| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08360251B2 |
Multi-layer coalescing media having a high porosity interior layer and uses thereof
Disclosed are coalescing media for coalescing a mixture of two phases, namely a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The disclosed coalescing media has multiple layers with distinct porosities, where an interior layer of the coalescing media has a higher porosity than the layers immediately adjacent to the interior layer. The disclosed media may be utilized in coalescers, coalescing systems, or coalescing methods for removing the dispersed phase from the mixture. |
| US08360248B2 |
Methods and systems to manage the viral transfer of rental media
The technology described herein provides systems and methods for the viral transfer of entertainment media with a “media exchange” established based on tools over the internet in a “buddy list,” peer-to-peer, social networking environment, or the like, without utilizing a service provider's distribution system. Additionally, this technology provides tangible media exchange in a geographically local area, wherein the media exchange is prearranged based on the “buddy list,” peer-to-peer, social networking environment, and so forth. |
| US08360246B2 |
Froth flotation method and an apparatus for extracting a valuable substance from a slurry
In a froth flotation method and apparatus an upwardly open circular trough (4) having outlets (5) on the outer periphery of the trough is arranged horizontally above the froth phase (F) so that the trough is coaxial with the flotation vessel (1), and said circular trough is rotated around its center axis. A stationary water pipe (6) is arranged above the trough (4). Fresh water (W) is fed via the water pipe (6) into the trough (4) while the trough is rotating, and the water is let to flow by gravity and centrifugal force from the trough (4) via the outlets (5) into the froth phase (F). |
| US08360242B2 |
Wire recovery system
An automated system for sorting dissimilar materials, and in particular for sorting plastics from other materials and for sorting different types of plastics from one another comprises, depending upon the embodiment, combinations of a sizing mechanism, a friction separation, an air separator, a magnetic separator, a dielectric sensor sortation bed, shaker screening, a ballistic separator, an inductive sensor sortation system and a float/sink tank. The dielectric sensor sortation system may be either analog or digital, depending upon the particular implementation. One or more float/sink tanks can be used, depending upon the embodiment, each with a media of a different specific gravity. The media may be water, or water plus a compound such as calcium chloride. In addition, multiples of the same general type of module can be used for particular configurations. A heavy media system or a sand float process can be used either alternatively or additionally. |
| US08360241B2 |
Method for managing drip infusion stands
A method for managing drip infusion stands aims to set different colors for drip infusion stands according to requirements of varying departments in a hospital. The drip infusion stand is made of aluminum alloy and includes a telescopic upright post with the surface treated by an anodizing process to form a selected color to match the department. Thus the mixed drip infusion stands can be easily distinguished and sorted out by management staffs according to the colors to return to the departments they belong. Time for returning the drip infusion stands to the varying departments is shortened and management of the drip infusion stands is more efficient. The problem of shortage of drip infusion stands in certain departments or floors in the hospital also can be averted. |
| US08360238B2 |
Package structure for glass containers for pharmaceutical use
The package structure for glass containers for pharmaceutical use (e.g.: bottles, carpules and phials . . . ), comprises a tray (2) accommodating, at a raised position with respect to its bottom, a support plane (4) having a plurality of holes (12) for introducing containers spaced with a preset spatial order, the support plane comprising, at each introduction hole, elastically yielding means (13) for holding the container by means of a radial holding force, the holding means extending inside the volume enclosed by the projection of the perimeter of the hole in a manner parallel to the central symmetry axis (S) of the latter. |
| US08360236B2 |
Golf ball carrier with golf ball release tab
A ball carrier having a hollow tubular support member for holding a plurality of balls stacked axially therein and a ball release tab configured to release one ball at a time from an open end of the hollow tubular support member. The ball release tab may have a first stopper portion, a second stopper portion, and a manipulation portion. The ball release tab may be biased in a first position in which the first stopper portion impedes exit of the balls and may be actuated via the manipulation portion to a second position in which the first portion is rotated away from the balls and the second stopper portion impedes exit of the balls. When the ball release tab moves from the second position to the first position, the second stopper portion rotates away from the balls, allowing the ball resting on the second stopper portion to drop out of the ball carrier, while the first stopper portion rotates back toward the balls, impeding the next ball from dropping out of the ball carrier. |
| US08360233B2 |
Adjustment device for the adjustment of belts of belt conveyors
This invention relates to a adjustment device intended for the adjustment of belts of belt conveyors and of the type that comprises a roller that is rotatable around a first axis (CR) and mounted in a cradle, which in turn is turnably mounted in a supporting stand, and, by a force generator, tiltable in relation to the stand around a second axis (CT) extending perpendicularly to the first one. According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a transmission actuator in the form of a carriage having two guide elements, which slope in different directions. When the force generator generates a force having a first principal force component, the transmission actuator transforms the same into a force having a second principal force component, the direction of which is different from the first force component, which guarantees tilting of the cradle and thereby also the roller in relation to the stand. The transmission actuator is built-in into a space between the roller and a base part of the stand. |
| US08360232B2 |
Rotatable indexed article support for a conveyor
An article support assembly includes a carriage for riding along a conveyor and a holder and turning block depending from and rotatable together relative to the carriage for supporting an article. Rotation of an article is effected in response to the article support and turning block moving past a turning station along a conveying path. Position stops are operatively arranged between the turning block and the carriage for holding the turning block and holder yieldably in at least one predetermined indexed orientation relative to the carriage. The position stops include at least one pair of confronting magnetic elements associated with the carriage and the turning block and located to align with each other when the turning block and holder are in the predetermined indexed orientation. |
| US08360231B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring articles of different sizes
Method and apparatus for transferring articles from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a carrier moving at a second speed. The apparatus may include a first transfer surface driven by a first motor and second transfer surface driven by a second motor. The first and second transfer surfaces receive and transfer different portions of an article at different speeds such that a desired amount of spacing can be provided between discrete articles in a process independent of the size of the article. |
| US08360215B2 |
Two-stage slave cylinder
A two-stage slave cylinder including a housing and a bore extending within the housing. An outer piston is slidably positioned within the bore in the housing, and an outer piston chamber is defined by the bore and the outer piston. The outer piston chamber is connected to a hydraulic fluid source by a fluid passageway. A biasing mechanism acts to bias the outer piston in an unactuated position unless a force is exerted on the outer piston that is greater than the biasing force. A bore is provided in the outer piston, and an inner piston is slidably positioned therein. An inner piston chamber is defined by the bore and the inner piston, and an opening is provided in the outer piston to connect the outer piston chamber to the inner piston chamber. A valve assembly is provided within the opening in the outer piston to control the flow of fluid between the outer piston chamber and the inner piston chamber. |
| US08360214B2 |
Brake shoe support assembly and method
The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants. |
| US08360209B2 |
Dynamic compensation during elevator car re-leveling
An exemplary method of controlling elevator car position includes determining that an elevator car required re-leveling. Elevator car dynamics information associated with a current position of the elevator car is determined. A gain for controlling operation of a motor responsible for moving the elevator car for the re-leveling is adjusted based on the determined elevator car dynamics information. |
| US08360208B2 |
Synthetic fiber rope for supporting an elevator car
A synthetic fiber rope can be used to the limit of failure by setting a sensitivity of detection of the state of wear of the rope. Strands of the rope have indicator fibers or indicator yarn that have a high probability of losing electrical conductivity and thereby indicate a worn cable. The indicator yarn consists of indicator fibers and of synthetic fibers, the indicator yarn fibers being inferior in relation to stress than the synthetic fibers of the strands. |
| US08360195B2 |
Vehicle steering system
The invention relates to a vehicle steering system having a hydraulic actuator (13) for generating a steering movement, a rotary hydraulic valve (4) for hydraulically controlling the hydraulic actuator (13), a first electronic drive (7) for actuating the hydraulic valve (4) and a first coupling element (8) for transmitting torque from the first electronic drive (7) to the hydraulic valve (4) and for preventing a transmission of torque from the hydraulic valve (4) to the first electronic drive (7). |
| US08360194B2 |
Transfer box for transferring gearshifting movements in a vehicle
A transfer box for transferring movements and forces from a gearshift lever of a tiltable vehicle cab portion to a gearbox includes a first frame portion mounted on the cab portion, the first frame portion including at least one first journalled lever portion and being connectable to cable ends or push rods connected to the gear shift lever, a second frame portion mounted on a vehicle chassis, the second frame portion including at least one journalled second lever portion and being connected to the gearbox via cable ends or pushrods, wherein the first lever portions and the second lever portions interact to enable movement/force transfer from the cable ends/push rods connected to the first lever portions to the cable ends/push rods connected to the second lever portions. The at least one first and the at least one second lever portions are provided with wedge shaped cooperating portions. |
| US08360183B2 |
Method for operating a drive system for a motor vehicle
A vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric drive device and a transmission with two component transmissions that can be selected simultaneously. Torque can be transmitted from the electric drive device and/or the internal combustion engine to at least one axle of the vehicle, and a torque can be transmitted from the axle to the electric drive device and/or the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is adjusted from a deactivated state to an energized state. Torque is transmitted to the internal combustion engine by the axle and/or the electric drive device via one of two shifting elements to increase rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is adjusted to a target rotational speed via one of the shifting elements. The connection between the internal combustion engine and the axle is produced via one of the shifting elements upon reaching the target rotational speed. |
| US08360178B2 |
Mobile robot
The mobile robot includes a chassis, a pair of drive system, a manipulator arm with a turret. The pair of drive systems is operably connected to opposed sides of the chassis. The turret is rotationally attached to the platform. The first link of the manipulator arm is attached to the turret at a first joint. The manipulator arm has at least a first link, and the first link is adapted to function as a traction device. |
| US08360169B1 |
Apparatuses and methods relating to cooling a subterranean drill bit and/or at least one cutting element during use
One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a subterranean drilling assembly comprising a subterranean drill bit and a sub apparatus coupled to the drill bit. Further, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the drill bit. For example, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system comprising a plurality of refrigeration coils or at least one thermoelectric device. In another embodiment a subterranean drill bit may include at least one cooling system positioned at least partially within the subterranean drill bit. Also, a sub apparatus or subterranean drill bit may be configured to cool drilling fluid communicated through at least one bore of a subterranean drill bit and avoiding cooling drilling fluid communicated through at least another bore of the subterranean drill bit. Methods of operating a subterranean drill bit are disclosed. |
| US08360166B2 |
Rotary striking tool
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary striking tool, including: a motor; an impact unit having a driving part being driven by the motor and an output part; a tip-tool side output shaft that is coupled to the output part; an impact detection unit that detects an impact generated at the impact unit; and a control unit programmed to: control the impact unit to perform a confirmation striking when the impact detected by the impact detection unit reaches a prescribed value, detect a rotation angle of the output shaft at the confirmation striking, determine whether a fastening operation is completed when the detected rotation angle is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, and continue the fastening operation when the detected rotation angle is larger than the predetermined angle. |
| US08360164B2 |
Adjustable packer wheel seeding system and method
In one embodiment, a seeding implement includes a frame configured to couple to a tool bar, a parallel linkage coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging tool extending from a shank, wherein the shank is coupled to the parallel linkage. The implement also includes a packer wheel configured to control a position of the ground engaging tool, wherein the packer wheel is positioned directly behind the ground engaging tool when the ground engaging tool is engaging a soil region. Further, the implement includes an adjustment mechanism configured to shift the packer wheel rearwardly upon the ground engaging tool encountering an obstruction and to shift the packer wheel forwardly after the obstruction has been passed by the ground engaging tool. |
| US08360157B2 |
Slurrified heavy oil recovery process
In at least one specific embodiment, a method for recovering heavy oil includes accessing, from two or more locations, a subsurface formation having an overburden stress disposed thereon, the formation comprising heavy oil and one or more solids. The formation is pressurized to a pressure sufficient to relieve the overburden stress. A differential pressure is created between the two or more locations to provide one or more high pressure locations and one or more low pressure locations. The differential pressure is varied within the formation between the one or more high pressure locations and the one or more low pressure locations to mobilize at least a portion of the solids and a portion of the heavy oil in the formation. The mobilized solids and heavy oil then flow toward the one or more low pressure locations to provide a slurry comprising heavy oil and one or more solids. The slurry comprising the heavy oil and solids is flowed to the surface where the heavy oil is recovered from the one or more solids. The one or more solids are recycled to the formation. |
| US08360156B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing spillage or loss of drill fluids
A well bore fluid recovery system and method is disclosed for recovering a column of well bore fluid within a stand of casing before cutting the casing. The recovery system relates to a system for preventing fluids from being spilled when casing is being finished for a well bore. After being run the casing must be cut and finished at an appropriate level to install rig equipment such as blow out preventers along with other equipment. However, because of earlier operations, the entire length of casing is typically filled with drilling fluid. Depending on conditions, the length of casing which is to be cut and removed may therefore over a 100-foot (27.4 meter) column of drilling fluid therein. The drilling fluid in this section must be properly drained before the casing is cut and removed. |
| US08360151B2 |
Methods for mitigation of annular pressure buildup in subterranean wells
Compositions and methods that mitigate pressure buildup in the annular space between two tubular bodies in subterranean wells. The composition of the invention comprises an aqueous solution of crosslinkable acrylamide-base polymer, a crosslinker and a gas. Once foamed and placed in the annular space, the composition provides a resilient, flexible, compressible and durable body that is able to compensate for pressure increases in the annular space, thereby protecting the integrity of the tubular bodies. |
| US08360147B2 |
Location-and-rotation feedback tool for subsea wellheads and method of operating same
A location-and-rotation feedback tool that provides accurate feedback of the location and orientation of a well component during running operations in wells. The feedback tool device is adapted to be secured on a tool stem above a running tool and comprises a body, a circumferentially extending groove, and a hole in the groove that vents to the bore of a blowout preventer. The circumferential groove aligns with a fluid line port in the blowout preventer to provide location feedback via a fluid line pressure. The hole aligns with the fluid line port in the blowout preventer to provide rotation feedback via fluid line pressure. |
| US08360146B2 |
Method for reservoir fracture and cross beds detection using tri-axial/multi-component resistivity anisotropy measurements
The invention is a method for inverting reservoir bi-axial anisotropy and identifying complicated fracture/cross-bedding system (104) by using tri-axial induction logs and wellbore survey/image log data. An inversion method is disclosed that uses all nine components that can be measured by tri-axial induction tools (101), plus borehole azimuth and deviation data, to solve for the tri-axial induction response in an arbitrary anisotropic formation due to the non-orthogonal bedding plane and fracture plane (or cross bedding plane). A mathematical formula is provided relating the conductivity tensor in the tool's reference frame to the conductivity tensor in a reference plane associated with the fracture/cross bedding planes (102). This equation is inverted (103) to yield the conductivity tensor components in the fracture/cross bedding coordinate system, along with dip and azimuth angles for both the fracture/cross bedding planes and the tool. |
| US08360142B2 |
High-ratio tubular expansion
A system comprising a first expandable tubular section and a first expansion bridge coupled to an inner surface of the first expandable tubular section. A base pipe is coupled to the first expandable tubular section and to a second expandable tubular section. A second expansion bridge is coupled to an inner surface of the second expandable tubular section. The system also comprises an expansion cone disposed within and translatable relative to the first expandable section. The expansion cone has an expansion diameter greater than an inner diameter of the first and second expansion bridges and less than an inner diameter of the base pipe. |
| US08360138B2 |
System and method that dissipate heat from an electronic device
The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances. |
| US08360137B2 |
Regenerative heat exchanger
A regenerative heat exchanger is disclosed and described for gas streams that perform heat exchange between one another using a buffer that is continuously immersed in the gas streams. The buffer is cleanable by a pivotable blowing arm that uses spray nozzles to clean the buffer. The blowing arm has an axis that is positioned parallel to the flow direction of the gas streams across the buffer and allows for the use of two blowing arms which extend in a mirror image opposite to one another. The spray nozzles each distribute compressed air and/or pressurized water. |
| US08360133B2 |
Mold boring method, mold boring tool and mold boring apparatus
A mold boring apparatus including a mold boring tool having a flow passage formed inside of the mold boring tool which allows a fluid to flow therethrough, having slits and protruding portions formed on an outer peripheral portion of an outer body of a tool blade member of the mold boring tool in a circumferential direction thereof extending from a leading end to a base end of the tool blade member, and blades that are inclined inward and are formed at leading ends of the protruding portions formed between the adjacent slits. |
| US08360131B2 |
Dimension adjustable composite doors, bi-fold doors, and methods of construction thereof
Composite bi-fold doors and other composite closures having improved assemblies are described, wherein the assemblies provide enhanced strength and durability of the doors and their construction while simultaneously maintaining their aesthetics. Additional improved bi-fold door and semi-solid door assemblies are also provided, which allow for the dimensional adjustment of the height of the doors by the installer as necessary, while simultaneously maintaining the structural integrity of the doors following the height adjustment. |
| US08360125B2 |
Flexible inductor for the inductive sealing of packages
A sealing device for inductive sealing of containers is provided. The sealing device includes at least one induction coil made from an at least partially flexible conductor. The induction coil has two coil halves arranged at a distance (d) apart between which the containers can be moved, in which the conductor in each case extends essentially parallel to a direction of motion (B) of the containers. The coil halves are connected to the induction coil via at least one flexible conductor loop, which extends perpendicular to the direction of motion (B) of the containers. |
| US08360121B2 |
Wheel having temperature compensated and controlled pressure
A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about −50° C. to about 50° C. |
| US08360119B2 |
High-pressure inflation pump
A high-pressure inflation pump includes a head, a nozzle, a piercing member, and a resilient member. The head includes a compartment, a passageway, and a threaded section. The piercing member includes a base, a piercing portion, and an air guiding hole. The piercing portion includes an annular abutting shoulder for pressing against an end face of a threaded end of a high-pressure gas container engaged with the threaded section of the head, providing an airtight state. The resilient member includes a support end, a pressing end, and a chamber. The piercing member is received and positioned in the chamber without blocking flow of gas in the high-pressure gas container into the air guiding hole, allowing rapid inflation of a tire engaged with the nozzle and allowing the high-pressure gas container to be used many times to save resources. |
| US08360117B2 |
System and method for monitoring a ground connection
Exemplary systems and methods are directed to monitoring a ground connection at a fueling facility. The system being configured to perform the method that includes measuring a vehicle ground quality. The method also includes determining a dispenser ground quality, evaluating the vehicle ground quality based on the dispenser ground quality and a threshold value, and controlling the dispensing of fuel based on the evaluation. |
| US08360111B1 |
Method for squeezing a fruit wedge
A method for squeezing at least one fruit wedge, including providing at least one fruit wedge, providing a disposable funnel having substantially circular cross-section formed from a substantially stretchable material, the disposable funnel having an inlet and an outlet, inserting the fruit wedge through the inlet of the disposable funnel until the fruit wedge is substantially enclosed by the disposable funnel, providing a bottle having a neck, inserting the outlet of the disposable funnel into or stretching the disposable funnel over the neck of the bottle, squeezing the disposable funnel until juice separated from the fruit wedge is squirted through the outlet into the bottle and, squeezing the disposable funnel with sufficient force so that the fruit wedge is expelled from the funnel to substantially reside in the bottle. |
| US08360109B2 |
Adjustable bent housing with rotational stop
An adjustable bent housing includes an outer tubular member having an interior surface defining an interior bore. The outer tubular member has a first angular offset. An inner tubular member is provided and has an exterior surface. The inner tubular member has a second angular offset. The inner tubular member has at least one engagement end received within the interior bore of the outer tubular member. A desired cumulative angular offset is selected by relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to adjust the positioning of the first angular offset relative to the second angular offset. A rotational stop is provided that limits relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to a limited rotational range. A locking sleeve locks the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member in a selected rotational position to fix the cumulative angular offset. |
| US08360108B2 |
Method for rehabilitating existing pipes, and rehabilitation pipe segment used in the rehabilitating method
An existing-pipe rehabilitation method for constructing a rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe to rehabilitate the existing pipe. A rehabilitation pipe is constructed inside an existing pipe by coupling segments in the circumferential direction and the lengthwise direction of the existing pipe so that the rehabilitation pipe has a constant outer diameter. A lining material impregnated with a liquid curable resin is inserted into the rehabilitation pipe thus constructed. The liquid curable resin is cured to line the internal circumferential surface of the rehabilitation pipe with the lining material so that an inner diameter of the rehabilitation pipe lined with the lining material is smaller than an inner diameter of the existing pipe. |
| US08360105B2 |
Air admittance vent
The air admittance vent (“AAV”) includes a cup shaped vent body and a vertically reciprocating valve element that seats against a valve seat that has two separate contact areas defined by an annular ridge and a conical face formed in the bottom of the vent body. When the valve element moves into its closed position, the pliable diaphragm of the valve element initially contacts the annular ridge, which forms a first part of the valve seat before moving fully into sealing contact with the conical face, which forms the second part of the valve seat. The contact with the annular ridge provides a first initial seal before the diaphragm nests into contact with the conical face to form a second seal with the valve seat. |
| US08360102B2 |
Multi-function valve for surgical instrument
A closed system for harvesting fat through liposuction, concentrating the aspirate so obtained, and then re-injecting the concentrated fat into a patient comprises as its main components a low pressure cannula having between about 7 to 12 side holes of about 1-2 mm by 2.0 to 4.0 mm, a spring loaded syringe holder with a constant force or coiled ribbon spring to apply a substantially constant pressure over the full excursion of the plunger, and a preferably flexible collection bag which is also preferably graduated, cylindrical over most of its body and funnel shaped at its bottom, all of which are connected through flexible tubings to a multi-port valve. The multi-port valve has two flutter/duck bill valves which restrict the fluid flow to a one way direction which effectively allows the syringe to be used to pump fat out of a patient and into a collection bag in a continuous manner. After the bags are centrifuged to concentrate the fat, the excess fluids are separated and the valve is re-connected to permit the syringe pump to reverse fluid flow to graft the concentrated fat back into the patient. |
| US08360100B2 |
Integrated bulk fluids management system
Modular storage and controlled outflow systems for controlling a flow of water and methods of assembly of modular storage and controlled outflow systems having indirect flow of water through the system. Modular systems for controlling a flow of water having beams extending across the modules to direct the flow of water in an indirect manner or a serpentine or semi-serpentine manner. Modular storage and controlled outflow systems for treatment and filtration of water. |
| US08360098B2 |
Monodirectional intake pressure stabilization structure of pneumatic tool
A monodirectional intake pressure stabilization structure of pneumatic tool includes a tool main body and a pressure stabilization unit. The pressure stabilization unit is disposed in a first directional intake passage formed in the tool main body for controlling the pressure of the air guided by the first directional intake passage into an air chamber of the tool main body. Accordingly, excessively great intake pressure can be avoided so as to avoid over-torque output of the pneumatic tool. In this case, the pneumatic tool can stably output power within a safety range in accordance with the requirements of actual use. The pressure stabilization unit can be a pressure stabilizer or a pressure relief valve. |
| US08360088B2 |
Fuel cutoff valve
In a fuel cutoff valve 10, a casing 30 including a valve chest 33 is fastened to a cover member 20 thermally welded to an upper tank wall FTa of a fuel tank FT. A float 50 is located in the valve chest 33 of the casing 30. The casing 30 has bottomed recesses 42 formed as concaves in an outer circumferential wall of the valve chest 33, and vent holes 40 provided at respective bottom areas of the bottomed recesses 42. Each of the vent holes 40 is a through hole of a small diameter, which is determined to be sufficient for ventilation of the fuel vapor in the valve chest 33. The vent hole 40 has a short dimension by the depth of the bottomed recess 42. |
| US08360087B2 |
Operating fluid tank
The invention relates to a reducing agent tank for holding a liquid reducing agent as a so-called SCR tank. The SCR tank comprises at least one device for deaerating the tank, which device is closed off by means of at least one pressure-compensating element which permits an exchange of gas but which closes off the tank in a liquid-tight manner. The reducing agent tank also comprises at least one deaeration line which communicates with the pressure-compensating element, with the deaeration line being guided at least to a point above the maximum permissible fording level of the tank when the tank is in the installation position. The deaeration line has at least one first downward-sloping line section which branches into a second rising line section for deaeration and a third falling line section for gravity-induced condensate drainage. |
| US08360083B2 |
Hunting blind
A portable hunting blind which is easily set up to provide the hunter with a sit or stand to search position, and a stand to shoot position. The blind includes a frame which is foldable into a collapsed position and expandable into a support position. A shaped cover is supported by the frame to provide a plurality of front panels, a pair of side panels, and a rear panel. The front panels include horizontal slits for searching and vertical slits for shooting. |
| US08360082B2 |
Compact folding umbrella with hybrid ribs to resist damage due to inversion
A folding umbrella, particularly one having multiple folds, has a support frame incorporating a hybrid rib typically located intermediate a main rib and a rear or outermost rib. The hybrid rib is formed of multiple sections composed of first and second materials which respectively provide the desired structural strength to reduce inversions of the umbrella to an acceptable minimum and provide the hybrid rib with the desired resiliency and flexibility to return the hybrid rib to its original, unstressed shape and thereby prevent permanent damage to the hybrid rib as well as adjoining frame elements of the umbrella. The thicknesses of the multiple sections and the relative sizes of the sections also significantly contribute to the capability of the hybrid rib to achieve the desired objectives of a compact, small, folding umbrella of reduced weight, and the ability to prevent permanent damage to the frame due to inversion. |
| US08360080B2 |
Umbrella
The invention relates to an umbrella, particularly a sun umbrella or rain umbrella, comprising a holding structure and an umbrella roof attached thereto by means of a joint, the joint being able to be locked by means of a cable or Bowden wire running through at least one part of the holding structure, characterized in that the joint is designed as a purely rotating joint, wherein an engagement element located on the umbrella roof is connected to the cable or Bowden wire or is otherwise mechanically operationally connected thereto, in order to releaseably engage in a segment of the joint associated with the holding structure to lock the joint. |
| US08360078B2 |
Compact system with magnetic slide out brush
A compact system for applying a product to a surface including a removable applicator slideably housed in a compact comprising an actuator and a slide-mechanism. In one example, the slide-mechanism is configured to magnetically couple with a magnet in the base of the applicator, and slides the applicator into and out of the compact. By virtue of having a removable applicator, the compact system is portable and convenient, while at the same time the applicator remains clean and intact until a time of use. |
| US08360074B2 |
Smoking article
A smoking article (10) comprises a rod (12) of smokeable material and a filter (14) attached to one end of the rod. The filter comprises an elongate body of filter material (16) wrapped with a transparent plug wrap (18). A first tipping wrapper (20a) overlies the join between the rod and the filter to attach the filter to the rod. At least one additional tipping wrapper (20b) is provided around the filter, spaced from and separate to the first tipping wrapper such that a portion of the transparent plug wrap is exposed between the first and at least one additional tipping wrapper to define a window portion (22) through which the filter material is visible. A method of producing such a smoking article is also disclosed. |
| US08360072B2 |
Combination treatment of tobacco extract using antioxidants and antioxidant scavengers
A process for treating a tobacco material comprising: (a) extracting a tobacco material with a solvent to produce a tobacco extract and a tobacco residue; (b) contacting the tobacco extract with an antioxidant; and (c) contacting the mixture of (b) with an antioxidant scavenger, to produce a treated tobacco extract. The treated tobacco extract is reapplied to the tobacco residue to form a treated tobacco material. In addition, a smoking composition, a smoking article and a smokeless tobacco oral delivery product contain the treated tobacco material. |
| US08360071B2 |
Covered ashtray with reversible top
A covered ashtray which has a reversible top which is reversed when the ashtray is in use. The reversed side allows for the use of the ashtray in a standard fashion. Upon completion of use, the top may be placed back into the original position, wherein the ash and cigarette butts will be deposited into a chamber in the bottom portion of the ashtray. |
| US08360070B2 |
Portable water pipe
The present invention discloses a portable water pipe, has a smoking pipe body and a smoking hose connected with the smoking pipe body. The smoking pipe body comprises a cover, a cut tobacco burning device and a water bottle. The cover is provided with air inlet holes, and an opening is provided in the top surface of the water bottle, and thus an enclosed space is formed by the cover and the water bottle. The cut tobacco burning device is provided in the enclosed space and is fixed at the opening of the water bottle by connecting elements. When in use, water is firstly filled in the water bottle, and then the cut tobacco placed in the cut tobacco burning device is lit and the cover is placed. A smoker begins smoking through the smoking hose. Smoke produced by the burning of the cut tobacco in the cut tobacco burning device is discharged through a smoke filtering tube and is then filtered through water and discharged through the smoking hose. The present utility model integrates the cut tobacco burning device in a bottle body formed by the cover and the water bottle, which has a compact structure, a small volume and good portability, and is convenient for the smoker to use during travel. |
| US08360069B2 |
Devices and methods for treatment of obesity
Implantable devices, instruments, kits and methods for treatment of obesity. One or more devices can be implanted adjacent to or in contact with the stomach to occupy a space to prevent the stomach from expanding into that space as food is taken into the stomach. Alternatively, one or more devices may be implanted and expanded to displace at least a portion of the wall of the stomach to decrease the internal volume of the stomach that is available to receive food. Devices may be anchored to one or more internal structures at one or more locations without piercing through the wall of the stomach. Devices can be implanted using minimally invasive methods, such as percutaneous or laparoscopic methods. Delivery instruments are also provided. An intra-gastric sizing device is provided to facilitate implantation of an extra-gastric device in some method embodiments. |
| US08360065B2 |
Occlusion of fallopian tubes in a vertebrate subject
According to one claim of the invention, a method for occluding a fallopian tube in a vertebrate subject is described, which comprises comprising transcervically delivering a solid blocking material into the fallopian tube. In various embodiments, a fluid sealing material is delivered along with the solid blocking material. Other claims of the invention pertain to articles of manufacture, delivery devices and kits for use in occluding the fallopian tubes of a vertebrate subject. |
| US08360064B2 |
Minimally invasive surgical stabilization devices and methods
The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes. |
| US08360062B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting respiratory mask sealing force
A mask assembly includes a mask with an inflatable bladder. The internal pressure of the inflatable bladder can be set to be higher than the delivered therapeutic pressure. The pressure offset may be constant, or it may vary over the range of therapeutic pressures. Thus, the force necessary to maintain a contact seal between the mask and the patient can be reduced, thereby providing a system that is more comfortable to the patient, which increases patient compliance. |
| US08360060B2 |
Distinguishing between closed and open airway apneas and treating patients accordingly
Methods and apparatus for determining the occurrence of an apnea, patency and/or partial obstruction of the airway are disclosed. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by calculating the variance of the air flow signal over a moving time window and comparing the variance with a threshold value. One determination of partial obstruction of the airway is performed by detecting the inspiratory part of the air flow signal, scaling it to unity duration and area and calculating an index value of the amplitude of the scaled signal over a mid-portion. Alternatively, the index value is a measure of the flatness of the air flow signal over the mid-portion. One determination of patency of the airway is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating the magnitude of the component of said air flow signal at the known frequency induced by the oscillatory pressure waveform and comparing the calculated magnitude with a threshold value. Alternatively, the air flow signal is analysed to detect the presence of a component due to cardiogenic activity. |
| US08360058B2 |
Nitrous oxide anesthetic administration system
The present invention is a system for administering nitrous oxide. The system includes an adjustable post mechanism attached to a dental chair. A mounting surface structure includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the mounting surface structure attached to a top end of the adjustable post mechanism. A fluid control system for controlling the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen is attached to the mounting surface structure. A nitrous oxide and oxygen supply, vacuum source, a breather bag, and a nasal delivery interface system are fluidly connected to the fluid control system and a patient. The breather bag is vertically mounted to a top surface of the mounting surface structure. In operation, the present invention provides a system for administering anesthesia/analgesia gas which provides convenient and direct access to a medical practitioner. |
| US08360055B2 |
Fluid-product dispensing device
An inhaler comprising: at least one cover element (11, 12) that is movable between a closed position and an open position; individual reservoirs formed on a reservoir substrate; movable support means (50) that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir opening means (80) for opening a respective reservoir in the dispensing position; loading means (800) for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position; blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position; and trigger means (60) for releasing said blocking means; said loading means including an elastically-deformable loading element (51) that co-operates with a cam surface (910) that is connected to said at least one movable cover element; and said cam surface comprising a first portion that is adapted to load said loading means, and a second portion that co-operates with said loaded loading means. |
| US08360054B2 |
Demand valve device for use by diverse and selectively connectable fluidic connector
Device comprising a demand valve (1) for delivering breathable gas to a diver and a fluidic connector (2, 5) that can be selectively connected to the demand valve (1), the demand valve (1) comprising a breathable gas supply inlet (3, 13), characterized in that the demand valve (1) and/or the fluidic connector (2, 5) comprise a blocking device (6, 7, 8, 9; 6, 7, 66, 50) for selectively blocking the connector (2, 5) on the demand valve (1) when the connector (2, 5) is fastened to the demand valve (1) via the catching members (103, 12; 213, 5), the blocking device (6, 7, 8, 9; 7, 66, 50) being selectively moveable and/or deformable between a first configuration of blocking relative movement between the demand valve (1) and the connector (2, 5), and a second configuration of unblocking, allowing relative movement between the demand valve (1) and the connector (2, 5). |
| US08360053B2 |
Sunlight collecting heat receiver
A sunlight collecting heat receiver includes: a heat-exchange heat receiving tube which receives sunlight collected by heliostats and transfers the sunlight to a heat carrier, wherein the heat-exchange heat receiving tube includes an outward-flow heat receiving tube which is disposed on the upstream in a sunlight incident direction and an inward-flow heat receiving tube which is connected to the outward-flow heat receiving tube through a U tube and is disposed on the downstream in the sunlight incident direction, and wherein the outward-flow heat receiving tube and the inward-flow heat receiving tube are arranged so as to be deviated from each other in the transverse direction perpendicular to the height direction when seen in the sunlight incident direction. |
| US08360052B2 |
Half parabolic dish reflector with planar reflector solar smelter
Melting metals using the sun's energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-circular-planar-reflector with a cut-a-way-triangle, hinged and attached a half-shell-parabolic-reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sun's energy reflects off the flat half-circular-planar-reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish-reflector, which redirects the sun's energy to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sun's energy. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's energy. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking. |
| US08360051B2 |
Solar receiver with energy flux measurement and control
A solar energy collection system has a solar receiver with an external surface configured for high absorption of light incident thereon. The solar receiver also has a plurality of light-reflecting elements arranged on the external surface. The light-reflecting elements produce at least partially diffuse reflection of light energy incident thereon. Heliostats concentrate solar radiation onto the external surface of the solar receiver. An imaging device provides a digital image of at least a portion of the external surface of the solar receiver. A controller can control the heliostats in response to apparent brightness of the light-reflecting elements as represented in the digital image. |
| US08360047B2 |
Cutting machine for blocks of natural stone and similar into slabs with diamond wires
A machine for cutting blocks of natural or similar types of stone includes a plurality of diamond-wire loops, wound about an assembly for the support and transmission of the cutting motion to said diamond-wire loops and at least one assembly for supporting, tensioning and guiding the diamond-wire loops; said assemblies move vertically in unison on the structure of the machine; and presents said supporting, tensioning and guiding assembly comprising a set of pulleys for the support and return of each diamond-wire loop, which are mounted and registered, for wire tensioning, on a movable tensioning means whose registration movement is actuated by a tensioning control means, independently of the movable tensioning means of contiguous diamond wires. In its preferred embodiment, the machine also presents an assembly for the support and transmission of the cutting motion to the said diamond-wire loops which includes a wide-diameter wheel about which a belt is wound that is provided with races for housing the diamond-wire loops and which is tensioned by means of a tensioning wheel. |
| US08360046B2 |
Cutting tip, method for making the cutting tip and cutting tool
The present invention relates to a cutting tip for a cutting tool, which is used in cutting or drilling a brittle workpiece such as stone, bricks, concrete, and asphalt and has an excellent cutting speed and a long lifetime, a method of manufacturing the cutting tip, and a cutting tool including the cutting tip. The cutting tip includes an abrasive material and a sintered bonding material, wherein the bonding material is formed of a metal matrix; the metal matrix includes a phase II and/or pore having a certain size at a certain volume fraction; and the phase II is one of a non-metallic inclusion and ceramic. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting tip having excellent cutting speed and a long lifetime at a much lower price. |
| US08360045B2 |
Concrete saw
A concrete saw having a geared assembly for rotating a cutting blade is described. The saw utilizes a longitudinally oriented engine for rotating the blade. Various additional features and improvements are described including a particular belt tensioner assembly, an indicator and control system for cutting blade depth, a handle adjustment and locking system, and provisions for control of blade water are described. |
| US08360041B2 |
Two-track system for dual cam compound bow
The present invention comprises a two-track cam assembly wherein the cam assembly has a bowstring component for housing the bowstring and a power cable component that allows for the take up and let out of the power cable on opposing ends of the power cable component, effectively creating a two-track cam assembly. The efficiency rating of the device achieves 95.8%. The cam assembly can come in a unitary or modular form and further each component (i.e. the bowstring or power cable component) can be in a circular or non-circular form. |
| US08360038B2 |
Pollution control system
The pollution control system includes a PCV valve having an inlet and an outlet adapted to vent blow-by gas out from a combustion engine. A fluid regulator associated with the PCV valve selectively modulates engine vacuum pressure to adjustably increase or decrease a fluid flow rate of blow-by gas venting from the combustion engine. An integral oil trap fluidly coupled to the PCV valve condenses vaporized oil in the blow-by gas into a liquid for re-use in the combustion engine. |
| US08360034B2 |
Fuel vapor storage canister, fuel vapor adsorbent for canister, and method of producing fuel vapor adsorbent
A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure. |
| US08360032B2 |
Circuit arrangement for controlling an inductive load
A circuit for controlling an inductive load, e.g. of a fuel injection valve, includes supply terminals for supplying a voltage, output terminals for connecting the load, and a detection device which is connected to at least one of the output terminals and is used for detecting the point in time at which the operation of the load is discontinued and/or detecting at least one fault case during a non-operational phase of the load. In order to render the detection process more reliable while using less circuitry, the detection device encompasses a current mirror with a first current source and a second current source. The current first is connected to one of the two output terminals during a detection phase. The current supplied by the second current source is evaluated as a signal of the detected result. |
| US08360031B2 |
Variable compression ratio device
A variable compression ratio device having a piston, a crankshaft, a connecting rod including a small end portion connected to the piston, may include a piston pin fixed to the connecting rod and fixed thereto, a receiving hole formed inside the piston and rotatably receiving the piston pin, wherein the receiving hole includes a convex portion and a concave portion, at least a variable pin slidably coupled to the piston pin and slidably coupled to the interior circumference of the receiving hole, wherein the at least a variable pin has a protrusion, and an oil supply passage selectively supplying oil to apply hydraulic pressure to the at least a variable pin, wherein the protrusion of the at least a variable pin is selectively coupled to the convex portion or the concave portion of the receiving hole. |
| US08360030B2 |
Idle speed reduction systems and methods
An idle control system for a vehicle comprises an actuator control module, a torque determination module, a deviation analysis module, and an idle speed reduction module. The actuator control module regulates an engine speed based on a desired idle speed when an engine idle mode is enabled. The torque determination module determines actual torques for a cylinder of an engine while the engine idle mode is enabled. The deviation analysis module determines a standard deviation based on more than one of the actual torques while the engine idle mode is enabled. The idle speed reduction module determines an idle speed reduction based on the standard deviation and decreases the desired idle speed based on the idle speed reduction. |
| US08360028B2 |
Piston with two pivot bearings and twin crankshaft piston engine
A piston for a piston-cylinder unit, the piston including two pivot bearings for pivotably supporting two connecting rods at the piston about two connecting rod pivot two connecting rod pivot axes extending in parallel to one another and laterally offset from one another; the two pivot bearings provided at a bearing element which is pivotably supported about a bearing element pivot axis at the piston; and the bearing element pivot axis extending parallel to the two connecting rod pivot axes. |
| US08360026B2 |
Pin boss and piston provided with it, for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a pin boss (17) for a piston (10) for an internal combustion engine, the pin boss (17) having an inner boss surface (17a) and an outer boss surface (17b) and a boss bore (18) for accommodating a piston pin. The boss bore (18), in the vertex of the boss, has a pocket (20) the depth of which gradually decreases along the boss contour towards the outer boss surface (17b). |
| US08360022B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
Provided is a valve timing control apparatus configured to realize a locked state before an engine is stopped by controlling a restricting mechanism and a locking mechanism while the engine is operating. The apparatus includes a partitioning section provided in a driven-side rotary member for partitioning between an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a restricting member disposed in the driven-side rotary member and capable of projecting/retracting relative to a driving-side rotary member, a restricting recess portion formed in the driving-side rotary member and receiving the restricting member projected therein for restricting a relative rotational phase within a predetermined range, a locking member disposed in the driven-side rotary member and capable of projecting/retracting relative to the driving-side rotary member, a locking recess portion receiving the locking member projected therein for locking the relative rotational phase to a predetermined phase, and a communication passageway capable of feeding fluid releasing the restriction by the restricting member to the locking member and incapable of feeding fluid releasing the locking by the locking member to the restricting member. The restricting member switches over the communication passageway to a communicating state or to a non-communicating state. |
| US08360016B2 |
Engine blower
An engine blower includes a blower having a fan accommodated in a volute case, and an engine having a volute for generating a cooling air for self-cooling. An output shaft of the engine is provided with the fan without attaching a cooling fan for generating the cooling air. An outlet port for delivering a part of a blowing air generated by the fan is provided on the volute case. |
| US08360010B1 |
Calf handling apparatus
A calf handling apparatus incorporating a base having a forward end, a first wall fixedly attached to and extending upwardly from the base's forward end, the first wall having a lateral side and an oppositely lateral side, and the first wall including a pivoting head gate jaw; a second wall fixedly attached to the base, the second wall extending rearwardly from the first wall's lateral side; and a third wall, the third wall being hingedly attached to the first wall's oppositely lateral side for movement between calf holding and calf releasing positions, the third wall extending rearwardly from the first wall's oppositely lateral side upon movement to the calf holding position, the third wall being displaced oppositely laterally from the calf holding position upon movement to the calf releasing position. |
| US08360009B2 |
Animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of the animal
An animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a sling that can be routed around the abdomen of the animal, and a plurality of primary support straps extend and are joined at a handle. A leash strap is integrated with the handle, and extends to connect to the collar of the animal. The integral leash strap along with the primary support straps enables an owner to control not only an upward supporting force for the animal, but also provides an inherent restraint to prevent an animal from walking too quickly or lunging, which might otherwise harm the animal. |
| US08360008B2 |
Chew toys comprising biologically degradable material
A biodegradable chew toy having a first body that is made of a first biodegradable material have first characteristic. A second body is made of a second biodegradable material having a second characteristic. The second body is overmolded by the first body. The first characteristic and the second characteristic differ by elasticity. |
| US08360007B2 |
Animal entertainment device
An animal entertainment device comprises a guide unit and a wheel that travels on the guide unit. |
| US08359998B2 |
Stent coating apparatus and method
A coating system for coating a stent with a medication, the stent being mounted on a balloon on a catheter, the system having an applicator device including a fluid ejection nozzle, a reservoir and a pressure wave actuating arrangement. The nozzle has an opening configured for dispensing the medication on to the stent. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The nozzle and the reservoir are configured for generating a negative pressure for preventing leakage of the medication via the opening. The pressure wave actuating arrangement is configured for generating a pressure wave in the nozzle for causing fluid displacement in the nozzle, thereby ejecting a droplet of the medication from the opening. The negative pressure of the nozzle and the reservoir are configured in order that the remaining medication is drawn toward the opening to replace the medication dispensed with the droplet. |
| US08359994B1 |
Retractable pontoon boat cover
A retractable cover system for a pontoon boat comprising an expanding frame of U-shaped supports sliding in tracks along the sides of the boat, the U-shaped supports interconnected by expanding scissors. The bow and stern ends of the frame are provided with pivoting sections that include horizontal and angled U-shaped supports to define fabric-supporting and fabric-securing structure at the bow and stern of the boat when the frame is fully extended. The retracted frame and fabric cover self-store at the stern of the boat by tilting a pivot station portion of the track rearwardly. |
| US08359988B2 |
Agricultural tillage device
An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, the tillage device including at least one coulter wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and positioned at least in part below the soil, when tilling the strip of soil, such that the coulter wheel is able to cut a slit in the soil, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation located rearwardly of the trailing end of the tillage device. The depth control device is positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines made of a polymeric material are mounted on the depth control device, extending laterally away from only one side of the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. |
| US08359984B1 |
Portable automated vent cover
A portable automated vent cover includes a drive system, a telescoping tube, a vent cover plate and a collapsible mobile tripod. The drive system preferably includes a drive motor, a gear box, an up-relay and a down-relay. The telescoping tube includes an outer support tube, an inner cover tube and a rack gear. The rack gear is attached to the inner cover tube. The vent cover plate is secured to a top of the inner cover tube. The drive motor drives a pinion gear through the gear box. The gear box is retained on the outer support tube. An up-down switch is used to raise and lower the vent cover plate. Electrical power is controlled by either the up-down switch or a controller and sent to the drive motor through either the up-relay or the down-relay. The collapsible mobile tripod is attached to a bottom of the outer support tube. |
| US08359982B2 |
Self-stowing support table with articulating arm
A support table device comprises a base for being positioned on a surface, a table member for supporting articles thereon; and an articulating arm mounted at one end to the base. The table member is pivotally mounted to the articulating arm at the other end thereof. The articulating arm comprises at least two arm segments joined about an arm joint therebetween for relative pivotal movement. The articulating arm and table are movable between a stowed position, with the table member being near the base and a deployed position with the table being away from the base. |
| US08359974B2 |
Method of baling switchgrass or miscanthus at optimum highway transport densities
A biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive tall grass biomass material and a compression system adapted to compact the tall grass biomass material into a parallelepiped bale in the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting essentially of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, and wherein the compression system is adjustable by conventional controls to apply at least one operator-selectable compression platen pressure of between 22 psi and 30 psi to the tall grass biomass material in the chamber. |
| US08359971B2 |
Leak resistant siphoning device for use in fluid transfer
An improved, leak resistant, siphoning device that includes an elongated hollow body member, a means for filling and emptying the hollow body member, such as an elastomeric resilient suction bulb and a valve placed between the hollow member and the filling/emptying means. The suction bulb defines a chamber therein, so that when it is squeezed and released it will create suction to direct fluid up through the first open head end into the elongated hollow body member using pressure differential. Squeezing the suction bulb can release the liquid and partial solids held within the elongated hollow body member out of the first open head end. The suction bulb also has an optional opening for venting heated air from the bulb, and a means to selectively close the opening for creating vacuum or pressure required to draw or expel liquid from the tube. |
| US08359960B2 |
Cutter with laser generator that irradiates cutting position on workpiece to facilitate alignment of blade with cutting position
A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder. |
| US08359959B2 |
Cutting devices
A cutting device includes a table for placing thereon a workpiece. A tool unit supports a cutting tool and is laterally tiltably supported on the table, so that the rotational axis of the cutting tool can be inclined relative to a horizontal direction. A positioning device includes a first positioning member and a second positioning member that can interact with each other to position the tool unit at a plurality of laterally tilted positions. At least one of the first and second positioning members can be moved to change the laterally tilted position positionable by the positioning device. |
| US08359958B2 |
Emergency braking system of a machine tool
An emergency braking system of a machine tool for the abrupt braking of a rotating shaft of the machine tool having at least one brake drum and at least one brake shoe, which are brought into engagement with each other in order to brake the shaft. According to the present system, the brake drum engages with the brake shoe under the influence of a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of a shaft. |
| US08359957B1 |
Method of increasing chain saw speed while regulating feed
A method of increasing chain saw speed while regulating feed includes a speed increaser and a hydraulic flow bleeding device. The speed increaser preferably includes a mounting plate, a drive sprocket, a driven sprocket and a drive belt. The drive sprocket is rotated with a hydraulic motor. The driven sprocket is attached to a drive shaft and driven by the drive belt. The drive shaft is inserted into a chain saw assembly, which is attached to the mounting plate. An input of the hydraulic motor is connected to an output of a hydraulic pump. An output of the hydraulic motor is connected to an input of a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic flow bleeding device. The speed of the chain saw may decrease as thereof cuts through a piece of wood. As the speed of the chain saw decreases, a feed rate of the hydraulic cylinder will also decrease. |
| US08359955B2 |
Torque socket
A torque socket has an outer cylinder having markings on an outer surface thereof. A receptacle including a male ratchet member at one distal end, and a plurality of cavities and a central channel at an opposite end. A plurality of balls each adapted to fit within a respective cavity of the receptacle. A spring seat including a release pad, a central pin extending axially therefrom from one end and adapted to fit within the central channel of the receptacle, thereby holding the balls within the cavities, and a disk at an opposite end. A coiled spring received upon the spring seat. A cylinder head having a female ratchet portion, and is adapted to compress the coiled spring and releasably and adjustably attach to an inside surface of the outer cylinder, thereby holding the receptacle, the balls, and the spring seat together and between the outer cylinder and the cylinder head. |
| US08359953B2 |
Tool element
A tool element has a body and an anti-skid collar. The body has an external surface, a connecting end, an operating end, a mounting recess and multiple notches. The mounting recess is annularly formed round the external surface of the body between the ends and has a bottom face. The notches are formed on the bottom face of the mounting recess at intervals. The anti-skid collar is an annular collar, is detachably mounted around the body and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a holding face and an anti-skid face. The holding face is formed on the inner surface and is rubbed against the notches of the body to hold the anti-skid collar securely on the body. The anti-skid face is formed on the outer surface of the anti-skid collar. |
| US08359951B2 |
Wrenching tong
A torque measuring flange is provided for use with a tong arrangement. The torque measuring flange includes a top plate and a bottom plate and one or more cylinders disposed between one or more wedges, whereby rotating the top plate causes the wedges to compress a piston in the cylinder. |
| US08359947B2 |
Resistance mechanism for a pedal assembly
A resistance mechanism and module for generating and applying a resistance force to a pedal. The resistance module includes a plunger adapted for movement in the interior of the module between rest and depressed positions in response to the application by the pedal of a compression force against the plunger. The plunger includes an exterior camming surface. An actuator is also located in the interior of the module and includes an exterior camming surface which abuts and is adapted to slide against the camming surface on the plunger in response to the movement of the plunger. A spring in the module abuts and is adapted to apply a biasing force against the actuator. The interaction between the camming surfaces on the plunger and the actuator generates a resistance force which is applied to the pedal. |
| US08359944B2 |
Robot arm
A robot arm includes a circular rack, an elongated first mounting member attached to the rack, and a second mounting member attached to the first mounting member. The first mounting member extends in a radius direction of the rack and moves in a circular trace along the rack. The second mounting member slides relative to the first mounting member along the radius direction, thereby defining a polar coordinate system in a plane defined by the rack to allow the second mounting member to flexibly locate at any desired positions in the plane. |
| US08359942B2 |
Transmission actuator
A transmission actuator for a transmission includes a split sensor configured to detect a switching position of a split phase rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a split sensor measuring direction. The transmission actuator further includes a gate sensor configured to detect a gate rod position of a gate rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a gate sensor measuring direction, and a gear sensor configured to detect a gear rod position of a gear rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a gear sensor measuring direction. Two measuring directions extend substantially parallel and span a measuring direction plane, and a third measuring direction forms an obtuse angle with the measuring direction plane. |
| US08359939B2 |
Double clutch transmission
A double clutch transmission with two clutches having input sides connected to a drive shaft and the output sides connected to one of two transmission input shafts which are coaxially arranged, at least two countershafts on which toothed idler gearwheels are supported, toothed fixed gearwheels are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on both of the transmission input shafts and mesh with at least one of the idler gearwheels. A plurality of coupling devices, each connecting one idler gearwheels to a countershaft in a rotationally fixed manner, and one power take-off gear provided on each of the two countershafts, each of which gearwheels is coupled with gearing of an output shaft, such that a plurality of power shift forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be shifted. |
| US08359937B2 |
Assembly for insertion of an object into a pipeline
An assembly for insertion of an object into a pipeline comprises a base, a connector, and a set of pins. The base has a cylindrical passage and is connected to a mechanism for configured to drive the object into an inlet in the pipeline. The connector includes a head and a cylinder with a threaded internal surface and a external surface having a groove spanning a circumference of the external surface. The connector is rotatable within the cylindrical passage in the base in a first direction and held substantially stationary within the cylindrical passage in the base in a second direction by the set of pins in cooperation with the groove. The base is rotatable in the first direction and held substantially stationary in the second direction while connected to the inlet in the pipeline by the connector. |
| US08359935B2 |
Fiber optic rotation/position sensor
A sensor apparatus includes a resilient member positioned near a rod member and a strain sensor operatively connected to the resilient member. The rod member includes an eccentric member, which causes the resilient member to deflect as the rod member rotates. The strain sensor measures the strain in the resilient member due to the deflections caused by the eccentric member. The amount of strain relates to a rotational position of the rod member. |
| US08359933B2 |
Measuring system with a tube arrangement having two measuring tubes flowed through in parallel, as well as method for monitoring the arrangement
For monitoring the tube arrangement, the measuring system of the invention includes, connected to the transmitter electronics, a temperature measuring arrangement having a first temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a first of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement and at least a second temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a second of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement. In the method of the invention, it is provided that, in the case of medium flowing through the tube arrangement, a temperature difference existing between the at least two measuring tubes as a result plugging is ascertained and, in case the ascertained temperature difference deviates from a predetermined limit value for the temperature difference representing a non-plugged tube arrangement, a partial plugging of the tube arrangement, especially a plugging of exactly one of the measuring tubes, is signaled. |
| US08359931B2 |
Shear force detection device, tactile sensor and grasping apparatus
A shear force detection device for detecting a shear force includes: a support body including an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a detection direction of the shear force and parallel to each other; a support film on the support body and closing the opening, the support film having flexibility; a piezoelectric part on the support film and extending astride an inside and outside of the opening and along at least one of the pair of straight parts of the opening when viewed in a plane in which the support body is seen in a substrate thickness direction, the piezoelectric part being bendable to output an electric signal; and an elastic layer covering the piezoelectric part and the support film. |
| US08359927B2 |
Molded differential PRT pressure sensor
A method and apparatus are described for fabricating an exposed differential pressure sensor (30) which protects interior electrical components (37) formed on a topside surface of a differential pressure sensor transducer die (31) from corrosive particles using a molding compound (39), but which vents both sides of a piezoresistive transducer sensor diaphragm (33) through a first vent hole (42) formed in an exposed die flag (36) and a second vent hole (38) formed in an exposed cap structure (33), enabling the sensor diaphragm (33) to sense differential pressure variations directly or indirectly through a protective gel. |
| US08359925B2 |
Rotor disk weld inspection method and arrangement
A method is disclosed for inspecting a weld joining a first rotor disk made of nickel alloy and having an inner surface and an outer surface concentric with the rotor's longitudinal axis to a second rotor disk having an inner surface and an outer surface concentric with the rotor's longitudinal axis. The weld made of nickel alloy fills a radial gap between the rotor disks, and has a dissimilar microstructure to either of the rotor disks. The method includes forming at least one slot in the first rotor disk extending through either the inner surface or the outer surface of the first rotor disk terminating in the first rotor disk; and passing an inspection signal from the first slot to the weld to inspect the weld for defects. |
| US08359924B1 |
Bond interface testing
A method and apparatus for testing a bond interface is provided. An initial wave is transmitted into a first end of a first material. The first material is connected to a second material by an adhesive at a bond interface. The first material is dissimilar to the second material. The initial wave splits into a first wave and a second wave at the bond interface. Parameters are changed so a first wave travels through the first material to the first end of the first material and back to the bond interface in a first amount of time and the second wave travels through the second material to a second end of the second material and back to the bond interface in a second amount of time. The first amount of time is substantially equal to the second amount of time. A tension is obtained in the adhesive at the bond interface. |
| US08359920B2 |
Gravity sensing instrument
An instrument for determining the second and/or third-order components of the gravity tensor includes a group of six accelerometers arranged at an equal radius from a spin axis and positioned at 60 degree intervals about the spin axis with the sensing axis of each accelerometer aligned tangentially to the circle subscribed by the accelerometers as they rotate about the spin axis. A gyro-stabilized platform maintains the accelerometer arrangement at a preferred alignment relative to the local gravity vector. As the accelerometers orbit about the spin axis, each accelerometer outputs a sinusoidal signal that is offset by 60 degrees from its immediately adjacent leading and trailing accelerometers with the outputs thereof processed to provide the second-order component and the third-order tensor component. In another arrangement, a group of eight accelerometers arranged at an equal radius from a spin axis and positioned at 45 degree intervals about the spin axis can provide second, third, and fourth-order tensor components. The higher-order tensor components are of use in “de-cluttering” the lower-order tensor components. |
| US08359918B1 |
Rain gauge with particulate separator
The rain gauge with a particulate separator is a balance-type precipitation gauge having a particulate separator for removing sand, dust and other environmental particulate matter. The particulate separator includes a spherical particulate separator mounted beneath a central nozzle and above first and second receptacles of the gauge. A frustoconical particulate separator is mounted beneath the spherical particulate separator and above the first and second receptacles, a central channel being formed therethrough. In operation, liquid flows through the central nozzle and clings to an outer surface of the spherical particulate separator, flowing through the central channel to alternately fill the first and second receptacles. Particulate matter flowing through the central nozzle is deflected by the outer surface of the spherical particulate separator to strike an inclined upper surface of the frustoconical particulate separator, falling through at least one vent formed through the housing to exit the housing. |
| US08359908B2 |
Surface texture measuring device
A surface texture measuring device includes a rotation driving device configured to rotate a measured substance, a roughness detector including a stylus provided displaceably at a tip of a detector main body and at least one skid provided at the tip of the detector main body and in the proximity of the stylus and outputting displacement of the stylus based on the skid as an electric signal, and a detector driving device configured to drive a detector holder. The detector holder includes a guide member driven by the detector driving device, a slide member configured to hold the roughness detector and provided slidably in a displacement direction of the stylus to the guide member, and an urging member configured to urge the slide member so that the skid always comes in contact with the measurement face of the measured substance. |
| US08359898B2 |
Connector structure for signal line and crimping tool thereof
Connector structure for signal line and crimping tool thereof comprises a connector with a body having a plurality of passages formed therein for receiving a number of signal lines, and on the top surface adjacent to the rear end of the connector including a press member for pressing the signal lines. The passages includes a plurality of slots extended through the front end of the connector so that the cores of the signal lines can insert through the front end of the body, above the slots is provided with a through groove for inserting a guide member therein. Besides, a crimping tool includes two clippers which are pivotally connected together. Between the clippers is defined with a press mechanism for pressing the guide member and the press member, and the crimping tool includes a cutting mechanism to cut the cores evenly. |
| US08359897B2 |
Method for making shielding member
A method for making a shielding member includes steps. One step is providing a metal plate. Another step is making the shielding member from the metal plate by stamping. The shielding member includes two shielding plates. Each shielding plate includes a base portion, a first extending portion, a second extending portion and at least one third extending portion. The first extending portion and the second extending portion extend from opposite ends of the base portion. The at least one third extending portion extends from the base portion and positioned between the first extending portion and the second extending portion. The shielding plates connect with each other. The first to third extending portions of one shielding plate are located in alternate positions relative the first to third extending portions of the other shielding plate. |
| US08359895B2 |
Machine cell with vacuum nest for holding a metal panel during a forming operation
A lower die or nest apparatus is described to create a hemming environment that locates and holds a metal panel to a frame using suction in a manner that substantially resists said loads on the panel without damage or deformation. The vacuum nest includes a frame made of a rigid material with an outer work surface and an interior region with a sealed elongated channel shaped to the contour of the metal panel. A polymeric rope is inlayed within a groove formed in the interior region to form the sealed elongated channel. A support member may be formed within the channel by inlaying additional polymeric ropes into grooves formed within the channel. A vacuum source is fluidly coupled with the sealed elongated channel to create a downward force by evacuating the volume of the channel. |
| US08359893B2 |
Method for producing a shock absorber and shock absorber thus obtained
The method includes providing a planar sheet part; forming the planar sheet part by drawing or conical spinning to the shape of a partially formed part made up of a plate and a provisional hollow portion extending from the plate with a revolution shape with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plate, and an end wall closing an end of the provisional hollow portion opposite to the plate; and elongating a section of the provisional hollow portion by cylindrical or conical spinning. The shock absorber is integral with a plate and an elongated hollow portion extending from the plate with a revolution shape. A section of the elongated hollow portion has a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the plate. |
| US08359890B2 |
Electromechanical non-numeric control for locks
A light fence represented by aligned apertures in a plurality of wheels permits the passage of a light beam to a sensor to activate an electro-mechanical control for a lock. Such an arrangement avoids the sound-producing mechanical action of the typical tumbler lock and safeguards discovery of the opening combination. Rather than the typical case of a numerical sequencing combination, a novel approach is taken by using visual pattern recognition to align the apertures. The electro-mechanical control of the present invention additionally features optimized energy use, customizable settings, precision positioning, and an expansion of possible combination permutations by including direction of rotation. |
| US08359879B2 |
Refrigerator and degassing container for refrigerator
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a degassing container of the refrigerator which compulsorily degass a portion of air inside a space where foods are stored to the outside by a degassing means together with deformation of a gasket when a door is closely adhered. The present invention includes a degassing container of a refrigerator comprising a case whose one side is opened; a door which shields the opened one side of the case selectively; a gasket interposed between the door and case and elastically deformed to be closely adhered when the door is shielded; a degassing means provided on the door and exhausting air inside the case to the outside when the gasket is compressively deformed; and a release means provided on the door and flowing external air into an inner side of the case when the door is opened. According to the present invention, the storage performance is improved. |
| US08359872B2 |
Heating and cooling of working fluids
A heat exchanger may be associated with a heat transfer system to promote flow of heat energy from a heat source to a multi-phase fluid. The heat exchanger may be associated with an expansion portion. The fluid may be a refrigerant to which nano-particles may be added. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in an air-conditioning system as well as a water heating system. |
| US08359868B2 |
Low BTU fuel flow ratio duct burner for heating and heat recovery systems
Duct burner systems include a primary duct configured to receive a primary flow stream of exhaust gases from an exhaust duct and a secondary duct configured to receive a secondary flow stream of exhaust gases from the exhaust duct. Primary and secondary variable geometry diverters may be configured to allow and restrict the primary and secondary flow streams, respectively. A combustion system may receive the secondary flow stream, combine it with at least one low BTU fuel source, combust for heating the secondary flow stream, and re-inject the heated secondary flow stream into the primary duct. A blower may be used to blow the secondary flow stream through the combustion system. In addition, a system controller may be used to control the stoichiometric flow ratio between the low BTU fuel flow source and the secondary flow stream by actuating the primary and secondary variable geometry diverters. |
| US08359859B2 |
Turbocharger device
Provided are at least one exhaust turbine turbocharger (6) that has a turbine section (6a) and a compressor section (6b) and is constantly set in an operating mode when an engine unit (2) is in operation; at least one hybrid exhaust turbine turbocharger (7) that has a turbine section (7a), a compressor section (7b), and a generator (29) and is set to operate in parallel with the exhaust turbine turbocharger (6) when the engine unit (2) is in operation; and a controller (C) that receives a signal from a rotation sensor that is attached to the exhaust turbine turbocharger (6) and that detects the rotation speed of the exhaust turbine turbocharger (6), gives a command signal to the generator (29) in accordance with the signal, and controls an amount of electricity to be generated by the generator (29) so that the rotation speed of the hybrid exhaust turbine turbocharger (7) matches the rotation speed of the exhaust turbine turbocharger (6). |
| US08359853B1 |
Drive apparatus having a gear reduction
A drive apparatus having a compact gear reduction is disclosed, where an output pinion gear is fixed on a motor shaft and drives a reduction gear train to provide power to a gear drive powering at least one axle shaft or a differential. The reduction gear set includes multiple reduction gears disposed between the output pinion gear and the axle or differential, and at least one of the plurality of reduction gears is rotatably disposed on the motor shaft. One of the plurality of reduction gears may be mounted on an axle shaft. |
| US08359848B2 |
Exhaust treatment device having flow-promoting end caps
An end cap for an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The end cap has a cylindrical housing with an axial direction, a radial direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, a first open end, and a second closed end opposing the first open end in the axial direction. The end cap also has an integral port member extending from an annular surface of the cylindrical housing. The integral port member has a central axis aligned in the radial direction, and an exterior surface of the integral port member tangentially connects to an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing. |
| US08359845B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation with common heat exchanger
An apparatus for a vehicle with an engine is provided that accomplishes exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation with a common heat exchanger used for both purposes. The apparatus includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas is discharged from the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned within the exhaust system. Coolant flow passages are provided in thermal communication with the engine and with the heat exchanger. A bypass valve is operable in a first position to direct the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger to transfer heat to the coolant flow passages in a coolant heating mode, and operable in a second position in which the exhaust gas bypasses the heat exchanger in a bypass mode during which no significant coolant heating occurs via the heat exchanger. A portion of the exhaust gas is recirculated to the engine after cooling via the heat exchanger. |
| US08359841B2 |
Exhaust purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A present exhaust purifying apparatus comprises a SCR catalyst, a urea-water injector, and a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor (an oxygen concentration sensor having a diffusion resistance layer) disposed at a position downstream of the SCR catalyst. The present apparatus, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, stops injecting the urea-water from the urea-water injector, and obtains an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, as a first output value, in that state. The present apparatus obtains an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor when the urea-water is being injected from the urea-water injector, as a second output value. The present apparatus obtains a concentration of ammonia which flows out from the SCR catalyst based on the difference between the first output value and the second output value. |
| US08359829B1 |
Powertrain controls
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media directed toward reducing emissions are disclosed. In some aspects, a hybrid powertrain may include an engine and a motor. A combination of output from the engine and motor may be chosen that reduces a concentration of one or more pollutants. In some cases, an exhaust aftertreatment system may be remotely activated, which may reduce warmup time associated with emissions mitigation. |
| US08359827B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis system and method for diagnosing abnormality in filter regeneration system
The invention intends to provide a technology which makes it possible to diagnose with higher accuracy whether or not abnormality occurs in a filter regeneration system causing excessive execution frequency of a regeneration process. The filter regeneration system initiates execution of the regeneration process, incase an estimated particulate matter (PM) accumulation amount at the filter reaches a pre-determined regeneration requiring accumulation amount; or in case the pressure upstream of the filter or the differential pressure across the filter reaches a pre-determined regeneration requiring value, the value being larger than the pressure or the differential pressure corresponding to the regeneration requiring accumulation amount. Then, the diagnosis is carried out based on a ratio of an estimated PM accumulation amount at the initiation of the execution of the regeneration process to the regeneration requiring accumulation amount. |
| US08359826B2 |
Trouble diagnosis device and trouble diagnosis method for NOx sensor
A trouble diagnosis device and method for an NOx sensor for determining abnormality of an NOx sensor used in an exhaust gas purification system. The device can perform a trouble diagnosis without forcedly creating a diagnosis mode during operation of an internal combustion engine and without deterioration of drivability or fuel consumption. The device detects the time-lapse variation of the exhaust NOx flow rate suitable for diagnosis in a normal operation mode and determines whether the NOx sensor responds with following this variation. |
| US08359824B2 |
Heat recovery steam generator for a combined cycle power plant
A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature. |
| US08359821B2 |
Adjusting device for adjusting the height of a lawn care apparatus
An apparatus, such as a lawnmower, includes a cutting device and a chassis for carrying the cutting device. The chassis includes a chassis body, at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel mounted on the chassis body. An adjusting device for adjusting the height of the cutting device with respect to the chassis, is arranged between the cutting device and the chassis. The adjusting device includes an adjusting seat, an adjustment driving device mounted, a driving member, and a driven member connected to the other one of the chassis body and the cutting device. |
| US08359819B1 |
Lake weed harvester
The present invention relates to lake weed harvester, and in particular to a machine that removes lake weed and deposits it via a transport assembly onto a hopper, and then removes the lake weed via the same transport assembly from the hopper. In one embodiment, the harvester comprises a boat supporting a deck, a hopper, a control station and a transport assembly operable from the control station. The transport assembly can have a conveyor and a roller that combine to pull weeds at their roots. The transport assembly can pivot between a first position wherein weeds are harvested and deposited via an inclined plane into a hopper, and a second position wherein the weeds are removed from the hopper and transported to a disposal point also via an inclined plane. The transport assembly can selectively oriented under operation of actuators. |
| US08359816B2 |
Apparatus for and method of shipping a child-resistant medicate container
A method of shipping at least one child-resistant medicate container via a carrier includes providing or obtaining at least one child-resistant medicate container including a front sidewall, and an opposing rear sidewall, a right sidewall, an opposing left sidewall, and at least one locking mechanism. The method also includes creating or obtaining a flat-rate shipping package from a carrier, inserting the at least one child-resistant medicate container into the package, and closing the package to enclose the at least one child-resistant medicate container within the package so that the package is generally flat and acceptable by the carrier for a flat-rate shipping. The method also includes causing the closed package to be shipped or transported by the carrier at a flat-rate. |
| US08359813B2 |
Steel stud with openings and edge formations and method
A steel stud construction member for use in supporting structures and having openings and reduced heat transfer characteristics as compared with solid web studs, and having a web defining side edges and an axis, a flange on at least one side edge, openings through said web at spaced intervals therealong, of predetermined size and profile, at least a side portion of said web removed from said opening remaining attached integrally to said web, by bend lines being formed along axes parallel to said web axis.Also disclosed is a composite member (130) made up of two such members (132) joined together.Also disclosed is a method of making such a member (10,40,70,100,130,132). |
| US08359811B2 |
Mounting means for mounting natural stone, and method of mounting natural stone
Natural stone cladding (10) with a plurality of strips (18.1, 18.2) for surface-parallel mounting on a surface to be clad, with a number of natural stone elements (11.1, 11.2) and a number of support holders (30.1, 30.2) and counterholders (20.1, 20.2). Each natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) comprises a visible front side and a rear side with a first machine-made longitudinal recess and a second machine-made longitudinal recess. Pairs of support holders (30.1, 30.2) are fastened to adjacent strips (18.1, 18.2) and one natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) is seated by the first longitudinal recess on these two support holders (30.1, 30.2). One each of the two support holders (30.1, 30.2) is seated a respective counterholder (20.1, 20.2), and each of the two counterholders (20.1, 20.2) engages in the second longitudinal recess (15) in order to secure the natural stone element (11.1, 11.2). |
| US08359805B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with a flexible bristle tongue
Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including a displaceable tongue in a displacement groove. The tongue is molded and provided with bendable protrusions. |
| US08359802B1 |
Ceiling system
A ceiling system for buildings that has, among other things, a first molding having a first molding slot, a second molding having a second molding slot, and a third molding having a third molding slot. The system further includes a molding clip having a support member portion for positioning on a support member and a first molding slot attachment for positioning in the first molding slot. A molding bracket has a first molding surface for positioning on the first molding and a second molding slot projection for positioning in the second molding slot. A rail clip has a rail end for positioning on a side rail and a slot end for positioning in the third molding slot. The system has a panel for positioning adjacent to the first, second and third moldings. |
| US08359801B2 |
Grid runner
A roll-formed grid runner comprising a sheet metal strip folded into an upper hollow single wall reinforcing bulb, a double wall web below the bulb, a channel extending laterally from both sides of a lower end of the web to a bend and upwardly from the bend to a panel supporting elevation, the bend on each side of the web existing at a longitudinally extending score line where a thickness of the strip is locally reduced. |
| US08359798B2 |
Foundation particularly for a wind turbine and wind turbine
A foundation, particularly a foundation of a wind turbine, is provided. The foundation includes a central foundation member and a plurality of foundation segments which are segments of a circular, ring shaped or polygonal foundation element and which are connected to the central foundation member using a plurality of locking elements. |
| US08359795B2 |
Window cladding
A window cladding assembly that fits on the inside of an awning or casement type window unit to cover from view the frame of the window unit and the perimeter of the window unit sash. |
| US08359793B2 |
Earthquake force absorption system
A system installed in building foundations to absorb forces from earthquakes. The earthquake force absorption system includes a footing structure extending into a foundation hole, an anchoring substrate lining a bottom of the foundation hole, opposing springs disposed around the footing structure, and attachment plates coupling the springs to the footing structure and the anchoring substrate. |
| US08359788B2 |
Tubing, a system containing tubing for and method for removing sap from a tree
A system for removing sap from a plurality of trees includes a main tube supported at least in part by a plurality of drain tubes without the use of a spinal support. The main tube as supported can negotiate a path between a plurality of trees. The drain tubes are adapted to be supported at the trees. The drain tubes are in fluid communication with the main tube for removing sap through a drain tube into the main tube. |
| US08359785B2 |
Fan type noxious insect control apparatus
A fan type noxious insect control apparatus is disclosed which is desirably used carried on a user's body part and excels in noxious insect control performance. To this end, the apparatus is so configured that air is drawn through an inlet port (6) by driving of an axial flow fan (3) and passed through a chemical carrier (2) carrying a noxious insect control active ingredient to form the air containing such active ingredient, the air being run out through an outlet port (7) to diffuse the active ingredient into the ambient atmosphere and further that the inlet port (6) at an upstream of the fan (3) is open facing axially thereof, the outlet port (7) at a downstream of the fan (3) is open facing radially thereof, and there are provided an annular wall (8) surrounding the fan (3) and an air flow passage (9) communicating between a delivery section of the fan (3) and the outlet port (7) to convert air flowing out of the axial flow fan (3) axially thereof to air flowing radially thereof. |
| US08359782B1 |
Fishing lure device
A fishing lure device featuring a hook base with a neck aperture disposed in the first end and a pair of curved hooks extending from the second end. The hooks have outer ends that are generally pointed, sharp, or bevelled. A first blade is disposed on the hook base, and a second blade is pivotally attached to the first blade via a hinge. The hooks of the hook base curve upwardly over the second blade. The second blade can move between multiple positions including a down position wherein the second end of the second blade is pushed toward a top surface of the first blade and an up position wherein the second end of the second blade is pivoted upwardly away from the top surface of the first blade. The hinge biases the second blade in the up position. |
| US08359781B2 |
Fishing lure
An electronic fishing lure that closes a circuit upon being submerged in water such that two distinct phases of operation are triggered. The first phase immediately begins once sensor pins protruding from the fishing lure casing detect that the fishing lure is submerged in water. This phase emits electronic impulse energy in a waveform that simulates an initial injury to a wounded living thing. The second phase then begins, which relates to a motor calibrated to cause vibrations that simulate the resulting distress and escape attempt of a living thing. The phases serve to attract predatory aquatic creatures toward the fishing lure. |
| US08359778B2 |
Catches and trigger apparatus for use with weapons
Catches and trigger apparatus for use with weapons are described. An example trigger apparatus for use with a firearm having a breech block includes a latch moveable between a blocking position that blocks the breech block and a non-blocking position that does not block the breech block. The latch includes a sear arm and a securing element movably coupled to the sear arm. The securing element to enable, with a securing device in a securing position. The latch to be moved to the non-blocking position by a retracting breach. The securing device movable by an advancing breech block to position the securing element adjacent a surface of the securing device in the securing position to secure the latch in the blocking position. |
| US08359774B2 |
Ironing board
An ironing board 1 having a permeable ironing surface 5 mounted on a body 3. The body 3 has one or more ports 54 through which fluid may be driven to cause the fluid to flow through the permeable surface 5. The body 3 also has a means for modifying the flow of fluid through selected regions of the surface 5. The means for modifying the flow of fluid may be one or more fans which are capable of sucking fluid from the body interior or blowing fluid into the body interior. The permeable surface may be a steel mesh surface with holes of different cross-sectional area. |
| US08359772B2 |
Safety footwear
An item of footwear comprises an upper adapted to receive a foot of the wearer. A sole is secured to a bottom surface of the upper. A shell is positioned on a front-end portion of the upper so as to cover the toe region of the upper. The shell has an extension projecting below a junction between the upper and the sole to cover at least the junction in the toe region of the item of footwear. |
| US08359770B2 |
Dynamically moderated shock attenuation system for apparel
Various embodiments of this invention disclose a dynamically responsive shock attenuation system for apparel intended to protect boney areas of the body where skeletal structures are close to the surface and soft tissue layers are thin, that comprises two or more materials with different, narrowly prescribed physical properties which, when used together, produce a dynamic, continuous, and proportional response over a wide range of impact forces. In various embodiments of the invention, the two materials comprise a first material that exhibits generally Newtonian behavior to impact forces and a second material that exhibits generally non-Newtonian behavior to impact forces. |
| US08359769B2 |
Chimney structures for footwear
The present invention employs chimneys and chimneys structures to move or vent heat and moisture away from the foot and out of the microclimate of the shoe. The chimneys define pathways that utilize convection and other principles to cool and dry the foot. The chimneys and chimney structures can have many different configurations, and can be positioned anywhere desired in the upper. For example, chimneys can be positioned on the sidewalls of the upper, in the tongue, or both. Chimneys and chimney structures can also be used with form-fitting foot coverings such as socks or leggings, or used with other apparel. Specialized footbeds can also be employed with footwear chimneys to evacuate hot, moist air away from the underside of the foot and towards the chimneys. |
| US08359766B2 |
Spray dried human plasma
The technology relates to spray dried plasma and methods of making the same. The method includes providing plasma to a spray drying apparatus, spray drying the plasma, at the spray drying apparatus, to form physiologically active plasma powder, the spray drying apparatus configured utilizing one or more parameters, and storing the physiologically active plasma powder. |
| US08359763B2 |
Apparatus and methods for the placement of badges, ribbons and/or other items
A template is provided for positioning at least one ribbon assembly on a garment at a predetermined position relative to the pocket. The template has a template body having a generally two-dimensional profile that is removably positionable on the front of the garment at least partially above the pocket. The template also has ribbon assembly positioning guides positioned on the template body to locate a predetermined position of a ribbon assembly on the garment in spaced relation with the pocket and with the template body. The ribbon assembly positioning guide includes a protrusion extending outwardly from the template and configured to support the ribbon assembly at a position at least partly coincidental with the predetermined position of the ribbon assembly. In other words, when the ribbon assembly is supported on the protrusion, the ribbon assembly is at least partly in the predetermined position. |
| US08359762B1 |
Wall siding board installation tool
A wall siding board installation tool including a quill and shaft assembly having upper ends; a board top hooking member and a board bottom hooking member, the board top and bottom hooking members defining an “S” hook; the board top hooking member being fixedly attached to an upper end selected from the group consisting of the quill upper end and the shaft upper end, the board bottom hooking member being fixedly attached to the other upper end; and an “S” hook extending and retracting lever and actuator arm assembly connected operatively to the quill and shaft assembly, the lever and actuator arm assembly being adapted for moving the quill or the shaft between a board suspending position and a tool releasing position, the board top and bottom hooking members being displaced a calibrated lap joint distance away from each other upon movement to the suspending position. |
| US08359761B2 |
Measuring equipment and method for forming laminated body
A method for improving an accuracy of measurement of the thickness of a green sheet, and additionally improving yield of a green sheet used for formation of a laminated body is provided. The thickness of each of a plurality of ceramic green sheets is measured, and an average and a variation of obtained thickness measurement values are checked against predetermined ranking criteria. Thereby, a ranking is performed in which the plurality of ceramic green sheets are classified into a plurality of ranks set in the ranking criteria. When forming the laminated body, only a ceramic green sheet belonging to at least one of the ranks which is in advance allowed to be used is used as a ceramic green sheet constituting each layer of the laminated body. |
| US08359760B2 |
Form aligner for concrete formwork
The present invention relates to a form aligner for concrete formwork, having a fastening part that extends along an axis (A), with a base for purposes of placement onto a structural component and having an opening with an abutment for a fastening element as well as at least one form alignment contact point for a formwork wall. With such a form aligner, several elongated form alignment contact points running coaxially to the axis (A) are provided, of which at least two form alignment contact points constitute form alignment pairs that are in a shared plane. |
| US08359758B2 |
Circuit for calculating a three-dimensional inclination angle
A three-dimensional inclination angle calculation circuit is provided. The three-dimensional inclination angle calculation circuit includes: X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis vibration sensors which change X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis electrostatic capacitances according to three-dimensional positions of a measured plane with respect to a reference plane, respectively; X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis position value acquisition units which acquire X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis position values corresponding to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis electrostatic capacitances, respectively; and an inclination angle calculation unit which calculates an inclination angle of the measured plane with respect to the reference plane based on the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis position values. Accordingly, it is possible to very easily calculate an inclination angle according to a three-dimensional position of a to-be-measured apparatus by using an existing vibration sensor. |
| US08359757B1 |
Illuminating carpenter's level
A carpenter's level with an integral bubble vial illumination system is herein disclosed. A plurality of level vials is illuminated by lamps located at either end to light the vials internally. The vials are arranged in close parallel pairs having a blackout panel between for enhanced accurate viewing of the bubbles from either side of the level. Power to the lamps is supplied by a battery which is charged by solar cells, thereby reducing battery changes. The level is equipped with a graduated slope indicator port located on the top surface of the level to easily measure sloped surfaces. An auto-off feature will also be integrated to save power. |
| US08359756B2 |
Scribing apparatus and scribing method
An object is to scribe a small-sized substrate made of a brittle material with high workability. A plurality of brittle material-made substrates 107a to 107i are arranged on the table 106 while being positioned by their respective positioning pins 109. A recipe data table is prepared in advance for each of the brittle material-made substrates on an individual basis. On the basis of the recipe data table, the brittle material-made substrate and the scribing head are moved relatively to each other to perform inside scribing or outside scribing on each of the substrates. This makes it possible to subject a plurality of substrates to scribing operation at one time under automatic control. |
| US08359750B2 |
Smart building systems and methods
An appliance includes a memory storage location storing a flag indicative of a predicted demand-response (DR) period such as from a utility or when a current alternating current (AC) duty cycle differs from a specified AC duty cycle by a predetermined variance; and a controller coupled to the flag to autonomously place the appliance in an energy shedding mode during the predicted DR period. |
| US08359742B2 |
Method of manufacturing a segmented metalized gasket
A production method of an annular gasket comprising a metal base and an elastic seal layer laminated to each side thereof, comprising the steps of subjecting a metal sheet to punching out process to obtain a plurality of divided constituent members for the metal base, each of the divided constituent member having a slightly wider width than a given gasket width and a predetermined shape for constituting an annular shape of the given gasket, butting these constituent members to temporarily configure the annular shape and bonding the butt parts to each other by welding to form an annular object, subsequently laminating an elastic compound material to each side of the annular object to form elastic seal layers after applying pressurizing process to the annular object, and punching a given shape out of the annular object to obtain the annular gasket. |
| US08359741B2 |
Method of machining bearing caps and holding fixture
A method of manufacturing a bearing cap is disclosed using a fixture that has a mandrel that is received in the bearing bore and clamps that engage the outer surface of the bearing caps. A pair of bolt shoulders of the bearing caps are machined and a bolt hole is drilled in each of the bolt shoulder portions. The bearing bores are subsequently machined with the bearing caps being located based upon the location of the bolt holes to form a plurality of finished bearing caps. A holding fixture is disclosed for machining bearing caps that have a generally semi-cylindrical bearing bore on an interior surface and bolt shoulders on opposite sides that are drilled to receive bolts. The holding fixture comprises a fixture frame to which a mandrel is attached that receives the bearing caps with the bearing bore centered relative to the mandrel. A plurality of clamps engage an exterior portion of the bearing caps to retain the bearing caps on the mandrel. |
| US08359740B2 |
Process for the wafer-scale fabrication of electronic modules for surface mounting
A process for the wafer-scale fabrication of CMS electronic modules starts from a wafer with metallized outputs, comprising electronic components molded in resin and, on one side, the external outputs of the electronic components on which a nonoxidizable metal or alloy is deposited, and of a printed circuit provided with oxidizable metal or alloy contact pads. In the process, the wafer is cut in predetermined patterns for obtaining reconfigured molded components that include at least one electronic component; the reconfigured components are assembled on the printed circuit, the metallized external outputs of the reconfigured components being placed opposite the metallized contact pads of the printed circuit; and these external outputs are connected solderlessly to the metallized contact pads of the printed circuit by means of a material based on an electrically conductive adhesive or ink. |
| US08359739B2 |
Process for manufacturing a module
In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures. |
| US08359732B2 |
Spacer grid for positioning of fuel rods
A method of manufacturing an optimized sheet metal (1) of a zirconium based alloy is described, which optimized sheet metal (1) defines a sheet plane (BA). The method comprises the steps of providing a sheet metal (2) of a zirconium based. alloy, subjecting the sheet metal (2) to at least a preparing cold rolling and a final cold rolling, wherein the preparing cold rolling and the final cold rolling are both performed in a common rolling direction, and heat treating the sheet metal (1) between the preparing cold rolling and the final cold rolling so that the zirconium based alloy is partially re-crystallized. A method of manufacturing a spacer grid using an optimized sheet metal (1) according to the invention is also described. |
| US08359731B2 |
Tool for positioning a fixing element
A manual tool for inserting a clip (10) with elastic coupling in a seat, having a body (23) from which protrudes a pusher (32) for the clip and a sensor (34) for detecting the thrust force of the pusher. An electronic controller (24) receives a force signal from the sensor (34) and emits a signal (25, 26) reporting correct or incorrect insertion depending on the pattern of the force signal detected during the insertion of a clip. A movable gauging element is advanced during the insertion thrust of the clip to detect the correct expansion of the clip at the end of insertion. |
| US08359729B2 |
Method for producing a device comprising a transponder antenna connected to contact pads in which soldering energy is applied directly to contact pads
A method for producing a device having a transponder antenna connected to contact pads. An antenna with terminal connections is provided in contact with a substrate. The contact pads are placed on the substrate and connected to the terminal sections of the antenna. The connection is produced by means of a soldering by introducing energy between the pads and the terminal sections. The pads are placed such as to provide a surface facing an antenna terminal connection section. The section is arranged on the substrate and the soldering energy is directly applied to the pads. The invention also relates to the device obtained. |
| US08359723B2 |
Introducer sheath and methods of making
An introducer sheath and methods of making the introducer sheath are described. The introducer sheath may include a hub portion and a tubular portion. The hub portion may include a substantially non-planar valve portion in a relaxed state. The valve portion may include an aperture configured to receive a medical device. A hub portion may be formed using a forming device. An aperture may be formed through a distal surface of the valve portion. A valve portion may be formed in a cap defining a cavity sized to elastically receive a proximal end of the hub portion. |
| US08359716B2 |
Magnetomechanical connection assembly with load securing
A connection assembly includes two connecting modules each including a load housing with a locking device, a spring locking element, a latch piece, a magnet and armature construction, and a movement track on which the latch piece can move from a closed position to an open position. The locking device, the magnet and armature construction and the movement track cooperate by way of an opening whereupon the connecting modules move on the movement track such that the magnet and armature move in opposition and the latch piece and the spring locking element move in opposition until the spring locking element is no longer engaged. On closing, the connecting module locks with the aid of magnetic force. The position of the load housing and the position and form of the movement track are such that on moving the connecting module the loading housings move together against a load. |
| US08359715B2 |
Trim clip
A trim clip for securing a panel to a structural part is disclosed herein. The trim clip includes: a captivating part having an anchor; a body part having a cavity for receiving the anchor; and means for locking the captivating part to the body part. Wherein the body part is engageable with the structural part and has a first flange for seating against the structural part. Wherein the captivating part has a second flange for seating against the panel. Wherein the captivating part and the body part in an unlocked state have a lateral float, an axial float, and an angular tilt float therebetween. Wherein the captivating part and the body part in a locked state have substantially no lateral float, no axial float, and no angular tilt float therebetween. |
| US08359714B2 |
Hoist line protector
Disclosed is an apparatus for enclosing the free distal end of a flexible tensile member supporting an object. The flexible tensile member has a first portion in tension for suspending the object therefrom and a free end substantially perpendicular thereto with the object therebetween. The apparatus comprises a body having a passage sized to slidably receive the first portion of the flexible tensile member therein a bottom edge adapted to engage the object and a void for enclosing the free distal end of the flexible tensile member wherein the bottom edge is engaged with the object. |
| US08359707B1 |
Rod brackets and related systems and methods
The disclosure includes a variety of rod brackets. An exemplary rod bracket includes a base portion adapted and configured to be mounted to a surface and a top portion adapted and configured to mate with the base portion. The top portion and base portion cooperate to define a recess for holding at least a portion of a rod. The bracket further includes a retainer adapted and configured to hold the top portion and the base portion together, wherein the retainer is displaceable, such as slidably displaceable, from a first position wherein the retainer prevents the base portion and top portion from separating, to a second position wherein the base portion and top portion can be separated. |
| US08359703B2 |
Coverage robot mobility
An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body. |
| US08359699B2 |
Cleaning tool and cleaning element
A cleaning tool and an effective technique for realizing a higher cleaning effect in a cleaning tool having a cleaning element for wiping a region to be cleaned is provided. The cleaning tool includes an elongate cleaning element holder and a cleaning element to be attached to the cleaning element holder. The cleaning element holder includes a grip to be held by a user and two holding elements connected to the grip and extending parallel in a longitudinal direction with a predetermined spacing therebetween. The cleaning element includes a sheet element of nonwoven fabric, at least three insert regions demarcated by the sheet element and extending parallel to each other, and a covering part that covers the sheet element and forms a wiping face. The two holding elements extending with the predetermined spacing are inserted into arbitrarily selected two of the at least three insert regions. |
| US08359698B1 |
Mop system
An improved mop system and method is provided including a T-shaped handle and a mop head. The handle comprises an elongated cylindrical shaft with a crossbar perpendicularly attached at the base of the shaft.The mop head comprises a sheet of flexible, absorbent first material and a sheet of flexible, reinforcing second material attached to a central area of the absorbent first material, with the joined absorbent first material and reinforcing second material configured with a generally circular central hole. The central hole is sized and shaped to accommodate the handle shaft, allowing the mop head to be fitted over the shaft and drawn down the shaft to be suspended over the crossbar.Preferably the mop head also comprises a third material attached near one or both outer edges of the absorbent first material. Thus the improved mop system provides an easily removable, launderable, and re-installable mop head. |
| US08359689B2 |
Mattress adapted for supporting heavy weight persons
A mattress constructed with multiple foam layers joined together provides reclining support with pressure redistribution for heavy weight persons, particularly those weighing over 350 pounds. The mattress includes: a core layer having a substantially planar top surface and at least two spaced apart regions in a bottom surface from which foam material has been extracted to leave cavities separated by an interconnected network of foam walls, a top layer of viscoelastic foam with an air permeability above 60 ft3/ft2/min, and a bottom layer of stiffer supporting foam. The open cavities of the core layer are directed away from the body supporting top surface of the mattress and contain one or more gels. |
| US08359685B2 |
Wheelchair with a commode that converts into a bed
A wheel chair with commode for a patient that coverts in to a bed is disclosed. The wheel chair includes an outer rectangular main frame standing on at least four wheeled legs, first, second, third, and four outer frame being connected to each other by pivots or hinges, a pair of additional wheels being connected to the third frame by means of links that prevent the chair or bed from tilting backward due to weight of first and second frames and the patient, a means for making movements of the first, second, third and fourth frames to convert chair into bed or vice-versa, inner frames being slidably fitted inside the outer frames, and a commode pan or pot being fitted under the main frame, wherein a cushion is provided between said main frame and commode pan or pot. |
| US08359684B2 |
Spring mattress having a heating function
The present invention is directed to a mattress which includes a heating unit in an enclosed space thereof to quickly heat the enclosed interior space of the mattress to a certain temperature and replacement main parts that are assembled in a separable box form to facilitate the maintenance service. |
| US08359683B2 |
Patient lift and transfer device
A patient transfer device has four casters and two counter-rotating steering wheels. The steering wheels provide a turning path whose center of curvature lies along a transverse centerline of the device. A foot pedal selectively lifts the steering wheels off the floor or brakes them. Another foot pedal at a back end of the device can lock the casters at the front end in a straight direction. The transfer table of the device may be inclined either longitudinally or transversely, and has an upper table whose edge rollers retract to introduce slack in the upper belt so that an air mattress can be inflated. The upper belt selectively disengages from the lower belt using movable, pneumatically-actuated pinch rollers. The outer surface of the upper belt is rough while the outer surface of the lower belt is smooth. The belts are constructed of a material which includes an antimicrobial agent. |
| US08359679B2 |
Toilet clog removal and cleaning system
A toilet clog removal device comprised of a collapsible high volume bellows that fits between a toilet seat and the rim of a toilet bowel. When a bellows is compressed with the toilet seat a positive pressure is generated in the toilet bowl and the clogging materials are pushed down. The bellows will also flush most of the water from a toilet, leaving a small amount of water in the toilet bowl allowing a toilet cleaner to be less diluted and thus more effective in cleaning a toilet. After use the bellows may be collapsed by twisting and folding for convenient storage. |
| US08359678B1 |
Urinal bracket extension plate
A bracket system for improving the speed and ease of mounting a urinal using a standard urinal carrier. A carrier wall base comprises a carrier first mount having a plurality of bolts, and a carrier second mount having a plurality of bolts. The carrier first mount connects to a first bracket base plate that comprises a plurality of apertures. A first telescopic connector slidably connects the first bracket base plate to a first bracket extension plate. The carrier second mount connects to a second bracket base plate that comprises a plurality of apertures. A second telescopic connector slidably connects the second bracket base plate to a second bracket extension plate. |
| US08359677B1 |
Assembly for delayed lowering of a raised toilet seat
An assembly for pivotally lowering a raised toilet seat including a chamber having an interior foam compression wall; a compression plate received within the chamber, the compression plate being movable between a foam compressing position and an expanded foam position; a piece of viscoelastic polyurethane foam received within the chamber, the piece of viscoelastic polyurethane foam being positioned between the compression plate and the foam compression wall; and a linking hinge axle assembly interconnecting the toilet seat and the compression plate, the hinge axle assembly being adapted for positioning the compression plate at the foam compressing position while the toilet's seat is pivotally raised, and for delayed lowering of the seat upon foam expansion impelled movement of the compression plate to its expanded foam position. |
| US08359672B2 |
Headband with pivotal pad
A headgear support that comprises a headband and a pad. The headband has a first end and a second end and forms a substantially closed perimeter having a length which is selectively adjustable. The pad is pivotally connected to the headband such that the pad is disposed within the substantially closed perimeter and pivots relative to the headband about a pivot axis. |
| US08359670B2 |
Article to be arranged at the sole of a human foot
There is provided an article to be arranged at the sole of a human foot, in particular for practicing sports and physical activities. In particular the article relates to a sock, to be used mainly for practicing sports and physical activities (for example golf), wherein on the zone of the sock (P) arranged at the sole of the foot, one or more plates (1-6) made of plastic material containing ferrite are arranged on the external surface of the sock. |
| US08359669B2 |
Face mask
A face mask includes a first cloth-like piece, a pair of second cloth-like pieces, a pair of connecting piece for connecting the first and second cloth-like pieces, and an upper edge member for comfortable use and restricting excessive extension. The first cloth-like piece covers from beneath a nose to jaw of user's head. The second cloth-like pieces extends from cheeks to a back of the head. The connecting pieces are elastically stretchable. Each of the second cloth-like pieces has a leading portion for mutual connection at the back of the user's head. The first and second cloth-like pieces are hard to stretch elastically than the connecting pieces. The upper edge member extends from the connecting piece to adjacent parts of the first and second cloth-like pieces, the said upper edge member is hard to stretch elastically than the connecting pieces. |
| US08359665B2 |
Emergency anti-hypothermia system and highly portable, inflatable emergency vest therefor
An emergency anti-hypothermia system has a thermally insulating vest that is sufficiently portable to be carried for emergency use in a pocket, purse, backpack, compartment of a vehicle, ski pole or other location. The vest provides thermal insulation by being made with thermally insulating air impervious material that also provides for its inflation. The inflating air also provides insulation as, preferably, does thermal radiation reflective material on inwardly facing surfaces of the vest, preferably inwardly facing surfaces of outer layers of inflated chambers about the vest, the multiplicity of the chambers about the vest reducing convection heat transfer therewithin. The vest thus preferably provides thermal insulation by anti-conduction, anti-radiation and anti-convection in a highly portable system. |
| US08365311B2 |
Quantitative analysis of MRNA and protein expression
Provided is a highly selective and non-destructive method and apparatus for the measurement of one or more target molecules within a target environment. The apparatus comprises of a modified AFM (atomic force microscope) tip to create a tapered nanoscale co-axial cable, and wherein the application of an alternating potential between the inner and outer electrodes of the co-axial cable creates a dielectrophoretic force for attracting molecules toward the tip-end which is pre-treated with one or more specific ligands. |
| US08365307B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing copy protection information separately from protected content
A copy protection apparatus and method enabling storage of copy protection information separately from protected content is disclosed. One embodiment includes a digital data signal receiver to receive a digital data signal, the digital data signal receiver also to receive a copy protection signal produced from a copy protection information file being storable on a copy protection information storage device, a digital to analog converter operatively connected to the digital data signal receiver for converting the digital data signal to an analog signal, and a signal modifier connected to the digital to analog converter and the digital data signal receiver to produce a viewable copy protected analog signal from the analog signal and the copy protection signal, the copy protection signal specifying a modification to the analog signal to change video lines of the analog signal. |
| US08365304B2 |
Restricting access to volumes
Architecture that provides programmatic association of a device (e.g., removable) to a currently logged-in user, and restricts access to the drive only to that particular logged-in user. When active, the architecture detects when devices are added to the system, determines which logged-in user a given device (or devices) should be assigned, modifies the security settings for the device(s), and makes a per-user drive letter mapping to that device such that only the logged-in user can see the mapped device. In the context of serially attachable peripheral devices such as USB (universal serial bus) devices (and IEEE 1394 devices), for example, access can be restricted to a user based on the USB hub into which the device is connected. This prevents the operating system from assigning a global drive letter to a device or device volume (for drives) when the device is added. |
| US08365301B2 |
Peer-to-peer network communication
In a typical peer-to-peer network, any user of the peer-to-peer network may request a lookup of a key and its associated value. To limit access to a stored key-value pair, a user node may generate a registration message for a key-value pair. The value may include the payload to be stored at the storage node, and an access list containing one or more retrieval identifiers indicating one or more users authorized to access the payload. In some cases, the registration message may also include an encrypted payload which is encrypted with a group key. The group key may be included in the registration message, and may be encrypted with an encryption key which is known by the authorized user. |
| US08365298B2 |
Comprehensive security architecture for dynamic, web service based virtual organizations
A comprehensive security architecture for a virtual organization (VO) is disclosed. The comprehensive security architecture uses the same security mechanism or substantially similar security mechanisms to control access to VO infrastructure services as it uses to control access to resource services. Infrastructure services are services used to change the state of the VO and to change membership in the VO. Resource services (e.g. processing a purchase order) are services used in furtherance of achieving the objectives of the VO (e.g. build an aircraft). A security mechanism prevents a service call from accessing the service called until the security mechanism has decided to authorize or deny the service call. A security mechanism may decide to authorize or deny the service call based on details of the service call, a set of role-based access policies, and attributes from the caller's credentials including the caller's role in the VO. |
| US08365294B2 |
Hardware platform authentication and multi-platform validation
Methods and apparatuses enable authentication of a hardware platform on a network. The authenticated hardware platform can validate the credentials of virtual machines executing on the hardware platform. The authentication of the hardware platform on the network enables network access to the validated virtual machines. The network access of the virtual machines is managed by the hardware platform, including allowing differentiated access based on, for example, the security posture of each virtual machine. |
| US08365289B2 |
System and method for providing network penetration testing
A system and method for providing network penetration testing from an end-user computer is provided. The method includes the step of determining at least one of a version of a Web browser of a target computer, contact information associated with an end-user that uses the target computer, and applications running on the target computer. The method also includes the steps of determining exploits that are associated with the running applications and that can be used to compromise the target computer, and launching the exploits to compromise the target computer. Network penetration testing may also be provided by performing the steps of determining an operating system of a target computer, selecting one of a group of modules to use in detecting services of the target computer, and detecting the services of the target computer. |
| US08365288B2 |
Anti-malware device, server, and method of matching malware patterns
An efficient virus detection, malware detection, and packet filtering system in a mobile device by providing optimized hash functions from a server to a mobile device that reduce hash collisions during the virus detection, malware detection, and packet filtering in a system-on-chip configuration. |
| US08365287B2 |
Anti-malware system and operating method thereof
An anti-malware device and an operating method thereof are provided. The operating method includes: filtering by a first logic unit of the processor, input data based on a rule; and scanning by a second logic unit of the processor, for malware in the data, the filtering and the scanning being performed at the same time. Accordingly, the security of the packet data is tightened. |
| US08365284B2 |
Method for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, and security border node
The invention relates to a security border node (2a) for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, comprising: an anomaly detection unit (10) for performing an anomaly detection, in particular a statistical analysis, on session control messages (11), in particular on SIP messages contained in a packet stream (5) received in the security border node (2a). The security border node further comprises a message context provisioning unit (13) for providing at least one session control message (11) to the anomaly detection unit (10) together with message context information (12, 17, 24) related to a client (22) and/or to a session (23) to which the session control message (11, 11a to 11f) is attributed. The invention also relates to a method for protecting a packet-based network from attacks, to a computer program product, and to a packet-based network. |
| US08365283B1 |
Detecting mutating malware using fingerprints
A plurality of fingerprints are created for a file. Each fingerprint is created in response to an instance of activity involving the file. A malware signature associated with the mutating malware is compared to one or more of the plurality of fingerprints. In response to the malware signature matching one of the plurality of fingerprints, determining that the file is infected with mutating malware. Further, in response to determining that the file is infected with mutating malware, transmitting to a server multiple fingerprints of the plurality of fingerprints. The server analyzes the multiple fingerprints to determine a pattern of mutation by the mutating malware. The determined pattern of mutation is used by the server to create a signature for detecting mutations of the mutating malware. |
| US08365280B2 |
System, method, and program for determining validity of string
A computer-implemented method, program product, and system for determining the validity of a string generated by a computer programming language program. The method includes: abstracting a constraint between variables extracted from a source code for a programming language, describing the constraint in M2L, and storing the constraint; and evaluating the validity of the string on an M2L solver on the basis of the constraint and a M2L specification to determine whether the string is safe or unsafe. |
| US08365279B2 |
Storage device and method for dynamic content tracing
A storage device and method for dynamic content tracing are provided. In one embodiment, a storage device stores content having a plurality of sequences of data, each sequence of data having original data and at least one variation of the original data. The storage device receives an identifier of a host device and, for each sequence of data, selects either the original data or one of the at least one variation of the original data based on the identifier of the host device. The storage device then assembles a version of the content from the selections and provides the assembled version of the content to the host device. The assembled version of the content is unique to the host device and therefore can be used to trace the assembled version of the content back to the host device. |
| US08365278B1 |
Displaying information regarding time-based events
A user interface for a network security console associated with multiple network security devices is disclosed. A graphical user interface (GUI) for use with an intrusion detection system, comprises a radar display that is configured to simulate a stream of time-based events chronologically. In addition, one or more playback controls are configured to control the stream during simulation. In further embodiments, the radar display includes a slider configured to allow a user to jump to events that occurred at a user-defined time. |
| US08365277B2 |
Signature string storage memory optimizing method, signature string pattern matching method, and signature string matching engine
Enclosed are a signature string storage memory optimizing method, a signature string pattern matching method, and a signature matching engine. Signature is tokenized in units of substrings and the tokenized substrings are stored in an internal memory block and an external memory block to optimize a memory storage pattern. Therefore, matching of introduction data to signature patterns is effectively performed. |
| US08365274B2 |
Method for creating multiple virtualized operating system environments
A method of processing multiple workload using virtualized operating system environments. The creation of a new user in a global operating system may automatically cause the creation of a working partition (WPAR) instance. The user will be associated with the WPAR instance and a virtualized operating system environment will be created from the global operating system within the WPAR instance. Within the WPAR instance, the user may be assigned a root identification which enables the user to have root access privileges to perform operations or processes that may only be performed by a root user. The removal of a user from the system also results in the deletion of the associated WPAR. |
| US08365272B2 |
System and method for providing network and computer firewall protection with dynamic address isolation to a device
A computer performs dynamic address isolation. The computer comprises an application associated with an application address, a network interface coupled to receive incoming data packets from and transmit outgoing data packets to an external network, a network address translation engine configured to translate between the application address and a public address, and a driver for automatically forwarding the outgoing data packets to the network address translation engine to translate the application address to the public address, and for automatically forwarding the incoming data packets to the network address translation engine to translate the public address to the application address. The computer may communicate with a firewall configured to handle both network-level security and application-level security. |
| US08365264B2 |
Protecting password from attack
A password may be provided along with a validation code, which can help prevent the password from being sent to the wrong recipient. When a password is created, a validation code may be created based on (a) the password, and (b) the identity of the target of authentication (TA) to which the password is intended to be sent. When a user is requested to provide a password, validation component intercepts the request and asks the user to enter both the password and validation code. The validation component then re-calculates the validation code based on the entered password and on the TA that is requesting the password. If the re-calculated validation code matches the validation code entered by the user, then the password is released to the user agent that the user uses to communicate with the TA, and the user agent sends the password to the requesting TA. |
| US08365261B2 |
Implementing organization-specific policy during establishment of an autonomous connection between computer resources
A method for implementing organization-specific policy during establishment of an autonomous connection between computer resources includes evaluating a relative priority between default credentials and alternative credentials; and using the highest priority credentials to establish a connection between the computer resources. The alternative credentials are based on organization-specific policy and provide for autonomous connections between computer resources differently than the default credentials. |
| US08365260B2 |
Multi-variable challenge and response for content security
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for multi-variable challenge-response. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for multi-variable challenge-response can include receiving a request to access content from an end user computing device from over a computer communications network. The method also can include selecting different objects for inclusion in an object set and applying a different characteristic to each of the different objects in the object set. A question and answer can be generated based upon each of the different characteristics. Further, a challenge-response prompt can be transmitted to the end user computing device such that the prompt includes the different objects with different characteristics applied, and also the generated question. A response to the challenge-response prompt can be received and compared the response to the computed answer. Finally, access to the content can be granted if the response and computed answer match, but otherwise access to the content can be denied. |
| US08365253B2 |
Method and system for secure management of co-located customer premises equipment
A method, system, and apparatus for managing customer premise equipment according to one embodiment includes establishing a secure connection between a first transport unit and a second transport unit. The secure connection includes an embedded operations channel and is operable to isolate a management plane from a data plane. The method further includes the first transport unit receiving a request for access to the first transport unit from the second transport unit. The method further includes establishing a secure terminal session between the first transport unit and the second transport unit using the embedded operations channel in response to receiving the request for access. The first transport unit then receives a management command from the second transport unit and the first transport unit performs at least one management function in response to receiving the management command. |
| US08365251B2 |
User management system, user management method, information recording medium and user management program
In order to properly transmit a notification of prompting a user who has not logged in a network communication game or an SNS for a long time to that user, a terminal device (251) of a user management system (201) stores a friend user name, a login user name and a friend user name are reported to a management server device (231) at the time of login, the management server device (231) manages a report received at last for each transmission originator user name in association with a login time. When a login user name is specified as a friend user name in a past report of a friend user name specified in a new report, a login time of the friend user of the new report is notified to the terminal device (251), and when a difference between the login time of the friend user and a current time exceeds a predetermined threshold period, the terminal device (251) transmits an electronic mail of prompting the friend user to log in to a mail address of the friend user managed by the terminal device (251). |
| US08365250B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for providing portable communication identity services
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for providing portable communication identity services are provided. A request is received to access a portable communication identity from a communications device. User information is received that is input by a user of the communications device, and the user information is authenticated. Capabilities of the communications device are accessed, and the portable communication identity is transmitted in accordance with the capabilities of the communications device. |
| US08365248B2 |
Data providing device, operation device, and data processing device
A service providing device (400) includes: one-time PW generating processing section (435) which generates, for each operation device (300), authentication information for use in authentication processing carried out by the service providing device (400) in a case where the service providing device (400) is accessed by a display processing device (200); and an image data generating processing section (436) which (i) generates operation data including the authentication information generated and processing specifying information specifying the authentication processing, and (ii) transmits the operation data thus generated to the operation device (300). |
| US08365243B1 |
Image leak prevention using geotagging
Prevention of sensitive images such as photographs and video clips from being leaked from an organization uses geo-tagging metadata. A mobile computing device includes a software agent that implements a data loss prevention policy and a database of sensitive geographic areas defined by latitude and longitude coordinates. When an image is attempted to be stored on the device (or sent, received, renamed, copied, etc.) a software hook module detects the operation and obtains the geo-tagging metadata from the image for the agent. The agent compares the metadata of the image with each sensitive area found in its database to determine if the image was taken at a location within a sensitive area. If not, the operation is allowed, if so, the operation may be blocked, restricted or a warning may be sent to the user of the device or to another computer within the organization. |
| US08365242B2 |
Method and apparatus for confidential knowledge protection in software system development
An apparatus and a computer-implemented method for protecting confidential knowledge in a software system design which includes a plurality of artifacts. The method includes the steps of calculating a correlation between the confidential knowledge and the software system design, acquiring inter-dependencies between the artifacts in the software system design, and determining protection mechanisms for the respective artifacts according to the correlation and the inter-dependencies. The system includes a correlation calculating section for calculating a correlation between the confidential knowledge and the software system design; an inter-dependency acquiring section for acquiring inter-dependencies between the artifacts in the software system design; and a mechanism designing section for determining protection mechanisms for the respective artifacts according to said correlation and said inter-dependencies. |
| US08365239B2 |
Dual television tuner
A dual television tuner having a television tuner module and a wireless local area network module both operatively connected to an antenna for receiving a television signal from the antenna, and for passing the television signal for playing on a host to which the dual television tuner is able to be operatively connected. |
| US08365237B2 |
Method of CATV cable same-frequency time division duplex data transmission
Method of bidirectional Time Division Duplex (TDD) data transmission over the same RF frequency ranges of a CATV cable system. The system's slave modem clocks are time synchronized to the master clock of a master modem. The master-to-slave signal propagation times are determined and used to precisely schedule transmissions with de-minimize guard times. The frequency range may be chosen to be in the high frequency CATV range around 1 GHz to maximize backward compatibility with legacy systems, and this frequency may in turn be subdivided into multiple frequencies. In some embodiments, the CATV cable tree may be further partitioned into multiple TDD domains, and multiple local master modems, connected by a special-use optical fiber, may communicate with multiple local slave modems. The system may use MAP allocation schemes that may frequently reallocate TDD time slots and frequencies according to current or projected slave modem data needs. |
| US08365235B2 |
Trick play of streaming media
A data processing system, comprising a network interface configured to couple to a data network; one or more processors coupled to the network interface; memory coupled to the one or more processors; a video interface coupled to the one or more processors and configured to output video data to a video display device; logic encoded in one or more computer-readable media wherein execution by the one or more processors causes receiving and storing in the memory a plurality of still images from an audiovisual program, wherein each of the still images is associated with a sequentially later time point within the audiovisual program; receiving first user input specifying invocation of a trick play mode of playing the audiovisual program; generating video output to the video interface wherein the video output comprises a first image position comprising one or more of the still images, a linearly second image position comprising one of the still images, and a linearly third image position comprising one or more of the still images; wherein the still images in the video output are arranged in the image positions in sequential order according to time point within the audiovisual program; generating updated video output to the video interface in which the still image of the second image position is shifted into the first image position, one of the still images of the third image position is shifted into the second image position, and one or more new still images are in the third image position. |
| US08365233B2 |
Program distribution system and recording and reproduction device
A program distribution system is disclosed. The system includes: a broadcast station; a recording and reproduction device that is capable of recording and reproducing data of program contents coming from the broadcast station by cable or by radio; and a content server that is capable of distributing, over a network, the data of the program contents to the recording and reproduction device through connection thereto over the network. In the system, the recording and reproduction device includes a storage section, a recording and reproduction control section, and a higher-quality data acquisition control section. |
| US08365231B2 |
Video server based program delivery system and method
A program delivery system includes a video server that records a plurality of server contents and outputs the server contents, a video switcher which selectively switches between server contents and live contents, and delivers the switched contents as an on-air video image, a content selection module which presents live content buttons and server content buttons, and accepts an operation of selecting any one of the buttons, a live content module which, switches the video switcher, and delivers the live contents, at the time that the live content button has been selected, and a server content module which, outputs the server contents that correspond to the button, and at the same time, switches the video switcher and delivers the server contents, at the time that the server content button has been selected. |
| US08365230B2 |
Interactive user interface for television applications
An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television. |
| US08365225B2 |
Personalized media channel
A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC. |
| US08365216B2 |
Video stream modification to defeat detection
A method and system for detecting automatic ad detection is presented in which video streams are modified such that features cannot be automatically recognized or statistical parameters and fingerprints derived from the video stream cannot be matched against fingerprints of known video segments in a database. |
| US08365213B1 |
System and method for measuring television advertising and program viewing at a second-by-second level and for measuring effectiveness of targeted advertising
A computer-implemented method of processing set-top box channel tuning data resulting in channel viewing activity at a second-by-second level which is then correlated with video asset schedule data, program attribute data, and optionally, targeted content delivery data and demographic data, to measure (a) actual television viewing seconds, (b) viewing audience of an advertisement or program during each second that it aired, (c) aggregate viewing audience for each second that an advertisement or program aired, (d) ad seconds viewed controlling for factors such as time of day, product, program, (e) response of various demographic groups to advertisements, and (f) effectiveness of targeted content against non-targeted content as measured in actual viewing seconds; all while maintaining viewer anonymity. The metrics produced are useful to service providers, advertisers, and content producers. Another embodiment teaches using electronic device usage data to produce similar metrics for internet protocol television and mobile device viewing. |
| US08365211B2 |
Disk cartridge including an inner rotor and a shutter
A disk cartridge that has high durability with respect to a drop impact is provided. The disk cartridge includes: a disk-like recording medium; a cartridge case that rotatably accommodates the disk-like recording medium and is formed with a first opening that exposes a part of the disk-like recording medium; an inner rotor that is rotatably supported inside the cartridge case and includes a main surface portion formed with a second opening corresponding to the first opening; shutter members that are movable between a closing position at which the first opening is closed and an opening position at which the first opening is opened in accordance with a rotation of the inner rotor; and a buffer mechanism that is formed on the main surface portion of the inner rotor and includes rotary shafts that rotatably support the shutter members and elastic support portions that respectively support the rotary shafts and can be elastically deformed with respect to the main surface portion. |
| US08365202B2 |
Framework for computing device with auxiliary display
A computer system with an architecture and protocol that facilitate ready integration with an auxiliary display device. The auxiliary display device is coupled to the computer system over a transport, such as Bluetooth, USB or TCP/IP. From an application level gadget, control of the display device is through a programming interface to a platform component. The platform component interfaces with a device driver, which has two components. One component is common and can be used with any auxiliary display device supporting the protocol, regardless of which transport is used. The second component is transport specific. The second component processes data streams representing packets according to the protocol, conveying the packets as data in accordance with the format of the transport. The second component may be simple because it is not required to perform any processing specifically associated with the display functions or protocol. |
| US08365201B2 |
Multi-function device ID with unique identifier
A computer system that recognizes multi-function devices and associates functions with multi-function devices. Each multi-function device may be represented by a multi-function object, allowing tools, applications or other components within the computer to take actions relating to the entire device or relating to a function based on the association of that function with other functions in the same device. These actions include displaying information about devices, instead of or in addition to information about functions. Actions also include selecting functions based on proximity within a device. Functions may be associated with a multi-function device using a unique device identifier provided by the device or generated for the function based on a connection hierarchy between functions and the computer. Devices may be configured to provide the same identifier regardless of the transport over which the device is accessed. |
| US08365199B2 |
Method and system for supporting multiple display devices
A method and a system for supporting multiple display adapters in the WDDM architecture are provided. A driver wrapper serves as the interface between the OS and the display drivers. The driver wrapper hides the display drivers from the knowledge of the OS and provides the standard display driver interface (DDI) to the OS. In the view of the OS, the driver wrapper is the single common driver which receives requests from the OS. The driver wrapper dispatches the requests from the OS to the display drivers and relays responses from the display drivers to the OS. The driver wrapper of the present invention is compatible with multiple distinct display drivers. |
| US08365198B2 |
Handling exceptions in a data parallel system
A method of handling exceptions in a data parallel system includes forwarding exceptions thrown by concurrent worker tasks to a coordination task. The thrown exceptions are aggregated into an aggregation exception structure. It is determined whether the aggregation exception structure will be handled by an exception handler. The concurrent worker tasks are unwound when it is determined that the aggregation exception structure will be handled. |
| US08365196B2 |
Method and device for log events processing
The present invention relates to a method and device for log event processing. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a log event; determining whether or not the log event meets one or more predetermined conditions; and executing one or more processes determined according to the predetermined conditions when the log event meets the predetermined conditions. The method and device can execute, according to a log event, processes determined according to predetermined conditions on the premise of not changing existing software and hardware architectures. |
| US08365194B2 |
Creating and processing dynamic proxy actions for actions that are not yet registered with a client side broker
A system using proxy actions to handle requests for actions that are not yet registered with a broker. When an action request is received and the action is not registered in the broker, a proxy action object is created and stored on a proxy action queue. Proxy action objects stored on the queue are read periodically and a check is made as to whether the actions they refer to have been registered yet. If an action for a queued proxy action object has been registered, the action request represented by the proxy action object delivered to the appropriate service provider component. If a proxy action object remains on the proxy action queue without the corresponding action being registered before a corresponding proxy action queue element lifetime timer expires, the proxy action object is removed from the proxy action queue without the action being performed. |
| US08365192B2 |
Methods for managing authority designation of graphical user interfaces
According to one aspect, a graphics management system receives a first message from a first process for granting one or more rights to a second process for accessing a GUI element owned by the first process. In response, the graphics management system transmits a second message to the second process, the second message offering the one or more rights to the second process. The graphics management system receives a third message from the second process indicating an acceptance of the offer. Thereafter, the graphics management system restricts access of the GUI element by the second process based on the one or more rights accepted by the second process. |
| US08365191B2 |
Container for disparate software components
A computer readable medium embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for hosting components implemented in different computer readable languages within one process. The method includes instantiating a container within a single process, creating a hosting environment for each of a plurality of components, and wherein loading the components by respective environments and wherein the hosting environments are objects instantiated within the container and within the one process, and wherein the plurality of components are implemented in respective a computer readable language, and instantiating a container communication framework object within the container and the one process for processing serialized messages of the components, wherein specific language adapters convert data types of the components to a common implementation, wherein the messages of the plurality of components are processed within the container. |
| US08365190B2 |
Correlated message identifiers for events
A message identifier of a first event is provided to a correlation engine. The correlation engine is to correlate the first event to one or more second events according to a predetermined correlation technique. The message identifiers of the second events are received from the correlation engine. A correlated message identified for the first event is generated based on the message identifier of the first event and on the message identifiers of the second events. The correlated message identifier for the first event is output. |
| US08365188B2 |
Content management
Tailored pages are received within a browser running on a client device. Pages from a page server are browsed and the browser sends from an active page to a monitoring server, at least one monitoring message including information concerning at least one of: interactions with and performance of at least one page browsed within the browser running on the client device. A control message is received in the active page, from the monitoring server including an instruction to generate a cookie within the browser including selected monitoring information. The cookie is generated within the browser and a message is sent to the page server, which message includes the cookie including the selected monitoring information. From the page server, at least one page content item is received that has been selected in dependence on the selected monitoring information included in the cookie. |
| US08365187B2 |
Analysis of short term CPU spikes in an operating system kernel
A profiler may analyze processes being run by a processor. The profiler may include logic to periodically sample a value of an instruction pointer that indicates an instruction in the first process that is currently being executed by the processor and logic to update profile data based on the sampled value. The profiler may additionally include logic to determine, in response to a context switch that includes the operating system switching the active process from the first process to another of the plurality of processes, whether the first process executes for greater than a first length of time; logic to stop operation of the profiler when the first process executes for greater than the first length of time; and logic to clear the profile data when the first process fails to execute for greater than the first length of time. |
| US08365185B2 |
Preventing execution of processes responsive to changes in the environment
Processes are programmatically categorized into a plurality of categories, which are prioritized. Serialization is used to control execution of the processes of the various categories. The serialization ensures that processes of higher priority categories are given priority in execution. This includes temporarily preventing processes of lower priority categories from being executed. |
| US08365176B2 |
Data center job migration and scheduling based on server chassis fan speed threshold
Thermal-based job scheduling among server chassis of a data center including identifying, by a data center management module in dependence upon a threshold fan speed for each server chassis, a plurality of server chassis having servers upon which one or more compute intensive jobs are executing, the data center management module comprising a module of automated computing machinery; identifying, by the data center management module, the compute intensive jobs currently executing on the identified plurality of server chassis; and moving, by the data center management module, the execution of the compute intensive jobs to one or more servers of chassis for compute intensive jobs. |
| US08365169B1 |
Migrating a virtual machine across processing cells connected to an interconnect that provides data communication without cache coherency support
A system includes an interconnect, processing cells connected to the interconnect, the processing cells containing corresponding cache memories and corresponding virtual machines, and a storage cell connected to the interconnect. The storage cell stores data portions that correspond to different ones of the processing cells, and the data portions are owned by individual ones of the processing cells to enable data communication over the interconnect without cache coherency support. A first and second of the processing cells are configured to migrate a virtual machine from the first processing cell to the second processing cell, where the migrated virtual machine in the second processing cell is configured to retrieve virtual machine data from a corresponding one of the data portions in the storage cell. |
| US08365167B2 |
Provisioning storage-optimized virtual machines within a virtual desktop environment
A computer implemented method, a computer program product, and data processing system clone virtual machines in a virtual desktop environment. A request to clone a new virtual machine is intercepted, wherein the request was initially sent to a virtual management server. Responsive to intercepting the request, the new virtual machine is cloned from a snapshot of a master virtual machine. A delta file is created for the new virtual machine, wherein the delta file includes a base disk reference and a copied delta file. The new virtual machine is configured to read a base disk image from a snapshot of the master virtual machine. The new virtual machine is configured to write data to the copied delta file in the delta file. |
| US08365166B2 |
System and method for automated provisioning of VMware image instances
A system and method for provisioning virtual machines for a demonstration are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a scheduling server for enabling a user to schedule a demonstration by selecting a demonstration set and related details using a scheduling web page and a plurality of provisioning servers each connected to the scheduling server via an Internet connection, each of the provisioning servers having stored thereon a plurality of demonstration sets each comprising at least one VM. Responsive to selection of a demonstration set by the user, the scheduling server selects one of the provisioning servers to host the scheduled demonstration and notifies the selected provisioning server of details regarding the scheduled demonstration. The selected provisioning server executes a provisioning process for modifying a configuration file of each at least one VM such that a network number therein is set to a unique number associated with the user and the scheduled demonstration, and modifying a VM snapshot file associated with each at least one VM such that a network number therein is set to the unique number associated with the user and the scheduled demonstration. |
| US08365163B2 |
Method for configuring a computer program
To permit particularly easy and flexible configuration of a computer program including at least one functional unit, a method is provided which includes the following steps: creation of at least one implementation-independent configuration data file and/or alteration of information filed in the at least one implementation-independent configuration data file; automatic set-up and/or automatic update of configuration data, stored in a configuration data container, as a function of the information filed in the at least one implementation-independent configuration data file; automatic generation of at least one implementation-dependent configuration data file as a function of the configuration data stored in the configuration data container; and automatic configuration of the at least one functional unit as a function of information filed in the at least one implementation-dependent configuration data file. |
| US08365161B2 |
Compatibility determination apparatus and method for electronic apparatus
Compatibility determination apparatus and method can properly determine compatibility between elements in an electronic music apparatus. When a reproducing program holds version information indicating, for example, that the own version of the program is 4.0 and music contents of versions 1.0 and 2.0 are reproducible by the program, and a music content holds version information indicating, for example, that the own version of the music content is 3.0 and programs of versions 4.0 and 5.0 can be reproduced on the music content side, the program of version 4.0 can be reproduced on the music content side. Although the information held in the program side does not indicate that a music content of version 3.0 is reproducible by the program, the music content of version 3.0 can be reproduced by the program of version 4.0. Thus, the apparatus and method can properly determine compatibility between the elements. |
| US08365160B2 |
Method and system for generating a reverse binary patch
A reverse patch for undoing a forward patch for obtaining a new binary image from an old binary image is generated in two parts. First a reverse index file is generated when the forward patch is created at a host or server. The reverse index file identifies regions of similarity between the old binary image and the new binary image. The reverse index file is transmitted with the forward patch to an electronic device. Second, while applying the forward patch to obtain the new binary image from the old binary image, the electronic device generates the reverse patch based upon the new binary image, the old binary image, and the reverse index file. The forward patch and reverse patch may both be incremental patches. Incremental patches are generated and applied on a sector-by-sector basis. |
| US08365159B2 |
Apparatus and method to update code in an information storage and retrieval system while that system remains in normal operation
A method to update code in an information storage and retrieval system comprising one or more processors, and existing code, where that existing code includes a Concurrent Code Load having (N) phases, where that Concurrent Code Load invokes an as yet unwritten Temporal Coupling File. The method provides a code update image comprising that Temporal Coupling File. If the (i)th phase of the Concurrent Code Load invokes the Temporal Coupling File, then the method reads instructions for that (i)th phase of the Concurrent Code Load from the Temporal Coupling File, and executes those instructions. The method completes each phase of the Concurrent Code Load, and then operates the system using the code update. |
| US08365153B2 |
Server-based code compilation
A server is disclosed that includes an interface to a data communication network, a compiler library that stores a plurality of different compilers, and compiler selection logic responsive to data received at the interface and including logic. The compiler selection logic is configured to select one of the plurality of different compilers based on an evaluation of the received data. The selected compiler generates compiled output data and the compiled output data is communicated over the data communication network to a client. |
| US08365150B2 |
Multi-party web-beacon-based analytics
Tools and techniques are provided to allow partners of analytics providers and others who use web-beacons to submit executable web-beacon plug ins. Analytics providers and others may also write web-beacon plug-ins. Certified plug-ins are executed in response to page loads, visitor clicks, and other visitor and programmatic actions at a website that has been tagged by the analytics provider's web-beacon, without requiring re-tagging of the website with a separate web-beacon for the partner. Web-beacons may invoke core analytics code of an analytics provider, where core analytics code may include multiple plug-ins selected by respective analytics provider partners, where each plug-in may send different analytics data from a website visitor's system to a respective analytics provider partner server. This allows the partner to obtain analytics data by piggybacking on the analytics provider, without re-tagging, and without compromising the availability and accuracy of the analytics data already being gathered. |
| US08365148B2 |
Automated code review alert indicator
The present invention provides a system for monitoring the production of computer program code, comprising an integrated development environment (IDE) for the production of computer program code and a component, integrated into the integrated development environment, adapted to monitor whether one or more sections of computer program code are generated automatically or manually, so as to determine a measure of the volume of computer program code manually produced by a developer. |
| US08365147B2 |
Test script transformation architecture
A test script transformation architecture helps generate accurate test scripts for evolving applications. Applications often have complex graphical user interfaces for which the permutations and combinations of GUI elements give rise to an enormous field of potential commands and command sequences to be tested. Furthermore, these applications change over time, rendering prior test scripts unworkable. The architecture facilitates the automatic generation of new test scripts to reliably test subsequent application versions, while greatly reducing the time, cost, and resource expenditures needed to arrive at new test scripts. |
| US08365146B2 |
System and method for providing a parameter for an application operating on an electronic device
The disclosure relates to a system, method and device for modifying a parameter for an application operating on an electronic device. The method comprises the steps of: (a) upon activation of the device, determining a state of initial configuration for the device; (b) if the state indicates that the device requires configuration, providing a GUI interface allowing for changes to be made to the parameter; and (c) if a change is made to the parameter through the interface, updating a storage location with the change. In the method, the device may have communication capabilities with a network; and time zone information relating to the location of the device may be provided from the network or from the device; and the time zone information may be used to update an aspect relating to the parameter. |
| US08365138B2 |
Automatic software production system
An automated software production system is provided, in which system requirements are captured, converted into a formal specification, and validated for correctness and completeness. In addition, a translator is provided to automatically generate a complete, robust software application based on the validated formal specification, including user-interface code and error handling code. |
| US08365135B2 |
Computer method and apparatus for connection creation in a software modeling system
A user interface for creating relationships between visual modeling (e.g., UML) elements on a diagram is disclosed. The user interface utilizes two connector handles that represent “source to target” and “target to source” relationships. The connector handles are consistent across all shapes/elements in the diagram and are made to appear on the edge of an element shape nearest to the cursor. The source to target connector handle is used for gestures involving outgoing connections. The target to source connector handle is used for gestures involving incoming connections. The user creates a new relationship between a source and a target by selecting one of the connector handles on the source shape and dragging to the target context (element shape or blank area). Next the user is prompted to qualify the gesture by selecting from a menu the type of relationship desired to be created. A connection or edges in the diagram of the type representative of the user's selections is produced. |
| US08365133B2 |
Testing apparatus, testing method, and program
A testing apparatus includes a vector memory unit storing original test vector data in which an input signal to be inputted to a circuit subjected to inspection is described, a vector generator generating generated test vector data from the original test vector data, an output part outputting test vector data to be inputted to the inspected circuit, a fault occurrence rate memory unit storing a fault occurrence rate of the input signal, a random number generator generating random number data, and a comparison part comparing the fault occurrence rate of the input signal with the random number data. The vector output part outputs the generated test vector data when the random number data is smaller than the fault occurrence rate of the input signal, and outputs the original test vector data when the random number data is larger than the fault occurrence rate of the input signal. |
| US08365130B2 |
Computer program and method for generating wire routing pattern
A computer program generates a wire routing pattern that connects one driver with a plurality of receivers. The overlapping length of each vector pair, which consists of any two vectors headed from the driver to the receivers, is calculated. One vector pair that has the greatest overlapping length is selected. For the selected vector pair, three kinds of common nodes are created, each of which is used to make a common path part of the way to the receivers, to generate three kinds of renewed vector patterns. The operations are repeated and plural candidate routing patters are acquired. One candidate routing pattern having the smallest total wiring length is selected as the optimum routing pattern. If there exist plural patterns that have the same smallest total wiring length, one pattern can be selected that has the smallest one of the greatest. D-R path lengths. |
| US08365129B2 |
Edge routing using connection regions
A computer system identifies a source node that is to be connected to a target node, where the target node is connected to the source node using an edge that links a connection region associated with the source node to a candidate connection region of the target node. The computer system identifies candidate connection region constraints that place restrictions on where the candidate connection regions can be positioned on the target node and determines, based on the identified candidate connection region constraints, the position of each candidate connection region relative to the target node. At least two of the candidate connection regions are disconnected so that an edge's connection to the target node can change between the disconnected connection regions. The computer system also visually represents the position of each of the candidate connection regions of the target node. |
| US08365127B2 |
Method of processing dummy pattern based on boundary length and density of wiring pattern, semiconductor design apparatus and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, includes a first wiring pattern in a first region, a second wiring pattern in a second region, and at least one first dummy pattern formed in the first region and at least one second dummy pattern formed in the second region. A total area of the at least one first dummy pattern is the same as a total area of the at least one second dummy pattern and a total length of pattern periphery of the at least one second dummy pattern is longer than a total length of pattern periphery of the at least one first dummy pattern. The first region and the second region have same area. |
| US08365119B2 |
Generating interface adjustment signals in a device-to-device interconnection system
Described are a system and method to control interface timing and/or voltage operations of signals transmitted between devices. A processor may be coupled through one or more bus interfaces of a bus to one or more corresponding interface timing and/or voltage comparison circuits and corresponding interface timing and/or voltage adjustment circuits. |
| US08365116B2 |
Cycle cutting with timing path analysis
The timing cycles in a circuit design are identified and cut such that timing constraint paths in the circuit design are preserved. Timing cycles in the circuit design may be identified by traversing an adjacency list data structure, in which elements of the circuit design are represented as vertices interconnected by edges. Timing constraint paths may be distinguished from false timing paths using timing analysis, such as a greatest common path heuristic. Timing constraint paths may be marked as “constrained” to prevent these paths from being cut. With the cycles and timing constraint paths identified, cuts may be selected that cut the identified timing cycles while preserving the timing constraint paths. The cycle cuts allow the circuit design to be correctly processed within a conventional CAD tool design flow. |
| US08365115B2 |
System and method for performance modeling of integrated circuits
A system and method for performance modeling of integrated circuits is provided. A method for performing timing analysis on an integrated circuit is provided, the integrated circuit having a timing path. The method includes computing a number of non-common timing path elements in the timing path, assigning a timing de-rate factor to the timing path based on the number of non-common timing path elements, and computing a timing analysis on the integrated circuit using the assigned timing de-rate factor. |
| US08365114B2 |
Logic modification synthesis
Two circuits, an original and a modified, are being recognized, with the original circuit having a first logic and the modified circuit having a second logic. The second logic contains at least one desired logic change relative to the first logic. An equivalence line is detected in the original circuit such that the first and second logic are equivalent from the circuit inputs to the equivalence line. At least one point of change is located amongst the logic gates that are neighboring the equivalence line. The points of change are accepted as verified if an observability condition is fulfilled. The observability condition is checked within a Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) formulation. Substitute logic for the verified points of change is derived using SAT and Boolean equation solving techniques, in such manner that the first logic becomes equivalent to the second logic. |
| US08365110B2 |
Automatic error diagnosis and correction for RTL designs
A computer executable tool facilitates integrated circuit design and debugging by working directly at the Register Transfer Level, where most design activities take place. The tool determines when an integrated circuit design produces incorrect output responses for a given set of input vectors. The tool accesses the expected responses and returns the signal paths in the integrated circuit that are responsible for the errors along with suggested changes for fixing the errors. The tool may operate at the RTL, which is above the gate-level abstraction which means that the design errors will be much more readily understood to the designer, and may improve scalability and efficiency. |
| US08365109B1 |
Determining efficient buffering for multi-dimensional datastream applications
In one embodiment, a method of generating a circuit design is provided. For each data terminal connecting a plurality of components in a circuit design, a respective list of dimensions of data used by the data terminal are determined. A plurality of exchange orderings are generated that each indicate an order in which dimensions are exchanged between the lists. For each exchange ordering, dimensions are exchanged between the lists according to the exchange ordering to produce a set of supplemented lists of dimensions. A set of buffers for buffering data between the data terminals are determined based on the supplemented lists of dimensions. Memory requirements are determined for each of the set of buffers. The circuit design is modified to include the one of the determined sets of buffers having a lowest memory requirement. |
| US08365108B2 |
Generating cut mask for double-patterning process
Aspects of the invention include a computer-implemented method of designing a photomask. In one embodiment, the method comprises: simulating a first photomask patterning process using a first photomask design to create simulated contours; comparing the simulated contours to a desired design; identifying regions not common to the simulated contours and the desired design; creating desired target shapes for a second photomask patterning process subsequent to the first photomask patterning process based upon the identified regions; and providing the desired target shapes for forming of a second photomask design based upon the desired target shapes. |
| US08365107B2 |
Scanner based optical proximity correction system and method of use
A modeling technique is provided. The modeling technique includes inputting tool parameters into a model and inputting basic model parameters into the model. The technique further includes generating a simulated, corrected reticle design using the tool parameters and the basic model parameters. An image of test patterns for an integrated circuit is compared against the simulated, corrected reticle design. A determination is made as to whether a difference between the simulated, corrected reticle design and exposure results of the image of the test patterns (δ1) is less than a predetermined criteria (ε1). The technique further includes completing the model the difference between the simulated, corrected reticle design and the exposure results of the image of the test patterns is less than the predetermined criteria. |
| US08365106B2 |
Method for optimization of light effective source while target pattern is changed
The present invention provides a method including generating mask data to be used in an exposure apparatus including an illumination optical system and a projection optical system which projects a pattern of the mask onto a substrate, and fabricating a mask based on the generated mask data. |
| US08365105B2 |
Method of performing optical proximity effect corrections to photomask pattern
A method of performing an optical proximity effect correction to a first photomask pattern for a wiring of a semiconductor device for use in combination with a second photomask pattern for a via, the wiring including an end portion coupled to the via, the method being performed by a computer including a memory storing layout data of the first photomask pattern and the second photomask pattern, including extracting a pattern of layout data of the first photomask pattern for the wiring corresponding to the end portion of the wiring and layout data of the second photomask pattern for the via. |
| US08365104B2 |
Original data producing method and original data producing program
A two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient is obtained based on a function representing a light intensity distribution formed by an illumination apparatus on a pupil plane of the projection optical system and a pupil function of the projection optical system. Based on the two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient and data of a pattern on an object plane of the projection optical system, an approximate aerial image is calculated by using at least one of plural components of an aerial image on an image plane of the projection optical system. Data of a pattern of an original is produced based on the approximate aerial image. |
| US08365102B2 |
Method for checking and fixing double-patterning layout
A method and system checks a double patterning layout and outputs a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces. The method includes receiving layout data having patterns, determining whether each distance between adjacent pattern elements is a G0-space, find all G0-space forming a G0-rule violation, finding all G0-space that are critical G0-spaces, and outputting a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces to an output device. By resolving G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces, a design checker can effectively generate a double patterning technology (DPT) compliant layout. |
| US08365098B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying key information in portable terminal
A method and apparatus are disclosed for displaying key information in a portable terminal. Display of key information is provided such that a user can easily confirm information about a shortcut key set by the user or a function for each key of a key input module. |
| US08365097B2 |
Interface for selection of items
An apparatus (and method) is configured to perform an operation on a plurality of items of data. A memory stores data identifying said items. The apparatus generates a list of selected items identifying an item in response to a first selection signal; performs a selection operation to add an item to said list of selected items by: responsive to (a) a first move cursor signal: identifying a first item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; and adding said first identified item to said list of selected items if said item is not already on said list and (b) a second move cursor signal: identifying a second item of said plurality of items stored in said memory; removing said first identified item from said list of selected items. The apparatus adds said second identified item to said list of selected items if said second item is not on said list. |
| US08365093B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product enabling storage of state of temporary display screen magnification view
Disclosed is a method, a computer program, a wireless communications device, a browser and an apparatus to display an object to a viewer, where the displayed object has an associated area. In response to the viewer selecting the displayed object, the method, computer program product, wireless communications device, browser and apparatus display the object partitioned into a plurality of sub-areas. In response to the viewer selecting one of the sub-areas, information is saved related to the selection and at least one function associated with the selected sub-area is executed. In response to the viewer again selecting the object, the object is displayed partitioned into the plurality of sub-areas with a focus placed in accordance with the saved information. |
| US08365092B2 |
On-demand loading of media in a multi-media presentation
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, methods and apparatus are provided for efficient and effective loading of media in a multi-media presentation, such that a user may be able to view and/or edit the presentation. In one embodiment, a method for loading media comprises providing a maximum number of layers per page of a collage document, the collage document including at least one page having a plurality of layers, and each layer being associated with a media object. The method further includes loading a first page of the collage document to a client device, and creating a list of layers of the loaded page, with each layer indexed by at least a position in the collage document. The method continues by filtering the list of layers based on at least the position in the collage document and a visual window of a user interface to thereby display visible layers of the loaded page within the visual window. In another embodiment, a method for loading media comprises receiving a request for a collage document, receiving a specification of a maximum number of layers per page of the collage document, and returning a page of the requested collage document. |
| US08365091B2 |
Non-uniform scrolling
Embodiments related to the non-uniform scrolling of a scrollable list displayed on a computing device display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of operating a display comprising displaying a scrollable list of items that includes a first pair of list positions separated by a first spacing on the display, and a second pair of list positions separated by a second spacing that is different than the first spacing. The method further comprises detecting a movement of a manipulator from a first location to a second location, and in response, scrolling a first list item on the display between the first pair of list positions at a first scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence, and scrolling a second list item between the second pair of list positions at a second scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence. |
| US08365089B2 |
Automatic defaults proxy for web-delivered services
A method, system and computer program product are presented for intercepting data entry by a proxy server to automatically define data entry fields in a webpage. The proxy server counts a number of instances in which a particular type of data is entered into each field in the webpage. If the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number for a specific field, then subsequent users are prompted to enter data of that particular type in that specific field. |
| US08365085B2 |
Method of indicating functions of buttons, an image display apparatus, and an on-screen-display menu processing method
A method of indicating functions of buttons included in an image display apparatus on a screen and an image display apparatus implementing the method thereof. The method of indicating functions of buttons includes generating an image indicating functions assigned to the buttons and displaying the image on the image display apparatus. |
| US08365081B1 |
Embedding metadata within content
Techniques for embedding metadata into a piece of content are described herein. With use of the embedded metadata, an application takes one or more actions specified by the embedded metadata upon selection of the content. In some instances, the content comprises an image, video, or any other form of content that a user may consume. Using the example of an image, the techniques may embed metadata within the image to create an image file that includes both the image and the embedded metadata. Then, when an application of a computing device selects (e.g., receives, opens, etc.) the image file, the application or another application may perform one or more actions specified by the metadata. |
| US08365076B2 |
System for concurrently managing multiple avatars
An approach for cloning and merging avatars that are online in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar identification component which is configured to create an identification number associated with a second avatar, a GUI partitioning component configured to partition the graphic user interface of a virtual universe, an avatar rendering component configured to render a second avatar, a communication channel component configured to manage the second avatar's communication channel, and an inventory management component configured to manage the second avatar's inventory. |
| US08365075B2 |
Recording events in a virtual world
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for recording events occurring in a virtual world. In one embodiment, properties of events previously recorded and/or attended by a user may be identified. Recording criteria for the user may be derived from the identified properties. Upon identifying an event satisfying the recording criteria, the event may be recorded. The recorded event may be played back at the convenience of the user. |
| US08365069B1 |
Web content management based on timeliness metadata
A server receives a hypertext request from a client. The server looks up a hypertext document, wherein looking up comprises obtaining a first HTML element and a second HTML element and combining the first HTML element and second HTML element into a hypertext document, in response receiving the hypertext request from the client. The server parses the hypertext document for timeliness tags. The server generates at least one header tag based on the timeliness tags. The server determines whether at least one expired tag is among the timeliness tags. Responsive to a determination that at least one expired tag is among the timeliness tags, the server can look up a timeliness tag rule corresponding to the at least one timeliness tag. |
| US08365065B2 |
Method and system for creating user-defined outputs
A system and method for creating a template configured to generate reports for reporting medical information. The method allows a user to generate a single template that may be then utilized in order to create a plurality of reports for numerous patients. The template is created by dragging and dropping the desired information onto a blank report. Once the desired format of the template has been set by the user, the user may save the template for future use. |
| US08365062B2 |
Auditing a website with page scanning and rendering techniques
An automated website analysis system includes mechanisms for automatically reviewing a website and identifying various features of the website. In one implementation, the analysis system can rely at least in part on the actual downloading and rendering of each page in the website to determine not only aspects of website content and layout, but also whether various content, such as third party objects or source code, execute as intended. Additional features include recording user input that may be required to progress past web pages where automated site mapping would ordinarily stall. The analysis system can identify various items of interest about each web page to the website owner, including web page parent/child relationships, as well as the extent to which the given page content is consistent with its metadata descriptions. |
| US08365061B1 |
Cross-origin communication in browser frames
A device may create a child frame within a container frame displayed by a browser program. The child frame may be associated with an origin that is different than an origin associated with the container frame. The device may determine whether the child frame is locked to prohibit reading of information relating to the child frame. The determination of whether the child frame is locked including checking whether a first variable is present in the child frame. The device may determine one or more values relating to the child frame, where the one or more values are determined by checking whether a second set of variables is present in the child frame, where each variable, in the second set, corresponds to a single bit of the one or more values. |
| US08365060B2 |
System and method for indicating track relationships in media files
A system and method for signaling and indicating track relationship information in media files provides a mechanism for signaling the information of layered track groups and the information of multiple description coding (MDC) track groups, as well as a mechanism for signaling track relationship information in an efficient way. In local playback or unicast streaming applications, to select an independently decodable track for a certain media type, the information of alternate track groups is first found via the track relation box, and one track is selected from an alternate track group for the media type. If stream switching is desired, the switching track group information is found via the track relation box. In multicast applications with scalable or MDC streams, the tracks in a layered or MDC group are found via the track relation box and selected among all the layered or MDC groups. |
| US08365059B2 |
E-reader semantic text manipulation
A computerized system and method for changing the textual length of an electronic text content while maintaining the meaning of the electronic text content is disclosed. The system includes an electronic reader, or e-reader, device having an electronic touch screen for displaying an electronic text content and for receiving a user touch gesture for identifying a portion of the electronic text content targeted for a textual length change, and a semantic server programmed to receive requests for a semantic text alternative for a targeted electronic text content identified by way of the e-reader device and to determine a semantic alternative electronic text content for the targeted electronic text content, wherein the determined semantic alternative electronic text has a different textual length than the targeted electronic text content, and for replacing the targeted electronic text content displayed by the e-reader device with the determined semantic alternative electronic text content. |
| US08365056B2 |
Receiver equipped with a trellis viterbi decoder
A receiver of a digital signal equipped with an N-state weighted-decision trellis Viterbi decoder, the signal received including a series of symbols, is provided. The receiver comprises a programmable logic circuit that includes a source memory A and a destination memory B each comprising N rows and M+L columns respectively allocated to M fixed fields for describing the trellis, and to L variable fields, and an operator able to calculate the variable fields of a memory as a function of the fixed fields of the said memory, of the symbols received and of the variable fields of the other memory and able to reverse the role of the source memory and destination memory. |
| US08365053B2 |
Encoding and decoding data using store and exclusive or operations
The invention provides a method, device and system for encoding and decoding data. The method includes receiving information including data units, storing the data units into a memory and encoding the data units by performing a plurality of store and exclusive-or operations on the data units resulting in encoded symbols Sn, where n is a positive integer. |
| US08365049B2 |
Soft-error detection for electronic-circuit registers
In one embodiment, a circuit has multiple flip-flops with gated clock inputs controlled by an enable signal, where the clock signal is gated in order to reduce power consumption by the circuit. The circuit has an error detection and correction (EDC) module that is active when the enable signal is low in order to detect and correct soft errors of the flip-flops. The EDC module generates and stores an error-correction code based on the data outputs of the flip-flops. The EDC module then compares the stored error-correction code to a presently generated error-correction code, where if they are not identical, then the EDC (a) determines (i) that a soft error has occurred and (ii) which flip-flop suffered the soft error and (b) flips a corresponding error-correction signal to provide a correct corresponding output signal while the enable signal is low. |
| US08365048B2 |
Vehicle communication system diagnostic using hamming code
A control system includes an error calculation module that receives a data bit pattern having a predetermined quantity of data bits and that calculates a binary vector based on a predetermined binary matrix and the data bit pattern. The error calculation module further determines the data bit pattern contains a corrupted data bit when the binary vector is not a predetermined value. The control system further includes a bit position module that receives the binary vector, that locates the corrupted data bit based on the binary vector and that corrects the data bit pattern. The bit position module receives the data bit pattern when the binary number is the predetermined value. The data bits are pre-assigned a base-10 value that corresponds to a data bit position. |
| US08365046B2 |
Method and apparatus for non-uniform redundancy packet error correction
A method for correcting at least one error in a data transmission over a packet-based communication network includes the steps of: generating a sequence of data packets for transmission over the packet-based communication network, the sequence of data packets being arranged into a plurality of packet frames, each of at least a subset of the packet frames including at least a primary data packet and a number of redundant data packets which is a function of a prescribed redundancy pattern, the subset of packet frames having a non-uniform distribution of redundant data packets therein; transmitting the sequence of data packets over the communication network; and recovering at least one missing data packet in the sequence of data packets using at least one corresponding redundant data packet in at least one subsequently received packet frame when the missing data packet is identified in a receiver of the sequence of data packets. |
| US08365044B2 |
Memory device with error correction based on automatic logic inversion
A memory device comprises a memory array and error correction circuitry coupled to the memory array. The error correction circuitry is configured to identify, in a data word retrieved from the memory array, at least one bit position corresponding to a predetermined defect location in the memory array, and to generate a corrected data word by automatically inverting a logic value at the identified bit position. This automatic logic inversion approach is particularly well suited for use in correcting output data errors associated with via defects and weak bit defects in high-density ROM devices. |
| US08365042B2 |
Unidirectional error code transfer for both read and write data transmitted via bidirectional data link
A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition. |
| US08365040B2 |
Systems and methods for handling immediate data errors in flash memory
A flash memory system comprising temporary memory, writing apparatus for writing first logical data from the temporary memory into flash memory cells having at least two levels, thereby to generate a physical representation of the first logical data including known errors, reading apparatus for reading the physical representation from the cells, thereby to generate, and store in the temporary memory, second logical data which if read immediately is identical to the first logical data other than the known errors; and controlling apparatus controlling the writing apparatus and the reading apparatus and including known error ID apparatus operative to identify the known errors by comparing the first logical data to second logical data read immediately after the physical representation is generated, to store information characterizing the known errors and to use the information, when the second logical data is next read, to correct the known errors. |
| US08365033B2 |
Method of transmitting ACK/NACK signal in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK)/non-acknowledgement (NACK) signal in a wireless communication system includes assigning at least one ACK channel among a plurality of ACK channels which share an ACK channel region for transmitting the ACK/NACK signal, and transmitting the ACK/NACK signal through the at least one ACK channel, wherein the ACK channel region includes at least one tile including a plurality of data subcarriers, and the ACK/NACK signal of each ACK channel is indicated by mapping different orthogonal vectors respectively to the plurality of ACK channels in the tile. |
| US08365028B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and system of NAND defect management
Various embodiments comprise apparatus, methods, and systems including method comprising searching for a group address among a plurality of group addresses in a mapping table, and if a match is found, performing a memory operation on a first plurality of memory blocks indicated by the mapping table, and if a match is not found, performing a memory operation on a second plurality of memory blocks, the second plurality of memory blocks having the group address. |
| US08365024B2 |
High integrity data bus fault detection using multiple signal components
Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying the integrity of a signal transmitted across a multiple rail data bus. The method and apparatus provide for independently processing a signal by a first processor and a second processor, the first and second processors being connected in parallel thereby generating a first processed signal and a second processed signal. Each of the processed signals is split into a first component sequence and a second component sequence, the first component sequences being different from the second component sequences. It is then determined that the first component sequences are not identical and that the second component sequences are not identical. If either of the first component sequences is not identical, or if either of the second component sequences is not identical, then an error signal is transmitted to a receiving device via a first or second rail of the bus. |
| US08365020B2 |
Mechanism for saving crash dump files of a virtual machine on a designated disk
A mechanism for saving crash dump files of a virtual machine (VM) on a designated disk is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes configuring an operating system (OS) of a VM managed by a hypervisor of a host machine to store any crash dump files created by the VM to a designated crash dump virtual disk associated with the VM but accessible outside of operations of the VM, determining that the VM experienced a crash event, stopping operations of the VM, and obtaining a crash dump file created by the VM that details the crash event from the designated crash dump virtual disk. |
| US08365017B2 |
Method and system for virtual on-demand recovery
A data management system (“DMS”) provides an automated, continuous, real-time, substantially no downtime data protection service to one or more data sources. A host driver embedded in an application server captures real-time data transactions, preferably in the form of an event journal. The driver functions to translate traditional file/database/block I/O and the like into a continuous, application-aware, output data stream. The host driver includes an event processor that can perform a recovery operation to an entire data source or a subset of the data source using former point-in-time data in the DMS. The recovery operation may have two phases. First, the structure of the host data in primary storage is recovered to the intended recovering point-in-time. Thereafter, the actual data itself is recovered. The event processor enables such data recovery in an on-demand manner, by allowing recovery to happen simultaneously while an application accesses and updates the recovering data. |
| US08365008B2 |
Providing unsolicited global disconnect requests to users of storage
A mechanism is provided in a storage control unit in a data processing system for providing unsolicited global disconnect requests to users. The mechanism stores lock control data in the storage control unit. The storage control unit allocates its resources into a plurality of clusters. Responsive to a given user connecting to a given partition that is for a logical subsystem resident on a first cluster within the plurality of clusters, the mechanism sends reflected partition information from the first cluster to a second cluster within the plurality of clusters. Responsive to the first cluster experiencing a failure condition, the mechanism moves control data from one or more logical subsystems from the first cluster to the second cluster and for each logical subsystem that moved from the first logical subsystem to the second logical subsystem and that has reflected partition information, presents unsolicited status to one or more users. |
| US08365001B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive power management of memory subsystem
A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing adaptive memory power management in a system employing a CPU and a memory subsystem. A CPU throttle control (THR) module generates a CPU throttle control signal indicating when the CPU is idle. A memory controller (MC) module generates memory power management signals based on at least one of the CPU throttle control signal, memory read/write signals, memory access break events, and bus master access requests. Certain portions of the memory subsystem are powered down in response to the memory power management signals. Memory power management is performed on a time segment by time segment basis to achieve efficient power management of the memory subsystem during CPU run time. |
| US08364993B2 |
Energy saving circuit of motherboard
A voltage regulating circuit converts a first voltage and provides the converted first voltage to a first voltage pin of a north bridge chip after receiving a control signal from a south bridge chip. A second voltage pin of the north bridge chip is connected to a voltage converting circuit for receiving a second voltage. The logic control circuit receives a control signal from the super I/O chip and outputs a first control signal to turn on the switch to connect the first and the second voltage pins together. The logic control circuit also outputs a second control signal to the voltage regulating circuit to control the voltage regulating circuit to stop providing the converted first voltage to the first voltage pin of the north bridge chip. The voltage converting circuit provides the second voltage to the first voltage pin of the north bridge chip via the switch. |
| US08364990B2 |
Remote controlled power supply system
A remote controlled power supply system includes a data processing system and at least one power supply. The data processing system outputs a power source ON/OFF signal to drive the power supply to switch either in a working state or a sleeping state. The power supply includes a signal integration unit and a communication unit. The signal integration unit receives a working parameter of the power supply and outputs a first ON/OFF signal to drive the data processing system to output the power ON/OFF signal to switch the state of the power supply state. The communication unit is linked to the signal integration unit to receive the working parameter and output the working parameter to a communication network. The administrators can acquire the working parameter through a remote control equipment and control the power supply at the remote site. |
| US08364989B2 |
Power supply input selection circuit
A power supply input selection circuit for selecting one of a plurality of power supply inputs to supply power to a driven circuit. The power supply input selection circuit includes a power supply input switching circuit configured to provide operating power to the driven circuit by routing a selected one of the power supply inputs to the driven circuit as a function of power supply selection information; and a logic circuit configured to change the power supply selection information if a default power mode does not match a desired power mode, the logic circuit being further configured to reset the power supply input selection circuit after changing the power supply selection information, the power supply selection information being maintained during the reset, in which the power supply input switching circuit selects a desired one of the power supply inputs after the logic circuit resets the power supply input selection circuit. |
| US08364986B2 |
Identification-dependent communication between vehicles
A method and assistance system drawn to identification-dependent communication that takes place between vehicles. The messages to be transmitted are encrypted by cryptographic methods, wherein the necessary keys for the cryptographic methods are stored in vehicle components which are protected from unauthorized removal and installation by means of protection mechanisms. The method and system make it possible to limit standardized broadcasts to a particular group of users. |
| US08364984B2 |
Portable secure data files
A portable secure data file includes an encrypted data portion and a metadata portion. When a request associated with a current user of a device to access a portable secure data file is received, one or more records in the metadata portion are accessed to determine whether the current user is permitted to access the file data in the encrypted data portion. If a record indicates the user is permitted to access the file data, a content encryption key in that record is used to decrypt the encrypted data portion. |
| US08364982B2 |
Wireless receiver and methods for storing content from RF signals received by wireless receiver
A wireless receiver and methods for storing content from RF signals received by the wireless receiver are provided. The wireless receiver includes a microprocessor and an RF receiver configured to operably communicate with the microprocessor. The RF receiver is configured to receive an RF signal having digital content therein. The wireless receiver further includes a detachable memory device configured to operably communicate with the microprocessor. The detachable memory device has a unique serial number stored therein. The microprocessor is configured to retrieve the unique serial number from the detachable memory device. The microprocessor is further configured to receive the digital content from the RF receiver and to encrypt the digital content utilizing the unique serial number to obtain encrypted digital content. The microprocessor is further configured to store the encrypted digital content on the detachable memory device. |
| US08364980B2 |
System for selective encryption within documents
A system for selective encryption within a document. A portion of the document selected and marked for encryption is detected, the selected portion of the document including plaintext. The detected portion of the document selected for encryption is encrypted as ciphertext. The document is displayed with the selected portion of the document encrypted. An attempt by an accessor to access the encrypted portion of document is detected. The encrypted portion of the document is decrypted with a proper decryption key, wherein the decrypting includes decrypting the encrypted portion of the document in response to presentation of required data by the accessor. The required data includes the proper decryption key, a name of the accessor, and an employee number of the accessor. The portion of the document is displayed as decrypted. |
| US08364977B2 |
Methods and systems for processing of n-state symbols with XOR and EQUALITY binary functions
Multi-valued or n-state with n=2p Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) in binary form are provided for scramblers, descramblers and sequence generators using addition and multiplication functions over a Finite Field GF(n) in binary form. N-state switching functions in an LFSR are implemented by using implementations of reversible binary functions. LFSRs may be in Fibonacci or in Galois configuration. N-state LFSR based sequence generators in binary form for generating an n-state maximum length sequence in binary form are also provided. A method for simple correlation calculation is provided. Communication systems and data storage systems using the LFSRs are also disclosed. |
| US08364976B2 |
Pass-through adapter with crypto ignition key (CIK) functionality
A pass-through adapter includes an adapter body having at least two connector pin interfaces, with one configured for coupling to an external device such as a communications device. Each connector pin interface includes a plurality of connector pins, including a plurality of pass-through connector pins operative with each other for in-line, pass-through signaling when the pass-through adapter is coupled to the external device. A crypto ignition key (CIK) circuit is contained within the adapter body and connected to at least one of the connector pins to provide a secure mode of operation for the external device. |
| US08364973B2 |
Dynamic generation of integrity manifest for run-time verification of software program
A measurement engine generates an integrity manifest for a software program and uses it to perform active platform observation. The integrity manifest indicates an integrity check value for a section of the program's code. The measurement engine computes a comparison value on the program's image in memory and determines if the comparison value matches the expected integrity check value. If the values do not match, the program's image is determined to be modified, and appropriate remedial action may be triggered. |
| US08364970B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing enhanced service authorization
An approach is provided for authorizing one or more services from service providers in a communications network. The approach includes receiving a request from a first service provider, the request having an associated primary token and a secondary token identifier, the secondary token identifier relating to resources of a second service provider. Based, at least in part, on the secondary token identifier, a secondary token is identified; and then the secondary token is sent to the first service provider, wherein the first service provider and the second service provider belong to different trust domains and the first service provider can use the secondary token to access resources of the second service provider. |
| US08364967B2 |
Multi-step digital signature method and system
A multi-step signing system and method uses multiple signing devices to affix a single signature which can be verified using a single public verification key. Each signing device possesses a share of the signature key and affixes a partial signature in response to authorization from a plurality of authorizing agents. In a serial embodiment, after a first partial signature has been affixed, a second signing device exponentiates the first partial signature. In a parallel embodiment, each signing device affixes a partial signature, and the plurality of partial signatures are multiplied together to form the final signature. Security of the system is enhanced by distributing capability to affix signatures among a plurality of signing devices and by distributing authority us affix a partial signature among a plurality of authorizing agents. |
| US08364966B2 |
Digital watermark systems and methods
A digital watermark is added to audio or visual content. An illustrative embodiment permutes the content, alters the permuted content to encode a watermark, and inverse-permutes the content to return same to substantially its original form. Related watermark decoding methods are also detailed, as are ancillary features and techniques. |
| US08364962B2 |
Communication data freshness confirmation system
A receiving device sends challenge information to a transmitting device. The transmitting device initializes a time varying parameter and transmits communication data together with data derived from the challenge information to the receiving device. Subsequent communication data, if any, are then transmitted together with data derived from the time varying parameter. The receiving device uses the challenge information to verify the freshness of the communication data transmitted first, and uses the time varying parameter to verify the freshness of the subsequent communication data. Freshness can be verified without having to maintain any type of verification data during sleep periods, and without having to send a separate challenge for each data transmission. |
| US08364953B2 |
System and method for providing secured electronic transactions
Methods and systems are provided for a secured electronic communication in a network that includes a verification station, a registration station, and a authentication station. At the registration station, a request for a digital certificate is received from a user. The registration station instructs the verification station to forward to the user a message associated with the request. The message is compared against the user at the authentication station to determine whether the message properly identifies the user. A first signal indicating the result of the comparison is sent to the verification station. If the first signal indicates that the message properly identifies the user, a second signal is sent to the registration station. Based on the second signal, the registration system then generates a digital certificate. |
| US08364951B2 |
System for digital rights management using distributed provisioning and authentication
A digital rights management system (DRM) for restricting and permitting content access in a digital content distribution network such as a network used to deliver television programming. The DRM uses distributed authentication and provisioning so that the potentially many different entities involved in the content distribution network can have localized management and control. Distributed authentication can use single or multiple instances of authentication services. A ticket granting service (TGS) is used to allow clients to request services. In one approach, multiple authentication services use a common key that is known to the TGS. In another approach, unique keys are provided to each authentication service and these keys are communicated to the TGS. Distributed provisioning allows different entities to grant access rights or other resources. Provisioning service (PS) processes can execute at multiple different physical locations. Synchronization among the different PSs is provided by a managing entity or in a peer-to-peer transfer to help ensure the uniqueness of user IDs. New clients can make an initialization request from a key management system via an appropriate protocol. The requests can be made from a single, dedicated authentication service, from an authentication service associated with a specific provisioning service, or from multiple authentication services in the network. |
| US08364948B2 |
System and method for supporting secured communication by an aliased cluster
Cluster aliasing is implemented for a cluster of a plurality of computer-based members. The aliased cluster supports secured communication with a non-member node. The cluster aliasing provides an appearance to the non-member node of a common network address for the plurality of members. In supporting the secured communication, a first of the plurality of members is assigned to process secure inbound data directed to the common network address from the non-member node, and a second, different of the plurality of members is assigned to send secure outbound data from the common network address to the non-member node. |
| US08364947B2 |
Period keys
A method for securing encryption keys includes providing two device, each including secure and insecure hardware, generating in each secure hardware at least two period keys stored in the secure hardware, generating in each secure hardware a plurality of session keys stored in either secure or insecure hardware on the generating device, for each secure hardware, encrypting at least one of the generated plurality of session keys according to a first of the two period keys included in each secure hardware, encrypting at least one of the plurality of session keys generated in each device according to a second of the two period keys included in each secure hardware, when a session is established between the two devices, decrypting one encrypted session key in each device, and establishing an encrypted session between both devices, where the period keys included in both devices are periodically regenerated. |
| US08364942B2 |
Electronic device having an alterable configuration and methods of manufacturing and configuring the same
An electronic device having an alterable configuration includes a non-volatile memory configurable to include at least a first partition and a second partition, the non-volatile memory storing a boot ROM. The boot ROM is operable when executed by a processor of said electronic device to, in the event that a third partition is available, boot an operating system in the third partition, the operating system operable when booted to cause the third partition to be deleted and the second partition to be expanded to encompass memory freed by the deletion; and otherwise boot an operating system in the first partition. |
| US08364937B2 |
Executing misaligned load dependent instruction in second execution stage in parity protected mode in configurable pipelined processor
A method includes providing a data processor having an instruction pipeline, where the instruction pipeline has a plurality of instruction pipeline stages, and where the plurality of instruction pipeline stages includes a first instruction pipeline stage and a second instruction pipeline stage. The method further includes providing a load instruction and a data-dependent instruction to the instruction pipeline. Based on an operating mode, such as ECC mode or parity mode, the data-dependent instruction may execute in either the first of the second instruction pipeline stage. Further, the execution of the data-dependent instruction may depend on whether the most recently executed instruction was misaligned. |
| US08364933B2 |
Software assisted translation lookaside buffer search mechanism
A computer implemented method searches a unified translation lookaside buffer. Responsive to a request to access the unified translation lookaside buffer, a first order code within a first entry of a search priority configuration register is identified. A unified translation lookaside buffer is then searched according to the first order code for a hashed page entry. If the hashed page entry is not found when searching a unified translation lookaside buffer according to the first order code, a second order code is identified within a second entry of the search priority configuration register. The unified translation lookaside buffer is then searched according to the second order code for the hashed page entry. |
| US08364928B2 |
Modeling memory compression
A method for modeling memory compression is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A subset of candidate pages is received. The subset of candidate pages is a subset of a set of candidate pages used in executing a workload in a data processing system. A candidate page is compressible uncompressed data in a memory associated with the data processing system. The subset of candidate pages is compressed in a scratch space. A compressibility of the workload is computed based on the compression of the subset of candidate pages. Page reference information of the subset of candidate pages is received. A memory reference rate of the workload is determined. A recommendation is presented about a memory compression model for the workload in the data processing system. |
| US08364927B2 |
Disk array system and hard disk drive expansion method thereof
In the case of adding an arbitrary hard disk drive, the hard disk drive is operated in a specific operation mode suited for that hard disk drive. As triggered by the attachment of a hard disk drive to a disk adapter, a processor operates the hard disk drive in a predetermined operation mode based on predetermined parameter information that has been prepared in advance. The hard disk drive stores, in advance, particular parameter information including information about the specific operation mode suited for operation. The processor reads the particular parameter information from the hard disk drive in the predetermined operation mode and operates the hard disk drive in the specific operation mode based on the particular parameter information. |
| US08364916B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing interleaving and de-interleaving at second time
A method for second interleaving is disclosed. The method comprises: generating an interleaving address preset in an interleaving matrix for each input data, and writing the data into the interleaving matrix according to the interleaving address; initializing the interleaving address and reading out the data from the interleaving matrix according to the interleaving address; judging whether the reading operation on a column of data in the interleaving matrix is completed or not, if completed, then calculating the interleaving address of the next column in the interleaving matrix according to inter-column replacement rules; otherwise, obtaining the interleaving address by adding its own value to the column spacing; judging whether the reading operations on all data are completed or not, if completed, then the second interleaving ending; otherwise, returning to the step of reading out the data from the interleaving matrix according to the interleaving address, and repeating the above operation. A method for second de-interleaving and the corresponding apparatus for second interleaving and de-interleaving are also disclosed. |
| US08364915B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for generating access information from an LRU tracking list
Techniques for generating access information indicating a least recently used (LRU) memory region in a set of memory regions. In an embodiment, data is stored in an entry of an LRU tracking list (LTL) based on a touch message indicating when a memory group has been touched—e.g. read from, written to and/or associated with a memory region. The data stored in an LTL entry may include an identifier of a memory group and/or validity data specifying whether that LTL entry stores a set of default data. In another embodiment, access information may be generated based on the memory group identifier and the validity data. |
| US08364913B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and data input and output method thereof
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes an input data bus inversion unit configured to determine whether or not to invert a plurality of input data depending upon levels of the plurality of input data, and generate a plurality of conversion data; data input lines configured to transmit the plurality of conversion data; a data recovery unit configured to receive the plurality of conversion data and generate a plurality of storage data; and a memory bank configured to store the plurality of storage data. |
| US08364905B2 |
Storage system with middle-way logical volume
A storage system is disclosed including storage devices configured to store data, and a logical storage volume coupled to the storage devices and configured to store a subset of the data as segments. The storage system also includes a controller including a cache and memory. The memory is configured to include records such that each record corresponds with a segment in the logical storage volume and each record includes information regarding data stored in the corresponding segment. The controller is configured to access the records in response to a cache miss of the cache to determine if requested data from the cache miss is stored and ready for access in the logical storage volume. The controller is also configured to update the subset of data stored in the segments as a function of cache misses. |
| US08364899B2 |
User-controlled targeted cache purge
User-controlled targeted cache purging includes receiving a request to perform an operation to purge data from a cache, the request including an index identifier identifying an index associated with the cache. The index specifies a portion of the cache to be purged. The user-controlled targeted cache purging also includes purging the data from the cache, and providing notification of successful completion of the operation. |
| US08364896B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring a unified cache based on an associated error rate
A method of configuring a unified cache includes identifying unified cache way assignment combinations for an application unit. Each combination has an associated error rate. A combination is selected based at least in part on the associated error rate. The unified cache is configured in accordance with the selected combination for execution of the application-unit. |
| US08364894B2 |
Data update method and flash memory apparatus utilizing a cache block
A flash memory apparatus includes a plurality of blocks comprising a first block, wherein the first block comprises a first page; and a memory controller receiving a first data to be written into the first page of the first block, and when the first page has already been written to, the memory controller further selects one of the blocks as a first cache block, writes the first data into a first cache page of the first cache block and records a number of the first block and a number of the first page into the first cache page, and when receiving a command for updating the first block, the memory controller further updates the first block according to the number of the first block and the number of the first page recorded in the first cache page. A data update method for such a flash memory is also described. |
| US08364892B2 |
Asynchronous and distributed storage of data
In one example, multimedia content is requested from a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module retrieves the requested parts, which are typically stored on a plurality of storage devices at each storage module. Each storage module determines independently when to retrieve the requested parts of the data file from storage and transmits those parts from storage to a data queue. Based on a capacity of a delivery module and/or the data rate associated with the request, each storage module transmits the parts of the data file to the delivery module. The delivery module generates a sequenced data segment from the parts of the data file received from the plurality of storage modules and transmits the sequenced data segment to the requester. |
| US08364887B2 |
Managing memory data recovery upon power loss
A single segment data structure and method for storing data objects employing a single segment data object having a header and a data record. The header includes a segment length field describing the length of memory reserved for the data record and the data record contains at least one data instance object. Each of the data instance objects has a data instance header and data field. The header includes a data instance state field and a data instance length field. The data instance length field contains data representing the length of the data instance data field allowing for variable length “in place” updating. The data instance state field contains data representing an object state of the instance data. Only one of the data instance objects of the data record of the single segment data object has a valid object state. The state field facilitates a power loss recovery process. |
| US08364886B2 |
Verifying whether metadata identifies a most current version of stored data in a memory space
Method and apparatus for verifying whether metadata identifies a most current version of data stored in a memory space. In accordance with various embodiments, a physical location within a first portion of a solid-state memory space is identified by metadata as storing a current version of user data having a selected logical address. A reverse search is performed upon a second portion of the memory space to determine whether the physical address identified by the metadata stores a stale version of the user data, or whether the physical address stores the current version. |
| US08364884B2 |
Memory system with a memory controller controlling parallelism of driving memories
To provide a memory system that can store data smaller than a block size and data larger than the block size without deteriorating writing efficiency, and can dynamically change a parallelism according to the data. The memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a DRAM 11, a NAND memory 12, and a controller having a NAND-controller control register 150 that specifies parallel-operating element specifying information indicating parallel operating elements 120A to 120D in the NAND memory 12 to be used at the time of data access and an address of data with respect to a NAND interface 140, the NAND interface 140 connected in parallel to the respective parallel operating elements 120A to 120D for accessing the address of one or a plurality of parallel operating elements 120A to 120D selected based on the specified parallel-operating element specifying information and the address, and a CPU 131 that sets the parallel-operating element specifying information in the NAND-controller control register 150 according to the type of data to be accessed. |
| US08364880B2 |
Integrated transmission circuit and method using a media access control circuit that collectively encodes data from two distinct application circuits
An integrated transmission circuit and method for transmitting output data to a chipset via a transmission interface are provided. The integrated transmission circuit includes a first application circuit, a second application circuit, a media access control (MAC) circuit, and a physical layer (PHY) circuit. The first application circuit is used for receiving and processing first data to output first processed data. The second application circuit is used for receiving and processing second data to output second processed data. The MAC circuit is coupled to the first application circuit and the second application circuit, and used for encoding the first processed data and the second processed data so as to output encoded data. The PHY circuit is coupled to the MAC circuit to receive the encoded data so as to output the output data to the transmission interface. |
| US08364876B2 |
Computer system
A computer system is provided that can realize polling without increasing the processing burden on the processor. Data is read by a polling unit during a prescribed period from a prescribed address in the address space. Then, if the read data satisfies a prescribed condition, an interrupt signal is generated in the polling unit. Since processor can receive the interrupt from hardware instead of performing polling with firmware, the processing burden on processor 10 can be significantly reduced. |
| US08364875B2 |
Time and event based message transmission
A system, apparatus and method for efficient utilization of available band-width on the system's bus connection. The system includes a scheduler configured to receive a virtual schedule that provides at least one slot for sending a message over the communication bus and to confirm a trigger condition. A module is configured to send a message over the communication bus when the trigger condition is confirmed. |
| US08364873B2 |
Data transmission system and a programmable SPI controller
A data transmission system is provided. The data transmission system includes a serial peripheral interface (SPI) and a programmable controller. The SPI is coupled between a first device and at least one second device. The programmable controller controls the SPI to switch between a single port data transmission mode and a multi-port data transmission mode. When there are more than one second device coupled to the SPI, the SPI is switched to the multi-port data transmission mode so as to perform multi-port data transmission between the first device and the second devices. At this time, the first device concurrently transmits data to each of the second devices via a first transmission bus terminal, and concurrently receives data from each of the second devices via a second transmission bus terminal. |
| US08364872B2 |
Slave and communicating method between a master and the same
A slave and a communicating method between a slave and a master that includes checking whether the command to be sent is one of a write command and a read-out command if the master attempts to send a command to the slave, determining whether a processing of a previous command sent by the master is entirely completed if the command to be sent is the write command, and sending an acknowledgement signal that allows a transfer of the command to the master if the processing of the previously sent command is determined as one of entirely completed and the command to be sent is determined as the read-out command. The master sends the command to the slave in response to the acknowledgement signal sent by the slave. |
| US08364867B2 |
Systems and apparatus for main memory
A computing system is disclosed that includes a memory controller in a processor socket normally reserved for a processor. A plurality of non-volatile memory modules may be plugged into memory sockets normally reserved for DRAM memory modules. The non-volatile memory modules may be accessed using a data communication protocol to access the non-volatile memory modules. The memory controller controls read and write accesses to the non-volatile memory modules. The memory sockets are coupled to the processor socket by printed circuit board traces.The data communication protocol to access the non-volatile memory modules is communicated over the printed circuit board traces and through the sockets normally used to access DRAM type memory modules. |
| US08364861B2 |
Asynchronous ID generation
A technique for automatically establishing device IDs for devices in a daisy chain cascade arrangement. For each device, a write ID operation is initiated at the device to cause the device to enter a generate/write ID mode. While in this mode, a first value is input to the device. The device generates a second value from the first value. The device outputs the generated second value from the device to a next device in the daisy chain cascade which uses the second value as a first value for the next device. The device then establishes its ID from the first value. The process is repeated for all devices in the daisy chain cascade arrangement. |
| US08364860B2 |
Data-processing system and data-processing method
A data-processing system is described comprising: • A plurality of data-processing devices (11, 12, 13, 14) • A data-handling facility (20) shared by the data-processing devices, • An aggregation facility (30) for receiving signals (R1, R2, R3, R4) indicative for individual requirements from the data-processing devices for a performance of the shared data-handling facility and for providing a control signal (RA) indicative for a required activity level to meet the aggregated requirements, • a control device (40) for controlling an activity level of the data-handling facility depending on the control signal (RA). Additionally a data-processing method is described. |
| US08364857B2 |
Wireless modem with CPU and auxiliary processor that shifts control between processors when in low power state while maintaining communication link to wireless network
A computing device includes a low power auxiliary processor, such as a processor on a wireless card or sub-system, which is able to takeover processing in place of the computing device's central processing unit (CPU). Operating the computing device on the auxiliary processor draws less power from the computing device battery, enabling extended operation in an auxiliary processor mode. When in this mode, the auxiliary processor controls peripherals and provides the system functionality while the CPU is deactivated, such as in “off,” “standby” or “sleep” modes. In the auxiliary processor mode, the computing device can accomplish useful tasks, such as sending/receiving electronic mail, displaying electronic documents and accessing a network while drawing minimal power from the battery. Transitions between the normal operating mode and auxiliary processor mode may be transparent to users. Such a computer may display instant on, always on and always connected operating features. |
| US08364855B2 |
Dynamic interpretation of user input in a portable electronic device
The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device. |
| US08364854B2 |
Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method
A computer program product is provided for performing input/output (I/O) processing at a host computer system. The computer program product is configured to perform: generating an address control structure for each of a plurality of consecutive data transfer requests specified by an I/O operation, each address control structure specifying a location in the local channel memory of a corresponding address control word (ACW) that includes an Offset field indicating a relative order of a data transfer request; generating and storing in local channel memory at least one ACW specifying one or more host memory locations for the plurality of consecutive data transfer requests and including an Expected Offset field indicating a relative order of an expected data transfer request; receiving a transfer request from the network interface and comparing the Offset field and the Expected Offset field to determine whether the data transfer request has been received in the correct order. |
| US08364853B2 |
Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method
A computer program product is provided for performing a method including: obtaining information relating to an I/O operation at a channel subsystem in a host computer system; generating at least one address control word (ACW) in the local channel memory specifying one or more host memory locations for transfer of data between the host and a control unit and including at least one ACW error checking field; generating an address control structure specifying a location in the local channel memory of a corresponding ACW and including at least one address control structure error checking field; receiving a data transfer request from the network interface that includes the addressing information; comparing the at least one ACW error checking field to the at least one address control structure error checking field; and, responsive to the fields matching, routing the data transfer request to the host memory location specified in the corresponding ACW. |
| US08364851B2 |
Scalable efficient I/O port protocol
A system that supports a high performance, scalable, and efficient I/O port protocol to connect to I/O devices is disclosed. A distributed multiprocessing computer system contains a number of processors each coupled to an I/O bridge ASIC implementing the I/O port protocol. One or more I/O devices are coupled to the I/O bridge ASIC, each I/O device capable of accessing machine resources in the computer system by transmitting and receiving message packets. Machine resources in the computer system include data blocks, registers and interrupt queues. Each processor in the computer system is coupled to a memory module capable of storing data blocks shared between the processors. Coherence of the shared data blocks in this shared memory system is maintained using a directory based coherence protocol. Coherence of data blocks transferred during I/O device read and write accesses is maintained using the same coherence protocol as for the memory system. Data blocks transferred during an I/O device read or write access may be buffered in a cache by the I/O bridge ASIC only if the I/O bridge ASIC has exclusive copies of the data blocks. The I/O bridge ASIC includes a DMA device that supports both in-order and out-of-order DMA read and write streams of data blocks. An in-order stream of reads of data blocks performed by the DMA device always results in the DMA device receiving coherent data blocks that do not have to be written back to the memory module. |
| US08364849B2 |
Snapshot interface operations
In a multinode data processing system in which the nodes communicate with one another via communication adapters over a network or switch, the adapters are provided with a dual register mechanism for tracking microcode task status. Upon the issuance of a disruptive command that requires attention from one of the nodes, the task status maintained in one register is copied to the snapshot register. As tasks within the adapter are completed, both registers are updated, thus providing a mechanism for the nodes to determine that all tasks active at the time of the disruptive command have completed. This means that the nodes now have a mechanism for determining, as soon as possible, that all tasks that are active when a disruptive command occurs have completed, thus allowing the data processing node to perform such operations as releasing system memory that is associated with the disruptive command, thus eliminating temporal overhead that can affect performance. |
| US08364848B2 |
Delivering multimedia services
Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality. |
| US08364841B2 |
XML over TCP management protocol with tunneled proxy support and connection management
Network elements, which are network nodes in a transmission network, implement a proprietary XML agent which supports an XML over TCP network management protocol. The protocol permits tunneling of proxy management traffic, with connection management support, to a privately addressed subtending network element. This tunneling is performed via a publicly addressable gateway network element device without the need for configuration at the element management system software application relative to the subtending network element. |
| US08364834B2 |
Communication control unit and communication control method applied for multicast-supporting LAN
A multicast processing section constructs, when it is determined that a received packet is a packet on a multicast packet and multicast group management protocol, a table showing a correlation between a host device and a multicast group in a port number-multicast physical address correlation storing section as well as in a multicast router-connected port storing section according to the received packet, and controls to transfer a packet for each multicast group between a multicast router and host devices according to the table. |
| US08364828B2 |
SIP-based call session server and message-routing method
A method and SIP-based Call Session Server for routing SIP messages. A Network and Transport layer receives an incoming SIP message and forwards it to one of a plurality of SIP message routing process instances in a SIP Message Routing Framework. The receiving SIP message routing process instance determines a Routing-Key based upon at least one header field in the incoming message, and based upon the Routing-Key, forwards the incoming message to a selected one of a plurality of Back-to-Back User Agent (B2BUA) instances in a Call Session Control Framework. The selected B2BUA instance creates an outgoing SIP message utilizing the Routing-Key to generate a From-Tag in an outgoing request message, or to generate a To-Tag in an outgoing response message, and then forwards the outgoing message to the Network and Transport layer, which transmits the outgoing message. |
| US08364824B2 |
Reducing the learning curve of a transmission control protocol connection
A method in a data processing system for reducing the learning curve of a transmission control protocol connection. A domain name system is queried for information. The information and a previously used transmission control protocol parameter for a transmission control protocol connection are received from the domain name system. The information and the previously used transmission control protocol parameter are used to configure a current transmission control protocol connection. |
| US08364823B2 |
Self-configuring IP video router
The embodiments described in this disclosure address the above issues and others. Accordingly, a self-configuring IP video router provides a plug-and-play transport interface between two LANs, one of which is the host to multiple IP video cameras or servers.In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, plug-and-play functionality provides that the device can be connected to both networks via standard hardware interfaces, discover the video sources on the “inside” network, and configure itself to do the appropriate IP address mapping and IP port transport across the interface between the networks. |
| US08364821B2 |
Method and system for deploying content to wireless devices
A method and system for deploying content to devices is provided. The method and system can be used to deploy markup content to web browser applications on wireless devices. The wireless devices may included, for example, WAP phones, HDML phones, Palm VII, Palm V, etc. The method and system can also be used in conjunction with wired systems. A translator receives data, in a variety of formats, from the wireless devices. The translator then translates the data into a standardized format. A content provider interface receives the data in the standardized format and provides content data, also in the standardized format. The content data in the standardized format is provided to a transformer. The transformer transforms the content data into the pre-selected format for the particular wireless device. The content data can then be utilized and manipulated by the wireless device. |
| US08364819B2 |
Systems and methods for cross-vendor mapping service in cloud networks
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for a cross-vendor mapping service in cloud networks. A mapping service can be provided external to one or more sets of clouds which can access vendor databases in those clouds, and generate reports on software compatibility for software resources available in those diverse cloud networks. A user in an original cloud may wish to construct an image of a set of appliances or other services or entities in a second, external cloud or clouds. The external target cloud(s) may have different application sets, and/or applications available from different vendors, than those software resources hosted in the original cloud. A mapping service external to the participating clouds can enumerate the applications or other resources available in an external cloud, and generate a mapping or translation of those components to construct desired appliance images in that destination. Subscription terms can also be translated between clouds. |
| US08364818B2 |
Reduction of message flow between bus-connected consumers and producers
A system, method, and computer readable medium for reducing message flow on a message bus are disclosed. The method includes determining if at least one logical operator in a plurality of logical operators requires processing on a given physical processing node in a group of physical nodes. In response to determining that the logical operator requires processing on the given physical processing node, the logical operator is pinned to the given physical processing node. Each logical operator in the plurality of logical operators is assigned to an initial physical processing node in the group of physical processing nodes on a message bus. |
| US08364817B1 |
Method and system for managing a data item
A method for managing a data item includes a hub receiving a first access request from a first engine executing on a computing device operated by a first host and sending the first access request to a second engine executing on a first computing device of a second host. The second host owns the data item. The hub receives, from the second engine, the data item and an access rule set by the second host for the first host, and sends the first access rule and the data item to the first engine for storage. The first engine grants the first host access to the data item according to the first access rule. |
| US08364816B2 |
Mapping network addresses to geographical locations
A network address mapping system is described. The network address mapping system can identify a set of Web pages, collects information from the Web pages indicating geographical locations (“geolocations”), and correlate the geolocations with the network addresses from which the identified Web pages are served. The collected information can be weighted based on various factors, such as its relative position in a Web page. The collected information can then be used to identify a geolocation. The network mapping system can deduce geolocations for portions of ranges of network addresses based on the score, and can infer geolocations for other portions based on the deduced geolocations. This mapping can then be stored in a database and provided as a geomapping service. The network address mapping system is able to map network addresses to geographical locations. Thereafter, when a user's client computing device accesses a Web server, the Web server can easily and accurately determine a geographical location by querying the database storing the mapping or a geomapping service. |
| US08364815B2 |
Reliability and availability of distributed servers
A system of network proxies distributes data to multiple servers. Each network proxy is associated with a server. A network proxy intercepts a client request for data. If the network proxy determines that the request can be served using a copy of data stored on the local server, rather than the data stored on a remote server, it diverts the request to the local server. If the network proxy determines that the request cannot be served using a data from the local server, the network proxy diverts the request to a remote server storing the primary copy of the data. A server map specifies the locations of the primary copies of data. When a primary copy of data is updated on one of the servers, the associated network proxy propagates the updated data to the other servers. The servers can provide data from files, e-mail services, databases, or multimedia services. |
| US08364814B2 |
System and method for improved SAP communications
Improved SAP communications are provided by a terminator node that acts as termination on one end of the communication channel and links to the SAP server on the other end. A server device is also provided that optionally implements this terminator node and monitors communications between the SAP server and a client. The server device optionally condenses SAP application screens. The server device also simulates certain required responses to the SAP server to allow for a persistent session between a client and the SAP server when the actual connection may be intermittent. The server device also records required records for a transaction and provides them to a client for offline processing and then synchronizes stored offline transaction data from the client with the SAP server. The system may include a client device that optionally implements the terminator node to communicate with the server device or the SAP server. |
| US08364813B2 |
Administering incident pools for event and alert analysis
Administering incident pools including creating a pool of incidents, the pool having a predetermined initial period of time; assigning each received incident to the pool; assigning, by the incident analyzer, to each incident a predetermined minimum time for inclusion in a pool; extending for one or more of the incidents the predetermined initial period of time of the pool by a particular period of time assigned to the incident; determining whether conditions have been met to close the pool; and if conditions have been met to close the pool determining for each incident in the pool whether the incident has been in the pool for its predetermined minimum time for inclusion in a pool; and if the incident has not been in the pool for its predetermined minimum time, evicting the incident from the closed pool and including the incident in a next pool. |
| US08364811B1 |
Detecting malware
Disclosed are various embodiments for determining a source of malware. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving browsing data from a plurality of client devices, the data being sent by the plurality of client devices, in response to a determination of malware on the plurality of client devices and determining, from the browsing data, a source for the malware. Further, some embodiments include determining whether the source for the malware is associated with a predetermined network site and in response to determining that the source of the malware is associated with a predetermined network site, preventing download of at least a portion of the predetermined network site. |
| US08364806B2 |
Systems and methods for providing content and services on a network system
Systems and methods for managing and providing content and services on a network system. Aspects of the invention include location-based determination of network content and services that may be provided to client computers. Other aspects of the invention include authorization and authentication components that determine access rights of client computers. Additional aspects include systems and methods for redirecting client computers to different network content. The disclosed systems and methods may be used in numerous network system applications. |
| US08364797B2 |
Sink device addressing mechanism
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method to assign unique addresses to each sink device in a content network based on port numbers of a source and branch devices in the network. Sink devices connected to a port on the source or the branch devices are assigned a corresponding port number as a sink address. Branch devices connected to a port on the source or higher level branch devices have a corresponding port number prepended to the previously assigned sink addresses. |
| US08364792B2 |
Method and system for distributing restricted media to consumers
Techniques for distributing restricted media to consumers are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, personalized settings (e.g., parameters or table) are managed in a primary client device associated with a user. A copy of the personalized settings is maintained in a server. When the primary box is replaced, a copy of the personalized settings is uploaded to a different client device that is configured to respond to the personalized settings. Data pertaining to titles in a personal vault is preloaded. When there is an order for a release that is restricted for distribution over an open network, data pertaining to such a release is also loaded. As a result, the subscriber sees the familiar settings on the different client device and would not miss any release while the primary box is being replaced or repaired. |
| US08364791B2 |
Adapting a user interface on a display device of a protocol tester
A method for adapting a user interface on a display device of a protocol tester having a visual network plan which is used for the configuration of a telecommunication measurement task by a user includes modifying the visual network plan in comparison to a basic network plan according to hardware and/or software existing in the protocol tester. |
| US08364790B2 |
Method and apparatus for production and use of decorated networking identifier
A method and apparatus are provided for producing a decorated networking identifier at a client terminal for transmission to a server side element. The networking identifier is obtained at the client terminal. The networking identifier is appended with one or more extensible decorations at the client terminal creating the decorated networking identifier. The one or more extensible decorations are separated from the networking identifier by a first predetermined character. The one or more decorations each include a decoration sequence and an identifier corresponding to the decoration sequence. The identifier and the decoration sequence are separated by a second predetermined character. The decorated networking identifier is transmitted from the client terminal to the server side element. |
| US08364789B2 |
Automatic address assignment apparatus, control method, and program
When an automatic address assignment apparatus is operating in a network, another automatic address assignment apparatus stops the automatic address assignment service thereof. When a wireless LAN access point which functions as an automatic address assignment apparatus (DHCP server device) sends a DHCP discover message on the network and a DHCP offer message is returned as a response therefor, and when the address of the transmission source of the DHCP offer message does not match the IP address thereof, it is determined that another DHCP server exists on the network, and the DHCP server service of the former DHCP server is stopped. Thus, by avoiding contention with another DHCP server and by preventing confusion of the network, a wireless LAN access point suitable, in particular, for use in a small-scale office or a home network managed by an ordinary user having no knowledge of IP can be formed. |
| US08364785B2 |
Systems and methods for domain name resolution interception caching
The present solution provides a variety of techniques for accelerating and optimizing network traffic, such as HTTP based network traffic. The solution described herein provides techniques in the areas of proxy caching, protocol acceleration, domain name resolution acceleration as well as compression improvements. In some cases, the present solution provides various prefetching and/or prefreshening techniques to improve intermediary or proxy caching, such as HTTP proxy caching. In other cases, the present solution provides techniques for accelerating a protocol by improving the efficiency of obtaining and servicing data from an originating server to server to clients. In another cases, the present solution accelerates domain name resolution more quickly. As every HTTP access starts with a URL that includes a hostname that must be resolved via domain name resolution into an IP address, the present solution helps accelerate HTTP access. In some cases, the present solution improves compression techniques by prefetching non-cacheable and cacheable content to use for compressing network traffic, such as HTTP. The acceleration and optimization techniques described herein may be deployed on the client as a client agent or as part of a browser, as well as on any type and form of intermediary device, such as an appliance, proxying device or any type of interception caching and/or proxying device. |
| US08364783B2 |
Relay server, method of controlling operation of same, and program for controlling operation of same
Security is maintained in a data communication system while minimizing the frequency with which communication is carried out. A data transmitting server and a relay server communicate based upon https utilizing port 443 of a firewall. When query data is transmitted from the data transmitting server to the relay server, the relay server determines whether there is a data request from a mobile telephone within a fixed period of time. If there is a data request from the mobile telephone within the fixed period of time, the requested data is transmitted from the data transmitting server to the relay server in response to this data request. This requested data is transferred from the relay server to the mobile telephone. |
| US08364776B1 |
Method and system for employing user input for website classification
A method and apparatus for employing user input to classify unknown websites whereby when a given unknown/unclassified website is accessed on a given computer system associated with a given user, the given user is asked to provide input regarding the legitimacy of the given unknown/unclassified website. The classification of the given unknown/unclassified website is then determined via one or more sources other than the given user's input. The accuracy of the given user's input regarding the legitimacy of the given unknown/unclassified website is then determined and used to calculate, and/or transform, a reliability score that is then associated with the given user. A given user's reliability score is then used to determine the given user's eligibility to provide further input regarding the legitimacy of other unknown/unclassified websites, and/or to determine a value to be place on, or otherwise filter, future input from the given user regarding the legitimacy of other unknown/unclassified websites. |
| US08364773B2 |
E-mail authentication
A system and method for determining whether an e-mail originates from a sender authorized by an address provider to send the e-mail to an intended recipient's e-mail address. The e-mail identifies an address provider from which the intended recipient's e-mail address was obtained. The e-mail is delivered to the intended recipient only upon verification that the sender is authorized by the address provider to obtain the intended recipient's e-mail address. The system and method may also provide for determining whether an e-mail originates from a forged source. A server receives data relating to an e-mail, including a purported sender and a verification host. The server queries the verification host with information pertaining to the e-mail and requests confirmation that the e-mail originates from the purported sender. The e-mail is determined to originate from a forged source unless the verification host responds that the e-mail originates from the purported sender. |
| US08364772B1 |
System, device and method for dynamically securing instant messages
An Instant Messaging security system that encrypts Instant Messages sent by a Instant Messaging user to an Instant Messaging server by intercepting the messages, negotiating a preferred security algorithm and forwarding the encrypted messages to the server. The security system intercepts and decrypts encrypted messages sent by the server to the user. The security system is able to determine whether a receiving user is equipped with a similar security system without prior knowledge of network addresses, configuration or capability. The security system is transparent to the Instant Message service provider and may provide one or more indicators to users that messages are encrypted during forwarding. |
| US08364770B2 |
Heterogeneous network delivery of electronic messages in accordance with privacy and personalization criteria
A method of network delivery of electronic messages includes creating an action list from templates corresponding to a group identifier. The templates characterize the structure of a group specified by the group identifier. The structure of the group is specified through roles, permissions and transaction rules for communicating with each individual associated with the group identifier. A message recipient specifies communication preferences for receiving information. Electronic message delivery instructions of the action list are executed for each individual associated with the group identifier. The electronic message delivery instructions specify instructions to be processed by disparate communication networks. The disparate communication networks include at least two of a text messaging network, an instant messaging network, an email network, a cellular network, a social network and the public switched telephone network. |
| US08364768B2 |
Information processing apparatus implementing editing message
An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives messages, and a control unit that sends an editing message indicating that a reply message responding to a received message received by the receiving unit is being edited, to a sending source of the received message. |
| US08364767B2 |
Message processing in a messaging service client device
A method of processing a message in a messaging service client device that has a user interface device includes with the messaging service client device, ascertaining a proposed recipient for a message entered by a user with the user interface device; determining a set of potential recipients for the message with the messaging service client device, the set of potential recipients including the proposed recipient; determining whether, among the set of potential recipients, the proposed recipient is a most likely recipient of the message; and responsive to a determination that the proposed recipient is not the most likely recipient, providing a notification to the user through the user interface device that the proposed recipient is not the most likely recipient. |
| US08364764B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages
A method, system, and apparatus for providing a self-destructing e-mail messages are described. An e-mail client application provides a user interface through which the sender of an e-mail message can enter the message and a time period for destruction of the message. Once the sender has provided this information, the e-mail client application sends a request to an e-mail server application to transmit the self-destructing e-mail message. The e-mail client application may also receive self-destructing e-mail messages. When a self-destructing e-mail message is received, the destruction date associated with the e-mail message is identified and the message is destroyed at the specified time. The e-mail client application can also limit the number and type of operations that may be performed on a self-destructing e-mail. An e-mail server application is also provided that receives requests from the e-mail client application to transmit self-destructing e-mail messages and perform other functions. |
| US08364763B2 |
Method and system for improving efficiency of email forwarding by removing duplication
In a method and system for removing email forwarding duplication, when an email was sent for the first time, the email was assigned a unique identifier. An aggregate recipient list was created and associated with the unique identifier. When the email is to be forwarded, the aggregate recipient list has recipients previously forwarded the email. The recipient list of the forwarding email is compared with the aggregate recipient list. If duplicate email addresses are found, the duplicate email addresses are displayed to a sender of the forwarding email. If the sender chooses not to send the forwarding email to the duplicate email addresses, the duplicate email addresses are removed from the recipient list of the forwarding email. New recipients of the forwarding email are added to the aggregate recipient list. The forwarding email with the unique identifier is sent to the recipient list. |
| US08364762B2 |
Method for presenting information contained in messages in a multimedia terminal, a system for transmitting multimedia messages, and a multimedia terminal
The invention relates to a method for presenting information contained in messages in a terminal (MS). In the method, the message comprises at least one component. The message is transmitted to a terminal (MS) in a system for transmitting multimedia messages. In the method, a presentation model (SMIL) is formed to contain information related to the presentation of each component attached in the message. Said presentation model (SMIL) is supplemented with a reference about the location of each component in the message, and said presentation model (SMIL) is attached to said message. |
| US08364761B2 |
Updating conversations after redirection
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates maintaining identification data for a real-time communication. A unified communications component can enable real-time communications by employing a communication session with at least one data communication mode, wherein the communication session can include conversation identification (ID). An invitation from a source to a target can initiate at least one of the communication session or the at least one data communication mode within the communication session. An update component can generate an additional conversation ID for the communication session upon detecting the invitation is forwarded by the target. |
| US08364759B2 |
Mesh-managing data across a distributed set of devices
Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user. |
| US08364748B2 |
Environment aware business delegates
A method, system and apparatus for an environment aware business delegate. A method for delegating an invoked action in an enterprise application can include determining an environment from which the action has been invoked and selecting a behavior for use which corresponds to the environment. Subsequently, the action can be delegated to the selected behavior for processing in the enterprise application. In a specific aspect of the invention, the determining step can include determining whether the action has been invoked in a server, in an online client or in an offline client. |
| US08364741B2 |
Motion-compensating device with booth multiplier that reduces power consumption without increasing the circuit size
A multiplier includes an operation unit that adds or subtracts a first group selected from a current input data, and a second group selected from a next input data corresponding to the first group to generate an operation result, a Booth's encoder that encodes the operation result according to Booth's algorithm, and generates code data, a partial product generation unit that calculates a partial product from the code data as a first partial product, and calculates, in a case where the first group and the second group are specific combination, a second partial product, and an adder that cumulatively adds an output from the partial product generation unit. The specific combination is a combination in which the highest-order bit of each of the first group and the second group is the same value, and the third least significant bit obtained after the subtraction operation is 1. |
| US08364740B2 |
Device and method for calculating a result of a modular multiplication with a calculating unit smaller than the operands
For calculating a result of a modular multiplication with long operands, at least the multiplicand is divided into at least three shorter portions. Using the three shorter portions of the multiplicand, the multiplier and the modulus, a modular multiplication is performed within a cryptographic calculation, wherein the portions of the multiplicand, the multiplier and the modulus are parameters of the cryptographic calculation. The calculation is performed sequentially using the portions of the multiplicand and using an intermediate result obtained in a previous calculation, until all portions of the multiplicand are processed, to obtain the final result of the modular multiplication. |
| US08364739B2 |
Sparse matrix-vector multiplication on graphics processor units
Techniques for optimizing sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) on a graphics processing unit (GPU) are provided. The techniques include receiving a sparse matrix-vector multiplication, analyzing the sparse matrix-vector multiplication to identify one or more optimizations, wherein analyzing the sparse matrix-vector multiplication to identify one or more optimizations comprises analyzing a non-zero pattern for one or more optimizations and determining whether the sparse matrix-vector multiplication is to be reused across computation, optimizing the sparse matrix-vector multiplication, wherein optimizing the sparse matrix-vector multiplication comprises optimizing global memory access, optimizing shared memory access and exploiting reuse and parallelism, and outputting an optimized sparse matrix-vector multiplication. |
| US08364734B2 |
Converting from decimal floating point into scaled binary coded decimal
A system and method for converting from decimal floating point (DFP) into scaled binary coded decimal (SBCD). The system includes a mechanism for receiving a DFP number. The system also includes at least one of a mechanism for performing coefficient expansion on the DFP number to create a binary coded decimal (BCD) coefficient part of a SBCD number and a mechanism for performing exponent extraction on the DFP number to create an exponent part of the SBCD number. |
| US08364729B2 |
Document management system and method
A document management system includes a document. One or more of a plurality of map-files of the document correspond(s) with a step of a multi-step workflow associated with the document. A random nonce is generated for each of the steps of the multi-step workflow except for an initial step of the multi-step workflow. Each of the random nonces i) is incorporated as a map-file entry into a respective one of the plurality of map-files corresponding with a step of the multi-step workflow that directly precedes the step of the multi-step workflow for which the random nonce is generated and ii) is used to perform a nonce-based initiating operation a respective one of the plurality of map-files corresponding with the step of the multi-step workflow for which the random nonce is generated. |
| US08364722B2 |
Hosting multiple logical databases contained in physical database
Architecture that defines a logical database that shares physical resources with a containing physical database. The architecture isolates the relational engine system metadata parts of a database in horizontal scopes to form separate namespaces, and shares the underlying storage engine system metadata. Sharing physical database resources enables efficient input/output (I/O) utilization and instantaneous database creation and growth. In addition, logical databases can be backed up as a single transactionally consistent unit. |
| US08364721B2 |
System and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records
A system and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records is provided. Categories of published waymark records are maintained in a database. Each category is associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes, which each specify a type of metadata for the variables. The variables and attributes are presented for one of the categories in response to a request from a user. A user interface is applied to process input metadata for a physical object that is received from the user via the user interface. A consistency of the input metadata with the variables and attributes associated with the category is determined. The consistent input metadata is complied as a waymark record for the physical object. The waymark record is published and displayed on a map. |
| US08364719B2 |
Object based content management system and method
A method and system disclosed herein can be used to determine relationships between objects, determining which of those relationships are significant for a specific action, and determining physical dependencies between the objects. The method and system can be used to perform actions consistent with integrity constraints, and therefore, performs the actions in the correct order with a reduced likelihood of errors. The method and system are highly beneficial in that they can significantly enhance content management and can be implemented without having to write new or edit existing applications. Also, existing content data and applications may be used without any changes. |
| US08364717B2 |
Hardware accelerated shortest path computation
The non-negative single-source shortest path (NSSP) problem is solved on a graph by using a preprocessing phase and then, in a query phase, computing the distances from a given source in the graph with a linear sweep over all the vertices. Contraction hierarchies may be used in the preprocessing phase and in the query phase. Optimizations may include reordering the vertices in advance to exploit locality, performing multiple NSSP computations simultaneously, marking vertices during initialization, and using parallelism. Techniques may be performed on a graphics processing unit (GPU). This makes applications based on all-pairs shortest-paths practical for continental-sized road networks. The applications include, for example, computing graph diameter, exact arc flags, and centrality measures such as exact reaches or betweenness. |
| US08364713B2 |
Personal data manager systems and methods
Methods and systems for facilitating the propagation of personal data include a Personal Data Propagation Environment (“PDP environment”) that facilitates the propagation of personal data items between secure personal data stores and various consumers of the personal data items. One PDP environment includes a personal data manager and a personal data subscriber. The personal data manager manages personal data items on a secure data store associated with a user computing device. The personal data manager provides access to personal data items stored on the secure data store in accordance with a personal data subscription associated with the personal data subscriber. |
| US08364712B2 |
Variable user interface based on document access privileges
Users may be presented with different viewing interfaces for a document based on a combination of factors relating to display rights possessed for the document and user specific information. In one implementation, the user's location is used to determine portions of the document that can be displayed to the user. More particularly, access privileges to a document for a user are determined based on geographical location information of the user and based on access rights possessed for the document. Portions of the document may then be formatted for display to the user based on the determined access privileges. |
| US08364711B2 |
Contact management system and method
In an embodiment of a method of providing contact information, the method includes creating a contact record in a contact management system, where a process associated with a subject of the contact record and/or a recipient of data associated with the contact record is included in creating the contact record. A unique serial number is generated corresponding to the contact record and the serial number is conveyed to the recipient. A request by an application is received for the contact record from the contact management system corresponding to the serial number and data associated with the contact record is transmitted to the application. |
| US08364709B1 |
Determining word boundary likelihoods in potentially incomplete text
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining word boundary likelihoods in potentially incomplete text. In one aspect, a method includes selecting query sequences from the query, each query sequence being at least a portion of a word n-gram, the word n-gram being a subsequence of up to n words selected from the second sequence of words of the query, and for each query sequence: determining one or more query sequence keys for the query sequence; determining at least one of a word boundary count and a non-word boundary count for each query sequence key, each word-boundary count and non-word boundary count being dependent on the context of the query sequence; and associating, in a data storage device, the at least one word boundary count and non-word boundary counts with each query sequence key. |
| US08364707B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching media program databases
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for providing list of a plurality of media programs responsive to a user search query is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of accepting an general search query from a user computer, identifying a synonym for the general search query, identifying a category for the general search query according to the identified synonym, performing a categorical search of a media program database using the identified synonym and the identified category to obtain a search result, and transmitting the search result to the user computer for presentation on a display communicatively coupled to the user computer. |
| US08364706B2 |
System and method for information identification
A system and a method of retrieving information is described. In a system according to the invention, software modules may be used to provide the user with information that is most likely to be the information desired. |
| US08364703B2 |
Media fingerprinting and identification system
The overall architecture and details of a scalable video fingerprinting and identification system that is robust with respect to many classes of video distortions is described. In this system, a fingerprint for a piece of multimedia content is composed of a number of compact signatures, along with traversal hash signatures and associated metadata. Numerical descriptors are generated for features found in a multimedia clip, signatures are generated from these descriptors, and a reference signature database is constructed from these signatures. Query signatures are also generated for a query multimedia clip. These query signatures are searched against the reference database using a fast similarity search procedure, to produce a candidate list of matching signatures. This candidate list is further analyzed to find the most likely reference matches. Signature correlation is performed between the likely reference matches and the query clip to improve detection accuracy. |
| US08364700B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapid data access and distribution using structured identifiers
A method and apparatus for accessing data using an N-leg search tree including determining a tree identifier using a computer, traversing an N-leg search tree associated with the tree identifier, and accessing a data structure. The N-leg search tree is stored on a computer and traversed to a given node within the tree. The accessed data structure is associated with a deepest valid traversed node. The given node corresponds to a given element of a structured identifier. |
| US08364698B2 |
Apparatus and software system for and method of performing a visual-relevance-rank subsequent search
A method analyzes the visual content of media such as videos for collecting together visually-similar appearances in their constituent images (e.g. same scenes, same objects, faces of the same people.) As a result, the most relevant and salient (of clearest and largest presence) visual appearances depicted in the videos are presented to the user, both for the sake of summarizing the video content for the users to “see before they watch” (that is, judge by the depicted video content in a filmstrip-like summary whether they want to mouse-click on the video and actually spend time watching it), as well as for allowing to users to further refine their video search result set according to the most relevant and salient video content returned (e.g. largest screen-time faces). |
| US08364697B2 |
Method and system for creation and dynamic updating of best data arrangement in digital data store system
The current invention is a method and a system for analyzing templates of queries, with different levels of precision. When the system of the current invention takes a decision to arrange data, these templates are used, and a single data arrangement object (HRBlob) is designed which may serve a single template or several templates and not just a single query. This approach has an important impact on data arrangement performance and on queries performance, since this approach may help many more queries to be handled using less data arrangement objects. |
| US08364693B2 |
Searching, sorting, and displaying video clips and sound files by relevance
A documents database has a plurality of documents, including but not limited to text files, video clips and sound files. Each document is associated with at least one category of a plurality of categories in a categories database, and each category has at least one keyword. A search request having at least one search term is received from a user, and a categories database is searched for categories having a keyword corresponding to the user search term to identify first level categories. The other keywords from the identified first level categories are retrieved and the documents database is searched for documents having a user search term or a retrieved keyword. The identified documents are then ranked and presented to the user. Other search expansion techniques, and display techniques, are also discussed. |
| US08364688B1 |
System and method for providing and updating on-line forms and registrations
Improved approaches to completing, submitting and updating on-line forms or registrations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an on-line form completion agent or an on-line registration agent intelligently guides an on-line form completion or registration process. In another embodiment, a registration is automatically monitored to determine whether and when the registration needs updated. |
| US08364684B2 |
Methods for prefix indexing
According to one aspect of the invention, in response to one or more terms to be indexed, each of the terms is indexed in a regular index. In addition, for each of the terms having multiple characters, at least one prefix portion of the term is indexed in a prefix index, where the regular index is used for regular searches and the prefix index is used for prefix searches without having to combine a plurality of postings lists of the regular index at the point in time. |
| US08364678B2 |
Household level segmentation method and system
Methods and apparatus for household level segmentation are disclosed. An example method to classify consumers in clusters includes receiving population data indicative of a population of consumers and receiving a plurality of profiles, at least one profile to evaluate partitioning of the population of consumers. The example method also includes selecting at least one of the plurality of profiles based on a count limit value in accordance with a classification tree dimension split. |
| US08364677B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating partitioning keys for a range-partitioned database
A method and apparatus for generating partition keys in an information handling system having a partitioned database. Partition keys are generated by concatenating a partition subrange identifier specifying a subrange of key values and a sequence number specifying a particular key value within a subrange. Partition keys are assigned with the aid of a partition key control table that stores subrange and available key block information and is updated whenever key blocks are reserved or the database is repartitioned. An activity indicator maintained for each partition indicates recent activity in the partition. In response to a request for a partition key, a partition is selected for key assignment having the least recent activity as indicated by its activity indicator. Specific activity indicators disclosed include a timestamp for each partition in the control table, as well as a count of the threads in a particular application instance concurrently accessing a partition. |
| US08364675B1 |
Recursive algorithm for in-place search for an n:th element in an unsorted array
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for searching for an n:th array element in an unsorted array in a computer memory. The n:th array element is selected as an initial pivot element. A smaller subset of array elements, including the pivot element, is iteratively selected until the smaller subset includes a predetermined number of array elements. In each iteration, an array element corresponding to the n:th array element in the smaller subset is searched for. Array elements are iteratively added onto the subset of array elements, until the number of array elements is equal to the number of array elements in the initial unsorted array. In each iteration, the larger set of array elements is partitioned based on a pivot element located at a position corresponding to the n:th position in a smaller subset of array elements. The n:th array element in the final array is finally selected. |
| US08364674B2 |
Distributed globally accessible information network implemented to maintain universal accessibility
A distributed information network is constructed for gathering information from sites distributed across a globally accessible computer network, i.e., the Internet. The distributed information network preferably includes a root server that stores a list of multiple distributed sites each represented by metadata. A network browser delivers an information search request to the root server, which in response develops a profiled information search request. The information provider of each of the distributed sites stores metadata corresponding to information content that is retrievable in response to the profiled information search request for search results derivable from the information content to which the metadata correspond. A profiled information communication link between the root server and each of the multiple distribution sites enables formation of a path for delivery of the search results to a destination site, from a site or sites represented by the metadata of the profiled information search request. |
| US08364668B2 |
User interfaces for a document search engine
A method includes receiving a search query, identifying a document based on the search query, and providing a search result based on the document. The search result includes, for example, an image associated with the document, an excerpt from the document that is associated with the search query, and links to other excerpts in the document that are associated with the search query. The method may also include providing other information associated with the document. |
| US08364664B2 |
Web browser accessible search engine that identifies search result maxima through user search flow and result content comparison
An Internet infrastructure contains a search server that delivers search result pages of web sites to client devices based upon a search string. Maxima categories are provided that sort search results or web pages based upon popularity and/or context similarity. A web browser contained within a client device is coupled to display various search result pages of web sites delivered by the search server. A maxima determination module within the search server responds to the delivery of the initial search string by first categorizing search results applicability to the search string on the basis of maxima or by generating maxima categories with search results contained therein that correlated to the search string. These search results within each applicable maximum are then sorting on the basis of popularity within each of the maxima categories to effectuate popularity ranks for each search result or web page. User interaction with search results are monitored to better select search maxima and popularity ranks for subsequent search result requests for this search string, whereby the desirability of search results provided to the user improves over time. |
| US08364661B2 |
System and method for providing a response to a search query
A system receives a request to search an electronic catalog of a vendor which specifies a query term. The query term is used to search an electronic catalog of a third party. The results obtained by searching the electronic catalog of the third party are parsed to uncover a keyword recognized by a search engine associated with the electronic catalog of the vendor. The uncovered keyword is then used in the search engine associated with the electronic catalog of the vendor to locate one or more items in the electronic catalog of the vendor. Items located in this manner are the search results responsive to the query term. |
| US08364657B2 |
System and method for providing media content
There is presented a system for providing a content stored on a medium, the system comprising a media presentation module including a processor. The processor is configured to retrieve a content payload including a digital content from a data structure residing on the medium, and to retrieve a content-describing metadata stored separately from the digital content, from the data structure. The content-describing metadata provide content information including media encoding information for the digital content and a media profile information for the digital content. The content-describing metadata are configured to provide the content information to the media presentation module prior to rendering the digital content. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to configure the media presentation module based on the media encoding information and the media profile information, and to present the content on a display. |
| US08364655B2 |
Hybrid off-peak and just-in-time integration
The invention is directed to off-peak and just-in-time (JIT) retrieval of directory information to reduce network traffic and load on directory servers and/or data sources by requesting only the information that is currently needed from the directory server, while subsequently updating the directory information during an off-peak period in the case that the directory information retrieved in a JIT manner is outdated. In these embodiments, a hybrid integrator operable with an integration directory capable of retrieving directory information in a JIT manner provides this functionality. |
| US08364652B2 |
Content aligned block-based deduplication
A content alignment system according to certain embodiments aligns a sliding window at the beginning of a data segment. The content alignment system performs a block alignment function on the data within the sliding window. A deduplication block is established if the output of the block alignment function meets a predetermined criteria. At least part of a gap is established if the output of the block alignment function does not meet the predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria is changed if a threshold number of outputs fail to meet the predetermined criteria. |
| US08364648B1 |
Recovering a database to any point-in-time in the past with guaranteed data consistency
A data management method wherein a real-time history of a database system is stored as a logical representation and the logical representation is then used for any point-in-time recovery of the database system. More specifically, a method for capturing transaction data, binary data changes, metadata, and events, and for tracking a real-time history of a database system according to the events. The method enables tracking and storing of consistent checkpoint images of the database system, and also enables tracking of transaction activities between checkpoints. The database system may be recovered to any consistent checkpoint or to any point between two checkpoints. |
| US08364645B2 |
Data management system and data management method
A file system transfer designation section for transferring the file system matching with file system transfer rules from the first volume of the first storage apparatus to the second volume of the second storage apparatus based on the first file system transfer rules, a file system storage information manager for updating storage information of the file system in accordance with transfer of the file system by the file system transfer designation section, and transmitting the updated file system storage information, and a search information manager for updating search information for searching the files based on a file search request from the client apparatus using the file system storage information sent by the file system storage information manager are provided. |
| US08364642B1 |
Managing disconnected investigations
In an embodiment, a system and a method of using the system enable an information analyst to use a stand-alone computer-based investigation application to conduct a disconnected investigation on shared database data in a remote location where network access to a shared data repository of the system might be only periodically available, unreliable, or non-existent. In addition, the system and method enable the disconnected investigation to incrementally incorporate ongoing updates made to the shared repository of data, and to periodically publish interim or final results of the disconnected investigation to the shared data repository. A disconnected investigation can be conducted entirely at the disconnected investigation location without having any network connectivity to the shared repository of data. |
| US08364639B1 |
Method and system for creation, analysis and navigation of virtual snapshots
A method and system for generating and managing snapshots of Virtual Machine (i.e., virtual snapshots) and creating a centralized integrated backup for the Virtual Machine (VM). Proposed method and system allow users to roll back to any previous version of the VM and instantiate this version using the logic encapsulated in a virtual snapshot of the VM. The virtual snapshots taken at various times are combined into a chronological tree viewable via a virtual snapshot image viewer. The snapshot trees for different VMs are combined into centralized integrated system backup (CIB) that can be managed by a central console including a GUI of the virtual snapshot image viewer. |
| US08364636B2 |
Real time data replication
A combination of synchronous and asynchronous replication of data is used to replicate a local database to a replicated database. The typical tradeoff between synchronous and asynchronous replication is optimized by using hybrid replication, which is to use synchronous replication for inserting new data and asynchronous replication for updating existing data. The combined use of synchronous and asynchronous in this manner provides an efficient replicated database where the replicated database can tolerate some delay in data updates but requires no data loss of new data. |
| US08364635B2 |
Temporary session data storage
A system according to an embodiment includes at least one server located at one or more distributed locations, one or more processors, and one or more memories adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors are adapted to cause the system to: store data in the at least one server as time based data for a predetermined duration; and allow retrieval of the stored data; wherein if the time based data is accessed within the predetermined duration, at least one time operation is triggered, and if the time based data is not accessed within the predetermined duration, the time based data is removed, wherein a primary copy of the data is stored in a primary server and a secondary copy, which is a replicate of the primary copy, is stored in zero or more secondary server(s). |
| US08364633B2 |
Distributed computing systems and system components thereof
In one embodiment of the present invention, a replicated state machine comprises a proposal manager, an agreement manager, a collision/back-off timer and a storage reclaimer. The proposal manager facilitates management of proposals issued by a node of a distributed application for enabling coordinated execution of the proposals by all other nodes of the distributed application. The agreement manager facilitates agreement on the proposals. The collision/back-off timer precludes repeated pre-emptions of rounds in attempting to achieve agreement on the proposals. The storage reclaimer reclaims persistent storage utilized for storing at least one of proposal agreements and the proposals. |
| US08364631B1 |
Database migration
A technique for converting a first version of a database to a second version is disclosed. The technique includes determining available translation steps, selecting a translation path from the first version of the database to the second version, and executing the selected translation steps in the translation path. The translation path includes selected translation steps from among the available translation steps. |
| US08364630B1 |
System and method for controlling network centric operation with Bayesian probability models of complex hypothesis spaces
The system contains a plurality of sensors outputting sensor data. A processor is in communication with the sensors to receive the sensor data. A logic system is in communication with the processor. The logic system evaluates a likelihood of a plurality of hypotheses, generates a representation of the likelihood of the plurality of hypotheses in a coordinate system, and connects trajectories between a plurality of discrete hypothesis aspects of the plurality of hypotheses. An output of the processor provides at least one likely outcome and a confidence level for each of the likely outcomes. At least one likely outcome is selected based on contours of the representation of the likelihood to of the plurality of hypotheses in the coordinate system. |
| US08364628B2 |
Configuration mapping using a multi-dimensional rule space and rule consolidation
A configuration mapping system and method increase the effectiveness of mapping of information from an established product line to a new product offering. In at least one embodiment, the configuration mapping system herein uses configuration mapping rules to map individual product features and entire configurations from established products to a new product offering. The configuration mapping system also provides a way to appropriately map, for example, demand and sales information for the purpose of demand estimation and sales prediction. Conventionally, mapping can be ineffective because the configuration mapping rules usually focus on one part of the product at a time, and, if applied in isolation, the impact on other parts is missed. The systems and method herein provide a way to integrate configuration mapping rules across feature parts, time periods, and product lines into a unified, holistic view, allowing for new insights. |
| US08364624B2 |
Method and arrangement for content prioritization
The invention concerns a method for determining priority of a data item, the data item being sent from at least one first terminal or service associable with the first terminal to a second terminal and evaluated using a set of first rules associable with the sender of a data item and a set of second rules associable with the recipient of a data item. The invention is characterized in that the data item is associated with at least one tag characterizing the data item, weight factor for the data item is maintained using the set of first rules and the value of the at least one tag, the weight factor of the data item is made adjustable by the set of second rules and the data item is rendered on the second terminal using at least the weight factor information. Also an arrangement implementing the method is disclosed. |
| US08364622B1 |
Determining traits from sample events
Various aspects provide for receiving data associated with a plurality of samples. A sample generally includes data associated with one or more events. One or more traits may be determined, where a trait may be a set of or associated with one or more events. Generally, events included in a trait may be correlated (including anti-correlated) in some way. A trait may be associated with a sample, and the association may be recorded, an action may be triggered, and/or a user may be notified. |
| US08364621B2 |
Method and device for coding a structured document and method and device for decoding a document so coded
The method of coding a structured document comprises: a step (705) of determining whether a succession of correct predictions exists for items of a set of items of the document and if the result of said determining step is positive, a step (710) of coding the number of successive correct predictions. In embodiments, this method further comprises, if a set of items of the document possesses associated values, a step of coding said values associated with said set of items of the document. |
| US08364620B2 |
Method and apparatus for designing, producing, manufacturing and delivering personalized living environments
A method and apparatus for the creation, selection, ordering, shipping and constructing of personalized living environments with customized configurations through the use of an architectural process, unitized assemblies, and assembly joineries. The architectural process allows for the initial creation, design and selection of the unitized assembly collections based upon human factors behavioral based criteria. The unitized assemblies are fixed and/or flexible, trade-integrated modules in unitized, shippable configurations designed and incorporated with high touch finished crafts, allowing for dimensional flexibility. The unitized assembly and human factors behavioral analysis combine for an experience blueprint of a homeowner's lifestyle portrait. The assembly joineries, based upon the desired collections selection, provide finishing touches to the unitized assembly, efficient strength to weight ratios, and expressed, stylized configurations in hybrid materials. The combination of the physical constructs with the behavioral process allows for “mass customization” in the design, production, manufacturing and delivering of personalized living environments. |
| US08364613B1 |
Hosting predictive models
Methods include the actions of storing a first predictive model in computer-readable memory, the first predictive model having been defined based on a first training dataset provided by an owner of the first predictive model and being operable to generate an output based on a query, enabling access to the first predictive model based on permissions defined by the owner, while inhibiting access to the first training dataset, receiving a second training dataset from a user, the second training dataset being distinct from the first training dataset, modifying the first predictive model based on the second training dataset to provide a second predictive model, storing the second predictive model in computer-readable memory, and enabling access to the second predictive model. |
| US08364612B2 |
Machine learning using relational databases
Machine learning using relational databases is described. In an embodiment a model of a probabilistic relational database is formed by augmenting relation schemas of a relational database with probabilistic attributes. In an example, the model comprises constraints introduced by linking the probabilistic attributes using factor statements. For example, a compiler translates the model into a factor graph data structure which may be passed to an inference engine to carry out machine learning. For example, this enables machine learning to be integrated with the data and it is not necessary to pre-process or reformat large scale data sets for a particular problem domain. In an embodiment a machine learning system for estimating skills of players in an online gaming environment is provided. In another example, a machine learning system for data mining of medical data is provided. In some examples, missing attribute values are filled using machine learning results. |
| US08364611B2 |
System and method for precaching information on a mobile device
A system and method for precaching information on a mobile device. A precaching strategy is built for a mobile device The strategy defines a forecast of data types a user is predicted to request after the occurrence of one or more data refresh conditions. The precaching strategy is built by recognizing data usage patterns in data requested by the user or a group of users over a time period. The data usage pattern comprises data types and events that are correlated to the usage of the data. The events are used to define at least one refresh condition within the precaching strategy. The precaching strategy is executed. When the occurrence of the data refresh condition is detected, data is then retrieved from a data source, wherein the data is retrieved according to the precaching strategy. The retrieved data is transmitted to a user device cache. |
| US08364610B2 |
Process modeling and optimization method and system
A method is provided for model optimization. The method may include obtaining respective distribution descriptions of a plurality of input parameters to a model indicative of interrelationships between the input parameters and one or more output parameters. The method may also include specifying respective search ranges for the plurality of input parameters and simulating the model to determine a desired set of input parameters based on a zeta statistic of the model. Further, the method may include determining respective desired distributions of the input parameters based on the desired set of input parameters; determining significance levels of the input parameters in interacting with the output parameter based on the simulation and the desired distributions of the input parameters; and presenting the significance levels. |
| US08364609B2 |
Optimization of microgrid energy use and distribution
An energy distribution may include a server and one or more databases. The system may communicate with an energy provider to receive energy provider data, at least one information collector to receive information collector data such as individualized energy usage data, customer preferences, and customer or location characteristics, and the one or more databases for receiving data for optimization. The system may calculate a cost of service or avoided cost using at least one of the individualized energy usage data and a system generation cost at a nearest bus. The system may also forecast individualized demand by end-use, individualized demand by location, energy prices, or energy costs. The system may optimize energy distribution, energy use, cost of service, or avoided cost using the forecasted individualized demand by end-use, the forecasted individualized demand by location, the forecasted energy prices, and the forecasted energy costs. |
| US08364606B1 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management featuring shipping location comparison across multiple carriers
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that provide each of a plurality of users, in response to each particular user's request, information concerning, and an identification of: each carrier of a plurality of carriers that supports the shipper's preferred shipping location; whether each carrier supports the shipper's preferred shipping location for shipping a particular parcel; and pricing for each service offered by each carrier for the shipper's chosen shipping location, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, each user client computer device having their own individual electronic connection to the global communications network. |
| US08364602B2 |
Automated cross-cultural conflict management
A conflict or dispute between at least two parties is managed to reflect the cultural context of the parties. When the party is from a low context culture, conflict management assumes the party prefers to adopt a transactional viewpoint and to select from a set of possible resolutions. When the party is from a high context culture, dispute resolution assumes the party prefers to view the dispute as part of a relationship and to be advised as to appropriate actions. A system bridges between the cultural contexts of the parties by collecting and providing information in accordance with the preferred procedure of each party. |
| US08364593B2 |
Intelligent authentication
Systems and methods for intelligently authenticating payment transactions are disclosed. A user initiates a payment transaction to purchases goods or services from a merchant. The merchant sends a payment initiation request to a server computer in communication with a payment processing network and an issuer. The server computer queries various databases to determine one or more available communication channels that may be used as authentication channels by the issuer. The server computer also determines one or more communication channels, available for use by a mobile device of the user, that may be used as authentication channels to authenticate the payment transaction. The user is provided with a list of available/eligible authentication channels. User selects one of the authentication channels and the issuer is notified of the selection. The issuer uses the selected authentication channel to communicate with the user and authenticate the payment transaction. |
| US08364590B1 |
Motion based payment confirmation
Methods and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a graphical user interface (GUI) with one or more graphical elements that may be moved by a user to confirm or decline a payment transaction using a selected payment instrument. For example, a user may drag the graphical element to a confirmation position via a touch screen of the electronic device. In another example, a motion sensing device, such as an accelerometer, may sense movement of the electronic device and move the graphical element in response to the motion. Upon confirmation, payment information for the payment transaction may be transmitted to a merchant or payment recipient. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. |
| US08364589B2 |
Method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal
A method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal makes use of computer hardware and software that allows a financial institution cardholder to authorize a recipient to withdraw a specified amount of cash at an ATM of the particular financial institution. The cardholder can set up the transaction, for example, from any telephone using an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or by utilizing the application at a financial institution ATM, or by using an Internet website application. The originator can set up the recipient's ATM transaction to be either cardless or card-initiated. |
| US08364587B2 |
Systems and methods for financial account access for a mobile device via a gateway
Systems and methods for providing secure access of at least one of multiple financial account processors to a mobile device and/or facilitating secure financial transactions initiated from a mobile device via a gateway. One method can include receiving a mobile personal identification number (M-PIN) number and Customer Unique Identifier (CUID) from a mobile device and processing the received M-PIN and CUID to identify a Mobile Unique Identifier (MUID). The MUID identifies an account of at least one financial account processor accessible via a gateway, and the mobile device is provided access to the account through the gateway. |
| US08364584B2 |
Dynamic currency conversion system and method
A system for dynamic currency conversion is provided. The system includes a bank identifier system determining whether currency conversion is available for a card-issuing bank of a presented card, such as by comparing a bank identifier from the card with a list or table of participating banks. An exchange rate system determines whether an exchange rate has expired, such as an exchange rate associated with the foreign currency of the card-issuing bank. The card holder is presented with an option for selecting a foreign currency transaction after it is determined that currency conversion is available for the card-issuing bank and that the exchange rate has not expired, such that the card holder does not need to see such information unless foreign currency processing is available. |
| US08364583B1 |
Method and apparatus for processing a cardholder's inquiry or dispute about a credit/charge card
A method and system for processing a credit request from a credit/charge cardholder which automatically applies a rules-based decision process to determine whether to credit the cardholder's account, the amount of the credit, whether to do a chargeback to the merchant, and the amount of the chargeback. Individual issuing banks who issue credit/charge cards and individual merchants may specify custom rules which must be considered before a credit is issued and/or before a chargeback to the merchant is performed. The rules set forth the conditions under which the merchant will waive its right to prove the disputed transaction such that a chargeback is automatically issued to the merchant. For example, a merchant may specify that if the transaction is $20 or less, it will accept an automatic chargeback without the merchant's involvement and if the transaction is greater than $20, the merchant wants to receive notice of the dispute and the opportunity to prove or verify the authenticity of the transaction. In one aspect, the system may optionally include the blocking of calls based upon a list of potential callers from whom further transactions or requests for chargeback will be declined. The callers ANI or calling number identification is compared against the list, and the calls are not answered by the system. |
| US08364579B2 |
Online system for fulfilling loan applications from loan originators
A loan submission and processing system, methods, apparatus and computer program products. One example method includes receiving user specified input relating to a loan application, storing the user specified input in a loan application file, determining a partner system that is to receive data related to the electronic loan application including dynamically determining a format and contents required to present a service request to the partner system for processing by the partner system, dynamically formatting the user specified input and any other required content into a service request, the service request compatible with the partner system and including the user specified data and the other required content and transmitting the service request to the partner system. |
| US08364578B1 |
Simultaneous customer/account strategy execution in a decision management system
A computer-implemented decision management process for evaluating a customer having more than one account. An iterative function, such as an iterative decision tree, is provided to evaluate the customer and each of the accounts interactively and interchangeably in a single pass. The iterative function has virtual attributes for accessing customer data and/or account data. The process iterates through the iterative function in accordance with the number of accounts of the customer. |
| US08364577B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for advancing a bidder to a selected rank
Techniques for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank in an electronic auction are disclosed. In response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function by a first bidder, a new bid for the first bidder is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank in the electronic auction. The new bid is automatically submitted to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder. |
| US08364576B2 |
Tradable investment unit
A tradable investment unit is an inseparable combination of a predetermined quantity of a tradable security together with a put option contract for the predetermined quantity of the tradable security. The combination will specify the minimum price and thereby the maximum potential loss of the tradable investment unit to purchasers. The profit potential will be unlimited as the price of the tradable security increases above the cost of the tradable investment unit. |
| US08364573B1 |
Call for quote/price system and methods for use in a wholesale financial market
An electronic trading system and associated methods that provide for anonymous pricing data while ensuring the integrity of the system by preventing it from being used for price discovery information only. Methods are included to police the dealers requesting price information and clear rules are implemented to reward the dealer offering the best price. Dealers request price information by submitting an open (not anonymous) request to a broker for a price on an amount of a security or financial instrument, referred to herein as a “Price-For-Call,” which results in an anonymous RFQ being sent to a group of other dealers. If more than one dealer in the group responds with a price, only the best price (bid or offer or both) is returned to the requesting dealer and only the dealer offering the best price is rewarded with knowledge of the price information by virtue of the fact that his price traded. |
| US08364569B1 |
System, method and indicator for assessing the economic performance of a country
A system includes a computer and an attached database. The database stores inflation, unemployment, budget deficit, and gross domestic product (GDP) data for a variety of time periods for at least one country. The computer determines standard deviations, over a first time period, of an unemployment rate, a ratio of budget deficit to GDP, a GDP rate, and absolute value of an inflation rate. The computer also determines weights for each of the unemployment rate, the ratio of budget deficit to GDP, the GDP rate, and the absolute value of the inflation rate according to the ratio of the average of the standard deviations to the unemployment rate, the ratio of budget deficit to GDP, the GDP rate, and the absolute value of the inflation rate. The computer determines an economic health score for at least a second time period, the second time period being shorter than the first time period. The score is determined by subtracting an unemployment rate, a ratio of budget deficit to GDP, and the absolute value of an inflation rate, each weighted according to their respective determined weights, from a predetermined constant and adding a GDP rate, weighted by the determined weight for the GDP rate. |
| US08364564B2 |
Method for usage billing in an internet environment
The invention presents a novel and efficient method of facilitating accurate usage billing. In a multi-user service provider environment, using weighted records of web-server usage to determine each user's bill for services is provided. The invention provides for billing with a minimal amount of overhead on the web host, which will benefit the web host's profit margin. The invention utilizes three pieces of information to compute the amount of usage. The weights that are associated with the functions are determined in order to score the system resource utilization of the respective functions. The weights need to be determined only once during the entire life cycle of the application, and may be based on empirical data or determined through lab tests. The weight can be stored in a static file. |
| US08364562B2 |
System, computer program and method for processing presentment and adjustment information to institutions participating in a regional or national clearing house
A system, computer program and method for adjusting debits and credits received from participating institutions are provided. The system includes a plurality of remote computers of participating institutions, a central server, a network interface in communication with the clearing house computer and the plurality of remote computers over a network, and a database in communication with the central server. The network interface is configured to receive a plurality of presentment data from a first computer of the plurality of remote computers of participating institutions. Each of the plurality of presentment data including one or more debit or credit items each having a presentment amount. The central server is configured to store in the database the plurality of presentment data, receive, from a second computer of the remote computers of participating institutions, an adjustment request corresponding to one or more debit or credit items received from the first computer of the plurality of remote computers of participating institutions, communicate the adjustment request to the first computer of the plurality of remote computers of participating institutions via the network interface, enable the first computer of the plurality of remote computers of participating institutions to accept or deny the adjustment request, and initiate an adjustment based on the adjustment amount if the first computer of the plurality of remote computers of participating institutions accepts the adjustment request. The adjustment request includes detailed adjustment data having an adjustment amount and one or more scanned images corresponding to the respective debit or credit items. |
| US08364561B2 |
Garment digitization system and method
A garment digitization system configured to determine physical attributes for any given garment including dimensional and spatial properties, mechanical attributes, optical attributes, and assembly information; a mechanism configured to take those properties and attributes and generating a digital three-dimensional model thereof; a mechanism to make such digital three-dimensional garment models available to others; and a mechanism operatively coupled with a local or remote display providing views of said digital garment. |
| US08364556B2 |
Method and system to automate payment for a commerce transaction
A method and system to automate payment for a network-based commerce transaction provide a buyer an option to enable an automatic payment service, wherein automatic payment service automatically provides payment to a seller upon a termination event of a network-based commerce transaction. Payment information of the buyer is provided to a network-based payment system upon the occurrence of the termination event. |
| US08364554B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for processing cooperative transactions
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method, system, and program product for sharing electronic transactions among multiple sharing participants. Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for splitting individual lots into multiple “shares,” where multiple individuals have an incentive to promote and drive up the price of the lot. Provided the bids reach an acceptable amount, the final selling price is split among each individual in proportion to the number of shares held by each individual. |
| US08364548B2 |
Sharing media content assets between users of a web-based service
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for access to a media content asset from a first user of a web-based service, the request specifying a second user that has provided access to the media content asset; retrieving, from a user database, a user entry describing attributes associated with the second user; determining whether the user entry includes digital rights metadata for determining whether the second user is licensed to share at least a portion of the media content asset; and selectively providing the first user with access to at least the portion of the media content asset based on determining from the digital rights metadata that the media content asset is licensed to the second user, and determining that the first user is authorized by the second user to access the media content asset. |
| US08364529B1 |
Search engine optimization performance valuation
A way to promote a web site is via search engine optimization (SEO). Traditionally, SEO practitioners have charged a fixed fee for performing SEO services. An analyzer can determine a first probability that a search query for a campaign term will result in a referral from a search engine, determine second probabilities that are associated with a plurality of particular positions in a search engine results page, combine the search query volume information, the first probability, and the second probability for the position with a monetary value to generate an organic price, combine the organic prices for the plurality of positions to value the SEO services for the campaign term. The analyzer evaluates the effectiveness of SEO activities and can generate a volume-based value for SEO services. In addition, disclosed techniques can also be used to identify candidate terms for future SEO activities. |
| US08364522B1 |
Method and system for providing a small business coupon distribution system
A method and system for providing a small business a coupon distribution system includes a process for coupon distribution to select consumers whereby a coupon provider defines at least one coupon eligibility criterion that must be met by a consumer in order for the consumer to be eligible to receive a given coupon. The coupon provider also provides coupon offer data including, but not limited to, the terms of the coupon, contact information for the coupon provider, and a logo and/or trademark associated with the coupon provider. The data representing the at least one coupon eligibility criterion and coupon offer data is then provided to the process for coupon distribution to select consumers. Financial data for one or more consumers is then obtained from one or more sources using a computing system implemented financial management system. Using the data representing the at least one coupon eligibility criterion and the consumer's financial data, one or more consumers are identified that are eligible to receive the coupon from the coupon provider. The identified consumers are then provided the one coupons and/or coupon offer data. |
| US08364520B1 |
Method for measuring effectiveness of sampling activity and providing pre-market product feedback
There is disclosed herein an improved method for measuring the effectiveness of a sampling event, particularly correlating a product sampling event with the consumer's purchase of a corresponding purchasable product. Preferably, a product sample terminal is employed to identify a consumer, dispense a product sample to the consumer, store data pertaining to the product sampling event, and correlate the consumer's purchase of a corresponding or complimentary product for determining whether the product sampling event converted the event into the consumer's purchasing decisions. Additionally disclosed is a method for soliciting, aggregating, and processing consumer preferences pertaining to product attributes for informing investment decisions with regard to product development. |
| US08364513B2 |
Technician control system
Technician control, in which a control system is configured to control scheduling and dispatch operations for work orders being handled by technicians. Multiple technician devices are each associated with one or more technicians, are configured to communicate, over a network, with the control system, and also are configured to provide output in response to communications that are received from the control system and that are related to the scheduling and dispatch operations performed by the control system. A set of scheduling configuration options may be pre-defined and user input weighting at least one of the scheduling configuration options relative to other of the scheduling configuration options may be received. A scheduling application used by the control system to perform scheduling operations may be configured based on configuration data that reflects the weighting and scheduling operations may be performed using the configured scheduling application. |
| US08364510B2 |
Revenue optimization for customers or customer subsets
Disclosed are various embodiments for determining discounts that optimize revenue for customers or customer subsets. Transaction records that are associated with a customer and a merchant are obtained. Each transaction record identifies a corresponding purchase of a quantity of one of multiple items by the customer from the merchant at a corresponding unit purchase price. A normalized unit purchase price is generated for each transaction record by normalizing the respective unit purchase price relative to a respective unit retail price at the time of purchase. A demand curve is generated for the customer for the items based at least in part on the transaction records and the normalized unit purchase prices. The demand curve identifies a quantity of units that the customer is predicted to purchase at a range of normalized unit purchase prices. |
| US08364508B2 |
Interactive activity management system and method
Systems and methods for defining, booking and managing activities or services by a user of digital computer implemented applications and interactive displays based on time, location and theme as related to the user's local environment. |
| US08364507B2 |
Online registration and block tracking for travel wholesalers, agencies and hotels
A system and method for providing reservation capabilities to a reservation or property management system via a plurality of Internet web sites. Each booking party is directed to a web site containing common content and content specific to the type of booking party, such as a travel agent, wholesaler, or traveler. The system ensures the complete and accurate collection of data regarding a customer and the customer's reservation request through the use of distributed software components and association with customer profiles. Each booking party may create or modify customer profile information to be associated with reservations. The product or service provider may establish and maintain its own set of commission rates, fee amounts and discount values for each type of booking party, thereby allowing the provider to control accuracy and completeness of reservations, as well as revenue flow to the booking parties. |
| US08364506B2 |
System and method for managing derivative market insurance transactions
Risk characteristic information is received concerning a property that is to be insured by an insurance company. The risk characteristic indicates sensitivities of the property to commodity prices. Commodity futures information is also received. The commodity futures information indicates futures contract prices for at least one commodity. An insurance pricing model is stored. The insurance pricing model operates to base pricing of insurance policies at least in part on the commodity futures information. A premium quotation for insuring the property is generated based at least in part on the insurance pricing model and the commodity futures information. |
| US08364505B1 |
Systems and methods for early identification of a total loss vehicle
Systems and methods implement a rules-based decision engine that identifies vehicles with a high total loss potential based on vehicle details and damage information. This can be done by applying weights to the various criteria and comparing a sum of the applied weights to a threshold. An update mode allows for the subsequent update of the determination of whether the vehicle is a likely total loss based on additionally acquired information. |
| US08364503B1 |
Method and system for charging customers for prescription alignment
A system and method facilitate alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, and determine the cost to the customer for the alignment of the plurality of prescriptions. The system may determine the cost to the customer by evaluating one or more of the number of prescriptions aligned, the types of medications prescribed by the aligned prescriptions, the quantity of medication supplied in any intermediate fills between the last adjudication date and the alignment adjudication date, the particular medications prescribed by the aligned prescriptions, and the number of prescriptions aligned. The system may also evaluate one or more rules or contracts related to one or more third-party payors in determining the cost to the customer for alignment. |
| US08364502B2 |
Proactive correction alerts
Computerized methods and systems for creating and documenting protocol orders in a molecular diagnostic laboratory environment are provided. Utilizing the methods and systems described herein, protocol statements may require values to be entered in association therewith prior to permitting access to subsequent protocol orders. Accordingly, more accurate test runs and, consequently, more accurate test results, may be achieved. Additionally, as values associated with protocol statements are electronically captured, in accordance with embodiments hereof, such values may be searched to evaluate trends or identify protocol orders and/or results that may be affected by a later discovered error or the like. |
| US08364501B2 |
Electronic appointment scheduling for medical resources
A computer-implemented system for scheduling patient appointments including a patient interface terminal configured to receive a patient identifier and to display a patient-specific listing of reasons for a medical appointment. The system further includes a computer system adapted for receiving the patient identifier, generating the patient-specific listing of reasons for a medical appointment based on an electronic medical record associated with the patient identifier and a comprehensive listing of reasons stored in a reasons database, receiving a selected reason for a requested medical appointment from the patient interface terminal, and generating and providing one or more specialized appointment scheduling options based on a combination of the selected reason and data from the electronic medical record associated with the patient identifier, the specialized appointment scheduling options including scheduling options for specialized medical resources specifically associated with the combination. |
| US08364499B2 |
Medical information validation system
A system uses clinical data to help identify incorrect demographic information (such as gender or age) of a patient that may cause an erroneous critical or abnormal indication in medical tests and uses results of a clinical test to indicate possible demographic errors and various methods to modify a workflow to incorporate alternative tasks or to request verification of specific demographic facts. A system for validating patient medical information includes an input processor for receiving a laboratory test result value of a particular patient. A data processor automatically compares the received laboratory test result value with a predetermined normal value range for a patient having demographic characteristics of the particular patient, and compares the received laboratory test result value with a predetermined normal value range for a patient having different demographic characteristics than the particular patient. A communication processor initiates generation of an indication to a user indicating stored demographic information of the particular patient may be inaccurate. |
| US08364495B2 |
Voice encoding device, voice decoding device, and methods therefor
An encoding device capable of realizing a scalable CODEC of a high performance. In this encoding device, an LPC analyzing unit (551) analyzes an input voice (301) efficiently with a synthesized LPC parameter obtained from a core decoder (305), to acquire an encoded LPC coefficient. An adaptive code note (552) is stored with its sound source codes, as acquired from the core decoder (305). The adaptive code note (552) and a stochastic code note (553) send sound source samples to a gain adjusting unit (554). This gain adjusting unit (554) multiplies the individual sound source samples by an amplification based on the gain parameters acquired from the core decoder (305), and then adds the products to acquire sound source vectors. These vectors are sent to an LPC synthesizing unit (555). This LPC synthesizing unit (555) filters the sound source vectors acquired at the gain adjusting unit (554), with the LPC parameter, to acquire a synthetic signal. |
| US08364493B2 |
Spoken dialogue speech recognition using estimated number of retrieved data as cost
A spoken dialogue apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a speech recognition unit, a retrieval unit, a calculation unit, and a selection unit. The speech recognition unit performs speech recognition of an input speech to obtain a recognition candidate. The retrieval unit updates a retrieval condition by use of the recognition candidate and outputs a retrieval result. The calculation unit calculates estimated numbers of data as costs concerning a first response and a second response based on the retrieval condition and the retrieval result. The selection unit selects a response having a lowest cost and presents the response to the user. |
| US08364491B2 |
Methods and apparatus for characterizing media
Methods and apparatus for characterizing media are described. An example apparatus includes a transformer to convert at least a portion of a block of audio into a frequency domain representation including a plurality of frequency components; a decision metric processor to: define a band of frequency components having real and imaginary spectral components, define a plurality of frequency bins within the band, determine respective difference functions for each of the frequency bins using a product of the real and imaginary spectral components of a corresponding group of the frequency bins, the corresponding group for a first one of the frequency bins including at least the first one of the frequency bins and a second one of the frequency bins selected based on the first frequency bin, and determine a decision metric by summing the difference functions; and a signature determiner to determine a signature based on the decision metric. |
| US08364484B2 |
Voice recognition apparatus and method
An input voice detect is detected after starting a voice input waiting state; the detected voice is recognized; an elapsed time from the start of the voice input waiting state is counted; an informative sound which urges a user to input the voice is outputted when the elapsed time reaches a preset output set time; and the output of the informative sound is stopped when the elapsed time at the time of inputting the voice is shorter than the output set timedetect. |
| US08364483B2 |
Method for separating source signals and apparatus thereof
A method for separating a sound source from a mixed signal, includes Transforming a mixed signal to channel signals in frequency domain; and grouping several frequency bands for each channel signal to form frequency clusters. Further, the method for separating the sound source from the mixed signal includes separating the frequency clusters by applying a blind source separation to signals in frequency domain for each frequency cluster; and integrating the spectrums of the separated signal to restore the sound source in a time domain wherein each of the separated signals expresses one sound source. |
| US08364482B2 |
System and method for obtaining a message type identifier through an in-band modem
A system and method is provided for obtaining a message type identifier embedded in a vocoder packet via a speech codec (in-band) such as found in a wireless communication network. The vocoder packet is received and decoded. The decoded vocoder packet is filtered until a synchronization signal is detected, with the filtering comprising correlating the decoded vocoder packet with a predetermined sequence to generate the synchronization signal. The polarity of the synchronization signal is determined, and the message type identifier is derived based on the polarity of the detected synchronization signal. A first polarity identifies a first message type, and a second polarity identifies a second message type. |
| US08364481B2 |
Speech recognition with parallel recognition tasks
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an audio signal and initiating speech recognition tasks by a plurality of speech recognition systems (SRS's). Each SRS is configured to generate a recognition result specifying possible speech included in the audio signal and a confidence value indicating a confidence in a correctness of the speech result. The method also includes completing a portion of the speech recognition tasks including generating one or more recognition results and one or more confidence values for the one or more recognition results, determining whether the one or more confidence values meets a confidence threshold, aborting a remaining portion of the speech recognition tasks for SRS's that have not completed generating a recognition result, and outputting a final recognition result based on at least one of the generated one or more speech results. |
| US08364480B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling echo in the coded domain
A method and corresponding apparatus for coded-domain acoustic echo control is presented. An echo control problem is considered as that of perceptually matching an echo signal to a reference signal. A perceptual similarity function that is based on the coded spectral parameters produced by the speech codec is defined. Since codecs introduce a significant degree of non-linearity into the echo signal, the similarity function is designed to be robust against such effects. The similarity function is incorporated into a coded-domain echo control system that also includes spectrally-matched noise injection for replacing echo frames with comfort noise. Using actual echoes recorded over a commercial mobile network, it is shown herein that the similarity function is robust against both codec non-linearities and additive noise. Experimental results further show that the echo-control is effective at suppressing echoes compared to a Normalized Least Mean Squared (NLMS)-based echo cancellation system. |
| US08364478B2 |
Audio signal processing apparatus, audio signal processing method, and communication terminal
An audio signal processing apparatus, includes an environmental ambient noise level detection unit for detecting an environmental ambient noise level contained in an audio signal inputted through sound collection means for collecting a transmission sound at the time of a voice call, a signal level adjustment unit which has a level adjustment function to adjust an output signal level with respect to an input signal level, and an input/output characteristic change function to change an input/output characteristic when adjusting a level in the level adjustment function by means of a control signal, and in which a received sound signal in the case of the telephone call voice is arranged to be an input signal, and a control signal generation unit for generating the control signal for changing the input/output characteristic of the signal level adjustment unit from the environmental ambient noise level detected by the environmental ambient noise level detection unit. |
| US08364474B2 |
Signal encoding device and signal encoding method, signal decoding device and signal decoding method, program, and recording medium
A signal encoding device for encoding an input time-series signal includes: partitioning means; low-frequency encoding means; high-frequency gain information generating means; low-frequency reference value information generating means; high-frequency gain difference information generating means; high-frequency gain difference information encoding means; and multiplexing means. |
| US08364470B2 |
Text analysis method for finding acronyms
A list of reference terms can be provided. Text and the list of reference terms can be broken down into tokens. At least one candidate can be generated in the text for mapping to at least one of the reference terms. Characters of the candidate can be compared to characters of the reference term according to one or more mapping rules. A confidence value of the mapping can be generated based on the comparison of characters. Candidates can be ranked according to their confidence value. |
| US08364468B2 |
Typing candidate generating method for enhancing typing efficiency
For relieving typing burdens caused by incorrect spellings, typing errors, unknown spellings, and characters with diacritical marks, and for enhancing a typing efficiency of a typist with some simplified techniques, several candidate generating methods are provided for assisting the typist to pick a candidate word from a list of generated candidate words, or for selecting a candidate word from said list of generated candidate words in an automatic-selection manner. A proper-designed user interface may also be utilized for implementing the candidate generating methods. |
| US08364466B2 |
Fast-and-engaging, real-time translation using a network environment
The teachings described herein generally relate to a multilingual electronic translation of a source phrase to a destination language selected from multiple languages, and this can be accomplished through the use of a network environment. The electronic translation can occur as a spoken translation, can be in real-time, and can mimic the voice of the user of the system. |
| US08364463B2 |
Optimizing a language/media translation map
A mechanism is provided for optimizing a language/media translation map. A user input is received comprising an input language/media selection, one or more output languages/medias selections, and a threshold for at least one of accuracy or throughput of one or more requested language/media translations. For each of the one or more requested language media translations, a determination is made as to whether an accuracy or throughput of a selected one of an automated translation system or a human resource translator is above the threshold for the at least one of accuracy or throughput. Responsive to the accuracy or throughput being above the threshold, either the selected one of the automated translation system or the selected one of the human resource translator is added to a multiple language/media translation map. An optimized multiple language/media translation map is then generated for use by a translation orchestration module in the data processing system. |
| US08364455B2 |
Simulator for use with a breathing-assist device
Function testing of a ventilator using an EMG or other bioelectric signal representative of the breathing of the patient to control ventilation is enabled by a simulating device for use with a breathing related device for monitoring and/or controlling a patient's breathing, the simulating device including a signal generator for providing a simulated bioelectric compound signal related to the patient's breathing function, and a contact for outputting the simulated bioelectric compound signal. The simulating device can also be used for training purposes and in the development of new ventilators. |
| US08364454B2 |
System and method of dynamic clearance checking using a geometric model
A system and method for dynamically checking clearance within a geometric mesh model includes a user computer system having a remotely located computer system, and a data storage device. The method periodically updates a digital model of assembled component parts stored on the data storage device, interactively selects a predetermined clearance rule applicable to the digital model and interactively selects a predetermined clearance condition applicable to the selected clearance rule for the digital model that modifies the predetermined clearance rule. The method periodically calculates clearance within the assembled digital model using the selected clearance rule and the selected clearance condition and summarizing the clearance check. The clearance check summary identifies a clearance issue using a predetermined clearance checking criteria and submits the identified clearance issue to an issue manager software program for tracking clearance issues. |
| US08364453B2 |
Method and apparatus for describing the statistical orientation distribution of particles in a simulation of a mould filling process
A method and apparatus for describing the statistical orientation distribution of nonspherical particles in a simulation of a process wherein a mold cavity is filled with a suspension that contains a large number of nonspherical particles. The method and apparatus may be applied to the analysis of an injection molding process for producing a fiber reinforced molded polymer component or of a metal casting process for producing a fiber reinforced metal product. The results of these analyses may be used to determine tension and warping aspects of the component, and to optimize the process conditions used in the production process. |
| US08364451B2 |
Process for producing sandwich structures with particulate material pattern
The present invention is concerned with a process for forming a very well defined pattern of particulate material in a composite material comprising a web material and particulate absorbent material. The present invention relates also to a method for determining the equipment design and process parameter for such a process. In a particular application, the present invention provides a process for preparing liquid absorbent structures, such as may be useful for disposable absorbent articles. |
| US08364450B2 |
Multi-objective optimization design support apparatus and method
An embodiment relates to a multi-objective optimization design supporting technique to reduces the computational complexity of QE/CAD. When the input logical expression generated by a logical-expression-with-qualifier generation unit is satisfied in regard to the sample point included in a certain piece of cell information for each value of the same design parameter, a first cell processing unit does not evaluate the input logical expression on the cell information including other sample points having a value equal to or smaller than the value of a predetermined design variable (for example, a design variable indicating a yield) corresponding to the sample point above, but selects it as the cell information for an output of a logical expression without a qualifier. |
| US08364449B2 |
Process for automatic creation of wiring simulation
A process for automatic generation of functional digital simulation of an electronic system starting from a wiring specification base, whereby the system includes equipment, at least one connecting wire interconnecting the equipment, optionally inputs/outputs to other systems, includes: creating a wire table TC by selecting and extracting data from the wiring specification base, the wire table TC including the reference of equipment it is connected to and the equipment category at least for each wire of the electronic system to be simulated and for each end of the wire; creating a simulation table TS by transformating each line of the wire table TC by using rules specific to each pair of pieces of equipment connected by each wire; and creating a computer code interpreted by a simulator, by transformating each line of the simulation table TS into a set of computer code lines according to the input and output equipment. |
| US08364446B2 |
Approximating a system using an abstract geometrical space
System and method for approximating a system. A multi-parameter representation of a family of systems is stored. An embedding of the family into an abstract geometrical continuous space with a metric and defined by the parameters is determined. Coordinates of the space specify values for the parameters of systems of the family. The space includes a grid of points representing respective discrete approximations of the systems. A first point corresponding to a desired instance of a system is determined. The first point's coordinates specify values for the parameters of the instance. The space is sampled using a mapping of a well-distributed point set from a Euclidean space of the parameters to the abstract space. A nearest discrete point to the first point is determined which specifies values for parameters for an optimal discrete approximation of the desired instance, which are useable to implement the discrete approximation of the desired instance. |
| US08364443B2 |
Fault analysis and monitoring applications using out-of-band based modules
One example embodiment includes a testing device. The testing device comprises a signal reception element, an out-of-band detector and testing logic. The signal reception element is configured to receive a physical layer signal from a communication module via a physical link and to produce an incoming double modulated signal, the incoming double modulated signal including a high-speed data signal and an out-of-band data signal. The out-of-band data signal comprises diagnostic data of the communication module. The out-of-band detector is coupled to the signal reception element and is configured to extract the out-of-band data signal from the incoming double modulated signal. The testing logic is coupled to the out-of-band detector and is configured to extract and analyze the diagnostic data from the out-of-band data signal. |
| US08364441B2 |
Surface texture measuring device, surface texture measuring method, and program
Surface texture measuring device includes: first pseudo measurement point sequence obtaining means which drives contact piece to trace a surface of reference workpiece having reference shape and obtains locus of certain position of the contact piece as first pseudo measurement point sequence; contact piece model calculating means which calculates, based on first pseudo measurement point sequence and design surface specifying the reference workpiece surface, a contact piece model representing surface shape of the contact piece and placed in pseudo space; second pseudo measurement point sequence obtaining means which places contact piece model such that its surface contacts a reference surface specifying a workpiece surface and it takes the same posture as contact piece in measurement, and calculates reference position of the contact piece model as second pseudo measurement point sequence; and replacement determination means which determines whether to replace contact piece based on second pseudo measurement point sequence. |
| US08364440B2 |
System for evaluating the productivity of a working machine and its driver
A system and method for evaluating the productivity of a working machine and its driver in a real or virtual operating environment is controlled by a control system to perform work, and in which the work cycles relating to the work performed by the working machine are determined by continuous measurements directed to the working machine when it is controlled by the driver. Characteristic values relating to the performance of the determined work cycles are collected on the basis of the continuous measurements for the purpose of evaluating the performance of the work or for comparison. |
| US08364438B2 |
Methods, systems, and formats for data, such as data used in laser projection of fasteners used in manufacturing
A system and method provides data for a laser projection process used in manufacturing involving fasteners. For example, the laser projection process may include projecting a laser image associated with fasteners used to assemble objects. Fastener attribute data may be extracted from an engineer's design data and processed to generate a laser projection output file. This output file may include geometric data used to project a laser image associated with the fasteners. For example, this image may be an outline indicating the location, shape, and orientation of a fastener. The output file may also include non-geometric data associated with attributes of the objects to be assembled. Both the geometric and the non-geometric data can then be displayed in a user interface, such as a display screen of a laser projector control device, in addition to the display of the laser image in three-dimensional space. |
| US08364437B2 |
Mark arrangement inspecting method, mask data, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A method of inspecting a mark arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating mask data in which mark seed data that includes an inspection mark that includes vector information and is not drawn on a mask and mark data is arranged on a scribe line of the mask, calculating coordinates of the inspection mark from a reference position of the mark seed data, detecting an arrangement state of the inspection mark with respect to the reference position by using the coordinates and vector information, and judging whether the mark seed data is correctly arranged by comparing the arrangement state of the inspection mark with an arrangement check rule. |
| US08364435B2 |
Device and a method for testing the design of a seat comprising a seat area, a backrest, and a headrest
A method and a device are provided for testing the design of a seat comprising a seat area, a backrest, and a headrest. The method includes positioning a body simulating element with a reference measuring point on the seat by means of a robot kinematics; passive switching of the robot kinematics; measuring a distance between the reference measuring point and the headrest; and comparing the measured distance with a reference value. |
| US08364434B2 |
Calibration circuit
To include a first replica buffer that has substantially the same circuit configuration as a pull-up circuit which constitutes an output buffer and a second replica buffer that has substantially the same circuit configuration as a pull-down circuit which constitutes the output buffer. When a first calibration command ZQCS is issued, either a control signal ACT1 or ACT2 is activated, and a calibration operation is performed for either the first replica buffer or the second replica buffer. When a second calibration command ZQCL is issued, both of the control signals ACT1, ACT2 are activated and the calibration operation is performed for both the first replica buffer and the second replica buffer. |
| US08364431B2 |
Field device calibration
A calibrator for field devices is provided. In one aspect, the calibrator has the ability to communicate in accordance with at least two process communication protocols, and tests an attached process connection before engaging communication. In another aspect, the calibrator includes isolation circuitry to facilitate compliance with at least one intrinsic safety requirement, while communicating with field devices using an all-digital process communication protocol. In another aspect, a method of calibrating field devices is provided which accesses device descriptions of the field devices to generate calibration tasks. |
| US08364430B2 |
System and method for precision phase shift measurement
In one embodiment, a frequency generator produces an excitation signal, a local oscillator signal, and a reference signal at a difference frequency of the excitation signal and local oscillator signal. The excitation signal is applied to a physical system to produce a response signal, which is mixed with the local oscillator signal. A filter selects a difference frequency component. The frequencies of the excitation signal and/or local oscillator signal are varied, such that the magnitude of the difference frequency is constant, but a sign of the difference frequency changes from positive to negative. The phase shift of the difference frequency component, with respect to the reference signal, at each of the two signs of the difference frequency, is measured. The measured phase shift at the negative sign is subtracted from the measured phase shift at the positive sign, and the difference is divided in half, to produce a result. |
| US08364428B2 |
Junction-photovoltage method and apparatus for contactless determination of sheet resistance and leakage current of semiconductor
A junction-photovoltage method and apparatus for contactless determination of an electrical/physical parameter of a semiconductor structure having at least one p-n junction located at a surface is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes illuminating the surface with the p-n junction with a light beam of a first wavelength to create excess carriers at the surface. The method also includes modulating the light intensity of the light beam at a single predefined frequency. The method also includes determining a first photo-voltage at a first position inside the illuminated area and a second photo-voltage at at least a second position outside the illuminated area. The method also includes calculating an electrical/physical parameter of the semiconductor structure based on the first and second photo-voltage. |
| US08364427B2 |
Flow sensor assemblies
A flow sensor assembly is provided and includes a flow conduit configured to impart a disturbance to a flow, multiple sensors disposed at respective sensing locations along the flow conduit. Each sensor is responsive to the disturbance of the flow and generates a corresponding response signal. The flow sensor assembly further includes a processor operably connected to each sensor, the processor being configured to compute a cross-correlation function between the response signals generated by said sensors, and determine a flow rate and a direction for the flow through the conduit based on the computed cross-correlation function. Additional flow sensor assembly arrangements are also disclosed. |
| US08364426B2 |
Flow device and method for operating a flow device
A flow device is provided. The flow device includes at least one conduit (20) and a pick-off (30) providing a pick-off signal (35) for measuring motion of the at least one conduit (20). The flow device also includes a drive (40) that receives a first signal (55) for vibrating the at least one conduit (20) at a resonance frequency and that receives a second signal (56) for vibrating the at least one conduit at a frequency that is different than the resonance frequency. One or more electronics (50) is provided. The one or more electronics (50) generates the first and second signals (55, 56), receives the pick-off signal (35) from the pick-off (30), and measures changes in a time shift between the second signal (56) frequency applied by the drive (40) and the second signal (56) frequency detected by the pick-off (30). |
| US08364417B2 |
System and method to correct out of phase errors in DNA sequencing data by use of a recursive algorithm
An embodiment of a method for correcting an error associated with phasic synchrony of sequence data generated from a population of template molecules is described that comprises the steps of detecting signals generated in response to nucleotide species introduced during a sequencing reaction; generating an observed value for the signal detected from each of the nucleotide species; defining positive incorporation values and negative incorporation values from the observed values using a carry forward value and an incomplete extension value; and revising the carry forward value and the incomplete extension value using a noise value that is derived from observed values associated with the negative incorporation values. |
| US08364414B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing biological information
A biological information processing apparatus includes the following elements. A light source irradiates biological tissue with light. A transducer functions as an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit that applies an ultrasonic wave to a local region in the biological tissue. A photodetector detects modulated light obtained by modulating the light from the light source with the ultrasonic wave in the local region. The transducer also functions as an acoustic wave detecting unit that detects an acoustic wave emitted from the local region at a time when the local region absorbs the light from the light source. An absorption characteristic in the local region is calculated using an acoustic signal, serving as an output of the acoustic wave detecting unit, on the basis of a light intensity in the local region calculated based on a modulation signal, serving as an output of the photodetector. |
| US08364413B2 |
Integrated biosensor and simulation system for diagnosis and therapy
BioMEMS/NEMS appliance biologically monitors an individual, using biosensors to detect cellular components. Data is simulated or analyzed using systems-biology software, which provides diagnostic or therapeutic guidance. |
| US08364412B2 |
Selective resonance of chemical structures
Chemical compositions may be selectively or preferentially excited by the application of scores comprising a series of differing energy inputs. The set of excitation energies includes frequencies selected to resonate at least two different structures of the plurality of resonant structures, where the set, applied together, causes a chemical change in the composition, but any one of the excitation energies, applied alone, would not cause the chemical change in the composition. |
| US08364410B2 |
Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon detection system comprising array of spatially-disparate sensors and environmental acuity
A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons detection system is disclosed that comprises an array of spatially-disparate hazardous material sensors that all feed into a centralized system control center. This enables the embodiment to receive and coordinate in one place all of the hazardous material sensors spread over a wide area, and, therefore, enables an alarm to be quickly issued in the event of a real attack. To accurately reduce false alarms, the illustrative embodiment requires that at least N of M neighboring stations report an alarm for the same hazardous material within an interval of time, and that the values of at least one of N and M change and are based on at least one environmental factor. |
| US08364406B2 |
Multiple distributed sensors along a drillstring
Systems and methods for downhole measurement and communications are disclosed. The system includes a communications medium, at least partially disposed in a drillpipe, a processor coupled to the communications medium, at least two sensor modules coupled to the communications medium, where at least one of the sensor modules is along a drillpipe, and at least one communications coupler to couple at least one sensor module to the communications medium. |
| US08364405B2 |
Surface mapping system and method
A surface mapping system including a controller configured with a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions to receive position data from each machine in a plurality of machines located on a worksite and to generate, utilizing the received position data, a display signal for providing a visual depiction of a surface of the worksite. |
| US08364403B2 |
Portable navigation device providing conversational system and processing method thereof
A processing method for a portable navigation device equipped with a conversation system is disclosed. When the portable navigation device is operating in a dumb mode, events are displayed on a screen of the device according to preset conditions and parameters. In a normal mode, events scheduled in the 1st to Xth order are pushed to the user according to preset conditions, and, in a hype mode, events are displayed on the screen based on preset conditions and parameters while events residing at the top layer of the screen are actively and repeatedly pushed to the user. |
| US08364398B2 |
Method of operating a navigation system to provide route guidance
A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature. The importance rating is adjusted to favor the identified feature closest to the lane in which the vehicle is currently located. |
| US08364394B2 |
Travel trace generation method and travel trace generation device
A first convergent computation section 25 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation such as to achieve a first constraint condition based on a target passing time ts and a road boundary of a road D and a running locus deriving section 26 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation of an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state achieving the first constraint condition are provided, a running locus is convergently computed such as to satisfy the first constraint condition set according to the target passing time ts and the road boundary of the road D, and a running locus is derived by convergently computing an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state satisfying the first constraint condition. |