Document Document Title
US08622719B2 Hydraulic pump structure for wind turbine generator or tidal current generator and method of mounting hydraulic pump
A hydraulic pump unit includes a cylindrical member that is fit into an outer circumference of the main shaft and a hydraulic pump body arranged on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical member. The hydraulic pump body includes a ring cam mounted on the outer circumference of the cylindrical member, a pump bearing, a pump housing, a plurality of pistons housed in the pump housing and actuated by the ring cam, and a plurality of cylinders which guide the plurality of pistons in a radial direction and are arranged in a circumferential direction. The hydraulic pump unit is configured such that the pump unit is insertably fixed to the main shaft by the cylindrical member.
US08622714B2 Pressure exchanger
A pressure vessel provided with a first port acting as a high pressure inlet of a first stream and a second port acting as a high pressure outlet. A rotatable valve element is located in the center of the machine. In operation, a fluid stream is introduced to the machine at high pressure where it then passes through the open ports of the valve element and into flow distributor causing upward displacement of a first duct piston, resulting in pressurization and flow of a second fluid. At the same time the second fluid is introduced to the machine at low pressure and flows into the pressure exchange duct, causing downward displacement of a second duct piston and resulting in flow of the first fluid below the duct piston, which then flows into the lower flow distributor, into the valve element, and then out of the pressure vessel.
US08622713B2 Method and apparatus for detecting the fluid condition in a pump
A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
US08622710B2 Wind turbine component having an electrical line embedded in a laminate and method for making the same
A wind turbine component has a laminate of fibrous material and plastic and an electrical line embedded in the laminate, wherein a profile is arranged on a lateral surface of the electrical line, the profile counteracting the formation of a hollow space or plastic nest between the lateral surface and a fibrous material layer which covers an upper side of the electrical line during the manufacture of the laminate.
US08622704B2 Gas turbine blade for a turbomachine
The invention relates to a gas turbine blade (10), in particular a compressor blade and/or turbine blade for a turbomachine, wherein the gas turbine blade (10) comprises at least one receptacle (18) for the form-fitting arrangement of a connecting element, by means of which a mechanical load can be introduced into gas turbine blade (10). The invention further relates to a shrouding band segment (16) for arrangement on a gas turbine blade (10), a connection system having a gas turbine blade (10) and having a connecting element, a method for connecting a gas turbine blade (10) to a connecting element, and a rotor for a turbomachine having a rotor disk (12) joined to a blade ring or having a rotor ring joined to a blade ring.
US08622702B1 Turbine blade with cooling air inlet holes
A turbine rotor blade with a root section having a cooling air feed hole opening onto a bottom surface of the root section of the blade. The feed hole includes a clam shell shape with a forward side wider than an aft side of the feed hole, and the feed hole is sloped upward from the forward side to the aft side to form a scoop so that cooling air flowing along a live rim cavity in a rotor disk will more easily flow into the feed holes with less loss of pressure.
US08622701B1 Turbine blade platform with impingement cooling
A turbine rotor disk with rotor blades secured within slots, where the rotor disk includes a radial extension that occupies a space where a dead rim cavity would be formed, and in which the radial extension includes a cooling air chamber with impingement cooling air holes directed to discharge impingement cooling air to a backside surface of the platforms of the blades.
US08622694B2 Methods and systems for removably securing reusable parts to replaceable parts
A method of removably securing a reusable component to a replaceable component with a bonding agent is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, preparing a first surface of the reusable component so that a bonding energy between the first surface and the bonding agent has a first level, preparing a second surface of the replaceable component so that a bonding energy between the second surface and the bonding agent has a second level, the second level being greater than the first level, and applying the bonding agent so that the bonding agent bonds the first and second surfaces to one another.
US08622691B2 Supercharger
The invention provides a supercharger which is provided with a thrust bearing in an outer side of a radial bearing, and can smoothly discharge a fed lubricating oil from a bearing portion so as to reduce a resistance generated by the lubricating oil.The supercharger is provided with a thrust bearing (30) rotatably supporting a thrust force applied to a turbine shaft (12). The thrust bearing (30) is constituted by a disc-shaped thrust collar (32) rotating together with the turbine shaft, and a turbine side thrust bearing (34) and a compressor side thrust bearing (36) inhibiting a movement in an axial direction of the thrust collar. The compressor side thrust bearing (36) has an oil feed flow path (36a) feeding a lubricating oil to a surface coming into contact with a thrust collar from an inner side of a housing, an annular concave groove (36b) provided in an inner surface of a hollow through hole through which the turbine shaft passes, and an oil discharge flow path (36c) dropping down the lubricating oil reserved within the concave groove downward.
US08622690B1 Inter-propellant thrust seal
An inter-propellant thrust seal for a rocket engine with purge fluid introduced into purge chambers to prevent mixing of reactive fluids located outside of bearings, and where one of the purge chambers is formed by an axial thrust piston on the rotor shaft so that the purge fluid in that chamber will also produce axial thrust on the rotor shaft.
US08622689B2 Rotor drive mechanism and pump apparatus
A rotor drive mechanism and pump apparatus according to the present invention may cause an external screw type rotor of a uniaxial eccentric screw pump to rotate and carry out a revolution movement. The rotor drive mechanism further comprises a shaft sealing structure configured such that a gap between an outer peripheral portion of an end portion of the revolution shaft is located on the external screw type rotor side and an inner peripheral portion of the casing in the pump apparatus is sealed. The rotor drive mechanism provides for a reduced amount of heat and vibrations to be generated when the rotor is rotated at high speed and further allows for lowering of contact pressure between an outer surface of the rotor and an inner surface of a stator inner hole.
US08622687B2 Method of operating adaptive core engines
A method of operating a compressor in an adaptive core engine is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of operating a front block compressor to increase pressure of a fluid to a first pressure ratio in a high-power mode operation; operating a rear block compressor coupled to the front block compressor such that the front block compressor and the rear block compressor operate at the same physical speed; closing a rear block stator vane located axially forward from the rear block compressor such that the flow of the fluid into the rear block compressor is substantially cut off; and keeping a blocker door opened such that substantially all of the fluid pressurized by the front block compressor flows through a bypass passage during the high-power mode operation. The operation may be transitioned from the high-power mode to a low-power mode by opening a rear block stator such that the rear block compressor receives at least a portion of the fluid flowing from the front block compressor and maintains an overall engine pressure ratio.
US08622686B2 Stabilized device for moving a plurality of containers
A device for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface such as a pallet includes a frame and a pin matrix movably attached to the frame. The pin matrix includes an array of pins and is housed in a plate having apertures for receiving the pins. The device further includes a pair of tracks that movably support the pin matrix. A method for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface includes the steps of moving the pin matrix over the objects, lowering the pin matrix, securing the objects within the pin matrix, moving the pin matrix and the objects relative to the surface, and raising the pin matrix.
US08622685B2 Apparatus and method for stacking objects
Apparatus and method for stacking objects on a transport carrier. The apparatus is provided with a forming platform, a loading platform on which a transport carrier to be loaded, such as a pallet or a roller container, can be placed, and a gripper which is movable between the forming platform and the loading platform. The gripper comprises a support frame which is provided with at least one row of parallel forks, which forks comprise an upright to which a horizontal beam is attached at a distance beneath the support frame, wherein the beams can be moved backward and forward in their longitudinal direction, wherein each fork is individually adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame. The forks are independently adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame.
US08622684B2 Workpiece orientation apparatus
A workpiece orientation apparatus includes a base, two pushing bars, a linear actuator, a connecting member, at least one first connecting bar, and a second connecting bar. The two pushing bars are slidably connected to the base and aligned apart along a first direction. The linear actuator is mounted on the base. The connecting member is driven by the linear actuator to move back and forth along a second direction. One end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to the connecting member, and the other end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to one of the two pushing bars. One end of the second connecting bar is connected to the first connecting bar and is rotatably assembled together on the connecting member. The other end of the second connecting bar is rotatably connected to the other of the two pushing bars.
US08622680B1 Grommet
A grommet has a tubular body with a bore coaxial to a body longitudinal axis. A flange is integrally connected to the body and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The bore extends through the flange. Multiple legs extend from the tubular body at a body end opposite to the flange. The legs are separated by an elongated slot permitting the legs to inwardly deflect from a non-deflected position toward the longitudinal axis by partially extending into the slot. A service tab assembly positioned in the central bore includes multiple tab extensions, each integrally connected to only one of the legs; and a pull tab positioned entirely in the bore in a non-extended position. The pull tab is connected only to the tab extensions and when displaced in a release direction acts through the tab extensions to equally inwardly displace the legs toward the longitudinal axis.
US08622676B2 Screw structure
A screw structure for securing a first object to a second object comprises a screw member, a blocking member and a pivot member. The screw member comprises a cap and a pole extending from the cap. The blocking member is captive on the pole and defines a latching groove. The pivot member comprises a latching portion elastically engaged in the latching groove and located beneath the cap. The pivot member can be raised up and lowered down, and twisted to activate the screw function.
US08622675B2 Screw structure
A screw structure for securing a first object to a second object comprises a screw member, a blocking member and a pivot member. The screw member comprises a pole. The blocking member comprises a base portion secured to the pole, and two positioning portions are located on the base portion. The pivot member comprises two latching portions, and each of the two latching portions is engaged between the screw member and each of the two positioning portions. The pivot member is capable of rotation relative to the screw member and the blocking member.
US08622669B2 Broaching tool
A broaching tool for machining a workpiece formed of a parallelogram shaped insert which fits within a slot formed in a body member. The insert has two juxtaposed corners either of which may be oriented at the distal end of the body member to function as a cutting edge. Repositioning of the insert to place either cutting edge in place is provided by flipping it over in its engagement within the slot. The inserts may be provided in a kit of differently configured inserts to yield different cutting widths.
US08622665B2 Fast chip removal hole saw
A rotary tool accessory in one embodiment includes a base, a circular wall extending upwardly from the base about a central axis, the circular wall including an inner face, an outer face and a circular rim, a first cutting group including a first inwardly extending tooth extending from a location directly above the circular wall to a location closer to the central axis than the inner face, a first outwardly extending tooth extending from a location directly above the circular wall to a location farther from the central axis than the outer face, and a first gullet extending downwardly from the rim toward the base, a second cutting group including a second inwardly extending tooth, a second outwardly extending tooth, and a second gullet, and a toothless expanse of the rim extending between the first cutting group and the second cutting group.
US08622664B2 Hand held portable drill guide enabling single handed field setup and having releasable drill gripping securement
A portable drill guide and method are disclosed for use primarily with hand held power drills having a pistol-type hand grip. The drill guide includes a mounting assembly and an operational guide assembly, the mounting assembly having a tool support bracket with a clamping band and resilient gripping limbs. The operational guide assembly includes a support arm bracket having the tool support bracket connected therewith and a support arm extending therefrom at an angle normal to the mounting assembly, a pair of interface guide posts with retainers, and an interface tensioning mechanism including a slotted two level shaft. An interface, a sufficient length of durable webbing or strap for example, is engagable around a workpiece and the guide posts beneath the retainers, and is operably associable with the tensioning mechanism.
US08622663B1 Drill bit for drilling holes in carboresin laminates
A drill bit having features rendering it particularly effective in cutting holes in carboresin laminates of the type used in the aircraft industry. A pair of diametrically opposite lands slope radially inward at the working end of the bit to a pair of cutting edges disposed at an obtuse angle to one another and forming an efficient cutting tip. Notches with sloping ramps adjacent the cutting edges efficiently convey cut material to adjacent flutes. The lands curve radially inward between their full diameter portion and their cutting tips and the junction of the curved portion and the constant diameter portion of the lands is machined to provide a more gradual transition.
US08622656B2 Apparatus, systems and methods for the relocation of subsurface conduit
Apparatuses, systems and methods are utilized to relocate subsurface conduit. Specifically, the movement of underground conduit is accomplished via the apparatuses, systems and methods described herein, including movement thereof in either or both of laterally from a first lateral position to a second lateral position and/or vertically from a first vertical position to a second vertical position.
US08622655B2 Pipe-laying vessel and method of laying a pipeline
A pipe-laying vessel is provided, including a tower extending upwardly from the vessel, a pipe loading arm for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower. The pipe-laying vessel may also include a support assembly for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the support assembly including a frame pivotable between a first load receiving position and a second tilted position in which it extends approximately parallel to the tower, and drive means for pivoting the tiltable frame between its first and second positions. The pipe-laying vessel may alternatively or additionally include a welding assembly station cabin in the region of a lower portion of the tower, a movable support assembly for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the movable support assembly being disposed on top of the cabin.
US08622648B2 Cushioned cover for traffic structures
The cushioned cover for traffic structures comprises various embodiments configured for installation over concrete traffic barriers (e.g., “Jersey walls,” etc.) or about vertical columns, posts, stanchions, etc., e.g., bridge support columns. The cover includes inner and outer layers formed of rubber, preferably using recycled tire material. A medial layer includes additional resilience. In one embodiment, the medial layer includes a plurality of closely spaced hemispherical elements, preferably formed of highly resilient polybutadiene material. In another embodiment, the center layer includes a plurality of closely spaced, pneumatically interconnected inflatable hemispheres. The traffic barrier covers may include planter box receptacles set into their upper surfaces when installed, and/or solar cells set into their upper surfaces to charge a storage battery for powering lighting set into the sides of the cover. Tread patterns may be provided in the outer surfaces of the traffic barrier covers.
US08622644B2 Seal assembly and method for forming a seal assembly
A seal assembly and method of forming a seal assembly provides a seal body having reduced strain during use, thereby increasing service life. The seal body may be formed within certain parameters, such as ranges of height-to-thickness and offset-to-height ratios, which have been found to reduce strain. Additionally or alternatively, the seal body may be modified from an initial configuration to a pre-strained configuration by axially displacing an inner section of the seal with respect to an outer section of the seal, which also reduces strain.
US08622643B2 Applicator instrument for dental compounds
An applicator instrument for applying dental compounds includes an instrument head. The instrument head has a support structure with a plurality of elastic projections formed on the support structure. The projections have less stiffness than the support structure with respect to a height extent and enclose a receiving space for the dental compound. Additionally, the projections have a planar configuration and are arranged substantially parallel to one another with respect to a width extent. The diameter of the instrument head is equal to or less than 3 mm. Using this applicator instrument, it is easier to apply dental compound in dosed amounts and to spread the dental compound across a surface to be treated.
US08622639B2 Method of producing a print head support and a print head support
The invention relates to a method of producing a support (1) in the form of a prismatic hollow body and a support. The walls of the support (1) are formed by assembling top belt modules (2), bottom belt modules (3), front wall modules (4) and rear wall modules (5) respectively one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the support. Disposed in the interior of the support (1) at distances apart are transverse webs (6) and at least one guide track (7, 9) is provided on the support (1) extending in its longitudinal direction for a unit mounted so that it can move along the guide track. In order to obtain a high precision of the guide tracks (6, 7), the latter are formed by machining regions of the modules (2, 3, 4, 5) to remove material after the modules und transverse webs have been assembled.
US08622636B2 Optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector includes optical fibers, a connector body, two first glue layers, and two second glue layers. The optical fibers are received in grooves and aligned with optical lenses formed on the connector body. The first and second glue layers fill in the recesses to hold the main portion and the front portion of the optical fibers securely in place.
US08622634B2 Optical fiber assemblies and methods of fabricating optical fiber assemblies
A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule comprising a ferrule boot insertion end and a ferrule boot defining an optical fiber channel. The optical fiber channel of the ferrule boot is shaped to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough. The ferrule boot includes an outer shell and a heat-activated adhesive liner is positioned within the outer shell channel and coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell. A portion of the outer shell is sized to be at least partially inserted into the ferrule boot insertion end of the ferrule. The outer shell has a thermal melting point that is greater than a thermal melting point of the heat-activated adhesive liner such that the heat-activated adhesive liner melts for adhering the plurality of optical fibers to the outer shell upon receipt of thermal energy.
US08622627B2 Adapter plate for securing an adapter to a surface
An adapter plate assembly includes an adapter for mating two connectors and an adapter plate. The adapter includes a first end and a second end and a passage therethrough. The adapter further includes an adapter footprint and an adapter flange. The first end has an external threaded portion and the second end has an external threaded portion. The adapter is adapted to receive a ruggedized connector in the first and a multi-fiber connector in the second end. The adapter plate includes an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the adapter, a footprint receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the adapter footprint, a flange receiving portion for receiving the adapter flange, and an attachment feature. A method of assembling the adapter plate and mounting the adapter plate to a non-standard wall is described.
US08622626B2 Fiber optic connectors
Fiber optic connectors for use in connecting and aligning two optical fibers. In one example embodiment, a fiber optic connector includes a body, a cylindrical split sleeve at least partially positioned within the body, and a shell at least partially positioned within the body and surrounding the split sleeve. The body defines an internal port and an external port. The split sleeve defines a slot along the length of the split sleeve and has first and second open ends. The first end is configured to receive and grip a ferrule of an internal optical fiber and the second end is configured to receive and grip a ferrule of an external optical fiber. The portion of the shell surrounding the first end has a greater inside clearance than the portion of the shell surrounding the second end.
US08622625B2 Fiber end face void closing method, a connectorized optical fiber assembly, and method of forming same
A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 μm.
US08622623B2 Bearing upgrade and kit
A journal bearing assembly includes a journal shaft configured to be mounted in a pulverizer. The journal shaft has a lower bearing receiving surface proximate a lower end thereof, and an upper bearing receiving surface spaced apart from the lower bearing receiving surface axially. A lower journal bearing is mounted on the lower bearing receiving surface of the journal shaft. An upper journal bearing is mounted on the upper bearing receiving surface of the journal shaft. An upper journal housing is mounted on the upper journal bearing for rotational movement relative to the journal shaft. A lower journal housing is mounted on the lower journal bearing for rotational movement relative to the journal shaft. The lower journal housing is mounted to the upper journal housing for common rotation about the journal shaft. The journal bearing assembly has a loading point defined between the upper and lower journal bearings.
US08622621B2 Rolling bearing apparatus, manufacture method thereof, and hard disk apparatus
To prevent a problem due to gas produced from an adhesive and to improve the productivity of a rolling bearing apparatus. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a rolling bearing apparatus, including fitting a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing to a first member each in a pressed state, pressing the inner races of the first and second rolling bearings in a direction in which they are closer to each other in the axial direction with a second member sandwiched between outer races of the first and second rolling bearings, and welding at least a portion of a peripheral portion of the inner race of the pressed second rolling bearing in the axial direction to the outer face of the first member through irradiation with laser light.
US08622616B2 Reclosable double zipper and methods
A reclosable bag includes first and second side edges and a double zipper, which includes first zipper with first side seal adjacent the first side edge and second side seal adjacent the second side edge. The double zipper includes second zipper having third side seal adjacent the first side edge, and fourth side seal adjacent to the second side edge. One of the first side seal and third side seal has an end that is spaced closer to the second side edge than the other. A method for providing a sensory indication of double sealing in a reclosable bag includes closing a mouth by pressing opposing fingers against first and second zipper closures and moving opposing fingers linearly across the closures until there is a sensory indication of an end seal for each of the first and second zipper closures at different linear locations.
US08622615B2 Calibration device for location of CT x-ray generator and detector, calibration method using the calibration device, and calibration method for CT system
A calibration device for location of a CT X-ray generator and detector includes a splitting window, a splitting window bracket configured to support the splitting window, an integral bracket, and a spring including a first end connected to the splitting window bracket and a second end connected to the integral bracket.
US08622614B2 Locking device for mobile X-ray system
A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a securable storage for at least one radiographic detector by blocking at least a portion of a path traveled by the at least one radiographic detector when removed from storage at the mobile radiography apparatus.
US08622613B2 IR sensor for electronic thermometer
An electronic thermometer includes a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject. At least one temperature sensor detects a temperature of the probe. An IR emitter emits an infrared signal from the probe. And an IR detector detects the infrared signal emitted by the IR emitter. The detection of the IR signal by the IR detector indicates that the probe is received in a probe cover.
US08622612B2 Method and apparatus for determining the thermal expansion of a material
A focus error signal resulting from the photothermically-induced expansion is measured in a sample of material under analysis. A laser is disposed as a periodically modulated heating source which is directed to the sample and a device for focus error measuring which is directed to the surface being heated. A device measuring focus error generates a signal representative of the displacement of the surface of material in perpendicular direction due to the expansion produced by the periodic heating, which is filtered, either analogically or digitally, to discriminate the displacement component at the frequency in which it was modulated or at any other related frequency, such any harmonic or a sum with any other modulation. The focus error signal, appropriately calibrated, gives a precise and sensitive measure of the magnitude the expansion. Said magnitude and its dependence with the modulation frequency allows the determination of physical properties such as the thermal expansion or thermal diffusivity coefficient, the thickness of a coating film or the absorption coefficient of the light from the heating beam. By varying the wave length of the directed radiation it is possible to determine the absorption spectrum of the sample even for very small sized particles in which the fraction of absorbed energy is very little.
US08622610B2 Inverter device for a timepiece movement
An inverter device for timepiece movements is disclosed which includes first and second toothed wheels intended to be driven in opposite rotation directions and coaxial with an output toothed member intended to be kinematically connected to a pivoting member of the timepiece movement. The wheels are connected to the output member by unidirectional transmission members adapted to transmit to the output member rotation in only the same one predefined rotation direction and to prevent the transmission of rotation of the output member in this predefined rotation direction to one or the other of the wheels. Each unidirectional transmission member includes two diametrically opposite teeth of asymmetrical shape and is connected to the output member in such a manner as to be constrained to rotate with it while being able to be moved between first and second extreme positions in a radial direction. Each wheel includes a plate provided with a central counterbore defining a housing for the corresponding unidirectional transmission member and the periphery of which includes n peripheral tips intended to cooperate with the teeth of the corresponding unidirectional transmission member in the predefined rotation direction, and each of which is defined by the intersection of a circular hole with the periphery, n being equal to or greater than one.
US08622609B2 Valve switch modulation for reducing errors due to oscillations of the inlet fluid of a pump system
Described is a method of reducing liquid composition errors in a low-pressure mixing pump system. Packets representing the switching intervals of each component of the desired fluid mixture are provided to an intake of the mixing pump system. For each packet, a switching time associated with at least one of the components in the packet is modulated. Modulated switching times are based on time offsets that are specifically selected according to the undesirable frequency characteristic of an intake response of the mixing pump system. The average of the volumes contributed by the packets thus modulated is equal to a component volume that achieves a desired proportion of the component in the output flow of the mixing pump system. Modulated switching times enable the reduction or elimination of composition error in the output flow of the mixing pump system.
US08622608B2 Process for mixing wellbore fluids
A method for mixing a drilling fluid formulation that includes establishing a flow path for a base fluid, adding drilling fluid additives to the base fluid to create a mixture, aerating the mixture of base fluid and drilling fluid additives, and injecting a compressible driving fluid into the mixture of base fluid and drilling fluid additives to form a mixed drilling fluid is disclosed.
US08622605B2 Fluid mixing device
A fluid mixing device is productive, maintainable and improved in operability and reliability even without high accuracy pressure control. A fluid mixing device includes a mixing tank, supply tanks, mixing tank flow channels, valves, and branch flow channels. The mixing tank mixes at least two liquids. Each supply tank is provided for each of the liquids and supplies each liquid to the mixing tank. Each mixing tank flow channel connects each supply tank to the mixing tank. Each valve is arranged in each of the mixing tank flow channels. Each branch flow channel is connected to each of the mixing tank flow channels and is connected from the one mixing tank flow channel to the valve in the other mixing tank flow channel. Further, when the valve has pressure applied thereto from the liquid passing through the branch flow channel, the valve closes the mixing tank flow channel.
US08622604B1 Warming elements for the beaters of a mixer
A mixer for mixing food items and ingredients includes beaters removably attachable to the mixer, and the beaters including arms and mixing blades and extending along and wrapping about the arms and mixing blades of each beater is a heating element, preferably electrical wiring or leads, that is embedded in and covered by a heat conductive material such as ceramic, so that the heating element and the heat conductive material can warm up and bring to room temperature the various food items and ingredients for more efficient and quicker food preparation and processing when the beaters are immersed in or submerged within the items or ingredients and the heating element is actuated for producing heat that conducts through the heat conductive material to the food items and ingredients.
US08622602B2 Light guide plate and planar lighting device
The light guide plate includes two or more layers superposed on each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to a light exit surface and containing scattering particles at different particle concentrations. The thicknesses of the two or more layers in the direction substantially perpendicular to the light exit surface are changed so that the combined particle concentration of the light guide plate has, in a direction perpendicular to at least one light incidence surface, a first local maximum value on at least one side closer to the at least one light incidence surface and a second local maximum value located at a position farther from the at least one light incidence surface than at least one position of the first local maximum value and being larger than the first local maximum value.
US08622600B2 Backlight module and display device using the same
An exemplary backlight module includes a frame, a light guide plate, a light source module and an optical film. The light guide plate is arranged on the frame and includes a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface adjacent to the light-incident surface. The light source module includes a circuit board arranged between the frame and the light guide plate board, and a light emitting element arranged on the circuit board and facing the light-incident surface. The optical film includes a wavelength shifting portion arranged between the light emitting element and the light guide plate, a second extending portion arranged between the light guide plate and the frame, and a first extending portion connected between the wavelength shifting portion and the second extending portion and arranged between the light guide plate and the circuit board. A display device equipped with the backlight module is also provided.
US08622595B2 Bicycle brake light controlling assembly
A bicycle brake light controlling assembly has a lamp device, a controller device and a trigger device. The lamp device has a brake light and a wireless receiving unit. The controller device is capable of wirelessly emitting a controlling signal to the lamp device and has a wireless emitting unit. The trigger device is electrically connected with the controller device and is capable of being mounted securely on a brake lever of a bicycle.
US08622594B2 Light emitting element module and manufacturing method thereof, and backlight apparatus
A light emitting element module with a high yield where a portion through which a substrate and a lens are bonded can be prevented from cracking and peeling due to thermal expansion is provided. A light emitting element part equipped with a light emitting element and an optical lens for diffusing light from the light emitting element are provided on a substrate in the light emitting element module, where the lens is fixed to the substrate with an adhesive resin having a tensile breaking elongation of 50% or more. The lens also has a plurality of supports and is fixed to the substrate through these supports, so that stress in the portion where the substrate and the lens are bonded can be dispersed between the supports, and a layer in which air can circulate so as to release heat is provided between the substrate and the lens.
US08622593B2 Ratchet clip
This invention relates generally to an illumination system that is configured for attachment to a hard hat or the temple arm portion of a pair of eyeglasses. The illumination system includes a light source and a multi-axis pivot assembly to permit directional adjustment and focus of a beam of light. An adapter clip is provided to facilitate attachment to the temple arm portion of the eyeglasses. The adapter clip includes a plurality of grooves positioned between two flexible side portions to allow the clip to be slid along the temple arm to a desired position and snapped into a locked position. The illumination system is fully adjustable in terms of light intensity and direction of the light beams.
US08622591B1 LED lamp scattering heat by exchanging currents
An LED lamp scattering heat by exchanging currents has a current guider disposed on a seat body. The current guider divides an accommodating chamber of the seat body into at least one first current channel and at least one second current channel. On a periphery of the seat body defines at least one first opening corresponding to the second current channel and at least one second opening defined near a fan of a cooling device. By guiding exterior currents out of the first opening via the second current channel, the exterior currents further enter the second opening of the seat body for being expelled out of the first current channel via the fan to complete an air flow circulation by exchanging currents, which increases the heat radiating efficiency and the using life of the LED lamp and remedies restrictions on installations of the lamp for expanding the lamp application.
US08622588B2 Light emitting module, heat sink and illumination system
The invention relates to a light emitting module (10) comprising a light source (20) and a heat sink (30). The light source is thermally connected to the heat sink. The heat sink is configured to be detachably mounted on a cooling body (50), at least part of an outer wall (40) of the heat sink having a shape matching at least a part of an outer wall (56) of the cooling body to enable the transfer of heat generated by the light source to the cooling body. The effect of the measures according to the invention is that they enable the active cooling of the light emitting module to be separated from the light emitting module itself, thereby reducing the complexity of the light emitting module while still relatively easily enabling active cooling via the cooling body. The cooling body may, for example, be a cooling pipe through which a cooling fluid flows.
US08622586B2 Anti-glare lens and table lamp with an anti-glare lens
A table lamp has a lamp stand, an adjusting arm, a lamp head and an anti-glare lens. The anti-glare lens is mounted on the lamp head and has a body. The body has a bottom, a light entering concave face, a light source region, a total reflection face and a light ejecting convex face. The bottom has a zero axis to divide the bottom equally. The light entering concave face is formed in the body. The light source region is formed in the body. The total reflection face is obliquely formed on and protrudes from the body and is formed with the bottom of the body. An angle between the zero axis and the total reflection face is between 90 and 180 degrees. The light ejecting convex face is formed on the body, is formed with the total reflection face and has at least one curvature.
US08622583B1 LED lamp scattering heat swiftly by exchanging currents
An LED lamp scattering heat swiftly by exchanging currents mainly constructs multiple channels interleaved in heat scattering areas among fin units of a cooling device. At least one first hole is defined on a wall of each channel for assisting the channels in communicating with the heat scattering areas. Accordingly, the exterior air is introduced from the channels into an accommodating chamber of a seat body of the LED lamp. Thence, a fan installed in the LED lamp further blows the exterior air and the wasted heat of the LED unit to cause a current exchanging effect. Whereby, the wasted heat is efficiently expelled from the LED lamp, which increases the heat radiating efficiency and the using life of the LED lamp and remedies restrictions on installations of the LED lamp for expanding the lamp application.
US08622582B2 Power surface mount light emitting die package
A light emitting die package includes a substrate, a reflector plate, and a lens. The substrate has traces for connecting an external electrical power source to a light emitting diode (LED) at a mounting pad. The reflector plate is coupled to the substrate and substantially surrounds the mounting pad, and includes a reflective surface to direct light from the LED in a desired direction. The lens is free to move relative to the reflector plate and is capable of being raised or lowered by the encapsulant that wets and adheres to it and is placed at an optimal distance from the LED chip(s). Heat generated by the LED during operation is drawn away from the LED by both the substrate (acting as a bottom heat sink) and the reflector plate (acting as a top heat sink).
US08622581B2 Light guiding pole and illumination assembly using same
A light guiding pole (22) is described. The light guiding pole (22) includes a base board (23) having a top surface (231), a bottom surface (232) and a main board (24) mounted to the top surface (231) of the base board (23). A first optic member (311) is arranged on the top surface, adjacent to the main board (24). The main board (24) arranges a second optic member (249) therein. Light emitted from a light source emits from the bottom surface after being sequentially refracted by the second optic member and the first optic member. An illumination assembly (20) using the light guiding pole (22) is also described.
US08622580B2 Lighting device
A lighting device includes a light emitting module including a substrate and a light emitting device mounted on the substrate; a case body receiving the light emitting module; a gap member contacting the case body and wider than the substrate; a lens on the light emitting module and contacting the gap member; a first ring provided on a peripheral portion of the lens; and a case cover coupled with the case body and having an opening, wherein the case body is provided therein with a coupling cavity in which the gap member is seated, and wherein the lens includes a first portion between the ring and the gap member and a second portion that extends outward from the first portion through the opening of the case cover.
US08622578B2 Flexible LED array
A light emitting device, comprising a flexible substrate (2) with a single, structured conductive layer (5), and a plurality of LEDs (3) arranged on said substrate (2), said structured conductive layer (5) forming electrodes for driving said LEDs (3). The structured conductive layer comprises a plurality of heat dissipating pads (8), each having an area significantly larger than the area of each LED (3), and each LED (3a) is thermally connected to at least one of said pads (8a), and electrically connected in series between two pads (8a, 8b). Through this design, each LED is thermally connected to a relatively large heat dissipating area, and the thermal energy built up in the LED will be distributed over this area, and then dissipated upwards and downwards from this area. As the addressing can be handled by a single conducting layer, the flexibility of the substrate is improved compared to multilayer substrates. By connecting each LED in series between two pads, a very large portion of the conducting layer can be used for the pads, and very little area needs to be occupied by conducting tracks, which otherwise may be a problem with single layer designs.
US08622574B2 LED lamp having light emitting diodes with reduced number of lenses covered thereon
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a light emitting module; a power module for driving the light emitting module; and a housing having an optical part for receiving the light emitting module, an electrical part for receiving the power module. The light emitting module includes a plurality of circuit boards sequentially arranged parallel to each other, a plurality of first LED chips which has lenses covered thereon being mounted on the circuit boards, and a plurality of second LED chips which has no lens covered thereon being mounted also on the circuit boards. The first and the second LED chips are arranged in columns and rows. The second LED chips are located symmetrically in respect to the first LED chips.
US08622572B2 LED illumination system for replacing fluorescent lamps
A lighting assembly including an elongated mounting component with two elongated and angled mounting surfaces, two or more LED-based printed circuit board having a plurality of LEDs on one surface and circuitry on a second surface. The printed circuit boards are fastened to the mounting surfaces, by a plurality of longitudinally-spaced nonconductive fasteners, substantially parallel but elevated above the mounting surfaces. The lighting assembly is configured to be mountable to extend within existing light fixtures such that the LEDs are positioned to provide a light pattern similar to the illumination pattern previously produced by the original fixture.
US08622571B2 LED tube and a lighting fixture arrangement having a safety unit
A LED tube (41) comprises one or more LED components (34) and a current control unit (33) installed therein. Both ends of the LED tube (41) are provided with a contact pin pair (37, 38, 39, 40) for connecting the LED tube mechanically and electrically to tube holders of a fluorescent tube lighting fixture. The LED tube includes a safety unit (42, 43, S1) arranged to prevent a voltage from passing through the LED tube (41) from its one end to the other end thereof until at both ends of the LED tube, a voltage (U1, U2) fed from the corresponding tube holder of the lighting fixture to the contact pin pair (37, 38, 39, 40) has been detected separately.
US08622570B2 Enhanced stroller lighting processes products thereby and accoutrements
Lighting systems for strollers enable users to integrate straight forward and modular lighting elements with eco-friendly practices to produce helpful and useful products whose functionality dictates safety levels consistent with statutory schemes for other wheeled vehicles, assuring visibility to both pedestrians and other street traffic.
US08622569B1 Method, system and apparatus for controlling light distribution using swivel-mount led light sources
An apparatus, method, or system of lighting units comprising a plurality of individually positionable lighting elements, such as one or more LEDs, each element optionally having an associated optic. In embodiments of the present invention, one or more optics are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, method, or system of lighting herein makes it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of inventoried optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns, a small set of individual optics would be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas.
US08622564B2 Portable electronic device with interface
An interface assembly includes a connector housing and a light emitting element. The connector housing defines a opening. The light emitting element is retained to the connector housing and illuminates the opening.
US08622559B2 Mirror support and device to adjust the orientation of a mirror
The present invention relates to a mirror support used in a door mirror vehicle which provides stability and distributes the forces in an uniform way due to two gear knees which are attached to the first ends of two perpendicular arms, a first arm and a second arm setting up a cross and also relates to a device to adjust the orientation of a mirror comprising the clutch mechanism.
US08622557B2 Micromirror array lens with self-tilted micromirrors
A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors. Each self-tilted micromirror comprises a substrate, at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force, a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate, and at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate. The designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the structure of the micro-mechanical elements of the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.
US08622555B2 Security article having a switching feature
A security laminate for authenticating an article and a method for authenticating articles is disclosed. The security laminate includes a transparent binder layer and retroreflective microspheres such that the security laminate exhibits a covert switching effect when exposed to particular conditions.
US08622554B1 Portable weather-resistant unit for video projectors
A portable weather-resistant device is provided for use with a video projector that includes front and back projector windows with interchangeable clear and dark plates, leveling feet, and wheels. The device can be configured to house a weatherproof DVD player, speakers, a radio, ventilation fans, projector mount, projector plate, AC to DC converter, and microphone input.
US08622544B2 Adjustable spectral transmittance curved lens eyewear
Embodiments of the present invention relate to curved eyewear having an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens. The lens is curved in orientation, which aids in reducing eyelash contact while increasing a peripheral field of view for a wearer of the curved eyewear. The electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens, in an embodiment, includes a plurality of zones that may be switched in-phase or out-of-phase with each other depending on an activity being performed. Another embodiment utilizes a shatter-resistant material for constructing the lens. Further embodiments utilize a frame member that includes a curved channel for forming the curved orientation of the lens and for maintaining the lens in a desired position relative to a wearer.
US08622543B2 Curable colored inks for making colored silicone hydrogel lenses
The present invention provides an actinically or thermally curable ink for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The ink of the invention comprises at least one colorant, a solvent and a binder polymer including ethylenically unsaturated groups and segments derived from at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer. The ink of the invention is characterized by having capability to be cured actinically or thermally to form a colored coat on a silicone hydrogel contact lens, wherein the colored coat has good adhesion to the silicone hydrogel contact lens without being covalently attached to the lens material of the contact lens. The invention also provides methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US08622539B2 Two-dimensional absolute position sensor and projection control for a handheld printer
A handheld portable printer includes members and a handle that are joined together to form a generally O-shaped device. The members provide a rigid and strong structure and an area for housing a projector to project an image on the print surface of the image to be printed. The bottom member houses a pair of absolute position sensors spaced apart and aligned upon the longitudinal axis on the bottom of the handheld portable printer. A controller is associated with the absolute position sensors to produce precise position information. The controller uses the precise position information to control the projection of the image to be printed and the printing of pixels by the print head. In one embodiment, the print head is controlled such that each pixel is printed at least twice. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for printing an image with a handheld printer, a method for projecting an image to be printed, and a method for registering a location of a printer and portions of a printed image.
US08622537B2 Solvent for ink, method for producing solvent for ink, ink for inkjet recording, method for producing ink for inkjet recording, ink cartridge, and method for producing ink cartridge
An ink vehicle having a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin produced by suspension polymerization. In the production of the ink vehicle, the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin is partially dissolved in a solvent in a state in which an undissolved gel-like component of the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin is present in the resin. An external force is applied to the solvent containing the gel-like component to dissolve the gel-like component in the solvent.
US08622535B2 Inkjet ink and recording unit
An inkjet ink contains a pigment, a water-soluble resin having a hydrophobic group, an inclusion compound, and water. The water-soluble resin includes a part adsorbed to the pigment and a part not adsorbed to the pigment. The inclusion compound is cyclodextrin or a cyclodextrin derivative. The mass ratio of the part not adsorbed of the water-soluble resin to the inclusion compound is in the range of 0.30 to 9.00.
US08622528B2 Piezoelectric element, liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric element
A first lead electrode containing nickel and chromium contacts a second upper electrode containing titanium. Here, since a difference between the normal electrode potential of nickel and chromium and the normal electrode potential of titanium is smaller than a difference between the normal electrode potential of nickel and chromium and the normal electrode potential of iridium, electric corrosion can be made difficult to occur as compared with the case where the first lead electrode containing nickel and chromium contacts a first upper electrode containing iridium. Therefore, a piezoelectric element can be obtained in which an increase in resistance due to the narrowing of the contact area between an upper electrode and a lead electrode for upper electrode or the separation of the lead electrode for upper electrode can be suppressed and which can be driven by a given voltage.
US08622527B2 Liquid jet head, liquid jet apparatus, and method of manufacturing liquid jet head
A liquid jet head includes a base plurality of pressure chambers which include recesses, respectively, arranged in a front surface of a base. A piezoelectric substrate is joined to upper surfaces of side walls of the recesses and is uniformly polarized in a direction parallel to a substrate surface of the piezoelectric substrate. A pair of a front surface drive electrode and a back surface drive electrode are provided on a front surface of the piezoelectric substrate, which is opposite to the pressure chamber side, and on a back surface of the piezoelectric substrate on the pressure chamber side, respectively, for each chamber and sandwich the piezoelectric substrate therebetween and extend to a side wall of the recess substantially from a center of the open end. A liquid chamber is formed in the base and communicates with the pressure chambers via openings formed in bottom surfaces or side wall surfaces of the recesses, respectively.
US08622521B2 Inkjet printhead having titanium aluminium nitride heater elements
An inkjet printhead has a plurality of nozzles; a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles; and a heater element disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers. The heater element is configured for heating an ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop from the nozzle. The heater element is comprised of titanium aluminum nitride.
US08622518B2 Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes: a first nozzle for ejecting clear ink to form a first dot; and a second nozzle for ejecting color ink to form a second dot, wherein, when forming a color image on a photoluminescent ground layer by means of the second dot, the first dot is formed at an area where the color image does not exist.
US08622514B2 Head cleaning method and head cleaning apparatus
A head cleaning method of wiping and cleaning a nozzle surface of a head with a band-shaped liquid absorbing body by, while pressing and abutting a pressing member on which the liquid absorbing body that travels is wrapped against the nozzle surface of the head, sliding the pressing member over the nozzle surface of the head, includes: a first cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head with a non-wet region of the liquid absorbing body; a wet region forming step of forming a wet region on the liquid absorbing body; and a second cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head with the wet region of the liquid absorbing body.
US08622512B2 Droplet ejection apparatus
A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head which includes a nozzle surface having a non-nozzle forming region and a nozzle forming region of a prescribed width in a prescribed direction, a nozzle row being formed in the nozzle forming region; and a nozzle surface cleaning apparatus which cleans the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head and includes: a wiping device which presses a wiping member having absorbency against the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface with the wiping member by moving the wiping member relatively in the prescribed direction with respect to the nozzle surface; and a sweeping device which sweeps excess liquid from the non-nozzle forming region before the wiping member wipes the nozzle surface, by pressing a sweeping member having elasticity against the non-nozzle forming region and moving the sweeping member relatively in the prescribed direction with respect to the nozzle surface.
US08622510B2 Cap device and liquid jetting apparatus provided with the same
There is provided a cap device including: a cap unit which is tiltable in a plane direction of the jetting surface and which comes into close contact with the jetting surface of the liquid jetting head; a flexible discharge tube of which one end is connected to the cap unit, which communicates with an inner space defined by the cap unit and the jetting surface under a condition that the cap unit comes into close contact with the jetting surface, and through which a liquid in the inner space is discharged; and a fixing mechanism which fixes a portion, of the discharge tube, other than the one end to the cap unit.
US08622507B2 Control method for a fluid ejection device, and a fluid ejection device
A control method for a fluid ejection device and a fluid ejection device reliably eliminate dropped dots while reducing consumption of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles. A fluid ejection device that performs at least one of a cleaning operation that suctions fluid from the nozzles and a wiping operation that wipes the nozzle surface when dropped dots occur determines if an elimination history of removing dropped dots by the wiping operation is stored when dropped dots are detected as a result of testing for dropped dots and determining if dropped dots occur. When a history of eliminating dropped dots by means of a wiping operation is not stored, the fluid ejection device performs the wiping operation. When a history of eliminating dropped dots by means of a wiping operation remains in memory, the cleaning operation is performed without the wiping operation.
US08622506B2 Printing device
A printing device includes: a printing material container that includes first and second short circuit detection terminals, first and second attachment detection terminals; a high voltage power supply that applies a high voltage to the first attachment detection terminal; a short circuit detector that detects a short circuit between at least one of the first and second short circuit detection terminals and at least one of the first and second attachment detection terminals; a high voltage application controller that blocks supply of the high voltage from the high voltage power supply when the short circuit detector detects the short circuit; a resistor element that is arranged between the high voltage power supply and the first attachment detection terminal; and an electrostatic capacitor element that is arranged between the detection node of the short circuit detector and a low-potential-side power supply node.
US08622499B2 Liquid ejection apparatus and ejection control method for same, and inkjet apparatus
A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a circuit control device including switches of which first ends are connected to pressure generating elements; a voltage waveform generating device configured to generate a voltage waveform to be supplied to second ends of the switches; and a switch control device which causes the switches to close and open. The voltage waveform has a waveform such that, when the switch is caused to close and open so that a portion of the voltage waveform is applied to the pressure generating element, a droplet is ejected from a nozzle corresponding to the pressure generating element to which the portion of the voltage waveform has been applied, whereas when a whole of the voltage waveform is applied to the pressure generating element, no droplet is substantially ejected from the nozzle corresponding to the pressure generating element to which the whole of the voltage waveform has been applied.
US08622494B2 Refrigerator shelf assembly
A shelf assembly for use in a refrigerator includes a glass panel having a central region and a perimeter region, with the perimeter region having an upwardly turned spill prevention lip. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip is upwardly turned relative to the central region via a glass forming process. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip includes upwardly turned lip portions at the front, rear, left and right sides of the glass panel. The central region of the glass panel includes a storage portion. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip circumscribes the periphery of the central region to limit spillage of liquid over the sides of the glass panel. The shelf assembly may include a pair of support rails bonded at lower surfaces of the left and right sides of the glass panel and having attachment elements configured to mount the shelf assembly at the refrigerator.
US08622481B2 Fiber optic cable protection in a mining system
A chain link assembly, a cable chain assembly and a mining system. The cable handler individual links may include an enclosed section for the fiber optic cable separate from other services for the machine. A flexible material or other structure may assemble the fiber optic cable in the cable handler in a manner in which it “snakes” about the centerline to provide ample slack in the fiber optic cable to, for example, prevent over tension.
US08622471B2 Vibration seat
A vibration seat (20) comprising a seat body (22), a sitting portion (24) supported by the seat body, and a vibrator (4). The sitting portion (24) is free to vibrate relative to the seat body (22). The vibrator (4) is connected to the sitting portion (24) at a single node (1) and is free to move relative to the seat body (22).
US08622466B2 Front module for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a front module for a motor vehicle, wherein the front module is in one piece and is composed exclusively of plastic.
US08622464B2 Steering support member structure
A structure of a steering support member, which enables the reduction of vehicle interior noise and steering vibration by suppressing the fore-and-aft vibration of the steering support member by means of a C-shaped or U-shaped brace and by increasing the rigidity of the steering support member in the front of the driver seat side, and enables the setting of a vibration mode in accordance with vehicle types by fine adjusting the positions of the brace and a steering bracket and by selecting the rigidity of the brace.
US08622454B2 Mobile structure having sufficient internal structural rigidity to eliminate need for load-bearing perimeter support structures
A mobile structure includes first and second rigid frames and first and second horizontal roof supports supported by the rigid frame. Each of the rigid frames includes a first vertical support, a second vertical support substantially parallel to the first vertical support, and a lateral rigid frame support extending perpendicularly at least from the first vertical support to the second vertical support. The mobile structure further includes a floor under the first and second horizontal roof supports, a wheel-axle assembly under the floor, and leveling assemblies that are extendable away from the floor. Each leveling assembly is in weight-bearing and in-line relationship with respect to one of the vertical supports of the first rigid frame.
US08622451B2 Endeffectors for handling semiconductor wafers
An endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively low temperature is disclosed along with an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively high temperature. Both endeffectors include a base member and uniquely designed support members that are configured to only contact a wafer at the wafer's edge. Further, the support members have an arcuate shape that generally matches a radius of a semiconductor wafer. More specifically, each support member has a curved wafer contact surface that tapers from a maximum radius at a top surface to a minimum radius at a bottom surface. The endeffectors may also include a wafer detection system. The endeffector for handling wafers at relatively low temperatures may also include a pushing device that is used not only to position a wafer but to hold a wafer on the endeffector during acceleration or deceleration of the endeffector caused by a robot arm attached to the endeffector.
US08622450B1 Cam hook truss lift system
An apparatus for efficiently lifting heavy trusses used in constructing buildings requiring a pitched roof. The use of this apparatus reduces the manpower requirement for constructing roofs by providing a J-shape cam-hook-lift-apparatus to latch onto a truss and use the power of a lifting mechanism, such as a crane, to raise and place the roof trusses into a predetermined position. Using this apparatus will reduce the amount of time needed to complete a roof assembly and increase safety for workers.
US08622447B1 Cellular telephone support device
A cellular telephone support device for releasably holding a cellular telephone having a top edge and a bottom edge is provided. The support device comprises a main support member having a first side, a second side, a first edge, and a second edge. A slotted first opening formed in the first edge. A second slotted opening is formed in the second edge. A ring attachment is positioned on the first side. A first clamping member is slidably receivable within the first slotted opening. A second clamping member is slidably receivable within the second slotted opening of the second edge. Upon positioning the cellular telephone against the second side, the first clamping member is slidable against the top edge of the telephone and the second clamping member is slidable against the bottom edge of the telephone thereby releasably securing the telephone between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.
US08622446B2 Bumper for a motor vehicle
A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a crossbeam having a hat profile defined by a bottom wall, legs respectively adjoining the bottom wall, and flanges respectively extending from the legs. The hat profile has sections of varying cross sectional configuration in a longitudinal direction. A face plate closes the hat profile to define a hollow space, with the crossbeam being mountable with the face plate such as to point outwards. An upper one of the legs has a width which is greater than a width of a lower one of the legs in a center section of the crossbeam. The crossbeam has curved ends oriented in a direction of the motor vehicle, and the face plate includes in the center section a stiffening embossment which is oriented into the hollow space defined by the hat profile and the face plate.
US08622444B2 Door latch mechanism
The door latch mechanism independently operated by first and second handles of the door handle assembly comprising a cam member having a cam surface which facilitates translation of movement of the handles to displacement of the cam member. The cam member can be coupled to a latch member and move the latch member between an extended and retracted position. A door lock mechanism can prevent displacement of the second door handle while simultaneously allowing displacement of the first door handle.
US08622443B2 Lost motion cam actuating device
A lost motion cam assembly for a vehicle lock. The assembly includes a lever, pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between locked and unlocked positions. A motor drives a gear mounted to a shaft in the housing. A cam is also rotatably mounted to the shaft, and includes a pair of opposing cam arms. When a cam arm engages a first interaction surface on the lever, the lever actuates. A second interaction surface on the lever stops the cam. The cam is operably connected to the gear by a lost motion connection that defines a range of free travel of the cam relative to the gear. Manually pivoting the lever while one of the pair of cam arms is in contact with the first interaction surface on the lever causes the cam to rotate within the range of free travel.
US08622434B1 Planar identification elements and sheet product sets
A printed sheet product comprises a thin core having a pair of opposing major planar sides. A plurality of sets of variable data fields are printed on at least a first side of the core. One or more of the variable data fields of each set may be printed on the opposing second side of the core. Each set of printed variable data fields includes at least a first data field printed with a numeric code, the numeric code of each variable data field set being different from that of each other set printed on the first side of the core. Each set of variable data fields further includes a second data field printed with either a name and mailing address uniquely associated with a numeric code or with another representation of the numeric code. Where printed, the name and address of each variable data set differs from that of each other variable data set printed on the first side of the core. The sheet product is scored to at least define one removable element containing the first variable data field from each set printed on the sheet product. Where name and address data fields are printed, the sheet product may further be scored to separate the sheet product into individual sheet sections which can be inserted without folding into envelopes for direct mailing of the removable first element to an appropriate recipient.
US08622430B2 Belt buckle
A seat belt buckle (1) with a fastening fitting (2) for mounting in a motor vehicle has a retainer (5) permanently connected to the belt buckle (1) and a bolt (7) through which the retainer (5) is held rotatable with regard to the fastening fitting (2). A spring (6, 8) that impinges upon the belt buckle (1) in a rest position (R), has a supporting portion (65, 85), which restricts the rotational movement of the belt buckle (1) is restricted with regard to the fastening fitting (2).
US08622428B2 Reduced-size vehicle with large internal voids
Various embodiments of reduced-size vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UVs) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the vehicles include frames that are wider near the front and rear sections of the vehicles than within the mid-sections of the vehicles. This, in combination with the use of shock-absorbers that are substantially vertically oriented, allows for the opening-up of large interior cavities within the front and rear sections of the vehicles within which can be positioned large front and rear internal compartments that can provide storage/carrying capacity as well as added buoyancy for the vehicle, among other things. Also, in at least some embodiments, the vehicles can include special cooling and/or exhaust systems having components that are positioned substantially within the mid-sections of the vehicles, thus further increasing the amounts of space available for the cavities/compartments within the front and rear sections of the vehicles.
US08622420B2 Curtain airbag apparatus
A curtain airbag apparatus is provided with a curtain airbag that is embedded, in a folded or rolled state, in an upper edge portion of at least one door opening and deploys into a form of a curtain, the curtain airbag having: a first deployment portion deploying downward by inflating with gas supplied from upon a side collision and rollover of the vehicle; a second deployment portion deploying downward by inflating with gas supplied at least upon a rollover of the vehicle, such that the second deployment portion is located in an area that does not overlap, as viewed laterally, an area in which the first deployment portion is located; and an internal pressure difference creator that makes an internal pressure of the second deployment portion higher than an internal pressure of the first deployment portion at least upon a rollover of the vehicle.
US08622418B2 Method for manufacturing knee airbag cushion
A method for manufacturing a knee airbag cushion includes (a) preparing a panel having first and second panel surface parts and a virtual central line interposed between the first and second panel surface parts and is configured such that a distance from the virtual central line to the first panel surface part is different from a distance from the virtual central line to the second panel surface part, (b) folding the first panel surface part, (c) connecting portions of the first and second panel surface parts to each other, (d) folding an area of the virtual central line in the folding direction, and (e) forming a third sewing line to connect the first panel surface part to the second panel surface part.
US08622416B2 Airbag module
An airbag module for use in a vehicle to provide restraint to an occupant of the vehicle. The module includes a cushion pack having an inflatable airbag cushion configured to inflate to restrain the occupant of the vehicle. An inflator is provided to supply inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion. The module also includes an annular retaining member engaged with the cushion pack to thereby retain a portion of the cushion pack in the airbag module during deployment of the airbag cushion. An annular locking member is connected to the retaining member and to the inflator and is configured to prohibit substantial displacement of the inflator relative to the locking member during deployment of the airbag.
US08622415B2 Convertible transport apparatus
An apparatus (10) for transporting items includes a base (12), a handle element (16) extending from the base (12), a pair of rollers or wheels (20) mounted to the base (12) and a platform (14) mounted to the base (12) and adapted for movement between a stored condition and an operative position. The platform (14) includes first and second leg elements (24) and a platform support (26) connected to the first and second leg elements (24) and extending therebetween. The platform (14) is dimensioned and adapted to carry an object when in the operative position. The platform support (26) may comprise a flexible material such as a fabric material.
US08622413B2 Front tow extended saddle
A front tow extended saddle is disclosed. The saddle allows a first towing truck to mount a second truck, facing forward, behind the first truck, in order to tow the second truck to a distant location. The saddle allows the towed truck to face forward during transport, thus allowing for the normal loads and stresses of movement on the towed truck. This configuration is preferable to movement with the towed truck facing-rearward, in which the typical aerodynamic surfaces of a large truck act as a drag during transport, imposing high wind loads and unusual stresses. The front tow extended saddle is also designed to minimize the required vertical rise on the towed truck, which also avoids additional stresses during loading and unloading onto the towing truck.
US08622401B2 Bit retention device
A bit retention device includes a shaft having a sidewall defining a hexagonal cavity extending from a first end thereof and a ball groove extending through the sidewall and communicating with the hexagonal cavity. A ball is disposed in the ball groove and a ball spring engages the ball and biases the ball toward the first end. An actuator sleeve surrounding the shaft includes an internal ramp engaging the ball. The internal ramp includes a shallow ramp portion having a first angle of inclination with respect to a center axis and a steep ramp portion having a second angle of inclination with respect to said center axis of said shaft that is greater than the first angle of inclination. A spring biased plunger assembly is disposed in the bore for biasing a bit received in the bore in a direction toward the insertion end.
US08622395B2 Games using darts or arrows
The present document describes games using darts or arrows. More particularly, this description relates to targets and accessories used for new games.
US08622394B2 Free-standing action target mechanism for firearm training
A free-standing post supported target mechanism has a support post of a defined cross-sectional geometry. A baseplate defines a post opening receiving the support post and has a first orientation permitting movement of the baseplate along the length of the support post and a second orientation establishing a gripping relation with the support post. A spall plate defines a post opening receiving the support post and has a first orientation permitting movement of the spall plate along the length of the support post and a second orientation establishing a gripping relation of the spall plate with the support post. A target plate engages the baseplate and the spall plate and is secured by a locking member. A target base defines a receptacle receiving and supporting the support post and establishes a weight-forward condition that offsets the rearward forces of bullet impact.
US08622393B2 Trading card game including trading card having a selectively unexposed section
A trading card game (10) includes a first card (212) having only one immovable section (234). The game (10) also includes a second card (314) including a first section (352) and a second section (354). The second section (354) can be slidable relative to the first section (352) so that the second card (314) moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the second section (354) is unexposed to the players. In the second position, the portion of the second section (354) is exposed to the players, and influences the outcome of at least a portion of the game (10).
US08622391B2 Self-contained dice shaker system
The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained dice shaker assembly. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include a container device defining an opening into an interior configured for receipt of one or more dice and a sensor assembly in communication with the container interior. The sensor assembly may be configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of a shaking event.
US08622389B2 Method and device for processing value documents
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing documents of value having a sensor device for checking the documents of value and a transport device by means of which the documents of value are transported along a transport direction past the sensor device. On a side opposing the sensor device there is disposed a guide element for passively guiding the document of value, which is moved as soon as several documents of value are transported at the same time past the sensor device. By the guide element according to the invention, documents of value can be reliably and accurately checked without great effort.
US08622383B2 Paper cassette and image forming apparatus having the same
A paper cassette of an image forming apparatus including: a cassette body containing sheets of paper, and a paper alignment apparatus mounted in the cassette body. The paper alignment apparatus including: an alignment apparatus body having a paper alignment surface contactable with corners of one side of sheets of paper and slidable in a horizontal direction, and a locking unit mounted in the alignment apparatus body and locked into the cassette body. The locking unit is downwardly pressed when being locked and unlocked.
US08622382B2 Printing medium feeding cassette and image forming apparatus including the same
A printing medium feeding cassette usable with an image forming apparatus includes a first casing including a guide member which extends along a sliding direction, and a plurality of coupling parts arranged in a central area of the guide member to be spaced from each other along the sliding direction, a second casing which forms a printing medium containing space in cooperation with the first casing to slide along the guide member, a stopper to reciprocate in a direction transverse to the sliding direction between a coupling position in which the stopper is coupled with any one of the plurality of coupling parts and a releasing position in which the stopper is released from the coupling part, and a releasing member which is coupled with the second casing to move in the sliding direction in connection with the second casing and is moved by an external force applied thereto in the sliding direction to allow the stopper to move to the releasing position from the coupling position.
US08622381B2 Sheet supply apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a supply tray and a supply unit. The supply unit includes a supporting shaft, an arm configured to pivot around the supporting shaft, and, a first roller and a second roller which are provided in the arm. The first and second rollers are pressedly contacted with a sheet placed on the supply tray. The supply tray is provided with a contact portion. The contact portion includes a first contact portion facing to the first roller and second rollers, and a second contact portion disposed in an upstream side of the first contact portion in the supply direction. A friction coefficient of the second contact portion is smaller than that of the first contact portion. When the first and second rollers rotatingly moves on the sheet, a friction force is applied by the second contact portion to the sheet.
US08622373B2 Bearing for structures
A bearing (1) comprising a block (10) of flexible material, having two end surfaces (11, 12); and a first fixture element (20) and a second fixture element (30) connected at each of the end surfaces (11, 12); wherein at least one rotational damping device (40) is arranged between the first and second fixture elements (20, 30), the bearing thus providing high dampening between structural parts of a structure, such as buildings, bridges, elevated highways, and mechanical systems (machinery).
US08622370B1 Aerator air distribution manifold
The aerator air distribution manifold has a central plenum disposed at the lower end of a concentric rigid downpipe or duct, and a radial array of diffuser tubes extending from the plenum. Since the aerators are buoyant, the aeration tubes are deployed at a constant, uniform depth below the surface of the water at all times, regardless of the water level. All of the aerator manifolds receive their air supply from a remotely disposed air source. The air source may be based on shore, or may be based upon a ship or other floating vessel. A flexible air supply line or hose extends from the air supply to each of the buoyant aerators, the hose being supported by one or more rigid columns or poles anchored into the bottom of the body of water in which the aerators are placed.
US08622369B2 Floor jack having integrated tool kit
A floor jack is provided having an integrated tool kit. The floor jack includes a jack body and a tool kit assembly disposed on the jack body for housing tools. The tool kit includes a storage housing pivotally coupled to an exterior side of a sidewall of the jack body. The storage housing defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure tools, such as a socket wrench and a plurality of sockets such that they are exposed and readily assessable for use.
US08622368B2 Flap transfer valve with pivotable valve closure beam
A flap transfer valve is disclosed for the transfer of semiconductor elements or substrates into a semiconductor or substrate processing process chamber having an elongated first opening, which is surrounded in the form of a frame by a first sealing surface on a first sealing plane, and an elongated valve closure beam, having a second sealing surface which corresponds to the first sealing surface, can be brought into gas-tight contact with it, and is located on a second sealing plane. A support is arranged on the rear face of the valve closure beam, which is arranged such that it can pivot through a limited pivoting angle about a tilting axis. The support together with the valve closure beam can pivot about a pivoting axis, which lies on the first sealing plane, and the tilting axis lies on the second sealing plane.
US08622367B2 Low friction live-loaded packing
A valve packing assembly for a control valve includes a seal assembly, a loading assembly, and a packing retainer. The seal assembly has a seal component to provide a fluid seal around a valve stem and an anti-extrusion component to substantially prevent extrusion of the seal component about the valve stem. The loading assembly is configured to advantageously provide a predetermined packing stress to the seal assembly that is in the same direction as a process stress applied to the seal assembly by a process fluid, thereby substantially reducing packing friction and packing wear in the control valve assembly.
US08622360B2 Mounting apparatus for data storage device
A mounting apparatus for mounting a number of data storage devices includes a supporting member, a connecting plate, and a number of partitioning members perpendicularly connected between the supporting member and the connecting plate. Each data storage device is sandwiched between two neighboring partitioning members. The supporting member defines a number of first latching holes. The connecting plate defines a number of second latching holes. Each partitioning member includes a partitioning plate, a first hook extending from a first end of the partitioning member, and a second hook extending out from a second end of the partitioning member. The first hook is detachably latched in the corresponding first latching hole. The second hook is detachably latched in the corresponding second latching hole.
US08622358B2 Mounting structure of computer
An exemplary mounting structure is adapted for supporting an apparatus of a computer. The mounting structure includes a securing bracket and a connecting bracket. The connecting bracket is mounted on the securing bracket and is slidable along a first axis relative to the securing bracket. The connecting bracket is adapted for supporting the apparatus thereon. The apparatus is slidable along a second axis relative to the connecting bracket.
US08622354B2 Display
A display includes: a display section; and a supporting section including a post and a base and supporting the display section. The post includes: a tubular upper post extending in a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane; a tubular lower post separated from the upper post at a separating plane tilted with respect to the horizontal plane and having a variable mounting angle with respect to the upper post by rotating around a central line of the upper post on the separating plane; and a tilt mechanism disposed on a side opposite to the separating plane of the upper post and changing a tilt angle in an elevation direction of the display section. A tilt angle α with respect to the horizontal plane of the separating plane satisfies α=45°−(θ/2), where θ is a maximum tilt angle of the display section by the tilt mechanism.
US08622345B2 Passenger seat system incorporating a multi-functional furniture unit, and an aircraft comprising such a system
A passenger seat system including a plurality of seat modules, in which each seat module may be configured to form a more or less flat bed. The seat modules are arranged side by side in longitudinally offset relative positions, and each seat module is configured to form a bed from a convertible seat and a fixed footrest. The footrest is integrated into a box structure, which includes an upper surface arranged as a fixed shelf for the passenger in the adjacent seat module.
US08622339B2 Mass flow increase at takeoff in supersonic airliner
In a supersonic aircraft, turbojet engine nacelles each containing two remote fans in the front half of the nacelle, for noise reduction at takeoff. During supersonic flight, a front wedge at the nacelle nose achieves external compression of intake air. The wedge is vertical, sending the airflow left and right inside the nacelle along its side walls. The two flows follow mirror image curved paths on their way to a turbojet, leaving unused space between them to house the fans in tandem. For takeoff, clutches connected to the turbojets's compressors are engaged. Driveshafts turn pinions against a gear on the same shaft as the remote fans. The fan output is discharged backward under the nacelle to produce thrust. The energy to turn the fans is taken from the turbojet cycle. The reduced exhaust jet velocity decreases its noise. Supercharging produces the extra power to turn the remote fans if multistage.
US08622338B2 Lighter-than-air systems, methods, and kits for obtaining aerial images
Lighter-than-air systems, methods, and kits for obtaining aerial images are described. For example, various methods for determining planned ascent, drift, and/or descent of a lighter-than-air system are described. In addition, various structural arrangements of lighter-than-air systems for accomplishing planned ascent, drift, and/or descent and obtaining aerial images are described.
US08622336B2 Stabilizer
A rotary aircraft which carries a hanging sling load on at least one support cable, benefits from a stabilizer which generates control signals R to be applied or modulated onto the flight control of the aircraft. At least one sling load pendulum motion detecting unit provides the stabilizer with data on the pendulum motion of the sling load. Additionally, the stabilizer is set up with a working range determination unit S3 for determining the space where free movement is possible in which the rotary aircraft with sling load can move without collision. The stabilizer generates control signals R in dependency of the determined pendulum motion of the sling load and the determined working range.
US08622327B2 Loosefill blowing machine having offset guide shells and vertical feed
A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the loosefill insulation. A lower unit is associated with the chute and includes a shredder configured to shred the loosefill insulation and an agitator configured to finely condition the loosefill insulation. The lower unit includes a shredder guide shell positioned partially around the shredder and an agitator guide shell positioned partially around the agitator. A discharge mechanism is positioned in the lower unit. The discharge mechanism has a top inlet positioned below the agitator such that loosefill insulation exiting the agitator is allowed to fall in a substantially vertical direction from the agitator into the top inlet of the discharge mechanism. The position of the shredder guide shell at a passageway is offset in a vertical direction from the position of the agitator guide shell at the passageway.
US08622325B2 Process for producing granules
The present invention relates to a process for the production of granules from a liquid composition with a decreased dust production, the process steps are as follows: applying the liquid composition onto solid particles that are kept in a continuous movement by a gas stream in a granulation zone of an oblong granulator, thereby depositing and solidifying liquid composition around the solid particles to increase the size of the particles and thereby form grown solid particles; discharging a stream of the grown solid particles from the granulation zone, dividing, in a size-sorting apparatus, the stream of grown solid particles into individual streams based on the size of the grown solid particles to thereby produce streams of undersized, oversized, and desired-sized grown solid particles; transferring the stream of oversized grown solid particles to a size-reducing apparatus; crushing the stream of oversized grown solid particles in the size-reducing apparatus, thereby reducing the particle size of the oversized grown solid particles and thereby producing a stream of crushed solid particles wherein that stream of crushed solid particles is introduced in the granulator at a place below the place where the gas stream leaves the granulator.
US08622324B2 VOC-less electrostatic fluid dispensing apparatus
Systems and methods for rapidly atomizing and dispensing electrostatically atomized insecticides and similar low electrical conductivity active materials without the use of VOCs. The active materials are dispensed via insertion of a disposable cartridge in a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus is hand actuated and the exhausted cartridge is minimized to the size of a wad of chewing gum and it is doubly sealed to prevent any residual active material from leaking into the environment. Spray flow and configuration may be user selectable.
US08622323B2 Filtering apparatus for inlet fluid into a pressure chamber of a sprayer
A backpack sprayer having a tank with a filling opening at the top thereof and a pressure chamber therein is provided with filtering apparatus for preventing particles in the fluid in the tank from entering an inlet port of the pressure chamber when suction generated by a pump causes fluid in the tank to flow through the inlet port into the pressure chamber. Pressurized fluid can flow through an outlet port from the pressure chamber to a nozzle, via a hose in communication with the outlet port. The filtering apparatus is provided by a filter in a frame removably captured in a fixture projecting outwardly from the outside of the pressure chamber on opposite sides of the inlet port. A handle extends from the frame upwardly along the outside of the pressure chamber a sufficient distance to be accessed manually by an operator through the filling opening of the tank.
US08622321B2 Apparatus for preserving and serving by-the-glass wine, or other liquid that can be affected by oxygen
Device (100) for preserving and serving, from a bottle, by-the-glass liquid that can be affected by oxygen such as wine, by pumping pressurized inert gas in a bottle (40′). The device comprises a coupling portion (10) adapted to couple with a pressurized gas supply, a central body (20), and a fastening portion (30) to the bottle (40′), in particular, to a bottle neck (40). The central body (20) provides an inlet duct (21) of the pressurized gas, associated with an inlet valve (24), and a delivery duct (22) of the liquid, associated with a delivery valve (25), which draws the liquid from the bottle (40′) and brings it to a delivery mouth (23). In particular at least one among the inlet valve (24) and the delivery valve (25) is a pilot valve, which is piloted by the pressure of the inert gas. Furthermore, a pilot channel (26), (29) is provided communicating with a pilot port (27), (28) present in the coupling portion (10) and communicating with the pilot valve.
US08622318B1 Integral elastomeric covered body cap for irrigation sprinkler
A sprinkler has a hollow outer case and a riser vertically reciprocable within the outer case through an upper end thereof. A nozzle is mounted at an upper end of the riser. A body cap fits over the upper end of the outer case and retains the riser. The body cap has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical ribs that connect a reduced diameter upper portion of the body cap with an enlarged lower portion of the body cap. An elastomeric cover extends over at least the reduced diameter upper portion of the body cap and at least a portion of the ribs.
US08622315B2 Fluid injector having a reed valve
With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a fuel injector (19) comprising a reed valve (35). The reed valve has at least one orifice and at least one reed valve blade, the or each reed valve blade having a valve head attached to at least one resilient spring arm. The or each valve head opens and closes a respective orifice in the valve seat. A support surrounds the reed valve blade(s). Each spring arm extending inwardly from the support. Each spring arm is curved.
US08622310B2 Token comprising improved physical unclonable function
The invention relates to a token, to an integrated circuit comprising the token, to a method of randomizing the token and a system for randomizing the token. The token comprises a physical unclonable function and comprising probing means for probing the physical unclonable function. The physical unclonable function comprises a capacitor comprising a dielectric medium being arranged at least partially between the electrodes of the capacitor. The dielectric medium is configured for contributing to a capacitance value of the capacitor and comprises conducting particles substantially randomly dispersed in the dielectric medium. The conducting particles comprise a phase changeable material being changeable between a first structural state having a first conductivity and a second structural state having a second conductivity different from the first conductivity.
US08622307B2 Identification system and applications
The invention relates to an identification system, comprising an information carrier or a group of such information carriers, which allow a clear association of information. The invention further relates to the use of said information carriers, and to a device for reading said information carriers, wherein the information carriers are associated with a random action of a data processing system by way of the structured information layer thereof or can trigger such action. The invention furthermore relates to information carriers for access control systems, payment systems, ticket systems, and marketing application. According to the invention, overlaps of the information layer can be provided by applying additional layers, which achieve several advantages according to the invention, such as optically rendering the information layer unrecognizable, and resulting increased safety of the information carrier against manipulation. In addition, the information layers can be applied in an absolutely level and thin manner onto the carrier material, which enables unlimited further processing.
US08622298B2 Loading system and method for loading a cargo hold of an aircraft
A loading system for loading a cargo hold (2) of an aircraft (1), containers, pallets or like ULDs (20) for accommodating freight being introduced into the cargo hold through an access opening, being transported by means of a transport device (60) and being fastened in transport positions. With the ULDs are identification devices (30), e.g. RFID transponders, which identification devices have storage devices for storing first data, especially identification data. The system comprises at least one first reading device (40) for reading the first data of a ULD introduced into the cargo hold, and at least one first transmitter device (50) for transmitting the first data to at least one first recipient (11).
US08622297B1 Card reader anti-skimming assembly and method
An anti-skimming assembly for a card reader device includes, for example, a displacement bar mountable on a front plate of a card reader device proximate a card entry opening formed in the front plate, which displacement bar has first and second legs. The displacement bar is mountable on the front plate with the first leg aligned with an internal read head inside the card entry opening of the card reader device. An infrangible fastener is connectible to the first leg through a first fastener opening formed in the front plate, and a non-conductive frangible or breakable fastener is connectible to the second leg through a second fastener opening formed in the front plate. In addition, first and second electrically conductive leads are carried by the non-conductive frangible fastener electrically connected to one another via an electrically conductive spring and connectible to an alarm circuit.
US08622295B2 Unit of a media depository
A unit of a media depository is described. The unit comprises: a body adapted to be supported by at least one support member of the depository in a working position and further adapted to be slidably moveable on the at least one supporting member between the working position and a pivot position; a first hinge member adapted to be movably mounted on the at least one support member; and, a second hinge member attached to or integral with the body. When the body is moved from the working position to the pivot position, the first and second hinge members engage such that the first hinge member is forced by the second hinge member to move with the body to the pivot position at which the first and second hinge members form a pivoting mechanism by which the body is pivotally attached to the at least one support member.
US08622293B2 Label issuing device and label issuing method
A label issuing device includes an imaging portion, an image output portion that outputs images captured by the imaging portion, an object recognition portion that recognizes a specific object by reading a feature amount of the output images, an information reading portion that reads information for the recognized object from a file storing information related to the object, and a label issuing portion that prints the read information for the object on a label and issues the label.
US08622291B2 Stored-value card management method and system
A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.
US08622289B2 Method and apparatus for credit card tracking at pay stations
An enhancement to a pay station where subscribers can track usage of credit cards or groups of credit cards at parking and other facilities. The subscriber provides a key that can be used with a predetermined hash or encryption algorithm to hash or encrypt every credit card number that enters the system. A database of the coded results for a set of pre-registered credit cards belonging to that subscriber is maintained in the pay station database. Whenever an incoming credit card's coded output matches one of the coded results on the pre-registered list, a log entry can be made in a usage log. The subscriber generally has a list of the coded outputs for each of their pre-registered cards. The subscriber can thus track usage of any of these cards.
US08622288B2 Money handling system
A money handling system includes a money handling machine that has a money storage unit for storing money, and a money recycling unit for temporarily storing money taken from the exterior of the money handling machine after the money is recognized. The money recycling unit is adapted to feed the money temporarily stored therein to the money storage unit and/or to dispense the temporarily stored money to the exterior of the money handling machine. A wrapped-coin dispensing unit for storing wrapped coins and for dispensing the wrapped coins to the exterior of the money handling machine is also provided. Finally, a central control unit communicates with various components of the money handing machine, while being isolated therefrom.
US08622287B2 Methods of establishing credit
A method for enhancing credit of a cardholder of a pre-paid card may include issuing a pre-paid card to a cardholder. The cardholder may be charged a fee to establish a credit instrument associated with an account and the pre-paid card. The cardholder may be billed a portion of the credit instrument that includes the fee on a periodic basis, where the billing may be independent of billing for purchases of goods and services with the pre-paid card. A determination as to whether the cardholder timely paid the bill. If the cardholder timely paid the bill, then the payment may be recorded as being timely paid. Otherwise, a recording may be made that the bill was not timely paid. A reporting as to the timeliness of the payment may be made to affect a credit score of the cardholder.
US08622285B2 Context based scanning and reading systems and methods
Context based scanning and reading systems and methods are provided with an end-to-end framework for receiving information and performing a plurality of different actions based thereon. An end-to-end framework includes one of scanning and reading an item to obtain a first set of information based thereon, presenting the first set of information in context, obtaining a plurality of actions in context based on the first set of information in context, and selecting one of the plurality of actions in context based on criteria. A system includes at least one readable device associated with an item, at least one mobile device configured to scan the at least one readable device, and an end-to-end framework operable on the at least one mobile device to obtain information from the at least one readable device and present the information and associated actions based on a context.
US08622283B2 Remote control apparatus and communication system
A remote control apparatus for communicating with an electric apparatus by radio communication is provided. The remote control apparatus includes a reader/writer for carrying out reading out and writing of information from and into an information recording medium; a transmission/reception section configured to transfer a signal to and from the electric apparatus by the radio communication; and a control section having a power control function for controlling the power of the reader/writer; the control section controlling the reader/writer to the low power consumption state when the power supply to the remote control apparatus is made available.
US08622281B2 Tamper-evident dispensing spout
A tamper-evident dispensing spout is configured for use on single-serve cartons, such as paper-based gable-topped cartons. The spout structure includes a spout body having a generally cylindrical wall portion, and a mounting flange extending outwardly from one end of the wall portion. The spout body defines a dispensing opening generally opposite the flange portion, with an opening member hingedly mounted on the spout body for movement from a first, sealed position, to a second, opened position for consumption of the container's contents. The opening member preferably includes a locking element so that the opening member is conveniently retained in its opened position during use.
US08622272B2 Setting tool
A setting tool for driving fastening element in constructional components includes a setting mechanism having a combustion chamber (111) for generating expanding gases, a piston guide (117) adjoining the combustion chamber (111), a bolt guide (116) adjoining the piston guide (117) in the setting direction (140), and a drive piston (10) displaceable in the piston guide (117). The piston includes a piston head (11) and a piston body (12) connectable along an interface (13) with the piston head (11), the piston head (11) and the piston body (12) having, respectively, in an interface region, at least one stop surface (14) and at least one counter-stop surface (15) formed by surfaces defining essentially complementary tapering regions.
US08622269B2 Handgun holster for concealed carry
A holster for concealed handgun carry that relies on the façade of a cell phone or cell phone case, and which relies on actuated hinges for securing moveable panels. Spring loaded hinges may be used for providing opening of the hinged panels of the holster, providing access by the wearer to the handgun contained within the holster. Latching of a closed configuration may be accomplished by a snap, hook and loop fasteners and magnetic fasteners. Access to a handgun contained within the holster may be accomplished with minimal movement of an arm, hand or finger.
US08622263B2 Backpack structure having lifesaving function
A backpack structure having a lifesaving function is made of material capable of floating on water. Connection straps are provided on each end surface of the backpack, which can be buckled with connection straps of another backpack and which can be buckled with connection straps of a water bag filled with air inside. The backpack structure enables users to cross rivers more safely, so as to increase survival possibility in the field, and also to carry personnel, goods or conduct emergency relief on water.
US08622261B2 Molten metal supply cylinder, molten metal supply apparatus incorporating such a supply cylinder and molten metal supply method
A molten metal supply cylinder for melting a low melting point metallic material in a solid phase and supplying the molten metal material, including a melting section to be directly or indirectly brought into contact with a low melting point metallic material to produce molten metal, and a substantially tubular flow path that has a first opening formed at an end thereof in the melting section and a second opening at the other end thereof and allows the molten metal produced in the melting section to flow. An oxide of the surface layer of the low melting point metallic material is removed by an oxide removing section before the low melting point metallic material is molten in the melting section.
US08622247B2 Light up liquid projection device and method thereof
A light up projection device with a housing and an actuator. The housing has a cavity reservoir for storing a liquid, a front end with an aperture, and a rear end with an opening. The actuator has a handle portion and a plunger portion extending therefrom. The plunger portion encloses the opening of the rear end of the cavity reservoir and interacts with the cavity reservoir to vary the volume of the cavity reservoir. A light source disposed within the actuator illuminates the actuator, the cavity reservoir and/or the liquid being projected from the device. The light source is off when the handle portion abuts the housing. The light source is on when the handle portion is pulled away from the housing, such as when liquid is being drawn into the cavity reservoir or when liquid is being projected from the cavity reservoir through the aperture.
US08622246B2 Fluid reservoir docking station
A fluid dispensing system may include a fluid outlet connected to a flexible fluid reservoir and a docking station configured to receive the fluid outlet and align the fluid outlet. In some examples, a fluid pump that defines a driveshaft aperture that is connected to the fluid outlet. In some additional examples, a drive motor is attached to the docking station that includes a driveshaft for driving the fluid pump. The docking station may align the fluid outlet so that the driveshaft aperture defined by the fluid pump is co-axially aligned with the driveshaft. This may allow an operator to efficiently take an empty reservoir out of service and replace it with a new reservoir full of fluid.
US08622245B2 Sealing condition of multiple-container, in particular double-tube, packages designed for instant preparation
A double dispensing container including an outer container and an inner container, each container including a body and a head provided with a neck and a shoulder linking the neck to the body, the neck having a side wall and one or more dispensing orifices, the neck of the inner container being housed inside the neck of the outer container and having a section such that it provides one of more outflow passages for a pasty product A and, in combination with the inner surface of the outer container neck, one or more outflow passages for a pasty product B emerging onto a single or multiple orifice dispensing the product B. The inner neck is extended by a summit portion which is linked to the inner neck via a thin annular zone and which closes the single or multiple orifice dispensing product A.
US08622239B2 Rib and gasket arrangement for a can
Improvement in a can of the type which comprises: a body portion; a neck portion of reduced contour and having an upper end edge provided with an outer peripheral projection and defining the contour of an upper opening; a transition portion joining the body portion and the neck portion; and a lid having a peripheral tubular portion to be fitted in the interior of the upper opening of the neck portion and having a free upper edge carrying an outer circumferential rib under which is applied an annular gasket to be seated onto the upper outer edge of the neck portion upon the fitting of the lid in the upper opening. The transition portion may externally incorporate, in a single piece, a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal ribs joining the transition portion to an adjacent lower region of the neck portion.
US08622237B2 Drink bottles with bite-actuated mouthpieces
Drink bottles, or containers, with bite-actuated mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the mouthpieces are self-sealing mouthpieces that are biased to return from a dispensing configuration to a closed configuration. The bottles may be rigid or collapsible and may include a removable cap assembly. In some embodiments, the bottles include a manual on/off valve adapted to prevent drink fluid from being dispensed regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the bottles include a straw extending into the bottle and/or a drink tube extending from external of the bottle and/or an air return system. In some embodiments, the bottles include a dispensing spout that is pivotally coupled to the cap of the drink bottle. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the bottle regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration.
US08622233B2 Packaging container
A packaging container includes an outer container having a containing space and a passage opening, and a packaging bag for containing an object. The packaging bag includes a containing portion, an opening portion, and a handle portion. The handle portion includes strip-like members each connected to the containing portion at two connection portions. The handle portion has a length equal to or larger than half a length of the object along the passage opening when the handle portion is extended in a direction along the passage opening. When the handle portion is extended in a direction through the passage opening, the handle portion has a length with which the handle portion is allowed to protrude away from a surface of the object adjacent to the passage opening toward the passage opening and the connection portions are located at positions separated away from the surface toward the passage opening.
US08622232B2 Method of making a container employing inner liner and vents for thermal insulation
The present invention provides a container suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film. Upon activation the container provides excellent insulation. Methods of making the container are also provided.
US08622227B2 Merchandise security system
A merchandising system includes a support adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure and a tile mounted to the support. The tile extends away from the support so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The tile includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion and selectively slidable in relation to the first portion to change a size of the tile. A protrusion extends from the first portion. The protrusion is connected to the support to enable a movement of the tile in relation to the support thereby allowing selective access to any desired portion of at least one of the first and second associated merchandising structures. The tile front face can include a cut out section or a slot.
US08622219B2 Screening mat for vibrating screen devices
A screening media for use in vibrating screen devices that fractionize crushed stones or gravel. The screening media is made by extruding a fiber-reinforced rubber or polymeric material to form a strip in a length longer than that needed to make individual screening mats for use in the vibrating screen devices. Screening apertures are then punched in the strip, and the apertured strip is cut into individual mats. The extruded strip includes side portions configured to connect to support structures of the vibrating device. Prior to the cutting step, the apertured strip can be maintained in the form of a coil or a long-length element.
US08622215B2 Device for collection, storage, retrieval and shipping of hair follicles from animals
The present invention relates to a novel device for the collection, storage, shipping and retrieval of hair follicles from animals for the purpose of isolating DNA or other genetic material from the follicles for analysis. The device has outer flaps for the protection as well as identification of the samples and an inner part where samples are placed. The inner device has thicker base and a clear plastic cover, the easy peel back of which is facilitated by a) low tack adhesives that hold the two together and b) a touch cut on one end, through the base sheet which creates a grip. This makes the device convenient and easy to use, and yet a robust collection device for hair follicles from animals in a farm or real-life situation. Hair follicles can be punched out through the inner device for direct DNA isolation and analysis.
US08622208B2 Reinforced cup
A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US08622206B2 Peel-to-open packages
Improved peel-to-open packages including sachets, pouches, and the like are disclosed. The packages are made of substrate layers removably adhered together using an adhesive pattern of seal(s) that are characterized by peel forces. The adhesive pattern is designed to provide for controlled opening of the packages, in some embodiments to a predetermined stopping point, such that any product(s) contained therein are presented to the consumer for removal. Further design features include, but are not limited to, offset tabs, textures, color variations and text, which may further provide for easy, intuitive opening.
US08622204B2 Jewelry display stand
A jewelry display stand having a main body portion simulating the neck and upper torso of a person. A necklace can be draped over the front of the main body portion, which is hollow on the interior, so that the end of the necklace can either be inserted into an opening in the back of the main body portion communicating with the interior thereof, or hooked under a tab on the back of the main body portion. A retractable panel is provided on the back of the main body portion for supporting the same in an upright position.
US08622202B2 Apparatus and method for selectively actuating moving conveyor rollers
A conveyor having selectively actuated rollers whose only external contact is with conveyed articles and a method for rotating such rollers. In one version, the rollers are driven by motors that are selectively energized by a wireless signal or a sensed conveyor position. In another version, the rollers are geared to a drive wheel that engages a bearing surface underlying the conveyor along the conveying path. The rollers are selectively actuated to push conveyed articles along the conveyor as it advances.
US08622201B2 Device for transporting objects
A device for transporting objects having a first conveyor and a second conveyor which are guided via a coiled or spiraling conveyor line at least regionally parallel and at a horizontal distance to one another. The device contains a transfer unit, which can be moved in the gap between the conveyors with the aid of a travel drive, for transferring objects between the first and the second conveyor. The transfer unit supports a third conveyor, which can be driven via a conveyor drive independently of the first and second conveyors.
US08622197B2 Rotary spacing apparatus
A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.
US08622195B2 Permanent magnet air heater
A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
US08622194B2 Material handling apparatus for delivering or retrieving items
A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
US08622193B2 Bidirectional moving walkway
A bidirectional moving walkway with a tightening system for tightening the band of pallets of the walkway includes two tightening units (6, 6′) arranged at each end of the moving walkway and each including a locking system for locking the movable frame (7) of each end tightening unit (6, 6′). Two drive units (3, 3′) are each arranged at either end of the moving walkway. The locking system of each tightening unit (6, 6′) of either end of the walkway is configured for locking the operation of the tightening unit (6, 6′) when the drive unit (3, 3′) of its same end is operated, such that the moving walkway always works with the tightening unit operated by the passenger entrance end and locked by the passenger exit end.
US08622191B2 Detection device
A device for sensing predetermined characteristics of an object such as a coin or a token in order to determine its validity or genuineness and in some cases its denomination, the device including a combination of optical and electromagnetic sensors which operate together along a coin path and capable to analyze the coin or token in different positions so that if there are multiple holes or rings of transparent material they can be sensed and used to determine the coin or token's validity and denomination.
US08622190B2 Coin sensor
A coin tester includes a coin sensor which outputs a measurement signal which is influenced by the presence of a coin. A memory device stores an impedence model of the coin sensor and the model representing an expected influence of a coin configuration model on the measurement signal. A processor computes and applies acceptance criteria to determine whether the coin falls within a predetermined coin configuration.
US08622189B2 Banknote recognition and counting machine and money counting method
In a banknote recognition and counting machine (10), information concerning a count result on coins is inputted through an input unit (32, 53), and then the information concerning the count result on the coins inputted through the input unit (32, 53) is sent to a control unit (50). Thereafter, information concerning a count result on one or more banknotes counted by a recognition and counting unit (24) and the information concerning the count result on the coins inputted through the input unit are outputted, through an output unit (32p, 34, 52, 38).
US08622186B2 Method of operation of a selectable one way clutch selection mechanism
Apparatus for controlling a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) in an automatic transmission includes a ring-shaped control housing located substantially concentrically to the SOWC, and an actuation mechanism included within the ring-shaped control housing and effective to actuate a selector plate engaged with the SOWC from a default position to an actuation position. The selector plate is located between the ring-shaped control housing and the SOWC. A hydraulic fluid delivery system hydraulically communicates with the actuation mechanism to control the actuation of the actuation mechanism.
US08622174B2 Escape devices for high-rise buildings
An escape device for high-rise buildings includes an escape capsule, a speedup gear mounted to the escape capsule, a track provided with a rack with which the speedup gear is engaged so that the escape capsule can move along the track, and a damper including a rotor. The speedup gear in operation drives the rotor into rotation and the damper is capable of converting a portion of kinetic energy of the escape capsule to the electric energy. The escape device can be braked at any position at a building.
US08622173B2 Convertible deck deployment system, and method for transferring personnel between spaced elevations
A deck deployment system is adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between spaced elevations. The deck deployment system includes a deck defining a substantially flat and continuous deck surface for supporting personnel. A convertible stairway is hinged to the deck and adapted for movement between a stowed condition and a deployed condition. The convertible stairway includes an adjustable frame assembly and a series of articulating horizontally-disposed foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The foot treads remain substantially horizontal upon movement of the stairway between the stowed condition and the deployed condition. When the stairway is in the stowed condition, the foot treads integrate with the deck to form a substantially flat and continuous portion of the deck surface. When the stairway is in the deployed condition, the foot treads cooperate to form steps extending from the deck to an elevation spaced from the deck surface.
US08622169B2 Sound-insulating and vibration-isolating rubber pad and method for installing a sound-insulating and vibration-isolating floor using same
The present invention relates to a sound-insulating and vibration-isolating rubber pad and a method for installing a sound-insulating and vibration-isolating floor using same in which lower pad protrusions can be inserted into a plurality of insertion holes formed in a lower water-proof plywood because the lower pad protrusions are formed in the center of an upper surface of a lower pad body of a sound-insulating and vibration-isolating rubber pad, so that the lower water-proof plywood and an upper pad are integrally connected above a lower pad, and a vibration-isolating function may be achieved in a stable manner because the lower pad, the lower water-proof plywood, and the upper pad are integrally connected, thereby providing a sound-insulating effect that can remarkably reduce inter-floor noise.
US08622158B2 Modular transport apparatus
A transport apparatus for use in modular construction, specifically a dual-deck hydraulic apparatus that, while carrying a payload, can detect topology changes and adjust accordingly to keep the payload in substantially the same position. The apparatus can efficiently transport modular building components while preventing torsion and other damage. The apparatus can also adapt to off-load modules to foundations or multi-story heights.
US08622157B1 Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutting element having multiple catalytic elements
A polycrystalline diamond compact useful for wear, cutting, drilling, drawing and like applications is provided with a first diamond region remote from the working surface which has a metallic catalyzing material and a second diamond region adjacent to or including the working surface containing a non-metallic catalyst and the method of making such a compact is provided. This compact is particularly useful in high temperature operations, such as hard rock drilling because of the improved thermal stability at the working surface.
US08622155B2 Pointed diamond working ends on a shear bit
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill string has a drill bit with a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The working face has a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the working face. At least one blade has a cutting element with a carbide substrate bonded to a diamond working end with a pointed geometry. The diamond working end also has a central axis which intersects an apex of the pointed geometry. The axis is oriented between a 25 and 85 degree positive rake angle.
US08622154B2 Diamond bonded construction with thermally stable region
Diamond bonded constructions comprise a polycrystalline diamond body having a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond grains and a plurality of interstitial regions between the diamond grains including a catalyst material used to form the diamond body disposed within the interstitial regions. A sintered thermally stable diamond element is disposed within and bonded to the diamond body, and is configured and positioned to form part of a working surface. The thermally stable diamond element is bonded to the polycrystalline diamond body, and a substrate is bonded to the polycrystalline diamond body. The thermally stable diamond element comprises a plurality of bonded-together diamond grains and interstitial regions, wherein the interstitial regions are substantially free of a catalyst material used to make or sinter the thermally stable diamond element. A barrier material may be disposed over or infiltrated into one or more surfaces of the thermally stable diamond element.
US08622151B2 Feed cable system for a tower of a drilling machine
A drilling machine includes a feed cable system which operatively couples a rotary head to a tower. The feed cable system includes first and second pull up cables and an equalizer bar, wherein the equalizer bar is coupled to the first and second pull up cables. The equalizer bar drives the rotary head to be held in a level position so that it is restricted from tilting. The drilling machine includes a slack take up device which couples the equalizer bar to the tower. The slack take up device is repeatably moveable between extended and retracted conditions.
US08622150B2 Boring tool tracking fundamentally based on drill string length, pitch and roll
A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.
US08622148B2 Power tool
A hand-operated power tool, particularly a hammer drill (1), includes a drive motor (2), a tool spindle (3) to drive a tool in rotary manner, a rotary drive transmission (4) to couple the drive motor (2) to the tool spindle (3), a hammer mechanism (5) to drive the tool in percussive manner, a hammer mechanism transmission (6) to couple the drive motor (2) to the hammer mechanism (5), and a switching device (7) to activate and deactivate the hammer mechanism (5). The switching device (7) has a clutch (9) that is integrated in a force path (10) of the hammer mechanism transmission (6) and has an actuation stroke (11) for advancing and withdrawing the clutch (6), which stroke extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (8) of the tool spindle (3), or parallel to an axis of rotation (37) of an actuating element (28) that is rotated manually to actuate the switching device (7) for advancing and withdrawing the clutch (6).
US08622145B2 Firefighting station
A firefighting station is provided. The firefighting station includes an optional portable cart, one or more chemical foam proportioners, one or more first manifolds, one or more first valves, one or more first check valves, one or more second manifolds and one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs. Methods of suppressing or preventing a fire are also provided.
US08622141B2 Degradable no-go component
A system for setting and retrieving a tool including a tubular having a first profile and a tool having a second profile, the first and second profiles complementarily formed and engagable together for enabling the tool to be located in a borehole with respect to the tubular, the first profile or the second profile at least partially formed from a degradable material, the degradable material degradable upon exposure to a downhole fluid.
US08622139B2 Emergency subsea wellhead closure devices
Wellhead-based systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a well are provided. During a failure of an emergency system such as a blowout provider, a wellhead based emergency control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention can be employed to control the well. A casing strings compression assembly can radially compress each of the casing strings and/or drilling pipe extending through the wellhead housing to restrict or stop well fluid passage. A casing strings penetrator of an emergency well fluid diversion assembly can also or alternatively be employed to form an aperture in the casing strings. A diverter, integral with or connected to the penetrator, is extended through an aperture in a side of the wellhead housing and one or more of the apertures cut by the penetrator to divert well fluid from within the wellhead housing through a passageway in the diverter and to an external conduit.
US08622137B2 Subsea structure installation or removal
There is disclosed a system comprising a subsea structure; and a carrier comprising an opening adapted to receive the subsea structure.
US08622134B2 Organic acid compositions and methods of use in subterranean operations
Subterranean treatment fluids comprising one or more organic acids and methods of use in subterranean operations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, a gelling agent, and one or more organic acids; introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and depositing at least a portion of the particulates in a portion of the subterranean formation so as to form a gravel pack in a portion of the subterranean formation.
US08622130B2 Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball
An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
US08622129B2 Method of injecting carbon dioxide
A method of storing CO2 in a porous and permeable hydrocarbon reservoir having at least one injection well and at least one production well penetrating the reservoir, by recovering a produced fluid stream including produced hydrocarbons, produced water, and produced CO2 from the production well; passing the produced fluid stream to a production facility where a produced vapor stream of carbon dioxide and volatile hydrocarbons is separated from the produced fluid stream; compressing the produced vapor stream to above the cricondenbar for the produced vapor stream; cooling the compressed stream to form a cooled stream that in a dense phase state; importing a CO2 stream to an injection facility wherein the imported CO2 is either in a liquid state or a supercritical state; mixing the cooled stream with the imported CO2 stream thereby forming a co-injection stream; and injecting the co-injection stream into the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir from said injection well.
US08622127B2 Olefin reduction for in situ pyrolysis oil generation
Methods for improving the quality of hydrocarbon fluids produced by in situ pyrolysis or mobilization of organic-rich rock, such as oil shale, coal, or heavy oil. The methods involve reducing the content of olefins, which can lead to precipitation and sludge formation in pipelines and during storage of produced oils. The olefin content is reduced by arranging wells and controlling well pressures such that hydrocarbon fluids generated in situ are caused to pass through and contact pyrolyzed zones in which coke has been left. This contacting chemically hydrogenates a portion of the olefins in the pyrolysis oil by reducing the hydrogen content of the coke.
US08622126B2 Reaming tool
A reaming shoe for location in a bore has a rotationally balanced nose. A rotary drive is rotationally coupled to the reaming shoe to enable reaming of the bore. The assembly of the reaming shoe and the rotary drive is adapted to be coupled to a tubular component. The reaming shoe is mounted to the tubular component to enable rotation of the reaming shoe independently of the tubular component, such that the reaming shoe is rotatable at a different rotational speed than the tubular component.
US08622122B2 Rod reel and method of repairing a rod string
A rod reel includes a reel body having a central axis, a first rod receiving channel and a second rod receiving channel. The first and second rod receiving channels are centered about the central axis. The second rod receiving channel is adjacent to the first rod receiving channel. The rod reel may be used to repair a rod string by loading a supplemental rod string in one of the pockets, loading the rod string into another of the pockets, cutting the rod string, and attaching a desired length of the supplemental rod string to the cut in the rod string.
US08622118B2 Loop heat pipe
An exemplary loop heat pipe includes an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor line and a liquid line each connecting the evaporator with the condenser to form a closed loop. A working medium is contained in the closed loop. A wick structure is received in the evaporator, and includes a bottom wall contacting the bottom plate, a support wall extending up from the bottom wall and contacting the cover plate, and guide walls extending out laterally from the support wall. The support wall separates an interior of the evaporator into a liquid chamber adjacent to the liquid line and a vapor chamber adjacent to the vapor line. The guide walls are located in the vapor chamber. Guide channels are defined between the guide walls for guiding the working medium in a vapor state to flow from the vapor chamber through the vapor line to the condenser.
US08622116B2 Heat absorbing or dissipating device with multi-pipe reversely transported temperature difference fluids
A heat absorbing or dissipating device having a multi-pipe arrangement for flowing of thermal conductive fluids having a temperature difference. The thermal conductive fluids are reversely transported by a first fluid piping and second fluid piping in parallel or substantially parallel arrangements on a same end side of the heat dissipation or absorption receiving article or space. This configuration is configured to allow the heat transference, i.e., heat absorption or heat dissipation, between the thermal conductive fluid and the heat absorbing or dissipating device.
US08622115B2 Heat transfer element for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger
A rotary regenerative heat exchanger (1) employing heat transfer elements (100) is shaped to include notches (150), providing spacing between adjacent elements (100) and undulations (corrugations) (165, 185) in sections between the notches (150). Elements (100) include undulations (165, 185) differing in height and/or width. These differing undulations impart turbulence to air or flue gas flowing between the elements (100) for heat transfer thereto.
US08622113B1 Apparatus and method for controlled optimized rapid directional solidification of mold shaped metal castings
A method and apparatus for directionally controlled rapid solidification of a molten metal casting provides modified mold flasks containing mold media defining a mold cavity into which molten metal is poured and thereafter solidified. The mold media is fluid permeable and electrically and thermally conductive so that coolants passing through the media conduct heat away from the molten metal to promote solidification. Apparatus carried upon and within the mold flask allow controlled application of coolants to dissipate heat in a controlled manner to promote solidification in a controlled direction. Ports defined in the flasks, spaces between the mold media particulates and coolant, directionally applied by a movable cooling ring provide controlled directional cooling and castings having improved mechanical characteristics, with greater speed and increased efficiency.
US08622111B1 Laminating device and method
A laminating device for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image includes: a first plate on which the display panel is provided; a second plate on which the window is provided and which is adjacent to the first plate; an applier provided on the second plate and applying a resin on the window; a folder for connecting the first plate and the second plate, for folding to allow the second plate to face the first plate, and for disposing the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and a pressurizer for pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate.
US08622106B1 Bead structure for a pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire includes a carcass ply extending from one bead structure to another bead structure. Each bead structure includes a plurality of circumferentially wound metal wires defining a cross-sectional profile of a bead. The profile has a radial height to axial width ratio greater than 1.0 and a bead orientation angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
US08622100B2 Oil collection assembly
A funnel and drain hose are interengaged in a specific orientation. The drain hose is positioned on the funnel with the opposed ends of the drain hose vertically positioned when the funnel is properly hung on a wall. The opposed ends of the drain hose face upwardly so that any residual oil trapped in the drain hose collects at the bottom of a U-shaped portion of the drain hose positioned on the funnel.
US08622094B2 Metal dusting protection for welded pipe assemblies
A method for protecting a welded pipe assembly from metal dusting and a welded pipe assembly suitable for performing the method. The welded pipe assembly comprises two pipes, weld material joining the two pipes and insulating material. The pipes are protected from metal dusting by a protective coating. The present invention is useful for conveying gases comprising carbon monoxide at temperatures greater than 425° C. while preventing metal dusting of the welded piping assembly.
US08622093B2 Vibration-resistant reinforced concrete watertight pipe and method of manufacturing the same
A vibration-resistant reinforced concrete watertight pipe, at opposite ends of which coupling units formed of a separate material are formed, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The vibration-resistant reinforced concrete watertight pipe includes a reinforced concrete pipe having a reinforcement mat, which is assembled with longitudinal reinforcements and transverse reinforcements, disposed in a concrete layer, and a convexity coupling part and a concavity coupling part that are coupled to opposite ends of the reinforced concrete pipe and have coupling ridges and coupling furrows respectively. Here, the coupling part and the concavity coupling part are formed of a synthetic resin, which is different in physical properties from the reinforced concrete pipe, and have the same shape and thickness as the reinforced concrete pipe. Each of the convexity coupling part and the concavity coupling part has a metal core installed therein to increase a coupling strength.
US08622092B1 Pipe connection member for connecting a pipe to a pair of parallel brackets
A pipe connection member for connecting a pipe to a pair of parallel brackets includes a pair of clamping members. Each clamping member has a pipe receiving opening extending therethrough. The inner sides of the clamping members cooperate to form a pair of parallel channels sized to receive the brackets. At least one fastener interconnects the clamping members for drawing them toward one another and against the brackets. One of the clamping members further includes a collet having integrally formed fingers extending outwardly around its pipe receiving opening. The other clamping member includes a countersink sized and positioned to receive the fingers such that as the clamping members are drawn toward one another the fingers are compressed against a pipe extending through the pipe receiving openings to fasten the pipe to the pipe connection member.
US08622089B2 Check valve and storage body equipped therewith
The present invention provides a check valve 10 through which a fluid can satisfactorily open and pass when the fluid flows forward, and a bag 1a including the check valve and having a function of satisfactorily discharging a fluid. This check valve includes a one-side airtight base sheet 31, an inlet 11, a valve sheet 61, an auxiliary sheet 51, and the other-side airtight base sheet 21. The portion between the other-side airtight base sheet 21 and the valve sheet 61 serves as a valve flow channel 13, and a fluid flowing forward passes through the valve flow channel 13 from the inlet 11 and flows out from the outlet 12. The valve sheet 61 is fixed at its upstream end by the fixation portion 14, is freely movable at its downstream end. On the fixation portion 14 and the one-side airtight base sheet 31 of the inlet 11, the introduction recesses 15 are formed.
US08622086B2 Multi-position micro-fluidic valve system
A micro-fluidic valve system is provided which includes a micro-fluidic valve actuator apparatus, a fluid distribution manifold and a micro-fluidic POD apparatus. The POD apparatus includes a POD housing that defines an interior central passage extending from a distal mounting end of the housing to a proximal portion thereof. The POD apparatus further includes a stator device disposed in the interior central passage, and includes a distal stator face that cooperates with an opening in the distal mounting end to define a gasket receptacle. A relatively thin, elastomeric gasket member is disposed in the gasket receptacle of the housing in abutting contact between the stator and a communication face of the manifold. A fluid-tight seal is then formed between each respective stator communication port of the stator device and a corresponding manifold communication port of the manifold.
US08622082B1 Check valve and method and apparatus for extending life of check valves
A device and method are described for extending the life of check valves. An improved check valve having a double poppet and tapered guides is more robust, and a check valve protection device between the check valve and the environment into which fluid is injected protects the valve from a contaminating or corrosive environment. The check valve and check valve protection device are small and light weight to prevent vibration-induced failures. The check valve protection device preferably has an interior volume that fills quickly by relatively few cycles of the lubricant pump to reduce delay of lubricant to the injection point.
US08622079B2 Method for extending the usage life of oil in a deep fat fryer
A method and apparatus for extending the usage life of cooking oil used in a deep fat fryer in which the desired cooking oil usage life is determined. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the level of cooking oil in the vat of the deep fat fryer is varied between an upper first level and a lower second level by extraction of used cooking oil from the vat until the cooking oil level reaches the lower second level and subsequent input of fresh cooking oil until the level of cooking oil, used and fresh, in the vat reaches the upper first level.
US08622070B2 Valve release mechanism
A valve release mechanism has an actuator, a ring, a plurality of ball bearings, and a retainer. The retainer is positioned adjacent an inner diameter of the ring and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes therein. Each circumferentially spaced hole receives one of the plurality of ball bearings, which are movable therein. The ring has channels and lands along its inner diameter that allow the ball bearings to move varying distances relative to the retainer. The lands contact the ball bearings when the ring is in a first position and the channels receive the ball bearings when the ring is in a second position. The poppet has a groove that is vertically aligned with circumferentially spaced holes in the retainer when the poppet is in a first closed position. The ball bearings are pressed into the groove in the poppet by the lands of the ring. The resulting interference of the ball bearings with poppet locks the poppet in the first closed position. The ring can be moved from the first closed position to a second position by the actuator.
US08622067B2 Separator arrangement and method for gas by-pass of a liquid pump in a production system
A separator arrangement in a multiphase production system. A closed separator container includes a top and a bottom, an inlet for production fluids at an inlet level and at least one outlet for at least partly separated liquid at a level lower than the inlet level. The container outlet is connectable to a liquid pump arranged downstream of the container. A gas accumulator is arranged for by-passing the pump. The gas accumulator includes an inlet end connectable to a top region of the container and an outlet end connectable to a discharge side of the pump for flow communication between the container and the discharge side of the pump. A region near the inlet end the gas accumulator is connected to a supply of injection liquid that is controllable via a valve to be injected to the discharge side of the pump via the gas accumulator. A method for gas by-pass of a liquid pump in a multiphase production system.
US08622059B2 Face mask with absorbent element
A face mask for reducing or eliminating fogging of eye wear worn by a user of the face mask is provided. The face mask may include a body portion that has an outer surface and an oppositely disposed inner surface. The face mask may also have an absorbent element that may be located on at least one of the surfaces of the body portion. The absorbent element may be capable of absorbing at least 3.5 grams of water and may act to absorb moisture and/or condensation due to human respiration and/or perspiration.
US08622054B1 Methods and systems for reducing combustion emissions
Methods and systems for reducing combustion emissions generated in, or released from, a combustion chamber are provided. Systems and methods provided herein may be used to modify, for example, an existing fireplace such that combustion emissions resulting from burning a fuel combustion source are reduced. The method involves providing an emission reduction system which includes a casing assembly with at least one panel of a catalyst-coated media and a support structure supporting the casing assembly. The casing assembly is positioned between a fuel combustion source and a flue by associating the support structure with an interior surface of the firebox. The fuel combustion source is burned to create a fire, such that the catalyst-coated media reduces emissions associated with fuel combustion when contacted with combustion exhaust.
US08622047B2 Cleaning a pressure control function valve
A system and method cleans a fuel pump pressure control function valve having (i) an orifice linking a first region (e.g., a high pressure region) and a second region (e.g., a low pressure region) and (ii) a closing member biased to close the orifice when fuel pressure in the first region is below a threshold pressure. Cleaning the valve may include increasing the pressure in the first region to an overpressure condition, thereby causing the closing member to be moved to open the orifice such that a rapid flow of fuel occurs from the first region to the second region. A pressure control function valve can therefore be conveniently cleaned without requiring engine disassembly or adding additional physical elements. The fuel pump pressure control function valve may be part of safety or check valve of a fuel pump.
US08622045B2 Active air control
An air-balanced engine assembly is configured to operate efficiently while producing a reduced level of harmful emissions. The engine assembly includes a two-stroke internal combustion engine with multiple power cylinders and intake and exhaust manifolds that fluidly communicate with the cylinders. The engine assembly also includes an air balancing assembly with valves that control intake air flow from the intake manifold to the cylinders. The valves cooperate to balance intake air flow among the cylinders and are configured to substantially equalize trapped equivalence ratios among the cylinders.
US08622043B1 Electrical power generation system that includes a fluid containment system
Some embodiments relate to an example electrical power generation system that includes a fluid containment system (FIG. 2 shows the example electrical power generation system of FIG. 1 where the fluid containment system is filled with fluid F). The electrical power generation system includes an internal combustion engine and an alternator that is driven by the internal combustion engine to generate electrical power. The electrical power generation system further includes an enclosure such that the internal combustion engine and alternator are positioned within the enclosure. The fluid containment system is positioned below the internal combustion engine and the alternator to collect fluids F. The fluid containment system includes a drain. The electrical power generation system further includes a control that selectively operates the drain to permit fluids F to exit the fluid containment system.
US08622040B2 Compact transmission fluid heater
A transmission fluid heater for a motor vehicle includes a fluid pan mounted on the transmission for storing a supply of transmission fluid. The fluid pan has an inner chamber storing the transmission fluid, and an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber. An inlet to the outer chamber communicates with a source of engine exhaust gas and an outlet from the outer chamber exhausts the exhaust gas. An inlet valve opens and shuts the communication of engine exhaust gas to the inlet. A plurality of heat exchanger fins enhancing the transfer of heat from the engine exhaust gas within the outer chamber to the transmission fluid is stored within the inner chamber.
US08622039B2 Rockerless desmodromic valve system
A desmodromic valve system which provides direct bidirectional displacement of a valve stem of an internal combustion engine without the aid of a rocker arm, utilizing a semirigid basket operating in conjunction with a plurality of cams for each valve. The basket is disposed about the camshaft of the engine and secured to the valve stem by an integral retainer on a bottom portion of the basket, and is constrained to motion along the valve stem axis. The basket has a pair of downwardly oriented cam followers in the upper portion thereof, spaced apart from the valve stem axis. A central cam and a parallel pair of side cams are fixedly mounted on the camshaft so as to rotate therewith, the cams substantially surrounded by the basket and cooperating therewith to provide reciprocating valve action with positive bidirectional drive. The central cam is aligned with the valve stem axis, and the side cams are spaced apart from the valve stem axis, parallel to the central cam and respectively aligned with the cam followers. During a first part of a valve cycle, the central cam pushes the valve stem down so as to positively open the associated valve, and the valve stem pulls said basket down with it via the retainer. During a second part of the valve cycle, the side cams push the basket up via their respective cam followers and thereby cause the basket to pull the valve stem so as to positively close the valve.
US08622036B2 Engine including cylinder deactivation assembly and method of control
A method is provided for operating an engine assembly having a hydraulically actuated component. The method may include providing pressurized oil from a pressurized oil source to an oil passage in communication with the hydraulically actuated component and determining a first oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a first predetermined time after the providing. The method may further include preventing operation of the hydraulically actuated component when the first oil pressure measurement is below a first predetermined limit, isolating the oil passage from the pressurized oil source after the providing, and determining a second oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a second predetermined time after the isolating when the first oil pressure measurement is above the first predetermined limit. Operation of the hydraulically actuated component may be prevented when the second oil pressure measurement is above a second predetermined limit.
US08622034B2 Two-stroke engine
The two-stroke engine has a plurality of intake passages extending from the external air inlet port through the crankcase, separating the intake air charge from the air and oil vapor within the crankcase. The piston has one or more corresponding inlet tubes depending therefrom that telescope within the crankcase intake passages as the piston reciprocates. All intake air travels through these passages and is separated from the remainder of the crankcase volume. The incoming air charge passes through a concentric poppet valve in the piston crown to enter the combustion chamber. Fuel is provided by conventional direct or port injection and ignition is provided by one or more conventional spark plugs. Diesel operation is achievable when the engine is configured appropriately. Exhaust exits the combustion chamber through a poppet valve in the cylinder head, the poppet valve being actuated by a rocker arm and pushrod from a crankshaft driven cam.
US08622033B2 Device for cleaning intake air
A device is provided for a piece of equipment with an internal combustion engine having a crank case and a combustion space, wherein an air cooling stream is present for cooling the internal combustion engine. The device, on the one hand, is effective for cleaning of the intake air, and on the other hand, a thermal separation between tank and crank case is achieved in a simple manner. The device includes at least one recess, which is constructed open or closed, and is arranged in the crank case, and is separated from an interior of the crank case and forms air cushions.
US08622032B2 Internal combustion engine with dual-chamber cylinder
Improvements in a gas powered engine. Said improvements include use of a piston with a fixed piston arm that extends through a seal in the lower portion of the cylinder. The piston arm operates on an elliptical crank that drives the output shaft. Valves that move air and exhaust into and out of the pistons are lifted by a cam located on the crank. A unique oil injector passes oil to the piston and the cylinder wall. An energy recovery unit recovers energy from the cooling system and from the exhaust system.
US08622031B2 System for supplementary fuel supply
Supply of supplementary fuel is controlled by activation of a valve in response to certain engine operating conditions or parameters. For example, the supplementary fuel may be supplied to facilitate starting and warming up a cold engine, or to cool and/or slow down an engine operating above a threshold speed.
US08622028B2 Hands free dog walker
A hands free dog walking system includes a belt for attaching around a person includes a belt for attaching around a person and a traveler operatively connected to the belt to allow a leash operatively connected to the traveler to freely travel around the belt without entangling the person. The system may further include a leash assembly having a first rigid body having an inner end and an outer end, a second rigid body having an inner end and an outer end, a cord threaded through the first rigid body and the second rigid body, a first connector attached to the first end of the cord, and a second connector attached to the second opposite end of the cord.
US08622025B2 Indoor fishfarm with raised tank
An indoor fish tank has a of walls and bottoms interconnected to define distinct fish holding, sedimentation and bioreactor sections. Water flows out of the bioreactor section into the top of the fish holding section, and then from the bottom of the fish holding section into the sedimentation section. A frame structure with braces connected with the tank walls and bottoms supports the tank on a ground support, with at least the bottom of the fish holding section raised above the ground surface.
US08622023B1 Pet litter box
A pet litter box comprises a housing, a detachable wall, and a grid. The housing comprises a left wall, right wall, front wall, and back wall that define a well. The left, right, and back walls comprise a plurality of apertures on the top of the walls. The detachable wall comprises three plates that connect to the apertures on top of the walls of the housing. The grid comprises a plurality of holes between grid lines and a locking mechanism. The grid slides into the well and the locking mechanism attaches to the front wall of the housing. A locking frame with an aperture locks over the grid.
US08622021B2 High lifetime consumable silicon nitride-silicon dioxide plasma processing components
A method of increasing mean time between cleans of a plasma etch chamber and chamber parts lifetimes is provided. Semiconductor substrates are plasma etched in the chamber while using at least one sintered silicon nitride component exposed to ion bombardment and/or ionized halogen gas. The sintered silicon nitride component includes high purity silicon nitride and a sintering aid consisting of silicon dioxide. A plasma processing chamber is provided including the sintered silicon nitride component. A method of reducing metallic contamination on the surface of a silicon substrate during plasma processing is provided with a plasma processing apparatus including one or more sintered silicon nitride components. A method of manufacturing a component exposed to ion bombardment and/or plasma erosion in a plasma etch chamber, comprising shaping a powder composition consisting of high purity silicon nitride and silicon dioxide and densifying the shaped component.
US08622019B2 Coating device
A coating device includes an autoclave and a spray member. The autoclave includes an autoclave body and a cover sealing the autoclave body. The autoclave body defines a plurality of holding grooves in an inner surface thereof for holding substrates. The spray member is positioned on the cover and received in the autoclave body. The spray member defines openings in a side surface thereof. The spray member includes a container and an ultrasonic atomization unit. The container defines a cavity in communication with the openings. The ultrasonic atomization unit is received in the cavity.
US08622011B2 Floating foundation supporting framework with buoyancy components, having an open-relief design
The floating foundation supporting framework according to the invention for offshore structures comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements which are arranged on the outside of a bar-type supporting framework which, in turn, is connected to ballast elements via cables (8, 9, 10). This design results in a simple construction and low construction costs.
US08622006B2 Pallet
A pallet for storage and transport of goods consists of an upper deck that serves as a standing surface for the goods, standing feet that can be assembled onto the underside of the upper deck, and accommodation channels formed into the upper deck, for affixing at least one reinforcement strip. The upper deck is divided into at least two rectangular partial regions, and each partial region has an accommodation channel for a reinforcement strip, which is disposed in the diagonal of the partial region.
US08622000B2 Rounded cubic shot and shotshells loaded with rounded cubic shot
A shot pellet for a shotshell. The shot pellet has a generally cubic shape comprising six generally square faces joined by rounded edges that have a radius of curvature of between about 15% and 40% of the distance between opposite faces of the generally cubic shaped pellet.
US08621999B1 Coruscative white light generator
An apparatus and method for generating a very bright white light source. The apparatus is a coruscative white light generator, comprising: a shaped charge liner; and a radial line-shaped charge that initiates coruscative reactions in the shaped charge liner. In one aspect, the method comprises initiating coruscative reactions in a shaped charge liner using a radial line-shaped charge. In another aspect, the method comprises subtending a significant portion of an observer field of view while denying said observer the ability to identify targets and/or aim optical devices through large area coverage of about 3,000 to about 5,000 Kelvin particles.
US08621995B2 Sleeves and sleeve segments for flexography
A sleeve segment for flexography has the shape of a sleeve with a first circular side containing a female registration element and a second circular side containing a male registration element. Also a method for manufacturing a flexographic sleeve segment, segmented sleeves and methods of flexographic printing.
US08621993B1 System and method for a baling machine safety actuator
A safety actuator apparatus for a baling machine comprising an extension member coupled to a baling machine having at least one baling chamber, the extension member having at least one end extending outwardly from the baling machine and a support member comprising a safety actuated retention component that aligns with and is configured to contact and restrain the at least one end of the extension member. The apparatus further comprises a detection device for identifying the presence of an obstacle in a predetermined path or a trajectory of movement of at least one component of the baling machine and a communication device configured to send a signal from the detection device to the safety actuated retention component and engage the safety actuated retention component to restrain the movement of at least one component of the baling machine.
US08621987B2 Electric skillet with magnetic self-reversing stirrer that is removable
A cooking skillet that provides a unique automatic stirring system for continuously stirring foods during cooking. The cooking skillet comprises a base, a receptacle, a heating element, and an automatic stirring system. The automatic stirring system comprises a stirring wand located in the receptacle and a bracket located in the base. The stirring wand and the bracket are attracted to each other through magnetic forces that provide sufficient magnetism to attract one to the other. A motor is attached to the bracket by a connecting rod and provides the means to rotate the bracket in a clockwise direction. The magnetism between the magnets in the bracket and the magnets in the stirring wand forces the stirring wand to rotate in connection with the bracket. During rotation, the stirring wand is designed to mix the food contained within the receptacle. A controlling box is used to control the power to the motor and provides a resisting sensor or reversing circuit to reverse the rotational direction of the stirring system as necessary.
US08621977B2 Reciprocating piston engine
A reciprocating piston engine, particularly a coolant compressor for motor vehicles, includes at least one piston movably supported in a cylinder. A pivot element in the form of a pivot ring is supported on a guide body attached to a shaft in an axially movable fashion such that the pivot element can execute a pivot motion. The pivot motion causes movement of the at least one piston. Spring forces of at least one return spring act on the pivot element in the direction of a start position in which the pivot element is pivoted at a starting pivot angle to a plane on which the rotary axis of the shaft stands upright. At least one further spring element acts on the return spring with an initial tension when the pivot element is in the start position.
US08621972B2 Band saw blade
A band saw blade includes multiple saw teeth having a straight tooth and right and left set teeth, and also includes a gullet portion provided between the saw teeth. A rake surface of each of the saw teeth is provided with a chip curler portion formed into an arc shape at an entire range of approximately 90° to form a chip generated at the time of cutting a work into a small rolled shape before the chip comes into contact with a bottom portion of the gullet portion. A chip non-contact surface to be kept out of contact with the chip is formed to have either a flat surface or a convex surface between the chip curler portion and the bottom portion of the gullet portion, and a dent portion is formed between the chip non-contact surface and the gullet bottom portion, the dent portion recessed from the chip non-contact surface in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the band saw blade in order to increase a radius of a concave curved surface constituting a back side of the gullet bottom portion. A flat portion for dispersing stress concentration is provided at an innermost portion of the gullet portion.
US08621970B2 Miter saw with adjustable fence
A miter saw includes a base, a turntable rotatable in relation to the base and including a work piece support surface, a support assembly attached to the turntable, and a saw assembly attached to the support assembly and configured to cut a work piece supported on the turntable. A fence assembly includes an elongate fence body that extends along a first axis. The elongate fence body is supported by the base and positioned over the turntable. The fence body has a first connecting structure, and a fence insert defining an elongate work piece abutment surface and having a second connecting structure. The fence assembly is positionable in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the second connecting structure cooperates with the first connecting structure to secure the fence insert at a first position in relation to the fence body. When the fence assembly is positioned in the second configuration, the second connecting structure cooperates with the first connecting structure to secure the fence insert at a second position in relation to the fence body. A second axis intersects the first axis in a perpendicular manner. When the fence insert is secured at the first position, the elongate work piece abutment surface is positioned to intersect the second axis at a first point. When the fence insert is secured at the second position, the elongate work piece abutment surface is positioned to intersect the second axis at a second point, and the first point is offset from the second point along said second axis.
US08621965B2 Face driver
A face driver has a body rotatable about an axis and a head rotationally fixed on the body and formed with a plurality of guides open axially forwardly toward a workpiece and radially offset from the axis. A centering rod axially shiftable in the body on the axis has a front-end point engageable with the face of the workpiece. A compression spring in the body urging the rod axially forward toward the workpiece, a driver disk has a front face engageable with the workpiece and a back face formed with a plurality of rearwardly open and radially extending grooves aligned with the guides. Respective support pins axially shiftable in the guides have heads engaged in the respective grooves so as to rotationally couple the driver disk rotationally to the body while permitting the driverd disk to tip with axial displacement of the pins.
US08621963B2 Dual purpose flip-out and T handle
A dual purpose flip-out and T handle ratchet is able to be used in an L or modified L-handle orientation as well as a T handle orientation. The dual purpose flip-out and T handle includes a handle portion and a ratchet head and neck portion. The handle portion is coupled to the neck portion at a lockable hinge. The hinge allows the head and neck portion to rotate to an L or modified L-handle orientation or to a T handle orientation. When properly oriented the tool is able to be used to tighten or loosen objects such as screws or bolts.
US08621962B1 Drain removal tool
A drain removal tool to aid in the removal of drains from tubs, sinks, and showers comprises a conical body having counterclockwise threads upon the exterior surface. A top of the body is provided with a ratchet connector, allowing the device to be connected to a ratchet tool. In use, a user threads the body into a base of a drain opening. The thread slowly engages a drain flange and drives it out when torque is reversed, thereby ejecting the drain in without damaging or breaking the bottom of the drain.
US08621960B2 Single motor power seat
A multi-output transmission assembly includes first and second gears rotatable in opposite directions, an output shaft, first and second collars slidably coupled to the output shaft, and an actuator coupled to the first and second collars. The first collar is rotated by the first gear in a first direction. The second collar is rotated by the second gear in a second direction. The actuator moves the first and second collars along the output shaft. With the actuator in a neutral position, the first and second collars are disengaged from the output shaft and the output shaft does not rotate. With the actuator in a first position, the first collar engages the output shaft and the output shaft rotates in the first direction. With the actuator in a second position, the second collar engages the output shaft and the output shaft rotates in the second direction.
US08621959B2 Compact active material actuated transmissions for driving multiple output loads from a single primary actuator
Power is selectively transferred from a primary actuator to one of a plurality of output shafts with a transmission including a plurality of output members coupled to an input member, the input member being coupled to the primary actuator. A first active material actuator includes a mechanical coupling feature coupling one of the plurality of output shafts to one of the plurality of output members when the active material actuator is activated.
US08621955B2 Robot arm assembly
A robot arm assembly includes a first robot arm and a second robot arm rotatably connected to the first. The first robot arm includes a first input shaft and a second input shaft. The second robot arm includes a sleeve and an output shaft partially received in the sleeve. The sleeve of the second robot arm is rotated relative to the first robot arm via a pair of bevel gears. The output shaft is rotated relative to the sleeve via a plurality of bevel gears which cooperatively form a polygon.
US08621953B2 Delta robot having special arrangement of the ball joints
A delta robot includes a base plate and at least three drives fastened thereon, which are connected to an arm, with at least one drive connected at an opposite end relative to the arm to two rods. The rods run parallel and are connected at one end by an additional ball joint to a movable parallel plate. The two ball joints are oriented mirror-symmetrically to each other and each hollow ball segment is pressed onto a ball segment head by tensioning a permanently elastic element between two rods that are parallel to each other. The center point of a ball segment head is displaced relative to the longitudinal support axis of the rod with the direction of displacement pointing away from the hollow ball segment with the displacement always being smaller than the radius of the spherical segment head.
US08621951B2 Divided tooth wheel
A divided toothed wheel having two toothed wheel halves which are tensioned in relation to each other. The first toothed wheel half includes a hollow cylindrical collar with a groove, to which the second toothed wheel half is secured in a form-fitting engagement by a securing element inserted into the groove. The divided tooth wheel takes up a minimum amount of space from the axial direction and has two halves which are permanently connected together. The second toothed wheel half has a radially extending recess and the securing element is designed as an elastically shapeable ring which is arranged in a receiving chamber defined by the groove and the recess and the two toothed wheel halves are permanently joined together.
US08621948B2 Drive device for entrance/exit devices with coupling
The invention relates to a drive device (20) for entrance/exit devices for public transit vehicles, comprising a drive unit (22) disposed in and driving a column (24) that rotates about an axis of rotation Z-Z during opening and closing operations, said column opening and closing an entrance/exit device. The drive unit (22) is supported in the vehicle by way of a support component (40) and the support component (40) acts as a counterbearing for a torque of the drive unit (22). A coupling device (72) is disposed between the drive unit (22) and the support component (40), said coupling device facilitating a rotation of the drive unit (22) about the axis of rotation Z-Z when a limit of the torque acting on the drive unit is exceeded.
US08621946B1 Support for ultrasonic probe
A support for an ultrasound probe device may comprise a handle portion at a first end and providing a hand hold, with the handle portion being elongated with a first longitudinal axis. The support may comprise a pocket portion at a second end opposite of the handle portion, and which is elongated with a second longitudinal axis. The support may comprise a middle portion positioned between the handle portion and the pocket portion, with the middle portion being flexible to change and retain an angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis. A cord channel may be formed in the handle portion, the pocket portion and the middle portion to receive a cord of the probe device. A probe pocket may be formed in the pocket portion to receive the probe housing of the probe device.
US08621943B2 Method of singulating embryos
A method of singulating embryos is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of embryos (40) within a system (20) and sensing (34) at least one of the plurality of embryos in a fluid. The method also includes dispensing (26) at least one of the plurality of embryos on a surface (28).
US08621940B2 Method for detecting torque in a transmission, measuring device and control program
Torque can be detected in a transmission by using at least one vibration sensor to detect at least one vibration signal which is associated with a tooth engagement frequency of intermeshing transmission toothings, and the phase shift of which is dependent on at least one tooth engagement duration of the intermeshing transmission toothings. The tooth engagement duration is torque-dependent as a result of toothing deformations. A torque acting on the transmission is determined from the phase shift of the detected vibration signal and/or of the at least one tooth engagement duration.
US08621936B2 Flow cell for a flow meter
A flow cell for a plurality of sensor assemblies to communicate with a flow meter for measuring characteristics. The flow cell includes a sensor body with a sensor body bore extending through the sensor body. The flow cell also includes a sensor body quadrant extending outwardly from the sensor body bore on a side of the flow cell, wherein the sensor body quadrant intersects the sensor body bore. A plurality of sensor ports extend through the sensor body quadrant to provide openings from the exterior of the flow cell to the sensor body bore in which sensor assemblies can be inserted. A cable channel extends internally within the sensor body quadrant at least from the plurality of sensor ports to an access port on the exterior of the flow cell for routing cables from the sensor ports to communicate with the flow meter.
US08621935B2 Method and apparatus for testing attachment joints
Apparatus tests the performance of joints between an attachment and a beam having a pair of caps connected by a corrugated web. The apparatus includes first and second grips contoured to the shape of a portion of the corrugated web for gripping the web. A force applicator coupled with the attachment and the grips applies force to the beam through the joint.
US08621931B2 Multipoint laser vibrometer with single detector
A laser vibrometer makes non-contact measurements of vibrations of a target. A laser produces a laser beam, and a beamsplitter splits the laser beam into a reference beam and a first target beam. A first frequency shifter/splitter splits the first target beam into a pair of target beams each having a frequency different than a frequency of the other target beams. The target beams are reflected from the target to a detector, and the reference beam is combined with the target beams such that the detector receives the target beams and reference beam together.
US08621922B2 Method and system for monitoring waterbottom subsidence
A system for monitoring subsidence and/or rising of a waterbottom has string of pressure sensors along the interior of a sealed -protective tube(q−) that rests on the waterbottom and is filled with a low pressure liquid, so that any subsidence and/or rising of the can be deduced from subsidence and/or rising of a section of the tube and associated pressure variations measured by the sensors due to variation of the hydrostatic fluid pressure of the liquid in the of the tube. The tube interior is divided into segments by valves during descent to protect the sensors against hydrostatic pressure of the liquid within the tube during installation. The use of a low pressure liquid in the tube allows the use of sensitive pressure sensors which are able to monitor pressure variations of −0.001 Bar associated with a waterbottom subsidence of −1 cm, at a water depth of >km where the ambient water pressure may be >100 Bar.
US08621921B2 Retrievable downhole testing tool
A retrievable downhole testing tool that is adapted to be temporarily installed in a well is disclosed. The retrievable downhole testing tool comprises a variable choke, a tool control unit adapted to control the variable choke, and at least two measuring sensors adapted to measure physical parameters including pressure. At least one measuring sensor is situated above the variable choke, and at least one measuring sensor is situated below the variable choke. The retrievable downhole testing tool is pre-programmed with a specified test sequence for controlling a downhole flow rate using the variable choke and for executing downhole measurements of physical parameters at specified flow periods. The specified test sequence is adapted according to a pre-defined stability criterion using the tool control unit.
US08621920B2 Obtaining and evaluating downhole samples with a coring tool
Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.
US08621919B2 Method and apparatus for determining the tread depth of a vehicle tire
A method for determining the tread depth of a vehicle tire, with the tire being mounted on a vehicle, the tire being rolled over or placed on a measuring station, the tread of the tire being optically sensed transversely to the rolling direction of the tire on at least one measuring line, a ray fan extending from a light source being reflected at the tire surface and a signal of the reflected ray fan being recorded by a sensor, and the signal of the reflected ray fan being evaluated by way of a triangulation method, is characterized in that the signal is recorded in a non-orthogonal manner to the tire surface.
US08621918B2 Test device comprising a receiving device for a vehicle mock-up and method for testing a test vehicle using a test device
The invention relates to a test device for testing test vehicles, said test device having a receiving device for a vehicle mock-up. The receiving device for a vehicle mock-up is positioned on a rail system of the test device such that it can be moved.
US08621912B2 Natural gas analyzer on a micro-chip
A miniaturized gas analyzer formed onto a micro-chip and a method of separating components from a composite gas using the miniaturized gas analyzer are disclosed. The gas analyzer includes an injector block and two column blocks arranged in series along an analytical path. The injector block receives the composite gas and a carrier gas to create a gas sample. The gas sample is then injected into the column blocks to separate the components of the composite gas. Further, a valve used within the miniaturized gas analyzer is disclosed, in which the valve is formed onto the micro-chip and includes a flexible membrane and a rigid substrate.
US08621911B2 Method and system for determining levels of gases
A method and system for measuring or assessing the homeostatic relationship between gases in the body, environment or water. The measured or assessed level of gases in the body, environment or air uses the interrelationships of the various components in order to establish guidelines for treating individuals, the environment or water.
US08621908B2 Method for testing the quality of a metallic coating
A method and a device for determining a quality of a metallic surface of a metallic substrate, for example a steel or steel alloy substrate, are provided. The device includes a mould, a sheet holder and a die, with which the metallic substrate is formed to produce a drawn test surface. The method and device are used to test the quality of the metallic surface of a metallic coating with a view to a later utilization, especially with a view to a later forming, wherein the metallic substrate is formed at least in-an area of a test surface, wherein a main and an additional shape change of the metallic substrate in the area of the test surface assume predetermined values that are related to the later utilization of the metallic substrate, and wherein the quality of the metallic surface is tested on the test surface after forming.
US08621903B2 Continuous or instrumented indentation device with convex bearing surface and use thereof, particularly for metal sheet indentation
The invention relates to a continuous or instrumented indentation device for a material. The indentation device includes an indenter, a bearing means for the material to be indented, a means for moving the indenter and/or the bearing means for contacting the indenter with the material to be indented, and for pressing the indenter into the material, and a means for measuring the force and movement of the indenter when the indenter is pressed into the material. The bearing means includes a convex surface for receiving the material to be indented and is oriented towards the indenter so that the material is capable of bearing on the convex surface. The indenter may comprise a one-piece structure. The means for measuring the movement of the indenter when the indenter is pressed into the material includes at least three movement sensors angularly arranged at an equal distance about the indenter.
US08621900B2 Electric door lock
An electric door lock including: a lock housing; an operating member having a holding part and a shaft part, the shaft part able to be placed in the lock housing, the shaft part connected to the holding part, the holding part defined as a long axis; a cog wheel able to be placed in the lock housing, the cog wheel having at least one bump; a coupling plate installed on the shaft part of the operating member, the coupling plate having at least one bulge and one protruding part, with the protruding part and the long axis of the holding part designed to move in alignment with each other; a motor placed in the lock housing; three sensor switches set separately in the lock housing; operating the motor causing the bump of the cog wheel to rotate and push the bulge of the coupling plate, so that the protruding part of the coupling plate of the electric door lock installed in the required position on a left-hand door or right-hand door, selectively touches the two sensor switches adjacent to each other, so as to reach the correct unlocked position or locked position.
US08621898B2 Foldable lock
A foldable lock includes a first body, a second body, and a rod set including a plurality of pivotally connected locking rods. The first body and the second body are separately pin-connected to a locking rod. The first body, the second body, and the plurality of the locking rods can have rotational movement in two-dimensional space with the pin joint as a rotation axis, which affects relative position of the first body and the second body. The first body has a first mating face, and the second body has a second mating face. The mating faces can separate from or mate with each other. The bodies and the rod set constitutes a closed ring by means of matching of the mating faces; at this time, a locking operation will let the mating faces be unable to separate from each other, namely the bodies will not move relatively. At the same time, if the closed ring does not circle any object, the rod set can further be rotated to a stacking state for storage.
US08621896B2 Washing machine
A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a tub, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, and a shaft that penetrates the tub and is connected to the drum so as to transmit a drive force of a motor to the drum. A stator is fixed to a rear wall of the tub, and an outer rotor, including at least one magnet, an annular back yoke, and a rotor frame, is rotatably disposed at the outside of the stator. The rotor frame may be made of an aluminum material, and includes a side wall portion and a rear wall portion integrally formed with the side wall portion.
US08621887B1 Interchangeable earring for individuals with pierced sensitive ears
An earring having a rod member passable through an ear-pierced hole of a wearer, a housing connected to the rod member, and a magnetic member positioned within the housing. The rod member is made of a high-quality non-allergenic material, and a low cost ornament can be attached thereto by the magnetic member.
US08621875B2 Method of removing heat utilizing geometrically reoriented low-profile phase plane heat pipes
A method of removing heat from a heat generating component. A geometrically reoriented heat pipe is formed including an evaporator section and a condenser section geometrically reoriented relative to the evaporator section. The evaporator section is positioned proximate to the heat generating component. A thermoelectric element is positioned between the at least one heat generating component and the evaporator section. Heat is transferred, via the thermoelectric element, from the heat generating component to a heat transfer fluid contained within the evaporator section. The heated fluid migrates to the condenser section. The fluid is cooled within the condenser section and the fluid is returned to the evaporator section.
US08621871B2 Systems and methods involving multiple torque paths for gas turbine engines
Systems and methods involving multiple torque paths of gas turbine engines are provided. In this regard, a representative method for reducing overspeed potential of a turbine of a gas turbine engine includes: providing a first load to the turbine via a first torque path; providing a second load to the turbine via a second torque path; and operating the turbine such that: mechanical failure of a component defining at least a portion of the first torque path does not inhibit the second load from being applied to the turbine via the second torque path; and mechanical failure of a component defining the second torque path does not inhibit the first load from being applied to the turbine via the first torque path.
US08621869B2 Heating a reaction chamber
An air/fuel mixture is received in an oxidation reaction chamber. The air/fuel mixture has a low concentration of fuel, for example, below a lower explosive limit (LEL). The mixture is received while a temperature of a region in the oxidation reaction chamber is below a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel. The temperature of the region is raised to at least the oxidation temperature (the temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel) primarily using heat energy released from oxidizing the air/fuel mixture in a different region in the reaction chamber.
US08621868B2 Solar power plant and method and/or system of storing energy in a concentrated solar power plant
A method for storing heat from a solar collector CSTC in Concentrating Solar Power plants and delivering the heat to the power plant PP when needed. The method uses a compressed gas such as carbon dioxide or air as a heat transfer medium in the collectors CSTC and transferring the heat by depositing it on a bed of heat-resistant solids and later, recovering the heat by a second circuit of the same compressed gas. The storage system HSS is designed to allow the heat to be recovered at a high efficiency with practically no reduction in temperature. Unlike liquid heat transfer media, our storage method itself can operate at very high temperatures, up to 3000° F., a capability which can lead to greater efficiency.
US08621857B2 Adsorption-enhanced compressed air energy storage
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an energy storage device is presented. The energy storage device includes a porous material that adsorbs air and a compressor. The compressor converts mechanical energy into pressurized air and heat, and the pressurized air is cooled and adsorbed by the porous material. The energy storage device also includes a tank used to store the pressurized and adsorbed air and a motor. The motor is driven to recover the energy stored as compressed and adsorbed air by allowing the air to desorb and expand while driving the motor.
US08621853B2 Exhaust gas-treating device
An exhaust gas-treating device (1) for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, has a housing (2), which has a jacket (3) extending circumferentially on the side and two end-side end bottoms (4, 5). Maintenance is simplified with at least one mounting tube (6), which passes through one or the first end bottom (4) and into the outlet end (8) of which a particle filter (7) is plugged axially from the outside, with a deflecting housing (9). The deflecting housing (9) contains a deflecting chamber (10), and has at least one inlet (11) communicating with the deflecting chamber (10) and at least one outlet (12) communicating with the deflecting chamber (10). A fastening device (13) is provided for detachably fastening the respective inlet (11) at the respective outlet end (8) of the mounting tube (6).
US08621852B2 Detector for detecting sulfur components
The present detector for detecting sulfur components includes a storage portion for storing SOx and NOx in the exhaust gas passing through an exhaust passage, in which the more an amount of stored SOx increases, the more an amount of stored NOx decreases, and which does not release SOx but release NOx at a set temperature, and a temperature sensor, estimates the amount of stored SOx on the basis of a relationship between, after the storage portion becomes the set temperature by heating, a heating pattern of the storage portion and temperature change of the storage portion measured by the temperature sensor, and detects an integrated amount of SOx passing through the exhaust passage during a given period or an value on the basis of the integrated amount.
US08621848B2 Ammonia vapor management system and method
A method is described for managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system. The method may include generating ammonia vapors in a first storage device and storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device. Further, the method may include purging the stored vapors from the second storage device to upstream of a combustion chamber of the engine during a first condition and downstream of the combustion chamber during a second condition.
US08621846B2 Gas/liquid mixing device for diesel exhaust aftertreatment
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas conduit configured to receive and to deliver exhaust gas to a downstream exhaust treatment device. An injector bay extends outwardly from the exhaust gas conduit upstream of the exhaust treatment device and an exhaust fluid injector mounts through an opening in the injector bay and is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and oriented in an upstream direction to deliver an exhaust fluid to the exhaust gas in the upstream direction. An exhaust flow baffle extends outwardly from the injector bay and into the exhaust gas in an upstream direction. The exhaust flow baffle is located upstream of the exhaust fluid injector and is configured to define a turbulent, low pressure velocity field downstream thereof and proximate to the exhaust fluid injector.
US08621845B2 Passive SCR control system and method
A thermal management system includes an enable module, a status module and a temperature control module. The enable module enables generation of ammonia for use in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts of an exhaust system during a passive SCR mode. The status module determines whether the exhaust system is operating in a passive SCR mode and generates a passive SCR active signal. The passive SCR mode includes operating an engine with rich air/fuel ratios. The temperature control module activates electrical heating of an oxidation catalyst based on the passive SCR active signal and a temperature of the oxidation catalyst.
US08621841B2 Gasification power generation system provided with carbon dioxide separation and recovery device
A gasification power generation system provided with a carbon dioxide separation and recovery device is disclosed. The system includes a carbon dioxide separation and recovery device having a shift reactor to convert carbon monoxide contained in fuel gas into carbon dioxide by mixing steam into the fuel gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen to cause a shift reaction; a carbon dioxide absorption tower to produce fuel gas from which carbon dioxide has been removed by allowing an absorption liquid to absorb carbon dioxide from the fuel gas containing carbon dioxide flowing down the shift reactor; an absorption liquid recycling device to recycle an absorption liquid by separating carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorption liquid in the carbon dioxide absorption tower; and a gasification power generation system.
US08621840B2 Control device and method of a gas turbine electric energy production plant
A control device of a gas turbine electric energy production plant (1), which delivers a power (P) at a frequency (fl); the control device (8) comprising power control means (15), for controlling the power (P) delivered by the plant (1) according to a reference power value (PSETNEW), and frequency control means (16), for determining correction values (PFSETPR; PFSETINT) of the reference power value (PSETNEW) according to a frequency error (eF), given by the difference between the plant frequency (f1) and a nominal frequency (fN); the device (8) being characterized in that the frequency control means (16) comprise integral control means (22) configured to calculate the correction values (PFSETINT) if the frequency error (eF) is beyond a first frequency range (B1), and proportional control means (20), which are deactivated when the frequency error (eF) is beyond a first frequency range (B1).
US08621837B2 Harvesting header with a flexible cutterbar and tilt arm for cutterbar drive
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms, a conveyor assembly, and a cutterbar drive. The support arms are pivotally coupled to the frame for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis so that the flexible cutterbar assembly is operable to flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. The cutterbar drive includes a drive element and a forward gearbox drivingly connected between the drive element and the cutterbar assembly. The forward gearbox is supported on an outer support arm.
US08621836B2 Draper header having center draper coupled to cutterbar
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a conveyor assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper with a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot where the draper frame projects forwardly from the pivot, such that the draper frame is operable to swing relative to the header frame. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.
US08621835B2 Trash finger
A corn head includes a frame, an auger, and a finger. The frame includes a feeder house opening and a trough located in front of the feeder house opening. The auger is rotatably mounted in the trough and includes flighting for directing material into the feeder house opening. The finger is attached to the auger and extends radially outward from the auger. The finger is flexible and rotates along with the auger.
US08621833B2 Lawn mowing vehicle with a control unit for the motor
A lawn moving vehicle (1) is for mowing lawn along the travel path of the vehicle. The lawn moving vehicle (1) includes: at least one electric reel unit having an electric reel (22) driven by a motor (24); sensors (34a-34c) for detecting the travel speed of the vehicle; and a control device (37) for controlling the motor (24) according to the result of the detection by the sensors (34a-34c) to thereby control the rotational speed of the electric reel (22) provided to the electric reel unit.
US08621832B2 Device for producing shrink film-covered packs
For the production of cigarette packs (10) with shrink-treated outer film, the packs (10) are subjected in a continuously rotating shrinking revolver (19) to a heat treatment effecting the shrinkage. To each pack (10) there are assigned, in the region of the shrinking revolver (19), heating plates (22, 23), which bear against the front side and rear side of the pack (10) or of the film.
US08621827B2 Sonotrode
A sonotrode comprising: a head defining a sealing surface elongated along a first direction; and a first and a second drive unit distinct from one another, each comprising at least one piezo-electric element; wherein first and second drive unit may be electrically fed by an unique generator to cause oscillation of head; the height of head measured along a second direction transversal to sealing surface being substantially equal to half the wavelength of wave oscillating in second direction; at least one slot extending through head transversally to first and second direction; a finite number of nodal points at which amplitude of oscillation of head is substantially equal to zero; and a plane on which at least some nodal points lie and which divides head in a first portion and second portion; the slot extends completely within one only between first and second portion and at a certain distance by plane.
US08621822B2 Exotensioned structural members with energy-absorbing effects
Structural members having enhanced load bearing capacity per unit mass include a skeleton structure formed from strips of material. Notches may be placed on the strips and a weave of tensile material placed in the notches and woven around the skeleton structure. At least one pair of structural members can be jointed together to provide very strong joints due to a weave patterns of tensile material, such as Kevlar, that distributes stress throughout the structure, preventing stress from concentrating in one area. Methods of manufacturing such structural members include molding material into skeletons of desired cross section using a matrix of molding segments. Total catastrophic failures in composite materials are substantially avoided and the strength to weight ratio of structures can be increased.
US08621821B1 Apparatus and method for mounting a gutter
The combination of a gutter piece and a gauging apparatus. The gutter piece has a length, a front, a rear, a bottom and a top. The gutter piece has an upwardly opening “U” shape, as viewed in cross-section taken transversely to the length of the gutter piece, for accumulating water and guiding accumulated water in a lengthwise direction. The gauging apparatus is operatively attached to the gutter piece and has a front and rear and a projecting portion to abut a surface on a structure to which the gutter piece is attached so as to thereby allow the gutter piece to be consistently aligned with the structure in a direction lengthwise of the gutter piece.
US08621820B2 Wall leveling device and method for manufacturing and using the same
An adjustable stud adapter is configured to attach to a stud. The adjustable stud adapter includes a front surface, a side surface substantially perpendicular to the front surface, and a first positioning slot and a second positioning slot formed on the side surface. The first and second positioning slots have an elongated shape and are substantially parallel to each other.
US08621818B1 Method for providing standardized modular building construction
A method for providing standardized modular elements usable to construct a building. The method includes defining a set of allowable functional building block configurations divided into assembly levels, defining allowable configurations and allowable interactions for each allowable functional building block configuration usable in a building configuration. The method also includes producing standardized modular elements based on the allowable configurations and allowable interactions for a desired building configuration. Fabricated standardized modular components are provided (produced, assembled, or fabricated) at an off-site location and employed in a building at an on-site location.
US08621816B1 Anchor bolt locator
An anchor bolt locator is provided that is inexpensively manufactured on automatic die-press machines from sheet steel and a structural nut that does not require any welding, while also being easy to use and install with current, commonly-used building practices and anchor designs. The anchor bolt locator is made from a galvanized sheet metal chair and a structural nut attached to the chair by way of a friction fit.
US08621812B2 Attachment member for insulation panel
Attachment members are disclosed for use with an insulation panel or composite siding panel. The attachment member includes a male connecting member, a hem portion, and a connection portion joining the male connecting member and the hem portion. The male connecting member extends into the body of a foam insulating layer along a first end edge. The attachment member and the first end edge cooperate to be complementary in shape with the second end edge such that adjacent panels can engage each other.
US08621807B2 Process for the production of panels with integrated insulation for the production of buildings, panels thus produced
A process for the production of panels (10) with integrated insulation in particular for the production of buildings, includes the following stages: pouring a concrete that includes natural fibers into a mold M to form an interior surface (12) of the panel, pouring a light hydrophobic concrete, with reinforcements, to form an exterior surface (14) of the panel, adjustment of reinforcements (28) on the edge of each panel to ensure a cottering and adjustment of chain reinforcements (32). Also described are the panels obtained by the process.
US08621802B2 Brick bracket for installation of a ledger on the brick facing or veneer of a structure and associated methods for the installation of the brick bracket on the brick facing
A brick bracket which is installed in a recess provided by removal of brick of a brick veneer in order to be attached to studs of a framework of the building without contacting the bricks. The brick bracket has a front wall which extends outwardly and covers the brick facing and carries carriage bolts to which a ledger can be affixed such that the ledger is able to support an attached structure so that the brick bracket will not apply any force to the bricks of the brick facing.
US08621801B2 Masonry wall system with guiding means
The present invention concerns a masonry wall system consisting of a plurality of panels and artificial masonry units. The panels are provided with channels sized to receive the artificial masonry units and delimited by protruding ribs. The protruding ribs have a predetermined width w and also have notches uniformly spaced along the ribs. The artificial masonry units have protuberances devised and positioned on the masonry units to be fitted in the notches of the protruding ribs so that the masonry units are equally spaced-apart from each other by a predetermined gap (g).
US08621800B2 Mortar and debris collection system for masonry cavity walls
A mortar and debris collection device for use in a masonry wall assembly includes a water permeable body made of an open-space defining array of polymer filaments that twist and turn between filament intersections where adjacent filaments are bonded to each other. The water permeable body comprises a shell having a hollow interior and includes an elongated base and extensions upwardly projecting from the base.
US08621799B2 External wall and roof systems
A ventilated exterior wall or roof system comprises frame including a plurality of frame members, and a double envelope structure attached to the exterior of the frame. The double envelope structure comprises a water resistant membrane, an exterior sheathing material disposed on the exterior side of and spaced from the water resistant membrane, and one or more air channels between the water resistant membrane and the exterior sheathing.
US08621795B2 Fenestration frame with bonded support brackets and method of making same
A fenestration unit such as a window or door has a frame with an outer peripheral surface. An array of support brackets are secured to the outer peripheral surface and extend inwardly toward the interior of a building in which the fenestration unit is to be installed. The support brackets are formed with a bendable metal and are secured to the outer surface of the frame without forming holes in the frame through which water may leak. The support brackets may be secured by heat, sonic, or friction welding, or with solvents or adhesives, structural tapes, or other appropriate mechanisms. In one embodiment for use with frames having a vinyl surface, the support brackets may be vinyl coated steel to enable attachment of the support brackets with welding or vinyl adhesive techniques. A method of fabricating fenestration frames with support brackets includes obtaining support brackets and securing them to the fenestration frame without forming holes in the fenestration frame.
US08621793B2 Glazing system
A self-lock glazing mechanism of two aluminum extrusion profiles, a male profile and a female profile, to self-lock glass panels using beadings. The mechanism functions when a glass panel is positioned on setting blocks over the flat surface of the upper leg of the female profile—with spacers between the vertical leg of the female profile and the glass panel and the male profile with the locking tip facing upward on its horizontal leg inserted into the gap between the upper leg and the lower leg of the female profile against the female locking tip above. The locking tips of both male and female profiles are then engaged by tilting the vertical leg of the male profile outward about its built-in fulcrum, and inserting wedges into the space created between the glass panel and the vertical leg of the male profile, for keeping the glass panel locked in position. The mechanism further tightens grip on the edges of the glass panel when the spacers and wedges are replaced by rubber beading of appropriate resilience for glazing to avoid touching metal and to allow expansion and to absorb impacts.
US08621791B2 Damping system
A damper has two sets of first elongate members, second elongate members that are connected so that they can rotate and that connect the first elongate members to one another, and damping members which attenuate the relative movement between the first elongate members and the second elongate members. The respective first joints of each of the first members are connected to the first connection members and the second connection members so that they can rotate. The first joint of the first elongate member, the first joints of the other first elongate members, and each of the second joints are located along the common axes.
US08621788B2 Connector for construction elements and method of connecting
There is herein described a connector system. More particularly, there is herein described a connector (100) system which is capable of being used to connect construction modules (120) in a substantially horizontal and/or substantially vertical manner.
US08621787B2 Prefabricated building modules for multi-unit housing
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for building a living space during construction of a multi-unit housing structure. In particular, the present application describes various embodiments of prefabricated building modules that may be built and equipped with plumbing, HVAC and/or electrical fixtures prior to installation in a multi-unit housing structure. Because modules may be configured prior to installation in a housing structure, the use of prefabricated building modules may increase efficiency of construction and provide enhanced customization over other non-configurable building units.
US08621785B2 Z-bar extension member and assembly
A method of assembling a z-bar extension member to a z-bar that negates the need for trimming the z-bar. The apparatus includes an exterior z-bar member having an exterior barrel portion and an interior z-bar member having an interior barrel portion. The interior barrel portion is slidably or snappingly engaged within the exterior barrel portion. Mating structures may be included on the cooperating components to maintain a positional relationship therebetween during assembly. A guard assembly that mounts to the edge of a door or on the end of a door expander to cover the gap between the z-bar and the casing is also disclosed that may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the z-bar extension member.
US08621784B2 Sliding doors with reversible configurations
A sliding door with reversible hand configurations can include a plurality of mounting locations along a top and a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of mounting locations can be configured to allow the sliding door to selectively hang and operate according to multiple orientations in order to satisfy site-specific handedness requirements. In one implementation, the sliding door includes a door frame and mounting hardware for selectively mounting the sliding door to a roller track affixed near the upper portion of a doorway.
US08621780B2 Seed index system for treating agricultural seeds
Seed index system and methods for treating agricultural seeds with one or more seed care products employing a size-adjusted application rate based on the size of the seeds. Such size-adjusted application rates can be determined by a supplier of seed care products and communicated to an applicator who applies the seed care product to a quantity of seeds. Such size-adjusted application rates can be in the form of a chart, an equation, or a calculator.
US08621778B2 Modulator
A modulator (10, 10A) for changing a constant flow of gas to a pulsed or intermittent flow of gas, said modulator (10, 10A) including a housing component (11) and an insertion tube (15) for insertion into a hollow interior (16) of the housing component (11) wherein after insertion of the insertion tube (15) into the housing component (11), gas is generated either in situ within the hollow interior (16) of the housing component (11) and be caused to flow out of an outlet (23A) of the modulator (10, 10A) in pulses or alternatively gas is passed into the insertion tube (15) in a constant flow and upon reaching the hollow interior (16) of the housing component (11) is released therefrom through the outlet (23A) in a pulsed flow.
US08621775B2 Firearm sight with dual diamond shaped apertures
A sight for use on a firearm includes a frame member mountable to a firearm and having a pair of spaced apart posts extending therefrom, a support member extending transversely between the pair of posts and selectively rotatable with respect thereto, and a sight element. The sight element is carried by the support member between the posts and includes a central portion rotatably coupled to the support member, a first sight aperture portion extending from the central portion and defining a first aperture formed in a diamond shape with an upper v-notch and a lower v-notch, and a second sight aperture portion extending from the central portion and defining a second aperture formed in a diamond shape.
US08621772B1 Revolver cylinder gap seal
In a revolver having a frame, carrying a barrel and a revolving cylinder having multiple cartridge chambers therearound, the improvement comprising: a) a sliding sleeve positioned over an inner end portion of the barrel, said end portion of the barrel and inner diameter of the sliding sleeve closely mated; and, a) a sliding sleeve positioned over an inner end portion of the barrel, said end portion of the barrel and inner diameter of the sliding sleeve closely mated; and, b) said sliding sleeve having a front face having a central opening therethrough having an inner diameter nominally equivalent to marginally larger than, a bore through the barrel. Whereafter firing, the sliding sleeve is instantaneously driven back contacting its front face with the revolving cylinder, thereby eliminating any gap between the revolving cylinder and the barrel, preventing exploding gas from escaping therethrough, and substantially increasing bullet discharge velocity and energy.
US08621769B2 Snow pusher for ice and snow removal
Disclosed herein are various aspects of an improved snow or material pushers for use with loaders, backhoes, agricultural and larger home and garden tractors and the like for moving snow or other materials on generally flat areas such as parking lots, driveways, feed lots, runways, and loading areas. The improvements include, among others, a reversible design, extended side plates and/or wear shoes as well as improved scraping edge configurations so as to provide added functionality and versatility to pushers. As described the various features may be employed alone or in combination to provide the capability for snow and ice removal while minimizing the potential for damage to surfaces and objects thereon.
US08621768B2 Golf shoe
A golf shoe having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole is provided. A collapsible support element is positioned in a recess proximate to a wearer's first metatarsal bone. The collapsible support element has anisotropic mechanical properties and includes a series of longitudinal wave elements. The wave elements are stiffer in a longitudinal direction and more collapsible in a transverse direction. The wave elements resist collapsing when a golfer walks but have a propensity to collapse during the golfer's swing, which allows more efficient transfer of energy during the swing. The shoe further includes flexing channels in a forward portion as well as a flexing channel in the rear portion.
US08621764B2 Gelatin capsule formulation and drying system
A gelatin capsule drying system that includes a structure divided into first, second and third zones, a first air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the first zone, a second air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the second zone and a third air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the third zone. The system further includes a series of tumble dryers that extend from the first zone, through the second zone and into the third zone, and an HVAC unit that provides air to the first, second and third air handler units.
US08621762B2 Forced air coat hanger
A multiple garment drying apparatus for drying garments that includes a hot air source and blower assembly attached to a garment hanging assembly that includes two upward extending hot air transfer tubes that connect to two hot air ports on the blower assembly. Attached to the ends of the two tubes is a hollow, transverse brace with two upward extending end brackets attached to its opposite ends. Attached to the two end brackets is an upper shoulder component used to support a jacket placed thereon. The upper shoulder component includes a plurality of air vents that enable air delivered below the upper shoulder component to travel upward and through the upper shoulder component. During operation, air from the hot air source and blower assembly is delivered to the two transfer tubes. The air from the two transfer tubes is then transmitted to the transverse brace and through the upper shoulder component.
US08621761B2 Self identifying template gage probing system
A component inspection system comprises a sensor apparatus and a template having a component side and an opposing inspection side. The inspection side includes a plurality of inspection bosses projecting therefrom, each of the plurality of inspection bosses having a first coupling and a sensor aperture. Each aperture is disposed axially through each respective boss to the component side of the template. The sensor apparatus includes a receptacle for retaining a sensor. The receptacle has a second coupling configured to individually engage with each of the plurality of first couplings for removably securing the sensor apparatus to a respective at least one of the plurality of inspection bosses.
US08621759B2 Method and system for attenuating a wavelength shifting source
An apparatus comprises a light source which produces a first radiation within a first wavelength range and which produces a second radiation within a second wavelength range when a property of the light source is changed. The apparatus further comprises an optical device which receives the first radiation and attenuates the first radiation to emit a first attenuated radiation having a first perceived brightness. The optical device also receives the second radiation and attenuates the second radiation to emit a second attenuated radiation having a second perceived brightness. The first and second perceived brightnesses are approximately equal.
US08621757B2 Coated cutting edge of a blade member
In a cutting edge of a razor blade, a non-nitrided layer containing Ti, Al, and Cr formed on opposite surfaces of a base plate as a portion of a coating layer. A remaining layer containing Ti, Al, Cr, and N formed on opposite surfaces of the non-nitrided layer as a portion of a nitrided layer of the coating layer. A surface layer containing Ti, Al, Cr, and N formed on opposite surfaces of the remaining layer as a portion of the nitrided layer of the coating layer. A fluororesin layer formed on opposite surfaces of the surface layer with a bonding layer containing Cr and Al in between. The coating layer further improves the cutting edge, enhances cutting performance of the cutting edge, and maintains the enhanced cutting performance to improve the durability of the cutting edge.
US08621749B2 Non-deleterious technique for creating continuous conductive circuits
A non-deleterious method for producing a continuous conductive circuit upon a non-conductive substrate can begin with the application of a metallic base layer upon a surface of a non-conductive substrate. A circuit pattern can be created within the metallic base layer based upon a circuit design. The metallic base layer comprising the circuit pattern can be physically separated from the remainder of the metallic base layer on the non-conductive substrate. The region of the non-conductive substrate surface that encloses the circuit pattern can be called the plating region. The remainder of the non-conductive substrate surface can be called the non-plating region. A first metal layer can be added upon the metallic base layer. A second metal layer can be added upon the first metal layer of the plating region. The second metal layer can be electrically conductive and restricted from forming on the first metal layer of the non-plating region.
US08621748B2 Manufacturing method for a printed wiring board
A manufacturing method of a printed wiring board, including forming a plurality of electrodes on a conductive layer formed on a substrate by a plating method, forming an insulation layer on the electrodes and the conductive layer, removing the substrate from the conductive layer, patterning the conductive layer except for a resistor forming region reserved for forming a resistor, thereby forming an external connection conductive pattern, and forming a resistor in the resistor forming region such that the resistor is separated by a space from the external connection conductive pattern.
US08621740B2 Water-retaining element, system and method for forming a temporary water-retaining structure
A water-retaining element (2) for forming a temporary water-retaining structure (1) includes a bottom (6), a plurality of side walls (8, 10), and connections (20). The plurality of side walls are immovably connected to the bottom and extend upwards from the bottom to form a water-fillable container (12). The connections connect the water-retaining element in a water-retaining manner to least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water-fillable container (12) is open at the top to receive a second water-retaining element (2) during transport and/or storage.
US08621739B1 Method for assembly of structural system
A method for assembly of structural systems comprising structural members with slots. Specific structural members are sequentially interconnected in rigid alignment. A first structural member is positioned with two upward facing slots. A second structural member having a downward slot and an upward slot is engaged with the first structural member by engaging the downward slot with one of the upward slots of the first structural member providing a stable structure. A third structural member having a downward slot and an upward slot is engaged with the second structural member by engaging the downward slot with the upward slot of the second structural member providing a stable structure. A fourth structural member having two downward slots is engaged with the third structural member and the first structural member by engaging the downward slots with the upward slots providing a finished structure.
US08621734B2 Collet for a low swage load fastening system
A collet for a fastener installation tool having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth. The teeth include a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The pull section includes a protrusion extending from the fastener engagement end, thereby extending the length of the pull section. The pull section includes a cross-sectional thickness, wherein the collet is adapted to engage a pin member having a locking portion with a first diameter and a pull portion with a smaller second diameter. An increase in the difference between the first diameter of the locking portion and the second diameter of the pull portion of the pin member allows for a corresponding increase in the cross-sectional thickness of the collet, thereby extending the fatigue life of the tool.
US08621733B2 Device for preparing the end faces of thin-walled jackets for welding
The invention relates to a device for preparing the end faces of thin-walled jackets for welding, comprising a housing (1), on which an annular separator (2) is mounted, said separator containing at least two groups of elongated deformation elements (4, 6). The longitudinal axes of the deformation elements (4) of a first group are aligned radially in relation to the central axis of the separator (2) and the longitudinal axes of the deformation elements (6) of a second group are aligned at an acute angle (α) in relation to a radial through the central axis of the separator (2).
US08621732B2 Rapper device
A method and a rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel. The rapper device includes a striker rod which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel and one end projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening. The rapper device also includes an impacting device for impacting the projecting end of the striker rod. A section of the striker rod is slideably supported in a pressure chamber adjacent the passage opening. The pressure chamber is connected to a sealing gas supply maintaining the pressure in the pressure chamber at a higher level than the pressure in the pressure vessel. A bellows defines a pressure chamber around at least a section of the striker rod.
US08621730B2 Capacitor producing method for producing thin-film capacitors eliminating defects
In a capacitor producing method, a bottom electrode, a thin-film dielectric, and a top electrode are deposited on a substrate so as to form a capacitor, wherein defects including particles and electrical short-circuits between the bottom electrode and the top electrode are detected before the capacitor is divided into capacitor cells. Next, defects such as particles and electrical short-circuits between the bottom electrode and the top electrode are removed before the capacitor is divided into capacitor cells.
US08621728B2 Locking carabiner
A locking carabiner having an eccentric pivot that when rotated causes a reciprocating motion that moves the opening end of the gate into or out of locking engagement with the carabiner body. Rotation of the eccentric is controlled by a short lever that can be easily moved by a fingertip, consequently the gate can be conveniently manipulated and locked with the fingers of one hand. The locking mechanism adds negligible weight and bulk to the carabiner. The locking mechanism can be incorporated on bent gate, straight gate and wire gate carabiners.
US08621727B2 Tray holder
A clip to secure trays in a stack including a platform, rails coupled to the platform to mate with tabs of at least bookending trays in the tray stack when the platform occupies a brake position thereof relative to the stack and an elastic brake element coupled to the platform and configured to be biased against the stack when the platform occupies the brake position to increase a mating friction between the rails and the tabs, the elastic brake element being actuatable against the bias to permit selective movement of the platform to and from the brake position, the selective movement solely actuating the elastic brake element.
US08621723B2 Relocatable ornaments and related methods
Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods of differentiating an item or improving its aesthetic appearance.
US08621709B2 Multi-strut cleaning head
A cleaning head for a surface cleaning apparatus has a plurality of struts extending from a front chamber having a dirty air inlet to a rear chamber having a transition duct that is in communication with a filtration apparatus of a surface cleaning apparatus by a dirty fluid outlet. One or more of the struts comprises an airflow passage. In one embodiment, no outer casing is provided surrounding the struts.
US08621703B2 Brush for a machine for the horizontal and/or vertical cleaning of surface that are separated by grooves, joints, unevennesses and/or pores and a machine provided with such brushes
A brush for a machine for the horizontal and/or vertical cleaning of surfaces which are provided with grooves, joints, unevennesses and/or pores is provided to move the brush in a plane which is substantially parallel to a surface. This brush is provided with at least one set of first hairs for cleaning or polishing the parts of the surface which extend between the grooves, joints, unevennesses and/or pores, and at least one set of second hairs for cleaning the grooves, joints, unevennesses and/or pores. The brush includes a base plate which is releasably attached to one or several brush parts, which are provided with one or several sets of second hairs. A machine for the horizontal and/or vertical cleaning of surfaces which are provided with grooves, joints, unevennesses and/or pores is provided with one or several of such brushes.
US08621701B2 Dental brush assembly and method for making the same
A dental brush assembly includes an elongate handle having first and second coupling ends sized and shaped to couple with at least a first detachable dental brush. The first coupling end is at a first angle relative to a handle longitudinal axis and the second coupling end is at a second different angle relative to the handle longitudinal axis. The first coupling end includes first and second brush facing surfaces. The second coupling end includes third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The first detachable dental brush includes a directional brush surface and a brush end complementary to the first, second, third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The directional brush surface is directed in first, second, third or fourth non-identical orientations relative to the handle longitudinal axis depending on which brush facing surface the first detachable dental brush is oriented with.
US08621698B2 Toothbrushes
Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.
US08621696B1 Counterbalance for a fold out ramp
A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly includes a counterbalance comprising a lug associated with the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position moves the lug along an arcuate path in a first direction, and movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position moves the lug along the arcuate path in a second direction. A flexible line is coupled to the lug, and a restraint is fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion. A biasing element is associated with the flexible line such that movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moves the biasing element compresses a spring disposed between the restraint and the biasing element.
US08621695B2 Method for controlling a washing machine
A washing machine is disclosed. A method for washing laundry with the washing machine enhances washing performance and enables sterilization of the laundry by using steam while preventing damage of cloth due to the steam. The method comprises primarily supplying water into a tub, and supplying steam by heating the water using a heater installed in the tub to generate the steam.
US08621694B2 Sleep support surface that includes a layer with large diameter cleaving
A layered mattress including a first layer having a first support surface facing substantially externally and a second support surface opposite the first support surface; a specialized layer having a top support surface adjacent the second support surface of the first layer, a bottom support surface, and a plurality of holes defined to extend through the specialized layer; a second layer having a third support surface adjacent the bottom support surface of the specialized layer and a fourth support surface opposite the third support surface; and a pad having a fifth support surface adjacent the fourth support surface of the second layer and a sixth support surface opposite the fifth support surface.
US08621690B2 Hospital bed lift and braking mechanisms
A patient support including a frame, plurality of wheels coupled to the frame, a deck, and a scissor mechanism coupled to the frame and the deck to move the deck from a raised position to a lowered position. The support includes brake mechanism including a brake pad to contact the floor to prevent the patient support from rolling.
US08621686B2 Power and control system for bed
Embodiments of a power and signal distribution assembly for a bed having at least one power input port, at least one controller port, and at least one output port are described. The power input port receives a first DC voltage from a power supply and the power supply receiving an AC voltage and converting it to the first DC voltage. The controller port receives the first DC voltage and outputs at least one power control signal having the first DC voltage. The output port receives signals having the first DC voltage. The power and signal distribution assembly has a first location and the power supply has a second location different from the first location. In other embodiments, the power and signal distribution assembly is located on a frame of a bed and the power supply remote therefrom. Still further, one or more additional controller ports may also be provided.
US08621683B2 Flexible drainage trap
The present disclosure generally relates to flexible drainage trap assemblies and methods for constructing and installing such drainage traps. In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible drainage trap assembly includes a plumbing fixture connector, a discharge joint, and a trap portion connecting the plumbing fixture connector and discharge joint. The trap portion is shaped in such a way that it is operable to retain a pool of water inside the trap portion. The disclosed flexible drainage assemblies include a flexible portion that has a substantially smooth inner surface.
US08621681B2 Articulating shower arm
An improved shower arm having an elbow portion adapted to fluidly communicate with a shower head and an arm portion adapted to fluidly communicate with a water supply. The arm portion is pivotably coupled with the elbow portion about a long axis of the elbow portion, with the long axis of the elbow portion and a long axis of the arm portion forming an angle. Also, the shower arm includes a locking mechanism having one or more sets of splines to securely lock the relative position of the arm and elbow portions. The splines may be coupled and decoupled by a variety of mechanisms, including: hydraulic pressure generated by a restrictor plate; a spring forcing the sets of splines together; and a pair of magnets.
US08621674B2 Reversible baseball or softball chest protector
A reversible chest protector includes internal padding configured to absorb impacts against both the front and rear-facing surfaces of the chest protector. The chest protector includes inner and outer layers of fabric that are molded to an internal foam core. The foam core may include outer layers of closed-cell foam molded to the fabric layers, and an internal layer of open-cell foam molded to the closed-cell foam layers, such that the padding layup is symmetrical. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter.
US08621671B1 Protective chin guard
A chin guard has a shell with a cup suitable for fitting upon a human chin and a resilient layer received within the cup of the shell. The resilient layer is suitable for contacting the human chin. The shell has a first strap-receiving slot on one side thereof and a second strap-receiving slot on an opposite side thereof. Each of the first and second strap-receiving slots open through a thickness of the shell. A first strap extends through the first strap-receiving slot and a second strap extends through said second strap-receiving slot. The first and second slots are arranged transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shell.
US08621669B2 Disposable safety garment with improved doffing and neck closure
Nonwoven safety garments are described. Features of the stitching of some embodiments limit the number of particulates emitted from seams between cut edges. Attachments features may be included on the garments to enable secure, external attachment of measuring equipment. Doffing features, such as loops, are provided to help the wearer safely remove the garment, either by helping her pull off part or all of the garment or by starting to separate closure devices. In some embodiments, a repositionable closure on a neck flap covers the neck up to the bottom of a face mask or respirator, and a grasping tab helps the wearer safely open the repositionable closure and the neck flap.
US08621665B1 Novelty mitt
The present invention is a novelty mitt to be worn on a person's hand at a sporting event such as baseball game. In one embodiment, the novelty mitt comprises a flexible base having inner and outer surfaces, left and right edges, and a bottom edge. The flexible base further comprises a lower portion, a left upper portion, a central upper portion, and a right upper portion. The central upper portion is spaced apart and disposed between the left and right upper portions. The outer surface of the left and right upper portions are removably engaged with the inner surface of the central upper portion to form the curved shape of the novelty mitt. The novelty mitt further comprises first, second, third, fourth and fifth finger pockets removably engaged with the outer surface of the flexible base to accommodate different size hands. The novelty mitt further comprises a wrist strap removably engaged with the lower portion of the flexible base to secure the novelty mitt to the person's hand.
US08621663B2 Eye protectors
An eye protector (16) is provided for mounting on a helmet (10) of the type worn by a firefighter or other emergency worker, the helmet having a brim (14) that projects forwardly and laterally from a lower part of a crown (12). The eye protector (16) includes a bracket (20) mounted to the brim (14), a pair of eye shields (18) movable between a storage position extending along the brim (14) and a usage position extending downward from the brim (14) to shield the eyes of the wearer, and a pair of hinges (22) to connect the eye shields (18) to the bracket (20) for movement between the storage and usage positions. Each of the hinges (22) connects a corresponding one of the eye shields (18) and includes a plurality of aligned hinge openings (24,26) on the eye shield (18) and the bracket (20), a socket (28) on the eye shield (18), and a hinge pin (30) extending through the hinge openings (24,26) and have a first end (32) releasably fixed in the socket (28) and a second end (34) that is exposed outside of the openings (24,26).
US08627509B2 System and method for monitoring content
A method for processing media files includes receiving a request to download a first media file and, in response to receiving the request, generating a first signature that describes a first characteristic of the first media file. The method also includes determining whether the first signature matches any of a first plurality of stored signatures. The method also includes generating a second signature that describes a second characteristic of the first media file in response to determining that the first signature matches one of the first plurality of stored signatures. Additionally the method includes determining whether the second signature matches any of a second plurality of stored signatures and, in response to determining that the second signature matches one or more of the second plurality of stored signatures, denying the request to download the first media file.
US08627508B2 Cloud key directory for federating data exchanges
Embodiments are directed to facilitating data transfer using an anonymous directory and to providing attribute-based data access to identified users. In an embodiment, a computer system instantiates an anonymous directory that stores data in various client-specific directories for different clients. The anonymous directory is configured to provide data access according to access controls defined and managed by the client. The computer system receives a data request from a user that identifies the user and specifies a portion of data that is to be returned to the user. The computer system determines which of the client's data is to be returned to the user based on the client's specified access controls. The access controls grant access to specified data in some of the client-specific directories, based on the user's identity. The computer system then provides the determined data to the user.
US08627507B2 System and method for multimedia data validation
There is disclosed a media file distribution system and method. An asset management and delivery system and method for the distribution of digital files and data is provided. There are two major functions, with sub-functions within each. The system first serves as a fully automated management system for a company involved in video/file distribution, such as in video on demand (VOD) or other digital file industries. The system can ingest, prepare, schedule, transmit, track and report on any aspect of the business chain. Secondly, it also serves as a product for both content providers and recipients to be able to view, manage and run their entire content offering remotely from anywhere through the Internet.
US08627500B2 Methods and apparatus for sharing, transferring and removing previously owned digital media
The invention provide systems and methods for management of digital media objects, comprising first and second client digital data processors (e.g., personal (or private) computers, laptops, dedicated music devices, electronic book readers, and so forth) that are in communications coupling with one or more stores (e.g, dedicated disk drives, flash drives, cloud storage, etc.). At least one digital media object (DMO) or copy thereof is stored in one or more of those stores and is accessible by at least one of the first and second client digital data processors.
US08627493B1 Single sign-on for network applications
A method may include authenticating a device to a first server, where the device includes an agent; receiving a request, in the first server from a second server, to verify the authenticity of the device, where the device is not authenticated to the second server; sending a browser plug-in to the device to communicate with the agent for verifying the authenticity of the device; receiving, in the first server, a message from the agent verifying the authenticity of the device; and sending a message from the first server to the second server to authenticate the device to the second server.
US08627492B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus comprising: an input portion that inputs image data of a plurality of pages of document; a password detector that detects a password given to each of the pages; a password judger that judges from the detecting results drew by the password detector whether or not different passwords are detected from each of the pages; a correlation judger that judges about each of the pages if the password judger judges that different passwords are detected from each of the pages, whether or not the passwords are correlated to each other; and an output permitting portion that permits the image data of all the pages, which are the image data inputted by the input portion, to be outputted without requesting entry of all passwords, if it is judged about each of the pages that the passwords are correlated to each other, on the other hand, requests entry of a password about each of the pages if it is judged about at least one of the pages that the passwords are not correlated to each other, then permits the image data of a certain page to be outputted, if an appropriate password is entered about that page.
US08627484B2 Unauthorized location detection and countermeasures
A location sentry system is provided for use within a mobile device. The sentry system can be configured to detect unauthorized attempts to locate mobile devices by monitoring messages passed between the mobile device and the wireless network and/or messages passed between components of the mobile device, and determining that one or more of the messages is/are indicative of an attempt to locate the mobile device. In response to a determination that an unauthorized attempt has been detected, the location sentry can be configured to take one or more actions. For example, the location sentry system could prevent location information from being sent back to the wireless network and/or the location sentry system could cause incorrect information to be sent to the wireless network.
US08627483B2 Data anonymization based on guessing anonymity
Privacy is defined in the context of a guessing game based on the so-called guessing inequality. The privacy of a sanitized record, i.e., guessing anonymity, is defined by the number of guesses an attacker needs to correctly guess an original record used to generate a sanitized record. Using this definition, optimization problems are formulated that optimize a second anonymization parameter (privacy or data distortion) given constraints on a first anonymization parameter (data distortion or privacy, respectively). Optimization is performed across a spectrum of possible values for at least one noise parameter within a noise model. Noise is then generated based on the noise parameter value(s) and applied to the data, which may comprise real and/or categorical data. Prior to anonymization, the data may have identifiers suppressed, whereas outlier data values in the noise perturbed data may be likewise modified to further ensure privacy.
US08627482B2 Method, apparatus and system for secure distribution of content
The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for the secure distribution of content such as audiovisual content in a way that prevents users from misusing the content and provides a mechanism for tracking pirated material back to the original location of misappropriation. A security device incorporates encryption methods to insure the broadcast encryption key remains secure. A marking device incorporates, for example, digital watermarking methods that attach to the content information to identify a location of origin of the misappropriation, such as a Set-top Box (STB) and/or smart card.
US08627480B2 Compiler and method for compiling
A compiling device for generating a second program sequence from a first program sequence comprises a recognizer for recognizing a first subarea and a second subarea of the first program sequence, and a selector for selecting instructions from a set of instructions of the second program sequence formed to select only instructions of a first security category for mapping a functionality of the first subarea and to select instructions of the second security category for mapping a functionality of the second subarea. Additionally, the compiling device comprises a generator for generating the second program sequence from the instructions selected.
US08627478B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting non-portable executable files
An apparatus for inspecting a non-PE file includes a data loading unit configured to load candidate malicious address information related to a malicious code of the non-PE file; and a program link unit configured to acquire normal address range information of a module being loaded on a memory when an application program adapted for the non-PE file is executed and set up a candidate malicious address corresponding to the candidate malicious address information to be a breakpoint of the application program. Further, the apparatus includes a malicious code determination unit configured to determine whether a next execution address is within the normal address range information when there occurs an event derived from the breakpoint.
US08627473B2 Peer-to-peer (P2P) botnet tracking at backbone level
A method, computer-readable medium, and system for analyzing backbone traffic to determine compromised hosts from among hosts on a network are provided. The backbone traffic includes data flows. Each of the data flows is analyzed to determine peer-to-peer data flows from among the data flows. Each of the peer-to-peer data flows is one of the data flows having a source address and a destination address that are each unassociated with a domain name. The peer-to-peer data flows are analyzed to determine the compromised hosts from among the hosts. Each of the compromised hosts is interconnected with another of the compromised hosts via at least one of the peer-to-peer data flows.
US08627471B2 Permissions checking for data processing instructions
A data processing system having a processor and a target device processes decorated instructions (i.e. an instruction having a decoration value). A device of the data processing system such as the processor sends transactions to the target device over a system interconnect. The transactions include an indication of an instruction operation, an address associated with the instruction operation, a decoration value (i.e. a command to the target device to perform a function in addition to a primary function of the executed instruction), and access permissions associated with the address. The target device (e.g. a memory with functionality in addition to storage functionality) determines whether a decoration operation specified by the decoration value is permissible based on the received access permissions. The target device performs the decoration operation if appropriate permissions exist.
US08627468B2 Optimizing performance information collection
A network management system may detect a network condition corresponding to a network and evaluate the network condition to identify types of network performance information corresponding to the network condition. The network management system may prioritize the types of network performance information and communicate priority information to a network device. The priority information may include the types of network performance information identified by the network management system and/or the priority associated with each type of network performance information. The network device may receive the priority information, evaluate the availability of device resources, collect network performance information based on the priority information and the availability of device resources, and communicate the network performance information to the network management system.
US08627467B2 System and method for selectively storing web objects in a cache memory based on policy decisions
A system and method for selectively storing one or more web objects in a memory is disclosed. A server response is received at a network traffic management device, wherein the server response is associated with a client request sent from a client device and includes at least one web object. The server response is analyzed using a security module of the network traffic management device which determines if the at least a portion of the server response contains suspicious content in relation to one or more defined policy parameters handled by the security module. An instruction is sent from the security module to a cache module of the network traffic management device upon determining that the at least a portion of the server response contains suspicious information, wherein the cache module does not store the at least one web object upon receiving the instruction.
US08627464B2 Globally valid measured operating system launch with hibernation support
An event log can comprise, not only entries associated with components instantiated since a most recent power on of a computing device, but also entries of components instantiated prior to that power on, such as components that were instantiated, and represent, a state of the computing device prior to hibernation that has now been resumed. Upon hibernation, the current values of the Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs) of a Trusted Platform Module (trusted execution environment), as well as a quote of those current values, and a current value of a monotonic counter of the trusted execution environment can be logged. The monotonic counter can be incremented at each power on to track successive generations of the computing device and to guard against an intervening, not-logged generation. A subsequent parsing of the event log can verify the prior generational entries with reference to the PCR values in the log that are associated with those generations.
US08627458B2 Detecting malicious computer program activity using external program calls with dynamic rule sets
A stream 14 of external computer program calls made from an application program 2 to an operating system 4 is logged by an anti-malware layer 8. This stream 14 is examined for a primary set XYZ of external program calls known to be associated with malicious computer program activity. When such a primary set XYZ of external computer program calls is identified, the malicious activity is blocked and the logged stream 14 is examined to determine one or more secondary sets of external program calls which are now added to the set of rules 10 against which the logged stream 14 of external program calls is tested. In this way the set of rules 10 is dynamically adapted so as to more rapidly and proactively identify malicious computer program activity.
US08627453B2 Method and apparatus for managing multiple security protocols and users for imaging devices
Methods and apparatus contemplate a system for securing imaging devices on a network by allowing a system administrator to apply different security protocols to specific functions of an imaging device. This allows a system administrator to customize the functions of the imaging device by restricting the particular functions to only those users who need them, as opposed to the global security policies currently required. The system uses a computer program product, including executable instructions, which can be stored on the imaging device itself, a network server, and/or some other device attached to the network. The computer program product can be installed directly from the manufacturer, through computer readable media, or by downloading. The product interfaces directly with the imaging device to determine what imaging functions are present and to set what security protocols are required to access those functions.
US08627452B2 System and method for providing network security to mobile devices
A small piece of hardware connects to a mobile device and filters out attacks and malicious code. Using the piece of hardware, a mobile device can be protected by greater security and possibly by the same level of security offered by its associated corporation/enterprise. In one embodiment, a mobile security system includes a connection mechanism for connecting to a data port of a mobile device and for communicating with the mobile device; a network connection module for acting as a gateway to a network; a security policy for determining whether to forward content intended for the mobile device to the mobile device; and a security engine for executing the security policy.
US08627438B1 Passwordless strong authentication using trusted devices
A code for accessing an online resource having a customer account associated therewith is presented via a secondary device, and authentication data indicative of the code that was presented is received from a primary device. The primary device is identified as a trusted device associated with the customer account responsive to receiving the authentication data therefrom, and the secondary device is authenticated for access to the online resource responsive to identification of the primary device as the trusted device associated with the customer account.
US08627437B2 Method for reading attributes from an ID token
The invention relates to a method for reading at least one attribute stored in an ID token, wherein, where the ID token is associated with a user, having the following steps: the user is authenticated to the ID token, a first computer system is authenticated to the ID token, following successful authentication of the user and the first computer system to the ID token, the first computer system effects read access to the at least one attribute stored in the ID token in order to transmit the at least one attribute, when it has been signed, to a second computer system, where the authentication of the first computer system to the ID token is performed because of an attribute specification, which is received by the first computer system from a third computer system.
US08627435B2 Customizable sign-on service
Techniques are described for providing customizable sign-on functionality, such as via an access manager system that provides single sign-on functionality and other functionality to other services for use with those services' users. The access manager system may maintain various sign-on and other account information for various users, and provide single sign-on functionality for those users using that maintained information on behalf of multiple unrelated services with which those users interact. The access manager may allow a variety of types of customizations to single sign-on functionality and/or other functionality available from the access manager, such as on a per-service basis via configuration by an operator of the service, such as co-branding customizations, customizations of information to be gathered from users, customizations of authority that may be delegated to other services to act on behalf of users, etc., and with the customizations that are available being determined specifically for that service.
US08627422B2 Authentication in secure user plane location (SUPL) systems
A particular method includes storing, at a mobile device, at least one security credential that is specific to the mobile device. The method also includes transmitting the at least one security credential to a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP) to authenticate the mobile device as associated with a SUPL user based on a comparison of the device identifier to a stored device identifier.
US08627421B1 Methods and apparatus for authenticating a user based on implicit user memory
Methods and apparatus are provided for authenticating a user based on implicit user memory. Access to a protected resource is controlled by presenting a user with a plurality of stimuli during a priming phase; presenting the user with a plurality of degraded versions of the primed stimuli and with a plurality of degraded versions of non-primed stimuli during an authentication phase; receiving an identification from the user of the degraded versions of the primed stimuli and the degraded versions of the non-primed stimuli; and authenticating the user based upon a number of correct identifications of the degraded versions of the primed stimuli. The stimuli can comprise, for example, images and/or sounds. An authentication score can be based, for example, on a number of correctly labeled primed stimuli plus a number of incorrectly labeled non-primed stimuli.
US08627418B2 Controlled discovery of san-attached SCSI devices and access control via login authentication
A method for accessing data in a storage area network is provided. The method initiates with receiving a request for a list of targets on the storage area network. All the targets on the storage area network are exposed to the requester and authentication requiring a password is requested from the requester to grant access to the targets on the storage are network. Access to the targets is granted if the password is acceptable, and access to the targets is refused if the password is unacceptable.
US08627416B2 Device-specific authorization at distributed locations
A method includes receiving, at a client device, an authentication seed from a first network. The method also includes receiving a shared secret. The method further includes, in response to receiving the authentication seed, determining a network address of the client device. The method further includes computing a result of a one-way hash function of a combination of the network address, the authentication seed, and the shared secret. The method further includes transmitting the network address and the result of the one-way hash function to a server that provides access control of a second network coupled to the first network. The method further includes receiving permission from the server to access the second network.
US08627414B1 Methods and apparatuses for user-verifiable execution of security-sensitive code
A computer including a processor and a verification device. The processor in the computer performs the steps of authenticating a secure connection between a hypervisor and the verification device, measuring the identity of at least a portion of a select guest before the select guest executes any instruction, and sending a measurement of the identity of the select guest to the verification device. The verification device compares the policy stored in the verification device with the measurement of the select guest received by the verification device. The steps of authenticating, measuring, sending, and comparing are performed after receiving a signal indicative of a request to execute the select guest and without rebooting the computer.
US08627405B2 Policy and compliance management for user provisioning systems
A user provisioning system is extended to enable account reconciliation to occur in conjunction with a provisioning request. In response to a user provisioning request, a determination is made whether the user provisioning request is to be extended by including a reconciliation request. If so, the reconciliation request is piggy-backed on top of the provisioning request. This approach enables the reconciliation operation to be scoped to just the particular user account that is the subject to the provisioning operation, and it enables reconciliation to be carried out much more frequently as compared to the periodic, batch-oriented approach of prior techniques.
US08627404B2 Detecting addition of a file to a computer system and initiating remote analysis of the file for malware
In certain embodiments, a computer system includes a memory unit and a processing unit. The processing unit executes a monitoring module stored on the computer system. The monitoring module monitors the computer system for addition of a file to the computer system and detects an addition of a file to the computer system. The monitoring module accesses policies to determine whether to communicate information associated with the detected addition of the file over a communication network to a remote malware analysis system to initiate a possible malware analysis of the file by the remote malware analysis system. The monitoring module initiates, in response to determining to communicate information associated with the detected addition of the file, communication over the communication network of information associated with the detected addition of the file to the remote malware analysis system, the remote malware analysis system operable to analyze the file for malware.
US08627403B1 Policy applicability determination
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for determining applicability of a policy defined by reference to a source document. A first sketch that was generated based on content of the source document is obtained, and a matching criterion is defined based on the first sketch. Also obtained is a second sketch that was generated based on content of a potential target document. A determination is made as to whether the policy applies to the potential target document based on whether the second sketch satisfies the matching criterion and, if the policy applies, a notification regarding applicability of the policy automatically is provided and/or an action automatically is blocked so as to prevent a violation of the policy.
US08627401B2 Smart TV-band white space identifier
Embodiments of a white space identifier are provided. According to one embodiment, the active channel information of a cable TV can be obtained through receiving and decoding a channel changing operation command from a remote control. The active channel information can then be transmitted to white space devices located within an interference range using a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter can be set to utilize a narrow fixed bandwidth.
US08627400B2 Moving image reproducing apparatus and control method of moving image reproducing apparatus
A moving image reproducing apparatus that does not inform the occurrence of any high light scene when high light scenes occur respectively in the images displayed in a main picture and a sub picture, and a control method of the moving image reproducing apparatus are provided. It can be determined whether the image displayed in the main picture is the high light scene or not when the image displayed in the sub picture is the high light scene, by detecting the high light scenes displayed respectively in the main picture and the sub picture. If the image displayed in the main picture is also the high light scene when the image displayed in the sub picture becomes the high light scene, then the control of not informing a viewer of the occurrence of the high light scene of the image displayed in the sub picture is performed.
US08627396B2 Systems and methods for prioritization of data for intelligent discard in a communication network
Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments inspect a video stream to determine priorities for various elements of the video stream. The elements may be discarding using the priorities. In various embodiments, the elements include frames, slices, macroblocks, and data partitions.
US08627393B1 System and method for communicating stored power measurement parameters between devices in a communication system
During tuner manufacture, the unique power parameters as a function of frequency and channel are stored on a memory unique to each tuner. When the tuner is subsequently incorporated into another device, such as a modem, the stored power parameters are made available to the subsequent device, thereby overriding the need for subsequent calibration tests to be run. The stored parameters aid in remote testing of the communication device and also allow for individual channel by channel setting of TOP levels.
US08627391B2 Method of locating nearby picture hotspots
A network connected computer receives data from a wireless communication device including location data and user data. The computer is programmed to determine if the wireless communication device is in a vicinity of a preselected location, stored on the computer, based on the data for identifying the location of the wireless communication device. The computer transmits data to the communication device for notifying the user of the communication device that the user is in the vicinity of the preselected location. Directional information can then be sent to the communication device for the user to access in order to assist the user in finding the preselected location.
US08627389B2 Systems and methods for allocating bandwidth in switched digital video systems based on interest
Systems and methods for allocating bandwidth in a switched digital video (SDV) system based on channel interest. In some embodiments, bandwidth is deallocated from channels and allocated to requested channels having a higher interest. Tiered approaches for allocating bandwidth are disclosed. Embodiments in which QAMs are allocated across services in a multi-service system based on interest are also disclosed. Embodiments for accommodating emergency access system (EAS) functionality in a SDV system are also disclosed.
US08627388B2 Method and apparatus for channel prioritization
A method includes detecting a client device, determining a maximum number of channels based on the client device and selecting different targeted channels from a set of available channels. At least one of the different targeted channels is selected to form a preloaded channel.
US08627387B2 Distributed method of indexing time and file size alignment
Logical content is defined by start/end times into a VoD media offering. The calculation of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times is distributed among the STBs to first request the particular logical content. Upon receiving an initial request for a logical content offering, an IPTV AS returns a VoD media file URL, start/end times, and null values of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times. In response to the null values, the initially-requesting STB downloads the entire VoD media file from a Download Media Server, and calculates the byte-range markers by comparing the start/end times to timestamps in non-encrypted headers in the VoD media file. The non-null byte-range markers are transmitted back to the IPTV AS, which provides them to STBs subsequently requesting the same logical content. The subsequently-requesting STBs may download only the logical content by providing the non-null byte-range markers to the Download Media Server.
US08627380B2 System and method for an interactive internet radio application in an internet protocol television system
A set-top box for an Internet protocol television (IPTV) network includes a radio interface module, a remote control interface module, and a display interface module. The radio interface module accesses an Internet radio service on the IPTV network and outputs a list of Internet radio stations received from the Internet radio service to a particular IPTV channel on the display interface module, receives a selection of an Internet radio station from the remote control interface module, retrieves an Internet radio stream associated with the selected Internet radio station from the Internet radio service in response to receiving the first selection, and outputs the Internet radio steam on the particular IPTV channel of the display interface module.
US08627378B2 Systems and methods for creating aggregations of episodes of series programming in order
A viewer of an episode of a series such as a television series may wish to access episodes of the series that the viewer missed when they were originally broadcast. Interactive applications may receive the viewer's indication of interest to record missed episodes of the incomplete series, which may include instructions regarding recording options for including the missed episodes in a series aggregation. Interactive applications may identify the episodes to be included in the series aggregation, and record the missed episodes, which may then be stored and organized to create a series aggregation, in the order that they were first broadcast with episodes that the viewer may already have available. Interactive applications may present the episodes of the series aggregation in the order that they were originally broadcast, by providing the viewer with options on how to access the episodes.
US08627375B2 Differentiated PSIP table update interval technology
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08627372B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
A package identifier generating unit generates, for each unique combination of information on specific items included in a package, a package identifier identifying the combination. A first table registering unit extracts information on the specific items from the obtained package, and registers the information on the specific items, a user identifier identifying a user of a program reproducing apparatus being a transfer source of the package, and the generated package identifier in correspondence with each other, in a first table. A second table registering unit extracts a correspondence relation between the user identifier and the package identifier from the first table, and registers the package identifier corresponding to the user identifier, as a program view history for each user, in a second table. A determining unit determines the package identifier being a difference between program view histories similar to each other registered in the second table.
US08627360B2 System and method of ad delivery
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller programmed to store a subscriber selectable preference for advertisements used for selecting advertisements to send to a set top box (STB) and receive a signal from a broadcast stream indicating the location for insertion of an advertisement based on the subscriber selectable preference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08627358B1 Location-based movie identification systems and methods
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for movie identification based on a location. In the embodiment, a method includes locating a mobile communication device associated with a user to form location data, accessing a location database to determine a geographic location of the mobile communication device based on the location data, and identifying a set of movies related to the geographic location by accessing a movie database. Each of the set of movies in the movie database is associated with one or more respective geographic locations. The method also includes presenting a set of movie results corresponding to the set of movies on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device. In another embodiment, the method may also validate an object photographed by a camera of the mobile communication device, and use the recognized object to identify the set of movies.
US08627354B2 Tiered subscription broadcast system
A broadcast system is disclosed that allows a broadcaster to provide multiple levels of subscription services. Subscribers have the option of listening to fewer (or no) commercials if they pay a higher fee, or listening to more commercials if they pay a lower (or no) fee. Commercials can be demographically targeted, cannot be skipped, and can be audited for billing purposes.
US08627350B2 Systems and method for determining visual media information
A processor is configured to receive a digital video stream, calculate a hash of an I-Frame within the digital video stream, and submit the hash to a server. The processor is further configured to receive location information in response to submitting the hash to the server.
US08627343B2 Information processing apparatus and data output managing system
A setup method of an information processing apparatus in which a module as a control program for expanding a printer driver has been installed. A plurality of modules are detected and the information processing apparatus is set up so that the plurality of detected modules execute processes in predetermined operating order.
US08627334B2 Intranode data communications in a parallel computer
Intranode data communications in a parallel computer that includes compute nodes configured to execute processes, where the data communications include: allocating, upon initialization of a first process of a compute node, a region of shared memory; establishing, by the first process, a predefined number of message buffers, each message buffer associated with a process to be initialized on the compute node; sending, to a second process on the same compute node, a data communications message without determining whether the second process has been initialized, including storing the data communications message in the message buffer of the second process; and upon initialization of the second process: retrieving, by the second process, a pointer to the second process's message buffer; and retrieving, by the second process from the second process's message buffer in dependence upon the pointer, the data communications message sent by the first process.
US08627332B2 Web based video enhancement apparatus, method, and article of manufacture
Controlling an event in a virtual environment is disclosed. A video image from one or more video cameras is received. A video enhanced script is executed to display the virtual environment in a video display within a web browser. An event in the virtual environment is controlled based on the video image. The video enhanced script is configured to communicate with a web browser extension module.
US08627330B2 Workload manager managing a workload of an enterprise data warehouse
Described herein is a workload manager for managing a workload in a database that includes: an admission controller operating to divide the workload into a plurality of batches, with each batch having at least one workload process to be performed in the database, and each batch having a memory requirement based on the available memory for processing workloads in the database; a scheduler operating to assign a unique priority to each of the at least one workload process in each of the plurality of batches, the unique priority provides an order in which each workload process is executed in the database; and an execution manager operating to execute the at least one workload process in each of the plurality of batches in accordance with the unique priority assigned to each workload process.
US08627328B2 Operation control for deploying and managing software service in a virtual environment
A system and method can deploy and manage software services in virtualized and non-virtualized environments. The system provides an enterprise application virtualization solution that allows for centralized governance and control over software and Java applications. Operations teams can define policies, based on application-level service level agreements (SLA) that govern the allocation of hardware and software resources to ensure that quality of service (QoS) goals are met across virtual and non-virtualized platforms. The system use a rules engine that can compare administrator defined constraints with runtime metrics; generate events when a constraint is violated by a metric of the runtime metrics and generate events when a constraint is violated by a metric of the runtime metrics.
US08627327B2 Thread classification suspension
The exemplary embodiments provide a computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-usable program code for managing memory. A notice of a shortage of real memory is received. For each active thread, the thread classification of the active thread is compared to a global hierarchy of thread classifications to determine a thread to affect. The global hierarchy of thread classifications defines the relative importance of each thread classification. An action to take for the determined thread is determined. The determined action is performed for the determined thread.
US08627326B2 System and methods for using a quantitative application measurement to determine whether to instantiate an application
Systems and methods are disclosed for quantitative measurements of an application and a computer. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for determining whether to instantiate an application on one of a plurality of interconnected computers. Moreover, the method includes receiving information regarding the application to be instantiated on the computer; receiving information regarding the computer on which the application is to be instantiated; determining a dual measurement based on the received application information and the received computer information; and determining whether to instantiate the application based on the determined dual measurement.
US08627325B2 Scheduling memory usage of a workload
Described herein is a method for scheduling memory usage of a workload, the method comprising: receiving the workload, wherein the workload includes a plurality of jobs; determining a memory requirement to execute each of the plurality of jobs; arranging the plurality of jobs in an order of the memory requirements of the plurality of jobs such that the job with the largest memory requirement is at one end of the order and the job with the smallest memory requirement is at the other end of the order; assigning in order a unique priority to each of the plurality of jobs in accordance with the arranged order such that the job with the largest memory requirement is assigned the highest priority for execution and the job with the smallest memory requirement is assigned the lowest priority for execution; and executing the workload by concurrently executing the jobs in the workload in accordance with the arranged order of the plurality of jobs and the unique priority assigned to each of the plurality of jobs.
US08627321B2 Repository of background job templates
Aspects of the current subject matter can provide a background job repository that stores a background job template specifying a background job comprising a maintenance task that affects a customized software platform. The background job template can also include metadata defining a purpose of the background job, triggering information indicating when the background job should be executed, and a prerequisite feature of the customized software platform that indicates a need for the background job in the customized software platform. A previous set of background jobs that run in the customized software platform can be updated to a current set by comparing the previous set with the background job template and including the background job in the current set of background jobs when the customized software platform includes the prerequisite feature.
US08627320B2 Systems and methods for scheduling applications
A system allocates resources in a network. The system receives an allocation request for a first flow and a second flow from an application and identifies the application based on the allocation request. The system schedules resources for the first flow based on the identification of the application and the second flow.
US08627318B2 Image forming apparatus, method of acquiring identification information, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes: a first processing section that, in an environment where a first operating system is running, executes a process for a first application program, and performs a generation process for generating identification information for identifying the process for the first application program; and a second processing section that, in an environment where a second operating system is running, executes a process for a second application program, and when the process for the second application program is instructed to be executed, performs an identification information acquisition process for acquiring identification information newly generated through the generation process of the first processing section as identification information for identifying the process for the second application program.
US08627311B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus to deploy software
Systems, methods, and apparatus to deploy software are disclosed. An example method comprises storing a configuration of a software suite at a first computer in an object data store, wherein the software suite comprises a first component and a second component, and wherein the configuration comprises a deployment location for each of the first and second components, and a shared parameter of the first and second components; probing a second computer to determine if the first component is deployed, the second computer being indicated by the deployment location of the first component; retrieving the shared parameter of the first and second components from the object data store; establishing a connection from the first computer to the second computer; and transmitting from the first computer to the second computer an instruction to install the first component using the shared parameter via the connection.
US08627300B2 Parallel dynamic optimization
Technologies are generally described for parallel dynamic optimization using multicore processors. A runtime compiler may be adapted to generate multiple instances of executable code from a portable intermediate software module. The various instances of executable code may be generated with variations of optimization parameters such that the code instances each express different optimization attempts. A multicore processor may be leveraged to simultaneously execute some, or all, of the various code instances. Preferred optimization parameters may be determined from the executable code instances that may correctly complete in the least time, or may use the least amount of memory, or that may prove superior according to some other fitness metric. Preferred optimization parameters may be used to seed future optimization attempts. Output generated from the preferred instances may be used as soon as the first instance correctly completes block.
US08627299B2 Virtual machine and programming language for event processing
A virtual machine supports execution of compiler-generated code and provides an execution environment for code that may correspond to any of several different event-driven or message-driven programming models (such as state machines, rules for complex event processing and event correlation, monitoring contexts, processes, and mediations). The programming models may be used in business monitoring and/or business integration environments. A programming language is defined for execution using the virtual machine, which contains a relatively small number of instructions and which is preferably generated by a compiler from a higher-level, event-driven or message-driven model.
US08627298B2 Using appropriate level of code to be executed in runtime environment using metadata describing versions of resources being used by code
A system and computer program product for using an appropriate level of code to be executed in a runtime environment. Code in a non-Java format is translated into a Java source file. During the translation process, metadata is generated from a configuration file where the metadata includes version information of the resources (e.g., JSTL) being used by the code written in the non-Java format. A determination is made as to whether to recompile the non-Java code based on software components, referred herein as “listener components,” determining whether the versions of the resources being used by the non-Java code performs acceptably well in the runtime environment. If a listener component determines that a version of a resource being used is not acceptable, then the non-Java code is recompiled with a newer version of the resource. In this manner, an appropriate level of code is executed by the runtime environment.
US08627297B2 Method for evaluating at least one characteristic value
For the purpose of evaluating at least one characteristic value of at least one function in the execution of a program, a method uses a graphical representation of the at least one determined characteristic value associated with the functions. The representation is subdivided into a hierarchical structure, dependent on the degree of call depth of the function, and each call of a function in the graphical representation occupies an area whose size is dependent on the associated determined characteristic value in each case. In this context characteristic values can be any variables that are measurable by means of a profiler, as already explained in the introduction. Typically, an execution of a program is initiated via the calling of first functions, also referred to hereinafter as call depth 1. Said functions may possibly call further functions, i.e. of call depth 2, and so on, until processing of the desired task has been completed. At the same time functions can also be called multiple times and by all means from multiple call depths, a function not being specified in terms of call depth.
US08627292B2 STM with global version overflow handling
A software transactional memory system is provided with overflow handling. The system includes a global version counter with an epoch number and a version number. The system accesses the global version counter prior to and subsequent to memory accesses of transactions to validate read accesses of the transaction. The system includes mechanisms to detect global version number overflow and may allow some or all transactions to execute to completion subsequent to the global version number overflowing. The system also provides publication, privatization, and granular safety properties.
US08627290B2 Test case pattern matching
A method of providing feedback on source code being created includes receiving source code and processing the received source code according to a predefined rule set to create a representation of the received source code. A source code repository is accessed that includes source code fragments. Each source code fragment in the repository has been processed according to the predefined rule set to create representations of the respective source code fragments. The representation of the received source code is compared to each representation of the source code fragments. A matching score is calculated for the representation of the received source code with respect to each representation of the source code fragments based upon an output of the comparison step. An output derived from the calculated matching scores is presented.
US08627285B2 Techniques for instantiating and configuring projects
Techniques for project management instantiation and configuration are provided. A master project includes policy directives that drive the dynamic instantiation and configuration of resources for a project. The resources are instantiated and configured on demand and when resources are actually requested, in response to the policy directives.
US08627284B2 Managed system extensibility
One or more extension registrations are received for each of multiple software components installed on a computing device. The one or more extension registrations identify the software components as providers of functionality. A record of the one or more extension registrations for each of the multiple software components is maintained. Requests are received, from other software components installed on the computing device, that identify particular functionality. In response to such requests, the information regarding one or more of the multiple software components that provide the particular functionality is returned to the other software components.
US08627274B2 Software tool and method for generating a virtual appliance
A virtual appliance construction tool allows a user to select using a user interface functional information for a virtual appliance to generate a functional model of the virtual appliance. A knowledge base of configuration units is then queried to determine which configuration units are needed to satisfy the functional model. Note the configuration units include not only functional information, but virtualization information as well. The configuration units are then packaged into a virtual appliance blueprint, which is used to generate a certified virtual appliance. In this manner the user need not have extensive knowledge or training regarding virtualization because the virtualization information is selected automatically based on which configuration units provide the function specified by the user.
US08627270B2 Method and system for monitoring a software artifact
A computer system is provided, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor configured to facilitate: collecting and storing information related to a software project having one or more software artifacts, the information including: a project identifier, artifact identifiers for the artifacts used by the project, information about the temporal version for the artifacts, and contact information for a project user; collecting, from a repository, artifact metadata associated with the software artifacts, the artifact metadata including: information identifying the artifact, information about security risks associated with the artifact, information about a license associated with the artifact, or information indicative of a level of use or user rating of the artifact; periodically monitoring the metadata to determine whether there has been any actionable change in the artifact metadata; and notifying the project user using the contact information if it is determined that there has been an actionable change in the artifact metadata.
US08627265B2 Computing device and method for automatically checking wiring information
In a computing device, a computerized method and a non-transitory storage medium are applied in checking a stored wiring diagram for high-noise components in close proximity to signal lines. An electronic component is selected in a PCB wiring file. A checking range of the selected electronic component is determined for searching for one or more signal transmission lines which pass within the checking range in the PCB wiring file. Basic information of the one or more signal transmission lines is recorded into a result list which is displayed on a display unit of the computing device.
US08627263B2 Gate configuration determination and selection from standard cell library
A method comprises determining gate configuration from a standard cell library for optimizing behavior of a logic gate in an electronic circuit to be resized. The determining includes defining variables for the logic gate to be resized and defining nets influenced by the logic gate to be resized. The determining includes determining constraints relative to other logic gates in the electronic circuit affected by the logic gate to be resized and formulating objective function. The determining includes solving the objective function using a linear programming solver based on the defined variables and the determined constraints. The determining includes outputting solving of the objective function obtained by linear programming solver for further processing. The gate configuration is selected from the standard cell library for optimizing behavior of the logic gate to be resized based on solving of the objective function.
US08627262B2 Automatic generation of merged mode constraints for electronic circuits
Individual mode timing constraints associated with a set of netlists are combined into merged mode timing constraints. An initial merged mode constraint is generated by combining timing constraints from individual modes. The initial merged mode includes the union of all timing constraints from individual modes that add timing relationships and the intersection of all timing constraints from the individual modes that remove timing relationships. Extraneous timing relationships are identified in the merged mode and eliminated by introducing timing constraints in the merged mode. Equivalence between the merged mode and the individual modes is verified by comparing timing relationships in the merged mode with timing relationships in the individual modes. The merged mode is considered equivalent to the individual modes if every timing relationship present in an individual mode is present in the merged mode and every timing relationship present in the merged mode is present in any of individual modes.
US08627261B1 Method and apparatus for performing automatic decoupling capacitor selection for power distribution networks
A method for designing a power distribution network (PDN) for a system implementing a target device includes computing a target PDN impedance value for the PDN. For each switching frequency of the target device where an effective PDN impedance value for the PDN is greater than the target PDN impedance value, one or more decoupling capacitors for one or more capacitor types are identified to add to the PDN to drive the effective PDN impedance value below the target PDN value. A selection of decoupling capacitors identified is refined to reduce one or more of a cost of the PDN and space required for implementing the PDN.
US08627256B2 Method for computing IO redistribution routing
A method of determining signal routing in an integrated circuit includes providing first coordinates of an input/output cell and second coordinates of an input/output pad to a parametric routing module. The parametric routing module receives at least one wire path parameter. The parametric routing module uses the at least one connection path parameter to determine a physical dimension of a wire path between the first coordinates and the second coordinates.
US08627250B2 Method and system for high speed and low memory footprint static timing analysis
The invention provides a method and system for performing Static Timing Analysis on SoC (System on a Chip) designs. The invention solves a longstanding problem with timing analysis of designs, namely, the ability to multi-thread the design under analysis. The invention provides for slicing a design into levels, further decomposing each level into gates, and the multi-threaded processing of gates so that the solution of large design analysis is generated significantly faster than current approaches. Further, the invention provides that only one level exists in the RAM at any time. Once the arrival time on the level is computed, the data is saved to disk immediately. Because the memory footprint is sub-linear to the size of the design, entire system-on-a chip designs may be run on inexpensive, off-the-shelf hardware.
US08627249B1 Method and system for generating design constraints
A method and system for generating design constraints for an electronic circuit design is disclosed. The method and system include reading a design description and an existing design constraint file, configuring design constraint integration rules, writing a new design constraint file, evaluating results of the new design constraint file, and replacing existing design constraint file with the new design constraint file.
US08627248B1 Verification for functional independence of logic designs that use redundant representation
Computer-implemented techniques are disclosed for verifying functional independence of logic designs that make use of redundant representations. Initially, the design of a logic component is obtained. Two representations of the component are computed, one in redundant form and another in non-redundant form. A randomness factor based on a time-varying value is injected into the second representation. The value from the second form is then constrained to the context of the logic component within a digital system. It is then possible to analyze the component using the first deterministic representation and the constrained second representation. This analysis allows verification of the component with downstream logic.
US08627246B2 Implementation of factor graphs
The process of implementing a belief propagation network in software and/or hardware can begin with a factor-graph-designer who designs a factor graph that implements that network. A development system provides a user with a way to specify a factor graph at a high or abstract level, and then solve the factor graph, or make an instance of the factor graph in software and/or hardware based on the specification. Factor graphs enable designers to create a graphical model of complicated belief propagation networks such as Markov chains, hidden Markov models, and Bayesian networks.
US08627245B1 Density balancing in multiple patterning lithography using integrated circuit layout fill
In various embodiments, a method of designing an integrated circuit (IC) layout for a multiple patterning layout fill process includes: providing a pre-characterized mask tile library including a plurality of distinct mask tiles each having a distinct mask density on a plurality of distinct exposures each associated with a patterning process in the multiple patterning process; determining a density of a mask group in a first layout window in the IC layout, the first layout window including an open space unfilled by the mask group; and selecting a set of mask tiles from the plurality of distinct mask tiles to fill a portion of the open space, the selecting based upon the determined density of the mask group in the first layout window and the distinct mask density of the selected set of mask tiles on the plurality of distinct exposures.
US08627244B2 Frequency domain layout decomposition in double patterning lithography
A mechanism is provided for frequency domain layout decomposition in double pattern lithography (DPL) based on Fourier coefficient optimization (FCO). The Fourier transform of a layout represents the spatial frequency terms present in the layout. The mechanism models decomposed patterns for two exposures as a function of the corresponding Fourier coefficients. For each exposure, the mechanism sets the corresponding Fourier coefficients to zero for spatial frequency terms greater than the cut-off frequency of the optical system. The mechanism then optimizes non-zero Fourier coefficients for the two exposures to decompose the original target. The mechanism provides frequency domain optimization instead of conventional spatial domain methods, which naturally leads to optics-aware decomposition and stitch insertion in arbitrary two dimensional patterns.
US08627238B2 Process and system for designing a photolithography mask and a light source
A method for designing a photolithography mask and a light source may include designing an initial photolithography mask and an initial light source using an initial target pattern corresponding to a desired target pattern in a resist layer. The method may also include designing a new target pattern and designing a new photolithography mask and/or a new light source using the new target pattern.
US08627230B2 Intelligent command prediction
A method, system, and computer program product for intelligent command prediction are provided. The method includes determining a command prediction preference associated with a user from user profile data, and selecting one or more command history repositories responsive to the command prediction preference. The one or more command history repositories include command history data collected from a plurality of users and classification data associated with the plurality of users. The method also includes calculating command probabilities for commands in the command history data of the selected one or more command history repositories as a function of the classification data associated with the plurality of users in relation to the user. The method additionally includes presenting a next suggested command as a command from the command history data of the selected one or more command history repositories with a highest calculated command probability.
US08627229B2 Information device and window display method
An information device includes a controller for controlling the display position and the display size of a window, a semi-maximization instruction receiving part for receiving instructions for semi-maximizing the window, a semi-maximization region setting part for setting a plurality of display regions in which the window can be semi-maximized, and a display region determination part for determining the display region in which the window is semi-maximized. When the semi-maximization instruction receiving part receives the instructions for semi-maximizing the window, the controller allows the window to be enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display region determined by the display region determination part from the plurality of display regions.
US08627228B2 Automatic sash configuration in a GUI environment
A graphical user interface generation system offers a management module that displays GUI elements and a visual indicator in an editing window. The visual indicator is movable in the editing window, which has at least two panels and a divider between the panels. A configuration history of the divider including at least one prior location of the divider in the editing window is memorized. An optimization function is defined for determining a new configuration of the divider. The function is invoked responsively to the configuration history of the divider to determine the new configuration of the divider, and a current configuration of the divider is automatically reset on the display to the new configuration of the divider within the editing window.
US08627220B2 Apparatus and method for invoking a function based on a gesture input
An electronic apparatus is provided including an input assembly. The input assembly includes a graphic display layer, a masking layer, and an input device. The graphic display layer includes a plurality of function icons. The masking layer includes a plurality of function icon windows for displaying functions icons associated with a particular application. Each of the displayed function icons corresponds to a function of the particular application. The input device includes a plurality of input device sections for receiving a gesture input. The graphic display layer is moveable relative to the masking layer such that, based on the relative positioning between the graphic display layer and the masking layer, function icons associated with a particular application are displayed through the function icon windows and the other function icons are at least obscured by the masking layer. The receiving of the gesture input by a one of the plurality of input device sections corresponding to a one of the displayed function icons invokes the function corresponding to the one of the displayed function icons.
US08627218B2 Host implemented method for customising a secondary device
There is provided a host implemented method for redefining at least one user interface element on a secondary device. The method may include connecting the secondary device to the host for communication between the host and the secondary device; redefining the at least one user interface element using an application running on the host; reviewing the at least one user interface element as redefined using the application (possibly including a visual preview of the at least one user interface element as redefined when viewed on the secondary device); determining whether the secondary device is able to support the at least one user interface element as redefined using the application; and incorporating the at least one user interface element redefined using the application onto the secondary device.
US08627215B2 Applying access controls to communications with avatars
Senders of instant messages may inspire perception by a recipient of avatars capable of being animated in order to customize or personalize communication exchanges from the sender. The avatar, an animation of or associated with the avatar, an object associated with the avatar, or another component of the avatar or communication may be inappropriate, or otherwise objectionable, to the recipient, the recipient class or category, or an identity associated with the recipient. In one example, a parent of a minor who is the intended recipient of an avatar (or a component of the avatar or communication) may object to the minor being exposed to the avatar (or the component of the avatar or communication). In such a case, the communication may be discarded or the perception of the objectionable avatar (or component associated with the avatar or the communication) by the intended recipient may be disabled, replaced or modified.
US08627211B2 Method, apparatus, system, medium, and signals for supporting pointer display in a multiple-party communication
Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a system for supporting multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a client processor circuit operably configured to transmit a first cursor message to the server to elicit a first pointer message from the server, the first cursor message representing a change in a position of a first cursor associated with the client computer in response to user input received from a user of the client computer. The system also includes a server processor circuit operably configured to receive the first cursor message from the client computer, transmit the first pointer message to the client computer in response to the first cursor message, the first pointer message representing the change in the position of the first cursor provided by the first cursor message. The client processor circuit is operably configured to receive the first pointer message from the server and to cause a corresponding change in a position of a first pointer associated with the first cursor and displayed on a display area of the client computer, in response to the first pointer message.
US08627210B2 Context enhanced social network for meeting participants
Methods, apparatus, and logic are provided to generate a context enhanced social network (CESN) participant list for meeting participants. One method includes obtaining a list of participants and a meeting context and identifying expert knowledge that is required for the context. Degrees of associations between a first participant and the other participants are calculated based on a level of expert knowledge of the participants. The CESN participant list is generated and displayed for the first meeting participant based on the calculated degrees of associations of the other participants. The method can be repeated such that a unique CESN participant list is generated for each meeting participant based on his perspective in relation to the other meeting participants and based on the current context of the meeting. The CESN participant lists may also be dynamically updated when a change in meeting context is detected.
US08627207B2 Presenting an editing tool in a composite display area
A computer readable medium (CRM) storing a media editing application providing a consolidated editing tool is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has a display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing a plurality of media clips, a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of the composite presentation, and a consolidated editing tool that provides several user-selectable editing operations within the composite display area. In some embodiments, the consolidated editing tool automatically presents an associated editing operation for selection and activation based on the cursor location within the composite display area.
US08627205B2 System for managing multi-media content across multiple software applications
A system is provided to i) Allow a computer to access multiple streams of multi-media content, such as video, audio and RSS content; ii) put a “place holder” inside software applications into which the multi-media content can be directed; and iii) direct the multi-media content to any software application running in the foreground that contains a place holder.
US08627192B2 System and methods for automatic media population of a style presentation
A method for automatic media population of a style presentation comprises collecting presentation media; positioning the collected presentation media on a storyboard; and selecting a style presentation; wherein the selection of the style presentation results in the automatic population of the style presentation with the presentation media positioned on the storyboard is described herein.
US08627187B2 Decoding of recursive convolutional codes by means of a decoder for non-recursive convolutional codes
Embodiments of the invention provide a decoder arrangement (400), wherein a decoder (420) which is adapted to decode a bitstream which has been encoded with a non-recursive convolutional encoder is used to at least partially perform the decoding of a recursive convolutionally encoded bitstream, with pre-or post-processing (410) of the bitstream being performed to complete the decoding. More particularly, in one embodiment of the invention a recursively encoded bitstream is input into a conventional decoder (420) which is adapted to decode a non-recursively encoded bitstream. The resulting intermediate output does not represent the correct decoded bitstream, but can then be subject to a post-processing step in the form of a non-recursive encoding operation (410), which effectively completes the decoding operation and provides as its output the correct decoded bitstream. Both hard decision or soft decision inputs can be used.
US08627172B2 Error correction encoding apparatus, decoding apparatus, encoding method, decoding method, and programs thereof
Provided is an encoding apparatus wherein a transmission data sequence is divided into L short sequences, each of which is then encoded by use of an m-stage pseudo-cyclic low-density parity check encoding system. Each of the L encoded sequences is further divided into shorter sequences, the number of which is identical to the number m of the stages of the pseudo-cyclic codes and each of which has a length m. The shorter sequences are rearranged in order by a replacing module, thereafter encoded, by use of the m-stage pseudo-cyclic low-density parity check encoding system, and outputted. Accordingly, a decoding apparatus with a simple structure where node processing circuits (e.g., minimum-value calculating circuits), the number of which is p that is a submultiple of the number m of the foregoing stages, are provided, can be employed to efficiently decode the codes having a large frame length and a large encoding gain.
US08627169B2 Method and apparatus for dynamically configurable multi level error correction
An invention is provided for dynamically configurable error correction. The invention includes receiving a check code configuration signal, which indicates a particular level of error detection. A check code generator is configured to generate check codes based on the particular level of error detection indicated by the check code configuration signal. In addition, an error locator configuration signal is received that indicates a particular level of error addressing, and an error locator is configured to produce addresses of errors in a set of data based on the particular level of error addressing indicated by the error locator configuration signal.
US08627168B2 Decoding device and decoding method
A multistage difference cyclic permutation unit (106) for performing multistage cyclic permutation, an address administration unit (104) for administering addresses of the cumulative LLR memory (101), a received value arrangement unit (103) for generating records during writing of received values to the cumulative LLR memory (101), and a control unit (110) for generating parameters to control each unit from information of a parity check matrix and the current cyclic permutation size are prepared. The address administration unit (104) controls reading/writing addresses of the cumulative LLR memory (101) based on a reading start address from the cumulative LLR memory (101) corresponding to the column block. After the start of reading of a column block, the control unit (110) generates a reading start address in the next decoding of the column block and stores it into the address administration unit (104). In this manner, a device configuration capable of reducing a device size of a decoding device for pseudo-cyclic LDPC codes composed of cyclic permutation matrix blocks with a fixed degree of parallelism and an arbitrary cyclic permutation size is provided.
US08627167B1 Methods and apparatus for providing multi-layered coding for memory devices
Systems and methods are provided for recovering data stored in memory. A group of data is encoded using a first layer of code to form a first encoded group of data. Individual portions of the first encoded group of data are then encoded using a second layer of code to form a second encoded group of data. A processor may request access to an individual portion of the group of data. The encoded version of the requested individual portion is retrieved from memory and decoded using the second layer of code to recover the requested individual portion. If the recovery of the requested individual portion fails, the remaining encoded portions of the group are retrieved from memory and decoded using the first layer of code to recover the requested individual portion.
US08627162B2 Iimplementing enhanced aperture function calibration for logic built in self test (LBIST)
A method and circuits for implementing aperture function calibration for Logic Built In Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The aperture function calibration uses aperture calibration data, and an LBIST calibration channel having a predefined number of scan inversions between the aperture calibration data and a multiple input signature register (MISR). LBIST is run selecting the LBIST calibration channel and masking other LBIST channels to the MISR. A change in the MISR value, for example, from zero to a non-zero value, is identified and an aperture adjustment is calculated and used to identify any needed adjustment of aperture edges.
US08627161B2 Low power divided scan paths with adapter and scan controller
Scan architectures are commonly used to test digital circuitry in integrated circuits. The present disclosure describes a method of adapting conventional scan architectures into a low power scan architecture. The low power scan architecture maintains the test time of conventional scan architectures, while requiring significantly less operational power than conventional scan architectures. The low power scan architecture is advantageous to IC/die manufacturers since it allows a larger number of circuits (such as DSP or CPU core circuits) embedded in an IC/die to be tested in parallel without consuming too much power within the IC/die. Since the low power scan architecture reduces test power consumption, it is possible to simultaneously test more die on a wafer than previously possible using conventional scan architectures. This allows wafer test times to be reduced which reduces the manufacturing cost of each die on the wafer.
US08627157B2 Storing apparatus
A storing apparatus, equipped with a control unit configured to control the writing of data into a memory and to communicate a notice to an external device with a communication unit if the remaining amount of substitute blocks becomes equal to or less than a threshold value specified by stored threshold value information, includes the control unit configured to change the threshold value information, used for the notice communicated by the control unit, by the use of threshold value information received from the external device with the communication unit.
US08627156B1 Method and system of testing bit error rate using signal with mixture of scrambled and unscrambled bits
A device under test (DUT) is tested by: receiving a signal transmitted by the DUT, wherein the signal includes first portions that include scrambled bits produced from a selected bit pattern and a selected scrambling algorithm, and further includes second portions that include unscrambled bits, the first portions and second portions being interspersed within the signal; detecting received scrambled bits within the received signal; generating a test bit sequence using the selected scrambling algorithm and the selected bit pattern, including generating a bit of the test bit sequence for each of the received scrambled bits within the received signal, and not generating a bit of the test bit sequence for each of the received unscrambled bits within the received signal; and comparing the received scrambled bits to the test bit sequence to determine a bit error rate of the received signal.
US08627155B1 Integrated circuit testing with clock manipulation and auto-step features
Apparatus having corresponding methods and non-transitory computer-readable media comprise: a function module to operate according to a clock signal; a clock manipulation module to manipulate an edge of the clock signal responsive to occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a report module to indicate a clock cycle number of the edge of the clock signal responsive to occurrence of an error in the function module.
US08627153B2 Method and device for encoding symbols with a code of the parity check type and corresponding decoding method and device
A string of K initial symbols is encoded with a code of the parity check type. The K initial symbols belong to a Galois field of order q strictly greater than 2. The code is defined by code characteristics representable by a graph (GRH) comprising N−K first nodes (NCi), each node satisfying a parity check equation defined on the Galois field of order q, N packets of intermediate nodes (NITi) and NI second nodes (NSSi), each intermediate node being linked to a single first node and to several second nodes by way of a connection scheme. The string of K initial symbols is encoded by using the said code characteristics and a string of N encoded symbols is obtained, respectively subdivided into NI sub-symbols belonging respectively to mathematical sets whose orders are less than q, according to a subdivision scheme representative of the connection scheme (Π).
US08627144B2 Method for commanding and performing network entry
A method for commanding and performing network entry is disclosed. The method for commanding network entry using a non-periodic message in a Base Station (BS) includes broadcasting a first pattern indicating ready for restart once or more times to a Mobile Station (MS), when the BS determines to restart due to a serious error of the BS, and performing a restart procedure, and broadcasting a second pattern indicating network entry to the MS, upon completion of the restart procedure.
US08627142B2 Fast resource recovery after thread crash
A resource recovery system may maintain a counter in memory that indicates a number of times one or more threads of execution, which use shared resources, have crashed. The system may associate a first value of the counter with a resource allocated to a thread of the one or more threads, and may set an indicator associated with the thread to indicate whether the thread has crashed. The system may determine whether to re-allocate the resource to the thread based on the first value of the counter associated with the resource and based on the indicator associated with the thread.
US08627139B2 Method, recording terminal, server, and system for repairing media file recording errors
A method, a recording terminal, a server, and a system for repairing media file recording errors are disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: generating description information about a recording error when a recording terminal identifies the recording error in live recording of a media file; sending a recording error repair request that carries the description information to a network device; and repairing the media file recorded by the recording terminal according to repair information when receiving the repair information sent by the network device according to the description information. With the present invention, the recording errors are repaired through a bidirectional network between the recording terminal and the network device, and reliability of repairing the recording errors is ensured.
US08627138B1 Data protection system and method
A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product for monitoring a first data portion written to a first storage device accessible by a first computing device. At least a second data portion written to at least a second storage device accessible by at least a second computing device is monitored. Recovery data is written to a recovery storage device external to and accessible by the first and the at least a second computing devices, wherein the recovery data is based, at least in part, upon the first and second data portions.
US08627132B2 Autonomous multi-device event synchronization and sequencing technique eliminating master and slave assignments
An apparatus and method for event synchronization. One or more devices that have a plurality of events to be carried out in a scheduled order in time are connected to a single shared time position clock (TPCLK). There are one or more sequencing controllers coupled with the one or more devices and configured to control the timing of high and low states of the shared TPCLK in accordance with the scheduled order. The synchronization among the plurality of events in the scheduled order is achieved based on the high and low states of the shared TPCLK and such synchronization of the plurality of events in the scheduled order is operated without the presence of master and slave devices.
US08627129B2 Data processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium
A data processing apparatus includes a storage unit and operates in a first power mode in which power that the storage unit can operate is supplied to the storage unit or in a second power mode in which power that the storage unit can operate is not supplied to the storage unit. The data processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input data, a storing unit configured to store the data in the storage unit, a setting unit configured to set waiting time for making the data processing apparatus wait to shift from the first power mode to the second power mode according to a storage destination if the data is stored in the storage unit, and a control unit configured to shift the data processing apparatus from the first power mode to the second power mode when the waiting time elapses after the data is stored in the storage unit.
US08627123B2 Managing power provisioning in distributed computing
One or more computers manage power consumption in a plurality of computers by repeatedly evaluating power consumption of pluralities of computers such that any given plurality of computers is evaluated by aggregating indicia of power consumption of the individual computers in the given plurality. The evaluation identifies or predicts pluralities of computers that are over-consuming power and identifies pluralities of computers that are under-consuming power. A first plurality of computers identified as over-consuming power are sent messages to instruct some of its comprising computers or virtual machines (VMs) to lower their computational workload. A second plurality of computers identified as under-consuming power are sent messages instructing the other computers to increase their computation workload.
US08627121B2 USB-on-the-go bi-directional protection circuit
A power management circuit for managing power of an electronic device includes a regulator and a protection circuit. The regulator converts an input voltage into a corresponding rated voltage and includes an enable pin and an output pin. The enable pin receives a voltage signal to enable or disable the regulator, and the output pin selectively outputs the rated voltage. When the electronic device is implemented as a slave universal serial bus (USB) device and the enable pin receives a low voltage signal, the regulator is disabled, and the protection circuit receives an output voltage. When the electronic device is implemented as a USB host and the enable pin receives a high voltage signal, the regulator is enabled, and the output protection circuit outputs the rated voltage.
US08627120B2 Delayed execution of operations
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing power management. A computer process that requires, to be performed, substantial portions of battery storage on the mobile computing device is identified. Execution of the identified process can be deferred while the mobile computing device is not connected to a power source that is for charging the battery storage and that is external to the mobile computing device. Connection of the mobile computing device to the power source is sensed. Performance of the process is triggered in response to sensing that the mobile computing device has been connected to the power source.
US08627118B2 Chassis power allocation using expedited power permissions
In one embodiment, a fixed chassis power budget is dynamically allocated to a plurality of servers inserted into a multi-server chassis. An inserted server may be inventoried by sequentially identifying server components, categorically-defined component power limits, and actual component power requirements of the inventoried components. A power permission may be granted to the inserted server prior to completion of the inventory, based on power-related information inferred from a chassis and server specification or from the inventoried components.
US08627117B2 Device with power control feature involving backup power reservoir circuit
Power-backup capabilities are provided by implementing a variety of different methods, systems and devices. According to one such implementation, an energy storage device such as a capacitive storage circuit is powered relative to the powering of one or more additional circuits from a common power supply to limit the draw upon the power supply. Certain applications involve delaying or otherwise modifying the powering of the capacitive storage circuit, which may involve an initial startup of the capacitive storage circuit.
US08627112B2 Secure virtual machine memory
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to allocating encrypted memory locations to store encrypted information, the information to be encrypted and decrypted using a single hypervisor. Further activity may include permitting access to a designated number of the encrypted memory locations to a single application executed by an associated virtual machine (VM) subject to the hypervisor, and denying access to the designated number of the encrypted memory locations to any other application executed by the associated VM, or any other VM. In some embodiments, the operational state of the associated VM may be restored using the encrypted information. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08627108B2 System and method for protecting data on a mobile device
Methods and systems are disclosed for protecting data on a mobile device. A data protection module on the mobile device receives a transmission including a secret key. The secret key is used in encrypting data on the device and is then deleted. Subsequent to an event detectable to the mobile device, the data protection module receives another transmission including said secret key. The secret key is then used to decrypt the encrypted data.
US08627107B1 System and method of securing private health information
A system and method for securing private health information collected by a covered entity. The system and method comprises a key generation module configured to generate a public key and a private key compatible with a fully homomorphic encryption scheme. The patient's private health information, having been encrypted using the public key, can be processed by business associates without decrypting it, yielding an encrypted result. Only the holder of the unencrypted private key can decrypt the encrypted private health information and the encrypted result. The invention ensures that business associates can process private health information and return a result without accessing the private health information.
US08627105B2 Method and apparatus for securing programming data of a programmable device
Configuration data for a programmable integrated circuit device is at least partially encrypted according to at least one encryption scheme. A plurality of key stores store a plurality of decryption keys for the at least one encryption scheme. Control circuitry identifies a required key from the at least partially encrypted configuration data and generates a key selection signal. Key selection circuitry responsive to the key selection signal reads the plurality of key stores and provides the required key to the control circuitry. The control circuitry may include decryption circuitry that decrypts the at least partially encrypted configuration data using the required key. In some embodiments, different portions of the configuration data, which may represent separate partial reconfigurations of the device, require different decryption keys. Keys may be generated from combinations of the contents of the key stores.
US08627096B2 System and method for providing secure access to an electronic device using both a screen gesture and facial biometrics
A system and method for providing secure authorization to an electronic device by combining two or more security features of authentication process at substantially the same time where at least one of the factors is a “tolerant” factor. By combining two factors such as a facial recognition any screen gesture, these can be analyzed at substantially the same time such that the tolerance match required by the tolerant factors providing a better user authentication experience without reducing the overall security accuracy.
US08627088B2 System and method for in- and out-of-band multi-factor server-to-user authentication
A method to authenticate a server to a client is provided, including in-band and out-of-band techniques. At least a first shared secret identifies a server path, including a plurality of pre-defined locations on a frame of reference (e.g. a grid). An authentication session is initiated upon receiving a client identifier at the server-side resources. A current session instance of the grid is presented to the client, populated with characters. The process includes sharing between the client and the server a challenge identifying a random subset of the plurality of predefined locations in the server path, and a response including characters that match the characters in the locations on the server path identified by the challenge. As a result, client is capable of verifying that the server has access to the first shared secret. Then a protocol is executed to authenticate the client to the server.
US08627086B2 Secure loading and storing of data in a data processing device
Disclosed is a method of loading data into a data processing device. The method comprises receiving a payload data item by the data processing device; performing a cryptographic authentication process to ensure the authenticity of the payload data item; storing the authenticated received payload data item in the data processing device; and integrity protecting the stored payload data item. The cryptographic authentication process comprises calculating an audit hash value of at least the received data item. Integrity protecting further comprises calculating a reference message authentication code value of at least the audit hash value using a secret key stored in the data processing device as an input.
US08627084B1 Secure messaging systems
A system is provided that uses cryptographic techniques to support secure messaging between senders and recipients. A sender may encrypt a message for a recipient using the recipient's public key. The sender may send the encrypted message to the message address of a given recipient. A server may be used to decrypt the encrypted message for the recipient, so that the recipient need not install a decryption engine on the recipient's equipment.
US08627083B2 Online secure device provisioning with online device binding using whitelists
One or more servers are provided including a session manager, authentication module, authorization module, encryption module, database, and protocol handler. The session manager is configured to receive requests for new identity data from network-enabled devices. Each request is authenticated first by the update server via its authentication module by validating the signature of the request message as well as the certificate chain trusted by the update server. The authorization module is configured to determine if the network-enabled devices specified on a whitelist are authorized to be provisioned with new identity data. The database is configured to receive new identity records generated by an identity data generation system. Each of the new identity records includes a new identifier. The new identifier is not associated or linked to any previously assigned/used identifiers and identity data, thus all the new identity records are generated independently and then loaded to the update server.
US08627077B2 Transparent authentication process integration
Systems and techniques to provide transparent authentication integration. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving a request from a client to take an action with respect to an electronic document, in response to the request, obtaining an authentication process, and sending the authentication process to the client for use in identifying a current user and controlling the action with respect to the electronic document based on the current user and document-permissions information associated with the electronic document. Obtaining the authentication process can involve requesting and receiving the authentication process from a second server. The authentication process can use an existing interface provided by the client to communicate authentication information to the server.
US08627072B1 Method and system for controlling access to data
A method for controlling access to data, involves evaluating an access authorization associated with a requestor for approving access to requested data, where access to the requested data by the requestor is approved, obtaining, responsive to access approval, outbound data for the requested data, evaluating the access authorization associated with a requestor for approving access to outbound data, where access to the outbound data by the requestor is not approved, and providing an alert based on non-approval of access to the outbound data based on the access authorization.
US08627066B2 Processing a dispersed storage network access request utilizing certificate chain validation information
A method begins by a processing module receiving a dispersed storage network (DSN) access request that includes a requester identifier (ID), wherein the requester ID is associated with a certificate chain. When the certificate chain is valid, the method continues with the processing module accessing registry information for the DSN. The method continues with the processing module identifying one of a plurality of access control lists based on at least one of information associated with the requester ID and information associated with the certificate chain, identifying one or more entries of the one of the plurality of access control lists based on the information associated with the certificate chain to produce one or more identified entries, and generating, for the DSN access request, permissions from one or more sets of permissions associated with the one or more identified entries.
US08627056B2 Methods and systems for modifying disk images to provide network interface card teaming capabilities
A system for modifying a virtual disk to provide network interface card (NIC) teaming capabilities to a virtual disk. The system can include a virtual disk that has access to one or more NICs. In some instances, the NICs are included in a NIC team that is also available to the virtual disk. A teaming module executing on a computer can identify the NIC team and responsively obtain a media access control (MAC) address of the NIC team. In response to obtaining the NIC team MAC address, the teaming module can obtain a network boot MAC address that was used to PXE boot the virtual disk. The teaming module can then replace the NIC team MAC address of each NIC in the NIC team with the obtained network boot MAC address. The system then boots from the virtual disk that has the modified NIC team configuration.
US08627052B2 System and method of enabling a function within a module configured to be used within an information handling system
A system and method of enabling a function within a module configured to be used with an information handling system is disclosed. In one form, the method of enabling functions includes detecting whether to install a custom install routine within a module configured to enable access to a hash function, and accessing a lock bit configured to lock access to the hash function. The method can further include detecting whether to set the lock bit to lock access to the hash function.
US08627048B2 Mechanism for irrevocable transactions
A method and apparatus for designating and handling irrevocable transactions is herein described. In response to detecting an irrevocable event, such as an I/O operation, a user-defined irrevocable designation, and a dynamic failure profile, a transaction is designated as irrevocable. In response to designating a transaction as irrevocable, Single Owner Read Locks (SORLs) are acquired for previous and subsequent reads in the irrevocably designated transaction to ensure the transaction is able to complete without modification to locations read from, while permitting remote resources to load from those locations to continue execution.
US08627046B2 Data processing device
A data processing device has an instruction decoder, a control logic unit, and ALU. The instruction decoder decodes instruction codes of an arithmetic instruction. The control logic unit detects the effective data width of operation data to be processed according to the decode result from the instruction decoder and determines the number of cycles for the instruction execution corresponding to the effective, data width. The ALU executes the instruction with the number of cycles of the instruction execution determined by the control logic unit.
US08627045B2 Postponing processing of received commands of pre-determined type until amount of associated data received and aggregated exceeds threshold to save power
A data processing device including a reception unit, an instruction unit and a storage unit. The reception unit receives instructions for processing at a processing execution device. The instruction unit instructs the processing execution device to cancel a power saving state of the processing execution device and execute the processing corresponding to an instruction received by the reception unit. The storage unit stores data relating to received instructions. If the processing corresponding to the received instruction is a pre-specified process, data relating to the instruction is stored by the storage unit. If the processing corresponding to the received instruction is not a pre-specified process, the instruction unit instructs the processing execution device to execute both the processing corresponding to this instruction and processing based on data relating to instructions stored in the storage unit.
US08627044B2 Issuing instructions with unresolved data dependencies
The described embodiments include a processor that determines instructions that can be issued based on unresolved data dependencies. In an issue unit in the processor, the processor keeps a record of each instruction that is directly or indirectly dependent on a base instruction. Upon determining that the base instruction has been deferred, the processor monitors instructions that are being issued from an issue queue to an execution unit for execution. Upon determining that an instruction from the record has reached a head of the issue queue, the processor immediately issues the instruction from the issue queue.
US08627043B2 Data parallel function call for determining if called routine is data parallel
Mechanisms for performing data parallel function calls in code during runtime are provided. These mechanisms may operate to execute, in the processor, a portion of code having a data parallel function call to a target portion of code. The mechanisms may further operate to determine, at runtime by the processor, whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code and determine whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code. Moreover, the mechanisms may operate to execute the target portion of code based on the determination of whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code, and the determination of whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code.
US08627042B2 Data parallel function call for determining if called routine is data parallel
Mechanisms for performing data parallel function calls in code during runtime are provided. These mechanisms may operate to execute, in the processor, a portion of code having a data parallel function call to a target portion of code. The mechanisms may further operate to determine, at runtime by the processor, whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code and determine whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code. Moreover, the mechanisms may operate to execute the target portion of code based on the determination of whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code, and the determination of whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code.
US08627037B2 Memory system having nonvolatile semiconductor storage devices
According to an embodiment, a memory system includes a memory unit, a memory controller, a timer and a timer control unit. The memory unit has nonvolatile first and second chips capable of holding data. The memory controller transfers data received from host equipment simultaneously to the first and second chips. The timer measures a lapse of preset shift time. The timer control unit starts writing of data into the second chip immediately after the lapse of the shift time.
US08627028B2 Method of constructing replication environment and storage system
A management computer collects a usage condition of a volume from a host computer and a storage apparatus at each site, consolidates management thereof, and prevents a volume from duplicating among applications as a copy source. This makes it possible to select a used volume in an application as a copy source without excess or deficiency and to create a copy pair configuration definition without duplication or incompatibility. If a replication environment is constructed in a large-scale storage system, the consolidated management of a usage condition of a volume collected from the host computer and the storage apparatus at each site makes it possible to create a copy pair configuration definition by a task constituted by a plurality of applications.
US08627027B2 Data processing apparatus, access control method, and storage medium
When an accessible state of an external memory unit is instructed to be canceled and data is not storing in the external memory unit, a data processing apparatus cancels the accessible state of the external memory unit if the external memory unit is not set as a backup destination, and does not cancel the accessible state of the external memory unit if the external memory unit is set as the backup destination.
US08627025B2 Protecting data during different connectivity states
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to data protection. In aspects, during a backup cycle, backup copies may be created for files that are new or that have changed since the last backup. If external backup storage is not available, the backup copies may be stored in a cache located on the primary storage. If backup storage is available, the backup copies may be stored in the backup storage device and backup copies that were previously stored in the primary storage may be copied to the backup storage. The availability of the backup storage may be detected and used to seamlessly switch between backing up files locally and remotely as availability of the backup storage changes.
US08627021B2 Method and apparatus for load-based prefetch access
A load state of a slave memory is detected and provided to a master device. The master device communicates prefetch access requests to the slave memory based, at least in part, on the detected load state. Optionally, the master device communicates prefetch requests to the slave memory according to a schedule based, at least in part, on the detected load state.
US08627019B2 Method and device of controlling memory area of multi-port memory device in memory link architecture
A memory area managing method of a multi-port memory device in a memory link architecture which includes a multi-port memory device, a memory controller, and a flash memory, the method including performing a data processing step in which data stored in a host CPU area of the multi-port memory device is processed by a host CPU connected with the multi-port memory device, the processed data being stored in a shared area; performing a file data generating step in which file data on the processed data stored in the shared area is generated according to a write command of the host CPU, the file data being stored in a memory controller area of the multi-port memory device; and performing a file data storing step in which the file data is read out from the memory controller area and the read file data is sent to the flash memory.
US08627014B2 Memory model for hardware attributes within a transactional memory system
A method and apparatus for providing a memory model for hardware attributes to support transactional execution is herein described. Upon encountering a load of a hardware attribute, such as a test monitor operation to load a read monitor, write monitor, or buffering attribute, a fault is issued in response to a loss field indicating the hardware attribute has been lost. Furthermore, dependency actions, such as blocking and forwarding, are provided for the attribute access operations based on address dependency and access type dependency. As a result, different scenarios for attribute loss and testing thereof are allowed and restricted in a memory model.
US08627013B2 Methods and systems for caching data using behavioral event correlations
A method is disclosed including a client accessing a cache for a value of an object based on an object identification (ID), initiating a request to a cache loader if the cache does not include a value for the object, the cache loader performing a lookup in an object table for the object ID corresponding to the object, the cache loader retrieving a vector of execution context IDs, from an execution context table that correspond to the object IDs looked up in the object table and the cache loader performing an execution context lookup in an execution context table for every retrieved execution context ID in the vector to retrieve object IDs from an object vector.
US08627006B2 Storing row-major data with an affinity for columns
A method, device, and computer readable medium for striping rows of data across logical units of storage with an affinity for columns is provided. Alternately, a method, device, and computer readable medium for striping columns of data across logical units of storage with an affinity for rows is provided. When data of a logical slice is requested, a mapping may provide information for determining which logical unit is likely to store the logical slice. In one embodiment, data is retrieved from logical units that are predicted to store the logical slice. In another embodiment, data is retrieved from several logical units, and the data not mapped to the logical unit is removed from the retrieved data.
US08627004B2 Extent migration for tiered storage architecture
A method for data migration between each of a plurality of storage pools in a computing storage environment is provided. Each of the plurality of storage pools is categorized by a metric shared between data segments assigned to any one of the plurality of storage pools. The data segments are prioritized in the any one of the plurality of storage pools based on the metric. A discovery is performed for each of the plurality of storage pools, on a predetermined interval, based on the metric, whether a data segment with a highest priority on a child pool is greater than a data segment with a lowest priority on a parent pool. If so, the data segment with the highest priority on the child pool is promoted to the parent pool. A similar discovery process demotes the data segment with the highest priority on the parent pool to the child pool.
US08627001B2 Assigning or creating a resource in a storage system
Provided are a method, system, and program for creating at least one volume in a disk storage system. A request is received to create at least one volume on the disk storage system indicating a volume size and number of volumes to create. Selection is made of a storage pool object representing one of a plurality of storage pools having available storage space to create the requested number of volumes. retrieving a storage configuration service of the disk storage system using an association of a disk storage system object representing the disk storage system and the selected storage pool object. The disk storage system object representing the disk storage system is associated with the retrieved storage configuration service. A volume size of the volume to create is set to a calculated size. The storage pool is set as the selected storage pool object. A method is invoked through the retrieved storage configuration service for each volume in the requested number of volumes to create.
US08627000B2 Virtual disk manipulation operations
Described is a technology by which a virtual hard disk is able to continue servicing virtual disk I/O (reads and writes) while a meta-operation (e.g., copying, moving, deleting, merging, compressing, defragmenting, cryptographic signing, lifting, dropping, converting, or compacting virtual disk data) is performed on the virtual disk. The servicing of virtual disk I/Os may be coordinated with meta-operation performance, such as by throttling and/or prioritizing the virtual disk I/Os. Also described is performing a meta-operation by manipulating one or more de-duplication data structures.
US08626999B2 Dynamic random access memory unit and data refreshing method thereof
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) unit and a data refreshing method thereof are provided. The DRAM unit includes a memory array, a refresh address module, and a refresh control module. The memory array includes multiple memory cells. The refresh address module produces a refresh word line address cyclically during a refresh mode. The refresh control module coupled to the memory array and the refresh address module obtains a start word line address and a stop word line address corresponding to the start word line address to form a memory word line address interval. Then, the refresh control module determines that the refresh word line address is within the memory word line address interval to execute a data charging operation to the memory cells corresponding to the refresh word line address, or stop the data charging operation otherwise, so as to reduce power consumption during the refresh mode.
US08626997B2 Phase change memory in a dual inline memory module
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to management of a memory device.
US08626983B2 Motherboard for supporting expansion card or serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module through same expansion slot
A motherboard includes a processor, a platform controller hub (PCH), a switch, a power connector, a switch unit, and an expansion slot. The PCH is connected to the expansion slot to output a bus signal to a serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module (SATA DIMM), which is connected to the expansion slot, in response to the movement of a switch. The processor connected to the processor socket outputs a bus signal to an expansion card, which is connected to the expansion slot, in response to another movement of the switch.
US08626980B2 High density, low jitter, synchronous USB expansion
A method of providing high density expansion of a USB network, the method comprising: attaching a plurality of USB hubs to adjacent slots in a PXI instrumentation chassis; configuring one of the USB hubs as a primary USB Hub; connecting an upstream port of the primary USB Hub to a USB network; configuring a first downstream port of the primary USB Hub to communicate across a first PXI Local Bus to a first adjacent USB Hub of the USB Hubs other than the primary USB Hub, the first adjacent USB Hub being adjacent to the primary USB Hub; configuring a plurality of other downstream ports of the primary USB Hub to provide expansion of the primary USB Hub; connecting an upstream port of the first adjacent USB Hub to the first PXI Local Bus, wherein the first PXI Local Bus is in the direction of the primary USB Hub; configuring a first downstream port of the first adjacent USB Hub to communicate across a second PXI Local Bus to a second adjacent USB Hub of the USB Hubs other than the primary USB Hub, the second adjacent USB Hub being adjacent to the first adjacent USB Hub; configuring a plurality of other downstream ports of the first adjacent USB Hub to provide expansion of the first adjacent USB Hub; and configuring any other of the USB hubs and the first adjacent USB Hub in like manner.
US08626979B2 Common protocol engine interface for a controller interface
A signal transmission system includes a controller interface, a protocol engine to convert data based on at least one protocol, and a common protocol interface coupled between the controller interface and the protocol engine. The controller interface includes or is coupled to a common dispatcher, and the data is to be transmitted between the controller interface and protocol engine through the common protocol interface and common dispatcher. The same protocol engine may convert data into different protocols, with all of the converted data be transmitted to or received from the controller interface through the common dispatcher and common protocol interface.
US08626977B2 Computer system including CPU or peripheral bridge to communicate serial bits of peripheral component interconnect bus transaction and low voltage differential signal channel to convey the serial bits
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.
US08626972B2 I2C multi-slot circuit system and method for transmitting I2C signals
An I2C multi-slot circuit system includes a plurality of I2C slots for receiving a plurality of slave processors, a CPU, a logic control unit, and a I2C switch unit. The CPU determines an address of one of the I2C slots which to-be-transmitted data will be transmitted to, and generates a first logic control signal according to the determined address. The logic control unit enables the one of the I2C slots which the to-be-transmitted data will be transmitted to according to the first logic control signal. The I2C switch unit receives and transmits I2C signal converted from the to-be-transmitted data by the CPU to the I2C slot. A related method is also provided.
US08626971B1 Flash memory method and apparatus with single-press button response
A flash memory device apparatus and method is provided such that data or programming information is uploaded or downloaded between the flash memory device and a host, in response to a single-press of a button associated with the flash memory device. The system can facilitate a number of operations including saving an active window application or associated data, transferring media files to or from media players, providing device-specific and/or data-specific transfer of applications or data and/or providing protection of transferred data or applications.
US08626969B2 Redirection communication
A method and system of communicating data to or from a remote computer. The remote computer is accessed by a CPU as though it were a local IDE controller attached to a local IDE device. A peripheral device distinct from the CPU provides a set of virtual IDE device registers and an IDE controller to the central processing unit. The peripheral device receives data written to the set of virtual IDE device registers, and transmits the data into a network, addressed for reception by the remote computer. The remote computer receives the data, interprets it, and performs operations upon a mirror set of device data. The remote computer then responds, and transmits its response across the network to the peripheral device. The peripheral device communicates the response to the CPU in a fashion identical to an physical IDE controller attached to a physical IDE device.
US08626965B2 Using a DMA engine to automatically validate DMA data paths
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a DMA engine to automatically validate DMA data paths for a computing device. During operation, the system configures the DMA engine to perform a programmable DMA operation that generates a sequence of memory accesses which validate the memory subsystem and DMA paths of the computing device. For instance, the operation may include a sequence of reads and/or writes that generate sufficient data traffic to exercise the computing device's I/O controller interface and DMA data paths to memory to a specified level. The system initiates this programmable DMA operation, and then checks outputs for the operation to confirm that the operation executed successfully.
US08626952B2 Intelligent interaction between media player and host computer
Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed. According to one aspect, interaction between a host computer and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host computer, can be restricted. According to another aspect, management of media items residing on a media player can be performed at and by a host computer for the media player. According to still another aspect, media content can be played by a media player in accordance with quality settings established for the media content at the host computer.
US08626950B1 Request routing processing
Generally described, the present disclosure is directed to managing request routing functionality corresponding to resource requests for one or more resources associated with a content provider. A service provider can assign a set of DNS servers corresponding to a distributed set of network addresses, or portions of network addresses, for one or more identifiable domains. If the service provider receives requests to assign DNS server to conflicting domains, the set of DNS servers for each identifiable are assigned such that there are no matching network addresses between the sets of domains associated with the conflicting domains.
US08626949B2 Intelligent network address lookup service
An intelligent lookup service for a network is provided for clients of a network requesting services of the network that intelligently determines, based on a service requirement of the requested service, optimal service endpoint(s) for providing the requested service. The intelligent lookup service can incorporate predetermined mapping policy and traffic measurements into the determination. In addition, a feedback loop is provided from clients and/or service endpoints to the lookup service concerning measurements about prior connections in the network. The lookup service can include a set of beacons distributed in the network and against which measurements about the network are recorded. A client receives, from the lookup service in response to a request for a network address, a set of candidate service endpoints that pertain to the requested network address and the client connects to one of the candidate service endpoints based on policy or context.
US08626947B2 Method and system for remote activation and management of personal security devices
Managing a Personal Security Device (PSD) includes retrieving proprietary information from a remote storage location using a first Remote Computer System, providing at least one Client as a host to the PSD and establishing a communications pipe over a first network between the PSD and the Remote Computer System. The communications pipe communicates with the PSD through the Client. Managing a PSD also includes transmitting the proprietary information from the Remote Computer System to the PSD by sending a PSD-formatted message through the communications pipe, where the proprietary information provided in the PSD-formatted message and passing through the Client is at least partially inaccessible by the Client, processing the PSD-formatted messages at the PSD to extract the proprietary information and storing the proprietary information in the PSD.
US08626946B2 Systems and methods for hierarchical global load balancing
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a hierarchy of appliances to access resources across branch offices. A method comprises: establishing, by a first aggregator appliance, connections with a first plurality of branch office appliances; establishing, by a second aggregator appliance, connections with a second plurality of branch office appliances, the first plurality not having information identifying the second plurality; receiving, by the first aggregator appliance, from a first branch office appliance a request from a client for access to a resource; identifying, by the first aggregator appliance via the second aggregator appliance, a second branch office appliance from the second plurality to service the request; transmitting, by the first aggregator appliance, to the first branch office appliance information identifying the second branch office appliance; and establishing, by the first branch office appliance, a connection with the second branch office appliance. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08626940B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating content selection
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display.
US08626931B2 Media transport protocol extensions for system information exchange, and applications thereof
Methods, systems and computer program products to implement extensions of the Media Transport Protocol (MTP) are provided herein. The methods include opening a session between an initiator and a responder, exchanging one or more of device and system information and sending one of an operation or event based on media player application features. The operation includes one or more of a dataset, response code, operation parameter and response parameter. In an embodiment, the extensions enable the initiator and responder to manage connections efficiently between devices, send media player application information to a media player device, exchange device and system information, manage digital rights, monitor system security and specify properties within one or more extensions of MTP. These extensions may be in the form of one or more of an operation, an event, a dataset or property code.
US08626930B2 Multimedia content filtering
Methods and apparatuses to filter multimedia content are described. The multimedia content in one embodiment is analyzed for one or more parameters. The multimedia content in one embodiment is filtered based on the one or more parameters using a latent semantic mapping (“LSM”) filter. In one embodiment, the one or more parameters include information about a structure of the multimedia content. A tag that encapsulates the one or more parameters may be generated. Then, the tag is input into the latent semantic mapping filter. In one embodiment, the LSM filter is trained to recognize the multimedia content based on the one or more parameters. In one embodiment, more than two categories are provided for a multimedia content. The multimedia content is classified in more than two categories using the LSM filter. The multimedia content may be blocked based on the classifying.
US08626927B2 System for and method of distributing files
A system for and method for distributing data to a plurality of work stations is presented. The system and method may include determining reception of new or updated data, initiating a first data distribution session to distribute the new or updated data to a first work station of a plurality of work stations via a communication network, determining whether the first work station of the plurality of work stations is active, determining whether a second data distribution session is in progress, and establishing the first data distribution session with the first work station of the plurality of work stations via the communication network in response to a determination that the second data distribution session is not in progress.