Document	Document Title
US08960682B2	Hybrid ring welded cylinder head gasket A cylinder head gasket with a single layer carrier member, a sealing ring for sealing around the cylinder opening, and at least one protection layer. The sealing ring has a plurality of functional layers. A protection layer is positioned on at least one side of the sealing ring, and preferably on both sides. The sealing ring and protection layers are fixedly secured to the carrier member by welding.
US08960678B2	Thrustback training sled The disclosure includes a variety of thrustback sleds. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a thrust back training sled, including a base including a plurality of horizontal runners, a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the rail assembly, the trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly. The sled can further include a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to restrict horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position, a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the trolley assembly, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to restrict vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position.
US08960677B2	Adjustable target stand and method of use An adjustable target stand is provided. The adjustable target stand includes a support assembly having a cross member pivotably received by opposing first and second side plates, and at least one target support member carried by and projecting from the cross member. The adjustable target stand also includes a target orientation assembly including a handle coupled to the pivotable cross member, the handle having a handle aperture, and a plurality of apertures provided through the first side plate and radially extending a first distance from a first cross member receiving aperture provided in the first side plate, the plurality of apertures are each in alignment with the handle aperture such that the handle is pivotable between the plurality of apertures such that an angle retention member may engage the handle aperture with one of the plurality of apertures. A method of using an adjustable target stand is also provided.
US08960676B2	Card game A card game is disclosed in which participants arrange six poker cards into three hands, including a one-card hand, a two-card hand, and a three-card hand. Wagers are placed on each of the participant's hands. The participants compete their hands against at least one other participant's hands to determine who has the highest ranked hands. For each hand, the participant having the highest ranked hand is determined to be the winner. Payoffs are made to the winners.
US08960675B1	Game using images produced by wetting medium A game for creating and enlivening discussions between two or more people based upon images produced using liquid drops on a semi-absorbent surface. A few drops of liquid are randomly applied to a surface such as paper that has been treated to render a significant color change due to the reaction of the constituents of the liquid. The paper can be folded or twisted to enhance spreading of the liquid and absorption of the liquid into the paper and create a somewhat symmetrical image on the surface. The image thus formed is then used within the game. The game is then played according to the guidelines, if any, chosen by the participants before beginning.
US08960673B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a relay unit and a guide plate. The relay unit is detachably mounted in the in-body discharge section and receives a sheet discharged from the first exit port and conveys the sheet. The guide plate switches a conveyance path for the sheet discharged from the first exit port between a first path via the relay unit and a second path other than the first path. The relay unit includes a conveyance roller and a drive device. The conveyance roller conveys the sheet. The drive device rotates the conveyance roller. The drive device changes the posture of the guide plate between a first posture corresponding to the first path and a second posture corresponding to the second path.
US08960668B2	Sheet-discharge apparatus, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus The sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet-discharge fan that blows air downward of a sheet-discharged by an upper sheet-discharge roller, and a control portion configured to control an air velocity of air blown from the sheet-discharge fan according to a basis weight of the sheet. In the case where the basis weight of the sheet is a predetermined value or less, the control portion increases the air velocity of the sheet-discharge fan according to the basis weight of the sheet based on basis weight information from an input portion for inputting the basis weight information of the sheet. The control portion also controls the air velocity of the sheet-discharge fan to be a velocity at which the sheet whose rear edge contacts the sheet-stacking wall does not move in a sheet-discharge direction in the case where the basis weight of the sheet exceeds the predetermined value.
US08960666B2	Method and device for the generation and/or conveyance of a shingled stream of flat, flexible objects A device for the generation of a shingled stream of flat, flexible objects along a conveyor path, wherein successive objects develop an overlap with a length, includes a first and a second suction and conveyor device having a first and second unit, respectively, and each having at least one conveyor belt. The first and second units are each configured to generate a vacuum through a whirlwind to attract at least one of the objects and are each disposed in a casing having a suction aperture. The second suction and conveyor device is disposed downstream from the first suction and conveyor device in a direction of the conveyor path with a mutual offset corresponding to the length of the overlap and is disposed at an angle relative to the direction of the conveyor path. The first and second suction are separated by a spacing in a transversal direction.
US08960664B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus capable of easily performing jammed sheet recovery in a sheet feeding portion is provided. Upper guide grooves that guide attachment and detachment of a conveyance guide member and lower guide grooves that guide attachment and detachment of a sheet feeding cassette are formed in supporting plates that are provided in attachment and detachment directions in an apparatus body to face each other. When jamming occurs, a space near the sheet feeding portion is secured by extracting the conveyance guide member from the apparatus body.
US08960649B2	Joystick control for backpack sprayer A joystick control is coupled to an air discharge pipe (9) of a motorized backpack sprayer for controlling flow of liquid to an atomizer, the air discharge speed, and for aiming the discharge pipe. A handle (5) carries a filter (11) that can be accessed and cleaned, even with a full reservoir, by closing a fluid stop valve (12) and releasing the handle (5). Fluid flow to the atomizer is controlled (open/closed) by a control lever (6) that releases the flow of fluid through a fluid valve (13) when pressed, and closes the valve (13) automatically by a spring when released. A locking lever (8) can lock valve (13) open or closed. An engine throttle lever (7) is lateral to the valve (13) and an electrical on/off switch (4) is next to the lever (7).
US08960639B2	Solenoid valve A solenoid valve for controlling a fluid has a first housing part (2) and an axial guide (3) facing inwards for an armature (4) that can be displaced in the axial guide (3) under the effect of a solenoid (5) that at least partially surrounds the exterior of the first housing part (2). A return spring (6) and a closing element (27) impact a valve closing element (7). A second housing part (9) is arranged coaxially to the first housing part (2). The first housing part (2) has a reduced wall portion (17) that faces inwards towards the armature (4) and the second housing part (9) and that effects a magnetic separation of the two housing parts (2, 9) to at least some extent.
US08960636B1	Edge form system for forming simulated stone coping An edge form system has a molded liner and a form board. The molded liner has a textured imprinting on the inner surface for forming a simulated stone coping and a first interlocking element. The form board has a base for mounting the form board on a vertical structure, a coping support wall, a liner receiver, and a second interlocking element for interlocking with the first interlocking element.
US08960632B2	Dual bar linkage monitor support with adustment feature An adjustable support member for mounting a device including a support arm having a base pivot block and a right link arm connected at a first end to said base pivot block and a left link arm connected at a first end to said base pivot block and spaced from said right link arm, an upper leveler block wherein the right link arm is connected at a second end to the upper leveler block and the left link arm is connected at a second end to the upper leveler block, a gas spring assembly having first and second ends with the first end of the gas spring assembly being pivotally connected to the base pivot block at a gas spring adjustment assembly and the second end of the gas spring assembly having a rod connected to the right link arm and to the left link arm at a position spaced from both the first and second ends of the right link arm and the left link arm.
US08960627B2	Chassis, base, extension and curved track A curved track can be attached to a chassis. An extension can be attached to a base. The chassis can be attached to the base. The extension can be in contact with the curved track.
US08960626B1	No-stick coaster system A bottom portion is in a cylindrical configuration and has an imperforate base below and an open top above and a side wall there between forming an upper chamber. A similarly configured top portion is provided to form a lower chamber. The base of the top portion has a plurality of apertures. A hinge couples the top and bottom portions. The hinge is adapted to pivot the top portion between an operative closed orientation and an inoperative open orientation. In this operative closed orientation the top portion is overlying the bottom portion. In the inoperative open orientation the top and bottom portions are positioned laterally with the hinge there between. An absorbent sheet of mold free filter material is positioned in the lower chamber. The sheet of mold free filter material is adapted to collect moisture from a sweating beverage container on the base of the top portion.
US08960622B2	Table-mounted surgical instrument stabilizers A surgical instrument stabilizer system that includes an articulating boom that is releasably connectable to a surgical table side rail. The articulating boom includes an actuator, a multi-directional flexible arm having a first end region attached to the actuator, and a cable extending through the flexible arm. The cable has one end region connected to the actuator and another end region connected to a preload tensioning mechanism. The actuator is operable to tighten and loosen the cable, and the preload tensioning mechanism maintains an amount of tension in the cable when the actuator loosens the cable. The system further includes a surgical instrument-supporting member that is attached to a second end region of the flexible arm and is configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument.
US08960621B2	Slide lock for a roller blind fascia A slide lock to releasably secure a roller blind fascia to the end plate of a roller blind. The slide lock comprises a lock body slidably received along an interior surface of the fascia. The lock body has an engaged position, where the lock releasably secures the fascia to the roller blind end plate, and has a disengaged position, where the lock releases the fascia from the end plate to permit the fascia to be removed therefrom. The lock body includes a flexibly resilient leg member that releasably engages between the fascia and the roller blind end plate. The leg member includes a deflection zone such that when the leg member engages between the fascia and the roller blind end plate at least a portion of the leg member is compressed or deflected about the deflection zone to releasably secure the lock body between the roller blind end plate and the fascia, thereby releasably securing the fascia to the end plate.
US08960615B1	Portable modular monopole tower foundation A modular foundation includes a central portion and at least three legs non-rotatably secured to and extending from the central portion. The at least three legs are substantially equally spaced apart from each other wherein each leg includes a proximal end and a distal end. A basket is attached to the distal end of each leg wherein the basket is configured to be secured in a selected position. A platform is pivotally attached to the central portion wherein the platform is configured to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position.
US08960614B2	Foldable support assembly A foldable support assembly includes two seats respectively secured on an underside of a roaster and corresponding to each other. A U-shaped support element includes two ends respectively pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the two seats. The U-shaped support element is selectively positioned when supporting the roaster.
US08960599B2	Aerospace vehicle yaw generating tail section A tail section for an aerospace vehicle is provided. The tail section comprises a rudder which is movable about an axis to generate a yawing moment on the aerospace vehicle. The tail section further comprises a thruster having, in flow series, an air intake, an electrically powered device for accelerating the air received through the intake, and an air outlet which directs the accelerated air to increase the yawing moment generated by the rudder.
US08960596B2	Energy-deposition systems, equipment and method for modifying and controlling shock waves and supersonic flow Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control shock waves and hypersonic or supersonic fluid flow, including systems for controlling, mitigating, and/or effecting air flow in relation to air vehicles, wind tunnels, or other assets, or the like, as well as systems, equipment, and methods for disrupting the shock structure at the inlet for the engine of an air vehicle traveling at supersonic or hypersonic speed; mitigating blast effects on vehicles; mitigating heating of throats in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels, as well as control the flow parameters and Mach number in their test sections.
US08960595B2	Wingless hovering of micro air vehicle Embodiments of the subject invention relate to an air vehicle and a power source. Embodiments can operate at reasonable power levels for hovering and withstanding expected wind gusts. Embodiments can have a diameter less than 15 cm. Embodiments can have one or more smooth (continuous curvature) surface and can be operated using electromagnetic and electrohydrodynamic principles. The wingless design of specific embodiments can allow operation with no rotating or moving components. Additional embodiments can allow active response to the surrounding flow conditions. The issue of low lift to drag ratio and degradation of airfoil efficiency due to the inability of laminar boundary layers attachment can also be significantly reduced, or eliminated. The electromagnetic force can be generated by applying a pulsed (alternating/rf) voltage between a set of grounded and powered electrodes separated by a polymer insulator, dielectric, or other material with insulating properties.
US08960593B2	Horizon scanning system for a rotary wing aircraft including sensors housed within a tubercle on a rotor blade A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller.
US08960588B2	Hands-free paper towel dispenser A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.
US08960586B2	Filament winding device A filament winding device enables fiber bundles to be wound around the outer circumference surface of a liner at equal intervals even when the winding angle of the fiber bundles changes. The filament winding device includes a first helical head on which fiber bundle guides are radially disposed in the periphery of a liner to be transported; and a second helical head which is disposed adjacent to the first helical head and on which the fiber bundle guides are radially disposed in the periphery of the liner The filament winding device also has phase adjusting means for adjusting the phase difference between the fiber bundle guides on the first helical head and and on the second helical head in accordance with the angle (θ) at which the fiber bundle is wound around the liner.
US08960581B1	Hammer The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a hammer for comminuting various materials. The embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The hammer includes a connector end having a rod hole therein, a contact end for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a neck affixing the connector end to the contact end. The neck is formed with at least one neck recess therein. In other embodiments, one or more shoulders are positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, the contact end is configured with more than one contact surface.
US08960571B2	Full cone air-assisted spray nozzle assembly A pressurized air assisted liquid spray nozzle assembly having a liquid spray nozzle having a downstream discharge orifice for discharging a solid stream of liquid, an air guide mounted in surrounding relation to a downstream end of said liquid spray nozzle, and an outer nozzle body disposed in surrounding relation to said air guide.The air guide defines a first plurality of air passages for directing pressurized atomizing air transversely to liquid discharging from said liquid spray nozzle for atomizing the discharging liquid and a second plurality of air passages for directing shaping air tangentially to liquid discharging from said liquid spray nozzle for shaping the atomized liquid particles into a predetermined conical spray pattern.
US08960566B2	Spill-proof dispersion device for dispersing volatile liquids This invention provides a spill-proof dispersion device for dispersing volatile liquids, comprising a receptacle for containing volatile liquid therein and having an opening, at least one wick having an end placed in contact with the volatile liquid in the receptacle and for delivering the volatile liquid, and a diffuser in firm connection to the other end of the at least one wick and having a body with a surface from which the volatile liquid delivered from the wick is dispersed into an environment. The diffuser comprises a base located at its bottom and a sheath having a screwed outer surface and is sleeved tightly on an outer surface of the base; the base and the sheath are to be inserted into the opening of the receptacle such that the diffuser is engaged with the receptacle in an air-tight manner; and the wick runs through the base and the sheath.
US08960562B2	Valve configured for regulating the flow of fluid from a transmission to a fluid cooler A transmission fluid circuit includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The transmission receives and expels a fluid. The cooler receives and expels the fluid to the transmission. The valve directs the flow of fluid received from the transmission to one of the transmission and the fluid cooler. The valve includes a housing, a spool and an actuator. The housing defines a cavity. The spool is movable longitudinally in the cavity between a first position and a second position to direct the flow of the fluid from the cavity to the cooler or the transmission. The actuator is operatively connected to the spool and includes a smart material which is activated in response to the temperature of the fluid in the cavity having at least a first temperature and deactivated in response to the fluid in the cavity having a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature.
US08960559B2	Packaged RFID passive tag for small sized device The present application is related to a unique transponder clip comprising a UHF passive RFID tag, an encapsulation module and method of attaching the encapsulation module enclosing the transponder clip to small sized devices. In an aspect, the small sized device may be a small sized medical device such as bone screw, spine screw implants. The transponder is enclosed in the encapsulation module that is then attached to a small sized device thereby facilitating auto-identification and tracking of the small sized device.
US08960551B2	Method of decoding barcode with imaging scanner having multiple object sensors A method of decoding using an imaging scanner having multiple object sensors each associated with an object field of view. The method includes determining a moving direction of the object using at least two of the multiple object sensors. The moving direction of the object points from a first side to a second side of the imaging scanner. The method includes detecting whether a new object is presence with the object sensor located on the first side of the imaging scanner, and upon detecting the presence of the new object within the object field of view of the object sensor located on the first side of the imaging scanner, capturing an image of the new object in memory with the solid-state imager.
US08960548B2	Bioptic data reader with split vertical windows and speaker A data reading system including a lower base section with a generally horizontal surface and a vertical section extending perpendicularly from the lower housing section. The vertical section includes a front face with a first scan window through which a data reader is operable to read encoded data on an item. The data reading system further includes a speaker system having a speaker grille laterally spaced apart from the first scan window on the front face of the vertical section. The speaker system may emit a sound or other message to confirm that the encoded data was (or was not) properly captured by the data reader. The data reading system may further include a second scan window on the front face of the vertical section. In such instances, the speaker grille may be positioned between the scan windows on the front face of the vertical section.
US08960547B2	Document scanner with instant retrieval process An improved document scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner incorporates a set of emergency exit instructions so that a user can always retrieve sensitive documents at a moment's notice. These instructions include receiving an emergency exit command from a jamming sensor or from the user, and then attempting mechanical translation toward a first exit and further subsequent translation toward a second exit. If the document is not successfully retrieved, the scanner prepares for manual document extraction as detailed herein.
US08960544B2	Sensor for reading banknotes, security papers and the like, containing at least one security element A reading sensor adapted to read a security element having magnetic areas with different coercivity, comprising at least one first reading head and at least one second reading head, which are arranged parallel to each other and are capable of detecting two distinct signal sequences, and a permanent magnet which is arranged between the reading heads.
US08960541B2	Dynamic identity matching in response to threat levels A dynamic identity matching facility that enables an operator to determine the status of an individual based on identification information contained on an identification record provided by the individual. The operator scans the individual's identification information from the identification record using a scanning device. The facility decodes the scanned identification information and identifies a number of candidates based on the decoded identification information. For each identified candidate, the facility generates a candidate score. Based on the candidate score of each identified candidate, the facility selects a number of the identified candidates for display. The facility displays the selected candidates to the operator along with the candidate's criminal or other acts.
US08960536B2	Mobile device for exiting a parking structure and methods thereof Methods and systems in the present invention facilitate vehicle exit from a parking lot, or similar venue, for which payment is required prior to being permitted egress. The Exit Express Engine permits pre-payment prior to a vehicle's arrival at a point of exit, so as to facilitate rapid confirmation of payment/authorization when exiting a controlled-exit facility. An Exit Express Engine, installed on a mobile device, is launched and used to scan a barcode printed on a parking garage ticket, which is provided to the user at the time of entry. The information scanned is then transmitted to an associated parking system, where it is received by an Exit Express Plug-in application. The user indicates payment authorization via the mobile device to an associated payment processing facility, storing payment verification. When the user arrives at the controlled exit, he/she presents the ticket, and the exit gate is activated to exit within a pre-established time.
US08960515B2	Web guiding apparatus Provided is a web guiding apparatus capable of ensuring a smooth operation and durability against a force applied from a web even if the apparatus is used in an environment with airborne paper powder, dust and the like.The web guiding apparatus includes a rocking frame 4 rocking around an axis perpendicular to a reference surface 2s of the base 2, and a support portion 40 supporting movement of the rocking frame 4 with respect to the base 2. The support portion 40 includes a base member 41 provided on the base 2 and having a rolling surface parallel to the reference surface 2s of the base 2, and a roller 46 provided on the rocking frame 4 so as to roll on the rolling surface of the base member 41. The rolling surface of the base member 41 is formed so that an axial direction thereof intersects an arc with a rocking shaft 3 of the rocking frame 4 as a center. A width of the roller 46 is wider than a width of the rolling surface of the base member 41. The roller 46 is provided so as to move along the arc with the rocking shaft 3 of the rocking frame 4 as the center when the rocking frame 4 rocks.
US08960511B2	Modular outdoor packing system Implementations of the present invention provide devices, systems, and methods for packing equipment that provide for a versatile, comfortable, and convenient modular outdoor packing system that increases the enjoyment of outdoor activities. In general, one or more implementations of the present invention include a modular outdoor pack with multiple interchangeable front packs that are interchangeable with a base back pack. Each interchangeable front pack is configured for a particular outdoor activity allowing the modular outdoor pack to transform into multiple different packs depending on the outdoor activity in which the user is participating.
US08960503B2	Plastic aerosol container A plastic aerosol container comprises a neck, a support ring, a shoulder, a cylindrical body, a base, a dispensing valve and a cap. The neck further includes a lip and a lip cavity. The support ring protrudes below the lip cavity and above the shoulder. The shoulder supports the neck and aides in preventing deformation of the container. The base further includes legs. The dispensing valve is placed atop the neck and sealed thereto. The cap is placed atop the valve and functions as an actuator to release the contents of the can.
US08960492B2	Coin-operated gumball machine A gumball machine includes a gumball container that holds a plurality of gumballs, a neck portion coupled to the gumball container, the neck portion having a coin slot for receiving a coin, and a gumball dispensing assembly that releases a gumball from the gumball container when a coin is inserted into the coin slot. The gumball machine further includes an elongated housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, the housing holding coins that have been inserted through the coin slot. A base is coupled to the lower end of the housing and has a bottom portion that is seated on a surface. A spiral ramp has a mouth coupled to the neck portion, the spiral ramp connected around the housing for allowing a dispensed gumball to roll downwardly.
US08960490B2	Lever controlled beverage container lid A lid assembly including a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating member attached to the cover member and positionable between closed and open positions to close and open the aperture, wherein depressing the actuating member opens the aperture and releasing the actuating member closes the aperture; and a locking member provided on the actuating member, the locking member positionable to lock the actuating member in either the closed or open position to maintain the aperture in either the closed or open position.
US08960488B2	Food tray device and method A food tray device for maintaining food warm or cold is disclosed. The food tray device has a support and a disposable tray portion or container. The container generally does not need to be sturdy enough to reliably carry food without the support. Optionally the support and container may have holes for limited venting of the tray interior while maintaining the moisture content of the food.
US08960487B1	Beverage can with integral tab lifter A beverage can with an integral tab lifter includes a cylindrical can body with a tab-style pop-top opening along an upper surface. A tab lifting flange feature is located along a bottom edge of the can body. The tab of another pop-top beverage can is opened by lifting upwardly on a tab by utilizing the tab lifting flange of a beverage positioned above the lifting tab. The tab lifting flange is an inwardly-protruding lip which extends over a short plane parallel to the lower surface of the beverage can. To open the can, the tab lifting flange of a first can is placed upon the top surface of a second can. The first can is motioned such that the tab lifting flange captures and lifts the tab and opens the second can. In this manner, each can acts as a tab-opener for other cans.
US08960482B2	Cryogenic liquid tank A hydrogen storage tank for a hydrogen fueled aircraft. The tank has a wall made of layers of aerogel sections around a hard shell layer, sealed within a flexible outer layer, and having the air removed to form a vacuum. The periphery of each layer section abuts other sections of that layer, but only overlies the periphery of the sections of other layers at individual points. The wall is characterized by a thermal conductivity that is lower near its gravitational top than its gravitational bottom. The tank has two exit passageways, one being direct, and the other passing through a vapor shield that extends through the wall between two layers of aerogel. A control system controls the relative flow through the two passages to regulate the boil-off rate of the tank.
US08960470B2	Nesting coolers A compact, organized, space-saving storage design for multiple coolers allows each smaller cooler in a set of coolers fitting into the next larger cooler. The lid of each of the next larger coolers may be capable of fully closing and the smaller cooler may fit completely inside the larger cooler. The nesting coolers may improve the use of storage space, omit risk of falling over, reduce stress and organize all coolers in one easily located place.
US08960466B2	Novelty associated with stoppers for beverages Systems, methods, and means for providing a novelty item are provided. In some embodiments, a stopper comprises a body, having an inner chamber and a top portion, a novelty item disposed within said inner chamber, and a cover to open after said inner chamber is removed from a neck of a bottle.
US08960464B2	Coupler support mechanism A coupler for transit cars includes a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism supported to the coupler anchor by a deformation tube and draft gear element, and a coupler support mechanism. The coupler support mechanism includes two support arms pivotally mounted to a lower part of a coupling connector. A tension rod is provided for each support arm to control the pivotal displacement of each support arm. Each support arm further includes a torsion spring which is loaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in an upward direction and unloaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in a downward direction. The position of each support arm may be adjusted independently, thereby allowing adjustment of the coupler along longitudinal and lateral planes of the transit car.
US08960462B2	Controlling method, system and device for hook deviation A controlling method for a hook deviation to regulate the deviation angle of a telescopic crane hook, involves following steps: A. Detecting the deviation angle and deviation direction of a rope, which is linked to the hook, in the horizontal plane relative to the direction of gravitational force; B. Judging whether the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, if the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, then turning to step C, and if the deviation angle is less than the predetermined value, then turning to step A; C. Compensatively controlling the deviation angle of the hook according to the deviation angle and direction. And a controlling system for the hook deviation and a controlling device for the hook deviation are provided. The method or system or device enables the detection of the deviation angle and direction of the hook in a quick and precise manner, and the compensatory control of the deviation angle of the hook is performed according to the detected deviation angle and direction, thus it avoids overdependence on human factor and reduces potential safety risks.
US08960458B1	Storage apparatus An add-on shelf has a pair of legs at least one of which having a locking structure that is configured to removably lock the leg to an existing structure and a support structure that supports a shelf deck. A void space is positioned between the legs, shelf deck, and existing structure. Alternatively, a width adjustable storage apparatus has first and second sections operable to engage each other in a plurality of adjustable positions each corresponding to a different width of a shelf surface formed by the sections, and first and second supports that engage an existing structure for supporting the first and second sections. The shelf surface is positioned in a generally horizontal plane and the first and second sections do not extend above that generally horizontal plane.
US08960455B2	Mobile industrial rack system A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.
US08960449B2	Composite semipermeable membrane and manufacturing method therefor In manufacturing a composite semipermeable membrane useful for separating a liquid mixture selectively, it is rendered possible to provide a composite semipermeable membrane that exhibits reduced deterioration of water permeability and solute removing property as a result of drying and that demonstrates reduced economic burden and load for waste liquid treatment without impairing the water permeability or solute removal ratio of the composite semipermeable membrane through change of the membrane manufacturing method, by making a saccharide exist in an aqueous polyfunctional amine solution in performing interfacial polycondensation by bringing the aqueous solution of the polyfunctional amine into contact with an organic solvent solution containing a polyfunctional acid halide on a microporous support membrane.
US08960443B2	Flotation separation device and method A flotation separation system is provided for partitioning a slurry that includes a hydrophobic species which can adhere to gas bubbles formed in the slurry. The flotation separation system comprises a flotation separation cell that includes a sparger unit and a separation tank. The sparger unit has a slurry inlet for receiving slurry and a gas inlet to receive gas with at least enough pressure to allow bubbles to form in the slurry within the sparger unit. The sparger unit includes a sparging mechanism constructed to disperse gas bubbles within the slurry. The sparging mechanism sparges the gas bubbles to form a bubble dispersion so as to cause adhesion of the hydrophobic species to the gas bubbles substantially within the sparger unit while causing a pressure drop of about 10 psig or less across the sparging mechanism. The sparger unit includes a slurry outlet to discharge the slurry and the bubble dispersion into the separation tank.
US08960440B1	Blister pack content usage monitoring A system is provided for monitoring the removal of blister pack contents. An array of spatially-extended, electrically parallel breakable traces made from electrically resistive material is formed behind a corresponding array of blisters of a blister card. Then this array is connected in series with a reference resistor to form a voltage divider. All resistive traces are formed from the same materials in a single operation. Blister breakage is determined using changes in the ratio of the resistances of the array and the divider. A predictive algorithm is used to adjust the threshold resistance ratio change that signals blister breakage and voltage ratios are used to adjust for battery output changes over time. Breakage events and their time of occurrence are recorded in nonvolatile memory for later retrieval. Additional resistors can be used for activating the system and detecting tampering.
US08960423B2	Oxygen-impereable, fillable closure with a push button for triggering A fillable closure is used to initiate emptying of a separately fillable capsule molded into this closure. The capsule is made oxygen-impermeable on the inside or outside with a vapor-deposited layer of silicon dioxide or metal. The volume of the capsule can be reduced through pressurization from the top, through deformation of its side walls, for cutting or rupturing a sealing foil. The capsule has an asymmetric push button with a pusher surface, a deformable front and side wall and a stable rear wall. The upper end of the rear wall forms a stationary edge, on which the pusher surface can be pivoted downward through deformation of the front and side wall. On the bottom of the pusher surface, a triangle-shaped blade is formed, which ends in a tip, and its triangle edge forming a cutting edge for piercing and cutting the sealing foil on the bottom of the capsule.
US08960420B2	Lens pod An apparatus for enclosing and protecting individualized lenses has a base and a lid rotatably attached to each other. Each of the base and the lid have pockets for receiving each of the lenses. Each of the pockets have a perimeter that forms a boundary of the respective base and lid. The base and the lid each have a bumper adapted for supporting one of the lenses and a magnetic mating element attached at the respective perimeter of the base or lid. Each of the magnetic mating elements is detachably attached to and provides a magnetic hinge for a coupling element of one of the lenses. The apparatus has a closed position in which a lid closure magnet is detachably attached to a base closure magnet and an open position in which the closure magnets are not in contact with each other.
US08960415B2	Master processing apparatus with adjustably spaced pressure rollers A master processing apparatus is disclosed. The master processing apparatus has first and second pressure applying rollers, and a plurality of gears configured to drive the rollers in response to received input torque. The master processing apparatus further has a pivot plate, connected to the first pressure applying roller and the plurality of gears, allowing a range of movement for the first pressure applying roller, while the plurality of gears may remain intermeshed. The master processing apparatus further has a torsion spring about the pivot plate gear axis, configured to bias the pivot plate and first pressure applying roller towards the second pressure applying roller. Other objects, features, and advantages are also disclosed.
US08960414B2	Retaining device for a vibration tray A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.
US08960401B2	System integration A large and massive panel is maneuvered and supported by a work piece support which has an upper horizontal work piece support surface for receiving the panel in extended surface-to-surface contact. An array of apertures is provided in the work piece support surface, beneath same of which are provided low friction bearing elements moveable between a raised, load-bearing position in which the panel can be slid onto the work piece support and a retracted position in which the panel is left in extended surface to surface contact with the work piece support.
US08960397B2	Apparatus for transmitting torque A device for transmission and/or generation of torque having a driveshaft and having a driven shaft acted upon by field-excited forces of a magnetorheological medium, the driveshaft terminates in a flange in a housing, at least one cylinder is arranged on the flange (7), and the cylinder extends over the driven shaft coaxially while forming a gap which is filled with the magnetorheological medium.
US08960395B2	Torque converter assembly with fluid manifold A manifold for a torque converter assembly is disclosed. The manifold may have a base portion configured to be fixedly connected to a frame of a mobile machine. The base portion may have a first face, a second face, and an outer radial surface located between the first face and the second face. The manifold may also have a sleeve portion extending axially away from the second face of the base portion. The sleeve portion may have an outer radial surface. The base portion may further have a first passageway configured to receive hydraulic fluid. The first passageway may have an inlet in the outer radial surface of the base portion and an outlet in the outer radial surface of the sleeve portion. The manifold may also have a second passageway configured to receive hydraulic fluid. The second passageway may have an inlet in the first face and an outlet in the second face.
US08960394B2	Thrust activated friction one-way clutch A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump fixedly secured to the cover; an axially displaceable turbine hydraulically coupled to the pump; and an axially displaceable stator at least partially disposed between the pump and the turbine and including a friction clutch with a plurality of clutch plates and respective friction material disposed between the plurality of clutch plates. When the ratio of the rotational speed of the turbine with respect to the rotational speed of the pump is less than a coupling point value, the turbine or the stator is arranged to axially displace to close the friction clutch. When the ratio of the rotational speed of the turbine with respect to the rotational speed of the pump is at least equal to the coupling point value: the stator or the turbine is arranged to axially displace to open the friction clutch; or the stator is arranged to axially displace to close the friction clutch.
US08960385B2	Damper for a bicycle A pull shock damper for a bicycle comprising a spring device and a damper device, the spring device comprising a positive spring and a gas-operated negative chamber. The damper device comprises a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber connected therewith. The negative chamber abuts the first oil chamber via a piston. A tubular structure extends from the piston through the negative chamber interior up to the end of the negative chamber. The piston rod of the piston extends through the first oil chamber to the exterior.
US08960379B2	Supplemental mechanism for actuating the brake of a bicycle and methods of use The present invention describes a supplemental mechanism for actuating the brake of a bicycle either independently or as an addition to normal hand operation of the brake by a brake lever on the handlebars. The actuating mechanism can be adapted to operate a variety of manufactured rim, disc or hub brakes and brake operating mechanisms, including but not limited to Bowden cables and hydraulic actuators and to a variety of different bicycle configurations including but not limited to tandems, (which here is used to describe any kind of multi-seat bicycle), recumbent bicycles and tricycles.
US08960378B2	Brake block for bicycle A brake block for bicycle includes a base which is made by plastic injection molding and a pad body made of rubber. The base has a fixing portion formed on one side thereof and a connecting portion formed on another side thereof. The connecting portion is connected with the fixing portion. The connecting portion has a plurality of necks connecting with the fixing portion and a connecting plate which is mounted on the necks. A gap is defined in two adjacent necks. The pad body has a braking portion formed on another side thereof for providing frictional effect. The pad body is partially filled into the gaps of the connecting portion of the base. The necks and the connecting plate are thoroughly covered by the pad body so that the base and the pad body form as an integral part.
US08960373B2	Elevator having passenger flow management system A passenger flow management system can manage passenger flow such that elevator waiting times may be limited. The management system includes a detector configured to detect elevator passengers within a detection area located outside the building.
US08960362B2	Lubrication arrangement for a drive axle of a haul vehicle A drive axle assembly is provided that improves lubrication to the components of the drive axle assembly. As the wheel differential rotates, lubricant is splashed and lubricates bearings and other associated components of the differential assembly. In addition, lubricant is pumped by rotation of the first and second spur gears and is fed to the radial face of a forward bearing through a lubrication passage through a plurality of passages.
US08960359B2	Work vehicle with diesel particulate filter A work vehicle includes a cooling fan, an engine, and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) purifying exhaust gas of the engine, placed under a hood in that order, beginning at the front. Exhaust gas from the engine is exhausted through an exhaust passage after passing through the DPF. The cooling fan supplies cooling air to the rear. The DPF is placed such that a length direction thereof follows a width direction of a vehicle body. The exhaust passage includes a first passage, a second passage, and a third passage. The first passage extends forward and upward from the DPF before extending along the length direction thereof on a front side of the DPF. The second passage extends downward from a downstream portion of the first passage. The third passage extends to the rear from a downstream portion of the second passage and also includes an exhaust outlet.
US08960355B2	Electric motorcycle An electric motorcycle of the present invention comprises: a battery for storing electric power; an inverter for generating an AC current by the electric power supplied from the battery to the inverter; a motor for generating driving power by the AC current generated by the inverter and supplied to the motor; a wiring member for electrically connecting the inverter to the motor and flowing a current to drive the motor; a battery case for accommodating the battery; an inverter case for accommodating the inverter; and a motor unit case for accommodating the motor, wherein the wiring member is placed in a space defined by the battery case, the inverter case and the motor unit case.
US08960352B2	Wheelchair transportation system A wheelchair transportation system for transporting a wheelchair over at least one obstacle, including a wheelchair transportation unit being operable to transport the wheelchair over the at least one obstacle during at least one transportation operation of the wheelchair. The wheelchair transportation unit includes a pivotal support platform configured to support the wheelchair and pivotally coupled to a chassis of the wheelchair transportation unit, the pivotal support platform includes at least one group of rotating members frictionally engaging at least one main wheel of the wheelchair. During the at least one transportation operation, the at least one main wheel being operable to rotate the at least one group of rotating members thereby a wheelchair user operably controls and guides the wheelchair transportation unit by adjusting at least one rotational speed of the at least one main wheel.
US08960347B2	Modular snorkel system for off-road vehicles A modular snorkel system for an off-road vehicle has a hollow main body that normally is hidden from view behind a fender of the vehicle. The main body terminates at its upper end in an intake mount that projects upwardly from an end of the forward cowl of the vehicle. The other end of the main body is coupled to an end of an air tube that is configured to be routed through the engine bay of the vehicle, again normally hidden from view. The other end of the air tube is coupled through an elbow to the air filter housing of the vehicle. Various intake modules such as a low intake module, a high intake module, an in-line filter module, and others can be mounted to the intake mount of the main body to accommodate different hostile off-road conditions such as water fording and operation in deserts.
US08960343B2	Grill shutter device Provided is a grill shutter device including a shutter mechanism controlling a flow rate of air flowing into a vehicle body from the grill opening portion of the vehicle body front portion by an opening and closing operation; a frame configured to support the shutter mechanism within the grill opening portion; an actuator that is held in the frame and performs the opening and closing driving of the shutter mechanism; and a holding structure capable of relatively moving the actuator to the front side of the frame, based on the collision load at the time of the vehicle collision.
US08960331B2	Wired or ported universal joint for downhole drilling motor A bottom hole assembly for a drill string has a mud motor and a mandrel. The motor has a rotor and a stator, and the rotor defines a bore for passage of conductors. The mandrel has a bore for passage of the conductors and for drilling fluid, and rotation of the mandrel rotates a drill bit. A shaft and universal joints covert orbital motion at the rotor to rotational motion at the mandrel. To pass the conductors from a sonde uphole of the motor to electronics disposed with the mandrel, an inner beam disposes in a bore of the shaft. This inner beam has an internal passage for the conductors, and seal caps dispose on each end of the inner beam to seal inside the universal joints. The inner beam and seal caps prevent drilling fluid passing from the motor and around the shaft from communicating in the shaft's bore.
US08960319B2	Flat plate concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler A sprinkler assembly having a base including a passageway, an inlet opening communicating with a pressurized fluid source, an outlet opening for outputting a flow of pressurized fluid along a flow path, and an axis extending through the outlet opening. The sprinkler assembly further comprises a top engaging the base and a deployment assembly supporting a flow shaper assembly. The deployment assembly is movably mounted to either the base or the top and is movable horizontally between a retracted position and an extended position for dispersing the pressurized fluid from the outlet opening. A heat responsive trigger is mounted to releasably retain the deployment assembly within the retracted position.
US08960317B2	Horizontal well line-drive oil recovery process An in situ combustion process entailing the simultaneous production of liquids and combustion gases that combines fluid drive, gravity phase segregation and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean oil-bearing formation, comprising initially injecting gas, steam or a fluid through a horizontal well placed high in the formation, and initially producing hydrocarbons through a lower, parallel horizontal well. Thereafter, in accordance with the method, production from the lower well is ceased, and a gas, liquid, or steam injected into such lower well, and an adjacent parallel well likewise low in the reservoir is used to produce the oil. Significant portions of a reservoir may thereby be exploited by continually drilling lower adjacent horizontal wells in a direction along the reservoir and converting penultimate lower production wells into injection wells and thereby driving hydrocarbons to an adjacent parallel production well for recovery to surface. The process may further employ in-situ combustion.
US08960316B2	Interventionless adjustable flow control device using inflatables A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, a one-way valve disposed in the fluid pathway to substantially block fluid flow from the interior of the wellbore tubular to the fluid pathway and to allow fluid flow from the fluid pathway to the interior of the wellbore tubular, and an inflatable seal disposed between an opening to the interior of the wellbore tubular and the fluid pathway, wherein the inflatable seal is configured to inflate to substantially block the fluid pathway in response to a fluid pressure differential between the interior of the wellbore tubular and the exterior of the wellbore tubular that exceeds a predefined threshold.
US08960312B2	Mitigating leaks in production tubulars A well system can include a generally tubular production string extending to a surface location. A production packer seals off an annulus external to the production string. A swellable packer is interconnected in the production string between the production packer and the surface location. A method of mitigating a leak in a generally tubular production string can include interconnecting a swellable packer in the production string, and the swellable packer swelling, and thereby increasingly restricting flow through an annulus surrounding the production string, in response to fluid leakage through a sidewall of the production string. Another method can include interconnecting a swellable packer in the production string, and the swellable packer swelling, and thereby increasingly restricting flow through an annulus surrounding the production string, in response to a flow of hydrocarbons into the annulus from an interior of the production string.
US08960310B2	Apparatus and method for connecting fluid lines An apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow in a blowout preventer. In one embodiment, an apparatus for connecting fluid lines includes a socket fluid connector and a plug fluid connector. Each connector includes a flow channel. The plug fluid connector is detachably connectable to the socket fluid connector at a connection end of the plug and socket fluid connectors such that the flow channels align. Each of the socket and plug fluid connectors includes a check valve in the flow channel. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow through the connector flow channels while the plug and socket fluid connectors are not connected, and to enable bidirectional fluid flow through the connector flow channels while plug and socket fluid connectors are connected.
US08960293B2	Method of propping agent delivery to the well A method for producing minerals and, more specifically, for producing hydrocarbons, by hydraulic fracturing of the rock, can be used for the optimization of formation fracturing crack processing conditions. The method includes splitting a main stream of a propping agent suspension in a fluid at a mixer output into at least two flows having different volume delivery rates, and comingling the at least two flows before delivering to the hydraulic fracturing zone.
US08960277B2	Packer for sealing against a wellbore wall A packer for sealing against an inner cylindrical mandrel and a wellbore wall.
US08960276B2	Wellhead seal device to seal casing A wellhead seal device forms metal seals in an annular space between inner and outer tubular members such as a rough casing held within aligned casing and tubing heads. An annular metal sealing sleeve has a lower portion seated in the annular space, and an upper portion which forms an inner sealing annulus adjacent the outer wall of the inner tubular member. A metal seal ring and a wedge ring are located in the inner sealing annulus. A retaining ring is retained by the upper portion above the wedge ring. Threaded seal energizing members extend through the retaining ring to push downwardly on the wedge ring and compress the metal seal ring radially inwardly to form a metal seal to the inner tubular member and thus seal the inner sealing annulus. The lower portion of the annular metal sealing sleeve may seal to the casing head and to the casing.
US08960271B2	Downhole well communications cable Communications cable is provided for use in downhole wells wherein the cable will be exposed to a temperature of at least 280° C., the cable including as a component thereof a composition comprising melt-fabricable tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene, said polytetrafluoroethylene by itself having no tensile property and being present in said composition in an amount effective to enable the component to withstand this temperature, with the high temperature exposure of the cable component being effective to thermally transform the composition in the solid state, thereby obtaining epitaxial co-crystallization.
US08960262B2	Encapsulated arrays with barrier layer covered tiles Encapsulated arrays with tiles covered with a barrier layer are disclosed. Tiles formed of silicon carbide, and wrapped with a barrier layer, are encapsulated with a base metal formed of a steel alloy. During a casting process, to fabricate the encapsulated arrays, the barrier layer prevents the steel alloy and/or the silicon carbide from compromising each other.
US08960260B2	Motorized roller shade or blind having an antenna and antenna cable connection A motorized roller shade includes a shade tube, including an outer surface upon which a shade is attached, an inner surface defining an inner cavity and two end portions, a motor/controller unit, disposed within the shade tube inner cavity and mechanically coupled to the shade tube inner surface, including a support shaft configured to attach to a mounting bracket, and a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket. A wireless receiver is coupled to the motor/controller unit to receive wireless signals and an antenna is arranged on or in at least one of the two end portions.
US08960256B2	Manual override system for motor-driven retractable awning A retractable motor-driven awning can be extended or retracted by energizing the motor in one direction or another. A manually operable system, however, is also employed for rotating the awning by hand in a direction to retract the awning in the event the motor drive becomes inoperable. The ability to hand rotate the roll bar to retract the awning is achieved by connecting the roll bar to the drive shaft of the motor with a manual override system. Implementations of a manual override mechanism include one-way bearings and various ratchet designs.
US08960239B2	Unbonded flexible pipe An unbonded flexible pipe with a length and a center axis along its length includes an internal sealing sheath surrounding the center axis, and at least two tensile armor layers having cross wound elements surrounding the internal sealing sheath. The two tensile armor layers include a first tensile armoring layer having a plurality of first helically wound, elongate armoring elements, and a second tensile armoring layer having a plurality of second helically wound, elongate armoring elements. The first helically wound, elongate armoring elements consist of a first material or a first combination of materials and the second helically wound, elongate armoring elements consist of a second material or a second combination of materials, where the first material or the first combination of materials is different from the second material or the second combination of materials. The unbonded flexible pipe further includes a galvanic barrier layer between the first and the second tensile armoring layer.
US08960235B2	Gas dispersion apparatus A gas dispersion apparatus for use with a process chamber, comprising: a quartz body having a top, a ring coupled to a bottom surface of the top and a bottom plate having dispersion holes coupled to the ring opposite the top; a plurality of quartz plates disposed between the top and the bottom plate, wherein the plurality of plates are positioned above one another and spaced apart to form a plenum above each of the plurality of plates and the bottom plate; a plurality of quartz tubes to couple the plenums to the plurality of dispersion holes, each of the plurality of quartz tubes having a first end disposed within one of the plenums and having a second end coupled to one of the dispersion holes; and a plurality of conduits disposed through the top, wherein each of the plurality of conduits is coupled to one of the plenums.
US08960224B2	Valve position translator Apparatus for determining whether a valve is fully opened or closed. In one embodiment a valve position translator includes a cam tube and a rod. The cam tube has a cylindrical wall. A first slot in the wall is disposed along a radial arc of the tube. A second slot in the wall extends from an end of the first slot at an angle acute to the first slot. The rod extends through the wall, and rotates the cam tube while moving linearly along the cam tube in the second slot and while moving in an arc in the first slot.
US08960222B2	Closure device A closure device for a container of compressed gas, particularly a capsule having a water capacity in the range of 5 to 100 ml, comprises a shut-off valve 122 and a pressure-reducing valve 120, particularly a pressure regulating valve. The shut-off valve 122 is on the lower pressure side of the pressure-reducing valve 120. The closure device may also comprise a fill valve 118 to enable the container to be recharged with gas.
US08960216B2	Diaphragm control valve having a universal diaphragm mounting location A diaphragm control valve has a universal diaphragm mounting location, the diaphragm control valve includes a bonnet, a valve body, a diaphragm, and a clamping washer. The bonnet includes a first clamping surface that transitions into a first annular retention surface formed by a skirt, and the valve body includes a second clamping surface that transitions into a second annular retention surface formed by an upturned annular lip.
US08960207B2	Aqueous washer with rotating arms with nozzles A washer adapted to wash a part with a solution, the washer comprising spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one arm rotatably mounted near its center on at least one of the sidewalls. The arm has one end and another end, a central portion, and an angled portion near the one arm end and angled relative to its adjacent arm central portion. The washer also includes a plurality of nozzles spaced apart along the arm central portion and the arm angled portion between near the one arm end and near the other arm end.
US08960201B1	Foot scrubbing device A foot scrubbing device removes dead or callused skin from a foot. The device includes a handle and a planar panel coupled to and extending from a second end of the handle. The panel has a first face and a second face. A perimeter edge is coupled to and extends around the first face and the second face of the panel. A first abrasive surface is coupled to and covers the first face of the panel. A second abrasive surface is coupled to and covers the second face of the panel. The second abrasive surface has a grit size different than a grit size of the first abrasive surface.
US08960191B2	Powder inhalation device A powder inhaler comprising: a body (10) that is provided with a dispenser orifice; at least one reservoir containing a dose of powder for dispensing; reservoir-opening means for opening a reservoir on each actuation; and a dispersion chamber (70) including an outlet (720) that is connected to said dispenser orifice, and an inlet (710) that is connected to said opening means and that receives the dose of powder from said open reservoir, said dispersion chamber (70) containing at least one movable element (75), such as a ball; the inhaler being characterized in that said dispersion chamber (70) includes a ball path (730) having a width that decreases from said inlet (710) in the direction of displacement of said at least one ball (75).
US08960174B2	Arrow rest locking mechanisms An arrow rest for a bow, according to various embodiments, comprises (1) a launcher, (2) a cord, and (3) a locking mechanism disposed adjacent the launcher. The launcher is adapted to lift an arrow from a first position to a second, ready-to-fire position, the cord is adapted to move the arrow rest from the first position to the second, ready-to-fire position when the cord is pulled, and the locking mechanism is selectively adapted to exert opposing lateral forces on the cord to selectively lock the cord in place while the launcher is in the second, ready-to-fire position.
US08960173B2	Compound bow with rigid deflecting stop Bow having a centerpiece, two flexurally elastic limbs, a string, at least one string pulley, mounted in one end of a limb and intended for accommodating the string, and at least two cable pulleys, connected rigidly to the string pulley and intended for accommodating and guiding compensating cables, and in each case at least one cable pulley is arranged on both sides of the string pulley, and the subassembly made up of the string pulley and cable pulleys is mounted in a rotatable manner in each case, and at least one deflecting stop is present for the purpose of limiting the deflection of the string, and this deflecting stop, when the string is deflected, strikes against a limb or against a stop element connected rigidly to the limb.
US08960172B2	Projectile launching device A launching device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a head coupled to the first end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The head comprises a cavity and a launch ramp curved both upwardly and outwardly from the cavity, wherein a distal portion of the launch ramp extends outwardly beyond the cavity in a forward launching direction. An angle is defined by the longitudinal grip axis and the distal portion of the launch ramp to direct a projectile disposed in the cavity in the forward launching direction.
US08960169B2	EGR controller for internal combustion engine When a constant driving voltage is applied to a motor driving an EGR valve so that the EGR opening degree is varied, an angular speed of the EGR valve becomes minimal at a position where the driving torque of the EGR valve becomes maximal. In view of this, while an opening degree of the EGR valve is varied with a constant driving voltage applied to the motor, the EGR opening degree where the angular speed becomes minimal is learned as a full-close position.
US08960160B2	Engine working machine An engine working machine that has an electronically controlled fuel injection system and a fuel tank disposed in an upper portion. The capacity of the fuel tank is effectively used and a complex structure is prevented while reducing the length of the fuel piping. An engine is disposed in a lower portion, and a fuel tank is disposed above the engine. A fuel pump is mounted on a bottom outside surface of the fuel tank, and disposed projecting on a side portion of the crankcase. An extended box is provided on a bottom surface of the fuel tank, and the fuel pump is mounted with a filter and a fuel intake port located inside the extended box. The fuel pump is housed in a pump case that is fixed to a bottom surface of the extended box.
US08960157B2	Drive device for electromagnetic fuel injection valve The drive device is configured to, during a time interval between an earlier fuel injection (first fuel injection) and a later fuel injection (second fuel injection), supply an electromagnetic coil with an intermediate current at a voltage with a level of not opening the valve. Further, the drive device sets a voltage application for supplying the intermediate current to initiate before a valve closing in the earlier fuel injection and terminate before half a period of time between a first instant when the valve is closed in the earlier fuel injection and a second instant when a supply of a drive current for opening the valve is initiated in the later fuel injection.
US08960155B2	Operating system for internal combustion engine A fuel separation device is configured to separate the first fuel from the mixed fuel to have a concentration of the high-octane fuel not more than a prescribed upper limit value. The prescribed upper limit is defined that a consumed amount of the high-octane fuel measured under a condition that the internal combustion engine is operated at an operation mode including a state in which a fuel injection amount from a first fuel injection valve for the first fuel is equal to a lower injection amount limit by using the first fuel and the second fuel separated by the fuel separation device is less than a consumed amount of the high-octane fuel measured under at the above operation mode by using the first fuel and the second fuel having the concentration of the high-octane fuel at 100% and 0%, respectively, by a prescribed amount or more.
US08960143B2	Valve drive train arrangement In a valve drive train device of an internal combustion engine, comprising a phase adjustment device for the adjustment of a phase position between a primary cam and a secondary cam which belong to a same category and which are arranged coaxial with one another, at least one is assigned to a pair of cams for executing a valve lift changeover so as to allow the valve drive train device to be instantly adjusted to a momentary operating situation.
US08960141B2	Adjustment shaft activation of a valve operation for combustion engines for operating gas exchange valves An adjusting shaft actuating device of a valve train for internal combustion engines includes a cam unit with first and second cams rigidly connected thereto. The second cam is spaced apart from the first cam in axial and peripheral directions. The device also includes a lever unit non-rotatably arranged on an adjusting shaft with first and second lever arms rigidly connected thereto. The second lever arm is spaced apart from the first lever arm in axial and peripheral directions. The first and second cams are configured to be brought into respective operative connections with the first and second lever arms by an axial alignment between the cam unit and lever unit. The first and second cams and the first and second lever arms are arranged such that the first operative connection and the second operative connection are produced during a rotation of the adjusting shaft in a temporally consecutive manner.
US08960134B1	Targeted cooling with individualized feeding ports to cylinders A cooling system for an engine having a plurality of piston cylinders. The cooling system can include a liquid coolant source having liquid coolant and a cylinder cooling passage network having an inlet and an outlet for receiving and transmitting the liquid coolant. The cylinder cooling passage network having a plurality of individual upstream fluidic passages each being fluidly coupled to the inlet to directly receive the liquid coolant from the liquid coolant source in parallel flow. The cylinder cooling passage network further having a plurality of cylinder jacket passages each extending about at least a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of piston cylinders and being positioned immediately adjacent thereto. The cylinder jacket passages are fluidly coupled directly to a corresponding one of the plurality of individual upstream fluidic passages to receive the liquid coolant and transmit the liquid coolant to the outlet for improved cooling performance.
US08960133B2	Liquid injection for scavenging Methods are provided for controlling an engine. One method may include boosting engine intake air to a cylinder; and injecting an amount of a scavenging fluid into the cylinder based on an amount of cylinder residual exhaust gas. A scavenging fluid, such as water or windshield washer fluid evaporates on contact with the hot exhaust gases and hot metal components and the expanded volume of the vapor displaces the residual exhaust gas, thereby improving engine scavenging.
US08960130B2	Pet toy A multi-material pet toy includes a first member having an attractant for making the multi-material pet toy interesting to a pet and a second member for protecting the first member to lengthen a serviceable life of the first member. The toy may be configured so that the first member includes a sound-producing member for making a noise without air movement passing through the sound-producing member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the sound-producing member. The toy may also be configured so that the first member includes a mouth-feel member for providing attraction for the pet with the noise of air movement passing through the mouth-feel member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the mouth-feel member.
US08960126B2	Pump module for pet fountain A pump module for a recirculating pet fountain having a module housing in which a pump is received in which a filter can also be removably received. The module includes a perforate intake formed in a surface of the housing located adjacent to and generally facing toward a bottom of a fountain basin in which the module is removably mounted helping to keep debris and the like from entering the module and plugging the filter. In one embodiment, the intake is a perforate grate integrally formed in a generally downwardly facing surface of the housing and the module is configured so water enters through the intake and flows upwardly through the filter before entering the pump. The downwardly facing surface of the module housing is configured so some intake perforations are closer to the basin bottom than others helping ensure at least one perforation remains under water and substantially unplugged.
US08960116B2	Dual draft crane vessel Vessel including a hull of a substantially closed surface has at deck level a lifting crane, ballast tanks within the hull and a ballast control unit for admitting water to the ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel. The hull has a narrow lower section having first width over a height from keel level to a widening level, and a top section having a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level upwards towards deck level. The control unit is adapted to ballast the vessel to have a relatively shallow draft level in a transit mode, so that the wide top section is above water level, while the vessel is traveling, and to ballast the vessel to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode so that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in its lifting position.
US08960113B2	Marine vessel The invention relates to a marine vessel comprising a hull and a propulsion arrangement. The marine vessel is further provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a cylindrical shell and with a first vertical axis (7). The vertically arranged cylinder is adapted to rotate around the first vertical axis. In order to provide a flexibly adaptable arrangement suitable for various operating modes of the marine vessel, the cylindrical shell comprises at least three sections (62, 63, 64) with a curved portion extending between two ends, whereby each of the three sections is arranged to be turnable around a respective second vertical axis (8), which is positioned at the circumference of the cylindrical shell. Each section is arranged to be anchored into a given position.
US08960106B2	Desk A desk includes a top panel and at least one leg portion. At least one of the at least one leg portion includes a pole-shaped leg pole that supports the top panel and a leg support that has at least a part abutting a floor surface and is attached to the leg pole so as to support the leg support. The leg support includes, as devices to connect with the leg pole, a pair of sandwiching portions that abut the leg pole and are capable of sandwiching the leg pole therebetween and a fastening device that fastens and connects the pair of sandwiching portions in a state where the leg pole is sandwiched by the pair of sandwiching portions.
US08960105B1	Portable desk A portable desk sized to receive and support a conventional laptop computer or other objects such as a book. The device has a flat rigid rectangular desktop, a pair of curved lower legs connected to a pair of curved upper legs. The lower legs have a support surface for supporting the desk top in a stable position on a surface and a pitch angle locking system for adjustably changing the pitch angle of the desk top using manually operated stoppers connected to the lower legs that engage notches on the curved upper legs for locking the desktop in place.
US08960104B2	Table The disclosed article of furniture comprises a table with an adjustable base, a support, and a worksurface. The table can be deployed in a generally upright position for use and can be folded into a compact form for storage. The worksurface is mounted on an arm coupled to the base and is rotatable relative to the arm. The arm may be folded into the support. The support may be folded into the base. The worksurface may fit within a cavity between the legs of the base when the table is in the stowed position. The worksurface may have a height adjustment mechanism for the worksurface. The height adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust to a predetermined “home” position when the support is folded into the base for the stowing position.
US08960103B2	Apparatus for concealing a product Apparatus (2) for housing a product comprising a frame (4) mounted on or in a surface; and a member (6) moveable within the frame (4) and for securing the product wherein the member (6) is moveable between a first position in which the product is concealed from view and a second position in which the product is in view and accessible by a user.
US08960094B1	Bullet with push-out explosive A bullet defines a chamber and mechanism for extending an explosive body from the chamber. The chamber has a broader top portion than a lower portion. The bullet further defines a channel passage leading out of the top end of the bullet. The bullet contains the explosive body slidably engaged within the channel passage. A shaft is connected to the body and passes down from the body into the lower portion of the chamber. A thrust plate is connected to the shaft end in the chamber. The thrust plate is spring metal and when the cartridge is fired, the thrust plate rises pushing the body so that it extends from the leading end of the bullet. When the thrust plate rises to the second portion of the chamber, it springs open to prevent subsequent downward motion of the thrust plate and consequently prevents subsequent retraction of the body during flight.
US08960088B2	Gravure printing method A gravure printing method is provided that includes: patterning a substrate to form a printing substrate having a recess portion and a convex portion; forming a first self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the recess portion; forming a second self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the convex portion; filling ink into the recess portion; and transferring the ink filled in the recess portion to a printing object substrate, wherein the first and second self-assembled monolayers respectively formed on the surfaces of the recess portion and the convex portion have different surface energies.
US08960084B2	Juice extractor with a temperature displaying function A juice extractor with a temperature displaying function includes a body and a temperature display device. The body includes a base and a container. A cover is mounted on a top end of the container. The temperature display device is mounted to the body and includes a temperature detecting portion and a display. The temperature detecting portion is connected to the display via a signal transmission route. A temperature change in the container during operation of the body can be known by the temperature display device.
US08960078B2	Reusable beverage cartridge A reusable cartridge and method for forming a beverage using a beverage machine. The cartridge may include a bottom surface with inlet and outlet openings, e.g., arranged to receive an inlet or outlet needle, respectively, and an opening at a top end through which access to the interior space may be had. A filter basket may be inserted or removed into the interior space through the opening and a cover may engage at top to seal the opening closed.
US08960066B2	Rifle charging handle An ambidextrously operated charging handle for use with the M16 family of firearms is provided. The charging handle provides a latch mechanism consisting of two extended handles which are in operational communication with each other. Either handle may be independently retracted to disengage the latch mechanism of the charging handle from the host firearms receiver. The spring-biased mechanism of the charging handle is sheltered within the interior of the charging handle thereby protecting it from the elements. Further, an improved axial pin has been provided to secure the handles of the latch mechanism to the grasping portion of the charging handle.
US08960059B2	Variable folding system comprising linear drives, especially for printing machines A method for producing individual material sections, particularly sheets of paper, according to a certain format, from a web-type, for example imprinted object (object web), more particularly a web of paper or material, using a cutting means for cutting off the individual material sections from the object web and then removing said sections from the cutting means, wherein during the course of actuation of the cutting means at least one carrier is engaged with the object web, wherein following the cutting process, the carrier is displaced, together with the object web gripped by said carrier, by means of a controllable linear drive, over a displacement stroke, which is adjusted and/or varied in a controlled manner by the linear drive according to a section format that is predefined for the material section.
US08960056B2	Foldable wrench A foldable wrench includes a lever, a handle, a lock and a key. The lever includes two lugs each including an opening defined therein. The first lug includes teeth formed on the wall of the opening. The handle includes a lug including an opening defined therein and teeth formed on the wall of the opening. The lug of the handle is placed between the lugs of the lever. The lock includes teeth formed thereon. The lock is movable between a releasing position to engage the teeth of the lock with the teeth of the handle only and a locking position to engage the teeth of the lock with the teeth of the handle and the teeth of the lever. The key is rotatable on the second lug of the lever between a first position corresponding to the releasing position and a second position corresponding to the locking position.
US08960047B2	Device for coupling a guide element secured to at least one cable sheath, in a support mount The guide element has two opposed hooks in alignment. One hook is positioned angularly so as to bear and butt in a recess formed in a support mount. An other hook bears on an elastic member of the mount so as to trigger pivoting movement of a tilting latch which engages with the other hook, under a tilting effect of the guide element that corresponds to a position of coupling with the support mount.
US08960046B2	Locking device for a vehicle steering system A locking device for a vehicle steering system, having a steering gear, a servomotor which is adapted to provide a steering assist force, a blocking ring which is assigned to a motor shaft of the servomotor, and a locking member which is adapted to engage in the blocking ring to block rotation of the motor shaft of the servomotor and thereby to lock the steering gear, further provision being made for an actuating member having the locking member adjustably mounted thereon, and the actuating member being adjustable by a drive motor between a blocking position and a release position.
US08960042B2	Robot arm assembly A robot arm assembly includes a supporting arm, first and second mechanical arms, a first driving member, a second driving member, a first transmission mechanism between the first mechanical arm and the first driving member, and a second transmission mechanism between the second mechanical arm and the second driving member. The first driving member drives the first transmission mechanism to rotate the first mechanical arm. The second driving member drives the second transmission mechanism to rotate the second mechanical arm. The first driving member and the second driving member are both carried in the supporting arm and are arranged side by side.
US08960041B2	Shifting arrangement for displacing a selector fork The disclosure relates to a shifting arrangement for displacing a selector fork of a multispeed transmission assembly along a selector rod. The shifting arrangement has a positioning element which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis. The positioning element is connected to the selector fork, which is movably mounted on the selector rod, via a driving mechanism designed for converting the rotational movement of the positioning element into a sliding movement of the selector fork along the selector rod. The shifting arrangement further comprises also has a locking device for locking the selector fork in selected operating positions. The locking device is designed for establishing a locking connection between the positioning element and the selector fork.
US08960019B1	Fuel dispenser time synchronization and geotracking A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed.
US08960018B2	Pitot tube traverse assembly A pressure measurement system for measuring pressure in a conduit has a bluff body extending into the conduit. The bluff body has an upstream opening and a downstream opening. An upstream pitot tube is slidably engaged within the bluff body and has an open end positioned in the upstream opening. A downstream pitot tube is slidably engaged within the bluff body and has an open end positioned in the downstream opening. A differential pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the upstream pitot tube and the downstream pitot tube to measure a pressure difference between the upstream pitot tube and the downstream pitot tube.
US08960016B2	Method and apparatus for measurement of composition and flow rates of a wet gas A method for determining the flow rates of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: a. the permittivity of the multi-component mixture is determined based on an electromagnetic measurement, b. a statistical parameter related to the electromagnetic measurement is calculated, c. the density of the multi-component is determined, d. the temperature and pressure are obtained, e. based on the knowledge of densities and dielectric constants of the components of the fluid mixture, and the result from the above steps a-c, the water fraction of the multi-component mixture is calculated, characterized by a method for determining the liquid fraction and flow rates of the multi-component mixture where f. the liquid fraction is calculated based on the statistical parameter from step b and the calculated water fraction from step e using an empirical derived curve, g. the velocity of the multi-component mixture is derived, and h. based on the step a-g, the flow rate of the individual components of the multi-component mixture is calculated. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
US08960013B2	Cement testing Systems and methods provide for testing a cement by applying force in a first direction until the first portion of the cement sample fails in compression or tension; and applying force a second direction opposite the first direction until the second portion of the cement sample fails in tension or compression.
US08959996B2	Water meter casing having a middle casing and inlet and outlet ports formed as separate components A water meter casing and manufacturing process thereof are provided. The water meter casing comprises a middle casing (1), a water inlet port (2) and a water outlet port (3), which are separate parts, wherein a water inlet (4) and a water outlet (5) where the water inlet and outlet ports (2, 3) are arranged are respectively provided at the two sides of the middle casing (1), and a support ring (6) is also provided in the inner cavity of the middle casing (1). The manufacturing process of the water meter casing relates to a method of forming the water meter casing by high pressure hydraulic bulging. The manufacturing process is simple and easy to carry out, and it presents the advantage of low cost.
US08959993B2	Device for determining an aerodynamic flow along a wall and controlling a profile of the wall A device for characterizing the nature of an aerodynamic stream along a wall, the device including multiple temperature-sensitive optical nodes of Bragg grating type distributed along an optical fiber. The device determining the variations in speed of the aerodynamic stream. The nodes are distributed along a fiber placed substantially following the route of a streamline, and the device processing so as to differentiate the temporal and spatial characteristics of the signals of thermal flowrate among the nodes.
US08959991B2	Method for estimating properties of a subterranean formation A method for estimating properties of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore provides for injecting a fluid with the plurality of tracer agents wherein each tracer agent is an object of submicron scale, into the wellbore and formation, flowing the fluid back from the subterranean formation and determining the properties of the formation. The properties are determined by analyzing changes in the tracers size and type distribution function between the injection fluid and produced fluid.
US08959988B2	Oxygen sensor control apparatus In an oxygen sensor control apparatus, a CPU obtains a correction coefficient for calibrating the relation between output value of an oxygen sensor and oxygen concentration when a fuel cut operation is performed. When the amount of scavenging air (total supply amount of air) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount in each fuel cut period, the CPU calculates an average output value Ipav from a plurality of output values (concentration corresponding values) Ipr of the oxygen sensor, from which values deviating from a predetermined range R1 have been removed. Subsequently, the CPU averages the values obtained in a plurality of fuel cut periods to thereby obtain a plural-time average output value Ipavf. The CPU obtains a correction coefficient for correcting the actual output value Ip of the oxygen sensor 20 on the basis of the Ipavf value and a previously set reference output value.
US08959987B2	Oxygen sensing method and apparatus A method of determining an air:fuel ratio of a combustion process based on information from an oxygen sensor exposed to exhaust gases of the combustion process. A first value is determined indicative of the exhaust gas oxygen content, with the value being based on a resistance of an oxygen sensing portion of the oxygen sensor. A second value is determined indicative of a temperature of the oxygen sensor, which may be based on a resistance of a heater portion of the oxygen sensor. A third value is determined indicative of the air:fuel ratio as a function of the first and second values. Thus, the oxygen level data from the oxygen sensor may be temperature compensated so as to result in a more accurate estimate of the air:fuel ratio. The third value may then be used to control the combustion process, which may be associated with an internal combustion engine.
US08959985B2	Microparticle detecting apparatus A microparticle detecting apparatus is disclosed and includes at least one detection unit, each of which includes: a first sieve having at least a first mesh, a separator stacked on one side of the first sieve and having a separator hole, and a second sieve stacked on one side of the separator and having several second meshes. The diameter of the second mesh is smaller than that of the first mesh, and the first and second meshes are misaligned with each other in a vertical direction of the first and second sieves. The detection unit further includes at least a sensor aligned with the first or second mesh for detecting microparticles trapping into the first mesh or passing through the second mesh. Therefore, the microparticle detecting apparatus is suitably used for detecting or counting any microparticles with different size, to effectively shorten the detection processes of sample fluids.
US08959982B2	Dynamic canine tracking method for hazardous and illicit substances Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.
US08959976B2	Apparatus for manufacturing a metal plate for a duct, including mesh-type beads The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a metal plate for a duct. The apparatus includes a frame (F) constituted by connecting metal pieces in a form of a box; roll stands (F2) vertically installed on a top surface of the frame (F); upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4) provided at both ends thereof with shafts (S1 and S2) and formed on outer surfaces thereof with embossments and intaglios; a feeding part (100) including idle rollers (110) to stably feed metal plates from a rear of the upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4); first and second gears (S1-1 and S2-2) coupled to the shafts (S1 and S2) of the upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4); a pulley (76) coupled to the second gear (S2-2); and a driving unit (7) including a driving motor (72).
US08959974B2	Fabrication member A method of making a composite tube-shaped fabrication member by providing in coils a first planar member suitable to form a flange of a tube-shaped fabrication member, two second planar members suitable to form web portions of a tube-shaped frame member, and two third planar members suitable to form a portion of a flange of the tube-shaped member, uncoiling the coils for first, second, and third planar members and passing them through accumulators, aligning the first, second, and third planar members adjacent respective side portions and attaching side portions of each planar member to respective side portions of adjacent planar members to form a composite intermediate product, and cold-forming to form a composite fabrication member of a desired shape.
US08959972B2	Top cap of bicycle handlebar stem tube and method for manufacturing same A top cap is provided for a bicycle handlebar stem. The top cap includes a cap body, which has a lower portion forming a fitting cylinder of a reduced diameter and a radially expanding circumferential shoulder atop the fitting cylinder. A barrel extends from a bottom of the fitting cylinder. The barrel forms a downward-facing hollow blind hole. The cap body forms a bolt head hole extending therethrough and coaxial with and communicating the blind hole. The barrel forms slits, which define a tightening section.
US08959965B2	Security device for a pedal vehicle A security device can be secured to a pedal vehicle to prevent the vehicle being pedalled. The security device includes a receiving means and a securing means. The receiving means may include a through-hole means for receiving part of a frame and a pedal crank arm of the vehicle and may have an open configuration in which the frame part and a part of the crank can be placed in the through-hole means, and a closed configuration in which a frame part and crank arm are held in the through-hole means against relative movement therebetween.
US08959963B2	Security box with attached lock A security box is provided. The security box has a container part with an integral lock system and a security box lid that is adapted to slide onto a lip at the top edge of the container part of the security box and to fasten to the integral lock system.
US08959956B2	Apparatus and method for controlling moisture in the manufacture of glass fiber insulation Apparatus, systems and methods for making a fibrous products form molten material into fibers. The fibers are sprayed with a coolant liquid to cool the fibers. A flow rate of the sprayed coolant liquid is controllable. The fibers are also sprayed with a binder dispersion. The fibers are directed toward a conveyor to form an uncured fibrous pack. A thickness of the uncured pack is measured and the flow rate of the sprayed coolant liquid is controlled based on the measured thickness of the uncured pack.
US08959950B2	High capacity chiller compressor A high efficiency, low maintenance single stage or multi-stage centrifugal compressor assembly for large cooling installations. A cooling system provides direct, two-phase cooling of the rotor by combining gas refrigerant from the evaporator section with liquid refrigerant from the condenser section to affect a liquid/vapor refrigerant mixture. Cooling of the stator with liquid refrigerant may be provided by a similar technique. A noise suppression system is provided by injecting liquid refrigerant spray at points between the impeller and the condenser section. The liquid refrigerant may be sourced from high pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser section.
US08959944B2	Centrifugal Air Cycle Air Conditioner The air conditioning system uses an air cycle thermodynamic process. The system comprises a centrifuge. This centrifuge includes at one of its ends, an axial inlet that funnels air into a centrifugal compressor rotating in unison with the centrifuge. The air is compressed, adiabatically heated and directed to a heat exchanger mounted in the rim of, and rotating with the centrifuge. The air is accelerated with respect the centrifuge by varying the centrifuge radius or by using forward leaning impeller blades. The air is cooled by the heat exchanger and directed to an expander also rotating with the centrifuge. The air is expanded and adiabatically further cooled. The cold air exits the centrifuge through an axial outlet located at the second end of the centrifuge.
US08959940B2	Refrigeration cycle apparatus In the invention, control of the expansion device is carried out based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature of the first representative point that becomes a predetermined enthalpy under the refrigerant pressure of the gas cooler and the detection temperature of the outlet temperature sensor, and control of the rotation speed of the compressor and/or the rotation speed of the heat medium sending device is/are carried out based on the second representative point that is, under the refrigerant pressure of the gas cooler, a temperature different from the first representative point.
US08959937B2	Method for operating a cooling system In a method for operating a cooling system for cooling food on board an aircraft, a partial amount of refrigerant, which, in the rest state, is stored in a receiving space of a refrigerant container in the gaseous state of aggregation, is discharged from the receiving space of the refrigerant container into a cooling circuit of the cooling system. The partial amount of the refrigerant is directed into a liquefier arranged in the cooling circuit and converted to the liquid state of aggregation. The partial amount of the refrigerant liquefied by the liquefier is directed through a heat exchanger arranged in the receiving space of the refrigerant container. The remaining refrigerant, stored in the receiving space of the refrigerant container in the gaseous state of aggregation, is converted to the liquid state of aggregation by heat energy transfer to the partial amount of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger.
US08959936B2	Method for operation of an HVAC system A method for operating an HVAC system includes the steps of adjusting a heating temperature of a heat exchanger disposed in a first flow passage, directing a first partial air mass flow through the first flow passage, directing a second partial air mass flow through a second flow passage, and directing the first partial air mass flow and the second partial air mass flow downstream of the first flow passage and the second flow passage, wherein the heating temperature of the heat exchanger required to at least one of achieve and maintain a desired climate in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is set as a maximum heating temperature for the heat exchanger, and wherein only an amount of energy required to at least one of achieve and maintain a desired climate in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is added to the HVAC system.
US08959912B2	Vehicle comprising a charged combustion engine and method for operating a vehicle comprising a charged combustion engine A vehicle includes an internal-combustion engine for driving a drive train of the vehicle, at least one charger for increasing the pressure of the air supplied to the internal-combustion engine and an electrical machine which can be or is coupled to the charger in a torque-transmitting manner and is provided for driving or supporting the drive of the charger. The drive train can be or is coupled with the electrical machine in a torque-transmitting manner.
US08959910B2	Method and system for determining conditions of an air filter A method for operating a turbocharger wastegate is disclosed. In one example, the wastegate is operated to provide a state of an engine air intake system air filter. The approach can provide a status the air intake filter via a sensor that has an alternative primary purpose thereby potentially reducing system cost.
US08959905B2	Hydrostatic drive system A hydrostatic drive system has a motor-driven hydraulic pump (1) connected to at least one hydraulic drive unit (7) by a first working line (19) and a second working line (21) forming a hydraulic circuit. The drive unit is connected to a gear set (1, 3). A first hydraulic accumulator (53) for accumulating pressure energy can be connected to one of the working lines (19, 21). A second hydraulic accumulator (55) can be connected to the other working line (19, 21). A valve device (V1, V2) permits the segment (23, 25) of each working line (19 or 21) extending to the drive unit (7) to be separated to separate an accumulator part (33) from the part of the circuit with the hydraulic pump (13). The accumulator part includes the hydraulic accumulators (53, 55) and at least one drive unit.
US08959903B2	Systems and techniques for heating urea injection systems A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
US08959901B2	Metal-gas battery system A metal-gas battery that utilizes an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine as reactive gases is provided. Almost constant concentration of exhaust gases are supplied to the metal-gas battery via an existing engine systematic combustion system. The systematic combustion system keeps a definite air fuel mixture (A/F) that acts to enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the metal-gas battery leverages the existing vehicle air management system. Exhaust heat of the exhaust gases is sometimes utilized for the heat control of the vehicle, and then the cooled exhaust gases are introduced into the metal-air battery to be consumed during a cathode reduction reaction to create and store electrical energy. The metal-gas battery supports the cleaning of exhausted gases using existing emission catalysts.
US08959888B2	Device to lower NOx in a gas turbine engine combustion system An emissions control system for a gas turbine engine including a flow-directing structure (24) that delivers combustion gases (22) from a burner (32) to a turbine. The emissions control system includes: a conduit (48) configured to establish fluid communication between compressed air (22) and the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24). The compressed air (22) is disposed at a location upstream of a combustor head-end and exhibits an intermediate static pressure less than a static pressure of the combustion gases within the combustor (14). During operation of the gas turbine engine a pressure difference between the intermediate static pressure and a static pressure of the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24) is effective to generate a fluid flow through the conduit (48).
US08959881B2	Rotary disk header with a roller for transferring the crop supported by a center bearing A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted on a cutter bar for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common rotary member with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. The common rotary member includes two portions connected at a center location driven at one end and supported at the center location by a bearing and support plate connected to the cutter bar attached to one portion and a universal joint between the end of the supported portion and the other portion to allow flexing of the cutter bar to be transmitted through the universal joint.
US08959877B2	Food packaging carton and method of making packaging carton A packaging carton for a food product is disclosed, where the carton includes a front face, a back face, two side faces, a top face and a bottom face, where these faces define an interior storage cavity, at least the back face of the packaging carton includes a perforation defining an opening flap and the opening flap may be permanently removed by separating the opening flap from a face or faces of the carton along the perforation to define an access opening that allows access to the interior storage cavity. A method of making a packaging carton for a food product is also disclosed.
US08959876B2	Shingle with reinforcement layer A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
US08959868B2	Truss system Disclosed is a truss, having an upper and lower chord member each extending in generally the same longitudinal direction and in spaced apart relation. The truss also includes a plurality of web members each with a first and second end, the web members including a crimped portion at the first and second end with openings disposed therein, wherein the first and second ends and openings of adjacent web members overlap. A lower chord fastening system extends through the lower chord and through the overlapping openings in the first ends of adjacent web members. An upper chord fastening system extends through the upper chord and through the overlapping openings in the second ends of two adjacent web members, wherein a plurality of lower and upper chord fastening systems are utilized across the entire length of the truss.
US08959863B2	Method and apparatus to fill and fire proof holes in concrete floors of commercial buildings utilizing a precast plug The present apparatus and method relates in general to sealing a hole in a floor with a precast plug. A precast plug is created by pouring a wet aggregate mix into a form mold and thereafter inserting a pre bent rod into the uncured mixture, positioning it such that the center of the rod rests in the center of the form mold and the ends of the rod extend outward near the top of the form mold. The mix is then cured. The precast plug may then be transported to the hole that it is destined to fix. Grooves may be carved on either side of the hole to accommodate the rod's ends. The interior of the hole and the exterior of the plug may then be covered with a sealant, after which the plug may be inserted into the hole. Once the sealant cures, the hole is fully repaired.
US08959861B1	Seam free water impermeable construction materials providing non-toxic installations A water impermeable structure comprising a plurality of construction boards fastened to a structure or a building. Each construction board comprises a curable substrate and a water impermeable seamless resilient membrane adhered to the curable substrate. The water impermeable seamless resilient membrane comprises one or more flaps that extend beyond the curable substrate. The flaps affix to the adjoining construction board creating a water impermeable structure and a water impermeable structure with at least one water impermeable area.
US08959855B2	Systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers. A window wall system can include a sill receptor configured to fixably attach to a top surface of a slab. The window wall system may include a head receptor configured to fixably attach to an underside surface of the slab. The window wall system can include a window wall panel including panel infill and a panel sill configured to detachably couple to the sill receptor. The window wall system may include a slab edge cover including cover infill. The slab edge cover can be configured to detachably couple to the window wall panel and the head receptor. In various embodiments, an exterior surface of the panel infill and an exterior surface of the cover infill are configured to flushly align when the slab edge cover is detachably coupled to the window wall panel.
US08959850B2	Wall entry tunnel for a pet door A wall entry tunnel for use with a pet door. The wall entry tunnel extends through a structural feature and forms an enclosed passageway connecting the interior and exterior frames of a pet door. The length of the wall entry tunnel adjusts to fit structural features of various thicknesses. The wall entry tunnel includes modular components that facilitate compact packaging and are readily assembled to construct the enclosed passageway with a perimeter sized to match the size of the pet door opening.
US08959848B2	Photovoltaic roofing elements and photovoltaic roofing systems The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.
US08959845B2	System and method for structure design An embodiment of the present disclosure provides complex curved structures and methods of making the same without requiring specially made frames or the like. These structures may include complex multi-axis, spherical, semi-spherical, twisted, or other like curves, for example. In this illustrative embodiment, individually sized boxes are stacked or assembled to form the structure.
US08959842B2	Prefabricated flashing product A prefabricated flashing product for an opening in an exterior surface of a structure includes a generally planar flange shaped to conform to the exterior surface, the flange extending outwardly from an entire perimeter of an aperture therein that corresponds to the opening, and a return that seals to the flange about the aperture and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom toward an inward direction of the opening. The flange and the return are monolithically formed of a waterproof material. A method of integrating a fenestration product into an opening of an exterior surface of a structure includes inserting the flashing product described above into the opening, and inserting the fenestration product at least partially into the aperture of the flashing product.
US08959829B2	Rodent trap mounting member and method A rodent trap mounting platform is provided to which a snap trap can be attached. The platform in turn includes at least one attaching member for attaching the platform, with attached snap trap, to another surface, such as the surface of a dumpster, trash can, or other surface. In one embodiment, the platform is integrally molded into the wall of a bait box.
US08959827B1	Enhanced action fishing lures An enhanced action fishing lure includes a lure body having a first side lure body surface and a second side lure body surface and at least one action bump protruding from one of the first side lure body surface and the second side lure body surface.
US08959820B2	Handguard for firearm A handguard or other cover for a firearm includes a shell or body with a hollow interior cavity and a retaining structure configured to engage the forearm and retain the shell in place on the forearm, where the retaining structure is releasable to permit removal of the shell from the forearm. The shell extends between first and second edges around an angular range greater than 180° and less than 360° to define the shell in a semi-tubular shape or a C-shape. The shell may have a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface extending between the first and second edges. The first edge is spaced from the second edge to define a gap providing access to the interior cavity, and the shell is configured to be connected to a forearm for the firearm by inserting the forearm within the interior cavity.
US08959815B2	Adhesive casualty and triage card A casualty and triage information collection form and record sheet of flexible plastic film including a writing surface and backed by a layer of an adhesive by which the record sheet can be attached to a patient's clothing or skin. The flexible plastic film is strong enough and elastic enough to serve as a wound dressing. The adhesive is protected before use by a release liner sheet.
US08959794B2	Process and apparatus to control the airflow in dehumidifying dryers A control system for dryers in which the rotation speed of the motors are changed through frequent on/off connections to the electric power line. In accordance with the invention this task is solved by interrupting the electric power driving the electric motor for short periods in such a way that the motor does not come to a complete standstill or remains at a constant speed below the maximum speed. The motor power interruption or application is based upon readings of sensors reading dryer parameters other than the actual speed of the motor being controlled.
US08959787B2	Depth determination apparatus A depth determination apparatus is described. The depth determination apparatus includes a rotatable reel for receiving a length of line, a free end of the line being adapted to receive a weight, a hollow elongate leader assembly through which the line is played out and retracted, a measuring arrangement for measuring the length of line played out and/or retracted through the hollow elongate leader; and a drive means for at least retracting the line through the hollow elongate leader.
US08959783B2	Laser surveying system A laser surveying system comprises a leveling unit (3) having a motor for leveling, a light source unit (14) for emitting a laser beam, a light projecting optical system installed on the leveling unit and for projecting the laser beam, a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each of component sites, a control unit (7) for driving and controlling each of the component sites, a storage unit (26), a tilt detecting means (11) installed on the leveling unit and used for detecting leveling conditions, a rotation number detecting means (13) for detecting number of rotations of the motor, a light source detecting means (16a and 16b) for detecting light emitting condition of the light source unit, a voltage detecting means (24) for detecting output voltage of the power source unit, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting operational abnormality, and in the laser surveying system, the control unit monitors whether there is abnormality or not by the abnormality detecting means, samples a detection signal from each of the detecting means at a predetermined time interval, and stores signal groups thus detected in the storage unit in time series as sampling data, and when the stored sampling data exceeds a predetermined amount, older data are deleted, and new sampling data are sequentially overwritten, and when at least one of the detection signals for monitoring indicates abnormality, using a point to indicate the abnormality as a base point, the sampling data in a range of a predetermined time period are exempted from the objects of deletion and are preserved as data for analysis of the cause of abnormality.
US08959771B2	Method of constructing a shell for a room air conditioner/heat pump with lateral strength A method of manufacturing a shell from sheet metal for a room air conditioner/heat pump is shown. The sheet metal is stamped and formed to a U-shaped rectangular shell with open ends and a shell brace. Flanges on the outer edge of the U-shaped rectangular shell overlap at corners with (a) adjacent flanges or (b) the shell brace. Both the U-shaped rectangular shell and shell brace are inserted into an assembly machine where the corners are clinched and punched. The outermost flange at each corner is punched to a fixed diameter, but the innermost flange or the shell brace is only punched to a conical shape. Screws are inserted at each corner that pass through the fixed diameter to threadably engage only the conical shape of the innermost flange or shell brace.
US08959762B2	Method of manufacturing an electronic module In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
US08959754B2	Method and apparatus for removing a coil from a slot of a dynamoelectric machine An apparatus is provided comprising a base frame having a turntable, and a vertical section configured to be mounted on the turntable via a slidable mounting platform. The vertical section has a tapered wedge configured to move up and down the vertical section. The turntable is configured to rotate at least 360 degrees, and the vertical section is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to a center of rotation of the turntable.
US08959753B2	Markers for a medical ultrasound imaging catheter A catheter is provided for medical ultrasound imaging that can be effectively used in combination with other imaging modalities to detect medical structures of interest as well as the catheter. Markers are added to the catheter which allow more precise location identification of the catheter in the merging of the images from different modalities. Using a template, apertures for marker placement are formed in the catheter after creating the catheter housing. The ultrasound array may be used for accurate positioning of the template. Alternatively or additionally, a rigid insert with markers connects with the array. The insert holds the markers in place and may reduce artifacts in ultrasound scanning due to flexing of the array.
US08959751B2	Vehicle body assembly line and method for assembling vehicle body Doors D (collectively representing doors D1 and D2) are removed from a vehicle body W, and are mounted to door holders 4 which are put laterally outside a base 2. While a carrier 1 is conveyed downstream with the door holders 4 kept holding the doors D and put outside the base 2 in the lateral directions, and, components are assembled to the doors D. Thereafter, the doors D to which the components are assembled are removed from the door holders 4, and are mounted to the vehicle body W.
US08959749B2	Tool and method for mechanical roughening The invention proposes a device which prepared a cylinder bore of a combustion engine in one working stroke such that the cylinder bore can subsequently be thermally coated.
US08959745B2	Method of producing cuff of sphygmomanometer having automatic cuff winding mechanism In a method of producing a cuff of a sphygmomanometer having an automatic cuff winding mechanism, the cuff includes a band-shaped fluid bladder forming a cavity for inserting a user's arm therein, a shape maintenance member wound on the band-shaped fluid bladder, a band-shaped bag wound on the shape maintenance member, and a cylindrical elastic plate housed in the band-shaped bag. The method includes winding the band-shaped fluid bladder on an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical jig having approximately the same outer diameter as the cavity of the band-shaped fluid bladder, winding the shape maintenance member on an outer circumferential surface of the band-shaped fluid bladder, winding the band-shaped bag on an outer circumferential surface of the shape maintenance member, removing the cylindrical jig from the band-shaped fluid bladder, and housing the cylindrical elastic plate inside the band-shaped bag.
US08959728B2	Slider for slide fastener A slider for slide fasteners having a slider body with the leading end of the upper and lower plates connected by a connecting bar and a y-shaped element guiding path disposed between the upper and lower plates, a pull with one end rotatably held on the upper plate, and a stopping hook disposed on the upper plate and having a hook at one end; the upper plate having an insertion groove for inserting the stopping hook, a locking part for locking the other end of the stopping hook, and a hook eyelet drilled so that the hook can be inserted; and the stopping hook is disposed so that by tilting/erecting manipulations of the pull, the hook can be inserted/withdrawn from the element guiding path through the hook eyelet; wherein the corners of the stopping hook that contact the locking part, at least during locking operation, form beveled parts.
US08959720B2	Synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system A synchronous movement device of dual-shaft system includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a driver disposed on the first shaft and a reactor disposed on the second shaft and a link unit connected between the driver and the reactor. The driver is formed with a driving rail. The reactor is formed with a reacting rail. When the first shaft drives the driver to rotate, the driver pushes the link unit to move along the first and second shafts to forcedly push the reactor to rotate in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the driver. Accordingly, the first and second shafts are synchronously rotated.
US08959719B2	Dual-shaft synchronous movement device A dual-shaft synchronous movement device includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a first rotor and/or a third rotor disposed on the first shaft and a second rotor and/or a fourth rotor disposed on the second shaft, and an inextensible/non-contractible flexible plate connected between the first (or the third rotor) and the second rotor (or the fourth rotor). When the first shaft drives the first rotor (or the third rotor) to rotate, the inextensible/non-contractible flexible plate pulls the second rotor (or the fourth rotor) to rotate in a direction reverse to a moving direction of the first rotor so as to make the first and second shafts synchronously rotate. The synchronous movement device solves the problem of delay of kinetic energy transmission and the problem of slippage, deflection and untrue operation of the conventional device.
US08959715B2	Dual-shaft synchronous movement device and assembling method thereof A dual-shaft synchronous movement device and an assembling method thereof. The dual-shaft synchronous movement device includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The invention includes providing an assembling device and arranging on the assembling device a first rotor and a second rotor (or a third rotor and a fourth rotor) between which a drive section is wound; winding the drive section onto the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) in a tensioned state; and pushing the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) onto the first and second shafts. Through the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) and the drive section, when the first shaft is rotated, the second shaft is synchronously rotated.
US08959710B2	Door damping mechanism A damping device that includes an arm having a longitudinally extending slot and a cylinder cut-out defined therein, and a damping assembly secured in the cylinder cut-out. The damping assembly includes a cylinder housing with a chamber having a piston and fluid disposed therein. The piston includes a rod with a head on a distal end thereof that extends outside the cylinder housing and into the slot. The damping assembly includes a biasing member extending between the cylinder housing and the head.
US08959709B2	Door opening and closing device A door opening and closing device can change a damping force of a damper when an arm rotates by opening and closing of a door. On a case 11 of the door opening and closing device 7, the arm 8 is mounted which rotates by opening and closing of the door 2. Inside the case 11, friction generating unit 22 is provided. The friction generating unit 22 has a slider 12d which moves linearly relative to the case 11 by opening and closing of the door 2 and a fixed part 21 which is fixed to the case 11 to slide the slider 12d. The friction generating unit 22 generates friction between the slider 12d and the fixed part 21. In opening and closing of the door 2, a radio of the rotation angle of the arm 8 and the amount of displacement of the slider 12d is varied.
US08959704B1	Debris collection devices Provided herein are devices which facilitate collection of debris from various locations, such as roads, driveways, and fields. An article provided in accordance with some embodiments includes a receiver with an opening suitable for admitting debris, and also having panels connected thereto which assist in directing debris into the opening of the receiver. An adapter body having a proximal end attached to the receiver permits debris to pass through the adapter body to the distal end of the adapter body, and the distal end is fitted with a collection receptacle, which receptacle comprises a sack, bag or the like that contains perforations or holes sufficiently dimensioned to enable air to pass through the wall of the sack, bag, or the like, while retaining debris within the interior volume of the sack, bag, or the like.
US08959702B2	Wiper blade An arm piece of a wiper arm, which has a connecting portion connected to a connecting pin through a connecting member received in an opening of a main lever, extends from the connecting portion toward a base end side portion of the main lever such that the arm piece overlaps with an upper surface of the main lever. The main lever is formed by runnerless injection molding. A gate trace, which is left on the main lever in the runnerless injection molding, is formed in an arm accommodation portion of the main lever, which is opposed to the arm piece in a top-to-bottom direction.
US08959699B2	Mop head fixation device and method Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.
US08959698B2	Adjustable holder assembly for painting tools An adjustable holder assembly for removably holding, articulating, and rotating painting tools may include a handle assembly. An articulating arm may be pivotally coupled to a proximal end of the handle assembly and may be configured to allow both the articulating arm and a tool handle housing to be simultaneously angularly adjusted from a longitudinal axis of the holder assembly to any position from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The tool handle housing may be configured to removably secure a handle of a painting tool at least partially therein. The tool handle housing may be removably coupled to the articulating arm such that the tool handle housing can be rotationally adjusted around a longitudinal axis of the holder assembly to any position from 0 degrees to 90 degrees; and a receiver end defining a channel.
US08959693B2	Modular system for assembling ramps, decks, and other raised structures Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular, portable, and adjustable wheelchair ramp that provides advantages and benefits over current wheelchair ramps. The ramp may be sold in a kit with individual elements, but it is also designed to provide a frame substructure that can be used with conventional decking materials, railings, and handrails.
US08959691B2	Weaving method of three-dimensional vamp A weaving method of a three-dimensional vamp includes the steps of: weaving yarn by a warp-knitting machine to form a top vamp by a first part needle bar of the warp-knitting machine which is interactively woven with a bottom vamp formed by a second part needle bar of the warp-knitting machine so as to form a tube-shaped fabric; cutting the tube-shaped fabric to form a sock-shaped fabric; disposing the sock-shaped fabric on a shoe last; and heating the sock-shaped fabric to tighten the sock-shaped fabric in order to seal the shoe last and consequently obtain the three-dimensional vamp. The heat shrinkable and irreversible properties of a high shrinkage yarn or hot melt yarn are used to seal the sock-shaped fabric with the shoe last, thereby achieving the substantial physical properties. The turner cost and the fabric flotsam can be reduced by the process of manufacturing the integrally formed vamp.
US08959677B2	Sofa air bed A collapsible sofa bed movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame including a plurality of scissor assemblies. Each scissor assembly includes a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member at a pivot point. Frame members of adjacent scissor assemblies are coupled to one of a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly. At least two backrest support members are coupled to the frame. Each backrest support member is slidably coupled to a corresponding first frame member and has a lower end that is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second frame member. Each backrest support member is pivotally movable with respect to the corresponding second frame member.
US08959674B2	Drain valve assembly The present invention concerns a drain valve assembly with a pop-up drain stopper for a drain opening. The drain valve assembly has an improved sealing mechanism whereby the drain valve assembly may be easily installed and, in addition, the interface between the drain valve assembly and the drain opening may be easily cleaned.
US08959671B1	Apparatus and methods for preventing commotio cordis and other traumatic chest and bodily injuries A protective device and methods for protecting a selected portion of a mammal's body from an impact is disclosed. In some embodiments, the protective device is placed adjacent to or in close proximity to the selected portion of the mammal's body, and the protective device acts to reflect, deflect, and/or otherwise divert impact energy that has been transferred to the protective device to areas of the mammal's body that are not within the selected portion thereof.
US08959669B2	Goggles Goggles include a frame, a lens and a pair of left and right belt arms. On the frame a first stop hole is provided each left and right of a middle of each of an upper frame and a lower frame of the frame. The lens has an upper side and a lower side each of which is provided with a second stop hole at a position corresponding to each first stop hole in the frame. Each of the pair of left and right belt arms has bifurcated portions, and each end of the bifurcated portions is provided with a lock mechanism. The frame and the lens are placed on each other and the respective first and second stop holes are aligned. By the mechanisms of the belt arms, the first and second stop holes are brought into either a lock state to secure the frame, the lens and the pair of left and right belt arms, or an unlock state where the lock state is released to separate them.
US08959667B2	Head-mountable apparatus A head-mountable apparatus mountable on a head of an observer comprises a first pressing member which presses a first portion of the head; a second pressing member which presses a second portion of the head; and an adjustment unit adapted to move the first pressing member and the second pressing member to positions where the first pressing member and the second pressing member respectively press the first portion and the second portion.
US08966661B2	System for fabricating nanoscale probe and method thereof Disclosed is a method for fabricating a nanoscale probe. A first conductor and a second conductor are immersed into an electrolyte contained in an electrolytic tank. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected to a power source respectively. An electrolytic reaction is established when an electrical circuit is established between the first conductor and the second conductor. The second conductor is configured to output electrons. The first conductor is configured to receive electrons. Therefore, the first conductor is etched when the electrical circuit is established between the first conductor and the second conductor. A necking portion is created at the first conductor approximately near the surface of the electrolyte. A nanoscale probe is fabricated when first conductor breaks at the necking portion.
US08966659B2	Automatic fraudulent digital certificate detection A computing device analyzes digital certificates received from various different sites (e.g., accessed via the Internet or other network) in order to automatically detect fraudulent digital certificates. The computing device maintains a record of the digital certificates it receives from these various different sites. A certificate screening service operating remotely from the computing device also accesses these various different sites and maintains a record of the digital certificates that the service receives from these sites. In response to a request to access a target site the computing device receives a current digital certificate from the target site. The computing device determines whether the current digital certificate is genuine or fraudulent based on one or more of previously received digital certificates for the target site, confirmation certificates received from the certificate screening service, and additional characteristics of the digital certificates and/or the target site.
US08966657B2	Provisioning, upgrading, and/or changing of hardware In some embodiments a secure permit request to change a hardware configuration is created. The secure permit request is sent to a remote location, and a permit sent from the remote location in response to the permit request is received. The hardware configuration is changed in response to the received permit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08966653B2	Method and apparatus for provisioning a mobile application A method and apparatus for provisioning a mobile application that is related to a desktop software application comprising capturing a code using a mobile device, where the desktop software application generates and displays the code for capture by the mobile device; decrypting the code using the mobile device; validating the code; validating a user based on the code; and enabling functionality of the mobile application for use by the mobile device based on the validation of the user.
US08966650B2	Portable identity rating Portable on-line identity verification technology includes, for example, portable widgets with an identity rating, and other on-line identification verification icons and identity rating scores.
US08966646B2	Software license management A method of managing a software license comprises loading a software program into volatile memory, obtaining authorization data, modifying a portion of the volatile memory relied upon by the program in accordance with the authorization data, executing the program, and causing the modifications to be deleted from the volatile memory. In some embodiments, selection criteria compared with the authorization data does not contain information corresponding to all of the content of the authorization data, thereby denying a software attacker the benefit of identifying and exploiting the selection criteria.
US08966642B2	Trust verification of a computing platform using a peripheral device Verification of trustworthiness of a computing platform is provided. The trustworthiness of the computing platform is dynamically assessed to determine whether a root of trust exists on the computing platform. Responsive to determining existence of the root of trust, data is unsealed from a sealed storage facility. The sealed storage facility is unsealed responsive to a root of trust being determined to exist on the computing platform. The data can be used to attest to the trustworthiness of the computing platform to other device on a network.
US08966639B1	Internet breach correlation Techniques for ranking a set of vulnerabilities of a computing asset and set of remediations for a computing asset, and determining a risk score for one or more computing assets are provided. In one technique, vulnerabilities of computing assets in a customer network are received at a vulnerability intelligence platform. Breach data indicating set of breaches that occurred outside customer network is also received. A subset of the set of vulnerabilities that are most vulnerable to a breach is identified based on the breach data. In another technique, multiple vulnerabilities of a computing asset are determined. A risk score is generated for the computing asset based on the vulnerabilities. In another technique, multiple remediations associated with a risk score and multiple vulnerabilities are identified. The remediations are ordered based on the remediations that would reduce the risk score the most if those remediations were applied to remove the corresponding vulnerabilities.
US08966635B2	Software module object analysis In one implementation, an object analysis system identifies an object within a software module, and determines a size of the object based on at least one operation within the software module. The object analysis system identifies the object and determines the size of the object without reference to source code of the software module.
US08966633B2	Method and device for multiple engine virus killing The present invention discloses a method and device for detecting and killing computer viruses using multiple antivirus engines. The method includes: receiving a request for scanning a file to be scanned; sending the information of the file to multiple antivirus engines for scanning, receiving the scanning information returned by the antivirus engines; determining the scanning result of the file, and sending the scanning result of the file, thereby supporting virus killing by using multiple antivirus engines. The present invention integrates the scanning result of multiple antivirus engines according to specific strategies, and utilizes characteristics of different antivirus engines to completely detect and kill various computer viruses based on the scanning result, thereby improving accuracy of virus killing and security of the system.
US08966619B2	Prevention of denial of service (DoS) attacks on session initiation protocol (SIP)-based systems using return routability check filtering A device receives an attack on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based device, determines a type of the attack, and applies, based on the determined type of the attack, a return routability check filter to the attack.
US08966617B2	Image pattern unlocking techniques for touch sensitive devices Techniques are disclosed for providing an image pattern unlock mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The image pattern unlock mode can display an unlock screen to the user, prompting the user to arrange or create or otherwise select a specific image pattern in order to unlock the device. The customizable image pattern may include any uniquely identifiable unlocking pattern including a combination of images, or even a single image selected from an image group. The unlocking mechanism may include images gathered from the user's photo collection and/or one or more online profiles, and the unlock pattern could be a selection of such images. In other embodiments, a combination of color and images can also be used, such as matching colors to images. When the user has arranged the proper image pattern, the device unlocks and may be used. If the correct image pattern is not arranged, the device remains locked.
US08966602B2	Identity verification and authentication In one embodiment, receiving, at a first computing device associated with a social-networking system and from a second computing device, a first request to verify an identity of a user of the social-networking system; sending, by the first computing device and to a mobile device associated with the user, a second request for information about the user; receiving, at the first computing device and from the mobile device, the information about the user; determining, by the first computing device, a confidence score indicating a probability that the identity of the user is true based on the information about the user received from the mobile device and information available to the social-networking system; and sending, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, the confidence score.
US08966600B2	Method, apparatus and system for controlling access to computer platform resources A manageability engine, and/or operations thereof, for controlling access to one or more resources of a computer device. In an embodiment, the manageability engine executes an authentication agent to perform authentication of a local user of a computer platform which includes the manageability engine. In another embodiment, the manageability engine includes a device driver to control an input/output device for the local user to exchange an authentication factor via a trusted path between the input/output device and the manageability engine.
US08966594B2	Proxy authentication A first application that is hosted by a first machine receives a login request from a user. The first application requests authentication verification from a second application that is hosted by a second machine. The first application authenticates the user if the user was authenticated by the second application, wherein the user can be authenticated by both the first application and the second application after having provided authentication credentials to one of the first application or the second application.
US08966591B2	Adaptive strike count policy An adaptive strike count management is implemented for securing resources. The method authorizes access to a resource if a security credential matches pre-stored security data. However, when the security credential does not match the pre-stored security data, the adaptive strike count management method denies access to the resource; assesses the risk level based on the security credential; increments a strike counter by a predetermined value based on the risk level; and disables further access attempts to the resource if the strike counter exceeds a threshold. The strike counter is incremented by a first value when the risk level is assessed to be a first level, a second value when the risk level is assessed to be a second level, and a third value when the risk level is assessed to be a third level.
US08966583B2	Method, apparatus and server for user verification The present disclosure discloses a method, apparatus, and server for user verification to store a plurality of pictures in a database and define a plurality of rotational directions. The method includes: when receiving from a client a request for a checkcode, rotating a picture retrieved from a database according to a defined rotational direction; after storing a correlation between an identification of the client and the rotational direction of the retrieved picture, outputting the rotated picture to the client; receiving a rotational direction of the picture from the client; finding the stored correlation between the identification of the client and the stored rotational direction of the retrieved picture according to the identification of the client; determining whether or not the rotational direction of the picture returned from the client matches the stored rotational direction. If they match, user verification is passed; otherwise, the user verification is failed. The large number of pictures in the database makes it difficult for enumeration. In addition, by using the rotational direction as identification information to verify user, the safety and accuracy of user verification can be enhanced.
US08966578B1	Intelligent system for enabling automated secondary authorization for service requests in an agile information technology environment A service request for a managed computer system is received and once a primary authorization for same has been given, a secondary authorization management system (SAMS) determines whether or not the service request requires secondary authorization. This determination is made according to a context of the managed computer system and an authorization profile for the received service request. If needed, the SAMS resolves the secondary authorization request and returns the resolution decision.
US08966574B2	Centralized operation management A novel security framework that is part of an operating system of a device is provided. The framework includes a security assessor that performs security policy assessments for different operations that need to be performed with respect to an application executing on the device. Examples of such operations include the installation of the application, execution of the application, and the opening of content files (e.g., opening of documents) by the application.
US08966568B2	Method and device for data processing and communication system comprising such device A method and a device for data processing are provided comprising a first instance comprising at least one local trusted unit (LTU) and a local trust manager (LTM), the method comprising the step: The local trust manager provides a policy related information to the at least one local trusted unit and/or to a second instance.
US08966561B2	Controlling application devices simultaneously A method and a system of controlling application devices simultaneously. The application devices can be a Web tablet, a set-top box, a VCR, a TV, and PDA, a lamp, a coffee machine, a radio, a telephone, a background wall, a DVD player or an electronic information panel. The method includes four steps controlled by a server: retrieving first documents (501) from a first set of application devices; retrieving identification (502) of a user; generating (505) second documents, each comprising an instruction, on the basis of at least a part of the retrieved identification of the user and at least a part of the first documents; simultaneously sending (506) at least one of the second documents to each device of a second set of the application devices; and performing (507) for a given device of the second set one instruction from at least one of the second documents received in the given device. The step of retrieving identification by the server includes the steps of retrieving user profile (503) information based on the user identification, and retrieving context profile information (504) relating to present surroundings of the user. The said documents include Hyper Text Markup Language, Scalable Vector Graphics, Resource Description Framework and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
US08966553B2	Analyzing internet protocol television data to support peer-assisted video-on-demand content delivery A video-on-demand (VOD) server in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) network with a network of set-top boxes includes IPTV operational data and an analysis module that selects a content item. The VOD server divides the content item into sequential chunks, divides the chunks into stripes, pre-populates set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receives a request for the content item, and directs each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes. A method includes selecting a content item based upon IPTV operational data, dividing the content item into sequential chunks, dividing the chunks into stripes, pre-populating set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receiving a request for the content item, and directing each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes.
US08966552B2	Method and system for allowing multiple receiving units in a network to record the same content while minimizing network resource use A method and system for providing content includes a network having a plurality of receiving units generating a plurality of recording requests for content and communicating the recording requests through the network. The system also includes a first receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units that is selected by the network to record content corresponding to the request in a first memory and storing the content in a first memory of the first receiving unit. The network communicates a do-not record signal to the plurality of receiving units except the first receiving unit. A second receiving unit of the plurality of receiving units forms a selection for the content and communicating the selection to the first receiving unit. The first receiving unit streams the content to the second receiving unit through the network. The second receiving unit displays the content on a display associated with the second receiving unit.
US08966551B2	Locating points of interest using references to media frames within a packet flow In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a stream of transport packets encapsulating media packets, and generating a reference to the point-of-interest media packet relative to the location of the point-of-interest within the transport packet stream. The reference is generated for each media packet that is identified as a point-of-interest.
US08966550B2	Home communication systems Systems and methods are disclosed of a network including a primary device, a plurality of remote devices, and a shared peripheral device. The network allows the remote devices to operate the peripheral device, such as a DVD player, VCR, or camcoder, via the primary device and the network. The peripheral device is typically connected to the primary device and shared among all devices. The network also includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM) that routes the signals between the primary device and the plurality of remote devices.
US08966535B2	Broadcast receiving device and method for searching channels thereof A broadcast receiving device which automatically detects whether digital channels are scrambled according to a command and a method for searching channels thereof are provided. The broadcast receiving device includes a channel map storage unit which stores broadcast channel data regarding broadcast channel, an input unit which receives a command, and a channel searching unit which scans digital channels among the broadcast channel data according to the command and detects whether the digital channels are scrambled.
US08966529B2	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.
US08966524B2	Method of associating program content data in a digital television network There is provided a method of associating program content data in a peer-to-peer digital television network. The network comprises a program content source, a network comprising a plurality of network nodes operable to receive data blocks corresponding to program content propagated from the program content source, and at least one user node coupled to the network. The method includes steps of: (a) receiving one or more user profiles of the at least one user node; (b) matching the one or more user profiles with the program content for determining preferential program content for presentation to the at least one user; (c) including identifiers of the preferential program content in the one or more program content lists for receipt at the at least one user node; (d) procuring for the at least one user node the preferential program content using the identifiers from the plurality of network nodes; and (e) selectively presenting at least part of the preferential program content to the at least one user node.
US08966518B2	Method for validating access to a product by means of a security module A method for validating access to a product by a security module associated with a user unit unidirectionally connected to a managing center MC transmitting management messages being generated following the receipt of a request for an access right to the product, said method comprises the steps of purchasing a product, determining a code representing the product, displaying said code on a display device, transmitting to the MC, a request comprising said code and an security module identifier, transmitting a right confirmation message addressed to the user unit associated with said security module, wherein, at purchasing of the product, a temporary right is registered in the security module, said temporary right being replaced by a definitive right by the right confirmation message received from the MC, said definitive right authorizing the access to the purchased product by debiting the value amount associated with said product.
US08966517B2	Method, system and program product for broadcast operations utilizing internet protocol and digital artifacts An affiliate site commands the central site to construct a unique broadcast event log through the affiliate site's command browser. The sequenced data stream of broadcast content is combined with a digital artifact inserted into the digitized broadcast video and/or audio content immediately prior to the data transmission process. Transmission to the affiliate site is accomplished utilizing Internet Protocol. Upon reception at the destination, the commercial advertising or prepared program content is input to the affiliate site's system, routed to the broadcast production system, and in turn, processed by the broadcast transmission site, where it is converted from a digital to an analog signal, and transmitted electromagnetically in the radio frequency spectrum by the broadcast transmitter.
US08966511B2	Computer system and method for preventing dynamic-link library injection attack A computer system and method for preventing a Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) injection attack are provided. The computer system monitors an operation where a process attempts to dynamically link an executable code library to another process, and intercepts the dynamic link of the executable code library.
US08966510B2	Kernel execution for hybrid systems A method for executing kernels in a hybrid system includes running a program on a host computer and identifying in an instruction stream of the program a first instruction including a function of a target classification. The method includes generating a first kernel including the function and transmitting the first kernel to a client system to execute the first kernel based on identifying the first instruction as being of the target classification. The method also includes determining whether to store results of executing the first kernel in a read-only buffer of the client system based on determining whether a subsequent instruction of the target classification relies upon results of the first instruction.
US08966506B2	Method and apparatus for managing related drivers associated with a virtual bus driver Provided are an apparatus and method for managing related drivers associated with a bus driver. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a physical device object table configured to contain a plurality of entries, a child device associated with each of the plurality of entries, each of the child devices configured to have a name associated therewith, the name configured to provide information about the child device sufficient to allow user environment applications an doperating system drivers to directly access the child device, and a virtual bus driver configured to interface between the child devices and an adapter.
US08966497B2	Name service object clustering Methods and systems for load balancing of Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) object servers. A name service cluster is invoked. It is indicated to a user whether bind interceptors are in use. The user is provided with a class having relevant methods if bind interceptors are in use. The class that contains the most relevant methods is specified. Name service clusters are established for object servers where each name service cluster contains a unique object binding table containing object server reference bindings. Object server reference bindings having identical names are clustered into common clusters. A load balance is performed by having a name service select an object server located in an invoked cluster. A cluster component is appended to the invoked cluster to provide failover upon failover of the object server; and a selected object server reference binding is forwarded to a client upon completion of the load balance.
US08966484B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium An information processing apparatus makes a plurality of threads concurrently execute tasks stored in a task queue associated with the thread a prescribed number of times of execution. The information processing apparatus includes a processor that executes the plurality of threads that executes a procedure. The procedure includes generating a task from among a plurality of tasks into which a serial program processing corresponding to a processing request is divided, selecting the task queue associated with one of the plurality of threads, enqueuing the generated task to the selected task queue, dequeuing the enqueued task to the task queue associated with the thread, and executing the dequeued task.
US08966483B2	Method and device for optimizing execution of software applications in a multiprocessor architecture comprising several input/output controllers and secondary computing units The invention relates in particular to the optimization of the execution of a software application in a system having multiprocessor architecture including a plurality of input/output controllers and secondary processing units. After determining (300) the system topology, a call to a function to be executed by a secondary processing unit is intercepted (305). The main processor that generated said call is identified (310). A secondary processing unit is then identified (315) according to the main processor identified and according to the topology of said system. Advantageously, the secondary processing unit thus identified is the secondary processing unit that is the closest to the identified main processor. The call is then modified (320) in order to force the execution of at least one part of the function called in the identified secondary processing unit.
US08966476B2	Providing object-level input/output requests between virtual machines to access a storage subsystem A system includes a storage subsystem and a first virtual machine to manage access of the storage subsystem. A second virtual machine is coupled by a virtual machine channel to the first virtual machine. The second virtual machine has software to issue a object-level input/output (I/O) request to the first virtual machine over the virtual machine channel to access data in the storage subsystem.
US08966474B2	Managing virtual machines using shared image A method for managing a computing system comprises identifying read-only portions of a file system, sharing the read-only portions of the file system among a plurality of virtual machines, and managing the shared read-only portions of the file system as a single unit.
US08966471B2	Software signature discovery In a method for determining and scoring signatures for a software package, a processor compares files on a clean computer system after installation of a software package to files on the clean computer system before the installation. The processor determines a signature of the software package. The signature includes files on the clean computer system after installation of the software package that were not present on the clean computer system before the installation.
US08966450B2	Facilitating the execution of web applications in the cloud A facility for executing an application program in a cloud computing environment is described. The facility identifies dependencies of the application program, and identifies support software components that satisfy the identified dependencies. The facility then causes the application to be executed in conjunction with the identified support software components on the nodes of the cloud computing environment on which they were installed.
US08966436B2	Systems and methods for providing and customizing a virtual event platform Systems and methods for customizing the functionalities and content of virtual event platform are disclosed. Content is received from a user using a template. Within the template the user defines and/or implements calls to an application programming interface to access various functionalities existing within the virtual event platform, as well as system variables exposed by the existing virtual event platform. The user uses the API system variables to define the customizations.
US08966432B1	Reduction of jitter in an integrated circuit Reducing jitter in a circuit design includes selecting a plurality of circuit elements of a circuit design clocked using a first clock signal and assigning, using a processor, the plurality of circuit elements to different ones of a plurality of groups according to a balancing criterion. The circuit elements assigned to a first group of the plurality of groups are clocked using the first clock signal. The circuit elements assigned to a second group of the plurality of groups are clocked using a second clock signal different from the first clock signal.
US08966430B1	Robust numerical optimization for optimizing delay, area, and leakage power Systems and techniques are described for performing numerical delay, area, and leakage power optimization on a circuit design. During operation, an embodiment can iteratively perform at least the following set of operations in a loop, wherein in each iteration a current threshold voltage value is progressively decreased: (a) perform numerical delay optimization on the circuit design using a numerical delay model that is generated using gates in a technology library whose threshold voltages are equal to the current threshold voltage; (b) perform a total negative slack based buffering optimization on the circuit design; and (c) perform a worst negative slack touchup optimization on the circuit design that uses gates whose threshold voltages are greater than or equal to the current threshold voltage. Next, the embodiment can perform combined area and leakage power optimization on the circuit design. The embodiment can then perform multiple iterations of worst negative slack touchup optimization.
US08966419B2	System and method for testing stacked dies Systems and methods are disclosed for testing a stack of dies and inserting a repair circuit which, when enabled, compensates for a delay defect in the die stack, particularly where the defect is located in the inter-die data transfer path. Intra-die and inter-die slack values are determined to establish which die or dies in the die stack would benefit from the insertion of a repair circuit.
US08966418B2	Priority based layout versus schematic (LVS) An approach for methodology, and an associated system, enabling a prioritizing of devices, circuits, and modules of interest is disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a first electrical layout indicating an electrical performance of a physical layout of an IC design, the first electrical layout indicating a plurality of devices of the physical layout; selecting a subset of the plurality of the devices based on one or more connections of the devices; and generating a second electrical layout indicating the electrical performance of the physical layout, the second electrical layout indicating the selected devices without at least one of the plurality of devices.
US08966414B2	Implementing a circuit using an integrated circuit including parametric analog elements An environment and method are provided for designing and implementing a circuit comprising an integrated circuit (IC) including a number of parametric analog elements for which operating parameters can be set. Generally, the method comprises: specifying requirements for the circuit including physical properties to be sensed by the circuit and actions to be taken by the circuit; designing the circuit based on the specified requirements and resources available on the IC; and setting parameters of at least one of the parametric analog circuit elements of the IC based on the circuit design. In one embodiment, the specifying, designing, and setting parameters steps are performed using a computer executable code embodied in a computer readable medium on a server coupled to a client computer through an internet protocol network. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08966413B2	System and method for a chip generator A chip generator according to an embodiment of the present invention codifies designer knowledge and design trade-offs into a template that can be used to create many different chips. Like reconfigurable designs, an embodiment of the present invention fixes the top level system architecture, amortizes software and validation and design costs, and enables a rich system simulation environment for application developers. Meanwhile, below the top level, the developer can “program” the individual inner components of the architecture. Unlike reconfigurable chips, a chip generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, compiles the program to create a customized chip. This compilation process occurs at elaboration time—long before silicon is fabricated. The result is a framework that enables more customization of the generated chip at the architectural level because additional components and logic can be added if the customization process requires it.
US08966388B2	Dynamic creation of product structure Systems and method for dynamic creation of product structure using a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A method for dynamic creation of products structures may include displaying information specifying a set of product items using the GUI. Input can be received via the GUI. The input may be indicative of one or more product levels within a product structure. A user may indent or otherwise manipulate the set of product items into one or more product levels. A product structure can then be generated based on the one or more product levels. In some embodiments, display of the set of product items can be updated to reflect the product structure.
US08966387B2	Method and apparatus for managing icon in portable terminal A method and an apparatus for managing icons in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes displaying a folder item including at least one icon; sensing a user touch action on the folder item; and moving a plurality of the icons included in the folder item to an area outside of the folder item according to the user touch action.
US08966379B2	Dynamic cross-environment application configuration/orientation in an active user environment Dynamic configuration of cross-environment applications enhances the computing experience in a computing environment with an extended active user environment and/or multiple active user environments. A mobile computing device maintains multiple active device configurations associated with multiple active user environments and/or application windows within active user environments. Device configuration qualifiers are determined from a variety of sources including device characteristics, device indicators, user settings, and/or application presentation. The mobile computing device selects active resource sets for applications based on the device configuration qualifiers. Application presentation is dynamically updated by disestablishing an application screen and establishing a new active application screen using a different resource set. The mobile computing device may be a smartphone running the Android mobile operating system and a full desktop Linux distribution on a modified Android kernel.
US08966370B2	Dynamic adjustment of video quality A video quality module receives data indicating a visibility status of a tab of a web browser running on a user device. The video quality module determines, based on the data indicating the visibility status of the tab whether the tab of the web browser is currently visible to a user of the user device, the tab of the web browser comprising a streaming media player. If the tab of the web browser is not currently visible to the user, the video quality module decreases a quality of a video component of a streaming media file playing in the streaming media player.
US08966369B2	High quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media video clips A method and system for the high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media video clips is disclosed. Media source material, such as text, graphics, pictures, and video clips can be submitted by a customer. A computerized content aggregator utilizing an automated production assistant can locate additional source material by searching available information libraries and databases. The computerized content aggregator may be programmed to organize and assemble the various source materials to create suggested video elements and a suggested voice-over script or recording. A human video producer can then quickly and efficiently create a rich media video clip from the suggested video elements and the voice-over script or recording.
US08966362B2	Method and system for in-document markup in support of information sharing A system is provided to facilitate content dissemination. During operation, the system allows a user to add a tag to a first document, wherein the tag indicates an operation to be performed on a portion of the document. The system then processes the tag and performs the operation on the document portion based on the tag.
US08966359B2	Web application content mapping A method of mapping between visual objects and web messages. The method comprises monitoring a plurality of web messages transmitted during at least one of loading and modifying a webpage having a plurality of dynamic visual objects by a browser of a client terminal, providing a dynamic model having a plurality of model elements each indicative of another of the plurality of dynamic visual objects, monitoring changes to the dynamic model to identify a first of the plurality of web messages has an effect on a first of the plurality of dynamic visual objects, and mapping, using a processor, between the first dynamic visual object and the first web message according to a source of the first web message.
US08966351B2	Encoding apparatus, encoding method and semiconductor memory system According to one embodiment, an encoding apparatus includes an input unit and a generation unit. The input unit inputs a data symbol sequence containing q(N−J) symbols (q, J, and N are integers, N>J). The generation unit generates a codeword containing qN symbols by adding a parity symbol sequence containing qJ symbols to the data symbol sequence. The codeword satisfies parity check equations of a parity check matrix of qJ rows×qN columns. A first submatrix of qJ rows×qJ columns that corresponds to the parity symbol sequence in the parity check matrix includes a second submatrix. The second submatrix includes a first identity matrix of qL rows×qL columns (L is an integer, J>L) and a first non-zero matrix of q(J−L) rows×qL columns.
US08966348B2	Memory error identification based on corrupted symbol patterns A system includes a memory controller, a buffer, a first channel to couple the memory controller to the buffer, and a second channel to couple the buffer to a memory. The first channel and second channel are to transmit a codeword including a plurality of symbols. A symbol is formed from a plurality of bursts based on data access of the memory. The memory controller is to identify a memory error based on a corrupted symbol pattern of the codeword. The memory controller is to discriminate between a chip failure, a first pin failure of the first channel, and a second pin failure of the second channel, as being a type of the memory error, according to the corrupted symbol pattern.
US08966346B2	Apparatus and method for processing a physical layer convergence protocol header Apparatus and method for processing a physical layer protocol convergence (PLCP) header. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes a PLCP header processor. The PLCP header processor is configured to: process a physical layer header, process a check value based on the physical layer header, and process an error correction code based on the physical layer header and the check value. A concatenation of the physical layer header, check value, and error correction code the PLCP header processor is configured to process consists of a number of information bits that is an integer multiple of a number of information bits per symbol used to encode the PLCP header.
US08966342B2	Probabilistic error correction in multi-bit-per-cell flash memory Data that are stored in cells of a multi-bit-per cell memory, according to a systematic or non-systematic ECC, are read and corrected (systematic ECC) or recovered (non-systematic ECC) in accordance with estimated probabilities that one or more of the read bits are erroneous. In one method of the present invention, the estimates are a priori. In another method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on aspects of the read bits that include significances or bit pages of the read bits. In a third method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on values of the read bits. Not all the estimates are equal.
US08966338B2	Cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit, semiconductor memory device, and method of driving semiconductor memory device Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device, and a method of driving the same, and a cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit capable of performing cyclic redundancy check. A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a memory cell array, a data processing unit receiving data that is read from the memory cell array and selectively outputting at least some of the data according to ordering information, bit structure information, and burst length information, and a check code generating unit generating a cyclic redundancy check code to detect an error in the data being output, the check code generating unit generating and outputting the cyclic redundancy check code by using the read data, the ordering information, the bit structure information, and the burst length information.
US08966336B2	Selective merge and partial reuse LDPC (low density parity check) code construction for limited number of layers belief propagation (BP) decoding Selective merge and partial reuse LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code construction for limited number of layers Belief Propagation (BP) decoding. Multiple LDPC matrices may be generated from a base code, such that multiple/distinct LDPC coded signals may be encoded and/or decoded within a singular communication device. Generally speaking, a first LDPC matrix is modified in accordance with one or more operations thereby generating a second LDPC matrix, and the second LDPC matrix is employed in accordance with encoding an information bit thereby generating an LDPC coded signal (alternatively performed using an LDPC generator matrix corresponding to the LDPC matrix) and/or decoding processing of an LDPC coded signal thereby generating an estimate of an information bit encoded therein. The operations performed on the first LDPC matrix may be any one of, or combination of, selectively merging, deleting, partially re-using one or more sub-matrix rows, and/or partitioning sub-matrix rows.
US08966332B2	Apparatus and method for self-testing a component for signal recovery A circuit having a component for signal recovery, such as an adaptive equalizer, may be tested in order to ensure that the component operates properly. Unfortunately, external test equipment may be expensive and prone to being damaged. According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a circuit including BIST (Built-in Self-Test) circuitry for testing a component for signal recovery with a stress signal that simulates an imperfect signal received over a communication channel. The circuit also has a detector for determining whether the component is operating properly with the stress signal. Thus, no external test equipment is needed for testing the component. In some implementations, the BIST circuitry includes a low-pass filter for filtering a transmit signal into the stress signal. Thus, the amount of circuitry involved in generating the stress signal can be reduced.
US08966326B2	Error detecting circuit and semiconductor apparatus including the same An error detecting circuit of a semiconductor apparatus, comprising: a fail detecting section configured to receive 2-bit first test data signals outputted from a first block and 2-bit second test data signals outputted from a second block, disable a first fail detection signal when the 2-bit first test data signals have different levels, disable a second fail detection signal when the 2-bit second test data signals have different levels, and disable both the first and second fail detection signals when the 2-bit first test data signals have the same level, the 2-bit second test data signals have the same level, and levels of the 2-bit first test data signals and the 2-bit second test data signals are the same with each other.
US08966321B2	Logical port and layer protocol test configuration resource manager A test configuration resource manager and a method of managing test configuration resources in a network test system. A computer readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to receive a user input identifying a portion of a first test configuration, store the identified portion of the first test configuration as a test configuration resource in a library of test configuration resources, receive a user input identifying a stored test configuration resource, retrieve the identified stored test configuration resource, and incorporate the retrieved test configuration resource into a second test configuration. The library of test configuration resources may include one or more of port resources, protocol resources, and traffic resources.
US08966317B2	Identifying software responsible for changes in system stability A computer-implemented method detects a stability change in a computer system, and identifies a first set of at least one capability of the computer system that is affected by the stability change. In response to detecting the stability change, the method identifies a software application that was installed prior to the stability change, and identifies a second set of at least one capability of the computer system that is utilized by the identified software application. The method compares the first and second capability sets to determine a degree of similarity, and compares the time that the stability change was detected to the time that the identified software application was installed to determine a temporal proximity. The method then identifies the likelihood that the identified software application is the cause of the stability change, wherein the identified likelihood is a function of the degree of similarity and the temporal proximity.
US08966314B2	Declarative test result validation A test controller translates test rules into executable code and validates the test results using the executable code. The test controller translates the test rules using a test grammar. The test rules are used to indicate expected test results of a device under test. The test controller further generates the test results by executing test instructions. In addition, the test controller uses the test grammar to validate the test rules.
US08966291B2	Method and apparatus for reducing dynamic power within system-on-a-chip routing resources A method for saving power in transmission of data across buses. By knowing the power characteristics of a bus and characteristics of data to be transmitted across the bus, the data can be encoded in such a fashion as to conserve system power over transmitting the same data in an unencoded format across the bus. The encoding method may be selected before transmission of the data across the bus, and may change depending on the data to be transmitted across the bus.
US08966289B2	Pairing of angle sensor and electronic control unit Various embodiments relate to a tamper-proof vehicle sensor system and a related method for sending secure packets between components. A sensing unit may include an angular sensor, such as an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor, which determines the angular position of a magnetic field and produces related angle sensor data. The sensing unit may place the angle sensor data in a packet and may encrypt the packet using a selected encryption key. The sensor may append an encryption key identifier (ID) associated with the selected encryption key onto the packet and send the secure, unidirectional packet to an electrical control unit (ECU). The ECU may then use the appended encryption key ID to retrieve the selected encryption key to decrypt the packet. The ECU may then extract the angle sensor data from the packet to modify the configuration of the vehicle.
US08966275B2	Method for authenticating a portable data carrier A method for authenticating a portable data carrier (10) to a terminal device by the following steps: In the data carrier (10) a public session key (PKSession) is derived (S5) from a public key individual to the data carrier (PKi) which has in its turn been derived (TS32; S1) from a public group key (PK). Further, a secret session key (SKSession) is derived (S4) from a secret key individual to the data carrier (SKi) which has in turn been derived (TS31) from a secret group key (SK). Subsequently, a secret communication key (KK) is agreed on (S7) between the data carrier (10) and the terminal device. Finally, the terminal verifies (S8) the public session key (PKSession) of the data carrier (10).
US08966274B2	File tamper detection This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining when a file has changed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of determining if contents of a file have changed can include determining if a digital signature created as a function of contents of the file has changed, and when the digital signature has changed, overlaying the contents of the file with a first mark that indicates the contents have changed and blocks a view of the contents of the file.
US08966268B2	Strong authentication token with visual output of PKI signatures A handheld authentication device comprising a data processor and a display is adapted to: generate an input value; submit the input value to an asymmetric cryptographic operation; obtain the result of said asymmetric cryptographic operation; generate an authentication message substantially comprising the result of the asymmetric cryptographic operation; encode the authentication message into one or more images; and display these images on the display. A method for securing computer-based applications remotely accessed by a user comprises capturing images displayed on the display of an authentication device of the user whereby these images have been encoded with an authentication message generated by the authentication device and whereby the authentication message comprises the result of an asymmetric cryptographic operation on an input value; decoding the images to retrieve the authentication message; retrieving the result of the asymmetric cryptographic operation from the authentication message; verifying the authentication message.
US08966259B2	Controller-keypad/card reader identification system including card programming and secure communications An access control system including bi-directional communication between a controller and peripheral authentication devices utilized for selectively accessing a locked door is provided. The access control system provides components and circuitry to enable a user to securely assign and designate any card reader compatible card as an appropriate programming card and thereby activate or deactivate users and/or cards. The present invention further provides encrypted communication between the controller device and a PC.
US08966258B2	Method for securely downloading from distributed download sources The present invention deals with a method for securely downloading from distributed download sources. The greatest possible download security with a simultaneously minimized server load is achieved in this case. The object of the present invention was to provide an improved download method which also allows simple servers, without the possibility of setting up a secure connection, to be used as download servers and allows the total CPU load on the servers involved to be minimized, wherein the data transmission security can be kept the same, in comparison with a download from a single server, via a secure connection. This object is achieved by the method according to the invention for securely downloading from distributed download sources according to the main claim with the aid of a secure database server, a secure main server and 1 to n non-secure download servers, wherein the non-secure download servers newly encrypt the symmetrically encrypted download packets at predefined intervals of time independently of the secure main server.
US08966255B2	Communication apparatus and communication system A communication apparatus including: a reception portion that receives identification information for a first apparatus to identify a second apparatus, and authentication information for the first apparatus to authenticate the second apparatus, from a network, the network being different from a route used when wireless communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus is executed; and a communication unit that substitutes for the second apparatus and executes the wireless communication with the first apparatus by using the identification information and the authentication information when the second apparatus fails to execute the wireless communication with the first apparatus.
US08966253B1	Method and apparatus for authenticating a programmable device bitstream A method and apparatus for authenticating a bitstream used to configure programmable devices are described. In an example, the bitstream is received via a configuration port of the programmable device, the bitstream including instructions for programming configuration registers of the programmable device and at least one embedded message authentication code (MAC). At least a portion of the instructions is initially stored in a memory of the programmable device without programming the configuration registers. At least one actual MAC is computed based on the bitstream using a hash algorithm. The at least one actual MAC is compared with the at least one embedded MAC, respectively. Each instruction stored in the memory is executed to program the configuration registers until any one of the at least one actual MAC is not the same as a corresponding one of the at least one embedded MAC, after which any remaining instructions in the memory are not executed.
US08966247B2	Managing security certificates of storage devices A method and data processing system for managing security certificates in a data processing environment is disclosed. A computer identifies a security certificate associated with a management interface of a device in the data processing environment. The computer determines whether the security certificate was issued by a certificate authority that is trusted. In response to determining that the security certificate was not issued by the certificate authority, the computer identifies the security certificate as invalid. Subsequent to identifying the security certificate as invalid, the computer determines if a service exists in the data processing environment that includes a feature for sending information about critical events associated with the data processing environment. Responsive to determining that the service with the feature exists in the data processing environment, the computer generates a certificate-signing request for the management interface of the device and sends the certificate-signing request via the feature in the service.
US08966245B2	System and method for assigning quality to cryptographic identities used in a digital transaction A method of assessing risk in an electronic transaction involves assignment of quality attributes to cryptographic identities presented in a digital transaction. The quality assignment supports assessment of risk in the transaction. The evaluation of risk in the transaction is made by assessing machine readable attributes of the digital identities along with transaction details. The digital identity attributes may be constructed using extensions of existing standards. A guarantee against risk of loss may be obtained by procuring insurance on the transaction before execution. Third party insurers may analyze the risk of loss in a transaction by assessing the attributes of digital identities along with transaction details and may provide a requestor with an insurance premium quote. Based on the value of the quote, the transaction participants may decide whether or not to execute the transaction.
US08966242B1	Systems and methods for empowering IP practitioners A browser application has at least two web browser objects for browsing Private PAIR while hiding multi-page navigation from a user. The browser application is configured to automatically download XML data from Private PAIR, and generate one or more reports therefrom, including a Daily Updates report, a Cross Checker report, and a Docket Listing report. The browser application is preferably configured to selectively provide limited access to Private PAIR by restricting user navigation to programmatic navigation.
US08966241B2	Apparatus and method for sending encrypted data to conditional access module over common interface, conditional access module and system thereof An apparatus and method for sending encrypted data to a conditional access module (CAM) over a common interface (CI). A plurality of data packets are formed, and one data packet of the plurality of data packets includes a header and a payload for storing the encrypted data. The data packets are sent to the CAM over a transport stream (TS) interface of the CI. Encrypted data in different file formats can be sent over the TS interface. An initialization message including information about a selected format can be sent to the CAM over a control interface of the CI, and the CAM can send data request messages over the control interface to request specific data.
US08966238B2	Personalization of shared electronic devices The described embodiments include an electronic device that performs configuration operations. During operation, an administrative electronic device receives an indication that an electronic device that is presently checked out to a user is to be checked in. The administrative electronic device then requests a backup file with information from the electronic device, wherein the information comprises information about one or more changes made to the electronic device since the electronic device was checked out. Next, the administrative electronic device receives the backup file from the electronic device. The administrative electronic device then restores the electronic device to an initial state, wherein, in the initial state, changes made to the electronic device since the electronic device was checked out are reversed to return the electronic device to the initial state.
US08966235B2	System for remote provisioning of electronic devices by overlaying an initial image with an updated image There is provided a method and system to automatically provide software and/or firmware updates to the electronic devices, particularly mobile devices used by consumers such as portable health-care data interchange devices. There is also provided a method and system of updating software in electronic devices without requiring a wired data interface to affect changes. There is also provided a method and system for tracking the configuration of electronic devices that are sold to and configured by particular consumers, especially consumers/patients using electronic devices related to health care. Further, there are also provided a methods and systems for integrating the purchase, and ordering, and software configuration of electronic devices.
US08966229B2	Systems and methods for handling instructions of in-order and out-of-order execution queues Processing systems and methods are disclosed that can include an instruction unit which provides instructions for execution by the processor; a decode/issue unit which decodes instructions received from the instruction unit and issues the instructions; and a plurality of execution queues coupled to the decode/issue unit, wherein each issued instruction from the decode/issue unit can be stored into an entry of at least one queue of the plurality of execution queues. The plurality of queues can comprise an independent execution queue, a dependent execution queue, and a plurality of execution units coupled to receive instructions for execution from the plurality of execution queues. The plurality of execution units can comprise a first execution unit, coupled to receive instructions from the dependent execution queue and the independent execution queue which have been selected for execution. When a multi-cycle instruction at a bottom entry of the dependent execution queue is selected for execution, it may not be removed from the dependent execution queue until a result is received from the first execution unit. When a multi-cycle instruction at a bottom entry of the independent execution queue is selected for execution, it can be removed from the independent execution queue without waiting to receive a result from the first execution unit.
US08966224B2	Performing a deterministic reduction operation in a parallel computer A parallel computer that includes compute nodes having computer processors and a CAU (Collectives Acceleration Unit) that couples processors to one another for data communications. In embodiments of the present invention, deterministic reduction operation include: organizing processors of the parallel computer and a CAU into a branched tree topology, where the CAU is a root of the branched tree topology and the processors are children of the root CAU; establishing a receive buffer that includes receive elements associated with processors and configured to store the associated processor's contribution data; receiving, in any order from the processors, each processor's contribution data; tracking receipt of each processor's contribution data; and reducing, the contribution data in a predefined order, only after receipt of contribution data from all processors in the branched tree topology.
US08966222B2	Message passing in a cluster-on-chip computing environment Technologies pertaining to cluster-on-chip computing environments are described herein. More particularly, mechanisms for supporting message passing in such environments are described herein, where cluster-on-chip computing environments do not support hardware cache coherency.
US08966207B1	Virtual defragmentation of a storage Virtual defragmentation of a storage. In one example embodiment, a method for virtual defragmentation of a storage includes various steps. For example, the method includes intercepting a move command directed to a storage during a defragmentation of the storage. The move command specifies an actual location of a block and a defrag location for the block in the storage. The method also includes updating a virtual defragmentation map to record the actual location of the block and the defrag location for the block. The method further includes preventing the block from being moved to the defrag location. The method also includes allowing file system metadata of the storage to be updated to falsely reflect that the block has been moved to the defrag location.
US08966205B1	System data management using garbage collection and hybrid self mapping A data storage system is disclosed that utilizes garbage collection and hybrid self-mapping for managing system data. In one embodiment, a system data region having an amount of valid system data that is below a threshold is freed. Write amplification associated with managing and storing system data can be reduced at least in part because only valid system data can be copied during garbage collection of the selected region. Mapping information associating system data with physical locations in non-volatile storage where system data is stored can be generated, which can reduce system data reconstruction time during start-up of the data storage system. Increase in efficiency and reduction in startup and initialization time can be attained.
US08966199B2	Storage system for data replication A storage system includes a replication source storage device equipped with a replication source storage unit storing replication target data, and a replication destination storage unit which is provided to a replication destination storage device and is a replication destination of the replication target data, which are connected with each other over a network. The replication destination storage unit is equipped with a host bus adapter which is an interface for connecting the replication destination storage unit with the network. Each of the replication source storage device and the host bus adapter provided to the replication destination storage unit is equipped with a connection device which uses the network, located between them, as an extension of a bus of the replication source storage device, and connects the replication source storage device and the host bus adapter provided to the replication destination storage unit with each other.
US08966197B2	Distributed snapshot process Systems and methods for providing an efficient partitioned resource server are disclosed. The partitioned resource server includes a plurality of individual servers, and the individual servers support a storage service. The systems and methods provide archiving processes for partitioned resources. To this end, the systems and process include a snapshot process operating on a server and capable of coordinating with other snapshot processes operating on the other servers for generating state information representative of the state of the partitioned resources.
US08966193B2	Addressing, command protocol, and electrical interface for non-volatile memories utilized in recording usage counts sensor Electrical interfaces, addressing schemes, and command protocols allow for communications with memory modules in computing devices such as imaging and printing devices. Memory modules may be assigned an address through a set of discrete voltages. One, multiple, or all of the memory modules may be addressed with a single command, which may be an increment counter command, a write command, a punch out bit field, or a cryptographic command. The commands may be transmitted using a broadcast scheme or a split transaction scheme. The status of the memory modules may be determined by sampling a single signal that may be at a low, high, or intermediate voltage level.
US08966188B1	RAM utilization in a virtual environment Various systems and methods for sharing data in a virtual environment are disclosed. For example, one method involves receiving a request to access data. The request can be received from a first virtual machine of a plurality of virtual machines. The method then involves retrieving a signature for the data where the signature is stored in a deduplicated data store. Next, the method involves detecting whether the signature is included in a map. In order to do so, the method compares the signature with entries in the map. The entries in the map identify data stored in RAM. The data is also stored in the deduplicated data store. If the signature is found in the map, the method involves granting the request to access the data. Otherwise, the method involves creating a new entry in the map and adding the signature to the new entry.
US08966185B2	Cache memory prefetching According to exemplary embodiments, a computer program product, system, and method for prefetching in memory include determining a missed access request for a first line in a first cache level and accessing an entry in a prefetch table, wherein the entry corresponds to a memory block, wherein the entry includes segments of the memory block. Further, the embodiment includes determining a demand segment of the segments in the entry, the demand segment corresponding to a segment of the memory block that includes the first line, reading a first field in the demand segment to determine if a second line in the demand segment is spatially related with respect to accesses of the demand segment and reading a second field in the demand segment to determine if a second segment in the entry is temporally related to the demand segment.
US08966182B2	Software and hardware managed dual rule bank cache for use in a pattern matching accelerator A pattern matching accelerator (PMA) for assisting software threads to find the presence and location of strings in an input data stream that match a given pattern. The patterns are defined using regular expressions that are compiled into a data structure comprised of rules subsequently processed by the PMA. The patterns to be searched in the input stream are defined by the user as a set of regular expressions. The patterns to be searched are grouped in pattern context sets. The sets of regular expressions which define the pattern context sets are compiled to generate a rules structure used by the PMA hardware. The rules are compiled before search run time and stored in main memory, in rule cache memory within the PMA or a combination thereof. For each input character, the PMA executes the search and returns the search results.
US08966177B2	Method, apparatus and system for optimizing image rendering on an electronic device Portable electronic devices typically have reduced computing resources, including reduced screen size. The method, apparatus and system of the present specification provides, amongst other things, an intermediation server configured to access network content that is requested by a portable electronic device and to analyze the content including analyzing images in that content. The intermediation server is further configured to accommodate the computing resources of the portable electronic device as part of fulfilling content requests from the portable electronic device.
US08966167B1	Content search system having multiple pipelines A content addressable memory (CAM)-based search engine is disclosed that reduces power consumption during a plurality of different search operations concurrently performed in a plurality of device pipelines by selectively applying one of a number of different power reduction techniques for each pipeline in response to configuration data indicating the type of search operation that is being performed in the pipeline.
US08966157B2	Data management method, memory controller and memory storage apparatus A data management method, a memory controller and a memory storage apparatus are provided. The method includes grouping a plurality of physical units of a rewritable non-volatile memory module into at least a data area and a free area. The method also includes configuring a plurality of logical units for mapping a part of the physical units. The method further includes receiving at least two pieces of update data, which are corresponding to different logical pages of the logical units. The method further includes getting a physical unit from the physical units. The method further includes writing the at least two pieces of update data into the same one physical page of the gotten physical unit. Accordingly, the use efficiency of the physical units could be improved.
US08966150B2	Automated system and control device for identifying a connecting element The invention relates to an automated system in which a targeted search may be made for connecting terminals without having to actuate a load connected thereto. For this purpose, the automated system has a communication network, a programmable control unit, and at least one modular bus subscriber which are connected to the communication network. The modular bus subscriber has multiple groups of connecting elements, a display element being associated with each group of connecting elements. An evaluation and control unit is also provided which actuates at least one selected display element in response to signaling information originating from the programmable control unit. The programmable control unit is designed to provide this type of signaling information.
US08966147B2	Lock leasing method for solving deadlock A method for resolving deadlock in a multi-threaded computing system using a novel lock lease is disclosed. A first thread leases a lock held by the first thread to a second thread different from the first thread. The leasing transfers control of the lock to the second thread while the first thread retains ownership of the lock. To lease the lock: (1) the second thread applies for the lease from the first thread; (2) the first thread grants the lease; (3) the first thread waits for the second thread to complete a task; (4) the second thread terminates the lease; (5) the first thread confirms termination of the lease. The first thread receives control of the lock back from the second thread after the second thread has finished using resources controlled by the lock. The second thread also can sublease the lock to a third thread.
US08966139B2	Communication control apparatus, network, and network system A memory access request is received from a first lower-level device among a plurality of lower-level devices and, when an address of the memory access request is an address in a given range, the memory access request is converted into a setting request from the upper-level device to a second lower-level device among the lower-level devices, the second lower-level device corresponding to the address of the memory access request.
US08966137B1	Storage device and memory accessing method for a storage device A storage device and memory accessing method configure two separate memory units, each with dedicated I/O channel, accessible by two controllers, each corresponding to an interface connected to a host, and allows the storage device to establish at least two connections to the different hosts. As more than one connection is established between the storage device and the hosts at the same time, a first controller has both read and write accessibility to a first memory unit and a second controller has both read and write accessibility to a second memory unit, while the first controller has read-only accessibility to the second memory unit and the second controller has read-only accessibility to the second memory unit.
US08966128B1	Auto plug-in and plug-out VGA port detection Apparatus and method generally relating to load detection associated with an analog video port are disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus for detection of a remote termination resistance includes a pulse detection circuit configured to generate a detection pulse within a blanking interval. A pulse insertion circuit is coupled to receive the detection pulse and is configured to insert the detection pulse onto a line, where the line is an analog color signal line.
US08966121B2	Client-side management of domain name information An exemplary method includes booting a computing device, in response to the booting, accessing a file that includes domain names and resolving at least one of the domain names by issuing a request to a server where the resolving occurs as a background process. An exemplary method includes receiving a notice to invalidate client DNS resolver cache information for a domain name, accessing a list of client subscribers to an invalidation service for the domain name and issuing an instruction to the client subscribers to invalidate their respective client DNS resolver cache information for the domain name. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to resolve a domain name, resolving the domain name and transmitting information for the resolved domain name and additional information for at least one other domain name. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.
US08966113B2	Technique for dynamically restoring original TE-LSP attributes for interdomain TE-LSPs A technique dynamically restores original attributes of a Traffic Engineering Label Switched Path (TE-LSP) that are provided in a source domain for a destination domain when traversing one or more intermediate domains that may translate the TE-LSP attributes in a computer network. According to the novel technique, a head-end node requests an interdomain TE-LSP having one or more original TE-LSP attributes (e.g., priority, bandwidth, etc.) using a signaling exchange. The head-end node may also request restoration of the original TE-LSP attributes upon entrance into the destination domain. Intermediate domains (e.g., border routers of the domains) receiving the request may translate the original TE-LSP attributes into corresponding intermediate domain TE-LSP attributes. When the request reaches the destination domain, the intermediate domain TE-LSP attributes of the requested TE-LSP are restored into the original TE-LSP attributes.
US08966099B2	Session change method and session change device A technique is disclosed to realize the change of session seamlessly and with high degree of freedom while reducing the increase of the processing load on a session control server upon a request to change the session from a terminal and to decrease the load on network traffic. According to this technique, trigger information is embedded in a session of content used by the terminal. When this trigger information is detected, the terminal carries out an operation to set up as trigger action (e.g. the change to another session). The relation between the trigger information and the trigger action may be described in sequence information, which is held by the terminal in advance or the trigger action may be described in the trigger information. With regard to certain trigger information, different types of trigger actions may be set up for each terminal (or, depending on the condition of the terminal). As a result, different types of session change can be performed, depending on each terminal and on the conditions of the terminals.
US08966094B2	Managing session data of a composite service session in a communication network The present invention relates to a method for managing session data of a composite service session in a communication network, the composite service session originating from executing a composite service. The method comprises determining (101) a subset of the session data which will likely be used for executing the composite service at a certain execution state of the composite service session, and transmitting (103) the subset of the session data over the communication network towards a certain session node, the certain session node being involved in executing the composite service at the certain execution state.
US08966091B2	Method of distinguishing a plurality of UEs sharing one PUID and a device thereof The present invention provides with a method of distinguishing a plurality of calling UEs sharing a PUID in a calling S-CSCF of IMS network and the device thereof. When a calling UE using a shared PUID in the calling-party network requests to establish a session with some called UE in the called-party network, the calling S-CSCF adds a extension identification corresponding to the calling UE into the session request message from the calling UE and sends the session request message with the extension identification added therein to the called UE in the called-party network, such that the called UE may realize which one is the actual calling UE according to the extension identification in the session request message and the shared PUID used by the calling UE. Therefore, after completion of such session, the called UE may re-establish a session with the calling UE according to the extension identification of the calling UE and the shared PUID thereof.
US08966081B1	Method for device security in a heterogeneous storage network environment An automated, policy-based system and method provides information security at various levels in the network, including at the baseline inventory, device, network frame, and command level. This approach improves over the conventional distributed security model by centralizing security in one multi-level management structure. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a scheme for mapping vendor-unique opcodes to access rights.
US08966067B2	Automatically addressing performance issues in a distributed database A database performance monitor monitors performance of a distributed database, identifies a database performance issue for the distributed database, determines from a distributed virtual network mechanism which physical networks are related to the database performance issue, determines a potential solution to the database performance issue that changes configuration of the distributed database, and applies the potential solution by automatically changing configuration of the distributed database without intervention of a user to address the database performance issue.
US08966065B2	Method and apparatus for managing an interactive network session Methods for controlling online session inactivity timeouts between a user terminal and a server involves the server polling the user's local terminal to determine whether the user presence at the terminal can be confirmed if there is a period of inactivity within the session. If so, or if the server can otherwise confirm that the terminal is secured from use by other users, then the user session is maintained. Otherwise, the user session is allowed to timeout due to inactivity. The server may issue an alert to the user whenever a timeout is imminent, and may restore any information entered by the user prior to the timeout, if the user later returns and validates his identification.
US08966064B2	Agreement compliance controlled electronic device throttle Controls electronic devices and/or throttles electronic devices and/or information for electronic devices based on agreements or events or any combination thereof. An agreement includes one or more conditions to satisfy the agreement, such as one or more tasks or activities to be performed by an agreement performer or events that may be detected, and actions performed to enforce or assert the agreement such as controlling the electronic device and/or enabling or disabling or otherwise limiting, reducing or increasing the amount or type of information allowed with respect to any or all electronic devices associated with the agreement performer. For example, the system controls the electronic device and/or enables, disables or limits the amount or type of information on an electronic device, e.g., telephone, computer, game, television, vehicle based on whether the child has finished assigned homework, chores or extracurricular activities as specified as conditions of the agreement.
US08966061B2	Apparatus and method for lawful interception A lawful interception apparatus of a service providing system inquires of a trust server in which a law execution server commissions lawful interception authority whether a terminal that connects to a service connection point is an interception target, determines whether a terminal that connects to a service connection point is an interception target, and if a terminal that connects to a service connection point is an interception target, and the lawful interception apparatus intercepts communication traffic that is related to the terminal.
US08966057B2	Scalable policy deployment architecture in a communication network Aspects describe using a Policy Access Gateway to facilitate scalability within a communication network and to provide a solution to deploy an enhanced policy gateway. The Policy Access Gateway can enhance standard defined Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) functions with session binding mechanisms. Further, the Policy Access Gateway is scalable and can be deployed in a very large network that supports hundreds of millions of users. Further, the Policy Access Gateway can provide additional policy information to enable policy information consolidation and caching capabilities.
US08966051B2	Technique for monitoring component processing The present invention provides a technique for measuring the efficiency of components in a computer. An echo server is provided which comprises several units. A socket generation unit generates a receiving server socket on the basis of information on a correspondence between a plurality of components in a computer. And generates a client socket that is a dedicated socket inheriting information of the receiving server socket when data is transmitted. A stream acquisition unit acquires a transmission path for acquiring data transmitted and received between components. A thread generation unit generates a transmission path by coupling streams. A transfer execution unit transfers data acquired via a thread to an original destination component. Using these units, the technique monitors and running verifies behavior by observing data running on the network.
US08966048B2	Providing a common management console for managing the operation of a server computer A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing a common management console for managing the pre- and post-operating system operation of a computer system are provided. The method includes: receiving, at a management appliance, first and second requests from one or more remote management consoles to manage first and second server computers, respectively; receiving first and second remote console data formatted according to first and second remote console protocols from the first and second server computers, respectively; converting, at the management appliance, the received first and second remote console data to first and second converted remote console data, respectively, in a common format in accordance with a common protocol capable of expressing the first and second remote console protocols; and transmitting the first and second converted remote console data in the common format to the remote management console for display.
US08966045B1	Identity migration apparatus and method An identity migration program provides interfaces for a user to manage operations for migrating locally-managed identities to centrally-managed identities. The provided interfaces include a project management interface, an identity selection interface, a migration rule editor interface, and a project scheduling interface. In certain embodiments, the identity migration program includes a communication module that provides interfaces for managing communication between the identity migration program and locally-managed and centrally-managed servers. Interfaces may also be provided to manage identity group migration and migration error resolution. A migration process management interface enables the user to halt, roll back, or resume a migration project.
US08966041B1	System and method for managing information technology infrastructure A system for developing and managing information technology infrastructure management and operations has been developed. The system includes establishing a remote system help desk to clear IMO problems based on severity. Also, a remote network operations center (NOC) is established to monitor system equipment and provide IMO incident management and remediation. Additionally, a staging center is established to perform setup, configuration and testing of system upgrades and new equipment installations. Finally, a report for system status and performance for storage in an electronic media is generated.
US08966036B1	Method and system for website user account management based on event transition matrixes A method for categorizing multiple users of a website based on their respective transition patterns between successive types of user activities is implemented at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. After receiving one or more log files from a data source, the computing device generates respective event transition matrixes for multiple users in accordance with the users' event records such that each element of each respective event transition matrix includes a probability of an occurrence of two consecutive event types A and B for the same user. Based on an analysis of the multiple users' event transition matrixes, the computing device categorizes the multiple users into at least two distinct groups of users and performs one or more operations to the website's user accounts associated with one or more users from one of the groups.
US08966029B2	Network control system for configuring middleboxes Some embodiments provide a method for configuring a logical middlebox in a hosting system that includes a set of nodes. The logical middlebox is part of a logical network that includes a set of logical forwarding elements that connect a set of end machines. The method receives a set of configuration data for the logical middlebox. The method uses a stored set of tables describing physical locations of the end machines to identify a set of nodes at which to implement the logical middlebox. The method provides the logical middlebox configuration for distribution to the identified nodes.
US08966024B2	Architecture of networks with middleboxes Some embodiments provide a system for implementing a logical network that includes a set of end machines, a first logical middlebox, and a second logical middlebox connected by a set of logical forwarding elements. The system includes a set of nodes. Each of several nodes includes (i) a virtual machine for implementing an end machine of the logical network, (ii) a managed switching element for implementing the set of logical forwarding elements of the logical network, and (iii) a middlebox element for implementing the first logical middlebox of the logical network. The system includes a physical middlebox appliance for implementing the second logical middlebox.
US08966013B2	Unified device management method and system A unified device management method and system for unified management of a fixed and mobile device includes a command execution controller which receives a device management command, sends a query message to the device, receives a response message transmitted by the device, creates a command execution policy based on the settings contained in the response message, and executes the device management command according to a policy, the device which generates and sends the response message to the command execution controller according to user inputs, and a remote access server which connects the device and the command execution controller by using a remote access protocol.
US08966011B2	Performance enhancing proxy One embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a method and a system for performance enhancing proxy (PEP). A PEP system may include a configuration of software components and hardware devices to increase the performance of a two-way satellite broadband service. The PEP system may include one or more embodiments to reduce the time necessary for users to transmit and receive data provided through a communication network.
US08966010B1	Scalable transaction system for a network environment Techniques for performing services in a secure and scalable manner in a network environment. Code modules and data used for performing a service and that contain proprietary, confidential, or trade secret information, are stored and executed by service provider systems that are not exposed to user systems used to configure the service requests. The techniques are scalable as the number of service provider systems performing the services can be scaled, either up or down, in proportion to the demand for the services.
US08966005B2	Information processing system and method providing a composed service An information processing system providing a composed service to a user device is provided. The system includes: a service acquisition unit configured to acquire descriptions defining raw services; a capability information acquisition unit configured to acquire capability information; a composition unit configured to compose the acquired descriptions to create a description which defines a composed service to be supported by the user device based on the acquired capability information; a presentation unit configured to present the created description to the user device; a request acquisition unit configured to acquire a request for the composed service from the user device; a specifying unit configured to specify raw services composing the requested composed service; a processing unit configured to gather responses from the specified raw services composing the requested composed service, and to create the composite response; and a response unit configured to respond the composite response to the user device.
US08966004B2	Multiple virtual machines in a mobile virtualization platform Systems and methods are described for embodiments of a mobile virtualization platform (MVP) where in some aspects a wireless mobile device including multiple virtual machines (VMs) may receive data from a remote content provider and process/execute the data using an appropriate virtual machine. In some examples, the MVP may facilitate communication between and coordination among different virtual machines in the MVP, such as to facilitate optimization of data processing/execution.
US08965990B2	Reranking of groups when content is uploaded Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. Logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed and potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module, the first group of users containing a plurality of users, including one or more users who are not logically connected to the first user in the logical relationship information. Then, in response to the receiving of content, scores for each of the plurality of possible groups are generated based on the content, and the first user is added or removed from a second group of users selected from the plurality of possible groups based on the regenerated scores.
US08965980B2	Universal support for multiple external messaging systems A method, system, computer system, computer program product and application programming interface to support the use of multiple external messaging systems from within an application program and to track activities performed using any of the multiple external messaging systems. The application program allows a preferred messaging system to prepare, send, and receive messages from within the application program to be specified for each user of the application program. Multiple external messaging systems are available to be configured as the preferred or default messaging system for a given user. Activities performed using any of the external messaging systems can be tracked in a comprehensive collection of data about activity performed via the application program.
US08965979B2	Methods and systems for semantically managing offers and requests over a network Among other disclosure, a knowledge network and semcards enabling intelligent matching of offers and requests, involving all types of information and knowledge, including information such as classified ads, data about products and services, or knowledge, expertise, ideas, suggestions, opinions, and other forms of tacit knowledge is described.
US08965973B2	Method and apparatus for call proceeding in call control of application server The invention discloses a method for call proceeding in call control of an application server, comprising: the application server sending an Offer message to a second party after making a media consultation with a first party; the application server receiving an Answer message sent from the second party, and transforming the Answer message into the Offer message and then sending to the first party, wherein, the Offer message carries a confirmation request for a Precondition state of the first party; the application server receiving the Answer message sent from the first party, wherein, the Answer message carries a confirmation response to the Precondition state from the first party; when determining that the Answer message meets a condition for transforming the Answer message, the application server transforming the Answer message into the Offer message and then sending to the second party.
US08965972B2	Method and system for the automated planning of a meeting between at least two participants A method automatically plans a meeting between at least two participants taking into account electronically stored calendar data relating to the participants. After the participants have been input and after at least one period of time and/or one duration and/or one item of location information for the meeting has/have been input, at least one proposed appointment is automatically determined, taking into account at least one item of arrival information relating to at least one participant in the meeting and the calendar data. The proposed appointment is displayed to at least one participant, in particular at least the person scheduling the meeting.
US08965971B2	Image, audio, and metadata inputs for name suggestion A system, method, and computer-readable medium, is described that implements a domain name registration suggestion tool that receives one or more inputs, extracts information from the inputs into a submission string, submits the submission string to a domain name suggestion tool, and receives domain name suggestions based on the submission string. Inputs types may include images, audio clips, and metadata. The inputs sources may be processed to extract information related to the image source to build the submission string.
US08965969B2	IP address discovery A method and apparatus each facilitate communication between users of a SIP-based network and SIP users external to that network. Each user of the SIP-based network possesses a SIP URI comprising a host name part belonging to the network and a user name part. The external users have access to a peer-to-peer network to resolve SIP URIs into contact IP addresses. The method comprises publishing into said peer-to-peer network a mapping between an identifier of a gateway to said SIP-based network and an IP address of the gateway. The identifier corresponds to or is derivable from said host name part. Upon receipt of a query at the gateway in respect of a URI associated with one of said users of said SIP-based network, the URI is resolved into a contact IP address. The contact IP address is returned to a node from which the query originated.
US08965964B1	Managing forwarded electronic messages Communicating between electronic devices involves sending messages between the electronic devices. An original message having an original source indicator and an intended destination indicator identified is sent. A reply to that original message is sent by the recipient of the original message. The reply message has a reply source indicator and a reply destination indicator. A communication based on the reply message is sent. The communication based on the reply message has a reply source indicator that is the same as the intended destination indicator identified by the sender of the original message. In one example, a message is sent from computer operating an instant messaging program and forwarded to a mobile telephone. The reply sent from the mobile telephone is provided to the sender of the original message without revealing the telephone number of the mobile telephone to which the original instant message was forwarded.
US08965963B2	Eager block fetching for web-based data grids Techniques for improving scrolling performance in a web-based data grid. In one set of embodiments, when a user scrolls through a data grid rendered in a viewport of the user's web browser, client-side code executing in the web browser can detect whether a scroll event has occurred that requires a portion of the viewport to be filled/refreshed with data from a server. The client-side code can further determine whether the scroll event is a short scroll or a long scroll, and can send a request to the server that indicates the type of scroll event. If the scroll event is a short scroll, the server can determine a first amount of data to fetch based on one or more first parameters. If the scroll event is a long scroll, the server can determine a second amount of data to fetch based on one or more second parameters.
US08965961B1	System and method of reducing latency using adaptive retransmission timeouts In one aspect, a system and method are provided whereby latency in network communication protocols such as the TCP/IP suite of protocols is reduced by transmitting a new and second connection request from a sending device to a receiving device over a network based upon adaptively determined dynamic initial timeout values, where the dynamic initial timeout values are adaptively determined based upon data associated with one or more historical requests transmitted over the network by the sending device.
US08965955B2	Systems and methods for policy based integration to horizontally deployed WAN optimization appliances The present disclosure presents systems and methods for policy based redirection of network traffic, by an intermediary device, to a horizontally deployed WAN device. An intermediary receives a request from a client to access a server. The request was previously modified by a first WAN device to include information in a first option field of a transport layer. The intermediary may determine, responsive to a redirection policy, to send the request to a second WAN optimization device deployed horizontally from the intermediary, instead of the server. The intermediary transmits the request to the second WAN optimization device, while maintaining the information from the first option field. The intermediary device receives the request including the information in the first option field identifying the first WAN optimization device to the second WAN optimization device. The intermediary receives a modified request from the second WAN device, the modified request determined by the intermediary to be sent to the destination server.
US08965950B2	Decoupled mechanism for managed copy client applications and e-commerce servers to interoperate in a heterogeneous environment Request data is generated at a client device having at least one managed copy client application. The request data includes an identifier (e.g., a uniform resource locator, class ID, etc.) for an integration control (e.g., an ActiveX control, Java applet, etc.) installable on the client device. The request data is transmitted and, in response to the request data, response data (e.g., an object element in an HTML page) is received from a server (e.g., an e-commerce server). The response data facilitates installation of the integration control on the client device, and the integration control provides an interface to facilitate communication between the server and the managed copy client application.
US08965949B2	System and method for applying computational knowledge to device data A system and method are provided for acquiring and processing device usage data and applying a computational knowledge thereto for proactively determining customer state, including inferring device usage patterns, and accordingly proposing at least one action, if any, to be undertaken. In particular, computational knowledge represented by a set of rules is applied to the processed device data for analyzing the processed data and describing at least one feature or characteristic relating to the processed data using keywords. A rules database is accessed and at least one rule is selected from a set of rules. The at least one selected rule includes keywords which substantially match the keywords used to describe the feature or characteristic of the processed data. The at least one selected rule is then correlated to at least one proposed action using the rules database. The at least one determined rule and/or at least one proposed action are then outputted.
US08965943B2	Method and apparatus for performing computations using residue arithmetic The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for performing computations using residue arithmetic. The subject method and apparatus can utilize logic gates for performing calculations such as multiplication by a constant, computing a number theoretic logarithm of a residue for a given base αi and modulus pi, and computing the product of two residues, modulo pi. The use of logic gates can offer advantages when compared with the use of ROMs for table look-up functions in integrated RNS digital signal processor implementations.
US08965942B1	Systems and methods for sample rate tracking Systems and methods for sample rate tracking are provided. An example method includes computing an actual latency associated with an output sample from an output sample stream. The actual latency is calculated using a phase and a phase increment (conversion rate ratio). A measured latency is determined using an internal clock using a presentation time of the output sample, or an input sample from an input sample stream, or both. The measured latency is compared to the actual latency to generate a latency error. A successive phase increment can be determined based on the latency error by using a low-pass or adaptive filter to adjust the latency error.
US08965939B2	Storing portions of data in a dispersed storage network A method begins, in accordance with a segmentation approach, dividing large data to be stored into regions and dividing a region into segments. The method continues by generating preliminary DSN storage information for one or more regions. The method continues by identifying other large data stored in the DSN that has a relationship with the large data to be stored in the DSN and retrieving DSN storage information for the other large data. The method continues by comparing, at a region level, the preliminary DSN storage information with the retrieved DSN storage information. When a region of the large data to be stored has substantially similar DSN storage information as a region of the other large data, the method continues by utilizing the DSN storage information for the region of the other large data for the DSN storage information of the region of the large data.
US08965938B2	Orphan management in file systems A method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing a file system is presented. An object in the file system is identified in which one of a first pointer from the object to a first folder in the file system and a second pointer from the first folder to the object is incorrect. A number of folders is generated within a second folder in the file system that represents a path from a root of the file system to the first folder. The first pointer for the object is set to a last folder in the number of folders in which the last folder represents the first folder.
US08965932B2	Automated content scheduler and displayer A method of sequencing and scheduling web resources, via a software application that collects URLs and feeds them to a Web browser, so that the amount of clicks and decisions are reduced when browsing the Internet. The method begins after a computer user with Net-access encounters a URL that leads to a collection of other URLs that the software application has arranged to be presented in a continuous, show manner. This collection of resources then plays automatically, going from one resource to the next without the user being required to make a decision or click. The decision-making process is not inhibited, it is made optional. A method of inserting full-screen advertising, public service announcements, news, etc. has been developed. The server software application module described herein allows a publisher to stream URLs to a user who does not have the client-side software. The publishing module allows a user to format resources to a particularly desirable size and characteristic that promotes readability during a show viewing session. This same module can publish collections of nodes for others to view as a whole sequence, accessible via e-mail, screen saver or as a web resource.
US08965927B2	Managing facilities One or more servers perform functions that include: maintaining a database including information relating to facilities that are subject to a first entity, the facilities being dispersed geographically, the information including geographic locations for at least some of the facilities; receiving a first message from a facility for which information is in the database, the first message identifying a fixture of the facility that requires attention, where information in the database for the facility identifies the fixture by at least one of a designation of the fixture and a characteristic of the fixture; sending a second message to a second entity that has contracted with the first entity to provide service within a geographic location of the facility; and enabling the second entity to access the database to identify the fixture.
US08965925B2	Access controls Systems and methods for controlling access to objects within a file system utilizing data associated with those objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, access controls pertaining to a user may be specified in terms of tags which may be associated with an object, and a user's access to objects may be controlled based upon these tags. These tags may reflect the content of the object, or a grouping, category or another type of classification of the object and may be determined through the processing of the object. In one embodiment, metadata associated with an object may be classified and associated with classification tags associated with those classifications. A user's access to objects may then be specified through a set of classification tags, where the user may access objects associated with those classification tags.
US08965920B2	Distributing and sharing content in a network A method may include receiving, from a first user device associated with a user profile, a first request for a media file and streaming the media file over a network to the first user device in a first format appropriate for the first device. The method may also include stopping the streaming of the media file and associating a stop time with the stopping, wherein the stop time indicates a position in the media file and receiving, from a second user device different from the first user device, a second request for the media file, the second user device being associated with the user profile. The method may also include streaming, starting at the stop time, the media file over the network to the second user device in a second format appropriate for the second device and different than the first format.
US08965917B2	Optimizing cell search in a mobile communication system supporting variable channel bandwidths Methods and systems for optimizing cell searches in a mobile communication system supporting variable channel bandwidths are disclosed. A user device stores data identifying frequency bands, networks associated with the frequency bands, and various channel bandwidths supported by the networks. The user device is operable to dynamically update the stored data upon detecting a new network associated with one of the frequency bands.
US08965913B2	Dynamic menus for multi-prefix interactive mobile searches The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth.
US08965909B2	Type-ahead search optimization Techniques are provided for efficiently performing a series of searches. After an initial set of search results is determined from a data set based on a search query, one or more additional characters are added to the search query. In response, another search is performed, using the updated search query, but the new search is limited to searching the initial set of search results. Thus, the original data set is not accessed or searched again. This is possible due to the nature of the data. Each subsequent search is based on one or more characters that were added to a previous search query. Thus, each subsequent search is constrained to the search results that were identified in a previous search.
US08965905B2	Discovering relationships between data processing environment components A method, system, and computer program product for discovering relationships between data processing environment components are provided in the illustrative embodiments. Whether a log entry in a set of log entries references a combination of the data processing environment components is detected. The combination of components includes a first component and a second component present in the data processing environment. A type of the log entry is determined. A weight is assigned to the log entry according to the determined type. the weight of the log entry is combined with a second weight of a second log entry to form a cumulative weight. A strength level for which the cumulative weight qualifies is determined. The strength level is assigned to a relationship between the combination of components.
US08965901B2	System and method for determining exact location results using hash encoding of multi-dimensioned data Aspects of the present invention are directed to system and methods for optimizing identification of locations within a search area using hash values. A hash value represents location information in a single dimension format. Computing points around some location includes calculating an identification boundary that surrounds the location of interest based on the location's hash value. The identification boundary is expanded until it exceeds a search area defined by the location and a distance. Points around the location can be identified based on having associated hash values that fall within the identification boundary. Hashing operations let a system reduce the geometric work (i.e. searching inside boundaries) and processing required, by computing straightforward operations on hash quantities (e.g. searching a linear range of geohashes), instead of, for example, point to point comparisons.
US08965899B1	Progressive indexing for improved ad-hoc query performance The invention progressively indexes a database by building partial indexes over subsets of the data are built as the data is scanned, i.e., traversed, during execution of ad-hoc queries. Indexes are built as ad-hoc queries “touch” the data. This permits ad-hoc queries to utilize partial indexes built by other ad-hoc queries. If an ad-hoc query scans more data during execution than was previously indexed, the ad-hoc query will utilize the existing partial indexes to the extent they are relevant while adding to them or building additional partial indexes as the query executes.
US08965894B2	Automated web page classification Described herein are methods and systems implementing a web page classification system for automatically generating at least one context feature for a web page and classifying the web page based on the at least one context feature. In one implementation, a context feature generating module of the web page classification system is configured to automatically generate at least one context feature based on at least two of uniform resource locator (URL) features, title features, and meta tags features of a web page and a classifying module is configured to classify the web page based on the at least one context feature.
US08965892B1	Identity-based filtering In some embodiments, techniques for determining a reputation associated with an electronic document may include determining an identity associated with the electronic document; determining an identity reputation associated with the identity, and determining a document reputation using the identity reputation.
US08965891B1	Training scoring models optimized for highly-ranked results Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training scoring models. One method includes storing data identifying a plurality of positive and a plurality of negative training images for a query. The method further includes selecting a first image from either the positive group of images or the negative group of images, and applying a scoring model to the first image. The method further includes selecting a plurality of candidate images from the other group of images, applying the scoring model to each of the candidate images, and then selecting a second image from the candidate images according to scores for the images. The method further includes determining that the scores for the first image and the second image fail to satisfy a criterion, updating the scoring model, and storing the updated scoring model.
US08965889B2	Bi-temporal user profiles for information brokering in collaboration systems Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with bi-temporal user profiling are described. An event is detected that occurs at a valid event time. In response to the event, a repository is accessed that stores data describing one or more user profiles that include a profile record valid time period specifying a time at which the given profile record is valid. A prior user profile record is retrieved that has a profile record valid time period that overlaps with the valid event time. An updated user profile record is created based, at least in part, on the event. The updated user profile record is saved with the valid event time demarcating the start of a profile valid time period. The prior user profile with the valid event time demarcating the end of the profile record valid time period is also saved for subsequent processing.
US08965885B2	System and method for browsing web pages on a mobile communication device A mobile device (102) for browsing web pages is described. The mobile device (102) comprises a wireless transceiver (202), a processor (204) and a display (208). The wireless transceiver (202) is configured to receive (306) a web page from a remote server (104) via a wireless communication link (106, 108, 110). The processor (204) is configured to determine (308) whether a display parameter associated with the received web page exceeds a display threshold value. The display (208) is configured to display (310) the received web page in a first navigation mode if the display parameter does not exceed the display threshold value, and display (312) the received web page in a second navigation mode if the display parameter exceeds the display threshold value.
US08965884B2	Entity display priority in a distributed geographic information system A system for ranking geospatial entities is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises an interface for receiving ranking data about a plurality of geospatial entities and an entity ranking module. The module uses a ranking mechanism to generate place ranks for the geospatial entities based on the ranking data. Ranked entity data generated by the entity ranking module is stored in a database. The entity ranking module may be configured to evaluate a plurality of diverse attributes to determine a total score for a geospatial entity. The entity ranking module may be configured to organize ranked entity data into placemark layers.
US08965880B2	Transcoding and serving resources Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transcoding and providing resources. A query is received. A resource is generated, and the resource, when processed by a client device, causes the client device to perform various operations. The operations include displaying a search result having an associated landing page and detecting user interaction with the search result. The operations include, in response to detecting user interaction with the search result, displaying a first portion of the landing page that is embedded within the resource and requesting, over a network, a second portion of the landing page. The operations include receiving the second portion of the landing page, and loading the second portion of the landing page. The generated resource is provided in response to the query.
US08965879B2	Unique join data caching method Enterprise systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for providing caching of data retrieved from joined tables and an inheritance table hierarchy of a database in an enterprise. The computer implemented method comprises creating a queue of cursors of a statement associated with a database; evaluating a cursor of the queue and marking as one of a unique record and an object of an inheritance table; and, if a cursor of the queue is marked as one of a unique record and a unique object, then, storing data associated with one of the unique record and object in a data cache for subsequent retrieval, thus avoiding costly network calls. If the process leaves a cursor unevaluated, the method retrieves data from an enterprise database associated with the statement. The process is implemented on an application object server including a data access layer and a kernel instance.
US08965877B2	Apparatus and method for automatic assignment of industry classification codes A system and methods for automatically assigning of classification codes to a business based on information about the business collected from the Internet are provided in which data extracted from trawling the Internet is compared to a node structure based on a taxonomy of a selected business classification code system.
US08965875B1	Removing substitution rules based on user interactions Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for removing substitution rules. According to one implementation, a method includes identifying a plurality of revised search queries associated with a substitution rule, wherein the substitution rule is used to generate the revised search queries from each of a plurality of original search queries to include a substitute query term for an original query term included in the original search queries; for each of the revised search queries, accessing query log data that identifies (i) a set of search results generated by the respective revised search query, and (ii) a particular, user-selected search result in the set of search results; determining a quality metric for the substitution rule using the query log data; determining that the quality metric does not satisfy a threshold; and in response to determining that the quality metric does not satisfy the threshold, removing the substitution rule.
US08965873B2	Methods and systems for eliminating duplicate events Computer-implemented systems and methods are described for eliminating duplicate events. In accordance with some implementations, a computer-implemented system is provided which includes a computer-readable storage medium that stores program code and a processor that executes the program code. The operations performed by the processor may include capturing an event comprising a user interaction with an article stored in association with a client device and determining a level of similarity between the event and a stored event. The operations performed by the processor may also include determining if the event is a duplicate of the stored event based at least in part on the level of similarity between the event and the stored event and indexing the event on the client device dependent on the determination of whether or not the event is a duplicate of the stored event.
US08965872B2	Identifying query formulation suggestions for low-match queries Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for identifying low-match search queries and determining comparable item matches to suggest to the user in response to a low-match query. “Low-match queries” are queries for which an insufficient number of exact item matches are available. In embodiments, exact and/or comparable item matches may be determined via semantic analysis. Also provided are systems, methods and computer-storage media for informing the user, by way of a presented indicator, or the like, that a presented item was selected for presentation based upon a similarity metric rather than being determined an exact match for the input query.
US08965871B2	System and method for providing targeted content to a user based on user characteristics A system and method for providing a personalized advertisement for a good or service for display to a user is described. The system includes a communications device operated by the user; a virtual person database comprising information about the user; and a search engine useful for finding advertisements of interest to the user and generating personalized advertisements for display on the communications device.
US08965869B2	Systems and methods for generating a web page based on search term popularity data Methods and systems for displaying popular internet searches on a webpage are provided. Popularity data is received which includes a plurality of search terms, and each of the search terms has an associated popularity index. A determination is made as to whether any of the search terms is an approved term by referencing the search terms against a list of approved terms. If any of the search terms is an approved term, then that search term's corresponding entry in the list of approved terms is updated with that search term's associated popularity index. The search terms that are not approved terms define a set of unclassified search terms. The unclassified search terms are classified by updating the list of approved terms to include the unclassified search terms and their associated popularity indices. The most popular search terms in the list of approved search terms is determined based upon the popularity index. A webpage is generated including images associated with each of the most popular search terms.
US08965860B2	Methods and systems for bulk uploading of data in an on-demand service environment Methods and systems for bulk uploading of data in an on-demand service environment are described. In one embodiment, such a method includes retrieving a bulk transaction request from a transaction queue within a host organization, where the bulk transaction request specifies a plurality of database transactions to be processed against a multi-tenant database system of the host organization. Such a method further includes determining a current computational load of the multi-tenant database system, processing a subset of the plurality of database transactions specified by the bulk transaction request against the multi-tenant database system when the current computational load is below a threshold, and updating a bulk transaction results log based on the subset of the plurality of database transactions processed. Remaining database transactions specified by the bulk transaction request may then be re-queued for later processing.
US08965856B2	Increase in deduplication efficiency for hierarchical storage system Exemplary embodiments provide improvement of deduplication efficiency for hierarchical storage systems. In one embodiment, a storage system comprises a storage controller; and a plurality of first volumes and a plurality of external volumes which are configured to be mounted to external devices. The storage controller controls to store related data which are derived from one of the plurality of first volumes in a first external volume of the plurality of external volumes. In another embodiment, the storage controller receives object data from a server and allocates the object data to the plurality of pool volumes. The plurality of pool volumes include a plurality of external volumes which are configured to be mounted to external devices. The storage controller controls to store the object data to the plurality of pool volumes based on object allocation information received from a backup server.
US08965852B2	Methods and apparatus for network efficient deduplication Mechanisms are provided for performing network efficient deduplication. Segments are extracted from files received for deduplication at a host connected to a target over one or more networks and/or fabrics in a deduplication system. Segment identifiers (IDs) are determined and compared with segment IDs for segments already deduplicated. Segments already deduplicated need not be transmitted to a target system. References and reference counts are modified at a target system. Updating references and reference counts may involve modifying filemaps, dictionaries, and datastore suitcases for both already deduplicated and not already deduplicated segments.
US08965851B2	Electronic backup of applications Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view of an application is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a history view associated with the current view of the application be displayed, retrieve data associated with the history view, determining a presentation format for the data, and displaying the history view in response to the first user input in accordance with the presentation format, the history view including data associated with at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view of the application.
US08965847B1	Independent synchronization of file data and file metadata A method including storing a first data object and metadata associated with the first data object at a computing device, storing metadata at the computing device for which a second data object associated with the metadata is not stored at the computing device, and displaying, in the appearance of a single file system, information identifying both the first data object and the second data object.
US08965846B2	Methods and systems for synchronizing data in a multi-tenant database environment In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for synchronizing data in a database network system. These mechanisms and methods for synchronizing data in database network system can enable embodiments to provide users a synchronization button on a UI or synchronization field through an API for specifying data for synchronization. The ability of embodiments to provide users a synchronization button on a UI or synchronization field through an API for specifying data for synchronization can enable users to easily and efficiently change and update data in a database system.
US08965845B2	Proactive data object replication in named data networks The present disclosure relates generally to the field of proactive data object replication in named data networks. In various examples, proactive data object replication may be implemented in one or more named data networks in the form of systems, methods and/or algorithms.
US08965839B2	On the fly data binning A computer-implemented method, a computer-implemented system, and a computer program product for data binning are disclosed. In a first aspect, the computer-implemented method comprises in response to a determination that a data value is greater than an estimated maximum data value, calculating a new bin position for the data value by adding multiples of a bin width to the estimated maximum data value until a bin where the data value belongs is found.
US08965835B2	Method for analyzing sentiment trends based on term taxonomies of user generated content A method for generating a trend report for a non-sentiment phrase. The method comprises generating a plurality of term taxonomies between non-sentiment phrases and sentiment phrases; storing the plurality of term taxonomies in a database; performing periodically at least a statistical analysis respective of the plurality of term taxonomies in the database; receiving a request for a report with respect of at least a non-sentiment phrase in the database; generating a trend report based at least on the at least statistical analysis; and providing the report to the requestor of the report.
US08965834B2	Particle methods for nonlinear control Aspects herein describe new methods of determining optimal actions to achieve high-level goals with minimum total future cost. At least one high-level goal is inputted into a user device along with various observational data about the world, and a computational unit determines, through particle methods, an optimal course of action as well as emotions. The particle method comprises alternating backward and forward sweeps and tests for convergence to determine said optimal course of action. In one embodiment a user inputs a high-level goal into a cell phone which senses observational data. The cell phone communicates with a server that provides instructions. The server determines an optimal course of action via the particle method, and the cell phone then displays the instructions and emotions to the user.
US08965826B2	Dynamic backjumping in constraint satisfaction problem solving A method of performing constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) solving. The method comprises evaluating the nodes of a CSP tree for a TRUE or FALSE state according to a script, wherein the tree models a CSP problem and the script associates rules and corresponding actions with each tree node. During a step of evaluating a specific node, there is dynamically computed a backjump pointer according to a specific rule associated with the specific node, wherein the value of the computed backjump pointer identifies an ancestor node of the tree. Upon a failure to evaluate the node to a TRUE state, the evaluation is restarted at the ancestor node identified by the backjump pointer.
US08965825B2	Mode determination for multivariate time series data Embodiments relate to mode determination for multivariate time series data. An aspect includes determining first within-mode and first cross-mode parameters for a first number of modes, each mode comprising one or more time periods in the multivariate time series. Another aspect includes determining a first likelihood of the at least one multivariate time series based on the first sets of within-mode parameters and first set of cross-mode parameters. Another aspect includes determining second within-mode and second cross-mode parameters for a second number of modes. Another aspect includes determining a second likelihood of the at least one multivariate time series based on the second sets of within-mode parameters and second set of cross-mode parameters. Another aspect includes based on the first likelihood being higher than the second likelihood, selecting the first number of modes to model the at least one multivariate time series.
US08965818B2	Method and system for supporting a clinical diagnosis Methods and systems may support conclusions of a clinician by enabling the clinician to arbitrarily define the symptoms according to the patient's record. The method may comprise: (a) determining a plurality of symptoms representing a patient and including characteristics of the patient, the symptoms being categorized as present symptoms, absent symptoms or open symptoms; (b) establishing a multi-tier relationship between said symptoms and a plurality of diseases based on a knowledge model; (c) adjusting weighting factor(s) for at least one multi-tier relationship based on said knowledge model; (d) optionally adjusting at least one weighting factor of step (c) by an expert; and (e) building a ranking of diseases from said multi-tier relationship based on said weighting factors. The method may provide an efficient ranking of disease information, thereby supporting a clinical diagnosis that may consider multiple symptoms while emphasizing particular symptoms in view of the clinician's expertise.
US08965812B2	Evaluating commodity conditions using aerial image data Various tools, strategies and techniques are provided for evaluating the condition of one or more commodities in one or more regions of interest. Collection of image data associated with the commodities can be facilitated through use of an aircraft traveling a predetermined travel route over the regions of interest. The collected image data may be analyzed to evaluate the condition of the commodities, forecast commodity production, and/or to perform other tasks.
US08965809B1	Restricted printing of postage with layout constraints in a browser The present invention is directed to systems and methods which restrict the use of Value Bearing Indicia (VBI) such that a general purpose interface application can be used to securely and/or precisely print VBI. A method and/or system of embodiments of the invention, includes a general purpose interface application being operated on a general purpose processor to request VBI, and in response to that request, receiving a content object comprising both the VBI and defined parameters which are controlled such that the general purpose interface application's use of the VBI is restricted.
US08965806B2	Image imaging apparatus, image managing method, and computer readable recording medium An image managing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image data, a receive unit that receives an image transmission request, and a controller. Herein, the controller adds security information to the image data and transmits the image data from the storage unit to an external apparatus in response to the image transmission request. Moreover, the controller determines whether to add the security information to the image data on the basis of a value of a security addition flag for the box in which the image data is stored or a value of a security addition flag for the image data.
US08965796B1	Systems, methods, and devices for tracking and estimating inventory The disclosure herein provides system, methods, and devices for tracking and estimating inventory. A real-time inventory system for tracking and estimating inventory of a plurality of items comprises an electronic items database configured to store data relating to the plurality of items; an electronic inventory database configured to store inventory count data; a counting interface configured to receive current count data from a user access point system; a variance calculator configured to access the estimated current quantity to determine a first variance; a prioritization engine configured to analyze the first variance and to increase the first count frequency such that the first item will be counted more frequently than at least one other item.
US08965794B2	Retail identification and inventory system An interactive retail identification system for identifying a retail object based upon known or identified features of master object is disclosed, wherein the system utilizes a graphical user interface having a computer display screen for displaying a plurality of input fields related to a retail object and an input device for selecting variables based upon a physical inspection of a known master object having known or identifiable features. The graphical user interface is electronically connected to a database which identifies a specific retail object equivalent to the master object through comparison of the retail object variables. The systems includes a plurality of compartments for holding retail objects based upon the retail object variables and an indicator for identifying the compartment having the retail object is provided.
US08965793B2	Multi-attribute auctioning method and system A method and system for auctioning an auction item in a multi-attribute auction. A winning bid is selected by determining a secret value function indicative of acceptable combination of attribute values for the auction owner. The auction owner computing device or the auction server generates alternate combinations of attribute values based at least in part on the secret value function. To generate the alternate combinations of attribute values at least some of the combinations of attribute values are perturbed so as to hinder the bidders from deriving or finding the secret value function. The auction server informs the bidders, via a bidder interface of a client computing device, about the alternate combinations of attribute values and required biding directions. The bidder can offer a bid in a next round based on the alternate combinations of attribute values, in a progressive manner and without knowledge of the secret value function.
US08965775B2	Allocation of bits in an enhancement coding/decoding for improving a hierarchical coding/decoding of digital audio signals A method of binary allocation in an enhancement coding/decoding for improving a hierarchical coding/decoding of digital audio signals, including a core coding/decoding in a first frequency band and a band extension coding/decoding in a second frequency band. For a predetermined number of bits to be allocated for the enhancement coding/decoding, a first number of bits is allocated to a coding/decoding for correcting the core coding/decoding in the first frequency band and according to a first mode of coding/decoding and a second number of bits is allocated to an enhancement coding/decoding for improving the extension coding/decoding in the second frequency band and according to a second mode of coding/decoding. Also provided are an allocation module implementing the method and a coder and decoder including this module.
US08965762B2	Bimodal emotion recognition method and system utilizing a support vector machine A method is disclosed in the present disclosure for recognizing emotion by setting different weights to at least of two kinds of unknown information, such as image and audio information, based on their recognition reliability respectively. The weights are determined by the distance between test data and hyperplane and the standard deviation of training data and normalized by the mean distance between training data and hyperplane, representing the classification reliability of different information. The method recognizes the emotion according to the unidentified information having higher weights while the at least two kinds of unidentified information have different result classified by the hyperplane and correcting wrong classification result of the other unidentified information so as to raise the accuracy while emotion recognition. Meanwhile, the present disclosure also provides a learning step with a characteristic of higher learning speed through an algorithm of iteration.
US08965753B2	Method to assign word class information An assignment device (1) assigns word class information (WKI) to one or more words of text information (ETI). Based on word-class sequence information (WK-AI) formed from this assigned word class information (WKI), actions (A) are executed in order to notify the user of conflicts or to provide the user with background information (HI) relating to words in the text information (TT).
US08965751B2	Providing multi-lingual translation for third party content feed applications Multi-lingual translation for third party content feed applications is provided in social network and similar environments in an independent manner from the content feed. A copy of a content feed may be distributed to consumers via content feed channels of a social network or similar service with language specific views. Translation is performed post-content feed based on tagged format of the content feed translating language dependent text into a selected (or detected) language for a user and leaving language independent text in its original form. Support for new languages may be added or existing languages removed independent of the content feed.
US08965748B2	Data center efficiency analyses and optimization Method, system and computer program product for estimating the overall energy efficiency of a data center over a period of time. In one embodiment, a computer processor coupled to computer readable memory is configured to receive time parameters indicating the period of time over which the overall energy efficiency of the data center is to be estimated, receive component parameters indicating the performance characteristics of data center components and the operational interactions between the data center components, simulate the operation and interaction of the data center components based, at least in part, on the component parameters for the period of time over which the energy efficiency is estimated, and output results of the simulation to estimate the overall energy efficiency of the data center.
US08965741B2	Context aware surface scanning and reconstruction A system for generating and updating a 3D model of a structure as the structure is being constructed or modified is described. The structure may comprise a building or non-building structure such as a bridge, parking garage, or roller coaster. The 3D model may include virtual objects depicting physical components or other construction elements of the structure. Each construction element may be associated with physical location information that may be analyzed over time in order to detect movement of the construction element and to predict when movement of the construction element may cause a code or regulation to be violated. In some cases, a see-through HMD may be utilized by a construction worker while constructing or modifying a structure in order to verify that the placement of a construction element complies with various building codes or regulations in real-time.
US08965740B2	Numerical method of calculating heat, mass, chemical and electric transport for three-dimensional porous solid This invention relates to a method of estimating fluxes for the processes of matter and field transport through fluid-saturated or gas-saturated porous solid. The method comprises obtaining three-dimensional porous solid images by, but not limited, X-ray microtomography, 3D NMR imaging, 3D reconstruction from petrographic thin-section analysis etc., digital processing and morphological analysis of the 3D core images by consecutive application of the image filtering, segmentation and multiple property recognition for obtaining digital 3D models of porous solid samples and performing a set of morphological and geometrical statistical property analysis. For the above mentioned 3D model (models) heat, mass, chemical and electric fluxes are modeled (separately or in combination) under given boundary conditions by means of numerical solver. The new models, which are statistically equivalent to the abovementioned model (models) are generated by means of random field and stochastic geometry theory; heat, mass, chemical and electric fluxes are simulated for new models. The obtained fluxes are averaged over realizations to be used in macroscopic calculations.
US08965737B2	Ultrasensitive biological and chemical detection using surface plasmon resonance A device, including sample and reference channels through which first and second solutions flow, respectively, the first solution including an analyte, the channels having a metal film in contact with the first and second solutions, the metal film configured with a linker to selectively bind the analyte; a light source whose output is modulated by an optical system, so that light is directed from the optical system alternately towards the sample and reference channels, surface plasmons within the metal film being created; a first photodetector that monitors the strength of the output from the light source; a second photodetector that collects optical signals reflected from the metal film; electronics that monitors output from the first and the second photodetectors, thereby detecting a noise-compensated difference in signals from the two channels; and a computer processor that determines, from analysis of the noise-compensated difference, presence of the analyte in the first solution.
US08965735B2	Signal processing device The invention relates to a signal processing device having a first signal processing unit (101), a second signal processing unit (103), a third signal processing unit (105), and a safety unit (107). The first signal processing unit (101) and the second signal processing unit (103) are operable in parallel for providing signal processing redundancy, and are designed to output an output signal in each case in response to an input signal. The safety unit (107) is designed to replace the first signal processing unit (101) or the second signal processing unit (103) with the third signal processing unit (105).
US08965731B2	Methods and devices to determine a mobile device housing position Methods and devices to determine a mobile device housing position are described. An example device disclosed herein includes a housing having a first portion movably coupled to a second portion, the second portion to have a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position relative to the first portion, wherein the intermediate position is between the first and second positions; a position detector in the first portion, the position detector to measure a transitional magnetic field when the second portion is in the intermediate position and to measure a second magnetic field; and a processor to determine that the second portion is in the first position or the second position based on the transitional magnetic field and the second magnetic field.
US08965727B2	Intelligent low noise design An automated phase noise test measurement system includes a software controlled phase shifter to maintain quadrature so that a carrier may be removed from a signal provided by UUT. In this fashion, the UUT's phase noise may be measured. Based upon the UUT's measured phase noise, controllable variable(s) within the UUT are tuned so as to minimize the measured phase noise.
US08965723B2	Apparatus and method for estimating state of charge of battery Provided are battery SOC estimating apparatus and method. The battery SOC estimating apparatus according to the present invention includes a first SOC calculating unit which applies a predetermined parameter to calculate a first state of charge (SOC) of a battery; one or more second SOC calculating units which individually apply different parameters to calculate one or more second SOCs of the battery; and an optimal parameter extracting unit which confirms a second SOC which is the closest to an actual SOC of the battery from one or more second SOCs to extract a parameter which is applied to the second SOC which is the closest to the actual SOC as an optimal parameter, in which the first SOC calculating unit applies the optimal parameter to calculate a final SOC of the battery.
US08965721B2	Determining battery DC impedance A method and apparatus for measuring battery cell DC impedance by controlling charging of the battery cell. The method includes real-time characterization of a battery, (a) measuring periodically a DC impedance of the battery to determine a measured DC impedance; (b) ratioing the measured DC impedance to a reference DC impedance for the battery to establish an impedance degradation factor; (c) obtaining, during use of the battery and responsive to a set of attributes of the battery, an operational reference impedance for the battery; and (d) applying the impedance degradation factor to the operational reference impedance to obtain a real-time effective impedance for the battery.
US08965718B2	Analyzing power consumption in mobile computing devices Techniques pertaining to analyzing power consumed by a processing unit in a mobile computing device caused by execution of certain modules are described herein. A power trace is generated that indicates an amount of power consumed by the processing unit over time, and the power trace is aligned with an execution log. Spikes are extracted from the power trace, and computing operations are performed over the spikes to acquire data pertaining to power consumed by the processing unit that are attributable to modules in the execution log.
US08965714B2	Diagnostic mechanism A diagnostic mechanism includes: a flow rate control part configured to control an opening degree of a flow rate control valve provided in a flow passage so that a measurement flow rate value outputted from a flow rate sensor becomes a target flow rate value; an inspection value output part configured to output an inspection value related to a time integral of the measurement flow rate value in a diagnostic period which is defined in correspondence with a part of a period from a time point of closing the flow passage upstream of the flow rate sensor to a time point of expiration of a state that the measurement flow rate value and the target flow rate value are substantially nearly equal; and a diagnosing part configured to compare the inspection value and a predetermined specified value to diagnose whether an abnormality relating to the flow rate sensor is present.
US08965712B2	Life predicting method for solder joint, life predicting apparatus for solder joint and electronic device A life predicting method for a solder joint includes a step of referring to a temperature history of a measurement object having a solder joint, a step of examining at least one physical quantity selected from the group consisting of amplitude, a cycle number, a mean temperature, and a periodic length of a temperature variation with a cycle count method from the temperature history, a step of calculating a strain range by utilizing a previously prepared response surface from the physical quantity examined with the cycle count method, and a step of calculating a strain range increasing rate from a strain range with reference to a previously obtained damage index and a strain variation history of the strain range.
US08965711B2	Method and system for determining the accuracy of DNA base identifications A system for determining the quality of predicted DNA base identifications is disclosed, the system comprising a processor configured to receive a training data set, the training data set comprising a plurality of predicted DNA base identifications, define a group of subsets, compare the predicted DNA base identifications with actual DNA base identifications for training data within each subset of the group, determine a sampling characteristic for each subset of the group based on training data within the respective subset, and determine a quality characterization for predicted DNA base identifications within at least one of subset of the group based on the comparison and determined sampling characteristic, wherein the sampling characteristic comprises a confidence value comprising a binomial proportion confidence interval value.
US08965707B2	Interface for medical infusion pump An apparatus and method for generating a prescription form is disclosed. The method includes displaying a first menu containing a plurality of therapy menu items. The method also includes displaying a second menu containing at least one qualifier menu item. The method further includes displaying a third menu containing at least one drug menu item. The method includes, upon selection of a therapy menu item, a qualifier menu item, and a drug menu item, selecting a protocol including one or more patient specific pump parameters corresponding to the therapy menu item, the qualifier menu item, and the drug menu item. The method also includes displaying a prescription form including at least one of the one or more patient specific pump parameters.
US08965703B2	Applications based on fluid properties measured downhole Downhole drilling fluid measurements are made as a function of time or as a function of depth. A change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements is correlated to a feature of a formation penetrated by a drill bit or to a feature of fluids in the formation. The downhole drilling fluid measurements may include density, photoelectric factor, hydrogen index, salinity, thermal neutron capture cross section (Sigma), resistivity, slowness, slowing down time, sound velocity, and elemental composition. The feature may include fluid balance, hole-cleaning, a kick, a shallow water flow, a formation fluid property, formation fluid typing, geosteering, geostopping, or an environmental correction. A downhole system has a measurement-while-drilling tool or a logging-while-drilling tool and a processor capable of obtaining the downhole drilling fluid measurements and correlating the change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements.
US08965697B2	Navigation device and method A navigation device or method is configured to identify location information and a route setting method from a recognition result obtained by constantly recognizing user's utterance contents, and set a route based on the location information and the route setting method.
US08965693B2	Geocoded data detection and user interfaces for same A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed that can detect an address, geographic coordinates or business name in text displayed on a device and geocode or reverse geocode, respectively, the address/business name or geographic coordinates to provide geocoded data. The detecting and geocoding/reverse geocoding can be performed automatically. The geocoded data can be displayed in-place with the text in a user interface of the device or be provided to another application.
US08965686B2	Apparatus and method for computing vehicle path by considering satellite communication channel states Disclosed are an apparatus and method for computing a vehicle path by considering satellite communication channel states. The method includes: searching for a plurality of candidate paths, each path connected from a starting point to a destination; analyzing a satellite communication channel state with respect to each of the candidate paths, based on a receiving sensitivity of an electric wave received from a satellite; setting one of the candidate paths as a first path, based on the analyzed satellite communication channel states; and mapping the first path onto a map, and displaying the first path on a display unit.
US08965681B2	Field device communications The present invention is a system and method for caching data in mobile devices to improve field assessment capabilities in a relief management system. The system analyzes captured geolocation information associated with one or more mobile field devices to identify a set of data to be cached by a mobile field device. The system then communicates the set of data to be cached to the mobile field device. The data cached is predicated upon the predicted likely location of field assessment operations and the data includes server-side image tiles.
US08965679B2	Systems and methods for unmanned aircraft system collision avoidance Systems and methods are operable maintain a proscribed Self Separation distance between an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and an object. In an example system, consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to corresponding locations of a self aircraft are determined, wherein the determining is based on current velocities of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft, and wherein the determining is based on current flight paths of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft. At least one evasive maneuver for the self aircraft is computed using a processing system based on the determined consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to the corresponding locations of the self aircraft.
US08965678B2	Parking assist system A device for assisting the driver of a vehicle in the process of parking is provided. The device includes sensors for detecting obstacles in an environment of the vehicle, at least in an environment in front and in back of the vehicle, and a display for indicating the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in the environment. The display includes a first means, with which the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in front of the vehicle can be displayed on a windshield of the vehicle, and a second means, with which the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in back of the vehicle can be displayed on a rear window of the vehicle.
US08965673B2	Conflict detection and resolution using predicted aircraft trajectories This disclosure is concerned with a method of detecting conflicts between aircraft passing through managed airspace, and to resolving the detected conflicts strategically. The method may include obtaining intended trajectories of aircraft through the airspace, detecting conflicts in the intended trajectories, forming a set of the conflicted aircraft, calculating one or more revised trajectories for the conflicted aircraft such that the conflicts are resolved, and advising the conflicted aircraft subject to revised trajectories of the revised trajectories.
US08965669B2	Electric vehicle charging network services To provide remote services, including dynamic, interactive assistance to electric vehicle (EV) users, a central server is arranged for electronic communications with EVs (15) and with client devices (11). The server also communicates with at least one EV charging station network, which in turn communicate with individual charging stations (30). Remote services may include trip planning, locating charging stations, checking availability and suitability of charging stations, making reservations at charging stations, and updating plans en route. The server collects data from the EV and analyzes the data to determine various statistics. The system advises a user on readiness of the EV to complete a proposed trip before recharging the EV batteries. Client devices may include smart phones, computers, or a head unit in the EV. Application software programs are executable on the client devices to provide user interfaces for accessing the remote services and for communicating with the central server.
US08965666B2	Knock control device for engine A knock control device is provided in which erroneous knock detection can be reduced by suppressing sudden knock signal changes due to noise, without causing any increase in the number of matching steps, deterioration in the S/N in knock detection and decrease in detection performing frequency. In the knock control device, an open gain is applied to the detected signal only during a knock detection window set in advance by a knock window setting means. The window corresponds to a period in which vibration due to knock arises. During other periods, either a closed gain or an interpolated gain value is applied to the detected signal.
US08965665B2	Air-fuel ratio imbalance determining apparatus among cylinders for an internal combustion engine An air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders determining apparatus according to the present invention obtains an output Vabyfs of an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed at a portion downstream of an exhaust gas aggregated portion of an exhaust gas passage, and obtains a second-order differential value d2AF (a change rate of a change rate of a detected air-fuel ratio abyfs) of a detected air-fuel ratio abyfs represented by the air-fuel ratio sensor output Vabyfs. The imbalance determining apparatus determines that an air-fuel ratio imbalance state among cylinders is occurring when a detected air-fuel ratio second-order differential corresponding value (for example, a second-order differential value d2AF per se) obtained in accordance with the second-order differential value d2AF is larger than a first threshold value.
US08965662B2	Abnormality determining apparatus for air-fuel ratio sensor An abnormality determining apparatus includes an air-fuel ratio controller, an output change period parameter calculator, an output change amount extremum calculator, and an abnormality determining device. The abnormality determining device is configured to determine an abnormality of an air-fuel ratio sensor based on a relationship between an output change period parameter and an output change amount extremum.
US08965649B1	Transmission with power downshift anticipation logic A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an engine control module (ECM) programmed to estimate engine torque as a function of throttle request, and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a plurality of gear sets and clutches, including an offgoing clutch and an oncoming clutch for a power downshift, and a transmission control module (TCM). The TCM includes a processor and memory on which is recorded a shift line for the downshift, and instructions for executing the downshift. The TCM communicates an estimated throttle level at the shift line to the ECM, receives an estimated engine torque for the estimated throttle level at the shift line from the ECM, and decreases offgoing pressure to the offgoing clutch to a threshold pressure level prior to executing the downshift. The TCM then decreases the offgoing clutch pressure to a calibrated pressure at the shift line to execute the downshift.
US08965647B2	Control apparatus for continuously variable transmission A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is capable of continuously changing an output of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and allowing a transmission mode to be switchable between a continuous transmission mode in which a transmission ratio is set continuously and a stepped transmission mode in which the transmission ratio is set stepwise. A transmission mode selector is configured to change the transmission mode in such a manner that in a case where the stepped transmission mode is selected, when a engine rotation speed reaches a first predetermined rotation speed, then falls below a second predetermined rotation speed which is lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, and further falls below a third predetermined rotation speed, the transmission mode is switched from the stepped transmission mode to the continuous transmission mode.
US08965643B2	Method and system for preventing herbicide application to non-tolerant crops A method controlling an agricultural sprayer includes identifying an herbicide to be sprayed using the agricultural sprayer, determining a geoposition associated with the agricultural sprayer within a field, determining if crop planted at the geoposition is tolerant to the herbicide using as-planted data, and if the crop is not tolerant of the herbicide, preventing herbicide spraying operations while the agricultural sprayer is at the geoposition. An agricultural sprayer adapted for performing the method is also provided.
US08965642B2	Display system of excavating machine and excavating machine A display system of an excavating machine including a work machine having a bucket with an excavation edge and an arm to which the bucket is swingably attached, and a body to which the work machine is attached, the system including: a vehicle condition detector detecting first information related to a current position of the excavating machine and second information related to a posture of the body; a storage storing position information of a target surface indicating a target shape of an object and appearance information of the bucket; and a processor obtaining virtual images indicating positions of planes passing through both ends of the excavation edge from among planes parallel to a plane on which the arm moves based on the first and second information, and the appearance information, and displaying the virtual images on a screen with the bucket as viewed from above the excavating machine.
US08965640B2	Conditioning a performance metric for an operator display Real time determination of current vs. optimum performance in a track-type tractor is complex and requires information about both a state of the tractor and the operating environment, such as soil conditions. Presenting such data to an operator creates a problem of conveying sufficient information without undue complexity. A three part display for an operator shows a full range of performance, a subset range of performance associated with peak performance that is overlaid on the full range of performance, and a current performance indicator also overlaid on the full range of performance, such that peak performance is achieved when the current performance indicator is centered on the subset range of performance. The subset range of performance may move over the full range of performance to indicate operating conditions favoring a particular condition, e.g., low slip. An operator may then effect a change by adjusting, for example, speed or load.
US08965639B2	System and method for machine control The disclosure describes a control system for controlling the movement of an implement associated with a machine. The control system includes a speed sensor, a grade control system, an implement position sensor, and a controller. The speed sensor is configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a machine speed. The grade control system is configured to generate a desired implement position signal indicative of a desired implement position. The implement position sensor is configured to generate an implement position signal indicative of a position of the implement. The controller is configured to generate a machine control command to move the implement as a function of the speed signal, the desired implement position signal, and the implement position signal.
US08965638B2	Vibratory frequency selection system A controller for use in a vibratory work machine may include a vibratory frequency selection system having a user interface with a discrete amplitude selection input device and a discrete frequency selection input device. The controller may receive a frequency selection signal from the frequency input device and generate a frequency control signal having a characteristic corresponding to the frequency setting of the input device. The controller may also receive an amplitude selection signal from the amplitude input device and output at least the frequency control signal to cause a vibrator mechanism of the machine to generate vibrations having a frequency and amplitude corresponding to the settings of the input devices.
US08965637B2	Method of operating a working machine A method of operating a working machine which includes a main structure and a working arm pivotally mounted at one end on the main structure. The working arm is raisable and lowerable relative to the main structure by a first actuator device, and is extendible relative to the main structure by a second actuator device. In use, the arm carries at another end a working implement which can carry a load. The machine further including a ground engaging drive structure by which the machine is drivable on the ground. The machine has a longitudinal load moment control system which automatically disables operation of the first and/or second actuator devices from increasing longitudinal instability in the event that a predetermined instability is sensed. When the machine senses a ground travelling speed above a threshold speed, the longitudinal load moment control system is disabled.
US08965627B2	Distance based vehicle updating server A server that delivers a control program for an on-vehicle apparatus detects a distance between a vehicle and a user of the vehicle, and instructs the on-vehicle apparatus to update the control program by use of an update program when the detected distance is equal to or longer than a prescribed distance.
US08965623B2	Automated cleaning in a sensor network A system, method and computer program product for attending to an environmental condition by an electronic cleaning device. A computer receives one or more data signals from one or more sensors through a network, with each of the one or more sensors associated with a physical location. The computer determines that due to an environmental condition a signal strength of the one or more data signals received from the one or more sensors is out of a threshold value range. The computer determines an optimal route from a current location of the electronic cleaning device to the one or more physical locations of the one or more sensors associated with the one or more data signals experiencing signal strength out of the threshold value range.
US08965620B2	Systems and methods for controlling movement of unmanned vehicles Control units (10) for use with unmanned vehicles (12) include an input device (50) that moves in response to a user input, sensors (70) coupled to the input device (50), and a controller (16). The sensors (70) generate outputs related to the movement of the input device (50). The controller (16) determines a target displacement of the unmanned vehicle (12) based on the outputs of the sensors (70), and generates a control input related to the target displacement. The control input, when received by the unmanned vehicle (12), causes the unmanned vehicle (12) to substantially attain the target displacement. The position of the vehicle (12) is thus controlled by directly controlling the displacement of the vehicle (12).
US08965598B2	Automatic flight control for UAV based solid modeling Technologies are generally described for controlling a flight path of a UAV based image capture system for solid modeling. Upon determining an initial movement path based on an estimate of a structure to be modeled, images of the structure to be modeled may be captured and surface hypotheses formed for unobserved surfaces based on the captured images. A normal vector and a viewing cone may be computed for each hypothesized surface. A set of desired locations may be determined based on the viewing cones for the entire structure to be modeled and a least impact path for the UAV determined based on the desired locations and desired flight parameters.
US08965594B2	System and method for conserving energy resources through storage and delivery of renewable energy A system for encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and suitable for the conservation of energy resources through the efficient management of energy storage and delivery includes connections to a power source, an energy storage subsystem, and a power grid. The system includes a power routing subsystem coupled to the source and grid, and adapted to operate in a bypass mode, in which energy is transferred from the source to the grid. The system includes a conversion subsystem coupled to the routing and storage subsystems, and switchable in substantially real-time between a storage mode, in which energy is transferred from the routing to the storage subsystem, and a generation mode, in which energy is transferred from the storage to the routing subsystem for delivery to the grid. The system also includes a controller for directing the modes based at least in part on a market factor.
US08965590B2	Intelligent electrical distribution grid control system data Aspects of a multi-level electrical distribution control system associated with an electrical distribution grid are disclosed. Data access and processing across the multi-level control system and the electrical distribution grid can provide improved utilization of energy within the electrical distribution grid. Further, dynamic reconfiguration of the electric distribution grid can be based distributed processing and access to information relating to the electrical distribution control system or electrical distribution grid. An encapsulated DNNC data element is disclosed as an efficient and secure means of accessing data across the multi-level electrical distribution control system or the associated electrical distribution grid.
US08965588B2	Devices and methods for decentralized voltage control Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the voltage of an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run digital simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the voltage deviation of the segment to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration.
US08965587B2	Radiant heating controls and methods for an environmental control system Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that use model predictive controls and related methods. A method of controlling a thermostat using a model predictive control may involve determining a parameterized model. The parameterized model may be used to predicted ambient temperature values for an enclosure. A set of radiant heating system control strategies may be selected for evaluation to determine an optimal control strategy from the set of control strategies. To determine the optimal control strategy, a predictive algorithm may be executed, in which each control strategy is applied to the parameterized model to predict an ambient temperature trajectory and each ambient temperature trajectory is processed in view of a predetermined assessment function. Processing the ambient temperature trajectory in this manner may involve minimizing a cost value associated with the ambient temperature trajectory. The radiant heating system may subsequently be controlled according to the selected optimal control strategy.
US08965582B2	Inverse kinematics A real-time method for controlling a system, the system including a plurality of controlling means each having at least one variable parameter (q) and a controlled element having a trajectory which is controlled by the controlling means, wherein the trajectory is related to the variable parameters by a variable matrix, the method comprising defining a control transfer matrix (K) relating the variable parameters dq to the trajectory dx, and using a feedback loop in which a feedback term is computed that is dependent on an error (e) which is the difference between the desired trajectory (dxd) which can have an arbitrary dimension specified as (m) and a current trajectory (dx).
US08965580B2	Training and operating industrial robots Robots may manipulate objects based on sensor input about the objects and/or the environment in conjunction with data structures representing primitive tasks and, in some embodiments, objects and/or locations associated therewith. The data structures may be created by instantiating respective prototypes during training by a human trainer.
US08965570B2	System and method for remotely dispensing media discs A system for dispensing media discs includes a storage system comprising a plurality of shelves for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a user interface system operably connected to the control system. The shelves are configured to store uncovered media discs.
US08965569B2	Dispenser programming authorization system and method for fraud prevention Methods and systems for preventing fraud by a customer at a fuel dispenser within a retail fueling environment are disclosed. According to one method, an authorization to access programming mode (AAPM) signal is received at the fuel dispenser from an authorization terminal coupled to the fuel dispenser. A request is received at the fuel dispenser to enter a programming mode of operation (PMO). The PMO is entered at the fuel dispenser to allow fuel dispenser settings of the fuel dispenser to be changed after receiving the AAPM signal and the request to enter the PMO.
US08965568B2	Feed station for feeding flat items to a processing apparatus A feed station has a pre-separation region, a separation region and a transport region in succession along a transport path. A first sensor is at the start of the separation region and a second sensor is at the start of the transport region. A control unit processes signals from the sensors and encoders to determine the position of the flat item, and is connected with a separation motor to drive the separation device, so that a flat item is separated from a stack with a predetermined separation velocity. If unacceptably small gaps exist between the flat items, the separation process is stopped when the leading edge of a subsequent flat item reaches the second sensor and is continued when the preceding separated flat item achieves a predetermined clearance from the leading edge of the aforementioned flat item due to its transport.
US08965565B2	Method and device for sorting plastic, and method for manufacturing recyclable plastic A sorting method for plastics, including: sorting a predetermined plastic piece from a mixed plastic piece group including plastic pieces of a plurality of types; identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces; and calculating mixing rates of the plurality of types in the mixed plastic piece group based on a result obtained in the identifying, the identifying is performed on the mixed plastic piece group prior to the sorting, a sorting condition of the sorting is set based on an identification result obtained in the identifying, the identifying includes identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces with a beam.
US08965561B2	Automated warehousing using robotic forklifts A system for automated inventory management and material handling removes the requirement to operate fully automatically or all-manual using conventional vertical storage and retrieval (S&R) machines. Inventory requests to place palletized material into storage at a specified lot location or retrieve palletized material from a specified lot are resolved into missions for autonomous fork trucks, equivalent mobile platforms, or manual fork truck drivers (and their equipment) that are autonomously or manually executed to effect the request. Automated trucks plan their own movements to execute the mission over the warehouse aisles or roadways sharing this space with manually driven trucks. Automated units drive to planned speed limits, manage their loads (stability control), stop, go, and merge at intersections according human driving rules, use on-board sensors to identify static and dynamic obstacles, and human traffic, and either avoid them or stop until potential collision risk is removed.
US08965556B2	Robot system This robot system includes a robot, a laser emitting portion moved by the robot, capable of scanning a welding locus with a laser beam at least in a state where the laser emitting portion is not moving, and a control portion controlling the laser emitting portion to scan the welding locus with the laser beam in order to perform welding with weaving on the welding locus at least in the state where the laser emitting portion is not moving.
US08965554B2	Press-forming device, press-forming method, computer program/software arrangement and storage medium Exemplary embodiments of a press-forming device, press-forming method, computer program/software arrangement and storage medium can be provided. The exemplary press-forming device can include a material characteristic input configured to input material characteristics. A state variable detector can be configured to measure a state variable comprising a metal mold distortion amount. A processing condition computer arrangement can be configured to determine from a first moment to a second moment at least one particular processing condition. Further, a processing condition controller can be configured to control the at least one processing condition from processing conditions.
US08965547B2	Watermark signal provision and watermark embedding A watermark signal provider provides a watermark signal suitable for being hidden in an audio signal when the watermark signal is added to the audio signal, such that the watermark signal represents watermark data. The watermark signal provider includes a psychoacoustical processor for determining a masking threshold of the audio signal; and a modulator for generating the watermark signal from a superposition of sample-shaping functions spaced apart from each other at a sample time interval of a time-discrete representation of the watermark data, each sample-shaping function being amplitude-weighted with a respective sample of the time-discrete representation, multiplied by a respective amplitude weight depending on the masking threshold, the modulator being configured such that the sample time interval is shorter than a time extension of the sample-shaping functions; and the respective amplitude weight also depends on samples of the time-discrete representation neighboring the respective sample in time.
US08965532B2	Capacitive medical electrode Medical electrodes in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: (a) a metallic conductor, (b) the metallic conductor sandwiched between a first dielectric layer adjacent a top surface of the metallic conductor and a second dielectric layer located on a bottom surface of the metallic conductor, (c) a conducive gel coating on at least one of the first and second dielectric layers, (e) the metallic conductor, the dielectric layers, and the conductive gel being wrapped to form a multi-tiered electrode having a plurality of conductive surfaces, (f) an adhesive adhering the metallic conductor with the dielectric layers, (g) a tab connector to provide a connection to electrical monitoring equipment and (h) an attachment connector to provide electrical connection with a patient.
US08965528B2	Systems and methods for making and using electrical stimulation leads with shaped mesh contact assemblies An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body with electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body and terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body. Conductors electrically couple the terminals to the electrodes. A contact assembly is disposed at one of the proximal end portion or the distal end portion of the lead body. The contact assembly is formed from a shaped mesh and includes annular grooves defined along an outer surface of the shaped mesh; and a stylet tube disposed in a contact assembly lumen. Each of the conductors extends along at least a portion of the shaped mesh within the contact assembly lumen and external to the stylet tube. For each of the annular grooves, one of the electrodes or one of the terminals is disposed in the annular groove.
US08965525B2	Method and apparatus for supplying energy to a medical device In a method and apparatus for supplying wireless energy to a medical device implanted in a patient, wireless energy is transmitted from an external energy source located outside a patient and is received by an internal energy receiver located inside the patient, for directly or indirectly supplying received energy to the medical device. An energy balance is determined between the energy received by the internal energy receiver and the energy used for the medical device, and the transmission of wireless energy is then controlled based on the determined energy balance. The energy balance thus provides an accurate indication of the correct amount of energy needed, which is sufficient to operate the medical device properly, but without causing undue temperature rise.
US08965523B2	Method and apparatus for supplying energy to an implant A system is disclosed which comprises an implantable electrical medical device (100) with an internal energy receiver (102). The system also comprises an external energy source (104) located externally for supplying wireless energy to the internal energy receiver (102). The external energy source (104) has a primary coil (11) for transmitting energy inductively to a first secondary coil (10) in the energy receiver (102). The system is arranged to measure parameters related to a first coupling factor (C1) between the primary and the first secondary coil (10), and the external energy source (104) is adapted to transmit energy to the energy receiver (102) for enabling the medical device (100) to detect information related to the first coupling factor (C1). The medical device (100) is adapted to wirelessly send feedback information related to said first coupling factor (C1) to the external energy source (104) with the external energy source (104) being arranged to receive the feedback information and to perform a predetermined action based on said feedback information.
US08965520B2	Automatic determination of the threshold of an evoked neural response Automatically analyzing neural activity. The method comprises: applying electrical stimulation to a target neural region at an initial current level that approximates a typical threshold-Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) level; recording an NRT measurement of neural activity within the target neural region in response to the stimulation; and utilizing a machine-learned expert system to predict, based on one or more features of the neural activity, whether the NRT measurement contains a neural response.
US08965515B2	Systems and methods for making and using improved lead extension connectors for electrical stimulation systems A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.
US08965514B2	Transcranial stimulation A method includes coupling electrodes to a patient's head and identifying whether any of the electrodes form a functional set, such that a desired therapeutic effect is achieved when the two or more electrodes deliver a total amount of current to the patient regardless of what portion of the total amount of current each respective electrode carries. One or more constant current sources are provided, each having a supply and return terminal, which supply and return equal amounts of current at any given time. The constant current source(s) are coupled to the electrodes in such a manner that each supply terminal and each return terminal is coupled to no more than the electrodes of a single one of the functional sets, if any, or to a single one of the electrodes not included in one of the functional sets.
US08965511B2	Implantable electroacupuncture system and method for reducing hypertension An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats hypertension through application of stimulation pulses applied at at least one of acupoints PC5, PC6, LI4, ST36, ST37, LI11, LR3, and GB34. The IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4, is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.
US08965509B2	Methods and systems for semi-automatic adjustment of medical monitoring and treatment Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.
US08965475B2	Physiological sensor having a waist An exemplary sensor includes an integrated sensor pad having a first portion and a second portion separated by a waist portion. The waist portion is narrower than the first portion and the second portion. A light source that is disposed on the first portion is configured to generate near-infrared light and transmit the near-infrared light into a patient's body. A light detector that is disposed on the second portion is configured to detect near-infrared light that has traveled through part of the patient's body.
US08965468B2	Persistent-mode high-temperature superconducting shim coils to enhance spatial magnetic field homogeneity for superconducting magnets A persistent-mode High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) shim coil is provided having at least one rectangular shaped thin sheet of HTS, wherein the thin sheet of HTS contains a first long portion, a second long portion parallel to first long portion, a first end, and a second end parallel to the first end. The rectangular shaped thin sheet of high-temperature superconductor has a hollow center and forms a continuous loop. In addition, the first end and the second end are folded toward each other forming two rings, and the thin sheet of high-temperature superconductor has a radial build that is less than 5 millimeters (mm) and able to withstand very strong magnetic field ranges of greater than approximately 12 Tesla (T) within a center-portion of a superconducting magnet of a superconducting magnet assembly.
US08965463B2	Energy saving in a mobile communications network In an apparatus of a mobile communications network, time domain fractions of a transmission time interval, which are to be used for transmission of information relating to network operation, are determined as first symbols and the rest of the time domain fractions of the transmission time interval are determined as second symbols, and specific symbols of the second symbols are determined for non-transmission of data. User data is transmitted to a user equipment using respective ones of the first symbols in sub-carriers of a physical resource block scheduled for the user equipment which sub-carriers do not transmit the information relating to network operation in the respective ones of the first symbols, and using the second symbols other than the specific symbols in each of the sub-carriers, and transmission on the specific symbols is inhibited in each of the sub-carriers.
US08965456B2	Basestation measurements A basestation, for use in a cellular communications network, is adapted to provide a cellular communications service in at least one active cellular communications network by transmitting signals on system downlink channels of the active network and by receiving signals on system uplink channels of the active network. The basestation is also adapted to receive signals on system downlink channels of the active network. Further, the basestation is adapted to receive signals on system downlink channels of at least one additional network, although it is unable to transmit signals on system downlink channels of the additional network. The additional network may operate in accordance with a different cellular standard from the active network, and/or may be operated by a different cellular network operator from the active network. For example, where the active cellular communications network is a UMTS network, the additional network may be a GSM network, such that said basestation is adapted to receive signals on system downlink channels of the GSM network and is unable to transmit signals on system downlink channels of the GSM network.
US08965455B2	Apparatus and method for reducing energy consumption by cellular base stations A method for reducing energy consumption of a base station is described. A first pilot channel is transmitted via a first antenna using a first downlink power amplifier. A second pilot channel is transmitted via a second antenna using a second downlink power amplifier. It is determined that no multiple-input and multiple-output users are in a cell corresponding to the base station. The second pilot channel is shut off.
US08965447B1	Location based network selection A mobile network system includes a number of mobile network base stations and a mobile station. The mobile station includes a mobile station antenna and a location determination device for identifying a geographic location of the mobile station. A mobile transceiver is also included and is configured to transmit and receive mobile communication signals from the mobile network base stations via the antenna. A microprocessor controls the transmission and reception of the mobile communication signals and communicates with the location determination device. Further, a spatial database identifies geographic positions related to the mobile networks. The microprocessor compares the geographical location of the mobile station with the geographic positions of the mobile networks to determine a preferred mobile network system.
US08965442B2	Uplink power control in aggregated carrier communication systems A user equipment (UE) is configured for carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system. The UE decodes transmit power control commands from at least one downlink control channel for at least one uplink channel, where the at least one uplink channel is to be transmitted in a component carrier of a number of component carriers. The UE compares a commanded transmit power for the at least one uplink channel with a configured maximum transmit power of the component carrier and transmits the at least one uplink channel in the component carrier.
US08965437B2	Base station and method A base station includes a determination unit that determines whether user equipment performs radio communication through a booster, based on delay time of a signal transmitted to and received from the user equipment; a target SIR setting unit that sets a target SIR to be compared to a received SIR for performing transmission power control based on the received SIR of an uplink signal from the user equipment; a transmission power control signal generating unit that generates, based on the target SIR and the received SIR, a transmission power control signal to be set for controlling transmission power of the user equipment; and a transmitter that transmits the transmission power control signal to the user equipment. When determination is made that the radio communication is performed through the booster, the target SIR is set to be less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit value.
US08965433B2	Method and arrangement in a communication system The present invention relates to the area of communication, and especially to a method and an arrangement for antenna calibration in a communication system comprising a baseband unit (BBU) and distributed radio remote units (RRUs). The present invention aims to limit antenna calibration duration in the antenna calibration chain. A cable delay based on the length of the cable connecting the BBU and the RRU is obtained. A delay compensation is calculated based upon the cable delay. Thereupon the antenna calibration chain utilized by the BBU and the RRU is adapted based upon the delay compensation.
US08965422B2	Tagging instant message content for retrieval using mobile communication devices Methods and devices are provided for marking content in substantially real-time messaging applications using a mobile communication device. A marking application in cooperation with a messaging application displays a message communication on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, enables navigation to a selected position within the message communication and receives a signal to mark the selected position with a tag. A manually actuated signal is provided to mark the selected position within the message communication and receive an automatically actuated signal to mark a portion of the message communication based on a pre-defined rule. Receiving the manually actuated signal includes receiving one of: a first actuation signal from a user-selected key on a keyboard or a second actuation signal from a user-selected icon on the graphical user interface. The mobile communication device allows users to more efficiently tag and retrieve content transmitted in substantially real-time.
US08965418B2	System for providing application and management service and modifying user interface and method thereof Disclosed is a system for downloading an application from a server and providing the same to a client by using a short message or a subscriber interface module (SIM) card. The system modifies a function key for each application according to a client's selection, and randomly modifies a user interface used for selecting an application. The system extends a usage range of the SIM card. The system periodically checks and analyzes the client' use log for a predetermined time, presents at least one application to the client according to the analysis result on the use log, provides a single application selected by the client to the client, and updates at least one application stored in the client mobile terminal according to the analysis result on the use log. Therefore, the system increases service satisfaction for the client.
US08965414B2	Methods and apparatus for supporting inter-frequency measurements The invention relates to methods and devices for supporting configuration of a measurement gap pattern for a user equipment (91) requiring measurement gaps for performing an inter-frequency measurement. A radio network node (81) receives an indication (85) from the user equipment (91) that the user equipment (91) is going to perform an inter-frequency measurement for positioning, which inter-frequency measurement requires measurement gaps. The radio network node (81) may determine a measurement gap pattern for performing the inter-frequency measurement and may signal, to the user equipment (91), information (86) to initiate use of the determined measurement gap pattern in the user equipment (91). Alternatively the user equipment (91) configures the measurement gap pattern itself based on a set of pre-defined rules.
US08965410B2	Systems and methods for creating and providing location-based content A software product comprises instructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable media. The instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for providing a guided tour to a user via a mobile computing device. The steps include the step of playing a first data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a first location, and the step of playing a second data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a second location. A media file locally stored on the mobile computing device is automatically played after the playback of the first data file and before the playback of the second data file. The user is provided with an option to make a donation to an organization associated with the first location when the mobile computing device is at the first location.
US08965405B2	System and method for disseminating user location information A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.
US08965404B2	Providing location of a mobile device A computer server provides location of a mobile device to a user. The computer server allocates to an account for the user a predetermined number of location credits associated with a purchase made by the user; The computer server receives, from the user, identification information that identifies the mobile device. Upon the user requesting a current location of the mobile device, the computer server checks to see whether there remains location credits allocated to the account for the user and, provided there remains location credits allocated to the account for the user, provides to the user location information about the current location of the mobile device.
US08965399B2	Tracking area update method and system The present invention discloses a method of tracking area update (TAU), including: when a terminal is not a pre-assigned group representative terminal of a terminal group, deactivating a periodic TAU timer of the terminal; after the terminal enters an idle state and when a mobile reachable timer corresponding to the terminal expires, a network side detecting that a paging proceed flag (PPF) of the group representative terminal of a local terminal group to which the terminal belongs is not cleared, then resetting and restarting the mobile reachable timer corresponding to the terminal. Correspondingly, the present invention also discloses a system of TAU, which realizes the periodic TAU for the terminal group, and reduces the signaling interaction required during implementing the periodic TAU by each terminal in the terminal group and the network side, thus saving the signaling resources and improving the efficiency that the terminal group performs the periodic TAU.
US08965391B1	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamic toggling of synchronization signaling to provide access control and free up resources System and methods for switching operating modes of a radio access node to increase data throughput for a user-equipment device are described. The radio access node can detect operating conditions to trigger switching from one operating mode to another. In a first operating mode, the radio access node can transmit non-bearer data, such as synchronization signals, to a UE device using a particular forward-link air interface resources. In response to detecting the defined condition(s), the radio access node can switch to a second operating mode in which the radio access node begins transmitting bearer data using the particular forward-link air interface resources used to transmit the non-bearer data while operating in the first operating mode. Upon detecting other operating condition(s), the radio access node can switch back to operating in the first operating mode. The radio access node can be configured as an eNodeB.
US08965388B2	Fast efficient resource distribution in long term evolution communication network scheduling A method and system for determining, for a transmission time interval (TTI), an amount of resource units to be allocated to each cell served by at least one module in a wireless communication network are disclosed. The allocation is based on an estimated resource consumption of each cell, a resource limit of each cell and resource limits of the at least one module. For each TTI, a prioritized list of queues having information to be transmitted is determined, where each queue belongs to a cell of the plurality of cells. Also, for each TTI, in an order of priority of the queues, a number of resource units to be consumed by a queue is determined based at least in part on a number of resource units required to empty the queue.
US08965387B2	Radio communication system, base station apparatus, terminal apparatus, and radio communication method in radio communication system A radio communication system including: a base station apparatus; and a terminal apparatus, wherein the base station apparatus includes: five or more transmission antennas; and a processor configure for holdings first scheduling information including a data channel region and a control channel region, and in which each of resources of a common reference signal transmitted from each of the fifth and subsequent transmission antennas is allocated respectively, to be different region from first region to that each of resources of a common reference signal transmitted from each of the transmission antennas up to an m-th antenna (m being an integer that satisfies 1≦m<5) is allocated, to overlap the data channel region to that a data is allocated or the control channel region to that a control signal is allocated, and to be a different region each other.
US08965384B2	Base station and radio parameter-adjustment method A base station forming a cell based on a value of a radio parameter includes a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from a mobile terminal communicating with the base station, and a processor configured to adjust a value of a radio parameter of the base station based on first and second reception qualities of the mobile terminal, where the first reception quality is a value of a reception quality of a transmission signal of the base station and the second reception quality is a value of a reception quality of a transmission signal of another base station.
US08965377B2	Method, system and device for reporting user location information A method for reporting location information of a user is disclosed, wherein location information of user equipment (UE) is reported during a handover of the UE to another serving cell, and includes: a source evolved Node Base (eNB) initiating a handover procedure; during the handover procedure, the source eNB sending location reporting information to a target eNB, the target eNB acquiring the location information of the UE based on the location reporting information and reporting it to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) corresponding to the target eNB. The source eNB may notify the target eNB based on a handover request of the UE, wherein the target eNB reports the location information after the UE is handed over to another serving cell, so that the target eNB can report the location information of the UE to the MME during the handover procedure of the serving cells.
US08965368B2	Method for changing a location area of a terminal A method and apparatus are provided for changing a location area allocated to a current terminal attached to equipment belonging to a first location area of a communication network. The equipment furthermore belongs to at least one second location area of the communication network. The first area and the at least one second area are able to overlap one another. The method includes: broadcasting, via a broadcast channel, an identifier of the first location area and an additional location datum including at least one identifier of the at least one second location area; and selecting, for the current terminal, from the first and the at least one second location area, a current location area, according to the additional location datum and at least one predetermined selection parameter.
US08965363B1	Controlling a preferred roaming list A computer-implemented method, system, and computer-readable storage media for controlling channel access to a mobile device are described. Based upon a configuration being initiated for the mobile device, a preferred roaming list (PRL) on the mobile device is compared to a stored PRL for the mobile device. A channel access to the mobile device is denied when the PRL on the mobile device does not match the stored PRL. A channel is assigned to the mobile device when the PRL on the mobile device matches the stored PRL.
US08965356B2	Method and apparatus of providing messaging service and callback feature to mobile stations Disclosed are an apparatus and method of performing automated administrative operations on a mobile device. One example method may include determining via a hosted server that an action needs to be performed by a mobile device under management. The method may further include generating a message via the hosted server, the message includes the action, and transmitting the message to the mobile device under management, and receiving a result message from the mobile device under management responsive to the transmitted message, the result message indicating that the action has been satisfied.
US08965353B2	Wireless location optimization Systems and methods are provided for configuring settings of a mobile device based on an inferred location. The mobile device can use stored indicia of trip (e.g., an electronic ticket or itinerary) to identify origination and destination locations. The start and end of the trip can be inferred based on changes in operation of the mobile device. For instance, if the user is on an airplane, the user may turn off network connectivity at the origination location just prior to takeoff, and may turn the network connectivity back on upon landing at the destination location. If the time that elapsed between the changes in operation is consistent with the duration of the trip indicated by the stored indicia, the mobile device can infer that the current location is the destination location. The mobile device can then configure location-specific settings in accordance with the destination location to establish a network connection.
US08965347B1	Method and apparatus of providing a mobile phone notification service A method and apparatus are disclosed for transmitting notifications to customers. One example method may include identifying a notification event associated with a customer via a customer management module and retrieving a customer record. The method may also include identifying a customer's mobile device via a voice channel preference indicating the mobile device in the customer preference record, and transmitting the notification event to the customer's mobile device based on the voice channel preference.
US08965339B2	Automatic oscillating BIP session for SIM self-reactivation A method and article of manufacture to reactivate a user identity card for a mobile station that communicates with a network is described. The user identity card is initially activated with the network. The user identity card has a unique identifier. Activation includes communicating with the mobile station from the network and programming the user identity card with network parameters. The network parameters programmed on the user identity card are then cleared after a preset period of time. The user identity card is reset to an unactivated state and then the user identity card can be reactivated with the network.
US08965337B2	Method and system for discovering communication devices Methods and systems for communicating information within a network are disclosed. The method may include receiving at a first wireless handheld communication device (WHCD), a communication signal from an intermediate communication device comprising at least one identifier (ID) of at least a second WHCD authorized to communicate with the intermediate communication device. The first WHCD may maintain a list of identifiers for authorized devices that are allowed to communicate with the first WHCD. The first WHCD need not be paired with any device that is specified by the list of identifiers for authorized devices maintained by the first WHCD. A communication link may be established between the first WHCD and the second WHCD via the intermediate communication device, if the list of identifiers for authorized devices maintained by the first WHCD comprises the ID of the second WHCD.
US08965333B1	Remote monitoring system and method utilizing wireless network A remote monitoring system and method that packages, transmits, receives, decodes, stores, and distributes data sent from remote monitoring devices via a wireless network and that provides manufacturers with reduced wireless manufacturing expenses, data collection costs, dissemination costs, and wireless network access fees.
US08965331B2	Traffic management for base stations backhauled over data-capped network connections A network device connected to a base station via a backhaul connection may be operable to determine whether the backhaul connection is congested. The determination may be based on a periodic data cap imposed on the backhaul connections. In response to a determination that the backhaul connection is congested, the network device may configure one or more cellular communication parameters of one or more of the plurality of base stations. The determination may be based on one or more of: a total amount of data consumed over the backhaul connection during a current time period, a traffic load on the backhaul connection, and an amount of time remaining in the current time period.
US08965328B2	Method, device and system for sending and receiving messages A method, a device, and a system for sending and receiving messages are provided. The method for sending messages includes: receiving, by a Mobility Management Entity (MME), an Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) message; setting an information change identifier if the received ETWS message is different from the ETWS message stored by the MME; and sending the received ETWS message and the information change identifier. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the MME decides whether to send the ETWS message to the eNB. Therefore, the eNB needs only to transmit the received message to the UE transparently, and does not need to judge the content of the ETWS message, thus simplifying the process of the eNB sending the ETWS message and reducing the load of the access network device.
US08965322B2	Low noise amplifier A low noise amplifier comprises at least one amplifying transistor (Ts1; Ts2) configured in a common source configuration to receive an input signal (RFin) at a gate terminal and provide an amplified signal at a drain terminal and at least one feedback path arranged to couple a part of the amplified signal back to the gate terminal and comprising a feedback impedance. The low noise amplifier further comprises a self-coupled step-up transformer having at least one primary winding (Lp) connected to a supply voltage (Vdd) and the drain terminal of the at least one amplifying transistor and at least one self-coupled secondary inductor winding (Lf1; Lf2) arranged in the feedback path. The low noise amplifier provides a better suppression for out-band interference and at the same time it has a wider input match bandwidth, decent conversion gain and decent noise figure without increasing power consumption.
US08965311B2	Method for controlling terminal signal transmission, and terminal Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for controlling terminal signal transmission, and a terminal. A method for controlling terminal signal transmission includes: monitoring a current working mode of a terminal; transmitting a signal according to first transmit power if it is found through monitoring that the terminal is currently in a first working mode, and transmitting the signal according to second transmit power if it is found through monitoring that the terminal is currently in a second working mode, where the first transmit power is greater than the second transmit power. The technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention helps to enable the terminal to obtain as good radio reception and transmission performance as possible at a same radiation absorption index.
US08965310B2	Modular frequency divider and mixer configuration A transmitter including a first mixer, a first frequency divider to divide a frequency of an input signal to generate a first signal, and a plurality of second frequency dividers to divide the frequency to respectively generate a plurality of second signals, and a control module. In response to the transmitter being turned on, the control module turns on the first frequency divider, turns off the plurality of second frequency dividers, and drives the first mixer with the first signal. Subsequently, in response to determining that a transmit power of the transmitter is to be increased, the control module sequentially turns on and connects each of the plurality of second frequency dividers in parallel to the first frequency divider. Upon a second frequency divider being connected to the first frequency divider, the control module also drives the first mixer using the second signal generated by that second frequency divider.
US08965301B2	Distance measurement between two nodes of a radio network A method includes transmitting, by a first node, a first carrier signal and receiving, from a second node, which receives the first carrier signal, a second carrier signal. The first node measures first and second values of a first phase, the first value assigned to a first frequency of the second carrier signal and the second value assigned to a second frequency of the second carrier signal. The first and second frequencies have a frequency difference. A third value of a second phase is assigned to a third frequency of the first carrier signal, and a fourth value of the second phase is assigned to a fourth frequency of the first carrier signal. The third and fourth frequencies have the frequency difference. A distance between the first and second nodes is determined from the frequency difference from the first and second values and from the third and fourth values.
US08965297B2	Wireless device and communication method A wireless device, includes: a radio transmission path characteristic acquiring unit that acquires information related to a radio transmission path characteristic between a wireless device connected to a source device and a wireless device connected to a sink device; a revising unit that revises a table by deleting an unusable transmission parameter value from a table including a plurality of transmission parameter values usable by the sink device; a communication unit that executes wireless communication from the source device to the sink device in a range of a transmission parameter value represented by the table notified by the notifying unit; and a type information acquiring unit that acquires information related to a type of data which is a target of wireless communication in the communication unit.
US08965292B2	Methods and arrangements in a mobile telecommunication network A first unit for use in a base station in a mobile telecommunication network is adapted to use an identity for identifying a mobile terminal or for identifying a channel in the uplink. The first unit manages information of at least one additional identity of a mobile terminal or a channel belonging to at least a second base station for interference mitigation purposes. The first unit detects whether the mobile terminal or channel identified by the additional identity is active and mitigates cell-interference caused by an active mobile terminal or a channel identified by the additional identity. A second unit reserves at least one identity for identifying a mobile terminal or for identifying a channel in order to make the at least one identity identifiable to at least a second base station.
US08965290B2	Amplitude enhanced frequency modulation Methods and systems for transmitting a spectrally efficient signal. The method includes frequency modulating an input signal in a transmitter to generate a first frequency modulated (FM) signal and generating in the transmitter an amplitude modulated (AM) component based at least on the input signal. The method may then include generating a second FM signal based at least on the AM component and the first FM signal and sending the second FM signal to a receiver.
US08965288B2	Cost-effective mobile connectivity protocols Structures and protocols are presented for signaling a status or decision concerning a wireless service or device within a region to a network participant or other communication device (smartphone or motor vehicle, e.g.).
US08965274B2	Session continuity in wireless local area networks with internet protocol level mobility A device may receive a request from a mobile device to create a socket connection between the mobile device and the device. The request may be associated with linking information that links the socket connection with a previous socket connection with the mobile device. The request may be received from the mobile device after the mobile device disconnects from a first wireless local area network and reconnects to a second wireless local area network. The device may identify, based on the linking information, a socket connection between the device and a server device, the socket connection between the device and the server device having been created when the mobile device was connected to the first wireless local area network. The device may relay communications between the mobile device and the server device, using the socket connections.
US08965268B2	Broadcasting and receiving emergency alerts A device can receive an alert marker corresponding to an alert for broadcast programming content. The apparatus can further broadcast the programming content on one radio broadcast channel and broadcast the alert content of the alert on another broadcast channel. Based on the alert marker, the device can change the channel from the broadcast channel with the programming content to the broadcast channel with the alert content. The apparatus can also remove portions of broadcast programming content and replace it with the alert content.
US08965266B2	Automatic document feeder having latching mechanism for transport path access Automatic document feeder includes a transport path member having a transport path surface configuring a transport path in a device body, a latching member that is mounted on a rotating shaft provided in the other end side, is urged in a first rotation direction latched to a latched portion, and holds the transport path member in closed transport path, and an operating member that is rotated up to an operating position by own weight thereof or urging force in a second rotation direction when the device body moves to an exposed position of the transport path member, and is mounted with allowance so that the latching member is rotated in the second rotation direction according to a further rotating operation in the second rotation direction from the operating position and the latching member is detached from the latched portion.
US08965262B2	Fixing member, method of producing fixing member, and fixing device When filler particles are added to a surface layer of a fixing member in order to enhance a toner releasing property, if the filler particles are randomly oriented, chemical affinity between the surface layer of the fixing member and toner is enhanced and a sufficient effect cannot be accomplished. Therefore, whisker-shaped filler particles are added to the surface layer of the fixing member, and the filler particles are oriented to approximately follow a rotation direction of the fixing member.
US08965258B2	Fixing device including a guide member for guiding a sheet to a fixing area and image forming apparatus including the same A fixing device includes a pair of fixing members and a guide member. The guide member includes a guide plate having a guide surface, a back surface when the guide surface is defined as a front surface, and holes that are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction of the sheet and that extend through the guide surface and the back surface; and sheet receiving members that are disposed in correspondence with the holes, each sheet receiving member including a body and an insertion portion that protrudes from the body and that is inserted into the corresponding hole, the insertion portions being inserted into the corresponding holes and being moved along the guide surface, so that the sheet receiving members are mounted to the guide plate while the bodies protrude from the guide surface.
US08965256B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member unit including a toner image carrying member, a transfer unit including a movable endless belt for transferring the toner image from the carrying member onto a transfer material, a plurality of stretching members for stretching the endless belt, and a supporting portion, provided at an end portion with respect to a widthwise direction, for supporting the stretching members. In addition, a main assembly frame is provided at a position opposing the supporting portion and includes a positioning portion for determining positions of the plurality of stretching members, wherein the supporting portion is movable relative to the main assembly frame.
US08965250B2	Cap, powder container, developer supply device, and image forming apparatus A cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body out of the container body through a discharge port defined in a portion of the container body. The cap includes a first attaching member and a second attaching member that are detachably assembled into one piece. When the first attaching member or the second attaching member receives a rotary force, the first attaching member and the second attaching member are separated from each other, and only the first attaching member is released from the container body.
US08965244B2	Image forming apparatus, optical print head, and process cartridge with plates for positioning image bearing member and developing member An image forming apparatus having an image bearing member, an optical print head to irradiate the image bearing member with light to form a latent image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent image with a developing agent to obtain a visual image, and front and rear plates that sandwich at least the image bearing member and the developing device from opposite directions to position at least the image bearing member and the developing device thereof, the plates having focus direction position determining reference surfaces and sub-scanning direction position determining reference surfaces the optical print head contacts to position the optical print head.
US08965238B2	Charging device provided with a non-contact type discharge electrode and image forming apparatus including the charging device In a charging device, a holding member holding a discharge electrode is provided in a shield case. The holding member includes a first guide and a second guide defining a slit therebetween. In the slit, the rear face of the discharge electrode other than a first long side is fixed to the internal side face of the first guide. The holding member holds the discharge electrode so that the entire surface of the discharge electrode and the rear face of the first long side are positioned in an air path extending from the air inlet to a gap and the first long side faces a grid electrode.
US08965232B2	Positioning device to position a first member relative to a second member and image forming apparatus incorporating same A positioning device to position a first member relative to a second member includes two convex parts disposed on a side of the first member and apart from each other; and positioning portions disposed on a side of the second member so as to contact the convex parts, each of which is disposed apart from each other and opposed to the two convex parts. The positioning portions includes two planar portions disposed substantially perpendicularly relative to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member; and a slanted portion disposed in the vicinity of one of the two planar portions and angled with respect to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member. The second member is an endless belt, on which an image pattern for detection is formed, and the first member is a sensor to detect the image pattern formed on the endless belt.
US08965228B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a controller capable of performing a printing control and a cleaning control. In the printing control, developer images carried on the image carriers are transferred toward the opposing surface or a recording sheet by applying a transfer current between each of the image carriers and the transfer device. In the cleaning control, developer collected by the cleaning rollers is transferred toward the image carriers and the transfer device and collected by the cleaning device by applying a transfer current between each of the image carriers and the transfer device and switching an electric field established between the image carrier and the corresponding cleaning roller. The controller is configured to control the transfer current such that an average absolute value of the transfer current in the cleaning control is smaller than that in the printing control.
US08965226B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a charging device which charges the image bearing member; a developing device which develops an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member with toner; a transferring device which transfers a toner image formed on the image bearing member by the developing device onto a recording medium; a separation charge-eliminator disposed opposite to the image bearing member, for separating the medium from the image bearing member after transfer; a current detecting device which detects a separation current flowing through the charge-eliminator; and a control device which outputs a control signal regarding the charge-eliminator based on a first current value detected by the current detecting device with a charging voltage being applied to the charging device and a second current value detected by the current detecting device with a transfer voltage being applied to the transferring device.
US08965225B2	Image-forming apparatus setting upper limit of electric power based on detection result of sheet detector In an image-forming apparatus, a sheet detector detects the recording sheet conveyed from the sheet accommodating unit by the pickup roller. A fixing unit includes a heating member configured to heat the recording sheet. A power supply unit supplies the heating member with electric power. A control device is configured to: output a signal controlling the pickup roller to convey the recording sheet from the sheet accommodating unit; determine, based on a detection result of the sheet detector, whether the pickup roller succeeds in conveying the recording sheet from the sheet accommodating unit; control the power supply unit to supply the heating member with the electric power such that the electric power per unit time does not exceed an upper limit; and set the upper limit depending on a determination result of whether the pickup roller succeeds in conveying the recording sheet from the sheet accommodating unit.
US08965222B2	Image forming apparatus and cartridge therefor An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein are provided. The image forming device includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a moving member and a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the cartridge electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.
US08965219B2	Repeater, relay method and optical transmission system There is provided a repeater to relay an optical signal transmitted/received between an optical line terminal (OLT) and at least one optical network unit (ONU), the repeater including: a first port configured to receive an optical signal input from the at least one ONU; a converter circuit configured to convert an optical signal of a first transmission rate into an optical signal of a second transmission rate higher than the first transmission rate, the optical signal of the first transmission rate to be converted being included in optical signals received at the first port; and a second port configured to output the optical signal converted by the converter circuit to the OLT.
US08965218B2	Method of visible light communication using illuminance sensor and mobile communication terminal for the same According to one embodiment, a photo detector-combined illuminance sensor includes a circuit for a Photo Detector (PD) function to detect the illuminance of the ambient environment. The illuminance sensor operates under the control of a controller in a visible light communication terminal. When an optical signal detected by the illuminance sensor is a visible light communication signal, the controller switches to cause the illuminance sensor to operate as the photo detector for the visible light communication in a visible light communication mode.
US08965216B2	Information communication method An information communication method is provided that transmits a signal using a change in luminance. The information communication method includes determining a pattern of the change in luminance by modulating the signal to be transmitted, and transmitting the signal by a display, which is a light emitter, changing in luminance according to the determined pattern. The method also includes detecting, by a sensor, a person within a viewing angle of the display or a person near the viewing angle. Further, in the transmitting of the signal, the signal is transmitted by changing in luminance by a larger change amount in the case where the person near the viewing angle is detected than in the case where the person within the viewing angle is detected.
US08965214B2	Manufacturing system and method using IR communications link An automated test system for testing devices being manufactured comprises an infrared communications link for free space communications between a host and a device under test. The communications link is asymmetric and instructions from the host are acknowledged by the device. The instructions cause the device to operate, and the output of the device is monitored, logged, and compared to acceptance criteria. The host can then generate calibration messages to the device, to change the device operating characteristics as appropriate. The communications link uses an unmodulated data stream together with asynchronous handshaking and a robust checksum algorithm to ensure accurate communication.
US08965210B2	Directional remote control A remote control unit generates a first beam which a user points at one of a plurality of information appliances to select that appliance. After selecting the desired appliance, the user then actuates a button on a control keypad on the remote control unit to cause the unit to generate a second, modulated beam. The remote control unit modulates the second beam in accordance with a desired functionality of the information appliance to control the appliance accordingly.
US08965206B2	Network system, station-side apparatus, and method of controlling communications An aspect of this invention is a network system including subscriber apparatuses and a station-side apparatus for communicating with the subscriber apparatuses. The station-side apparatus communicates with the subscriber apparatuses using wavelengths. The station-side apparatus determines a wavelength to be used by each of at least one subscriber apparatus of the subscriber apparatuses based on effective transmission rates used by the subscriber apparatuses in communications with the station-side apparatus.
US08965194B2	Positional information recorder, imaging device having the same, and positional information recording method A positional information recorder includes a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal, an operation section configured to indicate a sign for recording positioning information, a positional information calculator configured to measure a geographical position based on the wireless signal and calculate positioning information according to the position, a positioning information recorder configured to record the calculated positioning information, a movement locus information calculator configured to calculate displacement information including a moving distance and a direction from a standard position, a relative positional information recorder configured to calculate relative positional information according to a relative position from the standard position by the displacement information when the positioning information is not obtained, and record the relative positional information associated with information according to the sign, and a positional information convertor configured to covert into positioning information the relative positional information already recorded in the relative positional information recorder when the positioning information is obtained.
US08965184B2	Video-recording/reproducing apparatus and video-recording/reproducing method A video-recording/reproducing apparatus and a video-recording/reproducing method making it possible to grasp the outline of a content in a frame using caption data are provided. A storage unit for storing content data containing video data and caption data correlated with each other by time information, a caption string acquisition unit for acquiring a caption string contained in the caption data, a time acquisition unit for acquiring time information corresponding to the caption string, a video acquisition unit for acquiring sequentially video information, from the video data, corresponding to the time information of the caption string acquired by the time acquisition unit, and a display control unit for displaying by thumbnails the video information acquired by the video acquisition unit in time series in a frame on a display unit are included.

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