Document	Document Title
US08679360B2	Base surface processing method and MEMS device A base surface processing method includes forming a protective film on a base surface; thinning a part of a base by grinding a part of the base surface; and etching a ground surface ground by the thinning.
US08679346B2	Optical-isomer-separating agent An enantiomeric isomer separating agent includes a polysaccharide derivative supported by particles of a support by chemical bonding and has a concentration of eluted component (in terms of mass proportion), as determined through a liquid passing test of 20 ppm or lower.
US08679335B1	Vehicle-mounted vacuum system and method of separating liquid and solids fractions of a sludge-like mixture inside a container The vacuum system (100) is mounted on a vehicle (102). It includes a dewatered solid matter compartment (142), a liquid matter compartment (144), a main flexible hose (130), and an immersible suction head (120) connected to a distal end of the main flexible hose (130). The suction head (120) includes a static dewatering screen filter (150) and a screen-washing arrangement (170) cooperating with the suction head (120). The screen-washing arrangement (170) is in fluid communication with the liquid matter compartment (144) through a high-pressure liquid circuit. The screen-washing arrangement (170) using the liquid matter from the liquid matter compartment (142) as a washing fluid. A method of separating solids and liquid fractions is also disclosed.
US08679319B2	Hydrocarbon composition A hydrocarbon composition is provided containing: at least 0.05 grams of hydrocarbons having boiling point in the range from an initial boiling point of the composition up to 204° C. (400° F.) per gram of the composition; at least 0.1 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 204° C. up to 260° C. (500° F.) per gram of the composition; at least 0.25 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 260° C. up to 343° C. per gram of the composition; at least 0.3 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 343° C. to 538° C. per gram of the composition; and at most 0.03 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point of greater than 538° C. per gram of the composition; at least 0.0005 gram of sulfur per gram of the composition, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the sulfur is contained in hydrocarbon compounds having a carbon number of 17 or less as determined by GC-GC sulfur chemiluminescence, where at least 60 wt. % of the sulfur in the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon compounds having a carbon number of 17 or less is contained in benzothiophenic compounds as determined by GC-GC sulfur chemiluminescence.
US08679312B2	Gas sensor system and method for controlling gas sensor A gas sensor system including a gas sensor; a current control unit; a constant control unit; and a temperature acquisition unit. The gas sensor includes a measurement chamber, a pump cell and an electromotive force cell. The current control unit performs feedback control on current flowing through the pump cell in response to the voltage of the electromotive force cell and in accordance with a control constant which characterizes the feedback control. Further, the constant control unit changes the control constant of the feedback control in accordance with a value (for example, a resistance value of the electromotive force cell) corresponding to the temperature of the gas sensor.
US08679304B2	Apparatus for creating bioactive solution A biocide solution containing hypochlorous acid, hydrochlorous acid, hydrochloric acid, percholoric acid, chlorine gas, hydrogen peroxide and ozone provides broad spectrum biocidal properties as well as an apparatus for producing the solution.
US08679298B2	Remotely controlled decoking tool used in coke cutting operations The present a system structured to allows an operator to remotely switch between cutting and boring while removing solid carbonaceous residue from large cylindrical vessels called coke drums utilizing—a cutting head for ejecting high pressure fluids into the coke bed; a flow diversion apparatus; and a shifting apparatus.
US08679290B2	Exfoliation of graphene by multilayer coextrusion Exfoliation of graphene from graphite using multilayer coextrusion is generally disclosed. In some example embodiments, graphite may be dispersed within a first processing material, and the first processing material and a second processing material may be co-extruded through a plurality of series coupled layer multiplication dies to exfoliate graphene from the graphite. The graphene may be separated from the resulting multi-layered material. In some example embodiments, graphite flake and/or expanded graphite may be dispersed within the first processing material.
US08679284B2	Skin adhesion apparatus and adhesion method thereof A skin adhesion apparatus includes an upper mold half and a lower mold half. The upper mold half and the lower mold half clamps a core material and a skin laid on the core material so that the skin is adhered to a surface of the core material. Disposed along a mold surface of the upper mold half is a tubular member made of elastic material. The skin adhesion apparatus also includes a pump for supplying fluid into the tubular member. When adhering the skin to the core material, the upper mold half is pulled down and then stopped at a predetermined distance above the core material. After then, fluid is supplied into the tubular member so that the fluid pressure inflates the tubular member.
US08679281B2	Method of making a building material having a selvage edge A method of forming a building material with a pre-applied adhesive, the method comprising the steps of manipulating a first membrane and a second membrane to be spaced from one another along parallel adjacent edges to form a gap; securing a single strip of adhesive tape to a top surface of both said first and second membranes adjacent to said adjacent edges so that said adhesive tape extends over said gap; and cutting along the length of said adhesive tape to form a first adhesive tape and a second adhesive tape, said first adhesive tape being secured to the top surface of said first membrane and extending over a portion of said gap, and said second adhesive tape being secured to the top surface of said second membrane and extending over a portion of said gap.
US08679277B2	Napkin apparatus and method A method is provided that includes peeling at least one carrier strip away from an adhesive layer of an adhesive article. The adhesive article includes a flexible substrate with the adhesive layer thereon, wherein the adhesive layer remains mounted to the flexible substrate of the adhesive article after the carrier strip is peeled away, wherein the adhesive article is operative to disintegrate when submerged in water. The method also includes using the adhesive article to adhesively mount a cloth or paper napkin to clothing being worn by a person. The carrier strip or adhesive article may include advertising and/or a coupon printed thereon, which may be taken away by the person after the meal.
US08679274B2	Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device A wafer level method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical device removes the need for a rigid barrier fillet while minimizing any risk of contamination of the liquid crystal. An uncured adhesive may be deposited on a bottom substrate and partially cured to form a liquid crystal barrier. After addition of the liquid crystal and a top substrate, the adhesive is fully cured to bond the substrate layers together. An uncured adhesive may be used together with the partially cured adhesive, and may be deposited separately or filled into an extracellular matrix surrounding a plurality of liquid crystal cells. The adhesive may be cured by a variety of means, including light that may be spatially modulated. One or both of the substrates may be deformed during assembly so as to create a structure with a lensing effect on light passing through the liquid crystal region.
US08679273B2	Systems and methods for providing vacuum encapsulation for climate control panels A climate control system according to implementations of the invention includes one or more vacuum chambers. The vacuum chamber is encompassed by a chamber wall that is substantially impervious to gases. The vacuum chamber houses one of several combinations. In one combination, the near vacuum has yet to be created, and the vacuum chamber houses substantially-pure carbon dioxide and un-reacted carbon dioxide reducing agent. In a second combination, the near vacuum has been created, and the vacuum chamber houses reaction products of a chemical reaction between substantially-pure carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide reducing agent in a near vacuum. Various methods are used for creating vacuum chambers and for generating near vacuum conditions within such chambers. Various systems and structures can utilize such vacuum chambers and panels containing such chambers.
US08679268B2	Sputtering target of ferromagnetic material with low generation of particles A ferromagnetic sputtering target comprising metal having a composition containing 20 mol % or less of Cr, and Co as the remainder; wherein the target structure includes a basis metal (A), and flat phases (B), containing 90 wt % or more of Co, within the basis metal (A), the average grain size of the phases (B) is 10 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and the average aspect ratio of the phases (B) is 1:2 to 1:10. Provided is a ferromagnetic sputtering target capable of inhibiting the generation of particles during sputtering, and improving the pass-through flux to achieve a stable electrical discharge with a magnetron sputtering device.
US08679265B2	High-strength cold-rolled steel sheet The invention provides a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet which is improved in elongation and stretch-flangeability and exhibits more excellent formability. The high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet has a composition which contains by mass C: 0.03 to 0.30%, Si: 0.1 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 5.0%, P: 0.1% or below, S: 0.005% or below, N: 0.01% or below, and Al: 0.01 to 1.00% with the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities. The high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet has a structure which comprises at least 40% (up to 100% inclusive) in terms of area fraction of tempered martensite having a hardness of 300 to 380 Hv and the balance ferrite. The cementite particles in the tempered martensite take such dispersion that 10 or more cementite particles having equivalent-circle diameters of 0.02 to less than 0.1 μm are present per one μm2 of the tempered martensite and three or fewer cementite particles having equivalent-circle diameters of 0.1 μm or above are present per one μm2 of the tempered martensite.
US08679260B2	Methods and systems for movement of an automatic cleaning device using video signal A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.
US08679254B2	Vapor phase epitaxy apparatus of group III nitride semiconductor [Problem] Provided is a vapor phase epitaxy apparatus of a group III nitride semiconductor including: a susceptor for holding a substrate; the opposite face of the susceptor; a heater for heating the substrate; a reactor formed of a gap between the susceptor and the opposite face of the susceptor; a raw material gas-introducing portion for supplying a raw material gases from the central portion of the reactor toward the peripheral portion of the reactor; and a reacted gas-discharging portion. Even when crystal growth is conducted on the surfaces of a large number of large-aperture substrates, the vapor phase epitaxy apparatus can eject each raw material gas at an equal flow rate for any angle, and can suppress the decomposition and crystallization of the raw material gases on the opposite face of the susceptor.[Solving Means] The vapor phase epitaxy apparatus is such that: the opposite face of the susceptor has means for flowing a coolant therein; the raw material gas-introducing portion has a plurality of gas ejection orifices formed of such a constitution that the gas ejection orifices are partitioned in a vertical direction with a disk-like partition; and at least one of the gas ejection orifices has such a constitution that the gas ejection orifice is partitioned in a circumferential direction with a plurality of columnar partitions.
US08679247B2	Hydraulic setting mixture for materials having “easy-to-clean” properties The present invention relates to a hydraulic setting mixture comprising: a) 6% to 25% by weight of cement, b) 50% to 90% by weight of at least one aggregate, and c) 0.001% to 8% by weight of at least one fluoroorganyl-substituted silicon compound, and also to materials produced from this mixture, more particularly components, concrete articles or mouldings. The invention further relates to the use of a hydraulic setting mixture of the invention for producing materials, more particularly components, concrete articles or mouldings, for example as face concrete, where the surface of the materials exhibits only relatively low soiling tendency (“easy-to-clean” property) even on abrasion.
US08679243B2	Aqueous pigment dispersion used for preparing ink jet recording aqueous ink, and ink jet recording aqueous ink An aqueous pigment dispersion used for preparing an ink jet recording aqueous ink comprises an anionic group-containing organic polymeric compound, an organic pigment, an organic pigment derivative, and the water, wherein the polymeric compound, the organic pigment, and the organic pigment derivative are dispersed in water, the organic pigment and the organic pigment derivative are a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red pigment and a phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone, respectively, and the phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone content is in the range of 1.6 to 3.8% relative to the total (100%) of the diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red pigment and the phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone on a mass basis. Furthermore, there is provided an ink jet recording aqueous ink containing such an aqueous pigment dispersion, wherein the aqueous pigment dispersion is diluted such that the total of the organic pigment content and the organic pigment derivative content is from 1 to 8% on a mass basis.
US08679233B1	Modification of the degree of liquid contact with a solid by control of surface and micro-channel capillary geometry A method of modifying the apparent wettability (the area contacted by a liquid) of solids with liquids by controlling the surface geometry or the capillary geometry. This modification is possible by understanding the geometric relationship between the contact angle and the included angle of surface features. This same geometric relationship can be used to enhance two-phase fluid separation during phase transformation as well as measure dynamic contact angles.
US08679232B2	Rotating packed bed A rotating packed bed RPB that includes a first and second packed bed both arranged on the same rotatable shaft. A gas is directed via a gas inlet through the first packed bed in co-current flow with a liquid in a radially outward direction towards the outer radius of the packed bed. The liquid enters the first packed bed via a first liquid inlet. The gas exiting the first packed bed is directed to the second packed bed and forced through it in a radially inward direction in counter-current flow with a liquid, which enters through a second liquid inlet. The arrangement allows an operation of the rotating packed bed with less energy compared to RPBs of the prior art operating in counter-current flow only. The apparatus allows low-cost design and high design flexibility.
US08679228B2	Method of reusing hydrogen The invention recovers highly pure hydrogen from the exhaust purge gas and reuses it as a hydrogen source in other production steps contributing to greatly reducing the disposal cost and the cost of producing polysilicon. The hydrogen chloride contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the step of depositing polysilicon by using trichlorosilane, is adsorbed by active carbon. The active carbon layer is then purged with the hydrogen gas, and the adsorbed hydrogen chloride is desorbed. Next, the exhaust purge gas is brought into contact with a hydrogen chloride-absorbing solution such as an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide to remove the hydrogen chloride from the exhaust purge gas and to separate and recover the highly pure hydrogen gas. The recovered hydrogen gas is compressed and is fed as a hydrogen source to other steps of producing, for example, fumed silica.
US08679225B2	Hot sieving electrostatic precipitator An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, include at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning unit selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can include a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.
US08679223B2	Method for scooping-up slag from liquid iron The present invention provides a high efficiency method for scooping-up slag from liquid iron in a ladle. The two wings of slag rake mounted to the front end of cantilever descend side by side until beneath the surface of the liquid iron at a certain depth. The two rakes make swinging movements, respectively, along the surface of liquid iron. When gradually moving close to each other during the swinging movement, the slag rakes push together and clamp the solid slag. While clamping the slag, the two slag rakes are driven upwardly by the cantilever until they are above the surface by a certain height. Finally, the slag rakes leave the space over the ladle, and discharge the slag. The de-slagging rate can reach over 90%, and the process takes less than 3 minutes. Additionally, the iron carried away while scooping-up the slag can be strictly controlled within 0.1%.
US08679222B2	Process for producing sponge iron The process for producing the sponge iron includes the steps of preparing a sandwich of at least two layers wherein the at least two layers includes a first layer (10) of iron oxide source which content is carbon free or comprises of only self-contaminant carbon or carbonaceous and second layer (12) is a mixture of iron oxide source and carbon source and subjecting the sandwich of at least two layers to a pyrolysis process in a non-oxidative environment at temperature between 950° C. to 1900° C. for a period between 10 minutes to 36 hours. The carbon source in the second layer (12) is equal to or more than stoichiometric weight of carbon according to a predominant reaction. The non-oxidative pyrolysis occurs in a reactor. The sandwich of two layers is placed in a moving carrier (16) such as tray to accommodate the sandwich of two layers in the reactor.
US08679215B2	Air filter An air filter having an inlet for air and an outlet for air comprises a body having a central channel, a first side with a first area, a second side having a second area, and a middle having a middle area, positioned between the first side and the second side. The middle area is less than the first area and less than the second area. A first fan is positioned in the body near the first side, and a second fan positioned in the body near the second side, and each fan blows air in the same direction. A filter cartridge is positioned in the central channel at the middle, wherein during operation air flows from the inlet to the filter cartridge to the outlet.
US08679214B2	Gas cleaning separator The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08679205B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing hydrogen-containing gas There is provided a technique and an apparatus for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a feed gas obtained by mixing steam with a hydrocarbon fuel, this mixture is introduced into a catalytic reaction chamber, and a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction are conducted to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas. In this reforming, an antechamber of the catalytic reaction chamber is heated up to a self-ignition temperature in a first catalyst section, where the self-ignition temperature is the temperature at which a mixed gas self-ignites during the advection period required for the mixed gas to move from a mixing chamber to the catalytic reaction chamber, with this temperature being at least a minimum partial-oxidation temperature and lower than a minimum steam reforming temperature.
US08679201B2	Increasing the stiffness of battery cells for portable electronic devices The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The layers may be wound to create a jelly roll prior to sealing the layers in the flexible pouch. The stiffness of the battery cell may be increased by applying a pressure of at least 0.13 kilogram-force (kgf) per square millimeter and a temperature of about 85° C. to the layers.
US08679200B2	Method for reducing self discharge in an electrochemical cell A method for reducing the self discharge rate and the variability in the self discharge rate of an electrochemical cell wherein a porous separator is inserted between a cathode and an anode of the cell and the porous separator contains a nanoweb that comprises a plurality of nanofibers that may contain a fully aromatic polyimide and the fully aromatic polyimide has a degree of imidization of greater than 0.51 where degree of imidization is the ratio of the height of the imide C—N absorbance at 1375 cm−1 to the C—H absorbance at 1500 cm−1.
US08679199B2	Formulations of fluorescent whitening agents in dispersed form The present invention relates to an aqueous dispersion containing (a) a fluorescent whitening agent, (b) a dispersing agent, (c) a β-1,3-glucan and, optionally, (d) a vat dye and the use of the aqueous dispersions for whitening synthetic fibers, in particular polyester and polyacrylonitrile.
US08679198B2	Washing machine and method of controlling a washing machine A washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine may be provided. The washing machine may include a drum in which laundry are provided and rotated. A laundry amount may be sensed. The drum may operate at a first speed so that a part of the laundry tumbles within the drum and another part of the laundry adheres to the drum or the drum operates at a second speed so that the laundry adheres to the drum according to the sensed laundry amount. Accordingly, at a time of a dehydration cycle, stability of the washing machine and a laundry balancing can be ensured.
US08679191B2	Continuous phase composite for musculoskeletal repair A composite material for positioning in the anatomy to form a selected function therein. The composite may be resorbable over a selected period of time. The composite may allow for selected bone ingrowth as absorption of the composite occurs.
US08679190B2	Hydrogel arthroplasty device An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.
US08679187B2	Acetabular cup assembly for multiple bearing materials A modular acetabular cup assembly (10, 100, 200, 300, 350) for use with multiple bearing liners (32, 110, 212, 310, 354) is disclosed. The acetabular cup assembly includes a shell (12) having a tapered inner wall (28) and two circumferential grooves (24, 26). The shell (12) may be used with polyethylene, ceramic, metal, and other types of liners.
US08679181B2	Total disc replacement device The total disc replacement device (1) comprising a central axis (2), a first and a second apposition plate (3; 5), a first and a second joint component (4; 6) being mutually arranged in a ball joint like manner and being located between said first and second apposition plates (3; 5) and intermediate means (7) being disposed at least between the first apposition plate (3) and the first joint component (4) in such manner that, the first joint component (4) is not freely moveable transversely to the central axis (2) with respect to the first apposition plate (3) under load-free conditions, but a limited movement of the first joint component (4) relative to the first apposition plate (3) transversal to the central axis (2) is allowed under load.
US08679176B2	Prosthetic tissue valve A prosthetic tissue valve for aortic, pulmonary, mitral or tricuspid valve replacement is described herein. A sewing ring for use with the prosthetic tissue valve is also described. The valve can have a circumference that is a predetermined distance larger than the circumference of an annulus in a defective valve. The valve can be substantially planar in an unstressed position before attachment at the annulus and substantially non-planar upon attachment in a biased position at the annulus. The valve can have a multi-lobal shape in the unstressed position. Methods are provided for placing the valve as described herein in the biased position within the annulus of the defective valve.
US08679170B2	Methods and apparatus for therapeutic application of thermal energy Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a human condition by providing an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. A vacuum may be applied to the appendage chamber to maintain vasodilation of an appendage when placed within the appendage chamber. The appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to treat a number of circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal maladies.
US08679168B2	Cannulated anchor and system Cannulated anchors are provided that may be optimally forced in, press fit, screwed in or otherwise installed into tissue with minimal damage to the flexible members or sutures attached thereto. Systems for installing at least one flexible member into tissue include the cannulated anchor, the at least one flexible member capable of being received by the cannulated anchor; and an installer with a driver head insertable into the cannulation of the anchor proximate the trailing end and with an essentially longitudinal cannulation centrally disposed along the axis and sized to accept a guidewire therethrough. Movement of the installer about the longitudinal axis causes corresponding movement of the cannulated anchor such that the outer surface of the cannulated anchor is capable of effecting anchoring into the tissue.
US08679158B2	Multiple suture thread configuration with an intermediate connector A suture system has a plurality of double ended barbed sutures each with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body connector that connects said plurality of double ended barbed sutures. The body connector is located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs on each of the sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.
US08679153B2	Method and apparatus for surgically closing an open abdomen An open abdomen wound as a result of injury or surgery is closed using fastener sheets, such as hook and loop fastener sheets, that are attached at opposing edges of the wound using bolsters through which surgical suture thread is passed to secure the abdominal wall between the fastener sheets and the bolsters. Tension forces are exerted on the fastener sheets and the sheets secured to one another in one or more steps drawing the wound edges toward one another. The tension forces are distributed by the bolsters to avoid loss of tissue at the wound edges. Successful closure of the wound is possible.
US08679151B2	Access device including shape memory deployment mechanism A surgical access device is disclosed which includes a housing, a collar, and a plurality of deformable members. The housing defines a proximal end and a distal end and has a plurality of lumens extending therethrough. The collar is repositionable between a first position and a second position with the second position being closer to the proximal end of the housing than the first position. Each of the plurality of deformable members defines a distal portion, is coupled to the collar and is transitionable through one of the plurality of lumens. The plurality of deformable members is in a retracted state when the collar is in the first position and a deployed state when the collar is in the second position. One or more of the plurality of deformable members may also include a barb attached to the distal portion.
US08679147B2	Rectal balloon apparatus with pressure relieving lumen and sensors A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with the shaft for removal of rectal gas. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.
US08679139B2	Delivery system for magnetic anastomosis device A magnet delivery system for forming an anastomosis that comprises a wire guide; a catheter having a delivery portion for advancement into a intracorporeal space, the delivery portion having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a strand connected to the catheter, whereby the magnet is disposed over the wire guide and distal to the catheter, and retained by the strand being releasably connected to the wire guide.
US08679133B2	Wound debridement instrument A wound debridement instrument for treatment of chronic wounds has an elongate handle with a distal end, a proximal end, and a middle section. An elongate tubular blade body extends distally from the handle distal end and terminates at a distal cutting edge. The tubular body defines a cavity and has a longitudinal axis. The distal cutting edge follows the arc of the tubular body and is angled relative to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments the tubular body is an incomplete tube, having a longitudinally-extending gap formed therein. Some embodiments may also have a scraping element extending proximally from the handle proximal end.
US08679129B2	Automatic locking casper distractor A vertebral distractor system includes a crossbar and a first distractor arm having a first end portion coupled to the crossbar and a second end portion with a first bore configured to axially receive a first coupling portion of a first pin. A second distractor arm includes a third end portion coupled to the crossbar and a fourth end portion with a second bore configured to receive a second coupling portion of a second pin. A first pin locking mechanism is configured to couple the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm within the first bore such that when the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm are coupled, movement of the first pin outwardly of the first bore is not allowed.
US08679127B2	Accessories for removing bone material and method for making same An accessory for removing material for prostheses surgery including a plastic part and an insert made of a material harder than the bone material, the insert being embedded in the plastic part such that if the device is brought to a selected temperature, the accessory deteriorates itself.
US08679123B2	Surgical device, system and method of use thereof The present invention includes a surgically implantable compression staple, system, and method of use thereof for the internal fixation of bone fractures, fusions, and osteotomies. The staple has a grooved construction along the outside edge of each of its legs and cannulated tabs are aligned above the grooves. The grooves and cannulated tabs of the staple are sized to fit and align with guide wires. Once holes are drilled over the guide wires with a specialized cannulated drill, the appropriately sized staple can be inserted over the guide wires and the guide wires are subsequently removed. The compression feature of the staple is activated and the staple provides stability across the desired fractured site. The system and method allows for easy alignment and precise placement of surgically implantable staples.
US08679116B2	Multiple axes external bone fixing member An external bone fixing member includes an external reconstruction plate to replace the conventional large external support frame to reduce the volume of the external fixing member and the external bone fixing member is cooperated with a screw which is angle adjustable so as to meet requirements of fixation of the fractured bones (limb bones) at different positions or comminuted fractures. The use of the screw is further cooperated with the reconstruction plate to reinforce the stability of the connection between the reconstruction plate and the screw to prevent the screw from withdrawing, moving, angle changing or movement of the reconstruction plate.
US08679095B2	Regulator A flow regulator (19, 208, 308, 408) may be used in a drug delivery system 10. The regulator includes a chamber that is divided by a diaphragm (111, 211, 311, 411) into a first and second subchamber. A third subchamber is in fluid communication with the first subchamber. A valve (26, 217, 317, 417) is operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein pressure differences between the first subchamber and second subchamber result in movement of the diaphragm and movement of the diaphragm controls operation of the valve. A flow restrictor (116, 216, 316, 416) is in fluid communication between the first and second subchambers. Flow of a drug (11, 101) is thereby regulated.
US08679092B2	Catheter assembly A catheter assembly is provided. The catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter adapted for insertion into a urethra and a catheter package sized to receive the urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is configured to project from the catheter package to accommodate insertion into the urethra.
US08679083B2	Reusable breast shield A reusable, washable breast shield for use by lactating women. The shield may include an inner layer and an outer layer. The shield may be placed against the breast of the user and may be held in place with an article of clothing or may be used without supporting clothing.
US08679070B2	Modular administration system A modular administration appliance including a reusable base unit and a replaceable cartridge detachably connected to the base unit and including a container for a substance and a rotatable transmission element, the base unit including a drive device by which a rotary movement is transmitted between the base unit and the cartridge, and a driving element displaceable in a rotary movement about a rotational axis by the drive device, wherein a rotation of the transmission element causes the ejection of at least a portion of the substance from the container. In some embodiments, the transmission element at least partially surrounds the drive device, and/or the drive element and the transmission element are detachably connectable to each other for transmitting the rotational movement.
US08679066B2	Stabilization device with integrated dressing A stabilization device for securing a medical article near an insertion site includes an anchor pad having an integral dressing portion, such as a transparent dressing portion, to allow for covering and protection of the insertion site.
US08679065B2	Apparatus for supporting medical lines An exemplary line holder comprises a sheet having creases that extend between opposing sides and define a plurality of panels. The creases are foldable in alternating opposite directions such that the sheet is foldable along the creases between an open configuration and a pleated configuration. The line holder further comprises aligned groups of holes that are arranged along a direction substantially transverse to the creases, with each aligned group of holes comprising one hole in each of the panels. The line holder further comprises slots, each connecting a pair of the holes and intersecting one of the creases. When the sheet is in the pleated configuration, each aligned group of holes forms a corridor through the panels, and the slots are aligned to form pathways extending from the intersected creases to the corridors, such that medical lines can be inserted into the corridors.
US08679064B2	Ophthalmic valved trocar cannula In various embodiments, a trocar cannula may be configured for insertion into an eye to facilitate insertion and removal of instruments during surgery. The cannula may be affixed to an overcap (to inhibit rotation of the overcap relative to the cannula) that includes a seal. In some embodiments, the seal may be overmolded into the overcap or may include a wafer that is fixed between the cannula and the overcap to inhibit rotation relative to the cannula and the overcap. In some embodiments, the cannula and overcap may snap together through a tab/slot interface in a permanent fashion such that the cannula and overcap may not be separated without damaging the cannula or overcap. In some embodiments, a vent cannula may be receivable in the slit of the seal for allowing fluids to vent from the eye through the cannula (which may include an indentation to frictionally engage the vent).
US08679060B2	Infusion pump system An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.
US08679056B1	Syringe A syringe including a tube, a first plunger, a second plunger and a plunger rod assembly is disclosed. The tube has one end serving as an injection end and the other end coupled with a cap. The first plunger is disposed in the tube. A filled portion extends through the first plunger. A first chamber is formed between the first plunger and the injection end. The second plunger is disposed in the tube and has a fixing hole. A second chamber is formed between the first and second plungers. The plunger rod assembly comprises a rod and a blocker. The rod has a neck portion and at least one engaging portion. The blocker is arranged on one side of the neck portion and is capable of being inserted into the filled portion. The blocker is capable of being removed from the first plunger and being received in the fixing hole.
US08679053B2	High performance cannulas A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion, which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulated vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.
US08679047B2	Impact resistant, torsion-reducing protective athletic gear using shear thickening fluid An athletic tape or protective athletic sleeve is formed from an impregnated fabric substrate that is sealed on both sides. The impregnated fabric includes a shear thickening fluid that is made up of a suspension solution and solid particles. The shear thickening fluid is sealed within the fabric through use of sealing layers on both sides of the fabric.
US08679044B2	Cervical collar with reduced vascular obstruction An orthopedic device, in the form of a cervical collar having reduced vascular obstruction, has less contact with, and produces less pressure on, the sternocleidomasteoidus area of the neck, thus transferring pressure away from the veins of the neck (vena jugularis externa and interna) to other portions of the neck. Specifically, the shape of the cervical collar at the anterior portion thereof, when applied to the neck of a patient, leaves a clearance of the neck veins by way of fold lines or recessed surfaces provided along a posterior surface of the anterior portion of the collar. The fold lines or recessed surfaces are generally arranged perpendicularly on either side of an open access area defined in the anterior cervical collar portion. Fold lines allow the generally rigid plastic of a cervical collar to naturally curve into a shape that provides the appropriate clearance for the neck veins.
US08679026B2	Medical device for detecting pulmonary artery pressure In a medical device and method to monitor pulmonary artery pressure of a patient, a first parameter related to the right ventricular straight volume of the patient's is detected, and a second parameter related to the right ventricular ejection rate of the patient's heart, or related to the workload of the patient's heart, is also determined. A pulmonary pressure index is determined by combining the first and second parameters, with variations of the pulmonary pressure index indicating variations in the pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary artery hypertension can be monitored with such a device and method.
US08679019B2	Method for measuring of thicknesses of materials using an ultrasound technique The invention relates to a method for measuring thicknesses of materials of multilayered structure. This method includes transmitting one or more ultrasound signals including different frequencies into a multilayered structure consisting of two or more materials with one or more ultrasound transducers, measuring materials, acoustic properties for which are different at the frequencies in use, measuring ultrasound signals reflected from the front surface and back surface of the multilayered structure with one or more ultrasound transducer and determining thicknesses of the materials within multilayered structure from the reflected ultrasound signals.
US08679013B2	Intravaginal monitoring device The invention relates to an intravaginal monitoring device, method of intravaginal monitoring, and system and network for intravaginal monitoring. The intravaginal monitoring device and or network includes multiple modes of operation that enable non-pregnancy monitoring, pregnancy testing, pregnancy monitoring, STD detection, precancerous condition monitoring, cancerous condition monitoring, pre-birth monitoring and prediction, neo-natal monitoring, ovulation monitoring, an automated rhythm method, among various applications of the device, method and network of the present invention.
US08679008B2	Biosensor device and method In part, one aspect of the invention relates to a portable, handheld biosensor device that is held between two fingers of the same hand or otherwise contacts two points on a user's skin. The sensor device includes a pair of conductive or semi-conductive electrodes and associated circuitry designed to sense, amplify and digitize the electrical conductance of the skin between the electrodes. The device can additionally be configured to sense additional biometrics from the fingers, including blood oxygenation and skin temperature. Digitized biometric values are transmitted wirelessly (or via direct wire connection, such as a USB cable) to a computing device where the data is utilized to generate a control parameter in a software application whose purpose is to provide anxiety biofeedback or entertainment.
US08679007B2	Device for surgical operations on a prolapse A device for surgical operations on a prolapse, comprising a hollow stretcher body (2) having a prevalent development direction along a longitudinal axis (A) and being insertable in an orifice, the stretcher body (2) exhibiting a through-window (7), defining an area of intervention and realising a communication between an internal cavity (3) of the stretcher body (2) and a portion of a prolapse, a mobile wall (8) defining the through-window (7) in combination with the stretcher body (2) and being slidably associated to the stretcher body (2) in order to open and/or close the through window (7) between a configuration of minimum extension and a configuration of maximum extension of the through-window (7); characterized in that it comprises means for blocking (10) which act between the mobile wall (8) and the stretcher body (2) in order to maintain the through-window (7) stably in the configuration of minimum extension during insertion of the stretcher body (2).
US08679002B2	Endoscope system for gastrostomy catheter placement An instrument for confirming the position of an indwelling gastrostomy catheter, and a method of confirming the indwelling position thereof, with which it is possible to reduce cleaning costs, and which does not cause any discomfort to a patient. An instrument for confirming the indwelling position of a gastrostomy catheter which is indwelling in a hole formed between the surface of the skin of the patient and the inner surface of the stomach wall comprising a fiberscope and a protective cover. Furthermore, the tip end of the protective cover comprises a light-transmissive window part and a wire that is linked to the outer periphery at the tip end of the protective cover.
US08679000B2	Endoscope having signal cable An endoscope has a section of an elongated tube for entry in a body cavity. An end shell is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tube. An imaging window area is formed in the end shell. A lens barrel is secured to the end shell, and aligned with the imaging window area. An imaging device photoelectrically detects object light from the lens barrel. A circuit board has the imaging device mounted thereon. A signal cable has a cover material, and plural filaments covered by the cover material, and connected to the circuit board. A cable retaining device partially retains the cover material fixedly. A tip portion is formed at a distal end of the cable retaining device. A coupling device keeps the tip portion laterally movable on the end shell, to prevent stress in the cable retaining device from exertion to the end shell.
US08678999B2	System and method for a hysteroscope with integrated instruments A hysteroscope includes a base and a handle attached to the base. The handle has a first trigger and a second trigger. An outer barrel is attached to the base. The outer barrel has a plurality of channels. An actuatable tool is located within at least one channel. The first trigger is in communication with the actuatable tool for extending the tool from within the at least one channel. The second trigger in communication with the actuatable tool for actuating the tool. The hysteroscope may further include a third trigger to pivot a distal portion of the outer barrel.
US08678997B2	Male impotence prosthesis apparatus with wireless energy supply A male impotence prosthesis apparatus comprises an operable penile prosthesis (4) implanted in an impotent patient's corpus cavernosum to provide flaccid or erect states of the patient's penis. An energy transmission device (10) for wireless transmission of energy from outside the patient's body to inside the patient's body is provided for use in connection with the operation of the penile prosthesis.
US08678994B2	Devices and methods for treating morbid obesity A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.
US08678988B2	Centrifuge opening tool A centrifuge opening tool has a frame that securely holds a centrifuge drum therein. An upright tube is mounted to the frame and a brake band is rotatably secured to the upright tube. When the brake band is tightened, the centrifuge drum is securely held in place. A ring gear is secured to a lock ring. The lock ring is part of the centrifuge drum and is removable to allow access to the interior therein. A drive gear meshes with the ring gear and increases the mechanical advantage allowing a user to apply the force needed to open the lock ring even when it has been extremely compressed. A spanner wrench is placed on a drive shaft that is connected to the drive gear. Engagement pins are used to mechanically couple the gear ring and lock ring together.
US08678987B2	Centrifuge with a coupling element for axially locking a rotor The invention relates to a centrifuge with a drive head which can be connected with a drive, a rotor which can detachably be mounted on the drive head, at least one connection element with which the drive head can be connected in a torsion-proof manner with the rotor, and at least one coupling element which is attached to the drive head and is able to exert an axial force on the rotor in such a way that the rotor can be fixed axially, with the axial force increasing with the rising rotational speed of the drive head, with the coupling element on the rotor transmitting the axial force by means of a ramp surface which is inclined at an angle (α) relative to the horizontal line in a range of more than 0° to 15°. Secure locking of the rotor during standstill and high speeds can thus be achieved.
US08678985B2	Balance training and exercise device A balance training and exercise device comprises a rigid, shallow disc adapted to accommodate a user's feet or knees. A user moves in such a manner as to move the disc forwards or backwards, or to rotate the disc. A thickened firm, resilient pad can be placed within the disc, and the user can perform the same movements while standing atop the pad. Arm strengthening means can also be used in combination with the disc.
US08678981B2	Portable leg exerciser A compact leg exerciser includes two portions rotatable about a hinge. Each portion includes a base and a foot pedal displaceable along the base. The pedals include stops located longitudinally inward of the wheels. Each base is provided with resilient limiters for contacting against the stops of the pedals to limit travel of the pedals and thereby prevent the pedals from contacting the longitudinal ends of the periphery. The hinge is offset from the sides of each base and forms a handle for transporting the leg exerciser when the exerciser is folded about the hinge into a closed position.
US08678978B2	Method of controlling HAC operation when restarting engine of vehicle A method and a HAC system controls a hill-state assist control (HAC) operation when restarting an engine of the vehicle having an idle stop and go (ISG) system for an automatic transmission. The method includes starting restarting of the engine by the ISG system and an HAC operation, monitoring the RPM of the engine, and releasing the HAC operation in a case where the RPM of the engine meets an HAC release condition, and maintaining the HAC operation until the HAC release condition is met in a case where the RPM of the engine does not meet the HAC release condition.
US08678972B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08678971B2	Drive assembly A drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit having a rotational axis, an input part and two output parts drivably connected to the input part, an externally controllable selectable coupling, and an externally controllable locking coupling. The output parts have a compensating effect among each other. The externally controllable selectable coupling is for drivably connecting the differential unit to a drive source. The externally controllable locking coupling is for locking the compensatory movement between both output parts of the differential unit. The selectable coupling and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.
US08678968B2	Drive unit, particularly rear drive unit, for an all-wheel drive of a motor vehicle A drive unit, more preferably rear drive unit, for an all-wheel drive of a motor vehicle with two drive shafts, of which one drive shaft serves for driving the one wheel and the other drive shaft serves for driving the other wheel of a motor vehicle. Provided is a transmission operationally that is connected to the drive shafts, through which a drive torque acting on the input of the transmission can be divided or is divided into at least two output torques and through which the output torque of the transmission acting on the one drive shaft is reversible or is reversed in its operation direction relative to the output torque of the transmission acting on the other drive shaft.
US08678963B2	Bicycle front derailleur A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a biasing arrangement. The biasing arrangement is operatively disposed between the base member and the movable member such that a biasing force of the biasing arrangement is smaller during an early range of a movement range of the movable member as the movable member moves from a first position to a second position. The biasing arrangement includes a first biasing member, a second biasing member and a pre-load body. The first and second biasing members selectively bias the movable member. The pre-load body maintains the second biasing member in a loaded state such that the second biasing member applies the second biasing force only after the movable member has partially moved from the first position towards the second position.
US08678956B2	Pitchers aid for strike zone accuracy Disclosed is a pitcher's aid for strike zone accuracy that serves the purpose of guiding a pitcher's body to the left or right side, inside/outside, of home plate in order to provide familiarity with how their body can be used to locate a pitch to the desired target. The new and unique invention utilizes a lightweight, rugged material and a small size to stay portable and provide the pitcher with an invention that can be used anywhere and anytime he wishes to practice. Practicing with this invention gives a pitcher confidence when pitching to either side of home, which in turn provides them with more confidence in their pitches, and provides them with the knowledge that they can get the outs needed when called upon by their coach.
US08678940B2	Amusement park ride with multiple vertical rotation axes combined with vertical translation motion A ride combining two or more vertical rotation axes with vertical translation motion of passenger vehicles. The ride includes a primary turntable rotating about a central axis and includes one to three or more secondary turntables mounted on the primary turntable to rotate with the primary turntable. Each of the secondary turntables is driven to rotate about a secondary rotation axis (vertical axis passing through the center of the sub-turntable). Each of the sub-turntables includes a vertical translation motion assembly that rotates with the sub-turntable and also supports a plurality of passenger vehicles. The passenger vehicles are supported within this assembly so as to be able to rotate (via manual operation or in a controlled manner) about a vertical rotation axis passing through the body of the vehicle. The vertical translation motion assembly is configured to allow each passenger vehicle to be lifted vertically upward a distance above the sub-turntable.
US08678935B2	Storage medium having game program stored therein, game apparatus, game system, and game processing method A biological signal is obtained from a player, under a situation where a biological parameter can be calculated based on a biological signal repeatedly obtained from a sensor attached to a player, and a predetermined game processing can be performed using the biological parameter. Then, whether the sensor is attached to the player is determined based on the biological signal, and the predetermined game processing is performed in at least one of a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its attached state to its detached state and a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its detached state to its attached state, according to the timing at which the determinations is made.
US08678933B2	Server device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing game program A server device according to an embodiment is connected to a plurality of player terminals to communicate information with the player terminals. The server device includes: a storage unit configured to store game content information, the game content information being configured to have special numbers at a predetermined interval in serial number order; a providing unit configured to select the same number of pieces of game content as the number of the predetermined interval, and to provide the selected pieces of game content at a time; a provision notice information generating unit configured to generate provision notice information for notifying in advance of whether a piece of game content with a special number is to be provided; and an image data generating unit configured to generate image data for displaying a game screen on a display unit of the player terminal before providing the pieces of game content.
US08678930B2	Fantasy league management One or more techniques and/or systems for managing a fantasy league are disclosed to incorporate one or more reality factors, equity lines, luxury tax, and/or revenue sharing policies into administration of the fantasy league. A reality factor may influence real life scenarios between at least one of a real player, a real team, and/or a real league, for example. Accordingly, the reality factor may be applied to at least one of a corresponding fantasy player, fantasy team, and/or fantasy league to create a fantasy rule configured to enable a fantasy environment (e.g., the fantasy player, fantasy team, fantasy league, and/or relationships thereof) to more closely emulate the real player, real team, real league, and/or corresponding relationships.
US08678929B1	Client-side prediction of a local game object to reduce apparent network lag of multiplayer simulations A method for operating a networked interactive game system is provided. An input command generated by a local user of a local game system that controls a local object of an interactive game may be received. A state for the local object in the present game frame may be predicted based on the input command. State data of a first object of the interactive game that was determined in a network simulation of a previous game frame may be retrieved. A global object of the interactive game in the present game frame may be course-corrected to be aligned with the global object in the previous game frame using the predicted state for the local object in the present game frame and the state data of the first object of the previous game frame. The present game frame may be rendered with the course-corrected global object.
US08678925B1	Method and apparatus to provide a dice application A method and apparatus for rolling at least one die comprises determining an initial location of the die, and receiving an initialization movement. The method further comprises utilizing accelerometer data from a user shaking a controller, and determining a final location for the at least one die based on the accelerometer data and the initial location data.
US08678918B2	Gaming device having a game with multiple selections and progressive award incrementation A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive award increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive award increment.
US08678915B2	Method and apparatus for managing a gaming application A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may operate, for example, according to a method for receiving a request to coordinate execution of a gaming application between a communication device and at least one device remotely located from the communication device, selecting a game rendering server from a plurality of game rendering servers according to a determination of at least one characteristic of the communication device, and instructing the game rendering server to transmit a stream associated with the gaming application responsive to determining that the communication device is unable to execute in whole or in part the gaming application from local computing resources of the communication device. The method can further include coordinating an exchange of first control information and second control information between the communication device and the at least one device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08678914B2	Game initiation and contribution utilizing wager on secondary game A gaming system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for offering a secondary game that is initiated separately from a base game and that requires a separate contribution for a player to be eligible to participate in the secondary game. The gaming machine and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a general purpose computing device connected to a network.
US08678911B2	Interface for a gaming machine An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket.
US08678908B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing modifiers for symbol display areas A gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game providing modifiers for symbol display areas. Symbols are generated at symbol display areas. If a symbol display area displaying a symbol included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination is associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system modifies any award associated with that displayed designated winning symbol combination using the existing modifier and associates another different modifier with that symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game. In one embodiment the different modifier is a more favorable modifier. If none of the symbol display areas displaying the symbols included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination are associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system associates a modifier with a symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game.
US08678892B2	Virtual golf simulation device and method for the same A virtual golf simulation device and a method for the same are disclosed. The virtual golf simulation device includes a sensor for sensing flight of a ball hit by a golfer, an image processor for processing a simulated image of a virtual golf course and a simulated image of a flight trajectory of the ball sensed by the sensor, a caddy voice guide for providing a golfer logged in to a system with customized voice guidance through a virtual caddy selected for the golfer from among a plurality of virtual caddies, and a controller for identifying the logged-in golfer and controlling the caddy voice guide to provide the logged-in golfer with the customized voice guidance through the selected virtual caddy.
US08678887B2	Holding device for securing eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof A holder (10) for supporting gutted poultry bodies or parts thereof includes a supporting body (11) for receiving the material to be processed and a clamping apparatus (12) having at least one clamping lever (18) movable against the supporting body (11) for fixing the material to be processed on the supporting body. The clamping apparatus (12) is controllable in such a way that the clamping lever (18) can be moved out of a standby position into a clamping position and vice versa. The holding apparatus (10) is assigned a supporting element (27) which is designed and arranged for supporting parts of the material which protrude beyond the holding apparatus (10) in the direction of transport T of the holding apparatus (10), in the clamping position in such a way that one or more measuring points on the material to be processed are freely accessible to a measuring device.
US08678885B2	Vacuum control in a vacuum filler without external air supply A conveyor system for a filling machine and a method of conveying pasty mass with a corresponding conveyor system and a corresponding filling machine, including a housing with a vacuum opening and a vacuum pump as well as a suction line for generating a vacuum in the conveyor system. A valve mechanism and at least one pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the suction line and/or in the conveyor system are provided. A controller controls the vacuum in the conveyor system or the suction line, respectively, wherein the cross-section of the suction line is adjusted in response to the measured pressure via the valve mechanism.
US08678873B2	Dog disk Embodiments of the disclosure include an apparatus that includes a first disk with a top first disk surface, a bottom first disk surface, and a first thickness and a first diameter. The apparatus further includes a second disk with top second disk surface, a bottom second disk surface, a second thickness and a second diameter. In addition, a joining contour couples the first disk and second disk and a lip member is coupled to the second disk such that the lip member is substantially perpendicular to the second disk. Another aspect of the apparatus may be a lifting member coupled to second disk, the lifting member capable of causing the apparatus to tilt when lying on a substantially flat surface with the lifting member touching the flat surface.
US08678869B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a waterjet-driven marine vessel A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets, comprises a processor configured to receive a first vessel control signal including at least a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in a port direction, and that is configured to provide a set of actuator control signals coupled to and control the first and second reversing buckets. The processor is configured to provide the set of actuator control signals so as to maintain the first reversing bucket substantially in a first discrete position and the second reversing bucket substantially in a second discrete position as long as the first vessel control signal includes a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in the port direction.
US08678865B2	Connector with retainer Two partial locks (34) formed on opposite ends of a retainer (30) in a width direction are engaged with a housing (10) to prevent the retainer (30) at a partial locking position from being displaced in a direction opposite to a direction toward a full locking position. The retainer (30) also has a resilient restricting portion (43) between the partial locks (34) in the width direction to engage the housing (10) when the retainer (30) is at the partial locking position and to prevent the retainer (30) from being curved and deformed to bulge out in the direction opposite to the direction toward the full locking position by being.
US08678859B2	Switch-equipped coaxial connector Instability of an electric connection state due to solder-wicking from a board connecting part of an electrically-conductive shell can be prevented with a simple configuration. A recessed part recessed toward a fixed contact and a movable contact is provided in the board connecting part of the electrically-conductive shell attached to an insulating housing. An excessive amount of a solder material or flux that is used at the board connecting part of the electrically-conductive shell and tries to rise along the wall surfaces of the board connecting part or the electrically-conductive shell is stored in the recessed part. The acting force of the rise is reduced by a reverse-tapered inclined surface constituting a wall surface of the recessed part. Furthermore, the length of the rise of the solder material and flux is extended by a curved wall surface of the recessed part. Thus, so-called solder-wicking is configured to be prevented well.
US08678850B2	Connector and jig for connector A connector is provided which is lightened and has a simplified structure. A connector 7 includes a first connector 3 having a first connector main body part 41, a plurality of first terminals protruding from an upper surface of the first connector main body part, a tubular part 29 protruding from the upper surface of the first connector main body part so as to surround the first terminals and first protrusions 43 provided to protrude outside the tubular part, and a second connector 5 having a second connector main body part 35, a plurality of second terminals 11 which are provided on a bottom surface of the second connector main body part and into which the plurality of first terminals are respectively inserted and a second protrusion 47 protruding from an upper surface of the second connector main body part.
US08678845B2	Charging connector having a housing having a cover and a base with positioning projections A charging connector (10) has a housing (11) integrally formed by bolting a pair of half members. A front housing (20) is mounted in a front end portion of the housing (11) and tightly held by two housings (30, 40). A positioning rib (16) for positioning the housings (30, 40) is provided at a position of the base-side housing (30) distant from the front housing (20) and comes into contact with the inner surface of the cover-side housing (40) when the housings (30, 40) are assembled properly.
US08678843B2	Connector for a medical device having a rigid sleeve and a flexible seal with complimentary surface profiles A connector for a multipolar lead having a substantially cylindrical cavity that contains a stack (200) of alternating annular electrical contact elements (210) and annular isolation elements (220). The isolation elements (220) comprise an annular rigid sleeve and an annular flexible seal disposed against an annular face in an interior region of the rigid sleeve. The flexible seal extends axially from one lateral side of the rigid sleeve to the other in the interior region of the rigid sleeve. The sleeve and the seal include are immobilized relatively to each other in the axial direction by use of mating surface profiles respectively defined on an inner annular side of the sleeve and on an outer annular side of the flexible seal. In addition, each lateral side of the flexible seal is projecting with respect to the corresponding lateral sides of the rigid sleeve.
US08678838B2	Socket and display apparatus having the same A socket includes a conductive base, a first socket terminal, and a second socket terminal, the first socket terminal extends from one end of the base, and the second socket terminal extends from an other end of the base, opposite to the first socket terminal with the base therebetween. Further, the first socket terminal has a first contact portion extending from the base and contacting with a terminal of the connector, a second contact portion extending from the first contact portion and contacting with the terminal of the connector, and a first bending portion extending from the second contact portion and bending away from the first contact portion.
US08678830B2	Circulatory heart model A circulatory heart model (30) is disclosed that is geometrically accurate with respect to corresponding anatomical structures (31, 91, 103, 112, 124). The model (30) provides a closed loop for providing flow through the major anatomical structures (31, 91, 103, 112, 124) corresponding to a modeled biological heart. The model (30) provides a means of pumping fluid through a closed loop flow circuit analogous to the circulatory system by gripping the base of the heart model (30) and squeezing with one's hand. The transparent quality of the heart model (30) enables flow visualization including visualization of anatomical valve function through representative valves (53, 60, 69, 80). The model (3) provides high educational, scientific, and/or amusement value in a device that is economical to produce.
US08678826B2	Method for creating a foreign language learning product Various embodiments of this invention disclose a method for learning a foreign language using a variety of media such as audio-video, audio, and written media. The diverse embodiments of the invention allow the student to learn a foreign language in an accelerated manner that creates a stress-free environment and lowers a student's effective barrier to learning a foreign language. In various embodiments of the invention, the foreign language is taught using audio-video media. The video presents a movie or television presentation. Meanwhile, the original audio portion is replaced with an audio track, which is developed using the principles of the invention. The audio comprises the “phrases or complete thoughts” of the original video that are segmented and presented in alternating sections of native and foreign language. By presenting the native language “phrases or complete thoughts” immediately followed by same “phrase or complete thought” in the foreign language, the student is afforded the opportunity to develop associations between the two.
US08678823B2	Dental cleansing solution (DCS) and method of use A new and useful dental cleansing solution, and a method of application of the solution, is provided. The dental cleansing solution is designed to be applied by a tooth brush to the teeth of a child under the age of 2. The dental solution is fluoride free, includes a plaque inhibitor, has a viscosity that promotes wicking when applied to the bristles of a tooth brush, is palatable to children, especially children under 2 years old, and further characterized in that it does not foam when brushed onto teeth. The solution includes a carrier, a plaque inhibitor, a humectant, a preservative and a colloidal thickener. The solution may further include one or more additives that provide pH control. The solution can be applied onto the bristles of a tooth brush and is designed to wick into the bristles of the tooth brush. Moreover, the solution can be applied to other objects that may be inserted into the oral cavity of a human, particularly a child under the age of 2.
US08678817B2	Orthodontic bracket with slot base The present invention provides an improved orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface and an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire. The bracket body has a facially curved slot lingual sidewall that causes the archwire to contact the bracket body. The bracket embodiment has a mesial and distal convexity contoured bracket base and slot lingual sidewall such that there is no contact by an archwire when an archwire is placed in an aligned dental arch. Additional features of the improved design are occlusal and gingival convex contouring of the tie wings such that there are no sharp corners on the archwire slot.
US08678814B2	Control system of an internal combustion engine Control and regulation system of a combustion unit (10) of the type comprising a combustion chamber (11) and a catalyst (40), the control and regulation system comprising: -an acquisition device of signals proportional to functioning parameters characteristic of the functioning state of the combustion unit (10), an electronic data processing unit (30) connected to the signal acquisition device from which it receives signals, a control and regulation program associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), a first fuel distribution valve (20), a second air distribution valve (21), a data base associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), the electronic data processing unit (30) receives signals from the signal acquisition device, processes them and regulates the opening of the first valve (20) and second valve (21) to minimize the polluting emissions of CO and Nox of the combustion unit (10).
US08678813B2	Method for producing a stream of hot combustion exhaust gases at a settable temperature, apparatus for carrying out the method and use of the combustion exhaust gases for the targeted ageing of catalysts A stream of exhaust gases from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing fuels with a variable temperature can be produced by dividing the exhaust gases into two separate part-streams, cooling one part-stream and then combining the two part-streams again. The temperature of the exhaust-gas stream which has been combined again can be set to between the temperature of the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing fuels and the temperature of the cooled exhaust-gas part-stream by corresponding throttling of the two part-streams before they are brought together again. The exhaust-gas stream produced in this way is preferably used for the defined ageing of automotive exhaust catalysts. In this context, it is particularly advantageous that the change in the temperature of the exhaust-gas stream has no influence on its air/fuel ratio.
US08678812B2	Fill system for forming machines A hold-down tooling package that maintains the dimensional integrity between the product manifold, shear and fill plate.
US08678809B2	Apparatus for producing reinforcing fiber molding An apparatus for forming, on a strip-shaped laminate of multiple reinforcing fiber sheets superimposed one upon another, two flexures with respect to the cross-section configuration thereof, wherein in the forming of the two flexures with the use of two s flexure forming dies independent from each other, respectively, the two flexure forming dies are arranged so that the relative distance of the two flexure forming dies is changeable in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped laminate. This apparatus can be effectively utilized in the production of a reinforcing fiber molding with changing of the distance between the two flexures namely, width of web portion or gauge between two flange portions from the strip-shaped laminate, or the production of fiber reinforced resin (FRP) molding therefrom.
US08678808B2	Imprint apparatus and article manufacturing method The imprint apparatus of the present invention molds an imprint material on a substrate using a mold and cures the imprint material to form a pattern on the substrate. The apparatus includes a holder configured to attract the mold to hold the mold; and a pressure reduction device configured to reduce a back pressure of the mold held by the holder, wherein the apparatus is configured to reduce the back pressure by the pressure reduction device in parallel with release of the mold from the imprint material.
US08678803B2	Apparatus for taking out molded product Provided herein is an apparatus for taking out a molded product that can inform a user of the air consumption and the electric power consumption matching the set conditions without using measuring devices and that allows the user to set conditions that reduces the total energy consumption. A consumption computing section computes an air consumption and an electric power consumption per one molding cycle based on conditions set for a plurality of air driven devices and conditions set for a plurality of electric devices input from a controller and individual air consumption information and individual electric power consumption information stored in a consumption information storage section. A display control section causes a display section to display the air consumption and the electric power consumption computed by the consumption computing section.
US08678799B2	Spinning cell for synthetic fiber Included is a spinning cell for a synthetic fiber such as spandex. The spinning cell includes a top closure which reduces or eliminates solvent vapor transfer, where solvent vapor process gas(es) may leave the cell and room air may be introduced into the spinning cell. A bottom closure device may also be included.
US08678797B2	Variable displacement scroll compressor having first and second compression chambers that communicate with each other A stationary base plate includes a sub-bypass hole, which communicates between a suction chamber and a first compression chamber, and a main bypass hole, which communicates between the suction chamber and a second compression chamber. A rotational center of the orbiting scroll and the sub-bypass hole are located along a first imaginary line. The rotational center of the orbiting scroll is also located along a second imaginary line, which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line. The main bypass hole opens at a location of the stationary base plate, which is on a side of the second imaginary line where the sub-bypass hole is located, so that timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the first compression chamber with each other is deviated from timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the second compression chamber with each other.
US08678787B2	Piezoelectric micro-blower A piezoelectric micro-blower capable of efficiently conveying compressive fluid without use of a check valve and ensuring a sufficient flow rate. The micro-blower has a blower body with a first wall and a second wall. Openings are formed in the respective walls and face a center of a diaphragm. An inflow path allowing the openings to communicate with the outside is formed between the walls. By applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element to cause the diaphragm to vibrate, a part of the first wall close to the first opening vibrates. Thus, gas can be drawn from the inflow path and discharged from the opening in the second wall.
US08678783B2	Solution sending pump A motor is fixed to a retaining member by bolts and well nuts. The well nuts are attached to the retaining member so that their flange portions are positioned between a motor fixing portion and the retaining member, and a clearance corresponding to thickness of the flanges of the well nuts is provided between the motor fixing portion and the retaining member. Heat-conductive elastic members are sandwiched between the motor fixing portion and the retaining member.
US08678780B2	Transmission hydraulic control system having a pump bypass valve A system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid in a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid having an inlet port and an outlet port. A bypass valve includes an inlet port in communication with the outlet port of the pump, a first outlet port in communication with the inlet port of the pump, and a second outlet port. The inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the second outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a first position and the inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the first outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a second position. A control device and accumulator are operatively associated with the bypass valve.
US08678778B2	Flow-ducting unit with pump and fitting A flow-ducting system with a combined pump-drive module, the pump-drive module including a drive module, and a pump module having an impeller that can be driven by the drive module, the unit including a casing having at least one inlet side and at least one outlet side and a moveable shut-off device arranged between them, a flow path between the inlet side and the outlet side being formed in at least one position of the shut-off device, and the pump module being arranged in the flow path between the inlet side and the outlet side. In at least one further position of the shut-off device (10, 10′), the unit (1) is capable of shutting off the flow path (9) in such a way that the shut-off device (10, 10′) and the unit casing (2) form an area (20), which is separated from the flow path (9) and which is sealed off from the inlet side (5) and the outlet side (6), and the pump-drive module (11, 11′) is arranged at least partially inside this area (20).
US08678772B2	Intake cone for a gas-turbine engine An intake cone for a gas-turbine engine has an essentially conical body 5 located on a retaining ring 3 connected to a fan rotor disk, with the body 5 being designed as one piece over its axial length and connected at a conical locating area to a rigidly designed conical supporting area borne on a fan rotor disk.
US08678766B1	Turbine blade with near wall cooling channels A turbine rotor blade with a low flow cooling circuit that includes a number of upward flowing and downward flowing near wall cooling channels connected by tip floor near wall cooling channels to provide cooling for the walls of the blade. Cooling air is supplied from the root supply cavity and flows through the near wall channels and then discharges into a collector cavity formed within the airfoil walls. The spent cooling air is then discharged through trailing edge exit holes to cool the trailing edge region.
US08678762B1	Conical air flow system A cone-shaped air flow system has improved efficiency, increased plenum chamber exit air flow speeds and reduced noise levels in comparison to box-shaped and triangular air flow systems. The heater may be of half or full cone configuration for perimeter or central plenum locations, respectively.
US08678759B2	Centrifugal fan A centrifugal blower unit comprising an impeller disposed therein and a scroll casing covering the exterior, the scroll casing having an outlet port, a tongue-like portion, a scroll portion of a volute shape and side casing plates provided with inlet ports on both sides, featuring advantages of increasing a static pressure and reducing an input power and noise while also achieving compactness in size. The scroll portion is provided with tapered scroll walls formed in anti-tongue-side wall adjacent to the outlet port by having it bent along bent lines toward the impeller and at angles to a driving shaft of the impeller such that a cross sectional area of the scroll portion in a direction of the driving shaft becomes gradually smaller toward the side casing plates.
US08678756B2	System and method for re-building a pump In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method may include installing a first seal around a motor shaft. The method may also include installing a second seal around the motor shaft, wherein the second seal and the first seal may form a hydrodynamic seal when the motor shaft rotates. The method may further include installing a spacer in-between the second seal and the first seal.
US08678750B2	Specialty pump with heat exchanger and system A specialty pump and heat exchange system having a fluid pump driven by a gear assembly. The fluid pump has a pump casing and an inboard head that form a fluid passageway when connected together. The gear assembly uses lubricant in the transmission and that lubricant is cooled by being pumped from the gear assembly through a lubricant passageway in the inboard head and then recycled back to the gear assembly for further use. In addition to cooling the lubricant, the system warms the fluid pump and/or fluid passing through the fluid pump.
US08678749B2	Centrifugal reverse flow disk turbine and method to obtain rotational power thereby A centrifugal reverse flow disk turbine for power generation, comprising; a) a turbine shaft; b) a disk rotor disposed on said turbine shaft; c) a housing, having said turbine shaft and said disk rotor, bearings, seal devices, and at least one jet nozzle means; d) a plurality of radially engraved channel for transporting working fluid from entering ports, placed axially near said turbine shaft; e) a plurality of said channels having two curvatures; first curvature has a small radius, and concaved pertinent to rotational direction of said rotor, starting from the entering port to middle of its flow path, and the second curvature has a large radius, convexed pertinent to rotational direction of said rotor, positioned near the peripheral of said rotor; a plurality of a bucket attached at every flow channel, directing against nozzle disposed on said housing, thereby deriving impinging counter supersonic flow.
US08678742B2	Clearance control system, turbomachine and method for adjusting a running clearance between a rotor and a casing of a turbomachine The invention relates to a clearance control system for adjusting a running clearance (L) between a rotor (12) having rotor blades (10) of a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, and a casing (18) that surrounds at least sections thereof and comprises at least two segments (16a-d), the clearance control system having at least one adjusting device (20), which can be coupled to at least one segment (16a-d) of the casing (18), and by means of which the at least one segment (16a-d) can be moved radially in relation to a rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12) for adjusting the running clearance (L), wherein each segment (16a-d) of the casing (18) is coupled to at least three adjusting devices (20) of the clearance control system. The invention also relates to a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, as well as to a method for adjusting a running clearance (L).
US08678736B2	Vehicle braces having a track-clamping mechanism An example of a vehicle brace for use at a loading dock includes a vehicle support member that can travel to various heights along a vertical track. The support member exerts a substantial but limited resistive force up against the underside of a vehicle's rear impact guard to mitigate bouncing of the vehicle's truck or trailer bed as the vehicle is being loaded and/or unloaded of its cargo. Of particular interest in some examples is a rather short brake actuator mounted at an angle to create an inclined binding clamp action, the actuator being installed to travel with the vehicle support member, and the track having an inclined braking surface so that the brake's clamping force does not rely on friction alone, all of which provides for a compact vehicle brace installable as a self-contained unit and operated without having to rely on structural support from a driveway surface.
US08678734B2	Elevator-based tool loading and buffering system A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing, a low port interface and a carrier holding station. The casing has processing devices within for processing substrates. The load port interface is connected to the casing for loading substrates into the processing device. The carrier holding station is connected to the casing. The carrier holding station is adapted for holding at least one substrate transport carrier so the at least one substrate transport carrier is capable of being coupled to the load port interface without lifting the at least one substrate transport carrier off the carrier holding station. The carrier holding station is arranged to provide a substantially simultaneous swap section for substantially simultaneous replacement of the substrate transport carrier from the carrier holding station.
US08678731B2	Nut and a housing A nut (30) includes a main portion (30A) formed with a bolt insertion hole (31), into which a bolt is insertable, and a wedge portion (30B) projecting from the main portion (30A) in a radially outward direction of the bolt insertion hole (31) and having a width smaller than that of the main portion (30A). Thus, parts (27B) extending lateral to the wedge portion (30B) in parallel with a projecting direction of the wedge portion (30B) can be made thicker than parts (27A) extending lateral to the main portion (30A). Therefore, the parts (27B) that resist an accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be thickened without enlarging a housing (20), with the result that strength against the accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be ensured.
US08678717B2	Cutting insert, cutting tool, and method of cutting work material using cutting tool A cutting insert that includes a cutting edge; a rake face region formed continuously with the cutting edge; and a clamp face region located more inward and higher than the rake face region is provided. The cutting insert includes a first rake face formed continuously with the cutting edge; a second rake face formed in an inclined surface shape from the first rake face toward the clamp face region; a projection formed so that at least a part of the projection is located on the first rake face, and includes a top portion at a position corresponding to a middle region of the cutting edge; and a concave part or a convex part formed so that at least a part is located on the second rake face, and located more inward than the projection. Chip accumulation into the insert and frictional resistance generated in the rake face region is decreased.
US08678710B2	Rainwater channel drain A channel (1) is disclosed for use in the field of basic sanitary services, more specifically to a pre-moulded channel for rainwater draining systems, developed to satisfy the surface drainage needs of hydrographic basins and urban areas of growing density. The disclosed channel (1) does not require a stabilized ground, can operate at the surface of roads, allowing traffic to circulate and the road section used to be paved, can use modules of variable lengths, and can even serve, when already in use, as a street surface. The channel (1) comprises four basic pre-moulded modular elements made of reinforced concrete or pre-stressed concrete, i.e.: guide cradle (2), bottom (3), walls (4) and (5) and cover (6), of variable dimensions depending on the projected collecting system.
US08678708B2	Subsea hydrocarbon containment apparatus A subsea hydrocarbon containment apparatus comprises a containment housing. In addition, the containment apparatus comprises a diverter plate mounted to the containment housing. The containment housing is configured to receive direct hydrocarbon fluids from a subsea hydrocarbon source and direct the hydrocarbon fluids to the diverter plate.
US08678706B2	Surface water heating system for irrigation and frost prevention A surface water heating system for irrigation is described. The irrigation apparatus comprises an irrigation manifold, a heat exchanger, a first conduit system, and a second conduit system. A geothermal heated fluid, e.g. water, flows through the first conduit system. A first pump extracts the geothermal heated water from a geothermal source and conducts the heated water through the heat exchanger, and returns the geothermal water, now cooled, to the geothermal water source. Surface water flows through the second conduit system. A second pump extracts water from a higher quality water resource such as a surface water resource and conducts the illustrative surface water through the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the surface water is delivered to the irrigation manifold. Within the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the geothermal heated water to the higher quality water resource. The geothermal heated water does not come into contact with the illustrative surface water within the irrigation apparatus.
US08678704B1	Interlocking revetment block with tapered surface A revetment block with a top surface that is tapered upwardly from the upstream end to the downstream end. Thus, when a number of tapered blocks are installed end to end on a grade, the upstream end of any of the blocks can be raised due to underlying ground irregularities without degrading the safety factor of the blocks. The tapered revetment blocks can also be constructed with positive interlocking arms and sockets to enhance the integrity of a matrix of such blocks.
US08678701B1	System for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers The system for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers increases control of the emergency lane of the road by mounting ground signboards in the emergency lane to prevent any vehicle to pass through this lane and so the police vehicle or the ambulance can easily and quickly approach the site of accident through the emergency lane. The signboards include a U-shaped frame permanently mounted in the emergency lane and a panel pivotally attached to the frame. Servo motors are provided to rotate the panels between a vertical position providing a barrier to traffic and a horizontal position permitting an emergency response vehicle to travel through the emergency lane. The emergency response vehicle is provided with a remote control unit having a short-range transmitter that transmits a trigger signal that is received by a unit at the barrier sign to activate a motor controller to lower the sign.
US08678700B2	Foldable furniture with retention structure A foldable furniture includes a retention structure including a left retention coupler and a right retention coupler coaxially and overlapping with the left retention coupler side-by-side in a rotatably movable manner via a pivot joint. The left retention coupler includes at least a left retention member protruding towards the right retention coupler. The right retention coupler includes at least a right retention member protruding towards the left retention coupler, wherein when the foldable furniture is pivotally folded at an unfolded position, the left and right retention couplers are coaxially rotated at an opposite direction until the left and right retention members are biased against each other. Therefore, the retention structure enhances the structural supportive force of the foldable furniture to evenly distribute the loading force on the foldable furniture so as to enhance the stabilization of the foldable furniture.
US08678690B2	Cutter device and printing apparatus A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
US08678686B2	Multi-chain lipophilic polyamines There are provided multi-chain lipophilic polyamine compounds and derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the same, method of making and using said compounds or formulations.
US08678682B2	Device for controlling a central shutter A device for controlling a central shutter, in which a plurality of shutter leaves (3) are mounted on a circularly annular leaf carrier (1) such that they can be pivoted on a pivoting arm (4), and in which, as actuating device for the pivoting movement of the shutter leaves (3), an annular cam plate (5) is mounted on the leaf carrier (1) concentrically with respect to the shutter opening (2), such that it can be rotated continuously in one direction, it being possible for the rotation of the cam plate (5) to be blocked by mechanical engagement into a cam trough (8) in front of an actuating flank (6) of a cam, is distinguished by the fact that, for mechanical blocking purposes, there is a push rod (9, 10) of a solenoid, which push rod (9, 10) can be moved perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the cam plate (5).
US08678675B2	Manufacturing apparatus for protection sleeve A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and means for setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.
US08678672B2	Cable assembly with improved transmission rate A cable assembly, comprising a housing having a plurality of receiving grooves recessing forwardly from a rear surface thereof, a plurality of lenses located on a front surface of the housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing and arranged in two rows, a cable electrically connected to the conductive terminals and a plurality of optical fibers received in the receiving grooves and alignment to the lenses, respectively. The receiving grooves are located between two rows of the conductive terminals.
US08678654B2	Axial bearing for use in a hydraulic device, a hydraulic transformer and a vehicle with a hydraulic drive system An axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. In accordance with the invention the circular or arc-shaped ridge or the bearing surface include a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface.
US08678651B2	Disposable storage bags Disposable storage bags are disclosed having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored such as snack foods or other material. Near the top opening of the bag is a closure mechanism for opening and closing the bag. The side walls of the bag are tapered inwardly from the top portion toward the bottom portion such that quillons are formed when the bag is filled with items such as snack food or other material. The bottom portion of the bag includes a gusset which, when the bag is filled with snack food or other material, expands and opens such that the bag may stand upright.
US08678647B2	Systems and methods for imaging large field-of-view objects An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
US08678638B2	Process bag container with sensors A process bag container is provided comprising a flexible bag, at least one inlet sealed to the bag, and an outlet. A probe housing for a probe construction is sealed to the bag. Preferably, the probe housing extends at least partway into the bag interior and is connected to a cable for power and data transmission that runs along the outer surface of the bag to the top of the bag or its support container. The probe construction is adapted to monitor the composition of a reagent in the bag as well as the environment within the bag. A mixer is positioned within the bag to effect mixing of reagents in the bag.
US08678634B2	Illuminating device and display device An illuminating device (3) includes a mounting board (14) on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (8) are arranged in a line, a light guide plate (9) including a light incident surface (9a) for receiving light of the light emitting diodes (8), and a frame (12) including a side face (12b) to which the mounting board (14) is attached, and a bottom face (12a) on which the light guide plate (9) is disposed. The frame (12) includes a groove (12e) in which the end portion of the mounting board (14) is placed, and the groove (12e) is formed between the side face (12b) and the bottom face (12a) on the opposite side of the bottom face (12a) from the light guide plate (9). A supporting member (support) (16) for supporting the light guide plate (9) is placed in the groove (12e).
US08678633B2	Lamp electrode printed circuit board and backlight unit including the same A lamp electrode printed circuit board of a backlight unit includes an insulating substrate, first and second conductive patterns on the insulating substrates along a first direction and in parallel, a connecting pattern extending from one of the first and second conductive patterns, a connecting pad at one end of the connecting pattern, auxiliary patterns extending from an edge of the connecting pad, and lamp holders electrically connected to the first and second conductive patterns and spaced apart from each other along the first direction.
US08678632B2	Replaceable light emitting diode module with high optical precision A replaceable lighting module in an LED light source is provided. The module improves thermal, mechanical, and electrical connection with an associated fixture. The replaceable module also provides for precise positioning and improves on optical properties of the light distribution.
US08678620B1	Protective dome A dome structure for protecting a finial on a lamp structure. The dome structure includes a centrally disposed plastic dome with integrally formed legs extending in opposed directions from the dome. The dome forms an enclosing chamber that fits over the finial to prevent theft of the finial. The legs have respective interlocking elements that engage with the lamp structure. Another embodiment uses wire ties to secure the dome.
US08678619B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device includes light transmitting resin loaded between a lens and a light emitting element. The structure of the device enables the lens to be fixed to a required position without reducing the light transmittance.The light emitting device 1 includes a light emitting element 2 and a separate lens 3 supported by a support member 4. The lens 3 is fixed to the support member 4 by hardening the resin 13 between the element 2 and the lens 3 in the support member 4. Mutually engaging male and female portions are provided between the support member 4 and the lens 3. N male portions (n is a positive integer) are provided for (n+α) female portions (α is a positive integer). The female portions allow the resin 13 to communicate with the outside of the device. The α female portions serve as a leak portion for discharging the resin 13 or bubbles to the outside when the lens 3 is fixed.
US08678614B2	Light source system A light source system includes two solid-state light sources, two filters, a rotary wheel, a first reflector, a second reflector and a multiband filter is provided. The rotary wheel has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The two solid-state light sources and the two filters are disposed in front of the first surface. The first surface includes a first waveband converting region, a reflecting region and a transmission region. The second surface includes a second waveband converting region is symmetrical to the first waveband converting region. The first reflector, the second reflector and the multiband filter are disposed in front of the second surface. Furthermore, the multiband filter is disposed between and optically coupled with the first and the second reflectors. With these arrangements, the light source system could provide light beams of different wavebands to the light valve of a projector.
US08678613B2	Low thermal load, high luminous solid state lighting device A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of light emitters and a heat spreader plate thermally coupled to the plurality of light emitters, wherein the plurality of solid state emitters provides a thermal load upon application of an operating current and voltage, the heat spreader plate dissipating substantially all of the thermal load to an ambient air environment.
US08678611B2	Light emitting diode lamp with light diffusing structure A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a tube having a transparent first section and an opaque second section. An LED disposed inside of the tube. The second section is has an inner surface having a light diffusive surface so that the LED light is diffusively reflected. The LED is disposed so that a total amount of direct light from the LED to the first section is smaller than a total amount of indirect light that is incident on the first section as a result of being reflected by the second section (i.e., scattered or diffused light). The LED is disposed so that a light axis of the LED points toward the inner surface of the second section.
US08678609B2	Portable light assembly with spot light accessory A spot light includes a universal body, a light arrangement and a spot light accessory. The universal body includes a main body having a receiving compartment, and a light body, having a light cavity and a light opening, frontwardly and integrally extending from the main body. The light arrangement is supported by the universal body for generating illumination at the light opening. The spot light accessory includes a plurality of accessory elements selectively and detachably coupling with the universal body to transform the universal body from one configuration to another configuration so as to provide varieties of functional utilizations of the universal body.
US08678606B2	Carrying container with at least two light sources A lighting system includes a carrying container; at least two light sources to illuminate the interior and exterior of a the carrying container, each light source operatively connected directly to an actuation sensing device and to a power source. Magnetic actuators, mounted onto the carrying container activate each light source to provide illumination and independent of the access state of the carrying container.
US08678589B2	Gaze target determination device and gaze target determination method A gaze target determination device includes an event setting unit that generates, for each object at different times, a display event which triggers a movement of the gaze direction of the user who is gazing at the object and which indicates a movement or a change of the object; and a gaze trajectory calculation unit that calculates a gaze trajectory based on the detected user's gaze direction. An eye movement event detection unit detects an event detection time which is a time at which the gaze direction moves according to the display event, based on the calculated gaze trajectory. A synchronization structure analysis unit calculates, for each object, time difference between the event detection time and event occurrence time; and a gaze target determination unit determines the object at which the user is gazing from among the objects, based on the calculated time difference.
US08678581B2	Attachable electro-active lens systems Systems and methods regarding spectacle systems are provided including base lens units and attachable lens units. A spectacle system may include a base lens unit with a first lens, a frame configured for wearing the base lens unit on a user, and a first attachment mechanism. The spectacle system may also include an attachable lens unit with a second lens and a second attachment mechanism configured to join with the first attachment mechanism. A communication mechanism may also be included that is configured to communicate data, instructions and/or electrical power between the base lens unit and the attachable lens unit. Either or both of the first lens and the second lens may include an electro-active lens. The attachable lens unit may include a variety of additional functions such as an electronic display, a camera, an active shuttering lens, and an active polarizing lens, which may also be powered by the base lens unit.
US08678580B2	Eyeglass system The present application provides eyeglasses having a frame, supporting reading or other eyeglass lenses, and an adjustable gripping nose pinch. The frame includes integrated therein a decorative spring loaded clip that allows for the attachment of the frame to clothing and objects for storage and convenience.
US08678547B2	Inkjet recording device, inkjet recording method, and inkjet head cleaning device According to one embodiment, an inkjet recording device includes a cleaning member which faces a nozzle surface of an inkjet head and moves along a row of nozzles, a control device which controls ones of the nozzles to partially discharge ink, the ones of the nozzles positioning in an area which the cleaning member faces when the cleaning member moves, and an ink retaining part which retains the ink between the cleaning member and the nozzle surface of the inkjet head which faces the cleaning member.
US08678544B2	Ink set and image recording method There is provided an ink set including an aqueous ink composition and a maintenance liquid. The aqueous ink composition includes water; a pigment; resin particles having a minimum film-forming temperature MFT0, which is a minimum film-forming temperature obtained when the resin particles are dispersed in water, of 60° C. or higher; and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein a minimum film-forming temperature MFT25 of the resin particles, which is a minimum film-forming temperature obtained when the resin particles are mixed with the water-soluble organic solvent in an amount of 25% by mass relative to the solid content of the resin particles, and water, is at least 40° C. lower than MFT0. The maintenance liquid includes an organic solvent and water. There is also provided an image recording method.
US08678543B2	Composition and print medium One or more surface treatment compositions and print mediums are disclosed. The surface treatment compositions may comprise at least one surface sizing agent and at least one monovalent and at least one, multivalent metallic salt. Also disclosed are methods for the production of the surface treatment composition and print media with the composition.
US08678537B2	Feed control apparatus, recording apparatus, control method, and recording medium A disclosed feed control apparatus includes a feed roller; a first detection unit detecting a rotational position of the feed roller; a sensor detecting plural marks arranged on a test chart; a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between actual and theoretical positional information of a Nth mark when the feed roller rotates one revolution; a correction feeding amount calculation unit that calculates correction feeding amounts of the marks based on the difference and actual feeding amounts of the marks; an error calculation unit that calculates errors between the correction feeding amounts and theoretical feeding amounts by matching them to the corresponding rotational positions of the feeding roller; and a feeding amount control unit that controls the feeding amount based on a relationship between the rotational positions of the feeding roller and the corresponding errors.
US08678534B2	Multiple iteration substrate printing A system and a method for printing a desired pattern on a substrate, the method may include: receiving or generating printing instructions for printing multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of an array of nozzles, wherein a superposition of the multiple patterns is expected to differ from the desired pattern by a tolerable difference even when a nozzle of the array of nozzles malfunctions; and printing the multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of the array of nozzles.
US08678533B2	System and method to compensate for defective inkjets in an inkjet imaging apparatus A method comprises selecting a first and second datum stored in an array of image data and corresponding to a first and second defective inkjet ejector, the second defective inkjet ejector being within a search pattern positioned about the first datum, modifying the search pattern positioned about the first datum in response to detection of the second datum being within the search pattern positioned about the first datum, identifying a third datum stored in the array of image data and being within the modified search pattern positioned about the first datum, the third datum corresponding to a first functional inkjet ejector, modifying the third datum with reference to the first datum, and operating the first functional inkjet ejector with reference to the modified third datum to compensate for the first defective inkjet ejector being unable to eject ink corresponding to the first datum.
US08678532B2	Printing process of forming two images on printing medium in overlapping manner A printing apparatus includes a controller forming an image on a printing-medium by repeating an image-forming-operation of allowing a plurality of nozzle-columns to be moved and allowing the plurality of nozzle-columns to eject ink and a transporting-operations of allowing the printing-medium to be transported. The controller forms a first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction in a second direction by using a first-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles included in the first-nozzle-column. In addition, the controller forms a second-image which is overlapped with the first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction and by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of the nozzle-column is the direction opposite to the one direction by using a second-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles of which positions in the first direction are different from those of the first-image-nozzle-group among the nozzles included in the second-nozzle-column.
US08678517B2	Reduced volume cutting tip and cutting bit incorporating same A cutting bit includes a tool pick having a head and a shank, and a cutting tip having a body, a cap extending frontwardly from the body, and a base extending rearwardly from the body. The base defines an outer diameter of the cutting tip and a substantially flat rear surface at the rear of the cutting tip. A post extends axially frontwardly from a front surface of the head of the tool pick. A cavity extends axially frontwardly into the base from the rear surface of the cutting tip, the cavity having a diameter equal to or less than about 40% of the outer diameter of the cutting tip. When the cutting tip is mounted to the tool pick, the post is received into the cavity and a portion of the front surface of the tool pick mates with a portion of the rear surface of the cutting tip.
US08678512B2	High chair A high chair has a chair device and a fastener device. The fastener device is connected with the chair device and has a main body, a button and a button elastic member. The main body has a buckle recess formed in the main body and having an open side. The button is capable of retracting or protruding relative to a bottom of the buckle recess. The button elastic member is mounted in the main body and presses against the button. To push and pull the button allows a belt buckle to be easily taken out from and inserted into the buckle recess.
US08678511B2	Adjustable automobile air cushion apparatus Described in this invention is an inflatable cushion apparatus for a vehicle, which may be applied in multiple embodiments. One such apparatus is a cushioned strap that may be used with or in place of a standard seat belt shoulder strap. A strap may also be employed across the lap strap. A second embodiment may be used a vehicle seat cushioned. Disposed within both embodiments is an inflatable tube within channels created by seams, which may be inflated and deflated to accommodate the comfort of the user.
US08678509B2	Seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus including the same To effectively operate a pretensioner using a plurality of balls and an energy absorption mechanism, to simplify the structure of an exhaust passage in the pretensioner, and to facilitate the working process of the exhaust passage. A pretensioner 15 includes a plurality of balls 20 serving as force transmission members and a piston 21 in a pipe 17. A piston body 21a of the piston 21 includes a shaft portion 21c and a substantially hemispherical head portion 21d. The piston body 21a is provided with an exhaust hole 21e extending in the axial direction and exhaust grooves 21f communicating with the exhaust hole 21e that define an exhaust passage. The exhaust grooves 21f prevent the exhaust hole 21e from being closed even if the head portion 21d of the piston 21 contacts the ball 20. Since the exhaust hole 21e and the exhaust grooves 21f are simply provided in the piston body 21a formed as a single member, the structure of the exhaust passage is simple, and working of the exhaust passage is easy.
US08678497B2	Seating arrangement for a vehicle A multi-row vehicle seating arrangement includes a second row of vehicle seats including a first lateral side seat, a second lateral side seat, and a center seat disposed between the first and second lateral side seats. The center seat has a pair of spaced apart seat anchors fixably secured thereto for securing a child seat to the center seat.
US08678496B2	Pivot pin retainer mechanism A vehicle seat assembly 12 having a bracket assembly, the vehicle seat assembly 12 having a first seat back 22 having a seat frame member, and a second seat back 24 having a seat frame member, the bracket assembly having a first bracket 44 coupled to the first seat back 22, preferably the seat frame member, the first bracket 44 having an aperture 42, a second bracket 28 coupled to the second seat back 24, preferably the seat frame member, the second bracket 24 having a pivot pin 32 for insertion into the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22. The vehicle seat assembly 12 also including a retainer mechanism 34 for retaining the pivot pin 32 within the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22, the retainer mechanism 34 having a first bushing 40, a second bushing 36 and a retainer member 38.
US08678490B2	Folding chair A folding chair has a left leg and a right leg. A front frame connects the left leg to the right leg, wherein the front frame folds between an open position and a closed position and from a closed position to an open position. A rear frame connects the left leg to the right leg, and the rear frame is foldable. The front frame has a front frame right upper support pivotally connecting to a front frame left upper support, and the front frame right upper support is pivotally connected to the right leg at a front right upper connection. The front frame left upper support is pivotally connected to the left leg at a front left upper connection. The front frame also has a front frame right lower support pivotally connecting to a front frame left lower support.
US08678487B2	Glazed roof of a motor vehicle, corresponding method of assembly and corresponding vehicle A glazed roof of a motor vehicle is provided, which includes at least one opening and a fixed glazed structure bearing at least one element sliding on the inside of the vehicle and intended to close the opening(s). The glazed structure has an external contour coinciding with an accommodating surround on the chassis of the vehicle so the contour can be secured to the accommodating surround, as a flush fit. Each of the sliding elements is guided along two rails secured to the surface of the fixed structure, in a region distant from the external contour so as not to interfere with the securing of the latter to the accommodating surround. The roof has at least one retaining element, having a first end secured to one of the rails and a second end secured to the chassis. Each of the retaining elements is positioned at right angles to the rail.
US08678485B2	Hollow welded assembled frame structure A lower frame and an upper frame, which configure a main frame, are connected to each other by a first reinforcing frame, a second reinforcing frame, a third reinforcing frame, a fourth reinforcing frame, a fifth reinforcing frame, and a sixth reinforcing frame. A first engine hanger is welded to a lower end of the lower frame such that an atmospheric air communicating hole formed in a side face of the first engine hanger communicates with the inside of the lower frame. A first air vent port and a second air vent port for the lower frame and the upper frame and third air vent port formed in a third reinforcing frame and a fourth reinforcing frame are formed in side faces of the abutting portions so that they are not observed from the outside.
US08678483B2	Window assembly for an automobile hood A window for an automobile hood, made of a transparent material, such as a polycarbonate sheet, sized and shaped to be a loose fit to an automobile hood cut-out. The window element may be held in place on the automobile by ring shaped, metallic trim elements. The trim elements may have outer edges that are an enlarged copy of the periphery the cut-out in the hood of the automobile and inner edges that are a reduced copy of the periphery the window element. In this way, the window element may be held in the cutout in the automobile hood, sandwiched between the upper and lower trim elements. By applying a suitable adhesive between the trim elements and the automobile hood, the trim and window elements may be fixed in place.
US08678480B2	Functional panel and method for joining same There is provided a functional panel that can be joined and disassembled with ease by solving problems with a functional panel including electrical conductors integrally molded therewith, causing occurrence of cracking on the surface thereof, or cracking of a molded unit around the periphery of the electrical conductor, thereby rendering the electrical conductor susceptible to a break when a flexural load, an impact load, and so forth, acts on the functional panel. The functional panel comprises a main body of a panel member, an electrical conductor coated with a semi-cured resin having heat resistance and insulation properties, and a reinforcing fiber having a continuous filament, for fixing the electrical conductor to the main body of the panel member to thereby provide enhancement, and the functional panel is formed by exposing one end, and the other end of the electrical conductor from respective end faces of the panel member formed by integral molding.
US08678473B2	Aerodynamic component mounting assembly for tractor trailer A mounting assembly is provided for coupling an air drag reduction system to a trailer to be transported by an over-the-road tractor. The mounting assembly includes a frame to be suspended adjacent to an underside of the trailer, and a receiver supported adjacent to a first end of the frame. The receiver is adapted to cooperate with a portion of a structural member of the trailer when installed. An adjustable fastening mechanism is separated a suitable distance from the receiver along the frame to be positioned adjacent to a second portion of the structural member opposite the portion that cooperates with the receiver. The adjustable fastening mechanism includes a cam that is adjustable to make contact with the second portion of the structural member of the trailer, thereby interfering with separation of the receiver from the portion of the structural member of the trailer with which the receiver cooperates.
US08678467B2	Windshield mounting system A system for mounting a windshield to a small vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), a utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV”), or a snowmobile is disclosed. The system typically comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them configured to be secured to the vehicle, typically the handlebar(s) thereof, and a corresponding pair of mounting elements secured to a windshield panel or panel assembly and configured to be respectively releasably received in the receiving elements. Each receiving element comprises a rotatable cam and each mounting element comprises a groove on an outwardly extending protrusion such that the cams can selectively engage the grooves in a locking engagement when the mounting elements are received in the receiving elements.
US08678466B2	Instrument panel assembly An instrument panel assembly and method of installing an instrument panel assembly is provided. The instrument panel assembly includes a base having a side portion. The side portion includes a first mounting aperture. A side panel is dimensioned to cover the side portion. The side panel is configured to be angled relative to the side portion so as to preventing other tabs from scratching the exterior surface of the instrument panel assembly.
US08678465B1	Vehicle seat with multi-axis energy attenuation Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating seat assembly with multi-axis energy attenuation. In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a seat with a back, a first energy attenuating support comprising a first seat guide, and a first energy attenuating link, the first energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a first direction with respect to the seat. The exemplary seat assembly further comprises a second energy attenuating support comprising a second seat guide, and a second energy attenuating link, the second energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a second direction with respect to the seat.
US08678464B2	ATV having arrangement for a passenger An ATV includes a vehicle frame, a straddle type seat mounted to the frame for a driver, and a passenger support assembly positioned rearward of the driver. The passenger support assembly is comprised of a seat frame assembly and a seat assembly. The seat assembly is removably mounted to the seat frame assembly, and the seat frame assembly is pivotally movable relative to the vehicle frame.
US08678463B2	Vehicle seat assembly and method of controlling a vehicle seat assembly A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat portion disposed in a relatively horizontal alignment, wherein the seat portion is moveable. Also included is a seat back rotatable about a first axis proximate a rear portion of the seat portion. Further included is a memory seat module (MSM) configured to monitor and control movement of the seat portion and the seat back, and comprises a sensor configured to activate upon movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back to a predetermined position, wherein the MSM automatically restricts movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back upon detection of activation of the sensor. The MSM further engages other required movements to return the vehicle seat assembly to earlier stored locations with the process being repeated a maximum number of times to transition the seat portion and seat back to their required positions that have been predetermined by the user.
US08678459B1	Truck load protection apparatus Load protection assembly mounted on a truck, that comprises two side panels edge supported to pivot between horizontally extending down positions and operative up positions extending generally longitudinally, forward, intermediate, and rearward bars having end portions pivotally supported to enable bar pivoting between retracted positions proximate the panel and extended positions in which the bars extends laterally between the panels in panel supporting relation, and side bracing connected to the panels to move into supporting position when the bars are extended laterally between the panels, the bracing including a telescoping strut assembly having first and second elongated struts, and an actuator manually swingable to relatively extend and retract the struts configured to lock to bar structure in response to actuator swinging, and there being a carriage to which the forward and intermediate bars are end connected to be bodily moved with the carriage longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly.
US08678447B2	Drill pipe system A tubular threaded connection for coupling drill pipe segments to form a drill string is provided. Each of the segments has a tubular pipe body having a wall thickness of >0.5 inches (1.27 cm). The threaded connection comprises a pin end with an external thread, and a box end with an internal thread for threadable engagement with the external thread of the pin end. The pin shoulder extends between a pin base diameter and an outer pin bevel diameter; the box shoulder extends between a box base diameter and an outer box bevel diameter. The outer pin and box bevel diameters are between 7.75-8.688 inches (19.05-21.59 cm). The pin and box shoulders define a contact area such that, when the pin and box ends are threaded together with a make-up torque of >75,000 ft-lbs (1,079.36 kg-m), a load capacity of >2.0 million lbs (908,000 kg) is provided.
US08678440B1	Retractor-lap pretensioner with single micro-gas generator A dual spool retractor device for seat belts in a motor vehicle including a frame, two spools rotatably mounted to the frame, and a pretensioning system providing pretensioning rotation for both the spools. The spools are pretensioning through the activation of a micro-gas generator. The gas generator can provide gas to a single or a pair of gas cylinders. One or more flexible numbers such as a metal band or cable is used which is coupled to one or both spools via a pulley. Activation of the gas generator forces a piston to move in a manner which exerts tension on the flexible member(s) thereby unwinding the flexible member from the spool pulley and providing pretensioning rotation of the respective belt spool.
US08678437B2	Impact absorbing steering apparatus Construction of an impact absorbing steering wheel apparatus that is capable of obtaining excellent performance at low cost while maintaining the freedom of design is achieved. An energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is provided between a tightening rod 27a that displaces in the forward direction together with an outer column 13a during a secondary collision and a housing 16 or support pin 63 that does not displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision, and being a member that plastically deforms as the outer column displaces in the forward direction during a secondary collision, absorbs part of the impact energy by the relative movement of the plastic deformation. Part of the energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is fastened to the tightening rod 27a, and plastic deformation of this member 36a, 36b is restricted in the width direction by a pair of held wall sections 11a of the outer column 13a.
US08678432B1	Releasable tether retention system The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.
US08678427B1	Releasable clip assembly facilitating trim panel movement A vehicle body assembly includes a body structure, a trim panel connected to the body structure and an air bag located between the body structure and the trim panel. A releasable clip assembly connects the body structure and the trim panel. The releasable clip assembly includes a first mating component connected to the body structure and a second mating component connected to the trim panel. The second mating component has a lock position and a release position relative to the first mating component. In the lock position, the second mating component is engaged with the first mating component. The second mating component moves to the release position relative to the first mating component with movement of the trim panel during deployment of the air bag to release the second mating component from the first mating component.
US08678423B1	Towing hook assembly for vehicle A towing hook assembly for a vehicle disposed in a bumper unit may include a stay connected to both distal rear sides of a bumper beam, a towing hook pipe provided at one inner side of the stay through the bumper beam, and a supporting member supporting an exterior circumference of the towing hook pipe, and connected to an interior circumference of the stay.
US08678414B1	Set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle A set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle, has a top triple clamp and a bottom triple clamp designed to provide a pivoting connection of the front suspension system of the motorcycle with the frame of the motorcycle. The set also has a fixing system for receiving the handlebars of the motorcycle and fixing them to the top triple clamp. According to one feature, the fixing system has a handlebar damper system the movement axis of which is substantially parallel to the movement axis of the front suspension system of the motorcycle.
US08678413B2	Attachment structure for resin part of motorcycle An attachment structure for a resin part of a motorcycle includes an attaching portion with a nut provided on a side of a vehicle main body, a resin part having an attached portion with a bolt insertion hole, and a shoulder bolt for attaching the attached portion to the attaching portion with the nut. The shoulder bolt has a threaded shaft portion, a washer, a head portion, and a large diameter portion arranged between the washer and the threaded shaft portion, the large diameter portion being thicker than the threaded shaft portion and thinner than the washer. A thin guide piece protruding toward a radially inner side for regulating radial movement of the shoulder bolt within a predetermined range is integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bolt insertion hole. The guide piece is configured to be deformed by the large diameter portion of the shoulder bolt.
US08678409B2	Suspension structure and link arranging method A suspension structure includes lower front and rear links arranged to connect a wheel support member to support a wheel and a vehicle body member swingably, and an upper link located above the lower front link and arranged to connect the wheel support member and the vehicle body swingably. There is further provided a connect bush arranged to connect the lower front link and the lower rear link with each other. The connect bush is located below a connection point between the lower front link and the wheel support member.
US08678408B2	Travel device for transport vehicle Travel devices for a transport vehicle are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a width direction of a loading platform to allow traveling of the loading platform. In this travel device, an arm includes an upper end turnably supported at a lower portion of the loading platform. The arm includes a lower end where an axle box is supported swingably in up and down directions. A wheel has a mid-plane that intersects with a swing plane of an axle shaft disposed at the axle box, and is supported at the axle shaft. Accordingly, this ensures a small vehicle width L2 of the transport vehicle.
US08678403B1	X stand keyboard dolly One embodiment of a small dolly structure containing separate and individual main support beams. Connected to the main support beams are wheels and brakes. A multi configurational and adjustable center beams section that when connected to the main support beams allows the main support beams to be reconfigured to many positions. The main support beams are made of a rigid material in a u channel shape and have wheels attached to the back side of the u channel. The u channel of the main support beam is used facing upward to accommodate the feet or base of proposed loads or attachments. Attached to the main support beams are clamping mechanisms for holding loads in place. The clamping mechanism may be repositioned along the main support beam or removed to accommodate various loads. There are holes, slots and notches in the main support beams and link frame assemblies for attaching accessories. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08678399B2	Gasket A gasket is provided that forms a sealing connection between a pair of tubular members. The gasket comprises a first section shaped to fit within a recess of one of a pair of tubular members. The first section includes an anchor portion comprising first and second sides. The gasket further comprises a second section extending from the first section and is configured to make a sealing contact with the other of the tubular members. The gasket also includes at least one self-locating arm in a sealing contact within the recess and extending from one of the first or second sides of the anchor portion of the first section. The self-locating arm biases the first section such that the other of the first or second sides is in contact with the recess to form a sealing connection.
US08678398B2	Isolation gasket, system and method of manufacture Sealing systems for high pressure applications that provide electrical isolation between joined elements as well as enhanced resistance to leakage of media during a fire. High pressure sealing is accomplished using a metallic core to which an electrically isolating material is bonded on either or both sides. Sealing is achieved through a dielectric sealing element, such as a spring-loaded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ring. Flanges of the joint may be bolted together with the seal interposed therebetween, and the flanges bolted together. In the event of a fire, heat may be generated that is at a high enough temperature to burn away the isolating material and PTFE ring. Systems of various embodiments provide a metal core backup seal and a compression limiter, which, respectively, prevent the media from leaking from the joint and maintain bolt load at the flanges.
US08678397B2	Sealing arrangement In a U-cup based seal of a rod, the basic body of the U-cup 3 is recessed relative to a square cross-sectional shape in the region of a radially inner outer edge 18 on the low pressure side in order to obtain a space 17 between the U-cup 3 and the opening, i.e. the passage opening 16 of a sealing gap 15, leading into a rectangular groove 4 guiding the U-cup 3. This space 17 remains at least partially also upon pressurization such that the U-cup 3 complete remains in the groove 4 upon pressurization and is not extruded into the sealing gap 15. This considerably reduces wear of the U-cup 3. An inner surface 24 of the U-cup shows liquid dragging bore reliefs formed as recesses 25 in the inner surface 24 of the U-cup 3 for transferring hydraulic liquid, disposed on a surface of the translatory movable machine part 1, from a low-pressure side N of the U-cup to a high-pressure side H of the U-cup 3 upon translatory movement of the movable machine part 1. The recesses 25 each extend in an axial direction from the low pressure side N of the U-cup towards the inner sealing lip 7 and each recess is radially confined by side walls 26 which converge in the direction of the inner sealing lip such as to form an imaginary intersection located beyond the inner sealing lip 7 on the high-pressure side of the U-cup 3.
US08678382B2	Sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair, a conveyance roller driving unit, a registration roller pair, a registration driving unit, a separation and press-contact unit configured to set the registration roller pair to a separated state and to a press-contact state, and a control unit. After a sheet has stopped at a stop position immediately before the registration roller pair, the registration roller pair having been set to the separated state is set to the press-contact state. The registration roller pair is rotated backward during formation of a loop in the sheet.
US08678380B2	Paper sheet processing device A paper sheet processing device is provided which can more simply detect the attachment/detachment of the magazine accommodating paper sheets and that the amount of paper sheets has reached a predetermined level and can reduce costs. The paper sheet processing device of the present invention has a magazine 5 which is attachable to/detachable from to a frame and capable of accommodating paper sheets, a moving member 53 which moves when the amount of paper sheets accommodated in the magazine 5 reaches a predetermined level, and a detection sensor 35 for detecting the movement of the moving member 53. The moving member 53 is supported on the magazine 5, and is moved by the attachment/detachment operation of the magazine 5 when the magazine 5 is not mounted on the frame so that the detection sensor 35 can detect that the moving member 53 has moved.
US08678375B2	Sheet feeder for feeding sheet and image processing apparatus with sheet feeder A sheet feeder includes a sheet placing portion, a feeding member, a supporting body, a driver, an electromagnetic clutch and a retraction controller. The supporting body is capable of changing a posture between a sheet feeding posture of the feeding member and a retracting posture for retracting the feeding member. The electromagnetic clutch is capable of changing a state between an engaged state in which a drive force is transmitted to the supporting body and a disengaged state in which the drive force is not transmitted to the supporting body. The retraction controller stops the output of a drive force after the electromagnetic clutch is set in the engaged state and the supporting body is set to the retracting posture by the drive force, and sets the electromagnetic clutch in the disengaged state when an engagement keeping time elapses after the output of the drive force is stopped.
US08678373B2	Cut-sheet feeder A cut-sheet feeder has a feed belt, a belt contact amount adjuster, and an inclined guide member. The belt makes contact with the lowermost cut sheet of a stack of cut sheets and feeds forward the cut sheet. The belt contact amount adjuster supports the stack of cut sheets while lifting the read portion thereof from the feed belt. The inclined guide member protrudes further upward than the belt contact amount adjuster and has a guide surface inclined forwardly downward. The guide surface lifts up the rear end portion of the stack of cut sheets and shifts forward the lowermost cut sheet. The position of the adjuster in the front-rear direction and the position of the guide member in the front-rear direction can be adjusted individually.
US08678370B2	Recording apparatus and recording method A recording apparatus to record an image on a recording medium using a recording head includes a first conveying roller, a second conveying roller, and a controller. The first conveying roller is positioned upstream of the recording head in a conveying direction and the second conveying roller is positioned downstream of the recording head in the conveying direction. In response to a first conveying mode being selected, the controller performs a rotational phase control in which the controller controls rotational phases of the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller such that the recording medium is conveyed by predetermined sections of circumferences of the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller when a trailing end of the recording medium passes the first conveying roller. In response to the second conveying mode being selected, the controller does not perform the rotational phase control.
US08678365B2	Device and method for aligning and holding a plurality of singulated semiconductor components in receiving pockets of a terminal carrier In a device and a method for aligning and holding a plurality of singulated semi-conductor components in receiving pockets of a terminal carrier that are separated from each other, the terminal carrier has spring elements, which are part of a spring plate. The spring plate has a plurality of recesses disposed next to each other for forming a corresponding plurality of receiving pockets for the semi-conductor components, wherein the spring elements are formed from the spring plate in one piece.
US08678363B2	Multiple vise system A multiple vise system comprising at least two vise heads, each vise head comprising two jaws and a tightening screw and also comprising a supporting structure. The supporting structure is configured to support each vise head and allows the position of the vise heads to be adjusted according to at least two degrees of freedom with respect to each other. Position adjustment is achieved by means of track and slots mechanisms, swivels and telescoping poles. A number of secondary clamps are included to hold specially shaped objects such as printed circuit boards and to hold objects too large to be held by a vise head.
US08678359B2	System and method for reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower Apparatuses, methods and systems directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower. Some embodiments of the invention allow irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup. In other embodiments, the systems disclosed can be integrated with the drift eliminators to provide constant irrigation of to reduce mineral buildup. In some other embodiments, a control unit is used to selectively irrigate the drift eliminators based on the fluid temperature in the basin and the temperature inside and outside of the cooling tower.
US08678356B2	Microbubble generating apparatus and method There is provided a microbubble generating method including: supplying a gas to a rotator 2 while rotating the rotator 2 in a liquid; injecting the gas into the liquid from bubble injection holes formed in the surface of the rotator 2; and applying a shear force, produced by the relative movement between the liquid and the rotator, to gas bubbles present on and in the vicinity of the surface of the rotator 2 to generate microbubbles. The microbubble generating method can easily generate a large amount of microbubbles without forcibly creating a swirling flow of fluid.
US08678353B2	Fluid inlet and distribution system for volatile organic compound removal device A fluid inlet and distribution system for a volatile organic removal device includes a cabinet having an upper wall and multiple downcomer assemblies positioned within the cabinet accessible through a cabinet access. The multiple downcomer assemblies are divisible into first and second cabinet compartments isolated from each other by a dividing wall. A flow distribution duct assembly connected to the upper wall of the cabinet includes upper, bottom, outward facing and inward facing substantially flat containment walls defining a generally rectangular shaped flow passage. A contaminated fluid inlet is connected to one of the upper, inward facing, or outward facing containment walls. A discharge duct connected to the bottom containment wall is positioned above a receiving chamber operating to equally divide a flow of a contaminated fluid containing a volatile organic compound discharged through the discharge duct equally to the first and second cabinet compartments.
US08678348B1	Gas flow control valve A gas flow control valve comprising coupling means for coupling to a measurement tube, wherein the coupling means are compatible with existing means for coupling valves to the measurement tube, means for directing gas from a well head through the gas flow control valve and out of an exit port, means for finely tuning the flow rate of gas passing through the flow control valve comprising, means for longitudinally translating a valve needle via rotation of a rotating assembly, wherein the valve needle comprises a tapered portion and a shoulder, wherein the tapered portion of the valve needle comprises a truncated cone which increases in diameter in the direction of gas flow, and means for visually indicating the longitudinal position of the gas flow control valve.
US08678346B2	Near-field wireless powered solenoid valve A solenoid valve assembly including a process control valve plumbed within a hazardous environment; a solenoid coil mated to the valve and configured to operate the valve, the solenoid coil located within the hazardous environment; a valve coil configured to receive power and transfer that power to the solenoid coil, thereby operating the valve, the valve coil located within the hazardous environment; and a controller coil configured to transmit power to the valve coil, the controller coil located in the hazardous environment.
US08678345B2	Variable orifice gas flow modulating valve A temperature control system for a gas appliance utilizes an improved variable orifice gas flow modulating valve capable of direct modulation of gas flow through an orifice directly into a gas burner to provide a constantly maintained temperature in an appliance working compartment, as selected by human interface via a temperature selector. An actuator attached to a gas fitting body of the valve provides for linear movement of a metering pin into the taper inside the orifice, accomplishing the variable controlled modulated flow of gas directly into the burner. The actuator is controlled by an input signal from a programmable controller whose output is determined by calculations based on inputs from a temperature selector and a temperature sensor located in the gas appliance working compartment.
US08678340B2	Hydraulic control valve apparatus for automatic transmission A hydraulic control valve apparatus including a valve body and a hydraulic control valve that is disposed in the valve body in parallel to an upper horizontal surface of the valve body. The hydraulic control valve includes a spool, a biasing member that biases the spool, and a damper chamber that accommodates the biasing member. The valve body includes a drain hole through which a pressurized oil is discharged from the hydraulic control valve, and a first communication passage that allows fluid communication between the drain hole of the valve body and the damper chamber of the hydraulic control valve. The drain hole and the first communication passage are formed on the upper horizontal surface of the valve body.
US08678338B2	Mounting rack structure and mounting hole adapter thereof A mounting rack structure includes a rack body having a plurality of downward extended supporting legs, each of which is provided near a distal end with an mounting hole; a plurality of mounting hole adapters; and a plurality of fastening elements. The mounting hole adapter includes at least one vertical extension portion with a first retaining flange and a central passage having at least one second retaining flange formed therearound; and is assembled to the mounting hole with the first retaining flange firmly pressed against one side of the supporting leg. The fastening element can be extended through the central passage of the mounting hole adapter to firmly lock the supporting leg and accordingly the rack body to a heat-generating unit. With the mounting hole adapter, the mounting rack structure can be used with different types of fastening elements to save the cost for making different molds.
US08678337B2	Device for fastening a fixture to a fastening structure of a vehicle A device for fastening a fixture to a fastening structure of a vehicle including: a base comprising a first clamping jaw which can be positioned in a clamping direction (Z) over the slot and pressed in the clamping direction (Z) with respect to the fastening structure, a second clamping jaw comprising a clamping portion which can be inserted into the fastening channel, and a shaft which projects from the clamping portion; an actuating unit which is supported on the base such that it can be moved back and forth; and a gear system which couples the actuating unit to the second clamping jaw such that a movement of the actuating unit generates the longitudinal movement of the second clamping jaw.
US08678336B2	Vehicle seat runner and seat comprising such a runner The vehicle seat runner comprising first and second profiles sliding inside each other and a stop fixed on the first profile to limit the travel of the second profile. The stop passes through a first opening in the first profile and has, inside the runner, a stop face oriented capable of stopping the second profile and a nose opposite the stop face and that rests against an inner face of the first profile. The stop is extended opposite the nose, by a shank that extends against an outer face of the first profile to a fixing lug clipped into a second opening in the first profile.
US08678322B2	Multifunctional chambered radiation shields and systems and related methods Radiation shields include an outer composite wall, an inner composite wall, and an enclosed fuel chamber disposed between the inner and outer composite walls. A fuel may be contained within the enclosed fuel chamber. Spacecraft include one or more such radiation shields, and may further include a fuel cell and a conduit providing fluid communication between the fuel chamber of the radiation shield and the fuel cell. Methods of forming a radiation shield system include forming an enclosed fuel chamber between an outer composite wall and an inner composite wall of a radiation shield, and providing fuel within the enclosed fuel chamber.
US08678315B2	Strut system for the stabilization of the shell of an aerodynamic aircraft component for a commercial aircraft The invention relates to a strut system for the stabilization of the shell (2) of an aerodynamic aircraft component in a commercial aircraft, comprising a pair of connection supports (4a, 4b) connected on the inside to the shell (2) and opposing each other, between which connection supports (4a, 4b) several struts (5) extend to form a latticework structure (3), which struts (5) in nodal points (6a, 6b) arranged on the ends are non-detachably connected to the connection supports (4a, 4b), wherein the area extension of the latticework structure (3) is aligned in such a manner relative to a middle plane of symmetry (11) that the struts (5), formed with an open symmetrical cross section, as well as the cross section of the connection supports (4a, 4b), are arranged so as to be symmetrical to the aforesaid.
US08678312B2	Aircraft side-ledge console A console for aircraft that is located between two seats which face each other. The console includes an open ledge with a cup holder arrangement. The cup holder arrangement includes two removable holder dividers which can be flipped up or down and held into position by a spring-loaded cam arrangement. The console also includes two inwardly facing surfaces which provide connectors for electronic devices resting on the ledge. A light-emitting face is provided on a back wall of the ledge so that any articles resting on the ledge can be seen in dark environments.
US08678301B2	Stepped swirler for dynamic control A swirling device for injecting a medium into a turbine is provided. The swirling device includes a central axis, a central passage in an axial direction along the central axis and an outer perimeter. The swirling device further includes a first duct and a second duct. The first duct and the second duct are adapted for guiding the medium from a region surrounding the outer perimeter to the central passage. The first duct includes a first depth in the axial direction and the second duct includes a second depth in the axial direction. The first depth and the second depth are different.
US08678296B2	Two-dimensional optical identification device with same gray level On a two-dimensional optical identification device with same gray level, a plurality of two-dimensional optical identification codes are arranged, each having a plurality of data blocks and an outer positioning block. Each data block has a plurality of defined patterns, and each defined pattern is located in one of virtual areas produced by equally dividing the data block. The outer positioning block has a plurality of first positioning points and a first direction identification point, and is placed at two adjacent boundaries of the plurality of data blocks for defining the positions of the plurality of data blocks. A fixed position data block is selected as a data block coding indication block for indicating the coding of the other data blocks.
US08678295B2	Miniaturized radio-frequency identification tag and microstrip patch antenna thereof A miniaturized Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a microstrip patch antenna thereof are provided. The miniaturized RFID tag includes: a chip, substrate and a microstrip patch antenna. The microstrip patch antenna is attached to a surface of the substrate and includes a power supply part and a radiation part connected with each other. The power supply part is connected with the chip through a microstrip line. Two sides of the radiation part are provided with at least one slit which has the length of one-half wavelength and enables the tag product to be used normally within a range of shorter than one-half normal wavelength. A maximum point and a minimum point are generated in the radiation part simultaneously, so the tag can be used normally without influencing the performance, even when the tag is in contact with any metal surface. The tag can be miniaturized at the same time.
US08678291B2	Support that includes a detachable element, a method for the detachment of such a detachable element, and method for the manufacture of such a support A support that includes a detachable element which has one border, of which at least a portion is attached to the support, with the border portions attached to the support all being so attached by weakened attachment seams, where the support also includes at least two lines of weakness that allow the support to be separated into at least two portions connected by a weakened attachment seam to the detachable element, with each of the lines of weakness being such that, when the support is bent along this line of weakness until it breaks, none of the weakened attachment seams breaks totally. Also disclosed is a method for the detachment of such a detachable element as well as a method for the manufacture of such a support.
US08678287B2	Two-plane optical code reader for acquisition of multiple views of an object An optical code reader forms images of an optical code on an object. The reader comprises first and second viewing surfaces generally transverse to one another. The surfaces bound a viewing volume in which the object may be imaged. The reader also comprises a set of one or more imagers positioned on an opposite side of one or more of the first and second viewing surfaces relative to the viewing volume, and oriented and configured to capture images of the object from at least three different views. Each of the views passes through one of said first and second viewing surfaces. At least one of said views passes through the first viewing surface, and at least one of said views passes through the second viewing surface. The reader also comprises at least one mirror, off which is reflected at least one of the views.
US08678285B2	Method of and apparatus for multiplying raster scanning lines by modulating a multi-cavity laser diode A method of and apparatus for generating a multiple raster-type scanning pattern by modulating a multi-cavity laser diode in such a way that it sequentially generates different laser beams synchronously during different laser scanning cycles, while the output laser beams are directed incident upon a rotating polygonal laser scanning element. The system does not require additional moving parts beyond the rotating polygon scanning element so as to reduce complexity and simplify construction of the laser scanning mechanism.
US08678269B2	Method for joining, assembling parts made of SiC-based materials by non-reactive brazing, brazing compositions, and joint and assembly obtained by said method A method for joining, assembling, at least two parts made of silicon carbide-based materials by non-reactive brazing is provided. According to the method, the parts are contacted with a non-reactive brazing composition, the assembly formed by the parts and the brazing composition is heated to a brazing temperature sufficient to melt the brazing composition totally or at least partly, and the parts and brazing composition are cooled to that, after solidification of the brazing composition, a moderately refractory joint is formed; wherein the non-reactive brazing composition is an alloy comprising, in atomic percentages, 45% to 65% silicon, 28% to 45% nickel and 5% to 15% aluminum. A brazing composition as defined above is provided. A brazing paste, suspension comprising a powder of said brazing composition and an organic binder as well as a joint and assembly obtained the foregoing method are also provided.
US08678265B2	Strip joining apparatus for pipe mill equipment Disclosed herein is a strip joining apparatus for pipe mill equipment. The strip joining apparatus cuts a trailing end of a preceding steel strip and a leading end of a following steel strip, and puts the cut surfaces of the two steel strips into contact with each other, and then welds them to each other. Particularly, a cutting blade of a first cutting unit and a cutting blade of a second cutting unit are inclined in the downward direction at predetermined angles relative to each other. Thus, the ends of the two steel strips, which are respectively cut by the cutting blades, define a ‘V’-shape groove. In this state, the cut ends of the two steel strips are put in close contact with each other and are welded to each other, so that the quality of welding of the junction between the thick strips can be enhanced.
US08678264B2	Surgical instrument with elongated channel A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a head portion and an elongated channel. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The elongated channel includes a proximal opening and a distal opening. The proximal opening is disposed distally of a proximalmost end of the handle assembly and proximally of the shell assembly. The distal opening is disposed on the shell assembly.
US08678260B2	Bladeless cleavers having an arcuate exterior surface and related methods for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bladeless cleaver includes a body having an arcuate exterior surface, which may be provided in one embodiment by an exterior surface of a tool or toolkit, such as, but not limited to, a consumables kit or other packaging. A cleaver structure is disposed on the body such that a space between the arcuate exterior surface of the body and the cleaver structure is configured to receive a portion of the optical fiber to be cleaved. The cleaver structure comprises an abrasive medium carrier that is configured to be actuated to place the abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the portion of the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the portion of the optical fiber may be positioned directly along the arcuate exterior surface of the body.
US08678259B2	Flying disc caddy An apparatus for carrying flying discs in such a way that the apparatus does not interfere with the selection and throwing of the flying discs. In one embodiment, a flying disc caddy includes a holster, a belt, and a strap. The holster includes a pouch and dividers. The dividers are spaced apart inside the pouch to form pockets or slots. The pockets receive individual flying discs. The holster is slideably attached to a belt. The belt is configured to wrap around the waist of a disc golf player. The belt secures the holster such that the opening of the holster is aligned to the waist. The holster is also attached to a strap. The strap is configured to wrap around the thigh of a disc golf player. The strap secures the lower end of the pouch to the thigh such that the pouch does not flail during play.
US08678256B2	Vertically deployable roof rack system A roof rack system includes first and second longitudinal tracks mountable to the roof substantially parallel to one another. The roof rack system includes first and second roof rack assemblies. Each roof rack assembly has a cross member configured to span between the longitudinal tracks. The roof rack assembly has first and second support modules operatively connecting the cross member to the first and second longitudinal tracks, respectively, such that each of the support modules establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member. The roof rack assembly has a biasing member, as well as a locking mechanism that is configured to hold the support modules in a collapsed position, and is releasable to allow the biasing member to urge the support modules to a deployed position in which the cross member is raised above the longitudinal tracks. The for/aft position of the support modules is adjustable.
US08678255B2	Personal portable device keeper A personal portable devices keeper (10) and its method of use are disclosed. The keeper mainly comprises a housing formed by a shell (12) and a base (14), a spool assembly (16) controlled by a spiral spring (18) and a ratchet mechanism consisting of a ratchet plate (32) in the spool, a ratchet bead (20), and a straight slot (50) in the base, a clip (22), and a length of cord (24) with a bob (72) securing a strap loop (90). The shell has a cord port (28) and is rotatable independently from the spool so that the cord remainder is adjustable even after the cord is fully retracted by the spring. The strap loop ties a personal portable device directly through its strap holder or the like. The keeper is fully operable through the cord dragged by the portable device that is normally held and operated by one hand.
US08678249B2	Valve mounting assembly with slit misalignment prevention feature A mounting system is provided for mounting a valve for accommodating the flow of fluent a substance from a supply of the fluent substance wherein the valve includes a peripheral attachment portion, an intermediate portion extending from the peripheral attachment portion, and a flexible, resilient head that extends from the intermediate portion and that has (a) a first side, (b) a second side, (c) at least one self-sealing slit through the head, (d) a laterally marginal portion adjacent the intermediate portion, and (e) confronting, openable portions along the slit to define an initially closed orifice. The mounting system includes a retention structure for engaging holding the valve and includes an abutment structure. The abutment structure is adapted to be disposed adjacent the valve intermediate portion so that the abutment structure can be engaged by the valve head first side at the laterally marginal portion of the valve head to limit movement of the laterally margin portion of the valve head in one direction.
US08678245B2	Dispensing device What is being proposed is a dispensing device for a preferably cosmetic liquid and a manufacturing method. A first material is pretreated in areas through the application of a coating or embossing foil such that a second material which is injection-molded directly against it does not bond with the first material in the pretreated area but rather can be detached again.
US08678243B2	Fluid dispenser One aspect of the invention provides a component for a fluid dispenser which defines a dosing chamber for a piston member to stroke in and has an end adapted for engaging a fluid outlet of the fluid dispenser or a seal which overlies the fluid outlet to selectively close and open the fluid outlet or seal. Other aspects are disclosed herein.
US08678242B2	Dosage-dispensing device for free-flowing substances A device (110, 10) dispenses dosages of a free-flowing substance from a source unit (70) containing the substance. The device has a base unit (120, 20) and a receiving unit (130, 30), so that the source unit can be set into, and removed from, the receiving unit. An actuator (150, 50) generates repeated bidirectional pivoting movements of the receiving unit about the base unit. A connector unit (140, 40), arranged between the base unit and the receiving unit, pivotally supports the receiving unit, providing rotational mobility about a pivoting axis. The connector unit is slidably supported with translatory mobility relative to the base unit. The actuator generates repeated bidirectional translatory movements of the base unit. In this way, the receiving unit is subjected to repeated bidirectional pivoting movements and, superimposed on the latter, repeated bidirectional translatory movements.
US08678240B2	Dispenser with actuating means unengaged with the dispensing means A manually operated product dispenser includes a user interface which operates via a linkage mechanism on a dispensing mechanism. The linkage mechanism transfers displacement from the user interface to the dispensing mechanism but incorporates resilient means permitting the user interface to be operated to the full extent permitted by the interface, but transmitting to the dispensing mechanism only as much of the operation of the interface required to permit the dispenser mechanism to dispense a predetermined amount of product.
US08678238B2	Self-contained hand-held yoke-connected device for dispensing a two-part adhesive aerosol A self-contained, hand-held spray dispensing device includes an internal source of pressurized fluid that exerts a motive force on a pair of liquid ejecting elements to cause each to eject a liquid into a discharge line. The liquids remain separated until each exits its discharge port. A pressurized fluid is directed over the outlet ends of the discharge line beginning before a flow interrupter in the discharge line is opened to permit flow therethrough and ceasing after liquid flow is terminated. The pressurized fluid flow over the outlet of the discharge line aerosolizes liquids emanating from the outlet ends. The liquid ejecting element is connected to a force transmitting yoke. The yoke responds to pressurized fluid from the source to generate the motive force on the ejecting element.
US08678227B2	Leg assembly A leg assembly for selective attachment to a portable support structure having a base and removable lid. The leg assembly includes a plurality of legs that are selectively attachable to both the base and lid. When attached, the legs extending from the base to the lid thereby supporting the lid. The legs are substantially parallel to one another. The assembly further includes at least one cross member extending between two of the legs to stabilize and prevent lateral movement of the legs. The cross member also abutingly contacts and supports the lid whereby the base and lid function as a support structure.
US08678222B2	Airtight compact An airtight compact that contains a volatile product until a time of use. The airtight compact includes a translucent and fragile pot partially encased by a base assembly, which has a rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The rotatable lid assembly comprising a liner over-molded to an inner lid that directly seals to a rim of the fragile pot partially encased by the base. The fragile pot may be formed of a translucent glass, which is protected by the base and the rotatable lid assemblies.
US08678212B2	Container and container cover for sealing the container opening A receptacle sealing system includes a container with a rim defined at an upper opening thereof, and an adjustable closure for covering the opening of the container and having a sealed orientation and an unsealed orientation. The adjustable closure includes a rigid lid, and an integral annular seal having an outer annular wall, wherein when the adjustable closure is disposed in the unsealed orientation, the outer annular wall is oriented in the first position to face the top surface of the rigid lid, and, wherein when the adjustable closure is disposed in the sealed orientation, the outer annular wall is oriented in the second position in order to substantially seal onto the upper exterior wall of the container.
US08678209B2	Gantry crane having a truss supported runway Disclosed are systems and methods for providing a user installable gantry crane, wherein the gantry runways, supported by columns, utilize a lightweight truss, having a high weight to strength modulus, that permits assembly of the system without the need for rigging equipment.
US08678184B2	Methods for producing vaccine adjuvants An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves three procedures: (i) preparation of a preliminary emulsion; (ii) microfluidization of the preliminary emulsion to reduce its droplet size; and (iii) filtration of the microfluidized emulsion through a hydrophilic membrane. The emulsions are useful as vaccine adjuvants.
US08678182B2	Container filling device A device for filling containers including an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral main elements connecting the upper and the lower main element; support elements arranged at one another without a continuous drive device, which support elements are provided with receivers for the containers and are run in an endless manner through the device past operating stations and along the main elements; a drive which runs the support elements in a feed direction at least through the upper main element or the lower main element along the operating stations; and operating elements arranged at the support elements through which a feed force of the drive is introduced into the support elements, wherein the operating elements at the support elements are gear racks in which a drive side feed member with a complementary teething engages in order to introduce the feed force into the support elements.
US08678171B2	Passing apparatus of a workpiece associated with an absorbent article A passing apparatus for a workpiece associated with an absorbent article receives a first sheet-like workpiece at a receiving position, changes a longitudinal direction of the first sheet-like workpiece to a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction at the time the first sheet-like workpiece is received, and discharges the first sheet-like workpiece with the changed longitudinal direction at a discharge position. The passing apparatus includes: a plurality of holding pads each having a plane section to be in contact with and for holding the first sheet-like workpiece, a revolution mechanism for causing the holding pads to revolve about a revolution axis normal to the plane section, and a spin mechanism for causing the holding pad to spin about a spin axis normal to the plane section. On an orbit of the holding pad determined by the revolution mechanism, the receiving position and the discharge position are set.
US08678166B2	Articulated discharge end for conveyor An articulated discharge end for a conveyor that is positionable adjacent to a moveable receiver includes a frame, having a distal end, configured to bear a discharge end of a conveyor belt at the distal end. The frame has two axes of rotation, whereby the distal end is vertically translatable and laterally rotatable. A guide is disposed near the distal end, and is configured to contact the moveable receiver, whereby motion of the moveable receiver can substantially govern vertical translation and lateral rotation of the distal end.
US08678146B2	Disk brake Provided is a disk brake having a caliper. The caliper includes a cylinder part disposed at one side in a disk axial direction and having a bore for accommodating a piston, a pair of arm parts extending to both sides of the cylinder part in a disk rotational direction and having ends to which sliding pins are fixed, and a guide attachment part configured to couple the one arm part to the cylinder part and to which a cable guide member is fixed, which are integrally formed with each other. A thickness of the guide attachment part in a disk diameter direction and a thickness of the one arm part in the disk diameter direction at least partially overlap in the disk axial direction.
US08678144B2	Hydraulic caliper brake for a bicycle An apparatus for a bicycle brake comprises a housing with a first piston bore and a second piston bore, a first piston disposed in the first piston bore, a first piston rod attached to the first piston and extending from the first piston toward the outside of the housing for coupling to a first brake arm, and a second piston disposed in the second piston bore. The first piston moves along a first piston axis, and the second piston moves along a second piston axis.
US08678142B2	Destination floor registration device of elevator, having voice input In a destination floor registration device 800, a boarding detection unit 804 detects a boarding of an elevator user; when no button operation by destination floor registration buttons 500 is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since detection of the boarding, a voice destination floor registration unit 805 outputs from a voice output device 400 a message for prompting a passenger to pronounce a destination floor; a voice recognition unit 806 recognizes the destination floor pronounced by the passenger; and a voice destination floor registration unit 805 requests an elevator car control device 200 to register the destination floor recognized by the voice recognition unit 806.
US08678131B2	Acoustic baffle for centrifugal blowers An acoustic baffle for reducing noise of a centrifugal fan includes a base for mounting with a fan outlet and a projection extending from the length of the base at a back side of the base and curving away from a top surface of the base. The projection continuously tapers along at least one side from an area proximate the base to an apex. The apex aligns with a fan tangency point, and the apex or a trough of the projection aligns with a midpoint of the outlet, when the acoustic baffle is installed in the outlet. The acoustic baffle effects a gradual variation in radial and tangential airflow at the blower outlet, to reduce fan blade passage tone.
US08678117B2	Electric motor wheel assembly A motor wheel assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a radial flux brushless electric motor having a plurality of stator magnets arranged along a circumferential path; a wheel; first connecting means to connect motor to wheel in a torque transfer manner and second connecting means suitable for connecting motor to the motor vehicle. The motor wheel assembly defines a seat interrupting the sequence of stator magnets along the circumferential path and is suitable for housing a caliper of a braking system of the motor vehicle.
US08678116B2	Accessory drive configuration An apparatus for an accessory drive configuration includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft which is structured to provide traction power. A torque-transmitting shaft extends through a portion of an internal combustion engine assembly, and the torque-transmitting shaft provides mechanical power to an accessory drive system. The internal combustion engine and an electric motor are operably coupled to the torque-transmitting shaft to selectively provide torque to the torque-transmitting shaft.
US08678114B1	Power wheelchair with guard for playing sports A power wheelchair with guard for playing sports for eliminating G-Force effects and improving safety. The power wheelchair with guard for playing sports includes a frame assembly; a mobility system including drive wheels and casters upon which the frame assembly is mounted and also including a motor and a power control module for actuating the drive wheels; a seat assembly being secured to the frame assembly and including a seat support member and a seat; and a guard assembly being attached to the frame assembly and extending forwardly thereof.
US08678105B2	Plug arrangement in a machine tool, in particular a handheld machine tool A plug arrangement in a machine tool comprises a primary plug part, which is associated with a drive motor, and a secondary plug part. According to the invention the primary and secondary plug parts are assembled to form a common plug part.
US08678096B2	Composite bow centralizer A method comprising providing a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring, wherein one or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprise a composite material, and placing the wellbore tubular in a wellbore disposed in a subterranean formation. A method comprising providing a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the wellbore tubular comprises a stop collar, a protrusion, or an upset on either end of the centralizer, and wherein the centralizer comprises three or more collars, a plurality of bow springs comprising a plurality of portions of bow springs, wherein each portion of bow springs couples two adjacent collars, and wherein one or more of the collars and the bow springs comprise a composite material, and placing the wellbore tubular in a wellbore disposed in a subterranean formation.
US08678081B1	Combination anvil and coupler for bridge and fracture plugs A downhole tool such as a bridge or frac plug includes a combination anvil and coupler that forms both the anvil or bottom stop on a mandrel, and a coupler to attach a burn device. One or more members, including a packer ring, can be disposed on the mandrel and movable with respect to the central mandrel along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel. The combination anvil and coupler includes an upper attachment section attached to the mandrel, an upper surface against which the members are compressed, and a lower attachment section attached to a burn device.
US08678076B2	Heat exchanger with manifold strengthening protrusion A plate type heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plate pairs made up of first and second plates. Each plate pair has opposed manifold members that form respective inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first fluid through a first set of fluid channels formed by the plate pairs. The manifold members space the plate pairs apart to form a second set of transverse flow channels for the flow of a second fluid. A protrusion member is formed at an end portion of the plates and proximal to each of the manifold members and has a mating surface, such that the protrusion members on the second plate of one plate pair align and abut with the protrusion members on the first plate of an adjacent plate pair thereby reinforcing and strengthening the manifold region of the heat exchanger to prevent deformation of the manifold under pressure.
US08678071B2	Evaporative pattern, method of forming an evaporative pattern, and method of forming a metal mold by using an evaporative pattern A lightweight metal mold having a necessary rigidity is realized. Firstly, an original pattern of an evaporative pattern is formed by machining an evaporative material block. The original pattern includes a three-dimensional mesh structure including a plurality of bar-shaped parts and connecting points that connect ends of the bar-shaped parts and are distributed in a three-dimensional space, and a plurality of block parts having fixed relative positional relationship by being fixed to the three-dimensional mesh structure. Then, at least a portion of at least one or more of the bar-shaped parts composing the original pattern is removed, and replaced with a tube member. Then, a full-mold casting is performed by using the evaporative pattern having the replaced tube member. Positional relationship of the block parts in which surfaces, etc. necessary for the metal mold are formed is fixed by the three-dimensional mesh structure, and the necessary rigidity is secured. The metal mold is made lighter by using the three-dimensional mesh structure. Due to the replacement with the tube member, an amount of gas generated upon the full-mold casting is suppressed, and a decrease in casting quality is prevented.
US08678066B2	Apparatus and method for preparing a tire for mounting An apparatus is configured to receive a tire having at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The apparatus includes a plurality of members configured to engage the first bead portion of the tire, at least one expander configured to move the plurality of members outward, and a rotating device configured to rotate the plurality of members about an axis of the tire.
US08678064B1	Laminating machine A laminating machine for making sheet laminations using a thermal laminating film is disclosed which protects the film from being mounted in the machine in a manner that will expose its adhesive side to the heated laminating rollers in the machine. The film is stored on upper and lower supply rollers in the machine. Each supply roller is engaged at one end by a forward end of a rotatable piston disposed in a variable-length spring operated chuck. A stem attached to the forward end of the piston extends rearwardly from the forward end and away from the roller into a cylindrically enclosed body portion of the chuck. There the stem is engaged by a one-way needle bearing which permits the film to be unwound from the supply roller only in one direction, thus permitting only the non-adhesive side of the film to contact the machine's heated laminating roller.
US08678063B2	Applicator roll for a labeling apparatus An applicator roll (1) is described for a labeling apparatus for paying out and applying self-adhesive labels, which with each operating cycle moves one self-adhesive label into a dispensing position underneath an applicator roll. Depending on the printing mechanism used in the labeling apparatus, whether printing an even or an odd number of digits, it is advantageous to arranged a profiled ring (32) formed on a sleeve (31) of the applicator roll (1) in the center or off center. In addition, label formats of different widths require applicator rolls of different widths. These problems are solved in the applicator roll (1) described here in that its sleeve (31) supports two cylindrical jackets (34) on either side of the profiled ring (32). The cylindrical jackets (34) are axially displaceable on the sleeve (31) and can be releasably, positively locked in several positions against axial shifting, preferably by mutual engagement of an annular collar (38) and an annular groove (40). In this way, the applicator roll (1) can be adapted to printing mechanisms with even or odd numbers of digits and to labels of different widths.
US08678056B2	Heavy goods vehicle tire A tire with a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed from at least two working crown layers of inextensible reinforcing elements and from at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements positioned radially between two working crown layers, the working crown layers adjacent to the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements being on each side of the equatorial plane and in the axial continuation of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements coupled over an axial width, in order thereafter to be decoupled. A layer of polymer blend having a thickness greater than 1.5 mm over an axial width greater than 0.1×d is positioned axially between the axially exterior end of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements and the axially interior end of the coupling zone of the working crown layers.
US08678053B2	Toy wheel traction band A child's riding toy is provided having a vehicle body, at least one rotatable tire, and traction band. The at least one rotatable tire is configured to support at least a portion of the vehicle body and move the vehicle body from one location to another. The rotatable tire comprises a circumferentially-extending tread section, a sidewall, and a circumferentially-extending shoulder connecting to both the tread section and sidewall. The circumferentially-extending tread section comprises a tread surface configured to engage a ground surface while supporting at least the portion of the vehicle body. The tread section includes a channel equatorially located and circumferentially-extending. The traction band is sized to fit within the channel and have a top surface located about flush with the tread surface such that as the tread surface engages the ground surface so too does the band's top surface. Wherein both the traction band and tire tread simultaneously engage the ground to move the ride-on toy.
US08678048B2	Device for dispensing effervescent beverages and a three-way valve The invention relates to the field of food industry, more particularly, to commercial equipment, and is useful in apparatuses for dispensing beer and other foaming and/or carbonated beverages from an isobaric storage to plastic bottles or glasses for sale in retail kiosks, shops, restaurants, and bars. The technical result of the present invention is a simplified maintenance both of the apparatus for a manual dispensing of beverages as a whole due to excluding the need for a sanitary treatment of a part of the filling pipe each time a container is filled and a simplified maintenance of taps due to eliminating the need for frequent washing of units and parts of these means after the dispensing of beer or another beverage is over. The technical result is reached by two embodiments of the three-way cock (6364), which are installed in the apparatus for a manual dispensing of foaming and/or carbonated beverages to uncovered containers (54). The apparatus includes a housing (52) with a stage (53) for positioning an uncovered container (54) thereon and a filling pipe (55) mounted thereon for feeding a beverage, one end of the pipe (55) being arranged above the place where the uncovered container (54) is positioned. The apparatus is equipped with a cap (56) which is hermetically fastened to the stage, with an option of being disconnected, under which there are the filling pipe (55) and the place where the uncovered container (54) is positioned; a unit for fastening the cap and supplying or removing the container (54) from under it; and a unit for supplying under pressure a beverage or gas to underneath the cap (56) and removing the gas therefrom.
US08678041B2	Fiber reinforced spoolable pipe A spoolable pipe is disclosed, the spoolable pipe having an internal pressure barrier formed about a longitudinal axis, and a reinforcing layer(s) enclosing the internal pressure barrier. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer(s) can include fibers having at least a partial helical orientation about approximately thirty and about approximately seventy degrees relative to the longitudinal axis, and, the wall can include at least one external layer enclosing the reinforcing layer(s) and having a permeability at least ten times greater than the permeability of the internal pressure barrier. The reinforcing layer(s) can further include a coating. The pipe can also include an energy conductor(s) integrated with and/or located between the internal pressure barrier and/or the reinforcing layer(s).
US08678038B2	Exhaust system, a saddle riding type vehicle having the same, and a method of manufacturing and mounting an exhaust pipe An exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe. A first through-hole and a second through-hole are provided in a peripheral surface of the outer pipe and a peripheral surface of the inner pipe, respectively, to receive an exhaust gas detector. Third through-holes are provided in the peripheral surface of the outer pipe, at a different position than that of the first through-hole. Since the third through-holes are provided in the outer pipe, a liquid can be drained promptly from a space between the outer pipe and inner pipe. Exhaust gas can be prevented from being discharged to the atmosphere by sealing the third through-holes.
US08678027B2	Exhaust passage component An exhaust passage component includes: an inner space used as part of an exhaust passage of a hot water supply apparatus; a drainage passage configured such that if condensed water is produced in the inner space, the condensed water is caused to flow out of the inner space; a first sheet metal member, at least part of which includes a first recess formed by drawing and a plate-like portion formed around the first recess; and a second sheet metal member, at least part of which includes a second recess by drawing and a flange formed around the second recess.
US08678026B2	Automatic increased-suction relief apparatus An automatic vacuum-relief apparatus for liquid suction systems includes a vessel defining a chamber filled with liquid in communication with a liquid flow line, a rotary shaft extending through the chamber to support a valve device adjacent to the liquid flow line and to move the valve device to open a relief-air flow channel to relieve increased suction caused by inlet blockage, and a piston on the rotary shaft responsive to suction increases within the liquid flow line and chamber to actuate shaft rotation. The valve device, chamber and relief-air flow channel are configured and arranged to cause a spurt of liquid from the chamber into the inlet while the valve device is moving from its isolating position toward its opening position upon inlet blockage, whereby the spurt of liquid pushes the blockage away from the inlet and the relief air reduces the suction. The valve includes a liquid-flow barrier secured with respect to the liquid flow line such that the barrier is in an open position allowing flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet during normal operation and in a closed position isolating the inlet from the outlet in response to suction increases upon inlet blockage.
US08678013B2	Smoking article A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment.
US08678006B2	Patient support system and method A patient support system for an operating room table is provided. At least a portion of the patient support system components form a no-air-loss patient support surface. At least one fluid pump can supply air pressure to a plurality of no-air-loss air cells, and at least one pressure release valve can release air pressure from the no-air-loss air cells. A computer can compare air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure set point and can modulate the air pressure by actuating the at least one fluid pump and/or the at least one pressure release valve to bring the air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure. After the initial air pressure adjustments are made and the desired air pressure is achieved, no further adjustments during the operation are able to be made by the computer so that the patient positioned thereon the patient support system will not be moved by the patient support system during an operation.
US08677996B2	Ventilation system with system status display including a user interface The disclosure describes a novel approach for displaying information on a ventilator system. The disclosure describes a novel respiratory system including a removable primary display and system status display. Further, the disclosure describes a novel method for displaying ventilator information and a novel method for controlling a ventilator system.
US08677983B2	Trench clay target trap machine A clay target trap machine including a clay target throwing machine (1) and associated target hopper or magazine (2) mounted on a base, the base being mounted on a carriage (8) movable automatically on rails (12) and able to throw clay targets from more than one position and at a number of different firing angles and heights.
US08677980B1	Fuel combined with carbon dioxide in elongate chamber A fuel conditioning system is applied to common rail direct injection or unit injector diesel engines. A liquid fuel is conditioned with gas for combustion in the combustion chambers. The system includes an elongate conditioning vessel, at least one fuel dispensing inlet, at least one carbon dioxide inlet port, and at least one conditioned fuel outlet port on the vessel. Carbon dioxide and diesel fuel are fed into the inlet portion of the vessel. The mixture travels a path of at least ten feet in the vessel to the outlet portion to cause the carbon dioxide gas to dissolve in the liquid fuel for forming a liquid/gas fuel solution. At least one high-pressure fuel pump feeds the liquid fuel/gas solution into fuel injectors.
US08677972B2	Intake manifold module for preventing fuel leakage of vehicle and manufacturing method thereof An intake manifold module for preventing fuel leakage of a vehicle, may include a runner unit where a runner may be formed, a mount section connected with the runner unit and mounted at an intake port of a cylinder head, and a reinforcing bracket mounted at an edge around an injector installed on the cylinder head in the mount section, wherein the reinforcing bracket may be pre-mounted in a process line prior to an engine assembly line by using a joining member.
US08677964B2	Variable valve lift apparatus A variable valve lift apparatus includes a cam, a swing arm of which one end thereof a valve is connected to and the swing arm contacting the cam, a support portion selectively supporting the other end of the swing arm, a hydraulic lash adjuster of which an oil supply hole and an oil exhaust hole thereto, and selectively supporting the swing arm according to oil supplying thereto or oil exhausting therefrom, a check valve selectively opening the oil exhaust hole and a control portion controlling the check valve for the check valve to selectively open the oil exhaust hole.
US08677956B2	Control valve for a device for variably adjusting the control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine A control valve for a device for variably adjusting the control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The control valve has a substantially hollow cylindrical valve housing, a non-return valve and an annular filter. The annular filter is arranged within the valve housing and the non-return valve has a closing body and a spring element.
US08677937B2	Milking liner A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.
US08677934B2	Sex-peptides resistant to proteolytic degradation and their use in biological control of insects An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising, or consisting of, a polynucleotide sequence encoding an oligopeptide capable of inducing post-mating depression of receptivity to mating in female insects, wherein said oligopeptide is resistant to proteolytic degradation, is provided for expression in sterile transgenic male insects useful in the control of insect populations.
US08677932B2	Apparatus for metering granular source material in a thin film vapor deposition apparatus A metering mechanism is configured for transferring measured doses of a granular material from a first location to a second location, and is particularly suited for metering source material in a vapor deposition apparatus. A receiver is disposed to receive the granular material from the first location. A discharge port is axially offset from an outlet of the receiver. A reciprocating delivery member having a passage defined therethrough is moved in a reciprocating path by a controllable drive device between a load position wherein the passage is aligned with the receiver outlet and a discharge position wherein the passage is aligned with the discharge port. The amount of granular material transferred from the first location to the second location is a function of the volume of the passage and the reciprocating rate of the delivery member.
US08677927B2	Coating head and coating apparatus using the same The invention discloses a coating apparatus for coating slurry on a substrate. The coating apparatus comprises: a container for storing the slurry; a slurry pushing means connecting with the container through a discharging pipe; a coating head connecting with the slurry pushing means through another discharging pipe and connecting with the container through a feed-back pipe, and a controlling valve provided within the feed-back pipe. The coating head comprises: a coating slit; a discharging concave; a feed-back concave; a separator provided between the feed-back concave and the discharging concave; and an extending concave for correspondingly covering and matching with the discharging concave and the feed-back concave. The discharging concave and the feed-back concave are respectively provided with a discharging aperture and a feed-back aperture for respectively connecting with the discharging pipe and the feed-back pipe.
US08677925B2	Chamber and film forming apparatus The present invention provides a chamber 1 comprising a chamber section 2 having a substrate processing compartment into which a substrate is loaded for a predetermined processing step, and reinforcing members 3 removably mounted on the discrete outer walls of the chamber section. Each of the reinforcing members comprises a plate-like joint member 32 or a rib member 31 which is removably mounted on the corresponding outer wall of the chamber section. The reinforcing member may comprise both the plate-like joint member 32 and rib member 31.
US08677920B1	Underwater vehicle Various aspects can be implemented to provide a reconfigurable underwater vehicle. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a underwater vehicle that includes a hull that is angular in shape and capable of avoiding sonar detection. The hull can include a bow and a stern that are substantially similar in shape. The underwater vehicle can also include a plurality of reconfigurable modules that are interconnected to form the hull of the underwater vehicle. Each reconfigurable module is capable of performing a different function associated with operation of the underwater vehicle. Further, the plurality of reconfigurable modules can be built in a warehouse away from a shipyard and assembled to form the underwater vehicle at the shipyard.
US08677917B2	Interchangeable superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels An ocean going vessel with interchangeable superstructure and hull in which the superstructure has control units for controlling propulsion and steering, as well as components for communication and navigation. The superstructure and the hull each have an interface providing quick connect and disconnect capability between the control units of the superstructure and the components being controlled of the hull. A system for interchanging superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels is enabled in which the superstructure of an inbound vessel is removed and transferred to an outbound hull with the use of a crane at the port facility. This facilitates quick turnaround time of the superstructure and crew of the inbound vessel. This also enables inbound ship hulls to be inspected without delaying the outbound hull that has been preloaded from being shipped out of port with the transferred superstructure.
US08677901B2	Tapered compressed powder charge for muzzleloader and black powder firearms A method of manufacturing a premeasured compressed charge in which the compressed charge has a leading end portion with a smaller dimension than both a trailing end portion and a desired caliber of the intended firearm and the trailing end portion has a larger diagonal dimension than the desired caliber of the firearm. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold with cavities, filling the mold cavities with gunpowder, pressing gunpowder to form a compressed charge so that one of a density and a compaction of the gunpowder, adjacent the leading end portion of the compressed charge, is about 0% to about 5% less than the density or the compaction of the gunpowder adjacent the trailing end portion to facilitate a more complete combustion of the compressed charge upon discharge of the firearm, and removing the compressed charge from the cavities.
US08677897B2	Pad printing machine A pad printing machine including at least one pad holder and an object carrier which is positionally displaceably relative to the pad holder and is designed to receive one or more objects, where said pad printing machine further comprises a setup print image receiving element at a fixed distance from the object carrier, further an image recorder to generate an image of at least one zone of the setup print image receiving element, a position deviation detector ascertaining the deviation of the actual position of a print image situated on the print image receiving element from a reference position defined by reference data, and a position shift ascertaining element to ascertain the shift of the object carrier relative to a reference position, as well as a method for printing objects using a pad printing machine.
US08677892B2	Method and apparatus for controlling microorganisms in food materials by vacuum and resonant ultrasonication An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling microorganisms in food materials, by which bacterial groups that cause deterioration of the quality of food materials such as poultry and pathogenic microorganisms that cause food poisoning can be efficiently controlled. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for controlling microorganisms in food materials, comprising a step of subjecting a food material immersed in a sterilizing solution to repeated treatment with negative pressure and ordinary pressure and/or a step of subjecting the food material immersed in the sterilizing solution to resonant ultrasonication.
US08677888B2	Select serving and flavored sparkling beverage maker The present invention relates generally to method and a device to make a single or a multiple repeated single servings of a select flavored, carbonated beverage. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08677885B2	Floating piston actuator for operation with multiple hydraulic systems A floating piston actuator for use with multiple hydraulic systems includes a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes an elongate shaft or ram, at least one secured piston coupled to the ram, and a set of moveable pistons moveably disposed within the housing chamber on the ram such that the set of moveable pistons are translatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the ram. The set of moveable pistons form at least three hydraulically separate actuator cylinders where each of the three hydraulically separate actuator cylinders are disposed in fluid communication with a corresponding pressurized fluid source. The floating piston actuator allows hydraulic redundancy while maintaining a similar length compared to existing multi-system actuators. The floating pistons can be arranged in multiple configurations to allow operation with a hydraulic system failure without force fight or binding and with a higher output force than conventional multi-system actuators.
US08677883B2	Rotary lug breeches and weapons including such rotary lug breeches Rotary lug breeches and weapons including such rotary lug breeches are disclosed. An example rotary lug breech includes a bolt carrier. Wherein when releasing the bolt, a cam section of a receiver converts a releasing motion into a screwing motion to release a cartridge. During the screwing motion, a first stud surface interacts with the cam section. During a locking process, the first stud surface engages the cam section to perform a pre-control process that rotates a control pin in a slot from a releasing position in which an advancement of the bolt carrier exerts substantially no torque on the bolt, to a control position in which a first slot surface of the slot interacts with the control pin. When the bolt carrier moves forward, the bolt carrier exerts a torque on the bolt to enable the bolt and the bolt carrier move relative to one another.
US08677882B2	Vehicle and structure shield with flexible frame A protection system includes a net with lines connected at nodes and hard points attached to at least select nodes. A frame supports the net and positions it in a spaced relationship with respect to a vehicle or structure. The frame preferably includes select adjacent tubular members connected via a flexure to prevent damage to the frame when impacted.
US08677880B2	Combination stackable magazine cores and outer binding skins for changing style and capacity versability of a firearm and further including dual use follower A combination magazine and outer skin for a firearm including a magazine core adapted to releasably engage a firearm in communication with an action assembly associated with the firearm. Multiple cores are stackable end-to-end to define a continuous interior, with an end cap engaging an open bottom of a lowermost core. A design indicia exhibits an interior recess and is assembled around the stacked cores. A dual use follower is in use with an uppermost located magazine and maintains the assembly bolt in an open position and following the last cartridge being fired until such time as the magazine is removed. In the further variant, with a BHOA installed in place, the follower activates the BHOA and the bolt to remain in the retracted/open position, following magazine removal.
US08677878B1	Thermal management of a propulsion circuit in an electromagnetic munition launcher Apparatus and methods provide thermal management of a propulsion circuit in an electromagnetic munition launcher.
US08677873B2	Band saw blade with interior teeth A planar band saw blade having an outer cutting edge with a plurality of saw teeth also includes sets of secondary teeth placed in cutout portions along a centerline of the band saw blade. The secondary tooth sets provide portions within the body of the saw blade that provide additional cutting action that reinforces the primary outer cutting edge of the blade. The band saw blade may include teeth on each parallel edge and the interior tooth sets in each cutout portion alternatively point toward opposite edges.
US08677871B2	Cutting device The invention relates to a cutting device for, in a cutting direction, cutting a belt layer from a web of unvulcanised rubber having mutually substantially parallel cords that are at a cord angle, comprising: a blade which sideward with respect to the cutting direction, is freely movable; a first detector for during cutting detecting a sideward displacement of the +0d5; a control computer, operationally coupled to the first detector, for giving control instructions on the basis of displacement information from the detecting means regarding sideward displacement of the +0d5; at least one actuator, operationally coupled to the control means for during cutting adjusting the cutting direction of the +0d5 on the basis of the control instructions.
US08677848B2	Speed reduction device for power seat A speed reduction device for a power seat adapted to be fixed to a seat frame, the speed reduction device includes a worm gear rotating with a motor output shaft, a helical gear meshed with the worm gear and rotating with a drive shaft driving a movable portion of the power seat, and a casing accommodating the worm gear and the helical gear. The casing includes a casing body rotatably supporting the worm gear, a casing cover tightened to the casing body, annular fitting portions fitted to each other, a first engagement portion formed at an outer circumferential side of the annular fitting portion of one of the casing body and the casing cover, a second engagement portion formed at the other of the casing body and the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion, and a tightening means tightening the casing cover to the casing body.
US08677835B2	Torque sensor An excitation AC signal biased by a predetermined DC voltage is applied to a coil to allow a DC voltage component in a coil output signal to contain failure information about disconnection, partial disconnection, or the like of the coil. The DC voltage component contained in the coil output signal is detected, and the detected DC voltage is provided as an offset voltage for a failure diagnosis. Further, to check a peak level of the excitation AC voltage, a DC voltage corresponding to the peak level may be contained in the offset voltage. A differential amplifier circuit for obtaining a difference between a coil detection output AC voltage component and a reference AC voltage component outputs an obtained differential signal offset by the offset voltage. Accordingly, the differential signal containing the offset voltage as the failure information is transmitted to a circuit for torque measurement as a torque detection signal via a single output line. The circuit for torque measurement provides the torque detection data based on the transmitted differential signal and at the same time extracts the offset voltage to use it for the failure diagnosis.
US08677829B2	Apparatus, systems and methods for production and integration of compact illumination schemes Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for production and integration of compact illumination schemes. More particularly, disclosed embodiments relate to apparatus/systems and methods for production of highly compact illumination schemes, whereby photoacoustic waves are induced in a target sample. Additionally, the disclosed apparatus/systems and methods are effective to produce compact and portable integrated transducer-illumination arrays. Apparatus disclosed generally include at least one lighting source and a beamsplitting assembly. Systems disclosed generally include one or more apparatus for the production of compact lighting schemes, an ultrasonic transducer assembly and means for coupling the one or more apparatus and US transducer assembly with a target sample.
US08677822B2	Angular velocity detection circuit, angular velocity detection apparatus, and failure determination system An angular velocity detection circuit is connected to a resonator for making excited vibration on the basis of a drive signal and detects an angular velocity. The angular velocity detection circuit includes: a self-vibration component extraction unit that receives, from the resonator, a detection signal including an angular velocity component based on a Coriolis force and a self-vibration component based on the excited vibration and extracts the self-vibration component from the detection signal; a direct-current conversion unit including an integration unit that integrates an output signal of the self-vibration component extraction unit; and a temperature characteristic compensation unit that compensates for a variation due to a temperature in an output signal of the direct-current conversion unit.
US08677819B2	In-line fuel properties measurement unit An in-line fuel properties measurement unit (IFPMU) (50) for in-line assembly in a fluid flow path, in particular a fuel flow path of an aircraft, includes a compensator section (58) and a densitometer section (60). The densitometer section is connected in-line with the compensator section such that full fluid flow is seen by each section. The IFPMU further includes a circuit card having tabs or “arms” for electrically interfacing with cylinders of the compensator section, wherein the cylinders include reliefs formed therein to create an air gap between the cylinder and the tab.
US08677815B2	Apparatus for a borehole influx fluid parameters measurement The apparatus for a borehole influx fluid parameters measurement comprises an enclosure open on two adjacent sides and having a poorly deformable heat-insulating rear wall, a cover and side walls made of elastically deformable heat-insulating material. Inside the enclosure a cellular structure of elastically deformable heat-insulating material is mounted with the gap relative to the enclosure's rear wall and having the through cells insulated from one another. Said cells forming the apparatus inlet openings on one side of the cellular structure and on the other side they are connected with the gap, the total area of the inlet openings significantly exceeds the area of the structure side surface they are located at. The transducers for the measurement of the influx fluid parameters are disposed inside the cells.
US08677806B2	Device for controlling leaks and method for operating the same A leak detection system includes a water delivery device having a flow chamber, closing valve member and at least one contact seat for receiving a portion of the closing valve member. A first contact is located on the closing valve member and a second contact is located on the contact seat, where the first and second contacts are coupled to a leak detection circuitry. A water flow detection element is located within the flow chamber, where the leak detection circuitry is configured to be in an inactive mode when the first and second contacts are apart and where the leak detection circuit is set to active when the first and second contacts are in contact with one another, when the closing valve member and contact seat are in a closed arrangement.
US08677797B2	Hollow rack manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus With a first push rod which is to be inserted/removed into/from a steel pipe through an opening at one end and a second push rod which is to be inserted/removed into/from the steel pipe through an opening at the other end, a metal core disposed on a side on which the first push rod is inserted/removed into/from the die assembly is sandwiched and this metal core is stopped from rotating with the first push rod. With the state of stopping the rotation of the first push rod, the metal core is introduced into the steel pipe through the opening at the one end by both the push rods. After the metal core is pressed into the steel pipe while stopped from rotating with the first push rod, this metal core is pushed back by the second push rod.
US08677796B2	Hemmed metal panels, hemming apparatuses, and hemming methods A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range.
US08677794B2	Multi-stand rolling mill of the longitudinal elongator kind for rod-shaped bodies, comprising four-rolls stands, and method for substituting the stands There is described multi-stand rolling mill with stands having four motorized rolls and provided with controls outside the stand and retractile spindles, which comprises a central body with said stands; a first platform (41) on a side charge position carrying the substitution stands; a second platform (42) on a side discharge position, opposite to said side charge position; a transversal translation device (43, 44) adapted to push the substitution stands against the corresponding stands to be substituted on the central body. The stands to be substituted translate on the second platform, and the substitution stands substitute the stands to be substituted in the central body.
US08677793B2	Shaping tool having a rotatable base member A shaping tool as depicted in exemplary FIG. 3 comprising a rotatable base member having at least one profiled bending roller (13) which is mounted on a circular track and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The bending roller (13) arranged on a radially movable slide (11) is movable from a position defining a maximum working aperture for the tool, by means of a spring-loaded lever (9) which has an axial configuration, into a position defining a minimum working aperture for the tool.
US08677785B2	Laundry machine A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, a second laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, and an air supply unit configured to supply air to the second laundry treatment space, the air supply unit comprising a fan, a heating part, a first sensor part for sensing a temperature of air supplied by the air supply unit, and a control part for controlling a temperature of the supplied air to be within a predetermined range.
US08677782B2	Method of making glass including surface treatment with aluminum chloride at or just prior to annealing LEHR This invention relates to a method of making glass. In certain example embodiments, a major surface(s) of the glass is treated with aluminum chloride (e.g., AlCl3) at or just prior to the annealing lehr. The aluminum chloride treatment at or just prior to the annealing lehr, in either a float or patterned line glass making process, is advantageous in that it allows the treatment to be performed at a desirable glass temperature and permits exhaust functions in or proximate the annealing lehr to remove byproducts of the treatment in an efficient manner. In certain example embodiments, the glass may be polished for thinning after the treatment, with the polishing being performed on a major surface of the glass opposite to a major surface which has been treated with aluminum chloride.
US08677781B2	Device and method for piercing enlargement A device and method is provided to enable the enlargement of a piercing to a desired diameter. The device includes a series of units with each unit consisting of a plug body, a front end cap and a rear end cap and each unit increasing in size compared to the previous unit in the series. Each unit is able to securely attach to the previous unit and enable it to push the previous unit out of the piercing as it is pushed into the piercing.
US08677779B2	Air conditioner with series/parallel secondary evaporator and single expansion valve An air conditioning system has one expansion valve supplying refrigerant to two evaporators. A vapor quality of a refrigerant has an initial value at a primary inlet of a primary evaporator, and has a resultant value at the primary outlet. The primary evaporator has a bypass inlet at a first location where the vapor quality of the refrigerant is less than about 80% of the resultant value. A secondary evaporator has a secondary inlet receiving a bypass portion of the metered flow of refrigerant split-off at a second location of the primary evaporator between the first location and the expansion valve. The secondary outlet is connected to the bypass inlet. Thus, cooling can be achieved for two different zones using only one expansion valve.
US08677773B2	Refrigerator having a variable capacity heater Disclosed is a refrigerator that includes a main body having a cooling chamber. The refrigerator also includes a door coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the cooling chamber. The refrigerator further includes a home bar positioned at a front surface of the door and configured to provide access to contents of the refrigerator without opening the door. In addition, the refrigerator includes a heater positioned at the home bar and configured to adjust an amount of heat based on an ambient temperature.
US08677766B2	Radial pre-swirl assembly and cooling fluid metering structure for a gas turbine engine A gas turbine engine comprises a pre-swirl structure coupled to a shaft cover structure and located radially between a supply of cooling fluid and a flow path. The pre-swirl structure defines a flow passage and includes a plurality of swirl members in the flow passage. A flow direction of cooling fluid passing through the flow passage is altered by the swirl members such that the cooling fluid has a velocity component in a direction tangential to the circumferential direction. The bypass passages provide cooling fluid into a turbine rim cavity associated with a first row vane assembly to prevent hot gas ingestion into the turbine rim cavity from a hot gas flow path associated with a turbine section of the engine.
US08677765B2	Gas-turbine combustion chamber with a holding mechanism for a seal for an attachment Gas-turbine combustion chamber with a combustion chamber head made from a metallic material and mounting at least one burner, and with a combustion chamber wall made from a ceramic material, where at least one igniter plug or other combustion chamber attachment is arranged in a recess of the combustion chamber wall, and where in the area of the recess a seal is arranged that is mounted by a metallic holding mechanism from another component than the combustion chamber wall.
US08677763B2	Method and apparatus for gas turbine engine temperature management A turbine engine has a compressor for delivery of compressed air to a combustor. The combustor delivers hot combustion gas through an outlet to a turbine. The turbine includes a nozzle assembly, downstream turbine blades, and shroud assemblies adjacent radially distal ends of turbine rotor blades. The nozzle and shroud assemblies include internal cooling passages for receiving compressed air from the compressor and, cooling air apertures opening through walls of the vanes and shrouds into the hot gas path to release film cooling air. The number of apertures, the aperture area, and the aperture pattern are varied in relation to the circumferential temperature profile of the combustion gas with a higher aperture area and/or higher number of apertures in high temperature regions and a lower aperture area and/or lower number of apertures in low temperature regions.
US08677753B2	System for supplying a working fluid to a combustor A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber. A plurality of fuel injectors are circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve to provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve to the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel injectors, and a fluid passage through the flow sleeve and into the distribution manifold provides fluid communication through the flow sleeve to the plurality of fuel injectors.
US08677750B2	Turbocharger unit with associated auxiliary component, for an internal combustion engine A unit for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger unit and an auxiliary component adjacent to the turbocharger unit and provided with means for connection thereof to the structure of the engine. The auxiliary component has a fluid outlet or inlet arranged immediately adjacent to a fluid inlet or outlet of the turbocharger unit, but not in contact therewith. The unit further includes a cylindrical sealing member, resiliently deformable, having opposite ends sealingly associated respectively to the fluid outlet or inlet of the auxiliary component and to the fluid inlet or outlet of the turbocharger unit.
US08677746B2	Master cylinder and brake booster assembly A brake booster includes a housing, a retention cuff, and a spring. The housing defines a passage to an interior chamber. The retention cuff is positioned in the interior chamber about the passage. The spring engages the retention cuff in the interior chamber. The master cylinder arrangement includes a tube member and a brake fluid reservoir. The tube member includes a first end and a second end. The tube member extends through the passage and the retention cuff such that the first end of the tube member is exposed to the interior chamber of the brake booster. The brake fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the tube member.
US08677742B2	Accumulator with solenoid valve An accumulator includes a canister, a piston, a sleeve, and a solenoid control valve assembly. The canister has an inner surface that defines an interior volume. The piston is slidably disposed within the interior volume of the canister. The piston is located between the inner surface of the canister and an outer surface of the sleeve. The piston divides the interior space into a fluid filled chamber and an air filled chamber. A fluid pathway is created by an outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the canister. The fluid pathway allows fluid from an exterior source to either enter or exit the fluid chamber. The solenoid control valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve biasing member, and a plunger that is slidable within a recess of the valve body.
US08677739B2	Emission control Hydrocarbon traps used to trap then release unburned hydrocarbons upon startup of a spark ignition internal combustion engine are sensitive to degradation if exposed to normal temperature exhaust gases. On board diagnostics of HC traps are provided by the invention, by incorporating a heat sensitive oxygen storage material in the HC trap material, and using conventional determination of OSC efficiency to determine if the HC trap material has been exposed to excessive temperature.
US08677735B2	Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine A control device of an internal combustion engine is provided. A silver-alumina based catalyst device is arranged in an engine exhaust system, and an exhaust gas air-fuel ratio in the catalyst device is made rich to restore the NOX adsorption ability of the catalyst device.
US08677733B2	Ducted fan gas turbine assembly A ducted fan gas turbine assembly has a propulsive fan driven by a core engine. The turbine assembly has an annular bypass duct which receives an airflow from the fan and is bounded on the radially inward side by the core engine and on the radially outward side by an engine nacelle. The turbine assembly has a thrust reverser assembly having a vane arrangement including a first set of turning vanes for channelling airflow from the duct in a rearward direction, a second set of turning vanes for channelling airflow from the bypass duct in a forward direction. The thrust reverser assembly includes a plurality of blocker doors which are deployable to block the bypass duct. The nacelle has stationary and movable cowl portions that cooperate with the thrust reverser assembly to provide several operational configurations.
US08677726B2	Method of making an elevator belt An exemplary method of making a load bearing elevator traction belt includes applying individual coatings of a jacket material to each of a plurality of tension members such that each tension member is individually coated separately from the other tension members. A portion of the individual coatings are joined together to secure the tension members into a desired alignment and to form a single jacket that establishes a geometry of the belt.
US08677723B2	Method for filling dual-chamber systems in pre-sterilizable carrier systems and pre-sterilizable carrier system A method for filling dual-chamber systems in pre-sterilizable carrier systems includes providing at least one washed, siliconized and sterilized dual-chamber system in a magazine. The dual-chamber system includes respective separating elements separating the two chambers from each other. The magazine accommodates at least one dual-chamber system and is arranged in a container that is sealed with a closing element. The method additionally includes introducing the container into a clean room; opening the container and filling a first chamber of the at least one dual-chamber system; and closing the first chamber. The method further includes filling a second chamber of the at least one dual-chamber system; closing the second chamber; and removing the system from the clean room.
US08677720B2	Precast concrete pile with carbon fiber reinforced grid A composite support structure is provided with a plurality of support strands surrounded by a carbon fiber reinforced polymer mesh and surrounded by structural concrete. The support structure provides various advantages in withstanding compressive, tensile, and shear loading.
US08677709B2	Composite exterior siding panel with interlock Disclosed herein is an interlocking siding panel system for securing to the side of a structure with planar surfaces. When the panel is secured to the structure through the nail strip a full contact strip opposite the nail strip lays flat against the structure causing the panel portion below an point of inflection in the panel to raise up off of the structure creating a gap to facilitate movement of moisture past a locking leg that integrates with the panel below.
US08677706B2	Building wall with fluid ducts as energy barriers The invention relates to a wall or roof surface element comprising a temperature barrier layer and an extremely thin external insulating layer. Alternatively, an absorption layer can also be provided on the external side. A building fitted with said type of elements has a positive energy balance.
US08677704B2	Modular wall system Designed for office interior environments and layouts, there is provided a module wall system that comprises a module having a number of cavities and opposite cavities. The modules may include board plates, lateral plates, cover plates, and internal rails that are built to accommodate cables and utilities. The internal rails may be posted throughout the length of such modules and may interconnect with columns. The cavities may have cover plates positioned conveniently to form a structural, functional and decorative composition. The modules are interconnected, structured and fixed with the columns, which can be posted vertically and sitting on feet, to provide better stability. The columns are hollow and fitted with removable column cover for access to wiring or complementary accommodation of decorative objects. Modules may form various convenient work areas or cubicle layouts with functional and aesthetic environments. The columns may have different cross sectional formats, such as the square, triangular, hexagonal, etc. formats shown.
US08677703B2	Articulating corner raised access floor panel An articulating raised access floor panel is provided. The floor panel plate has upper and lower surfaces, four edges defining four corner portions, and a diagonal clear slot positioned at each of the corner portions. A diagonal channel member is connected to the lower surface at each of the corner portions so that the channel member extends axially and parallel with the clear slot. A bar is slidably received in each of the channel members. The bar includes a leveling screw capable of operation through the clear slot so that the plate is capable of vertical adjustment with respect to a pedestal support system.
US08677697B2	Lifting anchor for a concrete slab An anchor for embedment in a concrete slab to provide for the lifting of the slab comprises first and second elongate plates adapted to be arranged in facing relationship for form a composite anchor. Each of the first and second plates has a distal end and a proximate end and at one hole between the distal and proximate ends. The proximate end of each plate has a flange bent outwardly of the outer planer face thereof. The distal end of each plate has laterally projecting feet that are bent laterally of a planar face. The side edges of each of the plates have converging side edges that extend downwardly to the feet.
US08677695B2	Eaves trough detritus deterrent appliance A detritus exclusion appliance includes a support that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. This arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen. Various embodiments are described.
US08677694B2	Roof deflector system A system for separating water from debris. A gutter cover is secured to a gutter and extends to engage the top of the roof adjacent the gutter along a contact line. The gutter cover may have a perforate surface comprising closely spaced and normally water impervious holes through the gutter cover such that water does not flow through the holes unless the water is forced through the holes or attracted through the holes. The line of contact forms an imperfect junction between the edge of the gutter cover and the roof so that water flows through the contact line and beneath the gutter cover.
US08677688B2	Multiseal door, method for sealing an enclosure The invention provides a door system comprising a door leaf having a first horizontally disposed edge and a second horizontally disposed edge inferior to the first horizontally disposed edge; a rod-less cylinder in communication with the first horizontally disposed edge; and a cam surface formed with the second horizontally disposed edge to limit the door to a single plane of movement relative to an opening of an enclosure defining a door jamb.
US08677680B2	Fire ant suppression system The present disclosure illustrates a method, apparatus and system for treating fire ant mounds. One or more aspects comprise a pressure vessel for holding water and steam, a water-heating circuitous pipe network for heating water and a steam-heating circuitous pipe network for heating steam. A heat source contemporaneously heats the water-heating circuitous pipe network, the steam-heating circuitous pipe network and the pressure vessel. Steam is generated, superheated and is supplied to a probe for applying steam to fire ant mounds. A nozzle containing counter-sunken ports may be attached to the probe. A sliding hammer to aid insertion and extraction may be fixed to the probe. An articulated protective shroud attached to the probe remains in contact with the ant mound surface.
US08677678B2	Flying insect trap with attractant ports An insect trap (100) includes an entrapment chamber (110) with an entry structure (140) over one open end. The entry structure includes (i) a lid (142) with a central aperture (144) and one or more peripheral apertures (146); (ii) a tapered guide (150) on one side of the lid, and (iii) a port fixture (160) that extends through the central aperture and engages the tapered guide. The port fixture includes one or more tubular ports (168) that extend through the peripheral apertures, and one or more cartridges (170) that are removably inserted into the tubular ports. The cartridges contain attractant that is exposed to the interior of the attractant chamber when the trap is assembled. The cartridges may be replaced to replenish or replace attractant without removing the entry structure.
US08677674B2	Gun sight A sighting system for a firearm is provided and may include a rear-sight assembly having a rear surface opposing a shooter, a pair of rear-aiming points, and a U-shaped opening disposed between the pair of rear-aiming points. The rear surface may be formed at an angle relative to a top surface of the firearm such that a bottom portion of the rear surface disposed proximate to the top surface of the firearm is farther away from a shooter than a top portion of the rear surface. The sighting system may also include a front-sight assembly including a housing having a front-aiming point, a brightly colored material surrounding the front-aiming point, and a top coat extending over the brightly colored material and the front-aiming point.
US08677667B2	Ambidextrous thumb safety for a handgun Provided herein are an ambidextrous thumb safety and apparatuses for providing the same for a handgun. The ambidextrous thumb safety and apparatuses generally comprise right and left thumb safeties pivotally mounted in opposition to a handgun frame, means for pivotally interconnecting the mounted right and left thumb safeties on the handgun frame and means for initiating pivotal movement of the right and left side plates upon application of a force thereto. Particularly, a secondary pin with a threaded end extends from the sear contact surface on the right thumb safety and is connected to the left thumb safety via a screw at a counterbored hole through the left thumb safety.
US08677664B2	Stock bolt of a firearm equipped with a damping mechanism A bolt (20, 20′) for locking the stock (11) to a receiver (12) of a firearm having mobile masses (13), comprising a tubular element (21) which can be closed at the ends respectively by means of a bolt-body cap (22) which can be screwed to the receiver (12) and by means of a bolt -stock cap (23) on which the stock (11) can be tightened, the tubular element housing in its interior a mechanism (40, 40′) for damping the withdrawal speed of the mobile masses (13) of the firearm, situated on their withdrawal trajectory and equipped with a free end not connected to the mobile masses (13) and destined for coming into contact with the latter during their withdrawal movement following the firing of the firearm for damping the stress.
US08677658B2	Elongated narrow trenching scoop attachment for a backhoe An elongated digging attachment for an excavator, including a recessed main body portion, a connection assembly connected to the main body portion, and a ground engaging portion connected to the main body portion and oppositely disposed from the connection assembly. The recessed main body portion defines a concave curvature, the recessed main body portion and the ground engaging portion define a scoop, and the scoop has an aspect ratio of at least about 1:3.
US08677657B2	Golf shoe outsole The golf shoe outsole of the invention has a generally flexible forward section and a generally hard heel section, each section having a plurality of pod sections molded thereupon, each pod section having at least one cleat attached thereto. and an outer edge or perimeter that is flared quite significantly to provide a greater degree of flexibility and traction with turf, and therefore greater stability and balance to the user.
US08677645B2	Length measuring system The invention relates to a measurement element (1, 11, 17, 26) for a length measuring system (40) in the form of a flexible strip comprising a measurement body (4) that can be scanned using a measuring unit (41) of the respective length measuring system (40). The flexible strip consists of a non-magnetic first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) and a magnetizable second layer (3, 14, 20, 29). The first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) is designed as a strip consisting of a metal material, coated at least in part on one side with the second layer (3, 14, 20, 29), said first layer acting as a support layer for the second layer. The second layer (3, 14, 20, 29) comprises several magnetizable regions that form the measurement body (4).
US08677644B1	Locking wedge gage tool assembly for assault weapon An assault weapon locking wedge gage tool assembly includes a main body portion; at least one limit stop plate assembly connected to the main body portion; an interchangeable locking wedge stop connected to the limit stop plate assembly and configured to engage a locking wedge of a weapon; a moveable gage ball plunger positioned in the limit stop plate assembly and contacting the locking wedge; at least one position indicator operatively connected to the moveable gage ball plunger, wherein the position indicator displays a relative position of the locking wedge with respect to a known position of the locking wedge stop. The assembly includes an interchangeable ring configured around the main body portion.
US08677643B2	Coordinate measurement machines with removable accessories A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and an arm portion having an opposed first and second ends. The arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments that each includes at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the first end, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the speed of light in air. A processor is configured to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a point on the object in response to receiving the position signals and the distance to the object.
US08677636B2	Door installation tool and method In one embodiment, a tool for door installation is described herein including a top part configured to fit onto a top edge of a door using a compression fit and comprising a shim portion having a first shim thickness and a hinge side part configured to fit onto an edge of the door using a compression fit, the hinge side part comprising a shim portion having a second shim thickness. The tool further includes a strike side part configured to fit onto an edge of the door using a compression fit, the strike side part comprising a shim portion having a third shim thickness. The tool also includes a level device attached to one of the parts of the tool.
US08677634B2	Power tools A power tool is provided with a perforated material remover to remove perforated material from power tool cutting implements. The power tool also includes a rip guide which has a long guide edge and two attachment points to the shoe/base of the saw. The rip guide is attached to the base/shoe via a pair of L-shaped openings that accept L-shaped support arms of the rip guide. The rip guide can also be folded for compact storage. The power tool also includes dual bevel scales for quickly and easily setting the bevel angle on the power tool.
US08677633B2	Workpiece guard and blade guard for band saw A hand-held band saw has a handle for grasping the band saw, a motor, a drive wheel driven by the motor, a driven wheel and a continuous blade disposed about the drive wheel and the driven wheel. A portion of the continuous blade is positioned in a cut zone to perform a cutting operation. A workpiece guard is spaced from the continuous blade and positioned generally between the cut zone and the handle for limiting movement of the workpiece after the cutting operation.
US08677631B2	Scissors A pair of scissors includes a pair of plate-shaped blades respectively formed by press working. Each of the blades pairing up with each other includes an edge line portion for sliding against the other blade and a recessed portion which is formed at a portion adjacent to the edge line portion with a difference in level from the edge line portion, which is away from a blade back face of the other blade in a thickness direction, and which has a bottom face substantially parallel to a blade back face of the edge line portion.
US08677630B2	Cutting implement with cartridge A utility knife has a receiving cavity which opens through the body. A cartridge comprising a magazine of blades is removably insertable into the receiving cavity. A carrier within the body is manually operable for receiving a blade from the cartridge and positioning the blade for extension through the opening to present a cutting edge. The cartridge may be released from the utility knife body by depressing a button and withdrawing the cartridge. The cartridge is releasably held in place within the knife body and releasable when the blade carrier is in its retracted position and the release button is depressed. When the thumb button moves the blade carrier into its extended position to expose the knife blade, the cartridge is rendered unreleaseable even if the release button is depressed. The release button, which will enable removal of the magazine when depressed and blade carrier is in its retracted position, also serves to release of the blade from the blade carrier to permit removal of a used blade from the knife body when the blade carrier is in its extended position.
US08677624B2	Ring with outer markings/segments for setting gemstones A ring including a shank having platforms at predetermined locations on an outer surface of the shank, where the platforms identify preferred positions for setting gemstones.
US08677621B2	Method for the repair of a compressor rotor designed in blisk technology With a method for the repair of compressor rotors designed in blisk technology the damaged stage is severed from the rotor, and a new blisk is joined to the rotor by electron-beam welding. For stress relieving the rotor is subjected to local thermal treatment by means of a current produced in the weld area by electro-magnetic induction.
US08677617B2	Printed circuit board edge connector A printed circuit board assembly and method of assembly is provided for a printed circuit board having a top and bottom surface with at least one edge portion having a rounded surface extending from the top surface to a point below the top surface and at least one electrical contact pad located on the top surface and extending over the edge portion rounded surface to a point below the top surface.
US08677613B2	Enhanced modularity in heterogeneous 3D stacks Enhanced modularity in heterogeneous three-dimensional computer processing chip stacks includes a method of manufacture. The method includes preparing a host layer and integrating the host layer with at least one other layer in the stack. The host layer is prepared by forming cavities on the host layer for receiving chips pre-configured with heterogeneous properties relative to each other, disposing the chips in corresponding cavities on the host layer, and joining the chips to respective surfaces of the cavities thereby forming an element having a smooth surface with respect to the host layer and the chips.
US08677605B2	Method for manufacturing sensor unit A method for manufacturing a sensor unit includes the steps of: Step 1 is providing a substrate having sensor unit areas. Each sensor unit area is partitioned into two individual circuit areas. A signal emitting device and a signal detecting device are respectively disposed on the two circuit areas. Step 2 is forming a packaging structure to cover the two circuit areas, the signal emitting device, the signal detecting device, and a cutting area between the two circuit areas using a mold. Step 3 is cutting the packaging structure along the cutting area to form a separation cut groove. Step 4 is assembling a separation member onto each sensor unit area. The separation member is disposed on the separation cut groove so that the signal emitting device and the signal detecting device on the same sensor unit area are isolated from each other.
US08677600B2	Methods of dispensing and making porous material with growth enhancing element Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of dispensing a porous material and to a method of making a porous material insert for various plant grow pots, plant bowls, and plant baskets, the porous material insert including a growth enhancing element integrated with and dispersed throughout the insert.
US08677595B2	Method of making retractable pipe and product thereof A method of making retractable pipe, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (1) preparing a pipe body which comprises an outer pipe and an inner pipe; providing a handle seat and a handle button on the outer pipe; providing a handle actuation means inside the handle seat; providing a push rod assembly, a locking block, a sliding block and a reset spring at the handle actuation means; (2) providing a guiding groove and locking troughs on the inner pipe, and arranging locking troughs on the inner pipe; (3) providing a fixing sleeve inside the handle seat; providing raised guiding rails on the fixing sleeve; the raised guiding rails are slidably inserted in the guiding groove; the sliding block forces a locking tongue to fit into the locking trough to lock the retractable pipe. A retractable pipe made by the above method is also disclosed.
US08677591B2	Methods and system for disassembling a machine A system and methods for disassembling a machine is provided. The machine includes a casing including a plurality of arcuate channels defined therein. The system includes a reaction bridge configured to couple to a casing, the reaction bridge including a first leg, a second leg and a support beam extending therebetween, a force device including an actuator and a connecting rod extending therefrom, wherein the force device is coupled to the reaction bridge support beam. The force device is configured to apply a force to an end of a segment positioned in one of the casing channels. The system also includes a clevis assembly coupled to the connecting rod, wherein the clevis assembly is configured to engage the segment to facilitate removal of the segment from the rotary machine.
US08677583B2	Machine tool Machine tool (11) comprises spindle supporting side structure (13) erected on a floor surface for supporting spindle (15) having tool (T) mounted thereon and work supporting side structure (17) erected on the floor surface in opposition to spindle supporting side structure (13) for supporting work (W), and is used to machine the work by relative motion of tool (T) and work (W). An upper end of spindle supporting side structure (13) and an upper end of work supporting side structure (17) are connected to interconnection member (41).
US08677581B2	Deep rolling machine for crankshafts The invention regards a deep rolling machine (2) for crankshafts (5) with several deep rolling units (3) in a scissor-type configuration that are attached to the deep rolling machine (2) in the direction of the axis of rotation (4) of the crankshaft (5) with respective lateral distances (6) one besides another in a way that they can swivel thanks to the fact that some deep rolling devices (3) are intended for the deep rolling of main bearing journals (14) and other deep rolling units (3) are intended for the deep rolling of the pin bearing journals of the crankshaft (5) and that the deep rolling units (3) carry at the outer ends of their two scissor-type arms respectively one deep roller head (11) and a supporting roller head (9) that, together, form a deep rolling tool (3) where the deep rolling tool (10) along the scissor-type arms has a distance from the fastening point of the deep rolling unit (3) to the deep rolling machine (2) that is long when compared to the ratio between the width (7) of the scissor-type arms and their length. At least one of the deep rolling units (3) intended for the deep rolling of the main bearing journals (14) or of the pin bearing journals features a device (8) that enters into contact with the crankshaft (5) when the deep rolling unit (3) is in its working position, and that stabilizes the deep rolling unit (3) in the direction of the axis of rotation (4) of the crankshaft (5).
US08677571B2	Hose clamp with rippled spring liner An improved hose clamp having an annular band having an inner face, tensioning means, and an annular spring liner; the spring liner having a circumferential shoulder near an edge of the liner; and a central, cylindrical, rippled, contact portion of smaller circumference than the shoulder, and of smaller width than the inner face of the band. The shoulder is adapted to abut the inner face and the contact portion is adapted to contact a hose or other article to be clamped. The ripples may be symmetric, for example, sinusoidal, or asymmetric, such as saw-tooth shaped.
US08677566B2	Hinge for doors or wings A hinge for wings or doors, in particular for electrical household appliances, comprises a first element (2) and a second element (3) pivoted to each other and movable relative to each other in tilting fashion, a connecting lever (5) between the elements (2, 3), the lever (5) pivoting on the first element (2), the second element (3) being box-shaped and comprising inside it a spring (7) connected to the lever (5) by a drive rod (8) which can slide at least partly inside the second box-shaped element (3) itself.
US08677565B2	Hinge for doors of domestic appliances such as ovens, dishwashers or the like A hinge for appliances includes a lever and a box-shaped body having a bottom wall and two side walls. The lever and the body, one of which is fixable to a frame of the appliance and the other to a door, are tiltably hinged to each other by a first pin to make the door movable between open and closed positions. The hinge includes an elastic mechanism located at least partly inside the body for producing an elastic reaction force which opposes opening of the door, a connecting rod hinged to a first end of the lever, a tie rod hinged to the connecting rod and connected to the elastic mechanism, and a pivot pin for the tie rod and the connecting rod, slidable with its ends in respective guides formed in the side walls of the body when the door is opened and closed.
US08677561B2	Automatic door closure unit The present invention relates to an automatic door closer including: a main housing having the shape of a cylinder; a damper housing adapted to divide the interior of the main housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and having oil charged thereinto and a fixed vane formed at one side of the inner peripheral surface thereof in such a manner as to be projected toward the center thereof; a cover fixedly coupled to the upper periphery of the main housing; an activating shaft having one end extended to the outside through the cover in such a manner as to be rotatably supported and the other end rotatably supported against the bottom surface of the main housing through the damper housing; a rotary vane formed integrally to the outer periphery of the activating shaft so as to divide the interior of the damper housing into first and second chambers, together with the fixed vane; a return spring adapted to provide a returning force of returning the activating shaft to an initial setting position at the time when the door is closed; and damping means adapted to selectively provide a damping function if the activating shaft and the rotary vane are rotated in a closing direction of the door.
US08677560B2	Door closer, particularly for glass doors A door closer for doors, particularly glass doors, which are supported by a stationary support structure and are movable between an open door position and a closed door position. The door closer comprises a box-shaped body and a pin reciprocally coupled to rotate around a first axis between the open door position and the closed door position. A closing mechanism causes the door to return automatically and a braking mechanism counteracts the action of the closing mechanism. First and second cam elements are unitary with the pin and interposed between a first and second plunger elements acting thereon.
US08677557B2	Vacuum cleaner receptacle A vacuum cleaner canister includes a mechanism cooperable with the canister inlet duct to divide the canister into an upper zone of high velocity vortex air flow and a lower zone of reduced velocity air flow so as to reduce the likelihood of recycling particles through the vacuum cleaner filters. The inlet duct is positioned below the filters. The duct redirects air flow downwardly from the inlet port into the canister and a baffle redirects the downward flow to a circumferential flow.
US08677555B1	Spill clean-up system and method A mobile cleaning system to be used for cleaning organic liquids from a hard surface includes tanks for storing water, and for storing used, dirty water after cleanup. A water-based cleaner is sprayed onto the spill, which can be, but need not be, done in connection with the cleanup system. The system then sprays heated fresh water under high pressure onto the spill. A high throughput vacuum system removes the hot water and the spill materials concurrently as the hot water is applied to the treated area. The vacuumed liquids are stored in an on-board tank for later disposal.
US08677546B1	Luffa sponge with rope handles In implementations of the present disclosure, one or more ropes can be inserted along the length of one or more natural openings of a luffa to create a luffa sponge having rope handles.
US08677535B2	Patient support apparatus with storable egress handles A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck supported by the frame and capable of moving relative to the frame. The patient support apparatus further includes an egress unit coupled to the deck to move between an egress position and a storage position relative to the barrier. The egress unit may include electronic controls to limit movement of various portions of the egress unit.
US08677529B2	Surgery table apparatus A surgery table utilizing first and second sections which are hingedly attached to one another. First and second sections are also connected to supports apart from the hinged portion. An elevator moves one of the sections upwardly and downwardly at the support. The resultant position of the frame formed by the first and second sections may take the configuration of a flat surface or an upwardly or downwardly oriented “vee”.
US08677528B2	Bed siderail having hand hygiene apparatus A siderail system of a patient support apparatus includes a siderail having a siderail opening formed therein. A sanitizer container is positioned within the siderail opening. The sanitizer container contains a sanitizer substance therein.
US08677527B2	Portable playyard with a storage unit A portable playyard comprises: a playyard frame having two opposite upper side rails and an upper end rail; a crossing rod bridging the upper side rails; a flexible bottom wall mounted to a bottom side of the playyard frame; a flexible surrounding wall unit mounted to the playyard frame and including two opposite side walls and an end wall; a flexible partitioning wall connected to the playyard frame, trained on the crossing rod and having a vertical wall portion extending downwardly from the crossing rod, the vertical wall portion cooperating with the end wall to define a chamber therebetween; and at least one flexible shelf disposed in the chamber and connected to and cooperating with the partitioning wall to define a storage compartment therebetween.
US08677524B2	Bed and combining method A movable part which combines with a stationary part to form a bed includes: a contact sensor (50); wheels (44) rotatable in all directions; a body drive unit (31) which drives the wheels (44); an avoidance instruction unit (51) which generates an avoidance instruction according to a result of detection by a contact sensor (50); a rotation center setting unit (52) which sets a rotation center Q2 for the avoidance instruction; an avoidance instruction translation unit (54) which translates the avoidance instruction and the rotation center Q2 into a move instruction; and a position detection unit (34) which detects a positional relationship to a docking area (20), and the rotation center setting unit (52) sets the rotation center according to the positional relationship detected by the position detection unit (34).
US08677523B2	Bed and wheelchair A wheelchair includes a seating bottom portion, a chair back bottom support member supporting a chair back bottom member, and a chair knee bottom support member supporting a chair knee bottom member. A chair leg first bottom support member is bendably coupled to the chair knee bottom support member. The chair leg first bottom support member supports a chair leg first bottom member, a chair leg second bottom support member is bendably coupled to the chair leg first bottom support member, and the chair leg second bottom support member supports a chair leg second bottom member. A chair base portion bendably couples the chair back bottom support member and the chair knee bottom support member and supports a chair waist bottom member, a first link portion coupling the chair back bottom support member and the chair knee bottom support member, and a second link portion coupling the chair back bottom support member and the chair leg first bottom support member to each other. The wheelchair forms a bed capable of being changed to a knee lifting posture when being combined with a bed main body portion.
US08677521B2	Shower floor formers A former creates a sloping profile for waste-water run off below a waterproof floor covering of a shower area. The former is made of a molded or cast plastics material and has sloping surfaces converging to define an integral linear drainage trough having upstanding side walls and a base, the base of the trough containing at least one predefined drainage hole for connection to a shower waste. The former may be covered with a flexible waterproof floor covering, the covering placed between the sides of the trough and a support frame, and retained in position by fasteners through the frame and trough. A perforated drainage cover is mounted on and secured to the support frame by fasteners.
US08677516B2	Helmet bracket A headgear bracket for mounting night vision goggles includes a base having a fastener recess and a fastener opening within the fastener recess, the fastener opening having a beveled perimeter. A fastener is insertable into the fastener opening, the fastener including a head, a tapered neck extending from the head, and a body extending from the neck. When the fastener is inserted into the opening, the tapered neck abuts the beveled perimeter of the fastener opening.
US08677515B2	Article of apparel incorporating a covered electronic device An article of apparel is disclosed that includes a covered electronic device. The apparel is at least partially formed from a material element that defines an aperture. The electronic device is locatable within the aperture and secured to the material element. A material covers the electronic device such that the electronic device cannot be seen. Upon activation of the electronic device, the readout is seen through the material. The electronic device may be a timing device, such as a watch, or a global positioning system unit. The apparel may be a wristband formed from a textile material or any of a variety of other types of apparel.
US08683601B2	Audio/video identification watermarking The invention is directed to marking audio/video (A/V) signals for use in tracing content to a source. An ID controller captures an A/V synchronization fingerprint from a master A/V signal, stores the fingerprint in a data store, and provides signals to an ID encoder to have encoded an identifier into a copy of the master A/V signal. The identifier is encoded to be persistent through actions such as capture, compression, and/or transcoding. In one embodiment, the identifier is encoded as a bit sequence, where each bit is encoded using an encoding technique that is hereinafter called a Mississippi encoding technique. The encoded identifier within the copied A/V signal may later be determined by extracting the fingerprint and comparing it to the stored fingerprint to determine the identifier. The identifier may then be used to trace a source of the copied A/V signal.
US08683588B2	Method of and apparatus for monitoring for security threats in computer network traffic A method of and apparatus for monitoring for security threats in computer network traffic is disclosed. The method comprises operating computer processing means to carry out the steps of: monitoring traffic between a network to be protected and a second network, through a first gateway; in response to determining traffic between the network to be protected and a new host in the second network, accessing the new host through a second gateway; and comparing traffic between the network to be protected and the new host through the first gateway with traffic between the computer processing means and the new host through the second gateway, to detect an anomaly therebetween. The apparatus comprising the computer processing means, the computer processing means programmed and operable to carry out the method.
US08683572B1	Method and apparatus for providing continuous user verification in a packet-based network A system and method of authenticating a user of a data network which inserts control information into certain data packets being sent over the network. The control information is user-specific, including such items as user identity, password, originating CPU, or biometric information. Inserting the control information into data packets transmitted during the entire session permits continuous authentication.
US08683571B2	System and method for authentication of users in a secure computer system A system and method for authenticating a user in a secure computer system. A client computer transmits a request for a sign-on page, the secure computer system responds by transmitting a prompt for a first user identifier, and the client computer transmits a request including a first identifier, a second identifier stored in an object stored at the client computer and a plurality of request header attributes. A server module authenticates the first and second user identifiers, and compares the transmitted plurality of request header attributes with request header attributes stored at the computer system and associated with the first and second user identifiers. If the first and second user identifiers are authenticated, and if a predetermined number of transmitted request header attributes match stored request header attributes, the server software module transmits a success message, and the user is allowed to access the secure computer system.
US08683561B2	Fixed client identification system for positive identification of client to server A tamperproof ClientID system to uniquely identify a client machine is invoked upon connection of a client application to a backend. Upon initial connection, the backend issues a unique ClientID containing a checksum. The client application prepares at least two different scrambled versions of the ClientID and stores them in respective predetermined locations on the client machine. Upon subsequent connection to the backend, the client application retrieves and unscrambles the values at the two locations, verifies the checksums and compares the values. If the checksums are both correct and the values match, the ClientID value is sent to the backend, otherwise the client application sends an error code.
US08683559B2	Method and system of serving subscribed contents from multiple sources via a global communications network A computer implemented method and system for, via a global communications network, serving subscribed contents from various subscribed content sources to end users without the need of end users subscribing and signing in at each individual subscribed content source. An embodiment system of present invention may use pre-stored access credentials specific to the embodiment system for fetching the requested subscribed contents from various subscribed content sources. The embodiment system may remove the aforementioned access credentials when forwarding the fetched subscribed contents to corresponding requesting end users. The end users may be served according to their viewing credits and other permissions. The viewing credits of end users may be adjusted according to the served subscribed contents. Before being forwarded to end users, the fetched subscribed contents may be amended according to the present invention to facilitate end users for requesting further subscribed contents to be served by the embodiment system.
US08683542B1	Concealment of errors in HTTP adaptive video sets A system including one or more stream sources and a stream controller. The one or more stream sources may be configured to generate a plurality of input streams containing a given content at a plurality of bitrates, a plurality of resolutions, or a plurality of bitrates and resolutions. The stream controller may be configured to generate a plurality of output streams in response to the plurality of input streams. The stream controller may be further configured to (i) determine when one of the plurality of input streams becomes invalid, (ii) switch generation of an output stream associated with the invalid input stream from the invalid input stream to a valid one of the plurality of input streams, and (iii) when the invalid input stream becomes valid again, switch the generation of the output stream back to the now valid input stream.
US08683531B2	Digital broadcasting method According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a digital data stream is divided into at least two complementary digital substreams and delayed in time. The first digital substream and the second digital substream are transmitted by the broadcasting systems with a time offset in accordance with the broadcasting principle such that any receiver can use the respectively intact part of the other complementary digital substream in order to ensure a seamless media reception when a break in the transmission or reception occurs.
US08683529B2	Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system The present invention provides a method of processing data. The method of processing data includes receiving a broadcasting signal where mobile service data are multiplexed with main service data, extracting transmission-parameter-channel signaling information and fast-information-channel signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data; obtaining first program table information describing virtual channel information of an ensemble and a service provided by the ensemble using the fast-information-channel signaling information, the ensemble the ensemble corresponding to a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, obtaining information indicating that second program table information, which describes an additional service provided by the ensemble, is included in the ensemblem and parsing the second program table information according to the obtained information; and providing the additional service by using the second program table information.
US08683510B1	IP-based television messaging services Architecture for the delivery of IP-based messages from wired and/or wireless devices to a television system. The means for delivery can be via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology. The message is processed through a messaging system that obtains a mapping of a message address to an IPTV address, and routes the message to an IPTV network for delivery the desired television system for presentation. Messaging can be via SMS (short message service) for textual content, MMS (multimedia messaging service) for multimedia content, or other messaging technologies, such as instant messaging, an e-mail, for example. Optionally, the message from the user device can include a request for confirmation of delivery of the message to the television. The confirmation can then be routed back over an IP data network to the user device and presented to the user.
US08683506B2	Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US08683490B2	Computer system events interface A computer system events interface is described. In embodiment(s), the computer system events interface includes event indicators that each indicate a past computer event. An event indicator is selectable to initiate an information display pertaining to a corresponding past computer event. The computer system events interface can also include additional event indicators that each indicate a future computer event. An additional event indicator is selectable to initiate a configuration interface from which a corresponding future computer event can be modified. The computer system events interface can also include current event indicators that each indicate a current computer event. A current event indicator is also selectable to initiate a configuration interface from which corresponding current computer events can be modified.
US08683484B2	Intelligently pre-placing data for local consumption by workloads in a virtual computing environment Methods and apparatus involve intelligently pre-placing data for local consumption by workloads in a virtual computing environment. Access patterns of the data by the workload are first identified. Based thereon, select data portions are migrated from a first storage location farther away the workload to a second storage location closer the workload. Migration also occurs at a time when needed by the workload during use. In this manner, bandwidth for data transmission is minimized. Latency effects created by consumption of remotely stored data is overcome as well. In various embodiments, a data vending service and proxy are situated between a home repository of the data and the workload. Together they serve to manage and migrate the data as needed. Data recognition patterns are disclosed as is apportionment of the whole of the data into convenient migration packets. De/Encryption, (de)compression, computing systems and computer program products are other embodiments.
US08683482B2	Computer system for balancing access load of storage systems and control method therefor Provided is a control method for a computer system including one or more host computers, one or more storage systems, and a management computer. The storage system includes a plurality of controllers connected to the host computers through a network, and one or more logical volumes for storing data used by the host computers. At least one of the logical volumes is assigned to at least one of the controllers. According to the control method, when performance information of a controller exceeds a predetermined threshold, the logical volume assigned to the controller is assigned to another controller other than the controller. Thus, access loads on a storage system used in a network environment are balanced.
US08683481B2	Resource allocation for a plurality of resources for a dual activity system Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for resource allocation of a plurality of resources for a dual activity system by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, each of the activities may be started at a static quota. The resource boundary may be increased for a resource request for at least one of the dual activities until a resource request for an alternative one of the at least one of the dual activities is rejected. In response to the rejection of the resource request for the alternative one of the at least one of the dual activities, a resource boundary for the at least one of the dual activities may be reduced, and a wait after decrease mode may be commenced until a current resource usage is one of less than and equal to the reduced resource boundary.
US08683478B2	Best fit mapping of self-virtualizing input/output device virtual functions for mobile logical partitions A virtual function mapping process, which is capable of being used in connection with the migration of a logical partition to a target system, creates candidate lists for virtual functions assigned to the logical partition, which are populated with candidate physical ports from a target system that are capable of being mapped to such virtual functions. Candidate physical ports are assigned weights based upon their suitability to be mapped to a particular virtual function, and as candidate physical ports are selected for virtual functions, weights for other candidate physical ports for other virtual functions are recalculated to reflect the impact of the selection of candidate physical ports on the suitability of the remaining physical ports for other virtual functions.
US08683472B2	Adjusting thread priority to optimize computer system performance and the utilization of computer system resources The present invention optimizes the utilization of computer system resources by considering predefined performance targets of multithreaded applications using the resources. The performance and utilization information for a set of multithreaded applications is provided. Using the performance and utilization information, the invention determines overutilized resources. Using the performance information, the invention also identifies threads and corresponding applications using an overutilized resource. The priority of the identified threads using said overutilized resource is adjusted to maximize a number of applications meeting their performance targets. The adjustments of priorities are executed via a channel that provides the performance and utilization information.
US08683470B2	Scalable thread locking with customizable spinning Embodiments described herein are directed to dynamically controlling the number of spins for a selected processing thread among a plurality of processing threads. A computer system tracks both the number of waiting processing threads and each thread's turn, wherein a selected thread's turn comprises the total number of waiting processing threads after the selected thread's arrival at the processor. Next, the computer system determines, based the selected thread's turn, the number of spins that are to occur before the selected thread checks for an available thread lock. The computer system also, based on the selected thread's turn, changes the number of spins, such that the number of spins for the selected thread is a function of the number of waiting processing threads and processors in the computer system.
US08683466B2	System and method for generating a virtual desktop A technique for composing a virtual desktop associated with one or more applications in a virtualized computing environment. The technique includes generating file system level metadata in the desktop image for applications that create a perception that data blocks in the desktop image have been allocated to applications, but not actually copying any of the application data into the allocated blocks. Instead, the technique builds a mapping table between disk block numbers and the application data, which can be stored in a separate application store. The disclosed techniques provide a more efficient way to compose a virtual desktop, compared to current virtual desktop adoption techniques.
US08683463B2	Portable terminal device and reception method for simultaneously displaying applications When data received separately in first and second reception processing is processed separately by first and second application programs, and when data received by the first reception processing contains specific data specifying processing by the second application program, and the specific data has regional properties, the current region where the second application program is executed is judged, and if the region does not match a region to which processing specified by the specific data belongs, the content specified by the specific data is converted based on data in a predetermined table, and processing is executed by the second application program. Accordingly, two application programs can be linked in a mobile phone unit or other terminal devices, and problems when executing one application with regional properties under control of the other application can be resolved.
US08683462B2	Handling calls to native code in a managed code environment Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, provide a technique for handling calls to native code in a managed code environment. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of: loading, in a managed code environment operating on one or more data processing apparatus, code of an application and code of an extension, wherein the loading includes loading the code of the extension into a first domain and loading the code of the application into a second domain, the first domain being different than the second domain; receiving, through an application program interface (API) of the managed code environment, a call to a function of native program code corresponding to an identified computing platform; allowing the call when the call arises from the first domain; and disallowing the call when the call arises from the second domain.
US08683456B2	Test partitioning for a non-volatile memory Systems and methods are provided for testing a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory. The non-volatile memory may be virtually partitioned into a test region and a general purpose region. A test application may be stored in the general purpose region, and the test application can be executed to run a test of the memory locations in the test region. The results of the test may be stored in the general purpose region. At the completion of the test, the test results may be provided from the general purpose region and displayed to a user. The virtual partitions may be removed prior to shipping the electronic device for distribution.
US08683455B1	Method and system for optimizing an executable program by selectively merging identical program entities A system and method for optimizing the object code of a computer program is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more object code units from the memory; identifying first and second identical program entities in the one or more object code units, wherein each program entity has an object code segment and an associated address; updating the one or more object code units by merging the first identical program entity with the second identical program entity if neither of the first and second program entities is subject to an operation on the respective program entity's address; and linking the updated one or more object code units into an executable program.
US08683451B1	System and method for translating software code A system and method for generating test code software utilized by a test system for testing a circuit card assembly is provided. A translator provides an automatic translation of a test code from a first computer language to a second computer language. One or more pinmap documents are provided to map the pins of the circuit card assembly.
US08683449B2	Automated parallel software code impact analysis A server device is configured to receive a request to identify a manner in which changed code propagates within an application; generate a group of blocks that correspond to code associated with a parent function corresponding to the application and which includes the changed code; perform an intra-procedural analysis on the group of blocks to identify a block that is affected by the changed code included within an epicenter block; perform an inter-procedural analysis on functions associated with the block, where, when performing the inter-procedural analysis, the server device is to generate another group of blocks associated with the functions, and identify another block that is affected by the changed code included within the epicenter block; and present, for display, information associated with the block or the other block that enables the application to be tested based on the block or the other block.
US08683442B2	Software test case generation from a partial design model A method allows for testing software under test (SUT) with respect to a partial design model (PDM) having a boundary which differs from a boundary of the SUT. The method includes recording input information including the SUT, the PDM, and coverage criteria defining a required number of the test cases. Variables in the SUT are identified that correspond to boundary signals for the PDM. Test cases are extracted meeting the coverage criteria. The method may include generating additional test cases at the PDM level and mapping the additional cases with corresponding constraint functions to the boundary of the SUT using a forward/backward propagation and/or heuristics guided technique. A system for testing the SUT includes a host machine and memory. The host machine executes process instructions from memory to identify variables in the SUT that correspond to boundary signals for the PDM, and extracts test cases meeting the coverage criteria.
US08683439B2	System and process for debugging object-oriented programming code leveraging preprocessors A process and system for debugging of a computer program, is provided. One implementation involves including mark-up information into source code of the application program, generating a debug-enabled version of the computer program including debugging methods based on the mark-up information, and providing the debug-enabled version of the program computer to a debugger for debugging purposes using the debugging methods.
US08683438B2	System, computer program product and method for comparative debugging A method, computer program product, and computing device for initiating a first instance of an application to be debugged. A second instance of the application to be debugged is initiated. A common command is simultaneously executed on the first and second instances of the application to be debugged.
US08683436B2	Timer patterns for process models The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing timers for tasks of process models. In one aspect, an input representative of a temporal constraint for a task of a graph-process model may be received. The temporal constraint defines at least one of a delay or a deadline. The task may be associated with the temporal constraint created based on the received input. The temporal constraint defined to have a placement at the graph-process model based on the type of temporal constraint. The task and the temporal constraint may be provided to configure the process model. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are described.
US08683433B2	Adaptive change management in computer system landscapes An adaptive automatic change management for computer system landscapes is described herein. A predefined set of attributes are extracted or obtained for a computer system artifact, together with a number of values assigned to the set of attributes. A unique identification section is created and distributed among the computer systems in the landscape based on the set of attributes and the assigned values, where the unique identification section encompass computer system artifacts of a same kind. A modification of an artifact of the same kind is tracked at a computer system. The tracked modification is automatically applied in the computer system to one or more incoming computer system artifacts of the same kind.
US08683412B1	Method and system for optimizing placement of I/O element nodes of an I/O ring for an electronic design Disclosed are improved methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing an I/O ring arrangement for an electronic design. Corner packing is one approach that can be taken to optimizing an I/O ring. Stacking of I/O components provides another approach for optimizing an I/O ring.
US08683400B1	System and method for fault sensitivity analysis of mixed-signal integrated circuit designs A apparatus and method for conducting fault sensitivity analysis of the analog portions of a mixed signal circuit design includes simulating the fault free circuit design, inserting a fault into the analog portion of the circuit design, simulating the circuit design with the fault during a fault interval time period, and determining whether the fault is detectable.
US08683367B1	Method and system for differentiating among a plurality of design expressions A method for differentiating between variations of an apparatus design is provided. The method includes digitally characterizing at least two aspects of a first expression wherein the at least two aspects include at least logical data and physical data relating to the first expression, and digitally characterizing the at least two next aspects of at least one next expression other than the first expression wherein the at least two next aspects include at least logical data and physical data relating to the at least one next design expression. The method further includes identifying selected differences between the at least two aspects and the at least two next aspects and displaying the first expression and at least one of the at least one next expression in a visual display wherein the selected differences are presented using at least one visually identifiable distinction.
US08683366B2	Field device with means for performing diagnostic methods A field device is able to diagnose a broad spectrum of possible faults and/or states, and includes: structure for performing user defined, diagnostic methods; which has an input circuit, via which at least one input variable is fed to the structure; which has an evaluation unit, which serves for deriving, on the basis of at least one input variable selected by the user and at least one evaluating method selected by the user, at least one characterizing variable; which has a monitoring unit, which monitors the derived characterizing variables on the basis of monitoring criteria selected by the user; and which has an output unit, which, upon the meeting of a monitoring criterion, outputs a diagnosis associated with such monitoring criterion; and an interface, via which a user selects the input variables for each user defined diagnostic method, selects the evaluating methods to apply to the input variables, selects the monitoring criteria, and specifies the diagnosis.
US08683361B2	Presentation of headers for groups of locations in an electronic library The presentation of headers for groups of locations in a library comprising a collection of locations is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises receiving a request to organize a library into groups according to a selected property, and organizing the locations into groups such that locations within a selected group have a common value of the selected property. If the common value of the selected property for the selected group corresponds to an object distinct from the locations in the group, then a first type of group header configured to accept a first set of user inputs associated with the header is displayed. Otherwise, a second type of group header configured to accept a second, different set of user inputs is displayed.
US08683358B2	Application element group operations allowing duplication while preserving interdependent logic In one embodiment, an application design method includes identifying one or more application objects selected by a user when designing an application and identifying dependencies associated with the selected objects. The method further includes duplicating the selected objects and the associated dependencies. In another embodiment, the one or more objects comprise at least one of a valuator, an input and an output.
US08683355B1	Chat space system and method A chat space system is provided. The chat space system comprises at least one computer system and a chat space application that when executed on at least one computer system receives a plurality of audio recordings, at least some of the audio recordings formatted to initiate one of a plurality of chat themes and the other audio recordings associated with one of the chat themes, converts a chat theme audio title contained in each of the audio recordings formatted to initiate one of the chat themes to a chat theme text title and stores the audio recordings according to chat themes. In response to receiving a request from a first device for a list of chat themes, retrieves the chat theme text titles from storage and transmits the chat theme text titles to the first device. In response to receiving a request from a second device for a summary of a first one of the chat themes, retrieves an initial portion of a selection of the audio recording formatted to initiate the first one of the chat themes and the audio recordings associated with the first chat theme from storage and transmits to the second device the initial portion of the selection of the audio recording formatted to initiate the first one of the chat themes and the audio recordings associated with the first chat theme.
US08683344B2	Link clouds and user/community-driven dynamic interlinking of resources A network-based communication and information discovery solution that pertains to network-accessible resources and the use of interlinks among resources. In one embodiment, dynamic interlinking of resources is proposed, wherein the resources reside in a web-based system and are accessible via web-clients. The resources can be representable by an administrator in a graph-like structure interlinking the resources with each other and thus defining a navigation model. An extended navigation model can be implemented by a user-generated, personal or collaborative interlinking functionality.
US08683334B2	System and method for sharing access to service provider controls and subscriber profile data across multiple applications in a user interactive system A control system and method is described having a framework in which many applications in a user interaction system (UIS) can share common data regardless of which application obtained the data and all without prior knowledge of the other applications. The shared data is typically personal data of the current user, such as name, location, preferences, etc. However, the system can also be used to share style sheets, announcements, etc., that can be utilized by multiple applications. The data is stored in a standardized manner in a location available to any application. Application's have access to the data based upon user privileges at any particular time.
US08683325B1	Indexed approach for delivering multiple views of an XML document from a single XSLT file A method is provided. The method includes (1) placing, within a common style file, definitions of each of a plurality of transformations for displaying the contents of a data file, wherein the definitions of at least two of the transformations are different from each other, (2) encoding, within a display file, instructions for (a) providing a user with a choice to select a particular transformation and (b) causing the contents of a data file to be displayed according to a transformation selected by a user, and (3) distributing the style file and the display file to a user. Related methods are also provided, as well as data structure, encoded in a computer-readable storage medium, for use in practicing these methods.
US08683322B1	Method, system and computer program product for structuring unstructured data originating from uncontrolled web application In some embodiments, communications in a private network are programmatically inspected to identify traffic associated with uncontrolled Web applications originating from outside of the private network. Unstructured data, including messages and application content, originating from such uncontrolled Web Applications may be disassembled, analyzed, and categorized into application element types. In some embodiments, these application element types may be source specific. An example of a source would be a social networking site operating on a public network such as the Internet. The application element types thus generated can then be utilized in a variety of ways to facilitate the entity operating the private network to, for instance, control, monitor, archive, categorize, and moderate communications between its users and social networking sites operating outside the entity's private network.
US08683320B2	Processing module, a device, and a method for processing of XML data For processing of XML data by use of a finite state automaton, the XML data is based on a predetermined XML schema and the finite state automaton has states and transitions being arranged based on the predetermined XML schema. In the finite state automaton, at least one of the transitions of the finite state automaton, which refers to an element or attribute of the XML schema, has a variable length binary code, the variable length binary code being arranged to code the element or attribute of the XML schema. An improved handling of XML data in several systems or devices of several technical areas is provided, wherein saving of memory resources and processing resources or costs in the systems and devices is enabled.
US08683312B2	Inter-document links involving embedded documents Systems and methods provide a mechanism to create and traverse inter-document links involving embedded documents. One aspect of the systems and methods includes creating and traversing inter-document links to and from documents that are embedded in a host document. A further aspect of the systems and methods includes creating and traversing inter-document links to an from documents that may be embedded at more than one level in an embedded document hierarchy. A still further aspect of the systems and methods includes creating and traversing inter-document links from a first document to an embedded document in a second document.
US08683301B2	Error correction coding for recovering multiple packets in a group in view of limited bandwidth Coded video data may be transmitted between an encoder and a decoder using multiple FEC codes and/or packets for error detection and correction. Only a subset of the FEC packets need be transmitted between the encoder and decoder. The FEC packets of each FEC group may take, as inputs, data packets of a current FEC group and also an untransmitted FEC packet of a preceding FEC group. Due to relationships among the FEC packets, when transmission errors arise and data packets are lost, there remain opportunities for a decoder to recover lost data packets from earlier-received FEC groups when later-received FEC groups are decoded. This opportunity to recover data packets from earlier FEC groups may be useful in video coding and other systems, in which later-received data often cannot be decoded unless earlier-received data is decoded properly.
US08683298B2	Error detection/correction based memory management The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for error detection/correction based memory management. One embodiment includes performing a read operation with respect to a particular group of memory cells of a memory device and, if the read operation results in an uncorrectable error, determining whether to retire the particular group of memory cells in response to a status of an indicator corresponding to the particular group of memory cells, wherein the status of the indicator indicates whether the particular group of memory cells has a previous uncorrectable error associated therewith.
US08683290B2	Save area for retaining corrected data Disclosed herein is a nonvolatile memory, including: a memory area including a data area configured to retain data and an error correction code area configured to retain an error correction code known as ECC; and a control unit configured to control access to the memory area. The control unit includes an error detection and correction function configured to detect an error in the data read from the data area and to correct the detected error, at least one save area configured such that if data at a designated address and ECC corresponding thereto are read from the memory area and if an error is detected, then the save area retaining the address and correct data corresponding thereto, and a validity presentation block configured to indicate whether or not the address and the correct data retained in the save area are valid.
US08683286B2	Storing data in a dispersed storage network A method begins for a first group of data segments by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module selecting a first vault parameter set from a plurality of vault parameter sets and generating a first plurality of sets of slice names for a first plurality of sets of encoded slices in accordance with the first vault parameter set. The method continues for a second group of data segments with the DS processing module selecting a second vault parameter set from the plurality of vault parameter sets and generating a second plurality of sets of slice names for a second plurality of sets of encoded slices in accordance with the second vault parameter set.
US08683275B2	Controlling IPSec offload enablement during hardware failures Provided are techniques for receiving a packet transmitted in conjunction with a security association associated with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec); determining, based upon the security Association that the packet is faulty; incrementing a count corresponding to previous faulty packets received; determining that the count exceeds a threshold; and disabling IPSec accelerator hardware in response to the determining that the count exceeds the threshold.
US08683268B2	Key based cluster log coalescing An approach is provided to trace a software program running in a multi-nodal complex computing environment. A trace request is sent from a requestor node to the nodes with the trace request associated with the software program and also associated with a transaction identifier. The software program is executed on the nodes. While the program is executing, trace data entries resulting from the execution of the software program are logged at the respective nodes with each trace data entry being associated with the transaction identifier. A log request is subsequently sent from the requestor node to the other nodes. The resulting trace data is then received by the requestor node from the target nodes and logged in a transaction based log. The transaction-based log is then provided to a user of the requestor node.
US08683262B1	Systems and/or methods for rapid recovery from write-ahead logs Certain example embodiments provide a single pass, reverse chronological approach to write-ahead log recovery, enabling space- and time-efficient the recovery of stored data from large write-ahead logs to a transient storage medium. The techniques described herein can in certain instances enable fast and efficient recovery, even in scenarios where at the time of a failure requiring such a recovery the live log is potentially multiple terabytes or larger in size. Certain example embodiments make use of a filtering mechanism (e.g., involving potentially stateful delete, skip, and/or transaction filters), a key/value property (allowing a live set of data, once identified, to be applied in any arbitrary order), etc. A simplified environment with a small closed set of mutative operations allows for the performing of recovery backwards by scanning the log from the most recent written record backwards in time (and, in other words, finishing with the oldest record).
US08683256B2	Method and system for interference detection and mitigation In a method for adjusting modulation on a network, a modulation profile of a network node on the network is set a specified density. A plurality of messages that are received at the network node are monitored on an ongoing basis. The modulation profile of the network node is updated continually based on the monitored messages. A determination is made that a predetermined class of messages is received incorrectly at the network node. The network node is disconnected from the network based on the incorrectly received predetermined class of messages and is reconnected to the network to initiate the network node on the network.
US08683250B2	Minimizing storage power consumption Techniques for minimizing storage power consumption are provided. The techniques include generating one or more physical storage volumes and one virtual storage volume for each physical storage volume, creating a mapping from virtual storage volumes to physical storage volumes, determining input/output (I/O) access behavior of one or more applications using statistical analysis, and re-mapping the virtual to physical volume mapping based on the determined I/O access behavior of the one or more applications to minimize storage power consumption while meeting a required performance.
US08683249B2	Switching a processor and memory to a power saving mode when waiting to access a second slower non-volatile memory on-demand According to one embodiment, a computer system comprises a first memory that stores a first program, a second memory that stores a second program or data, a processor, a first and a second power control circuits. The first power control circuit causes the first memory to operate at a first power consumption when detecting change of an input signal to the processor, and causes the first memory to operate at a second power consumption smaller than the first power consumption and transmits a temporary halt instruction to the processor when the execution of the first program or the second program by the processor is completed. The second power control circuit causes the second memory to operate at a third power consumption before the processor executes the second program, reads or writes the data. The second memory accepts read and write operations while operating at the third power consumption.
US08683248B2	Electronic apparatus, electronic apparatus power control, electronic apparatus power control program, and storage medium storing power control program An electronic apparatus includes a first power source to generate power from external power; a photovoltaic power generation device to generate power from received light as cell-generated power; a power storage device to store cell-generated power; a second power source to generate power from cell-generated power; a mode switching unit to switch between normal power supply mode and reduced-power mode, in normal power supply mode, power is supplied from the first power source to the electronic apparatus, and in reduced-power mode, power supply from the first power source is stopped and power is supplied from the second power source; a voltage detector to detect voltage of cell-generated power; a memory to store condition-specific threshold voltages to determine conditions of the electronic apparatus; and a power supply controller to control switching between normal power supply mode and reduced-power mode by comparing the voltage of cell-generated power and the condition-specific threshold voltages.
US08683247B2	Method and apparatus for controlling power supply to primary processor and portion of peripheral devices by controlling switches in a power/reset module embedded in secondary processor An apparatus, method, and system are provided for optimizing computer performance while a first processor is in a sleep mode of operation. For example, an embodiment of the apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor (also referred to herein as a “sleep” processor), and one or more peripheral devices. When the first processor is in a sleep mode of operation, the sleep processor is configured to control one or more functions of the computer system incorporating the first processor and the sleep processor. These functions can include applications that may not otherwise be executed while the first processor is in sleep mode such as, for example, functions of the one or more peripheral devices. As a result, power management of the computer system is improved since the first processor remains in sleep mode for a longer period of time.
US08683245B2	Computer system with power saving function A computer system capable of showing documents for users to read in a power saving mode is disclosed. The computer system includes a system end and a display end. The system end operates normally in a normal mode, when in a reading mode, the system end converts the data in processing to N pieces of frame data, and then the system end enters a suspend mode. The display end operates continuously in the reading mode. It includes an image buffer connecting to the system end, the image buffer temporarily storing N pieces of the frame data sent by the system end, an input device generating a control signal; a display panel; and an image transmitter connected to the image buffer, the display panel and the input device. The image transmitter displays the frame data on the display panel. When in the reading mode, the image transmitter receives the control signal generated by the input device, and retrieves the specific frame data from the image buffer and sends it to the display panel for displaying.
US08683241B2	Methods and system for reducing battery leakage in an information handling system A method for reducing current leakage in a battery in communication with an information handling system (IHS). The method includes providing a battery management unit (BMU) in the battery, the BMU in communication with an embedded controller (EC), the BMU in a standby mode while the battery is coupled to the IHS, and configuring the BMU to exit the standby mode if an external power supply is coupled to the IHS. Also disclosed is an IHS which includes an EC in communication with a BMU, a power switch in communication with the EC and the BMU, and a control switch configured to be switched on if an external power supply is coupled to the IHS or if the power switch is activated without the external power supply, wherein the BMU unit exits the standby mode if the control switch is switched on.
US08683237B2	System and method for resetting power of optical network terminal when a number of predefined hook flash signals generated by a telecommunication device detected at the customer's premises The disclosure relates to a system and method to allow an end user to remotely reset or reboot an optical network terminal (ONT) and/or residential gateway that has become unresponsive or otherwise needs to be reset. In various aspects, the end user may initiate a sequence of hook flash signals from a telecommunication device that causes an ONT control system to power cycle the ONT.
US08683234B2	Device state control method and information processing apparatus A device state control method for use in an information processing apparatus that has a body, a device connectable to the body, a storage portion which stores information of a state of power supply to the device, the device state control method including: determining whether the information of state of power supply stored in the storage portion is information of power-supply OFF state or not, after instructing to shift the state of the power supply to the device from the power-supply OFF state into a power-supply. ON state; and starting the power supply to the device, when the information of power-supply OFF state is stored in the storage portion.
US08683225B2	Microprocessor that facilitates task switching between encrypted and unencrypted programs A microprocessor includes an architected register having a bit (may be x86 EFLAGS register reserved bit) set by the microprocessor. A fetch unit fetches encrypted instructions from an instruction cache and decrypts them (via XOR) prior to executing them, in response to the microprocessor setting the bit. The microprocessor saves the bit value to a stack in memory and then clears the bit in response to receiving an interrupt. The fetch unit fetches unencrypted instructions from the instruction cache and executes them without decrypting them after the microprocessor clears the bit. The microprocessor restores the saved value from the stack in memory to the bit in the architected register (and in one embodiment, also restores decryption key values) in response to executing a return from interrupt instruction. The fetch unit resumes fetching and decrypting the encrypted instructions in response to determining that the restored value of the bit is set.
US08683217B2	Device and method for transmitting data in an encrypted manner A device according to the present invention is configured for transmitting data between two semiconductor chips of a data processor in an encrypted manner, wherein a first semiconductor chip is connected to a second semiconductor chip. The device includes a non-volatile memory element in each of the two semiconductor chips, wherein an encryption initial value for an encryption rule is stored in the memory element of the first semiconductor chip and a decryption initial value associated to the encryption initial value for a decryption rule associated to the encryption rule is stored in the memory element of the second semiconductor chip. Additionally, the first semiconductor chip has a first data transmission interface formed to generate an encryption data stream from an input data stream using the encryption initial value according to the encryption rule. Also, the second semiconductor chip has a second data transmission interface formed to receive the encryption data stream and to generate a decryption data stream from the encryption data stream using the decryption initial value according to the decryption rule and to compare the decryption data stream generated to an expected data stream, wherein the second data transmission interface is also formed to perform a defensive measure against transmitting data from the second data transmission interface to the first data transmission interface when the decryption data stream does not correspond to the expected data stream.
US08683212B2	Method and system for securely loading code in a security processor Securely loading code in a security processor may include autonomous fetching an encrypted security data set, which may comprise security code and/or root keys, by a security processor integrated within a chip. The encrypted security data set may be decrypted via the on-chip security processor and the decrypted code set may be validated on-chip using an on-chip locked value. The on-chip locked value may be stored in a one-time programmable read-only memory (OTP ROM) and may include security information generated by applying one or more security algorithms, for example SHA-based algorithms, to the security data set. The encryption of the security data set may utilize various security algorithms, for example AES-based algorithms. The on-chip locked value may be created and locked after a virgin boot of a device that includes the security processor. The security data set may be authenticated during the virgin boot of the device.
US08683205B2	Accessing data utilizing entity registration in multiple dispersed storage networks A method begins by a processing module determining whether a data access request is requesting access to data stored in a plurality of dispersed storage networks (DSNs). The method continues with the processing module determining whether one of the plurality of DSNs is a home DSN to a requesting entity when the data access request is requesting access to data stored in the plurality of DSNs. The method continues with the processing module utilizing a local signed certificate to access one or more dispersed storage (DS) units of the home DSN, validating a global signed certificate with one or more DS units of a non-home DSN of the plurality of DSNs to produce a valid global signed certificate, and utilizing the valid signed certificate to access the one or more DS units of the non-home DSN when the plurality of DSNs includes the home DSN.
US08683202B2	Method for verifying the authenticity of messages exchanged according to a mobile internet protocol Messages exchanged between a mobile node and a home agent according to a mobile Internet protocol are authenticated using cryptographic methods applied to the messages and which have been agreed on between the mobile node and the home agent.
US08683199B2	System, method and program for protecting information on computer screen Whenever a drawing command is executed, a computer system having a graphic user interface such as a multi-window system determines, from the logical operation pattern of the drawing command, what kind of information is inherited by a drawing result from the drawing command, preferably without performing a complicated step such as an image process. At the same time, the computer system controls information flow of an image outputted to a screen by managing labeled area maps which correspond one to one to images on the screen and in a memory.
US08683198B2	Master key trust grants and revocations for minor keys A method and apparatus is provided that allows code signed by a master key to grant trust to an arbitrary second key, and also allows code, referred to as an antidote and also signed by the master key to revoke permanently the trust given to the second key.
US08683192B2	Methods and apparatus for use in quantum key distribution Methods and apparatus for use in quantum key distribution (QKD) are described. A quantum QKD signal is generated at a source and transmitted through a fiber optic network to an endpoint, a key being agreed with communication over a classical QKD channel. The classical QKD channel contains additional information relevant to a network over which keys are distributed, and may be processed at nodes intermediate between the source and the endpoint.
US08683189B2	On-chip security method and apparatus A boot method an apparatus are described which reduce the likelihood of a security breach in a mobile device, preferably in a situation where a reset has been initiated. A predetermined security value, or password, is stored, for example in BootROM. A value of a security location within FLASH memory is read and the two values are compared. Polling of the serial port is selectively performed, depending on the result of such comparison. In a presently preferred embodiment, if the value in the security location matches the predetermined security value, then polling of the serial port is not performed. This reduces potential security breaches caused in conventional arrangements where code may be downloaded from the serial port and executed, which allows anyone to access and upload programs and data in the FLASH memory, including confidential and proprietary information.
US08683188B2	Reboot controller to prevent unauthorized reboot A method, computer program product and system of preventing the unauthorized rebooting of a server having a change record, reboot password and valid reboot key. The method includes authenticating that rebooting is authorized by the change record; responsive to entering a reboot password, authenticating that a valid reboot password has been entered; and responsive to entering a reboot key, authenticating by a computer processor that a valid reboot key has been entered.
US08683182B2	System and apparatus for group floating-point inflate and deflate operations Systems and apparatuses are presented relating a programmable processor comprising an execution unit that is operable to decode and execute instructions received from an instruction path and partition data stored in registers in the register file into multiple data elements, the execution unit capable of executing group data handling operations that re-arrange data elements in different ways in response to data handling instructions, the execution unit further capable of executing a plurality of different group floating-point and group integer arithmetic operations that each arithmetically operates on the multiple data elements stored in registers in the register file to produce a catenated result that is returned to a register in the register file, wherein the catenated result comprises a plurality of individual results.
US08683176B2	Dynamic address translation with translation exception qualifier What is provided is an enhanced dynamic address translation facility. In one embodiment, a virtual address to be translated and an initial origin address of a translation table of the hierarchy of translation tables are obtained. Dynamic address translation of the virtual address proceeds. In response to a translation interruption having occurred during dynamic address translation, bits are stored in a translation exception qualifier (TXQ) field to indicate that the exception was either a host DAT exception having occurred while running a host program or a host DAT exception having occurred while running a guest program. The TXQ is further capable of indicating that the exception was associated with a host virtual address derived from a guest page frame real address or a guest segment frame absolute address. The TXQ is further capable of indicating that a larger or smaller host frame size is preferred to back a guest frame.
US08683175B2	Seamless interface for multi-threaded core accelerators A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for interfacing between a multi-threaded processing core and an accelerator. In one embodiment, the method comprises copying from the processing core to the hardware accelerator memory address translations for each of multiple threads operating on the processing core, and simultaneously storing on the hardware accelerator one or more of the memory address translations for each of the threads. Whenever any one of the multiple threads operating on the processing core instructs the hardware accelerator to perform a specified operation, the hardware accelerator has stored thereon one or more of the memory address translations for the any one of the threads. This facilitates starting that specified operation without memory translation faults. In an embodiment, the copying includes, each time one of the memory address translations is updated on the processing core, copying the updated one of the memory address translations to the hardware accelerator.
US08683168B2	Memory card including a computing device for obtaining a physical address corresponding to a logical address and computer system including the memory card A memory system including a plurality of first blocks provided for storing user information therein, to which first physical addresses which are not duplicate are assigned, respectively, a plurality of second blocks provided for individually storing therein the first physical addresses of initial defective blocks out of the plurality of first blocks, and a plurality of third blocks provided for individually storing therein the first physical addresses of late defective blocks out of the plurality of first blocks. The memory system further includes a computing device for obtaining the first physical address corresponding to a logical address on the basis of the logical address, information stored in the second blocks, and information stored in the third blocks.
US08683165B2	Memory system having a plurality of types of memory chips and a memory controller for controlling the memory chips A memory controller converts controller output signals output from a controller into memory input signals according to the operation specifications of memory chips to operate, and outputs the resultant to the memory chips through a common bus. The memory controller also receives memory output signals output from the memory chips through the common bus, and converts the received signals into controller input signals receivable to the controller. This allows the single memory controller to access the plurality of types of memory chips. As a result, the memory controller can be reduced in chip size, lowering the cost of the memory system.
US08683148B2	Status indication when a maintenance operation is to be performed at a memory device Data storage devices and methods are disclosed that provide a status indication when a maintenance operation is to be performed prior to completion of a write command. A method includes receiving a write command from a host device to write data to the non-volatile memory while the data storage device is operatively coupled to the host device. In response to determining that a maintenance operation is to be performed prior to the completion of the write command, an indication is sent to the host device that the write command has a status of incomplete.
US08683145B2	Packed storage commands and storage command streams A packed command can be received at a storage device. The packed command can include an indicator of a source data location in the storage device and an indicator of a destination data location in the storage device. In response to receiving the packed command, a storage map table in the storage device can be updated. Also, a storage processing guide can be sent to a storage device. The processing guide can include a stream indicator associating the processing guide with a storage command stream. A set of storage commands can also be sent to the storage device. One or more of the commands in the set can each include a stream indicator that matches the stream indicator in the processing guide and identifies the command with the stream.
US08683138B2	Instruction for pre-fetching data and releasing cache lines A prefetch data machine instruction having an M field performs a function on a cache line of data specifying an address of an operand. The operation comprises either prefetching a cache line of data from memory to a cache or reducing the access ownership of store and fetch or fetch only of the cache line in the cache or a combination thereof. The address of the operand is either based on a register value or the program counter value pointing to the prefetch data machine instruction.
US08683133B2	Termination of prefetch requests in shared memory controller A real request from a CPU to the same memory bank as a prior prefetch request is transmitted to the per-memory bank logic along with a kill signal to terminate the prefetch request. This avoids waiting for a prefetch request to complete before sending the real request to the same memory bank. The kill signal gates off any acknowledgement of completion of the prefetch request. This invention reduces the latency for completion of a high priority real request when a low priority speculative request to a different address in the same memory bank has already been dispatched.
US08683132B1	Memory controller for sequentially prefetching data for a processor of a computer system A memory controller for prefetching data for a processor, or CPU, of a computer system. The memory controller functions by interfacing the processor to system memory via a system memory bus. A prefetch cache is included in the memory controller. The prefetch cache includes a short-term storage portion and a long-term storage portion. The prefetch cache is configured to access system memory to retrieve and store a plurality of sequential cache lines subsequent to a processor access to system memory.
US08683124B2	Device, control method thereof, and program An unmount state storing unit configured to store a state of unmount processing to end access processing to a memory card attached to a device from a host computer is provided. During a period from immediately after a host computer executes the unmount processing until detaching of the memory card is detected, a value of the host computer unmount state storing unit is stored as “true”. During the period in which this value is “true”, a host computer mount request from another host computer is denied. Consequently, after the access processing to the memory card attached to a device by the host computer has ended, contents of the memory card cannot be read from the other host computer while the memory card is still attached.
US08683111B2	Metadata storage in unused portions of a virtual disk file Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and method for storing metadata to unused portions of a virtual disk file. In a particular embodiment, a method provides selecting a virtual disk file stored on a data storage volume and identifying unused portions of the virtual disk file. The method further provides writing metadata for the virtual disk file in the unused portions of the virtual disk file.
US08683105B1	Modular avionics system The modular avionics system may include one or more centralized processing line-replaceable units (LRUs), the centralized processing LRUs including at least one multi-core computer processor, one or more multi-function display (MFD) units configured to receive imagery data from the centralized processing LRUs and display the imagery data on a display device, one or more control display units (CDUs) configured to receive imagery data from the centralized processing LRUs and display the imagery data on a display device, the MFD units and the CDUs including one or more user input devices, the MFD units and the CDUs including at least one logic module, the CDUs and the MFD units configured to transmit user input data from the user input devices to the centralized processing LRUs, the centralized processing LRUs constructed from a plurality of component slices, wherein a first component slice and at least a second component slice are reversibly couplable.
US08683101B2	Single wire bus communication protocol A method of communication over a single-wire bus between a transmitter device and at least one receiver device, wherein each data bit is transmitted in a frame successively including: a synchronization slot different from a reference voltage of the devices; a first idle slot in a state corresponding to the reference voltage of the circuit; a slot representing the data bit to be transmitted; a second idle slot identical to the first one; a slot intended to contain the state of an optional response bit; and an end slot identical to the idle slot.
US08683100B1	Method and apparatus for handling data flow in a multi-chip environment using an interchip interface A processing system includes an interchip interface that comprises an interchip interface module having an arbiter to allocate a dedicated time slice in every fixed number of time slices, to assign a first priority to store data item(s) from a first-type channel having a first datapath width in memory during the dedicated time slice. In the remaining time slices of the fixed number of time slices, the arbiter further arbitrates among multiple channels of one or more types other than a first type, where the multiple channels correspond to at least one datapath width different from the first datapath width, and channels with wider datapath win the arbitration. The arbiter further arbitrates among two or more channels of the same type if a certain type of channel(s) wins the arbitration in a time slice. A method for implementing the same is also disclosed.
US08683097B2	Device connect detection Systems and methods for detecting Input/Output (I/O) device connection are described herein. The method includes physically coupling an I/O device to a host port through a first signal line and a second signal line. The method also includes driving the first signal line or the second signal line high via an active buffer of the I/O device. The method also includes providing an acknowledgement signal from the host to the device through the other signal line that is not being driven high by the active buffer of the I/O device.
US08683095B1	Packet identification tracker Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with tracking packet identifiers are described. According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving packets of data, wherein each packet includes an encoded packet identifier, the encoded packet identifier being decoded into a decoded packet identifier, and after each packet is received, incrementing a first counter and a second counter for estimating a sequential value of the decoded packet identifier.
US08683093B2	Memory system having high data transfer efficiency and host controller According to one embodiment, the host controller includes a register set to issue command, and a direct memory access (DMA) unit and accesses a system memory and a device. First, second, third and fourth descriptors are stored in the system memory. The first descriptor includes a set of a plurality of pointers indicating a plurality of second descriptors. Each of the second descriptors comprises the third descriptor and fourth descriptor. The third descriptor includes a command number, etc. The fourth descriptor includes information indicating addresses and sizes of a plurality of data arranged in the system memory. The DMA unit sets, in the register set, the contents of the third descriptor forming the second descriptor, from the head of the first descriptor as a start point, and transfers data between the system memory and the host controller in accordance with the contents of the fourth descriptor.
US08683092B1	Automatic attachment and detachment for hub and peripheral devices A device comprises circuitry and a transceiver. In operation, the device is configured to cause the transceiver to: receive a first message from another device to support at least one aspect of attachment of the device and the another device, send, to the another device, a second message after the first message and prior to attachment, receive, from the another device, a third message that is sent after the second message and prior to attachment, send, to the another device, a fourth message after the third message and prior to attachment, receive, from the another device, a fifth message that is sent after the fourth message and prior to attachment, and send, directly to the another device, data utilizing at least one channel for data transfer utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the device on the shared wireless communication network.
US08683090B2	Methods, systems and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
US08683075B1	Distributed computing system and method for distributing user requests to replicated network servers Routing requests for data objects from clients includes receiving a request for a data object from a client, providing content servers capable of serving data objects, determining a server from the content servers, and informing the client of an address associated with the determined server accessible by the selected route. Determining a server includes, for each content server, identifying routes between the content server and the client, determining traversal times for the routes, and selecting a route from among the routes based on the traversal times.
US08683063B1	Regulating internet traffic that is communicated through anonymizing gateways A medium and method are provided for preventing undesired data from being communicated through a network. In one aspect, the method comprises the method comprises receiving from an anonymizing device an indication of an undesired data communication and an identification of one or more of a computing device responsible for said communication and a user responsible for said communication; on the basis of specified criteria, determining whether said indication is valid; when said indication is valid, incrementing a cumulative instance count that sums a number of instances associated with one or more of the computing device and the user; and, when said cumulative count exceeds a predetermined threshold number of instances, implementing a measure to prevent a further undesired data communication from said computing device.
US08683059B2	Method, apparatus, and computer program product for enhancing computer network security A security management approach that combines network security management with application layer or software service security to address the threat of internal network security attacks. The invention is directed to a method for enhancing network security on a computer network. Data access privileges relating to users and services are interpreted, network access rules are determined based on the interpreted privileges, and network message traffic is monitored and filtered based on the determined network access rules. The interpreting, determining, monitoring, and filtering are performed at a network layer responsible for controlling how a network device gains access to the network, such as the Media Access Control (MAC) layer.
US08683046B2	Unified interface for configuring multiple networking technologies A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework. The standardized API may be used to ensure that configuration information is handled and stored in a standardized manner by different media managers and/or plug-in modules.
US08683044B2	Third party call control application program interface A third party call control (3PCC) application program interface (API) permits for users to use a web browser or other Internet capable software to place a call. The third party call control application program interface includes a first uniform resource locator operable over the Internet to effect a call between first and telephonic devices to be completed. The first uniform resource locator includes identification of the first telephonic device and identification of the second telephonic device.
US08683034B2	Systems, methods and computer program products for coordinated session termination in an IMS network A network connectivity status of user equipment (UE) is detected. Detection of the network connectivity status of the UE may include, for example, detecting termination of network connectivity of the UE responsive to a communication to the network by the UE, receiving a termination message from the UE at the bootstrapping server function (BSF), receiving notification of de-registration of the UE from a home subscriber server (HSS) and/or detecting a loss of communications between the UE and the network. A bootstrapping server function (BSF) communicates with at least one network application function (NAF) responsive to detection of the network connectivity status to terminate a plurality of sessions associated with the UE.
US08683030B2	Routing of pooled messages via an intermediary Message intermediation for multiple service instances, while allowing the service instance to control whether messages are processed under a transaction. The message intermediator chooses to dispatch messages among different backend service instances based on any routing rules. The message intermediator performs a peek-lock of message from a forward-end queue, and assigns the message to a service instance. The message is provided into a backward-end queue specific to the assigned service instance. The service instance may then process the message, perhaps under a transaction created at the service instance. Upon completion of processing, the message is deleted in the back-end queue, which causes the forward-end queue to delete the message under the same transaction created by the service instance. Whether or not this deletion at the forward-end is committed or rolled back depends on whether the transaction created at the service instance is committed or rolled back.
US08683027B2	Utilization of uncertainty dependency relationships between items in a data stream A computer-implemented method, computer program product and computer system for controlling processing of a data stream employing utilization of uncertainty dependency relationships, by receiving elements of data of a hierarchy to form received data, wherein each element has associated dependency information, creating a set of data streams, receiving elements, associated with a specific terminal node, from the received data into a respective data stream associated with the specific terminal node, processing data streams in the set of data streams individually using the associated dependency information, determining whether processing of a stream in the set of data streams is successful and, responsive to a determination that processing of each stream in the set of data streams is successful the computer-implemented process, terminating controlling processing.
US08683025B2	Method for managing storage system A host server of a storage system transmits path information and a simultaneous command issue number to a storage managing server, while the path information corresponds to such paths that when the host server executes an application program, the host server accesses to a logical volume, the simultaneous command issue number corresponds to a total number of commands issued to the respective paths. A storage monitoring agent server transmits to the storage managing server, an upper limit number of command multiplex numbers. When accepting path information, a simultaneous command issue number, and the command multiplex number upper limit value, the storage managing server proportionally distributes the command multiplex number upper limit value of the port to the respective paths so as to calculate a command multiplex upper limit value, and calculated result.
US08683017B2	Web-based configuration of distributed automation systems A configuration tool provides a user interface that interacts with a gateway to remotely configure and/or monitor automation devices in an automation network. The configuration tool employs a self-contained software application (e.g., applet) that can be utilized for presentation and configuration interactions within a common web browser. The configuration tool can be based on open standards and implemented with small devices and/or with heterogeneous automation networks. The configuration tool can provide a list of automation devices to a system engineer via a workstation and standard software (e.g., a PC with a browser). The configuration tool interacts with automation devices to obtain their configurable parameters and/or send configuration commands. In one instance, the configuration tool and the automation network devices are based on Java and IEC 61499, respectively.
US08683016B1	Data recording components and processes for acquiring selected web site data Embodiments of the components and processes for recording selected Web site data described herein adhere to long-term stability guidelines so as to improve maintainability and viability over time. Additionally, the data recording components can be placed within a software architecture to minimize the number of redundant data recording components. Furthermore, the data recording components can be tailored to specific data recording purposes. Additionally, the data recording components can be designed to take into account system performance issues and minimally impact system performance. Furthermore, the data recording components can be tailored to gather specific data useful for various analytical processes. Additionally, embodiments of the data recording components are relatively easy to implement and able to handle idiosyncrasies and changes of various Web sites in which they are placed.
US08683008B1	Management of pre-fetched mapping data incorporating user-specified locations Map tile data for displaying graphic elements of a web-based mapping system in a mobile computing device may be pre-fetched to the device based on selection of an option to store the data at the device. A request for mapping system data may be sent from a mobile computing device to a remote mapping system via a network connection. The request may include user-specified location data. The remote mapping system may retrieve the mapping data corresponding to the user-specified location data and send it to the mobile computing device via the network connection. The mobile computing device may receive the retrieved mapping data and display a selectable option to store or not store the mapping data in a cache memory of the mobile computing device. The retrieved mapping data may then be stored at the mobile computing device in response to selection of the option to store the mapping data.
US08683006B2	Method and systems for serving fonts during web browsing sessions A font server is configured to verify that a request for a font file originates with a web page of a web site licensed to use the font file, and, if so, to download the font file to a web browser. Rather than just downloading the font file directly, however, the font server first provides the web browser a script configured to determine information regarding the web browser sufficient for the font server to determine which of a plurality of font files available to the font server to provide to the browser. When the script executes within the browser, the information is gathered and returned to the font server. Thereafter, the font server provides an appropriate font file to the web browser. Preferably, the font file is configured so as to be protected against unauthorized use.
US08683003B2	Hyperlink with graphical cue A computer program provides a first set of representations (e.g., textual representations) of a first set of hyperlinks. In response to selection by a user of one of the first set of hyperlink representations (such as by clicking on or hovering a cursor over the representation), the program displays a second set of representations (e.g., graphical representations) of a second set of hyperlinks. The user may select one of the second set of representations, in response to which the program navigates to the destination of the hyperlink. The second set of representations may, for example, be logos of companies, and the second set of hyperlinks may be hyperlinks to the companies' web sites.
US08683002B2	Content delivery network cache grouping One or more content delivery networks (CDNs) that deliver content objects for others is disclosed. Content is propagated to edge servers through hosting and/or caching. End user computers are directed to an edge server for delivery of a requested content object by a universal resource indicator (URI). When a particular edge server does not have a copy of the content object from the URI, information is passed to another server, the ancestor or parent server to find the content object. There can be different parents servers designated for different URIs. The parent server looks for the content object and if not found, will go to another server, the grandparent server, and so on up a hierarchy within the group. Eventually, the topmost server in the hierarchy goes to the origin server to find the content object. The origin server may be hosted in the CDN or at a content provider across the Internet. Once the content object is located in the hierarchical chain, the content object is passed back down the chain to the edge server for delivery. Optionally, the various servers in the chain may cache or host the content object as it is relayed.
US08682997B2	Remote access and social networking using presence-based applications Various embodiments utilize a real-time instant messaging or presence based communications system as a mechanism to remotely control the operation, programming, and/or review of media content on a device or system such as a television, media center, gaming device, digital video recorder and the like. In addition, the use of the instant messaging or presence based communication system opens up various social networking options for users. For example, users can, if allowed, gain access to the viewing habits of individuals in their contact list and exchange information with one another to provide a rich, robust sharing environment.
US08682987B2	Electronic return messages with non-textual information A method for providing electronic mail return receipts with video of the electronic mail recipient is disclosed. The electronic mail recipient opens an electronic mail message which initiates recording of the electronic mail recipient. The recording may be terminated when the recipient closes the electronic mail or minimizes the electronic mail message window. Recording may also end after a predetermined amount of time after the electronic mail message is opened.
US08682985B2	Message tracking between organizations Architecture that facilitates cross-boundary message tracking based on a trust relationship in existence between a sender network and a recipient network. A tracking service is deployed in each network as a proxy to obtain message events for each hop that passes the message on to the recipient. Tracking can include a search task and a get task. Messages can be found in reports that match message search criteria. The search task returns an array of search results objects, each object identifying a single tracking report. A selected object is pipelined into the get task to return the detailed tracking report for the selected message.
US08682983B2	Systems, methods and computer program products for the delivery of email text messages and audio video attachments to an IPTV display device The present invention relates to a method for the delivery and display of an email text message and audio/video attachment to an IPTV enabled display device. The method comprises retrieving an email message and at least one audio/video attachment from an email account, and saving the email message and one audio/video attachment. The method further comprises analyzing the retrieved email message to determine if an IPTV account is associated with data that is comprised within the email message, and transmitting a notification to the IPTV account in the event that the email data that is comprised within the email message is determined to be associated with the IPTV account.
US08682981B2	System and method for e-mail notification A method to deliver a notification of receipt of an e-mail includes associating a set-top box identifier with at least one e-mail account. Through a mail server external to an IPTV network, it is determined whether an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account. In response to determining that an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account, an e-mail delivery notification is generated and transmitted to the e-mail delivery notification to a set-top box device identified by the set-top box identifier.
US08682980B2	Providing chat histories to invitees A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing messages for an instant messaging conversation. A determination is made as to whether the selected party should receive the messages already exchanged in the instant messaging conversation in response to a user input during the instant messaging conversation with respect to a selected party. The messages are sent to the selected party in response to a determination that the selected party should receive the plurality of messages.
US08682973B2	Multi-user and multi-device collaboration Multi-user, multi-computing device collaborative work experience is provided. One or more computing devices, including wired and wireless personal computers, laptop computers, servers, handheld mobile computing devices, for example, mobile telephones, tablet type computers, slate type computers and the like, may be linked together to allow users of such devices to engage in a collaborative work session. Information for each user engaged in the collaborative work session may be displayed on the one or more devices along with any content such as agenda items, documents, data, images, and the like. User participation may be tracked, and information on user participation, work session communications and content may be stored for subsequent use.
US08682972B2	Presenting information in a conference An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those steams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times. A pointer icon, which can be labeled to identify the conferee, is displayed on the shared image area. Each conferee can modify the position of his pointer, even when not presenting, so that every participant can see what each conferee is pointing to. These and other features apply to other data streams shared in the conference or in meetings where there is no shared-image data stream.
US08682965B2	Remote support system and remote support method for terminal A remote system and a remote operation method are provided, being capable of starting promptly and completing remote operation immediately for a user. A support server 100 acquires configuration information of a user terminal 10 in response to support request from the user terminal 10, receives remote operation from a supporter, the operation corresponding to support request sent from a support terminal 150, and sends remote operation received from the supporter to the user terminal 10 as a configuration command for setting configuration corresponding to the support request from the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 sets configuration corresponding to the support request based on sent configuration command. Where the user terminal 10 conducts configuration corresponding to the support request based on the sent configuration command, the user terminal 10 displays a user interface in a phased manner to set the configuration corresponding to remote request.
US08682959B2	System and method for fault tolerant processing of information via networked computers including request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers Systems and methods for processing information via networked computers leverage request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers to provide efficient distributed and fault-tolerant processing of processing jobs. A request handler can receive service requests for processing jobs, process handlers can identify tasks to be performed in connection with the processing jobs, and task handlers can perform the identified tasks, where the request handler, the process handlers, and the task handlers can be distributed across a plurality of networked computers.
US08682953B2	Hospital system A hospital system for generating image data is provided. The Hospital System includes a module for determining raw image data, with a server that is spatially separated from the module and can calculate image data from the raw image data, and a network for transmitting the raw image data from the module to the server. The hospital system may include a number of modules.
US08682950B2	Computer-implemented symbolic polynomial factorization An input polynomial, in symbolic form, is received, classified, pre-processed, and factored. The input polynomial is classified as a constant, a univariate polynomial, or a multivariate polynomial. Various pre-processing is performed depending on the classification. After the input polynomial is pre-processed, the remaining polynomial is factored using a polynomial factoring algorithm. By pre-processing the input polynomial, the complexity of the polynomial to be factored is reduced, which reduces the computational expense of the polynomial factoring algorithm.
US08682946B1	Robust peak finder for sampled data A method for determining a peak value of a histogram or a sequence of sampled data is disclosed. The method may include fitting a curve to the sequence of data, the curve being modeled based on an orthonormal expansion; obtaining a differential curve, the differential curve describing changes in slope of the curve fitted to the sequence of data; finding at least one root for the differential curve; for each of the at least one root for the differential curve, calculating a corresponding value on the curve fitted to the sequence of data; and determining the peak value of the sequence of data based on a maximum value among the corresponding value calculated for each of the at least one root.
US08682942B1	System and method for performing object-modifying commands in an unstructured storage service Embodiments of system and method for performing object-modifying commands in an unstructured storage service are described. Embodiments may include utilizing one or more nodes to implement an unstructured storage service including a service interface configured to service data storage requests and data retrieval requests from remote clients. The unstructured storage service is configured to isolate access to each of multiple storage domains of the service to different clients. Embodiments may also include receiving from a given remote client, a request to store a data object to a given storage domain of the service. The request further specifying a command to modify source data for the object prior to storing the object. Embodiments may also include using the unstructured storage service to perform the command without exporting the source data from the unstructured storage service to the given remote client prior to completion of the command.
US08682941B2	Database apparatus A logical record of a source logical page is moved to a space area or a deletion area in a destination logical page. The source logical page is sequentially set forward from the logical page immediately before the last stored logical page in a subrange. The destination logical page is sequentially set backward from the leading logical page in the subrange. When a logical record is moved, exclusive control is performed in logical page units only on the source logical page and the destination logical page. The access by online operations is not prohibited on other logical pages not exclusively controlled in the same subrange.
US08682936B2	Inherited entity storage model Techniques for an inherited entity storage model are described that can be employed to implement inherited entity management for a CRM system. In at least some embodiments, input can be obtained to create a custom entity that is based at least in part upon a parent entity. The custom entity is created to inherit the parent entity according to an inheritance relationship established between the entities. To do so, the custom entity is created from the parent entity in a common table with the parent entity using some common fields and defining custom fields as appropriate. Data for the entities is then stored via the common table. This approach can reduce storage requirements, enable unified searching, and speed up data operations. Further, back-end business logic associated with parent entity in the CRM system can be automatically applied to the custom entity based upon the inheritance relationship established between the entities.
US08682928B2	Method, system and program for direct client file access in a data management system Provided is a method, system, and program implemented by a server for controlling and providing access to a file to at least one remote computer over a network. The server maintains metadata about files. The files are maintained at remote storage locations. The server receives a request from the remote computer for a filename of a requested file over the network. The server determines from the metadata one remote storage location address associated with the filename where the requested file is located. The server then updates the metadata for the requested file and sends the storage location address to the remote computer.
US08682919B1	System and method for navigating related data A coordinate system is assigned to an object in a group of objects (e.g. an image in a digital photo album or a page in a document). The object is rendered on a display. A value correlated to the coordinate system is transmitted when another object in the group of objects is to be viewed. From this value, another related object (e.g. the next image in the album or the next page in the document) is identified and transmitted. This related object is then rendered on the display in place of the first object.
US08682915B2	Real-time single entry multiple carrier interface (SEMCI) A method and system for converting XML files to and from files in a data format based on hierarchies in real-time. A method for converting from XML to the data format based on hierarchies includes: applying a stylesheet to at least one XML file thereby generating at least one data record in an intermediate format and including information included in the at least one XML file; and, translating the at least one record in the intermediate format to the data format based on hierarchies. A method for converting from a data format based on hierarchies to XML includes: translating at least one record including information stored in the file format based on hierarchies to an intermediate format; and, applying a stylesheet to the at least one record in the intermediate format thereby generating at least one XML file being indicative of the information and suitable for transmission.
US08682913B1	Corroborating facts extracted from multiple sources A method and system for corroborating facts extracted as attribute-value pairs from multiple sources. Facts associated with a common subject are identified and extracted from multiple sources. From the extracted facts, attributes satisfying a first corroboration requirement are identified. Attribute-value pairs satisfying a second corroboration requirement and having any of the identified attributes that satisfy the first corroboration requirement are identified. Predefined actions may be performed with respect to the identified attribute-value pairs and/or with respect to their status in a fact database.
US08682911B2	User performance rating system A system comprises a processor-implemented collection module configured to request rating information from a first user relating to a transaction involving the first user and second user in an online transaction processing environment. The requested rating information relates to performance of the second user with respect to the transaction in a plurality of performance categories. A score generator is configured to generate a performance score relating to the second user using the rating information. A communication module is configured to communicate the performance score.
US08682904B1	System of intuitive sorting of a table based on a column containing fractions A method and system for sorting a table based on a column containing fractions. In the table, a first column representing values of a first parameter, a second column representing values of a second parameter, and a third column representing values of a third parameter defined as the ratio of the second parameter to the first parameter are identified. Then, a fourth column representing values of a fourth parameter is generated. The fourth column has a relation to the third parameter that is defined in terms of a weighted sum of the values of the third parameter and an average value associated with the values of the third parameter using a weight function defined as a monotonically decreasing function of the values of the first parameter. The table is sorted in ascending or descending order the rows of the table based on the values of the fourth parameter.
US08682901B1	Index server architecture using tiered and sharded phrase posting lists An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are extracted from the document collection. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases, using phrase posting lists. The phrase posting lists are stored in an cluster of index servers. The phrase posting lists can be tiered into groups, and sharded into partitions. Phrases in a query are identified based on possible phrasifications. A query schedule based on the phrases is created from the phrases, and then optimized to reduce query processing and communication costs. The execution of the query schedule is managed to further reduce or eliminate query processing operations at various ones of the index servers.
US08682894B2	Method for managing information A method for managing the exchange of information is provided, wherein the method includes receiving at least one information location identifier, wherein the at least one information location identifier may be associated with at least one information portal and associating with at least one network browser. The method further includes generating an information location identifier template responsive to the at least one information portal and communicating with the at least one information portal to identify resultant information.

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