which includes a clasp while the other end comprises an enlarged portion for fixing an ornament thereto. The arrangement is suitable for hanging at the open top of a bag-like device such as a purse, backpack or briefcase whereby the ornament is displayed at the same time that the keys are readily accessible without undue fishing efforts.
US08671993B2	Flexible short pipe having shock absorbing function Disclosed herein is a flexible short pipe having a shock absorbing function. The flexible short pipe has flexibility so as to absorb shocks generated in the longitudinal direction of a lifting pipe (or flexible pipe) and have resistance to a bending load or a torsional load when being wound around a roller. The flexible short pipe includes flanges provided at upper and lower ends thereof to be coupled to a unit lifting pipe or flexible pipe. An inner layer has a curved shape and is provided between the upper and lower flanges to allow slurry, lifted up or discharged by a lifting pump, to flow along the inner layer. An outer layer has a curved shape and surrounds the inner layer. A shock absorbing means is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, and absorbs longitudinal force and bending force.
US08671991B2	Flange protector and lug A lug for use in connection with a flange protector comprising a flexible impact-resistant material having a cover portion, the flange protector having multiple lugs insertable into bolt holes on the flange, wherein each lug comprises a deformable lug body having an upper end which in use is attached to a portion of the flange protector and a lower end spaced from and upper end and insertable into a bolt hole. The lug body is hollow and has an opening in a lower end, the lower end is defined by a circumferential arcuate surface terminating at the opening in the lower end, the upper end having disconnected shoulder portions on sides of the lug body, each shoulder portion having an oblique surface terminating at a lower end portion and extending partially around an upper end, the oblique surface spaced from the upper end of the lug body.
US08671973B2	Mass flow controller hysteresis compensation system and method A method of characterizing hysteresis as a function of a device output comprising, applying an input signal across a first input signal range to a device, the input signal inducing a device function having a first output with a first output value range dependent upon the first input signal range. The input signal is further applied across a second input signal range to the device, the input signal inducing the device function to have a second output with a second output value range dependent upon (i) the second input signal range and (ii) device hysteresis. A difference between the second input signal range and the first input signal range is then measured across the first and second output value ranges. A method of operating a mass flow controller valve and a mass flow controller are also contemplated.
US08671965B2	Methods for enhanced fluid delivery on bevel etch applications An apparatus to supply a plurality of process fluids for processing a substrate in a semiconductor processing chamber. The apparatus includes a plurality of process fluid supply valves and a fluid supply network that is defined between a crossover valve and a tuning supply valve. The apparatus further includes a tuning fluid supply being connected to the fluid supply network through the tuning supply valve. Further included with the apparatus is a plurality of process fluids that are connected to the fluid supply network through the plurality of process fluid supply valves. A process chamber that has a substrate support is also included in the apparatus. The process chamber further including an edge fluid supply and a center fluid supply, the edge fluid supply connected to the fluid supply network through an edge enable valve and the center supply connected to the fluid supply network through a center enable valve.
US08671963B2	Overhead combined tent structure An overhead combined tent structure having a snap ring sleeved securely onto a vertical columnar object and which contains an adjustable clamping portion. A soft lining is assembled between the snap ring and vertical columnar object. A tent skeleton is composed of a plurality of racks and is extended outwards by taking the snap ring as a pivot and assembled crisscross to define a floor area. A plurality of single-opening connectors are used to connect the snap ring with various racks of the tent skeleton. The vertical plate is clamped by the snap ring and abutted externally onto the soft lining. A supporting leg assembly is linked to the floor area of the tent skeleton, made of a plurality of adjustable supports and protruded vertically to form a landing end. A universal swinging footstand is mated with the landing end of the adjustable support in a universal swinging state.
US08671960B2	Detergent dispenser with agitator current determining fill level The present invention relates to a washer (1) comprising a dosing unit (4). In the said washer (1), the current supplied to the agitator motor (8) actuating the agitator (6) disposed inside the receptacle (5) of the dosing unit (4), preferably at the base embedded in the cleaning agent, is monitored, in order to determine a fill level of the dosing unit (4) by comparing the supplied current to stored current levels for known fill levels.
US08671952B2	Tobacco pouch product A pouched tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a tobacco component contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the tobacco component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the tobacco component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant.
US08671947B2	Dental bite construction for performance enhancing mouth guards An improved performance enhancing mouth guards having transverse pins embedded in the right and left posterior occlusal base portion of the mouth guard, is disclosed.
US08671940B2	Life support and microclimate integrated system and process with internal and external active heating The present invention of one embodiment includes a combined microclimate, thermal management, life-support system for care of patient and system for measurement of vital signs. The system of one embodiment, provides active external heating and simultaneously provides active internal heating.
US08671930B2	One-axis solar tracker system and apparatus with wind lock devices The present invention proposes a one-axis solar tracker system and apparatus which is simple to install, lower cost and with the provision of an electric-magnetic locking device to resist from medium to strongest wind condition like hurricane or typhoon. Solar farms is more and more popular to use one-axis tracker due to lower cost, higher wind resistance and easier for large scale solar farm installation, especially at lower latitude tropic zones. This disclosure proposes a one-axis tracker with multiple posts support using a single or dual linear actuators driving mechanism for rotation. It is also equipped with a wind lock device to lock the solar tracker in horizontal neutral position during strong wind condition such as hurricane or typhoon. The stepwise wind lock device can further be applied to locking the solar tracker following each step of linear actuator activation enabling the disclosed solar tracker to operate in windy conditions.
US08671920B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle, a dedicated EGR cylinder configured to operate on a two-stroke combustion cycle and an EGR supply conduit extending between an exhaust port of the dedicated EGR cylinder and the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for delivery of exhaust gas exiting the dedicated EGR cylinder to the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for combustion therein.
US08671918B2	Devices, systems, and methods for controlling fuel states for internal combustion engines A fuel state control unit for use with internal combustion engines can include a primary heating chamber, a secondary heating chamber, and an expansion chamber. The primary heating chamber has a fuel conduit through which fuel is conveyed. A heater in the primary heating chamber transmits heat to the conveyed fuel in the primary heating chamber. The heater is controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature of the fuel. The heated fuel from the conduit is conveyed into a secondary heating chamber. A pressure plate separates the secondary heating chamber from the expansion chamber. The ports of the pressure plate can regulate the flow of the fuel into the expansion chamber. The heated fuel in the expansion chamber can then be conveyed to an engine so as to increase engine efficiency and reduce the amount of pollutant gases in the engine exhaust.
US08671917B2	Gradual oxidation with reciprocating engine Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.
US08671916B2	Fuel tank and fuel vapor treatment device equipped with the fuel tank A fuel tank that stores a liquid fuel is equipped with a float member floating on the fuel stored in the fuel tank. In this fuel tank, the float member is so formed as to cover a liquid surface of the liquid fuel.
US08671912B2	Fuel injector the control valve element of which has a support region The invention relates to an injector, in particular, a common-rail injector for injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. An injection valve element, adjustable between a closed position and an open position, is controllable by means of a control valve. The control valve has a control valve element, adjustable between a closed position and an open position by means of an actuator, which in the closed position is an at least almost pressure-equalized and has a sealing line which cooperates in a sealing manner with a control valve seat. The sealing line of the control valve element is lifted off the control valve seat in the open position and hence opens fuel flow from a high pressure region to a low pressure region of the injector. According to the invention, the control valve element has a support region extending over the sealing line in a radial direction to the high pressure region.
US08671908B2	Glow plug placement in a diesel engine A four-valve per cylinder engine has two intake valves, two exhaust valves and a centrally located fuel injector. Between each adjacent pair of valves is a valve bridge with a point of minimum separation between adjacent valves. In the present disclosure, the glow plug port is defined in the cylinder top at a location outboard of the minimum separation between adjacent and at a depth which is tangent to an edge of a fuel jet emanating the injector. By placing the glow plug farther outboard than found in the prior art, the glow plug contacts the fuel as it comes out of the injector and as it rebounds off a feature of the piston bowl.
US08671907B2	Split cycle variable capacity rotary spark ignition engine A split-cycle variable capacity rotary spark ignition engine system having at least a first rotary configuration (C1) including repetitively volume variable working chambers [60, 61, 62] for carrying out the combustion-expansion and exhaust phases and at least a second rotary configuration (C2) including repetitively volume variable working chambers (70, 71, 72) for carrying out the intake and compression phases of a four phase engine cycle. Dividing seal means (73, 74 of C1, 75, 76 of C2) for periodically dividing each of successive working chambers into a volume enlarging leading portion and a volume contracting trailing portion. Discharge valve means for varying compression chamber capacity through discharging fraction of trapped intake gas from compression chambers. A first phase altering arrangement is provided for varying the phase relation between the first rotary configuration (C1) and the second rotary configuration (C2). A second phase altering arrangement varies phase relation between the discharge valve means and corresponding compression chambers. The first rotary configuration (C1) having variable capacity combustion chambers operatively synchronize with the variable capacity compression chambers of the second rotary configuration (C2) so that accomplish nearly full-load-like combustion environment through a substantially wide engine operating range.
US08671906B2	Clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine A clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine has excellent maintainability such that clutch actuator maintenance and the like can be carried out without dismounting an engine case. The clutch actuator mounting structure for an internal combustion engine includes, in the engine case, a power transmission mechanism designed to transmit rotational power of a crankshaft to an output shaft through a shift clutch and a transmission. The engine case is formed with a clutch actuator containing part in which a clutch actuator for engaging/disengaging the shift clutch is contained. The clutch actuator containing part has a clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port through which to mount and dismount the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port is formed to be exposed to the exterior.
US08671905B2	Piston for an internal combustion engine and method for its production A piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston head that has a circumferential cooling channel as well as a combustion bowl having a circumferential bowl wall that makes a transition into a piston crown by way of a bowl edge region. The combustion bowl is formed at least in part by a piston base body and the bowl wall is formed at least in part from an insert. The insert is connected with the piston base body by means of beam welding. A lower weld seam is configured in the bowl wall, which seam encloses an acute angle with the piston center axis (M) and ends in the lower half of the cooling channel. An upper weld seam runs from the cooling channel ceiling to the piston crown and is disposed centered or radially offset toward the outside, with reference to the clear width of the cooling channel.
US08671903B2	System for restarting internal combustion engine when engine restart condition is met In a system, a pinion shift unit starts shift of a pinion to a ring gear for engagement therebetween during an internal combustion engine coasting in a forward direction after an automatic stop of the internal combustion engine. An engagement determining unit determines whether the pinion and the ring gear have any one of first and second positional relationships therebetween. The first positional relationship represents that the pinion is at least partly engaged with the ring gear. The second positional relationship represents that the pinion is in abutment with the ring gear. When an engine restart condition is met before it is determined that the pinion and the ring gear have any one of first and second positional relationships therebetween after the start of the shift of the pinion to the ring gear, a rotation adjusting unit adjusts a start timing of rotation of the pinion.
US08671899B2	Rotary valve system The present invention comprises a rotary valve apparatus for internal combustion engines having a cylindrical outer casing, an inlet port and an outlet port on an outer wall thereof. The cylindrical outer casing having a bottom opening and dimensioned and configured to be secured over an engine cylinder. An inner rotor having a shaft with a first end and a second end, and a lower circular member at the second end. The first end having a plurality of vertical splines and the lower circular member having a cutout portion, a circular end cap having an inlet port and an outlet port disposed within the bottom opening of the outer casing. The inner rotor rotatably mounted on the circular end cap wherein the cutout portion can align with the inlet port or the outlet port and a gear assembly rotating the inner rotor.
US08671892B2	Radiator cooling structure for water-cooled power unit Disclosed is a radiator cooling structure for cooling a radiator of a water-cooled power unit mounted on a small vehicle and disposed on a laterally outer side of the small vehicle, which radiator cooling structure improves the efficiency of cooling an internal combustion engine by using a head wind. The radiator is provided with a radiator cover having a louver for guiding cooling air to the radiator. The louver is formed such that a rear part thereof is more protruded laterally outward than a front part thereof. The louver of the radiator cover has parallel slats tilting forward, and a lower body cover is provided with a cooling air intake opening capable of guiding a head wind toward the louver positioned obliquely above and rearward of the cooling air intake opening.
US08671889B2	Pet leash A pet leash apparatus includes a housing, a spool enclosed within the housing, and a container attached to the housing, configured to store a volume of liquid solvent. The spool is configured to store and dispense a leash, the leash configured to be extendable from the housing in a first direction, and retractable into the housing by way of the spool. The spool configured to be actuated by a first control arrangement mounted on the housing. The container is coupled to an inlet of an orifice by way of a valve, the valve configured to be actuated by a second control arrangement, the orifice including an outlet to the exterior of the housing. The housing is configured to be handheld; and actuation of the valve releases a directed spray of liquid solvent through the orifice in a second direction.
US08671887B2	Orthopedic pet bed An orthopedic pet bed including an upper sheet and a lower sheet coupled together so as to define an interior volume subdivided into a plurality of cells, of which adjacent cells are in fluid communication with one another. The cells may be substantially shaped as hexagons, triangles, parallelograms, or any combination thereof.
US08671881B2	Thickness adjustment device for thin-film coating A thickness adjustment device for thin-film coating is revealed. The thickness adjustment device for thin-film coating includes a coating device, a support set, and a thickness adjustment unit. The coating device consists of a work piece conveyor that delivers a work piece, and a material supply unit that carries a coating material onto a surface of the work piece to form a film. The support set is connected to the coating device while the thickness adjustment unit is inserted through and mounted on the support set. The thickness adjustment unit includes a scrape part disposed correspondingly to the work piece and used for applying coating material to form the film. The thickness of the film is adjusted according to a controlling force or torque of the thickness adjustment unit that presses downward. Thus the film is coated on the work piece evenly and the film coating quality is increased.
US08671875B2	Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method and storage medium Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus capable of increasing the number of arranged substrate retainers without increasing the total exhaust amount of the liquid processing apparatus. A N-number (N is an integer identical to or greater than three) of cup bodies are inhaled and exhausted in total exhaust amount E through a plurality of separate exhaustion passage each having a first damper, and through a common exhaustion passage connected in common downstream of the separate exhaustion passages. The first dampers are configured such that an external air is received from the cup body in a first intake amount of external air E1 for one of the cup bodies where a chemical liquid nozzle is placed at a setting location facing a wafer, and an external air is received from each of the other cup bodies in a second intake amount of external air E2 less than the first amount E1 and the intake amount of external air from both each of the other cup bodies and each of branched passages equals (E−E1)/(n−1).
US08671870B2	Systems and methods for extracting and processing gases from submerged sources Systems and methods for extracting and processing gases from submerged sources are disclosed. A system for removing and processing a gas from a submerged area in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a membrane or other open-bottom structure having a port and being disposed over at least a portion of the submerged area so as to at least partially enclose a volume of the gas. The system can further include a chemical reactor coupled to the open-bottom structure to receive the gas, and positioned to conduct a non-combustion reaction to dissociate a constituent from a donor substance of the gas.
US08671855B2	Apparatus for treating waste A waste treatment system processes waste upon the application of energy. The system includes a vessel that contains an open space. A waste feed system feeds inorganic and/or organic waste into the open space of the vessel. One or more pairs of electrodes are within the vessel and may be supported above a bottom of the vessel. The electrodes generate energy that heats the vessel's open space, and melts inorganic portions of the waste and gasifies and dissociates organic portions of the waste into elemental components. These elemental components may be reformed into a synthesis gas which may be conditioned and cleaned to recovery a non-hazardous product.
US08671852B2	Modular folding table The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.
US08671843B2	Automatic carriage return for exhaust removal system An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. A drive motor drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle. Upon release of the extraction hose from the vehicle, the engagement assembly is configured to automatically activate to the engaged configuration to engage the drive cable.
US08671839B2	Projectile and munition including projectile A projectile (and munition including the projectile) and a method of assembling the same, includes a body having a cavity, a propellant disposed in the cavity and a base including an ignition flash column extending into the cavity containing the propellant and a nozzle formed so as to be openable and closeable.
US08671837B2	Squeegee device and screen printing machine A squeegee device includes a squeegee that has a sliding contact portion in sliding contact with a screen mask, and that prints a solder on a circuit board through the screen mask, wherein an attack angle of the squeegee is adjustable. In the squeegee device, when adjusting the attack angle during a tooling change in which the type of circuit board is changed, positions of the sliding contact portion before and after adjustment substantially match.
US08671836B2	Numbering device for typographic numbering There is described a numbering device (1) for carrying out numbering in sheet-fed or web-fed numbering presses, the numbering device (1) comprising a numbering unit (6) with rotatable numbering wheels (7) carrying alpha-numerical symbols thereon, which numbering wheels (7) are disposed next to each other and rotate about a common rotation axis, the numbering device (1) further comprising electro-mechanical actuation means for setting the position of the numbering wheels (7). The electro-mechanical actuation means are entirely located within the numbering device (1) and are mechanically autonomous, the electro-mechanical actuation means comprising a plurality of independent driving means (15, 18-23; 23*) for actuating a corresponding plurality of the numbering wheels.
US08671828B2	System and method for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge A system and device for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge. The device includes a supply unit for supplying an injection fluid into the cartridge, a cartridge holder configured to accept and support the cartridge with the cartridge holder being detachable from the device. A complementary insertion mechanism of the device is configured to receive the cartridge holder in the device. The cartridge is positioned in the supply unit in an injection position with its injection surface substantially in an inclined plane relative to the horizontal plane and the injection mechanism is offset from the highest edge of the cartridge. The cartridge holder preferably comprises a linear wedge-shaped insertion member having a bearing surface inclined along an angle. The method of operation of the system and device are also disclosed.
US08671822B2	Fluid driven reciprocating linear motor A reciprocating linear motor powered by one directional fluid flow is provided, having small external diameter, optimized for length, with few moving parts and effective seals, low mass and thus low inertia in direction changes. The motor provides reciprocating linear powered motion for use by attached equipment such as a pump, chisel, hammer, valve, or other machine requiring such power.
US08671821B1	Method of providing a defense against a shaped charge A method of providing a defense against a shaped charge uses an outer and an inner armor layer provided with a medial space between these outer and inner armor layers. One or more defensive shaped charges are positioned in the medial space. If the outer armor layer is attacked by ordnance having an offensive shaped charge, one or more of the defensive shaped charges positioned in the medial space is detonated so as to degrade the effectiveness of the offensive shaped charge and prevent penetration of the inner armor layer.
US08671819B2	Blast load attenuation system for a vehicle An apparatus may comprise an outer skin having an exterior side and an interior side, an internal structure positioned relative to the interior side of the outer skin, and an inner skin. The internal structure may be capable of absorbing a blast load applied to the exterior side of the outer skin. The internal structure may be located between the outer skin and the inner skin.
US08671817B1	Braiding device for catheter having acuately varying pullwires A braider for braiding wires to a tube comprising an iris assembly having stacked iris plates. Each of the iris plates includes a center aperture, a wire orifice disposed radially outward from the center aperture, and an arcuate channel. The iris plates are rotatable relative to each other to adjust a circumferential orientation of the wire orifices relative to each other. The arcuate channel(s) of each respective iris plate is coincident with the wire orifice(s) of the remaining iris(es). The braider comprises a feeder assembly configured for advancing the tube through the center apertures, and advancing the wires through the respective wire orifices. The braider further comprises a braiding assembly configured for braiding a plurality of filaments around the tube and the plurality of wires as they are fed through the iris assembly, thereby creating a braided tube assembly.
US08671816B2	Toothed cable, cable device provided with a toothed cable, and system for moving a moving object, said system provided with a toothed cable A toothed cable is provided in which a strand can be securely joined to a core cable while maintaining flexibility of the strand. The toothed cable includes the core cable, a wire disposed spirally around the core cable at a fixed pitch, and the strand having a core thread and piles fixed to the core thread, the strand being disposed spirally along a groove having side walls and a bottom formed by the wire and the core cable. The toothed cable is obtained by a manufacturing method of disposing a meltable filament thread in the groove, disposing the strand in the groove with tension after the filament thread is disposed, melting the filament thread after the strand is disposed, and joining the strand to the core cable by solidifying the melted filament thread.
US08671810B2	Folder for adjustably tensioning a web as the web is cut A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a cutting apparatus cutting a moving web to form successive signatures, a first acceleration cylinder and a second acceleration cylinder. The first acceleration cylinder includes a first contacting segment and a first relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the first contacting segment. The second acceleration cylinder includes a second contacting segment and a second relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the second contacting segment. The first acceleration cylinder and the second acceleration cylinder grip the web at a gripping location with the first contacting segment and the second contacting segment as the web is cut by the cutting apparatus.
US08671805B2	Ceiling support installation system A ceiling panel suspension system includes a tapered anchor installing head driver for use in a ceiling anchor pole system for installing anchors and associated support wires from a ceiling or other support structure to be used to support a suspended ceiling. The tapered body of the head driver enables an installer to better visually align the anchor with a previously drilled pilot holes.
US08671798B2	Compression ring for an isolator in a motion transmitting remote control assembly An annular isolator (68, 70) is disposed in an open ended bore (66) of a support body (58) and surrounds an end fitting (26, 28) for attenuating vibrations therebetween. A cap (74) is disposed on the support body (58) to close the open ended bore (66). An inflexible compression ring (76) is sandwiched axially between the isolator (68, 70) and the cap (74) and in abutting engagement with a stop (78) to limit compression of the isolator (68, 70) from the cap (74). The compression ring (76) is inserted into the bore (66) prior to molding the cap (74) to limit compression of the isolator (68, 70) during fabrication.
US08671788B2	Power transmitting apparatus Disclosed is a power-transmitting apparatus The power-transmitting apparatus of the present invention comprises: a pin gear provided with a plurality of pins capable of rolling movement; a spur gear provided with a plurality of teeth and engagingly coupled to the pin gear so as to be relatively movable; and a lubricant supplying unit provided on the pin gear to supply lubricant to the plurality of pins. According to the present invention, by regularly applying a lubricant, the occurrence of problems such as the adherence of external dust and the efflorescence of the lubricant can be reduced, and in particular, because lubricant can be self-supplied to the plurality of pins provided on the pin gear, as opposed to the prior art, the task of applying a lubricant can be easily performed.
US08671785B2	Automated animal bite simulator for testing cables Methods, devices, and storage media provide for receiving a selection of parameters pertaining to an animal; receiving a selection of parameters pertaining to an animal interaction with a cable; simulating the animal interaction based on the selection of parameters pertaining to the animal and the animal interaction; collecting test data during the simulating; and storing the test data.
US08671770B2	Brazed joint strain shift detection method for monitoring instrument high cycle fatigue life A method of determining when a component exceeds a predetermined stress level that is less than a fatigue failure level for the component comprising providing a braze joint in a high stress area of a target component, the braze joint designed to accommodate stress/strain up to the predetermined threshold level; measuring strain at the braze joint; observing a shift in strain indicative of a failed brazed joint; utilizing information obtained to repair, replace or set a remaining service life for the target component.
US08671763B2	Sub-surface windscreen for outdoor measurement of infrasound A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone.
US08671761B2	Method of assessing bolted joint integrity A method of assessing bolted joint integrity. A guided wave is sent through a structure containing at least one bolted joint. The guided wave that is subsequently propagated through the structure and interacted with the bolted joint is measured to obtain a measured result. At least one parameter of the guided wave after its travel through the structure, and after having been affected by a nonlinear acoustic behavior of the bolted joint, is analyzed. Either at least one guided wave parameter is compared to a wave propagation pattern of the bolted joint at a correct torque level, or variation of at least one guided wave parameter is compared, to determine changes in wave propagation time and/or wave propagation shape. An incorrect torque level of the bolted joint is inferred from any changes that are determined.
US08671749B2	System and method to protect strain gauges while transmitting pressure A technique facilitates drilling of boreholes by enabling improved measurement of strain during drilling applications. A strain gauge is mounted on a drilling component of a drill string. The strain gauge is covered with a volume of liquid, and the liquid is enclosed at least in part with a flexible layer of material. The flexible layer of material is sufficiently flexible to provide a negligible pressure differential between the volume of liquid and the surrounding environment while drilling, thus enabling accurate functioning of the strain gauge.
US08671735B2	Device for collecting gases in molten metal and measurement method A device is provided for collection of gases in molten metals, the device having an immersion end with a gas collection body, a gas supply line opening at the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for gases penetrating the gas collection body. The gas collection body is impermeable to molten metal and has an end face arranged on the immersion end and side walls of the collection body. At least a portion of the gas collection body has a gas impermeable layer arranged on a surface of the side walls of the gas collection body. A measurement method is also provided using the device.
US08671732B2	Oil-pressure swaging tool for rebuilding a connecting pipe An oil-pressure swaging tool for rebuilding a connecting pipe includes an abutting member abutting against an oil-pressure device, a connector inserted into a connecting pipe, one end of a first axial member passing through the abutting member to connect to one end of the connector, another end of the first axial member connected to the oil-pressure device, a rebuilding member assembled to another end of the connecting pipe, a pressure collar adjacent to one end of the rebuilding member, one end of a second axial member passing through the rebuilding member to connected to the pressure collar, another end of the second axial member connected to another end of the connector. Therefore, when the opening of the connecting pipe is rebuilt by the oil-pressure swaging tool of the present invention, one end of the connecting pipe is not necessary to abut against a wall because of the abutting member.
US08671729B2	Fluid-assisted non-isothermal stamping of a sheet blank A method for stamping a desired shape from a sheet blank includes providing the sheet blank. The method also includes locally cooling the sheet blank with a stream of fluid in a predetermined area of high stress concentration to be experienced during forming of the sheet blank into a desired shape. The method additionally includes forming the metal sheet blank into the desired shape in a stamping press with a punch. A system employing the method for forming a sheet blank is also disclosed.
US08671728B2	Forming and/or cutting plate workpieces A plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The first and second tool portions are arranged along an application axis in spaced relation to each other such that a plate workpiece can be disposed therebetween. The tool also includes two or more processing devices that are carried by the first tool portion, and one or more counter-devices that are carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices are rotatable, relative to the first tool portion, about a first rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the application axis and are arranged to follow each other along an axis extending perpendicularly to the application axis. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces therebetween.
US08671727B2	Methods for producing blank tube for cold drawing and for producing cold drawn tube A blank tube for cold drawing is used for the production of a longer-length, small-diameter tube such as a heat-transfer tube for steam generation in nuclear power facilities, wherein the blank tube will not cause scoring and chattering vibration in a drawing process. The blank tube is used to produce a cold drawn tube through cold drawing of the blank tube. The average surface roughness Ra (ANSI B46.1) of the inner surface of blank tube before drawing satisfies the condition: 0.10 μm≦Ra≦1.00 μm in the case of a blank tube for cold drawing for use in an oil-lubricated drawing. In particular, the surface roughness Ra satisfies the condition: 0.10 μm≦Ra≦0.50 μm in the case of a blank tube for use in a high-pressure lubrication drawing and made of an austenitic alloy for use in a heat-transfer tube for a steam generator.
US08671722B1	Steering wheel lock to be secured on the arms within the rim of a steering wheel A bar shaped steering wheel lock including two “L” shaped hooks obliquely attached on the lock body, an interior rod covered by trapezoidal thread for connecting the two hooks, a locking mechanism and an extendable sleeve. The trapezoidal thread allows the rod to be locked in position by the locking mechanism. The steering wheel lock is mounted firmly on a steering wheel by firstly inserting the two hooks into the holes on the wheel and secondly by stretching the two hooks until both the two hooks are secured on the arms within the rim of the steering wheel allowing the sleeve to be extended outward. The extended sleeve thus blocks the complete rotation of the steering wheel.
US08671721B2	Lock structure A lock structure for an electrical device is provided. The lock structure includes a rotatable fastener, a lock body, an operation device, and a housing. The lock body is disposed at least partially in the housing, connected with the operation device, and couples with a driving portion. When the lock body is in an unlocked state, the lock body allows the driving portion to move the rotatable fastener. Simultaneously, the operation device can move the driving portion to change the orientation of the rotatable fastener, resulting in the connection/detachment of the lock structure and the electronic device. When the lock body is in a locked state, movement of the driving portion is restricted and the operation device cannot directly or indirectly rotate the rotatable fastener, resulting in the secure connection of the lock structure and the electronic device.
US08671720B2	Drum washing machine A drum washing machine is provided to automatically wash out dirt on the door of the washing machine upon an operation of the washing machine. The drum washing machine comprises a cabinet having a door unit; a tub disposed inside the cabinet, the tub being configured to store water; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; and a circulator for simultaneously or selectively spraying wash water into the drum and toward the door unit.
US08671712B2	Upper freezer basket guided by lower freezer basket divider A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer door for providing access to the freezer compartment, a lower freezer basket, an upper freezer basket, a divider operatively connected to the lower freezer basket to divide the lower freezer basket, and guide surfaces on a top portion of the divider to allow for guiding the upper freezer basket forward and back.
US08671708B2	Ice storage device and refrigerator including the same and a water purifier including the same An ice storage device and a refrigerator and purifier including the ice storage device are disclosed. The ice storage device includes an ice storage box, a plurality of ice outlets provided in the ice storage box and an ice transfer member provided in the ice storage box, to transfer ice to the plurality of the ice outlets selectively. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice storage device capable of discharging ice along various directions, and a refrigerator and purifier including the ice storage device.
US08671704B2	Refrigeration system with intermediate pressure vapor supply valve A refrigeration system includes a compressor; a condenser connected to a first inlet of a separator which has: a vapor outlet connected to the compressor and a liquid outlet connected to an evaporator; a selecting valve having: a first vapor inlet connected to the evaporator; a second vapor inlet connected to the separator; and a vapor outlet connected to the compressor, the selecting valve being operated to selectively and alternatively communicate its first and second vapor inlets with its vapor outlet, so as to allow the compressor to draw vapor from the separator and from the evaporator; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the selecting valve.
US08671699B2	Method and system for vaporizing liquefied natural gas with optional co-production of electricity A process for the use of ambient air as a heat exchange medium for vaporizing cryogenic fluids wherein the vaporized cryogenic gases are heated to a selected temperature for use or delivery to a pipeline.
US08671698B2	Gas liquifier A cryocooler for liquefying gas in which the neck of the dewar or cryostat includes a cold end of a cryocooler with the first stage cooling station, the first stage regenerator, the second stage cooling station, the second stage regenerator, and a condenser thermally coupled to the second cooling station. Radiation baffles are also present within the neck portion of the dewar between the storage portion for the dewar and the condenser, such that when the cryocooler is turned off, the radiation baffles reduce heat radiation on the cryogen in the storage section of the dewar.
US08671695B2	Process for the production of hydrogen with total recovery of CO2 and reduction of unconverted methane This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and water vapor comprising a stage in which a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock is sent to a vapor-reforming unit and another portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock is sent directly to an autothermal reformer in a mixture with the effluent that is obtained from a vapor-reforming unit, a vapor-reforming stage of the hydrocarbon feedstock in a vapor-reforming unit, a stage for autothermal reforming of the stream that is obtained in the preceding stage as well as the hydrocarbon feedstock that is sent directly into an autothermal reformer, a vapor conversion stage of the synthesis gas that is obtained in the preceding stage, and a stage for recovering carbon dioxide that is present in the stream that is obtained in the vapor conversion stage.
US08671688B2	Combined cycle power plant with thermal load reduction system A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine.
US08671685B2	Microturbine Sun Tracker The invention relates electrical power generation using renewable sun energy in a Microturbine Sun Tracker (MST), a system for useful electrical output power that combines a Concentrated Solar Energy (CSE) with a closed cycle Microturbine powerplant.The solar light ray energy of the CSE is directed into a solar receiver with an integrated closed cycle microturbine powerplant, heating the working fluid of the microturbine to cause the turbine rotor/power spool rotation and subsequent output electricity. Also the (MST) system combines the dish form (CSE) and the closed cycle microturbine powerplant to a common frame that incorporates a single axis 360° rotation capability and secondary declination tilting capability.
US08671681B1	Opposed piston internal combustion engine and method of operation thereof An internal combustion hydraulic engine for producing a supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid includes a frame, a pair of pivot pins, two levers, and combustion assemblies and hydraulic assemblies mechanically communicating with each other through the levers. Each of the assemblies includes a pair of opposed pistons engaged to the levers with a variable volume chamber between them, the piston faces being movable boundaries defining the variable volume chamber. In cyclic operation, a compressed fuel-air mixture in a first combustion chamber detonates, driving the combustion pistons apart. The pistons drive connecting rods, pivoting the lever arms, the lever arms, in turn drawing apart the pistons of a first hydraulic assembly, driving together the pistons of a second hydraulic assembly to produce pressurized hydraulic fluid, and driving together the combustion pistons of a second combustion assembly into which a fuel-air mixture has been introduced, compressing the mixture therein.
US08671679B2	Fast fill tandem master cylinder A fast fill braking system includes a master cylinder, a primary pressure chamber having a first chamber portion located forwardly of a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the second chamber portion, and a primary piston including a first piston portion positioned within the primary pressure chamber and a second piston portion extending out of the primary pressure chamber, the first piston portion having a diameter (i) larger than a diameter of the second piston portion, and (ii) complementary to the diameter of the second chamber portion.
US08671675B2	Wave powered electric generator system In a wave powered electric generator system, multiple floatation devices are interconnected by torque arms arranged to convert pivotal movement of the torque arms due to up and down movement of the floatation devices, into one-way rotational movement of electric generator shafts, the torque arms being configured to permit expansion and contraction of their lengths when exposed to sudden, severe axial forces.
US08671672B2	Pneumatic actuator structure An actuator structure includes two half cylinders made respectively from the same mold and the two half cylinders engaged with each other to form an actuator. The actuator has an air reservoir chamber and a vane chamber dividing by a dividing unit, and the vane chamber has a vane inside. An O-shaped ring is formed around the vane and an elastic stopping edge is formed protrudingly from the O-shaped ring and linearly contacted an inner surface of the actuator. The volume ratio of the air reservoir chamber and the vane chamber is about three to one, and a channel groove is formed at an interface of the two half cylinders to connect an air inlet hole and a left side and a right side wall of the actuator. A fail-safe or dual-movement control structure is formed to control the direction of air supply to drive the shaft to rotate toward a predetermined direction, or utilizing the compressed air in the air reservoir chamber to force the vane to restore to its original position.
US08671669B2	Exhaust gas cooler for a motor vehicle An exhaust-gas cooler for a motor vehicle is provided that includes a flow path which can be traversed by exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and which has an inlet region and an outlet region for the exhaust gas, a housing which surrounds the flow path and which has at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a liquid coolant of a coolant circuit, wherein the coolant can flow around the flow path in order to cool the exhaust gas, and wherein the coolant circuit is formed as a main cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, wherein the exhaust-gas cooler is arranged in the main cooling circuit in series with the internal combustion engine.
US08671667B2	Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine in an engine exhaust passage of which a hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged. On the exhaust purification catalyst, platinum Pt is carried and a basic layer is formed. A concentration of hydrocarbons flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst is made to vibrate within a predetermined range of amplitude of 200 ppm or more and within a predetermined range of period of 5 seconds or less whereby NOx which is contained in the exhaust gas is reduced in the exhaust purification catalyst.
US08671659B2	Systems and methods for power generation using oxy-fuel combustion A system and a method of generating energy in a power plant using a turbine are provided. The system includes an air separation unit providing an oxygen output; a plasma generator that is capable of generating plasma; and a combustor configured to receive oxygen and to combust a fuel stream in the presence of the plasma, so as to maintain a stable flame, generating an exhaust gas. The system can further include a water condensation system, fluidly-coupled to the combustor, that is capable of producing a high-content carbon dioxide stream that is substantially free of oxygen. The method of generating energy in a power plant includes the steps of operating an air separation unit to separate oxygen from air, combusting a fuel stream in a combustor in the presence of oxygen, and generating an exhaust gas from the combustion. The exhaust gas can be used in a turbine to generate electricity. A plasma is generated inside the combustor, and a stable flame is maintained in the combustor.
US08671656B2	Adverse terrain remote control vegetation cutter system and method Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for remote vegetation cutting, trimming and yard maintenance on adverse terrain. The adverse terrain vegetation cutting apparatus articulates to conform to adverse surface conditions and improve stability. Upon detecting instability the apparatus may automatically rotate to a more stable position.
US08671649B2	Separate packing station A work station for packing articles to be picked onto a shipping support includes a platform, a packing station, a platform on the platform, a shipping support station beneath the platform, a lifting device for lifting an empty or partially packed shipping support and for lowering completely packed shipping supports, and a track for transporting loose articles to be picked to the packing station dedicated to load supports which conveys the articles to be picked on load supports to the packing station or from the conveyor technique can be order-picked.
US08671647B2	Continuous pelletizing, drying and bagging systems with improved throughput The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.
US08671646B2	Layer-by-layer double-hoop sunflower-shaped cable dome structure and its construction method A cable dome structure comprises a top circle and circles of vertical jack posts supported by radiating and hoop cables. The upper and lower ends of the jack post have an upper and a lower cable bar nodes, respectively. The upper cable bar node is connected with two upper radiating cables of present circle at one side, two upper radiating cables of the circle above and two lower radiating cables of the circle above at another side and an upper hoop cable connecting the middle of the upper cable bar node. The lower cable bar node of the present circle at the same side of the upper radiating cables is connected with two lower radiating cables of the present circle and a lower hoop cable connecting the middle of the lower cable bar node. The top circle comprises an upper and a lower cable bar nodes and an elastic pole.
US08671644B2	Supporting frame A supporting frame comprises four transversal supporting tubes, each of the transversal supporting tubes having two hollow ends; each two adjacent inner faces of each transversal supporting tube being formed with a screw hole; four longitudinal supporting tubes, each upper end of the longitudinal supporting tubes being a hollow end; moreover, each two adjacent inner faces of each longitudinal supporting tube being formed with respective screw holes; and a plurality of three-way internal connecting units; each three-way internal connecting unit having three inserting ends; each inserting end of the three-way internal connecting unit can be inserted into the hollow ends of the transversal supporting tube and the longitudinal supporting tube; thus by the longitudinal supporting tubes, the four transversal supporting tubes can be assembled as a rectangular upper frame and the four longitudinal supporting tubes being assembled as legs of the upper frame.
US08671641B2	Half precast slab and method for structuring half precast slab Providing a half precast slab even in a case where the thickness of the slab in the site condition is too thick to apply conventional precast construction techniques. A half precast slab including a plurality of floor concrete form members and, each floor concrete form member being provided with: a bottom slab of a long length, in response to the floor concrete form member; a pair of side walls installed upright along each longitudinal edge of the bottom slab, in response to the floor concrete form member; thereby, each floor concrete form member is arranged so as to be parallel to each other and be tightly connected to the adjacent floor concrete form member, along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each floor concrete form member; the height of the side walls other than the side walls on the most outer edge sides of the whole floor concrete form members is set at a common height that is smaller than the height of the side walls on the most outer edge sides.
US08671638B2	Frame structure for solar cell module A frame structure for solar cell module is disclosed, which has four sidebars and each sidebar is comprised of a bottom, a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall, a first horizontal wall and a second horizontal wall in a manner that the first vertical wall is formed with a width larger than the second vertical wall; the second vertical wall is connected to the bottom and spaced from the first vertical wall by a first distance; the second horizontal wall is connected to the first vertical wall by an end away from the bottom; the first horizontal wall is connected to the first vertical wall and is spaced from the second horizontal wall by a second distance; the second horizontal is formed with a thin panel at a side that is proximate to the first horizontal wall for blocking the overflow of a filling material in the frame structure.
US08671633B2	Foldable sliding wall and carriage The foldable sliding wall includes at least a first and a second wall element that are pivotally connected to one another and pivotally held by a first and a second head carriage, which are displaceably supported in a head rail. A first head fitting is mounted at the upper side of the first wall element and is connected to a first shaft, which is supported in a first carriage body of the first head carriage and a second head fitting is mounted at the upper side of the second wall element and is connected to a second shaft, which is supported in a second carriage body of the second head carriage.
US08671632B2	Wall gap fire block device, system and method Fire block devices for application to a wall component. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a U-shaped central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.
US08671629B2	Buildings seismic isolation and snubber system for a seismic isolation mechanism instantly activated A building's seismic isolation and snubber system for a seismic isolation mechanism instantly activated includes sensors, a processing unit, absorber systems, hydraulic oil pressure systems and multilayer sliding systems. In this regard, a sensor detecting any earthquake-induced strike and dip in a building's quadrant of operation could supply an oblique angle to the processing unit in which the oblique angle thereof is transferred to any hydraulic oil pressure system's coefficient of damping for the hydraulic oil pressure system's corresponding damping force generated to control and distribute a building's equilibrium, and any multilayer sliding system is used to yield or eliminate any seismic horizontal vibrations for the said elements developing all functions, substantially reducing and distributing earthquake-induced stresses, and delivering a building with seismic vibrations effectively isolated and prevented.
US08671628B2	Spacing/levelling device for laying slab products for surface cladding An intake manifold (2) of comburent air is presented for an internal combustion engine (1) provided with a recirculating conduit (60) of exhaust gases. The intake manifold (2) includes a first inlet mouth (213) of the comburent air, a second inlet mouth (214) in communication with the recirculating conduit (60) of the exhaust gases, and a plurality of outlet mouths (201), having a wall (7) positioned in front of each of the outlet mouths (201) and configured for dividing the internal volume of the intake manifold (2) into two chambers (215, 204), the first chamber (215) being placed in communication with the first inlet mouth (213) and the second inlet mouth (214) and the second chamber (204) being placed in communication with the outlet mouths (201), the wall (7) defining an opening (70) adapted for placing the first chamber (215) and the second chamber (204) in communication.
US08671624B2	Containerized access control unit A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).
US08671623B2	Vehicle door manual lock assembly A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.
US08671622B2	Device for the at least partial closing of an opening of a room The invention relates to a device (1) for the at least partial closing of an opening (2) of a room comprising a closing element (3) which is placeable sealingly on an opening bottom (1) and is guided vertically movable in guides (4), which are arranged vertically on both sides of the opening (2), between an open position in a upper area of the opening (2) and a closed position on the opening bottom (2) and which is connected to at least one counterweight (5), by means of which the closing element (3) is held motionless in its particular position without an additional force acting on the closing element (3).According to the invention, the closing element (3) is coupled to at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or motor drive unit (8) for moving the closing element (3).
US08671615B2	Method of tandem cropping for increased production of food grain crops The present invention provides a method of tandem cropping for increased production of up to 40% in wheat and mustard crops using varieties with phenological plasticity and temperature tolerance traits. The cereal bread wheat and oil seed mustard are traditional winter season (Rabi) crops in north India/Indo-Gangetic plains. This area experiences receding levels of warm weather and long days in September, October and November, progressive increase and then decrease of cold conditions and short days between November and March and onset of warm weather turning into summer and relatively longer days in March and April. Conventionally a seasonal crop of wheat or mustard or wheat followed by mustard or vice versa could be taken in the winter Rabi season of Indo-Gangetic plains to increase the production of these commodities. The concept has not occurred to persons skilled in the art of wheat cultivation and breeding and as far as is known there is no report of tandem cultivation of wheat under natural seasonal changes of agro-climates in areas where wheat cultivation is practiced. For tandem cropping, wheat and mustard cultivars must posses properties of flowering under long day or short day conditions, tolerating temperature gradients and reaching maturity earlier than normal.
US08671599B2	Labels and methods of making same A label having at least one resealable brochure and being suitable for attachment to a mounting surface includes a base planar member having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces and a first lateral edge, the first surface being suitable for coupling the base planar member to the mounting surface, a brochure sheet including a second lateral edge that partially overlies the base member, a planar overlying member and a planar tab, wherein, a portion of the brochure sheet and overlying member project beyond the first lateral edge of the base planar member such that when the label is attached to the mounting surface, the overlying member may be selectively uncoupled and recoupled to the mounting surface. Also disclosed are methods of making the labels.
US08671594B2	Article of footwear with traction members having a low profile sole An article of footwear with traction members, such as cleats or spikes, having a low profile sole providing increased stability to the wearer. The profile of a sole is the distance between the lasting line and the end of the traction members. This distance incorporates traction members, an outsole of the article of footwear having receptacles for receiving the traction members, and a lasting material located above the receptacles for attaching the sole to the upper. A lower profile may be achieved by reducing, for example, the height of the receptacle, through the use of new connection mechanisms and/or constructions.
US08671592B2	Wear-resistant outsole An article of footwear may have an outsole with multiple contact zones. Each of those contact zones may include perimeter regions formed from a harder elastomeric material and traction elements formed from a softer elastomeric material. The traction elements within a particular contact zone may be generally planar in shape and aligned in parallel along on orientation direction for that contact zone. When undeformed, the traction elements in a contact zone may extend outward from the outsole beyond the perimeter regions of that same contact zone. In response to a shear force resulting from activity of a shoe wearer, the traction elements may be deformable so as to rest within a volume formed by the perimeter regions.
US08671590B2	Shoe stability layer apparatus and method An apparatus comprising a stability layer dimensioned to be positioned within a shoe. The apparatus may comprise a stability wall extending downward from a heel portion of the stability layer. The stability wall may comprise a back section dimensioned to curve around a back side of the heel portion. The stability wall may also comprise at least one of a lateral side section and/or a medial side section. The lateral side section may extend along a lateral side of the heel portion and the medial side section may extend along a medial side of the heel portion. A method may comprise providing a stability layer and a midsole layer. The method may also comprise positioning the stability layer on the midsole layer.
US08671588B2	Shoe cover A shoe cover having a covering sized to receive a shoe and a sole coupled to the covering. In one example embodiment, the covering is made of an elastic material and the sole includes a serrated edge for expanding a perimeter portion of the sole.
US08671584B2	Drill positioner for a coordinate measuring machine A fixture for positioning a drill, vector or the like, has a gimbal mechanism with a tubular bushing extending therethrough. The gimbal mechanism is angularly adjustable and is held by a mounting assembly which is horizontally adjustable along an x-axis and y-axis. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting assembly is supported on a base which carries an x-axis mechanism for adjusting the location of the ball member along an x-axis and a y-axis mechanism for adjusting the location of the ball along a y-axis.
US08671582B2	Tilt indicator According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area.
US08671579B2	Pair of cutting jaws A pair of cutting jaws are provided for a hydraulic or electric pressing tool. Each jaw is formed in the manner of a lever, with a driving portion and a working portion, which extend in opposite directions from a pivot axis. The working portion is reduced in its thickness by half or more in comparison with the driving portion.
US08671576B1	Divisible head razor device The divisible head razor device provides a removable blade case with two blade heads slideably disposed therein. The handle of the device terminates in a carrier having a thumb wheel within the neck. The gear shaft in turn rotates the distally disposed rack gear. Two gear arms are disposed in contact with the rack gear. Each gear arm is adjusted laterally by the thumb wheel. Each gear arm is connected to an extension, each extension connected to a vertical section, each vertical section connected to a right angle section. Two blade heads are disposed slideably side by side within the blade case. Each of the blade heads removably connects to one of each of the right angle extensions. The blade heads are controlled by the thumb wheel such that the heads can be positioned together or apart with a gap determined by a user.
US08671575B2	Method of manufacturing tail trim using clad metal plate Provided is a method of manufacturing a tail trim using a clad metal plate, and a tail trim made of a clad metal plate, which thus enables decrease in weight and improved corrosion resistance, and which further enables increased heat resistance. The method includes rolling two washed metal materials to obtain an initial clad metal plate, and then heat treating and further rolling the initial clad metal plate to obtain a final clad metal plate; pressing the final clad metal plate, thus forming a main tail trim and a housing, the housing including a tail trim upper cover and a tail trim lower cover; and subjecting the main tail trim and the housing to tungsten inert gas welding, thus manufacturing the tail trim.
US08671567B2	Method for manufacturing a probe for an electrical test A method for manufacturing a probed for an electrical test includes producing by a deposition technique a deposit including a probe main body portion made of a nickel-boron alloy and a probe tip portion projecting downward from the probe main body portion and made of a different conductive material from the probe main body portion. The method further includes annealing the deposit. The average grain diameter of the nickel-boron alloy is between 97 Å and 170 Å. The contained amount of boron is from 0.02 wt % to 0.20 wt %.
US08671566B2	Method of forming a lead An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.
US08671565B1	Blind via capture pad structure fabrication method A capture pad structure includes a lower dielectric layer, a capture pad embedded within the lower dielectric layer, the capture pad comprising a plurality of linear segments. To form the capture pad, a focused laser beam is moved linearly to form linear channels in the dielectric layer. These channels are filled with an electrically conductive material to form the capture pad.
US08671563B2	Method for printing a conductive pattern The invention concerns a method for forming an electrically conductive pattern on an insulating substrate. In the method, particle-type electrically conductive matter is transferred onto a surface of the substrate and the particle-type electrically conductive matter is at least partially sintered at elevated temperature and pressure in order to convert the particle-type electrically conductive matter into a continuously electrically conductive pattern affixed to the substrate. According to the invention, the electrically conductive matter is transferred in the form of a predefined pattern, and the sintering is carried out by using a nip comprising two opposing nip members between which the substrate is fed. The method provides an efficient way of making high-resolution conductor structures at low temperatures.
US08671562B2	Method for manufacturing a circuit board A method for manufacturing a circuit board includes the steps of: forming a first wiring layer on a substrate; forming an insulating layer on the surface of the first wiring layer by means of electrophoretic deposition; forming a second wiring layer on the insulating layer and the surface of the substrate; and performing the follow-up procedures, such as forming a solder mask; thereby reducing the thickness of the circuit board and increasing the density of the circuit layout.
US08671553B1	Method for protecting a touch-screen display The invention discloses methods for transferring a tactile signal through an inert piece of material. In some embodiments, clear, impact resistant covers are employed with devices including touch-sensitive screens. The instant invention, in some embodiments, describes a method for employing a plurality of magnets to allow a user to input information on a touch-sensitive screen through the inert cover. Contact of a magnet pair above the cover may allow for a signal to be delivered to the touch-sensitive display via a second magnet pair that includes a stylus adapted to activate the surface of the display.
US08671552B2	Method for manufacturing a rotor for an electric machine An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a central opening that is configured to receive the rotor. The rotor includes a generally cylindrical first section comprising a first material mounted on an axially extending shaft within the central opening. The rotor further includes a second section having a second material of a predetermined thickness that is coated directly on at least a portion of the first section. The second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material.
US08671551B2	Process for nondestructive evaluation of the quality of a crimped wire connector A process and apparatus for collecting data for nondestructive evaluation of the quality of a crimped wire connector are provided. The process involves providing a crimping tool having an anvil and opposing jaw for crimping a terminal onto a stranded wire, moving the jaw relative to the anvil to close the distance between the jaw and the anvil and thereby compress the terminal against the wire, while transmitting ultrasonic waves that are propagated through the terminal-wire combination and received at a receiving ultrasonic transducer as the jaw is moved relative to the anvil, and detecting and recording the position of the jaw relative to the anvil as a function of time and detecting and recording the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave that is received at the receiving ultrasonic transducer as a function of time as the jaw is moved relative to the anvil.
US08671546B2	Method of mounting a refiner plate segment A refiner plate carrier for use in refining lignocellulosic material including a mounting mechanism for mounting to a refiner plate segment and not a rotor or stator disk. The combined plate carrier and refiner plate segment may be then attached to a refiner disk. The refiner plate carrier need not provide structural support to the segment during lignocellulosic refining.
US08671545B1	Decoratable utility rod assemblies One customizable utility rod assembly includes a wall attachment member; a base rod; and a cross rod, hook, towel ring, shelving rod, or toilet paper rod extending from the base rod. The wall attachment member has threading and at least one hole. The base rod has a distal side and a threaded proximal side threadably coupling the base rod to the wall attachment member. A method of customizing a utility rod having: (a) a threaded wall attachment member with a hole, and (b) a base rod presenting a distal side and a threaded proximal side forming a cavity, includes the following steps. Step (1): securing the wall attachment member to a surface with a fastener extending through the hole. Step (2): threadably coupling the base rod proximal side to the wall attachment member such that the wall attachment member is at least partially enclosed within the cavity.
US08671539B2	Method of manufacturing master link Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a master link which connects ends of track chains of an endless track to each other. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a master link which includes a pair of partial link units that are separably coupled to each other, and which can markedly enhance the degree of precision in machining the partial link units and the quality of the product. The method includes forming a wire-cutting reference hole at a predetermined position in the master link so that a wire is inserted into the wire-cutting reference hole, and forming the first and second partial link units by wire-cutting after inserting the wire into the wire-cutting reference hole.
US08671538B2	Method of monitoring a crimping process, crimping press and computer program product A method of monitoring a crimping process is disclosed, which determines whether an actual force stroke progression (Fa)/force time progression is, a) above, or, b) below an ideal force stroke progression (Fi)/force time progression in at least one point. The method shifts an upper border (Bu) and/or the lower border (Bl) of a tolerance band upwards in case a) and downwards in case b). Additionally, there is an absolute upper limit (Lu), at which an upward shifting of the upper border (Bu) is inhibited, and an absolute lower limit (Ll), at which a downward shifting of the lower border (Bl) is inhibited. Moreover, a crimping press and a computer program product for employing the inventive method are disclosed.
US08671534B2	Universal clutch alignment tool An universal clutch alignment tool is provided. A tool rod is assembled with a connecting mechanism, and the connecting mechanism is then assembled with a positioning pipe, thereby forming a tool for assembling/disassembling a clutch. The connecting mechanism includes a sleeve, a driving rod, and connecting blocks. The sleeve is made into a hollow pipe in which a driving head at one end of the driving rod is disposed. The surface of the sleeve is formed with slots respectively arranged at an angular interval in which the connecting blocks are received. The outer surface of the driving head is formed with a conical driving slope. The middle section of each driving block is provided with a V-shaped notch. The inner walls on both sides of the notch are formed with two connecting slopes symmetrical to each other. The outer edge of the driving head is inserted into the notches of the connecting blocks, so that the tool rod drives the connecting blocks via the driving rod to generate a radial expansion or retraction, thereby allowing various kinds of clutches to be assembled or disassembled.
US08671527B2	Fastener assembly A fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a first connecting end adapted to engage a slot opening in the first component, and a second connecting end adapted for press-fit insertion into an opening in the second component. The first connecting end includes a raised edge collar defining a concave surface facing away from the second connecting end and an opposing platform surface disposed above the raised edge collar in spaced relation to the raised edge collar with a post member extending between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The first connecting end is adapted to hold the first component in sandwiched relation between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The raised edge collar includes a segmented perimeter wall including a plurality of cut-outs defining substantially independently flexible segments between the cut-outs.
US08671519B1	Quick-change caster Method and apparatus for a quick-change caster system for removing and replacing the casters which are used to support articles such as steel racks, containers, crates and the like. The caster system having a housing which is attached to the article so that a caster mounted on a plate can be slidably inserted and removed from the housing in a very quick and easy fashion so as to be quiet in operation. Also disclosed is a dampening pad disposed between the caster plate and the housing which is designed to decrease noise, vibration, etc. Also shown is a bolt or the like used for locking the caster plate and dampening plate inside the housing so that it cannot be accidentally removed therefrom.
US08671515B2	Brushroll cleaning feature with resilient linkage to regulate user-applied force A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.
US08671509B2	Battery powered cordless cleaning system A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
US08671507B2	Autonomous floor-cleaning robot A floor cleaning robot includes a housing having an underside, a substantially semi-circular front portion, and a substantially semi-circular rear portion. A displaceable bumper of a substantially semi-circular leading edge is located along a front portion of the housing. A leading wheel is mounted on the underside of the housing located adjacent to a mid-point of the semi-circular leading edge, and a battery pack cover is positioned rearwardly of the leading wheel and covers a battery pack that supplies power to the robot. At least two drive wheels are positioned rearwardly of the leading wheel, and at least one main brush is positioned rearwardly of the at least two drive wheels and is configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the underside. The floor cleaning robot also includes at least one side brush having at least two arms extending outwardly from a central hub located in a recess in the underside of the housing, the at least one side brush being attached to the hub such that rotation of the hub causes the brush to direct debris from a floor surface beyond the semi-circular leading edge of the robot housing for collection by the robot. An ejectable dust bin is provided that has a surface forming at least a portion of a semi-circular trailing edge of the housing.
US08671500B2	Grill tool, associated pad, and associated methods A grill tool, a pad usable with the grill tool, and a method of making and using the grill tool are disclosed. Such a grill tool is configured for cleaning a surface while maintaining the surface at a temperature up to the operating temperature of the surface. The grill tool includes a tool head and a tool handle. The tool head includes an attachment mechanism for removably attaching a cleaning pad to the head so as to present a major cleaning surface and opposite minor cleaning surfaces. The tool handle may be configured to include handles capable of maintaining a user's hands horizontally and vertically spaced apart along the handle.
US08671490B1	Bridge span replacement system A vertically-adjustable gantry assembly installation adapted for removal or placement of a train bridge-span of the type which spans and is supported by two piers, comprises a gantry assembly positioned on load-bearing first ground-support locations, the gantry assembly comprising a gantry and a ground-engaging vertical support and lift system, the vertical support and lift system adapted for supporting a combined weight of the gantry and a bridge span in at least one operational vertical position above respective bridge span support-surfaces of the piers including a position corresponding to a disembarking plane in which the leg portions are extended from a stowed position to an extent at least sufficient for the gantry assembly to self-liftoff the pre-installation conveyance system onto the first ground-support locations to effect the gantry assembly installation.
US08671476B2	Woven contoured bed sheet with elastomeric yarns A bed sheet defined by a one-ply woven web of warp yarns and fill yarns having a top and a side panel depending from the top panel. The warp yarns extend in a warp direction through the top and side panel and the fill yarns extend in a fill direction through the top and the side panel. A plurality of fill yarns, warp yarns, or both are a non-spandex, non-core spun elastomeric yarn whereby the bed sheet is stretchable at least along the elastomeric yarns as a contoured bed sheet. In one example, the non-spandex, non-core spun elastomeric yarns are composed of elasterell-p.
US08671474B2	Support frame assembly for patient lifts A patient lift support frame assembly, comprising a patient-lift-carrying member, and first and second support members for carrying the patient-lift-support member. The support members are telescopically configured, and can be extended manually, with an actuator to push a ceiling pad against a ceiling for greater stability. The support member are selectively lockable against being shortened, using gears and a cam, or other lock. The ceiling bearing element is spring loaded.
US08671473B1	Laundry tub with overflow drain A laundry tub apparatus with an overflow drain comprising an aperture located along an upper portion of a side wall and an overflow assembly is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises a basin assembly, an overflow drain assembly, and a bottom drain assembly. The basin assembly comprises a tub, a bottom drain, and a faucet assembly. An overflow aperture is located in a side wall of the tub, further comprising an elbow which directs overflow water to the bottom drain assembly below the tub, thereby providing normal drainage into a waste system rather than completely filling the tub and spilling out.
US08671467B2	Head protection system Systems and devices for protecting a user's head and for integrating accessories with a head protection system. The head protection system uses a rigid shell worn on the user's head and the rigid shell has a power/data bus located inside a preconfigured channel inside a halo housing attached to the shell. This power/data bus is accessible to peripherals using distinct connection points both inside and outside the shell. Removable protection accessories are also provided and attachable to the shell using an attachment subsystem located on the inside edge of the shell. The attachment subsystem has a number of recesses which mate with tabs on the removable protection accessories. Once attached to the shell, the removable protection accessories are lockable into place using a suitable locking mechanism. A nape protection attachment, a mandibular guard attachment, a visor attachment, and other protection accessories may be attached to the shell.
US08671466B2	Helmet shell made of composite material The general field of the invention is that of helmet shells made of composite material comprising at least one “armure” of fabrics impregnated with a resin matrix. Certain parts of the “armure” are impregnated with a resin matrix comprising an additive adapted to reinforce the mechanical strength of the helmet, the said parts corresponding to the weakest zones of a human head, such as the top of the head or the ears. Preferably, the resin is of the epoxy type and the additive is based on acrylic block copolymers. More precisely, the additive is of the “Nanostrength®” brand.
US08671463B2	Protective glove A glove for use on a motorcycle comprises a front and a back, the front further comprising: a palm region, said palm region comprising an internal surface proximate a hand during use and an external surface opposite the internal surface; a finger region; and a thumb region; wherein said palm region comprises at least one skid protruding from said external surface; whereby on impact on a road surface the wearer slides on the surface as said skid engages the road surface.
US08677509B2	Method and system for preventing copying of information from previews of webpages A touch screen device may include: a touch panel receiving a touch signal; a noise measurement unit measuring a noise value input to the touch panel; a determination unit determining whether or not the measured noise value exceeds a threshold; and a control unit controlling an operation mode to be maintained or switched according to a determination result of the determination unit.
US08677508B2	Confidential information leakage prevention system, confidential information leakage prevention method and confidential information leakage prevention program Provided are first monitoring unit 106a for monitoring whether service provision unit 102 has been called by an application, second monitoring unit 107a for monitoring whether a network access request is sent to a network, first access control unit 106b for controlling the network access request of the call detected by the first monitoring unit 106a, based on a security level assigned to the application program that has called the service provision unit, and second access control unit 107b for determining whether the first access control unit 106b has already performed access control on the network access request detected to have been sent by the second monitoring unit 107a, and, if the access control has been performed, controlling the network access request based on a security level assigned to the application program that has sent this network access request.
US08677496B2	Method and apparatus for automatic risk assessment of a firewall configuration A method and apparatus for Automatic Risk Assessment of a Firewall Configuration facilitates the automatic generation of a risk assessment of a given firewall configuration. The method scans the firewall analyzer report, before the human user does, and flag the Configuration errors. Each found mis-configuration is called a risk item. The report is analyzed according a Knowledge Base of known risk items. The method further filters duplicate risk item which are trigger by different rules.
US08677493B2	Dynamic cleaning for malware using cloud technology A method for providing malware cleaning includes detecting potential malware on a first device connected to a network. A request including information to allow a second device connected to the network to determine an appropriate cleaning response is sent from the first device to the second device over the network. Upon receiving the request, the second device attempts to identify an appropriate cleaning response and, if a response is identified, sends the cleaning response over the network to the first device. The cleaning response is usable by the first device to address the detected potential malware.
US08677487B2	System and method for detecting a malicious command and control channel A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes detecting repetitive connections from a source node to a destination node, calculating a score for the source node based on the connections, and taking a policy action if the score exceeds a threshold score. In more particular embodiments, the repetitive connections use a hypertext transfer protocol and may include connections to a small number of unique domains, connections to small number of unique resources associated with the destination node, and/or a large number of connections to a resource in a domain. Moreover, heuristics may be used to score the source node and identify behavior indicative of a threat, such as a bot or other malware.
US08677460B2	File transfer system A file authentication requesting device that stores a computer program for requesting authentication of files in digital systems, the device comprises a confirmation request system that generates a request for a confirmation receipt from a third party authenticator authenticating the attributes of a file; a transferring system that transfers attributes of at least one file to be authenticated to the third party authenticator from the device that requested the confirmation; and a receiving system that receives the confirmation receipt comprising authenticated file attributes, after authentication by the third party authenticator; wherein, at least one file authentication is received from the third party authenticator. Corresponding processing devices, media, systems and methods are also provided.
US08677446B2	Centrally managed impersonation Systems, methods and computer readable media for centrally managed impersonation are described. Examples include a system having a central server and a remote shell daemon running on a remote machine, wherein a trust relationship is established between the central server and the remote shell daemon. Examples also include a method wherein a user sends the management system a request to act upon a remote machine. The management system determines whether the user is authenticated for the requested action. Upon authentication, the management system identifies an impersonation policy based on user profile and the remote machine. The management system connects to the remote machine, impersonates an elevated privilege account if required, and executes the user action on the remote machine.
US08677445B2	Information processing apparatus and computer readable medium An information processing apparatus, includes: a registration unit that refers to a use limit information memory which stores use limit information indicating a policy of a use limit of a document corresponding to a set of a mark image indicating that use of the document is limited and user associated information relating to a user associated to the document, extracts the mark image and person in charge information from document image information obtained by reading a paper document including the mark image and the person in charge information indicating a person in charge with respect to contents of the paper document, acquires the use limit information corresponding to a set of the extracted mark image and the user associated information corresponding to the extracted person in charge information from the use limit information memory, and registers the acquired use limit information associated with a document including the document image information in a document memory.
US08677441B2	Scanning algorithm for embedded network devices A system and method is provided for selective filtering of transmissions based on information received from a tuner. An embedded diplexer in a consumer electronic device allows the device to be used in a variety of different signal environments. For example, a television with an embedded switching filter coupled to the television tuner is operable in environments where television signals are transmitted on frequencies up to 1 GHz and in environments where MoCA signals are transmitted on 1 GHz frequencies.
US08677439B2	Method and system for reducing channel switching delay of an IPTV The disclosure provides a method and system for reducing channel switching delay of an IPTV. The method comprises that: an IPTV system plans a multicast association mode; the IPTV system determines, after receiving a message of requesting to access a multicast group from a terminal, other multicast groups associated with the multicast group which the terminal requests to access according to the multicast association mode and makes the terminal synchronously join in the multicast group which the terminal requests to access and other multicast groups associated with the multicast group which the terminal requests to access; provides normal multicast streams of the multicast group which the terminal requests to access, and provides no multicast streams or Low-Definition Television (LDTV) multicast streams of the other multicast groups associated with the multicast group which the terminal requests to access, and when the terminal switches channels, the IPTV system provides the terminal with normal multicast streams of the multicast group of a channel to which the terminal requests to switch when determining that the terminal has joined in the multicast group of the channel to which the terminal requests to switch. The method can reduce the channel switching delay of the IPTV and further improve the QoS of the IPTV service.
US08677436B2	Stereoscopic video distribution system, stereoscopic video distribution method, stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, stereoscopic video viewing system, stereoscopic video viewing method, and stereoscopic video viewing apparatus It is the object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic video distribution system, a stereoscopic video distribution method, a stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, a stereoscopic video viewing system, a stereoscopic video viewing method, and a stereoscopic video viewing apparatus. In the stereoscopic video distribution system according to this invention, stereoscopic video signals provided by a plurality of video distribution source servers for distributing stereoscopic videos are once received by a transcoding server, so that the stereoscopic video signals can be reproduced by a BD player and a TV for stereoscopic viewing.
US08677431B2	Technique for providing uninterrupted switched digital video service A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The request is to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.
US08677428B2	System and method for rule based dynamic server side streaming manifest files There is provided a system and method for rule-based dynamic server-side streaming manifest files. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to provide a first video content for playback, evaluating a plurality of rules for the first video content, generating a dynamic manifest file referencing the first video content, and providing the dynamic manifest file in response to the request, thereby enabling an application to playback the first video content for output on a display by interpreting the dynamic manifest file. The rules may implement various features such as dynamic advertisement insertion, load balancing, client customization, user and device targeting, enhanced security mechanisms, global announcements, and others. As streaming protocols are widely supported by default on many client platforms, the dynamic manifest files can be utilized in a user friendly and transparent manner compared to client-side solutions requiring cumbersome client software installations.
US08677423B2	Digital residential entertainment system A digital residential entertainment system is disclosed recording video data of an event. The apparatuses include a processor communicating with memory. The memory stores video data of the event captured by a camera, and the video data includes a series of picture frames of the event. A loop buffer also stores video data of the event captured by the camera. A rule-based engine stored in the memory uses a set of rules to store the contents of the loop buffer in the memory. The apparatus utilizes the loop buffer to provide video data prior to occurrence of the event.
US08677422B2	Vehicle seat interconnect, method and vehicle seat data system A vehicle seat interconnect includes a cable that propagates data signals along a length of the cable and a transceiver provided on at least one vehicle seat of a vehicle. The transceiver is wirelessly coupled with the cable and transmits the data signals between the transceiver and the cable.
US08677415B2	On-screen program guide with interactive programming recommendations A subscriber to a video service generally has available to them an on-screen program guide. The program guide lists programming (e.g., TV shows) that are available to the subscriber for a certain upcoming time period. The programming guide may sort the listings by channel and time, areas of interest, age appropriateness and/or MPAA or TV rating, free or additional cost, etc. In an embodiment, the programming guide includes an ability to make a selection to see which TV shows are recommended by reviewers. Such reviewers may be individuals or panels or institutions to which some credibility may be attached—a trusted source. After selecting a reviewer, the subscriber is made aware of the programs recommended by the selected reviewer.
US08677414B2	Apparatus and method for managing messages of communication devices A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present media content to a user, receive a message, and selectively cease presentation of the media content until after the message is reviewed. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08677413B2	Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals A digital television (DTV) data stream includes an event information table (EIT), the EIT including: a descriptor including: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length field, and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream.
US08677410B2	Dynamic media configuration A method, data processing system, and computer program product for delivering media content. Outputs in a media player for use in delivering versions of a media content are identified. A parameter for each of the outputs is identified to form a set of parameters. A content distribution module forms a version of the media content from the media content and the set of parameters for each of the outputs to form a set of media content. Each of the set of media content is sent through an associated output in the outputs at substantially a same time.
US08677403B2	Administrative tool for video programming A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for administering a video channel comprising a plurality of video feeds. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises coupling a computer to a transmission station, the transmission station receiving the plurality of video feeds, arranging a plurality of icons on a monitor of the computer to emulate a video layout to be presented, associating a video feed of the plurality of video feeds with an icon of the plurality of icons, and enabling manipulation of the video feeds through the computer.
US08677402B2	Second display support of character set unsupported on playback device Systems and methods are provided to allow users to browse services, content items, or the like using the language that is generally most familiar to them, and in particular ones that are not available on an IPTV. Thus, users can browse content offerings on the second display in a language and font set that are personalized to themselves, and they may further send the content item to the IPTV for playback. The disclosed systems and methods provide a way for a group of users to exploit individual “second displays” to view, browse, and navigate content or data service offerings, by service providers, e.g., internet network services, in a preferred language and using preferred fonts, especially one not supported by a content playback device, on behalf of a content playback device, e.g., IPTV, the same having authenticated credentials for playback of such content, and then arrange for a selected content item or items to be played back on the content playback device. The second displays serve as a visual aid to the IPTV, but generally do not require additional investment by the user because the same make use of a device, e.g., a smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, an internet appliance, a desktop computer, etc., which most users would already have in their possession. Such a second display is a significant complement to an IPTV because of the second display's strength in supported languages and character font sets, data entry, processing power, and user experience in content management.
US08677395B2	Method and apparatus for operating a micro-splicer to insert alternate content while viewing multimedia content on a handheld device In a targeted advertising system focused advertisements or alternate content is pre-stored on a handheld device, inserted into a multimedia stream at predefined times and points in the content stream for a predefined interval, otherwise referred to as a spot. A micro-splicer, instantiated on a handheld device, enables alternate content rendering, instead of the original program content, at available advertisement spots during program content viewing. The micro-splicer uses metadata to identify the correct alternate content and display it in the correct spot. The micro-splicer also enables switching the display back to the multimedia program content after the end of the alternate content. User viewing and interaction with the alternate content is ensured by instructing the micro-splicer to switch back to multimedia program content only after receipt of predefined user feedback.
US08677394B2	Integrating and processing embedded links to related video content in a video stream to provide advertising information In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for conveying a link to further information over a cable system to a consumer device, wherein the video link can be associated with an external video source. The information can be conveyed to the consume device in one embodiment by embedding the video link information within a stream of MPEG formatted video information using an EBIF application. The video link information can be a URL from which the external information, typically video information, can be received. Upon detecting the link, the consumer device opens up a display window on a television image, which is presented to the viewer in an overlaid manner in addition to the MPEG video information on a television display. Typically, after the external video is presented, the window is closed.
US08677392B2	Distributed TV access system Distributed navigation of broadcast signals is provided through an on-line application connected through a second network connection. A customer receives the broadcast signals through a first network connection, and navigates the broadcast TV content through an on-line application by a browser connected through a second network connection. The present on-line application provides flexible and re-configurable content services, which will need to be customized once for each service provider, but will render consistently on a variety of PC and non-PC client devices. Further, the present on-line application can provide targeted advertising by maintaining an advertising profile for each viewer, determined in part by recording data about the navigating of the content of the broadcast signals, and by recording a plurality of selections of the viewer transmitted to the on-line application. The on-line capability further provides ease for roaming access.
US08677389B2	Media usage monitoring and measurement system and method Media monitoring and measurement systems and methods are disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a media measurement system and method that utilizes audience data to enhance content identifications. Some embodiments analyze media player log data to enhance content identification. Other embodiments of the present invention analyze sample sequence data to enhance content identifications. Other embodiments analyze sequence data to enhance content identification and/or to establish channel identification. Yet other embodiments provide a system and method in which sample construction and selection parameters are adjusted based upon identification results. Yet other embodiments provide a method in which play-altering activity of an audience member is deduced from content offset values of identifications corresponding to captured samples. Yet other embodiments provide a monitoring and measurement system in which a media monitoring device is adapted to receive a wireless or non-wireless audio signal from a media player, the audio signal also being received wirelessly by headphones of a user of the monitoring device.
US08677384B2	Methods and systems for network based capture of television viewer generated clickstreams Methods and systems provide clickstream captures at a remote component, such as a video control system of a television network, by receiving user commands generated by the viewer that are sent to the remote component concurrently relative to when they are generated by the viewer. The commands are captured and then information related to these commands is stored remotely from the premises of the viewer. Additionally, the user commands may be executed remotely such as at a video control system of a television network or alternatively may be executed at the premises of the viewer such as within a set top box. Information related to these user commands continues to be stored remotely from the premises of the viewer after the user commands have been executed such that the information related to these user commands can be processed as necessary and used for various purposes.
US08677373B2	Computation resource control apparatus, computation resource control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium A computation resource control apparatus includes an activation unit, a first queue managing unit, an allocating unit and a second queue managing unit. The activation unit activates a computation resource being in a stop state in accordance with a computation request. The first queue managing unit adds the computation resource which is being activated to a first queue. The allocating unit allocates the computation resource, which is output from the first queue, to the computation request to execute a computation process corresponding to the computation request. The second queue managing unit adds the computation resource which has completed the computation process to a second queue and places the computation resource, which is output from the second queue, in the stop state.
US08677369B2	System and method for allocating virtual resources to application based on the connectivity relation among the virtual resources In one embodiment, a method for allocating programs to resources suited to operating conditions thereof comprises generating composition management information for a plurality of resources based on management information relating to performance and capacity of each of the resources. The composition management information includes identification information for the resources used by a plurality of programs. The method further comprises searching for and locating the composition management information of a resource identified by the identification information for each of the programs, based on the composition management information of the resources, and generating program information which associates composition management information of each of the programs with the composition management information of the located resource; and outputting information indicating that a resource abnormality has occurred with one of the programs, in cases where the composition management information of the resource which is associated with the program in the program information corresponds to one or more rules for detecting a resource abnormality in the program.
US08677352B2	Interchangeable guest and host execution environments Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems, apparati, computer program products and other tangible realizations of techniques to support interchange of role for guest and host operating system instances executed (or executable) within a virtualization system. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention is a method operating a computer system, the method comprising: (a) selecting a first operating system image from amongst plural operating system images accessible to a hardware machine; (b) booting the hardware machine using the first operating system image and executing code thereof as a host operating system; (c) providing a virtualization environment and instantiating therein a virtual machine using configuration data descriptive of a particular system virtualized, wherein the configuration data is stored separately from the first operating system image; and (d) loading from a second one of the operating system images, a guest operating system and executing code thereof in connection with the instantiated virtual machine.
US08677347B2	Device management apparatus, client apparatus, and device management method This invention relates to a device management apparatus. This device management apparatus is a device management apparatus which communicates with a client computer, includes an output management unit adapted to manage output information of a device for each user, an identification unit adapted to identify a user who is about to install a driver, a device extraction unit adapted to extract a device used by the user identified by the identification unit based on the output information, and a transmission unit adapted to transmit the driver of the device extracted by the device extraction unit to the client computer.
US08677340B2	Planning and optimizing IT transformations A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for planning and optimizing information technology (IT) infrastructure transformations is presented. A predictive effort estimation model for transforming an existing IT infrastructure into a transformed IT infrastructure is initially created. The introduction of a new application into the existing IT infrastructure through a use of a decision tree as a transformation path determination is emulated to create a transformation path emulation. The use of a software factory is emulated for introducing the new application into the existing IT infrastructure to create a software factory use emulation for creating the transformed IT infrastructure. The predictive effort estimation model is accurized using results from the transformation path emulation and the software factory use emulation to create an accurized transformed IT infrastructure model. A physical transformed IT infrastructure is then deployed using the accurized transformed IT infrastructure model.
US08677339B2	Component relinking in migrations Component relinking in migrations may include discovering one or more dependencies in one or more components; planning one or more new locations where the one or more components are to be placed; determining relinking needs in the one or more components based on the discovering and the planning; and applying the relinking needs.
US08677335B1	Performing on-stack replacement for outermost loops Disclosed herein are methods and systems for using on stack replacement for optimization of software. A source code is compiled into an unoptimized code on a computing device. The unoptimized code is then executed on a computing device. A hot count is incremented. It is then determined whether a function within the unoptimized code is hot. If a function is determined to be hot, an OSR triggering code is inserted at a back edge of each loop within the function. The OSR triggering code is configured to trigger OSR at a loop depth that is less than the hot count.
US08677334B2	Parallelization method, system and program A computer-implemented method, system, and article of manufacture for parallelizing a code configured by coupling a functional block having an internal state and a functional block without any internal state. The method includes: creating and storing a graphical representation where functional blocks are chosen as nodes and connections between functional blocks are chosen as links; visiting the nodes on the graphical representation sequentially, detecting inputs from functional blocks without any internal state to functional blocks having an internal state and storing these functional blocks as a set of use blocks, and detecting inputs from functional blocks having an internal state to functional blocks without any internal state and storing these functional blocks as a set of definition blocks; and forming strands of functional blocks based on information on the set of use blocks and information on the set of definition blocks stored in association with the functional blocks.
US08677332B1	Executing multiple child code blocks via a single compiled parent code block Systems and methods for compiling one or more code blocks written in programming language are provided. In some aspects, display associated with application is provided. Display includes plurality of graphical objects. That each of plurality of graphical objects is associated with child code block in one-to-one association between graphical objects and child code blocks is determined. Each child code block is written in programming language. The child code blocks associated with plurality of graphical objects are transformed into single parent code block. Parent code block, upon compiling, is configured to be reused across execution contexts and to allow injection of global scope. Parent code block, upon specific execution, includes execution context for specified child code block. Parent code block is configured to receive indication of specified child code block for initiating execution of parent code block. Parent code block is compiled.
US08677330B2	Processors and compiling methods for processors A compiling method compiles an object program to be executed by a processor having a plurality of execution units operable in parallel. In the method a first availability chain is created from a producer instruction (p1), scheduled for execution by a first one of the execution units (20: AGU), to a first consumer instruction (c1), scheduled for execution by a second one of the execution units (22: EXU) and requiring a value produced by the said producer instruction. The first availability chain comprises at least one move instruction (mv1-mv3) for moving the required value from a first point (20: ARF) accessible by the first execution unit to a second point (22: DRF) accessible by the second execution unit. When a second consumer instruction (c2), also requiring the same value, is scheduled for execution by an execution unit (23: EXU) other than the first execution unit, at least part of the first availability chain is reused to move the required value to a point (23: DRF) accessible by that other execution unit.In other compiling methods (FIG. 8), the object program includes a loop kernel block and a basic block preceding the loop kernel block, and the basic block includes a producer instruction (p1) and the loop kernel block includes a consumer instruction (c1, c2) requiring a value produced by the producer instruction. The loop kernel block is scheduled first, after which the basic block is scheduled. These methods can put additional move instructions between producer and consumer instructions in the basic block instead of the loop kernel block, or eliminate the move instructions altogether.
US08677326B2	Detecting applications in a virtualization environment A method for allowing license tools to detect the installation of applications that are not physically installed on a machine when an Application Virtualization Environments is used. In one embodiment of the invention, the license tools may further detect application usage. In one embodiment of the invention, a virtual installation signature may be defined. Agents in a target computer may be used to compare the virtual installation signature of an application with a localized list of potential applications to detect whether the software is installed on the target computer.
US08677324B2	Evaluating performance of an application using event-driven transactions An event-driven performance measurement technique provides a set of transaction definitions that specify transaction actions that correspond to start and end points of a transaction. Events associated with execution of an application are received by a processor-based machine. The machine uses the events to generate transactions in accordance with the set of transaction definitions. The transactions can be used to evaluate performance of the application.
US08677322B2	Debugging in a multiple address space environment The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for debugging in a multiple address space environment. Embodiments of the invention include techniques for recording debug information used for translating between an abstract unified address space and multiple address spaces at a target system (e.g., a co-processor, such as, a GPU or other accelerator). A table is stored in the recorded debug information. The table includes one or more entries mapping compiler assigned IDs to address spaces. During debugging within a symbolic debugger, the recorded debug information can be used for viewing program data across multiple address spaces in a live debugging session.
US08677314B1	Modifying a source code file to reduce dependencies included therein A system and machine-implemented method modifying a source code file to reduce dependencies included therein. The source code file is parsed to identify a symbol within the source code file, and one or more header files are identified, each of which is capable of resolving the symbol for the source code file. A header file is selected from the one or more header files for inclusion in the source code file, based on a predetermined set of rules. The source code file is modified to include the selected header file.
US08677313B2	Functional design creation tool A functional design creation tool generates a functional design diagram for visual presentation on a display. The functional design creation tool extracts content from a processed requirements specification including one or more processed requirement statements. The functional design creation tool applies one or more glossaries and a set of heuristic rules to the extracted content. Functional design diagram components may be generated by the functional design creation tool based on the application of the glossaries and set of heuristic rules. The functional design tool may generate a functional design diagram based on the functional design diagram components. The functional design diagram may be transmitted to a display.
US08677309B2	Techniques for automated generation of deployment plans in an SOA development lifecycle A framework (referred to herein as Application Integration Architecture, or AIA) that formalizes and orchestrates activities in an SOA development lifecycle. In one set of embodiments, AIA can capture development-related information in a shared data store and cause the information to flow in an automated or semi-automated manner from one lifecycle phase to the next as the lifecycle progresses. This information flow can, in turn, facilitate automations at each lifecycle phase for the responsible stakeholders (e.g., solution architects, developers, installation developers, etc.), thereby enforcing SOA best practices, enhancing development productivity, and ensuring the quality of the final SOA deliverables.
US08677308B2	Method and system for generating an API request message A method and system for generating an application programming interface (API) request message for an API service application is provided. The API service application is stored within a service owner (SO) computer device and includes a memory device for storing data and a service provider (SP) computer system that includes a processor and an open API platform. The SP computer system in communication with the memory device and the SO computer device. The SP computer system is programmed to receive from a developer a plurality of selections of parameters defining an API service request, generate an API request message for a specific API service using the received parameter selections, the API request message including the received parameter selections in a predetermined format required by the specific API service, generate a response to the generated API request message, and display the generated API request message and response on a single webpage.
US08677305B2	Designing a robust power efficient clock distribution network An electronic automation design tool with a sink locator unit creates clusters of loads from a plurality of loads within a sector of a clock network design based on balancing magnitudes of the loads among the clusters of loads and based on minimal delays of each of the clusters and respective ones of a plurality of sink locations in the sector of the clock network design. The tool determines centers of the clusters of loads, and sink locations corresponding to the centers of the clusters for connecting output terminal points of sector buffers are determined. Each of the sector buffers drive a clock signal to a corresponding one of the clusters of loads.
US08677292B2	Cell-context aware integrated circuit design A method of designing an integrated circuit includes providing a standard cell database including a plurality of standard cells; providing an index file having cell-context information indexed to the plurality of standard cells; retrieving the cell-context information of one of the plurality of standard cells from the cell-context file; and applying the index information to a design of the integrated circuit.
US08677288B2	Test pattern selection method for OPC model calibration A block management method for OPC model calibration includes calculating differences in several different optical functions between first patterns of a first mask and patterns of a second mask corresponding to the first patterns but differing therefrom by a predetermined bias, selecting one or more of the optical functions based on the calculated differences, clustering data of variations in the values of the calculated differences in the selected ones of the optical functions, selecting respective ones of the first patterns in consideration of how the data clusters, and designating the selected first patterns as test patterns.
US08677287B2	Display input device and navigation device A display input device is comprised of a touch panel 1 for carrying out a display of information and an input of information, a vibration detection sensor (proximity sensors 12 or an acceleration sensor 23) for detecting a vibration of an object to be detected which is positioned opposite to the touch panel 1, and a control unit 3 for, when it is determined that a relative vibration between the touch panel and the object to be detected, which is detected by the vibration detection sensor, has an amount equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, carrying out a process of enlarging an image in a display area having a fixed range, which is displayed on the touch panel 1, to display the enlarged image.
US08677285B2	User interface of a small touch sensitive display for an electronic data and communication device A method and apparatus for receiving an input by a user on an interactive touchscreen display based, electronic data and communication device, the input comprising a contact gesture, which further comprises touchscreen single or multiple simultaneous contacts. The contact gestures are classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, universal and non-universal contact gestures. The method further includes performing an operation or entering an operational mode based on the user input.
US08677281B2	System, apparatus and method for emotional experience time sampling via a mobile graphical user interface A system, apparatus and method for experience time sampling via a mobile graphical user interface. A method includes receiving mood data from an individual in predefined time intervals via a mood mapping graphical user interface hosted by a mobile device. The mood mapping graphical user interface is comprised of a 2×2 diagram having a valence dimension and an intensity dimension. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08677272B2	Graphical user interface design utility A method of validating a menu design for a computer program can include identifying a plurality of menu nodes, wherein each node is associated with at least one attribute, comparing attributes of different menu nodes according to a use case, and indicating whether a conflict exists between attributes of different menu nodes for the use case.
US08677267B2	Method and system for displaying annotated information associated with a settable variable value feature A method and user interface which enables the setting of a variable value feature, having a plurality of values associated therewith, wherein the plurality of values include a default value and a plurality of non-default values. The method and user interface displays a first value associated with a user selected variable value feature and changes the displayed first value associated with the selected variable value feature by a predetermined amount so as to display a second value associated with the selected variable value feature by a user engaging a user activatable area associated with the selected variable value feature. The method and user interface determines if an annotated message is associated with the displayed second value associated with the selected variable value feature and displays the annotated message associated with the selected variable value feature along with the displayed second value associated with the selected variable value feature when it is determined that the displayed second value associated with the selected variable value feature has an associated annotation message.
US08677266B2	Method for moving a Chinese input candidate word box and mobile terminal The disclosure provides a method for moving a Chinese input candidate word box and a mobile terminal, wherein the method includes: creating a candidate word box and drawing the candidate word box in a position within the range of a screen; analyzing and calculating a moving distance after generating an input signal, through directly dragging the candidate word box by a user or through operating a direction key or a direction soft key by the user to move the candidate word box; and destroying the candidate word box in situ when the moving distance is not beyond the range of the screen, and redrawing a candidate word box in a new position which the candidate word box is moved to. The method and the mobile terminal of the disclosure enable the user to freely move the position of the candidate word box within the range of the screen according to the user's requirement when the user inputs Chinese, so that the user can acquire the view in the range of the whole screen, thereby improving utilization rate of the range of the screen.
US08677261B2	In-vehicle display system An in-vehicle display system is installed in a vehicle for displaying information to a user. The system includes a display unit that displays information; an operation unit that is located separately from the display unit and that allows a user to perform user operations including a directional operation and a turning operation; and a receiver that receives user instructions for making entry of plural characters that can be displayed on the display unit, based on displayed content displayed on the display unit and the user operations made with the operation unit. The receiver receives: (i) a first one of the directional operation and the turning operation as the user instruction in order to select a group from amongst a plurality of groups displayed on the display unit each of the plurality of groups representing a plurality of characters which are candidates for entry, and (ii) a second one of the directional operation and the turning operation as the user instruction in order to select a character from amongst the plural characters included in the group that is selected by the first one of the directional operation and the turning operation.
US08677259B2	System and method for annotating multimedia objects The system and a computer-implemented method annotate a multimedia object on a web page hosted on a publisher computer system. A web page that includes a multimedia object is rendered in a web browser of a client computer system. One or more layers, including a transparent layer, at least partially located over the multimedia object displayed on the web page are generated wherein the one or more layers are configured to facilitate the creation and display of annotation data for the multimedia object based on user interface events produced by a user of the client computer system. Annotation data for the multimedia object is received from the user. The annotation data is transmitted to an annotation server for storage. A visual indicator indicating that the annotation data is associated with the multimedia object is displayed, wherein the visual indicator is rendered in the one or more layers.
US08677253B2	Replicating recorded actions across computer systems in a collaborative environment A first computer system in a collaborative environment receives a plurality of indications of actions executed on content of a second computer system in the collaborative environment. A mapping between the content of the second computer system and corresponding content of the first computer system is determined. A subset of the plurality of indications of the actions executed on the content of the second computer system that are to be executed on the corresponding content of the first computer system is identified. A preview of executing the subset of the plurality of indications of the actions is presented on the first computer system. The subset of the plurality of indications of the actions is executed on the corresponding content of the first computer system.
US08677247B2	Method for distinguishing a live actor from an automation A computer-implemented method for distinguishing a live actor from an automation is described. A user request to access a service is received, and, in response, the user is presented with a minority set of N objects and a majority set of >N objects. The majority set includes objects sharing at least one common attribute expected to be apparent to a human observer absent among objects associated with the minority set. The user is requested to identify at least one object, from among the objects associated with the minority or majority set, that satisfies a predetermined criterion and in response an indication of a selection of at least one object is received. Whether the user-selected object satisfies the predetermined criterion is determined and as is that the user is a human upon determining that the user-selected object satisfies the predetermined criterion.
US08677231B2	Electronic document request/supply method based on XML There is provided a method for requesting an electronic document based on XML in which the electronic document is created using a syntax defining a structure of a constructed electronic document. The electronic document request method can include creating a request document including an element name/attribute name based on a previously prescribed syntax without defining an additional syntax for requesting the electronic document, requesting a supply of the electronic document having an information on the element name/attribute name recorded in the request document, and receiving the electronic document including the information on the requested element name/attribute name.
US08677222B2	Method and device for decoding Reed-Solomon (RS) code The embodiments of the invention disclose a method and a device for decoding an RS code, the method comprising: receiving bit reliability information of the RS code output by a channel, performing a hard decision on the bit reliability information to obtain a hard-decision result value sequence; determining a type of an error of the hard-decision result value sequence according to an initial check array corresponding to an encoding mode of the RS code; according to preset corresponding relationships between types of errors of the hard-decision result value sequence and error-correcting modes capable of correcting the errors, determining an error-correcting mode corresponding to the type of the error of the hard-decision result value sequence, and performing a bit error correction on the hard-decision result value sequence according to the determined error-correcting mode; outputting the hard-decision result value sequence after the bit error correction as a decoding result.
US08677219B2	Method and apparatus for adapting a bit interleaver to LDPC codes and modulations under AWGN channel conditions using binary erasure surrogate channels The present invention relates to code-dependent bit interleavers for parallel non-uniform channels. Since the channel dependence of a given code ensemble is dominated by the mutual information between the channel input and output, the present invention proposes to simplify the analysis about the decoding behavior by using a set of surrogate binary erasure channels. The approximation of the actual channel by the surrogate BEC is established on the equivalence of bitwise capacities, which represent the mutual information between the uniformly-distributed binary input and the likelihood ratios of the effective parallel AWGN channels. Moreover, the transition of the erasure probabilities is modeled by a linear difference equation around the decoding threshold SNR, from which we can derive a necessary condition on the convergence of decoding iterations and achieve a useful guideline for the configuration of the bit interleaver.
US08677216B2	Stacked semiconductor memory device and related error-correction method A stacked semiconductor memory device includes an error correction code (ECC) controller that controls the number of bits in an ECC word and corrects errors in memory cell array layers using the ECC word.
US08677213B2	Electronic device comprising error correction coding device and electronic device comprising error correction decoding device An electronic device comprises an error correction coding device. The error correction coding device comprises a parity code generator. This generator is a circuit for computing a remainder polynomial by dividing a user data polynomial by a generator polynomial and generating a parity code from this remainder polynomial. This generator computes the remainder polynomial by dividing and inputting either a bit string comprising coefficients of the generator polynomial, or a bit string comprising coefficients of the generator polynomial and a bit string comprising coefficients of the generator polynomial, and dividing a minimal unit multiple times based on either a division width of the user polynomial or a division width of the user polynomial and the generator polynomial, and outputs a bit string comprising the coefficient of this remainder polynomial.
US08677209B2	Subwords coding using different encoding/decoding matrices In a communications system that demultiplexes user data words into multiple sub-words for encoding and decoding within different subword-processing paths, the minimum distance between bit errors in an extrinsic codeword can be increased by having corresponding subword encoders/decoders in the different subword-processing paths perform subword encoding/decoding with different encoder/decoder matrices.
US08677193B2	Lightpath diagnostics with voice alerts This disclosure relates generally to identifying and locating a failed or failing system component within a computer system, and more specifically to providing indicator lights and/or associated voice alerts to indicate, identify, and locate failed or failing system components within a computer system. A method for indicating a fault in a computer system in accordance with an embodiment includes: detecting a fault in the computer system; obtaining a problem definition associated with the fault; and generating an audible voice fault alert corresponding to the problem definition.
US08677188B2	Web page error reporting An error in a web page displayed on a device is detected. The error is assigned to a bucket to indicate a type of the error, and a record describing the current state of the device is generated. Both an indication of the bucket and the record describing the current state of the device are then sent to a server. At the server, error information including error records and bucket identifiers are received from multiple devices. Each error record describes a current state of one of the multiple devices at a time when an error in a web page displayed on the one device was detected. Each bucket identifier corresponds to one of the error records and describes a type of the error associated with that error record. The error records are grouped into multiple baskets based at least in part on the current state information in the error records.
US08677184B2	System, method, and computer program product for gathering device information to enable identification of potential risks in a network environment According to one embodiment, a system for creating a list of related defects in a network environment includes a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code includes computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to acquire a device list related to devices in multiple paths of a network, computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to query one or more information sources using the device list to retrieve defect data from the one or more information, sources, computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to create a list of related defects based on the retrieved defect data, and computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to output the list of related defects.
US08677179B2	Information processing apparatus for performing error process when controllers in synchronization operation detect error simultaneously An information processing apparatus includes a degeneration control unit and a re-synchronization processing instructing unit. The degeneration control unit degenerates, of a first controller group including a first controller and a second controller group including a second controller, the second control device group when the first and second controller performing a synchronization operation with each other detect occurrence of errors. The re-synchronization processing instructing unit instructs a controller included in the first controller group to execute re-synchronization processing. When another controller different from the first controller receives the instruction for the execution of the re-synchronization processing, the another controller performs interrupt mask setting. When the first controller receives the instruction for the execution of the re-synchronization processing, the first controller withholds the execution of the re-synchronization processing, starts error processing, and instructs the controller that performs the interrupt mask setting to release the interrupt mask.
US08677168B2	Allocating power in devices by reserving a static power allocation to be used by one or more predetermined subsystems and reserving a dynamic power allocation to be used when the static power allocation is insufficient Management of power resources of an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device has multiple subsystems in communication with a power supply, and an interface in communication with the subsystems. A directive is received with the interface to perform a function with the electronic device. A subset of the subsystems needed to perform the function are identified. For each identified subsystem and in response to receipt of the directive, a predicted power-resource quantity needed to perform the function is determined. A determination is made whether sufficient unallocated resources of the power supply are available to accommodate the predicted power-resource quantity for each identified subsystem. Respective portions of the available and unallocated resources of the power supply are accordingly allocated for use by respective identified subsystems in accordance with the determined power-resource quantities, with such allocation rendering the respective portions unavailable for use other than by the respective subsystems.
US08677166B2	Semiconductor devices and systems-on-chip having the same A semiconductor device includes a power gating unit, a combinational logic unit and a clamping unit. The power gating unit is turned on to output an internal signal at an output electrode based on an input signal or turned off according to operation modes. The combinational logic unit includes an input electrode directly connected to the output electrode of the power gating unit through a data line, and generates an output signal based on the internal signal received through the data line. The clamping unit is turned on to clamp the internal signal at a logic high level or at a logic low level or turned off according to the operation modes. The semiconductor device clamps the output electrode of the power gating unit without degrading an operation speed of the semiconductor device.
US08677164B2	Microcomputer and control method thereof A microcomputer according to the present invention includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that has a plurality of modes including a usual operational mode and a STANDBY mode, a clock supply being stopped in the STANDBY mode; a clock generation circuit that generates a clock supplied to the CPU; and a control circuit that monitors a mode of the CPU, determines a mode to which the CPU should transit according to the mode of the CPU and a type of an interruption request to the CPU, and controls the clock generation circuit according to the determined mode.
US08677161B2	Optimizing power consumption and performance in a hybrid computer environment A method for optimizing efficiency and power consumption in a hybrid computer system is disclosed. The hybrid computer system may comprise one or more front-end nodes connected to a multi-node computer system. Portions of an application may be offloaded from the front-end nodes to the multi-node computer system. By building historical profiles of the applications running on the multi-node computer system, the system can analyze the trade offs between power consumption and performance. For example, if running the application on the multi-node computer system cuts the run time by 5% but increases power consumption by 20% it may be more advantageous to simply run the entire application on the front-end.
US08677160B2	Managing power consumption of a computer Methods, computers, and products for managing power consumption of a computer, the computer including a computer processor and managing power consumption of a computer includes: dynamically during operation of the computer, setting, by an in-band power manager in dependence upon performance metrics of the computer processor, a current performance state (‘p-state’) of the computer processor; and providing, by the in-band power manager to an out-of-band power manager, the current p-state of the computer processor.
US08677158B2	System and method for assigning a power management classification including exempt, suspend, and throttling to an process based upon various factors of the process One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assigning power management classifications to a process, transitioning a computing environment into a connected standby state based upon power management classifications assigned to processes, and transitioning the computing environment from the connected standby state to an execution state. That is, power management classifications, such as exempt, throttle, and/or suspend, may be assigned to processes based upon various factors, such as whether a process provides desired functionality and/or whether the process provides functionality relied upon for basic operation of the computing environment. In this way, the computing environment may be transitioned into a low power connected standby state that may continue executing desired functionality, while reducing power consumption by suspending and/or throttling other functionality. Because some functionality may still execute, the computing environment may transition into the execution state in a responsive manner to quickly provide a user with up-to-date information.
US08677154B2	Protecting sensitive data in a transmission A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product protects sensitive data in a received transmission. A network interface receives a data transmission, which includes multiple units of data. Any sensitive data in the received data transmission is identified by the recipient according to a pre-determined rule. Identified sensitive data from the data transmission is then encrypted.
US08677144B2	Secure software and hardware association technique In an embodiment, authenticated hardware and authenticated software are cryptographically binded using symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. Cryptographically binding the hardware and software ensures that original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hardware will only run OEM software. Cryptographically binding the hardware and software protects the OEM binary code so it will only run on the OEM hardware and cannot be replicated or altered to operate on unauthorized hardware. This cryptographic binding technique is referred to herein as secure software and hardware association (SSHA).
US08677142B2	Method and system for protecting against the execution of unauthorized software In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a client device is protected against the execution of unauthorized software. The client includes a code authentication process that verifies the integrity of executable code, by generating and comparing a first hash value of the executable code with a known hash value of the original code. Furthermore, during boot-up, the client initializes a CPU exception vector table with one or more vector table entries. One or more, or all, of the vector table entries direct the CPU to execute the code authentication process prior to executing an event handler when an exception event occurs. Consequently, the code authentication process is virtually guaranteed to execute, thereby protecting against the execution of unauthorized code.
US08677141B2	Enhanced security and performance of web applications A client-side enforcement mechanism may allow application security policies to be specified at a server in a programmatic manner. Servers may specify security policies as JavaScript functions included in a page returned by the server and run before other scripts. At runtime, and during initial loading, the functions are invoked by the client on each page modification to ensure the page conforms to the security policy. As such, before a mutation takes effect, the policy may transform that mutation and the code and data of the page. Replicated code execution may take place at both the client and the server where the server runs its own shadow copy of a client-side application in a trusted execution environment so that the server may check that the method calls coming from the client correspond to a correct execution of the client-side application The redundant execution at the client can be untrusted, but serves to improve the responsiveness and performance of the Web application.
US08677140B2	Delivery point validation system A computer-implemented method represents a list of informational items using a bit array. The method converts an informational item to a cryptographic value using a cryptographic algorithm and extracts a plurality of n-bit samples from the cryptographic value. The n-bit samples includes at least a first field and a second field. The first field identifies a group of bits of the bit array and the second field identifies one or more individual bits within the group of bits. The individual bits are set to a pre-determined value according to the first field identifying the group of bits and the second field identifying the individual bits within the group of bits.
US08677139B1	Method to provide authentication using a universal identifier Once an individual is issued a Universal Identifier (UID) it uniquely identifies that person anywhere in the world. The UID could be embedded in any type of device, token or apparatus that is capable of transmitting it (only several bytes of data) to a reader device. Alternatively, for the purposes of authentication the UID could also be entered via a keypad or via any other means. The code scheme for a UID could be any type of symbol sequence that is capable of providing enough combination to cover the entire expected human population. Although it can also be used without biometric data the intended use of the UID is in conjunction with biometric authentication. The Universal Identifier is universal from two aspects: first it is a global or worldwide identifier for people around the world; second it is to be used most generally in any type of transactions, processes or scenarios where authentication is needed. UIDs are issued by an Identity Clearinghouse (IC) or Universal Authentication Authority (UAA) or a Centralized Identity Management Service (CIMS) after verifying the uniqueness of submitted biometric and personal data.
US08677137B2	Communication device, communication method, information processing device, information processing method, program, and communication system In one example embodiment, an information processing apparatus determines whether a target ID is a unique ID or a partial randomization ID that includes a first part being replaced by a different number and a second part being generated based on the unique ID. In response to the target ID being the partial randomization ID, the information processing apparatus generates an access key based on the second part of the partial randomization ID and a key. The information processing apparatus executes a mutual authentication process using the generated access key.
US08677134B2	HTTP signing A system and method for signing data transferred over a computer network is described. In one aspect, the HTTP header of an HTTP response message is extended to include a content identifier, a content expiration time, and a digital signature. The digital signature may be generated from the content identifier, the content expiration time, and the message body of the HTTP response message.
US08677133B1	Systems and methods for verifying an electronic documents provenance date The present invention validates provenance dates of electronic documents. A document version date may be determined by creating a unique checksum for the document and having the document's owner digitally sign it with a private key. The checksum and digital signature are securely stored by an authorization entity along with a timestamp fixing the date/time. A unique resource identifier is returned to the user. Subsequently, if the document's date needs to be proved to a third party, a verification program is applied to the original document to create a new checksum. The unique resource identifier is used to retrieve the signed checksum from the authorization entity. Upon verification of matching checksums, the timestamp provided by the authorization entity proves the date/time the document existed. In addition, the public key provided by the document owner proves that the checksum was signed by the owner's private key, proving their ownership.
US08677130B1	Authenticating electronic content The present invention provides for an authenticity marker to be embedded within web page and/or email content which allows a user to validate that the content originates from the true source of the content and is not merely a copy. The method includes a user requesting content in the form of a web page and/or email from a server using a web browser or email client. The server receives the request, retrieves the content and forwards it to an authentication server. The authentication server inserts into the retrieved content a unique fractal icon and/or information only known between the owner of the content and the user.
US08677129B2	Consumer-driven secure sockets layer modulator A software system and method for executing secure commercial transactions online is disclosed. A user's password is received to initiate secure socket layer (SSL) communications with a transaction site on a server. A web session associated with the SSL communications is encrypted by associating a domain name of the transaction site with its SSL public key. Then, the user's password is added to a hypertext markup language (HTML) header of a message within the web session. When added, the password is invisible to a hypothetical man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacker, who cannot read the encrypted message nor mimic the user. The MITM is thus unable to compromise the user's account as the MITM is unable to provide the correct password into any fraudulent message.
US08677128B2	Method and apparatus for efficient and secure creating, transferring, and revealing of messages over a network An encryption based method of enabling a plurality of parties to share, create, hide, or reveal message or token information over a network includes a commutative group cipher (CGC), where the underlying CGC is secure against ciphertext-only attack (COA) and plaintext attacks (KPA), and is deterministic. The protocols doe not require a trusted third party (TTP), and execute rapidly enough on ordinary consumer computers as to be effective for realtime play among more than two players. Protocols are defined which include VSM-L-OL, VSM-VL, VSM-VPUM, and VSM-VL-VUM, wherein the letters V, O, SM, P, and UM represent, respectively, Verified, Locking Round, Open, Shuffle-Masking Round, Partial, and Unmasking Round.
US08677118B1	Automated kernel hook module building Building a kernel hook module (KHM) on a build machine in an automated manner uses a script file to control the process. A user requests a KHM for a particular Linux kernel of a Linux distribution. The build machine is rebooted if necessary to run the target Linux distribution. Kernel source files for the Linux distribution are loaded and installed on the build machine. Various parameters are set and source code representing the functionality of the KHM (or that of a related software product) are loaded onto the build machine. The KHM is then built automatically under direction of the script file. A control machine receives the user request for a particular KHM over the Internet and directs operation of the build machine. A test machine tests the KHM once built. The KHM works in conjunction with anti-virus software or other software.
US08677115B2	Methods for verifying system integrity A request is received from a client for accessing a resource provided in a network, the request including credential data representing system integrity of at least one component running on the client. In response to the request, one or more credential identifiers identifying the credential data is transmitted to a management server that provisioned the client. Credential reference data is received from the management server based on the one or more credential identifiers. The client is authenticated based on a comparison of the credential data received from the client and credential reference data received from the management server.
US08677110B2	Termination-log acquiring program, termination-log acquiring device, and termination-log acquiring method A client terminal receives, in response to a boot command issued by a user to boot the client terminal, a first start command to start monitoring. The client terminal acquires first time information, repeatedly at certain time intervals from a basic software, and stores the first time information in a storage area. The client terminal receives a termination command to terminate the basic software. If the termination command is a command to terminate the basic software by using the basic software, the client terminal stores normal termination information in the storage area. When a second start command is received, and no normal termination information is stored in the storage area, the client terminal acquires second time information from the basic software and creates, depending on a result of comparison between the second time information and the first time information, log information relating to a termination of the basic software.
US08677106B2	Unanimous branch instructions in a parallel thread processor One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mechanism for managing thread divergence in a thread group executing a multithreaded processor. A unanimous branch instruction, when executed, causes all the active threads in the thread group to branch only when each thread in the thread group agrees to take the branch. In such a manner, thread divergence is eliminated. A branch-any instruction, when executed, causes all the active threads in the thread group to branch when at least one thread in the thread group agrees to take the branch.
US08677093B2	Method and apparatus to manage tier information A method of tier management of data comprises performing a tier migration log information setup process which includes selecting an area specified by a virtual volume address and a logical volume address; determining a destination tier for the area based on a number of accesses to the area; and updating a tier migration log information by inputting the determined destination tier and a time; and performing a process using the tier migration log information to determine whether to migrate a specific area which includes loading a tier migration log from the tier migration log information by selecting a specific time; checking if a current tier of the specific area equals a destination tier specified by the tier migration log; and if the current tier is not equal to the destination tier, migrating the specific area to the destination tier.
US08677086B2	System for caching data A data storage system includes a first storage processor including a first memory device; a second storage processor including a second memory device; and a third memory device coupled to the first storage processor and the second storage processor. The first and second storage processors are interconnected to enable mirroring of data between the first memory device and the second memory device. During a first mode of operation, data processed by the first storage processor and the second storage processor is mirrored between the first memory device and the second memory device and, during a second mode of operation, data processed by the first storage processor is mirrored from the first memory device to the third memory device.
US08677084B2	Method of configuring non-volatile memory for a hybrid disk drive A system, method and machine-readable medium are provided to configure a non-volatile memory (NVM) including a plurality of NVM modules, in a system having a hard disk drive (HDD) and an operating system (O/S). In response to a user selection of a hybrid drive mode for the NVM, the plurality of NVM modules are ranked according to speed performance. Boot portions of the O/S are copied to a highly ranked NVM module, or a plurality of highly ranked NVM modules, and the HDD and the highly ranked NVM modules are assigned as a logical hybrid drive of the computer system. Ranking each of the plurality of NVM modules can include carrying out a speed performance test. This approach can provide hybrid disk performance using conventional hardware, or enhance performance of an existing hybrid drive, while taking into account relative performance of available NVM modules.
US08677081B1	Transferring and storing data in multicore and multiprocessor architectures A processor includes a plurality of cache memories, and a plurality of processor cores, each associated with one of the cache memories. Each of at least some of the cache memories is associated with information indicating whether data stored in the cache memory is shared among multiple processor cores.
US08677080B2	Method of controlling total capacity of virtual volumes associated with pool and storage apparatus The statuses of an actual area are (1) a first status which indicates that [the actual area] is already initialized and can be assigned to a virtual area, (2) a second status which indicates that [the actual area] is already assigned to a virtual area, and (3) a third status which indicates that [the actual area] cannot be assigned to a virtual area and initialization which is specified data write is to be performed. The storage controller limits the total virtual volume capacity which is the total capacity of one or more virtual volumes which are associated with the pool, in accordance with whether the pool comprises an actual page in the third status or not, to the capacity of the pool or smaller.
US08677074B2	Shared memory access techniques Memory access techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, redirect memory access requests received from a baseband processor to shared memory coupled to an application processor. The techniques enable substantially real time read and write accesses by the application and baseband processors to the shared memory coupled to the application processor.
US08677070B2	Cache memory control apparatus and cache memory control method According to an aspect of the embodiment, an FP includes a plurality of entries which holds requests to be processed, and each of the plurality of entries includes a requested flag indicating that data transfer is once requested. An FP-TOQ holds information indicating an entry holding the oldest request. A data transfer request prevention determination circuit checks the requested flag of a request to be processed and the FP-TOQ, and when a transfer request of data as a target of the request to be processed has already been issued and the entry holding the request to be processed is not the entry indicated by the FP-TOQ, transmits a signal which prevents the transfer request of the data to a data transfer request control circuit. Even when a cache miss occurs in a primary cache RAM, the data transfer request control circuit does not issue a data transfer request when the signal which prevents the transfer request is received.
US08677065B1	Transaction-based storage system and method that uses variable sized objects to store data Aspects of the innovations herein are consistent with a storage system for storing variable sized objects. The storage system may be a transaction-based system that uses variable sized objects to store data. The storage system may be implemented using arrays disks that are arranged in ranks. Each rank may include multiple stripes. Each stripe may be read and written as a convenient unit for maximum performance. A rank manager may be provided to dynamically configure the ranks to adjust for failed and added disks by selectively shortening and lengthening the stripes. The storage system may include a stripe space table that contains entries describing the amount of space used in each stripe. An object map may provide entries for each object in the storage system describing the location (e.g., rank, stripe and offset values), the length and version of the object.
US08677052B2	Snapshotting of a performance storage system in a system for performance improvement of a capacity optimized storage system A system for storing data comprises a performance storage system for storing one or more data items. A data item of the one or more data items comprises a data file or a data block. The system further comprises a segment storage system for storing a snapshot of a stored data item of the one or more data items in the performance storage system. The taking of the snapshot of the stored data item enables recall of the stored data item as stored at the time of the snapshot. At least one newly written segment is stored as a reference to a previously stored segment.
US08677043B2	Filler module for computing devices An A filler module may include, but is not limited to: a body portion; and at least one conductive portion receivable within a component port of a computing device.A method for initializing a computing system may include but is not limited to: detecting a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports; and determining compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules withing the one or more computing device component ports.A system comprising: a computing device component port; and a processing device configured to: detect a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports, and determine compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules within the one or more computing device component ports.
US08677041B2	Balancing loads of a plurality of bus lanes of a snooping-based bus using a receiver, analyzer, and controller A method and system for balancing loads of a plurality of bus lanes of a snooping-based bus. The system includes: a receiver for receiving snoop transactions from the bus lanes, each of the snoop transactions having a snoop request and at least one snoop response, an analyzer for analyzing respective actual and expected loads of each of the bus lanes dependent on the received snoop transactions, and a controller for providing a next snoop request from a number of outstanding snoop requests to a buffer allocated to the system, where the buffer is dependent on the analyzed loads of the bus lanes.
US08677040B2	Host-peripheral adaptor A host-peripheral adaptor includes a host adaptor and a portable peripheral adaptor. The host adaptor includes a substantially flat peripheral-adaptor-side interface. The peripheral-adaptor-side interface is designed in a way that it is not easy to tamper with. The portable peripheral adaptor includes a host-adaptor-side interface that is designed to operatively connect to the peripheral-adaptor-side interface of the host adaptor. The portable peripheral adaptor also includes one or more peripheral-side interfaces for accommodating one or more peripheral devices such as a storage media. The portable peripheral adaptor and the host adaptor include a set of data lines and the host adaptor also includes circuitry for recognizing the specific type of a peripheral device and, based on its specific type, for setting a suitable communication path to transfer data between a host and the peripheral device.
US08677037B1	Memory apparatus for early write termination and power failure In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus for improved write performance is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a base printed circuit board (PCB) having an edge connector for plugging into a host server system; a card level power source to provide card level power during a power failure; a memory controller coupled to the card level power source and having one or more memory channels; and one or more non-volatile memory devices (NVMDs) coupled to the card level power source and organized to respectively couple to the memory channels controlled by the memory controller. Each memory controller provides queuing and scheduling of memory operations on a channel for each NVMD in the memory channels. Responsive to power failure, the memory controller receives card level power and changes the scheduling of memory operations to the NVMDs in each memory channel.
US08677036B2	Power control device A power control device coupled to a power supply device and an information processing device, and configured to control a power supply from the power supply device to the information processing device, the power control device including: a first input/output unit configured to input/output data from/to the information processing device; a second input/output unit configured to input/output data from/to the power supply device by a change of state of signal lines; a storage unit configured to store data input from the first input/output unit and the second input/output unit; and a control unit configured to execute a conversion process for converting data input from the first input/output unit to a change of state of a signal line that can be output from the second input/output unit, and converting a change of state of a signal line input from the second input/output unit to a data format that can be output from the first input/output unit.
US08677031B2	Facilitating, at least in part, by circuitry, accessing of at least one controller command interface An embodiment may include circuitry to facilitate, at least in part, a first network interface controller (NIC) in a client to be capable of accessing, via a second NIC in a server that is remote from the client and in a manner that is independent of an operating system environment in the server, at least one command interface of another controller of the server. The command interface may include at least one controller command queue. Such accessing may include writing at least one queue element to the at least one command queue to command the another controller to perform at least one operation associated with the another controller. The another controller may perform the at least one operation in response, at least in part, to the at least one queue element. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible.
US08677028B2	Interrupt-based command processing In general, this disclosure describes techniques that allow communication between devices/modules of a computer system regarding inter-device/module command execution. In accordance with the techniques described herein, an operating device of a computing system may receive from a client one or more command indications of commands to be executed on the operating device. The operating device may further receive at least one command completion indicator that indicates a command for which one or more clients are awaiting completion of execution. The operating device may generate an interrupt that indicates completion of execution of the command for which the at least one command completion indicator was received. The interrupt may be a generic interrupt or a client-specific interrupt. In this manner, inefficiencies caused by client monitoring of operating device command execution may be reduced.
US08677027B2	Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method A computer program product for performing input/output (I/O) processing is configured for performing a method including: obtaining information relating to an I/O operation at a channel subsystem; generating and storing in local channel memory at least one address control word (ACW) specifying one or more host memory locations for data transfer and including a field for storing header information; generating an address control structure specifying a location in the local channel memory of a corresponding ACW; receiving a data transfer request from a network interface that includes the address control structure; responsive to an input data request, routing the data to at least one host memory location specified by the corresponding ACW and storing header information in the corresponding ACW; and responsive to an output data request, routing the data from a host memory location specified by the ACW to the network interface and appending header information to the data.
US08677017B2	Determining location information for a node in a network using at least one local landmark node Location information for a node in a network is determined. A first distance from the node to at least one global landmark node is determined and a second distance from the node to at least one local landmark node proximally located to the node is determined. Location information for the node based on the first distance and the second distance is generated.
US08677015B2	Link trace frame transfer program recording medium, switching hub, and link trace frame transfer method The disclosed apparatus includes a MAC learning table storing a MAC address and port identification information that uniquely identifies a port for transferring a frame to which the MAC address is assigned. The apparatus includes updating the MAC learning table, reading a MAC address of a link trace frame, transferring the link trace frame via a port determined based on the MAC learning table, storing a correspondence relationship of a predetermined MAC address and port identification information, saving a correspondence relationship set as an object to be deleted at a time of updating the MAC learning table, transferring the link trace frame, if there is no correspondence relationship relevant to the MAC address of the link trace frame in the MAC learning table, and sending a response frame to a switching hub which is an originator of the link trace frame with transfer of the link trace frame.
US08677012B2	Method of and apparatus for transceiving data frame in wireless broadband internet network A method of transmitting/receiving a frame between a portable terminal and a base station in a wireless broadband Internet network are provided. More particularly, a method of transmitting/receiving frames can include activating a session between the portable terminal and the base station, removing at least one header information field included in an Internet protocol (IP) datagram after activating the session, adding a network header which sets a predetermined transport connection identifier (TCID) to the IP datagram, generating the frame, and transmitting the generated frame via the activated session. Preferably, the frame is generated in any one of the portable terminal and the base station, and transmitted to the other one of the portable terminal and the base station.
US08677007B2	Systems and methods for bypassing an appliance Methods for redirecting, on a client, a communication of the client to a server to upon determining the server is not useable to communicate to the client include the steps of: establishing, by an client agent on a client, a transport layer connection between the client and an intermediary appliance, the intermediary appliance providing access to one or more servers; receiving, by the client agent from the intermediary appliance, address information identifying at least one of the one or more servers available to communicate; determining, by the client agent, the transport layer connection is unusable to communicate; establishing, by the client agent, a second transport layer connection between the client and one of the identified available servers to bypass the appliance. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08676990B2	Device management A method for managing communication in a system having a device in communication with a server via a communication path which includes gateway. A communication session is initiated by transmitting a request signal from the device to the gateway. The signal is then routed through the gateway, and the signal is then transmitted from the gateway to the server.
US08676987B2	Method of processing data in internet protocol television receiver and internet protocol television receiver A method of processing data in an IPTV receiver and such an IPTV receiver are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a request signal for resolution of a content reference identifier (CRID) corresponding to a content, receiving location information including a session description protocol (SDP) file, and a session initiation protocol-uniform resource identifier (SIP-URI) corresponding to the CRID, and controlling a session setup for processing a content by using the received SDP file.
US08676986B2	Reduced data session establishment time in CDMA-2000 networks Systems and methods for establishing and operating data sessions between mobile subscriber units and packet data servers on a wireless communication network are presented. Some aspects described herein are directed to preventing the loss of an initial configuration request signal (e.g. under the LCP protocol) from a packet data server to a mobile subscriber prior to successful establishment of a radio air link to the mobile subscriber. Other aspects are directed to detecting the presence or absence of a radio air link to the mobile subscriber as a determinant of whether the packet data server is to send a configuration request signal to the mobile subscriber, or whether the packet data server should withhold the request signal until the air link is established. Some or all aspects presented are suitable for use in 3G or CDMA-2000 systems using the A10/A11 communication control protocol and the PPP data communication protocol.
US08676972B2	Method and system for a network management console A method and a system for identifying unauthorized accesses to a data network service by a particular node in a data network is disclosed. The NMC communicates with an agent periodically to gather a list of users of the service node. An agent is installed on the service node to monitor all network accesses to the service. By configuring the agent to monitor all access to the service node, through SNMP or a similar protocol, the agent maintains a list of all accesses to that service node. This list is stored internally by the agent and queried for by the NMC periodically. The access information stored by the agent is periodically retrieved by the NMC for all monitored nodes and compared with the authorization list for the node. If unauthorized accesses are found, they are identified by the NMC. These unauthorized accesses can be notified to the appropriate entity in a number of ways such as through paging, email or a report viewable through the NMC.
US08676968B2	Determining information about a computing system In a method for determining information about a computing system, a designated process in the computing system is monitored. A determination whether a selected event has occurred in the designated process is made. State information and configuration information regarding the computing device is collected in response to a determination that the selected event has occurred. Meta information associated with the designated process is determined in response to a determination that the selected event has occurred. The state information, the configuration information and the meta information is recorded in an accessible file.
US08676967B2	Event proxy notification apparatus and method of controlling the same and program When a notification request for an event is received from a client apparatus, information about the type of the event, an event notification apparatus, and the client apparatus included in the notification request are registered. Upon reception of issuance of an event from an event notification apparatus, it is determined whether the event notification apparatus, the type of the event, and a client apparatus that has requested notification of the event have been registered. If it is determined that the event notification apparatus, the type of the event, and the client apparatus have been registered with respect to the event, the event is transmitted to the registered client apparatus.
US08676954B2	Method and apparatus of performing simultaneous multi-agent access for command execution through a single client Disclosed are an apparatus and method of managing a multiple agents via a session client. One example method of operation may include selecting multiple endpoint devices to manage, establishing a connection to a server, and identifying at least two agent identifiers identifying multiple agents corresponding to the multiple endpoint devices. The method may also include transmitting a session setup command to the server including the at least two agent identifiers and receiving a confirmation that a session has been established between the session client and the multiple agents of the multiple endpoint devices.
US08676953B2	Use of aggregated groups for managing demand response resources A demand response management system which may be used by utilities, independent system operators, intermediaries and others to manage operations of demand response programs relative to customers, clients, participants, and users of outputs from the utilities, independent system operators, and the like. The demand response management system may provide demand response signal propagation and generation from demand response events. There may be an aggregation of customers, clients, participants, users, and the like. The aggregation may be performed and managed by the utility, independent system operator, or the like, before a DR event is initiated and even before a DR signal is generated.
US08676951B2	Traffic reduction method for distributed key-value store In a system of local DHT overlays, each has KVS nodes, including one super node. The super nodes organize a global DHT overlay. Each super node maintains Bloom filters of keys in its local DHT overlay for all key ranges. To obtain data corresponding to a key from other local DHT overlays, a super node sends a request to a node which is responsible for the key range hashed from the specified key. The responsible node determines local DHT overlays which may have data corresponding to the key according to Bloom filters registered in the super nodes of the local DHT overlays, updated and converted from counting filters. Requests are sent to the super nodes of the local DHT overlays identified by the responsible node. Thus, requests are not needlessly sent to super nodes of local DHT overlays which do not have data corresponding to the key, thereby reducing traffic.
US08676950B2	Independent restarting of the nodes of a peer-to-peer network A method for restarting a set of nodes forming a peer-to-peer network. The method includes determining a first node of the set of nodes to be restarted and a subset of nodes known to the first node. Each node in the set of nodes to be restarted, prior to restarting, is configured to select a node and transmitting a message to the known nodes, containing an identifier of the selected node. Upon receiving the message, each known node is configured to back up duplicate sessions by determining sessions duplicated between the known node and the node in the set of nodes to be restarted and duplicating the sessions determined to be duplicate and verifying whether the known node is the next node, based on the message's content, and if the known node is the next node selecting the known node as a next node to be restarted.

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