Document	Document Title
US08998429B2	Printed material and photographic material A printed material includes a printed material body with a surface, and an optical element disposed on the surface of the printed material body. The optical element includes multiple structures formed at a pitch not longer than the wavelength of visible light. The structures have an aspect ratio of 0.6 or more and 5.0 or less.
US08998420B2	Optical element, light source device, and projection-type display device A hologram layer (13) is irradiated by light from an optical element (10). The hologram layer (13) is provided with a first hologram (14) that diffracts in a predetermined direction, from among incident light from the optical element (10), X-polarized light in which the polarization component is in a specific direction and emits the light as X-polarized light of a first phase state (P1), and a second hologram (15) that both diffracts in the same direction as the X-polarized light of the first phase state (P1) and moreover at an equal radiation angle, from among incident light from the optical element (10), Y-polarized light in which the polarization component is in a direction orthogonal to that of the X-polarized light and converts it to X-polarized light, and emits the light as X-polarized light of a second phase state (P2) that differs from the first phase state (P1).
US08998415B2	Methods of obtaining ophthalmic lenses providing the eye with reduced aberrations The present invention discloses methods of obtaining ophthalmic lens capable of reducing the aberrations of the eye comprising the steps of characterizing at least one corneal surface as a mathematical model, calculating the resulting aberrations of said corneal surface(s) by employing said mathematical model, selecting the optical power of the intraocular lens. From this information, an ophthalmic lens is modeled so a wavefront arriving from an optical system comprising said lens and corneal model obtains reduced aberrations in the eye. Also disclosed are ophthalmic lenses as obtained by the methods which are capable reducing aberrations of the eye.
US08998414B2	Integrated eye tracking and display system Technology is provided for an integrated eye tracking and display system for a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device. Image data and IR illumination for eye tracking are optically coupled into a respective see-through, planar waveguide positioned to be seen through by each eye in a respective display optical system of the display device. The respective planar waveguide comprises one or more wavelength selective filters positioned to be co-axial with an optical axis of the respective display optical system. The wavelength selective filters direct IR and visible illumination out of the planar waveguide in the direction of the respective eye and direct IR reflections, including reflections from the eye, into the planar waveguide. The reflections are optically coupled out of the waveguide to an IR sensor which generates eye tracking data based on the reflections.
US08998407B1	Anti-glare eyewear An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to an eyewear article for reducing glare. The eyewear article comprises an upper opaque or semi-opaque panel and a lower opaque or semi-opaque panel. The upper panel and lower panels are separated by a slit, the slit being configured for being placed in front of a user's eye to enable light propagating from a task located ahead of the user's eye to reach the user's eye, and the upper and lower panels being configured for preventing at least a portion of light propagating from at least some locations other than the task from reaching the user's eye.
US08998404B2	Transportation device and recording apparatus A transportation device includes a transportation unit that transports continuous paper, and an image capturing unit that has a light irradiator capable of irradiating the continuous paper which is transported by the transportation unit with light and detects a transportation amount of the continuous paper based on reflected light of the light irradiated onto the continuous paper by the light irradiator. The light irradiator is arranged so as to irradiate the continuous paper with light obliquely with respect to the detection region of the continuous paper from the width direction side of the continuous paper, which is orthogonal to the transportation direction of the continuous paper.
US08998399B2	Active-energy-ray-curable ink jet recording ink composition and method for forming image An active-energy-ray-curable ink jet recording ink composition is provided, in which (1) a polymerizable compound having an active-energy-ray-polymerizable group and a polymerizable compound having at least two active-energy-ray-polymerizable groups are used in amounts of 10 to 25 mass % and 75 to 90 mass % relative to the total amount of the active-energy-ray-polymerizable compounds, respectively; (2) the polymerizable compound having an active-energy-ray-polymerizable group includes 10 to 20 mass % of N-vinylcaprolactam; and (3) the polymerizable compound having at least two active-energy-ray-polymerizable groups includes 15 to 35 mass % of 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl(meth)acrylate. Furthermore, a method for forming an image is provided.
US08998393B2	Integrated multifunctional valve device An integrated multifunctional valve device includes a surface member having a first port and a second port formed therein, a flexible disk member having a central portion and a surrounding portion, a first seat member extending outward from the surface member and coupled to the surrounding portion of the flexible disk member, a second seat member extending outward from the surface member and surrounded by the first seat member. The central portion is movable between an open port position to establish fluid communication between the respective ports and a close port position to stop the fluid communication between the respective ports. The second seat member is configured to selectively receive the central portion of the flexible disk member corresponding to the close port position. The integrated multifunctional valve device also includes an actuator member configured to selectively move the central portion of the flexible disk member into the open port position and the close port position.
US08998392B2	Liquid supplying and collecting apparatus An ink supplying and collecting apparatus includes a case, ink cartridges detachably attached to the case, and a collecting container detachably attached to the case. The ink cartridges supply ink to a recording head of a printer via ink supply tubes. The collecting container collects ink drained from the recording head via an ink drain tube. The case is located outside of and is separate from the printer. Thus, the sizes and shapes of the ink cartridges and the collecting container can be freely designed.
US08998390B2	Piezoelectric film, ink jet head, method of forming image by the ink jet head, angular velocity sensor, method of measuring angular velocity by the angular velocity sensor, piezoelectric generating element, and method of generating electric power using the piezoelectric generating element Provided is an NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric film having a high crystalline orientation and a high piezoelectric constant. The present invention is a piezoelectric film comprising a NaxM1-x layer and a (Bi, Na)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer. The (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer is formed on the NaxM1-x layer, where M represents Pt, Ir, or PtIr and x represents a value of not less than 0.002 and not more than 0.02. Both of the NaxM1-x layer and the (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer have a (001) orientation only, a (110) orientation only, or a (111) orientation only.
US08998382B2	Droplet ejection device A droplet ejection device comprising a flow passage, a nozzle orifice formed in a wall of the flow passage, a circulation system for circulating a liquid through the flow passage, and an actuator system for generating a pressure wave in the liquid in the flow passage, wherein an obstruction member is arranged in the flow passage in a position opposite to the nozzle orifice and projecting towards the nozzle orifice.
US08998377B2	Head cleaning apparatus and droplet ejection apparatus A head cleaning apparatus is configured to move relatively along a nozzle surface of a droplet ejection head to clean the nozzle surface. The head cleaning apparatus includes: a web configured to wipe the nozzle surface; a web driving unit configured to cause the web to travel; a pair of rigid body pressing members configured to press both end portions of the web in a width direction to the nozzle surface; an elastic body pressing member provided between the pair of rigid body pressing members and provided to further protrude to a nozzle surface side than the pair of rigid body pressing members, the elastic body pressing member being configured to press a center portion of the web in the width direction to the nozzle surface; and a support member configured to support the pair of rigid body pressing members and the elastic body pressing member.
US08998368B2	Printer and printing method A printer includes a roll driving mechanism for causing a roll to rotate and a medium to be conveyed, a roll driving section for driving the roll driving mechanism, a first conveying mechanism for conveying the medium, a first driving section for driving the first conveying mechanism, a second conveying mechanism for conveying the medium, and a second driving section for driving the second conveying mechanism, and a controller for performing a control in such a way that when there is a change in the rate at which the first conveying mechanism conveys the medium, the maximum amount of the difference between the amount of the medium conveyed by the roll driving mechanism and the amount of the medium conveyed by the second conveying mechanism exceeds the maximum amount of the difference.
US08998354B2	Thermally efficient refrigerator door and frame A door frame for a refrigerator display case that includes an inner metal member, an outer metal member, and first and second single plastic modules sandwiched between the inner and outer metal members. The inner and outer metal members and first and second plastic modules cooperate to define first and second door openings. The first and second single plastic modules each include a jamb middle plastic section, a header middle plastic section, a sill middle plastic section and a mullion middle plastic section. The first and second single plastic modules are adhered to the inner metal member and the outer metal member, and the first mullion plastic section and the second mullion plastic section are not adhered to one another.
US08998352B2	Vehicle brake control device for an electrically driven vehicle A vehicle brake control device includes a master cylinder, a plurality of wheel cylinders, a VDC brake hydraulic pressure unit, a motor controller and an integration controller. When a brake operation is carried out, the integration controller carries out a regenerative brake control which achieves a target deceleration. Additionally, a motor suspension control is carried out which suspends a drive status of the VDC motor when the vehicle velocity is less than a first prescribed value. Furthermore, when the vehicle velocity exceeds a second prescribed value and the brake operation is carried out while the VDC motor is in the suspended status, the value of the target deceleration is set to a lower value than the value of the target deceleration which the driver requests, and a motor reactivation control is carried out which reactivates the VDC motor.
US08998351B2	Brake control device for vehicle A brake control device for a vehicle includes: a hydraulic brake device including a master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, a differential pressure control valve, and a pump; and a differential pressure control unit that operates the pump and transmits a differential pressure instructing output to the differential pressure control valve to perform a differential pressure control such that a differential pressure is generated; wherein the differential pressure control unit includes a correcting unit, wherein the correcting unit calculates a differential pressure instructing correction amount, based on an increased amount of the differential pressure which is generated by the differential pressure control valve when the increased amount of the differential pressure during the differential pressure control and then corrects the differential pressure instructing output based on the differential pressure instructing correction amount such that the differential pressure instructing output becomes larger than the increased amount of the differential pressure.
US08998350B2	Pressure damping device for brake system Disclosed is a pressure damping device for a brake system. The pressure damping device is installed at the brake system having a hydraulic block provided with a first hydraulic circuit to control transfer of fluid pressures generated by a first port of a master cylinder and discharged from a first pump to a first wheel, and a second hydraulic circuit to control transfer of fluid pressures generated by a second port of the master cylinder and discharged from a second pump to a second wheel, and the hydraulic block includes a bore connecting the master cylinder with discharge outlets of the first and second pumps and formed between first and second main oil paths to communicate with the first and second main oil paths, and a pressure damping unit provided in the bore and having a volume changed according to the fluid pressures from the first and second pumps.
US08998337B2	Backrest chair, and a sheet material for use thereon [Problem] To provide a comfortable backrest chair.[Solution] A shape retaining material is formed to have radial cores 12 distributed and radially extending upward from a base plate adjacent a cut hole 4 to be fitted on a chair support frame, and a first and a second reinforcing cores 13 and 14 arranged adjacent the base plate of the radial cores 12. A core sheet is formed by attaching a first, a second and a third mesh sheets 9 to the shape retaining material. A chair sheet material is formed by attaching a first and a second buffer sheets 15 and 16 and an outer surface side buffer sheet 7 to the core sheet. A backrest portion of the chair sheet material is constructed to have a larger right and left width than the breadth of a seated person's shoulders, and when the load of the seated person is applied, right and left opposite ends of the backrest portion can be displaced in directions to approach each other due to elasticity of the core sheet. An upper extending part of the backrest portion is capable of supporting the head of the seated person, and bending to move further rearward than the backrest portion due to the elasticity of the core sheet.
US08998336B2	Head restraint having an anti-turn mechanism A head restraint assembly is provided for the rotationally secure arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat formed from a backrest and a seat base part. The head restraint is arranged on the backrest by at least one head restraint rod such that the height thereof can be adjusted. A region is formed at an upper end of each head restraint rod. In the region the course of the head restraint rods defines a curve having a radius. The head restraint rods are arranged with the curved region in the head restraint in a form-fitting manner.
US08998323B2	Warped-floor tolerant aircraft seat A track-mounted aircraft seat has seat track locking pins that are capable of moving independently to remain engaged with the seat track assembly in a warped-floor condition. The seat track locking pins are actuated by means of a pair of torque tubes that rotate independently about a common pilot shaft. A control link, which is operated by the user, acts on a pair of bell cranks each of which acts on one of the torque tubes. The control link is attached to the bell cranks by means of a spherical joint. Because the torque tubes rotate independently and because the spherical joint allows the bell cranks also to move independently, in the event of a warped-floor condition, rotation of one torque tube caused by the skewed seat track will not cause the other torque tube to release its track locking pin.
US08998320B2	Using resting load to augment active material actuator demand in power seats A power seat adjustment assembly comprising an active material actuator, adapted for use when a resting load is present within the seat, and configured to reduce actuator demand, and therefore actuator size and/or rating, by modifying the load to augment performance.
US08998316B2	Seating assembly with a blow molded seat back An improved seating system that includes a blow molded seat back assembly that is fabricated to include a seat back comprising a double walled design having a foreword (14) and a rearward (16) wall wherein there is at least one or more sections comprising a single wall (213). Further, the blow molded seat back may include an integrated reinforcement structure.
US08998309B2	Vehicle seat assembly having a permeable cushion with a colored coating and method of making the same In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a flexible foam cushion supported on the frame, the cushion having an outer surface comprising a major surface portion and a colored minor surface portion, a trim material secured over the cushion to cover the major portion of the surface, the colored minor portion of the outer surface being uncovered by the trim material, and the major surface portion of the cushion having a first permeability of 5 to 30 ml/cm2/min. and the colored minor surface portion having a second permeability of at least 80% of the first permeability and the colored minor portion comprising a plurality of dried flexible in-mold colored coating disposed on discrete surface areas of the cushion.
US08998306B2	Front-end module for a motor vehicle A front-end module (1) for a motor vehicle; includes a supporting part (3, 7, 8), wherein the supporting part (3, 7, 8) includes two headlight brackets (5), each of which is attached onto a separate side of the supporting part (3, 7, 8), the headlight bracket (5) including a mechanism (53) for attaching the supporting part (3, 7, 8) to an attachment area (4), thus forming an attachment axis (A) about which the headlight bracket (5) can pivot relative to the mounting part (3, 7, 8) in the event of an impact.
US08998302B2	Material handling equipment impact decelaration device An MHE impact deceleration device, which includes an elongate outer profile and an elongate inner profile, the outer profile surrounding at least part of the inner profile, wherein the outer and the inner profile are made out of an elastomeric material, the elastomeric material of the inner profile having a shore resistance higher than the shore resistance of the outer profile.
US08998296B2	Method for producing a body shell of a motor vehicle and body shell for a motor vehicle A method for producing a body-in-white of a passenger car is provided. A support structure assigned to the body-in-white of the motor vehicle and which includes at least one support part is produced. The support part of the support structure is, depending on a variant of the motor vehicle, at least in some regions provided with at least one reinforcing part.
US08998294B2	Deflector apparatus A deflector apparatus for regulating air flows at a rear of a vehicle includes a movable portion arranged at a rear of a roof panel and an upper of a rear window of a vehicle and extended in a vehicle width direction. The movable portion is movable to increase and decrease a protrusion amount of a front end portion of the movable portion in a vehicle front-rear direction from an upper surface of the roof panel to upward. The deflector apparatus further includes a driving system for driving the movable portion to decrease (increase) the protrusion amount as a vehicle speed increases (decreases) to decrease (increase) an amount of air introduced by the movable portion and flowing along the rear window.
US08998293B2	Airflow control device for an automotive vehicle An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.
US08998290B2	Side window visor, a method of installation, and a motor vehicle having a side window visor A side window visor designed to attach to a vehicle window channel. The side window visor can be arranged and configured to extend over a portion of a window area for preventing inclement weather from entering the passenger cabin with the window slightly opened. A full length tab is reduced to form a plurality of tabs along the tab area of a side window visor. The plurality of tabs located on the side window visor allows the auto-up window feature to be used without causing large resistance and retraction of the window.
US08998275B2	Unitary latch, blast lock, and release handle assembly for vehicle door An assembly is provided for opening a heavy weight door, such as on a military vehicle, by an occupant in the vehicle. The assembly includes a latch module with a catch and rotor adapted to engage and disengage the striker on the door frame, a blast lock module including a pawl adapted to engage and disengage the door frame, and a release handle module with a single interior handle for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the latch and blast lock modules. The three modules are pre-assembled on a carrier plate so as to form a rigid, unitary assembly for mounting on the inside of the door. When a person chooses to exit the vehicle, the handle is actuated so as to retract the blast lock and then release the latch. When the door is closed, a person inside the vehicle can actuate the handle so as to engage the blast lock for safety.
US08998273B2	Lock for a vehicle opening leaf fitted with an operating lever The opening system according to the invention is arranged so that a distance between a first geometric straight line passing through the region of contact between the lever (10) and the rotary member (12) and normal to this contact region and a second geometric straight line parallel to the first straight line and passing through the axis of rotation of the lever (10) progresses in a constant direction of increase or of decrease throughout the opening movement of the opening leaf.
US08998265B2	Paired optically variable security element Paired optically variable security element which includes first and second optically variable thin-film multilayer interference devices in the form of optically variable foils or of printings made with inks having optically variable interference pigments. The first and second interference devices exhibit spectral matching at a determined angle of incidence. Sets of optically variable devices and of coating compositions include optically variable pigments for the production of the paired optically variable security element. Moreover, the security element can be used for the protection of documents and goods, and security documents and goods.
US08998264B2	Identification document having a personalized visual identifier and method for production thereof An identification document (10) comprises a personalized first visual marking (14) that is arranged in a first region (12) of the identification document (10), the first region (12) being configured in such a way that, upon laser irradiation of the same, local darkenings of the optical impression of the identification document (10) are produced, resulting from material transformations. The identification document (10) further exhibits a second visual marking (26) that produces the optical impression of a copy of the first visual marking (14) and is arranged in a second region (22) of the identification document (10), the second region (22) being configured in such a way that, upon laser irradiation of the same, local lightenings of the optical impression of the identification document (10) are produced, resulting from material transformations.
US08998257B2	Lift system and apparatus for use with motorized tricycles A wheelchair transport system and apparatus enables users to transport a wheelchair by way of a motorized, tadpole-configured tricycle. The wheelchair transport apparatus includes a main frame, a pivot assembly, and a lever arm assembly. The main frame includes an elongate frame member that attaches to a motorized tricycle. The pivot assembly includes pivot arm and chair support assemblies. The pivot arm assembly includes two pivot arms pivotally attached to the main frame. The chair support assembly includes two support members pivotally attached to the pivot arms. The lever arm assembly is attached to a forward pivot arm. Together, the lever arm assembly, the pivot arms, and the support arms are positionable intermediate a lowered position and a raised position. The raised positions enable the user to transport a wheelchair as supported upon the support arms.
US08998250B2	Curtain airbag for a vehicle A curtain airbag for a vehicle includes a main chamber shaped in such a way that, in a position being mounted on the vehicle, in the inflated state the main chamber covers an inner side structure of the vehicle. The curtain airbag further includes an additional chamber which, in the mounting position, is located on the in driving direction of the vehicle front portion of the main chamber, and deploys in the direction of the interior of the vehicle when the curtain airbag is inflated.
US08998244B2	Wheelchair with detachable walker A wheelchair having a detachable walker. The walker can be mechanically attached and detached from the wheelchair easily so that the user can safely rise from a sitting position on the wheelchair to a standing position assisted by the walker. During that transition, the user has the wheelchair attached to the walker in case the user falls backwardly or gets tired and wants to again be seated in the wheelchair. When the user has reached the standing position, the user can ambulate in a space intermediate the walker and the wheelchair or simply detach the walker from the wheelchair and continue ambulating while relying solely on the walker for support.
US08998243B2	Buggy The present invention relates to a buggy (10) or collapsible perambulator, comprising a sliding frame which, in the unfolded state, runs in an inclined plane and has a division, in the region of which joints (17, 18) are located, and therefore, upon collapsing, an upper portion (11) of the sliding frame is pivotable in relation to a lower portion (12) of the sliding frame about the approximately horizontal axis (21) of said joints, and furthermore comprising an underframe with wheels, wherein, in the collapsed state, the lower portion and upper portion of the sliding frame and at least parts of the underframe are virtually parallel or are at a flat angle to each other and the buggy assumes a flat, compact state, wherein the two sliding-frame portions which are pivotable in relation to each other each have approximately the shape of a U bar. According to the invention, the suspensions of the front wheels (16) are located on the lower portion (12) of the sliding frame, the suspensions for the rear wheels (15) are located on a rear frame (13) of the underframe, said rear frame having an upper horizontal transverse strut (131) which is accommodated in an articulated sleeve (124) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (22) and is located on the lower portion (12) of the sliding frame.
US08998240B2	Tractor rear hitch A rear hitch assembly (10) for an agricultural tractor is provided. The assembly comprises a drawbar carrier element (20) mounted to the underside of a chassis (13) by a first connection which permits fore and aft movement of the carrier element relative to the chassis. A second connection includes a load sensor (30) which senses horizontal load placed upon the carrier element. Implement connector elements such as drawbars (22) and connector plates (15) are attached to the carrier in a fixed positional relationship. The horizontal load is isolated from the vertical load and measured by the load sensor to provide load information which can be utilised by brake systems for example.
US08998234B2	Construction machine On a revolving frame (5), an operating oil tank (15) located on the front side of an engine (8) is provided, and a fuel tank (16) located on the front side of the operating oil tank (15) is arranged. A mounting member (17) is provided on the lower side of the fuel tank (16) across a part of a swing cylinder (14). Between the operating oil tank (15) and the mounting member (17), a vertical restraining element (20) for restraining the fuel tank (16) in a front-rear direction and a vertical direction and a lateral restraining element (25) for restraining the fuel tank (16) in a left-right direction are detachably provided. Therefore, the fuel tank (16) can be restrained in two directions, that is, in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
US08998232B2	Recumbant style powered unicycle A powered unicycle device for use upon a riding surface. The unicycle device includes a single wheel rotatably coupled to an axle, the wheel extending substantially in a fore-aft direction. A motor for driving the wheel is provided and electronic equipment, in communication with the motor, is configured to maintain fore-aft balance of the unicycle device while being ridden. An elongated curved rail, defining a curved path, is coupled to a support frame of the unicycle device and extends laterally in a side-to-side direction substantially transverse to the fore-aft direction. A seat is disposed above the wheel and is movably coupled to the rail such that the seat is capable of moving laterally along the curved path of the rail, in the side-to-side direction substantially transverse to the fore-aft direction, while the unicycle device is being ridden.
US08998231B2	Bicycle suspension system A bicycle suspension system of the invention generally includes at least two bicycle suspensions and a hydraulic control assembly. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pair of fluid pumps, and a fluid responder and a fluid path for each of the bicycle suspensions. The fluid pumps are mountable to a bicycle handlebar and form part of the hydraulic control assembly. A fluid responder is mountable each of the bicycle suspensions. The fluid paths link the fluid pump to a respective fluid responder. Each fluid responder is operatively connected to one of the bicycle suspensions to operate the bicycle suspension system between first and second suspension settings in response to fluid displacement between each fluid pump and each of the fluid responders.
US08998228B2	Steering attenuator assembly for motor vehicle A steering attenuator assembly including a first and second sleeves defining axial passages, the second sleeve engaged within the first sleeve and movable relative thereto in an axial direction, and first and second spring members fitted internal to the attenuator, the first spring member arranged to compress under compressive loading of the steering attenuator and the second spring member arranged to compress under tensile loading of the steering attenuator, wherein the attenuator is tunable.
US08998227B1	Push bike convertible into rocking seat A push bike includes a frame, two wheel assemblies and two locking assemblies. The frame includes a curved bottom portion. The two wheel assemblies are pivotally connected with two opposite ends of the frame respectively. Each wheel assembly includes at least one wheel being contactable with the ground, and a limiting portion. Each locking assembly disposed in the frame and includes a limiting member abuttable against the limiting portion. Thus, the two wheel assemblies can be pivoted or locked with respect to the frame to cause the curved bottom portion to contact with the ground for rocking.
US08998219B1	Collapsible laundry cart A collapsible cart comprising primary and multiple secondary storages spaces. The collapsible cart comprises a bottom on which wheels are mounted and a collapsing frame, which permits the adjustment of cart height. There is also a lid that doubles as a handle to move the cart.
US08998211B2	Methods of randomizing cards Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.
US08998208B1	Transmission device of automatic document feeder A transmission device of automatic document feeder includes a transmission gear assembly, a pickup transmission gear assembly, a paper-feed transmission gear assembly, a correction transmission gear assembly, a pressure transmission gear assembly and a turn-over transmission gear assembly. The transmission gear assembly includes a transmission roller, a first drive gear and a second drive gear. The pickup transmission gear assembly includes a pickup drive gear, a pickup swing arm and a pickup auxiliary swing arm. The paper-feed transmission gear assembly driven by the transmission gear assembly includes a paper-feed reverse gear and a paper-feed swing arm. And the correction transmission gear assembly and the paper-feed transmission gear assembly rotate towards the same direction. The pressure transmission gear assembly includes a pressure swing arm and a pressure actuating gear. The turn-over transmission gear assembly is driven by the first drive gear of the transmission gear assembly.
US08998205B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a apparatus main body, and a unit body that forms a medium transportation path, and is configured to be attachable and detachable with respect to the apparatus main body. The unit body includes a feeding roller that transports a medium, and a driven transportation unit that transmits the drive force of the drive transportation unit to the feeding roller. The unit body is displaceable between a first position at which the driven transmission unit is connected to the drive transmission unit and a second position at which the driven transmission unit is separated from the drive transmission unit. When a user pulls out the medium, the unit body retained at the first position moves from the first position to the second position.
US08998201B2	Sheet retention device A sheet retention device is provided for retaining at least one sheet. The sheet retention device comprises a sheet supporting unit for supporting at least a first portion of the sheet, a rotatable guiding unit configured to enclose a second portion of the sheet, an urging unit and a drive unit for in operation controllably rotating the rotatable guiding unit. The rotatable guiding unit comprises a passageway arranged through the rotatable guiding unit, which passageway is configured to enclose the second portion of the sheet, the passageway having an entrance portion at one side of an outer surface of the rotatable guiding unit and an exit portion at another side of an outer surface of the rotatable guiding unit. The exit portion is arranged in the passageway at an opposite end with respect to the entrance portion.
US08998200B2	Medium feeding device with rotational difference generating unit A medium feeding device includes a feeding roller that conveys a medium in a conveying direction, and a brake roller that includes rollers that are arranged to be rotatable around one shaft and cause a conveyance load to act on the medium that has entered between the feeding roller and the rollers. The rollers are arranged to press the feeding roller with a predetermined pressure. The medium feeding device further includes a rotational difference generating unit that generates a rotational difference between the rollers so that the conveyance load acting on the medium by the rollers becomes even.
US08998178B2	Scent pad and mechanism for housing the same An improved scent pad and mechanism for housing the same. The mechanism is preferably a part of a humidifier or similar device and positioned adjacent to a heated surface. The mechanism preferably includes a cover, a keyed portion and a rib portion which allows the scent pad to fit properly and prevents other shaped pads from being inserted into or otherwise used in the housing mechanism, insuring optimal performance. In one embodiment the scent pad includes an upper straight edge, side edges, two lower beveled edges and a lower straight edge situated between the beveled edges. The upper straight edge and lower straight edge are preferably substantially parallel to each other. The side edges are preferably substantially parallel to each other and the beveled edges are preferably arranged at an angle that intersects both the lower straight edge and a side edge.
US08998177B2	Humidifying and fresh-keeping device for refrigerator A humidifying and fresh-keeping device for a refrigerator is provided, including a device container and a top cover. The container has a drawer for storing fruits and vegetables, and a containing chamber is disposed at one side of the container. A drawer-type water tank is disposed in the containing chamber, with a water storing box at one end and an ultrasonic humidifying device at the other end. A supply air box is disposed at a wind outlet of the ultrasonic humidifying device, and an atomizing air duct is distributed in the container. An inlet of the atomizing air duct corresponds to an outlet of the supply air box, and outlets of the atomizing air duct are provided in the containertop cover. As a result, the fruits and vegetables preserved in the container have an environment humidity of 90-95%, and can be kept fresh in seven days.
US08998170B2	Adapter for a capless fuel tank filler neck to test a fuel tank for leaks A filler neck adapter to be inserted through the open fuel mouth of a capless filler neck of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The adapter has a hollow flow body to create a continuous flow path between a source of pressure or vacuum and the fuel tank to enable the fuel tank to be tested for leaks. A resilient seal surrounds the flow body of the adapter so as to lie between movable and stationary seal stops. A force-generating member is moved along the flow body to push the movable seal stop and the seal towards the stationary seal stop. Accordingly, the seal is compressed between the movable and stationary seal stops so as to bulge outwardly towards and thereby create an air-tight seal against the fuel mouth of the filler neck.
US08998163B2	Device and method for springing a vehicle seat The invention relates to a spring device for a vehicle seat, in particular a utility vehicle seat having at least one air spring arranged between a seat part and a lower part for the height adjustment (5) of the seat part and having a control device for controlling the supply and discharge of at least one additional air volume to or from the air spring, wherein at a predefined run in and/or run out position (9) of the air spring, the additional air volume that can be supplied or discharged can be changed or switched off by means of the control device such that inclines in the profile of a force-path air spring characteristic (1; 1a, 1b, 1c) of the air spring in a first and in at least one further range (2, 3,4) are different from one another. Furthermore, a description is given of a method of springing a vehicle seat.
US08998162B1	Anchoring apparatus for a mechanized irrigation system An anchoring apparatus for a mechanized irrigation system wherein remotely controlled augers are mounted on the drive units of the irrigation system which may be driven into the ground to anchor the drive unit to the ground.
US08998160B1	Conveyor support frame method and apparatus A L-shaped bracket having aligned vertical and horizontal slots is mounted on a telescopic stand. A frame member is positioned on a horizontal support plate of the bracket. A bearing plate extends vertically from the support plate. The support plate includes spaced apart open ended slots aligned beneath elongated vertically extending slots in the bearing plate. A J-bolt having a cap at one end and a threaded portion at an opposite end extends through the aligned slots to a position where the cap abuts the bearing plate and the threaded end portion extends down through the slot in the support plate. A bell nut is tightened on the threaded end of the bolt to draw the bolt into clamping engagement with the frame where the bolt is adjustable along the length of the vertical slot in the bearing plate to receive frames of a variable range of height.
US08998153B2	Wrist support The limb supporting system is an on the go wrist support pad that is designed to give the user cushion and support while free you move from PC to laptop, keyboard, gaming and mousing without pain and discomfort often associated with such movements. Made from soft stretchable elastic that conforms to any size wrist giving you total comfort during repetitive computer use.
US08998143B2	Aerodynamic fairing device, aircraft component arrangement with an aerodynamic fairing device and method for installing such a fairing part A fairing device for creating an aerodynamic cover for an area of an aircraft structure, including a first fairing part with an outer side forming a first exterior flow contour, and having a fairing section for contacting a first section of the aircraft structure and a connecting section. The first fairing part includes a mounting device for receiving a connecting element. The fairing device includes a second fairing part including a fairing section having an outer side forming a second exterior flow contour and is designed for contacting a second section of the aircraft structure and a connecting section. The shape of the outer side of the second fairing part is adapted to the inner side of the connecting section of the first fairing part in an overlapping area, so the connecting section of the first fairing part forms a joint piece protruding over the second fairing part in the overlapping area.
US08998141B2	Aircraft hatch emergency opening actuator including opening delay means An aircraft hatch emergency opening actuator, includes, a cylinder connected to the hatch at one end to a reference frame at the other end to which the hatch is connected, fluid means feeding the cylinder for emergency opening of the hatch, means for injection of the fluid means at a point of a fluid circuit feeding the cylinder for emergency opening of the hatch, said injection means configured to adopt: a rest position, in which the fluid means are isolated from the cylinder, and an active position, in which the fluid means are injected at the point of the fluid circuit, means for delaying the injection of the fluid means into the cylinder including a mobile element in the fluid circuit, delaying opening of the circuit when the injection means are in the active position, the injection delay being determined by a time of movement of the mobile element.
US08998132B2	Aerodynamic wing load distribution control An aerodynamic wing load distribution control apparatus for increasing flight performance of an aircraft. The apparatus may include an aileron uprigger connectable to left and right ailerons of an aircraft and configured to uprig the left and the right wing ailerons of such aircraft. An operator interface communicates operator command inputs to the aileron uprigger. The aileron uprigger includes left and right actuators actuable in response to command inputs received from an operator through the operator interface and are connectable into respective left and right aileron control linkages of an aileron actuator assembly.
US08998124B2	Aircraft with electrically conductive nanocoating A device has a first electrically conductive component, a second electrically conductive component, and an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN) electrically connecting the first electrically conductive component to the second electrically conductive component. An aircraft has an engine, a fuselage, and a device having a first electrically conductive component, a second electrically conductive component, and an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN) electrically connecting the first electrically conductive component to the second electrically conductive component. A method of providing an electrical conduction path includes providing a first electrically conductive component, providing a second electrically conductive component, and decreasing an electrical resistance between the first electrically conductive component and the second electrically conductive component using an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN).
US08998119B2	Paper shredder with allowable thickness warning function A paper shredder with an allowable thickness warning function is provided. The paper shredder includes a casing and an upper cover. An input tray is disposed on the casing for placing plural papers thereon. A pressing member and a thickness detecting device are installed on the upper cover. When the pressing member is contacted with the plural papers on the input tray and pushed by the plural papers, the pressing member is moved. The thickness detecting device is located near the pressing member. Moreover, in response to the movement of the pressing member, the thickness detecting device may be triggered. If an overall thickness of the plural papers exceeds an allowable thickness, the pressing member is pushed by the plural papers. Consequently, the thickness detecting device is triggered by the pressing member to generate a warning signal.
US08998115B2	Injection valve comprising a transmission unit An injection valve for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine may include an actuator, an injection needle associated with a sealing seat, and a transmission unit that establishes an effective connection between the actuator and the injection needle. The transmission unit may include a pressure chamber including two movable pistons that are guided within a movable pot. The first piston may be guided through a bottom of the pot while maintaining a first sealing gap, and the second piston may be guided within a sleeve section of the pot while maintaining a second sealing gap. One piston may be effectively connected to the injection needle, while the other piston may be effectively connected to the actuator.
US08998111B2	Variable flow concentration product dispenser The dispenser draws a concentrate fluid from a liquid container into an input fluid. There is an elongated channel having an input for the input fluid and dispensing nozzle at an exit end for dispensing the concentrate fluid in a diluted form. A transverse intersecting channel is intermediate the input end and the exit end. An insert is moveable in the transverse intersecting channel, apertures of the moveable insert being alignable with apertures in the transverse intersecting channel and the liquid container. The channels from the liquid container will have a plurality of various sized apertures to provide for the flow of differing amounts of concentrate fluid into the input fluid. By adjusting the moveable insert in the transverse intersecting channel and/or the input fluid flow rate the concentration of concentrate fluid in the input fluid is changed.
US08998109B2	Sprinkler Provided is a rotary sprinkler that includes a housing, a rotatable irrigation head associated with a first magnet assembly, and a second magnet assembly associated with the housing and fitted with a rotary dampening mechanism. The first magnet assembly and the second magnet assembly are arranged with like poles facing each other so as to generate a repulsion force therebetween.
US08998108B2	Sprinkler apparatus A sprinkler apparatus includes a sprinkler and a frame for supporting the sprinkler. The frame includes two lateral members and first and second cross members. Each of the first and second cross members includes two lateral edges each connected to a corresponding one of the lateral members. The lateral members and the first and second cross members are made of metal by punching.
US08998092B2	Systems and methods of optical code reading using a color imager Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having different wavelengths. Reflected light is focused by an optical system to form one or more images of an optical code on the color image sensor array. The optical system includes optics to form first and second images of an object bearing the optical code, where the first image excludes light of the second wavelength and the second image excludes light of the first wavelength, thereby enabling the first set of sensor pixels to sense the first image without substantially sensing the second image and the second set of sensor pixels to sense the second image without substantially sensing the first image.
US08998082B2	Multimedia system and methods for controlling vending machines A wireless system for managing a plurality of remote vending machines includes an enterprise control center; and a two-way wireless network coupling the enterprise control center and the plurality of remote vending machines. A touch screen may be associated with each of the plurality of vending machines for selecting items to be vended therein, and means for displaying a plurality of advertisements on the touch screen. The touch screen may also include means for paying for the items to be vended within the plurality of vending machines.
US08998077B2	Automatic teller machine using banknote packages packed in advance An automatic teller machine comprises a plurality of banknote boxes (2) in different amounts, in which a plurality of banknote packages (11) packed in advance are loaded, each banknote package (11) having therein one to hundreds of banknotes, both the top and bottom of the banknote package (11) being printed with the same identification bar codes (1102), such that when a banknote package (11) is output from the banknote box (2), the banknote box (2) can know if the output banknote package (11) is overlapped or wrong by using the two identification bar codes (1102) at the top and bottom of the banknote package (11). When withdrawing money, the control and communication circuit unit (1) controls said banknote box (2) and the transfer roller (7) within the automatic teller machine to output a banknote package (11) corresponding to the amount of money to be withdrawn to a banknote output opening (8) for the payee to withdraw. Besides, since the banknotes are packed in a banknote package in advance, both new and old banknotes can be used as long as they can be packed in a banknote package (11). Further, some paper small changes can also be packed into a banknote package (11).
US08998076B2	Establishing connections among electronic devices The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for establishing connections among electronic devices. Embodiments of the invention can use a context code, such as, for example, a QR code to facilitate electronic device networking. The connection process between electronic devices is automated. For example, upon snapping a picture, a communication application establishes connection between devices and also serves as a port between the connected devices. Networking code can be greatly simplified, permitting application developers to devote more resources to developing application code.
US08998072B2	Foldable containers Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable, plastic, produce containers, and related methods. In some embodiments, a substantially planar sheet for folding into a three-dimensional container may be provided comprising a plurality of side portions, each side portion comprising opposing flaps positioned on opposite sides. Each of the side portions may comprise opposing flaps, some of which may comprise tabs extending therefrom to be used for coupling with an adjacent side portion during a folding process. One or more of the side portions may also, or alternatively, comprise a stacking tab and/or a stacking tab receiving opening. The stacking tabs may be configured to be positioned within a stacking tab receiving opening of an adjacent container after the sheet has been folded into a three-dimensional container.
US08998066B2	Method for holding high speed friction spot joining tools The invention utilizes vibration control, precision manufacturing tolerances for certain components of the system, and techniques for limiting thermal expansion of components, including passive insulation and active cooling techniques, in order to enable high speed tool rotation for Friction Stir Spot Joining of Advanced High Strength Steels.
US08998065B2	Method and device for the friction stir welding of two components A method for the friction stir welding of two components, in particular of two shell components of a fuselage structure of an aircraft and spacecraft, said method comprising the following method steps: positioning the two components relative to one another in such a way that a connection region is formed between the two components; friction stir welding the two components by means of a friction stir welding tool which penetrates the connection region in order to produce a weld which permeates the connection region with the formation of an unpenetrated weld edge portion of the connection region; and introducing internal compressive stresses, at least in the weld edge portion of the connection region. Further a device for the friction stir welding of two components, in particular of two shell components of a fuselage structure of an aircraft and spacecraft is provided.
US08998064B2	Friction stir method and a pair of workpieces joined by such method A friction stir method comprises causing a rotating probe (1) of a friction stir tool to enter a workpiece or a joint between a pair of workpieces (89), the or each workpiece being a low conductivity, high melting point metal or metal alloy. The probe (1) extends from a shoulder (4), or between shoulders, in contact with the workpiece(s) and rotates relative to the or each shoulder.
US08998062B2	Rotary tool There is provided a tool for friction stir welding, in which a coating layer is less likely to peel off from a base material and excellent wear resistance is achieved. The tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention includes a base material (BM) and a coating layer. The BM includes a first hard phase (FP) formed by WC particles, a second hard phase (SP) and a binder phase (BP). The SP is formed by a compound of one or more metals selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W and one or more elements selected from nitrogen, carbon, boron, and oxygen, and is included in the BM at a volume ratio of 3% to 30%. The BP is included in the BM at a volume ratio of 8% to 28%. The FP is higher than the SP in terms of volume ratio.
US08998056B2	Nail gun structure A nail gun structure includes a gun body, a clamp set and a pneumatic driving set. The gun body has a trigger for shooting a nail. The clamp set is assembled with the gun body. The clamp set has a driven base and a clamp base. The clamp base pivots relative to the driven base. A stacked board is positioned on the clamp base. The pneumatic driving set is disposed between the gun body and the clamp set. The pneumatic driving set communicates with an air pressure source. The trigger moves along with the pneumatic driving set. Under this arrangement, when a user pulls the trigger, the pneumatic driving set drives the clamp base to pivot, so that the stacked boards are clamped between the clamp base and the driven base; thereafter, the nail is shot and nailed on the stacked board.
US08998045B2	Ergonomic straps and carrying assemblies employing same Ergonomic straps for carrying assemblies, and carrying assemblies that include such ergonomic straps, are disclosed.
US08998044B1	Garment separator assembly and method of use A garment separator assembly is disclosed that includes at least two separators for maintaining even spacing between a plurality of clothing hangers on a clothing rod. The separators are spaced a distance apart that allows only a single clothing hanger to fit therebetween. Each separator includes a first member defining a first half of the separator and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member and defining an opposing second half of the separator. The second member, together with the first member, define a first inner-surface circumference and a second inner-surface circumference, wherein the second inner-surface circumference is adjacent the first inner-surface circumference. The first inner-surface circumference is larger than the second inner-surface circumference and both are sized and shaped to mate with clothing rods of various sizes and shapes.
US08998041B2	One-piece trigger cap for a spray dispenser A finger trigger spray cap actuator and a separable overcap for a mounting cup on an aerosol container. The actuator comprises a spray cap actuator having a base, a collar, a finger trigger support, a finger trigger hingedly connected to the trigger support by a living hinge, and a finger grip depending from the finger trigger. The spray cap actuator has an operable position in which a central passage, formed through the base, engages with an integral down tube depending from the finger trigger, and a non-operable position in which the finger trigger is pivoted away from the lower base. The overcap has an interior space and an overcap support wall defines a receiving compartment for engaging with the spray cap actuator. When the spray cap actuator is folded into the operable position, the actuator can be inserted into the receiving compartment of the overcap and releasably retained therein.
US08998023B2	Spherical object formed of several joint parts and method for producing spherical object formed of several joint parts A spherical object formed of several joint parts and a method for producing a spherical object formed of several joint parts, where the spherical object includes at least twenty pieces of hexagonal panel type elements and at least twelve pieces of pentagonal panel type elements. The radius of curvature of each panel type element is shaped in such a way that, when assembled, the elements make up a hollow spherical object with a radius of not less than 1.5 meters. Each panel type element is additionally provided with an attachment and handling cap.
US08998013B2	Portable containment systems for hazardous or other materials A method includes placing at least one mold along outer edges of one or more first pieces of fabric. The method also includes forming free-standing flexible walls and a floor of a containment structure by depositing liquid-impervious material onto the at least one mold and the one or more first pieces of fabric. The floor is formed seamlessly with the walls. The method further includes forming flexible supports by depositing liquid-impervious material onto multiple second pieces of fabric connecting the floor and the flexible walls.
US08998010B1	Tiered organizer and display rack A tiered rotary organizer and display rack. In one embodiment, an organizer rack is provided that includes an upper perimeter support and a lower perimeter support. A plurality of vertical partitions having an upper end and a lower end can be attached to the upper perimeter support near the upper end and attached to the lower perimeter support near the lower end, wherein each of the plurality of vertical partitions supports an article support member that is configured to support an item on the organizer rack. A plurality of upper rack support members are attached to the upper perimeter support, each of the plurality of upper rack support members being configured for attachment to one of a first plurality of elongated hanging supports (e.g., chain, rod, wire, etc.), wherein the coupling of the first plurality of elongated hanging supports to the plurality of upper rack support members is configured to provide a first hanging support of the organizer rack from an above support member (e.g., swivel socket or another organizer rack).
US08998004B2	Conveyance rack, method for retaining metal ring, and method for heat treatment of metal ring Disclosed are a conveyance rack for retaining and conveying resilience-memory metal rings and a method for retaining the metal rings. The conveyance rack is provided with a base and a plurality of retaining shafts which extend parallel to each other, being erected on the base, and which are provided with, on the side walls thereof, a plurality of protrusions abutting on the lower end surfaces of the metal rings. The protrusions abut on the lower end surfaces of the metal rings by point contact.
US08997997B2	Apparatus and method for product display alignment A device, system, and method system for manually aligning merchandise items in a display box. The merchandise is supported above the base of the container with product support rails. A pull member is positioned between the support rails. Merchandise is pulled forward by pulling the pull member forward. The pull member may be positioned before or after merchandise is placed in the box or carton. Multiple rows of merchandise may be provided.
US08997995B2	Beverage transport organizer The beverage transport organizer is an apparatus system that provides a user with a facilitated means of transporting a plurality of different beverage vessels. The apparatus system utilizes a beverage carrier and an insert panel. The beverage carrier is a container that holds the plurality of different beverage vessels during transport. The insert panel is positioned within the beverage carrier and provides a means of organizing beverage vessels for transport. The insert panel uses particularly shaped holders that accommodate beverage vessels of varying shapes and sizes. The beverage holders of the insert panel prevent beverage vessels from hitting against each other during transport, reducing the broken or chipped glassware.
US08997994B1	Portable kitchen storage cabinet A portable kitchen storage cabinet sized appropriately to fit atop a tailgate of an extant pickup truck, the portable kitchen storage cabinet including a rectangular prismatic box having a triangular prismatic lid section hingedly disposed at a front surface of the box, the lid section imposable into the rectangular prismatic box when moved to a closed position, the lid section moveable into an open position disposed in front of the front surface of the box, wherein the interior of the box is partitioned by a first shelf, a second shelf, a vertically oriented first partition, and a vertically oriented second partition, whereby extant kitchen utensils and accoutrements are storable sorted inside the box and readily transportable and accessible therein.
US08997992B2	Package for flowable goods, in particular comestibles, and use of such package during transportation, presentation and consumption The invention relates to a package for flowable goods, in particular liquid, viscous and/or granular comestibles, such as baby food, pudding, sauce, oatmeal or the like. The package comprises a shallow tray and a cover which in closed condition slants towards a bottom wall of the tray thereby providing the package with a substantially wedge-shaped appearance. The package furthermore comprises two support faces to stand on alternately. A first support face is located at the bottom wall of the tray and a second support face is located at a bottom-surrounding wall of the tray, at the higher end of the wedge.During use, the package can be positioned on its second support face for presentation purposes, on its first support face for consumption purposes. During transport, pairs of packages may placed with their slanting covers against each other, in opposite lengthwise direction so that a high end of a wedge-shaped first package borders a low end of a wedge-shaped second package.
US08997990B2	Package of premoistened multilayered cleaning wipes A package including a container and a plurality of premoistened cleaning wipes.
US08997989B2	Double hinge display package and method of use A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.
US08997988B2	Liquid crystal module package box A liquid crystal module package box includes a box body, top and bottom lids coupled to top and bottom of the box body, a cushioning retention frame received in the box body, cushioning pads arranged at two sides of the cushioning retention frame, and a support unit arranged at a central portion of the box body. The cushioning retention frame includes two lower cushioning brackets and four upper cushioning brackets corresponding to the two lower cushioning brackets. The support unit includes two support boards. When liquid crystal modules are positioned on the lower cushioning brackets, every two of the upper cushioning brackets are set on the liquid crystal modules to correspond to each one of the lower cushioning brackets. The two support boards are retained between the two lower cushioning brackets to increase central compression strength of the liquid crystal module package box at the central portion.
US08997983B2	Combination protective case and stand for a tablet device and keyboard A combination protective case and stand for a tablet device and keyboard. The case includes a first panel configured to receive a tablet device on a first face of the first panel, a second panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to receive a keyboard on a first face of the second panel, and a cover portion pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to enclose the first panel and the second panel such that a first face of the cover portion is disposed in facing relation to the first panel and in facing relation to the second panel.
US08997975B2	Sprockets for a flexible conveyor belt and conveyor belt system A sprocket is provided, the sprocket having a body with a central opening for engaging a shaft and rotating about an axis. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth disposed around the periphery of the body. The teeth are angularly spaced about the axis such that each tooth is spaced from the adjacent teeth by a first opening. Each tooth has a belt-contacting surface which is convex in shape such that the outer-most periphery of the sprocket is generally circular. The belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth guide the belt around the periphery of the sprocket in order to minimize the ability of the belt to buckle.
US08997972B2	Systems and methods for transferring items over transition gap between conveyor sections of automated checkout system An automated checkout system for reading optical data, such as barcode labels, on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a housing supporting a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap. The housing movably supports a transition element positioned across the gap for helping items transition between the conveyor sections. The transition element is movable between a first position and a second position. A sensor is in communication with the transition element and is configured to sense the position of the transition element, where movement of the transition element from the first position to the second position activates the sensor. When activated, the sensor may send a signal to a terminal to display a warning message to a user. Alternatively, the sensor may send a signal to an automatic shut-off mechanism to stop operation of the conveyors.
US08997963B2	Cam hard stop for end of life A dry friction clutch is provided having an innovative baffle design wherein the baffle has a tab that sets the limit for maximum adjustment of an adjustment mechanism of the dry clutch.
US08997961B2	Dual clutch assembly for a transmission having two input shafts A dual clutch arrangement for a transmission that is provided with a first input shaft and a second input shaft has a clutch housing that is connectable to a drive train in a rotationally fixed fashion. The first and second friction clutches can transmit a torque between the clutch housing and the first and the second input shafts, respectively. The first and second friction clutches are nested in the radial direction with respect to each other and actuated by a first and a second actuating unit that have pistons for pressuring clutch disk packs. The compressive force exerted by the piston of the first actuating unit and the compressive force exerted by the piston of the second actuating unit are directed in axially opposite directions with respect to each other.
US08997950B2	Vibration control device for railroad vehicle A vibration control device for railroad vehicle includes an actuator with a cylinder coupled to a truck of a railroad vehicle, a piston, a rod coupled to the piston and a vehicle body, a rod-side chamber and a piston-side chamber in the cylinder, a tank, a first on-off valve disposed at an intermediate position of a first passage communicating between the rod-side chamber and the piston-side chamber, a second on-off valve disposed at an intermediate position of a second passage communicating between the piston-side chamber and the tank, and a pump for supplying fluid to the rod-side chamber. A warm-up operation of the actuator is performed by opening the first and second on-off valves and driving the pump after the vibration control device is started and before a transition is made to a normal control mode for suppressing the vibration of the vehicle body.
US08997947B2	Brake device A friction brake device for a vehicle includes: a hydraulic brake unit including a piston member for pressing a friction member by advancement; an electric brake unit including a nut member being relatively movable in a piston movement direction with respect to the piston member by a motor and for pressing the piston member by advancement; a piston return mechanism including a biasing member for making biasing force, oriented in a retreat direction, elastically act on the piston member in accordance with a relative advancement amount of the piston member with respect to the nut member; and a controller for controlling the motor. The controller determines whether an adjustment permission condition associated with a wear amount of the friction member is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the controller allows the motor to perform a relative position adjustment of the nut member with respect to the piston member.
US08997944B1	Automatic rope brake and lowering device Linear brake systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a baseplate having a linear brake housing mounted thereto is provided. A linear brake is partially disposed within the brake housing. The linear brake includes a braided cable; a collar attached to the proximal end of the braided cable; a member attached to the distal end of the braided cable; a rope having a portion that passes into a bore in the collar, through a tunnel formed by the braided cable and the collar, and exits the braided cable by passing between cable strands; and an interface mounted to the baseplate to extend the braided cable constrict the braided cable upon the rope. The collar secures the proximal of the braided cable to the brake housing and the member secures the distal end of the braided cable to the interface.
US08997933B2	Load-bearing platform Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can comprise a plurality interconnected polygonal shapes defining a top standing surface. The platform can be a grating that has load bearing properties and that can be cast from a mold. The platform includes a perimeter wall, a surface portion, and one or more reinforcement walls. A height or thickness of the surface portion is less than a height or thickness of the perimeter wall and/or the reinforcement walls.
US08997930B2	Ladders, ladder components, ladder accessories, ladder systems and related methods Various embodiments of ladders, ladder components, accessories for ladders, ladder systems and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a ladder and platform system is provided having at least two ladders and a platform or plank. The platform or plank has coupling mechanisms that provide adjustable but secure coupling of the platform to the ladders, either with the top cap or with the rungs. Other embodiments include storage devices and paint trays for use with ladders and ladder systems incorporating such devices.
US08997928B1	Fall restraint traveler device The fall restraint traveler device has a hollow body structure, two or more spacers, one or more lanyards and a leash. The hollow body structure has a first end and a second end. A safety rope extends passing through both first and second ends. The body structure has an elongated slot extending between the ends. The two or more tubular spacers are placed internal of the body structure with the safety rope passing through each spacer. The one or more lanyards are for attachment to a climber. Each lanyard has at least one locking element. The device is aligned with and free to slide along the safety rope during ascent or descent of the climber and in the event of a fall, the at least one locking element tightens as it pulls on the safety rope pulling the rope out of alignment and thereby cinching to the rope.
US08997909B2	Air cushion transport A movable support platform is disclosed that includes a platform, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the platform that provides an enclosed space below the platform that retains pressurized gas, and a thrust propulsion device coupled to the platform for pressurizing gas in the enclosed space. The thrust propulsion device includes an array of gas-propelling devices “distributed thrusters” that propel gas into the enclosed space below the platform. The distributed thrusters may be comprised of Nano Molecular Solid-state Electrodynamic Thrusters (“NMSET”).
US08997902B2	Windrower steering system A steering system for a differential steered self-propelled agricultural windrower, windrower speed and direction controlled by adjusting the pivotal position of rotatable pintel arms to control the output of a pair of tandem-mounted hydraulic drive pumps and provide motive power for the windrower. A control input shaft that is both rotatable and axially moveable manages the relative positioning of the pintel arms. A hydraulic steering motor is operably connected to the input shaft. Rotation of the hydraulic steering motor is managed by a steering control valve attached to a cab-mounted windrower steering wheel.
US08997894B2	Method and apparatus for delivering high power laser energy over long distances Systems, devices and methods for the transmission and delivery of high power laser energy deep into the earth and for the suppression of associated nonlinear phenomena. Systems, devices and methods for the laser drilling of a borehole in the earth. These systems can deliver high power laser energy down a deep borehole, while maintaining the high power to advance such boreholes deep into the earth and at highly efficient advancement rates.
US08997881B2	Pressure bearing wall and support structure therefor A method of supporting a pressure bearing wall against a pressure differential applied across the wall can include positioning a support structure proximate the pressure bearing wall, the support structure having a support surface formed thereon, and the support surface contacting the pressure bearing wall and supporting the wall against the pressure differential. A pressure bearing housing assembly can include a pressure bearing wall and a support structure which supports the pressure bearing wall against a pressure differential applied across the wall. A well system can comprise a well tool including a pressure bearing housing assembly exposed to pressure in a wellbore, whereby a pressure differential is applied across a pressure bearing wall of the housing assembly, the pressure bearing wall being supported against the pressure differential by a support structure.
US08997879B2	Diverter spool and methods of using the same A well containment assembly comprising a first pressure-containing device and a diverter spool. The diverter spool comprises a body having a longitudinal central axis and at least partially defining a primary flowbore, an upper connection assembly coupled to the body, a lower connection assembly coupled to the body, and a plurality of side outlets. Each of the plurality of side outlets has a longitudinal central axis and at least partially defines a secondary flowbore. Each of the plurality secondary flowbores is in communication with the primary flowbore, and the angle between the longitudinal central axis of the body and the longitudinal central axis of the plurality of side outlets is less than 90° with respect to the primary flowbore. The first pressure-containing device is coupled to the diverter spool via the upper connection assembly.
US08997878B2	SALT ring handling system and method A SALT ring handling system having a platform, a track system operatively connected to a lower side of the platform, and a pickle fork operatively connected to the track system. The platform may include an upper deck, a lower deck, a spacer for positioning the deck near a riser, and an engaging mechanism for operatively connecting the platform to a carrier system. The track system may include a vertical track assembly and a horizontal track assembly for transferring the vertical track assembly in a substantially horizontal direction. The vertical track assembly may include a lift mechanism that is operatively connected to the pickle fork, and the lift mechanism may transfer the pickle fork in a substantially vertical direction. The pickle fork may include one or more extensions for engaging a portion of a SALT ring.
US08997873B2	In situ transfer and support of tensioned system and method for a flexible link The disclosure provides an in-situ system and method for transferring a load from a tensioned flexible link between at least two bodies, such as between a buoyancy can and a subsea riser or between a moored offshore platform and a pile. The system and method provides a tether assembly having a hydraulic cylinder and/or a transfer assembly, where the hydraulic cylinder is configured upon actuation to decrease a distance between the two bodies; and the transfer assembly includes a mechanical interlock configured upon actuation to maintain the decreased distance between the two bodies independent of the hydraulic cylinder. The mechanical interlock can include various embodiments that can be selectively activated and deactivated position to allow the hydraulic cylinder to operate at various times in the transfer process. A support assembly can provide additional support to the flexible link independent of or in addition to the transfer assembly.
US08997872B1	Cap assembly for use with a tubing spool of a wellhead A cap assembly for use with a tubing spool of a wellhead has a body with an interior passageway body and a mandrel extending upwardly therefrom. The body has a connector extending from an opposite end thereof. The interior passageway extends though the mandrel and the connector. A valve is affixed to the body and extends into the interior passageway. The valve is movable between a first position closing the interior passageway and a second position opening the interior passageway. An actuator is connected to the valve so as to move the valve between the first and second positions. A tubing hanger stab is affixed to the body and extends through the connector so as to join with a tubing hanger in the tubing spool.
US08997864B2	Method for hydrocarbon resource recovery including actuator operated positioning of an RF applicator and related apparatus A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) applicator coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include supplying RF energy to the RF applicator at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively heat at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair.
US08997862B2	Flooding operations employing chlorine dioxide A method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a first polymer gel into a subterranean formation to generate a production fluid having an aqueous portion and a hydrocarbon portion, treating the aqueous portion of the production fluid with chlorine dioxide to separate additional hydrocarbons from the aqueous portion, and adjusting the viscosity of the treated aqueous portion prior to introducing the treated aqueous portion back into the subterranean formation.
US08997861B2	Methods and devices for filling tanks with no backflow from the borehole exit A method for sampling fluid from a subsurface formation includes retrieving fluids from the formation using a plurality of pumps. The method also includes the steps of controlling a flow of the retrieved fluids using at least a first valve and a second valve and estimating an operating parameter of at least one pump of the plurality of pumps. The method further includes the step of controlling the first valve and the second valve using the estimated operating parameter to initiate a fluid sampling event.
US08997856B2	System and method for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.
US08997855B2	Reduction of expansion force via resonant vibration of a swage An apparatus includes a body shaped to deform a wellbore tool in a predetermined manner. A vibration device applies a vibration to the body to reduce a frictional force caused when the body deforms the wellbore tool. In one arrangement, the vibration devices imparts a resonant wave motion to a swaging apparatus that is being pushed through a passage of a wellbore tubular. A swaging body vibrates at a resonant frequency along the long axis of the wellbore tubular and/or normal to long axis of the wellbore tubular. The relative motion between the swaging body and the tubular member reduces the force required to expand the wellbore tubular. Optionally, a controller operatively connected to the vibration device adjusts the operation of the vibration device in response to the sensor measurements of the vibrations in the swage body.
US08997852B1	Electrical submergible pumping system using a power crossover assembly for a power supply connected to a motor An electric submergible pumping system that includes a pump having a pump discharge; a motor; a power crossover assembly including a top flange having a generally circular opening in the center, an upper tubular portion connected to the top flange portion, a lower tubular portion including two generally rectangular-like shaped windows for intake suction for crude oil, a lower flange having a circular shape connected to the lower tubular portion. The top flange, the upper tubular portion, the lower tubular portion, and the lower flange are one unit, each having three adjacent holes passing there through in alignment. A first support leg includes a vertical extension from the lower flange to the upper tubular portion. Three electrical conductors, each disposed adjacent to each other, pass through the three adjacent holes for electrical connection to the motor.
US08997849B2	Isolated shearing mechanism for downhole tools A shearing mechanism in which a male component mates into a female component, the male component having a first groove extending around the male component and the female component having a second groove extending around the female component, the first groove and the second groove cooperating when the male component is inserted into the female component to define an annular recess. A shearing component is provided within the annular recess, the shearing component having a shear load that is controlled by the material and size of the shearing component. An opening is provided within one or both of the male component and female component, the opening being aligned with the annular recess. Stress relief is provided.
US08997841B2	Flat heat exchanger plate and bulk material heat exchanger using the same A flat heat exchanger plate typically used in a bulk material heat exchanger having an improved construction which increases heat transfer and service period by reducing bulk material accumulation. The flat heat exchanger plate is designed to operate under a negative internal pressure to eliminate depressions or dimples that are typically formed into the sides of these types of heat exchanger coils during the manufacture process. The dimples are created to reinforce the heat exchanger plate from positive internal pressures that other wise would cause the heat exchanger plate to bow due to internal positive pressures. With the removal of the depressions or dimples the tendency for bulk material to accumulate to the exterior surface of the plate is reduced, thereby increasing the service period of the plate and heat transfer. The flat heat exchanger plate tapers from wide to narrow along the direction of flow of bulk material across the plate to further reduce accumulation of bulk material.
US08997834B2	Method for producing of hollow die cast products A method for the production of a hollow body from die casting aluminum in a die casting machine with a die casting die having mould parts with a stationary mould part and with at least two movable mould parts. The movable mould parts are guided in at least one further movable mould part of the die, so that, in the closed position of the die, the movable mould parts are blocked at least by way of an interlock which is attached to the stationary mould part.
US08997827B2	Covering for architectural openings with brakes in series A cord drive mechanism to convert linear motion to circular motion for use in coverings for architectural openings. Various controls are used to provide a braking force on the cord. Some of the embodiments incorporate a capstan.
US08997816B2	Tape dispenser A tape dispenser includes a torque controller and a take-up cassette.
US08997808B2	Motorcycle tire A motorcycle tire has a unidirectional tread pattern having an intended rotational direction. The tread portion is provided on each side of the tire equator with main oblique grooves, each comprising a main portion extending from the tire equator toward a tread edge while inclining toward the direction opposite to the intended rotational direction. The main portion includes a part overlapping the tire equator which part has an inclination angle of not more than 20 degrees with respect to the tire equator. The main portion has such a dimension that the circumferential ends thereof are positioned outside a ground contacting area of the tire in its normally inflated loaded state at the camber angle of 0 degree. The land ratio of a tread center region between the ground contact edges is in a rage of from 75 to 95%.
US08997801B2	Puncture repair kit Disclosed is a puncture repair kit in which a bottle unit is positioned with greater stability. A puncture repair kit (1) comprises a compressor device (2), and a bottle unit (3) in which a cap (6) is attached to an opening (5) in a bottle container (4) which houses a puncture sealing agent. The compressor device (2) comprises a compressed air discharge port (8). The cap (6) comprises an air intake port (27) for feeding compressed air from the compressed air discharge port (8) into the bottle container (4), and a sealing agent/compressed air removal port (7) for removing puncture sealing agent and compressed air in succession from the bottle container (4) by feeding in compressed air. The compressed air discharge port (8) and the air intake port (27) can be directly connected.
US08997791B2	Multiple-channel flow ratio controller A system for dividing a single mass flow into a plurality N of secondary flows includes an inlet configured to receive the single mass flow, a master FRC (flow ratio controller), and one or more slave FRCs. Each FRC is connected to the inlet and including at least one flow channel. The master FRC and the slave FRCs include in combination a total of N flow channels. Each flow channel i (i=1, . . . , N) is connected to carry a corresponding one of the N secondary flows. In response to preselected ratio setpoints received from a host controller, the master FRC and the slave FRCs maintain ratios Qi/QT (i=1, . . . , N) between individual flow rates Qi (i=1, . . . , N) and a total flow rate QT at the preselected ratio set points.
US08997785B2	Valve assembly and components therefore The invention relates to a valve assembly which includes at least one, but typically two, balls located along a passage and which balls can be moved between open and closed positions to selectively control the passage of fluid along the passage. The valve assembly includes at, at least one end thereof, a retaining assembly which allows the effective sealing against one surface of a ball and retention of the ball in position. A sealing assembly is also provided when two balls are provided, which allows effective sealing to be achieved and at least one of the two trunnions which allows each of the balls to be mounted within the valve body is located only internally of the valve body. The components of the valve assembly can in one embodiment all be inserted into and located within the valve body from one common end.
US08997776B2	Color change valve device A color change valve device includes: a manifold including on an inside a paint passage, and to which connector passages are provided to radially penetrate therethrough at plural locations axially spaced from each other; a wash air valve and a wash liquid valve connected to the connector passages at a most upstream side among the respective connector passages in the manifold; paint valves connected to the connector passages in the manifold to be positioned at a downstream side of the respective valves; and a swirl flow forming member provided in the paint passage in the manifold for forming a swirl flow by the wash air and the wash liquid, wherein the swirl flow forming member is arranged across an entire length of the paint passage.
US08997760B2	Hair treatment application system comprising an absorbent substrate The present invention describes a hair treatment application system, comprising at least one or more hair treatment compositions (15) having a viscosity of from 3,000 cPs to 150,000 cPs and a hair treatment application device (1) comprising a first plate (10) and a second plate (20) positionable in a juxtaposed relationship when said hair treatment application device (1) is in a closed state. The hair treatment application device (1) is characterized by having a first zone comprising at least one absorbent substrate (40) on the internal surface (101) of said at least said first plates (10) and a second zone (50) on said internal surface (101) which is free of said absorbent substrate (40). Said at least one absorbent substrate (40) has a median pore radius of from 300 microns to 3,000 micron. The present invention describes also methods of treating the hair with said hair treatment application system (10) and kit comprising said hair treatment application system.
US08997756B2	Scalp soother Embodiments pertain to a scalp care device. The scalp care device includes a handle extended along a longitudinal axis and a set of curved teeth that extend along the longitudinal axis. The teeth are curved so as to facilitate sliding the teeth underneath a user's hair so that the tips of the teeth reach the user's scalp and can manipulate the scalp so as to provide care for it. The curved teeth are joined to the handle by a bridge region. In one embodiment, the teeth are hollow and the handle includes a bottle for holding liquid, such that the liquid may flow through the teeth to be deposited upon the scalp.
US08997755B2	Filter element comprising smoke-altering material The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.
US08997744B2	Adjustable conduit coupling assembly A conduit coupling assembly for use in connection with a patient interface device. The conduit coupling assembly includes a coupling retention assembly for retaining the conduit coupling in a predetermined position with respect to the user's face, and an adjustment assembly that permits continuous adjustment of a position of the conduit coupling with respect to a user's face. The conduit coupling assembly is continuously adjustable and retainable in an adjusted position and orientation by the adjustment assembly.
US08997743B2	Breathable respiratory mask A patient interface is disclosed which is comfortable for the user to wear and includes at least in part a moisture permeable or breathable area in the body of the patient interface. In another embodiment the patient interface is a strapless mask that is moulded to fit the contours of a user's face and maximise the mask-to-skin seal. An adhesive material is bonded to the mask cushion and is stamped in place to form substantially the same shape as the cushion such that it fits the facial contours of the user.
US08997732B2	Method and apparatus for the thermal protection of LED light modules in a range hood appliance A method and apparatus for the thermal protection of LED light modules in a range hood appliance is provided. If the temperature of the LED light module reaches a predetermined temperature, one or more protective actions are taken to prevent over heating the LED light module. Such protective actions can include e.g., decreasing and/or terminating the power to the LED light module, opening a damper to provide air for cooling the LED light module, and/or activating a fan to provide forced convection cooling of the LED light module.
US08997724B2	Spark-ignition engine A spark-ignition engine capable of reducing the content of hydrocarbon in exhaust gas is provided. When viewed from a direction parallel to a cylinder center axis, given a central virtual line passing a squish area maximum-width section and the center of a combustion chamber recessed section, and one area a and the other area b divided by the central virtual line, an intake valve port or an exhaust valve port is opened in one area of any opposed section of opposed sections of the combustion chamber recessed section. A spark-plug attachment hole is formed in the other area of the opposed section, such that, when viewed from the direction parallel to the cylinder center axis, a spark discharge section at a tip of a spark plug does not overlap the central virtual line.
US08997710B2	Fuel injector support constructions for direct injection opposed-piston engines An opposed-piston internal combustion engine with one or more ported cylinders and uniflow scavenging includes fuel injectors supported at compound angles with respect to the cylinders in order to directly inject spray patterns of fuel in opposing directions through the side walls of the cylinders.
US08997709B2	Mass equalization gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine A mass equalization gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine is provided, having a gear mechanism housing (8) with bearing points (16, 17, 18), at least one equalization shaft (6) with a drive section (9) and an imbalance section (12) and rolling bearings (10, 11, 15) by which the equalization shaft is mounted in the bearing points. In this context, the gear mechanism housing is hydraulically sealed, with the result that the imbalance section and at least one of the rolling bearings is hydraulically separated from the drive section and is provided with autonomous lubrication.
US08997705B2	Variable valve actuation apparatus of internal combustion engine In a variable valve actuation apparatus with a speed reducer between a timing sprocket and a camshaft for changing a phase of the camshaft relative to the sprocket, while reducing normal-rotation/reverse-rotation of an electric motor, the speed reducer includes an eccentric rotation member connected to an output shaft of the motor, an annular member connected to the sprocket, a plurality of rollers installed between an inner toothed portion of the annular member and an outer peripheral surface of the eccentric rotation member, and a cage connected to the camshaft for circumferentially partitioning the respective rollers, while permitting a radial displacement of each roller. Depending on a dimension of a clearance space between the eccentric rotation member and the annular member, a suitable one of a plurality of roller sets, each having a different outside diameter, is selected, and then the selected rollers are installed.
US08997682B1	Moisture indicator for potted plant soil The patent application is directed to a moisture indicator that reversibly changes between two different colors depending on whether the moisture indicator is in a wet state or in a dry state. The moisture indicator is used to provide visual information about dryness/wetness of a substrate such as plant soil. The moisture indicator comprises a porous body member having a moisture indicating color and a moisture indicating material over the moisture indicating color. Water passed through the porous material activates the moisture indicating material from a dry opaque state to a transparent clear state. In the transparent clear state, the moisture indicating material reveals the moisture indicating color.
US08997679B2	Pleasure boat The present invention refers to a pleasure boat and particularly but not exclusively to a pedal boat. According to the invention, in order to make sea excursions with said pleasure boat more attractive, the boat comprises a jetted tub on board, preferably fed with seawater drawn directly from the surrounding environment.
US08997677B1	Miniature torpedo and targeting control apparatus A miniature torpedo has a contact and attachment assembly 106 that is operable to hold the torpedo to a ship, a plurality of flammable elements that are sequentially ignited and burn against the ship's hull, and a propulsion and steering assembly that propels and directs the torpedo to the ship. The torpedo is constructed to be carried by and launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle. A targeting and control apparatus is employed with the torpedo that provides wire guidance to the torpedo and an ability to communication with other aparatus to coordinate an attack with multiple torpedos.
US08997673B1	Power boat emergency floatation device A power boat emergency floatation device deploys from a power boat to inhibit sinking of the power boat. The device includes a boat having a hull. The hull has an upper edge extending around the boat. Each of a plurality of cavities extends into the hull of the boat. The cavities are positioned in spaced arrangement around the hull of the boat. Each of a plurality of inflatable bladders is positioned in an associated one of the cavities. Each inflatable bladder is coupled to the hull of the boat and is selectively inflatable wherein the inflatable bladders inhibit sinking of the boat when the inflatable bladders are inflated and extended from the hull. A trigger mechanism is operationally coupled to each inflatable bladder wherein actuation of the trigger mechanism deploys each inflatable bladder from the associated cavity and inflates each inflatable bladder.
US08997671B2	Free motion sewing disk set A set of sewing disks for controlling the movement of a piece of fabric over the free arm and under the needle of a sewing or quilting machine. Each disk is flat and has an oval or circular configuration and comprises three registered, stacked adhesively attached layers—a first contact layer made of open cell foam, a semi-rigid intermediate stiffener member, and a second contact layer made of closed cell foam. When each disk is placed over a piece of fabric with the lower contact layer is placed adjacent thereto, the individual's fingers are exposed at all times and placed over the opposite contact layer. The intermediate stiffener layer spreads and evenly dissipates the forces exerted by the fingers to the top contact layer to the lower contact layer. Because the finger tips are not in contact with the fabric, soiling of the fabric by the finger tips is prevented.
US08997670B2	Conveyance system that transports fabric A conveyance system that transports fabric comprises a work space having a surface that the fabric can be transports across, and at least one budger that moves and/or provide force to the fabric in a servo controlled motion.
US08997667B2	Control system mounting arrangement for an agricultural implement An agricultural implement includes a storage tank, a pump positioned below a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a control system disposed above the bottom portion of the storage tank. The storage tank is configured to hold a flowable agricultural product. The pump is configured to direct the flowable agricultural product out of the storage tank. The one or more controls are configured to control application of the flowable agricultural product.
US08997665B2	Slag-melting burner apparatus A leading end located in a two-stage entrained-flow bed coal gasifier has a double-walled structure including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and cooling water for cooling the leading end is supplied through an interior of the inner cylinder to cool the leading end and is then returned to a base end through a space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder has a smaller channel area than the interior of the inner cylinder, and a swirling flow along a guide formed on an outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and a substantially linear flow in a longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are applied to the cooling water returned to the base end through the space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.
US08997663B2	Table with nesting table top A table may be sized and configured to nest with another table to reduce a height of a plurality of stacked tables in a nested configuration. The table may include a table top with a receiving portion disposed at least proximate an intersection of an upper surface and a sidewall. The table top may also include a lip and a lower portion of the lip may include a contact surface that is sized and configured to contact an upper surface of an adjacent, nested table. The lower portion of the lip may also include an engaging portion that is sized and configured to be disposed in a receiving portion of an adjacent, nested table. The contact surface and the engaging portion may be directly adjacent to each other in the lower portion of the lip.
US08997656B2	Vehicle sling bag rail system An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a cargo area that includes an internal surface. A longitudinally extending bar is located within the cargo area of the vehicle. A bag configured to hang onto and slide along the longitudinally extending bar. A movable rail assembly is attached to the internal surface and includes: a rail moveable between extend and retract positions with respect to the cargo area; a bearing engageable with the rail to assist moving the rail between the extend and retract positions; and a bracket attachable to the bearing to suspend the bearing and the rail in the cargo area and away from the internal surface.
US08997648B1	Screen-printing frame A system for attaching mesh to a frame and applying tension to the mesh is described. The system includes a locking strip slot in a movable frame member that permits mesh and an attached locking strip to be inserted into the slot from the top. The locking strip may be asymmetric. The system further includes a rigid frame that can hold the movable frame member under tension. The system also includes gripping the movable frame member at the locking strip slot to apply tension to the mesh. A simple hand tool may be used for engaging the locking strip slot and leveraging against the rigid portion of the frame to apply the tension. A simple hand tool may be used for separating the movable frame member from the rigid frame to remove the mesh.
US08997647B2	Silk screen printing device with two modes of printing Device for silk screen printing on an object, comprising a screen holder module for holding a screen; and a squeegee holder module for holding a squeegee for scraping over the screen along a direction of scraping. The squeegee holder module comprises a support mounted on the chassis, and a removable squeegee holder attached to the support, the support having a receiving surface for receiving the squeegee holder, and the squeegee holder having a fastening plate for fastening the squeegee holder on the receiving surface with a scraping direction extending along a direction of printing (Ox), and an alternative fastening plate for fastening the squeegee holder in an alternative printing position with a scraping direction extending along an alternative direction of printing (Oy).
US08997646B2	Electrode formation system for solar cell and electrode formation method for solar cell An electrode formation method for a solar cell to form an electrode of a base member, includes a screen printing process and a baking process. The screen printing process includes: mounting a metal mask on a surface of the base member, wherein the metal mask includes a covering portion configured to cover a part of a surface of the base member, opening portions configured to allow parts of the base member to be exposed therefrom, and bridge portions disposed along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of circuit patterns between the opening portions; and supplying a paste to an upper surface of the metal mask by a squeegee head of a cartridge type, while relatively sliding a squeegee on the upper surface of the metal mask such that the squeegee travels relatively to the metal mask. In the baking process, the paste is baked to form the electrode.
US08997636B2	Programmable device and method for storing food An improved food storage device for holding food items in a controlled environment, typically heated, is disclosed. The device can hold different foods under different conditions for different amounts of time. Among the improvements is an intuitive programming interface. The device may be programmed by selecting different options displayed on different displays associated with different specific food storage positions by pressing a button associated with the display displaying the option. The device may have synchronized displays allowing users to more quickly assimilate displayed information.
US08997634B2	Charbroiler and method of charbroiling A charbroiler having both heated grids and at least one radiant heater and a method of charbroiling a food product are disclosed. Each heat source of the charbroiler can be an independently regulated heat source. The independently regulated heat sources can be adjusted to each contribute to the overall cooking of a food product in a cooking cycle. Each of the independently regulated heat sources can be many types of heat sources capable of being regulated either manually or automatically by a cooking control system.
US08997630B2	Piston-cylinder assembly having integrated measuring device A piston-cylinder assembly, in particular for pneumatic, hydraulic or mechatronic systems, includes a cylinder housing and a piston. The piston is coupled to a piston rod and disposed in the cylinder housing such that it can move along a longitudinal axis. A measuring device for detecting piston or piston rod position is provided inside the cylinder housing.
US08997627B2	Thermal engine with an improved valve system A radial thermal engine with an improved valve system is disclosed herein comprising intake and exhaust port valve assemblies fluidly connected to respective intake and exhaust ports contained within a cylinder head assembly. Each intake and each exhaust port valve assembly comprises at least one rotatable port cover having spaced apart openings which are periodically alignable to the intake and exhaust ports, respectively.
US08997626B2	Electro-hydraulic actuator including a release valve assembly A manual release valve is provided for a electro-hydraulic actuator of the type including a piston movable in a cylinder and defining a piston side chamber and a rod side chamber, the valve threadedly attached to the housing of the actuator and extending at least partially within the fluid housing conduits, the valve moveable from a closed position fully seated in the housing to an open position for fluidly connecting both the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber to the reservoir, the valve further including a pressure relief portion that is operable when the valve is in the closed position for relieving pressure from at least one of the piston side chamber or the rod side chamber.
US08997622B2	Gas operating systems, subsystems, components and processes A gas operating system for a firearm includes a gas block, a barrel nut that maintains the gas block at a predetermined axial position on a barrel of the firearm, a member that is movable with respect to the gas block axially with respect to the barrel in response to pressure exerted by expanding propellant gases conveyed thereto by the gas block and a mechanical linkage receiving a force form the member urging it in an axial direction of the barrel and coupled with a loading and ejection mechanism of the firearm to convey the force thereto for operating the loading and ejection mechanism. Various embodiments of gas block assemblies and operating rods for gas operating systems for firearms are provided.
US08997619B2	Glass cutting machine, glass cutter, and glass cutting method A glass cutter is provided which can form, using a wheel, a uniform crack in glass even when a projection or an earlier-formed scribe line is present on the glass. When the wheel is moved on the glass, a fracture layer is formed causing a rib mark to be formed below the fracture layer and a crack to be formed below the rib mark. To cut the glass, the crack is required to be formed uniformly. Applying a force to resist the rotating force of the wheel makes it possible to form a uniform crack even when a projection is present on the glass. This improves glass cutting yield.
US08997612B2	Mohawk hair cutting guide A hair cutting guide and method for aiding in creating/trimming a human hair into a Mohawk type hairstyle. The Mohawk guide consists of two side pieces, two adjustable spacers/connectors, and two clips. The bottom edges of the two side pieces are contoured to follow the shape of the human head from the start of the hairline to the nape of the neck.
US08997609B2	Flex-head wrench A wrench including a handle having a first yoke at a first end and a first plurality of tool heads coupled to the first yoke at a first pivot axis, at least a first tool head of the first plurality of tool heads having a drive cavity. Each tool head of the first plurality of tool heads is pivotable about the first pivot axis independently of the other tool heads of the first plurality of tool heads.
US08997600B2	Steering apparatus for an automobile Construction is achieved wherein the front-end section of an outer column 18a is assembled in the rear-end section of a housing 11a that houses an electric power steering apparatus 10a from below. A block shaped connection and fastening section 36 is provided on the rear-end section of the housing 11a. A pair of slits 37 is formed in portions of the connection and fastening section 36 near the left and right ends, and are open on the bottom end surface and rear end surface of the connection and fastening section 36. At least the front-end section of the outer column 18a has a pair of side plate sections 30 and a bottom plate section 31 that is formed in a U shape that is open at the top. The side plate sections 30 are inserted inside the slits 37 from below. In this state, the connection and fastening section 36 and the front-end section of the outer column 18a are connected and fastened by a bolt 39.
US08997597B2	Power steering system A power steering system, and more particularly a power-assisted steering system for a vehicle, comprises a lead screw which is driven by a servo motor and is composed of a nut, which is mounted axially non-displaceably in a frame, and an axially displaceable component, the thread of which is engaged with a thread of the nut, and further comprising a belt pulley, which is non-rotatably connected to the nut and forms part of a traction mechanism gear between the servo motor and the nut, wherein the nut is mounted in the frame by a rolling bearing. So as to provide a power steering system which produces little noise and is easy to install, very precise in operation and also cost-effective to produce, the belt pulley is produced from plastic.
US08997596B2	Interlocking device in a vehicle transmission An interlocking device arranged to prevent forbidden order of engagement/disengagement of two tooth clutches in a vehicle transmission is provided and includes a groove arranged in a first of shift rods, and a second and a third groove arranged in a second of shift rods, an interlocking element arranged coplanar with the shift rods, and directed and movable towards the shift rods. The length of the interlocking element is adapted to allow certain combinations and order of engagement/disengagement of the tooth clutches. A piston element partitions the second and third groove. The piston element is movably arranged in a hole in the second shift rod such that the interlocking element can push the piston element down in the hole, allowing the second shift rod to be displaced only one-way when the first shift rod is in an engaged position.
US08997595B2	Transmission for work vehicle A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft and an intermediate shaft, a power transmission mechanism and a control unit. The power transmission mechanism includes a forward travelling lower speed clutch, a forward travelling higher speed clutch, a rearward travelling clutch and a plurality of speed stage switching clutches. The control unit is configured to switch a gear state into a shiftable rearward travelling gear stage by turning off either the forward travelling lower speed clutch or the forward travelling higher speed clutch and by turning on the rearward travelling clutch in executing an operation of switching from forward travelling to rearward travelling, and to switch a gear stage into a shiftable forward travelling gear stage by turning off the rearward travelling clutch and turning on the forward travelling lower speed clutch in executing an operation of switching from rearward travelling to forward travelling.
US08997577B2	Method and apparatus for measuring residual stresses in a component A process for measuring the through stress distribution (12) in a workpiece (10) by taking progressive cuts (14, 16) and measuring the deflection of the workpiece at the cut point.
US08997574B2	Oblique flaw detection using ultrasonic transducers Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object's outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing.
US08997568B2	Micromachined gyroscope with detection in the plane of the machined wafer A gyroscope having a vibrating structure, produced by micromachining in a thin planar wafer, the gyroscope including two symmetrical moving assemblies that are coupled by a coupling structure connecting the two assemblies so as to allow mechanical vibration energy to be transferred between them, each moving assembly including a first moving element connected to the coupling structure and able to vibrate with two degrees of freedom in orthogonal directions Ox and Oy of the plane of the wafer, and a second moving element adjacent the first moving element, capable of vibrating only in the Oy direction and connected to the first moving element via linkage element, wherein the linkage element allow the transmission, in phase opposition, to the second moving element of the vibration movement of the first moving element in the Oy direction.
US08997558B2	Combustor probe for gas turbine Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a turbine combustor probe having a combustion dynamics monitoring probe configured to monitor combustion dynamics within a turbine combustor. The turbine combustor probe also has a gas sampling sleeve configured to collect a gas sample from an airflow path between a liner and a flow sleeve of the turbine combustor.
US08997553B2	Leak testing device and method A leak testing device includes a body portion and a purge gas supply. The body portion defines a cavity. The cavity is operable to enclose a portion of a part to be leak tested. The body portion also comprises at least one fluid port operable to deliver a purge gas to the cavity. The purge gas supply is in fluid communication with that at least one fluid port. The purge gas supply is configured to supply a purge gas through the at least one fluid port. The purge gas is operable to purge the cavity of at least a portion of an atmospheric tracer gas contained in the cavity.
US08997543B2	Crimp die set A die set for crimping operations includes first and second die members having raised areas including a plurality of knurls and character areas. The die set combining knurls and character areas on the operative areas of the die members allows a single die set to be used to condition a surface for crimping operations as well as crimping connectors and marking them with relevant indicia without having to change die sets.
US08997541B2	Method and device for stretch-flow forming A method for stretch-flow forming, in which a tubular workpiece is arranged around a spinning mandrel, set into rotation and formed by advancing at least one forming roller. A wall thickness of the tubular workpiece is reduced and the tubular workpiece is lengthened, as spinning mandrel use is made of a universal spinning mandrel with different external diameters in the axial direction for producing cylindrical and/or conical and/or cambered hollow parts of different design. during forming the forming roller and the spinning mandrel are moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece, and, for the purpose of designing varying diameters and/or wall thicknesses of the workpiece, the forming roller is moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the spinning mandrel.
US08997532B2	Washing machine brush system and method One aspect is a brush system for a washing machine including a plurality of independent brush sets. Each independent brush set is configured to be inserted into a single hole formed in a drum of the washing machine. Each brush independent set includes a plurality of bristles contained within a holder. Each holder is secured adjacent the hole formed in the drum of the washing machine such that the plurality of bristles projects out from the drum and toward a surface to be cleaned.
US08997528B2	Method for producing synthetic quartz glass A known method for producing synthetic quartz glass comprises the method steps of: forming a stream of a SiO2 feedstock material which contains octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) as the main component which has a reference molecular mass assigned to it, feeding the stream to a reaction zone in which the feedstock material is converted under formation of amorphous SiO2 particles by pyrolysis or hydrolysis into SiO2, depositing the amorphous SiO2 particles on a deposition surface while forming a porous SiO2 soot body, and vitrifying the SiO2 soot body while forming the synthetic quartz glass. Starting therefrom, to enable the production of large-volume cylindrical soot bodies with outer diameters of more than 300 mm of improved material homogeneity, it is suggested according to the invention that the feedstock material contains additional components in the form of further polyalkylsiloxanes, wherein light polyalkylsiloxanes with a relative molecular mass of less than the reference molecular mass are contained with a weight fraction of at least 50 ppm, and heavy polyalkylsiloxanes with a relative molecular mass of more than the reference molecular mass are contained with a weight fraction of at least 30 ppm.
US08997527B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing optical fiber preform Provided is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform using a combustion burner. The method includes at least one of: a step α of, when a mode is changed from a deposition mode to a non-deposition mode, changing a gas discharged from a combustion gas port of the burner from a combustion gas to a purge gas, while maintaining a pilot light and a flow rate of a supporting gas from supporting gas discharge nozzles of the burner so that the nozzle tip does not glow; and a step β of, when the mode is changed from the non-deposition mode to the deposition mode, changing a gas discharged from the combustion gas port from a purge gas to a combustion gas, while maintaining a pilot light and the flow rate of the supporting gas so that the nozzle tip does not glow.
US08997517B2	Controlled temperature compartment for refrigerator A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.
US08997509B1	Frequent short-cycle zero peak heat pump defroster A heat pump system is configured to have a defrost cycle operable during a heating mode of operation. The system uses: larger than conventionally sized capillary tubes at the liquid refrigerant entry end of an exterior air-source heat exchanger; a special amount of additional refrigerant charge; a supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line extending from the compressor; a special valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line; and another special valve controlling a restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger. A controller opens the valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line and to simultaneously engages, for a special period of time, the valve controlling the specially sized restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger at periodic intervals during potential frost conditions. Additionally, the exterior heat exchanger fan is disabled during a part of the defrost cycle.
US08997504B2	Vent ice prevention method An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.
US08997495B2	Strain tolerant combustor panel for gas turbine engine A combustor component of a gas turbine engine includes a substrate with a cold side, a central core section and a hot side, the cold side and the hot side have a porosity different than the central core section.
US08997491B2	Power generation system A power generation system in which a thermally expandable fluid, e.g., R134a, CO2, is circulated in a loop between a first location and a second location, the second location being at a higher elevation than the first location. The fluid is heated at the first location to expand it, so that it rises to the second location where it is cooled and contracted. The cooled fluid, being denser, then falls back to the first location under hydrostatic pressure, causing a circular fluid flow. This flow is used to generate power in a power transfer system. The system is regulated so that the fluid does not flash to a vapor, i.e., the fluid does not change state, which improves the efficiency of the system. The system is suitable for use in any situation where a height difference exists, and is particularly suited for geothermal heating sources.
US08997484B2	Boost reservoir control Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.
US08997476B2	Hydraulic energy recovery system A machine includes a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine, and an accumulator selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator is configured to receive fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during lowering of the boom. The machine also includes a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve. The machine further includes a fan driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to assist in cooling fluid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder.
US08997473B2	Electro-hydraulic actuator An electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) includes a hydraulic circuit having a plurality of pressure compensated flow control valves for limiting the maximum flow rate through the fluid conduits regardless of the loads imparted on the actuator. In one embodiment of the EHA, a plurality of combination manual override/thermal expansion valves that simplify the manufacture of the EHA.
US08997468B2	Work vehicle A radiator is arranged behind an engine, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and a connecting pipe. A partition wall partitions first and second accommodation spaces. The engine, the selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and the connecting pipe are arranged in the first space. The radiator is arranged in the second space. A reducing agent tank is arranged behind the partition wall. A reducing ejection apparatus attached to the pipe ejects reducing agent into the pipe. A reducing agent hose connects the tank and the apparatus. The hose has a boundary portion positioned at a boundary between the first and second spaces. A height position of the boundary portion is between top and bottom sections of the connecting pipe. The boundary portion and the reducing agent ejection apparatus are arranged on a left or right side of a center line extending in a front and back direction of the partition wall.
US08997458B2	Air/fuel ratio control device for internal-combustion engine An internal-combustion engine of the invention includes a catalyst which has an oxidizing ability and is provided in an exhaust passage, wherein an air/fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture is controlled so that the air/fuel ratio leaner than a theoretical air/fuel ratio and the air/fuel ratio richer than the theoretical air/fuel ratio are alternated with a predetermined amplitude with respect to a target air/fuel ratio. On the assumption that the temperature of the catalyst is referred to as a catalyst temperature, an amplitude set according to the catalyst temperature is adopted as the predetermined amplitude, and the amplitude set when the catalyst temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature is smaller than the amplitude set when the catalyst temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.
US08997451B2	Engine and pod assembly for an aircraft, equipped with an anti-icing device including a source of radiation and pulse control unit connected to the source of radiation An engine and pod assembly for an aircraft includes a pod receiving an engine having an air intake. A rotating nose cone extends on the nose cone, as well as a device for limiting the formation of ice. The device includes means for creating a circumferential heterogeneity of ice on the nose cone.
US08997448B2	Supporting and guiding device for power lines for excavation devices A supporting and guiding device for power lines 2 is intended for use in association with an excavation tool 15 mounted on a drilling machine 1. The device is formed by at least one supporting branch 4, having spacer elements 3, wherein a cable 16 is inserted into at least one housing in said spacer 3, and at least one supply hose 22 for the at least one line 2. The supply hose 22 contains hydraulic hoses and/or electric cables for signal transmission. The device includes transversal connection elements or cross members 42 which are adapted to support supply hoses 22 and are connected to the branch 4. Cable 16 of branch 4 runs through each spacer 3; also, the same cable 16 is subject to a preload generated by the insertion of at least one tensioning element.
US08997447B2	Suspension system for wheel rakes A suspension system for forage rakes having at least one floating forage rake wheel has a hydraulic cylinder is used for both lift and suspension of the floating forage rake wheel. A hydraulic accumulator provides expansion room for hydraulic fluid to move in and out of the hydraulic cylinder during suspension.
US08997444B2	Seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal A seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal, a saddle tree, and a saddle with such a saddle tree. The seat support device comprises a right multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section and a left multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section. A pivoting device with a pivot axis is each formed case between two adjacent link sections, so that two adjacent link sections are pivotable towards one other around a pivot axis substantially within a pivot plane which penetrates the pivot axis substantially perpendicular.
US08997442B2	Shipping system for plants or other items A stackable shipping unit includes a plurality of individual components that may be partially assembled, then packed with items to be shipped. The shipping unit can then be fully assembled, and placed on a pallet. The shipping system may include trays that can be used as either a base or a lid. The unit includes vertical components that are generally U-shaped in plan view, and sized to fit closely within the trays in pairs to form a “H” shape in plan view forming a pair of shipping spaces. Additional U-shaped vertical components can then be assembled to close off the shipping spaces, and a tray can be used as a lid and positioned on top of the vertical components to form an assembled shipping unit.
US08997433B2	Trim assembly for a vehicle making it possible to conceal a technical space A trim assembly having a trim element and a first concealing element extending away from the trim element and being movable relative to the trim element. The trim assembly further includes at least one second rigid concealing element, extending from the trim element to the first concealing element and designed to conceal the space between the trim element and the first concealing element. The second concealing element is secured to the trim element and is biased against part of the first concealing element so as to bear against that part of the first concealing element in all positions of the first concealing element with respect to the trim element.
US08997430B1	Floor panel assembly A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a looking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.
US08997429B2	Floor panels with edge connectors Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US08997425B2	Wall panel system and method A wall panel system and method is disclosed. The wall panel system for covering an unfinished wall including one or more studs, includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a first stud cover. The first sheet has a length, a width, a first edge, and a second edge. The second sheet is attached perpendicular to the first sheet at the second edge. The first stud cover is attached perpendicular to the first sheet at the first edge and the first stud cover includes a base with a first side and a second side, a first leg attached perpendicular to the base at the first side, and a second leg attached perpendicular to the base at the second side and wherein the first leg and second leg are parallel. Additional wall panel systems are also disclosed. In addition, storage units may be secured to the stud covers and the underlying studs.
US08997422B1	Building construction formed of prefab concrete forms Prefab wall, column, ceiling concrete forms are provided. The wall or column concrete forms comprise a metal mesh portion, dented line portions, horizontal cut portions, edge-pole portions, and a foam or light concrete portion. The metal mesh portion is formed with a shape of three-sided vertical mesh frame, the metal mesh portion comprising front net and two side nets. The dented line portions are provided horizontally across a plurality of locations of the metal mesh portion. The horizontal cut portion is provided at an edge of the side nets and being configured to receive rebars. The edge-pole portion is provided vertically along an inner edge of the side nets. The foam or light concrete portion is disposed and hardened with the metal mesh portion and the plurality of dented line portion. The ceiling concrete form includes a base board, pyramidal trusses, and a longitudinal bar.
US08997414B2	Water tight seal for corner joints, and associated mouldings A moulding for sealing a horizontal structure with a finishing layer of a vertical structure at a corner joint. In cross-section, the moulding has a rectangular base portion for insertion into a gap between the horizontal structure and the vertical finishing layer, and a cap portion with an upper lip for sealing against the finishing layer and a lower lip jutting downwardly for sealing against the horizontal structure. Double sided foam tape is applied only to an underside of the rectangular portion of the body. A bead of caulking at an inner face of the upper lip below an upper tip forms a flexible secondary seal of the moulding to the finishing layer of the vertical structure. While providing a secondary seal for maximum water-tightness, the caulking is protected from water exposure by the primary seal provided by the upper lip of the moulding to prevent mold build up.
US08997410B1	Seam stabilizer for standing seam panels A seam stabilizer for maintaining standing seam roof panels on module during installation, the seam stabilizer having profile members that provide pressing force on the standing seam for maintaining and aligning the horizontal and vertical shape of the standing seam formed at interconnected upstanding corrugations along the length of adjacent panels; a pressing mechanism moves the profile members into pressing engagement with the standing seam during installation. Further, a module set gauge extends between the profile members to fit over the opposing upstanding edge of the adjacent panel and secure same on module as the edge is secured to the underlying support members.
US08997405B2	Stanchion for a well carcass of an elevator installation The invention relates to a post (129) for a shaft scaffold (102) of an elevator system (103), said post comprising at least two supports (236) on its exterior sides which extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft scaffold (102), to which at least one traverse strut (201) can be connected. The aim of the invention is to produce and design the device, the post and/or the associated connecting elements of the post for a shaft scaffold of an elevator system in such a cost-effective manner that an easy and rapid assembly of a shaft scaffold can be ensured. According to the invention, said aim is achieved by providing, apart from the two supports (236), at least one additional support (236) for the connection of at least one guide element (220).
US08997393B2	Aiming sight with a multi-focal collimator An aiming sight for a firearm. The aiming sight includes: a mounting unit; a light gathering fiber; and a parallax multi-focal lens. When aimed at a target, the aiming sight displays to the shooter a complex light signal having a central dot and a peripheral corona around the dot.
US08997390B1	Trigger mechanism with cam surface sear A trigger mechanism has a hammer, a hammer spring, a trigger pull, a trigger spring, a pivotal linkage between the trigger pull and a sear which has a cam surface and a guide. The hammer has striking and bearing ends and a pivot point between the ends. The hammers' bearing end rides up on the cam surface as it moves between different positions relative to the guide. The hammer pivots around the pivot point and the striking end is moved between the hammer's seated and cocked positions as the cam surface moves between its positions. The hammer spring has opposite ends connected to the firearm's frame and the hammer, respectively, which provides a hammer spring force. The hammer spring biases the striking end of the hammer to the seated, striking position and the movement of the hammer to its rearward position is performed against the hammer spring force.
US08997386B2	Backpack-type large-scale promotional mannequin The present invention relates to a mannequin, and, more specifically, relates to a large-scale promotional mannequin capable of being manipulated while moving carried on a person's shoulders like a backpack at, for example, various venues or on the streets for the purpose of advertising or promotion. The backpack-type large-scale promotional mannequin according to the present design comprises: a main mannequin body fitted with a blower operated by means of a battery on one side such that air can be injected therein in tube fashion; a support for supporting the main mannequin body from the bottom so as to allow same to be upright; and a backpack means for strapping, onto the shoulders, the main mannequin body supported upright by means of the support.
US08997383B2	Construction-equipment bucket-tooth assembly and bucket provided to same A bucket tooth assembly is mounted to an adapter provided to a distal end part of a bucket of construction equipment. The bucket assembly includes a bucket tooth and a latching member. The bucket tooth has a cavity for inserting the adapter and a through-hole that is provided to the side face and communicates through to the adapter when the bucket tooth has been mounted to the adapter. The through-hole has a center axis. The latching member is fitted inside the through-hole and having a rotational axis disposed along a direction of the center axis and a bottom part provided to an end on an adapter side in an axial direction. The latching member is rotated to switch between a first state in which the bottom part is held inside the through-hole and a second state in which the bottom part protrudes toward a concave portion on the adapter side.
US08997382B2	Dipper door assembly A dipper assembly includes a dipper, a dipper door, a closure mechanism, a trip assembly, and a camshaft support assembly. The dipper door is pivotally mounted to the dipper for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the dipper door covers the dipper bottom. The closure mechanism is configured to retain the dipper door in the closed position. The trip assembly is configured to release the dipper door for movement to the open position, and includes a trip arm coupled to a camshaft and also coupled to a trip rope. The camshaft support assembly is configured to receive the camshaft, and includes a bearing block receiving a rotatable bearing member, and a sealing mechanism.
US08997379B2	Inlay sole for shoes An inlay sole for shoes is made up of sole pieces of varying Shore hardness which engage with each other on abutting edges, the width of which corresponds to the thickness of the sole pieces, with matching sinuous projections and matching recesses. The projections form extensions which engage in backcuts in the recesses, the inlay sole being made of several layers of sole pieces assembled as above. The abutting edges are offset with relation to each other from layer to layer.
US08997378B2	Breathable waterproof sole for shoes A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable.
US08997375B2	Operating method for laundry equipment including a scent supply module An operating method for a laundry drier which has a rotatable drum mounted inside a main body, a heater for heating the air flowing into the drum; and a scent supply module for spraying scent into the drum, comprising: a drying step of drying the laundry by supplying hot air heated by the heater; a pre-treating step of tumbling the drum while supplying air with the heater off; and a scent treating step of spraying scent onto the laundry which has passed through the pre-treating step. Since the scent is sprayed on after the pre-treating step, the scent can be effectively deposited on the laundry.
US08997374B2	Drying furnace and drying method A drying furnace (20) for drying an object (11) by hot air is provided with a heater (36, 38, 43, 45) that applies radiant heat to a hard-heating region (35, 42) having a larger heat capacity than the other region (37, 44) in the object (11) so as to heat the hard-heating region (35, 42) to a temperature approximate to a temperature of the other region (37, 44).
US08997366B2	Template for calibrating a machine used to machine an ophthalmic lens, device and method using such a template A calibration template for calibrating a machining device that has blocking elements for blocking an ophthalmic lens, and machining elements for machining the ophthalmic lens, the template including a fastener portion suitable for being fastened to the blocking elements and a calibration portion arranged around the fastener portion. The calibration portion is made out of a material that is suitable for being machined by the machining elements, and presents firstly a plurality of shape patterns, and secondly a plurality of visual identifiers each visually associated with one of the shape patterns.
US08997362B2	Portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine with optical communications bus A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) having opposed first and second ends and a plurality of connected arm segments each having at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; an electronic circuit configured to receive the position signals; a first bus for communication with the electronic circuit, wherein at least a portion of the first bus is an optical communication bus configured to transmit light; and a rotary coupler having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion configured to rotate relative to the first portion, the first portion affixed to the first arm segment, the rotary coupler configured to transfer signals on the optical communication bus between the first portion and the second portion.
US08997358B2	Box cutter with retractable blade A box cutter includes a housing with a blade slide slidably received therein. A pivotal member is pivotably connected to of the blade slide. An inclined face is defined in one of surfaces of the pivotal member and is gradually raised. The inclined face is connected to a pressing area which has two respective rounded guide portions. A spring is connected between the pivotal member and the housing to maintain the blade slide at the initial position. A button is slidably connected to outside of the cover and a spring is connected between the button and the cover. The button is moved to move the blade slide from the initial position thereof to an extended position. When the blade is cutting a workpiece, the blade is tilt and the pivotal member is pivoted by the cover so that blade slide is retracted into the housing.
US08997356B2	Method of improving tire sidewall resistance to damage A method of improving the resistance of a tire sidewall to damage such as splitting or puncture is provided. More particularly, a method for determining the size and positioning of tread features along the sidewall of a tire so as to improve the protection of the sidewall against damage when contacting obstacles during operation of the tire is provided.
US08997348B2	Dry running flexible impeller pump and method of manufacture This invention relates to a Dry Running Flexible Impeller Pump and Method of Manufacture designed to provide a flexible impeller pump capable of being run dry for extended periods of time without damage. The pump's components are comprised of low friction materials limiting the heat of friction created by the impeller in use. The impeller is cast of pre-molding silicone substrate containing a quantity of mold release that will not prevent the deposition of a low friction compound coating on the surface of the impeller in a mold that is treated with a low friction industrial coating. Once the impeller is removed from the mold it is solvent cleaned, vacuum baked at a temperature high enough to drive off residual traces of mold release or compounds used to maintain the silicone substrate in suspension, and then coated with a polymer of Poly Para Xylylene by vacuum deposition.
US08997347B2	Assembling sealant containing twist-on wire connectors An improved method of making sealant containing twist-on wire connectors from a batch of components, wherein some of the components may be preassembled through automated equipment and at least one or more of the steps performed in the making of a sealant containing twist-on wire connector is performed manually at a station where an operator can simultaneously perform one or more steps to enhance the formation of a twist-on wire connector containing a sealant while at the same time eliminating upfront investments costs for a work station as well as costs for maintenance of a work station.
US08997346B2	Method for manufacturing connector In order to avoid cost for accommodating a shield wire in a housing while bending, and smoothly and readily accommodate within the housing while the shield electric wire is insulated, a conductive housing 1 including a rear wall 4 continuing to an annular wall 3, and a tube wall 5 continuing to down the rear wall 4, a method comprising the steps of: passing through a shield electric wire 2 from a lower opening 5a of the tube wall of the conductive housing to a front opening 3a of the annular wall while bending the shield electric wire; putting a shield terminal 9 movably around the shield electric wire from top of the shield electric wire; exposing a core wire 2b and a braid 2a of the shield electric wire by stripping a tip thereof; connecting an L-shaped terminal 11 to the core wire; mounting an L-shaped insulation inner housing 12 outside the L-shaped terminal; connecting the shield terminal to the braid; and accommodating a vertical part 14 of the inner housing within the conductive housing by pulling in the shield electric wire in an direction contrary to that of the shield electric wire having being passed through, so as to project a horizontal part 13 of the inner housing from the front opening.
US08997338B2	Component-mounting device, and component-mounting method A tray feeder includes tray supply mechanisms and arranged in parallel. Each of the tray supply mechanisms has a function of retrieving a tray from a tray housing portion by a tray retrieving unit, and transferring the pallet up to a component pickup position set in the vicinity of a height at the upper end of the tray housing portion. A lock state of a door by a door lock mechanism is released only in a state where the tray retrieving unit is located at the component pickup position and blocks an interior of the tray feeder from a head transfer space in which the mounting head transfers.
US08997333B2	Method of manufacturing inductor A method of manufacturing an inductor includes a lamination step, a division step, a firing step, and a plating step. In the lamination step, a laminate including an insulator, a coil body, and external electrodes is formed. That is, in the lamination step, insulating layers having wide filling conductors, insulating layers having narrow filling conductors, and conductor patterns having external electrode patterns are laminated. As a result, the conductor patterns form the coil body, and the wide filling conductors, the narrow filling conductors, and the external electrode patterns form the external electrodes. The narrow filling conductors have a width that is less than the widths of the wide filling conductors and the external electrode patterns, and recesses and projections are provided in the external electrodes.
US08997325B2	Fitting assembly evaluating apparatus and methods The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.
US08997312B1	Wheel attachment assembly A wheel attachment assembly facilitates attachment of a trailer to a towing vehicle by providing a wheeled surface for transporting the trailer to the towing vehicle. The assembly includes a mount having a back wall and a bottom wall. The back wall is coupled to and extends upwardly from a rear edge of the bottom wall. The bottom wall is configured to support a jack post coupled to a tongue of a trailer wherein the jack post selectively raises and lowers the tongue of the trailer. A swivelable caster is coupled to a bottom surface of the bottom wall.
US08997307B2	Apparatus for collecting material from a surface The present invention provides an apparatus for collecting material from a surface. The apparatus comprises a chassis, a holding tank, a material collector and a pumping system. The chassis comprises wheels for relocating the apparatus on the surface. The holding tank is for receiving the material and is operatively coupled with the chassis. The holding tank has a material-entry aperture in a bottom surface. The material collector comprises a suction device, which is operatively coupled with the material-entry aperture. The suction device has an inlet that can be disposed adjacent the surface. The pumping system is operatively connected with the holding tank for depressurizing the holding tank and thereby gathering the material at least partially via suction through the inlet of the suction device and the material-entry aperture in the holding tank.
US08997303B2	Wiper device Wiper device is disclosed. a wiper device includes a wiper blade tightly contacted to a windshield and configured to wipe a foreign substance and an adaptor connecting the wiper blade to a wiper arm, wherein the adaptor includes a body rotatably connected to the wiper blade about an axle formed in a traverse direction of the wiper blade, and a connector extended in a lengthwise direction of the wiper blade and having one end that is connected to the wiper arm and the other end that is hinge-connected to the body. Since it is possible to adjust the wiper arm and the wiper blade in various angles, the wiper blade can be tightly contacted to the windshield and thus have a superior wiping performance.
US08997299B2	Tooth cleaning device A tooth cleaning device comprising a handle, and a pad coupled to the handle, wherein the pad has a front face, a back face and a plurality of side walls. There are a plurality of different areas disposed on the front face of the pad comprising a first area comprising a first set of protrusions, in a substantially semi-spherical shape, and a second area comprising a second set of protrusions in a substantially conical shape. There is also a third area of protrusions formed as a substantially conical shape, and a fourth area of protrusions formed as a substantially semi-spherical shape. The device can be formed as a pad which collapses voluntarily under pressure. The pad can be made from any suitable material such as any type of rubber or plastic.
US08997297B2	Toothbrush An oral care implement is described herein. The oral care implement includes a base and a first grip member. The base has a gripping region and an oral engaging region. The base has an aperture extending therethrough. The first grip member at least partially overlays the gripping region of the base and has a plurality of gripping elements. The first grip member also has a at least one opening exposing a guidance element. The guidance element includes a protrusion and a ring surrounding the protrusion.
US08997291B2	Method of custom fitting an article of footwear and apparatus including a container A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.
US08997286B2	Adapter for connecting at least one accessory device to an operating table An adapter (10) is described for connecting at least one accessory device (12) to an operating table (14), comprising a first fixing device for attaching a base body of the adapter (10) to the operating table (14) and a second fixing device for attaching the accessory device (12) to the adapter (10). The base body is formed from an X-ray transparent plate (16), said X-ray transparent plate (16) including a part lying on a support surface (15) of the operating table (14) and another part extending beyond the support surface (15) and forming a support surface extension for supporting a patient, when said X-ray transparent plate (16) is attached to the operating table (14).
US08997285B2	Arm protector head rest A head rest (10) comprises a curved sheet member (12) having an upper surface (14), a lower surface (16), and front and rear ends (18, 20), wherein the upper surface (14) comprises a generally forwardly facing portion (26) and a generally rearwardly facing portion (28), and wherein the generally forwardly facing portion (26) includes a first concave portion (34) for receiving the head of a user, the front and rear ends (18, 20) are configured for contact with a resting surface (38) and, between the front and rear ends (18, 20), the lower surface (16) defines a passageway (36) dimensioned to receive at least one arm of the user. The head rest has sufficient rigidity such that when the user's head is resting on the member (12), one or both arms of the user may be positioned in the passageway (36) in a manner that does not require the arm(s) to support the weight of the head. In this way, the head rest allows comfortable resting without loss of circulation in the arms.
US08997284B2	Surgical table with pivotable femoral support A femoral support system includes a plate configured to support the pelvis of a patient on a table. In addition, the system includes a femoral support pivotally coupled to the plate and configured to support the thigh of the patient.
US08997279B1	Multi-layer mattress with an air filtration foundation A mattress including a plurality of layers, each layer extending in a substantially parallel, horizontal direction and being positioned in vertical relation to other layers and each layer further having a perforated or open-cell structure. At least one layer has a gel dispersed within the perforated or open-cell structure of the layer.
US08997277B2	Playards, changing table assemblies, and methods of operating the same A playard having a floor and an upper frame is disclosed. The upper frame includes a first end supported a first distance above the floor, a second end supported a second distance above the floor, and at least two opposed sides. Each of the opposed sides includes a first rail, a second rail, and a joint joining the first and second rails. The joint is positioned in a first plane when the joint secures the first and second rails in an erected position, the first plane being transversely oriented with respect to the floor.
US08997275B2	Article of furniture having in-built storage facilities An article of furniture 10 comprises a box frame 12 defining a void 14 and having a first opening 18 and an opposed, second opening 20. A lid arrangement 22 is associated with the first opening 18 of the frame 12 for closing the first opening 18. The article of furniture 10 includes a tub member 24 for closing the second opening 20. The tub member 24 comprises a dished portion 28. The tub member 24 is reversibly connectable to the box frame 12 so that, in a first orientation, at least the dished portion 28 is received within the void 14 of the box frame 12 to form an assembly of reduced volume for transportation or storage purposes and, in a reversed, second orientation, the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 extends away from the void 14 to form an assembly of increased volume defined by a combination of the void 14 defined by the frame 12 and the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 in its second orientation.
US08997265B2	Head guard A head guard is provided which has a fabric layer and a padding layer. The head guard is stretchable between a relaxed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expanding configuration has a convex shape such that it can conform to a head of a wearer. The head guard can be worn by a wearer in combination with a helmet.
US09003561B1	Device and method for measuring distribution of atomic resolution deformation The present invention relates to an atomic resolution deformation distribution measurement device that can measure a deformation rate of an atomic scale with low expense by improving resolution using an AFM system, and the atomic resolution deformation distribution measurement device includes: a laser source generating a laser beam; a first cantilever and a second cantilever provided close to a measurement specimen or a reference specimen to cause deformation by an atomic force; an optical system controlling a light path of the laser beam so as to cause the laser beam to be sequentially reflected to the first cantilever and the second cantilever and locate the first cantilever and the second cantilever to an image point; a measurement unit measuring the laser beam reflected from the second cantilever; and a stage on which a measurement specimen or a reference specimen is located and movable in X, Y, and Z axis directions.
US09003557B1	Content sharing system and method A method and computing system for defining a group of participants for a videoconference. A first video conferencing image is captured for a first participant of the videoconference, wherein the first participant is included within the group of participants. The first video conferencing image is stored within a first private folder associated with the first participant and a public folder associated with the group of participants. A second video conferencing image is captured for a second participant of the videoconference, wherein the second participant is included within the group of participants. The second video conferencing image is stored within a second private folder associated with the second participant and the public folder associated with the group of participants.
US09003556B2	Techniques for in-app user data authorization Techniques for in-app user data authorization are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor circuit, a permissions component, and a token component. The permissions component may be operative on the processor circuit to receive a request from an application to perform a task on a device and to return a response to the request to the application based on active permissions for the application. The token component may be operative on the processor circuit to manage a token database and to determine the active permissions for the application based on the token database. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09003554B2	Verification that a user attempting to access content is a human user An easier and less frustrating way of verifying that a user attempting to access content is a human user is provided. For example, data indicative of a request by a user to access content from a content server is received. An output of geographic data associated with a geographic region is generated. A task to be performed by the user to access the content is provided as a function of the generated output. The output and the task are transmitted to the content server for presentation to the user. Performance of the task by the user is substantially indicative of the user being a human user.
US09003552B2	Online privacy management A privacy management system (PMS) is disclosed for a Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) or other user to use in monitoring and/or controlling in realtime the flow of data (e.g., outflow) about the user and his/her online experience. The PMS may employ pattern recognition software to evaluate analytics data and potentially block private information from being sent within the analytics data. The PMS may provide a dashboard displaying a whitelist and/or blacklist indicating what destinations/sources are blocked or allowed as well as private information settings indicating what types of private information should be blocked. The PMS includes browser-client scripting code and may also include a PMS-certified verification icon and/or lock and unlock icons for display on webpages being monitored/controlled in realtime by the PMS.
US09003550B2	Systems and methods for crisis management and situational awareness Systems and methods for managing events, including either a server or a client device, are provided. Assets and events are defined. Information is received by a client device via an input device, associated with an asset and an event, and transmitted to the server. Information is also received by a client device from another client device. Client devices also access information from the server and display the accessed information and information received from other client devices. The server receives information from client devices and stores the information in association with an asset and an event to which the information pertains. The server also receives and stores information from client devices that is designated for transmission to other client devices. The server also permits client devices to access its stored information. The server stores multiple pieces of information pertaining to the same asset or event in association with each other.
US09003542B1	Systems and methods for replacing sensitive information stored within non-secure environments with secure references to the same A computer-implemented method for replacing sensitive information stored within non-secure environments with secure references to the same may include (1) identifying sensitive information stored within a non-secure environment on a computing device, (2) removing the sensitive information from the non-secure environment, (3) storing the sensitive information within a secure environment, (4) replacing the sensitive information originally stored within the non-secure environment with a reference that identifies the sensitive information stored within the secure environment, (5) identifying a request to access at least a portion of the sensitive information identified in the reference, (6) determining that at least a portion of the request satisfies a data-loss-prevention policy, and then (7) providing access to at least a portion of the sensitive information via the secure environment. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09003538B2	Method and system for associating database content for security enhancement A system and method for associating database content for security enhancement is provided, the method being applicable to a system comprising a computer configured to process a data management application and to store data in databases. According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the application uses an encryption key to encrypt data. The application stores the encrypted data in two or more databases. The databases may comprise a system database for storing encrypted user access data and one or more results databases for storing patient data. Databases may be stored locally, remotely, or both locally and remotely.
US09003537B2	CVSS information update by analyzing vulnerability information An automated system for automatic update of a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score, the system including vulnerability information analyzing functionality to analyze preexisting vulnerability information, the preexisting vulnerability information relating to at least one of at least one vulnerability and at least one attack vector thereof, the at least one vulnerability having a preexisting CVSS score, the preexisting CVSS score being based at least partially on the preexisting vulnerability information, vulnerability information extraction functionality, responsive to the analyzing preexisting vulnerability information, to extract new vulnerability information, the new vulnerability information relating to the at least one of the at least one vulnerability and the at least one attack vector thereof, and CVSS score updating functionality to employ the new vulnerability information to update the preexisting CVSS score.
US09003525B2	System and method for limiting exploitable or potentially exploitable sub-components in software components Approaches for limiting exploitable or potentially exploitable sub-components in software components are disclosed. In certain implementations, a first software component in the component creation environment may be identified. The first software component may include a first sub-component that provides a function that is exploitable or potentially exploitable to compromise the first software component. The first sub-component may be disabled such that the function provided by the first sub-component is not available via the first software component when the first software component is executed. The first software component may be placed in the component repository after the first sub-component is disabled such that the first software component is placed in the component repository without availability of the function provided by the first sub-component. In some implementations, disabling the first sub-component may comprise removing the first sub-component from the first software component.
US09003524B2	System and method for analyzing web content A system and computer based method are provided for identifying active content in websites on a network. One embodiment includes a computer based method of classifying web content. The method receives content of a web page, and determines a first property associated with the content, the first property including static content. The method executes active content associated with the webpage, and determines a second property associated with the content based at least in part on the executing, the second property including the active content. The method also evaluates a logical expression relating the first property and the second property, and associates the web page with a category based on a result of the evaluation. The evaluation of the logical expression at least in part evaluates whether a constant value matches at least a portion of the content of the web page.
US09003523B2	Systems, methods, and media for outputting data based upon anomaly detection Systems, methods, and media for outputting data based on anomaly detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for outputting data based on anomaly detection is provided, the method comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, an input dataset; identifying grams in the input dataset that substantially include distinct byte values; creating an input subset by removing the identified grams from the input dataset; determining whether the input dataset is likely to be anomalous based on the identified grams, and determining whether the input dataset is likely to be anomalous by applying the input subset to a binary anomaly detection model to check for an n-gram in the input subset; and outputting the input dataset based on the likelihood that the input dataset is anomalous.
US09003520B2	Securing a storage element for a binary datum, control register and chip card Securing a storage element for a binary datum, control register and chip card. This element (60) for storing a binary datum (D) inputs a signal representative of said binary datum, said storage to be carried out when an enable signal (ENA) is at a first predetermined level, supplies an output signal (Q) the state whereof represents the datum stored in said storage element (10), and detects an attack aimed at said enable signal (ENA) or at a signal internal to said storage element.
US09003518B2	Systems and methods for detecting covert DNS tunnels Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting covert DNS tunnels using n-grams. The majority of legitimate DNS requests originate from network content itself, for example, through hyperlinks in websites. So, comparing data from incoming network communications to a hostname included in a DNS request can give an indication on whether the DNS request is a legitimate request or associated with a covert DNS tunnel. This process can be made computationally efficient by extracting n-grams from incoming network content and storing the n-grams in an efficient data structure, such as a Bloom filter. The stored n-grams are compared with n-grams extracted from outgoing DNS requests. If n-grams from an outgoing DNS request are not found in the data structure, the domain associated with the DNS request is determined to be associated with a suspected covert DNS tunnel.
US09003508B2	Methods and apparatus for enabling secure network-based transactions A security process involves log-in and data exchange between a server and a user operating a computerized appliance. The process requires a user-specific token, independent verification of the server execution within a programmed time window. A hash created at the client side is reproduced at the server side from separate data and compared to the client hash. Too much time or incorrect hash denies access.
US09003501B2	Method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by detecting a heap spray attack on an electronic device A method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by detecting a heap spray attack on a electronic device are disclosed. A script is received at an electronic device from a remote device via a network and a loop operation is detected in the script that contains a write operation operable to write data to a memory of the electronic device. The amount of the data operable to be written to the memory by the write operation is determined and the data is prevented from being written to the memory if the amount of the data is greater than or equal to a threshold.
US09003498B2	Method and apparatus for routing application programming interface (API) calls A method and apparatus for routing Application Programming Interface (API) calls from a partner entity to a telephony service provider (TSP) network are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for routing API calls may include receiving a first message including an API call and a partner API key used to authenticate the partner entity on the TSP network to access a partner API layer disposed on the TSP network, extracting the partner API key from the first message, performing an authentication process to authenticate an identity of the partner entity using at least the extracted partner API key, and routing the first message based on results of the authentication process. In some embodiments, the first message is routed to the partner API layer disposed on the TSP network when the identity of the partner entity is authenticated.
US09003496B2	Secure wireless communication apparatus Aspects of various embodiments are directed to the communication of wireless data. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a master/wireless communication circuit and a slave circuit that carries out a secure function. The master generates session initiation commands, and the slave is responsive to these commands by generating and storing a session ID. In response to the receipt and validation of user-input data, the slave accesses and locally stores the session ID. Upon the initiation of and/or during a wireless communication process, the slave again accesses the session ID and compares the accessed session ID with the locally stored session ID, and facilitates communication based on the comparison (e.g., communication is not permitted if the comparison does not indicate a match).
US09003494B2	Automatic authorization of users and configuration of software development environment Automatic authorization of users and configuration of a software development environment can include selecting a task defined within a project plan of a software system under development, wherein the task specifies a development tool and a user, and automatically authorizing, using a centralized data processing system, the user to access the development tool.
US09003493B2	Automatic authorization of users and configuration of software development environment Automatic authorization of users and configuration of a software development environment can include selecting a task defined within a project plan of a software system under development, wherein the task specifies a development tool and a user, and automatically authorizing, using a centralized data processing system, the user to access the development tool.
US09003488B2	System and method for remote device recognition at public hotspots Described are various embodiments of a system and method in which device-identifying data can be used to uniquely recognize and optionally track and report on device activity at one or more hotspot locations by way of the creation and management of a device profile uniquely associated with such devices and stored in a network accessible knowledge base.
US09003472B2	Method and arrangement for sharing media content Method and arrangements for providing personal media content of a first user (A) to a device used by a second user (B). A personal TV channel is created (1:1) for the first user as a program with media content by an IPTV portal (100) in a device used by the first user. The created personal TV channel is published (1:2) and stored (1:3) at an IPTV server (104) serving the first and second users. Then, the personal TV channel is introduced (1:7) as an available channel in an electronic program guide (EPG) provided by the IPTV server to the device (104) of the second user. When the second user selects the personal TV channel from his/her electronic program guide, the program with media content is delivered (1:8) from the IPTV server to the second users device.
US09003471B2	Response timing A method for transmitting a message in an interactive television system, comprises receiving at a receiver unit a video stream including video data and a timing stream indicative of the timing of the video data; receiving at the receiver unit an instruction from a user to transmit a message from the receiver unit and in response to the instruction forming the message so as to include a timing indication based on current data from the timing stream; and transmitting the message from the receiver unit.
US09003470B2	Interaction modalities for multimedia delivery and presentation A method and apparatus for displaying received data, analyze the quality of the displayed data formulating a media-parameter suggestion for the encoder to alter the characteristics of data to be sent to the receiver, and sending from the receiver, the formulated suggestion.
US09003466B2	Method and system for isochronous data stream management in high speed audio/video networks A method and system for isochronous data stream management in high speed audio/video networks. One implementation comprises isochronous communication management between audio/video (AV) devices by maintaining forwarding information for forwarding data between AV devices, wherein each AV device includes multiple I/O ports for connecting the AV device to another AV device via a communication link including multiple communication lanes. The forwarding information is utilized to communicate AV path set-up request and response control messages between a source AV device and a destination AV device via said communication link, and allocating isochronous communication resources for AV data streaming, for establishing AV path streams for bi-directional isochronous AV data streaming between the source and destination AV devices.
US09003454B2	Registration of a PED with an aircraft IFE system using an aircraft generated registration identifier and associated methods A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft IFE system, and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE NFC device associated with each of the IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller is for selectively displaying video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, selectively transmitting a respective registration ID from each IFE NFC device, and communicating via the IFE wireless transceiver. The PED includes a PED NFC device, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller is for communicating with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED NFC device receiving the registration ID associated with one of the respective IFE NFC devices when in proximity thereto.
US09003446B2	Display screen changeover apparatus, display screen changeover method, display screen changeover program and computer readable recording medium storing a display screen changeover program A display screen changeover apparatus changes a screen display when displaying HTML contents on a display screen of a television receiver. A contents analysis part analyzes display setting information with respect to the television receiver based on address information given to the HTML contents. A display setting part sets a display of the HTML contents with respect to the display screen based on a result of analysis obtained by the contents analysis part.
US09003441B1	Probabilistic inference of demographic information from user selection of content Demographic information for users and content are collected based on users' content selections. Each user is associated with some demographic data. Users who select particular content, such as an advertisement or a web page, are probabilistically inferred to be in the demographic associated with the content. The demographic data of users who selected the content are aggregated into visitor demographic data for the content. The demographic associated with the content may be modified based on the visitor demographic data. A feedback loop is formed, whereby the demographic data of both users and the content are continuously refined.
US09003439B2	System and method for internet TV and broadcast advertisements A system and method for providing targeted advertising messages to a user, in particular users viewing Internal TV or broadcast programs. Advertising data files from one or more advertising entities are stored in a centralized location, such as a server or similar platform. Data relating to the user is acquired from the user's device settings and/or identification, so that a targeted advertising message may be selected from one of the stored advertising data files. The content data is transmitted to the user, the data having a cue for insertion of the selected targeted advertising message prior to or after the content file has been transferred.
US09003437B2	Method and apparatus for utilizing a broadcasting channel A method and computer readable medium for encoding data onto a channel broadcasting a program are disclosed. For example, the method selects a channel that is being used to broadcast a program, generates data having characteristics in accordance with an error burst signature and transmits the data on the channel that is being used to broadcast the program.
US09003436B2	Apparatus and methods for data collection, analysis and validation including error correction in a content delivery network Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.
US09003433B2	Off-premise and codeless process-centric business mashup to integrate BPEL based processes and web 2.0 widgets Business application logic corresponding to a business is generated according to requirements of the business. The business application logic includes Web services and Widgets. The Widgets in the business application logic are mashed up to create a Widget mashup application. An adaptation relationship is established between the Web services and the Widgets in the Widget mashup application. An executable business process is generated for the business based on the business application logic and the adaptation relationship. An executable mashup Widget application is generated based on the Widget mashup application and the adaptation relationship.
US09003431B2	Method and system for implementing function extension of open platform Described are a method and a system for implementing function extension of an open platform. In the system, services that can be provided by an open platform are encapsulated and an operation interface is provided, so that plug-ins uniformly inherit the operation interface and transmit control parameters through the interface into a service entry to obtain the services. Therefore, the open platform has a simple framework and low coupling degree. Since the plug-ins are uniformly managed by a plug-in manager, the manageability and dynamic extensibility of the open platform are enhanced.
US09003418B2	System and method for accelerating input/output access operation on a virtual machine A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.
US09003405B1	Synchronization of virtual machine-based desktop environments Systems, methods, and computer program products to synchronize software processes in a virtual machine environment are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer-based system comprises at least one processor, first logic instructions stored in a tangible computer readable medium which, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to define at least a first virtual machine and a second virtual machine, both of which execute on the at least one processor, and second logic instructions stored in a tangible computer readable medium which, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to synchronize execution of operations on the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine.
US09003404B2	Determining hardware functionality in a cloud computing environment A device provides, to hardware associated with the device, a first request for hardware information, the first request being provided at a first time and via a virtual machine associated with the device. The device also receives, from the hardware and via the virtual machine, first hardware information based on the first request, and provides, to the hardware, a second request for hardware information, the second request being provided at a second time and via the virtual machine. The device further receives, from the hardware and via the virtual machine, second hardware information based on the second request, and calculates functionality of the hardware based on the first hardware information, the second hardware information, the first time, and the second time.
US09003401B2	Intelligent and automated code deployment Exemplary method embodiments for deploying code in a computing sysplex environment are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a system-wide trending mechanism is applied. At least one of an idle time and a low Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization time of one system in the sysplex environment is matched with an estimated deployment time obtained from at least one of a latest measured period of time and a calculated time trend. A system-wide coordinating mechanism is applied. A staggered code deployment operation is recommended for at least one node of the system at an optimum system time generated from the matching. Data obtained from the code deployment operation is recorded, including a new latest measured period of time. The data is used to generate an updated time trend.
US09003396B2	File manager integration of uninstallation feature Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to file removal from a file system and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for file system integration of an un-installation feature. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated un-installation data processing system can include file associations manager logic coupled to a file system and enabled determine and store file ownership and access data for every file in the file system in a uniform way. For instance, the file associations manager logic can be included as part of the file system and the file ownership and access data can include both an indication of a source application for each file and also an indication of applications accessing each file.
US09003394B2	Program determining apparatus and program determining method A disclosed program determining apparatus includes a log recording unit configured to record, in response to at least one of a use request for use of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus from a program for use in the image forming apparatus and consumption of a predetermined resource of the image forming apparatus by the program, content of said at least one of use request and consumption as log information; and a determining unit configured to determine whether said at least one of use of the predetermined function requested by the program and consumption of the predetermined resource by the program satisfies a predetermined restriction.
US09003388B2	Information processing apparatus and update process support system An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores reboot necessity information for respective versions of programs that are install targets of an electronic device, the reboot necessity information indicating whether the electronic device needs to be rebooted when a first program of a first version installed in the electronic device is updated to a second program of a second version; an extracting unit that extracts difference information indicating a difference between the first program and the second program in response to a request to acquire the second program, the request specifying the first version of the first program; a determining unit that determines whether the electronic device needs to be rebooted when the second program is installed, based on the difference between the first version and the second version indicated in the difference information and the reboot necessity information; and a responding unit that returns a determination result.
US09003382B2	Efficient just-in-time compilation Systems and methods for just-in-time (JIT) code compilation by a computer system. An example method may comprise identifying a defined pattern in a byte stream, evaluating a conditional expression associated with the pattern, and compiling the byte stream into a native code, while excluding, in view of the evaluating, a portion of byte stream associated with the pattern.
US09003379B2	Methods and systems for generating test information from a source code Systems and methods for generating test information from a source code are described. One of the methods includes accessing the source code. The method further includes receiving a modification of the source code to generate a modified source code. The modification includes one or more instructions that do not affect functions performed by executing the source code. The modification further includes one or more instructions for generating test information regarding each executable line of the source code.
US09003378B2	Client-side application script error processing Systems, methods, and computer readable media for collecting run-time error information for an executing script through the use of a double code-injection technique are described. A first native code injection into a user's client-side application (e.g., a browser application) is made. The second injection is thereafter made by the user's client-side application itself (when the first injected program code is executed) into the application's associated scripting engine and only when a script error has been detected. The second injected program code or scripts collect detailed run-time script error information within the context of the application's scripting engine. The second injected program code can then return the collected error information to the user application's context where it may be provided to a debug tool or recorded for later review (by the first injected program code).
US09003371B2	Recursive method call representation in a plot view of method execution performance Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for graphically representing recursive method calls in a plot view. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for graphically representing recursive method calls in a plot view includes tracing entry and exit points for method calls in an executing computer program subject to performance testing in a performance test application executing in memory of a computer. The method further includes plotting a duration of execution for each of the method calls in a visual plot according to the traced entry and exit points. Finally, the method includes visually displaying a recursive relationship between selected ones of the method calls in the visual plot in response to determining a recursive relationship from the traced entry and exit points.
US09003370B2	Application modification portion searching device and application modification portion searching method There are provided: a test executing section which generates a plurality of logs when executing a coverage test for an application based on an inputted parameter; and a result processing section which generates a point candidate report based on the plurality of logs. The plurality of logs respectively indicate a call stack of a method designating the parameter as an argument among a plurality of methods called during execution of the coverage test. The call stack indicates a location on the application, in which a call of the method is defined. The point candidate report indicates a candidate for a point in the application, for which a modification is necessary when a dispatch of process is executed based on the parameter.
US09003365B1	Rapid presentations of versions Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for the rapid presentations of versions. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a document that includes multiple versions of source code of a computer program, each version comprising lines, each distinct line represented once in the document and identifying every version in which the line appears. The method includes presenting a user interface that enables a user to select one of the versions. The method includes receiving a selection of a first version of the source code. The method includes extracting the content of the first version from the document based solely on the content in the document and without receiving additional information from the server system. The method also includes displaying the distinct lines that identify the first version and not displaying the distinct lines that do not identify the first version.
US09003359B2	User customizable queries to populate model diagrams A method, computer program product, and system for visually modeling architectures or system designs are described. A method may comprise providing an architectural model having a plurality of elements of one or more types. The method may further comprise providing a platform for a user to develop a non-software code query relating to the elements of the model. The method may also comprise executing the developed query to extract one or more of the plurality of elements from the model. The method may additionally comprise populating a diagram with the extracted one or more of the plurality of elements.
US09003353B2	Activity points based effort estimation for package implementation Techniques and solutions are provided for determining overall effort for a package implementation program. Determining overall effort can comprise determining a program parameter complexity value for each of a plurality of program parameters, determining activities for program phases and program work streams, calculating an activity point value for each determined activity, and calculating overall effort for the package implementation program. The activity point values can be calculated using, at least in part, the program parameter complexity values. Calculating the overall effort can use, at least in part, the activity point values and a pre-determined productivity metric that is specific to a type of the package implementation program.
US09003343B2	Energy consumption simulation and evaluation system for embedded device An energy consumption simulation and evaluation system for embedded device in energy consumption evaluation technology for electronic devices, which solves the problem that the energy consumption cannot be simulated under tasks operation condition with the existing systems. The present invention includes a graphical configuration management module for inputting graphical configuration parameters, a device energy consumption model building block for obtaining the AADL description model for software and hardware components through AADL abstract description of software and hardware at system-level, a model transformation module for AADL to GSPN model transformation; and a GSPN simulation module which utilizes QPME tool to simulate GSPN model; selectively loads an external energy-consuming event from the energy-consuming events sequence; and perform energy consumption simulation for the GSPN model in response to the external energy-consuming event by QPME tool to obtain a simulation result of the residual energy and lifetime of the system.
US09003341B2	Method for determining interface timing of integrated circuit automatically and related machine readable medium thereof A method for determining an interface timing of an integrated circuit includes: reading a netlist file and a timing constraint file of the integrated circuit, and determining a first interface port of the netlist file according to the netlist file and the timing constraint file; determining a first transmission path and a load on the first transmission path between the first interface port and a specific circuit element in the netlist file; generating an interface circuit file according to the first transmission path and the load on the first transmission path; and calculating a first signal transmission time of the first transmission path out according to the interface circuit file.
US09003334B2	Editing content using multiple touch inputs Multitouch capabilities can be used to allow a user to set adjust one or more application control parameters at the same time as editing commands are provided via touch input. The control parameters may relate to how/what edit commands are provided, such as allowing for varying brush characteristics, colors, gradients, and the like used in editing graphics or other document content. Additionally or alternatively, the control parameters may relate to a design canvas or other depiction of the document, such as allowing rotation, position, or magnification of the canvas while the document is edited.
US09003320B2	Image forming apparatus with touchscreen and method of editing input letter thereof Provided are an image forming apparatus with a touchscreen and a method of editing input letters using the same. In the method, an inputted text is displayed on the touchscreen using keys of the soft keyboard. A letter to be edited is received from the displayed text. At least one of coordinates representing adjacent keys of the soft keyboard is determined based on a coordinate corresponding to a location of the received letter on the touchscreen. At least one of the magnified images of the adjacent keys corresponding to the determined coordinates and functions keys is displayed. The displayed text is edited using a letter corresponding to one key that is selected from the magnified image of the adjacent keys.
US09003315B2	System and method for streamlining user interaction with electronic content Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use, for example from easel to laptop modes. Further the elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content, in order to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some example display only certain ones of the modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate to accomplish an objective. According to another aspect, methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are provided. In some embodiments, streamlining includes pre-configuring a user device based on received information. Other embodiments include presenting consistent visual representations used to navigated to views that present computer content.
US09003312B1	Method and apparatus for updating a web-based user interface A method and apparatus for updating a web-based user interface. The method comprises generating a user interface for a host application, accessing the user interface in a web browser, and modifying the user interface within the web browser during run-time of the application.The apparatus comprises a user interface, a user interface updater, a web browser, and a host application. The web browser provides a way to display, access, and modify the user interface for communicating with the host application. The user interface updater generates the user interface and modifies the user interface in response to command information received from the web browser.
US09003300B2	Voice response unit proxy utilizing dynamic web interaction A system, method and program product for providing a voice response unit (VRU) proxy. A system is provided that includes: a graphical user interface (GUI) for dynamically displaying information from a VRU and for receiving data from a user; a system for initiating a call with the VRU; and a VRU interface system for transmitting data from the user to the VRU, and for using speech recognition to capture broadcasts from the VRU for display within the GUI.
US09003297B2	Integrated enterprise software and social network system user interfaces utilizing cloud computing infrastructures and single secure portal access A software-based method and system to provide a secure user interface on multiple and diverse electronic computing devices with a customized and secure dashboard feature. The systems and methods simultaneously integrate internally generated software utilities of an enterprise with externally accessed software operating in a ‘cloud computing’ environment. The systems and methods can be used in management and operations that use computer based software, data management, creative processes and communication systems. The systems and methods reduce the requirement for additional programming to integrate or interchange equivalent and independently developed software for use within an enterprise. The systems and methods permit social network communications between members of an enterprise and an external community. The security features of the user interface portal permit collaborations between parties in an external community and enterprise members that can develop new processes that remain proprietary to the enterprise and parties of an external community.
US09003294B1	Scalable systems for change detection of statistic data feeds across multiple servers using shared memory with configurable messaging triggers Various computerized systems and methods are provided for creating sports statistic triggers, and analyzing sporting statistic feeds and determination, bashed on updates to sporting statistic feeds, whether or not a trigger has been satisfied. Sports statistic triggers for sporting events may be created using a user interface and stored, along with associated parameters, in data storage. Live downloaded sports statistic data feeds can be analyzed by a plurality of processes to determine whether or not one or more sport statistic triggers have been satisfied. Based on satisfaction of one or more sport statistic trigger, a broadcast message may be delivered to subscribers using a variety of delivery methods according to a distribution list.
US09003291B2	Private pinning including task bar pinning and jump list task and item launching Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.
US09003284B2	Information search apparatus and system According to one embodiment, an information search apparatus includes a generation unit, a selection unit, a search unit and a display unit. The generation unit generates recognition candidate character strings based on shapes of strokes and combinations of the shapes. The selection unit calculates reliability values for the recognition candidate character strings and selects search keys from the recognition candidate character strings. The search unit searches a database for second character strings including the search keys, and obtains one or more result character strings indicating search results of each of the search keys. The display displays the one or more result character strings corresponding to each of the search keys distinctively.
US09003281B2	Image processing apparatus capable of automatically generating help document for workflow, help document generating method and help document generating form To provide a user with an easily understandable help document, the MFP capable of executing a plurality of processes includes a process designation accepting portion to accept designation of at least one of the plurality of processes, a workflow generating portion to generate workflow definition data defining the one or more processes accepted, and a help document generating portion to generate a help document corresponding to the generated workflow. The help document generating portion includes a summary page generating portion to generate a summary page having listed thereon process names for identification of the one or more processes defined by the corresponding workflow definition data.
US09003272B2	Method and system of a user associating a first webpage link and second webpage link and viewing of the contents of the webpage links by the selection of the first webpage link A link association method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor from a user, a first link for a first Webpage and a second link for a second Webpage. The user determines that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage. The computer processor receives a specification command indicating that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage and in response the computer processor associates the first link with the second link. The computer processor stores the first link associated with the second link and generates a report indicating that the first link is related to the second link.
US09003270B2	Methods and apparatus for temporarily storing parity information for data stored in a storage device Methods and apparatus for temporarily storing parity information for data stored in a storage device are provided. A first data block and parity information associated with the first data block are received. The first data block is stored in a first region of the storage device. The parity information is stored until a second data block is successfully stored in a second region of the storage device. The first region of the storage device is associated with the second region of the storage device.
US09003267B2	Power consumption in LDPC decoder for low-power applications This disclosure relates generally to low power data decoding, and more particularly to low power iterative decoders for data encoded with a low-density parity check (LDPC) encoder. Systems and methods are disclosed in which a low-power syndrome check may be performed in the first iteration or part of the first iteration during the process of decoding a LDPC code in an LDPC decoder. Systems and methods are also disclosed in which a control over the precision of messages sent or received and/or a change in the scaling of these messages may be implemented in the LDPC decoder. The low-power techniques described herein may reduce power consumption without a substantial decrease in performance of the applications that make use of LDPC codes or the devices that make use of low-power LDPC decoders.
US09003234B2	Machine and methods for reassign positions of a software program based on a fail/pass performance A machine and methods for reassign the execution order of program steps of a multi-step test program is disclosed. In an embodiment a machine for evaluating an error in a software program includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to evaluate the error by (a) providing program steps of the software program, (b) assigning a position number to each program step, (c) performing an evaluation run on the program steps, (d) evaluating a performance of each program step, (e) rearranging the position number of each program step based on the performance of each program step, and (f) repeating steps (c)-(e).
US09003230B2	Method and apparatus for cause analysis involving configuration changes A technique determines which configuration change(s) caused an application invocation failure of a computer application without the need for a knowledge database. To determine which configuration change is the most likely cause, the cause analysis program checks other computers that have experienced the same configuration changes. The cause analysis program checks and counts the application invocation results before and after each configuration change is done. If the same configuration changes are found in the other computers, the program checks whether each configuration change caused or cured the same problem in that computer. The program counts the similar cases for all of the computers. Subsequently, the program calculates the ratio of those instances involving a change from success to failure and the ratio of those instances involving a change from failure to success out of all instances for each configuration change.
US09003229B1	Method and system for providing coordinated checkpointing to a group of independent computer applications A method and system of checkpointing single process application groups and multi-process application groups. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include creating at least one full checkpoint for each application in an application group, and creating at least one incremental application checkpoint for each application in the application group. Further, each of the at least one incremental application checkpoint may be automatically merged against a corresponding full application checkpoint. Further, checkpointing may be synchronized across all applications in the application group. In the exemplary embodiment, each application may use both fork( ) and exec( ) in any combination.
US09003223B2	Physical memory fault mitigation in a computing environment Effects of a physical memory fault are mitigated. In one example, to facilitate mitigation, memory is allocated to processing entities of a computing environment, such as applications, operating systems, or virtual machines, in a manner that minimizes impact to the computing environment in the event of a memory failure. Allocation includes using memory structure information, including, information regarding fault containment zones, to allocate memory to the processing entities. By allocating memory based on fault containment zones, a fault only affects a minimum number of processing entities.
US09003221B1	Skew compensation for a stacked die An embodiment for skew compensation for a stacked die is disclosed. For an embodiment of an apparatus, an interposer has a first and a second integrated circuit die coupled to the interposer. The first integrated circuit die includes an information generator, a signal delay compensator, and an input/output block. The information generator is configured to determine: a first delay value for a first path of the interposer between the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die; a second delay value for a second path of the interposer between the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die; and a difference between the first delay value and the second delay value. The signal delay compensator is coupled to receive the difference and configured to adjust a parameter of the first integrated circuit die to reduce the difference.
US09003215B2	Power-aware thread scheduling and dynamic use of processors Techniques and apparatuses for providing power-aware thread scheduling and dynamic use of processors are disclosed. In some aspects, a multi-core system is monitored to determine core activity. The core activity may be compared to a power policy that balances a power savings plan with a performance plan. One or more of the cores may be parked in response to the comparison to reduce power consumption by the multi-core system. In additional aspects, the power-aware scheduling may be performed during a predetermined interval to dynamically park or unpark cores. Further aspects include adjusting the power state of unparked cores in response to the comparison of the core activity and power policy.
US09003202B2	Memory control device, semiconductor memory device, memory system, and memory control method A technique for improving data security is provided. To be specific, in a memory system including an information processing apparatus and a semiconductor memory device, the semiconductor memory device has an interface section that transmits, to the information processing apparatus, data read out from a memory core according to a plurality of communication protocols having different signal transmission/reception methods. Based on a switch command inputted from the information processing apparatus, a communication protocol selection section inputs, to the interface section, a selection signal for selecting a particular communication protocol from the plurality of communication protocols.
US09003196B2	System and method for authorizing access to access-controlled environments Systems and methods are provided for authorizing a user to access an access-controlled environment. The system includes a system server platform that communicates with fixed PC's, servers and mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) operated by users. The systems and methods described herein enable a series of operations whereby a user attempting to access an access-controlled environment is prompted to biometrically authenticate using the user's preregistered mobile device. Biometric authentication can include capturing images of the user's biometric features, encoding the features as a biometric identifier, comparing the biometric identifier to a previously generated biometric identifier and determining liveness. In addition, the authentication system can further authorize the user and electronically grant access to the access-controlled environment. In this manner the secure authentication system can, based on biometric authentication, authorize a user's access to devices, online services, physical locations or any networked environment that require user authorization.
US09003195B1	Password topology monitoring and enforcement The systems and methods described herein can be used for enhancing the security of computer passwords by electronically receiving a password, the password comprising a plurality of components, each of the components being of a type of component, storing the received password in an electronic data store, converting the stored password to a topological representation of the password by which each of the plurality of components is represented and stored as its type of component, and storing the topological representation of the password in an electronic data store.
US09003188B2	Recording medium device, terminal device, distribution device, control method, and program recording medium When the terminal device attempts to use a special content, which has an attribute including information distinguishing the special content from regular contents and is stored in the recording medium device, the recording medium device refers to the revocation information indicating terminal devices restricted from using the special content. When the recording medium device determines the terminal device as a terminal device to be restricted from using the special content based on the terminal identifying information of the terminal device, the usage information output unit of the recording medium device does not transmit the necessary information for using the special content to the terminal device.
US09003176B1	System and methods for full disk encryption with a check for compatibility of the boot disk Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for full disk encryption of a boot disk of a computer. One example method for full disk encryption of a boot disk of a computer includes performing one or more pre-boot compatibility tests on the boot disk of the computer; determining one or more encryption policies applicable to a pre-boot execution stage of the computer; comparing results of the pre-boot compatibility tests with the encryption policies; determining whether to apply a full disk encryption to the boot disk based on an outcome of comparing the results of the pre-boot compatibility tests with the encryption policies; and when it is determined to apply the full disk encryption, applying the full disk encryption to the boot disk.
US09003162B2	Structuring storage based on latch-free B-trees A request to modify an object in storage that is associated with one or more computing devices may be obtained, the storage organized based on a latch-free B-tree structure. A storage address of the object may be determined, based on accessing a mapping table that includes map indicators mapping logical object identifiers to physical storage addresses. A prepending of a first delta record to a prior object state of the object may be initiated, the first delta record indicating an object modification associated with the obtained request. Installation of a first state change associated with the object modification may be initiated via a first atomic operation on a mapping table entry that indicates the prior object state of the object. For example, the latch-free B-tree structure may include a B-tree like index structure over records as the objects, and logical page identifiers as the logical object identifiers.
US09003158B2	Flexible control mechanism for store gathering in a write buffer A store gathering policy is enabled or disabled at a data processing device. A store gathering policy to be implemented by a store buffer can be selected from a plurality of store gathering polices. For example, the plurality of store gathering policies can be constrained or unconstrained. A store gathering policy can be enabled by a user programmable storage location. A specific store gathering policy can be specified by a user programmable storage location. A store gathering policy can be determined based upon an attribute of a store request, such as based upon a destination address.
US09003156B2	Configurable and scalable storage system The system utilizes a plurality of layers to provide a robust storage solution. One layer is the RAID engine that provides parity RAID protection, disk management and striping for the RAID sets. The second layer is called the virtualization layer and it separates the physical disks and storage capacity into virtual disks that minor the drives that a target system requires. A third layer is a LUN (logical unit number) layer that is disposed between the virtual disks and the host. By using this approach, the system can be used to represent any number, size, or capacity of disks that a host system requires while using any configuration of physical RAID storage.
US09003150B2	Tiered storage system configured to implement data relocation without degrading response performance and method An example of an information storage system includes physical storage drives for providing real storage areas to a pool which is tiered into tiers different in performance, and a controller. The controller monitors accesses in a first tier in the pool. The controller determines a loaded state of the first tier based on the accesses to the first tier. The controller holds management information relating loads to the first tier to relocation speeds and/or modes of moving data in data relocation between a second tier in the pool and the first tier. The controller determines at least one of a relocation speed and a mode of moving data in data relocation between the second tier and the first tier based on the determined loaded state of the first tier and the management information.
US09003142B2	Volume swapping of point-in-time read-only target volumes A mechanism is provided for adding point-in-time copy relationships to a data processing system. A request is received to establish a first point-in-time copy relationship. Responsive to determining that a first target of the first point-in-time copy relationship is target write inhibited, that a source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is a source of a first continuous synchronous copy relationship, that a target of the first continuous synchronous copy relationship is part of a second point-in-time copy relationship, and that the source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is part of a volume swap configuration, a volume swap relationship is added between the first point-in-time target volume and the second point-in-time target volume to the volume swap configuration. Both point-in-time copy relationships are established and any continuous synchronous copy requirements of the volume swap relationship between the first point-in-time target volume and the second point-in-time target volume are disabled.
US09003138B1	Read signature command A method, system, and computer program product for providing a first site the ability to execute a read signature command, wherein the read signature command takes a set of arguments, wherein at least one of the arguments corresponds to at least a portion of the first storage medium, and returns a signature value for the at least a portion of the storage medium.
US09003132B2	Data processing apparatus and image processing apparatus A data processing apparatus may include a plurality of buffer units that stores data, a data write control unit that writes input data to any one of the plurality of buffer units by exclusively controlling the plurality of buffer units, and a data read control unit that reads data to be output from any one of the plurality of buffer units by exclusively controlling the plurality of buffer units. The data write control unit may output a data write completion signal indicating that the writing of the data is completed when the writing of the input data is completed. The data read control unit may output a data read completion signal indicating that the reading of the data is completed when the reading of the data to be output is completed.
US09003127B2	Storing data in a system memory for a subsequent cache flush Embodiments relate to storing data to a system memory. An aspect includes accessing successive entries of a cache directory having a plurality of directory entries by a stepper engine, where access to the cache directory is given a lower priority than other cache operations. It is determined that a specific directory entry in the cache directory has a change line state that indicates it is modified. A store operation is performed to send a copy of the specific corresponding cache entry to the system memory as part of a cache management function. The specific directory entry is updated to indicate that the change line state is unmodified.
US09003117B2	Hierarchical systems and methods for performing storage operations in a computer network A system for performing storage operations using hierarchically configured storage operation cells. The system includes a first storage manager component and a first storage operation cell. The first storage operation cell has a second storage manager component directed to performing storage operations in the first storage operation cell. Moreover, the first storage manager component is programmed to instruct the second storage manager regarding performance of storage operations in the first storage operation cell.
US09003112B2	System, method and a non-transitory computer readable medium for read throtling A method for managing read requests, the method may include receiving from a requesting entity a read request for reading an information unit stored in a storage system; determining by a control entity of the storage system whether the information unit is cached in a cache memory of the storage system and whether at least a predetermined number of disk drives of the storage system are currently overloaded; introducing a delay to a response to the read request thereby increasing a time difference between a time of the receiving of the read request and a time of a provision of the information unit to the requesting entity, if it is determined that the information unit is not cached in the cache memory and that the at least predetermined number of disk drives of the storage system are currently overloaded; and providing the information unit to the requesting entity.
US09003108B2	Relocating data based on matching address sequences A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory that includes a three-dimensional (3D) memory. A controller of the data storage device is configured to store a first sequence of addresses based on a first sequence of read instructions received from a host device. Subsequent to storing the first sequence of addresses, the controller is configured to receive a second sequence of read instructions from the host device and to determine whether a second sequence of addresses that is based on the second sequence of read instructions matches the first sequence of addresses. The controller is configured to relocate at least one page of the non-volatile memory at least partially based on the second sequence of addresses matching the first sequence of addresses.
US09003090B1	PCI express fabric routing for a fully-connected mesh topology A PCIe Fabric that includes an IO tier switch, hub tier switches, and a target device connected to one of the hub tier switches. The IO tier switch is configured to receive a TLP from a client, make a determination that an address in the TLP is not associated with any multicast address range in the first IO tier switch and is not associated with any downstream port in the first IO tier switch, and, based on the determinations, route the TLP to the first hub tier switch via a upstream port on the IO tier switch. The hub tier switch is configured to make a determination that the TLP is associated with a multicast group, and, based on the determination, generate a rewritten TLP and route the rewritten TLP to a target device via a downstream port on the hub tier switch.
US09003089B2	Synchronous serial data-exchange system A serial interface comprises a clock line, a request line, a ready line, a master-to-slave data line, and a slave-to-master data line. A master device transmits a clock signal to a slave device over the clock line. In a first transaction, the master device sends a master transmission request signal to the slave device over the request line; in response, the slave device sends a slave transmission accept signal over the ready line, which causes the master device to transmit binary data to the slave device over the master-to-slave data line. In a second transaction, the slave device sends a slave transmission request signal over the ready line; in response, the master device sends a master transmission accept signal over the request line, which causes the slave device to transmit binary data to the master device over the slave-to-master data line. In at least one of the transactions, the master and slave devices transmit binary data at the same time as each other.
US09003067B2	Network and method for operating the network A method for operating a network with two control devices and at least one peripheral device, wherein each of the control devices, in relation to the peripheral device, is in an active operating state in which it is sending control instructions to the peripheral device or is in an idle operating state in which it is not sending any control instructions to the peripheral device. The control device that is in the active operating state in relation to the peripheral device sends synchronization signals at regular intervals to the other control device and activity signals to the peripheral device. Upon failure of the synchronization signals, the non-active control device checks whether the peripheral device is still receiving activity signals from the active control device. If it is not, the non-active control device assumes control of the peripheral device.
US09003063B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for estimating power time of use Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for estimating power time of use. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for synchronizing local system time with a network clock for estimating power time of use. The method includes storing power usage data and initial time stamps, wherein the initial time stamps are derived from one or more of a local clock or broadcast network time; receiving data comprising network time; adjusting the local system time with a PID loop, wherein the PID loop adjusts the local system time based at least in part on a difference between the local clock and the received network time; storing, with the power usage data and initial time stamps, an indicator when the difference is greater than a predetermined value; and determining synchronization when the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09003054B2	Compressing null columns in rows of the tabular data stream protocol Systems and methodologies that enhance a Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol by enabling efficient transmission of a row(s) with null columns(s). An identification component employs a bit map that can be positioned at beginning of a row, to indicate to the receiving side (e.g., a client) columns that are to be sent. Accordingly, by distinguishing columns that are null from columns that are not null—followed by sending columns that are not null—transmission resources can be effectively employed.
US09003045B2	Receiving an unlimited number of data items modified by a web transaction A system and associated method for receiving an unlimited number of data items modified by a Web transaction. A processor requests a service from a Web-service program by sending the service program a set of data items and a client identifier. The Web-service program responds with a Web-interface program identifier and a user session identifier. The processor uses the session identifier, the Web-interface program identifier, and a storage location of the data items to open a session with a Web-interface program, during which the processor directs the Web-interface program to modify the data items and store them on a data storage device without interacting with the Web-service program. When the user session terminates, the processor requests from the Web-service program the modified data items and the Web-service program sends the data items to the processor without involvement of the Web-interface program.
US09003040B2	Request routing processing Generally described, the present disclosure is directed to managing request routing functionality corresponding to resource requests for one or more resources associated with a content provider. The processing of the DNS requests by the service provider can include the selective filtering of DNS queries associated with a DNS query-based attack. A service provider can assign DNS servers corresponding to a distributed set of network addresses, or portions of network addresses, such that DNS queries exceeding a threshold, such as in DNS query-based attacks, can be filtered in a manner that can mitigate performance impact on for the content provider or service provider.
US09003036B1	HTTP header content-length information The instant application describes a method for enabling manipulation of a HTTP header of content that is being downloaded through a datapower to include content-length information. The method includes steps of receiving, from a mobile device and at a mobile service provider network, a request for downloading content over a wireless network; forwarding the request to a datapower, which acquires the content from a server and removes content-length information from the content; enabling the datapower to recreate the content-length information of the downloaded content and repopulate the HTTP header of downloaded content with the content-length information; and sending the downloaded content to the mobile device.
US09003035B1	Point of presence management in request routing A system and method for the management of client computing device DNS queries and subsequent resource requests within a content delivery network service provider domain are provided. The management of the DNS queries can include the selection of computing devices corresponding to various Point of Presence locations for processing DNS queries. Additionally, the management of the content requests can include the selection of computing devices corresponding to resource cache components corresponding to various Point of Presence locations for providing requested content. The selection of the computing devices can incorporate logic related to geographic criteria, testing criteria, and the like.
US09003031B2	Method and system for network transaction monitoring using transaction flow signatures A method and system for monitoring performance of network transactions is described herein. According to the present invention, in a testing environment, transaction flow signatures representing a hierarchical flow of sub-transactions constituting the said network transactions are generated and stored for monitoring and analysis of the network transactions. In a real-time environment, the sub-transactions are identified through the stored transaction flow signatures for a particular network transaction and the identified sub-transactions are then monitored by metrics analysis engine to determine the performance of the network.
US09003027B2	Discovery of storage area network devices for a virtual machine A computer-implemented method for discovering a plurality of storage area network (SAN) devices for a virtual machine. At a SAN device of the plurality of SAN devices, physically adjacent SAN devices connected to the SAN device are discovered. The physically adjacent SAN devices connected to the SAN device are registered at a name server.
US09003026B2	Communication device, communication system, setting method, setting program, and setting circuit In order to automatically set information of a maintenance entity group end point device into a communication device only by using periodically transmitted and received supervision frames without the need for a specifically defined frame, a maintenance entity group end point device is equipped with: a receiving unit for receiving supervision frames; a management table for managing identification information of the maintenance entity group end point devices that are transmission sources of the supervision frames; and a registering unit for, in a case that identification information of a maintenance entity group end point device that is a transmission source of a supervision frame received by the receiving unit is not registered in the management table, registering the identification information of the maintenance entity group end point device into the management table.
US09003024B2	Usage based accounting for network deployment Usage based accounting is contemplated. The usage based accounting may be beneficial in facilitating assessment of data usage for devices connected inside of a network address translator (NAT) or other type of device having limited capabilities to associated data usage with specific user devices.
US09003022B2	Determining an average effective data through-put as corresponds to a network-served end user A network monitoring apparatus in a communications network detects TCP data flows (to at least one network-served end user) to provide corresponding detected data flows. This apparatus then measures data throughput to this (or these) end user(s) via the TCP data flows and during the TCP data flows and calculates an average effective data throughput to this end user. This calculation can be based, by one approach, upon use of time variables that represent the detected data flows (to effectively gamer a beginning-to-end view oft be various TCP data flows while avoiding inclusion of periods that represent no (or possibly only a little) volume in these regards as may be due to application idle time or end-user idle time while including periods that represent no (or possibly only a little) volume due to network buffering, device performance problems, and so forth).
US09003021B2	Management of storage system access based on client performance and cluser health In one embodiment, a method includes determining a previous client performance value in terms of a performance metric for a volume in a storage system. The previous client performance value is related to previous access for a client to the volume. Also, the storage system is storing data for a plurality of volumes where data for each of the plurality of volumes is striped substantially evenly across drives of the storage system. The method applies criteria to the previous performance value to determine a target performance value. Performance of the client with respect to access to the volume is regulated in terms of the performance metric based on the target performance value.
US09003020B2	Data integrity for communication with coequal subscribers A communication device for a subscriber in a communication network of coequal subscribers, which communication device has a communication unit and a control unit. The received messages are checked for rule compliance. If a message does not comply with a particular rule, a disconnection signal is sent to the transmitter of the message.
US09003014B2	Modular cloud dynamic application assignment An illustrative embodiment includes a method for use with a computing system comprising a first computer coupled to one or more additional computers, wherein each of the one or more additional computers manages a respective set of one or more virtualized computing resources, and wherein the first computer manages the one or more additional computers. The method includes the steps of determining an assignment of at least one application to at least one of: (i) the first computer; and (ii) at least one of the one or more additional computers; and responsive to a detected condition, changing the assignment of the at least one application to the at least one of: (i) the first computer; and (ii) the at least one of the one or more additional computers.
US09003007B2	Administration of virtual machine affinity in a data center Administration of virtual machine affinity in a data center, where the data center includes a plurality of virtual machines (‘VMs’), each VM being a module of automated computing machinery installed upon a computer in the data center and characterized by a Universally Unique Identifier (‘UUID’), at least two of the VMs having an affinity requirement to be installed on separate computers, the data center further including a data center administration server operably coupled to the VMs, including communicating, by at least one of the VMs having an affinity requirement to the data center administration server, the UUIDs of the VMs having an affinity requirement; and moving by the data center administration server the VMs having an affinity requirement to separate computers in the data center.
US09003003B1	Managing computer resources Managing computer resources. Workload state information associated with one or more servers in a data center is accessed by a computer, the workload state information comprises workload placement on one or more servers, cooling conditions of the one or more servers, and performance requirements associated with a data center. Cooling state information of cooling resources associated with the one or more servers are accessed by the computer, the cooling state information comprises cooling conditions of the cooling resources. The workload state information and the cooling state information are compared by the computer. Based on the comparing, the computer generates workload repositioning instructions that instruct repositioning of workload on the one or more servers to meet the performance requirements.
US09002999B2	Mobile peer-to-peer based network apparatus and system A Peer-to-Peer (P2P)-based network apparatus and system is provided. The P2P-based network apparatus may sense the movement of a mobile station (MS), select a candidate proxy, and change a proxy of the MS to the candidate proxy.
US09002993B2	Dynamic configuration of a client-server relationship A network client may retrieve a unique ID for the network client and a first server identifier from within the network client. The network client may send the unique ID to a first server identified by the first server identifier. The first server may look up a second server identifier using the unique ID as a key in a database query and return the second server identifier to the network client. The network client may send data to a second server identified by the second server identifier.
US09002974B1	Script server for efficiently providing multimedia services in a multimedia system A method, system, and medium are provided for efficiently providing multimedia services from a multimedia system. A script server is included with the multimedia system to host common scripts for invoking media-related functions from media servers. When an application server within the multimedia system runs an application and determines a media-related function is required, a script for the required media-related function is accessed from the script server. The script is run to invoke the media-related function from a media server.
US09002963B2	System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications A communication system is provided in which users associate handling data identifying how messages are to be processed with contact data. Handling data for the identified contacts in the contact data is then dispatched to those contacts. Subsequently when messages are dispatched from the locations identified by the contact data a sender of a message selects handling data to be associated with a message being dispatched. Upon receipt of a message associated with handling data the message is then processed in the manner identified by the handling data.
US09002954B2	Task management system associating with contact information and method thereof A task item can be stored in a collaboration database, wherein the collaboration database able to be accessed by a communication module and a task management tool, which both run on a client. The communication module can be able to access a communication server that provides a communication service to the client. The task management tool can be able to access a collaboration server that provides a collaboration service to the client. A collaboration item can be established that contains a task identifier associating with the task item and a collaboration identifier associating with contact information. The communication module running in a client can be called according to the contact information of the collaboration database. The task item can be displayed within a user interface of a communication application via the communication module.
US09002953B2	Method and device for concentrating messages for the integration simulation of components A method and a device are disclosed for concentration of messages transmitted by at least two separate transmitters in a communication network to which there are connected these transmitters and an addressee of the data contained in the messages. After receiving the messages to be concentrated, the data contained in these messages are extracted. A concentration frame comprising the extracted data and at least one information item making it possible to identify the addressee is then constructed and transmitted The size of the concentration message is smaller than the maximum size of the data packets exchanged in the communication network.
US09002950B2	Method and system to file relayed e-mails A method and a system to file relayed e-mails is provided. The method includes receiving an e-mail, the e-mail including addressing information in an e-mail header and an the e-mail body. The e-mail is parsed to obtain the addressing information from the e-mail header and the e-mail body, after which the addressing information is extracted from the parsed e-mail. This formation is stored and used to generate a participant list, which is provided to the user. The user relies on this participant list to file e-mails in e-mail folders associated with a participant that the user selects from the participant list. The participant list is presented to a user to enable the user to select a participant from the participant list.
US09002934B1	Metasearch engine for ordering at least one travel related item returned in combined search results and database results using at least one unstructured query and at least one structured query on multiple unique hosts and at least one database query on at least one database A process for metasearching, comprising: receiving a request from a client device by a metasearch engine to send at least one search query to a plurality of unique hosts, the request associated with at least one travel related item that may be ordered; transforming the request into at least one unstructured query, at least one structured query, and at least one database query; sending each, respectively, to at least one unstructured data host, at least one structured data host, and at least one storage device comprising at least one database; receiving and combining search results from the plurality of unique hosts and at least one database result from the storage device; incorporating the combined results into a response; communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device; receiving another request from the client device for placing an order for the at least one item; processing the order.
US09002930B1	Activity distribution between multiple devices A first application, operating on a first client device, may perform a task. As part of performing the task, the first application may generate a message that includes a command, data, and a list of client devices suitable for invoking the command. The first client device may determine whether the first client device is in the list. If the first client device is in the list, the first client device may transmit the message to a local application on the first client device, to further perform the task by invoking the command on the data. If the first client device is not in the list, the first client device may select a second client device from the list, and transmit, via a server device, the message to the second client device.
US09002928B2	Method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device A method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device is provided. It is detected that the data comprises an attachment. An address of a copy of the attachment is determined, the attachment present on a storage device external to the communication devices. An address of the copy of the attachment is substituted in the data such that the copy is retrievable at the second communication device via the address. The data is then transmitted to the second communication device.
US09002925B2	Systems and methods for communicating between components in a hybrid environment Systems and methods described herein provide for communication between a base component and a slate component of a hybrid computing system. The hybrid computing system is in a connected state when the base component and slate component are connected. Embodiments provide that the base component may control the slate component when the hybrid computing system is in a connected state. In addition, embodiments provide that a server module running on the display component and a client module running on the base component facilitate communication between the hybrid computing system components. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein provide that the base component may control hardware devices, peripheral devices, or software applications of the display component through communications between the server module and client module.
US09002920B2	Method and apparatus for extended management of state and interaction of a remote knowledge worker from a contact center A network system for managing remote agents of a communication center includes a primary server connected to the network the primary server controlling at least one routing point; one or more secondary servers distributed on the network and accessible to the remote agents, the secondary server or servers having data access to agent computing platforms and communication peripherals; and, a software suite distributed in part to the secondary server or servers and distributed in part to one or more agents computing platforms and peripherals, the software suite including protocol for reporting agent status data. The system monitors agents computing platforms and peripherals for activity state through the one or more secondary servers whereupon the one or more secondary servers exchange control messaging and event related data using ISCC protocols with the primary server over the network for intelligent routing purposes.
US09002912B2	Managing global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for clustered file systems Systems. Methods, and Computer Program Products are provided for managing a global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for a clustered file systems (CFS). The CFS manages access permissions to an entire space of data segments by using the DSM module. In response to receiving a request to access one of the data segments, a calculation operation is performed for obtaining most recent contents of one of the data segments. The calculation operation performs one of providing the most recent contents via communication with a remote DSM module which obtains the one of the data segments from an associated external cache memory, instructing by the DSM module to read from storage the one of the data segments, and determining that any existing contents of the one of the data segments in the local external cache are the most recent contents.
US09002901B2	Optimized database content provisioning Database content provisioning includes a broad base shipment as an initial release of database content. The database content may then be incrementally enriched with specific enhancements, which may be delivered as updates. Shipping variants for delivering upgrades include delta installations, and in some embodiments, may include full installations. Changes to an existing database object in activated database content may be treated as a new database object, and may include a reference to the existing database object. The user is notified of the new database object, but the new database object is otherwise not activated, thus ensuring stability of the activated database content.
US09002882B2	Distributed architecture for paperwork imaging The present invention provides a method and system for storage of data files, comprising notifying at least one local reference storage about storing and/or deleting a data file on a central data repository, depositing a reference element on the at least one local reference storage after notifying, requesting a deposited reference element from the local reference storage for demanding a data file contained in the central data repository, retrieving the demanded data file on submitting the reference element to the central data repository.
US09002881B2	Assembling streamed content for on-demand presentation Assembling streamed content for on-demand presentation is described. In embodiments, a media asset can be requested from a content distributor, and cacheable segments of the media asset are streamed to the requesting client device. The cacheable segments are received in an initial quality display format for uninterrupted playback of the media asset at the client device while the cacheable segments are being received. An asset matrix that correlates a bit rate and a time position for each cacheable segment in the media asset is also received. The cacheable segments of the media asset can be assembled according to the asset matrix to generate an assembled asset data file of the media asset. The assembled asset data file can then be back-filled with selected ones of the cacheable segments that are replaced with a highest quality display format for on-demand presentation of the media asset when selected for viewing.
US09002871B2	Method and system of mapreduce implementations on indexed datasets in a distributed database environment In one exemplary embodiment, a method of a distributed database system includes the step receiving a query in a query language from a client with a distributed database system. An index that matches the query is located. The index is pre-generated from a database table in the distributed database system. A map function of a MapReduce programming model is implemented using the index. A reduce function of the MapReduce programming model is implemented using the output of the map function. Optionally, a finalize function can be implemented using the output of the reduce function. The distributed database system can be a scalable NoSQL database. The reduce function can be optional when the value of the output of the map function is guaranteed to be unique.
US09002866B1	Generating context-based spell corrections of entity names Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for correcting entity names. One method includes receiving texts and deriving a plurality of name-context pairs from the texts. The method further includes calculating a context consistency measure for each name-context pair and storing context-entity name data representing the name-context pairs. Another method includes identifying an entity name and one or more context terms from a query and generating candidate names for the entity name. The method further includes determining a score for each of the candidate names, selecting a number of top scoring candidate names, and using the selected candidate names to respond to the query.
US09002865B2	Displaying ranked categories of data in a Venn diagram A solution that displays ranked categories of data in a Venn diagram is provided. In particular, entries of data are assigned to one of a plurality of categories based on one or more attributes of the entries. The categories are then ranked for each of one or more criteria. Each criterion can use a unique set of the attributes to rank the categories. A Venn diagram is generated that includes a circle for each criterion and displays the rankings of the various categories using one or more visual representations of each category. For example, the rankings can be displayed using tag clouds for each category that are placed in each circle. Two or more circles can overlap in which case categories that have one or more entries that meet all the corresponding criteria can be displayed in the overlapping portion of the circles.
US09002864B1	Cross-platform conversion of encoded mobile app store links A mobile computing device that runs a first mobile operating system scans and decodes an encoded link to a specific page in an app distribution site for a second mobile operating system. The mobile computing device can convert the link into a format usable by the first mobile operating system, and use the converted link to access and display the specific page. Rather than display the page in the app distribution site for the second mobile operating system, one or more links to corresponding apps in the format of the first mobile operating system can be located and displayed. To do so, the decoded link is used to glean relevant search terms, which are used to search an app distribution site for the first mobile operating system. The search results are displayed to the user.
US09002861B2	Matching device and computer-readable storage medium A matching device builds a parse tree from an event pattern. The matching device builds an automaton by, while traversing the parse tree, joining child nodes of an AND node in parallel to the AND node and joining child nodes of an OR node in parallel to the OR node. The matching device performs matching of determining whether an event stream includes the event pattern by comparing the event stream with the automaton.
US09002859B1	Systems and methods for high-speed searching and filtering of large datasets A binary data file embodies an inline tree data structure storing fields of a hierarchical dataset. The inline tree comprises first-level binary string segments, each comprising substantially contiguous second-level binary string segments, corresponding to subranges of first and second subsets of data fields. Size is reduced by substituting: binary string indices for alphanumeric strings; a data clump index for a set of correlated/anticorrelated strings; field masks for unoccupied data fields. A dedicated conversion program generates the inline tree from conventional database formats, which is read entirely into RAM to be searched/filtered by a dedicated search/filter program. Small size (<2 bytes/field/record) and contiguous arrangement enables searching/filtering of >106 records (>100 data fields) in <500 nanoseconds/record/core. Recursive subdivision of selection field ranges can guide searches that include those selection fields. One example includes geographic searching/filtering of records that include latitude and longitude fields.
US09002856B2	Agent rank The present invention provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for searching and ranking linked information sources. The techniques include receiving multiple content items from a corpus of content items; receiving digital signatures each made by one of multiple agents, each digital signature associating one of the agents with one or more of the content items; and assigning a score to a first agent of the multiple agents, wherein the score is based upon the content items associated with the first agent by the digital signatures.
US09002853B2	Generation of service specification of a service oriented architecture (SOA) solution A system and associated method for automatically generating a service specification of a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) solution. A process model framework and a data model framework are received as inputs. Processes in the process model framework perform services of various complexity levels. Processes are decomposed into a respective set of atomic service processes in the lowest complexity level and data objects are extracted from the decomposed atomic service processes. The data objects are associated with data elements of the data model framework. The data model framework is extended and flexibility patterns are added for reusability of the service specification. The service specification of the SOA solution is generated as process interfaces represented with the data objects according to inputs from a user customizing aspects of the service specification, for either a desired service of the SOA solution or a desired process in the process model framework.
US09002846B2	Ending tuple processing in a stream-based computing application A method includes receiving streaming data to be processed by a plurality of processing elements comprising one or more stream operators. Time metadata may be added to a parent tuple at a first stream operator. A first time metric may be determined for a first child tuple of the parent tuple at a second stream operator. The first time metric may be determined, at least in part, from the time metadata. The second stream operator may receive the first child tuple from the first stream operator. The method may include transmitting a second child tuple of the parent tuple from the second stream operator to a third stream operator if the time metric is inside a time limit. In addition, the method may include ending processing of the first child tuple if the time metric is outside of the time limit.
US09002845B1	Systems and methods of analyzing changes and data between hierarchies There is disclosed various embodiments of computer systems and methods for analyzing multi-dimensional trends from two dimensional hierarchical data by comparing and analyzing two hierarchies and their associated attributes. Certain embodiments may comprise: providing a database of previous time slice data, receiving new time slice data, comparing the new time slice data to the database of previous time slice data, generating additional attributes, incorporating the additional attributes and the new time slice data into the database so that analysis may be performed between the two hierarchies.
US09002840B2	Automated search A system and method for automated search which may allow users to program their mobile devices to automatically bring up search results when a user or his mobile device meets a certain set of spatial, temporal, activity, or social context conditions.
US09002835B2	Query response using media consumption history Methods, systems, and apparatus for receiving a natural language query of a user, and environmental data, identifying a media item based on the environmental data, determining an entity type based on the natural language query, selecting an entity associated with the media item that matches the entity type, selecting, from a media consumption database that identifies media items that have been indicated as consumed by the user, one or more media items that have been indicated as consumed by the user and that are associated with the selected entity, and providing a response to the query based on selecting the one or more media items that have been indicated as consumed by the user and that are associated with the selected entity.
US09002813B2	Execution plan preparation in application server A system and method for execution plan preparation. One or more processors executing an application process of an application server receive a request from a client computer over a network. The one or more processors parse the request to determine one or more components of the request. An execution plan for the request is generated based on the one or more components determined by the parsing, and the execution plan is then sent to a database for execution of the request by a database process.
US09002812B2	Checksum and hashing operations resilient to malicious input data A resilient hashing system leverages a fast, non-cryptographic hash/checksum function that has good diffusion properties while remaining reasonably efficient on modern central processing units (CPUs). The hash function uses random secret data so that hash keys for particular data are difficult to predict. Due to its internal structure, well-chosen random secret data is difficult for an attacker to counter without having access to the direct output of the hash function. At every stage of the block function, there are at least two operations that can be performed in parallel, increasing performance on modern superscalar CPUs. Thus, the resilient hashing system provides a hash table and checksum that can be used in Internet-facing or other vulnerable sources of input data to manage performance in the face of malicious attacks.
US09002810B1	Method and system for managing versioned structured documents in a database A method for providing a query for searching over versions of a structured document includes providing a plurality of versioned nodes (vNodes) representing a plurality of objects of at least one version of a structured document. Each vNode includes versioning information associated with at least one version of the structured document and collectively, the vNodes graphically represent the version(s) of the structured document in a versioned document object model (“vDOM”) node tree. In an embodiment, a query for at least one version of the structured document is received. The query includes a versioned function (vFunction) having at least one argument relating to versioning information associated with one or more versions of the structured document. The vFunction is processed to identify a version of the structured document that includes an object represented by a vNode having versioning information satisfying the query.
US09002807B2	Generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files are enumerated in a sequential medium A mechanism is provided for generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files is enumerated except entirely-invalidated files on a sequential medium. Management information for managing locations where the plurality of files on the sequential medium are recorded is acquired from the sequential medium. The enumerated information in which the plurality of files are enumerated is generated in an order according to the locations where the plurality of files are recorded on the basis of the acquired management information.
US09002803B2	Role-based security policy for an object-oriented database system A system for adding security data to a search index comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to select an object in a search index, wherein an entry associated with the object is stored in the search index and add security entity data to an entry of the search index corresponding to the selected object. A memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US09002800B1	Archive and backup virtualization A data storage and protection system includes secondary storage and at least one instance of a high efficiency storage application (“HESA”). The HESA backs up and archives client data stored in primary storage of a client computer system or client node to secondary storage. Archive files generated by the HESA re-use previously backed up client data stored in the secondary storage. In one embodiment, previously backed up client data is re-used for an archive file by organizing the archive file as a hash tree having hash values pointing to the previously backed up client data. In addition, the HESA can maximize available space in the primary storage by replacing previously backed up and/or archived client data in the primary storage with pointers that point to the previously backed up and/or archived client data in secondary storage.
US09002793B1	Database replication A write request is received at a database server from a client application for writing data to persistent data storage. In response to receiving the write request, the database server selects a set of multiple replication servers. The data is sent from the database server to the selected set of multiple replication servers for writing to the persistent data storage. Confirmation is received at the database server from replication servers in the selected set of multiple replication servers. In response to receiving confirmation from the replication servers in the selected set of multiple replication servers, the database server sends to the client application information indicating success of the write request.
US09002791B2	Logging modifications to a variable in persistent memory A log entry is created in persistent memory that represents a modification to a variable that resides in persistent memory. A log entry is created in persistent memory that represents a synchronization operation. A program-order based dynamic ordering relationship is created between two successive log entries within an execution entity. A synchronization-order based dynamic ordering relationship is created between two log entries corresponding to synchronization operations in concurrently executing distinct execution entities of said execution instance.
US09002790B2	Hosted storage locking A hosted storage system receives a request from a requester to access a hosted resource. The hosted resource includes a binary large object. The hosted storage system providing hosted storage to a plurality of clients that are coupled to the hosted storage system. A copy of the hosted resource is created. A copy message including the copy of the hosted resource is provided to the requester. The hosted resource is maintained in the hosted storage system while the requester modifies the copy of the hosted resource. A message is received from the requester. The messages include a modified copy of the hosted resource. It is determined that the hosted resource has not been modified since the copy of the hosted resource was created. The hosted resource is replaced with the modified copy of the hosted resource.
US09002779B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program To provide an apparatus and method for efficiently displaying image content, which is sent and received between a server and a client, in a correct direction. An image content providing server stores, as property information, original angle information indicating correct directions of image content as metadata of the image content. The server generates content information including the original angle information and sends the generated content information to a client. This allows the client to understand the correct direction of the image content received from the server, and to obtain and display image data in the correct direction by performing rotation processing in the client device based on the obtained information or to request the server to perform the rotation processing.
US09002775B1	Systems and methods for estimating a remaining useful life of an item Systems and methods are disclosed for more accurately estimating a remaining useful life (RUL) of an item. The RUL of the item is estimated by determining probability values throughout a time period. Each probability value quantifies a probability that a failure event of the item will occur by a time in a time segment of the time period. Based on the probability values, the particular time segment in which the failure event is most likely to occur is determined. Once the particular time segment is determined, the presentation of a visual representation of at least a portion of the time period can be effected. The visual representation indicates that the failure event of the item is most likely to occur during the particular time segment.
US09002768B2	Human-computer interface system A human-computer interface system which includes a computer, the computer includes a central processing unit, a first memory, a second memory, at least one storage device, a system hub, an input/output adapter for connecting the at least one storage device to the system hub, an operating system installed onto the at least one storage device, applications software installed onto the at least one storage device, a communication network, the computer being connected to the communication network, a means for inputting and detecting data and commands generated by a user, a plurality of output converters, and a means for allowing the computer to develop and express the computer's emotional states.
US09002764B2	Systems, methods, and software for hyperlinking names Hyperlinking or associating documents to other documents based on the names of people in the documents has become more desirable. Although there is an automated system for installing such hyperlinks into judicial opinions, the system is not generally applicable to other types of names and documents, nor well suited to determine hyperlinks for names that might refer to two or more similarly named persons. Accordingly, the inventor devised systems, methods, and software that facilitate hyperlinking names in documents, regardless of type. One exemplary system includes a descriptor module and a linking module. The descriptor module develops descriptive patterns for selecting co-occurent document information that is useful in recognizing associations between names and professional classes. The linking module tags names in an input document, extracts co-occurent information using the descriptive patterns, and uses a Bayesian inference network that processes a (non-inverse-document-frequency) name-rarity score for each name along with the name and selected co-occurent document information to determine appropriate hyperlinks to other documents, such as entries in professional directories.
US09002762B1	System and method for adaptive recall Described is a system for adaptive memory recall. The system receives original input data, then divides the original input data into multiple data groups to serve as input for a network comprising a pattern separation layer and an autoassociative memory layer. The original input data is processed with a pattern separation component of the pattern separation layer, and each pattern separation component generates an increased-contrast version of the original input data it processes. The generated increased-contrast version of the original input data is combined with the original input data and stored in an autoassociative memory component of the autoassociative memory layer for each data group. New input data is received, and a parameter that controls processing in the pattern separation layer is modulated to determine an optimal parameter, which indicates that a memory recall between the stored data and the new set of input data is achieved.
US09002752B2	Tangible social network A tangible social network system comprises at least two interactive physical objects adapted for communicatively linking with each other, a visualization application for providing a visual representation of a user's tangible social network, and an object communication frame. An interactive physical object comprises a controller for forming a communicatively linked relationship with another interactive physical object and for receiving and responding to commands and data received from a linked object, and an audio or visual response subsystem. An object communication frame comprises a housing adapted to receive interactive physical objects, a communications subsystem for managing communications with installed objects and with interactive physical objects communicatively linked with installed objects, a controller, and a power subsystem for powering installed objects. The frame or objects may interact with a visualization application, comprising subsystems for receiving information about the user's tangible social network and deriving a representation of it, and a graphical user interface for providing the visual representation to the user.
US09002744B2	Methods, systems and computer program products for determining usage rights for digital content based on characterizing information thereof and related devices A method for controlling unauthorized use of digital content includes identifying digital content for validation. Characterizing information is generated that designates the identified digital content, and usage rights for the identified digital content are determined based on the characterizing information, for example, based on a comparison of the characterizing information that designates the identified digital content to a plurality of characterizing information. Usage of the identified digital content may also be controlled based on the determined usage rights. Related systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are discussed.
US09002742B2	Computer implemented method for a recycling company to increase recycling demand Proposed is a computer-implemented method for a recycling company to increase recycling demand, the computer including a processor system having at least one processor and a memory system. The method comprises registering, by the computer, a recycler with a recycling company, wherein the recycler obtains identification. The computer then enters the recycler's identification to begin a transaction for recycling. The type of material to be recycled is entered into the computer. The processor system evaluates a value for the recyclable material and determines the total payment to be paid to the recycler. A portion that is less than or equal to the total payment given to a fund is entered into the computer, and the final payment to be paid to the recycler is computed. The final payment is the total payment less the portion given to the fund. On completion of the above operations, the transaction is logged.
US09002736B2	System and method for supporting mobile unit connectivity for computer server to process specific orders The present invention is an applications gateway that offers multiple functions and features for specific geographic venue locations, while providing easy access to advertising, purchasing, and redemption opportunities for that specific geographic venue location. Venue locations can be stadiums, shopping malls, amusement parks, open air spaces where people can congregate, and/or buildings, which most often require the presence of a concentration of people. The venue location may correlate to the location of the hand-held mobile unit or it may be a remote geographic venue location not near the location of the hand-held mobile unit. Access to the gateway application is through a hand-held mobile unit, which can include a mobile phone, smartphone device, or portable computer having a wireless radio transmission connection. (e.g. iPhone, Droid, iPad, Slate, etc.).
US09002735B2	Online buyback system An online buyback system is provided, including: a database storing product sale information including product identification information, product specification, product sale price, and product, sale date; a buyback request information receiving unit receiving buyback request information including product identification information from a computer of a buyback requester accessing a network; a sale checking unit referring to the product sale information stored in the database to check whether or not a product corresponding to the product identification information contained in the buyback request information has been sold; and a buyback processing unit processing such that the product corresponding to the product identification information is collected from the buyback requester when the product is determined to have been sold, and a buyback price of the product is paid to the buyback requester based on a time interval from the product sale date to buyback request date.
US09002733B2	Checkout station A checkout station includes a scale fixedly attached to a framework of the checkout station and a track, surrounding the scale, through which a display moves between a first position and a second position.
US09002718B2	Medication managing apparatus When the present time of a clock circuit is a medication time recorded in advance in a SD card, a notice that the medication time has come is given by a voice output portion or the like. Presence/absence of a medicine package in each block of a medicine package case is sensed by a medicine package sensor. The time point and the presence/absence of the medicine package are recorded in the SD card. A notice corresponding to the presence/absence is output. At a time except for the medication time, taking-out of the case, opening/closing of the cover, taking-out and return of the medicine package are recorded in the SD card based on detection signals from the medicine package sensor, medicine package case sensor, and case cover opening/closing sensor. A notice corresponding to the sensed situation is output.
US09002716B2	Method for describing the composition of audio signals Method for describing the composition of audio signals, which are encoded as separate audio objects. The arrangement and the processing of the audio objects in a sound scene is described by nodes arranged hierarchically in a scene description. A node specified only for spatialization on a 2D screen using a 2D vector describes a 3D position of an audio object using said 2D vector and a 1D value describing the depth of said audio object. In a further embodiment a mapping of the coordinates is performed, which enables the movement of a graphical object in the screen plane to be mapped to a movement of an audio object in the depth perpendicular to said screen plane.
US09002696B2	Data security system for natural language translation A method, computer system, and computer program product for translating information. The computer system receives the information for a translation. The computer system identifies portions of the information based on a set of rules for security for the information in response to receiving the information. The computer system sends the portions of the information to a plurality of translation systems. In response to receiving translation results from the plurality of translation systems for respective portions of the information, the computer system combines the translation results for the respective portions to form a consolidated translation of the information.
US09002694B2	Verification of design derived from power intent An approach is provided in which a power design verification system retrieves a power intent data corresponding to a power design, which identifies the power design's power modes and power mode transition conditions. The power design verification system selects one of the power mode transition conditions, which identifies input signals that invoke a transition from a first power mode to a second power mode. In turn, the power design verification system generates simulation stimuli based upon the identified input signals and simulates the power design utilizing the generated simulation stimuli accordingly.
US09002692B2	Electronic circuit simulation method with adaptive iteration In accordance with an exemplary simulation technique, an improved selective application of Newton-Raphson iterations can improve accuracy while ensuring good performance. In this method, selectively applying Newton-Raphson iteration in a simulation of a unit of the integrated circuit design can include determining second order effects to define a linearity value. Newton-Raphson iteration is performed when the linearity value is less than a linearity threshold and convergence of the simulation is not achieved.
US09002682B2	Data analysis and predictive systems and related methodologies A method, computer system, and computer memory medium optimizing a transductive model Mx suitable for use in data analysis and for determining a prognostic outcome specific to a particular subject are disclosed. The particular subject may be represented by an input vector, which includes a number of variable features in relation to a scenario of interest. Samples from a global dataset D also having the same features relating to the scenario and for which the outcome is known are determined. In an embodiment, a subset of the variable features within a neighborhood formed by the samples are ranked in order of importance to an outcome. The prognostic transductive model is then created based, at least in part, on the subset, the ranking, and the neighborhood. The subset and the neighborhood are then optimized until the accuracy of the transductive model is maximized.
US09002670B2	Smartgrid energy-usage-data storage and presentation systems, devices, protocol, and processes including a storage distribution process This disclosure relates to systems, devices, protocols, and processes for retrieving, accessing, and presenting information of energy usage using a distributed storage process and distributed logical services to provide a user with real-time energy usage information and visualization.
US09002657B2	Automated blood analyzer A computer-based method for automatically determining total body albumin of a living being based on the calculated intravascular albumin, the calculated observed ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time, and the baseline of expected ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time.
US09002653B2	Methods for assembling panels of cancer cell lines for use in testing the efficacy of one or more pharmaceutical compositions The present invention relates to algorithms for use in defining genomic subgroups of tumors and cancer cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for assembling panels of tumors and cancer cell lines according to genomic subgroups for use in testing the efficacy of one or more pharmaceutical compounds in the treatment of subjects suffering from at least one cancer.
US09002649B2	Efficient inversion systems and methods for directionally-sensitive resistivity logging tools Various resistivity logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. At least some tool embodiments include transmit and receive antennas that measure the electromagnetic response of the formation, at least one of which is tilted to provide a directional sensitivity. A processor converts the response (measured as a function of the tool's rotation angle) into a set of inversion parameters, which are then used to estimate the anisotropic properties of the formation. The set of inversion parameters includes at least one parameter based on an antipodal sum of the response signal, and may further include parameters based on an antipodal difference and an average of the signal response. Antipodal sum and difference values at different rotational orientations can be included in the set of inversion parameters, and they may be normalized to reduce environmental effects. Some tool embodiments collect the relevant formation measurements using parallel or perpendicular tilted antennas.
US09002640B2	Apparatus and associated methods An apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: provide at least one marker to indicate the required current position in a planned journey to reach a destination of the planned journey according to a predetermined time criterion.
US09002637B2	Systems and methods for generating a navigation chart In one aspect, a system for generating a navigation chart is provided. The system includes a display device and a computing device coupled to the display device. The computing device is configured to receive at least one of current geographic position data from a navigation instrument and a desired geographic position input by a user and to generate a navigation chart having a geographic area that corresponds to one of the current geographic location and the desired geographic position and that includes at least one navigation aid, the navigation chart includes at least one navigation aid symbol corresponding to a position of the navigation aid within the geographic area. The computing device is further configured to determine whether each navigation aid is visible at a predetermined position within the geographic area and to display the navigation chart on the display device.
US09002630B2	Road shape estimation apparatus A road shape estimation apparatus, mounted to a vehicle, for estimating a shape of a road on which the vehicle runs, includes: an object detection section for detecting, as a plurality of detected points, a position of a stationary object which is around the vehicle; a starting point determination section for determining a starting point by selecting from among the plurality of detected points, based on a positional relationship between the vehicle and each of the plurality of detected points; a detected point connection section for sequentially connecting between the starting point and one of the detected points that is a point to be connected, so as to start from the starting point, and for thus grouping detected points; and a road shape estimation section for estimating, as a shape of the road, a shape of a connection line obtained by grouping the detected points.
US09002627B2	Method and system for improving engine starting An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted differently during automatic and operator initiated engine starts. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
US09002621B2	Method for correcting injection quantities and/or times of a fuel injector In a method for individually correcting injection quantities and/or times (mf1, mf2, mf . . . ; ti1, ti2, ti . . . ) in particular for a ballistic operating range of a fuel injector (1, 2, . . . ), a quantity deviation of an actual injection quantity (mf1, mf2, mf . . . ) from a nominal injection quantity (mfnom) of the fuel injector (1, 2, . . . ) during operation of the fuel injector (1, 2, . . . ) is determined, and a typical injection characteristic (fup1, fup2, fup . . . ) of the fuel injector (1, 2, . . . ) is adapted to a nominal injection characteristic (fupnom) based on the quantity deviation. Furthermore, a controller, in particular an engine controller may implement the above method.
US09002604B2	Shift control device of automatic transmission A target shift stage comes to a high speed stage at t2, during reduction toward zero of a motor torque by an accelerator pedal releasing operation from t1, and an up-shift shift request along with the torque reduction is generated. The shift request is executed for the first time at t3, and the automatic transmission is shifted up to a high speed stage from a current low speed stage selecting state. Therefore, even in the case that a request for increasing a motor regenerative torque is issued by a braking operation just after (t2 to t3) an up-shift shift request moment t2 in response to the torque reduction, the gear shift in response thereto is not generated, and it is possible to avoid generation of repeated gear shift of low speed stage→high speed stage→low speed stage for a short time.
US09002603B2	Method for the operation of a transmission device in a vehicle drive train when a request is made to change gears A method of operating a transmission of a vehicle drive-train when a gearshift from a current gear toward a target gear has been requested. The transmission having frictional shifting elements and at least one interlocking shifting element. If an actuating electrical current, equivalent to a closed operating condition of the frictional shifting element to be engaged, and an actuating electrical current, equivalent to an open operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged, are determined while, at the same time, a closed operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged is detected by a sensor, a fault is recognized. If the fault is recognized during a predefined test period, one or more selected shifting elements are disengaged and a force flow in the transmission is interrupted. Alternatively, by disengaging the frictional shifting element to be engaged, the current gear is engaged in the transmission.
US09002592B2	Machine with ground working elements providing improved stability A grass cutting machine with two cutting units mounted on opposite sides of the chassis has an inclinometer monitoring the left/right inclination of the chassis. If the inclination value exceeds a defined threshold, the higher of the two cutting units is lifted to improve stability.
US09002587B2	Method and device for adjusting a beam direction of a headlight, and motor vehicle A method for adjusting a beam direction of a headlight of a vehicle having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel includes the following steps: a) detecting a front wheel steering angle of the at least one front wheel; b) detecting a rear wheel steering angle of the at least one rear wheel; c) defining a beam direction of the headlight depending on the front wheel steering angle and the rear wheel steering angle; and d) adjusting the beam direction of the headlight to the defined beam direction. The adjustment depends on whether the rear-wheel steering angle and the front wheel steering angle are oriented in the same direction or in opposite directions.
US09002584B2	Rain onset detection glazing auto-close A vehicle system may include a plurality of exterior capacitive sensors, such as door handles, and a controller in communication with the plurality of capacitive sensors. The controller may be configured to identify a rain condition based on sensor data received from at least one of the exterior capacitive sensors of the vehicle; ensure an absence of a key fob in proximity of the at least one locked handle and an absence of a subsequent door opening occurrence when unlocked to confirm the rain condition; and initiate a closure action to a power actuator associated with an open vehicle window for a confirmed rain condition.
US09002573B2	Electronic control unit and information management system A VIN storage electronic control unit stores a vehicle identification number (VIN). A standby RAM that holds data constantly with an electric power supplied by a battery stores failure diagnosis related information and a rewriting history flag. When the VIN storage electronic control unit rewrites the VIN upon receiving a request signal for rewriting the VIN, the standby RAM updates the rewriting history flag so as to switch into a set status indicating the rewriting is made. When receiving a request signal for eliminating the failure diagnosis related information, the failure diagnosis related information stored in the standby RAM is reset and the rewriting history flag is switched into a reset status. In addition, while the rewriting history flag is in the set status, a malfunction indicator lamp is turned on.
US09002568B2	Method for conditioning one or more aspects of a vehicle A method for conditioning one or more aspects of a vehicle, where a user may customize their vehicle by providing desired departure times and conditioning preferences so that the vehicle automatically wakes up, performs the requested conditioning, and is ready for operation by the requested departure time. Some examples of potential conditioning events include activating: a heated or cooled seat, a heated steering wheel, a heated engine block, a heated mirror, a cabin heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a heating or cooling element for a battery pack, a heating or cooling element for a battery charger, and a heating or cooling element for a fuel cell, to name a few.
US09002562B2	Vehicle driving system A vehicle driving system includes a slip detector that detects an occurrence of excess slipping; an additive/subtractive slip point calculator that time-discretely calculates an additive/subtractive slip point, which is an additive slip point or a subtractive slip point, on the basis detection or non-detection of an occurrence of excess slipping; a cumulative slip point calculator that sequentially calculates a cumulative slip point that is a cumulative sum of values of the additive/subtractive slip point; and a driving mode switcher that switches between a two-wheel driving mode and an all-wheel driving mode on the basis of the cumulative slip point. When excess slipping is detected, the additive/subtractive slip point calculator calculates the additive slip point on the basis of a driving force correlation value that correlates to a driving force a driving wheel for which the excess slipping has occurred.
US09002545B2	Data improvement system and method A data improvement system, including an initial database, a verification database, and a processing device in communication with the initial database and the verification database. The processing device receives data from the initial database and the verification database, and determines verification data based thereon. A track data improvement system and a track database improvement system are also disclosed.
US09002540B2	Method for operating an authorization device for a keyless access to and start of a vehicle A method for operating an authorization device for keyless entry and starting of a vehicle with a portable ID transmitter that has a motion sensor. A wireless communication link for interchanging data messages can be set up between the authorization device and the ID transmitter. Keyless entry to the vehicle is permissible only when an instant of last movement of the ID transmitter, as captured by the motion sensor, is within a stipulated interval of time. The authorization device permits keyless starting of the vehicle only when keyless entry to the vehicle has previously been permitted.
US09002535B2	Navigation portals for a remote vehicle control user interface An operator control unit has a user interface that allows a user to identify a mode of display and interaction that narrows the user's options for his next interaction with the user interface. The user interface utilizes portals to transition between environments such as indoors to outdoors, outdoors to indoors, different rooms of a building, and different floors of a building, the portals representing one or more of stairways and doors, and being used in remote vehicle path planning as waypoints that may require execution of predetermined behaviors.
US09002524B2	System and method for establishing local control of a space conditioning load during a direct load control event A system for establishing local control of a space conditioning load includes a switch for controlling a flow of energy for a space conditioning load. Control logic is operatively coupled to the switch, for receiving control parameters associated with a direct load control event from a utility provider. The control logic may also measure room temperature based on received temperature signals and determine if a room temperature is greater a comfort temperature range. The control logic may eliminate operation of a direct load control program if the room temperature is greater than or equal to the comfort temperature range. The control logic may log and signal back to the utility provider that the comfort temperature range is exceeded. The control logic may then restore local control of the switch and initiate a temperature setback control to a thermostat for the remainder of the control period.
US09002513B2	Estimating apparatus, estimating method, and computer product An estimating apparatus includes a processor configured to update a state of a first particle group indicating a state of a mobile body, from a current state to a next state through a simulation that is based on a state equation of the mobile body in a space using a particle filter; measure at each update, a distance between the mobile body and an object in the space; generate at each update, a second particle group indicating a state of a specific area in the space; calculate a level of likelihood for each particle of the first particle group and for each particle of the second particle group, based on the measured distance, the updated first particle group, and the generated second particle group; and identify a position of the mobile body in the space, based on the level of likelihood calculated for each particle.
US09002506B1	Item retrieval using a robotic drive unit Disclosed are various embodiments that may facilitate items being retrieved from a storage location. A robotic drive unit transports a carrier storage unit to be proximate to a target storage unit that comprises a container in which an item is located. The robotic drive unit aligns a receptacle in the carrier storage unit with the container in the target storage unit. The container is transferred from the target storage unit to the carrier storage unit. The robotic drive unit transports the carrier storage unit with the container to a destination.
US09002505B2	Apparatus for the handling of containers with a mobile display An apparatus for handling containers, with at least one handling device which handles the containers in a pre-set manner, a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, with a control device for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit, by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. The apparatus has an information output unit for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit.
US09002503B2	Method and program for calculating correction value for machine tool The present invention provides a method of computing a correction value for the machine tool having two or more translational axes and one or more rotational axes for correcting error in a position and an orientation of the tool with respect to a workpiece due to the geometric error. The method includes a rotational axis correction value computing step (S3) for computing a correction value for the rotational axis by use of a geometric parameter representing the geometric error, and a translational axis correction value computing step (S4) for computing a correction value for the translational axis by use of a command value for each of the rotational axes, a command value for each of the translational axes, and the geometric parameter.
US09002499B2	Methods for determining a recovery state of a metal alloy Methods for determining a recovery state of a metal alloy are disclosed herein. In one example, a fluctuation in a crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy is determined by utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data of the metal alloy. A processor of an electron backscatter diffraction machine utilizes a local orientation deviation quantifier to correlate the fluctuation in the crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy with a plastic strain recovery of the metal alloy. Other examples of the method are also disclosed herein.
US09002494B2	Substrate transfer method and storage medium There is provided a substrate transfer method capable of preventing fine particles from adhering to a wafer. A substrate processing system 10 includes process modules 12 to 17 each having therein an inner space S1; a transfer module 11, having an inner space S2, connected to the process modules 12 to 17; and opening/closing gate valves 30 each partitioning the inner space S1 and the inner space S2. The transfer module 11 includes in the inner space S2 a transfer arm device 21 for holding a wafer W and for loading/unloading the wafer W into/from the process modules 12 to 17. The transfer arm device 21 holds the wafer W at a retreated position deviated from a facing position facing the gate valve 30 during an opening motion of the gate valve 30.
US09002491B2	Method and apparatus for generating a surface of an optical lens A method of generating a target surface {tilde over (S)}( λ) of an optical lens for the manufacture of the optical lens according to optical lens parameters λ, the method comprising: providing a set of L first surface difference data E(λj) each first surface difference data E(λj) corresponding to the surface difference between a pre-calculated surface Sλjpc(αλj) (j=1, . . . , L) and an initial surface Sλjini (j=1, . . . , L), from which the target surface will be generated, according to the expression: E(λj)=Sλjpc(αλj)−Sλjini (j=1, . . . , L) where λj (j=1, . . . , L) correspond to the optical lens parameters of the pre-calculated optical lenses; providing a set of second surface difference data {tilde over (E)}( λ) corresponding to the surface difference between the target optical surface {tilde over (S)}( λ) and the initial surface S λini by linear interpolation of the first surface difference data E(λj) according to the expression: E ~ ⁡ ( λ _ ) = ∑ j = 1 L ⁢ w j λ _ ⁢ E ⁡ ( λ j ) , where wj λ represents an interpolation coefficient; and; determining the target surface {tilde over (S)}( λ) by combining the second surface difference data {tilde over (E)}( λ) and the initial surface S λini according to the expression: {tilde over (S)}( λ)={tilde over (E)}( λ)+S λini.
US09002485B2	Method, apparatus, and computer program product for performance analytics determining play models and outputting events based on real-time data for proximity and movement of objects Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for providing analytics using real time data on movement and proximity of tagged objects for determining play models and outputting events. In one embodiment, a method is provided for determining play data that at least includes correlating at least one tag to a participant; receiving blink data transmitted by the at least one tag; and determining tag location data based on the blink data. The method further includes receiving participant role data; comparing the tag location data to participant dynamics/kinetics models based at least in part on the participant role data; determining participant location data based on the comparing the tag location data to the participant dynamics/kinetics models. The method further includes receiving field data; comparing the participant location data to formation models based at least in part on the participant role data and the field data; and determining formation data based on the comparing the participant location data to the formation models. The method further includes comparing the formation data and participant location data to play models; and determining play data based on the comparing the formation data and participant location data to the play models.
US09002473B2	Electrode and enclosure for cardiac monitoring and treatment Defibrillator electrodes are sealed to the inside of a rigid enclosure. The enclosure is hinged to open and expose the electrodes for deployment. The electrode gel is sealed against moisture loss between the moisture impervious electrode backing and the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure may further include an electrical circuit for electrode self-testing, the circuit being broken when the enclosure is opened.
US09002471B2	Independently actuatable switch for selection of an MRI compatible bandstop filter placed in series with a particular therapy electrode of an active implantable medical device An MRI-compatible electronic medical therapy system includes an active medical device connected to a plurality of electrodes. An independently actuatable switch selectively electrically connects at least one circuit protection device in electrical series with the electrodes and the medical device. The circuit protection device is adapted to permit current flow therethrough during normal medical device related therapy, but substantially prevent current flow therethrough in the presence of an induced electromagnetic field.
US09002469B2	Transcutaneous energy transfer system with multiple secondary coils A transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system is provided having a plurality of secondary coils adapted for disposition in a patient, at least one primary coil configured to transmit transcutaneous energy, and a controller adapted for disposition in a patient. The controller includes circuitry to isolate the secondary coils from each other and direct electric current from at least one of the secondary coils to a charge storage device and/or implantable medical device.
US09002468B2	Automatic power regulation for transcutaneous energy transfer charging system Methods and systems for controlling power output from an external power source in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system are provided to prevent inadvertent energy transfer when no secondary coil is present. The system operates by transmitting power transcutaneously from an external primary coil and determining whether a response from a secondary coil implanted within a patient is detected. If no response is detected, the power output of the primary coil is decreased. The decrease in power output can be accomplished by operating the primary coil at a lower average power level, which can include variations in power level, duty cycle, etc. The system can also be configured to periodically repeat the process in order to continue searching for a coupled secondary coil.
US09002467B2	Modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system This document discusses, among other things, a modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system. In an example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia system includes at least two separate modules that coordinate delivery an antitachyarrhythmia therapy, such as defibrillation therapy. In another example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system includes a sensing module, an analysis module, and a therapy module.
US09002462B2	Downloadable filters for a visual prosthesis The present invention is an improved method of providing flexible image possessing in a visual prosthesis by providing downloadable video filters. In a visual prosthesis, the input video image is normally higher resolution than the output stimulation of the retina, optic nerve or visual cortex. It is advantageous to apply video processing algorithms (filters) to help provide the most useful information to the lower resolution electrode array. Different filters are more effective in different environments and for different subjects. Examples of situation dependent filters include reverse image, contrast increasing, edge detection, segmentation using chromatic information and motion detection. Filters loaded in the video processing unit may be selected dynamically to suit the situation or the user's preference. It is therefore advantageous to provide flexibility in applying filters. However, it is also important to maintain the security necessary for a medical device.
US09002449B2	Implantable cardiac devices and methods Embodiments relate to an implantable cardiac system, including a housing, electronic circuitry for controlling one or more of power management, processing unit, information memory and management circuit, sensing and simulation output. The system also includes diagnosis and treatment software for diagnosing health issues, diagnosing mechanical issues, determining therapy output and manage patient health indicators over time, a power supply system including at least one rechargeable battery, a recharging system, an alarm (or alert) system to inform patient of energy level and integrity of system, communication circuitry, one or more electrodes for delivering therapeutic signal to a heart and one or more electrodes for from delivering electrocardiogram signal from the heart to the electronic circuitry. The power sources can include rechargeable batteries. The housing can include receptacles that receive a probe that mechanically and electrically connects to circuitry to recharge the device and receive data from the device.
US09002442B2	Beat alignment and selection for cardiac mapping A method including: measuring signals at one or more catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in a heart cavity and collecting additional data signals; defining a template set including information related to the additional data signals; computing criteria for each of the additional data signals based on a comparison of the additional data signals and the template set; synchronizing the measured signals with one another by calculating a single synchronization offset that is a time value based on the computed criteria and the difference between a marker in the template set and a point in the additional data signals; selecting a subset of the synchronized signals by determining whether to include the signals for a heartbeat in the subset based on the computed criteria; and determining physiological information at multiple locations of the endocardium surface based on the measured signals by processing the selected subset.
US09002439B2	Blood vessel wall analyzing device and blood vessel wall analyzing method The present invention relates to a blood vessel wall analyzing apparatus provided with a structure enabling accurate measurement of plaque components in a blood vessel wall in a state that reduces the burden on a patient. In the blood vessel wall analyzing apparatus (1), measurement light is illuminated onto a measured portion within a blood vessel such as a carotid artery (C) from a light illuminating unit (30) provided outside the blood vessel, while light from the measured portion is detected in a light receiving unit (40) provided outside the blood vessel. Thus, since the status of the blood vessel wall can be analyzed without inserting an apparatus involved in measurement into the blood vessel, the burden on the patient is reduced during measurement. In addition, as a result of carrying out measurement using near infrared light (a light component in the wavelength range of 780 nm to 2750 nm) that exhibits characteristics that differ according to the compositions of substances such as plaque adhered within the blood vessel, analysis can be carried out that distinguish compositions such as plaque using an analyzing apparatus provided outside the blood vessel.
US09002433B2	System and method for image-based interventional device tracking and scan plane guidance An MR system and method for tracking a device of an interventional procedure within a scan subject is disclosed. At least two MR projections of the device are acquired, from which 3D coordinates of the device are determined. Subsequent image acquisition is adjusted with respect to the coordinates of the device to guide movement thereof towards target anatomy. The present system and method provide the ability to locate and visualize continuous portions of an interventional device in 3D, and do not require the use of embedded RF localizing coils.
US09002432B2	Method and device for calibrating a medical instrument A system and method for calibrating an object having at least one marker attached thereto, wherein a spatial position of the object is ascertained based on the at least one marker, and an outline, view or geometry of the object is optically detected from at least one side. The detected outline, view or geometry is compared with corresponding outlines, views or geometries of stored pre-calibration data of the object, said pre-calibration data representing a model of the object.
US09002418B2	Devices, systems and methods for identification through a mobile device Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification by holding the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart cover to identify the user. The user may allow others to use the smart cover by decoupling the smart cover from the user's mobile communications device and coupling it to the other's mobile communications device.
US09002414B2	Power management of a radio data transceiver Methods and apparatuses for operating a wireless mobile station configured to communicate with a wireless access point are described. A first awake timer may be started in response to receiving a beacon signal from the wireless access point. The beacon signal may indicate that data is available or pending for the wireless mobile station. A second awake timer may be started in response to data received from the wireless access point. When the second awake timer expires, the wireless mobile station may return to the sleep state. In one embodiment, the first awake timer counts for a first period of time and the second awake timer counts for a second period of time which is shorter than the first period of time. The RF radio may be in a higher power state when the first and/or the second awake timers are counting. In one embodiment, the wireless mobile station and the wireless access points may be synchronized using target beacon transmission times of the beacon signal.
US09002404B1	Method and system for migrating from coaxial cable to hybrid cable base station installations Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for migrating from coaxial cable to hybrid cable base station installations with zero or partial down-time are provided. In embodiments, the method includes determining, based on operational measurement data, a sector associated with a base station having the least traffic. Each sector supported by two conduits feeding two coaxial cables to an antenna. A channel count associated with the determined sector is reduced so that all transmits fit on a single coaxial cable resulting in an unused conduit and an unused coaxial cable. A hybrid cable is installed and activated so that all traffic for the determined sector is moved to the hybrid cable. Additional hybrid cables are installed to replace unused coaxial cables until traffic for all sectors has been moved to hybrid cables, which frees half the conduits for other use.
US09002402B2	System for detecting usage of a wireless phone in an automobile A vehicle includes a detection module including a directional antenna and signal processing logic. The detection module is located within the vehicle, arranged with respect to a driver region, and configured to detect a condition wherein a wireless phone is operated within the driver region. The detection module generates an output indicative of the detected condition. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to receive the output, and control the vehicle in response to the detected condition.
US09002396B2	Push to talk mobile station, mobile communication system, and program A mobile station 100 monitors, in Slotted mode, a Paging Channel Slot in a monitor cycle. The mobile station 100 includes: a user interface 53 which receives a PTT setting operation from a user for setting a PTT (Push to Talk) mode; a PTT communication control unit 51 which transmits an allocation request to the radio base station when the PTT setting operation is received; a slot cycle switching unit 52 which switches, when the PTT setting operation is received, the monitor cycle to a predetermined short cycle which is shorter than a cycle at the time of receiving the PTT setting operation; and a voice signal processing unit 40 which receives a voice packet after a PTT CALL is detected in a message transmitted from the radio base station to the mobile station, and reproduces a voice based on the voice packet.
US09002386B2	Interactive system and process A method of delivering an instruction (206) to a mobile user device (106) connected to a network (110) is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of receiving an interactive workflow (202), translating the interactive workflow into the instruction (206) in a form executable by the mobile user device (106), and sending a message (208) including the instruction (206) to the mobile user device (106).
US09002378B2	Method and system for estimation of mobile station velocity in a cellular system based on geographical data A system and method for estimating velocity of a mobile station in a wireless communication system using time-frequency signal processing and a geographical database. The geographical database is used for prediction of ray trajectory and ray power to provide an estimate of propagation delay associated with database points.
US09002375B1	Presence detection based on crowd surfing signal strength A method includes receiving wireless signals from consumer devices that are in communicable range of the merchant device. The wireless signals each include a unique identifier associated with one of the consumer devices. The method further comprises generating signal strength data that includes one signal strength value associated with the unique identifier of each of the wireless signals, storing the signal strength data in a data storage device, analyzing the signal strength data to determine how many of the consumer devices achieved various signal strength levels, determining a threshold signal strength value based on the analysis, determining a consumer device is present within a physical area when a subsequent wireless signal from a subsequent consumer device is greater than the threshold signal strength value.
US09002365B2	Communications system A mobile communications system is proposed in which mobile communications devices are arranged to carry out signal measurements on the signals received from neighboring cells. The bandwidth over which these signal measurements are carried out is determined in dependence upon the bandwidths of the neighboring cells and is signalled to the mobile communication device by a serving base station.
US09002364B2	System, method, and computer-readable medium for concurrent termination of multiple calls at a mobile terminal A system, method and computer-readable medium for allocating multiple subscriptions to a single mobile terminal thereby allowing concurrent termination of multiple calls at the mobile terminal are provided. A mobile terminal adapted to terminate multiple concurrent calls is described. In one implementation, a network need not have any configuration data regarding the multi-line capabilities of the mobile terminal. In other implementations, network-centric mechanisms are provided for allowing multiple concurrent calls to be terminated by a mobile terminal. Multiple concurrent calls may be terminated at a mobile terminal on separate carrier frequencies or alternatively may be terminated on a common carrier frequency.
US09002360B2	Reception quality measurement method and mobile terminal apparatus There is provided a reception quality measurement method that measures reception quality of a measurement target cell with a mobile terminal apparatus. The method includes performing reception quality measurements in a certain bandwidth with respect to each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency band of the measurement target cell when the frequency band of the measurement target cell and a frequency band of a neighboring cell overlap with each other, and averaging results of the reception quality measurements at the plurality of frequencies to obtain an averaged value as the reception quality of the measurement target cell.
US09002357B2	Systems, apparatus and methods to facilitate handover security Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating handover security are provided. In some embodiments, the method can include deriving a key value for handover from a GERAN/UTRAN system to an E-UTRAN system using a first input value. The method can also include deriving a key value for a connection establishment using a second input value, wherein the first input value is different from the second input value and is different from input values derived subsequent to the second input value, and wherein the first input value, the second input value and the input values derived subsequent to the second input value are configured to be input to a same key derivation function configured to output a key for use between a network entity and user equipment.
US09002353B2	Apparatus and method of calculating available channels considering priority in TVWS Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of calculating available channels considering a priority in a TVWS. An apparatus for calculating available channels considering a priority in a TVWS according to the present invention includes: a communication module configured to receive a request for information on usable available channels from a TV Band Device (TVBD); an available channel calculation unit configured to calculate one or more available channels usable by the TVBD based on one or more predetermined reference parameters according to the request; a priority assignment unit configured to assign a priority to each of the calculated available channels, generate an available channel list including the available channels to which the priorities are assigned, and provide the TVBD with the generated available channel list; and a database configured to store the available channels, to which the priorities are assigned, calculated for each TVBD.
US09002352B2	System and method of service discovery A particular method includes generating, at a mobile station, a probe request frame and a service discovery request. At least a first portion of the service discovery request may be encapsulated within the probe request frame to form a modified probe request frame. The modified probe request frame may be wirelessly transmitted, for example, to a particular access point or to all access points with range of the mobile station.
US09002348B2	Utilizing devices nearby The present invention relates generally to network communications, and more particularly to detecting devices having communications issues on a network. The present invention provides for determining a communications performance status in relation to a device on a communications network experiencing a communications issue by identifying the device, locating reference devices in relation to the identified device, and determining where a performance deficiency may exist in relation to the identified device and the communications network.
US09002339B2	Consumption and capture of media content sensed from remote perspectives Embodiments of apparatus, packages, computer-implemented methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are described herein for enabling a first mobile device to control a second mobile device, to enable media content sensed from a perspective of the second mobile device to be consumed using the first mobile device or captured by the second mobile device under control of the first mobile device. In various embodiments, control may include provision of one or more commands to the second mobile device using at least a persistent communication link between the first and second mobile devices. In various embodiments, control may further include receipt of at least a view of media content currently sensed by the second mobile device using a stateless communication protocol. In various embodiments, the first mobile device may control more than one remote mobile devices.
US09002334B2	Systems and methods for delivering multimedia information to mobile devices Systems and methods for distributing data associated with a caller to a mobile device, in which the caller data may be presented by the mobile device upon receiving a first incoming call from the caller, are provided. In some embodiments, an image associated with the caller may be obtained by the mobile device such that the image may be displayed along with other call screening data during a first incoming call from the caller. In some embodiments, termination of the incoming call is held by a service control point while the data is transmitted to the mobile device over a data channel. Once termination of the incoming call is released by the service control point, the mobile device receives the incoming call and may present the data as call screening information. In some embodiments, the data channel may include a warm socket.
US09002333B1	Mobile device reputation system A reputation system aids in the prevention of unwanted spam or malicious communications from being sent to a mobile device, such as a cell phone. A collaborative process is used to determine ratings for a collection of source identifications of the communications. The source identifications are caller identifications (IDs) of a corresponding voice or SMS communication. A collection of opinions is maintained regarding the caller IDs. The reputation system then uses a method of making automatic predictions about the caller IDs by collecting caller ID information from many users to populate the database of maintained opinions. As such, caller IDs of users who have sent spam or malicious messages can be blocked by using collaborative information from many users, as opposed to relying on individual users to block unwanted communications.
US09002325B2	Method of communicating between different electronic entities A method of communicating between at least two electronic entities (121, 122, 123), involves a communication management unit (10) which uses a command/response protocol in order to communicate with the electronic entities (121, 122, 123). At least one of the aforementioned electronic entities (121, 122) communicates with the communication management unit (10) using wireless technology. The communication method includes a step consisting in saving a list of electronic entities in the communication management unit (10). The method can be used for microcircuit cards.
US09002320B2	Advanced predictive intelligence for termination bypass detection and prevention Provided are methods and systems for detecting and preventing bypass fraud in telecommunication networks, primarily for detecting and preventing SIM box fraud in telecommunication networks. The methods include generating one or more test calls from a remote agent to a local agent where the remote agent can be a roaming agent or a remote dialer. The local agent is a subscriber number. The methods further include facilitating call forwarding of the test calls from the local agent to a local number. The methods include identifying the presence of bypass fraud by analyzing caller identification information of the test call received on the local number. Finally, the methods include preventing future use of a detected SIM box.
US09002317B2	Method and apparatus for active defense and emergency response A method and an apparatus comprise establishing a communications link with a mobile computing device. A user's intent to initiate a deterrent on an individual is recognized. An image capture device to capture at least one image in response to the user's intent to initiate a deterrent is activated. At least the image is transferred, via the communications link, to the mobile computing device in which the mobile computing device establishes a connection to at least an emergency unit and at least transmits the image and information regarding the user to the emergency unit. A releasing of the deterrent in response to the user's intent to initiate a deterrent is recognized. Broadcasting an audible alert in response to the user's intent to initiate a deterrent.
US09002312B1	Dynamic biasing for an active circuit A dynamic bias circuit for an active RF circuit includes an RF sensor coupled to the input port of the active RF circuit to sense the amplitude of the incoming RF signal. A control circuit is coupled to the RF sensor and a bias source. The bias signal to the active circuit is dynamically adjusted by summing the amplitude of the incoming RF signal with the nominal DC signal from the bias source. As the power in the incoming RF signal increase, so to does the bias signal to the active circuit, which allows the active RF circuit to increase its linear range of operation in the presence of stronger signals. The active circuit is designed such that its gain and phase behavior is nearly constant over large bias adaptation ranges without distortion when bias adjustments are dynamically made to the active circuit.
US09002305B1	Increasing the robustness of channel estimates derived through sounding for WLAN A plurality of training signal sets are transmitted. Each training signal set includes information sufficient to determine a channel estimate corresponding to a communication channel from a first station to a second station. A refined channel estimate is determined based on reception of the plurality of training signal sets.
US09002299B2	Multiple antenna processing on transmit for wireless local area networks A method and an apparatus in a first wireless station of a network transmitting to a second wireless station. The network uses multi-tone OFDM signals. The first station includes multiple antennas and a receive and a transmit signal path per antenna. Each receive signal path includes a discrete Fourier transformer determining the tones in a received signal, and each transmit signal path includes an inverse discrete Fourier transformer converting tones to a signal. The method includes determining channel estimates for each tone and each receive path while receiving from the second station, determining transmit weights to transmit to the second station, tone-by-tone weighting a signal for transmission to the second station to produce weighted tone sets for each transmit signal path, and transmitting the weighted tone sets. The first station is configured so that the weighting produces additive beamforming without the second station needing multiple antennas.
US09002285B2	Portable wireless terminal, wireless terminal, wireless communication system, and wireless communication method Disclosed is a wireless terminal for performing independent distributed-type wireless communication with a portable wireless terminal. The wireless terminal is provided with: a channel setting section for setting a channel on which wireless communication with the portable wireless terminal is performed; a trigger receiving section for receiving a trigger; a free channel search section for searching for a free channel in response to the trigger received, and for delivering a signal, which changes the set channel in accordance with the search result, to the channel setting section; and a transmission section for transmitting to the portable wireless terminal a signal which reports the change.
US09002283B2	Antenna switching system with adaptive switching criteria Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to multiple antennas. Signal strength measurements may be gathered using the antennas and corresponding signal strength difference measurements may be produced to reflect which of the antennas is exhibiting superior performing. The signal strength difference measurements may be filtered using time-based averaging filters with different speeds. Corresponding filtered difference measurements may be compared to antenna switching criteria such as antenna switching thresholds. An antenna switching threshold may be adjusted in real time based on computations of how much variation is exhibited as a function of time between the difference measurements filtered using the filters of different speeds. Information on device movement or other data may be used in making threshold adjustments.
US09002280B2	Intercell frequency offset compensation for frequency domain interference cancellation and equalization for downlink cellular systems Methods and apparatus are described for interference cancellation of interference components of a time domain signal in the frequency domain. A time domain sequence is received, and a plurality of overlapping time domain segments is generated from the time domain sequence. Frequency offset compensation to compensate for frequency offset associated with a serving cell is performed in the time domain, and the overlapping time domain segments are then converted to the frequency domain. Additional frequency offset compensation may be performed to compensation for the frequency offset associated with interfering cells.
US09002272B2	Method, apparatus, and use of presence detection to control a function of a device requiring a pairing security level The system and method provide for a small, low-power device, e.g., a Bluetooth® device, in a carryable or wearable form, that allows a controlled device to respond to the presence of the user. The device may be worn on one's person and allow other devices, by means of Bluetooth® pairing and protocols, to detect the presence of a user. The controller or controlling device may emit a signal in the vicinity of the user to allow the controlled device to know whether or not the controlling device is present, and the signal may be a pulse of data that is transmitted every few seconds. The pulse of data between the transmitter and the receiver may be encrypted to be used for higher-security applications as a means of dual-factor authentication. The presence of the user may be employed to control a device, e.g., to control access to a computer, to unlock/lock doors, to turn lights on and off, and so on.
US09002264B2	Antenna structure for a near-field communication device A near field communication (NFC) communicator includes a housing, an NFC controller and an antenna circuit located in the housing. The antenna circuit enable inductive coupling of a near field electromagnetic signal with another antenna circuit in near field range. The antenna circuit includes an antenna element to generate the electromagnetic signal. The communicator also includes a receiver circuit located in the housing for extracting data from modulation induced in the electromagnetic signal which is caused by the inductive coupling of the near field electromagnetic signal with another antenna circuit, a transmitter circuit to generate the near field, a load modulator to modulate the near field to the reader and an energy harvesting circuit to power the rest of the circuit from the external field. A ferrite sheet is located in the housing such that a gap is maintained between the antenna element and the ferrite sheet.
US09002259B2	Transmission channel substitution Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for receiving an identifier of a first transmission channel for a first media station, determining whether content of the first media station is available via a second transmission channel for the first media station, and automatically initiating transmission of content of a second media station to a client computing device over a transmission channel for the second media station based on results of the determining.
US09002258B2	Adaptable audio instruction system and method An adaptable audio instruction system and method allows for tailoring and modification to audio sequences used for audio instruction of users. The tailoring and modification abilities of the system regard content and presentation details of the audio sequences to comply with user preferences and user progress in learning content contained in the audio sequences.
US09002254B2	Sliding member for fixing device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus Provided is a sliding member for a fixing device including in order a first fluororesin layer having a sliding surface dotted with recessed portions, a substrate, and a second fluororesin layer.
US09002245B2	Image forming apparatus In an image forming apparatus, a voltage applied to a pre-transfer charger is set to the highest voltage, and is then reduced at a position corresponding to a predetermined range from a leading edge of a recording material, to suppress a phenomenon of backward scattering of toner formed just before entering a transfer nip, when a burr formed on the leading edge of the recording material exits the transfer nip.
US09002241B2	Image forming apparatus and toner case An image forming apparatus includes an attachment member and a toner case. The toner case has a discharge port openable and closable by a shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism has a first shutter member and a second shutter member. The first shutter member closes the discharge port in a condition in which the toner case is detached from the attachment member, and opens the discharge port in a condition in which the toner case is attached to the attachment member. The second shutter member covers the back side edge portion of the communication port with which the discharge port is communicated in a condition in which the toner case is detached from the attachment member, and exposes the back side edge portion of the communication port in a condition in which the toner case is attached to the attachment member.
US09002237B2	Electrostatic imaging member and methods for using the same Embodiments pertain to a novel imaging member, namely, an electrostatic latent image generating member, and methods for using the same, that can generate an electrostatic latent image through charge acceptance control and without the need for conventional post charging photodischarge, eliminating process steps and avoiding limitations in system speed due to the transit time of charge carriers after light exposure.
US09002231B2	Image forming apparatus with guide member to guide air An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a print medium, a fixing unit to fix the image formed by the image forming unit on the print medium, and a guide member installed in a moving path where air moves along between the image forming unit and the fixing unit so that air inhaled through an inhaling unit formed at one side of a main frame can be exhausted to an exhaust unit formed at the other side of the main frames, and to guide a moving direction of the air so that the air inhaled through the inhaling unit can move to the image forming unit along the moving path.
US09002230B2	Electrophotographic color image forming apparatus with movable cartridge carrying member and associated electrical contacts A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
US09002229B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, wherein the fixing unit includes a first temperature detection member detecting the temperature of a first non-passing area of the fixing unit; a second temperature detection member detecting the temperature of a second non-passing area; and a cooling unit supplying air so as to simultaneously cool the first non-passing area and the second non-passing area, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured, when the absolute value of the difference between the detection temperature of the temperature detection members becomes not less than a threshold value, while air is being supplied to the non-passing area and the second non-passing area, to stop the supplying of air by the cooling unit and continue recording material fixing processing.
US09002228B2	Image forming apparatus with control section to control contact pressure between heating member and pressure member and control method thereof An image forming apparatus is provided that includes: a heating member that heats a recording sheet; a pressure member that presses the recording sheet between the heating member and the pressure member; an adjustment mechanism that causes the heating member and the pressure member to contact or to separate; and a control section that, at a time of a warm-up operation or an idling operation, based on a predetermined condition, controls the adjustment mechanism so as to cause the heating member and the pressure member to contact at a contact pressure that is lower than a contact pressure between the heating member and the pressure member at a time of image formation or is approximately identical to the contact pressure at a time of image formation.
US09002227B2	Image forming apparatus A control unit is provided which controls at least one of a first power supply unit (a secondary transfer power supply connected to a secondary transfer roller) and a second power supply unit (high-voltage power supplies connected to a conductive brush and a conductive roller) so that a current supplied to a primary transfer region from a beginning of primary transfer until a beginning of secondary transfer has a magnitude larger than a magnitude of a current supplied to the primary transfer region from a beginning of image formation until the beginning of the primary transfer.
US09002224B2	Image formation device and image formation program An image formation device for forming an image by an electrophotographic process includes a charge voltage controller configured to control an application charge voltage to be applied to a charge member, a transfer voltage controller configured to control a transfer voltage to be applied to a transfer member, a charge current detector configured to detect a charge current flowing through the charge member, and a controller configured to determine the application charge voltage according to the application charge voltage and the detected charge current, both detected when the transfer voltage controller applies a predetermined transfer voltage.
US09002220B2	Fixing device and image formation apparatus A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip and applying heat and pressure to the recording sheet, the fixing device comprising: a heater including a resistance heater part and a supporting member, the resistance heater part having a positive resistance-temperature characteristic in a temperature range above a predetermined level, and the supporting member being insulative and supporting the resistance heater part such that the resistance heater part applies heat to the recording sheet; a current detector detecting a current supplied to the resistance heater part; and an abnormality determiner determining whether the resistance heater part has an abnormality, based on an initial current detected by the current detector at a predetermined time after a beginning of power supply to the resistance heater part and before the temperature of the resistance heater part reaches the predetermined level.
US09002209B2	Forward discrete/inverse-discrete Fourier transform device and method for optical OFDM communication and transmitting and receiving apparatus comprising the device Disclosed are a forward discrete/inverse-discrete Fourier transform device and method for optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication and a transmitting and receiving apparatus. The forward inverse-discrete Fourier transform device includes N 1:N splitters for splitting subcarrier signals received from N inputs corresponding to the number of optical frequencies of subcarriers, a phase shift delay array module for shifting phases of the split signals from the 1:N splitters, N N:1 power couplers for coupling signals output from the phase shift delay array module, a time delay array module for performing time delay on optical OFDM symbols from the N:1 power couplers, and an N:1 power coupler for coupling signals output from the time delay array module.
US09002208B2	Optical transceiver system An optical transceiver system includes a transmitter emitting a first light beam having a first wavelength, a receiver receiving a second light beam having a second wavelength; an optical fiber transmitting the first light beam and the second light beam; and a light guide member. The light guide member includes a lens block having a bottom surface facing toward both the transmitter and the receiver, a first side surface slanted relative to the bottom surface, and a second side surface facing toward the optical fiber, a first lens and a second lens formed on the bottom surface for optically coupled with the respective transmitter and receiver, a third lens formed on the second side surface for optically coupled with the optical fiber, and a light guide portion embedded in the lens block.
US09002206B2	Wavelength based optical power positioning for information and communications technology systems Wavelength-based optical power provisioning is provided by multiplexing a plurality of continuous wave light beams at different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber as a multiplexed light source and demultiplexing the multiplexed light source based on wavelength at a photonic unit coupled to the optical fiber to recover the continuous wave light beams. The recovered continuous wave light beams are split into a plurality of light beams by the photonic unit, each light beam having the same wavelength and the same or lower power as one of the recovered continuous wave light beams so that at least one of the light beams generated by the photonic unit has a higher power than the other light beams generated by the photonic unit.
US09002202B2	Method and system for reducing the resource utilization of switch fabric in a SONET/SDH multiplexer by switching data on a TU level The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the resource utilization of the switching fabric in a SONET/SDH multiplexer by switching data on a TU level instead of byte or column level.
US09002198B2	Optical transmission system An optical transmission system for optically transmitting information between apparatuses via an optical transmission path. The system includes: a sending unit that emits, to the optical transmission path, excitation light for detecting an inter-apparatus connection via the path; a responding unit that receives the excitation light from the path and emits detection light to the path using light energy of the excitation light; a response receiving unit that receives the detection light from the path and outputs a detection light current; a detecting unit that detects presence/absence of the inter-apparatus connection based on the detection light current; a light signal transmitting unit that emits, to the path, a light signal for optically transmitting the information based on the detection result by the detecting unit; and a light signal receiving unit that receives the light signal from the path.
US09002195B2	Solution for hitless protection in high-speed OTN framer and front-end In an optical communication system containing a primary line and backup line card, a method includes providing interfaces for the primary and backup line card, each line card including a transmitter and receiver; and selecting output from the transmitter from either the primary or back up line card including selecting the backup line card when the primary line card encounters a failure.
US09002188B2	Multi-drive mechanism lens actuator Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to lens actuators used, for example, in auto-focus and/or vibration compensation systems of digital cameras.
US09002186B2	Controlling the temperature of an object An apparatus for controlling the temperature of an object, comprises: a housing comprising: a cavity adapted to accept an object, an air inlet configured to allow air to flow into the cavity, and an air outlet configured to allow air to flow out of the cavity; and a nest configured to hold the object within the housing such that the smallest planar dimension of the object is substantially aligned with the smallest planar dimension of the cavity; wherein the nest and housing are adapted to direct air flow from the air inlet, substantially in parallel across at least one surface of the object and in the direction of the smaller dimension of the at least one surface, to the air outlet.
US09002178B2	Systems and methods for semantic editorial control and video/audio editing A media content management application that allows a user to create and customize a version of media content based on semantic criteria is provided. Based on semantic criteria, the media content management application may use editing/assembly software packages to construct a version of the media content for an intended audience. In addition, the media content management application uses semantic criteria to provide the user with options for optimizing the cost of the version of media content, options for delivering the version of media content, and/or options for delivery mediums to transmit the version of media content.
US09002177B2	Media generating system and method A media generation system and method are provided that automatically directs one or more users to perform in one or more shots specified in the marked-up script and automatically combines the one or more shots into a piece of media.
US09002176B2	Recording medium, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed.
US09002174B2	Semantic zoom for related content Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for displaying a related content view within a search interface. That is, a search interface, such as a search application, may provide search results that are relevant to a query submitted through the search interface. For example, a main search engine results view comprising one or more search results of the query may be presented within the search interface. Responsive to a semantic zoom operation (e.g., a touch gesture), the search interface may be transitioned from the main search engine results view to a related content view comprising related content that corresponds to the query and/or a (e.g., supplemental) search result for the query. In this way, the user may explore supplemental content, such as query suggestions, images, entity descriptions/profiles, videos, and/or other content, that may be related to a query submitted by the user.
US09002167B2	Optical fiber management bridge An improved optical fiber management bridge 100 can comprise an optical hinge 152 for an electronics communications device 112 which is especially useful for a broadband network 104. The electronics communications device can have a housing 120 for enclosing an electronics package 114 comprising at least one optical module 118 and optical fibers 108. The optical bridge can have optical surfaces 156 for supporting portions of the optical fibers 108 which are routed and extend between the top 128 and base 122 of the housing 120. The optical bridge can have an intermediate portion 163 for accommodating safe transition of the optical fibers 108 over the hinge line 129 of the housing 120.
US09002162B2	Large core multimode optical fibers The specification describes multimode optical fibers produced by improved methods that reduce the manufacturing cost. These methods may also be more efficient in terms of power loss. In one of the embodiments, the improved design has a large core of pure silica derived from a rod-in-tube method. In the embodiment, a down-doped cladding is produced by depositing fluorine-doped silica on the inside of a silica starting tube using isothermal radio frequency plasma deposition. The silica core is inserted and the starting tube collapsed. The silica starting tube is removed and optical fiber is drawn from the fluorine-doped glass coated silica rod.
US09002159B2	Optical switch An optical switch (10) includes a light input (12a), a plurality of light outputs (12b) and at least one light pathway movable from a first position where a light communication path is formed between a light input (14a) and a first light output (14b) and a second position where a light communication path is formed between the light input and a plurality of light outputs. Multiple light pathways are configured within the switch and selectable by rotation of a switch housing part enabling sequential selection of light communication paths. The switch can be used on a surgical device to control illumination of the surgical field during a procedure.
US09002155B2	Integrated optical-electronic interface in programmable integrated circuit device Systems that provide integrated circuit device circuitry having an integrated optical-electronic interface for high-speed off-device communications are provided. An optical-electronic interface may be incorporated into an integrated circuit device, freeing up some or all of the electrical I/O pins of the integrated circuit device. Transceiver I/O channels may be provided on an integrated circuit device that can be switched between electrical and optical transceiver I/O channels.
US09002152B2	Mitigation of radiation induced attenuation A DTS system resistant to radiation induced attenuation losses during the service life of an installation at both low and high temperatures using matched multi-wavelength distributed temperature sensing automatic calibration technology in combination with designed Pure Silica Core (PSC) optical fibers and an in process photo bleaching method provided by the light sources of the distributed temperature sensing system.
US09002150B2	Optical sensing system and method An optical sensing system includes a transmitter assembly for generating a generated signal having a frequency in an optical wavelength. An optical sensing fiber is coupled to the transmitter assembly for receiving the generated signal and producing a reflected signal from backscattering of the generated signal. The system also includes a receiver assembly coupled to the optical sensing fiber for receiving the reflected signal. The system further includes a controller in communication with the receiver assembly for determining environmental effects imposed on the optical sensing fiber based on characteristics of the reflected signal.
US09002132B2	Depth image noise removal apparatus and method based on camera pose Disclosed are a depth image noise removal apparatus based on a camera pose, which includes: a depth image obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of depth images; a camera pose converting unit for converting camera poses of the plurality of depth images into a camera pose of a reference depth image; and a depth image filtering unit for filtering the reference depth image by using a weighted average of each pixel of the reference depth image, and a method using this apparatus.
US09002129B2	Method and device for reducing temporal noise for image A temporal noise reduction method and a temporal noise reduction device are provided. The temporal noise reduction device includes a temporal filter unit that performs a temporal filtering operation using pixel values (CP) of an N×M array in a current frame and pixel values (FP) of an N×M array located at the same position in a neighboring frame separated by a distance TP from the current frame and a motion filter unit that detects a motion of a pixel image from the resultant values of the temporal filter unit and that eliminates noise of a motion-abundant pixel value using a spatial filter. It is possible to effectively reduce noise of an image to prevent deterioration in image quality of the image and to improve performance of post-processing techniques.
US09002127B2	Image dynamic range compression system, method and program There is provided an image dynamic range compression system which can compress a dynamic range for which the visibility of a low-frequency image is ensured while preserving a high-frequency image. An image converting unit converts an input image into a compressed image having a narrower dynamic range than the input image. A high-frequency image extracting unit extracts a high-frequency image from the input image. An image synthesizing unit synthesizes a compressed image and the high-frequency image. Further, by adaptively changing synthesizing method of ensuring the visibility of images to synthesize, the image synthesizing unit synthesizes these images.
US09002125B2	Z-plane compression with z-plane predictors A method for compressing graphics data comprises selecting z-planes from a plurality of z-planes. The selected z-planes are predictor z-planes. A residual is determined for each sample not covered by one of the predictor z-planes. A sample is covered by one of the predictor z-planes when the predictor z-plane correctly defines a z-value of the sample. A residual comprises a value that is a difference between a predicted z-value provided by one of the predictor z-planes and an actual z-value for the sample. The predictor z-planes and the residuals are stored in a z-buffer.
US09002122B2	System and method for improving decoder performance using quantization control A codec includes an encoder having a quantization level generator that defines a quantization level specific to a block of values (e.g., transform coefficients), a quantizer that quantizes the block of transform coefficients according to the block-specific quantization level, a run-length encoder, and an entropy encoder. The quantization level is defined to result in at least a predetermined number (k) of quantized coefficients having a predetermined value. The amount of data compression by the encoder is proportional to (k). The codec also includes a decoder having entropy and run-length decoding sections whose throughputs are proportional to (k). The decoder takes advantage of this increased throughput by further decoding coefficients in parallel using a plurality of decoding channels. Methods for encoding and decoding data are also disclosed. The invention is well-suited to quantization, entropy, and/or run-length-based codecs, such as JPEG.
US09002119B2	Device method and program for human hand posture estimation The objective is to provide a finger shape estimating device that can estimate the image most similar to a finger image quickly and with high precision, and that can facilitate construction of a database. Provided is a finger shape estimating device provided with a matching part that reads second shape data in a specific data set from a database that has multiple data sets in which finger angle data, second shape data relating to dimensions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of a second finger image of said finger, and second image feature quantities in the second finger image form a set, to match the second shape data and first shape data related to dimensions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in a separately acquired first finger image, and an estimating part that matches the second image feature quantities in the data set comprising the compatible second shape data, from matching by the matching part, with first image feature quantities in the first finger image, and estimates the finger shape in the first finger image.
US09002107B2	Color balance correction based on skin color and highlight color An image processing apparatus for applying a color balance correction to input image data, comprises a detection unit which detects an object included in the image data; an object color calculation unit which calculates an object color as a color of the object; an acquisition unit which acquires a highlight color in the image data; a calculation unit which calculates a correction value for the object color and the highlight color based on a relative positional relationship between the object color and the highlight color on a color space; and a color balance correction unit which applies the color balance correction to the highlight color and the object color using the correction value.
US09002105B2	Automated contour detection methods, systems and processor-readable media A method and system for identifying existence and occurrence of a contour. The contour presence can be identified by taking a second derivative of a color space (e.g., L, a, and b*) value of a rendered image derived utilizing an ICC profile that models behavior of a MFD as a smoothness metric. A moving average filter can be applied to minimize an extraneous peak and trough in the second derivative that can be contributed to noise. The contour can be detected if a filtered second derivative lies outside a given range. The location of the contour can be identified by matching up an input value with corresponding input value of the image. A probability of the contour being visible in a rendered output can be then determined by separately analyzing the color space values. The occurrence and location of contour can be displayed on a user interface to quickly and clearly identify the contour in the image without making physical prints and with minimal human interaction and expenditure.
US09002103B2	Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium An image processing apparatus includes a definition reducing section, a color region extracting section, a concealing image generating section and an image combining section. The definition reducing section, based on a received image, generates an image having a lower definition than the received image. The color region extracting section extracts a color region from the low definition image generated by the definition reducing section. The concealing image generating section, based on the color region extracted by the color region extracting section, converts the color region into a concealing region for concealing a part of the received image and, generates a concealing image including the concealing region. The image combining section combines the received image with the concealing image generated by the concealing image generating section.
US09002089B2	Image data registration for dynamic perfusion CT A method of registering a 4D contrast enhanced image data set, wherein the 4D contrast enhanced image data set includes image data of the same volume of interest acquired at different timeframes with changing contrast enhancement, the volume of interest includes moving structure, and the different timeframes correspond to a predetermined motion phase of interest in different motion cycles of the moving structure, the method, comprising: registering image data corresponding to a plurality of the different timeframes with reference image from one of the timeframes.
US09002085B1	Systems and methods for automatically generating descriptions of retinal images Embodiments disclose systems and methods that aid in screening, diagnosis and/or monitoring of medical conditions. The systems and methods may allow, for example, for automated identification and localization of lesions and other anatomical structures from medical data obtained from medical imaging devices, computation of image-based biomarkers including quantification of dynamics of lesions, and/or integration with telemedicine services, programs, or software.
US09002070B2	Automated seed package identification apparatus, system, and method An automated seed package identification apparatus is presented that may include a sensor device configured to read a machine-readable package identifier on a seed package which identifies the seed package and/or the seeds therein. A sensor positioning mechanism adjusts the position of the sensor device with respect to a seed tray assembly which is configured to retain seed packages. The sensor positioning mechanism may include a moveable track member which translates on a stationary track member, and the sensor device may translate along the moveable track member. A control unit may instruct the sensor positioning mechanism to move with respect to the seed tray assembly to thereby read the machine-readable package identifiers with the sensor device and record the positional layout of the seed packages. One or more cameras may be configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of seed packages retained in the seed tray assembly.
US09002055B2	Methods and systems for matching keypoints and tracking regions between frames of video data A method (100) and system (300) is described for processing video data comprising a plurality of images. The method (100) comprising obtaining (104, 106), for each of the plurality of images, a segmentation in a plurality of regions and a set of keypoints, and tracking (108) at least one region between a first image and a subsequent image resulting in a matched region in the subsequent image taking into account a matching between keypoints in the first image and the subsequent image. The latter results in accurate tracking of regions. Furthermore the method may optionally also perform label propagation taking into account keypoint tracking.
US09002051B2	Mail exchange tracking and analysis A system, method, and computer readable medium for mail analysis. A method includes receiving in a data processing system an image of a first mailpiece and associated machine-recognized data. The method includes comparing the machine-recognized data with a target list to determine a match with a target individual. The method includes performing a writer identification process on the image of the first mailpiece when a match is determined between the machine-recognized data and the target individual. The writer identification process produces writer identification data associated with the first mailpiece. The method includes storing the image of the first mailpiece and associated machine-recognized data and writer identification data.
US09002049B2	Housing for a standard fit hearing assistance device A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves.
US09002032B2	Parametric signal processing systems and methods A signal processing system for generating a parametric signal comprises an audio compressor, operable to compress a dynamic range of an audio input signal, and an equalization network, operable to equalize the audio signal. A low pass filter is operable to remove high portions of the audio signal and a high pass filter is operable to remove low portions of the audio signal. An oscillator circuit is operable to generate a carrier signal, and a modulation circuit is operable to combine the audio signal with the carrier signal to produce at least one modulated carrier signal.
US09002025B2	Headset Disclosed is a headset, and a method of switching a first input signal for a left ear and a second input signal for a right ear of a user.

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