Document	Document Title
US08979865B2	Composite interference screws and drivers The present disclosure relates to a delivery device. The delivery device including a handle assembly, the assembly including a handle and a connector coupled to the handle, the connector including a channel and an opening to the channel; and a shaft coupled to the handle, the shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including threads, grooves intersecting the threads, and a depth stop. Other delivery devices, screws, and delivery device/screw combinations are also disclosed.
US08979862B2	Rod coercer A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the implant gripping arms of the rod coercer can be secured to each other by a flexible retainer.
US08979861B2	Method and system for performing spinal surgical procedures using natural orifices This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.
US08979858B2	External mandibular distractor with rotational clamp The present disclosure provides for a system for mandibular distraction which includes a rod and a first pin clamp assembly coupled adjacent a first end of the rod. Furthermore, the first pin clamp assembly includes a first clamp. The system further includes a second pin clamp assembly which includes an advancement mechanism that moveably couples the second pin clamp assembly to the rod and a second clamp. Furthermore, a swivel joint is disposed between the advancement mechanism and the second clamp whereby the second clamp is enabled to rotate relative to the advancement mechanism.
US08979857B2	Modular medical tool and connector Modular medical instruments and kits are provided, having, a tool body portion with a first mating element at one end. A removable and replaceable modular end effector having a second mating element is matable with the first mating element. The instrument further includes a selectively engageable locking mechanism having a lever arm with a first portion associated with the body portion and a claw portion matingly engageable with a portion of the second mating element of the end effector, the locking mechanism being effective to secure the end effector to the body portion of the modular medical instrument. The invention can be particularly useful for providing a secure connection between the modular end effector and the body portion, yet provide ease of interchangeability between modular end effectors.
US08979853B2	Method and system for determining resection guidelines for joint replacement surgical procedures A method and system for utilizing a plurality of linear laser beams to project guidelines onto a skeletal joint for resection of the joint during surgical joint replacement. The method comprises projecting a plurality of parallel and intersecting linear laser beams along the long axis of a limb and the skeletal joint to form guidelines for the surgical resection procedure. The system comprises a plurality of devices to generate linear laser beams, integrated leveling and positioning devices, and cutting blocks and handles that are integrated with separate leveling devices. The linear laser beams establish appropriate guidelines for the joint resection.
US08979849B2	Osteochondral implant fixation procedure and bone dilator used in same A dilator for adapted to implant a graft in a bone. The dilator includes a hollow frusto conical configuration having a distal and proximal end, a continuous tapered outer surface extending from said distal end to said proximal end of said dilator, the continuous tapered outer surface configured to engage a bone in order to radially expand the bone outwardly as the dilator is advanced into an opening, one end of dilator having a cross-section less than the cross-section of the opening for insertion into the opening, and the other end of the dilator having a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the opening so that insertion of the body member in the opening expands the opening.
US08979844B2	Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instrument A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by an electromagnetic brake.
US08979839B2	Assembly of staggered ablation elements An ablation catheter comprises a catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis; and an ablation element assembly comprising ablation elements connected to the catheter body, each ablation element to be energized to produce an ablation zone. The ablation elements are distributed in a staggered configuration such that the ablation zones of the ablation elements span one or more open arc segments around the longitudinal axis, but the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis span a substantially closed loop around the longitudinal axis. Since the ablation zones do not form a closed loop, the risk of renal artery/vein stenosis is reduced or eliminated. Since the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane span a substantially closed loop, substantially complete renal denervation is achieved.
US08979838B2	Symmetric switching electrode method and related system Electrosurgical system and related methods that include: producing energy by a generator of an electrosurgical controller, the generator comprises a first terminal coupled to a first electrode of an electrosurgical wand, and the generator comprises a second terminal coupled to a second electrode of the electrosurgical wand; forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the first electrode, while the second electrode acts as a return electrode; reducing energy output of the generator such that the plasma proximate the first electrode is extinguished, then producing energy from the generator with the first terminal coupled to the first electrode and the second terminal coupled to the second electrode; and forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the second electrode, while the first electrode acts as a return electrode.
US08979834B2	Laparoscopic electrosurgical electrical leakage detection An apparatus for use with an endoscopic applicator. The apparatus including a support member configured to be removably coupled to a shaft of the applicator; a first sensor disposed on the distal end of the support member and for outputting a first signal indicative of current measured at the distal end of an active electrode supported in the shaft; and a second sensor disposed on the proximal end of the support member and for outputting a second signal indicative of current measured at the proximal end of the active electrode, wherein a difference value of the first and second signal is indicative of leakage of current within the shaft. In one embodiment, the first and second sensors are magnetic sensors for contactlessly sensing parameters of the active electrode.
US08979833B2	Methods and devices for treating tissue The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08979832B2	Cutting device and related methods of use A device and related methods of use are provided for the capture and removal of various unwanted objects present within the body's anatomical lumens. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device includes a sheath, a cutting device, an elongate member, and a retrieval assembly connected to the elongate member and retractable within and extendable from a lumen extending through the sheath and cutting device.
US08979831B2	Thermochemical ablation system using heat from delivery of electrophiles Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy. The chemical reaction energy is provided by chemical reactions including a highly reactive electrophilic reagent provided to a target tissue location.
US08979804B2	Needleless connector A needleless connector includes a hollow connector, a spring, and a switch assembly. The inner perimeter of the hollow connector forms a first annular wall and a second annular wall. The spring is disposed in the hollow connector. The switch assembly has a stop member and a guide tube connected to the stop member, the stop member being pressed between the annular block and the spring, the guide tube being disposed in the hollow connector, the external perimeter of the stop member forming a first annular portion against the first annular wall and a second annular portion against the second annular wall, a groove being disposed between the first annular portion and the second annular portion of the stop member, the groove being connected to the guide tube. Thus, the integral structure stability and good closing performance are achieved such that the outside air cannot leak into the connector structure.
US08979801B2	Microcatheter devices and methods for targeted substance delivery Delivery catheters useable to deliver substances, articles or devices to target locations within the bodies of human or animal subjects. The delivery catheter generally comprises a catheter having a tissue penetrating distal tip member on the distal end and one or more delivery aperture(s) whereby a substance, article or device may be delivered through the lumen of the catheter body and out of the delivery aperture(s). In some applications, the substance delivery catheter is used in combination with a transluminal tissue penetrating catheter having a penetrator that is advanced to a first location. The delivery catheter is then advanced through (or over) the penetrator, through intervening tissue, to a desired target location.
US08979800B2	Insertion device for infusion sets An insertion device for infusion sets, comprising a housing for enclosing an infusion set, a drive device for displacing the infusion set for insertion, wherein a portion of the drive device moves in an insertion direction, the movement being substantially friction-free relative to the housing.
US08979788B2	Systems, devices and methods for cardiopulmonary treatment and procedures A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (“pod pumps”). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can be controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means.
US08979782B2	Hinge used for the treatment of anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injury and method for using the same A device and method for using the device arranged to maintain anatomical alignment between a joint by creating a dynamic load around the joint to restore and maintain the anatomical alignment. The orthotic device uses a hinge to create a directed force on a tibia by maintaining misalignment of an instant center of rotation (ICoR) of the hinge at a position relative to an anatomical knee joint.
US08979779B2	Left and right movable massage device A left and right movable massage device includes a first outer housing, a first inner housing, a motor, a left-and-right moving gear assembly, a second outer housing, a second inner housing and a massage assembly. The main driven gear is disposed on the first inner housing and is rotated by the motor, and the guiding pin is restricted in the direction restricting groove of the first inner housing, so that the rotation of the main driven gear is converted into linear motions in two directions to move the first inner housing in the left-and-right direction. With a single motor, different massage movements can be performed to meet different users' requirements.
US08979774B2	Activity monitoring device and method A physical activity monitoring method and system in one embodiment includes a communications network, a wearable sensor device configured to generate physiologic data associated with a sensed physiologic condition of a wearer, and to generate context data associated with a sensed context of the wearer, and to transmit the physiologic data and the context data over the communications network, a memory for storing the physiologic data and the context data, a computer and a computer program executed by the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for rendering first data associated with the physiologic data and second data associated with the context data, and a user interface operably connected to the computer for rendering the first data and the second data.
US08979773B2	Dental treatment diagnostic method, method for calculating determination indicators, program and computer There is provided a method of calculating an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw in orthodontic treatment wherein an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw which becomes objective materials for a dentist to decide the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw of a patient in orthodontic treatment of the patient can be calculated easily, and by appropriately combining the results of other inspection methods, the dentist is able to diagnose easily with high objectivity and correctness, moreover with a short period of time, and its program.Using the distance (S−A) between S and A, the distance (S−Xi) between S and Xi (i is an integer from 1 to 4. X1=B, X2=Pog, X3=Gn and X4=Me.) and the distance (Go−Xj) between Go and Xj (j is an integer from 1 to 4. j=i or j≠i.) which are measured by the cephalometric radiography of a patient, an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw in orthodontic treatment is calculated by calculating P=((S−Xi)+(Go−Xj))/(S−A).
US08979772B2	Zero-drift detection and correction in contact force measurements A method, consisting of inserting a probe having a force sensor into a body cavity of a patient, and receiving from the force sensor a plurality of measurements, each of the measurements indicative of a force applied to the force sensor. The method further includes detecting that the measurements received over a period of time of at least a specified duration have not varied by more than a predefined amount, and setting a baseline of the force sensor, for use in further measurements, to a value based on the measurements received during the period.
US08979770B2	Extraction and diagnostic fluid devices, systems and methods of use The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for RNA isolation from biological samples containing white blood cells, such as whole blood. The devices have a device body that includes a first chamber having a first membrane that selectively binds white blood cells, a second chamber having a second membrane that reversibly binds RNA and a plurality of ports that are removably attached to a reagent pack and waste receptacle via a valving system controlled by a control unit.
US08979762B2	Method of determining body parameters during exercise A noninvasive light sensor for detecting heart beat signals has a circular support member engageable circumferentially with a body part of a person. Light emitters and light detectors are located around a circumference of the circular support member for respectively emitting light signals into different areas of tissue surrounding the body part, and detecting reflected light signals from the different areas of tissue surrounding the body part.
US08979748B2	Devices and methods for temporarily retaining spinal rootlets within dural sac Devices and methods for temporarily retaining spinal rootlets within a dural sac are provided. In this regard, a representative device includes: a handle operative to be grasped by a user; an arm extending outwardly from the handle; and moveable fins supported at a distal end of the arm, the fins being moveable between an unbiased position and a biased position; in the biased position, free ends of the fins having been moved toward each other such that an extent of the fins along a major axis is decreased relative to an extent of the fins along the major axis in the unbiased position.
US08979734B2	Reproductive infusion device A reproductive infusion device for collection of semen for in-home insemination. The device features a collection vessel having a collection cavity defined by a sidewall which communicates through an elongated member extending therefrom. The collection vessel removably engages coaxially with an injection component to transfer collected semen thereto. A plunger engageable with an axial cavity of the injection component is provided for vaginal deposit of collected semen.
US08979732B2	Method and apparatus for treatment of vaginal anterior repairs An apparatus for repairing cystocele including an adjustable support member, a pair of superior support arms continuously knitted with said support member, and a pair of inferior support arms continuously knitted with said support member, wherein the distance between the pair of superior support arms and pair of inferior support arms can be increased or decreased by modifying the shape of the support member.
US08979722B2	Device for balance exercises and balance games using variable restoring forces A board apparatus for balance exercises and balance games having a platform that tiltable on a base part, freely rotatable around a vertical axis, and mounted movably along the vertical axis. A restoring part generates restoring forces that counteract motions of the platform and can be modified by the user. The restoring part includes four elastomer springs that are arranged at a distance from the center of the base part. The elastomer springs can be offset inward or outward with respect to the center of the base part, enabling accurate adaptation of the restoring forces. When twisting the platform around the vertical axis, the restoring part always returns the support part into one of two initial positions that are located 180 degree opposite to one another.
US08979718B2	Hand-held exercise weight An exercise weight includes a weight member, a handle member spaced apart from and substantially surrounding the weight member, and at least one attachment member joining the weight member to the handle member so that the weight member is located inside the handle member. The exercise weight has a relatively narrow profile, or width, to avoid contact with the body during exercise.
US08979701B2	Multiple speed transmission A multiple speed power transmission comprising: an input shaft, an output shaft, a first epicyclic gearing assembly with five rotating members, a second epicyclic gearing assembly with three rotating members, two clutches, and four brakes capable of producing nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of two.
US08979699B2	Planetary gear system, planetary differential and gear system with the planetary differential A planetary gear system having at least two planetary steps, each of which is made up of at least one set of planets and one sun, whereby the teeth of the gearwheels in the planetary drive mesh with each other in such a way that, in each of the meshing points, at least one first tooth on a first toothing of first teeth positively engages into a tooth gap of a second toothing of second teeth. First teeth of the first toothing have a tooth flank profile concavely arched, and second teeth of the second toothing have a tooth flank profile convexly arched, so that the tooth flanks in contact with each other are arched in the same directions, at least when in contact.
US08979693B2	Method for the operation of a hybrid drive system and hybrid drive system comprising two sub-transmissions A method for the operation of a hybrid drive system is provided. The hybrid drive system has a first drive machine, for example an internal combustion engine, and a second drive machine, such as an electric machine. The hybrid drive system can also have a first gearshift sub-transmission and a second gearshift sub-transmission. The first gearshift sub-transmission can have a first input shaft that can be coupled to an output shaft using a first group of shifting gearwheel pairs, and the first input shaft can be coupled to the first drive machine. The second gearshift sub-transmission can have a second input shaft that is coupled to the output shaft using a second group of shifting gearwheel pairs, and the second input shaft can be connected with the second drive machine.
US08979677B2	Golf ball with selected spin characteristics A golf ball comprises (a) a core, (b) an inner mantle layer, (c) an intermediate mantle layer, (d) an outer mantle layer and (e) at least one cover layer, and the material flexural modulus (FM) of the core and the various layers follows the relationship FM(core)FM(intermediate)FM(cover), or the relationship FM(core)FM(outer mantle)>FM(cover).
US08979668B2	Putter-type golf club head and putter-type golf club The present invention relates to a putter-type golf club head with a face on a front side to hit a golf ball comprising a head main portion provided with a concave portion on a side of the face, and a face insert made of elastic material attached to the concave portion of the head main portion, the face insert having a three-layer structure comprising of a first layer disposed at the front, a third layer disposed at the rear, and a second layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer, each of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer having a hardness of h1, h2, and h3 and a rebound resilience of r1, r2, and r3, and the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer satisfying the following relations: h2r2, and r1>r3.
US08979667B1	Golf putter head A golf putter head which includes a putting face having a positive loft angle diverging from vertical to a putter head base. The putting face is formed from a plurality of substantially parallel blades, each of the blades contiguous with each other wherein the blades are arrayed at a downward angle. Each of the blades narrows in width towards the putting face and terminates in a narrow tip. Each of the blades is flexible at its tip in order impart an upward spring force upon impact with a golf ball.
US08979665B1	Providing motion feedback based on user center of mass The present disclosure is directed to a body-worn sensor-based system for evaluating the biomechanics and the motor adaptation characteristics of postural control during a sport activity such as a golf swing. Various embodiments use sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to measure the three-dimensional motion of ankle and hip joints. In several embodiments, additional sensors attached to other body segments are used to improve the accuracy of the data or detect particular instants during the swing (e.g., top of back swing, instant of the maximum speed of arm, and instant of ball impact). In a golf embodiment, the system combines the measured data in conjunction with a biomechanical model of the human body to: (1) estimate the two-dimensional sway of the golfer's center of mass; (2) quantify and evaluate the golfer's balance via his/her postural compensatory strategy; and (3) provide visual feedback to the golfer for improving dynamic postural control.
US08979663B1	Putting green formed from aerated polymers and methods of making the same to simulate a natural grass surface A foamed polymer having a top portion with ruptured cells and a bottom portion of non-ruptured cells is provided. The ruptured cells are formed using mechanical or chemical abrasion to form a plurality of fibrous members that simulate a grass-like surface. The abrasion may be accomplished using sanding or solvents that rupture the cells of the top portion.
US08979662B2	Powered personal swing device A powered swing device is provided that imparts a swinging motion onto the chains of a child's swing set. The device comprises an upper cross member and a pair of rotatable swing arm members extending downward therefrom along the ends of the cross member. The ends of the cross member secure to the swing chain by way of outward post members that fit through opposing open chain links of the swing chain. Each of the swing arm members include a lower outward post member to attach through a chain link below the cross member. An internal electric motor drives the swing arm members in a reciprocal motion, while the upper and lower post members impart the motion onto the swing chain. The speed of the swing arms is controllable, while a radio is provided for further entertainment purposes. Overall, the device allows for swinging a child without adult assistance.
US08979661B2	Inflatable staircase slide At least one embodiment of the invention describes an inflatable staircase slide assembly that engages with staircases and side rails, and includes an inflatable tubular half-pipe slide member, a compressible support layer, engagement points, ties, at least two elongate straps and at least one blow-up valve. The inflatable tubular half-pipe slide member is placed over the staircase and includes a top portion, a bottom portion, an elongated dipped surface and two sidewalls extending lengthwise from the top portion to bottom portion. The plurality of engagements points are located on each elongate strap of each sidewall, and are coupled to the ties allowing a user to tie the inflatable tubular half-pipe slide member to the side rails at multiple locations for added safety and security. In addition, the compressible support layer is saw-toothed shaped and may be inflatable, padded, or a combination of both.
US08979657B2	Wagering game with community event poker game A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is programmed to randomly increment during game play a bonus-time eligibility counter for a community bonus game, decrement the bonus-time eligibility counter as real time progresses, and render a player eligible to play the community bonus game if the bonus-time eligibility counter is greater than zero when a community bonus game is triggered.
US08979648B2	Game system One object is to provide a video game system that can technically restrain real money trade. In accordance with one aspect, a server device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a determination unit 58 configured to determine whether an exchange of exhibited game contents and bid game contents is concluded based on a game content parameter value characterizing the exhibited game contents and the game content parameter value characterizing the bid game contents; and an updating unit 61 configured to update an owned game content storage unit 52 such that, only when the determination unit 58 determines that the exchange is concluded, the exhibited game contents are stored in association with player identification information of a bidder player and the bid game contents are stored in association with player identification information of an exhibitor player.
US08979646B2	Casino patron tracking and information use Methods and devices are described that allow a casino to dynamically service patrons. The dynamic systems and methods collect data related to the behavior of multiple people in a gaming establishment, and collect data for entertainment resources in the gaming establishment, such as gaming devices and services. The data may be flexibly used. In one embodiment, a person is at least partially identified in the casino. The gaming establishment uses a model that selects tailor offerings for a person, such as advertisements for services that the person may enjoy or games on gaming machines that the person may enjoy. The model selects a tailored offering for the person based on the at least partial identification and the data previously obtained for multiple people and entertainment resources. The identification, selection and offering may be performed in real time. In another embodiment, the gaming establishment uses the data to reconfigure its entertainment resources to better deploy its resources relative to the behavior of people in that specific gaming establishment.
US08979644B2	Systems and methods for electronic fund transfers for use with gaming systems Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.
US08979642B2	Systems and methods for electronic fund transfers for use with gaming systems Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.
US08979641B2	Gaming system and method providing an award for designated losing conditions The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides an award to one or more players for a non-occurrence of a designated event. The gaming system monitors a plurality of games played at a plurality of gaming devices. If the designated event occurs, the gaming system resets an event counter associated with tracking the non-occurrence of the designated event. If the designated event does not occur, the gaming system: (i) increments the event counter to account for the non-occurrence of the designated event, and (ii) determines if the quantity of games played since the last event occurred at least equals a predetermined quantity of games played. If the quantity of games played since the last event occurred at least equals the predetermined quantity, the gaming system provides one or more of the players an award for the non-occurrence of the designated event.
US08979631B2	Gaming machine capable of realistically informing of a payout rate The present invention provides a gaming machine that is capable of realistically informing a player of a payout rate, via an effective rendering of such a type in which the player is permitted to participate. In this gaming machine, when the routine migrates to a bonus game, a player makes an input operation via a first display panel to thereby advance a game in a second display panel that is provided upward of the first display panel. In this manner, as the bonus game, a game of such a kind in which the player is permitted to participate can be executed at a position that is easily seen from an upward periphery.
US08979628B2	Method and apparatus for gaming with alternate value payouts Systems and methods are provided for permitting a player to play a game at a gaming device. The gaming device provides a payout for the game. The payout is redeemable for one of a plurality of values, and at least two of the plurality of values are different from each other. The values typically have different corresponding forms of payout, such as cash or merchandise credits.
US08979625B2	Wagering game system with shared community preferences A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes associating, by at least one of one or more processors, sets of one or more individual preferences with respective players at the respective gaming terminals. The method further include determining by at least one of the one or more processors, based on the sets of individual preferences, a set of one or more community preferences that govern the community event.
US08979623B1	Helical auger flight assemblies and thresher formed therewith A helical auger flight has an inner edge, an outer edge, an inner face, an outer face, and a leading extremity that includes a prominence and a leading edge that extends from the outer edge to the prominence. The prominence extends outward from the leading edge of the leading extremity to an outer end having an upturned jut. A wear plate is releasably connected to the inner face of the helical auger flight. The wear plate extends from the outer edge of the helical auger flight to the prominence. A front extremity of the wear plate extends forwardly of the leading edge of the helical auger flight so as to be in a shielding relationship with respect to the leading edge of the helical auger flight, and a nose of the front extremity of the wear plated is seated in direct contact against a contact surface of the jut.
US08979616B2	Gear processing machine A gear grinding machine wherein a tooth alignment operation is performed prior to grinding, is equipped with a workpiece processing rotation shaft (22) which rotates a workpiece (W1) located at a workpiece processing position (P2); a workpiece swing device (30) whereby a tailstock (50) that holds the workpiece (W1) is swung between a workpiece replacement position (P1) and a workpiece processing position; a workpiece alignment rotation shaft (52) which rotates the workpiece held by the tailstock (50); and a tooth alignment sensor (43) that detects the rotation phase of the workpiece, which was rotated by the workpiece alignment rotation shaft. Before the workpiece held by the tailstock is placed at the workpiece processing position, the rotation of the workpiece alignment rotation shaft is controlled on the basis of the rotation phase detected, so that the workpiece will engage with a threaded grinding stone (16).
US08979608B2	Folded block structure and method for making A kit for creating a folded block structure comprises a set of blanks to create different shaped folded blocks without the need to use adhesive or cutting tools. Each blank includes sides, the sides having edges, the edges comprising side edges, tab edges and flap edges. The sides are joined to one another along adjacent side edges. Folds lines are at the side edges. The tab extends from each of the tab edges. Tab fold lines are at the tab edges. A flap extends from each of the flap edges. Flap fold lines are at the flap edges. A tab slit at or near each of the flap folds lines is configured for receipt of corresponding ones of the tabs. Notches may be formed at the ends of the tabs. Adhesive elements can be used to adhere folded blocks to one another to create a folded block structure.
US08979602B2	Electrical male terminal An electrical male terminal formed from a metal plate comprising a mating portion having contact surfaces adapted to electrically contact a female terminal. The mating portion comprises a first and second seamless strip electrically contacting the first and second female contact surfaces. The male terminal has a seam comprising a mating portion seam, within the mating portion, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis, and located on one of the side portions which are perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the mating portion.
US08979595B2	Electrical connector and method of manufacture An electrical connector, including a shell, a housing and a plurality of metal terminals, configures a chamber that several ribs allocate the chamber with terminal recesses, a ramped portion being formed at the bottom of chamber, the terminals pass through terminal recesses in which the terminals are assembled amid housing, among the sections of the terminals, a contact section forming a engagement in front of the ramped portion of chamber.
US08979588B2	Method and system for improving crosstalk attenuation within a plug/jack connection and between nearby plug/jack combinations An RJ45 communication jack has a housing with a top, bottom, front, and back. A foil is immediately adhered to and partially covers the housing. A top or bottom of the housing is covered by a first portion and a second portion of the foil wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a nonconductive gap. The gap extends from the front of the housing to the rear of the housing.
US08979565B2	Electrical connector having a holding member and a load plate pivotally assembled to two ends of a stiffener An electrical connector for electrically connecting an IC package with a substrate and includes an insulative housing with a plurality of contacts received therein, a stiffener located outside of the insulative housing, a holding member and a load plate pivotally assembled to the stiffener, the stiffener includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the holding member is pivotally assembled to the first end of the stiffener for holding and assembling the IC package to the insulative housing, the load plate is configured to frame shape and is pivotally assembled to the second end of the stiffener.
US08979564B2	Socket having a pin plate with a port aligned with a dimple in a pocket of a base plate A method of manufacture of a self-cleaning socket system includes: providing a base plate having a gas pocket with a dimple; and coupling a pin plate having a compressed gas port to the base plate with the compressed gas port aligned with the dimple.
US08979561B2	Interleaving ejector latches enabling a reduced end-to-end spacing between memory module connectors First and second memory module connectors are secured in end-to-end alignment on a circuit board for receiving memory modules along a central plane. Each memory module connector has an ejector latch pivotally coupled to the adjacent ends of the memory module connectors to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the plane. A distal portion of an upper arm of each ejector latch lies on opposite sides of the plane, such that the ejector latches interleave when either ejector latch is pivoted to an open position. The adjacent ends of the first and second memory module connectors are separated by a narrow gap, such that pivoting of the either ejector latch from a closed position to an open position will push the other ejector latch toward a closed position.
US08979550B2	Contact configuration for undertaking tests on circuit board An electronic structure (for example a reliability board or a cycling control module) has a body including a body portion insertable into a connector. A plurality of contact structures are provided on a side of the body portion, each contact structure comprising a first contact and a second contact spaced from the first contact, with the first and second contacts of each contact structure being aligned in the direction of insertion of the body portion into the connector. A corresponding second plurality of contact structures is provided on a side of the body portion opposite the first—mentioned side. These contacts connect with respective corresponding contacts of the connector.
US08979534B2	Tooth scaffolds Provided is an acellular mammalian tooth-shaped scaffold including a compound that is chemotactic, osteogenic, dentinogenic, amelogenic, or cementogenic. Also provided is a method of replacing a tooth in the mouth of a mammal, where the tooth is absent and a tooth socket is present in the mouth at the position of the absent tooth. The method includes implanting an acellular scaffold having the shape of the missing tooth into the tooth socket. Additionally, a method of making a tooth scaffold is provided. The method includes synthesizing an acellular scaffold in the shape of a mammalian tooth and adding at least one compound that is chemotactic, osteogenic, dentinogenic, amelogenic, or cementogenic.
US08979533B2	Dental implant The invention relates to an implant for anchoring a prosthesis in the jaw of a patient, having a base body (1) and a post (2) connecting to the top thereof, wherein the post (2) engages with a recess opening (3) of the base body (1) in a positive and non-positive manner and can be firmly connected thereto. In order to improve such an implant, the invention suggests that a sealing collar (4) surrounding the recess opening (3), and an annular groove (5) surrounding the sealing collar (4) be provided on the top of the base body (1), wherein the post (2) has a circumferential shoulder (6) on the bottom thereof facing the base body (1), the shoulder having a shape that is complementary to the sealing collar (4) and the annular groove (5).
US08979531B2	Double-arched tweezers for dental operations In order to get good access for treatment at hidden parts of the oral cavity, double arched tweezers are disclosed, that can favorably be applied for operations at one or the other side of the mouth and by left- or right-handed dentists.
US08979524B2	Method and apparatus for making a light weight container An apparatus for forming a blow-molded container includes a mold, a mandrel, and a die. The mold includes a bottom section for forming a container bottom, a sidewall section for forming a plurality of sidewalls, a spout section for forming a spout, and a neck section for forming an upwardly converging neck member coupling the sidewalls to the spout having a convex radius transition section of approximately three inches in a container having an overall height of approximately ten inches. The mandrel and the die are operative to form a parison that assumes an ovoid cross-section within the mold with the outer surfaces of the parison positioned approximately equidistant from sidewall section of said mold.
US08979511B2	Gel coupling diaphragm for electrokinetic delivery systems A fluid delivery system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, a pair of electrodes, a porous dielectric material, an electrokinetic fluid, and a flexible member including a gel between two diaphragms. The pair of electrodes is between the first chamber and the second chamber. The porous dielectric material is between the electrodes. The electrokinetic fluid is configured to flow through the porous dielectric material between the first and second chambers when a voltage is applied across the pair of electrodes. The flexible member fluidically separates the second chamber from the third chamber and is configured to deform into the third chamber when the electrokinetic fluid flows form the first chamber into the second chamber.
US08979508B2	Turbocharger and variable-nozzle cartridge therefor A variable-vane assembly for a turbocharger includes an annular nozzle ring supporting an array of rotatable vanes, an insert having a tubular portion sealingly received into the bore of the turbine housing and having a nozzle portion extending radially out from one end of the tubular portion and being axially spaced from the nozzle ring with the vanes therebetween, and an annular retainer ring disposed radially outward of the nozzle ring and extending generally radially inwardly. The nozzle ring's face is stepped, and a radially inner edge of the retainer ring engages the face of the nozzle ring radially outward of the step, the radially inner edge of the retainer ring having an axial thickness that is less than the step height such that a remaining portion of the step is presented to the exhaust gas flowing through the nozzle.
US08979505B2	Sensor system for a positive displacement pump A positive displacement pump is provided that includes a pump housing having a pump chamber; a plunger mounted in the pump housing for reciprocating motion in the pump chamber; a suction valve positioned to allow a fluid to enter the pump chamber upon movement of the plunger in a first direction; a discharge valve positioned to discharge the fluid from the pump chamber upon movement of the plunger in a second direction; and at least one sensor enclosed by the pump housing for measuring at least one pump condition parameter.
US08979503B2	Strain gauge pump control switch A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
US08979501B2	Connection of a shaft to a rotating component For connecting a shaft to a rotating component, especially of a shaft to a turbine wheel of an exhaust gas turbocharger, an intermediate component is provided by means of which the shaft is connected indirectly to the rotating component. The connection between the rotating component and the intermediate component is a form-locking and/or force-locking connection, especially a riveted connection.
US08979500B2	Method of manufacture of aerofoil leading edge strip A protective leading edge strip component for an aerofoil is formed from a sheet of PEEK fabric woven in two-dimensions by draping the sheet over a male moulding tool (12) the shape of which represents the shape of a leading edge of the aerofoil, and applying a female moulding tool (14) so as to trap a portion of the PEEK fabric between the two moulding tools and applying heat and pressure.
US08979499B2	Gas turbine engine airfoil profile An airfoil for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an airfoil body including a leading edge and a trailing edge joined by a pressure side and a suction side spaced apart from the pressure side to provide an external airfoil surface extending in a radial direction from at least one platform. The external airfoil surface is formed in substantial conformance with multiple cross-sectional profiles of the airfoil described by a set of Cartesian coordinates set forth in Table 1. The Cartesian coordinates are provided by an axial coordinate scaled by a local axial chord, a circumferential coordinate scaled by a local axial chord, and a span location. The local axial chord corresponds to a width of the airfoil between the leading edge and the trailing edge at the span location, and the Cartesian coordinates in Table 1 have a tolerance relative to the specified coordinates of up to ±0.050 inches (±1.27 mm).
US08979491B2	Turbofan mounting arrangement A gas turbine engine has a rear mounting structure incorporating a mounting apparatus attached to a bypass duct wall with a link device of six rods for transferring core portion related inertia-induced loads, from an inner case of the core portion in a short circuit across an annular bypass air passage to the bypass duct wall.
US08979487B2	High pressure turbine vane airfoil profile A high pressure turbine includes a vane having an airfoil with a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08979478B2	Fully enclosed seal and bearing assembly for between-bearing pumps A bearing and seal assembly for supporting and sealing a terminating outboard end of an impeller shaft in a centrifugal pump such as a between-bearings pump includes only one seal but provides advantages typical of a dual-seal assembly, including barrier fluid protection against seal damage caused by abrasive slurries, and protection against leaking of toxic process fluid to atmosphere. A bearing housing sealed to the pump's pressure casing encloses the seal, bearing, and terminating impeller shaft end. Leakage of process fluid past the seal is prevented by a lubricating, pressurized, cooled barrier fluid which is circulated through the bearing housing by an external pump and/or by an internal, shaft-driven impeller. Because the impeller shaft terminates within the bearing housing and does not penetrate to atmosphere, the barrier fluid is contained within the bearing housing and a second seal is not required.
US08979475B2	Turbine fuel pump for vehicle Provided is a turbine fuel pump for a vehicle. More particularly, provided is a turbine fuel pump for a vehicle that can improve efficiency of the fuel pump and solve pressure instability caused by collision of fuel by forming a separate independent channel in a lower casing, an impeller, and an upper casing where channels of fuel are formed at the time of suctioning fuel from the fuel tank and supplying fuel to an engine of an internal combustion engine.
US08979472B2	Directional, sealable wind-powered turbine A cylindrical wind-turbine has an intake opening set in a known direction of oncoming wind (such as towards the direction of an expected oncoming train). A central plunger acts as a valve to regulate airflow, and may seal the intake opening. Exit valves are situated near the rear of the device and/or at the rear in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The intake opening and exit valves may be opened or closed depending on readings from wind and water sensors. Generally speaking, when there is sufficient wind and low threat of water, the openings and valves are open, collecting wind energy. When there is a lack of wind or presence of water, the openings and valves are sealed to protect the interior components of the device from the elements and unnecessary wear and tear, prolonging the life of the device.
US08979466B2	Methods and apparatuses for loading and unloading by pallet truck An apparatus for transferring a load between a pallet truck and a load wrapping surface may include an angled ramp surface configured to support at least a portion of the pallet truck. The apparatus may also include an angled conveyor surface extending alongside at least a portion of the angled ramp surface. The angled conveyor surface may be configured to convey the load between the load wrapping surface and the angled ramp surface.
US08979465B2	Apparatus for safety barrel placement and removal The main object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus, that can be installed on a flat bed truck, pre-market or post-market, which allows barrels, to efficiently and safely, placed or removed from a road or other work site.
US08979462B2	Substrate-processing apparatus and method of transferring substrate in the same A substrate-processing apparatus includes a plurality of process chambers, a buffer unit, and a transfer member. The transfer member transfers the substrate between the process chambers and the buffer unit, and collects the substrates processed in at least two of the process chambers where processes are simultaneously finished to transfer the processed substrates to the buffer unit at once. Accordingly, a number of times during which the transfer member transfers substrates is decreased so that the substrate-processing apparatus reduces the process time and improves the productivity.
US08979453B2	Blind fastener A blind fastener including a pull-type core bolt having a shank with a head, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of work pieces, an axial force is applied to the core bolt the head of the core bolt engages the sleeve, and a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the work pieces.
US08979451B2	Self-leveling lift-assisted decking system for use in a cargo trailer An improved captive beam decking system is disclosed for use in a cargo trailer. The system includes a beam assembly and a foot assembly that is selectively engagable to a vertical sliding track system. The sliding track system is attached to the sidewall of a trailer vertically. The beam can be easily moved at different heights that are selected based upon the configuration of the cargo trailer.
US08979442B2	System and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field A system and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field to drill a series of cooling holes in a turbine rotor disk made of a superalloy. A portable field repair system includes a stand configured to receive, support, and position a turbine rotor disk, a drill having a self-feeding spindle and configured to automatically drill a predetermined depth through a superalloy and to automatically stop upon completion, a drill guide configured to coordinate the drill with a plurality of radial axes associated with a precise hole pattern to be cut and a drill mount configured to mechanically couple the drill to the drill guide and to position the drill during the modification of the gas turbine engine turbine rotor disk.
US08979437B2	Reinforced structures in the ground The invention relates to reinforced structures in the ground, including an embankment, a facing (4) placed along the front surface of the structure, an anchoring element (6) including a projecting element (8), which projects relative to an inner surface of the structure and an attachment element (10), and a stabilization element (12) including at least two longitudinal portions (14, 16) continuously connected together by an elbow portion (18), said elbow portion being delimited by a throat (20) forming, together with said elbow portion, an anchoring space suitable for receiving the attachment element of the anchoring element, the anchoring space and the attachment element being shaped so as to limit the movement of the stabilization element in every direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stabilization element (12).
US08979432B2	Vortex flow type water surface control device for draining device In a conventional storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system, inflowing floating debris do not flow into an intercepting pipe in a rainy weather, and flow out to a public water body, causing a water pollution in the public water body. According to a vortex flow type water surface control device for a draining device of the present invention, a control plate (6) higher than at least a separating weir (1) is provided between an opening of an inflow pipe (2) and an opening of an intercepting pipe (3) in a storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system. Moreover, a guide wall (7) higher than at least the separating weir (1) is provided along the separating weir between the opening of the inflow pipe (2) and the separating weir (1).
US08979421B2	Manhole cover and method for manufacturing same A manhole cover maintains a strength and weight the same as those of conventional manhole covers made of cast iron, eliminates the risk of theft, and achieves improved corrosion resistance and sealing properties. The manhole cover comprises: a base unit made of composite materials having compositions containing 12 to 18 wt % of glass fiber, 17 to 23 wt % of a polyester resin, with the remainder being calcium carbonate (CaCO3), wherein the base unit is mounted on the manhole such that an upper portion of the base unit is exposed aboveground; and a metal reinforcement unit which is uniformly distributed within the base unit to reinforce the base unit and increase weight and strength of the base unit.
US08979411B2	Liquid applicator A liquid applicator is disclosed comprising a liquid container and a liquid dispensing mechanism having a valve element enabling an axial displacement of an applicator tip to move the valve element into the open position for enabling the applicator tip to apply the liquid to a surface. The improvement comprises an applicator closure having a closure coupling for coupling the applicator closure to a peripheral rim of a container. An optional shield may be secured to the applicator closure for providing protection between the applicator tip and an operator grasping the liquid container.
US08979405B2	Print preview for printers with multiple print heads A printing system has fixed print heads in positions that are subject to adjustment between print jobs. The system provides a print preview display that includes a representation of the item of printing stock on which the printing is to be performed. The print preview display also includes a first printing field that is at a location in the representation that corresponds to the position of a first one of the print heads. The print preview display further includes a second printing field that is at a location in the representation that corresponds to the position of a second one of the print heads.
US08979401B2	Optical element The present invention relates to an optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways, a camera system for the inspection of passageways and a method of illuminating a passageway during inspection with a camera. An optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways comprises a first optical portion arranged to transmit light into a camera, a second optical portion arranged to transmit light emitted from a light source, the second optical portion located adjacent the first optical portion, and barrier means arranged to prevent light being transmitted from the second optical portion into the first optical portion.
US08979398B2	Wearable camera A garment clip is disclosed. The garment clip houses a camera and comprising a first portion housing operational circuitry and a second portion supporting an image capture component. The second portion has a mass which is less than the first portion. The first and second portions are connected in a configuration such that, when the clip is secured to the garment, the image capture component faces outwardly and the first portion is at least partially concealed by the garment.
US08979389B2	Fiber optic cable strength member bracket A bracket for securing an end of a fiber optic cable, having at least one strength member, to a termination point includes a base portion at a first end of the bracket, a retention feature at a second end of the bracket that is opposite to the first end, and adapted to receive and at least partially surround an exposed end of the at least one strength member, and an elongated portion extending from the base portion to the retention feature. A first flat surface, on the base portion or the elongated portion, has at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the strength member bracket to a first mounting surface on the termination point. A first flange is disposed along the elongated portion, and adapted to receive a tether for securing a jacketed portion of the fiber optic cable to the bracket.
US08979375B2	Universal bearing A universal bearing includes a metal piece, a plastic housing and a spherical wheel. The metal piece includes a first insertion portion. The plastic housing wraps around the metal piece and includes a second insertion portion in communication with the first insertion portion. The spherical wheel is pivotally restricted in the first and second insertion portions. The plastic housing reduces the weight of the universal bearing. The plastic housing is formed by injection molding by injection plastic directly around the support portion, therefore, the assembly of the universal bearing will be completed automatically once the plastic housing is formed.
US08979374B2	Rotating device A rotating device comprises a hub, a shaft, and a bearing unit. The bearing unit includes a surrounding portion arranged to surround the shaft, and a facing portion arranged to face an end of the shaft. A gap between the shaft and the surrounding portion includes two dynamic pressure generation portions and an intermediate portion arranged between the two dynamic pressure generation portions. The bearing unit further includes a path of a lubricant arranged to connect one side of one dynamic pressure generation portion and the intermediate portion. The shaft and the bearing unit are arranged so that the lubricant pushed out of the other dynamic pressure generation portion towards a gap between the end of the shaft and the facing portion stays in the gap.
US08979365B2	Device for supporting elements for connecting a mobile X-ray machine and X-ray machine provided with such a supporting device A device for supporting elements connecting a mobile X-ray machine is provided. The device comprises a chain that can be deformed in a single plane configured to contain connection elements of a mobile X-ray machine.
US08979364B2	Combined panoramic and computed tomography apparatus A combined imaging apparatus for x-ray imaging of a subject in multiple modes has a supporting structure having an extended rotary arm, wherein the rotary arm has a computed tomography detector and a panoramic imaging detector, both mounted adjacently against a movable platen. A detector positioning apparatus is actuable to translate the position of the movable platen to either of at least first and second positions with respect to an x-ray source. The first position disposes the computed tomography detector in the direct path of an x-ray source and the second position disposes the panoramic imaging detector in the direct path of the x-ray source.
US08979361B2	Time-temperature dosimeter The present disclosure relates to a dosimeter for measuring exposure to heat over time in combination with peak temperature indicators and reversible temperature indicators. The preferred temperature indicator tag is credit card sized and comprises four time-temperature dosimeters. Each dosimeter has a wick in contact with a separate reservoir containing a mix of a colored dye, a wax and an amorphous polymer to indicate a distinct temperature range when the mix melts. The wicks are preferably made of porous paper with a pore size around 8 microns to allow for proper capillary action along its length. An adhesive, except where each wick contacts its respective reservoir and at a vent, preferably seals each wick. The tag preferably has a plurality of peak temperature indicators where each indicator has a blend of a dye, a wax and a polymer for a temperature indication range. The tag also preferably has a plurality of reversible temperature sensors.
US08979356B2	Dual agitator mixer with sanitary tank Coaxial, dual agitator top-entering mixer has coaxial vertical drive shafts penetrating the center of the head of the vessel, driving a lower-speed outer scraper agitator and a higher-speed inner agitator. An inner rotary seal closes the upper end of an annular space between the inner and outer shafts. An outer rotary seal closes the opening around the outer drive shaft in the head of the vessel. A central bore along the inner drive shaft axis extends from its upper end down to a position just below the inner seal, with one or more cross-bored radial passages to the annular space between the drive shafts. A rotary fitting at the upper end of the inner drive shaft permits the introduction of a cleaning fluid into the central bore. The cleaning fluid passes through the bore and the radial passage into the annular space to clean accumulations from within the annular space. The cleaning fluid exits the annular space into the interior of vessel. A single-agitator mixer may also employ this through-the-shaft cleaning feature.
US08979350B2	Light guide plate and backlight module using same A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emitting surface, and a reflecting surface opposite to the emitting surface. The incident surface connects the emitting surface to the reflecting surface. A plurality of microstructures is defined in the reflecting surface. Each microstructure is a slot. A cross-section across each microstructure and parallel to a light emitting direction is substantially V-shaped. Each microstructure is formed with two sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a plurality of stepped portions connected in order.
US08979349B2	Illumination devices and methods of fabrication thereof Illumination devices and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an illumination apparatus includes a light source, a light guide having a planar first surface, a first end and a second end, and a length therebetween, the light guide positioned to receive light from the light source into the light guide first end, and the light guide configured such that light from the light source provided into the first end of the light guide propagates towards the second end, and a plurality of light turning features that are configured to reflect light propagating towards the second end of the light guide out of the planar first surface of the light guide, each light turning feature having a turning surface and an interferometric stack formed on the turning surface.
US08979347B2	Illumination systems and methods This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination for lighting systems. One or more light emitters can be disposed about a longitudinal axis, such as in an at least partial polygonal shape, so that the light sources emit light radially outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. A collimating reflector can be disposed radially outward of the one or more light emitters and can be configured to at least partially collimate the light and to substantially preserve etendue of the light emitted from the light emitters. The one or more light emitters can substantially fill an input aperture of the collimating reflector in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The light can be coupled into a light guide, which can be configured to distribute the light to a target lighting area.
US08979344B2	Backlight module using laser emitters as light source A backlight module includes a laser light source and a light guide plate. The light source locates beside a side surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate comprises a plurality of transflective films arranged along a direction in alignment the laser light source. When the light from the laser light source emits to the transflective films, a part of the light passes through the transflective films and transmits along a same direction, and another part of the light is reflected by the transflective films and emits into a light diffusion plate. The light beams reflected by the transflective films and into the light diffusion plate have the same intensity.
US08979343B2	Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly including a container having a light exiting boundary, and a light source part. The container includes a first light source supporting part supporting first and second light sources, and a reflector extending from the first light source supporting part. The reflector reflects the light from the first and second light sources to guide the light to the light exiting boundary. The first light source is disposed under the light exiting boundary and generates the light. The second light source is spaced apart from the first light source in a first direction by a first distance. The first direction is substantially parallel with the light exiting boundary. The second light source is spaced apart from the light exiting boundary in a second direction by a first depth. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the light exiting boundary.
US08979331B2	Replaceable LED street lamp module The invention discloses a replaceable LED street lamp module, including at least one module portion and a clamping sheet set. The module portion includes an LED module, a lens, an inner radiator, an outer radiator and a heat pipe set, the inner radiator and the outer radiator are sleeved with each other, the heat pipe set is bent and located between the inner radiator and the outer radiator and supports and fixes the LED module, the lens protects the LED module and allows light to be emitted from the LED module, notches are arranged on the outer circle of the outer radiator, and the clamping sheet set is clamped in the notch via two clamping sheets in order to clamp and fix the module portion, thereby being assembled on the opening of the street lamp housing.
US08979330B2	Anisotropic light-diffusing film, anisotropic light-diffusing laminate, anisotropic light-reflecting laminate, and use thereof An anisotropic light-diffusing film, an anisotropic light-diffusing laminate, and an anisotropic light-reflecting laminate are provided which are excellent in both light transmittance and diffusivity. Also provided are a lighting equipment and a display device which employ any of the film and laminates and are excellent in light-diffusivity and brightness and in economy, etc. The anisotropic light-diffusing film is a film formed by melt-extruding a mixture of at least two thermoplastic resins incompatible with each other. The film has parallel light ray transmittance of 20-85%, haze of 10-80%, glossiness of 10-70%, and ratio of the vertical-direction diffusivity to the horizontal-direction diffusivity of transmitted light of 1.3-6.0. The anisotropic light-reflecting laminate comprises a light reflector and the anisotropic light-diffusing film laminated over at least one surface of the reflector. In the laminate, diffusivity ratio, reflectivity and diffusivity of reflected light satisfy respective specific ranges.
US08979315B2	Lamp having outer shell to radiate heat of light source According to one or more arrangements, a lighting device such as a lamp may include a substrate on which one or more lighting elements are mounted. One or more aspects of the lamp may further provide heat conductive/dissipating properties. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate may include a through hole through which at least one wire of the lighting device may extend. For example, the wire may extend through the at least one through-hole from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate. The wire may be connected to a pattern layer of the substrate. According to other aspects, the lighting device may further include a supporting body for supporting the substrate. The supporting body may include another through-hole through which the at least one wire further extends.
US08979301B2	Full spectrum LED illuminator An apparatus for providing a light output to an optical guide for illumination of an imaged object including a plurality of solid state light-emitting sources each of which are independently powered and independently controlled, each light-emitting source emitting light at a wavelength which is different from the wavelength emitted by the other light-emitting sources. The apparatus also includes a heat sink configured to thermally couple the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources and provide conduction of heat generated by the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources. The apparatus further includes an optical elements to collect, collimate, and combine the emissions from the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources into a combined beam of light to be optically coupled to the light guide.
US08979295B2	Rechargeable lighted glasses Rechargeable lighted glasses are provided having one or more light sources mounted thereto and powered by a rechargeable power source. The rechargeable power source can be recharged through a recharging interface mounted to at least one of the temple arm portions of the rechargeable lighted glasses.
US08979294B2	Curved display device A curved display device is provided including a display panel having a constant curvature and displaying an image, a backlight unit having the same curvature as that of the display panel, disposed at a rear surface of the display panel, and emitting light to the display panel, and a control unit locally controlling light emission of the backlight unit such that luminance of a light leakage region of the display panel is adjusted. Occurrence of light leakage in the curved display device is prevented, and thus, luminance of the curved display device is kept constant.
US08979291B2	Lighting devices including transparent organic light emitting device light panels and having independent control of direct to indirect light A lighting device for emitting direct light and indirect light, includes a first transparent light panel comprising at least one organic light emitting device, the first transparent light panel emitting direct light and indirect light during operation thereof; and at least a second transparent light panel comprising at least one organic light emitting device, the second transparent light panel emitting direct light and indirect light during operation thereof, the second transparent light panel being positioned so that at least a portion of indirect light emitted from the first transparent light is transmitted through the second transparent light panel and at least a portion of direct light emitted from the second transparent light panel is transmitted through the first transparent light panel, wherein the first transparent light panel is controllable independently from the second transparent light panel to control a ratio of direct light to indirect light emitted by the lighting device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US08979287B2	Reflective surface producing a non-reversed, undistorted, perspective view The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: W(x,y,z)=T(proj(x,v,z))−(x,v,z)+proj(x,v,z)−(x,v,z)∥T(proj(x,y,z))−(x,y,z)∥ ∥proj(x,y,z)−(x,y,z)∥ and a method for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a non-reversed, substantially undistorted direct reflection.
US08979283B2	Optical apparatus An optical apparatus includes a support stand, an optical module, a reflective module, at least a first adjusting unit and at least a second adjusting unit. The support stand has a base and a back frame. The back frame is connected with the base and formed an inclination angle with the base. The optical module is disposed on the base. The reflective module is disposed on the back frame. The first adjusting unit is connected with the back frame and the base. The first adjusting unit moves the back frame so as to adjust the inclination angle. The second adjusting unit is disposed at the back frame and contacts against the reflective module. The second adjusting unit moves the reflective module so as to adjust a swinging angle of the reflective module.
US08979281B2	System and method for imagination park tree projections There is provided a system and method for multiple sided video projection mapping on arbitrarily shaped objects. By using the same shape data to manufacture the object and to configure the projection mapping onto the object, stray light, reflections, and other distortions can be reduced or eliminated. By constructing the object using a non-opaque layer and a projection coating layer, video content projected onto the object can be seen on multiple sides. Thus, the number of projectors required for multi-sided viewing can be reduced, simplifying deployment and reducing costs. The invention may be of particular use for retail spaces or other public venues where display of image or video content for information, entertainment, or atmosphere enhancement is desirable.
US08979280B2	Light source lamp lighting device and method A light source lamp lighting device includes a light source lamp, cooling means for cooling the light source lamp, an extinguishing time measurer that calculates extinguishing time information indicating an extinguishing period when the light source lamp was last switched off to a present time, a storage that stores lighting performance, which is a history of successes and failures of lighting the light source lamp, a plurality of cooling times corresponding to an extinguishing period when the light source lamp is switched off indicated by the extinguishing time information as a cooling time for causing the cooling means to operate, and a first threshold set with respect to the lighting performance, and a controller that reads out, in lighting the light source lamp, the lighting performance, the cooling time stored in the storage based on the extinguishing period when the light source lamp is switched off calculated by the extinguishing time measurer, and the first threshold and, when a number of successes of lighting indicated by the lighting performance exceeds the first threshold, subtracts a predetermined time from the read-out cooling time to calculate a cooling time value for causing the cooling means to operate.
US08979274B2	Display device A display device includes: a light source section; an optical modulator modulating light from the light source section based on a picture signal, to emit modulated light as picture light; a direct-view display section performing direct-view display based on the picture light; a projection optical system performing projection display on a projection screen based on the picture light; an optical member allowing the picture light from the optical modulator to travel toward at least one of the direct-view display section and the projection optical system; and a switching section performing control of traveling direction of the picture light on the optical member, to switch between two or more display modes which are selected, to include a two-way display mode, from a group consisting of a direct-view display mode, a projection display mode, and the two-way display mode.
US08979273B2	Line display system using projector [Problem] A line display system capable of changing a line easily when the sporting event is changed is to be provided.[Means for Resolution] A line display system 1 includes plural projectors 100A, 100B each of which is installed to project a line image on a floor surface F or ground surface.
US08979271B2	Facilitation of temperature compensation for contact lens sensors and temperature sensing Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate and a circuit. The circuit can include: one or more sensors disposed on or within the substrate, that sense a feature associated with a wearer of the contact lens; and a compensation circuit disposed on or within the substrate, coupled to the sensor(s) and that outputs information to adjust an output of the sensor(s). The compensation circuit can include: a temperature component that senses the temperature of the sensor(s); and a communication component that outputs information indicative of the temperature of the sensor(s), and receives information associated with adjusting the output of the sensor(s). In other aspects, a contact lens includes a circuit that senses the body temperature, or ambient temperature outside of the body, of the contact lens wearer. Sensor fusion and/or calibration can be performed based on the information.
US08979269B2	Optical coherence tomography device, method, and system In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography instrument comprises an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user is provided; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's eye; an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's eye; an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and electronics coupled to the detector. The electronics can be configured to perform a risk assessment analysis based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer. An output device can be electrically coupled to the electronics, and may be configured to output the risk assessment to the user through the output device. The optical coherence tomography instrument can be self-administered, and the eyepiece can be a monocular system or a binocular system.
US08979268B2	Ophthalmic apparatus An ophthalmic apparatus including an operation stick to adjust an optical unit, comprising: a rotary dial that is provided on a side surface of the operation stick and rotates with respect to the operation stick; a trigger arranged on a top of the operation stick while being decentered with respect to the operation stick; and a control unit adapted to control to perform one of movement and focusing of the optical unit with respect to an object in accordance with rotation of the rotary dial and perform control to cause the optical unit to start a predetermined operation in accordance with press of the trigger.
US08979266B2	Devices and methods for polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics The present disclosure includes disclosure of devices, and methods to resolve microscopic structures. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a visualization apparatus comprises a source arm having a light source operable to emit a light beam, wherein the light beam defines a beam pathway, a reference arm comprising a reflecting surface positioned within the beam pathway, a sample arm comprising a wavefront sensor, an adaptive optics wavefront corrector, and a target, each of which are positioned within the beam pathway, wherein the adaptive optics wavefront corrector is operable to compensate for at least one aberration in the light beam, a detector arm comprising a beam detector positioned within the beam pathway, wherein the beam detector is operable to detect the reflected light beam from the reference arm and the target, and wherein the visualization apparatus is operable to minimize at least one aberration of the target.
US08979252B2	Agitation kit and recording apparatus An agitation kit includes an information-written medium and a liquid container. The liquid container contains a dispersion medium and settleable particles. The information-written medium includes information on a manner of agitating the particles in the dispersion medium.
US08979247B2	Bonded microelectromechanical assemblies A MEMS device is described that has a body with a component bonded to the body. The body has a main surface and a side surface adjacent to the main surface and smaller than the main surface. The body is formed of a material and the side surface is formed of the material and the body is in a crystalline structure different from the side surface. The body includes an outlet in the side surface and the component includes an aperture in fluid connection with the outlet.
US08979245B2	Ink jet recording apparatus and recorded matter A recording apparatus includes a head, wherein a manifold in which an ink flows, and a plurality of ink flow paths divided from the manifold and arranged in a first direction are formed in the head; a nozzle opening portion discharging the ink flowing from the manifold is formed in the ink flow path; when a maximum area is C1 and a minimum area is C2 in a cross section of the ink flow path including the first direction and a vertical direction, except a cross section including the nozzle opening portion, the C1 is more than once and equal to or less than 3.5 times the C2; and the ink contains a flaky pigment having an average thickness of 5 nm or more and 50 nm or less and a 50% average particle diameter of an equivalent circle diameter of 0.5 μm or more and 2.1 μm or less.
US08979236B1	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a media roll, an image forming device, a conveyance unit, and a controller. In the roll, a printing medium having an adhesive face and no separation sheet on the adhesive face is wound in a roll shape. In pulling back the medium to the roll, the controller sets a linear velocity of the roll to be not lower than a linear velocity of a conveyance rotator of the conveyance unit. The controller controls a velocity difference between the roll and the rotator to be Va from a start of pulling back the medium to when a separation point of the medium from the roll reaches a tangent line of the roll in an area between the roll and the rotator. When the separation point reaches the tangent line, the controller switches the velocity difference from Va to Vb that is smaller than Va.
US08979234B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record a first dot and a second dot having a diameter smaller than that of the first dot on a recording medium, and a scanning unit configured to move the recording unit in a scanning direction. A recording resolution of the second dot in the scanning direction is lower than a recording resolution of the first dot in the scanning direction.
US08979232B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming method An image forming apparatus includes a nozzle row group that is provided with a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row, and a control unit that performs a dot forming operation of ejecting a liquid from nozzles to form dots. The control unit divides the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row into N nozzle groups when the dot forming operation is performed. In a first mode, A nozzle groups of N nozzle groups of the second nozzle row and (N−A) nozzle groups of the first nozzle row are employed. In a second mode, B (A≠B) nozzle groups of N nozzle groups of the second nozzle row and (N−B) nozzle groups of the first nozzle row are employed.
US08979229B2	Liquid jetting apparatus A liquid jetting apparatus includes a first head unit and a second head unit, each of the head units including nozzles through which a liquid is discharged; a head drive section configured to drive the first head unit and the second head unit; a controller configured to control the head drive section to selectively execute a first drive mode in which both of the first head unit and the second head unit are driven and a second drive mode in which only the second head unit is driven; and a heating element configured to generate heat under a condition that the head drive section executes the first drive mode and the second drive mode. The second head unit is arranged at a position separated farther from the heating element than the first head unit.
US08979228B2	Inkjet recording apparatus Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus capable of recording a high quality image without limiting the kinds of ink or recording media, including an inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink droplets, wherein the ink droplets ejected from the plurality of the nozzles is charged by applying voltage between the inkjet head and the recording medium, and land on the recoding medium so as to record the image on the recording medium, wherein after a first ink droplet lands on the recording medium, a second ink droplet lands on the recording medium so as to overlap with the first ink droplet before discharging of the first ink droplet is completed.
US08979225B2	Refrigeration device comprising shelves that are suspended on a rail A refrigeration device is provided having a vertical rail that has through-openings arranged at a distance from each other and that is securely connected to a body of the refrigeration device. The refrigeration device includes a shelf support having a rear flank oriented towards the front side of the vertical rail and upper and lower hooks each having a downward oriented tip that protrudes over the rear flank and engages in one of the through-openings of the vertical rail. Only the tip of the upper hook touches the rear side of the rail and only the section of the rear flank that is arranged below the lower hook touches the front side of the rail.
US08979222B2	Pull-out guide of a drawer A pull-out guide of a movable element of a piece of furniture or a domestic appliance. The pull-out guide including a guide rail configured to be fixed to a body of the piece of furniture or domestic appliance; a movable element; and a slide rail configured to be connected to the movable element. The guide rail is detachably connected to a molded part, the molded part being provided on the body. A component is configured to support movement of the movable element.
US08979220B2	Locking element for locking of a panel cover on a module rail A locking element for locking of a panel cover on a module rail includes a bearing block with a flat mounting surface and threaded holes for mounting on the inside of the panel cover and a slide lock, which is mounted to move on the bearing block and has a locking tab. A sliding mechanism moves the slide lock from a locked position, in which the locking tab engages beneath the module rail, to a release position and vice versa. An actuating screw forms a rotary actuator, which can be activated through a hole in panel cover when the locking element is engaged.
US08979217B2	Electro-pneumatic pressure regulation module comprising pressure regulation channels having separate pneumatic circuits An electropneumatic pressure regulating module, formed as a structural unit, is described for an electropneumatic brake system of a vehicle, including: at least two separately regulable pressure regulating channels, wherein a regulated working pressure, acting at at least one working pressure port, for at least one brake application device of the brake system is generated for each pressure regulating channel on the basis of working air originating from at least one compressed air store and as a function of braking demand signals of a brake transducer, in which to form pressure regulating channels having separate pneumatic circuits, each pressure regulating channel is assigned at least one dedicated storage pressure port which can be connected to a dedicated compressed air store, and in which the pneumatic flow paths of each pressure regulating channel are formed so as to be pneumatically separate, at least proceeding from the respective storage pressure port as far as the respective working pressure port, from the pneumatic flow paths of a respective other pressure regulating channel.
US08979211B2	Demountable pin and collet assembly and method to securely fasten a ranging arm to a longwall shearer using such assembly A pin-and-collet assembly, a longwall shearer comprising a ranging arm attached to a lifting bracket with such assembly, a method for the secure fastening of one piece to another, such as securely fastening the ranging arm to the lifting bracket of a longwall shearer using such assembly as a bushing, and a method for longwall mining of ore, such as trona, using such longwall shearer. This assembly is easy to install, does not have to be tightened during longwall operation of an ore panel, and is also demountable when it is time to stop the longwall mining operation and time to remove/replace the ranging arm for maintenance and/or when the end of the ore panel is reached.
US08979207B2	Seat cushion and seating apparatus using the same, and kit A seat cushion for a chair or separately usable, includes a support base having a top and bottom, a fluid bladder supported by the support base above at least part of the top of the support base, the fluid bladder having a fluid chamber forming plural bladder sections, a biasing member in the fluid chamber tending to bias the fluid chamber to an at least partly expanded condition, a resilient retaining covering over the fluid bladder holding the fluid bladder on the support base, a valve mechanism in fluid coupled relation to the fluid bladder to provide and to exhaust fluid from the fluid chamber, a mechanical connection of the valve mechanism to the support base, mechanical coupling and restricted fluid flow coupling of the bladder sections. A seating apparatus, e.g., a chair, including the seat cushion. A bladder-type fluidic seat cushion in a kit.
US08979203B1	Head restraint assembly A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support for mounting the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism operative to permit (i) the selective pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions and, as the bun assembly is moved in either of the first and second directions, (ii) the incremental positioning of the bun assembly in any of a plurality of predefined positions along a path of travel of the bun assembly in the first and second directions.
US08979195B2	Seat cover and cover attaching tool A seat cover is attachable to a seat section of a vehicle seat including a frame and an original cover, in the state of covering the original cover. The original cover is attached in the state where a hook-like original cover engaging tool including a pair of portions facing each other is hooked on an engageable portion of the frame. The seat cover includes a cover main body for covering the seat section, and a cover attaching tool provided along an end of the cover main body. The cover attaching tool includes a pair of cover seat portions facing each other and is hook-like. The cover attaching tool is allowed to be hooked on the original cover engaging tool hooked on the engageable portion.
US08979186B2	Power mechanism for recliners A power mechanism for a recliner having a limiter controlling the relative angle between a transfer linkage and arm affixed to the drive axle as the transfer linkage applies tangential force to the arm to rotate the drive axle. The limiter prevents the relative angle between the transfer linkage from over collapsing to minimize strain on the linkage assembly and the motor driving the rotation of the drive axle.
US08979185B1	Two-position folding chair A folding chair has a seat component, a back component and a leg component. The seat component has a seat rear and a guide-support bar. The leg component comprises two pairs of legs, the first pair comprising a first and second leg and the second pair comprising a third and fourth leg. A cross member extends from the third leg to the fourth leg. The back component comprises a vertical element. The bottom of the vertical element is connected to the cross member and extends upwardly therefrom. The seat front is pivotally attached to the first and second legs and the seat rear is not connected to either the leg component or the back component, allowing the seat rear to slidably travel along vertical element. When the seat rear is at the vertical element top, the chair is in a folded configuration. When the seat rear is situated at the vertical element bottom, the chair is in a first sitting configuration. The vertical element includes at least one catch adapted to receive the guide-support bar and hold the seat rear such that the chair is in a second sitting configuration.
US08979173B2	Vehicle body floor structure for automobile A vehicle body floor structure for an automobile, includes a joint line extending in a vehicle width direction and connecting a rear edge of a dashboard lower panel and a front edge of a front floor panel, a side sill extending in a front-rear direction and connected to an outer edge in the vehicle width direction of each of the dashboard lower panel and the front floor panel, a floor frame member extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the dashboard lower panel and an upper surface of the front floor panel on a side inward of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, and a floor gusset extending in the vehicle width direction, connecting the side sill and the floor frame member, and disposed on the upper surface of the front floor panel along the joint line.
US08979160B1	System and apparatus for providing a secure storage compartment A storage compartment in a vehicle is covered by closing a vehicle door over the storage compartment. The storage compartment may be disposed in an end cap, the door, or part of the door frame. An electronic locking system with mechanical latches, a cinching door system, or an electronic latching system with fully electronic latches may be adapted to include a lock override control. The lock override control may be actuated by a graphic view interface, a portable radio frequency switch, or a telematics controller.
US08979159B2	Configurable hardware unit for car systems Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.
US08979158B2	Luggage compartment structure of vehicle Provided is a luggage compartment structure of a vehicle in which a plate member is able to be installed in various aspects in a luggage compartment of the vehicle, the luggage compartment structure of a vehicle being capable of preventing an article on the plate member from falling using a fall prevention member which is a separate member from the plate member. The luggage compartment structure of a vehicle has a plate member installed in at least two positions including a first position (α) of a luggage compartment of the vehicle and a second position (β) that is higher than the first position (α), and a fall prevention member which prevents an article placed on the plate member installed at the second position (β) from falling, wherein the fall prevention member is detachable from the plate member or the vehicle.
US08979153B2	Water bottle strap carrier A water bottle strap carrier that includes a longitudinal strap, an upper latitudinal strap, and a lower latitudinal strap allows the users to easily grip and pickup a five gallon water bottle. The longitudinal strap restricts the vertical movement of the water bottle while the upper and lower latitudinal straps restricts the horizontal movement of the water bottle. A first and a second handle of the longitudinal strap are positioned above the water bottle providing griping areas for the users, and the rest of the water bottle strap carrier is positioned below the first and second handle as a harness around the water bottle.
US08979151B2	Robot hand for handling workpiece in high temperature area A robot hand (10) comprises an outside section that is not adapted for entry into a high-temperature area and an entry section adapted for entering the high-temperature area includes a frame (15) extending from the base unit and covering intermediate portions of the shafts; a distal end support (30) provided in the frame and adapted to support near distal end portions of the shafts; and holding units (13, 14) each attached to corresponding each of the shafts for holding a workpiece. The proximal end support is adapted to support the shafts via a bearing. The distal end support includes support holes larger than the outer diameters of the shafts such that the shafts are inserted into the support holes, respectively.
US08979150B1	Tubing elevator latch An elevator for raising and lowering a string in a wellbore includes left and right bodies hinged together that selectively open and close. The elevator can be a tubing elevator, and the string can be a tubing string, casing, or drill string. Semi-circular channels on an inner surface of each of the bodies face one another when the bodies are in the closed position and define a circular collar for engaging the string. A retainer on one of the bodies selectively pivots into latching engagement with a lug on the other body to hold the bodies in the closed position. A boss projects radially inward from an inner surface of the retainer and a retainer pin selectively is moveable adjacent the boss to lock the retainer in its latching engagement with the lug. The pin moves to adjacent the boss when the elevator contacts a collar.
US08979146B2	Vehicle bumper beam A vehicle bumper beam including: a resin beam having an elongate body extending along a vehicle-width direction, two tubular shock-absorbing portions disposed at the beam body's opposite longitudinal end portions extending in front-rear direction, the beam body and shock-absorbing portions being formed with each other; a metal beam disposed outside the resin beam in the front-rear direction, fixedly fitted to the resin beam. Further, flat attachment portions, formed with inner end portions of the shock-absorbing portions in front-rear direction; bent portions bent in a crank extending from attachment portions outward in front-rear direction, the beam body being to attachment portions via bent portions, the metal beam fixedly fitted to an outer surface of the beam body's intermediate portion; metal beam's opposite end portions extending beyond bent portions covering the right and left sides, fixedly fitted to distal end portions; each space defined by shock-absorbing portion, metal beam and bent portion.
US08979145B2	Door lock apparatus A door lock apparatus includes with a latch mechanism (a fork and a claw) which engages with a striker so as to be capable of engaging and disengaging, a link which can move between an unlock position capable of engaging with an operation receiving portion of the latch mechanism and a lock position incapable of engaging therewith, a lock plate which moves the link, and open levers which interlock with a door handle provided inside a vehicle or outside the vehicle of a door, and cancel a lock of the striker by the latch mechanism via the link. The lock plate or the link is provided with an energizing member (a link energizing spring) which couples them so as to be relatively movable and energizes the link toward the unlock position with respect to the lock plate.
US08979144B2	Self-aligning catch and latch A latch and catch assembly is provided to secure two or more components together in a locked or closed position. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a catch and a tensile member connected to a latch, wherein the assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The catch includes a lip configured to engage a recess formed in the latch when the assembly is in the closed configuration. In a further embodiment, the latch includes a pull-tab extending from the latch, wherein the pull-tab is configured to enable the user to move the assembly between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the catch has a wider proximal portion which tapers to a narrower distal portion, such that the catch has a “V”-shaped planform.
US08979136B2	Luer connectors Luer connector including a primary Luer male connector, having a secondary female section extending from a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector back towards a proximal part thereof, the primary Luer male connector including a first inner fluid flow channel extending from a proximal end thereof to the secondary female section, the first inner fluid flow channel having a diameter of approximately d1 increasing at a connection point between the first inner fluid flow channel and the secondary female section to form a neck N the secondary female section having an internal diameter of d2 at a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector, where d1 is smaller than d2, the primary Luer male connector being configured to mate with a primary Luer female connector having a secondary male section including a second inner fluid flow channel ex having an internal diameter of approximately d1.
US08979134B2	Joint unit and joint assembly comprising such a joint unit for non-detachable connection of media-conveying lines A joint unit is provided, including a main body, a bush, which is fastened to the main body and forms with the main body a receiving space for a connecting piece, and a separately formed retaining unit arranged in a radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush. The radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush is open towards an axial end face of the bush in at least two circumferential portions. A connection assembly is further provided, including a joint unit and a connecting piece.
US08979123B1	Utility vehicle A utility vehicle includes a chassis frame, a single-row seat arranged on the chassis frame, and a rollover protective structure (R.O.P.S.) surrounding a riding space in which the single-row seat is arranged. The R.O.P.S. includes a right side unit and a left side unit, and a plurality of cross members for detachably coupling the right side unit and the left side unit. Each of the right side unit and the left side unit integrally includes a front pole portion, an upper beam portion, a mid pole portion, and a rear pole portion. For each of the right side unit and the left side unit, a lower end of the front pole portion, a lower end of the mid pole portion, and a lower end of the rear pole portion are individually and detachably coupled to the chassis frame.
US08979108B2	Lever-propelled bicycle A bicycle equipped with two, oscillatingly mounted on a joint axis (1), rear-facing levers (2) with pedals (3) and a rotary-return mechanism comprising a hub (9), bearing-placed on an axis (8), on which fixed are two freewheels (6) cooperating with levers (2) and a third chainwheel (10) transmitting the drive through the chain (13) and sprocket (14) onto the bicycle's drive wheel (15). To each of the levers (2) attached is rotatively on an axis (5) one end of one of the two chains (7) which connect these levers (2) with one of the two freewheels (6), and the other ends of these chains (7) are mutually joined with a chain (11) run on a reversible chainwheel (12). The lever (2) together with a part of the chain (7) in the upper extreme position of the pedal (3) is tangent to one of the two freewheels (6), and the second lever (2) in the bottom extreme position of the second pedal (3) is in a near-vertical position. The chain (11) and reversible chainwheel (12) ideally are lying in a vertical plane tangent to freewheels (6). The rotary-return mechanism is equipped with guards (16) protecting chains (7) against falling off the freewheels (6). In a similar way, the guard (17) protects the chain (11) against falling off the reversible wheelchain (12). The bicycle according to the invention can be equipped with both an internal and external speed changer, and it can be produced in a horizontal version.
US08979104B2	Front body structure A structure (10) for a front section of a vehicle body in a vehicle body (1) comprising a front chamber (3) disposed on the forward side of a vehicle interior (2) is provided with the following: a pair of front side members (11), located within the front chamber, that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; a pair of strut towers (16) disposed on either side in the width direction of the front chamber and within which front wheel suspensions are disposed; and reinforcement members (20) that link the top of each strut tower with the front side members that face the strut towers, and that extend between the strut towers and the front side members. This configuration allows a structure for a front section of a vehicle body to be provided that can efficiently improve the rigidity of the vehicle body of an automobile against torsion and against lateral bending, and that can efficiently reduce the weight of the vehicle body by means of thickness reduction using a high-strength steel plate.
US08979098B2	Collapsible platform truck A foldable platform truck includes a platform, two wheel-connecting bars rotatably attached to the platform, a handle assembly, a handle release and locking mechanism for controlling the handle assembly, a pair of first gear members and a pair of second gear members. The handle release and locking mechanism has an actuator to be operated to allow the handle assembly to pivot between an upright position and a horizontal position. When the handle assembly is in the horizontal position, the wheels are folded up underneath the platform and lie horizontally with respect thereto. And, when the handle assembly is pulled away from the platform to the upright position, the first gear members engage and turn the second gear members, resulting in the wheel-connecting bars rotating to fold out the wheels from underneath the platform toward an eventual perpendicular position with respect to the underside of the platform.
US08979096B2	Inline skates training device A training device for inline roller skates includes a training wheel bracket, a training wheel mounted upon the bracket, and means for adjustably mounting the device upon the inline skate. The training wheel is adapted to engage upon the travel surface to compensate for any unbalance of the trainee and to enable the trainee to travel in a desired direction. The training wheel is adapted to provide a braking action to the roller wheels if the trainee loses balance or the trainee's ankle collapses. The training device serves the dual purpose of providing a means of balancing the skater as well as slowing and braking the forward movement of the skater to control and limit the speed of the skater.
US08979092B2	Luminous dart board set Disclosed is a luminous dart board set. The luminous dart board set comprises: a dart pin (10) including a magnet (11) at the front portion thereof; a dart board (20) made of either an iron plate or an iron rubber sheet and including a printed matter (22) having a printing pattern (21) on the front surface thereof; a body (30) including a fixing part (32) coupled to a bottom surface of the dart board (20) and outwardly bent along the circumference thereof, and a reinforcement part (33) perpendicularly bent in a direction extending away from the fixing part (32); a rim cover (50) including a cover part (51) bent along the circumference of the body (30) so as to cover the front surface of the circumference of the body (30), and a floodlight space (52) spaced apart from the cover part (51); LED parts (70) disposed on the inner face of the rim cover (50) so as to emit light toward the floodlight space (52); and a fluorescent pigment, a phosphorescent pigment, and/or a mixture of the fluorescent pigment and the phosphorescent pigment which is added to the dart pin (10), the rim cover (50), and the printed matter (22).
US08979089B2	Sheet post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and sheet post-processing method According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus includes a machine body, a first roller pair, a tray, a second roller pair, a driving unit, an inlet sensor, a receiving unit and a control unit. The inlet sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet in the first roller pair driven by the driving unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive, from an image forming apparatus, sheet length information in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet as a target to which the print job is applied. The control unit is configured to control the driving unit to rotate, if the sheet length information indicates special length and the inlet sensor detects a trailing end of the sheet, at least rollers of the second roller pair a predetermined number of times and stop the rollers, the second roller pair nipping the sheet.
US08979088B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding portion is provided with a pair of separation rollers that include a feed roller which conveys the sent sheet and a retard roller which applies a rotation force to return the sheet in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction through a torque limiter in a state of being pressed against the feed roller. The sheet feeding portion further includes a rotation transmitting mechanism that transmits a rotation of the retard roller, at the time of sending the sheet to the sheet feeding direction, to the pickup roller and a changing mechanism that switches a retard pressure, which allows the retard roller to be pressed against the feed roller, according to a reaction force that is transmitted to the retard roller from the pickup roller.
US08979086B2	Method and apparatus for securing a workpiece to a fixture plate using a novel workpiece hold-down clamp A workpiece hold-down clamp for securing a workpiece to a fixture plate, the workpiece hold-down clamp comprising: a clamp post for mounting to the fixture plate; and a clamp finger which is adjustably mounted to the clamp post, wherein the clamp finger is configured for selective movement along the clamp post, and wherein the clamp finger comprises a portion for engaging the workpiece; wherein the clamp finger comprises a cantilever beam which is flexible.
US08979082B2	Vibration damping bushing and manufacturing method thereof A vibration damping bushing including: an inner axial member; an outer cylindrical member through which the inner axial member is inserted; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two members; and a stopper member that is fitted onto the inner axial member as a component of a first stopper mechanism that limits relative displacement of the inner axial member against the outer cylindrical member to one side in an axial direction. The inner axial member is formed with a latching depression that opens toward an outer periphery thereof, and the stopper member is provided with a latching piece that protrudes outward in the axial direction. The latching piece is engaged with the latching depression so as to provide a slipping out prevention mechanism for preventing the stopper member from slipping out from the inner axial member.
US08979081B2	Tubular vibration-damping mount A strut mount allows a sufficient pre-compression to be applied to a rubber member without impairing the retaining force for the rubber member, thereby achieving improved durability of the rubber member. A pre-compression member (4) has an outer diameter that is smaller in the distal end side than in the proximal end side, and is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of an inner tube member (1).
US08979076B2	Air spring device An air spring device having a folding bellows which protects the rolling fold against contaminants, the folding bellows being fastened to that end of the rolling piston which lies opposite the rolling fold, and surrounding the outer guide at least over the length of the latter.
US08979073B2	Insulated container with fan An insulated container including a body and a handle coupled to the body. The handle includes a cooling module that includes a fan. The handle is movable between a retracted position and an extended position causing the fan to move from a first position to a second position. The handle optionally includes one or more misting nozzles that are oriented to direct a fluid into the profile of the fan.
US08979072B2	Mast safety restraint mechanism Described herein is a safety restraint mechanism for a mast assembly. The safety restraint mechanism comprises a tension line attached to a lever and a winch mechanism such that operation of the winch mechanism translates a carriage assembly along the mast. A cam brake including an engagement profile at a first end thereon is pivotally attached to the lever at a second end. The cam brake is also pivotally attached to the carriage assembly such that the engagement profile pivots into a brake position or a free lift position relative to a tension force acting on the lever. The lever is pivotally attached to the second end and includes a kickstand. The engagement profile having a protruded portion to abut the tubes in a brake position and a relief portion to space the cam brake from the tubes in a free lift position.
US08979071B2	Video jack and a method of operation A vehicle lift jack is provided. The jack may include: a frame; a lifting arm attached to the frame; a saddle attached to an end of the lifting arm; and a video camera attached to the jack and oriented to capture video footage of an area proximate to the saddle. A method of lifting a vehicle using a jack may be provided. The method may include: positioning the jack under the vehicle; capturing an image of the vehicle; viewing the image; determining the jack is in a desired position with respect to the vehicle; and raising the vehicle with the jack.
US08979070B2	Clamshell housing for dispensing tube of metering dispenser A housing for a dispensing tube of a metering dispenser comprises a mounting half and a strike half carried by the mounting half. A channel for a dispensing tube is defined in the mounting half, and a plunger aperture is defined through the channel. The strike half pivots, relative to the mounting half, between a first pivotal position at least partially covering the channel and a second pivotal position exposing the channel and also slides relative to the mounting half, at least when the strike half is in the first pivotal position, between a first slide position obstructing pivotal movement of the strike half out of the first pivotal position and a second slide position permitting such movement. When the strike half is in the first pivotal position and the first slide position, a plunger strike surface on the strike half is in registration with and facing the plunger aperture.
US08979067B2	Valve insert for a valve cartridge, corresponding valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, solenoid valve having said valve cartridge and method for producing a valve insert A valve insert for a valve cartridge of a solenoid valve, wherein the valve insert is produced as a one-piece, slotted sleeve from a sheet metal strip and has at least one radial bore as an inlet and/or drain opening of a fluid flow and to a corresponding valve cartridge or to a solenoid valve having such a valve insert and to a method for producing a valve insert. The at least one radial bore is designed having a trumpet-shaped geometry in order to specifically influence the flow characteristics of the fluid flow.
US08979060B1	Device holder for retaining an electronic device A device holder for retaining an electronic device is disclosed. The device holder may generally include an inner member and an outer member. The inner member may include a back wall and first and second inner sidewalls extending from the back wall so as to define an inner slot configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device. The outer member may be configured to receive at least a portion of the inner member and may include a first outer sidewall configured to be disposed adjacent to the first inner sidewall and a second outer sidewall configured to be disposed adjacent to the second inner sidewall. When the electronic device is received within the inner slot, at least a portion of the first inner sidewall may be configured to be deformed between the electronic device and the first outer sidewall and at least a portion second inner sidewall may be configured to be deformed between the electronic device and the second outer sidewall.
US08979059B2	Ratchet platform A ratchet platform is vertically adjustable and supports a soldier standing thereupon. The ratchet platform has a platform upper assembly having a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet has a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail. The ratchet platform also has a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The ratchet platform has a platform upper assembly actuator having a pedal sub-assembly and an upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also has a base plate secured to the vehicle floor. The ratchet platform has a seat plate which provides support to the platform upper assembly, the platform lower assembly, and an energy attenuation system.
US08979054B2	Wall mountable storage assembly with articulating connection A wall mountable storage assembly including a storage device, at least one mounting plate, and at least one double-faced adhesive. The storage device includes a coupling bracket forming a first engagement feature. The mounting plate forms a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features have a complimentary construction configured to provide a releasable snap fit connection in which the mounting plate can articulate relative to the coupling bracket. The adhesive is configured to be arranged between the mounting plate and a wall, with the mounting plate articulating relative to the coupling bracket to facilitate complete contact between the adhesive and the wall. The storage device can include two spaced-apart coupling brackets. Two of the mounting plates are provided, each carrying adhesive. The mounting plates can articulate independent of one another, accommodating variations in flatness of the wall to which the storage assembly is mounted.
US08979047B2	Mounting bracket for a window A mounting bracket (1, 41, 91, 121) for a roof window has a frame mountable member (2, 2a, 93, 123), a roof mountable member (3, 3a, 94, 124) and a hinge arrangement (22, 34, 95, 125) for mechanically coupling the roof mountable member (3, 3a, 94, 124) and the frame mountable member (2, 2a, 93, 123) together so that the roof mountable member (3, 3a, 94, 124) is movable between an out of use storage position and an in use mounting position. The location of the pivotal point of the hinge arrangement (22, 34, 95, 125) is movable.
US08979044B2	Magnetic hold devices and systems The invention provides compositions and methods for holding systems, devices, apparatuses, or portions thereof in a retracted, extended, or intermediate configuration. In particular, the invention provides permanent magnets and/or magnetizable materials configured to hold systems, devices, apparatuses, or portions thereof in retracted, extended, and/or intermediate configurations.
US08979041B2	Apparatus for supporting a tablet An apparatus for supporting a tablet includes a case for receiving the tablet. A swivel includes a socket and a ball disposed and retained therein. The ball is selectively rotatable relative to the socket. The ball is coupled to the case and the socket is coupled to a mounting post. The mounting post is releasably fixed to a mounting bar. The mounting bar defines a mounting slot configured to fix the apparatus relative to a structure, such as a microphone stand or the like. The apparatus includes clamping mechanisms to enable a user to selectively fix and release the components of the apparatus such that a user can configure and fix the apparatus to a desired position for interfacing with the tablet, and then lock the apparatus in that desired position.
US08979039B2	Clamp A clamp has a configuration in which a first portion and a second portion having a pair of semicircular inner surfaces are coupled with a thin-walled hinge, a locking portion and a locked portion are provided on free ends of the first and the second portions, the locking portion and the locked portion being lockable to each other, clamping the metal pipe inserted between the semicircular inner surfaces of the first and the second portions. An attaching hole into which an attaching member protruding from the vehicle body can be inserted and locked thereto is provided on the first portion, an opening is provided in a partition portion that separates the attaching hole and the semicircular inner surfaces, a swinging piece projects into the opening, an attaching member contact projection is provided on one side of the swinging piece, and a squeezing rib projects from the other side.
US08979030B2	Supply packs and methods and systems for manufacturing supply packs A cost-effective pack adapted to be distributed from an aircraft in the event of a natural, military, political, or other disaster includes an outer package, at least one item in the outer package for aerial delivery, and at least one aerodynamic component formed on the outer package and methods and systems for making the pack.
US08979027B2	Wall installation system and method A system for attaching a wall panel includes a wall panel and a lock strip. The wall panel has a back and a tab extending from the back. The lock strip is moveably attached to a wall frame member, and has a three-position locking slot, including a receiving portion configured to receive the tab, a locking portion configured to lock the tab with respect to the frame member, and a release portion configured to release the tab. The wall panel is removably attachable to the frame member by inserting the tab into the receiving portion and linearly moving the lock strip to lock the tab in the locking portion. The system can be used for attaching interior sidewall panels in an aircraft.
US08979024B2	Skid landing gear and an aircraft provided with such landing gear A landing gear (3) provided with first and second longitudinal bearing skids (4, 5) and with first and second transverse crossbars (6, 7). The landing gear includes at least one resilient fastener device (10) together with at least one blocking means (20) and at least one centering means (30) for each crossbar.
US08979023B1	Impact protection apparatus An impact protection apparatus is provided, comprising a gas container configured to hold a compressed gas and an inflatable member configured to be inflated by the gas and function as an airbag of a movable object, such as an aerial vehicle. A valve controls flow of gas from the container to the inflatable member in response to a signal from a valve controller. The valve and valve controller are powered by an independent power source than one or more other systems of the movable object. A safety mechanism may also be provided that, unless deactivated, prevents inflation of the inflatable member.
US08979015B2	Anti-torque device with longitudinal thrust for a rotorcraft A tail assembly (10) for a rotorcraft (20), the tail assembly (10) comprising a first stabilizer (3) extending transversely on either side of an anteroposterior plane (P1), and a second stabilizer (4, 4″) extending in elevation. Two propellers (31, 41) positioned on either side of the anteroposterior plane (P1) provide the rotorcraft (20) with at least part of its yaw control and its propulsion. The axes of the two propellers (31, 41) are situated in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (P3) and they intersect at a position in the anteroposterior plane (P1) of the rotorcraft (20) that is located between the front end of the rotorcraft (20) and the propellers (31, 41). Using both propellers (31, 41) of the tail assembly (10) simultaneously makes it possible to provide the rotorcraft (20) with longitudinal thrust while conserving its transverse thrust for the anti-torque function, it being possible to control these two thrusts independently.
US08979010B2	Comb tooth holder The invention relates to a comb tooth holder, especially for comminution devices having cutting teeth disposed on comminution rolls, said cutting teeth interacting with comb teeth arranged on at least one mating holder or cage for comminuting the material to be comminuted. Said comb tooth holder consists of at least one comb tooth body and at least one comb tooth. The comb tooth can be fastened to the comb tooth body by means of a first positively locking portion, at least one additional positively locking portion being provided on the comb tooth holder for fastening the comb tooth to the comb tooth body. The invention is characterized in that a web surface connecting the two positively locking faces extends in the center of or centrally in the recess.
US08979009B2	Concrete crusher A gyratory crusher, which includes a bowl, a head assembly and a cylindrical eccentric assembly. The bowl is shaped as a cone and has a wider opening approaching a top portion of the crusher, and an inner shell, which is backed by a concrete outer shell. The head assembly is shaped as a cone, and is centrally located within the bowl. The head assembly also includes a central mainshaft which is located on an inclined axis within the bowl. The cylindrical eccentric assembly includes an eccentric central volume in which the main shaft is held so that, as the eccentric assembly rotates, the mainshaft gyrates, with the eccentric assembly rotating about a center hole within a central hub of the crusher. A method of making or retrofitting a crushing device such as, for example, a cone crusher or other gyratory crusher, is also provided.
US08979008B2	Mobile aggregate crushing system and method A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.
US08979007B2	Device for comminution of feed material A device for comminuting feed material is provided that has a housing including longitudinal walls and transverse walls for accommodating a rotor that rotates about a longitudinal axis. The rotor is equipped about its circumference with processing tools, and has, on its faces, an annular disk, each of which is concentric to the longitudinal axis. Within the housing, at least one screen path extends over a part of the circumference of the rotor, each screen path running at a slight radial distance from the annular disks while forming a seal gap. The feed material is supplied to the rotor through a feed shaft and is directed out of the device via a material discharge extending downstream of the screen path. In order to return material that emerges through the seal gap to the remaining material flow annular disks are each arranged with an axial clearance A from the transverse walls.
US08979001B2	Portable fluid sprayer with fluid container support features The present disclosure generally relates to fluid sprayers and more specifically, but not by limitation, to a portable airless fluid sprayer including fluid container support features configured to accommodate fluid containers of different sizes. In one example, a fluid sprayer pump assembly is provided and includes a pump assembly housing and a fluid intake conduit configured to provide a fluid path to the pump assembly housing. The fluid sprayer pump assembly also includes a frame assembly supporting the pump assembly housing and including a plurality of fluid container support features. Each of the fluid container support features is configured to accommodate a respective fluid container such that an inlet end of the fluid intake conduit is positionable within the respective fluid container. In one example, a fluid container support feature includes a fluid container holder pivotably attached to the frame assembly and movable between first and second positions.
US08978995B2	Trackbed liner and related methods A trackbed liner which has a particular utility in a railway trackbed, as well as in other trackbeds such as tram trackbeds. The trackbed liner may include an upper support layer; a lower support layer; and at least one middle filtration layer of a material having a plurality of pores and which is normally impermeable to liquid water. In use and under the load of a vehicle acting on the trackbed, the filtration layer permits passage of liquid water upwardly therethrough but restricts the passage of solids materials, so as to restrict pumping erosion of material located beneath the liner. The trackbed liner may be used to renovate a trackbed comprising ballast contaminated with clay particles. The method includes removing contaminated ballast; laying the trackbed liner; and locating fresh ballast on an upper surface of the liner to provide a renovated trackbed.
US08978991B2	Generating a decorative image bar code using filter patterns A composite image is generated from a decorative image, a bar code, and one or more filter patterns. The composite image visually approximates the decorative image, yet the composite image is machine-readable by a scanner capable of reading the bar code, and the composite image encodes the same data as the bar code. Filter patterns provide a flexible way to generate the composite image by selectively updating the decorative image. Updates may be applied in only the locations where necessary, and only by the amount necessary, in order for the composite image to be recognized as a bar code. Also, updates may be applied in arbitrary color spaces, including color spaces where brightness can be altered with less impact on human color perception.
US08978978B2	Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating online gift shopping According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for facilitating online gift shopping includes: receiving an order for a gift for a recipient from an online shopper via a computer network; providing a gift notice for the recipient to inform the recipient that the gift has been ordered for the recipient; receiving a reply to the gift notice from the recipient via the computer network, wherein the reply includes gift feedback information; and updating a recipient profile responsive to the reply and based on the gift feedback information from the recipient, wherein the recipient profile is associated with the recipient. Computer program products and systems for facilitating online gift shopping are also provided.
US08978976B2	Electronic identification card including a display device, and method of checking counterfeit/alteration of an electronic identification card An electronic identification card includes a display device. The display device includes a first memory region configured to store image data about a card holder of the electronic identification card, a second memory region configured to store unique pattern data about a unique pattern that is unique to the electronic identification card, and a display panel configured to display an image of the card holder based on the image data stored in the first memory region, and configured to display the unique pattern based on the unique pattern data stored in the second memory region.
US08978969B2	Anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcode, system and method for anti-counterfeit with dynamic barcode An anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcodes is disclosed. An anti-counterfeit system with dynamic barcodes provides an anti-counterfeit mechanism when a user uses an electronic value barcode. The anti-counterfeit device includes a barcode generator module, an anti-counterfeit generator module and a combination module. The barcode generator module generates electronic barcodes that can be read directly by a barcode reader. The anti-counterfeit generator module generates dynamic anti-counterfeit labels with dynamic exchange information varying in time. The combination module generates anti-counterfeit barcodes by combining the electronic barcodes and the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels. The dynamic anti-counterfeit labels are visible, and are used for enhancing the anti-counterfeit capability of the electronic barcodes. Moreover, the electronic barcode with the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels can be read directly and correctly by the barcode reader without illuminant interference. Therefore, whether the electronic barcodes are forged barcodes is determined by observing the dynamic changes of the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels.
US08978961B2	Method for producing connecting elements by way of a pressure welding process and connecting element The method is used to produce connecting elements (1). The connecting elements (1) are intended for coupling functional elements for applications in the field of oil drilling technology. The connecting element comprises two end pieces (2, 3) and at least one spacer (4) connecting the end pieces to each other. At least one spacer (4) is connected to at least one of the end pieces (2, 3) by pressure welding.
US08978944B2	Clamp braces and related methods In one embodiment, an apparatus to carry a portable device comprises a brace body, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the brace body, and a locking mechanism coupled to the brace body. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the apparatus for an adjusted fit and to retain the adjusted fit for the apparatus when not in use. The locking mechanism is configured to conform to a locked state to configure the apparatus for a bracing fit and to conform to an unlocked state to configure the apparatus for a relaxed fit. The bracing fit is configured to brace the apparatus at a usage position, and the relaxed fit permits positioning of the apparatus relative to the usage position.
US08978943B2	Armband for holding an electronic device An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.
US08978940B2	Crown type sizer for a hanger A crown-type sizer for mounting on a hanger includes a body and a hook extending from a mid-point of the body. The sizer includes a pair of parallel walls and a pair of non-parallel walls, each wall of the non-parallel walls being joined to each wall of the parallel walls, the pairs of walls defining a lower open base and an open base in an upper part of the sizer for passing over the hook. Each of the parallel walls has a single boss disposed in a corner of the respective parallel wall and each non-parallel wall is shorter in height than at least one parallel wall.
US08978937B2	Actuator for an aerosol container An actuator (1) for a hand-held aerosol container fitted centrally at its top with a dispensing valve, the actuator having: (i) a cup-shaped over-cap (3) attachable to the container and having a top wall defining a gap through which a spray channel passes, the gap restricting lateral movement of the spray channel; (ii) a spray channel (4) in fluid connection with the valve; (iii) an actuator button (5) having a finger pad from which a keel depends; the keel dependent from the finger pad of the button (5) being able to press down onto the spray channel (4) and the spray channel (4) on to the valve after the first slide movement of the button (5), but not before; whereby the actuator button (5) has a distinct first slide movement that puts it into an orientation in which a second depression movement causes release of the contents of the associated dispenser and in that the force required for the first slide movement of the actuator button (5) is at least 5N.
US08978936B2	Apparatus and method for releasing a unit dose of content from a container A apparatus for delivering a predetermined quantity of content from a pressurized container includes a dispensing assembly which sits on the container and connects with an upper portion of a valve stem of the valve assembly, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a) an actuator cap having a discharge passage, which is open or obstructed and wherein the actuator cap acts as a metering chamber in combination with b) an adaptor which fits inside the cap and also snuggly engages the valve stem. The cap fits snuggly over the adjuster to define a metering chamber which depending on its position can close off the metered chamber or open it to the dispensing conduit\nozzle. When the cap is depressed it pushes down on the adjuster which depresses the valve. The chamber fills, but nothing is released until the upstroke.
US08978934B2	Dispenser for viscous materials A dispenser for dispensing a viscous fluid stored directly within the body of the dispenser, or within a cartridge inserted within the dispenser in which the viscous fluid is forced through a dispensing aperture by advancing a piston member and where the piston is advanced by turning a first thread member that locates in the female thread of a main body member and where upon completion of such turning resilient means are provided to partly reverse the direction in which the first thread member was turned and so avoid unwanted flow of fluid following completion of such turning.
US08978931B2	Machine for making and dispensing semiliquid and/or semisolid food products A machine for making and dispensing semiliquid and/or semisolid food products comprises a frame (2) furnished with a base (4) and an operating unit (6) for processing at least one mixture for making and dispensing the products. The operating unit (6) is movable at least between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the base (4) through the agency of a respective movement means (8).
US08978924B1	Box equipped with dual-colored handle A tool box is equipped with a dual-colored handle. The dual-colored handle includes a frame of a color and a pad of another color. The frame is formed with two axles. The pad is formed with two rings each. Each of the rings is placed around and on a corresponding one of the axles as the frame and the pad are joined together.
US08978919B2	Gas storage cartridge A gas storage cartridge includes a sealed cartridge unit for storing a gas storage material. The gas storage cartridge is defined by a first slab, a peripheral wall, and a second slab. At least one gas-guiding channel is accommodated within a receptacle of the gas storage cartridge. The first slab has a first gas inlet/outlet port and the second slab has a second gas inlet/outlet port aligned with the gas-guiding channel. Consequently, a gas is guided into the receptacle through the gas-guiding channel to be adsorbed by the gas storage material within the receptacle of the gas storage cartridge. Alternatively, the gas released from the gas storage material can be guided to the first gas inlet/outlet port and the second gas inlet/outlet port through the gas-guiding channel.
US08978913B2	Filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle with selective opening A filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle has a funnel insert having a lockable flap with a lock, which is held by two elements which can each be pivoted about a pin. The flap is released only when both elements are pivoted to one side simultaneously by the filler tube of a gas pump nozzle. In order to open the flap with minimal actuating forces, the first element can be pivoted about a first pin and holds the hinge pin for the flap on its end far from the first pin, and the second element can be pivoted about a second pin and forms a locking hook. The two pins have a spatial distance from one another in the transverse direction and the two elements are loaded with respect to one another by at least one spring.
US08978909B2	Closure device for a container, and seal member for the device Disclosed is a closure device for a container, which seals an opening (6) that opens at the top of a container (2) and has a rim (7) on its periphery. The closure device comprises a seal member (8) that is to cover the opening (6) on the top of the container (2), and a synthetic resin cap (9) that is to press the seal member (8) against the upper surface of the rim (7). The seal member (8) comprises a flange (10) to be mounted on the upper surface of the rim (7). The cap (9) comprises a top wall (15), a cylinder part (16), and a locking part (18). The top wall (15) is to be disposed above the flange (10). The cylinder part (16) hangs down from the outer circumference of the top wall (15). The locking part (18) is disposed on the inner surface of the cylinder part (16). After the cap (9) is pushed down, the locking part (18) locks at the under surface of the rim (7). The upper surface of the flange (10) has a compressible projection (29). The compressible projection (29) is annularly arranged in contact with and along the outer circumference of the flange (10) in a planar view.
US08978907B2	Straw holder having a date rape testing capability A drink cover for covering a mouth of a can or a bottle is formed of a flexible sheet material. The drink cover includes a mouth-covering portion dimensioned for placement above the mouth of the one of the can and the bottle so that the entire area of the mouth is covered by the mouth-covering portion and a retaining portion proximate the mouth-covering portion comprising a first edge engageable with the pull tab of the can or the bottle adjacent to the mouth for retaining the drink cover in an installed position on the can or the bottle. The mouth-covering portion is attached to the retaining portion by at least one connection.
US08978889B2	Carton with article protection feature A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one article retention panel is for retaining the at least one article. The article retention panel is foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article retention panel is positioned relative to the at least one panel to contact the at least one article.
US08978888B2	Flower pot carrier with suspension tab Disclosed herein are embodiments of a carrier for organizing and transporting a plurality of horticultural containers. In one aspect, a carrier includes: a plurality of connected open ended container receiving receptacles each configured to carry a horticultural container by supporting an upper portion thereof; and at least one tab configured to engage a container received by one of the plurality of container receiving receptacles such that the carrier is at least partially suspended with respect to the container.
US08978885B2	System and method for exchanging a battery of a hearing device The present invention provides a system that allows an easy and quick exchange of small batteries of hearing devices as well as a method for exchanging a battery of a hearing device that combines the installation of a new battery into the hearing device with the deinstallation of the battery to be replaced from the hearing device in a single action using a single mechanism. The inventive battery exchange system comprises a carrier module 1, which features a hearing device receiving means shaped to receive a part of a hearing device 4 and a battery passage that traverses the carrier module 1, a battery dispensing module 2 adapted to accommodate at least one battery 7 and a battery ejection means 3 adapted to eject a battery 7 from the battery dispensing module 2 into the battery passage of the carrier module 1.
US08978882B2	Swing tag card holder An assembly for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, upon a panel that pivots to be received within a pouch, pocket or sleeve to hold and retain the card during transport and storage.
US08978878B2	Detection device for a conveyor The invention relates to a detection device (2) intended to be positioned in a conveyor (1) which comprises conveying rollers (100) arranged between two lateral uprights (10, 11) to convey goods in a conveying direction (D), the device comprising: an elongate support extending over its length along a longitudinal axis (X), said support supporting a number of detectors (40) distributed along its longitudinal axis (X) to detect the goods borne by the conveyor (1), said support being intended to be positioned between two conveying rollers (100), fixed between the two lateral uprights (10, 11) of the conveyor (1), transversally relative to the conveying direction (D).
US08978860B2	Transmission for a vehicle and a method of assembling the transmission A transmission for a vehicle and a method of assembling the transmission of the vehicle are disclosed. The transmission includes a housing defining a cavity and a recess disposed inside the housing. The recess extends outwardly away from the cavity along a longitudinal axis. The transmission further includes a clutch disposed inside the cavity. In addition, the transmission includes a guide member disposed inside the cavity and defining a first path and a second path spaced from each other. At least one of the first and second paths is in fluid communication with the clutch. The guide member includes a mounting portion disposed in the recess and engaging the housing in an interference fit to secure the guide member to the housing.
US08978846B2	Bicycle damping enhancement system A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US08978841B2	Universal brake assembly A brake actuator assembly for a railway vehicle braking system includes a pair of end members spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the brake actuator assembly, a hollow flexible elastomeric member, two peripheral flanges extending outwardly from ends of the hollow flexible elastomeric member. Two retaining members, apertures and fasteners are employed for attaching each peripheral flange directly to a respectively positioned end member. The brake actuator assembly is connected to a source of fluid under pressure enabling inflation of the flexible elastomeric member and initiation of a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The brake actuator assembly of the instant invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Currently used brake assemblies employing cylinder type actuators may be retrofitted with the brake actuator assembly of the instant invention.
US08978839B2	Pneumatic brake actuator with flow insensitive two way control valve A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.
US08978835B1	Apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of a wheel of a skateboard, skate or similar wheeled device Apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of a wheel of a skateboard or other similar wheeled device includes a lug adapter projecting away from a wheel axle, a wheel contact member for engaging the wheel face, wheel contact member engagement structure applying a frictional force to the wheel contact member and manually operable control structure to vary the magnitude of the frictional force.
US08978828B2	Method for metered dispensing of lubricant The invention relates to a method for metered dispensing of lubricants using a lubricant dispenser comprising a reservoir chamber filled with lubricant, a gas generating unit for electrochemically generating gas, a piston acted on by the generated gas for outputting the lubricant from the reservoir chamber, and an electronic control unit for controlling the electrochemical gas generation. According to the invention, the temperature of the lubricant or the environment is measured at time intervals, and an average temperature value is derived from a plurality of measured temperature values. Using stored correction values describing the temperature-dependence of the electrochemical gas generating rate, a control parameter determining the electrochemical gas generation is set for the average temperature value, having the requirement that the gas generating rate at the average temperature value corresponds to the target value that correlates to prescribed dispensing time.
US08978826B2	Compressor Disclosed is a compressor capable of having an enhanced performance by sufficiently supplying oil to components where sliding occurs not only in a high speed driving mode but also in a low speed driving mode. The compressor may increase an oil supply amount in a low speed driving mode, but may restrict an oil supply amount when a rotation speed of a driving motor reaches a predetermined speed in a constant or high speed driving mode, by setting the number of turns of an external groove to be approximately 1.75, and by forming an oil feeder in a conical shape.
US08978824B2	Turbomachinery with integrated pump The disclosed embodiments include self-lubricating oil feed systems that may include an integral bearing. The oil feed systems may include gear pumps suitable to minimize the axial profile of the oil feed systems. Additionally, the oil feed systems may be directly coupled to turbomachinery having a gear, and provide for mechanical support and lubrication of certain components of the turbomachinery. In certain embodiments, the oil feed systems enables the transfer of a lubrication fluid to the bearing during operations of the turbomachinery.
US08978822B2	Vertical frame of metal The invention relates to a vertical frame made of metal, particularly a scaffolding frame, having at least one first vertical shaft (21) and a bar-shaped, horizontal transversal arm (23) extending away from the same, the shaft and arm being permanently connected to each other, having the following characteristics: a first perforated disk having a plurality of openings is permanently mounted to the shaft (21), wherein the perforated disk is disposed concentrically to the shaft (21) and surrounds the shaft (21) in a flange manner; at least one first mounting device is provided on the shaft (21) at a distance to the perforated disk for mounting a fall-protection means; the transversal arm (23) on one end thereof has a first connecting head, and on the second end thereof facing away from the first end has a second connecting head by which the transversal arm (23) can be secured, or is secured, on a second vertical shaft (21) via a second perforated disk equipped with a plurality of openings by forming a vertical frame; each connecting head is delimited by side wall parts having vertical exterior surfaces that are tapered toward a center in a wedge manner; the vertical exterior surfaces form a wedge angle of preferably about 45 degrees; each connecting head has an upper head part and a lower head part.
US08978821B2	Anchor trolley and fall arrest system and method implementing the same A fall arrest anchor trolley for arresting the fall of a user. In one embodiment, the invention can be a fall arrest trolley comprising: a body a brake sub-system, and a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein bottoms of the plurality of wheels collectively define a rolling plane; the brake sub-system comprising a brake rod, a brake pad connected to the brake rod, a lanyard connector connected to the brake rod, and a resilient element; the brake rod slidably coupled to the body so that the brake sub-system is alterable between: (1) a free state in which the brake pad is spaced a distance above the rolling plane; and (2) an arrest state in which at least a portion of the brake pad is located within the rolling plane; the resilient element biasing the brake sub-system into the free state.
US08978809B2	Saddle-ride vehicle A saddle-ride vehicle includes a steering shaft, a head pipe, a main frame, a top bridge and a bottom bridge, an upper end bearing and a lower end bearing, a potentiometer, a bracket, and a thread nut. The steering shaft has a shaft axis. The head pipe supports the steering shaft to be rotatable around the shaft axis. The main frame extends from the head pipe toward a rear side of a vehicle body. The top bridge and the bottom bridge are fixed to upper and lower ends of the steering shaft, respectively. The upper end bearing and the lower end bearing are provided inside the head pipe at upper and lower ends of the head pipe, respectively to support the steering shaft rotatably. The potentiometer includes a cable and is configured to output an electric signal in accordance with a pullout amount of the cable.
US08978807B2	Terrain traversing device having a wheel with microhooks A terrain traversing device is described. The device includes an annular rotor element with a plurality of co-planar microspine hooks arranged on the periphery of the annular rotor element. Each microspine hook has an independently flexible suspension configuration that permits the microspine hook to initially engage an irregularity in a terrain surface at a preset initial engagement angle and subsequently engage the irregularity with a continuously varying engagement angle when the annular rotor element is rotated for urging the terrain traversing device to traverse a terrain surface. Improvements related to the design, fabrication and use of the microspine hooks in the device are also described.
US08978803B2	Divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system A divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system which is configured such that HVAC air entering at the HVAC air inlet is prevented from partly backflowing out the cabin air inlet via a dividing wall disposed therein so that all the HVAC air exits the divided dual inlet housing at the air outlet.
US08978802B2	Air intake configuration for an agricultural harvesting machine An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.
US08978800B2	Electrohydraulic hybrid lifting vehicle A lifting vehicle having two axles with respective differentials; a constant-velocity, universal joint drive connecting the differentials; a telescopic arm; and a hydraulic circuit powered by a hydraulic pump to operate the telescopic arm. The vehicle also has, housed in a first side compartment between the axles, an internal combustion engine, a reversible electric machine, the hydraulic pump, and a disconnectable drive for selectively disconnecting the internal combustion engine from the reversible electric machine and hydraulic pump; the reversible electric machine driving the hydraulic pump when the internal combustion engine is disconnected from the disconnectable drive; and a battery being housed in a second side compartment, on the opposite side of the constant-velocity, universal joint drive to the first side compartment, being connected for charging to the reversible electric machine, and being connected to an electric motor connected to the battery and the constant-velocity, universal joint drive in a third compartment beneath the telescopic arm.
US08978798B2	Hybrid vehicle drive system and method and idle reduction system and method One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO and an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic motor. The electric motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.
US08978796B2	Tractor having dual hydrostatic drive with single hand control and attachment adapter for powered attachments A tractor has a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels. A handle structure is coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor. A drive system drives each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source. A single lever hand control is provided for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed.
US08978792B2	Robot for climbing posts A climbing robot that can move along a post having a vertical axis comprises a frame fitted with motorized movement assembly for moving along the post and with a module for controlling and commanding the motorized movement assembly. The motorized movement assembly comprises a bracing structure wherein the center of gravity is at a distance from the axis of the post and which comprise at least two rolling contact elements designed to be in contact with the post, including at least one motorized rolling contact element called the propulsion contact element.
US08978789B1	Polycrystalline diamond compact including an at least bi-layer polycrystalline diamond table, methods of manufacturing same, and applications therefor In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface. The PCD table includes a first PCD region including bonded-together diamond grains and exhibits a first diamond density. At least a portion of the first PCD region extending inwardly from the working surface is substantially free of metal-solvent catalyst. The PCD table includes an intermediate second PCD region bonded to the substrate, which is disposed between the first PCD region and the substrate. The second PCD region includes bonded-together diamond grains defining interstitial regions, with at least a portion of the interstitial regions including metal-solvent catalyst disposed therein. The second PCD region exhibits a second diamond density that is greater than that of the first diamond density of the first PCD region.
US08978788B2	Cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate including a rear surface, an upper surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the rear surface and the upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body and comprising a superabrasive layer bonded to an external surface of the sleeve.
US08978784B2	Directional well drilling A drilling assembly comprises a bent housing terminating in a drill bit (18), and a top section coupled to the bent section. The top section is suspended upon coiled tubing (10). The drilling assembly includes an orienter means (2-6) capable of rotating the bent housing with respect to the top section, wherein the orienter means includes an electric motor (34) situated in the bent section. The bent housing includes sensor means (30) for monitoring downhole physical variables, the sensor means being situated in the bent section. The orienter means may be an electro-mechanical motor.
US08978777B2	Non-rotation lock screw A non-rotation lock screw for a wellhead assembly is provided that includes a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion includes a distal end configured to engage a component of the wellhead assembly, and may include one or more seals. The rotating portion may be rotating into a component of wellhead assembly such that the non-rotating portion translates in a radial direction. The rotating portion and non-rotating portion may be coupled together via a bearing to enable free rotation of the rotating portion. Systems and methods of operation that include the non-rotation lock screw are also provided.
US08978773B2	Sliding sleeve bypass valve for well treatment A downhole bypass valve utilizes a stationary sleeve defining an interior ball-seat. When a dropped ball is seated, fluid differential pressure is diverted to an annular area adjacent a first sliding sleeve. The sleeve slides in response to the pressure differential upon shearing of a shear pin, or similar, and opens ports to the wellbore annulus. Treatment or maintenance operations can then occur through the ports, which can be fitted with nozzles. A second sliding sleeve, independent from the first, is operated in response to dropping a second ball into the device. The second ball diverts fluid differential pressure to an annular area adjacent the second sleeve and movement occurs when a shear pin shears. The second sleeve covers the ports to the wellbore annulus and closes the valve. After a sliding sleeve shifts, pressure across the sleeve is equalized, allowing reverse flow without risk of accidental sleeve actuation.
US08978769B2	Offshore hydrocarbon cooling system An offshore hydrocarbon cooling system is provided. The system includes one or more hydrocarbon process fluid heat exchangers arranged in heat exchange communication between a hydrocarbon process fluid and a cooling medium fluid, a cooling medium fluid distribution pipe system connected to the hydrocarbon process fluid heat exchangers, and a subsea cooling unit for cooling the cooling medium fluid. The subsea cooling unit includes an inlet and an outlet arranged in fluid communication with the cooling medium fluid distribution pipe system, one or more subsea cooling modules, a first conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the subsea cooling module(s) and a second conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the subsea cooling module(s) and the outlet. Each cooling module comprises a plurality of cooling pipes configured in heat exchange relationship with surrounding seawater.
US08978764B2	Multi-stage fracture injection process for enhanced resource production from shales The invention relates to a method of generating a network of fractures in a rock formation for extraction of hydrocarbon or other resource from the formation. The method includes the steps of i) enhancing a network of natural fractures and incipient fractures within the formation by injecting a non-slurry aqueous solution into the well under conditions suitable for promoting dilation, shearing and/or hydraulic communication of the natural fractures, and subsequently ii) inducing a large-fracture network that is in hydraulic communication with the enhanced natural fracture network by injecting a plurality of slurries comprising a carrying fluid and sequentially larger-grained granular proppants into said well in a series of injection episodes.
US08978759B2	Electrostatic particulate coating methods and apparatus for fracturing fluids A method and apparatus for making up fracturing fluid with coated proppant applies opposed electrical charges to the proppant and its coating to create a uniform coating without extensive mechanical mixing, and additionally, the method applies opposed electrical charges to the coated proppant and fracturing fluid to enhance mixing.
US08978754B2	Controllably-deformable inflatable sleeve, production method thereof and use of same for pressure metering applications An inflatable sleeve or packer includes a mandrel that extends along a longitudinal axis and a sealed inflatable jacket which is connected to the mandrel and selectively adopts a rest configuration or a maximum inflation configuration. The sleeve also includes a restraining sheath which covers the inflatable jacket and is at least partially formed by essentially inextensible fibers including peripheral fibers which each extend around the longitudinal axis, the peripheral fibers adopting a pleated configuration for the rest configuration of the jacket and a stretched configuration for the maximum inflation configuration thereof.
US08978753B2	Cyclonic strainer A cyclonic strainer for a well intake that provides for improved separation of gas and fluid in naturally flowing wells during mechanical pumping operations. The strainer includes an elongated member having a channel formed longitudinally therein. A plurality of apertures extend through the elongated member angled downwardly into the channel and away from a center of the channel allowing for a better shear between gas and fluids. The angle of the ports causes fluid to be forced in an opposite direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly, due to kinetic energy. The angle of the ports can be varied to accommodate different conditions in various well environments. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, it can be desired for the ports to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than for well environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme.
US08978752B2	Electric submersible pump band basket catcher A basket catcher for catching debris such as broken metal bands from an oil borehole casing as production tubing is withdrawn. The basket catcher has a collar that includes a series of spring-tensioned blades directed upwardly catch debris as the basket is withdrawn through the casing, preventing the debris from occluding the borehole.
US08978748B2	Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system comprising: a heat exchanger connected to two circuits of fluids, the variable delivery pump making it possible to vary the flow-rate of the first fluid inside the heat exchanger; a return loop on the primary circuit allowing the first fluid reaching the input of the heat exchanger to mix with a portion of the first fluid coming from the output of the exchanger; a first temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the second fluid coming from the secondary circuit; a second temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the first fluid coming from a primary circuit; a control unit electrically connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the sensors generating electrical signals as functions of the temperatures and constituting electrical input signals of the control unit.
US08978742B2	Heat conducting structure with coplanar heated portion, manufacturing method thereof, and heat sink therewith A heat conducting structure, a heat sink with the heat conducting structure, and a manufacturing method of the heat conducting structure are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first mold (20) and a second mold (30) having different concave cambers (211, 211a, 221, 221a), using the first mold (20) to progressively compress the heat pipes (10) and form a camber (112) at an evaporating section (11), using the second mold (30) to compress the camber (112) to form a contact plane (112′) and an attaching plane (113′) perpendicular to each other, coating an adhesive (50) on the contact planes (112′), connecting the contact planes to make the attaching planes co-planar.
US08978712B2	Flexible tubes The present invention relates to a flexible tube with folding bellows and a plurality of convolutes formed in the wall of the tube and the folding bellows has a convolute which has two opposite bending zones and two restricted elongation zones, where the arrangement has the restricted elongation zones between the opposite bending zones, and the height of the external surface of the convolutes in the restricted elongation zones is below the height of the external surface of the convolutes in the bending zones but still above external surface of the tube, and the wall thickness of the flexible tube in at least one restricted elongation zone in at least one convolute, preferably in all convolutes, of the restricted elongation zones of the tube is specifically greater than the wall thickness in the bending zones.
US08978706B2	Pressure reducer Pressure reducers are disclosed that, in some embodiments, are designed for use in a pressurized pipe line to provide variable resistance to flow of process fluid, such as steam or water, with no moving parts. The pressure reducers have an elongate outer shell and an inner sleeve spaced radially inwardly from the outer shell. The outer shell is defined by an outer annular wall having an open end and an end wall opposite the open end. The inner sleeve and the outer shell are connected near the open end. The inner sleeve defines a passageway that extends into a cavity defined by the outer shell and has an outlet that is spaced from the end wall. The outer annular wall and the end wall are perforated by a plurality of flow holes extending therethrough, and the sleeve is preferably not perforated.
US08978704B2	Pulsation damper of a vehicle braking system A pulsation damper of a vehicle braking system includes a connection for supplying and discharging fluid into a damper chamber. The connection has a segmented design with a first segment of the connection forming a supply line and a second segment of the connection forming a discharge line. The two segments are delimited from each other by a separating wall.
US08978702B2	Fluid processing apparatus and processing method A fluid processing apparatus for processing a material to be processed between processing surfaces of processing members capable of approaching to and separating from each other, so as to rotate relative to each other, introduces a first fluid between the processing surfaces, introduces a second fluid between the processing surfaces from another flow path independent of the first fluid, and mixes and stirs the first and second fluids between the processing surfaces to undergo treatment. A processing member is composed by assembling a plurality of divided components of the processing member. An opening and a flow path are formed in the space between the plurality of components. This eliminates the need to create all ring-shaped disks which are the processing member as one block, and also eliminates the need to substantially process the flow path leading to the opening, thereby making it possible to easily undergo decomposition and cleaning.
US08978698B2	Blowout preventer monitoring system and method of using same A blowout preventer for sealing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, at least one ram slidably positionable in the housing (each of the rams having a ram block for sealing engagement about the tubular), an actuator for selectively driving the ram block (the actuator comprising a piston slidably positionable in a cylinder), and a monitor for detecting the piston therein. The monitor has a visual indicator on an exterior of the cylinder. The visual indicator is operatively coupled to the piston for displaying a position of the piston as the piston travels within the cylinder whereby a position of the ram may be determined.
US08978697B2	Filter element and control valve for a camshaft adjustment system A filter element for a control valve of a camshaft adjuster. The filter element has an annular filter fabric for extracting particles, and a gripping frame for fastening the annular filter fabric. The gripping frame is designed here for the planar bracing of the annular filter fabric on the control valve. Furthermore, a control valve is disclosed for a camshaft adjuster with a corresponding filter element.
US08978693B2	Inflation valve allowing for rapid inflation and deflation of an inflatable object Disclosed is an inflation valve enabling a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. The inflation valve can include an inflation chamber that is an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. This allows surrounding air into the area of low pressure created by the moving air, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. Each valve can prevent air from escaping the inflation chamber until adequate pressure is applied from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. The invertible one-way valve can be inverted to reverse the properties of the valve.
US08978681B2	Portable barrier A portable barrier has a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first leg and the second leg. The portable barrier further has a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms includes a first arm and a second arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first arm and the second arm. Further, the portable barrier has (i) a second limiter extending between the first arm and the first leg, (ii) a supplemental component movable with respect to the second arm; and (iii) a third limiter extending between the second arm and the supplemental component.
US08978674B2	Water-bearing domestic appliance with a water diverter A water-bearing domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, having a water diverter which is formed by an adjustable fluid distributor body provided with one or more passage openings. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, respective passage openings connect a respective water supply path to a respective water discharge path in such a way that the direction of flow of water into and out of the passage openings is established in essentially the same direction of flow of water.
US08978663B2	Charger package for electronic cigarette components A charger package apparatus for use with electronic cigarette components, which include truncated components and elongated components that have an electrical coupling connected to a rechargeable power source. The apparatus includes a compact box enclosure with an access opening, and with plural compartments formed indies, which receive electronic cigarette components, and where are least one of the compartment is an elongated compartment. The box also includes a battery compartment with a battery contact for engaging a replaceable battery, and a charge circuit coupled to receive power from the battery contact. A charge contact assembly is coupled to the charge circuit and aligned with the elongated compartment to engage the electrical coupling of an elongated component, which can then transfer power to its rechargeable power source. Also, a lid is selectively engaged with the access opening to close the box.
US08978662B2	Tobacco filter containing magnesium aluminometasilicate A tobacco filter contains from 0.5 to 95% by mass of magnesium aluminometasilicate.
US08978658B2	Self-pressurizing supraglottic airway A supraglottic airway of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening where the shield is designed to have an internal increase in pressure during assisted inhalation such as positive-pressure ventilation.
US08978656B2	Tube-positioning device for a breathing mask A tube-positioning device mounted on a breathing mask and holding a breathing tube has a headgear buckle and a tube retainer. The headgear buckle has a pivot bracket formed thereon and having a pivot hole defined through the pivot bracket and an annular groove defined radially in the pivot bracket. The tube retainer is mounted detachably and rotatably on the headgear buckle and has two resilient arms, a clamping recess, a pivot shaft and two hooking arms. The resilient arms are curved and the clamping recess is formed between the resilient arms. The hooking arms are formed respectively on and protrude down from the resilient arms and detachably engage and hook in the annular groove of the pivot bracket. Pressing the resilient arms toward each other disengages the hooking arms from the annular groove to rapidly detach the tube retainer from the headgear buckle.
US08978645B2	Dry powder aerosolized inhaler This invention provides an aerosolized inhaler which enables the drug powder to aerosolize within the inhaler by breathing in the air, comprising the main body (11) and the mouthpiece connector (12) connected thereupon, wherein the inhaler the main body (11) has drug holding opening (1), which connects with the vortex passage, and the vortex passage connects with the mouthpiece (9) on the mouthpiece connector (12). It has many obvious advantages as increasing the inhalation rate, pushing more drug granule to reach to the lower respiratory tract and even into the alveolus; and meanwhile, keeping the drug from being blown out of the inhaler when the users breathes out, preventing from cross inflection and minimizing the side effect of the drug to the whole body, and obviously lightening the burden on the users.
US08978644B2	Passenger service unit with emergency oxygen supply and reading light The invention relates to a passenger service unit (PSU) for use in an aircraft, comprising a reading light having a light source and a reflector partially enclosing the light source, and an emergency oxygen supply device comprising an oxygen source, a starter unit for releasing oxygen flow from said oxygen source to an oxygen mask, a control unit for controlling oxygen flow rate from said oxygen source to said oxygen mask and an electrical energy storage device like a rechargeable battery pack or a condensator, for providing electrical energy to said control unit and/or said starter unit. According to the invention, the PSU comprises an energy harvesting unit adjacent to or integrated into said reflector of said reading light wherein said energy harvesting unit is electrically connected to said electrical energy storage device.
US08978637B2	Top burner and cooker comprising the same A top burner and a cooker having the top burner are provided. The top burner includes a first burner provided with a plurality of flame holes that form flame by combusting mixed gas and a second burner provided with a plurality of flame holes that form flame separated from the flame formed by the flame holes of the first burner by combusting the mixed gas. An arrangement of the flame holes of the first burner is realized in a different shape from an arrangement of the flame holes of the second burner.
US08978632B2	Ion sensing method for capacitive discharge ignition A method of ion sensing in a CD ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprises: a) closing the controllable switch in synchronism with the internal combustion engine for a period of time to transfer energy to the ignition coil primary to cause a spark breakdown across the spark plug; and b) observing the current in the secondary winding circuit indicative of ionization in the vicinity of the spark plug electrodes.
US08978631B2	Engine equipped with breather mechanism Breather mechanism includes a breather passage opening into a crankcase, a breather chamber communicating with the crankcase via the breather passage, and a valve provided in the breather chamber and openable to allow blow-by gas to flow from the crankcase into the breather chamber once inner pressure of the crankcase exceeds a predetermined value. When the engine is placed in a laterally laid-down position, entry, into the breather chamber, of lubricating oil is prevented by the breather passage. When the engine is placed in a vertically upright position, an outlet end portion of the breather passage is located above an inlet end portion of the breather passage.
US08978622B2	Automatic choke apparatus for engine There is provided an automatic choke apparatus for an engine. A bimetal that is coupled to a choke valve of an intake system is provided in the vicinity of an outer wall face of a muffler. The muffler is divided into a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber across a partition plate. An exhaust hole that allows the expansion chambers to be communicated with each other is formed at the lower part of the partition plate. An exhaust gas is guided from the upstream first expansion chamber toward the downstream second expansion chamber through the exhaust hole. A bypass hole is formed at an upper part of the partition plate in such a manner that that the expansion chambers are communicated with each other as bypassing the exhaust hole. The bypass hole is open to the vicinity of the outer wall face opposite to the bimetal.
US08978616B2	Internal combustion engine with multi-joint crank drive and additional masses on articulated connecting rods of the multi-joint crank drive for damping free inertia forces An internal combustion engine has a multi-joint crank drive which includes a plurality of coupling members rotatably mounted on a crankshaft and a plurality of articulated connecting rods rotatably mounted on an eccentric shaft, wherein each of the coupling members is pivotably connected to a piston connecting rod of a piston of the internal combustion engine and to one of the articulated connecting rods. In order that the second-order mass forces can be better compensated without a considerable increase in the friction losses, the required packaging space, the weight of the multi-joint crank drive, or the bearing forces in the bearings of the crankshaft, the articulated connecting rods are provided with additional masses and have a center of mass that lies outside the longitudinal center planes of the articulated connecting rods.
US08978615B2	Device for the sealed connection of communicating ducts in adjoining and/or connected components of an internal combustion engine A device for the sealed connection of communicating ducts in adjoining components or an internal combustion engine includes a connecting pipe inserted into the ducts and which has a pipe portion which projects into a first component. A sealing ring is disposed between the pipe portion and an associated duct wall of the first component. The connecting pipe furthermore has an annular collar accommodated in a duct-side recess of the second component, wherein an axially sealing second sealing ring is arranged between a face-side portion of the annular collar and a wall region of a duct-side recess, the annular collar accommodated in the recess with a radial circumferential gap.
US08978611B2	Piston for internal combustion Disclosed is a piston (16) that is capable of not only suppressing the occurrence of knocking but also reducing cooling loss in an internal combustion engine in which a tumble flow is formed in a cylinder. The piston for the internal combustion engine in which the tumble flow is formed in the cylinder includes a non-adiabatic region (50) that is a region on a piston upper surface (35) brought into contact with the tumble flow during an intake stroke and has no insulating layer. The piston also includes an adiabatic region (52) that is a region on at least a part of the piston upper surface excluding the non-adiabatic region and has an insulating layer.
US08978606B2	Device for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine A device (11) for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves (9, 10) of an internal combustion engine (1), including an input drive element (14), an output drive element (15), and at least one side cover (16), wherein the input drive element (14) can be brought into driven connection with a crankshaft (2) of the internal combustion engine (1), the output drive element (15) can be brought into driving connection with a camshaft (6, 7) of the internal combustion engine (1) and is pivotally mounted relative to the input drive element (14). The side cover (16) is mounted on an axial side surface of the output drive element (15) or of the input drive element (14) and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the input drive element (14) or the output drive element (15). A spring element (25) is mounted on the side of the side cover facing away from the input and output drive elements (14, 15), and the side cover (16) has a disk-shaped section (23), from which several fastening elements (24) protrude in the axial direction, the fastening elements being mounted on the side of the side cover (16) facing away from the input drive element (14).
US08978601B2	Six-stroke engine system with blowdown exhaust system A six-stroke engine system including an engine with a combustion chamber including an exhaust valve that expels exhaust gasses and a blowdown exhaust valve that expels blowdown exhaust gasses during recompression. An exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber, and a blowdown exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct blowdown exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber and into the exhaust line. The blowdown exhaust gasses are expelled through the blowdown exhaust valve during the recompression stroke, and the exhaust gasses are expelled through the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke.
US08978588B2	Cat litter box A litter box includes a tray having a bottom wall and side walls extending upward from the bottom wall. At least one of the side walls has an upper portion that is moveable from a retracted position to an upright position. A plurality of bags are in the tray, each containing a layer of litter. The layers of litter are separated from one another by the bags. In another embodiment, the plurality of bags of litter are provided in an outer bag that can be placed into a tray. In use, upper portions of each bag are lifted over the side walls to expose the litter in that bag. After use, the entire layer of litter can be removed by removing the associated bag. The next layer of litter is then exposed for use.
US08978586B1	Wild bird feed dispenser with squirrel-resistant mechanism A bird feed dispenser for wild birds with squirrel-resistant mechanism that occludes feed ports when a non-bird having a weight sufficient to activate the mechanism engages a portion of the roof or a perch thereon. The dispenser includes at least two feed ports, corresponding perches, and a torsion spring that provide biasing force for the mechanism. The occlusion of feed ports in the dispenser is such that when a non-bird having weight sufficient to activate the mechanism engages a portion of the roof or a perch thereon, all the feed ports are obstructed.
US08978583B2	Animal treating arrangement An animal treating arrangement includes a carrying device beside a milking platform rotating with a velocity and having animal places housing animals. The carrying device includes a fundament, a first bearing device (12) provided on the fundament, an arm (13) connected to the first bearing device permitting the arm to rotate in relation to the fundament around a first axis, a support platform (15) connected to the arm (13). A drive arrangement moves the support platform and includes a first drive member (31) rotating the arm around the first axis. A sensor (37) communicates with a control unit (36) and senses an instantaneous value of the velocity. The control unit controls the first drive member to move the support platform to follow the milking platform from a start position to an end position during a part of the rotation of the milking platform.
US08978570B2	Lifting floor for bodies of water A lifting platform for use in a body of water has (a) a plurality of float modules, each float module having a buoyancy compartment, and each float module being attached to adjacent float modules by means of flexible joints; (b) at least one container disposed in each float module for retaining a buoyancy fluid; and (c) a discharge apparatus for discharging buoyancy fluid to the buoyancy compartments of the float modules, so as to fill each buoyancy compartment with buoyancy fluid, thereby causing the plurality of modules to float to a position at or near the surface of the body of water.
US08978568B2	Chain release apparatuses and methods An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.
US08978567B2	Sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine A sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine, comprising: a base plate, a circular ring-shaped transmission element dispose on the base plate and a driving element with a driving unit. During sewing, the driving unit drives the transmission element, rotating a sewing product placed at the center of the transmission element with the driving element, thereby controlling the sewing direction of the sewing product, and thus improving the sewing accuracy. The direction control apparatus has low cost, and is suitable for various types of automatic sewing machines.
US08978562B2	Rail guided vehicle system A rail guided vehicle system includes a rail that includes a first main rail, a second main rail, and a connection rail, and vehicles. Each vehicle includes a diverging roller supporting member that supports a pair of first and second diverging rollers such that the first and second diverging rollers shift, and a position stabilizing roller supporting member that supports position stabilizing rollers such that the position stabilizing rollers do not shift. The rail includes a first diverging guide configured to guide the first diverging roller, a second diverging guide configured to guide the second diverging roller, and a position stabilizing roller guide configured to guide the position stabilizing rollers in the no-guide zone where the diverging guide is absent.
US08978556B2	Method for revealing a hidden image using dough to pick up and transfer the image The present invention provides kits and methods for selectively transferring a portion of an image from a substrate (e.g., paper) to a dough (e.g., Silly Putty®) comprising pressing the dough onto an image printed on the substrate. The image comprises transferable ink and non-transferable ink. At least a portion of the image comprising transferable ink transfers from the substrate to the dough and the non-transferable ink does not transfer from the substrate to the dough. The dough can be used to reveal an image that was “hidden” within the visible image printed on the substrate. The present invention also provides methods for making a substrate with an image comprising transferable ink (e.g., cold-set web ink) and non-transferable ink (e.g., sheet-fed offset ink) printed thereon, comprising using a sheet-fed offset press to print the image onto the substrate.
US08978555B2	Lithographic printing plate support and presensitized plate A lithographic printing plate support includes an aluminum plate and an anodized film formed at a surface of the aluminum plate and having micropores which extend in a depth direction of the anodized aluminum film from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate. Each of the micropores includes a large-diameter portion and a dendritic small-diameter portion. The lithographic printing plate support has excellent scratch resistance and is capable of obtaining a presensitized plate which exhibits excellent on-press developability and enables a lithographic printing plate formed therefrom to have a long press life and excellent deinking ability after suspended printing.
US08978543B2	Infusion unit for making beverages from single-serving sachets and machine comprising said unit An infusion unit includes a support and a drawer having at least one seat for a single-serving sachet, the seat sliding relative to the support and movable between a charging position of the single-serving sachet and an infusion position. The infusion unit further includes a dispensing member for dispensing water under pressure to the single-serving sachet. A lever controls the movement of the drawer and a mechanical connection between the lever and the drawer and between the lever and the dispensing member. A stopping element locks the single-serving sachet into the infusion position after the dispensing. The seat, partly delimited by a pair of arms oscillating relative to the drawer, is interchangeable for seating capsules of various shapes or dimensions.
US08978536B2	Material for providing blast and projectile impact protection A multi-layer material that provides blast and projectile impact protection is provided. The multi-layer material may include a hard metal layer, a composite layer, an air gap layer, and an innermost layer. An armor layer may also be provided that includes a polymeric honeycomb layer and a ceramic layer. In other aspects of the invention, a vehicle made from the multi-layer material is provided, and methods for making the multi-layer material are provided.
US08978535B2	Articulating protective system for resisting mechanical loads Articulating protective systems for resisting mechanical loads and related methods are generally described. The protective structures described herein can incorporate one or more features that enhance the ability of the structure to resist an applied force while remaining sufficiently flexible to allow for movement of the object or person the structure is designed to protect.
US08978532B2	Cut-resistant jacket for tension member A rope having a cut-resistant jacket which includes a core comprised of a plurality of sub-ropes. The sub-ropes may be in a parallel strand configuration. The sub-ropes and the strands thereof may be made of fibers of a synthetic material, such as polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, aramids, or acrylics. A cut-resistant jacket surrounds the core and is made from a material that has increased strength and/or abrasion resistance over the material of the core. The cut-resistant jacket may comprise steel wires and may further comprise braided steel wires or rope. The braided steel wires or rope may be covered with a plastic material for increased corrosion resistance. A filter layer may be disposed between the core and the cut-resistant jacket and may be wrapped around an outer surface of the core prior to the cut-resistant jacket being formed.
US08978530B2	Cutting apparatus employing a magnet A cutting apparatus is disclosed and which includes a cutter knife which is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel, a track member mounted adjacent to the cutter knife, and which mechanically cooperates with the cutter knife so as to define, at least in part, a first non-cutting position, and the second, cutting position for the cutter knife, and a magnet mounted on the track member and which releasably magnetically restrains the cutter knife when the cutter knife is in either of the first non-cutting position, or the second, cutting position.
US08978527B2	Long shaft bit having vibration preventing structure The present invention relates to a bit for processing the inside diameter of a work material, the bit having on the outer surface of a shank a vibration preventing structure comprising a vibration absorption body made of a silicone material, and a hollow wire rod, thereby absorbing the vibration generated from a machine tool, preventing resonance generated between the work material and a tool, and thus, enabling the implementation of a slickenside from ultra-precision machining.
US08978515B2	Transmission heating and storage device A heat storage and release system for a transmission includes a material capable of super cooling within an operating temperature range of the transmission. The material is in thermal communication with the transmission. An energy input device is associated with the material and operable to input energy to the material to initiate an exothermic phase change within the material in order to deliver heat to the transmission.
US08978514B2	Bicycle front sprocket A bicycle front sprocket has a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The second side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side. The chain engagement structure is disposed on an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth having a first tooth top with a first leading edge and a first trailing edge. The first leading edge is positioned downstream from the first trailing edge with respect to the driving-rotational direction of the bicycle sprocket. The first tooth top is shaped so that the first leading edge is positioned closer to the first side surface than the first trailing edge in the axial direction.
US08978513B2	Energy storing flywheel and bearing assembly An energy-storing flywheel assembly is provided with a flywheel having a vertically-oriented axis of rotation, a shaft connected to the flywheel, and a cageless ball thrust bearing rotatably supporting a lower end of the shaft. The flywheel may be formed from a stack of flywheel discs and is preferably relatively large-radiused and massive. The ball thrust bearing includes a stator having a set of three free-floating bearing balls contained within a cylindrical stator recess; a rotor rotatably mounted over the stator which likewise contains a set of three free-floating bearing balls within a cylindrical stator recess, and a single, middle bearing ball centrally disposed between and in mutual engagement with the three bearing balls of the stator and the three bearing balls of the rotor. In operation, the relatively massive flywheel is rotated at a peripheral speed that approaches but does not exceed the speed of sound to avoid fluid drag and the danger of explosive shattering.
US08978508B2	Umbilical member guide mechanism at front end of wrist of industrial robot A shaft member (12) has a hollow pipe (13) extending coaxially with its axis of center of rotation and a tool mounting surface (12c) positioned at the front end of the shaft member. An umbilical member guide mechanism (10) includes an umbilical member fastening part (20) attached to a tool mounting surface side of the shaft member, a plurality of umbilical members (30) are guided from the arm side of the robot through the hollow pipe of the shaft member and fastened at the end of the hollow pipe at the tool mounting surface side by an umbilical member fastening part in parallel with the axis of center of rotation, and attaching parts (48a to 48d) which attach the umbilical member fastening part to the front end of the shaft member at one phase of at least two predetermined phases around the axis of center of rotation.
US08978502B2	Transmission drive unit The invention relates to a transmission drive unit (10; 40; 50; 70) having an adapter element made of plastic (22; 22a; 53; 73) via which a torque is initiated by an input element (29) and a drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) made of metal for forwarding the torque, wherein the adapter element (22; 22a; 53; 73) and the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) are directly coupled to one another and rigidly connected, wherein the adapter element (22; 22a; 53; 73) is an injection molded part which is formed by at least partial overmolding of the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) and wherein the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) serves as a bearing element.
US08978497B2	Linear actuator with anti-rotation mechanism An assembly comprises a housing, a motor within the housing, and a thrust tube with an anti-rotation mechanism. The motor comprises a hollow rotor. An externally threaded screw shaft is coupled to the hollow rotor for rotation therewith. An internally threaded nut is coupled to the externally threaded screw shaft, wherein rotation of the screw shaft causes the nut to move axially. The thrust tube is operably connected with the nut, and the anti-rotation mechanism is attached to the thrust tube to substantially prevent rotation relative the housing.
US08978490B2	Inertial filter and particle classification apparatus An inertial filter is placed in a fluid flow path and equipped with a particle classifying sheet having a plurality of particle classifying holes uniformly arranged. The particle classifying sheet has a sheet area larger than a fluid passage area at a site where the sheet is placed. A part of the sheet is provided in the form of a partition wall dividing the fluid flow path in two sections in a fluid passage direction to allow for classification of particles.
US08978482B2	Partition plate securement for an ultrasonic flow meter An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device includes a flow path, a partition plate that is inserted from an aperture to partition the flow path into plural sections, an ultrasound transmission body, plural ultrasonic transducers that are provided in positions facing a bottom plate such that an ultrasonic wave transmitted from one of the ultrasonic transducers through the ultrasound transmission body is reflected by the bottom plate and received by the other ultrasonic transducer, a measurement circuit that measures an ultrasonic propagation time between the plurality of the ultrasonic transducers; and a calculation circuit that obtains a flow rate of the target fluid based on a signal from the measurement circuit.
US08978481B2	Simultaneous ultrasonic cross-correlation and transit time measurements for multiphase flow rate analysis Pairs of acoustic transducers positioned at different radial distances in a conduit are used to measure travel times of acoustic signals in opposite directions and inclined to the direction of a fluid flow in the borehole. These contrapropagation measurements are used to estimate fluid velocity and volumetric flow rates of the fluid components in the conduit.
US08978480B2	Recursive hexapod system and method for multiaxial mechanical testing A recursive hexapod testing machine for mechanical testing of deformable material specimens under six degrees of freedom multiaxial loading. The machine includes a fixed base, a movable base connected to the fixed base at by a hexapod arrangement of six linearly extendable actuator linkages, with an end of each linkages attached to the movable base and the other end of the linkage attached to the fixed base. Each actuator linkage includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston, a digitally-controlled electro-hydraulic servo-valve for actuating the hydraulic cylinder in response to a digital command string, a load cell in line between the piston and the universal joint attached to the movable base, a linear variable displacement transducer for measuring extension of the piston, and a magneto-resistive position transducer for measuring a position of the piston. The servo-valves extend each hydraulic cylinder a predetermined amount to effect a desired motion of the material specimen.
US08978470B2	Inertial sensor Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor. The inertial sensor includes a sensing unit and a driving-mass-position initialization module. The sensing unit includes a driving mass, a flexible board unit which displaceably supports the driving mass, and a support which supports the flexible board unit to allow the driving mass to move in a suspended state. The flexible board unit has driving electrodes which move the driving mass, and sensing electrodes which sense the movement of the driving mass. The driving-mass-position initialization module includes a position initialization member which reciprocates to initialize the position of the driving mass, and a coil unit which surrounds the position initialization member. An initialization-member-receiving depression is formed in the driving mass. The shape of the initialization-member-receiving depression corresponds to that of the position initialization member.
US08978469B2	Piezoelectric thin film structure and angular velocity detection apparatus A piezoelectric thin film structure includes a substrate, a silicon oxide film disposed on the substrate, a first aluminum oxide film disposed on the silicon oxide film, a lower electrode layer disposed on the first aluminum oxide film, a piezoelectric film layer disposed on the lower electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer disposed on the piezoelectric film layer.
US08978465B2	Interferometric gradiometer apparatus and method A gravity gradient is measured interferometrically from two light beams which each reflect from both of two freefalling test masses. The light beams project in beam arms which remain equal in length as the two test masses freefall except for different effects of gravity on each test mass and any initial relative velocity difference imparted to the test masses. The optical path length of the beam arms also change equally and oppositely during freefall, to amplify the interferometric effect by four times. A high level of common mode rejection eliminates many spurious influences.
US08978459B2	Equipment for measuring the inflation pressure of a tire of a vehicle wheel Measurement equipment for measuring the inflation pressure of a tire of a vehicle wheel 1. The equipment comprises a body 16 defining an internal volume, a communication orifice 19 for putting the inside volume of the body 16 into communication with an inflation chamber situated between a rim 2 and a tire of the wheel and containing an inflation gas and an indicator member 25 slidably mounted in the body 16 so as to define a gastight separation between a first chamber 26 containing a given quantity of a reference gas and a second chamber 27 into which the communication orifice 19 leads. As a result, the indicator member 25 is subjected to opposing pressures that exist in each of the chambers. A position-identification device 30 is operative to identify the position of the indicator member in the body.
US08978453B2	Crank signal error detection using a cam signal interval A method of detecting a crank signal error that includes incrementing a crank tooth counter in response to detecting a crank signal, comparing the crank tooth counter to an expected value when a cam signal is detected, and indicating a crank signal error if the crank tooth counter is not substantially equal to the expected value. This method is advantageous because a cam interval used to determine when to start and stop counting crank tooth pulses is automatically adjusted for variations in engine speed, while the prior art time based methods must adjust the time interval for variations in engine speed.
US08978438B2	Method for start-up of a measuring device A method for start-up of a measuring device, which is embodied to monitor by means of at least one measuring transducer in contact with the interior of a process container, especially of a single-use container, a measured variable of a medium contained in the process container, wherein, for ascertaining a measured value, at least one measurement signal of the measuring transducer is mapped to a measured value of the measured variable according to a predetermined characteristic curve, wherein the method includes: introducing a process medium into the process container; bringing the measuring transducer in contact with the process medium; and performing a one-point calibrating of the measuring device based on a measurement signal registered by the measuring transducer in the process medium or a measured value derived therefrom based on the characteristic curve.
US08978436B2	Rolling mill temperature control For controlling the flatness of the strip during the rolling of aluminum strip or foil, the system consists of a full width bank of cryogenic roll cooling devices acting on the roll(s) and a full width bank of roll heating devices also acting the roll(s). Both or either of the cooling and heating banks are divided into individually controllable zones. A process automation system controls the action of the cooling and heating banks via feedback from a strip shape meter and/or a predictive process model, in order, by thermal growth/contraction, to create the best roll profile for rolling flat strip.
US08978430B2	System and method for stainless steel cladding of carbon steel pieces A system and method of cladding a carbon steel piece with stainless steel according to which the carbon steel piece is cleaned, heated, coated with the stainless steel, and strengthened. In an exemplary embodiment, coating the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel includes melting the stainless steel, atomizing the melted stainless steel, and spraying the atomized stainless steel so that at least a portion of the atomized stainless steel is deposited on the carbon steel piece to thereby coat the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel.
US08978425B2	Motor usable with washing machine and washing machine having the same Disclosed herein are a motor usable with a washing machine to assure interchangeability of constituent elements thereof and a washing machine having the same. The motor includes a stator mounted to a tub of the washing machine, and a rotor to rotate a drum of the washing machine. The stator includes a stator core, first and second insulators arranged to cover the stator core, and a plurality of mounts to couple the stator to the tub. The plurality of mounts is selectively provided at one of the first insulator and the second insulator.
US08978421B2	Muffle tube inspection method and manufacturing method of silica glass-based optical fiber preform A muffle tube inspection method inspects a muffle tube used for dehydrating and sintering a silica glass-based optical fiber preform, the muffle tube includes a sintering furnace provided with a furnace body covering a heater disposed around a periphery of the muffle tube. The method detects a crack generated at the muffle tube by measuring a pressure inside the furnace body while varying a pressure inside the muffle tube.
US08978417B2	Method for low energy separation of a glass ribbon Disclosed is a method of separating a glass sheet from a moving glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon comprises thickened bead portions. The method comprises weakening the bead portions of the ribbon using laser-initiated ablation at the bead portions to overcome the potential for uncontrolled cracking through the bead portion.
US08978407B2	Absorption plate for an air-conditioner The invention relates to an absorption plate for a vehicle air-conditioner, through which a flow of absorbent fluid (110) passes, said fluid flowing along at least one exchange surface (130), the exothermic absorption of a coolant occurring through said at least one exchange surface (130) by increasing the concentration of the coolant in the absorbent fluid (110), the plate comprising, along said at least one exchange surface (130), a means (150) for rendering the temperature of the flow of absorbent fluid uniform, characterized in that the means (150) for rendering the temperature uniform is a separate turbulence means for said at least one exchange surface (130), and increases the turbulence of the flow of absorbent fluid (110) along said at least one exchange surface (130).
US08978403B2	Cooling apparatus A cooling apparatus for electric equipment includes a generator configured to receive a heat load from first electric components, a evaporator configured to receive a heat load from second electric components, a closed compartment enclosing the generator and evaporator, and a absorber transferring heat from heated fluid to the outside of the closed compartment. To obtain an efficient and reliable cooling apparatus, the cooling apparatus includes a first expansion device which reduces the pressure of the fluid, and forwards the fluid in a liquid state and with a lower pressure to the secondary cooling element, which transfers heat to the received fluid from the second electric components for evaporating the fluid.
US08978401B2	Data center cooling system A data center cooling system may include heat transfer equipment to cool a liquid coolant without vapor compression refrigeration, and the liquid coolant is used on a liquid cooled information technology equipment rack housed in the data center. The system may also include a controller-apparatus to regulate the liquid coolant flow to the liquid cooled information technology equipment rack through a range of liquid coolant flow values based upon information technology equipment temperature thresholds.
US08978398B2	Method and apparatus for measuring expansion valve diaphragm stroke An expansion valve assembly includes a housing that defines a passage through which a fluid flows. The assembly also includes a diaphragm that deflects according to a characteristic of the fluid and valve member that is operably coupled to the diaphragm to move within the passage between a first position and a second position due to deflection of the diaphragm to regulate flow of the fluid through the passage. A stroke is defined by a distance between the first and second positions of the valve member. Moreover, the assembly includes a stroke measuring device having a first member and a second member. The first member is operably coupled to the valve member to move relative to the second member due to movement of the valve member. The stroke measuring device is operable to detect the amount of relative movement of the first and second members to detect the stroke.
US08978395B2	Reject heat driven absorption cooling cycle An electric machine system includes: an electric motor; and an absorption cooling system driven by heat generated by the electric motor and configured to cool a primary cooling fluid that removes the heat from the electric motor to a temperature below an ambient temperature of an ultimate heat sink. A method for operating the electric machine system is also disclosed.
US08978392B2	Thermoelectrically air conditioned transit case Systems and methods for cooling the contents within a portable case, such as a transit case, using a thermoelectric air conditioner. Thermoelectric air conditioners are used with, and mounted on or in, a transit case for maintaining a desired air temperature within the transit case. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric air conditioner can be incorporated, concealed within the housing and/or cover of the transit case. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric air conditioner is protected by the design of the case, the mounting arrangement, the shock-mounted frame, etc. Alternatively, the thermoelectric air conditioner is mounted partially internal and partially external to the transit case. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric air conditioner is mounted external to the transit case.
US08978390B2	Cooling hole with crenellation features A wall of a component of a gas turbine engine includes first and second wall surfaces, an inlet located at the first wall surface, an outlet located at the second surface, a metering section commencing at the inlet and extending downstream from the inlet, and a diffusing section extending from the metering section and terminating at the outlet. The diffusing section includes a leading edge formed at an upstream end of the outlet, a trailing edge formed at a downstream end of the outlet, a body region upstream of the trailing edge, and a plurality of crenellation features located on the body region.
US08978385B2	Distributed cooling for gas turbine engine combustor A combustor component of a gas turbine engine includes a refractory metal core (RMC) microcircuit for self-regulating a cooling flow.
US08978384B2	Swirler assembly with compressor discharge injection to vane surface A swirler assembly in a gas turbine combustor includes a hub, a shroud, and a plurality of vanes connected between the hub and the shroud. The vanes include a high pressure side on which air and fuel impinge the vanes and a low pressure side. An air circuit is provided in each of the plurality of vanes receiving discharge air from a compressor. Each of the air circuits includes an air entry passage into the vanes and an air exit passage on the low pressure side of the vanes.
US08978383B2	Fuel manifold heat shield for a gas turbine engine A fuel manifold assembly for a gas turbine engine is described and includes an annular manifold body and an annular heat shield assembly mounted to and surrounding the manifold body. The heat shield assembly has an inner surface facing the manifold body and spaced apart therefrom by an inner air gap, which substantially surrounds the manifold body, defined therebetween. The heat shield assembly has an outer surface facing away from the manifold body and spaced apart from the inner surface by an outer air gap substantially surrounding the inner air gap. At least the outer air gap is formed by a double wall configuration of the heat shield assembly.
US08978382B2	Combustion device with a layered wall structure for a gas turbine A combustion device for a gas turbine includes an interior portion, an inner wall having a plurality of first passages and an outer wall having a plurality of second passages configured to cool the inner wall, each of the plurality of second passages having an outlet opening into a third passage. An intermediate layer is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall and defines a plurality of chambers, each chamber forming a Helmholtz damper and being connected to the interior portion by at least one of the plurality of first passages and being connected to at least one of the plurality of second passages by at least one of the plurality of third passages.
US08978380B2	Adiabatic compressed air energy storage process A compressed air energy storage system including a compressor adapted to receive a process gas and output a compressed process gas. A heat transfer unit may be coupled to the compressor and adapted to receive the compressed process gas and a heat transfer medium and to output a cooled process gas and a heated heat transfer medium. A compressed gas storage unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive and store the cooled process gas. A waste heat recovery unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive the heated heat transfer medium.
US08978375B2	Hydraulic transmission apparatus making quick positive clutching/declutching possible Hydraulic transmission apparatus including a pressurized fluid source and at least one hydraulic motor fed by said pressurized fluid source. The motor has two motor ducts for feed/discharge, and one casing duct. The motor can be operated in assisted mode, in which it generates torque or in unassisted mode in which it does not generate any torque and its pistons are maintained in the retracted position under the effect of the pressure in the casing duct. The apparatus further includes an accumulator suitable for feeding: the motor ducts during a stage of passing from the unassisted mode to the assisted mode in order to facilitate deployment of the pistons; and the casing duct during a stage of passing from the assisted mode to the unassisted mode in order to facilitate retraction of the pistons. This apparatus thus enables the motor to be positively clutched/declutched quickly.
US08978372B2	V-type engine, outboard motor, and vessle A V-type engine includes two exhaust manifolds connected to two cylinder banks. First and second exhaust ports, respectively provided in the two cylinder banks, are disposed at an inner side of V-shaped lines. Each exhaust manifold includes N branch pipes and a collecting pipe, where N is an integer not less than 2. The N branch pipes are respectively connected to N exhaust ports including at least one of the first exhaust ports and at least one of the second exhaust ports. The collecting pipe is disposed adjacent to N cylinders that are aligned in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a crank axis direction and extends from one end to the other end of the N cylinders.
US08978371B2	Cooling adapter There is provided a cooling adapter provided between a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine in such a manner as to connect the cylinder head and the exhaust pipe to each other. This cooling adapter is equipped with a plurality of exhaust passages provided in parallel with one another to cause an exhaust gas from the cylinder head to flow to the exhaust pipe, a water jacket formed around an entirety of the respective exhaust passages and among the respective exhaust passages to cause a cooling liquid to flow to exchange heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the plurality of the exhaust passages, an inlet portion configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow into the water jacket, and an outlet portion configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow out from inside the water jacket. The inlet portion is so provided as to open to the water jacket at a position close to the cylinder head and corresponding to a gap between adjacent ones of the exhaust passages.
US08978355B2	Variable rate ignition Variable rate ignition method and system that take advantage of knowledge and analysis of environmental conditions and/or operational conditions. A variable ignition rate for igniting the engine permits an optimal use of the igniters and thereby prolongs their life as well as its associated maintenance schedule. Operating costs and durability are also enhanced. Furthermore, flexibility is enhanced since any changes to the method of determining the best spark rate can be made through update in the software of the engine controller instead of change in the hardware (e.g., the exciter).
US08978348B2	Medicine feeding device There is provided a medicine feeding device which can apply uniform tension to wrapping paper wound in a roll state to wrap a medicine. The medicine feeding device comprises a tablet case which stores a medicine, and the wrapping paper wound in the roll state, wraps a medicine discharged from the tablet case in wrapping paper 72, and comprises a tension application mechanism 113 which applies predetermined tension to the continuously pulled-out wrapping paper. This tension application mechanism is constituted to freely move up-and-down, and to apply tension to the pulled-out wrapping paper by its own weight.
US08978338B2	Structural trusses with monolithic connector plate members The structural truss includes a connector plate member welded to the framework between two corresponding longitudinal tubes. The connector plate member is made of a monolithic piece. It includes a corner beam section protruding from the rear side of the connector plate member and a main plate section extending perpendicularly inwards on a side of the corner beam section. The main plate section and the corner beam section define together a planar outer abutment plate surface. The connector plate member also includes a lip projecting at right angle from the main plate section on the rear side of the connector plate member. The lip extends substantially parallel to the corner beam section.
US08978336B2	Floor panel and floor covering consisting of a plurality of such floor panels The invention relates to a floor panel, in particular a laminated floor panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for mutually coupling two floor panels, in particular laminated floor panels, according to the invention.
US08978332B2	Roofing shingle system and shingles for use therein A roofing shingle is disclosed comprising a headlap portion with a non-straight longitudinal edge and a buttlap portion with a plurality of tabs with a non-straight longitudinal edge and spaced apart by openings, wherein the non-straight longitudinal edges do not shadow each other laterally across the shingle. A roofing system is disclosed wherein at least a portion of the headlap portion of such shingle from a subsequently installed course overlaps at least a portion of the headlap portion of a shingle from a previously installed course. The maximum headlap overlap dimension is beneath the subsequently installed shingle laterally proximate the openings in the buttlap portion of the subsequently installed shingle. A method for making the shingle is disclosed comprising cutting a sheet of roofing material longitudinally along non-straight lines wherein at least a portion of each formed shingle has a width of about twelve inches.
US08978329B2	Hanger system for concrete building units A hanger for a cementitious building unit including: a first hanger component having: a body; and at least one first interlocking portion arranged in (a) predetermined position(s) on the body of the first hanger component a second hanger component including: a body; at least two second interlocking portions arranged in (a) predetermined position(s) on the body of the second hanger component; and an overhanging portion adapted to abut a building support surface wherein the first interlocking portions and second interlocking portions are complimentary to each other and provide for vertical height adjustment of the first hanger component in relation to the second hanger component; and the first hanger component also has at least one first connecting portion for a tension tie for anchorage within the cementitious building unit.
US08978321B1	Snap lock soffit system A snap lock soffit system includes: a receiver rail including; a receiver rail flange; an end fastening tab located at one end of the receiver rail; and a plurality of snap lock receiver tabs depending from the receiver rail, the snap lock receiver tabs being spaced along the length of the receiver rail flange; and a soffit panel including: a plurality of retainer grooves each adapted to receive a corresponding snap lock receiver tab in a press fit locking configuration to secure the soffit panel to the receiver rail, the retainer grooves spaced along the length of the soffit panel; a fastening edge located at a first end along the length of the soffit panel, where in the fastening edge is aligned with the plane of the end fastening tab of the receiver rail when the soffit panel is secured to the receiver rail; and a soffit extension.
US08978303B1	Window sash tilt latch and method An easy to assemble tilt latch includes a spring loaded bolt. The latch housing includes a plurality of clips to engage the sash to hold it in place in a precut opening. A driver fixed to a top slide passes through an opening in the housing and engages the bolt for retracting the bolt.
US08978288B2	Tip-up ice fishing apparatus A fish strike indicator and retrieval apparatus comprising an upper unit with a fishing reel holder, a battery holder, a line guide, a light flag, a printed circuit board enclosure, and a handle and a lower unit with a pair of slide rails and a detachable sliding mount that pivotally connects the upper unit to the lower unit. The invention incorporates a set of magnets and a Hall-effect sensor that activates and deactivates visual and audible alarm signals to signify a strike on the fishing line.
US08978283B2	Striking pin safety element A remote-operable firing pin safety catch is provided. A mechanical firing pin safety catch is supplemented by a further electrically remote-operable safety catch device, wherein it is basically the case that firing is possible only when the safety catch of a firing pin has been both locally mechanically released and also electrically released by means of a remote controller. As an electrical firing pin safety catch, an electric actuator is incorporated into the mechanical firing pin safety catch.
US08978274B2	Article of footwear with flexible reinforcing plate A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure includes a reinforcing plate. The reinforcing plate includes a first flange portion corresponding to a big toe of a foot and a second flange portion corresponding to a ball region of a foot. The first flange portion and the second flange portion each include a cleat member.
US08978272B2	Article of footwear with forefoot plates An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
US08978270B1	Method for drying interstitial space A method for drying or removing water from a wall cavity or structure without the need to tear to make holes, tear apart the structure, or use suction cups. The method uses a reversible portable moisture removal system for flowing pressurized heated air at a targeted location and for creating a vacuum to withdraw moist air from the wall cavity or structure a the moisture removal housing. The method dries wet walls in less time than current systems while also being reversible to remove moist air from wall cavities and structures.
US08978265B2	Bandage/diaper aeration device A bandage/diaper drying device includes a gas inlet and channels formed between two layers of a very thin material (e.g. plastic). A spiral tube is positioned between the two layers to reduce occlusion of the layers and maintain flow of gas from the inlet to vents that are directed to a potential source of moisture. The vents are formed on a peripheral distribution channel that is in fluid communication with the gas inlet. In a preferred embodiment, each vent has a one-way duckbill valve allowing for the flow of gas from the peripheral distribution channel to dry a diaper/bandage in which the bandage/diaper drying system is mounted. The one-way duckbill valves reduce backflow of foreign matter into the peripheral distribution channel.
US08978259B1	Vessel docking guidance system and method of use A laser guidance docking system utilizes a guidance laser to emit and direct a laser beam towards a dock upper surface. A target marking or reference is located on the dock upper surface. A laser illuminated marking is created at the contact point of the laser beam upon the dock upper surface. The target marking is located at a longitudinal position along a length of the dock upper surface, wherein the target marking provides a reference to properly position the vessel at a longitudinal position along the dock. The laser guidance docking system can be enhanced by integrated a camera, a vertical dimension measurement device, and a laser vertical angle reference device. Information regarding the positional relationship between the laser illuminated marking and the target marking can be presented on a remote video display. The system can include a computing device to adapt for a vertical offset of the laser.
US08978251B2	Method of manufacture of compressed air tanks for utility vehicles The invention relates to a compressed air tank for utility vehicles, comprising a tubular or cylindrical jacket sealed at both ends by way of welded outer bases. At least one outer base and/or the jacket is provided with a hole. A sleeve is welded onto the hole. At least the inside of the compressed air tank is provided with an inner coating. The contact surfaces between the jacket and the outer bases are adapted such that the contact surfaces abut one another and such that the contact surfaces can be welded together without using any weld material through laser welding. The sleeve is welded onto the hole by way of laser welding or CD welding. The inner coating of the tank is manufactured by powder coating.
US08978246B2	Fabrication process and package design for use in a micro-machined seismometer or other device A method of attaching two wafers in a seismometer comprising the steps of forming a patterned wetting metal layer on a first wafer and forming a plurality of cavities mirroring the pattern of the wetting metal layer on the first wafer. The steps further include pouring a plurality of solder balls on the surface of an alignment wafer, pouring off excess solder balls, aligning the first wafer with the alignment wafer, and connecting the first wafer with the alignment wafer. The solder balls are immobilized on the wetting metal layer by performing a partial reflow onto the wetting metal layer and removing the alignment wafer. The first and second wafers are aligned so that each solder ball is immobilized between the first and second wafer. The wafers are then bonded together.
US08978239B2	Field coil winding assembly A method for preparing a field coil winding assembly including cleaning a plurality of copper coils followed by developing, after the cleaning, a copper oxide layer on each of the copper coils by oxidizing each of the copper coils in a solution. After the developing, each of the copper coils is rinsed followed by drying. After the drying, a turn insulation system is applied to each of the copper coils. The turn insulation system includes a turn insulation and an adhesive. The turn insulation includes at least one of a glass fiber re-enforced polyamideimide, a glass fiber re-enforced polyester, or a glass fiber re-enforced high temperature novolac epoxy. After the applying, each of the copper coils with the turn insulation system is cured. The plurality of copper coils with the turn insulation system are stacked in each of a plurality of rotor slots in a rotor.
US08978236B2	Method for producing a connection for a motor vehicle seat and connection for a motor vehicle seat A method for producing a connection for a motor vehicle seat, wherein a seat frame side part is welded to a seat rail to form the connection.
US08978227B2	Dishwasher A dishwasher comprising a wash compartment with a base wall that has a retaining contour, and an electronic control module supported by the retaining contour and which controls appliance components in the dishwasher.
US08978222B2	Tool for removing annular elements tightly mounted in holes, in particular blind holes, of parts A removal tool which exerts an axial pull on an annular element including a tie rod with a widened end head adapted to be inserted in the coaxial passage of the annular element, beyond the annular element, and a mechanism for engaging with the element in a form of an annular cage with lateral prongs capable of deforming elastically in the radial direction, passing through the axial passage to engage via the elastic prongs thereof with the distal transverse surface of the element and to allow the element to be removed by the engagement of the widened head with the prongs, following the axial movement of the tie rod outside of the hole by a control mechanism.
US08978217B2	Manufacturing method of package A package manufacturing method where a base substrate and a lid substrate, at least one having a through-hole, are anodically bonded to each other using a jig having a communication-hole and arranged in a vacuum chamber to laminate the lid substrate to the base substrate and thereby form a bonded body having a plurality of cavities, each of which includes an electronic part sealed therein. The through-hole and the communication-hole are aligned with each other inside the vacuum chamber, such that gas within the cavities can escape through the through-hole and the communication-hole during bonding. A plurality of packages are formed by cutting the bonded body for every one of the plurality of cavities.
US08978212B2	Clamping element Clamping element and method of forming clamping element. Clamping element includes a spring bracket, which is locked to the clamping element, a polygonal threaded nut, and a tightening screw, which is interacteable with the polygonal threaded nut. The threaded nut is held secured against rotation in the spring bracket.
US08978211B2	Universal adjustable-length tie-wrap Reusable tie-wraps of arbitrary or unlimited length are discussed that can be cut to any desirable size at the time of use. These tie-wraps allow wrapping of any size object and include a flexible strap part and a locking part, both of which can be reused numerous times. The tie-wrap strap has flexible pawls which can bend or can rotate around a hinged base where pawls are attached to the strap. To use the tie-wrap, the user cuts a piece from the flexible strap bundle and inserts its ends into a locking part and pulls one or both ends of the strap until it is tightly wrapped around the object. In other embodiments the ends of the strap may enter the locking part from one side or from multiple sides. Discussed tie-wraps may be used, in addition to wrapping, to form handles or tag holders for the wrapped object.
US08978210B2	Adjustable-length tie-wrap Tie-wraps of practically infinite length are disclosed that can be cut to any desirable size at the time of use. These tie-wraps allow wrapping of any size object and comprise a flexible strap part and a locking part, both of which can be reused numerous times. To use the tie-wrap, the user cuts a piece from the flexible strap bundle and inserts its ends into a locking part and pulls one or both ends of the strap until it is tightly wrapped around the object. In other embodiments the ends of the strap may enter the locking part from one side or from multiple sides. In alternative embodiments the locking part or the strap may have a single pawl or multiple pawls which are made of plastic, metal, or other materials. Disclosed tie-wraps may be used, in addition to wrapping, to form handles or tag holders for the wrapped object.
US08978199B2	Vacuum cleaner with debris collector A vacuum cleaner with a separation module includes an exhaust grill having openings through which air may pass, wherein the exhaust grill is positioned fluidly between a separator chamber and an air outlet. A plurality of debris catching tines prevent debris from wrapping around and blocking the openings of the exhaust grill.
US08978196B2	Coverage robot mobility An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body.
US08978191B2	Mop structure A mop structure is provided, which comprises a shaft body, a rotary disc and a coupling assembly. The rotary disc has a rotary disc hole. The coupling assembly is inserted through the rotary disc hole and connects the shaft body with the rotary disc. In addition, the rotary disc is formed with an extending part at two ends corresponding to the rotary disc hole respectively, and the extending parts are bendable with respect to the rotary disc. Thereby, bending the extending parts can make it further convenient to perform the dewatering operation to achieve the cleaning and dewatering efficacy.
US08978188B1	Pool cleaner A pool cleaner having a coarse filter and a fine filter. The coarse filter removes large pieces of debris. The fine filter removes fine particles from the water. In an embodiment, the fine filter is a filter bag made from a cloth material. In an embodiment, the coarse filter is a mesh grating with small holes. In an embodiment, the fine filter is supported by a rigid mesh placed downstream from the coarse filter.
US08978178B2	Anti-wrinkle fabric arrangement The present invention relates to a fabric arrangement and pillow designed to prevent skin lines and wrinkle formation while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The present invention is designed with a specific fabric and materials combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Multiple layers make up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the first layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.
US08978165B2	Helmet protective skin A replaceable helmet protective skin, which is adapted for covering an outer surface of a helmet, includes a skin body configured to attach and detach while in use fittingly cover the outer surface of the helmet as if part of the outer surface thereof in an edge-to-edge manner, wherein the skin body is formed a receiving cavity therewithin for fittingly receiving the helmet to cover the outer surface thereof. At least one adjustable fastener is preferably provided along an elongated opening of the skin body, so that the size of the receiving cavity of the skin body is able to be increased via opening the adjustable fastener for conveniently attaching and detaching when covering or removing the replaceable helmet protective skin. The adjustable fastener is able to be adjustably closed for securely fitting the skin body on the outer surface of the helmet.
US08978164B2	Wader pants system with inflatable membranes A system for providing a secure fit between feet and/or ankles of an individual and boot sections of wader pants may include wader pants including boot sections, and wader support pants configured to be positioned underneath or over the wader pants. The wader support pants may include inflatable membranes configured to be disposed within or on the boot sections of the wader pants, and a pump in fluid communication with the inflatable membranes. The pump is operable to inflate the membranes to provide a secure fit between the boot sections of the wader pants and the feet and/or ankles of the individual.
US08984661B2	Probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging and methods of fabrication thereof This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging. In one aspect, a method includes providing a transparent tip comprising a dielectric material. A four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure is formed at an apex of the transparent tip using a focused ion beam. Metal layers are deposited over two opposing sides of the four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure.
US08984656B1	Sensitive data aliasing Database management and security is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, data sets containing sensitive data elements are analyzed using aliases representing sensitive data elements. In another embodiment, the sensitive data elements are stored in an encrypted form for use from a secure access, while the alias is available for standard access.
US08984649B2	Method and system for authenticating user access to a restricted resource across a computer network A method of authenticating user access to a restricted resource across a computer network, the method characterised by: communicating client device configuration data to a server and assigning a risk analysis score based on the client device configuration data; and generating an alert at a client device in response to the risk analysis score.
US08984648B2	Method and device for managing a secure element A method and system for managing, from a communication device, a secure element for contactless transactions such as mobile payment applications. The communication device includes a memory for storing one or more device applications. The method includes determining that an application stored on the secure element does not have an association with any of the device applications, and in response to the determining, sending a communication to a server to delete the application from the secure element.
US08984645B2	Accessing memory device content using a network A first storage unit is bound to a second storage unit based on a binding type associated with content on the first storage unit, the first storage unit being operated through a first host device, and the second storage unit being operated through a second host device. When content on the first storage unit is requested in the first host device, the first host device will calculate an account identifier based on the binding type associated with the requested content and send the account identifier to a server. The server will send the account identifier to the second host device, and the second storage unit will use the account identifier to calculate a credential. The credential will be sent to the first host device through the server. The credential can be used to access the requested content if the credential is valid.
US08984641B2	Field device having tamper attempt reporting A method of tamper attempt reporting includes receiving a write attempt to configuration data stored within a field device in an industrial plant configured to run a process involving a plurality of physical process parameters including a network server, a plurality of processing units, and a plurality of field devices. The plurality of field devices include (i) a sensor for measuring at least one of the plurality of physical process parameters or (ii) an instrument for performing control output actions for at least one of the plurality of processing units. The plurality of field devices are in communication with at least one remote host system or device. The write attempt is automatically detected. An alert of the write attempt is automatically sent to at least the remote host system or device.
US08984640B1	Anti-phishing In some embodiments, techniques for computer security comprise receiving a message, receiving a user-originated request for an action, wherein the action is associated with the message, determining whether the message is trustworthy, and impairing performance of the action, if it is determined that the message is not trustworthy. In some embodiments, techniques for computer security comprise receiving a message, determining whether the message is trustworthy, rendering the message, if it is determined that the message is trustworthy, and rendering a restricted version of the message, if it is determined that the message is not trustworthy.
US08984639B1	Method and apparatus of performing data executable integrity verification Disclosed are an apparatus and method of verifying an application installation procedure. One example method of operation may include receiving an application at a computer device and initiating the installation of the application on the computer device. The method may also provide executing the application during the installation procedure and creating a hash value corresponding to the executed application data. The method may further provide storing the hash value in memory and comparing the hash value to a pre-stored hash value to determine whether to continue the installation of the application.
US08984636B2	Content extractor and analysis system A security system provides a defense from known and unknown viruses, worms, spyware, hackers, and unwanted software. The system can implement centralized policies that allow an administrator to approve, block, quarantine, and log file activities. The system can extract content of interest from a file container, repackage the content of interest as another valid file type, perform hashes on the content of interest, associate the hash of the container with the hash of the repackaged content, transfer the repackaged content, and store the hash with other security-related information.
US08984632B1	Systems and methods for identifying malware A computer-implemented method for identifying malware is described. Event data is received from a mobile device. The event data including events performed on the mobile device and a list of one or more applications. The list of the one or more applications is compared with at least one additional list of applications received from at least one additional mobile device. An application in common across the lists of applications is identified. The identification of the application in common to is transmitted to the mobile device.
US08984610B2	Secure network cloud architecture Apparatuses, computer readable media, methods, and systems are described for requesting creation of virtual machine (VM) in a cloud environment comprising a virtual private cloud. Through various communications between a cloud DMZ, cloud provider, and/or company's network, a VM instance may be securely created, initialized, booted, unlocked, and/or monitored through a series of interactions building, in some examples, upon a root of trust.
US08984606B2	Re-authentication In one example, a method of managing access to a network includes receiving a network access request including one or more credentials via an edge device. The one or more user credentials are authenticated, and a database record for a user associated with the one or more user credentials is identified. A re-authentication duration value is obtained from the database record for the user, wherein the re-authentication duration value is pre-assigned to the user or pre-assigned to a group associated with the user. A response comprising the re-authentication duration value is then sent to the edge device.
US08984604B2	Locally stored phishing countermeasure A system and method for authenticating a resource such as a website or webpage is provided. In response to a script provided with a resource, a verification file is initially generated and stored at a client device. The verification file may be selected or generated with user input. On a subsequent occasion when a resource is accessed by the client device, a script is executed to attempt to retrieve the verification file and display the file at the client device. If the verification file is successfully retrieved and displayed and recognized as the correct verification file, the resource is authenticated.
US08984594B2	Security architecture for a process control platform executing applications A security component within a supervisory process control and manufacturing information system comprising a set of user roles corresponding to different types of users within the information system, a set of security groups defining a set of security permissions with regard to a set of objects, wherein each security group includes an access definition relating the security permissions to at least one of the set of user roles, and a set of user accounts assigned to at least one of the defined roles thereby indirectly defining access rights with regard to the set of objects having restricted access within the system. The security permissions within the supervisory process control and manufacturing information system are assigned at an object attribute level.
US08984592B1	Enablement of a trusted security zone authentication for remote mobile device management systems and methods A method of accessing secure data on a mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request to access a data package stored on the mobile device. The method comprises authorizing the request to access the data package, wherein authorizing comprises querying the request to obtain one or more request identifications. The method comprises granting a key in response to authorizing the request, wherein the key provides access to a secure environment storing one or more flags associated with the data package. The method comprises granting access to the secure environment, wherein access is granted to the secure environment in response to presenting the key to the secure environment. The method comprises granting access to the data package, wherein granting access to the data packages comprises setting the one or more flags associated with the data package.
US08984591B2	Authentication via motion of wireless device movement Motion of a wireless device is pre-registered as authentication credentials, then later matched, to provide motion-based authentication for access to software, service, etc. The wireless device may contain any number of gyroscopic, distance, positional or compass sensors—any or all of which are measured during a physical gesture or motion or the wireless device while the user is holding the wireless device. Recorded measurements of the specific motion then identifies the authorized user. If measurements of an attempted motion suitably matches the pre-registered and valid authentication credentials for the service or device, then the motioned wireless device is authenticated for use by the user. Such motion is difficult, if not impossible, for a user to pass on to another individual—even if they wanted to, making it the ultimate security technique.
US08984590B2	Enabling access to key lifetimes for wireless link setup A particular method includes performing a bootstrapped extensible authentication protocol (EAP) re-authentication protocol (ERP) re-authentication at a mobile device after performing an EAP authentication with the access point prior to expiration of a master session key (MSK) associated with the EAP authentication. Another particular method includes performing, at an access point, a bootstrapped ERP re-authentication of a mobile device without interrupting a flow of data packets with respect to the mobile device.
US08984589B2	Cloud-based billing, credential, and data sharing management system A novel solution is provided that utilizes the two-credential characteristics of accessing cloud-hosted data in a portal-oriented enterprise-specific solution. Cloud computing resources may be accessed through a separate, enterprise-specific portal clients used to manage a set of cloud service accounts. Individuals (e.g., employees of the enterprise or company) may access cloud computing resources via an instance of the portal client, and any communication between individuals in an enterprise and cloud services may be facilitated through the portal. Each portal client may also be configured to be compatible with any cloud service vendor.
US08984582B2	System and method for secure synchronization of data across multiple computing devices A computer implemented method and apparatus comprises detecting a file content update on a first client computer system, the file to be synchronized on a plurality of different types of client computer systems in a plurality of formats. The method further comprises associating a security policy with the file, wherein the security policy includes restrictions to limit one or more actions that can be performed with the file, and synchronizing the file to a second client computing system while applying the security policy to provide controls for enforcement of the restrictions at the second client computer system.
US08984578B2	Transmitting apparatus, power supply switching method for transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and power feeding method for receiving apparatus To simplify a power circuit of a transmitting apparatus (source equipment) connected to a receiving apparatus (sink equipment).Sink equipment 120 has a satisfactory power circuit 126. Initially, power is fed from source equipment 110 to the sink equipment 120. When the source equipment 110 intends to receive feed of power from the sink equipment 120, the source equipment 110 transmits request information on power feed to the sink equipment 120. The transmission is carried out using a reserved line, a power feed line, or a CEC line of a cable 130, or a high-speed bidirectional communication means. If the sink equipment 120 receives the request information on power feed, the sink equipment 120 feeds power fed the power circuit 126 to the source equipment 110. When the request information to be transmitted from the source equipment 110 to the sink equipment 120 contains pieces of information on a requested voltage value and current value, the source equipment 110 receives feed of power of the necessary voltage value and current value from the sink equipment 120.
US08984568B2	Enhanced experience from standard program content Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing the viewing experience of video content by analyzing the content to determine where enhanced sensory experience events may be appropriate, by identifying devices at the viewing location and devices personal to the viewer that can be controlled to provide an enhanced sensory experience, and by activating those devices in a way that is synchronized with the presentation of the content.
US08984565B2	Intelligent device system and method for distribution of digital signals on a wideband signal distribution system A plurality of intelligent device systems for use with a wideband signal distribution network, and methods for transmitting digital information and receiving digital and non-digital information onto and off of an RF carrier through a wideband signal distribution network, are disclosed. The intelligent device systems provide networks of intelligent devices that modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband signal distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, using existing EIA/TTA 568 standard wiring infrastructure. The methods modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, and separate IP portions from non-IP portions.
US08984564B2	Method and system for dynamically inserting content information into a mobile TV application A method operates a mobile communication device configured for outputting a television application and displaying selected content within a television environment of the mobile communication device. The method includes initiating a TV application using a user interface coupled to the mobile communication device. The method also includes capturing a television signal using a tuning device provided in the mobile communication device. The television signal is one of a plurality of television signals from respective television channels. The method further includes outputting a TV program associated with the television signal for the captured television channel on a display of the mobile communication device. Additionally, the method includes retrieving a configurable content object from a database provided within the mobile communication device. The configurable content object is one of a plurality of configurable content objects numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
US08984563B2	Identifying ancillary information associated with an audio/video program A system communicates video information including television content associated with a plurality of channels and ancillary information. Information may be transmitted with the ancillary information that is indicative of the type of content included in the ancillary information. This provides the user, in one embodiment of the present invention, with a visual indication of the type of information that accompanies television content. This helps the user to decide whether the user wishes to view the ancillary information and provides the opportunity to select that enhancement for viewing.
US08984553B2	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.
US08984546B2	Wire holder and wiring layers included in an objective lens driving unit Provided is an objective lens driving unit that prevents an electrical short circuit between very closely spaced second terminals in the objective lens driving unit. The objective lens driving unit is capable of being used in a slim-type optical disc drive.
US08984534B2	Interfacing between a receiving component of a server application and a remote application An interface is provided between a receiving component of a server application and a remote application, the receiving component being operable to receive serialized objects from the remote application via the interface. The interface comprises: a module for ascertaining if a piece of code associated with the received object is locally stored and directly available to the server application, and a store for locally storing the associated piece of code in the event that it is not already locally stored and directly available to the server application.
US08984530B2	Queued message dispatch Embodiments described herein allow a service component author to write service components without having to handle incoming messages being received at any time. This may be facilitated by a message dispatch engine that dispatches messages from the incoming message queue only when the destination service component has indicated that it is ready to receive the message having that context. If the service component is not yet ready for the message, the message dispatch component may lock the message at least until the destination service component indicates that it is now ready to receive the message. Until that time, the message dispatch engine may ignore the locked message when finding messages to dispatch.
US08984526B2	Dynamic processor mapping for virtual machine network traffic queues An algorithm for dynamically adjusting the number of processors servicing Virtual Machine Queues (VMQ) and the mapping of the VMQ to the processors based on network load and processor usage in the system. The algorithm determines the total load on a processor and depending on whether the total load exceeds or falls below a threshold respectively, the algorithm moves at least one of the VMQs to a different processor based on certain criteria such as whether the destination processor is the home processor to the VMQ or whether it shares a common NUMA node with the VMQ. By doing so, better I/O throughput and lower power consumption can be achieved.
US08984521B2	Computer system performance by applying rate limits to control block tenancy Embodiments of the invention are provided to enable fair and balanced allocation of control blocks to support processing of requests received from a client machine. The server is configured with tools to manage an account balance of control block availability for each service class. The account balance is periodically adjusted based upon usage, tenancy, deficits, and passage of time. Processing of one or more tasks in a service class is support when the credit value in the service class account is equal to or greater than the entry cost estimated for the request.
US08984516B2	System and method for shared execution of mixed data flows A method, computer program product, and computer system for shared execution of mixed data flows, performed by one or more computing devices, comprises identifying one or more resource sharing opportunities across a plurality of parallel tasks. The plurality of parallel tasks includes zero or more relational operations and at least one non-relational operation. The plurality of parallel tasks relative to the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation are executed. In response to executing the plurality of parallel tasks, one or more resources of the identified resource sharing opportunities is shared across the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation.
US08984515B2	System and method for shared execution of mixed data flows A method, computer program product, and computer system for shared execution of mixed data flows, performed by one or more computing devices, comprises identifying one or more resource sharing opportunities across a plurality of parallel tasks. The plurality of parallel tasks includes zero or more relational operations and at least one non-relational operation. The plurality of parallel tasks relative to the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation are executed. In response to executing the plurality of parallel tasks, one or more resources of the identified resource sharing opportunities is shared across the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation.
US08984514B2	Modifying scheduled execution of object modification methods associated with database objects An original schedule module configured to receive an original schedule configured to trigger execution of a first original batch of entries including a set of object modification methods and a corresponding set of database objects before triggering execution of a second original batch of entries including a set of object modification methods and a corresponding set of database objects. An analysis module can be configured to determine logic for execution of each entry from the first original batch of entries based on the original schedule. A schedule generator can be configured to define, based on the logic for execution and based on the original schedule, a modified schedule configured to trigger parallel execution of a first modified batch of entries including less than all of the first original batch of entries, and a second modified batch of entries including less than all of the second original batch of entries.
US08984512B2	State separation for applications Application states may be stored and retrieved using policies that define various contexts in which the application is used. The application states may define configurations or uses of the application, including connections to and interactions with other applications. Applications that are virtualized may have state that is defined within a usage context and multiple states or configurations may be stored and recalled based on the usage context. Policies may define the context and what parameters are to be saved, and may be applied when applications are operated in a virtualized manner.
US08984510B1	Blocking file system for on-the-fly migration of a virtual execution environment This invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for performing migration of a virtual execution environment from one network node to another node on the network. All active processes executing on a virtual execution environment are frozen and the state of these processes, including virtual execution environment network connectivity information, are saved into a dump file. The dump file is transferred to the destination network node. Using the information stored in the dump file, the execution state of all active processes and the state of network connections of the virtual execution environment are restored at the destination node to the state existing immediately prior to the migration.
US08984501B2	Hierarchy and processing order control of downloadable and upgradeable media processing applications A method for an audio/video (A/V) system includes accessing processing modules for downloadable applications. Each downloadable application can have at least one processing module and data for a graphical user interface (GUI), and each processing module can be configured to interact with an upgradable engine to adjust a performance or a setting of an audio and video (A/V) equipment. The method includes arranging an order of two or more of the processing modules in a processing chain to share processing resources, to reduce a processing requirement of the A/V equipment, or to enhance a level of performance of the A/V equipment.
US08984483B2	Control method and system for remote configuration A method for controlling remote configuration includes: a configuration management terminal requesting a configuration file to be remotely configured and managed from a configuration management server; the configuration management server returning a configuration item of the configuration file to the configuration management terminal according to a configuration definition corresponding to the configuration file, with the configuration definition including the attributes of the configuration item in the corresponding configuration file; and the configuration management terminal modifying the configuration item and then submitting the modified configuration item to the configuration management server, and the configuration management terminal modifying the configuration file after modifying and verifying the submitted configuration item according to the attributes of the configuration item. A system for controlling remote configuration maintains and manages the configuration items of various configuration files according to the configuration definitions corresponding to the configuration files, so as to achieve universal management of configuration files.
US08984481B2	System and method for automatically determining relationships between software artifacts using multiple evidence sources A method (which can be computer implemented) for inferring whether at least a first relationship exists between at least first and second entities includes the steps of applying a first assessor to obtain a first confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, applying a second assessor to obtain a second confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, and combining said first and second confidence levels to obtain an overall inference whether said at least first relationship exists between said at least first and second entities.
US08984474B2	Method and system for modeling business operations using a vision transition framework Provided is a method and system for logically articulating planned operations within a software based model. The method includes importing data relating to the planned operations and automatically (i) interrelating the imported data and (ii) producing threads and/or activity models. The threads and activity models are representative of the interrelations. The method also includes displaying the threads or activity models via a graphical user interface.
US08984469B2	System and method for strengthening of a circuit element to reduce an integrated circuit's power consumption A system and method enable strengthening of flip-Flops (FFs) in an integrated circuit (IC) for the purpose of reducing power consumption. This is achieved by using stability condition (STC) and observability don't-care (ODC) techniques. Strengthening enable is defined as ensuring that a FF later in the fan-out is enabled only when a FF earlier in the fan-out is driving a signal to that later FF. In an embodiment the fan-in of a FF is traversed and the STC or ODC is determined for the FF. Dependent on the determination a STC controller or an ODC controller is added to control the FF's enable signal. In an embodiment the power savings is checked and a controller is added only if there is a reduction in overall power consumption resulting from the addition of the controller.
US08984466B2	Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, method for generating mask data, mask and computer readable recording medium A semiconductor device has first wiring layers and a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are provided on the same level as the first wiring layers. The semiconductor device defines a row direction, and first virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the row direction. The row direction and the first virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the first virtual linear lines. The semiconductor device also defines a column direction perpendicular to the row direction, and second virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the column direction. The column direction and the second virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the second virtual linear lines.
US08984461B1	Visualization constraints for circuit designs A first waveform for a circuit design is received. The first waveform includes at least an actual value of a signal of the circuit design at one or more clock cycles. A user input for a cursor is received, and a signal wave overlay is displayed on the first waveform having an appearance corresponding to a location of the cursor. The signal wave overlay indicates a desired value of the signal at one or more clock cycles that is different than the actual value of the signal in the one or more clock cycles. Based on the desired value of the signal indicated by the signal wave overlay, a visualization constraint for the circuit design is generated. The visualization constraint is used to generate a second waveform, where the visualization constraint restricts the second waveform.
US08984446B1	Sharing display spaces In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method for providing a hierarchical data structure to store nodes, wherein the nodes comprise graphical primitives to be rendered to a common display space of a computer system. The hierarchical data structure governs graphical compositing amongst the nodes. Two or more separate software applications are allowed to create nodes in the hierarchical data structure and share the common display space. The two or more separate software applications are restricted from accessing nodes in the hierarchical data structure based on node ownership information linking one or more nodes in the hierarchical data structure to a respective software application in the two or more separate software applications. The hierarchical data structure is used for rendering and displaying the common display space.
US08984429B2	Searching desktop objects in view of time based statistics Embodiments of the present invention provide a search tool that allows users to efficiently retrieve or locate a desired object on their computer. Users specify their search based on a time criteria. In addition, the search tool may provide its results in a temporal context to assist the user in browsing through the results.
US08984428B2	Overlay images and texts in user interface In one embodiment, overlaying a first element on top of a second element in a user interface; and adjusting visual appearance of the first element based on a portion of the second element underneath the first element.
US08984422B2	Group conversation between a plurality of participants A system and method for presenting a group conversation on an electronic device of a user, via displaying, on a graphical user interface of the device, a group of contacts with which the user can communicate, the group of contacts comprising one or more individual contacts and one or more social circles which define a preset collection of contacts associated with one another. User input is received via the graphical user interface, the user input specifying a selection of participants from the group of contacts for a group conversation. The group conversation provides for sharing communication messages among the participants. A conversation window is presented on the graphical user interface. The conversation window displays a collection of contact icons with each contact icon respectively corresponding to one of the selected participants of the group conversation, and a conversation thread with the shared communication messages.
US08984419B2	Digital media frame A method and a device for displaying images on a digital media frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a memory, a processing unit, a display, an interface circuit, and a display circuit. The interface circuit has at least one receiving port capable of identifying various types of networking protocols that are used to transfer the image data. The processing unit attaches auxiliary information to each image before images are stored in a memory. The display circuit displays images according to the image data received. The digital media frame further contains a user input device, which allows a user to alter the image display sequence. The user input device is an input device other than a keyboard or a cursor control device.
US08984417B2	Method of associating attributes with documents A method of adding a user-selectable element to a destination array of documents, the method comprising adding a document to the destination array of documents, the destination array of documents being adapted to group a plurality of documents having a commonality, the added document being adapted to acquire the commonality by being added to the destination array of documents. A tangible machine-readable medium and a graphical user interface providing same are also provided herewith.
US08984412B2	Advertising-driven theme preview and selection An advertisement is associated with an advertiser-sponsored theme. An application generates a page that includes the advertisement. If a first user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the advertiser-sponsored theme is temporarily applied to the page, thereby providing a preview of the advertiser-sponsored theme. If a second user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the preview of the advertiser-sponsored theme is removed from the page. If a third user input event is detected with respect to the advertisement, the advertiser-sponsored theme is selected for use with the application. A notification may also be provided to other users indicated that the advertiser-sponsored theme was selected for use.
US08984398B2	Generation of search result abstracts The subject matter disclosed herein relates to generating an abstract of an electronic document based at least in part on a utility metric associated with a group phrases as well as on a ranked order of sentences.
US08984396B2	Identifying and representing changes between extensible markup language (XML) files using symbols with data element indication and direction indication This disclosure is directed to techniques for providing comparing first and second XML files to one another. According to these techniques, a computing device (e.g., a version control service executing on the computing device), may be configured generate at least two edit transcripts that each include one or more operational changes that may be applied to data elements of the first XML file to arrive at data elements of the second XML file (or vice versa). The computing device may select at least one optimal edit transcript based on which of the number of operational changes of the at least two edit transcripts.
US08984395B2	Methods, systems and devices for transcoding and displaying electronic documents A received markup language document including a structured list of elements is transcoded by a method which includes analyzing the structure of the document, generating a virtual rendering of a layout of the document, and identifying one or more rectangles each containing at least one element from the virtual rendering. Data representative of the markup language document is generated, including a list of rectangles and their positions in the layout. The thus transcoded document can be displayed on a device which receives the generated data. When a position or a direction within the document is selected, such device may analyze the layout of the document to select at least one of the rectangles based on the position or direction. The device may then display at least a portion of the document selected such that the identified rectangle is given a predefined position on the display.
US08984394B2	System and method for generating a digital edition A system and method to concurrently preview or publish a digital edition. The system comprises a compilation database and an assembler system. The assembler system includes: a receiving module to receive page edition data; a verification module to identify pages edited or created since a last successful compilation; a parser to determine whether the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation are error-free or error-generating pages and to generate replacement parsed page data or parsed page data accordingly; and a compiler. The compiler is configured to: compile the parsed page data and generate compiled page data for each of the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation; combine the compiled page data of the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation with compiled page data stored in the compilation database for unmodified pages; and generate compiled edition data.
US08984392B2	Document synchronization over stateless protocols Example systems, methods, and data structures are directed at synchronizing documents. One example data structure includes receiving a request from a first client to edit a document, and sending short-term check out metadata to the first client to begin an editing session. The data structure includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of data objects defining content of the document. Each data object is associated with one of the cells and has an object identifier that uniquely identifies the data object within the associated cell, and is configured to communicate with other cells and with objects within the associated cell. In addition, each of the cells is defined so that each other cell remains unaffected by changes to data objects of the cell.
US08984391B2	Web page object placement with changing object size responsive to the attribute of the link element To direct the user's awareness towards a page linked from a specific element, a script (object control program) is embedded in a Web page to be transmitted from a Web server and then executed by a user terminal. It is assumed that a plurality of link elements (elements to which links to other Web pages are set up) are placed in the Web page. The computer terminal that executes the object control program places objects with a size covering the whole area of each link element in front of several link elements in a Web page containing a plurality of link elements and gradually scales down the displayed size of the objects. The link elements thereby gradually appear on the display.
US08984390B2	One-click sharing for screenshots and related documents According to an embodiment, an application comprises a sharing mechanism that allows a user to 1) quickly generate an image of information from a document, such as a screenshot of information displayed in a graphical user interface; 2) concurrently generate a link to the document, and 3) simultaneously paste the image with the associated link in another application. The image and link are generated in response to a single user input, such as a click on a “one-click sharing button.” The image and link are placed in a buffer, such as a clipboard, in such a manner that both may be retrieved via a single paste operation. Once pasted in another document, the image with the associated link may be shared with other users via email or any other suitable means. Techniques for pre-cropping and pre-annotating generated screenshots are also described.
US08984387B2	Real time sharing of user updates Techniques for sharing user updates in real time are disclosed. A user can type in a text view related to a specific view and that text can be shared with other users that take part in sharing of that view. Other users can specify interest in user application events and be automatically alerted to the occurrence of the events. A user can effectively share content with a group of users in one action by using sharing controls associated with the content. Sharing controls can be implemented as links or voice activated commands.
US08984386B2	Providing alerts in an information-sharing computer-based service Techniques are provided that allow users that express an interest in an event (e.g. in other user application events) to be notified about the event and to have the capability to interact, in relation to the event, with other users. The system automatically alerts interested users to the occurrence of the event and can provide additional information with the alert (such as associated view(s)), so that the alert can be related, in context, with that additional information. Messages with a corresponding text description can be provided automatically if triggered by conditions that have been specified by the user. A user can proactively watch a limited number of views, but once there are changes that occur in other views of interest, the user will receive a message that includes an access identifier to such other view or views.
US08984378B1	Systems and methods for performing multi-state bit flipping in an LDPC decoder Systems and methods are provided for decoding data using hard decisions and soft information. In particular, the systems and methods described herein are directed to decoders having variable nodes and check nodes, each with multiple states. The systems and methods include receiving, at a decoder during a first iteration, values for each of a plurality of variable nodes, and determining, during a second iteration, one or more indications for each of a plurality of check nodes based on the one or more values of the variable nodes received during the first iteration. The methods further include updating, at the decoder during the second iteration, the values for each of the variable nodes based on the values of the respective variable node received during the first iteration, and the indications for each of the plurality connected check nodes during the first iteration.
US08984363B1	Proof of retrievability for archived files A proof of retrievability (POR) mechanism is applicable to a data object for providing assurances of data object possession to a requesting client by transmitting only a portion of the entire data object. The client compares or examines validation values returned from predetermined validation segments of the data object with previously computed validation attributes for assessing the existence of the data object. Since the archive server does not have access to the validation function prior to the request, or challenge, from the client, the archive server cannot anticipate the validation values expected from the validation function. Further, since the validation segments from which the validation attributes, and hence the validation values were derived, are also unknown to the server, the server cannot anticipate which portions of the data object will be employed for validation.
US08984351B2	Performing process for removal medium In a controller of a tape drive, when an error recovery section cannot recover an error detected by an error detecting section, an error-report generation section generates an error report, an error-information acquisition section acquires error information of the tape drive and a cartridge loaded in the tape drive, an error-information exchange section acquires pieces of error information of other tape drives and cartridges loaded in these other tape drives, an error-factor judging section judges whether the error is attributable to the tape drive or the cartridge based on these pieces of error information, an error-report update section updates the error report in accordance with the result of this judgment, and an error-report output section outputs the error report thus updated to a host.
US08984350B1	Replication method and apparatus in a distributed system Embodiments of a method and apparatus for replicating a process performed on a first computer on a remote computer, particularly for the replication of a database maintained of each of the computers. An offset is added to time stamps for a sequence of commands so that a correction in a command or data associated with the command that is subsequently received before the command is executed can be implemented. The correction can result in removing the command from the sequence of commands to be performed, changing the data associated with the command or delaying execution of the command, for example.
US08984348B2	Semi-automatic conversion and execution of functional manual tests Embodiments of the invention relate to the conversion and execution of functional tests. In one embodiment, a current test step of a manual functional test is executed. The test includes a set of test steps each including at least one action and one target of the action. The test is associated with an application that includes a plurality of objects to be tested. At least two of the objects are determined to be associated with the target of the test step. A user is prompted to provide a selection of one of the at least objects for association with the target of the test step. A new test step is generated. The new test step associates the object selected by the user with the target of the current test step. The new test step is designated for automatic execution in place of the current test step for subsequent executions thereof.
US08984339B2	System and method for test case generation using components In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to receive a first indication that a first component is selected from a plurality of components and receive a second indication that a second component is selected from the plurality of components. The processor is further operable to determine a first instruction associated with the first component, wherein the first instruction corresponds to first computer logic for executing the first at least one test action, and determine a second instruction associated with the second component, wherein the second instruction corresponds to second computer logic for executing the second at least one test action. The processor is also operable to generate a test case file comprising the first instruction and the second instruction and associate the test case file with an application under test.
US08984334B2	Processor and method of controlling execution of processes A processor includes a plurality of processing sections, each of which executes a predetermined process. A plurality of fault detecting circuits are respectively provided for the plurality of processing sections, to detect a fault in one of the plurality of processing sections as a fault processing section to generate a fault detection signal. A fault monitoring and control section controls a normal processing section as at least one of the plurality of processing sections other than the fault processing section to execute a relieving process in response to the fault detection signal. The relieving process is determined based on a process load of the fault processing section, a process load of the normal processing section, and priority levels of processes to be executed by the fault processing section and the normal processing section.
US08984323B2	Scheduling events in a microprocessor using a plurality of delta time registers arranged as a sequence buffer and indicating a sequence position of the sequence buffer to process an event A microcontroller has a central processing unit (CPU), a plurality of peripherals, and a programmable scheduler unit with: —a timer being clocked by an independent clock signal; —a comparator coupled with a timer register of said timer and having an output generating an output signal; —an event register coupled with said comparator; —a delta time register; and —an arithmetic logic unit controlled by the output signal of the comparator and with first and second inputs and an output, wherein the first input is coupled with the timer register or the event register and the second input is coupled with the delta time register and the output is coupled with the event register.
US08984311B2	Method, apparatus, and system for energy efficiency and energy conservation including dynamic C0-state cache resizing Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for energy-efficient operation of a device are described. In some embodiments, a cache performance indicator of a cache is monitored, and a set of one or more cache performance parameters based on the cache performance indicator is determined. The cache is dynamically resized to an optimal cache size based on a comparison of the cache performance parameters to their energy-efficient targets to reduce power consumption.
US08984302B2	Information processing apparatus According to one embodiment, a first processor of an information processing apparatus switches between a secure mode and a non-secure mode and reports its mode. When the first processor is in the secure mode, a second processor accesses to a protected area of a storage module. A boot program for the first processor and a program which activates the first processor in the non-secure mode are verified. Furthermore, a program which activates the first processor in the secure mode is encrypted, and its decryption key is stored in the protected area of the storage module.
US08984297B2	Authenticated adversarial routing A routing protocol is used to transmit messages from a sender to a receiver over a network of nodes, where adversaries can control links between the nodes and can also control the behavior of a large number of nodes. Various techniques can be used, along or in combination, to combat these effects. In one approach, certain trigger conditions are identified, the occurrence of which signals malicious behavior within the network. When signaled, the sender requests status reports from the intermediate nodes in an effort to determine which nodes are malicious. The information for the status reports is generated by nodes as packets are passed from one node to the next.
US08984292B2	Keyed human interactive proof players A human interactive puzzle (HIP) authorization architecture where keyed and animated puzzles are executed by HIP players which are distinct and obfuscated to the point where breaking a single player is a relatively costly operation. A key is created in response to a request for a service, a HIP player is created based on the key, and a small installation executable is created that expands during installation to produce a computationally expensive data structure on the client relative to verification of the solution at the server. Thus, copying of the player or relay of the puzzle to a third system requires more time than allowed to receive the solution at the server.
US08984276B2	System and method for device registration and authentication Systems and methods for device registration and authentication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for authentication of a device may include (1) receiving, at a mobile device, a first credential; (2) transmitting, over a network, the first credential to a server; (3) receiving, from the server, a first key and a first value, the first value comprising a receipt for the first credential; (4) receiving, at the mobile device, a data entry for a second credential; (5) generating, by a processor, a second key from the data entry; (6) retrieving, by the mobile device, a third credential using the first key and the second key; (7) signing, by the mobile device, the first value with the third credential; and (8) transmitting, over the network, the signed third value to the server.
US08984275B2	Virtual air gap—VAG system This invention consists of a virtual air gap—VAG system developed in order to provide Internet and computer security. The virtual air gap system developed in this invention is characterized by the principal elements of: “Virtual air gap (14),” Internal security component (15), “External security component (16),” Message transfer mechanism of the system components positioned between internal and external security components (5, 6) and a shared memory (7), “Internal system (9) consisting of the internal security component and such other components (11) contained in the system, and connecting the same to the internal network (1),” External system (10) consisting of the external security component and such other components contained in the system, and connecting the same to the external network (2), and “Shared memory (7).
US08984269B2	Migrating data among cloud-based storage networks via a data distribution service Embodiments relate to systems and methods for migrating data between cloud networks via a data distribution service. In aspects, an administrator of a data payload may wish to migrate the data payload from a host cloud network to a target cloud provider to leverage cost, security, redundancy, consolidation, or other advantages. The data distribution service can identify target cloud providers with sets of resources that are capable of hosting the data payload. Further, the data distribution service can determine that the target cloud providers are connected to or capable of being connected to the data distribution service via a set of dedicated communication channels. According to aspects, the data distribution service can receive the data payload from the host cloud network, and transport the data payload to a selected target cloud provider via the set of dedicated communication channels.
US08984263B2	Information processing device and emulation processing program and method An emulation processing method causing a computer including a first and a second processor to execute emulation processing, the emulation processing method includes: calculate a next instruction address next to a received instruction address, and transmit, to the second processor, the calculated instruction address and instruction information read out on the basis of the calculated instruction address, transmit, to the first processor, a first instruction address that is an instruction address included in an execution result of executed processing, and execute processing based on the instruction information received from the first processor, when a second instruction address that is the instruction address received from the first processor is identical to the first instruction address, and read out instruction information on the basis of the first instruction address and execute processing based on the instruction information read out, when the second instruction address is not identical to the first instruction address.
US08984257B2	Managing sensor and actuator data for a processor and service processor located on a common socket Illustrated is a system and method that includes a processor and service processor co-located on a common socket, the service processor to aggregate data from a distributed network of additional service processors and processors both of which are co-located on an additional common socket. The system and method also includes a first sensor to record the data from the processor. The system and method also includes a second sensor to record the data from a software stack. The system and method further includes a registry to store the data.
US08984251B2	Hinting of deleted data from host to storage device A storage device includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to store data items for a host in respective logical addresses, to identify a first subset of the logical addresses as frequently-accessed logical addresses and a second subset of the logical addresses as rarely-accessed logical addresses, to manage the frequently-accessed logical addresses separately from the rarely-accessed logical addresses, to receive from the host an indication of one or more logical addresses, which are used for storing data that is identified by the host as having been deleted by a user, and to add the logical addresses indicated by the host to the rarely-accessed logical addresses.
US08984249B2	ID generation apparatus and method for serially interconnected devices A plurality of memory devices (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, NAND Flash, NOR Flash) is serially interconnected. Each of the interconnected devices receives a device identifier (ID) and latches it as its ID. Each device includes a circuit for calculating another ID or an incremented ID to generate it. The generated ID is transferred to another device and the ID is incremented in each of the devices in the serial interconnection. The last device in the interconnection provides a last generated ID that is provided to a memory controller having a recognition circuit that recognizes the total number of the serially interconnected devices, from the provided last generated ID. The recognition circuit recognizes the total output latency of the devices in the serial interconnection.
US08984237B2	Memory system and memory management method including the same A multi-processor system includes a first processor, a second processor communicable with the first processor, a first non-volatile memory for storing first codes and second codes to respectively boot the first and second processors, the first memory communicable with the first processor, a second volatile memory designated for the first processor, a third volatile memory designated for the second processor, and a fourth volatile memory shared by the first and second processors.
US08984227B2	Advanced coarse-grained cache power management Methods and apparatuses for reducing power consumption of a system cache within a memory controller. The system cache includes multiple ways, and each way is powered independently of the other ways. A target active way count is maintained and the system cache attempts to keep the number of currently active ways equal to the target active way count. The bandwidth and allocation intention of the system cache is monitored. Based on these characteristics, the system cache adjusts the target active way count up or down, which then causes the number of currently active ways to rise or fall in response to the adjustment to the target active way count.
US08984224B2	Multiple instances of mapping configurations in a storage system or storage appliance The present invention is directed to a method and software for managing the host-to-volume mappings of a SAN storage system. The host-to-volume mappings of the SAN storage system are represented in mapping configuration components. The active mapping configuration component represents the current host-to-volume mapping for the SAN storage system. Only one mapping configuration component is active at a time. The host-to-volume mappings of the SAN storage system are changed by deactivating the active mapping configuration component and activating an inactive mapping configuration component that represents a different mapping configuration, effecting a repartition, repurpose, disaster recovery, or other business activity. This can be a scheduled task or performed in an on-demand manner. The mapping configuration components are managed and controlled through the management component of the SAN storage system.
US08984213B2	Electronic system and memory managing method thereof A method for managing a flash memory including a plurality of blocks is provided. Each block includes a plurality of sets of a first page and a second page configured in pair. In response to a request for writing target data into a target block, at least one cache block is selected from the blocks. The target data is then written into the first pages in the at least one cache block. When a write-back condition is established, the target data is written from the cache block back to the target block.
US08984211B2	Computer system and management system A storage system, which comprises multiple memory cells and a storage controller, wherein the storage controller manages cell mode information, which either directly or indirectly denotes the number of bits to be stored in multiple memory cells. The cell mode information can be changed in accordance with a request from a management system.
US08984206B2	Weightage-based scheduling for hierarchical switching fabrics Techniques are disclosed to implement a scheduling scheme for a crossbar scheduler that provides distributed request-grant-accept arbitration between input group arbiters and output group arbiters in a distributed switch. Input and output ports are grouped and assigned a respective arbiter. The input group arbiters communicate requests indicating a count of respective ports having data packets to be transmitted via one of the output ports. The output group arbiter attempts to accommodate the requests for each member of an input group before proceeding to a next input group.
US08984204B2	Communication network for a low voltage electric switchboard A communication network for a low-voltage switchboard comprising three types of communication bus.The first communication bus is designed to provide a first communication channel with at least one electronic protection device.A second communication bus is designed to provide a second communication channel with said electronic protection device.At least one third communication bus (13) is designed to provide a third communication channel between said at least one protection and control unit and one or more additional electronic modules (6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6F).The second communication bus is associated with a second, higher user access level than the first user access level associated with said first communication bus.
US08984203B2	Memory access control module and associated methods First and second data interfaces provide data transfer to and from a plurality of memory banks. The first data interface uses a first bus size and a first clock frequency. The second data interface uses a second bus size and a second clock frequency. The second bus size is an integer multiple of the first bus size. The first clock frequency is an integer multiple of the second clock frequency. A channelizer module segments data from the second data interface into data segments of the first bus size and transmits them to addressed ones of the plurality of memory banks using the first clock frequency. The channelizer module also receives data in accordance with the first bus size and first clock frequency from the plurality of memory banks, combines this data into the second bus size, and transmits the data to the second data interface using the second clock frequency.
US08984202B2	Multiple host support for remote expansion apparatus A data processing assembly includes one or more hosts connected to one or more I/O Expansion Drawers. Assignment state information is stored on the Expansion Drawer to convey the assignment state of Expansion Drawer(s) resources to the hosts. The host retrieves the assignment state and, from it, determines, for each Expansion Buss cable connected to the host, the number of Expansion Cards in the Expansion Drawer to configure. A change in the number of Expansion Cards in the expansion apparatus may necessitate a change in the assignment state, which can be electronically accommodated (as opposed to a manual reconfiguration). Similarly, a failure of an Expansion Buss cable is addressed by electronically reassigning resources to another host or to the same host over a different Expansion Buss cable without the need for further manual intervention. The assembly is capable of verifying correct cable connection between a host and the Expansion Drawer.
US08984192B2	Method and device for disabling a higher version of a computer bus and interconnection protocol for interoperability with a device compliant to a lower version of the computer bus and interconnection protocol A method and a device for disabling a lower version of a computer bus and interconnection protocol (e.g., Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) 2.0 or higher) for interoperability with a receiver compliant to a lower version of the protocol are disclosed. The device detects a presence of a receiver, and starts link training. During the link training, the number of link training failures or the elapsed time is counted. The device transmits a training sequence including symbols set in accordance with a higher version of the protocol that the device supports on each lane that the receiver is detected as long as the number of link training failures or the elapsed time is below a predetermined threshold. If the number of link training failures or the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, the device transmits a training sequence including symbols set in accordance with a lower version of the protocol.
US08984189B2	Systems, methods, and apparatuses for stacked memory Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for hybrid memory. In one embodiment, a hybrid memory may include a package substrate. The hybrid memory may also include a hybrid memory buffer chip attached to the first side of the package substrate. High speed input/output (HSIO) logic supporting a HSIO interface with a processor. The hybrid memory also includes packet processing logic to support a packet processing protocol on the HSIO interface. Additionally, the hybrid memory also has one or more memory tiles that are vertically stacked on the hybrid memory buffer.
US08984186B2	Augmenting capabilities of a host device A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for augmenting capabilities of a host device is presented. A first application on the host device is executed, where the first application is configured to execute on a second device and is configured to use a capability that is available on the second device, and where the capability is not included in the host device. A request is received from the first application to use the capability that is available the second device, where the first application does not have knowledge of the capabilities of the second device. A connection is established to the second device through at least one network. Communications are facilitated between the first application and the second device though the at least one network to provide the capability that is available on the second device to the first application.
US08984184B2	System and method for managing input/output data of peripheral devices A method for communicating data between peripheral devices and an embedded processor that includes receiving, at a data buffer unit of the embedded processor, the data from a peripheral device. The method also includes copying data from the data buffer unit into the bridge buffer of the embedded processor as a bridge buffer message. Additionally, the method includes creating, after storing the data as a bridge buffer message, a peripheral device message comprising the bridge buffer message, and sending the peripheral device message to a thread message queue of a subscriber.
US08984181B2	Video sender and video receiver According to one embodiment, a video sender comprises: a video processor and a communication module. The video processor creates video. The communication module is configured to communicate with a video receiver. The communication module comprises: a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver receives, from the video receiver, specific information specifying which one of a color signal and a frame rate takes precedence over the other one in transmission. The transmitter converts the video created by the video processor into video in which one of the color signal and the frame rate takes precedence over the other one in accordance with the specific information, and transmit the video thus converted to the video receiver.
US08984180B2	Relay and data processing method A relay and a data processing method are provided. The relay includes: a detection unit for classifying and detecting event oriented monitoring data and non-event oriented monitoring data from monitoring data; a storage unit for storing the detected monitoring data; a communication unit for receiving a request signal of the monitoring data from a monitoring device and transmitting corresponding monitoring data in response to a transmission request signal of the monitoring data; and a control unit for extracting event oriented monitoring data from the monitoring data and performing a control to transmit the monitoring data requested from the monitoring device.
US08984177B2	Control device, input/output device, connection switch device and method for an aircraft control system A connection switching device for an aircraft network includes a switching network and a second identification device. The switching network connects input/output devices, such that applications may be interconnected or such that an application may be connected to a peripheral device. The second identification device detects an input/output device that is connected to the connection switching device.
US08984176B2	SATA/eSATA port configuration In one embodiment, a computer system comprises one or more processors, a circuit board assembly having at least one SATA port, a general purpose input/output port proximate the SATA port, signal generating logic to generate a signal when the general purpose input/output port is coupled to a connector, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors and comprising logic instructions stored in a computer readable medium which, when executed on the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to configure the SATA port according to the signal generated by the signal generating circuitry.
US08984171B2	Data storage device and flash memory control method A data storage device and a FLASH memory control method with a cache space. The FLASH memory control method includes the following steps: using a plurality of channels to access a FLASH memory, wherein the FLASH memory has a plurality of blocks each with a plurality of pages, and the blocks are grouped to be accessed by the different channels; allocating a random access memory to provide a cache space, the cache space having a plurality of cache areas caching write data for the different channels, respectively; distributing the data issued from a host to correspond to the different channels; and reusing a latest-updated cache area of the cache space to cache write data when a logical address requested to be written with data is identical to a logical address that the latest-updated cache area corresponds to.
US08984167B1	Real-time frame streaming from remote graphics processing unit A client computing device transmits commands and/or data to a software application executing on a server computing device. The server computing device includes one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) that render frames of graphic data associated with the software application. For each frame, the one or more GPUs copy the frame to memory. A server engine also executing on the server computing device divides the frame into subframes, compresses each subframe, and transmits compressed subframes to the client computing device. The client computing device decompresses and reassembles the frame for display to an end-user of the client computing device.
US08984166B2	Method and apparatus for reducing network resource transmission size using delta compression A near end network optimizer receives, from a client device, a request for a network resource. Responsive to determining that a version of the network resource is stored in the near end network optimizer, a request for the network resource is transmitted to a far end network optimizer along with a version identifier that identifies that version. The near end network optimizer receives, from the far end network optimizer, a response that includes a differences file that specifies the difference(s) between the version of the network resource stored in the near end network optimizer with a most current version of the network resource. The response does not include the entire network resource. The near end network optimizer applies the specified difference(s) to the version that it has stored to generate an updated version of the network resource, and transmits the updated version of the network resource to the client device.
US08984164B2	Methods for reducing latency in network connections and systems thereof A method, computer readable medium, and apparatus for reducing latency in network connections include receiving at a proxy server device a first response from one or more server devices in response to a first request from a client device for a network resource stored on the one or more server devices. The proxy server device determines whether or not the first response is a redirect message, and sends a second request to the one or more server devices when the first response includes the first redirect message, such that the sending is performed at least partially based upon the received redirect message.
US08984157B2	Network analysis in a file transfer system Aspects of the invention are directed to a method and system for discovering business content transfer paths in a network using file transfer information, and for calculating business risk per network component in a network. A method according to an embodiment includes: obtaining file transfer information for a plurality of file transfers between a plurality of nodes within a network; generating a confidence of correlation for each pair of file transfers in the plurality of file transfers; determining interdependencies between the plurality of file transfers based on the confidence of correlation for each pair of file transfers; and determining a business content transfer path based on the interdependencies between the plurality of file transfers.
US08984154B2	System and method for synchronizing simultaneous media stream playback across nonsynchronized network timing/clock islands A system and method for synchronizing simultaneous media stream playback across disjoint network timing/clock islands. An embodiment of a method includes determining a closest device to a source device in a network communications path between the source device and one or more target devices. Here, clocks of the closest device and the one or more target devices are synchronized and a clock of the source device is not necessarily synchronized with the clocks of the closest device and the one or more target devices. A current time for the closest device is then determined. A start time is assigned to at least the current time plus a maximum latency across the network communications path. A data stream and the start time are sent to the one or more target devices for rendering. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08984143B2	Emergency information services A method of communicating with a user includes receiving a call from the user via a first mode of communicating; sending, to an emergency information service, via a communications network, a request for information associated with the user; receiving, from the emergency information service, via the communications network, information characterizing more than one mode of communicating with the user; and initiating communication with the user via a second mode of communicating, the second mode of communicating included in the more than one mode of communicating with the user.
US08984137B2	Synchronized processing of data by networked computing resources Systems 100, 1000, methods, and machine-interpretable programming or other instruction products for the management of data processing by multiple networked computing resources 106, 1106. In particular, the disclosure relates to the synchronization of related requests for processing of data using distributed network resources.
US08984133B2	Providing treatment-indicative feedback dependent on putative content treatment A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a content type indication locally of a remote system's apparent content treatment and causing provisional-update-responsive feedback to depend at least partly on the content type indication of the remote system's apparent content treatment.
US08984125B2	Computer program, method, and information processing apparatus for analyzing performance of computer system In an information processing apparatus, a comparing unit determines whether the response time of each transaction falls within an acceptable time range that is specified previously. For each time window, a first calculation unit calculates a load of processes executed in parallel by the servers in a specified tier, based on transaction data of individual transactions. Further, a second calculation unit calculates a total progress quantity in each time window, based on the transaction data of transactions whose respective response times are determined to fall within the acceptable time range. A determination unit determines a specific load value as a threshold at which the total progress quantity begins to decrease in spite of an increase of the load.
US08984119B2	Changing an event identifier of a transient event in an event notification system An event notification system for distributed processing systems provides for replacement of event identifiers associated with transient objects, such as processes within the processing system. An event management interface receives a notification from an event producer that an identifier of an event produced by the event producer is no longer valid. The event management interface blocks event notification for the event and dissociates an event registration entry associated with the event from the event identifier. A new event identifier is received from the event producer by the event management interface, which associates the registration entry with the new event identifier. Event notification for the event is then resumed.
US08984116B2	Passive and comprehensive hierarchical anomaly detection system and method A technique for monitoring performance in a network uses passively monitored traffic data at the server access routers. The technique aggregates performance metrics into clusters according to a spatial hierarchy in the network, and then aggregates performance metrics within spatial clusters to form time series of temporal bins. Representative values from the temporal bins are then analyzed using an enhanced Holt-Winters exponential smoothing algorithm.
US08984114B2	Dynamic session migration between network security gateways A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for migrating session information between security gateways are disclosed. In one embodiment, receiving, at a first security gateway, session information associated with a session corresponding to a network connection, the session information having been transferred from a second security gateway, the first and second security gateway being separate physical devices; and thereafter performing security processing for the session at the first security gateway.
US08984110B1	Secure media address learning for endpoints behind NAPT devices A first media packet from a first endpoint of an access network behind a NAPT device is received by a media device between a core network and the access network. The first media packet includes a first source IP address and port combination identifying the first endpoint. An UPDATE request or a reINVITE request is transmitted by the media device. A second IP address and port combination for the media device to receive future media packets from the first endpoint is negotiated. The media device compares a first IP address of the first source IP address and port combination to a second IP address of a second source address and port combination for a second media packet received on the second IP address and port combination. If the first and second IP addresses match, the media device relays media packets from the core network to the first endpoint.
US08984099B1	Systems and methods for identifying increased user interest and promoting content in a geographic information system Systems and methods for identifying increased user interest in a geographic area and selecting and promoting content associated with such geographic area within a geographic information system are provided. One exemplary aspect relates to a computer-implemented method of promoting an item of content within a geographic information system. The geographic information system can comprise a plurality of geospatial data objects respectively representing a plurality of geographic areas. The plurality of geospatial data objects can be accessed by one or more client devices. The method includes identifying a first geospatial data object experiencing an increased volume of access. The method further includes selecting an item of content associated with a geographic area represented by the first geospatial data object and promoting the item of content within the geographic information system. An exemplary system includes a host server system in communication with one or more client devices over a network.
US08984098B1	Organizing a stream of content A system and method for generating a stream of content with candidate content items associated with a likelihood of being interesting to a user. A model generation engine generates a model for a user. A scoring engine obtains candidate content items and compares candidate content items to a model to determine the most interesting content items. A user interface engine organizing first and second content items in a first direction and a third content item in a second direction. The user interface engine receives feedback that includes a request for additional content items or a request to remove an interest associated with a selected content item from the model. The model generation engine updates the model in response to feedback.
US08984094B2	Systems and methods to deliver a personalized mediacast Content delivery is provided responsive to mediacast content consumer requests by providing personalized mediacasts to each of a plurality of mediacast content consumers. Each of the personalized mediacasts includes a variety of replaceable programming and non-programming content segments and a variety of non-replaceable programming and non-programming content segments. Replacement programming and non-programming content segments may be targeted, for example selected based in part on one or more selection criterion associated with the mediacast content consumer, or provided by the broadcaster or Webcaster. A buffering scheme may be employed to inherently adjust asynchronicity between a broadcast or Webcast and a personalized mediacast. Actual insertion of replacement programming and non-programming content segments may occur upstream of a content consumer device or at the content consumer device.
US08984083B2	System and method to integrate measurement information within an electronic laboratory notebook environment Capability to record relevant aggregated data via a test and measurement instrument interface through a software agent. The agent resides within the test and measurement instrument and gathers the information when activated. The information can be measurement data; measurement setup parameters; test system topology; user notes, brief descriptions, audio recordings or pen input; pictures; or attached documents. The agent can communicate directly to an electronic laboratory notebook server or can store the information on a portable computer readable media (CRM). A user can upload the information from the portable CRM to the server. The user can access the information via a PC workstation.
US08984073B2	Geographically limited communications system and method A geographically limited communications system comprises a server for receiving one or more posts or messages from one or more location-enabled portable devices. The server may store these posts and retrieve them based on location information stored along with the posts. This allows only posts left at a particular location to be viewed by users at that location. In addition, posts may only be left at a user's current location in one or more embodiments. The server may notify a user when another user leaves a post near or at one of the user's previous posts.
US08984071B1	Systems and methods for providing a contextual message for a web-based service A computer-implemented method to provide a contextual message for a web-based service is described. An application executing on a computing device is monitored. A link between the application and a mobile telephone number is detected. Reputation information for a service provided by the application is determined. A first informational message regarding the service is generated based on the reputation information. The first informational message is displayed.
US08984063B1	Techniques for providing a user directory for communication within a communication system A group communication system is disclosed. The group communication system integrates a number of electronic communication tools to meet various communication needs among registered users in the system. To facilitate private communication among members in a group, a user directory is provided to allow an initiator to clearly view who he/she wants to communicate with. The user directory includes icons respectively associated with members in a group. Each of the icons can be enlarged when activated. Data from the communication is transported via a server device in the system based on respective identifiers (not email addresses) of the participants.
US08984061B2	Conferencing system, server, image display method, and computer program product The conferencing system is composed of computers, a moderator's computer, and a projector connected on a network. The moderator's computer receives image data from the computers, and generates synthesized image data therefrom, which is transmitted to the projector for display of the synthesized image. The moderator's computer has the capability to switch the image being projected by the projector from the synthesized image to an image handled by one of the computers or by the moderator's computer. With such an arrangement, utilizing existing hardware resources it will be possible to display in a single split-screen display the images handled by the terminals connected on the network. Additionally, it will be possible to switch smoothly between on-screen displays, and to reduce the burden on the on-screen display operator in a networked conferencing system.
US08984059B2	Mobile data processing system moving interest radius Provided is a fully automated web service with location based services generally involved in transmission of situational location dependent information to automatically located mobile receiving data processing systems. The web service communicates with a receiving data processing system in a manner by delivering information to the device when appropriate without the device requesting it at the time of delivery. The web service maximizes anonymity of users, provides granular privacy control with a default of complete privacy, and supports user configurable privileges and features for desired web service behavior and interoperability. The web service is fully automated to eliminate human resources required to operate services. Integrated with the web service are enhanced location based services providing map solutions, alerts, sharing of novel services between users, and complete user control for managing heterogeneous device interoperability through the web service.
US08984058B2	Pre-fetching remote resources Systems and methods are described for pre-fetching remote resources. A computerized method of pre-fetching remote resources includes calculating a probability of a request for a remote resource by a user within a validity period, based on a representation of historical requests for the remote resource by the user, pre-fetching the remote resource if the probability is greater than a threshold, intercepting an actual request for the remote resource by the user, recording the actual request into the representation of the historical requests by the user, and fulfilling the actual request for the remote resource using the pre-fetched remote resource.
US08984056B2	Inter point of presence split architecture A system and method for accelerating web page delivery is disclosed in one embodiment. Web content requests are made to an edge server of a first point of presence (POP) of a content delivery network (CDN). The web content has embedded resource links. The first POP can rewrite the embedded resource links to route requests for the embedded resource links to any POP in the CDN or even the origin server. In some embodiments, the first POP can decide if the first POP and/or another POP referenced in a rewritten embedded resource link should cache and/or accelerate the resource referenced in the embedded resource link.
US08984055B2	Relay device, information processing system, and computer-readable recording medium A relay device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including storing association relationship information in which a session identifier for identifying a session established between a server and a client by a program running on the server is associated with a server identifier for identifying the server. The process includes determining whether a session identifier contained in a message received from a distributing device is contained in the association relationship information stored at the storing. The process includes selecting a relay system used when the received message is transferred to the server in accordance with a program that has established a session indicated by the session identifier contained in the message. The process includes transferring the message by using the relay system selected at the selecting.
US08984050B2	Consistent interface for sales territory message type set 2 A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a sales territory business object.
US08984048B1	Selective prefetch scanning The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of enhancing prefecher functionality by scanning responses object requests. In certain embodiments, prefetching is improved by identifying references to container objects or sections of container objects at a proxy server. When URLs are identified as part of a container object, a prefetching determination or adjustment to a prefetching decision is made according to the identification of the reference for a subset of URLs identified by the reference to the container object. For example, prefetching of URLs located in cascading style sheet (CSS) files may be restricted to a subset of URLs which are identified by a CSS rule.
US08984042B2	Mixed precision estimate instruction computing narrow precision result for wide precision inputs A technique is provided for performing a mixed precision estimate. A processing circuit receives an input of a first precision having a wide precision value. The processing circuit computes an output in an output exponent range corresponding to a narrow precision value based on the input having the wide precision value.
US08984036B2	Methods for operating controllers using seed tables A method for operating a controller may include storing a pseudo noise (PN) sequence provided from a PN sequence generator in an i-th area of a seed table and cyclically shifting the PN sequence from the i-th area to an (i+1)-th area in the table to form the table. The table may include row and column areas. A method for operating a controller may include receiving a sequence from a sequence generator, splitting the sequence into seed units, storing split sequences in a j-th area of the seed table, and forming the table including the seed units corresponding to the split sequences stored in the j-th area. A method for operating a controller may include storing a sequence provided from a sequence generator in a seed table that includes a plurality of areas and cyclically shifting the sequence in the table until a seed is formed in each area.
US08984032B2	Method and system for providing storage device file location information A method and system are disclosed that permit a host application to obtain cluster location data, for example logical addresses associated with the clusters of a file, and a host application to communicate the logical block address mapping information to firmware of a storage device. The method includes the host transmitting one or more clusters or partial clusters having a signature to the storage device where the storage device knows or has been instructed to look for the signature. The storage device may receive clusters having a signature and, responsive to a host request, return logical address information to a host for the location in the storage device of the marked clusters. The host may parse a data structure on the storage device to obtain remaining cluster location information using a file's first cluster location or may request that the storage device return the cluster location information.
US08984024B2	Manipulating the actual or effective window size in a data-dependant variable-length sub-block parser Example systems and methods concern a sub-block parser that is configured with a variable sized window whose size varies as a function of the actual or expected entropy of data to be parsed by the sub-block parser. Example systems and methods also concern a sub-block parser configured to compress a data sequence to be parsed before parsing the data sequence. One example method facilitates either actually changing the window size or effectively changing the window size by manipulating the data before it is parsed. The example method includes selectively reconfiguring a data set to be parsed by a data-dependent parser based, at least in part, on the entropy level of the data set, selectively reconfiguring the data-dependent parser, based, at least in part, on the entropy level of the data set, and parsing the data set.
US08984019B2	Scalable summarization of data graphs Keyword searching is used to explore and search large Resource Description Framework datasets having unknown or constantly changing structures. A succinct and effective summarization is built from the underlying resource description framework data. Given a keyword query, the summarization lends significant pruning powers to exploratory keyword searches and leads to much better efficiency compared to previous work. The summarization returns exact results and can be updated incrementally and efficiently.
US08984011B1	Page object caching for variably sized access control lists in data storage systems Technologies are described herein for caching variably sized access control lists (ACLs) in a data storage system utilizing page object caching. A request to access a file is received. An inode number of the requested file is identified. A hash key based on the inode number and a predefined hash value is determined. A determination is made as to whether the hash key is contained in a hash list. In response to determining that the hash key is contained in the hash list, access to a page object in the memory is provided. The page object contains an access control list (ACL) associated with the requested file. The ACL is retrieved from the page object.
US08984004B2	Information collecting system An information collecting system includes a dictionary defining the kinds of each supporting information to be added to job-site data and a database of the supporting information. The supporting information is background information including pieces of information indicating an analysis assist material affecting an analysis and an evaluation assist material affecting an evaluation of an analysis result. That is, the job-site data is included as a factor in a fishbone diagram having a shared knowledge of an organization or an organization knowledge as a characteristic, and the background information is other factors in the fishbone diagram including the job-site data as a factor. Each supporting information is searched from the database in accordance with a dictionary, and each searched supporting information is added to the job-site data in addition to attribute data to generate event information.
US08983998B1	Prioritizing points of interest in unfamiliar regions Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for prioritizing points of interest. A system is configured to receive a plurality of points of interest (POIs) selected for a user, identify at least one point of interest in the plurality of POIs that has been assigned a rating by a linker entity that is associated with a first geographic region that is associated with the user and a second geographic region that is not associated with the user, prioritize the at least one identified point of interest, and select, based on the prioritizing, a subset of the plurality of POIs to be presented to the user.
US08983991B2	Generating logical expressions for search queries In one embodiment, a method comprises, by a computer system, receiving a search term, determining a search constraint for a search query, and generating a search query. The search query includes the search term and the search constraint. The search query requires that at least a first number of search results that are returned in response to the search query match both the search term and the search constraint. The search query permits at least a second number of the search results to match only the search term. The computer system provides the search query for a search against a store of data.
US08983989B2	Contextual queries Systems, methods, and computer-storage media for generating contextual queries are provided. The system includes a search engine to receive user queries and contexts, a query understanding component to generate a semantic representation of the query, and a data source command generator to transform the semantic representation into commands for multiple data sources. The data source command generator is connected to the query understanding component. The data source command generator selects data source commands based on lexical information associated with each data source.
US08983986B2	Ranking search results based on the frequency of access on the search results by users of a social-networking system Particular embodiments access a search query submitted by a first user of a social-networking system; identify one or more web pages in response to the search query; for each of the one or more web pages, determine a value indicating a number of user clicks associated with the web page by one or more second users of the social-networking system who are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; and send a set of hyperlinks for the one or more web pages, wherein hyperlinks for web pages where the value is greater than zero are visually emphasized over other hyperlinks.
US08983985B2	Masking sensitive data of table columns retrieved from a database Access to a data element stored within a database object is controlled. A request is received from a user to perform an operation in relation to the database object, the operation including retrieval of information from the data element of the database object. Prior to retrieving information from the data element, a determination is made whether at least a portion of the information from the data element is subject to masking in accordance with an access policy. In response to determining that information from the data element is subject to masking, the request is modified to require that information from the data element be retrieved in a masked condition.
US08983981B2	Conformed dimensional and context-based data gravity wells A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product defines multiple context-based conformed dimensional data gravity wells on a context-based conformed dimensional data gravity wells membrane. Conformed dimensional objects and synthetic context-based objects are parsed into n-tuples. A virtual mass of each parsed object is calculated, in order to define a shape of the multiple context-based conformed dimensional data gravity wells that are created when data objects that are pulled into each of the context-based conformed dimensional data gravity well frameworks on a context-based conformed dimensional gravity wells membrane.
US08983979B2	Controlling access to stored information This document describes, in various implementations, controlling access to information stored in a storage device. The information stored in the storage device is accessed in a desired order without sorting the stored information prior to access.
US08983974B1	Scoring authors of posts In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A score for each of a plurality of authors of posts submitted to a server system is determined. The score for each individual author in the plurality is based on a score of one or more authors in the plurality that have requested to subscribe to a stream of posts that the individual author submits to the server system. A particular post submitted by a particular author in the plurality is received at the server system and from a computing device. A score is assigned to the particular post based on a score of the particular author. The particular post is transmitted from the server system to computing devices that are associated with authors who have requested to subscribe to posts by the particular author.
US08983972B2	Collection and reporting of customer survey data The embodiments may provide a system for managing survey data including a survey metadata handler configured to receive survey metadata for a survey type, and a survey result handler configured to receive one or more completed or partially completed surveys providing one or more answers to questions corresponding to the survey type, a calculating unit configured to calculate one or more weighted answers based on the question weights and the one or more answers, and a satisfaction score for each completed or partially completed survey based on the one or more weighted answers, a category determining unit configured to determine a satisfaction category for the survey type based on the satisfaction scores and satisfaction category information mapping satisfaction categories to satisfaction scores for the survey type, and a database configured to store the survey metadata, the survey results, and the satisfaction category information, as a layered data model.
US08983961B2	High availability for cloud servers A high availability system in a cloud computing environment includes a snapshot manager disposed in a mirror environment having at least one computer server and a plurality of virtual machines disposed in a production environment. Each of the plurality of virtual machines includes a snapshot agent configured to perform a method. The method includes periodically taking snapshots of the virtual machine associated with the snapshot agent, determining a delta image based on a change between a current snapshot and a previous snapshot, removing previous snapshots in the virtual machine and transmitting the delta image to the snapshot manager. The snapshot manager is configured to store a recovery image for each of the plurality of virtual machines and to merge the received delta image with the recovery image to update the recovery image.
US08983957B2	Method of operating a repository for three-dimensional printing data A method of providing a 3D printing database includes collecting 3D printing data from a plurality of users to form a 3D printing database. A first exclusive group is formed including a first subset of the users. Users who are members of the exclusive group are provided with access to a first portion and to other portions of the 3D printing database. The first portion is contributed to the database by the users who are members of the exclusive group. Users excluded from the exclusive group are denied access to the first portion of the component part database. The users excluded from the exclusive group are provided with access to the other portions of the 3D printing database. Each of the users is enabled to furnish an image of a desired component part and to search only the portions of the 3D printing database to which the user has been provided access. The searching is based upon the furnished image of the desired component part.
US08983950B2	Method and system for sorting media items in a playlist on a media device A computer-implemented method and system are provided for sorting media items in a playlist on a media device that are ranked by score. One embodiment includes changing a user preference associated with a sort criteria selected by the user, wherein each of the media items includes a profile score that is calculated based on user preferences, and a replay score that affects replay of the corresponding media item; recalculating the profile score and the replay score of each of the media items; sorting the media items by the replay scores; and sorting the media items by the sort criteria indicated by a user.
US08983947B2	Augmenting search with association information Techniques and tools are described for augmenting search using association information. Searches can be performed using a combination of index information and association information. In some examples, index information is stored in a first data store and association information is stored in a second data store. Search queries can be received and modified using association information. Modified search queries can be executed using a combination of index information and association information. Index information can be generated by indexing a set of documents. Association information can be generated by monitoring user activity occurring between users and a set of documents.
US08983941B1	Visual content retrieval Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating image search results. One of the methods includes receiving first image search results responsive to a text query, each first image search result associated with a respective first score indicating a relevance of an image represented by the first image search result to the text query. Second image search results responsive to a query image are received, each second image search result associated with a respective second score indicating a measure of similarity between an image represented by the second image search result and the query image. A set of final image search results is selected including combining first scores and second scores of the selected first image search results. The final image search results are ordered by similarity to the query image.
US08983938B1	Selecting a command file A method for selecting a command file is described. One or more command files coupled with a first device are accessed. Each command file of the one or more command files comprises one or more command file attributes. One or more device attributes associated with a second device are accessed. The one or more command file attributes and the one or more device attributes are compared to determine a correlation between the one or more command files and the second device. Based on the comparing, generating a ranked portion of the one or more command files according to the correlation.
US08983923B2	System and method for the retrieval and display of supplemental content The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for identifying and displaying supplemental content associated with one or more advertisements responsive to a user query. The method of the present invention comprises identifying one or more advertisements responsive to a user query. One or more terms are extracted from the one or more advertisements identified as responsive to the user query. Supplemental content associated with the one or more advertisements is retrieved through use of the one or more extracted terms, and a display is generated comprising the one or more advertisements identified as responsive to the user query and the supplemental content associated with the one or more advertisements.
US08983920B2	System and method of quality assessment of a search index Systems, methods, and computer program products for enabling assessment of the quality of a search index. In one embodiment, objects are processed to produce corresponding text that is stored and indexed. The objects are also processed to identify and store corresponding metadata values for indexing. Error conditions that are detected during the processing of objects to generate corresponding text are tracked and compared to determine the most severe of the error conditions. An indication of the most severe error condition is stored in a first consolidated error field. Errors that are encountered in the identification and storage of metadata values are counted and this count is stored in a second consolidated error field. Both of the consolidated error fields are indexed in the same manner as the text and metadata for the objects, so that the stored error information can be used in queries of the search index.
US08983914B2	Evaluating a trust value of a data report from a data processing tool Various embodiments of systems and methods for evaluating a trust value for a report are disclosed herein. The method includes obtaining one or more reports by the computer, where the reports are formed of one or more fields of data. An end-to-end lineage for the data is determined to trace the data back to the data source system from which the data had originated initially. Further, the method includes validating each of the multiple data source systems including intermediate tables, and determining a data quality score for each of the multiple data source systems. A trust value for the report is calculated based on the data quality scores for the one or more data source systems and intermediate tables, and rendered along with the report.
US08983911B2	Storage media abstraction for uniform data storage A storage abstraction system is described herein that exposes storage from an operating system as a uniform storage device and abstracts from applications the selection of a particular storage location and different properties of storage devices. The application provides the data to store and some information about the application's goals for storing the data, and lets the operating system route the data to the right place based on the data's characteristics. The operating system may choose to store data anywhere from L2 cache to a cloud-based storage service and anything in between, based on information about the data's persistence requirements, expected usage, access frequency, security needs, and so forth. The system lets applications and users focus on expressing their goals and needs for the data, and lets the operating system manage the hardware.
US08983907B2	Change notifications from an updated data representation An original representation of an original set of data in a data source can be provided, and an updated representation of an updated set of data in the data source can be received. A change notification set that includes change notifications can be generated by comparing the updated representation with the original representation. The change notification set can represent a possible set of changes that yield the updated representation when starting with the original representation. The change notification set can be sent to a client of the data source. One or more requests from the client for data from the data source may be processed while obtaining the updated representation of the updated set of data. This processing can include adding one or more placeholders and matching the placeholder(s) with one or more items in the updated set of data.
US08983902B2	Transparent caching of configuration data The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing transparent caching of configuration data in distributed landscapes. One process includes operations for receiving a read request of original configuration data stored at a second system. A first timestamp associated with local configuration data stored locally at a first system is identified. A second timestamp associated with the original configuration data is identified, and the second timestamp is determined to be later in time than the first timestamp. A copy of the original configuration data from the second system is retrieved for storage locally in place of the local configuration data at the first system based on the determination that the second timestamp is later in time than the first timestamp. The first timestamp is updated with a current timestamp associated with a time the copy of the original configuration data was retrieved from the second system.
US08983897B2	System and method of ontological subject mapping for knowledge processing applications The present invention discloses methods, systems, and tools for knowledge processing by building maps of ontological subjects for compositions or the contents accompanying a request for service by a user. In one embodiment of the invention the method assigns and calculates an ontological subject power spectrum to each composition or ontological subject. The resulting power spectrum and the adjacency matrix of the map are used to evaluate the merits of the compositions in the context of reference universes. It is also used as a research guiding tool for knowledge discovery. The invention serves knowledge seekers, knowledge creators, inventors, discoverer, as well as general public by assisting and guiding users to assess their work, identify their unknowns, optimize their research trajectory, and provide higher quality contents. The method and system, thereby, is instrumental in increasing the speed and efficiency of knowledge acquisition, discovery, retrieval, as well as faster learning and problem solving.
US08983891B2	Pattern matching engine 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.
US08983888B2	Efficient modeling system for user recommendation using matrix factorization A technique for efficiently factoring a matrix in a recommendation system. Usage data for a large set of users relative to a set of items is provided in a usage matrix R. To reduce computational requirements, the usage matrix is sampled to provide a reduced matrix R′. R′ is factored into a user matrix U′ and an item matrix V. User vectors in U′ and V are initialized and then iteratively updated to arrive at an optimal solution. The reduced matrix can be factored using the computational resources of a single computing device, for instance. Subsequently, the full user matrix U is obtained by fixing V and analytically minimizing an error in UV=R+error. The computations of this analytic solution can be divided among a set of computing devices, such as by using a map and reduce technique. Each computing device solves the equation for different respective subset of users.
US08983886B2	Self-evolvable logic fabric Methods and systems for achieving self-organized growth of a logic pathway. A number of hardware modules that represents a core can be configured and communicated via a packet routing architecture. Each core includes a plurality of sub-modules that interact dynamically to a growth algorithm. A flow network can be created between a sensor input and a prediction of a desired sensor input and a link can be formed between a regularity within a core and another core via a link-flow-selection process. A digital data packet can be transmitted between the cores for communicating activation of the regularity and to exchange energy. Such physically-self organized circuit fabric system interacts dynamically to a growth algorithm that takes the input to produce a desired output and continuously self-repair and/or heal if damaged.
US08983876B2	System and method for using cluster level quorum to prevent split brain scenario in a data grid cluster A system and method is described for use with a data grid cluster, which uses cluster quorum to prevent split brain scenario. The data grid cluster includes a plurality of cluster nodes, each of which runs a cluster service. Each cluster service collects and maintains statistics regarding communication flow between its cluster node and the other cluster nodes in the data grid cluster. The statistics are used to determine a status associated with other cluster nodes in the data grid cluster whenever a disconnect event happens. The data grid cluster is associated with a quorum policy, which is defined in a cache configuration file, and which specifies a time period that a cluster node will wait before making a decision on whether or not to evict one or more cluster nodes from the data grid cluster.
US08983852B2	Efficient combined harmonic transposition The present document relates to audio coding systems which make use of a harmonic transposition method for high frequency reconstruction (HFR), and to digital effect processors, e.g. so-called exciters, where generation of harmonic distortion adds brightness to the processed signal. In particular; a system configured to generate a high frequency component of a signal from a low frequency component of the signal is described, The system may comprise an analysis filter bank (501) configured to provide a set of analysis subband signals from the low frequency component of the signal; wherein the set of analysis subband signals comprises at least two analysis subband signals; wherein the analysis filter bank (501) has a frequency resolution of Δf, The system further comprises a nonlinear processing unit (502) configured to determine a set of synthesis subband signals from the set of analysis subband signals using a transposition order P; wherein the set of synthesis subband signals comprises a portion of the set of analysis subband signals phase shifted by an amount derived from the transposition order P; and a synthesis filter bank (504) configured to generate the high frequency component of the signal from the set of synthesis subband signals; wherein the synthesis filter bank (504) has a frequency resolution of FΔf; with F being a resolution factor, with F≧1; wherein the transposition order P is different from the resolution factor F.
US08983850B2	Translation system and method for multiple instant message networks A method and system provides a graphical user interface for instant messaging on any of a plurality of instant messaging networks. The interface provides a roster of contacts in each instant messaging network. Instant messages entered through the interface are machine translated into a preferred language for each intended recipient contact. The translated message is sent over the respective instant messaging networks of the intended recipient contacts. Response messages are translated into the source language of the user of the graphical user interface.
US08983845B1	Third-party audio subsystem enhancement Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing audio subsystem enhancement. In one aspect, a method includes: receiving a voice search query by an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine that processes voice search queries for a search engine, wherein the voice search query includes an audio signal that corresponds to an utterance, and a test flag that indicates that an audio test is being performed; performing speech recognition on the audio signal to select one or more textual, candidate transcriptions that match the utterance; generating, in response to receiving the test flag, one or more audio quality metrics using the audio signal; and generating a response to the voice search query by the ASR engine, wherein the response references one or more of the candidate transcriptions and one or more of the audio quality metrics.

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