| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08167085B2 |
Non-combustible sound-absorbing facing
The present invention relates to a non-combustible, sound-absorbing facing (30) having an air flow resistivity of between 80 and 3,000 Rayls and a weight per unit area of between 20 and 1,000 g/m2 and to a laminate (10) comprising the facing (30) and a substrate (20) wherein superimposing the facing (30) on the substrate (20) forms the laminate (10) having good sound absorbing characteristics. |
| US08167083B2 |
Reconfigurable loudspeaker enclosure
A reconfigurable loudspeaker enclosure. A loudspeaker enclosure, includes a first section that includes a mounting location for an acoustic driver. The mounting location includes a first section mating surface and first section walls, a second section that includes an exit for an acoustic element from which acoustic energy can be radiated. The second section includes a second section mating surface and second section walls. The first section mating surface and the second section are rotatably coupled so that in a first configuration the first section walls and the second section walls are substantially continuous, and so that in a second configuration, the walls of the two sections are substantially non-continuous or perpendicular or both and so that in both the first configuration and the second configuration the two sections are coupled acoustically. |
| US08167077B2 |
Wheeled work machine
A wheel type work machine having improved ease of assembly and a compact-sized traveling system power transmission mechanism. The wheeled work machine comprises a traveling body (2) having an engine (7) mounted at the rear of a machine frame (6) supported by front and rear wheels (4, 5) and the traveling system power transmission mechanism (8) for transmitting power from the engine (7) to the rear wheels (5). The traveling system power transmission mechanism (8) comprises a rear wheel differential device (38) disposed on the front side of the engine (7), a hydrostatic transmission (35) disposed on the front side and the rear wheel differential device and receiving the power from the engine (7), and a mechanical transmission device (37) disposed between the hydrostatic transmission (35) and the rear wheel differential device (38) and transmitting the power from the hydrostatic transmission (35) to the rear wheel differential device (38). The rear wheel differential device (38), the mechanical transmission device (37), and the hydrostatic transmission (35) are formed integrally with the engine (7). |
| US08167075B2 |
Air bag system
An air bag system includes an air bag which can cover a front surface side of a front pillar of a vehicle. The air bag includes an inflatable main body portion and a supporting inflatable portion. The inflatable main body portion covers a front surface of the front pillar when the air bag is inflated completely. The supporting inflatable portion stretches continuously from the inflation main body portion so as to extend towards an outside of the vehicle from the inflation main body portion and is disposed to be brought into abutment with an upper surface of a mirror main body of a door mirror which is in a usable position on a lower surface side so as to be supported thereon to thereby support the inflatable main body portion, when the air bag is inflated completely. |
| US08167074B1 |
Three-wheel, driver's stand-up, portable, leverless vehicle, with foot brake lever and connecting method thereoff
A slow speed, driver's stand-up only, three-wheels, portable, leverless, extremely lightweight, two-part personal mobility vehicle. A front major part, wheel drive assembly, comprising of an upper sub-part, comprising of levers free steering handle mounted on steering column. A lower sub-part comprises of an extended backwards supporting leg, a control box, an electric chain motor assembly, a fork assembly, and front wheel assembly. A two-part hinge assembly below the steering column, enabling folding steering column, and, if necessary, removal. A second major part, a rear assembly chassis, comprising of a riders flat platform surface mounted on a rectangular metal frame, partially mounted on a rear axle, which is connected to both rear wheels. A rear hydraulic foot brake system installed in both rear wheels, whereby a foot brake (pedal) lever formed on top platform surface. An alternative, none-emergency hand brake lever, may be fastened on the steering handle. A removable battery pack is formed on the platform surface. A two-part telescopic box fit assembly, whereby a receiving part is mounted upward on the end of extended leg; a second, sleeve-type part, is formed, respectively, downward on the front platform frame, for interconnecting both major vehicle parts into a complete vehicle, ready to drive at lower speed than 5 MPH. Two sets of simple outlet-plug assembly are formed on respective parts of the battery and platform, and on both ends of the telescopic assembly to supply power to the motor. Said telescopic connecting mechanism enables assembly, disassembly, loading and unloading in less than seven seconds. |
| US08167071B2 |
Engine hood for a motor vehicle
An engine hood for a motor vehicle has an outer planking and an inner part. Between the outer planking and the inner part, a supporting part is arranged, which reinforces the outer planking. In order to reduce the manufacturing costs for an engine hood while maintaining a favorable delay pattern in the event of a head impact, the supporting part has supporting elements which, in the event of an essentially vertical admission of force, permit a displacement of the outer planking relative to the inner part until the supporting part rests with its predominant surface against the inner part. |
| US08167069B2 |
Changeable battery pack adapter and battery changing system
The invention relates to a battery changing system comprising an industrial truck and a battery pack, which is or can inserted into a battery compartment of the industrial truck, wherein the battery pack may be inserted into a lateral access opening of the battery compartment with a first end leading into the battery compartment and may be withdrawn from the battery compartment with its first end at the rear, wherein the battery pack accommodated in the battery compartment can be supported in the vicinity of its first end with at least one rolling body on the base of the battery compartment, and at least one transport device, on which the battery pack can be accommodated. The transport device may comprise a changeable adapter, which can be aligned in a predetermined position for a battery changing operation relative to the industrial truck by means of mutually interacting alignment means. |
| US08167067B2 |
Agricultural vehicle emission aftertreatment device utilizing heat exchanger ventilation
A self-propelled low-emission off-road vehicle has an internal combustion engine supported in an engine compartment and also includes a vehicle cooling assembly and an engine exhaust treatment device positioned in the compartment. The vehicle cooling assembly includes a powered fan and an enclosure with a heat exchanger operable to discharge heat produced by the vehicle. The enclosure presents an inlet, outlet, and air flow plenum, with the fan directing air flow along a path between the inlet and outlet. The exhaust treatment device is operable to treat engine exhaust flow. The exhaust treatment device is positioned at least partly in the air flow plenum and in the path between the inlet and outlet. |
| US08167066B2 |
Defined internal combustion engine operation in vehicles having a hybrid drive
A method for setting operating states of an internal combustion engine, in particular an internal combustion engine of a hybrid drive. In addition to the internal combustion engine, the hybrid drive includes at least one electric drive, a hybrid coordinator and a control unit assigned to the internal combustion engine in which functions are implemented. The functions request operating states favorable to their running ability from the hybrid coordinator which performs a commensurate modification of the distribution of power between the internal combustion engine and the at least one electric drive. |
| US08167064B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicular drive apparatus
A control apparatus for a vehicular drive apparatus including an engine and a motor is provided. The control apparatus includes a controller that determines the operating point of the engine and the operating point of the motor based on the characteristic of the vehicular drive apparatus. When at least one of the operating point of the motor and the operating point of the engine is in at least one of a motor noise occurrence region and a gear noise occurrence region, the controller changes the at least one of the operating point of the motor and the operating point of the engine so that the at least one of the operating point of the motor and the operating point of the engine avoids the at least one of the motor noise occurrence region and the gear noise occurrence region. This suppresses at least one of motor noise and gear noise. |
| US08167062B2 |
Power generation system and method for assembling the same
A power generation system is disclosed. The power generation system includes an electrical converting device and a repowered portion connected to the electrical converting device. The repowered portion includes a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a gearbox. The reciprocating internal combustion engine is connected to the gearbox by a first connecting structure. The gearbox is connected to the electrical converting device by a second connecting structure. |
| US08167055B2 |
Percussion device actuated by a pressurized non-compressible fluid
According to the invention, the body of the apparatus includes a flow rate adjustment device including a calibrated opening provided on a high-pressure fluid supply circuit, a bore formed in the body and in which is mounted a slider having a first face located in a first chamber connected to a high-pressure fluid supply circuit upstream from the calibrated opening and a second face located in a second chamber connected to the high-pressure fluid supply circuit downstream from the calibrated opening, the bore receiving the slide including an annular groove connected to a low pressure feedback circuit. The slider is adapted for connecting the annular groove to the first chamber when the pressure difference on either side of the calibrated opening increases beyond a predetermined value in order to divert a portion of the fluid flow supplied by the high-pressure fluid supply circuit to the feedback circuit. |
| US08167052B2 |
System and method for delivering a cable downhole in a well
A system for delivering a cable through a tubing string to a downhole location in a well, includes a plug and a receiver. The plug includes a first connector configured to be operably connected to the cable and further includes a plug housing adapted to fit within the tubing string. A check valve operably associated with a passage in the plug housing restricts fluid flow through the passage in a downhole direction and allows fluid flow through the passage in an uphole direction. The receiver is configured to be positioned at the downhole location and includes a receiver housing and a second connector configured to be operably connected to a downhole device. The second connector is adapted to communicate with the first connector when the receiver and plug housings are engaged. |
| US08167047B2 |
Method and apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment
An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole includes: a tubing string having a long axis and an upper end, a first, second and third ports opened through the wall of the tubing string; packers operable to seal about the tubing string and mounted on the tubing string; a closure on each port and each being actuable between a closed port position and a position permitting fluid flow through the ports from the tubing string inner bore; and a closure actuating mechanism for actuating the first closure and the second closure together from their closed port positions to their positions permitting fluid flow, while the third closure remains in the closed port position. |
| US08167046B2 |
Method and apparatus to hydraulically bypass a well tool
Apparatuses and methods to communicate with a zone below a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) independent of the position of a closure member (106) of the safety valve are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) to a profile located within a string of production tubing. The subsurface safety valve (104, 204) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (150,152; 250,252) and includes a bypass pathway (144, 244) to inject various fluids to a zone below. |
| US08167044B2 |
Shaped charge
A perforating apparatus that is usable with a well includes a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes a case, an explosive and a liner. The liner is adapted to form a perforation jet to form a perforation tunnel and promote an exothermic reaction inside the tunnel to create a pressure wave to force debris from the tunnel. |
| US08167043B2 |
Degradable material assisted diversion or isolation
A method for well treatment by forming a temporary plug in a fracture, a perforation, a wellbore, or more than one of these locations, in a well penetrating a subterranean formation is provided, in which the method of well treatment includes: injecting a slurry comprising a degradable material, allowing the degradable material to form a plug in a perforation, a fracture, or a wellbore in a well penetrating a formation; performing a downhole operation; and allowing the degradable material to degrade after a selected time such that the plug disappears. |
| US08167042B2 |
Method of forming self-diverting high-rate water packs
Methods of forming gravel packs while reducing fluid loss to the surrounding subterranean formation. The methods involve suspending gravel that has been coated with a tackifying agent and degradable fines into a low viscosity carrier fluid and then placing that suspension into a subterranean formation so as to form a gravel pack wherein, as the gravel pack is placed, the degradable fines to de-adhere from the gravel and to fill at least a portion of the pore spaces within the gravel pack so as to reducing fluid loss through the gravel pack. |
| US08167041B2 |
Apparatus and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen
A system and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen aims at recovering unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas currently employed for steam production and power generation. The system and method aims at providing low temperature steam for the stimulation of the formation by means of solar radiation. In addition, the system and method provides a novel solution for hydrogen production that does not employ reforming of natural gas. Furthermore, the use of thermoelectric devices in combination with low temperature steam can be employed to power an electrolysis plant to generate the hydrogen necessary to produce synthetic oil. |
| US08167038B2 |
System and method for deflection compensation in power drive system for connection of tubulars
The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made, particularly for premium grade connections. In one embodiment, a method of connecting threaded tubular members for use in a wellbore or a riser system is provided. The method includes the acts of operating a power drive unit, thereby rotating a first threaded tubular member relative to a second threaded tubular member; measuring the rotation of the first threaded tubular member; and compensating the rotation measurement by subtracting a deflection of at least one of: the power drive unit, and one of the tubular members. |
| US08167037B2 |
Method and device for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into an aquifer deep underground
A method and system for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground, by which liquefied carbon-dioxide gas can be efficiently permeated and diffused in a deep aquifer. The disclosed method for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground includes the following steps:using a pumping well to pump up water from a deep aquifer to aboveground; creating injection water; applying pulsatile hydraulic pressure to the injection water; feeding the injection water to which pulsatile hydraulic pressure has been applied into the deep aquifer via an injection well; feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—while maintaining carbon-dioxide gas in a liquefied condition—from a storage tank into the injection well to a depth having such pressure and temperature in which the liquefied condition can be maintained; mixing the liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—in the form of fine droplets—with the injection water, thereby generating a mixture of those two liquids. |
| US08167034B2 |
Device for centering a well casing
A device (100, 200) is for centering a drill casing (7) within a wellbore (3). The device (100, 200) includes a generally tubular body (9) having an outer surface (11) facing the wellbore (3). A plurality of protrusions (4) is disposed on the outer surface (11) along a line (6). A gap region between the protrusions (4) along the line (4). |
| US08167027B2 |
Pipe arrangement
A pipe arrangement for geothermal probes includes at least two pipes having at least one layer each that surrounds a lumen. One of the pipes functions as inflow pipe and the other pipe functions as return flow pipe. At least one of the pipes is produced at least in part from a non cross-linked polymer material and is distinguished in that the polymer material of the at least one layer for the pipes has a FNCT value (full notched creep test) according to ISO 16770 of at least 3000 hours. |
| US08167025B2 |
Dummy bar for a continuous casting installation and method of using the same
The invention relates to a dummy bar (1) for a continuous casting installation for casting a metal strand, including a dummy bar head (2), a transition piece (3) and a link chain (4), wherein the transition piece (3) and/or the link chain (4) are made of a plurality of links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, and wherein the links (5, 6) can be pivoted relative to each other about a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar (1). In order to particularly prevent internal stresses in the dummy bar when replacing parts of the dummy bar, the invention provides for at least one articulated joint (7) to be configured between two links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, such that said joint allows a relative pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) about the transverse axis (Q) that is greater than any pivot angle (α) occurring during the use of the dummy bar (1). In or on the joint (7), a locking element (8) is displaceably arranged in a direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar (1) and perpendicular to the transverse axis (Q). The locking element (8) can assume a position (A) in which the pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) is not influenced by the locking element (8), and a position (B) in which the pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) is limited to a predetermined pivot angle in a pivoting direction. The invention further relates to a method of the continuous casting of a metal billet using such a dummy bar. |
| US08167022B2 |
Die casting process incorporating computerized pattern recognition techniques
A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled. |
| US08167020B2 |
Upper seal for a horizontal side-moving door
An example of a horizontal side-moving door with a side-winding or horizontally translating curtain includes an upper seal comprising an upper edge of the curtain sliding within a groove of a seal guide. To protect the door in the event of an impact, at least a portion of the curtain's upper edge can restorably pull out from within the groove. To avoid damage in certain situations, the seal guide might resiliently deflect as well. After an impact, the curtain's upper edge is automatically fed back into the groove by simply opening and closing the door. During normal operation, the curtain's upper edge advantageously deflects in response to air pressure against either side of the door. In some examples, the seal guide is of a uniform cross-section, which makes the seal guide easy to manufacture by way of a conventional plastic extrusion process. |
| US08167015B2 |
Method of manufacturing pneumatic tire and manufacturing pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire includes a non-conductive tread surface and has an electrically conductive rubber in a wave-like or other configuration arranged in a tire circumferential direction. The tire has an electrically conductive sidewall rubber. Upper portions of the wave-like conductive rubber configuration are on the tread surface, while lower portions of the wave-like rubber configuration contact the electrically conductive sidewall rubber. As the tread surface and the electrically conductive rubber on the tread surface are worn away through use, the diametrically outermost portion of the electrically conductive sidewall rubber of the tire comes into contact with the ground and maintains an effective electrically conductive path. |
| US08167011B2 |
Portable work bench
An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on and frictionally contacting the structural body. In addition, the platform includes an override mechanism for allowing horizontal movement of the platform along the structural body. Further, the portable work bench may include a plurality of legs for supporting the structural body. The structural body may be tubular and preferably has a trapezoidal cross-section. Such work bench can be used by disposing the platform on the structural body, so that the platform frictionally contacts the structural body. Then the user can mechanically override the static friction between the platform and the structural body and move the platform horizontally along the structural body. |
| US08167010B2 |
Fuel filler port closing apparatus
Problems to be solved:To provide a fuel filler port closing apparatus that can be adapted to fuel filling nozzles of various shapes and that excels in operability.Means to solve the problems:Problems are solved through the fuel filler port closing apparatus adapting two-action fuel filling operation. The first action is to open a cover 5 closing an opening 44 of a fuel filler port by pushing a slider 53 with fuel filling nozzle 71, and the second action is to push and open a flapper 3 closing an opening 211 of a nozzle guide. |
| US08167008B2 |
Tablet filling instrument
A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in an outlet 113 includes a pair of holding members 111 each provided with at least one slope extending from an upper end located within the instrument 1 to a lower end located in the outlet 113, the holding members 111 being designed to receive at the upper ends the vial 9 filled with the tablets and to allow the vial 9 to slide down under its own weight to the lower ends with supporting a flange 9a around an outer periphery of the vial 9. |
| US08167007B2 |
Device for filling containers of collapsible type
The invention relates to a device for filling a container of a collapsible type with a product. The device comprising a valve housing with a filling tube, which is insertable into a filling duct of the container to supply the product to the compartment through a product path; a piston element arranged in the product path and comprising a valve body and an end element, the piston element being movable between a first position, in which the valve body blocks the product path and the end element counteract dripping, and a second position, in which the valve body opens the product path and the end element defines, together with the outlet portion, a filling passage; and a squeezing apparatus establishes a seal between the filling tube and the filling duct. |
| US08167006B1 |
Automated baby formula dispenser
An automated baby formula dispenser for preparing bottles of formula at programmable time intervals includes a housing, a formula reservoir designed for holding dry formula, a water reservoir, and a water dispensing line that extends into the formula reservoir. A dispensing nozzle is in environmental communication with the formula reservoir for dispensing mixed baby formula through the dispensing nozzle. A filter prevents unmixed dry formula from being dispensed through the dispensing nozzle. A tray is positioned beneath the dispensing nozzle. Bottles are positionable on the tray and the tray is rotatable such that the bottles are fillable in succession with mixed baby formula dispensed from the dispensing nozzle. A control unit is operationally coupled to the water reservoir and the tray for dispensing water into the formula reservoir and rotating the tray. |
| US08167005B2 |
Machine for filling cups with foodstuff
A machine for filling cups with foodstuff has metering stations having metering modules provided with filling nozzles, respectively, for introducing product flows into horizontally supplied cups. A programmable control unit cooperates with the metering modules in such a way that in a filling process, by means of controlled tilting and/or lifting actions of the filling nozzles, variable filling structures are generated from the product flows in the cups. |
| US08167003B1 |
ORVR compatible refueling system
A refueling system including a nozzle configured to dispense fuel through a fuel path thereof into a vehicle tank. The nozzle includes a vapor path configured such that vapor recovered from the vehicle tank during refueling is passable therethrough. The system further includes a sensing valve disposed in the vapor path, wherein the sensing valve is configured to generally block the associated part of the vapor path when a sufficient vacuum from the vehicle tank is applied to the sensing valve during refueling. The system also includes a regulator valve disposed in the vapor path and arranged in series with the sensing valve, the regulator valve being configured to regulate the level of vacuum applied by a vapor pump to the sensing valve. |
| US08167002B2 |
Flow restrictor
The invention relates to a flow restrictor (1) for restricting a volume flow through a liquid line, said flow restrictor comprising a support (10) having a passage and a bent flat spring (11) attached to the support (10). The flat spring (11) comprises at least one spring tab (12) and the passage at least one opening (13), the spring tab (12) and the opening (13) having a substantially identical extension along a longitudinal direction. The spring tab (12) is designed and arranged above the opening (13) in such a manner that it increasingly rests against the support (10) with increasing differential pressure, thereby gradually making the opening (13) smaller and continuously reducing the passage within a defined pressure range. The dimensions of the opening (13) are adjusted corresponding to the size of the spring tab (12), thereby allowing a compact flow restrictor (1) which is less susceptible to dirt. The continuous reduction of the passage allows an increase in vibration resistance of the flow restrictor (1). |
| US08167001B2 |
Dome-loaded pressure regulators
Dome-loaded pressure regulators are disclosed. An example pressure regulator includes a body having a pressure inlet and first and second pressure outlets and a first dome-loaded pressure regulating valve fluidly coupled to the pressure inlet, the first pressure outlet, and a first control pressure. The first dome-loaded pressure regulating valve includes a first piston having a transverse bore defining a fluid path through the first piston to fluidly couple the pressure inlet to the first pressure outlet and configured to engage a first valve seat and to respond to the first control pressure to control the flow of fluid between the pressure inlet and the first pressure outlet via the first valve seat. The example pressure regulator includes a second dome-loaded pressure regulating valve fluidly coupled to the pressure inlet, the second pressure outlet, and a second control pressure. |
| US08166997B2 |
Toilet flush water supply device
A toilet flush water supply device for supplying flush water to a flush water tank of a flush toilet is disclosed. The toilet flush water supply device comprises a water supply pipe connected to an external water supply source, a water supply valve for switching between spouting and stopping of flush water supplied from the water supply pipe into the flush water tank, a float for switching between the spouting and stopping of the above water supply valve by a vertical movement thereof linked to fluctuations in the flush water level within the flush water tank, and a float guide disposed on the outer surface of the water supply pipe for guiding the vertical motion of the float. |
| US08166996B2 |
Toilet bowl overflow prevention and water conservation system and method
A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A single self-contained apparatus, located completely within the toilet tank, detects and prevents a toilet overflow and/or conserves water by conditionally interfering with or overriding the normal operation of a toilet tank fill valve to prevent a further flush. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting steps include removing the toilet tank lid to provide access to said toilet tank fill valve within the tank, manually snapping an assembly onto said fill valve protective cap, and automatically and conditionally actuating said assembly to cause the assembly to selectively interfere with or override the operation of said toilet tank fill valve. An exemplary illustrative non-limiting device comprises an attaching structure for manual attachment to said fill valve cap, and a control mechanism supported by said attaching structure. The control mechanism acts to conditionally interfere with the operation of the toilet tank fill valve assembly in response to abnormal detected toilet tank water level over time, thereby preventing a further flush. The overflow and water conservation feature can be designed into a fill valve at time of manufacture and/or added in the field by an end user. |
| US08166985B2 |
Substrate cleaning and processing apparatus with magnetically controlled spin chuck holding pins
When a substrate is subjected to bevel cleaning processing, a first magnet plate is arranged at a lower position, and a second magnet plate is arranged at an upper position. In this case, each of chuck pins enters a closed state in a region outside the first magnet plate, while entering an opened state in a region outside the second magnet plate. That is, a holder in each of the chuck pins is maintained in contact with an outer edge of the substrate when it passes through the region outside the first magnet plate, while being spaced apart from the outer edge of the substrate when it passes through the region outside the second magnet plate. |
| US08166982B2 |
Barrette changeable to hair clip
A hair barrette includes two barrette members each having an outer head engaging end and an ear extended from an inner coupling end, and a coupling device includes two coupling members disposed above and below the ears and having two pivot axles for pivotally coupling the ears between the coupling members and for allowing the barrette members to be folded to an opened working position where the barrette members are opened and oppositely spaced from each other for forming or operating as a hair barrette device, and to be folded relative to each other to a folded storing position where the barrette members are engaged with each other for forming or operating as a hair clip device. |
| US08166980B2 |
Wig and method of making the same
In the wig 10 provided with a wig base 11 and hair materials 12 attached to the wig base, the wig base 11 is zoned in its front portion 11a to an artificial skin portion 110a from a virtual hairline of the wearer's forehead portion toward a top portion and to a net pattern 11b connected thereto, the artificial skin portion is made of a synthetic resin film integrated with a shape retention net, provided with a front edge region 111 of the pre-determined width from a front edge 11a′ positioned on the wearer's virtual hairline toward inside and with a rear region 112 connected to the front edge region, and the front edge region 111 is bent to a sharper inclination than the wearer's corresponding head outline, giving a curved ridge line, resulting in an arc-shaped warp up prevention structure. |
| US08166978B2 |
Methods and systems for manipulating tissue
Endoluminal treatment devices and methods are provided. Generally, the devices and methods can allow an endoluminal device to be introduced into a lumen of a patient and engage a wall of lumen with an implant device, which can be a drug delivery device or medical device. In one embodiment, an endoluminal treatment method is provided that includes forming an incision in body tissue, attaching first and second pledgets to the body tissue near the incision, attaching a manipulation line to body tissue near the incision by attaching a first free end of the manipulation line to the first pledget, introducing a surgical tool through the incision in the body tissue, attaching a second free end of the manipulation line to the surgical tool such that the manipulation line extends between the first pledget and the surgical tool, and manipulating the surgical tool to perform a medical treatment procedure. |
| US08166975B2 |
Combination prophylactic package and dispenser
A package housing a condom and dispenser for holding the peripheral wall of the condom folded into a tubular accordion stack and operable upon application of a predetermined force to the closed end of the condom to meter the folds in progression. |
| US08166973B2 |
Breathing apparatus structure with two-stage reduced-pressure spare air bottle head
A breathing apparatus structure with a two-stage reduced-pressure spare air bottle head is provided, which includes an air bottle head mounted at an outlet end of a spare air bottle and an inhalation mouthpiece, so as to provide an air at a suitable pressure to a diver or drowning person for emergency use. The air bottle head is sequentially provided with an air bottle head switch, a high pressure reducing valve, and a low-pressure valve connected in series on an air passage thereof. Thus, an air leakage of a high-pressure air in the air bottle can be avoided when the high-pressure air is not used, and the service life of elastic elements of the low-pressure valve can also be prolonged. |
| US08166971B2 |
End-tidal gas estimation system and method
An apparatus and method of indicating the reliability of an end-tidal gas value that includes measuring a plurality of gas concentration values, measuring a plurality of ventilation values, determining an end-tidal gas value from the gas concentration values, determining the degree of ventilatory stability from the ventilation values, and providing an estimate of reliability of the end-tidal gas values using the degree of ventilatory stability. |
| US08166965B2 |
Fireplace insert
The invention provides an insert assembly to convert an existing fireplace hearth into a gas burning fireplace and a method for installing the insert assembly while conveying the appearance of a wood burning fireplace. The insert assembly comprises legs removably attachable to the base of the firebox for allowing the insert to be installed higher into the hearth. The inner walls of the firebox are colored so as to camouflage the structure of the assembly in the hearth and a decorative fender mimics a wood burning grill. Where the insert includes a heat exchanger, a guide plate is provided at the top of the insert to ensure that air exiting the heat exchange outlet at the top of the insert is directed into the room. |
| US08166962B2 |
Electronically adjusted bowsight
A sight and range finder for a projectile launching device are disclosed. The range finder calculates a range between a target and a projectile launching device, and transmits a signal indicative of the range. The sight visually aligns the target with the projectile launching device. A drive assembly moves an alignment member of the sight, and at least one processor receives the signal and actuates the drive assembly to move the alignment portion a selected distance based on the range. |
| US08166954B2 |
Lubrication apparatus of fuel pump driven by fuel pump drive cam
A lubrication apparatus of a fuel pump driven by a fuel pump drive cam, which lubricates a tappet moving reciprocally at an interior circumference of a fuel pump adaptor and the fuel pump operating the tappet, may include a fuel pump adaptor lubrication passage formed in the fuel pump adaptor and communicating with an oil gallery formed inside a cylinder head so as to supply oil in the fuel pump adaptor. |
| US08166953B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus
Fuel injection apparatus comprising a solenoid coil (40); an armature (41) coupled with a valve element (34) operable to open and close a fuel valve (32) when the solenoid coil (40) is selectively energized and de-energised. The valve element (34) is biased to the closed position by a biasing device (42). Magnetic force from the energized solenoid coil moves the armature (41) and valve element (34) to open the valve to an opening position to deliver fuel reached when a controller (170) calculates opening forces balance closing forces. Such opening position control is used to control fuel flow rate to a gas fuelled engine (20) and/or reduce noise vibration harshness in varied engine types. Balance of forces control, on closing of the valve, reduces or avoids impact of the valve element (34) with a physical stop (106), thus reducing engine noise, and can be used in fuel metering. |
| US08166948B2 |
Throttle-less engine with improved variable valve system
To improve the precision of the control of the charge of a cylinder during idling and low revs/light load operation, a bypass feeding path of low flow capacity provides the cylinder with air or mixture while the high flow capacity intake valves stay closed. |
| US08166944B2 |
Method for starting an internal combustion engine
In a method for starting an internal combustion engine, immediately before a predetermined idling speed is reached for the first time, a rate of injection of fuel into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is reduced for at least one cycle of the internal combustion engine. |
| US08166939B2 |
Cam bearing surface of an engine cylinder head that includes an axially extending oil passage
A method of forming a cylinder head may include machining an upper surface of a cam tower of the cylinder head to form a generally planar surface. An oil passage may be drilled in the upper surface to provide an oil feed. A bearing bore may be formed in the upper surface of the cam tower. The bearing bore may include a recess having first and second circumferential ends. The oil passage may intersect the first circumferential end. |
| US08166936B2 |
Valve timing adjusting apparatus
A valve timing adjusting apparatus includes a housing, a vane rotor, and a spiral spring. The spiral spring has a most radially inward part engaged with a rotational shaft of the vane rotor in a state, where the most radially inward part is wound around the rotational shaft. The rotational phase has an intermediate position defined between a full retard position and a full advance position of the rotational phase. The spiral spring has a radially outward segment that is located radially outward of the most radially inward part. When the rotational phase is in a range on a retard side of the intermediate position or on an advance side of the intermediate position, the radially outward segment is engaged with the stopper such that the spiral spring urges the vane rotor in the advance direction or in the retard direction relative to the housing, respectively. |
| US08166934B2 |
Device for the combined locking and rotation angle limitation of a camshaft adjuster
A locking and rotation angle device for locking and setting maximum rotational adjustability of a drive part fixed to the crankshaft and a driven part fixed to the camshaft of a camshaft adjuster. The driven part is pivotably adjusted to the drive part, which has a locking bar received in the drive or driven part, a locking bar member formed in the respectively other part, and a rotation angle limiting member formed in the correspondingly other part. Limiting wall sections serve as stops for the locking bar for adjusting a maximum rotational adjustability. The locking bar member, rotation angle limiting member, and locking bar are disposed such that the locking bar is displaced via the displacement mechanism into a locking position, engaging into the locking bar member, and into an unlocking position, in which it is released by the locking bar member and engages in the rotation angle limiting member. |
| US08166933B2 |
Power unit for small-sized vehicle
A power unit for a small-sized vehicle that includes a valve operating system equipped with a hydraulic valve operation mode change mechanism capable of changing the operational mode of an engine valve, and a clutch device disposed between a crankshaft and a shift mechanism so as to switch hydraulically between connection and disconnection of power transmission, wherein a discharge outlet of one oil pump (209) driven by power transmission from the crankshaft is connected in common to a valve operation mode change mechanisms (63, 64) and a clutch device (102). This enables the hydraulic system to be made compact while avoiding any increase in the overall bulk of the power unit, thus providing a power unit suitable for a small-sized vehicle. |
| US08166932B2 |
Method for determining the instant when the movable element of a solenoid valve reaches its end position following energization of the solenoid, by means of an analysis of the switching frequence of the solenoid driving current
The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. In any case, the duration of each cycle of charging and discharging of the solenoid is constantly monitored. It is thus possible to identify the instant at which the movable element of the solenoid valve reaches its end-of-travel position as the instant that separates two successive cycles of charging and discharging of the solenoid having durations that differ from one another by a value higher than a pre-set threshold value. |
| US08166930B2 |
Variable compression ratio apparatus
A variable compression ratio apparatus for varying a compression ratio, may include a connecting rod that is connected to a piston to take a combustion force; a pin link, one end of which is eccentrically connected to a crankshaft and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the connecting rod to form a connection portion therebetween; a slot link including a control slot to receive and guide the connection portion along the control slot; and a driving unit coupled to the slot link and configured to move the control slot to control a position of the connection portion. |
| US08166926B2 |
Internal combustion engine with ammonia fuel
The invention provides methods of providing fuel to an internal combustion engine, fuel systems for an internal combustion engine and a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. Ammonia may be heated and pressurized to a selected condition and may used as fuel which is supplemented with hydrogen to assist with ignition, flame propagation, and/or combustion speed. |
| US08166922B2 |
Method and system for providing preidentified pets selective access to a predetermined location or object
A method and system is provided that controls pet access to various different locations and/or objects. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system whereby pets wearing an ID tag are allowed access to various locations and/or objects, such as food contained within a feeder dish for example, while a sensor system, responding to the presence of other animals or people, causes the device to close preventing unauthorized access thereto. The feeder further includes one or more sensors using ultrasonic, infrared technology or both in combination for the identification of both tagged and non-tagged animals or children. Further embodiments employ the system to control access to litter boxes, pet toys, pet watering systems, pet gate access, pet containment systems or pet doors. |
| US08166921B2 |
Marginals aquarium plant system
A marginals aquarium planting system includes a hanging planter and at least one disc-like trellis raft floating in front of the hanging planter. The trellis raft is comprised of sections of closed-cell foam that form an asymmetrical latticework. The system can also include supplementary floats. |
| US08166920B2 |
Self-cleaning litter box
A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter. |
| US08166919B2 |
Self-cleaning litter box
A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter. |
| US08166918B2 |
Self-cleaning litter box
A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter. |
| US08166917B2 |
Animal-activated fluid flow control systems and methods
Animal-activated feeding systems and methods. The systems include a self-sealing valve assembly that, responsive to activation of a feed-flow activation member by an animal, selectively delivers a flow of the liquid feed to a vessel for consumption by the animal. The valve body further includes a valve member, which is configured to selectively obstruct the feed flow path, and a feed-flow activation member coupled to the valve member. The feed-flow activation member and valve member are selectively positionable between at least a sealed position and a range of activated positions. The valve assembly may include a buoyant activation restriction member adapted to restrict at least further or subsequent activation of the valve assembly responsive to the level of liquid feed in the vessel. The valve assembly may be configured to dispense the feed in a confined stream and/or in a generally horizontal or lateral direction into the vessel. |
| US08166915B2 |
Device for removing at least one teat cup from a teat of an animal
A device for removing at least one teat cup (1a) from a teat of an animal includes i) a cylinder (2) provided with a movable piston (3) dividing an inner space of the cylinder in a first compartment (4) and a second compartment (5), ii) a valve mechanism (9) adapted to connect a vacuum source (8) to the first compartment (4) when it is in a first position and to break this connection when it is in a second position, iii) a passage (15) leading into the first chamber (4), and iv) a valve member (16) adapted to allow a flow through the passage (15) to the first compartment (4) during occasions when an operator moves the teat cup (1a) from a storing position to a teat attaching position. |
| US08166914B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus of batch type
A plasma processing apparatus of the batch type includes a tubular process container having a closed end and an open end opposite to each other, and a process field for accommodating target substrates, the process container including a tubular insulating body. The apparatus further includes a holder configured to hold the target substrates at intervals, a loading mechanism configured to load and unload the holder into and from the process container, and a lid member connected to the loading mechanism and configured to airtightly close the open end. A first electrode is disposed at the closed end of the process container, and a second electrode is disposed at the lid member, to constitute a pair of parallel-plate electrodes. An RF power supply is connected to one of the first and second electrodes and configured to apply an RF power for plasma generation. |
| US08166913B2 |
Coating treatment method, computer-readable storage medium, and coating treatment apparatus
In the present invention, a substrate is first rotated at a first rotation speed, and a resist solution is applied to the rotated substrate. Subsequently, the rotation of the substrate is decelerated to a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed so that the substrate is rotated at the low speed to smooth the resist solution on the substrate. The rotation of the substrate is then accelerated to a third rotation speed higher than the second rotation speed, and a solvent for the coating solution and/or a dry gas are/is supplied to the resist solution on the substrate. In this event, the solvent gas is supplied to a portion of the resist solution on the substrate thicker than a set thickness, and the dry gas is supplied to a portion of the coating solution on the substrate thinner than the set thickness. This thins the thicker portion of the resist solution and thickens the thinner portion to uniform the resist solution. |
| US08166910B2 |
Process and device for coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method
A device used for a process of coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method is disclosed. In this process, a fiber is drawn through a bath of molten liquid metal so as to be coated with the molten liquid metal. The liquid metal bath is maintained in a crucible of the “levitation” type, which at least partly eliminates contact between the liquid metal and the crucible. The bath is fed with metal, during the process, by a metal powder. |
| US08166909B2 |
Apparatus and methods for applying coatings
The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including applying a first composition onto the surface of a spray nozzle, applying a second composition onto the surface of the spray nozzle, generating a spray stream comprising the first composition and the second composition with the nozzle and directing the spray stream at the medical device. |
| US08166907B2 |
Motor vehicle display instrument having an embracing indicator
The invention provides a display instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an indicator that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the indicator has an inner first region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is not visible to a user, and an outer second region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is visible to a user, wherein at a radial distance from the rotational axis an additional mounting of the indicator and/or a stop for receiving tilting moments positioned substantially perpendicular on the rotational axis are provided. |
| US08166905B2 |
Boat accessory mounting apparatus
A retractable mounting apparatus is provided for attaching boat accessories to a boat. In one embodiment, a mounting apparatus is provided for selectively securing an accessory to a structural portion of a boat. The apparatus has a housing that is configured for coupling to the structural portion of the boat, and a mounting element that is at least partially disposed in the housing. The mounting element is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position above the structural portion. The mounting element is rotatable about the axis. |
| US08166904B2 |
Delivery systems for pressure protecting and delivering a submerged payload and methods for using the same
A payload delivery unit for protecting and delivering a payload submerged in a submersion medium comprises a container including a pressure resistant shell and a resilient seal device. The shell defines a containment chamber and includes first and second shell members having opposed first and second sealing faces, respectively. The seal device engages and is interposed between the first and second sealing faces. The container is configured and constructed such that: when the submersion medium applies an exterior pressure to the first and second shell members such that a shell pressure differential, defined as the exterior pressure less an interior pressure of the containment chamber, exceeds a prescribed pressure, the first and second shell members compressively load and deform the seal device to effect a seal between the first and second shell members that prevents ingress of the submersion medium into the containment chamber; and when the shell pressure differential is less than the prescribed pressure, the seal device elastically rebounds to separate the first and second shell members to permit ingress of the submersion medium into the containment chamber. |
| US08166902B2 |
Barge system
An improved barge system comprises a barge with a connecting system built into the barge. The connecting system includes several recessed areas about the periphery of the barge with upper and lower tubes about the peripheral edges of the barge. A connecting system with a vertical post having a lower connecting member and an upper connecting member is attached within each recessed area. The vertical post and upper connecting member are separated hinged within the recess for rotation into position to connect an adjacent barge by connecting the upper and lower connecting members to adjacent upper and lower tubes on the adjacent barges. An adjustable hinge and wedged lower end of the connecting member is provided for alignment of the upper connecting member with the vertical post. A liner on the upper connecting member provides load absorption and noise abatement, and torsion bars on the barge provide structural control. |
| US08166897B2 |
Adjustment device for adjusting the height of roller support members of a quilting frame
An adjustment device for use with a quilting frame having end portions and roller supports height adjustably connected thereto via nut and bolt securing mechanism includes a pair of base members connectable to predetermined sides of such roller supports and having threaded apertures disposed therethrough running from top to bottom. A securing mechanism secures such base members to such roller supports. Elongated threaded rod members are rotatably disposed within such threaded apertures. A mechanism for rotating such rod members is operably connected to each top end thereof for gripping by a user and rotating when such nut and bolt are loosened such that such bases and such roller supports are raised and lowered. Protective members are connected to at least one of bottom ends of such rod members, predetermined locations on end portions of such quilting frame, and a combination thereof for protecting such quilting frame from being damaged. |
| US08166896B2 |
Low friction seed meter
The seed meter includes the combination of a vacuum housing and a seed disc coupled together in a sealed manner to form a vacuum chamber. Disposed within the vacuum chamber is a generally flat finger wheel having plural radially extending resilient fingers. Also disposed in the vacuum chamber is a fixed arm. A seed hopper is disposed adjacent the seed disc for providing seeds to an outer surface of the seed disc, with the seeds adhering to the plural spaced apertures on the seed disc's periphery with vacuum applied to the disc's inner surface. A rotary drive spindle rotates the vacuum housing, seed disc and finger wheel combination, with each resilient finger sequentially deflected by the fixed arm to sequentially engage each disc aperture, interrupting vacuum communication with each aperture, for sequentially releasing the seeds. |
| US08166891B2 |
Manway gasket
A gasket for a railroad car manway nozzle and cover includes an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion joined by a generally planar annular body portion defining an upper annular cover sealing surface and a lower annular nozzle body sealing surface. Concentric annular chevrons are formed on the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. In one form, the chevrons have a uniform height relative to the upper and lower sealing surfaces. In a modified form, the height of the chevrons varies relative to the surfaces from which they extend. The height of the chevrons is a minimum where the gasket is radially aligned with cover clamping bolts and a maximum at radial locations midway between clamping bolts. A tab depending from the outer leg portion provides visual verification of the presence of the gasket. |
| US08166888B2 |
End structural assembly of a rail car body
This structural assembly provided is of the type intended to be fixed to a longitudinal end of a rail car body including a chassis, a roof and lateral faces forming a tubular cell, in order to articulate the body to a body of another adjacent car and to transfer the load of the body to a body support bogie that is common to that other car. A lower cross-member may have a central portion and two lateral portions, the central portion being provided in order to carry a member for articulating the body to a body of another car, and each lateral portion being suitable for being supported on suspension devices for the body on a bogie. |
| US08166883B1 |
Slide rail for a high-rail vehicle
A tie plate slide structure comprises a tie plate slide frame having a first frame member and a second opposed frame member, the first frame member and the second frame member extending substantially parallel from a first upper end to a second lower end, a substantially central support structure extending from the first upper end to the second lower end, the substantially central support disposed between the first frame member and the second frame member, a support assembly having first and second rail wheels depending from a lower side of the tie plate frame, a gate assembly disposed near the lower end of the tie plate slide frame to discharge tie plates slidably moving downwardly along the first and second frame members and the central support structure. |
| US08166882B2 |
Shaped charge liner with varying thickness
A shaped charge has a case defining a volume therein. A liner is located in the volume. An explosive is located between the case and the liner. The liner defines an interior volume and an opening thereto. The liner also has an apex portion that is distal from the opening. The liner has a first thick portion and a second thick portion. A thin portion is located between the first thick portion and the second thick portion in a direction extending from the apex portion along the liner toward the opening. The thin portion is thinner than the first thick portion and thinner than the second thick portion. |
| US08166874B2 |
Vibration severity monitor to control press operating shutheight and process operating conditions
A system monitors vibration activity in a press machine environment and generates a signal indicative of vibration level severity. An accelerometer can provide measured peak acceleration data that serves as an indication of vibration level. The vibration measurement, is compared to a reference vibration level that corresponds to a run condition of desired operating parameters. A controller controls the press machine shutheight in accordance with the differential expressed in the comparison result. The consequent shutheight adjustment effects a change in the vibration activity that acts as a correction to the deviation in vibration behavior expressed by the differential. |
| US08166868B2 |
Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatus
Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension. |
| US08166865B2 |
Brake boost sensor feeler
A sensor feeler device for a brake booster. The sensor feeler device (4) includes an axially moveable cylinder (40), the movement of which can be controlled by the control rod which is itself controlled by the brake pedal, a sensor feeler piston (5) able to move axially in said moving cylinder (40), and a spring (44) that tends to push the sensor feeler piston (5) forward and keep its front face substantially in the same plane as the front face of the moving cylinder. |
| US08166862B2 |
Firing pin assembly
A firing pin assembly with a firing pin having a shaft with a distal bearing thereon. The firing pin has a standby position, a load position, and a fire position. A cam engages the bearing and is configured to drive the shaft between the standby position and the load position. A spring about the shaft is compressed when the shaft is driven into the load position. A driver turns the cam when energized to drive the shaft from the standby position to the load position and then to turn the cam further whereupon the compressed spring urges the firing pin to fire. |
| US08166861B2 |
Shock reduction muzzle brake
A shock reduction muzzle brake 100 for the muzzle end of a gun barrel 106 (i) maintains sufficient rearward-facing surface area in the path of the expanding propellant gas to counter the recoil, while also (ii) guiding shock waves away from a path of a projectile 104 and (iii) decreasing the rate of base decompression to minimize decompression shock. The muzzle brake 100 includes (a) a tube 102 that defines a path for a projectile 104, and (b) multiple forwardly-inclined holes 122 extending through the side wall 116 of the tube 102 to divert propellant gases away from the path of the projectile 104. The forwardly-inclined holes 122 have an outlet of that is closer to the forward end 114 of the tube 102 than the inlet of the hole 122, thereby limiting the surface area that could reflect shock waves back onto the projectile 104. The holes 122 are sized to slow release of the base pressure to minimize decompression shock. |
| US08166860B2 |
System for forming a miter joint
The present invention is directed toward a system for forming miter joints including a miter saw and an angle gauge. The miter saw includes a platform with a kerf slot and a pair of arcuate slots. Each arcuate slot includes an associated rail located on the underside of the platform. A fence is coupled to each of the rails such that the fence may be pivoted with respect to the platform. The angle measurement tool is a one-handed tool including spring loaded paddles that measure the angle between intersecting surfaces. The angle measurement tool connects to the miter saw to permit the transfer of the measured angle to the fences. |
| US08166858B2 |
Trim ejector for ejecting the trim produced by a rule of a rotary steel rule die apparatus or the like
A trim ejector for ejecting the trim produced by a steel rule of a rotary steel rule die apparatus includes a die cylinder having a die board provided with the rule and an anvil roll positioned parallel to the die cylinder to define a sheet receiving gap therebetween. The trim ejector has a flexible body defining a trim-ejecting surface extending between an ejecting edge and a stem portion, an anchor portion connected to the stem portion of the flexible body for securing the flexible body to the die board to position the ejecting edge of the flexible body adjacent and parallel to the rule, and a compressible biasing member secured to the flexible body on a side opposite the trim-ejecting surface. The compressible biasing member forces the flexible body to a neutral position, corresponding to no tension being applied to the stem portion, when the flexible body is moved away from the neutral position under passage of a sheet in a sheet receiving gap. |
| US08166857B2 |
Perforator
Various embodiments of a perforator are disclosed. |
| US08166856B2 |
Method for portioning foodstuff to user-specified shape
A system for cutting a three-dimensional portion from a foodstuff. The system includes a scanner for scanning the foodstuff, a computer coupled to the scanner for receiving information from the scanner to determine one or more cutting paths for the foodstuff, and a cutter for portioning the foodstuff according to the one or more determined cutting paths. The computer is configured to perform generally four steps: (i) receiving scan information of the foodstuff from the scanner; (ii) building a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff based on the received scan information of the foodstuff; (iii) fitting at least one desired shape, which is stored in memory of the computer, onto the three-dimensional map in the memory of the computer; and (iv) determining one or more cutting paths to be used in portioning the foodstuff so as to produce one or more portioned foodstuffs corresponding to the at least one desired shape. |
| US08166855B2 |
Thin section preparing apparatus and thin section preparing method
A thin section preparing apparatus prepares a thin section from an embedded block having a biological sample embedded and carries the thin section. The thin section preparing apparatus includes a cutter, an approaching and separating mechanism, a carrying mechanism, a moving unit, a sliding mechanism and a control unit. The cutter slices the block at a pull angle. The approaching and separating mechanism relatively moves the block and the cutter along an approaching and separating direction. The carrying mechanism having a carrying body is arranged as one end side is near a nose, and the moving unit moves the body along a transport direction. The sliding mechanism relatively moves the block and the body along a moving direction. The control unit controls a combined velocity vector that combines a transport velocity vector of the body along the transport direction with a travel velocity vector of the body along the moving direction to be nearly equal to a block velocity vector of the embedded block along the approaching and separating direction. |
| US08166853B2 |
Multi-pinion gear digital beam torque wrench
A digital torque wrench includes a position sensor assembly which measures the movement of a load beam with respect to an indicator beam to determine the torque being applied to a working element by the torque wrench. The position sensor assembly includes a first position sensor portion having multiple rotatable pinion gears coupled to a potentiometer, and includes a second position sensor portion having a rack gear that engages one of the pinion gears of the first position sensor portion. The first and second position sensor portions are attached to different ones of the load beam and the indicator beam so that at least one of the pinion gears rotates along the rack gear in response to force (torque) being applied through the load beam to the working element. |
| US08166852B2 |
Ratchet wrench
A ratchet wrench has a handle, a transmitting device, a torque adjusting device and a ratchet head. The transmitting device is connected to the handle and has a barrel, a transmitting seat and a transmitting shaft. The barrel is connected to the handle and has two threaded segments and multiple elongated holes. The transmitting shaft is rotatably mounted in the barrel and has a driving disk and an eccentric rod. The torque adjusting device is connected to the transmitting device and has a casing, a limiting assembly and a spring. The casing is connected to the barrel. The limiting assembly is mounted around the transmitting shaft and has two pressing rings and a push bearing. The spring is mounted around the transmitting shaft and presses against the pressing rings to push the holding pins abutting with the holding recess. The ratchet head is connected to the transmitting device. |
| US08166847B2 |
Multi-group transmission
A multi-group transmission (1) is proposed, comprising a gearbox actuator, in which an exhaust channel (3) is provided in the gearbox housing (2), said channel extending from a gearbox compartment (4) provided on the gearbox housing (2) for the installation of the gearbox actuator, to the output sensor (5), whereby the gearbox compartment (4) also serves as a collecting chamber for exhaust air. |
| US08166841B2 |
Manual transmission for a motor vehicle
A transmission for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to, a drive shaft and at least two countershafts which can be driven by the drive shaft with opposite rotational directions. A first one of the countershafts carries a hollow shaft which can be fixed to the first countershaft and on which a first driven gearwheel is rotationally fixed. Further, on the hollow shaft, a second gearwheel is rotatably attached which meshes with a fixed gearwheel of the second countershaft. A selector sleeve is rotationally fixed on the hollow shaft and is displaceable between an engagement position at a selector gearing of the second gearwheel and an engagement position at a selector gearing of the first countershaft. |
| US08166838B2 |
Actuator for driving movable object and motion guide apparatus for guiding motion of movable object
An actuator has a hollow track rail 6 having a slit 8 extending in an axial direction thereof, a movable block 7 disposed inside the track rail 6 to be movable along the track rail, and a ball screw mechanism for moving the movable block 7 along the axial direction of the track rail 6. The track rail has, in a section perpendicular to the axial direction of the track rail, a guide portion 9 for guiding movement of the movable member 7 and an extension 11 extending from the guide portion 9 so as to cover the movable member, and a width W1 of the slit 8 of the track rail formed between the opposed extensions 11 is narrower than a width W2 of the movable member. Accordingly, the actuator can provide a high rigidity in spite of compact outer dimension. |
| US08166836B2 |
Multi-function tool
The invention relates to a tool which has more than one function. As a first function, the tool is capable of activating a fastening element, either by direct physical contact or by remote activation. As a second function, the tool is capable of detecting an attribute of the fastening element. The attribute can include position or location of the fastening element, status of the fastening element, identity of the fastening element, environmental factors affecting the fastening element, size of the fastening element, sequence in which the fastening element must be activated, history of the fastening element, authorization requirements in relation to the fastening element, or activation requirements of the fastening element. |
| US08166832B2 |
Oil sampling device having a flexible piston and chamber
A device, system, and method for retrieving a sample of oil from an engine, comprising, a chamber having an inside wall and at least one oil inlet, a piston head received in said chamber and slidable between an empty position in which it is disposed substantially at said inlet and a filled position in which it is a first distance from said inlet, a handle affixed to said chamber, and a piston member extending between said handle and said piston head, said piston member comprising a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being affixed to said piston head. |
| US08166830B2 |
Meter devices and methods
Some embodiments of a meter device for measuring volume flow of gas can include bearings and the timing gears may each include a least one component comprising a ceramic material that enhances the wearability of the bearing and the timing gears. Accordingly, the gas flow meter can operate in a manner that reduces or eliminates the need for external oil lubrication of the bearings and the timing gears (e.g., the external oil lubrication conventionally provided by the oil bath compartment), and thus reduces the likelihood of failure of the gas flow meter due to leaks or failures of the oil bath compartment. |
| US08166825B2 |
Method and apparatus for noise reduction in ultrasound detection
Method and apparatus for noise reduction in ultrasound detection with the steps of: an optical interferometer having a reference arm and a signal arm that includes a polarization-maintaining probing fiber having a reflective coating at a distal end, a way to couple the probing fiber to ultrasound, a way to generate two output beams from the interferometer, a device to modulate the polarization state of the light in the probing fiber, and a detection mechanism responsive to the ultrasonic signals at the distal tip of the probing fiber. |
| US08166823B2 |
Membrane-coupled ultrasonic probe system for detecting flaws in a tubular
An ultrasonic probe apparatus for detecting flaws in a tubular includes a probe housing. The probe housing has an axial axis, a central cavity lying along the axial axis, and a bottom face adapted for placement on the tubular. The bottom face of the probe housing has an opening in the middle. A probe support is disposed within the central cavity and rotatable about the axial axis of the probe housing. An ultrasonic probe is mounted on the probe support and has a scanning face exposed to the opening of the bottom face of the probe housing, and may be coupled to the pipe with a liquid acoustic couplant medium. |
| US08166822B1 |
Transducer array imaging system
The embodiments contemplate methods and devices for communicating an acoustic emission via an array of transducers and wirelessly communicating data via a transceiver. The transceiver may be in communication with the array of transducers. The embodiments also contemplate providing power for the acoustic emission via a power source and processing the data at a relatively remote location with respect to the power source. In addition, the embodiments contemplate providing an indication at a relatively remote location with respect to the power source. The indication may provide, at least in part, numerical information regarding the acoustic emission. |
| US08166821B2 |
Non-destructive test evaluation of welded claddings on rods of hydraulic cylinders used for saltwater, brackish and freshwater applications
A method of maintaining a rod of a hydraulic cylinder for a motion compensation system of an offshore platform includes non-destructive testing of a metallic cladding deposited onto the rod. An inspection crawler includes a visual inspection device, an eddy current inspection device and an ultrasonic inspection device. The method includes rotating the visual inspection device, the eddy current inspection device and the ultrasonic inspection device around a circumference of the rod while moving the inspection crawler along a longitudinal axis of the rod to simultaneously collect data related to the metallic cladding from the visual inspection device, the eddy current inspection device and the ultrasonic inspection device. The data is analyzed to detect any discontinuities, i.e., defects, in the metallic cladding. |
| US08166819B2 |
Standing wave field induced force
At least one transducer of an apparatus in one example is configured to generate a first standing wave field within a cavity. The first standing wave field exerts a first field-induced force to cause a plurality of particles within the cavity to align in a desired configuration. The at least one transducer is configured to generate a second standing wave field within the cavity. The second standing wave field causes one or more of the plurality of particles within the cavity to fuse into the desired configuration. |
| US08166818B2 |
Using pole pieces to guide magnetic flux through a MEMS device and method of making
A translational, Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) accelerometer device with precisely formed pole pieces to guide magnetic flux through a coil in a MEMS device layer. An example device includes a device layer, a magnetic return path component attached to a first side of the device layer, and a magnet unit attached to a second side of the device layer. The device layer includes a proof mass with electrically conductive trace and frame components. The magnet unit includes two magnetically conductive posts (formed of a ferrous material) located proximate to the trace, a base section formed of the same material as the posts, a non-magnetically conductive post (formed of a glass substrate) connected between the conductive posts, and a magnet attached to the non-magnetically conductive post within a cavity formed in the base section between the two magnetically conductive posts. |
| US08166814B2 |
Flow sensor and manufacturing method therefor
A flow sensor may be formed by bonding a sensor chip formed with a flow rate detecting part and a flow path-forming member that is provided on the sensor chip and is formed with a flow path for a fluid flowing in the flow rate detecting part to each other on the upper surface of a substrate. The flow path-forming member may be formed by bonding a transparent first flow path forming member and a second flow path-forming member to each other. The first flow path forming member has a plate shape, and is provided with an inflow port and a outflow port for the fluid to be measured, and the second flow path forming member has a plate shape, and is provided with a through hole that forms the flow path along the flow of the fluid flowing along the flow rate detecting part. |
| US08166813B2 |
Temperature sensor and method for its manufacture
A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube. The thermal, flow measuring device includes: a first pin-shaped shell and at least a second pin-shaped shell; a first resistance thermometer and at least a second resistance thermometer. At least the first resistance thermometer is embodied so as to be heatable, wherein the resistance thermometers, in each case, have a first surface, and at least a second surface, which lies opposite the first surface. The first pin-shaped shell surrounds the first resistance thermometer, and the second pin-shaped shell surrounds the second resistance thermometer. The pin-shaped shells are fillable with a fill material; wherein, in each case, at least one spacer is placeable between the pin-shaped shell and the first surface of the resistance thermometer, and the second surface of the resistance thermometer is at least partially covered with fill material. |
| US08166812B2 |
Vibrating wire viscometers
Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine the viscosity of a downhole fluid is described, the apparatus including a wire to be immersed in a downhole fluid, to vibrate when an alternating current is applied to the wire within a magnetic field, and to generate an electromotive force when vibrating within the magnetic field, the wire comprising a first resistance. The apparatus further includes a nulling circuit coupled to the wire, wherein the nulling circuit comprises a second resistance that is selectable to be substantially equal to the first resistance, and an analyzer coupled to the wire and the nulling circuit to determine the first resistance, the second resistance, and a viscosity of the downhole fluid based on the first and second resistances, at least one characteristic of the wire, and the electromotive force. |
| US08166811B2 |
Device and process for precision loading of particles in a vertical tube chemical reactor
A device and method for precision loading and gentle loading of particles into vertical chemical reactor tubes in order to help ensure that the particles are not damaged while being loaded to the desired elevation. |
| US08166807B2 |
Apparatus and methods for testing a fuel injector nozzle
An apparatus and method is described for testing a multi-hole fuel injector nozzle. The apparatus comprises mounting means for the multi-hole nozzle and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the multi-hole nozzle. The multi-hole nozzle is mounted outside a measurement chamber for capturing the fuel spray from an individual spray hole outlet of the multi-hole nozzle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray target plate, located within the measurement chamber, at which the fuel spray is directed. The spray target plate (28) is connected to a remote pressure sensor, which is used to determine the spray force of the fuel spray acting on the spray target plate. The apparatus is further arranged to determine the mass flow rate of the fuel spray. A new parameter, referred to as ‘momentum efficiency’ is defined, and calculated using the determined values of spray force and mass flow rate. |
| US08166806B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a fuel injection system
A method and a device for monitoring a fuel injection system are described. A manipulated variable is modified by a certain amount. A first value of a measured variable is detected prior to the modification and at least a second value is detected after the modification. An error is detected when the first value and/or the at least second value deviate from an expected value. |
| US08166799B2 |
Gas concentration distribution measuring apparatus
A gas concentration distribution measuring apparatus includes a gas detection part, a gas detector position information measuring part, and a gas concentration distribution display unit. The detection part includes gas detectors provided at mutually different positions to measure a concentration of a predetermined gas, and moves while maintaining relative positions of the detectors. The position information measuring part measures position information of the detectors of the detection part. And, measured values of gas concentrations measured by the detectors of the detection part and position information of the detectors measured by the position information measuring part when the detectors finish measurement of gas concentrations are inputted in the display unit, then the display unit displays a distribution of concentrations of the predetermined gas in a space in which the detection part moves, based on the measured values of the gas concentrations and the position information of the detectors. |
| US08166797B2 |
Gunfire shock simulator and method of using same
A gunfire shock simulation apparatus that uses an actual firearm for generating and measuring shock response data without a pyrotechnic discharge. The apparatus exerts an impact on a discharge end of a barrel of the firearm for simulating the pyrotechnic discharge event of a round of ammunition discharged within the firearm. Following such impact, the apparatus cycles a bolt carrier group of the firearm for simulating movement of the bolt carrier group resulting from the pyrotechnic discharge event of a round of ammunition. A sensing device is used for gathering shock response data in three perpendicular reference axes. By adjusting the manner in which the impact is applied to the discharge end of the barrel and/or the manner in which the bolt carrier group is cycled, resulting shock response data can be tuned to closely approximate that generated by live fire of the firearm. |
| US08166796B2 |
System and method for improving the precision of nanoscale force and displacement measurements
A self-calibrating apparatus comprises a primary device and a test structure fabricated on an integrated circuit chip. The primary device and the test structure have at least one unknown property due to a fabrication process of the integrated circuit chip. An electrical measurand sensor is configured to measure an electrical measurand of the test structure. A controller coupled to the primary device and electrical measurand sensor. The controller is configured to calculate the at least one unknown property of the test structure based on the measured electrical measurand and use the calculated at least one unknown property to calibrate the primary device. |
| US08166795B2 |
Out-of-range sensor recalibration
A method for resetting a calibration of a sensor operating out-of-range in a hydraulic actuation system is provided. The hydraulic actuation system includes a pump, a reservoir, a plurality of work-ports, a plurality of sensors, and a valve system, and a controller for regulating the hydraulic actuation system based on fluid flow demand and sensed pressures. The method includes detecting the sensor operating out-of-range, opening all work-ports to the reservoir, resetting all sensors to reservoir pressure, supplying all sensors with fluid at maximum pump pressure, and sensing the maximum pump pressure at each sensor. Additionally, the method includes determining an average pressure value across all sensors, assigning the determined average pressure value to the sensor that is operating out-of-range, and resetting the calibration of the sensor that is operating out-of-range based on the reservoir pressure and the average pressure values. |
| US08166789B2 |
Pipe or tube reducing mill and roll for reducing mill
A reducing mill includes a plurality of stands disposed along a rolling direction line. The stands each include n rolls (n≧3) disposed around the rolling direction line, the n rolls are shifted by 180°/n around the rolling direction line from n rolls included in a preceding stand. The n rolls included in each of the stands excluding the last stand each have a groove having an arch shape. The bottom of the groove has a circular arc shape around the rolling direction line having a first radius in cross section. The distance between the surface of a roll flange portion between the bottom and the edge of the groove and the rolling direction line is longer than the first radius. The distance between the edge of the groove and the rolling direction line is longer than the first radius in the groove of a roll included in the preceding stand. |
| US08166787B2 |
System for manufacturing linear gear and the method thereof
The present invention relates to a system for and a method of manufacturing a linear gear (rack gear), in which a forming roll and a guide roll are used to form gear teeth in a sequential manner so as not to require a high load, thereby enabling to easily manufacture the rack gear. A system for manufacturing a rack gear according to the invention includes a forming roll having a convexo-concave portion formed on a part of the surface contacting with a linear bar, a guide roll adapted to roll while facing the forming roll, and at least one support member for supporting the linear bar so as to allow the linear bar to linearly move. A method of manufacturing a rack gear according to the invention includes a first step of passing a linear bar through between a pair of rollers provided in front of a forming roll and a guide roll, a second step of charging the linear bar into a charging hole between the forming roll and the guide roll, a third step of rolling the forming roll and the guide roll to partly form teeth on the outer circumferential surface of the linear bar, and a fourth step of rolling the forming roll and the guide roll forward or backward to discharge the linear bar. |
| US08166782B2 |
Drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub fixed in the cabinet, and a drum that performs a washing process. A motor rotates the drum, a supporting device that extends from a rotation shaft of the motor to the cabinet rotatably support the drum. A buffering-and-sealing device is provided at the rear side of the tub to buffer a space between the rotation shaft and the tub and to seal the rear side of the tub. A drying device extends from one side of the tub to the other side of the tub to circulate air in the drum and to dry laundry in the drum. Thus, the size of the washing machine is reduced, the washing capacity thereof is increased, and laundry is dried by the drying device. |
| US08166781B2 |
Detergent supply apparatus and washing machine
A detergent supply apparatus comprising a storage space adjacent to a washing space in which washing is performed, a detergent bottle seat provided in the storage space and adapted to receive a detergent bottle containing a liquid detergent, a detergent reservoir in fluid communication with the detergent bottle, and a connecting part adapted to fix a portion of the detergent bottle to the detergent reservoir such that the liquid detergent can flow through the connecting part and into the detergent reservoir by gravitational force. |
| US08166780B2 |
Bathing-massage glove and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a bathing-massage glove includes a preparing step, a pre-treating step, a knitting step and a forming step. The preparing step includes preparing a nylon segment with multiple nylon yarns and an environmental-regenerative segment with multiple polyethylene terephthalate bottles. The pre-treating step includes ruffling the nylon yarns of the nylon segment to form multiple winding nylon crepes and processing the polyethylene terephthalate bottles of the environmental-regenerative segment to form multiple environmental-regenerative crepes. The knitting step includes knitting the nylon crepes of the nylon segment and the environmental-regenerative crepes of the environmental-regenerative segment with a knitting speed ratio of 4:5. The forming step includes cutting and seaming a basketwork that is knit by the nylon crepes and the environmental-regenerative crepes to form the bathing-massage glove. |
| US08166774B2 |
Heat exchanger with an expansion stage
In a heat exchanger unit for conditioning a first fluid, particularly a refrigerant in an air conditioning system, including a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger includes first and second tube element units for heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the tube elements and a second fluid flowing over the tube elements, wherein the first fluid is supplied first to the first tube element unit so as to flow upwardly therethrough and via an intermediate outlet connector to a compressor stage from where it is transferred to the top of the second tube element unit which is disposed above the first tube element unit and flows downwardly through the second tube element unit to an expansion stage wherein the energy released during expansion in the expansion stage is utilized for the compression of the first fluid in the compressor stage. |
| US08166773B2 |
Refrigeration capacity banking for thermal cycling
A thermal cycling system includes a structure defining a load space, a heating assembly positioned to heat to the load space, and a cooling assembly positioned to cool the load space. The cooling assembly includes a refrigeration circuit and a banking circuit. The refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a refrigeration condenser, a first refrigeration evaporator in direct thermal communication with the load space, a second refrigeration evaporator in parallel with the first evaporator, and primary refrigerant circulating throughout the refrigeration circuit. The banking circuit is gravity fed and includes a banking condenser, a banking evaporator positioned to cool the load space, and a banking refrigerant circulating throughout the banking circuit. The banking condenser includes a collection reservoir to store liquid banking refrigerant and is in thermal communication with the second refrigeration evaporator. |
| US08166767B2 |
Gas turbine combustor exit duct and hp vane interface
An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor and a vane assembly disposed downstream thereof. A portion of an outer platform of the vane assembly defines an axial sliding joint connection with the combustor, and includes a plurality of depressions located in an outer circumferential surface thereof opposite the combustor. The depressions are disposed in regions of expected higher thermal growth about the circumference of the outer platform such that thermal growth of the entire outer platform is substantially uniform circumferentially therearound. |
| US08166765B2 |
Fuel delivery and control system including a variable displacement actuation pump supplementing a fixed displacement main pump
A fuel delivery and control system is provided including a dual pump fluid circuit configuration comprising a fixed positive displacement pump sized to supply the main engine burn flow ranging from above windmill through cruise and a variable displacement pump sized to supply fluid to engine actuators, valves and other hydraulically operated engine components with a pump flow sharing system interconnecting the two pumps. The combined flow from the two pumps is sufficient to meet the engine flow demand for windmill relight and maximum flow conditions. During cruise or normal operating conditions, the pumps operate in completely isolated flow circuits, minimizing recirculation and therefore heat input into the fuel supply system. |
| US08166759B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery apparatus
An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes a reciprocating internal combustion engine in which a piston reciprocates in a cylinder to generate motive power; and a Stirling engine that recovers the thermal energy of the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and converts the thermal energy into kinetic energy. The Stirling engine is united with the internal combustion engine. A heater that the Stirling engine includes is disposed in an exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. With this configuration, it is possible to restrict reduction in the power output from the exhaust heat recovery means. |
| US08166757B2 |
Engine with internal EGR system
An engine with EGR system equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger and a particulate filter is provided in which the nozzle angle (nozzle area) of the variable geometry turbocharger can be controlled accurately and by a simple means in accordance with the change in the internal EGR rate due to deposition of particulate matter in the particulate filter, and the effect of EGR to reduce NOx emission is obtained in the whole operation range of the engine without deteriorating durability of the engine. |
| US08166753B2 |
Accumulator system and method of monitoring same
An accumulator system includes an accumulator containing working fluid and gas, an isolation valve through which working fluid selectively flows to and from the accumulator, an actuator operably coupled to the isolation valve, and a passageway fluidly communicating the actuator with gas in the accumulator. The actuator maintains the isolation valve in an open configuration at a first gas pressure to allow working fluid to flow to and from the accumulator. The actuator also allows the isolation valve to close at a second gas pressure less than the first gas pressure. |
| US08166750B2 |
Exhaust system
An exhaust gas system for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine in a motor vehicle, conducts the exhaust gas in a specific flow direction. A catalytic converter, particularly for converting hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides contained in the exhaust gas, an oxidation catalytic converter, particularly for converting nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas and a particulate trap for collecting particulates contained in the exhaust gas, are disposed successively in the flow direction. The exhaust gas system ensures a highly efficient conversion of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gas, and a particularly positive effect with respect to the regeneration of the particulate trap also occurs. |
| US08166749B2 |
Exhaust treatment diagnostic system and method
A method and system for monitoring operation of an exhaust treatment system of a diesel engine includes a dosing system for injecting an injection fluid and a temperature sensor generating temperature signals corresponding to exhaust temperatures. A control module determines a temperature change after an injection of injection fluid based on the temperature signals, compares the temperature change to a threshold, and generates a fault signal in response thereto. |
| US08166745B2 |
Tool for extracting and inserting pins of roller chains
A tool for inserting and extracting pins of roller chains includes a body having a bridge adapted to engage a chain and a drive screw assembly coupled to the main body on a first side of the bridge. The drive screw assembly includes a drive screw which is rotatable to provide a force and a pin mounted concentrically within the drive screw. The drive screw assembly further includes an alignment sleeve that surrounds the pin mounted concentrically within the drive screw. The alignment sleeve guides and supports the pin up to a face of a roller chain. The tool further includes a rotatable backing wheel coupled to the main body on a second side of the bridge. The rotatable backing wheel includes multiple channels such that the multiple channels correspond to different roller chains having different sizes. |
| US08166744B2 |
Articulating pin for bicycle chains and relative chain
An articulating pin for the links of a bicycle chain, of the type capable to be inserted in aligned holes of an outer link and of the corresponding inner link of the chain, to hinge the links to one another, has a central portion and a distal portion. The distal end is elastically deformable for the insertion through the holes. |
| US08166739B2 |
Windrow merging apparatus
A windrow merger has a frame supporting first, second and third pickup assemblies, with the two outside pickup assemblies foldable between an extended use position and a retracted travel position. Each of the pickup assemblies includes a reversible conveyor providing multiple windrow merging configurations. The pickup assemblies are interchangeable and aligned to define an unobstructed pickup face. |
| US08166737B2 |
Walk-behind lawnmower height adjusting mechanism
A walk-behind lawnmower having a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of a housing above the ground. The height adjusting mechanism includes: a front wheel supporting member and a rear wheel supporting member that are attached to the housing so as to be capable of swinging up and down; a linking member for linking the front and rear wheel supporting members so as to be capable of concerted motion; and a locking mechanism for restricting and releasing displacement of the linking member in the forward-and-backward direction. The locking mechanism includes: a plurality of locking grooves arranged in a row from front to rear on the linking member; a locking pin capable of selectively interlocking with one of the locking grooves; a pin-guiding part for guiding the locking pin to be capable of entering into and retracting from one of the locking grooves; and an operating member for sliding and operating the locking pin. |
| US08166734B2 |
Equine cold therapy apparatus and method
Apparatus for and methods of core cooling the blood of an equine animal. The apparatus is a flexible boot with an orthotic pad that has various features to allow for circulating coolant so the bottom hoof area of an equine can be cooled. Optionally the pad is designed to allow cooling under vacuum. In some aspects the apparatus also provides elements to facilitate cooling the lower leg of the equine in a way designed to allow coolant circulated through the boot pad to also be circulated through leg cooling elements while maintaining a controlled temperature against the leg surface. The invention is also a method of core cooling an animal utilizing the apparatus described. |
| US08166733B2 |
Method for making tamper evident card carrier
Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By forming a cutout in a panel of the prepaid card packaging, covering the cutout with a material such as red glassine, and aligning an activation bar code or other indicia on the card with the cutout when mounting the card within the packaging, the security of the activation indicia can be better maintained. After purchase, the bar code can be scanned through the red glassine but prior to purchase, the red glassine prevents photocopying. |
| US08166732B2 |
Stretch wrap machine with top corner film transfer
A stretch wrap machine for wrapping a product comprising a base, a turn table on the base for rotating the product, a source of stretch wrap connected to the base, and a wrapping assembly configured to bring an end of the stretch wrap above the product, cut the stretch wrap at a position above the product after the product has been wrapped and/or hold an end of the stretch wrap at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product. |
| US08166729B2 |
Light source device and projector
A light source device includes: a light source lamp; and a housing, wherein the housing includes: a pair of openings formed, along a top and bottom with direction of a luminous flux emission of the light source device; a duct member provided so as to cover the pair of openings, and having an intake which outside air is introduced from the pair of openings to an air flow channel upstream side; a first air flow guide member provided inside the duct member, and causing the air introduced from the intake to circulate to either one of the pair of openings via the duct member by pivots under its own weight; and a second air flow guide members provided in positions in the housing corresponding to the openings, and causing the air introduced from the openings to circulate toward the light source lamp. |
| US08166724B2 |
Top-chord bearing wooden joist and method
A wooden joist comprises wooden top chord and bottom chords. Wooden boards are adhesively connected to the chords to form an I-joist section along a portion of the wooden joist. Wooden webs may be adhesively connected to the chords to form an open-joist section along another portion of the wooden joist. A bearing extension is defined by the wooden top chord extending beyond an end of the wooden joist Metal webs are in alignment on opposed sides of the wooden joist. Each metal web comprises a top connector end fixed to the bearing extension, a bottom connector end fixed to the bottom chord, and a structural arm between the connector ends. The metal webs are solely provided in an end region along the wooden joist, whereby the wooden joist is adapted to be in a top-chord bearing relation with a beam. |
| US08166721B1 |
Metal-wood structural member
A composite wood-metal structural member comprises a web and a pair of flanges. The web is at least partially made of metal and the flanges are at least partially made of wood. The web includes a pair of metal panels and each panel includes a central section and a pair of end sections. The end sections wrap around a part of the flanges and are attached thereto. |
| US08166719B2 |
System for flood proofing residential and light commercial buildings
Flood proofing of buildings built on a slab is provided. Water having a depth less than a selected distance H above the slab is excluded from the building by windows, doors and panels that are sealed to prevent water entry. The panels may be applied over a variety of existing veneer materials or may be used in new construction. |
| US08166718B2 |
Horizontally engineered hardwood floor and method of installation
Horizontally engineered floor boards are provided by this invention. The floor board includes a top decorative layer placed on a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are arranged to have some in X-axis orientation and some in Y-axis orientation. The plurality of strips also has characteristics that allow the wood floor board to be installed as a tile. |
| US08166715B2 |
Collapsible modular shelter for containerized transportation
A containerized portable shelter which is small and light enough for helicopter transport but which can also travel through container channels and has increased expandability of the floorspace is provided. It has a fraction (e.g. one-half) the standard ISO width, so that a plurality of modular units can be joined to form a standard ISO container. Two or more modular units can be joined side-by-side and/or end-to-end to form a compound shipping container preferably having ISO freight container characteristics. |
| US08166714B2 |
Buildings formed of a plurality of prefabricated modules
Prefabricated, steel framed, rectangular building modules are joined in groups to form multi-unit residences, or commercial or institutional buildings. The modules are disposed in rectangular groups abutting one another so as to form a central rectangular core bounded by the units. Utilities are connected to each module through the core. Multiple story buildings are formed by similar groups having cores aligned vertically. Alternating stories are rotated relative to one another about the central core axis to produce cantilevered structures. |
| US08166713B2 |
Roofing system and method
A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture. |
| US08166710B2 |
High altitude structure for expelling a fluid stream through an annular space
A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation. |
| US08166704B1 |
Plant watering device
A plant watering device that includes a central reservoir and a number of valve-controlled outlet lines that allow an individual to individually control the outflow of water into one or more outlet lines. |
| US08166701B1 |
Rotating platform for potted plants
A rotating base for house plant planters is herein disclosed, wherein said base slowly turns to complete a revolution within a pre-determined period, to urge the plant in the planter to grow in a vertical direction. The planter base is powered by a battery which is charged using a solar panel, thereby providing a completely self-contained and maintenance free rotating base and a light sensor causing rotation of the planter base only when light is present. The planter base is available in multiple sizes to fit all sizes of pots and planters. |
| US08166692B2 |
Self-leveling follower for an ammunition magazine
The present invention is a self-leveling follower for an ammunition magazine. Side extensions provide greater stability to the follower and aid in its self-leveling feature. The follower according to the present invention is also manufactured to facilitate removal from and insertion into the magazine casing when maintaining the magazine. Additional features provide greater utility by improving bolt-stop capacity and consistency of ammunition feed. |
| US08166688B1 |
Device for securing identification
A device for securing identification to a mounting surface includes an elongated mounting device having a front surface and a rear surface and at least one opening between the surfaces wherein an identification means may be inserted or removed and an adhesive applied to the rear surface of tile mounting device for adhering the mounting device to the mounting surface where the opening is a sleeve formed by a laminate of plastic film adhering to a predetermined pattern of applied adhesive to a rear surface. The device may be economically created in multiples using adhesive label stock in either roll or sheet form. |
| US08166676B2 |
Post-puller and method
A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered, mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having an opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction. |
| US08166674B2 |
Footwear sole
A human shoe sole or insole, sockliner or orthotic for insertion into a human shoe having a foot supporting upper surface including a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and optionally fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, and a second region surrounding the first region for supporting the remainder of the foot, at least in part. The first region provides less resistance to downward motion than the second region, and includes a hollow or depressed area relative to the remainder of the first region having a medial border portion and a lateral border portion, wherein the depression has its lowest point skewed to the medial side of center, whereby to promote eversion of the first metatarsal head as the wearer moves from midstance through propulsive phase. |
| US08166671B2 |
Adjustable shock attenuating means for footwear and footwear using the same
An adjustable shock attenuating means comprises at least one arch element (1) and at least one tensile element (2) arranged between any two positions at a concave surface of the element (1) or between two ends of the arch element (1). This means further comprises at least one additional arch element (12) arranged intersecting with the arch element (1) or arranged with the arch element (1) side by side. The arch element (1) has a U-shaped cut-out (13, 14) at its two ends respectively and the tensile element (2) correspondingly has a connecting piece (23, 24) at its two ends respectively to be coupled with the U-shaped cut-outs (13, 14) of the arch element (1) with which the tensile element (2) is coupled with the arch element (1). |
| US08166670B2 |
Clothes dryer apparatus with improved lint removal system
A method and apparatus for removing lint from air that is discharged from a clothes dryer uses a lint filtration housing mounted on the frame of the clothes dryer, the filtration housing having an interior that contains a filter for removing lint from the dryer exhaust air flow stream. The housing provides an influent fitting for transmitting heating exhaust air from the drying chamber to the housing interior. An ambient air supply enables ambient air to be added to the filtration housing interior. One or more vanes is provided that create an annular vortex within the filtration housing interior. The flow of the annular vortex within the filtration housing interior can be between about 500 and 3,000 cubic feet per second. A flow line transmits pre-heated air from the filtration housing interior to the dryer interior. |
| US08166668B2 |
Method for the preparation of fluoropolymer powdered materials
A method for the preparation of fluoropolymer powdered materials is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles in a liquid carrier, preferably water, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of fluoropolymers particles. |
| US08166667B1 |
Clothes drying furniture
Clothes drying furniture, comprising a furniture assembly defining a housing. The furniture assembly has a first top wall, a first bottom wall, first and second lateral walls, an intermediate wall, a rear exterior wall, and a door. The first and second lateral walls each have longitudinal tracks mounted thereon. A clothes drying assembly comprises a second top wall, a second bottom wall, third and fourth lateral walls, and a rear wall. The third and fourth lateral walls each have longitudinal rails mounted thereon. The longitudinal rails are journally mounted onto the longitudinal tracks. An electrical assembly comprises a heating element. The heating element is positioned in between the intermediate wall and the rear exterior wall. The electrical assembly further comprises power means. The first and second lateral walls each comprise a latching member to keep the clothes drying assembly housed within the furniture assembly. |
| US08166662B2 |
Archery sight
An archery sight for use with an archery bow is described that comprises multiple elements for two-point alignment, but wherein each of the points of the two-point alignment are positioned away from the archer's eyes at the full-draw or ready-to-shoot position. In one embodiment, the archery sight comprises an alignment element and one or more target elements, the position of which are set independently of the other target elements. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to each of the elements, thereby permitting movement such as vertical and horizontal movement of the elements relative to the archery bow. |
| US08166658B2 |
Razor
A shaving aid member pivots in a predetermined range from an initial position to a pivot position with respect to a razor head against elastic force of leaf springs. In the shaving aid member, a mounting portion of a base member is aligned with the razor head and two arm portions of the base member are invisible from the front side of the razor head. This reduces the space occupied by the arm portions outside the outer peripheral portion of the razor head. As a result, in a razor with a shaving aid, comfort in use is enhanced. Further, the razor is compact-sized since the surface area of the front side of the portion outlined by the razor head and the shaving aid member is decreased. |
| US08166655B2 |
System for component positioning during assembly of scroll-type fluid machine
A positioning system used in assembling a scroll-type fluid machine exerts a horizontal thrust on a stationary scroll in a direction opposite to a direction in which an eccentric shaft end portion formed at one end of a rotary shaft is oriented while turning the rotary shaft, and determines an orbital path of the stationary scroll by measuring horizontal displacements thereof. While exerting the horizontal thrust, the positioning system incrementally presses the stationary scroll against a guide frame until a stable orbital path of the stationary scroll is obtained. When the orbital path is judged to be stable, the positioning system determines a fixing point on which the stationary scroll should be fixedly centered with respect to the guide frame, so that a scroll wrap of the stationary scroll and a scroll wrap of an orbiting scroll are correctly intermeshed, forming a series of pockets therebetween. |
| US08166652B2 |
Method of making a circuit structure of a circuit board
A circuit structure of a circuit board includes a dielectric layer, a number of first circuits, and a number of second circuits. The dielectric layer has a surface and an intaglio pattern. The first circuits are disposed on the surface of the dielectric layer. The second circuits are disposed in the intaglio pattern of the dielectric layer. Line widths of the second circuits are smaller than line widths of the first circuits, and a distance between every two of the adjacent second circuits is shorter than a distance between every two of the adjacent first circuits. |
| US08166651B2 |
Through wafer vias with dishing correction methods
A method of forming a through wafer via including forming the through wafer via (TWV) into a substrate and through a first dielectric layer over the substrate; planarizing the first dielectric layer using a chemical mechanical polish before forming a second dielectric layer; forming the second dielectric layer over the substrate and the TWV; forming at least one first contact through the second dielectric layer and to the TWV; forming at least one second contact through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer directly and electrically connected to another structure upon the substrate; and forming a first metal wiring layer directly over the second dielectric layer, the first metal wiring layer directly and physically contacting the at least one first contact and the at least one second contact. |
| US08166649B2 |
Method of forming an electroded sheet
A sheet in an electronic display is composed of a substrate containing an array of wire electrodes. The wire electrodes are preferably electrically connected to patterned transparent conductive electrode lines. The wire electrodes are used to carry the bulk of the current. The wire electrodes are capable of being extended away from the substrate and connected directly to the printed circuit board. The transparent conductive electrode (TCE) is used to spread the charge or voltage from the wire electrode across the pixel. The TCE is a patterned film and must be at least 50% transparent, and, for most applications, is preferably over 90% transparent. In most applications, the electroded surface of the electroded sheet has to be flattened. Use of a thin polymer substrate yields a light, flexible, rugged sheet that may be curved, bent or rolled. |
| US08166642B2 |
Stripline flex circuit
The invention removes copper from the concave side of a flex circuit around a bendable region and replaces it with a conductive epoxy to allow it to be formed to tighter bend radii than would otherwise be possible. After the flex circuit is shaped in a tight radius and attached to a mechanical structure, the conductive epoxy is cured to act as functional replacement of the removed copper. |
| US08166641B2 |
Holding tray for substrate, substrate alignment system using the same and method thereof
Disclosed are a holding tray, a substrate alignment system using the same and a method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a holding tray for substrate capable of accomplishing high-precision alignment and conducting a stable deposition. A holding means is included in at least one side of the substrate to hold and support the substrate in a manner that the substrate is vertically held and supported on a flat surface of the holding tray during a vacuum process.The holding tray according to the present invention, the substrate alignment system using the same, and the method thereof include a substrate on which a deposition is made, a frame formed to receive the substrate, a tray formed to receive the frame, and at least one holding means formed to hold the substrate on the frame.The holding tray for substrate according to the present invention, the substrate alignment system using the same, and the method thereof are useful to accomplish high-precision alignment and conduct a stable deposition process due to the stable vertical arrangement of the substrate during the deposition process. |
| US08166640B2 |
Terminal pressing mold assembly
Provided is a terminal pressing mold assembly including a first mold and a second mold having a projection. The first mold includes a main body, a pair of claws, and a groove. The main body includes a pair of first connecting portions. The claws each include a second connecting portion for adjoining a corresponding one of the first connecting portions, and adjoin the main body to thereby form the groove and a first slit between the claws. A second slit is formed between the main body and each of the claws. The claws include a pair of first guiding edges spaced apart by a first width. The projection includes a pair of second guiding edges spaced apart by a second width. The second width is not greater than the first width. The difference between the first and second widths is not greater than the width of the first slit. |
| US08166633B2 |
Method for manufacturing an extraordinary magnetoresistive (EMR) device with novel lead structure
A method for manufacturing an extraordinary magnetoresistive sensor (EMR sensor) having reduced size and increased resolution is described. The sensor includes a plurality of electrically conductive leads contacting a magnetically active layer and also includes an electrically conductive shunt structure. The electrically conductive leads of the sensor and the shunt structure can be formed in a common photolithographic masking and etching process so that they are self aligned with one another. This avoids the need to align multiple photolithographic processing steps, thereby allowing greatly increased resolution and reduced lead spacing. The EMR sensor can be formed with a magnetically active layer that can be close to or at the air bearing surface (ABS) for improved magnetic spacing with an adjacent magnetic medium of a data recording system. |
| US08166632B1 |
Method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer
A method and system for providing a PMR transducer including an intermediate layer. The method and system include providing a hard mask layer on the intermediate layer. The hard mask layer is for a reactive ion etch of the intermediate layer. The method and system also include providing a bottom antireflective coating (BARC) layer on the hard mask layer. The BARC layer is also a masking layer for the hard mask layer. The method and system also include forming a trench in the intermediate layer using at least one reactive ion etch (RIE). The trench has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method and system also include providing a PMR pole. At least a portion of the PMR pole resides in the trench. |
| US08166629B2 |
Method for manufacturing a stator
A stator having a stator core and coils is disclosed. The stator core includes split core pieces each having a tooth portion. The split core pieces are arranged annularly such that the distal ends of the tooth portions face radially inward. A lead wire is continuously wound about an adjacent pair of the tooth portions such that coils of different phases are formed in the circumferentially adjacent tooth portions, so that a plurality of connecting wires are provided, each connecting wire connecting coils of different phases. The connecting wires are connected to one another while being connected to one another, such that a neutral point is created. |
| US08166627B2 |
Temporomandibular prosthetic implant, and corresponding production method
The prosthetic temporomandibular implant (10) comprises a concave surface (16) and a convex surface (17) designed to cooperate, respectively, with the natural outer surface (9) of the condyle (5) and the natural inner surface (7) of the fossa (8) of a damaged joint (2) of a human mandible (1). It is made of a rigid biocompatible material such as ceramic, stainless steel or an aluminum/zirconium alloy. The implant is designed based on an image of the joint (2) generated by a medical imaging system and incorporating an image of a healthy joint (3); these three-dimensional images are processed by a CAD (segmentation, vectorization) system to obtain a vector representation of the implant (10) and a data file capable of controlling a digital milling machine. The invention is applicable to the restoration of a damaged TMJ (2). |
| US08166621B2 |
Method of stabilizing a frequency of a piezoelectric vibration element
A method of stabilizing a frequency of a piezoelectric vibration element includes: disposing the piezoelectric vibration element in an atmosphere of a vapor of a ring-shaped dimethylpolysiloxane molecule, the piezoelectric vibration element having a metal layer on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate formed of a thickness slip based piezoelectric material; and making the ring-shaped dimethylpolysiloxane molecule subject to chemical absorption with a surface of the metal layer to form a layer of the ring-shaped dimethylpolysiloxane molecule. |
| US08166620B2 |
Connector
A subsea connector comprises a female element (1) defining a parallel bore (2) adapted to receive a male element (3). First releasable locking means are disposed between elements (2) and (3) and comprise a sprung cage (6) in which balls (5) are retained for movement in tapered grooves circumferentially spaced around element (3). As the cage moves relative to element (3) balls (5) protrude from the cage to a greater or lesser extent to lock the elements together. Second locking means prevent relative movement between elements (1) and (3) in a locking release direction of the first releasable locking means. These second locking means comprise lock balls retained in an apertured body disposed between elements (1) and (2). |
| US08166619B2 |
Fluid-tight slide fastener
A fluid-tight slide fastener including coated tapes equipped with teeth, opposite stops and a slider operable between the opposite stops to engage or disengage the teeth. The coated tapes include a core textile layer and a fluid-barrier coating made of a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE), the teeth being made of a thermoplastic material. The textile material of the core layer of the coated tapes is chosen among polyester, polyamide and their blends or copolymers. The thermoplastic elastomer material of the coating is chosen between thermoplastic elastomer polyurethane (TPE-U) and thermoplastic elastomer polyester (TPE-E). The thermoplastic material of the teeth is chosen among PBT, ABS, polyamide and their blends or copolymers. |
| US08166616B2 |
Turnbuckle
A turnbuckle for an anti-skid chain that can be mounted on the wheel of a vehicle. A tension cable is connected inside the turnbuckle housing to a winding roll that is pre-stressed in the winding-up direction and mounted so that it can be rotated about its axle. A ratchet wheel with at least one ratchet catch allocated to it is provided on the winding roll and the tension cable can be blocked against its direction of tension by gripping of the ratchet catch into the ratchet wheel. The ratchet catch is moved at least incrementally outwards from the idle position when the wheel isn't moving, in which it is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the tension cable is not blocked, under the action of the centrifugal force upon rotation of the wheel, and this movement effects a gripping of the ratchet catch into the ratchet wheel. |
| US08166612B2 |
Adjustable hinge for pivoting door
A hinge assembly is provided for a pivoting door mounted about an opening, and may include a hinge plate, an internally threaded adjuster, a locking element, a first cam element, a second cam element, and a limiting plate. The hinge plate is mounted about the opening and includes a pivot projecting therefrom. |
| US08166610B2 |
Spring hinge
An electrically weldable spring hinge for eyeglasses includes a housing open on a bottom side having a cavity into which a spring element may be inserted and in which at least one support element is provided. The spring hinge additionally includes a hinge element displaceably supported in the housing. The at least one support element is essentially centrally located in the region of an open end face section of the housing and, starting from a base area of the housing, protrudes into the cavity in a freestanding manner. A welding button for electrically welding the housing to the eyeglass element is provided on the bottom side of the support element facing an eyeglass element. |
| US08166609B2 |
Suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner having the same
A suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle body which includes a suction port adapted to draw in contaminants on a surface, and a contaminant attachment unit formed in the suction nozzle body. The contaminant attachment unit is adapted to attach contaminants thereto. |
| US08166604B2 |
Apparatus for preventing unintentional wiper blade removal
A vehicle wiper assembly may include an arm and a wiper blade attached to the arm. The wiper assembly may be placed into a parked condition by supporting the wiper blade to a wiper lifter. To prevent unintentional removal of the wiper blade, as may occur for example in a car wash, the wiper blade remains irremovable from the arm due to physical interference between the wiper assembly and the wiper lifter. When removal of the wiper blade is desired, the wiper assembly may be manually moved to a position where the wiper blade can be removed from the arm without physical interference between the wiper assembly and the wiper lifter. |
| US08166601B2 |
Electric toothbrush head
A head for an electric toothbrush includes a support member having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. |
| US08166597B2 |
Flat mop with abrasive pad
A cleaning device that includes a first component, a second component and a handle. The first component is configured to hold a first portion of the cleaning device. The second component is configured to hold a second portion of the cleaning device. The first and second components are connected and are configured so that the first portion and the second portion on the respective first and second components are independently replaceable. The handle is coupled to the second component to control an application of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the cleaning device on a surface to be cleaned. |
| US08166595B2 |
Bridge decking panel with fastening systems
A bridge decking panel and structures for attaching the panel to supporting bridge beams and to other such panels at abutting ends. An anchor plate assembly is cast within a paving material and has a pair of parallel runner bars extending along the decking panel and spaced apart by the width of a supporting bridge beam that is received between the runner bars. The runner bars are connected by cross bars and several studs extend from the runner bars into the paving material. Several nuts are welded to the runner bars at spaced intervals and aligned with holes through the runner bars for attachment to connecting structures. |
| US08166594B1 |
Counterbalance mechanism for fold out ramp
A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The weight of the ramp portion biases the ramp portion (1) toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and (2) toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position. A counterbalance for the ramp assembly includes a cam configured to rotate when the ramp portion moves between the stowed position and the deployed position. A cam follower is slidingly coupled to a guide and engages a surface of the cam so that rotation of the cam translates the cam follower along a path. The counterbalance further includes a resistance member coupled to the cam follower to provide a force to the cam follower to counteract the ramp moment. |
| US08166583B1 |
Bath curtain rack structure
A bath curtain rack structure includes a curved transverse rod, two pivot members and two wall-mounted brackets. The curved transverse rod has two ends which are connected to hollow pipe portions of the pivot members, respectively. Each pivot member includes a flat rounded end with a semi-circle flange at one end thereof. Each wall-mounted bracket includes a central protruding post which is inserted in a dual awl-shaped guide hole of the pivot member. The wall-mounted bracket further has a pair of lock holes for insertion of screws to be secured on a wall, a recess corresponding in shape to the flat round end, two stoppers to stop the semi-circle flange, and a protruding opening to receive the flat rounded end and the semi-circle flange of the pivot member. A second headless screw is screwed in a second threaded hole of the flat rounded end to engage with the concave pivot point. A first headless screw is screwed in a first threaded hole of the pivot member to engage with the ends of the curved transverse rod. |
| US08166582B2 |
Generated wave propulsion water feature
An alternative propulsion or motive force for the riders of water features based on generated waves. A wave generator may be used to propel individuals or vessels within a chute for recreation or transportation. In one form, a pool or container having a body of water is configured to support an artificial wave generator which uses compressed gas to discharge water and generate a wave-like motion within a body of water. A source of make-up fluid is configured to mitigate internal low pressure conditions caused by the water discharge to enable effective wave generation with reduced quantities of compressed air. Portions of the waves generated in a pool may be captured in a variety of ways by chutes for stand-alone rides or for portions of chutes in water slides. |
| US08166579B2 |
Power operated urinal apparatus for a commode
The commode-urinal prevents urine-splatters around the commode, and stores extra toilet rolls and flushable funnels. In power-driven commode-urinal, a user activates a sensor; a jaw clamps a flushable funnel to an arm. The arm moves out of dispenser dispensing and suspending the funnel above the commode-bowl. The user urinates through the funnel, which channels urine into the bowl preventing urine-splatters around the commode. After urinating, the user activates the sensor; the jaw retracts releasing used funnel into the bowl. The arm retracts into the dispenser clearing the commode to function unimpeded. Flushing drains away the funnel. In manually-operated commode-urinal, when ready to urinate, the user pulls a funnel from the dispenser. Keeping bottom end of the funnel in middle of the bowl, the user urinates through it. After urinating, the user drops the funnel into the bowl and flushes. The funnels have wet strength, water repellency, but degrade in drains. |
| US08166576B2 |
Opening/closing device and helmet having the same
An opening/closing device for openably/closably supports an opening/closing part with regard to an opened/closed part, and the opening/closing device is characterized in that it comprises an attaching part attached to the opened/closed part so as to rotate around a rotation axis together with the opening/closing part, a rotation part rotatably attached to an attaching portion extending from a rotation center of the attaching part and engaged with the opened/closed part, and a friction torque generation means provided between the attaching portion of the attaching part and the rotation part, as well as in that the opening/closing device is so configured that it can bring the opening/closing part to stop using free-stop function, when the opening/closing part is opened and closed with regard to the opened/closed part. |
| US08171567B1 |
Authentication method and system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides a system and method for providing a dynamically reconfigurable watermark, and the use of the watermark to encode a stochastically variable property of the carrier medium for self-authentication purposes. |
| US08171563B2 |
Secure message system with remote decryption service
Systems and methods for secure messaging are provided. A sender may encrypt content and send the encrypted content to a recipient over a communications network. The encrypted content may be decrypted for the recipient using a remote decryption service. Encrypted message content may be placed into a markup language form. Encrypted content may be incorporated into the form as a hidden form element. Form elements for collecting recipient credential information such as username and password information may also be incorporated into the form. At the recipient, the recipient may use the form to provide recipient credential information to the remote decryption service. The recipient may also use the form to upload the encrypted content from the form to the decryption service. The decryption service may provide the recipient with access to a decrypted version of the uploaded content over the communications network. |
| US08171560B2 |
Secure content pre-distribution to designated systems
Described is a technology by which encrypted content is pre-distributed to recipients during a pre-distribution timeframe, for example to distribute protected content to many clients in a controlled manner. At a release moment, a key for decrypting the encrypted content is released. For example, a software update may be pre-distributed in this manner, whereby many clients may receive the updates over time but the update cannot be analyzed for hacking purposes, e.g., to use the update to figure out a prior vulnerability. By rapidly and widely disseminating the key at the release moment, the update is installed on a large percentage of client systems before those systems can be exploited. The content may be allowed to expire before the key is released, or may be canceled or replaced. The content may include a complete file, and/or a delta file that changes another file into a resultant piece of content. |
| US08171555B2 |
Determining technology-appropriate remediation for vulnerability
A machine-actionable memory comprises one or more machine-actionable records arranged according to a data structure. Such a data structure may include links that respectively map between: a RID field, the contents of which denote an identification (ID) of a remediation (RID); at least one TID field, the contents of which denotes an ID of at least two technologies (TIDs), respectively; and at least one ACTID field, the contents of which denotes an ID of an action (ACTID). A method, of selecting a remediation that is appropriate to a technology present on a machine to be remediated, may include: providing such a machine-actionable memory; and indexing into the memory using a given RID value and a given TID value to determine values of the at-least-one ACTID corresponding to the given RID value and appropriate to the given TID value. |
| US08171553B2 |
Heuristic based capture with replay to virtual machine
A suspicious activity capture system can comprise a tap configured to copy network data from a communication network, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the tap and is configured to receive the copy of the network data from the tap, analyze the copy of the network data with a heuristic to flag the network data as suspicious, and simulate transmission of the network data to a destination device. |
| US08171552B1 |
Simultaneous execution of multiple anti-virus programs
An anti-virus program executes simultaneously with another anti-virus program by accessing a function (target) driver in the driver model directly instead of traversing each filter driver in the driver model as is conventionally done. The filter driver component of the anti-virus program avoids deadlock and infinite execution loops by bypassing filter drivers of other executing anti-virus programs and other filter drivers and going straight to the driver that will be performing the specific function, such as opening a file for scanning. This is done by having the filter driver component of the anti-virus program obtain directly the handle of the function driver that will perform the function needed by the anti-virus program and thereby avoiding the filter drivers of other programs, specifically other anti-virus programs, that can prevent completion of the required function. |
| US08171550B2 |
System and method for defining and detecting pestware with function parameters
A system and method for defining and detecting pestware is described. In one embodiment, a pestware file is received and at least a portion of the pestware file is placed into a processor-readable memory. A plurality of execution paths within code of the pestware file are followed and for each of a plurality of selected function calls within the execution paths of the pestware file, at least one parameter from each of the function calls is retrieved so as to obtain a plurality of parameters. A representation of each of the parameters is then stored in a processor-readable pestware-definition file, which is sent to a plurality of client devices. |
| US08171549B2 |
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for intercepting, examining and controlling code, data, files and their transfer
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for analyzing code. A valuation component, which provides a value for analyzed code is comprised of a tokenization component, hashing component and numerical valuation component. As code is transferred through the components, a numerical value for the code is generated. The valuation may occur through hashing, probability analysis and comparison against a proscribed code indicator. |
| US08171543B2 |
Electronic trip units with limited read/write access
A method of limiting read/write access of information stored on an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The method includes requesting a valid password on one of a communication port of the electronic trip unit and a display device of the electronic trip unit, receiving a password at a processor of the electronic trip unit in response to the request, determining if the received password is valid based on password information stored on a memory of the electronic trip unit, and limiting read/write access of information stored on the electronic trip unit based on the determination. |
| US08171542B2 |
Advanced encryption standard to provide hardware key interface
A system to control access to at least one protected device, the system comprising a test access port operable to mate with an external key device and an internal key device that is operable to receive synchronized cipher words during an idle state of the test access port from a removable external key device. The internal key device is also operable to receive test signals via the external key device and to input the received test signals to the protected device based on the synchronized cipher words. The protected device and the internal key device are one of located within a closed chassis, located under a protective security coating, located within a multi-chip-module, located within a closed integrated circuit package, and combinations thereof. |
| US08171541B2 |
Enabling provider network inter-working with mobile access
Various example embodiments are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a method may comprise authenticating a subscriber based upon one or more messages received from a subscriber equipment, via an Access Network Gateway (ANG); sending an access authorization message to the ANG authorizing the subscriber equipment; and wherein the access authorization message includes an address of a tunnel endpoint node and a tunnel method identifier (ID) to be used by the ANG to establish a tunnel between the ANG and the tunnel endpoint node for the subscriber equipment. |
| US08171540B2 |
Method and system for E-mail management of E-mail having embedded classification metadata
A method and system method for e-mail management of e-mails having embedded classification metadata. A query from an end user to access an e-mail account by an e-mail client is received. It is then determined whether the query has come from an insecure e-mail client, such as a web e-mail client. Access rules for defining classification access restrictions for the e-mail client to access e-mail in the e-mail account are retrieved when the e-mail client is determined to be insecure. The e-mail query can then be modified before sending to an e-mail server storing the email account. The query is modified based on the retrieved access rules to exclude retrieval of e-mails based upon the e-mail classification metadata. |
| US08171539B2 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing a search tree
Apparatus and methods are provided for implementing a firewall in a network infrastructure component. A method comprises generating a search tree for a plurality of rules. The search tree comprises a first node having a first field bounds and a first set of rules of the plurality of rules, and a plurality of child nodes for the first node. Each child node has child field bounds based on an intersection of the first field bounds and the first set of rules, and each child node is assigned a respective subset of the first set of rules based on the respective child field bounds. The method further comprises receiving a first packet, identifying a first child node of the plurality of child nodes based on values for one or more fields of the first packet, and applying the respective subset of rules assigned to the first child node to the first packet. |
| US08171536B2 |
Method and apparatus for authenticating users in a network
Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for authenticating users of a network are described. Once a user has been authenticated on a first network, authentication information from the first network can be used by the user to gain access to the user's accounts on other networks using the same or different network enabled devices or consoles. |
| US08171532B2 |
Management apparatus, management method and recording medium storing program
A management apparatus which includes: a receiving unit that receives first authorization information for a first document that is already issued and contains document identification information identifying at least one document for which it is possible to issue authorization information and an issuance request requesting that second authorization information for a second document be issued; a verifying unit that verifies authenticity of the first authorization information that is received by the receiving unit; a checking unit that, in a case where the authenticity of the first authorization information is verified, checks whether or not document identification information identifying the second document is included in the first authorization information; and an issuing unit that, in a case where the document identification information identifying the second document is included in the first authorization information, issues the second authorization information. |
| US08171528B1 |
Hybrid device having a personal digital key and receiver-decoder circuit and methods of use
A hybrid device includes a personal digital key (PDK) and a receiver-decoder circuit (RDC). The PDK and RDC of the hybrid device are coupled for communication with each other. In one embodiment, the hybrid device also provides a physical interconnect for connecting to other devices to send and receive control signals and data, and receive power. The hybrid device operates in one of several modes including, PDK only, RDC only, or PDK and RDC. This allows a variety of system configurations for mixed operation including: PDK/RDC, RDC/RDC or PDK/PDK. The present invention also includes a number of system configurations for use of the hybrid device including: use of the hybrid device in a cell phone; simultaneous use of the PDK and the RDC functionality of hybrid device; use of multiple links of hybrid device to generate an authorization signal, use of multiple PDK links to the hybrid device to generate an authorization signal; and use of the hybrid device for authorization inheritance. |
| US08171526B2 |
Service providing system, information processing apparatus, service providing server and service providing method
A service providing system is disclosed. The service providing system includes an information processing apparatus and a service providing server, each having an authentication mechanism, that are connected via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus and the service providing server provides a service in response to a request by an authenticated user. The information processing apparatus includes: an information obtaining part for obtaining authentication information for performing authentication in the service providing server wherein the authentication information is associated with a user authenticated in the information processing apparatus; and a process request part for sending a process request including the authentication information to the service providing server. |
| US08171522B2 |
Systems and processes for managing policy change in a distributed enterprise
A method for managing changes to policies in an enterprise includes receiving a systems policy change request to change a systems policy that implements a published enterprise policy, determining whether the requested systems policy change complies with the published enterprise policy, and updating the systems policy according to the requested systems policy change if the requested systems policy change complies with the published enterprise policy. A system for managing policies in an enterprise includes a policy management module configured for receiving published policies and generating corresponding systems policies having data for implementing the published policies, and a policy library storing the published policies and the systems policies. |
| US08171516B2 |
Methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-viewpoint media sharing of proximity-centric content
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-viewpoint, media-sharing activities related to proximity-centric media content associated with an event whereby the media-sharing activities are performed via portable communications devices. The method includes identifying an alternate feed of media content by a first portable communications device that was captured by a second portable communications device at the event. The method also includes performing real-time auditioning of the media content by the first portable communications device for assessing a vantage point of the media content with respect to the event. The method further includes receiving the alternate feed of media content at the first portable communications device in response to a request transmitted by the first portable communications device. The first portable communications device and the second portable communications device are in geographic propinquity of the event. |
| US08171510B2 |
Method for using banner advertisements during commercial breaks
Apparatus is provided by which a television viewer can view other images e.g. during commercials or main program. For example, during a commercial, a viewer may channel surf or surf the internet. A banner is provided on a viewing screen while the viewer watches these other images. In this way the advertiser providing those commercials can still reach those viewers who are channel or internet surfing. Also, the banner will indicate to the viewer when the commercial is over and the normal programming has resumed. In another embodiment, during the main program user can activate one or more small commercial windows and position them on the screen based on his preference, e.g. using a remote device. Information is communicated to a broadcaster by the viewer's video system indicating the above-mentioned commercial windows are open on the viewer's screen. When each commercial window is positioned on the screen the viewer receives compensation based on the amount of time the commercial windows are displaying commercials to the viewer. All or part of commercial windows automatically close when a main commercial block starts. The commercial windows automatically open when the main commercial block finishes. In one embodiment, the viewer can turn the commercial windows ON/OFF on his discretion. |
| US08171507B2 |
Using network server to establish TV setting
TV settings such as brightness can be established by sending from a TV signals from an ambient light sensor to a network server, with the network server establishing settings such as brightness in response for a program being played on the TV. |
| US08171506B2 |
Optical-system driving device effecting switchover between objective lenses for achieving focal spots
An optical-system driving device is achieved that can switch over between objective lenses and is space-saving, lightweight, and simply-configured. An optical-system driving device for recording information onto or playing it back from an optical storage medium, includes a stationary unit having a rotation axis; a movable unit pivotable about the rotation axis; pivotal movement means for pivotally moving the movable unit about the rotation axis; and the movable unit includes a holder having a plurality of optical means that is able to focus a beam of light onto the optical storage medium, and a plurality of conductive elastic members for supporting the holder, wherein an optical axis of each of the plurality of optical means is located substantially equidistant from the rotation axis, and the optical means for focusing the beam of light onto the optical storage medium is selected by pivotally moving the movable unit with the rotation means. |
| US08171505B2 |
Disc drive device
To provide a disc drive device which does not spend a lot of money on components and requires the less number of components than the conventional technology and has a function to correctly dispose an inserted disc by a slot-in method at a place where the disc can be driven according to the size of the disc. The disc drive device comprises an abutment pad which receives the inserted disc in a different posture depending on the size of the disc, a coupling member which rotationally transfers by a different distance at a different position according to the posture of the abutment pad when it rotationally transfers along with the bring-in operation of the disc, and a spring which applies a predetermined energizing force to the coupling member. Due to the coupled operation of these components, etc., the inserted disc can be correctly disposed at a predetermined place where the disc can be driven according to the size of the disc. |
| US08171504B1 |
System and method for using virtual machine for driver installation sandbox
A method, system and computer program product for providing driver functionality in computing system includes installing an operating system on the computing system; forming a plurality of isolated sandboxes running on the computing system under control of the operating system; during an attempt to install a driver, installing driver stub in the operating system; installing the driver in one of the isolated sandboxes, wherein the driver directly uses at least part of system resources; using a gateway between the driver stub and the installed driver to provide an interface for transmitting requests from the driver stub to driver. |
| US08171501B2 |
Use of modes for computer cluster management
A system, method and computer program product for managing a plurality of applications in a computer cluster. Each application is able to run on a particular node in the cluster. In one embodiment, associations are maintained among a plurality of modes and the plurality of applications, with each application being associated with at least one mode. Responsive to designation of at least one mode as active for the cluster, each application that is associated with an active mode is flagged as eligible for activation, each inactive application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation, and each active application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation and inactivated. Flagging as eligible, flagging as ineligible and flagging as ineligible and inactivating may be performed in any order, and inactivating is sequenced according to dependencies among the applications. |
| US08171494B2 |
Providing identity to a portal with a redirect
In an example embodiment, a method is provided to receive a request message. A client that transmitted the request message then is identified. Here, the client is associated with a client identifier. The client identifier is inserted into a response message, and this response message includes a redirect to a portal. The response message then is transmitted. |
| US08171493B2 |
VXML browser control channel
A system to allow external applications to interact with an operating VXML browser include a VXML browser operating on a processor having a VXML interpreter. A control is operably interconnected between the external application and the VXML interpreter using a communication channel. The control inserts the commands into the VXML interpreter, which are processed by the VXML browser in a conventional manner to allow the external application to interact with the operating VXML browser. |
| US08171492B2 |
Systems and/or methods for end-to-end business process management, business event management, and/or business activity monitoring
The example embodiments disclosed herein relate to application integration techniques built around the publish-and-subscribe model (or one of its variants). In certain example embodiments, application integration techniques for managing and/or monitoring a business process comprising a plurality of activities, events, and/or objects located in at least one resource external to the application integration system and a process engine thereof are provided. During design time, by introspecting the business object types involved in the activities, events, and/or objects of the at least one resource, potential state changes may be identified, and an integrative linkage may be established, with the integrative linkage being managed and maintained by a process monitoring agent (PMA). During runtime, the PMA may “listen” to the business object state changes in the at least one external resource and notify the local process engine accordingly. |
| US08171490B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for deferred completion of multi-step user transaction applications
Disclosed are server features for allowing a client user to defer completion of multi-step user transaction applications (“MUTAs”) and later resume the MUTA. One disclosed feature is providing a selectable deferral action in a page implementing part of the MUTA, e.g., HTML, XML, JavaScript/ECMA Script document. If the client user selects to defer completion, a state object is created by the server and stores state information including information previously entered during the MUTA. The server provides a resumption object to the user including a resource for resuming the deferred MUTA. When the user selects the resource, state information stored in the state object is loaded and the use may complete the remainder of the MUTA. An additionally disclosed aspect is automatic state saving where sate information is stored automatically during multiple steps in the MUTA; the user then need not select deferral. |
| US08171489B2 |
Task switching with state preservation for programs running on an electronic device
A method and system providing switching between a plurality of installed programs in a computer system. Embodiments include a jump function comprising the steps: (1) determining a jump program that is to be the next program to be run, possibly from a plurality of possible choices; (2) creating input data for the jump program based on data in the current program; (3) storing the program state of the currently running program into a context packet and saving the context packet to memory; (4) releasing temporary memory that is used by the program, so as to allow other programs to use the memory; (5) calling the jump program with the created input data as input and terminating the currently running program. |
| US08171488B1 |
Alternating scheduling and descheduling of coscheduled contexts
Management of contexts that execute on a computer system is described. More specifically, context scheduling in a virtual machine environment is described. A set of coscheduled contexts, including at least a first context and a second context, are monitored. The first and second contexts are alternately scheduled and descheduled so that both the first context and the second context are not concurrently scheduled. |
| US08171487B2 |
Method for processing work items of a workflow system
A method for processing work items of a workflow system is done in the following manner. Information identifying work items from a server responsible for handling work items is retrieved based at least on a set of configuration rules. The information is stored in a cache. In response to a work item request form an application, matching work items are searched for in the cache, and a piece of information identifying the requested work item is delivered to the application in response to finding at least one work item matching the work item request from the application. Statistics on work item requests are maintained, and the set of configuration rules are modified according to the statistics. |
| US08171485B2 |
Method and system for managing virtual and real machines
Managing virtual and real machines through a provisioning system. The provisioning system allows a user to create and manage machines through a “self-service” approach. The provisioning system interacts with one or more agents that manage the lifecycle of a machine. The system may provide templates that enable a user to readily create a virtual machine. The system may also include interfaces for administrators to manage virtual and real machine resources. |
| US08171484B2 |
Resource management apparatus and radio network controller
A resource management apparatus includes a resource management part to manage an amount of resources used and an amount of virtual resources of each of a plurality of processing units, a selection and control part to select a processing unit having a smallest sum of the amount of resources used and the amount of virtual resources in response to an external process request, and to increase the amount of resources used by the selected processing unit and to decrease the amount of resources used by a processing unit corresponding to an external process release request in response to the process release request, a virtual resource control part to increase the amount of virtual resources of the processing unit corresponding to the process release request in response to the process release request, and a request sending part to send the external process request or process release request to the selected or corresponding processing unit. |
| US08171480B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating shared resources to process domains according to current processor utilization in a shared resource processor
In a processing system which includes a physical processor that includes multiple logical processors, multiple domains are defined for multiple processes that can execute on the physical processor. Each of the processes is assigned to one of the domains. Processor utilization associated with the logical processors is measured, and each of the domains is allocated to a subset of the logical processors according to the processor utilization. |
| US08171479B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing an aggregate view of enumerated system resources from various isolation layers
A method for presenting an aggregate view of native resources includes the step of enumerating a plurality of system-scoped native resources provided by a system scope. A plurality of application-scoped native resources provided by an application isolation scope are enumerated, some of which correspond to some of the plurality of system-scoped resources. For one of the plurality of system-scoped resources, the existence of a corresponding one of the plurality of application-scoped resources is determined and the corresponding one of the plurality of application-scoped resources is included in an aggregate view of native resources. |
| US08171478B2 |
Method for packet flow control using credit parameters with a plurality of limits
The present invention relates to a processor (1) and a method for a processor comprising processing means (2), the method comprising the steps of—admitting a data packet (D1, D2, D3) to the processing means (2) based at least partly on a value (CS1) of a first credit, parameter and a first limit (L1S1) of the first credit parameter,—decreasing the value (CS1) of the first credit parameter if the data packet (D1, D2, D3) is admitted to the processing means (2), and—increasing the value (CS1) of the first credit parameter, in dependence on a value (CS2) of a second credit parameter, based on which a data packet (D1, D2, D3) is admitted to the processing means (2). |
| US08171476B2 |
Wake-and-go mechanism with prioritization of threads
A hardware private array is a thread state storage that is embedded within the processor or within logic associated with a bus or wake-and-go logic. The hardware private array and/or wake-and-go array may have a limited storage area. Therefore, each thread may have an associated priority. If there is insufficient space in the hardware private array, then the wake-and-go mechanism may compare the priority of the thread to the priorities of the threads already stored in the hardware private array and wake-and-go array. If the thread has a higher priority than at least one thread already stored in the hardware private array and wake-and-go array, then the wake-and-go mechanism may remove a lowest priority thread, meaning the thread is removed from hardware private array and wake-and-go array and converted to a flee model. |
| US08171468B2 |
Downloading and upgrading terminal software over the air of a wireless device
The technology downloads and upgrades terminal software of a communications device over-the-air in a efficient and fail-safe manner. The communication device is provided with radio software from a server via a wireless network including a number of access networks. A download is initiated of radio software designed for a first of two different radio access technologies of the communication device. One of the two radio access technologies of the communication device is selected for downloading the software. The radio software is downloaded via the selected available radio access technology. The radio software designed for the first radio access technology is stored in memory. |
| US08171466B2 |
Hitless application upgrade for SIP server architecture
The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) server can be comprised of an engine tier and a state tier distributed on a cluster network environment. The engine tier can send, receive and process various messages. The state tier can maintain in-memory state data associated with various SIP sessions. Various applications can be running on the engine tier. A new version of an application can be deployed alongside the old version, simultaneously running on the SIP server. Incoming messages for new calls can be directed by the SIP server to the new version of the application. Incoming messages for previously established calls can be directed to the old version of the application. Once the old version is finished processing calls, it can be undeployed. |
| US08171465B2 |
Applicable patch selection device and applicable patch selection method
An applicable patch selection device comprises a first extraction unit for extracting, on the basis of information on an application target system, information on all the patches unapplied to the application target system from among information on released patches, an input unit to which a user's policy is input, a second extraction unit for extracting, in accordance with the user's policy input into the input unit, information on an unapplied patch to be actually applied to the application target system from among the information on all the unapplied patches extracted by the first extraction unit, and an unapplied patch obtainment unit for obtaining an unapplied patch corresponding to the information, extracted by the second extraction unit, on the unapplied patch to be actually applied to the application target system. |
| US08171461B1 |
Primitive program compilation for flat attributes with provoking vertex independence
Systems and methods for compiling high-level primitive programs are used to generate primitive program micro-code for execution by a primitive processor. A compiler is configured to produce micro-code for a specific target primitive processor based on the target primitive processor's capabilities. The compiler supports features of the high-level primitive program by providing conversions for different applications programming interface conventions, determining output primitive types, initializing attribute arrays based on primitive input profile modifiers, and determining vertex set lengths from specified primitive input types. |
| US08171459B2 |
System and method for software performance testing and determining a frustration index
A system and method for determining a frustration index for a software suite based upon the measurements of the software's performance. The frustration index communicates the overall state of a customer's performance-related user experience as defined by a set of testing criteria and specified testing scenarios. Actual test measurements of one or more pre-specified criteria in one or more pre-specified testing scenarios or operating environments are first received, calculated or otherwise determined. Priority weights are provided for each of the pre-specified criteria in each of the pre-specified testing scenarios. Actual test measurements are then compared to target quantities, to provide a delta percentage between the actual measurements and the target quantities. The frustration index (or indices) is calculated as the result of a ratio of the delta percentage between the actual and the target to the priority weight of the criterion. |
| US08171458B2 |
Method for source-related risk detection and alert generation
A method and system for detecting a source-related risk and generating an alert concerning the source-related risk are disclosed. Criteria of the source-related risk are defined. Thresholds associated with the source-related risk are defined. Every operation on an object is detected. If an operation on an object satisfies a criterion among the criteria or if the operation causes to exceed a threshold among the thresholds, an alert is generated for the operation. |
| US08171457B2 |
Autonomic test case feedback using hardware assistance for data coverage
Illustrative embodiments disclose presenting coverage data relating to data access occurring during execution of code. The coverage data containing data access indicators associated with memory locations is obtained. The data access indicators that have been set by a processor in the data processing system in response to access of the memory locations during execution of the code by the processor are identified to form set data access indicators. Each set instruction access indicator is associated with a portion of the memory locations allocated for the code. A presentation for coverage data is generated, wherein the set data access indicators are identified in the presentation. |
| US08171455B2 |
Test sequencer and method for management and execution of sequence items
A test sequencer software application and method for management and execution of sequence items. The test sequencer software application includes a management module and an execution module. The management module has capabilities of obtaining multiple sequence items definitions, of obtaining configuration information, of creating multiple lists of ordered sequence items from the sequence items definitions, and of separately linking each list of sequence items to one of multiple sequence engines from the configuration information. The execution module includes a sequencer controller module and the multiple sequence engines. The sequence controller module activates each of the multiple sequence engines in a preselected order and each sequence engine executes the ordered sequence items in each list linked to that sequence engine. |
| US08171453B2 |
Explicit delimitation of semantic scope
Systems and methods are provided with respect to computer programming. Program behavior can be tuned to provide a seamless mixture of semantic behavior across a single program language syntax. Semantic behavior can be explicitly specified at arbitrary levels of syntactic granularity (e.g. expressions, members, types, compilation units . . . ), wherein semantic scope is commensurate with the specified level of granularity. |
| US08171452B2 |
Dynamic software enhancement
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for accepting user input defining a first modification at a first enhancement point of a first source code component, the first source code component not being modified. Creating a second source code component for the first enhancement point, the second source code component being separate from the first source code component. Incorporating into the second source code component the first source code component and an expression of the first modification. And creating a compiled program using the second source code component. |
| US08171448B2 |
Structure for a livelock resolution circuit
A design structure for a livelock resolution circuit is provided. When a bus unit detects a timeout condition, or potential timeout condition, the bus unit activates a livelock resolution request signal. A livelock resolution unit receives livelock resolution requests from the bus units and signals an attention to a control processor. The control processor performs actions to attempt to resolve the livelock condition. Once a bus unit that issued a livelock resolution request has managed to successfully issue its command, it deactivates its livelock resolution request. If all livelock resolution request signals are deactivated, then the control processor instructs the bus and all bus units to resume normal activity. On the other hand, if the control processor determines that a predetermined amount of time passes without any progress being made, it determines that a hang condition has occurred. |
| US08171446B2 |
Method for designing a semiconductor device by computing a number of vias, program therefor, and semiconductor device
A method for designing a semiconductor device includes computing a contact resistance value based on an allowable power supply voltage drop set for a second position corresponding to a given region of a second power supply line on a second wiring layer different from a first wiring layer, and computing a number of vias for the given region based on a result of a comparison between a resistance value of a via coupling a first power supply line and the second power supply line and the contact resistance value. |
| US08171443B1 |
Circuit design tools that support devices with real-time phase-locked loop reconfiguration capabilities
Computer-aided-design tools are provided that support real-time phase-locked loop reconfiguration with a single design compilation. Each design compilation may involve operations such as logic synthesis and place and route operations. A circuit designer who is designing an integrated circuit may supply circuit design data. The circuit design data may include design data for multiple configurations of a phase-locked loop. By using a phase-locked loop scan chain initialization file generator engine located in a CAD tool design input wizard, the computer-aided-design tools may produce multiple phase-locked loop initialization files without performing a design compilation. The CAD tools may process one or more initialization files and the circuit design data to produce output data. The output data may include configuration data to implement the circuit design. The output data may also include warning messages that indicate when phase-locked loop settings in an initialization file do not match settings in the circuit design. |
| US08171442B2 |
Method and system to at least partially isolate nets
A method to at least partially isolate a net of a circuit design is provided and includes testing a timing characteristic of a circuit design, identifying from a result of the testing a net of the circuit design to be at least partially isolated from an adjacent net and determining a percentage of the identified net to be partially isolated. |
| US08171438B2 |
Verification of a program partitioned according to the control flow information of the program
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for verification of a program partitioned according to the control flow information of the program. Properties are received indicating outcome states for a program. The program is processed to determine a control flow in the program and paths in the control flow. Enabled paths are determined in the control flow having states satisfying requirements of the outcome states. For each enabled path, a determination is made of inert variables not used along the control flow of the path and a representation of states and transitions for the enabled path is generated, wherein the represented states and transitions do not include the inert variables. The generated representation of the states and transitions for the enabled path are combined into a merged computation image. |
| US08171436B2 |
Converting portions of a software program executing on a processing system to hardware descriptions
System and method for developing an ASIC. A software program may be stored which includes program instructions which implement a function. The software program may be executed on a processing system at a desired system speed and may be validated based on the execution. A first hardware description of at least a portion of the processing system may be stored and may specify implementation of at least a portion of the processing system. A second hardware description may be generated that corresponds to a first portion of the first hardware description. The second hardware description may specify a dedicated hardware implementation of a first portion of the software program executing on the processing system. Generation of the second hardware description may be performed one or more times to fully specify the ASIC. An ASIC may be created which implements the function of the software program. |
| US08171434B2 |
Method for dimension conversion difference prediction, method for manufacturing photomask, method for manufacturing electronic component, and program for dimension conversion difference prediction
A method for dimension conversion difference prediction includes: determining an opening angle at a conversion difference prediction point on basis of a design pattern data; and predicting a dimension conversion difference on basis of correlation between the opening angle and an actual measurement value of the dimension conversion difference, or a method for dimension conversion difference prediction includes: determining an incident amount of incident objects at a conversion difference prediction point on basis of a design data; and predicting a dimension conversion difference on basis of correlation between the incident amount and an actual measurement value of the dimension conversion difference. |
| US08171429B2 |
Application navigation
A method for operating a user interface for switching between computer applications is provided. The method may include displaying first, second and third navigation controls. The first navigation control may include entity selectors, the second navigation control may include application selectors, and the third navigation control may include sub-application selectors. The application selectors may be associated with the entities in the first navigation control and the sub-application selectors may be associated with the application selectors. An application associated with sub-application selector may be launched upon selecting the sub-application selector. The state of an application may be stored and retrieved upon switching between applications so as to enable fast switching between applications. |
| US08171428B2 |
System and method for implementing data navigation interface
An interactive user interface (UI) to manage searching of data is disclosed. The UI includes a first display panel configured to display a parent context view and a child context view thereon and a second display panel configured to display a diagram of an enlarged portion of the child context view. |
| US08171427B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A method for controlling a mobile terminal includes displaying icons within a region of a display of the mobile terminal, forming a group icon as being associated with a plurality of the icons, displaying the group icon within the region of the display to permit user access to the plurality of icons which are each associated with the group icon, ceasing the displaying of the plurality of icons which are each associated with the group icon, and generating a menu in response to selection of the group icon, the menu comprising selectable operations individually relating to at least one of the plurality of icons which are each associated with the group icon. |
| US08171425B2 |
User interface method of multi-tasking and computer readable recording medium storing program for executing the method
Provided are a user interface method of enabling a user to conveniently use a terminal allowing multi-tasking, and a computer readable recording medium storing the method. The user interface method includes classifying applications capable of being executed by the apparatus into groups, in such a manner as to classify one or more applications that perform similar functions into the same group; and displaying a window for executing a corresponding application, for each of the groups. |
| US08171423B2 |
Window broker architecture
Retrieving information from a display server. Information about all visible windows displayed on a display by the display server is retrieved. Descriptive information about visible windows displayed on the display, and windows on a shelf is retrieved from the display server or window broker. Notifications of changes to windows are received. Based on information retrieved from the display server or window broker and received notifications, a user interface displays windows displayed on the display and windows on the shelf. A user request is received at the user interface for a change to what is displayed by the display server. The user request is sent, directly or indirectly to the window broker. The window broker approves, denies or makes arbitrary changes to windows to accommodate the user request and sends a window broker request to the display server. The window broker notifies window managers of changes that have been made. |
| US08171420B2 |
Automatic management of the visual space while performing a task
A graphical user interface and method for displaying on an agent's desktop. The graphical user interface of the present invention being capable of automatically displaying, in a designated area, a managed application according to a workflow. The graphical user interface of the present invention also includes the ability to control the display of managed applications manually. Further, the graphical user interface and method of the present invention allows an Agent access to non-managed applications without restricting the agent's access to the managed applications. |
| US08171418B2 |
Method and system for presenting a visual representation of the portion of the sets of data that a query is expected to return
In an embodiment, a user is provided with a data representation covered by a relationship. For example, the data representation may include a collection of data objects representations. In an embodiment, the data object representations are arranged in a manner so as to indicate rows or records of different data objects that are associated with one another. In an embodiment, portions of the data objects in the collection are indicated as representing the data that is covered by the relationship. In an embodiment, a report representation that is expected to be generated by the report type defined by the user defined relationship is also provided. In an embodiment, a correspondence in indicated between elements of the report representation (e.g., columns in a thumbnail sketch of a report) and the data object representations (e.g., ovals in a Venn diagram). |
| US08171416B2 |
Confirmation system and method for instant messaging
A system and method for confirming messages being sent within an instant messaging environment. An instant messaging system is disclosed, comprising a confirmation enablement system that allows a user to selectively enable a requires confirmation option for a contact associated with the user; and a send message interface that displays a confirmation requirement for messages being sent to the contact if the requires confirmation option is enabled, wherein the confirmation requirement must be confirmed by the user before the message can be sent. |
| US08171413B2 |
System and method for displaying information about subnets
An interface for a database. The database contains information about subnets in a large network, such as the Internet. The interface displays the information in a hierarchical fashion. However, because all subnets cannot be displayed on a display at once, some subnets are displayed, and a user reaches other subnets by calling for subsets of the subnets displayed. |
| US08171411B1 |
System and method for delivering content in a movie trailer
A system and method for delivering content in a movie trailer and a system for implementing the same. The method includes receiving a request to deliver a shell application having a configuration dependent on a selected movie. Appropriate multi-media content and a scrubber bar are determined at a configuration server for the selected movie. Both the multi-media content and the scrubber bar are configured for the selected movie. The scrubber bar includes a timeline that is associated with the multi-media content from which progress through the multi-media content can be tracked. The scrubber bar includes at least one Q-point located within the time line. The shell application that is configured to include the multi-media content and the scrubber bar is then delivered to the client device. |
| US08171409B2 |
Interface for print control
In a printer driver 1, user interface UI-1 is displayed in the beginning and setup items are displayed in the respective display forms of the basic level on this user interface UI-1. In this state, basic explanations or detailed explanations are omitted. In addition, user interface UI-2 is displayed when the “Other Features” button is pressed in user interface UI-1 and setup items are displayed in the respective display forms of the applied level on this user interface UI-2. In this state, basic explanations or detailed explanations etc. concerning print control information entered via the setup items are displayed, which makes it possible to learn what type of information the print control information is. |
| US08171400B2 |
Image transmission apparatus for transmitting image to a plurality of image projection apparatuses and image display control method in image transmission apparatus
An image transmission apparatus includes a display device, a display image data generator, a storage device, a storage controller, a transmitter, and a display controller. The image transmission apparatus is connectable to a plurality of image projection apparatuses. The display image data generator is configured to generate display image data, the storage device is configured to store the display image data, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the display image data for display on each image transmission apparatus connected to the image transmission apparatus according to an overall layout display for the combination of potentially connected image transmission apparatuses. The display controller is configured to display an image on the display device using the display image data and to display a plurality of layout display images corresponding to the display image data transmitted to the image projection apparatuses in a layout display region on the display device. |
| US08171399B2 |
Using an alternate user interface to a drag and drop interface for rearranging configurable web page components
A user interface for repositioning Web page components that includes an HTML table. Each cell of the table can represents a Web page component that is able to be repositioned. Each cell can include an identifier and a user selectable position control. The identifier can identify the Web page component. The user selectable position control can accept user input designating a position of the component within the Web page. An activation control can accept input entered within the user selectable position control when selected. Activation of the activation control can result in the Web page being reconfigured so that the position of the Web page components corresponds to positions specified by the position controls. In one embodiment, the user interface can be an accessibility option for users having difficulty with a drag and drop interface. |
| US08171397B2 |
Data-type definition driven dynamic business component instantiation and execution framework and system and method for managing knowledge information
In a complex workflow environment, a data-type-definition (DTD) schema drives a dynamic business component instantiation and execution framework that integrates documents with data and information created by various applications, potentially operating on several different platforms, enabling complex workflow and collaboration to occur over a communication network such as the Internet. The DTD execution language is preferably an industry specific XML-based tag set that defines business component instantiation, execution, input and output parameters, workflow, user profile, and collaboration specifications for a given task or data in a complex workflow process. Business and data processing components available on systems both within and outside the complex workflow system are called upon to provide the processing, interpretation, and transformation functions for the complex workflow system. The results of such processing are then returned to the complex workflow system for integration within the workflow process. The system and method also contemplates the conversion of an extensible markup language (XML) file, such as a WellXML™ file, to data elements that are accessible by a server. |
| US08171395B2 |
Data reporting application programming interfaces in an XML parser generator for XML validation and deserialization
A method for interfacing with an XML (Extensible Markup Language) parser generator to generate deserialization information interleaved with XML parsing and validation, including: providing an XML parser generator with information about the schema which the instance data conforms to; providing a data reporting application programming interface (API) and a generator module; providing one or more implementations of the data reporting API; providing the XML parser generator with a selected data reporting API implementation module; generating an XML parser to parse and validate instance documents conforming to the specified input schema and deserializing the instance documents into the desired deserialization format during the parse. |
| US08171387B2 |
Method of and system for collaboration web-based publishing
A system and method directed to controlling work flow for a document is disclosed. The system comprises a document control module comprising a document engine and a document portion, a workflow control module for tracking and assigning work on the document portion, and a Web-based interface coupled to the document control module and the workflow control module. The system is configured to couple to a remote host over a network such as the Internet. Preferably, the document is automatically formatted to include XML tags, which allows the document to be searched and otherwise controlled more easily. Preferably, the system also comprises a search engine for searching through the document portion using a variety of search criteria. Preferably, the system is configured to import search results into the document. |
| US08171386B2 |
Single event upset error detection within sequential storage circuitry of an integrated circuit
Sequential storage circuitry for a integrated circuit is provided, comprising a first storage element, a second storage element and an additional storage element. The first storage element stores, during a first phase of a clock signal, a first indication of an input data value received by the sequential storage circuitry. The second storage element is coupled to an output of the first storage element, and stores a second indication of the input data value during a second phase of the clock signal. The additional storage element is driven by a pulse signal derived from the clock signal, and is arranged on occurrence of that pulse signal to store a third indication of the input data value. Error detection circuitry is then provided for detecting a single event upset error in either the first storage element or the second storage element. In particular, during the first phase of the clock signal, the error detection circuitry detects the single event upset error in the first storage element if there is a difference in the input data value as indicated by the first indication and the third indication. Further, during the second phase of the clock signal, the error detection circuitry detects a single event upset error in the second storage element if there is a difference in the input data value as indicated by the second indication and the third indication. Such an arrangement provides a simple mechanism for detecting soft errors in both the first storage element and the second storage element using only one additional storage element. |
| US08171383B2 |
Method and system for data-rate control by randomized bit-puncturing in communication systems
Method and system for data-rate control by randomized bit-puncturing in communication systems. An encoder encodes at least one information bit thereby generating a group of encoded bits or an encoded frame. The encoder may be any type of encoder including a turbo encoder, an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) encoder, a RS (Reed-Solomon) encoder, or other type of encoder. Any sub-portion of an encoded frame generated by such an encoder can be viewed as being a group of encoded bits. If the encoded frame is sub-divided into multiple groups of bits, each group can under processing in accordance with the means presented herein to effectuate rate matching. Based on a number of bits to be punctured from the group or frame generated by the encoder, a set of pointers and random-generated displacements is used to generate addresses for bits in the group or frame to be transmitted or punctured. |
| US08171378B2 |
Flash memory system having encrypted error correction code and encryption method for flash memory system
A flash memory system includes a flash memory for storing input data, and a memory controller controlling the flash memory, wherein the memory controller generates a first error correction code corresponding to the input data, and encrypts the first error correction code, and the flash memory includes a main area for storing the input data and a spare area for storing the encrypted first error correction code. |
| US08171371B2 |
Inspection matrix generation method, encoding method, communication device, communication system, and encoder
A regular qc matrix is generated in which cyclic permutation matrices with specific regularity are arranged in row and column directions. A mask matrix supporting multiple encoding rates is generated for making the regular qc matrix into irregular. A specific cyclic permutation matrix in the regular qc matrix is converted into a zero-matrix using a mask matrix corresponding to a specific encoding rate to generate an irregular masking qc matrix. An irregular parity check matrix with a LDGM structure is generated, in which the masking qc matrix and a matrix in which the cyclic permutation matrices are arranged in a staircase manner are arranged in a predetermined location. |
| US08171369B2 |
DTV transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing broadcast data
A DTV transmitting system includes a frame encoder, a randomizer, a block processor, a group formatter, a deinterleaver, and a packet formatter. The frame encoder builds an enhanced data frame and encodes the frame two times for first and second error correction, respectively. It further permutes a plurality of encoded data frames. The randomizer randomizes the permuted enhanced data, and the block processor codes the randomized data at a rate of 1/N1. The group formatter forms a group of enhanced data having one or more data regions and inserts the data coded at the rate of 1/N1 into at least one of the data regions. The deinterleaver deinterleaves the group of enhanced data, and the packet formatter formats the deinterleaved data into enhanced data packets. |
| US08171367B2 |
Stopping criteria in iterative decoders
Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption in an iterative decoder. A memory stores a decoded codeword for a current iteration and an iteration terminator compares the decoded codeword for the current iteration to the codeword from prior iterations, and further terminates the iterations when a confidence value is achieved. |
| US08171366B2 |
Method of retransmission control in wireless relay system, wireless relay station, and wireless base station
If a reception result from an MS for the previous transmission data is a reception failure, second allocation information for retransmitting the previous transmission data is generated by an RS based on allocation information on a wireless resource for transmission of new data. The second allocation information and the previous transmission data are transmitted to the MS, and the new data is buffered. |
| US08171363B2 |
Method and device for counting transmission times of data unit, transmission device, and computer program
A method for counting correctly substantial transmission times of a data unit such as an RLC-PDU even if the data unit is divided before being transmitted is provided. The method includes the steps of preparing a counter for the RLC-PDU (#503), making a storage portion store a pointer indicating a position of a division PDU of the RLC-PDU to be transmitted every time when the division PDU obtained by dividing the RLC-PDU is transmitted (#504), determining whether or not the transmission times should be counted along with a transmission of the division PDU to be transmitted based on the pointer of the division PDU to be transmitted and the pointer of a division PDU that was transmitted last time (#505, #506 and #507), and making the counter perform the count process when it is determined that the transmission times should be counted (#508). |
| US08171359B2 |
Linking module connected to select leads of plural TAPs
A TAP linking module (21, 51) permits plural TAPs (TAPs 1-4) to be controlled and accessed from a test bus (13) via a single TAP interface (20). |
| US08171358B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for driving the same
A semiconductor device and a method for driving the same rapidly detect failure of a through-semiconductor-chip via and effectively repairing the failure using a latching unit assigned to each through-semiconductor-chip via. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor chips that are stacked, and a plurality of through-semiconductor-chip vias to commonly transfer a signal to the plurality of semiconductor chips, wherein each of the semiconductor chips includes a multiplicity of latching units assigned to the through-semiconductor-chip vias and the multiplicity of latching units of each of the semiconductor chips constructs a boundary scan path including the plurality of through-semiconductor-chip vias to sequentially transfer test data. |
| US08171357B2 |
Generating test sets for diagnosing scan chain failures
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise software-based techniques that can be used to improve scan chain test pattern generation and scan chain failure diagnosis resolution. For example, certain embodiments can be used to generate high quality chain diagnosis test patterns that are able to isolate a scan chain defect to a single scan cell. Such embodiments can be used to generate a “complete” test set—that is, a set of chain diagnosis test patterns that is able to isolate any scan chain defect in a faulty scan chain to a single scan cell. |
| US08171356B2 |
Reducing writes, and estimating and displaying estimated remaining lifetime of non-volatile memories
Techniques are taught for reducing writes, and estimating and displaying estimated remaining lifetime of non-volatile memories. The write reducing is optionally via determining a difference between write operation results and data stored in the non-volatile memories. The estimated remaining lifetime is optionally based at least in part on a previous lifetime. The displaying is optionally via a gauge. |
| US08171355B2 |
Data transferring method, and communication system and program applied with the method
Disclosed is a communication system that transmits data through a transmission path between a transmission side apparatus and a reception side apparatus, wherein the transmission side apparatus comprises a coding apparatus that creates redundantly-coded data from original data; a transmitting apparatus that sends the coded data coded by the coding unit to the transmission path; and a coding rate determining apparatus that sets and controls a coding rate in the coding unit, wherein the reception side apparatus comprises a receiving apparatus that receives the coded data sent through the transmission path; a decoding apparatus that decodes the original data from the coded data received; and a loss rate estimating apparatus that measures the loss rate on the path of the coded data sent, and wherein the coding rate determining apparatus of the transmission side apparatus varies and controls the coding rate in the coding apparatus based on the loss rate obtained. |
| US08171352B2 |
HVAC system, a method for determining a source of a reset and a HVAC controller configured for the same
An HVAC controller, a method for determining the source of a reset of a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a power on reset (POR) register configured to indicate if a POR has occurred for said controller, (2) a non-volatile memory having a first reset code section and a second reset code section, wherein said first and second reset code sections are each configured to store a reset code and (3) a processor configured to deduce when a source of a reset for said controller is a watchdog reset based on content of said POR register, said first reset code section and said second reset code section. |
| US08171351B1 |
Collecting information from user devices
An information collection system may include a server and one or more user devices that are in electronic communication with each other. Information may be collected by the user devices. For example, a user device may collect information regarding an error that occurred on the device. A server may monitor the user devices and receive information reports from those devices. The server may also instruct the user devices to perform self-corrective actions based on information received from those devices. |
| US08171346B2 |
Client session based debugging
Debugging operations on individual client sessions for a remotely executed shared application are enabled to be performed as the client requests are processed on the executing server without disrupting execution of other client sessions. A remote debugging client may connect to a debugging engine executed on the server allowing the debugging client to view source code, set breakpoints, view client connections, and receive callbacks or notifications when a breakpoint is hit by the client session being debugged. The debugging client may also control execution by stepping through client code enabling debugging of multiple clients simultaneously. |
| US08171343B2 |
Techniques for determining models for performing diagnostics
Techniques for performing diagnostics are described. In one embodiment, in response to an alert or a request to perform diagnostics, a topological relationship is generated comprising a set of applications and a set of systems determined based upon information in the alert or request. The topological relationship encapsulates relationships between the set of applications and the set of systems. In one embodiment, a set of causal network models to be used for performing the diagnostics is determined based upon the applications and systems in the topological relationship. |
| US08171335B2 |
Clock timing calibration circuit and clock timing calibration method for calibrating phase difference between different clock signals and related analog-to-digital conversion system using the same
A clock timing calibration circuit includes a clock timing adjusting unit and a calibration control unit. The clock timing adjusting unit is for receiving an incoming reference clock signal and selectively adjusting the received reference clock signal to generate a first clock signal according to a calibration control signal. The incoming reference clock has a predetermined phase and a predetermined frequency, The calibration control unit is for checking if the phase difference between the first clock signal and a second clock signal satisfies a predetermined criterion, and for adjusting the calibration control signal when the phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal does not satisfy the predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion is to check if the phase difference falls within a specific range associated with a clock period of one of the first clock signal and the second clock signal. |
| US08171333B2 |
Sub-beam forming transmitter circuitry for ultrasound system
Multi-channel pulser driver circuitry for a sub-beam forming transmitter of an ultrasound system in which sub-beam signals are formed by delaying sub-beam pulse pattern data in accordance with sub-beam pulse delay data and multiple clock signals. |
| US08171331B2 |
Memory channel having deskew separate from redrive
A memory agent may have a redrive circuit having a plurality of redrive paths, and a deskew circuit separate from the plurality of redrive paths. A deskew circuit may be integral with or separate from a redrive circuit having the plurality of redrive paths. A deskew circuit may be coupled between a redrive circuit and a memory device or interface. |
| US08171328B2 |
State history storage for synchronizing redundant processors
Embodiments of an invention for synchronizing redundant processors using state history are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes two processors, state storage for each processor, and control logic. Each processor is to execute the same instructions. The state storage is to store compressed processor state information for each instruction executed by the processors. The control logic is to synchronize the two processors based on entries from the state storage. |
| US08171326B2 |
L1 flush mechanism to flush cache for power down and handle coherence during flush and/or after power down
In one embodiment, a processor comprises a data cache configured to store a plurality of cache blocks and a control unit coupled to the data cache. The control unit is configured to flush the plurality of cache blocks from the data cache responsive to an indication that the processor is to transition to a low power state in which one or more clocks for the processor are inhibited. |
| US08171322B2 |
Portable electronic devices with power management capabilities
An electronic device may operate in standby and active modes. A headset may be coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device may have audio codec circuitry. The audio codec circuitry may use general purpose input-output circuitry in handling button and headset activity during active mode. Processing circuitry may be used to reconfigure the audio codec in real time. When the electronic device is in the standby mode and activity is detected, the codec may be configured to provide an interrupt signal to a power management unit that wakes the device. When the electronic device is in active mode and no user inputs are received within a given period of time, the central processor in the electronic device may place the device in standby mode. |
| US08171315B2 |
Method and apparatus for changing power class for a powered device
A method and apparatus for changing power class for a powered device are provided. During operation, a powered device, such as an IP telephone, receives power from a power source via a PoE device. In the event that the powered device detects connection to a second powered device, such as an IP telephone module, the powered device transmits a classification signal to the power source. Based upon the classification signal, the power source performs a powered device classification procedure to reclassify the powered device, such as according to an IEEE 802.3af standard, and provide an increase amount of power to the powered device. The powered device, in turn, provides a portion of the power to the modular device. The modular powered device, therefore, receives power directly from the first powered device and does not require additional equipment in order to operate. |
| US08171314B2 |
System and method for information handling system hybrid system level and power supply cooling
Information handling system thermal conditions are controlled by hybrid interaction between a system thermal manager and a power supply thermal manager. The system thermal manager sets a speed for system cooling fans and for a power supply cooling fan. The power supply thermal manager determines a speed for the power supply cooling fan and also receives the speed for the power supply cooling fan determined by the system thermal manager. The power supply thermal manager commands the power supply fan to run at a selected of the determined speeds based upon one or predetermined conditions, such as by the selecting the greater of the determined speeds. |
| US08171313B2 |
Communication device and power supply method
Provided is a communication device capable of efficiently performing a power supply control when reducing power consumption by reducing the time during which the power is supplied. In the device, a CPU power saving control unit (301) switches between a normal mode in which the power is supplied to a CPU (302) and a low power consumption mode in which the power supply is stopped at predetermined timing. A session management table (321) stores transmission intervals before and after conversion. An information conversion section (322) converts the transmission intervals of session maintenance messages according to a predetermined rule so that the transmission intervals of the session maintenance messages of respective protocols are mutually synchronized between the protocols. A control unit (323) controls the CPU power saving control unit (301) so as to transmit an appropriate session maintenance message at the transmission timing of a session maintenance message and also controls it so as to switch between the normal mode and the low power consumption mode at the predetermined timing. |
| US08171312B2 |
Recording apparatus and method for controlling the recording apparatus
A recording apparatus can shift to power saving modes even when the recording apparatus is connected to the host PC, thus reducing power consumption. The recording apparatus can switch to a first power saving mode to supply power that enables detection of an inquiry from a host device and also switch to a second power saving mode to supply power that enables responding to an inquiry from the host device about information as to the memory card. Prior to switching to the first power saving mode, the recording apparatus stores information about a memory card attached to the card slot in a memory unit. In response to detection of an inquiry from the host device, the recording apparatus switches from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode, and notifies information stored in the memory card controller to the host device. |
| US08171309B1 |
Secure memory controlled access
Secure memory controlled access is described. In embodiment(s), memory stores encrypted data and the memory includes a secure memory partition to store cryptographically sensitive data utilized to control access to the encrypted data stored on the memory. Controller firmware can access the encrypted data stored on the memory, but is precluded from access to the secure memory partition and the cryptographically sensitive data. Secure firmware can access the cryptographically sensitive data stored on the secure memory partition to control access by the controller firmware to the encrypted data stored on the memory. |
| US08171306B2 |
Universal secure token for obfuscation and tamper resistance
Program obfuscation is accomplished with tamper proof token including an embedded oracle. A public obfuscation function can be applied to any program/circuit to produce a new obfuscated program/circuit that makes calls to the corresponding oracle to facilitate program execution. A universal circuit representation can be employ with respect to obfuscation to hide circuit wiring and allow the whole circuit to be public. Furthermore, the token or embedded oracle can be universal and stateless to enable a single token to be employed with respect to many programs. |
| US08171298B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic user authentication using customizable context-dependent interaction across multiple verification objects
An authentication framework is provided which enables dynamic user authentication that combines multiple authentication objects using a shared context and that permits customizable interaction design to suit varying user preferences and transaction/application requirements. Such a framework provides a high degree of flexibility, accuracy, convenience and robustness. In one illustrative aspect of the invention, an automated technique for user authentication comprises the following steps/operations. First, user input is obtained. At least a portion of the user input is associated with two or more verification objects. Then, the user is verified based on the two or more verification objects in accordance with at least one verification policy operating on a context shared across the two or more verification objects. The user authentication technique of the invention may preferably be implemented in a flexible, distributed architecture comprising at least one client device coupled to at least one verification server. The client device and the verification server may operate together to perform the user authentication techniques of the invention. |
| US08171296B2 |
System and method for producing and checking validation certificates
A system, method, and computer program product for computing a digest value of a document, one or more schemas, and a validation report. The validation report indicates a validation status of the document based on the schema or schemas. The digest value is encrypted to produce a digital signature of the document, the schema or schemas, and the validation report. |
| US08171295B2 |
Information processing apparatus, a server apparatus, a method of an information processing apparatus, a method of a server apparatus, and an apparatus executable process
To provide an information processing apparatus, a server apparatus, a method of an information processing apparatus, a method of a server apparatus, and an apparatus executable program.An information processing apparatus uses signed integrity values unique to software configuration and asserting integrity of initial codes of a networked server. The server apparatus generates keys used for certifying the server apparatus (S810, S820, S830). One of the keys are certified by a third party to generate a digital signature (S840). The digital signature is attached to the integrity values and the signed integrity values are transmitted to the information processing apparatus for allowing the information processing apparatus to have secure services through the network (S850, S860). |
| US08171291B2 |
Method for checking the integrity of data, system and mobile terminal
The invention relates to a method for checking the integrity of a message transmitted between a sender in a transmitting end and a recipient in a receiving end, in which method an authentication value is calculated for the first message and a random string is generated. According to a method in the transmitting end an authentication value is generated from a message to be sent and the random string. A check code is formed from the authentication value and the random sting. The first message is transferred from a sender to a recipient through a first channel, and the check code is transferred through a second secure channel. In the receiving end a message is received through a first channel and the check code is received through a second secure channel. In the receiving end an authentication check formed at least based of the received message. The integrity of the received message is checked by comparing the predetermined check values in the receiving end. |
| US08171287B2 |
Access control system for information services based on a hardware and software signature of a requesting device
A system and method for the authorization of access to a service by a computational device or devices. A software agent generates a digital signature for the device each time it attempts to access the service and send it to an authentication server, which compares the digital signature sent with one or more digital signatures on file to determine whether access to the service is permitted. The digital signature is generated by using hashes based on software and hardware configuration data collected from the device. The system may be used in conjunction with other authorization methods and devices. |
| US08171284B2 |
Encryption device, decryption device, encryption method, and decryption method
An encryption device, a decryption device, an encryption method, and a decryption method effectively perform encryption and decryption by using a packet type judgment result. An encryption/decryption device includes a packet reception unit that acquires a packet, a first encryption engine that is formed by hardware and encrypts or decrypts a packet; and a second encryption engine that encrypts or decrypts a packet by using software. The encryption/decyption device also includes a head data identification unit that judges the real time feature of the acquired packet according to the header information on the acquired packet, and an encryption/decryption process judgment unit that decides the acquired packet encryption destination or decryption destination in accordance with the real time feature from the first encryption engine and the second encryption engine. Since it is possible to separate the encryption by hardware from encryption by software according to the packet real time feature, it is possible to effectively perform encryption and decryption. |
| US08171283B2 |
Vehicle segment certificate management using short-lived, unlinked certificate schemes
The present invention advantageously provides a system and method for management of cryptographic keys and certificates for a plurality of vehicles. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles generates public/private key pairs, requests multiple time-distributed certificates, creates an encrypted identity, and surrenders expired certificates. An assigning authority receives the public/private key pairs, the request for multiple time-distributed certificates, the encrypted identity, and the expired certificates from said vehicle. The assigning authority authorizes the vehicle with an authorizing authority, validates the expired certificates, proves ownership, and distributes the requested time-distributed certificates to said vehicle. Validation can comprise checking expired certificates against misused, compromised and/or previously surrendered certificates. Time-distributed certificates can have lifetimes adjustable based on certificate misuse detection system algorithms, amount of malicious activity detected, and/or certificate authority capacity. |
| US08171282B2 |
Encryption data integrity check with dual parallel encryption engines
An encryption method encrypts a clear text twice using a first encryption engine to produce a first cipher text and a second encryption engine to produce a second cipher text. The method compares the first cipher text with the second cipher text, or compares a checksum of the first cipher text with a checksum of the second cipher text. If the comparison succeeds, the method transmits the data. In some embodiments, the method uses a first instance of an encryption key to produce the first cipher text and a second instance of the encryption key to produce the second cipher text. |
| US08171281B2 |
Microprocessor boot-up controller connected to a processor and NAND flash memory for controlling the boot-up of a computer device
An information processing apparatus has a multi-valued NAND nonvolatile memory including a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells connected to the respective word lines. Each memory cell has a plurality of threshold voltages, and is divided into a first and a second storage area. A program code is stored in the first storage area, and user data is stored in the second storage area. The apparatus also includes a volatile memory to which the program code is transferred from the multi-valued NAND nonvolatile memory. The apparatus further includes a CPU connected to the volatile memory and configured to operate based on the program code transferred to the volatile memory. |
| US08171279B2 |
Multi processor system having direct access boot and direct access boot method thereof
A multiprocessor system having a direct access boot operation and a direct access boot method are provided to substantially reduce a boot error of processor that does not provide a memory link architecture in the multiprocessor system. In an embodiment of the invention, a multiprocessor system includes: a first processor configured to perform a first predetermined task; a second processor configured to perform a second predetermined task; a multiport semiconductor memory device coupled to the first processor and the second processor, the multiport semiconductor memory device including at least one shared memory area, the multiport semiconductor memory device configured to provide access to the at least one shared memory area by the first processor and the second processor; and a non-volatile memory device coupled to the first processor and the second processor, the non-volatile memory device storing a first boot code associated with the first processor and a second boot code associated with the second processor, the multiprocessor system configured to provide the first processor direct access to the non-volatile memory area during a boot operation and indirect access to the non-volatile memory area otherwise. |
| US08171277B2 |
Method and apparatus for booting from a flash memory without prior knowledge of flash parameter information
Techniques for booting a computing device with a flash memory without knowledge of parametric information of the flash memory are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the computing device receives input requesting the computing device to begin operation and executes a set of one or more instructions stored in a non-volatile memory. The execution of the set of instructions configures a first read routine for accessing the flash memory based on a common denominator format of candidate flash memories, and the first read routine is not configured based on information located in a flash memory identification table. The computing device reads a bootstrapping code image based on the first read routine into a volatile memory and executes that first bootstrapping code image. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08171273B2 |
Method and apparatus for reconfiguring software in SDR terminal
A method and apparatus for reconfiguring software in a software-based wireless terminal when a new wireless communication service is to be carried out is provided. The method of reconfiguring software at a software defined radio (SDR) terminal including one or more reconfigurable elements, includes: indentifying program installation time and program startup time with respect to the respective reconfigurable elements, selecting a reconfigurable element from the one or more reconfigurable elements based on the program installation time and the program startup time, and placing a program on the selected reconfigurable element. Accordingly, time for installing a new wireless communication service can be reduced in the SDR mobile communication terminal. Thus, convenience can be provided to a user. |
| US08171268B2 |
Technique for context state management to reduce save and restore operations between a memory and a processor using in-use vectors
A technique for managing context state information enables a reduced number of save and restore operations. At least one embodiment includes a plurality of save area segments to store a plurality of machine context state information, which can be saved into the segments and restored to the machine state. One embodiment includes at least one in-use bit vector to indicate status of the plurality of machine context information stored in the segments, and another vector associated with the machine state. |
| US08171267B2 |
Method and apparatus for migrating task in multi-processor system
A method and apparatus for migrating a task in a multi-processor system. The method includes examining whether a second process has been allocated to a second processor, the second process having a same instruction to execute as a first process and having different data to process in response to the instruction from the first process, the instruction being to execute the task; selecting a method of migrating the first process or a method of migrating a thread included in the first process based on the examining and migrating the task from a first processor to the second processor using the selected method. Therefore, cost and power required for task migration can be minimized. Consequently, power consumption can be maintained in a low-power environment, such as an embedded system, which, in turn, optimizes the performance of the multi-processor system and prevents physical damage to the circuit of the multi-processor system. |
| US08171266B2 |
Look-ahead load pre-fetch in a processor
A method for look-ahead load pre-fetching that reduces the effects of instruction stalls caused by high latency instructions. Look-ahead load pre-fetching is accomplished by searching an instruction stream for load memory instructions while the instruction stream is stalled waiting for completion of a previous instruction in the instruction stream. A pre-fetch operation is issued for each load memory instruction found. The pre-fetch operations cause data for the corresponding load memory instructions to be copied to a cache, thereby avoiding long latencies in the subsequent execution of the load memory instructions. |
| US08171265B2 |
Accelerating traceback on a signal processor
A method executed by an instruction set on a processor is described. The method includes providing a tbbit instruction, inputting a first index for the tbbit instruction, loading a second value for the tbbit instruction, wherein the second value comprises at least 2b bits, using selected b bits of the first index to select at least one target bit in the loaded second value, shifting the target bit into the bottom of the first index, and computing a second index based on the shifting of the target bit into the bottom of the first index. Other methods and variations are also described. |
| US08171264B2 |
Control sub-unit and control main unit
A sub-unit judges whether an instruction received from an external unit is executable. If the instruction is judged to be executable, the sub-unit executes it. If, on the other hand, the instruction is judged to be unexecutable, the sub-unit notifies the external unit of an executable plan. |
| US08171263B2 |
Data processing apparatus comprising an array controller for separating an instruction stream processing instructions and data transfer instructions
A parallel data processing apparatus using a SIMD array of processing elements is disclosed. The apparatus makes use of a register in order to control issuance of instructions to the processing elements in the array. |
| US08171262B2 |
Method and apparatus for clearing hazards using jump instructions
A method and apparatus for overlaying hazard clearing with a jump instruction within a pipeline microprocessor is described. The apparatus includes hazard logic to detect when a jump instruction specifies that hazards are to be cleared as part of a jump operation. If hazards are to be cleared, the hazard logic disables branch prediction for the jump instruction, thereby causing the jump instruction to proceed down the pipeline until it is finally resolved, and flushing the pipeline behind the jump instruction. Disabling of branch prediction for the jump instruction effectively clears all execution and/or instruction hazards that preceded the jump instruction. Alternatively, hazard logic causes issue control logic to stall the jump instruction for n-cycles until all hazards are cleared. State tracking logic may be provided to determine whether any instructions are executing in the pipeline that create hazards. If so, hazard logic performs normally. If not, state tracking logic disables the effect of the hazard logic. |
| US08171261B2 |
Method and system for accessing memory in parallel computing using load fencing instructions
A system and method for fencing memory accesses. Memory loads can be fenced, or all memory access can be fenced. The system receives a fencing instruction that separates memory access instructions into older accesses and newer accesses. A buffer within the memory ordering unit is allocated to the instruction. The access instructions newer than the fencing instruction are stalled. The older access instructions are gradually retired. When all older memory accesses are retired, the fencing instruction is dispatched from the buffer. |
| US08171258B2 |
Address generation unit with pseudo sum to accelerate load/store operations
In an embodiment, an address generation unit (AGU) is configured to generate a pseudo sum from an index portion of two or more operands. The pseudo sum may equal the index if the carry-in of the actual sum to the least significant bit of the index is a selected value (e.g. zero). The AGU may also include circuitry coupled to receive the operands and to generate the actual carry-in to the least significant bit of the index. The AGU may transmit the pseudo sum and the carry-in to a decode block for a memory array. The decode block may decode the pseudo sum into one or more one-hot vectors. The one-hot vectors may be input to muxes, and the one-hot vectors rotated by one position may be the other input. The actual carry-in may be the selection control of the mux. |
| US08171256B1 |
Systems and methods for preventing subversion of address space layout randomization (ASLR)
A method for preventing subversion of address space layout randomization (ASLR) in a computing device is described. An unverified module attempting to load into an address space of memory of the computing device is intercepted. Attributes associated with the unverified module are analyzed. A determination is made, based on the analyzed attributes, whether a probability exists that the unverified module will be loaded into a number of address spaces that exceeds a threshold. The unverified module is prevented from loading into the address space if the probability exists that the unverified module will be loaded into a number of address spaces that exceeds the threshold. |
| US08171251B2 |
Data storage management method and device
A storage device includes a local memory, wherein data are locally stored, and a controller that is operative, in accordance with a reduction policy, to modify the data on the local memory, thereby freeing storage area on the local memory. |
| US08171250B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering content based on receivers characteristics
Media distribution systems may include methods and apparatus to perform memory management on a wireless devices configured to receive non-real time portions of media services. Such methods and apparatus may be based upon an allowable capacity of presentations storable in device memory, as well as on a required memory associated with each presentation in a media service. Such methods and apparatus allow a device to subscribe to a media service based upon sufficient available memory in the device to support the service. |
| US08171246B2 |
Ranking and prioritizing point in time snapshots
A storage area network system having a data storage means for storing computer data, a storage manager routine running on a client, the storage manager routine having functional elements for directing snapshots to be taken of the computer data on the data storage means, and a snapshot ranking manager for determining characteristics of the snapshots, and for selectively deleting given ones of the snapshots based at least in part on the characteristics of the snapshots. The characteristics of the snapshots might include the type of application that uses the data in the logical volume from which the snapshots were taken, or mission critical aspects of the data. |
| US08171225B2 |
Cache for a multi thread and multi core system and methods thereof
A method includes storing a plurality of data RAM, holding information for all outstanding requests forwarded to a next-level memory subsystem, clearing information associated with a serviced request after the request has been fulfilled, determining if a subsequent request matches an address supplied to one or more requests already in-flight to the next-level memory subsystem, matching fulfilled requests serviced by the next-level memory subsystem to at least one requester who issued requests while an original request was in-flight to the next level memory subsystem, storing information specific to each request comprising a set attribute and a way attribute configured to identify where the returned data should be held in the data RAM once the data is returned, the information specific to each request further including at least one of thread ID, instruction queue position and color, and scheduling hit and miss data returns. |
| US08171222B2 |
Memory access system, memory control apparatus, memory control method and program
A memory control apparatus disposed in a memory access system having a bus, a single storage unit with a bank structure and a bus arbitrating unit, includes: an access-request accepting means for accepting sequential access requests for data located at sequential addresses in the storage unit, sequential access requests for data located at discrete addresses in the storage unit as sequential access requests, or access requests for data located at sequential addresses in the storage unit which cannot be made into a single access request as sequential access requests; and an access-request rearranging means for rearranging sequential access requests accepted by the access-request accepting means in an order of banks of the storage unit within a range of access requests relating to either a data write request output from one of data processing units or a data read request output therefrom to control an access control of the storage unit. |
| US08171216B2 |
System and method for managing devices in an information handling system
A method can include associating a bin access value with each data storage bin of a plurality of data storage bins after a current time window ends; mapping each data storage bin of the plurality of data storage bins to a storage tier of a hierarchy of storage tiers, based on the bin access value associated with the data storage bin, such that a bin access value associated with each data storage bin mapped to a storage tier is greater than or equal to a bin access value associated with each data storage bin mapped to a next highest-performing storage tier; causing data associated with each data storage bin of the plurality of data storage bins to be migrated to the storage tier to which the data storage bin is mapped; and, when a data storage bin was not mapped to a current storage tier after a previous time window ended, automatically determining a time weighting factor to be applied to an access frequency associated with a time window. |
| US08171202B2 |
Asynchronous distributed object uploading for replicated content addressable storage clusters
A method is performed by two or more devices of a group of devices in a distributed data replication system. The method includes receiving, at the two or more devices, a group of chunks having a same unique temporary identifier, where the group of chunks comprises an object to be uploaded; creating an entry for the object in a replicated index, where the entry is keyed by the unique temporary identifier, and where the replicated index is replicated at each of the two or more devices; and determining, by an initiating device of the two or more devices, that a union of the group of chunks contains all data of the object. The method also includes calculating a content-based identifier to the object; creating another entry for the object in the replicated index, where the other entry is keyed by the content-based identifier; and updating the replicated index to point from the unique temporary identifier to the content-based identifier. |
| US08171200B1 |
Serially indexing a cache memory
A method includes indexing a translation table stored in memory with a first index of a virtual address corresponding to a first memory region size by querying the translation table at first locations associated with the first index. Indexing the translation table with a second index of the virtual address corresponding to a second memory region size by querying the translation table at second locations associated with the second index. The translation table includes translations for mapping address tags of the virtual address to physical addresses. The first index is different than the second index, and the first memory region size is different than the second memory region size. |
| US08171199B2 |
Multiprocessor gateway
A multiprocessor gateway for multiple serial buses includes: multiple communication modules that are each provided for connection of one serial bus; multiple processors for processing data that are transferred in word-based fashion, via an internal system bus appurtenant to the respective processor, between the processor and the communication modules, the internal system buses of the multiprocessor gateway being connected to the communication modules, which have a respective appurtenant interface unit for each system bus, each processor exchanging data, via its appurtenant system bus and the interface unit, appurtenant to the system bus, of a communication module, with the serial bus connected to the communication module, independently of the other processors and without waiting time. |
| US08171195B2 |
Media player communication with an accessory using a display remote lingo
An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. |
| US08171194B2 |
Accessory communication with a media player using a display remote lingo
An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. |
| US08171193B2 |
Master communication circuit, slave communication circuit, and data communicating method
A master communication circuit communicatively connected to a slave communication circuit, comprises a timer circuit that can detect a first time; a first output circuit that outputs a first output signal of one logical level for starting a detecting operation of the first time in the timer circuit, when a value transmitted to the slave communication circuit is one logical level, and for starting a detecting operation of a second time longer than the first time in the slave communication circuit; and a second output circuit that outputs a second output signal of the other logical level when the timer circuit detects the first time, wherein if a value of one logical level is transmitted to the slave communication circuit, the value of one logical level is transmitted to the slave communication circuit by not detecting the second time with the slave communication circuit, detecting the first time with the timer circuit, and outputting the second output signal with the second output circuit, and wherein if a value of the other logical level is transmitted to the slave communication circuit, the value of the other logical level is transmitted to the slave communication circuit by not detecting the first time with the timer circuit and detecting the second time with the slave communication circuit. |
| US08171191B2 |
Bus interconnect device and a data processing apparatus including such a bus interconnect device
A bus interconnect device is provided comprising a parallel plate waveguide for coupling together a plurality of devices. This provides an efficient and flexible approach for providing interconnect functionality within a data processing apparatus. |
| US08171182B2 |
Method of indicating connectivity of peripheral device to computer operating system
This invention provides a method of connecting a network-connected image input device, to which a plug-and-play function cannot be applied to a computer installed with an OS (operating system) and using the image input device. To this end, when a control program of the image input device is activated, the program notifies the OS of information indicating that the peripheral device is connected, irrespective of connection/non-connection between the peripheral device and the computer. Upon reception of a command for activating the peripheral device, the control program confirms the connection/non-connection between the peripheral device and the computer. When the connection is confirmed, the control program controls the peripheral device to activate. |
| US08171180B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus is disclosed that is connected to a device and generates data processable by the device based on device information about the device. The information processing apparatus includes a processing content setting unit that specifies, based on the device information, processing content to be executed by the device; a command retrieving unit that, if the processing content specified by the processing content setting unit contains unknown information, retrieves a command corresponding to the unknown information from the device information; and a data generating unit that generates, based on the command retrieved by the command retrieving unit and the processing content, data processable by the device. |
| US08171179B2 |
Apparatus supporting plurality of interfaces and method of setting up network connection of the same
A method of setting up a network connection of an image forming device connectable to a network via a first interface and a second interface, the method including setting up a network connection via the second interface, stopping operation of the first interface and initiating operation of the second interface after the setting up of the network connection via the second interface is completed, determining whether the second interface is connected to the network, and, stopping operation of the second interface and initiating operation of the first interface if determined that the second interface is connected to the network. |
| US08171178B2 |
Scaling of small computer system interface input output (SCSI I/O) referrals
A command is issued to a first data storage system for addressing a set of data and at least one of a first referral response including a referral to at least a second data storage system or at least a first subset of the set of data and the first referral response including the referral to the at least the second data storage system. The at least one of a first referral response is accessed. A command is issued to the second data storage system for addressing the set of data and a second referral response including a referral to at least one of the first data storage system and a third data storage system, the second data storage system including at least a second subset of the set of data. The second subset of the set of data and the second referral response including the referral to the at least one of the first data storage system or the third data storage system is accessed. |
| US08171177B2 |
Enhancements to data-driven media management within an electronic device
A centralized resource manager manages the routing of audio or visual information within a device, including a handheld device such as a smartphone. The resource manager evaluates data-driven policies to determine how to route audio or visual information to or from various input or output components connected to the device, including headphones, built-in speakers, microphones, bluetooth headsets, cameras, and so on. Among the data considered in the policies are connection status data, indicating if a device is connected, routing status data, indicating if a device is permitted to route information to or from a component, and grouping data, indicating logical relationships between various components. Components may be considered inherently routable, automatically routable, or optionally routable. Numerous other uses exist for such data, including providing simpler and more logical management interfaces. |
| US08171174B2 |
Out-of-band characterization of server utilization via remote access card virtual media for auto-enterprise scaling
A method for characterizing server utilization out-of-band via remote access card virtual media includes sending at least one preselected desired parameter comprising at least one of at least one performance parameter and at least one process parameter, and at least one preselected polling interval to a remote access card disposed in at least one preselected managed host server system, using a remote application running on a remote management client via at least one remote access card administrative command through an out-of-band dedicated remote access card network interface card. The method also includes connecting a plug-and-play virtual drive, having an auto-run data gathering executable, to the at least one preselected managed host server system at the at least one preselected polling interval via a plug-and-play virtual media interface between the remote access card and the at least one preselected managed host server system, using firmware of the remote access card. |
| US08171171B2 |
Data synchronization method and system between devices
A data synchronization method for more than three networked devices including at least one client and one server for efficiently synchronizing data among multiple devices supporting a Synchronization Markup Language (SyncML) protocol is provided. The data synchronization method includes determining whether a data item indicated by synchronization information contained in a synchronization request message exists in a change log table of the server, when a server receives the synchronization request message sent by a first client, and updating the change log table by adding the data item indicated by the synchronization information and transmitting a synchronization request message containing a data identifier and the change log of the data item to a second client, if a data item indicated by the synchronization information does not exist, otherwise, ending data synchronization by transmitting a synchronization response message containing status information to the first client. |
| US08171170B2 |
Storage switch task processing synchronization
Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments relate to a storage switch including task processing synchronization. In embodiments of the present invention, the packet processing units may generate and store Task Index and Generation Count information that prevents the processing of expired commands or responses. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may further employ timeout sequences to prevent previous instances of a stale task resource from disrupting the current use of the task resource. |
| US08171169B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating a graphical display in a distributed processing environment
A system and method for updating a display unit remotely located from a computing system are described. The method includes copying display information from a video buffer of a computing device executing an application to generate a display update, calculating a size of the display update, and determining an amount of available bandwidth of a network connecting the computing device and the display unit. The method also includes calculating a time period required to communicate the display update from the computing device to the display unit, transmitting the display update to the display; and repeating the method after the time period has elapsed. |
| US08171167B2 |
Intelligent caching of media files
A method of receiving and forwarding a multimedia message is provided. The multimedia message is adapted with a first adaptation profile into a first adapted message to be received in a first device. The multimedia message and the first adapted message are stored in a media cache. The message may then be forwarded from the first device to a second device that has a second adaptation profile by retrieving the first adapted message from the media cache and sending it to the second device if the first and second adaptation profiles match, otherwise the multimedia message is retrieved from the media cache and adapted with the second adaptation profile into a second adapted message that is then sent to the second device. In addition, the second adapted message is stored in the media cache. |
| US08171163B2 |
Method for tracking transmission status of data to entities such as peers in a network
A method for tracking a transmission status of one or more data elements to one or more devices. In one example, the method includes providing a list including one or more devices and one or more data elements; processing the list to determine a data element of the one or more data elements to transmit to a device of one of the one or more devices; and upon successfully transmitting the data element to the device, adjusting the list so that the list indicates that the device has received the transmitted data element. In this manner, the status of whether a particular data element has been sent to a particular device can be easily derived from the list. |
| US08171162B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using both LDP and RSVP in a communications system
Methods and apparatus for allowing routers in an autonomous system to implement LDP and RSVP at the same time. RSVP can be used in the network core with LDP being used in network regions surrounding the core. LDP LSPs are tunneled through the RSVP network core using RSVP LSPs and label stacking techniques. During route selection LDP LSPs which use an RSVP LSP tunnel are preferred over alternative LDP LSPs having an equal cost associated with them to create a preference for traffic engineered routes. |
| US08171160B1 |
Multi-layer stack platform for cloud communications
A multi-layer stack platform is provided for cloud communication connections and services between devices. The system includes three or more layers, including a directory component, an applications component, and a peering component. An interconnection component may also be provided for communication between the applications component and the peering component. The components operate to provide communication services, such as sessions, according to the functionality of a selected application by adhering to device, user, and routing rules and preferences. The device, user, and routing rules and preferences are maintained in and processed by the directory component. The applications component receives communication session requests and accesses corresponding application scripts to perform the requested session. The peering component receives the device, user, and routing rules and preferences, and establishes connection between devices based on the rules and preferences as defined by the directory component. |
| US08171158B1 |
Browser system and method
A portable apparatus for viewing digital content received from a data communication network, includes: a non-volatile storage medium capable to store digital content received from a data communication network; a display communicatively coupled to the non-volatile storage medium and capable to display images of the digital content; a processor communicatively coupled to the non-volatile storage medium; and a content browsing engine executable by the processor and capable to select digital content stored in the non-volatile storage medium. An apparatus for receiving datacast transmission, includes: a base station including a receiver; a portable browser device capable to be coupled to the base station and including a non-volatile storage; and a filtering engine communicatively coupled to the non-volatile storage and capable to store into the non-volatile storage content bundles requested by a user, the content bundles being transmitted from a data cast transmission received by the receiver. |
| US08171144B2 |
AV server apparatus and connection management method
In connection management by a conventional server apparatus using IDs, a client apparatus cannot know an attribute of a connection corresponding to an ID. A server apparatus (10) is an AV server apparatus that distributes content to a client apparatus requesting content data. A communication unit (11) receives a logical connection establishment request or a physical connection establishment request from the client apparatus. A content data distribution unit (14) establishes a physical connection for distributing the content data to the client apparatus, when the physical connection establishment request is received. A connection information management unit (15) establishes a logical connection, when the logical connection establishment request is received or as a result of the establishment of the physical connection. The connection information management unit (15) further generates an ID (connection ID) that corresponds to the logical connection and belongs to a value range associated with a logical connection category (type). |
| US08171138B2 |
System and method for applying flexible attributes to execute asynchronous network requests
Flexible attributes are attached to network requests that may be executed asynchronously. Any number of criteria may be attached to network requests. The requests are queued until the associated criteria are satisfied. Once the criteria are satisfied, the request is executed. Applications that make the requests are provided with simple success and failure notifications that they can respond to with various logic. Any type of criteria may be attached to a request. The criteria may be associated with the requests at design time of the application using a graphical user interface. |
| US08171135B2 |
Accumulator for prefetch abort
The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of determining whether to abort a prefetch operation. Embodiments include accumulator functionality for accumulating object data prior to making an abort determination. Certain embodiments compress the accumulated data to more accurately reflect the cost of pushing the data to the client as part of the prefetch operation. Accumulation and/or compression of the data may provide sufficient data relating to the size of the object to make a useful prefetch abort determination, even where the size of the object cannot be otherwise determined (e.g., from the object data header). Other embodiments store accumulated data (e.g., in compressed or uncompressed form) for use in further optimizing prefetch operations. For example, if an accumulated prefetch is aborted before the object is forwarded to the client, and the client later requests the object, the object may be pushed to the client from server-side storage, rather than retrieving (e.g., and compressing) the object from the content server redundantly. |
| US08171133B2 |
Management apparatus and management method for computer system
A computer system according to the present invention is provided with a request classification tool generating a request classification log which describes a number of web requests handled by the computer system for each predetermined measurement period and for each type of the web requests; a system unification processing tool for generating a system log which describes a status of resources of the computer system for the each predetermined measurement period; and resource usage status analysis tool. The resource usage status analysis tool calculates a request handling resource usage amount per web request by using the request classification log and the system log for each type of the web requests, the request handling resource usage amount being a usage amount of resources used for handling the web requests per web request. |
| US08171131B2 |
Device for managing the insertion of complementary data into multimedia content streams
A device (D) is dedicated to managing multimedia content that is to be transmitted to communication terminals (T). This device (D) comprises management means (MM) tasked, when in the presence of a multimedia content stream to be transmitted, with determining in real time which complementary content should be inserted into selected points of said stream, from among a set of complementary content each associated with a preset profile and which may be at least partially contained within said stream, and depending on at least one criterion dealing with at least one portion of said profiles. |
| US08171122B2 |
Visualization of web services distributed management (WSDM) resources
An apparatus and method provides visualization of IT resources that are exposed as WSDM resources. A management system with a console provides visibility and functionality for WSDM resources by employing a visualization mechanism that processes standardized visualization metadata that is sent from a WSDM resource. The visualization mechanism uses standardized information to enable the management system console to display a robust presentation of the resource without needing to update the management system and console code when new types of resources are added. |
| US08171120B1 |
Mobile IPv6 route optimization authorization
The invention consists of a new route optimization authorization enabling mechanism. The current Mobile IPv6 protocols do not allow for optional control over the use of route optimization. The present invention allows for system control over whether route optimization is allowed or not allowed. The conditional allowance of route optimization solves several billing and security issues by allowing the system to impose appropriate charges for the route optimization feature or prevent route optimization where traffic flow can be monitored by the home network. |
| US08171117B2 |
Workflow manager for a distributed system
A workflow manager handles the communication between a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client. The workflow manager maintains a directory of clients, translates a transaction from a provider into multiple transactions suitable for the client, and handles security. In one embodiment, the workflow manager connects with the workflow-enabled client by registration and with the workflow-enabled provider by advertising and activation. Subsequent communications between the workflow manager and the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client are with a request/response protocol. The workflow manager also comprises data storage for storing data for transmission to the workflow-enabled client or the workflow-enabled provider, and workflow storage for storing information related to registered clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for a method for registering a client and a method for activating a provider. |
| US08171116B2 |
Configuring processing entities according to their roles in a data processing system with a distributed architecture
A mechanism is provided for configuring different computers of a network. Each computer plays a specific physic role (defined by an architecture of the network) and/or a specific logic role (defined by the applications running in the network). A reference model and a transition table are associated with each product to be installed in the network; the reference model specifies a target configuration for each role (defined by the components of the product to be installed), while the transition table specifies the actions required to reach each target configuration from each current configuration of the computers. A server identifies the role and the current configuration of each computer; the actions required to enforce the desired target configuration on the computer are then established and executed. |
| US08171113B2 |
Management of bandwidth allocation in a network server
A server is connected to a plurality of connected client devices, and is configured to transfer information between any selected one of the client devices and a memory for static storage of information. The method comprises increasing the defined delay period after each execution of a packet transfer cycle, thereby discouraging the transfer of unacceptably large files. The delay period may be initiated, and the amount of increase or other adjustment to the delay period during the transfer cycle may be controlled, by selected a predetermined value from a table, or by calculating a value based on variable input parameters such as the file size, server load, network response time, and number of transfer requests from the client device within a defined prior period. |
| US08171110B1 |
Tools enabling a preferred placement service for domain registration websites
The present inventions may be implemented by tools enabling preferred domain positioning on a registration website. An example may comprise a computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a server, cause the server to receive a request (comprising a bid and the domain) seeking such preferred placement, generate a quality score for the domain, determine the preferred placement based upon the bid and the quality score, and transmit a response (comprising the preferred placement) to the request. |
| US08171105B2 |
Modification of information utility based upon context
A method of disseminating information in system having data sources and data recipients includes receiving a generic utility function at a data source for information to be delivered to a data recipient based upon an application for which the information is to be used. Data related to an environment in which the information is to be propagated is used to modify the generic utility function. |
| US08171103B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing access to content
Methods and apparatus are provided for providing access to content via messaging services, such as email, voicemail, instant messaging, text messaging, or other similar messaging services. A content server is provided that includes a user interface, a web server and a file. The web server includes a web page for accessing the file. A user provides user information associated with a messaging address via the user interface, and the content server then sends a message including the web address of the web page to the messaging address. The user may then retrieve the message at a client computer, and may then download the file to the client computer by entering the web address into a web browser on the client computer. |
| US08171102B2 |
Smart access to a dispersed data storage network
A method for reading data from a dispersed data storage network that includes a plurality of slice servers. The method begins by accessing a list of slice servers of the plurality of slice servers, wherein each slice server on the list stores at least one data slice associated with a data segment of the data. The method continues by transmitting read requests to at least some of the slice servers on the list. The method continues by receiving a data slice from a slice server on the list. The method continues by determining whether a threshold number of data slices has been received. The method continues, when the threshold number of data slices has been received, assembling the data segment from at least the threshold number of data slices. |
| US08171100B2 |
Reducing latency of access requests in distributed storage systems having a shared data set
Described are methods and apparatus for reducing latency of read and write requests for a set of storage system sites having a shared data set. An owner site may directly write to the shared data set and contains current data regarding the shared data set. The remote sites may experience substantial latency when accessing the shared data set stored at the owner site. Synchronizing and caching methods may reduce overall read latency experienced at remote sites by periodically transmitting images of the shared data set to the remote sites. Also, a migration method may be used to change ownership of the shared data set from a current owner site (that may be receiving a relatively low number of read/write requests) to a new owner site (that may be receiving a relatively high number of read/write requests) to reduce the overall read and write latency experienced in the sites. |
| US08171099B1 |
Network acceleration device having persistent in-memory cache
A network acceleration device includes a persistent, in-memory cache of network content. For example, the cache may store content in a manner that allows a software process to map virtual memory to specific, known regions of an underlying physical memory. Upon detecting a failure of a process executing within the network device, the network acceleration device may restart the software process and remap data structures of the cache to the known regions of the physical memory without necessarily requiring that the cache content be reloaded from a non-volatile memory, such as a hard drive. In this manner, the network acceleration device may accelerate download speeds by avoiding timely cache content restoration in the event of a software process failure. |
| US08171097B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of processing printing operation on home network
An apparatus, a system, and a method of processing a printing operation on a home network that searches an available media storage device upon a request of a printing job of predetermined contents, transmits an address of the searched media storage device, and prints printing contents transmitted to the address are provided. The apparatus for processing a printing function on a home network includes a printing request management unit which processes a printing request transmitted from a printing controller on a home network; a media storage device processing unit which provides information on an available media storage device on the home network when printing job information is transmitted from the printing request management unit; and a printing management unit which downloads predetermined contents stored in the media storage device, and performs a printing job according to the printing request of the printing controller. |
| US08171094B2 |
System and method for communicating over a network with a medical device
A device is provided for connecting a medical apparatus to a network. The device collects data from the medical apparatus and performs a variety of processing functions, such as trending, protocol translation, generating reports, etc. related to the collected data. The device then transmits the collected data over a network to interested parties. In some implementations, the device can transmit the collected data as an email message. |
| US08171092B2 |
Method for delivering CPM message and server thereof
Disclosed is a method for delivering a message in a converged IP messaging (CPM) server. The message delivery method may include determining whether to reject a CPM message based on the access policy if the CPM message is received; checking a user preference of a target terminal to determine processing of the CPM message if it is determined that the CPM message is not rejected; determining whether to reject, defer or store the CPM message based on the user preference if the target terminal is not registered or in an unreceivable state; storing the CPM message in a queue if it is determined that a transmission of the CPM message is deferred; determining whether to discard or store the CPM message based on the user preference if a timer for the CPM message is expired; requesting to store the message to a message storage server if it is determined to be stored; receiving a response message including information on the stored message from the message storage server; and transmitting a message including the information on the store message to the terminal. |
| US08171091B1 |
Systems and methods for filtering contents of a publication
A server is communicatively coupled to a content publisher and a client machine The server may register the publication by assigning a publication identification (ID) to the publication, and register the content by associating the content with the publication using the publication ID. In some example embodiments, the client machine may submit a request to the server to determine whether the content is associated with the publication. In some example embodiments, the server may provide the publication ID to the client based on the content being associated with the publication, and the publication ID may allow the client to determine whether the publication is on a subscribed list that is stored on the client machine. An example client machine may be configured to perform an action on the content, based on the user being subscribed to the publication. |
| US08171090B2 |
Method and apparatus for status notification
Transmission data is generated depending on the status change of a device according to a message indicating the status information about the device and the destination information about the message and is transmitted by electronic mail, and the user who manages the device can be notified of the status of the device at an appropriate timing by a data transfer process apparatus, a device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium. |
| US08171088B2 |
Facilitating correction of incorrect identities in propagated electronic communications
An electronic communication is sent from a first tier sender to a first tier of one or more recipients. A first tier recipient propagates the communication to a second tier of one or more recipients. The first tier sender determines that the communication includes an incorrect identity. The first tier sender notifies the first tier recipients of the error and of the corrected identity. Responsive thereto, the first tier recipients send corrections to selected second tier recipients. |
| US08171083B2 |
System for enhancing the transmission security of the e-mails in the internet network
System for enhancing the security of the e-mails transmitted from a sender (10) to a receiver (12) over a data transmission network such as Internet wherein a Message Transfer Agent (MTA) (14) associated with the sender is in charge of transmitting over the network an original e-mail sent by the sender. The MTA associated with the sender includes a message splitting means (16) adapted to divide the original e-mail into a plurality of chunks according to a predetermined algorithm and a predetermined list of relay MTAs (20, 22, 24) to which are forwarded the plurality of chunks. The system comprises a chunk assembly agent (28) for receiving from the relay MTAs the plurality of chunks and re-assembling them by using the predetermined algorithm in order to re-build the e-mail before sending it to the receiver. |
| US08171081B1 |
Internal electronic mail within a collaborative communication system
Techniques for exchanging internal electronic mail over an open data network within a collaborative communication system are disclosed. The exchanging of the internal electronic mail does not rely upon an email address commonly known to include an @ sign. Each of registered users in the collaborative communication platform is assigned an identifier. The identifier is used for delivering the internal mail so authored similarly to a traditional email, except that the internal mail is delivered without relying upon an email address or the domain name therein. The identifier of a recipient cannot be used as an email address for someone other than any of the registered users to send a message to a user in collaborative communication system. |
| US08171077B2 |
Adaptive media messaging, such as for rich media messages incorporating digital content
A facility for presenting an adaptive message is described. The facility receives a message in the computer system. Based upon the contents of the received message, the facility tests two or more digital content capabilities of the computer system. The facility then selects one of a number of different digital content elements based upon the results of the testing. The facility presents the selected digital content element. |
| US08171074B2 |
Web service system, schedule execution apparatus and control method thereof
A schedule execution unit accesses a storage unit for storing a call list registered in a database and determines whether or not there is a Web service call to be executed. If the presence of a Web service call to be executed is confirmed, the schedule execution unit reads out the Web service address and process details and calls the Web service. By so doing, the apparatus that provides the function and the apparatus that carries out the call can be separated, thus enabling a particular program to be executed simply and flexibly according to a schedule. |
| US08171071B2 |
Open component manipulation system
A messaging system and method for creating a messaging hierarchy in a computer network are described. The network is made up of multiple network entities, which include both publishing entities and subscribing entities, where the publishing entities have data of which the subscribing entities may have need. The messaging system and method for creating a messaging hierarchy also include a data hierarchy applied to the data exchanged between the publishing entities and subscribing entities. The data hierarchy determines the virtual connections formed between the network entities in response to publication and subscription requests exchanged between the entities, such that the virtual connections established between network entities form a hierarchy corresponding to the data hierarchy. |
| US08171067B2 |
Implementing an ephemeral file system backed by a NFS server
Provided is a method for implementing a file system that includes a combination of read-only and read/write parts. A file system located on a data server maintains an original copy of a data store. An “Ephemeral” file system (EFS) is created on a client computer. The data server is contacted only once for each file accessed and the copy is in an original state each time the system is mounted. Changes made to the file system by one client are not seen by other clients. The EFS maintains the file system state in memory and uses the NFS server as a backing stored for cached file data. File data for files created on the client are backed up by the client system's swapping space. |
| US08171062B2 |
File management system
Since both a physical storage place and a logical storage place in a storage system are separately managed as a directory structure, or a hierarchical structure, even in such a case that the physical storage place has been changed, the logical storage place which is displayed to the user is not changed, and thus, the user can use the file while the user need not become aware of the change of the file. When the contents of a file is displayed, a physical storage destination of the file is acquired based upon both a reference path and a relative path of the file, and then, the file is acquired from the physical storage destination. |
| US08171055B2 |
System and method for generating communication subscriber description information
A system for generating communication subscriber description information includes an information labeling unit adapted to label original information of a specific communication subscriber, and a subscriber information generating unit adapted to generate communication subscriber description information according to communication records. A method for generating communication subscriber description information applies Ontology in the communication field, so as to obtain subscriber demand information for generating communication subscriber description information by analyzing actual communication records of the subscriber. Moreover, the generated communication subscriber description information truly reflects characteristics and requirements of the communication subscriber, thus ensuring the accuracy of the generated communication subscriber description information. The present invention is applicable to communication behaviors such as voice communication, data communication, and short messages of a subscriber. |
| US08171052B2 |
Information search system, method and program
A system, method and computer program product for searching at high speed for documents matching a dependency pattern from document data containing a large volume of text documents. The system includes a storage device for storing, index storage means for storing in the storage device occurrence information, receiving means for receiving information, reading means for reading from the index storage means, and searching means for comparing occurrence information. The method and computer program product include the steps of storing in the storage device, receiving information, reading from the storage device, comparing occurrence information, and searching. The computer program product includes instructions to execute the steps of storing each of the plurality of document data in the storage device, storing in the storage device occurrence information. |
| US08171044B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for recommending social communities
Methods, devices, and products are disclosed for recommending a social community. A “social community” may be any individual(s), clubs, and/or organizations that have expressed some affinity to terms or subject matter, such as a media identifier. The media identifier identifies some media that is scheduled for recording. A community database is queried for the media identifier, and the community database associates social communities to media identifiers. The social community associated with the media identifier is retrieved. The social community is then sent to a user. |
| US08171035B2 |
Situation-aware recommendation using correlation
In one embodiment, data relating to usage patterns of the user is stored, wherein the data includes information as to items which were used and the context in which they were used. A correlation table is constructed. Correlation values between each item and each context are then stored in then correlation table, wherein the correlations are used to recommend one or more of the items. |
| US08171032B2 |
Providing customized electronic information
This invention relates to customized electronic identification of desirable objects, such as news articles, in an electronic media environment, and in particular to a system that automatically constructs both a “target profile” for each target object in the electronic media based, for example, on the frequency with which each word appears in an article relative to its overall frequency of use in all articles, as well as a “target profile interest summary” for each user, which target profile interest summary describes the user's interest level in various types of target objects. The system then evaluates the target profiles against the users' target profile interest summaries to generate a user-customized rank ordered listing of target objects most likely to be of interest to each user so that the user can select from among these potentially relevant target objects, which were automatically selected by this system from the plethora of target objects that are profiled on the electronic media. Users' target profile interest summaries can be used to efficiently organize the distribution of information in a large scale system consisting of many users interconnected by means of a communication network. Additionally, a cryptographically-based pseudonym proxy server is provided to ensure the privacy of a user's target profile interest summary, by giving the user control over the ability of third parties to access this summary and to identify or contact the user. |
| US08171030B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-dimensional content search and video identification
A multi-dimensional database and indexes and operations on the multi-dimensional database are described which include video search applications or other similar sequence or structure searches. Traversal indexes utilize highly discriminative information about images and video sequences or about object shapes. Global and local signatures around keypoints are used for compact and robust retrieval and discriminative information content of images or video sequences of interest. For other objects or structures relevant signature of pattern or structure are used for traversal indexes. Traversal indexes are stored in leaf nodes along with distance measures and occurrence of similar images in the database. During a sequence query, correlation scores are calculated for single frame, for frame sequence, and video clips, or for other objects or structures. |
| US08171029B2 |
Automatic generation of ontologies using word affinities
In one embodiment, generating an ontology includes accessing an inverted index that comprises inverted index lists for words of a language. An inverted index list corresponding to a word indicates pages that include the word. A word pair comprises a first word and a second word. A first inverted index list and a second inverted index list are searched, where the first inverted index list corresponds to the first word and the second inverted index list corresponds to the second word. An affinity between the first word and the second word is calculated according to the first inverted index list and the second inverted index list. The affinity describes a quantitative relationship between the first word and the second word. The affinity is recorded in an affinity matrix, and the affinity matrix is reported. |
| US08171028B2 |
Dynamic membership management in a distributed system
Transactional database replication techniques are disclosed that do not require altering of the database management system implementation. A replicator module includes a dynamic membership manager, which is configured to manage the persistent membership of a coordination group. The persistent membership can be, for example, a durable set of sites that can replicate changes amongst themselves. Changes from sites not in the persistent membership are discarded. The set of recovered members is a subset of the persistent membership. The persistent membership changes incrementally by either removing or adding members. Failed members may still be part of the persistent membership. The dynamic membership manager module manages the modification of the persistent membership, initialization of replicas, and propagation of membership information. |
| US08171024B2 |
Job log processing apparatus and computer-readable medium
A job log collection unit cooperates with job log management programs of copying machines to collect job logs held in the copying machines and store the collected job logs in a job log storage unit. A user change history creation unit refers to a human resource database to thereby determine whether a section which each user belongs to has been changed or not in a range of newly collected job logs. The user change history creation unit creates a user change history for each user who has encountered the change and stores the user change history in a user change history storage unit. A job log aggregation unit classifies the job logs of the job log storage unit into user sections by referring to the user change history of the user change history storage unit and aggregates the job logs in accordance with each section. |
| US08171020B1 |
Spam detection for user-generated multimedia items based on appearance in popular queries
A system, a method, and various software tools enable a video hosting website to automatically identify posted video items that contain spam in the metadata associated with a respective video item. A spam detection tool for user-generated video items based on appearance in popular queries is provided that facilitates the detection of spam in the metadata associated with a video item. |
| US08171017B2 |
Book of business mechanism
A “Book of Business” (or Book) is a set of business domain data of one or more book types. This set of data is identified by a “driving condition” or quality. A driving condition typically arises from a business practice, and may be further qualified by local conditions. Accordingly, data may be organized based on local activities or conditions that may not be explicitly stored in a database. In one embodiment, a method for querying the database includes identifying data in a database. The data is organized into one or more segments. A book of business associated with a segment in the one or more segments is then generated. The book of business includes a set of references to the data organized into the segment. A query plan may be determined based on the book of business. A set of results may then be generated based on the query plan. |
| US08171015B2 |
Optimizing, distributing, and tracking online content
The subject matter described herein relates to systems and techniques for optimizing, distributing, and tracking the use of content online in, for example, Internet search engines and other Internet distribution networks. |
| US08171013B2 |
Indexing and searching product identifiers
A system, method and computer program product for indexing a product identifier and logical parts thereof includes receiving a product identifier; splitting the product identifier into logical parts; indexing the product identifier and the individual logical parts in an index; and storing the index, wherein the index is created by encoding the product identifier and the individual logical parts of the product identifier into separate fields of a document, wherein different weights are assigned to separate fields based on the field types such as product identifier or logical parts of the product identifier field, wherein different weights are assigned to words based on the word types including bi-words, wherein the fields and weights are encoded to word positions in the document, wherein the weights affect a score generated upon performing a query using the index. A system, method and computer program product for processing a search query is also presented. |
| US08171012B2 |
Document management apparatus, method, system, medium storing a program thereof
A document management apparatus that searches at least one document group saved in advance for a document group having attributes that correspond to a search condition. The apparatus includes an updating unit configured to update the attributes of the document group in accordance with an operation performed by a user on a document in the document group, and a search unit configured to search for a document group having attributes that correspond to user information inputted from the exterior. |
| US08171011B2 |
Content identification expansion
Content of a first type, such as web pages, are identified in response to a query. One or more correlated entities are identified based on the content of the first type. Content of a second type, such as advertisements, are identified based on the one or more of the correlated entities. |
| US08171007B2 |
Creating business value by embedding domain tuned search on web-sites
Domain specific topics, and optionally uniform resource locators (URLs) can be received from a user, and from those domain specific topics and URLs, domain tuned search definitions are generated for a given domain. The domain tuned search definitions are saved and the user is provided with a definition of a domain tuned search interface that is embedded on a site specified by the user. When someone reviewing the user's web site performs a search using the domain tuned, embedded search interface, a search engine is invoked which performs a search on the user's input query, and then returns domain specific search results. The search engine searches for domain specific search results over web sites in addition to the web site that the user is currently reviewing, so the search is more precise than a general web search but broader than a specific site search. |
| US08171005B2 |
Database quiesce operations
A technique to quiesce a database without causing after-arriving access requests to abnormally terminate interrogates database management system control structures associated with the database. Specified modifications to these control structures can be made so that subsequent access requests to the database (i.e., during quiesce operations) are not abnormally terminated. Once quiesced, regular or special purpose maintenance or testing operations, the starting or stopping of log keeping operations or similar operations may be made to the database. Once these are complete, the database control structures may be updated again to permit pending/scheduled access requests to proceed. |
| US08171004B1 |
Use of hash values for identification and location of content
Surrogate hashing is described, including initializing one or more variables in a collection, evaluating an address associated with a host, comparing the address to the collection to determine if the address is stored in the collection, and processing the address to hash a file identified by the address if the address is not stored in the collection or determining if another address is indicated by the address if the address is stored in the collection. |
| US08171003B2 |
Method and apparatus for changing reference of database
Introduced is information that indicates a changing of “a reference that points a referenced record” to “another reference that points another record”. This information is named as “changing reference information (CRI)” and is registered to a referred record. When accessing a referencing record, there is a possibility to access referenced record by necessity of a program or an operator. At this time, CRI registered to originally referenced record is accessed. And the reference is changed to new record as indicated by the CRI. Thus, status of a DB in a device is changed by the invention. When PCs have reproduced DBs that are copy of the original and edit their own reproduced DBs so as to change a reference, these editorial contents with CRI will be propagated to other PCs. Other PCs change references of their reproduced DBs according to the CRIs. |
| US08171002B2 |
Matching engine with signature generation
A system and a method generates at least one signature associated with document. In one embodiment, a document comprised of text is received and parsed to generate a token set. The token set includes a plurality of tokens. Each token corresponds to the text in the document that is separated by a predefined character characteristic. A score is calculated for each token in the token set based on a frequency and distribution of the text in the document. Each token is then ranked based on the calculated score. A subset of the ranked tokes is selected and a signature is generated for each occurrence of the selected tokens. The selected list of signatures is then output. |
| US08170994B2 |
Techniques for virtual archiving
Techniques for virtual archiving are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for performing virtual archiving comprising applying archiving rules to a backup catalog, generating a virtual archive catalog based at least in part on a result of applying archiving rules to the backup catalog, determining a backup image associated with the virtual archive catalog becoming expired and converting the backup image into an archive image. |
| US08170993B2 |
Page grouping for site traffic analysis reports
Website administrators can specify page groups and/or single pages as checkpoint nodes for site analysis reporting purposes, and can configure the system of the invention to provide information as to a particular visitation path through the checkpoints. Any group of pages can be designed as a single checkpoint node for website traffic analysis and reporting purposes. Page groups can be used in place of or in addition to individual web pages in any context where site traffic analysis is being presented or performed. |
| US08170992B2 |
Method and system for batch processing form data
The input and batch processing of data for insertion in a database. In one aspect of the invention, processing input data includes receiving data for insertion into a database, the data including data fields holding data entries. At least one of the data fields is determined to be a standard field having a standard data entry, and at least one different data field is determined to have been designated a batch mode field, where each batch mode field has a plurality of associated batch mode data entries. A data record is created for each batch mode data entry of the batch mode field, where each data record includes a different batch mode data entry, and each data record includes a copy of the standard data entry. |
| US08170990B2 |
Integrated remote replication in hierarchical storage systems
Remote replication is implemented with hierarchical storage. In exemplary embodiments, a first storage site has a first storage system providing an upper tier of storage and a second storage system providing a lower tier of storage. A remote second storage site has third and fourth storage systems configured to receive remote replication from the first and second storage systems, respectively. When a file is migrated from the upper tier to the lower tier, a stub file is stored in place of the migrated file indicating a storage location of the migrated file on the second storage system. When copies of the migrated file and the stub file are replicated to the fourth and third storage systems, respectively, information is transmitted to the second storage site for linking the copy of the stub file at the third storage system to the copy of the migrated file at the fourth storage system. |
| US08170988B2 |
System and method for synchronizing databases
A method for synchronizing information shared by a subsystem on-board a mobile platform and a subsystem remote from the mobile platform. The method may involve designating one of the subsystems as a first system having a first database, and designating one of the subsystems as a second system having a second database. The first subsystem may be used to transmit a synchronization request to the second subsystem, with the synchronization request including a synchronization point to be used as a reference for future synchronization operations between the subsystems. The second subsystem may be used to receive the synchronization request and to check the second database for any records that have been created or modified since a previously performed synchronization operation. Information may then be transmitted back to the first subsystem that includes information concerning the new or modified records. |
| US08170984B2 |
System with a data aggregation module generating aggregated data for responding to OLAP analysis queries in a user transparent manner
A system for supporting OLAP analysis over a network. The system comprises an OLAP server for enabling an OLAP user to perform OLAP analysis via interaction with a client machine on the network. The system also includes a data aggregation module comprising a multi-dimensional datastore, an aggregation engine integrated with the multi-dimensional datastore, and a first interface for loading base data from a data source to the aggregation engine. The aggregation engine performs data aggregation operations on loaded base data, generates aggregated data from the base data, and stores the aggregated data in the multi-dimensional datastore. A second interface receives requests for OLAP analysis from the OLAP server, accesses the aggregation engine to retrieve from the multi-dimensional datastore, aggregated data corresponding to requests, and communicates the retrieved aggregated data to the OLAP server for query servicing, in a manner transparent to the OLAP user. |
| US08170982B2 |
Computer readable medium and information processing apparatus
A computer readable medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute information processing is provided, wherein plural pieces of management object information are stored in a storage device with unique identification information and non-unique name information, the information processing including: receiving a process request that specifies management object information of a process object by using location information which is represented by a sequence of name information assigned to respective pieces of management object information; selecting one piece of management object information corresponding to the location information with reference to history information which is registered with the location information and the management object information being associated with each other; and sending back a result of a process that is executed for the selected management object information of the process object in accordance with the process request. |
| US08170981B1 |
Computer method and system for combining OLTP database and OLAP database environments
A computer system provides access to both an online transaction processing (OLTP) database server and an online analytics processing (OLAP) database server. The computer system includes a client application adapted to receive a query. According to (a) mode of operation (e.g., read or update) of the client application and (b) synchronization status of the OLAP database server, the client application redirects the query to the OLTP database server or to the OLAP database server. The client application redirects the query to the OLTP database server when the mode of operation is other than a read-only operation or the synchronization status is “unsynchronized”. The client application redirects the query to the OLAP database server when the mode of operation is a read-only operation and the synchronization status is “synchronized”. The computer system further includes an OLTP application server (e.g., Enovia V6) comprising an OLTP adapter and an OLAP adapter. The OLAP adapter is formed of a mapping component adapted to map data between OLTP semantics and OLAP semantics. |
| US08170979B2 |
Systems and methods for calibrating user ratings
A website may allow users to rate content items displayed thereon. The user ratings associated with the content items may be weighted according to user rating weight. The rating weight of a particular user may be based, in whole or part, upon whether the user consistently rates content items similarly to one or more “expert” raters. The experts may be selected based on various factors including: professional training, experience, reputation on the website, or the like. If a particular user consistently rates content items similarly to the experts, the user may be given a high rating weight. Users whose ratings consistently diverge from the ratings assigned by the experts may be given a lower rating weight. The weights may be displayed in connection with a user profile, or may be hidden from the user community. The rating weights may be used in calculating an overall rating of a particular content item. |
| US08170973B2 |
Satisfying rules through a configuration of list processing methods
A method and system for satisfying rules through a configuration of list processing methods. A document received from a calling application includes items being processed. A procedure for satisfying rules is identified by matching, via a database, a combination of values to the procedure. The combination of values includes attributes of the calling application and the document. Steps included in the procedure are determined by matching, via the database, the procedure to the steps. The order for executing the steps is determined by identifying, via the database, predecessor and successor steps. Sets of one or more list processing methods are determined and associated with each step. The order for executing each set of list processing methods is determined. The steps are executed. A selection list of elements is displayed to facilitate a selection of an element to characterize an item included in the document. |
| US08170969B2 |
Automated computation of semantic similarity of pairs of named entity phrases using electronic document corpora as background knowledge
An overall semantic similarity score value between pairs of named entities in a text corpus is obtained by calculating for at least one pair of named entities a plurality of corresponding pair similarity score values according to a first and at least a second classifier using electronic information sources. Each pair similarity score value of the pair of named entities per classifier is normalized by calculating a rank list per classifier, for example, for each named entity. The rank list holds each pair of named entities of the text corpus, wherein a rank of each pair of named entities within the rank list reflects the respective pair similarity score value. Further an arithmetic mean of the normalized pair similarity score value of each pair of named entities is calculated to provide the overall semantic similarity score value. |
| US08170963B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing information, recording medium and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes a target problem acquisition unit for acquiring a target problem, a generation unit for generating a plurality of solution candidates to the target problem to solve the target problem, and a contribution ratio calculating unit for calculating a contribution ratio of each solution candidate to the target problem if the target problem is solved using all the plurality of solution candidates to the target problem acquired by the target problem acquisition unit. The generation unit generates a solution candidate to the target problem in a next generation in accordance with a genetic algorithm that uses an evaluation value that is calculated using at least the contribution ratio of each solution candidate to the target problem determined by the contribution ratio calculating unit. |
| US08170961B2 |
Text edit tracker that categorizes communications, determines distances between templates, codes templates in color, and uses a morphing score based on edits
A method for monitoring edits to a template for responding to an incoming communication includes categorizing the incoming communication into a category associated with the template for a response to the incoming communication. The method also includes determining distances between the template and each of a set of responses based on the template, at a predetermined level of granularity. The method also includes coding the template in accordance with the determined distances and displaying the coded template. A method for extracting a new template based on responses to an existing template includes selecting factors that affect quantitative measures for preparing a response to the incoming communication. The method includes using a mathematical model of the factors to cluster a set of responses created based on the existing template into two clusters. The method further includes restricting a first cluster centroid to be the existing template and searching for a second cluster centroid for a second cluster. |
| US08170959B2 |
Systems and methods for a label with postage API
A label and a method for providing a label to a user is described. The label may be a mailing label to be placed on letters or parcels. The label includes information such as postage, delivery address, return address, and a barcode for tracking delivery information. A user may request both a label and postage in what, to the user, appears to be a single computerized connection on a single internet web-page. A postage indicia is provided through a postage provider with whom the user has a deposit or credit. The label itself may be generated through a label-generating application hosted or generated by an entity separate from the postage provider. |
| US08170951B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating shipment of packages
A method and apparatus for facilitating the shipment of a package or packages, each package containing one or more items, from a Sender to a Recipient, via one of a number of shippers. The apparatus includes a database for storing shipper data, a processor for processing the data in the database, a Sender's terminal for selectively receiving and sending shipment information to and from the processing system, a first communications link for selectively enabling communication between the database/processor and the Sender's terminal, a second communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and the shipper of the package(s), and a third communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and customs facilitation entities such as customs brokers. The Internet may be used as at least one of the communication links, and the database may be made available through a Web site. |
| US08170945B2 |
System and method for providing security to a game controller device for electronic trading
A system for managing electronic trading, comprises an interface application including a mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signal relationships. Each controller signal relationship associates one or more of a plurality of game controller signals with one of a plurality of trading system commands associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments. The interface application receives a plurality of game controller signals generated by a game controller, and determines, based on the controller signal relationships, that one or more of the plurality of received game controller signals are erroneous. The interface application causes the communication of a command to lock the game controller based on the determination of the one or more erroneous game controller signals. |
| US08170944B1 |
Customized performance benchmarks for stable value funds
Embodiments calculate a customized performance benchmark for a stable value fund by incorporating client-specific factors and calculating an overall crediting rate, as if the assets underlying the wrap contracts and insurance separate account contracts were invested in the market indices to which the fund's portfolio strategies are benchmarked, rather than being invested in the actual underlying portfolios of the fund. The resulting benchmark translates market benchmark returns into book value returns and resulting market value to book value ratios, to compare to the actual stable value fund performance. The crediting rate process accounts for the yields, durations, and returns of the market value benchmarks in addition to client-specific cash flows and market value to book value ratios. |
| US08170943B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a metric of financial status relative to a financial goal
The present invention relates to, among other things, systems and methods for generating a metric of an entity's financial status relative to a financial goal. In generating the metric, the value of an entity's total assets is simulated over time based on data comprising historical rates of returns. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a computer system and method for generating a metric of an individual's probable present-day financial status relative to financial independence on a desired future date. In this embodiment, the metric is called a Financial Independence Score. The Financial Independence score is a single number that represents the individual's financial status relative to achieving financial independence by a desired date. |
| US08170942B2 |
Automated investment alerts from multiple data sources
A system and method provides investors with meaningful information extracted from large volumes of available data for a particular stock, mutual fund, bond, or other investment. The system includes one or more computers that receive and process multiple data feeds to extract information relating to each type of investment. The processed data is compared to “alert rules” each corresponding to a predefined condition, and a truth table is established that identifies alerts that are true for each particular investment. An investor logs onto a web site and enters a stock ticker symbol or similar investment identifier. Computer software displays a web page including “alerts” that are presently true for that particular investment. The alerts can be predefined by financial experts to make them useful to novice investors. When an investor selects a particular investment, a display is generated showing all of the alerts that are true for that investment and allowing the user to get more information concerning the significance of the alerts. The alerts can be grouped into different categories according to their content or time sensitivity. |
| US08170941B1 |
System and method for generating random vectors for estimating portfolio risk
A system and computer-implemented method for generating random vectors for estimating portfolio risk is provided. Historical financial variable data of financial assets is stored in a memory. Parameters of a copula are estimated. Random vectors are generated from the copula. Risk for the financial assets is calculated based on the random vectors. |
| US08170940B2 |
System and method for the automated brokerage of financial instruments
Disclosed herein in a preferred embodiment is an automated financial instrument brokerage system wherein a front end layer interacts with customers to generate activity requests for an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer preferably processes the activity requests and places financial instrument orders on a financial market if appropriate. A backend layer preferably provides data to the intermediate layer for processing activity requests. Multiple heterogeneous front end customer applications may be supported by the same intermediate layer. Further, multiple backend layer applications may interact with the intermediate layer in a manner transparent to the front end layer. Further, scalability can be achieved be partitioning various tasks of the intermediate layer onto separate servers, and more preferably on separate redundant servers. Load balancers may then be used in the intermediate layer to provide distributed access to these servers. Also disclosed herein is a caching technique whereby turnaround time for processing activity requests can be reduced by reducing the number of times that the intermediate layer needs to interact with the backend layer. |
| US08170939B2 |
Method and system for building and maintenance watch lists
A method and apparatus for monitoring a items such as stocks and other securities, suitable for use in portable devices, such as personal organizers, wherein instead of separate watch lists, a pool of items being watched is maintained, and the total number of items which can be contained in the pool is intentionally limited to a predefined number, and further wherein each of the items in the pool includes an associated tag which defines a watch list to which it belongs, and the pool of the items being watched can be viewed simultaneously as one coherent collection, or specific watch lists can be displayed. |
| US08170938B2 |
Using commercial share of wallet to rate business prospects
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Research analysts can use CSoW/CSoSW to provide a comprehensive and robust indication of the business prospects of a rated company. |
| US08170937B1 |
System and method for an automated sales system with remote negotiation and post-sale verification
The present invention provides a system and method to process items for sale or bid, to transmit electronic negotiations between prospective buyer and seller, and to verify the condition of the item before delivery to the buyer. The invention facilitates autonomous and remote negotiation between sellers and prospective buyers while protecting buyers from fraud and item misrepresentation. With the present invention, items can be sold individually and are not treated as standardized items that are interchangeable with similar commodity goods. The present invention also provides a waitlisting function. In addition, the functionality of traditional auction systems may be integrated with the novel features of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention provides a system and method for conducting a reverse auction by allowing prospective buyers to list desired items. |
| US08170936B2 |
Method and system for emulating a private label over an open network
According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for emulating a private label network over an open network where settlement occurs at varying discount rates with one or more merchants or providers. A computer implemented method and system for settling a transaction at a discount rate may include receiving an authorization record for the transaction initiated by a customer over an open payment network; identifying payment plan data associated with a transaction; creating a settlement record based at least in part on the authorization record and the payment plan data; determining a discount rate for the settlement record; and settling with a provider for the transaction at the discount rate. |
| US08170934B2 |
Systems and methods for trading actively managed funds
Systems and methods are provided to determine an estimated value of a traded fund whose assets are not publicly disclosed on a daily basis, where a computer system includes one or more computers and is programmed to determine an estimated value of the traded fund. Embodiments include operating the computer system to calculate an estimated value of the traded fund based on the value of a proxy portfolio, where the identities of the assets of the traded fund are not disclosed to an investor who trades shares of the traded fund on a secondary market, and publicly disclosing the estimated value of the traded fund periodically throughout a trading day. |
| US08170933B1 |
Method and system for providing a customized start-up budget for a new business
A method and system for providing a customized start-up budget for a new business leverages actual business start-up data associated with one or more actual businesses in one or more locations collected by various financial management systems to provide a customized start-up budget for a new business that includes a listing of the business start-up budget categories and/or business start-up budget sub-categories associated with starting up a proposed business in a particular area and the average, or otherwise weighted, amounts spent in each of the business start-up budget categories and/or business start-up budget. |
| US08170929B1 |
Transaction support system
A centralized database system for supporting transactions in property. The central database is accessed by system users over a public network such as the Internet. The central database forms a title registry recording the entitlements of the users, who are a defined group, to perform prescribed actions in relation to electronically created records. The electronically created records represent a strictly defined series of rights and obligations in relation to underlying property with one record being created for support of one transaction. The users become entitled by virtue of their designation to prescribed roles by a previously entitled user. Designation of a user to a prescribed role in a record takes place by means of a system user sending an electronic instruction to the database, these electronic instructions being referred to as registry instructions or title registry instructions. |
| US08170928B2 |
System and method of transferring data through transaction process
A transaction process system (10) provides for data transactions between parties. In a credit card transaction, the parties are the merchant (20), acquiring bank (24), card association (34), issuing bank (14), and cardholder (12). A transaction processing center (30) is positioned between the acquiring bank and the card association. The transaction processing center provides data processing channels for message-based processing (72) and filed-based processing (76). The file-based processing uses an incoming queue (80) and outgoing queue (84) to simplify the interface. The transaction processing center also provides for currency conversions and account reconciliation on a per transaction basis. The transaction processing center uses a scheduler (160) to efficiently manage the data processing resources. |
| US08170926B1 |
Method and system for instant redirection of an online consumer from a referring website to a vendor website
A system, method and computer program product for instant redirection of an online consumer from a referring website to a vendor website is disclosed. The method includes administering, via a single administrator, a plurality of referring websites in a plurality of goods and service provider categories and associating a single URL (uniform resource locator) for a client's website with at least one zip code as predetermined by the client. The method also includes automatically determining a zip code for the consumer visiting one of referring websites and comparing the zip code predetermined by the client with the consumer's zip code for a match. The method further includes instantly redirecting the consumer's browser to the client's website via the single URL when there is a match and otherwise directing the consumer's browser to a self-maintaining goods and service provider directory for a specific zip code. |
| US08170925B1 |
Computer-implemented methods and systems for automatic merchandising
One embodiment of the instant invention is a computer-implemented method for processing transaction-related data that includes at least the following steps of: receiving seller data about a seller; receiving buyer data about a buyer; generating a seller profile; generating a buyer profile; receiving transaction data about a current transaction between the seller and the buyer for an offering; generating a transaction composite for the current transaction; determining a classification rule for each transaction composite class; and classifying the transaction composite into a particular transaction composite class based on comparing the classification rule to: i) the generated seller profile, ii) the generated buyer profile, or iii) the current transaction. |
| US08170921B2 |
Dynamic hosted shopping cart
Systems and methods are provided for a Dynamic Hosted Shopping Cart. According to one embodiment, a method comprises configuring a Dynamic Hosted Shopping Cart (DHSC) at a remote server based on communications with a buyer device and at least one seller's server that hosts one or more seller websites. The method also comprises embedding in or floating a widget above the one or more seller websites in connection with the DHSC. The method further comprises dynamically updating contents of the DHSC implemented by the widget according to communicated transaction information. In addition, the method comprises offering checkout across all enabled pages of the one or more seller websites. |
| US08170918B2 |
Method and instruments for sale of personal care products
Disclosed in this specification is a system for selecting a desired personal care product from a database of such products. The system scans the target application to determine the digital color value of the target. The resulting color value is converted into a standardized color value for comparison to a list of products with reference digital color values. A suggested product is found by searching the list for products whose reference color value closely matches the standardized color value obtained from the scan. The system is further capable of tracking customer data, sales history, and a variety of similar functions. |
| US08170912B2 |
Database structure and front end
In one embodiment, a method of analyzing online advertising information includes the steps of receiving consumer data from client computers, creating a database based on the consumer data, receiving user selected values from a front end, and extracting data from the database based on the user selected values. The front end may have a selection area with user selectable values that change depending on an initially selected value. In one embodiment, the database comprises an online analytical processing (OLAP) database. |
| US08170905B2 |
System and method determining reference values of sensitivities and client strategies based on price optimization
A computer implemented method for determining the reference values of sensitivities and strategies for price optimization demand models from a profit function and current product price. A total profit objective is expressed as the maximization of profit and volume, where a strategy parameter represents the relationship between profit and volume. From the total profit objective, the bounds of the strategy parameter are expressed as conditional inequalities relating the bounds to functions of the unit profit at the current rate and average volume. The strategy parameter is then set to the average of these bounds. The reference elasticity is expressed as a function of the unit profit function and average volume. The resulting reference values can be used in a price optimization system to generate recommended prices that relate to an industry's current pricing scheme. |
| US08170901B2 |
Extensible framework for designing workflows
A user interface for building a componentized workflow model. Each step of the workflow is modeled as an activity that has metadata to describe design time aspects, compile time aspects, and runtime aspects of the workflow step. A user selects and arranges the activities to create the workflow via the user interface. The metadata associated with each of the activities in the workflow is collected to create a persistent representation of the workflow. Users extend the workflow model by authoring custom activities. |
| US08170900B2 |
Supply chain discovery services
A discovery server is provided for tracking an object in a supply chain in accordance with a plurality of predefined events. The object is identifiable by an object identifier. The discovery server comprises the following elements. A communication interface is configured to communicate with each of a plurality of partners in the supply chain using a predefined protocol. A data store is configured to store events for the object, the events being received from the plurality of partners. Each event stored in the data store an object identifier, a life cycle step, a partner identifier and an timing identifier. Also, a processor is configured to search the data store in response to an inquiry regarding the object. |
| US08170896B2 |
System and method for electronic business transaction reliability
A system and method for performing a business transaction including delivering a business message, comprising providing in a first transaction the business message to a first workflow process; transferring the business message from the first workflow process to a second process wherein the transfer is not part of the first transaction; wherein the business message is transferred to the second process using a protocol; and wherein transferring the business message to the second process will be successful even if the first workflow process abnormally terminates. |
| US08170895B1 |
System and method for probate prediction
A computer assisted method includes selecting a sample of accounts from a historical database of accounts corresponding to deceased debtors, The sample indicates whether or not an estate was found for each deceased debtor. A comprehensive set of credit related variables corresponding to the accounts is obtained from a first source. A comprehensive set of demographic related variables corresponding to the accounts is obtained from a second source. The variables are mapped to the accounts and a computer executable model is created by identifying a subset of variables from the sets of variables and using the subset of variables and sample of accounts such that the model provides a prediction of whether or not an estate exists for a given deceased debtor. |
| US08170893B1 |
Eliminating sources of maintenance losses
Processes and software are provided for eliminating sources of maintenance losses in machine intensive environments such as manufacturing, processing and assembly plants.The processes and software include creating financial and work order metrics to trend maintenance variables, a process for creating work orders, a process for using alarms for integrating measurement technologies and spare parts, a process for managing repair and replacing activities and projects by improving documenting and communicating processes while involving users such as executives and senior managers. |
| US08170892B1 |
System and method for establishing rates for an automobile insurance policy
Automobile insurance rates are established by performing calculations for defining a single tier placement dependent upon a combination of mutually exclusive factors based on applicant data. The factors include a household driving record gradient, a stability gradient and an operator driving record gradient. In the case of a new policy, the factors also include a named insured driving experience gradient and a prior insurance gradient. Alternately, in the case of a renewal policy, the factors also include a household claims record gradient, a member relationship gradient and an operator claims record gradient. No single factor is the sole determinant for placement in a tier. |
| US08170889B2 |
Methods and systems for evaluating interaction of medical products and dependence on demographic variables
A computer implemented method of evaluating interaction two or more medical products or conditions, in the context of a reference condition, based on a dataset of patient records includes developing a reference contingency lattice of lattice subsets from a subset of the patient records containing the reference condition, wherein the lattice subsets correspond to the number of patient records that contain each of the two or more medical products or conditions and combinations thereof. A plurality of comparison contingency lattices are developed, each of the comparison contingency lattices developed from a respective random subset of patient records not containing the reference condition, where each of the comparison contingency lattices include lattice subsets that correspond to the number of patient records that contain each of the two or more medical products or conditions and combinations thereof. The lattice subsets of the reference contingency lattice are compared to the corresponding lattice subsets of the comparison contingency lattices to determine whether a lattice subset is indicative of an interaction between the medical products or conditions with respect to the reference condition. |
| US08170885B2 |
Wideband audio signal coding/decoding device and method
Disclosed is a wideband audio signal coding/decoding device and method that may code a wideband audio signal while maintaining a low bit rate. The wideband audio signal coding device includes an enhancement layer that extracts a first spectrum parameter from an inputted wideband signal having a first bandwidth, quantizes the extracted first spectrum parameter, and converts the extracted first spectrum parameter into a second spectrum parameter; and a coding unit that extracts a narrowband signal from the inputted wideband signal and codes the narrowband signal based on the second spectrum parameter provided from the enhancement layer, wherein the narrowband signal has a second bandwidth smaller than the first bandwidth. The wideband audio signal coding/decoding device and method may code a wideband audio signal while maintaining a low bit rate. |
| US08170883B2 |
Method and apparatus for embedding spatial information and reproducing embedded signal for an audio signal
An apparatus for encoding and decoding an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which compatibility with a player of a general mono or stereo audio signal can be provided in coding an audio signal and by which spatial information for a multi-channel audio signal can be stored or transmitted without a presence of an auxiliary data area. The present invention includes extracting side information embedded in non-recognizable component of audio signal components and decoding the audio signal using the extracted side information. |
| US08170875B2 |
Speech end-pointer
A rule-based end-pointer isolates spoken utterances contained within an audio stream from background noise and non-speech transients. The rule-based end-pointer includes a plurality of rules to determine the beginning and/or end of a spoken utterance based on various speech characteristics. The rules may analyze an audio stream or a portion of an audio stream based upon an event, a combination of events, the duration of an event, or a duration relative to an event. The rules may be manually or dynamically customized depending upon factors that may include characteristics of the audio stream itself, an expected response contained within the audio stream, or environmental conditions. |
| US08170871B2 |
Signal coding and decoding
An encoding device (1) and method convert a set of signals (l, r) into a dominant signal (m) containing most signal energy, a residual signal (s) containing a remainder of the signal energy, and signal parameters (IID, ICC) associated with the conversion. The dominant signal (m) and selected parts of the residual signal (s) are encoded. Selecting parts of the residual signal involves a residual signal (s′) passing perceptually relevant parts of the residual signal (s), attenuating perceptually less relevant parts of the residual signal and suppressing least relevant parts of the residual signal. An associated decoding device (2) and method decode the encoded dominant signal and the encoded residual signal so as to produce a decoded dominant signal (m′u) and a decoded residual signal (s′mod) respectively. A synthetic residual signal (s′syn) is derived from the decoded dominant signal (m′u) and is attenuated so as to produce an attenuated synthetic residual signal (s′syn,mod). The attenuated synthetic residual signal (s′syn,mod) and the decoded residual signal (s′mod) are combined to produce a reconstructed residual signal (s′). The decoded dominant signal (m′) and the reconstructed residual signal (s′) are then converted into a set of output signals (l′, r′). |
| US08170867B2 |
System for extracting information from a natural language text
In the method of extraction, the words of the text are encoded by comparing them with the contents of a lexicon of tool words (essentially articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and verbal auxiliaries), and nominal groups are then identified by searching subsets of the resulting succession of encoded words to look for groups of encoded words that comply with predefined syntactical rules. |
| US08170863B2 |
System, method and program product for portlet-based translation of web content
Under the present invention, the portlets of a portal page are individually configured for translation of the web content therein. In configuring a portlet, a set of specifications is designated. Once such specification is a translation paradigm that dictates whether translation of the web content within the portlet will be automatic, or viewer initiated. By individually configuring the portlets, the entire portal page is not translated as a whole, but rather the web content is translated on a portlet-by-portlet basis. |
| US08170853B2 |
Method of modeling the time gradient of the state of a steel volume by means of a computer and corresponding objects
A steel volume is modeled in a computer by means of a plurality of volume elements. The state of the steel volume at a given time comprises, for each volume element, characteristic quantities of an enthalpy existing at said time in the respective volume element and percentages, in which the steel is available in the respective volume element at the time in austenite, ferrite and cementite phases. For at least one volume element, the computer determines the time gradient of the characteristic quantities by resolving thermal conductivity and phase transition equations. One of the characteristic quantities is a locally invariable mean interstitial element concentration within the volume element in the austenite phase thereof. |
| US08170852B2 |
Data structures and methods for modeling Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolism
The invention provides an in silico model for determining a S. cerevisiae physiological function. The model includes a data structure relating a plurality of S. cerevisiae reactants to a plurality of S. cerevisiae reactions, a constraint set for the plurality of S. cerevisiae reactions, and commands for determining a distribution of flux through the reactions that is predictive of a S. cerevisiae physiological function. A model of the invention can further include a gene database containing information characterizing the associated gene or genes. The invention further provides methods for making an in silico S. cerevisiae model and methods for determining a S. cerevisiae physiological function using a model of the invention. |
| US08170846B2 |
Computation method of mechanical material constant of composite material and volume fraction of material component in composite material, and recording medium
In a method of computing the overall material constant of a composite material, a virtual composite material is defined as the one that a first material component is dispersed in a form of inner spherical particles in a matrix phase and each of the inner spherical particles is enveloped by the second material component, in a form of outer shell layers, as a coating layer. Based on this, a nonlinear equation is prepared, which has the material constant of the virtual composite material as an unknown. Next, the material constant of the virtual composite material is computed by solving the equation. In the equation, the material constant in each of the surrounding areas of the outer shell layers coating the inner spherical particles is defined as the overall material constant of the virtual composite material to be computed. The volume fractions of the material components in the composite material are computed using the equation. |
| US08170845B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic performance modeling with load dependent service times and overheads
A method for modeling performance of an information technology system having one or more servers for serving a number of types of transactions includes modeling a service time of each transaction type at each server and a processor overhead at each server as one of a polynomial, exponential, or logarithmic function of the average arrival rate of each transaction type at the corresponding server to generate service time and processor overhead functions and inferring optimal values of coefficients in the service time and processor overhead functions to generate a performance model of the information technology system. |
| US08170843B2 |
Generic hard/soft 3D spatial collision detection method
A method for resolving collisions for placement of objects in 3D models, including attributing a first state to each object having a hard spatial volume and a second state to each object having a soft spatial volume, predefining a first set of rules to determine whether multiple objects may occupy the same spatial volume based on the combination of the object states, the first set of rules covering all permutations of said first state and said second state, placing a first object in the 3D model, placing a second object in the 3D model, determining whether the first object has a collision with the second object in the 3D model, and resolving the collision based on said first predefined set of rules. Furthermore, there can be predefining a second set of rules that override the first set of rules, and where the resolving of the collision is based on said second set of rules. Further, the method includes finding “soft” and “hard” characters on all objects and defining the characters on all objects. |
| US08170838B2 |
Simulating two-dimensional periodic patterns using compressed fourier space
The process of modeling a complex two-dimensional periodic structure is improved by selectively truncating the Fourier expansion used in the calculation of resulting scatter signature from the model. The Fourier expansion is selectively truncated by determining the contribution for each harmonic order in the Fourier transform of the permittivity function and retaining the harmonic orders with a contribution that is above a threshold. The Fourier space may be compressed so that only the selected harmonic orders are used, thereby reducing the required memory and calculation times. The compressed Fourier space may be used in a real-time analysis of a sample or to generate a library that is used in the analysis of a sample. |
| US08170835B2 |
Data analysis applications
A system and method of monitoring equipment performance and predicting failures. The system can include a data historian that stores data for a piece of equipment and designates the data to tags. The tags can correspond to sensors that gather the data from the piece of equipment. A matrix model builder application can allow a user to generate regression models for various time spans to determine whether new data is within a normal operating range. |
| US08170834B2 |
Remote beverage equipment monitoring and control system and method
The present disclosure provides a system and method for monitoring and controlling modifications to beverage equipment. The system includes at least one beverage equipment which may include a controller. The controller communicates over a communications network with a data collection server which may be accessible to a central office or equipment provider. A method is also disclosed for first monitoring or querying beverage equipment for a setting or configuration modification. Next, the modification may be compared against a modification threshold to determine whether the modification warrants corrective action. A corrective action may include but is not limited to, resetting the equipment to original or default settings, notifying an end user, notifying the equipment providers, logging the action, or some combination of two or more of these actions. |
| US08170832B2 |
Measurement and endpointing of sample thickness
A method for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sample creation. The use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)—Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) detector in the dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM allows a sample to be thinned using the FIB, while the STEM signal is used to monitor sample thickness. A preferred embodiment of the present invention can measure the thickness of or create TEM samples by using a precise endpoint detection method. Preferred embodiments also enable automatic endpointing during TEM lamella creation and provide users with direct feedback on sample thickness during manual thinning. Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus provide methods for endpointing sample thinning and methods to partially or fully automate endpointing. |
| US08170821B2 |
Automatic signal identifying method and automatic signal skew measurement method
In order to automatically measure a signal skew between a first test signal and a second test signal by using an oscilloscope, a method is provided by the present invention. The method includes: capturing a band center of the first test signal; capturing a first sampling point and a second sampling point of the second test signal; comparing a voltage difference between the first sampling point and the second sampling point of the second test signal with a threshold value so as to decide and capture a rising band center and a falling band center of the second test signal. By using the invented method, the signal skew between the first test signal and the second test signal can be calculated according to the band center of the first test signal, the rising band center and the falling band center of the second test signal. |
| US08170819B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring non-linear characteristics of a power amplifier
A method for measuring non-linear characteristics of a power amplifier is described. A calibration waveform is calculated during a testing procedure period. Amplitude characteristics of the calibration waveform at the output of the power amplifier are measured during the testing procedure period. Phase characteristics of the calibration waveform at the output of the power amplifier are measured during the testing procedure period. Pre-distortion techniques are configured based on the amplitude characteristics and the phase characteristics to be used during a normal operation period of a transmitter. |
| US08170813B2 |
Determining effects of turbine blades on fluid motion
Disclosed is a technique for simulating wind interaction with wind turbines. A turbine blade is divided into radial sections. The effect that each of these radial sections has on the velocities in Eulerian computational cells they overlap is determined. The effect is determined using Lagrangian techniques such that the calculations need not include wind components in the radial direction. A force on each radial section of turbine blade is determined. This force depends on the axial and azimuthal components of the fluid flow in the computational cell and the geometric properties of the turbine blade. The force on the turbine blade is fed back to effect the fluid flow in the computational cell for the next time step. |
| US08170809B2 |
Guided waves for nondestructive testing of pipes
A method for the nondestructive testing of pipeline, and internal or external coatings, using guided ultrasonic waves excited from the inside or outside diameter, wherein at least two transducers are employed to send and receive ultrasound, wherein a data normalization scheme is employed to account for transducer variability, and wherein the hardware arrangement has a number of pulser channels and a number of receiver channels for the collection and storage of signals. |
| US08170808B2 |
Methods and computer software for detecting splice variants
Methods and software products for analysis of alternative splicing are disclosed. In general the methods involve normalizing probe set or exon intensity to an expression level measurement of the gene. The methods may be used to identify tissue-specific alternative splicing events. |
| US08170806B2 |
Methods of populating data structures for use in evolutionary simulations
In particular, this invention provides novel methods of populating data structures for use in evolutionary modeling. In particular, this invention provides methods of populating a data structure with a plurality of character strings. The methods involve encoding two or more biological molecules into character strings to provide a collection of two or more different initial character strings; selecting at least two substrings from the pool of character strings; concatenating the substrings to form one or more product strings about the same length as one or more of the initial character strings; adding the product strings to a collection of strings; and optionally repeating this process using one or more of the product strings as an initial string in the collection of initial character strings. |
| US08170804B2 |
Determination of melting temperatures of DNA
Numerical determinations of the first derivatives of a melt curve data set are made. A model function, such as a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) function, with parameters determined using a Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) regression process is used to find an approximation to the first derivative curve. The maximum values of the numerically determined first derivative values are used as initial conditions for parameters of the model function. The determined parameters provide one or more fractional melting temperature values, which can be returned, for example, displayed or otherwise used for further processing. |
| US08170803B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for evaluating sensor data from a continuous analyte sensor including receiving first and second sensor data points from the continuous analyte sensor and comparing the first and second sensor data points to determine a presence or an absence of aberrant data. |
| US08170799B2 |
Method for determining in-situ relationships between physical properties of a porous medium from a sample thereof
A method for determining in-situ relationships between physical properties of a porous medium from a sample thereof includes acquiring a three-dimensional image of the sample and segmenting the image into pixels representing pore space and pixels representing rock grain. A plurality of sub-volumes are selected from the segmented image, and a porosity is calculated for each of the sub-volumes. A digital simulation is conducted on each of the sub-volumes to obtain a selected physical property for the sub-volume. A relationship is determined between porosity and the selected physical property using relationship data comprising the calculated porosity and the simulated physical property for each of the sub-volumes. The method includes at least one of storing and displaying the relationship. |
| US08170794B2 |
Navigation units having multiple operation modes for outputting a current position or a stored position, respectively, and methods and computer program product for operating the same
A navigation unit includes a position mode module that is operable to place the navigation unit in a first mode in which the navigation unit provides for output a current position of the navigation unit or a second mode in which the navigation unit provides for output at least one stored position. |
| US08170790B2 |
Apparatus for switching navigation device mode
A portable navigation device operable to present a plurality of operating modes. The device may include a display; a location determining component operable to determine a current geographic location of the navigation device; mount detection circuitry operable to determine a mounting status of the navigation device; and a processor coupled with the location determining component, the mount detection circuitry, and the display. The processor is operable to select one of a plurality of operating modes based on the determined mounting status and present information specific to the selected operating modes on the display. |
| US08170785B2 |
Method for creating a route plan for agricultural machine systems
For creating a route plan for a group of agricultural working machine systems for working a territory, the machine systems include route planning data determination devices and they exchange data with each other and, based on exchanged route planning data, one shared route plan is created for the particular territory. For controlling a group of agricultural working machine systems while it works a territory, one shared route plan—which has been created accordingly—is used, and a route planning system is provided for creating a route plan for a group of agricultural working machine systems to be used to work a territory. |
| US08170783B2 |
System and method for handling software activation in entitlement
A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for separating the purchase of digital assets from their fulfillment and activation. Digital assets purchase information comprising digital assets identifier information and activation key data, and system identifier information comprising system identifier data, is received. The purchase information and the system identifier information are processed to generate digital assets activation request data, which is then processed by the provider of the digital assets to generate digital assets activation data. Associated digital assets data is provided with the digital assets activation data and then processed with the purchase transaction data to generate digital assets entitlement data. A personalization agent associated with a target system automatically downloads the purchased digital assets and associated digital assets entitlement data, which is used to install the digital assets, thereby entitling the system to process the installed digital assets. |
| US08170782B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
An information processing apparatus and method is disclosed which navigation information conforming to the interest and the liking of a user can be produced readily. The information processing apparatus includes a first reception section for receiving a broadcast program transmitted from a broadcast station and including information relating to the broadcast program, an outputting section for outputting the received broadcast program, a marking instruction section for issuing an instruction to produce marking information corresponding to a scene of the outputted broadcast program, a marking information production section for producing marking information corresponding to the scene of the broadcast program being outputted when the instruction is issued, a transmission section for transmitting the marking information to a different information processing apparatus, and a second reception section for receiving navigation information transmitted from the different information processing apparatus based on the marking information. |
| US08170778B2 |
Internal combustion engine system, control method of internal combustion engine system, and vehicle
On incompletion of port learning, an auto stop-permitting water temperature is set to a temperature which is higher than a temperature set on completion of the port learning and is higher than a port injection temperature as an upper limit temperature that enables an engine to be driven in a port injection drive mode. This arrangement increases the opportunity of continuing the operation of the engine with fuel injection from a port fuel injection valve without an auto stop, thus increasing the opportunity of the port learning. |
| US08170776B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine
In order to control an internal combustion engine with self-ignition of the air/fuel mixture, at least one injection parameter with respect to fuel metering is determined as a function of at least one operating variable, assuming a steady-state operating state. If a transient operating state is present, a target combustion chamber temperature is determined for the steady-state operating state as a function of at least one of the operating variables. An actual combustion chamber temperature is determined as a function of a physical model for the transient operation, depending on the target combustion chamber temperature and at least one of the operating variables. A correction value is determined for the at least one injection parameter as a function of the target and actual combustion chamber temperatures. The fuel valve is controlled as a function of the at least one injection parameter and the associated correction value. |
| US08170773B2 |
Method for the direct re-entry in the cai operating mode of an internal combustion engine following a pull fuel cut off phase as well as a pertinent control unit
For the direct re-entry in the CAI operating mode following a pull fuel cut off phase the CAI specific valve lift is maintained during its pull fuel cut off phase. Upon a request signal for the CAI re-entry after the closing time of the particular cylinder, an advance fuel injection quantity is injected in the combustion chamber and externally ignited and combusted in the following CAI interim compression phase of the exhaust stroke, as a result of which hot exhaust gas is formed in the combustion chamber, fresh air is drawn into the combustion chamber during the following intake stroke, a main fuel injection quantity is injected in a main compression phase during the following compression stroke, and the exhaust gas content brought about from the earlier auxiliary fuel injection, is mixed with the air-fuel mixture newly introduced for the main ignition to form a self-ignitable, homogenous fresh air-exhaust gas-fuel mixture. |
| US08170772B2 |
Method of reducing icing-related engine misfires
A method of reducing icing-related engine misfires during operation of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle can include an engine and an engine control unit operable for at least partially controlling operation of the engine. The vehicle can further include a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the engine control unit. The engine can include an air intake system and an exhaust system, wherein the air intake system can include a positive crankcase ventilation valve. The method includes predicting the presence of ice within the air intake system based upon an input to the engine control unit from at least one of the sensors. |
| US08170767B2 |
Vehicle stability control system and method
A method and system for controlling vehicle stability may comprise determining whether a vehicle is oversteering or understeering and, if the vehicle is oversteering or understeering, determining an amount by which to reduce a speed of the vehicle to correct for understeering or oversteering and applying brake pressure to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle to reduce vehicle speed. The method and system also may comprise determining an engine torque reduction amount based on vehicle oversteer or understeer conditions, reducing engine torque by the determined amount or to zero if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than an actual engine torque, and applying braking to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than the actual engine torque. |
| US08170764B2 |
Method and apparatus to reprofile input speed during speed during speed phase during constrained conditions for a hybrid powertrain system
A method to control a powertrain including a transmission, an engine, and an electric machine includes monitoring an input speed, monitoring an output speed, upon initiation of a transmission shift, determining a plurality of input acceleration profiles for controlling the engine and electric machine during the shift, identifying an input acceleration constraint affecting one of the input acceleration profiles, reprofiling the input acceleration profiles based upon the identified input acceleration constraint, and controlling operation of the engine and electric machine based upon the reprofiled input acceleration profiles. |
| US08170762B2 |
Method and apparatus to control operation of a hydraulic pump for an electro-mechanical transmission
A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump. |
| US08170754B2 |
Vehicle body drifting restraining device
A vehicle body drifting restraining device which restrains a drifting of a vehicle body, wherein: when a brake control device operation prohibition switch, which prohibits an operation of a brake control device, is in a state of prohibition, a control for restraining the drifting of the vehicle body is prohibited. |
| US08170753B2 |
Vehicle and method of determining whether or not to stop engine mounted in vehicle
A vehicle including an engine, a tilting sensor configured to detect that a vehicle body of the vehicle has been tilted a predetermined angle or larger, a driving state sensor configured to detect a driving state of the vehicle using a component other than the tilting sensor, and a determiner configured to determine whether or not to stop the engine, based on a signal received from the tilting sensor, and a signal received from the driving state sensor. |
| US08170745B1 |
Seat occupancy verification system for motor vehicles
A system and methodology utilizing seat sensors and an electronic card system that monitors the location of children on a bus as well as preventing children from being left behind, is herein disclosed. As the child enters the bus, the child would insert a personalized identification card, thereby recording the child's seat location and presence. Upon exiting, the child again inserts the identification card and following a prescribed time interval, a warning light and alarm would be activated if the seat remains occupied, thus alerting the bus driver to check the seat location. Every bus seat would have an integral weight sensor electrically connected to a main control panel. The system provides the bus driver, or assigned chaperone, a pushbutton selection array corresponding to each seat assignment. |
| US08170744B2 |
Front electronic equipment system with a LIN-subbus
A front electronic equipment system includes a load electrical parts provided at a front portion of a vehicle, a front electrical control unit which receives a control signal for controlling the drive of the load electrical parts through a main bus line of the vehicle, and a drive control unit connected to the front electrical control unit through a sub bus line, converting the control signal into a drive signal, and driving the load electrical parts based on the drive signal. The front electrical control unit converts a communication protocol of the control signal from a communication protocol of the main bus line into a communication protocol of the sub bus line, and transmits the converted control signal received through the main bus line to the drive control unit through the sub bus line. |
| US08170740B2 |
Adaptive vehicle control system with driving style recognition based on vehicle launching
An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a drivers driving style based on vehicle launching maneuvers. A process determines whether the vehicle speed signal during a predetermined time window is greater than a speed threshold, whether the vehicle speed signal before the time window is less than the speed threshold and whether the average of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration during the time window is greater than a first longitudinal acceleration threshold and, if so, determines if the vehicle is in a vehicle launching maneuver. The process then determines that the vehicle launching maneuver has ended if the average of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration during a second time window is less than the longitudinal acceleration threshold. The style characterization processor can then classify the vehicle launching maneuver using selected discriminant features. |
| US08170738B2 |
Performance inspection method for autonomous mobile apparatus, and performance inspection sheet therefor
An autonomous mobile apparatus (R) at a reference position (1) is confronted to a subject (T) with a predefined distance. The autonomous mobile apparatus (R) is rotated at the reference position (1) to confront plural directions sequentially. The subject (T) is detected every time when the autonomous mobile apparatus (R) is rotated to confront each direction to determine whether or not it is functioning normally. |
| US08170733B2 |
Vehicle control system and method
A vehicle control system includes a first powertrain, a second powertrain, and a third powertrain. The first powertrain includes a first power source. The second powertrain includes a second power source. The third powertrain includes a third power source. The vehicle control system also includes an operator control interface. The operator control interface includes a first portion configured to receive a first operator input and a second portion configured to receive a second operator input. The first operator input and the second operator input are indicative of a desired speed and a desired direction. The vehicle control system additionally includes a controller configured to deliver a power control signal to at least one of the first powertrain, the second powertrain, and the third powertrain. The power control signal is a function of the first operator input and the second operator input. |
| US08170732B2 |
System and method for operating train in the presence of multiple alternate routes
A method is provided for operating a train or rail vehicle along a railway which is logically divided into segments, and includes at least one control point presenting at least two possible paths that are exclusive of each other, each path including one or more segments. The method includes: (a) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway by reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments prior to the control point; (b) determining which segment located immediately past the control point is to be occupied by the rail vehicle; (c) after the rail vehicle has traveled past the at least one control point, verifying which segment was occupied; (d) interlocking the occupied segment; (e) passing segment information to the rail vehicle; and (f) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway in reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments past the control point. |
| US08170731B2 |
System and method for detecting reflection with a mobile sensor platform
Systems and methods for planning and executing a search route by a mobile sensor platform for detecting reflection are disclosed. The search route of the mobile sensor platform is based on the angle of a radiation source relative to the ground in a search area. While executing the search route, a sensor on the mobile sensor platform is configured to detect the reflection of radiation from an object in the search area. |
| US08170729B2 |
Method and system for operating a display device on-board an aircraft
Methods and systems for operating a display device that is viewable by a user of an aircraft are provided. A first image is caused to be displayed on the display device. The first image is at least representative of a field of view from on-board the aircraft of an actual terrain. A second image is rendered over the first image on the display device. The second image includes a vertical position indicator indicating a vertical position of the aircraft relative to a selected flight path. The vertical position indicator is moved in a pitch direction on the display device in response to the aircraft moving relative to the actual terrain. The pitch direction corresponds to a change in the pitch of the aircraft. |
| US08170724B2 |
Systems and associated methods for controllably cooling computer components
Computer systems and associated methods for cooling computer components are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a computer system includes a computer cabinet having an air inlet spaced apart from an air outlet. The computer system also includes heat exchangers positioned in the computer cabinet, and a heat removal system in fluid communication with the heat exchangers. The computer system additionally includes at least one sensor for monitoring heat transfer between the computer cabinet and the room. The computer system further includes a control system operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the control system including a computer-readable medium holding instructions for determining whether heat transfer between the computer cabinet and the room is balanced based on information from the sensor, and if not, adjusting a parameter to balance the heat transfer. |
| US08170719B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit for controlling robot arm
A control apparatus for a robot arm includes an operation information database in which pieces of information relating to operations of the robot arm are stored, a force detection unit that detects a force of a person, and an operation correction unit that corrects the operation information of the operation information database in accordance with the force of the person. |
| US08170718B2 |
Multiple priority operational space impedance control
A system and method for providing multiple priority impedance control for a robot manipulator where impedance laws are realized simultaneously and with a given order of priority. The method includes a control scheme for realizing a Cartesian space impedance objective as a first priority while also realizing a joint space impedance objective as a second priority. The method also includes a control scheme for realizing two Cartesian space impedance objectives with different levels of priority. The method includes instances of the control schemes that use feedback from force sensors mounted at an end-effector and other instances of the control schemes that do not use this feedback. |
| US08170716B2 |
Methods and apparatus for surgical planning
Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a surgical site. Generally, data such as imaging data is processed and used to create a model of a surgical site, which can then be used to select advantageous entry port sites for two or more surgical tools based on multiple criteria. Advantageous robot positioning may also be determined, based on the entry port locations and other factors. Validation and simulation may then be provided to ensure feasibility of the selected port placements and/or robot positions. Such methods, apparatus and systems may also be used in non-surgical contexts, such as for robotic port placement in munitions diffusion or hazardous waste handling. |
| US08170715B1 |
Methods and devices for automated work in pipes based on impedance control
Methods and tools for automatically performing work within a pipe or pipe network based on sensed impedance information. A robot, which may be tethered or un-tethered, includes a computer controller and a work tool for performing work within the pipe. With or without impedance-based calibration, the robot senses environmental and tool-based impedance characteristics and determines, using said software, ways in which the current work performance can be altered or improved based on the impedance information. The operation of the work tool is then altered in line with the control software. Many different types of work related to the inspection, cleaning and rehabilitation of pipes can be accomplished with the present robots including reinstating laterals after lining, cutting or clearing debris, sealing pipe joints and/or other heretofore manual pipe-based processes. |
| US08170710B2 |
Method and arrangement for feeding, with yarn of constant absorbed length, a textile machine operating on a plurality of yarns
A method for feeding a plurality of yarns with constant values of fed length to a textile machine, each yarn unwinding from a spool and cooperating with a feed device, arranged to maintain the tension of the yarn at a predefined constant value before being directed to the textile machine. At least one control unit controls the feed to this machine such that an absorbed yarn length value to be maintained for each yarn fed to the textile machine is set or self-learnt. After measuring an actual value of the yarn length absorbed by this machine and comparing it with this predefined value, the control unit acts upon one or more feed devices and modifies the tension value of the corresponding yarn in order to make these absorbed yarn length values equal to the predefined value. A method for implementing this method is also claimed. |
| US08170708B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for embroidery thread management
Systems, methods, and apparatus for embroidery thread color management are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a first set of thread colors to be used in an embroidery design, determining a second set of thread colors assigned to a first embroidery machine, determining a third set of thread colors assigned to a second embroidery machine, determining a first difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the second set of thread colors, determining a second difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the third set of thread colors, and assigning the embroidery design to a queue for the first embroidery machine when the first difference is smaller than the second difference. |
| US08170706B2 |
Package generation system
A system for creating a package includes a processor, a memory, and computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to receive a package description and generate content, formatting instructions, and a structural design features for a package. The system applies the content and structural design features to a substrate to convert a flat substrate into a three-dimensional package. |
| US08170704B2 |
Method and system for automatic generation of throughput models for semiconductor tools
The throughput of complex cluster tools of a semiconductor manufacturing environment may be determined for a desired manufacturing scenario on the basis of automatically generated throughput models. The throughput models may be established on the basis of rule messages with high statistical relevance. |
| US08170702B2 |
Method for classifying audio data
A method for classifying audio data. For a given piece of audio data a location or position for the given audio data within a mood space is generated and compared to a comparison mood space location. As a result of the comparison, comparison data are generated and provided as a classification result with respect to the given audio data. |
| US08170701B1 |
Methods and apparatus of running game and rendering game audio remotely over broadband network
A system and methods for running interactive applications (e.g., video game, computer game, console game) over broadband network (e.g., IPTV network, broadband mobile network, broadband Internet, cable network, etc.). In an embodiment, interactive applications can be hosted and executed remotely by an interactive application host either natively or using emulation (e.g., virtual machine, emulation of software platform, operating system, or hardware platform). Audio of the interactive application can be rendered by one or multiple audio rendering apparatuses, compressed, transmitted over the broadband network to one or multiple clients (e.g, set-top box, media player, game console, mobile device, personal computer), and presented by the client's audio display device. In additional embodiment, said audio rendering apparatus can render multiple streams of audio for multiple clients concurrently. An audio rendering apparatus can cache the audio data shared by multiple clients or multiple instances of an interactive application to reduce bandwidth consumption. Furthermore, during audio presentation, a client synchronizes audio and video display. |
| US08170697B2 |
System and method for repairing and re-aligning damaged vehicle body and frame structures
Systems and methods for evaluating damage to a vehicle and controlling a vehicle repair process to bring all aspects of the damaged vehicle back within manufacturer's specification during repair. Processes for evaluating, measuring and repairing specified reference points on a vehicle are described. The processes include an incremental examination and repair of affiliated reference points to bring them back into specified positions with respect to a datum, each other and the centerline of the vehicle. The processes also include the determinations of the three-dimensional dislocations of reference points from their specified positions and make a three-dimensional determination of a force vector to direct the application of force to return each reference point to its specified position. A computer system implementing the vehicle control processes provides automated or semi-automated systems of vehicle repair. |
| US08170696B2 |
Process control simulator and process control simulating method
This invention provides a process control simulator configured to efficiently debug a plant control system. A computer stores simulated data generated by a model executing part to a time-series memory area. A programmable controller stops input from the input-device interface when there is a virtual input/output request received. A virtual input/output processor sets simulated data from a time-series memory area of the computer to a time-series memory area of the programmable controller. A program executing part sets simulated data from the time-series memory area to a memory area at the same resolution as an arithmetic operation period of program execution and executes the program. Control output as a result of the execution is fed back to the model executing part of the computer, and the computer calculates simulated data as process value at this timing, and stores the data to its time-series memory area. |
| US08170691B2 |
Medical implantable lead
A medical implantable lead has a proximal end and a distal end, a biostable and biocompatible polymeric header, which is arranged at the distal end and has a first tubular portion, a helical fixation element located within the first tubular portion and being extendable from a distal end of the header, and a radiopaque ring. The header further has a second tubular portion, which is arranged coaxially of the first tubular portion and is attached to the first tubular portion at a distal end of the second tubular portion, while having a free proximal end. The tubular portions form a circumferential pocket, wherein the first tubular portion extends from the proximal end of the header at least to said distal end of the second tubular portion. The radiopaque ring is arranged around the first tubular portion and is received in the circumferential pocket. |
| US08170688B2 |
RF rejecting lead
A lead assembly for an implantable medical device includes a lead body having a first portion adapted for coupling to a pulse generator and a second portion adapted for implantation. First and second co-radial conductive coils are electrically isolated from each other and include a first and second number of coil turns. The first and second number of coil turns include a number of matched turns and a number of unmatched turns, and the number of unmatched turns is less than approximately 2.0% of the total number of unmatched and matched turns. First and second electrodes located at the second portion are respectively coupled to the first and second conductive coils. At least one capacitor element is connected in parallel with one or both of the first and second conductive coils and/or between the first and second conductive coils. |
| US08170687B2 |
Implantable medical device lead incorporating insulated coils formed as inductive bandstop filters to reduce lead heating during MRI
To provide radio-frequency (RF) bandstop filtering within an implantable lead, such as a pacemaker lead, one or more segments of the tip and ring conductors of the lead are formed as insulated coils to function as inductive band stop filters. By forming segments of the conductors into insulated coils, a separate set of discrete or distributed inductors is not required, yet RF filtering is achieved to, e.g., reduce lead heating during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures. To enhance the degree of bandstop filtering at the RF signal frequencies of MRIs, additional capacitive elements are added. In one example, the ring electrode of the lead is configured to provide capacitive shunting to the tip conductor. In another example, a capacitive transition is provided between the outer insulated coil and proximal portions of the ring conductor. In still other examples, conducting polymers are provided to enhance capacitive shunting. The insulated coils may be spaced at ¼ wavelength locations. |
| US08170686B2 |
Heatable sling support for an anatomical location
The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to employing thermal treatment of tissue in combination with an implantable sling to treat urinary incontinence. |
| US08170681B2 |
Method of charging an implantable medical device
A rechargeable implantable medical device with a magnetic shield placed on the distal side of a secondary recharging coil to improve charging efficiency is disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a wide variety of medical devices such as neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, cochlear implants. The implantable medical device has a secondary recharging coil carried over a magnetic shield and coupled to electronics and a rechargeable power source carried inside the housing. The electronics are configured to perform a medical therapy. Additionally a method for enhancing electromagnetic coupling during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed, and a method for reducing temperature rise during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed. |
| US08170678B2 |
Synchronized diagnostic measurement for cochlear implants
Objective measurement of cochlear implant operation is described which coordinates the delivery to a patient of an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The acoustic signal is developed as an acoustic stimulation input to the ear canal of a patient, and the electrical signal is developed as an electrical stimulation input to intracochlear electrodes of a cochlear implant. The evoked response in the patient to the delivered signals is then measured. |
| US08170676B2 |
Electrode array
The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation. In particular, the present invention provides electrode shapes and electrode coating advantageous in maximizing the charge dissipation without harming neural tissue. Neurotrophic factors are used to further improve electrode performance. |
| US08170675B2 |
Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. |
| US08170669B2 |
Method and apparatus for concurrent atrio-ventricular anti-tachycardia pacing
An implantable medical device delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). If a detected tachyarrhythmia is classified as a type suitable for treatment using ATP, the implantable medical device selects one of an atrial ATP (A-ATP) mode, a ventricular ATP (V-ATP) mode, and a concurrent atrio-ventricular ATP (concurrent AV-ATP) mode according to the characteristics of the detected tachyarrhythmia. The concurrent ATP mode is an ATP mode during which the atrial pacing pulses and the ventricular pacing pulses are delivered concurrently. In one embodiment, the concurrent AV-ATP mode includes a synchronized atrio-ventricular ATP (synchronized AV-ATP) mode during which atrial and ventricular pacing pulses are delivered synchronously and an independent atrio-ventricular ATP (independent AV-ATP) mode during which atrial and ventricular pacing pulses are delivered concurrently but timed independently. |
| US08170668B2 |
Baroreflex sensitivity monitoring and trending for tachyarrhythmia detection and therapy
A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) that includes a tachyarrhythmia detector, a baroreflex detector to obtain baroreflex information, and a processor in communication with the tachyarrhythmia detector and the baroreflex detector. The processor adjusts at least one of a tachyarrhythmia detection parameter of the IMD or a tachyarrhythmia therapy parameter of the IMD using the baroreflex information. |
| US08170666B2 |
Method for scheduling atrial-ventricular conduction checks in minimum ventricular pacing
A medical device and associated method deliver cardiac pacing in a dual chamber pacing mode and schedule an atrial-ventricular (AV) conduction check during the dual chamber pacing mode to detect the presence of AV conduction. If AV conduction is detected during the scheduled AV conduction check, the medical device switches to an atrial pacing mode and switches back to the dual chamber pacing mode in response to an absence of AV conduction during the atrial pacing mode. The detected AV conduction is identified as a false positive detection in response to the pacing mode switch to the dual chamber pacing mode occurring within a predetermined interval of time from detecting the AV conduction. |
| US08170660B2 |
System for thermal modulation of neural activity
Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with thermal stimuli are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of thermal blocking stimuli and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed. |
| US08170653B2 |
Baseline processing for the detection of cardiac events
A system for the detection of cardiac events occurring in a human patient is provided. At least two electrodes are included in the system for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient's heart. An electrical signal processor is electrically coupled to the electrodes for processing the electrical signal and a patient alarm means is further provided and electrically coupled to the electrical signal processor. The electrical signal is acquired in the form of electrogram segments, which are categorized according to heart rate, ST segment shift and type heart rhythm (normal or abnormal). Baseline electrogram segments are tracked over time. |
| US08170650B2 |
Implantable tissue perfusion sensing system and method
A medical device for sensing cardiac events that includes a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, and a detector to detect the emitted light. A processor generates an ambient light measurement in response to ambient light detected by the detector, generates a plurality of light measurements in response to the emitted light detected by the detector, and adjusts the plurality of light measurements in response to the ambient light measurement. |
| US08170649B2 |
Arrangement and method for assessing tissue qualities
An arrangement and method for imaging and/or measuring tissue qualities, such as tissue thickness, tissue surface roughness and degree of tissue fiber linearization. The arrangement includes at least one light generating element, at least one light detecting element, a probe with an extension, and possibly a control apparatus including a signal processor for processing the detected signals and/or images. The extension is designed to convey light from the light generating element to the tissue for visualization and/or measurement. The extension is also designed to convey light back-scattered from the tissue to the light detecting element. The detecting element is designed to measure the intensity and/or spatial distribution of light back-scattered from the tissue. |
| US08170648B2 |
Removable localizing wire
A localizing wire includes an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer. |
| US08170647B2 |
Fiduciary markers and method of use thereof
The invention provides devices and methods used to locate target areas within a patient for repeat therapeutic treatments. In the invention, fiduciary markers made of metal or metal alloys are placed within a patient near or at a target site as reference coordinates for particular body locations on the patient. Repeat treatments may then be given to the patient over a period of time based on the coordinates given by the fiduciary markers. The fiduciary markers are specially shaped or put into strand to improve marker attachment and prevent marker migration. |
| US08170641B2 |
Method of imaging an extremity of a patient
A method of imaging a body part of a patient can include acquiring a first, second and third sets of image data from a first, second and third anatomical reference areas. The first, second and third sets of image data can then be compiled to produce a legend of the body part. The legend can have positional information of the first, second and third anatomical reference areas. A fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data of the first, second and anatomical reference areas can be acquired. The fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data can have increased image information relative to the first, second and third sets of image data, respectively. The locations of the fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data relative to the first, second and third sets of image data can be correlated using the legend to determine a characteristic of the body part. |
| US08170640B2 |
System and method for tree projection for detection of pulmonary embolism
A system and method for detecting an area of interest such as a pulmonary embolism in a structure of interest such as a vessel tree or airway tree are provided. The method comprises: segmenting image data of the structure of interest; and rendering two-dimensional images based on a function of the image data and the segmented image data within slabs defined by the segmented image data. |