| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08448689B2 |
Roll-up door assembly, and blow molded panel therefor
A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members. |
| US08448687B2 |
Wire supports, movable partition systems including such wire supports, and related methods
Wire supports for use with a movable partition system comprise a cantilever member configured for connection to a panel of a movable partition. A wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted is rotatably connected to the cantilever member. Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and laterally distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels. At least one wire support disposed in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises a cantilever member secured to at least one panel of one of the movable partitions and a wire-supporting member rotatably connected to the cantilever member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member. |
| US08448681B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of turbulence generation ridges 13 which extend on a surface of a tire side portion 7 in a tire-radial direction and which are arranged at a pitch in a tire-circumferential direction. A protrusion 15 rising from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7 is formed in the tire side portion 7. Either an inner end portion 13A of the turbulence generation ridge 13 or an outer end portion 13B of turbulence generation ridge 13 is smoothly continuous to a surface of the protrusion 15. An inner end height (H1), which is a height of the inner end portion 13A from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7, is larger than an outer end height (H2), which is a height of the outer end portion 13B from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7. |
| US08448676B2 |
Multiple sump fuel sampler with catch can
A multiple sump fuel sampler with catch can that includes an upper fuel sampling and testing reservoir with integral lower catch can reservoir arranged such that a self-closing valve is placed between the upper sampling reservoir and the lower catch can. This self-closing valve can be easily opened and closed by a user to allow fuel in the upper sampling reservoir to drain down into the lower catch can reservoir. Embodiments of the invention include a means of spill-free dumping of fuel accumulated in the lower catch can reservoir via an integral no-drip pour spout. |
| US08448675B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring for a restriction in a stage II fuel vapor recovery system
Systems and methods for detecting a failure in a Stage II fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. An exemplary failure is a restriction in the vapor recovery system. In one detection system dispensing points may be flagged if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the respective dispensing point below a first threshold. Further, an estimated ORVR penetration percentage may be determined for each dispensing point. In a second detection system an average A/L ratio for each dispensing point may be determined. The average A/L ratio may be an approximation of the average A/L ratio for non-ORVR transactions. |
| US08448672B2 |
Weaving machine
A weaving machine for weaving a strong fabric on a surface of a linear light-emitting module is provided. The weaving machine includes a warp let-off mechanism, a drop wire, a plurality of heald frames, a picking mechanism, a beating-up mechanism, and a take-up mechanism. The warp let-off mechanism provides and transmits a plurality of warps and the linear light-emitting module. The heald eye of each heald frame allows the warps and the linear light-emitting module to pass through. The heald frames are located between the warp let-off mechanism and the beating-up mechanism. The take-up mechanism is suitable for adjusting and controlling latitude density of the strong fabric, wherein the take-up mechanism has a set of grooves corresponding to the linear light-emitting module. |
| US08448671B2 |
Light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle
[Problem] To provide a light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle that is light in weight and excellent in mechanical strength.[Solution] The present invention is directed to a light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle 1 for letting conditioned air supplied from an air conditioning unit pass through to a desired location, the duct being obtained by blow-molding a mixed resin including a polypropylene-based resin for foaming and a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and the duct having an Izod impact strength equal to or larger than 10 J/m at −20 degrees Celsius. |
| US08448669B2 |
Tube for cable sheath and cable sheath using the same
The present invention is to provide a tube for cable sheath and the cable sheath using the same. The front end of each tube is connected to the rear end of another one. Two side plates are connected to another tube. A cable is received in the cable sheath. Thereby, when a brake cable is received in the cable sheath, the side plates are connected to another tube so as to restrict one of the bending direction degree of the cable that can avoid the cable sheath being bended in all direction. It is important that the side plates can protect the connecting point of each tube quite well and enhance the structure intensity of the whole cable sheath. After standardizing the specification of the present invention, it can be connected to many kinds of products. The present invention has abundant variability and achieves the best efficacy. |
| US08448665B1 |
Fuel overflow alarm system
An illustrative embodiment of a fuel overflow alarm system includes a fuel tank, a pressure-sensing tube provided in fluid communication with the fuel tank, a pressure sensor provided in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing tube, a microcontroller interfacing with the pressure sensor and a fuel gauge connected to the microcontroller. |
| US08448663B2 |
Vacuum relief valve
A vacuum relief valve is provided. The vacuum relief valve includes a valve body, a filter, a valve stem, a valve seal, a valve seat and valve biasing structure. The valve body includes an interior, an inlet side and a tank side. The inlet side is located substantially opposite the tank side. The filter is located at the inlet side. The valve stem is positioned on the interior the valve body. The valve seal is positioned about the valve stem. The valve seat cooperates with the valve seal to seal the vacuum relief valve. The valve biasing structure is located between the valve seal and the tank side. The valve biasing structure is configured to bias the valve seal towards the valve seat. |
| US08448659B2 |
Check valve assembly for well stimulation operations
A check valve assembly for well stimulation operations. The check valve assembly includes a valve body having an axially extending passageway including an inlet and a valve body seat. The valve body has a discharge port extending laterally from the passageway. A valve cap slidably engages with the valve body and has an opening with a valve cap seat. A piston is disposed within the passageway. In a closed position, a first sealing surface of the piston engages the valve body seat to prevent fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. In an open position, a second sealing surface of the piston engages the valve cap seat allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. A spring disposed within the passageway between the piston and the valve cap biases the piston toward the closed position. |
| US08448654B2 |
Rotary spray washer
A rotary spray washer for heavy duty applications. Each spray device in the system comprises a rotary coupling and two sets of radially extending spray arms. Each set of arms has nozzles at the distal ends to direct water generally toward a target area but angled enough to produce a rotation-producing reaction torque. One set of arms is longer than the other whereby the shorter arms produce a reaction torque which limits the overall speed of rotation without the need for a friction brake or fluid pump brake. |
| US08448649B2 |
Hair care device with optimized ion release
The present invention relates to a hair care device (1) with a handle (3), an operational head connected to the handle (3) having a hair treatment apparatus (5), in particular a bristle field and/or a comb tooth field, and an ion-producing apparatus (9) for producing ions on the hair, having at least one ion outlet (11). According to the invention, the hair care device (1) is characterized in that said hair care device has the feature of a back side (8) facing away from the hair treatment apparatus (5) and an ion-producing apparatus (9) for producing ions on the hair which has at least one switching unit, an ion source, an ion outlet (1) and a sheath surrounding the ion outlet (11). Said hair care device (1) has in addition a grounding surface for the removal/limiting of electronic loads, which is arranged on a part of the housing in the area of the ion outlet, wherein the ion source has a potential level of −10 to −3 KV relative to the potential level of the grounding surface, the sheath has a potential level of −2.5 to −1 KV or of 20% to 50% of the potential level of the ion source relative to the potential level of the grounding surface, and the back side (8) of the device has a potential level of −500 to −100V or from 2% to 10% of the potential level of the ion source relative to the potential level of the grounding surface. |
| US08448646B2 |
Cigar and cigar box combination and method for displaying novel cigar in cigar box
A novel cigar is provided with an elongated cigar puller device which extends into the interior of the cigar. By removing the cigar puller from the cigar, the tobacco fill material of the cigar is disrupted so as to improve the draw of the cigar. Once the cigar puller is removed from the tobacco fill material, a flavorant and/or aromatic can be infused into the less dense tobacco fill material which is provided upon the removal of the cigar puller. |
| US08448644B2 |
Sonic endovenous catheter
A device and method to improve the ultrasound visibility of a catheter placed inside the body is described. The catheter is sonically vibrated by an external driver device that transmits the acoustic vibration down the catheter and inside the body. An ultrasound transducer is used to pick up the ultrasound vibrations directly or detects the sonic vibrations using a Doppler mode ultrasound machine. |
| US08448641B2 |
Leak-compensated proportional assist ventilation
This disclosure describes systems and methods for compensating for leakage when during delivery of gas from a medical ventilator in a proportional assist mode to a patient. The technology described herein includes systems and methods to compensate the delivery of PA ventilation for leakage in the patient circuit by using leak-compensated lung flows as well as leak-compensated respiratory mechanics parameters (lung compliance and lung resistance) estimated in a manner that compensates for elastic and inelastic leaks from the ventilation system. |
| US08448640B2 |
Methods and apparatus for varying the back-up rate for a ventilator
A ventilator device delivers ventilatory support to a patient in a back up timed mode when patient respiration is not detected or a spontaneous mode when patient respiration is detected. The timing threshold governing the back-up mode is chosen to deviate from normal expected respiration time for the patient to promote patient initiated ventilation in the spontaneous mode but permit back-up ventilation in the event of apnea. Automated adjustments to the timing threshold during the timed mode are made from the less vigilant timing threshold to a more vigilant threshold at or near a timing of normal expected breathing of the patient. Such adjustments may be made from a minimum to a maximum vigilance timing settings or incrementally there between as a function of time in the timed mode which is preferably the number of delivered machine breaths. |
| US08448638B2 |
Anesthetic vaporizer
An anesthetic vaporizer is disclosed herein which comprises a fresh gas inlet, a mixed gas outlet, a first gas branch circuit, a second gas branch circuit and a vaporizing chamber. The vaporizing chamber has a reservoir for containing an anesthetic agent. The first gas branch circuit connects the fresh gas inlet and the mixed gas outlet. The second gas branch circuit comprises a first pneumatic circuit, a pressure compensation unit, a second pneumatic circuit, a wick unit and a third pneumatic circuit. The pressure compensation unit has a curved, continuous and sealed vent slot. The wick unit has an immersion portion which is directly contacted with the anesthetic agent in the reservoir. The fresh gas inlet, the first pneumatic circuit, the vent slot, the second pneumatic circuit, the wick unit, the third pneumatic circuit and the mixed gas outlet are sequentially connected with one another. The pressure compensation unit is provided in the reservoir and has a heat conductor which is directly contacted with the anesthetic agent to transfer heat. The vent slot is formed in the heat conductor. The anesthetic vaporizer according to the invention can stabilize the concentration of the anesthetic vapor in the outputted mixed gas. |
| US08448637B2 |
Particle dispersion device for nasal delivery
A nebulizer and a method of breathing using the nebulizer is described. The nebulizer and breathing techniques are capable of delivering medicament into the sinus cavity of a user. |
| US08448636B2 |
Methods and apparatus for safe application of an intubation device
Intubation is a potentially dangerous invasive procedure with many plausible errors, such as over-inflation of a cuff and insertion of an intubation tube in the wrong lumen, potentially resulting in a patient's internal bleeding, suffocation, or even death. An intubation aide according to example embodiments of the present invention allows intubation of a patient, while eliminating potential injury to the patient, increasing accuracy and reliability of the placement of the intubation tube, and drastically decreasing procedural time. Within moments of insertion of the device into a patient, the medical caregiver knows, with complete certainty, the location of the intubation device without applying traditional time-consuming tasks. Embodiments also provide patient safety, if intubated for a prolonged periods, by regulating an inflation pressure of the cuff. The intubation aide can also be used for training purposes and is ideal for intubation in hospital and field settings. |
| US08448635B2 |
Discharge head and droplet discharging device
A discharge head 10 (in illustrated embodiments) for discharging droplets from discharge ports can withstand high water pressure and is provided with a first orifice plate 3 having first discharge ports 3a and a second orifice plate 6 having second discharge ports. The first orifice plate 3 and the second orifice plate 6 are separated from each other in the liquid discharge direction of the discharge head 10 and disposed opposite to each other. The diameter of the discharge ports of the second orifice plate 6 is smaller than the diameter of the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 so that very fine droplets 9 are discharged from the discharge head 10 as the liquid discharged from the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 is split by the second discharge ports. |
| US08448634B2 |
Block splitter assembly and method of producing wall blocks
The invention provides a block splitter assembly comprising first lower and second upper opposed splitter blade assemblies. The splitter blade assemblies have a splitting blade and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the first splitting blade. The forming blades have forming edges. The splitting blade has a splitting edge that is straight, and the splitting blade has a greater maximum vertical dimension than the maximum vertical dimension of the forming blades. The splitting edge of the first splitting blade is opposed to the splitting edge of the second splitting blade. |
| US08448631B2 |
Wireless projectile loader system
A wireless projectile loader system is provided. The system includes at least one sensor for detecting a firing operation of a compressed gas gun and sending a signal to a wireless transmitter. The system further includes a wireless transmitter in communication with the at least one sensor, the wireless transmitter adapted to send a wireless signal in response to the sensor detecting a firing operation. The system further includes at least one wireless receiver for receiving the wireless signal in communication with a motor of a projectile loader and adapted to operate the motor in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter. |
| US08448630B1 |
Archery bow limb support
In some embodiments, an archery bow is configurable between a first draw orientation and a second draw orientation. The bow comprises a limb and a limb support. The limb defines an unsupported length in either orientation, wherein the unsupported length of the limb is less in the second draw orientation than in the first draw orientation. |
| US08448624B2 |
Direct injection internal combustion engine
A direct injection internal combustion engine employs a spray guided combustion method, wherein a fuel spray injected from a fuel injection valve is collected at an electrode section of a spark plug so that satisfactorily high combustion performance may be achieved even with a small amount of injected fuel. The engine includes spray control posts 30 arranged on both sides of the spark plug 5, for guiding the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve 4 to be directed toward the electrode section 10 of the spark plug 5. |
| US08448622B2 |
Choke and priming system for an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine that includes a carburetor having a choke valve and an actuator configured to move the choke valve between a closed choke position and an open choke position. A passageway is configured to direct a pressure pulse from the engine into a fuel chamber of the carburetor. The engine further includes a priming valve at least partially located within the passageway. The priming valve is configured to move between an open primer position that allows the pressure pulse to enter the fuel chamber through the passageway and a closed primer position that substantially restricts the pressure pulse from entering the fuel chamber through the passageway. The priming valve is configured to move between the open primer position and the closed primer position by the actuator when the actuator moves the choke valve between the closed choke position and the open choke position, respectively. |
| US08448619B2 |
Offset rocker arm assembly for thrust load applications
The bearing for a rocker arm assembly has rolling elements positioned between an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve for supporting the radial load between the support pin and the rocker arm and an inner and outer bearing wall that abut one another and supports the axial load in the assembly. |
| US08448615B2 |
Electromagnetic camshaft-adjuster device
An electromagnetic camshaft-adjuster device having an armature unit (14, 42) drivable along an axial direction in reaction of a current feed of a stationary inductor unit (10), which for interacting with an adjusting unit (16, 48) causing adjustment of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine is configured with a slide and/or tappet unit, wherein on and/or in the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit, a permanent magnet element (20, 44) is provided and the inductor unit and the armature unit are at least partially received in a housing or supporting unit, and wherein the supporting unit is associated with a configured stationary magnetic field detection element (22, 38) preferably for contactless magnetic interaction with the permanent magnet element, which is configured so that in a current feed condition and a non current feed condition the inductor unit an axial position of the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit can be determined electronically by evaluating a magnetic field detection signal of the magnetic field detection element. |
| US08448611B2 |
Detonation combustor cleaning device and method of cleaning a vessel with a detonation combustor cleaning device
A detonation device cleaning system includes a vessel having a main body including an outer surface and an inner surface that collectively define an interior chamber. A detonation combustor cleaning device is mounted to the vessel. The detonation combustor cleaning device includes at least one combustion chamber that defines a combustion flow path. The at least one combustion chamber includes a deflection member arranged along the combustion flow path. An ignition device is operatively connected to the at least one combustion chamber. The ignition device is selectively activated to ignite fuel within the at least one combustion chamber to produce a shockwave that moves in a first direction along the combustion flow path, is redirected back along the flow path within the at least one combustion chamber, and passes into the interior chamber to dislodge particles clinging to the inner surface of the vessel. |
| US08448609B2 |
Animal restraint device and method
An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal. Third and fourth embodiments of the device include opposing hook portions that can be used to hook or secure the leg of an animal prior to administering medications. The opposing hook portion has an end opposite curvature as opposed to the hook or curved form between the administration tube and body of the first embodiment, and an opposite curvature as compared to the hook shaped second embodiment. |
| US08448602B2 |
Pet actuated dry food feeder device
A dry animal food feeder device that is adapted to provide a quantity of food based on input from a domestic animal. The device comprises a dry food hopper, which funnels downward to a smaller opening having a flapper-type trap door, operably connected to a series of linkages and a slide gate. A paw pedal is provided, which when depressed, operates the linkages to open the hopper trap door and release the slide gate, providing a quantity of food without dispensing the entire hopper upon depression of the pedal. The linkages are spring assisted to return to a first, closed state upon release of the paw pedal. The dispensing end of the device includes a chute or slide to flow food products therefrom and onto a ground surface for consumption. The entire assembly is housed in a waterproof container to prevent spoilage of the dry food products within the funnel. |
| US08448597B2 |
Liquid application apparatus, liquid application method, inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method
A liquid application apparatus includes a rotatable coating cylinder having a circumferential surface onto which an application liquid is supplied; a base member which is conveyed continuously while making contact with the rotatable coating cylinder; a blade which scrapes off excess liquid of the application liquid in such a manner that a prescribed amount of the application liquid remains on the rotatable coating cylinder, before the rotatable coating cylinder transfers, onto the base member, the application liquid; a blade holding body which holds the blade, which is supported on a supporting shaft and is rotatable in a rotation direction; and a plurality of biasing devices which are disposed in an axial direction of the rotatable coating cylinder and bias the blade holding body in the rotation direction of the blade holding body in such a manner that the blade makes contact with the circumferential surface of the rotatable coating cylinder. |
| US08448596B2 |
Device for sensing gap variation
A sensing device includes a cover having a window; a seat comprising a bottom first opening, a peripheral wall, a recess on the wall, and a bottom channel; a spring biased sliding unit comprising a bottom projection fitted in the first opening, a probe extending from the projection, a hollow cylinder, and two opposite cavities on a periphery; a cylindrical rotational unit comprising a rim extending inward from an inner surface, a second opening on the rim, a display plate on the rim, and two opposite guide protrusions on an inner surface opposing the display plate wherein indications are printed on the display plate, and the rotational unit is rotatably put on the sliding unit with the cylinder passing through the rim, the display plate being rested on the recess, and the guide protrusions being engaged with the cavities; and a biasing member retained on the cylinder. |
| US08448593B2 |
Folding boat
A folding boat with at least two foldable horizontal frames each comprising at least two foldably connected sections a frame. Said sections comprise two longitudinal rails connected by a plurality of transverse members and at least one swivelly foldable guard rail with releasable locking means. Said longitudinal rails comprise internal and external longitudinal groves, where said internal longitudinal grooves hold a plurality of removable and stackable floats. Said floats can be equipped with at least two fins attached to the bottom of said floats for attachment of boat launching wheels. One of said horizontal transverse has two front guard rails equipped with a guiding channels supporting a slideable frame of climbing step, where said frame is slideably movable between an upper retracted position acting as a guide rail and said frame being moved to lower position provides convenient position of the climbing step. |
| US08448590B2 |
Tunnel rigging
A self-supporting rotary rigging and, more specifically, a rigging that has a circular platform adjacent to the deck of the vessel, which makes it possible to control the rotation of the rigging and to install rotary stays and shrouds, which assists in stabilizing the rigging. The rigging is characterized by the existence of a small common boom securely joined to the base platform and to which are fastened the backstay and forestay, all the aforesaid making the rigging very secure and enabling the backstay and forestay to be capable of downward movement. There is a base crosstree, likewise securely connected to the platform, perpendicular to the stays, and to the end thereof are fastened the shrouds, enabling the later to work at a suitable angle. In addition, there is a tunnel across the lower part of the mast, which allows passage from one side of the rigging to the other. |
| US08448588B1 |
Force sensing device adapted for sensing thread tension in a long-arm or mid-arm sewing machine
A force sensing device is adapted for sensing thread tension in a long-arm or mid-arm sewing machine. The force sensing device comprises the sewing machine mechanically coupled to a force sensor disk. A user can rotate a tension adjuster knob to increase or decrease thread tension as necessary. The force sensor disk comprises a variable resister that is electrically coupled to a force sensor disk cable; the force sensor disk cable is electrically coupled to a measurement resistor RM, a load resistor RL, a battery and a power switch. As the tension on the force sensor disk increases, the resistance on force sensor disk decreases and voltage across measurement sensor RM increases. A digital readout meter measures the voltage proportional to the tension on the force sensor disk. A voltage relative to tension is displayed on a display screen and can be viewed by the user who can increase or decrease the tension as necessary. |
| US08448586B2 |
Planting unit
A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification. |
| US08448578B2 |
Guide roller arrangement for cranes
A guide-roller arrangement for gantry cranes (1) has two rotatably mounted axial carriers (21) on which the guide rollers are seated. The guide rollers (11, 12) are mounted on journals which are arranged in the carrier plate (15) in a manner eccentric to the axis of rotation (41) of the axial carrier (21). The selected eccentric position of the journal can be fixed in a formfitting manner with the aid of toothing formations (29, 36) on the axial carrier and on the carrier plate. |
| US08448576B2 |
Tamping machine
A tamping machine designed especially for tamping switch sections comprises two inner and two outer tamping units (13, 24). Each outer tamping unit (24) is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis (26), extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, relative to a guide block (25) connected for displacement to transverse guides (12) and to a transverse displacement drive (14), and is connected to a pivot drive (27). Thus, tamping tools (18) of the outer tamping unit (24) can be positioned at a maximum distance from a machine center (23) for extensive tamping of a branch rail. |
| US08448570B1 |
Portable electric can crusher
A portable electric can crusher is disclosed that crushes cans, at the “point of collection”. The can crusher crushes cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position adjacent a ram plate and an elongated rectangular crushing plate which is used for creasing a center portion of the can followed by moving the ram plate against the can into contact with a rigid vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block. A high powered rechargeable battery provides the force necessary to crush cans faster and more productively. |
| US08448565B2 |
Loose coffee transfer system
A system, method and apparatus for receiving and containing loose beverage substance with a transfer device such as a scoop or measuring device and transferring it to a corresponding holder for retaining the loose beverage substance during dispensing process. The system and apparatus facilitates orderly transfer of loose beverage substance to the holder for dispensing. |
| US08448564B2 |
Side exit faucet server
A server (20) for retaining and dispensing a heated beverage. The server includes an insulated server body (23) for reducing heat transfer of heat from the liquid beverage retained therein. A sump (60) is provided in the server body at a lower portion thereof for draining beverage from the server. The sump has a minimal cross sectional area to further reduce heat transfer from a volume of liquid beverage retained in the server to the sump. A faucet (42) is attached to the server and communicates with the sump through a port (76). An interface hub (52) is positioned between the faucet and the server for reducing heat transfer from the liquid beverage to the faucet. |
| US08448561B2 |
Weapon mount
A mount system including a tray mountable to a port and a table translatable with respect to the tray. A mounting station is positioned on the table. There is a telescoping support for the tray. A drive mechanism translates the table to alternately conceal the mounting station within the port and to deploy the mounting station through the port. |
| US08448560B1 |
Propelled impacter reactive armor
A reactive armor that includes a tube; end caps installed on the ends of the tube; a plurality of impacters included inside of the tube; explosive included between the impacters and between the end caps and the impacters; and one or more passages, wherein the passages provide communication such that when a threat ruptures the tube, the propellant is progressively ignited from the rupture; and, except for the rupture that results from intrusion of the threat, the tube remains essentially intact. |
| US08448555B2 |
Braided loop utilizing bifurcation technology
A method, comprises providing a braid unit having a body braid section, at least two first arms at a first end of the body braid section, and at least two second arms at a second end of the body braid section. Each first arm is passed in through the second end and out through the first end of the body braid section. Each second arm is passed in through the first end and out through the second end of the body braid section. The first and second arms are pulled past each other after passing through the body braid section, so as to gather the body braid section into a ring. |
| US08448552B2 |
Cutting guide board
A cutting guide, and a method for slicing a solid, cuttable workpiece such as vegetables, meat and other items in said cutting guide, comprising a plurality of flights of a coiled material defining an end, a midsection and an opposite end, having an overall length determined by the number and gauge of said flights longitudinally to the major axis of said plurality of flights and any gap there between, that is held in a polymer base having mortises in said polymer base surface, that defines an interior region into which a workpiece may be placed, and an exterior affording access to said interior and any workpiece disposed therein for a knife or other cutting tool, via said gaps between said flights, to enable said workpiece to be cut into or cut through by said knife or cutting tool, transverse to said length or major axis. |
| US08448546B2 |
Customizable light bulb changer
A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis. |
| US08448541B2 |
Hybrid drive speed change device
To provide a hybrid drive speed change device in which a rotation sensor can be disposed appropriately from the viewpoint of reducing the axial dimension of the device. A rotary electric machine MG is disposed coaxially with an input shaft M, and includes a stator St and a rotor Ro provided radially inwardly of the stator St. An oil pump 18 includes a pump case 90, 91 in which a pump chamber 18a is formed, and a pump rotor 18b rotatably housed in the pump chamber 18a. The pump rotor 18b is disposed coaxially with the input shaft M. A rotation sensor 19 is disposed radially outwardly of the pump chamber 18a and radially inwardly of the stator St of the rotary electric machine MG, and disposed to overlap the oil pump 18 as seen from the radial direction of the input shaft M. |
| US08448536B2 |
Actuating device having a locking roller
An actuating device for selecting fixed gear ratios of a gear shifting transmission. The actuating device comprises a shift lever movable between at least three gear positions, and a lockout mechanism for limiting the range of motion of the shift lever. The lockout mechanism comprises a locking assembly including at least one locking chamber disposed in at least one locking roller, and the shift lever includes at least one locking cam. The locking cam can be inserted into the locking chamber to limit the range of motion of the shift lever. It is thus possible to implement actuating and locking tasks in the field of shift-by-wire transmissions, in a simple way and with minimal construction space requirements. The actuating device produces minimal noise and has short shifting times, and makes it shift-by-wire-controlled H shift patterns possible. |
| US08448528B2 |
Three-piece torque sensor assembly
A target magnet assembly configured to be secured to a rotating shaft of a steering gear assembly. The target magnet assembly includes an index hub with a mount and a magnet secured by the mount. The mount includes a tab with a protrusion extending from the tab, a finger, and a stop. The magnet includes an axial retention groove receiving the finger, a top surface abutting the stop, and a radial retention groove receiving the protrusion. |
| US08448525B2 |
Differential pressure based flow measurement
A system for measuring flow of process fluid through process piping in an industrial process includes a flow restriction element in the process pipe. A first differential pressure transmitter is configured to measure a first differential pressure across the flow restriction element in response to flow of process fluid. A second differential pressure transmitter configured to measure a second differential pressure in the process fluid across the flow restriction element. Circuitry performs diagnostics based upon the first differential pressure and the second differential pressure. |
| US08448524B2 |
Magnetic inductive flow meter
A magnetic-inductive flow meter is provided that includes a pressure-resistant plastic housing that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an intermediate measuring unit that has a duct wall and a measurement duct through which the fluid to be measured flows. Two opposite measuring electrodes are arranged in the duct wall and are oriented perpendicular to the magnet poles. Taking into account the maximum admissible pressure for the selected plastic, the duct wall is reduced to a minimum admissible thickness in the region of the magnet poles. An internal reinforcement cage that includes at least two internal transverse bulkheads and at least two internal longitudinal ribs stabilizes the duct wall. An external reinforcement cage that includes at least two first external longitudinal ribs retains and stabilizes the internal reinforcement cage and connects the measuring unit in a tension-proof manner to the inlet port and the outlet port. |
| US08448520B1 |
Bolt tension monitoring system
The bolt tension monitoring system provides remote monitoring of the tension of a bolt, thus allowing for remote monitoring of general structural health and integrity of the fastener. The bolt tension monitoring system includes a housing adapted for being retained on a head of a bolt to be monitored. The system further includes a force transducer positioned between the head of the bolt and a workpiece surface in which the bolt is fastened and measures tension between the head of the bolt and the surface. A controller circuit disposed within the housing calculates a difference between a currently measured tension between the head of the bolt and the workpiece surface and an initially measured tension. A wireless transponder mounted in the housing transmits an alert signal if the calculated difference exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. Actuation and power are provided through radio frequency power harvesting. |
| US08448515B2 |
Differential pressure measuring probe with bottoming indicator
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the point at which the distal end of the bluff body sensor of an averaging pitot tube makes anchoring contact with the inside wall of a fluid conducting conduit during insertion of the bluff body into the conduit, which method includes monitoring the amplitude of vibrations generated in the bluff body in response to the fluid flowing in the conduit by the use of an accelerometer carried by the bluff body and an associated readout instrument connected to the output of the accelerometer for displaying data responsive to the output of the accelerometer and specifically indicating a change in the sensed amplitude values which change advises that the support mode of a bluff body inserted into the conduit has altered. |
| US08448514B2 |
Sensing device with whisker elements
A sensing device includes an elongated whisker element having a flexible cantilever region and a base region where a change in moment or curvature is generated by bending of the cantilever region when it contacts an object. One or more sensor elements cooperatively associated with the whisker element provide one or more output signals that is/are representative of two orthogonal components of change in moment or curvature at the whisker base region to permit determination of object distance, fluid velocity profile, or object contour (shape) with accounting for lateral slip of the whisker element and frictional characteristics of the object. Multiple sensing devices can be arranged in arrays in a manner to sense object contour without or with adjustment for lateral slip. |
| US08448513B2 |
Rotary disk gyroscope
A rotary disk gyroscope (20) includes a drive mass (28) and a sense mass (32). The sense mass (32) includes a cutout region (46, 48) located proximate an axis of rotation (40). Torsion springs (38), located in the cutout region (46, 48), connect the sense mass (32) to the drive mass (28). The torsion springs (38) enable the sense mass (32) to rotate about the axis of rotation (40) in response to an angular velocity of the gyroscope (20). Spring anchorage structures (30) are also positioned in the cutout region (46, 48), and flexibly couple the drive mass (28) to the substrate (22). In addition, a drive system (68) resides in the cutout region (46, 48) and actuates the drive mass (28) to move with an oscillatory motion. In a dual axis configuration, the gyroscope (20) further includes a rectangular-shaped second sense mass (36) surrounding the disk-shaped drive mass (28). |
| US08448508B2 |
Hot film air mass meter and method for its manufacture
A device for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium, in particular an intake air mass of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a sensor chip for measuring the parameter and a control and evaluation electronics having a circuit carrier. The sensor chip is situated on a chip carrier capable of being introduced into the fluid medium. The chip carrier comprises a projection of the circuit carrier developed in one piece with circuit carrier, the sensor chip being fixed in place on the projection. |
| US08448507B2 |
Method and device for detecting hydrometeors
A method and apparatus in connection with a hydrometeor measuring device. According to the method, the amount of precipitation is determined with the aid of the number and size of the hydrometeors. The determining of the size of the hydrometeors is altered as a function of the prevailing atmospheric pressure, in such a way that, the higher the atmospheric pressure, the larger a hydrometeor with the same speed will be estimated to be. |
| US08448506B2 |
Adhesion test method using elastic plate
Provided is a method for testing adhesion. The method includes forming thin films on a substrate; attaching an elastic plate to the substrate, wherein the elastic plate has a larger elastic coefficient than the substrate; and performing an adhesion test on the thin films using an adhesion test apparatus. |
| US08448504B2 |
Exhaust catalyst temperature estimating apparatus and exhaust catalyst temperature estimation method for internal combustion engine
A exhaust catalyst temperature estimating apparatus is provided for estimating a exhaust catalyst temperature of a exhaust catalyst in which a catalyst is loaded on a support and arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust catalyst temperature estimating apparatus estimates the exhaust catalyst temperature using a first model formula to calculate a current exhaust catalyst temperature of the exhaust catalyst based on a parameter corresponding to a current exhaust gas status. The first model formula is empirically determined such that a exhaust catalyst temperature that excludes heat generated by a chemical reaction is calculated for the parameter by using the support prior to being loaded with the catalyst, or is a physical formula of the support prior to being loaded with the catalyst such that a exhaust catalyst temperature excludes heat generated by a chemical reaction is calculated for the parameter. |
| US08448503B2 |
Hot-film air-mass meter having a flow separating element
A hot-film air-mass meter for measuring an air-mass flow which flows in the main direction of the flow, which can be used, in particular, in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The hot-film air-mass meter comprises a sensor chip having a measuring surface. The air-mass flow flows essentially parallel over one surface of the sensor chip. A flow separating element is mounted upstream from the measuring surface with respect to the main flow direction. The at least one flow separating element is designed in such a way that the air-mass flow is separated from the measuring surface of the sensor chip in at least one separation zone prior to reaching the measuring surface. |
| US08448500B2 |
High pressure fracture tester
A system for testing a drilling fluid including a vessel having a fluid inlet, a filtrate outlet, a fluid outlet, and at least one permeable media disposed within the vessel. The system further including a base fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a test fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a filtrate container in fluid communication with the filtrate outlet, and a collection container in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Additionally, the system includes a data acquisition device configured to receive data from at least one of the vessel, the fluid container, the filtrate container, and the collection container. Also, a method for determining sealing characteristics of a drilling fluid including injecting a test fluid having a fluid loss control material from at least fluid container to a vessel, the vessel having a permeable media having two plates disposed to create a variable gap. The methods further including measuring a fracture tip fluid loss through the variable gap and measuring a matrix fluid loss through the permeable media. |
| US08448499B2 |
Cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, a corresponding measuring system, and a corresponding method
The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid. |
| US08448498B1 |
Hermetic seal leak detection apparatus
The present invention is a hermetic seal leak detection apparatus, which can be used to test for hermetic seal leaks in instruments and containers. A vacuum tight chamber is created around the unit being tested to minimize gas space outside of the hermetic seal. A vacuum inducing device is then used to increase the gas chamber volume inside the device, so that a slight vacuum is pulled on the unit being tested. The pressure in the unit being tested will stabilize. If the stabilized pressure reads close to a known good seal calibration, there is not a leak in the seal. If the stabilized pressure reads closer to a known bad seal calibration value, there is a leak in the seal. The speed of the plunger can be varied and by evaluating the resulting pressure change rates and final values, the leak rate/size can be accurately calculated. |
| US08448496B2 |
Piezoelectric coagulation sensors
This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor. |
| US08448490B2 |
Processes to create discrete corrosion defects on substrates and establish corrosion NDI test standards
Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing. |
| US08448489B2 |
Power crimping device and method for crimping building panels
An device for crimping together adjacent edge portions of two building panels including a frame supporting a rotatable shaft protruding therethrough, a first crimping member attached to the frame, a gear train supported by the frame coupled to the rotatable shaft such that a rotation of the rotatable shaft imparts rotary motion to the gear train, a drive mechanism supported by the frame and rotatably coupled to the gear train, and a second crimping member supported by the frame and coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the second crimping member is configured to move toward and then away from the first crimping member in a repeating, reciprocating motion under influence of the drive mechanism while rotation of the rotatable shaft is maintained, such that the second crimping member is configured to bend an edge portion of a first building panel over an edge portion of a second building panel. |
| US08448487B2 |
Vessel forming station
An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations. |
| US08448484B2 |
Rekeyable lock cylinder
A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a plurality of first rack components, a plurality of second rack components and a guide bar having a first surface engaged with the first rack components. The second rack components are movable via contacting against a first matched key which is inserted in a first direction. The guide bar has a second surface, a first side, a second side, and a tool-receiving portion recessed into the first side. The tool-receiving portion is parallel to the first direction, and the first rack components are actuated by the guide bar via acting force applied by the rekeying tool accommodated in the tool-receiving portion therefore enabling the first rack components to move in a transverse direction relative to the first direction and disengaging the first rack components from the second rack components. |
| US08448478B2 |
Washing/drying machine
Disclosed is the washing/drying machine including a fragrance supplying means for supplying fragrance, and a heat supplying means for supplying heat to promote evaporation of a fragrance source stored in the fragrance supplying means. The washing/drying machine uses heat supplied by the heat supplying means so as to promote evaporation of a fragrance source in the fragrance supplying means, thereby increasing efficiency in fragrance supply. |
| US08448477B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with controlled reciprocating movement
Reciprocating laundry treating appliances are disclosed. An example laundry treating appliance includes a motor to rotate a drum about the horizontal axis of rotation and an axial drive mechanism to reciprocate the drum relative to the horizontal axis of rotation. The drum may be reciprocated to distribute laundry within the drum. The rotation and reciprocation may be independent and/or simultaneous. |
| US08448473B2 |
Glass melting furnace built entirely with refractory concrete
Glass melting furnace comprised by several sections which are built entirely with refractory concrete of diverse refractory materials according to operation conditions, chemical environment, temperature, and mechanical load to which its several sections are exposed, as well as to the material thickness required, to assure an structural integrity and durability similar to the ones of furnaces of conventional design as well as a lower investment cost. |
| US08448472B2 |
I. S. machine with pressure control
An I. S. Machine includes a blow station having a blow mold which closes to support a parison with the supported parison undergoing reheat and then being blown into a bottle. When reheat takes place air at low pressure is supplied to the blow tube to pressurize the interior of the parison to prevent the formation of a birdswing in a blown bottle. Air at a second pressure is supplied to the blow tube for blowing the parison into a bottle following reheat. |
| US08448470B2 |
Method for manufacturing curved glass sheet and mold employed in the same
A method for manufacturing curved glass sheet includes the following steps: providing a mold which includes a first mold core and a second mold core corresponding to the first mold core; providing a raw glass sheet and placing the raw glass sheet on the second mold core; heating the first mold core to a first temperature, and heating the second mold core and the raw glass sheet to a second temperature which is equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature of the glass sheet but higher than the first temperature; closing the mold and hot pressing the first mold core on the glass sheet; opening the mold, and cooling the glass sheet to obtain the curved glass sheet. An annealing step can also be provided to the curved glass sheet. A mold for manufacturing the curved glass sheet is also provided. |
| US08448466B2 |
Process and plant for the treatment of the glass sheets of an asymmetric glass-sheet pair
The glass sheets (2) of an asymmetric glass-sheet pair, which is intended for the production of laminated glass, are preheated in a preheating furnace (1) and then undergo a press-bending process in a press-bending station (4). By means of a temperature measuring point (11) arranged at the exit of the press-bending station, it is ensured that the glass sheets exhibit a uniform bending behavior, in order to guarantee identical restoring forces during cooling. The temperature measuring point (11) is connected to a control device (16), which causes an intermediate cooling of the glass sheet heating more rapidly by means of an intermediate cooling installation (12, 13) in the pre-heating furnace and/or lengthens its dwell time in the press-bending station (4) by means of a timing control element (15). |
| US08448458B2 |
Solar collector and solar air conditioning system having the same
A solar air conditioning system and method of superheating working fluid is provided. The solar air conditioning system superheats the working fluid using radiant energy from the sun, and then delivers the working fluid as a superheated and higher-pressured gas to a condenser within the solar air conditioning system. The solar air conditioning system includes a solar collector within which the working fluid is superheated. |
| US08448456B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for frozen sample distribution
A drilling system including a motor that produces a sonic, linear oscillatory motion is provided for removing a frozen biological sample from a stored frozen specimen and methods of use thereof without thawing the remainder of the specimen. The stator and slider assembly is operated by a servo controller which can communicate and be programmed through a port of a PC equipped with software. |
| US08448455B2 |
Method for cooling a cryostat configuration during transport and cryostat configuration with transport cooler unit
A method for cooling a cryostat configuration (1, 1′) during transport, wherein the cryostat configuration (1) comprises a superconducting magnet coil (2) in a helium tank (8) containing liquid helium (9), which is surrounded by at least one radiation shield (10), wherein the cooling inside the cryostat configuration (1, 1′) in stationary operation is performed entirely without liquid nitrogen by means of a refrigerator, characterized in that during transport, the refrigerator is switched off and instead, liquid nitrogen (6) is conducted from an external nitrogen vessel (4) via a supply tube (7) from the nitrogen vessel (4) to the cryostat configuration (1, 1′) and brought into thermal contact with the radiation shield (10) by means of a thermal contact element (11) in the cryostat configuration (1, 1′). In this way, the consumption of liquid helium during transport can be greatly reduced and the possible transport time of a charged superconducting magnet configuration increased. |
| US08448454B2 |
Cryogenic cooling system with vaporized cryogen sparging cooling enhancement
Systems and methods are disclosed that expand environmental support for an HVAC system with an HVAC fluid circulating throughout by vaporizing a cryogen; and sparging the vaporized cryogen to dispense sparge bubbles to the HVAC fluid to cool the HVAC fluid. |
| US08448453B2 |
Refrigeration device and a method of refrigerating
The invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising: a magnetic field source; a magnetocaloric bed, one of the magnetocaloric bed and the magnetic field source being arranged to substantially surround the other, the magnetocaloric bed being arranged for relative rotation with respect to the magnetic field source such that during said relative rotation, the magnetic field experienced by parts of the magnetocaloric bed varies; plural pathways formed within the magnetocaloric bed for the flow of a working fluid during the relative rotation between the magnetocaloric bed and the permanent magnet; and a flow distributor placed at each end of the magnetocaloric bed, for controlling the part of the magnetocaloric bed able to receive working fluid during a cycle of operation. |
| US08448452B2 |
Shuttle type magnetic refrigerator
The present invention relates to a shuttle type magnetic refrigerator wherein a cold-side heat exchanger 160 is thermally coupled between a far-side inlet/outlet of a first AMR bed and a far-side inlet/outlet of a second AMR bed. |
| US08448449B2 |
Fuel injector mounting system
A system is provided for mounting fuel injectors to a gas turbine engine. The system comprises an engine casing having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The system further comprises a plurality of first and second fuel injectors. Each fuel injector has a respective flange for mounting the fuel injector to the casing at a respective aperture so that the fuel injector extends into the engine. The first fuel injectors have flanges which are dismountably sealed to an inner side of the casing. The second fuel injectors have flanges which are dismountably sealed to an outer side of the casing. The flanges of the first fuel injectors are configured to allow them to pass through the apertures of the second fuel injectors. A first fuel injector can be dismounted from the casing and withdrawn therefrom through the aperture of a dismounted second fuel injector. |
| US08448444B2 |
Method and apparatus for mounting transition piece in combustor
A bracket for a combustor, and a method for mounting a transition piece in a combustor, are disclosed. The combustor has an impingement sleeve at least partially surrounding a transition piece and an outer casing at least partially surrounding the impingement sleeve. The bracket is mounted to the transition piece and connected to the outer casing. The method includes mounting a bracket to the transition piece, extending the bracket through an impingement sleeve, the impingement sleeve at least partially surrounding the transition piece, and connecting the bracket to an outer casing, the outer casing at least partially surrounding the impingement sleeve. |
| US08448438B2 |
Indirect-fired gas turbine power plant
An indirect-fired gas turbine power plant comprises a compressor; a turbine mechanically coupled to the compressor; a furnace; a heat exchanger inside the furnace and fluidly coupled at an inlet end to the compressor and at an outlet end to the turbine; and means for forming a gas barrier around a portion of the heat exchanger to impede combustion products from contacting the heat exchanger. Such means can be a plurality of gas discharge manifolds located around a portion of the heat exchanger. The manifolds can be coupled to heated working gas exhausted by the turbine. |
| US08448433B2 |
Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using gas expansion and compression
In various embodiments, energy-storage systems are based upon an open-air arrangement in which pressurized gas is expanded in small batches from a high pressure of, e.g., several hundred atmospheres to atmospheric pressure. The systems may be sized and operated at a rate that allows for near isothermal expansion and compression of the gas. |
| US08448429B2 |
Engine exhaust heat recovery device, and energy supply apparatus using the same
[Problems] Provided is a configuration in which a member is not interposed between exhaust gas and a partition wall of an engine coolant passage, and the exhaust gas is caused to directly collide with the partition wall of the engine coolant passage, thus raising the gas flow velocity in a heat exchange part, which enables further improving the exhaust heat recovery rate.[Means for Solving Problems] An engine exhaust gas heat recovery device (1) recovers heat from engine exhaust gas by performing heat exchange between the engine exhaust gas and engine coolant. A plurality of spray holes (20) facing an inner cylinder tube (31) of a coolant passage (3) have been provided in an outer tube (22) of an exhaust gas inflow tube (2), and the exhaust gas is caused to directly collide with the inner cylinder tube (31) of the coolant passage (3). A minimum distance from each of the spray holes (20) to the inner cylinder tube (31) of the coolant passage (3) is in a range of 1.5 to 7 times the diameter of the spray holes. A relationship between a total opening area of the spray holes (20) and an exhaust gas flow rate is (total spray hole area/exhaust gas mass flow rate)=2.0 to 4.5 (cm2/(kg/min)). |
| US08448427B2 |
Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system for flex-fuel combustion engine
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. |
| US08448426B2 |
Method for heating an SCR system using resistive heating elements
Method for heating a urea SCR system using at least two resistive heating elements (R1, R2), one of which (R1) is intended for heating one or some (part(s) of) component(s) always in contact with a substantial amount of urea and the other (R2) is intended for heating one or some (part(s) of) component(s) which are sometimes not in contact with a substantial amount of urea, and according to which, when starting the system in freezing conditions, the resistive element R1 is activated but the resistive element R2 is activated only when its component is actually in contact with a substantial amount of urea. |
| US08448416B2 |
Combustor liner
A combustor within which a combustion zone is defined is provided and includes an annular liner having a first mixing hole defined therein at a first axial position, a flow sleeve, having a second mixing hole defined therein at a second axial position, the flow sleeve surrounding the liner to form a first flow space at an exterior of the liner, a port, coupled to the flow sleeve at the second axial position, which is configured to remove air from the first flow space via the second mixing hole, and a shield, having a third mixing hole defined therein at the second axial position, the shield being disposed to shield the liner and to form a second flow space within the liner, which is communicable with the combustion zone via the third mixing hole and with the first flow space via the first mixing hole. |
| US08448410B2 |
Building block, building block mold, and method for forming building block
The present invention provides an improved building block formed of recycled straw stalks, a mold for forming the block, and a method of forming the block. The improved block provides a moisture and pest resistant building block having high dimensional tolerances and being capable of long term use without structural degradation. |
| US08448408B2 |
Method of adhering EPDM membranes to non-porous substrates
A method of adhering a roofing membrane to a roof surface including providing a roofing membrane including a hygroscopic dusting agent on at least one planar surface of the membrane. A water-borne adhesive is applied to the at least one planar surface of the membrane or the roof surface and the roofing membrane is then mated to the roof surface while the adhesive retains a majority of its original water content. |
| US08448401B2 |
Fiber cement board surface product
A combined thermal insulation barrier and installation guide for fiber cement siding. A rectangular insulating board has a flat, rectangular back surface, and a front surface shaped to form a number of flat-faced, protruding ridges, aligned parallel to an edge of the rectangle. The cross-section, taken orthogonal to the ridges has a saw-tooth shape. When a standard-size, fiber cement plank is placed face-down on a face of a ridge with its edge abutting the short face of an adjacent ridge, and a second board is placed face-down on an adjacent ridge, the second board overlaps first board and lies flat on the first board. Once the shaped insulating board is aligned to a required orientation, and attached on a building surface, it serves as a positioning guide for attaching fiber cement boards. Left in the siding, the shaped, insulating board acts as insulation throughout the life of the siding. |
| US08448392B2 |
Modular floor tile
A disk shaped modular floor tile includes three sets of a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection wherein the second and third projections of the same set are arranged oppositely to each other; and notches each formed between any adjacent first projection and second projection, any adjacent second projection and third projection, or any adjacent third projection and first projection. The first projection has a convex edge between two adjacent notches. The notch has a concave edge formed continuously with the convex edge. Each of the second projection and the third projection comprises a convex edge formed continuously with the concave edge, a first straight edge formed continuously with the convex edge, and a second straight edge formed continuously between the first straight edge and the concave edge. The second straight edge is at an obtuse angle with respect to the first straight edge. |
| US08448391B2 |
Photovoltaic module with removable wind deflector
A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module, a deflector, and a clip. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes a support arm forming a seat. The deflector defines a front face and a rear face, with the clip extending from either the trailing frame member or the rear face of the deflector. In a mounted state, the deflector is nested within the seat and is releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. In some embodiments, the support arm forms a second seat, with the PV module assembly providing a second mounted state in which the deflector is in a differing orientation/slope, nested within the second seat and releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. |
| US08448390B1 |
Catenary cable solar panel suspension system
A system of suspended photovoltaic modules relative to a surface wherein modules are suspended generally parallel and spaced apart along the length of dual pairs of catenary cables. A hanger assembly permits initial attachment of a module during installation as the cables are mounted to the rear surfaces of the modules via mid clamp assemblies. End clamp assemblies attach the modules to the cables proximate stanchions having two spaced posts joined by cross beams, a top cross beam angled to define an inclined plane. The respective pairs of cables supporting the modules are joined with cable cross ties to form a catenary shape. The modules may be suspended in a generally consistent inclined plane or a slightly concave curve. The catenary cables and clips are sized and shaped to allow the modules limited sway movement as necessary to reduce stresses and forces during wind or other adverse weather events. |
| US08448389B2 |
Sound transmission reducing construction elements
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an acoustic laminate suitable for use in wall, floor and ceiling assemblies and other dividing structure assemblies, the laminate including: a viscoelastic acoustic barrier being in the form of discrete, spaced apart sections or a continuous layer; and a construction panel, the barrier affixed to one or more panel faces of the construction panel. |
| US08448387B2 |
Wall panel and method
The disclosure provides a system and method for constructing support structures in buildings or other projects, which can support molds for use when pouring reinforced concrete slabs. The disclosed structures can accommodate more than one molds stacked vertically one over the other, and can remain in place to define walls or other separators in the completed structure. In one embodiment, the disclosed structure is a wall panel including a frame and vertical support members. The wall panel includes features allowing the vertical stacking of multiple wall panels. A temporary bracing system is further disclosed for use when stabilizing multiple stacked panels until construction of the surrounding floor or ceiling slabs has been completed. |
| US08448386B2 |
Window remediation system and method
A window remediation system having a sill member coupled to exterior sheathing adjacent a through-opening and another portion extending into a lower region of the opening, a plurality of corner members each having a body configured to be coupled to the exterior sheathing between the exterior sheathing and a siding panel, a pair of side jambs each having a body configured to be coupled to the exterior sheathing and a return flange extending into the through-opening, the side jambs overlapping a portion of opposing corner members, and a head flashing member having an awning element, a first securing tab, and a second securing tab, and a slotted sidewall to receive the side jambs. |
| US08448384B2 |
Doorway with DP enhanced sill
A doorway with a sill attachment that increases a sill DP rating includes spaced vertical jambs, a head jamb, and a sill, all of which form a door frame, and a door panel mounted in the frame. The sill is a substantially hollow contain-and-drain type sill with a nosing provided with drainage openings. a substantially hollow sill attachment is mounted to and extends along the nosing and the attachment projects downwardly to a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The drainage openings communicate with the interior of the extension. Weep holes that communicate with the environment are located in the sill attachment at a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The sill and sill attachment may be formed as a single component, or as separate components assembled either in the factory or the field. The attachment increases a column height of water that can be accommodated by the sill before leakage occurs, and thus enhances the DP rating of the sill. |
| US08448376B2 |
Flying insect trapping apparatus
A flying insect trapping apparatus is provided that is capable of attracting and trapping flying insects such as flies or wasps very well and moreover without giving a user an unpleasant feeling. The flying insect trapping apparatus comprises an attractive and inductive member having a vertical surface portion, an entry port surrounding an upper part of the attractive and inductive member and a trap chamber communicating with the entry port, whereby a flying insect is attracted by the member and to land on the surface portion thereof and then is induced to move along the surface portion and to pass through said entry port so as to be trapped in the inside of the trap chamber. |
| US08448372B2 |
Rangefinders for inclined shooting of projectile weapons
A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed. |
| US08448365B2 |
Cocking system for dart launcher
A cocking system for a toy gun apparatus wherein a gun housing includes a grip portion with an outward extending tab and a cocking handle connected to the gun housing. The handle is structured to receive the tab of another gun apparatus being held in a user's other hand to allow play where a user is able to hold two gun apparatus, one in each hand, and fire each and then cock each gun apparatus without releasing either gun apparatus. |
| US08448361B2 |
Motion greeting cards
The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object. |
| US08448358B2 |
Device comprising a coated metal plate and method of manufacturing such a device
A device comprises a metal plate (4) and an element (2) for supporting the plate (4), wherein a portion (5) of the plate (4) is wrapped around the supporting element (2), wherein the plate (4) is coated with a sol-gel coating having a thickness which is in a range of 25 to 60 micrometers. In a manufacturing process of the device, the metal plate (4) is attached to the supporting element (2) by subjecting at least a portion (5) of the plate (4) to a process of mechanical deformation, wherein the sol-gel coating is applied to the plate (4) prior to attaching the plate (4) to the supporting element (2). Tests have proven that it is possible to have both the relatively thick coating and the mechanical deformation of at least a portion (5) of the plate (4) to which the coating is applied, without the formation of cracks in the coating. |
| US08448353B2 |
Boot in particular ski or snowboard boot
A boot includes a lacing system having an upper zone of action associated with an upper portion of the boot body and a lower zone of action associated with a lower portion of the boot body. The lacing system includes a single bootlace, the first end of which is anchored in the upper zone of action and the second end of which is anchored in the lower zone of action. The boot also includes a common lace-tightening device, having a handpiece, for the upper zone of action and the lower zone of action of the lacing system. The common lace-tightening device cooperates with the bootlace in such a way that, on operation of the handpiece, the upper zone of action and the lower zone of action of the lacing system are acted upon simultaneously in respect of lacing up and opening the boot. |
| US08448349B2 |
Hair care device with function head
The present invention relates to a hair care device (1), having a handle (3), a application head (4) which can be connected to the handle (3) and has a hair treatment device (5), particularly a bristle and/or a tooth field, and having an ion discharging device (9) with at least one ion outlet (11) for discharging ions onto the hair. According to the invention, the hair care device (1) is characterized in that the application head (4) and/or a part of the housing surrounding the ion outlet (11) has at least one grounding surface for dissipating/limiting electrical charges. Advantageously, the ions are discharged exclusively from the back (8) of the device facing away from the hair treatment device (5), while the grounding surface can be provided on the application head (4) on the front side of the device. |
| US08448347B2 |
Length measuring device
A length measuring device for measuring a relative position of two objects, the length measuring device including a scale in a housing and a scanning unit displaceable in a measuring direction X relative to the scale and the housing, wherein the scanning unit is disposed inside the housing and including a heat-generating electrical component. The length measuring device further including a thermal conduction path designed for transferring heat generated at the heat-generating electrical component to the housing. |
| US08448344B2 |
Digital lens gauge
A handheld digital lens clock device is disclosed for measuring front and back dioptric power of eyeglass lenses based on curvature and refractive index. The device includes a reference probe, a measuring probe for measuring a sagittal depth of a lens relative to the reference probe and a digital display to show the measurement information. The device can further include a refractive index input button that allows the device to measure the optical power of lens composed of materials having different refractive indices. The device can further include a calibration button that is used to set a reference or zero reading by placing the reference probes and measuring probe on a flat surface. A tube level can also be included on the device to assist orienting the device when taking measurements. |
| US08448340B2 |
Large diameter notched blade and blade housing for power operated rotary knife
A power operated rotary knife having a large diameter, annular rotary knife blade and interfitting blade housing wherein the rotary knife blade includes notched bearing race providing for an enhanced or enlarged area of bearing contact between the blade bearing race and the corresponding blade housing bearing structure. The enhanced area of bearing contact is offset radially inwardly of and axially from a radial outer surface of a drive gear region of the blade thereby reducing wear on the radial outer surface of the blade drive gear region. |
| US08448339B2 |
Shaving cartridge with supressed blade geometry
A shaving cartridge with a housing, a cap, and a guard. The guard has an upper surface. The cap has a top surface, a front edge, and an arcuate surface connecting the top surface and the front edge. A first blade between the cap and the guard has a cutting edge nearest the cap. A second blade between the cap and the guard has a cutting edge nearest the guard. The first and second blades define a blade plane tangent to the cutting edges. The blade plane is positioned below both (i) the surface of the guard and (ii) an intersection point of the front edge and the top surface of the cap. |
| US08448338B2 |
Razor comprising a three dimensional, microstructured abrasion material
A wet shaving razor comprising a handle having a proximate and distal end, a razor cartridge mounted at the proximate end of the handle. The cartridge further includes 1) a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls joining said front and rear walls; 2) a plurality of razor blades, each blade having a sharpened cutting edge and wherein said blades are disposed in a parallel arrangement extending between said side walls; and 3) an abrasion material comprising a plurality of geometric, three-dimensional, microstructures wherein said material is disposed adjacent to said front wall and forward of said blades. |
| US08448337B2 |
Device for positioning a piece of car body work on a motor vehicle
A device for positioning a motor vehicle bodywork part, the bodywork part intended to be juxtaposed with a door of the vehicle, it being possible for the door to adopt an open position and a closed position on the vehicle. The positioning device includes elastic means capable of defining: a first position for the positioning device when the door is in the open position, and a second position for the positioning device when the door is in the closed position, during which the elastic means are deformed. |
| US08448334B2 |
Forming self-healing insulation for magnet wire
A process for remediating the insulating properties of magnet wire insulation is described. Magnet wire, used in electric motors and other electrical devices, comprises an electrically-conductive core covered by a thin insulating layer. The insulating layer may be damaged or compromised during manufacture or service. A process for incorporating polymerizable materials, sequestered in microcapsules, within the insulating layer is described. When the insulating layer is subjected to conditions sufficient to compromise its insulating character, the microcapsules fracture and release their contents which then polymerize and re-establish the insulating properties of the layer. |
| US08448332B2 |
Method and device for transporting electronic modules
Electronic modules are transported with respect to equipment for manipulating and testing electronic modules. The transport is formed from a thin support having openings for receiving electronic modules. A locating mechanism associated with the thin support serves to locate the support relative to transport and testing equipment. A mechanism is further provided for holding the received electronic modules within the openings during transport and testing. |
| US08448326B2 |
Method of manufacturing an accelerometer
An electret accelerometer is provided in which a diaphragm, an electret, a back plate and an electronic circuit are placed in a casing and the casing is sealed to isolate the diaphragm from external acoustic signals. |
| US08448319B2 |
Independent axis clamping apparatus and method
A method for performing operations on a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of: contacting the workpiece with a tool; moving the tool along any of multiple axes; moving a clamp along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool; and, clamping the workpiece using the clamp. Contacting the workpiece with the tool may comprise plunging a friction stir welding pin tool into the workpiece while the workpiece is being clamped. The tool may be moved by moving a spindle housing over the workpiece, and the clamp may be moved by rotating the clamp around the first axis as the spindle housing moves over the workpiece. The method may further comprise the step of coordinating the movement of the clamp with the movement of the tool. |
| US08448314B2 |
Sofa sleeper installation and system
Improved methods and apparatuses relating to installation of a sleeper mechanism into a frame of a sofa sleeper are disclosed. In one embodiment, initially the frame is aligned such that an open bottom portion of the frame is upright and facing outwardly. The sleeper mechanism is then advanced towards the open bottom portion and hook apertures on the brackets are engaged with upper fasteners on the frame. The sleeper mechanism is then swung inwardly towards the top portion of the frame until notches on the bracket are passed lower fasteners on the frame and then swung back towards the open bottom portion to engage the notches with the lower fasteners. |
| US08448305B2 |
Arrays of fastener elements
A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product. |
| US08448303B1 |
Belt adjustment mechanism
A belt adjustment mechanism incorporated into a belt that allows an individual to adjust the overall length of the belt, which includes a primary component and an adjustable component that slides within the primary component. Both the primary component and the adjustable component have a pair of tracks and number of holes A hook on each side of the belt adjustment mechanism is placed through tracks of both components and a hole on each of the components to temporarily place the adjustable component into a fixed position in relation to the primary component. A belt is attached to both the primary component and the adjustable component, allowing the actual waist size of the belt to be varied slightly. |
| US08448301B2 |
Tool set for marine applications
A toolset for marine applications that includes improved handle for buckets that provides an improved flexible gripping strap, and further provides a method of securely attaching the flexible gripping strap to specially formed spiked hooks that attach to a bucket. The spiked hook is inserted into a central channel of the flexible gripping strap. The hook has a distal end with angled spikes that allow the hook to be inserted into the central channel, but are angled such that they cannot be withdrawn. The hook further has a proximal end with an open hook that can be easily attached or detached from a bucket. The tool set further has specially formed wrenches that allow a user to adjust stopcocks that are located in hard to reach locations. The wrenches have open ends and slotted sides to allow them to adjust the stopcocks in multiple ways. That alternative use for the spiked hook is shown which allows it to be used to clean lobsters. |
| US08448299B1 |
Handlebar grip for a bicycle or a motorcycle
A handlebar grip for a bicycle or a motorcycle contains a sleeve member including a first segment, a second first segment, and a through hole, a holding face formed on the first segment, at least one limiting projection extending outward from the second segment, and a recessed pressing zone; a retaining housing including two hard engaging covers, at least one restricting groove to extend the limiting projection outward; a wall face formed around each of the at least one restricting groove and on each of the two engaging covers; the each of the two engaging covers including a C-shaped locking face; a locking device applied to lock the two engaging covers together so that the two engaging covers are locked on the handle outside the second segment by using two C-shaped locking faces respectively, and the two limiting projections of being axially limited by the two restricting grooves respectively. |
| US08448298B2 |
Handle attachment for doorknobs
A device for providing a lever attachment to round doorknobs having a flexible cylindrical part that adapts to the majority of doorknobs of different diameters, thicknesses and profiles. During the screw tightening the compressible elastomeric material sandwiched between doorknob and cylindrical part of the attachment increases the interface contact surface to take the shape of the doorknob profile. The elastomeric insert has a high coefficient of friction. It prevents slipping of the attachment after tightening. |
| US08448296B2 |
Side load carrier and balance system for window sashes
A carrier assembly can be used to couple a balance assembly with a window sash. The carrier assembly can engage the window sash to transfer a force from the balance assembly to balance a weight of the window sash. The carrier assembly, due to interactions of the window sash with the carrier assembly and the balance assembly with the carrier assembly, can tightly engage the window sash, either directly or through a bracket, to substantially eliminate unselected movement or forces applied from the balance assembly. |
| US08448295B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with rotating handle
A vacuum cleaner having a base to move on a surface, an intermediate member having a first and second passages, and a first joint connecting the base to the intermediate member to permit relative rotation between the base and the intermediate member about a first axis that is generally parallel to the surface and perpendicular to a direction of movement. An air passage connects a base inlet to the first intermediate member passage. A second joint connects a handle to the intermediate member and permits rotation between the intermediate member and the handle about a second axis that is parallel to a nominal direction of movement of the vacuum. The handle has a grip a dirt collector to receive and separate dirt from air. First and second passages connect the intermediate member passages to the dirt collector inlet and outlet. A vacuum fan draws air into the base air inlet, through the intermediate member, through the dirt collector, through the second handle air passage, and back into the intermediate member. At least one of the first and second passages jointing the intermediate member to the dirt collector is a flexible hose that is offset from the second axis and is adapted to flex to permit the handle to rotate relative to the intermediate member. |
| US08448294B2 |
Cleaner head
A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator and an agitator chamber housing the agitator. The agitator includes a drive shaft, a flexible body connected to the drive shaft and surface engaging members mounted on the flexible body. The agitator chamber includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the surface engaging members enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane relative to which the flexible body is inclined so that, with rotation of the agitator, the surface engaging members protrude through the opening, preferably towards the front of the opening. |
| US08448291B2 |
Inlet for a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner has a front, an upper portion and a lower portion. The vacuum cleaner comprises an air flow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A cyclone unit comprises at least one cyclone having a cyclone air inlet positioned in the air flow passage. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow passage. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner is a hand vacuum cleaner and the nozzle is positioned at a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner and preferably below the vacuum cleaner. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner is a hand vacuum cleaner and the nozzle includes a lower open sided passage. In accordance with another aspect, the vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member that is positioned at least partially above the air inlet. |
| US08448288B2 |
Semiconductor equipment
Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned. |
| US08448282B2 |
Sectioned mouthpiece for oral care
The mouthpiece (10) includes receiving portions for receiving teeth from the upper and lower jaws. The teeth receiving portions includes two side portions (26, 28) which are joined by flexible members (32, 34) to a front portion (30). The two side portions move laterally relative to the front portion by the flexible members to accommodate a variety of dental arch configurations. |
| US08448281B2 |
Domestic appliance
A domestic appliance includes a head divided into a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, and a drive mechanism for rotating the head about a first axis while simultaneously rotating the first rotatable member about a second axis and the second rotatable member about a third axis. Each of the second axis and the third axis is angled to and preferably intersects the first axis. When viewed in a direction extending along the second axis towards the first axis, the drive mechanism rotates the first rotatable member about the second axis in a first angular direction and the second rotatable member about the third axis in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction. |
| US08448277B2 |
Method for treating laundry in a washing machine, and washing machine
A method of treating laundry in a washing machine having a substantially rotatable drum disposed in a suds container. The method includes heating the drum wall with a heater during a laundry smoothing cycle and rotating the drum during the smoothing cycle at a first speed so as to lift the laundry in the drum to a height at which the laundry slides down the drum wall. |
| US08448276B2 |
Wax, scraper and buffer combination device for tuning skis and snowboards
A tuning device consisting of a wax piece, a scraper, and a buffer in a portable unit for creating a waxed surface for skis and snowboards. The tuning device may also include a cord or strap for carrying the device and a cap fitting over the wax for keeping other surfaces from coming in direct contact with the wax while carrying and storing the device. The wax cap may also be used to form new wax on the tuning device. The tuning device allows for the application of wax to the base surface of all types of skis and snowboards. The wax is first applied to the base surface of the ski or snowboard, filling in scratches and gouges on the base surface. The excess wax is then scraped off using the scraper. The base surface of the ski or snowboard where the wax was applied is then polished using the buffer. |
| US08448275B1 |
Pillow assembly with multiple configurations
A pillow assembly with multiple configurations. The pillow assembly comprises a first elongate bolster pillow and a second pillow that is either a short cylindrical pillow or a wedge-shaped pillow. The two pillows are connected by an elastic panel, and the bolster pillow can be rolled up inside the elastic panel and snugged up to the side or end of the second pillow in a stowed position. |
| US08448274B2 |
Leg support instrument and supporting method
A leg support instrument is designed to be fastened, in a table fastening condition, to a longitudinal side of an operating table. The instrument comprises a first frame part provided with fastening means having a table engaging portion. The instrument also comprises a second frame part with adjustable support means fastened thereto for supporting a lower leg of a person. A first hinge having a first axis of rotation connects the first frame part to the second frame part. In the table fastening condition, different distances can be set between the table engaging portion and the first axis of rotation. The instrument comprises aligning means for aligning a position of the first axis of rotation depending on a position of a person lying on the operating table. The aligning means are designed for projecting a light beam extending in line with the first axis of rotation on the lying person. |
| US08448264B2 |
Rapid opening feature on tactical jacket
A jacket for tactical use by police, for example, has a side opening just below the arm to the bottom of the jacket, with a quick-opening feature for fast access to a weapon secured under the jacket. The side opening is closed by a zipper pulled downwardly, concealed by a flap when closed. A small gripping tab extends out at the exterior of the jacket near the bottom edge, at the end of a rip cord secured to a buckle or clip positioned along the inside surface of the jacket. The clip snaps together to hold the jacket opening secured at bottom. When the rip cord is pulled, this has the effect of releasing the buckle and opening the zipper to separate the jacket along the opening line. The wearer can thus quickly reach a weapon or other implement by a rapid one-handed pull of the rip cord. |
| US08453259B2 |
Authentication apparatus, authentication system, authentication method, and authentication program using biometric information for authentication
In order to enable multiple logins by a same user, the authentication server includes a registration portion to store a user record including a fingerprint image for authentication of identity of a user and owner authentication information stored in a IC card issued to the user; an identity authentication portion to compare a fingerprint image received from one of MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; a first permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated fingerprint image to the MFP that transmitted the fingerprint image; an owner authentication portion to compare owner authentication information received from one of the MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; and a second permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated owner authentication information to the MFP that transmitted the owner authentication information. |
| US08453257B2 |
Approach for securing distributed deduplication software
The various embodiments of the present invention include techniques for securing the use of data deduplication activities occurring in a source-deduplicating storage management system. These techniques are intended to prevent fake data backup, target data contamination, and data spoofing attacks initiated by a source. In one embodiment, one technique includes limiting chunk querying to authorized users. Another technique provides detection of attacks and unauthorized access to keys within the target system. Additional techniques include the combination of validating the existence of data from the source by validating the data chunk, validating a data sample of the data chunk, or validating a hash value of the data chunk. A further embodiment involves the use of policies to provide authorization levels for chunk sharing and linking within the target. These techniques separately and in combination provide a comprehensive strategy to avoid unauthorized access to data within the target storage system. |
| US08453256B2 |
Taking configuration management data and change business process data into account with regard to authorization and authentication rules
An approach receives a request from a user, typically a change implementer, on a computer system. The request includes a user identifier and a requested action. A current timestamp corresponding to a computer system clock is retrieved. Scheduled changes are retrieved from a data store accessible by the processor. The current timestamp is compared to the scheduled change periods. The requested action is allowed if the comparison reveals that the current timestamp is within one of the retrieved scheduled changes, and the requested action is denied if the comparison reveals that the current timestamp is outside of the retrieved scheduled change periods. |
| US08453249B2 |
Document checking apparatus, computer-readable recording medium, and document checking method
A document checking apparatus includes a keyword appearance position extracting unit that extracts keywords and the appearance positions of the keywords from a target document including a confidential document; a keyword pair extracting unit that treats each keyword of the appearance positions of the extracted keywords as a target and determines whether there is another extracted keyword within a predetermined range before and after the target keyword; a feature element matrix creating unit that generates, when it is determined that there is the another keyword, combination information obtained by combining the determination target keyword and the another keyword in association with anteroposterior information of the appearance positions of the keywords; and a computing unit that determines whether the number of combination information, among the plurality of combination information of the generated target document, identical to the combination information of the confidential document is not less than a predetermined value. |
| US08453248B2 |
Method and devices for video processing rights enforcement
A system for protection against unauthorized modifications of digital content, in particular image content, in which a content processing system retrieves content, a fingerprint for the content and at least one modification limit expressing authorized modifications to the content. The content may then be modified, but before saving or exportation is allowed, a second fingerprint is calculated, and the difference between the fingerprints is compared with the at least one modification limit. If the difference is within the allowed bounds, then saving or exportation is allowed; if not, it is prevented. Also provided are a method and a content consumer device performing essentially the same steps before allowing rendering of the content. |
| US08453244B2 |
Server, user device and malware detection method thereof
A server, a user device, and a malware detection method thereof are provided. The server connects with the user device via a network, and records execution records of the user device. Based on the history of the execution records of the user device, the server can detect whether the user device has malwares or not accordingly. |
| US08453236B2 |
Tamper-aware virtual TPM
Methods, software/firmware and apparatus for implementing a tamper-aware virtual trusted platform module (TPM). Under the method, respective threads comprising a virtual TPM thread and a security-patrol threads are executed on a host processor. In one embodiment, the host processor is a multi-threaded processor having multiple logical processors, and the respective threads are executed on different logical processors. While the virtual TPM thread is used to perform various TPM functions, the security-patrol thread monitors for physical attacks on the processor by implementing various numerical calculation loops, wherein an erroneous calculation is indicative of a physical attack. In response to detection of such an attack, various actions can be taken in view of one or more predefined security policies, such as logging the event, shutting down the platform and/or informing a remote management entity. |
| US08453235B1 |
Controlling access to mail transfer agents by clients
Provided is a method and system for controlling access to a mail transfer agent (MTA), included in a mail server infrastructure (MSI), by a client, which is either a mail user agent (MUA) or an MTA not included in the MSI, and features determining whether to grant access to a client based upon the accesses made to this and other MTAs at the present time or in the past. To that end, the method includes receiving a request for access to the one of the plurality of mail transfer agents by the client. Access between the client and other MTAs is determined to obtain an existing access profile. A conditional access profile is developed from the existing access profile and from the request. The conditional access profile is compared against a permissible access profile to determine whether to grant the request. If it is determined that the conditional access profile does not violate the rules and criteria, the access is granted. Otherwise, access is denied. Also disclosed is a system that carries-out the functions of the method. |
| US08453233B2 |
Method of and circuit for identifying and/or verifying hardware and/or software of an appliance and of a data carrier cooperating with the appliance
In a method of and circuit for identifying and/or verifying the hardware and/or software of an appliance and of a data carrier, for example a smartcard, cooperating with the appliance, it is provided that a first unit (E1) for verifying the hardware and/or software of the appliance, in particular a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and a second unit (E2) for verifying and/or identifying and authorizing the external data carrier, in particular a Secure Application Module (SAM), are coupled for direct data exchange via a communication interface (17) of the central arithmetic units (2, 10), in order to reduce or eliminate the possibility of attack or manipulation. |
| US08453230B2 |
Communicating apparatus for performing communication over IP network by using SIP, controlling method therefor, and program
A communicating apparatus that is able to perform IP-FAX communication without making the user aware of the attack and without any difficulty, even if the device recognizes a DoS attack or the like. communication that uses a SIP server on a network is performed by a communicating unit. Unauthorized communication from the communication performed by the communicating unit is detected. A port number of a receiving port of the communicating unit is changed when the unauthorized communication is detected. it is determined whether or not the detected unauthorized communication has passed through the SIP server. The communicating apparatus is controlled to request the SIP server to delete the port number of the receiving port that has not been changed yet if it is determined that the unauthorized communication has passed through the SIP server and to re-register on the SIP server a port number of a receiving port that has been changed if it is determined that the unauthorized communication has bypassed the SIP server. |
| US08453220B2 |
Device association
Embodiments provide systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for enabling a client to associate with a device. In various embodiments, the device may transmit cryptographic data to a client. Based on and utilizing the cryptographic data, the client may associate with the device. |
| US08453218B2 |
System and methods for facilitating secure communications on a website
A system and methods for facilitating secure communications on a website are presented. The system comprising a security server configured to receive a secure message from a creator device is disclosed. The security server encodes the received message and sends the encoded message or a representation of the encoded message for posting on the website so that one or more users of the website have the ability to request that the security server make the message available after the encoded message has been decoded. |
| US08453214B1 |
Methods of locking a website
Methods of the present inventions allow for locking a website. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of hosting a website on at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, receiving a request to lock the website, and, responsive to the request, changing access permissions to “read-only” for a directory, folder, file, database, or database table rendering the website functional. |
| US08453211B2 |
Method of obtaining proxy call session control function address while roaming
The present invention provides a method for obtaining a proxy call session control function address, comprising when a terminal accesses an IP multi-media subsystem through a world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network in roaming scenarios, a visited authentication, authorization, and accounting server (V-AAA) of the terminal retransmitting an access request message sent by an access service network (ASN) or a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) or a home agent (HA) of said terminal to a home authentication, authorization, and accounting server (H-AAA) of said terminal after receiving the access request message, and H-AAA finally deciding whether the P-CSCF is located in a visited network or a home network according to a roaming protocol and visited network capability, and returning the determined P-CSCF address information, included by H-AAA in an access accept message corresponding to said access request message, to the sender of said access request message through V-AAA. |
| US08453208B2 |
Network authentication method, method for client to request authentication, client, and device
A network authentication method, a method for a client to request authentication, a client, and a device are provided. The method includes: receiving synchronize (SYN) data sent by a client, where the SYN data includes a sequence number SEQ1 and a network parameter; sending synchronize acknowledge (SYN_ACK) data to the client in response to the SYN data, where the SYN_ACK data includes an acknowledgment number ACK2, and the value of ACK2 is a value obtained by carrying out a function transformation according to the network parameter of the SYN data; receiving RESET (RST) data sent by the client in response to the SYN_ACK data, where the RST data includes a sequence number SEQ3 or an acknowledgment number ACK3, and the value of SEQ3 or ACK3 is the same as that of ACK2, and the RST data further includes a network parameter the same as that of the SYN data; carrying out the function transformation according to the network parameter of the RST data to obtain a check value CHK; and passing the authentication of the client if CHK matches SEQ3 or ACK3. Therefore, the occupation of storage resources is reduced. |
| US08453207B1 |
Methods and systems for improving the security of secret authentication data during authentication transactions
A method for improving the security of secret authentication data during authentication transactions is provided that includes converting the secret authentication data of a user into scrambled secret authentication data by associating a different text-string with each item of information included in the secret authentication data. The method also includes capturing the scrambled secret authentication data with a communications device, and conducting an authentication transaction with the captured authentication data. |
| US08453206B2 |
Detecting unauthorized tampering of a program
A tamper detection device detects tampering with a program loaded to memory, at high speed and without compromising the safety. Prior to loading of a program, a dividing-size determining unit 12 determines a block size based on random number information, a dividing unit 13 divides the program by the block size into data blocks, and a first conversion unit 14 converts, by conducting a logical operation, the data blocks into intermediate authentication data no greater than the block size, and a second conversion unit 15 conducts a second conversion on the intermediate authentication data to generate authentication data. The authentication data and the block size are stored. After the program loading, a program resulting from the loading is divided by the block size, followed by the first and second conversions to generate comparative data. The comparative data is compared with the authentication data to detect tampering of the loaded program. |
| US08453205B1 |
Secure network services via daemons
A system receives a request from a requestor for a service performed by a network device, establishes an encrypted session with the requestor, and utilizes a temporary process to determine whether the requestor is authorized for the service. If the requestor is authorized, the system redirects the service request to the service, and provides the service to the requestor. |
| US08453203B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for facilitating communication in an interoperability network
Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating communication among a plurality of entities via an interoperability network. Each entity has policy data corresponding thereto governing interaction with the entity via the interoperability network. A message is transmitted from a first one of the entities to a second one of the entities. The first entity has first policy data corresponding thereto and the second entity has second policy data corresponding thereto. The transmitted message was handled in the network according to combined policy data representing a combination of the first and second policy data. |
| US08453201B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for facilitating communication in an interoperability network
Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating communication among a plurality of entities via an interoperability network. Each entity has policy data corresponding thereto governing interaction with the entity via the interoperability network. A message is transmitted from a first one of the entities to a second one of the entities. The first entity has first policy data corresponding thereto and the second entity has second policy data corresponding thereto. The transmitted message was handled in the network according to combined policy data representing a combination of the first and second policy data. |
| US08453198B2 |
Policy based, delegated limited network access management
Policy-based, delegated limited network access management places day-to-day control of network access in the hands of authorized users, referred to as resource access administrators, selected for their business knowledge and ability to respond quickly to business events. Resource access administrators have the ability to respond, in the form of access decisions proposed by individuals with knowledge or, or responsibility for business processes and business partner relationships and shaped and pre-approved by network security specialists, referred to as network access administrators. This approach, therefore, reduces the cost, complexity, and delay (latency) associated with managing external network access without compromising network security. |
| US08453197B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for isolating a temporary partition on a host
A method, apparatus and system enable a temporary partition on a host to be isolated. More specifically, a temporary partition may be initialized in a partitioned host, assigned its own security policy and given the necessary resources to complete a task. Thereafter, the temporary partition may be dismantled. Since the temporary partition is isolated from the remaining partitions on the host, the temporary partition may be allowed to run a “weaker” security policy than the rest of the partitions because the isolation of the temporary partition ensures that the security of the remaining partitions may remain uncompromised. |
| US08453192B2 |
TV slideshow
A system may include a set-top box to detect a trigger and capture a first snapshot from a first television channel in response to detecting the trigger and based on a set of slideshow configuration parameters. The system may further provide the first snapshot to a display as a part of a television slideshow. |
| US08453190B2 |
System for sharing video with advertisements over a network
A user can create a video segment or employ an existing video segment, upload the segment to a server, indicate an advertisement to be associated with the video, and then send it to a recipient over a computer network. The user provides an indication that one or more particular video segments and advertisements are to be shared over the network. An identifier for the video segment is automatically created and the segment and the identifier are automatically uploaded to a host computer over the network such as the Internet. The video segment, the identifier (optionally with other identifying material such as an identity of the sender, and an advertisement selected by the sender can be stored at the direction of the host computer. |
| US08453187B2 |
Multistream video communication with staggered access points
A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise transmitting a first video information stream representative of a unit of video information. For example, the transmitted first video information stream may correspond to a video channel. A second video information stream representative of the unit of video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the first video information stream. The second video information stream may also, for example, correspond to the video channel. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted video information streams. A video information stream of the plurality of received video information streams may be identified that, when processed, is expected to result in the lowest latency in presenting the unit of video information to the user. The identified video information stream may then be so processed. |
| US08453181B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing a channel search in a television
A television, such as an HDTV receiver, includes a plurality of signal inputs each of which is adapted to receive television signals comprising a plurality of channels and communicate the received television signals to a processor/tuner for selection of the various channels by a user for viewing on a display of the television. A channel search routine for the detection of channels in the television signal is accomplished on the currently designated signal input rather than on all signal inputs of the television. The channels detected during the search of the currently designated signal input are included in a channel list that is stored in memory of the television. A GUI is preferably used to initiate the channel search and is capable of displaying the detected channels relating to the currently selected signal input. Channel lists for each signal input are updated as the channels are detected. A complete channel list may be maintained for all signal inputs as well as individual channel lists for each signal input. |
| US08453180B2 |
Client-side multimedia content targeting system
A client-side multimedia content targeting system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The invention accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects that indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. The viewer may request that certain content be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those content. The viewer may also explicitly express preferences using appurtenances provided through the viewer interface. Preferences may additionally be inferred from viewing patterns. The viewer's client system locally retains the viewer's preferences and other personal information that the viewer has entered and is sent targeting information relating to program guide objects by a server. Using the viewer's preferences and personal information, the client system creates a viewer profile, which is used with the targeting information by the client system to record content that is within the viewer profile. The invention's client-based form of targeting can be applied to almost any multimedia situation, including, but not limited to: TV shows, movies, advertisements, product and service offerings, music, radio, audio, etc. |
| US08453176B2 |
OCAP/STB ACAP/satellite-receiver audience response/consumer application
An exemplary aspect is directed toward one or more solutions that are capable of providing feedback information about OCAP/ACAP/IMS solutions generally related to audience acceptance and satisfaction, and extensions thereto. For example, one exemplary aspect is directed toward information, such as consumer feedback about their viewing choices, being gathered, evaluated and distributed. Even more specifically, an exemplary aspect is directed toward the use of information, such as personalized or customized information and personal preferences contained in an STB combined with an OCAP/ACAP/IMS intelligent personal agent and application(s) to provide advanced interactive and interoperable services to both obtain and distribute feedback about OCAP/ACAP/IMS services. |
| US08453174B2 |
Method and system for displaying advertising, video, and program schedule listing
A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule. |
| US08453173B1 |
Estimating demographic compositions of television audiences from audience similarities
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating demographic compositions of television audiences from audience similarities. In an aspect, pairwise cosine similarities of segment of viewers of rated and unrated television programs are determined, demographic information of rated programs is attributed to the unrated programs from the cosine similarity measures and demographic information for the rated programs. |
| US08453168B2 |
Disk drive having a tray lock releasing unit and a method of releasing a tray lock using the tray lock releasing unit
A disk drive including a main chassis; a tray on which a disk is to be removably mounted, the tray being installed to slide into/out of the main chassis, and including a pickup transporting unit that is configured to move a pickup base back and forth in a straight line in a radial direction of the disk. The pickup base includes an optical pickup installed thereon, The disk drive also includes a lock releasing unit that is arranged on the tray, is driven by receiving a driving force of the pickup transporting unit, and releases lock of the tray from the main chassis. The disk drive drives a lock releasing unit by using driving force of a pickup transporting unit. |
| US08453165B2 |
Distributing event processing in event relationship networks
A computer implemented method, system, and computer usable program code for distributing event processing are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An analysis is performed of the event information flowing from one event relationship network subnet to another event relationship network subnet in an event relationship network. Strength of a relationship between the first and the second event relationship network subnets is determined based on the analysis. A distribution of the event processing in the event relationship network is recommended based on the strength of the relationship. |
| US08453164B2 |
Method and apparatus for reduction of event notification within a web service application of a multi-functional peripheral
Techniques are provided for reducing the amount of event notifications within a Web Service Application (WSA) of a device such as a multi-functional peripheral (MFP). In one technique, a Subscription ID is linked with a Job ID within a reduced notification table. When an event occurs related to a specific job, an event notification is sent only to the subscriber associated with that job. |
| US08453162B2 |
Context information associated with message flows in a messaging system
Method, parser, messaging system, computer program and computer program product for handling context information associated with a message flow in a messaging system, the message flow having processing nodes for processing the message. A request is received at the parser to perform a first operation associated with the message. An indication of the context information to retrieve from a context store is obtained. This context information is for use by at least one of the processing nodes in the message flow for determining how to process the message. The context information is retrieved from the context store and a logical representation of the context information is then created in a format accessible by at least one processing node in the message flow. |
| US08453160B2 |
Methods and systems for authorizing an effector command in an integrated modular environment
Methods and systems are provided for authorizing a command of an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors is provided. A first identifier, a second identifier, and a third identifier are determined. The first identifier identifies a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated. The second identifier identifies a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended. The third identifier identifies a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector. The first identifier and the third identifier are compared to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command. |
| US08453153B1 |
Loadbalancing multiple files across computing devices
A load balancer evenly distributes processing loads to multiple computing devices. A data structure may be divided into multiple files, each of which corresponds to an estimated load value. The files are assigned to the computing devices in such a way that the processing load at each of the computing devices and the number of files assigned to each of the computing devices is generally balanced. |
| US08453152B2 |
Workflow control of reservations and regular jobs using a flexible job scheduler
A scheduler receives at least one flexible reservation request for scheduling in a computing environment comprising consumable resources. The flexible reservation request specifies a duration and at least one required resource. The consumable resources comprise at least one machine resource and at least one floating resource. The scheduler creates a flexible job for the at least one flexible reservation request and places the flexible job in a prioritized job queue for scheduling, wherein the flexible job is prioritizes relative to at least one regular job in the prioritized job queue. The scheduler adds a reservation set to a waiting state for the at least one flexible reservation request. The scheduler, responsive to detecting the flexible job positioned in the prioritized job queue for scheduling next and detecting a selection of consumable resources available to match the at least one required resource for the duration, transfers the selection of consumable resources to the reservation and sets the reservation to an active state, wherein the reservation is activated as the selection of consumable resources become available and has uninterrupted use of the selection of consumable resources for the duration by at least one job bound to the flexible reservation. |
| US08453151B2 |
Method and system for coordinating hypervisor scheduling
A method for executing an application on multiple nodes includes synchronizing a first clock of a first node and a second clock of a second node, configuring a first hypervisor on the first node to execute a first application domain and a first privileged domain, and configuring a second hypervisor on the second node to execute a second application domain and a second privileged domain. Configuring the hypervisor includes allocating a first number of cycles of the first clock to the first privileged domain. Configuring the second hypervisor includes allocating the first number of cycles of the first clock to the second privileged domain. The method further includes executing the application in the first application domain and the second application domain. The first application domain and the second application domain execute semi-synchronously and the first privileged domain and the second privileged domain execute semi-synchronously. |
| US08453150B2 |
Multithread application-aware memory scheduling scheme for multi-core processors
A device may include a memory controller that identifies a multithread application, and adjusts a memory scheduling scheme for the multithread application based on the identification of the multithread application. |
| US08453149B2 |
Efficient multi-core processing of events
A computer implemented method for handling events in a multi-core processing environment is provided. The method comprises handling an event by a second application running on a second core, in response to determining that the event is initiated by a first application running on a first core; and running a third application on the first core, while the first application is waiting for the event to be handled by the second application. |
| US08453147B2 |
Techniques for reducing thread overhead for systems with multiple multi-threaded processors
Techniques for processing requests from a processing thread for a shared resource shared among threads on one or more processors include receiving a bundle of requests from a portion of a thread that is executed during a single wake interval on a particular processor. The bundle includes multiple commands for one or more shared resources. The bundle is processed at the shared resource(s) to produce a bundle result. The bundle result is sent to the particular processor. The thread undergoes no more than one wake interval to sleep interval cycle while the bundle commands are processed at the shared resource(s). These techniques allow a lock for shared resource(s) to be obtained, used and released all while the particular thread is sleeping, so that locks are held for shorter times than in conventional approaches. Using these techniques, line rate packet processing is more readily achieved in routers with multiple multi-threaded processors. |
| US08453146B2 |
Apportioning a counted value to a task executed on a multi-core processor
A technique includes providing data indicative of a counted value acquired by a hardware counter of a processing core during a time segment in which a plurality of tasks are active on the core and, in a processor-based machine, determining a likelihood that the counted value is attributable to a given task of the tasks during the time segment and attributing a portion of the counted value to the given task based at least in part on the determined likelihood. |
| US08453140B2 |
Method for generically handling carrier specific provisioning for computer cellular wireless cards
Methods and systems enable computers to be equipped and provisioned to access any cellular network without the need for carrier-specific inventory or point-of sale provisioning of the cellular network transceiver. Multiple digitally signed provisioning data images for multiple carriers are stored on the computer's hard disk memory prior to sale. Upon initialization, provisioning data for a selected carrier are downloaded to random access memory of the cellular network data transceiver from the hard disk. A version number within the provisioning data is compared to a version number of provisioning information stored in the transceiver's nonvolatile memory. If the downloaded provisioning data is newer than that stored in nonvolatile memory, the downloaded provisioning data is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The random access memory is cleared of the downloaded provisioning data and initialization of the transceiver is begun. Updated provisioning information can be received and stored to the hard disk. |
| US08453138B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating an update package
Method and apparatus for generating an update package. The update package is capable of in-place updating an old version to a new version wherein the old and new versions are stored in a storage device. The method includes inserting update commands into the update package, wherein the update commands allow updating the old version to the new version. The method further includes checking the update commands for determining whether they create at least one conflict, and if so, selecting one conflict out of the at least one conflict, wherein content overridden in said one conflict requires protection. A protection command allowing protection of the content before it is being overridden and a restoration command allowing restoration of the content with the protected content after it was overridden are also inserted into the update package. |
| US08453136B1 |
Change tracking and incremental synchronization of EDA design and technology data
A method and an apparatus are described for allowing several different applications to incrementally collaborate while making changes to a circuit design. |
| US08453135B2 |
Computation reuse for loops with irregular accesses
A compiler selects a nested loop within software code that includes an outer loop and an inner loop. The outer loop includes an outer induction variable and the inner loop includes an inner induction variable. The compiler identifies a computation included in the nested loop that generates an irregular array access, which includes an expression of both the outer induction variable and the inner induction variable. Next, the compiler identifies a redundant calculation for the computation based upon the outer induction variable and the inner induction variable, and generates a temporary variable to correspond with the redundant calculation. The compiler replaces the computation with the temporary variable in the nested loop and, in turn, compiles the nested loop with the included temporary variable. |
| US08453132B2 |
System and method for recompiling code based on locality domain and thread affinity in NUMA computer systems
A technique for reducing non-local access, in dynamically generated code that resides in a code buffer of a non-uniform memory access computer system including multiple nodes, for improving overall performance of dynamic optimization systems. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by partitioning the code buffer into multiple smaller code buffers and assigning each of the multiple smaller code buffers to one of the multiple nodes. Statically determining which methods in the generated code are executed by a thread and then to place those methods in associated one of the multiple smaller code buffers to reduce memory latencies introduced by non-local accesses. |
| US08453130B2 |
Memory management for object oriented applications during runtime
Memory management for object oriented applications during run time includes loading an object oriented application into a computer memory. The object oriented application includes a plurality of nodes in a classification tree, the nodes including key value pairs. The nodes are aggregated in the classification tree by a computer. The aggregating includes eliminating redundant keys and creating a composite node. The composite node is loaded into the computer memory. The plurality of nodes in the classification tree are removed from the computer memory in response to loading the composite node into the computer memory. |
| US08453125B2 |
Generating inputs for client-server programs for fault-detection and localization
The present invention provides a system, computer program product, and a computer implemented method for analyzing a set of two or more communicating applications. The method begins with receiving a first second application that communicates with each other during execution. Next, an initial input for executing the first application and the second application is received. The initial input is added to a set of inputs. An iterative execution loop is performed at least once. The loop begins with selecting inputs out of the set of inputs for execution. Next, using the selected inputs, the first and/or the second application is executed while information regarding the execution and information communicated to the other application are recorded. A set of one or more new application inputs for either applications is generated based the second application recorded information and the first application information. These new inputs are added to the set of inputs. |
| US08453121B2 |
Managing the tracing of the execution of a computer program
A method and system for the management of tracing data of interest in a data processing system comprises identifying the location and length of one or more such units of interest as each unit is stored in main memory during execution of the program and recording a logical assignment of each unit of interest to a slot in a wrap around trace buffer. Copying of the units of interest to the trace buffer is deferred unless one or more predefined events occur. Such events may include an attempt to overwrite the data which has been logically assigned or a request for information stored in the trace buffer. The recorded assignments are discarded whenever it is calculated that the capacity of the trace buffer would be exceeded resulting in the corresponding units never needing to be copied to the trace buffer. |
| US08453115B2 |
Automatic data manipulation to influence code paths
Software development and testing systems use adaptive feedback to construct an input dataset for a target program. The target's operation is monitored to identify significant events that correlate with the input dataset. Critical events are detected and reported to a user. Various methods of implementing the adaptive feedback, and systems that can be tested using these methods, are also described. |
| US08453109B2 |
Framework for code generators
Embodiments of the invention provide a dictionary, which may be modified by a developer, that provides a mapping of the generation routine to be performed and a pointer or identifier of the generator employed for the specified generation routine. As will be appreciated, embodiments of the invention may employ a dictionary which comprises a plurality of generation routine-code generator identity data pairs. A generator routine may be, for example, associated with the generation of source code associated with a particular object class, fields, methods, method bodies, procedures, comments, subroutines and the like. By modifying a generation routine-code generator identity data pair in a generator dictionary, a developer or user is able to modify the source code (e.g., the structure and/or content of the source) which is ultimately generated by the generator. |
| US08453108B1 |
Static, configurable kernel interface
In one approach, a method is described of generating an interface for an operating system kernel. The method calls for creating an input file, where the input file includes a node structure for the interface. A kernel component of the interface is generated from the input file. A user space component of the interface is also generated from the input file. |
| US08453105B2 |
Device and method for automatically building applications from specifications and from off-the-shelf components selected by semantic analysis
When building applications from specifications and software components, a software component is associated to a semantic description comprising at least one pertinent term for defining each public operation this software component is able to perform. An analysis module receives a specification describing an application to be built, performs a semantic analysis of this specification to extract elementary requirements from the specification text and links between these elementary requirements, these links defining the structure of the specification. The analysis module extracts, for each elementary requirement, the pertinent terms it comprises and builds a semantic description based on its extracted pertinent terms and representing the semantics of this elementary requirement. The analysis module accesses the storing module to determine, for each extracted elementary requirement, which component(s) can perform the extracted elementary requirement, and a processing module assembles the determined software components according to the structure of the specification. |
| US08453104B2 |
Thin client software development environment
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a thin client software development environment. A server-based software development application is provided that is operable to be displayed in a thin client user interface on a client computer. The server-based development application has a server-based compiler. Input is received from the client computer to interact with a software development project using the server-based software development application. The software development project is stored in a location accessible from the software development application. A compile selection is received from the client computer to compile the software development project using the server-based software development application. A compiled application is generated with the server-based software development application and provided to the client computer. A sharing feature allows the software development project to be accessed by multiple users from different client computers. |
| US08453103B2 |
Real time DRC assistance for manual layout editing
Roughly described, while manually dragging shapes during IC layout editing, editing operations determine which edges of which shapes are moving at what speed ratios. Based on the edge information and the DRC rules, the system calculates and keeps track of the minimum of the maximum distance the edges are allowed to move with the cursor without violating DRC rules, in four linear directions and all corner directions. Once a next cursor destination point is known, a DRC clean destination point is calculated based on the linear and corner bounds. If the next cursor position is beyond a the push-through distance ahead of the new DRC clean point, the editing objects are moved to the user's destination point. Otherwise, the editing objects are moved to the new DRC clean destination point, thereby stopping movement at that point. |
| US08453102B1 |
Hierarchical variation analysis of integrated circuits
Technique assesses the impact of physical circuit variations, specification parameter variation, or process variations on clock, signal, and power network performance and through a hierarchical modeling and hierarchical Monte Carlo simulation method. |
| US08453100B2 |
Circuit analysis using transverse buckets
A method (and computer program) identify shapes and locations of transistor elements within a geometric circuit layout. The transistor elements include an active area, at least one gate conductor and other transistor elements. Also, the gate conductor has sides running in a first direction, and has a width dimension running in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method defines regions within the geometric circuit layout. To do so, the method defines a first region having a perimeter positioned along the sides of the gate conductor where the gate conductor intersects the active area and then expands the perimeter of the first region in the second direction to edges of the active area to define a perimeter of a second region. The first region and the second share perimeters in the first direction. The method then expands the perimeter of the second region in the first direction to define a perimeter of a third region. The second region and the third region share perimeters in the second direction. The method then separately evaluates effects the other transistor elements have within each of the first region, the second region, and the third region, to determine a characteristic of the gate conductor. |
| US08453098B2 |
Scan chain modification for reduced leakage
A leakage power control vector is loaded into existing test scan chain elements for application to circuit elements of a circuit in which the leakage currents are to be controlled. The vector is designed to configure the circuit elements into states in which leakage currents are reduced. A multiplexer selects the power control vector for loading into the scan chain elements, and a clock generator clocks the configuration vector into the scan chain elements. A sleep mode detector may be provided to configure the multiplexer to select the power control vector and to operate the clock generator to clock the power control vector into the scan chain elements when a sleep mode of the circuit is detected. |
| US08453097B2 |
System and method for series and parallel combinations of electrical elements
A method and system for generating and matching complex series and/or parallel combinations of nominally identical initial elements to achieve compound values having constant ratios to the initial elements and to each other is disclosed. The ratios between compound values can be held constant to almost any desired degree of accuracy, with potential errors greatly reduced from those typical in the construction of individual elements of different values. Since the initial elements are nominally identical, the ratios between values depend primarily upon the connections of the initial elements, rather than their geometry, and thus remain virtually constant regardless of variations in the manufacturing process. |
| US08453093B2 |
Alignment net insertion for straightening the datapath in a force-directed placer
An automated method for aligning a critical datapath in an integrated circuit design inserts an artificial alignment net in the netlist which interconnects all cells in the bit stack of the datapath. The cells are placed using a wirelength optimization which assigns weights to wire sections based on the alignment direction. The rate of change of the alignment weighting value can vary during different stages of global placement. The invention is particularly suited for a force-directed placer which uses a linear system solver to obtain a globally optimum solution for placement of the cells having some overlap among the cells, and thereafter spreads the cells to reduce the overlap. Pseudo nets are also inserted which interconnect a cell and an expected location of the cell after spreading for that iteration. |
| US08453082B2 |
Soft error verification in hardware designs
Soft error detection is performed by computation of states based on formal methods and by simulating a synthesized target identification logic together with the design. Soft errors may be simulated in response to detecting that a simulated state of the design is comprised by the states. A BDD representation of the design may be utilized to determine the states. A Boolean satisfiability problem may be defined and solved using an all-SAT solver in order to determine the states. |
| US08453075B2 |
Automated lithographic hot spot detection employing unsupervised topological image categorization
A method for proactively preventing lithographic problems is disclosed, which employs information generated from layout patterns including hot spots in a first technology node to identify hot spots in a second technology node employing a scaled down minimum dimension. In this proactive approach, problematic patterns or complex product geometries are identified in a chip design layout of the second technology node based on detection, in the chip design layout, of topological features that are similar to topological features of known hot spots in the first technology node. The identified patterns are potential hot spots in the chip design layout for the second technology node. Known hot spots in layout patterns in the first technology node are topologically categorized to provide a database for performing the fault detection and diagnosis on the chip design layout. |
| US08453068B2 |
Visualization tools for reviewing credibility and stateful hierarchical access to credibility
Some embodiments provide a credibility system including an interface portal for presenting a holistic view of entity credibility. To provide the holistic view, the credibility system aggregates credibility data from multiple data sources. The aggregated credibility data is processed and ordered to present different dimensions of entity credibility, with each dimension graphically presented in the interface portal through an interactive credibility module. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is processed to produce at least one value that quantifiably represents the credibility data. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is hierarchically ordered to present the credibility data in a drill-down fashion with each hierarchical layer presenting more detailed credibility data for better understanding the credibility data presented in the preceding layer. |
| US08453062B2 |
Virtual world viewer
A method for managing and operating one or more virtual world viewers in a virtual world may include generating a virtual world viewer feature on a computer system in response to a predetermined action by the user. The method may also include generating an option in the virtual world viewer feature for the user to either enter or select a different virtual world location from a current virtual world location of a user's avatar for locating a virtual world viewer for viewing the different virtual world location. The virtual world viewer may be generated on the computer system for the user to view the different virtual world location without the user's avatar leaving the current virtual world location. |
| US08453060B2 |
Panoramic ring user interface
A computer-readable medium and user interface for displaying media objects on a geographic map to a user are described. Indications from the user are received specifying a target location and a view direction on the geographic map. A database is accessed to retrieve media objects, either individually or in a panoramic view, that were captured in a geographic location in the proximity of the target location. The retrieved media objects are displayed on the map according to their geographic location from the target location. Enlarged versions of any of the retrieved media objects captured in the view direction from the target location are then presented to the user. |
| US08453057B2 |
Stage interaction for mobile device
A device displays, on a screen, a graphical window from a sequence of graphical windows, where the graphical window includes a group of display elements. The device also receives a user input to the graphical window and identifies a type of the user input, where the type of the user input includes a horizontal input or a vertical input. The device displays, on the screen, another graphical window from the sequence of graphical windows when the type of user input is a horizontal input and scrolls through a stack of the display elements within the graphical window when the type of user input is a vertical input. |
| US08453054B2 |
Data processing apparatus, image display method, and recording medium for preview display of document data
An apparatus and method for generating image data for preview images and displaying the preview images based on the generated image data. Each preview image corresponding to a respective page of document data having a plurality of pages. The displaying of the preview image based on the generated image data is started before the generation of the image data for the preview image for all the pages is completed. Then, an instruction of a process regarding at least one of the displayed preview images is accepted and the process is executed, before the displaying of all of the preview images is completed. |
| US08453053B2 |
Rapid software report development tool with auto database handling and menu tool-bar plug-in for application report access
A method is provided for generating reports for a computer monitored or aided environment that has a server-side module, a client-side module and a database, the server-side module, client-side module and database being interconnected, The method includes creating a report layout, the report layout containing a predefined number of dynamic fields at predetermined positions; associating, at the server-side, each dynamic field with a data source; collecting, at the server-side, information for each dynamic field according to the associated data source; storing the information in the database; and displaying the information for each dynamic field on a display according to the report layout. The report layout is shared universally for the generation of a displayed report and a printed report. |
| US08453052B1 |
Real-time document sharing and editing
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time document sharing and editing. In one aspect, a method includes comparing a first user's and a second user's changes to a document, the document being edited by the first user and the second user concurrently; and notifying the first user of a conflicting change and content of any conflicting change to the document made by the first user but not made to the document because of the conflicting change. In another aspect, a method includes recording a saved position of a cursor of a user editing a client-side copy of a document; receiving an update to the document and generating an updated client-side copy of the document; using the saved position to determine an updated position of the cursor; and displaying to the user the updated client-side copy of the document with the cursor displayed at the updated position. |
| US08453051B1 |
Dynamic display dependent markup language interface
Tools and techniques for creating presentations via dynamic digital content (DDC) tools using a display dependent markup language interface facilitating dynamic content are described. The markup language, “DXyml”, identifies content elements, including dynamic content elements, for display and specifies pixel locations at which to position the content elements on a client device. Pixel locations are selected for particular screen configurations, allowing the presentations to be created in advance of being served to specific types of devices with the particular screen configurations. |
| US08453043B2 |
Built-in bit error rate test circuit
System and method for testing jitter tolerance by using a built-in jitter modulation circuit is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a jitter modulation circuit, a transmitter, a receiver and a data comparison unit. The jitter modulation circuit includes a plurality of data latches, a phase-select block and a multi-phase clock generator. The multi-phase clock generator is capable of generating a plurality of signals having different phase shifts wherein one signal having a phase shift from the system clock signal is selected by the phase-select block. The selected signal alters the data by injecting jitter through a plurality of data latches. The jitter-contaminated data is transmitted to a data comparison unit through a transmitter and a receiver. The on-chip test circuit compares the jitter-contaminated data with the original data and calculates the bit error rate so as to determine whether the jitter tolerance of this semiconductor device satisfies the specification. |
| US08453041B2 |
Obscuring information in messages using compression with site-specific prebuilt dictionary
Obscuring information in messages to be exchanged over a communications network. In one aspect, the information comprises path name information and parameters for use in a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). In another aspect, the information comprises links and parameters used in forms, where hidden parameters are removed from a form and used as URL parameters. A compression dictionary is used to create a compressed form of the information. An identifier of the dictionary and an error detection code (such as a checksum) computed over the compressed information are concatenated with the compressed information, and this is encoded for sending on an outbound message. The original information is then recovered from an inbound message which contains the obscured information by reversing the processing used for the obscuring. |
| US08453040B2 |
Obscuring information in messages using compression with site-specific prebuilt dictionary
Obscuring information in messages to be exchanged over a communications network. In one aspect, the information comprises path name information and parameters for use in a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). In another aspect, the information comprises links and parameters used in forms, where hidden parameters are removed from a form and used as URL parameters. A compression dictionary is used to create a compressed form of the information. An identifier of the dictionary and an error detection code (such as a checksum) computed over the compressed information are concatenated with the compressed information, and this is encoded for sending on an outbound message. The original information is then recovered from an inbound message which contains the obscured information by reversing the processing used for the obscuring. |
| US08453036B1 |
System and method for dynamically resizing a parity declustered group
A storage server resizes an array of mass storage devices and distributes data blocks stored in the array of mass storage devices evenly in a declustered organization across the resized array of mass storage devices. Resizing the array of mass storage devices may include adding a new mass storage device to the array or removing a mass storage device from the array. During resizing a data block is moved from one mass storage device to another mass storage device to minimize the imbalance of parity groups shared by the new mass storage devices in the array, as well as minimize the number of data blocks to be moved to uniformly balance the load across the new mass storage device. |
| US08453032B2 |
Energy and space efficient detection for data storage
Provided are methods and systems of selectively decoding optical data read from an optical storage medium based on a checksum algorithm technique. In one embodiment, optical data is converted into a data stream and buffered, and the checksum algorithm is applied to the data stream. If the calculated checksum matches an encoded checksum of the data stream, the data stream may be output without requiring further decoding. If the calculated checksum does not match the encoded checksum, the buffered data stream may be decoded to produce a corrected data stream, and the checksum algorithm may be applied to the corrected data stream. In some embodiments, the optical data may be re-read if the corrected data stream does not pass the checksum test, and the data stream obtained from the re-reading may be combined with the buffered data stream for further decoding. |
| US08453024B2 |
I/O and comparator circuitry with compare gate and mask circuitry
A test controller applies test stimulus signals to the input pads of plural die on a wafer in parallel. The test controller also applies encoded test response signals to the output pads of the plural die in parallel. The encoded test response signals are decoded on the die and compared to core test response signals produced from applying the test stimulus signals to core circuits on the die. The comparison produces pass/fail signals that are loaded in to scan cells of an IEEE 1149.1 scan path. The pass/fail signals then may be scanned out of the die to determine the results of the test. |
| US08453021B2 |
Wear leveling in solid-state device
A flash storage device performs wear-leveling by tracking data errors that occur when dynamic data is read from a storage block of the flash storage device and moving the dynamic data to an available storage block of the flash storage device. Additionally, the flash storage device identifies a storage block containing static data and moves the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data. |
| US08453020B2 |
Method for detecting the validity of downlink control information in telecommunication user equipment, decoder and baseband receiver for performing same
A method for detecting validity of downlink control information in telecommunication user equipment and a decoder and baseband receiver to perform the method are provided. The object of avoiding falsely detecting payload data and misinterpreting them is achieved by reverse encoding a bit output sequence of a Viterbi decoder; determining hard bits from a soft-bit input sequence of the decoder; determining a bit count of real received bits; comparing the reverse encoded bit stream to the determined hard bit stream and counting the number of mismatches to obtain an error count; comparing a bit error rate which is defined as a quotient of the error count and the bit count against a predefined threshold value; and rejecting the payload as invalid if said bit error rate is above said threshold value, even if a cyclic redundancy check of the payload gives a correct result. |
| US08453019B2 |
Method and system for a free running strobe tolerant interface
A method of receiving data. A plurality of data signals and clocking signals are received over a source synchronous communication channel. The plurality of data signals is strobed with the clocking signal at a plurality of coarse time offset delays (e.g., time offset delays spanning over a data bit period). The plurality of error rates associated with the strobing at the plurality of coarse time offset delays is determined. Strobing design of a transmitting component (e.g., edge-strobed, center-strobed, etc.) may be determined based on the plurality of error rates. The error rates of the plurality of data signals strobed with a plurality of time offset delays close to the determined strobing design of the transmitting component is calculated. A time offset delay is selected based on the error rates. The plurality of data signals can be strobed with the selected time offset delay to recover the transmitted data signals. |
| US08453013B1 |
System-hang recovery mechanisms for distributed systems
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for resolving a hang condition in a distributed environment including a client computer and server computer(s). A network thread is provided, which passes requests from the client computer to the one or more server computers and responses from the server computers to the client computer. Worker thread(s) are provided on the server computers. The worker threads receive requests from the network thread, execute the requests, and pass responses to the requests back to the network thread. A request is sent from the client computer to a server computer through the network thread. A timer associated with the request is started on the client computer. The timer specifies a pre-defined time period for receiving a response to the request. When no response has been received within the pre-defined time period, a reset request is sent to the server computer. |
| US08453010B2 |
Tape data recovery
A method for recovering data from a failed tape cartridge is presented. The reliability of a tape cartridge is assessed via the number of read errors encountered. If the number or read errors is excessive, the tape cartridge is deemed unreliable and the tape cartridge is restricted from storing anymore data. A search is performed to look for duplicate data and if found a copy of the duplicate data is stored to a replacement tape cartridge. The replacement tape cartridge assumes all identity of the original failed tape cartridge. |
| US08453009B2 |
Storage apparatus and control method for storage apparatus
A storage apparatus connected to a storage device includes a storage module, a memory for storing data to be copied to the storage device, buffers for temporarily saving the data, redundantly, the saved data stored in one of the buffers being recoverable by the data stored in the rest of the buffers, and a control module for executing, storing the data of write request to the storage module and the memory, copying the data to the storage device, saving the data to the buffer when an using rate of the memory is greater than a predetermined rate, writing the saved data stored in the buffer to the memory when an using rate of the memory is not greater than the predetermined rate, detecting a failure of the buffers, and rebuilding the saved data stored in the one of the buffers based on an using state of the buffers. |
| US08453002B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling power state transitions based on timer events
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first power saver, a second power saver and a controller. The first power saver executes switching from an operable condition to a first power saving state. The second power saver executes switching from the first state to a second state in which power consumption is smaller than that in the first state. The controller determines whether timer event processing executable in the first state is scheduled within a predetermined period of time when the switching from the operable condition to the second state is required, and controls the first power saver and the second power saver so as to execute switching to the first state and maintains the first state without switching to the second state, when the timer event processing is scheduled within the predetermined period of time. |
| US08453001B2 |
Method for determining switching of sleep mode, computer program product for performing the method, and recording medium for the computer program product
A method for determining switching of the sleep mode for a device is provided. The device and a base station have several connections therebetween. In the determining method, one of the connections is first provided and it is determined whether the connection is realtime or non-realtime. It is then determined whether or not the realtime and non-realtime connections satisfy the condition for entering the sleep mode according to a first condition and a second condition, respectively. If the connection does not satisfy the condition for entering the sleep mode, the device enters the normal mode. If the connection satisfies the condition for entering the sleep mode, then the foregoing steps are repeated till the connections have all been checked. If all of the connections satisfy the condition for entering the sleep mode, the device enters the sleep mode. |
| US08452996B2 |
Operating mode for extreme power savings when no network presence is detected
Drivers which control hardware devices in a network adapter chip are disabled prior to reducing power to a first portion of circuits in the network adapter chip. Power is received by a second portion of circuits which are utilized for detecting network activity and communicating the activity to processors. Upon network activity detection, the first portion of circuits receives power. Drivers are enabled subsequent to detection. Drivers are enabled after receiving power by the first portion of circuits. Processors control hardware devices, disable devices before power reduction, enable devices after network activity detection and enable devices after receiving power. The network adapter chip is reset for power reception. A power reduction mode is selected where drivers are disabled after reducing power. Drivers are enabled after hardware devices are enabled. A first state is characterized by no signal before disabling drivers. A second state is characterized by signal detection before receiving power. |
| US08452989B1 |
Providing security to an electronic device
A technique provides security to an electronic device. The technique involves disposing a microprocessor between a printed circuit board and a circuit element to restrict physical access to the microprocessor, the microprocessor having (i) a bottom which faces the printed circuit board in a first direction and (ii) a top which faces the circuit element in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The technique further involves delivering power to the microprocessor from a power source while the microprocessor is disposed between the printed circuit board and the circuit element, the microprocessor performing electronic operations in response to the power delivered from the power source. The technique further involves electronically altering or preventing the microprocessor from further performing the electronic operations in response to tampering activity on the circuit element. Such detection of the tampering activity may involve monitoring a covert signal for tamper evidence detection. |
| US08452988B2 |
Secure data storage for protecting digital content
A non-copyable data storage disk (NCDisk) that may be used in a secure data storage system. Stored data items on the NCDisk may only be used through the data storage system, and cannot be copied to and used by any other devices. Digital data written to the NCDisk is automatically converted to a new format by the NCDisk itself before being stored on it. Similarly, when reading a data item out from the NCDisk, the NCDisk itself automatically converts the stored data item to a new data format that a reading device can recognize. Data conversion does not involve the computer operating system. The data conversion unit may include a chipset level 2 secure key management module that generates and manages the keys used for the data conversion. |
| US08452981B1 |
Method for author verification and software authorization
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer-implemented method for author verification and authorization of object code. In one embodiment, program object code is linked with a plurality of data blocks to create linked object code and a MAP file. Thereafter, author verification is performed by executing a plurality of comparisons between the linked object code and the MAP file. In another embodiment, a digital signing procedure is performed on linked object code by creating a signature data block. The signature data block is then encrypted and written to the linked object code to create digitally-signed object code. In another embodiment, an application program embodied in linked object code generates a data packet. The data packet is then compared to a previously-generated signature data packet from the linked object code to determine if the linked object code is authorized. |
| US08452980B1 |
Defeating real-time trojan login attack with delayed interaction with fraudster
A method of detecting a fraudulent login attempt across a network is provided. The method includes (a) receiving, at some time, a login request from a client, the login request including (1) a username associated with a user account, (2) a static password associated with the user account, and (3) a one-time password provided by a token, (b) calculating whether the time is more than a predetermined amount of time after a most-recent login to the account, (c) when the time is more than the predetermined time since the most-recent login, accepting the login request according to a first mode, and (d) when the first time is not more than the predetermined time since the most-recent login, accepting the login request according to a second mode, the second mode rejecting a greater proportion of login attempts than the first mode rejects. An apparatus and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08452978B2 |
System and method for user authentication and dynamic usability of touch-screen devices
A system and related method are provided for user authentication and dynamic usability of touch-screen devices. The system utilizes probability distribution representations including an authorized user probability distribution representation and a global or wide population probability distribution representation, to associate the purported authorized user to the authorized user. Touch dynamics or data, or other data from similar measurable characteristics, can be utilized to associate the purported authorized user and the authorized user and to determine optimal positions and sizes for user interface components. |
| US08452962B2 |
Method and apparatus for simulating a workflow and analyzing the behavior of information assurance attributes through a data providence architecture
A method and apparatus that simulates a workflow and analyzes the behavior of information assurance attributes through a data providence architecture is disclosed. The method may include injecting one or more faults into a simulated workflow, receiving a message in the simulated workflow having a data provenance wrapper, examining each data provenance record of the message and any attachments for discrepancies, identifying any discrepancies in the examination of each data provenance record of the message and any attachments; calculating a degree of trust based on any discrepancies identified in the examination of each data provenance record of the message and any attachments, analyzing the calculated degree of trust with respect to the one or more injected faults and the information assurance attributes, and outputting the analysis to a user. |
| US08452960B2 |
System and method for content delivery
A system for content delivery operates as a static network device for delivering content to a mobile node. The system includes a transceiver adapted to receive a device identifier over a public network from the mobile node, the device identifier based on a combination of user-configurable and non-user-configurable parameters of the mobile node, a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver and to memory storing executable code. Executed, the code enables the processor to access a database of authorized device identifiers corresponding to known mobile nodes, establish, in response to the received device identifier matching one of the authorized device identifiers, a secure private network (SPN) with the mobile node, the established SPN tunneling across a segment of the public network, obtain the content for the mobile node, and send the content to the mobile node via the SPN. |
| US08452956B1 |
Methods and apparatus for network communications via a transparent security proxy
A data security device for providing a network transport connection via a transparent network proxy that employs different encryption security mediums along a communications session between two endpoints by emulating one of the endpoints at an intermediate node such that the communication session appears as an atomic, secure connection to the endpoints yet provides appropriate security over the end-to-end connection. A sender node sends a connection request to establish a secure communication session with an intended receiver node. A transparent proxy on an intermediate node receives the request and establishes the link employing an encryption mechanism. The transparent proxy establishes a second link with the intended receiver, and applies a second, less expensive encryption mechanism. The transparent proxy combines the two links to form the trusted, secure connection but incurring only the mitigated expense over the second link. |
| US08452946B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for efficient load processing using buffers
Various embodiments of the invention concern methods and apparatuses for power and time efficient load handling. A compiler may identify producer loads, consumer reuse loads, consumer forwarded loads, and producer/consumer hybrid loads. Based on this identification, performance of the load may be efficiently directed to a load value buffer, store buffer, data cache, or elsewhere. Consequently, accesses to cache are reduced, through direct loading from load value buffers and store buffers, thereby efficiently processing the loads. |
| US08452944B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes: a first pipeline having first nodes, and moving data held in each first node to a first node located in a first direction; a second pipeline having second nodes corresponding to the first nodes, and moving data held in each second node to a second node located in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; a first comparison unit arranged to compare data held in a node of interest with data held in a second node corresponding to the node of interest, where the node of interest is one of the first nodes; and a second comparison unit arranged to compare the data held in the node of interest with data held in a second node located one node on an upstream or downstream side of the second node corresponding to the node of interest. |
| US08452937B2 |
Moving executable code from a first region of a non-volatile memory to a second region of the non-volatile memory to reduce read disturb
A data storage device includes a controller and a non-volatile memory coupled to the controller. The non-volatile memory includes executable boot code that is executable by a processor associated with the data storage device. The controller is configured to read a first portion of the executable boot code from a first region of the non-volatile memory, and in response to detecting a condition, move a second portion of the executable boot code in a second region of the non-volatile memory to a third region of the non-volatile memory. |
| US08452930B2 |
Methods and apparatus for backup and restore of thin provisioning volume
Methods and apparatuses for backing up virtual volumes effectively by eliminating transfer and preservation of parts of virtual volumes, which contain no data. By representing virtual volumes as virtual files in a virtual file system, it is thereby possible to avoid needlessly backing up empty data space in the virtual volume. In one implementation, a storage system includes multiple virtual volumes and a virtual file system as well as a storage system control module. Each virtual volume in the multiple virtual volumes is represented as a virtual file within the virtual file system with each virtual file representing data actually stored within the virtual volume; and the storage system control module facilitates backing up a selected virtual volume, the operations involving accessing the virtual file system on the storage system; and reading the virtual file corresponding to the selected virtual volume. |
| US08452928B1 |
Virtual array non-disruptive migration of extended storage functionality
Described are a storage network and method of migrating data from a source virtual array to a destination virtual array transparently with respect to a storage application executing on a host. The storage application provides particular storage functionality at a source storage array while using metadata during its execution. The metadata used by the storage application are associated with the source virtual array and forwarded, during a data migration event in which data resident in logical units of storage (LUNs) of the source virtual array are copied to LUNs of the destination virtual array, to a destination storage array where the metadata is associated with the destination virtual array. |
| US08452927B2 |
Distributed storage service systems and architecture
Various methods, devices and systems are described for providing distributed storage services. A data storage device is capable of initiating a communication session with an external entity such as a local host computer (and vice versa) coupled directly to the data storage device, a remote server computer, or directly with remote data storage devices with or without intervention by a local host computer. |
| US08452924B1 |
Cache management system and method
A method, computer program product, and cache management system for receiving an indication of a data portion update within an electromechanical storage system. Information concerning the data portion update is provided to at least one proprietary, solid-state, non-volatile, cache memory system. The proprietary, solid-state, non-volatile, cache memory system is associated with at least a first of a plurality of computing devices and is not associated with at least a second of the plurality of computing devices. |
| US08452920B1 |
System and method for controlling a dynamic random access memory
A method of controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a DRAM memory controller is provided. An example DRAM memory controller includes a content addressable memory (CAM) based decision control module. The CAM based decision control module includes a CAM access storage module, a next access table module, and a decision logic module. Further, the DRAM memory controller includes a DRAM access control interface. The method includes detecting a request for a read-modify-write operation. The method also includes creating a read access request and a write access request based on the detecting. Further, the method includes prioritizing the read access request and the write access request. Moreover, the method includes executing the read access request and the write access request based on the prioritizing. |
| US08452918B2 |
DRAM control method and the DRAM controller utilizing the same
A Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) controller for controlling read and write operations of a DRAM includes a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores a first predetermined size of data including data written into the DRAM in response to a previous partial write request, and stores the corresponding store addresses of the first predetermined size of data in the DRAM. The control unit, in response to a read request, determines whether there exists any address in the store addresses equal to a read address of the read request, and read data corresponding to the read address from the storage unit when there exists same address in the store addresses equal to the read address. |
| US08452917B2 |
Load reduction dual in-line memory module (LRDIMM) and method for programming the same
A load reduction dual in-line memory module (LRDIMM) is similar to a registered dual in-line memory module (RDIMM) in which control signals are synchronously buffered but the LRDIMM includes a load reduction buffer (LRB) in the data path as well. To make an LRDIMM which appears compatible with RDIMMs on a system memory bus, the serial presence detector (SPD) of the LRDIMM is programmed with modified latency support and minimum delay values. When the dynamic read only memory (DRAMs) devices of the LRDIMM are subsequently set up by the host at boot time based on the parameters provided by the SPD, selected latency values are modified on the fly in an enhanced register phase look loop (RPLL) device. This has the effect of compensating for the delay introduced by the LRB without violating DRAM constraints, and provides memory bus timing for a LRDIMM that is indistinguishable from that of a RDIMM. |
| US08452914B2 |
Electronic devices with improved flash memory compatibility and methods corresponding thereto
An electronic device with improved flash memory compatibility and a method corresponding thereto are disclosed. The electronic device has a NAND flash, a processing unit and a program memory. The program memory stores application software and codes of an operating system, to be retrieved and executed by the processing unit. The application software requests for NAND flash access in accordance with a specific page size. The operating system acts as an intermediary between the application software and the NAND flash and provides a device driver which allocates a number of physical pages of the NAND flash to each virtual page of the specific page size for responding to NAND flash access requests from the application software by referring to the virtual pages. |
| US08452913B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of processing data for erase operation of semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory blocks, and an erase flag storage block storing erase flag information to indicate erase states of the plurality of memory blocks. The erase flag information can be used to monitor completion of erase operations of the memory blocks and to update erase count information of the memory blocks. |
| US08452912B2 |
Flash-memory system with enhanced smart-storage switch and packed meta-data cache for mitigating write amplification by delaying and merging writes until a host read
A flash memory solid-state-drive (SSD) has a smart storage switch that reduces write acceleration that occurs when more data is written to flash memory than is received from the host. Page mapping rather than block mapping reduces write acceleration. Host commands are loaded into a Logical-Block-Address (LBA) range FIFO. Entries are sub-divided and portions invalidated when a new command overlaps an older command in the FIFO. Host data is aligned to page boundaries with pre- and post-fetched data filling in to the boundaries. Repeated data patterns are detected and encoded by compressed meta-data codes that are stored in meta-pattern entries in a meta-pattern cache of a meta-pattern flash block. The sector data is not written to flash. The meta-pattern entries are located using a meta-data mapping table. Storing host CRC's for comparison to incoming host data can detect identical data writes that can be skipped, avoiding a write to flash. |
| US08452911B2 |
Synchronized maintenance operations in a multi-bank storage system
A method and system for managing maintenance operations in a multi-bank non-volatile storage device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a data write command and associated data from a host system for storage in the non-volatile storage device and directing a head of the data write command to a first bank in the and a tail of the data write command to a second bank, where the head of the data write command only includes data having logical block addresses preceding logical block addresses of data in the tail of the data write command. When a status of the first bank delays execution of the data write command the controller executes a second bank maintenance procedure in the second bank while the data write command directed to the first and second banks is pending. The system includes a plurality of banks, where each bank may be associated with the same or different controllers, and the one or more controllers are adapted to execute the method noted above. |
| US08452902B2 |
Methods for transmitting buffer size information
A method of transmitting information about a buffer size includes transmitting a bit string comprising a first bit string and a second bit string when the buffer size is greater than or equal to a first value, the first bit string indicating a quotient which is acquired by dividing the buffer size by a second value, and the second bit string indicating a value corresponding to a remainder which is acquired by dividing the buffer size by the second value. |
| US08452899B2 |
Data allocation in a distributed storage system
A method for data distribution, including distributing logical addresses among an initial set of devices so as provide balanced access, and transferring the data to the devices in accordance with the logical addresses. If a device is added to the initial set, forming an extended set, the logical addresses are redistributed among the extended set so as to cause some logical addresses to be transferred from the devices in the initial set to the additional device. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the initial set. If a surplus device is removed from the initial set, forming a depleted set, the logical addresses of the surplus device are redistributed among the depleted set. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the depleted set. In both cases the balanced access is maintained. |
| US08452894B2 |
User data convergence (UDC) notification management
A method and arrangement in a User Data Repository, UDR, (30) for selecting an Application Front End (34a-34e) in a communication network to receive an event notification. An associated Application Type and Group Identifier, identifying an accessible portion of the network, are stored in a database (88) for each of a plurality of Application Front Ends. The Group Identifiers may be updated in the database if predefined conditions (87) are met, for example when a UDR operation requests modifying user data. When a subsequent event notification procedure is initiated, the UDR (30) selects an Application FE to receive the event notification based on the Application Type and Group Identifier of the selected Application FE. Load-distribution weights may also be assigned to each of the Application FEs, and may be considered in the selection process. |
| US08452892B2 |
Scheduling apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a scheduling apparatus sends queries to communication modules in buildings and receives facility information measured at monitor-control points from the communication modules. As for each communication module, a network address, a waiting time to receive the facility information after sending a query, and a connection with the monitor-control points, are stored. When a service request indicating at least one monitor-control point is received, queries each including the network address of a communication module connected with a monitor-control point indicated by the service request, are generated. A priority of each query is decided based on the waiting time corresponding to the communication module. Each query is added to a first send queue or a second send queue based on the priority. When queries are sent, a timing to send from the first send queue is same as or earlier than a timing to send from the second send queue. |
| US08452888B2 |
Flow control for reliable message passing
A message flow controller limits a process from passing a new message in a reliable message passing layer from a source node to at least one destination node while a total number of in-flight messages for the process meets a first level limit. The message flow controller limits the new message from passing from the source node to a particular destination node from among a plurality of destination nodes while a total number of in-flight messages to the particular destination node meets a second level limit. Responsive to the total number of in-flight messages to the particular destination node not meeting the second level limit, the message flow controller only sends a new packet from among at least one packet for the new message to the particular destination node while a total number of in-flight packets for the new message is less than a third level limit. |
| US08452887B1 |
System and method for managing and distributing audio recordings
Disclosed are system, methods and computer program products for recording, playing back, responding to and sharing audio recordings. In one example embodiment, the system includes an audio management server that stores and distributes through various third-party websites audio clips, such as voice, music, sounds, and other recordings made by system users. The audio clips can be recorded by system users directly through a central website hosted by the server. Alternatively, the audio clips can be recorded on various third-party websites using audio widgets provided by the audio management server. In addition, the recorded audio clips can be shared on various other third-party websites, such as blogs, social networking sites, celebrity sites and the like, using the audio widget provided by the server. |
| US08452886B2 |
Peer-to-peer packet scheduling algorithm
Techniques for streaming media packets in a peer-to-peer network are disclosed. |
| US08452885B2 |
Playout-dependent unicast streaming of digital video content
A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content involves providing a unicast stream to a client in response to the playout status of the unicast stream at the client. In particular, a unicast stream is provided to a client based on whether or not the unicast stream is intended for real-time playout at the client. In order to preserve valuable network resources, if the client does not intend the unicast stream for real-time playout, the unicast stream is not provided to the client. Network resources can also be conserved by utilizing one session between a stream server and a client to support more than one active unicast stream between the stream server and the client in the case where at least one of the active unicast streams is not intended for real-time playout at the client. |
| US08452879B1 |
Allocation of connection persistence to mobile browsers
A method, system, and medium are provided for determining whether a persistent or non-persistent connection should be given to a device that requested a web page. In one embodiment, upon receiving a request for the web page, the characteristics of the web page are evaluated to determine whether a persistent connection will be efficiently used when accessing with the web page. In another embodiment, the requesting user's behavior may be evaluated to determine whether, based on past behavior, the user will effectively use a persistent connection to the requested web site. A persistent connection is granted to requesting browsers most likely to make efficient use of the persistent connection based on the characteristics of the requested web site and/or the requesting user's browsing habits. |
| US08452877B2 |
Establishing a remote desktop
A method includes receiving an IP address via a non-IP protocol communication interface, the IP address associated with an operating system environment established on a computing device; storing the received IP address in memory; responsive to a cessation of communication via the non-IP protocol communication interface, accessing the IP address stored in memory and transmitting the accessed IP address via an IP protocol network interface; and receiving information via the IP protocol network interface, the information issued by the operating system environment established on the computing device associated with the IP address. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08452873B2 |
Provisioning of resources in a computer network
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for selectively and programmatically provisioning resources on a computer network. A role-based access manager discovers one or more network resources. A provisioning manager then provisions the discovered network resources. |
| US08452871B2 |
Passive and comprehensive hierarchical anomaly detection system and method
A technique for monitoring performance in a network uses passively monitored traffic data at the server access routers. The technique aggregates performance metrics into clusters according to a spatial hierarchy in the network, and then aggregates performance metrics within spatial clusters to form time series of temporal bins. Representative values from the temporal bins are then analyzed using an enhanced Holt-Winters exponential smoothing algorithm. |
| US08452869B2 |
System and method for managing customized service level agreement monitoring
A system for managing customized SLA monitoring for providing a customized SLA monitoring service is linked with an external system to receive an external index order for a customer line subscribed in the service. The system reflects demands of the customer included in the external index order on SLA management data to update the SLA management data. Further, the system uses the updated SLA management data to determine whether to monitor with the external system and the customer line according to the result of the determination. |
| US08452868B2 |
Retail product tracking system, method, and apparatus
According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment. |
| US08452864B1 |
Network resource deployment for cloud-based services
Techniques are described which simplify and/or automate many of the tasks associated with the configuration, deployment, and management of network resources to support cloud-based services. |
| US08452862B2 |
Apparatus and method for capacity planning for data center server consolidation and workload reassignment
A server migration tool used to construct data center migration scenarios allowing for a user to rapidly manipulate a large number of input parameters required to describe a transformation from one data center configuration to a new data center configuration. The tool then performs the transformation and allows the user to interact with new data center configuration to understand its performance. A novel parameterization, speed independent service demand (SISD), greatly facilitates scaling performance metrics between different hardware platforms. |
| US08452857B2 |
Audio/visual server with disc changer emulation
An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the computer to the hard disk. After the hard disk is removed from the dock and connected to the audio/visual server, the server can access and play the audio/visual data. In one embodiment, the audio/visual server stores and plays music, emulates a disc changer, and communicates with an automobile stereo head unit. The interface with the head unit is programmable so that multiple head units can be supported. |
| US08452853B2 |
Browser with offline web-application architecture
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for providing an offline version of an online application. In one embodiment, the process initiates an online application on a connected client device using a specific operating environment associated with the online application. In response to detecting the online application going to an offline status, a determination is made as to whether a native application on the client device is present that is supportive of the online application. In response to a determination that the native application is present, the native application is executed using the specific operating environment associated with the online application. The specific operating environment associated with the online application on a server is transferred to an environment associated with the native application on the client. |
| US08452852B2 |
System and method for providing an information service to distribute real-time information to users via a presence system
A presence system provides information services, such as lottery information, stock quotes, entertainment information, travel information and delivery information, to users. The presence system includes a presence server for collecting and storing presence information on an information provider that provides an information service to users. The presence information includes real-time service information enabling the information provider to provide the information service to the users. Upon receiving updated presence information including the real-time service information from the information provider, the presence server provides the real-time service information to the users. |
| US08452851B2 |
System and method for grouping of users into overlapping clusters in social networks
Members of a social network user's social graph are automatically segregated into overlapping clusters according to patterns of their past communications. Each cluster within the social graph represents a group of members having a high degree of intra-cluster communication or other connection with one another. The clustering is performed according to a sorting or ranking in accordance with non-principal eigenvectors of connectivity matrices describing the intra-cluster communications/connections. The overlapping clusters exhibit maximum internal density and minimum external sparsity. |
| US08452845B2 |
Effecting hardware acceleration of broadcast operations in a parallel computer
Compute nodes of a parallel computer organized for collective operations via a network, each compute node having a receive buffer and establishing a topology for the network; selecting a schedule for a broadcast operation; depositing, by a root node of the topology, broadcast data in a target node's receive buffer, including performing a DMA operation with a well-known memory location for the target node's receive buffer; depositing, by the root node in a memory region designated for storing broadcast data length, a length of the broadcast data, including performing a DMA operation with a well-known memory location of the broadcast data length memory region; and triggering, by the root node, the target node to perform a next DMA operation, including depositing, in a memory region designated for receiving injection instructions for the target node, an instruction to inject the broadcast data into the receive buffer of a subsequent target node. |
| US08452840B2 |
E-mail response time estimation on compose or send
An e-mail application calculates a dynamic estimate of an e-mail response time. A recipient address module, a status module, a processing module, and a presentation module interact to generate a first and a second estimated response time. The first estimated response time is determined from sender side data. The second estimated response time is generated using recipient mailbox status data after the e-mail is received by the recipient. The second estimated response time is used to dynamically update the estimated response time displayed to the sender. |
| US08452839B2 |
Offline away messages
A computer program or method provides away messages from a first user to other users of a communications system, where the first user has grouped the other users into two or more groups. An interface is provided to the first user that displays representations of the other users in a manner that identifies how the first user has grouped the other users into the groups. The first user is able to select a selected group from the groups using the interface. The first user also is able to set a group away message for the selected group using the interface. The group away message is sent to a second user that has been grouped in the selected group when the second user attempts to communicate with the first user using the communications system and the first user is offline. |
| US08452837B2 |
Data delivery
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for support dependent post delivery. In one aspect, a method included generating transmission data for a web page served by a first server and rendered on the client device, the first sever belonging to a first domain; determining if the client device supports cross origin resource sharing; in response to a determination that the client device does not support cross origin resource sharing: defining an iFrame for the web page, the iFrame belonging to a second domain of a receiving server, and having a name value derived from the transmission data, receiving iFrame instructions from the receiving server and executing the iFrame instructions in the iFrame, the iFrame instruction causing the client device to: generate an HTTP POST request to the receiving server from the iFrame name value, the first HTTP POST request including the transmission data. |
| US08452836B2 |
Data exchange between a handheld device and another computer system using an exchange manager via synchronization
A method and electronic system for exchanging data between a handheld device and another computer system are described. A data file is transferred to the handheld device using the install application of a synchronization manager. The transferred file is stored as a digital stream file with its native data encoding. After synchronization, a message is sent to notify the exchange manager about the data file. The exchange manager then uses an application registry to identify the application program that corresponds to the file stream based on the extension of the stream file. The pertinent application program is then invoked and the stream file is dispatched to the application for processing. During processing, the pertinent application then formats the stream file such that the data file becomes a record within the database file that is associated with the pertinent application. |
| US08452834B2 |
Information processing apparatus, program, and information processing system
An information processing apparatus that includes a communication unit for performing communication with one or more external devices and a storage unit for storing device information containing first authentication information used for authentication to selectively perform a process related to transmission of content data on the external device. The information processing apparatus also includes an authenticating unit for authenticating the external device that has transmitted a processing request based on second authentication information contained in the processing request transmitted from the external device and the device information. Furthermore, a processing unit is used for selectively performing a process corresponding to the processing request based on an authentication result in the authenticating unit; and a data transmitting unit for selectively transmitting content data to the external device. |
| US08452830B2 |
Programmable CORDIC processor with stage re-use
A CORDIC processor has a plurality of stages, each of the stages having a X input, Y input, a sign input, a sign output, an X output, a Y output, a mode control input having a ROTATE or VECTOR value, and a stage number k input, each CORDIC stage having a first shift generating an output by shifting the Y input k times, a second shift generating an output by shifting X input k times, a multiplexer having an output coupled to the sign input when the mode control input is ROTATE and to the sign of the Y input when the mode input is VECTOR, a first multiplier forming the product of the first shift output and the multiplexer output, a second multiplier forming the product of the second shift output and an inverted the multiplexer output, a first adder forming the X output from the sum of the first multiplier output and the X input, and a second adder forming the Y output from the sum of the second multiplier output and the Y input. |
| US08452827B2 |
Data processing circuit
The invention relates to a data processing system for performing a polyphase filtering. This circuit comprises functional units (304, 305, 306) able to perform polyphase filterings, and a memory device (301, 302, 308) for storing data and coefficients. The functional units receive in parallel data and coefficients coming from the memory device, calculate results from the data and coefficients and supply these results to the memory device. |
| US08452826B2 |
Digital frequency channelizer
A method and apparatus provide digital frequency channelization of a digitally sampled input stream having a first bandwidth. The method and apparatus are implementable in software, firmware or hardware and convert a first set of real samples from the input stream into a first plurality of complex samples with a first functional block performing filtering, decimation and tuning functions, convert the first plurality of complex samples into a first pair of consecutive USB and a first pair of consecutive LSB complex samples with a second functional block performing filtering, decimation and tuning functions, and convert the first pair of consecutive USB and the first pair of consecutive LSB complex samples into a two pairs of complex USB and LSB complex samples with a pair of third functional blocks performing filtering, decimation and tuning functions, and apply the two pairs of complex USB and LSB complex samples to a string of n pairs (for n greater than or equal to one) third functional blocks each performing filtering, decimation and tuning functions. |
| US08452825B2 |
Sortable floating point numbers
The invention comprises methods for manipulating floating point numbers on a microprocessor where the numbers are sortable. That is, the numbers obey lexicographical ordering. Hence, the numbers may be quickly compared using bit-wise comparison functions such as memcmp( ). Conversion may result in a sortable floating point number in the form of a sign, leading bits of the exponent, and sets of digit triples in the form of declets (sets of 10 bits). In a variable-length version, numbers may be compressed by storing the number of trailing zero declets in lieu of storing the zero declets themselves. |
| US08452822B2 |
Universal file naming for personal media over content delivery networks
A device receives, from a content provider device, a personal media file with a custom name and generates a universal file name for the file based on a digital fingerprint extracted from the file. The device associates the universal file name with the custom name and determines that the universal file name is associated with a previously-stored file, where the previously-stored file and the file with the custom name have an identical digital fingerprint. The device discards the file with the custom name, and associates the custom name with the universal file name for later retrieval. |
| US08452817B1 |
Update of data structure configured to store metadata associated with a database system
Example embodiments provide various techniques for updating an old data structure configured to store metadata associated with database systems. In this method, a temporary data structure is created. Additionally, a new data structure representing an update of the old data structure is created. The metadata from the old data structure are copied to the temporary data structure, and the temporary data structure is transformed to match the new data structure. The metadata from the transformed temporary data structure are copied to the new data structure. The transformation of the temporary data structure instead of the old data structure may enable an application that is not being updated to be operational and to access the old data structure during the update. After the metadata is copied to the new data structure, a new version of the application is then able to access the new data structure. |
| US08452816B1 |
Managing database access
A method is used in managing database access. A framework is provided for translating versioned data between memory and persistent storage. Based on the framework, read and write requests that access records in a database are translated. Based on the framework, it is made to appear that the database is a different version of the database. |
| US08452813B2 |
Test planning using attribute value properties
A method for modeling a test space is provided. The method comprises defining a coverage model including one or more variables, wherein respective values for the variables are assigned, one or more definitions of value properties for said variables with assigned values, and one or more restrictions that limit combination of variable values that are legal for the model, wherein at least one of said restrictions is defined using at least one value property. |
| US08452811B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing a networking database and system proactively
A method for creating networking database containing a plurality of records for different individuals in which individuals are connected to one another in the database by mutual recognition of a relationship. This mutual recognition of a relationship is inferred by the possession of the Guest Key of one member by the other member. This paradigm for network expansion allows users to proactively grow their networks both using the site features and using tools they may be more familiar with, such as email, messaging, talking, etc. |
| US08452800B2 |
Systems and methods for collaborative exploratory search
Described is a new framework that combines the best of both exploratory search and social search: Collaborative exploratory search. This system allows a small group of focused information seekers to search through a collection of information in concert. The system provides exploratory feedback not only based on the individual's search behavior, but on the current, active search behavior of one's fellow search allies. The assumption is that the users who have gotten together to search collaboratively have the same information need, but differing perspectives and insights as to how to best express the queries to meet that need. The collaborative exploratory search system will therefore provide tools and algorithmic support to focus, enhance, and augment searcher activities. Searchers can, by interacting with each other through system-mediated information displays, help each other find all relevant information more efficiently and effectively. |
| US08452799B2 |
Query rewriting with entity detection
A system receives a search query, determines whether the received search query includes an entity name, and determines whether the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase. When the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase, the system generates a link to a rewritten query, performs a search based on the received search query to obtain first search results, and provides the first search results and the link to the rewritten query. When the entity name is not associated with a common word or phrase, the system rewrites the received search query to include a restrict identifier associated with the entity name, generates a link to the received search query, performs a search based on the rewritten search query to obtain second search results, and provides the second search results and the link to the received search query. |
| US08452798B2 |
Query and document topic category transition analysis system and method and query expansion-based information retrieval system and method
An information retrieval system and method, and more particularly, a query and document topic category transition analysis system and method in which a query topic category of a query input from a user as an information retrieval keyword and a document topic category of a document which a user regards as relevant and selects from information retrieval results are classified to analyze transition between the query topic category and the document topic category, and a query expansion-based information retrieval system and method using query and document topic category transition analysis in which a query input from a user is expanded using a topic category transition analysis result, and corresponding information or documents are retrieved using the expanded query are provided. |
| US08452794B2 |
Visual and textual query suggestion
Techniques described herein enable better understanding of the intent of a user that submits a particular search query. These techniques receive a search request for images associated with a particular query. In response, the techniques determine images that are associated with the query, as well as other keywords that are associated with these images. The techniques then cluster, for each set of images associated with one of these keywords, the set of images into multiple groups. The techniques then rank the images and determine a representative image of each cluster. Finally, the tools suggest, to the user that submitted the query, to refine the search based on user selection of a keyword and a representative image. Thus, the techniques better understand the user's intent by allowing the user to refine the search based on another keyword and based on an image on which the user wishes to focus the search. |
| US08452777B2 |
Dynamic submission and preference indicator
Indicating preference for a content contribution is disclosed. A request for information associated with the content contribution is received from a first entity. The status of the content contribution is determined. A response is provided to the first entity. Determining the status of the content contribution includes determining whether a submission of the content contribution was previously received. |
| US08452772B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for addressing popular topics in a socials sphere
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufactures for addressing popular topics in a social sphere. The method or the system continuously monitors conversations in online forum(s), identifies trend(s) of interest, identifies one or more content items that match the trend(s), and delivers the one or more content items to appropriate forum(s). The method or the system may aggregates conversations in a target forum to identify a trend and automatically responds to the trend by identifying and delivering matching existing content items to a target forum. The method or the system may further catalog a newly created content item upon creation and may identify a trend by employing some third-party products or services, by executing one or more Internet bots to monitor the online conversions, or by using trending application(s) offered by forums or social network websites. |
| US08452771B2 |
Method for differentiating traffic data obtained from probe vehicles
A remote server receives traffic data from a plurality of probe vehicles traveling on roadways. The remote server stores the received traffic data in a regular lane database and/or a carpool lane database. The remote server differentiates the received traffic data for storage in the appropriate database based on the number of probe vehicles associated with each speed pattern observed within the received traffic data. |
| US08452768B2 |
Using user search behavior to plan online advertising campaigns
Targeting parameters are generated for a media buy plan for advertisements to be displayed in conjunction with presenting web pages, based on a history of search events. Key phrases are received relative to a subject of the advertisements to be displayed. The received key phrases are provided as proposed key phrases to determine, from search events indicative of historical data of uses of a search service, a first subportion of search events for queries of the search service with the proposed key phrases and a second subportion of search events for queries of the search service not with the proposed key phrases. Classification processing is applied to determine potential targeting parameters associated with the first subportion and with the second subportion to identify potential targeting parameters that, statistically, contribute to membership in the first sub-population and in the second sub-population, respectively. Statistics are associated with the potential targeting parameters, based on the historical data, indicative of factors usable to determine whether to use the potential targeting parameters as actual targeting parameters of the media buy plan. |
| US08452764B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for a brand affinity engine using positive and negative mentions and indexing
A computer-based search engine for performing a search for a keyword, comprising a result responsive to a search, a database comprising a plurality of terms organized by categories wherein at least one of the categories includes the keyword, and relational ones of the plurality of terms to the keyword; a heuristic engine comprising a plurality of rules which, when executed by a processor, applies the rules in accordance with the relational ones of the plurality of terms to a networked site to assess the keyword as a primary subject of the networked site. |
| US08452761B2 |
Apparatus for and method of implementing system log message ranking via system behavior analysis
A novel and useful method for enabling system logs to be effectively and efficiently monitored by ranking the system log messages by their estimated value to administrators and generating a log view that displays the most important messages. The ranking process uses a dataset of system logs from many computer systems to score messages. For better scoring, unsupervised clustering is used to identify sets of systems that behave similarly. The expected distribution of messages in a given system is estimated using the resulting clusters, and log messages are scored using this estimation. |
| US08452759B2 |
Systems and methods for providing multi-directional visual browsing
Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then formatted into instructions, which will cause a device to render the display layout. The instructions are transmitted to the client device. |
| US08452758B2 |
Methods and systems for improving a search ranking using related queries
Systems and methods that improve search rankings for a search query by using data associated with queries related to the search query are described. In one aspect, a search query is received, a related query related to the search query is determined, an article (such as a web page) associated with the search query is determined, and a ranking score for the article based at least in part on data associated with the related query is determined. Several algorithms and types of data associated with related queries useful in carrying out such systems and methods are described. |
| US08452755B1 |
Database query analysis technology
Database query analysis technology, in which an input query is received that relates to multiple attribute classes of data records. An index that is descriptive of the data records in data storage is accessed and relative positions in the accessed index for the multiple attribute classes are identified. The accessed index is processed based on more than one of the multiple attribute classes and the identified relative positions, and the processed index is used to identify groups of data records that are included in the data records in the data storage and that share common values for the multiple attribute classes in the input query. Metrics corresponding to the data records included in each of the identified groups of data records are accessed, computations are performed on the accessed metrics, and a report is generated that reflects results of the computations. |
| US08452753B2 |
Method, a web document description language, a web server, a web document transfer protocol and a computer software product for retrieving a web document
The invention relates to a method for retrieving a web document provided by a web server, where the method comprising the usual steps of requesting a web document from the web server and replying with the web document, extended by the steps of requesting an analysis according to an inspection requirement, analyzing the content of the web document according to inspection requirements at the web server, and replying an analyzing result. The invention relates inter alia to a web document description language, a web server, a web document transfer protocol, and a computer software product for retrieving a web document. |
| US08452751B2 |
Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, a selection of at least one file having metadata stored in a metadata database is received, and a selection of a command to search, using at least a portion of the metadata, is received, and a search through the metadata database is performed. Methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described. |
| US08452750B2 |
System and method for the creation and access of dynamic course content
A computer based system and method for the creation and access of dynamic course content and associated media products is disclosed. The present invention utilizes dynamic current content sources such as news, web sources, blogs, podcasts, user generated content, and other sources to create media products such as slides, videos, audio and the like. The media products of the present invention are keyed to the static framework of the textbook or textbooks, and are searchable by textbook structure, media structure, key terms, date range, and the like. |
| US08452745B2 |
Online search system, method and computer program
A search system, method and computer program are disclosed in which characters of a search term are captured as they are entered into a client system (20) and used to predict search terms. Search results are obtained for a predetermined number of the predicted search terms and cached at the client system (20). Upon determining the complete search term has been entered, search results corresponding to the complete search term are displayed. |
| US08452744B2 |
System and method for analyzing locked files
Systems and methods for scanning files for pestware on a protected computer are described. In one variation, when a file on a storage device is inaccessible via an operating system of the protected computer, a listing of a plurality of pointers for the file is located on the storage device. Each of the plurality of pointers in the listing points to a corresponding one of a plurality of locations on the storage device, and the storage device stores each of a plurality of portions of data for the file at a corresponding one of each of the plurality of locations. One or more of the plurality of portions for the data are accessed and analyzed, while the operating system continues to limit access to the file via the operating system, so as to determine whether the file is a pestware file. |
| US08452742B2 |
Software configuration management method and system
It is possible to surely commit a revision made on a software component in a software component database and a software product group and to create a new software product from the same database. Provided is a software configuration management system which includes a software component database and a software product management unit and accepts data transmission/reception from a software component database management client and a software product operation client. The software configuration management system further includes: a component-product correspondence table, component-file correspondence information, a synchronization unit for mutually committing a modification of the software component database and a modification of a software product; update information; and a correspondence table update unit. |
| US08452741B1 |
Reconciling data retention requirements
Data retention requirement rules may be created to have an area association, a minimum retention period specification, and a maximum retention period specification associated with one or more rules. Users may be assigned to one or more areas of at least one rule. Data objects may associated with one or more areas that may be associated with a rule. As the rules are updated and/or changed, the minimum and maximum periods in different rules may be compared in real time to implement a data retention policy that automatically deletes, preserves, and/or prevents access to data objects according to the each of the rules. |
| US08452738B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus is capable of recording a first image file and a second image file which differs from the first image file in a recording format and which needs to be managed by a management file. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that converts a subject optical image into an image signal, a signal processor that creates based on the image signal the first image file, or image data including the second image file and a management file associated with the second image file, and a controller that controls the signal processor. The controller checks consistency between the management file and the second image file, and controls the signal processor such that, when the management file is not consistent with the second image file, creation of the image data is inhibited but creation of the first image file is allowed. |
| US08452734B2 |
FAT file in reserved cluster with ready entry state
A computer device (2010) has a file system having clusters and meta data. The computer device (2010) includes a processor (1030) and a storage (1025) coupled to the processor and having physical representations of instructions so that the processor is operable to reserve (230) at least one of the clusters and to create a log record when meta data for the file system is to be updated by a write (240) of such meta data beforehand to such a reserved cluster, and then set (250) at least one state entry to substantially represent readiness to write the meta data to the file system. |
| US08452731B2 |
Remote backup and restore
In one embodiment of the present invention, a data-backup method includes partitioning a fingerprint namespace among a cluster of backup servers, the fingerprint namespace comprising fingerprints for representing units of data, each backup server of the cluster of backup servers managing units of data having fingerprints corresponding to an assigned partition of the fingerprint namespace. The method further includes receiving backup information from a client computing device for a block of data comprising units of data, the backup information including at least a fingerprint for each of the units of data and client-specific backup information. In addition, the method includes, utilizing the fingerprint for each of the units of data, deduplicating the units of data in parallel at the cluster of backup servers in accordance with the partitioning step, the deduplicating step comprising identifying ones of the units data already stored by the cluster of backup servers. |
| US08452729B2 |
Extending cluster allocations in an extensible file system
An extensible file system format for portable storage media is provided. The extensible file system format includes the specification of primary and secondary directory entry types that may be custom defined. The primary and secondary directory entry types can be further classified as critical and benign directory entries. The directory entry types can define whether a cluster chain corresponding to a file can be contiguously allocated. |
| US08452723B2 |
Dataset previews for ETL transforms
Disclosed is a user interface on a display for editing data transformations comprising an ETL process. A first display area presents a data representation of a data transformation. A second display area presents a view of input data, and a third display are presents a view of output data. User input to modify the data transformation is received. In response to receiving the user input, the third display area is updated with output data generated by applying the modified data transformation to the input data. |
| US08452720B2 |
System and methods for optimizing user interaction in web-related activites
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for facilitating user interaction in web-related activities. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring a user's current interaction with a browser, predicting a task a user is likely to take based on a current interaction context associated with the user's current interaction and one or more rules previously generated based on one or more previously recorded browser interactions, and generating, based on the prediction, and displaying a user interface component with the browser, the user interface component selectable by the user and representing an interaction (or a sequence of interactions) that the user can select to occur. |
| US08452719B2 |
Extrapolating empirical models for control, prediction, and optimization applications
The present disclosure provides novel techniques for defining empirical models having control, prediction, and optimization modalities. The empirical models may include neural networks and support vector machines. The empirical models may include asymptotic analysis as part of the model definition as allow the models to achieve enhanced results, including enhanced high-order behaviors. The high-order behaviors may exhibit gains that are non-zero trending, which may be useful for controller modalities. |
| US08452717B2 |
Presenting an interactive guidance structure in a collaborative environment
A collaborative work environment is provided that supports collaboration among users for performance of a people service that is associated with ad-hoc activities. An information base is provided that includes information relating to responsibilities of the users and work items for the ad-hoc activities. An interactive guidance structure is presented in the collaborative environment to guide actions of the users with respect to the work items. Materials produced as a result of the actions to update the information base are collected. |
| US08452716B2 |
Kernel-based method and apparatus for classifying materials or chemicals and for quantifying the properties of materials or chemicals in mixtures using spectroscopic data
A kernel-based method determines the similarity of a first spectrum and a second spectrum. Each spectrum represents a result of spectral analysis of a material or chemical and comprises a set of spectral attributes distributed across a spectral range. The method calculates a kernel function which makes use of the shape of the spectral response surrounding a spectral point. This is achieved by comparing the value of an spectral attribute in a spectrum and each of a set of neighboring spectral attributes within a window around the spectral attribute. Weighting values can be applied to calculations when deriving the kernel function. The weighting values can assign different degrees of importance to different regions of the spectrum. The method can be used to: classify unknown spectra; predict the concentration of an analyte within a mixture; database searching for the closest match using a kernel-derived distance metric; visualization of high-dimensional spectral data in two or three dimensions. |
| US08452712B2 |
Method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses
A method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses for resource libraries such as an application program interface (API), a toolkit, a framework, a runtime library, a dynamic link library (DLL), an applet (e.g., a Java or ActiveX applet), or any other reusable resource. The resource library can be used by authorized end user software programs. A “per-program” licensing scheme for a resource library can allow a resource library to be licensed only for use with particular software programs. |
| US08452709B2 |
Methods and systems for verifying customer supplied financial account information using debit and credit transactions
Embodiment of the invention describe methods and systems for verifying customer supplied financial account information verification using debit and credit transactions. These methods include electronically transmitting an electronic debit and credit transaction to the customer financial account, based on the customer supplied financial account information. The method also includes electronically transmitting a first statement descriptor, as part of at least one of the electronic debit transaction and the electronic credit transaction, that includes a first verification code. The method also includes electronically receiving, from the customer, a second verification code, and comparing, by the computer system, the transmitted first verification code with the received second verification code with respect to each other. The method also includes verifying, by the computer system, the customer supplied financial account information based on the comparison of the verification codes. |
| US08452704B2 |
Method and system for on-line payments
A method and system for making on-line payments makes use of computer hardware and software and utilizes, for example, a payment engine that facilitates the making of payments via the Internet. A user enrolls for the on-line payments service, designates a source account for the on-line payments, and is provided a transaction account as a money deposit account with an account number that the user can use as a source and a destination of funds and with one or more service levels. The user can make, for example, on-line payments, on-line and/or off-line purchases, cash withdrawals at an ATM, credit card account payments, bill payments, and/or international payments with funds in the transaction account and/or a line of credit associated with the transaction account. |
| US08452702B1 |
System, method and program product for minimizing fund movements
A method, system and program product, the method comprising: accessing databases, comprising (i) aggregated account information for a plurality of government-backed insured interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts held in a plurality of recipient depository institutions, and (ii) client account information; obtaining client account transaction information of client accounts of a first financial institution; obtaining a first amount of funds for the first financial institution; allocating the first amount of funds to other of the recipient depository institutions; allocating a second amount of funds sourced from other of the financial institutions to the first financial institution, based on criteria; netting the first amount and the second amount to obtain a net amount; if the net amount is different from zero, allocating a positive or a negative third amount, to make the second amount equal to the first amount, so no transfer is necessary. |
| US08452698B2 |
System and method for managing credit risk for investment portfolios
A system is disclosed for enabling a portfolio manager to obtain credit approval for an issuer of securities from a credit analyst. The system includes a relational database containing subjective and objective issuer information, a graphical user interface for permitting a portfolio manager to submit a credit approval request to a credit analyst, a graphical user interface for permitting a credit analyst to evaluate the credit approval request submitted by the portfolio manager based on the issuer information contained in the database, and a graphical user interface for permitting the credit analyst to resolve the credit approval request on behalf of the portfolio manager. |
| US08452695B2 |
System and method for providing security to a game controller device for electronic trading
A system for managing electronic trading, comprises an interface application including a mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signal relationships. Each controller signal relationship associates one or more of a plurality of game controller signals with one of a plurality of trading system commands associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments. The interface application receives a plurality of game controller signals generated by a game controller, and determines, based on the controller signal relationships, that one or more of the plurality of received game controller signals are erroneous. The interface application causes the communication of a command to lock the game controller based on the determination of the one or more erroneous game controller signals. |
| US08452692B2 |
Method and system for managing exchange traded funds using an intraday indicative value
A computer implemented method, system, and software for calculating and using an intraday indicative value of a leveraged Bullish or Bearish exchange traded fund (“ETF”) for arbitrage purposes, includes calculating an intraday current value of all the equity securities in the ETF (applicable only to Bullish ETFs), calculating mark to market gains or losses of at least one derivative product, and retrieving an accumulated loss or gain of the at least one derivative product and other cash equivalent amounts. The intraday indicative value of the ETF is determined by combining the calculated intraday current value of all the equity securities (applicable only to Bullish ETFs), the accumulated loss or gain, the mark to market gains of the at least one derivative product and other cash equivalent amounts. The determined intraday value of the ETF is used, by a party, for arbitrage purposes. |
| US08452690B2 |
System and method for money management using a plurality of profit levels in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for money management in an electronic trading environment are presented. According to one embodiment, a money management application intercepts an order before the order is sent to an exchange, and determines a plurality of P/L levels, based on which the money management application then selects a set of money management parameters to be used to control or modify order parameters before the order is sent to the exchange. The plurality of profit levels may include a net profit level determined based on a trader's net position and a current market level, a realized profit level determined based on trader's sells and buys associated with the tradable object, or an open profit level determined based on the realized and net profit levels. The set of money management parameters may include a maximum order quantity and a maximum net position so that, for example, if the order quantity associated with the order is higher than the maximum order quantity associated with the applicable set of money management parameters, the order quantity may be modified to the maximum order quantity. |
| US08452685B2 |
Fiduciary screener test and benefit plan selection process: more generalized applications
A process for enrolling individual participants in financial products or services or a means of determining knowledge of and competency regarding service provider advice using performance scores from a psychometric testing instrument to determine whether individual participants understand the risks of their choices. As an individual's score increases on the test, a larger array of choices become available allowing greater opportunity for financial product, service or advise customization. This screening process benefits the individual by limiting choices where risks are not properly understood. Additionally, the use of the test as a screener to curtail unsuitable choices affords investment custodians, investment advisors or other providers a mechanism to demonstrate that they have properly exercised their fiduciary duty. |
| US08452680B1 |
Biometric financial transaction system and method
Tokenless biometric authorization of transaction between a consumer and a merchant uses an identicator and an access device. A consumer registers with the identicator a biometric sample taken from the consumer. The consumer and merchant establish communications via the access device. The merchant proposes a transaction to the consumer via the access device. The access device communicates to the merchant associated with the access device. After the consumer and merchant have agreed on the transaction, the consumer and the identicator use the access device to establish communications. The access device communicates to the identicator the code associated with the access device. The identicator compares biometric sample from the consumer with registered biometric sample. Upon successful identification, the identicator forwards information regarding the consumer to the merchant. These steps accomplish a biometrically authorized electronic financial transaction without the consumer having to present any personalized man-made memory tokens. |
| US08452676B1 |
Method and system for filing a tax form using quick return
A method for filing a tax form, comprising generating a basic return form, receiving a plurality of basic return answers to a plurality of basic return questions from a user, obtaining aggregate tax data from a plurality of filed tax returns based on the plurality of basic return answers, determining a plurality of aggregate tax questions based on the aggregate tax data, determining a plurality of utilization levels for the plurality of aggregate tax questions, generating a summary input form comprising a first plurality of tax questions and a second plurality of tax questions, receiving a plurality of summary input answers to the first plurality of tax questions and the second plurality of tax questions from the user, completing the tax form based on the plurality of summary input answers to obtain a completed tax form, and filing the completed tax form with a tax authority. |
| US08452673B2 |
System for processing data acquired from vehicle diagnostic interface for vehicle inventory monitoring
A system for keeping an inventory of vehicles that serve as collateral for loans provided by a lending entity includes a vehicle monitoring device, a database, and a central vehicle data server. The vehicle monitoring device includes a wireless modem, a processor, a GPS receiver, a vehicle diagnostics interface connector, and memory. These components are preferably enclosed in a small housing which may be installed beneath the dashboard of a vehicle. The vehicle diagnostics interface connector connects to the vehicle's OBD interface which is electrically connected to the vehicle's on-board diagnostics processor. The device retrieves vehicle diagnostic data through the vehicle's OBD interface based on the occurrence of certain events during the operation of the vehicle, such as ignition events, voltage change events, and location-based events, such as crossing a geofence boundary or exceeding a mileage or speed threshold. The device transmits the retrieved vehicle diagnostic data to the central vehicle data server via a wireless communication network. Vehicle inventories are managed in the database based on the information transmitted from the vehicle monitoring device. |
| US08452663B2 |
Systems and methods for processing auto-ID data
Embodiments of the present invention improve data processing, and in particular, improve rule engines for data processing and improve processing auto-ID data. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a gateway layer between a auto-ID device layer and an auto-ID node layer for processing data. The gateway layer may incorporate a rule engine for processing data. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a rule processor where rules are activated and deactivated automatically to reduce system overhead. In another embodiment, the rule engine is composed of multiple services that can be omitted if they are not needed for the processing of a given rule set to reduce the footprint and resource consumption of the rule engine. |
| US08452662B2 |
System, program product, and associated methods to autodraw for micro-credit attached to prepaid card
A prepaid card processor receives data for a line of credit for a prepaid card from a lending institution computer. The prepaid card processor makes available draws to the line of credit line on behalf of the lending institution computer in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase using the prepaid card as payment. When the line of credit is accessed, the processor loads the prepaid card with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the prepaid card then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed purchase. Then the processor notifies the lending institution so that the line of credit balances on the lending institution computer and the prepaid card processor are kept in sync. |
| US08452661B2 |
Metered electrical charging station with integrated expense tracking and invoice capabilities
A system for safely recharging and charging electrically powered vehicles, including hybrid powered vehicles, includes an electrical charging station for connecting the vehicles to a source of Ground Fault Protected electrical power, an authorization device for permitting an operator of the vehicle to utilize a secure electronic content distributor. The system also includes a metering system for recording the amount of electrical power or electricity utilized to charge or recharge the vehicle. A cover is hinged to the charging station and includes an aperture sized to secure said power cord to said electrical connection output. A locking pin assembly secures the cover in a closed position while said position indicator is engaged and maintains the cover in a closed position until an authorization to release the cover is received. |
| US08452660B2 |
Self-checkout security system and method therefor
A system and method for enhanced security for a self-checkout system is disclosed where predicted weights of items are used to predict the total order weight. The predicted total order weight is compared to an actual weight of the order based on a weighing of the total order, and an output provided indicating whether the comparison is within acceptable limits or if a security alert or attendant assistance is needed. |
| US08452653B1 |
Method for providing information and recommendations based on user activity
A method for providing recommendations to a user based on user activity. A plurality of activity data tracking a plurality of activities of a user is obtained. The activity data may be obtained over a wide area network such as the internet or downloaded from a data card which stores activity data whenever the user participates in an activity. The activity data is either stored on the data card or transmitted over the network whenever the user uses a card when participating in any activity such as when making a purchase of goods, paying for services, watching television, etc. The activity data is processed to identify a plurality of user patterns. The user patterns are used to form a user profile and may include user habit data. Recommendations specific to the user based on the user patterns are then created for and provided to the user. The recommendations are provided to a user when the user logs onto a computer network such as the internet. The recommendations may also be provided by electronic mail, electronic pager or other methods. The recommendations are provided by various data analysis techniques including rule based inference engines and other forms of artificial intelligence. |
| US08452652B2 |
Electronic coupons decision support and recommendation system
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for determining a combination of electronic coupons (e-coupons) for redemption by a retailer in a networked environment are disclosed. In the method, a check is made to determine if a selection of e-coupons complies with redeeming conditions for a purchase. If so, a further check is made to determine if two or more of the selected e-coupons are mutually exclusive. The selection of e-coupons complying with the redeeming conditions and being non-mutually exclusive is displayed. Preferably, the method includes suggesting to a user of an optimal or near optimal selection of e-coupons. The e-coupons may reside at a user's site, a third party's site, or a site of the retailer in the networked environment. The networked environment may be the Internet, an Intranet, an Extranet, a local area network, an ATM network, a wide area network and a wireless network. |
| US08452651B2 |
Method and system for providing rewards to a portable computing device at the point of sale
A method of providing rewards to a user by storing, in a portable computing device, user profile data which may be accessed by a merchant terminal only if allowed by the user. A merchant terminal interacts with the portable computing device by accessing the user profile data from the portable computing device if allowed by the user, and providing the user with a reward in accordance with the user profile data allowed by the user to be accessed by the merchant terminal, wherein the merchant terminal provides a relatively greater reward to the user when the user allows relatively more user profile data to be accessed by the merchant terminal and a relatively lesser reward to the user when the user allows relatively less data to be accessed by the merchant terminal. |
| US08452650B2 |
Dynamic pricing for content presentations
A request for content is received. First content is selected for the request. The first content is selected from among multiple content items based on information in the request, a characteristic of how the first content is to be presented, and a stored pricing threshold value selected based on the characteristic. The characteristic of how the first content is to be presented includes an amount of available space that is occupied by the first content when the first content is presented. The selected first content is provided for presentation by a publisher that provides second content. |
| US08452647B2 |
Portable hand-held multi-function device for storing, managing and combining rewards
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card. |
| US08452640B2 |
Personalized content delivery and analytics
Systems and methods are provided that record details and analytics about a sales call presentation. Presentation materials are stored in the form of digital content in a memory. A first user interface is provided to allow a presenter to select a presentation, and a second user interface is provided to allow a presenter to enter details about the sales call. Analytical data of the presentation is recorded in real-time and the analytical data is stored in a memory, wherein the analytical data is used in part to assess the success of the presentation. |
| US08452639B2 |
System and method for marketing mix optimization for brand equity management
A method of marketing optimization with respect to brand lifetime management formulates a problem of brand equity maximization utilizing Markov Decision Process (MDP) thereby casting brand equity management as a long term regard optimization problem in MDP, The marketing mix is optimized by formulating the mix as actions in MDP and, utilizing historical marketing and transaction data, aspects of the MDP are estimated. |
| US08452636B1 |
Systems and methods for market performance analysis
A system comprises a data integration module to receive data from two or more different financial service systems, a data transformation module to transform the data, a data storage module to store the transformed data in a persistent raw data store, an analytic module configured use a business rule to condition data stored in the persistent raw data store, and a report module to organize the conditioned data for reporting. A system comprises a business rules engine, an analytic engine to automatically generate a result data set using a rule, and a report engine organize data extracted from the result data set in a report. A system comprises a raw data storage module to store persistent raw data, a processed data storage module to store processed data, a decision module configured to determine a scope of a business rule and adaptively apply the business rule to the data. |
| US08452634B2 |
Method and system for assessing the progress of a project in terms of its schedule
The invention describes a computer-implemented method and system for assessing the progress of a project in terms of its schedule. The method includes receiving project data and based on the project data, calculating a first period (PE) after which a current earned value (EV) was expected to be realized. The method also includes calculating a second period (PR) in which the current EV has been realized. Further, the method includes calculating a fraction component (EF) of a period when the current EV was expected to be realized and finally, calculating an earned schedule performance index (ESPI) based on PE, PR and EF, wherein the ESPI indicates whether the project is on schedule. |
| US08452633B2 |
System and method for improved project portfolio management
A system and method for managing a portfolio or projects is disclosed wherein the relationships between the goals of an organization are determined and a weight is applied to each goal. These weights are indicative of the importance of each goal in achieving another goal. Each project in the organization is assigned a contribution value that indicates the importance of that project in achieving one or more of the organizational goals and strategic impacts of that project to those goals is calculated as a function of the contribution value of the project. This strategic impact is compared to objective criteria, such as the budget allocated to that project, and a determination is made whether the resources allocated to that project should be adjusted as a function of the relationship between this strategic impact and the objective criteria. |
| US08452630B1 |
Method and system for scheduling workers
A method for scheduling workers in a business day. The method includes obtaining a scheduled worker distribution specifying an amount of work to be performed by the workers during a business day, where each worker is assigned a schedule within a work window, which includes a core component and a flex component. The method further includes obtaining a forecasted demand distribution for an amount of work to be performed by the workers during the business day and comparing the scheduled worker distribution with the forecasted demand distribution for the business day. The method further includes creating a new schedule for a worker when the scheduled worker distribution and the forecasted demand distribution are not substantially equal, where the new schedule is within the work window associated with the worker, and notifying, a predetermined amount of time in advance of the business day, the worker of the new schedule. |
| US08452628B2 |
System and method of facilitating interaction between members of supply chain
A computer-implemented method involves facilitating interaction between members of a supply chain. A communication platform links to a plurality of hubs for electronic data transfer. The hubs are associated with the members of the supply chain. The method provides a standardized model for product decisions for each member of the supply chain. The method involves formulating a product plan by a first member of the supply chain. The product plan utilizes the standardized model and data available to the first member to generate a forecast under the product plan. The method transfers the product plan with shared data and forecast through a first hub associated with the first member and through the communication platform to a second hub associated with a second member of the supply chain. The communication platform controls the transfer of data so that the second member can evaluate the product plan and forecast under the standardized model. |
| US08452624B2 |
Online travel reservation system and method delivering restriction-aware travel opportunities
An online reservation system including a fare search engine is described. The system comprises a database of published fares, a database of rules attached to the published fares and a fare family solver to categorize the published fares into sets of predefined generic fare families on the basis of the rules attached to the published fares. The fare family solver further comprises a generic partitioning fare family database holding the attributes of each predefined generic fare family allowing to determine to which fare family the published fares belong to. The attributes of each predefined generic fare family are first set up by a fare family composer operated by an administrator of the system.The online reservation system of the invention allows returning to the end-users of online travel service providers travel solutions categorized in families of fares having various ranges of prices and levels of restrictions attached to. |
| US08452620B1 |
Parametric directors and officers insurance and reinsurance contracts, and related financial instruments
The provision of parametric D&O insurance and reinsurance policies is afforded by systems and methods for determining one or more parametric indices of the risk arising from aggregate litigation activity, which risk is correlated with the financial exposures (e.g., payment cash flows) of the insureds' exposed to such claims, and of the insurers who provide primary D&O insurance coverage. A parametric index is for a given policy is determined from a set of parameters that define the type, scope, timing of litigation activity for the index, as well as details how the index values are determined from the underlying litigation exposure. The system and method further determine whether payments are due under such a policy and their amounts. |
| US08452613B2 |
Multiple modality computer aided diagnostic system and method
A diagnostic system having an image loader including a processor for processing multiple modality images, at least one of the multiple modality images being a mammogram image, the processing including generating diagnostic information based on a computer aided diagnostic tool and an image viewer simultaneously displaying the multiple modality images. |
| US08452609B2 |
Computer system for rule-driven emergency department coding
Among other things, the preferred embodiments provide a computer system whereby Coders can quickly and efficiently review, manage and modify patient record documentation electronically via a graphical user interface (GUI) provided on a computer display or monitor. In this manner, the Coder(s) can create electronic data files and Charge Reports that are used, e.g., by facilities to effect billing to patients and to prepare documentation to seek reimbursement from medical facilities. |
| US08452606B2 |
Speech encoding using multiple bit rates
A method system and program for encoding and decoding a speech signal including error correction data. The method comprises: receiving a speech signal comprising successive frames, for each of a plurality of frames of the speech signal, analysing the speech signal to determine side information and a residual signal, encoding the residual signal at a first bit rate, and generating an output bitstream based on the residual signal encoded at the first bit rate, and for at least one of the plurality of frames of the speech signal, encoding the residual signal at a second bit rate that is lower than the first bit rate; and generating error correction data based on the residual signal encoded at the second bit rate. |
| US08452605B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating audio subband values and apparatus and method for generating time-domain audio samples
An embodiment of an apparatus for generating audio subband values in audio subband channels has an analysis windower for windowing a frame of time-domain audio input samples being in a time sequence extending from an early sample to a later sample using an analysis window function having a sequence of window coefficients to obtain windowed samples. The analysis window function has a first group of window coefficients and a second group of window coefficients. The first group of window coefficients is used for windowing later time-domain samples and the second group of window coefficients is used for windowing an earlier time-domain samples. The apparatus further has a calculator for calculating the audio subband values using the windowed samples. |
| US08452603B1 |
Methods and systems for enhancement of device accessibility by language-translated voice output of user-interface items
Methods and systems for enhancement of device accessibility are described. In an example, an operating system configured to be executed on a device, may be configured to support a plurality of software applications and to support a plurality of modes of operation of the device. A given software application may include a user-interface comprising a user-interface item having a text in a first language. The operating system may be configured to receive a selection of the user-interface item of the given software application. Based on the operating system being in an accessibility mode common to the plurality of software applications, the operating system may be configured to determine a translation of the text into a second language; and a voice output corresponding to a spoken utterance of the translation of the text. The operating system further may be configured to provide, by the device, the voice output. |
| US08452601B2 |
Reading device with shortcut read function
In some embodiments, a reading device is provided with a shortcut read mode in which a user can instruct the reading device of the type of document (e.g., invoice, package label, newspaper, etc.) that is to be read so that the device can more efficiently find and read back to the user desired (target) information from the document. |
| US08452600B2 |
Assisted reader
An electronic reading device for reading ebooks and other digital media items combines a touch surface electronic reading device with accessibility technology to provide a visually impaired user more control over his or her reading experience. In some implementations, the reading device can be configured to operate in at least two modes: a continuous reading mode and an enhanced reading mode. |
| US08452598B2 |
System and method for providing advertisements in an integrated voice navigation services environment
The system and method described herein may provide advertisements in an integrated voice navigation services environment. In particular, one or more advertisements may be identified based on affinities among a current location associated with a navigation device and shared knowledge and information used to interpret natural language utterances that relate to a navigation context, wherein the one or more advertisements may then be presented via a multi-modal output. As such, the shared knowledge and the information relating to the navigation context may provide the system and method with dynamic awareness relating to context, available information sources, domain knowledge, and user behavior and preferences, among other things, which may be used to deliver targeted and contextually relevant advertisements in the integrated navigation services environment. |
| US08452594B2 |
Method and system for processing dictated information
A method and a system for processing dictated information into a dynamic form are disclosed. The method comprises presenting an image (3) belonging to an image category to a user, dictating a first section of speech associated with the image category, retrieving an electronic document having a previously defined document structure (4) associated with the first section of speech, thus associating the document structure (4) with the image (3), wherein the document structure comprises at least one text field, presenting at least a part of the electronic document having the document structure (4) on a presenting unit (5), dictating a second section of speech and processing the second section of speech in a speech recognition engine (6) into dictated text and associating the dictated text with the text field. |
| US08452591B2 |
Comfort noise information handling for audio transcoding applications
A device comprising an audio information processor to receive at least one audio stream encoded according to a first protocol by a remote network processing device, the audio stream having associated comfort noise information to indicate a level of background noise available for presentation during silence periods associated with the audio stream, the audio information processor to decode the received audio stream according to the first protocol and to encode the decoded audio stream according to a second protocol, and a background noise translator to convert the comfort noise information received with the audio stream into a format compatible with the second protocol. |
| US08452583B2 |
Method of using visual separators to indicate additional character combinations on a handheld electronic device and associated apparatus
A method and associated apparatus for using visual separators to indicate additional character combination choices from a disambiguation function on a handheld electronic device. |
| US08452581B2 |
Technique using power macromodeling for register transfer level power estimation
A method for estimating power consumption of a design block of an integrated circuit includes obtaining power consumption data from designs of older-generation microprocessors, selecting a set of power consumption parameters, applying a curve-fitting technique on the obtained power consumption data for the selected set of power consumption parameters, creating a new power consumption model based on the curve-fitting technique and one or more of the power consumption parameters, using the model at a register transfer level of a newer-generation microprocessor to represent estimates of register transfer level power consumption of the newer-generation microprocessor, and outputting the register transfer level power consumption estimates based on the model. |
| US08452580B2 |
Method and system for using multiple-point statistics simulation to model reservoir property trends
A computer-implemented method and system for simulating reservoir property trends, including petrophysical trends within facies geobodies, is provided. One embodiment includes discretizing a range of values of the reservoir property to be modeled into at least two categories and utilizing the categories to discretize the associated well data and training image into categorical well data and a categorical training image. An embodiment includes applying MPS simulation using the categorical training image on a stratigraphic grid of nodes discretizing the reservoir volume to create a categorical property model. The embodiment additionally includes applying variogram-based simulation in each sub-region of the categorical property model to create a reservoir property model that reproduces the category histogram of each associated sub-region and models the reservoir property trends. |
| US08452578B2 |
Simulation method of noise performance of tire and method of producing tire
A method for simulating tire noise performance using a computer includes a step S1 of setting, using a finite number of elements, a tire model having a tread model portion provided with a tread groove, a step S2 of setting a road surface model using a finite number of elements, a step S4 of carrying out a rolling simulation to roll the tire model on the road surface model at least over a groove-grounded rolling distance between which the tread groove is brought into and out of contact with the road surface model; a step S5 of acquiring a surface coordinate value of the tread model portion in a time-series manner, and a step S7 of setting a sound space region around the tread model portion using the surface coordinate value of the tread model portion and of carrying out an aerodynamic simulation using the sound space region. |
| US08452577B2 |
Golf ball trajectory simulation method
A method for simulating a golf ball trajectory is provided. The simulation method sets up a golf ball model within a virtual airflow space where a grid has been generated, sets a weight for the ball model and applies initial conditions (initial velocity, launch angle, spin rate) to the ball model so as to cause the model to fly within the virtual airflow space, then calculates the lift coefficient and the drag coefficient for the golf ball from the air stream velocity, direction and pressure calculated in each grid cell, and calculates the flight distance and left-to-right dispersion for the golf ball from launch until landing by calculating the change in height, change in lateral direction, change in velocity and change in spin rate for the golf ball during flight. The trajectory simulation method divides the flight path into regions including a high, a medium and a low velocity region. |
| US08452575B2 |
Golf ball trajectory simulation method
A golf ball trajectory simulation method is provided. The method includes setting up a golf ball model within a virtual airflow space where a grid has been generated and setting a weight for the ball model and applies initial conditions (initial velocity, launch angle, spin rate) to the ball model so as to cause the model to fly within the virtual airflow space. The method further includes calculating the lift coefficient and the drag coefficient for the golf ball from the air stream velocity, the direction and pressure in each grid cell, and the flight distance and left-to-right dispersion for the golf ball from launch until landing by calculating, at predetermined short time intervals, the change in height, change in lateral direction, change in velocity and change in spin rate for the golf ball during flight. |
| US08452573B2 |
Carbon footprint analysis tool for structures
An emission estimation apparatus running a program configured to perform a method of calculating the amount of carbon generated during the life span of a structure by displaying a graphical user interface stored in the memory of the apparatus which is configured to gather structural information pertaining of the structure, receiving structural information from the graphical user interface into the memory of the apparatus which includes information pertaining to the size, types of material used in the structure and structural aspects of the structure, generating an estimated amount of carbon generated from the use of each type of material to construct the structure and the labor used to construct the structure based on the structural information received by the processor, estimating, by the processor, the types and amounts of material and labor required to repair the structure after a destructive event occurs based on a calculated probability and magnitude of a destructive event occurring, generating an estimated amount of carbon emitted as a result of the materials used and the labor required to repair the structure after the destructive event occurs, and displaying the total estimated amount of carbon emitted due the construction and repair of the structure on a display unit. |
| US08452570B2 |
Systems and apparatuses for testing blood glucose measurement engines
A system for testing a blood glucose measurement engine includes a host device emulator having a measurement engine port communicatively coupled to a communications port and electrically coupled to a power supply. A diagnostic computer may be communicatively coupled to the communications port of the host device emulator. The diagnostic computer may include a processor and a memory having computer readable and executable instructions. When the blood glucose measurement engine is communicatively coupled to the measurement engine port, the host device emulator simulates connection to a host device by facilitating the communication of signals between the diagnostic computer and the blood glucose measurement engine. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: transmit control signals and diagnostic signals to the measurement engine, receive and analyze data signals transmitted from the measurement engine, and monitor a glucose measurement process performed by the measurement engine. |
| US08452565B2 |
HF measurement system, method for the calibration thereof, and method for determining scattering parameters with this HF measurement system
A method for calibrating a high frequency measurement device having N measurement ports, where N is an integer ≧1, in particular a vector network analyzer, for determining scattering parameters of a measurement object with an n-port measurement, where n is an integer ≧1, wherein a high frequency test signal is fed into a first electrical lead connected to the measurement object or to a circuit having the measurement object, wherein for each port, an HF signal running on a second electrical lead, connected to the measurement object is coupled out from the second electrical lead at a first coupling position and at a second coupling position placed at a distance from the first coupling position, wherein from the two HF signals coupled out, in each port, for each measuring site or coupling site, an amplitude and/or a phase, relative to the HF test signal, of an HF signal running on the second electrical lead to the measurement object and of an HF signal running on the second electrical lead away from the measurement object are determined and therefrom, scattering parameters of the measurement object are calculated. |
| US08452560B2 |
Identifying periodic jitter in a signal
Identifying periodic jitter in a signal includes identifying transition regions of the signal, where the transition regions correspond to regions of the signal where the signal changes between different levels, determining lengths of the transition regions; and performing a statistical analysis that is based on the lengths of the transition regions in order to obtain a value indicative of a level of periodic jitter in the signal. |
| US08452546B1 |
Method for deducing a polymer sequence from a nominal base-by-base measurement
A method of processing sequencing data obtained with a polymer sequencing system identifies the most likely monomer sequence of a polymer, regardless of stochastic variations in recorded signals. Polymer sequencing data is recorded and two or more distinct series of pore blocking signals for a section of the polymer are recorded. A value is assigned to each series of pore blocking signals to obtain multiple trial sequences. The probability that each of the trial sequences could have resulting in all of trial sequences is calculated to determine a monomer sequence with the highest probability of resulting in all of the trial sequences, termed the first iteration sequence. The first iteration sequence is systematically altered to maximize the combined probability of the first iteration sequence leading to all the trial sequences in order to obtain a most likely sequence of monomers of the polymer. |
| US08452544B2 |
Utility and method for the application of signal advance amplification to analog waveform or signal detection, acquisition and processing
An analog waveform signal detection/data acquisition system that is based on negative group delay for reducing inherent delay in analog waveform or signal detection and acquisition and facilitating earlier than otherwise possible responsive actions to analog waveform data. Signal advance amplification and data conditioning reduces distortion and permits greater temporal advance than previously possible. |
| US08452543B2 |
High throughput screening for antimicrobial dosing regimens
Provided herein are methods and computer-implemented systems for using computer simulations to predict likelihood of a cell population associated with a pathophysiological condition acquiring resistance to a therapeutic agent, to screen for therapeutic agents effective to suppress acquisition of resistance within a cell population and to treat the pathophysiological conditions associated therewith. The computer simulation comprises at least an input/out system and a mathematical model, including operably linked equations, parameter values and constant values, of growth response over a period of time of a cell population in contact with an therapeutic agent. Also provide is a method for determining a best-fit mathematical model of adaptation of a microbial population to a therapeutic agent over time and using the model to simulate microbial population behavior to a therapeutic agent. |
| US08452541B2 |
Vaccine design methodology
Systems and methodologies for efficient vaccine design are disclosed herein. A methodology for efficient vaccine design in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be operable to receive a graph having vertices corresponding to epitope sequences present in the pathogen population, weights for respective vertices corresponding to respective frequencies with which corresponding epitope sequences appear in the pathogen population, and directed edges that connect vertices that correspond to overlapping epitope sequences. Such a methodology may also be operable to determine a candidate vaccine sequence of overlapping epitope sequences by identifying a path though the graph corresponding to a series of connected vertices and directed edges that maximizes the total weight of the vertices in the path for a desired vaccine sequence length. |
| US08452534B2 |
Route search device and route search method
Conventionally, there has been a learning route-search device that stores therein, as deviation sections, actual traveling routes deviated from optimum routes, and performs route search by substituting, with any one of the deviation sections, a route found by the device if a starting point and an ending point of this deviation section are included in the found route. Such a device substitutes a route with a corresponding one of the deviation sections without exception, and therefore, may sometimes find a circuitous route that is not desired by a user. Provided is a technology by which learned routes are applied in a more appropriate manner in accordance with routes to be found. A route search device is provided with a deviation determining unit adapted to determine whether or not a route deviated from a route found by a route search unit has been taken in travelling. If a route deviated from the route has been taken in travelling, the route search device stores, in association with one another, a road link relating to a position at which the deviated route has started, a road link relating to a position at which retaking of the found route has started, and the deviated route taken in the travelling. The route search device then substitutes at least a part of the foregoing found route with the thus stored route. |
| US08452532B2 |
Selective control of an optional vehicle mode
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. |
| US08452528B2 |
Visual recognition area estimation device and driving support device
An object of the invention is to provide a visual recognition area estimation device that can accurately estimate an area recognized by a driver in real time. The visual recognition area estimation device of the present invention calculates the visual recognition area recognized by the driver by means of the visual recognition area calculation portion 11 based on the eyes of the driver, and estimates a time series visual recognition area as the area currently recognized by the driver by means of the visual recognition time space map creation portion 14 based on histories of a plurality of visual recognition areas calculated from the past to the present for a predetermined time. In this manner, by estimating the time series visual recognition area also including the past visual recognition area, the area currently recognized by the driver can be accurately estimated, and the eyes of the driver are not correlated with the obstacle but based on the standard area. Thus, it is possible to prevent the throughput from becoming too large, whereby the estimation processing in real time is possible. |
| US08452527B2 |
Method of automatic positioning for loading and unloading of container ships in container terminals
A method is provided for automatically locating a container in a stowage location of a container ship for loading and unloading of the container ship in container terminals. The method includes the following steps: obtaining the position information of the container ship from container ship positioning units, obtaining the position information of the container from container positioning units when the container is in its stowage location, and determining the stowage location of the container in the container ship by first computing a relative position of the container in the container ship based on both the position information of the container ship and the position information of the container and then correlating the relative position with a stowage plan of the container ship. |
| US08452520B2 |
Control system and method for low quantity fuel injection
A control system for an engine includes a parameter determination module and a period determination module. The parameter determination module determines a first fuel injection parameter based on a rate of change of a quantity of fuel injected during a period, and determines a second fuel injection parameter based on an initial quantity of fuel injected during the period. The period determination module determines a desired fuel injection period based on a desired fuel injection quantity, the first and second fuel injection parameters, and at least one of mass air flow (MAF) rate, intake air temperature (IAT), fuel injector pressure (FIP), engine coolant temperature (ECT), and exhaust gas air/fuel (A/F) ratio. |
| US08452515B2 |
System and method for simulating a gas turbine compressor
A method for simulating a compressor of a gas turbine may generally include determining a predicted pressure ratio and a predicted mass flow of the compressor based on a model of the gas turbine, monitoring an actual pressure ratio and an actual mass flow of the compressor, determining difference values between at least one of the predicted pressure ratio and the actual pressure ratio and the predicted mass flow and the actual mass flow, modifying the difference values using an error correction system to generate a compressor flow modifier and using the compressor flow modifier to adjust the predicted pressure ratio and the predicted mass flow. |
| US08452514B2 |
Device for executing preceding vehicle following driving control
A device executes a preceding vehicle following driving control and successively calculates a friction-braking-start threshold value, an engine-braking-start threshold value, an acceleration-control-completion threshold value by using equations L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The device uses a constant vehicle speed zone determined between the engine-braking-start threshold value and the acceleration-control-completion threshold value. When a compensated-evaluation-index value KdB_c of a vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle is within the constant vehicle speed zone, the device drives the own vehicle at a constant speed. This control suppresses fuel consumption because of decreasing an acceleration and deceleration frequency of the own vehicle. Decreasing the deceleration frequency makes it possible to provide good vehicle following because less frequent acceleration is needed for following the preceding vehicle even if another vehicle cuts in between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle or the preceding vehicle accelerates after decelerating. |
| US08452510B1 |
Pumping brake detection and control device and method for internal combustion engine
A device includes: actual-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (11); estimated-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (12) for calculating an estimated intake pipe pressure based on a rotation speed of the engine and an opening degree of a throttle valve; pressure difference calculation unit (13) for calculating a pressure difference between the actual and estimated intake pipe pressures; pressure difference integration unit (14) for integrating the pressure difference with respect to time; pumping brake detection unit (15) for determining that a pumping brake operation is performed when a integral value is equal to or more than a first determination value; and throttle valve control unit (16) for carrying out control for the pumping brake during the pumping brake operation based on a result of the determination by the pumping brake detection unit (15), and carrying out ordinary control otherwise. |
| US08452508B2 |
Braking system for patient support
An assembly controls brakes on beds for use in healthcare facilities. The bed comprises at least one caster device supporting a base frame in relation to a supporting surface. The caster device has a caster brake. A brake control assembly is operatively engageable with the caster brake to engage the caster brake. The brake control assembly comprises a sensor for sensing a status condition of the caster brake. A controller is connected to the sensor. The controller causes engagement of the caster brake when the sensor senses the status condition for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08452505B2 |
Notification apparatus
A re-generation instruction apparatus has a re-generation instruction computer that receives brake operation information from a re-generation control computer for calculating an energy loss in a total energy from speed reduction by the brake operation of the driver, which is lost by a re-generation brake system. The calculated energy loss is utilized for preparing notification for the driver in various situations such as a pre-travel notification, a during-travel notification and/or an after-travel notification. |
| US08452500B1 |
Multi-range hydro-mechanical transmission
A powertrain includes an engine and a continuously variable transmission including a planetary gear arrangement and a variator. An input drives the variator and the planetary gears. A first planetary output gear is connected to the first output of the planetary gear arrangement. A second planetary output gear is connected to the first output, and a third planetary output gear is connectable by a first clutch to a second output of the planetary gear arrangement. A first output member is connected to the third planetary output gear, a second clutch releasably connects the first output member with the first planetary output gear, a third clutch connects the first output member with the second planetary output gear, a fourth clutch connects the second output member with the first planetary output gear, and a fifth clutch connects the second output member with the second planetary output gear. |
| US08452498B2 |
Shifting system with tactile feedback
Methods and apparatus are provided for a tactile feedback system. The system comprises a transmission indicator having a position, the position adapted to be adjusted by a user, a feedback device coupled to the transmission indicator, the feedback device adapted to produce a vibration in response to a feedback signal, and a control system adapted to detect the position of the transmission indicator and to transmit a feedback signal to the feedback device. |
| US08452495B2 |
Emergency engine RPM control apparatus for heavy construction equipment
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for contingency controlling an engine rotational speed of a heavy construction equipment, which is capable of contingency controlling the speed of an engine when a controller of the heavy construction equipment such as an excavator does not operate normally. The apparatus for contingency controlling an engine rotational speed including a machine control unit generating a driving signal to control an operation of the engine by transferring a control value received from a control dial to an engine control unit may include: an instrument panel electrically connected with the engine control unit and allowing an operator to select and control a desired engine rotational speed because a control algorithm for the engine rotational speed is made into a database; and a connection switch electrically connecting the instrument panel and the engine control unit when the control dial or the machine control unit does not operate normally. |
| US08452492B2 |
Driver assistance device and method for controlling it
A driver assistance device for a vehicle having a plurality of safety functions, such as in particular an LDW function and an LKS function, in which system-related boundary values are provided for the safety functions such that when they are undershot the safety function is activated and when they are exceeded the safety function is deactivated. The boundary values are developed to be variable. |
| US08452490B2 |
Electronic circuit for charging and heating a battery
An electronic circuit configured to operate in any of a plurality of charging and heating modes for two batteries, a primary battery and a secondary battery. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of switch and diode pairs in a stacked configuration. The stacks of switch and diode pairs are connected to an inductor, to a plurality of mode control switches, and the two batteries. The mode control switches are used to set the modes, which include a charging mode, a self-heating, a power exchange-heating mode, and a direct power transfer mode. |
| US08452483B2 |
Cell-based vehicle driving control method and system
A cell-based vehicle driving control system includes a local server for obtaining road environment information on roads within a cell and target vehicle information on a target vehicle within the cell and generating local waypoints based on the road environment information and the target vehicle information; a global server for monitoring the target vehicle information, the road environment information and local server information on the local server received from the local server; and a vehicle control terminal, mounted in the target vehicle, for receiving the local waypoints from the local server and controlling the target vehicle based on the local waypoints. The road environment information is obtained by using at least one sensor installed on the roads. |
| US08452482B2 |
Self testing systems and methods
A diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a diagnostic module, a control module, and a hardware interface module. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in one or more of components that are integrated within a housing. The control module receives a request for testing of the diagnostic module and retrieves predetermined fault data corresponding to the fault. The hardware interface module receives component data for the diagnosis and the predetermined fault data, disables provision of the component data to the diagnostic module, and provides the predetermined fault data to the diagnostic module for the diagnosis. |
| US08452481B2 |
Vehicle information recording apparatus, vehicle information communication system and vehicle information communication method
A GW device for relaying data sent and received between a plurality of ECUs mounted in a vehicle stores data sent from the respective ECUs in a database and then timely sends the data. The database is stored in a time series in association with time information, and copies of database at a plurality of time points are sent to a central device at predetermined time intervals, or at the time of detection of occurrence of a problem. |
| US08452475B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamic aircraft maintenance scheduling
A system for scheduling aircraft maintenance includes communications electronics configured to receive data from systems onboard one or more aircraft while the aircraft are in flight. The system further includes computing electronics configured to receive the data from the communications electronics and to update a maintenance schedule for the one or more aircraft based on the received data. |
| US08452471B2 |
Process for operating a hybrid vehicle
A process for operating a hybrid vehicle in an internal-combustion-engine-driven mode and/or in an electric-motor-driven mode, wherein, on a route section to be traveled and considered for driving in the electric-motor-driven mode, a change to the electric-motor-driven mode will take place only when a threshold value is exceeded which represents, or correlates with the efficiency advantage achievable on the route section by a change from the internal-combustion-engine-driven mode to the electric-motor-driven mode. Starting from the instantaneous position of the hybrid vehicle, the route is examined in an anticipatory manner with respect to such a route section, wherein the threshold value is adapted when such a route section was recognized and a driving through the route section in the electric driving mode would likely lead to a lowering of the state of charge of an electric energy accumulator into a critical state of charge range. |
| US08452466B2 |
Methods and system for detecting railway vacancy
A method for detecting railway vacancy is provided. The method includes sensing, at a remote sensing unit positioned proximate to a railway, a presence of a railcar traversing the railway. The method also includes storing, in real-time, at the remote sensing unit, a sensing event indicative of the sensed presence of the railcar traversing the railway and transmitting, asynchronously from the time at which the presence of the railcar was sensed at the remote sensing unit, the stored sensing event to a master accumulation unit. |
| US08452460B2 |
Fluidics-based orientation and sorting device for plant embryos
The present invention provides an apparatus for fluidics-based automated orientation of plant embryos. The apparatus comprises flow channels, flow direction means, an orientation detector and a control unit. The orientation of embryos suspended in liquid flowing individually through the flow channels is constrained to cotyledon-first or cotyledon-last orientation by dimensional constraints. The orientation is determined by the orientation detector. Embryos not oriented as desired are directed into a reservoir tube by the flow direction means, after which the flow is directed from the reservoir tube to the outlet thereby having reoriented the embryo. Means of sorting viable embryos from other objects are optionally included in the apparatus. |
| US08452459B2 |
Heat exchange network heat recovery optimization in a process plant
A method and system for maximizing heat recovery in a heat exchange network includes collecting on-line process data from a network of heat exchangers having multiple parallel paths. The on-line process data is generated from cool process stream outlet temperatures of the paths. Stream flow rate target values are developed based on the on-line process data and include intended flow rates through each heat exchanger to equalize each of the cool process stream outlet temperatures. One or more cool stream flow control valves of the heat exchanger network and one or more process stream flow control valves of the heat exchanger network are controlled based on the flow rate target values to effect equalization of the cool process stream outlet temperatures. |
| US08452455B2 |
Control device and control method of plasma processing system, and storage medium storing control program
In a control device of a plasma processing system, a communication unit is configured to receive processing information related to a carrier of a next processing lot. A determination unit is configured to determine whether the processing information received by the communication unit has pre-treatment information related to one of the plasma processing devices. When it is determined that the processing information has the pre-treatment information by the determination unit, a generation unit is configured to generate an object for declaring execution of the pre-treatment for the carrier of a next processing lot if a desired condition of transferring of the carrier is satisfied. In addition, if the object is generated by the generation unit, a process executing control unit is configured to start the pre-treatment for the target object in the carrier of a next processing lot without any notification that the carrier reaches a destination plasma processing device. |
| US08452454B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program for adjusting hydraulically operated boom
The invention relates to a method and apparatus as well as to a computer program for adjusting the operation of a hydraulically operated boom, the boom (1) comprising at least two mutually movably coupled boom parts (1a, 1b), which are coupled to move with respect to one another by means of a hydraulic actuator (5a-5b, 7a-7b), control means (13, 14) for controlling the hydraulic actuators, a detector (15) for detecting the position between the boom parts (1a, 1b), whereby for adjusting the operation of the boom (1) it is possible to configure a movement-specific adjustment parameter of the joint controller in the control means (13, 14) for each particular movement. In the invention the mutual movement of the boom parts (1a, 1b) is controlled with respect to a predetermined position, on both sides thereof, between the boom parts (1a, 1b), the actual position and motional speed values obtained from the detector (15) in response to the control signal are compared with the theoretical position and motional speed values, and the adjustment parameter of the joint controller is adjusted on the basis of the difference between the values. |
| US08452446B1 |
Automatic pill dispenser
A pill dispensing device includes a base with a top surface and a bottom surface, a transfer tray assembly coupled to the top surface of the base, a controller, and a plurality of vibrating tray assemblies. Each vibrating tray assembly couples to the top surface of the base and includes a pill tray, at least one spring support, a pill tray electric motor, and at least one optical sensor. The pill tray has an open end which is positioned above the transfer tray assembly. The at least one spring support is coupled between the top surface of the base and the pill tray. The pill tray electric motor couples to the pill tray and an offset weight. Each pill tray electric motor electrically couples to the controller. An optical sensor couples to the pill tray. |
| US08452442B2 |
Controller for a positioning device, method for controlling a positioning device, positioning device, and lithographic apparatus provided with a positioning device
A controller for a positioning device is constructed and arranged to receive a position signal indicative of a position of the positioning device, compare the position signal to a set-point signal indicative of a desired position of the positioning device to obtain an error signal, selectively modify the error signal based on the amplitude and the frequency content of the error signal to obtain a modified error signal, generate a control signal for controlling the positioning device on the basis of the modified error signal. The controller may be applied to control a positioning device in a lithographic apparatus. |
| US08452438B2 |
Method for minimizing productivity loss while using a manufacturing scheduler
Tools and/or resources which newly become available to a re-entrant flow manufacturing line, data processing pipeline or the like are allocated in substantially real time to processing operations independent of and consistent with a scheduling segment previously generated by dispatching items such as workpieces or data to tools and/or resources of a manufacturing line until the newly available tool or resource can be conveniently included in a subsequently generated schedule segment in order to avoid productivity loss due to schedule latency. Items can be dispatched in a priority order to accelerate completion of processing. A schedule segment including the newly available tool or resource can be facilitated by merging allocations of a real time dispatch list with allocations of a dispatch list corresponding to a previously generated schedule segment. |
| US08452436B2 |
Tooth movement system and method
The invention features computer based methods and systems for obtaining information about tooth movement caused by at least one orthodontic element fixed on a dentition. The invention also features computer programs for generating, when executed, a method for obtaining information about tooth movement caused by at least one orthodontic element fixed on a dentition, as well as non-transitory machine readable storage media containing such computer programs. |
| US08452432B2 |
Realtime editing and performance of digital audio tracks
A user-friendly system for real time performance and user modification of one or more previously recorded musical compositions facilitates user involvement in the creative process of a new composition that reflects the user's personal style and musical tastes. Such a system may be implemented in a small portable electronic device such as a handheld smartphone that includes a stored library of musical material including original and alternative versions of each of several different components of a common original musical composition, and a graphic user interface that allows the user to select at different times while that original composition is being performed, which versions of which components are to be incorporated to thereby create in real time a new performance that includes elements of the original performance, preferably enhanced at various times with user selected digital sound effects including stuttering and filtering. The system may also optionally comprise a visualizer module that renders a visual animation that is responsive to at least the rhythm and amplitude of the system's audio output, not only for entertainment value but also to provide visual feedback for the user. |
| US08452425B2 |
Position control device
A position control device for suppressing occurrence of stick-slip during a feed operation performed in a very low speed region is provided. Adders add an output obtained by multiplying actual speed deviation by a proportional gain, an integral component of actual speed deviation obtained by inputting actual speed deviation to an integral compensator, an output obtained by multiplying motor speed deviation by a proportional gain, and an integral component of the motor speed deviation obtained by inputting motor speed deviation to an integral compensator. The result is output as a torque feedback command. Each integral compensator has a coefficient changer capable of changing a coefficient from 0 to 1 to adjust integral gains in accordance with a speed feedforward command or a speed command. Large integral gain increases the response speed of switching from static to kinetic friction torque in a very low speed region thereby suppressing occurrence of stick-slip. |
| US08452423B2 |
Methods and systems for the design and implementation of optimal multivariable model predictive controllers for fast-sampling constrained dynamic systems
Methods and systems for the design and implementation of optimal multivariable MPC controllers for fast-sampling constrained dynamic systems utilizing a primal-dual feasibility approach and/or a graph approach. The primal-dual feasibility approach can compute and store matrices defining constraints of quadratic programming problems in an off-line part in order to calculate vectors of Lagrange multipliers and an optimizer. Then primal-dual feasibility can be checked in an on-line part using the Lagrange multipliers and the optimizer can provide a unique optimal solution for the constrained dynamic system. The graph approach can compute and store the matrices and the vectors, and also prepare and store a structure of directed graph in off-line part. An optimizer for a given parameter vector can be determined in on-line part using the directed graph, the matrices and the vectors. |
| US08452422B2 |
Flexible application device for the high-frequency treatment of biological tissue
The invention concerns a flexible application device (1) for the high-frequency therapy of biological tissue or hollow organs, including a tubular high-frequency catheter (5) with a flexible shaft tube (6) having at least one lumen passing therethrough, a head electrode (2) arranged at the distal end of the high-frequency catheter (5), an electric line (9) with a connection (20) for a high-frequency generator (11), and a connecting element (8) arranged at the proximal end of the shaft tube (6) between the shaft tube and the line (9). An electrically conducting traction element (12) extends in the lumen between the head electrode (2) and the connecting element (8) and is fixedly connected to the head electrode (2) on the one hand and the connecting element (8) on the other hand in such a way and which is of such a tensile strength that all external forces which occur during a treatment and which act on the high-frequency catheter (5) can be transmitted to the connecting element (8) by way of the head electrode (2) and the traction element (12). |
| US08452419B2 |
Cardiac rhythm management system with intramural myocardial pacing leads and electrodes
Medical devices and therapeutic methods for use in the field of cardiology, cardiac rhythm management and interventional cardiology, and more specifically to catheter-based systems for implantation of pacing leads and electrodes, or intramural myocardial reinforcement devices, within the myocardial wall of the heart, such as the ventricles, to provide improved cardiac function. |
| US08452417B2 |
System and method for treating pain with peripheral and spinal neuromodulation
A system for treating pain uses spinal cord stimulation and peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation separately or in combination. The system includes an implantable device that is configured to deliver several electrical signals. Several electrical leads are connected to the implantable device. The electrical leads are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow between a subcutaneous lumbar region of the patient and a spinal cord region of the patient. The system can also include electrical leads that are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow across a lumbar region of the patient. A method for treating leg and back pain is also disclosed. |
| US08452413B2 |
Method and system for multi-device communication
A medical data system including a plurality of receivers configured to wirelessly receive medical data via a signal. |
| US08452411B2 |
Electrode assembly for a stimulating medical device
An electrode assembly comprising a low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier and a corresponding guide tube for introducing the carrier into the cochlea to place electrodes disposed at the distal end of the carrier at desired locations along the tonotopically-mapped cochlea. The electrode assembly facilitates intra- and extra-cochlea atraumatic implantation of the unobtrusive electrode carrier of the present invention thereby minimizing adverse impact to natural auditory functioning. For example, the electrode assembly may be utilized to implant the low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier into the scala tympani without damaging the delicate structures of the cochlea and without interfering with the natural hydrodynamic nature of the cochlea such as the natural flow of perilymph in the cochlea canals. In one particular embodiment, the carrier is pre-curved to attain a perimodiolar position in the scala tympani to facilitate accurate delivery of electrical stimulation with a minimum stimulation current and power consumption. |
| US08452405B2 |
Methods and systems for mitigating the occurrence of arrhythmia during atrial pacing
Noncaptured atrial paces can result in long-short cardiac cycles which are proarrhythmic for ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Approaches are described which are directed to avoiding proarrhythmic long-short cycles. For cardiac cycles in which the atrial pace captures the atrium, a first post ventricular refractory period (PVARP) and a first A-A interval are used. For cardiac cycles in which the atrial pace does not capture the atrium, both an extended PVARP and an extended A-A interval are used. The A-A interval following a noncaptured atrial pace is extended from an atrial depolarization sensed during the extended PVARP. |
| US08452402B2 |
Optical sensing device for use in a medical device
A reflectance-type optical sensor includes one or more photodiodes formed in a semiconductor substrate. A well having sidewalls and a bottom is formed in the top surface of the substrate, and a reflective layer is formed on the sidewalls and bottom. A light-emitting diode (LED) is mounted in the well, so that light emitted laterally and rearwardly from the LED strikes the sidewalls or bottom and is redirected in a direction generally perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. The optical sensor can be fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. |
| US08452401B2 |
Method and device for comprehensive anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy
A method and apparatus for delivering therapy to treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias is described. In one embodiment, neural stimulation, anti-tachycardia pacing, and shock therapy are employed in a progressive sequence upon detection of a ventricular tachycardia. |
| US08452400B2 |
Method and apparatus for pacing during revascularization
Cardiac protection pacing is applied to prevent or reduce cardiac injury and/or occurrences of arrhythmia associated with an ischemic event including the occlusion of a blood vessel during a revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto a percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) device used in the revascularization procedure. The pacemaker generates the pacing pulses according to a predetermined cardiac protection pacing sequence before, during, and/or after the ischemic event. |
| US08452396B2 |
Synchronization of electrical stimulation therapy to treat cardiac arrhythmias
Systems and methods are described for analyzing a plurality of beats after detection of a suspected cardiac arrhythmia to determine a beat discriminator, identify a beat subsequent to completion of charging of an implantable medical device by applying the beat discriminator, and synchronize delivery of a shock from the medical device to the identified beat. In some examples, identifying the beat using the beat discriminator may help to accurately synchronize the shock with a beat representative of physiological cardiac events instead of an oversensed beat, e.g., noise sensed signal that is misclassified as a cardiac beat. |
| US08452387B2 |
Detecting or validating a detection of a state change from a template of heart rate derivative shape or heart beat wave complex
Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of a cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template. |
| US08452380B2 |
Interface device and protocol
The invention is an interface device and system for establishing an operating interface between an injector device and diagnostic imaging equipment. In one embodiment, the interface device may permit an operator to concurrently operate and control the injector device and the imaging equipment. The interface device may permit the injector system and the imaging system to communicate information regarding their current and future operational status with each other. The interface device may be used to synchronize the operation of the imaging equipment and the injector device. In one embodiment, the injector device and the imaging equipment may be able to communicate with each other directly or through the interface device via a communications protocol comprising binary logic signals. The binary logic signals may comprise one or more of a low strength signal, a high strength signal, an oscillating signal that oscillates between low and high signal strength, and combinations thereof. |
| US08452379B2 |
X-ray mammography with tomosynthesis
A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from −15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms. |
| US08452375B2 |
Systems and methods for locating and defining a target location within a human body
Systems and methods for locating and defining a target location within a human body. The system can include at least one marker, a probe, and a detector for use in locating the markers by providing information to a surgeon that is representative of changes in proximity between the probe and the marker. The marker can have various detection characteristics, e.g., gamma radiation, that are detectable by an associated probe and detector. The tissue volume is removed by manipulating a cutting tool based on the proximity information provided by the detector, which can be used by the surgeon to define the boundary of the tissue volume. The systems and methods of the invention are particularly useful in locating and then removing a tissue volume or other target location from amorphous, pliable tissue (e.g., breast tissue) or other body parts. |
| US08452365B2 |
Methods of using Raman spectral information in determining analyte concentrations
A non-invasive method of determining the concentration of an analyte uses Raman spectral information. A high-intensity, narrow band of light (10) is applied to one side (12a) of skin tissue (12). The high-intensity light (10) enters the skin tissue and generates a Raman signal (16). A reflective material (22) is placed in a location nearest the other side (12b) of skin tissue (12). The reflective material (22) is located generally opposite of the entry (A) of the applied high-intensity light (10). The high-intensity light (10) and the Raman signal (20) that pass through the skin tissue (12) are reflected back into the skin tissue (12) via the reflective material (22). The Raman signal (16,20) is collected and the analyte concentration is determined using the collected Raman signal (16,20). |
| US08452364B2 |
System and method for attaching a sensor to a patient's skin
A method and apparatus for affixing a sensor adjacent a tissue site is disclosed. In an embodiment, the spectrophotometric sensor comprises, a sensor body, one or more light emitters, one or more photodetectors, and a light scattering medium capable of increasing at least one of the effective detection area of the one or more photodetectors or the effective emission area of the one or more light emitters. |
| US08452363B2 |
Device for measuring an analyte in an eye fluid
The invention proposes a manual measuring appliance (112) and an analytical measuring system (110) which can be used to measure at least one analyte in an eye fluid of an eye (114). The handheld measuring appliance (112) comprises a measuring system (120) and a positioning system (122). The measuring system (120) can measure at least one property of the at least one analyte and/or at least one analyte-dependent change of property of at least one ocular sensor (116) in the eye fluid, and this can be used to infer a concentration of the analyte in the eye fluid. The positioning system (122) is set up to measure a spatial positioning, wherein the spatial positioning comprises a distance between at least one measurement location in the eye (114) and the handheld measuring appliance (112) and also furthermore at least one further positioning co-ordinate. Furthermore, the handheld measuring appliance comprises a calibration system (128), wherein the calibration system (128) is set up to perform a comparison measurement of at least one analyte concentration in a body fluid and/or to adopt measurement data from a comparison measurement performed using a separate measuring appliance and to take them into account when determining the concentration of the at least one analyte. |
| US08452362B2 |
Method and system for monitoring hydration
A device for measuring a hydration status based on an analyte concentration in a subject. The device includes: a light source configured for illuminating at least a portion of an anterior region of an eye of the subject with incident light having a substantially broad illumination spectrum at an angle substantially tangential to the surface of the eye; an optical collector configured for detecting reflected light from the at least a portion of the anterior region of the eye; an analyzer configured for analyzing the detected reflected light; and a processor configured to determine the analyte concentration level in the subject based on the analyzed reflected light, wherein the processor determines a hydration status of the subject based on the analyte concentration level and reference data. |
| US08452360B2 |
System and method for non-invasive photothermal radiometric measurement
There is provided a glucose monitoring method and apparatus based on the principle of Wavelength-Modulated Differential Laser Photothermal Radiometry (WM-DPTR). Two intensity modulated laser beams operating in tandem at specific mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths and current-modulated synchronously by two electrical waveforms 180 degrees out-of-phase, are used to interrogate the tissue surface. The laser wavelengths are selected to absorb in the mid infrared range (8.5-10.5 μm) where the glucose spectrum exhibits a discrete absorption band. The differential thermal-wave signal generated by the tissue sample through modulated absorption between two specific wavelengths within the band (for example, the peak at 9.6 and the nearest baseline at 10.5 μm) lead to minute changes in sample temperature and to non-equilibrium blackbody radiation emission. This modulated emission is measured with a broadband infrared detector. The detector is coupled to a lock-in amplifier for signal demodulation. Any glucose concentration increases will be registered as differential photothermal signals above the fully suppressed signal baseline due to increased absorption at the probed peak or near-peak of the band at 9.6 μm at the selected wavelength modulation frequency. The emphasis is on the ability to monitor blood glucose levels in diabetic patients in a non-invasive, non-contacting manner with differential signal generation methods for real-time baseline corrections, a crucial feature toward precise and universal calibration (independent of person-to-person contact, skin, temperature or IR-emission variations) in order to offer accurate absolute glucose concentration readings. |
| US08452358B2 |
Optical-based physiological sensor assembly with disposable barrier layer
A physiological sensor assembly includes a physiological sensor having at least one light source and at least one optical receiver. A substantially transparent barrier layer is disposed between the physiological sensor and the patient's skin such that the barrier layer is removably adhered to the physiological sensor and removably adhered to the patient's skin. |
| US08452356B2 |
Optical microneedle-based spectrometer
Optical microneedles are adapted for near-infrared or mid-infrared in vivo spectroscopic sensing; and provide a MEMS-based spectrometer for continuous lactate and glucose monitoring by means of a near-infrared or mid-infrared optical microneedle array in a transdermal patch. |
| US08452355B2 |
Slide device
An object of the present invention is to provide a slide device wherein slide sections can be opened and closed, while concealing a torsion spring. A slide device includes a first case, a second case, a spring which is arranged between the first case and the second case and assists opening and closing of the first and second cases; and a shielding member which conceals the spring, wherein the shielding member is arranged in a position to conceal the spring when the first case and the second case are in an open state and is arranged between the first case and the second case when the first case and the second case are in a close state. |
| US08452354B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
A mobile communication terminal including a first body, a second body slidably connected to the first body and moveable between a first position and a second position, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body. The slide module is configured to guide the second body along a curved path between the first position and the second position such that the second body moves in both a lateral and longitudinal direction with respect to the first body. |
| US08452349B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus
A controller acquires first phonebook data from a portable Bluetooth phone via a Bluetooth interface portion, and stores the first phonebook data in a storage portion. A use flag is attached to the first phonebook data of the portable Bluetooth phone stored in the storage portion. When the use flag is set to “1,” the controller stores a copy of the first phonebook data of the portable Bluetooth phone in the storage portion as second phonebook data for an in-vehicle phone. When the in-vehicle phone is selected, as a used phone, the second phonebook data for the in-vehicle phone stored in the storage portion is available. |
| US08452342B2 |
Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device
In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object. |
| US08452338B2 |
Telephone call and alarm control methods for a cell phone
Control methods for a cell phone are provided upon occurrence of a particular event, which receive a contact-related information from a touch screen of the cell phone, analyze the contact-related information to identify the contact position, the number of contact objects, or a gesture, to determine a further step to deal with the particular event. The particular event may include receipt of a call, sounding of an alarm of the cell phone, displaying of a short message on the touch screen, receipt of an interrupting call, or a standby mode of the cell phone. |
| US08452335B2 |
Methods and systems for increasing wireless traffic capacity in the vicinity of an event site
Network entity, method and computer-readable storage medium for use in a network that includes an arrangement of cell sites, each cell site configured to provide wireless services within a respective coverage region. The network entity may include an input configured to receive position information regarding occurrence of an event at an event site, and a processing entity configured to determine, based on the position information regarding occurrence of the event and policy information regarding the network, whether the event warrants coverage region reconfiguration and, if so, to generate a message commanding an adjustment to the coverage region of at least one cell site. An output is configured to release the message towards the at least one cell site, whereby application of the adjustment to the coverage region of the at least one cell site enables an increase in traffic to be accommodated in a vicinity of the event site. |
| US08452327B2 |
Method for data communication, system for communication and related devices
A data communication method, a communication system, and related devices are configured to establish a transaction identifier (TI) in a user equipment (UE). The data communication method includes the following steps. A mobility management entity (MME) receives a request message and obtains ability information of the UE. If the UE has an ability to access a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network/GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (UTRAN/GERAN), the MME generates the TI. A communication system and related devices are also provided. Thus, the TI is effectively established in the UE, so as to ensure normal processing of the UE. |
| US08452325B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing scalable number portability (NP) home location register (HLR)
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing NP-HLR functionality. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for providing scalable NP-HLR. The system includes an NP front end node for receiving requests for routing information for ported-in and non-ported foreign mobile subscribers, for making portability determinations in response to the requests, for processing or routing the requests based on the portability determinations, and for receiving and responding to provide roaming number requests for ported-out mobile subscribers. The system further includes at least one HLR back end node for performing HLR functions for ported-in foreign mobile subscribers including receiving, from the NP front end node, the requests for routing information for the ported-in foreign mobile subscribers and for responding to the requests with the routing information for the ported-in foreign mobile subscribers. |
| US08452324B2 |
Customisable mobile communication device
A mobile communication device comprises a handset having a transmitter; a control circuit for controlling mobile communications via the transmitter, the control circuit including a processor; and a customizable keypad arrangement including at least one key for initiating mobile communications. The keypad arrangement comprises a board having on one surface an array of metallic switch nodes respectively capable of being rendered active or inactive according to an output of the processor. The processor is programmable or programmed in dependence upon a desired keypad layout to render active a selected one or ones amongst the metallic switch nodes. A keypad assembly is mounted on the board and provided with at least one switch element situated to overlie the said selected metallic switch node(s) and operable by said at least one key for initiating mobile communications. |
| US08452323B2 |
Method and system for selecting a thermally optimal uplink for a portable computing device
A method and system for selecting a thermally optimal airlink for a portable computing device includes monitoring a temperature of the portable computing device as well as determining if the portable computing device has reached a threshold temperature range. Next, an estimated volume of data to be sent over one or more airlinks may be calculated in addition to determining an estimated duration for the data using one or more airlinks. A quality of service needed for the data in connection with the one or more airlinks may be determined. With this estimated data, one or more available airlinks for the data to be transmitted may be compared. After this comparison, one or more thermally optimal airlinks may be selected based on the estimated volume, estimated data rate, and estimated duration. Determining if the portable computing device is proximate to an operator may be used when considering airlinks. |
| US08452322B2 |
Method for controlling uplink transmission power in wireless communication system and an apparatus therefor
A method for setting uplink transmission power at a mobile station in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: receiving information on the number of total streams received at a base station; and setting the uplink transmission power using the received number of total streams. In this case, the uplink transmission power is preferably a transmission power per stream (PTx—stream) obtained by applying the number of total streams to reference transmission power (PTx—ref). |
| US08452319B2 |
Ad-hoc wireless communication method using sector antenna, recovery method in ad-hoc wireless communication and ad-hoc wireless communication system
Provided are an ad-hoc wireless communication method using a sector antenna, a recovery method in ad-hoc wireless communication, and an ad-hoc wireless communication system. The ad-hoc wireless communication method using a sector antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes: transmitting a requesting message for setting a communication link while changing transmission power to each sector of the sector antenna; receiving a response message corresponding to the requesting message from a receiving node of each sector; configuring a routing table for the transmission power for each sector based on the received response message; and transmitting data at the transmission power for each sector by referring to the routing table. |
| US08452308B2 |
Program of mobile device, mobile device, and method for controlling mobile device
A computer-readable recording device may store a computer program including instructions for causing a computer of a mobile device to operate as: (1) a selecting module that selects, based on first information, second information and third information, a particular device being substantially located in a specific direction indicated by the third information from a plurality of candidate devices on a wireless network, and (2) a controlling module that controls a communication unit that is configured to communicate using the wireless network such that the communication unit communicates with the particular device selected by the selecting module. |
| US08452301B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting a coding format
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, channel quality data is collected in a cellular communication network on a cell level. The channel quality data is used to determine a signal format for use in common downlink channels, wherein the signal format may comprise, for example, a modulation scheme or code rate for use in the common downlink channels. |
| US08452299B2 |
Allocating code space to base stations
In addition to other aspects disclosed, a portable base station requests a mobile handset to measure signal strengths associated with a portion of a code space. The portable base station also sends a message that represents the signal strength measurements to a remotely located control station. |
| US08452295B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product providing persistent uplink and downlink resource allocation
Apparatus, methods, computer program products, systems and circuits are provided that allow for persistent uplink and downlink resource allocations. A method includes: allocating resources to a user equipment for a data flow over a plurality of time intervals with a single signaling event at a wireless network radio network layer; and informing the user equipment of the allocated resources. |
| US08452292B2 |
Communication system and method
A method for communicating between an operator at an operator device and a user recipient includes enabling an operator of the operator device to enter a device-independent unique identifier for a user recipient by requiring interaction between the operator and the operator device without requiring interaction between the operator and software on the operator device that is designed for communication over an IP-based network. The method includes identifying an IP network address associated with the user recipient based on the device-independent unique identifier and routing a message entered by the operator to the determined IP network address. |
| US08452290B2 |
Communication session soft handover
While receiving content for a service at a user device via a particular delivery route, detecting a request for delivery of subsequent content for the service via a secure alternate delivery route. The user device may concurrently receive delivery of the subsequent content via the particular delivery route and the secure alternate delivery route. The detected request may be generated based on QoS associated with the received content of the service. The detected request may be received from a communication network and may comprise identification information for the particular delivery route. The secure alternate delivery route may be determined based on the identification information for the particular delivery route. A communication session profile may be generated and/or determined based on the secure alternate delivery route. The communication session profile is utilized for the requested delivery of the further content via the secure alternate delivery route. |
| US08452286B2 |
Wireless communication
Access to wireless communication is disclosed, wherein a network control unit identifies availability of different communication networks for a communication device. The communication device is notified of a recommendation of identified communication networks. In response to this notification, the communication device initiates access to the recommended communication network for establishing a communication channel. |
| US08452285B2 |
Method for handover in wireless communications network comprising a number of sub-networks
The present invention discloses a method for carrying out a handover process in a wireless network, wherein the wireless network comprises at least a first and a second base stations belonging each to a different subnet associated of that wireless network and communicating through a first and a second gateways or foreign agents, respectively, and wherein the first base station is used as a serving base station currently in communication with at least one mobile subscriber station (MS). The method provided comprises a step of determining a traffic conveying entity as an intermediate anchoring point, and when the MS moves to a second subnet which comprises the second base station, a path is established for conveying traffic to/from that MS from/to a remote destination. The path comprises the intermediate anchoring point and the first gateway (or the first foreign agent). |
| US08452282B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile communication system, program, exchange, and specific radio base station
A mobile communication method includes a mobile station transmitting a location registration request on the basis of a pilot signal, a network device judging, in response to the received location registration request, whether or not access to a specific radio base station from the mobile station is permitted, the network device rejecting location registration processing when the access is judged not to be permitted, and the network device making a determination so that the transmission power of the pilot signal in the specific radio base station is reduced when the number of rejections of location registration processing exceeds a predetermined number of times. |
| US08452272B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices
A device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as user-selected audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her programmable device. Such electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize the device to suit his or her particular taste. |
| US08452271B2 |
Port initiated number gateway
The described method and system enables a telematic operator to determine a connectivity standing of devices requiring a port change from one wireless carrier to another. In particular, a modem initiates a call to each affected mobile directory number (MDN) and verifies connectivity to the correct vehicle using a telematic authentication encrypted key with appropriate verification of the stored MIN, electronic serial number (ESN), and station ID (STID). The list of verified devices of good connectivity is used to facilitate the MIN change to those telematic devices whereby a higher probability of success is most likely to occur. Moreover, by distinguishing devices most likely to commit a MIN port on the first attempt, a potential impact population whereby success is not likely is also developed, so that further appropriate scrutiny or action can be executed for problematic devices. |
| US08452270B2 |
Mobile communication terminal providing ring back tone
Provided are an apparatus and a method for providing a ring back tone in a mobile communication terminal. Character information is received through a wireless data communication or generated through a user input. The character information is transformed into voice using a text-to-speech transformer and then provided as a ring back tone. |
| US08452267B2 |
System and method for granting access to a system
A method and system for granting access to a service is based on a received request and a communication between a subscriber, client and a service provider. |
| US08452265B2 |
Systems and methods for audio reminder messages
Systems and methods use mobile telephones as input devices for recording audio messages on a server. A user inputs a first feature code into the mobile telephone and the feature code is sent to a mobile switching center (MSC). The MSC maps the feature code to a server and forwards the feature code and a user identification to the server. Once the mobile telephone is connected to the server, the user can record his audio message. The user can later retrieve the recorded audio message by inputting a second feature code into the mobile telephone. The second feature code is also assigned to the server. The recorded message is played after the mobile telephone is connected to the server. |
| US08452258B2 |
Method and system to implement telephone billing to incentivize shared mobile phone usage
Disclosed is a method and system for implementing account billing which incentivizes shared mobile phone usage. The owner of a phone, or other device capable of making phone calls, would receive a credit to their phone account balance, from the telephone service provider, when they share their phone with another user and allow that user to make a phone call or other transaction by logging into their account using the shared phone, making the phone call or other mobile transaction and then returning the phone. |
| US08452257B2 |
Real-time balance on a mobile phone
A system, method and prepaid payment mobile phone configured to display a current prepaid balance. The prepaid payment mobile phone receives a debit balance request from input on the mobile phone. After retrieving an encoded current balance, the mobile phone displays the amount. The current balance may be calculated by the phone after a transaction, or the phone may receive a debit balance via a short message service notification. |
| US08452256B2 |
Mobile terminal search in a communication system
A communication system includes: a base station device that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal; a gateway device that is connected to the base station device and provides the mobile terminal via the base station device with a connection path to a network; an authentication server that is connected to the gateway device and issues an authentication key to the mobile terminal via the gateway device and the base station device; and a position search server which outputs a request requesting determination of position of the mobile terminal, wherein, the authentication server identifies the authentication unit from the first registration table, and outputs the request to the identified authentication unit, the authentication unit identifies the data path unit or paging controller unit from the second registration table, and the position search server obtains position information of the mobile terminal from the identified data path unit or paging controller unit. |
| US08452253B2 |
Compact low-power receiver including transimpedance amplifier, digitally controlled interface circuit, and low pass filter
According to one embodiment, a compact low-power receiver comprises first and second analog circuits connected by a digitally controlled interface circuit. The first analog circuit has a first direct-current (DC) offset and a first common mode voltage at an output, and the second analog circuit has a second DC offset and a second common mode voltage at an input. The digitally controlled interface circuit connects the output to the input, and is configured to match the first and second DC offsets and to match the first and second common mode voltages. In one embodiment, the first analog circuit is a variable gain control transimpedance amplifier (TIA) implemented using a current mode buffer, the second analog circuit is a second-order adjustable low-pass filter, whereby a three-pole adjustable low-pass filter in the compact low-power receiver is effectively produced. |
| US08452251B2 |
Preselector amplifier
A preselector amplifier system and method including of various components is described. The various components may include a vector generator, an active power splitter, an active power combiner, or the like. The preselector amplifier may be integral to and/or coupled to a communications system. The communications system may be at least one of a transceiver, receiver and/or transmitter. The communications system may transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. |
| US08452246B2 |
Antenna tuner in combination with modified feedback receiver for improved antenna matching
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for automatically measuring antenna mismatching conditions for a given mobile phone with a given antenna in a given environment and on a given frequency. In particular, some embodiments use a two way directional coupler coupled between a radio frequency (RF) transmitter output (e.g., analog front end) and an antenna tuner. This two-way directional coupler is coupled to a mismatch calculator, which is often implemented as a software algorithm, to accurately tune an antenna tuner to limit impedance mismatch. Consequently, changes in impedance mismatch can be tracked and compensated for so the user will not experience degradations in signal quality, thereby helping reduce the number of dropped calls, for example. Also, because power is tracked and radiated more accurately, these techniques save battery energy relative to conventional solutions and can stay on-line longer with optimum transmitting conditions. |
| US08452245B2 |
Impedance measurement in an active radio frequency transmitter
A transmitter and method for determining impedance measurement in an active radio frequency transmitter of an antenna are provided. Voltage and current samples are obtained from a modulating signal delivered to an antenna. The voltage and current samples are converted from analog to digital format, and decimation occurs to reduce the number of samples. Complex demodulation is performed of each of the voltage and current samples to baseband levels and decimation of the voltage and current samples is performed to reduce the number of samples. An impedance estimate can then be estimated from the voltage and current samples. |
| US08452241B2 |
Enhanced granularity operational parameters adjustment of components and modules in a multi-band, multi-standard communication device
Enhanced granularity operational parameters adjustment of components and modules in a multi-band, multi-standard communication device. For supporting two-way communications, a communication device includes receiver and transmitter modules. Each module includes various components that are configurable and/or programmable based on a protocol and band pair by which the communication device is operating. The communication device is a multi-protocol and multi-band capable communication device capable to operate in accordance with any one protocol and band at a first time and another protocol and band at a second time. The various components within each of the receiver and transmitter modules can be adjusted using one or more operational parameters. In some instances, a given component can be controlled by more than one operational parameter. Alternatively, certain components are controlled only one operational parameter. The operational parameters that configure the components may be calculated, retrieved from a memory, and/or determined using other means. |
| US08452238B2 |
Radio transmission device, method for determining modulation system, and recording medium therefor
A problem that a loss of signal occurs due to switching of a modulation scheme using an adaptive modulation scheme is solved. A radio transmission device (10a, 10b) having an automatic transmission power control function of controlling transmission power of its own station so as to maintain received power of a counter station at a preset constant value and a function of an adaptive modulation scheme for automatically switching over a modulation scheme depending on quality of a radio transmission path includes a modulation scheme determining circuit (14a, 14b) for switching over the modulation scheme by using the adaptive modulation scheme in consideration of a transmission power margin and the received power. |
| US08452232B2 |
Automatic on-off switching repeater for MIMO networks
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a MIMO repeater turns off one or more transmitters of the MIMO repeater if there is no mobile station in the coverage area of the MIMO repeater to reduce noise enhancement on a MIMO network. If there is a repeater in the coverage of the MIMO repeater, the MIMO repeater turns off or keeps off its transmitters that do not have a sufficient channel quality in a respective antenna path, and turns on its transmitters having a sufficient channel quality in the respective antenna path transmits uplink signals from the mobile station via the turned on transmitters to further reduce noise enhancement by not using transmitters that do not significantly contribute to signal quality. |
| US08452231B2 |
Short range booster
A repeater mediates traffic between a network transceiver and a user transceiver in a wireless communication system. The repeater comprises a network unit that maintains a network link with the network transceiver, a user unit that maintains a user link with the user transceiver, a two-way communication pathway between the network unit and the user unit adapted to communicate signals between the network transceiver and the user transceiver in autonomous repeater hops between the network transceiver and the network unit, between the user transceiver and the user unit, and between the network unit and the user unit including downlink transmission from the network unit to the user unit and uplink transmission from the user unit to the network unit, and a detection unit coupled to the network unit and the user unit adapted to detect frame timing of downlink and uplink transmissions respectively by detecting a preamble sequence of downlink and/or uplink transmissions. |
| US08452228B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for associating a contact identifier with a broadcast source
A media device including includes a broadcast receiver that receives broadcast media from a plurality of broadcast sources where the broadcast receiver is tunable to a first broadcast source. The media device also includes a data store that stores a list of contact identifiers where each contact identifier is associated with a broadcast source. The media device includes a user interface that: i) provides a prompt to a user to enable the user to initiate contact with the first broadcast source, and ii) receives a user indication to initiate contact with the first broadcast source. The media device further includes a transceiver that initiates the contact with the first broadcast source by sending a communications session request via a communications network to the first broadcast source that includes a contact identifier associated with the first broadcast source. |
| US08452225B2 |
Methods for automated essay analysis
Systems and methods for creating a mathematical model for use in identifying discourse elements are described. A plurality of first essays relating to a particular subject are received, where each first essay is in an electronic format. Annotations for each first essay are received, where each annotation identifies at least one discourse element. Features are identified with a processor, where each feature is exhibited by at least one identified discourse element. Empirical frequencies are computed with a processor, where each empirical frequency relates to the presence of a feature with respect to the identified discourse elements across the plurality of first essays. Each empirical frequency is associated with the related identified discourse element with a processor. The empirical frequencies are utilized to select discourse elements in at least one second essay. |
| US08452224B2 |
Sheet conveyance apparatus having movable guide ribs and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. The second roller is urged to the first roller by an elastic member. In the sheet conveyance apparatus, sheet guide rib is provided which can project into a sheet conveyance path formed by a sheet guide plate. The sheet conveyance apparatus further includes an interlock portion which is mechanically interlocking with a changing position of the second roller, and changes the projecting amount of the sheet guide rib into the sheet conveyance path such that the more the thickness of a sheet increases, the smaller the projecting amount becomes. |
| US08452215B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device and an image forming apparatus which suppress unevenness of image density are provided. A developing device includes a developer tank storing a developer, a first conveying member and a second conveying member conveying the developer, and a developing roller bearing the developer thereon. In the developing device, the first conveying member is constituted by a first rotating shaft and a plurality of first conveying blades provided along a first imaginary spiral surrounding the outer periphery of the first rotating shaft and advancing in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft at a predetermined lead angle θX. The individual first conveying blades are separated from each other in the axial direction and are provided along the portion of less than one cycle of the first imaginary spiral. |
| US08452214B2 |
Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developing apparatus includes: a developer accumulation portion; a developer drawing-up portion that draws up the liquid developer accumulated in the developer accumulation portion; a developing roller that supplies the liquid developer to the image supporting body in a region facing the image supporting body; a developer removing portion that is disposed to contact a predetermined position on a surface of the developing roller on a downstream side to the region facing the image supporting body in a rotational direction of the developing roller, and removes the liquid developer remaining on the surface of the developing roller; and an accumulated developer delivery portion that delivers the liquid developer accumulated in the developer accumulation portion to a predetermined region on the surface of the developing roller between the region facing the image supporting body and the predetermined position contacting the developer removing portion. |
| US08452211B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A control unit sets a first feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a first frequency, which causes a misalignment of images to be overlaid with each other, to the first nd feedback unit in a first image forming mode in which images formed on the first and the second image carriers are overlaid, and sets a second feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a second frequency, which causes a periodic uneven density on an image that is to be formed with a uniform density, to the first feedback unit in a second image forming mode in which an image is formed using the first image carrier. |
| US08452210B2 |
Rotational force transmitting part
A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The device includes a flange connectable with the drum. A coupling member is provided with a rotational force transmitting portion engageable with the flange. |
| US08452209B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, a computing unit computes phase shift amounts A(i) for every correction relative phase angle θ(j) based on an amplitude B of a reference compressional wave αa, an amplitude C(i) of a detection compressional wave α(i), and a relative phase angle φ(i). A setting unit specifies the phase shift amounts A(i), and sets a correction relative phase angle θ(j) corresponding to the specified phase shift amounts A(i). A correction unit corrects, based on the correction relative phase angle θ(j) set by the setting unit, a relative phase shift between a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a first image bearing member and a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a second group image bearing member by operationally controlling at least one of first and second drive units. |
| US08452206B2 |
Image-forming apparatus with improved positioning for medium conveyance
An image-forming apparatus includes: a housing; a first cover attached to the housing; a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body; a rotating member; a support member that contacts an inner surface of the intermediate transfer body at a position opposed to the rotating member to form an image transfer portion where an image is transferred from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium; a first supporting unit provided to the housing to support a first end of the support member, a positioning mechanism that determines a position of the first cover relative to the housing when the first cover is closed; and a second supporting unit provided to the first cover to support a second end of the support member, such that a pressure generated between the support member and the rotating member is increased when the first cover is closed than when the first cover is opened. |
| US08452204B2 |
Process control with longitudinal member toner removal
A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block. |
| US08452203B2 |
Image forming apparatus with an air purifier
In an image forming apparatus, exhaust fans of a ventilation device and an intake port of an air purifier are provided on side wall portions respectively that are opposite each other in a main casing of the image forming apparatus, and the exhaust fans of the ventilation device are provided in a location higher than the intake port of the air purifier. With this configuration, silicone that is discharged from the exhaust fans of the ventilation device is almost never suctioned into the intake port of the air purifier, such that almost none of this silicone adheres to a discharging electrode of the ion generator, and an ion generating efficiency of the ion generator can be maintained over a long period without dropping. |
| US08452201B2 |
Dynamic field transfer control in first transfer
Multi-color document processing systems and operating methods are disclosed to control retransfer by providing a user-selected secondary operating mode in which marking devices not needed for a particular print job are disabled and one or more required devices are operated at reduced transfer field levels for the first transfer of marking material onto an intermediate transfer structure. |
| US08452200B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: photosensitive members; an endless belt facing the photosensitive members; developing rollers respectively supplying, to the photosensitive members, developer of different colors which is charged to a first polarity; cleaning rollers adjacent to the photosensitive members; a separating mechanism separating the developing roller from the photosensitive member in a single color printing. If in a multi color printing, a control unit applies a cleaning bias whose polarity is a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and which holds a first electric potential to each cleaning roller. If in the single color printing, the control unit executes a bias reduction control in which a cleaning bias applied to the cleaning roller not used in the single color printing is given the second polarity and is made to hold a second electric potential whose absolute value is smaller than that of the first electric potential. |
| US08452198B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An Image Forming Apparatus has a controller for controlling a second bias, which is applied to a cleaning member, based on a value of electric current measured by a current sensor. The controller controls the second bias on based on the value of the current measured when a predetermined measurement range of a transport belt is in contact with the cleaning member. The measurement range is a range in which conditions, under which the first bias and the second bias are applied, are identical. |
| US08452195B2 |
Diagnostic plot for adjusting printing characteristics
A printing device configured to print a diagnostic plot, the diagnostic plot including a cockle pattern, a main media advance pattern, and a secondary media advance pattern, wherein the cockle pattern, main media advance pattern, and secondary media advance pattern are for providing feedback and for adjusting printing characteristics associated with the printing device. A method of adjusting vacuum levels in a vacuum system of a printing device including generating a diagnostic plot on media; the diagnostic plot including a cockle pattern, a main media advance pattern, and a secondary media advance pattern, and accepting adjustments to printing parameters on the printing device based on printing defects displayed on the diagnostic plot. |
| US08452193B2 |
Optical receiver
An optical receiver for receiving a wavelength channel signal light separated out of a wavelength division multiplexed signal light including a plurality of wavelength channel signal lights, the optical receiver includes an optical amplifier for amplifying the wavelength channel signal light, a cyclic filter having a transmission wavelength characteristic of periodically changing transmittance property for a wavelength interval between a wavelength of an adjacent wavelength channel signal light and a wavelength of the wavelength diversion multiplexed signal light, the cyclic filter passing the wavelength channel signal light amplified by the optical amplifier, and a demodulator operably connected to the cyclic filter for demodulating the wavelength channel signal light output from the cyclic filter into an electrical signal. |
| US08452186B2 |
Clock recovery with channel coefficients
In a coherent optical receiver of an optical communications network, a method of recovering a clock signal from a high speed optical signal received through an optical link. A set of compensation vectors are adaptively computed for compensating Inter-symbol Interference (ISI) due to at least polarization impairments of the optical signal. A channel delay is estimated based on the computed compensation vectors. The estimated channel delay is subtracted from the computed compensation vectors to generate corresponding modified compensation vectors. Finally, the modified compensation vectors are used to derive a recovered clock signal. |
| US08452182B2 |
Data center with free-space optical communications
A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links. |
| US08452180B2 |
Optical multiplexer
A scalable reconfigurable (or tunable) optical add/drop multiplexer (SROADM) is disclosed. The SROADM includes a pair of acoustic optic tunable filters (AOTF) and a wavelength blocker (WB). A first input port receives an initial wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) optical signal including to-be-dropped optical signal(s). A second input port(s) receives optical signal(s) to be added, which has the same wavelength(s) as that optical signal(s) to be dropped. In one embodiment, the WB is connected to the AOTFs through free space coupling. In another embodiment, the coupling is achieved by optical fiber fusion splicing. The latter method has advantage of using commercially available products and easier assembly while a more compact size is achievable by the free space coupling. The device is scalable in terms of number of add/drop ports and capacity to process any number of wavelength channels. |
| US08452179B2 |
Remotely settable chromatic dispersion robustness for dense wave division multiplexing interfaces
An apparatus-transmitting signals in a network includes a light source generating an optical signal for encoding information transmitted over a light path of the network, a modulator controlling the optical signal to generate chirped optical pulses having a first frequency spectrum such that when the pulses are transmitted from the apparatus and received at an end of the first light path the pulses have a chromatic dispersion penalty that is less than a predetermined penalty. Modulation control circuitry receives instructions from a remote controller and, in response to the instructions, controls the modulator such that the chirped optical pulses have a second frequency spectrum such that when the pulses are transmitted from the apparatus and received at an end of a second light path of the telecommunications network the pulses have a chromatic dispersion penalty that is less than a predetermined penalty. |
| US08452177B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast optical signal impairment evaluation
Having a fast method to perform impairment evaluation is useful for many networks. A method or corresponding apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention maintains a traffic engineering database of values representing characteristics of links in the network through storage of integer values representing advertised optical signal capabilities of links between the multiple optical nodes. The example embodiment determines a path through the network for optical wavelengths to be supported by the links represented in the database as a function of evaluating optical signal characteristics at each link along a possible path using the advertised optical signal capabilities and provides a selected path meeting an acceptable integrity of the optical wavelengths to a path establishment module to establish the path through the optical network. Example embodiments significantly reduce computational complexity associated with impairment evaluation and path selection in an optical network. |
| US08452175B2 |
Method for generalized multi-protocol label switching routing to support wavelength switched optical network signal characteristics and network element compatibility constraints
An apparatus comprising a network element (NE) configured to support routing-associated signal compatibility constraint information that is associated with the NE using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) and an open shortest path first (OSPF) routing protocol, wherein the signal compatibility constraint information comprises a modulation type list, a Forward Error Correction (FEC) type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list, and wherein the signal compatibility constraint information is associated with a resource block (RB) pool for a plurality of NEs. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a transmitter unit configured to transmit signal compatibility constraints via GMPLS OSPF routing, wherein the signal compatibility constraints comprise a modulation type list, a FEC type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list. |
| US08452171B1 |
Telephoto lens sighting apparatus
A telephoto lens sighting apparatus. A mount couples to a hot shoe of a camera and a first sight couples to the mount. The first sight has a first gap that corresponds with a viewing aperture of a telephoto lens coupled to the camera. A second sight may be movably coupled to the camera through a sliding track and may thereby move with respect to the first sight. The second sight has a second gap, and the first gap and second gap when aligned correspond with a viewing aperture of a telephoto lens coupled to the camera. A first receiver may couple to the camera to selectively receive the first sight and a second receiver may couple to the camera to selectively receive the second sight. The first sight and second sight may each pivot to a plurality of positions and their heights may be adjusted. |
| US08452168B2 |
Distance measurement and photometry device, distance measurement and photometry method, and imaging apparatus
A distance measurement and photometry device includes a pair of distance measurement sensors each of which is a two-dimensional image sensor, a photometry sensor, which includes a two-dimensional image sensor, a pair of distance measurement lenses arranged to correspond to the pair of distance measurement sensors, a photometry lens arranged to correspond to the photometry sensor, a photometry process unit that calculates a brightness value of a subject, an exposure state setting unit that sets an exposure state correspond to at least the pair of distance measurement sensors, a distance measurement unit that measures a distance to the subject, wherein the exposure state setting unit alternates an exposure state of at least the pair of distance measurement sensors corresponding to a result of the photometry process unit. |
| US08452167B2 |
Line equipped with a coupling having an integrated heating element
A urea feed or return line (2) that comprises a hollow coupling (1) enabling it to be connected to a urea tank and that comprises a passage for the urea, this coupling being, in addition, equipped with a heating filament (9), at least one part of which extends freely inside the passage provided for the urea, this part having the shape of a loop or a spiral capable of also extending at least partly into the tank and/or into a tube attached thereto. |
| US08452166B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring radiation energy during thermal processing
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing heating source radiation influence in temperature measurement during thermal processing. In one embodiment of the present invention, background radiant energy, such as an energy source of a thermal processing chamber, is marked within a selected spectrum, a characteristic of the background is then determined by measuring radiant energy at a reference wavelength within the selected spectrum and a comparing wavelength just outside the selected spectrum. |
| US08452163B2 |
Method of storing a real time stream of information signals on a disc like record carrier
A method of storing a substantially real time stream of information signals arranged in separate, consecutive data packets of digital format on a disc like record carrier. A new stream pack (S_PCK) is defined comprising a pack header and a multiple of source packets containing said data packets with corresponding added time stamps related to a time of arrival of said data packets. The pack header comprises data packet retrieval information, such as the number of new source packets in the stream pack and the effect of the start location of the first source packet in the stream pack. Preferably private stream 2 of the MPEG-format is employed for this new stream. |
| US08452159B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device includes: a display control unit causing a displaying unit to show an editing area; a receiving unit receiving a command from a user; an editing unit placing, in the editing area, one or more images selected according to a selection command received by the receiving unit; an encoding unit which provides a result of encoding data to be encoded after the receiving unit receives a predetermined command to generate the result of encoding all the data to be encoded including image data corresponding to the one or more images accommodated in the editing area; and an encoding control unit which causes the encoding unit to start encoding partial data before the receiving unit receives the predetermined command, the partial data being at least a part of the data to be encoded. |
| US08452156B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US08452155B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US08452150B2 |
Fiber clamp mechanism for an optical fiber preparation tool
An optical fiber holder assembly for holding an optical fiber having any one of several different fiber constructions comprises a base and a fiber clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping portion configured to clamp the optical fiber, the clamping portion including a first clamping plate hingedly coupled to a portion of the base. A first fiber entrance guide is formed in an entrance end of the fiber clamping mechanism to receive and guide the optical fiber to a first fiber channel formed in the base. A second fiber entrance guide is formed in the entrance end of the fiber clamping mechanism to receive and guide the optical fiber to a second fiber channel formed in the base. The first clamping portion includes first and second compliant gripping pads, the first gripping pad disposed on the base and the second gripping pad disposed in the first clamping plate such that the gripping pads overlap each other when the first clamping plate is placed in a closed position. |
| US08452148B2 |
Independently translatable modules and fiber optic equipment trays in fiber optic equipment
Fiber optic equipment that supports independently translatable fiber optic modules and/or fiber optic equipment trays containing one or more fiber optic modules is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more fiber optic modules are disposed in a plurality of independently translatable fiber optic equipment trays which are received in a tray guide system. In this manner, each fiber optic equipment tray is independently translatable within the guide system. One or more fiber optic modules may also be disposed in one or more module guides disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays to allow each fiber optic module to translate independently of other fiber optic modules in the same fiber optic equipment tray. In other embodiments, a plurality of fiber optic modules are disposed in a module guide system disposed in the fiber optic equipment that translate independently of other fiber optic modules disposed within the module guide system. |
| US08452146B2 |
Process for manufacturing an optical fiber and an optical fiber so obtained
A process for manufacturing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical waveguide from a glass preform; applying a layer of a first coating material on the optical waveguide; curing the first coating layer material to obtain a first coating layer; applying a layer of a second coating material onto the first coating layer; applying a layer of colored coating material onto the second coating layer; curing the second coating material and the colored coating material in a single step to obtain a second coating layer superposed on the first coating layer and a colored coating layer superposed on the second coating material layer, the obtained second coating layer having an elastic modulus higher than that of the first coating layer and lower than that of the colored coating layer. An optical fiber and an apparatus for producing it are also provided. |
| US08452144B2 |
Light emitter and light emitting device
A light emitter according to one embodiment has a fiber shape. And it includes a core portion containing a light emitting material, the material absorbing excitation light and emitting light having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the excitation light. And also it includes a clad portion provided outside the core portion, the clad portion having a first region and second regions, the second regions being periodically formed in the first region, the second regions having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of a first region, the refractive index of the first region being equal to or higher than a refractive index of the core portion. |
| US08452143B2 |
High power fiber laser system with high quality beam
A high power fiber laser system has a combiner configured of a plurality of single mode (SM) fibers which are fused together so as to define an output end of the fiber combiner. The fused SM fibers radiate respective fiber outputs, which collectively define a multimode (MM) combiner output. The SM fibers each are configured with such an optimally small numerical apertures (NA) that the MM combiner output is characterized by a minimally possible beam quality factor (M2) for the plurality of SM fibers. To reduce the possibility of burning of the components of the fiber laser system with a multi-kilowatt combiner output, a coreless termination block is fused to the output end of the fiber combiner and configured so as to provide expansion of the combiner output without modifying the minimally possible M2 factor thereof. |
| US08452141B2 |
Optical waveguide coupling device and associated methods
The present disclosure provides optical waveguide coupling devices and associated methods. In one example, an optical waveguide coupling device can comprise a dielectric grating coupler, a first optical waveguide attached to a first surface of the dielectric grating coupler, and a second optical waveguide attached to a second surface of the dielectric grating coupler. The second optical waveguide can be oriented opposed to the first optical waveguide allowing for communication therebetween via the sub-wavelength grating. Additionally, the dielectric grating coupler can comprise a first dielectric material; a sub-wavelength grating attached to the first dielectric material, the sub-wavelength grating having a higher refractive index than the first dielectric material; and a second dielectric material optically coupled to the sub-wavelength grating. |
| US08452138B2 |
Optical sensor module
An optical sensor module is provided in which an engagement portion of a board unit is fitted in a groove of an optical waveguide unit and, even with the single engagement portion, the board unit is stably supported. An optical sensor module includes an optical waveguide unit, and a board unit mounted with an optical element and coupled to the optical waveguide unit. The optical waveguide unit includes a single edge extension portion axially extending along one side edge of an over-cladding layer, a board unit engagement groove provided in the single edge extension portion, and a projection provided on a side wall of the vertical groove and kept in abutment against an engagement portion of the board unit. The board unit includes an engagement portion fitted in the vertical groove, which abuts against the projection within the vertical groove. |
| US08452137B2 |
Optical backplane having at least one optical relay element for relaying light from an input facet of the backplane to an output facet of the backplane
An optical backplane is provided that has at least first and second side walls that are generally parallel to one another and at least one optical relay element disposed on at least one of the parallel side walls. An optical signal is coupled into the optical backplane through an entrance facet of the backplane. The optical signal is maintained within the optical backplane by internal reflection at the parallel side walls of the backplane. The optical relay element receives the optical signal reflected off of one of the side walls and reflects and refocuses the optical signal to guide the optical signal and prevent it from diverging as it propagates through the backplane from the entrance facet to the exit facet. |
| US08452133B2 |
Underline removal apparatus
To remove an underline even if a business document includes a chart or even if the underline touches a character string, provided is an underline removal apparatus that removes an underline area from binary image data including the underline area touching a character string, the underline removal apparatus including: an underline search processing unit that executes a line template matching process by setting a point on the binary image data as a starting point to set a rectangular line template, tracing pixels included in the line template, and extracting a polyline indicating underline position coordinates; and an underline removal processing unit that uses the polyline to execute a process of obtaining background borderline coordinates between the underline area and a background area and character borderline coordinates between the underline area and the character string obtained by applying an interpolation process to a part in the underline area touching the character string and to execute a process of replacing an area surrounded by the background borderline coordinates and the character borderline coordinates by a color of pixels of the background area. |
| US08452129B2 |
Information storage medium storing graphic data and apparatus and method of processing the graphic data
An information storage medium including graphic data and presentation information, and an apparatus and method of processing the graphic data are provided. The information storage medium includes the graphic data, page composition information which defines page composition of the graphic data, and the presentation information indicating when graphic screen data, which is composed with reference to the page composition information of the graphic data, is output to a display screen. Therefore, a graphic object is reusable in graphic data processing, and accordingly, a time taken to process the graphic data is reducible and memory area may be saved. |
| US08452124B2 |
Method and system for detecting motion blur
A system for detecting motion blur may include a process in which one or more digital images taken by a camera having a shutter are obtained, wherein the digital image depicts objects in a physical world. Further, the system may estimate the motion blur in the digital image using a ratio of one or more values obtained from the projection of a 2D spectrum of the image and a Fourier transform of a sequence of the shutter used in obtaining the image. |
| US08452121B2 |
Image processor, image display device, and image processing method
An image processor that corrects an image signal, includes: a frequency analysis section that analyzes a spatial frequency of a luminance component of the image signal; a luminance component correction amount calculating section that calculates an amount of correction of the luminance component of the image signal according to the analysis result of the frequency analysis section only for an image signal in a predetermined luminance level range of a predetermined spatial frequency band; and a luminance component correcting section that corrects the luminance component of the image signal by using the amount of correction calculated by the luminance component correction amount calculating section. |
| US08452117B2 |
Block noise detection and filtering
Systems and methods for block noise detection and filtering are disclosed. One embodiment includes, computing difference magnitudes in pixel values for adjacent pixels in the image. The difference magnitudes can include horizontal difference magnitudes for horizontally adjacent pixels and vertical difference magnitudes for vertically adjacent pixels. One embodiment further includes using normalized sums of the difference magnitudes to determine a set of noise characteristics of the block noise and a set of image characteristics of the image and configuring inputs to the block noise filter using the set of noise and image characteristics. |
| US08452115B2 |
Method and apparatus for designing restoration filter, and method and apparatus for restoring image using the restoration filter
A method and an apparatus for designing an image restoration filter and a method and an apparatus for restoring an image by using the image restoration filter are provided. A test image is captured by an imaging system to obtain image information of the test image. The image restoration filter is then calculated according to original image information of the test image and the image information obtained by the imaging system through a numerical method, such that the obtained image information after being processed by the image restoration filter has a better similarity to the original image information. Thereafter, an image captured by the imaging system is processed by using the image restoration filter as a kernel, so as to resolve the problems of image blur and distortion caused by the optical path and the imaging system. |
| US08452113B2 |
Method of encoding an image and device implementing said method
The invention relates to a method of encoding an image divided into non-overlapping macroblocks themselves divided into non-overlapping blocks of N by N pixels into a binary stream. It comprises the steps of: —transforming each of the block into a transformed block of coefficients comprising one low frequency coefficient and N2-1 coefficients, called high frequency coefficients, of higher frequencies than the low frequency; —quantizing each coefficient of each of the transformed blocks with a quantizing parameter; —encoding the quantized coefficients into a binary stream. According to the invention, the low frequency coefficients of the transformed blocks are quantized with a same quantizing parameter, called first quantizing parameter. |
| US08452109B2 |
Image segregation system with method for handling textures
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, assembling a feature vector for the image file, the feature vector containing information regarding a likelihood that a selected pair of regions of the image file are of a same intrinsic characteristic, for example, a same texture, providing a classifier derived from a computer learning technique, computing a classification score for the selected pair of regions of the image file, as a function of the feature vector and the classifier and classifying the regions as being of the same intrinsic characteristic, as a function of the classification score. |
| US08452105B2 |
Selecting a section of interest within an image
Some embodiments provide a method of selecting a section of interest in an image that includes numerous pixels. the method draws a curvilinear boundary about the section of interest. From the curvilinear boundary, the method generates a two-dimensional transition tunnel region about the section of interest. The method analyzes image data based on the tunnel region to identify a subset of pixels in the region that should be associated with the section of interest. In some embodiments, the tunnel region includes a pair of curves bounding the tunnel region. In some embodiments, the curvilinear boundary has a particular shape, and generating the tunnel region includes determining whether the tunnel can be generated at a specified width with both curves of the tunnel having the same particular shape as the defined border. In some embodiments, analyzing image data includes comparing pixels inside the transition tunnel region to pixels outside the transition tunnel region. |
| US08452095B2 |
Image processing for post-processing rate of character rectangle extraction and character recognition accuracy
An image processing device is provided by the present invention, which includes a unit configured to acquire a pixel block contacting an enclosing border of a character rectangle extracted from an image, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the acquired pixel block has a likelihood of noise, a unit configured to generate a noise candidate removed character rectangle by removing from the character rectangle the pixel block as to which it is determined to have the likelihood of noise, and an outputting unit configured to assess validities by performing character recognition for both of the noise candidate removed character rectangle and the character rectangle, and configured to output a recognition result for one of them having greater validity assessed. |
| US08452083B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable medium
An image processing apparatus comprises: a specification unit configured sequentially to determine, as a processing object, each of the blocks divided, and to compare data types of respective pixels in the block that is the processing object; a first determination unit configured to determine whether pixels included in a block including two data types to L (L=M×N) data types include a single type of attribute data; and an output unit configured to output, based on a determination by the first determination, a flag indicating that the block includes an attribute, a flag indicating a layout pattern of the block, a type of color data and a type of attribute data which are extracted from a pixel at a predefined position in the block. |
| US08452082B2 |
Pattern conversion for interpolation
A method of processing a digital image having a predetermined color pattern, includes converting the predetermined color pattern of the digital image into a converted digital image having a different desired color pattern; and using algorithms adapted for use with the desired color pattern for processing the converted digital image. |